Fabric Friends for The Paper Players

It's time for The Paper Players Challenge! Your task this week is to have Fun with Fabric! According to the Players' definition of fabric, anything woven will qualify...ribbon, lace, crochet trim and more, as well as traditional fabric itself! As for me, I used all three patterns of the new Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric. I hope you enjoy my "Fabric Friends" card and the three fabric techniques that I am showcasing today!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:

• Technique One: Fabric with Adhesive Roll! To make the fabric Lattice, I simply ironed the adhesive onto the fabric and zipped it through the Big Shot with the Lattice Die. Next, I peeled off the transfer sheet, and ironed the Lattice onto Not Quite Navy card stock. The texture is phenomenol!
  

  
  
  
  
• Techique Two: Fabric Yo-Yo! Making yo-yo's are a breeze when using the Big Shot and the 3" Circle Originals Die! All it takes is a simple running stitch around the edge, pulled tight to pucker, and the yo-yo is complete! I topped mine with a Rose Red Big Designer Button and accented it with Always Artichoke and Rose Red Seam Binding and Victoria and Chantilly Crochet Trim.

• Technique Three: Tear and Fray! A 1-1/4" strip of fabric was ripped from a larger piece. Using a needle to separate the fibers, I simply removed a few threads of fabric at a time to achieve the frayed edge. I then adhered part of the strip to the card, and with the remainder I made a simple bow which I attached with Mini Glue Dots.

• Glitz and Glam! A trio of Basic Pearls adorn the lattice, while a quartet accents the sentiment. A Trinket Key adds the finishing touch!

I hope you enjoyed today's card. My favorite part is the fabric bow. Won't you please leave me a comment and let me know what fabric element you like the best? And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!

Hopefully Blogger has resolved the issues that have been a problem over the past few days. You can imagine how panicked I was when I went to check my blog Saturday morning, and it was gone!!! Can you say "Heart Attack"? Luckily the problem resolved itself around noon. Whew! Until next time...

Stamp Set: You're a Gem (W 122268, C 122270); Inks: Not Quite Navy (103008), Soft Suede (115657); Card Stock: Rose Red (102544), Naturals Ivory (101849), Baja Breeze (111352), Always Artichoke (105119); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Lattice Bigz Die (115958), 3" Circle Originals Die (122125), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch (119863), 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch (120908); Glitz and Glam: Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Chantilly Crochet Trim (118480), Always Artichoke Seam Binding (121000), Rose Red Seam Binding (121884), Linen Thread (104199), Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric (121817), Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons (122301), Basic Pearls (119247), Trinket Keys (121892), Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll (122194)

A Peek at the Players and More Blog Awards

Today I have a little peek at this week's The Paper Players inspiration card for you, as well as the remainder of the Stylish Blogger Award recipients. I hope that you will stop by The Paper Players site and check out the winners of last week's challenge.

Stylish Blogger Award

Yesterday I mentioned that I had received the Stylish Blogger Award from three young stampers:

Holley Sullivan
Carrie Sampsel
Angela Timms

You can imagine my surprise when I had an email this morning from Crystal Rancourt stating that she was giving me this award, too. How sweet! Yesterday I listed four of my favorite blogs. Today, I will list four more. Now remember, there are many, many talented stampers that I love and visit daily. These are just four from a long, long list.

1. Julie B --- I love her vintage style!

2. Linda Fisher ---Linda is fairly new to the blogging scene. I love how she mixes up vintage and clean and classy.

3. Julie Gearinger --- Julie's designs are always classics!

4. Mary Anderson --- A visit to Mary's blog will reward you with classy cards, fabulous MDS scrapbook pages, and some of the most beautiful photographs you will ever see.

You Never Know...

What a surprise I received when I read through my comments for yesterday's post and found this one. Needless to say, it brought a tear to my eye...

Chris P. said...
I am not a blogger or a stamper. Found this site while looking up old teachers. Ann was my biology teacher in the mid 70's. She was a pretty cool chick and a great teacher as I recall. I just did not have a head for biology! Great of you to share your personal feelings with your readers....Even though I spent 20 years in the military and even served in Iraq, I almost cried at the last episode of Monk too! Glad to see that even though you retired from teaching, you found another way to channel your energy and passion.
Good luck!

Isn't that soooo sweet! I have not heard from Chris since 1978. (And I don't think anyone has ever described me as a pretty cool chick! Thank you for brightening up my day!)

I hope you enjoyed today's sneak peek and that you will join me tomorrow for the full reveal! Remember, your comments are important to me. And if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away. Until next time...

Blog Award and Rhinestone Winner

Three sweet stampers recently bestowed the Stylish Blogger Award upon me. I am always touched when people think enough of what I do, to honor me in this way. Even though I am retired, the teacher in me still has that desire to teach and inspire. So I would love to thank these three young stampers and I encourage you to check out their blogs:

Holley Sullivan
Carrie Sampsel
Angela Timms

Of course, like all awards, there are certain stipulations. I have to share 8 facts about myself, and pass this on to 8 stampers whom I admire. Now I have shared facts with you before, so I feel that I am running out of facts. However, I will try to share something new. Here goes:

1. I am very sensitive. As I have already shared, I cry at sad commercials. I also cried during the American Idol eliminations. Sometimes I even cry at comments...you are all so sweet. I cry when reading sad stories. I cried at the last episode of Monk. Yet...I am a very positive and upbeat person.
2. I do not have an art background. I never even took an art class while in school. Yet I wish I had!
3. I love to sing! I just wish I could carry a tune.
4. I have to watch my weight. I am currently using Weight Watchers On-line...and love it. I have lost 11 pounds in the last 5 weeks. I want to be svelte for Convention. At my heaviest, when I was expecting my son, I weighed 170 pounds. At my thinnest, during my first year of teaching, I weighed 96 pounds. Yes...I had an eating disorder.
5. I don't tan. I burn. I have perennial freckles. Growing up I was always envious of those people who had beautiful tans. I don't wear shorts or capris because of this.
6. I never leave the house without wearing make-up. I am a child of the '60's and '70's, so I love my eyeliner!
7. I am blessed with a supportive husband. He was one of my best friends in high school. When I went away to college, we ended up going our separate ways until I called him up 15 years later. He has been there for me ever since.
8. My favorite quote is from the poem "Invictus"..."I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul". I incorporated it into the valedictory address I gave when I graduated from high school in 1972. Yes...I am old! But, I love poetry and wrote poetry when I was younger.

As for stampers I admire, there are so many. I could probably list 800 and still end up forgetting someone. Some of these stampers are new finds for me...some are old friends. I will list four today, and four on my next post. Enjoy these wonderful sources of inspiration.

1. Mike Funke
Mike is a class act in every way. His designs are timeless and classy. I admire his ability to use sets in innovative ways.

2. Curt OBrien
Curt's work just blows me away! I recently discovered his blog. Besides his fabulous cards, Curt is an awesome photographer and the proud father of two Giant Schnauzers.

3. Cindy Beach
Vintage, shabby, clean and simple...Cindy does it all. Cindy was a fellow Dirty Dozen design team member at the same time I was. I love, love, love her work. I would love to be able to design like Cindy.

4. Regina Mangum
When it comes to cute, no body does it better! Her ability to see things in different ways make her designs fresh! Whether it's her scrapbook layouts or innovative cards, Regina is an inspiration.

Remember, I will share four more stampers who inspire me in my next post!

Winner of the Rhinestones

The winner of the Rhinstones this week, as selected randomly is:

#49 Vonnie

Hi Ann,
I knew I wouldn't be dissapointed in your card today. I just love it and all those scallops in the beautiful DSP! Glad to hear Muffy is better. My "girls' love those human treats...which I am guilty of giving into them this pass year and letting them have. Thanks for your inspiration!
Yvonne

Congrats, Yvonne! I will get your rhinestones in the mail to you pronto!

I am sorry that this has been such a lengthy post. As usual, I just had so many things to say. Arghh! Until next time...

Vintage Meets Clean and Simple

Are you a lover of Clean and Simple cards, yet have a yearning to create the ever-popular vintage look? Then I have the card for you! It's a "Goldilocks card"...it's not too simple, it's not too vintage, it's just right! Designed for Pals Paper Arts Clean and Simple Challenge: Scallops, today's card features the Easter Blossoms stamp set and Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper. Enjoy "Vintage Meets Clean and Simple"!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:

• Quick and easy! Large scallops are a breeze to make when using the Big Shot and the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die. The vintage theme is reinforced by using Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper.
• How can you resist Resist! The Emboss Resist technique was used when stamping the girl image and sentiment, both from the Easter Blossoms stamp set. The stamps were inked with VersaMark, stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock, and heat embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder. Crumb Cake ink was then sponged over the embossing, and the excess was wiped away.
• Age it! The Color Spritzer Tool and Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker add instant speckles! A Sponge Dauber and Crumb Cake ink are used to age edges!
• Glitz and Glam! Three Basic Pearls adorn the upper right corner. An Always Artichoke Seam Binding bow is accented with a snippet of lace, and softly pleated.

I hope you enjoyed today's inspiration card. I know that the other members of the Design Team have created fabulous cards to get your creative juices flowing, so please make certain to stop by Pals Paper Arts and check them out! I do hope that you will join us in our CAS-Scallops challenge this week. Remember, your comments are important to me, and I am anxious to hear what you think of today's card. And if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away. Coming up tomorrow: Blog Candy Winner and Blog Awards. Until next time...

Stamp Set: Easter Blossoms (W 121905, C 122057); Inks: Crumb Cake (121030), Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker (120967), VersaMark (102283); Designer Series Paper: Springtime Vintage (121782); Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (101849), Crumb Cake (119929); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch (119855), Heat Tool (100005), Sponge Dauber (102892), Stampin' Sponges (101610), Color Spritzer Tool (107066); Glitz and Glam: Always Artichoke Seam Binding (121000), Chantilly Crochet Trim (118480), Basic Pearls (119247), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132)

PPA Peek and FREE Rhinestones

Can you believe it is Wednesday already? Of course, that means it's time for a sneak peek at my Pals Paper Arts inspiration card, and a "bite" of Blog Candy. I hope that you enjoy both! Of course, while waiting for the full reveal on Thursday, won't you please stop by the PPA and check out this week's Pals Artist Picks?

The Twins are still "recuperating" from their first show, and are staying close to Mom. Muffy has had some trouble with an upset tummy. While at the show, she didn't eat very much of her food which I sent from home. However, she loved chowing down on the ham, liver and hot dogs that her handler had brought to garner her attention in the ring. And she also coerced others of her admirers for a bite now and then. The result is that she is now on the equivalent of "doggy Pepto-Bismol" and some special canned food. However, she feels well otherwise. While she is not laying at my feet, or answering her emails, she and Brody are both playing.

Well, what do you think about today's peek? Instead of a penny for your thoughts, how about a package of FREE RHINESTONES? Just leave me a comment on either this post or Thursday's post by 10:00 PM CST Thursday, and I will randomly select a winner to be announced in Friday's post. Also on Friday, I have blog award recipients to announce...that is always sooo much fun! And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!

Congratulations to the latest recipients of FREE product earned through the "Shop with Schach" Rewards Program: Brenda and Kyra! Have YOU placed your Sale-A-Bration order with me yet? You can also earn free product through my loyalty program! Until next time...

The Twins Have the Blues

It's Sunday evening, and two very tired Twins are recuperating from their first AKC dog show in Des Moines, Iowa. Because they wanted to tell you all about it themselves, I gave in and said they could say a few words about their first Dog Show Adventure. If you know anything about Boxers, you know that they can be very persuasive until they get their own way. Against my better judgement...here are The Twins.

Muffy: I am going to go first and tell you all about my very first dog show, because I am the girl and I am smarter.

Brody: But I'm bigger, and I went into the ring first, so I want to talk first. MOM....Muffy is being mean to me again, just like she was to all of the other boy Boxers in the motel room!!!

Me: Muffy, be a big girl, and let Brody be the alpha dog today!

Brody: Thanks, Mom! I got to go into the ring first on both Saturday and Sunday. Mom...why do they call it Saturday when Michelle the Handler wouldn't let me sit in the ring? And why was it called Sunday when it rained all day? Anyway, I got to go into this big circle called a ring. There were other little boy puppies there. I wanted to play with them, but Michelle wouldn't let me. On "You-Can't-Sit-Day", there was a man in the ring. I think he's called a "Judd".

Muffy: No he's not, Brody. You don't know anything. A "Judd" is a woman who sings country music. There are two of them. Mom and I watched them on Oprah when I was helping her distress cards.

Brody: MOM!!! Muffy said I don't know anything. Those people in the ring with us, they are too called Judds, aren't they Mom!

Me: Well, Brody-boy, you are very close, sweetie! They are called "judges". You had two judges. A man on "You-can't-sit day" and a woman on "Rainday".

Brody: Oh, no! I remember learning about "Stranger Danger" and "Good Touch-Bad Touch"! But he touched me all over, and then he had the nerve to look in my mouth! And Michelle let him do it. I stood really still though, because Michelle was feeding me stuff my Mom doesn't let me have, like Ham and Liver and Hot Dogs. Oh, no...MOM...was I eating other dogs???

Me: No, Brody. Hot dogs are made from...well...uh...something with hooves. But, Brody, they are not made from "dogs". You weren't being a cannibal.

Brody: Whew...I didn't want to be a can of bull! Anyway, after the strange man touched me, I had to "gait", which meant that I couldn't just walk, but I couldn't run either. It was kind of fun. People clapped, and so I did this little prance. And then they clapped more, because I was cute...

Muffy: No you weren't! You're not cute! You're ugly. I heard Mom say so. She said you just look like some big brown ugly thing with a gorgeous head...

Brody: MOM!!!! Muffy is saying I'm not cute and that you said I was ugly!

Me: Oh, sweetie! Mommy did say your head was gorgeous, and you know that Michelle said that we needed to work on building up your muscles. Muffy Lin...quit saying hurtful things to your brother!

Muffy: Oh, just let me talk, Brody. You are taking way too long to tell the story. OK...So Brody won his class on Saturday and he won his class on Sunday, and he beat some other boy dogs. Big whoop! They were boy dogs...and everybody knows that boy dogs are stinky and have fleas. People want to hear about me...I am the perfect, pretty puppy with the awesome Boxer booty! I am the J-Lo of Dogdom! No...with my Boxer bottom, I am the Kim Kardashian of Kanines! I am beautiful! Everyone loves to look at meeeee!

Brody: MOM...Muffy's doing it again! Make her stop!

Me: Twins! That's enough! Go take a nap like good dogs!




Well, to make a long story short, both of the Twins won their classes both days. Brody did have other little boy puppies in the ring with him. Muffy was the only one in her class. If Muffy were telling the story, she would tell you that all the rest of the little girls were scared off by her beautiful looks! But that's Muffy for you! Until next time...

Nature Walk in Blue for The Paper Players

It's Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! It's a sketch challenge this week, designed by the talented Nance Leedy, and what a wonderful sketch it is! Don't you just love it? I decided to pull out one of my favorite Occasions Mini sets, Nature Walk, and whip up this fun and feminine card. Enjoy a Nature Walk in Blue!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:

• Texture! Don't be afraid to run Designer Series Paper through the Big Shot. A pattern from the Botanical Gazette collection was embossed with the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for a look which is both feminine and vintage. And notice the beautiful blue Tulips border? It was part of the paper's design!


• Dye it...Try it! The Rosettes were dyed quickly and easily! I placed rubbing alcohol into a spritzer bottle and added several drops of Marina Mist Ink Refill and Frost White Shimmer Paint. I sprayed the medium-sized Rosette first, added more re-inker, and then sprayed the smaller Rosette. Finally, I added even more re-inker, and misted the darker, large Rosette.
  




• Bling the bird! Dazzling Diamonds add sparkle and shine to make this bird divine! With Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, it's so easy! I just "painted" selected areas with Tombow, sprinkled on the Dazzling Diamonds, and shook off the excess!

• Pearls! The "string" of Basic Pearls are perfect for outlining ovals and circles, providing a finishing touch to the raw edge of the paper. The result is delightfully feminine and romantic!

I hope you enjoyed today's The Paper Players' inspiration card, and I hope that you will join us in this week's challenge. If you wish to create a standard sized card with this sketch, that is perfectly fine with us. What is important is that you have fun! Until next time...

Stamp Sets: Nature Walk (W 121925, C 121997), You're a Gem (W 122268, C 122270); Inks: Crumb Cake (121030), Soft Suede (115657), Early Espresso (119670), Marina Mist Ink Refill (119787); Stampin' Write Marker: Soft Suede (120973); Designer Series Paper: Botanical Gazette (121783---Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Marina Mist (119682), Early Espresso (119686), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963), Ovals Original Die (114525), 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch (119863), 3/4"' x 15/16" Oval Punch (120908), Brayer (102395), Sponge Daubers (102892), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Glitz and Glam: Rosettes (118774), Basic Pearls (119247), Victoria Crochet Trim (118481), Marina Mist 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119257), Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (122330), Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), Dazzling Diamonds (102023)

The Paper Players Peek

It's Saturday, which means it is time for The Paper Players Peek! As you can see, my Paper Players card for Sunday is blue! With Dazzling Diamonds and Pearls, it is fun and feminine! I hope you will join me tomorrow for the reveal.

The Twins Big Adventure

It has been lonely the past two nights. The Twins are with Michelle the Handler in Des Moines preparing for their first show. They were thrilled and happy to see Michelle again. Michelle makes their training fun with treats and toys. Thursday they participated in a "practice" show with a pretend judge. Of course, I thought they looked adorable! Brody was the first to "show". He did a fabulous job "stacking", which is when they are posed. He stood like a statue when the judge checked him all over, with one exception. He did not want a stranger looking in his mouth. Now his Dad and I have practiced this with him since he was a tiny baby...so who knows what his problem was! Kids! Brody is not physically mature, but he is being shown to gain ring experience. Here is a picture of Brody just chillin' Thursday before his trip to Michelle's:

To give you a perspective as to what he is doing, he is sleeping. His favorite spot is a big, leather ottoman, which I keep covered so he doesn't scratch it. He always hangs his head over the edge, except now he is getting so big that his head nearly touches the floor. At six months, he is weighing in at 51.4 pounds!

Little Miss Muffy, on the other hand, stacked beautifully, gaited perfectly, and charmed the "judge". Her only problem was that when it was time for the hands-on physical examination, she sat down...three times! However, by the fourth time she understood the importance of standing. And talk about a diva...Heaven help Michelle! Here is the diva getting her "beauty sleep":

Michelle told us not to expect them to win right away, since they will need to gain experience. Brody will need to do incline work to build up his muscles, which means that we either need to find some hills to climb, or he needs to learn how to use Mom's treadmill. Muffy, on the other hand, is looking awesome...she just needs to learn some show manners.

What is so important is that both of my babies absolutely LOVED what they were doing. You could tell that they enjoyed being in the ring, strutting their stuff. It is the start of a new adventure for them and for me. And regardless of what happens in their futures, they will be champions in our household. A year ago this month, my heart was breaking at the loss of my best friend, Missy the Boxer. And although the Twins will never replace her, they are forging their own place in my heart. We are sharing new stories, making new memories, and embarking on new adventures every day! Tomorrow: The Paper Players. Until next time...

A Sew Suite Sketch for the PPA

It's Thursday, and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! We have a fabulous sketch challenge for you this week, designed by our own Margaret Moody. I hope that you have as much fun creating from this sketch as I did. After making so many vintage-style cards the past few weeks, I was ready for a change, and selected the whimsical Sew Suite stamp set with its coordinating Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper collection. Enjoy this "suite" sketch!

The Stampin' Schach Designer Tips:

• Put your paper to work! Several of the design elements on this card are taken directly from the Sweet Stitches designer paper. The "Quality Buttons" and "Fashion Pearls" cards are snipped directly from one of the patterns, as is the little blue "Pattern Pieces" in the center collage.
• Collage! What fun to create a collage within the central circle of the sketch! A paper-pieced Dress Form, a Pin Cushion complete with a Vintage Trinket Safety Pin, and a fabulous Big Designer Button are just a few of the fun items I included in my collage.
  

• Glitz and Glam! Basic Pearls add a touch of elegance, while Basic Rhinestones add a touch of bling!

What fun it was to create this card! The bright colors and delightful patterns of the Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper would bring a smile to anyone's face! Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see what you create! So please, won't you leave me a comment and let me know what you think of today's card? And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!

I would love to thank everyone who helped me celebrate my second Stampin' Up! anniversary by leaving such sweet comments. As selected by Random.org, the winner of the Blog Candy is:

#130: Veronica

Veronica said...
I love the Bliss stamp set and love your card! TFS.

Congrats, Veronica! If you will contact me with your address, I will send your Blog Candy out pronto! Until next time...

Stamp Set: Sew Suite (W 121933; C 122029); Ink: Soft Suede (115657), Early Espresso (119670); Designer Series Paper: Sew Suite (121781); Card Stock: Wild Wasabi (108641), Chocolate Chip (102128), Naturals Ivory (101849), Daffodil Delight (119683); Tools: Corner Rounder (119871), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Sweet Stitches Big Designer Buttons (122302), Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding (122330), Victoria Lace Trim (118481), Linen Thread (104199); Other: Needle

PPA Sneak Peek

Fun and cheery are two words that I would use to describe this week's Pals Paper Arts inspiration card. It was fun to create, and hopefully it will be fun to look at, too! So please join me Thursday for the full reveal. In the meantime, don't forget to visit Pals Paper Arts to check out this week's Pals Paper Arts Artist Picks!

Also on Thursday I will announce the one lucky winner, as selected through Random.org, of my Anniversary Blog Candy. If you have not entered yet, simply comment on any of these posts... Monday, Tuesday and this one... by 10:00 PM CST Wednesday. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with an address, and I will send the candy on its way to its new home!

Is Now the Time?

If you missed the last Starter Kit special, and are kicking yourself...don't despair. Stampin' Up! is offering another special. If you join Stampin' Up! by becoming a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration, you will receive 15% off your Starter Kit and a Bonus Bundle filled with over $50 in FREE product.

I would love to have you join Stampin' Up! with me. I can offer mentoring from afar through Skype in case you do not live within driving distance. I absolutely love the technique and sharing sessions that I have with my downline members and the friendships that we have forged. If you would like to purchase your Stampin' Up! supplies at a discount, and if you would like to belong to a group where you can learn about many facets of papercrafting, then we need to talk. I am passionate and sincere about sharing what I know and what I love. Please email me if you have questions about becoming a member of The Schach Pack.

Until next time...

Quick and Easy Birthday

If you know me, you know that I have a difficult time with quick and easy cards. I am all about layers and distressing and embellishing. But how can I ever become comfortable with this style of card if I never practice making it? SO...I gave myself a time limit of one hour (which is really quick for me) to design and make today's card. What got done, got done. No re-do's. No Sponge Daubers. No Color Spritzer Tool. And no pearls. Yep...You heard me right...No pearls!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:

• Quick and easy scallops! The Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die can be used to produce large scallop trims in minutes! Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, and Naturals Ivory card stock, plus the "Tiny Dots" pattern from Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper, were zipped through the Big Shot to form these luscious layers of scallops. (Steppin' It Up: Add Basic Pearls to the Chocolate Chip layer, and distress the edges of the others with Soft Suede ink.)


• Color! Don't be afraid to ink up your sentiments in color! Birthday Wishes from Sincere Salutations was inked in Garden Green and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock, for a look which coordinates with the Designer Series Paper. (Of course, it was so hard for me not to distress the edges with Soft Suede ink, or add a mini-Basic Pearl to dot the "i" in Birthday.


• Glitz and Glam! A Chocolate Chip button from the Sweet Stitches collection, topped with a Sweet Stitches Fabric Brad, adorns the center of a Very Vanilla satin bow. (Given more time, scrunchy Very Vanilla Seam Binding would have looked cute. Or how about tinting some seam binding using a Garden Green or Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker?)

As I created this card, I kept thinking of ways to "Step It Up". A Trinket Crown suspended from the bow, along with the "Queen for a Day" sentiment from the Clearly for You stamp set, would be adorable. Maybe I will go ahead and do a stepped-up version later. How fun would that be!

Don't forget that it's Blog Candy time here at The Stampin' Schach!

To celebrate my Second Anniversary as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I am offering the following blog candy:

• Northern Hearts stamp set
• Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper
• Bashful Blue 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Pink Glass Beads
• Clear Micro Beads

The winner will be randomly selected from all comments left on Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's posts through 10:00 PM CST Wednesday. The winner will be announced in Thursday's post and will have 48 hours to email an address to me. So don't be shy...leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today's card. And don't forget that if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away. Until next time...

Interested in taking advantage of Stampin' Up!'s Starter Kit special? Email me today!

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations (115068); Ink: Garden Green (102272); Designer Series Paper: Woodland Walk (117389); Card Stock: Chocolate Chip (102128), Garden Green (102584), Naturals Ivory (101849); Tools: 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch (119855), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Big Shot (113439), Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893); Glitz and Glam: Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117291), Sweet Stitches Big Designer Buttons (122302), Sweet Stitches Fabric Brads (121880)

Simple Bliss and Blog Candy

"Simply Schach" is back with this quick and easy card created with the "Bliss" Sale-A-Bration set. Yummy Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso, along with Very Vanilla and a touch of Shimmery White make a pleasing color palette. Enjoy this simple Bliss card along with some quick and easy tips!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:

• When time is of the essence, achieving visual interest can be as simple as rounding opposite corners!
• Quick and easy scrunchy ribbon can be as simple as laying down a strip of adhesive and softly pleating Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding!
• Simple accents! A single Pearl adorns the center of the Flourish from the Bliss set. A snippet of Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding is drawn through a Very Vanilla satin bow.
• Instant shimmer! Using Shimmery White card stock provides shimmer in a single step!
• Of course, the Stamp-a-ma-jig is a must for stamping the "Friend" sentiment from the You're a Gem set.

I hope that you enjoyed today's simple card. I will be the first to admit that simpler cards are difficult for me to create. But did you notice that no sponge daubers or color spritzer tools were harmed in the making of this card? And only one...yes one...pearl was used?

Blog Candy


To celebrate my Second Anniversary as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I am offering the following blog candy:

• Northern Hearts stamp set
• Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper
• Bashful Blue 1" Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
• Pink Glass Beads
• Clear Micro Beads

The winner will be randomly selected from all comments left on the following posts: today through Wednesday at 10:00 PM CST. The winner will be announced in Thursday's post and will have 48 hours to email an address to me. So don't be shy...leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today's card. And don't forget that if you ever have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away. Until next time...

Interested in taking advantage of Stampin' Up!'s Starter Kit special? Email me today!

Stamp Sets: Bliss (W 121851, C 123217), You're a Gem (W 122268, C 122270); Ink: Early Espresso (119670), Cherry Cobbler (119669); Designer Series Paper: Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (117157); Card Stock: Shimmery White (101910), Very Vanilla (101650), Early Espresso (119686); Tools: Corner Rounder (119871); Glitz and Glam: Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117291), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992), Basic Pearls (119247)