A Surprise Blog Hop for Linda Callahan

Many of you know my good friend, the talented Linda Callahan.  Her work is absolutely amazing.  To top it off, she is the sweetest person you could ever hope to meet.  Linda is going to be a grandmother soon, and will be taking a short leave of absence from her position on the Freshly Made Sketches Design Team.  As a surprise for Linda, some of her friends and fellow Design Team members have organized  a blog hop to honor Grandmothers everywhere.

"A Garden of Love Grows in a Grandmother's Heart"...Unknown

I only knew one of my grandmothers, and she lived a distance from us.  But I can remember seeing her every Christmas, when she would come to visit.  She would snuggle me up on her rounded lap, and pull a handkerchief full of pennies from her big black "Grandma" purse.  "I love you, Grandma!" I would say, much to her delight.   Her hair was always neatly pulled into a bun, and her calico bib apron was always freshly pressed.  She smelled like lemon verbena.  

As I grew older, Grandma would pull me down to sit beside her on the couch.  She would fix her little granny glasses upon her nose, and pull a handkerchief full of silver coins from her big black "Grandma" purse.  Her hair was still neatly pulled back, and the requisite apron was still freshly pressed.  "I love you, Grandma!" I would say, as I kissed the lemon verbena scented cheek.


Sadly enough, I don't remember the last time I saw my grandmother.  Isn't that strange?  I know that it would have been at Christmas.  And I know that her silvered hair would have been held in a bun.  Her calico apron would have been freshly pressed, and the scent of lemon verbena would have permeated the air.  I know that I would have said those four magical words, "I love you, Grandma."

For Linda

I designed today's card with Linda in mind.  I know that when the time is right,  Linda will be instrumental in teaching her grandbaby the "ABC"s and "1-2-3"s.  Cherish the moments, Linda! Time passes all too quickly!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Let the DSP Tell the Story

This card measures 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

• Cherish the distressing! Cherish the Moments, from the Baby Prints set, was inked in Jet Black StazOn and lightly distressed with Crumb Cake.  Paper piercing adds interest, as does spritzing with the Color Spritzer Tool.  The Waterspots are courtesy of the French Foliage set.

• Cherish the pearls! For a bit of whimsy, Basic Pearls accent the ruled strip.

 

• Cherish the Designer Series Paper! The Storytime Designer Series Collection definitely tells a story! Its retro color scheme and cute sketches are reminescent of a by-gone era, conjuring up images of Dick and Jane! A Linen Thread bow accents the apple, while a Teeny Tiny Wishes "Baby" tag nestles neatly at the side.

I hope you enjoyed today's card.  Won't you let me know what you think in today's comment?  Your comments are so important to me. Of course, if you ever have questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop on over to the uber-talented Jennifer Timko.  She never disappoints! Until next time...

Lesley Croghan

Mary Fish

Cindy Hall

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Nance Leedy

Jen Mitchell

Tui Nathan

LeAnne Pugliese

Ann Schach

Jennifer Timko

Rita Wright

Stamp Sets:  Baby Prints (W 125470, C 125472), Teeny Tiny Wishes (W 115370, C 127802), French Foliage (W 120845, C 121166);  Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Crumb Cake (126975) Riding Hood Red (126968); Designer Series Paper:  Storytime (126907);  Card Stock:  Very Vanilla (101650), Pool Party (122924); Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Apothecary Accents  Framelits (127003), Paper Piercing Tool (126189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (126187), Sponge Dauber (102892), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch (119871), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190) ; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247), Linen Thread (104199)

Reduced Prices on Remaining Retired Stamp Sets

Of course I have to start my post with a picture!  And what could be better than a Lexi picture?  Here she is doing her "big girl show dog pose" with her handler, Rhonda Nickels.  Doesn't she look huge for 9-1/2 weeks?  It must be the camera angle because she only weighed 15 pounds when she went in for her shots on Tuesday. This picture was taken this past Saturday at a dog show.  Lexi spent the night with Rhonda...and I got to sleep past 4:00 AM.  It should be illegal to wake up every morning to such cuteness.  Notice the head on the pillow?  That is exactly how she sleeps!  Now on to stamping business!

It's time for my remaining retired stamp sets to move on to their new homes.  I hope that you can find something you can use!

• Sets will be described as "new" or "used".  Used stamps may have stained blocks.   I will try to describe each set as accurately as possible.
• Sets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
• If you are interested in a set, please email me at kimschach@msn.com.  Include your zip code so I can calculate your shipping charge.  No phone calls please.
• I will ship the cheapest way possible.  This may be Flat Rate in some instances.
• Payment can be made by PayPal or by personal check.  Please do not make a payment until I send you a confirming email.
• US addresses only.
• This list will be updated daily.  Once a set is sold, it will be removed from the list.
  

Ribbon of Hope   Wood, like new $2
Falling Leaves  Well used  $5
Valentine Love Clear, used $5
Bear Hugs   Wood, new  $5
For All You Do  Wood, used but like new  $10 
Sinceres Salutations (French version), like new  $8
Good Grids  Wood, new  $3
Pretty Patterns  Wood, new $5
Outlined Occasions  Clear, new $5


Until next time...

A Quick and Easy Daring Adventure for Freshly Made Sketches

It's Wednesday and time to "clean it up" for Freshly Made Sketches! I am loving my stint as a Guest Designer.  The sketches are absolutely fabulous to work with, and this week is no exception.  I hope you enjoy today's very quick and very easy card.

 

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Focus on the Sentiment

This card measures 5-1/4" x 5-1/4".

• Spotlight on the Sentiment!  Helen Keller's poignant quote receives front and center staging with today's sketch.  First, the "Bicycle" section of the large image from Postage Due was selectively inked using a Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock.  Next,  the quote from Daring Adventures was inked with Wild Wasabi and Island Indigo Stampin' Write Markers and overstamped on top of the Bicycle.  A trio of Basic Pearls adds interest to the corner.

• Coordinating Paper! What better pattern to emphasize adventure than a world map!  With its beautiful colors, this "Map" selection from Fan Fair works fabulously.  The Grid pattern from the same collection is the perfect partner!  Wild Wasabi 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon is the perfect interface between the two papers.

• Add a Banner! "Dream", from Loving Thoughts, was inked in Island Indigo and stamped onto a snippet of the "Grid" pattern from Fan Fair.  Paper Snips were used to cut the "V" on one end, while the opposite end was curled around the Round File from the now retired Distressing Essentials Kit.  Paper piercing completes the look.

I really like how this card came together.  I think it would make a perfect masculine graduation or birthday card...even with ribbon and pearls! What do you think?  Won't you let me know in today's comments?  Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  Of course, if you have any questions about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time...

Stamp Set:  Daring Adventure (W 122600, C 122602), Loving Thoughts (W 125843,  C 125845); Stampin' Write Markers:  Crumb Cake (120967), Wild Wasabi (119700---Subtles Collection), Island Indigo (123002-In-Color Collection); Designer Series Paper: Fan Fair (126918); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla (101650), Crumb Cake (120953), Island Indigo (122923); Tools:  Paper Piercing Tool (126189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (126187);  Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), 1/4" Wild Wasabi Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126873)

Happiness for The Paper Players

It's Sunday and time to play with The Paper Players!  Lesley has a lovely sketch for us this week.  Since I needed a wedding card, I opted to make one which will be hand-delivered.  I plan on making a box to hold it from coordinating paper.  It is not a design that will suit everyone's taste.  However, I know that the bride loves a vintage look, and I know she will love the dimension achieved by popping the focal image upon a rosette.

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips

The finished card measures 4-1/4'' x 5-1/2".

• Snip! Snip! The floral wreath was snipped from an Apothecary Art image and watercolored with Always Artichoke and Regal Rose inks! The idea for embellishing the label using a snippet from the Elements of Style stamp set is courtesy of the Stampin' Up! catalog!

• Faux lace! The gorgeous Island Indigo lacey border was snipped from a pattern from Fan Fair Designer Series Paper.  

• Pearls galore! Basic Pearls add a little "oomph" to the centers of the flowers and emphasize the scallops!

I love the unexpected "pop" of color added with the Island Indigo Fan Fair pattern paper.  How about you?  Won't you let me know in today's comment? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.  Of course, if you have questions about any of the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

 

Stamp Sets:  Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts, Elements of Style; Inks:  Always Artichoke, Regal Rose, Crumb Case, Soft Suede; Designer Series Paper:  Fan Fair; Card Stock:  Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla;  Tools:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Designer Rosettes Bigz XL Die, Blender Pens, Sponge Dauber; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls

Flowering Flourishes for Pals Paper Arts

It's time for the Pals Paper Arts challenge!  This week we have been treated to another fabulous Margaret Moody sketch.  As you can see, I tweeked it slightly in order to really take advantage of this image from Flowering Flourishes.  It's definitely a quick vintage card to make.  Don't ask me how I know this, but once upon a time, there was a Pals Paper Arts Design Team member who forgot to make her inspiration card.  She was enjoying her day, playing with her new puppy, when she received an email from the design team member in charge of posting the challenge, wondering where her card was.  Well...the rest is history.  If you really, really hurry, you can make this card in an hour...but don't ask me how I know!  Enjoy!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Quick Vintage Cards

This card measures 4-1/4" wide x 5-1/2" long.

• Pretty patterns!  Midnight Muse Herringbone from the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper collection forms a perfect background for this Flowering Flourish image and this subtle Riding Hood Red pattern from Fan Fair.  The result is a more modern take on vintage without all the florals!

• Putting the accent on the sentiment!  The new Elegant Butterfly Punch creates a charming accent in seconds.  A few zip-zips around the edges with a Sponge Dauber and Crumb Cake ink completes the vintage transformation.

• Distress! Crunb Cake ink provides subtle aging courtesy of the Waterspot stamp from French Foliage.  Add a few speckles with the Color Spritzer Tool, and watch the focal image age before your eyes!

• A-Musing!  Midnight Muse was used to ink up the Flowering Flourish image. Boho Blossom and Itty Bitty Shapes Punches were used to add a trio of Primrose Petal flowers with Summer Starfruit centers.  Add a few Basic Pearls, and the card is complete.

 I hope you enjoyed today's card, even if it was made in a panic.  I feel that there is something lacking, like maybe a bow.  What do you think? Won't you let me know in today's comment?  I definitely think I will revisit this one and add a few more details.  As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use...I am only an email away! Until next time... 

Stamp Sets:  Flowering Flourishes, French Foliage, Tea Shoppe; Inks:  Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake; Designer Series Paper:  Fan Fair, Comfort Cafe; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit; Tools:  Big Shot, 3-1/2" Circle Originals Die, Labels Collection Framelits, Boho Blossom Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Color Spritzer Tool, Sponge Dauber;  Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls

A Beautiful Season for Freshly Made Sketches

It's Wednesday and time for Freshly Made Sketches, where clean is the name of the game!  Lesley's lovely sketch this week features a central oval, just perfect for the bird image from A Beautiful Season.  I hope you enjoy today's clean and elegant card.

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Clean and Elegant

The finished card measures 4-1/4" wide x 5-1/2" long.

• Elegant texture! Stampin' Up!'s new Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder adds a classic and elegant pattern in seconds.

• Gilded embossing! The Bird from A Beautiful Season was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder.  The berries and leaves were lightly tinted using Blender Pens and inks.  The result would delight King Midas himself!

• Classy bow!  Retired Early Espresso Satin Ribbon makes a gorgeous bow.  Luckily I still have a few yards of satin ribbon tucked away.

• Stylish sentiment! The Merry Christmas sentiment from Petite Pairs was inked in Soft Suede and punched with a small oval punch.  This was then layered onto a Cherry Cobbler banner, created using the Bitty Banners Framelits. 

As you can see, I am trying to use up a little of my retired paper and ribbon.  I never get all of my retiring paper used up before the new catalog release.  It's like when you have breakfast, and you eat all of the cereal but there is still milk left in the bowl.  The new catalog has been released with all of its fabulous designer series patterns, and I still have old ones to use up!

This card is so easy to create...and I now have one Christmas card completed!  With little Lexi Lou in the house, it may be the only one I get created.  Don't let her sweet looks fool you...she is a little dynamo!  She has seriously put a crimp into my blog surfing and email answering.  But it won't be long until she starts sleeping through the night...I hope! 

Even though I have not had the opportunity to respond back to your comments the past few weeks, please know that they are so very important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.  And of course, I will always take the time to answer any questions that you may have about the cards I create or the techniques that I use.  Until next time...

 The Clean Team

Jennifer Brum
Linda Callahan
Allisa Chilton

Lesley Croghan

Cindy Hall

Jen Mitchell

Tui Nathan
Jen Sannes

Ann Schach
Linda Suarez
Jennifer Timko

Stamp Sets:  A Beautiful Season, Petite Pairs;  Inks:  Versamark, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede; Designer Series Paper:  Mocha Morning Specialty (retired);  Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold, Cherry Cobbler;  Tools:  Heat Tool, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Blender Pens, Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls, Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon (retired)

The Paper Players 100th Challenge Blog Hop

 

In celebration of The Paper Players' 100th Challenge, each member of the Design Team perused the previous challenges, and selected one of their favorites.  I selected Challenge #17:  A Sketch Challenge.  This was my first challenge as a Design Team member, so it is a special challenge to me.  We are asking our participants to select any past challenge and create a card for it. I hope you will hop along to see what the other members of the team selected.  At the end of the challenge, one lucky participant will be receiving all of our cards as a little "thank you" for supporting us! 

Here is my original card which appeared on September 23, 2010:

And here is my new one:

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Clean, Classy and Quick

The finished card measures 4-1/4" wide x 5-1/2" long.
Need a card in a hurry?  This is the card for you!

• Texture!  Want a quick and easy way to add pizzazz to a clean and simple card? A Textured Impressions Embossing Folder does the trick.  My folder of choice for this card is Stampin' Up!'s new Argyle one.

• Face the Facets! Stampin' Up!'s new Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons add classy sparkle!  The centers of the largest size are just pearl-fect for adding a Large Pearl Basic Jewel.  Coloring to coordinate is a breeze with a permanent marker.

• Pretty Papillion! A Raspberry Ripple Butterfly from Papillion Potpourri graces the center square.  Of course, I just had to add pearls for its body.

• Bow down to the Bow! A Whisper White Organza bow gets a punch of color from a snippet of new In-Color Stitched Satin Ribbon!

I hope you will hop along to see what the other members of the team created.  At the end of the challenge, one lucky participant will be receiving all of our cards as a little "thank you" for playing with us!  

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile 

Jaydee

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Don't you just love the new Argyle folder?  I debated on whether to use the Fancy Fan folder, but I thought the argyle one looked really cute with the butterfly! What do you think?  Won't you let me know in today's comment?  Your comments are important to me and I do read each and every one of them.  I know I have been remiss in responding back and thanking you for the wonderful comments you have been leaving.  But we can blame that on...you guessed it...Lexi Lou!  

Lexi is exhausted after stealing the dish towel.

As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time...

(Click Here to see the remaining retired stamps which I have for sale. )

Stamp Set:  Papillion Potpourri ();  Ink:  Raspberry Ripple (126859); Card Stock:  Raspberry Ripple (126842), Whisper White (100730);  Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127750), 1-1/4" Square Punch (119865), 1-3/8" Square Punch (119877); Glitz and Glam:  Vintage Faceted Buttons (127555), Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (114319), Raspberry Ripple Satin Stitched Ribbon (126845)