A Tree for Freshly Made Sketches

It's time for another Freshly Made Sketches challenge! This week the talented Lesley has prepared a fabulous sketch for us.  I seized the opportunity to make another Christmas card, featuring the Tree from Christmas Lodge.  And just look at all of those pearls! Enjoy today's quick and easy card!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips

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

• Cherry Cobbler Pearls!  Red and brown permanent markers were used to color Stampin' Up!'s  Basic Pearls.  The resulting color closely mimics one of my favorites...the rich and yummy Cherry Cobbler! And the nice thing is that it can be completed in a matter of seconds!

• Contrasts! A lacy Cherry Cobbler Finishing Touch Edgelit border is a wonderful contrast to the deeply textured Early Espresso Woodgrain panel!  Of course, Basic Pearls are always the perfect accessory for any well-dressed card!

• Sentiment with a flair! The Joyous Celebrations set offers a novel solution for a sentiment.  Using the  Holiday Mini catalog for my inspiration, I added Pearls to the tiny Bow and Mistletoe.  Plus I double curled my banner at one end.

 

The fabulous Houndstooth paper that I used for the card base is from the Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack. The Early  Espresso and Very Vanilla color combination is warm and rich.  And that awesome Cherry Cobbler pattern is from the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit.  I love the traditional colors and patterns.

For today's card, I wanted to create something a little rustic.  But as the card progressed,  I decided to add contrast to the rustic embossed panel, thus the addition of the border and the pearls. What do you think of the contrast? As always, your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!  Ten years ago this week, on the first day of school, I survived a pulmonary embolism.  I was one of the lucky ones who felt that something just wasn't quite right.  I will be forever grateful to Susan, who taught in the room next to me.  She insisted that I tell the principal, and took me by the hand and walked me to his office.  Susan just would not take "No" for an answer.  I am also grateful to  Mr. Bowen, who would not accept the "I'll see the doctor at the end of the day" excuse. Those of you in education know that you just don't miss the first day of school....except when your principal forces you to go to the emergency room.  But go I did and survive I did.  And not a day goes past that I do not count my blessings.  Until next time...

Stamp Sets:  Joyous Celebrations, Christmas Lodge;  Inks:  Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler; Designer Series Paper:  Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' Kit, Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack; Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso Core'dinations; Tools:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Large Oval Punch; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls; Other:  Red and Brown Permanent Markers

Triple Time Stamping with a Twist for The Paper Players

It's Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players!  This week the amazing LeAnne has a wonderful sketch for us.  I decided to employ the Triple Time Stamping technique with a slight twist, using LeAnne's sketch instead of the traditional stack of three layers.  Since I have not made any fall cards yet, I pulled out one of my favorite sets for autumn...French Foliage. Unfortunately I needed a sympathy card, so I added a "With Sympathy" banner created with the Loving Thoughts set.  

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips: Triple Time Stamping

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

• A triple treat! The trick to Triple Time Stamping is stamping three layers at one time.  I used Naturals Ivory card stock for the images and matted with Early Espresso card stock.  I lightly adhered the Naturals Ivory pieces into position according to the sketch, and then randomly stamped the various Leaves images in Always Artichoke, More Mustard and Cajun Craze.  To add a little texture, I zipped the stack through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Next, I just matted the stamped images onto Early Espresso card stock and rebuilt the stack.

• Bow-dacious bow! A unique ribbon treatment of loops of Always Artichoke Seam Binding and Victoria Crochet Lace create the "wow" factor on this card!

 

• Simple sentiment!  "With Sympathy" from Loving Thoughts was inked in Early Espresso and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  The edges were distressed with Crumb Cake ink, while the instant speckles were courtesy of the Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker.

And I do want to share some awesome news with you!  My son, Brady the Boy (not to be confused with Brody the Boxer), was named principal trumpet in the University of Missouri Orchestra.  Now that classes have started, and he has met new friends, he seems to be settling into his new role as graduate assistant.  He even called me yesterday and asked if I could bake a batch of cookies so he could share them with the tuba professor!  

So what do you think of the Triple Time Stamping with a Twist?  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.  As for me...I think I like the traditional stacked look better.  But you know what, I would not have known that if I would not have experimented! Until next time...

Stamp Set:  French Foliage, Loving Thoughts; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker; Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze; Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, Paper Snips; Glitz and Glam:  Always Artichoke Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Victoria Crochet Trim, Naturals Designer Buttons

CAS Sparkling Snowflakes for Freshly Made Sketches

It's Wednesday...and time to play at Freshly Made Sketches! What better way to face the middle of the week than with a sketch by the talented Jen Mitchell.  Talk about a quick card...today's definitely is!  Although it uses the retired Northern Frost Decorative Strip, if you are like me, you still have this classy die in your stable.  The super sparkle is courtesy of Silver Glimmer paper...and sparkle it does. This card is gorgeous in real life.  Enjoy!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Clean and Sparkly

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

• Sparkle plenty! Five Silver Glimmer Snowflakes, made with the retired Northern Frost Decorative Strip, dance across the face of this card.  To make the detail of each flake stand out, they were adhered to a Baja Breeze strip!

• Beautiful banner! The Warm Winter Wishes sentiment from Winter Memories was stamped in Baja Breeze.  Two sparkly snowflakes anchor the banner and draw the eye to it.

• Imagine the possibilities for this card! Switch out the sentiment to suit the situation.  How about "Congratulations" for a winter wedding? Or how about "Happy Birthday" for a winter birthday?

I knew with all of the sparkle that this would be a difficult card to photograph, but I wanted all of the bling.  And I know that it will be difficult to mail, with the extended banner.  Hmmm! I guess I will just have use it to decorate with this winter.  Something tells me there may not be a tree this year with little Lexi in the house!

As always, your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  So please, won't you take a moment and let me know what you think of today's card.  And of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time...

Stamp Set:  Winter Memories; Inks:  Baja Breeze;  Designer Series Paper:  Snow Festival;  Card Stock:  Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer;  Tools:  Big Shot; Northern Frost Decorative Strip (retired), Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (retired);

CAS Christmas for The Paper Players

It's that time again...time to play with The Paper Players! This week the talented Anne Marie has a fun challenge in store for us...a Clean and Simple Paper Piecing Challenge.  I decided to tackle this challenge by using the Trio of Trees image from the Polar Party stamp set.  And I was determined to keep it clean and simple!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips:  Clean and Simple

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

• Paper pieced trees! The needles of the trees were paper pieced using Gumball Green patterns from the Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper collection.  I used the Early Espresso Dotted Pattern from the Candlelight Christmas collection for the trunks.  The stars are Summer Starfruit from the In-Color Designer Series Paper Stack.

• A bit of bling! Pearl ornaments and Dazzling Details snow add sparkle and shine!

• A sassy saying!  A Cherry Cobbler "Merry Christmas" from Sassy Salutations adds sass to CAS!

 

Now that my clean and simple card is done, I may have been a wee bit too clean and too simple. But it is pretty cute in person.  What do you think?  Won't you please let me know in today's comment?  And remember, I am always available to answer any questions that you might have about the cards that I create and the techniques I use! I am only an email away! Until next time...

 

 

Stamp Sets:  Sassy Salutations, Polar Party;  Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Jet Black StazOn; Designer Series Paper:  Be of Good Cheer, Candlelight Christmas; Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green; Glitz and Glam:  Dazzling Details, Basic Pearls

My Digital Studio Fun

Burlwood's Unlike Any Other, better known as "Lexi",  will soon have her coming out party at the dog shows in early October.  What better way to document her show career than with a digital creation.  I used My Digital Studio 2 to create page one of her "bragbook".  I know that I had resisted the digital scene for a long time, but after seeing what Stampin' Up! had in store for us at Convention with My Digital Studio 2, I could resist no longer.

This page is not fancy.  It uses one of the templates available. But I thoroughly enjoyed changing it up and making it my own by adding the wording, the picture, and yes...my beloved pearls!  I can't wait to take more photos of her on her journey to a champion.  There will be her first show, her first class win, her first point...and finally, her official new champion picture.  And in the end, I will have copies printed for her handler and breeder.  And before you think I am playing favorites with my furbabies, I will be creating a similar book for Muffy and Brody.  I just wish I would have taken more pictures along the way.

How about you?  Would you like to try your hand at My Digital Studio 2?  CLICK HERE FOR A FREE MDS2 THIRTY DAY TRIAL.  And get 31% off 31 digital content options and most print products for all 31 days in August! All cards, photobooks, individual pages and tags can be printed for 31% off.  In addition, some of Stampin' Up!'s best digital content is also all sale, including 30 downloads and 1 content disc.

So what do you think of Lexi's first page?  Won't you let me know in today's comments?  Until next time...

A Country-Style Open Sleigh Card for Pals Paper Arts

It's Thursday and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! We have a fabulous sketch for you this week, just perfect for showcasing Designer Series Paper.  As for me, I saw it as a way to create a quick and easy Christmas card.  I hope you will enjoy your ride in the Open Sleigh!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips: Quick and Easy Christmas

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

• The quick and easy image! The Sleigh image from Open Sleigh was inked with Midnight Muse and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  No need to use the Color Spritzer Tool with this card stock...the speckles are built in!

• The quick and easy sentiment! The Merry Christmas sentiment from Open Sleigh was inked in Early Espresso and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  Two quick snips transforms a plain strip into a banner!

• The "wow" factor! A Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding rose adds the perfect amount of pizzazz.  Need a refresher on how to create this confection?  Here is the original tutorial.

I hope you enjoyed today's card.  It really is quick and easy to create.  With it's decidedly country feel, it is a great way to use richly-colored, small patterned paper in lieu of Christmas paper. 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.  And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away...

 

Stamp Set:  Open Sleigh; Ink: Midnight Muse, Early Espresso; Designer Series Paper:  Comfort Cafe, Candlelight Christmas; Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory; Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Always Artichoke Seam Binding

Snow Much Fun for Freshly Made Sketches

It's Wednesday and time to play along with The Clean Team at Freshly Made Sketches.  This week's sketch is courtesy of the talented Tui Nathan. For some reason, I have been on a holiday card making binge, and this week was no exception.  Maybe the hot, dry summer has me yearning for the cold, snowy winters.  Who knows?  But at any rate, I created a fun card which I hope you enjoy!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips

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

• Put the paper to work! The delightful stylized border definitely makes an impact, without any stamping at all!  It was simply snipped from one of the patterns in the Snow Festival Designer Series Paper collection.  It doesn't get any easier!

 

• Snow drifts! The "Snowflake" Delicate Designs Folder makes perfect snow drifts. It was ripped and snipped and popped upon a background created with the retired Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder!

• Hurl a pearl! Our frosty friend is not only decked out in Basic Pearl buttons, he is ready to let a pearl snowball fly.  But that's okay...he has a stash of pearly projectiles just waiting for the next victim.

Sometimes it is liberating to get out of a rut and create something different...and that is the situation with this card.  The Baja Breeze and Primrose Petals hues form a non-traditional holiday duo which is so different from my Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso stand-bys!

For those of you who have been asking, my son, Brady, is continuing his week of orientation at the University of Missouri, where he is going to be a graduate assistant in the School of Music.  In addition to moving into his apartment and taking care of things like utility hook-ups, parking permits, and bank accounts, he has taken proficiency tests in music history and music theory.  The longest day will be Saturday, when he gets a crash course in pedagogy and grading procedures.  In addition to pursuing his Masters degree, he will be teaching trumpet to a group of 6 non-music majors.  To say he is excited is an understatement!

And several of you have asked for an update about little Lexi Lou!  She is growing soooo fast! I just can't keep any weight on her.  (Oh how I wish I had that problem!) Her "big girl ears" are looking fabulous.  Here is a side picture of them.

As always, your comments are important to me, so won't you please let me know what you think about today's card?  And of course, I am always here to answer any questions you may have about the cards I create and the techniques I use.  Until next time...

Stamp Set:  Snow Much Fun; Inks:  Basic Gray, Soft Suede, Primrose Petals, Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie;  Designer Series Paper:  Snow Festival; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, Baja Breeze;  Tools: Blender Pens, Big Shot, Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Paper Snips; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls

The Open Sea for The Paper Players

It's Sunday and time to play at The Paper Players.  This week we have a color challenge featuring a Terrific Trio consisting of Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy.  Since I needed a masculine card, I reached for one of my favorite masculine sets, The Open Sea.  I also opted to try the Triple Time Stamping Technique that is quite popular now.  I hope you enjoy today's card!

The Stampin' Schach Design Tips

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

• A triple treat! The trick to Triple Time Stamping is stamping three layers at one time.  Here are the dimensions of the three layers:  2" x 3-1/4" (mat = 2-1/4" x 3-1/2"), 3" x 4-1/4" (mat = 3-1/4" x 4-1/2"), 4" x 5-1/4" (mat = 4-1/4" x 11" scored at 5-1/2" to form the card base).  I used Naturals Ivory card stock for the images and matted with Crumb Cake card stock.  I lightly adhered the Naturals Ivory pieces into position, and then randomly stamped the Ship image in Not Quite Navy and the Compass in Cherry Cobbler.  To add a little texture, I zipped the stack through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Next, I just matted the stamped images onto Crumb Cake card stock and rebuilt the stack.

• Slip 'n slide! To add a punch of color, Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon was slipped through a Ribbon Slide and layered over Crumb Cake Seam Binding.

• Everything goes better with Pearls! A single Basic Pearl accents the tiny sentiment tags!

At first I wasn't quite certain if this technique would work well for a masculine card, but I think it does.  What do you think?  Won't you let me know in today's comment?  At any rate, I know the recipient of this card will love it.  It is headed to Brady, who left for grad school at the University of Missouri yesterday.  If  you have wondered where I have been this past week and why I was missing in action, Brady and I were getting in some quality "Mother-Son" time.  I feel so badly because I was unable to accompany him and his dad as they set up his new apartment.  However, someone had to stay home with the Twins and Lexi, and since I couldn't drive the small moving van we rented and because I cannot help carry furniture, I had to stay home.  Of course, the dogs  knew something was up when they saw things being loaded.  But as sad as his leaving is, it is the start of a new adventure for Brady and a time of adjustment for all! Until next time...

Stamp Sets: The Open Sea, Fabulous Phrases; Inks:  Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler; Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake;  Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Jewelry Tag Punch; Glitz and Glam: Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Linen Thread, Not Quite Navy Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, Ribbon Slide