Faux Water Color – Christmas in the Making

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Comments: 14

The faux water color technique has always been one of my favorites. I love getting out the Blender Pens and inks, and coloring my cares away. It just so happens that Stampin’ Up!’s Holiday Catalog has several sets which are perfect for this process, including the one I used on today’s card:  Christmas in the Making.  I hope you enjoy today’s card as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Faux Water Color - Christmas in the Making

Colors of the Day
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

This folded card measures 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ when folded.

When I faux water color, I simply touch the tip of my Blender Pen to the ink pad, release a little of the color onto scrap paper, and then color away.  I remove quite a lot of color in the process before touching the image, because it is always easier to add more color as I shade.  Another little tip is I will outline in Stampin’ Write Markers, and then pull the color into the image using a Blender Pen.  This is very evident on the Real Red bows.

Faux Water Color - Christmas in the Making

Clear Wink of Stella accents the snow and the pleats on the dress, as well as provides a layer of frost on the mail box. And the fur?  It just happens to be Stampin’ Up!’s Embossing Paste!  Notice how everything is “shadowed” in Soft Sky.

Faux Water Color - Christmas in the Making

The Christmas in the Making stamp set is one of my favorites from new Holiday Catalog.  If you are one of my current customers, you should be receiving your copy within the next few days, if you haven’t already.  Of course, if you need a copy and are not  associated with another demonstrator,  just let me know! I will drop one in the mail pronto!

There’s Still Time to Sign Up for My Holiday Catalog Shares

Only a few days remain to reserve your spot in my Holiday Catalog Share program! I will be closing my shares on August 29th.  Please do not miss out on your chance to take advantage of a Stampin’ Schach tradition.  To find out the details, CLICK HERE.

Looking for A Retired Stampin’ Up! Stamp Set?

Check out my current list of retired goodies. Simply CLICK HERE.  If you find something you need, simply email me at kimschach@msn.com.

I hope you enjoyed today’s Christmas in the Making card.  It’s vintage vibe is right up my alley!  As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

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The Stamp Review Crew: Window Shopping Edition

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Comments: 9

Stamp Review Crew Banner

It’s time for another round of inspiration from The Stamp Review Crew. If this is your very first visit to one of our hops, we are a group of international Stampin’ Up! demonstrators whose mission is to do a blog hop on the first and third Mondays of each month. Our hops are unique because each of us features the same stamp set used in a variety of ways. This week we are featuring the Window Shopping stamp set. I am Stop #6 on the hop. You may have just left Stop #5, the talented Charlet Mallett! After visiting me, you will continue to Stop #7, the amazing Nikki Spencer. Enjoy today’s hop!

Window Shopping
The Stamp Review Crew Window ShoppingColors of the Day

The Window Shopping stamp set has a wonderful “friend” sentiment that I absolutely love.  It became the focus of my card.  My original goal was to create a classy black and white background using the square floral stamp from this set.  But you know me – one thing led to another.

After using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to create the not-so-perfect background, I decided it needed a “pop” of color, so out came the Berry Burst Stampin’ Write Marker.  I colored in a few of the daisy style flowers with it.  I decided to add a little Bermuda Bay to the center of other flowers.

I probably should have stopped there, but my thoughts began to wander back to a glorious party dress that my Aunt Evelyn wore back in the 1950’s.  One of the early memories from my childhood centered around that wonderful dress.  It had black flocked flowers, very similar to this pattern.  There were sequins and glitter;  bugle beads and shimmery metallic thread.  It was the most beautiful dress this little girl had ever seen.  That dress became my inspiration.

The Stamp Review Crew Window Shopping

I added sequins and pearls and a healthy dose of  Clear Wink of Stella to everything, as this close-up shows.

The Stamp Review Crew Window ShoppingI stamped the sentiment in Archival Basic Black ink, and cropped it out using the largest circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits.  I then stamped it again in Berry Burst, and cropped out the “For Being A Great” section.  The ends were snipped, and it was popped atop the circle with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. Three sequined and pearled flowers embellish the banner.

The Stamp Review Crew Window ShoppingPictures really do not do this card justice.  It is indeed a shimmering confection of sequins and Wink of Stella.  It will be heading off to a dear woman who truly is a great friend, but not before I reminisce one more time about Aunt Evelyn’s dress…


 

From the Archives

The Stamp Review Crew Window ShoppingIf you would prefer a cleaner design, the above card might be right up your alley.  Although the Blooms and Bliss designer paper is retired, there are a multitude of fabulous Stampin’ Up! papers which can be substituted.  You can check out the original post HERE.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card made with the Window Shopping set.  Won’t you let me know in your  comment today?  Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop along to Stop #7, the incredible Nikki Spencer, to see what she has in store for you!  If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of all the hoppers at The Stamp Review Crew.  Until next time…

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Price: $110.00

On the CASE: The CASE of the Sheltering Tree

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Comments: 10

On the Case Logo

Welcome to this week’s On the CASE with Ann & Nicole, an endeavor undertaken with my friend and stamping buddy, Nicole Watt of Pixel Maven’s Retreat. In “case” this is your first On the CASE visit, here is the scoop: Twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays, we will be CASE-ing a card from one of Stampin’ Up!’s current catalogs. CASE means to Copy and Share with Everyone, and that is exactly what we will be doing. We hope you enjoy the cards we CASE and the free step-by-step tutorials! Let’s get on to today’s CASE!

Sheltering Tree
Page 150 – Annual Catalog 2017 – 2018

On the CASE Sheltering Tree

The beautiful sponged background over white embossed “leaves” of this gift bag appealed to my simple side.  I loved the “pop” of brightness and the bling, while the tissue paper is absolutely fabulous!  But alas – I did not need a gift bag…

On the CASE Sheltering Tree

So enter the card!  For the most part, I stayed true to the catalog version, except for the “card conversions”.  I can’t wait to drop this one in the mail!

Colors of the Day
Stamps and Papers and Inks…Oh, My!

Stamps: Sheltering Tree
Paper: Whisper White Thick Cardstock (4-1/4″ x 11″), Whisper White Cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″),  Crumb Cake cardstock (4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″, 2″ x 1/2″)
Inks:  Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Soft Suede, VersaMark
Other:  Iridescent Sequins, Fine-Tip Glue Pen, Heat Tool, Stamping Sponges, Linen Thread

“On the CASE” Notes
Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. Score the Whisper White Thick cardstock at 5-1/2″ to form the card base.
2.  Stamp the tree image in Crumb Cake ink.    Stamp the “leaves” in VersaMark, and heat emboss with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

On the CASE Sheltering Tree

Note: The leaves were tinted with Crumb Cake so they would show up for this picture. On the actual card, clear VersaMark was used, and then heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.

4. Ink a wedge from a stamping sponge with Pool Party ink. Remove some of the ink on scratch paper, and then apply over the embossed leaves as shown.  Repeat until the desired shade of color has been reached.  Remove the excess color using a tissue or a paper towel.  Adhere to the Crumb Cake panel.

5.  Add a snippet of Linen Thread around the front of the card. (I doubled mine to make it thicker.) Adhere the card front to the card base.

5.  Selectively ink the sentiment in Soft Suede and stamp onto Crumb Cake.  Snip a “V” into each end using paper snips. Adhere to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

On the CASE Sheltering Tree

6.  Embellishment with a Linen Thread bow and Calypso Coral colored sequins. Tip:  Adhere the sequins with a spot of glue, using the Fine-Tip Glue Pen.

How Hard Was It to Crack this CASE

If you like to heat emboss, today’s card is right up your alley.  The techniques involved in making today’s card are not difficult at all. Just remember, patience is a virtue.  You can always deepen the color, but it is far more difficult to lift color off.   Difficulty Level: 2 out of 5

#SUontheCASE

Nicole and I hope our projects today inspire you to try CASE-ing the catalog, too! We’ll be “on the case”, looking for the hashtag #SUontheCASE on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ & Pinterest). If we find one of your projects, we’ll share it, like it, repost it – we’ll do it all!

On the CASE Nicole Banner

Now head on over to Nicole, the Pixel Maven, to see the CASE file she has been working on. You will love it! And remember, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time – CASE away!

Would you like to check out the most recent Cold CASE Files?  Try these:
The CASE of the Beautiful Bouquet
The CASE of the Birthday Blooms

Ready to get On this CASE?  If you would like to try your hand at creating today’s card,  the supply list is located below.  Clicking on a product takes you right to my store.

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  • Add the above monthly Host Code to your online orders of $75 or more, before tax and shipping, and a special gift from me.  This month’s gift will be a special surprise from the Holiday Catalog.

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Happy Birthday, Twins! Muffy and Brody

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Happy birthday twinsIt always amazes me how quickly time flies.  It’s seems like just yesterday, my family was welcoming not one, but two little bundles of joy into the house.  After the death of Missy the Boxer, we had decided our house was just too quiet without the pitter-patter of puppy paws, so the search began for another Boxer to share our love.

I will never forget when Muffy was delivered to our house.  Once her breeder sat her down, she ran straight to me, and never looked back.  That is the way it is today.  She never leaves my side.  She shared my bed and my pillow from her first night here – and she still does.

Brody arrived the very next day.  He was the last of the litter to find a home, and their breeder, seeing how Muffy immediately bonded with me, offered to sell him at a reduced price.  Soft-hearted me could not bear the thought of the two being separated, so like I fool I agreed to buying him.  I will never forget my husband’s horrified response when I told him at supper that evening that another puppy would be arriving the next day.  “What were you thinking?” he asked.  Well, clearly I wasn’t.  But what a great name!  And Cimarron’s What Were You Thinking came to his forever home the next day.

Happy birthday twins

Yes, time does have a way of flying over us, leaving within our hearts memories of days which have past, and leaving us with a yearning for more.  We’ll spend the day letting the Twins do all of those things they love.  There will be baths, and they will tussle over who gets in the tub first.  There will be a walk around the block, and while Brody will be a goofball, Muffy will be all business.   There will be a trip to the pet store to pick out a special toy and a treat.  And all the while, I will be wondering if this will be the last time the Twins will celebrate their birthday together.

We have switched Brody to a raw diet, and I have added herbal supplements to his regimen. He is tolerating his medicines well, and other than having blood in his urine, is feeling fine.  He plays.  He eats.  He drinks. He snuggles. He is my clock, letting me know when it’s time to get up and when it is time to feed the pack.  In fact, he is doing so much better than me.

But for now, we will celebrate.  Happy birthday, Twins! August 9, 2010. 8 – 9 -10.  Until next time…

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The Stamp Review Crew: This Little Piggy Edition

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Comments: 26

Stamp Review Crew Banner

It’s time for another round of inspiration from The Stamp Review Crew. If this is your very first visit to one of our hops, we are a group of international Stampin’ Up! demonstrators whose mission is to do a blog hop on the first and third Mondays of each month. Our hops are unique because each of us features the same stamp set used in a variety of ways. This week we are featuring the This Little Piggy stamp set. I am Stop #2 on the hop. You may have just left Stop #1, the talented Rochelle Block! After visiting me, you will continue to Stop #3, the amazing Natalie Lapakko. Enjoy today’s hop!

This Little Piggy

This Little Piggy

Colors of the Day

Using this set in a new and unique way was a challenge for me.  I put on my creative thinking cap, and came up with a way to use all three pig images – and a story behind the card.

Once upon a time, there was an adorable little Blushing Bride piggy named Lucy,  who carried a beautiful Sweet Sugarplum Glitter Acrylic flower in her well-manicured piggy hoof.  The day was warm, with only a few Embossing Paste clouds floating in the Soft Sky.  Wink of Stella glistened on her little pork bottom as she traveled down the dusty Crumb Cake road on her way to the abbey.  “If only I could fly, I could get there quickly”,  thought Lucy.  “But sadly, I have no wings.”

This Little Piggy

At that point, her Fairy Pigmother appeared.  “Lucy, why are you so sad?” she asked.

“Fairy Pigmother, the road is dusty and the way is long.  If only I could fly…”

“Lucy, you have the power within you to achieve great things.  All you need to do is believe in yourself.  Have faith, Lucy.”

At that point, two little wing buds sprouted from Lucy’s pork shoulders, and she began to take flight.

This Little Piggy

She floated effortlessly above the Pear Pizzazz meadow into the Soft Sky.  By the time she reached the Embossing Paste clouds, she was sporting two full glorious Wink of Stella wings, and a beautiful diamond on her pork butt.

This Little Piggy

The moral of the story:  She believed she could, so she did.

This Little Piggy

But wait, there’s another twist to the tale of our porcine friend. As fate would have it – on the day our little piggy took flight, John Lennon and Paul McCartney were walking down that same dusty Abbey Road.  Yep – you guessed right. She was the inspiration behind the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”.  And there you have the rest of the story…

This Little Piggy

I hope you enjoyed today’s card made with the This Little Piggy set.  Won’t you let me know in your  comment today?  Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop along to Stop #3, Natalie Lapakko, to see what she has in store for you!  If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of all the hoppers at The Stamp Review Crew.  Until next time…

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On the CASE: The CASE of the Beautiful Bouquet

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Comments: 12

On the Case Logo

Welcome back to On the CASE with Ann & Nicole, an endeavor undertaken with my friend and stamping buddy, Nicole Watt of Pixel Maven’s Retreat.  In “case” you missed our maiden post, here is the scoop: Twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays, we will be CASE-ing a card from one of Stampin’ Up!’s current catalogs. CASE means to Copy and Share with Everyone, and that is exactly what we will be doing. We hope you enjoy the cards we CASE and the free step-by-step tutorials! Let’s get on to today’s CASE!

Beautiful Bouquet
Page 93 – Annual Catalog 2017 – 2018

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

With its bright and cheerful colors, as well as an abundance of white, this card created with the Beautiful Bouquet bundle immediately caught my eye. I loved the flirty, feminine touches, such as the delicate doily, the linen thread bow, and the sparkly enamel dots.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

I stayed stay true to the catalog version.  With all of the wonderful details, there was no need to step it up.  I hope enjoy today’s card!

Colors of the Day
Stamps and Paper and Inks … Oh, My!

Stamps:  Beautiful Bouquet
Paper: Whisper White Thick Cardstock (4-1/4″ x 11″),  Whisper White Cardstock (2-3/8″ x  2-3/8″, scraps),  Pear Pizzazz Cardstock (4-1/2″ x 2-1/2″), Pool Party Cardstock (3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″)
Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Soft Sky
Other: Big Shot, Bouquet Bunch Framelits, Layering Squares Framelits, Polka Dots Basic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Magnetic Platform, Precision Base Plate, Big Shot Die Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Glitter Enamel Dots, Delicate White Doilies

On the CASE Notes
Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. Score the Whisper White Thick cardstock at 5-1/2″ to form the card base.

2.  Run the front of it through the Big Shot with the Polka Dot Basics Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

3.  Use the 3″ (outer dimension) Scalloped Layering Square framelit to create the Pool Party panel. Layer a 2-3/8″ x  2-3/8″ piece of Whisper White cardstock on top of the Pool Party. This can be created with the 2-5/8″ (outer dimension) Layering Square framelit. Cut a pie-shaped wedge from the Delicate Doily, and adhere to the back.

4.  Ink the small flower image in Daffodil Delight, and stamp onto the white panel.  Ink the sentiment in Crumb Cake and stamp into the lower left corner.  Adhere to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

5.  Create the stems from Pear Pizzazz cardstock and the stems framelit.  Here’s a Tip: Use the Precision Plate and the Die Brush, and this greenery will “pop” right out of the die.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

6.  Stamp the Wrapper in Crumb Cake and cut out using the framelit.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

7.  Ink the various flower images in the colors indicated and cut out using the appropriate framelits.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

Soft Sky and Daffodil Delight

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

Daffodil Delight Blossom with Calypso Coral center

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

Soft Sky/Bermuda Bay center; Bermuda Bay

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

Calypso Coral

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

Daffodil Delight

7.  Die cute the Whisper White fronds.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

Whisper White

7.  Arrange the flowers as shown, using Glue Dots and Stampin’ Dimensionals. Tie a Linen Thread bow around the wrapper and adhere to the bouquet.  Adhere the centers to the Bermuda Bay flowers.  Embellish with Glitter Enamel Dots.

OTC Beautiful Bouquet

8.  Enjoy!

 

How Hard Was It to Crack this CASE?

The techniques involved in making today’s card are not difficult at all. I would definitely recommend using the Magnetic Platform in order to hold the framelits in position over the stamped images when you cut them.  Difficulty Level:  3 out of  5, simply because it does take time die cutting all of the flowers.

#SUontheCASE

Nicole and I hope our projects today inspire you to try CASE-ing the catalog too! We’ll be “on the case”, looking for the hashtag #SUontheCASE on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ & Pinterest).  If we find one of your projects, we’ll share it, like it, repost it – we’ll do it all!

Now head on over to Nicole, the Pixel Maven, to see the CASE file she has been working on. You will love it! And remember, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time – CASE away!

On the CASE Nicole Banner

Would you like to check out the most recent Cold CASE File?  Click HERE

Ready to get On this CASE?  If you would like to try your hand at creating today’s card,  the supply list is located below.  Clicking on a product takes you right to my store.

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  • Add the above monthly Host Code to your  online product orders of $50 or more (before tax and shipping) and receive a card tutorial.
  • Add the above monthly Host Code to your online orders of $75 or more, before tax and shipping, and earn the tutorial and a special gift from me.  This month’s gift will be a special surprise from the Holiday Catalog…to be announced later.

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Price: $110.00

An Exciting Month for Holiday Sneak Peeks

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Comments: 1

A new Stampin Up! promotion begins today with the early release of the Carols of Christmas stamp set and Card Front Builder Thinlits.  Of course, we all love a bargain, and holiday sneak peeks, so why not purchase the bundle and save 10% ?

Carols of Christmas Holidat Sneak Peek

Card Front Builder Sneak Peek

Watch this video to see all the fabulous projects you can create with this bundle!

Order your bundle today and get a head start on making these holiday cards:

Holiday Sneak Peeks Holiday Sneak Peeks Carols of Christmas Holiday Sneak Peeks Carols of Christmas Holiday Sneak Peeks

It’s That Time

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  • Add the above monthly Host Code to your  online product orders of $50 or more (before tax and shipping) and receive a card tutorial.
  • Add the above monthly Host Code to your online orders of $75 or more, before tax and shipping, and earn the tutorial and a special gift from me.  This month’s gift will be a special surprise from the Holiday Catalog…to be announced later.

There’s Still Stuff

Lots of Stuff
Looking for a retired stamp set?  Be sure to check out my retired products sale HERE!

Need a Holiday Catalog?

If you are currently a customer of mine, a Holiday Catalog will be mailed to you through Stampin’ Up!’s mailing selector, beginning August 8th. Please note it may take a few weeks to reach you.  If you are not affiliated with another demonstrator and would like a copy, please email me at ann@thestampinschach.com or kimschach@msn.com.

As for me, I placed my holiday preorder today, and I can guarantee that I will be creating my share of holiday sneak peeks with my new goodies.  Plus, watch for details about my upcoming annual Holiday Catalog Shares.  I will be using several of the papers, ribbons and embellishments which will be included in my shares on my sneak peeks for sure!  As always, if you have any questions, I am only an email away! Until next time…

Coming tomorrow:  On the Case with Ann and Nicole
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Retired Stampin’ Up! Items for Sale

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Lots of Stuff

Yep…that’s me. I have lots of retired stuff. I accumulated all that stuff because I often did not sell stamp sets and paper and ink and Big Shot items and ribbon and embellishments and tools and so on and so forth when they retired, because I always thought I might NEED them at some point in the future. I have tons of sets, many of which were never used.  I would see an adorable card someone created and I just HAD to buy the set to make it. You know what I mean. But life would get in the way, the set would never be inked up, and the card was never made. I am not proud of the fact, and it is quite embarrassing. Why did I feel the need to buy every little thing just because Stampin’ Up! makes the cutest stamps and paper? I was hesitant to air my addiction on my blog,  but I have to clear these things out. I really must sell them.  We are getting ready to sell our house, hopefully this fall, and I have to de-clutter. Plus, I encountered some pretty hefty vet bills recently.  So I would love to have my stuff become your stuff.

I have consolidated all of the retired items I currently have for sale into one easy document. Here is the link:

Retired Stampin’ Up Items for Sale

 

The list will be updated daily as items are sold. Please send an email (kimschach@msn.com) if you are interested in making a purchase. In your email, include the name of the items you are wanting to purchase and your zip code so I can calculate postage for you.

All items will be sold on a first come, first served basis, as determined by the date and time of your email. I can only mail to US addresses. I will accept both checks and PayPal, but please allow time for personal checks to clear unless you have ordered from me before or I know you.

Remember, postal rates have increased and some items, like dies are heavy. However, I will try to find the least expensive method of mailing for you.

So please…don’t judge me.  And please be patient as I respond to your emails. I hope you find that special set for which you have been looking.  Until next time…
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A Summer Card for The Paper Players

Comments: 13

Summer Card

The lovely Claire, from The Paper Players, is hosting a Summer Fun in the Water challenge this week. Claire stated she loves being by the water in the summer, and I don’t blame her.  I would love to live by an ocean, where I could walk barefoot in the sand and collect shells to my heart’s content.  My love of shells is probably why the So Many Shells stamp set called my name.  I hope you enjoy today’s summer card!

Paper Players Badge 353

Colors of the Day

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ when folded.

Who doesn’t love sparkly shells? The Sea Urchin and the Scallop were kissed with Wink of Stella, while the Large Shell received a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds. And although it may not be a traditional color palette for shells and sea urchins, I love how they look stamped in Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum and Sahara Sand.

Closeup of shells on a Summer CardSoft Sky water and Crumb Cake gulls, courtesy of the High Tide stamp set, create a vignette for the fabulous Seas the Day sentiment.  In fact, if the shells are not enough to convince you that you need the So Many Shells set, the amazing sentiments should.

A Summer Card sentimentA little Copper Trim and a few Pearls accent the oval.  Copper Trim is one of my favorite products from the new catalog. It’s so versatile, I find myself using it quite often.

A Summer Card straight on

Who’s This Handsome Dog?
Jackie in Canada
American/Canadian Champion You Don’t Know Jack

As many of you noticed, I was missing from the blog most of the month of June.  Kim, my husband, and I accompanied Jackie the Boxer on his quest to earn his Canadian Champion title.  We were fortunate enough to enlist the aid of one of Canada’s top handlers, Colin Brownlee.  If you think Colin looks familiar, you may have seen him on TV if you watch the Westminster Dog Show.

Jackie and Colin hit it off immediately.  They made a beautiful team.  Not only did Jackie earn his Champion title, he earned multiple working group placements.

Jackie Moving OutUnfortunately, we didn’t get to rest on our laurels for long.  Upon our return home, Jackie was stung by a bee, and suffered an allergic reaction.  We had two emergency trips to the vet, one at 3:00 AM. He was covered in hives, and his eyes and nose were swelling shut.  Here he is the morning after, after many of the hives had went down.  You can imagine what he looked like when I rushed him to the vet. He was one sick puppy.

Jackie with Hives

Jackie has gained back most of the four pounds he lost, but he still is not 100%.  Because the above picture is so sad looking, we’ll leave you with a happy picture.  Here he is strutting his stuff in Canada. He definitely loves to run around the show ring!

Jackie in Canada If you would like to try your hand at creating today’s summer card, the supply list is located below. Clicking on a product takes you right to my store. And remember, during the month of July, every $50 you order scores a $5 Off Bonus Coupon from Stampin’ Up! to be used on August orders…as well as a free gift from me!  As always, 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…

Coming Soon: Retired Stamps List
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Price: $110.00

On the CASE with Ann and Nicole

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Comments: 25

On the Case LogoWelcome to a new feature at The Stampin’ Schach:  On the CASE with Ann & Nicole, an endeavor lovingly undertaken with my friend and stamping buddy, Nicole Watt of Pixel Maven’s Retreat.   (Nicole has shared the story of the evolution of this new series in her post today.) Twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays, we will be CASE-ing a card from one of Stampin’ Up!’s current catalogs. CASE means to Copy and Share with Everyone, and that is exactly what we will be doing.  We hope you enjoy the cards we CASE and the free step-by-step tutorials! Let’s get on to today’s CASE!

Birthday Blooms
Page 70 – Annual Catalog 2017 – 2018

On the CASE with Birthday Blooms You know me…I LOVE to fussy cut, and I LOVE a soft, romantic card. It should come as no surprise that I would select this feminine beauty, pictured below, as my choice for this week.

On the CASE Stampin' Up! Version

I did step-up my version a smidge, by adding a pearl and ribbon. However, if you would like to stay true to the catalog,  you could easily leave these off.  Another change I made was to heat emboss my images using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  It has been my experience it is easier to water color and fussy cut embossed images. Enjoy today’s card!

Colors of the Day
Stamps and Paper and Inks … Oh, My!

Stamps:  Birthday Blossom
Paper: Crumb Cake Cardstock (5-1/4″ x 10-1/2″), Whisper White Cardstock (5″ x 4″)
Inks: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, VersaMark
Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Aqua Painter, Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Paper Snips, Pear Pizzazz 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

On the CASE Notes
Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. Score the Crumb Cake cardstock at 5-1/4″ to form the card base.
2.  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, position and stamp the floral image twice in VersaMark ink onto the Crumb Cake card base.  Heat emboss using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder.   If you would prefer to not emboss, use Crumb Cake ink.

On the CASE closeup of card base

3.  Stamp the sentiment in the lower left hand corner.  To keep the look soft, I used Crumb Cake ink.  One could also use Soft Suede or Early Espresso. Step it up, with a single Pearl.

On the CASE closeup of sentiment

4.  Ink the floral image again with VersaMark, and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.  Heat emboss with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Once again, if you would rather not heat emboss, use Crumb Cake ink.
5. Use an Aqua Painter to paint the leaves Pear Pizzazz, the petals Pink Pirouette, and the center So Saffron. To shade, simply add more layers. Technique Tip: I squeeze a closed ink pad to transfer ink to the lid of the pad, and use this for coloring.  Another option is to add a few drops of ink refill to a suitable container, like a plastic paint palette with wells.

On the CASE closeup of flower

6.  Snip out.  “Pop” atop the card base as shown using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

On the CASE close-up of flower

7.  Step it up! If desired add a snip-it of  Pear Pizzazz 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon and a bow.

On the CASE close up of bow

If you would like to see another card made with Birthday Blooms, check out this Post from the Past.

How Hard Was It to Crack this CASE?

In hindsight, this is a very simple card to create.  By all means, the fussy cutting will take you the most time.  However, the results are well worth it, don’t you think? And even though it takes a little more time to heat emboss my version of this card, it does indeed make it easier to cut and color.  Difficulty Level:  3 out of  5, simply because of the heat embossing and fussy cutting.

#SUontheCASE

Nicole and I hope our projects today inspire you to try CASE-ing the catalog too! We’ll be “on the case”, looking for the hashtag #SUontheCASE on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ & Pinterest).  If we find one of your projects, we’ll share it, like it, repost it – we’ll do it all!

On the CASE Nicole Banner

Now head on over to Nicole, the Pixel Maven, to see the CASE file she has been working on. You will love it! And remember, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time – CASE away!

Ready to get On the CASE?  If you would like to try your hand at creating today’s card,  the supply list is located below.  Clicking on a product takes you right to my store. And remember, during the month of July, every $50 you order scores a $5 Off Bonus Coupon from Stampin’ Up! to be used on August orders…as well as a free gift from me!

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