Brady’s Picks from the Holiday Catalog

As I stated yesterday, new catalogs are always a treat at the Schach house.

The furkids are always anxious for me to curl up in my favorite chair and look for hours.  And…the two-legged kid can’t wait for new catalogs to arrive either.  During the month of July, Brady was home to watch the Twins and Lexi while I was at Convention. I also put him to work being my “assistant”.  Part of his job was to pick out the hits from the new Holiday Catalog.  I wanted the perspective of a younger person.  At 24 years of age, Brady fits that demographic.  Plus, as a musician, he has been surrounded his entire life by wildly creative people from all areas of the fine arts.

Brady’s problem was picking out just 10- 12 products he liked.  His first list consisted of 20 “Must Haves”.  So I sent him back to the drawing board.  Here is his final list…in no particular order:

He agreed with me on:

1.  Festival of Trees with punch
2.  Bright and Beautiful with Star framelits

3.  White Christmas 
4.  Four Feathers with framelits

But he added a few Christmas sets I had not included:

5.  Santa Stache
6.  Wintertime
7.  Nature’s Peace
8.  Bearing Gifts

And he listed items from Halloween:

9.  Frightful Wreath
10.  Freaky Friends with Motley Monsters Designer Series Paper
11.  Fall Fest
12.  Tee Hee Hee

I actually learned quite a bit from Brady’s list.  I loved the fact that he included several very reasonably priced sets, many well under $20.  (I have raised a frugal young man.)  And several of his sets could be used to create very quick, clean and simple cards. (He values his time, yet loves to create.  Hmmm…maybe I should sign him up for My Paper Pumpkin.)  One-third of his Top 12 List were Halloween items, including the Frightful Wreath Simply Created Kit. (I guess I know who will be getting my wreath sample for his apartment!) 

If you do not have a demonstrator, and would like to receive the Holiday Catalog, please email at ann@thestampinschach.com and I will drop one in the mail for you. I can’t wait to hear wait makes your “Wish List”.  Until next time…

Coming Soon:  Holiday Catalog Share Information Sunday—The Paper PlayersMonday—The Stamp Review Crew Blog Hop

Ann’s Picks from the Holiday Catalog

New catalogs are always a treat at the Schach house.  The kids can’t wait for me to curl up in my favorite chair and look for hours.  One will invariably crawl up in my lap to help, while two will curl up at my feet.

This time around, Lexi was my big helper.  Together we compiled my favorites list.

 

Although I can’t show you pictures of the actual items…please make sure to check out these items when you receive your catalog!

In order in which they appear in the catalog…
  
1.  Gift Box Punch Board 
2.  Wondrous Wreath with framelits
3.  Holiday Home with framelits

4.  Bright and Beautiful with Star framelits

5.  Ornamental Pine
6.  Visions of Santa
7.  Festival of Trees with punch
8.  White Christmas
9.  Four Feathers with framelits

10.  As always…all of the Designer Series Paper is awesome!

All is Calm DSP..See the entire card Monday!

In my opinion, this is the BEST Holiday Catalog ever. You will not want to miss it. If you are currently one of my customers, your catalog has been sent directly from Stampin’ Up!  According to Demonstrator Support, mailing selector catalogs began mailing last Friday. They are beginning to arrive in their new homes.  If you do not have a demonstrator, and would like to receive the Holiday Catalog, please email at ann@thestampinschach.com and I will drop one in the mail for you. I can’t wait to hear wait makes your “Wish List”.  Until next time…

Coming Soon:  Holiday Catalog Share Information
Saturday—Brady’s Picks from the New Catty
Sunday—The Paper Players
Monday—The Stamp Review Crew Blog Hop

Choose Happiness for Pals Paper Arts

It’s Thursday…and need I say more? It’s time to play with the Pals at Pals Paper Arts. This week is a color challenge:  Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black. I thought the colors would work perfectly for flowers, so I pulled out one of favorite sets from the new catalog, Choose Happiness. Enjoy!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Mini-Collage
This finished card measures 4-1/4″ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

Mini-collage! What a cute collage the images in Choose Happiness make! Who can resist…

  • A Blackbird perched on a picket fence created with the Hardwood Banner image?
  • Beside a Pear Pizzazz vine, colored with a Blender Pen, ink and a Stampin’ Write Marker?
  • And two gorgeous Strawberry Slush Blossoms with Pearl centers?
  •  Topped with a thick Strawberry Slush Bakers Twine bow?
  • With a Memento Tuxedo Black sentiment atop a stamped-off Pear Pizzazz Border?

Yep…who can resist these cute images!

I love mini-collages, don’t you?  I think they are a delightful change of pace.  Of course, when I was creating this card, I was thinking of those people in my life who are always there for me. I can’t wait to use this sentiment often to let these people know how special they are to me.  It’s something that I need to do more often…

And finally, before I say good-by, I want to share this picture of Lexi Lou.  She LOVES our new grooming table.  In fact, all three of the kids do.  But Lexi especially loves jumping up on it all by herself, after which she barks for me to come and brush her.

So…what do you think of the Choose Happiness set? And what do you think of today’s card? Won’t you let me know in today’s comments?  Of course, 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…