It’s time to play with The Paper Players! This week, the talented Anne Marie is hosting a color challenge:  Marina Mist, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate.  I inked up the Simple Stems set for the first time to create my spring thank you card. I hope you enjoy it.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  It’s All About the Layers
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide by 4-1/4″ long.

• Layered petals!  The large Blossom image from Simple Stems was inked in Crushed Curry and stamped three times. The bottom layer was punched out using the Secret Garden Framelits, while the top two layers were hand-snipped and popped up on dimensionals.

• Layered patterns!  Banners were snipped from strips of Crushed Curry (Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper), Smoky Slate (Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack) and Marina Mist ( Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper), and layered upon each other.  The Smoky Slate “thank you” is courtesy of Peaceful Petals.

• Layered lumber! A Smoky Slate Hardwood banner perches atop a Woodgrain textured panel, in keeping with the lumber look.

I hope you enjoyed today’s easy card. As you can see, it truly is “all about the layering”.  As always, your comments are important to me, so please, won’t you leave me a comment?  And remember, 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 Sets:  Simple Stems, Secret Garden, Peaceful Petals, Hardwood; Inks: Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Smoky Slate, Wild Wasabi;  Designer Series Paper:  Eastern Elegance, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack, Polka Dot Parade;  Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate, Whisper White; Tools:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Banners Framelits, Secret Garden Framelits;  Glitz and Glam:  Pearls Basic Jewels

 I have started a fun series on The Stampin’ Schach Facebook Page.  I am calling it “What’s for Breakfast?”  I simply randomly pull Fiesta dishes from my cupboard in preparation for eating my breakfast, and snap a picture of them.  Yep…once again you are in my kitchen.

It’s fun. It’s funky.  And who knows what the combos will be.  Will they work?  Or will they sadly lack? Check out days 1 and 2…and share your combinations and thoughts with me.  And while you are there, won’t you like my page please?  See you “over there”! Until next time…

I am taking a break from watercoloring cards for the Lesson of the Month, while I eat a peanut butter sandwich and indulge in a cup of hot tea.  My three furry helpers have not been much help today, other than the fact they have been quiet.  Lexi, who has now gained back 8 of the 10 pounds she lost a few weeks ago, is zonked out in her favorite chair, a raggedy old thing that needs desparately to be replaced…but I can’t, because the dogs love it so much.

Brody is stretched out in front of the fireplace on one of the dog beds, his big boy body spilling out over one end.  

And as I look down at my feet, Muffy is asleep in the place of honor, the place once held by Missy the Boxer.

It is at quiet times like these, that I reflect upon my life and what it has become after retirement.  Recently I was asked by the incomparable Mary Fish, my Stampin’ Up! upline, to talk to the Pretty Pals about my journey to Senior Manager.  I am her first Senior Manager, and she wanted me to talk about how I reached that point. One of the things that stood out to me as I planned what I was going to say, is how important Stampin’ Up! and being a demonstrator is to me.  I also realized that I rarely share these feelings.  I really should, especially since some of you may be thinking about becoming a demonstrator.

I remember why I joined.  I had never heard of Stampin’ Up!, but I bought a Stampin’ Up! stamp set at a yard sale. I had never stamped in my life. But I remember falling in love with the animal images in this set.  It was In the Wild.  Five years later, it still resides on my shelf.  

Being a researcher at heart, I googled Stampin’ Up! to learn more and up popped Mary’s blog.  I clicked on the link to her on-line store, and entered a new world of rubber, inks, and paper.  I didn’t buy anything then, but a few weeks later, I returned to purchase inks, a set of the Regals it was. A few weeks later, I realized that I needed paper, so I returned to her site.  It was then I thought, “Why not join to get the discount?”  Upon getting reassurances that I:  a) Would never have to hold a workshop, and b) Could quit at any time without penalty, I signed up.  That was 5 years ago February 1st, 2009.

I also remember what my goals were at that time. I just wanted to make a good card.  I knew nothing about stamping and card making. But I did know that practice made perfect.  So I stamped and stamped.  At the encouragement of my mentor, Mary, I entered challenges.
 

I gained confidence.  I discovered that there was a creative, artistic side to me. And I discovered that I wanted to have workshops and classes and share my newly found passion with others.

I love where being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator has taken me.  The stamping friends I have made encircle the globe.  I have a support system like no other.  I am able to surround myself with people who share their creativity with abandon.  My life is full and rich.

If you have thought about becoming a demonstrator, now is a great time.  The Starter Kit has added value during Sale-a-bration.  You get to select $150 worth of products for only $99, with FREE shipping.  Plus, if you join today,  you will remain a demonstrator and receive all of the perks through June.  If you sell or purchase $300 by June 30th, your perks are renewed. Why else is this a great time?  The new catalog comes out in June!!! Can you imagine getting a discount on all of the new products?

I would love to discuss the benefits of joining my group with you.  Please feel free to call me (319-752-8898) or email me (ann@thestampinschach.com).  I would love to chat with you.  Or if you are ready to start your own amazing journey with me, visit this page to sign-up today.  Until next time…