Class is now in session!  It’s time to order the January Lesson of the Month! This month will feature the Happy Watercolor stamp set from the Occasions Catalog.  The focus of this month’s lesson will be watercoloring.  Here are the three very diverse cards we will be making, each designed with specific objectives in mind:

Card #1:  Feminine in Blue … Ann’s Signature Style

• Objectives for Card #1:

• Using Aqua Painters to layer color
• Mixing patterns and textures
• Adding feminine touches
• Achieving cohesiveness

Card #2:  Quick and Easy … Mixing Fun with Elegance

  
Objectives for Card #2:

• Scaling down layouts to fit Stampin’ Up!’s pre-cut note cards.
• Using color to evoke emotions
• Making the most of minimal embellishments

Card #3:  It’s All About the Watercoloring … A Technique Practice Card

Objectives for Card #3:

• Using Aqua Painters to watercolor.
• Creating a “splash” background
• Embracing color 

This month you will receive:

• the Happy Watercolor clear stamp set (C 133191, $21.95).  Already own this set? You may substitute any set of any value up to $21.95.  
• three completed cards (envelopes not included)
• emailed pdf project sheets which contain step-by-step instructions and photos on how to complete each card, including measurements
• item numbers for each product used
• a private link to video lessons for each one of the projects, discussing how it was created and demonstrating how to do the techniques used
• email assistance to answer any questions you may have about the cards

This is NOT a card kit. Each card is a completed card designed by me.

• You will have until 12:00 Noon (CST) on the 18th of this month to email me that you will be participating and to pay your PayPal invoice, which will be emailed to you.  My email addresses are: ann@thestampinschach.com and kimschach@msn.com. Either one is fine.  Sets will be ordered after 12:00 Noon CST on the 18th. Once I receive the set from Stampin’ Up!, I will mail it to you.  The tutorials and video links are usually emailed by the 20th of the month.
• The three cards will be mailed as I get them completed.  I create each card personally, and depending upon the number of subscribers, it does take time to complete the set.  This month’s cards will be time intensive due to the watercoloring. 
• There is no commitment.  You can subscribe one month, and opt out the next.  However, if you subscribe for three consecutive months, you will receive a surprise valued between $3.95 – $5.95. 

The price for all of this is only $34.95 each month!  Ready to enroll? Email me at: ann@thestampinschach.com
Until next time…

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! This week we have a quartet of colors for you:  Primrose Petals, Pear Pizzazz, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry.  After the polar vortex we have been experiencing, I was happy to play with these spring colors.  I thought they would work well with a fresh and hip stamp set, so I inked up Peachy Keen for the first time!  Enjoy!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Retro Meets Chic
This folded card measures 4-1/4″ wide x 5-1/2″ long.

• “Popped” up and peachy! The sentiment was inked twice…once in Coastal Cabana and once in Crushed Curry.  The “Peachy”Crushed Curry was snipped out and popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals. 

• Framed! The new Filmstrip die from the On Film Framelits collection makes a pretty accent.  A circle, cut with a Circles Framelit, is tucked underneath one edge.

• Primrose blossoms! Although they are not peach blossoms, the larger Flower from Stippled Blossoms works as a colorful accent for the sentiment.  It was inked in Primrose Petals, and stamped off once. The stippled overlay is “full strength” Primrose Petals.

Peachy Keen is an adorable set with a retro-vibe.  It pairs perfectly with this Coastal Cabana pattern from the Fresh Print Designer Paper Stack.  And look how well the doily and pearls work as accents.  It is a case of “Retro-Cute meets Elegant-Chic”!  What do you think of today’s card? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are so important to me. 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:  Peachy Keen, Gorgeous Grunge, Stippled Blossoms; Inks:  Coastal Cabana, Pear Pizzazz, Primrose Petals, Crushed Curry; Designer Series Paper:  Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack; Card Stock: Whisper White, Primrose Petals; Tools:  Big Shot, On Film Framelits, Circles Collection Framelits, Paper Snips, Stamp-a-ma-jig; Glitz and Glam:  Pearls, Tea Lace Paper Doilies

It’s Thursday, and time to play with the Pals at Pals Paper Arts! This week is a color challenge:  Real Red, Soft Sky, Whisper White.  At first, I was at a loss with what I would do with this color combination.  I pulled out my cardstock, and what few pieces of  Designer Paper I could find which contained these colors and hoped I would become inspired.  The more I played with this combination, the more I embraced it and the challenge.  I ended up using two patterns that, strangely enough,  reminded me of the oilcloth table coverings that my grandmother used.  I hope you enjoy today’s card.  Its quick and easy layout can be used whenever you have a “card emergency”.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Cute and Colorful
This finished card measures 4-1/4′ wide by 5-1/2″ long.

• Selectively ink! Real Red and Basic Black Stampin’ Write Markers were used to selectively ink the sentiment, “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful” from Perfect Pennants.  Don’t you just love this sentiment? It is so true!

• B is for Banner! With the new Banners Framelits, banners are just a crank of the Big Shot away!

• Packs a punch!  Don’t you just love it when a set comes with a punch!  The Petite Petals set does just that. Inked in Real Red, a trio of these cuties with Candy Dot centers were the perfect little accents.

This cold, winter weather is making me long for the freshness of spring, and this is being reflected in my card making. I love this clean design with the small floral print. I think it is “springy”! What do you think? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are important to me. And 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...

Stamp Sets:  Petite Petals, Perfect Pennants; Inks:  Real Red, Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker, Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker;  Designer Series Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack, Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack; Cardstock:  Real Red, Whisper White; Tools:  Petite Petals Punch, Big Shot, Banners Framelits; Glitz and Glam: Subtles Candy Dots