School is out for holiday break at The Stampin’ Schach! But don’t worry, our Lesson of the Month series will resume in January, when I will feature a set from the new Occasions catalog.  I will release the details of this lesson January 1st, but I am excited about the first set I have selected and its versatility.  I can’t wait!

Why are we going on break, you ask?  Skipping December allows me to start working ahead in my lesson plans and in creating the cards.  If everything works as planned, you will not have to wait as long to receive your samples. Since I will be attending Stampin’ Up! Leadership in Houston, TX from January 8 – 12, 2014, having this time to prepare for January’s class will be a blessing.  In addition, at this busy holiday time, it gives all of us time to focus on our holiday preparations.

In the meantime, remember that I am always available to answer any questions that you may have about the lessons.  And if you need an Occasions catalog, don’t hesitate to email me! Enjoy your holidays…and I’ll see you back in class for the January Lesson of the Month.  Until next time…

Today I am sharing a second card which I made using the Pals Paper Arts Challenge Colors of  Rose Red, Whisper White and Wild Wasabi.  I had received the Spiral Flower Original Die as part of my pre-order from the upcoming Occasions catalog.  As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I love being able to pre-order!  I could hardly wait to try it out.  Although the result is not something which would ever be mailable, this makes a perfect card to hand-deliver to my sister on Christmas Day.  I can also envision, the fabulous wreaths and nosegays I will be able to create with my new treasure.  I hope you enjoy today’s card.

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

• Rolled roses! Three Whisper White beauties were cut and rolled in a matter of minutes.  For the smallest one, I only used part of the spiral, and tipped its edges with Rose Red ink. I adhered the trio into position with Sticky Strip.

• Little leaves! Wild Wasabi leaves were created with the Little Leaves Sizzlits. I resisted the urge to distress the edges with Wild Wasabi ink, but I think next time, in order to add more depth, I will. 

• Pearls! Trios and singlets of Pearls are randomly scattered across the Whisper White background.

• That’s the ticket! “Christmas Wishes to You and Yours” nestles perfectly amidst the blossoms.  The Ticket Builder Punch made the Wild Wasabi base for the sentiment ticket, which I paper snipped out.

Yikes! With just 12 days left before Christmas, I need to start working over-time! I have not started my holiday cards, nor have I baked any cookies or made any candy.  Heaven knows I don’t need the sweets, but I know Brady will be disappointed if we don’t have some.  I think I will probably have him help me make a batch of “Momma’s Candy”, and probably some white chocolate covered pretzels.  For cookies, maybe some scotcheroos, oatmeal and raisin, chocolate chip, white chocolate macademia nut, and monster cookies.  I must be hungry as I am writing this, because these are way too many cookies.  I will need to narrow down the cookie list for sure!  I would really love to make a batch of anise cookies, but I never have any luck with them.  They turn out like little concrete pillows.  Arghhh!

How do you like the new spiral flowers?  They are gorgeous, but in all honesty, I would not want to use them on too many cards.  However, for this specific recipient, they will be perfect.  I know that my sister will display this card alongside the others I have given her.  Imagine the possibilities with this die…wreaths, boxes, cake toppers, nosegays, Christmas ornaments and more! As always, your comments are important to me. Won’t you share your thoughts with me today? 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 Set:  That’s the Ticket; Inks:  Rose Red; Designer Series Paper:  Regals Designer Series Paper Stack; Card Stock:  Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Whisper White Core’dinations; Tools:  Big Shot, Banners Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Spiral Flower Original Die, Ticket Builder Punch, Sponge Dauber, Paper Snips; Glitz and Glam: Pearls Basic Jewels

Can you believe it is Thursday already, and time to play with the Pals at Pals Paper Arts?  This week’s color challenge is perfect for the season:  Rose Red, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi.   Now that I am older, with so many things to get finished before Christmas, it seems as if time really does fly!  If you are in the same boat as I am, with holiday cards which still need to be created and mailed, today’s Joyful Christmas card is cute and relatively quick.  Enjoy!

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

• Seeing spots! The Poinsettia image was stamped in VersaMark onto Rose Red dotted paper from the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack.  Heat embossing it with Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder adds a little edginess and gives it a modern feel. I embossed a second Poinsettia, snipped out the center, and popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals. Time Saver Tip:  Stamp just one image, and skip the layered center.  This reduces the embossing time and snipping time by half.

• The Black Pearl!  Sounds like Pirates of the Caribbean, right!  I colored a Stampin’ Up! Basic Pearl using a black Sharpie for a smidge of drama. Nestled in the center of a circle of six natural colored ones, the black pearl draws together the black embossing and the black sentiment. 

• Joyful, joyful Christmas wishes!  The sentiment was stamped with Jet Black StazOn onto Whisper White.  It’s unique shape was made by zipping it through the Big Shot with an Oval Framelit, then cutting off the sides to make them straight.  I would be remiss if I did not mention that the perfect Wild Wasabi banner was cut out using the new Banner Framelits, available in the Occasions Catalog this January.

 
I actually made TWO cards for this challenge.  I will be revealing the second card, which is more romantic and elegant, tomorrow.  Here is a little peek:

Please make sure to stop back in and let me know what you think of it.  I had a difficult time deciding which of the two to use as the inspiration card.  I will be anxious to read what you think.  In the meantime, what do you think of today’s card? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?  Your comments are important to me.  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:  Joyful Season; Inks: VersaMark, Jet Black StazOn;  Designer Series Paper:  Regals Paper Stack, Subtles Paper Stack; Card Stock:  White Core’dinations, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White; Tools:  Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, Banners Framelits, Paper Snips, Heat Tool, Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder; Glitz and Glam:  Pearls; Other:  Black Sharpie