It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! This week the fabulous Nance has a Clean and Simple Challenge for us.  The twist is that it must have Leaves.  I only needed to look out of window for inspiration. We have a HUGE maple tree in our front yard, with which I have a love-hate relationship.  

I LOVE it in the summer, when it shades the entire yard, and I HATE it in the fall when it drops all its leaves. Enjoy today’s card!

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

• Pretty as a picture!  The Bare Trees image from Lovely As a Tree was inked in Soft Suede and stamped onto Naturals Ivory card stock.  It was then cut out using an Oval Framelit.  A few Gorgeous Grunge speckles were added.  The result reminds me of an antique oval picture.

• Lovely leaves! This fabulous Leaf image is from the Best of Autumn set. It was inked in Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke and Crushed Curry.  Of course, a little fussy cutting was in order, as was distressing the edges with Soft Suede ink.

• Beautiful banner!  This sentiment, with its fabulous font, is from the Best of Autumn.  A curl and a snip is all it takes to add a bit of interest.

 Lovely As a Tree is a classic stamp set.  One of my friends described it as being “timeless”, and I must say that I agree.  What about you? Do you have a favorite set which you feel is a timeless classic?  Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?  Your comments are always 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…

Answers to questions left in previous comments:
Mamcy E:  I have no trouble with heat embossing on vellum.  I just make sure to keep the heat tool moving.  Plus, the Stampin’ Up! heat tool that I use has an option for a lower setting.  However, I do use the high setting.  Keeping it moving is critical to keep it from scorching.   
Luly G:  I actually stamped the image two more times…once on Crumb Cake and once on Crushed Curry.  I then placed a Perfect Layer ruler on the line and used an Exacto knife to cut the strips.

 

Stamp sets:  Best of Autumn, Gorgeous Grunge, Lovely As a Tree;  Inks:  Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke; Tools:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Ovals Collection Framelits, Hexagon Punch, Paper Snips; Glitz and Glam:  Naturals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

• Using the Emboss Resist technique
• Distressing
• Creating fabulous backgrounds with the Simply Scored tool

• Creating clean and elegant simple cards
• Heat embossing on vellum
• Creating windows with Oval Framelits

• the Joyful Christmas stamp set (C 131805, $16.95)
• Your CHOICE of ONE of the following items to help you complete this month’s cards:  Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109129), White Stampin’ Emboss Power (109132), Pearls (11247), Linen Thread (104199), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)
• three completed cards (envelopes not included)
• 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 a video lesson 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

• You will be able to see the cards before you decide to order. They will be posted by the 14^th of each month
• You will have until 12:00 Noon (CST) on the 18th of each 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 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 me time to complete the set.  
• 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 $4.95 – $5.95 with your third Lesson of the Month shipment. 

• Email me before Noon (CST) on the 18th of your intent to subscribe. Please let me know if you wish to substitute with a set of equal or lesser value.
• PayPal invoices will be emailed to you no later than the 18th.
• Sets will be ordered after Noon (CST) on the 18th. 
• Sets will be sent to you within 24 hours after I receive the sets from Stampin’ Up! These dates could vary.  Cards will be mailed as they are completed.
• Instructions will be emailed on the 20th.
• Video link will be emailed to you on the 20th.  

  Here is a re-cap of what you will receive each month:

• A Clear Mount stamp set selected by me, valued between $14.95 – $19.95.  You may substitute a set of equal or lesser value, if I am contacted before the ordering deadline OR you may pay the difference for wood mount if you prefer.
• Three complete cards featuring the “Set of the Month”
• Complete step-by-step instructions for each card, including pictures and measurements
• A link to a video tutorial for one of the cards

Until next time…

(Please scroll down to see today’s Pals Paper Arts post.)

Several of her friends have done a little plotting and planning for Anne Marie Hile’s birthday today. We are holding a birthday card link-up on the Dynamic Duos site.  The talented Anne Marie LOVES pink, LOVES bling, and LOVES girly things.  SO….I tried my best to channel my inner Anne Marie as I created this Strawberry Slush, rhinestone bedazzled, ruffled ribbon card for her.  Happy birthday, Anne Marie!  You are so talented, creative, caring and compassionate.  I hope your day is as fabulous as you!

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

• Ruffles! Adding ruffled ribbon is easy with 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch Trim! A little adhesive on the elastic edge holds the ribbon in place. It doesn’t get any easier than this!  I started with Strawberry Slush Ribbon, but then decided it did not give me enough contrast.  Sorry, Anne Marie! I hope you like a little Baked Brown Sugar with your Strawberry Slush paper!

• Bling! The Blue Ribbon image was stamped in both Strawberry Slush and Baked Brown Sugar, and then snipped out.  Stampin’ Dimensionals were used to “pop-up” the layers! Of course, any card sent to Anne Marie has to have its share of Rhinestones.  So what could be better than a circle of Rhinestones around the scallops.

• Pink! Three different patterns of Strawberry Slush, as well as a Strawberry Slush card base were used in creating today’s card.  After all, you can never have too much pink in a card for Anne Marie!  The Mosaic pattern is from the Quatrefancy Specialty collection, while the other two designs come from the 2013 – 2015 In Color Series Paper Stack.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  Do you think Baked Brown Sugar works with Strawberry Slush?  Won’t you let me know in your comment?  Of course, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

Stamp Set: Blue Ribbon;  Inks: Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar; Designer Series Paper: Quatrefancy Specialty; Card Stock: Whisper White,Strawberry Slush; Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals; Glitz and Glam: Baked Brown Sugar 3/8″ Ruffle Stretch Trim, Rhinestones