The deadline for signing up for September’s Lesson of the Month is quickly approaching.  For more details and to see this month’s cards, check out this post!  But hurry…Noon CST, Wednesday, September 18th is the last day to sign up! See you in class!

Time is running out to enroll in September’s Lesson of the Month! This month the focus will be on watercoloring and the Wetlands stamp set from the 2013 – 2014 Catalog.  Here are the three cards we will be making:

Card #1:

Objectives for Card  #1:

• Watercoloring with Aqua Painters and Ink Refills
• Use of “white space” in design

Card #2:

Objectives for Card #2:

• Watercoloring with Blender Pens and Ink Pads
• Reusing classic layouts
• Combining sets

Card #3:

 
Objectives for Card #3:

• Watercoloring with Blender Pens and Ink Pads
• Using Stampin’ Up!’s Circle Card Thinlits Die 

Here is how The Lesson of the Month works:
Each month I will select a stamp set, and design three cards using this set.  Each card will focus on specific objectives.  I will keep embellishments to a simple few and I will center the designs around a single Designer Series Paper collection.  You will not have to buy the entire catalog, although I will be using the Big Shot each month.

This month you will receive:

• the Wetlands stamp set (C 126697, $16.95)
• a package of Linen Thread (104199, $4.95)   
• 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 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.  Please Note:  Due to the intricacies of watercoloring, you cards may vary slightly from the cards pictured.
• 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. 

The timeline…Don’t Be Tardy

• 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…

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players.  This week, the talented Anne Marie Hile has a fun challenge for us: Create a CAS Project:  For the Kids.  I opted to create a birthday card featuring the adorable Puppy from Storybook Friends.  You know me and puppies! Enjoy!

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

• Brights! Nothing says “fun” like bright and cheery colors! Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, and Tangerine Tango create a delightful trio of Birthday Balloons, stamped using the image from the Sketched Birthday set.

• Puppy on the run! Our little pupster is sporting a Party Hat from Sketched Birthday, stamped in Bermuda Bay and snipped out using Paper Snips. The “Speed Lines” are courtesy of Gorgeous Grunge, as are all of the speckles and splatters.

• Banner Band Aid!  Although I had planned on using the Yippee Skippee sentiment, I wasn’t planning on placing it in this location, nor was I going to use a banner.  However, when the Tempting Turquoise Splatter in the left-hand corner didn’t stamp correctly, I changed my design. A sentiment banner saved the day and covered the mistake!  Yippee skippee!

I hope you enjoyed today’s card. Clean and simple cards are difficult for me, but I had a fun time playing with the bright colors and the Gorgeous Grunge set…and of course, the pup!  I would have preferred not to have used the banner, but do you think it looks OK covering my mistake? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are 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: Storybook Friends, Gorgeous Grunge, Sketched Birthday, Yippee Skippee; Inks:  Bermuda Bay, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Basic Black; Card Stock:  Whisper White, Tangerine Tango; Tools:  Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Paper Snips, Blender Pen; Glitz and Glam: Island Indigo Baker’s Twine