I was thrilled when the lovely Lesley Croghan asked me to be a Guest Designer for this week’s Merry Monday challenge. This is actually a month-long “Anything Goes” challenge.  I decided to do a modern twist on a traditional card, and experiment with non-traditional holiday colors. Pool Party and Melon Mambo are pretty non-traditional, don’t you think?  I also wanted to design another Side Step card. This one, which I created last year, was quite traditional.

Here is this year’s “modern” version:

It’s really quite simple to make. The Trees from the Evergreen set (clear mount-127973, wood mount-
127970) were stamped multiple times in Melon Mambo and snipped out. A single one was stamped in Pool Party and adorned with…Pearls.

The sides were embossed with the Snowflake patterned Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and decorated with…Pearls!

Creating a Side-Step card is not that difficult, as this pictorial illustrates:

• Begin with a 5-1/2″ by 11″ piece of card stock.  1″ in from the 11″ side, make a cut from the 1″ mark to the 6-1/2″ mark.  Flip your paper and do the same on the opposite side.

• Using your Simply Scored tool, score from the edge of the paper to the cut at 1″, 2″ and 6-1/2″.  Do the same on the opposite edge.

• Score between the cuts at 5-1/2″.  I have marked the lines for better visibility.

•  Fold your card base as illustrated.

• To make a standard sized card which can be mailed,  modify the directions above as follows:  Cut from 1″ to 5-1/4″, and score the edges at 1″, 2″ and 5-1/4″.  Score between the cuts at 4-1/4″.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card. Some people embrace non-traditional holiday colors.  For me, it depends on the image. What do you like? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them.  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…

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! Today, the talented LeAnne Pugliese has a wonderful sketch for us, which I flipped it on its side. This sweet little card was created especially for LeAnne. It’s her birthday today. LeAnne, I hope that all your birthday wishes come true!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Quick and Easy Tips
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″.

When time is of the essence, these tips will help you save minutes!

• Minimal stamping! Let the designer paper do the talking! Afternoon Picnic contains the sweetest little floral images that can be punched out in a flash. The printed stitching is a plus, too. Adding a few pearls into the center of the flowers adds a special touch.

• No matting! The Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder provides a perfect backdrop for unmatted elements. Once again, a time saver!

• No fuss! Layering the sentiment banner over a designer paper banner adds interest. I only adhered the beginning of the sentiment banner in order to allow dimension.  This cute little sentiment from Sweet Essentials was inked in Wisteria Wonder. The Coastal Cabana polka dot banner adds a “pop” of unexpected color, and coordinates with the Coastal Cabana card base.  

This is one of those weeks where I met myself coming and going.  I returned from Convention last Sunday, and Muffy and I left again on Thursday for the Waukesha, Wisconsin cluster of shows.  Muffy is showing in six shows over a five day period.  Of course, that much exertion requires a lot of beauty sleep.

I hope you enjoyed today’s card. You know, we can all use a little quick and easy in our lives every once in awhile, and this card fills the bill. Won’t you let me know what you think of it in today’s comment? And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  Oh, Hello, Sweet Essentials; Inks:  Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana; Designer Series Paper:  Afternoon Picnic; Tools: Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, 1-3/4″ Circle Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder; Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls

Brady found a young hummingbird on the ground Wednesday.  Like his mother, Brady is a soft hearted soul. He picked it up gently, placed it into a tree, and then came inside to ask me what to do.

 

I prepared a sugar water solution, and filled up a syringe.  Since hummingbirds are attracted to the color, I punched out a Real Red flower using the Blossom Punch and slipped it over the end. 

 It drank eagerly.  Brady fed it several times during that first hour.

  
While Lexi watched from the porch with concern.

 By the end of hour three, our little hummer was feeling chipper enough to fly away. Lexi laughed.

Holiday Shares

It’s once again time for my annual Holiday Catalog shares! Participating in shares allows you to sample a little bit of everything while not breaking the bank! I do the ordering, the measuring, the cutting, the packaging and the mailing, while you sit back and relax, and dream about your soon-to-be-delivered goodies!
Why should you participate in The Stampin’ Schach Shares?  Here are four great reasons:

• Quick delivery! I expedite my share orders to Stampin’ Up! The sooner I receive them, the sooner you can start playing with your goodies!
• Packaging! Designer Papers are identified for you, so you don’t have to play “Which collection is this?”  Ribbons are neatly coiled, not just thrown in a bag.
• Amounts! You receive 6″ x 12″ rectangles of paper, not 6″ x  6″ squares.  That’s a plus for those of you who scrapbook!  Plus, the 10 yard rolls of ribbon are divided into fourths, while the 5 yard rolls of ribbon are cut in half.  This way you receive approximately 2-1/2 yards of ribbon…1/2 yard more than many others are offering.
• A chance to win!  Everyone who purchases a Holiday Catalog share will have their names entered into a drawing for a FREE “I Want It All Bundle” from the 2014 Spring Catalog.

Here is what others have said about my shares:

Here are The Holiday Catalog Stampin’ Schach share options:

Option #1:  Designer Series Paper and Foil Shares
Note:  These are 6″ x 12″ sheets, suitable for both card making and scrapbooking!

• 24 – 6″ x 12″ sheets of Designer Series Paper (6 from each of the 4 collections in the catalog)
• 4 – 6″ x 12″ sheets of the new Foil Paper (2 gold, 2 silver)

Total of 28 sheets
Cost:  $15.00 + $4.95 shipping = $19.95

Option #2: Textured Card Stock Share
Note:  These are 6″ x 12″ sheets, suitable for both card making and scrapbooking!

• 48 – 6″ x 12″ sheets of textured card stock (12 of each of the 4 colors offered in the Holiday Catalog)

Cost: $11.95 + $4.95 shipping = $16.90

Option #3: Ribbon Share

• Approximately 2-1/2 yards of each of the three new ribbons featured in the Holiday Catalog
• Total of 7-1/2 yards

Cost:  $7.50  + $2.95 shipping = $10.45

Option #4:  I Want It All

• This includes EVERYTHING in Options 1, 2, 3 (Designer Paper, Foil, Textured Card Stock, Ribbons)
• Total of 76 – 6″ x 12″ sheets of paper, 7-1/2 yards of ribbon

Cost:  $43.00 (shipping included)

Purchase any of the above options, and add the following for only $5.00:

Add-On “A”

• 4 clips with bows
• 6 beautiful, sparkly frosted embellishments

Cost:  $5.00 (no additional shipping)

So don’t hesitate, the deadline for signing up for the first round of shares is July 31st.   Email me today with your choices and method of payment (PayPal or check)!  As per Stampin’ Up! rules, shares can only be shipped to US addresses.

Until next time…