It’s Sunday…and time to play with The Paper Players! This week the challenge is Christmas in July!  What better way to cool down on a hot summer’s day than by creating a holiday card or two! Snowmen, Santas, Christmas Trees, Greetings of the Season…pull them out and dust them off.  Since my Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog pre-order did not arrive in Iowa in time to use one of the new sets, I decided to pull out a few retired sets:  A Christmas Carol, Christmas Lodge, French Foliage.  I will be teaching a watercoloring session to member’s of Mary Fish’s Pretty Pals at Convention in a few weeks, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to practice my skills.  So…I pulled out my Stampin’ Write Markers and a Blender Pen, and set to work.  I hope you enjoy my first holiday card of the year.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Watercoloring with Blender Pens and Stampin’ Write Markers
This finished card measures 5-1/2″ wide x 4-1/4″ long.

• Easy does it! When water coloring with Stampin’ Write Markers and Blender Pens, I lightly rub the Blender Pen on the broad side of the marker, and test it before applying. Start light…and add more if necessary.  Handy hint:  Staying within the lines is easier if you heat emboss the image first!

• Decorating the tree! Pearls were colored with a dark red permanent marker, and added to the Tree image from Christmas Lodge, another recently retired set.  For a wee bit of sparkle, Dazzling Details were added after coloring.

• Waterspots! The Waterspot image from French Foliage ages any card instantly! It is one of my favorite stamps.

So what do you think of today’s Christmas in July card? Won’t you let me know in today’s comments? Your comments are important to me. 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:  French Foliage, A Christmas Carol, Christmas Lodge; Inks: Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, VersaMark; Stampin’ Write Markers:  Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Always Artichoke, Night of Navy, Elegant Eggplant, Blush Blossom; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black;  Designer Series Paper: Modern Medley, Regals Designer Series Paper Stack; Tools:  Big Shot, Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Paper Snips, Blender Pens, Sponge Daubers, Heat Tool, Basic Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder; Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls, Dazzling Details

Yikes…it seems so strange to be posting a Pals Paper Arts card without being on the Design Team this week.  In case you were wondering, with the PPA’s  return to a weekly challenge, I have moved to Weeks Two and Four.  Although this is not an “official” inspiration card, I hope that it will inspire you anyway, and that you will join my Team One Pals in this week’s color challenge:  Real Red, Pacific Point, Crumb Cake!

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

• Layer your labels! For a little twist, I layered Hearts A Flutter Striped Banners…one inked in Crumb Cake, the other in Pacific Point.

• Create your own background! Crumb Cake Stippled Blossoms and Pacific Point Clockworks images create a soft and beautiful background.

 

• Sudden impact! A Real Red Stippled Blossom, overstamped with Pacific Point, packs a dramatic punch!

 

Lexi, Muffy and I are hitting the road just as soon as I get this post completed.  We are in Dekalb, IL this weekend.  Keep your inky fingers crossed for us.  Of course, I would love to hear what you think about today’s card.  Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?  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…

What could be better than three packages of this year’s awesome Designer Series Paper?  Four packages of Designer Series Paper…especially when one is FREE!

Yes…that’s right! Stampin’ Up! has an awesome promotion going on through July 31st.  Buy three packs of select Designer Series Paper and get one for free! There are no limits.  Order six and get two free.  Order nine and get three free.  What a great time to stock up on your favorite patterns on pages 151, 153 and 154 of the new catalog!

Offer Dates: July 1-31, 2013
Offer Details: Buy three packs of select Designer Series Paper and get one for free!
Restrictions:  Designer Paper Stacks and Specialty Designer Papers do not qualify for this offer.

Lexi and Muffy Update

Lexi and Muffy had a wonderful weekend at the show in West Bend, Wisconsin.  Both of the girls won their classes both Saturday and Sunday, and Lexi was given serious consideration for Winners.  We received lots of compliments! Keep your fingers crossed that we will win big this upcoming weekend in Dekalb, IL.  Until next time…

COMING SOON:  The Stampin’ Schach’s HUGE Retired Stamp Sale