When she was a puppy, Lexi learned the importance of sharing.  The importance of sharing cuddle time with her big sister…

  and snuggle time with her brother.

She learned the importance of sharing playtime…

and the importance of sharing her toys.

But most of all, she learned the importance of sharing Stampin’ Up!

So to keep Lexi happy, 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.

Big Announcement: During the 2013 – 2014 Catalog share period, I announced that anyone who participated in those shares would be entered into a drawing to win an “I Want It All” bundle from the Holiday Catalog.  The Winner is: Angie J. from Wichita, KS. Congrats, Angie! Please email me to claim your bundle.  Until next time…

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players. This week, the lovely Jaydee has a sweet and simple sketch for us.  I wanted to play with a few of my Holiday Catalog preorder items, so out came Wonderful Wreath, Truly Grateful, and the Expressions Thinlits Dies.  The resulting card is a wee bit country and fun to make!  I hope you enjoy it!

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

• Woodsy chevrons! Don’t you love the look of the Chevron image from Truly Grateful?  Inked in Baked Brown Sugar, the result reminds me of wood planking. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line up the images perfectly.

• Snippity snip! Although you can use the Circles Collection Framelits Dies to quickly punch out the Wonderful Wreath image, I opted to snip it out. A little Soft Suede ink applied with a Sponge Dauber softens the edges, while Pearls add a little pizzazz.

• Very merry! A Cherry Cobbler “Merry” Thinlit is the perfect sentiment to nestle upon the wreath.  In order to remove the thinlit easily, I placed a piece of wax paper between the card stock and the die.  It works like magic.  My adhesive of choice for adhering Thinlits is Stampin’ Up!’s 2-Way Glue Pen. I simply “paint” the back of the Thinlit, and it’s ready to go!

So what do you think? A little bit country? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment?  Your comments are important to me. Of course, 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:  Truly Grateful (Available August 1, 2013 W 131730,  C 131733), Wonderful Wreath (Available August 1, 2013 W 132748); Ink: Baked Brown Sugar (131174), Always Artichoke (126972), Soft Suede (126978); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Naturals Ivory (101849), Cherry Cobbler (119685); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Expressions Thinlits Dies (Available August 1, 2013—132171), Paper Snips (103579), Sponge Daubers (102892), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247)

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players! This week the oh-so-talented and ever-so-sweet Nance Leedy has a beautiful trio of colors with which to work our magic: Bermuda Bay, Baked Brown Sugar, and Crushed Curry. Since I am in the midst of getting ready for Convention and pressed for time, I designed a simple card that packs a big “wow”.  I hope you enjoy today’s Lacy and Lovely card!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: The Way to  “Wow”This finished card measured 5-1/2″ wide by 4-1/4″ long.

• Bling!  A quick and easy way to “wow” is with a bit of bling! The new Frosted Finishes Embellishments, from the Holiday Catalog, add tons of sparkle in the “blingk” of an eye.  

• Layers! Another sure-fire way to “wow” is with layers.  Our bottom Lacy and Lovely image was stamped in Bermuda Bay.  Although you can use the 2-1/2″ Circle Punch with this image, I opted to snip around the scallops.  Of course, I had to add a few Pearls.  The middle layer was inked in Baked Brown Sugar, and snipped out.  Of course, I had to add a few Pearls. The top layer was inked in Crushed Curry and snipped out. 

• Simplify! To make the “wow” standout, simplify the rest of the card.  A simple Hello, inked in Bermuda Bay,  is the perfect compliment to the Lacy and Lovely focal point, as is the Crushed Curry print from the Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper collection.

Here it is, two days until I fly out to Convention, and there is still so much to do. I am especially looking forward to teaching watercoloring, distressing and bow making techniques to the Stampin’ Pretty Pals. I need to put the final touches on my “lesson plans”.  Plus I need to go buy something to wear, because I didn’t get around to losing the 20 pounds I needed to lose in order to get back into my dress casual clothes. I also need to get the kids packed for their stay at the doggie spa. (Muffy is so much better and full of vinegar! She will indeed have a litter of real puppies just as soon as she gets her AKC Champion title.) So much to do, and so little time. But one thing I can tell you is that I am looking forward to seeing all of you that will be there!  Please make sure to say “Hi”!
  

Well, what do you think of today’s card?  Won’t you let me know in your comment? It really is not difficult to make. It just takes a little time to snip, but you can always use circle punches if you prefer.   And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards I make or the techniques I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time…

(For those of you who emailed me to ask, the mini-classes I will be teaching are only for the members of Mary Fish’s group.  But don’t despair, I will be putting the finishing touches on my virtual classroom when I return for those of you who are interested.)

 

Stamp Set: Lacy and Lovely (W 132025; C 122887 ); Inks:  Bermuda Bay (131171), Baked Brown Sugar (), Crushed Curry (131173); Designer Series Paper: Eastern Elegance (130131); Card Stock: Very Vanilla Core’dination (129956 Neutral Collection), Very Vanilla (131650), Bermuda Bay (131197); Tools:  Paper Snips (103579); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), Frosted Finishes Embellishments (Available August 1, 2013);