Pals Paper Arts is going back to four challenges a month with the addition of a second design team. Woo hoo! That’s double the fun and double the creativity.  Design Team Two, filled with fresh new faces and an abundance of talent, will provide you with inspiration on the second and fourth Thursdays. I have the distinct honor of joining this new team.  Here is a peek at my inspiration card for this week! I hope you will join me Thursday for the reveal!

In the market for retired stamps? Check out my annual Retired Stamp Sale.

Until next time…

It’s here! That time of the year when I purge my “Stampin’ Pantry” of my retired stamp sets. I just can’t keep them all.  Some were lovingly used, while others never saw ink.  I have been the victim many times of seeing something cute made with a set, so I buy it, and then for some reason, never use it.  You know what I mean! As always, there are certain guidelines that we need to follow:

• Sets will be described as “new” or “used”.  Used stamps may having stained blocks.   I will try to describe each set as accurately as possible.
• Sets will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
• If you are interested in a set, please email me at kimschach@msn.com.  Include your zip code so I can calculate your shipping charge.  No phone calls please.
• I will ship the cheapest way possible.  This may be Flat Rate in some instances.  I will NOT be shipping any sets between July 16th and July 21st, since I will be at Convention.
• Payment can be made by PayPal or by personal check.  Please do not make a payment until I send you a confirming email.
• US addresses only.
• This list will be updated daily.  Once a set is sold, it will be removed from the list.
• New this year, you can receive 10% of your total used stamp purchase, before postage, off any Stampin’ Up! order made through me.  For example, if you purchase $75 worth of retired stamps, I will deduct $7.50 from your total purchase from any current Stampin’ Up! catalog. This offer expires August 31st.

Clear Mount Sets—Updated 9:00 AM 7/23

Every Little Bit – new – $12.00
Perfect Punches – used – $8.00Send Me Soaring – new – $8.00
Totally A-maze-ing – new – $6.00

Sale-A-Bration Sets
Madison Avenue – new – $5.50 (3 clear)
Patterned Occasions – new – $5.50 (5 clear)
Vintage Verses – new – $5.50 (3 clear)

Wooden Sets

Good Grid – new – $4.00
Life Shared – new – $5.00
Packed for Birthday – new -$4.00
Packed for Mom – new – $4.00
Parlor Prints – new – $8.50
Tool Shed – like new – $8.50 
Sinceres Salutations – FRENCH – like new – $8.00
Tree Trimmings – blocks stained – $5.00
World’s Greatest – new – $5.00

Happy shopping! Remember to please be patient as I sort through emails. Until next time…

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