If you remember correctly, last week I did a little Stampin’ Up! Paper Pumpkin experiment with my husband.  If you did not happen to catch that post, HERE it is.  This week, I decided to try out the Paper Pumpkin Trial Kit.  The only problem was that the sample kit I received at Leadership came with only one journal to decorate.  My good friend, Brian King (Stamp with Brian), came to my rescue with this logical solution…my husband could decorate one side, and I, playing the role of seasoned stamper, could decorate the other.  Duh! Why didn’t I think of that? 

While my husband worked on the actual journal, I proceeded to design and cut what I needed for my side.  I will be the first to say that he was done in ten minutes.  However, he did encounter a problem.  Let’s see if you can figure out what happened.  Here is his finished side:

Did you see the problem?  Here’s the scoop:  The “jots and thoughts” sentiment is very thin, and when he went to stamp it, he pushed too hard.  This caused it to roll a bit, making the “thoughts” part slightly crooked.  This has happened to me before with a sentiments that are small and thin.  How about you?  A perfectionist, he was upset that he “ruined” his side.  So I came to his rescue with the Word Window Punch.  He stamped it onto Crumb Cake card stock perfectly a second time, and punched it out.  Isn’t this so cute?

My Turn

Then it was my turn to step it up.  I decided to use a few new items from the Spring Catalog, such as Paper Doilies, Designer Builder Brads, and Flower Trim, as well as snippets of Designer Paper I already head.  The cute waterspots are courtesy of the adorable Waterspot stamp from the Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit.  Let’s take a closer look at some of the details!

• Doily Delight! A snippet from one of Stampin’ Up!’s new Paper Doilies peeks from beneath the First Edition Specialty Paper banner. For a dash of color, a scallop circle of Fan Fare Designer Paper was layered onto the doily.

• Mark your spot! A snippet of Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, adorned with a Flower Trim blossom, makes a perfect bookmark.

• Papillions and pearls! Basic Pearls adorn the body of the Butterfly Stickers which are part of the trial kit.  With its Fan Fair center, a Designer Builder Brad is the perfect chic adornment.

I would love to have you join me each month as I host a Paper Pumpkin Party! If you select me as your demonstrator when you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, I will provide you with instructions for creating your own inexpensive “stepped-up” version!
Sign up today by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click “Get It”.  Beginning in March,  a new project will arrive at your door each month. If you are currently my customer OR if you would like to be, please be sure to choose me as your demonstrator (Ann Schach, zip code 52655) near the end of the subscription process.  Once you have completed your subscription order, please email me to let me know you have subscribed, so I can make certain that you receive instructions for your stepped-up version each month.

I love these little journals.  The cute version would be perfect for slipping into your purse.  The stepped-up version would be just the ticket for keeping handy in your stamping area.  That way, when the creative muse strikes, you can immediately jot down your thoughts!  What do you think? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  As always, if you have any questions about the cards I create, or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Until next time…

 

It’s Monday, and the start of a busy work week for many of us.  Couldn’t we all use a quick and easy card to get our week started off right? Here is Card #4 in my “Got Ten? Make Twenty” series.  These are cute and stylish cards designed for the busy stamper…with the definite plus of being quick, easy and mailable.   Many of them can be stamped in ten minutes, and today’s card is no exception. Where does the “Make Twenty” part come in?  These cards use Stampin’ Up!’s Note Cards, which come 20 in a pack.  By the end of the series, you will have 20 all-occasion cards.  I hope you enjoy today’s “Thoughts of You” card.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips: Got Ten Thinking of You
This finished card measures 5″ wide  x 3-1/2″ long.

• Splash! A snippet of  Designer Series Paper from the Storytime Collection adds a welcome splash of color.  This Riding Hood Red  “Squares” pattern seemed to mimic the panes of glass in the Phone Booth image from Feeling Sentimental. Tip:  When possible, look for design elements which are repeated in both the paper and the image.

• Crisp! The Phone Booth image looks so crisp when inked in Jet Black StazOn.  I stamped this one onto a rectangular piece of Whisper White card stock, which I then “popped” up onto Stampin’ Dimensionals.  This adds depth and dimension, but is still mailable. 

• Curled! In keeping with the vintage look of the Phone Booth, I selected a sentiment from the Loving Thoughts stamp set. Curling one end and snipping the other adds to the overall vintage vibe…as does adding a few pearls.

Feeling Sentimental is a Sale-A-Bration set which can be yours with a $50 order (before shipping and taxes).  Here are a few ideas, based on today’s card, to get you to that $50 level:

Before cooking.  Photo courtesy of the Little Fellows website.

I didn’t think to take a picture until after I had taken a bite of my breadstick.  Sorry.  I will guarantee that it tastes better than it looks!  I over-cooked it a little, but it was still yummy!  Perfect comfort food on a rainy January evening

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  Won’t you let me know in your comment?  Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  And if you try the Crockpot Cheese Tortellini, please let me know what you think of it.  As always, 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…

Are you ready for a versatile sketch?  We have just the ticket in today’s The Paper Players Challenge.  Since I was in need of a “thinking of you” card, I pulled out Stampin’ Up!’s Just Thinking single stamp.  This image is perfect for heat embossing, don’t you think?

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

• Diagonal delight! Stampin’ Up!’s Diagonal Plate is perfect for creating a diamond embossed background.  Easy and elegant!  I score at every inch to get this look.

• Doubly delicious!  What could be more elegant than a single Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding bow?  A double one, of course! 

• And making them is so easy if you follow the tutorial found in this video.  
• Just “pearl-fect”!  A few Basic Pearls added to this image adds elegance in an instance.

So what makes an elegant card?  Color for one thing.  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and Basic Black are logical choices.  Think black tie and tails, with red roses.  Jewels are another item which adds an elegant touch.  Just like the belle of the ball dons diamonds and pearls, elegant cards look fabulous when bejeweled! And what about the drama of a double bow?  But when all is said and done, its difficult to create an elegant card with a cute or whimsical image.  Let your image set the tone of the card, and you are automatically started down the right path. 

As always, your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one.  So please, won’t you let me know what you think of today’s card? And as always, 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 Set:  Just Thinking;  Inks:  VersaMark;  Designer Series Paper:  First Edition; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla;  Tools:  Heat Tool, Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Big Shot, Window Frame Framelits; Glitz and Glam:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Basic Pearls