It’s Thursday, and time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This is our color challenge week, and what a terrific trio of traditional holiday colors we have for you: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake.  I decided to go with a traditional card to match these colors, and also selected two of my favorite traditional holiday images:  the Sleigh from Open Sleigh and the Tree from Christmas Lodge! I hope you enjoy today’s card!

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

• Pearled! The Sleigh from Open Sleigh was inked in Cherry Cobbler and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock.  It was snipped out using Paper Snips.  Of course, every holiday sleigh needs a few Basic Pearls! (Tip:  For those hard to reach places, use an Exacto knife! )

• Popped! The Tree from Christmas Lodge was inked in Always Artichoke and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock.  After snipping them out, one was adhered directly to the card with SNAIL Adhesive, while the second one was “popped” up using Stampin’ Dimensionals.  The Sleigh was also “popped” up, giving depth and dimension.

• Manly! A more masculine Sawtooth edge was created using the Finishing Touches Edgelits.  The result is a card which could be given to that special man in your life.  And yes…I would leave the pearls in place, but they could easily be left off if you prefer.

The result is a card with warmth and richness.  This Festival of Prints paper, with its Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Plaid, is one of my favorites in the pack.  With pearls, it takes on an elegant look.  But when those pearls are switched out for linen thread and buttons, this card becomes decidedly more country.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

I just had to include this picture of the Twins.  Both of them were snoozing while I was working on this card.  It is not often that they get to nap without little Lexi bothering them.  Many of you have asked about Brody and how he is doing…and the answer is fine.  There have been no more “Boxer Bumps” since last spring.  He is maturing into a beautiful boy with the best disposition in the world.  After all, anyone who can put up with TWO diva sisters, deserves an extra treat! 

What’s a diva???

So what did you think of today’s card? Won’t you let me know in today’s comment? Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one. 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:  Open Sleigh (W 126460, C 126462), Christmas Lodge (W 123767, C 123769); Inks:  Cherry Cobbler (126966), Always Artichoke (126972), Early Espresso (126974);  Designer Series Paper:  Festival of Prints (126904); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla (101650), Naturals Ivory (101849), Always Artichoke (105119), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Crumb Cake (120953); Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Finishing Touches Edgelits (127010), Paper Snips (103579); Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247);

It’s Sunday, and time to play with The Paper Players.  This week I am hosting a Theme Challenge:  Snowmen! I was limited on the snowmen stamps I own, so I opted to use the “Building Snowmen” scene from the Winter Memories stamp set.  To add a little variety to the Design Team samples, I used the emboss resist technique.  I hope you enjoy today’s card!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Emboss Resist
Today’s finished card measures 5-1/4″ square.

• Emboss resist! The “Building Snowmen” stamp was inked in VersaMark and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock.  It was then heat embossed with White Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  Crumb Cake ink was applied in a circular fashion with a Stampin’ Sponge.  The excess ink was wiped away with a tissue.

• Tails! One long tail of a Crumb Cake Seam Binding Bow is shaped and held into place with Glue Dots.

• Snowflakes!  Snowflakes from Snowflake Soiree were randomly stamped in VersaMark onto Whisper White card stock.  They were then treated to the emboss resist technique.  Snowflakes created with the retired Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die were distressed with Crumb Crake ink and accented with Basic Pearls.

 

Here is what the Building Snowmen images looks like when watercolored.  What a difference  between the two techniques!  There is definitely a striking difference!

Do you need a few more snowmen images to get you inspired?  Here are some of my favorite snowmen cards from prior posts:

Last summer, a wise woman told me to start every post with a picture. Well, once again I don’t have any pictures of my stamp sets, so you will have to settle for one of my girls. I did find a few more retired stamp sets which need new homes.  So here we go!

• Sets will be described as “new” or “used”.  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 ann@thestampinschach.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.
• 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. 

Wood 
Bear Hugs … New, Unmounted  $4
Falling Leaves … Used, Stained Blocks  $5
Gift Givers … Only 1 mounted, like new  $10 SOLD
Good Grid … New, Unmounted $3
Haunted Forest … New, Unmounted  $4 SOLD
Leaves of a Tree … New, Mounted  $4 SOLD
Pattern Pieces … Like new, Mounted $3 SOLD
Pretty Patterns … New  $5
Ribbon of Hope … Used, Excellent $2 SOLD
Sinceres Salutations … FRENCH, Like new,  Mounted $8

Clear
Because I Care … Used  $4 SOLD
Outlined Occasions … New   $5
Out on a Limb … New $6 SOLD

Pieces of Poison … Used, Very Good  $6  SOLD
Valentine Love … Used, Very Good  $6 SOLD
    
Until next time…