It’s Storytime here at The Stampin’ Schach! Now this isn’t a story that you will ever see in a First Edition, nor will it receive any Fan Fair anywhere, especially not in an International Bazaar or at a World Spectacular event.  You probably won’t read about it in a Comfort(able) Cafe, where they often have newspapers on the tables for you to peruse.  It is just a Natural Composition I am writing.  

But I will tell you that I was Twitterpated when I received the news.  I earned Stampin’ Up!’s incentive trip to Hilton Head! “Be of Good Cheer”, I told my husband.  “We are heading out on a get-away!”  I got a big hug and a kiss.  Of course, Summer Smooches are the best!  And then my upline, the fabulous Mary Fish, must have visited the Floral District, because she sent me flowers to mark the occasion.  I felt like celebrating with a Patio Party! I felt like dressing up in Polka Dots and going on a Polka Dot Parade around the neighborhood.  And to make it even better, my good friend and Convention roommate, Ginger will be going, too. Birds of a Feather flock together, as they say!

I would never have achieved this if not for you, my customers, and my fabulous downline.  I thank all of you!  And to celebrate, how about a little Blog Candy?  Hmmm…can you tell from my story what it could be? I will select one winner from all comments left on today’s post,  Sunday’s Paper Player inspiration card post, and Monday’s post.  (I am sorry, but I cannot ship to addresses outside of the United States per Stampin’ Up! rules.)  The winner will receive a 6″ x 12″ selection from all of the designs in each of the Designer Series Paper collections (with the exception of First Edition) for a total of 78 sheets of paper.  To get you started today, simply tell me which pattern is your favorite.  Mine is Fan Fair.  Until next time…

It’s time to play at the PPA! This week, the Pals at Pals Paper Arts are hosting a Color Challenge with a delightful trio of colors:  Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler.  In preparation for today’s card, I pulled out one of my favorite stamp sets, Field Flowers, as well as the new Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper and the new Delicate Designs Folder.  I hope that you enjoy this week’s classic card as much as I enjoyed creating it for you!

The finished card measures 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″.

• Depth and Dimension! Stamping an extra blossom to snip out and “pop” up on a Stampin’ Dimensional is a perfect way to add depth to the Field Flowers image.  For even more “wow”, adhere it slightly below the original stamped flower!

• Texture! Zipping the Early Espresso mat through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder creates a mat which draws the eye to the image.

• The “Wow” Effect! A Cherry Cobbler Delicate Design Scalloped Border, abutted against the textured Early Espresso image mat, adds “wow” for sure!  Of course, the string of Basic Pearls at the interface, is the icing on the “cobbler”!

• A Double Bow!  A Daffodil Delight Seam Binding double bow is the perfect finishing touch! 

 

Stamp Set:  Field Flowers (W 122760,  C 122762);  Inks:  Daffodil Delight (126944), More Mustard (126964), Crumb Cake (126975), Old Olive (126953);  Designer Series Paper:  Polka Dot Parade (126902);  Card Stock:  Early Espresso (119686), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730);  Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Delicate Designs Folder (127023);  Glitz and Glam:  Daffodil Delight Seam Binding (125583), Basic Pearls (119247);

Happy Fourth of July! It’s time to play with the designers at Freshly Made Sketches!  This week’s sketch was created by the talented Jennifer Timko.  I opted to create a “gender neutral” versatile card.  Simply remove the butterflies and substitute straight edges for the embossed scallops, and this card transforms into a masculine card. The men in my life don’t mind butterflies, so I would not need to remove them.  In fact, this card was made for my husband.  Of course, it is always easy to switch out the sentiment for birthday, sympathy, thinking of you sentiments and more!  And there is an added bonus.  It is QUICK! Enjoy today’s card!

Today’s card measures 4-1/4″ wide x 5-1/2″ long.

• Quick texture! Crumb Cake card stock was zipped through the Big Shot with Stampin’ Up!’s new Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder!  Visual and tactile interest is added in seconds!

• Quick accents! Butterflies are created with a twist of the wrist, when you use the Beautiful Wings Embosslit! Basic Pearls add a sweet touch!

• Quick “WOW”!  Cherry Cobbler card stock is transformed into an elegant and rich confection when embossed with a scalloped Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Folder and the new coordinating Large Scallop Edgelit! A Cherry Cobbler heat embossed sentiment, accented with Basic Pearls, completes the “WOW”!

And for even more versatility, substitute your own favorite color combination or use Stampin’ Up!’s Color Coach!  Not a fan of argyle?  Use any one of Stampin’ Up!’s fabulous Textured Impressions Embossing Folders! 

What do you think of today’s card? Won’t you let me know in your comment?  I would love to know what you might use for colors.  Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one!  Of course, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Until next time…


(Brody Update:  So many of you have emailed me to ask about Brody.  He is enjoying just being a dog.  He loves playing with Lexi, and is very gentle with her…even when she sits on his head!  And speaking of his head, he does have another small bump between his ears.  It is being observed.  It could be nothing…one never knows.  However, I spend each day filling his hours with love and everything his doggie heart desires…walks, toys, food and cuddling.  I do not take my time with him for granted…)

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes (W 127322, C 127324  ), Field Flowers (W 122760, C 122762);  Inks:  VersaMark (102283), Early Espresso (126974); Card Stock:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Crumb Cake (120953), Early Espresso (119686), Cherry Cobbler (119685);  Tools:  Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Buddy (103083),  Big Shot (113439), Large Scallop Edgelit (127019), Delicate Designs Folders (127023), Beautiful Wings Embosslits (118138), Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127750),  Large Oval Punch (119855);  Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247), Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Emboss Powder (122949), Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109130);