Blog Candy Blow Out

On March 27, 2009 I posted my first card, a CASE of a card created by my good friend, Mary Fish. That card received two comments…one from me testing the commenting format, and one from Mary.  This is that card:

Photobucket
Can you believe the photography? However, I stayed with my new-found hobby and practiced, practiced, practiced my stamping skills.  I made a home-made light tent and worked on my photography skills.  I revised my writing format several times, and slowly The Stampin’ Schach evolved into the blog you see today.  I would like to thank all of you who have travelled with me on my journey these 2-1/2 years, and for bringing me to the milestone at which I am at today: over one million hits!  Of course, I want you to continue with me on my journey as I grow and evolve.  Here’s to the second million!
I would love for YOU to celebrate with me…and what could be a better way to celebrate than with Blog Candy!  So here we go…I will be giving away the following to one lucky person:

A $100 Stampin’ Schach Gift Certificate
One winner will be selected from all comments left on any post dated September 14th (today) through 6:00 PM CST on Monday, September 19th.  After 6:00 PM on Monday, I will use the random number generator from Random.org to select the winning number for me.  I will then make a quick post to let you know the winner.  The winner will have 48 hours from the time of the Winner’s post to contact me.  
Here is the fine print:

  • The gift certificate can only be redeemed through me. 

  • You must use your gift certificate prior to December 31, 2011.

  • Merchandise can only be sent to US addresses as per Stampin’ Up! regulations.

I debated on whether to offer a Big Shot, but since you may already have one, I decided on the Gift Certificate.  Just think of all the pearls you can buy with this!!!  Good luck, my friends!  Until next time…

Thursday:  Pals Paper Arts Card
Friday:  Buried Treasure
Saturday: The Paper Players Peek
Sunday:  The Paper Players Challenge
Monday: ??? and the Winner’s Post

Caroling for Freshly Made Sketches

I am thrilled to be this week’s Guest Designer for Freshly Made Sketches. This is a brand new challenge blog with a weekly Sketch Challenge. The “twist” to this challenge is to keep your interpretation of the sketch CLEAN.  Not Clean and Simple…just CLEAN!  For me, this meant no color spritzer, no sponge dauber, no seven-sided tool! I will be so anxious to read whether you think I succeeded in staying clean.  Here is today’s sketch:

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Keeping It Clean

  • Emboss it! The image from A Christmas Carol was inked with VersaMark and stamped onto Whisper White card stock.  It was then heat embossed with the new yummy Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  Heat embossing brings the image to the forefront,  giving depth and dimension without distressing the edges.

  • Pearl it! Adding Basic Pearls around the edge of a scalloped oval accentuates the shape and draws the eye to the sentiment.  Alternate sizes for even more interest!

  • Scrunch it! Keeping it clean does not mean you can’t scrunch your ribbon!  In fact, scrunching Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding adds perfect texture!

I hope you will join us in this week’s challenge.  Lesley Croghan, the creator of Freshly Made Sketches, has put together an extremely talented group of designers. I would like to thank her for letting me prove, in the lingo of the Midwest, that I “clean up well”!  So please let me know what you think of today’s card. And remember…if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that you use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

(And in case you did not notice…the ol’ counter has surpassed the “1 Million Hit” mark.  That means it is time for my Blog Candy Blow Out.  Please watch for a post later today outlining just exactly what I will be giving away!  Trust me…I think it will be worth the wait!”)

Stamp Set:  A Christmas Carol (W 122635, C 122637);  Ink:  VersaMark (102283), Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write Marker (119681); Designer Series Paper:  Letters to Santa (122349);  Card Stock:  Marina Mist (119682), Riding Hood Red (111348), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools:  Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Large Oval Punch (119855), Heat Tool (100005); Glitz and Glam:  Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Emboss Powder (122949), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992),  Marina Mist 5/8″ Satin Ribbon (Retired), Basic Pearls (119247)

2011 Pals Fall Blog Hop

Welcome to the September Pals Blog Hop! This month, we are featuring Fall and Halloween inspired projects.  If you have hopped over from Melanie Collins at Oops a Daisy Designs, I’m stop number 4.  I am so glad you hopped in! I’ll help you “hop along” from blog to blog where you’ll find great ideas for Fall and Halloween paper projects from the Stampin’ Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up at the end of this post and you’ll be back on track!
My card today showcases the Scaredy Cat stamp set and Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper.  Easy little details and a delightful layout a`la Friday’s Buried Treasure make this card a snap to make.  Have a Happy Halloween!
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

  • Punch it out!  Three creepy spiders were punched from the Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper using the 3/4″ Circle Punch.  They were then matted onto 1″ Circle mats.  It’s quick and easy!

  • Pop it up!  The word “happy” was inked using a Cajun Craze Stampin’ Write Marker and snipped out.  It was then popped up on a dimensional and positioned over the original “happy”.  The wee “Ghosty” was also snipped and popped up for even more depth and dimension.

  • Pearl it on! Creepy spiders become less sinister when bejeweled with Basic Pearls!

  • Pair it up! “Boo” and “friends” from the Tiny Tags set are the perfect pair to add just the right finishing touch!

    I hope that you enjoyed today’s Halloween card.  Of course, your comments are always important to me, so please let me know what you think of this updated version of a Buried Treasure layout.  And if you have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!  Now scurry along to the next stop on the Pals Blog Hop, Mikki Sarkisyan at Mikki’s Creative Corner.  I know you will love her fun and fresh designs!  Enjoy the rest of the hop.  Until next time…
The 2011 Fall Blog Hop Line-Up
  1. Jeanne Norris at My Creative Impressions

  2. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti

  3. Melanie Collins at Oops a Daisy Designs

  4. Ann Schach at The Stampin’ Schach 

  5. Mikki Sarkisyan at Mikki’s Creative Corner

  6. Leah O’Brien at My Stampin’ Room

  7. Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty

  8. Barb Furlong at The Love of Stamping

  9. Linda Fisher at Linda’s Stampin Loft

  10. Mike Funke at Stampin-Style

  11. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin’ Space

  12. Joan Norris at Clearly Creative

  13. Barbara Chatzkel at Take Out Paper Arts

  14. Kylie Nicolosi at Kylie’s Crafty Corner

  15. Cindy Hall at Pretty Impact

  16. Nina Dee at Deesigns by Nina Dee

  17. Sandie Conner at Pretty Provisions

  18. Nicole Watt at Impressions By Nicole

  19. Rae Harper at Wild West Stampin’, Scrappin’ & Crafts

  20. Debbie Pierce at Stampin’ Sunshine

  21. Camila McManus at OBX Scrapbook

  22. Jason Casper at Jason’s Stampin’ Pad

Stamp Set:  Scaredy Cat (W 122555, C 122557);  Inks:  Basic Black (101179), Basic Gray (109120); Stampin’ Write Markers:  Cajun Craze (119678), Basic Gray (120966);  Designer Series Paper:  Frightful Sight (122351);  Card Stock:  Old Olive (101650), Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Black (121045);  Tools:  Paper Snips (103579), Sponge Dauber (102892), 3/4″ Circle Punch (119873), 1″ Circle Punch (119868), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190); Glitz and Glam:  Basics Glimmer Brads (121003),  Basic Pearls (119247), Linen Thread (104199)