The Holiday Mini goes live today, and if you are like me, you have a Wish List a mile long!  Many of you have asked me for my picks, so I narrowed it to twelve.  Here we go:

• Piece of Poison Stamp Set…Not for the little ones, this realistic set is perfect for vintage cards. Its “Poison” image is gorgeous when glittered!
• Gently Falling…Perfect for fall cards!
• Christmas Lodge…Rustic, masculine, vintage.  This set is a triple threat.
• Stitched Stockings…How cute is this set! Pair it up with Stocking Builder Punch and double the fun.
• It’s A Wrap Holidays…Perfect for making “sweet” little gifts!
• Simply Scored…a MUST have for everyone!
• Spice Cake Designer Series Paper…a yummy confection of patterns!
• Holiday Stocking Bigz Die…Adorable with a capital “A”!
• Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper…you’ll go mad for plaid!
• 25 and Counting (with the 1″ Square Punch and Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die)…a memory in the making!
• Ribbon…Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin or VeryVanilla Velvet…all three are a treat!
• Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder…not just for winter!

Of course, there are several honorable mentions:  the card keeper box, cello bags, kraft gift boxes, mini-jingle bells and more! This is one Holiday Mini which hits a bases-loaded home run!

Have fun and stay tuned as I enter into stamping high gear! Until next time…

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:  Random Stamping

• Random stamping! The three varieties of leaves from the French Foliage set were inked in the three challenge colors and randomly stamped onto a Very Vanilla panel.  I also inked up the Postmark  and Waterspot stamps in Basic Gray and added them to the mix.  Hint:  Start with a panel which is larger than what you will need.  This way, when you trim it to size, some of your images will be stamped off the edges.  It looks more “natural” than trying to position your images off the edge. Stamp your largest image first, then fill in with your smaller images.

• An “amazing” sentiment! I selectively inked the Amazing sentiment from Floral Fillers using a Riding Hood Red Stampin’ Write Marker.  The leaf was inked in Basic Gray, as was the Waterspot stamp, and was stamped off before stamping onto the sentiment oval. A few little speckles, courtesy of the Color Spritzer Tool, and the look is…amazing!

• Bow magic! A snippet of Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon sets off the Basic Gray Bow.  Need a refresher on making the perfect bow?  Click HERE for my Video Tutorial.

• The “pearl-fect” finishing touch! A “string” of pearls highlights the right side of the image panel.

Unconventional colors for fall, but I think they work.  What do you think?  Let me know in today’s comment.  And if you have any questions about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use,  please do not hesitate to email me.  Until next time…

Stamp Sets:  French Foliage (W 120845,  C 121166), French Foliage (W 122780,  C 122782); Inks: Basic Gray (109120), Calypso Coral (122939), Riding Hood Red (111836), Riding Hood Red Stampin’ Write Marker (120971);  Designer Series Paper:  Domestic Goddess (122355);  Card Stock:  Basic Gray (121044), Very Vanilla (101650), Riding Hood Red (111348), Calypso Coral (122925);  Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Large Oval Punch (119855), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Color Spritzer Tool (107066);  Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247), Basic Gray 5/8″ Satin Ribbon (124326), Riding Hood Red  3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (122988)

It’s time for a peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts card.  It’s not vintage or rustic, but I did pull out the Color Spritzer Tool.  I hope you will join me for the reveal Thursday!

No Free Card This Week…Hmmm???  How About Some Paper???

This week’s challenge card is earmarked for Brady Schach.  No…it’s not super-masculine, but that’s OK.  Brady is used to getting all types of cards from me.  Why is Brady getting this one, you ask?  He nailed his auditions last week, and is principle trumpet in both the University Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. 

To celebrate his success, how about a chance to win 100 sheets of 6″ x  6″ retired Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper?  I will randomly select a winner from everyone who leaves comments on today’s and Thursday’s Post.  I can’t give you a reminder Thursday because of our Design Team rules…so don’t forget that your comments on Thursday do count!

Poor Brody

A tired Brody wishes that mom would put the camera down.

Brody the Boxer, one-half of the dynamic Boxer Twin duo, has had more complications from his surgery two weeks ago.  He has to be re-sutured.  With his first surgery, his vets stitched him up with what are called “hidden stitches” to minimize scarring.  These did not hold.  His incision was sealed, but has now broken open.  Dr. Brooke gave us the bad news today.  He goes in Wednesday morning to have some scar tissue loosened and new “heavy duty” sutures put in.  Arghh! I feel so badly for him.  He really is one sweet puppy…

Muffy tries to catch up on her beauty sleep.  Don’t you just love those Boxer jowls! 

Holiday Mini Goes Live Thursday

I can’t wait to share my top picks from the Holiday Mini, which goes live Thursday! Any predictions on what I will list down as my favorites? Find out Wednesday afternoon.  And don’t forget, your comments on this post and Thursday’s post could win FREE PAPER!  Until next time…