Hope for the Pals PPA94

It’s time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This week is a sketch designed by the talented Margaret Moody.  I did take the liberty of interpreting this sketch a little differently from my other Pals Design Team members.  As you can see, the sketch has three circular elements.  At first, I was going to place three fan-fold flowers down the center of the card.  However, they did not fit well.  At this point, my son, Brady, gave me the idea of showing fan-fold flowers in various stages of bloom.  The flower with the butterfly represents the top circle.  The partially opened flowers represent the other two circles.  I hope this card inspires you to think outside the box!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
  • Finished seams! Giving the interfaces between designer paper patterns a finished look is easy.  A Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink is one way to do the trick; a string of Basic Pearls is another!
  • Accent a sentiment! “Thinking of you” from On the Grow was inked in Cherry Cobbler and stamped onto Naturals Ivory.  “Swirls” from the Swirls Scribbles Sizzlits die magically draw the eye to it. 
  • Swirly stems! This same fabulous Sizzlits die was also used to form the stems of the fan-fold flowers.
  • Butterfly bling! Three different sizes of Basic Pearls are perfect for forming the abdomen of the Butterfly from Strength and Hope.
I hope that you enjoyed today’s card and that you will join us in this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge.  And remember, your comments are important to me! So won’t you please let me know what you think of today’s card? As always, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away! Tomorrow:  Rhinestone Winner and Buried Treasure.  Until next time…

Stamp Sets: On the Grow (W 123075, C 123077), Strength & Hope (W 118100, C 123600—Summer Mini);  Inks:  Cherry Cobbler (119669), Soft Suede (119657);  Designer Series Paper:  Paisley Petals (Available July 1st);  Card Stock:  Cherry Cobbler (119685), Naturals Ivory (101849), Peach Parfait (119794); Tools:  Big Shot (113439), Swirls Scribbles Sizzlits (113441), Sponge Dauber (102892), 1-3/8″ x 5/8″ Oval Punch (119863), 1-3/4″ x  7/8″ Oval Punch (119855), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch (119854);  Glitz and Glam:  Basic Pearls (119247)

A Peek at the Pals and Free Rhinestones

It’s Wednesday and time for a peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts Design Team card. As you can see, there are pearls and a wee bit of distressing.  I hope you will join me for the complete reveal on Thursday.  And don’t forget to check out this week’s Pals Artist Picks! Could you believe the gorgeous wedding projects? Yowza!

Bite of Blog Candy

In exchange for your comments on today’s peek and tomorrow’s reveal, I am offering you a “Bite” of Blog Candy...yummy Rhinestones! Now tell me…who could not use a packet of free Basic Rhinestones?  Tomorrow I will be anxious to hear what you think of the full card, but for today I have a comment starter:  “What would you like to see offered in the upcoming Stampin’ Up! 2011 – 2012 Idea Book and Catalog?”  As for me…I would love to see colored rhinestones and colored pearls, of course!  I am excited to read your comments!  I will name the randomly selected winner of the Basic Rhinestones on Friday…when my “Buried Treasures” feature returns.

So…what are YOU looking forward to in the new catalog???  Let me know in your comment. Until next time…

Blogger is Boggin’ Me Down

Days after the “Big Blogger Breakdown”, The Stampin’ Schach is still having issues…including loading slowly.  I am still in the process of making some changes to see if I can help the problem.  If I can’t, I will need to turn to the experts.  So hang in there with me!

Paper Players Challenge Extended

Due to Blogger problems, The Paper Players will be extending our color challenge until this Friday, May 20th.  This month we selected a trio of popular colors which would be super for creating masculine cards:  Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso.  If you don’t have these colors, feel free to substitute with a similar hue.

Paper Players Design Team Call
Summer is quickly approaching and The Paper Players need two more Design Team members for our June, July and August challenges.  We are inviting you to apply for one of these two positions, which last for three months (June, July and August).  Anyone is welcome to apply, but you must be willing to comment on submissions for each challenge and you must use Stampin’ Up! products for your creations!  So come on…send an email to thepaperplayers@yahoo.ca and include your name, blog address, and three projects you have created by Monday, May 30th at 5:00 PM (PST). The two new Design Team members will be announced on Wednesday, June 1st.
Twin Talk
Muffy and Brody strutted their stuff at Le Mars, IA this weekend.  As always, they prefer to tell you all about it in their own words.
Brody:  Why so sad Muffy?
Muffy:  Sigh…Mom is upset because of her Blogger problems.
Brody:  What’s a blog, Muffy?
Muffy:  It’s a…a..thing that Mom does on her ‘puter. I wish there was something I could do to help.  I know what would make her happy! I can tell all of her stampin’ friends how wonderful I did this weekend. 
Brody:  What about me, Muffy?  Didn’t I do wonderful?
Muffy:  Well Brody, you did win your class both days.  But who was Best of Breed Puppy?  Hmmm? And who won second out of all of the Working Group Puppies?  And who was Winners Female??? And who was Best of Opposites?  Hmm?
Brody:  Let me think.  Was it that other really cute Boxer girl?
Muffy:  You know who, Brody.  Say it.  Come on, say it!  Say “Muffy is the most beautiful Boxer puppy in all the land!”  If you don’t say it, I am going to smoosh your nose in even more! Grrrrr….
Me:  Muffy Lin! Are you teasing your brother again?
Muffy:  No, Mom!
So there you have it! A challenge continued, a Design Team call, and a Tail of Two Puppies!  Coming up next, a Pals Paper Arts Sneak Peek and a Bite of Blog Candy!  Until next time…