Do you have a favorite card from the past that is in need of an update? I did. It’s amazing how much products change in one year’s time! Basic Pearls, Seam Binding, Antique Brads! A year ago these were not part of the Stampin’ Up! product line. And vintage wasn’t vogue, either! So what I wanted to do was to make a vintage version of this clean and classy card:

Clean and classy! Vintage and distressed! Two looks with the same basic layout!

• Texture! The Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder was zipped through the Big Shot with Very Vanilla card stock.
• Distress! The Seven-Sided Tool from the Cutter Kit is the perfect way to roughen up an edge. Follow this up with Soft Suede ink and a Sponge Dauber!
• Age it! The Color Spritzer Tool and a Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker adds instant speckles! Faux burn and roll down a corner for even more character!
• Glitz and Glam! What could coordinate better with Cherry Cobbler card stock than Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, accented with Basic Pearls? And for a whimsical touch, add a pearl eye to the bird!
• Eye candy! A Scallop Punch Flower with an Antique Brad center balances the look!

It just so happened that I gave the original clean and classy card to my husband for Valentine’s Day last year, so I am able to provide you with a side-by-side comparison of the two cards. How cool to see them next to each other!

As always, your comments mean so much to me. So please, won’t you leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today’s card? And remember, if you have a question about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away!

And don’t forget…Sale-A-Bration starts today! For every $50 in product that you purchase, you will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product! Place your order with me today and earn your “Shop with Schach” Rewards! Until next time…

Stamp Set: Be My Valentine (122045—Occasions Mini); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Soft Suede (115657), Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker (120973); Designer Series Paper: Love Letters (117162); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Basic Black (121045); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (115963), Sponge Dauber (102892), Two Step Bird Punch (117191), 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Cutter Kit (106958), Color Spritzer Tool (107066); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), Antique Brads (117273), Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992)

Save 15% on your choice of Starter Kit (Standard or Digital) AND get the following bonus bundle FREE (a $50 value):

119883 Heart to Heart (or any punch)
120806 Something Special Simply Sent (or any Simply Sent)
117114 Live, Laugh Love stamp (or any Simply Sent Stamp)
121620 Color Coach

Don’t forget that the Starter Kit can be tailored to your needs! If you have thought about becoming a demonstrator and have questions…please email me. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

SO…get your order ready! And if you have questions about any of our Stampin’ Up! products, or if you have questions about any of the supplies needed for the techniques that I use, just email me! Until next time…

It’s Sunday and time to play with The Paper Players! It’s a sketch challenge this week, and we all know that sketches are the foundations of our cards. For my inspiration card, I decided to design a masculine Valentine. Many of you have indicated that masculine cards are always a challenge…and doubly so when designing Valentines. I hope that you like this one. It features images from Valentine Defined, a sentiment from You’re a Gem, and just a smidge of Stampin’ Up!’s new fabulous Glimmer Paper. Enjoy!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Where do I begin? One of the keys to a masculine card is the color scheme. I selected Basic Black stripes and Cherry Cobbler dots. Both patterns are from their respective Designer Series Paper Stacks. To get an idea of how everything coordinates, I often punch out shapes, which may or may not change as the design comes together.

• Markers! Stampin’ Write Markers are excellent for selectively inking stamps. I used Always Artichoke for the leaves, Cherry Cobbler for selected hearts, and Basic Gray for the trunk of the “Heart Tree” image. Basic Gray and Cherry Cobbler were used for the Love sentiment.
• Glitz and Glam for a man! A little sparkle and shine is fine! A Glimmer Paper heart accents the left side of the image. Glimmer Paper peeks out from under the 4 Ever sentiment.

• It’s all about the details! Sometimes it’s the little details that turn a card from drab to fab. Basic Gray “XOXO” rub-ons balance the image. Opposite corners are rounded. A Basic Rhinestone forms the “o” in {Lo♥e}.

So…what do you think of today’s masculine valentine? Please, leave me comment and let me know. And remember, I am only an email away if you have a question about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use. Until next time…

Stamp Sets: Valentine Defined (W 121941; C 123057—Occasions Mini), You’re a Gem (W 122268, 122270—Occasions Mini); Rub-Ons: Love Impressions (121886); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Stampin’ Write Markers: Always Artichoke (105113), Cherry Cobbler (119681), Basic Gray (120966); Designer Series Paper: Neutrals DSP Stack (117157), Regals DSP Stack (117154), Red Glimmer Paper (121790—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Corner Rounder (119871), Curly Label Punch (119851), Heart Punch (119883), 1-3/8″ x 5/8″ Oval Punch (119863); Glitz and Glam: Basic Rhinestones (119246)