Nature Walk with the Pals


It’s Thursday, and time to Play at PPA! This week we are featuring a sketch challenge based on this classy sketch by Margaret Moody:

For my card, I selected one of my favorite sets from the Occasions Mini, Nature Walk and used the coordinating Designer Series Paper, Botanical Gazette. The result is a serene card suitable for any occasion! Enjoy my Nature Walk with the Pals!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Stamp on Designer Series Paper! To mimic the gorgeous Old Olive “Moth” pattern from Botanical Gazette, I took the “Floral Stem” image from Nature Walk, inked it with Old Olive, and stamped it off the edge of the So Saffron paper from the same DSP collection. The result instantly ties both patterns together.
  • Focus on the focal point! Notice how the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder is used here? I wish I would have thought of this cool technique, but I first learned of resizing in this tutorial from Sharon Field. I do admit that it does take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it is a piece of cake! Not only can you make rectangles of various sizes, but you can also create squares!
  • Brayer! Are you one of those people who never use their Brayer? Make those tulips “pop” by inking them with your Brayer! Caution: Use a light touch!
  • Glitz and Glam: A trio of Basic Pearls accent the textured Early Espresso strip, balancing the Scallop Circle flower!
  • The finishing touch! A trio of Mini Glue Dots adhere a Pear Pizzazz Springtime Vintage Big Designer Button to the Scallop Circle flower. Hemp Twine, threaded through the button holes, lends an organic touch!
An excellent sketch is the foundation of a beautiful card, and Margaret “hit it out of the park” with this one. I loved Margaret’s sketch, and I hope you will, too. So please, let me know what you think of today’s card by leaving me a comment. And remember, if you have a question about any of the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

Stamp Set: Nature Walk (W 121925, C 121997—Occasions Mini); Inks: Old Olive (102277), Early Espresso (119670), Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker (100079); Designer Series Paper: Botanical Gazette (121783—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Naturals Ivory (101849), Early Espresso (119686), Old Olive (100702), So Saffron (105118); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (121809—Occasions Mini), 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Brayer (102395), Paper Snips (103579), Color Spritzer Tool (107066); Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls (119247), Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons (122301—Occasions Mini), Hemp Twine (100982)

Blog Candy, A New Look, and a Peek

No…you’re not lost! This is The Stampin’ Schach! Welcome to my new look! What began as a concept back in August has been brought to completion today as you are getting your first look at this marvelous design by the uber-talented Michelle Laycock! I absolutely love the wheelbarrow and the mailbox…and my new signature. Oh all right…I love it all! Of course, the Twins wanted siggies, too, for the special posts that they plan on writing. Are these not just the cutest things you have ever seen?

This calls for Blog Candy, don’t you think? Here’s what I am offering in celebration:

All of the sparkle makes it difficult to get a good picture…I’m sorry! Here is what’s included:

  • 8 -6″ x 6″ sheets of Red Glimmer Paper

  • 28 – 6″ x 6″ sheets of retired SU! Valentine Designer Series Paper

  • 1 package of Basic Pearls

  • 1 package of Basic Rhinestones

  • Regal Rose 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon

  • 12-Red Sending Love Brads

  • 14- Pink Sending Love Brads

  • 10-Chocolate Chip Sending Love Brads

Just leave a comment on The Stampin’ Schach on any or all posts between Wednesday and Friday. On Friday, at 6:00 PM CST, using the random number generator from Random.org, I will select a winner from all comments. The winner will be announced on Saturday, and will have until 10:00 PM CST Monday to email me an address. I will ship your candy out pronto! Here’s a small peek at the Pals Paper Arts card which I will be revealing in it’s entirety on Thursday. There’s texture, pearls, distressing, and a cool technique…all of those things I love in a card! I hope that you will like it. In the meantime, be sure to check out this week’s PPA Picks of the Week. Until next time…

Sew “Suite” Sunday Sketch


For the first time in ages I had the opportunity to participate in a challenge. Sweet Sunday had a delightful sketch that I thought would fit the Sew Suite stamp set “sew” well! Featuring Pearls and Pompoms, the result is bright and cheery!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Circles! I took my cue from the sketch and replicated the circle in various ways…the background paper, the buttons paper, the pompoms. When a sketch calls for a large circle, such as this one, I use my Circle Scissors Plus.

  • Decisions! Decisions! When selecting the colors to use on a card, I select the patterned paper first. Since I was using the Sew Suite stamp set, I knew that I would use the Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper. I selected the Buttons pattern, then I pulled out card stock in each of the coordinating colors. From that point, I decide on the mats and the card base.

  • Paper piece! The Dress Form image from Sew Suite cries out for paper piecing! I used coordinating papers from the Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper collection.

  • Pearls! Basic Pearls adorn the scallops and the buttons. The Basic Pearls on the Dress Form, an idea gleaned from my friend, Nance Leedy, are the perfect touch!

As always, I look forward to your comments, so please share your thoughts about today’s card with me! And don’t forget…if you have questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Coming up: Big changes and Blog Candy! Until next time…


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Stamp Set: Sew Suite (W 121933, C 122009—Occasions Mini); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Tangerine Tango Stampin’ Write Marker (120974); Designer Series Paper: Sweet Stitches (121781—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Tangerine Tango (111349), Daffodil Delight (119683), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Scallop Border Punch (119882), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Paper Snips (103579), Tombow Adhesive (110755); Glitz and Glam: Daffodil Delight Pompom Trim (121885—Occasions Mini), Basic Pearls (119247)