It’s “Anything Goes” this week at The Paper Players! Since it is the 5th week of the month, we encourage you to share ANY of your favorite paper projects…scrapbook pages, tags, three dimensional items…and yes, even cards. As I said, “Anything Goes”! However, your project does need to be something newly created during this week…and it can even be a project for another challenge. The main rule here is to have fun and to challenge yourself! I opted for a Christmas card which showcases the Deck the Hall Designer Series Paper! I hope that you enjoy my “Christmas Balloon”!The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Punch Power! Balloons are so easy to create with the 2″ x 1-3/8″ Oval Punch. I simply punched five ovals using various patterns from Deck the Halls. To add depth and dimension, the top three were adhered to ovals punched from the cardboard that comes with the paper! After adhering to the cardboard, the edges were rounded with a Sanding Block and distressed with Soft Suede ink.
• Layer your Top Notes! The Top Note Die and Big Shot were used to create two die cuts, one from Deck the Halls Designer Paper, the second from Soft Suede card stock. Paper Snips were used to trim the patterned Top Note at the perforation lines.
• Snip! Snip! The “Balloon Gondola” from Sweet Centers was stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. It was then snipped out with Paper Snips and adhered to the Top Note base.
• It all in the details! Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding is adorned with three Basic Pearls. An Antique Brad accents the Fan-Fold Flower.
• Finish with a kiss! Gold Glow Smooch Spritz adds a beautiful patina to the entire card!

The inspiration for this card was a card that I originally created for the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen. It was my favorite for the “Up in the Air” gallery. I will be sharing this card with you soon. I can hardly wait to see what you create for this week’s challenge…and don’t forget…”Anything Goes”! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today’s card. And as always, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…

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Stamp Set: Sweet Centers (116521); Inks: Soft Suede (115657), VersaMark (102283); Designer Series Papers: Deck the Halls (120810); Card Stock: Soft Suede (115318); Tools: Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Big Shot (113439), 2″ x 1-3/8″ Oval Punch (119859), 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Sanding Block (103301), Heat Tool (100005), Sponge Dauber (102892); Glitz and Glam: Cherry Cobbler 1/2″ Seam Binding (120992), Basic Pearls (119247), Gold Glow Smooch Spritz (118770)

It’s Thursday…time to play at Pals Paper Arts! This week is a fabulous sketch challenge designed by Margaret Moody. Although ’tis the season for fabulous Fall, Halloween and Christmas cards, I opted to create a non-seasonal card using the Dream Gardens set and the faux silk technique! Enjoy!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Emboss! Heat embossing is a wonderful technique to help images “pop”! All of the images used on this card were stamped in VersaMark Watermark Ink and then heat embossed with Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder! What an impact this makes when compared to just stamping an image in Basic Black!
• Faux Silk! In a matter of seconds, you can transform ordinary tissue paper into an extraordinary background! After preparing the surface (see this pictorial), I brayered Cherry Cobbler ink onto the tissue, and then randomly stamped and heat embossed the “Dream” image!
• Make the sketch your own! A sketch is meant to be a starting point for your creativity. Notice that I did not use a wide border, as illustrated in the sketch. Instead, I opted to use the Scallop Trim Border Punch, which I accented with Basic Pearls.
• Au naturale! Get out of the Very Vanilla rut! Natural Ivory has an organic feel, and is just perfect for adding “warmth” to a card. Try it…you’ll like it! A light daubing of Basic Gray connects the image mat to the black embossing, creating a cohesiveness among all of the layers.
• Add depth and dimension! “Pop” up the “Dream” circle with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

An added note: Those of you who frequent The Stampin’ Schach know that I respond to your comments individually, when an email address is available. Plus I comment on your cards, especially those which are submitted for Pals Paper Arts and The Paper Players. Please bear with me for the next few weeks, as time will be a limited resource for me. We had puppy drama Tuesday with Muffy the Boxer, who was injured trying to crawl over the divider in her crate. While her injuries heal, I have to keep the Boxer Twins separated, occupied, and happy…which is a full-time job! So if you notice that I have not thanked you individually or that I have not commented…you know the reason! Until next time…

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It’s Wednesday, and time for the traditional Pals Paper Arts sneak peek! I know that I have missed the past two Wednesdays, because of those rowdy Boxer Twins. Little Muffy is always into mischief, while brother Brody is a momma’s boy! There is never a dull moment in the Schach house with these two! However, we are finally starting to get into a routine, and hopefully I will be able to get back into posting daily again. I have found that Brody is also “Mother’s Little Helper”. Look how nicely he distressed this card for “Mom”:

Just in time for your holiday crafting needs, Stampin’ Up! is offering 20% off the regular price of these popular holiday items! Hurry! This offer ends December 16th!

I indulged myself with this week’s PPA card. It’s not Christmas…it’s not Fall…it’s not Halloween! And even though it is not seasonal, I hope that you will enjoy the reveal on Thursday! Of course, in the meantime you can always check out this week’s Pals Paper Arts Picks. And thank you for bearing with me during this transition time with the Boxer Babies. Remember I am just an email away if you have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use. Until next time…

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