Dream Gardens for Pals Paper Arts


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!
I hope that you enjoyed this switch from the seasonal cards that I have been creating. What a perfect card for any general occasion! Please leave me a comment to let me know what you think! And remember, I am always available to answer any questions that you have about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use! I am only an email away!

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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Stamp Set: Dream Gardens; Inks: VersaMark; Card Stock: Natural Ivory, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake; Tools: Heat Tool, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, 1-3/8″ Circle Punch, Black Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Sponge Dauber, Brayer; Glitz and Glam: Basic Pearls

Pals Paper Arts Sneak Peek


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”:
I have no idea how he got this card into his possession, but we have a nice little rip, and several little indentations from sharp little puppy teeth! I will attempt to salvage what I can.
I will say that I like the rip…mine always look so contrived! This one looks so natural! Now if I can only get him to use the Color Spritzer and the Seven-Sided tool! Just imagine the possibilities!
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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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A Vintage Snowman for The Paper Players


The Paper Players are hosting a “Recipe” Challenge this week! Your card or project needs to include the following ingredients:
  • Something Punched
  • A Sentiment
  • Designer Series Paper
Your card can include other things, too, but it MUST have these three listed ingredients. How fun is that! I hope that you will join us this week, as the sky is the limit on what your cards can contain! Of course, since my last two cards have been clean and simple, I decided to indulge in a little vintage fun! I hope that you enjoy my “vintage snowman”!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Distress! The Seven-Sided Tool from Stampin’ Up!’s Cutter Kit is perfect for ruffling up the edges of card stock. Follow this up with Soft Suede ink and a Sponge Dauber. A few Soft Suede “Water Spots” further age the image. (The Water Spots, from the French Foliage set, is one of my “go-to” stamps for creating an authentic vintage look!)

  • Tasteful Trim! The Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die creates a variety of trim and border shapes, such as the Large Scallops we see on today’s card. This particular border is perfect for adding a little Chantilly Lace and Basic Pearls for a touch of Victoriana!

  • Softly Tinted! This “Roly-Poly Snowman” from the Jolly Old Saint Nick set was inked in Early Espresso Craft Ink and heat embossed with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder. To enhance the vintage feel, I elected to “fade” the colors. I used a Blender Pen and the following inks: Early Espresso (hat), Cherry Cobbler (scarf), Always Artichoke (mittens), More Mustard (hat band).

  • The Finishing Touches! Dazzling Diamonds enhance the snow. A Cherry Cobbler Button, Vintage Trinket Safety Pin, Hemp Twine, and a Tiny Tag add interest and a “pop” of color!
As always, please let me know what you think of today’s card by leaving me a comment! And remember, if you have any questions about the techniques that I use or any of the cards that I make, don’t hesitate to email me! Until next time…

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Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick (W 121711; C 121321—Holiday Mini), Bright Christmas (W 121678; C 121318—Holiday Mini); French Foliage (W 120845, C 121166); Fundamental Phrases (114968); Inks: Early Espresso (119670), Soft Suede (115657), More Mustard (103162), Cherry Cobbler (119669), Always Artichoke (105219), Basic Gray (109120); Designer Series Paper: Deck the Halls (120810—Holiday Mini); Card Stock: Crumb Cake (120953), Very Vanilla (101650), Early Espresso (119686); Tools: Heat Tool (100005), Big Shot (113439), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190), Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die (120893—Holiday Mini), Blender Pens (102845), Sponge Dauber (102892), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Cutter Kit (106958); Glitz and Glam: Chantilly Lace Trim (118480), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), Hemp Twine (100982), Basic Pearls (119247), Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons (121002), Vintage Trinkets (118764), Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109130)