Oh, my gosh! You guys are just too good at my “Guess the PPA Challenge” game…or maybe the fact that I was using Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz and Melon Mambo together was a dead give-away that it is indeed a Color Challenge this week! I had my heart set on making a Halloween card and the Melon Mambo was just throwing me off my game! But by golly, I was bound and determined to make it work. This week is also a special one at Pals Paper Arts because our Celebrity Artist is none other than the uber-talented Dawn Olchefske of DOstampin fame. But before you head on over to the PPA to see what my talented Design Team-mates have created for you, don’t forget to read through my Design Tips and leave me a comment. And by the way, the winner of the free Stampin’ Up! Basic Rhinestones is……going to be found at the end of my post. Wink! Wink!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Design your own Designer Paper! To tone down the “peachiness” of Peach Parfait, the “Vine” stamp from Vintage Vogue was inked with Early Espresso and stamped along the sides of the Peach Parfait card stock. If I was able to have a “DO-over” (I just had to DO that in honor of Dawn), I might have toned it down with Soft Suede…to make it “softer”!
• Distressed! Edges of the image mat and the Peach Parfait mat were distressed with the Seven-Sided Tool from the Cutter Kit. The edges of all surfaces were inked with Soft Suede and a Sponge Dauber. Of course, I did pull out my favorite tool…the Color Spritzer…and speckled everything except the Melon Mambo pieces and the card base, with a Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Marker!
• The “Vintage Advantage”! Vintage is the rage…and look at all of the vintage touches on this card…scrunchy Peach Parfait Ribbon, an Antique Brad, Basic Pearls, Finial Press embossing, little Button Brads from Vintage Trinkets. And it was made by a “vintage” stamper…me! (Does that count?)
• Smooch! Nothing “glams” up a card faster than a little Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz! The embossed Scallop Circle and the Fan-Folded Flower were both smooched to add just the perfect shine.
• Pearly girl! Our Little Witch from Greeting Card Kids, dressed in her Melon Mambo cape and Pear Pizzazz frock, sports a Basic Pearl on her hat, and Basic Pearl for her shoe-button! Of course, she was colored as I always do…with Blender Pens and inks. For a refresher on how I do this, check out this video tutorial on watercoloring. But be careful….the video is pretty scary in its production quality. (This is the one where the camera flipped and I ran out of power. One of these days I will re-tape a water coloring lesson. I promise!)

Here is your Wednesday peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts inspiration card! It is always fun for me to read your guesses as to what the weekly challenge entails. Tell you what…let’s have a little fun! Simply leave a comment stating what you think this week’s challenge is. In turn, I will randomly draw one name from those who guess correctly. The person whose name I select will receive a package of Basic Rhinestones…just because! How fun is that! I will announce the winner of the free Basic Rhinestones in tomorrow’s post, so stop in tomorrow for the reveal, and to see if you have won!

There is still time to take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s recruiting special! Through October 18th, receive a FREE craft tote—a $39.95 value—when you join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator! Imagine sharing your love of Stampin’ Up! with this stylish and practical tote, in the delightful Greenhouse Gala pattern. It’s amply sized to carry 12″ x 12″ card stock, a paper cutter, punches, ink pads and stamps, plus accessories. With two Starter Kits to choose from—Standard and Digital—and a brand-new lower kit price, there’s never been a better time to be a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. If the thought has crossed your mind, why not email me? We can set up a time to talk. I will gladly answer your questions about our low quarterly minimums, discounts, pre-orders and other perks. Becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator has truly been one of the best things that has happened to me…I would love to share my story with you!

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