A Breath of Spring for the PPA


It’s Thursday, and we all know what that means. It’s time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge! With the weather we’ve been having lately, I decided that it was time for a breath of spring. Armed with sketch in hand, I reached for the “Floral” images from Vintage Vogue (my favorite set from the Occasions Mini) and the sentiment from Spring Song, a sweet little set that I earned during Sale-a-bration. Won’t you play along with the Pals this week? We have yummy blog candy for you over at the PPA…Mmmm! Delightful, delicious calorie-free blog candy. And if that doesn’t convince you, just look at this classy sketch:
So grab your stamps, ink, paper and punches. It’s time to play @ PPA!
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:
  • Seeing spots before your eyes? Don’t call the doctor yet. It’s just Stampin’ Up!s cheerful Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack. I selected the Old Olive and Rose Red Polka Dotted patterns. I love these two colors together, and the spring look they impart to the design.
  • Still feeling a little dotty? That’s because I zipped a piece of Whisper White card stock through my Big Shot along with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder. Not only does it coordinate with the dotted pattern paper, the impressions are so crisp that they “pop” right off the page.
  • Oops! Something crimped my style! Free-hand leaves were Paper Snipped from Old Olive card stock which had been passed through the Crimper. After all, the more texture the merrier.
  • A quartet of punches makes this card sing! After stamping the sentiment from Spring Song onto Whisper White, it was punched out using the Wide Oval Punch. A Scallop Oval peeks out from underneath, while an Old Olive Modern Label forms the foundation on which to adhere two small blossoms. And who can overlook the impact of the Scallop Trim Border Punch.
  • Nothing sings spring like bling! Green Circle Ice Brads are the perfect center for any flower. Their only drawback is that they are addictive. You can’t stop with just one!
People have asked if I ever use the cards I create. And the answer is “Sometimes, yes! Sometimes, no!” However, this card will be making a new home with my next door neighbors, along with a plate of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Armed with shovels and snow blower, they cleared my sidewalks and driveway. Their friendship truly is like a song of spring!
Please remember to leave a comment before you check out the wonderful inspirations from my fellow Design Team Pals. Your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one of them. Of course, you can always email me if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use. Until next time…

Stamp Sets: Vintage Vogue (W 117690, C 118598—Occasions Mini), Spring Song (115074); Inks: Old Olive (102277), Chocolate Chip (100908), Rose Red (101778), So Saffron (105213), Pretty in Pink (101301), Going Gray (103274); Designer Paper: Sweet Pea (117161—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Occasions Mini), Large Oval Punch (112082), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Modern Label Punch (116630), Crimper (101618), Sponge Dauber (102892), Paper Snips (103579); Glitz and Glam: Circle Ice Brads (109111)

Let’s Get Hoppin’

Welcome to the Pals Holiday Hop! If you’ve arrived from Kalshelia Lloyd’s StampinFabulousity, I am Stop Number 2 on the hop! Hop along with me and my fellow Pal Hoppers, and we will direct you through the entire hop of wonderful creations! Should you become lost along the way, you may access the entire Hop Line-Up at the end of today’s post. The goal of today’s hop is to showcase several of the stamp sets available to you during this year’s Sale-a-bration. I will be introducing you to Spring Song and D is for Dog. Since there are several more stops to make, let’s get started with what I have created for you!

Spring Song

Pastel colors from the Soft Subtle family form the palette for this delightfully feminine card. It’s quick and easy, and truly is a breath of spring during this snowy Febrbuary.

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Texture, texture everywhere! Textured Mellow Moss forms the card base, while Pretty in Pink is zipped throught the Big Shot with the new Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder. What an easy way to add interest!
  • I needed a hug this week, so I used Stampin’ Up!s adorable “Hugs”Sending Love Notes. These Whisper White cards sport a dainty scallop, which I paper pierced. A blush of Regal Rose accents the edges.
  • Tired of ho-hum hummingbirds? Blender Pens and a variety of inks bring this little aviator to life. I used Taken with Teal, Regal Rose, Going Gray and Old Olive for his plumage, while the flower was tinted with Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink and So Saffron.
D is for Dog

I love dogs, so when Stampin’ Up! came out with the D is for Dog set this fall, it was one of the first sets that I purchased. In tribute to Missy the Boxer, I created one final card for her. We actually welcomed Missy in to our home on Valentine’s Day, so it seemed fitting to make a Valentine to place into her Memorial Box, along with her favorite toys, collar, leash, and chewie. The sentiment “You Stole My Heart” is from the Love Bandit set, while the “Dotted Heart” is from I {Heart} Hearts. She truly did leave a pawprint on my heart.
The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
  • Want to mix and match patterns? Remove the guess work by using perfectly coordinated Designer Series Paper. Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper shines with glittery designs.
  • Glitz and Glam! Notice the red rhinestone accenting the paw print? It was removed from a Circle Fire Brad by simply lifting up the prongs on the back. How easy is that?
The great thing about both of these sets is their versatility! Here are two more cards previously featured on The Stampin’ Schach which showcase these sets:

I hope that you enjoyed today’s cards. Your comments are important to me, so please leave a comment before you “hop” away. And remember, if you have any questions about today’s cards, don’t hesitate to email me.
The Pals Blog Hop continues with your next stop at Margaret Moody’s. Hop over and see what exciting creations Margaret has in store for you! Until next time…
Blog Hop Line-Up

1. Kalshelia Lloyd — StampinFabulousity
2. Ann SchachThe StampinSchach
3. Margaret Moody — Margaret Moody
4. Debbie Pierce — Stampin‘ Sunshine
5. Carla BazhenowCarla’s Scraps
6. Mary Fish — Stampin‘ Pretty
7. Kim LamponeStamp, scrap, get kreative
8. Gina Shaw — Cards by Gina
9. Regina MangumThe Stampin‘ Bean
10. Lourdes Torres — Cozy Crafty Corner
11. Kris KilcoyneKween Bee Kreations
12. Liz Hughes — DIY Paper Creations
13. Melanie Collins — Oops a Daisy
14. Mike FunkeStampin-Style
15. Anne Beale Yancey — Mukibug
16. Martha Stewart —Seasons of Stamping
17. Jason Casper — Stampin‘ Dad
18. Barbara Furlong — The Love of Stamping
19. Tricia Gillam — Soul Stamper

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Mark Your Calendar for the February Blog Hop


Are you ready for another Pals Blog Hop? Well, you don’t have long to wait! The Pals, a group of talented Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators, are ready to show off their paper crafting skills with inspirational ideas showcasing Sale-A-Bration products from Stampin’ Up!’s most popular promotion of the year! So be sure to join us on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 5:00 AM CST for another Pals Hop as we show you all that Stampin’ Up! has to offer – from rubber stamps to designer paper to embellishments, and much more! Mark your calendar now! You don’t want to miss out!

Here is a sneak peek of the Pals line-up!

1. Kalshelia Lloyd — StampinFabulousity
2. Ann SchachThe StampinSchach
3. Margaret Moody — Margaret Moody
4. Debbie Pierce — Stampin‘ Sunshine
5. Carla BazhenowCarla’s Scraps
6. Mary Fish — Stampin‘ Pretty
7. Kim LamponeStamp, scrap, get kreative
8. Gina Shaw — Cards by Gina
9. Regina MangumThe Stampin‘ Bean
10. Lourdes Torres — Cozy Crafty Corner
11. Kris KilcoyneKween Bee Kreations
12. Liz Hughes — DIY Paper Creations
13. Melanie Collins — Oops a Daisy
14. Mike FunkeStampin-Style
15. Anne Beale Yancey — Mukibug
16. Martha Stewart —Seasons of Stamping
17. Jason Casper — Stampin‘ Dad
18. Barbara Furlong — The Love of Stamping
19. Tricia Gillam — Soul Stamper

A Special Note
I would like to thank everyone for keeping my family in their thoughts and prayers as we adjust to life without our beloved Missy. I have found it particularly hard, as she was my constant companion. Wherever I went, with the exception of work, she was by my side. I find myself reaching down for her, only to find she is not there. I have found solace in the advice that many have given. I keep in my heart my most precious memories of her, and I truly hope that she is with me in spirit for the rest of my days on earth. I am at peace that she will be there to greet me beyond the Rainbow Bridge. But it is still so lonely without her. Blessings to you all…