The unveiling of the new Pals Paper Arts blog is today, and I hope that you love our chic, new look! The challenges have a twist to them and we have added four new ever-so-talented members to our Design Team. You can read all about it here. But first, lets talk about today’s inspiration card. This week the challenge is an inspiration challenge, using this lovely Oscar de la Renta photo:

There was so much happening in this photo, I didn’t even know where to start. After staring at this photo in wonder, and wondering how anyone could ever wear heels this high, I opted to draw my inspiration from the colors of the wall and the atomizer between the heels. I hope you will not only enjoy today’s card, but also today’s spotlight on technique…faux silk!

• When faced with an inspiration photo, remember all of your options: colors, shapes, textures, objects, or even ambiance! Because these colors were right up my alley, I opted to create in terms of color and texture! But I could not overlook the smidge of lace near the candle…and those shoes!
• Vintage Trinkets! The old scissors pictured made me think of sewing. What better excuse could there be to add snippets of Victoria lace trim, miniature buttons and those adorable vintage looking safety pins. And what a delightful way to add a pair of high heels, stamped using the Things I Love set, into the mix.
• Cajun Craze and More Mustard! The “Floral Image” from Day of Gratitude was inked with Cajun Craze and stamped onto More Mustard card stock, to emulate the colors of the atomizer. The Friends Are Flowers stamp, from Friends Never Fade was inked with Cajun Craze and stamped onto Very Vanilla. Then just the flower from the center was snipped out. This was stamped a second time onto More Mustard, and just the center of the flower was snipped out and adhered to the first flower. The flower was then sponged with More Mustard ink, and its edges were distressed with a little Soft Suede. The flower was then popped onto a Stampin’ Dimensional and adhered to the Day of Gratitude image. Basic Pearls complete the look!
• Waffle Paper! A piece of Early Espresso card stock was coated with Tombow Adhesive, and covered with Brown Waffle Paper. The look is instant texture which mimics the trunk!
• Fabulous Faux! While searching for inspiration, my eyes were continually drawn to the background wall. What a perfect place to use the Faux Silk technique! For those of you who are new to this technique, it is so quick and easy. Here is a pictorial of how I created the faux silk background:

Looking for more unique techniques? Splitcoaststampers has oodles! Remember, if you have any questions about today’s card, or the techniques that I use, I will gladly answer them! So, how did I do today? My favorite part of today’s card were the little high heels I attached with the vintage safety pin. How about you? I will be anxious to see what you create, and to read what you think about the new PPA! Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

My Pals Paper Arts card this week will include sneak peeks of two Holiday Mini products…Waffle Paper and the Day of Gratitude stamp set. I will also be including a pictorial of the faux silk technique, which was used on the upper portion of this card. Of course, we will also be revealing the new personality of the PPA. Here’s a clue: It involves Celebrity Color Challenges, Fashion Twists and one of the classiest new blog designs around. And that’s not all! We have added four new Design Team members to our line-up! Stay tuned for the launch of the “new and improved” Pals Paper Arts on Thursday, August 19.

Blog Candy Winner

A big thank you goes out to all of you who participated in this round of Stampin’ Schach blog candy. The winner, as selected by Random. org was:

There is still time to host a workshop and take advantage of the extra $25 of free product for qualifying workshops. But hurry…this promotion ends August 31st! Email me today for available times!

After seeing all of the Holiday Mini sneak peeks, is your Wish List too big? Join me today as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and get more bang for your buck! Click here for more details, or drop me an email. I would love to have you as the newest member of The Schach Pack.

Coming soon: New Boxer puppy pictures! Remember, if you have questions about my cards or the techniques that you use, please don’t hesistate to ask. I am only an email away! Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

I am a pushover for Santa! Maybe it is his fluffy white beard or his jolly demeanor. Or maybe it’s the twinkle in his eye. Or could it be that he is an animal lover? After all, he does have eight reindeer! At any rate, I haven’t met a Santa that I didn’t like. So when I saw the adorable Stampin‘ Up! set, Jolly Old Saint Nick, I knew that I had to have it! And it works perfectly with the delightful sketch challenge at Always Playing with Paper (Paper Players). I ho-ho-hope you will join in the fun this week!

The Stampin‘ Schach Design Tips:

• Coordination is easy when using Stampin‘ Up!’s Designer Series Papers! The adorable “Dots” and delightful “Stripes” are from the Jolly Holiday collection. Notice how nicely they pair up with Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Very Vanilla? Designer Series Papers take the guesswork out of which card stock to use.
• Versatile punch! The embossed Cherry Cobbler panel is layered upon two Very Vanilla Dotted Scallop Ribbon Borders, giving the illusion of a paper pierced scallop border.
• Paper piecing is a breeze with this stamp! Just the upper section of the “Santa” image was inked with Jet Black StazOn and stamped a second time onto Cherry Cobbler. The body of the hat was then snipped out and adhered to the full image.
• Popping jolly old Saint Nick up on Stampin‘ Dimensionals places him on center stage!
• Glitz and Glam! Santa looks fab in his Dazzling Diamonds fur trimmed hat! And what about those Old Olive Glimmer Brads…a NEW PRODUCT offered in the Holiday Mini! Both the hat and the brads really sparkle in person!

What a great vintage looking image! The end result reminds me of some of the Santa cards from the 1940’s and ’50’s that I have collected over the years. And doesn’t it work perfectly with today’s challenge sketch? Of course, there are lots of images that would perfectly with this sketch, and I can hardly wait to see what you create! So please head over to Always Playing with Paper Paper Players challenge for more inspiration from their talented design team.

In celebration of the changes that are in store for the Pals Paper Arts challenge blog, don’t forget that I am offering you a chance to win this yummy BLOG CANDY!

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, you could win all of these goodies.

• “Out of the Box” Hostess Set
• Assorted Real Red Corduroy Buttons and Brads
• Bashful Blue 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon
• Over 50 sheets of 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper

You have until NOON CST on August 17th to leave your comments. I will choose a random comment and announce the winner later in the day on Tuesday, August 17th. Please note that I only ship within the United States. The winner has 24 hours to email me their name and mailing address, so stay tuned! Even if you left a comment yesterday, feel free to leave a comment on today’s post, too.

Only four more days until we reveal the PPA’s new “personality”. Plus, my final Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen gallery goes live today! It is entitled “Fabulous in Faux“ and spotlights a variety of faux techniques. It has certainly been an honor to have been a member of this talented group of stampers! So as you head out today, don’t forget to leave me a comment and let me know what you think of Jolly Old Saint Nick. And as always, I will gladly answer any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use. Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Jolly Old Saint Nick (available September 1); Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Basic Gray (109120), Blush Blossom Stampin‘ Write Marker (100037), Pretty in Pink (101301); Designer Series Paper: Holly Jolly (117159); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Old Olive (100702); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (116824), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Scallop Circles #2 Bigz Die (113469), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Blender Pens (102845); Glitz and Glam: Dazzling Diamonds Stampin‘ Glitter (102023), Old Olive Glimmer Brights Glimmer Brads (available September 1)