Live with Passion for PPA50

It’s Thursday and time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge! How about a color challenge this week? And challenge it is, with So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Basic Gray! Now I can see So Saffron and Chocolate Chip together, and So Saffron and Basic Gray. But Chocolate Chip and Basic Gray…no way! But being the trooper that I am, I armed myself with inks, papers and stamps, and proceeded to create! And I am here to prove that it can be done…with just a touch of Always Artichoke for good luck. Enjoy “Inspired by Basic Saffron Chips with a Side Order of Artichoke”!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Its hip to be square! When making square cards, remember that 5-1/4″ x 5-1/4″ tuck nicely into Stampin’ Up!’s square envelopes.

  • In distress? Send an SOS! Smooch Or Spritzer, that is! A Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker and the Color Spritzer Tool provides speckles to age our background instantly, while Log Cabin Smooch Spritz adds a beautiful bronze patina to the So Saffron buttons. Of course, Chocolate Chip ink, applied to the edges of the Very Vanilla image mat with a Sponge Dauber, enhances the vintage feel.

  • How can you add depth to an image? The Shadow knows! Stamping Basic Gray “shadows” sets up depth of field, which is further enhanced by placing the colored images in the foreground.

  • With a snip-snip here, and a snip-snip there! After inking the cone flowers with So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, and Always Artichoke, they were snipped out with paper snips and adhered onto the background.

  • Pierce with passion! Bring the sentiment to life with a simple row of piercing. Why does it look so perfect? The Piercing Template from the Mat Pack is the key!

  • It’s all about the details! Hemp Twine is threaded through the buttons, while two Basic Gray ovals, punched using the 2″ x 1-3/8″ Oval Punch, back the sentiment. A snippet of Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, which is still available in the Summer Mini, completes the look.
I hope that you are inspired by today’s card! What at first appeared to be a tricky trio of colors, ended up being a delightful combination. Is this a color combination that I would have selected on my own? I don’t think so. But is it a color combination that I might consider using again? Yep! And that is the beauty of a challenge. So please join us at PPA this week, and stretch your creativity! Remember I will be out of commission for a few days while attending the Scrapbook Convention in Des Moines, but I am sure that I will come back with wonderful ideas to share! So, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of today’s card. And if you have questions about today’s cards or the techniques that I use, I am more than happy to answer them. Just drop me an email! Until next time…


Remember to check out my Retired Stamp Sale!

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Inspired by Nature (111656); Inks: Basic Gray (109120), Chocolate Chip (100908); Stampin’ Write Markers: Chocolate Chip (100071), So Saffron (105114), Always Artichoke (105113); Card Stock: Basic Gray (121044), So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128); Tools: Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Cutter Kit (106958), Sponge Daubers (102892), Paper Snips (103579), 2″ x 1-3/8″ Oval Punch (119859), Paper Piercer (116631), Mat Pack (105826); Glitz and Glam: Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (119921), Subtles Designer Buttons (119745), Hemp Twine (100982), Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (117287)

PPA 50 Sneak Peek


Just a quick little peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge card! We would love to have you join us in Challenge 50, which goes live on Thursday. As I have always said, challenges are a great way to sharpen your card making skills while having fun! Although our Design Team is composed of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators who showcase Stampin’ Up! products in our inspiration cards, we encourage everyone to participate and to use any brand of products you wish. Be sure to check out this week’s Pals Paper Arts Artist Picks. They are posted every Wednesday morning!

If any of you are going to be attending the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooking Convention in Des Moines this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, please say “Hi!” if you see me. I will be attending several sessions focusing on embellishments and dimension. I can hardly wait to come back and share with you all of the wonderful things that I will have learned.

I am also currently preparing for the upcoming Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen gallery which is set for viewing on July 15th. I hope that you will not be disappointed with the selection of Stampin’ Up! cards that I am creating for you. And while I am away at the Stampin’ Up! Convention, I will be posting several of my cards from my April Dirty Dozen gallery.

Don’t forget to check out my used stamp sale in progress now. There are still several sets available! Until next time…

Retired Stamp Sets for Sale
Order Stampin’ Up 24/7

Happy Fourth of July!


If bling is your thing, today’s card may just fill the bill. It’s easy and fun, with a layout that can be used again and again! Yummy Cherry Cobbler and Night of Navy pair up with Whisper White to form a patriotic trio!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Don’t be random stamping dysfunctional! With one firework image from the Fourth of July set inked in Night of Navy, and another inked in Cherry Cobbler, this cheery fireworks display can be created in a matter of minutes! The key to perfect random placement is to begin near the center of your paper and move outward towards the perimeter. And remember…the design will be more pleasing if you stamp a few images off of the edge! Random isn’t always really random!

  • Three is key! An elementary principle of design is that odd numbers are pleasing to the eye. Three stars and three Circle Fire Brads illustrate this perfectly. Try it with only two and see the difference for yourself.

  • When using smooth card stock, texture adds interest! With the Square Lattice Embossing Folder, it can be added in seconds.

  • Complete with a pleat! I make my pleated ribbon using the non-sew method with Sticky Strip and Glue Dots. Try this simple method:

1. Lay down a piece of Sticky Strip. Adhere your ribbon.

2. Form your pleat, and hold in place with a Mini Glue Dot.

3. Form the next pleat over the top of the glue dot, and just keep repeating!

This quick and easy pleating method works well with both Satin and Grosgrain ribbons.

The Fourth of July stamp set is featured in the Summer Mini catalog. Think of the adorable birthday cards one could make with stars, fireworks and firecracker candles. And if bling is not your thing, check out my Americana card using this set.

There is still time to upload your patriotic card to the Pals Paper Arts challenge. If you have not checked out the adorable cards that have already been uploaded, head on over. And there is still time to take advantage of my Retired Stamp Sale. This list is updated as sets are sold.

As always, I do appreciate your comments, so please be kind and say “hi”! And don’t forget that if you ever have any questions about the techniques that I use, I am just an email away! Enjoy your holiday weekend! Until next time…

Ann’s Retired Stamp Sale

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Fourth of July (W 118523, C 120063—Summer Mini); Inks: Cherry Cobbler (119669), Night of Navy (102977); Card Stock: Night of Navy (100867), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1-3/8″ Circle Punch (119860); Glitz and Glam: Real Red Satin Ribbon (117286), Circle Fire Brads (109110)