When I was a young girl growing up on the farm, Sunday afternoons were spent in the company of friends. It was not uncommon to have my Grandma, Grandpa, friends and neighbors come for a visit. (My grandmother was the perfect grandma, by the way! She had the perfect grandma lap, and perfect silver and gold grandma hair pulled back into a perfect grandma bun. I would climb up onto that perfect grandma lap and we would look into Grandma’s big grandma purse. Without fail, Grandma would always have a lace hanky filled with pennies to give me. Isn’t it funny the things we remember from so many years ago?) So on a day when many of my stamping friends are showcasing the wonderful new sets and exciting new colors that Stampin‘ Up! has to offer, nostalgia has gotten the better of me. I decided to spend my Sunday like I did when I was growing up…with some old “friends”, many of which are on The Last Chance List. Please enjoy today’s simple card, which was first showcased in the “All Creatures Great and Small” Dirty Dozen Gallery. Click Here for information on how you can join the Dirty Dozen Fan Club.

The Stampin‘ Schach Design Tips:

• Simple but stunning! Simple images can make stunning focal points! With its Nouveau flair, the “Dragonfly” image from Nature’s Nest was inked with Basic Gray and stamped onto Whisper White card stock. The key to making this work, however, is leaving plenty of “white” space!
• Bling the Bug! Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder coats the wings of our “critter”, while the thorax and abdomen of the dragonfly were given the “WOW” treatment! Green Microbeads from the Green Bead Duo (still available on The Last Chance List) were easily applied with Tombow Adhesive. A single Lilac rhinestone removed from a Circle Ice Brad adorns its head. And you are asking…”This is simple?” You betcha! It literally takes less than two minutes to apply the microbeads.
• Layer a ribbon! For this layered ribbon treatment, Basic Gray Satin Ribbon was adhered onto the card, and then layered with Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon. The Basic Gray bow was then tied and affixed to the card. For those of you who have been wondering about my ribbon treatments, all of my large satin bows are tied separately, then attached to the card. (If you love the rich look of Basic Gray, it is still available as a Last Chance item. Unfortunately, Mellow Moss is gone.)
• Rejuvenate! Fresh out of Mellow Moss card stock? No more Basic Gray ribbon? Think how fantastic this card would look created from a combination of Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip! Wowza!

I hope that you have enjoyed spending a few minutes of your day with some of my old “friends”! I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait to order my new “friends” July 1! My problem is deciding on what to order first! I am certainly going to have to pace myself! I definitely will be investing in a few packages of gorgeous Designer Series Paper during my first order, and there are a couple of must have stamp sets! Also on July 1st, I will be posting a list of retired stamp sets that I have for sale. So be ready for some bargains! Of course, July 1 will mark another Pals Paper Arts challenge. Have you played at the PPA this week? There is still plenty of time to upload your card by Noon CST Tuesday! As always, I appreciate your comments. Of course, if you have any questions about today’s card, or if you have questions about adding microbeads or watercoloring, please email me! I am more than willing to answer your questions. Remember…I was a teacher in my other life! Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7

Stamps: Nature’s Nest; Card Stock: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum; Ink: Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss, Lavender Lace; Tools: Big Shot, Stampin‘ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Green Microbeads, VersaMarker, Tombow Adhesive, Heat Tool; Glitz and Glam: Circle Ice Brads, Circle Fire Brads, Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Gray 5/8″ Satin Ribbon

Elements of Style is my favorite set from the Summer Mini Catalog. I have reached for it several times over the past few months. It is one of those sets which I feel comfortable using. So, it was no wonder that I reached for it to create a card for Paper Players Challenge #3, a sketch challenge. Isn’t it funny how we get our favorites? It seems like it happens to me with every mini! I hope you enjoy another look at Elements of Style, faux toile!

The Stampin‘ Schach Design Tips:

• Where does one begin with a sketch challenge? If you were to ask that question of 10 different stampers, you would probably get 10 different answers! However, I always start with the central image. I take a look at the stamps I have that fit the space, then go from there!
• Image too big for the space? Don’t despair! Many images look great cropped. Although I wouldn’t crop King of the Grill through the middle of his head, pruning a few leaves and petals from this floral image doesn’t hurt a thing!
• Here comes the texture again! The “Flourish” image from Elements was inked with Basic Black and randomly stamped onto Very Vanilla. This customized paper was then zipped through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.
• Light bulb moment! I stamped part of the “Floral” image again and snipped out the lowermost flower. On the central image, this is partially covered by the crimped Basic Black strip. I simply popped it up on a Stampin‘ Dimensional and placed it into position. And then it dawned on me…it could double as the floral embellishment on the sketch.
• Delightful details! A Cherry Cobbler Hummingbird , popped up on two dimensionals, hovers over the More Mustard floral center. A little snippet of the new 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon in Very Vanilla completes the look.

If you haven’t visited the talented gals at the Paper Players Challenge, I would recommend a visit. Their inspiration cards are wonderful! And speaking of challenges, have you uploaded your card for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge? I love looking at your creations and leaving you comments. And speaking of comments, let me know what you think of today’s card. Remember, if you ever have a question, just email me! I am always eager to share tips and ideas! Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

You saw the sneak peek yesterday, so I hope that are are ready for the reveal of today’s Pals Paper Arts inspiration card. Today’s challenge is a sketch challenge, and I did take a few liberties with the sketch. But changing it up to meet the needs of your design is perfectly fine! Sketches are meant to be a guideline, not a blueprint set in stone. There are four new product peeks on this card, too. I selected the “Bread and Wine” vignette from Studio Sketches because I love to watercolor, while the sentiment and crown are from Artistic Etchings. Of course, I have a penchant for texture, so I just had to use the new Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. And if you look closely, you can catch a tiny glimpse of Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper. I hope that you enjoy today’s masculine card!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Caution: Embossing Ahead! When mixing embossed patterns, proceed with caution! Vintage Wallpaper is big and bold, so when pairing it with another embossing folder, select a subdued pattern. In this case, Square Lattice is a perfect masculine choice.
• Color me happy! Studio Sketches are made for watercoloring! I simply use Stampin’ Up!’s Blender Pens, Stampin’ Write Markers, and Classic Inks to achieve the watercolored look that I want. The soon-to-be-retired dynamic duo, Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa, transform the French Bread to a luscious loaf. Of course, the wine is Bravo Burgundy. A little Wild Wasabi and Cajun Spice for the bottles and you’re done.
• Masculine bling is a good thing! Hemp Twine displayed three ways (plain, with buttons, knotted) adds texture on the image mat while balancing the texture of the Embossing Folders.
• Don’t be a fool, use the tools! Any handyman or handywoman will agree that the right tools make the job easier. The same is true when you are trying to achieve the distressed look. For me, Sponge Daubers to ink the edges and the Color Spritzer Tool for “speckling” are a must.
• Pop it up! “Amour” was inked in Early Espresso and stamped onto Very Vanilla. After punching it out with the Small Oval Punch (1-3/8″ x 5/8″), I popped it onto the Large Oval Punch with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Because of the bulk of the Hemp Twine, the image mat was also popped up onto dimensionals.

The Stampin’ Up! Scoop:
The $99 Starter Kit
The Last Chance List

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7