I love this card that I made for the March Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Gallery. It is not often that I can say that about cards that I create. I can always find something that I would change about a card, but not this time. This card stamps up quickly, yet it has an elegant look about it that I like. Although I used the French version of Sincere Salutations, you can easily substitute a variety of sentiments to fit the occasion! Enjoy “Bella Toile, Je Pense a Toi!”

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Tap, tap,tapping! When inking up a large background stamp like Bella Toile, ink it up by placing the background stamp face up and then tapping the ink pad on the rubber face. If you find it difficult to hold on to a stamp this size, simply lay it face up and place the card stock on top. Run a Brayer over the paper to make certain that the image stamps evenly. But be careful…don’t let the paper slip! Just ask me how I know…
• Bling it on! Nothing goes better together than butterflies and bling! Three rhinestones, retrieved from Clear Rhinestone Brads, adorn the body of the largest butterfly, which was created with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit. Another rhinestone forms the “o” in toi, drawing the eye to the sentiment.
• Bow-licious! Pick the right ribbon for the card! Satin is super for a formal or elegant card, but for fun and casual go with grosgrain! The Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon on this card certainly looks yummy! If you need to replenish your Chocolate Chip ribbon stash, hurry and order! Several varieties of Chocolate Chip Ribbon are on The Last Chance List, while the Chocolate Chip 5/8″ Satin Ribbon is available in the Summer Mini.

• The $99 Starter Kit ends June 30th. There is still time to become a member of The Schach Pack.
• Last Chance Stamp List. Time is running out to order your favorites!
• Updated Last Chance Accessories List. Many items are still available…some at 25% -50% off.
• My personal list of Retired Stamps for Sale will be posted July 1st. If you love bargains, you will love this list!

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…

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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…

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