Remember the new challenge that I told you about last week, Always Playing with Paper? This marks their second week of challenges, which happens to be a color challenge… and challenging it was! The colors included Brilliant Blue (or Pacific Point), Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White, as revealed in this beautiful picture of sassy, little flip-flops:

Although this was not an inspiration challenge, the flowers on the flip-flops reminded me of the floral stamps included in the new Hostess Level 2 set, Apple Blossoms. So I grabbed my inks and stamps and set off to create! I hope that you enjoy today’s “Sneak Peek” card.

• Don’t worry! Be happy! And make sure the sentiment fits the theme! These bright, cheery colors evoke happy thoughts, and as the sentiment states “Happy thoughts make happy days”.
• Reinforce the theme! Polka dots are always fun. Old Olive Patterns Designer Paper adds a healthy “dotty” dose of fun, while the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder adds sassiness in seconds when zipped through the Big Shot with Whisper White card stock!
• Whimsy! What would a happy card be without a touch of whimsy? A snippet of 1/8″ Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon is all that it takes to give our posies pizzazz. While a trio of So Saffron butterflies, made with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, draw our attention to the sentiment and the flower.
• Fantasy flowers! For sure, these are not a real species! The bottom layers of petals were created by inking up the Larger Floral image from Apple Blossoms with Brilliant Blue ink. Layer number two was created using the Smaller Floral image and So Saffron ink. The centers were punched from Bashful Blue using the Itty Bitty Scallop Circle Punch. Those Itty Bitty Punches are just too cute!

1. Host a workshop with me! If you are located in Southeast Iowa or West-Central Illinois, and would love to invite your friends to an afternoon or evening of Stampin‘ Up! fun, please email me. Have stamps…will travel!
2. Join Stampin‘ Up! as a demonstrator! With Stampin‘ Up!’s $99 Starter Kit, there is still time to take advantage of the new catalog preorder opportunity! This is perfect for the hobby stamper! Plus, you will receive 30% off your first qualifying order if placed within 45 days (which would allow you to order from the new catalog!) For more information about joining The Schach Pack, my downline group, Click Here or Email Me.

Tuesday’s Tidbits:

• There is still time to take advantage of my FREE catalog offer! If you do not currently have a demonstrator, email me, and I would love to drop you a catalog in the mail just as soon as I receive them! I would love to become your demonstrator! I pride myself on my customer service. This offer expires Friday, June 18th.
• Save up those nickels and dimes for my huge Retired Stamp Sale! On July 1st, I will be listing 47 retired sets, ranging from new and unmounted to gently used.
• Blog Candy is coming!

If you liked today’s card, and if you are looking for more inspiration, don’t forget to subscribe to The Stampin‘ Schach using the form on the left sidebar. And please, won’t you let me know what you think of today’s card? What do you think of this new hostess stamp set? Your comments are important to me, and I read them all. And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards that I create, or the techniques that I use, don’t hesitate to email me. Until next time…

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The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• If a color combination sounds like it would be delicious for breakfast…go for it! Just kidding! But don’t you love Crumb Cake (the color formerly known as Kraft) and the new Core Color, Early Espresso together?  And I can tell you firsthand, that you will love the new Color Coach! In my opinion, it is one of the “must-have” items that every Stampin’ Up! aficionado needs in their arsenal of tools…and this is a valid tip! It suggests so many beautiful color combos! Definitely a wise investment!
• Make every minute count! The Big Shot and a Textured Impressions Folder can add interest to a card in seconds! I know that Vintage Wallpaper will see a lot of use at The Stampin’ Schach!
• Sentiments in seconds! The Perfect Punches stamp set includes sentiments for every occasion:  Christmas, birthdays, congrats, and friendship, as well as thanks.  And, each one coordinates with a Stampin’ Up! punch.  This would be another new catty purchase that I would place on my Wish List! When I first saw it available for preordering, I wasn’t sure about it.  But you know what…it is the perfect touch when you need a quick and easy card! Plus, you can “punch it up” a notch with layers when a more elaborate card is called for.  How versatile is that!
• Even simple cards deserve a little bit of  lovin’ bling! And this card receives its dosage with snippets of the Early Espresso 1/8″ inch Taffeta Ribbon!

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The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Crazy for Cajun Craze! Don’t you just love the “pop” of color imparted by Stampin’ Up!’s new Core Color?  It’s so…spicey! And what about this color trio?  Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, and Cajun Craze are a perfect masculine combination!
• Use those Blender Pens! To make quick work of line art stamps, like King of the Grill, I simply touch the tip of my Blender Pen to the corner of the ink pad, load up a bit of color, and ta-da! The inks that I used for this “Flying Chef” were Real Red, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Going Gray, Basic Gray, and Creamy Caramel.
• Pop it up for Pop! The letters “d-a-d”  from the Rough Type Alphabet were stamped onto Cajun Craze and punched out with the 1/2″ Punch.  They were then popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals onto 3/4″ Circles of Not Quite Navy.