It’s a Small World RAK

Since I have started blogging last year, I have had the privilege of meeting the nicest people.  One of them is my stampin’ buddy, Shirley Sweany, from Kentucky.  Shirley sent me this beautiful card congratulating me on my upcoming retirement from teaching.  Shirley does stunning work, as you can see! I was so impressed with this card, that I asked Shirley if I could share it with my readers. In an email, Shirley expressed her concerns that she had CASED this card, although she had made several changes.  To ease her mind, and because I firmly believe in giving credit where credit is due, she sent me the web site from which she had gotten her idea.  Imagine Shirley’s surprise when it turned out to be the website of my good friend and fellow Pal, Mike Funke.  Mike thought it was a hoot! Mike wanted me to relay to Shirley that he was flattered she chose his card design to “honor his idol…Or is it idle?!!”  After all, I am retiring! So thank you, Shirley, for the day brightener.  I now have your card displayed with all of the other cards that I have received from my stampin’ friends.  And thank you, Mike, for sharing your Funk-e-ness with us!

A Heartfelt Discussion of What Stampin’ Up! Means to Me

If I had to select one of my favorite perks about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, this would have to be one of them…you really do meet the nicest people!!! Yes…the discount is fantastic, and being able to pre-order is awesome, too! But you know what?  You just can’t beat the relationships that you forge with your customers, sidelines, upline and downline. I am blessed that I am a member of The Pretty Pals downline group.  We are such a supportive group of stampers…and it goes beyond stamping.  We are there for each other as we “Toot” our successes (both business and personal) on our private blog, which is also available to members of my downline, The Schach Pack.  We are there for each other during the hard times, too.  I will never forget the outpouring of sympathy earlier this year with the death of my beloved “Missy the Boxer” or last fall when I was facing serious health issues. 

I love the fact that I can make my Stampin’ Up! business anything I want! I have set  my goals, both in the creative realm, as well as financially, and Stampin’ Up! has provided  me with training resources in both areas. As a demonstrator, I have access to the Stampin’ Connection website, as well as to the monthly publication Stampin’ Success.  I firmly believe in Stampin’ Up!’s Statement of the Heart:  “To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments in this we make a difference!”
To sum it up, I would love to have you join me as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.  If the thought has ever crossed your mind, now is an excellent time to sign-up.  With pre-order right around the corner, as well as a new catalog soon to be released, this is a perfect time to start getting your demonstrator discount, especially as we enter into a Color Renovation.  This is the perfect time to start forging relationships and friendships which will last a lifetime on our private blog.  This is the perfect time! 
Please contact me if you have further questions about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator or visit this webpage.   My recruiting password is stampinschach.  And as always, please feel free to contact me if you ever have questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use. Until next time…

Courage for the PPA


It’s Thursday and time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge! As we present this week’s Memorial Day-themed challenge, the Design Team would like to thank all of those who are serving or who have served our country. We are most thankful for your courage, honor, and sacrifice. And I would also like to honor my former students who exhibited the courage to enlist in our armed forces. I am so proud to say that I was their teacher. This card, featuring the “Courage” stamp set, is dedicated to them.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • When complex images serve as the focal point, make certain that your background compliments rather than detracts. “Courage” is so wonderfully detailed, a simple textured background is all that is needed!
  • Watercoloring is a breeze with Blender Pens and inks! Night of Navy, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel transform this image in a matter of minutes.
  • Enhance a theme with embellishments! Star Designer Brads evoke the image of a three-star general, while Kraft ribbon substitutes for a military tan.

I hope that you will join us this week at the PPA! I am anxious to view your Memorial Day creations. In the meantime, let me know what you think about today’s card by leaving me a comment. And remember, if you have a questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Until next time…


Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Courage (115330); Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Real Red (103133), Night of Navy (102977), Sahara Sand (105208), Creamy Caramel (103220), Close to Cocoa (103139); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Night of Navy (100867), Real Red (102482), Kraft (102125); Tools: Big Shot die cutting machine (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976—Summer Mini), Blender Pens (102845); Glitz and Glam: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (109068), Star Designer Brads (112572)

PPA Sneak Peek

Here’s a little peek at my Pals Paper Arts challenge card which will be revealed on Thursday. As many of you know, the Pals Paper Arts Design Team is a passionate group of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators who love to play a variety of paper craft challenges. We are dedicated to using primarily Stampin’ Up! products in our own challenge designs, but we welcome the use of any brand or product by our participants. It is our goal to inspire our virtual stamping pals, while sharing and having fun! I know that as a Design Team member, I look forward to seeing your creations. It’s amazing what you can learn just by observing the work of others!

Speaking of challenges, I would like to thank the designers at Picture Perfect Creations for selecting my “Life is a Matter of Moments” card as the Grand Creation Winner for PPC-CC#12. Thank you ladies! I will display my badge proudly! This was such a perfect color combination of Sage Shadow, Perfect Plum, Bravo Burgundy and Soft Suede. The card almost made itself! Don’t you just love it when a card does that? If you missed my posting of this card, click Here.

The Design Team over at PPC are trying to increase their following, so please stop in and take a look at their inspiration cards and sign up to follow their challenge blog.

Would you like to receive the SPA treatment? Join my team today as a Stampin‘ Up! demonstrator and I will help you become a Schach Pack Artist! I will not only mentor you in all aspects of your demonstratorship, I will also help you develop your creative skills through special tutorials prepared just for members of The Schach Pack. As a member of The Schach Pack, you will have access to a private blog which will keep you abreast of the latest Stampin’ Up! news. If you are undecided about whether becoming a Stampin‘ Up! demonstrator is right for you, visit the Join the Schach Pack page. And if you still have questions, you can always email me. I would love to discuss with you what Stampin‘ Up! means to me.

Coming Soon: The Stampin‘ Up! Last Chance Stamp and Accessories List will be released on June 1. As soon as the list is available I will post it here on The Stampin‘ Schach! Avoid disappointment by ordering early. I will keep you posted as merchandise becomes sold out.

Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7