Watercolor Trio for the PPA


It’s Pals Paper Arts challenge day! This week the challenge is to make a KISS card (Keep It Simple, Sweetie!). In case you are wondering about the criteria for a KISS card, it should:
• Be clean with lots of ‘white’ space
• Have a simple design
• Take a minimum amount of time to create
• Have limited layers and embellishments
And most importantly, if it is “KISS-able” to you, it is “KISS-able” to the PPA. This is my favorite guideline. I know that there will be inspiration cards from my Design Team friends that are going to be truly KISS cards. But does that stop me from posting this one? No, because compared to many of the cards I make, this one really is less complex. Therefore to me, it is a KISS card. So don’t fret about your entry. What is important is that you are participating in a challenge, and we all know that challenges are one of the best ways to improve our paper crafting skills and our artistry. Although the PPA Design Team showcases Stampin’ Up! products in our inspiration cards, we welcome everyone and any brand of product. So…what are you waiting for? Join us this week…please!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Create textured backgrounds in a matter of seconds! I zipped the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder through the Big Shot die cutting machine along with Very Vanilla card stock. Notice the wonderful “non-textured” oval in the middle? If you are new to stamping, you may be wondering how I accomplished this. I simply used my Oval Scallop Frame Bigz Die to cut a frame out of three layers of cardboard. (I used the cardboard that comes in a package of Designer Series Paper). I taped these together in order to hold them in place. I then set my multipurpose platform to Tab 2, inserted my Very Vanilla card stock into the folder, and then carefully positioned the frame on top of the folder. I made the proper sandwich using the cutting pads, and zipped it through the Big Shot. Instant oval! You may need to practice to make certain that you have a thick enough “shim”, but trust me…this is not difficult to do!
  • Lovely watercolored flowers are created in minutes! With Stampin’ Write Markers, you can easily color your leaves green (in this case Always Artichoke) and your flowers any beautiful shade you desire. I selected Regal Rose, Rose Red, and Summer Sun!
  • A stay-put bow is perfect when you want to keep your card simple! Bravo Burgundy 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon coordinates with the Rose Red flowers, and adds the “pop” of color that I was looking for at the bottom of the card.
  • “Stamp off” for softness! The background of the sentiment oval compliments the focal image rather than competes with it, and was easily achieved by stamping one more time AFTER I stamped the main image.

Don’t you love the Summer Sun card base and flowers? Summer Sun is scheduled to be retired as part of Stampin’ Up!’s “Color Renovation”. It is so vibrant and cheery! If this is one of the colors that you can’t live without, now is the time to stock up. Not sure how this compares to the new Daffodil Delight? Stayed tuned to The Stampin’ Schach for my next side-by-side simple card comparison!

Have fun with this week’s challenge! And as always, your comments are important to me. So please, won’t you leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today’s card? And remember, if you have any questions 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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Stamp Set: Watercolor Trio (W 117050, C 120084—Summer Mini); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Summer Sun (103124); Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Stampin’ Write Markers: Always Artichoke (105113), Rose Red (100063), Regal Rose (105108), Summer Sun (100077); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder (119976—Summer Mini), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Large Oval Punch (107305); Glitz and Glam: Bravo Burgundy 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109053);

PPA Sneak Peek


Here’s a little peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge card. I can tell you that it features two new items from the Summer Mini Catalog and a color which will be retiring! Join me when the challenge goes live at 5:00 AM CST Thursday.

Do you need a Summer Mini so that you can examine the upcoming releases more closely? I would love to send you one in tomorrow’s mail! And if you would like to be able to take advantage of several demonstrator perks, ask me about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. Take advantage of demonstrator benefits and discounts while earning extra income. Like me, you can indulge in your creative side while sharing your passion with others. And if you join my downline, The Schach Pack, as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator before May 31, you will receive two FREE technique DVDs courtesy of Stampin’ Up! Very importantly, I will mentor you every step of the way! For more information, Click Here! What are you waiting for? Until next time…


Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Seeing Reds


Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to Stampin’ Up!’s “Color Renovation”! What better way to compare the scrumptious Cherry Cobbler to Real Red than by comparing two identical cards? These quick and easy little cuties are 4-1/4″ by 4-1/4″ square. Since the focus is on the difference between these two shades of red, I wanted the card to be simple and not distracting. For those of you who are regular readers of The Stampin’ Schach, you know that “simple” is very difficult for me to do. As you can tell, Cherry Cobbler is a deep, rich red which I am so looking forward to using this holiday season. And you know what? I would never have guessed that Real Red would look so “anemic” (for lack of a better descriptor) when placed next to it!

Below is the Cherry Cobbler version…Yummy!

While this one is created with Real Red…

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Dust off that Big Shot! A four-inch square of “Red” card stock was zipped through the Big Shot using Stampin’ Up!’s Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions Folder, as was a “Red” Extra Large Fancy Flower and a 1″ Circle punched from Whisper White. A 2-1/2″ square of Whisper White, with one corner rounded, was zipped through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, which will be available in the Summer Mini.

  • Even little cards deserve a little lovin’! A Clear Button with Hemp Twine and Whisper White 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon add a little “sweetness”! Notice how the button is backed up by an embossed Whisper White circle?

I can hardly wait for the new colors to be released. I really do believe that they will fill a niche in the Stampin’ Up! color palette! What do you think about the new Cherry Cobbler? Just leave me comment and let me know. And if you have any questions about today’s card, don’t hesitate to email me!

Do you feel passionate about stamping and want to share that passion with others? Have you thought about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator? Then what are you waiting for? I would love to mentor you as a member of my group, The Schach Pack! For more details about how you can join my downline, Email Me or Click Here! Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Pendant Park (115456); Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406); Card Stock: Barely Banana (102701), Real Red (102482), Whisper White (100730), Cherry Cobber (Coming this Summer); Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335—Occasions Mini), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976—Summer Mini), Big Shot (113439); Glitz and Glam: Clear Buttons (105447), Hemp Twine (100982), Whisper White 1/4″ Grograin Ribbon (109070)