Distressed Bird for the PPA


For today’s Pals Paper Arts Challenge, based on an inspiration photo, I decided to just stay with the general idea of “Birds”. Sure…I thought about doing something fancy, like gold embossed birds. I thought about using one of my two stamps that have birds in cages (Chic Boutique and the Sale-a-bration set, Happy Moments). I even thought about using my Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch. However, in the end I selected a Hostess Level 2 Set which I have used very little, Wings of Friendship. After a Clean and Simple trend for the past few cards, I decided that I wanted to get a little “distressed” with today’s inspiration. So I pulled out my Sponge Daubers and Color Spritzer Tool, and set to work on my inspiration card, entitled “Distressed Bird for the PPA”. Have fun with today’s challenge!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Larger stamped images require larger card bases! Since the central image on this card is rather large, I elected to use a 5-1/4″ square card base. At this size, it slips easily into Stampin’ Up!’s square envelopes!

  • Little details add up for big impact! The paper piercing around the Night of Navy Scalloped Oval; the Jumbo Grommet through which the ribbon is laced; the textured Photo Corners created with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder all contribute to the design elements of this card. Yet, they are created in the wink of an eye!

  • Think outside of the box! The Scalloped Trim Corner Punched pattern paper, peeking from underneath the Large Photo Corner adds a touch of whimsey. While the tiny Regal Rose flowers stamped with the Eastern Blooms set and then snipped out with Paper Snips, add a pop of color to the Always Artichoke branch.

  • Get dirty! Sponge Daubers, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip inks are all it takes to add a vintage and distressed feel to any card. And never overlook the impact of the easy to use Color Spritzer Tool. For this card I used a Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker, and spritzed the Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper as well as the Very Vanilla card stock.

  • Bitty Bows! Linen Thread bows are used to hold the ends of the Always Artichoke 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon together.
I once had someone tell me that they could never create a card like this. Well, guess what…it’s not hard! Time consuming, yes. Difficult, no! And as far as the time is concerned, the bulk of my time is spent coming up with the initial design. Once that’s in place, the rest is easy! And if you have never tried a more distressed look, go for it! Just grab your Sponge Daubers and Color Spritzer!

So, let me know what you think about today’s card by leaving a comment. And remember, if you ever have any questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Now head on over to the Pals Paper Arts site and check out the other wonderful cards. Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7
Stamp Sets: Wings of Friendship (114308—Hostess Level 2), Eastern Blooms (111626); Inks: Close to Cocoa (103139), Chocolate Chip (100908); Stampin’ Write Markers: Close to Cocoa (100072), Regal Rose (105108), Always Artichoke (105116), Night of Navy (100069); Designer Series Paper: Bella Bleu (113974); Card Stock: Kraft (102125), Night of Navy (100867), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335), Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Scallop Trim Corner Punch (118870), Photo Corners Punch (109042), Corner Rounder (109047), Paper Snips (103579), Color Spritzer Tool (107066), Sponge Daubers (102892), Paper Piercer (); Glitz and Glam: Rich Regals Brads (106953), Antique Brass Jumbo Grommets (108431), Linen Thread (104199), Always Artichoke 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109035)

PPA Sneak Peek and Schach Pack Welcome


Here is your sneak peek at this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge card. Do you recognize any of the design elements? Stay tuned for the complete reveal on Thursday at 5:00 AM CST and see if any of your guesses are correct!

As many of you know, Sale-a-bration is the perfect time to become a Stampin‘ Up! demonstrator! What better time is there to complete your wish list? That is exactly why Leslie Stone of Washington, IL decided to become the newest member of my downline group, The Schach Pack! Leslie customized her Starter Kit to fit her tastes and needs through a phone consultation with me. Plus she purchased the Stampin‘ Memories Add-on, too. She has already scheduled her first workshop, and plans to take full advantage of receiving 30% off her first qualifying order of $150. What’s on her wish list? The Tabletop Paper Cutter, Stampin‘ Write Markers, and tons of Designer Series Papers! Although I hate to lose Leslie as a customer, I look forward to being her mentor.

And making her mark on the challenge scene is Schach Pack member, Donette Barry! Donette, of Castle Rock, Colorado is a multiple challenge winner, including selections as a Pals Artist Pick and Splitcoast Clean and Simple Favorite, to name a few. Her SCS name is dbarry, in case you would like to check out her wonderful gallery. I will be featuring Donette’s work on The Stampin‘ Schach in the near future. If you are in the Castle Rock area, Donette is available for workshops and stamp camps.

As a member of the Schach Pack, you can experience the SPA treatment! I will help you become a Schach Pack Artist! Let me use my award-winning teaching expertise to help you improve your stamping skills and improve your craft. I will personally help every member of The Schach Pack become the stamper and cardmaker he or she wants to be. Exclusive technique sheets, tip sheets and tutorials are being prepared just for this purpose. Plus, you will have access to an exclusive blog where we will share ideas, personal successes and friendship. Please CLICK HERE to read more about the Starter Kit special. And if you have any questions about joining the Schach Pack and the services that I offer my downline, please EMAIL ME. I will gladly help you customize your own Starter Kit.

It’s midterm time, so my days this week are filled with tests and my evenings with parent-teacher conferences and paper-grading. Where is my stamping time? Arghhhh!

As I leave you today, won’t you please help me earn the Number One or Number Two Badge? How you ask? Simply Click here to order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7! I am always willing to help you select the right product or guide you in its usage. Until next time…

We Have a Winner


Since today is the day in which I will reveal the “lucky” winner of the Stampin’ Schach blog candy, it is only fitting that I share with you this card, which features my favorite Textured Impressions Folder, “Perfect Polka Dots”, a Stampin’ Up! exclusive available from the Occasions Mini. The Go Green stamp set provides the perfect sentiment, while the Small Heart Punch creates a four-leaf-clover in the wink of an Irish eye! In a matter of minutes, you can create this clean and simple, KISSable card!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • White space doesn’t have to be boring! Jazz it up with Mr. Big Shot and a Textured Impressions Folder. My folder du jour is Stampin’ Up!s Perfect Polka Dots. Clean, classy and sassy!
  • Who says hearts are only for Valentine’s Day? Not St. Patrick! Four Handsome Hunter hearts can be assembled to make a lucky clover in seconds. More of a shamrock person? Use three hearts instead. A 1/2″ Circle makes the perfect base on which to adhere the points of the hearts.
  • Need a stem in a hurry? Put those Paper Snips to work, and snip a scrap of Handsome Hunter. How easy is that!
  • Do the “Bling Thing”! A Clear Rhinestone Brad adds sparkle, while a snippet of Basic Black 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon adds whimsy and balance to the layout!
And the nice thing about this card…it truly can be made in a matter of minutes! And now, drum roll please…the winner of the Stampin’ Schach blog candy is:

jimlynn

I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful comments that you have left on my recent posts. Your support and advice were taken to heart. I also appreciate the emails that several of you have sent, asking how I am doing. Each day gets better, as we all knew it would. Time heals. I know that one day we will add a new member to our family, as none of us can imagine our life without a four-legged friend in it. And when we begin the search for another Boxer baby, I will share that journey with you. Missy would want that…

Did you know that you can earn Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-bration gifts on-line? Choose from over 80 free items with every $50 you spend. It’s so easy! Just CLICK HERE to visit my on-line Stampin’ Up! store! Or are you ready to take the plunge and become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator? You can become a member of the Schach Pack by taking advantage of Stampin’ Up!s current Starter Kit special. Not only will you receive all of the perks of being a demonstrator (including being able to purchase sneak peek items), you will also have access to a private blog. For more details CLICK HERE. Hobby or career? You are welcome!

Time to get stampin’! This afternoon I will be working on my next Pals Paper Arts challenge card. Stay tuned early next week for a sneak peek! In the meantime, there is still time to participate in this week’s KISS challenge. Check out the Pals Paper Arts Gallery for inspiration. So, before you go, let me know what you think about today’s St. Paddy’s card by leaving me a comment. And remember, if you ever have a question about the cards that I make, or the products that I use, please email me. Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Go Green (117074); Ink: Handsome Hunter (105215); Paper: Handsome Hunter (105122), Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (102851); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335), Small Heart Punch (117193—Occasions Mini), 1/2″ Circle Punch (104390); Glitz and Glam: Clear Rhinestone Brad (113144), Basic Black 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109027)