KISSable Kat for the PPA

Happy Thursday! It’s time to play at PPA! This week’s challenge is to make a “KISS” card. KISS is an acronym for Keep It Simple Sweetie. These types of cards feature white space, minimal layers, and fewer embellishments. I typically am not a clean and simple person, so this really was a challenge for me. It features the “C is for Cat” stamp set, which I earned through Sale-a-bration, and the delicious Basic Black 1-1/4″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. In case you are wondering about the significance of the Heart Epoxy Brad, this upcoming Saturday just happens to be National Love Your Pet Day. Now while there are those KISS purists who might argue that this is not KISSable because it has layers and embellishments, it is KISSable to me. My argument is that it does have a lot of white space, or in this case, Very Vanilla space! If it is KISSable to you, it is KISSable to the Pals Paper Arts Design Team! So please, do not hesitate to play along with us!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • When designing a KISS card, texture creates an obvious “Wow” factor. I just love the Stampin’ Up! exclusive Textured Impressions Folder, Perfect Polka Dots. It’s subdued dots do not overpower your design, but instead deliver an understated elegance.

  • Good things come in small packages! The Swirls Scribbles Sizzlits Die packs a visual punch that is hard to overlook.

  • Never underestimate the power of three! With this card, three colors (Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla) are the perfect number. I have had several people email and ask how I know which color to use as an accent color. There are formulas that you can follow, but my best advice is to use what you think looks best. I happen to be an advocate of a coordinated look. Often my accent color will be the same as my card base, or in some situations I will look at a specific embellishment for guidance. (I knew that I wanted to use the Heart Epoxy Brad since this card was designed for National Love Your Pet Day. Therefore, I let the Real Red of the heart be my inspiration color for this card.)

  • Can you bling a KISS card? Of course! The red rhinestone, retrieved from a Red Circle Fire Brad, provides just the right accent for my KISSable Kat’s collar.
I hope that today’s tips and card have provided you with the inspiration to participate in this week’s PPA challenge. There is no one correct way to create a KISS card, so go for it! I love checking out your creations! And remember, leave your comment by 10:00 PM CST tonight to be eligible for my delicious Blog Candy. CLICK HERE to view the wonderful items I am giving away. I am so excited to be selecting the random winner and announcing the name on The Stampin’ Schach Saturday! Until next time…


Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7!
Stamp Set: C is for Cat (120210—Sale-a-bration or 115764—IBC); Ink: Basic Black (101179); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (100730), Real Red (102482), Basic Black (102851); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Ocassions Mini), Swirls Scribbles Sizzlits Die (113441), Scalloped Trim Corner Punch (118870—Occasions Mini), Scalloped Trim Border Punch (118402—Sale-a-bration); Glitz and Glam: Basic Black 1-1/4″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115615), Circle Fire Brads (109110), Real Red Epoxy Brads (117270—Occasions Mini)

PPA Sneak Peek


How about a little sneak peek of this week’s Pals Paper Arts card? Shhhh! Mum’s the word! I found it a challenge this week because it is not something that I would ordinarily create. But that is the purpose of a challenge…to force one to pursue a style or to use colors outside of his or her comfort zone. The entire card will be revealed Thursday at 5:00 AM CST. I used a stamp set which I earned through Sale-a-bration and 1-1/4″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. Believe it or not…I have used this size ribbon only once before. I don’t know why. I see other people use it, and I think to myself, “Wow! I really need to use this ribbon.” Does that ever happen to any of you?

Don’t forget that my Blog Candy celebration is coming to a close. At 10:00 PM CST on Thursday, February 18th, I will use a random number generator to select a winner from all of the comments left during this time span. The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning! The winner will be announced on The Stampin’ Schach on Saturday, February 20th. I can’t believe the outpouring of support that you have given me as we “Celebrate” together. And for those of you who have sent cards to me, I will be featuring them on The Stampin’ Schach within the next few weeks.

So, I will leave you today with this little snippet of a card…a taste of what will be revealed Thursday! As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me. Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7!

Our Attitude Toward Life


One of my favorite stamps for the past holiday season was Dasher, so it is no surprise that I absolutely had to have the Decor Elements Dasher Level II Hostess Gift. Of course, I wanted the luxury of hanging Dasher on my wall next year and the next year and the year after! Well, you get the picture! So I decided to invest in a frame, and just switch out the glass and Decor Element depending on the season. I kept Dasher up as long as I felt I possibly could, and I finally decided that it was time to corral him in the closet until next winter.

Since I loved my frame (I am a cherry/mahogany kind of girl), I was limited somewhat in my selection of Decor Elements that would work in a 16 x 20 frame. Luckily, I loved the “Our Attitude Toward Life” saying, and it fit perfectly into my existing frame. Just a quick trip to the local glass store, a hammer and glazier points were all it took to switch out the glass.

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Don’t take shortcuts! Before starting the application, read all instructions thoroughly and know your product. Every Decor Elements has three layers: a backing sheet with gridlines, the image which will be transferred to your desired surface, and a sticky tansfer sheet through which you can see the image.

  • Cleanliness counts, when applying Decor Elements! I cleaned the glass thoroughly with an ammonia based spray cleaner, and made certain that the glass was completely dry before attempting to apply my image.

  • Be prepared! Know exactly where you plan on placing the image on the glass. The gridlines on the backing sheet will help you.

  • Slow and steady wins the race! Work carefully and slowly with the images. You will save time in the long run by completely and firmly rubbing the backing sheet with the Decor Elements Applicator Tool. And when peeling off the backing sheet, take your time. You may have to repeat this rubbing procedure several times if the image has not completely transferred to the transfer sheet. This is normal…don’t panic!

  • If two heads are better than one, it follows that four hands can be better than two! When placing the image sticky side down…it sticks! I found out the hard way with Dasher! Luckily he landed in the right spot! So this time I was not going to take any chances. I enlisted the help of my husband. (He really does like helping out with my Stampin’ Up! projects.) This time, no problems!

  • Bubble trouble? Occasionally there will be small bubbles in some of the more solid pieces. I poke them with a sharp needle, and work the air out through the opening. Because the hole is so small, no one is the wiser!
Do you have Decor Elements-phobia? Don’t be afraid. Yes…you have to be patient. But remember, good things come to those who wait! So good-by, sweet Dasher, bring on the Attitude!

Time Keeps on Slippin’, Slippin’, Slippin’ into the Future…

But there is still time to:

  • Order Stampin’ Up! to take advantage of the great Sale-a-bration promotion. With every $50 of product, receive free Stampin’ Up! items from the Sale-a-bration brochure! To order from my on-line store CLICK HERE!

  • Join me as a member of The Schach Pack! Sale-a-bration is a perfect time to take advantage of the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit Special. Wouldn’t you like to receive discounts on Stampin’ Up! products, plus join me at this year’s Convention? CLICK HERE for more details, or EMAIL ME if you have questions.

  • Help me celebrate my Stampin’ Up! Anniversary. Leave a comment and become eligible for delicious calorie-free Blog Candy! Who can resist blog candy?
Remember, if you ever have a question about the cards or projects that I create, or the techniques that I use, please email me. If you do happen to ask a question in your comment, I will either answer you in a later comment, or comment on your blog, or email you if I have access to your address. And remember, I do appreciate your comments. So, won’t you let me know that you stopped by? Until next time…


Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7!

Our Attitude Toward Life Decor Element (119433—Chocolate, Medium as shown)

Dasher Hostess Level 2 (117958—Chocolate)