Our challenge this week at Pals Paper Arts is a theme challenge. “What is the theme?” you ask. It’s …SNOWFLAKES! First, I will say that I was challenged. What you see in front of you is my fourth try. And you know what…fourth time is a charm! I did change my mind mid-card (isn’t that a woman’s prerogative?), nixing the snowflakes that I was going to stamp in the background behind my little bird. Instead, this is a concept card. Think of a blustery winter’s day. A darling little snowbird is hunkered down on a leafless brown branch, it’s feathers slightly ruffled to protect itself against the cold. Isn’t it amazing where our imaginations can take us? So put your imagination to the test, and join the Pals in this week’s Snowflake challenge.

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

• Plan your punching! I knew that I wanted to make a Scalloped Trim Border Punch rectangle, so I measured out this matting element first. In this case, my Really Rust scalloped rectangle measures 3-13/16″ x 3-1/4″ before punching. Remember, punch all four corners first, then punch the edges!
• Think outside of the box! Who cares that the stamp set is named Spring Song! I needed a snowbird, so I reached for this set which I earned as a Sale-a-bration freebie! Chocolate Chip ink and a Blender Pen transformed a spring shoot into a dead branch, where a few brown leaves were left to rustle in the winter wind. Going Gray, Basic Gray, and Really Rust inks, plus Blender Pens, were used to tint the bird.
• Create texture in a matter of minutes! Zip Very Vanilla card stock through the Big Shot with the Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder. This folder is definitely one of my favorites from the Mini Occasions catalog.
• Did you “wonder” about my snowflake? I added a twist to a Basic Gray Jumbo Snowflake by adding a Really Rust Modern Label. The “Wonder” sentiment is actually “Small Wonder” from Sale-a-bration’s Whimsical Words. I simply selectively inked it with a Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker.
• Of course, “it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that bling”! A Filigree Brad with a small Pumpkin Circle Fire Brad center fills the bill!

Winter is not over, at least in Iowa. So dust off those snowflake stamps and punches that you may have packed away, and play @ PPA! Of course, I love your comments, so let me know what you think of my little “Snow Bird”. And remember, you can always email me if you have questions about the cards that I make, or the techniques that I use. Until next time…

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

Stamp Sets: Spring Song (115074), Whimsical Words (Wood 118386, Clear 119119—Sale-a-Bration); Card Stock: Basic Gray textured (108693—Neutrals assorted), Very Vanilla (101650), Really Rust textured (108697—Earth Elements assorted); Inks: Going Gray (103274), Basic Gray (109120), More Mustard (103162), Really Rust (102549), Chocolate Chip (100908); Tools: Big Shot (113439), SU! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Occasions Mini), Scalloped Trim Corner Punch (118870—Occasions Mini), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402—Sale-a-Bration), Corner Rounder (109047), Modern Label Punch (116630), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Large Oval Punch (107305), Sponge Dauber (102892), Blender Pens (102845), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker (100082), Signo Gel Pen (105021); Glitz and Glam: Filigree Brad (112577), Circle Fire Brads (109110)

It seems like so much time has passed since I last stamped. Isn’t it funny how a few days can seem like an eternity? However, I felt up to a challenge today, and I must say that the ColourQ Challenge was certainly that! Pumpkin Pie with Melon Mambo, Bravo Burgundy, Pretty in Pink and White? Yikes! Since I had not used my Garden from the Heart stamp set yet, I decided to go for it! And you know what, I ended up liking this combination together. It was refreshing, in an avant garde way! Enjoy a slice of “Pretty Pumpkin Melon”, and I will Whisper a Bravo while you Mambo!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

• Pack a punch! Punches stole the show on this card. The Pinking Heart Punch provides a delicate Melon Mambo border, while the Photo Corner Punch helps to frame the image mat. The Horizontal Slot Punch gives a twist to the Bravo Burgundy Designer Label, allowing Melon Mambo Ribbon to be laced under it. The “Merci” sentiment from Chic Boutique, inked in Bravo Burgundy and stamped onto Whisper White, is popped out with the Small Oval Punch.
• Ooo la la! A Pink Circle Fire Brad adds bling to a “designer” straw hat! The hat was stamped once in Basic Brown onto Whisper White, and then stamped a second time onto a selection from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper collection. The ribbon was then snipped out from the designer paper and adhered onto the first image, a tip gleaned from Mary Fish. Blender Pens and Pretty in Pink and Always Artichoke inks add life to the flowers.
• Butterflies flutter by! The new Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits die creates the cutest little butterflies! I selected two to accent the sentiment and the image mat.

I am so glad that I accepted this challenge. Challenges often push us beyond our comfort zone, while giving us permission to experiment. I probably would have never paired Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie if not for this challenge. Yet, I like the look! And speaking of challenges, have you played at the PPA yet this week? Remember that you have until Noon (CST) Tuesday to upload your Anything But a Card projects.

I would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers these past few days. Aunt Margie passed away peacefully Thursday. Many of you have emailed me with your words of comfort. I am always amazed at how our “Stampin’ Family” is there when we need them. Once again, I thank you so much.

As always, if you have any questions about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use, please do not hesitate to contact me. And, of course, I appreciate your comments. So please, won’t you let me know what you think about today’s card? Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Sets: Garden from the Heart (117004 W; 118568 C—Occasions Mini), Chic Boutique (113744); Inks: Basic Brown (104315), Always Artichoke (105219), Pretty in Pink (101301); Designer Series Paper: Sweet Pea (117161—Occasions Mini); Card Stock: Bravo Burgundy textured (108696—Rich Regal assorted), Melon Mambo (115320), Pretty in Pink (100459), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Occasions Mini), Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (118138—Occasions Mini), Photo Corner Punch (109042), Pinking Hearts Punch (117649—Occasions Mini), Designer Label Punch (107590), Small Oval Punch (107304), Horizontal Slot Punch (105089), Blender Pens (102845); Glitz and Glam: Melon Mambo 1/2″ Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115611), Circle Fire Brads (109110)

It’s Thursday! As you know, that means that it is time to play at PPA! Since this week’s challenge is “Anything But a Card”, I decided to share a trio of Valentine treat boxes that can be prepared in a snap. They all involve easy to use templates and Stampin’ Up!s delightful Sending Love Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

“Ruffled Heart”

• Template, template…who has the template? Mel, that’s who! I printed off this template from Mel Stampz and traced it onto Pretty in Pink card stock. Then I cut a second heart from the beautiful Sending Love Designer Series Paper. This formed the base on which to attach the ruffle.
• Fun and Feminine! Do you suffer from “ruffle-phobia”? I have the cure…a tutorial by Janine Tinklenberg, better known to all as “Jan Tink”. Her tutorial can be found HERE! To be honest, the ruffle would have been easier to create from lighter-weight pattern paper, but I wanted to use Pretty in Pink card stock. Just be aware that you may have to be a little rougher with your ruffling! Tip: Mini Glue Dots can help to keep those pesky pleats in place!
• Satin Sensation! Don’t you love the new Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon? It’s such a rich, yummy color, and just perfect for a traditional bow!
• Glitter optional! Several of the Sending Love patterns are pre-glittered, saving you time and resources. What could be faster and easier?

“Rectangular Box “

• Wowza! It doesn’t get any easier than this! Just cut out a 6-9/16″ wide by 7-1/16″ long rectangle, and cut and score as shown above. The score lines are at the following measurements: 13/16″, 2-3/4″, 3-11/16″, 5-11/16″.

• A simple sleeve created from Sending Love Designer Series Paper, trimmed with Very Vanilla Pinking Hearts, is all that is needed to decorate this Real Red beauty. Top it off with hearts and a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes and you are good to go!

“Lots of Hearts Carton”

• I {heart} the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit! And a miniature heart is as close as the Small Heart Punch, which will have you singin’ “You’ve gotta have hearts…lots and lots and lots of hearts!”
• Pop it up! This wonderful sentiment from With All My Heart is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals. What a great way to add depth and dimension!
• Don’t let this template fool you! It is easier than it looks. Try it, you”ll like it!

As always, my Design Team Pals have prepared some delightful creations for you over at the Pals Paper Arts challenge site. Get ready to be impressed! All brands of products and all skill levels are welcome, so come play @ PPA! And remember, your comments are very important to me! I love reading them and answering your questions! So, please…won’t you share your thoughts with me today? Until next time…

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