A PPA Winter Wonderland


Welcome to the “Winter Wonderland” edition of the Pals Paper Arts Challenge! Holiday and winter themed projects are the focus for PPA21. When I hear the words “Winter Wonderland”, I always think of the lyrics to the song. I have visions of a beautiful meadow, with its glistening snow and frosty trees. This seemed like the perfect time to ink up “Lovely as a Tree”, and to use the new Sale-a-bration stamp set, “Whimsical Words”. I hope that you enjoy the sneak peak at this delightful little set!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

  • This challenge has me “singin‘ the blues”! The image was stamped with Whisper White ink onto Night of Navy card stock. This was matted onto Brushed Silver followed by Night of Navy again. The card base is Brocade Blue.

  • Mask it! Don’t want to use the entire sentiment? Mask off what you do not want to use. The entire sentiment from Whimsical Words actually says “small Wonder”. This was an extremely small “small” located above the “o” and “n” in Wonder, so I covered it with tape custom cut to fit. After inking the stamp with Whisper White, I removed the mask.

  • Balancing Act! The sentiment is balanced with the “Snowflake” from Sweet Seasons. Punched out with the 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, it adds a little something to the upper left corner of the card.

  • Glitz and Glam! Dazzling Diamonds, a Clear Rhinestone Brad, and Brushed Silver card enhance the snowy, frosty effect I was trying to achieve. It is so “shimmery” in person!

Have fun creating your own “Winter Wonderland”! Remember that any newly created winter or holiday themed card is perfect for this challenge! So, hurry on over to the Pals Paper Arts website to see what the other Design Team Pals have created! Oh, but wait…have you forgotten about my Blog Candy? Don’t forget to leave a comment on today’s card. In case you would like to take another look at the goodies I am giving away Click Here for a picture and details! Have you left your comment? Good…now you can scurry on over to the Pals Challenge and be inspired! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7!
Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree (115026), Whimsical Words (W 118386, C 119119—SAB); Ink: Whisper White (101731); Paper: Night of Navy (100867), Brushed Silver (100712), Brocade Blue (101166); Tools: 1-1/4″ Circle Punch (104403), Heat Tool (100005); Glitz and Glam: Dazzling Diamonds (102023), Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144)

PPA Preview

During the holiday season it’s always fun to sneak a little peak! I remember checking out every present under the tree when I was growing up and trying to guess what was inside. Along those same lines, a few weeks ago my Design Team Pals at the Pals Paper Arts challenge blog decided that we could offer sneak peaks of our inspiration cards. So today you are getting a tiny glimpse of my card for this week’s challenge. The full card will be unveiled Thursday morning at 5:00 AM CST. It will feature a sentiment from the Sale-A-Bration set, “Whimsical Words”. This set is just too cute, and I am anxious for you to see it!

I know that it is a busy time of the year, but I hope that you will join us for this week’s challenge! I really do look forward to viewing your creations. Every week I am amazed by the talent and the creativity!

And, don’t forget that it is Blog Candy time here at The Stampin’ Schach! I have prepared a delicious selection of Stampin’ Up! goodies for you. For more details and a picture, please Click Here! Until next time…

Snowstar


Every once in awhile, certain ideas come along that are just too good to pass by! Such is the case of this card. After seeing the initial idea on fellow Pals Paper Arts Design Team member Denise January’s site, Sassy Stampin’ , I had to try my hand at it! Of course, I changed it by using a different sentiment, different punches, different Designer Series Paper, different colors, embossing, and distressing. Isn’t that the way things usually go? We all add those simple little touches which make our creations uniquely ours! Whether you think of this as a Snowflake or as a Star, this “Snowstar” is a treat to make using the sweet little stamp set, “Tree Trimmings”.

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Be the “Embossing Boss”! Before running Very Vanilla card stock through the Big Shot with the Top Note die, I embossed it with the Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Texturz Plate. The “Quilted” side adds a pretty background that adds visual interest but does not compete with the ornaments.

  • Color 101: Use color to tie together the layers of your card! Since Real Red predominates in the foreground, I selected the Real Red “Vintage Ornament” paper from Merry Moments Designer Series Paper to layer onto the Very Vanilla card base. Likewise, the Very Vanilla card base anchors the Very Vanilla Top Note.

  • Don’t forget the compliments! Accent colors should compliment the design, not compete with it! A snippet of Chocolate Chip 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon and a Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button, as well as the Designer Label and Top Note mat, are the perfect touches for the richness of the Real Red and the creamy Very Vanilla. And, let’s face it…isn’t everything better with chocolate?

  • Do sweat the little things…when it comes to your design! Rounding the corners of the card layers with the Corner Rounder pulls together the roundness of the ornaments, the round button, the round edges of the Top Note die, and the roundess of both the Modern Label and the Designer Label.

  • Add dimension with “Dimensionals”! Adhering the ornaments to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals adds depth and interest.

  • And, oh! It was important to me that the ribs of the corduroy button were aligned vertically. Why? Because of the grain of the ribbon. I know…I know! There are names for this kind of behavior!
Originally the edges of this card were not distressed. However, it was difficult for me to get a good photograph of it. So, out came the Sponge Dauber and the Chocolate Chip ink! You know me! Although this card may look difficult to make, it really isn’t. Just make certain that you use Paper Snips to cut out the ornaments, and arrange them so that their “tummies” touch!

Remember that there is still time to take advantage of Stampin’ Up!’s wonderful Twelve Days of Holiday Sale. Click Here to see what Stampin’ Up! is offering at huge discounts! And, don’t forget to take advantage of my delicious “no-calorie” Blog Candy!

One lucky reader will receive the following goodies:
  • 101 6″ x 6″ sheets of retired Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers tied up with Brocade Blue 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon

  • “Congrats” stamp set

  • 20 yards of Certainly Celery Ribbon from SAB 2009 Ribbon Bundle

  • Basic Gray Corduroy Buttons (new)

  • Basic Brown Classic Stampin’ Ink Re-Inker (new)

  • A Sponge Dauber (so you can distress)

  • Plus non-SU! brads and ribbon

To be eligible, simply leave a comment on the posts that I will be making beginning with the December 13th post through Friday, December 18th at 9:00 PM CST. One winner will be selected randomly, and will be announced on this blog Saturday, December 20th! The winner will then need to email shipping information to me. So, get ready for comments. And, oh, by the way, today’s card will be included in with the Blog Candy. Until next time…

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

Stamp Set: Tree Trimmings (116722), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370); Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Real Red (103133); Designer Series Paper: Merry Moments (115672); Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Chocolate Chip (102128), Real Red (102482); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Texturz Plate (115962), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114645), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Punch (107590), Corner Rounder (109047), Paper Snips (103579); Glitz and Glam: Chocolate Chip 5/8″ Corduroy Ribbon (111367), Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button (114339)