Amidst the Iowa blizzard today, I stayed warm and comfy, with Missy the Boxer at my feet. Our mission was to create our Mojo Monday card. Since I love the holidays, I opted to create yet another holiday card, this time using Bridesmaid Specialty Paper. Yes…you read me right…Bridesmaid Specialty Paper! Its Vanilla and Pearl foil were the perfect backdrop for Brushed Gold and Bravo Burgundy, resulting in an elegant card with no extra fuss! What could be easier?

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

• It’s Tool Time! Using the right tools always makes the job easier. The Circle Scissors Plus is a “must-have” when creating circular layouts such as this! To create perfect circles with no waste, cut your circles while standing, and use a little SNAIL adhesive to hold your paper in place. I always set my size, then cut a sample out of newspaper first, just to make certain I have the right fit! To perfectly place the “Dove” image from the Gifts of Christmas stamp set, the Stamp-a-ma-jig does the trick!
• Encore! Encore! What is better for distressing the edges of an elegant card than Gold Encore? The edges of the Bravo Burgundy circles were distressed with gold, while the Very Vanilla circles were distressed with both Gold Encore and Bravo Burgundy.
• Sometimes bigger is better! In this case, an over-sized Bravo Burgundy bow made from 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon adds a decadent touch!
• Bring the bling! A misting of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint is the perfect finishing touch! However, be careful when misting stamped images, as they could blur! Easy bling is achieved with Brushed Gold card stock. Why didn’t I buy this sooner?

Missy and I hope that you enjoyed our Mojo card. It probably took us a little longer than usual to create. First, we got sidetracked by a Lifetime movie. Then we needed a snack. Then we had to check our email and blog-hop for awhile. Then we needed another snack. Then we got sidetracked by another movie. Then we had to check our email again. Then we had to snack…Oh, you get the picture! I had better be back in school tomorrow…I probably gained ten pounds today! So, if you have any questions about today’s card, don’t hesitate to email me! And, of course, your comments are always appreciated! Coming up tomorrow: The Pals Paper Arts Challenge! Until next time…

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Stamp Set: Gifts of Christmas (115372); Inks: Gold Encore (101017), Bravo Burgundy (105214); Paper: Bridesmaid Specialty Paper (116479), Very Vanilla (101650), Bravo Burgundy (105123), Brushed Gold (102935); Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Big Shot (113439), Stampin‘ Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335—Occasions Mini available January 5), Sponge Daubers (102892); Blitz and Bling: Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806—Holiday Mini), Bravo Burgundy 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109053)

“The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, gave the lustre of midday to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. “ Just like visions of sugarplums, this phrase from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas was dancing through my head. Featuring the Wandering Words stamp set, the sky of this card was sponged in Night of Navy and Bordering Blue, gradually fading toward the horizon in order to give the illusion of moonlight reflecting from the surface of snow. Dazzling Diamonds add further shimmer to this relatively simple-to-create card. Plus, did you notice the Brushed Silver border? It’s the new Scallop Trim Border Punch which will be available for purchase January 5th! Don’t you just love it? I know that it is going to be one of my favorites!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

• Masks are not just for Halloween! The large Very Vanilla moon was created by punching a 1-3/4″ Circle from a sticky note. This was placed where I wanted the moon to be, and then the sponging began right over the top of it. When the sponging was complete, the mask was easily removed to reveal the moon.
• Dark to light, makes it right! In creating my sky, I began sponging with Night of Navy at the top of the card, switching to Bordering Blue about one-third of the way down. The color gradually fades away to just Very Vanilla card stock.
• Don’t be afraid of the water! After sponging color, dampen your sponge slightly and re-sponge. The result will be a subdued water-color effect.
• Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to perfectly place Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen!
• “Stamp off ” to create the illusion of depth. The “Grove of Trees” image from Lovely as a Tree was inked in Night of Navy, stamped off onto scratch paper, and then stamped onto the sponged paper. The foreground trees were stamped normally.
• Dazzling Diamonds add shimmer and shine! I apply mine with Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive for a quick “bling” fix. Brushed Silver card stock adds even more shine, and pairs perfectly with the Night of Navy card stock to create a “frosty” feel!

It’s hard to believe that we are less than three weeks from Christmas! If you are like me, your calendar is filled to the brim! However, I hope that you have time to play in the Pals Paper Arts challenge. There is still time to participate in last week’s inspiration challenge, while this Thursday the Pals will unveil a color challenge and Blog Candy!

If you have any questions about the technique used in today’s card, or if you have any questions in general, please don’t hesitate to email me. And, please leave a comment to let me know what you think of today’s card. Your comments and questions are important to me! Until next time…

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

Stamp Sets: Wandering Words (116507), Lovely as a Tree (115026); Ink: Night of Navy (102977), Bordering Blue (102265), Basic Black (101179); Paper: Night of Navy textured (108696—Rich Regals assorted), Brushed Silver (100712), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Sponges (101610), Tombow Adhesive (110755), Corner Rounder (109047), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402—SAB); 1-3/4″ Circle Punch (112004); Blitz and Bling: Dazzling Diamonds (102023)

It’s time for the Pals Paper Arts challenge! This week we are hosting an Inspiration Challenge featuring this sketch:

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
(Today’s card is all about the little Victorian inspired details.)

• The Stampin’ Up Finial Press Embossing Folder screams “Victorian”! Brushed Gold card stock, as well as Always Artichoke, were embossed with this folder. To bring out the texture, the Always Artichoke piece was brayered with Encore Gold ink. To prevent smearing, it was treated with the Heat Tool.
• Create your own Victorian sparkle with a super-shimmery snowflake! A piece of Stampin’ Up! White Vellum was coated with VersaMark ink. Next, Gold Embossing Powder was mixed with Gold Fine Galaxy Glitter, and sprinkled onto the vellum. After tapping to remove the excess, it was heated with the Heat Tool. The Jumbo Snowflake Punch was then used to punch out the snowflake. A Clear Rhinestone Brad affixes it to the card.
• More razzle-dazzle is achieved by coating Always Artichoke “Little Leaves” with VersaMark and sprinkling with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. Once again this is heated. The leaves are then snipped off with Paper Snips and attached to a second set of non-embossed leaves to add texture.
• The St. Nick image is inked with Basic Brown, stamped onto Very Vanilla and lightly tinted with Blender Pens and inks. The edges are distressed with Gold Encore ink, and then embossed with Iridescent Ice. Sections of the image were then torn off, and the edges were distressed with Chocolate Chip ink.
• Enhance the vintage feel with Glassy Glaze Enamel! It accentuates the tinting of the Good Cheer image and the crackling adds to the antique look! For a tutorial on how to create cracked glass Click Here.
• A snippet of Rose Red 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon completes the look!

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7!
Stamp Set: Good Cheer (115326); Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908), Encore Gold (101017), Creamy Caramel (103220), Close to Cocoa (103139), Rose Red (101778), Always Artichoke (105219), Whisper White (101731), Blush Blossom (102609), Pretty in Pink (101301), Bashful Blue (105209), VersaMark (102283); Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Always Artichoke (105119), Brushed Gold (102935), White Vellum (101839); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Finial Press Embossing Folder (115963), Stampin’ Up! Little Leaves Sizzlit (114511), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Heat Tool (100005), Brayer (102395), Sponge Dauber (102892), Blender Pens (102845); Glitz and Glam: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Rose Red 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (111366), Glassy Glaze Enamel (100477), Iridescent Ice Stampin’ Emboss Powder (101930), Fine Galaxy Stampin’ Glitter (114286), Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109129)