Bravo and Good Cheer


It’s challenge time again at Scrapmaster’s Paradise Color Combos! You know me…I am a pushover for a fun challenge, and the SPCC challenge is becoming a favorite of mine. This week the challenge was to use Bravo Burgundy, Ruby Red, and Creamy Caramel.

I must say that this was truly a challenge for me, especially in incorporating the Bravo Burgundy and Ruby Red. Plus, I really wanted to use my Good Cheer stamp set. However, part of the fun of a challenge is actually being challenged and moving outside of your comfort zone. So armed with card stock and my Circle Scissors Plus, I set out to conquer my Burgundy-Red-Caramel fears!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

  • Is your Circle Scissors Plus giving you the “slip”? When using the Circle Scissors Plus, I always add a “smidge” of SNAIL to the paper I am cutting in order to keep it from slipping! And using your Circle Scissors Plus is one time when you don’t want to sit down on the job.

  • Encore! Encore! A little gold Encore pops embossing right off of the page. And don’t forget to heat treat it in order to set the color!

  • Stick with a theme! What was I thinking? Victorian, of course! The Good Cheer “St. Nick” is so Victorian. That is why I opted to use the Finial Press embossing folder as opposed to my old stand-by, Petals-a-Plenty. Finial Press is delightfully “country Victorian”, and the perfect choice for this Santa from a by-gone era.

  • Draw the eye to the image! Focusing on a specific section of the line art brings the attention right where you want it. In this case, the darker and more intense tinting of the holly wreath on St. Nick’s head draws the eye right to the focal point of this card.
I would like to thank the ladies at Scrapmaster’s Paradise Color Combo Challenge for another great challenge, and I especially want to thank them for selecting my “Really Rusty Crushed Artichoke” card as a Top Five contender this past week. I am truly honored! And speaking of great challenges, don’t forget the Pals Paper Arts’ Breast Cancer Awareness “Pink Challenge and Pink Prize Package Giveaway” on Thursday, October 29th. The Design Team has collected a fantastic array of PINK Stampin’ Up! products that will be awarded to one lucky participant in PPA14. Uploading of projects can begin on Thursday!
Important Information about The Stampin’ Schach Open House
Don’t forget the Open House on November 7th from 1:00 to 4:00! If you are in the Southeast Iowa or Western Illinois area, this is your opportunity to drop in and say “Hi!”. There will be demonstrations, Make and Takes, free gifts for everyone and a drawing for a door prize! Please email me for more details.
Have your ordered your My Digital Studio yet? Remember my special…a $20 gift certificate redeemable through The Stampin’ Schach with your purchase of MDS through me! Click Here to view one of my favorite My Digital Studio scrapbook page.
I hope that you enjoyed my card today. I am not kidding when I say that it did indeed present a challenge. And as always, I love to read your comments. Plus, if you ever have any questions about the products that I use or the cards that I create, I am just an email away! Until next time…

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

Stamp Set: Good Cheer (115326); Inks: Basic Brown (104302), Watercolor Pencils (101879), Blender Pens (102845), Bordering Blue (102265), Encore Gold (101017); Card Stock: Creamy Caramel (103220), Bravo Burgundy (105214), Ruby Red (102259), Very Vanilla (101650); Designer Series Paper: Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper III (116234—Hostess Level 1); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Finial Press Embossing Folder (115963), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531); Embellishments: Very Vanilla 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109055), Bravo Burgundy 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109053), Jumbo Eyelets (108431—Antique Brass)

Special Pals Paper Arts Challenge


October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in recognition of this, the Pals Paper Arts design team is sponsoring a special “In the Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge: Simply upload your PINK card or project on the Pals Paper Arts website beginning Thursday, October 29. Participants in the PPA Challenge (PPA14) will have a chance at winning a fabulous collection of pink Stampin’ Up! products. It is perfectly OK to start your pink projects now. However, do not begin uploading to the PPA site until Thursday, our regular challenge day.

Breast cancer has personally touched several of us on the PPA Design Team. Pal Kris Kilcoyne’s mother is currently battling the disease and one of my very close teaching friends is a breast cancer survivor. This summer, I had my own breast cancer scare as my annual mammogram revealed a suspicious area. I was called and told that I needed to come in for more pictures, which is really not that uncommon. However, my grandmother was a breast cancer victim, so the fear that I will be diagnosed with it is always lurking in the back of my mind. My family breathed a collective sigh of relief when the second mammogram was clear. I cannot stress the importance of monthly self-checks and screenings.

So, get those cards ready for Thursday! I know that my card is ready and waiting. It is with love that I will be dedicating it to not only to the memory of my grandmother, but to all who have been affected by breast cancer…

{A special “hello” to the Washington gals: I really enjoyed meeting you Sunday! I am so looking forward to seeing you again when technique classes begin after the first of the year! Remember, I am only an email away if you have any questions or if you need to order more Stampin’ Up!}

And in case you have wondered “Where are the cards?”, it’s the end of first quarter! I have dealt with grading tests and calculating grades! But things will be returning to normal as second quarter begins. I am so looking forward to creating and sharing with you! Until next time…

Really Rusty Crushed Artichoke


I have discovered a “new-to-me” color challenge…Scrapmaster’s Paradise Color Combo Challenge. This week a trio of colors were featured: Really Rust, Crushed Curry, and Always Artichoke. Since these colors just cry out “Fall”, the Autumn Splendor stamp set seemed the perfect choice to select. Of course, Sponge Daubers and my trusty Linen Thread completed the distressed effect I wanted to achieve. How about joining me in some “Really Rusty Crushed Artichoke”?

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
  • Feel the warmth! Texture and warm colors are made for each other. With the Big Shot, you can achieve texture in the blink of an eye. The Finial Press Embossing Folder and Always Artichoke card stock were the perfect pair, as were Really Rust and the Distressed Texturz Plate. The result is a fabulously embossed card base and accent layer.

  • In distress? SOS (Spritz or Sponge)! An Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Marker and the Color Spritzer Tool soften the Very Vanilla backgrounds, as does Soft Suede ink and a Sponge Dauber.

  • Delightfully different! Linen Thread is used to create the cross-stitching and the blanket-style stitch that grace the horizontal mat. Of course, the Paper Piercer and Template are a must for evenly spacing the holes.

  • Sometimes it’s hip to be square, but it doesn’t hurt to be well-rounded either! Opposite corner treatments provide visual impact for the image mat. The Corner Rounder and Ticket Corner Punch mix it up. Two Vintage Brads and Hemp Twine complete the embellishments.

  • Blender Pens dabbed in inks can be used to quickly color in the Autumn Splendor “Oak Leaf”. The resulting hues are soft and a striking contrast against the deeply embossed card base.
Challenges are always inspirational to me, and allow me to jump start my creativity. If you are in the mood for a color challenge, I would encourage you to visit the Scrapmaster color challenge site. And, if you have not played at the Pals Paper Arts yet this week, we are hosting an “Anything But a Card” challenge. I have really enjoyed viewing all of your creative projects so far, and look forward to seeing many more! Speaking of looking forward, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the PPA will be offering a huge PINK prize package on October 29th. This is a phenomenal collection of pink and inspirational Stampin’ Up! items provided by the PPA Design Team members. You will not be disappointed! Think Pink!
And remember, I am offering a $20 gift certificate redeemable through The Stampin’ Schach with your purchase of My Digital Studio. Click Here for more details.
I appreciate your patience this week as I attended to end-of-the-quarter paper grading and grade calculations. It’s hard to believe that the school year is already 1/4 over! Second quarter will just fly by as we celebrate Thanksgiving and the holiday season! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you thought about today’s card. Of course, I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading them. And don’t hesitate to email me with any questions that you might have about any of the techniques or products that I have used. Until next time…
Stamp Sets: Autumn Splendor (116503), Grateful Greetings (116511—Holiday Mini); Inks: Really Rust (102549), Crushed Curry (115659), Always Artichoke (105219), Chocolate Chip (100908), Basic Brown (104315), Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Marker (105113); Designer Series Paper: Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper III (116234—Hostess Level I; Card Stock: Always Artichoke (105119), Crushed Curry textured (115538—In-Color assorted), Really Rust textured (108697—Earth Elements assorted); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Finial Press Embossing Folder (115963), Distressed Texturz Plate—Texturz Plate Kit #4 (114531), Corner Rounder (109047), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Large Oval Punch (107305), Paper Piercer (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Blender Pens (102845), Sponge Dauber (102892); Embellishments: Linen Thread (104199), Hemp Twine (100982); Vintage Brads (109109)