If you enjoyed the Halloween Hop last month, you will not want to miss the Thanksgiving and Fall Hop on Tuesday, November 10 as my Pals and I showcase all that Stampin’ Up! has to offer—rubber stamps, designer paper, embellishments, and so much more.

And make sure to “Save the Date” on your calendar for our next hop. You won’t want to miss the creations we have to share as we focus on Christmas and Winter on December 1, 2009! So tune in to Tuesday!

For your advanced planning, the line-up is featured below!

Holiday Hopper Line-Up

1. Kris Kilcoyne (Kween Bee Kreations)
2. Carla Bazhenow(Carla’s Scraps)
3. Linda Callahan (Stampin‘ Seasons)
4. Melanie Collins(Oops a Daisy)
5. Mary Fish(Stampin‘ Pretty)
6. Tricia Gillam(Soul Stamper)
7. Jill Gregory(Stamping Heart)
8. Liz Hughes(DIY Paper Creations)
9. Kim Lampone (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
10. Kalshelia Lloyd (Stampin‘ Fabulousity)
11. Regina Mangum (The Stampin‘ Bean)
12. Margaret Moody(Margaret Moody)
13. Debbie Pierce(Stampin‘ Sunshine)
14. Ann Schach (The Stampin‘ Schach)
15. Gina Shaw (Cards by Gina)
16. Lourdes Torres (Cozy Crafty Corner)

I am still trying to catch up from a busy week last week. However, I am so looking forward to the Hop and to Thursday’s Pals Paper Arts challenge! And there is still time to participate in last week’s color challenge. But don’t hesitate…Mr. Linky closes at Noon CST Tuesday. Until next time…

Rising Star Judy Garza Visits The Stampin’ Schach

This afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting one of Stampin‘ Up!s Rising Stars, Judy Garza! Judy came all of the way from Victoria, Texas to attend The Stampin‘ Schach Open House. Afterwards, she was going to visit relatives in Cedar Rapids, which is about two hours away from me…Or maybe she flew in from Texas to visit relatives in Iowa, and decided to take a busman’s holiday by stopping by the Open House! OK…OK! She really didn’t come all the way from Texas just to see me. However, after reading about the Open House, she did email me to find out how far out of the way I would be. Thank goodness she didn’t think two hours was too far! What a wonderful and talented stamper! Judy shared the beautiful cards from her “Autumn Days” class! They were absolutely gorgeous! I would sign up for one of her classes in a heartbeat! Thank you, Judy, for stopping by and spending a few hours with us! We will definitely meet up again at Convention 2010!

Get Ready for Holiday Hop Part Two!

I wish that you could have seen the trees in my yard this past week. You can just catch a glimpse of the color in the picture above. Is it any wonder that Autumn Splendor is one of my favorite sets? In fact, I will be featuring a new Autumn Splendor card Tuesday as we embark on Part Two of the Pretty Pals Holiday Blog Hop. I can hardly wait to share this latest card with you. So get ready to start hoppin‘! For your advanced planning, the line-up is featured below!

Holiday Hopper Line-Up

1. Kris Kilcoyne (Kween Bee Kreations)
2. Carla Bazhenow(Carla’s Scraps)
3. Linda Callahan (Stampin‘ Seasons)
4. Melanie Collins(Oops a Daisy)
5. Mary Fish(Stampin‘ Pretty)
6. Tricia Gillam(Soul Stamper)
7. Jill Gregory(Stamping Heart)
8. Liz Hughes(DIY Paper Creations)
9. Kim Lampone (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
10. Kalshelia Lloyd (Stampin‘ Fabulousity)
11. Regina Mangum (The Stampin‘ Bean)
12. Margaret Moody(Margaret Moody)
13. Debbie Pierce(Stampin‘ Sunshine)
14. Ann Schach (The Stampin‘ Schach)
15. Gina Shaw (Cards by Gina)
16. Lourdes Torres (Cozy Crafty Corner)

Parent-Teacher Conferences certainly put me behind in my stamping! However, next week should prove fantastic…with the Hop and another PPA challenge on Thursday! Until next time…

Basic Teal Ruby at the PPA


It’s time for another Pals Paper Arts challenge! Everyone knows that I love this challenge, not just because I am on the Design Team, but because of the variety it offers. This week just happens to be a Color Challenge featuring Taken with Teal, Ruby Red and Basic Gray! Have fun with this combination, and let your creativity run wild! Remember that the PPA challenge is open to everyone, regardless of the products that you use!


The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

  • Be a “hot shot” with your Big Shot! I couldn’t live without mine! For this card, I’ve texturized using the “Quilted” Perfect Details Texturz Plate and I’ve zipped the Top Note die through with Ruby Red card stock. And if that wasn’t enough, I zipped and texturized Very Vanilla! Whew! But wait…there’s more! I zipped a piece of Taken with Teal card stock through with the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die (which is just the perfect size for a three inch circle!)

  • Punch it up! Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of punches! One of my favorite combos is to layer the Designer Label and Modern Label punches. And unlike fast food combos…this one is calorie free!

  • “Ice, Ice Baby”! The smaller Square Ice Turquoise Brad mirrors the larger Square Ice Turquoise Brad and visually ties the sentiment to the image. The angularity of the square brads compliments the “arms” of the Serene Snowflake, adding cohesiveness to the design.

  • Pay attention to details! Soften edges with a Sponge Dauber and Basic Gray ink! Paper pierce the scallops! Add a snippet of Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon! Pop up elements on Stampin’ Dimensionals! All of these details add so much, and will elevate even the most mundane card to marvelous!
I hope that you enjoyed today’s card and tips! I know that I found these colors to be a tad tricky…but isn’t that the purpose of a challenge? I will be anxious to see what you create this week. And, thanks to all of you who participated in last week’s “Think Pink” challenge. It was heartwarming to see us all united in honoring all who have been affected by breast cancer. So, leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this “Basic Teal Ruby” card, and then hop on over to the PPA and few what my fellow Design Team members have created for your inspiration! You will not be disappointed! Until next time…

Stamp Set: Serene Snowflakes (115438—Holiday Mini), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370); Inks: Basic Gray (109120), Taken with Teal Stampin’ Write Marker (100068), Real Ruby Stampin’ Write Marker (100075), Blender Pens (102845); Card Stock: Basic Gray textured (108693—Neutrals assorted), Ruby Red textured (108697—Earth Elements assorted), Taken with Teal textured (108696—Rich Regals assorted), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Perfect Details Texturz Plate (115962), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Top Note Die (113463), Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die (113469), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Modern Label Punch (116630), Designer Label Punch (107590), 1/2″ Circle Punch (104390), Sponge Dauber (102892), Paper Piercer (116631), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049); Embellishments: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon (109064), Square Ice Brads (109113)