Missing in Action and Still Time to Play at PPA

Doesn’t this blog candy look delicious? It is being offered to one lucky participate during the Pals Paper Arts “In the Pink” challenge. A winner will be selected randomly from all who participate and link correctly to this challenge. But hurry…Mr. Linky will close Tuesday at 12:00 Noon CST!

And don’t worry if you do not hear from me for a few days. It is Parent-Teacher Conference time at my school, and I will be putting in twelve hour days in order to meet and confer with parents. Communication is a very important part of my job, and I look forward to this opportunity to have positive discussions with parents. However, these long hours will take their toll on my card making, I fear! But, I will be back with my Pals Paper Arts inspiration card bright and early on Thursday morning! And I do get Friday off! Until next time…

Vintage Christmas Punch at OCC


I love Saturdays! Why? Because it marks another Our Creative Corner challenge! This week, the OCC gals are challenging us to create a card or project using something vintage or vintage inspired. The “Santa Stamp” from Christmas Punch was my choice for the day, especially since it could be used for the excellent sketch challenge at Penny’s Challenges. Featuring the “Cracked Glass” technique, the little stamps were matted onto Petals-a-Plenty embossed Very Vanilla card stock and distressed. The Designer Series Paper, from the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin’ collection, and the sentiment, from Grateful Greetings, are both reminiscent of a by-gone era. Here are my tips for creating “Vintage Christmas Punch”!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

Don’t be afraid to try a new technique! Cracked Glass is easier than you might think. Just follow these steps:

Simply stamp your image onto card stock. I distressed the edges of my images with a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink.

Using a Brayer, apply VersaMark ink to the image. Sprinkle with Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder.

Tap off the excess, and heat with a Heat Tool until the powder melts. Up to four layers of Glassy Glaze can be applied. To apply the extra layers, on small images like this stamp, more powder can sprinkled on while hot. For larger images, simply cool, add more VersaMark, and repeat the heating process.

Place the embossed image into the freezer and allow to cool completely. This will only take a few minutes! You are then ready to crack the image.

To emphasize the crackling, distress with a sponge dauber and ink.

There…wasn’t that easy? Remember, if you ever have any questions about the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! And I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that I will be offering technique classes beginning in February. If you are in the Southeast Iowa or West-Central Illinois area, I would be happy to have you join me! I already have one section filled, so if you are interested in reserving a spot, please email me with your interest. More details will be released after the first of the year!

Important Reminders:

The next Pals Holiday Blog Hop is quickly approaching! Mark your calendar for November 10th, when the focus will be on Fall and Halloween! And don’t forget to participate in the Pals Paper Arts “In the Pink” challenge and huge Blog Candy giveaway! One lucky participant will be randomly selected to receive over $100 worth of Stampin‘ Up! products!

Won’t you please leave a comment for me today? I really do appreciate them. And as always, if you ever have any questions about my cards, please do not hesitate to email me. Until next time…

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

Stamp set: Christmas Punch ( 115366—Hostess Level 2); Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908), VersaMark (102283), Old Olive (102272), Real Red (103133); Designer Series Paper and Card Stock: Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin’ kit (115696), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (116824—Holiday Mini), Heat Tool (100005), Color Spritzer (107066), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker (100071), Glassy Glaze Enamel Stampin’ Emboss Powder (100477), Designer Label Punch (107590), Brayer (102395), Sponge Daubers (102845); Embellishments: Old Olive 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109054)

Professionally Printed Digital Dasher

My professionally printed My Digital Studio “Dasher Card” arrived in the mail today. I had been looking forward to its arrival, so it was with anticipation that I eagerly zipped open the envelope and pulled it from its safe haven. There it was, pristine and beautiful! Since I wanted to share it with my husband, I placed it back into the cardboard shipping envelope. Awaiting his arrival from work, I placed the envelope on top of an accent table in my living room and went about my usual “I-am-home-from-work” routine. And what happened next was like a scene from a horror movie…

While the prim and proper school teacher was checking her email, oblivious to what was happening, danger lurked in the next room. Moving stealthily on four paws, butt wiggling in anticipation of the kill, lurked…Missy the Boxer! Up to the table she crept, and with great speedy-speed, she snatched the envelope…and what ensued became a game of cat and mouse. (Or should I say a game of “mom” and dog?) A carob chip doggie cookie and five minutes later, the envelope was back safely in my hands, with a few tooth dents and a bent side. But in true mother fashion, I simply ironed it! It’s a little worse for the wear, but not too bad. As for Missy, she was playing one of her favorite games…”Hide the Treat”. In this game, I hide a treat in an empty box, and she tears it open. I guess in her Boxer mind, the cardboard envelope was a box!
What you are viewing today is a digitally created Dasher card which was professionally printed through the Stampin’ Up! sanctioned print services. Boy was that ever easy! Just a couple of clicks, and it was uploaded and paid for! For comparison purposes, here is the digital card, sans bending and toothmarks:

I know that this is a “busy” card, but I wanted to show off a variety of techniques. I added ribbon, a bow, a matted text box, a snowflake punch and a brad. While the bottom of the card uses Designer Series Paper, the top of the card is card stock which I “stamped” with snowflakes. If I want to “hybridize” this card, I can easily add a Real Red brad! How cool would that be?

I hope that you enjoyed your journey into “Digital Card Land”. It was fun to play with layouts and colors while conserving my resources. And if you do not have your copy of My Digital Studio, there is still time to take advantage of my MDS special. I am offering an exclusive Stampin’ Schach offer for customers who purchase My Digital Studio through me. Once I receive notification of your My Digital Studio purchase, I will send you a Stampin’ Schach Gift Certificate in the amount of $20 to use on a future purchase from The Stampin’ Schach. (Gift certificate must be redeemed by December 30th and is redeemable only through Ann Schach-The Stampin’ Schach. Redemption details will be included with your gift certificate.) Click Here to order My Digital Studio (118108—$79.95). But hurry, this offer expires Midnight, October 31st (Central Time)!

So, let me know what you think of today’s Digital Dancer! You know that I really appreciate your comments. They help me improve my card making. And remember, I am always willing to answer your questions about any card I make or technique that I use! Until next time…