Boxes, Baskets and Bags, Oh My

It’s Pals Paper Arts day! This week our challenge is “Anything But a Card”. Since one of my goals this year is to “be prepared” for the holiday season, I am getting a head start on preparing some gift packaging options. Of course, packaging those special little gifts is as easy as one-two-three with the Big Shot and a collection of Bigz dies. The basket was prepared using the Pillowbox die, the rectangular box is the Box #2 die, and the gift bag is none other than the Stampin‘ Up! Fancy Favor Bigz XL die! Whisper White card stock was quickly zipped through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder and adhered to Old Olive textured card stock. Jumbo Snowflakes, punched out in my favorite non-traditional holiday colors of Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Taken with Teal, were attached with a single Clear Rhinestone Brad. This trio is just the perfect size for Santa to package gift cards, jewelry, or the keys to a new car! (Hey…It never hurts to dream!)

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

  • “KISS” it! In other words, Keep It Simple, Sweetie! With so much texture, embellishments for these packages do not need to be elaborate. A simple snowflake and brad look elegant and classy, but not overly done.

  • It’s all in the details! Why settle for a plain handle on your pillowbox basket when an embossed handle adds so much more?

  • Think outside the box…or in this case, bag! Adding a wide embossed handle to the Fancy Favor bag is just the “Wow” factor this little gem needed. And speaking of gems, a large Clear Rhinestone Brad is the perfect “bling” and serves as a closure.
I love making boxes and bags using the Big Shot. The pillowbox basket is one of my favorites! Splitcoast featured the basket a few weeks ago, and I made the Halloween version based on their design. To view the tutorial on how to make your own Pillowbox Basket Click Here

. Trust me…it’s quick and easy!

And don’t forget that on October 29th, Pals Paper Arts will be hosting a special challenge in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. We will be offering a huge PINK prize package to one lucky participant. Think PINK!

Are you ready to see what the other Pals Paper Arts Design Team members have created for you? I know that you will not be disappointed! But before you say good-by, you know how much I love your comments and questions! They are among my favorite things, along with chocolate, puppies, and crisp fall days! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7!
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Old Olive textured (108697…Earth Elements assorted), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Taken with Teal (101584); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Extended Cutting Pad (113478), Pillow Box Bigz Die (113466), Stampin Up! Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die (115965), Box #2 Bigz XL Die (114518), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824—Holiday Mini); Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144)

Cherish Digital Scrapbook Page

You know, a girl could get spoiled mighty quickly with My Digital Studio. Tonight I created three scrapbook pages and a holiday card in far less time than it would have taken me to create a card the “old-fashioned” way! What I decided to share with you was a layout which I created instead of a “Designer Page”. I wanted to create a page which was masculine, and one in which the elements did not detract from the picture or the journaling. There are things that I would like to change to see if I like the results any better, such as moving the “Baroque Flourish” to the front of the picture. And I certainly can. However, I spent so much time having fun with my new “toy”, that time got away from me. I will make my changes tomorrow evening, but right now two dozen lab reports are calling my name! It’s going to be a late night at The Stampin’ Schach!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

  • Don’t overlook the journaling! Every picture has a story to tell. In this case, I wanted to convey the love between a young man and his dog.
  • Experimentation isn’t just confined to the lab! With My Digital Studio, you can change colors and add elements to your heart’s content! I started out with a Really Rust mat, and once had flowers, buttons and bows adorning my layout. There was a flourish here, and a flourish there. Talk about over-done! But as easy as it was to add these elements, it was just as easy to remove them. Which brings us to our final tip…
  • Less can be more!

What am I planning on changing with this layout? I plan on moving my flourish to the front and changing the journaling font. I had originally selected a font which coordinated with the “Cherish” sentiment. However, it did not show up well on the blog, so I switched to the current font. Tomorrow I will convert it back. I love the fact that I can experiment without using up my resources. In the case of cards, how wonderful it is to be able to try out an embellishment or a color combination before committing it to paper! To watch a quick video about My Digital Studio, please Click Here!

The Stampin’ Schach Offer:

Don’t forget my Stampin’ Schach offer. I am impressed with My Digital Studio, and I want you to have the chance to enjoy it, too. NOW through October 30th, 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 $15.00 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) now!

If you have any questions about My Digital Studio, please do not hesitate to email me. And please let me know what you think about today’s digital scrapbook page. I really do appreciate your feedback. And if you are in the Southeast Iowa or Western Illinois area, don’t forget my Fall Open House November 7th. Space is limited, so reservations are necessary. Email me today to reserve your spot. Until next time…

Young Man with a Horn MDS Page

Welcome to my first attempt at using My Digital Studio! Scrapbooking has always been a passion of mine…I have the albums to prove it! My son hated it when he would bring his friends over, and out came the scrapbooks. More than once, his girlfriends and I would end up “scrapping” and watching a “chick flick”. Through the years I have created some fantastic layouts. I would spend many hours (and lots of money) in my quest to create the perfect pages. Therefore, when Stampin’ Up! announced the development and release of My Digital Studio, I must say I was quite skeptical. However, curiosity got the best of me. Like the good little Stampin’ Up! demonstrator I am, I purchased a copy as soon as it became available to purchase. I have no idea why it has taken me this long to begin playing with it. If I only knew a month ago what I know now, I would have torn into the wrappings quicker than…quicker than…well, as quickly as a lady of my age physically can!

The layout which you are viewing is a pre-designed layout. When I saw the colors, I knew that this was the one. All I had to do was just add the picture! Does it get any easier? I also created three other layouts, which I designed myself. However, I just loved the look of this picture of Brady, taken during the fall of 2007. He was warming up for a marching band competition, and my Canon and I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
  • Great layouts begin with great pictures! No matter how hard you try, it is difficult to get the look you want if the quality of the picture is lacking.
  • Let the colors of your photograph guide you in the selection of your layout colors.
  • And if you prefer the look of dimension on your paper, all elements in My Digital Studio are true to size. If I wanted to, I could add the button and brad after printing!

The Stampin’ Schach Special Offer!

I am impressed with My Digital Studio. It truly is easy to use! And, Stampin’ Up! is committed to educating both demonstrators and customers in its use. To watch a quick video about My Digital Studio, please Click Here!

I am so sure that you will love it that I am offering a limited time offer. NOW through October 30th, 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 $15.00 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) now!

Important Pals Paper Arts Announcement

Want to be in the PINK? In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pals Paper Arts will be hosting a special challenge on October 29th. Will you be the winner of a very special PINK prize package? I will be releasing more details in the upcoming days! And if you have yet to participate in this week’s challenge, there is still plenty of time.

I am anxious to hear what you think about my first ever digital creation. You know how I love your comments. And if you want the straight scoop about My Digital Studio, don’t hesitate to email me. Until next time…