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…

Blushing at the Handsome Shadow


This week, the gals at Our Creative Corner are treating us to a color challenge: Handsome Hunter, Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow and Soft Suede. What a quartet to work with! Of course, one of the reasons that I love the OCC challenge is exactly this…they truly force me out of my comfort zone. So armed with card stock and designer paper, I set out to create a card utilizing these colors…a card that I have entitled: “Blushing at the Handsome Shadow over at the OCC“.
The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:
  • Stuck in the middle? Your focal image does not always need to be centered. With this card, I have offset it to the right to switch it up just a little.

  • Develop the theme! In this case, I focused on “Dots” and “Scallops”. A cohesive theme makes it possible to mix and match designer series papers without the end product looking too busy. In this case, we have “Polka Dot Soft Suede” from the Soft Suede Patterns Designer Series Papers paired with Dotted Sage Shadow from the Nouveau Chic collection.

  • Dots are further developed by paper piercing the Blush Blossom Scalloped Oval and the Blush Blossom Scallop Edge.

  • Don’t forget the special touches! The Soft Suede 1″ Circle, which is serving as the center of the Folded Flower, is enhanced by the addition of a Clear Button which has been threaded with a snippet of Blush Blossom card stock. The dotted side of Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon is the perfect compliment to the Soft Suede pattern paper.

  • Hellooo! Dare to be different! Who says that you have to stamp your sentiment on white or vanilla? Don’t you just love the look of the “Hello” sentiment from Pendant Park stamped in Soft Suede ink onto Blush Blossom card stock?
If you love challenges, don’t forget to visit the challenge that is nearest and dearest to my heart, the Pals Paper Arts challenge! Pal Margaret Moody has developed a wonderful sketch for you this week. Remember that not only are challenges fun, they also help us hone our craft!
Reminder:
If you live in the Southeast Iowa or Western Illinois area and would like to attend my Stampin‘ Up! Open House on Saturday, November 7th from 1:00 to 4:00, please email me today. Technique demonstrations will include watercoloring with blender pens, using the Color Spritzer, and constructing a pillowbox basket. You will create two holiday cards using the Delightful Decorations and Patterned Pines stamp sets. In addition, we will construct a third card in under ten minutes using the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder and Jumbo Snowflake Punch! All attendees will receive a free gift and light refreshments will be served. And, if you book a workshop with me that day, you will also receive a surprise from the “Book to Look” bucket!
I had a great time creating today’s card. I hope that in some way I may have inspired you to sneak outside your own comfort zone and that you have benefited from my Stampin‘ Schach Tips. As always, I love your comments, so please say “hello” before you leave. And remember, if you ever have any questions about any card I create or techniques that I have used, please feel free to email me. Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Set: Pendant Park (115456), Ink: Soft Suede (115657); Designer Series Paper: Nouveau Chic (115671), Soft Suede Patterns (115688); Card Stock: Blush Blossom (103318), Soft Suede (115318), Handsome Hunter (105122), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Small Oval Punch (107304), Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Paper Piercer (116631), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Big Shot (113439), Folded Flower Bigz XL Die (115970), Stampin Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683); Embellishments: Clear Buttons (105447), Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115612)

There’s “Snow Buddies” Like My Buddies at the PPA

Whee! It’s Pals Paper Arts challenge day! This week we have a wonderful sketch challenge featuring the design work of talented Pal, Margaret Moody. I loved this sketch as it allowed me to showcase the Snow Buddies Hostess Level 2 stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Since I can hardly wait to use this sketch again, I am sure that you will be seeing it here at the Stampin‘ Schach in the near future!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

  • Snips and Tips! Paper Snips are a must-have for any papercrafter! The Stampin‘ Up! snips are sharp to the very tippy-tip, making them perfect for cutting into tight spaces and around snowmen noses!

  • Don’t be embarrassed about embossing! I do it all the time. The Taken with Teal circle, cut with the Circle Scissors Plus, was just too “teal” until snow flurries softened it. And all it took to create these flakes was a little VersaMark, White Embossing Powder, and a Heat Tool!

  • Daubers to the rescue! I further softened the Taken with Teal circle by using a Sponge Dauber and Whisper White Craft Ink. Depth and definition were given to the Scallop Circle snow drifts with a smidge of Going Gray ink added with a…Sponge Dauber! I use them on almost every card!

  • Look for thematic elements! In this case, the central circle in the layout set the theme. I elected to use the “Circles” pattern from the Holiday Lounge Designer Series Paper collection, the Scallop Circle Punch, and the Scallop Edge Punch because of the circles. Even the roly-poly Snow Buddies repeat the circular theme!

  • Grateful for the Greetings! Just because it’s there doesn’t mean you have to ink it up! I wanted just a large plain “Greetings” sentiment. Since I didn’t have one, I inked up only the “Greetings” portion of the “Grateful Greetings” sentiment from the stamp set of the same name.

I loved creating this card for you, and I hope that it serves as an inspiration as you create your card for this week’s PPA challenge. So scoot on over to the PPA and see what my fellow Design Team members have created for you. After all, there’s “Snow Buddies” like my buddies over at the PPA! But wait…don’t forget to leave a comment before you head out! You know how much I appreciate your input and your questions! Until next time…

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

Stamp Set: Snow Buddies (116505—Hostess Level 2 Holiday Mini), Grateful Greetings (116511); Inks and Markers: Jet Black StazOn (101406), VersaMark (102283), Whisper White Craft (101731), Going Gray (103274), Dusty Durango and Rich Razzleberry Stampin‘ Write Markers (116329—In-Colors Assorted), Basic Black Stampin‘ Write Marker (100082), Ruby Red Stampin‘ Write Marker (100075); Designer Series Paper: Holiday Lounge (115676); Card Stock: Sahara Sand (105328), Taken with Teal (101584), Ruby Red (102030), Whisper White (100730); Tools: Scallop Circle Punch (109043), Scallop Border Punch (112091), Modern Label Punch (107590), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531); Heat Tool (100005), Sponge Dauber (102892); Embellishments: Tempting Turquoise 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109038), White Stampin‘ Emboss Powder (109132)