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)

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)