As hard as it may be to believe, I have never participated in a Splitcoast color challenge. However, I could not pass up today’s challenge to use Pretty in Pink, Going Gray, and Sage Shadow. As is the case with many of you, time is a precious commodity. And because I brought home a briefcase full of papers to grade, it was even more precious this evening. So I “CASED” one of my own cards, Trio of Ornaments. Of course, I switched out a few things in addition to the colors! Of note is the embossed background and the lack of ribbon. When it was all said and done, this color palette reminded me of the late 1950’s with gray skirts and pink poodles! It is certainly a non-traditional choice of colors for Christmas, but you know what…it is refreshing for a change!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

• “Oh it don’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that bling!” Holiday cards are the perfect choice for glittering, embossing and rhinestones. If time is of the essence, it does not get any quicker than adding rhinestone brads, such as the Circle Ice Brads and Clear Rhinestone Brads on this card.
• Texture, texture, texture! The Petals-a-Plenty background was actually added after I had already matted Very Vanilla onto Going Gray and Sage Shadow. After laying the ornaments onto the “plain” Very Vanilla, it was just…too plain! So in a matter of minutes, I had zipped a second piece of Very Vanilla through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder. In this case, it was a much better choice. Think of it like ice cream…why settle for plain vanilla?
• “Three is not a crowd” when it comes to designing. Odd numbers are often a good choice to balance a design. Here we have three ornaments, three brads, three layers to the matting, and three focal colors. Think “odd”, not even!

• Over 50 6″ x 6″ sheets of retired Stampin‘ Up designer series paper
• 10 yards of Certainly Celery ribbon from the 2009 Sale-a-bration Ribbon Bundle
• An unmounted “Yummy” stamp set
• Four brads from the retired Soho collection
• Sixteen corduroy brads in “Grasshopper” and “Tink Pink” (non-SU!)

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations (116517—Holiday Mini)
Inks: Sage Shadow (102532), Pretty in Pink (101301), Going Gray (103274)
Card Stock: Going Gray textured (108693—Neutrals assorted), Pretty in Pink (100459), Sage Shadow (101563), Very Vanilla (100730)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Ornament Punch (116794), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824—Holiday Mini), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Eyelet Border Punch (113692)
Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Circle Ice Brads (109111)

After a series of rather time intensive cards, I decided that it was time for another Simply Schach creation…this time with a masculine theme suitable for a teen boy! Masculine cards are always tough to create, at least for me, but the Night and Day Designer Series Paper from the Holiday Mini can make it a little easier! However, I still could not resist a touch of bling and a snippet of ribbon. This particular card will be rockin’ its way to Western Illinois University and into the mailbox of Brady Schach. In keeping with my blog candy theme of “Celebrate with Me”, we are celebrating Brady’s featured trumpet solo with WIU’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble this past weekend!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:

• Details are always a critical aspect of any card’s design. A card can be simple to create but still have those special little somethings. In this case, rounded corners and three strategically placed black brads do the trick!
• Want an even more masculine card? Instead of ribbon, substitute a paper strip to hide the interface between the two patterns.
• Afraid to bling? Replace the Red Circle Fire Brad with a black brad.
• The actual design process itself often takes the most time in creating your cards. When in a pinch for time, select coordinating patterns from the same Designer Series Paper collection, and read the fine print to find out what colors coordinate with it. The end result will look professional and put together!
• When I design a card, I consider my purpose for making the card and who will be the recipient. Black and white cards almost always convey a more formal look. That was not the “personality” that I wanted for this card, so by selecting a stamp set with a playful font, it suddenly became less stuffy, and suitable for a young man!

• Over 50 6″ x 6″ sheets of retired Stampin‘ Up designer series paper
• 10 yards of Certainly Celery ribbon from the 2009 Sale-a-bration Ribbon Bundle
• An unmounted “Yummy” stamp set
• Four brads from the retired Soho collection
• Sixteen corduroy brads in “Grasshopper” and “Tink Pink” (non-SU!)

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

Stamp Sets: FYI (114365), Friends Rock (113816)
Inks: Basic Black (101179)
Designer Series Paper: Night and Day (116768—Holiday Mini)
Card Stock: Basic Gray textured (108693—Holiday Mini), Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (102851)
Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (109047)
Embellishments: Vintage Brads (109109), Circle Fire Brads (109110), Basic Black ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon (115605)

Hooray! It’s Blog Candy time here at The Stampin‘ Schach, and I am inviting you to play a little game entitled….Celebrate with Me! I will randomly select a winner from all comments left on my blog between now and 6:00 PM CST on Friday, October 2nd. On Saturday, I will announce the winner. If you are selected, all you will need to do is email me your address. How easy is that? You just need to leave a comment on one of my posts, and you could win the following:

• Over 50 6″ x 6″ sheets of retired Stampin‘ Up designer series paper
• 10 yards of Certainly Celery ribbon from the 2009 Sale-a-bration Ribbon Bundle
• An unmounted “Yummy” stamp set
• Four brads from the retired Soho collection
• Sixteen corduroy brads in “Grasshopper” and “Tink Pink” (non-SU!)

What am I celebrating, you ask? I have so many things to celebrate, but today I am celebrating YOU, my readers, who faithfully visit The Stampin‘ Schach and leave their words of encouragement. So…leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this candy, and what you have to celebrate!

• Place your $75 on-line order with me by 11:59 CST September 30th, and receive the Petals-A-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder absolutely free! The product total must be $75 or more excluding shipping and sales tax. (Available US only.)
• Next Email Me your shipping address.
• Your free Petals-a-Plenty folder will arrive separately from your order in mid-October, in plenty of time to create your holiday cards!
• Place an order of $150 or more, and receive a second Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for free. Choose from the following: Elegant Bouquet, Finial Press, and Manhattan Flower. (The same restrictions apply.)

Need a Holiday Mini catalog? Just send me your name and address and I will get yours in the mail the next business day!

Until next time…