Mojo Gifts


Mondays mean that it is time for the Mojo Monday challenge. Strangely enough, I was able to get my sketch done…of all things…on Monday! Since it was a school night, and time was at a premium, I headed straight to a couple of tried and true friends…Gifts of the Earth and Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper. With my Big Shot to my left, and my Circle Scissors Plus to my right, I dove head-long into card making.
The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
  • When time is of the essence, don’t hesitate to reach for tried and true friends. In this case, I relied upon Always Artichoke, More Mustard and Really Rust to work magic with their earthy hues. What better choice for a stamp set entitled “Gifts of the Earth”?
  • Embellishments do not always have to be flashy! Vintage Brads and Linen Thread serve their purpose as well as Circle Fire Brads and grosgrain ribbon!
  • Texture adds depth and richness! I would find it difficult to design if I did not have my collection of Texturz Plates. The “Distressed” texture plate from Texture Plates Kit #4 is one of my favorites. The pattern is further enhanced with Soft Suede ink and a Sponge Dauber.
  • Put your tools to good work! The Stamp-a-ma-jig is a must for image placement. I use it almost every time that I stamp! Another placement tool that I could not live without is the Template from the Mat Pack. I use it for placing brads and for paper piercing.
I really liked this sketch, and I have a few other ideas that I would like to try! However, they will have to wait until another day. Tomorrow morning will be here all too soon, but I did want to share this card with you. I hope that you will leave me a comment, as they are important to me. I truly appreciate them! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7!
Stamp Set: Gifts of the Earth; Designer Series Paper: Autumn Traditions; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Really Rust, Always Artichoke; Inks: Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, Garden Green, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Elegant Eggplant, Bordering Blue, Basic Brown; Tools: Big Shot, Texture Plates Kit #4, Circle Scissors Plus, Glass Mat, Paper Piercer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Blender Pens, Sponge Daubers; Embellishments: Linen Thread, Vintage Brads

Inspired at the OCC


I love Saturdays for a variety of reasons, one of them being the Our Creative Corner challenge. They are challenging us this week to find inspiration in the journals by Monique Duval. I drew my inspiration from the colors, selecting Perfect Plum, Really Rust, and Always Artichoke. Texture and distressing, as well as a double ribbon, highlight this “Really Perfect Artichoke” of a card!

The Stampin’ Schach Tips:
  • Finish with a flourish! When designing a card with only a sentiment, a flourish or two are smart ways to draw the eye to the focal point of the card. By using the Big Shot and the Swirls Scribbles Sizzlits Dies, flourishes are zipped out in seconds!

  • Is your Designer Paper too vibrant? Tone it down with ink. In addition to using a Sponge Dauber, I “painted” Always Artichoke ink onto the Really Rust pattern paper. I simply squeezed the closed ink pad to pool the ink into the lid, and used my Aqua Painter for instant distressing!

  • Here’s another “texture lecture”! Using the Big Shot and the Stampin’ Up! Perfect Details Texturz Plate, this Top Note goes from plain to “insane-ly” beautiful! The Perfect Plum shadow was made by punching out a second Top Note and cutting it in half. It was not distressed in order to enhance the Always Artichoke overlay.

  • Always add a little extra! Double the “fab factor” with not one, but two, ribbons. Elegant Eggplant and Always Artichoke 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbons fit perfectly on the bottom of this layout.
If you have questions about any of the techniques that were used in the making of this card, please do not hesitate to email me! And once again, congratulations to June Renee’ for winning the blog candy! Just email me your address, and your “candy” will be on it’s way! There is another milestone looming in the future, and more blog candy will be offered.
Stampin’ Up! Deals
Feeling like a little punch? Stampin’ Up!’s Deal of the Week has returned! From October 1, Midnight (MT) through October 12, 9:50 AM (MT), they are featuring The Trio Flower Punch ($10.99), The 5 Petal Punch ($10.99), and the My Way Punch ($11.99)! The regular prices of these punches are $15.99! What a deal!

Visit the Clearance Rack! Just click the Clearance rack icon on my right sidebar to be taken to incredible deals on Stampin’ Up! merchandise. Once you reach my business website, just click on “Shop Now”!

Become the Newest Member of The Schach Pack

From now until March 31, 2010, Stampin’ Up! is offering a “My Digital Studio” Starter Kit for
$185.00 (over $295 value!). Just look at what you receive!

•My Digital Studio software
•Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets
•Whisper White card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
•Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″)
•Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pads
•Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin’ Write markers
•Chocolate Chip 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon
•Real Red 1″ Double-stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
•Button Latte Designer Buttons (my personal favorites)
•Stampin’ Dimensionals
•Mini Glue Dots
•SNAIL Adhesive
•Business supplies (including catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

Of course, the Original Starter kit is always available! (Over $335 worth of merchandise for $199…FREE shipping and handling)
If you join my group, I will be there every step of the way to coach you and answer your questions. I am so proud of my ever-growing downline, The Schach Pack, and what they are accomplishing! And as a special “Welcome” gift from me, if you sign up before October 31st at 11:50 PM (MT) you will receive any stamp set of your choice up to $24.95. After signing up, simply contact me with your choice and I will order it November 1st. Just as soon as I receive it, I will mail it to you! There has never been a better time to join! Whether you aspire to be a career demo or a hobby demo, there is room for you in The Schach Pack!
To join my group, just follow these easy steps:

1. Click here
2. Then click “Start Your Own Business” followed by “Join Now”
3. Enter my recruiting password (Please email me for my recruiting password, or if you have questions)

Please let me know what you thought about today’s card. Your comments and questions are always important to me! And, don’t forget to “Play at the PPA!”. Mr. Linky will close at Noon (CST) Tuesday. You could be the next Pals Paper Artist Pick! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Set: Herb Expressions (113234); Designer Series Paper: Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper III (116234—Hostess Level 1); Card Stock: Always Artichoke (105243), Perfect Plum (101889), Really Rust (100661); Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908), Really Rust (102549), Always Artichoke (105219); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Perfect Details Texturz Plate (115962), Swirls Scribbles Sizzlit Die (113441), Sponge Dauber (102892), Aqua Painter (103954), Corner Rounder (109047); Embellishments: Elegant Eggplant 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109039), Always Artichoke 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109035)

Ten Minute Card

During my Hostess Club meeting last evening, I took on the 15 minute challenge… create a card in 15 minutes from conception to completion! Now you would have to know me to know that this would be a true challenge. After all, I love my layers and distressing. Plus, it is not uncommon for me to spend an hour or more on design, debating on what layout, colors, paper and stamps to use. Not only that…Paper Snips have become my newest best friend, as can be seen by the wreath cards I have been making of late.

However, it is good to take a break from cards that take hours to make and whip out a few that can be made in a matter of minutes! Not only did I come in under fifteen, I actually made it in ten! And you know what? It felt good. I was throwing caution to the wind. It was if I was cleansing my creative soul. Yes, there are things that I would change, like moving the snowflake a little more to the right and adding a sentiment. But by golly, I was under the gun as far as time! So here’s the deal: Try the 15 minute challenge! Design and create a card in under fifteen minutes. Be spontaneous! Let your creativity soar! And let me know what you come up with!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tips:

  • Petals-a-Plenty should be renamed “Texture-a-Plenty”! With simple cards or when time is a factor, the Big Shot and a Textured Impressions Folder can be the “Wow” factor that you are looking for!
  • “Color me dramatic!” Simple cards can become stunning with the right color combinations. Real Red and Whisper White are striking when paired together.
  • Bling it on! Just a single Circle Fire Brad can be all that’s needed to add the right amount of sparkle to KISS cards (Keep It Simple, Sweetie).
  • Give your card a “knockout punch”, such as the Whisper White snowflake punched with the Jumbo Snowflake Punch!
Blog Candy Winner: Wow! I knew that I made the right choice in celebrating you, my readers! Your many comments were definitely inspiring and certainly appreciated! The randomly selected comment was :
“The blog candy is wonderful!! Just like your blog. 🙂
I celebrate my family every single day. I have a fantastic husband and four wonderful children who’ve made us incredibly proud!”
And the lucky author of this comment is…June Renee’! Congratulations! Just email me your address, and your “candy” will be sent out Monday morning. I am so looking forward to my next Blog Candy giveaway! Stay tuned for when that will be! In the meantime, please continue to leave your comments. I do appreciate them. And remember, never hesitate to email me about the questions that you have about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use. (I have received many inquiries about my use of Blender Pens. I will be making a tutorial to help you with this technique.)
Important Announcement: The Washington, IL workshop on October 25th is filled. However, I am excited to let you know that I will be scheduling technique classes in the area, with dates to be arranged. More information will be forthcoming.
Well, gang, that’s it for this post! Don’t forget to participate in the Pals Paper Arts challenge. I love looking at what you have created and leaving you comments! Until next time…

Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin‘ Up! 24/7!
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), Petal-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824—Holiday Mini)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Brads (109110), Mistletoe Ribbon Originals (116792)