The Color Throwdown crew had an interesting challenge this week: Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa, and Ruby Red! Surprisingly enough, it works. For this challenge I inked up the “Scripted Leaf” image from Lexicon of Leaves. Although Lexicon of Leaves is not currently featured in the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog, it is still available from the Dormant List. Let’s check out how I “threw” these colors down!

• Prepare a standard card base from textured Pumpkin Pie. Distress the edges using a Sponge Dauber and Close to Cocoa.
• Select the “Circles and Dots” pattern from the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper collection and mat onto Close to Cocoa. Ink distress the edges and layer onto the card base.
• Next form the horizontal block. Select a pattern from Pumpkin Pie Patterns Designer Series Paper and use the Ticket Corner Punch on the right hand corners. (See the photograph.) Ink distress with Close to Cocoa and layer onto Close to Cocoa card stock. Ink distress the edges of the card stock with Chocolate Chip ink. Add a Ruby Red Brad from the Earth Elements Brads collection to the two right hand corners. Add a snippet of Natural Hemp Twine as shown in the photograph. Adhere this block to the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals. (Stampin’ Schach Design Tip: I crossed the hemp on the front, and adhered to the back. Then I took a separate piece of hemp and tied a bow at the criss-cross on the front for a slightly different look.)
• Ink the “Scripted Leaf” image from Lexicon of Leaves with Close to Cocoa and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Ink distress the edges with Close to Cocoa. Color the leaf using Blender Pens and the following inks: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, and Ruby Red. Mat onto Close to Cocoa card stock followed by Ruby Red. Adhere to the horizontal mat.

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tip of the Day: Ink distressing can be used to mute colors. In this situation, the Pumpkin Pie was light and bright. With a few strokes from my magic “dauber”, the color became muted and subdued, making a much better mix with both Close to Cocoa and Ruby Red (which I also distressed).

Would I have ever mixed these colors together if not for the challenge? Close to Cocoa and Pumpkin Spice maybe, but throwing Ruby Red into the mix…No way! That’s the fun with challenges. They often take us out of our comfort zone, and in the end, help us become better artisans.

The Stampin’ Schach Bulletin Board:

• Need a Holiday Mini Catalog. Email me your address for your free copy.
• Ready to schedule a holiday workshop? I still have November and December dates available.
• Don’t forget the Pals Paper Arts challenge on Thursday. I love seeing your creations and commenting on your projects!

Thanks for stopping by The Stampin’ Schach today. Your comments and questions are important to me. Please leave me a comment or drop me an email. I do respond to all of the questions that you ask. Until next time…

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Stamp Set: Lexicon of Leaves (113710—Dormant List)
Inks: Close to Cocoa (103139), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Ruby Red (102259), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Meadows (116769—Holiday Mini), Pumpkin Pie Patterns (112159)
Card Stock: Close to Cocoa (101341), Ruby Red (103030), Very Vanilla (101650), Pumpkin Pie textured (108697—Earth Elements assorted)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Sponge Daubers (102892), Blender Pens (102845)
Embellishments: Natural Hemp Twine (100982), Earth Elements Brads (106955)

Fall is in the air at Our Creative Corner! The challenge was to create a fall card, and this Obsessive Compulsive Card Creator felt up to the task. Once again, one of my “go-to” stamp sets from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Autumn Splendor, takes center stage. It seems as if I can always create a card that I love with this set. It allows me to touch upon a more primitive style, with ink distressing and natural fibers. Splitcoast sketch SC245 provided the inspiration for the layout, and allowed me to showcase the cross-stitching on the smaller vertical panel.

• Prepare a standard card base from Really Rust.
• Layer with “Taken with Teal Herringbone” from Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper, which has had its edges distressed using Soft Suede and a Sponge Dauber. (Stampin‘ Schach Design Tip: Although I usually use Chocolate Chip for ink distressing, Soft Suede works better with the softer, muted shades in this designer paper.)
• Cut a panel from “Very Vanilla Woodgrain“. Punch the two right-hand corners with the Ticket Corner Punch. Ink distress the edges with Soft Suede. Mat onto Really Rust.
• Cut a panel from textured Really Rust card stock. Use the Ticket Corner Punch on the right-hand corners, and then ink distress with Soft Suede. Using the Paper Piercing Tool and the Paper Piercing Template, punch six pairs of holes. Lace with Linen Thread.
• Ink the Oak Leaf from Autumn Splendor with Basic Brown. Stamp onto Very Vanilla. Using the Color Spritzer Tool and Taken with Teal and Chocolate Chip Stampin‘ Write Markers, spritz the image panel. Using Blender Pens and the following inks, color the leaf: More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust.
• Use the Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners, and distress the edges with Soft Suede. Mat onto More Mustard, and ink distress the edges. Add Vintage Brads to each corner. A snippet of Natural Hemp Twine completes the panel. (Stampin‘ Schach Design Tip: Notice how the three panels are unified by the brads and the Ticket Corners? Unity and balance compliment this sketch.)
• Position and adhere all elements to the card base.

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Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor
Inks: Basic Brown, More Mustard, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Meadows
Card Stock: Really Rust, Really Rust textured, Taken with Teal, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer, Taken with Teal Stampin’ Write Marker, Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker, Blender Pens, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Embellishments: Vintage Brads, Linen Thread, Natural Hemp Twine

Like many of you who own pets, I enjoy having deep, philosophical conversations with my dog, Missy. Actually, she is more like a daughter to me. (Never once did she complain when I did her scrapbook pages in “pinks” and “girly swirls”. I can’t say the same for Brady, my son.) Just the other night we were discussing why people should select me to be their demonstrator. Missy is such a wise dog, and her comments made excellent sense to me. Since some of you may not be fluent in “Boxer”, I will translate her answers for you. What follows is our conversation:

Me: Missy, what do you think I could do to entice people to book a workshop with me?
Missy: Well, Mom, I think that you should tell them what makes you and your workshops special. (It always slays me when she calls me “Mom”. After all, she is so much older than me in doggie years. But anyway, I digress.)
Me: What would that be?
Missy: You could tell them that you give treats after they go potty outside.
Me: Hmmmm! How about if I change that to “I provide treats at the workshop!” That’s not such a bad idea, Missy. Good dog!
Missy: Can I have a treat now for that answer?
Me: Not yet. How about some other ideas that I could share.
Missy: You are really good at teaching me tricks.
Me: You are so right, Miss. I love to teach, especially when it comes to techniques and design tips. I absolutely love sharing all that I know about card making and stamping.
Missy: And you know how you surprise me with little toys when you come home from getting the groceries? Maybe you could give them toys, too. Like my “baby” and my “kong” and my “quackie duck”. Hey, do you have to get groceries later?
Me: Whoa, hold on a minute! No groceries, and no surprises today. But, you know, I do give incentive stamps to everyone who attends my workshops.
Missy: And remember how you talk about giving away kitties? How come you never gave me a kitty?
Me: Kitties? I don’t give away kitties.
Missy: Yes you do, Mom. (At this point she was getting a little “growly“.) You are always talking about the Holiday Mini catty and the big catty. I want a BIG catty.
Me: Oh, Missy! Catties aren’t kitties. They are catalogs! And you are right, I should mention that everyone who attends one of my workshops does receive a FREE Holiday Mini Catalog. And if they place an order with me, they also receive a 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. Missy, you have been such a big help to mom tonight. What a goooood dog you are! Such a pretty gurl! You are Mommy’s smart and pretty gurl! (Sloppy Boxer kisses followed!)
Missy: Mom, can I have that treat now?

So, if you are located in southeast Iowa or western Illinois, email me today to book your fall or holiday workshop. I offer:

• Design Tips
• Technique Training
• Demonstrations
• Make and Takes
• Free Mini Catalogs
• Incentive Gifts for your Guests
• Hostess Gifts
• Support after the Workshop
• My Home or Yours
• And yes…Treats!