Sometimes as a teacher, you never fully recognize the impact that you have on the lives of your students. And thus we have the story behind this card! Thomas was a foreign exchange student from Germany. Every day that I had him in class was a delight! Bright and engaging, he was definitely a student that you would not soon forget. While studying in the States, he met another of my students, the vivacious and personable Catherine. Needless to say, love blossomed between these two. Although Thomas eventually returned home, their romance withstood the test of time and distance. When selecting a college, Thomas enrolled at the University of Iowa, where Catherine attends medical school, and the two married.

• Prepare a 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base from textured Basic Black.
• Layer with the “Houndstooth“ pattern from Night & Day Specialty Designer Series Paper.
• Ink all of the stamps from Perfect Chemistry with Basic Black and stamp onto Whisper White. Snip out and mat onto Basic Black.
• Arrange the “elements” onto the Houndstooth paper as illustrated.
• Select the appropriate symbols for the sentiment that you wish to convey. Ink these with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. Snip out and pop onto the same symbols using Stampin‘ Dimensionals. In this case, I selected Thank You, Surprise, Hi & Hello and Happy.
• Using a printer and Whisper White card stock, print out “Periodic Table” in Ariel Rounded MT Bold 24 point font, and mat onto Real Red. Adhere to the card base as illustrated.
• Add a snippet of Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon. Position and adhere everything to the card base.

This card has it all…embossing, bling, and 3-D! The Tree Trimmings stamp set and the nostalgic Merry Moments Designer Series Paper are paired to create a seasonal card with 1950’s flair! This week’s Our Creative Corner sketch was perfect for showcasing the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder, which debuts this Tuesday when the Holiday Mini Catalog goes live. Join me for our own little Merry Moment as I outline the steps used in creating this card!

• Create a 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base from Old Olive.
• Ink the Ornaments from Tree Trimmings with Old Olive, Real Red, and Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. (Stampin‘ Schach Tip: The Chocolate Chip ornament was stamped onto a separate piece of Very Vanilla and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. This adds a shine that makes this ornament “pop” when you see it in person. In addition, this ornament was snipped out with Paper Snips, embellished with a Yellow Circle Fire Brad and popped onto the image mat with Stampin‘ Dimensionals to give the card depth.)
• Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement, stamp the Ornament Hangers with VersaMark ink and heat emboss with Gold Embossing Powder. Once again, the hanger for the Chocolate Chip ornament was stamped on another piece of Very Vanilla, and snipped out. A Mini Glue Dot firmly affixes it to the ornament.
• Lightly distress the edges of the image mat using a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Chip ink. Mat onto Old Olive, followed by Real Red.
• Ink the sentiment “Christmas Greetings” from Grateful Greetings (available September 1) with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. (Stampin‘ Schach Tip: Select a sentiment that compliments the size of your card base and the style of the card. Your card will look more balanced this way!) Mat onto Old Olive and back with a Real Red Designer Label. (The label has been cut in half horizontally. Each half is then adhered to the Old Olive mat. ) A Yellow Circle Fire Brad adds just the right amount of bling.
• Select the “Ornaments” pattern from Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and mat onto Real Red. Add a snippet of Sleigh Bells ribbon and adhere to the card base.
• Position and adhere the image and sentiment blocks.
• Zip a piece of Real Red card stock through the Big Shot, using the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder. Burnish using a Sponge Dauber and Gold Encore Ink! (Stampin‘ Schach Tip: Accentuate any Textured Impressions embossing with Sponge Daubers and ink of your choice. To keep with the festive feel of this card, Gold was the perfect choice!) Adhere to the card base.
• Ink a Snowflake image from Serene Snowflakes with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the 1″ Circle Punch, add a medium Yellow Circle Fire Brad and mat onto a 1-1/4″ Real Red Circle which has been embossed with Petals-a-Plenty. Layer onto an Old Olive small Nestabilities Scalloped Circle.

Please Click Here to Order Stampin‘ Up! 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Tree Trimmings (116722), Grateful Greetings (116511), Serene Snowflakes (115438)
Designer Series Paper: Merry Moments (115672)
Card Stock: Old Olive (100702), Real Red (102482), Very Vanilla (101650)
Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908), Real Red (103133), Old Olive (102277), VersaMark (102283), Gold Encore (101017)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824), 1” Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), Designer Label Punch (107590), Sponge Dauber (102892), Heat Tool (100005), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Nestabilities
Embellishments: Sleigh Bells Ribbon (116795), Circle Fire Brads (109110), Gold Embossing Powder (109129), Clear Embossing Powder (109130)

Would you like to become a member of my Stampin’ Up! group, “The Schach Pack”? If so, there is still time to take advantage of two Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Specials. The Mini Starter Kit Special runs through August 31st. For only $85, you will receive the following:
For All You Do stamp set; All six In-Color Classic Stampin’ Pads (Bahama Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede); Whisper White Card Stock (8-1/2” x 11”) ; In-Color Assorted Card Stock (8-1/2” x 11”); Business Tools including (8) 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalogs, 8 Holiday Mini catalogs, 50 Customer forms, Getting Started DVD and more!

And if this is not enough, the Standard Starter Kit is available for $199…with incentives including all 6 In-Color Stamp Pads plus a package of 8-1/2” x 11” Assorted In-Color Card Stock…a $43.65 value! Shipping is free! For more details about either special, please click here.

If you join my group, I will be there every step of the way to coach you and answer your questions. As a member of the “Schach Pack”, you will receive newsletters and access to a private blog complete with the latest Stampin’ Up! news. I am so proud of my ever-growing downline and what they are accomplishing! And as a special “Welcome” gift from me, if you sign up before August 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 September 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)

And I know that it is hard to believe, but I am finally getting into a routine at school, so be prepared for my return to stamping and blogging! Hooray! Until next time…