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…

Yippee Skippee! It’s time for another Pals Paper Arts Challenge! This week the Pals are hosting a “Theme” challenge based on Halloween! My talented colleagues on the PPA Design Team have prepared some “sweet treats” to inspire you. So check out my Halloween Hoot card, which also features the Branch Out and Grateful Greetings set, and then head on over to the PPA! No tricks…just some absolutely stunning cards!

• Prepare a 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base from textured Basic Black.
• Ink the Witch and Frog images from Halloween Hoot with Basic Black and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, position and stamp the Broom into the witch’s hand. Using the 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, punch a full moon from textured So Saffron card stock and position onto the Very Vanilla background as pictured.
• Ink the Tree image from Branch Out with Basic Black and stamp into the scene as shown. Using Basic Black ink and the Bird image from the same set, position and stamp the bird so that it is silhouetted on the moon. (Tip: Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement! Plus, a Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker can be used to darken the branches on the textured “moon”.)
• Color the images using Blender Pens and the following inks: Old Olive (Witch’s face and hands, frog); Pumpkin Pie (hair); Rich Razzleberry (hat band, dress ruffle, shoe laces); Summer Sun (frog eyes, broom); Sahara Sand (shading); Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker (grass under tree); Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker (broom).
• Mat the image block onto Basic Black textured, followed by “Old Olive” and “Pumpkin Pie” patterns from the “Cast-a-Spell” Designer Series Paper.
• Add a snippet of Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon and three Pumpkin Circle Fire Brads, and adhere to your card base.
• Ink the “Trick or Treat” sentiment from Grateful Greetings using Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Black Stampin’ Write Markers and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals, pop onto textured Basic Black which has been punched using the Scallop Square Punch. Adhere to the card base as illustrated.

Please Click Here to Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies 24/7!
Stamp Sets: Halloween Hoot (111582), Grateful Greetings (116511—Available September 1st), Branch Out (113200—Dormant List)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Old Olive (102227), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Summer Sun (100537), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Sahara Sand (105208)
Designer Series Paper: Cast-a-Spell (115677)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Black textured (108693—Neutrals assorted), So Saffron textured (108696—Rich Regals assorted)
Tools: 1-1/4 Circle Punch (104403), Scallop Square Punch (112081), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Old Olive Stampin’ Write Marker (100079), Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker (105115), Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker (100082), Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker (100071), Blender Pens (102845)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Brads (109110), Old Olive ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (113883)

Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper is one of the most beautiful paper collections that I have ever seen. Its metallic sheen is complimented by the luster of the gold Encore! ink which was used to stamp the tree image from Snow Swirled. Paired with a snowflake medallion from Serene Snowflakes, this card is my favorite of all of the Christmas and winter themed cards that I have created this year. The Mojojanette sketch was the perfect starting point for “Another Cup of Christmas Cocoa”. It’s oh, so sweet!

• Prepare a standard card base from Soft Suede.
• Ink the “Tree” image from Snow Swirled with Soft Suede and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Ink the stamp again with Gold Encore! ink. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamp this image slightly to the left of the original image. (Tip #1: This will result in a “shadow” image which is very striking in person. If you have never tried this technique before, please do! I like it better than Gold Encore! by itself.)
• Mat onto Soft Suede. Add a few Red Rhinestones for just the right touch of bling. Although you can “dissect” your Circle Fire Brads to retrieve the rhinestones, I happened to have some small rhinestones on hand, so I did not have to sacrifice five brads.(Tip #2: Because this card borderlines on monochromatic, the red rhinestones, circle brad and ribbon add just the right “pop” of color, transforming an already pretty card into one that is stunning! Try the “color pop” when you want a card to really stand out.)
• Ink one of the “Snowflakes” from Serene Snowflakes with Soft Suede and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Shadow with Gold Encore! ink. Punch out with the 1″ Circle Punch and layer onto a Real Red circle that has been punched with the 1-1/4″ Circle Punch. The scalloped circle was prepared by zipping a piece of Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper through the Big Shot with a Nestabilities die. A Red Circle Fire Brad in the middle completes this element.
• Using the Scallop Edge Punch, prepare a piece of Christmas Cocoa paper. (I selected the “Small Metallic Stripe” pattern.) Position and adhere this to the beautiful “Snowflake” pattern from the same designer paper. Add a snippet of Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon, and adhere to the card base.
• Position and adhere the Tree mat and the Snowflake medallion to the card base.
• Ink the “Merry Christmas” sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Gold Encore! ink and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Word Window Punch and adhere on top of the ribbon.

Stampin‘ Schach Design Tip of the Day: When participating in sketch challenges, it is acceptable to make the sketch your own. In this case, I deleted a bow in order to maintain the clean lines of the card (and to keep from competing with the swirls). The added sentiment achieved the balance I desired. Challenges are meant to be an inspiration, and Janette Olen did a wonderful job in creating this classic sketch.

This is a classic card, with classic lines, which are just perfect for this paper and the Snow Swirled stamp set. Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Series Paper will be available on September 1st, as will the Serene Snowflakes stamp set. Serene Snowflakes is definitely a set that will be usable throughout the year, as the medallion on this card illustrates.

Please remember to leave a comment! I do appreciate them, and read each and every one. Your comments and questions help me improve my card making and blogging skills. Never hesitate to email me your questions about any of the cards that I make or the techniques that I use! Until next time…

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