by Susan Itell | May 6, 2014 | Super Easy |
Two years ago I did the best thing for myself…I became a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and the BEST thing about it was…I made the decision all by myself…I did not tell a soul (even John)…and hit that button and took the BEST leap of faith for myself!
I am a firm believer in direct sales - and this whole thing that I do with Stampin' Up! is soooooo much more than signing up with a company…to me – it is about the relationships I have been able to develop….the help I have been able to give to so many…the ability to grow myself personally (blogging was not even a thought) and now I look back at this time and I can honestly say WOOT-WOOT!!!
My preorder came yesterday and that was super exciting! The "kid at the candy store" was happening as I was showing each of my dogs my new goodies…(I gave them a biscuit for being such a great audience)
I made a decision to just "roll" with the card I had scheduled for today as I was going to something different but then I thought…this is my type of card – it is what I stand for….clean and simple!
This is a card that we will be making for my monthly Breast Card project tomorrow evening. Sometimes its a challenge to come up with cards that do not require extra postage and have a simple sentiment tht does not reflect sickness…get well soon etc…and I think that the recipients are going to smile when they see it!
- The garden green is just 1/8" smaller than the notecard = 4 7/8" X 3 3/8" and then the white is again 1/8" smaller.
TIP ALERT: Remember when you have this big piece of paper that is going to be covered (green) make sure you save it with punches…(do you remember the Mothers Day Card I did on Saturday, I punched the petals from it)
- Using the Polka Dot Pieces Stamp Set, Stamp with both the Calypso Coral and the Daffodil Delight and then use the 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle Punch and the 1/2" Punch – a simple garden green candy dot was the perfect special touch.
- Using the Brush End of the Garden Green Ink Pen, I simple "colored" the leave part and did a quick and simple stamp. Placing the Flower where I wanted it to be – I added Stampin' Dimensionals to give it the lift it deserves.
- The "hello, you" is from the Regarding Dahlias Stamp Set (so glad this is carried over as the blendabilities are going to be A M A Z I N G with this stamp set) A couple of quick dots here and there does the trick.
- The liner is from the Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack and the envelope liner frameit with the Big Shot added that finish touch.
I will say that every month the volunteers love the fact that we line all of the envelopes. I have one lady that always does this task – she enjoys using the snail adhesive and then giving it a crisp edge with the bone folder. It literally onle take a bit more time – and the end result far out weighs not doing it.
Thanks a bunch for popping in today…it truly means a lot to me. I love blogging for you daily and I also love inspiring you to reach up and grab those goals and dreams you have set for yourself. This is the best "feel good" out there and I would not change a thing.
Please feel free to email me and if you want to do something that will give you the same feeling of fun, flexibility, and to get products all the time at a discount – than give this Stampin' Up! fun a "test drive" – if it is not for you…than return the car!
It's as simple as this – pick $125.00 worth of anything from the catalog, the clearance rack, the discontinued products…whatever and pay $99.99 (and is ships free) and then with your 1st order, you will be able to get 30% off your entire order (hint-hint…the new catalog – woot-woot)
Click here and lets have the same anniversary!
I honestly thought I was going to buy a bunch of products to get the 30% off on my 1st order to take advantage of the new catalog….well I did just that and guess what – I'm still here!
I promise that this week I will do some fun Blog Candy of some sort in celebration to this fun week for me. In looking ahead to my 3rd year with Stampin' Up! , I have set some new goals…and I think you are going to like them!
Please continue to pop by for inspiration, motivation and fun! I am holding true to my 2 words about the new catalog…fresh and fun – I know that you'll fall in love with it.
Thank you for filling my gas tank up each and everyday…I wouldn't trade it in for anything but think about taking a "spin drive" with me – you know we would have fun! Again, thanks for being YOU!
Until tomorrow..
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by Susan Itell | May 5, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Super Easy |
Woot-Woot!!!! It's a new week and let's all have a great week!
I have some great posts for you this week and today…I am super excited to see the "Brown Truck" come down my driveway as the NEW goodies will be making their way to their new home…my pre-order will be here today!
Last week I started something new with you on Monday's…calling it Make it MINE Mondays~ Last week my blog was still "wacky" so for those of you that did not see it….click here – ( I think it is a very cute card)…but what I am trying to do is…teaching you to delvelop your own style…
I often get asked where do I come up with my ideas and how have I learned to develop a style with my cards? Well…from LOTS of places…from YOU…from PINTEREST…from the WEB…I take On-Line Classes….from the PALS Gallery… but I will say that once I started to really reach out of my comfort zone and try to work from sketches…I learned 2 things!
- It saved me a BUNCH of TIME…and TIME is soooo darn tootin’ precious to all of us….why? I was not “surfing around"…pinning here and there….taking bits from this and bits from that etc…
- I am on the Design Team for the PALS challenge every Thursday and one week is a color challenge and the other is a sketch challenge! You have heard me blog before that I prefer the color ones….but I have come to realize that the reason I say that is because I am not "stretching myself out of my comfort zone”
SOOOOOO…..I have decided to dedicate Monday’s to “Making it Mine Monday’s” where I will share with you a sketch and then show an interpretation from it….
I highly recommend YOU to challenge yourself with these Monday sketches I will share with you…look at them….see what stamps you have…and just try it!
Below you will see a past sketch from the PPA and I have BLOCKED OUT the date not to confuse…this is a PERSONAL challenge for YOU….and if you want…please send me a picture of your work…you can do it…I know you can! Take a picture and email me…I love to see your work!
This sketch is from PAL Margaret Moody, and I adore her work – clean and crisp!
Last week I had several people email me their take on the sketch and they were woot-woot…fabulous! I truly believe that if you "give it a whirl" – you will not only learn about your own style…it will teach you that you can look at a sketch….limit yourself to work with "what you have"…and then simply GO FOR IT!
I can honestly say that after I picked the sketch for you today…I literally looked over at the new catalog and it was opened to the Just Sayin Stamp Set…I looked at it …..and BINGO….done!
The best tip I can give you is do not stress…just go for it….if you are having a mental block – stop fighing with yourself – walk away and come back….trust me – this is not worth getting stressed about – it's all about having FUN!
- The card base is the Whisper White Notecard and Envelopes….my go to and the Pool Party is just a "smidge" smaller……4 7/8" X 3 3/8"…I did a quick stitch around the edges…..
- The Neutral Designer Series Paper Stack is my "fun paper" for today's card….both for the card and I decided to line the outside of the envelope – this makes the mail man happy!!!
- The black piece is a scrap ….2 3/4" X 2 1/4" and then I used the Word Bubbles Framelits and POPPED it out! Taking another piece of scraps….I simply stamped the fun sentiment, gee, thanks with Black Staz On Ink…stitch with the White Gel Pen….
TIP: – Put Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the Black piece….(also this is a great time to use up the long and skinny pieces left over on the Stampin' Dimensionals!…This will LIFT up the black piece and give your card an instant WOW!!!
Tip #2 – Do you remember I shared with you that Stampin' Up! offers bundles which will save you an instant 15%….well – this stamp set and framelits is carried over to the new catalog…but it is NOT offered as a bundle…so the moral of the story is…if you do not have this….#1 – YOU SHOULD and #2 – but it now as you will save 15%!!! (just trying to help you out!!!)
I think from all of the pictures I took you can clearly see the fun dimension and crisp lines this card has! I saw Jeanie yesterday and I showed her this card…(as this is Breast Cancer Week and I wanted her to see the layout and then adapt it for our needs on Wednesday with another sentiment!!!)…and SHE LOVED IT!
So….how about it….wanta give it a whirl! I hope that you do try this sketch!
It is super easy and straight forward…you have nothing to lose and I would love to see your work! It's ME….I am not going to publish your work…I am here with my Pop-Poms cheering you on!!!!
Please make sure that you continue to pop back this week as there will be some BLOG CANDY in celebration of my 2nd anniversary with Stampin' Up! I am having the time of my life and the best way to sum it up is….I am fulfilled…my heart is full!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 4, 2014 | Uncategorized |
If you follow my blog, you have hear me talk about the Iquana's…there are 9 of us that went on a trip together that was truly a trip of a lifetime…as we all know – it's hard enough to be able to get away…but for 9 of us – figuring out what to do with kids….some having to figure out work etc….but it worked and we had a ball!
We named ourselves this as we played a trick on one of the gals…saying that there was an Iguana that came into our home when they were there cleaning and that the resort had a team of people looking for it etc….it was all a joke – but dear Emma would not go back to the house until there was a picture of proof that they found it!
Ok…now to today's fun post…an Iguana (Sue) had surgery on her knee on Friday and she is down and out! Everything went fine – she is a personal trainer and in AMAZING shape and this "speed bump" is really throwing her for a loop! She needs to lay low and let her lizard friends and family take care of her!
Sue adores Peppermint Patties and they are a "daily vitamin" for her (the little ones)…..well I only had Ghirardelli Chocolate Mints…so this is what Sue is going to get!!!! We call each other "Skippy" and I know when she sees these treats – she will have a great one-liner like…."hey loser – you know I like Peppermint Patties" I love her to pieces!
Let's get to the fun….you can see that it all revolved around the super fun photopolymer Sweetie Pie Stamp Set called, it is on the "bye-bye" list but if I were you I would BUY it as it is so useful for many "just because" you need…I love the little sentiments and I adore the fact that you can see thru the stamp for perfect placement every time! Just one sweet stamp set!
- For the card…just a crumb cake note card size, 3 1/2" X 5" and then the white is 1/4" smaller! I used the Simply Scoring Tool to score 2 lines all the way around…I love this quick and simple effect…easy to do and it creates a great texture to your card!
- The Stamp Speaks for itself…super cute! I did stamp it on a piece of crumb cake scrap paper and then did quick "fussy" cut out of the middle! It is soooo darn easy to line up the "love you" with these photopolymer stamps and isn't this font wonderful!
- I felt I needed a touch of red to tie in with the envelope liner so a brights candy dot and a red fussy cut flower did the trick!
- The liner is from the Fresh Prints Paper Stack…(you'll be seeing more of these stacks in the future and you will smile!!!) Naturally the envelope liner framelit and Big Shot were my trusty helpers!
- Part 2…..a cute enclosure card for Skippy's gift…the stamps are from the same stamp set…fun right!?!? I added a pearl in the middle of each flower! Again, so easy to triple stamp with these clear stamps! I really wanted to continue the theme with the colors and DSP for the liner!
- Part 3….yummies for Sue….trust me….I know she will LOVE this and totally appreciate them but I can hear her now saying, "You nucklehead….these aren't Peppermint Patties"….she a piece of work and although I am really sorry to see her down…it makes me smile as we are both the same…."we do not like to be told to be down and lay low" and it fun to tell her to "stay put"
- These are super easy to make and I CASE them from Mary Fish…they come together in a jif! You are going to laugh with how easy they are! Ready…..
- Take a 5 1/2" X 2" piece of paper and score it at 2 5/8" & 2 7/8"….fold and score (remember if you are working with DSP…make sure you do not push down too hard or you will tear the paper!)
- Using the Angled Tag Topper, punch both ends! Pop the Ghirardelli Chocolate Square in….tie a simple knot….PRESTO!!!
- I pulled out a stamp set that I have not used for a while and it will be carried over, it is called Label Love and you can POP them out with the Artisan Label Punch!
Soooo easy….soooo fun…..soooo perfect for many occasions!
It's always great to have fun little goodies like this handy! You can see how I was able to take a whole theme and many it into a fun and special gift for someone that is very special to me!!!
I loved and appreciate the comments yesterday and that darn' Jeanie…she was right – I should have made a Kentucky Derby Card as I adore the Derby and wouldn't miss watching it for the world! I just love to see the hats that the ladies wear!!!
You know what tomorrow is….Make it MINE Monday….click back to this post last Monday to see what it's all about ! I loved the feedback I received from it and I am excited to give you another dose of inspiration tomorrow…..
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 3, 2014 | Super Easy, Tips and Tricks!!! |
Next Sunday is Mother's Day! Here is a simple card that has clean and crisp lines…but more importantly – it is a card that could be adapted to many…many themes! I'll do my best to walk you through it step by step…but I encourage you to think if the different Framelits and Stamp you have to CASE away!
This card is a great example of how “this formula” will work in other ways for you…it’s kinda like the post I did on Monday – click here to see it and (I was SUPER DUPER happy that I had several people try the sketch I used) Woot-Woot to you…
It’s like getting your “Training Wheels” off…the more you “practice”…
the more that you will learn a style that YOU are comfortable with!
Let’s get going…
- White Whisper A-2 card and then the Rose Red is 5 ¼” X 4” and then the “top” layer of white is 5” X 3 ¾”
- Adhere the Rose Red to the card base and then take this top layer and using the #4 square framelit….center it and run it through the Big Shot (this is where the magnetic platform is a HUGE help)…love that tool!
- If you are going to “stitch” around like I did – I would do it now….(I didn’t decide to do it until I had the card together and it was a bit shaky with the dimensionals)
- For the “piece of white” that you are going to stamp…I actually cut this to a 2 1/8” square are the smaller square in the framelits was a 2” one and I needed a bit more room!
- The Happy Mother’s Day stamp is from the April Paper Pumpkin Kit…..please click here and you will see a super cute post that I did with this…This can be used for sooooo much more than Mother’s Day and the Photopolymer Stamps that are in there are super for other projects!
SPECIAL OFFER for you!!! – If you would like one of these April Kits…I will send it your way and you will definitely have it in time for next Sunday PLUS I will make you one of these cards!!! Woot-woot!!!!
The kits are $20.00…every month I order more of these to keep on hand as I adore this program and I want to offer it so you too can see the value!
- The Petite Petals Stamp Set and Punch with the floral steal of the show! I learned a lesson…I thought that they were a bundle…well right now they are a bundle in the Occasions Catalog…and they will be carried over but guess what – They will NOT be a bundle then!
TIP ALERT: The moral of the above is…when you see it as a bundle – take advantage of it as you will get an instant 15% off…there is no guarantee that it will always be a bundle!
You know that I love the side views…this will show you how I popped it up…do not skimp on the dimensionals…especially with the "cut out" part…sagging isn't pretty!
- The leaves came from the Bird Builder Punch and to me there are many punches that are "must haves" but when it comes to the specialty punches….I say the 3 that I would not be without are the Bird Builder, the cupcake and the Owl…I use then a bunch for so many things!
- Last…the liner, easy-peasy with the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack! Always a life saver!
Now do you agree with me…isn't the a fun card and when you think about it…an easy card that lends itself to many options!. It has the wow factow but it is still clean and crisp! Love it!
Please email me and let me know if I can send a Paper Pumpkin kit your way along with this beautiful card and envelope! How can you go wrong for just $20.00!
I am so happy that you all are receiving my daily emails! Please continue to tell your family, friends and co workers….as I have some exciting programs to share with you starting this new Stampin' Up year! The new catalog starts June 2nd and that also is a new year for us!!!!
I am coming up on my 2nd anniversary with Stampin' Up….so please continue to pop back as I will be offering blog candy!!! I am determined to make this an exciting year for me with Stampin' Up and I look forward to more fun and inspiration with YOU!
Until tomorrow…
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by Susan Itell | May 2, 2014 | SNEAK PEEK!!!, Thinking of you |
I'm still in that "Candy Store" with excitement of the new catalog! I feel like having a count down until I can share EVERYTHING with YOU! Please know, my customers will be receiving their catalog next week (fingers crossed) and you can start looking and letting you mind go wild….remember the Catalog goes live to order on June 2nd!
Here is a sneak peak of a card that was made my a new stamp set! This is a KEEPER of sets and one that will definitely need to find a way to your home…as it is very fun and forgiving!….What do I mean by that? Well…there are many different stamps in the set that You can stamp "hear and there" and you will always look good…as the sentiment says…."You are a fabulous work of art" (Isn't this font fun!!!!)
You know me…the "maker of cards for a purpose"…well this is going to be for my precious god-daughter! The minute I saw this stamp set I know that I could make her a card the was fun, yet youthful…very colorful and this sentiment is her all over!
I know that many of you were sad that the Water Color DSP is going "bye-bye" but this stamp will allow you to creat your own fun! You can see below in the photo how I just stamped it using Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Daffidil Delight! (YIKES – sorry for the bad picture!!!!)
- The card size is a regular A-2 but scored at th 5 1/2" side making it a vertical card and then the layer in which the heart is cut out is 5" X 4" ( the piece that I stamped on was a scrap – just make sure that it is wide enough to stamp the image!)
- Before you adhere the cut out piece to the stamped piece, take the paper piercing tool and the Occasions Paper Piercing Guide and have fun! This is something that I forget to do….but when I do – I love it! Just adds the fun splash to make a card to to a quick WOW!!! Corner round the upper edges with the Envelope Punch Board before you adhere it to the Melon Mambo piece…5 1/4" X4 1/4"
- I stamped the sentiment in Black Staz On Ink and naturally I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig as I wanted to to be a perfect placement!!!! LOVE this font!
- I POPPED up the whole piece with Stampin Dimensionals….(these are one thing that I never skimp on…they are such a great value and the effect they give is WOW….always make sure that you support the middle of your card….who likes a "saggy" card!?!?
Doesn't it look so clean and crisp this way!
Doing little touched like rounding corners….adding dimensionals….making clean and sharp cuts (always keep an extra blade for your stampin' trimmer) as there is nothing more frustrating than cutting a bunch of paper to only find out you need to change your blade and you do not have a spare!
- Last….envelope time!!! Woot-woot – my favorite…..I did a double whammy today! The liner was from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack with the must have envelope liner framelit! The outside….I simply stamped with other stamps that are in this set….to make the mailman smile!
Well….what do you think? Super cute set…right? This is the set that they gave us at the Preview Party and everyone was thrilled to have it! It truly is so versatile and one that will be easy to use…and also one that you will be able to "fill in here and there"
I am sure that you have seen the cover of the new catalog….and if not – here you go….have fun playing "eye spy" – I haven't actually looked real hard to see how many new products are on there…..have fun looking at it! (click on it to make it BIGGER and get your reading glasses out)
From the comments and emails I have had yesterday….it looks like you all are getting my daily posts!!!! WOOT-WOOT – you have no idea how happy I am with having that behind me (fingers and toes crossed)
Please share the Simple Stampin' fun with your family and friends and if you do not have a Stampin Up! Demonstrator, I would LOVE and be honored to work with you! If you do not have a SUD, I will be more than glad to mail you a current catalog…..please email me and I will be in touch with you….
Have a GREAT day and until tomorrow…..
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