by Susan Itell | Dec 26, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Good Morning the day after! WOWZERS…the holiday sure does bring twists and turns to the dailiness that we all get accustomed to! It is 9:30 a.m. (Eastern time) and this is the first I have had the opportunity to have my friend (my laptop)…let me explain why!
Do you remember on my last post I share that one of the "peeps" was flying home (Tuesday night)??? Well, this was the start of the "stealing of my computer" and the comedy of events that just seem to happen to me! It is all good and I knew that many of you would get a kick out of the "life happenings" that happen with my wonderful family!
I can without a doubt say that this is what I adore about blogging…I can try to let you in "my world" – never a dull moment! Let's get going and tomorrow – be ready for a super cute "Thank You" card…as now we all need to get our "Thank you's out"
- Tuesday Night….James flight (which should have been about an hour flight) was delayed….and delayed and delayed…John and Hannah went to pick him up and Will and I stayed home. This was the beginning of my computer being taken away from me!
While we were waiting for the "airport run" I asked Will (my oldest) for some help on the computer and he was horrified with the "mess- as he called it" of my desktop and then when he saw that I had over 10,000 pictures and that I did not have anything backed up…..my computer became his possession!
He is the best and all day Wednesday he worked on my computer…bought an external hard drive…backed everything up and try to make my computer faster etc….the only problem is that when he gave it back to me last night after dinner….everything looks different….WOW – I am challenged when it comes to technology but as he said…baby steps Mom…
- Back to James flight…..he was to get in at Baltimore at 9 p.m….and after attempting to land 3 times the pilot headed to Philadelphia as they needed fuel. The runway lights in Baltimore when off on the main runway they were to land on and they were attempting to land on a shorter runway and the pilot was not comfortable so off to Philadelphia! (Now as a Mom – hearing this was not the most comforting)…they refueled and then waited to the BWI situation to get fixed…and he landed at 2 a.m. in Baltimore! They did not get home until 3:30!
- Yesterday was great…this is the first in sooooo long that all 3 peeps were home and we shared so many memories…we always work on puzzles but this time it is a 2,000 piece puzzle and WOW – it will be a long time before we get this completed! Christmas Day for us is a L O N G day filled with just "hanging out"…lots of cooking…taking walks….just doing nothing and everything all at the same time!
My brother and I went down to the C & O Canal for a long walk and when we returned…Will was working on the puzzle and said – "Why do you and Dad not carry your phones with you?" – John was at a Nursing Home visiting a client (Isn't John the best) … so neither of us had our phones. Hannah had to take James to the Urgent Care as James put an oyster shucking knife through the glove and into his hand! Will is soooooo laid back and as he said this to me I was panicked and he was just as calm as a cucumber! James is fine…several stitches and we still had the oysters for appetizers!
- The finale of the day is our feast…always the same menu as it works…Prime Rib with 2 sauces (Mustard Horseradish and a Stilton)…Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes…Creamed Spinach…Fresh Coconut Cake…YUM! We never opened up any gifts until the Prime Rib was roasting…it was a wonderful day.
James won the "creative award" with the funniest gift…he came down the steps with a carry on piece of luggage and placed it on an ottoman and asked all of us to gather around – He unzipped it and said "Merry Christmas" – welcome to my "Trunk Shopping Show" It was filled with socks of all kinds and we all went shopping…it was super fun and my dear 83 year old Dad had a blast!!!
Will won the "make Mom cry" award as not only did he do what I shared wth my computer…he went into my "closet full of pictures" and went through a bunch of old photos of the family…scanned them and enlarged them…and wrote each of us an amazing note that was so touching…it was such a great cry!
Hannah won the "thinking out of the box" award….as we all had to close our eyes and she placed a basket in our arms…when we opened our eyes it was filled with bits and pieces of her abroad experience….with foods and traditions of each of the countries she went to…she was so proud and excited to share.
Enough about my wonderful holiday…I hope that yours was super special as well and having family is so special…I love them to pieces and I am looking forward to a great day with them!
I will post a card tomorrow….please pop back as it is super cute! Keep making memories – the season is in full swing!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 24, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Just when you think that your shopping is done….click here to see – yesterday they restocked the clearance and there are some great goodies in there! Many have been "SWOOPED" up but trust me…there are some keepers in there!
This is the time of the year when you will be able to see that certain items are going to "RETIRED STAMPIN HEAVEN" and I know….that makes many of us sad but we also know that there will always be new products to replace them!
I want you all to know how I feel about retired products…there are many that I LOVE and even though they are retired that does not mean that I do not keep them and use them for my personal use. They touched my heart when they came out….they still make me smile so why should I get rid of them…..
I simply do not post ideas with them as it would not be fair to you if you could not purchase the product….so the moral of the story is….if you like it and you think you will use it….than buy it….if not – you know that there will be others!
Here are my top 3 sad good-byes!
There are always surprises in the goodbye department….my biggest surprise with the stamp sets….
- Good Greetings Stamp Set – Now this I am super super surprised about as it was a "Hostess only" set and this is ONE GREAT STAMP SET! Love…LOVE the font. I simply cannot tell you how many times I am working on a card and want to use this set but I do not as I know it is one that you could not purchase…..so – I WOULD SWOOP THIS ONE UP!
Now to my "Happy place" as I have SWOOPED these up!
- All is Calm Snowflake Embellishments – I used these on a Christmas Card for my Stamp of the Month Kit and it was just stunning…they are beautiful and I am one that usually does not like fru-fru!
- Cherry Cobbler 1" Ribbon – now I thought I had already bought it all up – I am shocked that Stampin' Up! still has this!! This is the deal of all deals! My holiday packages all look amazing as I used this a bunch!
Remember, you can tie 25 of the mini boxes with just 1 spool….you bet I am stocked up for next year! Love it!
- Under the Tree Speciality Paper – This is the best for making boxes! I love the natural feel of the paper and the sturdiness is perfect! In the card it went!
Well…that's it for today! Please make sure that you order goodies before they run out! Click here and you will be good to go! I am happy with the goodies I purchased!
As I type this post my last "peep" is at the airport but there is a delay. The weather on the East Coast is very foggy and rainy. John and Hannah made the trek to Baltimore for him and are waiting. Once I hear the dogs bark I will be a happy Mom!!!
It is very rare for all of us to be together at the same time….I am going to cherish the next couple of days….it is a joy!
Speaking of JOY….tomorrow is a special day for many of us and I will share with you (quickly) some "JOY"!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 23, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Confession time and I must say….when I discovered it – I laughed and thought – oh well….life happens! Yesterday I vowed to myself to stay away from the computer as I have lots of baking to be do and that did get accomplished….but when I went to post – I see that my post did not go off yesterday as I forgot to hit that final schedule button!
I guess you could say, "I had a bye day" Here you go as I shared with you that I was going to highlight some of my all time favorite stamps from the annual catalog….and today these 2 stamp sets are winners in my eyes…love, LOVE!
Remember at the end of the blog you will see the products that I am using and all you have to do is "click on it" and PRESTO….it can be yours! Today is also the day that stampin up offers a new batch of goodies! – Click here to see them! My favorite this week…..tough one…I adore the framelits as they are such time savers….but both of the stamps being offered are wonderfull as well!
Let's get to it…..this is a great card that is clean and simple yet fun! I love the fresh feel it gives and wowzers, you can use so many different sentiments – oh so versatile!
This is a note card size and the FUN paper is a NEWBIE on the block starting Janurary 6th (and YES – I will be doing a paper share) so you will be able to get a full sheet of this paper as it is from a paper stack called Stacked with Love ….so fun! (You are going to love it)
Built for Free Using: My Stampin BlogI have blogged before with this stamp set and I really think that this is one that is just practical to the max and I must admit, the 1st time I went through the catalog, I totally overlooked it! I think it is great that you have a punch that works with it!
The crushed curry did not photograph well….it loks sper bold here but in real life, it is a great color with the DSP and Night of Navy! A very lassic color combination!
When I do a layout like this….I stamp the flower on the cardstock and then I also stamp it on a piece of scratch paper and POPPED it out…this way if you look from the side view….your bases are covered!
I highly reccomend using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement!
I also used the Labels Framlits to create the focal backdrop and then used stampin' dimensionals to "LIFT IT UP" This is an easy yet effective way to jazz up a card!
I hope that you can see that not only this is a great layout – but these are 2 great stamp sets that I definitely think will get great mileage….I call these KEEPERS!
Please feel free to
email me, and yes I have learned my lesson and will have my laptop open! Enjoy the day, make memories and get ready for the BIG Holiday!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 21, 2014 | Uncategorized |
This is so much fun to me to share with your ideas, inspirations, passions and obvious love that you have in your card-making! It is great not only to see the variety of cards, but to also see that we all live all over the place but we all share a same passion….the inner gift we have to create, believe and to have fun!
Let's go….again, please let the comments come for all of these amazing cards!
Once again, Jeannie is right…embossing folders add sooooo much without breaking the bank! I love the clean lines and simpicity of this card! Below you will see how the tree were popped up – Stampin' Dimensionals the best!
Fun, festive, sparkle….WOW – let the Holiday's begin! LOVE the color choice and the scalloped edged border, this is a great effect that I often forget about…..it truly makes this special card POP! Layers are FUN and they can still be super clean!
The is a very special card to me….WHY? Easy – peasy…this card is a Mother/Daughter team effort. Stephanie and her Mom are regular Stamp of the Month Clubbers with me and every month my heart is filled with joy imagining the 2 of them sitting together putting together their kit.
Trust me, it makes me think of my Mom and how fun it would have been to do this wonderful craft with her, I know she would have loved it and we would have had FUN and laughed together!
Isn't this tree pretty, loved how they used the glitter paper for the star and the ornaments – such an impact…festive and fun!
Is this snowman adorable or what …"peek a boo….I see you" …just too cute! Here again is an embossing folder that just "makes" this card. Love the deep rich color of the Night of Navy card and the heat embossing of the sentiment is a perfect touch!
Maureen makes me smile as this is a "Susan kinda card"….very clean, straight forward but classic all at the same time. The "pearl" is the perfect touch! This would be a great card to make lots of!!!
This is a SUPER great layout! The different edges, cuts, textures are just stunning! Bobbie created the "fence look" using the Harwood Stamp with white paper and Smokey Slate ink….so creative! Her note to me said that she was able to pull this card together with a bunch of scraps….that is the BEST feeling!
Well….what do you think? Isn't this another great parade of beauties! Way to go to each and eveyone of YOU! I adore these swaps and I adore reading your commments.
Please let all of these great designers know how much you enjoy their work by leaving them a comment. I know it means so much to them! Enjoy the day….I am looking forward to some baking!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 20, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Here you go…more inspiration to the MAX! I am so darn tootin' proud of your work! I really am wishing that Jeanie and I opened up the envelopes earlier as the good news is we would be smiling and CASING away the… - bad news is….we would be way behind in the hecticness of the season!
I am trying to stay true to my "personal commitment" of not getting stressed this season….to enjoy the journey, embrace family and friends and not let the commercialism get to me.
Enough said….let's get to the goodies! ENJOY!
Soooo darn tootin' cute! The colors are so fresh and fun and I love the "fun fold"… see below the inside sentiment….oops – I did not get all of the sentiment but you can see it is a keeper!
Ok…is this fabulous or what! I wish you could see how clean and crisp the edges are of this card! The "torn" paper above Santa and the Reindeers is a great touch and texture! Just the "pop" of color against the Black and White is a perfect accent!
Simplicity at its best! I could just snuggle up and look at this card with a cup of Hot Chocolate and Cookies….I just adore this stamp set and fingers crossed it will carry over for next year!
Christmas Colors at its best! Polka Dots always make me smile and I love the fact that this card "hides" the sentiment…great textures with the candy brads!
I think I took the wrong angle of this card (but I love it this way) and you will see why in the below picture….but this is stunning and Chris did a great job with the Paper Pumpkin! Way to go for taking it to the MAX! The accents of the rhinestones really makes this card "sparkle"
Are you smiling….I sure hope so as I am….but I am also pooped but the best thing it is a "GREAT TIRED" as Hannah, John and I spent last night with my wonderful 83 year old Dad…We had dinner and a project to do.
The Holidays are hard since my Mom passed and Hannah and John put up a tree…decorated it as Dad and I worked together making his Christmas Cards…his job – Stampin Dimensionals and he mastered it!
Change of plans….tomorrow will be MORE cards…..please give these incredible "artists" some comments of love as I am so proud of all of you!
Until tomorrow!
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