by Susan Itell | Mar 11, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Hello my friends…I feel so touched that many were concerned were my post was today…well – if you have been following the weather ~ the Louisiana and Mississippi area had a HUGE RAIN storm and we are sooooooo lucky where we are!
All is good….Milo was by my side – we lost power for just a bit but the internet connection went out (and it very different to get help when you are renting) so we went to the barn….horses are all good and when we came home….PRESTO – life in cyber world is great!
I have a GREAT (well I think it is) 2 day weekend post for you so I do hope to see you tomorrow!
My fingers have been crossed that Hannah’s flight will get in and it is on schedule and she should be here in time for dinner!!!! Enjoy the evening! Many thanks for your emails of concerns!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 10, 2016 | PPA Challenges |
This is a FUN color palette for the Pals Paper art challenge and leave it to the super creative Mary Fish to pick the palette we are working with this week! These colors are sooooooo Mary….and it will be fun to see what everyone comes up with!
I did a THROWBACK THURSDAY and went to a card from before so…… I CASED my own card for this fun card for you today! I am going to let me pictures tell the story today but please feel free to email me if you have any questions!
We are having very , very windy weather here in Mississippi and today the horses were scratched from competing….it is just toooooooo windy and unsafe. The rain is next to come but I am hopeful that it will come and go QUICK!
Milo and I decided to pack it up and head back over to see my brother. He is such a special person that ALWAYS is the one that makes the effort to come to Maryland and I thought….I am going to go back – make him a yummy dinner – spend the night and be back early!
The 2 stamp sets that I used for this card are from the annual catalog and to me they are both keepers. The below bundle is one that it always a great go-to…this is exactly why I brought it with me. Here is a tip…when you are not 100% sure what you will be wanting to make….always have a great, solid stamp set that can have a total different look with some minimal changes!
Pop back over the weekend and you will see, after all ~ our main goal is to be able to make MANY projects with our stamp sets that we invest in….not just get a single card out of it!
The other single stamp, Bloom for you is another great one, You know how I feel about single stamps and this one is not different. How can you go wrong with this beauty when we have a coordination punch to go with it! Simple works for me!
The next series of pictures will show you how I go about creating the pattern. To me, it is super fun and it is also relaxing. It is like putting a puzzle together but you know where the last piece will go without frustrations! It is so much easier to work on a base and then cut the excess away!
I started out with a base of 5 1/4″ X 4″ and built my FUN and then trimmed the out piece to meet the edges of the black paper and then I took this to my trimmer and cut it to 3 3/4″ X 5″ and then matted it to a piece of white that is 5 1/4″ X 4″
This is a fun card….right? The sentiments are super sweet and it just works each and every time! I think that you can see the versatility of this stamp set and the sentiments can be used with so many other clean and simple cards that you create. Remember, it is all about having timeless stamps in your stash so you can create fun works over and over!
Tomorrow I am going to share with you some of my ins and outs in how I was able to work and keep my blog going while I have been away. The below swatch ring is one that has been a lifesaver. It is so handy to have all of our papers on one ring….all marked with their name and the collection they came from. I am sure that many of you that are viewing this post and have purchased one from me will agree…it is a fabulous tool to have!
If you are interested in getting one, please email me and when I get home I will be making more up! (Please put in the subject line Card Stock on a Ring so I can SPOT IT) These also make super gifts for your favorite stampin’ friend and I have had many demonstrators purchase them for their downline as a quick “giftie” – perfect for Easter around the corner!
One last look….a super fun way to use up paper, have fun and do something differently and creative! You can do it….I know you can because if I can do it – YOU CAN! It is so fun what we are able to do…I hope that you can get inky today……fingers crossed that the storms will not be as bad as they say!
Please pop over to the Pals Paper Art Site and see whats brewing! There are some adorable cards that will inspire you to the max! The talent is out there for all of us to me a BIG SPONGE and soak it up! Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 9, 2016 | Thinking of you, Uncategorized |
Happy Hump Day….can you believe that it is the middle of the week already? Today I have for you a card that I think you can relate to as it is a “keeper” card to let someone know you care and thinking of them! This is one of those card that you can mass produce and if you are tired of your color scheme – CHANGE IT…you will see that I did that!
The color of base is Very Vanilla and using the Timeless Elegance DSP woks perfectly for this card! I was thrilled that Stampin’ Up! came out with DSP collections that pair up to Very Vanilla….how about you – do you feel the same way?
You have heard me blog about this before….when you have a card that is a classic that you will “go to” often…make them in quantities. I made 8 of these and it was super fun to do. Before you get going on a project when you are making many…PLAN and have all of your supplies handy and then do it in steps…
I know that you enjoy when I give you measurements and the scoop….so here you go!
- Cut all of your bases and score
- Cut your mat paper ( 4″ X 5 1/2″)
- Cut your DSP (3 3/4″ X 5 1/2″)
Stamp the sentiment on scraps of Very Vanilla. Now it is time for the Big Shot!
- Cut the sentiment out with the smallest Deco Label Framelit
- Using the mat that you cut out for the card, use the next size Deco Label Framelit.
Using the White pen, make large dots all the way around….set it aside to dry as you do all of them . Stamp the flowers on scraps of Very Vanilla and POP them out with the coordinating punch.
I used the aqua painter, if you prefer blender pens….that is fine! (I just find that it is easier to use the aqua painter) Color the flowers and put dimensionals on the back.
I think that you will be surprised that I used the aqua painters with the help of the black archival ink….and then colored away! You can see that it works ~ no watercolor paper needed,..because you are using such a light touch! I get many emails about this….try it and you will see that it is easy and it works!
Time to go back to the sentiment piece…I am sure that the white ink is dry! Place a generous amount of adhesive on the back and lay down 2 pieces of ribbon that are slightly longer than the framelit and adhere. Now….put dimensionals all over the back and press firmly to the front. Trim your ribbon edges to the desired length.
Add the flowers and smile.
I was pleased with this card and I hope that you can see that this would be a great card to have on hand. I hope that you were able to follow my steps that I shared with you and if you have any questions, please email me.
To me, there are times that very vanilla adds that perfect accent/touch that just softens the total picture. Below are (2) stamps sets that I used today…and both of these….I would highly suggest that you purchase in bundles! The stamp bundles are Grateful Bunch and Rose Wonder. Both of these are great for many cards that you will make! The sentiments in both of these sets are fabulous!
Enjoy the pictures below and I TOTALLY encourage you to make the envelope pretty and special. This is a card that obviously is being sent to someone that is going through something…let them smile even more when they go to their mailbox and see this beautiful envelope. You can also see that this card came out special using the melon mambo!
That’s it my friends…have a great day and I hope to see you back here tomorrow! Please share my love of clean and simple stamping with your family and friends. I totally believe that word of mouth is the best!
We are on the countdown for Sale-a-Bration to end….3 more weeks! Make sure that you do not miss the opportunity to get the exclusive products for free with every increment of a $50.00 purchase. This year, there are keepers and it is hard to choose the favorites!
Go and make someone smile today….you will be happy that you did it! 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Mar 8, 2016 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
Good Tuesday to all…I am in my last week in Mississippi and I will do a post one day with pictures of how I was able to keep my blog going and share with you my work space. In a nut shell…you just make it work with what you have! Naturally I could not bring everything but I did bring the essentials for making clean and simple cards!
Part of being able to be away for this long is to make things simple…and here are some tips that help keep me organized and things that I simply would not be without in my work zone! Crafting is so much fun and I think that it is safe to say that we all see things differently and we try things that work for other only to find out that that is not the best solution to your needs….guess what – THAT IS OK as we need to use what works for our own needs!
Here you go….4 more tips that make my life a bit easier! Please feel free to share with me a tip and I will be happy to share ot on my blog one Tuesday…there are so many fabulous ideas ~ BRING THEM ON….and I will be happy to share! (I am doing this today)
1 – Command Central ~ This is my best friend in my work area. I have it with me here as how in the world would I be able to store all of the essentials without going bonkers! I tried and tried to google to find something like this but I did not find anything ( you know me and computers if you can find something similiar….please share it in the comments with the link) or email me and I will share!
I purchased this eons ago from Pampered Chef and YES….I did look there and did not see it (It honestly must have been 15+ years ago) I never used it in my kitchen like it was meant to be but one day I saw it still in the original box and I swooped it up and have never looked back!
It spins around and it holds a TON…It would be crazy for me to list out all that is in there…but I think that you can see – it is a keeper! I find if the products are easy to reach for and easy to put back in place ~ it’s a keeper! – THIS IS SO IMPORTANT as then you can keep your area organized.
2. – Goo Gone – I think that we all can agree…there is nothing more frustrating than having “sticky’s” where you do not want them. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY so treat it like you do your GREEN GLUE…You can find tiny bottles sometimes at check outs at Bed Bath & Beyond and also Lowes….I call it my travel size!
When my scissors or mat that I work on gets icky…I squirt a small amount onto a paper towel and rub it back and forth until it is gone! PRESTO – works like a charm!
3. Quickstik ( in 2 different ways!) ~ Does picking up small tiny things make you frustrated? Well…this TIP is for you – there is a product that you can purchase or you can make a DIY version and they are both great! This is in my COMMAND CENTRAL as I do go for it….OFTEN!
You can find this on Amazon and usually at the big craft stores but you can also make it on your own! Last week I had an email from Sharon Gibbons with this tip that she uses…..BRILLIANT 🙂 and oh so easy!
In the second picture you will see that Sharon uses a toothpick and some “green glue” kinda dried up….a big blob and it works like a charm!!!! THANK YOU for your email and please, please send me your tips! (Thank you Sharon)!
4 – HIT THAT EASY BUTTON! – I find that this is a fabulous tip that save soooo much time and you will be so happy that you did this! The other thing that is great about this idea as this is the PERFECT time of the year to stock up on the basics, like card stock and take advantage of a FREEBIE with Sale-a-bration!
What the heck am I talking about????? Take a bunch of card stock to a store like Office Max, Staples, Kinkos, etc….and they will cut your paper for you! Most of these stores will charge you $2.00 a cut and trust me, if you use the Whisper White and Very Vanilla a bunch….stock up on it, take it in and have it cut in both ways….for vertical cards as well as horizontal cards….they you are ready to rumble when you sit down to work!
This is a game changer as it makes things so sooooo fast! I would suggest calling around and seeing – it is well worth the effort as they can cut MANY packs of paper at one time for such a SMALL PRICE TO PAY…..Love it!
That’s it my friends! I hope that you have found this post helpful. I just think that we all have a wealth of tips and trick that work for us! Please feel free to share with me an unique tip that works for you….I would love to share it with you!
Yesterday was a truly fulfilling day….Mondays are quiet days at the barn but we all chipped in and gave the guys a day off and went to the barn…did all of the stalls (26) of them….rotated the horses to get turned out….groomed them…and it was a fun time having all of the owners there working and having fun!
Milo and I hit the road to bring some joy to others! He is simply the best….(well Eddie is the best – that’s for you Caleb) but we brought smiles to people in a nursing home. He is a gift that was brought to me and I have been in touch with Earlene to share with her the “happenings” with our little man! Each and everyday I think – how in the world could anyone give up this special dog!
Ok – ENOUGH ABOUT ME….let’s get to the weekly deals!!!!! YIPPEE-SKIPPEE…..thanks you stampin’ up! for offering fun deals for all of us to enjoy each week.
Enjoy the day…make some memories….and make someone smile! Until tomorrow!!!!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 7, 2016 | Birthday, Uncategorized |
Here is a super simple card that takes just minutes to make and the colors that you can use are endless and the end result – FUN!!! There is a fun moment within the home office at Stampin’ Up! with the super fun and sweet Shannon West….you can CLICK HERE to see the post all about her idea and concept to sending handmade cards to people to celebrate and honor their special day.
I LOVE her concept and I am hopping on the Birthday Card Train and I hope that you will do so as well. Please do not get me wrong…social media is a great tool and so easy to click a button and say Happy Birthday….but receiving a piece of mail, a handmade card is so special.
The star of this super simple card is the Watercolor Words Stamp Set shown below. This is one stamp set that I have blogged about a bunch and it is one that I never get tired of because of its versatility! It is so fun and fresh and I adore that it is a photopolymer so it makes it even easier to line up and stamp!
You can see in the parade of pictures that I used (2) colors of paper and the same (2) colors of ink ~ Bermuda Bay and Pool Party! THere are clearly no rules in making a card like this…I call this...READY ~ SET~STAMP = ONE FUN CARD!
Today on the sentiment I double stamped the sentiment….just ever so slightly moving the top color (Bermuda Bay) up a bit….LOVE THE LOOK…what do you think? You can see that I did a super quick fussy cut of the sentiment and then matted it. How EASY!
When you stamp of the edges like I did today, simply place a piece of scrap paper under your card stock over top of the Stampin’ Pierce Mat. I think it is a fun and fresh look to have stamped images go off the edges of your card stock. Several trio dots here and there added that little something special to your card!
How clean and simple can you get? Just think of all of the fun colors you could use. If you wanted to make this masculine…I would stamp the Happy Birthday just like I did it today and then simply place that over top of a masculine DSP ~ DONE!
I think that you can see how fast you could whip up a bunch of these. I challenge you to go through your card stock….find some colors that “speak to you” and then sit down and make a stack of special goodness from your heart so in turn, you can make someone smile as you remember them on their special day!
The 6 x 6 paper stacks that we have are great for many reasons but I do use them a bunch for envelopes. Sometimes I look at the paper I have that I want to use for my envelopes to dictate the color scheme that I will use for my project.
Below you will see the front of the envelope! Doesn’t it make you smile? I challenge you again to do this on the outside of the envelope…I think it will make you super proud and you will be amazed at how quick it is to do!
So…how about it – How about making some super clean and simple cards for you to have on hand to make someones day!
Today you can order the super adorable stamp that Shannon created…a perfect stamp to stamp on cards and envelopes so you can SHOUT IT OUT TO ALL….that what we do is GREAT and what we do is SPECIAL! I hope that you will join the fun!
One more peek at this card…its a keeper and remember, cut the cardstock that you are going to cover up….waste not want not!!! Thanks for your precious time and click that SHOP NOW Button and order this fun stamp today! WAY TO GO SHANNON for being the brainchild for this great concept!
Please, please do not underestimate what we do…throw perfection out the window as what is important is that YOU DID SOMETHING for SOMEONE ELSE! That is soooo powerful…and I am proud of you!
Yesterday was a much smoother day for Hannah and I. She felt well enough to ride and she did fantastic! Still not 100% but feeling soooo much better than Saturday. She left to go back to school.The other girls that were ill as well are feeling better but one poor Dad – is still not feeling great!
I feel bad for him as he is here with his daughter that is super young and he is miserable. Good thing there are lots of hands to help. She is adorable….she looked at me yesterday and said, Mrs. Itell…..I am SOOOOOO glad that I just ate the cheese pizza, not the pepperoni!!!
Pop back tomorrow for some more tips and tricks….have a great day…think about keeping some simple cards like this on hand to make someones day!Watercolor
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