by Susan Itell | Jul 15, 2016 | Just Because..., Uncategorized |
Happy Friday! You know that I am a huge fan of the “note card” size that Stampin’ Up! offers but for some reason I have a bunch of envelopes without the cards….so “PLAN B” went into effect so I used my White Card Stock and cut my own paper as I was looking for a vertical fold card today!
This bundle, Swirly Bird is an interesting one…WHY???? Some you you LOVE IT, some of you DON’T GET IT! I invite you to look at all of the elements that are in this bundle and then if you still do not see the FUN in it – I would say, google, pinterest this bundle and then I think you will change your mind!
Below you will see the bundle and if you look at the stamp set, you are getting so many different options…on today’s card, I made the “boat”, the “waves”, the “sun”, the fun and artistic splatter…all in ONE Bundle!
To me, this is a bundle that offers a BUNCH of variety so I invite you to put your “thinking caps on” and work out of the box that sometimes we are stuck in….sound familiar to anyone????
In a future post…I will share with you something that I have been itchin’ to do…..use the shapes for a clean and simple kite! To me, kites are so peaceful, so fun, and brings your inner childhood out! Again, look for samples…you’ll see the versatility of this bundle.
Do you remember how I did not “get” or at first did not like the “splotches” of the images of Gorgeous Grunge? Well, I was wrong…clearly wrong….and I am thrilled that this stamp set offers an “artistic stamp” that can add depth and interest!
Here is you marked up version of the super sweet card! I made this for PEEP James as he ADORES boats and has been such a help to me….everyone is touched when they receive a piece of mail…and James is no different! I know that he will appreciate it and also that he will find it super special!
I truly hope to see you back tomorrow. I am out of town but I have a FUN and FABULOUS 2 day post for you! Tomorrow is Simple Saturday and I can already see smiles! Enjoy the day!
by Susan Itell | Jul 14, 2016 | Thank You, Uncategorized |
Good Morning! Here is a super sweet and super easy thank you card for you! My inspiration came from the catalog (on page 48) – I highly encourage you to look at the samples that are in the catalog as they are total keepers!!!!
Before we get to the card, remember that TODAY is that LAST day that you will earn DOUBLE PAW PRINTS from me….remember, the Stampin’ Up! Bonus Days are all this month and I always have my Paw Print Rewards for you..but I know that having DOUBLE PAW PRINTS will greatly add to you receiving FREE STAMPS from me!
Today is also a PPA day and we are working with a color challenge! Today’s challenge was inspired from the super sweet Katy McGloin. In being a PAL, we have such special relationships that we build through a cyber world and Katy is always so inspiring and helpful!
The below bundle has been super popular and by taking a look at it, you can easily see why! The thinlits are soooooo beautiful and detailed and I highly recommend using the precision platform when using these thinlits (they come out clean, crisp and CUT) and then look at the sentiments in this set – FABULOUS!
One word of wisdom that I learned from my wonderful upline, Mary Fish….when in doubt – go with the sentiment stamp set. This is something that I remember often if I am looking at deciding on 2 different stamp sets…this is very true when you look at the below bundle.
In creating this card for you today, I decided to add a 3rd color, Flirty Flamingo to add more interest and depth! You can see that this is a very straight forward card, nothing fancy or hard but the end result is a great “go to” layout that by changing the colors and sentiment up…you are GOOD TO GO!
I admit, when I first started stamping and getting to know the Stampin’ up! colors…I thought that Sahara Sand was ICKY.….how wrong I was – it is a FABULOUS neutral that works with just about any color combination. If you have not played with it, I encourage you to give it a try!
The embossing folder that I used was a new one, Sparkle….and it is one that can work all year around! I often say that I forget about embossing folders and I am glad that I added it to today’s card as it adds a “fun factor”
This was an easy no brainer for me, when I need to find a great paper to work for my card…my motto, when in doubt – pull the DSP Stacks out! Works every time and today is no different.
We are so lucky that Stampin’ Up! offers these great papers in all of the color families. This has always been a popular paper share when I am offering them so I encourage you to take advantage of this share the next time I have a share!
Lastly, the marked up version for you to save for the future. I think that you can see that this would be a card that you could put to good use. One thing that I would recommend, make up a bunch of these and do not add the sentiment to it so when you need a card, you can then add…thank you, happy birthday, with sympathy etc….I just love cards like this!
Enjoy the day and stay cool…I hope that you will try to play with these colors and see what you come up with! Pop over to the Pals Paper Art sight to see what the design team cam up with this week! They are always filled with inspiration!
Don’t forget, today is the last day that I am offering the Double Paw Prints…“twice as fast” would work for me – how about you!
by Susan Itell | Jul 13, 2016 | PALS Blog Hops |
Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for July 2016. We are thankful you stopped by to take a look at our new 2016 Blog Hop monthly themes. This month we are featuring projects using our favorite Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper as well as coordinating embellishments. What we love about Stampin’ Up! is they make it so easy to mix and match colors. And, the amazing selection of embellishments provides a wonderful finished look to our projects. We hope to provide you with lots of ideas and that you enjoy our creations.
You may just be starting the Blog Hop or may have come from the previous link from the Line-up on the Pals Blog Hop listing shown below. The full lineup will help you move along from blog to blog so you may see all the projects.
I have a funny for you…I am giving this adorable box to my 86 year old Dad to have a “munch break” while he is sitting at the Atlanta Airport for 2 hours tomorrow. I am blessed, my Dad is going to get a chuckle when he opens up my “care package” to keep him company while he waits for a plane to go see my brother.
Speaking of blessed….Stampin’ Up! has soooooo many amazing DSP’s in this new catalog and today I might be surprising you by picking this DSP. Honestly, I think the reason why I am doing this is….at a first glance at the new DSP’s on the Block ~ This paper, Serene Scereny was not my favorite.
You might be saying, “Why in the heck are you showing this”? Great question and here is the answer…because I wanted to step out of my box and find “love” in something I might have passed up…and I LOVE IT! I was “tunneled visioned” by looking at the “picture” sides of this paper….but I love the flip sides!
This box is the best….and this bundle is simply adorable! You will see the full line up of the products used in the line up at the end of the post! I know that you have a bunch to HOP to so I will try to make my post short!
I adore the fact that we have so many great and practical 3-D Thinlit Dies…and I will say, I think that many of you are skeptical about making 3 – D’s and the truth is….they are NOT scary…they are FUN!
Before we get to the “low down” on the products used for today’s project….I say, grab a cup of coffee and watch this super quick video that will show you how easy it is to put this together!
One thing that I want to share/point out to you….if you were to look up the colors that coordinate with this DSP….you can see from the below line up that I went “out of the box” and it worked!
This is ONE CUTE PROJECT and one CUTE LLAMA and I know that my wonderful Dad will sit at the Atlanta Airport and enjoy the treat inside. I can almost bet you that he will show the person that wheels him to the next gate his goodie…and then I bet he will ask the person that is near him if they want a chocolate.
Thanks for visiting. To continue with the hop, please refer to the Blog Hop Line-up below. We hope to see you on next month’s Pals Blog Hop!
- Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin’ Jackie
- Amy Hoptay at Craft Carnivore
- Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
- Kim Jolley at Stampin’ Artfully
- Karen Gooch at Inker’s Workshop
- Pamela Sadler at stampin pink rose
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin’ Sunshine
- Karen Zaring Browning at Stamp With Me KZB
- Becky Volpp at InkBlossomwithBecky
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
- Jennifer Spiller at Westside Paper Creations
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Laura Schollaart at Laura b’ Stampin’
- Lynn Tague at Beyond Beaches & Blessings
- Shannon Jaramillo at ShannonKayPaperie
- Pam Dotts at Clearly Southern Stampin’
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
- Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
by Susan Itell | Jul 12, 2016 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
Happy Tuesday and today is our day that we chat about tips and try to learn about different topics that revolve around stamping, organizing and basically “whatever” for this wonderful habit we have, STAMPING!
Today lets get some chatter rolling on adhesives and what we like and what we do not reach for! I am a firm believer that we learn from one another and hearing what works for some might make us dust a product off the shelf and give it a try!
I am going to take a dive and list the 4 Stampin’ Up! products that I reach for on just about a daily basis. You can click here and see the adhesives that Stampin’ Up! offers and also refer to page 182 in the catalog to take a look!
I have also created this PDF for you to read about adhesives. Remember, these are just my picks and thoughts. I will be adding a section in my Blog Header about Tips and Product Reviews (This is my 1st one, adhesives)
- Fast Fuse – This is the adhesive that I reach for the most. Trust me, it TOTALLY was my least favorite adhesive when it first came out but after we learned to like one another, it is a Blue Ribbon Adhesive. I love the fact that you can purchase a refill and I know at a glance, this adhesive seems expensive but look at the amount of yards you get….a GREAT DEAL!
- Glue Dots – Love these little gems. Every-time I use them I say, “Why didn’t I use them years ago”…a life saver!
- Tear & Tape – Thank you Stampin’ Up! for creating this so we do not need scissors. I think that we all agree that this is a great adhesive and a favorite for many with making 3-d projects. I admit, I have become pretty slick with the Fast Fuse and I will use that for 3-d’s but you still love this great tape!
Please make sure that you read the PDF that I created for more details and thoughts that I have about these products. You can see that there are adhesives that I have not mentioned…..that does not mean that I do not like them….most likely it is that these 4 are the ones that I gravitate to.
Please leave me a comment and let me know what you like. This is how we learn…as maybe I too will pick up a “light bulb” nugget and try a product in a different way!
With the Bonus Days in full swing and also the LAST 2 Days of my offering of DOUBLE PAW PRINTS, I say….look at your supplies, running out of adhesives is just the worse!
You know how were are about “stocking up” when a snow storm is in the forecast? Trust me, my adhesives are ALWAYS stocked as I would not be a HAPPY SUSAN is I ran out of one of my go-to’s! 🙁
Tomorrow is a PALS Blog Hop….this is a monthly “fun day” where there are LOTS of great ideas! I love being a part of the PALS community. Through them, I have learned so much about many aspects of stamping, tips and just sheer friendship! (they were the ones that helped me through the learning curve of using a Fast Fuse) 🙂
I can’t wait to hear your feedback!
p.s. – Stampin’ Dimensionals in my opinion are not even in the running for this post as YOU ALL NEED MANY PACKS OF THESE….I call them my Stampin’ Vitamins! Of course you need them EVERY DAY!
by Susan Itell | Jul 11, 2016 | New Product, Uncategorized |
Good Morning! I hope that everyone had a great weekend and is charged up for a great week ahead! On the East Coast we had a bit of relief from the heat but it will be back in FULL FORCE this week so if you live in an area with high heat and humidity, be careful!
I know that you all have been hearing about the new limited edition bundle that will be available to purchase starting August 2nd. (Well, that is not quite true as if you are a demonstrator, you could order it now)….so think about it this way, join the fun and be able to get your crafty paws on it now! (just saying) 🙂
Below you will see the super fun bundle that will be available for you to purchase and I invite you to look at all of the possibilities that this bundle offers! Naturally the Tree and it’s details are super amazing…but look at the sentiments and the fonts – total keepers!
Remember~ for every $50 increment you spend this month, Stampin’ Up! will send you via email a $5.00 voucher to be used in August….so now is a great time to be taking advantage of this “buy now…spend later” opportunity (There are no restrictions on how many $5 vouchers you can earn) and I am offering DOUBLE PAW PRINTS thru this Thursday, July 14th!
I have a parade of pictures for you and I hope that they bring a smile to your face! The details of the leaves are amazing, Stampin’ Up! has really out done themselves with this beauty.
I hope that you can see that I cut the entire tree out in the Early Espresso and then I did use the stamp of the tree stump (in Soft Suede)….I just layered it over top as I wanted the base of the tree to be larger.
I adore the way that you can still see the tree limbs (early espresso) with the leaves over top! A simple snip of some extra leaves did the trick to mimic them falling and on the ground! Won’t this be a FUN set for fall!!! I am already thinking of the beautiful ways we can change it up
You can see how I placed the adhesives. I first dotted some green glue on the tree and then placed the leaves on top! (you can also see the boo-boo I made as I was trying a different shade of green but I did not like it so….FLIP IT OVER and presto – re-stamp….save when you can!) 😉
The new foam adhesive strips are true keepers to have on hand. Not only are they great that they are super thin, I love the fact that you can bend them and cut them to any size you need~ I call that a time saver!
You can see that the entire tree/sentiment are popped up! This really makes the card super special. Being able to stamp the grass and then add some leaves on top of the grass really gives a great dimension.
You know me, I adore my Bakers Twine and today is no different! It always adds so much and using simple glue dots does the trick each and every time. (Remember…it’s the basics like this that make what we do work) 😛
A super quick “low down” on this adorable DSP for the back flap of the envelope! I have a confession…I did purchase the new sponge brayer but have not used it until this card. I honestly was not 100% thrilled with the flimsiness of the handle so I think I just pushed it to the back-burner but yesterday I thought….let’s try this thing!
Well…I did and I am glad! It was super easy to use and I went and washed it out and it cleaned up perfectly for the next project. It was fun to roll back and forth to get the “just right” color I was looking for. How do you like it? This paper, Irresistibly Floral has 6 different tone on tone prints that allow you to use them “as is” or color it as I did today!
There you go! I was on a roll yesterday and I have made up some other cards for you later to post about this bundle. I think that when you see them you will say WOW, they are so different! That is what is fun to do with a stamp set – to stretch it in many ways so you can justify the purchase of it! (trust me, I get that)
Feel free to pin this for the future…because when you get your own in August…I hope that you case away! 🙂
Have a fabulous Summer day….stay cool and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for Tuesday Tips! I have something for you that I think will be a great “check list” – reminder for you!
If you have a friend that needs a dose of daily inspiration….please share my blog with them, they can subscribe (like you do I hope) and everyday you will get a dose of sunshine!
