by Susan Itell | Dec 8, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I know that many of you left comments and sent me emails about how to make the box and I was super happy about that as there are MANY of you that are intimidated to do 3-D's ~ like boxes …..Boxes are super easy and super fun!
There is not much for me to say and I will let the pictures do the work today! I just hope that "you get it" that you can do many different "feels"… be it ~ tags or 3" X 3" cards to make someone smile….as after all – it is that smile that is THE BEST feel good that we can have!
Here you go….I am an email away if you need help!
It is so easy as….
HOMEMADE GIFTS ARE BEST!
This is getting to be the time of the year that we are all getting so overwhelmed with "the wonderful season" but then again, I invite you to think of this as an opportunity for you to have some "me time" and have fun. I truly hope that you can carve out some time to make some handmade gifts….you will smile, promise!
Now here is another reason you will smile, the weekly deals! Click here to see the offerings and this week is a easy~peasy pick – the PRECISION PLATE!
Tomorrow is a PALS blog hop…get ready to have fun HOPPING away from inspiration to inspiration!!! Ho-ho-ho!!!!
by Susan Itell | Dec 7, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Woot-woot…here is to a NEW week and lets all make it a GREAT week. In continuing the gift guide inspiration for you – today we are going to take the focus of the "tags" from the weekend and make them into a different and equally fun twist!
Please make sure that you go back and see yesterdays post on the tags. I added it later in the day because of my camera not cooperating (and I still am not happy with my pictures today)
Perhaps "tags" are not your style so let me inspire you to be totally hip and go for the square look! I think these little cards are fun to make and they are an extra touch that people always love receiving! You will see the theme is continuing on from the weekends post!
I suggest that you make these in the same fashion – be a Boy Scout and BE PREPARED….you'll be happy and they making process will go super smooth. I wanted to package them in a box so it gave the real fun feeling of a "gift" and I always think it is fun to jazz up the box!
Have fun with using what you have on hand to jazz up your box and also the same for making your cards! I know one thing that we all have in common, many spools of ribbon and many stacks of gorgeous DSP paper. USE IT UP!!! (does this sound familiar) Trust me, you will feel sooooooo good using up products that you have because guess what – there will always be more new and fun products coming down the pike!
I do recommend if you have the thick white card stock to use that as the stability of it is simply the best. (I honestly believe that once you get used to using it, you will never go back) and being able to purchase the adorable 3" X 3" envelopes…..wowzers a win`win. I think that many times we forget that we sell them. I find them super handy and I always have a pack on hand!
I think making a fun gift project like this works so well with our paper stacks…remember, you can use every little piece of scraps to use on tags….hopefully you could see that from the weekends post….nothing wasted!
Let's talk about scraps….in a nutshell I have a LOVE/HATE relationship with them.
I know that I feel so much better when I use them up and if I find that I am getting LOADED up on small pieces…..trust me – CLOSE YOUR EYES AND THROW THEM AWAY!
I try to use as much as I can but I think the "crafter" in us sets in and we keep every little piece and then we get stressed – PURGE!!!!
I hope that you have enjoyed the twist for today showing the adorable 3" X 3" cards set….it is the same (kind of) but then again, a different twist from the weekend post. You know what your friends would enjoy more….tags or cards, you simply cannot go wrong either way!
I simply cannot believe how much I have used this Real Red envelope paper….it is so darn affordable, no need to use up your DSP as I think the effect is just as effective! Clean and crisp and being able to have the envelope liner framelit – EASY-PEASY!
Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know…..would you be more likely to make the "tag" idea or the 3 X 3 cards? I am an email away if you need me and I look forward to a great week ahead!
Below you will see many of the goodies that I used to make this great post today! Shop away….it sure is easier shopping here than fighting the stores!
by Susan Itell | Dec 6, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I realize that this is LONG but I think it is filled with
some great TIPS for you….enjoy!
(my pictures are still not the best….sorry, I do not know what is up!)
As I quickly shared with you in the earlier post this morning I shared with you that yesterday when I went to town making more of my Mason Jar Tags for upcoming gifts….I realized that the process can be a bit overwhelming without a plan.
I wish that you had seen my work area – A TOTAL PAPER MESS! (does this sound familiar to anyone?) I admit that I was becoming frustrated and I thought, this is silly – make this a process!
This post is about a process…think of it as a recipe just like you would be making in your kitchen. I reworked it and simplified it to 4 different patterns (recipes).
Having a plan and having everything ready makes this a FUN project!
#1 – Go ahead and cut all of you tag bases to the color scheme that you are looking for. I am using Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Heavy weight Whisper White and Old Olive.
- Cut the full sheet of card stock in half at the 4 ¼” and then cut into 2” strips – this way you will get 10 tags from a sheet of paper. I cut a BUNCH at once so I have lots ready…to me this is a time saver and I know that they will always get used up!
- I used the scalloped tag topper to do a quick and decorative finishing touch. If you do not have a punch, simply use scissors and snip off the edges for a tg effect but I will say that I use our tag punches a bunch!
#2 – Cut paper into ¼” strips. I know….I know – I can hear the moans and groans from you now but not only is this a GREAT way to utilize your scraps…it is a great to have a STOCKPILE on hand as you will find that they are super handy and a key element in making clean and simple cards!
- TIP – many times I like to use the right hand side of my trimmer to make cuts…I find it easier to keep them straight.
- In the picture below you will see how I store my strips! This is the container that the markers came in….(I just knew that it would come in handy one day)…be creative and find a system that works for you!
- When I go to cut to an 1/8” inch, I just do them on “as need” basis as I find that they are super fragile and tear….They do make a great statement against the ¼” strip so play around and have fun with them!
#3 – Look at what stamps and Die Cuts you have and just go to town! What I like to do is pull off the shelf anything that works for the theme I am doing…remember, tags are not just for Christmas time….you can make a jar of Birthday Tags – what a FUN gift to give!
- This is another GREAT time to use up scraps. Stamp away and if you need to use a punch go ahead and stockpile a bunch at once….I like to use little cups to keep each design in.
- If you are using bakers twine to make simple bows, go ahead and make the bows and put them in a container to have on hand (like the Santa example today)
- I adore our cotton ribbon. In the Mason Jar I put 10” of the following colors, white, pear pizzazz and real red…these seem to go great for the holiday but then again, this is the PERFECT time to use up scraps and odds and ends of ribbon you might have!
- The Red is 1/4" and the white is 1/8".
- The plaid DSP is 2" X 2" and the Red is 1/4"
- The plaid is 2 3/4" and the Mossy Meadow pieces are 1/4" each
- The plaid pieces are each 1" wide and the strip is 1/4"
There you go…..a quick run down on different looks to make a super cute project! Remember, it is all about having your items ready to rumble! This will be the last week that I will be showing a bunch about Christmas …..I am going to continue with the theme of great and practical gifts that you can make to give…gifts from your hands are simply the best and they are ALWAYS treasured!
Remember that you can win the LOOT of MARKERS….click here to see that post! Enjoy the day, tomorrow will be a different twist but one that I know many of you will like. Enjoy the day!
by Susan Itell | Dec 6, 2015 | Uncategorized |
O.k. folks…you all know me well enough by now that I am very "type A" and I am super excited to share with you some "RECIPES" and "TIPS & TRICKS" for making Tags.
Truth be told….when I went to add my pictures to the post they were (are) terrible. I was not pleased with yesterdays pictures and when I started to edit todays pictures were even worse. I will be back in a couple of hours with the easy ins and outs!
I will say/…yesterday morning I went to town making a bunch more "Mason Jar" fun…..for gifts and I realized one thing – this can be an intimidating process so I really….REALLY broke it down to a super simple project!
In a couple of hours when I post the "RECIPE" for you …..you will see how makings a SUPER SIMPLE gift of homemade tags is not only fun, rewarding and a GREAT way to utilize paper and products you have on hand!
I know you will enjoy the post….until later!
by Susan Itell | Dec 5, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I know that we are all getting super busy with the many check lists that the holidays bring to our lives so I am going to try to share with you some easy, practical and fun projects that you can whip up in no time using products that you have!
The best thing about making tags is simple….
THE ARE NO RULES…OTHER THAN TO HAVE FUN!
If you are one that feels like it is hard to create and find a style that works for you….than this is the BEST way to develop a style and get your "Mojo" going! Tags are truly fun to make and naturally they can be used for so many occasions/themes.
Today I am showing you some fun pictures of tags that I made to give as hostess gifts to people we visit over the holidays! To me there is nothing better than a good old classic Mason Jar, so I decided to utilize them and fill them with tags and coordinating ribbon.
Because they are in a jar, they are protected from the weather when you are going somewhere, they are super easy to store and have ready in a jif, and the best is….they are practical!
Tomorrow I will give you a breakdown of all of the basic recipe that I use when making tags! This is a project that really allows you to go thru your scraps….use them up….pull out stamp sets that you have not used in a while and GO TO TOWN and HAVE FUN!
You can clearly see a color scheme and them going on – please pop back tomorrow and I will share with you some tips and tricks in how to make a bunch of tags in an easy , methodical way! This is the time of the year that we are using up paper and this is a super way to mix and match what you have on hand and make something super special!
Way before Stampin' Up! I always made my own tags….and if I can find one I will share it with you! It was a super adorable snowman that was the "HIT" on my packages, I just love the extra handmade touch of making your own tags….what do you think? Do you make tags???
I personally love wrapping gifts. I think that the wrapping process is the fun way to express yourself to make the recipient both super excited and also have them try to guess what is inside. I often will write a clue on a tag to see if they can guess what is inside! (Trust me… my kids have seen all of my tricks…I just hope that they continue the tradition with their own children some day)
Please go and have a GREAT day and then come back tomorrow and be ready to learn the basic A,B,C;s of being a tag making pro!
