by Susan Itell | Oct 31, 2015 | Christmas, Simple Saturday |
Good Morning and welcome to the 1st of a 2 day day post…today is the "simple version" and pop back tomorrow and you will see the "stepped up" version…(don't get too excited for drastic changes…remember, it is the little touches that sometimes make a difference)
When I saw this stamp set I knew that he needed to be on Randall Lane. My Mom loved cardinals and I knew that a smile of joy would be on my face when I used it and yep – it happened, I smiled! The stamp set is called Joyful Season. Not only is that bird so beautiful, I love the branch and the simple yet meaningful sentiments!
Lets get to it and hopefully you can see that using a designer series paper works for the stamped image.I need to tell you a "funny"….one day I was looking through the Holiday Catalog and I was on page 33 and I looked at the Snowman Sample and could not figure out where or how they made the snow as it was so symmetrical.
I called Stampin' Up! and the person at the other end said, I have no idea what stamp that is and then all of a sudden at the same time, we both laughed as we said – it is the Home for Christmas DSP!
The card is 4 1/2" so you will be able to get (2) card bases from a sheet of paper The DSP is a 4" square so again, maximize your paper and you will be able to get (9) cards from 1 sheet of paper and you will have plenty to line your envelopes!
This stamp set showcases double stamping. If you were anything like me, whenever I heard about "double stamping" – I would RUN AS FAST A I COULD as I thought, "There is no way that I could do that"
It is actually very ,very easy and the best thing ~ it is rewarding as you will be super proud of yourself. This stamp set is super easy to do as it is photopolymer so no worries what so ever in perfect alignment, each and every time!
I used the Black Ink to stamp the images and then I did something that I do not do a bunch, I used the blender pens! This is a perfect tool to use when you are not using watercolor paper. They are super easy to use and all you need to do is pick up a bit of color….take it to your image and you are good to go!
The envelope punch board was once again my friend….the best tool for just $20.00! If you do not know how to use this tool or if you need "help" in using it, please email me and I will be happy to "walk you through it" or we can skype!
As I said before, this is not only a great stamp set, the inside of this card has the super simple sentiment that sums this great card up…..
JOYFUL
I do hope that you pop back tomorrow….some simple change that you might like better than today's clean and simple card! Enjoy the day and I hope that you can make someone smile!
p.s. – Milo's Birthday celebration needs to be put off until Sunday.….the truth is that Milo, Leo and Daisey were BAD yesterday (well, it really was not all their fault) but John left the garage door open when he went to work) and they found a hidden treasure….A TRASH BAG!!!!!….Plus Earlene was not having a good day…
Needless to say they had "tummy-aches" and were not "worthy" of a "Frost Paws" party…Milo received cards and I sang to him but I will share with you "Party Pictures" when we celebrate!
Below is a cute picture of "my guys" last weekend while we were with Hannah! It was a great time and Milo was "SUPER MILO" for being so amazing with just being with us for weeks!
by Susan Itell | Oct 30, 2015 | Tips and Tricks!!! |
Good Morning….it is the weekend and WOOT-WOOT!!! I know that you all seem to enjoy when I post about tips and tricks and also just things that I use that I ADORE to share with you as I know we all are on the same page in many ways….
TIME + ORGANIZATION = A HAPPY STAMPER!!!
I get asked often about mailing a card in the mail that has pearls, perhaps a button…basic BUMPS that make our mailman crazy etc….
Here are a couple (well 3) options that I can suggest for you!
#1 – You can take a 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" piece of paper and run it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder to place over top of your card. This is the fastest and easiest way to do it but I must admit, I rarely do it as I tend to use the next (2) more….
#2 – Foam Sheets – These are very thin. I purchased them thru Amazon and you might want to go in with a friend if you think that you need to split the order up! You do get a bunch but I like these as you can easily cut them to the specific size that you need. Click here to see this product!
I will also say…that I tend to use these for other things that I need an extra padding for when shipping. Having handy things like this is a lifesaver as you never know when you need them!
#3 –Padded Mailers - I really, really love these mailers! WHY?….the padding is great – no need to add anything else and the are WHITE so it looks super clean, simple and classic! I admit, I ran out of them about 2 weeks ago and went to Sam's Club and bought others but I like these much better!
Many times, I need to add additional postage as it might be a square card or maybe it has a "bump" that requires extra postage etc….I find that there is a minimal extra charge when I use these padded envelopes. You can also easily use these for mailing a stamp set (thin ones) and also small products like dimensionals, tear tape with a card! LOVE THEM! Click here to see them!
Mesh Bags – Now to another product that I just would not be without! I feel like I always like to keep projects "safe and clean" and I use these below bags for so many things…my stamping projects, kits, I like to keep needlepoint in them – they are just so darn handy!
I must admit, when I looked at my past history with Amazon, I paid significantly less than what they are showing up now, Click here to see them but when I went to my history of purchases, I just paid $2.69 a piece as an add-on item and now they are much more expensive…. ( I am not 100% sure how the add-ons work) but I will say, that I love them so much that I would pay this for them….BUT – READ BELOW….
Last weekend when we were visiting Hannah I popped into the Container Store (this is like a kid in a candy store – I LOVE this store) and look what I found! They are basically the same thing – I actually bought one to see if it was similar and it is.
You can click here to see them and you will see that they came in 3 sizes. Below is a picture and you can see that they are super similar!
I hope that these tips have helped you and next week I am going to do another post on how I organize cards that I have made up already…..(CALGON…TAKE ME AWAY) If I do not organize them by category….it is total chaos! (sound familiar to anyone)
Hope to see you over the weekend…Simple Saturday and Step it up Sunday!
p.s. – today is Milo's 2nd Birthday (I still cannot figure out how a rescue knows the exact day but we will celebrate it anyway) A tradition we have is Frosty Paws for every one – pop back to see a picture of the crazy party!
I could not resist sharing this with you…I came home and took my necklace off and put it on him…he loved it and as he walked past the other dogs, they looked at him like "WHAT THE HECK IS ON YOUR NECK!!!"
I am taking him over to Earlene's today for a visit! He is sooooo special!
by Susan Itell | Oct 29, 2015 | Birthday, Super Easy |
Usually on Thursdays it is the Paper Art Challenge but because there are 5 Thursdays this month….we are off for the week! Did I get your attentions with the title of today's post? Let me clarify it and I think you will see where I am coming from!
I will ask you…
Why do we complicate something that we love to do?
What am I talking about? So many times we get ourselves in such a dither that we just get frustrated, we sometimes get angry and many times we throw our hands up and say – I just can't do this right now….
Does this sound familiar? Trust me…been there ~ done that….a lot!
You have heard me talking about developing a style. It does not happen over night but the best thing I can advise you is to try different styles…see what works …see what doesn't! You'll know. Personally I am a clean and simple gal and I know that once I try to to a really fussy technique, I stress!
I needed a card for a friend and I was fighting the clock and said to myself ( and a bunch of dogs eyes looking at me) – ready ~ set~ just do it! I love the simple yet classic style of this card and I am excited for you to see how easy it is! Now I ask you, can you duplicate this?…..we all know the answer – YES!!!!!
I have the dimensions for you so I hope that you can find some "me time" and make a card with this layout. Put you thinking cap on and change the sentiment, change the DSP…just DO IT!
- Very Vanilla A-2 card – 4 1/4" X 51/2"
- Very Vanilla layer is 4" X 5 1/4"
- The DSP from the Happy Hauntings is 3" X 5 1/4"
- The Very Vanilla that the "Happy Birthday" sentiment is on is is 3 1/2" X 2 1/4" LOVE this stamp set, Watercolor Words
- The Tangelo Twist is a "smidge larger" – 3 5/8" X 2 3/8"
- The Very Vintage Button was threaded with "threads" pulled from the In Color Tangelo Twist In Color Ribbon….great trick when we do not have a thin ribbon that would work!
- Stampin' Dimensionals to the rescue….ONE GREAT CARD!
- Use the "green glue" to the back flap of the envelope….place a piece of DSP that is 3" X 6" – adhere and trim off the excess!
There you go my friends – I hope that you will give it a try and then after you smile and are proud of yourself, you say to yourself – I DID IT!…if you want – please send a picture of it to me….I always love to see you work!
Today's card is a layout that I hope that you "memory bank" it because this is a great example of how a "formula" as I like to call it works…trust me, you could do this layout over and over again and make the changes in your stamps and papers and no one will ever notice….
as the saying goes…..
Try it…you might like it!
I hope that you do and I hope that this has inspired you to keep it clean and simple! Enjoy the day….and until tomorrow!
Tomorrow I am going to share with you some tips and tricks that I find making what we do easier….I have had many ask me about the mailing of bulky cards….how I organize certain things and also some great waterproof bags that I like to have handy with projects in!
by Susan Itell | Oct 28, 2015 | Uncategorized |
Oh Christmas Tree….Oh Christmas Tree…..(I have told you before, I cannot carry a tune but keep on singing) I made this card last week for you but did not have a chance to share it. Let's dive in as it is a fun technique that is an easy WOW!
The base is the thick white card stock and once you are used it, you will never go back! It is just wonderful and my fingers are crossed that they will out in Vanilla as well!
Another piece, 1/4" smaller and then a quick run thru the Big Shot with the FUN Polka Dot folder which in turn gave the punched out circles from the Kraft Corrugated Paper – SUPER FUN as it gives a card a fun interest but great depth!
Hang tight before you adhere….as do not do what I always do, JUMP THE GUN and forget to adhere the ribbon! I used the tear & Tape to hold it in place and then using a glue dot to adhere the simple bow. The linen was a special touch for the special time of the year!
Now to the part you really want to learn. Hang on as it is ridiculously easy. The small one is very straight forward but the larger one is TOTALLY FUN!
I stamped (3) of the same tree on both the front and the back. Having framlits is a huge time saver and also it is a HUGE help that this stamp set is a photopolymer.
Fold the tree in half and give it a great score to get a great edge. I took a piece of tear & tape along the seam of where I folded it and snuggled it in on the tree.
To mail this, all you need to do is flattened it and it will slide right int he envelope and then when you pull it out of the envelop, you will see that it pops back up! (I think the key is the great crease)
I think that it is a super cute card and you could have some real fun with different colors and leave the polka dots out. I think that this would be super elegant using very vanilla and vanilla dots….and even the trees and perhaps adding some glimmer to the trees.
Having a monochromatic card is always a classic! Anyway you do this would will be a smile factor card and the recipients will think that it is super fun that the tree pops open!
Feel free to email me…looks like we are to be getting the rain today on the East Coast….great time to stamp!
by Susan Itell | Oct 27, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I knew that I loved this stamp set, You're Sublime, but I even love it more today as "Mr. Frog" is so darn tootin' cute! The idea was inspired when the wonderful "Chris R. from Iowa" sent me a link to a card that she knew I would like and YEP, I loved the concept!
Please see the post that SUD, Robin Messenheimer did with "Mr. Frog" that gave me today's inspiration! I needed a couple of thank you notes to get out so why not make the recipients even smile even more when they see this adorable little guy!
Where did that hat come from? Is was from the September Paper Pumpkin Kit….I still think that this was the BEST kit that has come thru the Pumpkin Patch in a while but don't worry…I can also see antlers from the Wonderland stamp set on "Mr. Frog"
I have a big smile on my face every time I look at this card as I am typing this up for you! The overall size of the card is a 4 1/2" square and the designer FUN Polka Dot paper is a 4" square with the black just a "smidge" bigger!
The circles were made from the SPEED TOOLS – the circles framelits! Can you image trying to cut out a perfect circle! My Big Shot to the rescue each and every time…and then I smile! This is one tool that never ceases to amaze me – it is a MUST HAVE for what we do!
The aqua painters were the FUN factor…if you have not tried them – WHY ARE YOU WAITING? they are fun, they are addictive and the more you play with them, the better and more confident you feel!
The green is pear pizzazz….maybe a different choice but I think that he looks cute! You could have also mixed with the old olive but I tend to like for speed to use just one color (well the real truth is that i do not know a think about the whole shading thing)
The ease of making your own envelopes is so fast, so easy…just the icing on the cake! I am still amazed at how many of you are skeptical of making your own envelopes…..I truly wish that you would email me and I will be glad to help you! It is like learning to ride a bike….once you have it – you have it!
Are you smiling? He is one cute little frog and I am excited to get him "ALL DRESSED UP FOR CHRISTMAS" and big thanks to Chris R. for sending this nudge my way…..she just knew that I would love it and I did!
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