by Susan Itell | Apr 17, 2018 | Uncategorized |
Good Morning!
I popped on this morning to give you a “head’s up” that Stampin’ Up! has added some goodies into the clearance rack!
Take a peek and grab some deals! When the clearance rack gives refilled….it goes quick and there are some things in there that I would take a peek at.
I always try to look at ribbons as they get used all year long with gifts/packages etc…..here is a head’s up – I see that the Mint Macaron Stripe Ribbon from years before is in there. Don’t forget – we are bringing back the Mint Macaron Color with the upcoming re-vamp of colors!
Here is another “smart shopper” pick….the Quilted Christmas 8 1/2 Cardstock Pack….this is a FAB-O price and all 3 of these colors will be in the Stampin’ Up! line so why not…..it is soooooo much cheaper than buying the colors individually!
Another one that caught my eye…the Watercolored Christmas Project Kit.…I adored this kit last year and trust me, you could cut down the fronts of these cards to utilize the fun paper if you did not want to use it in the traditional way….also – the gold liners…LOVE THEM – and for just $8.00 you can get a bunch of stuff to do up to 20 cards!!!! LOVE IT!
Take a peek….lots of fun stuff and to me, it looks heavy on the side of Christmas but that is a good thing as we can still remember how pretty our paper was from last season! That Quilted 6 X 6 DSP was a HUGE favorite of mine as the prints are super easy to use for envelopes and also to make holiday poppers and also perfect for wrapping hershey nuggets!
Have fun looking around….have a great day……..don’t forget to look at the PLANK WALKERS as well!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 16, 2018 | formula |
Good Monday to you! Did you miss me, did you think that I walked the plank?
All I can say is a big deep breath and let it all out! In a quick nut shell….Dad is good (in and out of the hospital)…John is hanging in there (one more day of tax season)…Peeps are great….Pups are enjoying the spring weather and Daisy…well, she’s not looking too pretty as she has scratched off hair off of both sides but I still love my piggy!
Ok…let’s MOVE ON! Yesterday…(Sunday) I told John that I was not doing anything…not going anywhere until I had some “me time” to go through the retired list and mark off the catalog! True, I have glanced at it but I have never taken a “block of time” to cross it off and take it all in! Were there surprises? Yep, always are but we all know that this happens and then we all know that new kids will be on the block in no time!
I have yet to unpack from On Stage but today I have my swap card that I made for the event. The card that I made to swap with was made with the Layering Love Stamp Set. This one has been around for a while and it IS walking the plank. I guess it is a no-brainer to you that I love it as the sentiments and boldness of it speaks my simple stampin’ language!
In my posts I have been trying to share with you things that I look at when I purchase a specific stamp. I admit, in the past I was very “hit happy” with the button but what I ended up with is a bunch of stamps that I did not use as much as I thought! Is anyone else on this same island with me?
Even though this stamp has been around for a while I would buy it again for these 2 simple reasons….the sentiments are great with fun fonts and the price….$16.00 is a great price point. I invite you to look and ask questions to yourself as to how much would you use it…and can you make multiple cards from it.
I do hope that you know that I am just like you….a person that loves to craft and also I know that it all adds up really fast! Even if we had an endless pocketbook….we also have another concern to think about – SPACE. I am blessed that I do have a space to craft in but I am always trying to be very honest and upfront to you about making choices!
Yesterday I decided to make up cards using the other 3 stamps that are in the set….to go with the one that I made for my swap! I adored the boldness and clean lines that my swap card was….but I admit, I was on the fence about the white space on the left but I ended up keeping it!
You see…I go through the same things that you do. I decided to leave it as you see it because of the size and crispness of this fun sentiment and let the boldness of the DSP be the WOW factor! I loved it, and I think that this type of card goes the long haul with many cards we might need to make and send!
The paper collection I used for all 4 cards was from the Tutti Fruiti DSP 6 X 6 stack!
This has been a “go-to” paper choice for me. I think that sometimes we look at papers and see such a distinct pattern that we say to ourselves….“that’s not for me”….but be patient and look at the offering with a different set of eyes…..to me, I think all of my examples for you today are clean, classic and true blue keepers! Remember, paper does and adds SO MUCH and when you look at it….it is really an affordable part of the card making process…let IT do the work for you!
In making these 4 cards I used the same formula OVER AND OVER for each of them. You know that I am simple so using a great layout is catalyst for making multiples and feeling rewarded with a great end result. I encourage you to make up a card with this formula today even if you do not have the stamp set….
Before we get to the Formula I want you to notice on the cards how I added little touches here and there to make the end result a bit more interesting. There are so many little things that we have – the simply scored tool or embellishments laying around taking up space! I invite you to look and see what you have and USE IT UP!
Here you go….please feel free to email me if you have any questions and also feel free to leave a comment and let everyone know how you like using formulas to make cards!
Before you GASP and see how much paper I am using…always know that you can make adjustments to be more frugal with your paper. I am all about making a nice, heavy card and I also want to use up the DSP I have….cause’ you know what is coming around the corner – NEWBIES and yep, I will be doing a paper share!
- Card Base – vertical or horizontal in A-2 …4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- Cover the front panel with card stock – 4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- The white piece that you will stamp on is 2 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- The mat behind this is a smidge larger…2 3/8″ X 5 1/2″
- For the envelopes…the solid piece is 1/2″ wide and the DSP is 1 3/4″
That is basically it – super simple! Now here is the fun part – how you add your touches….you can score…add dots…add embellishments..lift elements up with dimension – the sky is the limit. The only requirement is TO HAVE FUN! Yep, something rather simple to do but also something that many times we forget to do….just enjoy the journey of your card making experience.
I have a bunch of pictures for you…as I know you love pictures! Enjoy and I hope that you can carve out some time to give this formula a try. It is always so much easier to have a “tried & true” formula that can be used over and over….and your secret is safe with me! 🙂
Remember, the plank walkers are only while supplies last so I would take a peek and see what you cannot live without! Wednesday I am hoping to share with you the ones that I view as “you need to swoop them up” !
Have a fabulous day and let’s all have a great week. I am learning to really embrace that “one day at a time thing”…as even though I attempt to have a “to do list” on my day, there have been many things that have changed my plans. In the end…life is great!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 10, 2018 | Uncategorized |
Good Morning! I am typing this as I am at the hospital again with my Dad. I was super proud of him that he reached out to say he wasn’t feeling well and he is where he needs to be right now. Fingers crossed, all is good but you all know the wait and see time at a hospital.
I had an amazing time in Hartford, CT with my Top Dog puppies! I think that the easiest way to put it is…we are blessed. We call ourselves the “Sisters of the Traveling Stamps” and it felt great to be with these ladies! We rented a house to make a stampin’ fun time and my car did not move from the time I pulled in on Thursday until it was time to come home on Sunday.
We never left once (well except to go to OnStage) as we bought all of our food (and darn was it yummy)… we brought all of our stampin’ stuff (WOW – we had a ton)… we just yacked…stamped…laughed…REPEAT!!!
The house we rented was super fun, HUGE and OLD…..a perfect retreat place as we took over the dining room….had stations set up all over and just had a fun time doing EVERYTHING and NOTHING…all at the same time! (this is my way of having fun….SIMPLE!)
There are so many things to share about On Stage and more importantly the exciting new changes that will be coming with the debut of the new catalog. I am sure you have all heard about the color revamp….and to me….this is the biggest exciting thing that was making my heart pitter patter!
I have already placed a preorder and I will go more into detail with the new colors later in the week if time allows. I truly am super excited and I think that Stampin’ Up! did a fantastic job with this revamp. Very exciting….and in a nutshell….FUN and FRESH are the colors!
When a new catalog comes out…we all know what happens….products become retired. Please remember that the retired list is while supplies last so make sure that you take a look at it! (I will update it as it is updated by Stampin’ Up!)
Here is a head’s up for you…..you might be confused when you see that ink pads in colors that you know will be current next year….Stampin’ Up! has made changes (in both the container design and also in the formula)….and they will be available when the new catalog comes out.
I will go into more detail about this in a future post but please take a deep breath and know that what you have is just fine! Again, I will share with you my thoughts about this later but I will say….the change is very positive and yes, I did notice a difference when I was able to stamp and play with them.
Ok….onto the lists! I have created some cute pirate images for you! Click away and I know what you might be thinking….what is that I am going to miss the most? Well…here is the answer as of now – I really do not know as I have not had time to mark up my catalog yet but I will say one thing that I know is the white organza ribbon that is currently my incentive special this month.
I just adore this ribbon as it makes the prettiest bows. I will stock up on that but once my Dad is settled, I will have time to look and YEP, I will report back to you!
Have a great day and one thing I will leave you with…..we all get the “lower lip blues” when a retired list comes out but I think that you will agree with me that when you see the new offerings, you will have a wonderful feeling of…..
YIPPEE-SKIPPEE…..I can’t wait to get them and play!
Hopefully I will be able to play with my pre-order tomorrow when it arrives…..always a fun time! Here is a tip for you when you look at the retiring list. If you can, I would print it off and then go by the page number to see what is leaving…..perhaps you will want to put an X over an image or simply write retiring beside the product name.
I know that it always looks like a ton and if you are anything like me, you flip through and do this search and rescue thing…and then end up frustrated! Take a deep breath and go through it page by page!
2nd tip…..remember, there are items that look from a glance to be retiring but perhaps they have been bundles and in the new catalog they will not reflect the bundled pricing, please read the guide and if you need me, email me!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 2, 2018 | Thank You |
Good Monday to you!
As you have noticed…I have been “unplugged” but I am here with you today! As we all know, life is life (one of my favorite sayings) and I have been needed in many directions over the past week with family, friends and Easter! I have skimmed through emails and many thanks for the emails of concern and….my Dad is fine.
Last week was a week of Doctors appointments but he is doing great….I think that I get my “keep going” attitude from him! We have all heard the saying, “one day at a time”….well – I take that one to heart and truly I have had to look at each day what I could get done and also what I needed to just say…..“not today”.
The great news is…..I have a SUPER card for you today filled with lots of pictures and YEP.…dimensions for you as this is one great layout and it is also a super-de-duper way to USE UP THAT DSP that we have stashed as you know…….right around the corner – the NEW Catalog will come out and you know what that means…..NEW DSP for us to once again purchase to feed our paper addiction!
The star stamp set of this card is Vertical Greetings…a super stamp set from the Annual Catalog! This one is a stamp that many of you have as I think when it made its debut is was so darn different for Stampin’ Up! that we all had to snatch it up! I love the uniqueness of the sentiments being vertical but the other thing I love…the price – super affordable at just $19.00
The magic of this card uses just 3 colors…..the classic Black and White combo that we all adore and then the POP is Pear Pizzazz! Truth be told I was going to use Lemon Lime Twist but I thought that Chris R. would not think of that being a fitting way to add love to this clean and classic card….and so it was the Pear Pizzazz….the color that Sonny P loves! You see….I do listen to your likes and also dislikes!
The DSP Collection is from the Petal Passion….another HUGE HIT from the Occasions Catalog. I admit….I know that there will be many more new paper collections coming out that I am going to adore…but I think that I will purchase some extras of this beauty…..I ask you – how can you go wrong with a FAB-O Classic like Black and White!?!?!
Now to the part that you REALLY WANT….the dimensions for you to CASE AWAY…..and guess what ??? I HOPE THAT YOU DO as this really is a great layout. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment or email me….I would love to hear how you like this super simple card.
I know that I have been blogging about being selective as what to purchase and what I need to pass on….I can remember when this stamp set 1st came out I looked at it and thought…...LOVE the vertical Sentiments…..LOVE the topiaries as to me, they are super clean and classic….LOVE the fact that there are many practical sentiments that I could use for many different occasions…..so YEP….it had to come to live on Randall Lane!
What makes this card unique and a bit different that what you are used to seeing me create is the fact that the front of the card has been partially cut off and also that I am using a “color of cardstock” for my base as I usually tend to go with the thick Whisper White or Very Vanilla!
This really is sooooooo darn EASY!!!!!
- The card base is an A-2 size ( 4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″ ) in Pear Pizzazz with the fold to the left and then cut off 1″ from the front Pear Pizzazz panel
- The inside is Thick Whisper White at 4″ X 5 1/4″ and then I stamped the Thank You greeting so it was centered as the card was closed.
- The DSP on the front is 3″ X 5 1/4″
- The White piece that the topiary is stamped on is 1 1/2″ X 4 1/4″ and then matted in Pear Pizzazz at 1 3/4″ X 4 1/2″
- Using Fun Foam I popped up the topiary and then also added more height with stampin’ dimensions under the pot.
- The bow was attached with a simple glue dot.
- The envelope – my good old staple – 1/4″ X 6″ and then the DSP 2″ X 6″…adhere and cut excess away!
You can see that the color combinations are endless depending on the DSP you choose. I chose the black for the pot and at first I thought that it was too stark but after it was all together…it was perfect. Here is a tip for you – when I stamped it….I just stamped the whole image in Pear Pizza….(not worrying about the color of the pot).
Next, I stamp the pot twice in black on scrap paper. WHY TWICE? Easy – you know that I am type A with details…..so after a quick snip of the pot I adhered one over the green one that I stamped and then popped up the other one over top. The way that I look at it is that this just takes seconds to make a much better visual difference in case any one see the green pot from the side.
I know that I will be seeing the new catalog this weekend when I go to Hartford, CT for OnStage but IF this White Organza Ribbon is being retired, I will purchase MANY, MANY rolls of this gem. It ties a perfect bow each and every time and they “behave” so well as you can fuss with them exactly the way that you want them to be….and they STAY PUT!
Because I adore this ribbon so much and it is just a classic staple for any cards that we make (how can you go wrong with white) – this White Organza Ribbon will be my gift with purchase this month for orders of $75+ using the current hostess code of WJQG4MWE (Please remember, you can always find the current hostess code to the right of my blog.)
I would be SHOCKED if it is walking the plank but you never know! I just stock up on things that “work for me” to make the process of creating that much more fun and rewarding! I hope that you know where I am coming from on this one! We DO this thing of crafting for FUN so I look at it like this – find what you like and just keep on using it! (the same way I feel of Fast Fuse)
One last picture for you before we go….a great picture for you to see the impact and difference it does make to give your envelopes some love. It’s kinda like the thing that I did with the pot…..it is the “little things that make the difference”
Once you get in the habit, you will never have your envelope be NAKED!!!
There YOU go….a card that you can easily be proud of to send and also a card that you can make in the masses and also use up a variety of papers that you have. This IS my kinda card and one that always leaves me feeling rewarded when I create it. I featured this stamp one month for my kits and using it again today for you just reiterated my love for this stamp set. As I say, it’s a keeper!
In closing I wanted to share a little something…..I do adore my blog and I do enjoy creating, sharing and hearing from you….but at the same time I need to remember that I need to actively embrace that “balance of life”! Remember me????, the person that got the kit to get the discount and run….well – I decided a different route…the route of blogging and sharing.
Doing blog posts takes a bunch of time and true I could just put up something to get the post “in” etc….but I am trying to give you not only fun, detailed and practical projects, but also a way for me to express “who I am and the whys” I do things with my crafting addiction that I have!
I do hope that you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and we certainly did on Randall Lane! It was not my plan to be unplugged but it was the right decision for me….I really do miss my cyber buddies when I am gone.
Have a fabulous day and for once….. I am SUPER excited for the calendar to roll this week…..as I am leaving on Thursday to be with 6 of my downline for the Hartford, CT OnStage…..we are doing a girls crafty time together and making it a bit of Creative Vacation for us as we have rented a house…..doesn’t get better than this……
Stampin’ hugs to you all!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 27, 2018 | Birthday, Just Because... |
Happy Tuesday and I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend!
Before we get to this post I need your help with some feedback if you have been experiencing issues with my blog. I was having some computer issues and I have received emails that there are issues with the comment section and also delivery. If you have experienced this, please email me so I can properly try to see what is up!
WHEW…you know me and computers…not a happy marriage – let’s get to the fun!
Can you believe that this is the last week of the Month….and that is NO April Fools! We are blessed with a glorious sunny day and the card that I have for you today is perfect to go with this perfect day of sunshine! You know we have been talking about using up the DSP we have stashed….so here you go, more inspiration!
Today I am going to the Annual Catalog with the Bunch of Blossoms Photopolymer Stamp Set. I do not know about you….but there are many times that I feel the Annual Catalog gets a bit “back-burnered” …and we are always so excited to see the newbies from the Holiday and Occasions Catalogs that we forget about many of the “keepers” that are on the Annual Catalog!
This stamp set has been around a while and you can see below that there is a punch that coordinates with it. Do you remember last week we were talking about the ease and speed of the punches? Well today….is a perfect example of that !To me, ease and speed are 2 key ingredients that speak to me when I am card making!
You might be wondering why it is not a bundle? Well….it WAS a bundle eons ago when it was first introduced to the Stampin’ Up! line but always remember, they will not always stay as a bundle – that is why it is a great idea to snatch them up before a new catalog comes out.
No worries…as you can still get them separately and YES – I would definitely get the Blossom Builder Punch as it does save a bunch of time. Another thing that I want to point out to you today is……when you are short of ideas and inspiration…..just google the name of our Stamp sets and I am sure that you will find a ton of inspiration
Do you also remember last Monday that I share with you that it is time to use up paper? We….I am doing that today as well because the reality of it is that we are going to be tantalized with many different new offerings really soon when the New Annual Catalog comes out on June 1st. Now THIS IS a very exciting time when we see the new kids on the block but darn, please do not forget to give that big & beautiful Annual Catalog love throughout the year!
The paper is the Petal Garden Paper and it was used a BUNCH when it first made its entrance last June but then…..I think it was pushed away. With the sunshine and Spring here…let’s pull it back out and use it! I was so happy to see how easy it was to coordinate 2 different prints with ease on the focal part of the card.
I can remember my initial thought about this paper…it was “I think it’s pretty but is it too fussy for my style” – Yep, I pre-judged how the end result would be if I could make it work for my style and I think that todays card will prove it to you that I was wrong. It IS a Susan type card and actually I was so pleased with the end result that I am going to make it in the Calypso Coral as well!
This stamp set it super fun to work with because it is a photopolymer stamp which makes it super easy to look through and line up. The stamp allows you to build up layers of colors but building on top of each other. The ink colors that I used today were Sweet Sugarplum and Rich Razzelberry.
It appears that I have 3 colors but there is only 2. I stamped the 1st layer in Sweet Sugarplum and then for the 2nd layer, I stamped it “off once” in Rich Razzelberry before stamping it over top and lastly the 3rd layer was Rich Razzelberry in full strength. That “stamping off” a color really works super and it is something that I think we all forget about.
Did you notice that the pattern of the DSP also matched the Trellis Garden Embossing Folder? Yep, it does and that added texture on both the rectangle on the card front as well as the envelope flap is the icing on the card. (I wish that you were holding it in your hand as it is just stunning)
I am trying to remember to use the embossing folders more often as they are a super quick and easy way to add pizzazz to a card with little expense and little effort Here is a tip….I always keep a spray mister bottle of water by Mr. Big and mist my paper before I run it through with an embossing folder. It help the paper fibers get a nice and deep emboss.
The other tip that we all know to do….it add layers of paper with different dimensions. We can do that easily with dimensionals but we can also do that by simply adding movement to the edges of the paper with the bone folder. WHAT? Yep, look below and you can that I curled the petals of the flowers.
The 2 base ones are adhered on with green glue at the base but I left the free edges tipped up a bit and just the middle petal is lifted with a dimensional. Please do not be afraid to work your paper with the bone folder – by going back and forth with it will break down the fibers and allow it to be supple.
That’s it for today….one beautiful card that used 2 different prints from the same DSP Collection….one big and bold covering the entire panel of the card….the other just a quick accent to add interest to the stamped image. I hope that you stretch yourself and try using more than one print to a card, the effect is super and when you also throw in an embossed piece….I say…
“bases load and the envelope fun is the homerun!”
The hour glass has DEFINITELY turn for the end of Sale-A-Bration……remember, you only have until Saturday to swoop up the FREEBIES with purchases but to me the best deal, the 2 Free Stamp Sets that you could have with being a hobby demo…..I know that this seems to scare the heck out of you….but it is as easy as saying, I get a minimum of a 20% discount each and everyday! Email me, I would love to be able to answer any questions you might have!
Have a great day and I will do my best to be back on track tomorrow, I need to take my Dad to Baltimore today so we all know how that might be….enjoy the day and thanks for sharing some of your precious time with me, I deeply appreciate it and I hope that this card showed you that “Today is the perfect day to be happy” …….xoxoxox
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