by Susan Itell | Apr 1, 2015 | Stamp of the Month |
Happy April Fools Day! I ask you….do you play pranks? I will say that halfway through the day I forget that it is April Fools Day and I always get snagged!
I must say…I thought LONG and HARD about this months stamp set….I know that we all realize that a new catalog is right around the corner so I thought about being super practical!
This stamp set, Perfect Pennants is a great stamp set and IF it gets retired, you will not go wrong with this investment….WHY….there are not only GREAT sentiments but the simple and practical "heart and star" as well as the "washi tape looking images" are perfect for so many cards!
My stamp kits are super fun as you will get samples of (3) cards and also the "necessities" to make (2) more of them and then I will give you my "thank you"…the card using the "hello" from this set but also had the fabulous flower from the Petal Potpourri Set (beautiful set)
Here is the kit…I think that you will be happy as there are lots of great techniques and embossing, ribbon and button fun! The kit comes complete with everything…all you need is some "me time" and have fun!
I will also send you a link for videos on how I made the card along with some tips and tricks that I think will help you in your card-making – it will be like you+ me= a fun time together!
(You can click on the picture to make the images bigger)
When I sit down and create these kits, I think of how you can not only learn, but how you can duplicate these techniques to make fun cards for future stamp sets that you have!
The cost of the kit is $45.00. If you would like to be part of the fun…please email me and put in the subject line, APRIL STAMP OF THE MONTH KIT, so I can spot it!
I will send you a Pay Pal invoice after the Club fills…if you are wondering – I ALREADY HAVE THIS STAMP SET! No worries, just let me know what Items you would like at the value of the stamp set, $21.95 and I will gladly substitute it.
I send you the samples, the "makings" for you to make (2) more of each of the cards, a link to videos for you to "see me in action" (scary) - and you will be one happy stamper!
My kits are fun and I love helping you reach your goals but I can only do so many, so please do not wait to reserve yours! Please make sure that you email me your address (it really makes it bunch easier for me – even if you have participated in the past) when you sign up.
Thanks a bunch for your support, and please pop back tomorrow…it's a PPA Color Challenge that is fun! It's a pastel color challenge and I was scratching my head, but in the end – I think you will like it!
by Susan Itell | Mar 31, 2015 | Super Easy |
This is a super busy week for many of us…with the Holiday of Easter this weekend I am sure that many of you are going to have family, friends and grandchildren in your homes…and then there is Basketball….( I love to watch the March Madness) but here is a card that would be GREAT to have fun with your family and friend that is super easy and fun to do!
Do you remember I said that I am sure there are plenty of you DSP hoarders ….as it is so darn hard for us to part with this precious paper…but I am also sure that many of you have washi tape that you have bought (with great intentions) and you said, "I am going to use it" and then….there is sits!
Hang tight as this is a quick post but this is a card that is a "keeper" – and one that would be super fun to do with the young…the confident stamper….and the old – this is a great and fun layout that will always have a GREAT end result as it is simple and fun!
Here you go….now go and try this – super fast & fun and switch up the sentiments to your needs! Today's card is using the super practical stamp set, Petite Pairs – it is a keeper as the sentiment always has a fantastic sentiment for you to stamp in the inside.
I started with the note card and envelopes (LOVE THEM!)….why….because they are so fast and easy and sooo darn affordable! I simple cut a piece of White 1/4 smaller – 4 3/4" X 3 1/4" and then cut out the heart with the heart framelit.
This is a peanut butter and jelly card…what does that mean = a card that comes together in a snap! The itty bitty accents punch set is one that everyone needs, I think that "tucking" and "adding" these images are the best! Today I used the fun flow and then add the classic pearl….you can NEVER go wrong!
The envelope fun….I thought – what the heck – let's keep going with the Washi Tape so that's what I did and it worked out GREAT! just use your scissors to cut away the excess so the "back side" of your envelope doesn't look icky!
It's Tuesday and you know what that means….time for another week of a super offering from Stampin Up! with the weekly deals and HANDS DOWN – my pick this week is the Magnetic Platform this is an amazing tool and truly is a deal at 25% off this week …. also….TODAY is your last day for the fun of Sale-a-bration!
I want to take time to thank you….for your support, your wonderful comments and sheer FUN through Sale-a-bration! This is a special time of the year for us and I hope that you know how much I love what I do!
I hope that this TOTALLY simple card makes you see that ANYONE can make a card….and this is a great example that it is great to have fun…and make someone smile!
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Mar 30, 2015 | Congratulations, Embossing Folders, Tips and Tricks!!! |
Well my friends…it's going to happen again this week, the end of another month. Darn I swear that the older I get the faster that darn calendar spins around. You know what March 31st is as well, the end of Sale-a-bration.
I am not going to go over all of the "why's and favorites" that I have…as you have heard me and other SUD's many, many times but I will say – that this is the best time to stock up on staples and also take advantage of the Clearance Rack.Between staples and clearance goodies, I am sure you will hit that magic threshold for a freebie!
(I truly thought I had bought all of the Cherry Cobbler 1" Sheer Ribbon left in the world but I see it is still available!) This is BEAUTIFUL ribbon and do you remember when I did the Advent Boxes? One roll will do all 25 boxes…(trust me – I did many) and for that fact the 25 days Photopolymer Stamp Set will do the trick for a fun project next year.
Let's get going on today's fun and bright card and more importantly….the challenge for the week! Remember, this is a personal challenge that I throw out to you…why??? I want you to pull out your supplies and have fun and also help you learn to step out of a comfort zone, I know you can do it!
Today's personal challenge is to use (2) solid pieces of card stock and a DSP as the "bulk" of our card….this is for all of you I CAN'T USE MY DSP as it is so beautiful….I know you are out there….(trust me – SU will come out with even more incredible paper and then you will want that!!!!) yes, I will be doing the color swatches with the next catalog.
This is a fun and festive card that could be used for a graduation, a promotion, a simple "Way to go" (that is what I am using it for). It is from the stamp set called Bravo! and I truly love this one in the photopolymer so it makes is a breeze for exact placement. This is a BIG stamp set and has so many great sentiments for so many occasions.
I wanted to make the sentiment pop out like a bookmark and against the paper, I think it did the trick! Here are a couple of tips and tricks that I want to share with you – hopefully you will find them useful for projects!
- When you use 2 colors like I have done today, adhere them together with sticky strip BEFORE you run it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder, this way your points will always be perfectly aligned and also your adhesive is already on!
- Don't be afraid to mix up and bring lots of different colors and textures to your projects. The best thing is that Stampin' Up's products all match, from our paper – to our ribbons – to our ink pens…you are always guaranteed to have a "closet full of matching items"
- Have fun with trim, ribbon and please try getting use to using Bakers Twine…we have it is sooo many colors and it is super affordable…play around and do something festive and fun like I did today, it will be remembered by the recipient!
Having fun with color is a reflection of who you are. For example, this print "speaks to me" and I find it easy to use where as the Something Borrowed DSP is absolutely beautiful, but I would have a hard time having an idea POP into my head…I guess what I am saying it try different things!
Another great tip…NEVER EVER SKIMP ON STAMPIN' DIMENSIONALS – these are not only super affordable, they truly are the best on the market and they do the job! Having a "lift" on your card adds an instant WOW factor….so the moral of the story….never run out of these!
The biggest Stampin Crisis is…running out of Whisper White Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals and adhesive…the worst – so making sure your pantry is stocked is soooo important!
Getting back to the stocking up point….remember we are going to be saying bye-bye to the in colors: Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe. Saying goodbye is hard and you know once it gets closer to the new catalog, these are going to be swooped up!
I hope that this cheery card put a smile on your face and I do hope that you will be able to carve out some time today and try this personal challenge, you can email me your card and I will randomly pick a winner and let you know tomorrow ….
Let's have a great week…Hannah had a great birthday (even though I was sad that we were not together) but she will be coming home this weekend so what better way to celebrate than with Easter!
by Susan Itell | Mar 29, 2015 | Birthday, Super Easy, Watercoloring |
Let's have fun again seeing a stepped up version from yesterday's card but I must admit….I am saying YIKES – I hope that you like this as it is not the most glorious step up but if you had it in your hands….you would be smiling from ear to ear!
Before we get to the card today….I need to let you all know a secret…it's official –
I AM AN ADULT!
Are you saying WHAT?
Well…today is Hannah's 21st birthday...my red caboose is 21 so it is official…I am entering that phase of disbelief that everyone is "officially an adult" but I can say honestly, I am sooooo proud of all of my peeps! Age is one thing that never bothers me one bit…
Let's get to the card today and go over the slight differences but believe me, when you order the clear envelopes and send someone a card in them….you will quickly become the most talked about person as it is very special to get in the mail!
To me I am amazed at how they can be mailed, below in the photo you will see some tips but truly, this is so much fun. I have found that if I use stampin' dimensionals, it does go through fine with a single stamp but if you have embellishments like pearls, buttons etc…I would add extra postage.
Let's get to the picture of seeing them side by side. The biggest difference is that I changes the orientation of the card. I wanted you to see the beauty and fun with mailing a card in a clear envelope! (of course you could mail the card from yesterday as it is the same size)
Wouldn't you be smiling if you received this and saw that adorable cake looking at you when you opened your mailbox? Even though I do not have a fun liner for your envelope today, trust me – these clear envelopes will make you be the best card sender…EVER!
I also added the punched out circles…so easy and wowzers, so festive! I hope that these bring an instant smile to your face….see below my tips!
I know that when I received a card in a clear envelope I felt sooooo special…and we are all soooo special – so I say – order these gems! Trust me on this one, you will be the shining star!
I loved all of the comments yesterday and I will be that "turtle" and I am going to stick my neck out and attempt a video for you using the aqua painters for you this week. ( no judgments – I'll do it from my heart)
To me in many ways the aqua painters are very similar to me as heat embossing is….an instant WOW that will make you feel proud. It really is a great technique to do and I do hope that I can encourage you to try it!
I thank for you popping by today and I thank you for your on going support. This is the final days for Sale-a-bration so please make sure that you that you check your "basics" and things that you need to order and do it before the 31st so you can get a freebie!
You know what else today is? It would have been my Mom's 83 Birthday…how special is it that Hannah and my Mom share the same special day…we used to love to celebrate together…
The 3 of us have the same middle name…"Louise" – my Dad always said we are is (3) Louise's….and we loved just the 3 of us to do something special together. I know that in spirit my wonderful Mom is so proud of Hannah so Happy Birthday to 2 very special ladies!
You know what tomorrow is… I have a fun personal challenge for you!
by Susan Itell | Mar 28, 2015 | Birthday, Super Easy, Watercoloring |
Wowzers, it's the weekend already and that means today is a Simple Saturday Card for you and please pop back tomorrow for Step it up Sunday where you can see the same (basically) card and then tomorrow I will "tweak" it a bit!
I do not think that there has ever been a hostess stamp that I have used more than this set and I adore the name, Time to Celebrate. (This will be one that once it retires, I will still keep it as the stamps and sentiments are so much fun.) If I were you, I would email me and let's make a plan for you to earn this! – It's a keeper!
Probably the #1 reason I love this stamp set is because so easy and fun to color without having to do a lot of thinking! Let's get to some fun pictures and scoop for today's card!
Today's card is in Pink Pirouette in a vertical fold and the 2 rectangles are the same size, 3 1/2" X 3" in Blushing Bride and Strawberry Slush. Just a quick off set does wonders in a jif but the real pop is the white dashes with the gel pen and the POP with the stampin' dimensionals.
Using the Aqua Painters is both fun and easy….just practice and practice and you will learn that the are fun. So many of you are intimidated by them – they really are a great tool and wow, so affordable for all that they can do, just squeeze your ink pad and go to town. NO RULES….just do it and have fun!
Last but you know me…I would never not have a fun and special envelope…this was a breeze as I pulled out the All Abloom Paper Stack and PRESTO – magic happened with the Envelope Liner Framelit!
Well…thoughts……now can't you see how easy this card comes together in a jif! You could easily change up colors and POOF – a new and different card – this is one of those "keepers"
Please feel free to email me or leave a comments….LET'S TALK ABOUT COMMENTS…you all made me smile so much with yesterdays comments – loved them! I am going to do another "Spring Cleaning Tips" for you next Friday!
You all know the scoop… the products I used today are scrolling below….feel free to shop away or also if I were you….HIT THAT CLEARANCE CORNER – there are some real keepers!
See you all tomorrow!
