by Susan Itell | Mar 27, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I told you yesterday that I had a different post for you today~ I hope that you enjoy it and it is helpful to you. Spring is here (I guess) and we ll know that once the "Spring Fever Bug" hits us…we get busy cleaning, organizing and doing things we just have not prioritized lately!
We all have certain areas that we tackle….mine is the laundry room…the pantry and the garage…these are places that it just "feels good" to have in order. Well….I am going to throw in for you our craft areas. Right now mine looks like a bomb went off but if you are anything like me, I call it "organized clutter" and I know where the things are that I need….
But seriously,, we all need to clean out as once we are free of the clutter and truthfully the items that we just do not use, we are not only more productive, but we are more creative and happier! Below, this saying is soooo true – I am sure that when we go thru and see what we have…we'll find some gems!
- Find a block of time that you can work in small spurts to tackle an area. If you try to conquer too much in one day…you'll end up looking like a dog chasing it's tail!
- Don't shoot me….but if you are like me, you probably have a bunch of teeny tiny scraps and you are holding onto them to punch a tiny flower (that is great BUT) you feel soooo much better clearing off your immediate area of the little pieces laying around.
- Find an organizational system that works for you…we all do things differently so what works for me might be frustrating to you.
- Have a bulletin board in your craft area that you can pin up ideas, to do lists, things that need to be ordered and lots of inspirational quotes….(these are the ray of sunshine that pick you up when you feel like your that dog chasing your tail!)
- Have a notebook that you can write ideas down, write down what worked for you …and what didn't….it you are making something an odd shape, write down how you did it. I need to do this all the time for many different projects, especially boxes etc….
- Make cards in multitude…you know that I am a clean and simple gal so the way I figure, if you are making one…why not make more! This way you are always "good to go" when you are in a pinch. We all know that there are certain cards that we love, these are the ones to make more of. If you get into the habit of this, you will quickly see that you are less stressed and you will enjoy the process of "your time" better!
- We all do this…we see what others are making…we watch endless videos and you tube but when it comes right down to it, FIND YOUR STYLE…when you do this and embrace that…you learn not to be as hard on yourself. We all have our own style, that's what make us special!
- Make sure that you always have the "basics – the staples"…think of our craft areas like our kitchens….I do not know about your house – but if we run out of milk, coffee and ketchup – you would think the world is coming to an end – the same is sooooo true for our "fun space"…
Time to talk about the basics…the list that you do not want to be without!
First we are going to start with the Stampin' Up! items that you need to have (the staples) that will make you productive and happy. You all know that I could go on and on….trust me – this is the short list!
These are items that we always need and should have "back ups"!
- Whisper White and Very Vanilla Paper with the coordinating envelopes
- Whisper White Notecard and envelopes
- Adhesives: Snail adhesives (and at least one refill), glue dots, (2) "green glue", sticky strip
- Stampin' Dimensionals – (2) packs at least
- Extra set of cutting blades for the stampin' timmer
Here is a "short list" of tools that are key ( in my eyes!)
- Stampin' Trimmer
- Stamp-a-ma-jig
- Adhesive Remover (best little gem!!!)
- Pick (3) punches
- Big Shot
- Circle Framelits, Oval Framelits and pick a fun one that speaks to you!
- (2) Embossing Folders
- Envelope Punch Board
- Paper Snips
- Craft Scissors (I know, these are pricey but sooooo worth it – ask for it as a B-day gift)
- Bone Folder
- Paper Piercing Tool
- Silicone Mat
- Stampin' Pierce Mat (2) – 1 for stamping and then other for piercing
- Grid Paper (you'll buy a pack and it lasts F O R E V E R and you'll love it)
- Stampin' Scrub and cleaner (this is a great thing to have, I always clean my stamps ASAP)
- White Gel Pen
Here's a short list of Non Stampin' Up! things that are sooooo useful!
- A good ruler
- "Magic Rub" Eraser
- A mechanical pencil
- Post it notes and Post it tape
- P Touch Label Maker (it's the type A in me)
- Wax Paper
- Several storage containers that "snap" so things do not fall out!
Wow – I could go on and on…actually I could write a book but I will not bore you. You can see that I have not touched on stamps and also more specific paper basics.
Please know that I am the 1st to acknowledge that there is an investment with what our fun and passion is….BUT do NOT underestimate what we love to do. Creating works of art from your heart is TOTALLY PRICELESS and it is a WIN-WIN for both YOU and for the recipient!
I love what I do…I would have never thought I would be doing what I do….but it is the best!
Simple Saturday and Step It Up Sunday are ready for you…I hope you pop back! Many thanks for hanging in there for this post, please feel free to leave a comment and I thank you!
by Susan Itell | Mar 26, 2015 | Uncategorized |
NEW GOODIES….UP TO 80% OFF!!!
Stampin' Up! just added goodies to the clearance rack….here come a WOOT-WOOT as there are some great gems in there….just in time to wrap up Sale-A-Bration!
Remember, these items count towards the threshold to get to that $50.00 increment to get a free item. Click here to see all of the freebies all on one page!
Have fun…there are some real keepers! Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Mar 26, 2015 | Easter |
Good Morning! It is time for another PPA Challenge and today it is a sketch challenge from the fabulous PAL….Nicole Watt! She has drummed up a fun sketch for us today! Please check out what the design team came up with and then play along!
I know that there are many of you that enjoy the Monday fun we personally have…so why not try this! You have nothing to lose at all! If you need help with uploading your masterpiece, please email me, I will be happy to help!
Before we get going on today's post….I ask you honestly….do you know what stamp set these cute little chicks came from? Don't peek below at the scrolling list of fun ingredients….can you guess???
I was trying to find a small shape for the challenge and something that would come together in a jif….and BINGO – it popped right off the shelf into my arms….NUTS ABOUT YOU! It is from the Big Catalog and I bet that you never thought about using it for Easter!
The size of the card is a 4" X 6" card and then I matted it 1/4" smaller and then ran it through Mr. Big Shot (my main stampin' man) with the Spring Flowers Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (love it) and the rest is very straight forward!
I am super bummed that my pictures are not the best (darn, this is one thing that I struggle with) but trust me…in person it is super cute! I stamped the "chicks" in Crushed Curry and then matted them with the scallop punch in Wisteria Wonder!
One thing (well 2 things) that I love are the Expression Thinlits Dies (LOVE the sentiments) and also the Vanilla Coaster Board…I think adding the sentiment on the coaster board it the PERFECT "peanut butter and jelly" – I use the "green glue" and it works like a champ every time!
This was so easy to pull together, I know that it is not a WOW card, but it sure is a quick and cute card. I felt like the upper left corner needed a balance so a quick simple bow with the cotton ribbon did the trick!
Please do not be afraid to try "odd size cards" like this – they are super easy to make a custom envelope with the Punch Board…this dream gadget if just under $20.00 and it is a blessing (so are the DSP paper stacks)
Please have fun playing with this sketch and you know that you can email me and I will be happy to help you!
Tomorrow I have a FUN post for you….I am going to recap some of the Blog Candy answers and also….it's Spring so we need to do some SPRING SPRUCING UP!
The goodies that I used are scrollling below….SAB is coming to an end……and you all are the best!
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Mar 25, 2015 | Sale-A-Bration, Super Easy |
The Sale-a-bration paper called, Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series has been a huge hit this season and we only have 6 days left to take advantage of this goodie. (I know that I have a stash of it as wowzers – it is so fun)
Today's card is a super fun, festive and quick card that come together in no time and it is just one fun technique – I hope that you try it. The inspiration came from a video that Patty Bennett has on You Tube and I was excited to try it!
The best tip that I can give to you is to use a stamp set that gives you lots of ink coverage. Today I am using the Build A Bouquet Photopolymer Stamp Set. The (2) flowers that I used were nice and big so it allowed lots of ink to saturate onto the paper and then I used a sponge to burnish the ink in.
This is a really BIG stamp set and "background" style stamps are fun….I am going to play with them next to share a project with you! I let the sentiment today be the focal point!
The best tip I can give you is to have fun experimenting with all sorts of colors. I am really finding that I am loving Calypso Coral, it really gives you a fun pop of color. The other color I used was Crushed Curry…it always produces a bold, strong color but it is still bright (hope that makes sense)
Isn't this sentiment beautiful. I think that the font is fabulous and the little heart at the end is so special! I popped it out with a 2 1/2" circle punch and off set it with another one….I think that makes a quick POP.
Another product that I adore is the seam binding ribbon. I was thrilled that Stampin' Up came out with more colors….we now have 12 colors of this great ribbon! For a bow challenged person, this is your dream! I will be offering a Paper and Ribbon Share with the new catalog once it is unveiled!
Carrying out the theme of the card, I did the same treatment to the back flap of the envelope! To me it is a perfect finishing touch and please have no worries, the ink will not smear. I just used the mono glue to place it and once it dried, I cut away the excess!
There are butterflies all around this year in the craft world and I think that this little guy is very cute and wow – it is super easy to fussy cut out. A "glue dot" does the trick….again!
I know that it has been super hard to keep track of all of the Sale-a-bration products, but below you can click here and see everything in one place (I love being a PAL – so much talent out there and I appreciate this piece)
I would love for you to be on this fun journey with me, how about a test drive..I have never met someone that doesn't love and appreciate a sale….$125.00 of products for $99.00….free shipping….2 free sale-a-bration items….what's the not to love?
Please feel free to email me about the fun or if you have any questions about today's card….or if you are ready to click here….I say go for it – you'll love the fun we have – the PALS are the best and we would LOVE to have you in the family!
Until tomorrow….
p.s. – here is the card/stamper that won the personal challenge this week! Soooo cute! It is a great and safe way to create a fun and classic card…just use the same shape in multiples – you just can't go wrong!!!
Woot-woot to Roberta – please send me your address and I will gladly send you some Stampin' Vitamiins! Many thanks to all for playing! LOVE how the images are popped!
by Susan Itell | Mar 24, 2015 | Super Easy |
A wacky start of the week but I am excited to give you a personal challenge today and of you are up to it…pull out your supplies and make a card! YIPPEE – that in itself sounds like fun. All you have to do is email me your card and I will randomly pick a winner and send you a pack of Stampin' Dimensionals!
I am so proud of so many of you pulling out your supplies and playing each week. I can't think that you are doing it just for the Dimensionals….I truly hope that you are doing it to stretch yourself and your learning of "finding your style". I am a big believer that the more you play around with different techniques and layouts…the more you develop the style that works for you!
This inspiration came from one talented gal…and I am SUPER proud to have her on my team. Please click here to see Karen Hallam's Blog and if I were you…I would subscribe to her blog as she is one talented paper crafter! (I have not done so yet…but I am going to CASE the adorable baskets see posted on March 11th) Karen sent me this card and an instant smile was on my face!
I had another Idea for the challenge this week but after seeing Karen's card…I could not resist! What are the guidelines….
Create a card that has multiple areas of symmetry.
It could be with squares, circles, ovals just have fun!
Heck, if you want to copy this layout, I say GO FOR IT as it is a great layout and another card idea that can be used over and over!
Are you all scratching your head and wondering where this adorable paper came from? I bet I will surprise many of you as it is a FREEBIE in Sale-a-bration that I am sure many of you SKIPPED RIGHT OVER!
I realize that Project Life is not for every one but I use the Project Life items to make cards as I ADORE the fun designs of the papers and then I use our stamps like I have done here! Look below – you get 30 cards (DSP as I like to see it as) and these are great for clean and simple cards.
Trust me…I know what most of you are thinking…."I do not do project life" – That is absolutely fine but you cannot deny that this is not a super cute card! This is the kind of things that I do with Project Life goodies (perhaps in the future I will use it in another way) but for now…this is what makes me roll.
The overall size of the card is a 4 1/4" square card and then each layer is 1/4" smaller. I used the 1" punch for exact sizing and then…it came together like "peanut butter and jelly" – they are my kinda cards!
I love the fact that you can put this square card in one of our A-2 envelopes and not have to pay any additional postage….here comes a woot-woot!!! LOVE that when that happens! I had fun with this envelope.
I had plenty of paper to do the card and the fun envelope with extras left to do another card. Please do not overlook the Project Life offerings that Stampin' Up! offers…they can be used in so many ways!
Don't you just love this sentiment? It is one that is me all around…an instant smile comes when I read this and I think it is such a fun sentiment to send a "just because" card to a friend. I also think that this layout and sentiment would be a fabulous gift to give. The stamp set is called Oh My Goodies Set and you can see it in the product offerings below!
I do hope that you will play with paper today/tonight….you know what today is…the unveiling of the weekly deals….please click here to see the offerings this week.
We are on the countdown for SAB to come to an end…we have a fabulous group of goodies for you to earn this year so remember…for every $50.00 order, you can pick 1 SAB item! Lot's to choose from.
Better yet, become a hobby stamper and have fun! No obligations what so ever, just a great way to save and be inspired as well as you will be able to pick (2) SAB items….plus $125.00 worth of whatever your heart wants….ships for free – and you have ME…all for $99.00
Please feel free to email me or better yet, click here and do something fun for you!
