by Susan Itell | Feb 8, 2015 | Love, Valentines |
This is Valentines Week!
Can you remember when you were little and it was always so darn exciting getting Valentines at school? This was a fun and a happy memory for me….what about you?
I can remember coming home from school and going right to my bedroom and looking to see if they said Love, ???? or if it was just their name….and I always taped them up all around my door!!!
Here is a card that is on it's way to "Ole Miss" to my niece Grace along with some lovin' goodies from her Aunt! She adores pink and I know that this will bring a smile to her face and her tummy will enjoy the goodies.
I must admit that this super cute card did not photograph well but it is soooooo darn cute and I this stamp set is very versatile in my opinion…these fun and whimsical "swirls" are just FUN! The stamp set is called Snuggles and
You know that I love odd size cards and today's card is long and skinny…..3" X 6" and of course the envelope punch board helped me out….again!
The magic of heat embossing did it again! I wanted to use "gold" on the "very vanilla" as my main purpose was to use this FUN trim that was in the Paper Pumpkin – (it is the cutest!!!!)
There is NEVER a time that I do not heat emboss that I feel like a "kid in a candy store"…it is just a magical experience to see the powder turn to a shiny end result…..MAGIC!
There are times that I think that my cards are just kinda boring to blog about and this is just about as simple as it gets! Just a stamp up of Versa mark….Gold Powder….heat Tool….DONE! I love the "little" hearts that are in this stamp set…I am going to use them again later this week in a totally different way!
The FUN Bakers twine is "my kinda bow" We all know that I am "Bow challenged" and this is one that "I can handle" I simply took 3 pieces of the fun Bakers twine that was left over and made a simple bow!
I just think that "gold" in the pink twine is just "divine" and I know that Grace is going to love it! (She just called me while I was typing this post to just say hi).…too ironic!
Thanks for popping by today – I had an outing yesterday….WOOT-WOOT – I went and had my nails done….loved it! I have blogged about the wonderful couple that do my nails….they are the most appreciative, kind, loving and truly genuine people I know. We take many things for granted but I can honestly say, I value them for their hard word and beautiful spirit they have – it was joy to see them!
Remember, shopping in your jammies is super fun...Stampin' Up! is coming out with a super great Photopolymer Stamp Set on Tuesday – it's a keeper in my eyes!
I am an email away.…it's fun and baking day for me as my peeps and college bound friends need some Valentines love….in the mail they go on Monday!
Stampin' hugs….until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 7, 2015 | 3-D Projects |
Good Morning! Yesterday's post I shared with you the super fun super practical "gift" made with love…and today I am sharing with you a post with the card that I made to go with it!
My Mom was the BEST and she always said…."It's all about the presentation….it's all about the thought…it make no different about the cost…it's all about the thought"…and to me – these 2 do the trick and I know that my Mom would love these!
The "star" of this car is from the fun Cheerful Critters Stamp Set and it was given to me by my wonderful upline, Mary Fish. This is such a cute set and when you go….."OUTSIDE of the BOX" – there are many, many ideas….I just love it!
To add to the Top Note Box of goodies, I made a fun notecard that was a bit "interactive" – well a simple button did the trick to prop the front of the card! I just adore the notecard and all I did was score it at 1 1/2" and gave it a good….crisp bone fold to "prop" my little guy up!
You have heard me say before…but it is well worth saying again – I LOVE OUR BLENDABILITIES….and I think that it is SUPER DUPER that Stampin' Up! is offering them as a freebie with Sale-a-bration…..please click here to ask me more about any details you might need!
The colors I used were….light Crumb Cake, Medium Cherry Cobbler, Ivory & Blush Skin Tone…I just adore how easy they make US LOOK GREAT! I am no way an artist, but I find that these markers are fantastic!
Pulling the super fun Stacked with Loved DSP Stack was a key "fun factor" and oh so easy to pull this fun together! I forgot to talk about the sentiment – It is from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set….one of my all time favorites…plus the help of the decorative dots embossing folder added interest and depth.
Because this sentiment is too long for my space, I simply "masked off" the pieces I needed and with the help of my stamp -a-ma -jig….the magic happened! To me, that is the BEST piece of "plastic" one could have to make a great card!
This is a fun and different twist to a card! There still is plenty of room to write a not above the "button" and you also have the back of the note card!
Does this make you smile? I have more to share with you this week with this stamp set…it is just too darn cute! Please let me know what you think?!?! I must admit, when the catalog came out I was on the fence with it but I just love it!
Let's all have a great day and hopefully this little gut made you smile!! Stampin' hugs!
p.s. – Here is a tip…because the Blendabilities bleed through your card stock (this is totally normal) – I adhered another piece of whisper white to the "critter" before I did my quick fussy cut out of him…
also – if you do not want to use a button because of "bulk" when mailing, simply put a rectangle and stamp a sentiment popped up with a stampin dimensional to make the easel card work. (If your confused, email me)
by Susan Itell | Feb 6, 2015 | 3-D Projects, Party Favors, Thank You, Valentines |
Today I had a different post planned but no worries as you will see it super soon…but I wanted to sneak this post in and I am going to call the my "Indulgence Post" hmmmmm……do I have you wondering what I am talking about!
I have had a lot of time to do a lot of thinking (which could be a good thing or a bad thing) and being stuck inside I have naturally had lots of time to reflect on things!
To learn the "low down" on how to make this gem, please click here to see my original post and then you can click here to see it again in another way! I was super happy with this one – the Stacked with Love Paper stack is simply fabulous and I adore the "thanks" framelit…so clean and classic!
I think as we get older we do not allow ourselves the opportunity to "indulgence" in something that we would not normally do for ourself…if you are like me – I would rather do things for John and the peeps….the animals….and I usually put myself last – does this sound familiar to you?
Yesterday I was super frustrated that I could not accomplish a task that to me I should have been able to do…yes, it was with the silly computer but after having a pity party which only Rosie showed up for I decided to switch gears and make some gifts to thank people for dropping off dinners to us…plowing our lane…just great acts of kindness as this is John's busy season….Tax time!
I have made these "old faithfuls" so many times and every time I blog about them I get many comments. This is where indulgence comes in. WHY? – Because it uses the Big Shot…..WHY does that matter?….well clearly the Big Shot is an investment…the Big Shot is basically $100.00 and when we see that we go…..OH NO…I couldn't do that!
Well that is exactly the way I thought about it….and when I finally broke down and purchased it (I used it as a 1/2 price item and that is definitely the way I would go if I were you), I still felt guilty….then you know what is next…you need to purchase dies, framelits etc….to use the Big Shot.
The Top Note Die was probably the 1st Die I purchased….I have no idea why – probably because someone told me I just had to have it…and this post is a testament to how thankful and grateful I feel that I allowed myself to indulge in something that brings me joy….
I simply cannot tell you how many of these "Top Note Boxes" I have made and each and every time I do…I am thankful that this incredible "hobby" has come into my life!
Little things like this box of Life Savers DOES make a difference.
You know how you feel when you receive a gift that someone took the time to make for you – especially something made from their hands…that in itself is a gift!
When the new Occasions Catalog came out I was like a little kid in a candy store and there were sooooo many things that I wanted…..again – here comes the "indulgence thing" again….I really – REALLY wanted the Crazy About You Bundle and yikes the photopolymer one is $42.25….and I was feeling a bit guilty but again, I did get it as a 1/2 price item and just look how many times I have used it over the last several weeks!
The moral of this story is embrace what makes you tick…we all have gifts and many of these inner gifts that we have make such a difference. If you doubt this, go back and read some of the comments that people left on the blog candy post….you all are great….
"THANKS"
p.s. – Good Morning ….I only have (2) spots left for my Stamp of the Month Kit….please click here to see the post on it and if you want a spot, please email me and put in the Subject Line FEBRUARY STAMP OF THE MONTH CLUB.
Tomorrow (Saturday) I will send a confirmation emails out to all that are participation along with the colors of ink that I am using for the kit. It is super cute! ( I am trying to be more organized!!!)
by Susan Itell | Feb 5, 2015 | Uncategorized |
I just love color challenges…how about you?
These colors are great for Valentines but I will say I have been using the Rose Red a bunch lately and I love it! Please consider playing this challenge this week – it's fun and you will be so proud and happy to see your card on the Pals Paper Art Website! Make sure you check out what other design team members came up with as well as all of the talented crafters – like YOU!
Let's get going on today's card. This is a typical "Susan" style card and I just love the simplicity of it and just the little dots I add on the edges to give it a bit of interest! (I often get asked about my fun dots…I say….JUST DO THEM…do not get a ruler out….do not worry about making a perfect dot….just let it roll!)
- The base is a 4 1/2" square and then the Basic Gray is 4 3/8"…the Pink Pirouette is 3 7/8" and finally the white stamped image is a 3 3/4" square. WHEW….that seems like a bunch of paper but remember….USE YOUR INSIDES with punches, framelits etc….
- I want to talk about the embossed edge…this is something that I often do as I love the end result! I will say that I like using the simply scored tool as I feel like you can get a "deeper" embossing. Here you can see the "bump up" – I usually like it this way but then this can change like the weather – whatever….it is just a simple and effective added touch!
- How about this image…does it sum it up or what!?!? I just adore it and it can be used for many messages that need to be conveyed….it is from the Hello Life Stamp Set. I am so happy that Stampin Up is coming out with so many BIG and BOLD stamp sets….wowzers – it makes us clean and simple stampers super happy!
The (3) wavy stamps are just perfect for the "tails" on a balloon….just love this set!
- A couple of hearts popped out and only lifting (1) up with Stampin' Dimensionals is all that is needed…well except the envelope….a double whammy for you today!
- Out comes the Envelope Punch Board and also my "old faithfuls" -the DSP Paper Stacks (a must have in my opinion in all color collections) made this great card come to life….but wait!
- How about these sweet 3 hearts across the front of the envelope! I just live making the mailman smile and I love the smile as well!
Well….that's it for today! I hope that you have enjoyed this clean and simple card! Please pop back tomorrow as I have a super cute card that I have in the mail to some very special people!
Yesterday I blogged about the February Stamp of the Month Club…..please click here to see the post and please email me if you would like to save your spot. I know that you are going to enjoy being able to sit down and complete cards and learn new techniques!
Here is a picture of the fun for February!
Let's all have a great day….today marks a month that I broke my ankle but I am doing great – it could be a lot worse and I am getting into the swing of "rolling around".…fingers crossed that John will take me to Virginia this weekend to see the horses….he has been wonderful in taking care of the horses (and donkey)….dogs and pig here at the house….but I miss my "other" boys!
Feel free to email me if you have any questions about today's post….and if anyone has any great ideas about a "juvenile" type card or 3 D project for the Chinese New Year – I would be totally open to any ideas. My dear Will – (my oldest peep) teaches little Montessori munch-kins and he he doing a project for his class – I would love to make up something cute….it is the year of the sheep!
Stampin' hugs! Until tomorrow….
p.s. – remember…you can click here to order anytime but also you can click on the below pictures and it will go right to my store!
by Susan Itell | Feb 4, 2015 | Stamp of the Month |
Hello again….I squeaked this in by my "noon promise" and I hope that you are as happy as I am! The stamp set for this month is drum roll…..drum roll….
Painted Petals
This set is very unique, very versatile and I can tell you honestly… it was a bit of a challenge working with it and then it was like learning to ride a bike….and OFF I WENT!
My goal each month is to teach you how to use different types of stamp sets, to be comfortable in accomplishing a beautiful finish projects and to help you learn new techniques!
Some of the scoop on this months kit…your "Thank You" from me is the adorable 3-D Bag with the oh so cute trim and sentiment as "You DO make my day"….I will have it all ready for you with the exception of you having to expose the sticky strip…fill it with whatever….tie your fru-fru and make someone smile!
Another new thing….since I have been on my bum – I have received many "Hallmark" cards that are square but they were mailed in a regular envelope….(honestly I thought my friends were loosing their minds and just picked up the wrong envelope) but in fact – it is BRILLIANT as you do not have to add extra postage….
So….this month there is a 4 1/2" card and you get a double pleasure…..I am going to cut for you a square envelope (you will adhere it together and also show you how I line the square envelopes) plus I will also give you with your samples to make a regular A-2 envelope also jazzed up with a fun liner!
The cost of this kit is $45.00
(and it is based on price of the photopolymer of $23.95)
This set is also unique as it comes in all 3 different stamp choices (Photopolymer ($23.95), the clear mount ($24.95) and Wood ($32.95) so if you want this set in another mount choice, please let me know. (Isn't it great that stampin' up! is giving us choices to fit the "Stampin likes" that we each have!)
For those of you that have never received a kit…this is what you get!
- Full Sample Cards and decorated envelopes and then the "fixins" for you to make (2) more of the cards that I have sampled for you.
- I will have a items cut, embossed, trim….everything you need to complete the cards
- A "Thank You" gift from me…(I think that this one is super cute)
- A handout that will give you full measurements along with tips and tricks
- A video link for the participants so they cab see me put together the cards just in case they need more reassurance than the handout!
I take great pride in my kits and for those of you that have received them before, you know 1st hand the FUN of the kits! In total you will end up with (9) cards and that super cute bag! (I know that many of you are very skeptical about making projects other than cards…..you will love this and trust me, it is a great little bag)
Please shoot me an email back and put in the subject line:
FEBRUARY STAMP OF THE MONTH KIT
Please make sure that I have your address and also…please let me know if you need a substitution stamp set (perhaps you already have this one) or if you want it other than in the photopolymer….I will adjust your bill accordingly!
Many thanks for the patience my January Clubbers gave to me – it was a crazy month but I am in a "groove" now! I have a knee scooter on both floors of the house so I can roll all around!
I think that this kit turned out fabulous and I think that the different techniques I am going to share with you are going to make you do the "Happy Stampin' Dance" (I love that "puzzle" type one)
Please do not wait to reserve yours…..my little hands can only make up so many and I do take great pride in the completed samples I provide for you! Many thanks for your support and I hope that you GO FOR IT! Last month I SOLD OUT….I think that the ideas are just endless with this stamp set and I know that you are going to love the kit!
Stampin' hugs! - Until tomorrow….
