by Susan Itell | Oct 8, 2014 | Fall Cards, Halloween, PALS Blog Hops |
Welcome to the October Pals Blog Hop where we are celebrating an early Halloween and Harvest season. This month we are sharing Halloween and fall projects using our wonderful Stampin’ Up! supplies.
This is my favorite think in being a PAL…our monthly blog hop! I can remember the 1st time I took the dive off the board and tried a Blog Hop…..I have never missed one since then! I hope that you enjoy today and are inspired by the amazing talent that you will see today! Have fun and take it all in!
You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from hop #19 Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.
- Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
- Becky Gifford at The Social Stamper
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
- Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
- Amy Williams at Stamps and Spice
- Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Amanda Merrill at Inkflair
- Beth Beard at My little craft blog
- Brian King at Stamp with Brian
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Liz Gautreaux at Kind Deeds Stampin
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
- Amy Whelan at Amys Inklings
- Jane Knudsen at www.seejanestamp.com
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
- Amy Hoptay at Inking of You!
- Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
- September Gray at septembergray.com
- Sherrie Gross at Sherrie Gross at Stampin Sherrie
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
- Angie Valle-Peters at Paperluxuries
- Rae Harper-Burnet at WildWestPaperArts.com
I am not going to share a bunch of "in's and out's" today but please email me if you need help wth this card! I think that is is a fun Halloween Card without being too scary! I made 30+ of these and I will tell you that if you take it in steps…it is very doable!
Please enjoy the pictures and I hope that I have inspired you and brought a smile to your face!
The star of the show is the Fall Fest Bundle, and I highly reccomend that you purchase the bundle…as these offering are great to "tuck" in when you need a space filled!
Layers…layers and layers! I adore layers! To me that is what makes a card special! This is a square card so even without the layers you would need additional postage…but adding what I did is the same price!
Elements of this card will be listed at the end of the post but as I said before, please email me if I can help you re-create this fun card!
I know that many find using vellum is a challenge….but just plan in advance before you start a card to make sure that you can "hide" the adhesive, here I used glue dots behind the eyes!
If you follow my daily blog, you know that I adore envelopes and I never have a card go out without a fun, lined envelope! To me it is the 1st thing you see and the thing you will remember!
O.k……You have a lot more hopping to do – there is a bunch of fun projects out there! Be a BIG SPONGE and soak it all up! There is so much talent out there within the PALS…this is just a small tast of the talent out there!
The next stop is stop #21 Amy Whelan at Amys Inklingson the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.
Enjoy…thanks for popping in….Happy Fall! Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Oct 7, 2014 | Photopolymer Stamps, Super Easy |
Happy Tuesday! This was such a fun card to make and wow….it was so darn easy! This is one of those that you look at and say …"WHOA" – this looks like a nightmare to line up but it was easy peasy! The color combination was from the Color Coach, I have not blogged about this gem for a while but I simply flipped to Rich Razzleberry and the rest is history.
This star stamp set is called Bordering Blooms and I bet many of you have flipped right past it in the catalog! I must say I did the 1st go-around, but then when I realized that it was a photopolymer stamp….SOLD! (Remember, at the end of the post, you can click directly on the item and it will go right into your shopping cart!)
One item that I do blog often about and TOTALLY believe in it…is the Stamp -a-ma-jig! I knew that I wanted the sentiment "it's YOUR day" which is from the Fabulous Four Stamp Set (one that I have used a bunch and still cannot get enough of it)
I first drew a line in pencil where I wanted the sentiment and then as you can see in the picture using the Stamp-a-ma-jig I was able to get it exactly where I wanted it!
If you have a hard time with this tool…PLEASE email me and I will like to help you. This is a tool that makes you shine! I have helped people with skype…so please, do not hesitate to reach out to me!
Because the stamp is clear…there is no reason for anymore pencil lines or measuring…just have fun stamping away! I did all of the big flowers and then went back and did the little ones all on ONE try! I cannot wait to make this in other color combinations!
This is a note card size and the white that I stamped on is 4 3/4" X 3 1/4" and then the fun pop color is 4 7/8" X 3 3/8"! I adore the size of these cards and find that they are the perfect "go to" for a quick note!
The color scheme started when I picked the liner – it is from the Sweet Taffy DSP and after I picked that – that's when I went to the Color Coach and the rest is history!
That's it…I can hardly wait to try it in other colors and when I do…I'll play "show -n-tell" with you! My mind is going and going….
Thanks for popping in and I hope that this encourages you to try this stamp set…it is one that can be used in so many ways! The 2nd one looks fantastic embossed with versamark on a dark paper!
Click here to see the weekly deals that Stampin' Up! is offering to us this week (thank you Stampin' Up!) My favorite this week and I bet you wll be surprised…the handheld punch! I love this size for threading twine and linen thread and of course the Mosaic Punch (whenever you have the oppportunity to purchase punches on sale …GO FOR IT – we have THE BEST punches on the market!)
Click here and have fun shopping!!! I just love shopping in my jammies!
Now how about a teaser…check out this BEAUTIFUL NEW stamp that will not be available unti October 14th…..yep!!!! I see fun times with Blendabilities!!!
Until tomorrow…it's going to be a GREAT Blog hop!
by Susan Itell | Oct 6, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Thanksgiving |
I used this stamp set yesterday and I thought, what the heck – I might as well use it again before putting it on the shelf with its other friends! I love this set and I think that the sentiments are so fun and whimsical. I am borrowing a super clean sketch that was a past sketch on Freshly Made Sketches and I think that you are going to have fun with it! This stamp set is Mingle all the Way!
Please remember, these Monday Challenges I throw your way are for you to have fun at your own home…to stretch yourself a bit and if you want to share with me your work, I would love and be honored to see it! Please simply email me!
At Thanksgiving and also at Christmas I enjoy making homemade cakes and goodies for family and friends! Finding a day and blocking it off to turn the music on and bake is a fun and rewarding day for me!
This is the type of card that I would love to tuck under a cake box with a big bow! I try to take my Moms advice as she always said, it is all about the presentation!
Let's get going…it is a very straight forward card but I feel that combining the textures is what makes this card special! The "wood grain" DSP from the Motley Monsters Collection is the background paper….(see…using DSP is and can be soooo effective)…just try it!
I stamped this sentiment on a piece of Sahara Sand (3" X 2") with Soft Suede and then matted it in that color a 1/4" bigger.
I stamped it again on a scrap piece of paper in Mossy Meadow and then carefully adhered it to the sentiment! This is a super easy and effective thing to do!
Because I am using the Burlap Ribbon and it is very thick, I had to "double up" on my Stampin' Dimensionals. This ribbon is so "on trend" right now and I think that the rustic and home feel it gives works great with its texture!
Let's get to the little "fru-fru" part! I think that it turned our super fum and it is right up my alley….SIMPLE! I took a piece of the burlap ribbon and cut the stitched edge off and then unraveled several stands of the ribbon and then made a simple "Susan knot" and adhere it with a glue dot….DONE and CUTE!
Using all of the different textures makes this a fun and special card. Not only is it super easy to make, you are guaranteed that the recipient will get a smile from receiving it!
Remember, now thru the end of October is the great opportunity for you to receive DSP for 6 months free! Click here to see the post that I highlighted it on last week. With this being the busiest time of the year for your stampin' project, why not get your products at a discount….nothing to lose and inspiration to gain!
Remember that today is the last day to take advantage of the Stamp, Stock & Sale opportunity of the great basics that we use over and over! Thank you Stampin' Up! for doing this! Click here and you will see the savings!
This is going to be a fun week as on Wednesday is the PALS monthly Blog Hop…..that is always a super fun cyber parade of inspiration!
I hope that you reach out of the box and try something fun! I was pleased with the embellishment on this card and it shows you that it is amazing what you can do with ribbon!
Until tomorrow…let's all have a great week!
P.s. – I only have 2 spots left for my Stamp of the Month Kit for October! Please click here and here to see the post I did on this kit…..then email me if you want the fun delivered to your door! Please put in the subject line October Stamp of the Month!
by Susan Itell | Oct 5, 2014 | Blog Candy, Halloween, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
Before we get to today's post I have to say a HUGE thank you for the smiles you gave to me with your 53 comments from yesterday's post! John and I went to a great restaurant for dinner last night in the cutest little town about 30 minutes away so as he drove I had my I-pod and read them so we both could enjoy!
It is soooooo very clear to me that we all have the same feeling and passion! I love to create and play in my Craft area…but I adore sending cards and knowing that I brought a smile to someone! Thank you…thank you for sharing what card making means to you!
To me it is a simple pleasure that means so much…
Please know that it DOES make a difference not only to YOU
but to the people you send a card to!
The winner is #24 Brenda B….. and here is her comment! (I had to do it in PINK for the Breast Cancer event today)
Woot-Woot to you Brenda and many thanks for the super sweet comment! Please email me and your address and I will send your goodies your way!
Happy World Card Making Day! I am so happy to have found this hobby and thoroughly enjoy making cards for friends and family. You are such an inspiration Susan and I so look forward to your postings and updates on what you are doing. Happy day to you!
O.k. – to the card for the day! I adore this stamp set, Mingle all the Way. I realize that many people love to celebrate Halloween and then there are others that do not care for the scary part of it…I think that this card is a fun and classic card!
I have great memories of Trick-n-Treat but I will say that my costumes were always handmade and simple…like a pumpkin, a Base Ball Player etc….I am amazed at how the retail stores put such a huge emphasis on October 31st!
This card layout is very simple and it could easily be used for other clean and simple cards! Just simply change up the sentiment and the color of paper and BAM – a whole new card! True I have used a bunch of paper today and if you follow my blog you already know that I adore paper!
To me, paper can do so much and be so effective in making a clean and simple card! Remember to utilize the paper that you are covering with another layer! This is a perfect time to use your punched…framelits etc…to use for future cards!
Here are the measurements for all of the layers that are going on today! I know that you enjoy it when I give you the measurements!
- The base is a good old A-2 card and the black layer is just 1/4 smaller – 5 1/4" X 4" (remember cut the black piece as it will be covered up) and add the next layer in whisper white which is 1/4" smaller 5" X 3 3/4"
- The Tangerine Tango is 3 1/2 X 4 3/4" and then the Designer Series Paper from the Motley Monster DSP and it is 3 3/8" X 4 5/8"…. Take this piece to your Big Shot and Place the #4 square framelit and cut the square out!
TIP – do not adhere it yet…I like to take it over top of the base piece and take a pencil to draw a line where the square is and then stamp it…So much easier!
- Erase your pencil lines and now you can adhere it to the base. (I was going to put stampin' dimensionals under the orange piece but I decided against it and I really like the look!
- I made the back square border with framefilt #4 & #5 as I thought this element would add a great contast and a quick dash of dots did the trick!
- Last but not least…the envelope! I had some fun as I lined the outer flap and then while I had my big shot and sentiment all "onky" – I decided to jazz up the back!
TIP – I have shared this with you before and I will say that I do ask the people that I send cards to if they can through the mail o.k. – like this card…take it to the counter of the post office and ask them to "hand stamp" it….this way it will not go through the machine and I find that using the tombow liquid glue is the best!!!
I hope that this clean and simple card brought a smile to you this morning! Again, a heartfelt thanks to all of you for sharing with me what card making means to you…I think it's clear to say that we all are going to keep doing what we do as it brings joy to us!
Have a wonderful day and make it special! Another woot-woot to Brenda for winning the Blog Candy! There will be more blog candy posts in the future….after all it's October….we need to treat -n-treat together!
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Oct 4, 2014 | Super Easy |
This is a GREAT day as today is the day that people from all world celebrate the LOVE that we all have….making cards! I know that if you are popping onto my blog now, than you LOVE making cards and please do not underestimate what we do!
Cards are near and dear to my heart as my Mom was the "queen of card giving"…when she was ill, it was the cards that came in…and came in…. and kept coming in during her short battle with cancer that gave her such happiness, joy and inspiration.
I am not personally having an event today but please know that I have been a "worker bee" for an event tomorrow! I loss my Mom to pancreatic cancer and where I live we do not have a network for that particular type of Cancer, so I have dedicated my time to Breast Cancer.
This card is a card that will be in a bundle of cards to be sold at the Breast Cancer Tea in our community! The 1st Wednesday of the month I go with volunteers to make cards for patients that are in treatment. We usually make (15) cards of (4) different samples that I have ready to go….usuallly making 60-75 per month – it is a fun time!
The REAL hero of this day are my dear friends… Cathy who is a co-chair to this event and Jeanie….my friend and downline as Jeanie and "Sister Corda" have made over 160 tea-pots for this event! I will take a picture of the tables and event….I am so proud of everyone's efforts!
I think Sister Corda is either 83 or 87 years of age and for the past several months Jeanie and her have carved out time on making these tea pots! It will be a sea of pink tomorrow!
Ok….I know – let's get to the card…and let's get to the Blog Candy – You really do not need me on this card with the "in's and out's" as it is easy-peasy but still is a super special and fun card.
Please leave me a comment and let me (us) know what making cards means to you and you will have the chance to win this stamp set along with a pack of whisper white paper! Please leave your comment by 9 p.m. Eastern time today and I will announce the winner on Sunday using random.com
This stamp is a hostess only stamp and I will be happy to send it your way as….
"I am NUTS about YOU!"
I truly love what I do and I hope that you not only have a wonderful day….but you stop and think of how special it is to go to your mail and see a hand-written card addresses to you….
Please feel free to email me if you need to and remember that the super sale of basics are only good thru October 6th….so be a "smartie" and take advanatge of this sale….
Please know that I am "Nuts about YOU" and I thank you for all that you do!
Until tomorrow!
Also…. Please do not forget that I am organizing a Fall Card Swap!
Click here to see the original post. If you have never participated in one, it is easy and fun.
Simply send me a handmade card and I will send you back one that someone else made…you will be smiling waiting to see what card you'll get!
Mail your card and self addressed and stamped envelope to:
Susan Itell
15002 Randall Lane
Williamsport, MD 21795
