by Susan Itell | Sep 15, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday |
Happy Monday! Whew…it feels GREAT to be home and sleep in my own bed! It was a bittersweet weekend but all in all…a GREAT weekend of memories…tears…laughter….and friendship! It was so great to see so many that we have not seen for years and we picked up right where we left off!
Today is the personal challenge of Make it Mine…and below you will see the sketch! This card is as easy as saying 1-2-3- and it is for my wonderful husbeand John as he has been amazing with all of the back and forth we have been doing! I LOVE having animals…BUT it is a challenge to be away!
John was a "rock" to me this weekend and sooooo darn patient in helping. I have learned that he adores when I send him "random and unexpected cards" to his office and I hope that this will bring a smile to his face!
This is sooooo easy that you do not need me but simple works…simple is clean…simple is great!
Now that Stampin' Up! has offered so many color choices of "Cut and Ready" bases that it is a total time saver. Sometimes we just need this when time is of the essence!
You know me, I love the stamp-a-ma-jig and this was my friend for perfect placement! The stamp set is Groovy Love and it is just "groovy" and I adore the crispness of these polka dots!
A simple Stamp-stamp-stamp in real red was all that was needed and then the super adorable "i love us" from the Good Greetings Stamp Set that can be YOURS with a cyber event…a stamp a stack event or a $300.00 order and it is a keeper of all keepers!
Just look at all of the sentiments in 1 stamp set…don't you love the "font", email me and we will work out a plan to have you earn this!
Stampin' Dimensions add so much and you can see how basic this card is. We all know that time is so valuable to us, so please – do not stress if it does not take a lot of time to make a card…think of it as a gift…and bonus!
I chose the Flash Back DSP as it was in Very Vanilla and I thought that the color helped to pick up the sentiment color….
Adding that special touch to the outer part of the envelope was the icing on the cake! It truly makes me happy and I know that John will love getting a special card in the mail!
Please send me your "take" on this sketch! I am always so amazed at how many of you enjoy the Monday challenges…and I am always so proud of you!
I have some great ideas for you this week and I am excited to share! Many thanks for popping in and many thank for the wonderful comments! I adore each and everyone of them!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 14, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Happy Sunday! Now this is a totally different card for me but I will say that it was oober easy and it was a ton of fun! I actually colored it while I was listening to a Webinar and it was like being a kid with a fresh coloring book!
I am the very first to admit that I am not an expert by any means with the Blendabilites but I will say that when I take the time to "play" I love them! I do not know why the crumb cake did not pop up in the below supplies for this card but you can click here to order it! The other color families I used were Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delightand the Crumb Cake!
This is the very first time I have used this stamp. It is sold as a single stamp and it needs to find a way to your home! It is the BEST to learn to use the blendabilties as there is so much space so you can really get a great idea of how to do it! Remember – NO RULES other than to have fun!!!
Below you will see the work in progress…remember that these markers DO bleed through your paper (and that's ok) so make sure you put some scraps underneath so you do not ruin your work surface.
I think that we all agree that Mary Fish is one special and talented lady. I am blessed to have her not only as my upline but as a friend! I took her advice on using these pens and if you have not seen this quick video…please watch it and it will make total sense.
After I did my magic on coloring…I flipped the 3 1/2" square piece over and using a pencil I drew the lines to fine the center. I just think a ruler is the best thing since sliced bread! To the paper trimmer to cut to make equal squares!
Now to the fun part…again…NO STRESSING….I fussy cut the flower….please make sure you do not try to fussy cut before cutting in into squares, – I know that it is tempting to do so…but this is so much easier as it would be next to impossible to cut the flowers out in equal parts!
Let me give you a couple of measurements as I do hope that you try this….go wild with different colors!
- The base size of the card is a 4 1/2" square card in Sahara Sand and then the pice of Sahara Sand that I put the cut flower on is 3 1/4"
- The next 2 colors are Soft Suede and Calypso Coral…just a smidge larger!
You can see that I used another tool that I use often…the white gel pen! I adore this pen as it is my "dash and dot friend" in so many cards that I do but on this card I used the white gel pen to go over the black lines from the Momento Ink….at first I did not like it at all but once it dried and all put together…it worked!
From the above angle you can see where I used Stampin Dimensions to lift up. TIP: Make sure that you do not place the dimensions too close to the edge so they are more concealed….just gives it a more polished look!
Sentiments time…this is from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set and this set is fabulous! The sentiments are always"spot on" for that special message that you need!
Now to the funny part about this card….I saw a version of it on Pinterest and when I went to go to the demonstrators blog I was soooo happy as she had a video….but guess what – it is in french….so I had no clue as I have never taken french so I hope that I inspired you as best I can!
Please feel free to email me if you have any further questions about this card and I will do my best to help you. Enjoy the day….make some memories and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 13, 2014 | Photopolymer Stamps, Super Easy |
Happy weekend to all! I was excited to share with you today's card! I adore monchromatic cards and I think that this one is simple, sweet, practical and just classic! I will say that the photos do not do it justice so please try it for yourself!
The stamp sets I used today are the Bordering Blooms (pg. 162) and Hi There (pg. 18)! There is something that I love about each of these stamp sets..
- The borders are a photopolymer set and WOW – we know how easy that make for us for perfect placement
- The "hello" font is priceless ( I would but it just for that sentiment….adore the free flowing font!
Some people think it is a challenge to do a card in the same color family…it really is not – best advice is "go for it" I personally love the end result! Let's get to it…..
Now that Stampin up! has come out with the Note Card and Envelope is Crumb Cake….I am doing the woot-woot dance! I love this size as it is "just perfect" for writing the prefect note!
Making a mat a "smidge smaller" as you know I do not like to see the linen thread on the inside of the card (if I can help it) – I corner rounded all edges of both the mat and the card!
I started by stamping the left side with the adorable border stamp but all I used was versa mark…that's right – versa mark and nothing else! Doesn't it give such a rich and deep effect against the crumb cake paper?
Pulling out "old faithful" – the Stamp-a-ma jig…I was able to get the "hello" just where I wanted it. I did use the crumb cake ink for this! I wanted it to be a bit deeper to stand out but to still blend and be subtle with the border!
Now here comes some fun! I wrapped the linen thread around which in itself gives it a great look but then I took some scrap crumb cake and balled it all up….then smoothed it out and punched the flowers! WHY? – I thought that this gave it a soft look and then a simple candy dot…DONE!
You know I need to do something to the envelope! I thought that the sentiment was too big for the front so I did a simple stamp on the back flap for the mail man to smile and then added the border across the front!
This card would be one that you could mass produce in a jif and also it is so appropriate for so many cards that we send….change up the colors and get a totally different feel. I think that these borders are super fun and I plan to do many more cards with them for you!
It is a bittersweet time being back in Lynchburg but all in all it is great. My brother is here….so many friends etc….The one thing that is truly amazing about Ted was that he had friends of ALL generations and they are all so wonderful…it's hard to explain but it is so comforting to be with so many positive, interesting and lovely people!
Please pop back tomorrow as I have a card that looks hard but it is not at all ( you know me….I am challenged with difficulties)…I did the coloring while listening to a video….it's super cute and carries a big punch!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 12, 2014 | Halloween, Party Favors, Super Easy |
I know that when we hear Stampin' Up! we think of stamps…card making…the Big Shot…framelits …ya-da-ya-da – but I am so happy that we are "spot on trend" in offering many more options!
I am thrilled that Stampin' Up! is offering more and more bags…boxes…heavier card stock for making your own boxes….wreath….again, ya-da-ya-da!
Today is a short post as I am traveling for Ted's memorial service but this is one product that you should not overlook WHY? It is a perfect size for many things and you can decorate it in so many ways!
Today I am using the Dots Decorative Mask and these are not only sooooo affordable ($2.95 for BOTH of them...WOW) – they clean so easy and they are just FUN!
I have used them several times before on posts and I have always been pleased with the end result!
I will share with you a couple of tips that I think make this wonerful piece of plastic the best!
- If you are working on a project that you can use some simple masking tape to help "anchor it down"…you'll be a happy stamper…this helps with the "wiggle"
- Try to use a circular motion when applying the ink (you will get a more uniform look) Today I ised the white craft ink which is "wetter" and you can see that I did have some excess paint….sorry!
I am loving thie new thick twine…I wish that it came in more colors as I think that it adds a fun and fresh texture! It will fray so you need to use super sharp scissors for cutting.
I would reccommend the Craft Scissors…hands down the best for cutting (I actually have 2 – one that has a piece of ribbon tied on it so I know to only use them for ribbon and the other for paper! LOVE…LOVE them!
Let you imagination go wild with decorating….the ideas are endless and I will share with you in later posts more of the fun packaging ideas that we offer!
Please click here and you will see the grouping of all of the packaging we have now! I love that stampin' up! has it all together in one place!
Thanks for popping in today! Tomorrow I have a very unique monochromatic card for you tomorrow that it super interesting with the textures….it's different but it is very easy and quite effective!
Please feel free to email me and below is a new photopolymer stamp set…..WOW – it is very, very interesting…please help me make the decision…should it make its way to my house? I am on the fence but leaning to hit that "buy me button"….what do you think….please leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts!
It is called You've Wonderful…..love the name – you can click here and see the scoop!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Sep 11, 2014 | Fall Cards, PPA Challenges, Thank You |
Is it "Fall" where you live? Earlier this week it was super "fall-ish"….crisp mornings…but the heat and humidity is back today! I adore Fall and I find every excuse to take walks in the brisk air…to sleep with the windows open…to enjoy the beauty of the leaves on the trees!
Today is Thursday which means another Pals Paper Art Challenge and I below you will see the colors that we are working with this week! I hope that you will join the fun and I also hope that you pop over to the Pals Paper Art Website to see all of the inspiration!
I was doing the "happy dance" with this color palette! It screams FALL! You can receive this card for free when you sign up for my September Stamp of the Month Club! Please click here to see the post that spells it all out!
I am super excited with the response I have receive for this! Because I am making you a sample card of each of the 3 designs and I am limiting it to an amount that I can realistic produce. I originally said that the cut off is Monday, September 22nd…but I only have 8 spots left so please email me if you want to take advantage of this kit! (I do not think it will make it to the 22nd)
Let's get to today's card! I was super happy with it and when I send it to you…it is blank…so you can send it to a friend…use it to CASE…..or simply use it for a class. "Thanks" is universal and I am thankful for you popping onto my blog!
If you look at the colors in the Color Me Autumn DSP….it uses Mossy Meadow and todays challlenge calls for Always Artichoke….great example…play with your colors….many of our colors blend perfectly! The DSP is matted on the Always Artichoke…and it works!
Today's card os showcasing the Four Feathers Stamp Set. Feather are very popular right now and I will say…I was not a huge fan but then I thought about it…took the plunge and I am happy I did…WHY? – this is a perfect example of having a "filler"…to me it is like when you arrange flowers, they are times that you need "just a little something" to hide a open spot!
This s what I thought about these feathers. In today's card, I let the variety of height just gently cover the open space. I can also see that just using one feather with a cluster of leaves would be stunning. This does have framelits and you can buy it as a bundle (see below) – this way you will save an instant 15%!!!
A simple stamp of thanks from the Another Thank You set was a cinch as you can see right through for perfect placement! (I wish you could see my set, I feel like it has been through the worse storm as it is normal for your photopolymer stamps to get stained…I have used this sooooo much, trust me it is well stained which means it is well loved!!!)
A simple and classis Gold Basic Button with the linen thread and some easy loos was the perfect finishing touch! I use glue dots to adhere – quick and easy!
Well….I "thank you" for popping in today! Please remember to tell your family and friends about my blog and it you are not currently working with a SUD, I would love to help you out! My online store is a click away and you can shop at home with your jamiies!
Also, if you would like to earn some hostess rewards, I will be happy to get you a hostess code and your friends goodies will be shipped right to their home! There are many way that we can work together vis the beauty of the internet!
If you are interested in the September Stamp of the Month Kit, please email me and put in the subject line STAMP OF THE MONTH so I can save you a spot! I am super excited about this as I am excited for you to be able to make your own clean and simple cards following not only my instructions, but you will have an actual sample of the card….
Remember, if you already own the For All Things stamp set, no worries…just let me know of another stamp set that you do not have and I will mail it to you with your kit. Please feel free to email me and I will be happy to answer any questions you might have!
Have a great day and I hope that you enjoye this clean and simple card. Stampin' hugs to you!
Until tomorrow….
