by Susan Itell | Jul 13, 2014 | Super Easy, Tips and Tricks!!! |
Whew…I feel like it has been such a long week (actually it WAS a very long week and I am glad it is behind) Our power was restored late yesterday afternoon and I could hardly wait to regain a bit of normalcy! WOWZERS, was the house HOT and well….we sure do have a clean refrigerator and freezer!
Today's card is how I feel – HOORAY! HORRAY!
Daisey Mae was the PERFECT PROTECT PIG and she is happy that the air-conditioning is on and she has given all house watch responsibilities to the dogs…she has done her job and now she need to catch up on her beauty piggy rest!
I sure hope that you missed me as much as I have missed my daily blogging! Feeling guilty is an understatement…I truly missed creating, playing around and inspiring you! I think that you will find this card fun.
Ready…let's go! I will say that the thrill of heat embossing is still so special as the first time I ever did it…at the end of this post I will share with you some tips that made making this card easy.
- The base of the card is Crushed Curry cut to a note-card size 3 1/2 X 5 and then I made the matching envelope with the help of the Envelope punch board. (makes it so easy)
- The Very Vanilla is a "smidge smaller" – (that is 3 3/8 X 4 7/8) and the I used my handy ruler and pencil to find the 1/2 way mark…drew a faint line and also a line 1/4" from the bottom
- After prepping the paper surface with a quick swipe of the Embossing Bubby I stamped the image with the versa mark and then used the Crushed Curry Embossing Powder and heat tool to do the magic!
- I am lovin' out new Designer Series Paper and this one is one of my favorites as I like the fact that is compliments with Very Vanilla – The Flashback DSP! Remember, click here to see and take advantage of the buy 3 get 1 free with the DSP Papers! The perfect time to stock up!
- Because I had a significant amount of "very vanilla" space, I thought that this would the perfect way to show case the DSP. I know that many of you are afraid of using bold prints of DSP on the body of your card…but what do you think of this? I think it is as clean and classic as it comes! The height of this is 2".
- You have heard me say many times before that I adore the Stampin' Trimmer, well this is a PERFECT example of why! These slivers of Real Red are just 1/8" and was a cinch using the trimmer. True I could have matted this piece of DSP on Red, but I wanted to teach you that this method works great. I used the Sticky Strip and left just a little overhang to adhere the red…BINGO – adhesive worked double time and on the card it goes!
- The envelope was jazzed up with lining the outer part of the envelope flap! You can see that I cut the bottom of the flap straight after making it with the envelope punch board (sometimes I just like mixing things up!!!)
Well…I hope that you say HOORAY!HORRAY! to this card and I hope that it has inspired you to take a sentiment and use it multiple times and great a fun and simple card!
Please do not be afraid to use DSP on your card fronts…how about challenging yourself this week to try it…it's like the old commercials for "Life" cereal…."TRY IT…YOU MIGHT LIKE IT"
As promised, here are a couple of tips and tricks that made this card so much easier for me.
- The stamp-a-ma-jig makes lining up things sooooo much easier – just make a commitment to like this black piece of plastic…it really is a great tool.
- The Silicone Craft Sheet is a dream…no more sticky fingers when using the "green glue" and like this project…the sticky strip peeled right off and it did not loose and if its "stick power"
- The Stampin' Trimmer…no excuses…a must have tool – we all have a birthday every year.(make sure you order and extra set of blades and the replacement cutting mat)
- When I heat emboss, I like to have a set of assorted sizes of paint brushes. ( I use a coupon from the craft store and I purchased the assorted sizes as you can have a very teeny, tiny brush up to a wider one. You will be amazed at how handy they are.) When you get the embossing powder where you do not want it to be, it is a breeze to flick it off before you use the heat tool!
That's it my friends…I hope that you enjoyed having me back – I know that I sure am a "Smiling Susan"…remember to click here or hit the shop now button to purchase any SU goodies and especially take advantage of the DSP paper sale!
Thank you for your patience with my "lack of power" (heck – our little street made the front page of our local paper) as we live out in the country….and people less than 1/4 of a mile had power…It was a journey…it was an adventure – my fingers are crossed that we are home free!
Tomorrow is Make it Mine Monday…please pop back and see the sketch I have for you to challenge your personal skills. Again, it's great to be back and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 10, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Hello my dear and wonderful followers…if you remember that yesterday I said that we had a bad storm and went to a hotel? Well…we really were hit and at first we were told that the power would be back within 24 hours….but late yesterday afternoon they changed it to Saturday….YES SATURDAY by 11:00 p.m.!
When I saw that from my computer at work….I was like – YIKES!!!!
Needless to say it could be a lot worse and I have to keep a positive attitude and know that John and I are going to have a very interesting next couple of days. I am soooooo hopeful that they are wrong with the time frame and the power will be back!
After work we packed up the dogs….(all 5 of them) and headed to my Dad's house to "camp out" until the power is back!
Jack and Charlie
For those of you that are "Daisy Mae" fans….my Dad is wonderful but I did not want to see if it was ok to bring the "princess" to his home.We told Dasiy that she needed to stay at the house and be the "Watch Pig" and protect the house! (we will be back to check her 1st thing in the morning)
Thank goodness my Dad is at his other house but we are in a planned retirement community and I think if the neighbors knew that we have 5 dogs here…..well let's say I do not think the Welcome Wagon would be paying us a visit!
So….the moral of the story is…no post for you…I am sorry…this is a "life happens" situation that I am just trying to find the humor of it all! I always think some things happen for a reason and I will be interested to see what the reason of this is!
Here are some pictures of the 5 dogs getting all packed up to go on their field trip! All is good at our house with Daisey Mae in the house being the best protect pig she can be….Arnold, Colin and the Donkey in the field…but I will say being in the middle of the country with 30 acres and no electicity…is very dark and very hot!
Tomorrow is a new day and I am sure it will be a great day! Enjoy the animals pictures!
Eddie and Norman
Murphy
He will be 13 next week and really feeling his age.
Here is the BEST picture in my mind – (Jack is not in it) but here are all of the animals before we packed up and dear little Daisy said – go leave….I've gotcha covered!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 9, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Welcome to the July Pals Blog Hop. This month we are featuring a New Hues Review. Let the new Stampin' Up! In Colors for 2014-16 inspire you – Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey, and Tangelo Twist. We hope you find great inspiration from our creations.
These colors are super beautiful…do you have a favorite yet?
You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from #14 - Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space 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.
CONFESSION TIME: We had a terrible storm and lost power…John and I went to a hotel (I can't believe we did that but I have a 7 a.m. meeting) and I snapped these pictures in a Fast Food Restaurant….when it rains it pours!
Today I am showcasing for you a super simple card that gets the message straight…I love you! I have tried to use many of the new products that are in the new catalog and I encourage you to "think out of the box" like I have done here and just have fun!
There are 4 key products for this card! If you follow my Blog, you already know that I adore the note-card size of envelopes and with the new catalog they come in Crumb Cake…that deserves a WOOT-WOOT!
I wanted to keep this very simple yet showcase the different colors of the new colors and all of a sudden the light-bulb came on – (don't you love that when that happens)
Out came the new hearts border punch. Having this type of a punch does 2 things effectively…makes a border like I have shown today but it also cuts out the adorable hearts that can be used on other projects (wouldn't they be adorable in a shaker card?)
It really was easy to do. I first made the hearts border much longer than I needed and then I cut it to have 10 hearts…perfect – I showcased each color twice. I highly recommend that you use the "green glue" for this…it just takes a dab!
I adhered that to the Very Vanilla and then pulled out my main stampin' man…Mr. Big Shot – I just love him! Next I pulled out my new fun Bigz Die called Perfect Print Alphabet and Numbers. Now I know what you are thinking…this is a total indulgence and I do not disagree but it is very, very practical and I see many ideas using this die! Use hostess dollars for it or a 1/2 price item!
This was just too darn easy yet it is so effective. When you look at the numbers die you can see that there is a heart in the die…BINGO – this worked perfectly!
I used to always write to my kids – and draw and "eye" + "heart" + U..and this card reminds me of that so guess what…I made 3 to send them a card!
Using Stampin Vitamins, (Stampin' Dimensionals) I lifted the focal part and I love the way the Very Vanilla looks against the Crumb Cake.
That's really about it – I told you that it was easy. OOPS…the envelope – you know that I never make a card without giving the envelope some TLC…my "go to" Designer Series Paper Stack was perfect…those gems never leave me down. (remember they come in all color collections)
Now keep hopping and see all of the great ideas that the PALS have come up with. Have fun and many thanks for popping by today!
The next stop is #16 –Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker.wordpress.com on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.
Until tomorrow!
- Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan
- Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Amy Hoptay at inkingofyou.com
- Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
- Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
- Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker.wordpress.com
- Beth Beard at My little craft blog
- Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Cheryl McAskill at A Stampin' Holiday
- Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
- Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
- September Gray at Septembergray.com
- Kelly DeTommaso at Kelly's Creative Corner
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
- Amy Williams at Stamps and Spice
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Rae Harper-Burnet at WildWestPaperArts.com
by Susan Itell | Jul 8, 2014 | Thank You |
I received this incredible card and treat bag from my dear friend Jeanie! You have heard me blog about her before and I have shared with you that she is SUPER talented….and I just had to share with you this today! Isn't it just beautiful!
Whenever we get together and scrap…it becomes an endless back and forth of ideas, lots of laughter and I always leave with a smile on my face! I simply love everything about these goodies and I knew that you would want to see them!
Why do I love this so much? Well….first because it came from Jeanie and it is handmade with love but the basis of the card is right up my alley! Clean…SImple…lots of texture…and the gold embossing is WOW!!! (It is hard to see and appreciate in the photo but trust me – it is the icing on the cake!
This embossing is so easy and elegant and you always get the same big smile on your face when you watch that magic happen when the heat gun turns it into liquid gold!
Jeanie adores embossing folders – she always says it the best bang for your buck! This is the Decorative Dot Embossing Folder and it looks so rich on this Basic Gray Paper! My favorite part is the Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack…just look below at this gorgeous paper!
Now…let me show you this adorable little goodie bag! Isn't it just adorable – she had some of my favorite Dark Chocolate Caramels inside…YUM! I know that Jeanie gets a bunch of inspiration from Pootles Papercraft – and I encourage you to go to Sam Donald's You Tube Channel and see her inspirations! I adore and use her ideas often…another talented lady!
You can see the items that Jeanie used below and I hope that this brought a huge smile to your face…just like it did mine! I just "had to" share this with you as I couldn't keep it to myself…this is one of those "keeper" formulas that I talk about!
You could easily change up the stamps, paper etc….and BAM – a great card!
Get ready for a GREAT day tomorrow…it is the PALS Blog Hop…always a great day of inspiration from many talented demonstrators! I think there are 28 hopping so get ready to grab some great ideas!
Please feel free to leave Jeanie a comment, I know that she will love to hear what you think. She is on vacation and I know that this will make her day that I have share this with you!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 7, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday |
WOWZERS – I cannot believe that it is Monday and I have a confession – yesterday was a GREAT day as I started my day with a great bike ride with John on the Antietam Battlefield (gorgeous) and then I came home and went into hibernation to get all of the Ribbon and Paper Share out…
My apologizes in the late arrival BUT….another wowzers – I had an overwhelming response and I promised you a hand made card from me….and making 68 of them – well…took some time! Good news is…they are "OUT THE DOOR" and I know that you are going to be happy!
Speaking of happy – I made this card JUST FOR YOU, my way of celebrating a bunch of cutting and card making but I loved each and every part of it (except when I broke a nail!) This is going to be oober quick post but when you see this sketch, please think out of the box!
Here is your sketch this week….have fun!
Think of other shapes…remember that this is a "guide line " for you…my goal is for you to look at this and see what you have at home to make a masterpiece from you!!! Here is my take!
The key products are….Stamp Sets :
Bravo Stamp Set ( love this…I think we all need big and bold sentiment set!)
The color of the day is Strawberry Slush – I love this stamp set, being able to "see thru" them makes it the best! The other colors I used were Coastal Cabana and Pool Party. The stars were lifted with a "wee little piece" of stampin' dimensional and the color is Pink Pirouette!
Do you see the "circle border on the edges" = that is from the Draw the Lines stamp set and I stamped it in Strawberry Slush to give it that great tone on tone effect – I often forget about doing a tonoe on tone…but it sure does create a great look!
This stamp set is very, very versatile! With it being "clear"…it makes it a breeze to get a clean and straight stamp! I am so happy that Stampin' Up! has offered so many photopolymer stamps this year!
I see endless projects with these border stamps….a quick stamp here – add a sentiment….DONE!!!! Wouldn't they be great heat embossed as well?
You can see that the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder was a big hit….but also were the circle punches in the sizes of 1/2". 1 3/8" and 2". I first popped out the circles and then I was able to get them allon the embossing folder at once….a quick run thru the Big Shot – WOW…instant fun!
I was super happy with this card and I thought some stars were perfect for this card – you see…mix it up – do not stick with one shape….the sketches are just an inspiration for you to play with…use what you have and just have fun!
So…what do you think? I know that you can do it!!!! Please email me your "take" on this sketch…..I am so proud of you that so many are having fun with these Monday personal challenges!
Have fun...email me if you would like and until tomorrow!
