by Susan Itell | Jul 6, 2014 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
Happy Sunday! Having a holiday on Friday sure is messing me up with what day it is! We had a FABULOUS surprise….one of the "peeps" came home yesterday so I knew that needed to make this a cute and "to the point" post…but even though it is SUPER simple – it still carries a big punch!
To me…this is what I call, "my kind of card" – WHY??? Easy – it uses minimal products and still has a high level of classic simplicity at its best! I am using (2) stamp sets that have been "carried over" from last year – to me I call that an oldie but goodie!
Embellished Events = #126497
A Fitting Occasion = #127049 (do you see a little daisy-mae)
The "go to" for this card is the Note Card Size and envelope and I cut another piece of Whisper White at 4 1/2" X 3" As you can see in the below photo (sorry it is not the best photo) I used my ruler to be my friend!
I did use the stamp-a-ma jig and I just love using it as it gives me perfect placement the 1st time!!! Remember, it's like a bicycle…once you get it – it is second nature to you every time!
Here is the end result….so fast yet still super cute! Look at all of the adorable stamps in this stamp set…many, many possibilities! Remember, sometimes less is definitely best!
I am the first to admit that this is a very "Plain Jane"" card…but I like "Jane" – to me the sweet message gets accross and I adore all the "white"….and the single color of ink and then letting the POP of color from the super fun DSP from the "Flower Pot" collection…gave the finishing touch!
Don't forget…that all this month you can buy 3 DSP Papers and get one free! This new catalog has a bunch of beauties….so stock up and be ready!
The Envelope Liner framelit with the help of the Big Shot was a cinch to line the envelope! Isn't this a fun paper, I love all of the different colors in it as well as the variety of sizes of flowers make it so interesting!
FUN…BRIGHT…BOLD – The Flower Pot DSP #133698 is a keeper!
Tomorrow is Make it Mine Monday and I have a fun sketch for you! I hope that you will take on this personal challenge. I am so proud of so many of you in trying them each week – WOOT-WOOT to YOU!!!
Have a fabulous day…we have been blessed with amazing weather over the weekend! Be safe in your travels if you are on the road today.
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Jul 5, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Happy Saturday and here is a super simple card for you and I can say that when I saw this single stamp in the catalog – I knew that it was going to find a way to my home! I am so happy with these single stamps as these make a quick..."go to " card!
Today, I colored it with the new blendabilities and I am lovin' them! This card is a "watch a tv show and make a card"…and I love it! It reminds of the times that I loved coloring in coloring books when I was young….it was fun then…and it is fun now!
I was able to order the "other" colors of the pens and they are great! I know that many of you are enjoying the 1st wave of blendabilities but you will be able to order the remainder starting August 1st!
Simple, cute and fun! The base of the card is the Baked Brown Sugar in an A-2 card size but at the vertical fold! I like this size and fold!
The size of the Very Vanilla is 3" X 4 1/4" and then using the Memento Ink (my new go to Black Ink) I inked up the "A Little Smile" single stamp and the magic started! I used a variety of blendabilites to color the image! Isn't this the cutest stamp…those little hedge hogs are too darn cute!
I wanted to add some dimension to the card so out came the Honeycomd Embossing Folder and a quick run through the Big Shot and instant depth and contrast happened! So easy…paper + embossing folder+ one fun effect!
When I add an enbossed piece like this…I like to adhere it down flat to my base – WHY??? I find that when you run an embossing folder thru the big shot….many times it is a bit "wavy" = this was it will give you a clean and crisp finish!
I admit that I am not a pro at the blendabiities but I am fine with that – they are going to be around for a long time and I am eager to master them! When you look at this picture you can see that I used (2) different colors of the blue…"working and blending is the key" – it will come and I am OVER THE MOON THAT WE HAVE THESE!
True, I could have practiced a bit more today for you …but this is "take #1" and it is just fine with me! You have heard me say this before and I stand by it…whatever you create is from YOU.…and whomever is lucky enough to receive it will LOVE it because it was made by YOU!
This card was fun to make! I feel like I am truly going back to the days of pulling out the BIG box of Crayola Crayons…I know that these Blendabilites are an indulgence but they are worth it! The learning curve is there but together we can do it!
If you follow me regularly – you know that I love the Designer Series Paper Stacks…and this is a great example why….all I needed to do is look for the "main color of my card" = BINGO – In Colors was it!
Easy…fun and DONE! Well…do you like it!?!?! Please email me if you need help or feel free to leave me a comment! I hope that you are having a great holiday weekend and I hope that this card brings a smile to your face!
Thanks for popping by and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 4, 2014 | Things you just have to buy! |
Happy 4th of July to all! It feels great to have a long weekend and I hope that you are able to do something fun and make lots of memories! This is the 3rd Friday that I am sharing with you….”Some of my Favorite Things” Please click here and here to see the previous posts I did!
The 1st 2 were of Stampin’ Up! products that I feel are a “must have” and they were all under $10.00! Today’s post will showcase products more “must have’s” but the price point is going up to $30.00!
I still have not included stamps…punches and framelits etc….but there will always be another Friday so please continue to pop back! These are in no particular order…they are just goodies that I simply think are a necessity to have to make our “habit easier and run smoother”
I still swear by this…(It’s like having that “little back dress in your closet”)
“If you have the right tools…you will be happy….as having the right tools to do the job makes the whole process go soooo much smoother”
Let’s get going…please feel free to leave me a message and let me know if you agree with my choices today! You all are my best form of advertising and I thank you for being so loyal!
- Envelope Punch Board (page 194) – I simply cannot believe that this gem is just $19.95 – a MUST have so you can make any size of envelope you want! This makes a great and affordable gift…and just think how someone would adore this!
2. Simply Scored Scoring Tool – (page 214) – I always use this for 3 D projects and when making "DEEP" scores on my card fronts!
3. Color Coach (page 172) – The perfect tool when you need inspiration and/or haveing a mental block on what colors to put together! I use it weekly – love it!
4. Heat Tool (page 213) – The notes below say it all – wow what a difference!
5. – DSP Paper Stacks (page 180+) You know how I feel about these…this is exactly why I offered a paper swatch for these… I use them ALL THE TIME and are PERFECT for lining envelopes….1 sheet will line 8 envelopes!!!! The best thing is that they come in ALL color families!
6. Clear Block Storage (page 234) – Being organized make your life easier! "I rest my case"
7. Stampin Scrub (page 235) – Love…love ….LOVE – I must have. Our stamps work sooo hard for use – we need to take care of them!
8. Stamp-a-ma-jig – (page 235) – I know that this is always a "Love/Hate" relationship with this tool…but I LOVE it and I stand behind it…please email me if you need help with it!
9. Craft Scissors – (page 215) The best indulgence I did for myself!
10. Stampin Trimmer (page 216) – A no brainer….just make sure that you buy extra blades as you will use this ALL THE TIME! Wouldn't make a card without it!
Well…that's it!!! How did you like my picks – do you agree????
I just love how SU makes it so easy to be creative with such simple and useful tools…..and the BEST thing is that you can shop right from your home…in your jammies!
Have a fabulous holiday and thanks for spending a part of you day with me! Until tomorrow….it is Simple Saturday and you will be smiling!
by Susan Itell | Jul 3, 2014 | PPA Challenges |
It is Thursday and you know what that means…it another PPA Chalenge and I hope that you will play today! I know that this is such a super busy week for all of us but I hope that you can sneak some time in to play! Here you go for this week! Aren't these colors beautiful!
I can still remember the 1st time I "heat embossed" and I thought it was nothing short than magic and guess what…I still feel the same way! There are a couple things that are super important when heat embossing!
- Use your embossing buddy! This takes the static and dust off your paper to create a super clean image each and every-time!
- When you use the heat tool…keep it moving in a circular motion..this will help keep you paper from "warping" and there is nothing like that instant SHINE of seeing an embossed image come to like!
I've got some bad news….you know that I usually give you the measurements and more details but as the saying goes…."Houston, we have a problem"….and the problem is – I left my little piece of paper along with the card at work!
SILLY SUSAN….I did not realize that until I started to type up the post but I can tell you that the size of the card is a 3" X 6" card…just love those odd sizes! I remembered that part as I usually try to go with a size for the envelope that you can easily make with a regular sheet of paper, this time the envelope was made with a 7 1/2" square of Very Vanilla.
Taking the Basic Black card stock and using the Pool Party Embossing Powder…the instant WOW happened and WOWZERS – so sharp against the dark paper! The Million and One Stamp Set is the clean and classic stamp that always stands out!
This is a "Peanut Butter and Jelly Card"…why – it is soooo darn easy and it is you basic layer and layer and then adding a simple embellishment, The itty bitty accents shape pack…works like a charm!
You have heard me talk about our stamps before….well this set is a must have…LOVE IT and it is soooo darn useful to add that special touch!
Underneath the flower, is a simple…small piece of pool party cotton ribbon…this ribbon is even "Susan friendly" which means – I can even make a bow out of it and I am "bow challenged"
The envelope punch board was the "Trump Card" for being able to make an odd size envelope and the liner is my "go-to" Designer Series Paper Stack in the new In Colors!
For "just" under $20.00 – this is a keeper of all keepers! (Make sure you pop back tomorrow as I am going to share with you another "must have products" in the $10.00 – $20.00 price range!)
I love to see the different interpretations of challenges…please make sure that you pop onto the Pals Paper Art Website to see all of the inspiration out there for this color challenge! It is open until next Tuesday so….how about it? – Please come and play!!!!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 2, 2014 | Birthday, Paper Pumpkin |
I have several friends that celebrate birthdays near the 4th of July Holiday so I put my thinking cap on as what to make…these are some of the goodies that are in the June Paper Pumpkin Kit! You know the saying…"You've Come A Long Way Baby"…well this is what I have been saying about the Paper Pumpkin Program!
I am not showing you the "pinwheels" that you can make with this kit but I will say that last night for my goddaughters 16th Birthday, I made her a Carrot Cake and put 3 pinwheels in the center and it was just adorable and festive….
My sons girlfriend, Lydia put her paper pumpkin kit together and lined the sidewalk with pinwheels…lots of fun and festive ideas! Please click here and see Mary Fish's post about how she used her kits….too darn cute! I plan to use mine for napkins on the holiday!
Let's get to today's card….cute…right!?!?!
If you have been following my blog you know that I adore polka dots…why? – they just make me smile and when I open up this kit and saw this oober fun paper – I was beaming! In the below picture you will see the paper that was in the kit!
- The card is a 5 x 5 Crumb Cake card and I simply took one of the fun squares and placed sticky strip down the edges that were alreay precut to make a square! A "smidge" larger of real red seemed to be the perfect touch needed to start the POP!!!
- This is such a easy card to whip up…I knew all I really needed was a great sentment that would make the polka dots stand out even more…the Age Awareness Photopolymer Stamp was the perfect choice!
- After doing my stampin thing…I thought that that 3 stars from the Ittey Bitty Accents Punch Pack would be a perfect touch to the card! I was going to go with the Red, White and Blue scheme…but I then thought the red was best…adding a navy candy dot was the perfect finishing touch!
- I made my own envelope and then was able to use another square to line the envelope…are you smiling…dots are just always so fun and festive!
- Don't you love the clean and crisp lines of this card. Less is best and simplicity is more! To me this is using the best of both worlds…being able to use up fun paper and using it in a totally different way that was intended.
I just was so happy with this kit! The ideas are endless and I am sure that Stampin' Up! is going to continue to offer more and more great monthly projects for us!
Please go to the Paper Pumpkin Website and see what the fun is all about! This makes a perfect gift to give someone…a subscription that will be delivered right to their door. The feedback that I receive is that people LOVE the fact that they can sit down and create a project without having to think!!!
All of the thinking…cutting…stamps….ink are all right in this cute Red Box that gets delivered to your door each month! John always teases me and says….you "pumpkin" is here and OFF I GO WITH IT!
I hope that I have inspired you to think out of the box and I encourage you to google June Paper Pumpkin ans see all of the fun goodness that is there! I also encourage you to sign up today for the program…you can stop at any time and you can also suspend your membership for a month if you wish….
Once again, another way that Stampin' Up! makes things super easy for us! Tomorrow is the Pals Paper Art Challenge and it is a color challenge…..(I just love them) and I think that you are going to like the card as well!
Happy "HUMP" day – this will be a short week….but a fun week – until tomorrow!
