by Susan Itell | May 13, 2014 | Super Easy |
Today's card is for my Red Caboose….Hannah. She is my youngest and I am the youngest in my family and my Dad always tells people I am his Red Caboose!
Hannah is finishing up her 2nd year at College and she is such an over achiever and has been "stressing" so much with her final exams so I wanted to make her a special card letting her know how much her Dad and I love her.
Today is her last Exam and then she will only be home 2 short days before having to go back to Charlotte for an internship for the summer…in the short time that she will be home she will love riding her horses, having long lazy dinners with John and I – and I am sure she will give us a complete detail on how this last week went for her!
She works sooooo hard with her studies (obviously gets that from John…not me!!!)…that I am hoping that she will see this blog today and it will bring a smile to her beautiful face andmake her heart go pitter-patter – we love you and are so proud of you!
Let's go…as this simply could not be any easier to make – this is one that you do not need me for this simple card – but I'll walk you thru the in's and out's!
- This is a 5" square card is in Very Vanilla and then the layered part is 4 3/4". I corner rounded all of the edges to give it a subtle look.
- The 4 3/4" piece had a quick spin thru "Mr. Big Shot and the Heart Framlit"…POP!
- Taking a piece of scrap Very Vanilla Paper, I used the Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape and covered it and them adhered it to the piece that the heart was cut out of. (Did you notice a NEW sentiment…it's a sneak peak from the new catalog…you are going to love it – Something To Say Stamp Set!)
- Using Stampin Dimensionals to give it the "lift" it deserves…just makes it special!
- Using the Envelope Punch Board to make my own envelope was a cinch and then the lining – so fun…polka dots always make me smile and I thought that it was in keeping with the tape!
TIP: – To adhere the Gold Vellum to the envelope…I put little bits if snail where there is a "dot" so it would not show through the vellum. Works like a charm!
Hannah is going to be with her friends for 2 days before she comes home Thursday and this will be on her bed with a special goodie that I know will make her smile!
Hopefully you will try this card as it is SUPER easy and used a minimal amount of product! It would be cute stamping a very small image where the I used the vellum or it would be wowzers with a pink polka dot designer series paper!
Tomorrow is a SUPER fun BLOG day as it is the PALS monthly Blog Hop and we will be show casing the items that we are saying farewell to….(tear-tear) and there are 33 "hops" for you to get inspired – you know what I'll say…..WOOT-WOOT!!!
Thanks for popping in today and remember…it is so darn tootin' easy to order from my online store – you can click the "Shop Now" button or if you like specific items that are highlighted in today's post – easy-peasy…click the image below and it will be right in your shopping cart with me!
Enjoy the day….and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | May 12, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Super Easy, Thank You |
It's Monday and that means lets have fun with a sketch! I was surfing around on pinterest and I found this sketch and I immediately said YES – this is it for this week? Ready for your own personal challenge?
Now this is the type of card that you will want to print off the sketch…hang it on your work area, as it is a “keeper” as I call it. This card is the best to use up scraps and to use a multitude of different sentiments.
The other thing I like about this is – it would be perfect for so many color schemes – think about it for a baby…use a soft sky or pink pirouette card base…this would be super for a 4th of July card with Red, White and Blue…a birthday, an anniversary, a thinking of you – the sky is the limit!
When I became a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I can remember asking Mary for some advice about which stamp sets to invest in. She gave me great advice and one that I remember and I will share with you …when you are on the fence between stamp sets – buy the “sentiment” one!
When she shared this with me I had to think about it…my take on it is there are so many things that you can do with paper, think about it – we have embossing folders, framelits to cut out shapes and if we have “sentiments” we can do just about anything! Today’s card is a perfect example.
Before we get to today's post….the lucky winner is #44 – sorry, I do not know your 1st name…sooooo happy for you….please email me with your info!
My favorite memories are of time spent with my mother and sister. We travel somewhere every year or two; sometimes close to home, sometimes far away. The memories we've made are treasures to me. We've seen so many great things and have a great time together making memories we will always hold close.
This is so straight forward that you do not need me to give you dimensions…just pull out the scraps and have fun! For the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper I looked at it and wanted to make the width be “2 of the columns” of the pattern – just have fun!
This sentiment came from the Four You stamp set and I am super excited that it is carried over…you can clearly see that this is a must have set in your collection. Again…using up scraps is the best!
Adding simple things like “stitching” and Stampin’ Dimensionals just makes this simple card have a little bit of fun!
Well…how about it? Pull out your paper and have fun! I have been so tickled with several of you that try these challenges and share with me your work. I truly hope that it is helping you figure out a style that you are comfortable with! Way to go – I am proud of you.
Again, woot-woot to lucky #44 for winning the blog candy! I loved reading each and every one of your comments and it is so clear to me that you also enjoyed going down Memory Lane! Please email me with your info so I can mail you the goodies….
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions and I know that you are getting excited for the new catalog to begin! I mailed my catalogs out on Friday so you should be receiving them any day!
If you do not work with a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I would be happy to mail you a catalog – just please email me.
When the new catalog starts…I am excited to share with you a ribbon share as well as Designer Series Pack Paper swatches (I was not able to order the new In-Colors with the pre-order) but once I can, I will offer the swatches in the collections (Brights, Neutrals, Subtles, Regals and In-Color)
To me, these are such a “must- have staple” of paper and having them in a swatch format will be a lifesaver for you to flip through to see the colors (PERFECT for lining envelopes).
With the new catalog, I will be starting some new and fun programs and offerings for you. As I said, I will be doing ribbon shares & paper swatches as well as offering online stamping clubs – please feel free to email me with any questions you might have.
This new “stampin’ up!” catalog year is very exciting to me! I can hardly wait to dive in and create with new stamps. Yesterday was a great day and with being in the car for over 7 hours, I finally had a wonderful block of time to take the new catalog in – very exciting and I will anxiously wait for June 2nd to be here!
Ted was GREAT and so happy to have many of his friends and family be together for a beautiful Mother’s Day Brunch. A “life lesson time” for John and I as his strength, positive outlook and love shines so strong.
Let’s all have a wonderful week! You all are the best…until tomorrow…
p.s. – I have sat hear and read all of these amazing comments about memories with their Mom. If you need some inspiration, laughs and total "feel goods" – than please read some of these wonderful comments!
I miss my Mom so…but I try to keep her memories alive each and everyday…just like many of you do!
by Susan Itell | May 11, 2014 | 3-D Projects, Super Easy |
1st…HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you great Mom's out there…
I hope that each and everyone of you do something fun (if that's what you want)…have some "me time" (if that's what you want)…or simply do nothing (if that's what you want)!!!
This is what I am going to do today…I think I am a bit crazy (as it is 1 3 1/2 hour drive) but I know that my heart will be filled with joy. If you follow my blog you know that my best friends Dad is terminally ill – I am speaking about "Ted". I stopped to see him when I went to see my daughter in March and had such a GREAT visit – he is such an inspiration of positiveness and determination.
About 2 weeks ago I received a call from his house while I was at work…my heart instantly sank as I was fearful to answer but when I did I heard…."Hey Susan – it's Ted….we are going to have a party on Mother's Day and we want you and John to come down!!!"
Needless to say I was shocked…but my heart was filled… and I am getting more "crows feet around my eyes" from smiling so much (that's a good thing in my opinion). Naturally I instantly said yes, we would not miss it for the world. I think that it is sooooo amazing that he wants to be surrounded by family and friends for a brunch when he is going thru so much!
Lesson learned =
Faith, determination & the will to embrace what is dealt to us makes us who we are!
This is so much like my late Mom…she passed away from Pancreatic Cancer and from the time she was diagnosed to the time she passed, it was about 3 1/2 months. It still amazes me how someone so healthy found out that she had this terrible disease to leave this world so quickly.
It was the worst 3+ months of my life but I can also say it was the best 3+ months of my life because I learned a very valuable lesson…we CAN stop many things that we do and it really does not matter – I stopped life basically for this time and dedicated my time to her…and I never looked back!
One thing that she always taught me was to always be gracious and thank those that are gracious to us…so naturally I would not go to Ted and Billie's without a gift!
What better gift to give than a practical gift of enclosures!
This post came from a post I did before….please click here to see the scoop and you will see the measurements etc…when it is a keeper – it's a keeper!
In a nutshell the box is a piece of paper:
- On the "short side" (5 1/2”) and score at 1” and 4 1/2"
I hope that you enjoy this parade of pictures and I also hope that you can see how an easy gift like this is not only practical….but meaningful!
You can see that all of these cards were made with 1 stamp set, Sassy Saluations and the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack! You can see how fasr and easy it is! Love this fint…love the sentiments – they just work and I am so glad that it iin the catalog for next year!
I can fit (8) decorated cards and lined envelopes in this one little precious box = great gift!
There are times that the basic's and "go to's" just work…this project is one of them! I truly hope that you play around and have fun with this size of card – it is fun. I am so thankful that Stampin' Up! carries these cute, small envelopes.
For all of you Mom's out there…..woot-woot – have a great day! Please remember to leave me a comment so you have another chance to win "Blog Candy" – click here to see the post and also the Blog Candy.
I hope that you take some time to read the AMAZING comments from all…there are some that make me laugh…some that touch my heart….some that just bring tears of joy to my eyes!
Memory Lane is such a great lane to be on!
I am personally looking forward to a fabulous day – John and I will have lots of time to talk! Remember – tomorrow is Make it Mine Monday, I am so happy that many of you have been playing with the sketches and having fun learning!
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | May 10, 2014 | 3-D Projects |
Happy Saturday to everyone! WOWZERS – many thanks for all of the comments of going down memory lane with thoughts of you Mom. Remember, you can leave me another comment today and tomorrow so it will give you the opportunity to get 3 chances to win the Blog Candy….click here to see the original post and view the fun blog candy.
Tonight is the big fundraiser that I have had the privilege to work on for our community. It is a Black Tie event for the Hospital and the theme is Great Gatsby! Now the sample I am showing you today is not the one that I will be giving to the ladies sitting at my table because to be honest with you…..(I do not have them done but I will snap some pictures of them for you)
My inspiration came from the SUPER talented UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Sam Donald! She is simply amazing and I have been following her for a while. I adore her videos….love to hear her accent but most importantly, I love her work!
Please make sure that you watch her You Tube Video on the "in's and out's" of making this purse…but you will see that I left somethings off…and I added some things as well! She is one talented lady and I just love how she creates! Her flower is adorble but I wanted to keep it super simple.
Let's go….there are a couple of "must have's" when making this – the Top Note Die for sure…this is such a keeper and one that I use all around the year….click here to see the super cute project I did making the boxes for Hershey Nuggets…and naturally the Big Shot!
- Decide your color scheme in what you are looking for the "look" of your purse! Remember, when you score on DSP be careful that you do not push down too hard…it is thinner that our regular card stock!
- Take both pieces, your DSP and your card stock and run them through the big shot….LOVE IT that it will cut 2 at a time! Look at the "ticking marks" around the DSP one…simply take your paper snips and trim off the outer part and then adhere it to the base.(I use "green glue") – Set this aside!
- Take a piece of 4" X 11" of card stock (woot-woot"-you can make (2) purse bases from 1 sheet of paper) and place it long ways on the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (see picture below)
The 11" side – Score at 1", 5 1/4", 6 1/4" and 101/2"…flip it around (see picture below)
The 4" side – Score at 1"
- Take the piece BACK to the Simply Scored Scoring Tool on the long side (11") side and place your finger to the 2" mark as a guide and then take the scoring tool at the 1/2" notch and score just down to meet your finger at the 2" mark. Do the exact same at the 5 3/4" notch
- This is optional but I like the way it looks…take a piece of 10 1/2" X 1/4" piece of card stock and adhere it against the bottom…let it dry good before you use the bone folder to fold the creases!
YOU CAN DO THIS….IT REALLY IS EASY….HANG TIGHT!
- Take a ruler and go to the area where you just went down to the 2" mark and use the ruler as your guide to make a triangle….(It will make sense to you – trust me)
- You only need 2 strips of sticky strip (see pictures) – 1st peel off the short side and adhere and then "pinch in" the sides…(now it's making sense…right?!?!)
- Peel off the bottom and PRESTO – you made a clutch!
- To the Top Note – here is a tip…I like to "flip it over" so you are not scoring on the DSP side as it is thinner – simply line the "points" up to a "groove" in the Simply Scoring Tool and score a straight line – now you can use the bone folder to give it a good crease!
- Take the back part of the top note and adhere it to the back…I used the "green glue" as I love and appreciate the "wiggle" room it gives for me to get it "just right" – let it set up and dry!
I know that Sam used magnets but I chose to used simple Velcro dots! I purchased them at Jo Ann's for around $1.50 for 12 sets!. I found that these worked great for me and if you open and close the Velcro….it will not be too tight!
- To dress my purse up a bit, I took the scalloped Circle punch, a vintage faceted button and threaded the NEW in color Satin Stitched Ribbon thru….tied a simple "Susan knot" adhered it to the scalloped circle with glue dots and woot-woot!
Well…I think that between watching Sam's GREAT video and my take on how I made this "clutch" I hope that you are inspired to make a purse! I promise that I will share with you the ones I make for the ladies at my table!
When I showed John, he naturally said…"It's cute"…then he said – "What can you put in it?" – Well…lipstick fits great…mints fit great….oh heck, it's just so darn tootin' cute – who cares what fits in it!
Well…here is my "feel good" for the day about my Mom..she always loves clutches and I know if she was with us…she would be my best critic and say…"make it with this paper….let's add pearls….wow – this is so cute"
My Mom loved to watch the Academy Awards…well should I say, she liked looking at the dresses, the jewelry and the purses that the actresses wore! I will never forget that we went to New York together and we met in Baltimore to take the train up… she was not "thrilled" with how I was dressed as I had a pair of jeans on, a nice top and I looked fine…and here she was in a skirt and heels.
When I asked her why in the world are you so dressed up she said, "When we get there you will see, you will see ladies in their Channel Suits and beautiful dresses etc…" – well it is clear that my Mom had not been to New York for 30+ years…when we checked in to the hotel – she quickly changed!
Please so not forget to leave me another "Mom" memory today….
you'll get another chance to win the blog candy!
If you are more comfortable with leaving me an email, I totally understand – my heart has been filled with such touching stories…memory lane is the best!
Again, thanks for bring here today…..think of me today as it is a busy day for the event and let's hope the rain holds off!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | May 9, 2014 | Blog Candy, New Product |
(I know that there is not too much special about this card…I am high lighting the NEW paper colors and giving you the scoop on how you can win Blog Candy from me!)
I have not forgotten about you and my promise this week. In honor of my 2nd anniversary with Stampin' Up! I wanted to give back to YOU as you give so much to me and I truly appreciate your support, comments and suggestions you give to me!
We we all know that this is an exciting time with the new catalog and a big woot-woot to my customers as your catalogs are going in the mail this morning…you are going to love it – get ready to have some "me time" to take it all in..I am still taking it in and my list is getting longer and longer…
Before we get to the blog candy I wanted to touch base about the new In Colors. For those of you that are newer to Stampin' Up!, every year Stampin' Up! unveils 5 new colors to add to the collection of papers we have! I think this year they are super rich and luscious!
I know that some of you are sad to see some old favorites leave but have no fear…New colors are here! Remember if you are wanting some of the products that are going "bye-bye" – the retired list is a 1st come basis and many things are already sold out! (I am shocked that so many are already sold out…good thing I am offering some of the retired In Color paper in my Blog Candy)
Click here for the retiring stamp sets.
Click here for the retiring accessories.
You have heard me say this sooooo many times, but being a part of Mary Fish's team is simply the best. The networking, the support, the sheer "goodness" that comes form the PALS are overwhelming!
The below color chart is just an example of how amazing the talent and generosity of the PALS is. This chart was made by Nicole Watt, I have blogged about Nicole before as she is a My Digital Studio Gu-ru and a super sweet and talented person.
Please look at the below chart and you will see all of our yummy colors and also how the NEW In Colors blend with current colors we offer!
The 5 new colors this year are:
- Hello Honey – Yellow always brings sunshine to any card!
- Lost Lagoon – My favorite….it is so rich and soothing!
- Tangelo Twist – Love the boldness of this….will be perfect in the fall but also super with brights!
- Mossy Meadow – Can you say…love…love…LOVE – this is my 2nd favorite…beautiful.
- Blackberry Bliss – Very rich and sophisticated…this will look elegant with very vanilla.
Even though this card is rather boring, I hope that you take notice in how this layout of squares is super cute! I used the 1" square punch and then using the new Stamp Set, Work of Art, I was able to show you a "swish" of each color.
One thing I often get asked is how do I keep things so crisp? Easy – the Stampin Trimmer is the BEST and the best tip I can give you is always keep replacement blades ready…once the blade gets "dull" – you will instantly loose that crispness.
Another thing that I always thinks make a big difference in the "crispness" of your cards is simple…using Stampin' Dimensionals.Don't "skimp" on these…they are a bargain and who likes a "saggy card"?
The liner from this card is from the New Paper Stack, Moonlight. Becasue of this odd size card…I was able to make a custom envelope with the envelope Punch Board.
Now to what you REALLY WANT…..the chance to win the Blog Candy….I think I have some great candy to give to you! You will see the below (3) pictures will show you what you what you will win…
Are you excited? How can you win…easy -peasy! We know what this weekend is…It is Mother's Day…you will have (3) chances to win if you leave me a comment each day (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) and the comments will end at 9 p.m. Sunday evening (Eastern Time) and in Monday morning I will announce the lucky winner!
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
Simply leave me a comment of a memory…a funny story…a favorite recipe/food….just anything that will take you down "Memory Lane"…I adore going down this lane…fun – FUN memories!
I lost my beautiful and wonderful Mom 3 years ago to Cancer. She was simply the best. I can only hope and pray that I will be as good of a Grandmother as she was to my beautiful children. They loved their G-Gi! She was so fun, loving and always did for others…we had many, many laughs and wonderful times together!
So…here you go – let's stroll down that lane and I will add up all of the comments and emails I receive and then I will let Random.org pick the lucky winner.
Pop back tomorrow….I have something for you to smile about!
