by Susan Itell | Apr 6, 2014 | Uncategorized |
I have no idea why the "timer" did not work this morning at 5 a.m.
Computers are great but can be frustraing…go put a fresh fresh pot of coffee on!
Fingers crossed…we are actually going to have a weekend with no rain! That in itself is enough to do a "happy dance"…but I hope that this card today….brings a s m i l e to your face! You have heard me post before that I think it is fun to try to find "your style" in paper crafting but at the same time…"be a turtle and stick your head out"…
I have found that participating in challenges helps that "turtle" side for me…so today's card is my take on the sketch from the Freshly Made Sketches…this is one on my favorite challenges out there because it encourages "clean & simple" and that's me…."simple susan"!!!
Ready for fun…let's go! There are many steps that you could skip and I will point them out to you at the end of the post…I always like to share with you "options" that you can do…
- An A-2 Whisper White but scored at 5 1/2" to make a vertical card…the Island indigo is just a "smidge bigger" to make the POP factor happen!
- Today I have used many stamp sets but I think that they are "classic and keeper" ones that you most likely have! The Happy Watercolor Stamp Set is the bold focal and I used 3 colors…Midnight Muse, Island Indigo and Marina mist! I did stamp the center one 1st and then worked to the sides!
- Can you see that I took a "part" of the sentiment from the above set and then added the s m i l e from the Happy Days Stamp Set? This was easy as I just used the brush end of my marker to highlight the sentiment "you make me"….and then with the Stamp-a-ma-Jig…perfect alignment every time!
- I knew I wanted to add some ribbon…but you know that ribbon challenges me sometimes….so I knew I would be safe with the 5/8" Organza Ribbon! I simply placed glue dots behind it to secure it in place!
- FLOWER POWER TIME!!!! 1st I used the Pansy punch and a handy glue dot held it in place! I was going to stop there but then I thought a simple flower from the Flower Shop Stamp Set would be the perfect touch. As you can see in the photo below…you can see that I "rolled" the flower with the bone folder or you could easily use a pencil….this just gives it "movement". A simple pearl in the middle was all that was needed!!!
Fun card…practical card…and now let me touch on some things you could have skipped and still have a great card!
- You could have shorten up the the card….totally eliminated the ribbon and actually you could have made it into a square card!
- You could eliminate the flower part…the water color patches and the sentiment is bold enough to stand in its own!
One thing I would never do is….not line the envelope – that is the finale that simply makes me smile! I hope that you go to the Freshly Made Sketches and see all of the amazing interpretations of this great sketch!
The cards keep coming in and WOWZERS – there are some beauties!!! I am excited to share with you the "Breath of Spring" that I have been seeing in your cards! Again, I am so happy that there are so many participating…(especially since this is the 1st on I have done) but I am so proud of you in your beautiful work!
YOU are an inspiration to me!
Trust me, there are many times that I come home from work and feel like I do not want to do a post, but then I always get this "inner spirit" that makes me blog as YOU have become an extension to me! I dearly love my Stampin' Up! business and I continue to have fun and continue to smile….
Have a great day, please email me if you need me….and remember to go to my facebook page and "like" Simple Stampin' …..having coffee together in the mornings is fun….and it's even more fun to be able to shop away in your jammies….
I hope that you are able to sneak some "paper therapy time" into your day!
Until tomorrow……
by Susan Itell | Apr 5, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Have you ever met someone that makes you smile the minute you hear their name?
Well, grab your cup of coffee as it is "Story Time with Susan"!!!
I have been blogging for just over a year…and one of my regular followers, Chris R. as you probably have noticed always leaves the best…funniest…in depth comments on my blog posting! Chris has become a dear friend and the best part of it…we have never met!!!
Chris also is a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and this is another thing that I adore about this wonderful company…they encourage us to develop relationships with one another…I actually have no idea how Chris started to follow me!
I feel like a little kid with an "imaginary friend" and when I do not hear from Chris…I always worry if everything is o.k. – We have shared many stories back and forth…we have given each other ideas and inspirations…and when I received my mail on Thursday and I saw the card she made for me…I instantly adored it and knew that I needed to tweak it to share with you….but one thing that is for sure is…
Chris..YOU make the WORLD a better place as you have such a beautiful heart!
Here is her card….and I adore the Basic Grey Card…but I am out of that color too…..(you can see that I need to order a bunch of paper) – (sorry about the picture…I should have placed it behind a white paper)
Let's get going today and I am sure tht this card is a card that we can make for sooooooo many people we know that touch our lives! I think it is fun….I think it is festive….I think it is a CASE card all the way around!
- The base is an A-2 card and then using the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, I cut this crisp paper to 4" X 5 1/4" and adhered it to the front of the card! (this technique is similar to the post I did on Thursday)
- Next…using the colors that coordinate with this paper pack, I used the Crush Curry paper and used circle framelits #5 & #6 to cut that "ring" and then using old faithful….the "green glue" I adhered it to the front!
- The Strawberry Slush circle in the inside of the card is from circle #5
- Now to the fun stampin' part…This stamp set is woot-woot and you can purchase it as a bundle and save an instant 15% and if I were you – that's what I would do in a heart beat – LOVE the bundles!
- Again, using the colors of the palette of the DSP, I samed the sentiment in Bermuda Bay..cut it out with the framelit and also stamped it in Strawberry Slush and then "fussy cut" the "WORLD Banner" and POPPED it up with dimensionals!
- The other fun stamped images were popped up with dimensionals and then I used a Black candy Dot from the Neutral Candy Dots to give it a bit of bling!
Don't you just love the fun colors!?!? I think I am going to make it again and use Gumball Green and Melon Mambo….That will look striking against this balck and white paper!
- Envelope time…you all know by now…there is NEVER a card that I send that does not have a fun envelope…today I decided to line the outside of the flap…switching it up works for me!
So…what do you think? The moral of the story today is that we ALL have someone that makes the World a better place!!! This card brought the B I G G E S T smile to my face when I saw it…this to me….is a "keeper" card…and one that I will make many of…."just in case" ….
WOOT-WOOT – it's the weekend and WOWZERS – I have LOTS to do! All good…..but I do hope that I have not only inspired you…I hope that you hop into your craft area and CASE away and let that special someone know how much you apreceiate them!
My mailman must think I am sick or something as I have been receiving so many cards for the Spring Card Swap….Jeanie is going to come and help me on Monday…you all will be smiling when I post them!!!!
Remember to tell your family and friends about Simple Stampin' and sign up for a daily dose of inspiration…I also would sure LOVE for you to go to my facebook page and "like me"…as "I really "like" you!"
Having coffee with me works….shopping in your jammies works….emailing me works….looks like you are stuck with me!!!!
Have a fabulous Saturday and Chris…YOU are one in a million to me….thanks my friend!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Apr 4, 2014 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
On Wednesday I shared with you with you that I was going to share with you another card we did for Breast Cancer…this was a "Jeanie" inspiration and even though we did not do a couple of steps (I'll explain later), it was a beautiful and easy card to make!
I just love monochromatic cards…I used to think they were boring…but now I think they are very classy! You can keep them very clean and simple and then add "just a smidge" of fun…(like the pearls) on this card…and really step it up!
Let's get to it…I hope that this gets CASED by you…this would be great to change the sentiment…..a Birthday…a simple "hello"….even a sympathy card.
The base is Crumb Cake but scored at the 5 1/2" mark to make a vertical card!
TIP: The next step you could easily skip but I like the look of the extra layer on the card and I also perfer that the inside of my card not to see the opposite side of the embossed image…..so your decision!
- Cut a piece of Crumb Cake 1/4" smaller = 4" X 5 1/4" and then pulling out the Big Shot and using the Flower Garden Embossing Folder...run this through! (If you did not do this step…you would simple run the A-2 card through) – Now I ask you….for $7.95….how in the world would you be able to get something so beautiful….embossing folders are often overlooked…but they really can step up a project for a minimal cost!
- Remember the Fresh Prints Paper Stack? Well…it's back! You can cut (3)…..YEP…..(3) strips of DSP at 1 1/2" X 5 1/4"….and when you go to line the envelope….simply cut one sheet in half and you can line (2) envelopes! This is another bargain at just $6.95 for 48 sheets….I say WOOT – WOOT!!!!
- I matted this on a piece of Whisper White…(just a smidge wider) to give a little POP…..I like the effect but you could easily skip this!
- The simple sentiment of "Thinking of You" is from the Wetlands Stamp Set…wowzers – what a beautiful set….if you want a BIG WOW….google ideas using the Wetlands Stamp Set…..and you will be making LOTS of cards! I POPPED it out with the Oval Punch and then matted it with the Scalloped Oval Punch! A quick POP with Stampin' Vitamins…..Dimensionals is all that is needed!
- Now to some fun stuff…look at the envelope!?!?! Jeanie is sooo darn tootin' smart! When we were getting the supplies ready for the volunteers to assemble….she said – take the big shot and let them emboss the envelopes! ( I looked at her like she had 3 heads)…and look – it looks fabulous!!!!
- Look at the sweet pearls….don't they just add that special touch that makes it go WOW…..(we did not do this for the breast cancer cards as you would need to add extra postage because of the "bump" and I try to keep the cards to a regular stamp!!!)
I was worried that I would not be able to do my signature liner with the embossing but…
Have no fear…the liner is here!
Well…what do you think!?!?! Two monochromatic cards in a week….totally different but totally fun! Try it!
I adore when you share with me your work….from my post yesterday, I had Marie from New York….email me and said she had to run downstairs to try it and she made a beautiful Birthday card!! It makes my heart happy!
I know that there are many times that it is hard to be a turtle and stick your neck out…..I highly encourage you to try something different…something out of your comfort zone….you'll not only be proud of yourself….but it will put a huge smile on your face as you DID IT!!!!
I am an email away and I want you to reach your goals!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Apr 3, 2014 | Uncategorized |
It's Thursday and that means another color challenge! The colors for this week with the Pals Paper Art Challenge are Pool Party, Summer Starfruit and Old Olive! I think that this is a fun and fresh card….keeping it to the minimal…just like I like it!
I had something in mind with pool party and when I went to pull out a sheet of Pool Party…..my folder was EMPTY!!! I thought – how in the world could that happen…..PLAN B to the rescue – use the Pool Party Designer Series Paper! WOOT-WOOT!!!!
You have heard me say before…I love color challenges…and what I usually do is pull out the 3 colors and then stand back and look at them…letting my mind wander! When I put these together, I could not imagine or should I say, I did not have a vision as to what to do….so….
Simple works for me….I know that there are times that I use many different punches and framelits so today I wanted to challenge myself to just use one set of framelits….so the circle framelits it is!
TIP: When I talk about #'s of frames….the smallest is #1…..to #9 the largest and then I refer the scallop just as it is! Take a sharpie marker and write the numbers on your framelits….makes it super fast to grab the one you need etc…..
- The card base is the good old A-2 card base and then I cut and adhered a piece of Pool Party DSP from the Subtles Designer Series Paper Pack….LOVE THEM! This is just 1/4" smaller = 4" X 5 1/4"
- Opening up the card and placing the #7 Template on the front of the card…I did a quick run through with Mr. Big Shot! –
Basically, you are cutting through 2 layers…the base of the card and the DSP that has been adhered! (Save this for another project….we would not want to waste this perfect circle!!!)
- Pulling out a scrap piece of Summer Starfruit Card Stock, I made a ring using the #7 & #8 Circle Framelit! The magnetic Platform is a H U G E help when making rings etc….I adhered it using the mono glue…works like a charm to wiggle it in perfect placement! This lays flat on the front of the card!
- Again….pulling out some scraps…I cut the circles out using the #1 & # 2 circle template. I adhered them with the "green glue" and then for the little ones, I folded them in half and then gave them a good cease!
TIP: This flower is in the INSIDE of the card….it was easy to center the flower but if you want….trace a pencil line of the circle…adhere the "flower" you make and then erase the pencil lines if you feel more comfrtable!
- I made a little "puddle" of the "green glue" and then dipped the edges where they are folded/creased and lightly dappled the edge in….(remember – a little goes a L O N G way)…and pressed it down using the stylus… Doesn't it look super fun!
- Popping out a small flower from the punch pack and adhering it to the middle was the icing on the cake….well – kind of – the icing is really the simple and elegant pearl in the middle! The White Gel Pen was the perfect "dash – Susan – touch" to the outer edge….again, less is best!
TIP : Store your pens on the side…I get asked this all the time "how do you keep yours from clogging?" I honestly have never had a problem….I probably have 3 of them for when I do events…before I start to use them…I get the white flowing by squiggling a circle on scrap and then off to dsah away!
The below picture appears that I have used dimensionals but I did not at all with this card (surprising…right????) – it is just the front of the card "up" a little bit……the flower is on the INSIDE of the card….I should have taken more pictures….!!!!!
- Last…the envelope! Because the card was so fun…I wanted to keep the liner very simple and classic so I was able to "squeak" out a liner in pool party from scrap! To me…less is best on this one as I really wanted the focal part to be the fun card!
That's it! Super easy and a bit different but still allowing it to be clean and simple! True you could add a sentiment to the card…but I liked it just the way it is!
Think about how you could use up "left over" Designer Series Paper and scraps with this layout! I sent one to my friend to see how "crunched" it would get in the mail and she said it was not bad at all. Because you have a good crease in the small circles…they tend to "bounce" back to life just fine…..
I hope that you check out the other designers interpretations of this color challenge and then I hope that you play as well!! Click here to the website!
I am SUPER proud of 2 of my downline that have been doing these challenges…I know that people think it is hard…but just keep saying to yourself – WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE….NOTHING!
I am excited with the cards that have been coming in for the Spring Card Swap! You will be smiling when you see them!
Guess where I am going in one week from today….ARIZONA!!!! I have never been there and I am super excited to go to a Stampin' Up! training with Ink Big Academy…it will be a very short trip but I am eager to be a sponge and take it all in! Being with Mary, Patsy and many of the PALS that I have never met is going to be a huge treat!
Brian King and I together….watch out – fun times ahead! I have rented a "compact" card and get to go to the airport to get Brian…I already can imagine that….he is SOOOOOO tall! We are doing a swap as well…so I need to put my thinking cap on as to what to do!
Thanks for popping by…we are all so blessed to love what we do with paper crafting…my "feel good" evening last night reconfirms why I do what I do…we do make a difference!!!
Stampin' hugs and until tomorrow!!!
by Susan Itell | Apr 2, 2014 | Super Easy |
Happy Wednesday to all!!! I feel like a HAPPY person as the sun has been shining for 2 days now and even though I am at work and my office does not have a window….I am happy! Yesterday I saw some daffodils trying to make their debut and it reminded me of my Mom…she loved watching the changing of the seasons!
Tonight is my "feel good" night and this is another card that we will be making for the Breast Cancer project I do monthly!
Adorable right??? Practical right??? Easy right???
I simply cannot think of one person that would not adore receiving this card and guess what – it is an easy-peasy math problem….ready….
Note Card + Polka Dot Pieces + Fresh Prints = One Adorable Card
See…I still can do simple math!!!Guess what – with this paper pack, the Fresh Prints, you can do a multitude of varieties with colors…I am using the color scheme you see here but also using the crumb cake – WOWZERS – it looks super rich in those tones!
For just $6.95 you will not believe how many cards you will be able to make! To make(2) cards and line the envelope it uses 2 sheets of the same print (or because they are in the same color family – you could easily swap out for another one but I like the uniformity of them matching…(that type A in me) You'll see below how I do it!
Are you ready to see how easy this is…here is another very affordable card to make and it is also a great one to use up scraps! Let's go and I hope you CASE this one!
- To both of these punched images, I POPPED them up with Stampin' Dimensionals! Love my daily stampin' vitamins!
- Back to scraps…the banner is a piece of white that is 3/4" X 3" and then I stamped the sentiment right on and then a quick snip….VOILA!
TIP: If your stamp is not lined up properly, I would use the stamp-a-ma-jig….but I was able to do this without it….just practice to make sure as there is nothing worse than a wavy sentiment crooked!
TIP #2: Do you see what makes this card…the dashes on the banner and then the white dots on the scalloped circle is a touch that is sooooo easy yet sooooo effective! I use that White Gel Pen all the time….make sure that you store it on its side! For just $3.95 – a bargain!!!!!
- You know what's next….envelope time!!! Remember when I said that it takes 2 sheets of paper…take a sheet and cut it in half (2 1/4")….this is "just enough" to run through the Big Shot with the Envelope Liner Framlits and you are done!!!
Now I ask you….Is this doable for you???…I know it is!!! I probably have made 30 of these little gems as they are perfect for me to write a quick note to people for work! I am sure that they have a smile on their face with they see not only a handmade card…but a hand written note!!!
This will be perfect for the volunteers to make tonight and I bet that this will be their favorite card! On Friday I am going to show you another ridiculous easy card that uses this same paper stack! I hope that Stampin' Up! continues to have these paper stacks! I find them to be so versatile!
I am LOVIN' the cards that have been coming in for our Spring Card Swap! I can hardly wait to share them with everyone in future posts! I shake my head saying to John…"Wow – look at that….how fun….how clever…." So many great ideas!
Tomorrow is a Pals Paper Challenge Color Challenge…I have a simple yet classic card that does not have one sentiment on it! I think when you see it – you'll agree it can stand on its own!!! I hope you will play this week! It is a fun and different palette of colors!
Thanks for having coffee with me and please share my blog with your friends and ask them to subscribe to my daily blog….and please pop over to my facebook page and "like me" – I sure do "like you" popping by!
Until tomorrow!
