Are you ready for a treat! Today I am sharing with you some inspiration that you are going to love one right after the next…these are from a Stampin' Up! event that I went to and took place in a card swap!
I love card swaps ….and for those of you that do not know what a card swap is…it is when you simply make a card and put your name on the back and swap a card in return….easy and fun!!!
Most people only do card fronts…but I do the whole card – heck – if you are going to do a card front why not do the whole darn tootin' card!!!
So…I ask you my dear followers…
would you like to do a Card Swap!
If you would be interested in doing this – let's do it! How about making a date! If you are interest in sending me a card and then I will send you a card in return. What I will do is post everyones card on my blog so you can see all of the talent!
I will email you back with my address for you to send me your card!
Let's make the date be 2 weeks from today – that would be April 6th If you are interested in being in this swap…make a card and lets make the theme Spring! I will send you a car that someone else made and it will be sper fun to see whaere all the cards from!
Here you go…..I hope that you enjoy these swaps that I received and I hope that you will join me in our Simple Stampin' Swap!
made by Bea Biggins
made by: Cherly Russ
made by: Rita Lin
made by: Shannon Briglia
sorry….no name!!!
made by: Barbara Kachinski
made by: Theresa Romani
made by: Tonja Romero
made by: Renee Hoppis
made by: Jane Martin
made by: Sllie Fisher
made by: Rayanne Dahl
made by: Holly Roeder
Aren't these all great! I just love seeing different ideas that people come up with! I do hope that you consider doing our little Simple Stampin Card Swap!
Remember, we are in the last week of sale-a-bration! We all know that the goodies are over the top!
Please pop back tomorrow as I have a super cute…super fun card for you that I did for a basket of goodies that was in the Silent Auction at Hannah's College! I am having a great time with her and her godmother and my visit to Ted's was super! He is doing fantastic!
When my boys were little they LOVED firetrucks and I think this special little guy who is turning 4 is going to love today's goodies I am sharing with you! This post is going to ZOOM his way with a extra special gift tucked in for his Mom and Dad to let him pick out something extra special since we live sooooo far away!
Every Tuesday, Stampin' Up! comes out with a "weekly deal" and I try to feature an item from the weekly deals for you to see….please click here to see the offerings for this week! Today I am focusing on the Scallop Trim Border…a simple yet wow touch to your projects!
Let's get right to it as I have a bunch of pictures for you (sorry to clog up your computer) but from the feedback I get – you like pictures!
During Christmas, I did a post on a super easy and cute "money/check holder" and this is a slight modification of it! Please click here to see that post but the reason I change it up a bit was the fact that I wanted to be able to stamp 3 of the adorable firetrucks so I needed to make it a bit longer!
The basic concept and method is the same as posted in December, but below I have the measurements for this particular gem! You can see how the scallop trim border adds a great touch – I did not want to put a "belly band" around it as I did not want to cover up the firetrucks….and I thought these adorable clothespins worked perfectly!
Let's go!
The Brights Designer Series paper was the pick for the day in Real Red. Cut this to 8" X 8 1/2" and then place it in the Simply Scored with the 8" side across the top! Score at 1' and at 4 1/2". Using the bone folder….give it a good crease! Place Sticky Strip on the edges (see picture below)
Take a piece of black card stock , 2" X 8 1/2" and using the Scallop Punch, punch away! This is a fun accent tool and it is easy to use….punch – then slide it over to have the "holes" line up….punch again to the desired length! Adhere this behind the flap of the money holder!
Let's get stampin' this adorable firetruck! It is from the You're my hero Stamp Set! I used the long side of a piece of whisper white, the 8 1/2" side and using the stamp-a-ma-jig…I stamped 2 of these gems in Black Staz On Ink! After doing this…I trimmed it to the finished size of 1 3/4" X 8 1/4" – this way you have a little balance on the sides!
After adhering this to the money holder, I decided not to do a belly band as I really loved these little fire trucks! I had an idea and it worked….why not put a bright candy dot on top! PRESTO – it made it (in my opinion)
To the card we go! I used the Note Card Size and envelopes and carried the same theme for the Birthday Boy! My boys would have just gone NUTS over this!
The card is very straight forward! The Real Red mat is 4 3/4" X 3 1/4" (remeber….pop out some punches so you do not waste the paper – heck – it is going to be covered up! The White is 4 1/2" X 3" and then a simple stamp of the truck and sentiment and DONE!!!!
You know that I just love my Stampin' Vitamins…This picture is a great shot to show you how a "lift od dimension" makes a huge difference! This is one thing that I never skimp on and something I never run low on….Stampin' Ups! Stampin Dimensionals are the best!
I hope that this "perked" you up…I was happy with it and to me it is so age appropriate for a 4 year old! These types of projects are fun to make – and I think the tiny clothes pins are just precious!
Tomorrow I have something fun for you! Do you remember that a couple of weeks ago I posted about going to a Stampin' Up! Washington DC gathering? Well…I have some super cute swap cards for you!
To me, it is just fun to see the variety of ideas that are out there! I will share with you 12 cards and there are some real keepers!!!
Sale-a-bration is coming to a close…..sniff-sniff – there have been some amazing products this year and remember, it is not too late to take advantage of the FREEBIES you can pick for every $50.00 increment!
Have a fun weekend…I sure am planning to….be safe – make memories and until tomorrow!!!
A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about Mr. Paul having a grand-daughter….he loved is card so much and the baby is doing great! Every morning when I get to work I say…"How's Maci?" – next is this huge smile and always ends with a "thank you for asking"…he truly is the sweetest!
Well today – he is having a big surgery on his ankle and foot. I truly hope that this will give him the relief is deserves! There really are not many people left in this world that have such a kind and warm heart that honestly never complains about pain, discomfort etc….
Remember I was on a roll with B-day cards…well I am going to have to come up with some great cards for Mr. Paul as he is going to be out for 8-10 weeks (I think longer) Today's card is a CASE from a card I received at Leadership in January from Demonstrator Michele Robins-Keifer!
I instantly loved the colors and I knew that I would find a way to tweak it a bit so here you go! Here is my version…at the end of the post you will see the difference!
On Tuesday, I did a baby card post using the Hexagon Hive Thinlits and shared with you that I was going to share with you another way to use it! Well….here you go…a way to think out of the box a bit but still keep things clean and tidy!
The base of this card is Island Indigo…love the bold and crisp color against the white, real read and Smokey Slate! I made this a vertical card…scoring at the 5 ½” mark!
TIP ALERT: – In my opinion – this is a perfect card to make many of….why? Well once you see the technique – you might as well keep stamping and using the big shot…you can change up the color scheme and also it is a great way to use up odd sizes of paper…you’ll see why!
Cutting a piece of whisper white just ¼” smaller = 4 ¼” X 5 ¼” I ran it through the Big Shot with the Honey Comb Embossing Folder! (Embossing folders are the best – not only are the super inexpensive…they truly give you a WOW that is always fun!)
Now to the Hexagon Hive Thinlit…this is the magic for this card! As you can see in the below picture, I took a template from the thinlit and then placed it over a piece of whisper white and then drew a faint line around the hexagons that would be popped out when you run it through the big shot!
Now to the white piece…take the Six Sided Sampler Stamp Set and stamp the hexagon in the areas that were penciled ! Now to the big shot….PRESTO – your shapes are cut out and now they will fit perfectly on the embossed hexagon piece!
To adhere these…I used the "green glue" to have perfect placment!
The adorable sentiment is from the Tag It Stamp Set and I used 2 of the brush ends of the markers to stamp! I love doing this….just use the brush tip and then give it a "good huff of stampin love" to keep the ink mpist and stamp away!
TIP ALERT: When you do this technique…I like to keep Q-Tips handy just in case I smear when coloring…works like a charm every time!
The Chalk Talk Framelits were my life saver to make this quick and easy! I popped this up and I also place a mini glue dot under the red ribbon to stabilze it a bit more….I just adore these little tricks that make you look good!!!!
Peel off and adhere to the Island Indigo Base….to the envelope – the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack was the pick of the day - Real Red…..love the POP!!!!
Now look at this picture below…this is the card that I received at Leadership and true it looks very similar but if you look at it closely, you will see that Lori used the Hexagon Punch for the Stamped Hexagon and you can see that they are much bigger.
When you see it in person, side by side…you notice the difference but the great news is…they both look great! I just liked showing you a technique that fits these hexagons great! As the saying goes….there are always 2 ways to do things!
Please keep Mr. Paul in your thoughts…he truly is a gem of a guy and I will miss him while he is gone! He has suffered for so many years, I am just thankful that he is getting relief! We take many things for granted and I have been encouraging him togo to the doctors to get help….I am just glad he is having this surgery!
I am off to see Hannah and I cannot wait! I have made a BIG basket of Stampin' Up! goodies for her sororitys silent auction that is for early detection for Breast Cancer! Remember Ted, my other friend I am making cards for….I am going to stop and spend the night with him and his wife tomorrow…please keep him in your thoughts he is just starting his 2nd round of chemo….
I hope you liked today's card….I adore the colors and different textures it brings! You can see…there are always many ways to do things…and I hope that I have inspired you to look at your tools you have!
It's Thursday and you know what that means…it is time for another Pals Paper Art Challenge and this is my kind of sketch! For you "newbies" and I hope that there are "newbies" here let me explain what the Pals Paper Art Challenge is…
First, it is open to everyone and guess what? That means YOU!!! You do not need to be a demonstrator…you just need to tell yourself that YOU are going to have fun and play along!
One week there is a "color challenge" where the design team comes up with 3 colors for you to work with and then next week there is a "sketch challenge" where the team will provide a sketch for you to interpret how ever your heart desires!
I was asked to be on the design team last year, and not only was a flattered to have been asked…I can honestly say that it has helped me grow and stretch myself in trying new ideas! We all start somewhere, so why not start with this clean and simple sketch that we are using today!
Please feel free to email me if you would like me to help you upload a picture to the site…click here and you will see what the Team Designers came up with and then you will also see lots of inspiration from others!
Let's get going as you know me…I make my cards for a purpose and today is no different! This card is for my dear friend Caron…she truly is one in a million to me and even though our paths did not cross until later in life, it has been a joy and a blessing to call her my friend!
She keeps me on my toes and our daughters ride together and boy – do we miss the Horse Shows and the early mornings in the dark drinking our coffee and laughing at how crazy we are to be doing this…sooooo this is a card for Caron…just because!
Ready…set….let's go!
The card base is Very Vanilla opening from the left!
The sentiment is soooo sweet and sooooo Caron and it is from the Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set called…See You Later (I think that this has been the most popular set)
I stamped it on a piece of very vanilla that 1 1/2" X 3" but what I did was use the brush end of my markers to give it the 2 tone look…the colors were baked brown sugar and tangerine tango and then I matted it on a piece of Baked Brown Sugar that was 1 3/4" X 3 1/4"
Now let's put it together! Before I mounted the DSP I put a strip of snail on the back to anchor the Soft Suede ribbon…..(the type A in me comes out) – I do this to keep it nice and flat so as I bring it around – it ties just the way I like it…a smple "Susan knot"!!!
Stampin' DimensionalsPOP the sentiment part and PRESTO…done…..LOVE IT – but I thought that it still needed something! Out came the trusty Owl Punch – love that little guy! I popped a heart out and then placed a single small pearl!
We know that it would not be a Susan card without a pretty envelope! With the help of the Envelope Liner Framelits….a cinch – this card is ready for my handwriting!
I do hope that I have inspired you today and I hope that you can take a moment out of your busy day to write a special friend a note "just because" like I am going to do for Caron! She fills my heart with joy and makes me laugh…she makes me realize how fortunate we are in life!
Below is a picture of her and her beautiful daughter Catherine! Just seeing this picture makes me smile!
I hope that you have a Caron in your life…I am getting super excited to go see my daughter Hannah for the weekend! Her Godmother is going with me and we are going to have fun!
I deeply thank you for popping on my blog and please subscribe to it if you have not already! I do blog daily and I try to explain not only my love of paper crafting…but give you an outlet to be able to learn techniques that are doable and clean!
Enjoy the day….and PLEASE – think about trying this challenge….you have until next Tuesday at noon!!!
I admit…I never thought I would be excited to get this little orange box in the mail each month! At our house…John always stops at the end of our lane to get the mail and when I got home from work last night…he knew that I would be excited!
I had a late meeting and did not get home until after 8 and I "changed my post" for today to bring to YOU the latest Paper Pumpkin! It is sooooo funny as earlier yesterday I emailed the Pals Chat asking if others received their pumpkins….some did…some did not…but I felt like a kid as I walked in the door and saw the box!!!
I did say a quick "Hi John"….swooped up my box and went right up to my work area!
Remember, if you join Paper Pumpkin before March 31st, not only will you receive the "Starter Kit" – you will also receive a pack of in-color markers! This is only until the 31st…so please click here and sign up! You will be soooooo impressed with the direction that this program has gone!
This months kit contains all of the goodies to make 8 cards – plus the "woot-woot" of getting 2 photopolymer stamps that you will use over and over on other projects and also 2 ink pad spots, one in Island Indigo and the other in Calypso Coral!
I apologize in advance that the pictures are not the best but at the time that I was taking pictures, I was very limited! Below are a bunch of pictures showing you different options in using the kit in other fashions! This is another reason why I am lovin' this program…you can switch it up to reflect your personality!
This picture shows a sample that I took directly from the suggestions that Stampin' Up! included in the kit!
The Kit comes with these gold liners that are beautiful! TIP! – you can cut the in half…and with the piece you cut off….it will allow you to make another liner with the envelope liner framelit or it is great to use for punches! The little gold sparkle dots already have adhesive on the back!
Now to some changes I did to show you a variety of the kit! Remember…let YOUR personality inspire your work! It was so fun and I do hope that you join this program! You have nothing to loose as if you want to stop….that is YOUR choice – just notify Stampin' Up by the 10th of the month and you will not be charged or shipped a kit! How is that for incredible customer service!
This is a super cute 3 X 3 enclosure card using one of the stamps (love them…so basic for many cards) and then stamping over with the sweet "thank you" from the Another Thank You Photopolymer Set in Black Staz on!
The liner is from the Sale-A-Bration goodies and remember that it is only good until the 31st – less than 2 weeks away! This is such an amazing collection of paper and I wish it was in the regular catalog as it is a keeper! It can be yours for free with a $50.00 order! I added a bit of bling…the Rhinestone Basic Jewels added the perfect touch!
You can see all of the fun and versatile cards and projects you can make! This kit will make 8 cards and envelopes plusyou will have the stamps…the ink pad spots….and if you are "creative and resourceful"– you will find ways to use up the extras!!!
It was hard to get a good shot but here you can see the wodden images and the contents of this months kit!
Soooooooo….how to get started….click here and you will go to the Paper Pumpkin Website! You then click the subscribe button and it will walk you through the information they need!
When it comes to having a demonstrator – I would deeply appreciate if you put my name, Susan Itell and it will ask my city & state = Williamsport, MD!
As I have said before, your 1st kit will be a starter kit and besides the stamps and product, it will also have a clear mounting block so every month when you get new stamps – you have a block to use!!!! (that a woot-woot!)….and remember – before the 31st – you will get the in color markers to!
I have ordered many extras of this months kit…so if you want one of these – please email me and I will respond back to you and send you one! When I was at Regionals on January and had the opportunity to see February and March's kits…I knew that I wanted to order more as I knew that those of ou that just purchased the "starter kit" would wnat one of these!
In closing, the best news is….
Once you become a Paper Pumpkin Kit Member, you will have the opportunity to contact Stampin' Up and order extras of ones that you really love or maybe ones that you would like to give as a gift!
I hope that this has inspired you! I had super fun making these for you and I would appreciate if you would become a pumpkin with me! I do something special for my Pumpkin Patch members and I would like you to be in the patch with us!
