by Susan Itell | Mar 13, 2014 | masking, Watercoloring |
Woot-woot…I love my little Red Wagon! When I see this is brings back great memories of pulling my kids in a wagon when they were little…I sure miss those days!
It's Thursday and that means there is a challenge….how about pulling out these 3 colors and playing along! If you need help – no worries – I will gladly help you upload your masterpiece!!! Please go to the Pals Paper Art Website and see the endless ideas and then if you need help loading….please email me!
Before I get to the scoop of today’s post…I wanted to answer a question that I get asked a lot! The question is…
Why do you share so much on your blog postings
(like the measurements, tips and tricks etc….)
Well…the answer is super simple…
Why not?
I love what I do and why wouldn’t I want to share what I have learned!
The truth of the matter is…we all have to start somewhere and I must admit – I am not the quickest learner and even though I am passionate about stampin’ – I realize that many people who pop on my blog are beginners!
We all have started as a beginner in many things we set out to do. I want to share with YOU as much as I can so YOU can see that YOU can do it! I find that many of us second guess ourselves and the more we do that….the more we lose self confidence.
I am passionate about Stampin' Up! and I want YOU to feel the positiveness that I feel!
Even though it is very hard for me to answer each of your comments, please know that I deeply appreciate them. I am an email away so please feel free to reach out to me!
Ok. – sorry for the rambling, I just want you to know why I do what I do!
Let’s go….this is a “Susan” card and using the water-coloring technique always makes me smile! This is something that the more you do it…the better your results are…and again, don’t be hard on yourself…whatever you do is from YOU!!!
- I wanted to switch it up a bit and used the Naturals White Paper and cut it to a notecard size – 3 ½” X 5”…I love the natural look of the paper and there are little subtle flakes/fibers thru it that make it look super with the Water Color Paper!
- The “little red wagon” is from the For the Birds Stamp Set and it is perfect for water coloring…using the black staz on ink I “masked” the sentiment, as I wanted to use the sentiment from another stamp!
TIP ALERT: Again, I know that this is basic but I also know that many of you are beginners…when you do this…simply take a post it note over top of the area you want to cover…ink it up….peel it off – PRESTO!!!
- The Big Shot and the Deco Labels Framelits are the “wonder tools” for today’s card…I know that the below pictures are super basic but again, I am trying to teach you some easy techniques that are useful for many cards!
- I used the So Saffron Frame and attached them together with sticky strip…perfect hold!
- Cut out another Wild Wasabi Frame and cut it in half – you can see how I just “peeked” it out on the sides and then took scissors to clean up the other “left overs” – I just wanted the sides to peek!
- Let’s get coloring! Using the Aqua Painters…become your own Picasso…remember to have a paper towel handy to blot off excess water and also to clean the brush to pick up a new color! Have fun…just do it and have fun!!!
- Using the Mono Glue to adhere this whole piece to a mat cut at 3 ¼” X 4 ¾” ….and I used the envelope punch board to corner round the edges….POP up with dimensionals – DONE!
- Making the envelope was easy – following the guide, I needed a 7 ¼ “ square and then punched and scored it at 3 1/8” and kept turning…punching…scoring! Done – it is so fun and easy to make your own envelopes! I lined the outer flap of the card with the Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Collection!!!
Thank you for popping on today! I hope that you like my little red wagon….and I hope that you have memories of a wagon! My peeps are all grown but I love to remember the past! Have a fabulous Thursday and please subscribe to my blog (under the occasions catalog) if you would like a daily dose of inspiration from me!
Remember, when you place an order with me that qualifies for a FREEBIE – will also receive from me…a swatch book of the Designer Series Paper from Sale-a-bration!!!!
Speaking of swatch books…I am going to be doing an offering for you to purchase these handy-dandy gems ( in all of the collections!!!!) to help you with your projects!
I have had a busy week at my "other job" so hopefully I will get my ducks in a row for the scoop for you…I find them to be soooooo handy!
3 lucky people won them from me and I do appreciate when you leave me comments – you never know when I will throw in a fun give-away!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Mar 12, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Did you all have fun HOPPING yesterday! It was wonderful…it was fun…it was inspirational! WOWZERS – there is lots of talent out there! Today is all about Ted – it is super hard to find masculine card…do you remember that I shared with you that I went to a Stampin' Up! event over the weekend…..well this is where the inspiration came from!
I participated in a card swap and when I saw a masculine card ….I was doing the WOOT-WOOT dance! The inspiration came from Julie Brewer from Woodbridge, VA ! I knew that I could take her swap and make it my own….
Below is Julie's card and I thank her for her inspiration….but here is what I did to it – to change it up!
Before we get to the nuts and bolts of this card…another inspiration came from Ellen….she emailed me yesterday morning asking me about a post I did in November! After looking it up and emailing her – I knew that I could adapt it to this card! Mission accomplished!
I guess this is one reason that it is great to have a blog as I had already mailed out the card she was asking about but using the search button on my blog made it super easy! Remember, just put a specific stamp set in the – hit search and POOF!
Let’s go! This is so simple – you don’t need me!
- The base is Very Vanilla in the A-2 card size!
- Cutting another piece of Very Vanilla at 5 ¼” X 4” and then pulling out the ON SALE – Argyle Embossing Folder to do the magic! WOOT-WOOT – it's on sale this week!
- The next step to the WOW is using the sanding block and going back and forth….the fibers break down and the “underneath fibers” come to life! Such a simple yet effective effect!
- The Vanilla Strip is 1 ¼” X 5 ¼” and then matted with Soft Suede at 1” X 5 ¼”
- This is where my cyber friend Ellen came in…she asked me about this post, and I liked what I re-visited when I looked it up from her! Using a 1/8” of a strip of very vanilla does the magic…so why not do it again!
TIP ALERT: – Use the RIGHT side of the Stampin’ Trimmer to make your cuts when they are so narrow….works like a charm every time!
- Pull out the Chalk Talk Bundle (get the bundle – you’ll save an instant 15 % and if you are a demonstrator – you receive an instant 35%) instead of purchasing them separately!
- The background was stamped with Old Olive and then the super sweet sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede! (love that neutral)
- The envelope was an easy-peasy decision….with this masculine card….a simple soft suede liner was all that was needed! BAM….DONE!
With the bundle, you can cut out the “background piece” with the framelits but the sentiment was a cinch from the Ex. Large Oval Punch! ….LOVE our punches!!!!
I am so happy that sooooo many of you had a fun hop yesterday! I thank you for popping onto my Blog!
If you are new – please subscribe to my daily blog (right under the Occasions Catalog) and you will get a daily dose of “Susan”!
Ted is doing well….and I thank you for reaching out to me and wishing him well. I am going down next Friday to see him before heading to North Carolina to see my dear Hannah!
Ted has such a great support network and a positive attitude! His 1st round of Chemo over….and doing well….keep those prayers coming!
We all have sooo much to be thankful for….and I thank you for your thoughts, prayers, comments and support you give!!!
Pop back tomorrow – it another color challenge….you’ll smile!
by Susan Itell | Mar 11, 2014 | PALS Blog Hops |
Let's go to the HOP…Let's go to the HOP!!!
Spring had SPRUNG with the PALS!
Welcome to the Pals March Blog Hop. This month we are excited to kick-off Spring with our creative projects. We hope enjoy these creations and we hope Spring finds you soon!
You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from our HOP LEADER Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie 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.
A BIG Pals thank you to the super talented Nicole Watt….she is truly a MDS gu-ru and she is always the best in creating our hop badges…woot-woot to you and thanks!
If you follow my blog you know that I have not beed a fan of the Winter we have had. Yesterday was a beautiful day and fingers crossed the POWER OF THE PALS hopping today will bring lots of sunshine to each and everyone of us!
Have fun hippity-hopping as there are 31 hops to hop!!! (say that 3 times!!!!)
What to make…I was thinking about all sorts of things but the one thing that I knew for sure was …I wanted it to be clean and simple that at one look – you would smile and say "I can do that"…and guess what – YOU can do it!
Yellow makes me smile…Yellow makes me happy…Yellow is fresh, fun and WOW!!!
Today's card is a perfect example of "less is best". I think that this will be a card for my Breast Cancer Project next month as it will surely make someone smile!
Ready….set….let's go!
- Note-card Size and Envelopes are the choice card size today (like most days) as I think how can you go wrong with 20 cards and envelopes for just $5.95!
- The Whisper White is 4 3/4" X 3 1/2" and the Gumball Green is 4 7/8" X 3 3/8"
- To the Gumball Green Piece cut out the Little Leaves Sizzlits (you can actually get 2 from it)…this little gem is just $5.50 and I would wager to say – that many of you overlook the sizzlits – they can really add a fun and easy accent!
- The Daffodil Delight Flower came from the Blossom Party Originals Die…again, probably something that you overlook! The offerings of these flowers are so fresh…..
- I did adhere one flower flat and then with the second one…I rolled the petals with a pencil and then used a glue dot to place it! I like feel of the petals curled! A couple sets of "Susan dots" here and there is the added touch that I love to do!
- This whole piece was POPPED up with Stampin' Dimensionals…we all love our stampin' vitamins don't we ?!?!?
- I needed to make the mailman smile and this works for me when mailing…I added the same touch to the outside of the envelope as well! The "Green Glue" is simply sooooo strong and I always ask the postal clerk to "hand-stamp" it so it does not go through the machine!
That's it…one clean and simple card that delivers a statement!
As you have heard me say sooo many times…"less is best"!!!
I know that you are excited to hop away and I feel the same as you!!! There is so much talent out there and I am always marveled at everyone's work of art! I get as excited as much as you do!
Please feel free to email me if I can help you in anyway! I love what I do and I love creating clean and simple cards that touch you heart! We all have gifts…I love to help you accomplish your goals and inspire YOU that YOU can do this!
The next stop is stop #3 Peggy Noe at prettypapercards on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month!
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
- Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
- Martie Pollard at Crafty Bandit
- Goldie Shaul at Punch and Stamp with Goldie
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb…
- Christine Winslow at Grandma's Stamping Corner
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Michelle Quinno at Shell's Life
- Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
- Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
- Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works by Shannon
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
- Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
- Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
- Amy Lazzell at Just A Thought…Cards by Amy
- Maria Flores at Maria's Sandbox
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Christie Crosby at Stampin' Creativity
- Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
- Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
- Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
Be a bunny and hop…hop…HOP…until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Mar 10, 2014 | Thank You |
Here’s to a new week…Are you like me and walk around for the 1st several days looking at the clock and say “It’s 7 o’clock but it is really 6 o’clock”?!?! It amazes me that this changes our body clocks so much!
Well yesterday I shared with you that I had a FABULOUS time at the Stampin’ Up! gathering of demonstrators in the Washington DC area…it was truly a “re-charger” for me to be around such inspiring and wonderful stampers! So….This card is for the gals that put this event together!
I had so many great comments about MJ’s Birthday card the other day…I just adore white, basic gray and pink pirouette together – there is something about it that is so comforting and classic – so I thought…let’s do it again in a different way!
As the saying goes…”killing 2 birds with one stone” (I really do not like that being the animal lover I am) but you get the drift – today’s post is a thank you card for my new friends plus this is the 1st time I submitted to the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge! (You’ve gotta start somewhere)
Here is the sketch for the challenge! I hope that you like my interpretation of it and make sure that you go to the Freshly Made Website to see all of the incredible cards that people designed for this challenge!
Let’s go to the ins and outs for this super cute card!
- The base is an A-2 card scored at 5 ½” to make it a vertical card! (I think the sketch lends itself to a vertical card)
- The Pink Pirouette is just ¼” smaller than the base = 5 ¼” X 4”. The Whisper White card stock is 5 ¼” X 4”. The Basic Gray and the Pink Pirouette Designer Series Paper are both 5’ X 3 ¾”.
TIP ALERT #1: I know that I just threw at you a bunch of measurements of paper and yes, this card does use a bunch of paper but please remember to use the “insides” of the areas that are going to be covered up! WOWZERS – you can get a bunch of punches out of the centers…
When I made this card, I made 10 of the so I first cut all of my paper and then it made it easy-peasy to put together! Remember – you can substitute sooooo many different Designer Series Papers if you do not have enough of this… for example. Basic Gray is a neutral color that goes with soooo many colors!
Have FUN playing around with color! Remember there are no rules other than to have fun!
- Mat the Gray paper and then I just used my Craft Scissors to Trim off the excess and then I did the same thing with the designer Series Paper! I adhered this piece to the Pink one!
- Now to the fun…cut a strip of vellum at ¾” wide and long enough for you to wrap it around….say 5”. Using the super cute “dots” from the Happy Watercolor Stamp Set…just stamp away using the White Staz On Ink…so cute…right!?!? I then matted this on a strip of Basic Gray that was 1” wide!
TIP ALERT #2 – the trick with working it vellum is to be tricky and learn to “conceal” where you used the adhesive…as most of the time your adhesive will “peek” through!!! I used a Glue Dot behind the “circle area” and then I used glue dots on the back after wrapping it around!!!
- I first used the flower with the 8 petals and then the one with 4…if you gently punch down with a stylus…it gives you that fabulous depth and dimension. A little pearl in the center is all that was needed to complete the card!!!
- Last but not least – a simply lining of the back of the envelope is all that was needed!
I am happy that I am trying to “go out of the box” and see a sketch and try to make “sense” of it….in my style! I think that this card reflects who I am and true – there is lots of paper, but the lines are clean and simple….just like I like it!
On Saturday I learned so many tricks…this card is a great example! Jennifer Timko who is on the current Stampin’ Up! Artisan Design Team was a speaker and she was just fabulous! She talked about tips on concealing vellum and then she shared a super fun technique with vellum that I will do in a future post…I already know what it is going to be!!!
I hope you enjoyed this post and I thank you for sharing your cup of coffee with me! Please continue to tell your family and friends about my blog. Remember, you can subscribe right under the catalog… I have enjoyed meeting so many incredible people from all over!
Tomorrow is a super fun day…it is the monthly PALS Blog Hop and the theme is SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!! There are 31 “hoppers” so be prepared to be inspired TO THE MAX…soooo much talent out there and it is wonderful to be a part of Mary Fish’s team – the Pals have fun…the pals are talented…and the pals have a fabulous passion!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!!!!
by Susan Itell | Mar 9, 2014 | Baby, Super Easy |
Mr. Paul” is my friend…”Mr. Paul” is the best…”Mr. Paul” brightens my day at work and “Mr. Paul“ just had his first Grandchild…a beautiful little girl named Maci!
“Mr. Paul” only has one child, a son, and he has been so excited for Maci’s arrival. Babies bring such joy to the world and this little girl is one lucky girl as she has a very special Grandad!
This clean and simple card could be adapted to so many different sentiments…different themes…and wowzers – some luscious DSP can make this over the top every time
The best tip I can give to you is to look at all of the sentiments that Stampin’ Up! offers…go for the short “one liners” that will give you a bang for your buck…remember – less is best….for this card!
I also would recommend using a very simple embellishment…like a pearl or rhinestone…a simple knot…some candy dots…again “less is best”
Let’s go….this kinda card makes me smile as it is soooo darn tooin’ versatile! This is so easy – you really do not need me…but just in case you to – let’s get to it!
- The base of the card whisper white in the good old A-2 card size but scored at the 5 ½” mark making it a vertical card!
- Before we get to the paper….I went ahead and did my stampin’….this fun “burst” is from the Sale-a-bration stamp set and it can be yours FREE with a qualifying order! It is called the Petal Parade Stamp Set!
- Before placing the simple yet classic basic pearl….I pulled out the stamp-a-ma-jig to get my sentiment perfect….it is from the A dozen thoughts….and this set has a DOZEN of “A list” sentiments that you just need to have!
- The Strawberry Slush is 2 3/8” X 1 3/8” for the top piece and the bottom measurements are 1 3/8" X 1 3/8”
- The So Saffron is 1 ¼” X 2 ¼” for the top and the bottom is 1 ¼” X 1 ¼”
- Easy-peasy……right?!?!?! Now to the envelope….once again….when in doubt – PULL IT OUT….today’s liner is from the In Color Designer Series Paper Stack ….I did a simple lining if the outside of the envelope!
Yesterday I had an OVER THE TOP….SUPER DUPER…FUN time at a Washington D.C. gathering of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators…it was
F A B U L O U S
And I came home with some great card swaps that I will share with you later this week….I have LOTS to share with you this week!
I must admit…I am a bit surprised that I have not had a “correct comment” of what is consistent with all of my cards this week…perhaps you should “re-visit” this weeks postings and the 1st one that gets it…will win a goodie…. (and you will like it)…
Come on you "regulars"…I know you can do it – it il be fun to see who gets it 1st!
I will give you a hint…something that I am passionate about and something that I believe in! (last hint…it is a specific product!)
Please email me if you have any questions! I love to try to help you reach your goals! The one thing that is soooooo common with each of us is…we have a passion for paper crafting and making a difference to others!
Have a great Sunday and until tomorrow!
