by Susan Itell | Feb 21, 2014 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
I was trying to come up with an idea using one of the “Weekly Deals” this week at Stampin’ Up! and as I looked at the offerings…..these Dahlia Flowers popped out to me as I just saw last week a card that I made with them last year and I thought to myself….why do I not use these more often!
And…..then I had a “light bulb” moment….when I was down at the barn with my “Wellie Hunter Boots” and I the card POPPED into my head and I LOVE IT!!!
So simple…so fun…wouldn’t you simply love if you received this!?!?
Let’s get to it as I am hoping that I am going to inspire you to pull out your supplies and if you do not have this stamp set and flowers….I hope that you hit that SHOP NOW button and shop away!!!!
Today’s card does a super easy technique called “paper piecing” and it creates a great effect! I encourage you to look at your stamp sets that you have and think of other stamps that you could do this with!
- The card size is the note-card size (my all time go-to) and then I knew I wanted a big, bold and bright color as I am READY for Spring so the color of choice it Pacific Point!
- The Pacific Point is cut at 3 3/4" X 4 3/4" and then white is cut at 3 1/2" X 4 1/2"! Make sure that you take full advantage of popping out some punches with the inside of the blue piece….no need to waste!
- I stamped the “boot” in Crushed Curry and then “fussy cut” it out (it is super easy to do) I did the same in a scrap of pacific point and again “fussy cut” the blue piece– this is why it is called “paper piecing” and you will add it on top of the boot! The boot is from the Bootiful Occasions Stamp Set.…too darn cute!
- I used the White Staz On Ink….love the effect of white and I adore the fact that it dries SUPER FAST!!!! I highly suggest using the liquid multipurpose glue to “piece” these 2 together….this way you can “wiggle” it in perfect place!
TIP ALERT: When you are doing this technique….take the brush edge of the same color of marker and run it against the side….this way if you did not have a clean cut – your eye will not pick up the mistake!
- DONE with the boot…put stampin dimensions on the back but do not peel it off – You will want to place the boot on top of the card to get an idea of where you want to stamp the floral image and the sentiment as well (I take a pencil and do a little mark!)
- Now it’s time to pull off the adhesive and place the boot in place! VOILA!!!! Isn’t it adorable! I know that it seems like a lot of instructions but it really is easy – (I know I go over board)
After I made this and I was so happy with it…I made a bunch more in all different colors! Hannah and I have Hunter Boots in many, many fun colors! I sent her a box of these cards as I thought that they would be a sweet note-card to send out to her friends!
Now you know that I needed to line the envelopes – the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack to the rescue – when in doubt – pull them out! You can always have a perfect match! The envelope liner framelits was the finishing final touch that is my daily lifesaver!
So – did I do it….did I make you smile ?!?! I sure hope so!!!
Don’t forget…for every $50.00 order you will be able to pick a FREEBIE from the Sale-A-Bration offerings….CLICK HERE and you will be able to view them and also, for every order I get during this Sale-A-Bration time, when I send you a thank you note…I'll enclose this below sample of the DSP I put together from Sale-A-Bration – my thanks to you!
They are such a lifesaver and come in so handy when you want to see what paper would work for a specific project!
I am doing the WOOT-WOOT it’s Friday dance and we are to be having some great weather over the weekend! Remember last Sunday when I was Mary Fish’s guest stamper? Click here to see the post…well this Sunday I will inspire you with some ideas using the “smaller wood cases” and using them for gift enclosures!
Please pop back…you’ll love them! Thanks for popping by and the best compliment you can give to me is to share my work and my blog with others…as my Mom always said…word of mouth is the best form of advertisement!
Until tomorrow….you will "bee happy" that you had your Saturday coffee with me!
by Susan Itell | Feb 20, 2014 | Masculine |
Now this is my kind of card….clean, crisp, simple and classic! There is nothing like a classic navy blue!!! The other thing that I like about this card is that it can be a great masculine card or you could switch up the colors…add some flowers on the edges and get another BINGO-BANGO card!!!!
Today is a sketch challenge with the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenges! You have probably heard me before say that I much prefer the color challenges but doing these sketch ones really does make me go out of my box!
What about YOU going out of your box this week and playing along with us! You do not need to have a blog, you do not need to be a demonstrator and if you need help uploading it…..easy-peasy – I'll be there for you – just email me!
Here is this weeks challenge! A big woot-woot of gratitude to Margaret Moody for always giving us great sketch layouts to work with! I swear – I do not know how she does it…..but a big thanks as I appreciate and value your talent!
Ready….set….let's GO!!!
- I have totally been neglecting one of my all time favorite colors….Crumb Cake – This card is a regular A-2 card but I scored it at 5 1/2" to make more of a vertical card!
- The Very Vanilla is 4" X 5 1/4 and then I used the Simply Scored and gave it a nice and deep score on all 4 side 1/4" in….
TIP ALERT: – I know that you can use the Stampin Trimmer to score….but I personally think that the Simply Scored Tool gives you a "deeper" score – and that's the look I am going for!
- The Navy Piece is 2 1/2" X 4 3/4" and I did the same thing….scored it at 1/4" all the way around!
- Follow me on this one as I always try to make things easy – and this worked for me! I took a piece of Very Vanilla measuring a 4" X 4" square. WHY THIS SIZE???It was super easy for me to find the middle (I do much better with finding even measurements!!!!!)
- Pulling out my favorite piece of black plastic….the Stamp-a-ma-jig…the must have tool we all need to love! I stamped it 3 times and then looking at the sketch and seeing that it is a rectangle….I simply took 1/4" off each sides and 1/2" off the top and bottom!!!!
I thought that this was a great idea….what do you think???
- I was loving the straight lines of this card and couldn't stop! I cut (4) 1/4" strips of navy and adhered them in 1/4" (I'm liking that 1/4" thing today)
- I knew that I needed to line my envelope as I always do and wanted to keep it classic – why not just do the navy…works for me!!!
Now how about this card! Classic….right? I know exactly who I am going to send it to and I know that he will love it and every time he sees me at work…he is going to say – "hello there….hello there…..hello there Susan" – He will get a kick out of it!
Many thanks for popping by! I know that you have lots of options and all of us are precious with our time! I truly love inspiring and helping you! We have had incredible response with Sale-a-bration in many ways…
- Everyone loves getting FREEBIES and FREEBIES that are super cute!!!
- The hostess benefits are an added $30.00 FREE BONUS…that in itself is a huge woot-woot! There are many ways for you to have an event….it can be a single order from you….you can contact me and ask for a hostess code….what is a hostess code??? It is a great way for you to collect orders from family and friends that they can simply go on-line and order….you do not have to collect any money or product (as the orders will be sent directly to them)!!! How darn tootin' easy!
- Sale-a-bration is a wonderful opportunity to become a hobbyist demonstrator and become your best customer!!! (I love saying it that way)….as face it – why wouldn't you want to get your products at a discount each and every day!!! For $99.00 you will be able to pick $150.00 of YOUR CHOICE!!!
You have heard me say this and it is the honest truth! You have nothing to loose and you can stop at any time…no penalties…
I hear all of the time…I do not want to teach a class – GREAT, you do not have to…I do not want to carry inventory – NO WORRIES, Stampin' UP! does not allow us to stock up…I do not want to go to meetings….GREAT, you do not need to!
I just love to inspire you and I would be honored for you to be a part of my team….please email me and let's talk! Being on my team will instantly make you a PAL…..and be a part of the BEST group ….with Mary FIsh! She is just the "real deal" and the resources that she provides us is the best!
Think about it….I'm not going anywhere!!!! Thanks again for popping by!
Until tomorrow…..you're gonna LOVE what is in store for you….get your BOOTS out!
by Susan Itell | Feb 19, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Hello all….I was soooo ready for you this week and I have some A M A Z I N G clean and simple cards….but last night when I came home from a L O N G day of work….my "Paper Pumpkin" arrived and I am apologizing in advance – that I threw today's post together in a jif!!!
I had to stay at work for a meeting and it lasted way TOO long and then home and take care of the animals….(that darn donkey) it was after 8 until I was in the house and then –
dinner….paper pumpkin….dinner…..paper pumpkin…the pumpkin won!!!!!
I was super excited as I had one of my "pumpkins" email me and say that she received hers…..and mine had yet to arrive…..and YES – I did reach my goal/number I was reaching for and THANK YOU FOR THAT!!!
Please take a minute and watch this super quick video showcasing this set……CLICK HERE!!!! It is a great video and I love how easy it is to do!!!
There is so much exciting news about the Paper Pumpkin Program and GREAT news – the FREE set of markers has been extended…..so that is a woot-woot in itself so please click here and go to the Paper Pumpkin Website and sign up….you will not regret it! Remember, please use my name and town….WIlliamsport, MD!
Please feel free to email me with any questions you have with this program…..and I will be glad to help you! I think that this is a super fun and cute kit that is sooooo fun and festive!
I adore the (2) super photopolymer stamps that are in this kit!!!! I can wait to use them for cards….they are GREAT stamps and I can see them as a fantastic background stamp! I can already visualize cards for the future!
One is a "stripe" and the other is a "polka dot" There are so many extra pieces in the kit that I am looking forward to putting to use! I am super happy with the quality of the "shopping bags" and naturally the ribbon for the handles is a beautiful and a heavy grosgrain white ribbon!
Here is the full "tote bag" that I made for my daughter Hanah……just love those teeny tiny clothes pins!!!! The amount of letters thay gave you are fabulous….and I can see the "extras" for cards!
Now to the super exciting part that Stampin' Up! unveiled today….in a nut shell…if you are a subscriber to the "Paper Pumpkin" program ( now say that 3 times) you can have the opportunity to purchase kits that you really like or perhaps ones that you have missed….
This is a GREAT opportunity! There are some kits that will make you say….WOW...there are others that you might say are just "o.k." – and you know what – that's ok!!!!!
As I have said to those that have signed up with me and are just getting the introduction kit.. – I have ordered plenty of these SUPER cute totes and it you would like one….I will be glad to send one your way and I will pick up the postage – that is how passionate I am about them!
CLICK HERE and see this great PDF that will share with you the program that they are offering to people that already are a paper pumpkin subscriber…..it is exciting so….what do you have to loose – NOTHING!!!!!
I am just soooo darn tootin' happy that Stampin' Up! realized that this program needed to be re-vamped and they have listened!!!! This month is great – but next month is WOWZERS too!!!!
Here is a card that I made for my friend Haven….I know that she will love it – right up her alley…especially when I drop it off with some homemade soup! You see…there are some fun things you can do with the goodies in your paper pumpkin!
Have a super day….and please pop back tomorrow….it is a Pals Paper Art Challenge and I think I have a fun, clean and classic card for you!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 18, 2014 | Birthday |
Today is my wonderful Dad's 83th Birthday and he is so blessed to be celebrating it with his 2 sisters in a "warm part of the country" It snowed AGAIN this morning ( nothing much to talk about) and then the crazy weatherman just said that on Friday and Saturday it could be in the mid 50's…..crazy!!!
I think that sometimes it is hard to make a masculine yet fun card and I know that my Dad will enjoy this! He is "so hip" that I only felt it was fitting to make him a square card!
The size is a 5" square! I don't know about you….but when I go to my mailbox and I see an unusual size card…I loved to open it first as I know it is going to be a special card!
The paper color is Naturals White…. one that I do love as it is "different" but I must admit – I forget about as it is not stored with my other paper and I was super happy to remember to use it today! It has a bit of a different texture…and there are little "flakes" of subtle texture that makes it look more masculine and natural!
Here you go….I was very happy with the end result and it is simple one…please feel free to email me if you have questions! I have a bunch of pictures so hopefully they will help!
I would suggest that you cut out all of the "bigger" pieces and get them out of the way….then you can focus on the stamping part! This is a great card to go ahead and make several of….I always feel that when you have a "keeper" card like this….it's a good thing to keep on…."just in case"
TIP ALERT: This card allows you to pop out a bunch of punches and framelits to save paper!
- The base is a piece of 10" X 5" and scored in half in the Naturals White Card stock. The 2nd square in that same color is a 4 1/2 X 4 1/2" square.
- The Marina Mist square is 4 5/8" X 4 5/8" and then the Black Square is 4 7/8" square
- I stamped the sentient using the Black Staz On ink on a piece of scrap paper that I knew would fit in the "film frame". This is a fun techniques to do and there are so many stamps and sentiments we have that would look great in the frame!
- Using up scraps is great with this framelit….you can see in the below photo that I used the Liquid Mono Glue….remember…..(a little goes a long way) – so easy….I took a piece of Marina Mist and just adhered it over the "film holes" and then the stamped image and adhere it….then take your paper snips and clean up the excess!
- Let's do more stampin'!!! The piece that is stamped with the cupcakes is 4" X 1 1/8" and why did I make it that length – easy….it is super easy to divide in in half to find the center…..naturally I used the stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement and then did one on either side! Easy……right!?!?
- Before you clean your stamp….stamp the cupcake again 3 times in Marina Mist and then "fussy cut" the icing and heart ( it was really easy)
- The rest is straight forward….you can see that I did use some stampin dimensionals and then a single star as my Dad is a "super star to me" (I think that this is a retired punch….sorry for showing it – it just works for me!
- The envelope was made with the help of the envelope punch board! So fast and easy. Just look at the chart to find your card size….then that will tell you the size of paper needed to make the envelope and then also the scoring and punching guides! Easy – peasy!
This card was a joy to make for my Dad….he is the best and I hope that his day is special with many happy and healthy returns to come his way! I am sure he is having a ball with Aunt Anne and Aunt Jean!
A big thanks for all of the heartfelt comments you left on the blog yesterday – if you go back you can clearly see how touched Chris was….thank you…Chris is a very sweet and special person to me!
Thanks for sharing a cup of coffee with me today and please remember that Sale-A-Bration is rockin' away!!! For every $50.00 order, you can choose a FREEBIE….and that is a WOOT-WOOT for me to you!
Hit that big "Shop Now" button and have fun!
Happy Birthday Dad….I love you!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Feb 17, 2014 | Super Easy, Sympathy |
I am a huge animal lover…and when a losing a "family member" as I feel dogs (and all animals) become members of your family…it is hard – and there are no words to comfort but "I'm Sorry…."
You have heard me many times before post about my LOVE for Stampin' Up!….my passion I have….and the feeling of being "full and blessed" to have been able to meet so many incredible people both in person and in "cyber space" through my blog….
Chris R. is a regular follower of my blog and I am proud to call her my friend. She too is a Stampin' Up Demonstrator and she is one that POPS by just about everyday and leaves a great and usually funny comment!
We have never met in person and I can truthfully say that she is the only person I know in that lives in Iowa! This is what I love about Stampin' Up – you get to meet and develop relationship as grow as a person!
We email each other as she is a huge animal lover and her dear Henry has been sick…I noticed the past several days that I have not heard from Chris and I even said to John on Saturday night….."I hope Henry is o.k." - (John even knows who Henry is)!!!
I then popped in the computer and she sent me a long email detailing how the little guy was….and then yesterday I hopped on-line in the afternoon and saw the sad subject line and my heart dropped!
Needless to say, I switched my "posting gears" and went to my craft area and knew in my heart I needed to create a special card for Chris…and I think I did it.
Henry….I hope that you are playing in doggie heaven
and of you run into my dear Lucy –
please introduce yourself – she's a ton of fun!
Let's get to the card!
- I knew I could make a dog bone! I know that we have all seen the incredible "Paw Print" sympathy cards…..I just wanted to do someting different! I figured a dog bone could be made with circles and a strip of paper….and here you go! The 1" circle punch was my go-to! the middle part os 1 1/8" X 4".
- Do you see the "brown mat" – that is the MUST HAVE Silicone Craft Sheet….why???? it is perfect when you are using adhesives any excess….just rubs right off….and it is a DREAM when you are using hot glue!!! I say a big woot-woot!
- I used the liquid multipurpose glue to adhere the bone or "template" together….I like this adhesive when I want a little "wiggle room" – I used this and traced it on a piece of Crumb Cake and then used the paper snips to cut it out!
- The card is the good old A-2 card size and then I cut another piece of Very Vanilla just a "smidge smaller" – a "smidge" to me is 1/8"" and then using the envelope punch board, I corner rounded all edges!
- The sentiment came from the MUST HAVE stamp set, So Sorry, as face it…..we sometimes need this and the different sentiments are great!
- I stamped it with one of my all time favorites – soft suede – and then I cut it out with the Chalk Talk Framelits….and then cut out another one in soft suede to "frame it"!!!! LOOK AT THIS….close….AS YOU WILL SEE WHERE THE PAW CAME FROM!!!!
- Now to the paw….I used the small heart punch and then the "teeny tiny" inside of one of the chalk talk framelits!
- In between the layers, I did use my stampin' vitamins….stampin' dimensionals to give the "center stage" this card deserves!!!! (don't skimp on these – for just $3.95) – it really DOES make a difference and these gems are THE BEST on the market!
Well….there you go! I hope that you keep this post in your mind….It is so simple to create and once you get the "template" you will be able to whip this card together in no time!!!!
In closing 2 things……1st – Chris…I am truly sorry for your loss…..he was your buddy…your friend….your "child"…..keep the fun memories alive – I know I am….I LOVED hearing the "Henry" stories!
2nd.…I thank you……
Yesterday I was the guest stamper for Mary Fish and WOWZERS as I say! My BLOG hit the "high" – and I thank you…..I truly have not had the opportunity to go through the comments but I will do so as I only work a 1/2 of day on Monday's….so hopeful tomorrow I can read them! I am sooooooo glad that you like the post, and as I said – I am going to do one later this week with the 3 X 3 gift enclosures! WOOT-WOOT
Please subscribe to my blog……it is under the catalog……just enter your email and PRESTO – you are good to go for a daily dose of inspiration and tips!!!!!
This has been a CRAZY weekend for us! Our Farm is on the market and on Friday at 9 p.m. we had a Realtor call us for a showing on Sunday at 1 p.m. – YIKES – who in the world would want to come and see remote property with a ton of snow?!?!?! John is in full swing of Tax Season… Well….we pulled it together…..
I deeply thank you for popping by – my blog is something that I would have never thought I could do…..as I am "computer challenged" but I find it rewarding, a way to "get to know you" and a way that I can do what I love to do…..inspire!
Please feel free to leave Chris a comment……I know that she would deeply appreciate and cherish your words…..and pop back tomorrow as it's my wonderful Dad's 83rd birthday!!!!!
Until tomorrow…..
