by Susan Itell | Feb 16, 2014 | 3-D Projects |
I am super excited and proud to be the guest stamper for my wonderful upline, Mary Fish! This is an opportunity that she offers to all of her PALS and I always love to share my work! I hope that you think this post is inspiring and practical…as I think the title says it best…a "box of fun"!!!
I like to create "kits" that are a fun class for people! This box of fun has 6 cards and adorable envelopes… 8 yummy Hershey Nuggets….a super cute decotated box of Tic-Tacs….and I even tucked stamps in the box for a total gift that anyone would love to receive!
Let's go ….cause' I am sure that this will be a "keeper" for you to make! I do not know about you ……but I love to give gifts that I make! This is a perfect concept and just think of all of the wonderful stamp sets we have that can be made for your friends and family!
The focal stamp set I used was from the Spring Occasions Catalog and it is appropriately called Geometrical….so fresh and fun! There are sooooo many things you can do with this set…I am mearly touching the surface!
Today, I am using the 3 focal sentiments from this Stamp Set and making (2) cards of each design! There are the same with the exception of the envelopes! If you follow my blog, (and I hope you do!!!!!) – you know that I like to make the mailman smile….
What I did was…. on one….I stamped the sentiment on the back flap of the envelope and then using the coordinating Kaleidoscope DSP Paper, I lined the inside of the envelope and then the other…..I stamped the sentiment on the front lower corner of the front of the envelope and then covered and trimmed the back flap of the envelope!!!!
My Mom loved cards….she love the "hunt" for the perfect card to send to someone as well as she love receiving cards…but the one single thing that always made her happy was when an envelope was lined…and I always line and do something fun to my envelopes!!!
Let's get to the 1st one…cheer up buttercup! Such a sweet sentiment! One thing that I should say is…make sure that your ink pads are well "inked" – I know….I have posted about this many times….but it is important as it is the WOW factor in have a clean and crisp image!
An "anchor" item that I used on each card and it is super-duper cool is the Angled Tag Punch...tags are HOT and tags are FUN!!!! It is sooooo darn tootin' easy to use…the white pieces are 2" X 4" and then I matted them with a coordinating color just a "smidge" larger……to me that 1/8" of an inch = 2 1/8" X 4 1/8"!
I felt with the sentiment it was only fitting to use the Petite Petal Punch….and I "rolled" the edges of the flowers and then a simple glue dot was all that is needed!
Card # 2….this is so sweet – it could have easily been a super cute valentine but this is a cute card….."just because" – I can easily see me sending this to my kids and dear friends!
For the hearts, I used the small heart punch and did pop them up with a stamin' vitamin – the one thing I never skimp on….Stampin' Dimensions….LOVE THEM and use them all of the time!
Do you see in the picture the super cute Tic-Tacks!?!?! Please click here to a post I did before and you will get the scoop on the "how to's" Super cute, fun and easy – those that receive them…LOVE THEM!
Card # 3…..HOORAY FOR TODAY!!!! That's what I feel! I am happy that you are popping by and I do hope that you will subscribe to my blog….you can click right here from my blog and you will get a daily dose of inspirations…..tips and techniques!
The "dots" I punched out with the 1" circle punch and yes, I did pop them with my vitamins! I hope that you are LOVIN' how simple and clean these cards are as much as I do!
We are so fortunate to have so many incredible ribbons in our collection! Some of the ribbons I used to day were the Bermuda Bay 1/8" taffeta ribbon, the whisper white bakers twine, the Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon….our ribbons are the best!
We sure do love our "nuggets" – these are always a hit and so easy to "fru-fru" – it is simple a 1" X 3" and then use glue dots and BAM …..DONE!
I apologize that the below picture is not the best….but with the case it was hard for me to get a good picture!
Wait! – What about those cases…. – these are THE BEST and they are available for you!!!! They come in 2 sizes and this one is the Full Size Wood-Mount Case! You will get (4) for $6.95!
Let's stop and talk about something that we ALL struggle with – that is organization! Being organized with your craft area really makes making projects so much more fun and relieves stress! This is why I love to make and give gifts that are practical…and everything about this is practical!
I thank you for popping by and I hope that you have enjoyed this post! Please feel free to leave me a comment on how you liked this!
I will be sharing with you later in the week a post on the "smaller" size of boxes with super-de-duper 3 X 3 cards! I love this size and they are truly "lifesavers" when you need a quick "go to"!!!!
I am an email away and I think that this post shows you how easily you can get a $50.00 order together to pick a Sale-A-Bration FREEBIE!!!! Woot-woot!
I thank Mary for giving me this time and if you follow my blog, you already know that the PALS are the best! I have a cyber group of "family" that are always there for inspiration, support and friendship!
Please pop back tomorrow…it's a keeper!
by Susan Itell | Feb 15, 2014 | Baby, Super Easy |
Happy Weekend to everyone!
WOWZERS….what a difference 24 hours makes! It was 43 degrees here today -is that crazy or what! The sad part is….we still have a TON of snow…..but I am being positive!!!!
Many thanks for all of your comments…I do enjoy them and I do try to respond to them but it made me laugh about the donkey….he really does not like me….we have this love/hate relationship and I truly do not get it… he is a babysitter to Arnold…an old 28 year old retired show horse and they have been having a slumber party together most of the week….he should be doing the donkey "happy dance"
I think why he does not like me is that I make him do a job every year….his "Nativity Scene" duty and he does a great job….I go visit him but I think he holds it against me that he has to "hang out" with 2 sheep and a bunch of "Nativity Stuff" for a month! Arnold has several bad days when he leaves….but he gets over it!
O.k. – enough with that darn donkey…..let's get to why you are here!
Can you say S I M P L E …..and to me, simple works today!
(simple works for me everyday)
You really do not need me for this card….as it really is simple…BUT – it is the type of card that you can duplicate over and over again…..remember earlier this week I told you about having a card…"just in case"??? Well this is one of them!
The base is the Notecard and Envelope – my all to go-to! The color of choice for the day is Marina Mist….so clean and crisp! The size of this is 4 3/4" X 3 1/4"!
The whisper white is 3 3/4" X 2 1/4" and this card goes to show you how important it is to keep your ink pads well inked! WHY??? When you have an image that is a "flat coverage" like this elephant…you really need to have a good ink coverage!
The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig was my friend for this card….I know….many of you are thinking – "I do not like that thing" – well THAT THING IS THE BOMB……it is so easy once you give it a chance!
Woot-Woot…I only used 1 stamp set for this card….and it is the Zoo Babies Stamp Set…and it is soooo cute!
A "Susan stitch" was the border to the stamped image….this time I did a Dash-dot-Dash-dot….works for me – try it….you'll like it!
The envelope was a no-brainer for me….I ADORE polka dots….to me they are like baloons – they make me smail…..and I adore the Polka Par Parade Designer Series Paper! Fun…Fun…FUN!!!!
Again, this card is soooooo easy but easy works! Don't try to stress yourself out but making things hard…less is best….and less works!
I hope that you have enjoyed this "SIMPLE" card! "SIMPLE" works for me…….anything that gets the job done but still creates a WOW factor….I love!
Please POP back tomorrow as I have a super fun post for you! I am excited for the the weekend…and I promise, I will try to get the donkey to "like me"
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Feb 14, 2014 | Anniversary |
First Happy Valentines Day and I hope that you have a special day as you are special….I do not like to be a "Negative Nellie" but I have HAD IT with the SNOW!!! We receive 18+ inches and it is days like this that I ask myself…what do I love animals so much!?!?!?
I feel like I am a young mom with little ones at home…with the door revolving with wet clothes….the dryer running non stop but the reality it is…it is just me John and I and…5 dogs…1 pig…3 horses….and one miniature donkey (that does not like me one bit)!
With John doing great – this weather is not the best (so he needs to be extra careful) so I am on my own with the animals and when I "bundled up" to go to the barn in the morning….the snow was sooooo deep and drifting was so high….the Jack Russells looked at me like…."Mom – we need help"!!!
The horses would love to go out but the snow is just too deep - hopefully over the weekend we can plow some paths in the fields to let them out of the barn to stretch their legs….but until then they are at the Ritz Carlton and I am their house keeper!
Let's get to the card today – today is John's Mom & Dad's 61st Anniversary! Isn't that just wonderful….when I stop to think about it…I am in awe!!! What a true testament of love and dedication! Happy Anniversary Gram and Pap!
Do you ever look at the ideas that are in the catalog? ( page 114 in the Annual Catalog) Well….this is where my inspiration came from for today's card! Let's go!
- The card is a 5 X 5 card in Smokey Slate. I cut the front of the card with the Floral Framelits (these are ON SALE – so basicall the front ot the card has a big floral cut out hole!
- One thing that seemed very weird to me was…I kept Stampin' and Stampin' with the various of sizes of stamps all on the same piece of very vanilla! (3 in total) The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig is a MUST…a MUST as you are stamping all on the same piece of Very Vanilla!!!!
- Look at the below picture and you can see how I used the Mono Liquid Glue to adhere it to the front of the front! It is easier to put the glue on the back side of the card and then place the stamped image….remember – use a LITTLE BIT of this glue….to me this is the best adhesive for this project as you can wiggle the image around to get it "just right"
- It looks rather ugly….."right" – (you can see that I use my paper to the MAX – I started with this side….made a boo-boo….but the best thing is…..a quick "flip over" and WOWZERS – good to go!!!!)
- Now we cannot let this card go out like this!!! Easy – I cut a piece of Smokey Slate at 5" X 5" and adhered it to the back of this and PRESTO – one beautiful card!
When you look at this card you can see that there are 4 stamped images (all from the same set….woot-woot!!!!)…..the first 3 were all stamped on the same piece of Very Vanilla and then the 4th one was stamped on a piece of very vanilla scraps and then cut out with the Floral Framelits!
The colors I used were Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Smokey Slate.
- To the last stamped image…I pulled out the Very Viintage Buttons and linen thread and using a Mini glue dot – BAM – done!
- Because it is Valentine Day and it is such a special anniversary…..I needed to put a heart somewhere….thank goodness for the small heart punch!
- The sentiment came from the Hostess Set called, Express Yourself…..one great stamp set! I simply stamped that on a scrap piece of paper and then cut the ends….quick and easy!
- The pearls here and they are the perfect accent to make this a special card for this wonderful milestone anniversary! These just "make" the card go to the next level! (again, this card is much prettier in person"
- I did make my own "custom" envelope ( so easy to do) with the help of the Envelope Punch Board and then the liner that worked perfectly was from the Sweather Weather Designer Series Paper fromt he Holiday Catalog…
I encourage you to be inspired by ideas that are in the catalogs…they are always great ideas of inspiration for me and I knew that I wanted to make John's parents a beautiful card for their special day!
Let's hope that this calendar keeps rolling and we can have "Spring" here soon….the carzy thing is that we are to be in the 50s next week – crazy!!!!!!
Have a wonderful Valentines and do something special with the one you love or do something special for yourself….as you are worth it!!!!
Be safe if you are in a bad weather area and until tomorrow!!!!!
by Susan Itell | Feb 13, 2014 | Sale-A-Bration, Super Easy |
With Sale-A-Bration in FULL swing…I think that is is only fitting to showcase the incredible Designer Series Paper (Sweet Sorbet) that is a FREEBIE for you with a $50.00 order! I am in love with this paper and try to use it sparingly as I do not want it to end….but there is still LOTS of time left for this super sale!
Today's card is one of those kind of cards that is a "secret weapon"….the kind of card that you always want to have extra of….for a "just in case" quick note you want to send! I know…it is simple…but it is cute and the "curling" of the flower gives it great dimension so lets get going!
Using the note-card size (AGAIN) I cut a piece of Sahara Sand at 3" X 4 1/2" and YES….look below as I did save paper and punched put some shapes…..no need to waste!!!
The adorable and very subtle DSP is cut a "smidge smaller" (that's 1/8" to me)!!! Using the Blossom Punch, I POPPED out a flower in So Saffron and then took the bone folder and "curled" it upwards – always gives a great effect!
The stamped image came from a sale-a-bration stamp set called Petal Parade.…a great set to use for backgrounds and also clean and fast projects! I pierced through the center and added a Neutral Candy Dot and Stampin' Dimensionals were on both parts of the flower!
The sentiment is from the Sweet Essentials Stamp Set and this set always has "keepers" when you are looking for the right sentiment and the font is always so great! I did use Baked Brown Sugar as I thought it needed a deeper color and then the Banner Punch (another SAB item BUT it WILL be in the next Annual Catalog)
I told you it was easy-peasy….but next I needed to give that mailman something to smile about! They work so hard for us….let's make them smile! I lined the back of the envelope in the same DSP but then "jazzed" up the front envelope with some stamping! The perfect finishing touch!
I think that the East Coast has had it's fill with SNOW this year….actually the whole country has had such highs and lows with crazy weather! Where ever you are…please stay safe and I am super excited to have a "jammies" day and do all of the things I love….stamping….some cooking….I have a new book….and naturally playing with the animals!
Going to the barn I am quite the "FASHION PRINCESS" as John always laughs at me when he sees me in all of the clothes….it has taken me YEARS to figure out how to stay warm and I could truthfully care less what I look like!
If I could get me hands on that little ground hog….I would sit him down and have a good long talk! Spring will be here before we know it and the best thing is – just keep making cheery and uplifting cards….no doubt there will be a smile on your face!
As always, thanks for popping by and please share with your family and friends my blog….you can subscribe right here and never miss a dose on inspiration and fun!
Stay warm…be safe….watch the Olympics and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 12, 2014 | Photopolymer Stamps, Valentines |
Have you ever made a card and you just loved it…but then when you see a picture of it…you doubt yourself! Well…this sums it up about this card! It truly is super cute and so simple…just the way I like it!
Before we go further in today's card…I hope that you had as much fun as I did on the Blog Hop Trail yesterday! There was endless talent one after another! As I stated in my post…these hops are one of my favorite things to post every month!
Being a PAL and under the amazing leadership of Mary Fish is nothing short of sheer fun! I invite you to consider becoming a hobbiest Stampin Up! Demonstrator for 2 reasons:
- You will be able to get your products at a discount each and everytime you order…
- You will be a part of the PALS Community and within this community we have private gallerys…chat's going on about tips and techniques….just an endless amount of resources of learning!
I would be honor to have you along this fun…clean and simple ride with me and now is a GREAT time during Sale-A-Bration as you can choose $150.00 worth of products for $99.00….you can click here and get started or email me and we can pick a time to chat….I am totally laid back and want YOU to do what works for you and your family! Well over 80% of the Stampin; Up! family are hobbiest and why not?
We all flock to stores when there is a sale….we use coupons and get gas rewards from our grocery stores….why not get your Stampin' Up products at a discount and also have the opportunity to learn from some of the most amazing people…..I think the hop showcased some of that talent!
O.k. – enough….let's get going….I have lots of pictures and I do hope that you will try a card like this! It is sooooo darn tootin' cute and I know that if you had it in your hands….you would adore this little mouse!
The base is a note card and I would start by using the handy ruler! A ruler and pencil are your friends…like peanut butter and jelly…..
Take this to the Big Shot and place the Just Saying framlit to cut out the speach bubble! TIP: – I would highly recommend purchasing the bundle – Next, cute out a Real Red Heart from the Heart Framelit – This will fit perfectly in the inside of your card!
Take the cut out top and close it and then trace the image….( it will erase easily in a jif!!!) This again will make it easier to get the placement of the sentiment!
I used my new favorite – White Staz On Ink – it dries SUPER FAST….the coverage is not super bold….but I am thrilled with having a white to work with! REMEMBER…stamp the plastic sheet…place it where you want it to go….put the black piece….remove the plastic and stamp! EASY-PEASY!
I did the same to stamp the adorable little mouse on the front! This is from the Life in the Forest Stamp Set, so cute, popular and fun!
This little guy needed some balloons…..so they were a POP with the small heart punch and I mounted them with Stampin Dimensionals (cut in half) Are you wondering where the "X's & O's" came from – these are not necessary as you can just freehand them in….but they are from the Countless Sayings Photopolymer Set….don't you just LOVE this set!
The finale of the envelope with the fresh and fun Polka Dots just makes you smile! It truly is a cute card and I look forward to making more cards with the speech bubble cut out…..really like the effect and ease!
Well that's it and this is my last Valentine Card for you…..time to think forward to new ideas…..I have a bunch of Birthdays ahead to get ready for some clean and simple cards that you can make up in a snap!
Time is sooooo precious to all of us…if I can make reaching your goals easier…..mission accomplished!
Until tomorrow!
