by Susan Itell | Jan 2, 2014 | Birthday |
It’s Thursday and that the “magical” day of the week that it is time for a Pals Paper Art Challenge! Before we get to the “nuts & bolts” of this weeks challenge, I want to point out some facts/guidelines about the Pals Paper Art weekly challenges!
- This is a weekly challenge on Thursday’s and it is open to everyone…. so guess what – everyone means YOU!!! You do NOT have to be a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator…you do NOT have to be a PAL…you do NOT need to be a customer of a PAL Demonstrator…
- Every Thursday there is a challenge…one week it is a color challenge, the following week is it a sketch challenge!
- Follow the guideline and have fun! You can use any materials your heart desires and you are not limited to using Stampin’ Up! products!
- Go to the Pals Paper Art website and upload your project that you made! If you need help, please reach out to me and I will be more than glad to help you! (many of you know that I am computer challenge in many ways – but I can do this like a champion!
- On the following Wednesday, the winners will be announced and you can “pick up your badge” and put it on your blog/website if you have one and if not….no biggie – YOU will know that you won and you should be super proud of yourself!
Ok….I hope that this helps explain the in’s and out’s of these weekly challenges and I truly hope that you try…you have absolutely nothing to loose…so just do it!!! I personally adore the color challenges and that is what today’s challenge is!
The minute I saw the color combination – I knew immediately what I was going to do….I just love it when things like that happen – makes life sooooo easy! Below is the palate of colors we are working with today! LOVE…LOVE ….LOVE!!!!
Tomorrow is the “magical” day that you can see the NEW Occasions catalog in it’s entirety and also you can start ordering from it…you are going to just love it and true – it will take some time for it to “soak in” but that’s what I am here for…to show you some examples of stamps that will be both fun and practical!
January is a month that I have a special birthday …it is my dear friends birthday and we have know each other our entire life! She is one “class act” of a special person and I wanted something clean, tailored and classic! Mission accomplished in my eyes!
Here you go…to the enabling part that you all seem to love!
- The card size is a 5” Square…fun size – instant fun and special!
- The Island Indigo is a 4 ¾” square and using the NEW must have stamp set in the NEW catalog…Another Great Year….this stamp “screamed” to me to heat emboss it – something that I have not done in a while!
- To do this…use the embossing buddy to go over the area that you are going to stamp….why??? I know many of you think it is a gimmick but it really does work – this little “sack of love” takes off any static or residue that is on the paper so when you stamp you image…you will get a clean crisp stamp!
- Always use the Versa Mark Pad when heat embossing and I just fold up a piece of computer paper…sprinkle a bunch of White Embossing Powder over the stamped area and then tap off the excess!
- Now to the fun part, heat up the Heat Tool…and I find working in a circular motion is the key to an even end result – let the magic begin…make sure that you do not hold it “too close” to the image you are embossing as you can actually burn the paper – trust me…I’ve done it! Once you see it turn to a solid, shiny texture – YOU’RE DONE!!!
- Another new – WOWZERS product in the new catalog is the Fancy Foil Designer Vellum…so over the top beautiful! I used the ½” circle punch to pop out some gold circles and then you can see that I also used it for the liner! This comes in both gold and silver and a definite must have! It comes in polka dots, stripes and hearts! WOOT-WOOT!
- I thought that the card could still use a bit of “specialness” but actually I did it for another reason! When I stamped the image on the Island Indigo…I just used a whole sheet of paper and forgot to cut it (silly me) so I cut a piece of white vellum to use as a guide and then I thought – I will just mat the Island Indigo….loved the end result!
- The envelope was made with the envelope punch board…you bet this product will be on my continuing posts of things I love!
Get ready to have a BIG cup of coffee to take in the new catalog tomorrow and if you need me to mail you one…please let me know! It will take many “look’s“ to take it all in….there is truly something for everyone and every style of paper-crafting!
Remember to stop by my blog posting yesterday and leave me a comment to be in the running to win some blog candy from me, click here to be directed to the posting!
I hope that you go to the Pals Paper Art website and see the other entries and then I hope to see YOURS!!!! It’s fun and this color scheme lends itself to many great ideas!!!
Please subscribe to my blog if you have not already done so and also, word of mouth is my best form of growth for my business….I appreciate referrals and I thank you!!!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jan 1, 2014 | Tips and Tricks!!! |
Happy New Year…wow it is 2014!!!
Let's all have a great year together and I hope that each and everyone of you finds time for peace, joy and a lots of laughter in your dailiness of life! I know…we all get soooo stressed (and I am guilty too) about things that really do not make a difference in the "big picture of life"…so let's try to start with being patient and kind to ourselves!
Today is a very different post but by now you know me and my style – I could go on and on about all sorts of things and today I wanted to randomly pick some of my favorite products that we have at Stampin' Up! and give you the "why's" I love them so much as well as some "tips and tricks" that I have found with them!
Here you go….these are not in any particular order of my preference – they are just what I see around my work area as I look around and type! Read to the end as you will see that I am going to do 3 of these posts over the next week and you will have the opportunity to win some blog candy!
I am purposely not putting in specific stamp sets…the solid papers….and the Big Shot…as to me – these are the staples…(bread & butter) to our fabulous collection of products!
- Stampin Trimmer – this is simply the BEST on the market….anywhere – any store….this is the best! I know when it came out, many of my customers said – "I already have a trimmer, why would I want another one…." Well – by the next month – they ordered it! Why to l love it so much….easy!
- The size – I love the fact that it is sooooo portable and that you can make 12" cuts…you can SCORE with it – that in itself is a HUGE WOOT-WOOT!!!
- I love that you can buy replacement blades and scoring blades and that the cuts are sooooo accurate as the guide cannot be "worn" down as it is "under" the clear part!
- To me – this is a total necessity and honesty I bought another one to put the Rotary Additon on it so I do not have to take it on and off…this way I have the felxibility to make all sorts of cuts – small scallop border and a tiny wave border
- Paper Snips – ok…this is another thing that I am sure many of you say….I have a pair of scissors…why would I spend $9.95 for a pair….well if you have them you aready you already know that they are the best scissors in the world…I just lost another pair to one of my "peeps" that is a school teacher as he said – WOW – these are the best…and off they went to Boston!
- For those of you that do not like to "fussy cut" – this is your "dream machine" – once you try them – you'll be hooked – but buy 2…..you'll never regret it!
- The are the best to take on planes….because of the case – I never have an issue with them as I have a pair in my needlepoint kit!!!
- Craft Scissors – ok…I know that these are REALLY $$$$$ and it took me 2 years to purchase them and everytine I use them I say to myself – why in the heck did I not but these before! This is why I adore them!
- The are literally a weapon…..I am serious – they are the heaviest and sharpest scissors in the world! To cut ribbon with "no frays" – this is the ticket! I can cut piece of ribbon "flush" to the edge of a card and you would think that I wrapped it around….nope! they are just that sharp!
- I realize that they are $$$$ but as my Mom always said, you pay for what you get! This is a great item to use a 1/2 price item or use your hostess rewards with! Do it….you will not regret it!
- Big Shot Magnetic Platform – This is simple a no-brainer….remember how it was sold out for sooooo long and soooooo many people were frustrated!?!?! – Well, the reason is….SIMPLE – it is the BEST! This is a super easy "why" I love it!
- Do you remember how frustrating it was to have "stick it notes" to hold your framelits in place??? YIKES – who wants to do that!!! This eliminates every frustration in the book…but REMEMBER – you still need to use your cutting pads!!!
- I love to use this tool to get out a "peek -a boo" on the front of my cards….and stamp an image on the inside!
- This also is great to use 2 different sizes of a framlit to cut out to make a wider frame which will create a wow statement!
- Designer Series Paper Stacks – I know that I said that I was not going to go with "solid paper" but this is different…to me – these are a MUST in my opinion as with all of the other options that we have with lining and decorating our cards and envelopes….these paper stacks are just wonderful! Why….
- They come in every color palate that we offer so you know that you will ALWAYS get s fun paper to match a project you are working on!
- They are a great accent to make a POP happen with a simple card! Each color comes in4 differnt print schemes….so you will never be bored witht he variety of prints!
- Candy Dots – Who ever thought of these was nothing short of brilliant!!! LOVE THEM….they are so easy to use!
- These also come in every color collection that we have…and they are just $5.95 for 100 dots! It is a perfect quick accent to make a card go from o.k. to WOW with just a simple touch!
- The easiest way to get these gems off…use your paper snips to get "under" the adhesive or use your paper piercing tool….works everytime!
- Stampin' Scrub – ok…I know that many of you are going to think that this is not a necessity but i TOTALLY disagree….why….look below!
- This keeps your stamps clean and in great condition! We all have heard that it takes a while to create a habit….to me – it is someting that I need to do for at least 7 to 10 days in a row to make it become a habit = well ….this is the same with the Stampin' Scrub…I ALWAYS use it each and everytime I stamp!
- If you have it out…right as you are working and have the Stampin' Mist right beside you…(this is a must – get the refill and the little one to mist and you are set for a L O N G time) – you will get USED TO STAMPIN'…CLEANING…PUTTING YOUR STAMPS AWAY!!!!
- I get asked often….how often to your clean it? Well…no secret recipe…just when I feel like it's been a while! I simple run it under the sink and "squish" water all around until I see the water run clear and then pat it with a paper towel….and then put it on a drying rack and by morning – it's ready to be used !!! This REALLY is a must in my eyes – LOVE IT and would not be without it!!!!
O.k. – I know that I am totally rambling on and I just showcased only 7 items today….but I am going to continue with these types of posts over the next week!!! I hope that they have been helpful to you and also have enlightened you to our products….
Now here is a way for you to WIN some fun! Please leave me a comment or send me an email and I will put your name in a "pot of gold".…and after all 3 posts…I will pick one person from the random.org sight to make it fair for everyone and you will have the chance to win in honor of the NEW YEAR….
$20.00 worth of Stampin' Up! products of your choice
PLUS 14 handmade cards and envelopes from me = did you get it???
2014
This way you will have 3 chances to win if you follow my blog everyday
…WOOT-WOOT!!!!
I thank you for popping by today and I truly wish you a Happy New Year! I am not a huge fan of New Year's resolutions as honestly I cannot seem to keep them and I think there are times that we put the "Bar too high" for what we are trying to achieve….so I just try to be aware of what "I what I want to be about…what I want to set out to accomplish…and what I would like to see myself STRETCH a bit out of my comfort zone" and to try to do something nice for someone each and everyday….
Remember to leave me a comment and you could win the 2014 blog candy for the start of the NEW YEAR! If you are a SUD that follows my blog….please leave me a comment – we all work together and I too go to your blogs for inspiration!
This time next week…I will be in Houston at the Leadership Convention and I am OVER THE TOP excited…to be with the PALS…meet some of the friends I have met this past year from my blog and also get a BIG hug from Patsy Waggoner…she is the SUD that has helped me with my blog design!!!
Here's to a great year ….Unitl tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 31, 2013 | Birthday, Super Easy |
Now here is a card that just anyone…any age would enjoy! Festive and fun is the name of the game today and it kind of reminds me of balloons and polka dots – they always make me happy!
I made this card for a very special man that just turned 90! He is amazing…still lives on his own…still drives…still adores to travel (actually within the past year he went to Europe for 6 weeks) and on Saturday his family honored him with a special Birthday Dinner Party!
I was going to do something very masculine and actually John said to use the geese in the Wetlands Stamp Set but I just wanted something whimsical and fun as I am sure that he received many cards that were like that!
Let's get going…and please keep "happy" thoughts for Mr. Bohman and that he has many more special milestones ahead!
- I made my own note-card in Very Vanilla – a 3 1/2" X 5" card base and then I cut 3/4" off of the front panel with the paper trimmer!
- Knowing that I wanted to use the Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper for the envelope, I let the colors guide me to the color scheme for today but I must admit – I made a boo-boo and did not even notice until I was writing down my supplies….(you'll see later) I cut a 3/4" X 5" strip of Bermuda Bay card stock and ran it through the Big Shot with the Large Scallop Edgelit! So fast and simple!
- Adhering it with a small stream of Tombow liquid glue…I placed it to "peek" out from the front – I thought that this would give a bit of a different and unique twist! I love using this glue as you have a bit of "wiggle" before it sets up!
- Wanting to use the Pennant Parade Stamp Set as it has been AGES since I have used it…I thought a quick and simple "party hay" would be fun – this is where I made my boo-boo – I used Island Indigo instead of Bermuda Bay and guess what – it looks great! See…you need to "roll with things"!!!
- Using the colors of Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo and Gumball Green….I randomly stamped the little design here and there….and then naturally had to add my trademark "Susan dots" Hint and tip: – don't be afraid to stamp off the sides…doing this gives a more natural and free flowing look to your card making!
- To the inside of the card I used the sentiment from the Cycle Celebration Stamp Set…I loved the font and the message was "spot on for Mr. Bohman"
- I made the envelope with the Envelope Punch Board (I really…..really wish that Stampin' Up! would come out with this note card size in Very Vanilla ) and because I wanted the "party hats" to be going to right way – I decided not to stress myself out with lining the inside of the envelope….the outside works just fine!
Now what do you think…..isn't this very doable! I was happy with the end result and I actually am looking forward to making cards with an "off set" like this! A change up every once in a while is fun and fresh!
Wowzers…this is the LAST DAY OF THE YEAR – exciting times! My heart is so full with all of the joy's I have been blessed with this past year…I have made goals and have obtained many of them…I am still working on some more…I am just super happy all the way around!!!
Tomorrow, I am going to share with you some of my "personal tips and tricks" with certain Stampin' Up! products and tell you why I love them! Hopefully you will not find it boring and my hopes are for you to walk away with a "nugget" that you will put to use!
Thanks for sharing a cup of coffee with me on this last day of 2013…..I cannot wait to share more fun times in 2014! Please feel free to email me and also remember – shopping in your jammies is fun….I know many of you are waiting for the new catalog, and I do not blame you…..you're gonna love it!
Be safe…we always stay at home….makes me happy cooking and being here….
Happy New Year and until next year!!!!
Stampin' hugs to you!
by Susan Itell | Dec 30, 2013 | Happy New Year |
The end of the year is sooo close that I want to share with you a card that I will be wishing family and friends all the best for the New Year of 2014!!!
Every year I challenge myself to see if I can “get it right” and write the “correct” year…and that lasts about a week at the best! How about you??? Can you get it right at the beginning of the year?
I have absolutely no complaints about how 2013 treated myself as well as my family! We certainly are blessed in so many ways! John and his injury was a BIG eye-opener to all of us and we are soooo incredibly thankful that he is doing great….he taught us all sooooo much as to what patience and a positive attitude can do!
As far as my Stampin’ Up! business…WOW – I have been able to do something that I never thought I could do….have a daily blog and I am just coming up to my 1 year of doing this…and I THANK YOU for your dedication, inspiration and endless comments and emails – having cyber friends, customers and now demonstrators from all over is a blessing in itself!
There are many things that by now you know that I love when it comes to my style of card making and an “odd size” of a card is one…and this card it just that….the size is 3” X 6” and with having the Envelope Punch Board….no worries on how to find an envelope that fits!
The focal centerpiece to this card comes from the Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die…and I know what you are thinking…this is one expensive die….and yep! It is…but I will say it is one piece that is a great “foundation” to make some very special cards!
For example today’s card is pretty darn special but it is super to have this die for making “initials” or “monograms” on cards…this is one addition to your die collection that I would use a 50% off hostess credit on!
Let’s get to it!
- The base is Very Vanilla cut at a 6” square and then scored at 3”! The stampin’ trimmer is one of the best “must have’s” in my opinion!
- The black piece is 2 ½” X 5” and then using the Scallop Trim Border Punch a simple punch gives an instant dimension to the card!
- You all know that I love to use lots of paper and I also like to save paper…so the Gumball Green is just a piece ½” x 5” and then I used the 2 way glue pen to adhere it!
- The champagne glasses came form the Embellished Events Stamp Set and this set has a bit of everything for anyone! Whenever I stamp with Black, I always us the Black Staz On Ink…to me – it gives the best coverage each and every time!
- I know…some of you simple do not like “fussy cutting” but these are not bad at all to cut out! What makes is a breeze is using the paper snips and REMEMBER….move the paper…not your hands and also make sure that you are cutting from the BACK of your scissors not the tips!
- Adhering this together was simple with the 2 way glue pen…this pen is something that I use often and also something that I use on envelopes! With the liners!
- A bunch of Stampin Dimensions to the rescue was the perfect lift for the card! What would we do without these gems! For a long and narrow card like this that I really want it to be lifted all the way around – I love to use the “edge” pieces…we do not waste a thing!
- The envelope was made from a 7 ½” square piece of very vanilla and then following the instructions on the Envelope Punch Board…I scored it at 2 5/8”. One thing that I found when you make a long and narrow envelope like this is that the “pointy” parts need to be trimmed off! You can see this from how I lined the outside of the envelope! I figured that it would be easier to do this and I like the “change up”. I simple used a piece of Designer Series Paper from the coordinating In Color Paper Pack and presto…a great finishing touch!
- This is a special time of the year…. a time to “celebrate” so I needed to stamp on the outside of the envelope! The “Cheers” came from the Delightful Dozen Stamp Set and I just used the Gumball Green Marker to get the “Cheers” part! Perfect….DONE!
“Cheers” to all of YOU! I hope that this card inspires you to go to your craft space and make a New Years Card! You can easily use a New Year’s Card to write thank–you notes from the holiday season …to write a message to someone wishing the the best year ahead…it’s a great way to move forward with new hopes and inspirations for the New Year!
Let’s get back to the earning a 50% off item…I might live in Maryland and you might live in Alaska but you can still have an event with me! Please shoot me an email and I will be happy to send you a hostess code and you can have a cyber party! It is a great way to get products at a discount and also get FREE hostess rewards!
Enjoy the day and I hope that you are thinking about the year that is about to come to an end…and do some goal setting and dreaming for the year ahead!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 29, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig |
Today's post is one that brings a big smile to my face as it is truly "my kind of card"….sweet…simple…easy to make…and very practical! This is the style that I just love…and I think that this will be a breast cancer card for January!
I have lots of pictures and tips for you today….so let's get to it! I thank you for many sweet messages and comments yesterday and it was great to feel like I was "missed" – this blog has become such an extension to who I am and it is a joy to share my passion and love I have with Stampin' Up!
- The Coastal Cabana card stock is 4 7/8" X 3 3/8" and look at the pictures below…you can see that I am a "paper saver" – why not maximize the paper as it will be covered up! I used the liquid multipurpose glue…this is so affordable and sooooo strong!
- The whisper white piece is 4 1/2" X 3" and using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for the perfect placement of this sweet sentiment from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set – a great sentiment set….!!!
- The twine in "pool party" is a sale-a-bration item…super cute and there is no doubt about it – there are sooooo many "keepers" for sale-bration that you are going to want many, many things! Look at the picture below to see how I anchored this…a little tip for you!
- To keep the twine nice and tight…an easy trick is to use a small piece of sticky strip and then you can simple utilize this adhesive for perfect placement!
- Now this is a MUST HAVE BUNDLE when the new catalog comes January 3rd….this stamp set is called Petite Pairs and it has a coordinating punch = a bundle = a BIG WOOT-WOOT as you will save an instant 15% (darn, I wish I could show you a picture of the stamp set….but soon enough – trust me – it's a keeper!
- TIP ALERT: Take a pencil and roll the flowers to give them some shape and movement – use a simple glue dot to adhere! The little bling of the brights candy dot in real red makes the WOW come to life!
- Another must have with the new catalog is the Fresh Prints Designer Paper Stack….I am sooooo happy that Stampin' Up! is continuing to come out with these….you get 48 sheets for $6.95! I lined the envelope with this fun print – you can line 2 envelopes with a 1/2 sheet of paper!
- Time to make the mailman smile – before I cleaned my stamps I stamped the front of the envelope! This is an easy yet fun way to make an envelope extra special!
I hope that this bright and cheerful card made you smile…Have a super-duper day and 2 of my peeps are on their journey back….be safe if anyone is driving and please make sure that you pop back tomorrow for more inspiration!
I am glad that we are back on track with having our morning cup of coffee together! Thanks for your support and precious time! I love what I do and I love inspiring YOU!!!!
Remember, you can click here and order at anytime!!! You all are going to LOVE the new catalog…hang tight – January 3rd will be here soon!
Until tomorrow!
