by Susan Itell | Dec 28, 2013 | Birthday, Christmas |
These past several days have been FUN…a WHIRLWIND….but FANTASTIC and….
I missed my daily blogging…and I missed YOU!!!
Let me give you a quick recap…we had a fabulous Christmas and it is magical to have all of the peeps home chirping under the same roof…we have done everything and nothing all at the same time! When I say this, I mean – we have just enjoyed each other…no time schedules…no expectations….lots of cooking…game playing….sitting watching silly movies etc…
On Christmas Eve (in the morning) my Dad fell and I had to take him to an urgent care – he is fine but at 82 and has had hip replacements, you can not take a chance! Unfortunately he did not make it to Emma's for our special night but it is doing great!
After going here and there and having multiple things come up on Christmas Eve…I simply could not get my blog ready for you! This is the card I was going to share with you on Christmas morning and I decided to go ahead and share it with you as I think that it is super cute!
One of my childhood friends, John Hershey, has the luck of having his birthday on Christmas Day! I always felt sorry for him when I was a child as I felt he was always "ripped off" for gifts!
Now as we both turned the magical age of "50" this year, I view it very differently…a true gift! He is the last of the "friends" for this year in turning 50…many of us that turned 50 this year have known each other all of our lives…when I think about it – it is pretty special that so many of us were born and raised in our town and that we have all stayed here!!! There is something special about a small town!
Enough babbling…let's get to it!
- The size of this card is 5" X 7" – I thought for a milestone birthday, John deserved a special card! Because I was not exactly sure of the "placement" with the sentiments, I did use a piece of paper just 1/8" smaller and it worked perfectly!!!
- The sentiments came from the Sassy Salutations Stamp Set and this is a "keeper one" – just adore the whimsical feel of the font! Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement…this came together easy-peasy! The colors of ink that I used were Gumball Green and Real Red!
- The focal 50th came from the Memorable Moments Stamp Set and this stamp set sure does come in handy when you want a specific number etc…..
- LOVE framelits and WOW – doesn't this work perfectly! These are from the Labels Collection Framelits…and it is super fun to layer different sizes to create a special WOW effect! A quick "stitch" around the edges gives is a fun and festive feel!!!
- You can see that I used my Stampin' Vitamins…aka – Stampin' Dimensionals in LOTS of place – these little wonders truly make a HUGE difference to a card…
- Have you checked out the Clearance Rack??? well if not CLICK HERE and see the fun and savings! I used the Holiday Collection Framelit Dies and yep! they are on sale!!! There are some stamp sets that get retired but I hang onto them and this one….Scentsational Season Stamp Set is one that I love and now I am happy to see that the framelits are on sale! For $14.99 – I say WOOT-WOOT!!!
- You know how I made the envelope…..the envelope punch board to the rescue! Use that simple guide…find the card size…cut your paper…punch – score = DONE!
This card is a great "formula" to use for a multitude of cards…doing a "repeat" of a sentiment is always a great focal part and also if you did it on a tone on tone – the result would be super and then let the POP come from the center stamp!
I'll do a card this way on my blog in the future! Remember, when you are paper crafting…there is no magical wand to what works…just roll with what feels comfortable to you!!!
I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday season with family and friends….I have missed my "cyber friends" and a BIG hugs to each one of you!
Please share my blog with your friends…I am SUPER excited for you to see the NEW catalog….I will be posting new cards using these new goodies! Thanks for popping by and…..
Until tomorrow!!!!
by Susan Itell | Dec 24, 2013 | Love |
I cannot believe that it is Christmas Eve! Today is a special day for me as not only does my “last peep” fly home later today but a tradition our family does on Christmas Eve is to get together with 3 other families and their children and have THE most special meal and time!
I can honestly say that my late Mom used to look forward to this time for MONTHS…. planning out what she was going to wear….figuring out what she was going to make for an appetizer…and just sooooo excited with anticipation to see what my dear friend Emma would make for dinner and to see how she would decorate her beautiful home!
We all have friends with a variety of talents…and I will say – Emma is TALENT to the max with flower arranging, menu selections and cooking…and she just knows how to have a special time! My dear Dad still comes to this fun event and we all share Gi-Gi stories and we all know she is with us!
Here is a card that will be on my “peep James” pillow when he goes to bed to let him know how special it is to have him home! It will be great that Santa will see that all 3 peeps are home…making it easier for him to do his job!
I am showing you a “sneak peak” of one stamp that is in NEW Occasions Catalog that will be coming out on January 3rd and it is sooo over the top great and I think that you will be doing the “happy dance” not only with the new stamp sets…but there are several bundles! This stamp set is called Just Sayin' and it is filled with great sentiments!
Bundles are great for many reasons…for one thing they save us a bunch of time as having a framelit makes it easy to cut out an odd shape…but the BEST thing is when you make a purchase as a bundle…you will save 15%…another reason to say WOOT-WOOT!!!
This is a very straightforward card but it is sweet and one that will bring a smile to you!!! The fun little “monster” stamp came from the Monstermaniacs stamp set …. these little guys are sooooo cute and fun to make someone smile!
This set is a bit different – please read below in italics and who knows – maybe you will be the next one to have their idea created into a stamp set:
Monstermaniacs, by Doris D., is the second winning stamp set from In With You, our new stamp set design challenge beta program.
In July, art enthusiasts were given the challenge to create a monster themed stamp set. Voters fell in love with her design and voted the set to victory!
Stampin' Up! will be running ongoing contests and would love your participation! Join the fun at http://inwithyou.ideascale.com
I knew that I wanted to “watercolor” this little guy so naturally I used the Water Color Paper to use the Aqua Painter…this really is a necessity in my opinion…this paper is meant to have water on it!!!
Matting it onto a piece of Crumb Cake before putting this on the Night of Navy was as simple as 1,2,3!! I did POP it up with Stampin’ Dimensions to give it a bit of simple bling!
The envelope was simple…I looked to see what “color family” the Night of Navy was from…”Regals” – then went to the Regals Designer Series Paper Pack and PRESTO – a perfect color match and with the help of the envelope liners framelit and the Big Shot…Done with a quick turn!
I hope that you are ready for the festivities that tomorrow brings…have fun – make lots of memories – laugh a lot – and eat some great food!!! The reason of the season it the most important part of this whole busy time and I hope that you can take time to remember the reason of the season with great reflection!
I have soooo many things to be grateful and thankful for…seeing my wonderful husband getting stronger and stronger each and everyday has been a wonderful process to witness! He is my rock! His positive attitude and gratitude has been amazing and I admire him so!
Tomorrow is going to be a “real simple” post as I am sure that we are ALL going to be super busy with family and friends! I hope that each of you know how much I appreciate your support, comments and it is YOU that makes me sooooo dedicated to my blog….
I thank YOU for giving ME the gift you give me everyday…popping by and inspiring me!
Merry Christmas…until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 23, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Christmas |
This IS Santa's BIG WEEK!!!
Now I realize that these have been around for sometime but I just HAD to share "my Santa makings" for my Holiday Table! I am using them at each place setting and no doubt they will be a hit!
Yesterday I pointed out to you a product that is on the Clearance Rack…the Sweater Trim….LOVE IT – but highlight of this post is A MUST FOR YOU!!! It is still on the clearance rack and seriously, I would click here and order it today!
It is called Petal Die Bigz L Die...and for just under $20.00 – you will be amazed at all of the different things you can do! Please click here and here for other 3 D projects that I have done with it! Just because it is on clearance…this is one product that I would never part with as I love all of the goodies it can make!
I was inspired my my dear Stampin' friend Jeannie as every time we talked on the phone she said she was busy making these Santa's for her husbands office party! I was so excited to see them and then when I did….I was WOW….and then when she said she made 28 I was like REALLY WOW – you are my hero!
If you do searches for this Santa, there are many versions… – here is what I used for this this adorable Santa…my hope is to give you some tips and tricks that will make this come to life for you… it is super cute and it is easy…it just is much easier to make a bunch of them…and once you have a method – it all makes sense!
Trust me, next year I will be making these for holiday shows that I do….just think of the ideas you use….put candy inside, money, a gift card, a Christmas Message….the sky is the limit! The colors I used were the ones that would work for me in my home….Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke and Blushing Bride!
I totally recommend that you use sticky strip when you do projects like this! You need this strong hold! When you go to make one of these dear Santa's you will need to cut (2) cones out….fold at the score lines and use Sticky Strip to hold them together! TIP ALERT: take a sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 paper and cut 1 1/2" off the long side, then cut that at the 5 1/2" mark and you can cut (2) from one sheet of paper and still have a nice strip of leftover for later!
I used 8" of the Old Olive 1/8" taffets Ribbon and did a simple knot…Look at the nes]xt picture and you will see a super quick and easy way to put this on the cone! After you have it all adhered – take scissors and snip the end off and then drop the knotted ribbon in….I used a letter opener to push it through – EASY-PEASY!!!!
To make the Beard…I cut a piece of Very Vanilla 1 3/8" tall and a bit wider than the base of the box…I then took this peice to the box and drew a pencil line for the size….a simplt snip – snip and I have a template! DO THIS….it wll make it go sooo much faster!
Next I ran this through Mr. Big Shot withe The Pretty Prints Embossing Folder! When this came out….I was on the fence with it but I cannot get over how versatile it is….such a beautiful folder and I have used it time and time fr projects!
After you run it through, take a 1" piece of blushing bride and after putting Stick Strip on the bases….simple put the piece of blushing bride and then you can simply take a part of scissors and snip it "in line"
So easy….do not stress – once you have cut the shape – simply peel off the adhesive and adhere to the cone!
The super simple "mustache" came from the Bird Builder Punch and then the nose was a quick pop from the 1/2" circle punch! You can see how having basics can be a HUGE help in making something that "appears" hard to actually be easy!
The eyes were from a ordinary hole punch but a quick and easy tip….put the adhesive on the paper BEFORE you punch and then simply "punch them onto your finger" and it makes it soooo darn tootin' easy to place!
The brim of the hat and accents were super easy! I loved using the Gold Metallic Paper and I took a sliver of the Cherry Cobbler and then using the word window punch – easy!
The "holly" was from the Bird Punch as well and I snipped off a bit – adhered it to the back – added some "berries" and then the bling was from the basic pearls – I thought that this gave it a wonderful, classic touch!
The top of the hat was another great punch, Boho Blossoms! This gave it the finale that it deserves! I know that this is a super hard post to "take it all in" but it really is a great 3-D project! I had soooo much fun making them that I can hardly wait for Christmas dinner to be here!!!
I hope that you are smiling from this post and I will be sure to take a picture of my table on Christmas Day! PLEASE email me if you have any questions about this post….it is a really fun one to make up and the best thing is…..it has a HUGE WOW FACTOR! Super cute!
I hope that you are ready for the holiday! It is HERE…if you are not ( and I am NOT in many ways but it is…what it is!!!! Just roll with it!
My last "peep" is flying home Christmas Eve…can't wait!!!! Tomorrow's post is HIS CARD on his bed when he goes to sleep….a little note from Mom and Dad letting him know we are soooo happy to have him home!
Let's have fun this week…it will be a busy one and I am going to be a "bit quieter" to have fun with the family….enjoy your day and …
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 22, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Christmas, Super Easy |
Is this super cute or what! Sometimes it is fun to make a “simple gift” like cash or a check…be hidden and when they see the gift…they are really getting a 2 for 1!!!
Who wouldn’t love to get “cash” & have a bunch of M & M’s at the same time!
Good Old Fashion Mason Jars are the simple trick to this post!
I originally saw this idea on a post that Catherine Pooler had shared and she used the washi tape but I wanted to do something a bit different and I cannot believe how easy and fun this is….I know you are going to want to making these….so head over to the grocery store and get some jars!
Wouldn’t this be just adorable at Valentines and tuck a special “love note”
and then use conversation hearts or red candy hearts!!!
Let’s get to the fun!
The key to this fun is a “toilet paper” roll or you could use a paper towel roll and cut it in half! I used the Season of Style Paper Stacks and this works perfectly! I am sure that all rolls might be a bit different in size…but this was a quick 4” cut and then adhere it around and you are good to go!
TIP ALERT: Use your bone folder to help loosen up the fibers in the paper…our paper is fantastic and doing this will make it very soft and easy to work with! It will adhere much easier!
I simple put the decorated roll in the Mason Jar…filled it with M & M’s before adding the money…this way it is “anchored” a bit…and then easy-peasy…fill the jar up and you are good to go! You have “hidden the gift”!!!
Decorating the top could not have been easier! The 2 ½” Circle Punch works PERFECTLY….I just love it when things like this happen!!! So easy….so fast…DONE!
For the rim…I had plenty of leftover paper from the piece and a ¼” cut fits perfectly around the edge! Once again….can you say easy!
The card is a 3 X 3 card and I used the Gumball Green at 2 ¾” (I thought that this color looked better with the M & M’s) and then the fun reindeer is from the Very Merry Tags Stamp Set (I used soft Suede). A simple punch of a cherry cobbler for the nose and then the simple yet effective “Susan Dots” using the white gel pen!
Did you see the Cherry Cobbler Sweater Trim…I adore this and for just $3.59 for a roll….LOVE IT!!! – it is in the CLEARANCE RACK….click here and check out all of the goodies…..
I hope that this post will make you smile like it makes me smile! I have had soooo much fun making them and I just came up with the idea of doing one for my “dog sitter” and I think I am going to fill it with little dog bones…she will love it!!!
It is fun to think out of the box….there are times that it is just easier to let someone pick out what they want but making them feel extra special in how it is presented is truly the "icing on the cake" I hope that this post inspires you to have some fun making someone smile!
I thank you for having your coffee with me…I thank you for your comments…I thank you for inspiring me each and every day!!!!
As always, I am an email away with any questions! This is such a special time of the year….I truly wish each and everyone joy and happiness…..and fun of course!!!!
Huge stampin' hugs your way and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 21, 2013 | Love, Super Easy |
I thought that this clean and simple card would send the message…
"I love you to the moon and back!!!"
It is happening and I am SUPER excited as my "peeps" are coming home one by one…tonight, my oldest son Will is coming home! He is the one that has lived in China and this will be his 1st Christmas home in 5 years now that he lives and works in Boston!
I think that I could shoot to the moon with excitement that my children will be home…I do not know about you…but I think the older I become – I appreciate and cherish the simple things and to me….
I have asked them one by one….what cookies do you want???….what dinnersdo want???…what do you want to do???…what do you not want to do???….it is strange as this is the 1st time that I am working full time so juggling everything is a balancing act but worth it!!!
Let's get to this fun as it is a SNEAK PEEK from the Occasions Catalog that YOU WILL LOVE!
- The stamp set is from the NEW Occasions Catalog and I adore giving you a "sneak peek" – this stamp set is appropriately called "Love You To The Moon" (darn….wish I could show you the whole stamp set)
- The measurements of the card stock are…Whisper White – 4" X 2 1/2" and the Black is 4 1/4" X 2 3/4" and the Bermuda Bay is 4 3/8" X 2 7/8"! (This is a great and simple layout the always works out as a wwinner with just a simple change of the stamps!)
- The fun and festive fun came from the simple hearts that I punched out with from the Owl Builder Punch! It is amazing how many times I use this for just the "simple things"
- This whole card was created around the NEW designer Series Paper from the Occasions Catalog…called – Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper.…love all of the fun and festive prints!
That's it….but the best part is my very own handwriting inside this card letting Will know how happy I am to have him home!!! I am so proud of him…I am happy that he is happy! He is a teacher at a Montessori School in Boston – the kids love him and call him "Mr. Will"!!!
I hope that this post is a nice "change up" from all of the holiday posts and I hope that this is a SUPER DUPER day for you….have fun….get lots accomplished….and remember the reason of the season!
Until tomorrow!
