by Susan Itell | Dec 20, 2013 | Love, Super Easy, Valentines |
Now let me inspire you as this card will literally take you minutes to create! I was a stamper that was not "crazy" about these "pre-printed" cards….BUT my opinion has changed!
FAST works…FAST is easy…and FAST makes you feel GREAT!
Today's card was an inspiration to me from Stampin' Ups! bi-monthly magazine called Stampin' Success….when you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator you will get this magazine mailed to you and it is always filled with fabulous ideas!
When I saw this…I knew that I would be making this as take a look at this picture and you will see why and then I am sure that you will have a big smile on your face as this is a beautiful picture of my daughter Hannah and her boyfriend, Aiden!
When I first saw this picture…I thought for sure that it was "photo shopped" but it was from her I-Phone and they asked someone to take this amazing picture! So young, such a great memory….such a fun time they have together! Whenever I see something with the Eiffel Tower…I usually break down and get it for her!
Another thing that I ADORE about this card is the size…yep – a BIG WOOT-WOOT as it is a "note-card" size…my all time favorite! Jazzing it up a bit, I used another go-to necessity product…the envelope liner framelit and of course, Mr. Big Shot helped me make it happen!
I am doing the WOOT-WOOT dance again, as in the NEW Occasions catalog they are having a paper stack…this liner is from the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack- LOVE IT!!! The size of these papers are perfect for matting on a card or lining an envelope!
Let's get back to the Note Cards…remember, these are limited as they are part of the Valentines offerings….and they are called Sweet Sayings Cards and Envelopes! You will get 12 pre-printed cards and envelopes for just $5.95!!! Please do not wait to get these goodies….as they are real keepers!!!
The Stamp Set is called Follow My Heart, and I think the title sums it up! A great, clean, simple and fun set!
A simple Stamp here and another simple Stamp there…is all that is needed…..and then my "Susan Dots" for the final touch….simple – flat – and DONE!
I know that one thing we have in common is…we run short of time…we run short of ideas…we love stamping and creating but there are times that "life get's in the way" This quick and easy card will clearly bring a smile to anyone's face!
I know that you all have seen sooo many holiday ideas, I thought that it was time to show a little Valentines fun…This set will definately be a Breast Cancer Card Set and I already have an idea of what stamp/sentiment to use….just LOVE this size!
Today is Friday!!! YEAH!!! I am excited! Hannah arrived home safe and sound around midnight on Wednesday and was out the door yesterday morning to go ride her horse! She amazes me with her energy and continual passion she has for her horses!
I have a couple of "home stretch" Holiday Fun to share with you over the weekend…one that my dear friend Jeannie is going to share with me….it WILL be the holiday place cards for my Christmas Dinner!!! Please pop back and please subscribe to my daily blog!
You all are going to love the new Occasions catalog and also the Sale-A-Bration items are TO DIE FOR! Stampin' Up really out-did themselves…and to think they will be FREE when you support your fun….inky habit!
Have a fabulous day and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 19, 2013 | Birthday |
It's Thursday and you know what that means…time for another Pals Paper Art Challenge! Here is the challenge this week…it is a sketch challenge from Pal, Margaret Moody….her talent is endless!!!
Well, before I get started…I have a confession!
This is the 1st time I have "played" with the new stamp sets from the SUPER great Occasions Catalog that is coming out with the New Year….BUT…I knew I needed to make a birthday card for my dear friend Kathleen…(she's one of the Iguana's) so….I thought the Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper was PERECT!
Well…it would have been perfect BUT – I used the wrong color….BUT the GREAT NEWS was….I instantly thought…Kathleen loves the Ravens Football Team so I will make it work!
Let's get to it!
1st – this stamp set is WONDERFUL…it is a new stamp set that will be in the Occasions Catalog and I am super happy to give you a "sneak peak"!!! "It "stamps beautifully for a big stamp" and it was fun using the colors of the Ravens to make it this fun card for her special day!
The card itself is a 5" X 7" card…(I know over sized and an extra postage card) but it's worth it….as Kathleen is one special person!
The stamped image is Rich Razzleberry on a piece of Whisper White – 5 1/8" X 3 3/8" and then I matted it with a piece of Basic Black….just an 1/8" larger!
For the focal "stripe part" I started with a piece of white card stock at 5 3/4" X 4" and then the "stripes" at 1 1/2" wide! Easy-peasy!!!
The "cup cake" stamp is PERFECT for Kathleen as her and her husband own a bakery and their specialty is "cupcakes"….
The punches I used were the 1" circle punch and the 1 1/4" scallop circle punch! Quick..Easy…DONE!
Making an envelope is SUPER easy no matter what size your card it…just pull out the Envelope Punch Boar…look at the super awesome chart right on the board…find the appropriate size of the card your making…BAM….they will tell you exact
For this 5 X 7 card…I needed a piece of card stock measuring 9 1/2" X 9 1/2"…then follow the score number – BAM = a perfect envelope! I like to cut off the "point" part of the piece that you fold up. I simply take a ruler and lightly draw a line…to the trimmer it goes….slide and done!
How did I make the custom liner for this "odd size" of envelope? Again, easy-peasy…watch this video from my wonderful and talented upline, Mary Fish and it will make perfect sense to you! For those that like written directions here you go in a nut shell!
- After you follow the paper size and the scoring size… – easy to make the liner – take a ruler and measure from the end point of the envelope to the "valley" of the side of the envelope…find that number…make a square and PUNCH – WHAM you are good to go!!!! (For this – I used a 5 3/8" square)
This is a fun sketch and I would encourage you to look at the sketches that are on the Pals Paper Art Website and look through them and see what you think that you will use over and over again!
I hope that you will HOP on and take a try at this challenge….it is fun and this card will be perfect for my friends special day! These challenges are open to ANYONE and that means YOU!!!! If you need help uploading a pictures of a card that you created…I will be happy to help you!
You can email me and I wil be happy to walk you through it!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 18, 2013 | Christmas, Super Easy, Thank You |
A week from today is the big day of Christmas! Unreal that this calendar has been buzzin' by so fast but this is a special time of the year for many, many reasons! We all have different memories…I truly wish that we could all be together and have one big chat session and hear all of the memories and stories each of us have!
As I am typing this post, I looked at John (who is doing great – last week he received the green light to start driving – progressing amazingly with his physical therapy – so proud of his patience, positive attitude and dedication) and I said to him…this time next week it will be Christmas Eve!!!!
We had a great chat of how it will be great to have the children all home again and Hannah will be the 1st to make the trek back to Maryland! The next thing we talked about was great memories of the holidays and the checking the list….making sure that Santa ate some cookies and spilled a bit of milk…..and then as we would try to fall asleep awaiting for the big day….we would always say…."Do we have batteries!!!!"
To all of the parents out there…you know what I mean but today – most things are all electronics but I would never let go of the memories of putting things together, reading instructions….see the ultimate joy in the children's eyes!
Ok…time to hop off of "memory lane" and get to this clean and simple card! We all know…we will need to send notes of thanks to family and friends!
This is a "Susan" card all the way around as it comes together super fast…can be "dressed up" or "super simple" and it is using some of my favorite things and techniques!
The card size is my favorite note card size, finished size, 3 1/2" X 5" and Stampin Up! has the envelopes in this size…I say WOOT-WOOT – I go thru this size in both the Crumb Cake and Whisper White….such a quick and easy size!
Using the Water Color Paper, I stamped this great little gift using the Black Staz On ink….(the ONLY way to go when you are watercoloring….one of my all time favorite techniques to do!!!) I feel like an artist just having the Aqua Painters in my hand…so much fun and soooo relaxing!
I matted this piece on a slighly bigger piece of Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, 2 1/4" and then matted it again wth the super fun Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper ( this is 2 3/4" square). Do polka dots make you smile? This paper is always a "pick me up" to me!
I wanted to add a BIG statement with the Cherry Cobbler Stitched Ribbon so I thought I would take the plunge and use another piece of Crumb Cake to set it "up and off" the card base!!! This ribbon in itself is a WOW statement!
Isn't this a simple yet sweet card…one that anyone would love to receive! I played around with the envelope and decided to line the "back flap" to change it up a bit….and then stamped a simple "Thank You" from the Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set ( a MUST to purchase if you do not have it) – trust me, you'll use it over and over!
CONFESSION TIME: – I never thought I would like these "clear stamp sets" but I am "eating my words" as I adore them….they are soooo easy to use!!!
That's it….so quick and easy….now I ask you….ARE YOU READY? I must admit I am not, but at the same time I am not trying to let it get to me as it simply is about family, friends, love and memories…I am so thankful to have my peeps home!
Something we have not shared much about….what are some favorite Holiday cookies in your home! I need to get to baking and we always have to have some of the all time favorites…Snicker-doodles, buck-eyes, Creme de Menthe Brownies….
Please leave a comment and give me some of your favorite yummies –
it will be fun to see what's cookin' in your home!
In this season of giving thanks…I thank each and every one of you that are so faithful and inspiring to me and my Stampin' Up! fun! I would love for you to be on this fun ride of inspiration with me….sounds like a perfect Christmas Gift!!!
Email me, I would live to talk about the fun and ese of being a demonstrator! Have a great "hump day" and enjoy the journey…..
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 17, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Christmas, Super Easy |
Good Morning! With the countdown here…many people give a simple check or perhaps a bit of cash for a gift during the holiday! Even though it might not be very creative – at the same time this way the person can get whatever they like!
What can be creative is how it is presented!!!
This is a SUPER CUTE and SUPER EASY gem to whip up!!! I have made sooooooo many of these and I know that the idea has been around for years – to me…it works!!!
Remember last week when the Clearance Rack was stocked? Well….this is a great example of getting "a deal" pays off! Last night when I was making some for orders….I thought….USE THE PAPER that was a deal! It is super beautiful and it works!
I have had many people POP into my office asking for a last minute "something" and this works – while watching "The Voice" last night….I put together a bunch!
Ready….get your paper and LET'S GO!!!!!
- Cut a piece of DSP to a 7 " square. This paper is from the Season of Style Designer Series Paper!
- Score at 1 1/4" and 4 1/4"…..fold on the score and use a Bone Folder for a crisp edge!
- Use the 1" Circle Punch and pop out a cut 1/2" circle to make it "easier" to "get the goods" out!
- Take a piece of sticky tape and put on the EDGE….remember – your check will go in there!!!
- I love the Scallop Trim Border and this just MAKES this project! I start with a piece of paper at 1" X 7" and then POP it out…..below you will see 2 pictures….I know that many of you email me when you do not get this even…..it you put the edge of the paper as shown – works like a charm every time!!!
- Simply Use whatever sentiment you heart desires! I used this from the Christmas Messages Stamp Set….so fun and versatile!
- The Belly Band is a piece of Cherry Cobbler – 7" X 1 1/4" and then the whisper white is 7" X 3/4" (you would not have to use both papers – but I love how it looks) Score this at 2 1/8" and 5 1/4" (or you could just fold it around the project) TIP ALERT: – Make sure when you adhere the Belly Band together (I use sticky strip) and make sure that you do not get it too tight….you want it to slide easily!!!
Well….what do you think???
Isn't this EASY!!!! You will be AMAZED at how fast this goes….when I make them – I make a bunch – go ahead and cut all of your paper…do the punching…..do all of the stamping at once etc…..
I just love practical projects that will always bring a smile! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions! This is a great way to use up paper and then you have PLENTY left over to line envelopes…make a "sour cream paper treat" etc…..
We all know how to use up paper scraps – save them….save them – we all have so many tricks in how to use them up!!!
Thanks for popping by and you know what tomorrow is……one week BEFORE Christmas!!!
Hopefully everyone is doing well with their shopping and baking…such a busy time of the year – such a fun time of the year! Be safe….and please share my Blog with your family and friends! You can subscribe right from my blog so you get a daily dose of "Susan" everyday!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Dec 16, 2013 | Uncategorized |
Yesterday's post was super fun and I let my dear husband do the talley's for me as I had my "hands to my work space" and finished up Holiday orders …and I am THRILLED to say – I am done!
Between comments left on my blog and emails that were sent – I had over 42 comments – (votes) and the winner is……
1st place = #6…WOWZERS – here is the link!
2nd place…at a very close race was #1 – here is the link!
and third place was #3 – here is the original link……click here!
I went ALL day without looking at the computer as I really wanted to get all of my orders behind me so I can continue to have fun making things for my family and friends…..and a BIG thank you to my hubby for helping me!!!!
I am going to take your advice and I will show you some "tweaks" that I might have to do because of paper etc…This was a FUN way to get great feedback! I am going to change up some colors of paper and I have some ideas ready….we'll see how it works out!
Do you remember that I had a pity party last week when my order did not come in…well it did and I was "strong" – (I guess a bit) that I did not DIVE into it until I fulfilled my orders and then…….when I saw a new vellum paper…..WOW – I can see a beautiful Holiday card in the making!
Monday's I only work a half day….so after doing some errands – I can hardly wat to get home and create! My mind is already spinning and I know that you will smile!!!!
A BIG THANK YOU for helping me with my holiday cards…..I am going to try to change the color of the poinsettia and see if I can get an "Ivory" color! I will be sure to report back!!!! I also LOVED the comment about how it mails! – I am going pop one in the mail to a friend that will be TOTALLY honest with me…and I will let you know!!!!
Let have a SUPER week and keep telling yourself…..PACE YOUESELF – HAVE FUN – REMEMBER what the JOURNEY is about…..
One thing that I tell my children time and time again…..
"If there is no joy in the journey…there is no joy in the journey's end!
I LOVE this message and I hope that it makes you stop and reflect!!!! Have a great and safe week – this IS a stressful time of the year – but make sure that JOY is in YOUR journey!
Until tomorrow!
