by Susan Itell | Dec 15, 2013 | Christmas |
I must start my saying a BIG WOOT-WOOT for all of the wonderful comments and inspirations yesterday's post meant to so many! It was wonderful to read all of the "positive energy" out there and wonderful to hear that we all do little things to make a difference!
Little things add up to BIG things and with this crazy world out there…every little step…every little gesture WILL make a difference….keep it up!
Today I am asking some help and feedback from YOU!!! Below I am showcasing several Christmas Cards that I have made over the past months and these are the ones that are my favorites and I want your feedback!!!
If you can…please leave me a comment with the numbers in the rankings of how you like them! I think it will be fun to see the results! I have (I think) my order and I have asked John what his order is….let's see what we come up with!
Let's go! (These are in no particular order….I just did a search of the cards I made….LOVE pinterest!
#1 – Here is the link to this post – A fun technique and does create a wow….I was think if it would work with the white craft in and putting maybe 1 drop of yellow to make it look like an ivory poinsettia….and them put that on Cherry Cobbler……that might be pretty!
#2 – Click here to see this post - I did change it….I re-did it and added tiny pearls….this is more like me!!!! Here is the "new" picture……
##3 – This card is a different color combination from the traditional Holiday colors….but it is beautiful and looks much better in person – here is the link for you to see the details!
#4 – Can you say clean, crisp and simple! This is a gem of a card – please click here to see this post!
#5 – Isn't it amazing that these simple words can create such a simple WOW….click here to see this post!
#6 – A fun and festive card…simple yet has a wow factor – live the bakers twine! Click here to see this post!
#7 – This is one of the "single stamps" that Stampin Up is offering this year….I have 2 pictures of this card – please click here to see the orginal post!
Well the hour glass has turned and I would love some feedback! I will say, I ADORE the Endless Wishes Stamp Set and I really wanted to show you more cards and projects with this set….but it SOLD OUT like HOT CAKES….so – when you see something that you like….GO FOR IT!!!!
Thank you for your time, dedication, inspiration and support you give to me! I am determined to finish up making orders for people and then "BE DONE" and focus on my fun!
Have a FUN day and please send me your list of numbers as to how you like the cards….it will be super fun to see everyones picks! I will post the results on Monday!
Be safe and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 14, 2013 | Uncategorized |
Happy Saturday to all! Today I was going to showcase a variety of Holiday Cards for you to help me pick your favorites to inspire me to "get going" on making some for family and friends!
CHANGE OF PLAN…and I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE TIME TO READ…
and WITH THAT SAID…LET THIS POST WARM YOUR HEART!
As I was typing my post I was watching the news….all of a sudden, I felt the need to pass on to you the message and importance of today.
As I was watching my heart was sadden with the pain and sadness that many families are feeling today as it marks the one year anniversary of the unnecessary shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
One message that I heard loud and clear was that the families want US to remember this terrible day by doing an "act of kindness" ….and that is what I am blogging about today! (sorry no card of inspiration, but I hope that the inspiration message will touch you and that you can make someone's day!!!!)
Tomorrow is a new day that I can get your help with my cards, but today I wanted to share the awareness that many of the affected families would like others to do! While I watched the news, my heart was so heavy and I simply could never imagine what these families have had to deal with over this past year!
As I was doing my post of holiday cards, John and I were watching an all time favorite – Toy Story!!! Our children are all grown but it hit me…here we are watching, remembering the fun we had with our children watching the "Toy Story's" Movies….and then I thought…these families that were effected by this terrible shooting will NEVER have the opportunity to share this joy! (I know that this is a minor point, but enjoying this time made me realize….)
I have learned as I have "matured with age" to appreciate and cherish special moments and to embrace what is dealt to you! After losing my Mom 3 years ago, I learned how important it is to cherish everyday!
I posted this on my facebook page, (which was previously posted by 2 people I totally admire…thank you John and Sabina) and I wanted to share it with you today and I hope that it warms your heart! This is a GREAT message and one that I honestly try to live by!
This is a motto that to me is a TOTAL KEEPER!
Today we are encouraged to do a random act of kindness…and my message to you is – do it.…and then not only be thankful that you did this, but think about the families that are effected by this tragic day!
On a totally different note but very similar in many ways….
I want to tell you a quick story about a special person named Harry!
We live in the country and I love to take walks! When we moved into our home/farm 9 years ago I was out for a walk and met a man names "Harry" that lived about 2 miles from us. We moved at Thanksgiving time and I was impressed that he was putting out sooo many Holiday lights!
Over the year I became more and more friendly with him as I walked past his house and I told him how much I admired his lights at the holidays! He always had a kind and warm smile and said "thank you….I enjoy doing it"
Well…after 2 Christmas seasons went by…I noticed he kept adding and adding to his collection of lights and lawn figures! In talking with him – he told me that he had to build a storage shed (more like a garage)…have an electrician add more power etc…..
I asked him – why do you do this?
With his wonderful smile he said, I do it for the children and families that it brings joy to! Well now, and for the past 6 + years, our donkey goes to "Harry's" house every year for about 4 weeks….to bring families joy in a living nativity scene he has! (he is a minature donkey that is adorable!)
Tonight as I was coming home from work…I went past "Harry's" house and saw all of the lights…saw my donkey in with his annual sheep (and actually I think he likes the attention)….but what I saw that totally warmed my heart…brought tears to my eyes was…the cars that were pulled over on this country road taking it all in!
(Here is another picture of him and you can see how small he is….he is actually a babysitter to the horse and best friend on the OTHER side of his fence, "Arnold" who is very old, very needy and has problems with is feet….and I had to separate them and this was just a "play group" session so everyone could see that everyone was fine while Arnold had some R & R in his stall!!!!
NEVER A DULL MOMENT!!!!
I pulled over and put my window down to say hello to me dear little donkey and out of the door came Harry to greet the cars that were stopped to see the glory….then from the side of his house came a Santa and Harry had a BIG chair in his yard! I turned my car lights off to take it all in….it was wonderful!
I apologise that I am not inspiring you with a card today….I just felt that I wanted to share this message with you!
To me, my blog is about sooooo much of me, my Stampin' Up life, my family life, and touching YOU!!!
I encourage you to do a random act of kindness today…if it is a simple smile to someone you do not know, holding a door for someone, picking up the phone to call someone you have not talked to in a while, pay someone a visit….whatever – know that you are making a difference!
Tomorrow is a new day, and I hope that you will pop back and look at my Holiday cards….but I hope that you will forward this post to anyone you know to spread the word to do something good today for someone!
I know that I am blessed in many ways…and taking the time to make a difference to others is minimal to what some have had to go through!
Thanks for listening and letting me into your heart!
Until tomorrow!!!!
p.s. – if you feel like it – please share how you made someones day….we all have gifts….let's inspire one another!
by Susan Itell | Dec 13, 2013 | Super Easy, Sympathy |
Good Morning! It is finally Friday! This has been a long week for me…and I am thankful that the weekend is here…please pop back to my Blog tomorrow as I need your help!
You all are the BEST in popping by….leaving me incredible comments….and I am going to share with you my favorite Christmas Cards and hopefully you will help me decide which one to do!!!
I need to "get on it" on Sunday and I have it narrowed down to my favorites!
Now to today's card…Our community has lost a very special person and I needed to send many cards to her family and friends that she always touched! We all know that when situations arise that we need a Sympathy Card, it is wonderful to have something on hand.
I always thought that I have a nice "stash" of cards for times like this – but I did not and I figured why not make a "keeper" card that can be easily made and at the same time be special! I think I captured both of my objectives with this card!
Let get going, please change up the colors as you would like…it is so classic and simple – you'll never get tired of it and you know that whoever receives it…will be touched!
- The size of the card is a Note Card size of 3 1/2" X 5"….a bargain as you can order them and get 20 cards and 20 envelopes for just $5.95!
- I cut a piece of Whisper White at 3" X 4 1/2" to be to focal part to the card ( you can easily just make this a single layer card but I think the white on white is very clean and classic!!!)
- Using the Love & Sympathy Stamp Set, I used the "brush" end of my markers and the colors are Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant. This works like a charm…give it a good "huff of stampin' love" and the ink goes on as well as if you used your ink pads!
- I easily could have used the sentiment from this stamp set…but when I did – I just felt like it was too wide for the size of the card so I went to the Best of Greetings and used the Sympathy sentiment! This is a great stamp set as the sentiments are all fantastic – I would definitely have this set on my shelf! Remember, these "Best of's" are limited editions…..click here to see them all!
- Wanting to so a simple yet elegant special touch I used the Dotted Scallop Punch Border Punch to frame the sides of this simple card! This is on sale this week on the "weekly deals" for just $11.96 and I highly suggest that you purchase one if you do not already have one! This card is a prime example of how a simple piece of paper can bring a card to the next level!
- There is only 1 think left to do…the envelope! I have not made that mailman smile lately so I did stamp the image outside of the envelope as well as line the inside of the envelope with the fun Polka Dot Parade Paper….this paper always brings a smile to my face!
You can see by today's post…simple works and simple is effective! Do you know what would be a fantastic gift to give a friend….a bunch of cards already made us! You could use this size of cards and envelopes and with getting 20 for $5.95….you could make up…
- (4) Sympathy Cards
- (4) Birthday Cards
- (4) Thinking of You Cards
- (4) Get Well Cards
- (4) Just Because Cards….
Now who wouldn't love and appreciate this as a gift! To top it off – you could tuck in the stamps…add a pen and PRESTO – a perfect gift!
Please pop back tomorrow to help "poll" my Christmas Cards…I appreciate your feedback….'cause you all are the BEST!
Have a great Friday and please do not under estimate the simplicity of clean and classic cards…today's card would be a fabulous card to have on hand…."just in case" you need a special card quick!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 12, 2013 | Christmas |
On December 1st, I felt like Cinderella and I was sooooo excited to order the new products that will be unveiled in January PLUS as a bonus in being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I was able to get the Sale-A-Bration items as well….and let me tell you…
"If you are lucky & get a Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate for Christmas…
you will be equally as excited to order these new goodies…
as they are keepers all the way around!
Well…I have been checking and checking on my order and it was to be delivered yesterday! I planned my day around the sight of seeing the Brown Boxes on my doorstep and planned to be home early from work to dive into the new goodies!
As I drove up to the house…all I saw was a LL Bean Box…a FED X package….that's is…no Stampin Up! Box for Susan so my smile instantly turned into a frown….then when I walked in the house and was greeted by my 5 adorable dogs and my precious Pig, Daisy Mae…I forgot about the box…(well for a bit)
Today is another PALS Paper Art Challenge….my favorites – a color challenge and here is the color palette to work with this week! I had my plan with the new goodies but I think you are going to LOVE this card!
This is not your typical "Susan" card….but it IS SUPER easy and super fun! I have seen this technique and thought I really wanted to try it – I am tickled with end result! TRY THIS…it is FUN!!!
Let's go…..this is soooo easy and again, I do hope you give it a whirl!
- The Stamp Set is the Joyful Christmas Stamp Set and I have been wanting to showcase this and today is the day! I just wish I could keep poinsettias alive at my own home….any suggestions!
- Are you ready for how easy and fun this is…simply use the Black Staz On Ink and Stamp the poinsettia on a window sheet and be patient….it will take about 3 minutes to dry!
- Take out some Crystal Effects and place about 3-4 drops of ink (I used Rose Red for the flower and Cajun Craze for the centers) and mix it around with an inexpensive paint brush. BRUSH AWAY and pretend that you are an artist….no worries it you go outside the lines….you will use your paper snips to cut it off!
- TIP ALERT: Make sure that you are "painting away" on the side that you stamped! Try to get the Crystal Effects as even as possible….(I like going a bit heavy so you do not see brush marks) make sure that after you do the below steps – it is good and dry before you cut it!
Did you know that the Crystal Effects is also an adhesive???….now it makes sense to me why it is on the adhesive page….you'll see in the end!
- After you paint away, take a piece of paper to save the product…and sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter all over the painted piece…do a TAP-TAP-TAP and presto….let it dry and your maserpiece is on it's way!
- Let's get back to the pretty end result….look at this beauty!
- The Card Stock is a regular A-2 card stock but cut at 4 1/2' and then scored at 5 1/2"! I think it fun to have a vertical card!
- The Wild Wasabi is 4" X 5 1/4" and the layered white is 3 3/4" X 5
After you do the magic of the painting….drying and cutting it out – all that is left it assembling! EASY or what! When you go to adhere it…simple – use the Crystal effects in the center and WOW – it works like magic and it also allows the leaves to come forward!
Layer them together….put Stampin Dimensionals on the "white focal part" and the best thing is…use a dap of the Crystal Effects to the center of the flower and PRESTO = it holds SUPER TIGHT and then it also allows the leaves to come forward! A GREAT effect!
- Stampin the sentiment was so easy and all that was needed..the stamp-a-ma-jig was my helper!
I know that the last touches are the envelope and I lined it with the coordinating Designer Series Paper….a perfect choice every time!
I hope that this post inspires you to pull out these 3 colors and "create away" – if you need help uploading your project simply email me. and I will be happy to help you!
I know that tomorrow is a NEW day and I am sure that my goodies will be here…..PATIENCE…I need to tell myself more than I do….
I hope that I have INSPIRED YOU today to try something different….if I can do it…you can too!
Have a great day and until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Dec 11, 2013 | Christmas, Super Easy |
The countdown has begun and I think that I need to make a decision on what card to make to send to family and friends! Each Wednesday I have been showcasing Christmas Cards that I would send!
I have really….REALLY been wanting to use the Expression Thinlits Dies as I think they are beyond super cool!!! I truly hope that Stampin' Up! makes more of these gems!
To me, they create an INSTANT wow factor and if you simply place a piece of wax paper before running through the Big Shot….the sentiment will come out like a gem!
Here you go….let me spoil you with the scoop on the "how to's"
- The next layer is Always Artichoke ( I love this color!!!) and it is cut at 2 3/4" X 5" and I did POP it up Stampin' Dimensions…then I took the Uni-Ball Gel Pen to do the stitching and dotting around the egde! A simple yet effective touch!
- The Crumb Cake layer is 2 1/4" X 4 1/2" and then the simple and elegant "Merry" became the focal point in a snap! I used the 2 way Glue Pen to adhere it! Works great every time! – I love this adhesives for hard to get to pieces!
- The "greens" are from the Bird Bulider Punch and the simple touch of some cherry cobbler berries was a finishing touch!
CONFESSIONS OF AN HONEST STAMPER: – To the "berries" I added a dap of Dazzling Details to the centers of the berries and then after I did it – I thought that I should have used the tiny pearls! At least the glitter gives a bit of bling!
THAT IS IT! This card comes together in a SNAP!!!! I actually ran upstairs and did it in between announcing the finalist for "The Voice"
The envelope was the magic of the Envelope Liner Framelit and we are soooo lucky that Stampin' Up did their magic in creating in this great product! I feel at times I need 2 of there just in case something happens to one!!! WOW – what a lifesaver!
On Saturday I am going to have a "poll" for you to help me make my decision on my card as I need to whip them out on Sunday! I think that I have some favorites but I would love your feedback!
I cannot thank you all enough for being so supportive! I hope that you enjoyed this super simple card….I think it is super cute!
Remember to check out the CLEARANCE RACK – and remember that you can win 10 gift card holders from me! Please click here to see the details!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!
