by Susan Itell | Nov 15, 2013 | Thanksgiving |
This card sums it up so much for me…I think it is beautiful, clean, warm and lends itself to this important time of the year! This IS the Thanksgiving Card that I am sending to let family and friends how thankful and blessed I feel to have them in my life!
The background Stamp is En Francais and it is one super large stamp! The “background” stamps are so interesting to create an element to a card that you would not think of!
I know it seems very elementary to you…but if you are anything like me…you learn “visually” and you also learn from others!
I used to never think twice about background stamps, probably because of their size but once you start to allow yourself to play with them…you’ll love them!
The base card is an A-2 Card Size in Very Vanilla and I scored it at the 5 ½” mark! The Crumb Cake Layer on top is 3 ½” X 4 ¼” but here is a trick!
TIP ALERT: Take your BIG stamp and lay it on your work surface…then add the ink to it! The ink color I used was Soft Suede! Simply take your piece of paper and place it over the inked image and then press down to get a good impression…
In the below picture you can see that I slipped my hands in a sandwich bag to really get the corners good and also not get your hands super messy! Presto – it works!
I took a scrap piece of Soft Suede and used the Scallop Trim Border Punch to make the simple yet elegant punch along the edge and then simply adhered it to the bottom portion of the card! The finishing yet elegant touch was the "pearls", so easy – just get "underneath" the pearl to keep the adhesive in place…DONE!
Now to the focal stamped part….and yes – I have measurements for you as I do hope that you CASE this card and sent to those you love!
The Stamped Very Vanilla is 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" and the Stamp Set I used was "Truly Grateful" – I have been looking at sooooo many different ideas on the web and pinterest with this stamp but they all looked the same to me! I was tickled with the classic color combination!
The matted piece is Soft Suede and the dimensions are 3 5/8" X 2 5/8"!
You can see that I POPPED this part with some stampin' dimensions but before I did that I ran a strip of adhesive on the back of this piece and wrapped the Linen Thread around it several times! (this helps hold it in place) I then made a small bow and with just a dab of Tombo Glue, I placed the bow!
The last stamping were the simple 2 words…"Thankful for"… As I have said before, this is a bittersweet time of the year for me but it is such a powerful time of the year to reach out to others and let them know that they make a difference to you!
Can't be a "Susan card" without a lined envelope! This was such an easy decision as the Neutrals Designer Series Paper and the "scallops" reminder me of the punch I used!
The Big Shot and Envelope Liner Framelit was the quick and easy fix!
Hopefully this card touches your heart as much as it does mine! It came together like "Peanut Butter and Jelly" and I am looking forward to making more over the weekend!
Please make sure you POP in tomorrow as I have something fun for you!
You will be able to have an opportunity to win some products/goodies that I made….I am smiling as they are super cute and I know that you will like them too!!!
I am "thankful" for YOU in being so dedicated in popping by daily and I am the very first to know that there are soooo many talented Stampin' Up! Demonstraors out there and that you are so supportive to me and my passion!
I thank you for your comments, I thank you for your emails, I thank you for inspiring me to inspire YOU!
Never underestimate the power of sending a handmade card….it does make a difference and YOU make a difference!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Nov 14, 2013 | PPA Challenges, Super Easy |
It's Thursday and that means that it is time for a Pals Paper Arts Challenge! This weeks challenge is a color challenge and the colors are fun and fresh with a fabulous neutral!
Now this has to be one of the easiest cards I have done in a while! Time was against me but I was determined to take part in the Color Challenge! How about you? It fun and open to anyone…give it a try – what do you have to loose!?!?
For those of you that love it when I give you the measurements…guess what – no measurements today as there is simply nothing to measure! This card is as easy as 1-2-3!!!
The card is the Note Card and Envelopes – LOVE this size! Using the envelope framelit liners made lining these envelopes a cinch!
If you do not have this….
please write a note to Santa and tell him that you have been very good!
The flowers came from the Flower Shop Stamp Set and surely these flowers will put a smile on your face! Fun, fresh and fabulous! The Pansy Punch makes is a simple POP!!! I say – WOWZERS!
After simply stampin the flowers and then punching them out – I took a pencil and rolled the flower petals up to give them some movement but the best thing is…you can put the card in an envelope and when you pull the beauty out….there is still a fresh flower with some style!
Just look at how something so simple like rolling the paper can make a card go from "plain jane" to "fun and fresh"!!! There are sooooo many tricks to paper crafting! No rules – just have fun and roll with it!
I could not resist in making the mailman smile….a simple trio of flowers seemed very fitting! This is so simple to do…you just have to remind yourself to stamp the envelope before you clean your stamps!!! If you are like me…the minute I stamp….I clean them to keep them in tip top shape!
The other stamp that is such a great sentiment come frm the Fabulous Florets Stamp Set! LOVE this quote! A simple stamp and mat of paper is all that is needed!
Did you notice the candy dots in the center of the flowers? No brads needed here and the best thing…they lay super flat so ZOOM through the mail with a regular stamp! Remember, these candy dots come in 4 different color collections!
That's it! Was that super easy or what!
Just think of the different color schemes you could use to make the look soooo different! Have fun, be bold, go out of your box….just give it a try!
I do hope that you go to the Pals Paper Art Website and see all of the great ideas made with this color scheme!
I have a couple GREAT and exciting posts for you over the next couple of days! Please pop back as you might be the lucky winner of some great goodies! All of the details will be on my blog on Saturday morning!
Thanks for popping by, please send me an email if you want, leave me a comment but more importantly….have a super-duper day!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Nov 13, 2013 | Christmas |
It’s Wednesday…It’s hump day…It’s 6 weeks til’ Christmas!
As promised every Wednesday I will be showing you a holiday card and when I see that we are just 6 weeks away….I say YIKES – I might be stepping it up to 2 days a week for you!
Here is a keeper card in my opinion…a “Susan” card in my opinion…and one that is on my list of possibilities for our family card this year!
Before we get to the “nuts & bolts” of the card…(and you’ll be happy as I have the measurements for this gem of a card…I have one question for you?)
When you look at a magazine…
do you look at the pictures before going to the article or recipe to read?
Well I would say I can probably say that you answered YES to the above as it is the “pictures” that give us inspiration to tackle a project, make a new recipe, try a new exercise program etc…
This is exactly what this card is all about! When the new Holiday catalog came out and I was flipping through the catalog…the card on page 9 say… “MAKE ME…MAKE ME”!!!
I know that it has been a learning curve to many getting used to the new style of the catalog with having the ideas in the front and then trying to view the products after this section! When I saw this card on page 9 I was sooooo impatient to try to find the stamp set and I can honestly say that I looked and looked and then when I found the set…WOOT-WOOT – you’re coming to my house!
To start out with I laid the components of the card on my work surface to find the right size to start the fun! Sorry the picture is not great but I want to show you how using the grid paper is a big help – this told me that a 3" X 4" would be great!
Let’s get to it…. you’ll be smiling as I do have the dimensions and I have also have some tips and changes that I made!
- The base of the card is from the new Cut & Ready Card Bases that come to you already cut and pre-scored! (They come to you laying flat so it is an easy storage) I know what you are thinking…it’s a bit more expensive to buy them this way but at the same time – convenience is golden at this time of the year and the other thing is…a perfect cut and a perfect score = a happy stamper!
- The Stamp Set is called Wishing You and it is super clean and sweet! I used the markers in Cherry Cobble and Old Olive to color the stamps before I stamped with them! So easy…just use the brush end…give them a “good huff of stampin’ love” and presto! To think for $11.95 – this could make such a beautiful and fun card!
Let's get into the paper sizes…I know you love when I give you them!
- The white base that is the stamped portion is 3” X 4"
- Next, The Old Olive is 3 ¼ “ X 4 ¼ “ and YES – I did utilized this piece with popping out some punches as it will be covered!
- Next…LOVE this stripe paper…it comes from the Season of Style Paper Stack and it is filled with yummy papers! This is cut at 3 ¾ “ X 4 ¾ “ and again I cut some tag bases so I would not waste the paper!
- Last comes Old Olive again, this is a 4” X 5” …they did not do this on the picture on page 9 but because I love layers, I could not resist as guess what….???
THIS IS THE PERFECT size for a TOP NOTE and you know what I am going to do…make more of those super cute Top Box Notes Treats…click here to see the post from before and then just imagine how much fun I will makes some holiday gems!
Let's get to the Stampin' Part!
TIP ALERT: Pull out that handy dandy ruler that should be your best friend and a necessity when crafting! I know that you think that this is “over kill” but it only takes a couple of seconds to make a pencil mark to find the center part…for the packages…
- You know what is next – use and love to the stamp-a-ma-gig…it will save you so much frustration in the end…best advice – practice, practice…practice! It’s like riding a bike – once you get it…you’ll never loose it!
- This ribbon…. is it WOW or what! It is call the Cherry Cobbler Ribbon and it is in the holiday catalog. Here is another tip! I cut a piece at 6” and then I took my hands and really flattened it out – worked like a charm and then I used adhesive to hold it straight and wrapped the excess around the back! A simple knot with another piece and using our glue dots – PERFECT!
- The envelope is a regular A-2 envelope that we sell and I love it that they come in the Crumb Cake Color! I used the envelope liner framelit and the festive paper for a perfect finishing touch!
Well…what do you think of this card? I think it is super cute and I love the fact that you can use so much of the layers for other projects without sacrificing the WOW FACTOR here!
As I said before, this one really might be it for my family…I’m still playing around and I will still be coming up with more ideas! I do love this ribbon and it is super easy to work with!
I am still trying to get through the blog hop yesterday! I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee and find some time to have fun hopping away! Each and everyday I am so amazed with the talent out there!
I appreciate you taking your time to pop by today and I hope that I have inspired you to get into the holiday spirit! Please email me if you have any questions! – I am happy to help!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Nov 12, 2013 | Fall Cards, PALS Blog Hops, Thank You, Watercoloring |
Thank you for joining us for the November Pals Blog Hop. We are thankful you are visiting today and hope you enjoy our thank you inspired projects.
You should have just left stop number 16 on the Pals Hop – Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards. If so, you are in the right spot.
If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along
from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations!
I
think receiving a card at this time of the year is so special, as with the
seasons changing, the time changing, everyone seems to be “down–shifting” with
trying to get a “grasp” on the next time of rush!
To
me, this is such a time of Thanksgiving and letting friends, family and simply
people that touch your life and that you admire…sending them a card letting
them know that you are “Thankful” with how they touched your life is a powerful
and fulfilling gesture!
It
will be 3 years on December 1st that I lost my Mom and every year I
send her caregivers a card of “thanks” as they were so amazing and I still
deeply appreciate all that they did and they are always in my heart!
Today’s
card I wanted to do something different than leaves! This is from the Wetlands
Stamp Set and it is just elegant! Now you know what I am going to say…YES – you
need to use Water Color Paper when doing this technique of water-coloring!
Water
coloring is super fun and with the Aqua Painters it is a breeze! I get many
comments saying that they are not comfortable with water coloring. The best tip
I can give you is practice…practice and practice!!!
It
truly is easy and in time I have learned that it is important to get the
“puddle” of your ink color fairly wet as if you go over it again and again as
it dries, you will create a softer and in depth look! It’s kind of like
blending!
Look
at this picture (I know it’s kind of weird to look at) but before you open your
ink pad, give it a good squeeze to get a blob of ink on the top…then you can
see how I made a section much wetter with the aqua painter! I have found that I
like adding a lighter effect and it dries super quick and then going back over!
The
size of the water color paper is a 4” X 4” square and I stamped the “wheat
grass” in Soft Suede and then Goose in Black Staz-On Ink…. why did I do it this
way? Because the Soft Suede is not permanent, I wanted a bit of “bleeding” of
color as I was painting and then with the goose…I simply wanted the crispness
of him to pop! The total size of the card is 5" X 5"!
Here
are the colors that I used. I know it seems like a lot but truly you are “taking a little her and a little there”
to create an effect that you are comfortable with! Soft Sky, Old Olive, Cajun
Craze, Soft Suede for the grass area and Sahara Sand for the goose!
Remember
to gently squeeze your aqua painter and have a paper town handy to keep the
water consistently the way you like it. I only keep a tiny bit of water in
mine…a little goes a long way! Again, PRACTICE!!!
Because
this paper is meant to hold and absorb water, you still might get a bit of
“waviness” on the end result! Because of this, I would recommend using the
sticky tape to mat it to the soft suede…now as you can see it is super flat!!!
WOOT-WOOT!
The
simple sentiment of thanks is all that is needed! I love to write very
heartfelt notes of how and why they touch my life and let them know “I thank them for what the mean to me”
Because
the size of the card is not your traditional size…no worries – the envelope
punch board to the rescue! Just follow the handy dandy guide and a cut of the
paper…a punch of the board…a score of a line…PRESTO – all you need to do is use
adhesive and you are good to go!
A
card would not be a card to me without a liner! Following my dear and wonderful
upline, Mary Fish, she created this great video that you need to watch! Click
here and see how easy it is to make a liner to fit the odd size cards!
Needed to be kind to the mailman and make him smile…so I stamped the Wheat Grass on the lower edge of the envelope! Cute…..right!?!?
John has aked me to make him up a new wave of cards as he is running low of the last batch I made him and he asked me if I would make a dozen of this one up for him! You might think – WOW….that will take forever…but it really is not a big deal….
TIP ALERT: – because you are layering these bases…take full advantage of cutting shapes out of the Soft Sky and the Soft Suede Paper…use punched, use framlits etc….SAVE PAPER when you can!
Water-coloring to me is total therapy! I am happy as a clam watching "The Voice" and I can easily color all of these for John!
Remember, break your projects down into steps…doing this will save you so much time and frustration! You can do it!!!
Now you have a lot to get to….since it is the PALS Blog hop…you need to continue to be inspired! I hope that I have inspired you today…Until tomorrow!!!
The next stop is Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit, stop number 18 on
the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Ann Schach at The Stampin' Schach
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Carmen Sublasky at The Creative Stamptuary
- Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Connie Lindsey at Crafting a Joyful Life
- Michelle Gleeson at Stampinmojo
- Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works
- Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
- Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery
- Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness.com
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought…Cards by Amy
- Lisa Davis at Cherry St. Paper Treats
- Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
- Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
- Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker
- Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Brian King at Stamp with Brian
- Beth Beard at My little craft blog
- Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb…
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Sue Becker at Sue's R n R Stamping
- Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
- Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys in Schertz
by Susan Itell | Nov 11, 2013 | Congratulations, Watercoloring |
I
bet you are smiling right now! This is a very fun and whimsical Stamp Set
called, Giggle Greetings! When the new catalog came out and I saw this – I knew
it would be coming to my house!
I
adore using the Aqua Painters and this is the type of a stamp that lends itself
to water coloring! YEAH!!! You know what I am going to say…use the watercolor
paper as it really holds the water and gives you great coloring and shading!!!
Being
that I love square cards, this stamp was the perfect shape to use the Square
Framelits to bring this card to life! The card is a 5” X 5” card and the color
is Night of Navy!
TIP
ALERT: This is not necessary but I will say it maybe adds 1 minute and it is
worth it as you will get it “spot on” – take a ruler and measure both ways to
find the center…put a mark and then when you use the framelits your “hole” will
be it the perfect spot!
The
outer square was super easy to make and it is the In Color – Baked Brown Sugar!
Using the Stampin’ Trimmer, I cut slivers of the White Naturals Paper to add
some interest and then with a black candy dot the fun came together!
When
I water colored my image, I used Crumb Cake and Real Red…remember – go light
and then you can always go back over for shading!
ANOTHER
TIP ALERT: to get perfect placement for the image to show through the “window”,
I suggest you use Mono Liquid Adhesive…remember – a little goes a long way. I
like this as you can “wiggle” it around to get it in the perfect spot!
The
envelope was made with the White Naturals Paper with the help of the Envelope
Punch Board! Did you notice that I stamped the outer part of the envelope to
make the mailman smile?
Remember
to always use the Black Staz-On Ink when you water color… it came out fine but
the color and the texture is so much better using the Water Color Paper!
Lining
it with fun polka dots from the Regals Designer Series Paper is the perfect
choice! It is just wonderful not to have to think of what paper to choose
as a liner when everything we have
matches up so nicely!
It
feels great to show you a simple card! I think cutting out the front is a
clever and fun technique to do and it lends itself to so many stamp sets we
have! Try it!!!
Tomorrow
is a special day to the PALS…. as it is our monthly Blog Hop! You will want to
make sure you HOP back as it will be a parade of cards with the theme of “Thanks”
I
think you all will like my card…I focused on water coloring and it is a
beautiful card that looks like fall!
Here’s
to a great week…I have some fun projects brewing for you! Thanks for popping by
and get ready for a SUPER day of hopping from one inspiration to the next!!!
There's lots of talent out there…be a sponge and absorb it all in!
Until
tomorrow!
