by Susan Itell | Oct 2, 2013 | Christmas |
12 Weeks from today will bring smiles to many children….many parents looking for batteries…and many people just pooped from a hectic season….but as I tell my children…
"If there is no joy in the journey…than there is no joy in the journey's end"
Every Wednesday, (and probably more) I will inspire you for the holiday season with cards, gifts, 3-D ideas of inspiration! I was super happy with today's post!
When the new holiday catalog came out…I fell in love with this stamp set, Christmas Message! This sentiment of "Deck the Hallls" spoke to me the minute I saw it! Just love the boldness of it….
TIP ALERT: when you have a nice and bold stamp like this I recommend 2 things:
- Take the Stampin' Sanding Block and "scruff" up the surface of the stamp to soak in the ink to get a great clean stamp!
- Make sure that your stamp sets are properly "inked"…I am posting on Saturday a bunch of tips and I will touch on this so please pop back!
Let's get to the fun as the calendar is rolling and we need to budget our time…..
- The base is the regular A-2 Card in Whisper White and scored at the 5 1/2" side!
- Stamping the image with Cherry Cobbler on a scrap piece of paper and then running it through the Big Shot with the help of the Labels Collection Framlits…it's coming together!
- TIP ALERT: Use the Baked Brown Sugar Base to cut out your framelit = paper saver!!!
- With the Baked Brown Sugar Paper piece and the Festive Paper-Piercing Pack the fun is going to begin with the help with the Paper-Piercing Tool and the Mat It is such an easy and effecitve effect to have a simple WOW!!! Just make sure you put plenty of Stampin' Dimensionals on the back for a nice POP!
- Where did the super cute Christmas Trees come from…they are a super fun "carry over" punch set from last year! They are called the Merry Minis Punch Pack and the are the "BOMB"!
- The envelope was super easy with the help of the Envelope Liner Framelit to do the job! I have found "joy" in this tool with the ease of the end result!
Time is sooooo darn tootin' important to all of us!
Whew….what a fun and exciting time with Stampin' Up over the past 24 hours….new products….new hostess benefits….and the best…..a super fun new way to join Stampin' Up!
If you are an dedicated stamper…than seriously – why don't you consider being a hobby demonstrator to be able to get your products at a discount? I would love to have even more fun with you!
I know it is a lot to take in but I'm here and I love what I do and I would love helping YOU! Please email me with any questions you might have….
There are so many exciting and fun things going on with Stampin Up!…my dear hubby…I have lots of upcoming family birthday's…! I think the month of October is so energizing and hands down – my favorite time of the year with the cooler weather and simply love to watch the foliage change…
Remember Friday is my 250th Blog Post and you know what that means….
BLOG CANDY TIME….a just love to celebrate milestones!
Ho-ho-ho…the 12 week hour glass has been turned…..let me help you have stress-less holiday and make you shine! It is time to get your holiday cards rolling….so you can have time to do the "other" things of the season!
I would LOVE and be honored to help you reach your goals!
Until tomorrow….remember – I am an email away!
by Susan Itell | Oct 1, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Thinking of you |
I woke up this morning and had to edit my blog posting today…..PLEASE read to the end as Stampin' Up is offering us all sorts of fun specials this month!!! WOOT-WOOT!!!!
I wanted to challenge myself to try to make a single layer card…this is something that I rarely do and I adore layers and I also love my Stampin Vitamins, stampin dimensionals!
I always strive to share with you some fun and easy cards that can be duplicated in a snap! The other thing that I liked about this card was the fact that I scored on the 5 1/2" side….I've been doing that a bunch lately and I really love it!
Sometimes less is best and this card reflects this and at the same time the scoring of the 3 simple lines adds an element of depth….so….you can see the stampin' trimmer is a double-whammy and one that is an absolute must to own! I have closet full of cutters that collect dust ever since this came out!
Let's get to it….
- Start with scoring the 3 lines, TIP ALERT: Take advantage of the measurements on the RIGHT of the blade…I prefer to score in this way for this card….from the bottom the card…score at 1", 1 1/8" and 1 1/4"…and I give it a nice and heavy- handed score so the score is nice and deep!
- Ink up this fun and snazzy chevron oval from the Oh Hello Stamp Set with Sahara Sand and stamp trying to center from your top score line to the top of the card!
- This elegant floral stamp is from the Morning Meadow Stamp Set and I think using the Island Indigo created such a depth of richness with this beautiful color!
- This is one stamp set not to overlook – I have used it so many times (I think the only one I have not used is the bird!!!) It looks super in an array of colors and it is a hostess set and the price is….just $10.00!!! I say WOOT-WOOT!
- Now it's time to pull out the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the sentiment in the perfect placement! If you are not comfortable with this tool….please email me and ask for some help and tips! This is the lifesaver for making your beautiful cards look professional and it is a stress buster for you!!!
- The sentiment is from the Best of Greetings Stamp Set….remember, these stamp sets are only for a limited time in honor of Stampin' Ups! 25th Anniversary and each month Stampin' Up! comes out with a new one and when you get 6…send in a form and you will get the 7th free! (at the end of this post you will see the new one for October!!!)
Download the monthly flyers
- Envelope time! I lined the outside of the flap with the Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper, the colors are soooo rich! Doing this is such an easy touch that makes a great impression when you go to the mailbox and receive a beautiful card!
I encourage you to try to make a single layer card…I thought it was going to be super hard but it really was not and the best part…I was very pleased with the end result and again, this IS a layout that can be adapted for so many different cards…think out of the box…play with color…but most importantly…HAVE FUN!
Hot off the early morning press (even before I have a cup of coffee in me)
Speaking of fun…have you ever considered to be a part of this Stampin' Up! fun!?!? I would love to have you be a part of my team and have even more fun together than we do on my blog! I am a part of Mary Fish's PALS partner program and I would love to have you grow and have fun with me!
Now…HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT as this morning Stampin Up! announced for
2 weeks (October 7th – 25th) you can sign up to join Stampin' Up! for $25.00!!!
That's right…that is CRAZY amazing! I am so glad that is wonderful company is having these great 25th Anniversary specials….they are special and so are YOU! I would adore you to join this fun and be on my fun and inspiring team!
Please email me and we'll talk how this will benefit you and "your stampin habit" (ha-ha) and I can share and answer any questions you have…..click here to email me!
You will be amazed at the resources that are available to you and the best part…it's fun, it's rewarding and you can do it YOUR WAY!
Guess what…another super 25th anniversary goodie your way…
In honor of Stampin' Ups! 25th Anniversary, they are making the hostess benefits for the month of October even better this month….click here to see the flyer! You will get an additional $25.00 worth of products for every qualifying hostess level….I say a huge WOOT-WOOT!!!
In a million years, I would have never thought that I would be blogging daily…and it is a daily learning experience and I am proud of my commitment and dedication I have in it….and Friday marks my 250th post…so…in honor of that – it's BLOG CANDY TIME….so make sure you pop back on Friday to win!
Now I hope you pop on everyday and if you have not subscribed….please do so…and I thank you for sharing my blog with your friends and family!
HOT OFF THE PRESS….Now here is the NEW "Best Of Christmas" Stamp Set this month….
Whew…this was long but this is all exciting!!!!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 30, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
Let's all have a GREAT week! I hope that everyone is coming off of a great weekend…mine was great – I had an Open House with 8 other Direct Selling Companies that was super fun….and my husband is making great progress as we mark his 1 month since his injury!
We both appreciate all of the great wishes we have received but I am here to tell you….being in a wheelchair for a month when you are used to being super active as really been an eye opener experience for both of us and he has the BEST attitude in the whole world so this card is for him! Just a couple more weeks until he can start to progress with therapy!
We both love yellow and the color of So Saffron is always soooo pleasing to your eye! I wanted to use a stamp set that I have not used in a while and since I am "guilty as charged" for not playing with the "real" washi tape…I thought using the Tape It Stamp Set would be a fun twist for this Monday!
Let's get to this super clean, crisp – fun card! John loves blue and I have been using Night of Navy so much for thank you cards for him to send – I thought Pacific Point would be a fun and fresh twist!
- This card is a regular A-2 card but scored at the 5 1/2" mark and then the white was cut 1/4" smaller…4 1/4" X 5 1/4"
- Because the type "A" stamper I am…out came the Stamp-a-ma–jig to make sure I had the placements of the "tape"…just right! (you could easily 'eye-ball it")…don't be afraid to overlap!
- Using a scrap piece of whisper white paper to stamp the "happy day" image from the Happy Day Stamp Set (dah!) and then pulling out my main man, Mr. Big Shot with the help of his friend Chalk Talk Framelits…the card is coming together! Isn't this a great stamp set!
- Popping it up with Stampin' Dimensionals was the way to go to make it come front and center! I just love these little gems!
- The envelopes came to life with a bit of pizzazz with the help of the Subtles Designer Series Paper…love – LOVE all of the collections! It truly makes it sooooo easy to find the perfect finishing touch to your card! The Envelope Liner Framelits make the task of lining an envelope a breeze!
I know that there are times that it is hard to come off of a weekend and get back into the new week ahead but I hope that this card has brighten your day! Just think of all of the fun colors you could do with this!
I like having just 2 colors as the focal point….it really brings out the crispness of the card!
It wouldn't be right not to thank you for being soooo darn tootin Stampin' sweet in popping by my blog yesterday! I know that I am blessed to be a PAL and I always enjoy being Mary Fish's guest stamper…but I will say – WOW…..I hope that the are chocolates left in the store!
Please, please email me if you need any help and also tell your friends and family about my blog and subscribe so you can get a daily dose of inspiration from me!
Ordering from my site is a cinch….click above and shop away! I will be there for you and I love to spoil my Stampin' Up! customers…..this is such a fun company….with fabulous products…and the BEST people in the world!!!!
Have a "happy day" day and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 29, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Halloween, Party Favors |
I hope that today's post gets you so excited that you run the store and
buy some yummy Ghirardelli Chocolates and make this adorable and super
easy project!
I am both thrilled and honored to be my wonderful upline, Mary Fish's guest stamper! Mary is simply the best leader to all of her "PALS" and she certainly has paved the way for each of us and the entire Stampin' Up! community…
This is not only a super easy 3-D box to make…it is just too darn cute! Just think of the different occasions this could be used for…naturally the holidays are a given…but these would make adorable name cards…great favors for baby and bridal showers…
The inspiration was brought to my attention on the PALS Gallery from PAL Elisha Smith! There is a tutorial way back in 2009 on Splitcoaststampers but I am going to give you the easy "low down" on how to make these in a jif!
Ready…let's go and you are going to be soooooo surprised with how quick and easy these are to make! From a sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 card stock, you can make 2 of the boxes!
- Your base size is 4 1/4" X 8"
- Score the short side at 1" and at 3 1/4" TIP ALERT– if you are using the stampin' trimmer and I hope you are as it is the best trimmer in the whole world…don't forget to use the 1" mark to the right – I personally like doing smaller cuts to the right….
- Score the long side at 2", 3", 5" and 6" – you see….the stampin' trimmer is the way to go with this project!
- Now….don't panic…just take a deep breathe and get your paper snips out and look at the below picture and go to town!
- Take you bone folder and give all the score lines a really good crease! I think that this is key whenever you make 3-D projects…it makes it look so professional!
- For the next step, I totally recommend that you use sticky strip adhesive…why? – easy as it is soooo strong and when you make especially 3D projects, it is the best to use! See below on the pictures where to place your sticky strip!
- Now don't panic…FLIP the piece over and put your sticky strip where shown in picture!
- Before you start adhering the sticky strip….take the front part and trim 1/2" off as this will tuck behind your decorative piece…(hang tight – it will make sense!)
It's coming together…hang in there – it really is easy – just like the Post it Notes Posting I did….once you get it …YOU GET IT!!!
TIP ALERT: I find that when you work with the sticky strip…the red piece is always so "clingy" and sticks to your hands….I always use the end of the paper piercing tool to get it going as truth is "I don't want to break a nail"… but I have found if I have a piece of a damp paper towel…it sticks right to that and you will not get frustrated!!!
- Next just simply fold the last part and press… you're done! Now to the super quick and fun part of decorating! The sky is the limit – let your creativity go wild and JUST HAVE FUN!!!
Please remember when you are working on ANY project, there are NO rules and the are NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAYS…the way that YOU do it is YOUR choice and it is going to be a work of love from YOU!
I am merely showing you ideas to get your "mojo going" and at the same time I am an email away to help you with your projects! I love what I do and I love helping you!
Let get decorating!
- The stamp set I used was Spread Joy ( love…LOVE) as what is there not to love about peanut butter and jelly!)
- The biggest key tip can give to you is to place the stampin dimensionals very low to your embellishment so the flap can tuck in! (I know it seems weird not to place them in the middle…trust me – this will be your anchor!
- Look at this picture and you will see why it is works in place the dimensionals low! ( Can you see how I recycle paper…I made a mistake – flipped it over and presto – works like a charm!)
This is a super fun project to have some super fun with! Below is a parade of the variety that you can do…but…the ideas are endless! Please email me and let me know how you are going to use these sweet goodies!
I thank you for staying put for this long post but I did think it is a keeper and I want you to understand how to make these gems!
I adore being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and the best compliment you can give me is to leave me a comment, subscribe to my blog (I blog daily) or order from my store!
Helping you one step at a time is a true joy to me! I love being your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and I just simply love what I do!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 28, 2013 | Halloween, Party Favors |
Good Morning! Let's all have a great weekend! It is to be another beautiful one here on the East Coast! Today is a different type of post for you but one that I think you will enjoy!
I wanted to share with you that Stampin' Up! has many products to offer that are not your traditional card making supplies!
I am doing an Open House today in my local area and I wanted to showcase some of the "other" types of products that we have that I think are sometimes overlooked!
In advance, I apologize for the photography as it does not show off the best of the products ( but I do think the pictures are pretty) but trust me on this one….they are all super cute!
This 1st product is one of my favorites! It is SUPER cute and the size is great to fill with all sorts of things! I used these for a party at my "other" job as party favors (I needed 85 in total) and they looked SUPER cute all filled with goodies and a pretty bow!
They are the Tag a Bag Gift Boxes and the are on page 158 in the big catalog! They make a fabulous presentation! The sleeves that go over the box are super sturdy…just love them! I know that it is hard to see but I stuffed them with some movie tickets…snack candy and a gift card to send to Hannah at college!
The Burlap Ribbon is one HOT ribbon! I needed to go to a craft store yesterday and I was shocked with how much burlap there is out there! I first was scared to use it as it was sooooooo wide, but it is fun to cut to a narrower width.
TIP! – Use the Craft Scissors…a perfect cut every time!
The other super cute thing in the above picture is the sweet and simple 3 X 3 card! Stampin Up! sells the small square envelopes and this card could not be any cuter or easier than this!
The Best of Halloween Stamp Set and the Envelope liner Framelits made this come together in a snap….of course with the help of the Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper!
These bags are super cute for sooooo many diferent things and the best part is – use your imagination to decorate – me….I like to keep it simple and I think they turned out super cute! These are also on page 158 and they are called the Tag a Bag Gift Bags!
Also, we have a Tag a Bag Accessory Kit that makes things super easy when you just do not want to think! I have used part of this on top of a black piece of paper I cut out with the Deco Label Framelits…
The box to the left is from the Holiday Catalog and in page 36. It is called the Decorative Window Gift Box. Is this cute or what! I used some stamps from the Halloween Hello Stamp Set with the Black Stazon Ink to jazz it up a bit and then to WOW is the fun Basic Black Chevron Ribbon…sooooo striking!
Did you notice the cute tag…a quick POP using the Label Bracket Punch and a quick stamp = one cute tag! Please pop back tomorrow as I am doing a fun post that uses this punch a bunch!
In the Holiday Catalog Stampin' Up! Features many decorative and functional gift giving boxes and bags…please do not over look them for you gift giving season that is ahead! I find that keeping them "just in case" I need a quick and clever way to jazz up a gift card…to put a small gift in….t be the PERFECT solution!
I hope that you have enjoyed this post of fun ideas! Please let me know how you liked it and also always share with me pictures of how you create works of art!
Stampin' Up! has all of the tools we need…they are always providing us with the "backdrop" to make a perfect… fun "end product"!
Please pop back tomorrow as trust me…..just like you all were going out to buy Post It Notes….you'll be back out the door shopping to make this super cute 3-D project I have for you!
Please email me if I can help you in any way and also click here to SHOP AWAY!
Until tomorrow!
