by Susan Itell | Sep 22, 2013 | Fall Cards, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Thank You |
Wow…I am getting my fill of thank you cards to send out!
Today’s post is using the Note Card size of cards ( 5” x 31/2”) and they do
come with matching envelopes…and the best thing is that this is not only super affordable
as the come in packages of 20 for
just $5.95!!!
Why do I love and promote these so much – easy…they are
already cut…they are already scored…they come with envelopes and the size is
super sweet to write a quick note! I say click here and order a set or 2 – you’ll
love them!
This stamp set is so simple and beautiful all at the same time! It is
call "Too Kind" and the trick to remember is…stamp the lighter color
1st (and it will be the larger of the stamps) and then go back with a
darker color (and now it will be the smaller one) I have not used this set for a while and it was the
sentiment that spoke to me for today's inspiration!
This card came together in a snap because I had the right
tools right in front of me! This is sooooo darn key, again getting back to that
time thing we all need…the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig was the fast and furious tool to make
this card happen! Love this tool and if I lost mine…I would be sad!
For some strange reason, I do not seem to used the color of
Cajun Craze until the fall…and even though it is flowers…I used my Color Coach to help me pick a color to go with the Cajun Craze…. and Crushed Curry it
is!
If you do not have the Color Coach, I highly suggest you
order it…why? When in doubt it is a great reference tool to get color ideas
without wasting your time playing around! Time is sooo darn important to all of
us and I will say – when I have used it and I see something that I think is a strange
combo together…it always comes out great!
Another thing that I have not shown in a while is paper
piercing…this is a super simple technique that always created interest and a
fun dimension to your projects! Now we all know that it would be next to
impossible to line up the dots by “our eye’ but using the Essentials Paper-Piercing
Pack made it a cinch!
Envelope time!!! I did a double-whammy for the mailman today! I lined the outside of the envelope with the Regal Designer Series Paper Pack ( a must have in every color collection!) and then using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig with the sentiment - I found the center of the envelope and then added another to the left and right! SOOOO easy to do and it does create a wow factor!
That's basically it! The color combinations you can use with this stamp set are endless…I used to be scared of "double stamping" but once I realized it was super easy…it was a great feeling! This is something that I think we are guilty of….stepping out of our comfort zone and trying new things!
Yesterday's card to me was a prime example! A year ago, I would have never even attempted to make a card like that – and once you try something and then you find out that you like it…..you'll do it over and over!
But on the other side…I will admit that I have tried things and then after doing them…I decided – "that is not for me" and that's ok too!
It's all about finding your style and being comfortable with it!
Thanks for sharing a cup of coffee with me this morning! I appreciate your time in reading my blogs! It's a joy creating them but it's a better joy knowing that you enjoy them!
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions! Have a super Sunday and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 21, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Love, Super Easy |
I haven't made a card for John the past couple of days so this will be by his bed when he wakes up! He is 6 ' 5" and being in a "twin" bed…yet a hospital bed is not the most comfortable! (at least they put an extension on the end)
We laugh and say we feel like the Walton's saying goodnight….he says goodnight Eddie ( a dog)….goodnight Murphy (a dog),goodnight Jack (another dog) and then when he gets to me as I feel like a princess in our big bed and I respond…goodnight "John boy"!!!
We are finding lots of time to laugh and I do hope that continues on! Many, many thanks for all of the well wishes, inspirations and simple gestures you have been sending my way!
Now to the card….this card I knew the minute I saw it….I was going to CASE it! The idea was shown to me by my dear friend and huge helper to my blog, Patsy Wagonner. Please click here if you would like to watch her incredible video on this "Shadow Box Technique"
Patsy is one special person and I adore her calmness, ability to teach and I just marvel her work! I actually like hers a lot better than this card that I did (mine is too much of one color) but I knew that it would be perfect to give to my hubby!!! Please try this as it is super fun, kinda different and the best part…no extra postage!!!
Let's get going:
- The card is a regular A2 card size and the Real Red is5 3/8" X 4 1/8" and then the white is 5" X 3 3/4".
- TIP ALERT: with the red piece…I used the Ticker Duo Punch to use for the tags (actually I punched 4 sets of them for future use….great way to save paper as it will be covered up!
- The Polka Dot Parade paper is cut at a 4" square…folded in half….folded in half! Next is super easy, just look at the pictures for a guide and you will be good to go – if not….email me and I'll be happy to help you! Read the text on the pictures for a guide….HAVE FUN!!!! A bone folder is needed – I think it is very important to have crisp and clean edges!
See how easy that was….and better yet – how FUN it is! You can flip flop to whichever side you like better…polka dots just make me smile!
- I simply took a 2 5/8" square piece of white and stamped my image that was from the Crazy Mixed Up Love Stamp Set and masked off the sentiment and BAM – done!
Next, I wanted to share with you by showing you a side view of this card and how I incorporated a tag with the card – do you remember how I masked off the sentiment? Well this time, after I cleaned off the stamp and then used I just used the real red marker and stamped the sentiment on a scrap of paper and then punched it out with the Word Window Punch and then adhered it to the tag! Adding a bit of bakers twine gave it a cute and fun flair!
Envelope time….well this was easy-peasy as I was already using an envelope that Stampin up made…all I needed to do was whip out the Envelope Liner Framelits and my man, My. Big Shot and bingo-bango….done!
Now to the best part…look how this super sweet card fits perfectly into an envelope and because you always used your bone folder like I asked you to….it will POP right up when you pull the card out! Now I ask you….IS THIS CUTE OR WHAT!
I hope that this posts puts a smile on your face and I know that when John sees it – he will be touched and have a smile! "We DO blend well" and he is the BEST Dad, husband, brother, son and friend in the whole wide world!
I thank you for taking your precious time in checking out my blog and I know that there are sooo many incredible Stampin' Up! Demonstrators out there…and I am soooo happy that you popped by today!
Go have a great day and know that I am an email away and I would love and be honored for you to join my Stampin' Up! Train and have a fun and inspirational ride!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 20, 2013 | Fall Cards, Thank You |
John and I are blessed with so many wonderful friends and family helping us over these past weeks! A dear friend set up meals for us several times a week and so many people have been so generous in making yummy meals! WOW – as it is super easy for me not to have to think about cooking after I get off work!
True angels are the best gift one could give as it is great to come home and not having the "cooking task" to face!! Another angel has been my Dad, he comes and sits with John while I am at work and he has been a huge help to me. My favorite guys are here together and I am blessed!
Still lovin this weather on the East Coast and I wanted to continue the fun with the new Best of Autumn Stamp Set! I featured a post on it on Tuesday that I thought was super cute and I wanted to play with the beautiful leaf !
The card size is a fun size, 3 1/2" X 6"…love the different size and with the new envelope punch board it is a cinch! Let's get to the fun!
Now this is a great CAS card that anyone would enjoy receiving! The colors I used with Early Espresso for the base and then a mat of Crumb Cake and then the neutral of the card is very vanilla!
I wanted the leaves to be the foal point in a simplistic way so I chose very Fall-ish colors – Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Cajun Craze.Great fall colors…
This card would be a super easy one to make many of at one time and naturally you could make it into a traditional A-2 card size to use our already made envelopes…and this card is a super card to use up scraps of paper!
If you are anything like me….I have a ca-zillion pieces of vanilla, white and crumb cake pieces here and there! Stamp a bunch of leaves and then put them in a container and as time allows you …have a cutting session!
No need to stress and YES – I did "fussy cut" the leaves out but it truly does not take too long…just do not "over think" it! Paper Snips to the rescue and you are golden!
The sentiment is one that I have been getting a lot of use from, Lot's of Thanks Stamp Set – a definite A list! These words are so sweet and so true! I have so many wonderful friends that truly do give…give…give!
Isn't this a pretty card? Please let me know how you like it and if it is putting you in the fall mood! As I stated before, I made the odd size envelope with the punch board and I did a double-whammy on the envelope!
I stamped the front with the leaf stamped….then stamped it off all in the Cajun Craze! Love to make that mailman smile, he is always so sweet! Simple little tricks like this is an added touch that you can look at it as a 3 for 1….your happy – the mailman is now smiling – and the lucky person getting the card is saysing wow as well!!!
The back flap of the envelope was decorated with a simple solid piece of Cajun craze – something that might be a bit boring – but actually it looks sharp!!! I was on the fance about what designer paper to use so I thought – why stress….just pull the cajun craze from the leaves I just stamped on the front of the card!
Before I ahered the crumb cake part to the base of the card I felt I needed a bit of subtle bling so a quick piece of Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon and then attached a simple knot…quick…simple…and done!
I cannot believe that it is the weekend already but I am soooo happy! I feel like being a hybernating wife and doing nothing but pampering my dear hubby and playing with the animals!
John is doing great….the PT is coming to our home and he (thank goodness) is very strong and has learned transfering himself like a pro from the bed to the wheelchair! Once he is able to bend his knees (even a little bit) he will be happier. I cannot imagine not being able to bend my legs!!!
This has been an experience that makes us thankful for things we simply take for granted! The great news is that he will be fine, but the recovery is long and 1 step at a time!
I am thankful for so many things and I hope that over the weekend you are able to find some "special time" for yourself to reflect on what you are thankful for….
Just love this time of the year as the crisp days make me so happy…have a great day and please remember to email me or leave me a comment on how you like today's post!
Remember…shopping in your jammies is fun and you can have all of your Stampin' Up goodies delivered right to your door!
Stampin' hugs and until tomorrow……
by Susan Itell | Sep 19, 2013 | Christmas |
It's Thursday and you know what that means…time for another PALS Paper Art Challenge and I hope you play with us this we for this great sketch challenge create by Margaret Moody! She is truly one talented lady and I encourage you to pop by her blog for some great inspiration!
This is the sketch we are working with today! Isn't it fun? Make sure that you look at all of the other interpretations there are of it! The sky is the limit and I am sure that I will be in awe!!! I always am!!!
I still take these sketches so literally and I was pleased with my card…Square cards are a favorite of mine so when saw this sketch, I immediately knew what I was going to do!
Ever since the new Holiday Catalog came out, I knew that this wreath was going to be a winner this year! So classic and it truly it not hard at all "fussy cutting" it out! This stamp set is called the Wonderful Wreath and WOW what a perfect name for it!
When "fussy cutting" the key is having the right tools and then using them correctly! The best tool is the paper snips and the best way to use them is to cut from the back of the scissors and turn the paper – not your hand!
Using my 4 all time favorite holiday colors – Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler this card was a cinch to make and the Seasons of Style Designer Series Paper made the triple play "strips" a cinch to cut with the stampin' trimmer! I merely cut the plaid using the same lines as guides and PRESTO!
I know you have heard me say this before….but it will worth repeating…when you have a stamp that has a large, flat area to cover with ink, take the sanding block and give it a good scruff…works like a charm every time in making a full coverage stamped image! This wreath needs it and the show stopper ink I used was Old Olive, it coordinates with the DSP!
You always want a focal part if your card to shine and be the "show off" – this is what the wreath is but the bow makes the while thing come together! It looks good in the pictures, but it looks GREAT when you have it in your hands!
This bow was super easy and fun to make (of course it is as I am bow challenged!!!) I simply took some of the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon and cut it into thirds and then took a cut piece of the Burlap Ribbon and tied around – EASY-PEASY and it is fun! (the little frays of cherry cobbler I just forgot to blow off before I clicked the picture)
I wanted to take a picture from this angle so your can see how I placed my Stampin' Dimensionals (aka…stampin' vitamins) and also how I let the strips of paper hang over the edge for something different…plus it mimicked the sketch!
Let's get the the simple and classic sentiment! It came from the Hostess Stamp Set, Warmth and Wonder and it is only $10.00 with qualifying hostess rewards! To me is was the simple and prefect choice for this card! A" one liner" simple sentiment with Regal Candy Dots to the side is all we need today!
Envelope time!!! We are all lovin' the envelope punch board and I have been seeing more and more grey hairs over trying to figure out the liners using the punch board….we all know I adore liners and I was tickled with this card until on Tuesday when I saw Mary Fish's post and then I decided not to even try to explain my method as she did a super duper video! Watch it – as it is super…as usual!!!
I was pretty proud of my liner BUT I found Mary's method to be a lot easier! I just adore liners and it is a must to figure out in my opinion! As my Mom always said…it's the 1st thing you notice when you open a card and the finishing touch that you will remember!
I hope that this has been a fun post for you to read! The holiday season will be here before you know it and even though I have not made many Christmas themed cards yet….when I do – I get excited! I still haven't figured out what card I am going to do to send…but one thing for sure is when I do – YOU'LL KNOW!
Please leave me a comment or shoot me an email! Go look at all of the great cards for this challenge and then go to your work space and create you own goodies and upload it! If you need help up loading….please ask! I would love to help you!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Sep 17, 2013 | Congratulations, Super Easy |
Everyone deserves a 2nd chance and this 2nd chance is for a 4 legged little guy named Rosco! If you follow my blog, I am a huge animal lover and when my son called me to say he was adopting a dog…how could I not be more thrilled!
I am the very 1st that truly believes that if you take on the responsibility of caring for an animal than you go into it with a total commitment! This is my son that has lived in China for the past 4 years and he had to leave his cat behind with a friend and has missed having an animal!
Like MOTHER like SON…I received a call that he was going to adopt a dog from Arkansas and he lives in Boston. There are soooooo many wonderful organizations and incredible volunteers that help these helpless animals from being in shelters that they would be euthanize!
I am a huge believer in adopting a dog if possible to give them a 2nd chance – another reason I am so proud of my sons research, love and dedication he did in finding Rosco! I still do not have pictures other than his adoption picture as he is waiting to get him and it is 10 :15 p.m.
The drivers have been making stops from Arkansas ending in Maine with uniting dogs to wonderful people that have been screened to be given a new chance on life! I truly hope that you have the opportunity to meet a person that has the heart that these people have…a true gift!
Enough of the story…lets get to the card!
This card was an inspiration from my upline, Mary Fish, and I can remember the day I saw this card….I knew I would be making it one day! Making a few changes to make it with my touches, I think it is super cute! Click here to see a video Mary did that is a huge help!
The card size is A 4 1/4" square card and the 2nd layer is 4 1/8" square with the corners rounded and then the "paw part" is a 3 1/8" square!
As you can see in Mary's video…using the designer paper is a key to making this easy! One additional flair I added was to mat a piece of Chocolate Chip Card Stock to the back and then again punched out the shapes!
The "heart" is from the Heart Framelits (the 2 smallest) and the "pads of the paws" were made with the Small Oval Punch!
When you "punch" out again….take your paper snips and clean up any chocolate chip (if that what you are using for the mat color) from behind….it's easy as you would not have any adhesive there….just put the adhesive on the edges! (I rushed a bit and you can see a hint in one of the pads but it is really not a big deal to do) and I think it makes it POP!
Stampin Diminsionals all over make the whole card come together and give it the total fun factor!!!
The clean and classic sentiment came from the carry over stamp set of Sweet Essentials, one of my all time favorites – just love the clean and classic lines but still has a fun flair!
The envelope was naturally made with the super new and fun must have tool, the Envelope Punch Board! The envelope color I thought was perfect and it is from the Sweater Weather Design Series Paper….very classic!
Where did the cute dog bone come from? Confessions of an honest blogger! I could not resist these brads I found at a craft store….I broke off the ends and used mini glue dots to adhere it!
I will pop back on and post some pictures of Rosco…I am sure he is very tired as it has been a long travel with lots of stops along the way…my fingers are crossed and my heart is happy for my son that his new little buddy will get there safely and it all works out!
This is one thing I love about blogging, I can intertwine my life stories into the Stampin' Up! life that I adore as well. It is simply the best to be able to do what you love and at the same time help others reach your goals!
Keep stretching up to reach…I'll be here for you!
Until tomorrow!
