by Susan Itell | Aug 29, 2013 | Baby, Thinking of you |
At a glance, this card looks like it would be a bit complicated or should I say "time consuming" but actually it was not! As I break down the steps for you…you will have that "light-bulb" go on and see that this is actually a simple card to make!
The inspiration for this card is when I went over to one of my super fun customer's house and she was showing me some of her masterpieces…I look at one and said - "What color is that?"…Rose Red! I immediately thought WOW – this is beautiful…why do I not use that color? So this is exactly how I received my inspiration…
Before we get into the "how to's" another question that I get asked often is…"where do you get your ideas and inspirations from" well…most of the time I think about who I need to send a card to and what type of card that would be. I also try to look at stamp sets that I have not used lately to show you something different!
I knew I needed a card for my friend Caren as her only daughter just left to her 1st year at college and is missing her terribly! Caren adores flowers and I thought she would get a huge smile opening up this beautiful card!
- The Flowers came from the super popular Stamp set, Secret Garden! Not only is the an "A list" set…and it comes with matching Framlits to make exact cuts each and every time! A big Woot-Woot!
- I used the Rose Red ink and stamped and cut out 6 of them. After finding the center of the card, I adhered the middle flower and then the sides! I also drew a Always Artichoke line all around the border of the card for a simple interest to the card!
- To the other 3 flowers, using my paper snips I cut in each petal towards the center and then pulled them forward a bit and using a mini glue dot….BAM! The sweet touch of a Neutral Candy Dot was the perfect finale for each flower!
- The "leaf" part I just used the framelits and cut them from the Always Artichoke Paper. Knowing that I only really needed the 3 leaves on the end, I cut the others off and tucked them here and there!
- TIP ALERT: my flowers were really adhered down – I simple used my paper piercing tool to gently life an area to get the leaf under…worked like a charm!
- I knew I needed a sweet sentiment and after looking through the catalog….the stamp set, My Friend, spoke to me….perfect choice! Using the brush ends of the pens…I inked them up and stamped it on this sweet card!
I know that this will brighten Caren's day! It is fun to make some know you care. Too many times we rely on the computers, texting and the phone…but a handwritten note and a mailed card really means the world to the recipient!
The bigger bonus is that YOU took YOUR time to not only think of them, but YOU made the cards with your own hands! PRICELESS!!!
Thanks for popping by – tomorrow I have a super quick and easy Halloween treat for you! These gems come together in no time! I started to make some up for my daughters dorm! (getting a jump start)
Have you ever considered being a hobbyist demonstrator? It is super great to be able to order your Stampin' Up! products at a discounted price whenever you feel like ordering and the best thing is….there is no penalty to stop! I would love for you to be on this fun ride with me and become a part of Mary Fish's PALS group – what an amazing group of fabulous individuals!
Email me….I would love to set up a time to talk with you….best decision I ever made and I know it would be the same for you!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Aug 28, 2013 | Birthday, Super Easy |
I hope you are lucky enough to have an "Aunt Jean"! She is a one-of-a-kind person and definitely someone that I look up to, adore and totally admire!!! Today is her 86th birthday and if you were to see her and try to keep up with her, you would think she is 60!
Her wonderful husband, Uncle Ernie, passed away probably 7 years ago and she picked up the inner "spunk" she has and has continued to enjoy life and embraces everything that comes her way!
I feel super lucky that my 23 year old son lives in her town and tonight, he is taking his Great Aunt Jean out for dinner! Too darn sweet but the best thing is….they will have a blast together as she is so interesting, "with it", has a smart phone….uses a computer…nothing stops her from learning!
Here is the sweet card I made for her! Anyone would love to receive this card….appropriate for any age – it is just one of those cards that it a simple "keeper"
The card size is from the Note Cards and Envelopes! This is such a sweet size and the perfect size to let someone know you are thinking of them! Remember, there are 20 cards and 20 envelopes for just $5.95 – that is less than 30 cents a piece for both!
The Cupcake Punch is the star of the card! Just let your imagination go with the color scheme you want to do! This is from the Subtles Designer Series Paper and I wanted to focus on the Pear Pizzazz color and the Chocolate Chip!
To create the "sprinkles" on the cupcake I simply used the Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen…a bargain at $3.95 and the sweet little flower came from the Owl Punch (I use this little sweet heart all the time!!!)
Isn't this sentiment cute!?!? It came from the Best of Birthdays Stamp Set….remember,these are a limited edition in honor of Stampin' Ups! 25th anniversary…this is a keeper!!! I simply used the marker on the paint brush end to color just the sentiment part and then used old faithful, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get my placement perfect!
Before adhering the Pear Pizzazz layer on the Chocolate Chip, I took a piece of the White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon and did a quick "Susan knot" to add some bling! Out of all of our ribbons, this one would be the easiest one to make a bow with…it is a dream to work with and I wish it can out in all colors!!!
After lining the outside of the envelope with the designer series paper, I felt the mailman needed to smile so I stamped the "celebrate" across the bottom of the envelope! So easy…..just make a faint pencil line in the middle…..Stamp-A-Ma-Jig…..stamp….DONE!!!
Who's your cupcake? To me, cupcakes are like balloons and polka dots…they make me smile! I remember when I was a little girl I loved when my Mom made cupcakes…WOW – what a treat that was and now…Cupcakes are the rage!!!
It doesn't get any simpler than this and it doesn't get any cuter either! Pull out your supplies and whip some of these gems up….just in case you need a quick card! It is a great way to use up scraps as well!
If you do not have these supplies….I can help you – click here and BAM…you can order away and they will come to your door and then you will smile and get nothing else done that day because you will be creating "Arts from YOUR heart!!!!"
Thanks for popping by and until tomorrow!!!!
by Susan Itell | Aug 27, 2013 | Love |
The house is quiet and it seems weird! My youngest has left for her Sophomore year at college! Mom and Dad are sad but at the same time we are thrilled for her as she was super excited to go back and dive in and see her friends!
It is always a "happy feeling" when you know that your children are content with where they are in the life at the moment! Hannah and I spend a lot of time together and being that she is the red caboose of the family (her brothers say we spoil her) her leaving leaves the house with a bit of emptiness! I think the dogs even miss her!
Today's card is for her letting her know that I miss her already!!! This card came from no where…I was just determined to use the Dictionary Background stamp and I just let my mind ramble and this is what came out!!!
The other day we were commenting on Wood vs. Clear Mount Stamps? Most people preferred the clear and that is my preference mainly because of storage BUT I like the Wood Mount for these HUGE background Stamps! Why??? Not sure but I just feel like my hand fits around these big stamps better and I do not "rock them" as much to get a clearer stamp!
When I first started stampin' and I would see these HUGE stamps in the catalog I would think – what the heck would anyone use them for ? Well…they naturally make great backgrounds and if you "stamp off" and make them faint and then use a bold color…the effect is WOW!!!
The minute the Really Good Greeting Stamp Set came out, I knew it would be on my "A list" as I just love the fun and modern sentiments! You have seen many cards that I have made with this set! I tied this in on the card with the help of the Chalk Talk Framelits to make it into the effect of a tag! Making a "mat" out of the Melon Mambo was a perfect POP of color!
The "fun" came in when I was playing with the ribbon! You all know that I am "bow challenged" and I wanted something a bit more fun for Hannah than a "Mom knot" that she is used to seeing…so I came up with cutting several pieces of the 1/8" Melon Mambo Taffeta Ribbon and then making a knot! Fun…right?
The only "lift" on this card is with this tag! This is soooo unusual for me as I usually POP the card in many layers! Turning the pieces of card stock to a tilt is also "out of the box" for me but I like it and I know Hannah will love it!
Hannah loves pink and the Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper was a fun choice for the liner! The Envelope Liner Framelits have been "cranked" sooooo many times already with Mr. Big Shot….they are worth every penny!
For my Breast Cancer Cards….they are a lifesaver as it makes it soooo much easier for the volunteers to put them together!
This is just one fun and clean card and wouldn't it be great with different POP sentiments! I do recommend using the Black Staz-on Ink as I think it always gives a great solid coverage….plus it smells good!
Tomorrow I have a super fun and quick card that will make you want to run to the bakery and get a cupcake! It is my Aunt Jean's 86th birthday and it is a sweet card…just like her!!!
I am an email away……you can click away and order….the options are endless for you…but I appreciate being your Stampin' Up Demonstrator and I appreciate you popping by my blog!
Until tomorrow….have a great day!
by Susan Itell | Aug 26, 2013 | Baby, Tips and Tricks!!! |
Hang on to your hats as this is a different post for me! You can tell I am coming off a weekend as I had more time to "play"! This post is for my co-worker and friend Regina in honor of her new grandson!
If you follow my posts, you know that I am usually WHAM…BAM…SUPER SIMPLE!!! It really is not that hard to make…it just takes a but more steps than I usually do but the end result is worth it!
I just could not help myself as I wanted to make Regina something special as she is soooooo incredibly wonderful to me at work – truly a lifeline that makes me smile and shine!
On Thursday, Regina found out that her grandson was going to be born by cesarian several weeks early! The time was scheduled at 5:00 p.m. and my thoughts and prayers were with her family! When I came into work on Friday…..It's a boy…..everyone is healthy and happy!!! I was so excited for her!
I know a special card was in store for her as she is very special to me! I hope that you have lots of coffee this morning if you are a subscriber ( and if your not – why not!!!???) as this is a long but useful post!
Here you go…I'll try to be quick but you need to know about the envelope…so read to the end – it's worth it!
The card base is a 6 1/2" square and scored at 3 1/2"! Just love odd sizes….but what about the envelopes??? Hang tight…I have the scoop for you!
- The colors of this card are Marina Mist, So Saffron, Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake and Whisper White
- The stamp set??? what is it??? I get more ?'s about this stamp set as it is a "sleeper in the catalog"…it is A Dozen Thoughts…LOVE it and an "A list" stamp set! I "masked the words" to make it into 3 before I popped it out with the circles!
- TIP ALERT: What was a life saver and another sleeper is the Silicone Craft Mat. why??? when you use it…you can "build" what you are working on and it comes off like cookies on a sheet of parchment paper! So easy and works every time!
- The lower sentiment came from one of my all time favorites as I adore the font, Sweet Essentials!
- To the envelope – I made it and so can you….here is the scoop – nothing to fret about….I am going to run through this fast so if you need help – please email me!
- Cut a piece of card stock to 9" X 8"
- On the 8" side score at 3 1/2" and 7 1/4"
Now….we all know that there is a super cool, super unbelievable tool coning out real soon….like – less than a week, like….Sept 1st – (Sunday) that is an absolute must….BUT – I wanted to show you that YOU can make an envelope yourself!
WHEW…..I am pooped as this was long…but I want you to know that YOU can do it and if you do not think you can or if you have any question….PLEASE let me know!!!! This guy is cute….right!
Remember, I am a click away via email and you can click my new super cool button to order anytime!!! I thank you and I am so happy that Regina's grandson arrived to this incredible world healthy and Mom and Dad are doing great!
Well…what did you think about this card…I think it is super cute! Stampin' Up! used to have envelopes like this that opened on the end and I thought they were fun and different! Let me know your thoughts!
Have a great day…a great week ahead and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Aug 25, 2013 | Halloween, Happy New Year, Super Easy, Sympathy |
There is no doubt that you are smiling because this super sweet Halloween Stamp is just too darn cute! The minute I saw it in the new catalog…it was a "done deal" It is just one sweet stamp and the price is "sweet" as well!
The stamp is only available in wood mount and it it appropriately called, Halloween Happiness! I usually buy clear stamps when available as I prefer the small storage space it takes but I have a question for you?
Do you think there is a difference in the quality in the "stamp image" between a wood mount and a clear mount? Let gets some comments going about your thoughts!
I know that I have heard that some people think that the wood mount create a crisper stamp image but I think once you get comfortable with the clear mounting blocks…they work great! Storage to me is key…but there are some stamps (not many) that Stampin' Up! just sells in the wood mount…this is one of them!
TIP ALERT: speaking of the clear mounting blocks…KEEP THEM CLEAN! I wash mine (not as often as I should) in dawn detergent and once they are squeaky clean – they stick GREAT! Whenever I find that I am not getting a good grip, it is because they need cleaned!
This cute card will be a Breast Cancer Card in October…I think it is a sweet …quick… pick-me-up kinda card that will be well received! Another great thing about this card is…it is very affordable to make!
The envelopes are the Crumb Cake Note Card size and you get 40 of them for just $5.50….working out to about 14 cents per envelope and the card base would be about 15 cents…and then the other colors I used were Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive!
A CAS (clean & simple) card like this is a GREAT way to use up scraps! If you were just making 1 or 2 of this card, I would venture to say that you would not have to cut a sheet of paper and if you were making a bunch of them…wow – you would get many from one sheet of each of these colors! Super cute and fun!
I used my markers to color the image but being the"type A" stamper that I am….I did not get a good crisp orange ( guess I did not huff enough) so I thought…what the heck - just stamp them up "good and hard" with the pumpkin pie and then cut them out….if the lower image is not super strong…no biggie! Stampin' Dimensionals to the rescue and BAM!
I thought that the outside of the envelope needed some TLC today! Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper was the perfect match….those dots just do something to you!!! Love…LOVE…LOVE!!!!
Going back to my Scrapbooking Days…."dots…dots…and more dots"!!! This drives my kids NUTS but I just love how adding 3 little dots does something special! I tell them that I think it makes me feel like an artist!!!
Three things I cannot do….art -sing & sew! I have never mastered them and I do not seeing it happen in the near future!
A BIG shout out of thanks for all of the sweet comments about the look of my blog….my blog looks this way cause' Patsy Waggoner was my "knight in shining armor"!
As I have grown in age…I find it very comfortable to ask for help when I know I get frustrated….this is what I did…and I love the result!
Halloween will be here before you know it so every week, I am going to be slipping in a Halloween goodie to inspire you not to wait til the last minute! With having lots of college ages friends to send care packages to…I am going to also share with you some 3-D treats that I will be mailing!
Have a super-duper Sunday and get ready for some goodies this week! With me not stressing about my banner on the blog…I feel the creative juices ready to rumble!
As always,thanks for popping by my blog and please share my blog with your family and friends so they can have a daily dose of inspiration! Stampin' is fun…Stampin' is something that we all can do and I love to help you reach your goals!
Until tomorrow!
