by Susan Itell | Aug 9, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
It’s Friday…it’s the weekend! WOOT-WOOT! It is amazing what can be done in a 24-hour span…yesterday my husband and I made the trek to Boston to get our son settled in his new city…new apartment as he starts a new job!
Today’s card is another card to brighten my 2nd cousins day! Many thanks for so many kind emails on your thoughts and prayers for him…he has a long road ahead but one thing that he loves is cards!
This is the 1st time I have used this stamp set and I was so excited to use it! If this little guy won’t make you smile than someone needs to tickle your feet for a good laugh!
The Bug Me Stamp Set is anything and everything you want it to be! Just put your “fun and creative hat” on and make a critter happen!
Pick a color palette out that you want to work with and go to town! Today I used Crumb Cake, Whisper White,Night of Navy and the fun new Crushed Curry! I wanted to use the crumb cake envelopes so this was a perfect fit!
I first stamped my guy on the white card stock before pulling out my main man, Mr. Big Shot, and using the Window Frames Framelits – a whirl of a turn and presto…a perfect image!
Using the scraps I stamped out the “wings” in Crumb Cake and using the BEST scissors in the world, I free handed cutting the wings! Investing in great cissors will make your projects SHINE and save you lots of FRUSTRATION!
I stamped the body in both the navy and curry and layered them on top to give some POP!!!
Wanting to add more color, I popped out 2 more of the Window Frames in the Crushed Curry and just placed them on either side of the critter! I just love this look…how about you?
You can see that this is a great example of less is best and the card is just clean just as it is!
A Regal Candy Dot on the edges was the perfect touch of a balance!
Before adhering this whole piece that has Stampin’ Dimensions on the back….I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the sweet sentiment from the Four You Stamp Set in a perfect position!
The new Designer Series Papers that are from each color collection are just fabulous! This liner comes from the Regals Designer Series Paper and they are such a fresh and fun addition to the Stampin’ Up! Products!
Speaking of fabulous…how about the Envelope Liner Framelits…you know I have many ways of lining envelopes but this works great and a perfect fit every time!
I know that when Matthew sees this card, there will be a smile on his face! I am excited to come up with more fun ideas using this stamp set!
Please let me know how you like this card…I sure do appreciate your comments and I do try to answer back to you! It is a great feeling that there are “cyber friends” all over….probably someone here in Boston!!!
Shoot me an email or leave me a comment!
Tomorrow’s card is all about L O V E!!! Another card for Matthew to let him know that many love him…truly a brave person!
Enjoy the day and until tomorrow!
p.s. – sorry for the photography….I did my posts for several days in advance and the hotel lighting is not the best….but trust me….this is an adorable card….what do you think?!?!
by Susan Itell | Aug 8, 2013 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
Wow…it is already Thursday – and we know what that means….time for the Pals Paper Art Challenge and this means that it is YOUR TIME to play and have fun with this color palette!
Every week there is either a color challenge or a sketch challenge and I hope that you consider playing along!
It is fun…it is rewarding…and it is open to anyone! There is so much talent out there and let's all share our works of "art" from our "heart"!!!
As I have shared before, doing challenges was a resolution from me this year and I am so glad that I have been holding true to my word!
It truly has made me "challenge" myself and think out of the box! I am now on the Design Team (a big honor in itself) and I am always amazed with the talent out there! Come join the fun and play with this fun color challenge!
You all know that I love "odd size" cards and today's card is not the traditional A-2 card size! I still have some (not many as I adore them) this fun size envelope that Stampin' Up! used to have….the flap is on the end….just love them!
Here is the simple scoop for the challenge today! Please feel free to email me or leave me a comment if this "Happy Day" card….make YOU happy!!!
- The Whisper White Card Stock is cut in a 6 1/2" square…then scored in half!
- The "smaller" Whisper White is 6" X 3" ( I just love seeing a bunch of "white" on a card – always gives a clean and classic look and feel!!!)
- TIP ALERT!!! – Use your ruler and mark the center of your card area…this case it was at 3" and then you will have your center point! I also did that for the sentiment as well as I wanted the balance to be in line! ( I know the picture is not the best….but you'll get the idea….click on it!)
- The flower comes from the Flower Shop Stamp Set – a definite "A List" stamp set to have!
- TIP ALERT!!! Trust me on this one….USE THE STAMP-A-MA JIG!!! Not only will it save you a TON of time in the long run – you will get it exact the very 1st time and your flowers will have the same symmetry across!
- Have fun and here you go!!! STAMP…clean…STAMP…clean…STAMP…clean and DONE = 3 beautiful flowers!
- Doing the exact same thing with the sentiment…line your stamp-a-ma-jig image right on your pencil line and PRESTO!!! This great sentiment came from the Happy Day Stamp Set!
- For a simple finishing touch to the card I simply placed a white candy dot that came from the Neutrals Candy Dots! These gems are addictive – I have yet to use them with a brad!
- It's envelope time!!! I just couldn't resist making the mailman smile! I first gave a good and juicy stamp and then stamped it off twice for a fainter look and then stamped the sentiment!
I hope that this card finds you having a "Happy Day"! Please consider playing along this week…these are fun colors and I just love seeing everyone's approach to a challenge!
You can simply click here and order any of these products and then you will be having a"Happy Day" in about a week when the UPS Man arrives! Thanks for popping by!!!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Aug 7, 2013 | Thinking of you |
This is a card that we are making tonight for our Breast Cancer project…..so clean & classic…just so simple – anyone would love to receive this!
I encourage you to look the layout and visualize how it can be adapted to so many different themes! Sometimes I think we stress in reinventing the wheel….take a deep breathe and say…WHY?
There are tons of great , and simple layouts that can be made again…and again….with different colors and stamps and the end result is WOW!!!!
This is one of them and here is the scoop!
- Using the Crumb Cake as my neutral and it is my GO TO favorite I knew that having the Very Vanilla with a POP of color would be the perfect blend!
- The floral focal stamp is from the Love and Sympathy Stamp Set….and I used the markers in Wild Wasabi and Perfect Plum to "ink" it up! So easy to do and works out perfectly!
The Sentiment comes from the Wetlands Stamp Set and a perfect blend with the floral stamp! I have made several cards with this stamp set and they have all turned out super-duper….one that you should consider having in your collection!
- After doing my stampin' magic, I used the Deco Label Framelits to give the card a bit of pizzazz! So quick, so simple, so fun!
I know that tonight is going to be both rewarding and fun! How can it not be when you are with others that have the same mission….to give back to others and make them smile!
We laugh, we chat up a storm ( fancy that!!!) and the best thing is our local Breast Cancer office will be filled with a surplus of cards for people to send to those in treatment!
Tomorrow I am going to share with you a precious little young man that needs our thoughts, prayers. and cards if you are able to do!
It is all about my 2nd cousin that has undergone a huge surgery….I will let you know how he is doing…..one thing that is family has was for "just cards" to be sent to cheer him up! (Now we all know how special that is!!!)
I hope that you all realize, embrace and just "get it" the power of a card and a message written from YOUR hand to the recipient! We all live in such a world of technology that we forget the power of a card…a message…a simple stamp!
One thing I never forget is the fact that I am thankful, grateful and blessed by you!
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Aug 6, 2013 | Uncategorized |
On Saturday I shared with you a very fun CAS card. ( Clean And Simple) Here is the link to refresh you!
Today I wanted to share with you some tips as I have received many emails of how so many of you liked it!
I forgot to give you the name of the sentiment! It is from the A Dozen Thoughts! It is so funny that I totally forgot to share that with you…as the other week Mary Fish had a CAS challenge for the PALS…there were sooooo many incredible cards and the one that I loved had this sentiment!
I actually went through the catalog probably 3 times…and could not find that "just because" and finally had to email the PALS to find out! I just love the font!
NOW FOR THE TIPS for TUESDAY!
I have found that when I use the embossing folders, there are many times that I think it is better to put adhesive ( my favorite for this method is Sticky Strip)… on the back of the card stock BEFORE you run it through the Big Shot!
Why??? I find it you put the adhesive on after you emboss it…when you go to press it down to your card to get a good "sick and hold", you press on the embossing and it flattens s a bit!
This works perfectly and it is a breeze to pull off and adhere!
If you choose not to do this…I would recommend that you use the Mono glue….this is SUPER strong, the only tip I will say is LESS IS BEST – this is super strong and you do not want it to bleed out! If you use this adhesive…you can lightly press it…wait for the hold to set and you are good to go!
The next tip for this cute card it the butterflies…after you punch them out…(2) for each card = adhere them together because when you "curl " them – you will not see the underside of the butterfly!
My favorite adhesive for this is the 2 way pen! I love this adhesive….I have a ca-zillion around my stamp area – this is how I adhere my liners to the envelopes! Just love it!
The best way "to curl" is with a pencil or something similar! To adhere is to the card – the BEST is the mini glue dots!
I hope that you have found this post to be helpful! There are so many different ways we approach things…please feel free to email me with some of your favorite tips and tricks!
This is what I absolutely love about Stampin' Up! and the whole community…..we are all here to help and share!
Thanks for popping by and please click here to order from my website and your goodies will be shipped via UPS right to your door…you will have me to continue to encourage and help you reach your goals!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Aug 5, 2013 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
I hope that you had a great weekend!
I had a F A B U L O U S weekend…
as it was truly very special as I had all of my "peeps" under 1 roof….their home ….and it was super special! Times like this become far and fewer as they are all grown and independent! It was a great weekend!
Today's post is a special one as it is one of the cards that will be for Breast Cancer patients in treatment, something I do monthly with volunteers that meet to make lots of cards! It is a fun and rewarding evening! I love creating cards for them as they are not only special….they are hero's! I know that the recipients will love this CAS – (Clean And Simple) card!
Let's get to the "good stuff" of this card! The focal part and sentiment is from the Lovely Romance Stamp Set and I think the sentiment says it all …..
"I think that you are Amazing…just wanta let you know!
Well I am here to tell you – these ladies…the volunteers and also the patients are amazing! This is such a "feel" good for me!
The fun part about this card that gives it texture and a bit of pizazz is the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder! Running this through the big shot is the start of this show stopper card!
The super sentiment does stand on it's own and I used the pear pizazz ink to stamp the sentiment and then again, pulling out the big shot with the help of the Chalk Talk Framelits.…the sentiment was a cinch to POP out!
The card is sweet and simple on its own ….I had some discontinued Pear Pizazz ribbon that I thought would be a great addition to this card! Little touches like this is simple, clean yet effective! I added a Very Vintage Designer Button with a piece of Linen Thread through it and it was a perfect touch!
TIP ALERT!!!! There is an item that gets overlooked in the catalog and I think I know why….it is pricy – BUT let me tell you honestly – once you get these gems and you use the JUST FOR RIBBON – you will say WOW….how did I ever craft before!!!!
I am talking about the Craft Scissors! Look closely at the above picture….I did NOT tuck the ribbon behind the layer…I simply CUT the ribbon at the edge – this is how sharp and precise they are…you can get them at 50% off or better yet – FREE!!!! Click here and ask me how!!!!
Envelope time…this picture does not do it justice but it is super cute! The designer series paper is called Afternoon Picnic, and the colors are soft and sweet! I choose to do the outside of the envelope as I thought it would "show off: this paper the best plus make the mailman smile!
Here is to a NEW week, a FUN week and a PRODUCTIVE week! Again, I deeply thank you for all of your support and comments you have "sent my way" over the weekend….I am getting through answering you!!!
I have not "jumped off the high dive" yet with all of the new holiday goodies but hang tight – I will….this is always a busy Breast Cancer week for me!
Have a super day….tell you friend, family and co-workers about my blog…..and
Until tomorrow!!!
