by Susan Itell | Jun 10, 2017 | Simple Saturday |
Here you go…it is time for our 2 day weekend post! If you are new to my blog, welcome …..but let me fill you in about the weekend posts! On Saturday’s I share a project that is rather simple and then tomorrow….please POP back and see how I stepped it up.
Todays card showcases the NEW Photopolymer Bundle, Beautiful Bouquet. It is just that – BEAUTIFUL! I know, I know what many of you are thinking….another floral stamp…..yep – you are right but I invite you to look at it a bit deeper!
Do you SEE all of the Framelits? This is the answer to many of your “fussy cutting wishes” – This stamp set is chocked full of amazing stamps in a variety of sizes but to have the matching framelits – YES….we are all doing the happy dance….
Before we get to pictures…I hope that you can see the endless options you will have with this bundle. I adore an offering when it has part of the framelits that are perfect “fillers” that do not require stamping (like the below pear pizzazz leaves) – these are PERFECT to tuck in here and there and also great to cut many of and put them in a baggie for a rainy day!
There are just a ca-zillion ways to have fun with this bundle and the sentiments…..another keeper. Here is a great idea for you – when you see a new bundle go ahead and do a search for it in Pinterest…..or Split Coast Stampers – these are great sources for additional ideas but I think that you see the potential!
I have been really getting to know the new DSP’s with all of the cutting I have been doing! How about this FUN and bold stripe….how can you not love a great paper like this – Happy dance – HOMERUN!!!!
When I sit down (actually I like to stand) to create – I often let the liner for my envelope to tell me how to create a card! YEP, that is how the color scheme happened….I just looked at the colors that coordinated and BAM…stamp away!
I haven’t “scored” for a while and I think that it adds a fun interest to a card. I honestly like to use the simply scored when doing this rather than the trimmer….just a personal preference as I feel I can get a “deeper impression” with the score lines. Doesn’t it just give a fun element and texture?
Pool Party is such a FUN and UPLIFTING color to work with. Do you remember earlier in the week we were chatting about having fun with different colors? Well…Pool Party is one that looks fantastic with neutrals but then add another POP of a bold color and the WOW happens in a jif!
I can honestly say that Stampin’ Up! Cardstock is the best…..and here is a reminder for those of you that are just getting started with this Stampin’ fun that we do……you can purchase the color collections in “bundled offerings” getting just 2 sheets of each color of paper offered for just $8.00 a collection…..(Please see the lineup of products at the end of the post) This really is a great way to get our paper!
I hope that you have a great weekend and I hope that you pop back in tomorrow to see the changes I did to step it up a wee bit…either way…today’s card or tomorrows….you will be happy as this bundle is a “keeper” and the sky is truly the limit!
Is anyone doing anything fun today? Today is the Belmont Stakes Horse Race…..no Triple Crown winner this year but it still is wonderful to see these magnificent horses run and watching them on TV!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 9, 2017 | Birthday |
YIPPEE…it’s the WEEKEND! I have a super fun…clean & simple card for you to CASE away! One theme that we all seem to need ideas for are BIRTHDAY CARDS…and this is a stamp – Big on Birthdays, that is not only a keeper….but it is a stamp set that produces beautiful clean & simple cards in a jif!
I have blogged about this stamp set many times before and I was tickled that it was carried over. I know…I know – there are many of you that do not card for that one sentiment and I get it….but I think that it is super fair to say that the other elements are AMAZING so just forget about that one cause” – YOU ARE PRETTY!!!!
This would be a card that my Mom would have asked me for a dozen of. She would have liked everything about it….the color, the big nad bold sentiment, the DSP, the little touch of ribbon yada…yada….
I will share with you the measurements as I truly hope that the LIGHTBULB is on for you to make this gem. This is a great card to use up DSP that you have just a wee bit of and also you can easily make substitutions here and there….let’s get going!
I have used this DSP, Pick a Pattern already so much….it is funny, when you see it in the catalog it looks SO BUSY and at a glance you might think that it is juvenile with the prints but trust me on this one….it is a classic! True the whimsical prints are just that….whimsical but that is what makes them so FUN and FRESH but the flip sides……can you say CLASSIC…..
- The Card Base is an A-2 in Emerald Envy, 4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- The DSP pieces are 1 1/4″ in width
- The White piece that the sentiment is on is 3″ X 3 1/2″. I stamped it twice to get a good rich color and then sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder on and heat set it (you could easily skip this heat embossing but I love the little extra sheen it gives)
- The White under the sentiment is 3 1/4″ X 3 3/4″ and before I adhered it to the card I added a piece of the Emerald Envy Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon to it!
Here you go…a couple of thoughts about this card and then we will touch on Mr. Perfect, Milo!…
- The embossing does take this super simple card and make it go WOW! When you hold it in your hand and then run your fingers over the embossing….trust me, the WOW happens so I say – DO IT….well worth the extra step. You can do this with any of our inks… just work quick to get the clear embossing powder on and you are good to go! Would you like a video of this?
- Ribbon….we all love our ribbon and this new catalog the ribbon is absolutely crazy beautiful! This “crinkled seam binding” is so easy to work with and tying the Bakers Twine is so fun and easy! I say buy all the Bakers Twine…YES – you heard me right….Bakers Twine is SOOOOOO affordable and it is a perfect accent for projects!
Well….thoughts? I hope that this perky little card is a formula that you will use over and over. Depending on the sentiment you choose….you can easily change the cards orientation and also layering 2 different DSP’S would be fun as well….I say …
USE UP AND WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!
I have had emails that people are starting to get the new product that you have ordered from the new catalog….but for those of you that are waiting….I thought – show a stamp that many of you probably already have and if you do not….I would jot this down for your next order as it really is a great stamp.
In our collection of stamps…we all need keepers in a variety of categories…and for Birthdays – this is a great one!
Now to Mr. Perfect…well he still is that – Â PERFECT! I was able to connect with the Vet in South Carolina that originally did his surgery for his shattered leg. They had his x-rays and graciously shared them with my vet. The great news is the piece that is fractured was there when we rescued him 2 1/2 years ago and with that said …we are going wait to go to the orthopedics for at least another 10 days to see if he just “ouched himself” badly from sprinting for that darn squirrel.
He is amazing, a true gift and I wish that you would see the people at the vets perk up when they see him – there is always a big HERE IS MILO…..and his big ears perk up! He is not liking the “stay in and rest” rules as he would much rather be out and running but rest is what he needs….Until we go back on Tuesday!
The moral of the story is that the rescue where is came from is AMAZING and the vets that saved him in South Carolina are also amazing. Many offices would not talk to a person after so many years….but this vet also kept Milo for 9 months and the office became very attached to him. When I called and identified the dog – there was an instant….oh we remember Milo….(I just can’t figure out why someone there did not rescue him) but I am thankful that he moved to Maryland and became an Itell.
Now…let’s ALL have a great and safe weekend! Kindness is all around us and also kindness is so easy to give….whether you are making a simple card for someone…..to picking up the phone and say hi to someone….to helping an animal that can use it….we all have that inner gift within – I invite you to share your kindness….it is a WIN-WIN all the way around!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 8, 2017 | Uncategorized |
WOOT-WOOT….today is the debut of the Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge and it is going to be a FUN game for each of us to play on Thursdays! Please pop over to the website to see what the designers came up with and then I hope you take a good look at the game this week and give it a try!
I would LOVE ITÂ if you would submit your take on the game….it is super easy to upload and if you need help – please email me and I will be happy to help you!
Here’s the Challenge that Team X Â came up with – don’t you just adore the design work for this new weekly Challenge….this was created by the oh so talented…..best husband/wife dream team (Brian and Nicole WATT) from Integrant Services…..hence the inspiration for todays card!
I admit, I thought that I was super clever by doing all of the squares on the board but I realized as I was typing this up I missed the stripes – SILLY SUSAN….this is sooooo much fun to play and I really feel that doing challenges are a GREAT way to help you develop a style.
I know that sounds crazy but it is true….just look at the guidelines and HAVE FUN! By having a guideline with a challenge…you can just throw everything out the door and just focus on the NOW (which is the fun game board) and just have fun and see what you end up with.
From the moment I say this catalog, I knew that this little quirky stamp…Watts of Occasions would be coming to Randall Lane. I love stamps like this because they are a bit “off the wall” and that means that they will make you smile. Just look at the different cards/projects that you could make with this sweet stamp set!
This big and bold DSP is from the Whole Lot of Lovely DSP collection and I think that the name suits it to a tee as it is a lovely collection of yummy prints! Stampin’ Up! does know how to rock it with their papers but remember, they are ALL BEAUTIFUL…but lets USE THEM …not collect them!!! 😀
When you look at this fun card you can see that it is my kinda card….SIMPLE! I used just the basic cardmaking elements and PRESTO a fun card that had me win the game in several ways!
These fun images on this stamp set are super easy to fussy cut out….best tip is JUST DO IT as once you start to cut…keep those scissors MOVING as I find when you stop and start is when you get little jagged edges….remember  – it is a work of art from YOUR heart….please do not stress about perfection!
Today I chose to make my envelope with the Envelope Punch Board as you know me, I love it to be matching but you could have easily put this 4 1/4″ square card in a regular Stampin’ Up! Envelope and saved yourself the time and postage….but remember – this whole thing we do is FUN….so making it is a pleasure!
So….there you go! I thank YOU a WATT for popping onto my blog today! I do hope that you will see the fun takes on the game that the designers came up with and I sure hope that you will play along with the challenge. “PRESENT over PERFECTION” is the name of the crafting game so I personally challenge you to find the time and PLAY!
If you do not already subscribe to my blog….please do so! (look to the right of the sidebar) I am a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator that loves to stamp, inspire and share my love of paper crafting….fun times….tips and trick – heck basically everything about life! Now go have a FABULOUS DAY!
p.s. – After you subscribe to my blog….hop over to the Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge Website and subscribe to that as well…this way you will get notifications when there is a new board to play with as well as notifications for the weekly winners….
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by Susan Itell | Jun 7, 2017 | Fun & Cute!, Just Because..., New Product |
Happy HUMP day! Ok – are you smiling when you see this classic bike? I bet you are and this is a super fun bundle from the new catalog. The details that Stampin’ Up! put into this bundle is over the top…..(kinda the way that I felt about the Hot Air Ballon Bundle) – I think that we can all agree that there is just something classic about a bike…no matter your age!
It’s not hard to have a fun card when you have fun products to work with! Yesterday I chatted about stepping out of the color box that sometimes I think that we get trapped in….so today I challenged myself to use just solid colors of paper…and it worked and I was happy!
Here is a good peek at this dream of a bundle! You can see that again, I took the “freebie” idea that was right in front of me to get my mojo going for the card! This truly is a fun set to work with….so fresh!
You can see that there are a bunch of diecuts….(15 in all) and next we will chat about an idea that I like to do when I make the investment of a new bundle. I admit, I was doing the happy dance that this is a photopolymer…..they make stamping soooooo easy for perfect placement each and every time.
This is what I do when I get a “newbie in the house” – I will say that the stamp sets that I do not do this to right when I get them….I find that they are “SHELF SITTERS” for a while……does this sound familiar to anyone or am I on the “Island of I have never used that Stamp before” by myself!
Below you will see a picture of the images of the stamp set as well as the die cut pieces in the bundle. I will be honest, this takes time to do but the outcome is well worth every minute that you take in getting to know your stamps as well as condition them. I have blogged about this before but I wanted to mention it again….
We all spend so much money on our stamps and goodies…we need to make sure that they work the best possible way for us! I do like to stamp them in black as it does help to SPOT IT when you are in the trenches of playing! It’s funny, it used to bug me that the stamps were stained….now I LOVE the stains!
The sentiment came from this adorable Stamp Set, Pieces & Patterns. This IS a keeper set. I know at a glance you say…it’s ok…but I’ll wait – well let me point out….there are LOTS of little stamps that are perfect “fillers”. I think is you were to go onto Pinterest you will see what I mean….people are coming up with fantastic projects with this set….and the matching DSP Â – can you say adorable!
Enjoy the pictures and let me know how you like this inspiration for today! It is just wonderful when you have a great basic element to let your card ROLL….I tucked in some clouds hear and there from the Up & Away Framelits…..they are the best clouds with little effort. I have a little container of white clouds so when I need a little something – BAM….right at my fingertips!
A quick chat about the “road” – Is this the best or what! In the framelits there is a small little one that creates an embossing effect….it was so easy to do – just position it in Mr. Big …crank away and presto – you are riding down a road. I took a sponge and soft suede to “dirty up” my Soft Sky card stock.
The other thing that is the best are….THE MINI DIMENSIONALS….those little guys are perfect. When you first see them you will say – WOW, these are really tiny…..but when working with them you quickly see that you want them tiny…..no more sticky scissors and the size is perfect for many little areas that need that EXTRA lift!
A card would not be a card without a beautiful envelope! This bike image would be adorable stamped on the front of an envelope….Here’s what I envision that would be super ….. Make a custom envelope out of the Soft Sky or Lemon Lime Twist and then stamp the back wheel going off the envelope with “enjoy today” stamped multiple times….. 😀
Wouldn’t that be super cute! We all can come up with lots of great ideas but sometimes that TIME thing gets in the way!
Here is the picture to Pin….just hover over it and the “P” will be right there…and presto – you have an idea for the future. There truly are so many different ways that you can go with this bundle. It is a classic…it is a keeper and today I just did a quick way to use it but truth be told – I love this card just the way it is!
That is a great tip I can give you….if YOU are happy with a project….than stick with it – no reason to make it harder than it needs to. We do this “THING” of stamping because it is to be FUN….
Before we leave…a quickie about the sentiment…..After I stamped it my plan was to have it in a banner…..well – I was not happy with the width of it so PLAN B – snip it and let it roll!
Now to my little buddy….he is laying low and actually doing what he does best – SLEEPING and hanging out with Mom! He is in no pain….it just looks worse than it is – he IS a sweet angel that brings me more joy than one will know…..we go back to the Vets tomorrow and then next – Orthopedic Specialist….he has always been “gimpy” but we need to make sure that he has not damaged it more.
That’s it for today! I hope that you enjoyed this card as much as I did. I am really looking forward to playing with this bundle more. It is definitely a “KEEPER” and a classic! I hope that you do take it to heart to condition and really get to know your products.
I know that I try my best to share and teach you some ins & outs of basic stamp care and things that I have found to be helpful. It is great to have products….but you really need to know how to make the most out of the products that you have! When you take the time, your results will be better …hence – Â you will even be happier stamper!
Little by little we learn and once we implement change, it becomes second nature to us! I cannot wait for tomorrow….it is the DEBUT of the Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge….and WOW – sooooooo much talent~ I hope that you will PLAY!!!!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 6, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Good Tuesday morning to you! Are you ready for a TIP for your TUESDAY??? Well I hope that you are ready to be a sponge and try to look at color in a different way! I have a bunch to cover today as I have this tip….a “funny” that kinda goes with the color tip and then a “lower lip hanger” for you….my dear Milo fractured his leg.
One thing is for sure…never a dull moment on Randall Lane!
Let’s chat about color! We all have certain colors that we gravitate to 😀 ….and then we have those colors that get neglected 😕 …Here is a great chart to reference to and a great motivator to give you that nudge….(hint-hint) to try and GET OUT OF THAT “COLOR BOX” that we tend to get ourselves in!
I love it that Stampin’ Up! comes out with 5 new colors each year. The In Colors will be with us for 2 years so we get lots of time to play! I personally am thrilled with the In Colors this year and the Lemon Lime Twist is my favorite out of the group of 5! I just love the clear, crisp POP that it gives.
When Stampin’ Up! comes out with new colors….I say get them. One thing that is fabulous about Stampin’ Up! products is…THEY MATCH! That might seem like a very broad base statement but it is soooooo true and it will be a huge help to you when you create. Trust me, there is something so “freeing” to know that this paper coordinates with that paper….this ink will coordinate with that DSP etc….
Here are the color combinations that caught my eye from the above chart….but 1st – a funny for you!
On Saturday John was helping me make up the Card Swatches on a Ring for the Product Share and he had an audience! Just look at the 3 dogs – PRICELESS! I was on the other side in the Kitchen and I wish that you would have heard him talking.
He would say – ROSIE….we are on ROSE RED now…..and then this is what I loved….he popped out into the kitchen and said – “You know – these are really great as there would be no way that I could decide by looking at the Catalog” – I just smiled and said – thank you! I will say that I love being able to pull forward the swatches to see how colors work together.
I will be offering another Product Share the week of June 19th so I encourage you to grab one of these….they truly are a great tool.
Now super quick to Milo, Mr Perfect. When we rescued him almost 2 years ago he was given a great opportunity as someone had shot his front leg and a Vet in South Carolina saved him….rehabbed him until he became an Itell.
His little leg is a bit deformed from the injury and surgery. I guess you can say that he has a permanent limp but it never slows him down. Sunday I noticed that he was not himself. Yesterday I needed to leave him at the Vets and YEP, he has a fracture. It appears to be in the same place where he had the initial surgery and I am hoping the Vet in South Carolina will send up his xrays from before.
He goes back on Thursday and time will tell. It is just sad that my little buddy is down and out. That makes me sad but I am glad that he has a great Vet!
I will be back tomorrow with a NEW card for you! I know many of you like my fur babies stories and this one caught me in left field!
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