by Susan Itell | Jun 4, 2017 | Hostess Stamp Sets, New Product |
Tweet-tweet….I hope that you are having a great weekend! I changed up what I had planned for you today for a simple reason…I was missing playing with my stamps and decided to take a break from working on the product shares last night and I got inky!!!
I have ordered…actually a bunch but I will say the things that I have ordered have mainly been the products needed to fill my shares! Remember, today is the LAST day if you want to sneak in a product share. WHY did I do that? Easy – if I ordered a bunch for myself right now….I know me well enough – I would easily be sidetracked and sneak upstairs and stamp so I guess you could say that I am “exercising stamping willpower”
On Thursday I shared with you a CASE from the catalog…and today is the same! I wanna tell you….the samples and ideas that are RIGHT THERE at our fingertips in the catalog are the BEST springboard for you to CASE. Now go get your catalog and turn to page 220 and here is my inspiration!
As I have been cutting paper into the Swatch Books I have really started to learn and get a feel for each of the offerings. Do you remember during Sale-A-Bration we had the DSP that you could color called Inside the Lines? Well…in the new catalog we have an offering that is the similar idea…it is called, Just Add Color. Let me tell you…it is fabulous! I will blog about that another post…it is super fun and fresh!
The stamp set that I am using today is called Feathery Friends and it has a similar “color me” feel. This is a Host Rewards set and I think that the offering for Stampin’ Rewards Redemption are wonderful in the catalog….please go to 220-223 to see the offerings.
I want you to think back when you were in school and you were sitting there listening, or trying to listen but your pen just kept doodling. This is how I can related to images like this in the stamp set and also in the Just Add Color DSP…they are super simple images that are just BEGGING for a bit of doodle here and there – it is as simple as that and this is what I did for today’s card!
There are so many elements that make me smile about this card. At a glance there seems to be a lot going on but this is a card that you could make in the masses and just have fun with an endless array of color combinations. Here are some things I like about it….
- You can stamp the images…cut them out with the Oval Framelits ….grab a bunch of pens, watercoloring pencils, blender pens etc…and GO TO TOWN! For the card I used the Aqua Painter (as it is my true blue friend) and an assortment of ink pads…that’s how I like to roll!
- The card uses scraps….the DSP is a strip from the Coffee Break DSP that I had that is 1″ wide and then a quick flag on the ends did the trick!
- I ADORE the look of “tone on tone” and if you look at the Soft Sky Card Stock I stamped the images in Versamark to give it a special look and feel…we all need to have Versamark in our stash and also it helped to “condition” my stamps….remember that tip from before?
- The sample that was on the catalog gave me a PUSH to use something that I have but do not use a bunch….Doilies…I think that it just added that “something-something” – sometimes we need that nudge! 😆
- A card like this allows you to add ANY sentiment. Because the image is so general, you could easily put a birthday sentiment, anniversary, thinking of you….or heck – just leave it blank!
- I ADORE using different textures…the wee bit of the burlap ribbon again was the perfect “something-something” to make this card sparkle…do you agree? It is amazing how tucking in a simple glue dot does the trick!
Enjoy the pictures….I hope that it makes you chirp! To me this is a relaxing “therapy card” as face it – there is not a right or wrong way to color this…the only rule is – JUST HAVE FUN!
Please do not overlook my generous rewards program that I offer to my customers that shop with me….collecting Paw Prints is fun but it is even better when you are able to pick a free stamp set.
In addition to the rewards program I am offering another personal incentive to my customers….buy any 3 bundles in the current catalog throughout the year and be able to pick a Host Stamp Set…..now that should make you smile! Trust me, I get it….that these special stamp sets are soooo tantalizing but you just do not want or feel like having an event or hostess code…so here is a solution to that!
Here is a funny for you and I bet that you would not have “caught it” if I did not point it out. Look below at the envelope. Do you see that the flap is straight across? Well, confessions of an honest stamper…..when I went to go trim the excess let’s say I had a bit of “user error” and instead of starting over…I simply trimmed the boo-boo’s off and presto – a fun envelope!
Again, another example of how we can make lemonade out of lemons!
Enjoy your day and I will see you on Tuesday! I wish that I could say that I am having a day off tomorrow….but I will be in the Product Share Trenches work to make a bunch of you have HUGE SMILES….I know you are very eager to get your goodies and I am like Lucy in the Chocolate Shop!
I just turn the music up…sing (watch the dogs turn their heads because I hurt their ears) and just go to town! I have a funny for you on Tuesday….enjoy the day and remember…shopping from home is TOTALLY on trend!!!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 3, 2017 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
Happy Saturday to all! I have been getting lots of great feedback about the new catalog and I am just thrilled. It is always so exciting when we have the opportunity to play with new toys….you see – we will ALWAYS be young at heart and the great thing about having a hobby like this is the fact that you are good to go with ideas for Birthdays, Mothers Day, the Holidays etc….as we always have newbies that we just want to have.
With getting something new like this beautiful 233 page Catalog there are times that it is just hard to get used to, hard to take it all in. I am hoping that I am going to help you with some ideas that I like to use as guess what – I am just like you…it takes a while to get in the groove with where things are.
Today’s post is a “check in” with tips to help you navigate as there is so much to see and take note of. My hopes are that you will have your coffee with me and leave ready to grab that catalog and take it all in !
Before we get into some tips, if you are not currently working with a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator or if for some reason you are my customer and you have not received your very own catalog, please shoot me an email and I will be happy to send one to you.
We all know that the computer is a fabulous tool in showing us things – IN THE INSTANT – but again, if you are like me….there is nothing like having a catalog in your hands to be able to flip through.
Let’s get going!
- The first thing that I like to do is to take my catalog to an Office Max/Staples etc….and have them make my catalog into a spiral bound catalog with Clear Covers on the front and the back of the catalog. This costs around $3.00 and it is worth every penny. This way your catalog will lay flat, it is easier to flip through and with all of the hard use it gets in the year – it protects it.
- I like to take a highlighter and flip through the entire catalog and highlight the stamps I have. I do this all through the catalog as well as in the Stamp Index (page 224). I love the index and reference to it just about daily. To me, it has everything right there…the stamp name, page number to flip to and it is a quick visual to see what I have.
- Now starts the fun part. The ultimate Wish List. I first go through all of the Bundles because these are the source of the instant 10% off and then I get an additional 25% off…(you see – a great reason to be a demonstrator – who doesn’t like discounted things). Here is a list of the Bundle and Save in this catalog but pop back tomorrow and I will have another tool for you to make it easier to “take in”. Bundles are great, bundles save us money. Please remember that Stampin’ Up! does not keep them as bundles forever so when you see a bundle, I would purchase it then.
- Take a piece of paper, (I always like a memo pad) and make 3 columns. I break it into A,B & C lists. Naturally the “A’s” are stamps that are the ones that I JUST HAVE TO HAVE….like the This Little Piggy and Crafting Forever. After I write down these then I go to the “B” list – these are stamps that I really want…..but will try to contain myself from that initial purchase. The “C’s” – they are stamps that I just want to sit back and watch…a great example of this is the Best Birds – I did not purchase that until last month. This stamp set it a great example of why it is good to purchase bundles. It now is NOT a bundle now, so you would need to purchase the framelits separately now.
- Time for the NEW DSP, Ribbons and Embellishments – The best tip I can give you is to purchase a share. Many Demonstrators offer shares and they really are the best bang for your buck for many reasons. To me you are able to have the buffet without feeling stuffed. There are always so many new things and “I get it” – we want them but then the reality of the price hits us – that is why the shares are the way to go…this way you can invest in more stamp sets and/or tools. Please remember that my 1st wave of the product share is available through tomorrow and then I will offer another one, but it will not be until later in the month!
- Time to flip to page 206…PUNCHES! Let’s face it…punches are fast, punches are easy to work with and punches JUST WORK! True we are blessed that we have so many amazing framelits and thinlits but there is just something about a punch that does the job. You are not going to like what I am going to say….but here it goes. Buy punches, they make things easy. Before I became a SUD I belonged to a Stamp Club. Every month I would order (1) punch – by doing it this way I built up my supply and trust me, I still have many from years and years!
- Last flip for today….go to page 220….Host Sets! There are some KEEPERS here….right? I received some yesterday and I am excited to get inky with them. I think that most people think that they need to have a “home event” to earn these….Well I am here to tell you….NOPE, not true. YES – you could have an event in your home…you could have a cyber event with me…you could easily have me get a host code for you….or you can get one free from me by purchasing (3) bundles from me on my online store and then you let me know which one you would like. (this offer is only good for (3) bundles from the same catalog) 😛
Ok stampers…..that is it from me today – this was a (2) cup of coffee day but I hope that it helped you! My hands have been cutting and cutting for the shares and they are coming together….a busy but fun time for all of us as we love new toys!
I hope to see you tomorrow….have a great day and enjoy the sunshine! Below you will see some of the products that I chatted about….also the group of host stamps….easy – buy 3 (bundles) and get 1 free (host stamp)…..an offer from me for your support! 😀
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by Susan Itell | Jun 2, 2017 | Fun & Cute!, New Product |
Happy June 2nd! Whew….busy week but a great week. Well….thoughts???? Have you been having fun with the new catalog? I know, I know…it is a bunch to take in as we all know change does take time to get comfy!
With that change I am going to help you get “comfy” with the catalog over the weekend so it will feel like a great pair of shoes that are broken in for you! I am the 1st one that gets a bit uptight when the grocery store changes things…so “I GET IT” – and I will have some ideas and tips for you!
CLICK ME! 😀
I have a super sweet card for you today and then at the end I have some animal pictures! Yep, I do…as after all if I am going to show case this ADORABLE PIGGY STAMP….my sweet swine need to slip in a post!
The other day I had asked if any could guess what one of my other “must haves” would be and yep – you guessed it….This Little Piggy Stamp Set. I have to admit, when I went to the On Stage in Richmond they gave this stamp set away as an all attendee giveaway.
Needless to say I was thrilled and I could hardly wait to get home and play with it. ( I did think….wonder what all of the others think about going away and coming home with a “pig stamp”?…just sayin’) 😆
Naturally I adore piggy’s. Pigs are cute. Pigs are super smart. Pigs need love. Put all of those things together and it is an instant smile factor. Another smile factor is the beautiful pictures that are in the catalog.
I have been just “itchin’ “ to show you these as well and yep, I CASE
( Copy And Share Everything) – why not?
They are “keeper” ideas and I am just like you – when I see something that inspires me, why re-invent the wheel? How about thinking like this….GRAP THAT WHEEL and make your own imprint on it!
Ok – Let’s get to it. I would say THANK YOU Stampin’ Up! because this is a brilliant and fun layout! You can see that I simply used some “classics” (the heart framelits) along with the Sparkle Texture Embossing Folder to add the interest to the card’s base! I ask you – how easy is that!
I stamped my swine (we are going to have to name these pigs) with the Archival Black Ink – (this is a must have ink and I now use it exclusively) I took the plunge and removed other blacks from my work area as this does the trick for all techniques that you use…(works with Copics too) and using the Aqua Painters, I did a super quick color!
I did cut out a vellum heart….adds a fun touch and popped the whole thing up so my swine can shine!!! Speaking of popping up – are you as excited as I am for the NEW Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals? I know…I know – we can cut the ones down that we have but not having to deal with that is a WOOT-WOOT in itself….
I will send you a pack of them FREE along with another must have (in my humble opinion) – the NEW Bakers Twine in Flirty Flamingo….now go ahead and do that dance…. a 2 for 1 for placing an order with me in June!
On Tuesday I have a tip and tricks for those of you out there that say….“I am not good at Watercoloring” – I actually am excited for this one as I think that the topic will leave a message for you to think about each and everyday!
Just look at this picture below….you can see that I am out of the lines and guess what??? Who cares? It still looks super cute! Just look at this piggy smiling as she skips away with her flower – I say adorable!
Now speaking of A D O R A B L E….here’s my sweet Daisy Mae!
John stopped and was actually nice to her as she LOVES her head to be scratched – just look at that smile on her face – only a face that a proud Mama like me would love. When you get her in a spot that she likes…she just closes her eyes…..puts that nose of hers up ….and SMILES – life it great!
Last night when I was finishing up at the barn…I thought – well look at this, we are having a family party and I could not resist taking a picture! Dear, sweet Arnold and friends….(his Donkey is always by his side) and sweet Daisy, (she loves her Equine brothers) and even Jack and Milo and by the fence – this is ONE BIG PARTY on a beautiful evening!
Well…that’s what I have for you today! I say ONE SWEET CARD with a great layout (remember….I call these formulas for the future) that will make you endless amounts of great cards and a little bit of my fur babies….BIG and SMALL!
Please remember if you want to take part of the 1st wave of the product share…the cut off is SUNDAY, JUNE 4th but I will offer another one the 3rd week of June. (Sorry….I need to do this to get the share orders out and then I also have my Monthly Kit.) so take a look and email me if you would like a share. I will start today to send out the Pay Pal invoices for the 1st wave.
I think that one of the BEST perks this month is the extra $35.00 in Stampin’ Rewards (free product of your choice)….a touched on that yesterday but I will say WOOT-WOOT as when I ordered myself yesterday…I was doing the dance myself! Please email me if you have any questions or need a Hostess Code yourself!
Have a great day….and I look forward to tomorrow as I will help you with some TIPS and IDEAS of making this catalog feel like your favorite shoes! Now go and be like Daisy – SMILE!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 1, 2017 | New Product, Uncategorized |
I am squealing with happiness that it is HERE – the NEW 2017-1018 Catalog! I know that you all have been waiting for today to come and yep…it is here and I hope that you dive right in and take it all in!
The NEW 2017-2018 Stampin’ Up! Catalog
CLICK HERE TO VIEW!
Because of the “late start” with not being able to order…I thought – you could care less about a card today so I am just giving you a PEEK of tomorrows card and yep – many of you guessed it….the stamp set that I was just squealing about is This Little Piggy!
Many of you know that I am the proud Mama of a piggy and her name is Daisy Mae.
I adore her and even though she is not a pink piggy….(she is black with a wee bit of white) she is just BEAUTIFUL in my eyes! You have to admit, this is one cute stamp set and I bet when you see the image, you smile!
It is going to be a SUPER busy Stampin’ Up! day but a fun day!
Please feel free to email me if you need help and my fingers are crossed that today is a “smooth sailing kind of day” for the launch of the NEW catalog!
To kick off the new catalog, Stampin’ Up! is also offering a $35.00 bonus in Stampin’ Rewards for orders over $350. See the below chart and if you want a Hostess Code of your own….again, email me and I will be glad to get you set up! It is as easy as that!
I think that people imagine that this means you need to have a “in home” event…nope – not at all! Think about it this way…email your crafty friends and give them your hostess code…if the order is $350, 12% is $42 free + $35 = $77 free! I can help you place orders, it really is easy and their orders will be shipped directly to their home.
Each month I offer a goodie for people that order from me. Please use the Hostess Code below (the current on is always on my side bar) to make it easy for you! If your order is OVER $150 please do not use it as I want YOU to take advantage of hostess rewards but yep, I will send you the goodies for the month!
You know that I just ADORE Bakers Twine…and I am giddy about the new colors! This month, with a purchase of $75+ I will send you both the Flirty Flamingo Bakers Twine and the NEW Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals – 2 blue ribbon winners as I hope that we STICK together!
Let’s all have a GREAT DAY and have fun surfing and purchasing…..YIPPEE FOR JUNE 1st…I can here you squealing with joy!
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by Susan Itell | May 31, 2017 | New Product, Uncategorized |
Well I admit, I am doing the “happy dance” as the time is just about here to see the NEW Annual Catalog. I will say that I truly enjoyed this past catalog and I am going to be sad to see products go but at the same time I am excited to play with “new toys”
This stamp set, Crafting Together is THE BEST. I think that it is very fair to say that all of us will smile when we see it because IT IS ALL ABOUT “us” and WHAT WE LOVE TO DO! 😀
Yesterday I shared with you that taking advantage of Bakers Twine and goodies would be a fabulous gift for a crafty friend….well – how about this great card to write a note. You could easily make this a Birthday Card or a just because etc…but I think that you “get it”
There are 2 stamp sets in the NEW catalog that caught my eye the very 1st flip through…and yep – you will see the 2nd one tomorrow! (can you guess which one it is?) I think that you all know the feeling…that feeling in an INSTANT – I just have to have it feeling!
Yep, I am so happy that Stampin’ Up! created such a fun stamp set that depicts all of the thinks that we like to do – CRAFTING and then the other one that I just had to have, because it is a Susan to the tee!
Today I watercolored the images using the Aqua Painter and a variety of ink colors. (you can see the colors that I used at the bottom of the post) but heck, you can use whatever your heart desires as we all know everything that we have is always so fun and colorful!
I also used the watercolor paper today, I usually just use the Thick White Card Stock but today I chose to use the watercolor paper because I wanted to go for the texture that it has…..(to kinda go along with the feel of the card) and also this paper is super heavy so I knew that it would be a great choice to “fussy cut out” with the paper snips and then pop up with dimensionals!
I like to tape my image to a small cutting board and tape it down to hold in place. This just seems to work for me and I find it to be the easiest as well (it is funny that we get into habits)
Below you will see the (2) DSP’s that I used. At a first glance when you see the Color Theory paper you might be thinking that you are in a paint store….well – I can see why and I will say that this is becoming a very helpful collection of paper. This little print is so subtle but it gives an instant depth.
The wood piece from the Wood Textures is just the perfect choice to ground the images. Just look at all of the different warmths of colors and hues of wood. This will be a very helpful and useful stack to have!
There really isn’t much to say than to go for it and have fun. I am glad that I used the watercolor paper as I honestly forgot how forgiving it is…because of the properties of the paper….you can slop a bunch of water on it and you will be good to go!
Even if you do not watercolor a bunch, having a package of this paper is a great idea. You have heard me COUNTLESS times go on and on about the basics – well yep, this is one of them. Watercoloring is a very simple technique that many of us THROW THAT WALL UP and say – I can’t do that…..but in fact we all know that we can and guess what….with practice and time we all get better!
I just had to show you one more time the front angle of this card. I just am giddy about this stamp set and I know that this will be inked up over and over and each and every time I will smile bigger and bigger as I truly love what I do!
There are so many ways that you could step this card up but I will admit, I am happy with it just as is! The addition of the linen thread and bow not only gave a layer of texture but it reminded my of my tin that I keep all of my swatch books in….I know that it is silly but I often tie a piece of ribbon around my containers as heck – I see them each and everyday….why not make them pretty!
Well….that’s it and guess what???THIS IS IT!
Yep, the last chance for you to get anything from the catalog as tomorrow…all of the waiting will be over and YOU can shop away and can share with you the in’s and out’s of the new catalog!
Here is an important “head’s up” for you tomorrow…
When you wake up tomorrow the new catalog link will be ready for you but Stampin’ Up! online ordering will be down from midnight tonight (May 31st until noon tomorrow June 1st) As you can imagine it is a huge job to make sure that the “cyber gods” are all “behaving” and ready to rumble for us – crazed crafters…so please be patient and I hope that everything is a smooth transition.
I will be like you…..patiently waiting and I would imagine if they are ready before this timeframe then we will all find out at the same time! I have a list and I am sooooooo excited! This excitement inside and being an adult is just the best! (you see….we are STILL young at heart)
Please do not be fooled that just because today is the last day….than everything will just go into the clearance….It doesn’t work that way…trust me….I have BEEN THERE DONE THAT – and them I was sad. If you want something – GET IT TODAY…just because it is retiring that doesn’t mean that it is going to clearance. 😐
I have LOTS of Bakers Twine stocked up as I just love the look of it, the ease of using it and the price – you just can’t go wrong!
Many thanks for a fabulous year with this catalog. It is a journey that I loved being on with you and I am looking forward to more fun and inspiration from what the NEW KID ON THE BLOCK will be offering to us!
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