by Susan Itell | Mar 12, 2017 | Step it up Sunday! |
Good Morning and here you go! I am scratching my head and saying….why in the world did I wait so long to blog about this fabulous and fun stamp set, Bella & Friends! It is just one adorable stamp set.
Today is all about the stepped up version from yesterdays card….please click here to see that card and now tell me….as it is up to you ~ so side by side…YOU to decide!
The card and masked off inked area is a single layer and wow, it was super easy to do! The photo will tell the story but in a nut shell, I used a low tack masking tape and here is a tip…
Just to be super sure that it would not stick to the card base as I peeled it off after I did my blending, I took the tape I touched the tape to my hand to make sure that the “sticky” is minimal…and then I taped it to the card base before I applied soft sky ink and blended it in with a blending tool.
You can see in the below picture that I opened my vertical thick whisper white card and then simply laid the tape down to make a rectangle. There are lots of great tapes/products out there to do masking but today I just grabbed a low tack masking tape.
I would like to do a video one day showing you how easy it is and also creating an interest on the center of the card like this is an INSTANT WOW because if makes for a great focal backdrop.
I know that I will be asked what did I use to blend it. I say use what works for you. Many people like sponge daubers but I think that for a bigger area like this it is too hard to use them (They are PERFECT for the highlights on the clouds) you could also use a sponge as that would give you more flexibility, you could use blending brushes but what I like to use as it just seems to work for me is the Ranger Mini Blending Tool.
You can see that I hyperlinked it to Amazon and the reason that I always pick on Amazon is the fact that I know I will find it there but you can get these at any craft store. I do know that some people prefer a simple sponge but for me I feel like I have more control and I have a steadier pressure….just a personal preference!
After I stamped the image and colored it as I did for yesterdays card, I fussy cut it out an then POPPED it up with some dimensionals. So fast and easy yet so effective.
I forgot to add in the products that I used for today at the end of the post that the clouds for this card were from the bundle….Lift me Up Bundle and if you want to see a fun card that I did with this bundle – please click here!
This bundle is one that I would not pass up on at the bundle pricing. Remember, if they go into the Annual Catalog, this bundle pricing will not be offered….so get it now and you would be soooooooo close to a SAB item – add some adhesive and get a FREEBIE!
The best tip I can give you about fussy cutting is simple…..JUST GO FOR IT! It does not have to be perfect as heck – what is perfect…I have no clue and if your cutting needs some help, just take the marker and go around the edges so do not see the white from the paper….works every time!
One last look for you….I just adore and use ALL OF THE TIME the DSP paper Stack. They are always the perfect touch to finding a DSP in a jif that will work well with a project.
Well I can say that I do love both cards and I would smile if I received either one. I do think that it is the great artwork on this stamp set that wins my heart! To me it is kind of like the Merry Mice Stamp Set that we had in the Holiday Catalog….we sure did have fun with those little guys and trust me, they will never leave Randall Lane.
There you go…another 2 day post for you and I already have in my pea brain what I in mind for next weeks 2 day post. I know that you are going to like it and I also know that you will be amazed at how easy it is to pull together.
I will not see you until Tuesday but please feel free to email me if you need something! Remember, if a chicken can have blue hair….and people can go to Walmart in their jammies….than YOU can easily have permission to shop away in your jammies and not have to do your hair!
No judging on my end – hit that PAW PRINT below and get some goodies and play with ink and paper! Bring out that inner child and have FUN…as I know and believe that WE ALL have an inner talent – let it out and shine!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 11, 2017 | Simple Saturday |
Here is to our weekend (2) day post. Today I am showcasing a super simple card and I hope that you will stop back tomorrow to see how I have “stepped it up!”.
Now if this little guy and this super simple watercolor card does not bring a smile to your face, we need to talk. As you know, I am bonkers over animals…just about every animal could have except a S _ _ KE (you fill in the blanks) – those critters and me are not friends!
This is from the stamp set, Bella & Friends and it is super sweet. The art work is so fun and the sentiments are also “spot on”.
There is really not much to say about this sweet card as it was nothing more that a stamp in the Black Archival Ink and then having a date with the Aqua Painter.
The best tip I can give you about using the aqua painter is to practice, practice and practice again.
I invite you to look at it this way because do you remember when you were trying to learn how to ride a bike….you were soooooo excited to master it but it took practice – this is the exact same thing with this technique….once you “get it, you have it” 😀
I also need to say that I do not consider myself at all a pro at watercoloring but one thing that I can say about it (well actually 3 things)
- It is fun
- It is relaxing
- It is rewarding
The ink colors that I used were Sahara Sand, So Saffron & Flirty Flamingo. I add additional of the same color to get darker shades . I also used our thick Whisper White paper, I do this 99% of the time because I will be honest with you, our watercolor paper is just “too off” in the brightness of white when layering on out white card stock and heck – this works and it a bunch cheaper.
One more look at this cute card….this one is flying West to someone…very, very special and I know that there will be a big smile on her face! I think that this sentiment is one that would be a super “pick me up ~ smile maker” to just about anyone. You can see that I added a super thin mat behind the water colored image in Soft Sky.
Envelope love…when in doubt – pull the DSP Stacks OUT! The Soft Sky Polka Dots was the perfect “pull together” for this sweet card. These packs are lifesavers as when you need a DSP that is a certain color…you always have a fix!
I offer these when I do Product Shares and yep….when the new catalog comes out, I will offer them again (assuming that they will be in the new catalog) but they truly are wonderful.
There you go! Sweet and oh so simple….do you like?????? I am curious, what do you think I will do tomorrow? (tee hee…..I think I might GET YOU on what it is) but leave me a comment and take a guess!
We all need a friend to bring us up when we might be a bit down and guess what – that is EXACTLY what I love about my blog and what I do – the relationships that have been built and the fun we have always brings be UP!!!!
Now go have a GREAT DAY!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 10, 2017 | Class to GO!, Uncategorized |
Good Morning and here is a chance for YOU to take part of my monthly Classes to Go (aka, Susan’s Kits)! I give the opportunity to previous class members and then I wait and see if I have any opening before I offer this to you!
This month I have 5 openings for this month so……..if you want to take part of this FUN….I would love to have you come to Class and have fun!
If we can’t be together…let’s have a class in the mail!
( and the best thing – you will be on the “special list” for future months.)
Let’s chat…you know me well enough if you pop onto my blog. I love what I do and I love helping and teaching you to have the confidence that YOU can make clean and simple cards that are practical and duplicateable! We all have gifts, and it is my goal to help you reach and complete a project (from start to finish)
Every Month I offer a stamp set and give a “seek peek” in a collage. I take great pride and detail to my offerings and I include FINISHED samples of each of the 3 cards that I design for YOU to be able to see…feel…touch….
I send you a PDF with the measurements and also a private link to videos for each of the cards. Trust me, I GET IT ~ in the fact that we all have this struggle with time, creativity and also there are just simply times that we need a “treat” for ourselves to have an escape.
As I shared on my blog post on Wednesday – I was not jumping to hit that button when I first saw this Bundle because my brain automatically said – OH NO, ANOTHER FLORAL SET!!!! (I am sure that I am not the only one who thought that!)
In a nutshell…..you will receive (3) sample cards that I made and then the supplies to make (2) more of each of those cards. Yep, that’s right – in totally you will have 9 completed cards after you do the class along with the stamp set!
The cost of my monthly kits is $45.00 (which includes shipping).
If you wish to purchase the bundle and also take advantage of choosing a SAB goodie (remember, we have 3 new ones)
the price of the kit with the framelits is $72.90 …to me, it is the amazing framelits that make this bundle so special. 🙂
(kit $45.00 + framelits $27.90 ~ this reflects the 10% bundle discount of the framelits)
If you want the kit and already have this bundle….(woot-woot for you) and you can make a substitute for the value of $20.00 (the stamp set price).
Please EMAIL ME and put in the subject line MARCH CLASS TO GO and I will gladly add your pre-order for the class and email you back with a confirmation. Have questions???? Again, please email me and I will be happy to answer them.
I you have participated in my monthly fun, I would appreciate if you would share the love with some comments….as I am thinking that these 5 spots will ZOOM....go!
I know that you will love my monthly fun…and by having these spots open, it will allow you to get future offerings on my Classes. (I have to limit them as I can only make so many and then I am pooped! 
) but one thing I know – you will LOVE the attention to detail and love that I do put into the classes!
Enjoy the day….I am going back to read the comments from the past 2 days and answer the fun!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 9, 2017 | 3-D Projects, Fun & Cute! |
Wow….wasn’t hop yesterday SUPER SPRING fun? I hope that you all had time to hop 21 times as there was so much talent out there. My head is swimming with ideas and I am excited to do some CASING!
By now, you know that I love packaging as I think that it is the icing on the cake that truly makes a difference. I think many of you forget the great packaging products that we have.
Today I am using the Glassine Gift Bags ~ it is simple, I would never be without these bags as they are simply the best for my big cookies. My family likes (and makes comments to me if I change) BIG COOKIES and these bags are the perfect accent for 2 BIG cookies to fit into.
True, you could just go ahead and give them in the bag but I think that the way I did it today is SOOOOOO much more fun and special! Because I used glue dots to adhere the fun flowers, I bet you could easily pull them off and re-use them on a card! Sounds like a winner to me – what do you think?
I shared with you yesterday that I was going to be show casing this stamp set for the next 2 days….or I shall say – the bundle – Special Reason….as it is one special bundle. (I adore how the framelits cut out) and I also coupled it with one of my all time favorite thank you sets, One Big Meaning!
I used this stamp set last year for one of my Classes to GO! (kit in the mail) and it was a smile maker to me to pull it off the shelf for you! I think that it is important to have a couple great thank you sets, and this one is a keeper 🙂 I adore the fonts and whenever I see this….I smile – it fits the bill for many cards that we make…
The next 2 pictures will show you “up front and center” the details of today’s post. One thing that I will say all the time is…USE IT UP – if you have ribbon that is not current with Stampin’ Up!….guess what – USE IT UP…..This ribbon has been discontinued for make years but it still works…again, use it up!
In the 2nd picture you can see that I placed a piece of Washi Tape over the staple….again – USE IT UP! This is a quick and fun accent to make the fun sparkle…
It is truly about the little details that not only make it special but it also makes you feel great! Try it….you’ll be super happy.
You might be saying to yourself that this must be a pain to adhere….see the picture below and you will see the tip for you ~ LOVE THOSE GLUE DOTS!
Always tell yourself (as it is soooooo true) ~ there are many ways to get some accomplished without frustration!
I hope that this has inspired you to take an extra step in making someones day….cause’ I know it will….trust me! Enjoy the day!
It is truly amazing what we can do with crafting…stamping…creating ~ let you talent shine as I know your efforts will make a difference to someone….GO FOR IT! 😀
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by Susan Itell | Mar 8, 2017 | PALS Blog Hops, Uncategorized |
Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for March 2017. We are thankful you stopped by to take a look at our 2017 Blog Hop monthly themes. This month we are featuring Spring or Spring related projects. We hope you enjoy our creations.
You may just be starting the Blog Hop or may have come from the previous link from the Line-up on the Pals Blog Hop listing shown below. The full lineup will help you move along from blog to blog so you may see all the projects.
I don’t know about you but...I AM READY FOR SPRING! I can hardly wait to change those clocks this weekend and start to have longer days of sunshine!
I have been just itchin’ to continue to play with the White Craft Ink and today I am highlighting it with Daffodil Delight on Crumb Cake. Darn, trust me on this one – the picture simply does not do this justice – this is a beauty and it is oh so different.
Over the next 2 days, I will be blogging about this amazing bundle. I admit, it was not on my 1st order because I thought – I DO NOT NEED ONE MORE FLORAL STAMP SET…and it was not until I saw so many amazing projects and watched the Stampin’ Up! Video highlighting this amazing product that I HIT THAT PAW PRINT and bought it! It is super unique 😀
Enjoy the pictures and I hope that you will try this technique. You first stamp with the white craft ink but be careful – it does take some time to dry or you could speed it up with the heat tool and then go back over and stamp slightly off-set to give that shadow effect.
As I said above, the pictures just do not do this justice and if you see some areas on the stamp that do not look completely covered – that is how the stamp is supposed to be….it is a bit distressed giving it a very warm feel.
The Fruit Stand DSP has been a huge hit for me. I just adore the fun colors and the prints….fresh and unique. One thing that Stampin’ Up! knows how to do…..create fabulous DSP’s for us!
I know that it is hard to see…but I cut the daffodil delight ring and adhered it to the stamped piece. That is the other thing that is great about this bundle….you get 2 different sizes so cutting both of them together will give you a PRESTO – PERFECT RING!
It has been a while since I have used Crumb Cake but I must say, it gives an instant warmth and comfort. It’s fun to mix things up and try something different than you usually do.
In closing, I hop that SPRING is right around the corner where you live. I feel bad for the daffodils that are budding and then we get slammed with cold temperatures and then warm one – CRAZY! The poor flowers are just confused! 😕
You need to HOP ON because there is a BUNCH TO SEE….I hope that my fun post brought a little sunshine to your day. Yellow is a “HAPPY COLOR” to me….so THINK YELLOW and BE HAPPY! 🙂
Thanks for visiting. To continue with the hop, please refer to the Blog Hop Line-up below. We hope to see you on next month’s Pals Blog Hop!
- Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
- Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Becky Retzer at Just in Thyme by Becky Retzer
- Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
- Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
- Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb…
- Amy Hoptay at Craft Carnivore
- Mary Hanson at Up North Stampin’
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin’
- Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
- Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stampin’ Habit!
- Jeanie Stark at Just Stampin’
- Lynn Tague at Beyond Beaches & Blessings
- Brian King at Stamp with Brian
- Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps
- Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
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