by Susan Itell | Jan 1, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Happy New Year to each and everyone of you….you families….your animals….your stamps…and I wish you all of the best for this new year!
Yesterday was a great day for us….and I will say as I read thru many of your comments I was AMAZED at how many Pizza People were out there…..so guess what?……
WE HAD PIZZA AND IT WAS YUMMY 🙂
Do you set a News Years Resolution? I know that many do and that also many just do not….whatever works for you is great! One resolution that we are making is to be more “mindful” with our diet (wow, that was a subtle way of saying it) so that is why we went all out…without one bit of guilt and ate a TON of Pizza!!!!
Let’s get to the WINNER…..I waited until 10:10 p.m. and then my eyes were about to drop so I then I went to Random.org to pick the winner!!!
O.k. – How about if WE ALL GET UP and do a dance….come on….it is January 1st and there are lots of resolutions out there…..GET UP and make a circle….shake your hands and say WOOT-WOOT to…...Sylvia! Please email me with your address……
(TRUST ME – do this and your family and animals will think you have LOST IT)
Here is her comment!
Here is today’s funny. I have a Pig. Her name is Daisy Mae and I love her. My family does not. My family is not nice to her. (well, they are not mean but they would rather we did not have her)
I have ALWAYS wanted a pig….WHY????I am not sure but I have wanted one. Almost 5 years ago, Daisy became an Itell. She was part of a divorce settlement (really…you cannot make this stuff up). She was still a baby – probably 9 months old and very small….and I went to this house in Virginia and met a women and was explained the situation (good thing I did not need to go to court) but all I could say was, I would try to see if it worked out. (making sure the dogs loved her as much as I did)
I brought her home (John did not know but a girl has to do what a girl needs to do) and in the end – he was fine as he knew that I always wanted one. At this time we had 5 dogs and I didn’t plan it to well in the introduction as it was a total 3 ring circus. I can specifically remember this day because I was by myself with the truck and trailer and I came home and Daisy was just sitting in the front seat of my truck (now that is a hoot to drive past someone and have them take a double take)
I left her in the truck, brought all 5 dogs into our family room….shut the doors – ran out to get Daisy and I just DID IT – plopped her down on the rug and it was priceless – I truly wish that I had a video of that because it was a circus! The dogs were actually a bit scared of her and would go and smell her…..she would make a noise and they would pop back and look at me like “what the heck is that”
Pigs get a really bum wrap….they are not dirty. The are super smart. They are super easy to train. They can be house-broken faster than a dog. They LOVE & NEED routine. They loved to be loved, and I love Daisy!
As I have said, the peeps are not a Daisy fan. Hannah is in total disbelief that she has a crush with Oscar. Each and every day Oscar and Daisy have a little love/hate moment with each other….below you will see a video that I snapped one morning when cleaning Oscar’s stall. I sent to to Hannah and she agreed – Daisy does like Oscar….A LOT – look at how her hair stands up…..she just loves her big brother!
(Video Pending)
I love Oscar and I love Daisy….she really is a “good girl” and she love me! I often get asked…“What does she eat?” – Easy – Pig food…..she eats a 1/4 cup of Mini Pig Food a day but she has a super soft spot for Strawberries and Blueberries!
I wish that you could see the expression on peoples face when they come to the house and see that we have a “house pig” – One day we had a furnace guy here and said, “HEY LADY….do you know there is a pig in your house” – I looked at him like – REALLY.….!!!! 😕
Never a dull moment and I like it like that!
In ringing in the NEW YEAR – let’s have MORE blog candy…..how about the things that YOU REALLY LOVE AND USE!!!!
- a Pack of Very Vanilla Envelopes
- a Pack of Whisper White Envelopes
- A Pack of Note Cards & Envelopes
Just leave a comment on what type of card/cards that you would like to see more of….I know that we all have cards that we have struggle with in making! I admit, we all get in a rut and there are cards that we just simply have a tough time with….
I promise, I will try my best to help you! Happy New Year…you ALL are the best and Stampin’ hugs and blessings to all!
p.s. – Please look under the tab of my header and click on Product Share to see if you want a share. The cut off for the 1st share is Friday the 6th. I will be offering another share the 3rd week of January. If I were you, I would hop on that 1st Train 🙂 ….
by Susan Itell | Dec 31, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Hello to my FAVORITE Cyber friends….here is to another year that has just Z O O M E D by….I know that this still is a super busy time of the year and it will all slow down before we know it so until then…let’s continue to have some good old fashion Simple Stampin’ fun.
I just love to hear from you and I must say….we sure do have a great family here, many thanks for popping in!! To win the BLOG CANDY that I will be giving away all you have to do is leave a comment…how easy is that? Just leave a comment about what you are doing to ring in the New Year and one lucky person will win! 🙂 What will they win??? You’ll find out after a story!
I have a funny for you….when we had company over during the Holidays….one of my friends said ~ ” I sure do hope that Santa brings a teeth cleaning for Jack and Charlie because their breathe would knock you over” ….my response – What do you expect when they eat Horse Poop just about daily?
I love my Jack Russells….sometimes I call them “Rotten Russells” as that is what they are – spoiled rotten but they make my heart pitter patter. Well….yesterday I took them to the vets for a consultation before they could go get their teeth clean. It was a 3 ring circus.
Our dogs LOVE the truck and when they are invited to go in the truck they get super excited. They know that they are either going to the dump (fun job) or they are going to a Horse Show (they really love that) but when it is in my car….they know…..THE VETS!!! To start with I could not catch them…they knew. Finally after getting them in my car I went back into the house to get my wallet and when I came back out they locked the doors.
I just stood there and laughed as all I could think of was…WHY ME???? John was meeting me at the Vets because we were going to switch cars and my cell phone was locked in the car…I could hear the music of my ring tone and could see that it was John calling….so back into the house I went to search for a spare key. We have (2) Volkswagens and wouldn’t you know….I could not find mine.
I called Hannah and she picked up whispering….What’s up Mom….I’m at work – is this an emergency? YEP…to me it was. She talked me through where to look and I found the spare that she thought was for her Volkswagen. Whew…..that was settled.
Onward we go and they were miserable…..crying….panting to beat the band and YES – their breathe was terrible! As I got off the highway I had a car stop abruptly and I had to slam on the brakes…….both dogs went air-born to the front with me (and I had some choice words for the guy in front of me) and we continued onward.
We made it into the vets and they were terrible. Living on a farm my guys are not used to being on leashes and their manners are not the best – I think that they feel like they are in a BIG CITY being away from their comfort zone. We made it and YEP, their teeth need a little TLC…next Thursday they will get done.
It cracks me up that you have to take them into the vets to pay for a consultation and then make another appointment to get the job done…we made it but I still cannot believe that they locked me out…..too darn funny.
Below you will see how silly they are….you just can’t make this stuff up!
I hope that you can enjoy this video of all 4 of them playing in our family room – it truly is a circus and when they play – THEY PLAY! The night that we had 17 over for dinner….we had 6 dogs…..(James and his girlfriends dogs also came) but it all worked out – My home is my home…and that means that there are always animals and there are always surprises!
Jack is the Black and White one…and Charlie is the fluffy Brown and White one that rolls over at the end! We picked up these “mis-fit'” brothers at a Horse Show in Ocala one year….all of our dogs are rescues and I think that rescues are the best and are very appreciative of a home. Here is a picture of them 11 years ago with Hannah…..time sure does fly!
I am sorry that I am going down Memory Lane so much….but darn, I LOVE THAT LANE as it is FUN to relive the memories…we were here for 6 weeks (yes, Hannah did go to school) and for 6 weeks these puppies were there and I never saw them until the last day. They were the last 2 out of 10 and no one wanted them….
Naturally I melted….I scooped them up and asked the lady that was trying to find homes for them if I could show them to my daughter to pick one…well I ask you – how do you show a great kid 2 adorable puppies and pick – I can still remember her face…..CAN WE KEEP BOTH?
The rest is history! Jack is THE SWEETEST and could be a Nursing Home Dog….but Charlie – hmmmmmm….his elevator does not go to the top all of the time….but I love my boys!
Well again, sorry for the MEMORY LANE….but this time of the year just “gets to me” as it is a time of the year that I spend lots of time reflecting and also being grateful. I hope that you can let the good, the bad, the fun, the sad…..the WHATEVER into your heart because the reality of it is…WE ALL HAVE STUFF going on!
What are we doing to ring in the New Year.???….Boot Camp at 6:30 a.m. – home to take care of the animals – out the door to Berkley Springs, WV for massages – an amazing late lunch at a favorite restaurant in this special town – home to take care of the animals – a great home cooked meal prepared together (we both love to cook)….a game of Scrabble (the only day of the year that John agrees to play with me)…..and then a great chat together about the blessed year!
FINALLY — what will you win??????……things that YOU LOVE AND USE! It is all about adhesives as I hope that we will STICK TOGETHER!
- A Bottle of Green Glue (Mono Glue)
- Fast Fuse (LOVE it)
- Tear-n-tape (a life saver many, many times)
- Mini Glue Dots (the ULTIMATE “hider” for many things to adhere)
Enjoy the day and let’s get some comments going about what you do to ring in the New Year (honestly – we are asleep before the ball drops)….I appreciate you and I wish you a safe and fun day!
Pop back tomorrow as I will have another story with the animals and MORE blog candy……this is such a FUN TIME of the year – let’s kick back and enjoy!
by Susan Itell | Dec 30, 2016 | Thank You |
Is it REALLY Friday? I told you that I always get sooooooo confused as to what day it is when we have a Holiday! I am super happy that you enjoyed yesterday’s card….but I hope that you will LOVE this one as well….I call it a WHAM….BAM….THANK-YOU CARD!
So simple, so classic and SOOOOO SPECIAL as it was inspired my me dear friend, Diana Gibbs. We met in Austin when I went to the retreat that Lydia Fielder hosted in the Fall….and it was like “Peanut Butter & Jelly” – and I feel blessed as Diana is one special person!
Let’s get to this GREAT layout and then I will share with you Diana’s inspiration….I know that this is such a busy time of the year, but a time that you will feel GREAT in getting your “Thank You’s” out and in the mail!
There are soooo many great products “walking the plank” and “I get it” as that is what has to be done with business but I will say, I have stocked up on the Warmth and Cheer DSP Stack as I am a true lover of plaids! Let’s get going!
This is a great layout, very straight forward and one that can be adapted to sooooo many occasion! All I did was to take a piece of the DSP 6″ X 6″ stack and cut 2″ off the end for the envelope flap.
With the remainder, I cut it into 3/4″ X 4″ strips and BAM….I can make (2) cards from (2) sheets of paper! Just think of all of the combinations you can make! This is one of those layout that I call “a keeper”
I am a HUGE fan of this sentiment, this stamp set…it is in the Annual Catalog ~ Thankful Thoughts. I think that it is chocked filled with great sentiments that will “fit the bill” for many “thank you’s” that you need!
Did you remember????? Did you remember that the Layering Circle Framelits are 50% off just for 1 MORE DAY!!!!! This is a MUST HAVE as it is a staple, a basic that will never let you down! Please do not forget to check the End of Year Clearance as it is chocked filled with fun and the hour glass has turned!
It was funny….when I saw that they are 50% off I called SU as I thought it was a huge error….nope, not an error and they are not being discontinued ~ Stampin’ Up! just had too many and I say WOOT-WOOT.
The White Circle is from the Layering Circles and I added Dijon dots around it but the Garden Green Circle is from the other must have framelits, Stitched Shapes…..these are currently not available as you all went NUTS OVER THEM when they were released but have no fear, there will be a HUGE SHIPMENT estimated to be available January 16th (I’ll keep you posted as I know they will FLY OUT THE DOOR) 🙂
Now to my friend….I feel so blessed and truly happy that our paths have crossed and is this the cutest card or what! The minute I received this I knew that it was going to be CASED!!!
We had so much fun together in Austin and I can hardly wait to “hang out” with her and her hubby when we go to Thailand in July…..We simply “HIT IT OFF” and we have very similar styles in our cards, clean….simple…just – get’er done but have FUN at the same time!
I have a confession….when we were together in Austin…we spent WAY TOO MUCH $$$$$$$ on some GREAT boots! We were like Lucy and Ethel walking between 2 stores trying to make a decision…..and we looked at each other and said – “YOU JUST HAVE TO GET THEM”…we did and we wore them out of the store like 2 kids getting new school shoes!
The best thing is that when we wear our boots we text each other sharing a picture of our feet in the boots ~ with a quick “miss you…thinking of you!” This is another reason why I LOVE stampin’….I met Di at a retreat…and from that, I know that we will always be friends…..even if we live on total opposite sides of the country!
I love it when you are inspired by others! I hope that you can see….side by side……you can see the similarities but also see the difference! (I know…I know…..Diana’s is better but that is ok ~ you get it) Just GO FOR IT…and have fun – please do not stress about making things perfect – just do it!
You know that I am SUPER BIG on inspiring YOU to take an idea and RUN WITH IT! I know that that darn TIME THING gets the best of us but this is a great example of how I took something and ran with it!
Here is your “411~ Directory Assistance” photo – PIN away for the future! I think that Stampin’ Up! did a fabulous job with the DSP Stack and it is one that “touched my heart” ( I am guilty, I have purchased MANY extra packs as I just cannot get enough of this paper and remember, it is 50% off.…just saying!)
Can you believe…..TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR???? Do you have plans??? We do, and tomorrow I will share with you how John and I are going to RING IN the NEW YEAR!
I am still in the spirit of being Santa….so I hope to see you tomorrow as I will have a give-a-way…you will smile as I know if I won it – I would smile! I simply could not have the last day of the year go by without a goodie for one lucky person! It will be fun to read your comments!
Remember, the VAULT is open with 100’s of stamps……so YOU can pick a stamp set of YOUR choice with any order of $75.00+….this has been a FUN give-away….and one that many have loved!
by Susan Itell | Dec 29, 2016 | Thank You, Uncategorized |
As promised I have a Thank You card for you today! If you are like me, I have some notes to write and I try to challenge myself to get them completed before we ring in the New Year!
I know that I am using Holiday colors but you can use this layout all year long and have FUN with a variety of colors. I think that if you are getting notes out quickly, using the Holiday colors is “just fine” 🙂
This is a card that LOOKS hard but it is SUPER EASY and the WOW factor is there when you are holding it! (I showed it to John before I typed this and he was memorized with how the “thanks” was laid into the strip background!) LET’S GO…..because I want YOU to try it!
You can see that this is a single layer card and today I am using the White Note card & Envelopes! Not only do I adore the affordability of them, I love the size.
The “STAR” of this card is using the Hello You Thinlit Dies, (shown below) and my bet is that many of you have them…..(maybe collecting dust?) I am a true lover of sentiment dies like this and if I had a magic wand, I wish that Stampin’ Up! would have more Sentiment Words as I find them super easy to make an impact!
At first glance you might think that the “thanks” is just cut out but truth be told, I cut the “thanks” out of the striped piece but then I also cut it out with White Card Stock and “puzzled” in in….an inlay die-cut technique!
The size of the note card is 5″ X 3 1/2″ so I started with a piece that is larger than that as I find it easy to cut it to size AFTER I place the strips of scraps! Just cut strips randomly but make sure that they are long enough to cover the diagonal!
The other star of the show that I used a product called Stick It. I have blogged about this before and I am being totally honest that we all know that we have “secret weapons” that make us smile and feel productive and I must say….I love this because there is no mess – true you could cover a piece of paper with adhesive or “green glue” but using Stick It works for me!
I purchase it from Amazon – you can click here to see it and I think that you will find it to be a great product to have. A little goes a long way! Here is a video from Ken Oliver that showcases the ease of it.
I placed the strips over the white piece of paper that had “stick it” to it and I love the ease of just “placing” and then “lifting” if it is not just the way that I want it….and then at the end…..just give it a great press and you are good to go! To me, this is one of the “KEY” beauties of this product….there is “forgiveness” until you get it where you want it and then after that “GOOD PRESS” – it is there to stay!
To the Big Shot we go…. – A run through we go and just be careful to keep the insides of the loops because you will want to place them in the white “thanks” you cut out.
I know that many of you are seeing the lines that the thinlit made….no worries – just let it rest a bit and then run it through you big shot with piece of card stock and just look at the difference it makes….try it – I think that you will like it!
Here is a tip and one that I know is hard fro us to do but trust me, you will be happy that you have this. Purchase and extra set of Cutting Plates….WHY???? We all know how scratched up our cutting plates get and there are many times that scratches from heavy use can rub onto a project. (darn I hope that this makes sense)
If I have the “bumps” from the framelits or even scratches that have transferred to a project surface, I take a piece of thick white card stock or sometimes a piece of fun foam and place it over top of the project that I created…..run it through the Big Shot with CLEAN PLATES and it really makes a difference in minimizing the frustrating bumps etc….(hopefully the below card picture will help you see compared to the one above) 🙂
I truly wish that you could “TOUCH” this card as it is sooooooo cool how it is one piece…it is impressive, especially when you open up the card and cannot see a thing other than a notecard!
It was weird to list the products for you today, there are soooooo few as this card takes a minimal amount of product. You can see that there is really not much to it.
The envelope love…it is from the Subtles DSP Paper Stack, I adore this paper and this is why I always include it in my product shares as it is a keeper and I want you to have a “taste of it” without having to break the bank!
You like???? I hope so as it is an easy technique to do and one that YOU will be so proud that you did! Have a great day…..tomorrow is another thank you card – (totally different concept) but one that is a keeper 🙂
by Susan Itell | Dec 28, 2016 | Just Because..., Super Easy, Uncategorized |
Happy HUMP DAY.…is it REALLY Wednesday? Are you like me that when a Holiday is on a weekend…that you get so confused with what day it is? I am just one confused Silly Susan!
Yesterday was a weird day for me…the peeps left and I cried, I do it each and every time they drive down the driveway and I do the same thing….tears, the dogs and I stay outside until I can no longer see them. We had a fabulous holiday….just fabulous and I will share with you some of the “funnies” of our time as I know, you’ll laugh!
The other thing that happen yesterday was that the BEST young lady in the whole wide world (my wonderful god-daughter Emerson) had her tonsils out. She is 20 and it is a bit rougher when you are older so this card is for her!
I know that I have not been flooding my blog with the new catalog but this card is all about the new catalog! Speaking of catalogs….if you have ordered from me in the past 6 months, you should have received a copy of the catalog by now…if not, please email me and I will be happy to pop one in the mail to you.
This is a very straight forward “Susan style card” just keeping it very clean and simple. I am letting the FUN DSP and the stamp set to set the tone.
I know, I know – you have heard this from me many times….but this is a stamp that I would definitely purchase as a bundle as not only is it a fun classic set, there are soooooo many die cuts that make it so much easier to create a super fun card and truth be told – who does not like to save money…..buy purchasing it as a bundle you will save an instant 10%. 🙂
FUN…right??? The colors are yummy and I thought that this theme would be perfect for Emerson with a couple of boxes of Popsicle’s to make her smile a bit!
You can see that the POP factor of the card is just clean and simple layering! By taking (2) rectangles and turning them a bit….and then letting the white rectangle be the anchor for the Popsicle’s and the sentiment ~ you end up with one simple and clean card!
I did something that I have not done in a L O N G time…I took a marker and drew a line just 1/4″ in on all 4 sides to add some interest. I felt I need just a little extra something and this seemed to do the trick! I did this in Pool Party.
Having a good see-through ruler is a must in what we do, here is one that I use SEVERAL times a day…..you can find it at many stores but I seem to have good luck at Jo Ann’s as I like the 12″ length. (Many stores carry the same but it is 18″ long)
You can also see that I did the “Susan dashes” on the pool party in the white gel pen. I know, I know…..we do not sell it anymore (and I am still sad 🙁 ) but you can easily find it many places…I recently purchased it at Amazon with the Silver and Gold – click here and it will take you to them! I am lovin’ the gold and silver as well!
Let’s chat real quick about this sentiment…..super cute!!! This is from the new must have sentiment set in the Occasions Catalog called Sending Thoughts. Below you will see all of the goodies that are in the set.
I ADORE the fonts and I am doingt he happy dance that there are great sentiments for the inside of cards. For this card I used, HUGS.PRAYERS.LOVE. – isn’t that a great sentiment that can be used for sooooooo many cards!
Well….thoughts? Do you remember when you had your tonsils out? I was 21 years old and it was not fun….it seems like when children were young, the doctors seemed to do it….but when you are older…you do have several miserable days! This young lady has THE CUTEST smile you will ever see…her eyes twinkle and she has dimples~ you can see that I love her to pieces!
I am getting my hair cut this morning and then over to see my little friend with some cool treats! Below you will see the “scoop” on the fun card. I am excited for Emerson to see it as I know I will get a smile 🙂
After I return home I have a HUGE DATE….with my computer! 😀 I have played “hookie” for a LONG time and I need to go through emails (yikes, I am dreading seeing how many) and then I am going to work on Product Shares! I will be sending everyone that has emailed me that they want in the 1st wave of my Product Share by 9 p.m. this evening. (I need to put a time limit on MYSELF)
I want to share with you one love we have as a family when we get together….SIMPLE – putting puzzles together! I was sooooooo excited about this puzzle as you know that I adore dogs. This was FUN puzzle to put together but I will say, it was a bit frustrating to get going but if you look closely your will see…another thing that seems to happen to us….we have 999 pieces…..yep, we lost one somewhere along the way. (I am determined to find it even if I have to go thru the vacuum) It was super cute and fun to work on as a family.
Enjoy the day….I must say, it feels great to share with you a blog post. I hope that you enjoyed it and I look forward seeing you back here tomorrow with a super fun Thank You card that would be so appropriate for the season right now!
Don’t forget to check in with the year end clearances...there are some great deals and I will say…I have used a BUNCH of ribbon over the holiday that was either discontinued from this year or years in the past….and with every order of $75.00 or more….you get to go INTO THE VAULT – my place where ALL of my retired stamps are….and there are 100’s of them!
Hit this PAW PRINT….and it will take you right to my on line store! Have fun!
