by Susan Itell | Nov 15, 2016 | Christmas |
Well…the past 24 hours have been fun but I admit….weird. WHY??? Getting back to the in’s and out’s of being home is an adjustment but I will say, John is the hero that you all say he is – he did a FABULOUS job!
All shoes are on the horses….the dogs are perfect….I came home to no laundry….he vacuumed the house….and he admitted, it was great to have me home! Yesterday morning, he said that it was great to see you up in your craft area….I am blessed, he is truly a keeper!
Today’s card is a keeper one. I love it and I hope that you do as well. We talk many times about bundles, and THIS IS one that you need to purchase as a bundle and I will say, it will NOT leave Randall Lane – how can you go wrong with the classic framelits and the sentiments……WOW – and WOOT-WOOT!
This is the kind of card that looks difficult but it is super easy and it is one that is the BEST in using up what you have! The framelit that cuts out the “intricate” pieces…but it is super easy – I just ran through a scrap of garden green and then soft suede. (you only need to use a wee bit of paper – scraps are your friends!
Here you can see close up…I just used the green glue to adhere the reindeer and the trees over top the white one that I cut out (just snip them) – SUPER EASY….and it creates an instant WOW against the Soft Sky that I cut out with the framelits.
The bakers twine is the icing on the cake and darn, I hope that this twine sticks around – I am nuts over Bakers Twine!. I always adhere a “bow” overtop of the twine and I use a glue dot to adhere it.
The DSP, Presents and Pine cones is a perfect accent of POP and I admit, I am having a “heart throb” with Delightful Dijon, I encourage you to give it a try…it is a great balance to many color palettes. (I was NOT a fan for a LONG time….but it has warmed up with me)
I love the simplicity and also the angles of the card – it is so easy and one that you can duplicate with many styles of cards. Would you like the dimensions??? I can hear you saying YES – YES!!!!
- The base is a Vertical Card and then the next layer of white is just 1/4″ smaller, 4″ X 5 1/4″
- The DSP Stars is 2 1/2″ X 4″
- The Garden Green is 4″ X 3″ and then the stars were stamped in versa mark (love the effect)
- The Soft Suede pieces are 1/4″ X 4″
- The Bakers Twine was adhered behind the DSP with a smidge of adhesive and then the bow was attached to the front with a simple glue dot
Please PIN the below picture for the future…I think that this is a card that has a WOW factor but it really is easy to make. Snip, adhere….DONE!
Have a great day, please let me know how you like this. There is something that a “simple” ornament does to get you in the mood of the holidays! It will be here before we know it….YIKES!!! 😕
We can do it….just enjoy the journey….take a deep breath and do what you can do…after all…TURKEY day is next week…..YUM!!!!!
by Susan Itell | Nov 14, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Well….I landed….my little car PACKED to the max pulled into our garage around 7 p.m. and I was greeted by my friends….they all came running out the door and jumped into my car before I could get out…and I was filled with lots of licks and wagging tails!
The funny thing was…they did not see me at first pull in the lane as I went to the barn to check to see if all of the horses had shoes on… and give hugs all around….check princess Daisey and then….when they heard the garage door open – THAT WAS IT!!!!
I came home “dogless” but that is fine, trust me….we do our fair share with animals and it was just not in the cards. (there will be other opportunities)
I admit, I was happy that I kept my blog going….that I had fun, that I learned a lot….but it is great to be home! Back to reality and tomorrow I will have a card for you!
I thought that you would enjoy some pictures of dogs that were around the show. I didn’t get a many as I wanted as darn, it was hard keeping track of my Dad and Aunt Jean!!!!
Enjoy!
These 2 sweet girls came over to the bus to see the rescue dogs come…the one to the right was “Marta” – the one that we were looking at! Aren’t dogs just the best!
This is hysterical….this dog is actually pretty big…he is a hoot – if the owner says….”Go get in the bucket”…he does it – one funny dog!
This is a “heart toucher” for me…….I get such a kick out of seeing dogs watch horses go around a course. This dog was soooooo good – he watched for over an hour while I was there!
Now isn’t he adorable! This is Toms dog, “Chewy”…now I am sure that many of you think he is not so cute….but he is the CUTEST EVER!!!! He really is a Heinz 57…..but we love him to pieces!
Now these guys…how can they not make you take a double take! I do not think that they are “mutts” but are they SUPER ADORABLE or what! I could have scooped them up and taken them to Randall Lane in an instant! Every time I walked by this barn, they were together sitting on a tack trunk!
This little dude was a hoot. Every Morning he was at the Hospitality Tent where they had Bagels….he did his best to win peoples heart for a nibble. How could I resist., he received one from me every morning!
Have a fabulous day and I will be back on the inspiration train tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Nov 13, 2016 | Christmas, Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Now I ask you……“Oh, What FUN” it is to have a shaker card and this framelit is SUPER easy to make one from. WHY???? Easy. The border edge all around the Santa makes it a cinch to add the foam adhesive strips to adhere together!
For today’s card, I followed the same as yesterday except the card base is in Real Red and then then Santa was made into a Shaker Card with the help of an adhesive sheet. An INSTANT WOW happens when you hold it in your had and see the sequin fun shake back and forth!
Below you will see them side by side…and it is up to YOU to decide….Do you have a favorite??? Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. To me, you could not go wrong with either one because Santa is super cool no matter how you look at him.
BUT….there is something magical about the shaker element. I purchased the sequins elsewhere as we do not have red and white sequins….but I will share with you a tip and one that I totally forgot to do and did not realize it until I was away from home….
When you make a shaker card, glue a couple of sequins to the back of the card BEFORE you put the card together (removing the foam adhesive) so that when it stands up, all of the sequins do not fall to the bottom.
True you can shake it away for instant FUN but if there are a couple of sequins adhered, it looks fun and festive just standing up! This is one of those cards that you just like to SHAKE – SHAKE – SHAKE and SMILE – SMILE – SMILE!!!! 😀
Do you remember that yesterday I shared with you that I would give you a tip about the heat embossing? Well, SILLY SUSAN….make it EASY – just stamp the Real Red and then REAL QUICK add the clear embossing powder over top and heat set it. It works like a charm and POOF – you have an instant matching color of embossing powder!
This stamp set below is a photopolymer one…so no need to do the (2) steps …..just ink, sprinkle and emboss! Today I also added a simple bow using the Real Red Baker’s Twine. Fingers crossed that this will be carried over…I just LOVE Baker’s Twine!
Here is another angle of the card…..FUN!!! There is just something so darn magical and fun. Who does not ADORE SANTA????? I need to make some cards this week (WHEN am I going to find the time???) but I think that this one will be one to make – people just go bonkers over the “shake” aspect!
Here is your card to pin away! I hope that you like having the details underneath of the product description. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. I am sorry that I have not been able to review comments from yesterday…I will do so when I get home….I am POOPED after a LONG day in the beautiful crisp air.
It is amazing how being out in the fresh air how it wipes you out. As I am typing this ….it is 7 p.m. and Hannah and I are in our jammies….ready for bed – we are 2 tired puppies!
Below is Hannah and I with my dear Dad…..yesterday Dad and Aunt Jean came to the show and had a ball. I was busy with the barn and asked friends to watch out for them as they just go – go – go……it was too funny – I had a text from someone saying should I keep following them????
They had a ball – Hannah and I laughed and said who would have thought that we needed to put a GPS on (2) 85+ yr olds!!!! They had FUN!
Now to the dogs…the bus came….with 15 dogs. I naturally went right into the bus and scouted out the gang. “Marta” (below) was the one I had my eye on…..as Hannah said, “Mom – I think she is confused as to what she is” – we laughed as she was a bunch of a bunch….but I would say…mainly dachshund, lab & pit bull……so was very short but very big.
She did steal my heart but the deal breaker was for her best interest. She did come from a very abusive home and was very timid. I spent a bunch of time with her and Aunt Jean LOVED her…..whenever someone would come near me…..she would run to my legs as to say, I am scared….in my heart, I knew that it would not be fair to add her to the mix of many dogs.
The great news is that she was adopted (well….after the references are checked out etc…) = these gentlemen are simply the best in screening and really, really making sure that the animals are in the right hands. I can guarantee you that if you go to a Horse Show and say, “Have you ever heard of Dan and Ron Rescue?” – HANDS DOWN, you will meet many new friends!
I am blessed to have Milo from them…..
Heading home today with many happy memories of my time away but also eager to get back to home…..as the saying goes, there is no place like home!
I feel so privileged that these memories started from my time away with Stampin’ Up! The retreat, the On Stage and meeting new SU friends and seeing old ones makes me soooooo happy! I WILL blog about my time in Texas….as an afternoon with Millie and Alyece was a time I will never forget!
Home-bound today….I have LOTS of time to think, reflect and hopefully come up with some card ideas (YEP – I do think of things when I drive)….thanks for popping in and just being YOU!!!! This has been a challenge to keep my blog going and I must say, I did it!!!!
by Susan Itell | Nov 12, 2016 | Christmas, Simple Saturday |
It’s back….our weekend posts that you all seem to love and enjoy! To me, this framelit is the most unique framelit that Stampin’ Up! has ever made and I admit, it was NOT on my “A List” when the catalog first came out…but once I saw the potential and sheer FUN of it, I hit that “buy me button” and I am super happy that I did!
This is about as easy as it comes and I do hope that you will pop back tomorrow to see what I did to step it up! I think that you are going to like it!
You cannot go wrong with the classics, Real Red and White are as good as it gets! This card hits that “inner Santa” within up and a smile comes instantly!
I admit, I did NOT purchase this as a bundle and I keep 2nd guessing myself but I have not “caved in” as I thought that all I needed and would use were the framelits. Below you will see in the products that I used, I share with you both ways, the bundle and then just the framelits.
Here is a tip…after you cut dear old Santa out…flip it over and use the green glue and just “dot it” on and you will be good to go. Let it “set up” a bit so when you flip it over you will be able to have a clean and clear hold.
The sentiment is from the Oh, What Fun Photopolymer Set that is in the annual catalog, it is filed with great clean, fun and classic sentiments that will be a help to many Holiday projects!
I know that it is super hard to see…but I HEAT EMBOSSED the red. HOW???? After stamping it in the real red… (I used the stamp-a-ma-jig) I stamped it with versa mark and then sprinkled clear embossing folder and heat set it. Tomorrow I will share with you how you do not need to do this “double stamp” method, especially since it is a photopolymer set.
Let’s quickly chat about the envelope – I ADORE the DSP Stacks and this Real Rad is from the Brights Collection. I think that the patterns are “spot on” and also it is always a great “go to” when you need a quick accent and do not feel like searching for the perfect DSP.
I had a FABULOUS day yesterday and we hit a weekly low of just over 2 hours for lunch with Aunt Jean and my Dad – we went to this fun local dimer and had some good old fashion southern cookin’….collard greens and all! It was a great day and it was wonderful to see Hannah ride….she rocked it as it has been months since she has shown.
Today will be another fun day…lots of riding and I am scouting out super cute dogs to show you all on Monday! There are some cuties and today the BUS is coming….WHAT BUS???? The rescue that my dear and perfect Milo came from will be having a bus of dogs coming to Raleigh.
I highly encourage you to click here and see the wonderful work that these 2 amazing men have done and continue to do – placing over 9,000 dogs….AMAZING!!! When I saw Ron, he immediately said to me, Susan, how is Milo doing….I bet that it has been at lease 6 months since I have seen him and to me, it is wonderful that he has such a personal touch of loving and caring for his dogs.
I admit, there are (2) dogs that I have my eye on from the website….you know me, if my heart pitter-patters….I might have a friend riding home with me tomorrow! 😀 As my card says Oh, What fun!
Have a great day and I hope that you will pop back for tomorrows Step it up Sunday!
by Susan Itell | Nov 11, 2016 | Congratulations |
Good Morning! I loved your comments yesterday and YEP…I am in my glory – there is nothing like crisp and early mornings at the barn and taking in fresh air….playing with any dog that will talk to you….seeing beautiful horses and still being able to catch a special time with Aunt Jean (89 yrs. old) & my Dad is here (85 yrs. old)
We have been meeting for lunch ……but let me tell you – these 85+ year olds…they like L O N G lunches – yesterday was almost 3 hours!!!! It is always a fun time to be together but I was itchin’ to get back to the barn!
Please make sure that you read to the end of the post because I have another super special card that will touch your heartstrings.
One question I am asked a bunch, is it ok to CASE a card….here you go – YEP….it is.To me, this is a natural way to get creative ideas rockin’ and rollin’ when we are stumped and the way I also look at it – WHAT A HUGE COMPLIMENT!
Today’s card is a CASE from the below swap card from Carol in Ohio….do you remember I said, keep your eye on this card. The minute I saw it, I know that the layout was a keeper and I hope that I have shown you today that you can make it work for you.
You can see that the card is in the “same church….just a different pew” – I just loved it when I opened up the envelope and I liked it so much, I used it as my Shoebox Swap at World Card Making Day in Atlanta and it was a big hit! I encourage you to remember this layout and use it for a card….it is a keeper and by changing up the sentiment…you have a NEW card!
The sentiment was stamped on a piece of scrap paper and then cut out with an oval framelit. The “Susan dots” added that little extra touch to make it POP. I know that many of you are skeptical of doing this, here is a tip – JUST DO IT….do not over think it as you will drive yourself NUTS!
To me, something so simple, just works! Make it easy on yourself! 😀
Let’s have a chat about the picture below. Did you notice that I scored the leaves? I decided not to stamp them even though there is a stamp that matches is…I just wanted some fun texture for you!
Did you notice that I have added (2) different threads? I know that they are complete opposites but they work! I admit, this copper thread can be a frustrating thing to work with but I think that I have a tip for you!
I wrap it around my hand several times and then worked it off of my hand (keeping it in a circle) and then slapped it on the back of the leaves that already had fast fuse on it.
Trust me…if you stress about it, your will get frustrated and pull it off…..just stick it down and then play around to move the threads to give it a bit more movement. The linen thread – good old linen thread – always does the trick!
Now how about this envelope? Pretty, right!!!??? This DSP is just gorgeous, it has the copper thru it making it a fun and special paper!
I have no idea why this picture looks funny but I did use Very Vanilla for both the card and the envelope. (to me it looks wonky, I wish that you could see how I “scout out” places to take pictures!
Here is you 411 – Pin picture. I added the basic dimensions for you. I hope that this is a help and makes you smile! Now to a real smile maker…..next picture!
Now to something that I think will bring a big smile to your face. Well, if you follow my blog than you know that my hubby’s name is John and he is wonderful….simply wonderful and I can honestly say ~ it was the BEST blind date I was ever on!
I have been gone for what seems like forever, actually since October 26th and even though I have been having a great time filled with lots of adventures, I miss home, I miss John, I miss the dogs, I miss the other horses, I miss my bed.
Look what arrived yesterday…is this the sweetest or what! John made this card for me and when I called him he said….your craft room is lonely and I went upstairs and played!
I asked him if this was the 1st try….he said yes – I honestly am not sure of the stamps but I was all smiles! He said, hurry home….my stamps were getting dusty and my room is sad!
He is my biggest fan and he is so happy that I am here with Hannah right now…..heading home on Sunday and then WOW – back to reality and back to getting LOTS back in place! I am looking forward to putting my suitcase away!
Well I hope that you enjoyed today’s post….I love this card (BOTH of them) and I hope that you can go make someones day!
Until tomorrow…..SIMPLE SATURDAY….woot-woot!
