by Susan Itell | Jun 4, 2014 | 3-D Projects |
I just love to find new ways to give gift cards! To me, gift cards are so practical in the sense that the recipient can choose whatever they want…and you can not go wrong with a gift card from Amazon!
Do you remember this adorable owl from the graduation card that I made the other week? Please click here to see that post so you can see how to make this dear little guy! I have said this before…when you find something that works…why re-invent the wheel?
If you loved it the 1st time…than chances are you’ll love it again!
I totally realize that if you start buying punches from Stampin' Up! – you can quickly add up a "tab" quickly…but hands down, we have the best punches on the market and they are always guaranteed…just like all of our products!
The best advice I can give to you with the punches is whenever you can…keep adding to your collection. They are so helpful and you will be amazed at how often you use them. Rome wasn’t built in a day…and probably your punches are the same…little by little you will have a great collection!
My inspiration came from watching a video that Dawn Griffin did. Click here if you wish to view it but if you do…you will see the changes that I made and I am also going to share with you some other ideas in ways I would switch it up even more than I did today!
- The base piece is a 4 ¼” X 11” piece of crumb cake…(woot-woot – You’ll be able to get 2 gift cardholders from 1 sheet of paper!
- With the 4 ¼” base across the top of your Simply Scoring Board, score all the way down at 3”
- Turn the paper and now you will have the 11” across the top and score at 3” and at 7”
- Cut up to the 7” mark and keep this piece, as it will be your bellyband! (You can do this…just look at the picture below)
- Give all of your score lines a good crease with the bone folder! (I know that many of you like to skip this but I think that this makes the BEST creased and professional edges)
- Using the new Maritime Designer Series Paper, I cut a 3” piece and it allowed be to do all of the decorative cuts…ready for the dimensions – (2) 2 ¾’ squares and (1) 1” X 3 ¾” (for the gift card part) and the rest…. to line the outer flap of your envelope!
TIP ALERT: You have heard me countless times about how much I adore the Designer Series Paper Stacks as well as the DSP…each piece is a 12” X 12” piece of paper and if you were to cut it into 3” strips…you could line 8 envelopes from one sheet!
- Using the “green glue” and remember…just a very, very thin bead of glue…I sealed the sides of where the gift card will go and also used this to adhere the DPS squares and the white piece.
- Oops…the white piece is a scrap piece measuring 3 ¾” X 2 ¾” and then I stamped the “bravo” sentiment from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set (If you do not have this set…it is simple – you need it!)
- I “jazzed” up the belly-band with more paper, but you could totally skip this! These were just scraps that measured ½” X 9” and ¼” X 9”. The easiest way to find the appropriate place to score/bone fold…is to just wrap it around the project (make sure it is NOT TOO tight) as you need some “wiggle’ room to slide it on and off!
At this point you could be done as you really do not need an envelope but you know that I love to make my own envelopes! Using the Envelope Punch Board, I made an envelope that was probably too big, but I would rather it be too big than too small. The finished envelope size is 4” X 3”.
As I said at the top of the post I would share with you some ideas/thoughts about this project! First, I really like the ability to write a message to the person I am giving it to…having that piece of white on the inside works like a charm!
I also like the bellyband sliding off this way! I think that it is more supportive and I just like the way it looks! (Also, I like seeing the “peak” of crumb cake on the right hand side…gives an element of interest rather than having so much DPS!)
Remember to click here to see the post that I did in how to make this adorable Owl. There are sooo many adorable stamps you could use in place of the owl…let your imagination go wild and have fun!
Any of the big flowers would be great…a star…you could stamp the dog from the new stamp set,Hot Diggity Dog and then use a framelit to cut it out and it would be an adorable way to pay a dog sitter with a gift card of a check! (That is what I am going to do the next time we go away)
The best tip I can give you is not to take things to literally…when you see something that interests you…look at it…watch a video if available…and then make it work for you…just like I did here!
If you read my comments…you know that Chris R. leaves me a comment just about everyday! While I have been gone, she sent me an intriguing idea on making a “scratch pad” using our products…at 1st I thought it would be too fussy for me to make, but I have watched the video twice and thought – I’m going to give it a try!
Back to what I posted yesterday – there is no such thing as perfection…
Just do it… as what ever you do is a reflection of who you are!
Thanks for popping in today and I hope that I was able to inspire you. I adore making projects like this and wowzers – This also would be super cute for the holidays with a holiday stamp/framelit!
Remember, every order that is place through my website until this Sunday, June 8th will get a double-whammy…you will receive a free NEW color of Bakers Twine PLUS an opportunity to be the hostess for all of my sales this week!
All you need to do is put the hostess code of and you will have the opportunity to earn all of the hostess earnings. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about this Hostess Code! Tomorrow is a fun color challenge with the Pals Paper Art! I think it will make you smile!
It feels great to be back and I am super excited for my order to arrive on Thursday!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 17, 2014 | 3-D Projects, Super Easy |
Last Saturday I shared with you a cute box that held (8) 3 X 3 cards and lined envelopes…well this week I have another twist for you! Please click here to see the post from last week.
One thing that we all have in common is…we all have a special day once a year…our Birthday! Doesn't this just bring a huge smile on your face!
I will be going to visit my brother at the end of the month and he is a single Dad so I always try to bring him some fun and practical gifts that would be useful to him – (you know…men don't think about a gift enclosure)
Because we each have a Birthday every year, I decided for my cyber stamp club members (on their Birthday month), I will send them this adorable box of (8) gift enclosures with envelopes as well as they can pick (1) item of their choice for a 15% discount!
I have had many emails asking about the club…well, here is the scoop! Please feel free to email me if you want to sign up to be in a club/camp or if you have some questions, I'll be glad to get back with you!
It's really simple with how it works,
especially since we all have the same love…STAMPIN' UP!!!
Being part of a club will give you an opportunity to be a hostess (2 x's a year) and enjoy reaping the benefits to get free products and/or stamp sets that are only available for a hostess.
How does it work and what do I have to do?
- 6 people to a camp, therefore you will have the opportunity to be a hostess 2 x's a year.
- Each "camper" needs to spend $25.00 a month in Stampin' Up! products to make sure that the hostess for that given month will at least hit the $150.00 mark to start earning hostess rewards!
Here is the chart for the hostess earnings.
Here are some questions I get asked…
- Who will be in my camp? – Depending on the response…you might have someone from Texas…someone from Maine….you could easily get a friend from your town to carve out a night for the 2 of you to stamp and have fun….the sky is the limit! The total for each camp site needs to be 6!
- Can I have a hostess code and what is a hostess code? YES...it would be to your best interest to get a hostess code from me so you can get other outside orders from family and friends to earn higher rewards. A hostess code is a 8 digit number that is just for your event, you can share it and when people place orders they simply put in the code, you'll get credit and the product will be shipped directly to them!
- What do I get from it? Well…1st you get me and that means inspiration and some fun things just for "campers" I think that you know me well enough by now – I will send you a card of thanks each and every month and also another "make-n-take" for you to put together and smile and remember, on your Birthday month, you will get the box and cards from today's post!
- How many Camps are there going to be? Well…that all depends on YOU…the more camps we have the more fun we'll have! If we have 2 camps – I thought it might be fun to have a swap with each other….doesn't that sound like fun!?!?
I belonged to a Stamp Camp and I loved it…WHY??? I always looked forward to the month that I was the hostess and made a big wsh list and became the biggest cheerleader to my friends to help add to my sales!
It is a WOOT-WOOT time! We all know that we love products – so this is the easiest way to get products…meet new people and have fun!
Even though this is "cyber" (darn I wish you lived here and we could get together in person) we can still "be connected" by the beauty of technology! My goals and intentions are to help you have fun, let me inspire you with ideas just for "campers" and for you to be able to be a hostess twice a year from the convenience of your own home!
Now we have to get to this super simple "pizza box" for the 3 x 3 cards! Hang tight cause' it is super easy and I want you to make one TODAY!!! I adore 3 x 3 cards and I always think that they make the best gifts to give…birthday's – hostess – just because!
- The paper size is 5 1/4" X 10"
- In the short side, score at 1" & 4 1/4"
- On the long side, score at 1", 4 1/2", 5 1/2" and 9"
- Use the bone folder to score all of the lines. Cut in as shown and I highly recommend you to notch in as shown (personal preference)
- Peel off sticky strip and ahere….PRESTO – A pizza box that will fit (8) cards and (8) lined envelopes!
To decorate the outer part (in the photo I did not do all sides but then I regretted it) – I would just do it!
- (2) DSP of your choice – 3" X 3 1/4"
- (2) DSP of your choice – 3/4" X 3"
- (4) DSP of your choice – 3/4" X 3 1/4"
Simply adhere them to the box and you're done! Well….don't forget to make the cards! The cards were made with the Create a Cupcake Stamp Set….now this is TOTALLY WEIRD for me to be saying…BUT – if you do not have this stamp set, I would purchase it! (It is on the bye-bye list….so act now – the wooden one is still available)
The matching Cupcake Punch is being carried over in the catalog soooo that means that there is another stamp set coming out that will work with it….BUT – I still would "snatch" this one up…I love the sentiments and I know that I will use it many, many times –
These are soooo much fun to make and I cut the color paper to a 2 3/4" square and then scored a line at 1/4" all the way around!
I think you can see that it is straight forward…and what the heck – you will get one when you join the Cyber Stamp Camp….( I know that I should be calling it a Club but I like Camp!!!!)
"Girl Scouts" Honor that you will be rewarded and that you will have FUN…I look forward to being your Camp Counselor and please email me and let me know that you want to join the Camp or if you have any questions…..
Below you will see the products that I used to create these cards…remember that you can click on them and they will go right into my on-line store!
Thanks for POPPING in….I hope that you will be a "camper" with me…and I know that you will enjoy the cyber relationships that I do with my cyber friends!!!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 11, 2014 | 3-D Projects, Super Easy |
1st…HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you great Mom's out there…
I hope that each and everyone of you do something fun (if that's what you want)…have some "me time" (if that's what you want)…or simply do nothing (if that's what you want)!!!
This is what I am going to do today…I think I am a bit crazy (as it is 1 3 1/2 hour drive) but I know that my heart will be filled with joy. If you follow my blog you know that my best friends Dad is terminally ill – I am speaking about "Ted". I stopped to see him when I went to see my daughter in March and had such a GREAT visit – he is such an inspiration of positiveness and determination.
About 2 weeks ago I received a call from his house while I was at work…my heart instantly sank as I was fearful to answer but when I did I heard…."Hey Susan – it's Ted….we are going to have a party on Mother's Day and we want you and John to come down!!!"
Needless to say I was shocked…but my heart was filled… and I am getting more "crows feet around my eyes" from smiling so much (that's a good thing in my opinion). Naturally I instantly said yes, we would not miss it for the world. I think that it is sooooo amazing that he wants to be surrounded by family and friends for a brunch when he is going thru so much!
Lesson learned =
Faith, determination & the will to embrace what is dealt to us makes us who we are!
This is so much like my late Mom…she passed away from Pancreatic Cancer and from the time she was diagnosed to the time she passed, it was about 3 1/2 months. It still amazes me how someone so healthy found out that she had this terrible disease to leave this world so quickly.
It was the worst 3+ months of my life but I can also say it was the best 3+ months of my life because I learned a very valuable lesson…we CAN stop many things that we do and it really does not matter – I stopped life basically for this time and dedicated my time to her…and I never looked back!
One thing that she always taught me was to always be gracious and thank those that are gracious to us…so naturally I would not go to Ted and Billie's without a gift!
What better gift to give than a practical gift of enclosures!
This post came from a post I did before….please click here to see the scoop and you will see the measurements etc…when it is a keeper – it's a keeper!
In a nutshell the box is a piece of paper:
- On the "short side" (5 1/2”) and score at 1” and 4 1/2"
I hope that you enjoy this parade of pictures and I also hope that you can see how an easy gift like this is not only practical….but meaningful!
You can see that all of these cards were made with 1 stamp set, Sassy Saluations and the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack! You can see how fasr and easy it is! Love this fint…love the sentiments – they just work and I am so glad that it iin the catalog for next year!
I can fit (8) decorated cards and lined envelopes in this one little precious box = great gift!
There are times that the basic's and "go to's" just work…this project is one of them! I truly hope that you play around and have fun with this size of card – it is fun. I am so thankful that Stampin' Up! carries these cute, small envelopes.
For all of you Mom's out there…..woot-woot – have a great day! Please remember to leave me a comment so you have another chance to win "Blog Candy" – click here to see the post and also the Blog Candy.
I hope that you take some time to read the AMAZING comments from all…there are some that make me laugh…some that touch my heart….some that just bring tears of joy to my eyes!
Memory Lane is such a great lane to be on!
I am personally looking forward to a fabulous day – John and I will have lots of time to talk! Remember – tomorrow is Make it Mine Monday, I am so happy that many of you have been playing with the sketches and having fun learning!
Until tomorrow….
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by Susan Itell | May 10, 2014 | 3-D Projects |
Happy Saturday to everyone! WOWZERS – many thanks for all of the comments of going down memory lane with thoughts of you Mom. Remember, you can leave me another comment today and tomorrow so it will give you the opportunity to get 3 chances to win the Blog Candy….click here to see the original post and view the fun blog candy.
Tonight is the big fundraiser that I have had the privilege to work on for our community. It is a Black Tie event for the Hospital and the theme is Great Gatsby! Now the sample I am showing you today is not the one that I will be giving to the ladies sitting at my table because to be honest with you…..(I do not have them done but I will snap some pictures of them for you)
My inspiration came from the SUPER talented UK Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, Sam Donald! She is simply amazing and I have been following her for a while. I adore her videos….love to hear her accent but most importantly, I love her work!
Please make sure that you watch her You Tube Video on the "in's and out's" of making this purse…but you will see that I left somethings off…and I added some things as well! She is one talented lady and I just love how she creates! Her flower is adorble but I wanted to keep it super simple.
Let's go….there are a couple of "must have's" when making this – the Top Note Die for sure…this is such a keeper and one that I use all around the year….click here to see the super cute project I did making the boxes for Hershey Nuggets…and naturally the Big Shot!
- Decide your color scheme in what you are looking for the "look" of your purse! Remember, when you score on DSP be careful that you do not push down too hard…it is thinner that our regular card stock!
- Take both pieces, your DSP and your card stock and run them through the big shot….LOVE IT that it will cut 2 at a time! Look at the "ticking marks" around the DSP one…simply take your paper snips and trim off the outer part and then adhere it to the base.(I use "green glue") – Set this aside!
- Take a piece of 4" X 11" of card stock (woot-woot"-you can make (2) purse bases from 1 sheet of paper) and place it long ways on the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (see picture below)
The 11" side – Score at 1", 5 1/4", 6 1/4" and 101/2"…flip it around (see picture below)
The 4" side – Score at 1"
- Take the piece BACK to the Simply Scored Scoring Tool on the long side (11") side and place your finger to the 2" mark as a guide and then take the scoring tool at the 1/2" notch and score just down to meet your finger at the 2" mark. Do the exact same at the 5 3/4" notch
- This is optional but I like the way it looks…take a piece of 10 1/2" X 1/4" piece of card stock and adhere it against the bottom…let it dry good before you use the bone folder to fold the creases!
YOU CAN DO THIS….IT REALLY IS EASY….HANG TIGHT!
- Take a ruler and go to the area where you just went down to the 2" mark and use the ruler as your guide to make a triangle….(It will make sense to you – trust me)
- You only need 2 strips of sticky strip (see pictures) – 1st peel off the short side and adhere and then "pinch in" the sides…(now it's making sense…right?!?!)
- Peel off the bottom and PRESTO – you made a clutch!
- To the Top Note – here is a tip…I like to "flip it over" so you are not scoring on the DSP side as it is thinner – simply line the "points" up to a "groove" in the Simply Scoring Tool and score a straight line – now you can use the bone folder to give it a good crease!
- Take the back part of the top note and adhere it to the back…I used the "green glue" as I love and appreciate the "wiggle" room it gives for me to get it "just right" – let it set up and dry!
I know that Sam used magnets but I chose to used simple Velcro dots! I purchased them at Jo Ann's for around $1.50 for 12 sets!. I found that these worked great for me and if you open and close the Velcro….it will not be too tight!
- To dress my purse up a bit, I took the scalloped Circle punch, a vintage faceted button and threaded the NEW in color Satin Stitched Ribbon thru….tied a simple "Susan knot" adhered it to the scalloped circle with glue dots and woot-woot!
Well…I think that between watching Sam's GREAT video and my take on how I made this "clutch" I hope that you are inspired to make a purse! I promise that I will share with you the ones I make for the ladies at my table!
When I showed John, he naturally said…"It's cute"…then he said – "What can you put in it?" – Well…lipstick fits great…mints fit great….oh heck, it's just so darn tootin' cute – who cares what fits in it!
Well…here is my "feel good" for the day about my Mom..she always loves clutches and I know if she was with us…she would be my best critic and say…"make it with this paper….let's add pearls….wow – this is so cute"
My Mom loved to watch the Academy Awards…well should I say, she liked looking at the dresses, the jewelry and the purses that the actresses wore! I will never forget that we went to New York together and we met in Baltimore to take the train up… she was not "thrilled" with how I was dressed as I had a pair of jeans on, a nice top and I looked fine…and here she was in a skirt and heels.
When I asked her why in the world are you so dressed up she said, "When we get there you will see, you will see ladies in their Channel Suits and beautiful dresses etc…" – well it is clear that my Mom had not been to New York for 30+ years…when we checked in to the hotel – she quickly changed!
Please so not forget to leave me another "Mom" memory today….
you'll get another chance to win the blog candy!
If you are more comfortable with leaving me an email, I totally understand – my heart has been filled with such touching stories…memory lane is the best!
Again, thanks for bring here today…..think of me today as it is a busy day for the event and let's hope the rain holds off!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 16, 2014 | 3-D Projects, Birthday |
O.k – I know all of you well enough by now…you are looking at this and saying –
WOWZERS – THIS IS HARD…THIS IS soooooo un-Susan…
Hang tight! This is a great card and it is a card that is really not hard…you just need to follow it like a map! When you think of it as a map….it will work – you always end up at the destination that you are going for!
You know that I love odd size cards…and I made a custom 5" square envelope for it using the Envelope Punch Board…do you remember I shared with you that I forgot to take a picture of my dear friends Jeanie's card for the Spring Card Swap!?!?!?!?
Well…we took a class making this card and she was determined to make it into an A-2 Card so she could swap! Well…she did it and you will see her "beauties" at the end of the post!
It is a hard card to get a good picture of…but trust me – when it is in you hands…you will have the BIGGEST smile on your face out of pure pride and joy! It is a great card that can be adapted in many ways!
Let's go….today I am going to do this super easy…..listing the paper and sizes right off the bat!
- Very Vanilla – Use the Square Framelits Scalloped frame for the outer edge…(you can see it "peek" out)….another piece at a 3 3/4" square for the inside of the card.
TIP ALERT: – The Square Framelits …I number them (I call #1 the smallest …then outward!) Doing it this way makes it easy when referring to sizes!
- Baked Brown Sugar – 4 1/4" X 8 1/2" and then scored at 2 1/8" and then flipped around to 2 1/8" to the other side! Balanced ends of the card will make perfect sense to you later on! Fold and use your bone folder for crisp edges!
- DSP – Retro Fresh Paper – a 2 3/4" square and then cut out with the #4 framelit! I also used this paper to line the envelope!
- Tangerine Tango – 3" square and cut it with the #5 square framelit to mat the DSP!
- Coastal Cabana – Cut a 4" square for the inside mat and then another 4" square but put it through the Big Shot Using the #5 and #7 framelits (remember…the smallest is #1 – see picture!) The circle for the cupcake is the 1 3/4" punch and then I did my "Susan dashes" in th white gel pen!
You can see that I used the Create a Cupcake Stamp Set...and using the fun colors of the DSP…a smile is on your face! How can a cupcake not bring a smile! The Cupcake Punch makes it a cinch!
TIP ALERT AND HOW IT COMES TOGETHER:
- For the "outer frame" in Coastal Cabana.…1st fold the card together and then place a "thin" strip of Mono Glue to the "outer side of the right of the Coastal Cabana Square"…..center it and adhere. (You can see in the picture that the left side of the Coastal Cabana is NOT adhered!)
- Go to the Tangerine Tango square that has the "cup cake" – place a "thin" strip of Mono Glue to the "left side of the Tangerine Tango Square" (the right side of this piece will not have any adhesive)
WHEW… – fold it together and IT WORKS!
All I can say is…try it..and if you need my help = please email me! I will do my best to help you! This card is one of those "Peanut Butter and Jelly" things I talk about – (once you get it…you get it!)
I must admit…this has been a hard one to try to "put into word" but I do hope you try it! !
I lined the envelope using the envelope punch board for a 5" square card WOOT-WOOT!!! What a great tool! Just look for the size of card you are making…follow the gude and presto – you can make your own envelope!
This is a great picture of an angle of the card! It is a fun card and one that I hope you try! I know that Vincent will have a HUGE smile on his face when he sees it!!!
Now let's get to Jeanie's card for the swap…..it's a keeper! Remember – this is an A-2 card size!
I hope that Jeanie will share with us the dimensions to make an A-2 card….I am sure she will as she is one talented person!
Today…you will get a double-whammy from me! Remember that I said that I had hopes of doing something fun for John….well…it is below 32 again and……it's not going to happen but "Plan B" is in effect!
Until later today!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 9, 2014 | 3-D Projects, Easter, Super Easy |
There are times that I just have to admit….that I "tickle" myself….and this dear little bunny is one of them! Isn't he sooo darn tootin bunny cute!!! I hope that you run out to the store and buy these Lindt Chocolates…and they also come in "chicks" and "lambs"…don't worry – I will have other fun posts with them!
Before we get to this SIMPLE 3-D fun…I want to say a big thank you for popping by yesterday and I hope that you enjoyed all of the fun posts…so many great ideas…so much fun!
I did email those who asked for the cookie recipe…my computer was acting up so I apologize if I sent it to you twice! (please let me know if you did not receive it and requested it)
Let's go….and boy do I have a bunch of pictures for you…this is so easy that you are not going to believe how easy it is!!! Naturally you can change up the colors and the colors of grass etc….let your imagination go wild – mixing up colors would be super cute!
- The strip is Strawberry Slush cut at 2" X 11" (make is a teeny-tiny smaller than 2" so it will fit in the Scallop Toppers Punch better)
- I told you this was easy-peasy…flip around the other side and run it through the big shot just like you did before!
- Next, take the Topper Scalloped Punch and POP each ends!
- The last thing before we get to fru-fruing it is to take the Ex Large Oval Punch and POP out the center!
- That is IT!!!! Now for the fun! Just put adhesive of your choice and "squish" up your easter grass and press it down firmly and then trim any excess that looks "unruly"
- Isn't he just adorable!!! I place several glue dots on the bottom of the bunny and gently pressed him down….and he was happy!
- The simple yet elegant Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon was the icing on the cake! I wish this ribbon would be out in ALL colors as I can actually tie a bow….another reason to do a WOOT-WOOT!
Here's a little side view of my friend….
To me it's like have a floral centerpiece on the table…
you want it to look great at all angles!
I hope that this made you smile and I hope that you make some one smile and make them! These will be on my Easter table and I have also made some for co-workers as well as some for elderly people that could use some joy!
My dear John has a client that has suffered many strokes and he tries to go and visit him weekly – John took him one! Mr. Johnston loved it and was smiling from ear to ear! Isn't it wonderful that simple things like this can bring us ultimate joy!
YOU popping by my blog brings me joy! Please email me if I can be of help! I love helping you reach your goals and I know that you have many options of being your demonstrator….but please know, if you need one – I'm here!
I love to help teach you to have the confidence that we all have….sometimes it just needs to be "un-leashed"…we all have talents…we all express ourselves in different ways….
YOU can do it….until tomorrow!
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