by Susan Itell | Jun 2, 2013 | 3-D Projects |
Yesterday's post, I shared with you that today is my dear godson's Graduation from High School! It is hard to believe that Leighton is off to college in just a couple short months! WOW – where has all of the time gone!
Probably next to his parents…I am one of the proudest in the world today! Watching him grow over the past (almost 17 years) has been a true joy! His Mom and I have gone to school together since nursery school (now…isn't that super cool in itself!!!)…and this year we both turn 50!!!
Leighton has grown in so many ways and has accomplished so much as well….from being the super athlete…to having a voice that would make anyone's jaw drop…to being in theater productions….to being head of Disciplinary Committee….to keeping up with his hard academics….he has done all this and more – So…so proud of him!
Now to the card…I know what you are thinking….why am I showing you something that is going to be going bye-bye on Monday….simple – cause' I love it and because it reminds me of Leighton! He is not only the "Super Preppy" guy on campus…he wears bow ties and he wears them sooooo well!
It just seemed fitting to make him a graduation card with this bow tie from the Dapper Dad Stamp Set! If you remember a couple of weeks ago I did a Birthday spinner card….please go to that post and see the instructions how to do it!
Here is the link:
http://simplestampin.typepad.com/simplestampin/2013/05/twirling-wishes-your-way-for-your-birthday.html
Here are a couple of tips that I had to adapt to make this card!
- The color of ink and paper is a bye-bye color of Bravo Burgundy…( I know that there are not too many loosing sleep over this color leaving….but it is the schools colors!)
- When I went to put the penny on the bow tie….I had to go to "Plan B" because naturally I would not want the penny to show – and LOOK AT THIS….it looks super cute…I used a White Button from the Neutrals Button Collections! I was sooooo excited!!!!
- The sentiment came from the Perfectly Penned Stamp Set and then I simply free-hand cut it out and matted it! TIP – Make sure you place it low enough for when the bow tie "spins" it does not cover the sentiment!
- The envelope designer paper came from the Regals Paper Collection!
I just love interactive cards! I have played and played with this and it just puts a smile on my face watching the bow tie go back and forth!
Do you ever stop and think if all of the fun things we make out of paper…my husband is one of my biggest fans and he always is in awe of my cards! Challenge yourself to try to do something "new" and "out of the box"!!!
I truly would have never thought that I would have had the confidence to try new concepts as I am pretty much "plain Jane" when it comes to card-making…..this is a fun one to do!
Remember to email me with the subject line of "Stamps for Sale" and I will send an email out to those who have emailed me ( to give you 1st dibs!!!) before I post them on my blog…as the saying goes…the early bird gets the worm! I will have a selection of various discontinued items!
Have a fabulous day and until tomorrow…..
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by Susan Itell | May 27, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Thank You |
O.k. – We are home from a fabulous 4 days away being with family and friend celebrating my son's graduation from college….well….let me tell you – going away is no easy feat for us as we are the proud Mom's and Dad's to 5 dogs and 1 dear pig….3 horses and 1 mini donkey!
Take that all in and you can see that it is not easy going away! Today's post might not relate to a bunch of you….but I hope that you can – "feel" the love for the wonderful "sitter" of our "indoor" friends while we were gone!
Sherry was a true sport…as this was the 1st of her being with our little friends! Having someone around was wonderful and not only were they great…we had a fabulous time not worrying one bit!
My children….Murphy, Eddie, Jack, Charlie, Jack, Norman and precious Daisy-Mae…had soooo much fun with Sherry and they are giving her this special card and fresh cookies! ( what a way to one's heart….hopefully she'll come back!!!!)
Here you go, again – I know that this might not relate to many of you…but the materials used for this card are total keepers and soooooo much fun to work with – "think out of the box!!!!"
- The base of this card is in my "go to" Crumb Cake cut into a 8 1/2" square scored at 4 1/4"
- The "bones" were a cinch to make, using the soft suede paper cut into 1/4" X 1 3/4" strips with the help of a small heart punch on the ends made it happen!!!
- Using the paper piercing tool and punching 3 holes in the "bone" , I simple added 3 neutral brads !
- Adding a couple of "hearts" and sponging the edges with the soft suede added a bit of fun!
I hope that you found this post fun…and I hope you enjoy meeting "my other children"!!!! Please let me know your thoughts and who touches your "heart"
Until tomorrow!!!…..enjoy the pictures!
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by Susan Itell | May 22, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Birthday, Things you just have to buy! |
O.k…I am really…really tickled with this card! I love spinner cards and the last one I did was for Halloween…so you can see how long that has been!
My Mother in Laws Birthday is this week and trying to be prepared for my sons graduation…I have been planing my posts in advance!
As we all know…Birthdays are special and it deserves a special card! I have been trying to focus on stamp sets that are going "bye-bye"….WHY??? I really believe that we have so many great stamp sets that are being discontinued but are also very special!
I get asked…what are you going to do with your stamps?…well – simple, many of them I will sell, but there are some that I just love…and this one is one of them because I love the simplicity of it and then BANG it gives with this card!
I was inspired by super Stampin Up! Demonstrator, Dawn Olchefske and her video….please check it out as it is great! There were a couple of things that I changed up to make it work for me and also some tips for you!
Enjoy and here are some of the detail for my card!
- The colors of paper I used were, Rose Red for the base…daffodil delight and Watercolor Paper…why???
- I used the Bordering on Romance Stamp Set, and knowing that I would use the aqua painter…I knew this would be the perfect choice!
- Picking the colors from the Floral District Designer Series Paper, it was a super cute way to enhance this card!
- TIP – 1st, the Pinwheel Sizzlets is the bargain….only $4.95 and look at the fun and WOW!!! When you go to put it all together…push the entire pinwheel onto your paper piercer…it makes it sooo much easier to adhere a brad to it!
- TIP – When you use the Word Window Punch, I made a faint pencil make at 1/4" on the sides before I punch…not to make it too close ( it keeps it from tearing when you wiggle the penny part!)
- TIP – I stamped the sentiment from the Wishes Your Way Stamp Set, BELOW the pinwheel….this way it does not block the sweet message!
- The liner was for the envelope was the same as the pinwheel to carry on the theme!
- Extra Bling…I stamped the inside of the envelope as well as the outside of the envelope to make it even more special!
- When you see Dawn in the video do the SHAKE-SHAKE-SHAKE!!!! Do it…it makes all the difference in the world! I did triple mount the 3 dimensions that she just did 2….I personally think it helps!
I just LOVE "interactive cards" and I found myself playing and playing with this one! Too cute…too simple…too easy…I truly hope that you case my card and also watch Dawns great video!
I am hoping that once I get help ( with having the college kids home) ….they will help me learn to do videos…it will be super hard to keep them timely as I love to talk!
The moral of today's post is…do not be afraid to order stamps that are being discontinued…..this is a decision that Stampin' Up! unfortunately has the super hard choice to make…but by all means – it does not mean that they are "loser" stamps….if you like them…THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!
Have a super day….please let me know how you like this….I wish you could see it spin….( trust me it is super cute!)
Until tomorrow…..
p.s. – please all keep your thoughts and prayers to the people in Oklahoma…so very tragic and sad.
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by Susan Itell | May 2, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Party Favors |
This special evening is…PROM!
After I did the post before focusing on the petal cone…I had an email from a friend asking if I would make 2 of these gems for her daughter and friend! She (the Mom) was going to fill it with goodies….lipsticks, mints and knowing her – a beautiful heartfelt note wishing her "little girl" a magical evening!
She sent me a photo of the colors of the dresses but I was too afraid to try to match them so I went to the neutral /safe option….but naturally added some bling!
Please refer back to my post on how I made these! Super fun – Super WOW…and you better hurry up and purchase this die….click here – NOW as it is a keeper and you will use it often "just because"!
Please give me some feedback on how I'm doing with doing these bullet point tips!
- Petal Cone Bigz Die is the main stage of this post! TIP ALERT – I find it better to only cut 1 piece of paper at a time…true you can do 2 but I find the impressions become too deep and you will have a better chance of tearing ( but…every Mr. Big Shot is different)
- The colors I used were the NEW…SMOKY SLATE (love), and COASTAL CABANA and Basic Gray!
- ALWAYS use Sticky Stripe to put this gem together! It needs the toughest adhesive we have!
- The strips are 1/2" strips and I would adhere them BEFORE you assemble the cone…soooo much easier to do one strip…snip…the other….snip etc….
I hope that these girls have a magical evening filled with laughter, lots of dancing and memories for a lifetime! I never went to a Prom and I think that it is such a special milestone! ( I threatened my kids that I was going to chaperone their Prom….really wanted to but I didn't)
Have a wonderful day and tomorrow will be my "organizational post" that you can email me back and I would love, LOVE to send you a goodie!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 28, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Stampin' Up ~ Super cool!, Super Easy |
Happy Sunday!!! Close your eyes and sing…" I get by with a little help from my friends…." This is what this post stems around…. my friendship with Mary Fish and Brandi Cox!
I am super excited to be my upline, Mary Fish's guest stamper…wow – what an honor and what a fun post I have for you! Is this just too cute…too practical….and too much fun!
One of the things that I dearly love about Stampin' Up! is the relationships you build…and today's post is an inspiration from a fellow Stampin Up! Demonstrator that is not in Mary's line but someone that I follow! I picked up the phone one day…introduced myself and asked if I could come to one of her Crop Clubs! It was a plain and simple as that!
If you follow my Blog, this is when I had a road trip to North Carolina to see my daughter and had a free evening and went to have "girl fun" with Brandi Cox! It was a blast and I look forward to spending many more fun times with Brandi! One talented lady and we instantly connected!
Is this super or what…
Think about how many people would love this!
Let me back- up….Tuesday evening was the unveiling of discontinued products as well as SUD were able to preview the NEW catalog ( and YES – you will love….LOVE it!) I was going to be Cinderella waiting for midnight…so I was mass producing these gems…(20 in all) and then it HIT ME – I am on the East Coast and I will never make it…I didn't – finally hit the pillow at 1:30 a.m. and Wednesday was a L O N G day for me at work!
Last week on a post…I asked for comments on which 3 stamp sets did you think would be discontinued? The winner will get one of these super fun note pad portfolios! And the wimmer is……Jeanie…Please email me and let me know which color you want!!! WOOT-WOOT!
Her comment:
Beautiful card Susan! – Here are my 3 guesses for retiring stamps: Raining Flowers, Lean on Me and Daring Adventure!
This is a perfect gift….for a friend, a hostess, a co-worker – my wonderful husband took his administrative staff to lunch in honor of their special day on Wednesday and there were 8 of these on the table as they sat down for lunch! I always like to make them something handmade and they all loved it! I mixed the colors up and the table looked so pretty!
Brandi is the "queen" of videos and this one is one to watch! (She is after me to start doing videos….and with her help – I might take the plunge) Please check out her video showcasing this project. I did follow it pretty much – but I did make some changes that I felt worked better for me….and this again is what I love about SU….you can do you projects YOUR way!
This uses the basic's…stampin' trimmer, the Simply Scored, a Stamp Set that was featured in the Spring Catalog, Secret Garden and Bundle as I also used the Big Shot and coordinating and as you can see – I used a variety of fun and festive colors!
Here is a quick run down of colors that I used: Daffodil Delight, Rose Red, Gunball Green, Not So Navy….an just had a blast stampin' here and there – there is no right or worng way…just have FUN!
TIP ALERT!!! – Do you remember that it is a "pet peeve" of mine to have a stamp that does not give you that clean and crisp image….TRICK – use your sanding block to scruff it up….works like a charm and always remember to re-ink your pads!
I do think it is important to have the ink refills – why would yu go to all of the work and time you put into a project only to find in the middle of it that your ink pad needs a little help!?!?
I do agree with Brandi that the Tombow glue is super strong, super economical, and super easy to use!!! I do think we overlook it often, but it really is a great adhesive for a good strong hold! A couple of things that I did differently than what Brandi showcases….
- I use the sticky strip to put together and adhere the inside pocket….I found it to be easier for me to do and also – cleaner!
- I chose not to put the leaves on as I found them to be in danger of getting torn…
- I matted a lager piece of coordinating paper behind the sentiment for a contrast of color and I did tear it as Brandi did…..loved the look!
This has been a joy to share this with you and I hope that I have inspired you! I also hope that Mary and her husband are having a FABULOUS time in FIGI…..a trip well deserved! Mary is one special person and I am just about at my 1 year anniversary as being a Stampin' Up Demonstrator and I feel like I have grown not only as a paper crafter but also as a person!
Being a PAL and being a part of this great company has brought to me a HUGE extended family! I have never, ever experienced anything like this in the fact of the amount of true friendship, inspiration and support is amazing!
I would love for you to be on this journey with me and join my team and be a Mary Fish PAL as well! Also, I am part of Mary's PALS Partner Program! Please email me and I would love to reach out to you and listen to your needs and goals! With the amazing incentive now – WHY NOT! If you are alreay going to purchase products….why not get the, at a discount delivered right to your door!
I made the commitment at the beginning of the year to blog daily and I am proud to say that I have kept true to my word! ( Thanks for the gentle nudge Mary!) I have learned to love sharing not only my work, but also my personality!
Please sign up for my blog subscription in the upper corner underneath the catalog! This way you can start your day with me every morning with a cup of coffee and let me inspire you!
Have a wonderful day, many thanks again to Mary and until tomorrow…..
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by Susan Itell | Apr 10, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Stampin' Up ~ Super cool!, Thinking of you |
I am super happy with the way that this card turned out! Tic-Tac-Toe is always a fun game to play and my inspiration for this card came to me when I was thinking of my week ahead!
This weekend is the Baltimore Regionals Convention and I have been looking sooooo forward to it…but I needed to make a decision to give up my ticket as I need to make a road trip! I was thinking about what I like to do to stay busy when I am in a car and tic-tac-toe popped into my head! In the end….it's gonna be a great weekend as I will be with my daughter!
The Spring Sampler Stamp Set is a PERFECT choice for this! An "A" list stamp set in my opinion! I always love stamp sets that are small as you can use them in so many ways…..just like I did here – also, it is great to use a stamp-a-ma-jig to get a perfect placement – they always are a fun choice!
How did I do this….well, It was actually really easy! The Card is a square card and then I took a thin sheet of metal that I bought at a craft store and used the sticky tape to adhere it to the Whisper White Paper! TOO EASY! I also used some magnets to make this a "working card"! ( sorry about the bad picture!!!)
The rest is pretty darn simple…a stamp…a Pop…a stamp…a Pop…a stampin' dimensional….a magnet….DONE!!!! The Punches I used were the 1 1/4" punch and the 1" punch! I just said this to some one today and it is soooooo true = Stampin' Up! Punches are truly the best! They always give you a clean and crisp punch….these are all that I own!
Because this weekend is going to actually be a "happy day" – I thought it was fitting to use this sentiment! This sentiment also reminds me of my daughter Hannah as she is one happy girl! This stamp is from the Friendly Phrases Set and the look and feel fits right in with the theme!
The sentiment was cut out using the Labels Collection Framelits and then Paper Piercing to give it the WOW factor! Fun, clean, crisp….DONE!
I lightly placed it on the card with just one dimensional so we could take it off and actually play the game together! FUN…..right! The stampin trimmer, again on my "A" list made perfect precise cuts of paper for me! Always making me look great as it is so well made!!!
I hope you have enjoyed today's post! I need to say a B I G "thank you" to all that popped by my blog yesterday! WOW!!!! The PALS are one hot group of creative gu-ru's! I feel lucky to be inspired by so many talented stampers! It is sooooo much more than stampin – it's really about friendships and inspiration!
I would love for you to become a PAL, Please email me and let me answer you questions! I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary and I feel so blessed! I am having sooo much fun – but more importantly I am being rewarded!
I will leave you with a saying that I tell my children…( they say they check my blog….we'll see – as they really were tired of hearing me say this….but I love it and I believe in it!!!!)
"If there is no joy in the journey…
there is no journey in the journeys end!"
I would love for you to be on this journey with me! Many, many thanks for stopping by and please do not forget to sign up for my blog ( the subscription is up on the right) – this way I will be able to give you a daily dose of inspiration!
I love you comments and I appreciate your support! Until tomorrow!
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