by Susan Itell | Sep 1, 2016 | Christmas, PPA Challenges, Uncategorized |
WOW…it is here…FINALLY ~ the day that the new catalog goes live and I am sure that many of you are as excited as I am with it but we need to get down to Thursday business…a Pals Paper Art Challenge and this week we have a sketch to work with and this one is right up my alley, allowing my style and love of clean & simple to shine through!
Fellow PAL, Patti MacLeith provided us a super fun sketch that is in my mind, a keeper so if I were you….I would save this for future projects! I just love when you can add smaller stamps into an area – so clean and fun!
Here is a tip that will really, really help you! The white piece is 5″ X 3 3/4″…why” I like to make the vertical side an even number that I can easily divide (remember, I am Silly Susan) and trust me, it is easy to find 2 1/2″ and then use this as your start point to center the square. Then it is super easy to do the top and bottom!
I love the layering framelits. I admit, when they first came out I was not as excited because the old ones did the trick for me but I will now say that they are super easy to use and make frames, like I did below in the garden green ~ to me…it is a fun and easy finishing touch!
The DSP that I used today is a new kid on the block, Presents & Pinecones! It is fun and fresh and I have the colors listed below that coordinates with it. It is Cherry Cobbler, in the picture it looks rather like “coral” to me….This print is on the flip side of the little stars!
You know me…I could not resist…envelope love is one of my all time favorites and all it takes is just a couple of extra steps but it is WELL WORTH IT! I know that when I send a card to someone with a FUN envelope…they ALWAYS comment on it – it does make a difference. Look at it this way…
It is the little extra touches in life that make you smile…and a fun envelope makes me smile!
NOW TO THE CATALOG….WOOT – WOOT…
You can click right on it and start seeing and have fun! I will be back a bit later today with another post about the new catalog! I do hope that you POP over to the Pals Paper Site to see what the other super talented designers came up with! Talent galore!
See you in a bit with Post #2 for the day….have fun!
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by Susan Itell | Aug 28, 2016 | Christmas, Step it up Sunday! |
Hello…hello – I am super excited to get your feedback as to which one you like better – I know that many of you enjoy the 2 day posts where I take a card on Saturday and then on Sunday make some changes and then get GREAT feedback from you guys….I have my pick but I am not going to tell you….(until tomorrow)
I know that I shared with you earlier this week that it seemed to be hard to get int he swing of creating a Christmas Card when it is soooo darn hot out…but I decided to give it a “scout’s try” and play with some of the new kids on the block!
Not many changes but you can see that there is a totally different “feel” to the card1 The white is so clean and crisp and then the Crumb Cake is so warm and homey.
Yesterday I did some simple scoring on the sides of the panel and today I used the Holly Embossing folder (remember, all of the products are always listed at the bottom of the post)
Yesterday I did not add the “berries” from the Christmas Pines Bundle and today I did, I think that extra POP is key!
I loved and appreciated the comments yesterday…This “pine” bundle is a TOTAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC. I am the very first to realize that purchasing framelits and dies can get expensive but I ask you….what is more classic than fresh greens at the holidays!
I encourage you to add all sorts of different shades of green (even it you think they look strange together) because in the end…it all works out! Isn’t nature wonderful – please do not get stressed with getting the colors and placement perfect – let it roll!!!
Embossing folders add a super fast WOW and this one, Holly is beautiful. I like the fact that the holly has swirls all around to continue a clean, crisp and classic feel! One think I discovered when I made this was when you look at the flip side, it is a fun pattern and actually it is hard to tell that it is holly~ I am going to play around it for a future post!
One thing that I wanted to share is how I adhered the pine…Believe it or not, I used glue dots!!!! They were right there in front of me so I thought, why not? Fast and DONE! I did add dimensionals behind the ornament!
Before you get to your last photo I want to give you the dimensions and a GREAT TIP!!!! This is SOOOOOO SILLY as the dimensions are a no brainer….just an A-2 card, 5 1/2″ X 4 1/4″ and then the Mat is the good old 1/4″ smaller, 5 1/4″ X 4″ and then run through the Big Shot.
NOW HERE IS YOUR TIP: The Big Shot and the precision plate…YOU NEED IT…it is like “peanut butter and jelly” – they just go together! These pines are soooooo detailed and beautiful. Trust me, you will loose your crackers if do not use the precision plate.
I will also share with you…at first I was even frustrated in the fact the the pines were not coming out easily but after I cut about (3) of them….it was MUCH BETTER. This might be crazy but I think that there are times that our “tools” need to get “conditioned”…anyway – I ADORE this die and it is one for eternity as it is truly timeless!
Remember, shopping in your jammies is in style!!!
Here is a BIG PAW PRINT for you to hit and go to my online store! Rememeber to check out my Paw Prints Program where I reward you with free stamps but shopping with me! I know that there are sooooo many AMAZING SUD’s out there and WOW – so much talent but I thank you for your support, your time and your feedback!
Please keep my friends son in your prayers, his surgery is tomorrow at 7:00. This is such a wonderful family.I took them dinner on Friday night and they are all so positive. It was hard not to shed a tear, I am just so sorry that they are going through this but we all know how blessed we are with medicine and technology today!
For you animal lovers out there…..the Dad is a Medevac Paramedic for the State and they just added another dog to their great home. The dog was a bomb search dog that needed to go out of service and talk about AMAZING….their other rescue dog loves to jump on a trampoline – I should take a video of it as it is a hoot – if you even say the “trampoline word” in front of him….he goes bonkers!!!
Thanks all…I know that most of the times I get off topic but…that’s just me! I truly love what I do and I love helping you reach your goals!
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by Susan Itell | Aug 27, 2016 | Christmas, Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
Happy Weekend….I have a Simple Saturday card for you today but I do hope that you will pop back tomorrow to see the “stepped up” version…side by side – YOU decide! I adore reading your comments and getting feedback – this is how we all learn…each of us have gifts…have “nuggets” of tips and tricks and when we share through our comments…we all learn!
Before we get to the card for today….we have a BLOG CANDY WINNER…WOOT-WOOT to “Karen L” ( see her comment below) and please email me your address so I can get your goodies in the mail! I did enjoy reading your comments – WOW……I WANT TO GO TO A STAMP CAMP….LOVED that comment – wouldn’t it be a HOOT of a weekend if we could all be together.
When I was a Creative Memories Consultant, I held along with others a FANTASTIC WEEKEND retreat…it was filled with FUN, LAUGHTER, INSPIRATION and ENDLESS MEMORIES! I admit, it was a TON of WORK but days after the weekend…I was always ready to do it again!
Thanks for all of the great comments….
Now I must say, this is my kind of card…right up my alley and I am eager for you to see tomorrows to get your feedback ( I DO TREASURE your ideas and comments) – but I will say, this weekend post will definitely be in the running for one of my cards (I like to make up several different cards as I admit, I have a hard time deciding on just one)
Clean, Classic, FUN & DONE! Here is a great glimpse of the Regal DSP Paper Stack (Garden Green) – I LOVE these stacks and that is exactly why I always offer them with my product shares…so many of you have not had the opportunity to try them or many of you have overlooked them in the catalog, trust me…..I think I went almost 2 years before I discovered them! Remember my motto…
“When in doubt, pull the DSP Paper Stacks OUT!”
Here are the products used for this beauty! Pop back tomorrow to see the stepped up version but better than that for many of you…the dimensions and all of the tips and trick I did to make this clean and simple card! I can’t wait to hear how you like this card…I think it is a great way to KICK START Holiday Cards as I have really not shared a bunch yet (Truth be told, I found it hard to get int he mood for the Holidays when it is 95 degrees!) 😀
Again, many thanks for all of the comments yesterday – it was great fun to read through them. I will say, at least I found that I had other friends on the Island of not being a fan of that Paper Pumpkin Kit last month…..BUT….
I hope it showed you that there are ways to take something we have….change it to make it work for you! I think that the thing I liked the least about the kit was the paper, I am a traditional paper-crafter and it was just not my favorite but I loved the sentiments and floral stamps!
See you in the morning….I am excited for your feedback!
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by Susan Itell | Aug 19, 2016 | Christmas, Fun & Cute! |
Happy Friday! I have a classic one to help get your engines rolling with the new goodies from the Holiday Catalog…the minute I saw this stamp set, YEP – it was on my pre-order to Randall Lane as I love EVERYTHING about it! This IS a “Susan” stamp!
Please read to the end of the post because I will have a “funny” for you about my day with Will on Wednesday…as you are reading this, I probably have already been to Baltimore taking him to take a Big Bird back to Boston. We have had an OVER THE TOP week together as it has been the BEST to spend time, spoil him, talking, sharing, cooking together…..it is great to see your PEEPS grow up to be BIG PEEPS!
Because this is such a great layout, I am going to share with you the dimensions as this is one that I would CASE! I love everything about it and the AMAZING plaids that are in this paper stack are simply classic and gorgeous!
I know that many of you might not think that this color combination is a tradition Christmas one…but trust me, it is super rich and yummy. Poor Delightful Dijon, it hardly gets any attention but I encourage you to give it a try as it does compliment and gives balance and depth to projects!
Remember, with these paper stacks you get (4) sheets of each design so once you see the way that I cut the paper, you would be able to (16) card from each paper design. Even though it is just a POP of the DSP, it is enough to make an effect!
Here you go, I know you enjoy when I take the time to share measurements!
- The Card base is Basic Black in the Vertical Mode, 4 1/2″ X 5 1/2″
- The White Pieces (2) are 4″ X 5 1/4″ ~ one goes on the inside of the card
- The white Sentiment piece is 4″ X 2 1/2″ stamped in Garden Green
- The Delightful Dijon is 4″ X 3″ and then scored on each end 1 notch in
- The DSP is from Warmth & Cheer (LOVE IT) 1 1/2″ X 5 1/4
- The Dijon Stars are from the Jolly Friends and randomly stamped!The envelope fun was a 1/4″ piece of Garden Green and another fun piece from the same DSP Stack cut at 2″ wide
I hope that you can see that this is a super simple card layout, (remember ~ I call them FORMULAS as they will never let you down) Just change up the stamp sets….change the paper and no one will ever know that you have made this layout before!
The other reason I adore this stamp set is that there are great sentiments to stamp on the inside of the card! Below you will see how I add the trio of stars on the sides of this fun sentiment. This is something that we all want, more inside sentiments and I was doing this happy dance with this offering!
Now to a funny for you and I apologize in advance that this might be too long but here you go! I shared earlier this week that I was super excited to be with Will, my oldest peep that is a Montessori Teacher for 6 – 9 year old in my craft area and go to town because the way I looked at it is…
A teacher + Little Kiddies = a perfect opportunity to play with crafts!?!?
Well, I was a bit deflated. 🙁 Don’t get me wrong we had a blast together but I will put it out to you straight…
The last thing he wanted to do was “play crafts with Mom”
At first I was sad, but then I was over it BUT one thing HE DID want to chat about was adhesives….YES – you heard me right – ADHESIVES….I thought that I would fall off my chair. He actually wanted to know what worked and what didn’t because he goes through a ton of adhesives with preparing with lesson plans….the moral of the story – he has robbed his Mom’s stash and that made me happy!!! 🙂
Do you know what DID MAKE HIM EXCITED?!?!? He loved all of the spools from the thick bakers twine, the rings left over from Washi Tape, my organization cubes…little containers that I held buttons etc….THAT MADE HIM HAPPY and he wiped me out – he said that he could use them with the kids…..
Sorry for the rant…the end result is I had a great week and was a blessing to have him home. I feel like my mojo has been a bit off and I am looking forward to some “me time” tomorrow as John has an all day Boy Scout training (yep, he is a bit old to be a Scout ut he is the best in helping and giving his time)
I know that Christmas is far, far away but then it will be there before you know it and this is one card that I would mark for the future. Enjoy the day, make someone smile, and share some simple kindness! 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Aug 7, 2016 | Christmas, Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
I am so happy that I made you smile yesterday with “Mr. Llama”...or is it Larry, Liam, Lawrence, LeRoy ?????? – I loved Chris R’s comments about naming him….well, I ask you…
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS GUY?
What is his name going to be? This must be a cousin as he has a different expression on his face and I must say, he seems quite proud of himself that he is all “decked out with lights“! This sneak peak is from the new upcoming catalog and it is called, Fa-la-la-la Friends – just adorable and even better, it is a photopolymer stamp set!
Today I stamped him with Black Archival Ink and then using the Aqua Painter, I gave his a super quick “go over” in Sahara Sand…super fast, super easy. On other pictures you will see that I added a bit of blushing bride to cheeks as well as the inside of his ears and then the lights, Real Red and Garden Green! I know that it is next to impossible for you to see but I did add Wink Of Stella to the light bulbs and it is just adorable in person.
You can see that the framelits that are in the below bundle work for the cousin today! SMART MOVE Stampin’ Up! and you just wait…I will have more fun with this one…you can bet that! I have the CUTEST IDEA in my pea-brained head…..only for it to work…..that will be later this month!
For those of you that order from me, you should receive your Holiday Catalog from be by the end of the week. Make sure when you see that envelope, you carve out some “me time” to take it all in!
Darn I wish that I could share with you all of the new paper like I usually do with DSP collections….but until then, you will just have to trust me that there are some keepers! This paper is from a 6″ X 6″ paper stack called Warmth & Cheer and I think that the name is sooooo darn tootin’ appropriate as there are some amazing plaids ( and you all know, I am MAD ABOUT PLAID) but there are also some great “traditional Christmas” prints that just bring “Warmth & Cheer” to you!
I did the same trick for the banner, it is really so simple….just cut out 2 of the framlits in what ever color you are working with and snip….green glue….DONE! This is a great effect and wouldn’t it be fun at different lengths on a vertical card like streamers for a celebration?
I hope that this 2 day post warmed your heart even if it is over 90 degrees in many places…Before we end…I want to chat about the cactus…in reading your comments I laughed and then I asked James and John….they laughed at me to and said, Llamas and cactus are not together….well you will love my answer and I am going to stand by it….
THE DARN CACTUS WAS ON THE STAMP SET….(and they look cute together)
Now go have a great day!!!! Thanks for sharing your time, coffee, thoughts and friendship!
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by Susan Itell | Nov 9, 2015 | Christmas |
I told you yesterday that the post today would be a keeper and to me, this is a classic "Susan card" – it makes me smile, it is fun to make, it is classic, it is duplicable……what more can I say! I promise that I will "ease back" on the Holiday Cards but I just needed to share this with you!
While we are having our coffee together, let's have a "chitty-chat-chat" about the white notecards! I know that many of you are not fans of them but I hope that you can see that this is a super cute card. There are (2) main factors that make this a affordable card.
- – The Note Card and Envelopes are just $6.00 for 20 and the paper is the weight of the Heavy Card Stock
2. The Merry Moments Designer Series Paper Stack – Fun, festive….WOW!
I am going to give you a super quick run down on this card as I truly hope that you will case it. It is a keeper and I know that you will enjoy making it….Remember the advice that I have shared with you…when you have the basics you can do just about anything. I realize that it takes time to build up your inventory of tools etc….but be patient – make wise choices and you'll be happy!
- Note Card size and the plaid paper is 4 1/2" X 3"….You can make (2) cards from one of the sheets of paper in the paper stack. Remember, these are 6" X 6" and because you get 24 sheets of this plaid….you actually could make 48 cards from 1 pack of paper!
- The Always Artichoke is 4" X 2 1/4" and then stitched with the white gel pen. If you do not have this color, you could make substitutions, I just like Always Artichoke with Holiday cards….
- The crumb cake is 3 1/2" X 1 3/4"
- The "merry" sentiment was cut from white and also the vanilla coaster board.. I just love these super simple sentiment framelits. Remember, these framelits are in the bundle that I showcased over the weekend but you can purchase just the framelits….and they are just $17.00 – a true classic that you will use for many, many years!
- The leaves are from the Bird Builder Punch….this is one versatile punch that makes sooooo many things! I am always amazed at how you can take bits and pieces from our punches to create totally different ideas! You can see that this little addition just makes the FUN for this card! Remember, use up your scraps or better yet, use the Always Artichoke piece to pop out the image. I used the hand-held circle punch for the berries – easy!
- Back again is the Real Red Envelope Paper! I probably should have listed this in the above for being super affordable ~ this is just a dream to work with and again, remember….this is in the Holiday Catalog and I really….REALLY hope that it is carried over but if not, I would stock up as it will be perfect for Valentines Day! You get (20) 12 X 12 sheets for just $6.00. Just think of how far this will go!
I am back home from a wonderful WET several days at a Horse Show with Hannah. It was great fun and we are both used to being in the elements….horses, dogs, fun people….no time to thing or worry about the weather!
Please feel free to email me if I can help you and remember to use the hostess code of 4JUNK3R7 if you are placing an order! WHY????? Easy – this way you will be able to earn FREEBIES from me .click here to see the post…. plus don't forget about my Paw Prints Rewards….
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