by Susan Itell | Aug 17, 2014 | Fall Cards, New Product, Super Easy |
Happy Sunday! This is a super easy card that delivers a big WOW and truly is it so easy and fun to make! I was inspired by Stampin’ School…I was so interested in it, I just had to give it a try and it is a great technique.
I made this card for all of my customers that I sent the new Holiday Catalog to. If you have not received yours yet, please email me! Remember the new catalog is available for you to order from on Thursday the 28th!
The stamp set is called Seasonally Scattered and it is a fun sentiment stamp! Having just the sentiments allows so many opportunities for Designer Series Paper – different techniques etc!
Let’s go! The base is Very Vanilla and a regular A-2 card. Because I was going for a “fall theme” I chose the colors of Crush Curry, Old Olive and Blackberry Bliss. I know that it is hard to see but the deep color I matted the vanilla is the Blackberry Bliss!
All you do is ink up the stamp with the Crushed Curry (I like to “ink” up with the stamp image “UP” when there is a large image like this!) Next is the fun part and no two cards will look the same…this is what I loved about making quantities of them!
Take a sponge dauber and dap it in the old olive and randomly dap away! Do the same with a new dauber and use the Blackberry Bliss! THAT’S IT! Call yourself Picasso!
TIP – the BEST thing about this card is that it is SUPER easy to make many at one time…assemble line all the way! The most time consuming thing is that you do need to clean the stamp before each one because you do not want the Crush Curry to get all inky with the other colors! This is why our stamp cleaner is ALWAYS on my must haves! it makes cleaning so fast!
Using another new product, the Natural and Old Olive Trim, I simply placed a piece around the front…anchoring it in the back and then taking a small piece of it and tying it in a knot and ruffling the ends and then a mini glue dot to adhere is all that is needed. (I will be having a ribbon and paper share with the NEW catalog)
To the envelope we go…I lined the outer envelope with a DSP from the Flower Pot Collection…this is a fun and fresh collection of colors.
Many thanks for referrals…as we all know, this is the best form of growth and I thank you! It makes me smile when I receive an email from someone and they found me through…I love blogging and I find it to be a great “outlet” for me to express who I am!
Please email me if I can help you and remember to let me know if you have not received your catalog. It’s a keeper and I am getting more and more excited to share with you new goodies! I just had to say…."THANKS"
Enjoy your day and remember, tomorrow is Make-It-Mine Monday! Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Nov 12, 2013 | Fall Cards, PALS Blog Hops, Thank You, Watercoloring |
Thank you for joining us for the November Pals Blog Hop. We are thankful you are visiting today and hope you enjoy our thank you inspired projects.
You should have just left stop number 16 on the Pals Hop – Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards. If so, you are in the right spot.
If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along
from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations!
I
think receiving a card at this time of the year is so special, as with the
seasons changing, the time changing, everyone seems to be “down–shifting” with
trying to get a “grasp” on the next time of rush!
To
me, this is such a time of Thanksgiving and letting friends, family and simply
people that touch your life and that you admire…sending them a card letting
them know that you are “Thankful” with how they touched your life is a powerful
and fulfilling gesture!
It
will be 3 years on December 1st that I lost my Mom and every year I
send her caregivers a card of “thanks” as they were so amazing and I still
deeply appreciate all that they did and they are always in my heart!
Today’s
card I wanted to do something different than leaves! This is from the Wetlands
Stamp Set and it is just elegant! Now you know what I am going to say…YES – you
need to use Water Color Paper when doing this technique of water-coloring!
Water
coloring is super fun and with the Aqua Painters it is a breeze! I get many
comments saying that they are not comfortable with water coloring. The best tip
I can give you is practice…practice and practice!!!
It
truly is easy and in time I have learned that it is important to get the
“puddle” of your ink color fairly wet as if you go over it again and again as
it dries, you will create a softer and in depth look! It’s kind of like
blending!
Look
at this picture (I know it’s kind of weird to look at) but before you open your
ink pad, give it a good squeeze to get a blob of ink on the top…then you can
see how I made a section much wetter with the aqua painter! I have found that I
like adding a lighter effect and it dries super quick and then going back over!
The
size of the water color paper is a 4” X 4” square and I stamped the “wheat
grass” in Soft Suede and then Goose in Black Staz-On Ink…. why did I do it this
way? Because the Soft Suede is not permanent, I wanted a bit of “bleeding” of
color as I was painting and then with the goose…I simply wanted the crispness
of him to pop! The total size of the card is 5" X 5"!
Here
are the colors that I used. I know it seems like a lot but truly you are “taking a little her and a little there”
to create an effect that you are comfortable with! Soft Sky, Old Olive, Cajun
Craze, Soft Suede for the grass area and Sahara Sand for the goose!
Remember
to gently squeeze your aqua painter and have a paper town handy to keep the
water consistently the way you like it. I only keep a tiny bit of water in
mine…a little goes a long way! Again, PRACTICE!!!
Because
this paper is meant to hold and absorb water, you still might get a bit of
“waviness” on the end result! Because of this, I would recommend using the
sticky tape to mat it to the soft suede…now as you can see it is super flat!!!
WOOT-WOOT!
The
simple sentiment of thanks is all that is needed! I love to write very
heartfelt notes of how and why they touch my life and let them know “I thank them for what the mean to me”
Because
the size of the card is not your traditional size…no worries – the envelope
punch board to the rescue! Just follow the handy dandy guide and a cut of the
paper…a punch of the board…a score of a line…PRESTO – all you need to do is use
adhesive and you are good to go!
A
card would not be a card to me without a liner! Following my dear and wonderful
upline, Mary Fish, she created this great video that you need to watch! Click
here and see how easy it is to make a liner to fit the odd size cards!
Needed to be kind to the mailman and make him smile…so I stamped the Wheat Grass on the lower edge of the envelope! Cute…..right!?!?
John has aked me to make him up a new wave of cards as he is running low of the last batch I made him and he asked me if I would make a dozen of this one up for him! You might think – WOW….that will take forever…but it really is not a big deal….
TIP ALERT: – because you are layering these bases…take full advantage of cutting shapes out of the Soft Sky and the Soft Suede Paper…use punched, use framlits etc….SAVE PAPER when you can!
Water-coloring to me is total therapy! I am happy as a clam watching "The Voice" and I can easily color all of these for John!
Remember, break your projects down into steps…doing this will save you so much time and frustration! You can do it!!!
Now you have a lot to get to….since it is the PALS Blog hop…you need to continue to be inspired! I hope that I have inspired you today…Until tomorrow!!!
The next stop is Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit, stop number 18 on
the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Ann Schach at The Stampin' Schach
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Carmen Sublasky at The Creative Stamptuary
- Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Connie Lindsey at Crafting a Joyful Life
- Michelle Gleeson at Stampinmojo
- Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works
- Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
- Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery
- Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness.com
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Amy L. Lazzell at Just A Thought…Cards by Amy
- Lisa Davis at Cherry St. Paper Treats
- Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
- Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
- Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker
- Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Brian King at Stamp with Brian
- Beth Beard at My little craft blog
- Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb…
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Sue Becker at Sue's R n R Stamping
- Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
- Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys in Schertz
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by Susan Itell | Nov 8, 2013 | Fall Cards, Super Easy |
As promised here are some "Fall" like cards and I hope you are smiling as this is a clean, easy, crisp and fun card! This is a great example of "less is best" and also "easy is great"!
The color of the base is Very Vanilla (I thought it looked like white in the picture) and I cut it to the "note card" size – a 3 1/2" X 5" card!
I adore this size as it is the “perfect” size to pop a quick note in the mail and truth be told…I wish that Stampin’ Up! would come out with Very Vanilla Envelopes in this size!
Confessions of an honest stamper…this leaf stamp comes from the Wonderfall Stamp Set and it’s a keeper for 2 reasons!
- It’s a beautiful stamp set…fun and fresh….and
- It comes with the Autumn Accents Bigz Die that will make you look like a pro…AND…it is on SALE so a BIG WOOT-WOOT!!!
BUT…If you follow my blog you read that I had to take everything out of my work area and I can hardly wait for the weekend to come to put it back together – I could not find the die so I needed to “fussy cut” the leafs…which was easy peasy!
The colors I used today were Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, and Chocolate Chip! Fresh and fun!
Cutting the Very Vanilla piece ¼” smaller than the base…I ran it through the Big Shot using the Polka Dot Embossing Folder to pull out the polka dots from the leafs!
Matting it with a corner rounded piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock, (and YES – I saved paper and cut some shapes from the inside)…made the card come to life!
I did pop the leaves and sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals as it is the perfect element to make it go WOW!
Let’s get to the sentiment before I forget…it is from the Embellished Events Stamp Set…simple!
TIP ALERT: I find (and again it is a personal preference) when just doing a simple sentiment like this, I use the “brush end” of my marker rather than using the stamp pad – why? = I think when you have a super skinny sentiment like this you are more likely to get too much ink and “wobble” as you stamp!
Naturally the envelope came to life with the Envelope Punch Board and then the liner was from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack and is the perfect finale!
I hope that this card brings a smile to your face and you can think of someone to send a simple card like this to just letting them know that you are thinking of them!
You can click my Shop Button and have all of these goodies shipped to your door!
I thank you for popping by and I thank you for allowing me to help you with your projects! I know that there are soooo many incredible Demonstrators out there and I appreciate you spending time with me!
Tomorrow is a 3-D…please come back! It will be a Fall keeper!!!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Nov 3, 2013 | Fall Cards, Super Easy |
With
the beginning of a new month…that means for me that it is another opportunity
to do a “feel good” as the 1st Wednesday of every month, myself
along with volunteers come together to make cards for patients that are
undergoing treatment!
I
have many of you ask me about this monthly project and I thought I would share
what I do and perhaps you can get involved in your local community and bring a
smile to ones face!
I
come up with 4 – 6 different cards that are easy for the volunteers to put
together! Most of the people that come do not do Stampin’ Up! (And I truthfully
do not promote my business, as I want it to be a time for them to have fun and
give to others!)
I
make 2 of them and then have the supplies all ready for them to copy them! The
end result is that we make a bunch of cards…share laughter…and walk away in
about an 1 ½ hours with beautiful cards that are sent out to bring “pick me
up’s” to members of our community!
We
make 15 of each design…it is a fun evening that always makes me sleep “happy and fulfilled”
that night!
Let’s
get to this card…simple, classic, minimal product, and just plain beautiful
will do the trick!
The
focal part of this card is just some good old great paper…it is from the super
great Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper and I just adore it….so rich and
comforting!
I
used the Stampin’ Trimmer and simply cut (4) 1 ¼” squares and then using the
Envelope Punch Board, I used the corner rounder one 2 sides of each square! I SOOO MUCH prefer this corner rounder over the punch!
Next,
I matted them onto a 2 ¾” Very Vanilla Square and next came a “peek” of the
Soft Sky …just a “smidge” bigger and then a simple 3” Chocolate Chip
square…BAM!
To
the center of this fun I added a simple Natural Designer Button and threaded a
piece of linen thread (this is the extent of my sewing talent) and using a
couple of glue dots…presto – in place and good to go!
The
stamp set is from the Hostess Stamp Sets and it is called, Express Yourself!
This is a great stamp set and I truly have used this a bunch as the font is
simple and the sentiments are great!
I
will say before I adhered the focal point, I did use the stamp-a-ma-jig and
centered the sentiment! I used Soft Suede as I think it looks better than
chocolate chip…(personal preference!)
How
about getting together some friends and having an event of your own? Are you
thinking that you do not live near me…no worries – I can get you a “hostess
code” and you can get orders of your own and reap the benefits! Email me, and I
will be happy to talk to you about it!
The
envelope was a double whammy as I lined the envelope using the envelope frames
framelits and then I also did a quick stamp with the Magnificent Maple stamp (A
simple MUST HAVE for fall) and then the sentiment once again! For under $10.00 – hit that SHOP NOW Button !!!
I
know that the volunteers are going to love to make this card! They are always
so excited to make cards! Just think of how many different designer series
papers and sentiments you could do with this layout!
This
is what I call is a keeper! Please have fun and case away! I will share with
you another card tomorrow that we will be making on Wednesday night!
Thanks
for popping by my blog today and if you have not subscribed…please do so and
also share my blog with your family and friends!
I
appreciate your time in leaving me comments and I adore when you send me
pictures of your works of art!!! Have a fabulous day and make some Sunday
memories!!!!
Until
tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 26, 2013 | Fall Cards, Thank You |
It is absolutly beautiful on the East Coast! There is a sharp crisp to the air but I just love to see nature in all of it's glory! This is a super fun card to make as the end result will surely put a smile to your face!
Holding true to my word, I am showing another 2 stamp sets that are on the 25% off list of 25 just until Monday and both of these are on my "A list"!
Gently Falling was probably one of my 1st stamp sets I bought as a customer (I was a professional customer before taking the plunge to be a Demonstrator) and it truly is my go-to for the fall!
I can remember the night I ordered it…I thought – I cannot believe I spent that much on a stamp set but I will say…everytime I use it, I think of that and I smile as it has paid for itself over and over and now you can get it for just $21.71 – trust me – you will not regret it!
Let's get to the fun as I truly hope that you will make this card – have fun switching up the colors…it is a different technique than I usually do but it is so fun and I always get rave reviews when I send this card!
I have lots of pictures for you so get ready to have fun!
- The base of the card is Very Vanilla and I cut
the paper at the 4 1/4'” side and then scored it at 5 ½”
- The Cherry Cobbler piece is 3 7/8” X 4 7/8”
- The Crushed Curry is 3 5/8” X 4 5/8”
- The Very Vanilla is 3 ½” X 4 ½”
Now you know what I am going to say about this paper…USE THE
INSIDES TO SAVE PAPER!!! Works like a charm every time!
Look at what I am able to save and make for other cards…remember
the card with the 3 butterflies…from making just 2 of these cards today…I have
enough butterflies to make 7 of those cards…you know what I say…WOOT-WOOT!!!
- The colors of ink I used for today’s card are…Soft
Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Sahara Sand
- Ink your stamps up and have fun!!! Always do the
outer image stamp 1st, then go over it with the one that has more
coverage!
TIP ALERT: I always try to keep my stamp sets well inked up…I
stamped off on a piece of scratch paper before I did the 2nd stamp
set so it was not too dark!
- Randomly stamp however your heart’s desire and
then get ready to have fun! Please make sure that you “stamp off” the edges so
it looks very random!
- After stamping, take out the Simply Scored and
let’s have some fun! All you do is simply take the stylus and run it down in both
directions a ½” intervals…easy-peasy and the POP will happen next!
- Take a stampin’ sponge and lightly ink it up
with the Sahara Sand and in a circular motion, gently add color…so rich, so
fun!
- Adhere this to the Crushed Curry and then put Stampin Dimensionals to this piece but
before adhering it…I put a couple of pop dots on the back to “anchor” the Soft Suede
ribbon to the back and then tied it is a simple knot! Here is a good close up look at the fun!
- Let's get to the sentiment! This is one of the 25% off stamp sets, Lots of Thanks, and trust me -I have been using this a bunch as I have had many thank you notes over the past several months!
- Simply stamp the Thank You (I masked off the bottom portion) and then use up a scrap piece of paper and then a simple mat – done!
- The finale' for the mailman…stampin' the front of the envelope! So easy…just remember before you clean you stamps to use them again – you will surely smile!
I truly hope that you will CASE this card and have fun! It's a beauty and it's a card that you could easily change the sentiment for a "think of you"…."happy birthday" etc….
Enjoy your day, please subsribe to my blog to get daily doses of inspiration and do not forget that the stamp sale ends on Monday!
If I can help….please email me! I love helping you reach your goals!
Until tomorrow
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by Susan Itell | Oct 20, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Fall Cards, Thank You |
Remember how I have been showing you how to save your paper and making "cuts" with paper that it going to be matted and not shown? Well today's post is "left overs" that are from when I made the "thank you's" for my friends… several posts ago…click here to see it! Because I made so many of these card – I was able to cut a top note from each of the Soft Suede paper!
This
is a super fun and easy box that is not only functional…it will put a huge
smile on someone’s face! You could put many things in these gems…candy, a gift
card, a deck of cards, a note…just use your imagination!
To
make the box part…you can get (2) from one sheet of paper!
- Cut your paper at 8” X 5 ½ “
- Score on the 8” side at 1”, 3 ½”, 4 1/2” and 7”
- Score on the 5 ½” side at 1” on both ends
- Fold in…( I like to use the bone folder for crisp edges) and cut in to the 1" line as shown!
- This next step is easy…you will cut completely off 1 piece…look at the picture below!
- I recommend that you use Sticky Strip! I say this as I feel it is the best choice of adhesive for 3-D projects! You will only be placing sticky strip on that short side (see picture below) This is a good picture that will show you the "cut off" piece and how you build the "sides" to your box!
- How are you doing? Hang in there – this is really easy and you will be making these a bunch! After you adhere the box together I took the 1" circle punch and did a quick snip! I think it makes it easier to open the box!
- Now to attaching the attaching of the Top Notes! I do put sticky strip on the top and bottom of the box but I start with the bottom. Peel off the red tape and position the "box" on top!
- Last step…I suggest that you lean over and it is super easy to get the "top" – "top note" centered over the box! BAM you did it!!! I say Woot-Woot to you!
Now lets get to the fun part since we have mastered the mechanics of
the box making!
I cut another Top Note from Very Vanilla and then I cut if a bit
smaller simply using the perforated lines as my guide! SOOOOO easy!
Using the Tangerine Tango ink…I inked up the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp and
then “stamped it off” on a piece of computer paper before stamping on the top
note…I wanted a fainter stamp!
Using one of my favorite Fall stamps, out came the Magnificent Maple
Stamp and I inked it up with Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Old Olive ( a
perfect trio of fall colors)
Lastly with the help of my stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement I
stamped the sentiment that came from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set!
Is this just soooo cute! What did I put inside….yummers! I put nuggets but I did something fun and super easy! Using address labels I stamped the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp and then stamped the sentiment of "thanks"! Isn't this just the cutest!
The label fits perfectly and you do not have to worry about an adhesive! Woot-Woot!
Just think of the endless ideas you could do with this concept..a simple change of paper color and stamps…presto – you have a great gift! Please share with me if you make any of these! I just love them and they are always a hit!
We have been sooooo lucky to have wonderful friends make us yummy meals while John has been laid up…and I have been sending these out with a thank you note! They love them!
Please let me know what you think about these! They are super easy to make and if you need any help, please feel free to email me!
There have been sooooo many things going on with Stampin' Up! over the past weeks, I find it hard to take it all in! Tomorrow is the last day for you to take advantage of the $25.00 starter kit!
If that wasn't good enough….on the 22nd (Tuesday) they are unveiling 25 stamp sets that will be 25% off for 1 week!!! A HUGE woot-woot….as if you sign up to be a hobbiest demonstrator, you will be able to take the 25% anniversary discount on the stamp sets that will be on sale…PLUS your first order discount of 30% more!
Let's talk…I would love for you be having fun with me!
Until tomorrow!
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