by Susan Itell | Nov 5, 2013 | Love, Masculine |
I feel bad that I have not been showcasing and making cards for my wonderful hubby so this is for him! He has been such a trooper through his whole injury etc…
Today is his 1st day of Physical Therapy at the doctors! He has been doing PT here at the house 3 X's a week but today he is getting to go to the "real office" and he is excited to get his legs rolling!
This truly is a card that is MUCH better in person as the photos do not do it justice what so ever! Another bummer for me is…I left my I Phone in a friends car and this shows me….how well they take pictures…this is a great masculine card!
Here is a quick run down! I wanted to use the Regals Core'dinations Paper in the Cajun Craze Color! Love this paper as you can sand it (like I did here) or it is great to tear it….it is just fun and a different twist!
Running it through the Big Shot with the Houndstooth Embossing Folder was the start of this wow for the card! Next, I used the Sanding Block to let some magic and a rustic yet modern feel to the card come to life!
The sentiment came from the super fun and I think over looked Stamp Set, Spread the Joy! It is fun set and can make some really "heartfelt" cards! I loved the movie The Bucket List and I thought this would be a great sentment for John!
I have had many emails about "fussy cutting" and the best tip I can give you is…don't try to be perfect with your cuts….just roll with it and let the scissors do the work! I always use the paper snips and I think they are the best little scissors out there!
Matting them on Midnight Muse, I cut them again and then used the "ends" of stampin dimensionals to make them get a lift up! To balance the card I simply added some regal candy dots…a perfect and quick touch!
The envelope was a quick run through with the Envelope Liner Framelit using the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack, a must have to make your projects have that perfect finishing touch!
Do you have a "Bucket List"?
This is something that I think of often as there are many accomplishments that I still want to do…and the funny thing is – most of them are very, very simple…just some goals that I have!!!
Have a super-duper day and I am still having a tough time with the time change…I know this one is easier but I keep looking at the clock and thinking….what time is it REALLY!!!???!!!
Tomorrow is a Christmas Card as the countdown is going and I know you will love it! Classic, warm and beautiful….please pop back to tomorrow!
Email me if I can be of help to you…..please hit the Shop Now button to order any products from my 24 hour website and the goodies will come to your door!!!
Have a terrific Tuesday and until tomorrow….
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by Susan Itell | Sep 23, 2013 | Love, Super Easy |
We all have special friends…and I needed to thank a very special couple…the god-parents to my children…and a dear friend since Nursery School…and a true memory maker as there is only one Haven and Brandon!
Saturday night, they came over and brought not only the most AMAZING dinner, they brought John a fun and unique gift that he is fascinated with…a "Fly Tying Kit" for Fly Fishing…when he woke up this morning, he went right to his book to "take it all in" before he put his fingers to action!
There is only one Haven (I call her blondie-blonde!!!)….and I knew that a clean and classic card was needed! She is truly one of a kind – a true classic and we are blessed to have so many great memories and "life" mile stones together!
Today's post came from my "surfing" the Pinterest incredible site and I found a card made from SU Demonstrator, Jill Franchett and she was "paying it forward" from another SUD that inspired her! Naturally I needed to make it my own and I think I did a great job for my dear friends, Haven and Brandon!
Let's get to it!
Let's start by asking a question…
When was the last time you went to the color of Sahara Sand?
This is a "sleeper" color but by all means should not be over looked as it is a great neutral and now that we have the super Envelope Punch Board to make an envelope…please consider it as it's a keeper!
The base is a regular A-2 card and then In Color Designer Series Paper was the POP factor (Haven loves blue) and that was cut at 4" X 5 1/4".
The white card stock was cut at 4" X 3" and then stamped with the Chalk Talk Stamp Set (2 days in a row…I used only 1 stamp set) WOOT-WOOT! and I stamped it in the yummy color of midnight muse! The 2nd image was stamped in Sahara Sand!
The quick and easy punch with the X-Large Oval Punch…so quick and easy and then I punched out 2 of the midnight muse to frame the stamped oval! Is this simple or what! Less is best and this is a prime example of a Clean and Simple Card!
I did use my favorite tool to make this happen correctly - the 1st time and not waste both time and paper! The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to the rescue made this card come together super fast!
Two other "classic's" of Stampin' Up! are Basic Pearls and my Stampin' Vitamins….Stampin' Dimensionals were the pop factor to make this card come to life!
Envelope time….an 8" X 8" square was the 1st step to this envelope! Isn't it super cool to be able to make your own envelopes!?!? It is a cinch with the Stampin' Trimmer and the Envelope Punch Board. LOVE IT!!! I chose to line the outside of the envelope as I know Haven adores blue and I knew she would love seeing the outside lined!
Well…that's it for today…
I hope that I have inspired you and I hope that YOU can think of the "special someone in your world"...and if you have not seen each other lately or live far away….pick up the phone….send an email …..whatever – just do it and say hi…say I'm thinking of you….say I appreciate you….say I love you!
Remember….please tell you friends about my blog and if you have not already done so…subscribe to my blog so you will not miss a daily dose of inspiration from me!
Tomorrow is a special post, I had a little help from a friend….a cyber friend that asked me a ? and then figured it out herself and did a FABULOUS job!!!! I am excited to share with you her "works of art from her beautiful heart!"
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Sep 21, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Love, Super Easy |
I haven't made a card for John the past couple of days so this will be by his bed when he wakes up! He is 6 ' 5" and being in a "twin" bed…yet a hospital bed is not the most comfortable! (at least they put an extension on the end)
We laugh and say we feel like the Walton's saying goodnight….he says goodnight Eddie ( a dog)….goodnight Murphy (a dog),goodnight Jack (another dog) and then when he gets to me as I feel like a princess in our big bed and I respond…goodnight "John boy"!!!
We are finding lots of time to laugh and I do hope that continues on! Many, many thanks for all of the well wishes, inspirations and simple gestures you have been sending my way!
Now to the card….this card I knew the minute I saw it….I was going to CASE it! The idea was shown to me by my dear friend and huge helper to my blog, Patsy Wagonner. Please click here if you would like to watch her incredible video on this "Shadow Box Technique"
Patsy is one special person and I adore her calmness, ability to teach and I just marvel her work! I actually like hers a lot better than this card that I did (mine is too much of one color) but I knew that it would be perfect to give to my hubby!!! Please try this as it is super fun, kinda different and the best part…no extra postage!!!
Let's get going:
- The card is a regular A2 card size and the Real Red is5 3/8" X 4 1/8" and then the white is 5" X 3 3/4".
- TIP ALERT: with the red piece…I used the Ticker Duo Punch to use for the tags (actually I punched 4 sets of them for future use….great way to save paper as it will be covered up!
- The Polka Dot Parade paper is cut at a 4" square…folded in half….folded in half! Next is super easy, just look at the pictures for a guide and you will be good to go – if not….email me and I'll be happy to help you! Read the text on the pictures for a guide….HAVE FUN!!!! A bone folder is needed – I think it is very important to have crisp and clean edges!
See how easy that was….and better yet – how FUN it is! You can flip flop to whichever side you like better…polka dots just make me smile!
- I simply took a 2 5/8" square piece of white and stamped my image that was from the Crazy Mixed Up Love Stamp Set and masked off the sentiment and BAM – done!
Next, I wanted to share with you by showing you a side view of this card and how I incorporated a tag with the card – do you remember how I masked off the sentiment? Well this time, after I cleaned off the stamp and then used I just used the real red marker and stamped the sentiment on a scrap of paper and then punched it out with the Word Window Punch and then adhered it to the tag! Adding a bit of bakers twine gave it a cute and fun flair!
Envelope time….well this was easy-peasy as I was already using an envelope that Stampin up made…all I needed to do was whip out the Envelope Liner Framelits and my man, My. Big Shot and bingo-bango….done!
Now to the best part…look how this super sweet card fits perfectly into an envelope and because you always used your bone folder like I asked you to….it will POP right up when you pull the card out! Now I ask you….IS THIS CUTE OR WHAT!
I hope that this posts puts a smile on your face and I know that when John sees it – he will be touched and have a smile! "We DO blend well" and he is the BEST Dad, husband, brother, son and friend in the whole wide world!
I thank you for taking your precious time in checking out my blog and I know that there are sooo many incredible Stampin' Up! Demonstrators out there…and I am soooo happy that you popped by today!
Go have a great day and know that I am an email away and I would love and be honored for you to join my Stampin' Up! Train and have a fun and inspirational ride!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Sep 9, 2013 | Love, Stamp-a-ma-jig |
If you follow my blog, you will see that this card is not a "usual Susan" card but I think it is fun! I can remember when the PALS had a conference call going over all of the new goodies before it was available to everyone – I remember soooo many saying how much they LOVED the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set!
I can specifically remembering as I was going page by page with the new catalog before this call and writing down all the stamps sets that I considered to be an "A Set" and then I had a column of ?'s until I heard some feedback and then the last column was the ones that I simply did not like….and this is where Gorgeous Grunge was….and now – I LOVE IT!
I learned a lesson from this and one that I try to "preach" to my children….not to prejudge! This is exactly what I did and since it was not a clean and tailored look…I felt that it would not be a stamp set I would use often…..WRONG!!! It is a perfect accent in soooo many ways!
Today's card was truly an inspiration from this weeks Pals Paper Art Challenge! ( It's not too late for you to play along….) I truly love looking at all of the ideas that people come up with and the instant I saw the card with the very simple "I Dig You" I fell in love with it!
This card was make by Stampin' Up! Demonstraor, Karin Menghini, and you can click here to see her "take" of this fun color challenge this week! I loved everything about it and emailed her to see if I could feature it on my blog and show my twist off her great card!
I knew that I wanted to use this stamp set, Tag It Stamp Set, in a a way that would create lots of interest as the 3 simple words of "I dig you" is so fun! Remember, every time we sell one of these Tag It Stamps Stampin' Up! will donate $3.00 to the Ronald McDonald House! IS that oober great or what!
I need to say that "I dig" Stampin' Up! for doing such a generous gift for such a needed organization! There are many demonstrators all over that endlessly give their time and talent to the Ronald McDonald House! Unfortunately, we do not have a chapter locally so this is why I am soooo passionate about my Breast Cancer Cards!
Here you go….short and sweet cause' it's sooo easy! The key tool is the Stampin-A-Ma-Jig….your true lifesaver! If you are going to do something like this….why wouldn't you have this tool to use to make your life easier! Click here and order one now!!!
The card size is a 5 X 5 square and the colors I used were Rose Red, Sahara Sand and Early Espresso! After stampin' the back ground in the Sahara Sand I let my sentiment and Stamp -a-ma-jig do their magic!
Matting it with the same colors I still felt that it needed something little….and that darn' heart in the Owl Punch was once again the perfect finishing touch! Love that little Owl and ……check back this week cause I have and adorable Owl treat coming your way!
The oober fun Envelope Punch Board made it easy-peasy to make my custom envelope! The Regals Designer Series Paper Stack was the perfect finale to this card!
Tomorrow is a SUPER FUN day with many blogs…it the PALS Blog Hop for September! The theme is for us to showcase Stampin' Up! Tools that we love….wow – where do I begin!
I can begin by thanking YOU for popping to my blog…it's a fun creative outlet for me and I adore meeting so many cyber friends and customers along the way!
Hugs to you….and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Aug 27, 2013 | Love |
The house is quiet and it seems weird! My youngest has left for her Sophomore year at college! Mom and Dad are sad but at the same time we are thrilled for her as she was super excited to go back and dive in and see her friends!
It is always a "happy feeling" when you know that your children are content with where they are in the life at the moment! Hannah and I spend a lot of time together and being that she is the red caboose of the family (her brothers say we spoil her) her leaving leaves the house with a bit of emptiness! I think the dogs even miss her!
Today's card is for her letting her know that I miss her already!!! This card came from no where…I was just determined to use the Dictionary Background stamp and I just let my mind ramble and this is what came out!!!
The other day we were commenting on Wood vs. Clear Mount Stamps? Most people preferred the clear and that is my preference mainly because of storage BUT I like the Wood Mount for these HUGE background Stamps! Why??? Not sure but I just feel like my hand fits around these big stamps better and I do not "rock them" as much to get a clearer stamp!
When I first started stampin' and I would see these HUGE stamps in the catalog I would think – what the heck would anyone use them for ? Well…they naturally make great backgrounds and if you "stamp off" and make them faint and then use a bold color…the effect is WOW!!!
The minute the Really Good Greeting Stamp Set came out, I knew it would be on my "A list" as I just love the fun and modern sentiments! You have seen many cards that I have made with this set! I tied this in on the card with the help of the Chalk Talk Framelits to make it into the effect of a tag! Making a "mat" out of the Melon Mambo was a perfect POP of color!
The "fun" came in when I was playing with the ribbon! You all know that I am "bow challenged" and I wanted something a bit more fun for Hannah than a "Mom knot" that she is used to seeing…so I came up with cutting several pieces of the 1/8" Melon Mambo Taffeta Ribbon and then making a knot! Fun…right?
The only "lift" on this card is with this tag! This is soooo unusual for me as I usually POP the card in many layers! Turning the pieces of card stock to a tilt is also "out of the box" for me but I like it and I know Hannah will love it!
Hannah loves pink and the Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper was a fun choice for the liner! The Envelope Liner Framelits have been "cranked" sooooo many times already with Mr. Big Shot….they are worth every penny!
For my Breast Cancer Cards….they are a lifesaver as it makes it soooo much easier for the volunteers to put them together!
This is just one fun and clean card and wouldn't it be great with different POP sentiments! I do recommend using the Black Staz-on Ink as I think it always gives a great solid coverage….plus it smells good!
Tomorrow I have a super fun and quick card that will make you want to run to the bakery and get a cupcake! It is my Aunt Jean's 86th birthday and it is a sweet card…just like her!!!
I am an email away……you can click away and order….the options are endless for you…but I appreciate being your Stampin' Up Demonstrator and I appreciate you popping by my blog!
Until tomorrow….have a great day!
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by Susan Itell | Aug 1, 2013 | Love, Things you just have to buy! |
This is an out of the box type of card for me but I will say….I "LOVE" it! When I saw the color challenge of Strawberry Slush, Daffodil Delight and Smoky Slate I immediately thought of flowers!
With today being a "doubly special day" – The Pals Paper Art Challenge and also the unveiling of the NEW Holiday Catalog, I thought to myself that I need to get out of the box and play with NEW things that are in the catalog that you can order today!
Click here to flip away page by page of this new, fun collection to Stampin' Up Products!
I hope you enjoy today's post and I encourage you to not only play along with the PALS….but to check out all of the great cards… There are soooo many great works of art from the heart! Here you go my card for the challenge….
- The daffodil delight base is a regular A2 card but the difference is that I cut it 4 1/4 X 11 and then scored it at 5 1/2 to make the fold different than how we usually do traditional cards.
- TIP ALERT!!! I roughly torn my card stock BEFORE I ran it through the big shot….when I did it the other way….it tore too quickly – this works much better!
- A must have from this new catalog is the Expressions Thinlits Dies…these are total gems and the WOW factor of 1 simple word creates a big effect!!!
- TIP ALERT!!!! When you use these gems…grab the wax paper from your kitchen and put a piece of wax paper between the die and the card stock….this way it makes it super easy to pop out!
- I used one of my favorites, the 2 way glue pen to adhere the "love" to the Smoky Slate!
- Feeling it need to continue to carry the "love" theme – what better way than with hearts! I took some scraps of the strawberry Slush and "balled" it all up…then flattened it before using the Heart Punch. A simple yet elegant basic pearl in the middle gave it its final touch!
- To the inside of the card I placed on an angle the "love" thinlit…the perfect touch!
- Envelope time….I know that there are many of you that are super excited for this new Envelope Liner Framlit….it is a "keeper" and the best thing is that it comes for all 3 sizes of our envelops! How easy is that!!! To the right…is the way that I have been lining my envelopes…check back tomorrow for the pros and cons of both!
I hope that you have enjoyed this and I hope that you love the new catalog as much as I do! There are some real gems! Please click here to order directly from my website!
Tomorrow I will be showcasing all about envelope lining and I will be giving away some "blog candy" of 10 cuts of assorted designer series paper that is cut for "my method" of lining an envelope as well as 10 cuts made with the new envelope liner framelit for comments you leave to me about the way you feel is best to line an envelope!
If you have not already done so…please subscribe to my blog for daily inspirations!
Enjoy this challenge and until tomorrow…..
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