by Susan Itell | Jul 21, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Thank You, Tips and Tricks!!! |
YIKES…when I saw that it was week 12 I was smiling from ear to ear! I am so proud of you and I need to give a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to Sharon H. She has emailed me EVERY week enjoying these challenges and when I receive her email…my heart is super happy! ( her sister is joining the fun)
Here is the challenge for today and it is a super simple one! I am sure that you all can come up with some beauties. Now that my busy weekend is over, I have Thank You's to send to a variety of people to send notes to that helped me over my busy time!
Now you can see that I made this into a BIG CARD…a 5 X 7 as the gals that are receiving this are fun…love bold colors and love bling! They are sisters that represent a jewelry company and were guest speakers for a ladies luncheon that I was in charge of!
Now before we go any further…are you wondering where that adorable DSP came from? Well it is the Gold Soiree DSP but I changed its color…..how???
My inspiration came from Stampin' School, a weekly inspiration that I subscribe to and I was so excited to see that IT WORKS! I took this DSP and changed it's color….that's right – I changed its color…..so easy!
Here is a tool that I think I have never blogged about….a Brayer. It is the easiest tool to use and it cleans up like a dream! Because this DSP is a bit heavier and also has a gold touch to it…the "ink" that you apply soaks into the paper and then the sky is the limit!
After you do the coloring…just take a simple paper towel and "rub off" the excess and presto – you have a new and unique DSP!
Here is the next star to this card…heat embossing (Wow – I have been doing this a bunch lately and lovin' it) When you heat emboss there are 3 things that you need…
- Embossing Buddy – this takes the static off your paper to allow a clean and crisp image
- Embossing Powder – this is a NEW on – Calypso Coral
- Heat Tool – I love ours…I had one from a craft store and donated it and bought ours – a world of difference!
Because my friend loves "bling", I am using something else that I rarely use – Rhinestones! I know that it will make her smile!
Can you see how crisp the embossed image it…this is all because of the Stampin' buddy…this is so bold and crisp!
I stitched with the Calypso Coral pen to break up the space and add a bit of interest!
Because the card size if a 5 x 7 – naturally I needed to use a piece of 12 X 12 paper. I highly recommend that you keep in your supply the basic colors of these sizes as they come in handy! Using the envelope punch board made it a totally cinch for both the envelope and the liner!
Well…how did you like this…I think it turned out super fun and I also know that Annette and Rhonda will enjoy these cards! Please give this challenge a whirl….you can do it – I know you can!
Now to FUN pictures for you. John came home and had a GREAT visit with "peep" James and when he came home – the animals were happy to see him….( Daisy and I were too).
Enjoy these below pictures of all 5 of the dogs taking a "ride" in the truck with their Dad! A simple joy that they love!
As always, I thank you for popping onto my blog and I appreciate and value your time! Please share my blog with your family and friends and email me is I can be of help!
I am super excited about this weeks of posts….I have a blog candy opportunity for you…and lots of great ideas! I think taking the day off yesterday re-charged my battery!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 14, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday |
Welcome to another Monday if “Make it Mine”…this is a simple personal challenge that I am having fun with each Monday! Just to catch you up to speed if you are new – I found that when I attempted to do “sketch” challenges, I froze!
The more I realized that I did not have to be so “type A” (habit of mine) and just enjoy trying to look at it and think of how I can let my personality and comfort zone shine!
Here you go with this weeks sketch! I "borrowed" it from Freshly Made Sketches, a great challenge that is offered weekly! ( Check out their challenges….they are great and give it a try!!!)
Please try this sketch and if you want to share your interpretation with me, please email me. I am so happy that there are many of you trying these challenges each week. Way to go for you!
This is my take for today and I must say, I am very happy with it! I need to listen of my friend Jeanie more and use the embossing folders! I loved how this card turned out and I will share with you some tips that always work when using the embossing folders!
- The finished card size is a 5” X 5” and the color is Very Vanilla… ( I wanted to use the Flashback DSP) again (remember these are on sale….click here – buy 3 get 1 free)
- Knowing that I wanted to use the new Tiny Triangles Embossing folder, I let the width of the folder dictate the size of the next square = 4 ¼” so here is a great tip! I cut both of the colors to 2 1/8” X 4 ¼” and then adhered them with sticky strip and also placed sticky strip around the outer edges. WHY? When you run it through the Big Shot…it gets a bit wavy and this way I took care of that and the pattern of the triangles matched up perfectly! WOOT-WOOT!
- I matted this to a piece of Bermuda Bay that is 4 ½” square…love these colors together!
- Speaking of LOVE…how about this stamp set…when the new catalog came out, HANDS DOWN this is the bundle that needed to come to my home! I will admit that there has been a bit of a “learning curve” with using the BIG Floral stamps but another tip…use the Stampin’ Mat…(one that you have not pierced or any firm foam. This seems to help a bunch with stamping the larger images for great coverage! You can get an instant 15% discount buy purchasing it as a bundle….I just love it when there are matching framelits! Here is a great shot of all the stamps in the set.
- I know that I will be asked what colors I used…the leave were pear pizzazz and old olive and then the flower was stamped in Coastal Cabana. I loved what I did with the top flower…this is Bermuda Bay and then I used the basic pearls to jazz it up a bit!
- Here is another tip…use the “green glue” (remember, just a little) to adhere the flowers on top of the embossed imaged…WHY? I find that it you use snail adhesive, it simply does not stick as well with the bumps of the embossed paper!
- Sentiment time…this also is in the stamp set and I simple stamp and snip is all that is needed!
- I made my custom envelope with the easy envelope punch board and then lined the outside with this great black and very vanilla paper.
Well….your thoughts?!?! I was very happy with the end result and I really like seeing the 2 different colors of paper. I think that it really creates interest and the textures are super!
I hope that you give it a whirl today…I am excited to see what you come up with! We are to have another round of bad weather tomorrow….fingers crossed we do not have a "repeat performance" of last week!
Thanks for popping by and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 7, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday |
WOWZERS – I cannot believe that it is Monday and I have a confession – yesterday was a GREAT day as I started my day with a great bike ride with John on the Antietam Battlefield (gorgeous) and then I came home and went into hibernation to get all of the Ribbon and Paper Share out…
My apologizes in the late arrival BUT….another wowzers – I had an overwhelming response and I promised you a hand made card from me….and making 68 of them – well…took some time! Good news is…they are "OUT THE DOOR" and I know that you are going to be happy!
Speaking of happy – I made this card JUST FOR YOU, my way of celebrating a bunch of cutting and card making but I loved each and every part of it (except when I broke a nail!) This is going to be oober quick post but when you see this sketch, please think out of the box!
Here is your sketch this week….have fun!
Think of other shapes…remember that this is a "guide line " for you…my goal is for you to look at this and see what you have at home to make a masterpiece from you!!! Here is my take!
The key products are….Stamp Sets :
Bravo Stamp Set ( love this…I think we all need big and bold sentiment set!)
The color of the day is Strawberry Slush – I love this stamp set, being able to "see thru" them makes it the best! The other colors I used were Coastal Cabana and Pool Party. The stars were lifted with a "wee little piece" of stampin' dimensional and the color is Pink Pirouette!
Do you see the "circle border on the edges" = that is from the Draw the Lines stamp set and I stamped it in Strawberry Slush to give it that great tone on tone effect – I often forget about doing a tonoe on tone…but it sure does create a great look!
This stamp set is very, very versatile! With it being "clear"…it makes it a breeze to get a clean and straight stamp! I am so happy that Stampin' Up! has offered so many photopolymer stamps this year!
I see endless projects with these border stamps….a quick stamp here – add a sentiment….DONE!!!! Wouldn't they be great heat embossed as well?
You can see that the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder was a big hit….but also were the circle punches in the sizes of 1/2". 1 3/8" and 2". I first popped out the circles and then I was able to get them allon the embossing folder at once….a quick run thru the Big Shot – WOW…instant fun!
I was super happy with this card and I thought some stars were perfect for this card – you see…mix it up – do not stick with one shape….the sketches are just an inspiration for you to play with…use what you have and just have fun!
So…what do you think? I know that you can do it!!!! Please email me your "take" on this sketch…..I am so proud of you that so many are having fun with these Monday personal challenges!
Have fun...email me if you would like and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 30, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Super Easy |
WOWZERS….the last day of the month! YIKES….it's official – half of the year is gone! Today is the last day that you can take advantage of the $50.00 Rental Car that Stampin' Up! is offering…so if you are on the fence and need a step ladder to get over, email me and I will call you! (I only work 1/2 days on Mondays) – it truly is a great opportunity if you remotely think that you are going to order $50.00 or more of product!
Today is OUR FUN DAY TOGETHER….it is Make it Mine….a time for YOU! I was soooo over the top happy with how many sent me pictures, great comments and super sweet emails on how you enjoyed Saturdays post! It is a keeper and one to "keep up your sleeve"!!!
Here is today's sketch and I know that you are going to have fun with it!…Very easy but so versatile!
Super straight forward but I encourage you to think out of the box! I have a confession….I had this card in my head and I visualized it to be a vertical card and when I cut everything and started to put it all together…YIKES – it did not fit…but no worries – I just turned it to open to the side!
Let's get to it and please give it a try….I know that you will come up with some winners!
- The Base is Whisper White 5 1/2' wide X 4 1/4" high….isn't the DSP amazing….it is called Back to Black and this is 3" X 5 1/2" and then I matted this with Strawberry Slush at 3 1/4" X 5 1/2"
- Grabbing a piece of scraps, I stamped the great sentiment from the Stamp Set…Really Good Greetings – and this is a really good stamp set! After I snipped it to a banner, I matted it and snipped it one more time!
- The "star" of today is the Star Framelits and the Eclectic Paper Piercing Pack….remember – a simple technique that creates an instant WOW~
I must admit…I was very skeptical about paper piercing as I simply did not think it was for me….but I gave it a try and I will say that I think this simple effect still gives you a clean and simple end result! Have you tried it before? If not, give it a "poke"!
- Envelope and then we are DONE! Since I made a 3" cut for the card….I had more than enough to do the back flap without making another cut…this paper is 12" X 12"…so fun!
You know me by now….I make my cards for a purpose and this card is finding its way to my daughter – Hannah as it is her "up and down" She is having a fabulous summer doing a biology internship that is fulfilling her to the max and John and I are so proud of her!
Being our "Red Caboose" on the train…it is great to see her so happy and fulfilled! I know that this card will brighten her week as she has been working so hard!
Please give this a try today…I know that you are going to come up with some inspiration to the MAX! Remember, if you want to order anything from the Ribbon and Paper Share….tomorrow at NOON Eastern I will be placing my order! Click here to see the post and offerings!
Tomorrow is July 1st and that is a MAGICAL day for you if you have been waiting to order the BLENDABILITES….you can order a select amount tomorrow and if you are a SU Demonstrator, you can order ALL of them as the remainders will be available tomorrow….so GET OFF THAT FENCE….and be able to order them at 30% off!
Email me….I would love to explain the SIMPLE "in's and out's"…of this clean and simple journey I am on!
Until tomorrow…..
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by Susan Itell | Jun 23, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday |
WOWZERS…this is our 8th week of these fun personal challenges! I was going to stop them but I must say…I am sooo happy that so many of you are giving them a try! I smile from ear to ear when I receive an email with a picture of your take of the sketch…I am very proud of you!
For those of you that are new to my blog…1st welcome and 2nd, let me explain what these are about! I found that when I first started making cards I would get stuck. I would look and look at ideas, try to re-invent a wheel and many times just try a technique that ended up frustrating me…(sound familiar)
I also tried to participate in the Pal Paper Art Challenges on Thursdays and I really like the color challenges but found the sketches too intimidating (sound familiar)
I felt that when you saw a sketch you needed to take that sketch literally and do it exact…(and that too frustrated me)…then the light-bulb went on and I found the more I would try a sketch, the more I learned about my style and my likes and dislikes of paper-crafting!
So today is our 8th week of me providing you a simple sketch and let you play around with it and have fun…FUN is the key word to this…if it is not FUN than you are going to get frustrated and that is NOT fun! Here is your sketch for today! I think it is fun and there are lots of options here!
There are 2 stamp stars for today's card…one is new, Sea Street Creatures and it is a fun and whimsical stamp set but I see lots of possibilites with it!
Look at those 2 long stamps….wow, wouldn't these make great borders…I did a card with this adorable Octopus, click here for a smile! The school of fish are great to do a faint stamping behind a bold stamp! Fun!
I used the stampin Trimmer to make 1" squares and then I used the 1 1/4" square punch for the Night of Navy Squares. I know that it takes time in building up your punch inventory but they are lifesavers but to me there is nothing better than our stampin' trimmer….one great must have!
The other stamp set that I was doing the "happy dance" that it was carried over in the catalog is A Dozen Thoughts…hands down….if you do not have it than you need to hit that shop now button and get it! This is a very versatile set that always comes in handy. The sentiments are great and the fonts are fun!
When I looked at the sketch I felt that a ribbon was in order but in hindsight I should have just used the handsome stripe DSP and cut it into a 1" strip and BAM…a big and bold statement! (next time – I just thought about it as I was typing). The thick bakers twine did the trick…this is soooo great to work with – love it!
A bit of stitching around the edges is a fast and fun was to add dimension and interest! Please do not stress about making dots and dashes…just go for it…it works every time. I think we have a tendency to "over think" things….as my Mom would say, stick with your gut instinct!
The DSP star for the day is the big, bright, bold and just fun paper called, Martime…aren't these colors amazing and the prints so fresh, clean and crisp! I can see many cards with this gem!
A card would not be a card without a fun envelope! To me, this is as fun as doing the card. Why? Well…I like to make the mailman smile and would this fun envelope pit a smile on your face…it's all about the 1st impressions (another thing my Mom would say)
Jazzing up the envelope might take a bit more time…but it is time well spent as it makes the whole card. This is just a fun card to brighten up any ones day and let them know you are thinking of them!
That's it folks…one bright and cheery card! I do hope that you give it a try and if you do and want to share it with me, please feel free to email me! I love seeing your work!
Yesterday was so much fun being Mary Fish's guest stamper…isn't she the BEST! I feel so fortunate to have her as my mentor and a friend…one sharp lady! She is an endless tower of support to her SU business and team….
Let's have a GREAT week…and please do not forget that if you would like to take advantage of the Ribbon Share, please click here to see the post and remember to put in the subject line RIBBON AND PAPER SHARE….this was I can spot it quicker!
I will be ordering the products on WEDNESDAY….so please shoot me your order if you would like to take advantage of the ribbon and DSP paper stacks offerings! I will 2nd day ship the product and turn it around to you next week! It is great to have the opportunity to have the new products but not having to buy them all – a BIG savings until you can see which products you think you will use!
Thanks for popping by…take a spin on this challenge and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 16, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday |
Today is “Make it mine Monday” – what’s that? This is a personal challenge that I started last month to help you and to inspire you to try a sketch…when I started doing sketch challenges (and I was terrified of them) – I found that doing sketches stretched myself but more importantly, it allowed me to develop a style!
I am a very clean and simple card maker and no matter what your style and passion is…there is a way for you to express yourself! I thank those “old faithfuls” that each week have been sending me their take on the sketch and you have no idea how happy that makes me…woot-woot to you!
Saturday evening we went to our dear friends house for a fabulous evening of great food, friendship and lots of laughter! It was one of those evenings that the “moon and the stars” lined up with James surprising us…it was a perfect evening! This card is for them…as they are dear friends and I totally treasure their friendship as it is wonderful to see our “peeps” become young adults!
Let’s get to it!
- The finished card size is a 5” square! When I looked at this sketch, I saw a square and I wanted to use something that I rarely use…washi tape! This tape is NEW – called “Sweet Sadie”…very sweet!
- The white piece that I randomly put the washi tape on is a 4 ½” square…it doesn’t get any easier than this…a quick tear and PRESTO done! I matted that onto a piece of Black that is a “smidge” larger…a 4 5/8” square!
- Now to the stampin fun…this is from the new stamp set called Peace, Love & Cupcakes! I stamped the flower image and then did the sentiment…but while I had the flower all inked up – I decided to stamp (2) more and “fussy cut” it out to layer on top! (You could totally delete this step but I like “bending” the petals and I think it is worth the extra time!)
- The circle framelits were my friend to cut it out and then used the next size larger to “frame it” and make it POP! A simple stitch and dot was the simple yet effective touch to help with dimension…try it – it’s fun, you will be amazed with what a little stitching does to your projects!
- You can see that I popped this whole fun part up with stampin’ vitamins! The postage is already over as it is an odd shaped card….so why not go for the gusto!
- The envelope was made with the envelope punch board using a 8 ¼” square and scoring and punching it at 4 1/8” – just love this tool!
- You know I adore to “fru-fru” my envelopes and today I did a double whammy for you! I lined the out side in the Pistachio Pudding and did the “stitch thing” but I also added some wahsi tape to the front the added another flower…cute!
I was very pleased with the end result of this card and it is already in the mail to them and I know when they receive it tomorrow – they will smile! How about trying this sketch? I hope you do and please send it to me…I love to see your work as much as you like to POP onto my blog!
I must admit – I have not been a “believer” in washi tape but I liked it and I am going to give it a chance…I am planning to do another post next week using it! That is what is great about using something different…you might find out that you like it!
Let’s all have a GREAT week and please feel free to email me…I am looking forward to a great week ahead!
Until tomorrow!
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