by Susan Itell | May 24, 2015 | Masculine, Step it up Sunday! |
Having a great weekend? I sure am…..here is the stepped up version for this weekend and I can honestly say….I am not sure if it is stepped up or not!?!? It still was super easy, but it it just took a couple of extra steps!
I could not get the "collage" deal to work this week but I think that you will be able to see the main differences…I will bullet point them but I think that it is pretty straight forward!
Below is yesterday's card!
- This card I let the DSP be the fun focal part to the card…I adore this paper and again, this would be a "keeper" paper stack…"just in case" for a great masculine card –
- I also did not use any dimensionals on this card…it is totally flat!
Here is today's "stepped up" version…. (see the below bullet points )
- I changed up the DSP pop….I switched it and let the Always Artichoke be the focal with also running it through the Big Shot with the Stylish Stripes Embossing folder!
- "Behind" the shoes I added a 1/2" piece of Very Vanilla with a 1/4" piece of Always Artichoke to set the "shoes" off!
- I also changed the position of the sentiment….I think that it "set it off" better….but you can easily do it either way!
- You can also see the Stampin' Dimensionals were "key" today – we sure do love our stampin' vitamins!
- I did not touch on this yesterday….but I kept the envelope the same….I chose to use both of the colors on the back flap…I thought it was simple yet masculine….I love doing this as it saves on the DSP that you use!
We are having a FABULOUS weekend…doing everything and nothing all at the same time! We simply do not need to do anything but be together to have a fantastic time!
James made it home safely and brought "Leo", his rescue puppy! (sorry, no pictures of him as he will not stay still long enough to get a good picture) – he is having a BALL playing with our 5 dogs and he came with a TOTE BAG OF TOYS!
Here is another picture of the "OLD MAN" and he had a BLAST yesterday playing away! I think it is sooooo funny that he loves his toys!
Enjoy this day, and I hope that you are being able to celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends …and if not – go do something FUN for yourself! We all need to rejuvenate from time to time and this weekend for me is a wonderful example of getting my battery re-charged!
I did something that I have not done at all this year! I was able to ride yesterday…..even if I just walked "Oscar" it was a start! He had surgery in February and this is the first week that we can "walk" him with someone on his back.
Hannah has been doing this all week and today was "my turn" as she is leaving this morning for her internship for the summer and she wanted to make sure that "Oscar and I" would be ok together….rehabbing a horse takes A LOT of time and a LOT of PATIENCE!
Until tomorrow….it is a personal challenge time!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | May 23, 2015 | Masculine, Show and Tell Saturday, Super Easy |
Happy Weekend….here is the 1st of the weekend posts for you! Father's Day is right around the corner and I know that we all seem to struggle with masculine cards so…….here you go! This is a very fast card to whip up!
Today I have made this for a Fathers Day Card as I stamped the inside of the card with that sentiment but this layout could also be stamped with a "way to go"….for someone that did something great…or a retirement etc….remember, think out of the box to maximize your stamp sets!
I shared when you when I blogged about this stamp set before, I was on the fence about purchasing it as I was afraid if it was retired etc…but GREAT NEWS – it is being carried over and I am thrilled as this is a wonderful masculine set.
This card is a 5" square Card in Very Vanilla and then the layers are in Always Artichoke and the oh so handsome paper from the Adventure Awaits Paper Stack!
TIP!!! – If you are interested in purchasing this stamp set….I would do it BEFORE the new catalog launches and go ahead and purchase it as a bundle as this paper stack will be retiring and it is a KEEPER for masculine cards…you can see in the scrolling store at the end of the post. Also, remember to use this hostess code K3VX2TKD and hopefully you will win the hostess rewards (wouldn't that be a woot-woot)
Using the stampin' trimmer and some scraps, I simply cut 1 1/2" squares and then stamped the shoes – EASY-PEASY! To get the alignment, I adhered the center one and then did the sides – then you know…..out came the marker and some simple dashes did the trick!
Going back to the scrap bin (don't we just LOVE using up scraps) I stamped the sentiment and then POPPED it out with the Modern Label Punch, (again, our punches are certainly SPEED TOOLS in my opinion!).
I also popped one out with the Always Artichoke and then cut that in half and mounted it behind the sentiment! The addition of the candy dots seemed fitting today!
Making the custom envelope is a cinch with the Envelope Punch Board…for basically $20.00, how can you go wrong? It is such a lifesaver and time-saver when making odd size cards! Simply follow the measurement chart to find what size of paper you need and then punch and score away!
I told you that this was quick! To me it is quick but also a simple masculine WOW! I hope that you pop back tomorrow to see what I have come up with to give it a bit of change, I think that you will like it!
Here is a picture of my dear old man Eddie….this is just priceless. It has been beautiful on the East Coast but the evenings have been chilly. Eddie shivers…and in the evenings he likes to have a coat on!
He adores toys…and is very protective of them (it is funny, I swear he knows them by name) – this is "Mr. Monkey"…we were fixing dinner and then going to watch a movie…when we came into the family room…here is what we found, Eddie and Mr Monkey front and center for a great evening! I hope this makes you smile as much as I did!
Enjoy your day and go make some memories!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | May 9, 2015 | Masculine, Show and Tell Saturday |
Does a card need to be a rectangle??? Does a card need to be a square??? Nope…today we are going in circles! This card inspiration is for my oldest peep as he is running a crazy relay marathon this weekend.
I had never heard of such a thing. You can click here to read more about it – (it really is fascinating) and he will be running from Boson to Providence Town in Cape Cod (a total of 200 miles) and Will will be running (3) different times! Obviously they are working as a team but the concept is really fun!
Today is one version…and please pop back tomorrow to see the "stepped up" version. I thought since he was doing something so different…I would make him a different card! The best thing is that we have the envelope punch board so making an envelope is a cinch!
When you go to cut this base, just make sure that you leave the framelit off the cutting area on the Big Shot so you have this part as the hinge!
The sentiment was a super simple stamp and the the Big Shot did all of the work. Isn't it great to get a perfect circle each and every time! Stampin' dimensionals are the key accessory to make the card pop!
The subtle DSP from the Adventure Bound DSP Stack, the is THE BEST Masculine Paper Stack…if you are running low on it, I would purchase another back before it leaves as it is a wonderful paper for making masculine cards.
This is a fun and quick card to whip up! The Bravo Stamp Set is a stellar one for WOOT-WOOT cards! It has many wonderful sentiments that are perfect to congratulate someone! (See the scrolling images below)
I did stamp a fun sentiment inside, tomorrow I will share with you the inside. Please do not forget to have fun with making cards in all different shapes. They create an instant smile and you will be smiling too!
Please feel free to email me and I hope to see you tomorrow! Enjoy your day…
p.s. – HOT off the PRESS….this is a great deal and the best thing is that there is no commitment to continue with Paper Pumpkin. These are GREAT super quick kits that are delivered to your door. For $5.00 – what do you have to loose….NOTHING!
This is an opportunity for newbies to Paper Pumpkin…and for just $5.00 – go for it….see if you enjoy the kit and if you want to continue….great – if not, simple = cancel! Easy-peasy….The theme is Birthday and the stamps in itself are worth the $5.00 – WOOT-WOOT!
Click here to sign up for this great $5.00 deal but remember IT IS JUST FOR TODAY so click now as you will get busy with your day! You need to put and enter the promo code 24HOURS for this great one day deal!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Feb 28, 2015 | Birthday, Masculine, Super Easy |
Today is the most special day int he world to me as 28 years ago I had a dream come true…I became a Mom! My oldest "peep" is celebrating his 28th Birthday and I love to go down memory lane when the peeps celebrate their special days!
Will is the one that lives in Boston and is a Montessori Teacher to little ones! He is just the best (and always has been) with kids. They adore him and it is a joy to see him be excited to make a difference to them. He has just about "had it" with the snow in Boston but he is amazed at how well they have kept the roads clear.
One thing I try to do on a "peeps" Birthday is to do something special for me as well….kind of a reminder of being grateful for the best job in the world – being a Mom. Today I am going to treat myself for some "me" time to read a book and then also cook up a wicked yummy something….these are (2) things that Will loves to do!
Well….you are not here for my memory lane so let's get to the card! Will went to a very Southern College, Sewanee, University of the South in Tennessee. He loved it and it was a great fit for him. He started to wear "bow ties" when he went there and I thought that this would be a perfect card!
The size of the card is a 4" square card and the focal point is using the super fun, super must have Bow Builder Punch. This is just one fantastic punch and it really can be used in many ways – for cards like this, for gift cards, for tops of small packages etc…
The DSP of the bow tie is from the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack, (love those stacks) and building the bow is a cinch with the glue dots – PRESTO – DONE!
The colors of the card are Lost Lagoon, Early Espresso and Sahara Sand….great rich tones for a masculine card. Did you notice the scoring around the edges…such a simple yet effective touch for a card.
Well….thoughts??? I was happy and I hope that you pop back tomorrow for "Step it up Sunday" to see how I added just a bit of bling or should I say, "extra time" to make it just "stepped" up a bit!
Can you believe that tomorrow is March!?!?! I am thinking Spring….Please feel free to email me and also you can click below to order any of the products. I hope to see you tomorrow and remember, tomorrow is the day that you can start to take advantage of the new Sale-a-bration items….
Stampin' hugs and until tomorrow!
p.s. – I LOVED the comments yesterday about John…he is such a sweetie it really is hard to get mad at him! I adored all of the ideas and I think I am going to get him a pair of scissors and then laminate a tag that says "John's Scissors" and use a zip tie to attach it – he will get a kick out of it!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Oct 15, 2014 | Birthday, Masculine, Super Easy |
Today is a SUPER special day to me as it is James’ (my middle peeps) 24th Birthday! Wow – where do the years go by but I have been looking at pictures and going down memory lane…( I just love that lane!)
John and I are super proud of him and he is doing a great job figuring out the BIG “real world” out there. He is truly a great catch….loves to cook, build, work outside…just about anything except keep his room clean!
Making a masculine card seems to be a challenge of many of us….(I know it’s a head scratcher for me) but when I looked at this sentiment – BAM…..this is James all the way!
Ever since he has been a little guy…I always knew that he had a kind, special and patient heart! I always would say to him…
"If there were more James’ in the world…our world would be a better place”
The sentiment is from the Stamp Set called Starburst Sayings and I adore the fact that there is a matching framelit that makes it a cinch to have a perfect cut! A simple POP from the 2” circle punch just gave this sentiment the effect that I was going for! (I love our punches)
I have said this so many times before but the Designer Series Paper, Flashback is A+ in my book as it coordinates with Very Vanilla. To me, this lends itself to a masculine card!
As much as I adore square cards, I have not been doing as many lately. Today’s card is a 4 ½” square card and then the other sizes are a 4 1/8” square and then a 4” square.
Do you see that fun sentiment of “Happy Birthday”? I bet you are wondering where it came from…it is from a “sleeper” stamp set called, Says it All. This is a good example of a “filler” stamp set…what I mean is, when you need something but don’t want it to be over powering…this is one for you!
Have you started to make a wish list for the upcoming holidays? I am the BEST ELF you could ever have…just tell your hubbie, you Mom/Dad…friend – my name and email me and I will make you have THE BIGGEST smile!
If you do not have the Envelope Punch Board…than that needs to be on the top of your list! Making a square card is a cinch and making your own liner with it as well makes this “gadget” a simply must have…
Thanks a bunch for popping in and if anyone else is lucky enough to have a Birthday today…
thank you are super lucky as special people are born on October 15th!
In honor of James’ birthday – anyone that places an order with me today will receive a present from me…a package of Stampin’ Dimensionals!
Click here to place an order…remember to check out the weekly deals, the clearance rack and this NEW photopolymer Stamp Set! Woot-Woot….it’s available now!
Until tomorrow!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Feb 20, 2014 | Masculine |
Now this is my kind of card….clean, crisp, simple and classic! There is nothing like a classic navy blue!!! The other thing that I like about this card is that it can be a great masculine card or you could switch up the colors…add some flowers on the edges and get another BINGO-BANGO card!!!!
Today is a sketch challenge with the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenges! You have probably heard me before say that I much prefer the color challenges but doing these sketch ones really does make me go out of my box!
What about YOU going out of your box this week and playing along with us! You do not need to have a blog, you do not need to be a demonstrator and if you need help uploading it…..easy-peasy – I'll be there for you – just email me!
Here is this weeks challenge! A big woot-woot of gratitude to Margaret Moody for always giving us great sketch layouts to work with! I swear – I do not know how she does it…..but a big thanks as I appreciate and value your talent!
Ready….set….let's GO!!!
- I have totally been neglecting one of my all time favorite colors….Crumb Cake – This card is a regular A-2 card but I scored it at 5 1/2" to make more of a vertical card!
- The Very Vanilla is 4" X 5 1/4 and then I used the Simply Scored and gave it a nice and deep score on all 4 side 1/4" in….
TIP ALERT: – I know that you can use the Stampin Trimmer to score….but I personally think that the Simply Scored Tool gives you a "deeper" score – and that's the look I am going for!
- The Navy Piece is 2 1/2" X 4 3/4" and I did the same thing….scored it at 1/4" all the way around!
- Follow me on this one as I always try to make things easy – and this worked for me! I took a piece of Very Vanilla measuring a 4" X 4" square. WHY THIS SIZE???It was super easy for me to find the middle (I do much better with finding even measurements!!!!!)
- Pulling out my favorite piece of black plastic….the Stamp-a-ma-jig…the must have tool we all need to love! I stamped it 3 times and then looking at the sketch and seeing that it is a rectangle….I simply took 1/4" off each sides and 1/2" off the top and bottom!!!!
I thought that this was a great idea….what do you think???
- I was loving the straight lines of this card and couldn't stop! I cut (4) 1/4" strips of navy and adhered them in 1/4" (I'm liking that 1/4" thing today)
- I knew that I needed to line my envelope as I always do and wanted to keep it classic – why not just do the navy…works for me!!!
Now how about this card! Classic….right? I know exactly who I am going to send it to and I know that he will love it and every time he sees me at work…he is going to say – "hello there….hello there…..hello there Susan" – He will get a kick out of it!
Many thanks for popping by! I know that you have lots of options and all of us are precious with our time! I truly love inspiring and helping you! We have had incredible response with Sale-a-bration in many ways…
- Everyone loves getting FREEBIES and FREEBIES that are super cute!!!
- The hostess benefits are an added $30.00 FREE BONUS…that in itself is a huge woot-woot! There are many ways for you to have an event….it can be a single order from you….you can contact me and ask for a hostess code….what is a hostess code??? It is a great way for you to collect orders from family and friends that they can simply go on-line and order….you do not have to collect any money or product (as the orders will be sent directly to them)!!! How darn tootin' easy!
- Sale-a-bration is a wonderful opportunity to become a hobbyist demonstrator and become your best customer!!! (I love saying it that way)….as face it – why wouldn't you want to get your products at a discount each and every day!!! For $99.00 you will be able to pick $150.00 of YOUR CHOICE!!!
You have heard me say this and it is the honest truth! You have nothing to loose and you can stop at any time…no penalties…
I hear all of the time…I do not want to teach a class – GREAT, you do not have to…I do not want to carry inventory – NO WORRIES, Stampin' UP! does not allow us to stock up…I do not want to go to meetings….GREAT, you do not need to!
I just love to inspire you and I would be honored for you to be a part of my team….please email me and let's talk! Being on my team will instantly make you a PAL…..and be a part of the BEST group ….with Mary FIsh! She is just the "real deal" and the resources that she provides us is the best!
Think about it….I'm not going anywhere!!!! Thanks again for popping by!
Until tomorrow…..you're gonna LOVE what is in store for you….get your BOOTS out!
Like this:
Like Loading...
