by Susan Itell | Apr 9, 2016 | Simple Saturday |
Woot-Woot, it’s the weekend and it is time for Simple Saturday! I call this a “formula” card and one that I would sketch off and save it for the future! Why do I say “formula” – to me that means that it is a “keeper” as you can change the focal portion and the sentiment….BAM – another great card 🙂
I have been using the Cottage Greetings Stamp Set a bunch lately….and I think that you can see why….it is a keeper and I just adore the sentiments and fonts! Heck, I love it so much, I think I might build a kit around it.
I have some fun pictures for you and I hope that they inspire you and see that SIMPLE WORKS….this card is one that can be whipped up in no time and also a card that you could easily MASS PRODUCE…and just leave the sentiment off until you need a specific card!
You know that I adore single stamps as I think that they are practical, great price point and simply timeless. I think that many of you overlook the single stamps as you at a glance do not see the longevity and practicality of them.
I find that I use my single stamps as much or even more than my stamp sets….having a punch that fits it perfectly is the icing on the cake!
One tip that I will share with you….when you are doing a card like this, I always like to stamp the flower twice…mount one flat and then layer the upper one with dimensionsals ~ this way it give the flower “movement” and a fun touch!
I used the 1/2″ circle punch to pull the Bohemian DSP and then an accent to the center…so simple and so sweet!
To me…the other real star if this card is the embossing folder. Darn I forget about using them….does this happen to you? I will say that once I do…I LOVE the end result. The depth of texture is fabulous!
Here you go again….another shot of the card….clean and classic…just the way I like it (perhaps you can say that this is a “safe zone” for me” but that is how I roll! I also think that using Very Vanilla paper adds an element of “instant warmth”….
Now you know that I could not end a post without sharing with you how I “dressed” up the envelope. Well…how do you like it? This is a fun way and a change that will definaltly make the mailman smile (amd probably scratch his head in how did someone do that)
That’s the beauty of what we do….we always have tricks up our sleeves!
I hope to see you back her tomorrow to see how a stepped it up a bit…you might like it…you might like today’s card better…that is what is GREAT we always have choices! Enjoy your Saturday….we are to get flurries…COLD weather again and very windy! Sounds like a great day to stay inside and stamp!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 2, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
I must say….I am happy that we are back on track with our 2 day posts that you all have learned to loved! This is a SUPER simple card and one that the sentiment can easily be changed up!
I love cards like this…a quick change of the sentiment and maybe the DSP – PERFECT….works for me – how about YOU! Do you remember about 2 weeks ago I shared with you that as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator we get a quarterly magazine filled with inspiration….well – this is where this idea can from!
This is a square card, you know I adore them and it is a 4 1/4″ square with the mat at 4″ and scored! The DSP is from the Pretty Petals DSP Stack. This card design works fabulous with small prints….
I say ~ go thru your stash and see what you have and just do it! How can it get any simpler than this? The speed tool of the Washi Tape Punch is the real star of this card…..I say – paper – punch – done!
Tomorrow I will give you more tips and tricks (the stepped up version) so please pop back – this is a GREAT card and one that I know you can whip up in a jif! Time is ALWAYS the thing we have against us….but with this card – no worries….a true speed card!
I have a ? for you….you can see in the above picture that I show you that you can use a regular envelope to mail this. True it is lined…which makes me happy 🙂 but I ask you….do you mine that the envelope is not a perfect fit???
You know me…I will share with you my thoughts tomorrow….one last look at the great card….
What do you think I am going to say about the envelope????? Hmmmm……guess you will have to POP back and see….and also see how I stepped it up!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 19, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
Good Morning! I hope that this card brings some sunshine to you and a smile on your face! I adore yellow and today I used both Daffodil Delight as well as So Saffron. I love both of these colors and in general, yellow is a happy color!
This stamp set, Garden in Bloom is a great double stamp set….I know that some of you might be skeptical of having a stamp set that you double stamp…but it is both fun, easy and rewarding!
This is a stamp set that is forgiving so please do not think that you need to do the masking….but sometimes masking is effective. Below in the photo you will see that I used a piece of stick it note and did a quick fussy cut. You do not need to be exact….just go for it! I like to keep my mat in the stamp set so I have it for future uses!
You can easily use this stamp set without masking…just go to town and have fun. It was great to be able to use only one stamp set today….and still get a fabulous end result ~ a great card!
The flower to the left I stamped with Daffodil Delight…and then the other (2) – I stamped in So Saffron. For the bumblebee….easy – colored him in with daffodil delight and then stitched to give him some movement and attitude!
Today I did not have a label a bunch…as it was a one stamp wonder …. is a dream when it works out like this! I totally encourage you to use up your DSP… Look and see what you have as it is a great way to use it up for jazzing up an envelope…we will be having new DSP with the new catalog coming around the corner so USE UP WHAT YOU HAVE!
As I said when I started this post…yellow makes me happy but you can see that the sky is the limit with what you can use. There are no rules so just have FUN with creating colors that you love! To me, that is what is the best about card making…letting your own personality shine through.
Another look…and then I will do a stepped up version for you….now don’t get all exited about this….I will make some super subtle changes that hopefully you will see and learn….”I can do that”!!!
Well….do you think that you could make this card? I sure hope that it made your day! I adore it as it uses minimal product but carries a BIG punch!
Time to share with you….do you remember that I shared with you that John’s Dad was not in the best of health? Well…the past weeks have not been the best and I have been trying to keep my blog going but he past away and today is his funeral. I will not be posting tomorrow but have no fear…Monday I will share with you the stepped up version.
Please keep John and his Dad in you thoughts….all of the peeps are home and we all know that it is a blessing….enjoy the day – make someone smile and I will see you on Monday!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 27, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
Good Simple Saturday to you and a BIG hello from the South! Hannah arrived safe and sound and we headed straight to the barn so she could exercise Stanley. She shows today and tomorrow so another early day for us!
Today’s card is one that I have been just itchin’ to get all inked up and it is the Apple of My Eye Stamp Set from the Occasions Catalog (page 47) This is the first that I have used it and I admit when the catalog came out….it caught my eye!
With being away, I tried to take stamps sets that I have not used a bunch and PLAY and JUST HAVE FUN! What attracted me to this stamp set was the uniqueness off it….The clean and crisp lines it offers and then fun font and sentiments – a fun stamp set!
Now I think that you can agree…a great simple card starts with a bunch of white space….(White space is GREAT….it is your friend) Sometimes I think we get so caught up in making it difficult…be easy on yourself – this is all about creating and having fun!
You can see that I used a White base (Heavy weight Whisper White) and then cut another piece ¼” smaller….4” X 5 ¼” I stamped the lemon image on a piece of paper to create a simple mask. A quick fussy cut and I am good to go!
Taking the lemon stamp and stamping it off once I stamped the lower right side…then put the mask over top and repeated that across the bottom of the card stock.
I really like having the “lemons” go off the sides of the card; to me it makes it look fun and festive but then what is more fun than beautiful bright lemons…and better yet, homemade lemonade!
I stamped another one on a piece of cards stock and then fussy cut it out….the same with the leaf. A quick stamp of the sentiment in classic black…the card was coming together!
The FUN FACTOR of the card is using the Simply Scored and making scored lines on the card stock. I personally prefer using the Simply Scored as I have better control with pressure (personal preference) but you can easily use the trimmer…that is the beauty of having so many great products to choose from!
You know me…the icing on the cake- my loved envelopes…I just cannot have a fun card go out without a fun envelope Fru-Fru! Today I used the In Color DSP Stack to line the envelope! My wonderful Mom loved lined envelopes and there is never a day that I do not think of her when I craft! True it takes a bit more time but that time is soooooooo well worth it!
I thank you for hanging in there with me while I am away….I am trying to keep my blog going….keep you inspired…and let you know the sheer FUN and POWER we have in creating cards!
While I am at the show, trust me……I craft away (truth be told – I have a hard time sitting still)….I adore needle-pointing….and you know I love to do what I do with paper crafting There is never a time that someone comes up and asks me….What are you working on now???? I am amazed at how many people feel like they are not creative…but when I share and show them what I do – BINGO, they get it and guess what….they smile! 🙂
I hope that this clean and simple card made you smile….and I hope that you pop back tomorrow to see how I switched it up a bit! Shop away and having fun! Jammie shopping is the best!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 13, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
Welcome to Simple Saturday and I have a tip for you that will make you do the “happy dance” when using detailed dies. This bundle, Rose Wonder has been a SUPER popular bundle with many.
I know that it is a $$$$ bundle but when you see the detail of the framelits and also see the beauty of the stamps and amazing sentiments that is in the stamp set it eases your pain a bit. Today I am using a sentiment from another stamp set, Timeless Love as I needed a Happy Anniversary card for John’s Mom and Dad’s 62nd Anniversary.
There are so many fabulous ideas out there using this bundle and you can easily make it as simple as you want or make it more detailed! You will have to pop back tomorrow to see how I made some changes and then I will share with you which one went to my In Laws!
The base of the card is in Very Vanilla and it is an A-2 card and then I cut another piece of Very Vanilla 1/4″ smaller – 5 1/4″ X 4″ to build my card! (Darn, I wish that they would come out with the Very Vanilla in the heavy weight, once you get used to that….this seems so thin so I do like to add another layer to give it some support!
Cutting out these framelits can be a bit frustrating as they are so delicate but I have found a product that is not Stampin’ Up! but one that I have found to be a lifesaver with a project like this. It is called Stick It and you can click here to see it on Amazon (darn, I adore Amazon)
I did use the green glue and yep it worked but I admit it was a bit messy as the area is soooooo thin but then when I tried the Stick It – wowzers, a lifesaver. One thing that I love about the product is that you can expose the backing and adhere it down and if you do not like the placement…..you can move it and then when you have it “just right”, you can use your bone folder to give it a good push!
The other day I used the Timeless Love Stamp Set and it is still out on my work area as I am going to do a video for you next week and when I saw that Happy Anniversary Sentiment….BINGO – I wanted it on my card! These fonts are so elegant and special!
I wasn’t quite sure what to do with the envelope and then I thought…and embossed a piece of very vanilla and then adhered it to the back flap…The Elegant Dots Textured Folder was a perfect accent for the envelope back!
I honesty have forgotten to do an envelope like this….and there are times that when you are working with very vanilla paper, it can be a challenge to find a matching/coordinating paper as many of our papers are geared to white…not vanilla! Please do not get me wrong, I adore vanilla as I feel there is a softness and comfort to it and today’s card is a great example of it!
Just think….with this bundle you are soooooo close to getting a FREEBIE item from Sale-a-bration. It is hard to believe that we are 1/2 way through Sale-a-bration – the BEST time of the year with Stampin’ Up!
Can you believe that tomorrow is Valentines Day? Tomorrow John’s parents will be celebrating their 62nd Wedding Anniversary….is that beautiful or what. John’s Dad is not in the best of heath but he is such an inspiration to me as he never complains…he sees the joys in life. His Mom is such a saint, very determined to be there with him and keep him comfortable at home
You will see the products that I used below, shopping from home is great….(another reason that I love Amazon) – you can think of Stampin’ Up! as your on line friend and if you need help….email or call me! I would love to help you!
Enjoy the day and I hope that you can pop back tomorrow to see the stepped up version of our 2 day post! You all are THE BEST……
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by Susan Itell | Jan 2, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
YIPPEE SKIPPEE….we are starting off the New Year with a Simple Saturday post for you!
For those of you that are not familiar with my weekend posts, here is the scoop!
Simple Saturday = I will share with you a card that is just that….SIMPLE!
Step it Up Sunday = The card from Saturday with some “stepped up elements”
You all have seemed to enjoy these 2 day post so I say….why not keep them! I know that you have seen this type of card before from me, but today I am showcasing a new sentiment from a sentiment stamp set that will be available starting Tuesday, January 5th.
I love it….I know that there are some quirky sayings….but I think that they are FUN and the font…..YEP, a keeper! It is called Greatest Greetings!
Sentiment stamps sets are your friends. Quick, simple and fun sentiments like these are just the perfect added accent for your cards! I admit, I have been cutting paper for paper swatches and there are little scraps that sometimes I just can’t find it in me to purge! So…the moral of the story is that I am putting them to great use!
When I find a card like this I make a bunch of them…WHY? I say why not – it is great to have a stash ready when you need one.
The scraps I used were from the Have a Cuppa paper 6 X 6 stack. I simply stamped the image that I needed on the little scrap of paper and then did a quick fussy cut.
This is really super easy to do and I used the green glue to adhere them. Remember, If you are worried that you will have oozing…just put the glue down and let it set up before you add the paper!
Yep, I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig as I love it and I find it to be the perfect tool when your stamp set is not a photpolymer one. You can see in the picture below that this stamp has a sentiment on it already….no worries, mask it off!
This is a great stamp and being that it is a single stamp, it is a great value. Just think of all of the different sentiments that you could use! I have used this sooooooo much that I feel like I need to pay Stampin’ Up! as wow – a great value! I have used it for birthdays, think of yous, get well, anniversary etc…..
For the flowers, I used the aqua painters….darn, I hope that you start using them – they really are a great tool and I know that I realize that many of you are still apprehensive about them but JUST GO FOR IT! Just grab a paper towel, squeeze the ink pad and grab some ink and HAVE FUN!
Remember…a great finishing touch and a touch that one ALWAYS ADMIRES AND APPRECIATES….a lined envelope! Today I am using the envelope liner framelits with a piece of Bermuda Bay Dots from the Paper Stack! I adore these stacks and I realize that they are $$$$$$ for you to get all of the collections, this is why that I have them on my product share…..they are amazing as they compliment our DSP papers!
Well…there you go….the 1st of the year and I hope that you like it! Pop back tomorrow for the stepped up version as well as the dimensions for the cards this weekend! I love it and I know that you would surely make someone smile with it!
My heart and “joy tank” was filled to the max with your comments from yesterdays post. I deeply appreciate you taking your time to read such a long post but I do hope you know that this is a GREAT thing that we do!
I know that you enjoy the “fur babies” – look who I found…..little “Mr. Perfect” – he is simply the best! It was funny – I woke up in the middle of the night and he was not in our bed…..I woke John up…he worried – he went outside….he came in and said – he will be fine…I still worried…..then I went searching…..YEP, snug as a bug in a rug with Hannah…..sorry for the bad picture but I just couldn’t resist sharing!
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