by Susan Itell | Aug 3, 2015 | Congratulations, Stamp-a-ma-jig |
I know that you are going to be inundated with "sneek peaks" from the new Holiday Catalog (and trust me, it is great) but I feel like we still need to show the love to the Annual Catalog! This stamp set is one of my "go to's" and I am thrilled that Stampin' Up! carried it over.
If you do not have this set,Fabulous Four…you need to – trust me on this one as each of these sentiments are great and you can even "mask off" part of it of you wish. I use masking tape and make sure that it wraps around the mounting block so it doesn't wiggle and then peel it off after you ink it up!
For todays card…you can see that I used 2 different colors .
Many people do different methods to do this but what I like to do is first stamp it on the stamp-a-ma-jig and then clean my stamp and then place masking tape over the area that I do not want to show…ink it all up and then peel off the masking tape and again, using the stamp-a-ma-jig…STAMP! Then I repeat this the opposite way for the other color.
Using embossing folder always adds a great interest to your projects…try to mix it up and only use a part of a card. I think that we get so programed to use it for the whole front of a card, but you can see that this just breaks it up!
Also, I checked last night and the Texture Boutique Machine is still in the clearance Rack at 50% off….this is great for embossing only – there are times that it is really nice not to drag out the Big Shot as it is so heavy – this little dream machine is so little and light!
Playing with another print from the Bohemian Designer Series Paper Pack on the same card is fun! Because everything matches so well…it's like "Peanut Butter and Jelly" – it works!
I just cannot get enough of the Triple Banner Punch…it is the dream tool and I am amazed at how often I reach for it….when in doubt – pull it out! That's my motto for our punches….if I can use them – they are MINE!
Clean, crisp, colorful and fun…this would be a great card for many occasions – just switch up the sentiment ad make someone smile! These colors are just fabulous and oh so rich!
I know that many of you are not fans of Delightful Dijon….but I am here to tell you…I bet I will change your mind. It is fabulous with many colors and I can clearly see in the Fall that it will be super-de-duper!
The envelope liner framelit was the "icing on the cake" – I can honestly say, I never send a card out with out either a liner like this or something fun on the outside of the envelope!
Remember….we have talked about "the little things in life" – to me, this is one of them…it just is "complete" in my opinion!
Below is a picture that will make your lower lip go down. Dear, precious Norman had to have surgery on his ear and this "cone" is really stressing him out! He stayed in my work area all day with me…I told him it would pass!
Even though Norman doesn't look like he is having a good day…let's all have a great day and a super week! Today I get to go to the Surgeons in Baltimore for my ankle – I am hoping that I can sign up for dance lessons….ok – that is a bit much, but I hope that I can start therapy and get going forward!
Until tomorrow…..
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by Susan Itell | Apr 9, 2015 | PPA Challenges, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Thinking of you |
Well…it's a purple kind of day and today being Thursday is another PPA Challenge and today it is a color challenge using the below colors! At first I was scratching my head as wowzers, 3 bold colors….hmmmm…I like the end result!
This is a card that is super easy to make many of…I was running low on thinking of you cards so this was the pick. Remember, pace yourself and you can get the job done – free of stress.
The card is a vertical A-2 Very Vanilla card and then the stamped piece is 3 3/4" X 5" and then the Mat in Elegant Eggplant is a "smidge" bigger, 3 7/8" X 5 1/8" ( I know you love it when I give you measurements)
Let's talk about the (2) stamp sets I used today. The beautiful focal one is Summer Silhouette. I have not used this in eons and I do not know why as it is a fun and very versatile stamp. I will totally admit that when I first started stamping I would have probably been intimidated to purchase this.
WHY? when you look at the images of the set you see that you have to stamp twice to get the look of the flowers…this is super easy with the stamp-a-ma-jig and the end result is always fun!
I just think the flower with the little "sparkle" flowers are so sweet! I used the perfect plum and the elegant eggplant for these. A little "trip of dots" seem to be fitting today!
The color for the green is Pear Pizzazz and I would recommend that if you are to case this card, to stamp all of the green first and then fill in with the flowers. To sneak in the rich color of Blackberry Bliss, I used the smaller floral burst stamp 3 times on the leaves!
I knew that today was a purple day for the challenge but I felt the need to have a pop of color so this is where the crushed curry came in! The sentiment is from the "must have" sentiment set, A Dozen Thoughts",,,this is a set that I use all of the time – a true blue keeper!
When you look at this card and break it down, it is a very clean and classic card. You can easily see how you can make many all at the same time and just think of all of the incredible color combinations you could use. Also, it would be a cinch to change up the sentiment for a birthday etc….a very versatile card!
To the envelope we go…think about this – your stamps are already "inked" up…so why not? Below you can see the fun on the lower right corner of the envelope….the mailman needs a smile!
I hope that this card inspired you and brought a smile to your face this morning! The stampin' dimensionals gave the perfect lift to make this card a special one. You could easily make up this card without a sentiment and then when you need it….presto – stamp the appropriate sentiment and you are good to go!
The 2 day hour glass is on….I'm talking about the FREE SHIPPING!
I will be sending out a confirmation email to all of the people that are in the April Stamp of the Month Club later this morning letting them know the colors of ink I am showcasing this month in case they need to place an order!
Also, remember that I am giving to one person that places an order with me this week during the FREE SHIPPING this "basic" bundle.
- a pack of White 8 1/2" X 11 paper
- a bottle of mono Glue
- a pack of Stampin' Dimensionals
- a white gel pen
This is a great time to earn some Paw Prints for my rewards/loyalty program!
Enjoy the day…I am getting excited to be with Hannah at her show and watch her ride, she is a beautiful rider and her young horse and her are a great team. Oscar is doing great at home and it is a joy to see his head right from my front door!
Please feel free to email me and you know the deal…the products I used today are scrolling along right underneath! A simple click will let you preview it and then if you want it….PRESTO – into the shopping cart it goes!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 16, 2015 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thinking of you |
I know that many of you miss the Monday Make it Mine challenges so I thought..let's do something fun today if you are up to it! It is totally up to you if you want to play and if you choose to share it with me…great but no pressure, I always adore seeing your work.
Today the challenge is to make a 1 layer card using only 1 stamp set!…wow – this is tougher than it seems but I was pleased with the end result! I have a friend that is starting chemotherapy and I thought that this simple card would bring a smile to her face.
Trust me….I was sooooo darn tempted to add a little flower punch here and there with a pearl but I stayed strong! It just does not get any simpler than this!
I have been feeling like the stamp sets in the annual catalog have been "back burner-ed" a bit with the the new Occasions Catalog, so I decided to showcase something from the big catalog. The stamp set is called Perfect Pennants.
- The card is a note card and I simply stamped the sentiment in Crisp Cantaloupe.
- Using the stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement I went to town and had fun with the polka dots! The inspiration came from the Lullaby DSP as this is where my color combo come from – Baked Brown Sugar, Hello Honey & Crisp Cantaloupe.
I was a bit off with my stamping so I thought…..hmmmmm – what should I do? I just cut off 1/2" off of the bottom of the card! I thought it looked fun and I TOTALLY am going to do this again!
The fun DSP Print from the Lullaby Collection just pulled this sweet card together. I find trying a challenge is super fun and it really does make you step out of your comfort zone!
Please feel free to share with me your take on a 1 layer card from 1 stamp set – it was FUN! I was wanting to do something FUN with you to get the week going so how about it – Hopefully you can find time to slide into your crafting space and give it a whirl!
Between typing this blog I have been making or should I say "coloring with the Blendabilites" the "Thank You" card for anyone that places an order with me this month….click here to see the post and I ask you….is this really a pigeon? If so it's the prettiest pigeon I've seen….
Remember, today is the last day to place and order for the weekly deals….not only will you get 25% off..you will also receive this great card from me! (the Flower Frenzy is my pick of must-haves this week)
Let's all have a great week….my poor peep in Boston…..MORE SNOW – my heart goes out to all that have been effected with this weather – it is BITTER cold here and John has been the BEST in dealing with the animals!!!
Stay warm, please feel free to email me and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 5, 2014 | Blog Candy, Halloween, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
Before we get to today's post I have to say a HUGE thank you for the smiles you gave to me with your 53 comments from yesterday's post! John and I went to a great restaurant for dinner last night in the cutest little town about 30 minutes away so as he drove I had my I-pod and read them so we both could enjoy!
It is soooooo very clear to me that we all have the same feeling and passion! I love to create and play in my Craft area…but I adore sending cards and knowing that I brought a smile to someone! Thank you…thank you for sharing what card making means to you!
To me it is a simple pleasure that means so much…
Please know that it DOES make a difference not only to YOU
but to the people you send a card to!
The winner is #24 Brenda B….. and here is her comment! (I had to do it in PINK for the Breast Cancer event today)
Woot-Woot to you Brenda and many thanks for the super sweet comment! Please email me and your address and I will send your goodies your way!
Happy World Card Making Day! I am so happy to have found this hobby and thoroughly enjoy making cards for friends and family. You are such an inspiration Susan and I so look forward to your postings and updates on what you are doing. Happy day to you!
O.k. – to the card for the day! I adore this stamp set, Mingle all the Way. I realize that many people love to celebrate Halloween and then there are others that do not care for the scary part of it…I think that this card is a fun and classic card!
I have great memories of Trick-n-Treat but I will say that my costumes were always handmade and simple…like a pumpkin, a Base Ball Player etc….I am amazed at how the retail stores put such a huge emphasis on October 31st!
This card layout is very simple and it could easily be used for other clean and simple cards! Just simply change up the sentiment and the color of paper and BAM – a whole new card! True I have used a bunch of paper today and if you follow my blog you already know that I adore paper!
To me, paper can do so much and be so effective in making a clean and simple card! Remember to utilize the paper that you are covering with another layer! This is a perfect time to use your punched…framelits etc…to use for future cards!
Here are the measurements for all of the layers that are going on today! I know that you enjoy it when I give you the measurements!
- The base is a good old A-2 card and the black layer is just 1/4 smaller – 5 1/4" X 4" (remember cut the black piece as it will be covered up) and add the next layer in whisper white which is 1/4" smaller 5" X 3 3/4"
- The Tangerine Tango is 3 1/2 X 4 3/4" and then the Designer Series Paper from the Motley Monster DSP and it is 3 3/8" X 4 5/8"…. Take this piece to your Big Shot and Place the #4 square framelit and cut the square out!
TIP – do not adhere it yet…I like to take it over top of the base piece and take a pencil to draw a line where the square is and then stamp it…So much easier!
- Erase your pencil lines and now you can adhere it to the base. (I was going to put stampin' dimensionals under the orange piece but I decided against it and I really like the look!
- I made the back square border with framefilt #4 & #5 as I thought this element would add a great contast and a quick dash of dots did the trick!
- Last but not least…the envelope! I had some fun as I lined the outer flap and then while I had my big shot and sentiment all "onky" – I decided to jazz up the back!
TIP – I have shared this with you before and I will say that I do ask the people that I send cards to if they can through the mail o.k. – like this card…take it to the counter of the post office and ask them to "hand stamp" it….this way it will not go through the machine and I find that using the tombow liquid glue is the best!!!
I hope that this clean and simple card brought a smile to you this morning! Again, a heartfelt thanks to all of you for sharing with me what card making means to you…I think it's clear to say that we all are going to keep doing what we do as it brings joy to us!
Have a wonderful day and make it special! Another woot-woot to Brenda for winning the Blog Candy! There will be more blog candy posts in the future….after all it's October….we need to treat -n-treat together!
Until tomorrow….
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by Susan Itell | May 25, 2014 | SNEAK PEEK!!!, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Tips and Tricks!!! |
Are you ready for a FUN technique that not only creates a great effect…it is a great "stepping stone" to develop you confidence in "water-coloring" The technique is "Coloring with re-inkers" – ready to learn?!? You are going to love this and I hope you give it a try!
- The base is a A-2 in a vertical base and then the Island Indigo is 5 1/4" X 4" and the NEW IN COLOR , Lost Lagoon is 5 1/8" X 3 7/8".
- 1st I used the Embossing Buddy to get any static or dust off of the paper…..next - the Mixed Bunch Stamp set and the versa mark ink…I randomly stamped the flowers as shown and then heat embossed it with the white embossing powder.
TIP ALERT: – I probably did not have to do this but after I did the above I then did the sentiment with the help of the stamp-a-ma-jig. (I was afraid that I would smudge the flowers if I did not heat emboss the flowers first!) The sentiment came from the Four You Stamp Set.
Now comes the fun! This is so easy that you are going to be sooooo darn tootin' proud of yourself!
- Using on of the clear mounting blocks…squeeze a couple drops of Island Indigo and another one with Pool Party re-inker! Taking a dry Aqua Painter (do not fill it with water) dip the end of the brush in just a touch of water, then into the ink and made a "puddle" – Color away and have fun! I did probably 3-4 petals before adding more ink!
TIP: It is soooo much easier doing it this way if you are not feeling confident with using the aqua painters! I personally love them and use them often with traditional water-coloring, but I find this technique super fast, fun and easy! The embossed edges make it easy for the ink not to bleed out and over!
- A couple of quick decorating tips and DONE! I wrapped bakers twine around and the I also tied a bow on white buttons and used glue dots to adhere them….fast and cute!
- The liner for the envelope came from the NEW Moonlight Designer Paper Series Stack….such a keeper of a product!!!
This was a super fun card to make and I am excited to make more with this technique! Don't you think that it would be amazing in neutrals? I can see Crumb Cake as your card base and using sahara sand and soft suede! Please let me know your thoughts in how ou liked it!
Tomorrow is "Make it Mine Monday" where I will provide you with a sketch and then you can give it a try…a fn way to help you develop a style and also have fun all at the same time!
Have fun the holiday weekend and I am an email away! Until tomorrow…..
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by Susan Itell | May 24, 2014 | Birthday, Stamp-a-ma-jig |
Birthdays are a yearly reminder that we all should celebrate as it is a special day! Yesterday was my Mother-in-laws special day and it was a milestone…she turned 80! I still find it hard to believe as she is so active and always has a positive attitude with taking care of John's Dad as his health has failed!
A special dinner with family was the perfect setting to celebrate this great birthday! Rita was a librarian in an Elementary school and still enjoys reading so I thought a card with a bookmark would perfect!
Last month Jeanie and I went to another SUD house for a class and we learner how to make this card. I wanted to switch up the stamp set and colors and even though it is a bit more difficult than my clean and simple cards…it was well worth it and I would definitely do it again, it is fun!
In the above pictures you see how the "book mark" is to the right of the card and I used the perforated blade to "prepare" this. I will have to say…if you do not have this…no worries what so ever, what I would do is make a "heavy" score line and then let the person know to simply cut it off!
This is the 1st time I have used the rotary cutter with the perforated blade…it was fun but just do not press too hard as you will cut the paper! You can see at the bottom part of this bookmark – I pressed to hard but you can see how easy it would be to tear off and use!
Let's go….here is the scoop for you to make this gem!
- The card base is 5 1/2 X 10 3/4". Score at 4 1/2" (This will ultimately be your A-2 Card)
- The other dimensions are Elegant Eggplant 4" X 5 1/4" and Very Vanilla is 3 5/8" X 4 7/8" and also 2" X 5 1/4" for the bookmark
- If you have the rotary cutter with the perforation blade…run it down at 8 1/2" – IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS…no biggie – just score it very hard so you can clearly see where the bookmark will be!
- Take the top part of the "bookmark" part and use the scalloped tag punch and push it all the way on (centering it on the 2 1/4" part) to make the bookmark come to life – then do the same with the skinny piece as well!
- The stamp sets that I used were Everything Eleanor and Memorable Moments…I thought they would be perfect for this card and the neutral was Sahara Sand…a great color!
- A must have for this card is the stamp-a-ma-jig! I know that many of you are still "on the fence" with it but I really hope that you learn to like it!
- The flowers were "fussy cut" which was super easy but I did 1st "green glued" one down and then put a stampin' dimensional on the top and added a pearl! Classic yet clean!
- The Big Shot and the Labels Collection Framelits made cutting out the sentiment part a breese!
You can see how when the card is "closed" up with the bookmark, it becomes a regular size card! Lining the envelope with the Elegant Eggplant Designer Series Paper Stack makes it a "no brainer" every-time!
Try this – use different stamps and colors and I even think it would be stunning with vellum paper! As I said before, it was different for me but it was fun!
It is the holiday weekend and we are looking forward to doing nothing….but be at home and enjoy some peaceful days!
Typepad was acting up yesterday – I hope that it will not be a pain today! Enjoy your Saturday and until tomorrow!
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