by Susan Itell | Apr 28, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
Here’s to a NEW and FRESH week! Last week was a tough one with the Blog situation and also with being under the weather!
Here’s the scoop on both of these things!
- I will be making a change with my blog moving from Feedburner to Feedblitz – (It all sounds “Dutch” to me) but as I am sure you are aware of…many SUD are doing this! Patsy will get to my blog as soon as she has time….so for now – if you are not getting your daily subscriptions automatically to your computer every morning…you might just need to type in my blog address….and you’ll be good to go! I’m still here…and I’m not going anywhere! I appreciate you patience and understanding through this!
- I am feeling LOTS better – still have a bad cough but I could hardly wait to go to bed last night as I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve….WHY???? Today is the day that Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators get to “preview” the NEW catalog in a movie theatre! Doesn’t that sound like FUN…I am oober excited to make the trek to Alexandria, Virginia with 3 of my downline to see!
Now to the Post for today….you saw that the title was “Making it Mine Monday’s”….well let me explain!
I often get asked where do I come up with my ideas and how have I learned to develop a style with my cards? Well…from LOTS of places…from YOU…from PINTEREST…from the WEB…I take On-Line Classes but I will say that once I started to really reach out of my comfort zone and try to work from sketches…I learned 2 things!
- It saved me a BUNCH of TIME…and TIME is soooo darn tootin’ precious to all of us….why? I was not “surfing around"…pinning here and there….taking bits from this and bits from that etc…
- I am on the Design Team for the PALS challenge every Thursday and one week is a color challenge and the other is a sketch challenge! You have heard me blog before that I prefer the color ones….but I have come to realize that the reason I say that is because I am not "stretching myself out of my comfort zone”
SOOOOOO…..I have decided to dedicate Monday’s to “Making it Mine Monday’s” where I will share with you a sketch and then show an interpretation from it….
I highly recommend YOU to challenge yourself with these Monday sketches I will share with you…look at them….see what stamps you have…and just try it!
Below you will see a past sketch from the PPA and I have BLOCKED OUT the date not to confuse…this is a PERSONAL challenge for YOU….and if you want…please send me a picture of your work…you can do it…I know you can! Take a picture and email me…I love to see your work!
This is a very clean and simple sketch from PAL Nicole Watt – she is OOBER talented and a MDS gu-ru…I am always in awe of her work!
Here is my interpretation of this…and the funny and honest thing is…I NEVER went back to the post that had this challenge (it was in January) – I encourage you to LOOK at the SKETCH….see what "speaks" to YOU…and then GO FOR IT!!!
When I see a sketch…I step back and look at it…I look at the area that I feel I want my "focal stamping and/or sentiment" to go…This space dictates to me what stamp set I am going to use! For this card…I saw that rectangle (#4) to me my "focal" point and when I looked at my stamps – I thought – "I have not used Timeless Talk in a long time" and the shape is perfect and I let my card start from here!
Also, you know I adore paper…if I have an "itching" to use a certain Designer Series Paper, that I will also let that play a huge role as to what stamps/theme I am going to go for…
To me – working from a sketch is the BEST way to help develop YOUR style…we all have our own "feel" – when we go out of the box on our comfort zone…it is when WE get frustrated and doubt ourselves!
O.k. – we have got to get to this cause' I am Cinderella and need to go to bed to go see a movie today!
- This is an A-2 card in Very Vanilla as I am using the BEAUTIFUL Modern Melody Designer Series Paper… the DSP is cut at 3" X 4" and then the Black piece is 2 1/4" X 5 1/2".
- The"stamped piece" is 3" X 2 3/4" and then the Stamp Set is Timeless Talk – very classic!
- Naturally I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig for PERFECT placement of the "bike" and the same for the sentiment! I actually "stamped" this bike twice as I cut out the "simple circles" to add a bit of POP!
- I am on a roll with these Candy Dots and Brad Bases….(thanks to KATE)…I used a glue dot to hold them in place! A simple dash with the basic black marker is all that is needed! I popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals!
- Envelope time…time to make the mail man smile! I stamped the front of the envelope as well as lining the envelope with the help of the Envelope liner frameit!!!
Well….I know that this has been a L O N G post but…how do you like the card? I hope that you enjoyed and embraced this concept that I am trying to convey to you…
YOU can do it…..I KNOW YOU CAN….I would love to help you discover the "Inner Picasso" that it within you!
Please make sure that you POP back tomorrow…as I will share with you the FUN card I made for my downline for the movie!!!
I am SOOO excited! Stampin' Up! never lets up down…and I am sure that the new catalog will not disappoint you…and if you are a customer of mine, you will automatically receive a NEW catalog from me!
Have a great day…a great week and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 27, 2014 | Stamp-a-ma-jig |
The early bird & the observant bird is going to get the worm this Sunday morning…why???
Well if you are the 1st person to leave me a comment and getting it correct….you will win a "goodie" (it's a product) as well as I will send you this card….(you can see that I made 2 of them)….here's the question!
Look at this card…and tell me something that I have never done before?
(I can't wait to see how long it take someone to get it right…I love games!!!)
Well…several things….I am feeling more like myself….not a 100% but getting pretty darn close…I thought I was a ground hog hibernating with the amount of sleep I had…I must have needed it!
DRUM ROLL…..DRUM ROLL….the winner of the BLOG CANDY OF CARDS was……
Sharon Haster from Oregon
A HUGE woot-woot to you and a BIG thanks!!!
Free Shipping always seems to make people happy…I know at the holidays – I love to play a game and figure out a way to wait until there is FREE SHIPPING!!!!
Many thanks to everyone that placed an order with me! You all are the best and for those of you that sent me sweet emails saying that you are waiting for the New Catalog…"I TOTALLY get-it!!!"
Now lets get to the card today…you know me by now – I make my cards for a purpose…and this card is going to a friend of mine that works soooo incredibly hard! She is the marketing director for a local School of the Arts and I just learned that her school received national recognition for achievement!
That a BIG woot-woot to me and I want to send her a card letting her know how proud I am for all of her hard work and what a difference she has made to our local community!
- The card size is a 5 X 5 square card…love this size…true it does require extra postage but I think it's totally worth it!
- Your friend for this card will be the square framelits and naturally the Big Shot….they are having that "peanut butter and jelly thing" going on! Remember, I refer to the sizes of the framelits from #1 being the smallest to # 8 the largest, the scalloped one!
- Take a piece of whisper white and cut the #8 Scalloped square. To that (we would hate to waste paper) take the #6 framelit to cut out the piece you are going to stamp on.
- Using the Eye-Catching Ikat Photopolymer Stamp Set, I started in the middle and stamped with Pistachio Pudding….(you can see a faint pencil line to the one on the right…I always do that to find my center…a good eraser is your friend!)
- The sentiment came from one of my favorites….so glad it is being carried over…Feels Good Stamp Set…this was stamped in Night of Navy and YES – I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig!!!
- Using the Square Framelits, use # 5 & #7 to cut out a frame in navy…a great trick…as if my stamping was not perfectly straight…I can wiggle it around some…this is why I like using the "green glue"
- Again using the green glue, I adhered this to the Scalloped Square! I put a bunch of Stampin' Dimensionals to the back and then adhered this piece to the 5 X 5 card base!
- Where did the star came from? The Perfect Pennants Stamp Set and it is a cinch to "fussy" cut out! I pierced a hole in the middle and the pushed a Candy Dot Brad Base and then the "cherry on top" was the Night of Navy Dot from the Regals Candy Dots! I lifted that with a Stampin' Dimensional!
- Envelope time…pulling out the Envelope Punch Board made making a custom envelope a cinch! To me…for $19.95 this is the BEST tool we have!!! (well…one of the best ones!) If you do not have one and would like to learn how to make and envelope without having this tool, please email me!
I wanted to make the mailman smile – I stamped some stars on the front and then using my "go-to" In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, matching the color was a cinch!
So…have you figured it out yet?
What is the "eye spy" part of this card that I have not used before?
Thanks for popping by today and I thank you for your patience with this "blog thing"…I will say that more changes will be coming as I am still getting many of you saying that you are not receiving the automatic daily posts when you log on!
It looks like I will have to make a change…but I will give you "head's up" when that will be…please continue to share the Simple Stampin' fun with your family and friends! I love blogging, designing and helping you reach your goals!
You can always email me at anytime and I will be glad to help you! Remember…when you see the below pictures of the items I have show-cased in today's post….you can click on it ( click on it again to make it even bigger)… and then if you would like to purchase it…..PRESTO – click and into my store it will be!!!
Tomorrow is a FUN day for me!!! Stampin' Up! is showcasing the NEW CATALOG in movie theatres all across the country….and I am lucky enough to have one (kinda close) to me and the best thing…..I am going with 3 of my downline!!! WOOT-WOOT – this is going to be OOBER FUN!!!!
Enjoy the day…and thanks again for you patience….there are SUD all over experiencing the same problems…please know that it is equally frustrating for us as well and I am looking forward to getting it fixed!!!
Until tomorrow and congrats to you….Sharon!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 25, 2014 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thank You |
Wow…it's finally Friday! This has seemed to be the L O N G E S T week and now to top it off, I have a cold…actually I feel like a bowling ball (my head) that can't stop coughing! My head feels like it is going to detach!!!
The good news is…I can only get better…the blog thing can only get better…and it can't get any better with having FREE shipping, but remember today is your last day!
Remember that with the products that are being retired…they are on a 1st come basis and there are already some that have been sold out…here is the most up to date list!
By now, you know that I usually make my cards with a specific purpose…and this card today is just that – this is the card that I will be sending to say "thanks" to those of you that ordered from me this week!
Can you say…SIMPLE…can you say…CLEAN….Can you say….LET'S GET TO IT!
- You know me….my "go-to" notecard and envelope size…love-love-love – would not be without!
- To the simple touch a scrap piece of white paper 3 1/2" long and 2 " wide and ran it through the Big Shot with the Scallops Textured Embossing Folder.
TIP ALERT….take this piece and place it where you want it to go and then take a pencil and draw a line across the top….then take away so you know where to stamp the sentiment!
- Pulling out the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and using the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set….this simple sentiment does the trick…erase your pencil line!
- Now you can go back and adhere the embossed piece to the front of the card!
- Again, using scraps – stamp the flower image from the Flower Shop Stamp Set with Daffodil Delight…a quick punch with the Pansy Punch is all that is needed!
TIP ALERT…use the bone folder or a pencil to roll the egdes of the flowers…always loosens up the fibers in the paper and creates great movement!
- I took a simple white button and the treaded a piece of whisper white twine…a simple bow…a useful glue dot….DONE! I did put a stampin dimensional on the back of the flower!
OH NO…I have already taken my pictures and I just noticed…I forgot my "Silly Susan Dots"…
- The envelope was lined with the Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper (snif-snif…I'll miss this) but the dots just make you smile!
I just love the freshness of this card…the white is so crisp and clean and then the yellow and black is so classic and fun! I hope that you CASE this one as it's fast to make and very sweet!
If you do not like to add "bulk" to your card with the button, you could easily use a small circle punch and just use paper!
This just might be a card for Breast Cancer next month and I will change up the sentiment!
Remember that today is the last day for the free shipping offer and the BLOG CANDY from me for every order in a $25.00 increment!
I will announce the winner on Sunday morning (with not feeling great – I will probably go to bed early and I know that many of you on the West Coast will be up much later)…so just to be fair if someone orders late as I will already have my blog post typed up…..thanks for understanding and GOOD LUCK!
One of my "peeps" is coming home for the weekend so I am determined to feel better! I am excited to see him since he was unable to come home for Easter…(I have those cute chocolate bunnies that I made one the table) He will like them…I like to look at them…he likes to eat them!!!
Thanks for popping by today and I hope that leaving a comment works today! By the end of the day yesterday – there were comments that came through! I thank you for your patience during this frustrating time but we're getting there….and together we can accomplish lots!!!
Remember…if you want to purchase any of these items…use the new handy pictures below – they will go right into the cart on my online store…it is so easy and then you can also add additional products that I have not highlighted on today's post!
You all are the best…have a great day…and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 21, 2014 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy |
I was trying to come up with an idea using one of the “Weekly Deals” this week at Stampin’ Up! and as I looked at the offerings…..these Dahlia Flowers popped out to me as I just saw last week a card that I made with them last year and I thought to myself….why do I not use these more often!
And…..then I had a “light bulb” moment….when I was down at the barn with my “Wellie Hunter Boots” and I the card POPPED into my head and I LOVE IT!!!
So simple…so fun…wouldn’t you simply love if you received this!?!?
Let’s get to it as I am hoping that I am going to inspire you to pull out your supplies and if you do not have this stamp set and flowers….I hope that you hit that SHOP NOW button and shop away!!!!
Today’s card does a super easy technique called “paper piecing” and it creates a great effect! I encourage you to look at your stamp sets that you have and think of other stamps that you could do this with!
- The card size is the note-card size (my all time go-to) and then I knew I wanted a big, bold and bright color as I am READY for Spring so the color of choice it Pacific Point!
- The Pacific Point is cut at 3 3/4" X 4 3/4" and then white is cut at 3 1/2" X 4 1/2"! Make sure that you take full advantage of popping out some punches with the inside of the blue piece….no need to waste!
- I stamped the “boot” in Crushed Curry and then “fussy cut” it out (it is super easy to do) I did the same in a scrap of pacific point and again “fussy cut” the blue piece– this is why it is called “paper piecing” and you will add it on top of the boot! The boot is from the Bootiful Occasions Stamp Set.…too darn cute!
- I used the White Staz On Ink….love the effect of white and I adore the fact that it dries SUPER FAST!!!! I highly suggest using the liquid multipurpose glue to “piece” these 2 together….this way you can “wiggle” it in perfect place!
TIP ALERT: When you are doing this technique….take the brush edge of the same color of marker and run it against the side….this way if you did not have a clean cut – your eye will not pick up the mistake!
- DONE with the boot…put stampin dimensions on the back but do not peel it off – You will want to place the boot on top of the card to get an idea of where you want to stamp the floral image and the sentiment as well (I take a pencil and do a little mark!)
- Now it’s time to pull off the adhesive and place the boot in place! VOILA!!!! Isn’t it adorable! I know that it seems like a lot of instructions but it really is easy – (I know I go over board)
After I made this and I was so happy with it…I made a bunch more in all different colors! Hannah and I have Hunter Boots in many, many fun colors! I sent her a box of these cards as I thought that they would be a sweet note-card to send out to her friends!
Now you know that I needed to line the envelopes – the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack to the rescue – when in doubt – pull them out! You can always have a perfect match! The envelope liner framelits was the finishing final touch that is my daily lifesaver!
So – did I do it….did I make you smile ?!?! I sure hope so!!!
Don’t forget…for every $50.00 order you will be able to pick a FREEBIE from the Sale-A-Bration offerings….CLICK HERE and you will be able to view them and also, for every order I get during this Sale-A-Bration time, when I send you a thank you note…I'll enclose this below sample of the DSP I put together from Sale-A-Bration – my thanks to you!
They are such a lifesaver and come in so handy when you want to see what paper would work for a specific project!
I am doing the WOOT-WOOT it’s Friday dance and we are to be having some great weather over the weekend! Remember last Sunday when I was Mary Fish’s guest stamper? Click here to see the post…well this Sunday I will inspire you with some ideas using the “smaller wood cases” and using them for gift enclosures!
Please pop back…you’ll love them! Thanks for popping by and the best compliment you can give to me is to share my work and my blog with others…as my Mom always said…word of mouth is the best form of advertisement!
Until tomorrow….you will "bee happy" that you had your Saturday coffee with me!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 1, 2014 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Valentines |
Happy Weekend to all!
Today is a GREAT day filled with excitement for me as I am bringing Hannah’s new horse to our farm! He usually stays at her trainer’s farm but they are getting ready to head South with 15 horses to show and dear, sweet Stanley is staying here in the cold with me for the next 6 weeks!
I feel like a new Mom getting the nursery ready…. we just purchased him a couple months ago and he is a real sweetie….I will snap a picture and share with you! It has been so bitter cold here and I have been trying to clean the barn and make sure that everything is ready for him…..John just laughs at me!!!!
How about this card….kinda different for me but at the same time, I think it turned out fun! You can see that today’s post is “all about the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig”!!!
You know that it is my “go to” tool and truthfully, I have (2) of them, as I would not know what to do if I misplaced it!!!! (it’s actually great to have 2 so when I teach someone we can do it at the same time!
Hands down, I think that this is the most intimidating product we have!
Confession time…when I bought mine…I bought it because I thought I simple “HAD TO HAVE IT” (sounds familiar) but when I received it…I figured that I could figure out how to use this silly piece of plastic…only to get TOTALLY FRUSTRATED (sounds familiar)!!!!
Let’s get to it and then I will share with you another way that you and I can work together for you to learn to master how to use this tool!
- Taking another piece of whisper white in the same size….I pulled out the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and went to town! The stamp is from the Peachy Keen Stamp Set and this comes in a bundle and I would definitely recommend that you buy it this way – you will save in instant 15% plus the shapes that come it it are “real keepers”
(After I have finished all of the stamping for this card…
I trimmed the white piece to 3 1/8" X 4 5/8" and then the real red is 3 1/4" X 4 3/4")
- I used the Black Staz On Ink….why? – I just think that this is the best black ink out there! Remember, put the edge of the tool against the plastic sheet…stamp it – now you have your template to stamp on your paper! It really is easy…put the plastic sheet with the stamped image on top of where you want it to go…HOLD TIGHT so the tool so it does not move….then simple stamp!
Because there were many questions about the "square stamp" I thought I would show you the stamp set in the larger view….just be careful that when you order this and you want the BUNDLE..use the BUNDLE code that I have above….(that's why that picture is smaller than usual as it is showing the stamp and the framelits!!!! Hope this helps!
Let’s touch on perfection!!! We are ALL to darn hard on ourselves and trust me, I am totally the 1st one that has to work on that! I am a “true blue…type A” person and it is hard to sometimes let go…but I think that we truly make more out of this tool than is needed!!!
My card today is far from being perfect…but I know I made it….and that is all I need! So the moral of this story is…celebrate WHAT YOU DO and anything you create is a gift of art from your heart!
- Let’s get back to the card…..in this same stamp set is this fabulous heart! I love the details on the edges. Stamped it on some scraps and using the paper snips….I quickly “fussy cut” it out and it was a cinch! The stampin' vitamins of Stampin' Dimensionals POP the hearts up for fun!
- I was just going to roll with the black image and the Red Hearts but I thought it needed something more….and then the light bulb came on!!! The adorable XOXOXOX is from the Oh, Goodie Stamp Set that was in the Holiday Catalog and it was carried over!!! Woot-woot….as it is a fun set for “little something’s”!!! Just simply do the exact same thing as you did with the black stamped image!
Can you see that you will be getting your “fill” with the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig? It really will be your friend…you just need to practice! Think about it like this…it is like learning to ride a bike for the 1st time…it’s a little rough at first….but once you get it – you’re good to go!
- The envelope turned out super fun in my opinion! I adore this bold stripe of Real Red and White….it comes from the Fresh Prints Paper Stack and you can line (2) envelopes from one sheet of paper!
I know that I am not showcasing a Sale-A-Bration item with you…once I saw that heart in the stamp set…I just couldn’t resist and my creativity came up with this!
Here is an idea of a “Susan's Pick Kit” for you to hit that magical number of $50.00!
$50.25….I say – woot-woot!!!
- Peachy Keen Bundle (135225) – $38.25
- Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049) – $11.95
Remember when I started this post, I shared with you another way you can learn how to use this tool? Well, I helped someone on Skype….it was fun – please email me and let me know if you ever would like to chat via Skype…..the best news is….she mastered it and uses this great tool all the time!
Have a fabulous day!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 29, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig |
Today's post is one that brings a big smile to my face as it is truly "my kind of card"….sweet…simple…easy to make…and very practical! This is the style that I just love…and I think that this will be a breast cancer card for January!
I have lots of pictures and tips for you today….so let's get to it! I thank you for many sweet messages and comments yesterday and it was great to feel like I was "missed" – this blog has become such an extension to who I am and it is a joy to share my passion and love I have with Stampin' Up!
- The Coastal Cabana card stock is 4 7/8" X 3 3/8" and look at the pictures below…you can see that I am a "paper saver" – why not maximize the paper as it will be covered up! I used the liquid multipurpose glue…this is so affordable and sooooo strong!
- The whisper white piece is 4 1/2" X 3" and using the Stamp-a-ma-jig for the perfect placement of this sweet sentiment from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set – a great sentiment set….!!!
- The twine in "pool party" is a sale-a-bration item…super cute and there is no doubt about it – there are sooooo many "keepers" for sale-bration that you are going to want many, many things! Look at the picture below to see how I anchored this…a little tip for you!
- To keep the twine nice and tight…an easy trick is to use a small piece of sticky strip and then you can simple utilize this adhesive for perfect placement!
- Now this is a MUST HAVE BUNDLE when the new catalog comes January 3rd….this stamp set is called Petite Pairs and it has a coordinating punch = a bundle = a BIG WOOT-WOOT as you will save an instant 15% (darn, I wish I could show you a picture of the stamp set….but soon enough – trust me – it's a keeper!
- TIP ALERT: Take a pencil and roll the flowers to give them some shape and movement – use a simple glue dot to adhere! The little bling of the brights candy dot in real red makes the WOW come to life!
- Another must have with the new catalog is the Fresh Prints Designer Paper Stack….I am sooooo happy that Stampin' Up! is continuing to come out with these….you get 48 sheets for $6.95! I lined the envelope with this fun print – you can line 2 envelopes with a 1/2 sheet of paper!
- Time to make the mailman smile – before I cleaned my stamps I stamped the front of the envelope! This is an easy yet fun way to make an envelope extra special!
I hope that this bright and cheerful card made you smile…Have a super-duper day and 2 of my peeps are on their journey back….be safe if anyone is driving and please make sure that you pop back tomorrow for more inspiration!
I am glad that we are back on track with having our morning cup of coffee together! Thanks for your support and precious time! I love what I do and I love inspiring YOU!!!!
Remember, you can click here and order at anytime!!! You all are going to LOVE the new catalog…hang tight – January 3rd will be here soon!
Until tomorrow!
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