by Susan Itell | Feb 26, 2017 | Step it up Sunday! |
It’s Sunday and that means that it is time for us to Step It Up a bit from yesterdays card. As the saying goes...”there are always 2 ways to skin a cat” (actually that is a icky saying…but I think you get it!)
You will see below where the inspiration came from. For me, the minute I saw this card I smiled as not only do I love yellow….I knew that this would be one of those “formulas” as I like to call it that I can use over and over! I love her style and I knew that I could try to make a CASE that would work for my project.
For those of you that are new to my blog…..WELCOME and I hope that you find it inspiring and just darn FUN! In the below photo you will see the cards side by side and then you can decided which one works for you! (I have no idea why the white on the left card did not come out the best…sorry) but if you go to yesterdays post you can see all of the scoop!
As I shared yesterday (and actually endless times below) that using simple shape can make a card in a snap but it still will provide you a fun card. The way that I look at it is….that darn time thing gets in the way all of the time and I am sure if I have a time thing going on, chnces are you do as well!
You can see from a quick visual that I just twisted it around a bit and allowed the mixing bowl to be inside the circle I cut . I wish that you could see and hold this in person as darn it, there are times that you just need to see it up close and feel the card.
As I thought….many of you tried to guess what I was going to do and one thing you nailed was the dots and dashed! I love to do this and I am hoping that many of you do it as well as it is the fastest and easiest way to add some quick love to a card.
I doubled up the stampin’ dimensionals under the bowl and I purposely took this angle of the card so you can see the “lift”. From the start, I adhered the white onto the pacific point and then cut out the circle with the BIg Shot.
I also took a square of fun foam to cut out a circle and adhere that to lift this section up from the card base. I recommend using fast fuse or pieces of Tear-n-Tape when using fun foam! For me, I find it to be super easy and it makes the card feel super solid.
The other finishing touch that makes an INSTANT WOW are those simple little enamel shapes! They scream fun and they are in all color collections, a great accent to have in your stash!
In a nut shell….I like both cards. I think the one factor that I like is the instant POP of fun color but then the nest is that it is a square card. This is a 4 1/4″ square card and IF I did not want to make a custom envelope, this would fit into one of our regular A-2 envelopes. (but…you know me, I would make an envelope….just sayin’)
There you go….a FUN stamp set, a FUN card…..and one that would bring a smile to any one! I encourage you to use what you have….play with shapes and papers….this is the BEST way for you to have fun and let that creativity out!
I know that it is in there….let it OUT!!!! Enjoy your day…..see you in the morning!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 12, 2017 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Well my friends….here you go! There is not too much to say other than same basic card with a twist….If you missed yesterday’s post –CLICK HERE and you will see the Simple Saturday version and today….we have it “stepped up a bit” 🙂
You know I often blog about not being afraid of using your DSP……because truth be told – I KNOW YOU HAVE IT….and YOU PROBABLY HAVE A BUNCH OF IT.….so – USE IT!
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When I stamped the cards for this weekend – I did the EXACT same thing on both cards and decided to just stand back….look at it and GO FOR IT!
I loved the simplicity of this DSP from the Succulent Garden DSP Collection. It is bold, it is FUN!. All I did was cut 5 rows of “dots” and adhered it to the stamped base that is 5 1/4″ X 4″.
I places a strip of Fast Fuse on the back where the DSP is and then placed 3 pieces of White Bakers Twine and the make a triple bow and adhered it to the front with anchoring it with a glue dot.
Chris R. – you did get this correct….I added Wink of Stella over the black insides of the flowers….I know – it is super hard to see in the photos but trust me, it is “just the right touch” to make an impact!
Well….my vote – TODAY’S card….WHY???? I know that the pictures do not give it the love it deserves….but that splash of fun really looks stunning with the bold flowers!
I invite you to give it a try….no worries if you do not have this stamp or the specific DSP….USE WHAT YOU HAVE….and give it a whirl. You can see that it is very simple yet has a classic feel.
Here is your picture to pin. I suggest that you find some “me time” and try using a bold DSP with a stamp. Trust me. at first you are going to think it looks wonky but just keep going….remember, it is HANDMADE, not HALLMARK and it is a WORK FROM YOUR HEART.
We had a beautiful day yesterday, it was unseasonably warm and it was great to see the sunshine….BUT….when it is warm that means – OFF COME THE HORSES BLANKETS…..and they love it….and they roll, for them it is preferably in mud….which means….when they come in……grooming – re-blanketing because it dips down in temperatures and I have this incredible patient husband looking at me saying, “You do not feel well…is this really necessary????….and then he caves in and says – I’ll help because I know you will not sleep worrying about them”
He is the best – and we are still are considering buying stock in Kleenex but we are hanging in there…..actually it is kind of funny as we both as sniffling together so it is hard to get the “male sympathy” from me!
Enjoy your day…remember, if you like this stamp set soooooo much – it can be yours FREE with a $50.00 purchase and if your order is $75+ you will also get a versamark ink pad from me!
I offer a very generous rewards program so if you like free stamp sets…than I’m your gal!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 5, 2017 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Day # 2 of our weekend fun….and I am excited to hear your feedback. We all know that there are many ways to makes changes and it is a fun way to stretch our creativity and also help us “step out of the box a bit”
If you remember earlier in January I shared with you that I was going to try to tuck some doilies on some cards as I have seen many great ideas using then but to be honest, it was not my style but then I thought….I can make it work for my style of clean and simple cards! I was very pleased with this card but the real reason is this great bundle!
I used this bundle last month for my “Classes to Go” and it was very well received. Not only is it very “on trend” it is filled with great sentiments and that bumblebee – adorable!
So….here you go – side by side….YOU decide! The additional steps that I took for today were truly very minimal but I do think that it gives the card a totally different look and feel. The pictures are great but what is even better is to make it and “feel it” to see the beauty!
The above picture is “ok” but the color is a bit off and in the other pictures you will see the clarity and beauty of the card. I think that it is the Very Vanilla that makes is work. Please do not get my wrong, there is nothing better than a crisp white card….but there are times that the warmth of Very Vanilla just works!
One of the biggest changes I made was to use the “dot stamp” that is on the bundle and stamped it in Versamark. The below photo will show you the difference between using ink vs. versamark!
Enjoy these pictures and then I will share with you the dimensions for this card! It is the same as yesterday except for the “up grades” today. What are the upgrades….easy – the doilies and the linen thread.
When I went to put the doilies down on the DSP….I felt like it blended too much in the DSP and as a result, I was not happy with it. Then I thought – add a circle behind to make it pop….that is what I did – I added a So Saffron Circle that fit perfectly in the doilies and it just MADE IT (in my opinion) 😀 ….just sayin’
Here is your picture to pin and I do hope that you CASE it…this is a fabulous bundle and I think that this card could also go for so many different cards that we make – it would be great as it is, a birthday, a sympathy card, a get well etc…..
Here is another peek at a different angle but here is what you really want….the dimensions!
- Card Base is Very Vanilla in the vertical
- The Bermuda Bay is 4″ X 5 1/4″ and then adhered and the edges trimmed off
- The dots were stamped with Versa Mark…(REMEMBER, this is my FREEBIE this month)
- The DSP is 3″ X 4 3/4″
- Add a circle behind the center of the doilies and then add some strong adhesive and add the linen thread
- The dragonfly was adhered with glue dots
Thanks for popping in….I do appreciate your time and while you are here, feel free to shop in your jammies and remember we are FULL STEAM AHEAD with Sale-A-Bration…so please take advantage of this great opportunity!
Here is a “funny” for you!
Around 5 yesterday I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things…WOW – the parking lot was FULL….I walked in and there were no carts…..I really did not need much so I knew that I could carry it…I walked down the dairy aisle and someone was stocking the shelf so I decided to chat with him. I said, “Wow it looks like Christmas in the store”.….with it being soooooo busy.
He looked at me and said….
“There is a NFL event this weekend”
I thought that I would BURST out laughing….like REALLY – it is SUPERBOWL day!!!!! Did you all hear that Big George Bush is doing the coin toss….amazing as he was in the hospital just a week ago…..speaking of amazing – Luke is singing the National Anthem and I am sure Lady Ga-Ga will give us a colorful halftime show!
Let’s ALL have a great day!
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by Susan Itell | Jan 29, 2017 | Sale-A-Bration, Step it up Sunday! |
Good morning, I admit – I love doing these 2 day challenges but at the same time….I worry if you all are to going to see or shall I say “get” the differences. I do hope that you will read and take a look at the pictures to see the difference. I have a BUNCH of pictures for you today!
Sometimes you just have to “try it” and hold it in your hands…it all comes down to time and preference but I love to be able to share with you a variety of ways to create! Remember, we all see things in different ways and there is no “right or wrong” way to do it – the important part is to JUST DO IT….make cards as cards make people smile… feel happy and special!
Here you go- side be side….YOU decide! I will share with you along the picture trail the changes I made! So you have a preference? Please feel free to leave a comment, this is how we learn and grow!
We are still playing with the FREEBIE from Sale-a-bration, Avant Garden and today I added in the little dots stamp to the fun from yesterday! Adding a simple yet artsy look give a different feel of instant texture. I used Sahara Sand and I inked it off to just give a soft, subtle look.
To start today’s card I did something different than yesterday! Remember yesterday I “ADDED THE SENTIMENT STRIP ON TOP” but today I am going to CUT AWAY and then add in a sentiment strip.
Below in the picture you can see that I used a pencil to draw a 1 1/2″ space. I went ahead and stamped like I did yesterday and then cut at the pencil lines using the trimmer to create a gap that my sentiment strip will fit in! (you with me???)
The next 3 pictures will help you see the process!
I know that it is super hard to see but after I stamped the sentiment in the Tip Top Taupe I covered it with clear embossing powder and heat set it. You need to work fast but it is very doable and it does create that extra special look and feel that steps it up! I also went over the Taupe insides of the flowers with the clear embossing power….really made a fun and interesting effect but then the trip of teeny pearls were the icing on the cake!
I like this picture below as you can really see the “solid look” of the card. There is just something stunning about a bunch of white space and then having a “lift” off of the white card base is a classic and super clean look.
You know me and my white gel pen….could not, would not be without it. It is my friend that always makes a pop each and every time!
Here is a great shot on how the subtle dots in the background are effective. This is something that probably 2 years ago would never have done but little by little I try to be a turtle and try new things….sometimes I like them…sometimes not – that is what it is all about, trying and having fun!
Below is your smile picture…for you, the card maker….the recipient and the Mail Man!
My postal ladies are funny….when they see a card that i am mailing they will comment – wow, you must really like this person…they got a double stamp and this poor person just got a pretty envelope flap! (They are sooooo funny) and always make me smile!
Now here is a great tip! I would make up a bunch of these cards….perhaps have fun and change up the color combo etc…but leave the sentiment area blank and then give the recipient a bunch of strips with sentiments stamped on it….this way they can choose what type of card to send,
Wouldn’t this be a great and thoughtful gift to give and one that is sooooooo practical! I would put 2 strips of tear & tape on the back of the strips and also give them a great pen, our Project life ones are THE BEST as they do not smear! (adding stamps would be great as well)
I hope that these cheery flowers brought some sunshine to your day and also I hope that your day is filled with sunshine! The long days of Winter seem to get the best of us but that calendar will be changing on Wednesday so we are getting a little closer to a change! (hmmmm, you can see that I am trying to convince myself – I really do not like the cold)
Remember, jammie shopping is totally on trend….I do it often! I hope to see you tomorrow as we are going to play “Show and Tell” – it is a show stopper!
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by Susan Itell | Jan 22, 2017 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Woot-Woot….here is to the end of a week and I hope that it was a great one for you! Here you go with Step it up Sunday and at a glance you might be saying that it is not stepped up!
I admit, this is such and AMAZING and CLASSIC Stamp Set...that is soooooo easy to work with, today’s version is stepped up by adding extra layers, a simple change of orientation.
Initially I was thinking about adding some ribbon…..nope! Adding some pearls…..nope! Changing the base color of the card….nope..then I decided to do what works best for me, JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE, but just show a different way to present it!
Well….you decide – SIDE by SIDE ~ YOU decide!
I hope that this shows you that you can keep it clean, make some minor changes and still have a great card! I personally like both of them and you couldn’t go wrong……today’s card I put the sentiment inside the card….so it is still a part of it! (wow, it is a great sentiment)
In the below picture you can see that I used dimensions to “lift” up the layers and trust me, when you hold it in your hand….you say – WOW….because this is a square card you will need extra postage but then again, it if was a regular size card you would probably need extra postage with the “extra lift” that I did.
Because we are on this topic, I think that there are times that making a special card with an odd size (like this 4 1/4″ square card) is soooo worth it because it is special – it is as easy as that!
We all know that that Stitched Framelits are back in stock (I would not wait as they are one hot item) and I used them today as well as the Layered Square Framelits to make this fun happen today!
I just think that that the elegance of this stamp set can hold its own…ANY DAY! 🙂 I think that this is a stamp that you simply need to have in your stash as it is a “statement stamp set” and yep, I will do a post with note cards for a great gift idea!
A simple layering effect makes such a difference. I admit, I was thinking about adding dashed of black stitched lines around the perimeter of very vanilla layered part…but then I thought….JUST LEAVE IT ALONE…..sometimes you just need to do that – LESS IS BEST!
There you go! I hope that I have inspired you and I hope to see you back for more SIMPLE FUN! I love helping you reach your goals as YOU do make a difference! Enjoy FOOTBALL DAY...I know that Sunny will be doing that!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 4, 2016 | Christmas, Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Good Morning! If you happened to wonder where was my morning early post….we lost internet yesterday! Sorry for the delay but you are going to love this one! 🙁 The GREAT news is that I am back and we need to have a chat about this super cute shaker card!
I adored the comments from yesterday and yes…PEEP James did love the card (sometimes I wonder if he just says that because of me being “Mom” but he liked it and John…well ~ he increased his order to 18 cards! I think they think I eat Bonbons all day!)
Here you go….side by side, you decide! I know that you like these 2 days posts and every week I say to myself, I don’t know if I can do it….and then somewhere…somehow – I pull it off!
I have LOTS of pictures for you today as I feel pictures really help but as always, please feel free to email me if you need additional help. Shaker cards are really fun to make and they are like anything else, a couple of tips and tricks and the process is much smoother!
Before we get going, here are the comments from the guys. They BOTH liked Saturday’s Card…naturally I said, does that mean that you didn’t like Sunday’s card….they both laughed at me and said that they didn’t need the fru-fru inside but they said that my readers would prefer the shaker card…..YES – I love them both but it is FUN to shake-shake-shake!!!
Making a Shaker Card if fun. Making a Shaker card is rewarding as there is something special about the movement inside. Making a Shaker Card creates and instant WOW to whomever is lucky enough to receive it. I hope that YOU try to make one.
We all have the necessities of making one…you can use circles, squares, rectangles….but today I am using the Hearth & Home Framelit as I think that it is a perfect choice for a shaker card, especially for the Holidays!
You can see by the pictures that I stamped the tree and cut it out like a normally would do but then I also cut a piece of Crumb Cake to go behind the window. Below you will see that I simply adhered the tree and then snipped off the edges for the backdrop of the shaker element!
TIP ALERT: – Use the thin Foam Strips when making a Shaker Card…they are a DREAM MACHINE and make life soooooo much easier and it is a HUGE time saver! Just make sure that you have the ends together to lot allow and “goodies” to decide they want to leave the card!
Here is another tip: – I like to take the embossing buddy bag and run it over the paper and image BEFORE I put the sequins in…this helps with static when you place the acetate over and also it takes away some of the “tackiness” of the sides of the adhesive strips so the elements do not stick (You can see in the picture below that I must not have done a good job on the right side as there are many elements sticking….no worries, once you have your card together just keep shaking and shaking and they will get loose!)
I forget to take a picture of this but I think that you will “get it” – You will adhere a piece of acetate to the front windowpane part of the diecut. I used tear – n tape and where it was too wide, I simply folded it over. You really want a good and strong hold to keep the acetate in place. Also, take the embossing buddy and do the same thing – this helps for the static!
Another TIP: – before you release the adhesive strips, glue down a couple of sequins etc….randomly around the visual part. This way when your card is sitting up as a card would be on a shelf etc…you will see some elements and then hopefully (unless you are a guy) it will encourage you to give this card some love and smile as you shake it back and forth! 🙂
I went into my stash of fun and randomly used elements that I love…I just love little seed beads and also clear items. No rules, just have fun but do not put too much in because it will be hard to get the good “shake” – less is best!
Here is my smile picture, when I get to this part…I feel like I have accomplished something. I admit, guilty as charged that I have be known in my family to carry around a card and to keep saying, do you like this one – this is one that I would do with it!
I think that the tree behind the window just warms your heart for the holidays! I a getting excited (I rarely do this early) but yesterday we worked our tails off (but trust me, there still is a big tail behind me) and I will say that we accomplished 85% of the decorating! Tomorrow I will share with you a funny that will make you laugh!
Here is your 411 – picture to pin for the future! Just hover over it and take it to your favorite spot! I am sad that this stamp is “walking the bye-bye plank” but it will be one that will not leave Randall Lane…there are simply some stamps that you cannot part with!
Click here to see the items that are on the year end closeouts and remember, with every $75+ or more purchase with me this month, YOU can go into the VAULT and pick any stamp set your heart desires. I have 5 years of stamps in there and it has been a WORK IN PROGRESS trying to get them all in one place.
Those that have been to the vault as happy to finally get that one stamp set that they wanted but didn’t get. I do have marked in the vault (updated it yesterday) the items from this current catalog that I am saying goodbye to….but I can not mail them to you until after the catalog ends, Jan. 3rd as per our rules!
Have a fabulous day….”get lots done” and look for me at the Ravens game!!! Yep, James bought tickets for us to go together…..so the 3 of us are going to Baltimore today, this will be my first love NFL Game! It should be a fun day!
p.s. – this coming week of posts….they will be super fun and informative as I will be sharing with you some practical and fun ways to finish up those gifts ideas!
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