by Susan Itell | May 1, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Hello and I am back home…it has been a L O N G but FUN and R E W A R D I N G 4 days! Back to the grind on the home front but today I think that I might have some of you scratching your heads.
I say that because it will be super hard for you to tell a big difference between the 2 cards and you are going to have to keep an open mind and hopefully I will be able to walk you through the differences.
I had both John and Hannah stumped and they could not understand why there is a difference between the 2. When you hold them in your hand, you will see the difference. The end result is that Hannah is thrilled with the note cards as she needed a new supply from Mom!
Today I am using (3) products that are “walking the plank” ~ Itty Bitty Accent Punches, the deco Label Framelits and the Larger than Life Alphabet Stamp. Here are my thoughts about these products…
Itty BItty Accent Punches – a must have as they are always a perfect filler for here and there ! I bet I use one of them just about daily and there is not a replacement of them in the new catalog (I don’t get it but that is ok as there are tons of new goodies) 🙂
Deco Label Framelits – I really love and use the “nesting” framelits. I will keep these for my personal use as I find that I do use them often as I like the shape and they are practical for me.
Larger Than Life Alphabet Stamp Set – When this came out I adored it because I just love simple monograms like I am showing you today! I do agree that it is very expensive but the way that I justified it was….look at how many gifts I used then stamp set for. This make a wonderful and useful gift to give a friend, a package of personalized note cards handmade by YOU!
Now hang on to your hats….I have a ca-zillion pictures for you! Just take it all in and feel free to leave me a comment if you have questions….suggestions….or simply have something to say! Today is a day ALL ABOUT BEING HOME….and it will be a “jammies” day with NO GUILT!!!!!
I know that I fall short in responding to your comments, but leave me one and I will pop on and answer your questions! I hope that the pictures will help shed light to this FUN card….
The biggest difference is….the below (Simple Saturday) the green frame and the initial is adhered together with tear and tape and then adhered, POPPED UP on the front of a note card!
The below, (Step it up Sunday) is just one more step…I cut a piece of whisper white 1/4″ smaller , than cut with the deco framelits like I did above…..
Please use your “stacking framelits” to the max…in the below picture you can see how you can achieve a “ring” – a perfect sandwich to use!
Trust me…this new catalog is F A B U L O U S and there are L O T S of nesting framelits in there….this is G R E A T because framelits take up so much less room than punches and we are going to have L O T S of C H O I C E S! 🙂
Use the tear tape to adhere together… it is F A S T … it is E A S Y… it is S T R O N G!
The fun foam that you see in the below picture is not a Stampin’ Up! product, it is a product that I like when mounting a rather large area…I do purchase it from Amazon and I must say, I like the feel it gives to a card. Here is the link to the one I use!
2 more images of each below…..I hope that you can see the difference and then visualize or better yet, try to see which style you like….you must admit…the flowers and the pearls are the icing on the F U N cake!
Yikes – I have not looked in the “walking the plank” lists for the past couple of days….I am sad. 😥 The Craft Scissors are gone…..good think I am good to go!! Remember, when they are gone…they are gone!
Many thanks for your patience and understanding….my “joy tank” is filled to the max from the past several days….and it is great to be home….but it will even be better having a “jammies” day today!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 24, 2016 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Happy Sunday to all of most favorite readers in the world….YOU!!! Before we get to the post today I want to say, WOW…I just adore, cherish and really have to pinch myself at times when I read your comments. WHY? – because it is clear that we are a community…one big group of great individuals that truly have a heart and care.
I love the well wishes that we send to each other and it is also clear that we all care….and to me that is so important. I do not know about you…but I can say that there is so much “stuff”…”negativity”…technology overload…I could go on and on but it are these reason that I love what I do – SIMPLE HANDMADE KINDNESS…it does matter and I thank you for popping onto my blog and making my heart pitter-patter!
Ok. – enough…..let’s get to this card!!! I always ask my best friend and favorite critic ~ John….which one he likes better….I will let you know at the end of the post (no peeking) 😀
I am also going to give you the dimensions of this card as I think that you can clearly see that this layout….(aka – a formula) can be used for soooooo many cards…so here you go!
- A-2 Vertical Card in Very Vanilla (5 1/2″ X 4 1/4″)
- Navy layer is 5 1/4″ X 4″
- The DSP is 2 1/2″ X 4 1/2″
- The Very Vanilla piece that I stamped on is 2″ X 4″
- The Cherry Cobbler piece is a smidge bigger 2 1/8″ X 4 1/8″ (I know…I know…..some of you do not like making odd cuts but I say….go for it – IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
For today….I took the Very Vanilla piece and score it every 1/2″ – darn I wish that you could see it in person as it is stunning (if I must say so myself) The textures from this and then the POP up of the stamped piece is really special!
Again, this is a card that you could use for so many occasions. It is so clean and classic, just the way I love my cards to be. I invite you to look at your stampin’ stash and see what works for you. I think that you can see that this stamp set….even if you just like this great vase/flowers…is a card that you will make over and over and guess what – it will always be the keeper that you first found it to be!
I think that this DSP fooled many….because of it big and bold prints but when you “flip them over”….wow – there you go….another great print…and I was thrilled to see that Chris noticed that Cherry Cobbler hasn’t had that much love lately – I adore this color and it is a color that we can use all year long!
I know that it is hard to see the scoring in the picture above but trust me, it is great! My vote is for today’s card…..and Johns vote is for yesterdays card as he liked the boldness of the Navy. I adore Navy but I think that I am getting the best of the both worlds in today’s card!
I think that is the “icing on the cake” is the envelope…I love it when it works out to stamp the outside of the envelope to work with the card! The way that I look at it is….you already have your stamp out….the ink out – so I say. “Why not”!????
Taking a couple of extra minutes does make a difference for not only YOU (which to me is most important as I think that we are too hard on ourselves) but the recipient and the mail man will smile. Really, REALLY BIG!
Enjoy the day and tomorrow will be another day to share with you how you can use that DSP….A goal for me and I hope that a goal fro you…because you will LOVE the new papers.
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by Susan Itell | Apr 17, 2016 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Happy Sunday….here you go – the stepped up version of yesterday’s card. Later on I will share with you some confessions in making this card because I like to be totally honest with you in the ups and downs that I too go through when I make a card. The moral of the story is….there are times that you just have to roll with it and say….
It is handmade, not hallmark…it was made from your hands, not a machine!
Well…let’s get going…as in our Sunday tradition…here you go side by side….so you decide!
I am keeping in our theme of USING UP OUR PAPER and today’s biggest difference is that I used the DSP as the card front focal part. This sweet print (From the It’s My Party DSP Stack) is a super sweet print in Mint Macaron. Little prints like this are fantastic…I love small prints because you can pull off using them like this card or you can also use them for paper piecing and also for cutting thin strips and making a fun background.
I stayed with the basic gray to mat the sentiment, I thought that black would have been too stark but I also could have easily just used Mint Macaron and rolled with a monochromatic look (I would try this…I think it would be stunning)
Now to my confession. I am one that does not like to start over (unless I make a total no-brainer mess…..like a huge blob of ink). When I was making this card today, I used the gray pen to do my stitchin’…(Yesterday I used the Mint Macaron) I did not like the look of the gray – it was simply too dark 🙁
When things like this happen there is always a PLAN B!!! I knew that I was not going to start over as I had already cleaned and put away my stamp so I took a piece of solid paper, cut a thin piece of paper and covered up the part that I did not like! (If you look in the above picture you can see where I placed the strips)
Everything else was basically the same…super sweet, super straight forward, super easy! You can see that making this card….(either versions) is a quick one and I am thrilled that the Flower Shop Stamp is being carried over. (My fingers are crossed that the Watercolor Words are as well….I guess we will have to wait and see tomorrow)
This weekend post I admit, there was not a dramatic difference…the difference is that I just used more DSP. Please do not be afraid to use your paper in this fashion. Our papers are beautiful and we need to let them “strut their stuff”
From the angle of the above picture you can really see the pieces that I cut to cover up my boo-boo. Now technically, I could have taken the time to make exact cuts so you would not see any overlapping…but again, it is handmade and I like the look and feel of handmade!
I have another confession…I am GREEN WITH STAMPIN’ ENVY that I was not in Salt Lake City over the past several days for the unveiling of the new catalog. Mum is still the word but I get to peek at it online tomorrow…..(a great perk for being a SUD). I hear that it is fantastic and the I will love it…..darn, I tried and tried to get one of my friends to “spill the beans” but no luck!
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow…I know you will smile…it is one of my all time favorites that I know is being carried over…he holds a very special place in my heart (can you guess what stamp it is???)
Enjoy the day and go make someone smile! 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Apr 10, 2016 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Good Morning and Happy Sunday to all! Yesterdays post I call the layout a “formula” so today I ask you ….are your engines revving?Today’s card is a little stepped up but I asked my best critic in the whole wide world….John, and he voted for today’s card!
Basically the same elements but the addition of the Black Honeycomb Paper from the Pretty Petals DSP Stack added that extra layer of interest to step this card up a bit! Here you go….side by side – you decide!
Before we get to the DSP change up…I wanted to show you the mechanics behind the flower to add the linen thread. The pictures below will share with you the tips that I do to make it easy!.
Remember: In card making there are always ways to “hide” things to make it easier for us in the long run! No stressing…just fun! What would we do without our adhesives and stampin’ dimensionals. ( I was thinking yesterday…I wonder how many of these things I have peeled off!?!?!?)
Now to the Pretty Petals DSP addition…I personally love it. I love the way it mimics the Honeycomb Embossing Folder and the extra POP of a color makes the flower POP even more.
I love our trimmer. After putting down the DSP I still thought that it could use a little more “step up” – so I cut a sliver of Bermuda Bay and adhered it with “green glue”. For cutting super thin cuts…I like to use the right hand side of the trimmer for my guide.
Well…what do you think???? Do you have a favorite??? I hope that you can see that using up your DSP can be effective and fun! Many of my posts for next week are showcasing using your DSP that I know WE ALL HAVE plenty of! (does this ring a bell)
To me…I think what makes this card extra fun are the different patterns, textures. The embossing folder really makes a difference….I need to be better about using them!
Below you will see the 411 of the card makings….post it to pinterest so you can have it for a handy reference. This is really a card that you could make MANY of and feel super good about yourself in the end.
What I would do it take it in steps….take one block of time to cut you papers…then go and do the embossing….next do all of the adhering etc….do you see where I am going with this???
Making MANY of a certain card is quite do-able when you break it down into steps…it is also a more enjoyable process 🙂 Remember, it is all about the FUN!
Here is one last look at the card…I hope that it made you smile and I hope that it brought some sunshine to your day. Even if it is super cold out (and it is here on the East Coast) we can have some “sunshine” in what we create!
I hope that you are able to find some “sunshine” in your day! 🙂
Remember, today is the LAST DAY for you to become a PPP (Paper Pumpkin Person) 🙂 (I like the sound of that, I envision a parade of pumpkins)
Click here to the post I did the other day about this. If you subscribe today for the Paper Pumpkin, you will be able to get the FREE stamp set that will be included in the kit….(this is a fabulous perk – a photopolymer set valued at $17.00 – not sure what it exactly is but I am sure it will be great and then I will smile) This is in honor of the program celebrating its 3rd B-day PLUS they have mailed their millionth kit – WOW….
How can you go wrong for just $19.95….you can’t, it is that simple….come join the fun (even if it is just for a month) Feel free to email me if you have questions….it is SUPER COLD so I will be hopefully stampin’ today!!!!
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by Susan Itell | Apr 3, 2016 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Good Morning! WOW ~ I am so glad that you enjoyed yesterdays card and I sure hope that you like today’s version…still basically the same…just a bit stepped up! I know that I say this all of the time…but I really do not think that you could go wrong with either card!
I hope that if you are new to my blog…1st welcome and 2nd…on the weekends I do a (2) day post showing you the same card….just 2 different ways. Some weeks…the Simple Saturday might suit your fancy…and then there are the Step it up Sunday version that make you roll….which ever it is, it is my goal to inspire you to find some “me time” and just have fun…
Here you go….you decide!
My pick this week…today’s version. I think the POP of the splatter from the gorgeous grunge stamp set makes the washi label punches POP… Here is a tip ~ if you do not own the gorgeous grunge stamp set and want this effect…take a paint brush…and “flick” ink onto your card stock. ( I will say…this IS a stamp set that you would use a bunch so I say….GO FOR IT)
Below you will see how I “built” the focal part. I just found this to be easy using a scrap piece of paper. The paper size that I used was 3 1/8″ X 2″ and then simply adhered the piece on it. I made a dozen of these cards in a snap…this IS a great card to mass produce and it is FUN to make.
Here are some great close ups that will show you how the contrast of the grunge stamp accents the FUN from the Washi Tape Punches. This method/design is perfect for small prints of paper and also have fun coming up with different sentiments!
The other difference I did today was to add a very simple piece of Thick Bakers Twine to the front. Here is how I do it as I get super frustrated trying to tie a bow…..I took a piece of twine and just anchored it behind and then took another piece….tied a bow and used a glue dot to hold it in place!
I am sure that there are many of you that are surprised that I do it that way….but heck – I am just being honest as this works for me and causes no frustration! (when that happens…I smile!)
Yesterday I shared with you that I used a regular envelope (but of course it was lined) and I asked you…..does that bother you not to have an envelope that is a perfect fit? If you go back to read the comments there were many views and again, I just think that it is a personal preference….
My thoughts….I like to make an envelope that fits. Trust me…this is totally a no judgment zone here, I am just being honest with what I like to do. I can remember when we used to make envelopes with the Simply Scored….(I honestly can’t remember how to do that) and then the envelope punch board came out….and I swore that I would never be ever to figure it out….(remember….that’s why my blog is called Simple Stampin’…sometimes Simple Susan doesn’t get it)
Here is the low down on the products used! Remember, at the end of the post you will see all of the items used and you can click on the image and read more about it and then if you wish to purchase it, you can simply add it to the shopping cart!
Please remember to pin your favorites so you can go back and make them – quick references are always a huge help!
Enjoy your Sunday….I am excited to hear what you think about today’s card…feel free to leave a comment….I think that we all love reading what makes us roll. I am going to make John some of these cards (layout) and change up the paper and also use a more masculine font as he needs to write some notes. He is always my best critic….he said he liked today’s card!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 13, 2016 | Step it up Sunday!, Uncategorized |
Good Sunday to you! I hope that this card brings a smile to your face and it gets you excited to CASE away! I truly hope that you do. Have fun with different color combinations and have fun with a variety of sentiments
I told you that I thought that you were going to be happy with this weekend post….and here you go – today’s card is just stepped up a bit from yesterdays card! I must admit…there are weeks that I wonder, “Can I do another 2 day post”? Then I just sit down….do the 1st card and then think ~ how can I jazz it up?
I think that you are going to like this version….and I admit that it takes more time but it to me is well worth the time as the best way to sum it up is….
IT IS FUN AND REWARDING ~ A FUN PUZZLE!
I took the 4 colors that I used yesterday (Island Indigo, Pool Party, Pacific Point & Bermuda Bay) and then with the help of my favorite obsession, Stick It….. made this beautiful butterfly come to life with no stick fingers. You can click here to see a previous post that I did earlier about how this product makes it super easy to use different colors easily without the mess and frustration.
Here you go “Side by side…you decide”!!! I know…I know, this is a terrible quality picture but I think that you can get the idea! I just love using all of the blues together as it makes such an impact. Below I will list the “stepped up elements”!
On yesterdays card…you saw that the butterfly was in pool party. That was super easy to adhere to the very vanilla because I had adhesive (STICK IT) already on the back of it! You know that I love to make more than one card when I create as ….WHY NOT ????? You already have all of the products out that you need,
I cut out butterflies in all of the “blue colors” and also a bunch in Very Vanilla. I used my silicone mat to stick the butterflies to and then went to town placing the blues in the very vanilla butterfly!
Here is a closer view and I think it is so fun! I was going to sneak some So Saffron on there but I am glad that I did not….the blue work great and the best thing is – I have a bunch of beautiful butterflies to have on hand to make cards when needed. Yesterday I used the White Gel Pen to add the accents on the butterfly and today I added 3 small pearls!
Did you see the glitter ribbon? You know that I am not a fan of glitter and glitz but I pushed myself to use it as I know that many of you would love this FREEBIE PRODUCT from Sale`A`Bration. and guess what – I LOVE IT! I adhere a piece of it to a scrap of Very Vanilla and then cut it to a thinner width and PRESTO – a perfect accent!
Here you go with a run down of the variety of products that I used today. I think that when you see it as I do in the below picture it helps bring it all together! To me, the extra steps were worth the effort. Every time I used the gorgeous grunge stamp to accent like I did today, I laugh. I can so clearly remember that when I saw this stamp set I thought it was the worst possible stamp set and wow, I was wrong.
I see thing very literally and straight forward and a bunch of abstract images….I did not see the beauty of it but I will say it is a go to when I want an accent in the back as it works each and every time!
There you go…another weekend post with sharing and showing you how you can take a little extra time to make a different look. Once you get in the groove with the Stick It , you will “get it” and see the beauty and ease of it. I personally purchase it from Amazon but I was amazed that Amazon will not ship it to some states…it that happen to you, go to Simon Says Stamps….they also have it. (I am a huge Amazon fan because of the free shipping as getting things in 2 days)
Yesterday was a fantastic day. The weather was not the best but it was not a wash out. Hannah was able to ride and even though she rode in the rain it was a very successful day for her! Sunday is to be a beauty of a day and it will be a great way to end this show circuit……after the fun is over…the dreaded packing up needs to become reality to me. (I am not excited about this). My posts for the next couple of days will be filled with some great highlights of how I was able to work and keep my blog going while I have been away.
I will be a long trek home and then a big adjustment getting back into the groove. I am not looking forward to the drive but knowing that I have Stanley with me, I take it easy and careful….there are a bunch of crazy drivers out there!!!!
I do hope that you enjoyed this weekend post and I hope that you will see the fun that this glitter ribbon gave to this project. It changed my attitude to glitter and glitz. You only have a couple more weeks to take advantage of this freebie!!!! I hope that you SHOP AWAY in your jammies…and jammie shopping is FUN!
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