by Susan Itell | Mar 24, 2015 | Super Easy |
A wacky start of the week but I am excited to give you a personal challenge today and of you are up to it…pull out your supplies and make a card! YIPPEE – that in itself sounds like fun. All you have to do is email me your card and I will randomly pick a winner and send you a pack of Stampin' Dimensionals!
I am so proud of so many of you pulling out your supplies and playing each week. I can't think that you are doing it just for the Dimensionals….I truly hope that you are doing it to stretch yourself and your learning of "finding your style". I am a big believer that the more you play around with different techniques and layouts…the more you develop the style that works for you!
This inspiration came from one talented gal…and I am SUPER proud to have her on my team. Please click here to see Karen Hallam's Blog and if I were you…I would subscribe to her blog as she is one talented paper crafter! (I have not done so yet…but I am going to CASE the adorable baskets see posted on March 11th) Karen sent me this card and an instant smile was on my face!
I had another Idea for the challenge this week but after seeing Karen's card…I could not resist! What are the guidelines….
Create a card that has multiple areas of symmetry.
It could be with squares, circles, ovals just have fun!
Heck, if you want to copy this layout, I say GO FOR IT as it is a great layout and another card idea that can be used over and over!
Are you all scratching your head and wondering where this adorable paper came from? I bet I will surprise many of you as it is a FREEBIE in Sale-a-bration that I am sure many of you SKIPPED RIGHT OVER!
I realize that Project Life is not for every one but I use the Project Life items to make cards as I ADORE the fun designs of the papers and then I use our stamps like I have done here! Look below – you get 30 cards (DSP as I like to see it as) and these are great for clean and simple cards.
Trust me…I know what most of you are thinking…."I do not do project life" – That is absolutely fine but you cannot deny that this is not a super cute card! This is the kind of things that I do with Project Life goodies (perhaps in the future I will use it in another way) but for now…this is what makes me roll.
The overall size of the card is a 4 1/4" square card and then each layer is 1/4" smaller. I used the 1" punch for exact sizing and then…it came together like "peanut butter and jelly" – they are my kinda cards!
I love the fact that you can put this square card in one of our A-2 envelopes and not have to pay any additional postage….here comes a woot-woot!!! LOVE that when that happens! I had fun with this envelope.
I had plenty of paper to do the card and the fun envelope with extras left to do another card. Please do not overlook the Project Life offerings that Stampin' Up! offers…they can be used in so many ways!
Don't you just love this sentiment? It is one that is me all around…an instant smile comes when I read this and I think it is such a fun sentiment to send a "just because" card to a friend. I also think that this layout and sentiment would be a fabulous gift to give. The stamp set is called Oh My Goodies Set and you can see it in the product offerings below!
I do hope that you will play with paper today/tonight….you know what today is…the unveiling of the weekly deals….please click here to see the offerings this week.
We are on the countdown for SAB to come to an end…we have a fabulous group of goodies for you to earn this year so remember…for every $50.00 order, you can pick 1 SAB item! Lot's to choose from.
Better yet, become a hobby stamper and have fun! No obligations what so ever, just a great way to save and be inspired as well as you will be able to pick (2) SAB items….plus $125.00 worth of whatever your heart wants….ships for free – and you have ME…all for $99.00
Please feel free to email me or better yet, click here and do something fun for you!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 22, 2015 | Super Easy, Thank You |
Here you go my friends – today's post is a simple "stepped up" version of yesterdays simple card!
Please click here to see yesterdays card and you will be able to see in the below picture the changes I made…they are very quick and simple and please remember, they are not necessary to do but I am just trying to share with you ways that you can make some different looks happen without a lot of extra time!
For some reason I was being "challenged" to get the pictures side by side today for you (sorry!) but I am going to put both them below and share with you the difference – very subtle.
BELOW IS YESTERDAYS CARD:
AND HERE IS TODAYS CARD:
I told you that they were subtle but I like todays card a bit better – these are the (3) things I did differently.
- I added and additional layer of white, just 1/4" smaller = 4 3/4" X 3 1/4" to the base of the card. This is something that I do (most of the time) as I think that is an instant, quick way to bring up the wow factor.
- I used washi tape (something that I rarely do) and I really do not know why as it does add a great effect. What I did was placed the washi tape over a piece of Whisper White as I wanted the "white" to pop out through the tape as if I would have placed it over top of the Coastal Cabana – I would have never had the same POP effect.
- To the envelope, I added a strip of the washi tape across the top and then added the DSP below and then simply snipped it off! SIMPLE and QUICK!
Well…which one do you like? The extra steps I did today took literally minutes to add. I think that if you are like me…you might have some washi tape in your craft area and you look at it and say, "Why did I buy that as I do not know what to do with it?" – sound familiar!
I did keep the white gel pen as I totally think that this makes a difference, (remember that you might need to be patient as this does not dry instantly like our markers) but it is a keeper of all keepers!
The linen thread – just love the soft effect it gives – a simple glue dot folded in half was all that was needed to keep it in place!
Below you will see the stamp set that this card was inspired by. I wanted to share with you why I think that this is a great example of a wise investment. We all know that Stampin' Up! always has amazing stamps to offer us and every year some will be discontinued but have no fear there will always be great replacements.
People ask me – do I get rid of my retired stamp sets? Well…Since I have been down the past 2 months, I have separated retired stamp sets that I am going to sell BUT there are many stamp sets that even if they are retired, I would not sell them because they "speak to me and they are classics in my eyes" – I simply would not blog about it as it would not be fair to you!
This stamp set is a current one and I hope that it gets carried over when the new catalog comes out but IF it is retired (I sure hope not) I WILL KEEP IT as it is a set that whips up in a jif and I love the fact that there are coordinating punches to make it a FAST card.
This is a very affordable set and a set that you can use all year long. Hopefully these tips have made sense to you.
One last peak of todays card and then to the BLOG CANDY!!!
Today is your last chance to win the Blog Candy below…I have added some more goodies for you! The cut off to answer the posts will be 10 p.m. Eastern time (as I need to be in bed as tomorrow is my 1st day of therapy!!!)
Let's get some comments on this…
Are you a "Punch" person or a "Framelit" person?
I know that this seems silly but this is something that Jeanie and I often talk about – she says that she would take a punch any day over a framelit – my answer – I LOVE THEM BOTH as I find that they both make my job easier.
Another way that I would answer this is…simple – take a test drive with Stampin' Up! – we all know that we LOVE the products so why not get them at a discount? It is a simple as that!
Please feel free to email me, I will be coming home late today but I will get back to you.
Sale-a-bration is coming to an end on the 31st so how about being able to get $125.00 worth of products for just $99.99 and you can pick (2) SAB Items….works for me!
This JUST MAKES sense as you are saving (which we love = $26.00), it ships for FREE (which we love) and you get 2 free items (which we love)
Click here and design your own kit – it can be ANYTHING your little heart wants!
Have a fabulous day and until tomorrow – another personal challenge for you!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 21, 2015 | Super Easy, Thank You |
Yippee Skippee….it's Saturday and I have a super quick and easy card for you plus another layer of Blog Candy for you! I am just so darn tootin' happy that Spring is here that I want to share my excitement with you!
Please pop back tomorrow as I will be sharing with you the "Stepped Up" twist to this card. I am having fun doing these. This is from a stamp set that I personally think is overlooked….It is called A Happy Hooray – I think it is a great, practical set! What do you think?
This is a set that you can use all year long and I think that the fonts are fabulous. The feather is a super easy image to "fussy cut out"
Today's colors came from the inspiration of the Lullaby Designer Series Paper, they are colors that I normally do not use but I think that they are fun together!
This is about as clean as they come but at the same time, just think if how you can change up the colors and you can always have a fabulous card! I can't wait for you to see the simple touches I did for tomorrow – please pop back and see what I came up with!
The linen thread and the white gel pen adds a simple and quick touch – I call these staples that we all should have in our craft area as they come in handy for a simple bling!
Now to the Blog Candy…..Here is another chance for you to win as I have added another layer of fun to yesterday's goodies…..see in the below picture!
Today, leave a comment as to what is your favorite (3) colors to use for Spring cards?
This will be fun to see what everyone shares…it is amazing how we all learn from each other – I thank you for popping in today and I hope to see you back tomorrow as I share with you a bump up from today's card….
I hope that this makes you smile….I think that this is a fun set and I know that you will love the paper! Enjoy the day and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 17, 2015 | 3-D Projects, Easter, Super Easy |
NEWS FLASH!!!! – Hot off the press….PLEASE click here to see the NEW BATCH OF GOODIES that Stampin' Up! is offering for YOU to choose as a FREEBIE for Sale-A-Bration…..I am going to have a photo at the end of this post….but let's end this Sale-A-Bration with a BANG! This is the BEST time to stock up on staples and be able to get goodies for free!
Also….scroll and see the winner from yesterday – super cute card!
Last year I did a post on this little guy, you can click here to see that post but I get so many emails and pinterest pins asking about this little guy, I decided to post about him again as some of the product from last year has been discontinued!
Now you talk about easy! These are a cinch and they are also a great project for both the young and old to make for a quick project. The difference is that the embossing folder that I used for last years oval was discontinued but you will be able to see that I am showing you (2) different ways that you can do it!
You can refer back to the other post for the "specifics" on the scoop but basically all you need is:
- Take a piece of card-stock 2" X 11" then score it at 4 1/2"…turn it around and scored it at 4 1/2"
- Use the Tag Topper Scalloped Punch and punch both ends (if you do not have this style, one of the other Topper Punches would work just fine)
- Being totally "type A", I measure down 1 1/4" and made a pencil line so that was my guide to place the oval framelit before I ran it through the Big Shot. (If you are not using the framelits and just using the Extra Large Oval Punch – just punch it out)
- To make the "ring" – I used the oval framelits #1 & #2
- I like using the Seam Binding Ribbon to tie the bows, the cotton ribbon will also be perfect.
- Fru-fru and decorate as you would like. (Did you notice that I wrapped the SAB Lost Lagoon Bakers Twine around the little guys neck to hide the red ribbon. I thought he looked handsome)
If you do not have the oval framelits, you can easily use the Extra Large Oval punch but I think that it is super cute with the ring. You can see that I added white dashes around the oval opening (which helped jazz it up a bit) and maybe I should have down that on the Lost Lagoon one.
Because the Oval punch Bunny does not take up as much room, I was able to add the sentiment, "Happy Easter" from the Teeny Tiny Wishes and then used the window words punch and the Modern Label Punch.
Both of them are super cute and they are always a hit. I hope hope that you give them a try – run to the store and get your little bunnies….they have "sheep" too but we already know how to make the cutest sheep in the whole wide world.
I hit the "hay" early last night (I think I pushed myself to much) so I will announce the winner for the Monday Challenge tomorrow as I am sure that people were just starting to rock and roll when I was going to sleep (for me to miss the Voice – you know I was pooped!)
It's Tuesday…THAT MEANS a new batch of weekly deals from Stampin' Up! Woot-woot….they are the best to do this for use each and every week!
Please feel free to email me…I love helping you reach your goals…this is just so much fun and I hope that I made you smiled and inspired you to whip some up!!!
Here is the Flyer of new SAB GOODIES….I say a BIG WOOT-WOOT….remember, with every $50.00 increment you get to choose a free Sale-a-brtion item and now….here are 10 more choices….I love choices! These are only WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
p.s. – The winner of yesterday's challenge was….Sharon G from New Jersey!!!! She used the same technique that I showed and look at it – FABULOUS! Many thanks to so many that shared their work of art with me!
p.p.s. – Happy St. Patrick's Day….I keep thinking about the bread that Nancy was making…..yummers – that sounds sooooo good! Corn Beef and cabbage for us tonight!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 15, 2015 | Super Easy |
It's time for another Step it up Sunday card. Please click here to see yesterdays card and then you will get the concept. You can see that basically they are the same card, one is just a bit stepped up! To me, you cannot go wrong with either card – simply a personal preference!
You can click the picture below to make it larger. (sorry – I could not find an appropriate collage to work with but you will see it better when it is enlarged!) I think that it is fun to see them side by side.
Let's get to a larger picture of today's card…
Fun…right!?!? Isn't it amazing that adding just sliver of paper to the sides of the DSP makes the card have instant depth? I used the mono glue to adhere it (remember…let the glue "set up" a bit before you place it on your card. You will still have the ability to wiggle it to the exact spot you want but you will not have the oosing!
I ask you…when was the last time you "paper pierced"? This is truly something I totally forget about and when I pull out the templates to make it super easy for exact placement…I am always smiling with the ends result.
I prefer the piercing holes to be large so after to do the piercing, I go back over and push the piercing tool all the way through to make a larger, more pronounces hole.
Adding the bakers twine (a FREEBIE) with the latest Sale-a-bration offerings…(THANK YOU STAMPIN UP) was the perfect embellishment to the card today! I simple tied a knot on the ends and then took the piercing tool and "pulled" the threads apart.
This is a card that you can do…right? It makes me laugh that we all love to but DSP and then I get emails saying I don''t like to use them because they are so pretty……now stampers – we need to USE our products!
Please pop back up to the top picture to see how I had fun with the envelope! To me, it kind of mimics the stripes on the card! I took a 1/2" piece of paper and then with a half sheet of the DSP (it's great that you can do 2 envelopes) and then simply just trim off the excess!
That's is my friends…you know the scoop – the items I used are scrolling right below and all you have to do is click on the image to preview it and if you wish to purchase it, click it into the cart and wait for the Brown Truck to make a special stop at your house!
Please feel free to email me and I do hope that you will pop back tomorrow to see the personal challenge I have for you….randomly one person that emails me their card and you could win a pack of Stampin' Dimensions!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 14, 2015 | Super Easy |
Woot-woot – it is the weekend! Today is the 1st day of the 2 day posting that I do on the weekends – today is a simple card….and tomorrow is the same card but I have just stepped it up a bit. What does that mean? – well, it could be some simple embellishments, extra attention to detail…but at the end of the day it is a clean and simple card!
This stamp set is one that I breezed right by in the catalog as I have no idea that the sentiments were as large as they are and when I realized that…..the EASY BUTTON was pushed and it came to little old Williamsport in the Brown Truck! It is appropriately called Adventure Awaits.
The main reason why I love these larger images is that THEY stand out themselves therefore the rest for us to do is very minimal. When I looked at these sentiments I thought that these would make great inspiration cards – sometimes it is hard to say the right words in "touchy situations" and to me – these sentiments are soooo encouraging and inspiring!
I forget about using framelits…do you? When I looked at the shape of the sentiment I thought – there has to be a framelit that would make this sentiment shine….yep – it's the Labels Framelits!
Once question I get asked quite often is….I purchase the paper stacks but I find that I always have a lot of paper left over after I used my favorites out of the stack. I HEAR YOU AND I FEEL THE SAME WAY….this card is a great way to use up the stacks!
Less is best….the dashes and dots around the Labels framelit add the bit of focal interest needed. Please , please do not stress about doing dashes – just go for it….darn – I can remember the days that I would use a ruler to make them exactly the same distance…times I used a pencil to make sure it is just right…..NO, NO, NO….it take too much time.Let your own hand be the guide!
Giving the envelope some love with the Envelope Liners Framelits Die was all that was needed! Giving your envelopes some love ALWAYS make a difference….once you are in the habit…you will always do it!
Please pop back tomorrow to see how I "jazzed it up" (just a bit) – you cannot go wrong with either card…the important part is that YOU made a card….that YOU had fun….and the YOU made someones day!
Please feel free to email me and below you will see the goodies that created this card for you today for you to shop away!!!
There are no words that can express the great appreciation I have to all of you that took your precious time to leave a comment on yesterday's SHEEP ROCK post…I laugh every time I see them (Thank you Mary Ann). Here is a funny….yesterday John had a breakfast meeting at the place I used to work and I gave him "Miss Pearl" to give to a special person I worked with…..
While John was eating his meal the person across from him said, "what is in your shirt pocket" (John was afraid he would forget to take it to Regina if he left it in his coat)...John quickly said, that is "Miss Pearl" – my wife made it and she would kill me if I forget to give it to her friend….well – Miss Pearl was able to breath and sit on the table proudly while the speaker talked (John is the BEST)
Have a fabulous day…make some memories and I hope that you pop back tomorrow!
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