by Susan Itell | Jun 5, 2013 | Super Easy |
Here is still another card we are making tonight for the "angel program" where a group of volunteers come together to make cards for Breast Cancer patients in treatment! We do this the 1st Wednesday of the month and not only is it fun….it is rewarding!
I have to come up with very simple designs as many of the people that come to assemble the cards….do not know a thing about card making…they simply love to come out and do something great for our community!
I often get asked,"Why do you take this on each month and donate all of the supplies etc…" – SIMPLE = I know 1st hand from losing my Mom to cancer how much a card meant…and also, this is a gift of my time and energy to give back to our community!
Now…this is such a sweet card, and…E A S Y !!! So clean, fresh and crisp with a minimal amount of supplies…Here you go…
- Base is standard A-2 card of Whisper White.
- I am SOOOO glad that the Polka Dot Parade Paper is carried over to this year….so fun! The Marina Mist was cut to 5 1/2' X 2" and then matted with Daffodil Delight to 5 1/2' X 2 1/4"
- Using the new Label Love Stamp Set, I simply stamped the "just for you" in Marina Mist and then POPPED it out using the Artisan Label Punch…sooo darn easy!
- Naturally, the Stampin Vitamins….Stampin' Dimensionals came out of full force to pop this sentiment! ( can NEVER have too many of these gems!!!)
- The mats for the label are White 1 3/4" X 2 1/4" and the Daffodil Delight is 2 1/2" X 2"
- Trying to keep it clean…I thought pulling out the Simply Scored was all that it needed….( please click on the pictures to make it large if you need to!!!) – I scored 2 simple lines on the top and bottom! ( it doesn't get any easier than that….right????)
- Presto….a simple lining for the envelope on the Polka Dots is all this card needed to be a 1-2-3…DONE….simple card!
I know that this card is about as basic as you could ever get…BUT…it also is as cute as you could ever get! Keeping things clean,simple, straight-forward is just as beautiful as a "fru-fru" card and we ALL know we DO like making cards that are a challenge to us, but today's card is truly a F A S T card to whip up!
Again, just like yesterday's post….this card is one card to "keep the style" in the back of your creative head – why??? = SIMPLE – there are many, MANY times that we simply do not have a ton of time to re-create the wheel…just duplicate this style – switch up the stamps and paper….D O N E !!!!
Remembering…ordering simply can not be any easier…click here and you can order your little heart away while being in your jammies…having a cup of coffee….and the best thing is – it gets delivered right to your door! How easy!
Update on the deer….."Bucky" is doing GREAT and is with 5 other "orphanage" friends…he is eating and having fun – he will be at his foster home until he is about 4-6 months old and then he will be put out in a Wildlife Preserve….back to nature where is needs to be!
I hope that today's post put a smile on your face and I hope that you have a fabulous day!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Jun 4, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thinking of you |
Here is another card we are making this month for the wonderful and brave Cancer patients that are going through treatment! I know at first glance it seems rather…"plain Jane" but this is a keeper design and I know the patients will have an instant smile on their face when they receive it!
When designing cards for these volunteers to make, I have to keep them simple and duplicatable as we make 14 of each design that I create! Many of the people that come to assembling these beautiful cards…do not have a clue as what to do…but one thing they ALL have is a beautiful heart that wants to give to others!
Many times you here me say that finding a style that you are comfortable with…then changing up the paper,sentiments and embellishments – can end you up with a total new look – well this is one card that is that!
Please try this and then keep in for the future when your brain is simply not in a "creative mode" and then use this layout….PRESTO – you'll feel great about yourself and you will have a beautiful card!
Please email me or leave me a comment and let me know how you like it….it is soooooo simple – a definite keeper! Also, please share my blog with your family and friends and encourage them to subscribe to it so they can have a cup of coffee in the morning with me and I can let some "feel goods" and "inspiration" in them to start their day!
Here you go…..
- Base is an A-2 card in Melon Mambo
- I matted them in Pear Pizzazz just 1/8" larger than the print paper…adhere them together in the adhesive of your choice - I used the Tombo Multi Purpose Glue as it is FAST!
- TIP: ( I know…I get a bit too picky but it is so easy and quick to do), I draw a pencil line down the center of my card to place the middle panel to make sure it is centered and then I work from side to side!)
- The sentiment is from the Feels Good Stamp Set and it was placed on a 3" X 2 3/4" rectangle. Because I have had to cut out 16 of these…I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig for placement
- Using a sponge…I lightly sponged the edges to soften up the starkness of the white and then placed it on a piece of Pear Pizzazz just 1/8" bigger!
- The liner was the finale and the look it gives is perfect!
I hope that you are lovin' the new catalog! Please click here and shop away! There are so many fun and exciting items! I just can't wait to get my order!
Please keep this "keeper" card in your "go to's" in a rush…a perfect, fun and crisp look that we certainly bring a smile to your face as it is going to give to those that we are making them for tomorrow evening!
Have a wonderful day and until tomorrow…….
by Susan Itell | Jun 1, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thank You |
It's the weekend!!! YEAH…and again another busy one for my family! My godson is graduating from High School tomorrow and it will be a special day filled with many friends and family!
The summer always seems to bring out fun celebrations! With them…we all could use a stash of fun and quick "thank you's" and it doesn't get any cleaner and simpler than this!
I know that yesterday the "cyber-waves" were in full hurricane force with the ordering of the new catalog! Stampin' Up! does an amazing job! On Thursday I called the main office for a simple question and they said…"we can't wait for tomorrow…the buzz on order day is exhilarating"…That just made my evening…I just always love and appreciate the positiveness of the home office!
Here you go…I hope this shows you that…less is best many times – so simple!
- Base is Whisper White and the colors I chose were from the designer paper, Quatrefancy Specialty Paper – Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pool Party, Strawberry Slush, Island Indigo…
- I always use a ruler and a faint pencil line that I erase after I am finish stamping…this was soooo easy – the Mosaic Madness Stamp Set was the simple stamp I used – so simple!
- The Stamp-a-ma-Jig is a MUST and if you are still not using this wonderful tool ALL THE TIME…email me and I will be happy to help you…it is my lifesaver!
- The sentiment came from the One in a Million Stamp Set and I masked part of the sentiment just to get the part I wanted!
- Using the Itty Bitty Punch this was a simple yet effective touch to the centers and then the finishing touch was a simple pearl in the middle – adhered with a mini glue dot!
- The liner is the POP factor of a FUN COLOR BURST and the Quatrefancy Paper Pack is a simple must have…so clean and crisp!
This stamp set that I used today is one that I would definitely consider to be on a "A List" to have…the ideas and uses are endless…I look forward to playing around with it a bunch!
Remember….if you want to see the retired stamps sets I am selling….please shoot me an email and simply put in the subject line "Stamps for Sale" and on Tuesday , June 4th I will post the stamps that will be parting ways with….
I have been "grouping" the emails I have already received….so please do not think I forgot you!
Please have fun looking at the new catalog and let your imagination go wild! As always, I am an email away and love hearing your ideas and comments!
Until tomorrow…
by Susan Itell | May 18, 2013 | Super Easy |
Ready for a fun and hip card! This mosaic 1 inch square tile card has an up-beat feel that is a super fun technique to do!
To be honest with you…when I sat down to make this, I had no idea where I was going with it but at the end…it all came together!
I love using the "single stamps" that Stampin Up! offers…I think it is a super way to "go out of your box" as they are usually fun, bold, and odd size stamps! Today I am featuring this simple "hello-hello" stamp!
The other thing that I love is the Circle Circus Stamp Set that I used scattered all over the place! This set is going "bye-bye" and I know that I have said in previous posts that there are 3 sets that I am really sad about being retired…well this is one of them!
Why??? I don't exactly know but it always makes me smile when I use it – just a simple and fun set that mixes well with colors…I guess you can say it is one of my "favorites" BUT…have no fear as I have "scouted out" a new set in the upcoming catalog that I think will fill my void when this one is gone!
Here you go…enjoy and please email me if you have any questions!
- Starting out with a 4 X 4 Very Vanilla Card Stock, I stamped my images in Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Old Olive and Summer Starfruit!
- Using the BEST trimmer in the whole wide world….the Stampin' Trimmer, it was a cinch to cut into 1" squares!
- Next an Early Espresso Square and using the 2 Way Glue Pen, I positioned my "tiles" into place! Using this adhesive made it super quick and easy!
- Next I matted this to a piece of 4 1/2" Square of Island Indigo and using the POP factor, the Stampin Dimensionals made to come to life!
- The Card itself is a 5" square…..super fun and different!
- Now to the envelope…where did I get this? Easy-peasy…..I made it! Soooo easy! Using a 8 1/2 " Square and scoring it at 3 7/8" all the way around…PRESTO~ a perfect envelope!
- TIP – when I make my own envelopes, I do use sticky strip to hold them….always the strongest hold!!!
- The liner is from a NEW paper pack, Soho Subway….a super hip new Designer series paper!
Different……right? It truly is a fun card to make and you feel like you are putting a puzzle together! I used to use this technique when I scrapbooked with Photos….it always produced an interesting effect!
I am so excited to place my order of new goodies when the green light is "GO"!!! Wouldn't you love to be able to buy everything at 30% off plus get a BUNCH of free stuff and 50% off products!!! Well you can….
Only until the end of May can you get $155.00 worth of products for only $99.00…your choice of ANY Stampin' Up! products and then your 1st order ( and it can be your only order if that's what you want) you can take 30 % off the whole order!!!!
Can you say…super-duper…no-brainer…too good to be true…Well – it is true! Stampin' Up! lets you pick what YOU want and encourages you to do it YOUR WAY!!! I would love for you to be on my "Inspirational Train" together….click here and get started!!!!
Until tomorrow……
by Susan Itell | May 14, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thank You |
Thank you for joining us for the May Pals Blog Hop and our annual
retirement party! It's time to say goodbye to stamps and accessories
that will not be available in the new 2013-14 Stampin' Up! catalog.
Although it's always sad to see wonderful products retire, it is
exciting to think about all of the new products that will soon be
available. So enjoy the farewell tour for our favorite retiring products
– and remember you have until June 3rd to order from the retiring
product lists.
You should have just left stop number 4 on the Pals Hop – Kathleen Law at Craft with Kathleen . If so, you are in the right spot.
If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along
from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.
Today is a bitter sweet day for all of the wonderful and dedicated viewers that are enjoying this incredible "Retirement Party" for the PALS Blog Hop!
I did a card very similar to these before…just tweaked it a bit 'cause I loved it before but I love it more now! I hope you like it as well!
As I am just entering into my 2nd year with Stampin' Up!…I have learned something loud and clear…and it is simple = Stampin' Up! makes decisions that are best for all of us and they keep us on the cutting edge of what is "on trend"!
Picking my sadness was between 3 stamp sets…but I chose this one, Easy Events….why? Simple = this is the stamp set that gave me the confidence this past year that I can do things that I never thought I could do!
I simply love using the Aqua Painter…( I was never good in Art Class) and using this great tool makes me happy! I just loved the simplicity of all of the stamps in this set!
How did I get the "thank you" with the "tree"…simple = I masked it with a bit of sticky note…inked it up with the Black Staz on…then peeled it off and PRESTO – perfect and clean! When you look at this stamp set…the stamp is different than the sentiment! Thanks to the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig it was a cinch!
There are a couple of things that I am a stickler about and one is…use the watercolor paper when using this technique…why – simple = why would you take all of your precious time and energy to create a beautiful card to have the edges curl?
Just about everything in this card is going "bye-bye"…the stamp set – Easy Events, the colors of paper…Not So Navy Paper, the Certain Celery Ribbon 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon…this ink…Certainly Celery and Riding Hood Red…but this is OK – cause GREAT things are coming your way…
Do you see how clean…simple…and fresh this card is…to me it is just classic and one that you could make and make ….and send and send – and it will always be in style!
Stampin' Up! makes our life so easy with their quick and simple tools… the "Window Framelits" were the focal balance of the card and running through my main man…"Mr. Big Shot" it helped the POP factor…with the help of the paper piercing tool and the Festive Paper-Piercing Pack to add the little added touch!
Before I tied the ribbon in the simple "Susan knot" I did use a simple sponge and lightly sponges the edges with Certainly Celery! I think a simple trick like this adds an element of depth!
If you are used to reading my blog and if you are not – I do hope that you subscribe to it for a daily dose of inspiration and creativity…I always do something special to my envelopes…it is a trademark that reminds me of my late Mom….and this paper that I lined is from such a special "bye-bye" paper pack…Print Poetry ( go buy it NOW if you do not have a stash)
I love what I do and I love being a PAL, Mary Fish and her wonderful group of super talented paper crafters have been such an inspiration to me and this past year has been a ton of fun! I hope that you have enjoyed this post and that you have a BLAST going through all of these wonderful posts for our Retirement Party!
I know that it is days like this…that I simply love going through and seeing all of this FUN!!! Have a great time and all I can say is….GREAT READY for the BEST catalog!!!
Please email me if you have any questions or feel free to sit back…relax…and click away and order from your home….Stampin' Up! makes life and shopping so easy!
The next stop is Kari Linder, at Stampin' Essentials, stop number 6 on
the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
- Kerry Willard Bray at Stampgoodness
- Amy Williams at Stampin' on the Range
- Kathleen Law at Craft With Kathleen
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
- Kari Linder at Stampin' Essentials
- nicole watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
- Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
- Lynn Hoyt at Cattail Designs
- Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
- Nicole Picadura at Scraps & Stamps
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Amy Lazzell at Just a Thought…Cards by Amy
- Leslie Davis at Life's Moments
- Kim Czenszak at LiveLoveStamp
- Maxine Conrad at Stamp to the MAX!
- Debbie Mageed at Scrappin' and Stampin'
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Penny Nichols at Sierra Stampin!
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com
- Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works
- Julie Trevett-Smith at The Stampin' Affair
- Shirley Sumption at look at my cute stuff
- Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb…
- Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards
- Barbara Furlong at The Love of Stamping
- Elaine Fleming at Studio Elaine
by Susan Itell | Apr 28, 2013 | 3-D Projects, Stampin' Up ~ Super cool!, Super Easy |
Happy Sunday!!! Close your eyes and sing…" I get by with a little help from my friends…." This is what this post stems around…. my friendship with Mary Fish and Brandi Cox!
I am super excited to be my upline, Mary Fish's guest stamper…wow – what an honor and what a fun post I have for you! Is this just too cute…too practical….and too much fun!
One of the things that I dearly love about Stampin' Up! is the relationships you build…and today's post is an inspiration from a fellow Stampin Up! Demonstrator that is not in Mary's line but someone that I follow! I picked up the phone one day…introduced myself and asked if I could come to one of her Crop Clubs! It was a plain and simple as that!
If you follow my Blog, this is when I had a road trip to North Carolina to see my daughter and had a free evening and went to have "girl fun" with Brandi Cox! It was a blast and I look forward to spending many more fun times with Brandi! One talented lady and we instantly connected!
Is this super or what…
Think about how many people would love this!
Let me back- up….Tuesday evening was the unveiling of discontinued products as well as SUD were able to preview the NEW catalog ( and YES – you will love….LOVE it!) I was going to be Cinderella waiting for midnight…so I was mass producing these gems…(20 in all) and then it HIT ME – I am on the East Coast and I will never make it…I didn't – finally hit the pillow at 1:30 a.m. and Wednesday was a L O N G day for me at work!
Last week on a post…I asked for comments on which 3 stamp sets did you think would be discontinued? The winner will get one of these super fun note pad portfolios! And the wimmer is……Jeanie…Please email me and let me know which color you want!!! WOOT-WOOT!
Her comment:
Beautiful card Susan! – Here are my 3 guesses for retiring stamps: Raining Flowers, Lean on Me and Daring Adventure!
This is a perfect gift….for a friend, a hostess, a co-worker – my wonderful husband took his administrative staff to lunch in honor of their special day on Wednesday and there were 8 of these on the table as they sat down for lunch! I always like to make them something handmade and they all loved it! I mixed the colors up and the table looked so pretty!
Brandi is the "queen" of videos and this one is one to watch! (She is after me to start doing videos….and with her help – I might take the plunge) Please check out her video showcasing this project. I did follow it pretty much – but I did make some changes that I felt worked better for me….and this again is what I love about SU….you can do you projects YOUR way!
This uses the basic's…stampin' trimmer, the Simply Scored, a Stamp Set that was featured in the Spring Catalog, Secret Garden and Bundle as I also used the Big Shot and coordinating and as you can see – I used a variety of fun and festive colors!
Here is a quick run down of colors that I used: Daffodil Delight, Rose Red, Gunball Green, Not So Navy….an just had a blast stampin' here and there – there is no right or worng way…just have FUN!
TIP ALERT!!! – Do you remember that it is a "pet peeve" of mine to have a stamp that does not give you that clean and crisp image….TRICK – use your sanding block to scruff it up….works like a charm and always remember to re-ink your pads!
I do think it is important to have the ink refills – why would yu go to all of the work and time you put into a project only to find in the middle of it that your ink pad needs a little help!?!?
I do agree with Brandi that the Tombow glue is super strong, super economical, and super easy to use!!! I do think we overlook it often, but it really is a great adhesive for a good strong hold! A couple of things that I did differently than what Brandi showcases….
- I use the sticky strip to put together and adhere the inside pocket….I found it to be easier for me to do and also – cleaner!
- I chose not to put the leaves on as I found them to be in danger of getting torn…
- I matted a lager piece of coordinating paper behind the sentiment for a contrast of color and I did tear it as Brandi did…..loved the look!
This has been a joy to share this with you and I hope that I have inspired you! I also hope that Mary and her husband are having a FABULOUS time in FIGI…..a trip well deserved! Mary is one special person and I am just about at my 1 year anniversary as being a Stampin' Up Demonstrator and I feel like I have grown not only as a paper crafter but also as a person!
Being a PAL and being a part of this great company has brought to me a HUGE extended family! I have never, ever experienced anything like this in the fact of the amount of true friendship, inspiration and support is amazing!
I would love for you to be on this journey with me and join my team and be a Mary Fish PAL as well! Also, I am part of Mary's PALS Partner Program! Please email me and I would love to reach out to you and listen to your needs and goals! With the amazing incentive now – WHY NOT! If you are alreay going to purchase products….why not get the, at a discount delivered right to your door!
I made the commitment at the beginning of the year to blog daily and I am proud to say that I have kept true to my word! ( Thanks for the gentle nudge Mary!) I have learned to love sharing not only my work, but also my personality!
Please sign up for my blog subscription in the upper corner underneath the catalog! This way you can start your day with me every morning with a cup of coffee and let me inspire you!
Have a wonderful day, many thanks again to Mary and until tomorrow…..
