by Susan Itell | Jun 17, 2014 | Thank You |
Yesterday was an interesting day to say the least! I know that it is not like me to show you a stamp that is no longer in the Stampin' Up! catalog but I will say that I am like most of you…I do have favorites and this one I just can't seem to part with! The pig stamp is special to me!
A fun fact about me is that I have a pet house pig named Daisy Mae! She is 2 1/2 years old and she think that she is one of the dogs! I have always wanted a pet pig and I told my family when I turned 50 all I want is a pig…well I have one and I adore her!
We do not have any Vets that will work on pigs and I take her to a Vet in Virginia about an hour + from my home! Daisy doesn't leave our house much…(actually this is the 3rd time) and she usually sits in the passenger seat of my Jetta. Well…yesterday I took a co-worker along as she wanted to see the whole ordeal! Daisy just sat in the back seat and would look out the window (it's funny to see people when they realize it's a pig)
Pigs do not like to be picked up…they truly make a horrific noice…Daisy does not walk on a leash so I needed to pick her up (we turned heads at the Vets) Pigs have a mind of their own and even though they are super smart, they have their own opinions! I put this red leash that the vet had over her in the room just in case she bolted out the door….she didn't – she was great!
The Vet was held up with an emergency and we sat in the room for quite a long time. When he came in he was so happy to see how well she looked and was amazed at her weight and coat! I simply cannot tell you how many family and friends make fun of her – they call her "Bacon"…"Pigglet"…and make fun of her that she has put some pounds on since her last check up!
I truly wish I had a video camera as he was complimenting her up and down and I was such a proud Mom! She even let him trim her hoofs while she sat in the special chair they have in the rooms for the animals (isn't that great that they do not have to get on a metal table…she would have been petrified!!!)
Ok….enough – we have a super fun card to get to…..I was so happy with the end result and I am giving it to my co-worker today as a "thanks" for having a fun "girls" afternoon adventure! I aplogise for going on and on but this is what I love about blogging…I want you to get to know me as I love getting to know you in helping you achieve your goals!
The fun of this card is the NEW product that Stampin' Up! just came out with and I LOVE IT and WOWZERS – it is so darn afforable! It is called the Dots and Stripes Decorative Masks and you get both for just $2.95! Woot-Woot…
So simple to use…I simply placed the mask over top of my paper (I did use masking tape to make sure it would not wiggle) and then Sponge Daubers to color in the holes. I used Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride and Pistachio Pudding – isn't this super fun!
While I had the everything out – I thought that I would make my own liner and simply took a piece of white paper and did the same and then adhered it to the envelope back and trimmed off the excess ( you could simple place the mask right on the envelope but since I have not done this much – I did not want to try it!)
Did you notice the details on the pig? I did "fussy cut" her out (it was super easy) I had an extra piece of the pink pirouette embossed with the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder from a post last week but I cut it out with a circle framelit and then using the next larger size…did the same with the Strawberry Slush!
I just could not resist adding a button to the pigs nose and I the little piece of bakers twine made it fun! Also, did you notice that I used the white gel pen to add some depth and fun!
When you think about this card…it uses different tools that we have to make our creating making easier! To me, it is super important to purchase the basics….(big shot, choose a couple of framelits, some punches, several stamp sets and basic paper) You can start with this and then build your inventory!
Thanks for popping in today and thank you for allowing me to share my fun with Daisy! Below is a picture of her with one of the dogs …she really is sweet and she does think she is one of them! There is never a dull moment around my house but one things for sure – I do love animals!
Enjoy the day, please remember that you can click the shop now button or also click on the below pictures! Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 30, 2014 | Sports, Super Easy, Thank You |
I just love this Stamp set, Summer Silhouette and I have been trying to s t r e t c h myself to use colors that I do not normally use…so today's card is focusing on Soft Sky! I'm not sure why I do not use this color much but I invite and encourage you to reach out of your comfort zone and try to use colors that you normally would not use!
Next week is my Breast Cancer Card week and with being away so much I thought that this would be a great card to make and change up the sentiment. This card is a great example of "a formula" that I have posted about many times – when you have a design or a stamp that will be very versatile for many themes…please use it over and over again! It's like that "little black dress" – never goes out of style!
Let's get to the card….
- The base is an A-2 card size in Soft Sky but made into a vertical card…scored at the 5 1/2" line – the white part is 1/4" smaller and as you can see in the above photo, it is key to spread out your leave image so it takes up a good deal of the card!
- The accent color is Bermuda Bay = so rich and bold. I stamped all of the flowers and then also stamped one on a scrap piece of paper and fussy cut it out and adhered it to the flat image.
(This set looks dynamite in really bold and rich colors – give the card a completely different look!)
- The accent color in the flower and for the sentiment is my "go-to" soft neutral, soft suede and then a pearl seemed to be the perfect simple accent!
- The sentiment is from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set. I have been trying to only show you stamp sets that are being carried over with the new catalog, and you know I use this a bunch – it always seems to work out and I think for this card, I like the width of the sentiment!
- Adding my trade mark "3 dots" seemed to do the trick with adding movement to the card!
- You know what's left…envelope time! Going to my "Old Faithfuls" – the Designer Series Paper Pack and today I used the Subtles to pull more of the soft sky! With the help of the envelope liner framelit and the Big Shot – quick, easy and done!
Well…thoughts? I think that this is one great card…I can see it with Happy Birthday….Thinking of you…even with a sympathy sentiment! It is amazing how you can make minimal changes to create a different mood!
Since both of these stamp sets are going to be around in the new catalog….put them on your "wish list" Please remember if you have an upcoming birthday…and anniversary….etc – remember that I would love to help that special someone get you things you love…..Stampin' Up! products….have them email me and I will take care of it! Easy…done!
Enjoy your day…make someone smile!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 26, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Photopolymer Stamps, Thank You |
Happy Memorial Day to everyone! I hope that you are enjoying the weekend and I hope that each of us can take some time today to think, thank and be grateful for the men and women who served and have served in the Armed Forces for our wonderful country!
It is Make it Monday and here is your sketch for you to play around with! There are a couple of "challenges" (websites) that I like and this one was a past sketch from Freshly Made Sketches…. I hope that you can find some time for yourself and create a masterpiece from this sketch! Here's my take…..
If you have subscribed to my blog for a while….you always know there is a story behind the cards that I make! We just celebrated my Mother in Laws 80th Birthday and it was wonderful to have a special dinner with my in-laws!
Sitting there – looking at how amazing my MIL looks with all that she has on her with taking care of my Father-in-law that is not in the best of health I realize how blessed I was. My FIL loves Memorial Day and his little town always has a parade. In the past he always went and was so proud.
My FIL was in the Korean War an has some very repressed memories of his time serving for our country. Sitting there I realize how much we take for granted…and this card is for him…to thank him for being so brave!
How can you go wrong with these colors and so fitting for this day!
- The card base is a note-card size, 3 1/2" X 5" in Real red.
- The Whisper white piece is 1 3/4" X 3 1/2 and then the Not So Navy from the Regals Designer Series Pack and is cut at 2" X 2 3/4"…love these papers!
- For the sentiment, the stamped piece is 2" x 3" and then I stamped it with the MUST HAVE "Thank You" set and it is in the new catalog….
Comment: – I am so happy that with the new catalog that Stampin' Up! is offering more and more photopolymer stamp! I am doing the happy dance as they are so easy to see when you need "quick placement" –If you go to my Shop Now you will see that this stamp set does not show up…it is on backorder but it is in the NEW CATALOG!
- After stamping the sentiment from "Another Thank You", I did a quick mat in the red 1/8" larger, and then the white is 1/4" larger – I thought a quick stitching in night of navy was appropriate to "break up" the white!
You know what is left – the envelope! Easy-peasy with the Big Shot and the Envelope Liner framelits! Please pop back tomorrow to see my offering for the Color Collections Paper swatch offerings and also ribbon…WOWZER – we have some GREAT NEW ribbons!
Today is a special day…one that I truly hope that's "reflection" touches your heart1 After seeing my FIL and seeing his love for his family and so excited to be "out" with family…..it made me STOP and reflect how we take many things for granted…if you can…thank someone that has had the courage to honor their country!
Until tomorrow….
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by Susan Itell | May 23, 2014 | Super Easy, Thank You |
You know that I adore the notecard size and envelopes and I do not think I have shared this with you…but a big woot-woot because with the new catalog…they will be available in crumb cake!!!! YIPPEE!!!!
This might be a little card – but it carrys a BIG punch with the boldness of the DSP! This is one of the new one called Lullaby and it is just super (actually, I think all of the DSP this year will hit a home run with you!)
- Crumb Cake is the color of the day and until the new catalog comes out….I needed to cut it to a 3 1/2" X 5" card and SU already has the envelopes in this size1
- The DSP was cut 1/4" smaller and I adhere it to the base as I knew the flowers would be my POP factor for todays card! (Don't you just LOVE the boldness of this paper) Even though this is Baked Brown Sugar…it looks super with the crumb cake!
- This is (I think) my favorite flower stamp set, Flower Shop…I love the simplicity of it and I love the fact that we have a punch that will POP out the flower….fast…fresh….DONE! I stamped in Strawberry Slush.
- The top flower I put stampin' vitamins on all petals to lift it up but also keep it flat and then the other one I just put a stampin' vitamin on the center and then used my pencil to curl it up!
- You know I am "bow challenged" but I was very happy with this! I used a good old hole punch and made 2 holes…threaded in this SUPER NEW THICK Bakers Twine (love it) and made a simple bow – so easy yet the texture makes it look WOW!
- I have been using this sentiment set a bunch! The Four You Stamp Set was carried over and for a GREAT reason….it's a keeper!
- Last but not least, the liner for the envelope! The Envelope Liner Framelit to the rescue…what would we do without it!
Well – are you "perked up" with this bold card! I think I am going to use this for the Breast Cancer Card in June and switch up the sentiment! It truly could not be any easier than this!
You all make me smile when you hear the word SALE!!! I know it's hard not to pass up a deal and I am appreciative and thankful for those of you that went shopping yesterday!
Click here to take advantage of the goodies in the clearance rack!
I do admit, my best advice is…if you REALLY….REALLY do not need it than pass…there are sooooo darn tootin' many great new products in the catalog that I know you are going to love!
Speaking of loving the new products….
Stay tuned for scoop about Ribbon Shares and Designer Series Paper Stack Offers!
(I know…this picture is not new ribbon…I can't get it yet either!!! –
but when you see the NEW RIBBON – you will be doing the WOOT-WOOT dance!!!)
I will also be doing paper shares of 1/2 sheets of the DSP's in each of the color palettes as well as "Swatch Books" of these papers – you know I adore them and use them often…a must have!
Brights * Subtles * Neutrals * Regals * In Color's (both)
but I cannot get the NEW In Color until June 2nd!
I have a dear friend that is a "King" of a guy that does incredible DSP Swatch books – I will just be doing the above color collections…I'll send you his details …
Lot's to be excited about and the calendar is flipping by to the unveiling date of June 2nd!!! YEAH!!!
I hope that today's card made you excited and I hope that you CASE it and have FUN! As always, please email me if I can be of help …until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | May 12, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Super Easy, Thank You |
It's Monday and that means lets have fun with a sketch! I was surfing around on pinterest and I found this sketch and I immediately said YES – this is it for this week? Ready for your own personal challenge?
Now this is the type of card that you will want to print off the sketch…hang it on your work area, as it is a “keeper” as I call it. This card is the best to use up scraps and to use a multitude of different sentiments.
The other thing I like about this is – it would be perfect for so many color schemes – think about it for a baby…use a soft sky or pink pirouette card base…this would be super for a 4th of July card with Red, White and Blue…a birthday, an anniversary, a thinking of you – the sky is the limit!
When I became a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I can remember asking Mary for some advice about which stamp sets to invest in. She gave me great advice and one that I remember and I will share with you …when you are on the fence between stamp sets – buy the “sentiment” one!
When she shared this with me I had to think about it…my take on it is there are so many things that you can do with paper, think about it – we have embossing folders, framelits to cut out shapes and if we have “sentiments” we can do just about anything! Today’s card is a perfect example.
Before we get to today's post….the lucky winner is #44 – sorry, I do not know your 1st name…sooooo happy for you….please email me with your info!
My favorite memories are of time spent with my mother and sister. We travel somewhere every year or two; sometimes close to home, sometimes far away. The memories we've made are treasures to me. We've seen so many great things and have a great time together making memories we will always hold close.
This is so straight forward that you do not need me to give you dimensions…just pull out the scraps and have fun! For the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper I looked at it and wanted to make the width be “2 of the columns” of the pattern – just have fun!
This sentiment came from the Four You stamp set and I am super excited that it is carried over…you can clearly see that this is a must have set in your collection. Again…using up scraps is the best!
Adding simple things like “stitching” and Stampin’ Dimensionals just makes this simple card have a little bit of fun!
Well…how about it? Pull out your paper and have fun! I have been so tickled with several of you that try these challenges and share with me your work. I truly hope that it is helping you figure out a style that you are comfortable with! Way to go – I am proud of you.
Again, woot-woot to lucky #44 for winning the blog candy! I loved reading each and every one of your comments and it is so clear to me that you also enjoyed going down Memory Lane! Please email me with your info so I can mail you the goodies….
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions and I know that you are getting excited for the new catalog to begin! I mailed my catalogs out on Friday so you should be receiving them any day!
If you do not work with a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I would be happy to mail you a catalog – just please email me.
When the new catalog starts…I am excited to share with you a ribbon share as well as Designer Series Pack Paper swatches (I was not able to order the new In-Colors with the pre-order) but once I can, I will offer the swatches in the collections (Brights, Neutrals, Subtles, Regals and In-Color)
To me, these are such a “must- have staple” of paper and having them in a swatch format will be a lifesaver for you to flip through to see the colors (PERFECT for lining envelopes).
With the new catalog, I will be starting some new and fun programs and offerings for you. As I said, I will be doing ribbon shares & paper swatches as well as offering online stamping clubs – please feel free to email me with any questions you might have.
This new “stampin’ up!” catalog year is very exciting to me! I can hardly wait to dive in and create with new stamps. Yesterday was a great day and with being in the car for over 7 hours, I finally had a wonderful block of time to take the new catalog in – very exciting and I will anxiously wait for June 2nd to be here!
Ted was GREAT and so happy to have many of his friends and family be together for a beautiful Mother’s Day Brunch. A “life lesson time” for John and I as his strength, positive outlook and love shines so strong.
Let’s all have a wonderful week! You all are the best…until tomorrow…
p.s. – I have sat hear and read all of these amazing comments about memories with their Mom. If you need some inspiration, laughs and total "feel goods" – than please read some of these wonderful comments!
I miss my Mom so…but I try to keep her memories alive each and everyday…just like many of you do!
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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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