by Susan Itell | Mar 31, 2014 | Sale-A-Bration, Thank You |
Did you see what the calendar says!?!? It is March 31st and that means it is time to say good–bye to Sale-A-Bration 2014! It has been a wonderful collection of products! As the saying goes…all good things must come to an end…and I felt it was "fitting" to make a super cute card of thanks!
You know me by now…I always have a method to by madness…this card is making its way to Ted and his wife with some of Ted's favorite cookies…soft and chewy Ginger Cookies and I am also going to submit this to the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge…I loved the sketch!
Let's get going…this is so easy – you do not need me…remember…you can still place an order today and every order reaching $50.00 will allow you to pick a Sale-A-Bration Item…The response from everyone has been so positive this year with what Stampin' Up has offered….they are "on top of it"!!!
- The card is a 5" square card…you know me – I love odd size cards! ( I also felt the sketch lend itself to a square card" The coloe is Pool Party!.
- The Designer Series Paper is a FREEBIE from Sale-a-bration…and this paper is over the top! LOVE IT and I am sooo glad that I have several packs "stashed away"!!!! The size is 3" X 5" and then I matted it with Black – just a smidge larger! ( remember… punch out or use framelits to maximize the black paper….who will ever know!?!?!?!) The Whisper White piece is 2 1/2" X 5" and then I did my "stitch" around the outere edges!
- Do you see the FUN flower? This is from the Flower Shop Stamp Set and then it POPS out perfectly with the Pansy Punch! Did you notice the different colors of petals? I did this by stamping several in Black and then several in Pool Party and then a quick snip – and the help of the "green glue" placed them perfectly!
- Let's get to the "thank – you"….can you say WOWZERS!!!! This is from the March Paper Pumpkin Kit…and I love this kit! I took the wooden piece and put versa mark on it….then Black Embossing power…and then – LET THE MAGIC BEGIN…the heat tool did its magic! I like this angle of this picture…it shows you some of the wood graing – I like the way that looks….it really turns out to be a beautiful focal point!
- Envelope time!!!! I just could not resist! I had to do a DOUBLE WHAMMY!!! 1st – making my own envelope with the Envelope Punch Board was easy…and even easier was the outer lining of the uter flap!
- I felt that the mail man needed a good smile – so I really jazzed that up! I originally was going to put 3 flowers on my card (I always like odd numbers – it's easier on your eyes….creates a good balance)….but 1 was just fine with my card! I wanted to keep the "theme" going…so a strip of pool party and then besides the flower…I stamped "thanks" from one of my all time favorites….the Another Thank You Photopolmyer Stamp Set…works perfectly!
Well…what did you think? I thought it came out super cute! I know that Ted will love it – he has been enjoying my cards! When John is finished with Tax Season, we are going to go down for an overnight to see him….he is soooo brave and truly enjoys company – I know he will love his cookies!
A big THANK YOU for a great Sale-A-Bration…it has been fun…it has been inspiring…I hope that this THANK YOU makes you smile…it is a fun card and I just love a square card!
Remember, today is the last day to sign up for Paper Pumpkin to get the FREE set ($14.95) of In Color Markers…remember – you can "try it" and if you do not "like it" – you can stop! What do you have to loose – NOTHING….with the starter kit you will be able to create some FUN cards…get a Clear Mounting Block and the Markers – all for $19.95!!! That is a WOOT-WOOT!!!!
If you do sign up, please add my name and town ….I know that many of you have had a hard time logging on etc….just add Susan Itell, Williamsport, MD!!!!
We have had a rainy weekend…but a rainy weekend meant that I had lots of time to "play" – I have some fun posts for you this week! This is my Breast Cancer week (always the 1st Wednesday of the month) so I have some easy-peasy cards for the wonderful volunteers to make!!!
Thank you…THANK YOU for such a great Sale-A-Bration…..and remember to sign up for the Paper Pumpkin Program if you wna tthe free markers – it ends today!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 28, 2014 | Thank You |
I needed a fun, fresh a bit modern card to send to a friend for treating me to a delicious lunch! I can remember when the catalog came out…that the moment I saw the Modern Melody Designer Series Paper, I thought BINGO-BANGO…this is over the top!!!! Well it is beautiful but I must admit, I do not use it as much as I thought I would …..so a "push out of the box" I was determined to use this paper for you today!
I was super excited about the end result for this card…just think of the different options you could go with color…shapes…size of card etc….you see = "thinking out of the box works sometimes" I knew that I wanted to stick with the black and vanilla color scheme…but the POP of color of pool party makes it!
So let's get going as I hope that this is one of those cards that you not only CASE but that you also take the layout and adapt it to other cards! This looks hard, but wait until you see how easy it is to do!
- The card base is an A-2 card but I cut it at 4 1/2 (half of the sheet longways) and then scored it at the 5 1/2" mark! TIP: Always use a bone folder when creasing the paper…to me, this always gives a sharp and professional presence to your project!
- Making the very vanilla as my neutral, I went ahead and cut (2) pieces at 4" X 5 1/4".
- Using Pool Party as my POP color, I cut a piece at 1 3/4" X 5" and then another piece in black at 1 7/8" X 5 1/8"
- Now don't get stressed with me…but pull out the stampin' trimmer and cut thin pieces of black paper, another great way to use up scraps…just take it to the outside of the "grey part/track" of the cutting strip….(this way it will give you a super thin piece!)
- There is no "rhyme or reason" in how to place these little strips. I used the "green glue" to place them and then I simply used the paper snips to cut off the excess!
- The added touch that I did was to place a very vanilla candy dot from the Neutrals Candy Dots! This you could totally skip…I just liked the effect!
- Let's get stamping! I highly suggest that you pull out old faithful….the Stamp-a-ma-jig! It only takes an extra second to use and you will have perfect placement every time! The sentiment came from the Really Good Greetings Stamp Set and I adore the font! A quick stamp and then 3 black candy dots did the trick!
I love seeing pictures from the side so you can see the depth of the card….the only thing that I popped up with dimensionals were the triangles!
As the saying goes….that's all folks! Easy…clean…classic…and just beautiful! I was pleased and I was even happier to send it to my friend!
There are just days before the end of Sale-A-Bration….it's not too late for you to get some of the freebies before the 31st!
Let's touch on opportunities….
The fact is that over 80% of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators are hobbyists.…
What does that mean? – it is probably just what you are…someone that love this hobby…someone that buys a ton of products…someone that can hardly wait to see new catalogs….etc…..
So I ask you…why not sign up and become a demonstrator?
There are no hidden strings attached….heck – you could simply start and then stop the same month and that's ok (betcha you wouldn't because getting things at a discount is wonderful)!
Please email me and we will talk!
Every person that I have on my team are hobbyists…
They love the product and they love the discount…it does not mean that you have to go and teach….that you can't get together with your regular stampin' friends…it means that you realize that you can take advantage of a discount…be able to get the NEW product ahead of time….and also be a part of my team of inspiration and also be a PAL with Mary Fish! The PALS are an incredible source of inspiration and endless talent!
Just until March 31st (Monday), you can sign up with me and pay just $99.00 and you will be able to pick $150.00 worth of Stampin' Up! products…and it ships FREE! That's it!
I know…many of you already say that you have everything…well I would say that is stretching it a bit…but I know that I can always find the "staples" that I never would be without and the great thing is after you get your kit…and when you place your 1st order…you would get 30% off of that 1st order!
As I said before, everyone on my team are hobbyist…not one of them have a blog….not one of them actively go out and teach…but the common bond we have is that we have each other and we all love to craft! I would be honored to have you on my team…think about it!!!
You are going to laugh at tomorrows post…I already have it drummed up in my head because I just found out something and no one is showing up to my "pitty party"…
Have a great day and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 10, 2014 | Thank You |
Here’s to a new week…Are you like me and walk around for the 1st several days looking at the clock and say “It’s 7 o’clock but it is really 6 o’clock”?!?! It amazes me that this changes our body clocks so much!
Well yesterday I shared with you that I had a FABULOUS time at the Stampin’ Up! gathering of demonstrators in the Washington DC area…it was truly a “re-charger” for me to be around such inspiring and wonderful stampers! So….This card is for the gals that put this event together!
I had so many great comments about MJ’s Birthday card the other day…I just adore white, basic gray and pink pirouette together – there is something about it that is so comforting and classic – so I thought…let’s do it again in a different way!
As the saying goes…”killing 2 birds with one stone” (I really do not like that being the animal lover I am) but you get the drift – today’s post is a thank you card for my new friends plus this is the 1st time I submitted to the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge! (You’ve gotta start somewhere)
Here is the sketch for the challenge! I hope that you like my interpretation of it and make sure that you go to the Freshly Made Website to see all of the incredible cards that people designed for this challenge!
Let’s go to the ins and outs for this super cute card!
- The base is an A-2 card scored at 5 ½” to make it a vertical card! (I think the sketch lends itself to a vertical card)
- The Pink Pirouette is just ¼” smaller than the base = 5 ¼” X 4”. The Whisper White card stock is 5 ¼” X 4”. The Basic Gray and the Pink Pirouette Designer Series Paper are both 5’ X 3 ¾”.
TIP ALERT #1: I know that I just threw at you a bunch of measurements of paper and yes, this card does use a bunch of paper but please remember to use the “insides” of the areas that are going to be covered up! WOWZERS – you can get a bunch of punches out of the centers…
When I made this card, I made 10 of the so I first cut all of my paper and then it made it easy-peasy to put together! Remember – you can substitute sooooo many different Designer Series Papers if you do not have enough of this… for example. Basic Gray is a neutral color that goes with soooo many colors!
Have FUN playing around with color! Remember there are no rules other than to have fun!
- Mat the Gray paper and then I just used my Craft Scissors to Trim off the excess and then I did the same thing with the designer Series Paper! I adhered this piece to the Pink one!
- Now to the fun…cut a strip of vellum at ¾” wide and long enough for you to wrap it around….say 5”. Using the super cute “dots” from the Happy Watercolor Stamp Set…just stamp away using the White Staz On Ink…so cute…right!?!? I then matted this on a strip of Basic Gray that was 1” wide!
TIP ALERT #2 – the trick with working it vellum is to be tricky and learn to “conceal” where you used the adhesive…as most of the time your adhesive will “peek” through!!! I used a Glue Dot behind the “circle area” and then I used glue dots on the back after wrapping it around!!!
- I first used the flower with the 8 petals and then the one with 4…if you gently punch down with a stylus…it gives you that fabulous depth and dimension. A little pearl in the center is all that was needed to complete the card!!!
- Last but not least – a simply lining of the back of the envelope is all that was needed!
I am happy that I am trying to “go out of the box” and see a sketch and try to make “sense” of it….in my style! I think that this card reflects who I am and true – there is lots of paper, but the lines are clean and simple….just like I like it!
On Saturday I learned so many tricks…this card is a great example! Jennifer Timko who is on the current Stampin’ Up! Artisan Design Team was a speaker and she was just fabulous! She talked about tips on concealing vellum and then she shared a super fun technique with vellum that I will do in a future post…I already know what it is going to be!!!
I hope you enjoyed this post and I thank you for sharing your cup of coffee with me! Please continue to tell your family and friends about my blog. Remember, you can subscribe right under the catalog… I have enjoyed meeting so many incredible people from all over!
Tomorrow is a super fun day…it is the monthly PALS Blog Hop and the theme is SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!! There are 31 “hoppers” so be prepared to be inspired TO THE MAX…soooo much talent out there and it is wonderful to be a part of Mary Fish’s team – the Pals have fun…the pals are talented…and the pals have a fabulous passion!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!!!!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 2, 2014 | Photopolymer Stamps, Super Easy, Thank You |
I am doing the Simple Sunday happy dance!!! Now THIS IS my kind of card!!! Please do not get me wrong…I loved showing you the past 2 days of posts with Will’s goodies…and he loved them…but this is the type and style of card I am all about!
This is my “Breast Cancer Card Week” and I always try to create cards that are super simple yet uplifting! Naturally I will change the sentiment on this…but it looks like Spring to me…how about you?
I wanted to pull off the shelf a stamp set that I have not used in a while and the lucky winner was…Bright Blossoms! This is a cute set and one that I have not used in a while!
Let’s get to the fun…I am a bit bummed that the pictures did not turn out better on the close up’s of the flowers but I am sure you will get the idea!
- Pulling out the handy-dandy stampin’ friend, the Stamp-a-ma-jig…lets put it to work! The vase was stamped in Pacific Point and then the flowers were stamped in Wild Wasabi….(these 2 colors look fantastic together!!!)
- Using 2 of the fun little punches from the Itty Bitty Shapes Pack…I popped out (4) in each color and shape! The paper colors are Pink Pirouette and Strawberry Slush! Using the mini glue dots, I adhered (1) each over the green flowers!
- Here’s the fun tip! Pull out the mat from a stampin’ piercing and get your Simply Scored Stylus out…gently “push” down into the mat and PRESTO – you get a fun shaped flower!!! I just love the effect this gives when you layer the “curled” one on top of the flat one!
TIP ALERT! – I like to use the liquid Mono glue to adhere the 2nd flower…why? I think if you use another glue dot you will see it …just a teeny tiny dab of glue is all that is needed…press down with the stylus again!
- Where did that darn tiny dot come from for the centers of the flowers? That Owl again….he sure does come in handy…I need to do a post with him as the focal point…I have been using all of his body parts and neglecting him!!! Again…use the mono!
- Let’s get to the fun sentiment – isn’t that font gorgeous! It is from the Another Thank You Photopolymer Set! I am so happy that Stampin’ Up is going to be coming out with more of these great “clear stamps” …I just love them!
- Time to frame this piece…just a “smidge” larger in Wild Wasabi… 2 5/8” X 3 5/8”…I think the “thin” border is the perfect to POP the focal part!
I hope that this card brought some “Springtime Joy” into your heart today! You always hear me talk about the weather and how I am not a fan of this winter…well get this – today it is supposed to be 52° and then on Monday we are in a forecast to get 8 – 12” of SNOW…crazy!!!!
We are in March…and now the Sale-a-Bration time-frame has been turned! Remember, for every qualifying order….you will not only get a FREEBIE from Stampin' Up! but you will also get a FREEBIE from me….a swatch book of the Designer Series Paper!
I am feeling like "Rocky" with my cold….I really rarely get sick and I am feeling great….(expect this snow coming)! I have some real "keepers" for you this week….
Enjoy your day…hopefully you can do something fun and remember, I am an email away if you need help! Many thanks for your support and also, I deeply appreciate you sharing my blog with your friends!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 11, 2014 | PALS Blog Hops, Super Easy, Thank You |
Welcome to the Pals February Blog Hop. This month we are excited to share with you what we love about Stampin' Up! – our stamps, tools, accessories and techniques.
You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from # 8… Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.
This truly is one of my favorite times of the month….when we have our monthly Blog Hop!!! It is always such a treat to see what others come up with and I hope that you will pop by each and everyone's blog to see "what they love"!!!
This month's theme of "things we love"…WOWZERS – (can you hear me singing)…
"Where do I begin…..to tell the story….."
Well first… I just LOVE Stampin' Up! and today's card is a reflection of these things that I love! Here are some of the products that I used from Stampin' Up! that "I love" and that make is fun and easy to create the Clean and Simple style I like to do when card making!
- Sale-A-Bration – THANK YOU Stampin' Up! for offering such incredible "freebies" for us and our customers…and also the extra $$$ for hostess rewards!!! WOOT-WOOT!
Let's get to the card as this is such a cutie-pie and it is the card that I send to my customers this month…I am showcasing the DSP from Sale-A-Bration….an appropriate card for a "thank you" in the month of February!
I love white….did you notice that by now? I think white is always the perfect classic background to produce a wowzer card! The inset piece is cut at 3 1/4" X 4 3/4"
I knew that I wanted this to be super simple and super duplicatable….so out came the Stampin Trimmer and I used the vertical pattern on the DSP to guide me for the width!
- The vertical dimensions are 3 1/4" X 3/4" for the DSP and the pool party is 3 1/2" X 1/2"
- The horozontal dimensions are 3" X 3/4" for the DSP and the pool party is 2 3/4" X 1/2"
I just love my dots and dashes…and I often use the white gel pen….another must have and the price is right – just $3.95! No stressing….just dash away and the effect will be super-duper!
Next came the sentment! This "thank you" is a perfect size to fit in this area! I did not dare take a chance on not having a straight image so out came the Stamp-a-ma-jig ! The Stamp Set is called Peaceful Petals!
Taking the full heart punch and popping out a crisp cantaloupe heart….I ran it through the SAB Dots Embossing Folder and the end result is perfect! Popping it up with some Stampin' Dimensionals was all that was needed! The small heart punch with the DSP was just adhered with a glue dot!
THAT'S IT…..easy-peasy….right! Lining envelopes is so easy with the Envelope Liner Framelit….thank-you Stampin' Up……it is the perfect finishing touch/finale to a beautiful card!
(One question I have been asked…..can the new Textured Boutique Embossing Machine cut? NO – it can only emboss…..it is a dream with the embossing folders and because it is much smaller and light weight – it is a fun product….but the Big Shot is the Main Man to do everything…cut and emboss!)
A big, BIG thanks for popping by today!!!! I hope that I have inspired you and I hope that you will try this super simple layout and adapt it to many different themes!!! Please feel free to leave me a comment on how you liked this card and remember, you can email me too!
We are in FULL SWING with SAB so it is a great time to have a class, a stack-a-card event….or simply if you want a hostess code – I'll be glad to set that up for you!
The next stop is # 10…Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat on the Pals Blog Hop! Nicole is the super-duper gu-ru that always designs our "Blog Hop Artwork"….one talented lady! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.
Until tomorrow…..
- Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
- Brian King at Stamp with Brian
- Janice Warhank at Janice's Papercraft Playground
- Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works
- Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
- Marlene Heringer at So Many Toys So Little Time
- Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin Sunshine
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com
- Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin Jackie
- Alison Bilohlavek at ribbon and brad
- Kelly DeTommaso at Kelly's Creative Corner
- Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
- Angie Blake at Angie's Musings
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
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by Susan Itell | Feb 9, 2014 | Thank You |
I love the Olympics…I find it to be so entertaining and I am always WOWED by the athletes! I was so excited to see the opening ceremonies!
All day at work on Friday I was thinking of what John and I would have for dinner…planning on how to take care of the animals….juggling everything to be planted in front of the TV to watch the pageantry – then getting a call from a dear friend to pop over and watch the opening ceremonies……CALGON TAKE ME AWAY – so many decisions!
Dear John to the rescue….he went home and brought the horses in…(he is doing GREAT) – fed the dogs and Daisy-Mae ….said – you say at work and I will take care of the house and meet you….WOWZERS – a dream come true…..he is the best!
I think that impromptu things work out to be the best! This is what this post is about and we had a FABULOUS Friday! Last minute things work out to the best! I was glued and enjoyed every minute!
Now to the FLIP SIDE….I try not to be negative …but I was soooooo ready for yesterday to be over! Have you ever had a day that everything you wanted to accomplished…just fell short each and every-time! Well – that was me from about 12 noon on Saturday until John was once again a saviour and made me smile…. actually helped me finish today's card!
Many times we learn the hard way – this is one of those examples as when John and I were driving home today from doing errands I said – " I think I will make an Olympic Card to say a big THANKS to Haven and Brandon for such a fun Friday evening"!!! His immediate reaction was…yep – that would be easy…..just make the circles and done!!!!
I was doing the "Susan mental happy dance" as we were driving as I knew EXACTLY how I was going to do this card….then there were some hiccups but I learned and I will pass them on to you as you can see!
The key element was naturally the circles, I was 1st going to use the Circle Framelits and then I was lazy and thought…..let's try punches as if they would work it would be a time saver…(remember, I was soooo darn eager to have my day over)
The punches did the trick for me! I used the 1 3/8" and the 1 3/4" Circle Punches and the colors of paper were Real Red, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Black and Pacific Point! Easy-peasy…pop the smaller one 1st and then the larger to make the rings!
I thought I was sooo darn cleaver to use the shaker frames and the 1st "go around" I used the whole circle and then was super frustrated that they would not lay flat! (DAH!!!!) John to the resque (again) and he said….just cut smaller pieces….so that I did but I then again made another boo-boo…..I cut all 5 circles and if I do this again, I would just cut the yellow and green and I would "hide" the cut marks under the other circles!
You see…I am all full of hiccups today but I think that you can get the look I was going for! John was trying to keep me positive and said – how did you know what size to make the card….I was all smiles as before he came to my rescue…I snapped a picture that shows you!!!! The final saize is 4" X 6 1/2"!
It is that wonderful grid paper….just love that grid – it is a helper and a quick life saver! You can see the "how to's" easily with this card and then I knew the perfect sentiment! The Lots of Thanks Set was the perfect way to thank my friends for such a wonderful evening!
Friday was a perfect night….Saturday is behind me and today will be a GREAT day! I promised "Stanley" (the horse) a really good and long grooming and my friend Jeanie is coming over and I am going to make her say…."you were not kidding"…!!!! She is sooo funny and sooooo talented and we are going to put together a project and then I will post on it this week!
Can you think of what it might be….???It is in the new Occasions catalog and something that to me us soooo "Not Susan" but when I saw it at leadership I was in awe with how cute/beautiful it was in person!
Thanks for popping in and listening to me today! I hope that you enjoy watching these amazing athletes over the next 2 weeks! They are our heros with their dedication and pasion!!!
Don't forget….Sale-A-Bration is in FULL swing and it is H O T!!!! Please email me if you have any questions!!!
Until tomorrow!
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