by Susan Itell | Mar 28, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Thinking of you |
It is PALS Paper Art Challenge time and I am sneaking it in by the wire! I am happy with the end result and I must say – I love these single stamps that Stampin' Up! has been offering (fingers crossed that they will keep on doing them!!!
Here is the challenge that our own PALS Artist and Demonstrator, Margaret Moody, came up with! Please go to the website and play along with us! It is fun and lets you step out of your box and this is what I did! Here is the sketch!
The single stamp that is the center stage is the fun, fresh and ultra retro stamp of Spec-Tacular! It holds a special wow for me as I love Ray-Bans…good old' fashion classics!
Remember that I am "new to this Stampin' Up game" and I am just following the rules ( guidelines as sampled) and being a "good girl" I looked at the sketch and just "went with it!" Give me a couple of more months and I will step out of the box and be more creative!
I made this card a strange size…..why? – I guess it just like I like to change things up a bit but have no worries….being able to make your own envelope is easy-peasy and a fellow PAL, Mike Funke has the PERFECT video that I go to weekly! He is one talented man that I absolutely love to follow! What an inspiration! Please go and check it out!
A big helper again for me was the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig , my friend and lifesaver! It helped me place exactly where I wanted my sentiment from the Sweet Essentials Stamp Set. I this another on my "A list" – just love the simplicity of the sentiments!
The colors that brought this fun card to life were, Whisper White, Basic Grey, Black, Island Indigo, and the Neutrals Designer Series paper for both the card and the liner! Can you see is bit of sponging? Yep – I took the later of whisper white and ever so softly sponged the edges with the basic grey to give it a bit of depth!
I am enjoying and finding it fun to do challenges and I hope that you fin this card fun! My dear hubby said….who would you say this to…I immediately thought of a dear friend of my daughters that is biting her nails waiting to hear back from colleges….I would easily send this to her letting her know what a special person she is…..and she is!!!! Let your mind go "out of the box" – just like I did today!
Until tomorrow…..I am an email away and I hope that you have a super-duper day…I'm going to!
STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:
Stamp Set: Spec-tacular Single Stamp (C -132673), Sweet Essentials (C-126457)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Island Indigo (122923), Basic Grey (121044), Basic Black (11045),Neutrals Designer Paper Designer Paper (117157)
Ink: Balck Staz On (101406)
Cool
Tools: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (101049), Stampin Trimmer (126889)
The
Perfect Touches: Snail (104332), Glue Dots (1036830), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
by Susan Itell | Mar 21, 2013 | Thinking of you |
I have a confession…when the Spring Catalog came out – I instantly loved this stamp set, Beyond Plaid, why??? – not sure but I have to say I have never been so frustrated with trying to create something that I am happy with! I have never struggled so until this card – I really like it and I'm smiling!!!! I just kept crossing the design to make the backdrop of the card!
All of the colors I used came from the In-Color 2012-2014 Collection! They all work together so well and now that it is SPRING…doesn't this make you feel cheerful! I stamped the images on white card stock and then popped them out using the 1 3/8" square punch. I just kept crossing the design to make the backdrop of the card! Turned out pretty cool!
After "scruffing up" the Feels Good stamp to get maximum coverage ( remember a pet peeve of mine) I ran it through my dear, Mr. Big Shot, my favorite stampin' man – then using the Labels Collection Framelits I cut out that fun shape! To give it a bit of softness, I lightly sponged the sides of the sentiment piece! After matting it I used the Paper piercing tool and the Festive Paper-Piercing Pack using every other hole to give the WOW factor a WOW!
Adding just a dap of ribbon, the Primrose Petal Stitched Satin Ribbon the final touch was in place! Putting my Stampin' Vitamins, Stampin Dimensionals and lining the envelope with the In-Color Designer Paper, this card came to life! Please email me or leave a comment and let me know how you like this!
I would love for you to be a PAL….and time is running out to take advantage of the Sale-A Bration Celebration! Do you realize that well over 80% of SU Demonstrators are hobbiest like myself! I just love creating and love making and sending cards to family and friends..how about joining me with this fun journey!
Until tomorrow…..happy Stampin'!!!
Paper: Primrose Petal (126841), Gumball Green (126840), Summer Starfruit (126839), In Color 2012-2014 Collection
Designer Paper (126910)
Ink: Primrose Petal , Gumball Green, Summer Star Fruit
Cool
Tools: Big Shot (113439), 1 3/8 " Square Punch (119877),Labels Framelits (125598),Festive Paper-Piercing Paper Pack (127857)
The
Perfect Touches –Stampin Dimensionals
(104430), Snail (104332),2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Primrose Petal Satin Stitched Ribbon
by Susan Itell | Mar 18, 2013 | Thinking of you |
My precious little tea cup girl had to go to the Vets yesterday for an annual check-up! Well naturally she needs to send a thank you to her Doctor friends that made her so comfortable! Several week ago, I made a card very similar to this one but I decided to "tweak" it cause I wasn't 100% happy with it!
This one I love…I think what needed to be done was to make this a square card as the angles in this card are very square, using the 1" square punch and also the "pig" is relatively square so it just seemed natural to make this card a 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 Square Card! Before punching the square out, I ran my card stock through Mr. Big Shot ( my dear friend) using the Hounds tooth Folder!
I hope that you can see the richness and texture that using the hounds tooth folder gives this card…to me – it is the WOW yet subtle factor!
A tip that I have shared to you before but one well worth saying again, as it is TOTALLY a "pet peeve" of mine…that you see one of our stamps not having a true/solid image! I personally would rather not see a stamped image that is not clean,sharp and crisp….BUT you can do it by "scuffing" up your stamps with a fine grain sand paper…this TOTALLY helps with ink coverage! Another tip – when using Black…I always use Black Staz On…the coverage is perfect! Don't you just love the Neutrals Designer Button on her nose! Cute and fun touch!
Because Daisy is Black, naturally my pig needed to be black and because she is a girl – pink was it! ( she has 5 brothers….dogs – so she is quite the princess!!!) Using the square lines this just came together like 1-2-3!!! Once again, I am using the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set…( remember this is on my A list) and just these 3 little words are a perfect choice! Giving this sentiment a "stage of its own"…the Ticket Duo Builder did the trick! Popping another one with the Melon Mambo and snipping it in half made the POP factor work!
As always, Stampin' Dimensionals are everywhere and the envelope liner is from the Brights Designer Series Paper! Don't the Polka Dots make you smile! Please feel free to email me at anytime if I can help you….inspire you….
After a long day for Daisy she was happy to be home with her brothers! She brings me joy each and everyday as having a "house pig" has always been on my Bucket List! I truly believe that we all need to have a list of goals/dreams that we want to have…life is so short – we need to live the life we all have…we all have gifts to give…until tomorrow have a great day!
p.s. – remember yesterday was my 50th blog and I am offering BOG CANDY….please look at yesterdays post and leave me a comment and YOU could win the Blog Candy! I will announce the winner tomorrow morning!
STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:
Stamp Set: Button Buddies (122735) wood, (122737) clear,Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) wood, (127802)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (121045), Melon Mambo (115320), Brights
Designer Paper (117155 )
Ink: Black Staz On (101406)
Cool
Tools: 1" Square Punch ( 124094), Big Shot (113439), Ticket Duo Builder Punch (127883)
The
Perfect Touches – Houndstooth Folder 123134), Stampin Dimensionals (104430), Snail (104332), Glue Dots ( 103693), Neutrals Designer Buttons (119743)
by Susan Itell | Mar 15, 2013 | Thank You, Thinking of you |
This card is for YOU…a super special "Thank You" from me in being a HUGE inspiration to me with you unending comments and inspirations you have given me with my blog and Stampin' Up! projects!
This past week has been WOW!!! The traffic and wonderful comments & emails to me from the Blog Hop have truly touched me…I THANK YOU!!! Being a part of the PALS group is wonderful, what a great group of fun and inspiration all within your computer!!! Sounds funny to talk about cyber friends ( I really am not a cyber nerd!!!!)
The Mixed Bunch Stamp Set is the magic to this card! Isn't it just fun and fresh! Just love that you can have a punch right at your finger tips that will make you look like a pro…the Blossom Punch does the magic for you! That little stamp that I have used in this card…it is perfect to use as a "filler" when you need one…simple!!!! ( I have it on my blog banner)
This is another set that is on my "A List"….so versatile! You have
heard me say about an "A list" – this is why you need to be a Stampin'
Up! Demonstator…..your "A List" will always be complete cause' you get
it at a discount or better yet you could actually get it for free. I
would love for you to be a PAL of mine…so easy…and do you know well over 80% of demonstrators are demonstrators because they just want to buy the product! That certainly was me!
The sentiment is from the Curly Cute Stamp Set, this has a fun flair to the curls and frills of the typeset! It cannot be anymore straight forward than this! The colors I used were Raspberry Ripple and Pretty in Pink….I just LOVE pink – what a fun color and it reminds me of my beautiful daughter!
After doing the Stamping and punching….I added a special touch of a flower brad ( too cute, right!) then all I needed was the Stampin' Dimensionals ( of course!!!) Lifting up really adds dimension and it totally makes it so from super super – to WOW CUTE!!! Wouldn't you have a huge smile on your face if you opened this up! The finale is the Polka Dot Paper from the Subtles Paper Collection….
Another big WOOT-WOOT to the Blog Candy Winner! Margaret M was the lucky winner and I cannot wait to do more Blog Hops and Blog Candy give away….to YOU , my loyal and inspirational friends! Until tomorrow…..a big and warm thank you for making me smile! I love and appreciate you comments!
STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:
Stamp Set: Mixed Bunch (125535 – wood) ,(125537- clear), Curly Cute (117014 – wood, (120510 – clear)
Paper: Whisper White(10730),Raspberry Ripple (126842), Pretty in Pink (100459), Subtle Designer
Paper (117152) – for liner!
Ink: Raspberry Ripple (126859), Pretty in Pink (126859)
Cool
Tools: Stampin Trimmer (126889), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 3/4" Circle Punch (119873), Blossom Punch (125603)
The
Perfect Touches – Stampin Dimensionals
(104430), Snail (104332)
by Susan Itell | Mar 13, 2013 | Get Well, Thinking of you |
To me, I think this card is simple…elegant…clean and I think just beautiful! I absolutely love having the white on white effect – it truly makes a statement! This technique can be used with so many different stamp set and themes. I used to use this technique a lot when I scrapbooked – I would take a photo and cut it – then piece it together like this card….a really fun effect!
The Summer Silhouettes Stamp Set is probably one of the most versatile stamp sets we have! If I had to pick an "A-B-C" list of stamps to purchase, this one would definitely be in the "A" list ! It is perfect for birthday's, thinking of you, sympathy, get well etc…a beautiful "go – to" stamp set! I have not used "purple" for a long time so I thought the Wisteria Wonder would be soft and subtle and after all…this color is getting ready to be retired – boo-hoo!!! The green used here is Wild Wasabi ( don't you love that name!!!)
A couple of days ago, I shared a tip with you and it works great on this stamp set as well – if you have a stamp that has a flat surface that really needs good ink coverage, go over it with a sanding block to "scurf it up a bit"…this makes the ink really take hold and gives you a solid, crisp image! I like my leaves to be strong and bold!
I simply stamped my images on a piece of White Card stock…just free-handed it – if you want to use the stamp-a-ma-jig…you could – but this stamp is pretty easy to do free-handed! Stamp your image and then simply cut it in equal increments…voila!!! Now you know how I feel about the Stampin' Trimmer…definitely on the "A" list…this gem makes life so easy! I think I have soooo many trimmers in my house that I could fill a closet with…but HANDS DOWN – this is the best trimmer I have ever used! The precious little sentiment comes from the teeny tiny wishes stamp set…always a go-to for the perfect short and sweet message!
Space your cut up image evenly the Wisteria Wonder Card Stock and WOW~I still felt I needed a bit more so I thought the perfect soft and elegant touch would be to use the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder to highlight the tone on tone effect…these little gems at $7.95 are a SUPER bargain to make a card go from OK to WOW!!!
Here is another TIP – I find that after you emboss and then put an adhesive on the embossed piece, you sometimes crease your embossed image….( hope this makes sense) – I find if you put your adhesive on the card stick BEFORE you run it through Mr. Big Shot…you never have that problem! The adhesive of choice for me when doing this is the sticky strip ( I know it is more expensive than other options…but it is the one adhesive that really holds your image flat) Simply peel off and it looks and holds perfectly!
Wrapping a piece of Wild Wasabi Grosgrain Ribbon around the focal image pulled it all together – all it takes is just a little snip of ribbon, and look at the effect! I did POP with Stampin' Dimensionals the floral part of the card and the liner for the envelope was from the Subtles Designer Paper Series…(just love those paper collections!!!)
Thanks for stopping by my Blog today! Don't forget that if you want a chance to win my Blog Candy from yesterday's post…please go to it, click here, and leave a comment and you will be in "the pot" to win! If you want a super treat for yourself…go BLOG HOPPING and see all of the wonderful ideas out there…29 Pals participated and it is fun to see all of the fun and fresh ideas!
Sale-A-Bration is coming to and end… another boo-hoo….but this IS the best time to support your habit and be able to get your Stampin' Up supplies at a discount…for $99.00 you will be able to pick $156.50 of ANY Stampin' Up product to "customize" your own kit! The overwhelming majority of Stampin Up! Demonstrators are hobbiest…that's exactly why I joined – to support my habit! Click here to get started! It is simply the best option…and the motto of "My Way" holds true…no strings attached and I would love to have you be a part of the PALS team! Email me if you have any questions…until tomorrow!!!!!
STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES:
Stamp Set: Summer Silhouettes (126445 – wood) ,(126447- clear), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370 – wood, (127802 – clear)
Paper: Whisper White(10730),Wisteria Wonder(122922), Wild Wasabi (108641), Subtles Designer
Paper (117152) – for liner!
Ink: Wild Wasabi (126959),Wisteria Wonder(126985)
Cool
Tools: Stampin Trimmer (126889), Big Shot (113439)
The
Perfect Touches – Stampin Dimensionals (104430), Snail (104332), Sticky Strip(104294), Wild Wasabi Grosgrain Ribbon (126873), Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (127751)
by Susan Itell | Mar 10, 2013 | Thank You, Thinking of you |
Isn't this a sweet card! The title of the Stamp Set, Easy Events…says it all – and I think it's a keeper! It uses 2 of my favorite things – using Mr. Big Shot and being able to "water-colorer" using the Aqua Painter Pens – It truly makes me feel like Picasso!!! Isn't it fun and cheerful!
Breaking it down, I needed some cute thank you's so this stamp set screamed to me as I always love the simplicity of it! Using the Black StazOn Ink and I stamped in on our Water Color Paper. I know you can totally use the whisper white card stock we have but I think the end result of using the watercolor paper is perfect! It lays perfectly flat!
Using the Aqua Painter Pens I water colored in the flowers to give it that special punch! After coloring, I punched the image out with the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch then using a sponge, I soften the edges of my images but lightly sponging with Crumb Cake, just to pull it all together! I wanted the real red to POP out so first I ran it through the big shot and using the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, I gave the bold effect - a WOW factor!
I knew that I want the effect of another strong color so I felt the Lucky Limeade was the perfect choice! Tying in the Island Indigo with our envelopes liner I thought it would be fun to jazz it up a bit and pull out the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch ( I forget about this little gem) ! The perfect finishing touch to add the pizzazz I needed!
The final touch was punching a hole to the right of my image…threading some whisper white taffeta ribbon through it and tying a simple knot ( remember – I am bow challenged and I actually like the look of a knot!) then adhered this entire piece over top of the Red Red/Crumb Cake base!
Naturally, I popped it with some dimensionals as a card would not be a card without a little "lift" and then lined the envelope with that fresh and fun print from the Summer Smooches Designer Paper! TIP: I really like using the Tombow adhesive when putting down things like the punched scallop piece of paper – a little goes a long way and it is just easier I find than using the snail!
Hopefully today's card inspired you to whip up some cute and sweet thank-yous! It's just as easy to make up several when you are taking the time in the first place! I try to keep a stash of a variety of cards with me…"just in case!!!" but remember the stamps! Please email me or leave me a comment and let me know how you like this card! I think it is really sweet! Sale-A-Bration is winding down…March 22nd will be here before you know it! Have a wonderful day!
