by Susan Itell | Feb 16, 2015 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thinking of you |
I know that many of you miss the Monday Make it Mine challenges so I thought..let's do something fun today if you are up to it! It is totally up to you if you want to play and if you choose to share it with me…great but no pressure, I always adore seeing your work.
Today the challenge is to make a 1 layer card using only 1 stamp set!…wow – this is tougher than it seems but I was pleased with the end result! I have a friend that is starting chemotherapy and I thought that this simple card would bring a smile to her face.
Trust me….I was sooooo darn tempted to add a little flower punch here and there with a pearl but I stayed strong! It just does not get any simpler than this!
I have been feeling like the stamp sets in the annual catalog have been "back burner-ed" a bit with the the new Occasions Catalog, so I decided to showcase something from the big catalog. The stamp set is called Perfect Pennants.
- The card is a note card and I simply stamped the sentiment in Crisp Cantaloupe.
- Using the stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement I went to town and had fun with the polka dots! The inspiration came from the Lullaby DSP as this is where my color combo come from – Baked Brown Sugar, Hello Honey & Crisp Cantaloupe.
I was a bit off with my stamping so I thought…..hmmmmm – what should I do? I just cut off 1/2" off of the bottom of the card! I thought it looked fun and I TOTALLY am going to do this again!
The fun DSP Print from the Lullaby Collection just pulled this sweet card together. I find trying a challenge is super fun and it really does make you step out of your comfort zone!
Please feel free to share with me your take on a 1 layer card from 1 stamp set – it was FUN! I was wanting to do something FUN with you to get the week going so how about it – Hopefully you can find time to slide into your crafting space and give it a whirl!
Between typing this blog I have been making or should I say "coloring with the Blendabilites" the "Thank You" card for anyone that places an order with me this month….click here to see the post and I ask you….is this really a pigeon? If so it's the prettiest pigeon I've seen….
Remember, today is the last day to place and order for the weekly deals….not only will you get 25% off..you will also receive this great card from me! (the Flower Frenzy is my pick of must-haves this week)
Let's all have a great week….my poor peep in Boston…..MORE SNOW – my heart goes out to all that have been effected with this weather – it is BITTER cold here and John has been the BEST in dealing with the animals!!!
Stay warm, please feel free to email me and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Dec 8, 2014 | Make it MINE Monday, Thinking of you |
Good morning….great week ahead! I hope that you are getting your daily dose of me this morning! I have been having problems with my posts going out and being delivered to you as you are used to!
I think I know what the problem is…..ME! (I am going to call a very patient Customer Support this morning for guidance)
Here is your sketch for you to play with this week…I realize that we are all getting super busy with the holiday but I say….Stampin' will cure all stresses!
That darn calendar is WHIPPING by…..so let's get going! One of my all time favorite words is "JOY" – I think that as I have become older I appreciate that this little word can fill your heart in so many ways….some that are obvious to others and some that are just special to you!
This is a new stamp set called Banner Blessings and I am sure that you can see the potential and versatility of it for so many of the variety of cards we make and send.
Many of you know that I do card volunteer work for Breast Cancer patients, this card I am personally sending to a very young Mom that has Breast Cancer, she has a set of twins and another older child - her husband died suddenly of a massive heart attack last year.
She knows what "Joy" is and she has such a beautiful and postivie outlook. We all need to step back at times and allow the joy of others to enter into us! I adore this set and I am so excited that we have it!
I think that these colors together are just stunning! How can you go wrong with Black and White with a POP of color and today's color is pool party! I honestly just looked at the sketch and said – go for it!
I think that eveything is pretty straight forward for you to CASE this design but here are the quick measurements for the stamped part! (naturally just adjust it to whatever size your sentiment is that you are working with!
- The White stamped part is 2 1/2" X 1 3/4" and then matted a "smidge" larger 2 5/8" X 1 7/8"
- The DSP is 2 1/4" X 1 7/8" (left) and 2 1/4" X 1 1/8" (right)
I always like using the "green glue" to adhere the embossed part (lg Polka FUN dots) and then the rest I POPPED up with good old Stampin' Dimensionals! I did punch holes to thread the cotton ribbon thru and then did a simple Susan knot!
I was going to stop at that but then I thought it needed just a special added touch….out came the itty bitty accents punches (these are like a little black dress) – they always come to the rescue when you need something quick!
I always like pushing down the centers to give the flowers some flair and then a simple glue dot does the trick along with a pearl!
That's it…..I just love the fresh colors and the sentiment is just wonderful! I know that it will be very special to my new friend! Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers….
Tomorrow is a "not to be missed" blog posting….as I think you might want to print it out! (hmmmmm….wonder what it is….???? – I know that you will be smiling) Enjoy the day….pace yourself….we can only do so much (trust me – I need to honor this myself!!!)
I am an email away, I adore your comments and I love helping you reach your goals. Together we can accomplish tons! Until tomorrow!
p.s. – I only have (2) spots left for my Stamp of the Month Club. I am cutting it off at midnight tonight as I want to place my final order tomorrow. Please click here to see this months kit and remember that you can substitute a stamp set or product if you already have this one.
The kit cost is $40.00 and comes complete with samples, an extra goodie from me and of course the stamp set! Please email me and put in the subject line December Stamp of the Month Kit.
by Susan Itell | Nov 7, 2014 | Embossing Folders, Thinking of you |
Woot-Woot….it is Friday and bring on the weekend! I have a friend that just had hip surgery and thought a bit of flowers would be a great pick-me-up! I hope that this card makes you smile as much as I do….just love this stamp set!
This stamp set was totally overlooked by me when the catalog 1st came out and once I "discover it" – I thought…."Silly Susan" – how could you have overlooked that! This is one I call a keeper! It is called Pictogram Punches and just think about changing up the sentiments of this clean and simple card to make it work for so many occasions!
I realize that we are "knee deep" into Fall and I have used such soft/bright colors but what the heck – it's a card and I know that Ann will love it! This is what I call…."my kind of card"!!!
This is a card that I hope that you CASE so I am going to make sure that you have all of the scoop on how to make it! Please feel free to email me if you have any specific questions that I have not provided for you!
- The card base is an A-2 but folded at the 5 1/2" line to make it a vertical card.
- The next layer of Whisper White is 4" X 5 1/4" and then run through the Big Shot with the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder (wow….just love the effect this simple step makes)
- The White piece that I stamped on is 2" X 2 3/4" and then matted just 1/8" larger (that little "peek" gives a big punch)
- I did use the stamp-a-ma-jig…why???? Cause' I love it and I find it to bring the end result to alignment perfection! (I masked off the stems of the stamp and then cleaned it and then used the brush end of the Pear Pizzazz to stamp again)
- I do like to stamp the flower on the stamped image and then I use a piece of scrap paper to stamp and punch them out! I think it gives a polished effect as you can curl up the petals and still see a flower underneath! (hope that makes sense) The colors I used were Soft Sky and Lost Lagoon.
- I have not been giving the "Designer Series Paper Stack" the attention it deserves lately as our DSP has been fun but this is just sunning! The In Color Paper Stack it the perfect compliment for the card (4" X 1 1/2") and also for the back flap of the envelope.
- The sentiment is from the MUST HAVE set, And Many More (the best assortment of sentiments all in one set) I popped it out with the Modern Label Punch and then matted it – love this look!
- Some POPS with Dimensionals and before cleaning up my stamps….I made the mailman smile with a decorated front!
Well….did this inspire you? I sure hope so as I just adore this! I think that I might make this card up in all different color schemes and add different sentiments to give as a gift…..I think I might do a Stamp A Stack with this and let the stampers pick different sentiments!
If you live near Maryland, please email me….I would love for you to join me for an event! I am super lucky to be able to use Johns office and he has a PERFECT stampin' spot!
If you do not have these 2 stamp sets, I urge you to click here and order them or easier yet, just click on the pictures below and they will go right into your shopping cart and then Mr. UPS Man will visit you with them!
Please pop back tomorrow as I will share with you a "feminine version" of yesterdays card.…it is fun and oh, so easy and then on Sunday – you do not want to miss a super post on an EASY-PEASY packaging that will make you get "crows feet" from smiling!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Oct 26, 2014 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
Plan "B" – this is not the post that I was going to share with you today but I think that you will enjoy this card…this to me is a "keeper" – when I say that I mean….look at the design and then let you imagination go….you can do it – I know you can!
I had a friend that is needing some love and I whipped this up and sent it her way! I was super happy with it but I must say…I was inspired by a fellow PAL and someone that I totally love and admire in many ways, Shannon Jarramillo from EZPeasy Cards!
I think that if we lived closer – we would get nothing accomplished as we are "Peas in a Pod" and I love her work…well actually there is another Pea in our Pod but that is for a later post!
You can click here and see where the inspiration for my card today came from! She is clean and simple to the max and wow….such a great person! It was a joy to meet her this past Spring when we went to a training with Mary Fish. We could talk day and nght…..it was a treat to meet and be with her!
The stamp sets that I used to day were Summer Silhouette and A Dozen Thoughts…..both "keepers" in my books and the colors I used were Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss and Crushed Curry!
I hope that you will put this card design in your "keeper" to do list and use it however you see fit! This was not only a super quick card to pull together but it is a fun card to change up the colors and DSP with!
Remember…the timeglass is over for the opportunity to get a pack of free DSP fpr the next 6 months….email me and I would love to pave out a path for you!
I am sorry for such a short post but honestly…..I left my charger at John's office (and I am at 5% power now) as I was hostng a Stamp Camp yesterday with Jeanie ( it WAS SOOOO FUN!!!)…..and I am the only one that has a MAC computer so as with witch says….."I am dying"
I hope that you are having a great weekend ( I sure am) and I am spending the day with my SUPER FUN god-daughter….she is a total keeper to me….(just like you are) and I am super excited to spend the day with her!
I am now at 2%…until tomorrow…hopefully!!!!
by Susan Itell | Jul 31, 2014 | Thinking of you |
It's a good thing that I had this card prepared for you because you can call me Silly Susan! Thursday's are the days for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge and it is my week to submit a card! As one of the designers, we are to submit our cards to Cindy Hall, a great PAL that always takes cares of this!
Our cut off is Tuesday's at noon and I was oober proud of myself that I had my card ready for her on Monday! Today I received an email saying…did you remember that we are "off" tomorrow because of having 5 Thursdays this month….so Silly Susan – but I am already prepared for next week!
This week I am trying to share with you colors that I have not used in a while! Daffodil Delight was probably my most used colors (and Melon Mambo) a close 2nd when I first started stamping and I do not know why it has been on the back burner lately! We need a sunny color like this to brighten our day!
I still have not played enough with the blendabilities but I was pleased with this card today! I can say, the best video that I can relate to about quick tips is from Mary Fish. Please click here to see it! I think the reason why I can relate to it is – IT IS SIMPLE!
The blendabilites are so fun! I have always loved to "color" and these are just plain fun in trying to figure out the whole usage of using all of the colors and getting the blending "just right" All of the colors wil be available tomorrow…that deserves a woot-woot!
One thing that I do like about using these markers is…you can use just plain old whisper white paper! Remember, these are alcohol based markers so you want to work on a small section at a time and then keep going over to get the right colors.
When I first started to play with the markers, I did not listen to that advice and I was frustrated with the end result. Going over small areas at a time WORKS and you will be happy with the end result! Also, the easiest way to put the caps back on the markers is to lay them flat and then push the lid on.
The other "star" to this card is the simple embossing folder, Fancy Fan! A quick run through the Big Shot does the quickest and most effective texture for a mere $7.95! WOW!
The stamp set is a Hostess Set called, Bloom with Hope and it is just beautiful and a perfect stamp to use these new markers.I would love the opportunity to help you get this hostess set, between the 2 of us – we can figure out a great game plan and you will be super happy! Please email me and we will put our thinking caps on!
I couldn't resist to try the envelope with the blendabilites and it worked GREAT! Just slip a piece of scrap paper in and you are GOOD TO GO! Here comes another woot-woot!
The liner was from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack…back to my motto – when in doubt…pull them out! I use these all the time!
I cannot believe that tomorrow it is August 1st! WOW – It is exciting for Demonstrators! We get to order a preview from the holiday catalog…..YEAH!!!! It is super cute and super clean….just like the big catalog!
Please remember that I will be mailing you a new Holiday Catalog if you have ordered from me in the past year! I am equally as excited as you are to get the goodies!
I am so glad that I pulled out this beautiful bright color of daffodil delight…its a fun color that makes you happy!
Have a happy day and until tomorrow!
p.s. – remember…TODAY is the LAST day for you to take advantage of the buy 3 get 1 free DSP….click here to see the paper selections!
by Susan Itell | Jul 6, 2014 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
Happy Sunday! Having a holiday on Friday sure is messing me up with what day it is! We had a FABULOUS surprise….one of the "peeps" came home yesterday so I knew that needed to make this a cute and "to the point" post…but even though it is SUPER simple – it still carries a big punch!
To me…this is what I call, "my kind of card" – WHY??? Easy – it uses minimal products and still has a high level of classic simplicity at its best! I am using (2) stamp sets that have been "carried over" from last year – to me I call that an oldie but goodie!
Embellished Events = #126497
A Fitting Occasion = #127049 (do you see a little daisy-mae)
The "go to" for this card is the Note Card Size and envelope and I cut another piece of Whisper White at 4 1/2" X 3" As you can see in the below photo (sorry it is not the best photo) I used my ruler to be my friend!
I did use the stamp-a-ma jig and I just love using it as it gives me perfect placement the 1st time!!! Remember, it's like a bicycle…once you get it – it is second nature to you every time!
Here is the end result….so fast yet still super cute! Look at all of the adorable stamps in this stamp set…many, many possibilities! Remember, sometimes less is definitely best!
I am the first to admit that this is a very "Plain Jane"" card…but I like "Jane" – to me the sweet message gets accross and I adore all the "white"….and the single color of ink and then letting the POP of color from the super fun DSP from the "Flower Pot" collection…gave the finishing touch!
Don't forget…that all this month you can buy 3 DSP Papers and get one free! This new catalog has a bunch of beauties….so stock up and be ready!
The Envelope Liner framelit with the help of the Big Shot was a cinch to line the envelope! Isn't this a fun paper, I love all of the different colors in it as well as the variety of sizes of flowers make it so interesting!
FUN…BRIGHT…BOLD – The Flower Pot DSP #133698 is a keeper!
Tomorrow is Make it Mine Monday and I have a fun sketch for you! I hope that you will take on this personal challenge. I am so proud of so many of you in trying them each week – WOOT-WOOT to YOU!!!
Have a fabulous day…we have been blessed with amazing weather over the weekend! Be safe in your travels if you are on the road today.
Until tomorrow….
