by Susan Itell | May 16, 2014 | Thinking of you, Tips and Tricks!!! |
I'm guilty, I love a great cup of coffee! I think I would have a really tough time giving up this morning ritual for me! When Stampin' Up! came out with this stamp set – I immediately did a WOOT-WOOT as the size of it is perfect and it is also a cinch to "fussy cut" out!
I know that this is different style of card for me…but I must say – I was happy with it as it was fun to make. Another confession to you today…there is a "method to my madness" as I wanted to share with you the FUN of using the Color Coach and to remind you to put on your "wish list" when the new catalog comes out…to order the NEW In Color Refills!
For those of you that are not familiar with this product – let me tell you and trust me in this one – YOU NEED TO HAVE IT! Once you learn how easy it is to use and also how much stress it takes off your plate when you are having a mental block….it's a keeper!
You can see on the right that I have it turned to the Soft Suede Color and then underneath, the colors that are complimentary with this are listed – EASY-PEASY!!! (look further down and you'll see another color combination) – I just love it when you are in a hurry and it is a "quick go-to" but remember with the NEW In Color Paper coming out – you will need to order the refills (just $2.50)
Let's get to this card for the day!
- The base is a vertical A-2 card scored at the 5 1/2" in Soft Suede and following the color coach advice, I paired it up with Blushing Bride and Bermuda Bay! The white piece is 1/2" smaller.
- I "stamped off" the stamp from the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set as I did not want it to be so dark!
- The coffee cups were stamped and fussy cut with Pink Pirouette and then using my trusty Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for perfect placement, my sentiment was right where I wanted it!
- To add a bit of fun and interest I cut a circle out with the Circle Framelits and then using up scraps – a "stitched" rectangle seemed fitting!
- You can see in the below picture that I used stampin' dimensionals to POP up the cups of java!
- Being the bow challenged person I am, I went for the easy way….a simple knot in the soft suede ribbon but before I did that I placed a Stampin' Dimensions on the area and took several "snips" of bakers twine and linen thread to make it FUN!
- Keeping the theme going, I lined the outside of the envelope with the Bermuda Bay DSP…the perfect fun and bold finish!
I am so glad that this stamp set was carried over next year – it's a fun and versatile set to have and the gorgeous grunge….I admit – I was not thrilled with it when I 1st saw it…but I was totally wrong – it is a great stamp set to "fill in spaces" and to also add a quick dimension!
WOOT-WOOT – the weekend is here! Hannah arrived home last evening and we will cherish the next 48 hours! I hope that you have something fun planned for the weekend!
Remember – this would be a GREAT time to straighten up your craft area and take inventory of things you might need (and also some things that might need to find a new home!)
Many thanks for the emails about the Cyber Stamp Club, please email me and let me know if you are interested and I will put you on the list! It is a GREAT way to stay on top of new products and a fabulous opportunity for you to earn hostess benefits from not doing a darn thing but be a part of the club!
I am going to "touch on it" a bit more to help answer questions. Enjoy the day…go make someone smile and as always, I thank you for popping by and I appreciate you telling your family and friends about my passion!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | May 2, 2014 | SNEAK PEEK!!!, Thinking of you |
I'm still in that "Candy Store" with excitement of the new catalog! I feel like having a count down until I can share EVERYTHING with YOU! Please know, my customers will be receiving their catalog next week (fingers crossed) and you can start looking and letting you mind go wild….remember the Catalog goes live to order on June 2nd!
Here is a sneak peak of a card that was made my a new stamp set! This is a KEEPER of sets and one that will definitely need to find a way to your home…as it is very fun and forgiving!….What do I mean by that? Well…there are many different stamps in the set that You can stamp "hear and there" and you will always look good…as the sentiment says…."You are a fabulous work of art" (Isn't this font fun!!!!)
You know me…the "maker of cards for a purpose"…well this is going to be for my precious god-daughter! The minute I saw this stamp set I know that I could make her a card the was fun, yet youthful…very colorful and this sentiment is her all over!
I know that many of you were sad that the Water Color DSP is going "bye-bye" but this stamp will allow you to creat your own fun! You can see below in the photo how I just stamped it using Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay and Daffidil Delight! (YIKES – sorry for the bad picture!!!!)
- The card size is a regular A-2 but scored at th 5 1/2" side making it a vertical card and then the layer in which the heart is cut out is 5" X 4" ( the piece that I stamped on was a scrap – just make sure that it is wide enough to stamp the image!)
- Before you adhere the cut out piece to the stamped piece, take the paper piercing tool and the Occasions Paper Piercing Guide and have fun! This is something that I forget to do….but when I do – I love it! Just adds the fun splash to make a card to to a quick WOW!!! Corner round the upper edges with the Envelope Punch Board before you adhere it to the Melon Mambo piece…5 1/4" X4 1/4"
- I stamped the sentiment in Black Staz On Ink and naturally I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig as I wanted to to be a perfect placement!!!! LOVE this font!
- I POPPED up the whole piece with Stampin Dimensionals….(these are one thing that I never skimp on…they are such a great value and the effect they give is WOW….always make sure that you support the middle of your card….who likes a "saggy" card!?!?
Doesn't it look so clean and crisp this way!
Doing little touched like rounding corners….adding dimensionals….making clean and sharp cuts (always keep an extra blade for your stampin' trimmer) as there is nothing more frustrating than cutting a bunch of paper to only find out you need to change your blade and you do not have a spare!
- Last….envelope time!!! Woot-woot – my favorite…..I did a double whammy today! The liner was from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack with the must have envelope liner framelit! The outside….I simply stamped with other stamps that are in this set….to make the mailman smile!
Well….what do you think? Super cute set…right? This is the set that they gave us at the Preview Party and everyone was thrilled to have it! It truly is so versatile and one that will be easy to use…and also one that you will be able to "fill in here and there"
I am sure that you have seen the cover of the new catalog….and if not – here you go….have fun playing "eye spy" – I haven't actually looked real hard to see how many new products are on there…..have fun looking at it! (click on it to make it BIGGER and get your reading glasses out)
From the comments and emails I have had yesterday….it looks like you all are getting my daily posts!!!! WOOT-WOOT – you have no idea how happy I am with having that behind me (fingers and toes crossed)
Please share the Simple Stampin' fun with your family and friends and if you do not have a Stampin Up! Demonstrator, I would LOVE and be honored to work with you! If you do not have a SUD, I will be more than glad to mail you a current catalog…..please email me and I will be in touch with you….
Have a GREAT day and until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Apr 7, 2014 | Sympathy, Thinking of you |
If you follow my blog regularly you know that I absolutely adore my husband…my best friend…my wonderful John! There are many of you that always ask how is he doing…and the answer….GREAT!!! I will say he is a bit stressed with "Tax Season" but his legs are doing GREAT and we actually went for a 2 mile walk after he worked yesterday!
Last week John lost a client that was very special to him…a wonderful lady that has been battling cancer for years, She was a very strong women…one that he admired so…and one that fought a brave, brave battle and defied the odds for many years!
I must admit…I had another card ready for him as he asked me to make him (4) cards for the family – and even thought it was a GREAT card….he thought that they was too feminine….that's o.k. – you'll see it next week!!! That's what I love about John…he is my best critic!!!
Let's go….
- The card base is a 5" square card ( I just LOVE odd size cards) in Crumb Cake….(I adore this color)…and the handsome color of the day is Midnight Muse…this is a 4 3/4" square!
- Pulling out my FAVORITES…..the Designer Series Pack in Neutrals…was my POP paper for this card…why do I love these so much = the always match…which means a big WOOT-WOOT!!! You get 4 different prints in each color…..and I use them a TON for liners….a no brainer! This was cut at a 4 5/8" square!
- The white is cut at 2 1/2" X 4" and then the Midnight Muse is a "smidge" bigger!
- I have been wanting to use this stamp set, Summer Silhouettes, so fun…so versatile…and I knew that I could "tone down" the colors for John…but I will say – the Stamp-a-ma-jig is a must in my opinion!
- The sentiment came from the MUST HAVE stamp set, Four You, ( and I am going to be a "Sad Susan" if this stamp set gets discontinued) as I think it is am "A list" stamp set!
- Making an envelope was easy-peasy…the envelope punch board made is a cinch! I decided to line the envelope with the Midnight Muse …to keep it very "husband like" and I was right…he liked it!
To do a liner for a custom size envelope…it a cinch! Click here to see a video that Mary did…one that I often refer to and it works like a charm every-time! The other thing that I love it the fact that it uses minimal paper and I do like the look of a solid paper for a liner once in a while!
This was a 4" square…put it back in the envelope punch board…moved it DOWN 1/8" – (so it is at the 3 7/8" mark) PUNCHED….and then I FLIPPED it over and did the same thing! PRESTO – DONE!!!!
It will make total sense watching Mary's video!!! Try it and have fun!
Tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the month….out PALS monthly Blog Hop! It is a "keeper" and I hope that you hop back tomorrow as I have a fun and practical post for you….hint – hint…each of my kids will be getting one as I hope that they LOVE to cook as much as I do!!!!
WOWZERS…a busy week …Jeanie is going to help me with the Spring Card Swap…and I can already hear her….LOOK AT THIS…no – LOOK AT THIS…..we will have a ball! – Always do!
I need to get my own Swap ready for my trip to Arizona…I am excited!
Please feel free to email me and also please go to my face book page and give me a big "THUMBS UP" and like me….(cause' I like YOU)….
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Apr 4, 2014 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
On Wednesday I shared with you with you that I was going to share with you another card we did for Breast Cancer…this was a "Jeanie" inspiration and even though we did not do a couple of steps (I'll explain later), it was a beautiful and easy card to make!
I just love monochromatic cards…I used to think they were boring…but now I think they are very classy! You can keep them very clean and simple and then add "just a smidge" of fun…(like the pearls) on this card…and really step it up!
Let's get to it…I hope that this gets CASED by you…this would be great to change the sentiment…..a Birthday…a simple "hello"….even a sympathy card.
The base is Crumb Cake but scored at the 5 1/2" mark to make a vertical card!
TIP: The next step you could easily skip but I like the look of the extra layer on the card and I also perfer that the inside of my card not to see the opposite side of the embossed image…..so your decision!
- Cut a piece of Crumb Cake 1/4" smaller = 4" X 5 1/4" and then pulling out the Big Shot and using the Flower Garden Embossing Folder...run this through! (If you did not do this step…you would simple run the A-2 card through) – Now I ask you….for $7.95….how in the world would you be able to get something so beautiful….embossing folders are often overlooked…but they really can step up a project for a minimal cost!
- Remember the Fresh Prints Paper Stack? Well…it's back! You can cut (3)…..YEP…..(3) strips of DSP at 1 1/2" X 5 1/4"….and when you go to line the envelope….simply cut one sheet in half and you can line (2) envelopes! This is another bargain at just $6.95 for 48 sheets….I say WOOT – WOOT!!!!
- I matted this on a piece of Whisper White…(just a smidge wider) to give a little POP…..I like the effect but you could easily skip this!
- The simple sentiment of "Thinking of You" is from the Wetlands Stamp Set…wowzers – what a beautiful set….if you want a BIG WOW….google ideas using the Wetlands Stamp Set…..and you will be making LOTS of cards! I POPPED it out with the Oval Punch and then matted it with the Scalloped Oval Punch! A quick POP with Stampin' Vitamins…..Dimensionals is all that is needed!
- Now to some fun stuff…look at the envelope!?!?! Jeanie is sooo darn tootin' smart! When we were getting the supplies ready for the volunteers to assemble….she said – take the big shot and let them emboss the envelopes! ( I looked at her like she had 3 heads)…and look – it looks fabulous!!!!
- Look at the sweet pearls….don't they just add that special touch that makes it go WOW…..(we did not do this for the breast cancer cards as you would need to add extra postage because of the "bump" and I try to keep the cards to a regular stamp!!!)
I was worried that I would not be able to do my signature liner with the embossing but…
Have no fear…the liner is here!
Well…what do you think!?!?! Two monochromatic cards in a week….totally different but totally fun! Try it!
I adore when you share with me your work….from my post yesterday, I had Marie from New York….email me and said she had to run downstairs to try it and she made a beautiful Birthday card!! It makes my heart happy!
I know that there are many times that it is hard to be a turtle and stick your neck out…..I highly encourage you to try something different…something out of your comfort zone….you'll not only be proud of yourself….but it will put a huge smile on your face as you DID IT!!!!
I am an email away and I want you to reach your goals!
Until tomorrow…..
by Susan Itell | Mar 4, 2014 | Thinking of you, Tips and Tricks!!! |
What is your favorite flower?
Well…hands down mine is tulips! I love the variety of colors and I love the "attitude" they have…like when you put them vase and they "droop over" in a very majestic way that always puts a smile on my face! Many times my Mom would pop by with a bunch of "tulips" and she would say – "They are for you because I know you love them"
This clean and simple card is another card for Breast Cancer tomorrow evening! This is simple and just think of the color changes you could do! This stamp, from the Blessed Easter set, lends itself to water-coloring…and guess what…you are probably like me and waiting for the new "Blendabilities" Markers to come out…Stampin' Up! said it would be in the 1st quarter…soooooo it will be soon! Yippee!!!!
If you notice – this is a single stamp and it only is available in Wood Mount…and I think it is super just like it is…but I thought it would be more vesatile for me if I "cut" it into 2 stamps! True – I could mask-it and use it that way…but it is so easy to cut the sentiment from the tulips…so presto!
Let's get to why you are here and I do hope that you CASE away as it is a perfect Spring Card….for a "just because"… "thinking of you"…"thank you" and of course a lovely Easter Card!
- The base is the note card size and then the Whisper White is 4 1/2" X 2 3/4" and then the Pink Pirouette is 4 3/4" X 3"
- Start with the water color "blotches" from the Happy Watercolor Stamp Set…I stamped it in So Saffron and I stamped "it off" before stamping it on my card…why? I was looking for a very soft effect of a spring yellow!
- Time for the Tulips! I used the brush end of the Old Olive and Strawberry Slush! This is such a simple technique and it allows you to "ink" very precise….before you stamp…give it a "huff of Stampin' love" to keep the ink moist….stamp – perfect each and every time!
- The last part of Stamping is the sentiment….this is from the Wetlands Stamp Set! I thought that this font was a perfect flow for the tulips!
- I popped up the focal part of the card with the best stampin' vitamins in the whole wide world, stampin' dimensionals – I would not ever….EVER be without them! They are the best and the easiest way to create a simple yet classic card!
- To the envelope we go! When in doubt…pull them out! The Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack to the rescue! I loved the print of this paper…very fitting for the card! (click on the picture to make it larger)
That's it…a super easy card…you didn't need me for this one!
Every month when I do my Breast Cancer project, I try to design cards that are uplifting, beautiful, thoughtful and fun! It seems like I am always doing florals and it is hard not to use some sentiments as the people that receive these cards are in treatment – and we have no idea how they are doing in their treatment with this terrible cancer.
This card will brighten someones day…and hopefully inspire them for Spring! Remember, we are in the final stretches of Sale-A-Bration….so do not miss the opportunity to get a FREEBIE with every $40.00 you spend – to "sweeten" the fun – I personally will send you a swatch book that I made with the DSP!!!
(I will be mailing out today the swatch books from order I received last week!) These come in handy sooooo much! When you are sitting down to work on a project – it is great to pull the swatches out andgo to town!
Please pop back tomorrow as I will share with you a FUN card that will make you smile the minute you see it…It is bright, fun, fresh and happy!
I thank you for spending your coffee with me! I apoligize with the delay yesterday…I do not know what happened…but I thank you for being a "team player" and being patient!
Stampin' hugs to you and enjoy your day….
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 26, 2014 | Thinking of you |
O.k. my friends…I need your help…I need your prayers!!! My dearest friend Dad is very ill…and we need our positive energy going his way! I am going to try to make a bunch of cards that are fun, fresh and appropriate for a man (but I know his wonderful wife will love them)!!!
So Ted…this card is for you! If my cold is better I am hoping to go and see him on Sunday but I need to be well as he is in treatment! Sometimes there are “curves” in life that I just do not understand…there are way to many accomplishments and milestones for this great man to see!
My inspiration comes from my Stampin’ friend Jeanie…you have heard me talk about her a bunch…well she sent me the most wonderful card of thanks and inspiration and it is something that I will always cherish….so I had to tweak it a bit….so Jeanie – this card is my “kick off” card for Ted!
The base is Very Vanilla , a regular A-2 size but scored at 5 ½” to make it a vertical card…something fun to change it up a bit!
Working down…the Baked Brown Sugar is 3 ¼” X 4 ½” …and the super designer series paper of Retro Fresh, is 3” X 4 ¼” and then the last is Very Vanilla is a 2 ¾” square!
I want you to remember this card as this is a “keeper” layout….one to come back to – just think of all of the papers and stamps that will make a dynamite card
The Stampin-a-ma-jig is my friend (and yours too I hope) to make the perfect placement of the sentiments that is from the Sweet Essentials Stamp Set. No rhyme or reason on how I stamped it…I just knew that I needed to keep it high enough so I could put the mini hearts !
Did you see the teeny tiny hearts inside? Where did they come from… that darn “Owl Punch”…he makes his presence when you least expect it!
The finale to the card is the simple yet classic Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon…this ties soooo amazingly each and every time! “knots” work for me…what do you think?!?!
Because I did not think Ted would notice the envelope if it was lined in the inside (men…they do not notice as much) so I decided to line the outside…and it is super cute!
Easy…simple…fast…super cute – what more is there to say! I hope that this card inspired you as much as Jeanie’s card did to me…I know that Ted will love it!
I am ready for you for the next couple of days…I swear – I let my life inspire me with my postings! This is the beauty of blogging…it let’s me pour my personality into my passion!
Remember how I said my oldest son’s Birthday is on Friday – well MISSION accomplished…my inspiration came while I was “picking” Stanley’s stall (Hannah’s horse) last night…it is super cute….well I think it is!
Here is an opportunity for YOU to grab some blog candy from me! Will is going to be 27 on Friday and he is my child that lived in China for 4 years after he finished college teaching…he now lives in Boston and is a Montessori Teacher for “little ones” so….
I will pick the closest to my heart… your interpretation of what my card to my dear Will will be on Friday! Even John said…WOW – now that it great! So put your thinking cap on and guess what the card is going to look like for Will on Friday on his special day!
What will you win….you will win YOUR CHOICE of a Sale-a-bration item…that’s right – your choice!!!! I will keep it open until Thursday night at 9 p.m. and then on Will's 27th Birthday on Friday the 28th you will see who is the lucky winner! WOWZERS – my dear Will is 27!!!
I am feeling better…not the best and I feel like my poor nose looks like Rudolph but I am determined!
Let’s have a GREAT day…you can email me if I can help you…
Thank you for your precious time and please send your thoughts, prayers and positive energy Ted’s way….
Thank you….until tomorrow!
