by Susan Itell | Aug 7, 2013 | Thinking of you |
This is a card that we are making tonight for our Breast Cancer project…..so clean & classic…just so simple – anyone would love to receive this!
I encourage you to look the layout and visualize how it can be adapted to so many different themes! Sometimes I think we stress in reinventing the wheel….take a deep breathe and say…WHY?
There are tons of great , and simple layouts that can be made again…and again….with different colors and stamps and the end result is WOW!!!!
This is one of them and here is the scoop!
- Using the Crumb Cake as my neutral and it is my GO TO favorite I knew that having the Very Vanilla with a POP of color would be the perfect blend!
- The floral focal stamp is from the Love and Sympathy Stamp Set….and I used the markers in Wild Wasabi and Perfect Plum to "ink" it up! So easy to do and works out perfectly!
The Sentiment comes from the Wetlands Stamp Set and a perfect blend with the floral stamp! I have made several cards with this stamp set and they have all turned out super-duper….one that you should consider having in your collection!
- After doing my stampin' magic, I used the Deco Label Framelits to give the card a bit of pizzazz! So quick, so simple, so fun!
I know that tonight is going to be both rewarding and fun! How can it not be when you are with others that have the same mission….to give back to others and make them smile!
We laugh, we chat up a storm ( fancy that!!!) and the best thing is our local Breast Cancer office will be filled with a surplus of cards for people to send to those in treatment!
Tomorrow I am going to share with you a precious little young man that needs our thoughts, prayers. and cards if you are able to do!
It is all about my 2nd cousin that has undergone a huge surgery….I will let you know how he is doing…..one thing that is family has was for "just cards" to be sent to cheer him up! (Now we all know how special that is!!!)
I hope that you all realize, embrace and just "get it" the power of a card and a message written from YOUR hand to the recipient! We all live in such a world of technology that we forget the power of a card…a message…a simple stamp!
One thing I never forget is the fact that I am thankful, grateful and blessed by you!
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Aug 5, 2013 | Super Easy, Thinking of you |
I hope that you had a great weekend!
I had a F A B U L O U S weekend…
as it was truly very special as I had all of my "peeps" under 1 roof….their home ….and it was super special! Times like this become far and fewer as they are all grown and independent! It was a great weekend!
Today's post is a special one as it is one of the cards that will be for Breast Cancer patients in treatment, something I do monthly with volunteers that meet to make lots of cards! It is a fun and rewarding evening! I love creating cards for them as they are not only special….they are hero's! I know that the recipients will love this CAS – (Clean And Simple) card!
Let's get to the "good stuff" of this card! The focal part and sentiment is from the Lovely Romance Stamp Set and I think the sentiment says it all …..
"I think that you are Amazing…just wanta let you know!
Well I am here to tell you – these ladies…the volunteers and also the patients are amazing! This is such a "feel" good for me!
The fun part about this card that gives it texture and a bit of pizazz is the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder! Running this through the big shot is the start of this show stopper card!
The super sentiment does stand on it's own and I used the pear pizazz ink to stamp the sentiment and then again, pulling out the big shot with the help of the Chalk Talk Framelits.…the sentiment was a cinch to POP out!
The card is sweet and simple on its own ….I had some discontinued Pear Pizazz ribbon that I thought would be a great addition to this card! Little touches like this is simple, clean yet effective! I added a Very Vintage Designer Button with a piece of Linen Thread through it and it was a perfect touch!
TIP ALERT!!!! There is an item that gets overlooked in the catalog and I think I know why….it is pricy – BUT let me tell you honestly – once you get these gems and you use the JUST FOR RIBBON – you will say WOW….how did I ever craft before!!!!
I am talking about the Craft Scissors! Look closely at the above picture….I did NOT tuck the ribbon behind the layer…I simply CUT the ribbon at the edge – this is how sharp and precise they are…you can get them at 50% off or better yet – FREE!!!! Click here and ask me how!!!!
Envelope time…this picture does not do it justice but it is super cute! The designer series paper is called Afternoon Picnic, and the colors are soft and sweet! I choose to do the outside of the envelope as I thought it would "show off: this paper the best plus make the mailman smile!
Here is to a NEW week, a FUN week and a PRODUCTIVE week! Again, I deeply thank you for all of your support and comments you have "sent my way" over the weekend….I am getting through answering you!!!
I have not "jumped off the high dive" yet with all of the new holiday goodies but hang tight – I will….this is always a busy Breast Cancer week for me!
Have a super day….tell you friend, family and co-workers about my blog…..and
Until tomorrow!!!
by Susan Itell | Jul 30, 2013 | Thinking of you, Tips and Tricks!!! |
First,
many thanks for all of the sweet messages yesterday with having my son come
home! He made it home safe and sound but is naturally very tired from the
journey!
I
simply love this sentiment as it hits the nail on the head! Laughing to me is
one of the best things to do and trust me, I seem to laugh at the silliest and
strangest things!
Today’s
post is what I am going to call….Tips on Tuesday and the focus today is going
to be with a tool in the catalog that I think is a “sleeper” to many of us…it
is the Color Coach!
I
ask you…how many of you have the Color Coach and then the next question is…how
many of you use the Color Coach! For just $14.95, this gem will be a “big
helper” to you when you are just having a tough time deciding on a color
scheme!
Today’s
card I knew I wanted to use the Calypso Coral (a color for some reason that I
forget about) and I went to the Color Coach and it is paired up with Chocolate
Chip and Wild Wasabi! I know that I would not have picked this combination but
I love it!
Take a minute and watch this great video from my wonderful upline, Mary Fish. This video shares with you the simplicity of why this is a great tool! I personally love the fact that you have a substantial size of the color swatch to play around with!
I
encourage you to try it…and if you have not purchased it yet and what to shoot
me an email with some certain colors – I’ll be glad to email you the color
choices the recommend and you can give it a whirl! Better yet, click here and you can order it from me today!
The
sentiment comes from the Stamp Set, Feels Good. I use this set quite often, as
the sentiments are great! I matted it on a piece of Wild Wasabi that I used the
Big Shot along with the Chalk Talk Framelits.
The best thing about the new 3/4" Chevron Ribbon is….you
can "play" around with it so much to get the look and feel you are
going after! A simple "Susan knot" did the trick for me today and the
array of colors it comes in is wonderful!
Confessing time….just as I was finished my card….I spilled something on my card and I was super bummed….then I thought – I simply do not have time to re-do this….then the light bulb came on…put a flower over it -out came the Boho Blossom Punch for a quick fix that actually worked in my favor!
I knew that I wanted to use this super fun designer paper, I Am Me, as I just love the polka dots and what better way to tie the card and envelope together! These colors and textures are fun!
I hope you have enjoyed today's post and I hope that you can have some laughter in your day! Laughing keeps us young at heart and I am convinced it also keeps you positive!
Enjoy the day and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 25, 2013 | Thinking of you |
It is Thursday and you know what that means….it's time for a Pals Paper Art Challenge….today's challenge is a sketch challenge and the "light-bulb" went off the instant I saw the sketch! I just love it when that happens – seriously, this was a breeze to make and I think it's super cute!
I have 1 question for you….
are you participating???
If not, then this is my 2nd question…
why not???
These weekly challenges are open to EVERYONE and that means YOU! If you are apprehensive to learn how to upload a photo….PLEASE email me….I am VERY COMPUTER CHALLENGED and if I can do it – YOU CAN!!!!
Here is this weeks challenge….it's a great design!
I knew that I want to use the Kind & Cozy Stamp Set as I knew the "circle" theme was going to be perfect! Playing up the theme of the gingham in this stamp set…the next no brainer was the Gingham Garden Paper! Just love it – so fresh and fun!
You just have to pull out old faithful….Stamp-a-ma-jig – it is the easiest to make sure the sentiment goes in the perfect place! I wanted to "play" a bit with some dimension….and I thought a Regal Designer Button would be perfect….I simply added a bit of White Bakers Twine to finish it off!!!
After stamping the gingham circle…it was a cinch to pop out using the 2 1/2" Circle Punch…then I thought….pull out the circle framelits…run it through the Big Shot and create a great Mat for my focal point….again, easy-peasy!!!!
Now I had a blast with the envelope!!! I just love envelopes and today I did a double whammy! I think our Postal people work soooo hard – why not make them smile seeing a cute envelope!
Using the ***NEW Holiday Catalog Envelope Liner Framelit*** I continued the gingham theme with the liner…….and then…..I also continued using the same stamp set and with the help of the Stamp-a-ma-jig….I was able to perfectly line the "cups" up in a row!
I hope that today's post brings a smile to your day and I hope that you know that "I am thinking of YOU" as I am so honored and touched by the amount of comments and support I receive from you! I deeply appreciate it!
Please go to the Pals Paper Art Website and submit a card for this challenge and have fun looking at all of the INCREDIBLE works of art from so many!
Have a great day….and until tomorrow…….
by Susan Itell | Jul 24, 2013 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Thinking of you |
I love square cards! I really don't know why but I just like having a different size of a card! This adorable gem is for my beautiful daughter to wake up to this morning with some beautiful yellow roses for her!
She had her wisdom teeth out yesterday and is sore and I thought that a sweet card and some flowers would be the perfect way to start a day! She truly "lights up my life"!!!
The card is a simple 4 X 4 card and being that we have the super great….super easy tool of the diagonal scoring plate…making a custom envelope is a cinch….especially when you have this great reference chart that my wonderful upline, Mary Fish create! PLEASE, print this off and you will use it over and over!
You can never go wrong with the classic look of white on white! To give it a bit more bling, I ran the whisper white through the big shot with the ***NEW Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder*** (available in the new holiday catalog on August 1st)
The stamp and sentiment came from the new catalog and it is a winner…I also love the name….Crazy, Mixed-Up Love! I simply masked the sentiment and then inked the stamp up with Daffodil Delight…and using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for perfect placement….PRESTO – perfect!
I cleaned my stamp and then using the brush end of the black marker for the sentiment I never moved my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig so I knew I would have a perfect placement for the sentiment! LOVE this tool….and to think I used to be scared to death of it!!!!
Wanting to "play up a bit" with the daffodil delight, I simple matted a piece behind for depth but before adhering it I added the 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon with a "Susan knot" – a perfect balance for this sweet card!
After making my own envelope using Mary's super-duper chart…it naturally needed to be lined and what better liner than this fun and bright print from the Polka Dot Parade Paper. I was so tickled with how the stamp and sentiment turned out from the card…I said to myself – "stamp it on the back flap"….cute, right!!!
I know that when Hannah wakes up this morning and sees beautiful flowers and this sweet card and note from her Mom and Dad…she will have a smile ( well…she might be sore….but she'll be both appreciative and happy)
Remember, joining this fun ride is easy-peasy….for just $99.00 you can pick $125.00 worth of ANY product PLUS you will be able to choose a project kit!!! WOOT-WOOT!
Click here and get started! You'll be one happy stamper!
I would love and be honored to have you on my team and be a part of the super fun PALS group! As always, I am an email away and I love to inspire you and reach your goals!
Have a super day and until tomorrow……
by Susan Itell | Jul 23, 2013 | Hostess Stamp Sets, Thinking of you |
Floral Cards are always beautiful and special! This stamp set, Backyard Basics is fun of fun and unique stamps but the best thing is…it's a bundle as well! Everyone loves a bargain and when you buy this as a bundle you will receive both the stamp set and the matching framelits with a 15% discount!
On today's card….I did not use the matching framelit, I used the Deco Labels Framelits to cut the shape!
The fun paper is from the NEW holiday catalog and it is a keeper….it is called the ***Season of Style Designer Series Paper*** and one that is an absolute must for you this season! You can order from the new catalog Aug. 1st….(it will be here soon)
Using the Black Staz On to stamp the image on the watercolor paper, I went to town and had fun with the aqua painters! The colors I used to "paint" were Crushed Curry, Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, Old Olive and Strawberry Slush!
To the edges of the stamped image, I gave it a quick sponging in Old Olive to give it a bit of depth – a simple technique that creates a great visual!
"Free handed" I cut the sentiment from the super great hostess stamp set, Express Yourself, is the perfect sentiment for this sweet card! When I want to do something quick and whimsical…just free-hand it….works every time!
The final touch was a quick pop from the Boho Blossoms and adored with a simple yet classic pearl! A quick curl on the edges brings it to life!
Now to the envelope…yesterday I used the new ***Envelope Framelit *** that is in the new Holiday Catalog but today….I did it the "Susan way"….as I shared yesterday, later this week I will do a complete post on the pros and cons of both methods!
Quick, simple and fast is this card today and very doable for everyone to create! Changing up the sentiment would be a snap to make the card for a different occasion!
Please let me know you thoughts on how your like this card! Water coloring is fun and makes you feel like Picasso!
I am an email away and I would love for you to order any of these highlighted products from my website and be able to be delivered right to your door!
As you can see…this sentiment stamp set is great….a perfect choice for so many cards! When your order (even online with me) reaches $150.00, you will be able to choose this stamp set (only $11.00) plus you will even have more hostess dollars to spend!!!
Enjoy your day and until tomorrow….
