by Susan Itell | Mar 18, 2017 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
Good Morning and Happy “Simple Saturday”. I am so excited or this weekend post. By now you know that I love to share stories and today I have some stories about why I am excited about this weekend post.
In May I will mark my 5th Anniversary with Stampin’ Up! and even though I was one of those…“get the kit and run” individuals, I am glad that I did not do that as this will make sense to you.
Last Saturday, Jeanie and I took a “road trip” to another wonderful Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator in Purcellville, Va. , Sharon Cline. It is ALWAYS a treat to go and see Sharon and even though she is not on my team or Jeanie’s….we met and instantly connected when we went to a fabulous workshop in Northern Virginia 2 years ago. The reason that I am sharing this with you is simple…the people you meet along this journey are the best – it simply does not matter who and where they are from because it is simple…we all love to stamp!
Sharon is always a ton of fun to be with and she has started a “Technique Book” for her customers and Jeanie and I signed up for her workshop…so we were able to start a technique book. Today’s card is all about the “technique” that Sharon shared….paper piecing.
I have used this technique before and I adore it. (Do you all remember Vivid Vases single stamp???? Well it is still on Randall Lane and gets used hard with this technique). Tomorrow I will go into more detail about the ins and outs of the technique but today, we need to chat! (Trust me, the stepped up version might be worth it…just sayin’ “
Now to another great story….the making behind the Stamp Set Mediterranean Moments, this was the stamp set that was designed by Susan Nygaard. (I have hyper-linked to her name and I would read the fabulous story that will inspire you).
PLEASE SEE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST – I COPIED AND PASTED THE ARTICLE…..
I am sorry – I did not realize that the link would not let you access is but I do want you to read it!
I had the pleasure and honor to hear her speak in Atlanta in October and let me tell you….she is an inspiration but she is also sooooooo darn funny – a total hoot!
When you become a Million Dollar SUD you get the opportunity to create a stamp set with the design team . This is Susan’s stamp set that she designed. It is a beautiful classic stamp set and I would wager to say that many of you think at 1st glance – this is too hard to watercolor.
This is my thoughts! 1st, you do not have to watercolor it (like I did today) but step back tomorrow and you will see how a simple touch will make it POP!
Below you will see the “mask” that I made to make the card and tomorrow, I will go into deeper detail. The key to masking is to “make the mask” and then store it in the stamp case so you can use it over and over again!
If I were you…I would go to Pinterest and see all of the AMAZING ideas that people have created with these 2 stamp sets together. They truly are breathtaking and I will say…if you break it down and understand the technique, it really is easy but has a huge WOW factor.
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Here is another “scoop” – this stamp set is being carried over for next year…..Beautiful You. This is a classic – and one that can be used with so many DSP’s and also for so may different themes of cards. There is something so “beautiful” about this stamp set…(DUH – maybe that’s why it is called Beautiful You) 😉 but truly, the ideas are endless with it.
One tip that I have for you and trust me, it was an “a ha moment” for me as Sharon was sooooo right. We used the Early Espresso Ink for the “lady” and I admit I would have used black (by habit) but this is still dark but without the harshness of the black.
Isn’t it funny how we all get stuck on doing something just out of “habit” but when you do something else you stand back and say…wow, I like that!
The “Paper Piecing” came from some DSP in the Falling In Love Collection. Tomorrow we will go step by step in how to make the mask and also some tips along the way – (you know that I love to share my tips with you – that’s how we learn!)
This is the kind of card that looks hard but in the contrary, it is so easy and effective. When you look at the supplies that I used, you will agree ~ it us very minimal. I also think using the Very Vanilla card stock as my base really gives a soft and subtle look for the total feel of the card.
Well I hope that this inspired you, actually I hope in many ways! Wasn’t that article about Susan Nygaard just the best. I simply cannot tell you how funny she is and wow – what an inspiration to be a full time Pharmacist and become a million dollar achiever….WOW – it goes to show you that anything can be achieved with a vision.
BELOW IN GREEN IS THE ARTICLE THAT I WAS REFERRING TO….Enjoy!
As the eighth person to achieve an astounding $1,000,000 in personal sales, Susan Nygaard has joined a group of elite demonstrators! We offer her a million congratulations and a collective high-five on reaching this mind-blowing milestone.
Susan, a senior manager from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a pharmacist by day and a stamper the rest of the time. Her husband Lance is no doubt celebrating with her. She shares, “He is always so thrilled for me when I achieve something at work or through Stampin’ Up! (and he loves the vacations).” He says the same thing to her every time she heads out, “Have fun, sell tons.”
For her, this journey has been one of self-discovery, filled with aha moments, charting goals, and-most importantly-being a positive influence for those around her.
Back in 1997 when a friend invited her to a workshop, Susan very adamantly told her that she was not interested in a new hobby. She shares, “Well, then she showed me the catalog, and ahem . . . suddenly, I was a little more interested in coming to her party.” You know where this is going . . . Susan ended up with a $260 order and before she left the workshop, turned to the demonstrator and said, “I want to do this.” And, boy has she done it!
Some of her early workshops included mopping the floor for a hostess, kids walking across the dining room table, and a $30 bounced check. Actually, that’s just one workshop! (Who’s been there before?) She took every experience in her early demonstratorship as an opportunity to learn and grow.
She shares, “It [went from] ‘I don’t know what I’m doing,’ to ‘I think I may have a plan,’ to ‘Focus, focus, focus,’ to ‘I am going to reach that goal if it kills me.’ Goal setting drives me–sometimes I write it down, but mostly I don’t have to. I visualize earning an award or reaching a milestone, and then I just do what I have to do to make it play out just as I envisioned it. Works every time.”
She hasn’t missed a convention since she started and remembers one time as she watched the top demonstrators walk across the stage; it suddenly hit her that she was only a few thousand dollars away from the number 10 spot. She set a goal, graphed it out on paper, and the next year she made it to number seven in sales! “I always wondered what it would feel like to sit in the front of the room at convention and hear my name called,” she recalls. “Well, it feels pretty darned good.“
One of Susan’s greatest passions is to help others discover the joy of creating. She shares, “I love it when someone new comes to a workshop or party and immediately states ‘I am not creative.’ And I say, ‘Neither am I!’ Then, I show them how easy it is to create something without being creative, and I just love the look on their face when they realize they can do this. Such fun.” She takes it a step further by surprising her customers with little gifts or cards tucked into their orders.
Besides stamping, her customers love her workshops because she is hilarious! “If people are not falling off their chairs laughing, then I have not done my job. I use a lot of humor in my workshops. It breaks the ice, and everyone has a pleasurable experience that they won’t soon forget.” She adds, “I love taking them away for an hour or two to a place where they can forget about their troubles and just laugh and have fun.”
So what’s her advice to new demonstrators? “Take advantage of the strengths that you have and make those the focus of your business. If you’re creative, then show that off with a beautiful blog. If you have a head for business, then run your business to help support your family. It’s kind of like going to college, really. Sometimes you have to get in a few semesters before you are able to declare a major. Just try out a little of everything until you find your niche.”
The “million dollar” question is this: What are Susan’s thoughts about this achievement? “I think of the confidence I have gained, the friends I have made, the unforgettable experiences traveling around the country and the world, and the absolute joy that I experience when sitting down to show someone how to make something beautiful and lasting. It has been a privilege.” Well, said, Susan! You are an inspiration to all who are striving to reach goals, feel joy, and make a difference in the lives of others.
There’s no doubt that Susan is still busily planning her next fun-filled night of comedy and stamping. And we can almost see the face of her newest customer, lighting up with laughter and creativity! Keep it up, Susan. We’re cheering for you!
Isn’t that a wonderful inspiration for all of us to read! I say…WAY TO GO Susan….your vision and passion are amazing!
Have a great day but I do hope to see you back her tomorrow to see how I have “stepped it up” – heck – I think it already looks super special and I cannot tell you how easy it was. Here is that PAW PRINT for you to give a “high five” and get some goodies…..sale-a-bration is almost over!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 16, 2017 | Birthday, Uncategorized |
Good morning and I have a card for you that I hope makes you smile as I just love it. I know that it might seem bold to say that but this is “my kind of card” I love white space and I also love clean and classic DSP patterns so this fits the bill in both ways!
Just think of all of the ENDLESS colors and DSP’s that you can use for this style of card. I am so proud that Stampin’ Up! is so “on top of it” with their clever designs with framelits in this Occasions Catalog.
I am still “kickin’ myself” that it has taken me this long to hop on the wagon to appreciate and have fun with this bundle. Below you will see the video that showcases this product but in a nutshell….having the framelits that cuts out all of the “behind” pieces makes this such a fast, fun and oh so do-able card! (It is like one of those things that look hard but is actually super easy!) 😀
I just cannot say enough how easy and rewarding it is to create such a beauty. I am a HUGE lover of gingham and I knew that the DSP from the Succulent Garden would be PERFECT for this sweet card.
Here is a great tip…to me, this is a card that you could make time and time again using many different papers and guess what – no one will EVER KNOW that you made it over and over! (p.s. ~ that’s what I LOVE about being a card maker, you can make a simple switch and presto – you are good to go)
Now to the other “bright and shining star” of this card, the sentiment. This IS a stamp set that needs to be at your house. WHY???? It is a classic and trust me, it is very hard to find “milestones” like this has.
To me, you get the best of both worlds….a FUN font and then some CLASSIC milestones like you see below…I say as – we all get old – WE NEED THIS SET…this stamp set is the perfect secret weapon for a fast and classic card that would clearly makes someones day!
Don’t you just love the little clouds scattered all over? They are part of the bundle and we all know that they will be used on many cards other than this Hot Air Balloon.
Here is the quick scoop on making this card.
- The Gingham Strip is 1 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- The white piece is 3 3/4″ X 4 3/4″
- I scored 2 rows on (2) of the sides to add some interest. I do like using the simple scoring tool to scored with, it’s just a personal preference as I feel you get a “deeper score line” rather than using the scoring blade on the trimmer
- I popped up 2 of the clouds with wee bits of the edges of the dimensions to add some interest.
- The In Color Enamel Shapes are the perfect accent to make a POP STATEMENT.
- Taking white bakers twine and doubling it up and making a simple bow gives the balloon that extra touch. Use a glue dot for easy placement.
- The sentiment was super easy to stamp as it is a photopolymer…ink…look thru…STAMP!
- For the envelope, I used a 1/2″ strip of Sweet Sugarplum and then added the gingham. To the card stock I simply took a white gel pen and added dots…another fun POP for the card.
There you go! I hope that this posts shows you how amazingly versatile this bundle is. The ideas are endless and the projects that you will make for years are endless. This is one of those, that will not leave Randall Lane. I am just nuts over the detail of this die!
The hour glass has turned for the end of Sale-A-Bration…..remember it ends March 31st! This bundle will get you soooooo close to that $50 mark – throw some adhesives in and PRESTO – you have met the threshold to get a FREEBIE and we all know that we all LOVE FREEBIES!
Thanks for popping in and I hope that I have “lifted” your spirits up today and have given you some inspiration that will let you see how FUN this product is. I just love it when Stampin’ Up! comes out with a product that will work for all ages…and also, for many different occasions – just change up the sentiment!
Now go HIT THAT PAW PRINT….remember to check out my generous incentive offerings with my Paw Print Rewards. Also, for an order of $75 + this month, I will send you a white craft ink pad….enjoy the day – see you in the a.m.
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by Susan Itell | Mar 15, 2017 | Blog Candy, Uncategorized |
Wow…it was so fun to read the color choice that you all had and trust me, John and I had FUN working together (after we watched the VOICE) and I called off the names and he was priceless and said “There is a ton of TTT and MM’s” and then when we are all through the comments and emails….he looked at me and said –
Now what is a TTT and what is a MM??? 🙂
I just had to burst out laughing as I just told him it would take 5 minutes and I was rambling these initials….then I say – silly you~ it is Tip Top Taupe and Mint Macaron! (he is sooo patient) Let’s do the happy dance for Barb E as she was the random winner!!! 😀
You picked a WINNER, Watermelon Wonder is a fabulous color and I will say that it has not been until the last 6 months that I really, really appreciated and used it a bunch! Please email me, and let me know if you want a pack of that color or if you would like the assortment pack!
Now to my pick….WOW – this is soooooo hard as I find that I learn to “appreciate” the colors throughout the 2 years. I know that this sounds wonky but maybe I am on that Island again by myself…but at the beginning – it was HANDS DOWN Mint Macaron but as of lately, I have been a HUGE Delightful Dijon fan.
I know that this is on totally different spectrum but I will say that the Dijon has been touching my heart because of its warmth and also it is a fabulous color for the oh so hard masculine cards that we make!
It seems to take me time to warm up to using the In Colors and then once I have them done….they get retired – anyone else out there on this island!
I think it all has to do with the DSP that are offered throughout their time frame…I know because I love the DSP Tasty Treats, I have been using the Watermelon Wonder a BUNCH…I adore the DSP Urban Underground…so the Dijon has been a biggie for me and then the Mint Macaron…oh sooooooo special!
Trust me on this one – these colors WILL sell out once people start to see the calendar spinning closer and closer to May. Please do not get disappointed and be without a stash….heck – it is paper! I cannot tell you how many email I have received asking if I have a stash of Coastal Cabana (I think that is the right name) that was retired years ago….
Guess what? I learn from YOU…and one thing that I learned is that there are a BUNCH of you that really love Tip Top Taupe! With that said YOU have encouraged me to give it some attention as I obviously have been missing out of the beauty of this color.
Watch for future posts as I will give it a whirl! Enjoy the day….brrrrrrrrr and oh so windy – we lost internet for several hours but all in all – we are good to go! See you tomorrow and many thanks for your feedback and inspiration 😉
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by Susan Itell | Mar 14, 2017 | Blog Candy, Uncategorized |
Good snowy morning! Yep, the East Coast is getting snow…and a bunch of it!It is so beautiful to see it from the window but the reality is in the “inevitable hour” for me…as I need to bundle up and go down to the barn.
I admit, I am not a fan of snow – but it is what it is and it will pass…just like many things in life that we are not a fan of! Thinking positive, the animals LOVE playing in the snow (except Daisy – pigs do NOT like it one bit) but there is nothing better to see dogs jumping and playing in the snow and horses love it as well…they roll and make HUGE snow angels!
This is what I have for you today, I know that it’s not much but it is something that IS going to happen….like it or not!
Stampin’ Up will be retiring 5 Colors of paper on May 31st.
This happens like it or not but trying to be positive, we might be LOOSING 5 colors that we have grown to love but we will GAIN 5 more NEW COLORS when the New Catalog comes out starting on June 1st.
One thing that happens every year…Stampin’ Up! will sell out of one of these colors and then you get sad. 🙁 The moral of the story is…PLAN AHEAD. You will see in the product line up below I am showcasing the papers in full packs and also in the assortment.
Now for some blog candy…..
Leave a comment about the In Colors…maybe share with us which one you have used the most, which one was a “surprise” for you that you used etc…..just leave a comment about the In Colors that are leaving and I will randomly pick one person (by 9 p.m. Eastern tonight) and I will send you a pack of your favorite color or if you prefer, the assortment pack.
Be safe if you are affected by the storm…I am planning to get my animal chores completed and then a date with paper and scissors! What a PERFECT DAY…..yippee!!!! I can’t wait to hear what your thoughts are about the In Colors that are retiring and tomorrow I will share with you the one color that I will miss the most – can you guess it?
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by Susan Itell | Mar 10, 2017 | Class to GO!, Uncategorized |
Good Morning and here is a chance for YOU to take part of my monthly Classes to Go (aka, Susan’s Kits)! I give the opportunity to previous class members and then I wait and see if I have any opening before I offer this to you!
This month I have 5 openings for this month so……..if you want to take part of this FUN….I would love to have you come to Class and have fun!
If we can’t be together…let’s have a class in the mail!
( and the best thing – you will be on the “special list” for future months.)
Let’s chat…you know me well enough if you pop onto my blog. I love what I do and I love helping and teaching you to have the confidence that YOU can make clean and simple cards that are practical and duplicateable! We all have gifts, and it is my goal to help you reach and complete a project (from start to finish)
Every Month I offer a stamp set and give a “seek peek” in a collage. I take great pride and detail to my offerings and I include FINISHED samples of each of the 3 cards that I design for YOU to be able to see…feel…touch….
I send you a PDF with the measurements and also a private link to videos for each of the cards. Trust me, I GET IT ~ in the fact that we all have this struggle with time, creativity and also there are just simply times that we need a “treat” for ourselves to have an escape.
As I shared on my blog post on Wednesday – I was not jumping to hit that button when I first saw this Bundle because my brain automatically said – OH NO, ANOTHER FLORAL SET!!!! (I am sure that I am not the only one who thought that!)
In a nutshell…..you will receive (3) sample cards that I made and then the supplies to make (2) more of each of those cards. Yep, that’s right – in totally you will have 9 completed cards after you do the class along with the stamp set!
The cost of my monthly kits is $45.00 (which includes shipping).
If you wish to purchase the bundle and also take advantage of choosing a SAB goodie (remember, we have 3 new ones)
the price of the kit with the framelits is $72.90 …to me, it is the amazing framelits that make this bundle so special. 🙂
(kit $45.00 + framelits $27.90 ~ this reflects the 10% bundle discount of the framelits)
If you want the kit and already have this bundle….(woot-woot for you) and you can make a substitute for the value of $20.00 (the stamp set price).
Please EMAIL ME and put in the subject line MARCH CLASS TO GO and I will gladly add your pre-order for the class and email you back with a confirmation. Have questions???? Again, please email me and I will be happy to answer them.
I you have participated in my monthly fun, I would appreciate if you would share the love with some comments….as I am thinking that these 5 spots will ZOOM....go!
I know that you will love my monthly fun…and by having these spots open, it will allow you to get future offerings on my Classes. (I have to limit them as I can only make so many and then I am pooped! 
) but one thing I know – you will LOVE the attention to detail and love that I do put into the classes!
Enjoy the day….I am going back to read the comments from the past 2 days and answer the fun!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 8, 2017 | PALS Blog Hops, Uncategorized |
Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for March 2017. We are thankful you stopped by to take a look at our 2017 Blog Hop monthly themes. This month we are featuring Spring or Spring related projects. We hope you enjoy our creations.
You may just be starting the Blog Hop or may have come from the previous link from the Line-up on the Pals Blog Hop listing shown below. The full lineup will help you move along from blog to blog so you may see all the projects.
I don’t know about you but...I AM READY FOR SPRING! I can hardly wait to change those clocks this weekend and start to have longer days of sunshine!
I have been just itchin’ to continue to play with the White Craft Ink and today I am highlighting it with Daffodil Delight on Crumb Cake. Darn, trust me on this one – the picture simply does not do this justice – this is a beauty and it is oh so different.
Over the next 2 days, I will be blogging about this amazing bundle. I admit, it was not on my 1st order because I thought – I DO NOT NEED ONE MORE FLORAL STAMP SET…and it was not until I saw so many amazing projects and watched the Stampin’ Up! Video highlighting this amazing product that I HIT THAT PAW PRINT and bought it! It is super unique 😀
Enjoy the pictures and I hope that you will try this technique. You first stamp with the white craft ink but be careful – it does take some time to dry or you could speed it up with the heat tool and then go back over and stamp slightly off-set to give that shadow effect.
As I said above, the pictures just do not do this justice and if you see some areas on the stamp that do not look completely covered – that is how the stamp is supposed to be….it is a bit distressed giving it a very warm feel.
The Fruit Stand DSP has been a huge hit for me. I just adore the fun colors and the prints….fresh and unique. One thing that Stampin’ Up! knows how to do…..create fabulous DSP’s for us!
I know that it is hard to see…but I cut the daffodil delight ring and adhered it to the stamped piece. That is the other thing that is great about this bundle….you get 2 different sizes so cutting both of them together will give you a PRESTO – PERFECT RING!
It has been a while since I have used Crumb Cake but I must say, it gives an instant warmth and comfort. It’s fun to mix things up and try something different than you usually do.
In closing, I hop that SPRING is right around the corner where you live. I feel bad for the daffodils that are budding and then we get slammed with cold temperatures and then warm one – CRAZY! The poor flowers are just confused! 😕
You need to HOP ON because there is a BUNCH TO SEE….I hope that my fun post brought a little sunshine to your day. Yellow is a “HAPPY COLOR” to me….so THINK YELLOW and BE HAPPY! 🙂
Thanks for visiting. To continue with the hop, please refer to the Blog Hop Line-up below. We hope to see you on next month’s Pals Blog Hop!
- Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
- Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Becky Retzer at Just in Thyme by Becky Retzer
- Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
- Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
- Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb…
- Amy Hoptay at Craft Carnivore
- Mary Hanson at Up North Stampin’
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin’
- Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
- Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stampin’ Habit!
- Jeanie Stark at Just Stampin’
- Lynn Tague at Beyond Beaches & Blessings
- Brian King at Stamp with Brian
- Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps
- Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
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