by Susan Itell | Dec 16, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Ho-Ho-Ho….SANTA SUSAN here!
Again, another late post because you can’t even make this up! I am sitting at a McDonald’s to get an internet connect because out phone lines and our internet are DOWN and they earliest they can get here is TUESDAY……needless to say – John and I are not happy customers!
It is brutally cold and I needed to take care of the animals before I could get into town….but hang in there because we have more TIPS and more WINNING for a lucky person!
Good news is that I am able to use WORD to do my typing and then I just need to go somewhere that there is internet…..soooooooo if you email me and I do not get right back to you….it is because – I am a sad Susan with no connection!
Well here you go with another FUN post that has a tip for you that I think is SUPER IMPORTANT. You will hear why I am so passionate about this tip after we have a …..WINNER….WINNER ~ Chicken DINNER!!!!
WOOT-WOOT…..it is time for Roberta to be doing the happy dance! It makes me soooo happy when someone wins that is excited to get it….I think I have your address – but please email me it just to be sure!
I have a confession, the majority of the time I am upstairs in my work area and sometimes a dog will sneak up and keep me company but there are time that I just break into a “HAPPY DANCE” and say/sing woot-woot….dance in a circle and then I am DONE!
Then I will look at the dog, usually it is Milo or Rosie and the are looking at me like, “Have you lost your mind…WHAT was that you did and then GO TAKE voice lessons”
Sometime I do get exited just like you do so the moral of the story is…we are NEVER TOO OLD to break into a personal HAPPY DANCE and have fun!
Before we get to the TIP today, I loved your comments. I must say – I totally laugh when I hear that some of you use a straightening iron for bakers twine and ribbon…..(well – I admit, I have ironed wider ribbon) but I think if John walked upstairs and saw me using a curling iron he would BURST out laughing at me but then again, a girl has to do what a girl needs to do!
Now to the tip….and hang tight as this is an important one because I know how much time and love we put into making our cards…..
Yep, same drill as I am having sooooooo much FUN being SANTA this week….leave a comment and let me know if you use these products or if you have any tips about the topic and I will send the random lucky winner the pens!
O.k. – here is is….it is simple. You need to purchase the Project Life Pens. It is as simple as that. WHY you ask???? They are great pens that do not smear and they are easy to write with. I do not do Project Life personally and I think that many of you hear the word “Project Life” and say – I don’t do that….but seriously, these are GREAT Pens!
The come in a pack of (2) in different widths and they are fabulous. (Just do not let your kids or husband get to them or you will not get them back). They are easy to write with and I simply cannot tell you haw many time I will get a card and see that the writing was imprinted slightly on the top of the card because of the pen that was used.
Now there is NO NEED TO PANIC….as trust me, it is not a terrible mess but I am “just saying” many times when you use a Ball Point pen…..they leave a residue when the card is folded together.
The other pen that is also perfect for writing with is our Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker. You can buy that individually and the fine tip on this works like a charm as well when writing your cards.
Does this make sense to you? I know that it is hard to put into words but trust me on this one…it does make a difference to have a great pen that will write smoothly and that will not smear,
Back in my Creative Memories Days….we ALWAYS used fabulous pens for the longevity of our journaling because after all, they are scrapbooks meant for life. I can remember having customers not believe me that it is important to use a proper pen and then they would see the same thing….after they closed their book several times, the pen would leave a residue on the prior page!
There you go ….another TIP from me and leave me a comment about pens…maybe you use these…maybe you have something else that you love…..please share!
One lucky winner will win 2 pens, the set of Project Life Pens and the Single Black Marker.
I hope that you are enjoying these fun posts as much as I have in posting them, to me it is a great break to sit down and get your mind off of the busy times and have some “me time” together!
Until tomorrow….Ho-ho-ho….SANTA SUSAN has something in the bag again!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Dec 15, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Good Morning….I apologize for this post being so late to you…but as the saying goes, “Better later than never” be truth be told – my “engine just simply ran out of steam” last night. By nature I am an early bird but when I woke up yesterday it was 4:20a.m. and I thought – what the heck….I’ll just stay up (Jeanie was probably just going to bed) I it caught me after a long day….
I have a great tip reminder for you today and yep….the winnings continue as one person will win the goodie! I have blogged about this before but it seems like you all love tips and I am one that sometimes needs to hear it more than once!
The GREAT news is that we have a winner…and I have to tell you all – my 1st cup of coffee was the BEST because I sat and read your comments. If you need a “feel good & smile” please go back and read yesterday’s comments. They all sound DELICIOUS but they all had “love and memories” in them as well, darn, this is why I just LOVE this little thing that I do….Simple Stampin’!!!
WOOT-WOOT to Opal and just look at this comment…WOW, 20 POUNDS OF FUDGE! John would ADORE you!!! Please send me your address and I will send you the Jar of Cookie love that I made!
Yesterday I shared with you that I will tell you my “must have” for the peeps….they are called Creme de Menthe Brownies and I bet that I have been making them for over 30+ years. I thought that you would get kick out of the below picture (actually a card) because I made this card probably 15+ years ago and I keep in in my recipe bin.
You see…back then I was a Creative Memories Consultant and I did fun things with cards…I know that it is “pretty primitive” but it made me laugh when I thought – “I even did cards back then” To me, it is all about the presentation as I made up a bunch of these and when I gave the brownies to family and friends…I gave them this card!
I hope that this made you smile and it is funny, I have friends that call me and say….“I’m pulling out the snowman card”!!!
Now for today’s tip…I love bakers twine for many reasons. It is affordable. It always looks super cute. It makes beautiful clean and simple bows. It adds that “extra pop” to make something get stepped up in a jif!
Below you will see a simple bow. I love to use 2 or even 3 strands of twine. I always run it through this “bees wax” thingie that I buy at Jo Ann’s Fabric….you can see how well loved it is!
Because I know that you all LOVE tips…..how about leaving a comment and letting us know if you have tried this….and also it you prefer Bakers Twine or ribbon! Trust me, I adore ribbon and I know you do to…but for me, Bakers Twine gets the job done….ZOOM!
I will pick one person that leaves a comment and I will send you 2 Bakers Twine….rollled and labeled like above along with the BEES WAX thingie!
Have a great day….gotta run – I have a meeting!!!!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Dec 14, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Happy HUMP Day….well, how is everyone doing with the tis’ the season? I do not know about you….but I wonder where in the heck do all of these people come from in the month of December?
I tried to go to the grocery store….the lot was FULL….there were no CARTS….I thought to myself, where in the heck do they all go the other 11 months of the year!
In keeping the SHEER FUN of this week with me, SIMPLE STAMPIN’ we are going to get another great discussion going but before we get to the topic…we have a winner from yesterday! I just want us to have FUN this week because I know we are all going through the same hectic times that the season brings us….it is just great to have fun!!
The winner was #14 – WOOT-WOOT to Sonny and I am THRILLED that she won!!! Sonny is so much fun and I just LOVE it when she is in the house! I know that she was up watching the VOICE like John and I were……and Sonny is a HUGE Football fan!!!! I have your address…..so I will send your “green glue to YOU”
Oh Sonny…you and Ramsey are silly – you BOTH are amazing stampers….I do think that the vinyl cling is great…but this is sooooo easy and WOW…..this GREEN GLUE is the BEST…soooooooo affordable and so strong! I love that you are a “TIP JUNKIE” – so am I and I will continue to share and share!!!! This is how WE ALL LEARN!
I was so happy to read your comments from yesterday! It seems like Jeanie’s tip was known by many and I will say that I do love it. I do not find that my acrylic blocks get icky but if they do – grab an alcohol swap and wipe your block off…(there will be another post for you about why I love having these swaps in my work area)
Now you know that I am totally “TYPE A” and I will say….I try to remember that at the beginning of the month to take all of my acrylic blocks to the kitchen…..get some HOT water going and Dawn Dish Detergent…and I give them a good clean and then wipe then dry to squeaky clean!
For today’s FUN….this is super easy as it is all about cookies! We love our sweets at the Holidays….so I ask you – what is the ONE COOKIE/SWEET that your family “just has to have at the holidays”
Leave me a comment and let’s all get hungry with the comments and the random person that I pick will win the “Jar of Cookie Fun” that I blogged about last week….CLICK HERE to see that post!
I admit, I went today to pick up 6 more jars as they are so fun to make and the presentation of it is just an instant smile factor! Isn’t making handmade gifts the BEST!!!! I just feel so happy and blessed to share!
Don’t forget…there is a bunch still going on with Stampin’ Up!….lots of great deals….and YOUR chance to GO TO THE VAULT!!!! I have had many already receive their VAULT goodie and they are 🙂 ….it is fun to receive something that you really, really want!
Have a great day, please leave me/us a comment so we all can get SUPER HUNGRY and tomorrow I will share with you the one thing that I “just have to have” every holiday and I know that you are love the “presentation” that I did….
See you tomorrow with another FUN way to smile and win!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Dec 13, 2016 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
You know the Beatles song….“I get by with a little help from my friends”…well this is an example of how “friends” teach us….and guess what We are all so blessed to be friends….some in person, some cyber but this is how we learn and grow!
I know that I have bee a bit “off schedule” with all of the “Holiday Happenings” but on Tuesday’s I like share a TIP for your Tuesday! My friend….super talented and just down right funny friend Jeanie told me about this. At first I did not believe it but I can say first hand I tried it over the weekend and it works!
Do you get frustrated when your stamps do not stay on their blocks? Yep, I think we all do and I have blogged before about different remedies to help but this one is a keeper – it sounds like a total mess but try it – I know you’ll like it!
It is “GREEN GLUE to the rescue” You know that I am a HUGE FAN of Green Glue and also Fast Fuse but over time I have learned that EVEN IF my blocks are squeaky clean, my stamps sometimes do not stay nice and snug!
Let me back up a bit…when I received a new stamp set, I would always put the clean image that comes in the packaging (I guess you could say, like you are supposed to) but for the past year I have opted out of putting the “clear picture labels” on like I just explained. WHY you might be asking?
I will say that I think that the stamps stay on PERFECT when that window picture is not mounted on the stamp. (I hope that this makes sense) I used to think that was silly that people did that because I thought, “How in the heck will I be able to see what stamp it is” – Now I ask you….I think we all can tell by the shape etc…and this really has been a game changer! 🙂
For the ones that I have already put the images on….GREEN GLUE to the rescue!
I ordered the below custom stamps and I asked for them NOT to be mounted on Wood Blocks as I knew that I would rather have them mounted on an acrylic block or loose for me to use it in my MISTI
I learned, very quickly that they did not stick….so – Jeanie’s tip…I tried it, and I LOVED IT! ( I admit, I love my new stamps…..Merry Christmas to me) I have been using the HAPPY MAIL in mailing out the NEW catalogs…..the 1st wave went out…more go on Wednesday!
If you are wondering where I purchased these custom stamps…it was from Bossy Joscie – she does AMAZING work and was great to work with. With having an “I” for the last name…many times the “I’s “ look wonky and she sent me several drafts to get it…“just right”
So how would you like to win 2 bottles of GREEN GLUE!?!!? In the season of the Holiday’s we will be having FUN..because if you are like me, this is a busy season and I think that it is a twist to daily blogs and to have FUN and INTERACTIVITY together!
Just leave me a comment and let me know if you have tried this…..or if you have another idea….or just to say HI!!!! I will randomly pick a winner with random.com……
We will be doing FUN things like this all week long. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful “cyber family” and I deeply appreciate you popping on and sharing your time with me!
I love what I do…and I love chatting and helping YOU!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Dec 12, 2016 | Product Shares, Uncategorized |
Woot-woot…a new week and I think that you are going to love this week! Today I am going to share with you the Product Share that I am offering with the new Occasions Catalog that will be live on January 4th….so I say…. get in with the 1st wave of the product share and then the rest of the week is JUST PLAIN FUN!!!
With how fast the calendar is flying by it will be January in a flash! Trust me, as soon as I am able to order on January 4th I will and then I will be a “Cuttin’….Sortin’…Packaging Person” to turn your shares around for you!
I will do another offering that will mail out in the 3rd week of January but as the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm! I have been making swatch books as I have had the opportunity to pre-order paper. (We all LOVE the swatch books) and working on them now has been a time saver…so look the share offerings over and then jump on the Product Share train!
For those of you that are new, WELCOME but for the “mature simple stampin’ followers” ~ you know what Product Shares are…it is a GREAT opportunity for you to “be at the buffet but not have to take it all” 🙂
WHAT??? Yep, it is a way for you to get a “taste” of the NEW PRODUCT in smaller portions! For example, with the new papers (Share #2) – you will get a 1/2 sheet of the papers and if it is a 6″ X 6″ paper stack, you will get the whole sheet…this way YOU can make “play and create” with the new kids on the block without breaking the bank!
Here you go! If you are interested in a Product Share just email me and put in the subject Line PRODUCT SHARE so I can spot it and I will email you a confirmations that I received it – and send you an invoice.
Please make sure that you leave me your address….even if I am your very best friend 🙂 , leave me your address as it makes it soooooooo much easier for me to copy & paste for mailing proposes!
I love “I Love Lucy”…and do you remember when Lucy & Ethel worked in the Candy Factory???….this is how I feel when I am in FULL SWING with getting your shares together!
Product Share #1 – Swatch Books – you will receive (7) swatch books…all ready with the “necessities” for you to “get to stampin” ~ $17.50 and ships for FREE!
These are life savers! A tool that I touch each day as it saves me so much time when I am looking for “the right color combination”. I will cut all of the paper so you can flip away and see! On the back, there is the important “411 Directory Assistance” with the colors that coordinate, the item # and price….I guess you can say that they are just the BEST!
\
Product Shares #2 – New Papers! – $20.00
You will receive 6″ X 12″ of all of the NEW papers (and if there are a specialty paper, you will get a 1/4 sheet of that) PLUS (2) sheets of NEW Glassine Sheets! This catalog, there are 7 New Paper Collections!
The New Papers are: I just love the names….
(1) Party Animal, (2) Cupcakes & Carousels (this is a 6 X 6 paper stack), (3)Sending Love (this is a 6 X 6 paper stack), (4)Succulent Garden, (5)Tasty Treats Specialty, (6)Urban Underground Specialty, and (7) Falling in Love
You know that Stampin’ Up! is always know for their beautiful paper and this offering will save you a TON….getting just a 1/2 sheet. ( I think that you can see from the swatch books…..that there are some GREAT new papers!
Product Share #3 – Ribbon Share – $13.00
We LOVE our ribbon and there are some great offerings this catalog! I am thrilled that Stampin’ Up! is “filling in the gaps” with colors that we need…..I know that you will be smiling!
Product Share #4 – Embellishments – $10.25
In going into the New Year – I have set more Stampin’ Goals for me…I want to show you more embellishments! I know that I am guilty that I do not use them often but I am “all ears” and excited to use them! You all LOVE them and I am happy to offer them to you!
I am not usually a “doilie girl”…but I am going to stretch my simple self and use them! I love the fact that they are white on one side and the other, Very Vanilla!
Product Share #5 – DSP Paper Stacks – $28.00 (page 174 in the annual catalog) – I always offer this Share and you all seem to always LOVE this share! I do it because I TOTALLY believe in it and I realize that if you were to purchase all of these – YIKES….your “Daisy Bank” would be hit hard!!
I say…when in doubt ~ pull the Paper Stacks out as the patterns are fun and face it, there are just times that you need a certain color and having these handy….just works!
For those of you that have purchased my shares before, I think that you know the care and pride I take in putting together your products. If you have purchased from me before, please leave a comment and let me know what you like best of the shares….! ?
I am happy that January 4th is a Wednesday as I will have my order expedited and I will work that weekend to turn this share around for you. I know how exciting it is to get the goodies!
IN SUMMARY :
- SHARE #1 –DSP Swatch Books – $17.50 – FREE SHIPPING!
- SHARE #2 – 1/2 Sheets of DSP – $20.00
- SHARE #3 – Ribbons – $13.00
- SHARE #4 – Embellishments – $10.25
- SHARE #5 – 1/2 Sheets of DSP Paper Stacks – $28.00
SHIPPING:
- If you are just ordering the DSP Swatch Books (share #1) – the Shipping is FREE 🙂
- If you are ordering the Swatch Books (share #1 and the Ribbons #3 and/or Embellishments#4) – the shipping is $5.00 as I can put them in the same bubble mailer
- If you are ordering – anything with (Shares #2 & #5) – your shipping is $6.45 (the standard Priority Mail Shipping fee)
If you WANT IT ALL – the shopping is free plus I will throw in a pack of Stampin Dimenisions….I call them my Stampin’ Vitamins! Product Shares are FUN…Product Shares are SMART!
Email me…and I will get you all “set up”… Please do not forget your address! 😀
I am excited for a week of fun and give-aways! Tomorrow I have a story that will “melt your heart” and “make you smile” – there IS goodness in our world…plus I have a Tuesday Tip that will make the “light turn on”
See you in the morning!
Like this:
Like Loading...
by Susan Itell | Dec 11, 2016 | 3-D Projects, Christmas, Uncategorized |
To end this FUN week that we have had with “Practical Posts” – how can we not end with a good Old Fashion AMAZING Chocolate Chip Cookies! I honestly do not thing that I know of one person that does not like Chocolate Chip Cookies!
You know that I LOVE presentation…and today is no different! Mason Jars are a classic…and Chocolate Chip Cookies are a classic, so I ask you ~ how can you go wrong? These are a great gift to give all year long as again, how can you go wrong with a classic!
Here you go with a super quick recipe!
Mason Jar Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
For every one-quart jar,(use the wide mouth) ~ you will need:
1 3/4 c. flour
3/4 t. baking soda
1 /2 t. salt
1/2 c. white sugar
3/4 c. (packed) dark brown sugar
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl – pour into your mason jar (I found a funnel to be VERY useful )– especially when making a bunch of these!
Using your “tool” – I like a long ice tea spoon, tamp the flour mixture down till it is firmly packed and level. The BEST tip I can give you is to start with the flour and also tapping the Mason Jar firmly on your counter as that also makes it good and tight.
Add the Dark Brown Sugar and White Sugar….with the chocolate chips and if you have room ( I always have room) – I add some walnuts or pecans…..YUM and THEN seal the jar.
Here are the directions that I put on the tag.
Empty contents of jar into a large bowl.
In separate bowl combine 3/4 cup of butter (use the real stuff), 1 egg and 1 yolk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add to dry mixture. Drop by tablespoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a rack and grab some milk and go to heaven!
Here is a baking tip that I have always found to be a fool proof way to have your cookies come out perfectly. I keep (2) cookie sheets for JUST making cookies and I ALWAYS use a Silpat Mat on my baking sheet. Here are the type of sheets I use – you can get them anywhere but for ease sake – I am linking them to Amazon (I get mine at Sam’s Club)
As I have been saying that I am stocking up the PEEPS kitchens this year and yep, they are each getting the tools for making perfect cookies plus one of these jars! I bet I have had my Silpat Mats for over 15 years – they are the best and a game changer!
The sky is the limit on how you decorate the jar! (a great way to use up leftovers!) and I added a strip of tear -n- tape to the back of the ribbon and then it was a breeze to adhere.
Let’s chat real quick about the fun tag. I used the Santas Sleigh Thinlits for the tree and this IS being carried over BUT NOT THE BUNDLE PRICE….so if you do not have this set….I ask you , “why not?” as it is an all time Christmas classic. Next year, you will be able to buy them but NOT at the bundled price! I cut (2) of them from Garden Green as type A Susan liked to cover the back so you did not see the the red tag that I adhered to the tree.
The sentiment is from the Candy Cane Christmas and this IS walking the plank so if you want it, scoop it up! I heat embossed it with white, I just LOVE that pop!
I think that you can see that this is a “keeper” that you can use all year long and with many different recipes. It would be perfect for any occasion to give and trust me, when someone sees a Mason Jar filled with love and then realizes that YOU took YOUR time to make this…you will be their NEW BEST FRIEND!
I often look for these when they are on sale and then when I make them….I make a bunch because you can go down a list real quick with who would love them – also a PERFECT hostess gift!
Well…I hope that this made you happy and that you will also make someone else happy with a great gift like this! This is a great project to do with children and as I said before, they are fun to make in the “masses” – they is nothing like seeing a bunch of these on your counters ready to go!
Jammie shopping on on trend…..”just saying” 🙂
Like this:
Like Loading...
