by Susan Itell | Oct 29, 2016 | Uncategorized |
This is so exciting when we have a card swap. I admit “HANDS DOWN” that I get as excited as you do because it is always fun to see others ideas and inspiration from people ALL OVER our wonderful country!
Just a couple of “Housekeeping Tips” for you….If you do not see your card here today….PLEASE DO NOT WORRY as I will be having several posts showcasing your cards. I guess that you will just have to keep popping back to see YOUR beauty on the blog.
I did my best to take photos for you and edit them…there might be some cards that I feel the necessity to take more than one picture…why???? Details, angles of placement etc….if you only have 1 picture, please do not be sad – I LOVE and SUPPORT everyone’s work…
Before we get to the cards for today, the LAST housekeeping comment” – Please, please “leave some love” with a comment to these people that have shared their talent. I am always so incredibly proud of each and every one of you.Thank you for participating in the card swap!
Remember, I am in the middle of no where so I will do my best to be back to you tomorrow. I am away for a while as after this is On Stage so it was a juggling act to get my ducks in a row for my blog!
LOVE the way that you stamped on the inside… this is something that I rarely show you guys as I seem to leave mine blank until I get ready to send it – SUPER FUN and I am happy that you are “NICE”
Clean, crisp and classic! This is my kind of card and I need to share…this card was made by a special person…”Margie…aka “Auntie “M” to me was a past Creative Memories person. She was one that I knew I could call at 5:30 in the morning as we are both early birds!
O.k. – is this cute or WHAT!!!! Lisa….you did it again – one super adorable card! I definitely feel a CASE coming on with this one. Just too darn clever how you cut the zig zag strips. This is a great example of how using multiple DSP prints work!
What an elegant Christmas Card. There is something stamped on the inside but I just had to take another picture to share with you the details and layers. The bow, ovals, the embossing – just wonderful
Is this super clever or what!!!! This is a 3 1/2″ square card and who would have thought to add this swirly top to the present!!! I cannot wait to try this myself. The shape is perfect for a present. Toni….please email me your address as I did not seem to find a return envelope for you. Just love your card and am excited to give it a try!
Great job ladies….a HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!! I am looking so forward to my time today….learning, laughing and meeting new friends, life is wonderful!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 28, 2016 | Uncategorized |
HOWDY Stampers! I am kickin’ my heels and feeling like Dorothy on the Wizard of Oz all at the same time!.
Are you saying ~ WHAT THE HECK IS SHE TALKING ABOUT!
Please let me explain. If you follow my blog (and I sure hope that you do…and if not, hit that subscribe button so you do not miss a dose of daily FUN!) Well…before the new catalog was unveiled I gave to my readers (3) wishes that I was hoping that Stampin’ Up! would come out with.
None of my wishes came true but I have been clicking my heels non-stop and guess what ? Tuesday my stitched framelits wishes will be granted! I am doing the super happy dance and I know you will love them to!
Stop whatever you are doing and hit that play button and get excited! I simply cannot tell you how excited I am about this….and read on after you watch the quick video….(I have more great news – a 25% discount on a selected group of stamps).
Now here is more exciting news…there will be a handful of stamps that will be discounted for the month of November. I was super happy with the ones that they picked.
Here is another “touch your heart” kind of video that showcases another beautiful cards made with these framelits. I feel like I am watching a Hallmark Channel. I think that it is a great card, one that I will case.
I am flying high somewhere between North Carolina and Texas. I am planning on starting the parade of cards for the posts over the weekend. Just a “HEADS UP” where the retreat is going to be, I will have no cell/internet service so my finders are crossed that your in boxes will be filled with smiles over the next couple of days!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 26, 2016 | Christmas, Uncategorized |
O.k. – I know that you are out there….I see you…I know that you have it….so COME OUT OF THE CLOSET….What am I talkin’ about???
USE THAT WASHI TAPE up!
I have been itchin’ to do a card like this. To me, it is a “happy card” – it is clean, it is simple, it just makes me happy! This stamp set is carried over from last year (as it deserves to be) and if you were a smart stamper last year….here comes a WOOT-WOOT as you are super smart and for you that have not HIT THAT PAW PRINT…I would put your readers on and take a look!
This card is very straight forward , an A-2 card and then the Garden Green Mat is just a “smidge larger” than the white piece of 4″ X 5 1/2″ and then just add the banner. It is as simple as that!
You can see that I let the Washi Tap pennants “be free” and did not hold them down with a glue dot. You can easily do that but I like the whimsical feel of the banner. I did tie the bakers twine in a bow using (2) strands of twine and then…I did use a simple glue dot to hold it down!
I think that you will know why I am smiling, the POLKA DOTS….I just love the DSP Stacks – this is why they are so popular when I do product shares, I had totally overlooked them in the catalog but when in doubt – pull them out! This give the envelope the love that it deserves!
Here is you 411 – Directory Assistance Photo. Break it down, this is a very affordable card and one that you can use so many different Washi Tape and also so many different stamps! Have fune making the banners the same length, vary them like I did today…just have fun!
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There you go….your “HUMP DAY” card….I would love for you to try it. You do have to admit, it is an easy card yet a card that “gets the job done” and also is a layout that you can use over and over and over and over…and guess what – you will always feel great about yourself in creating, but the lucky person that receives it, will be THRILLED!
Guess what I did yesterday, I opened up the swap card and today I am going to take pictures of them. All I can say is wow…WOW…WOW!!!!! I love the work that you do and I will proudly be showcasing them over the next week.
Here is that Paw Print – go for it…..what we do is a win-win…..enjoy the day!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 25, 2016 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
On Tuesdays it is our time to chat…to learn, to grow and to hear from others what works and what doesn’t! Today, let’s chat about your ink pads. On Sunday, I watched many different stampers “ink” up their stamps.
Some gave the acrylic block the death grip…
Some kept pounding and pressing….
Some just tapped – tapped – tap!
What do YOU do?
Well ~ here is the truth. When I first started stampin’ I was terrible, just terrible as I was the classic “wobbler” and I was always so frustrated with the end result. Has that happened to you?
The best tip that I can give to you that seems to work for me is that if possible, I place my stamps on the diagonal. I am not sure why but it seems to be easier for me to stamp…and….I tap-tap-tap…and then stamp.
If it is a photopolymer, I am super happy as it is so easy to “see through” but if not, I do like the stamp-a-ma-jig because let’s face it, there are times that you do not get a clean stamp…and there are times that you want a deeper, richer look so double stampin’ is something that many of us do.
I think one KEY factor is the amount of ink on your ink pads. I have found that when I received the new In Colors this year…they were juicy…really, really juicy. I had to “take off” some of the ink and this is how I do it.
The best way I find is to just take a piece of computer paper or if you want to splurge, take a piece of white card stock and place it over the ink pad and press down to let it absorb. I would not recommend using a paper towel as the fibers of the paper towel cling to the ink pad! 🙁
I would… and I feel certain that (we would) love to hear how you stamp…..how do you hold your acrylic block???….how do you mount your stamps???….do you like the ink pads juicy or would you rather have it on the “drier side” ???
This will be fun to hear what you all do!!! I hope to see you tomorrow….WASHI WEDNESDAY!!!! I know that we all “buy it” because it is so darn tootin’ cute and we vow to ourselves, I WILL USE IT…and then it sits….sounds familiar????
I think that I will make you smile! 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Oct 23, 2016 | Just Because..., Uncategorized |
Good Sunday to all….can you say EASY-PEASY?!?! 🙂
I need to be honest, I feel like I am in a “creative blue”. Friday was just a L O N G day and I simply did not have the energy to blog yesterday. Friday was Bud’s funeral and naturally I was sad, but it was a beautiful tribute filled with “joy” (darn, I love that word…so short yet so powerful)
Being in that “creative low” for me…I decided to make a “blue” monochromatic card for you! When in doubt…pull it out! What am I talking about? I find that when I am in a “creative block mode” I go to stamp sets that always seem to pick me up and just “work” 😀
This stamp set, Watercolor Words….does that to me EVERYTIME….(it should be called old faithful) and I also decided to play with the Freshly Made Sketches this week as it is one great sketch!
When you look at the pictures you can see…1 stamp set (watercolor words), 1 Ink Color (night of navy), 1 DSP (Floral Boutique) and it works! There is no need to stress (yikes, look who is calling the kettle black as I have been in a slump) I used the Aqua Painter and took some ink from the top of the lid of the ink pad to lightly add color.
Do not be afraid to keep things simple like I did today. It works and the variety of colors that you could use are endless. I happen to think that the DSP, Floral Boutique is as classic as it can ever get! I think that there are times that we look at papers and say (for example) – “flowers are not blue” like this….but throw those concepts out the window – we all seem to overthink things…just try it!
I adhered the larger flowers (after paper snipping them out) with “green glue” and then POPPED the entire sentiment and flowers up…that ALWAYS adds the instant WOW.
Fast, easy, classic and FUN! What are you up to today? I hope that whatever you do, “joy” is in it. I am having a workshop with Jeanie and doing the Tin of Cards Kit. I know that there are going to be instant smiles when they get to go home with 16 cards….WOW!!!!!
After the workshop I am planning to come home and start to open up the Card Swap Cards. I know that it is funny that I do not “sneak a peek” because I know if I do – nothing would get done…as you all are soooo darn talented!
Remember, jammie shopping is always on trend…..HIT that paw print and have FUN!
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by Susan Itell | Oct 21, 2016 | Paper Pumpkin, Uncategorized |
On yesterday’s post…I shared the Paper Pumpkin Kit for October. Today I am sharing with you some ways that I have “tweaked it a bit” to go out of the box! I think that it is fun….actually SUPER FUN to work with to make it work for you!
I have a bunch of pictures for you, I hope that you enjoy them and I have inspired you to make things have a different twist. I had fun making these. Enjoy!
I am one that usually does not like a distressed look but the back ground stamp is wonderful. It gives a depth to a solid piece of paper in a jif. This “Thank You” comes from the stamp set, Vertical Greeting. To me, this is one of the most unique stamp sets that Stamp’ Up! has come out with…you will see it next week in card that will make you smile! 🙂
I think that this below card is fun, super fun and super sweet. I chose not to make it a shaker card and to you see the color behind the leaves? It is from the envelope that was provided int his months kit! Yep….I had some scissor surgery on it and I was thrilled to discover that I could use it in a way that was unique!
In yesterdays comments, Ramsey had commented that the envelopes seemed to be too tight when you put the shaker card in. Well…I tried and I actually found the same thing. I did call Stampin’ Up! about this and they said that they tried and it seemed to work. Please let me or Stampin Up! know if you are experincing that.
I agree with Ramsey…it is a super TIGHT fit to go into the envelope so just be careful. This is when I decided to cut up an envelope and POOF!!!! I make it work for me!
Here is the picture of the envelope after scissor surgery. Just look at all of that yummy paper to work with. You might be thinking – what do you do with a card without an envelope? Well, you could use one of our regular envelopes and also I would most likely send a card that has a bunch of “fun and detail” in a padded envelope.
I have blogged about this before in using padded envelopes for special cards.
Isn’t this sentiment the best?!? It is from my good old stand by, Cottage Greetings – I just love that stamp set!
Now…do you see that FUN popper? I blogged about these gems a couple of weeks ago and it always seems that this time of year I make these a bunch. They are an instant “smile maker” . I took Very Vanilla paper and used the stamp from the kit to stamp my paper to look like a DSP. (LOVE the effect it gives) and then made a belly band from the envelope (above) Here is the link to the recent post that I did with the poppers.
Last card for you….I made the shaker card effect but kept the envelope paper as the backdrop. I just used a wee bit behind the windows of the leaves and then a small strip across the top. (with just having a limited amount, I tried to save where I could).
The “congrats” added a fun twist. It is from the Sunshine Wished Thinlit Dies. You know that I adore sentiment words in framelits!
Well, that’s it for today! I hope that I was able to stir up some creativity for you to help show you that you can take that little orange box that you get and make some other projects out of it. It is a fun challenge for me to do and I get excited to see that box in my mailbox monthly.
Remember, you can subscribe to the Paper Pumpkin Program for 1 month, 3 month subscription etc….and it you do not care for it – NO BIGGIE….just cancel, there is no penalty or obligation. With that say, what do you have to loose for a month….just try it and if it wasn’t for you…just cancel. Make it a fabulous Friday!
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