by Susan Itell | Jul 29, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Woot-Woot…it is Friday and I am doing the HAPPY DANCE as I have great news, Arnold has turned the corner and doing soooooo much better! Being responsible for a 31 year old horse that you happen to love to death is hard to see when their are not feeling well. I think in the next 48 hours we will be acting like a 25 year old (and that is old as well for a horse). His trusty Donkey has been by his side like a perfect nurse.
I have had to be a bit quiet in “Command Stampin’ Central” as I feel like I am constantly going down to check him….but knock on wood…we are coming around! The Vet came out yesterday and was so surprised at how great he looked (other than his bum foot)
You know what is also the best….having John and the peeps check in with me throughout the day as they know that I have been so upset about my dear sweet Arnold. It is all about love and kindness…that is what WE ALL need more of!
Today I am sharing with you some FUN from a very special stamper, Georgette! You all know that I adore DSP and I do try to share with you ways to use it….NOT JUST LOOK AT IT ….and Georgette is the QUEEN of using DSP. When the new catalog came out and I saw this print…I knew that I would have won any bet that this would be right up her alley!
Georgette sent me (3) cards using this fabulous DSP and I just had to share them with you! I hope that you enjoy the pictures and that you also can leave Georgette some Stampin’ Love Comments (let’s hope she looks at my blog today as she does not know that I am doing this)
I am just thrilled with our DSP papers as they truly are beautiful! Please do not be afraid to use them in a bold way like you see in these below pictures….SHOW THEM OFF – let them SHINE!!!!
This below one TOTALLY STUMPED me when I saw it…..look closely – she used the Lemon Paper for the house…so darn clever! I hope that Georgette will chime in and let us know the ins and outs of her watercoloring, just beautiful!
How about this one….it is just “PEAR PERFECT” – what a fun card and do you notice the pear from last year’s DSP../WOW – what a great use of the paper. Just look at this envelope….amazing!
I say a STANDING OVATION for Georgette and many thanks for sharing your talent. If you have time….please leave her some Simple Stampin’ love with a comment!
It is the 29th and that means that there is just 2 more days to take advantage of EARNING IN JULY…..SPENDING IN AUGUST! I have been trying to work on my blog to make it more user friendly at the very top of my blog you will see “Paw Prints Rewards”….this is where you can go Monthly to see the card that I will make for you with a $35 purchase and then with a $75 purchase, you get a double whammy – the card and a gift!
I just think that this is ONE BEAUTIFUL CARD! I am both proud and excited to send it your way! LOVE this paper….works great with today’s post in letting the DSP SHINE!
What can I say but SUPER CUTE!!!! This is a FUN Embossing Folder that you will see me use over the weekend……and I know you – you will love it!
Have a fabulous day…..we had some much needed rain yesterday so my hopes are to get up…..ride Oscar and have a great day….how about you!?!?!?!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 28, 2016 | Baby, Uncategorized |
Today is the Pals Paper Art Challenge day and this week we are working with a color challenge! This palette was inspired to us from fellow Pal, Lynn Hoyt. Lynn is always filling the PALS gallery with great cards and always offering useful ideas, it is great to be a PAL!
I was going to go with a floral look…and then I though no, there will probably be a ton on them….and I thought about how about a sweet baby card that would be perfect for someone that just found out that they were expecting or how about if someone had twins!
I did a card using this stamp set, CLICK HERE to see it and I think that you will see that this too is a great one. We have framelits, Baby’s First that cuts out the onesie perfectly.
When I was thinking of this card to make for you today….I just KNEW that we had a great stamp set that was carried over and yep….I think that this works perfectly for a baby card. Take a look at this sentiment set….a little for everything and the fonts are fun!
I think that you can see the fun and simple elements of this card. Because it is a photopolymer stamp set, it makes it super easy to add the sweet flowers and sentiment to the “girls” one. For both cards, I used the Aqua Painter to add the colors that Lynn used for her color challenge today!
I admit, I was a bit stumped with the envelope love and then I thought….when in doubt, pull the DSP Stacks out….I thought that this turned out FUN! I simply addded the adhesive…matched them in the center and then snipped away!
One last look…and you can see how simple this card is to make and I think that we all agree….anyone would love to receive this. I know that I do not do a bunch of baby cards but there us something special about this stamp set. (I love the little stamps….great filler stamps for empty areas)
Bonus Days are coming to an end….please do not forget that for every $50 purchase, Stampin’ Up! will send you a $5 coupon to use in August! This makes shopping FUN!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 27, 2016 | Photopolymer Stamps, Uncategorized |
Happy “HUMP DAY” I know that this subject line was a bit different but I must say, whenever I look at this Stamp Set, Marquee Messages I think of Las Vegas and all of the old “glitz” from signs!
This is just one fun stamp set! I had a ball making this card as it is fun to stamp the images and paper piece them together to create something really special!
Let’s back up….I try to “teach” you with my posts as I realize that we are all at different levels and you might be saying….what the heck is paper piecing?
Below you will see the stamp set. (super cute) 🙂 If you Stamp the desired images onto whatever color of paper you are going for….just stamp and then cut away….lastly “piece” it back together! I like to use the green glue so I can wiggle them right into place.
This is paper piecing! SUPER EASY yet SUPER REWARDING as when you see the finished project, you are amazed at how it all came together in a jif! I encourage you to take a look at your stamp sets and you will be amazed at how many you have that you could do this technique with!
How about this fun and cheerful DSP!?! It is from the A little Foxy pack and it certainly makes a POP STATEMENT. Just have fun playing around with the paper you have and take the colors from there!
I thought that the Bermuda Bay and the Pool Party complimented one another an because I used Black Ink to do my stamping, I thought that the super thin mat of black would do the trick on the Pool Party rectangle!
I know that it is super hard to see in the photo (but try to click on it to make it larger) and you will see that I score at 1/4″ intervals all the way down the white mat. When you see it in person, it looks super-de-duper!
You know me….a “naked” envelope does not settle well with me. True, it takes a bit more time but I do think that the end result is well worth the extra time. If you cut these 6 x 6 papers into 2″ x 6″ pieces you can get (3) envelopes per sheet of paper. The thin strip is just 1/4″ wide – works like a charm!
At a glance it looks like that card would use a bunch of products but really the stamp set itself holds its own.I think that this is one of the super fun elements about this stamp set…lots going on and lots of fun and unique sentiments. Please pin this picture away for the future and if you need any help with the whole “paper piecing” thing…please email me, I will be happy to help!
Guess what I did yesterday morning? Guess what I am going to do this morning?
I am going to the movies from home – I was able to see a sneak preview of the NEW Holiday Catalog and I was doing the HAPPY DANCE WHEN I SAW the little bit that I did….The bundle that I saw was just the cutest and the best thing – it will work for Fall/Halloween and then for Christmas.
As demonstrators we can pre-order next Tuesday and my fingers are crossed that this little guy will be available! As soon as I can order the new catalogs I will and if you have placed and order with me in the past 6 months, I will mail you a catalog. If you are not currently working with a SUD, I would love to help you, please reach out to me and I will be happy to send a catalog your way.
Enjoy the day…stay cool….please look after those that might need help and remember to keep your animals out of this heat. Speaking of animals, please keep my dear Arnold (the horse ~ well actually he is a boarders horse) but he is my sweet old man (31 years old) …..he has terrible feet and he is so uncomfortable right now. I am soaking his foot in warm water several times a day for an abscess – I hope he can get some relief as he owes this world nothing! Such a sweet boy.
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by Susan Itell | Jul 26, 2016 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
Good Tuesday to you and today we are going to have a chat about the Big Shot. I think that we all can agree that this one amazing tool. I call it my “main man” in my work area…and truth be told, I have 2 of them so I guess you can say that I have an affair with (2) main men 🙂
At the end of the post I will share with you a “funny” and then a “great story” which happened to me last week with one of my Big Shots.
I can remember that when I first started Card Making I kept hearing about the Big Shot…I had NO CLUE what it was and then when I saw it I thought…well I’m not impressed ~ it looks like a black crank thing….nope, I did not need it!
Quickly as my obsession with making cards grew I figured – I need to buy this black thing….(still not really know what to do) as I was your “Simple Susan” ~ stamp, ink and cardstock kind of gal.
I finally bought something to use this black thing with, I think it was the Top Note Die (darn I missed that gem) and I put my big girl pants on and attempted to use it…I thought that I BROKE IT – I heard all of this crickty-cranking noise….I thought for sure it was a goner and then when I saw that the clear cutting pads were all scratched – I can remember saying to myself….“Now this is just silly – why in the world would something be so expensive to break on the first try!”
Today is a 2 cup of coffee day as you need to watch this super video that the Home Office put together. Now I can hear all of you right now….I do not need to watch this as I know everything I need to know about the Big Shot….well, you are probably correct BUT I will say…they do a FABULOUS job in describing why each of the different accessories for the Big Shot work in a specific way…
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BIG SHOT!
Because we have many different accessories now for the big shot, it really is important to know the ins and outs so you can make your product work in the best possible way that they are intended to do! (hopefully that makes sense)
Did you learn something? I do think that it is a great video and I want to touch on the accessories. All of the accessories will be in the store at the end of the post and I am sure that many of you are thinking…I do not need all of them…you may be right as they are meant to do different things so maybe you do not need them but my guess, you have the products… so you need to make sure you have the right tools 🙂
I have all of the accessories and I will say that I use them….actually use them very hard and appreciate the end results. Do you remember before the magnetic platform we used to use post it tape to hold the framelits in place?
One thing that I will suggest…always have an extra set of cutting pads….WHY? – well when you need them you will smile because you have them on hand. I like to keep a separate one that I just use for embossing folders (and yep, I use my label maker and mark it) so it stays nice and clean (no scratches)
I also like to keep a separate one for using the precision base plate as it will warp a bit with this base plate. By having it separate…I also know to only use it for the precision plate.
Now for a “funny” – each month when I am working on my kits, it becomes a family affair with who is at the house. John and James always find the Big Shot to be fun and I get all of my papers cut…..give them their “to do’s” and they go to town! That is their limits….BIG SHOT and they are done! They always say…this is amazing what this can do! 🙂Â
Here is a great story…last week I was noticing that my Big Shot was not embossing as usual…i called Stampin’ Up! and asked what to do to make the impression correct and you know what…??? They said, I am sorry – we will send you a new one. I then told them that I use it hard….SUPER HARD and I was not looking for a new one, but on the other end….they said – We want you to be happy and of course we will send you a new one”
In 2 days I received a NEW one…with the NEW Platform!!! YEP, when you order a Big Shot, no need to order the NEW Platform as it comes with it! Thank YOU STAMPIN’ UP! for great customer service!
Please feel free to share your thoughts about the Big Shot and the accessories…this is how we learn….from one another!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 23, 2016 | Simple Saturday, Uncategorized |
Good WEEKEND…WOW – it is a HOT one on the East Coast but do I have a FUN and SIMPLE card for you today! I am smiling as I really….I really like it! The inspiration for this card came from the Moroccan DSP!
This is something that I do (most of the time)Â ~ I like to pick the paper and then work around my card! Do you ever do that? Call me silly, but I was just itchin’ to use this DSP! I admit, I am not a huge fan of the coordinating stamps sets that work around this paper, but I ADORE this paper – I think that I like the fact that it works with Very Vanilla – I LOVE THAT!!!
I have another confession, I was always scared to death about stamp sets that do “double” and even “triple stampin” – this is what this stamp set does….tomorrow I will share with you the pictures of the different layers but trust me, IF I CAN DO IT – YOU CAN!
After I was at the “end of the diving board”, I decided to take the plunge to try to get comfortable with stamp sets like this! It is sooooooo much easier than you think!
One thing that we all know, punches are “friends to us” and this comes as a bundle and being a bundle you know that it will save you an instant 10%!
I do get many emails/comments that Stampin’ Up! has many, many floral stamp sets….true ~ true but then again, you can always do sooooooo much with flowers and I say – HAVE FUN!
When you look at the above photo you will see that there are a variety of colors….but there are just Dapper Denim and Emerald Envy…..I just “stamped off” and then “full strength” – it really is fun, easy and rewarding!
When you look at the image of the stamp set you can see how there are many stamps the same shape, this is where the shading/layering comes in.
For someone like me that sees things very “straight and boringly forward” – this type of stamp set does intimate me but the “TRUMP CARD” for me was the fact that there was a punch and great resources to help me over my “hump of can I do it”….
I hope that you feel the same way as I do, I adore this card! These colors are so rich and vibrant and let’s chat about the sentiment….sooooo fun and different with just an amazing font! I think that we all can think of many to send this to!
The envelope was made with the Envelope Bunch Board and again, this piece of plastic makes me sooooo happy as it makes ME look good and I know that it will make YOU look good as well. I laugh at when I first bought this ~ it was a HUGE intimation factor for me and I admit, I had it for a while before I took the plunge to figure it out!
I hope that you will pop back tomorrow to see what I have up my sleeve and also I will go into depth about how to “man handle” doing layered stamping….it really is SOOOOO easy!
Have a great day……I say, “STAY INSIDE” as it is HOT…..and take advantage of the beauty of shopping from home…..the best thing is BONUS DAYS….I am happy that I have taken advantage of this incentive…and I hope that you will too!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 22, 2016 | Just Because..., Uncategorized |
I do not know about you…..but, this paper, Fruit Stand is super cute! Not only does it have many of my all time favorite fruits, the artwork of the paper is just beautiful!
I have been looking at this “lemon” paper for some time and trying to come up with a card that I would like and to be honest with you, I was stuck. I was stuck at the colors that the catalog said coordinated with it. You know me, “type A” Susan….following the rules buy the colors that were to coordinate with this paper, was just not cutting it for me!
The “orange colors” that they suggested were Peekaboo Peach and Tangerine Tango ~Â neither one were doing a thing for me so I tried Pumpkin Pie (a color that I rarely use) and to me…IT WORKED! So I guess the moral of this color story is use what appeals to YOU!
My inspiration for this card came from the BEST tool we have, the Catalog. On page 89 you will see the bundle I used today, Badges & Banners Bundle but you will also see the great example that Stampin’ Up! freely shared with us…so – why not….it is a GREAT card….make it your own!
I am truly hoping that each and everyone of you have a catalog in your “paws” but for some reason you don’t, please email me and I will be sure that you get one!
This is a super sweet and super practical bundle as you can make many FUN and SPECIAL PROJECTS!! I totally plan on using these “badges” for 3-d’s as I know that the “Enjoy your day” will be great for my oldest “PEEP” that is a teacher!
I do admit, I took the bait from the great sample in the catalog and I let my mind wonder! I am one that adores bundles when they involves a bunch…..super easy!
Do you remember we had a Tuesday Chat about adhesives? Well…one adhesive that I did not touch on a bunch was the new Foam Adhesive Strips….and yep – that is what I used today and THEY WERE THE BEST!
WHY???? I adore the way that they bend…a huge WOOT-WOOT as you can get them “just where you want them” I used them around the “bird cage” as well around the entire layered white piece….a classic card!
To me, what a FUN summer card. I just am thrilled with this DSP and actually all of the DSP in this new catalog! I do not know about you….but I am counting down the days to be able to see the upcoming Holiday Catalog….as much as I am “ok” when the calendar going as slow as it can…..we know at the same time – IT SNEAKS UP ON YOU!
Here is your daily “411” of the supplies used! I hope that you find this helpful and I hope that you will save it for the future!
I know that you like measurements!
The DSP is a 2″ wide strip and then the Daffodil Delight is is 3″ X 3 1/2″….it is super easy to use the punch to POP it out and then just use a scrap to do your stamping.
The Pumpkin Pie is 3 1/8″ X 3 5/8″ to mat the fun! Super fun, super fresh, super duplicate-able with MANY papers! I will say that after I put this all together….I thought that it needed something else. I thought, hmmmmmm –
- should I use a grunge like stamp for depth on the yellow, then I thought no….
- then I thought scoring….but it was too late as I already had it mounted
- Plan C – just take a scrap and make a super thin piece of the pumpkin pie….and yep, I liked it! 🙂
Remember…..we are in FULL SWING of the Stampin’ Up! Bonus Days….I know that many of you are “eyeing up” the Limited Edition Bundle available on August 2nd (and I GET IT) – it’s a great addition!
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions and if you have time….I would love to see your comment about this post!
Please remember to look at the top of my blog and view my rewards program and also the July goodies that you will receive for ordering with me! Stay cool…enjoy the day!
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