by Susan Itell | Jun 9, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Good Morning and I must admit, I am super happy that I am ready for my wonderful Dad for Fathers Day….when we were on out trip we stumbled across a super fun store that only sold hats and does my Dad love hats!!! John and I had a great time finding a perfect one for him and I know that he will be thrilled!
Being that it is Thursday…that is the day of the week for the FUN Pals Paper Art Challenge and this week fellow PAL, Lisa Ann Bernard has given us a fabulous sketch to work with….how about playing with this challenge. We all know that there is a ton of talent out there and I say, why not? I can remember that I was scared to death to enter a challenge and then once the “ice was broken”…I had so much fun!
Do you remember the other day when I gave you the challenge of trying to guess what DSP would be my first pick? Well it was the Floral Boutique but I must say…this DSP, Moroccan is just beautiful. The catalog does not do it justice – it is a keeper! I love the fact that it coordinates with Very Vanilla. Sometimes using Very Vanilla creates a totally different mood….and this paper is just so special!
When I saw the sketch I thought to myself….try to use a different orientation and try to do something fun with the circle element, Well….the end result was a super FAST card to pull together!
I let my inspiration of the color from the DSP…..I often do this as that seems to get my “creative juices” flowing by knowing what paper I am going to use. I know that we have chatted many times about some of you being afraid to use your DSP….well look at this card – the DSP is soooooo handsome, why not let it shine!
By now you all have seen the new catalog (and if not, please email me and I will be sure to send you one) – well….one of my most favorite new products are the Layering Framelits.
We have (4) new additions and today I used the Circle ones. Why do I like them so much? EASYÂ = they are easy to store… taking up less room, they “nest together” for a perfect mat…they have scallop ones…they will be perfect for making shaker cards….
You can see in the below pictures how I cut a piece of the stamped paper out in the circle and then “nestled in the blue one” I know that it is hard to see and I could have easily laid the blue circle on top – but when you see this in person and see that it is pieced in – it makes it super special!
Stampin’ Dimensionals to the max to lift this beauty up…and oh yes, dashes and dots are in the menu today! To me, it is that simple extra touch that takes literally seconds to do.
Using a 1/4″ piece of cardstock along with the DSP is the perfect way to dress up the back flap of your envelope – I encourage you to take it a step further…stamp the front of the envelope.
You can see in the store below that this stamp set comes in all (3) mounts – I highly suggest it in the photopolymer as you get perfect placement and it is the most economical. Stamping on envelopes is FUN!
Here is you “memory bank” picture for you…I think that this paper is so handsome, Dapper Denim is a fabulous color and clearly it is a favorite on many of yours! Please pop over to the Pals Paper Art site to see what the other designers were up to this week and then how about taking your own take on this sketch! If you need help uploading it….please email me 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Jun 8, 2016 | PALS Blog Hops, Uncategorized |
We are thankful you stopped by to take a look at our new 2016 Blog Hop monthly themes. This month we are featuring projects that are based on “B“ themes such as Birthday, Bride or Baby. We hope to provide you with lots of ideas and that 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.
One thing that we have each and every year and something that we can not hid behind is a BIRTHDAY! To me, it is always a great thing to have a stash of Birthday Cards ready to rumble when you need one and I think that this sweet and fun card would certainly do the trick!
It looks as if it would be a complicated one to do but if that was the case….you know me – I would not be doing it as I am just “Simple Susan” and when things get to stressful…it is not fun for me! I like to have this whole process that we do to be happy and fun!
This is a super fun Blog Hop and I think that the idea of using “B” is a BRILLIANT one – we sure do have fun with the PALS. I could not resist using the BIRTHDAY theme as I was just itchin’ to use this new bundle, Biggest Birthdays. It is so well thought out and the easiest way I sum it up is – it is a fun bundle that will bring you joy for years making all sorts of festive Birthday Cards that can go for both the young and the old!
I am “showering” you with a bunch of pictures (I know you all love pictures) and I hope that you can see at first glance that this looks like a 4 1/2″ square Card….but then look – PRESTO, it is an easel card! Now this would surely make someone smile having this cute piece of cake staring at them!
As you will see in the below picture, score a line 1 1/2″ and then just put adhesive to that area so when you bend it…there will be a clean back (the melon mambo) and it will stand up behind the sentiment as the sentiment has been lifted with Stampin’ Dimensionals! 🙂
What kind of cake do you like? Today I was in the mood for Chocolate Cake but my favorite is Carrot Cake – (wonder how I could make that one for a card) The beauty of this fun bundle is that the sky is the limit in how you can create. It was super fun to do and if I were making this card I would make MANY at the same time as the process would basically be an assembly one and the best thing is, you will smile as you will have a stack of cards ready to go when you need one!
Below is a picture if this FUN bundle and ADORABLE and FESTIVE paper. I would definitely buy this as a bundle as not only would you be saving an instant 10% but you will really, really want the framelits as they are so details and fun! Please make sure that you look in the catalog for great examples using this bundle….
I wanted to give you the scoop on how I made this. I cut out 2 cakes, one in Early Espresso and the other in white. I bet you could have stamped through the pieces of cake on the Early Espresso one but I did not want to take the chance, that is why I did one in white! I simply stamped the layers and then added them to the “Chocolate Cake” 🙂 (you see….I mess up too – great thing that there 2 sides!) 😉
If I had to bet…I would bet that this is going to be a very popular bundle. It is fun, festive and timeless. There are so many pieces in this bundle and with all of the great papers we have – you are certainly going to have fun making festive works of art.
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!Â
There is sooooo much talent out there with the PALS and you have a bunch of HOPPING to do. Please feel free to leave a comment to let me know how you like this card. Remember, it does not need to be an easel card, I just wanted to take a step out of my zone and share how easy it is!
- Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
- Nicole Everitt at Stamp Scrap Love
- Natalie Bradley at NatalieBradley.com
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stampin’ Habit!
- Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Kim Jolley at Stampin’ Artfully
- Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin’
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin’ Jackie
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Karen Zaring Browning at Stamp With Me KZB
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
- Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
- Pam Dotts at Clearly Southern Stampin’
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
- Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
- Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin’ Sunshine
- Becky Volpp at Inkblossomwithbecky
- Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
- Amy Hoptay at CraftCarnivore
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by Susan Itell | Jun 7, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Here are some more great ideas from the card swap! YOU all are amazing and I cannot tell you how it warms my heart the comments and the interaction you all have with each other in your comments! I hope that this simple element goes to show you that we are making a difference in sharing simple handmade kindness and that is just the BEST in this crazy world that we live in.
Here is a funny for you….while I was away on the trip John and I were talking to another couple while we were waiting for a table for lunch….we were in Florence at a super cute little restaurant and they were from the USA and they were amazed at the concept of Stampin’ Up! – they had never heard of it. They looked at us and said…you make cards???? I loved John’s comment, what my wife does is so much more than make cards…she shares kindness and inspires people to do the same… 🙂 It does not get better than this…I truly love what I do!
Please know in my heart that I am super PROUD of each of you. I wish that you could see my face when I see your work. There is always an instant smile…but then there is so much more – I often find myself saying – THIS IS JUST THE BEST…that there are so many that “get it” – please know that a handmade “anything” will always TRUMP a store bought “anything”…Keep doing what you are doing….because it does make a difference!
Card #1 – This card is super fun and I just love when there is a double whammy – an element using an embossing folder partially with paper on a card…This creates instant depth and some of the new embossing folders in the new catalog are just fantastic! LOVE the glimmer paper stars…darn, I forget about using it but this makes a POP… this card could easily be for a Birthday…a graduation….a simple WOOT-WOOT to you!!!! 🙂
Card #2 – Roseanne is one of my downline and one talented stamper. Please check out her blog as she is a great stamper that always has a classic style. Again, look at using an embossing folder…it does create a WOW and with how affordable they are…they go a long way! Notice the extra details…the small pearls…the heart made from DSP – great examples of adding just a little…goes a long way!
Card #3 – This card is really hard to see the fun and beauty it has. The card was made with a Shimmery White Cardstock. It is stunning when you hold it in your hand. I TOTALLY forget to use this paper and I have pulled it out so I can see it to remind me to use it. I love the simplicity of this card – and I am guessing that Juanita used a stamp-a-ma-jig to line up her stamping as it is spot on! This is a great example of ow less can really be best and still get the job done!
Card #4 – Oh Ellen…this is such a fun card that I really needed to take several pictures of this so you all can see the attention to detail that is in this beauty! One thing that I know I am “guilty as charged”…not making the inside of the card as beautiful as the outside. This layout would be one to put into your memory bank as the layout is very classic and you could use so many different DSP’s and Stamps…..The other thing that I love is…Ellen gave some love to her envelope! You all know that this makes me super happy! 😉
Card #5 – Now this is a TRUE CLASSIC. I know that for many of use it is hard to make masculine cards and this stamp set, Guy Greetings is carried over and this is a fabulous set for masculine cards! This is a very handsome color combination. This could be a Fathers Day Card, a Birthday Card….The dot paper is from the In Color DSP stacks…these paper stacks are always so handy to use and always one of my favorites!
I need to share a funny again…..Millie reached out to me for a monthly kit that I do and if she could have a spot….when I heard her name, MILLIE….an instant smile came to my face as this was the name of one of Hannah’s horses and I said….anyone named MILLIE is special to me so YES!!!! She is also another one of those great Texas gals that sign a card to me with a great big Texas hug….I always smile!
I hope that these cards made your day and that you will CASE away! It is fun to see others cards…fun to see that they come from all over! Card Swaps are fun and I will do another one in the future. I do hope that when I do that you will participate. Great job card makers….and keep on going!!!!
Tomorrow is a PALS blog hop….so please make sure that you pop in! It is a fun theme this month and I am sure that you are going to have inspiration to the max!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 6, 2016 | Card Swaps, Uncategorized |
Happy Monday! Here are some more great ideas from the card swap that we had! If you do not see your card here today...PLEASE do not worry – I will be doing more days on the fabulous works of art that you all created.
Please know in my heart that I am super PROUD of each of you and if you only see one picture of your card, please do not think that I do not think it is special – as it IS….there are some cards that speak for themselves and then there are others that I feel you benefit from other angles! ?
Card #1 – This card is simply elegant! I love all of the tones and textures it gives – The shading really gives great depth and the use of the banners creates a great interest. Susan tore the edge of the focal panel and then lightly sponged it….I forget about doing this…but you can see that the end result is so effective. I am a big button fan…I know that they can be a pain to mail, but I love the effect.
Card #2 – COLOR TO THE MAX! I love a card like this as it just brings an instant smile to your face. Having fun using all sorts of colors is also fun…This would be a great layout to do and make many of and then add the sentiment when needed…the POP up of the one flower gave the card a perfect added touch! Fun card!
Card #3 – This card is a “layout keeper” and one that I call a “formula” for future cards. Robyn’s balance is spot on and if you look at the second picture closely – you can see the details that Robyn added with the scoring – a gal after my own heart! 🙂 The pop up with the “hello” along side of the double banner is perfect balance – I encourage you to try this layout…I am sure that you have lots of stamps and fun paper to use!
Card #4 – Karen and Robyn (above card) are stampin’ buddies….look at this card and then also look above again at Robyn’s and you can see a great example of how you can take DSP…and make it work with a FUN card! Love the way the banners are overlapped with the stripes going the same way! This is something that I never do and you bet I will remember it! Also, look at the attention to detail that Karen did with the scoring…the DSP banners are even scored – brilliant!
Card #5 – Super Sweet! Here is another trio of panels….used in a different way to WOW – the card give a totally different feel! Now let’s chat about card 3,4 & 5 – these were made by whom I call my 3 Amiga’s! Robyn, Karen and Sharon are sisters/friends….and they make me happy each and every time I see their work! I am always so in awe with their talent and the friendship that they have…..the best! Getting back to the card – look how Sharon used so many shapes but the card to still so simple and clean. The other interest detail this card has is notice the banner us UNDER the white piece and then OVER the Blushing Bride circle…this creates an interest and adds a layer of dimension!
Card #6 – WAY TO GO Chris on this card! If you read my blog regularly that you all know who Chris R. from Iowa is s regular commenter and this is a super fun card! I am hoping that she will share with me the dimensions of this card and then I will re-create it with another stamp and do a post about it! When I pulled this beauty out of the envelope…an instant smile came to me – a fun Spring card! I fun puzzle that matches and the elements of the rectangles hanging over the edges is fun! (I hope that it is not too hard to re-create as you know me, I am simple!
Well….there you go – 6 beauties that strutted their stuff! Please feel free to leave some comments of WOOT-WOOTS for these designers. We still have more to come and I think that it is so fun to see every-ones different styles and techniques! One thing that we all do in life is to learn from one another! Doing these swaps are a fun way to learn from others that have the same love and passion that you have in making cards!
If you do not already have a file for you to keep ideas, I encourage you to do so. Did you know that on Pinterest that you can have a “secret board” that no one else will see but you? I honestly am not on Pinterest a bunch (as honestly, I would not get much else done) but I do have a board that I place cards in that I really like but simply do not have the time (at the time I see them) to really look at and take in….this way I can go back and see the specific element that interesting me….just a tip that works for me!
Tomorrow will be another batch of beauties for you….I hope that you all have enjoyed seeing other peoples work. It is so fun to see and I am so proud of each of you! Let’s all have a great week – I am having a huge date with paper and ribbon today….with product shares – I am in heaven as it gets me to know the new products better and as I work with them….you can bet that my mind is thinking…I could do this with a card!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 5, 2016 | Uncategorized |
Good Sunday morning! I am so happy that I can share with you “my likes” to the posts I did on Thursday and Friday and the BEST part is…that (2) people are going to be doing the “HAPPY DANCE” because they are “winner – winner…chicken dinner”….I hope that you enjoyed looking at the catalog to get to know it better…this really is a fantastic catalog but it takes time to take it all in…
The best thing…and the thing that touched me was…
YOU ALL REALLY KNOW ME!
I loved reading your comments and for those of you that commented that the Pineapple was it…well…it was the 2nd so you all were soooooo close! Later on in the post I will comment quickly about the DSP…as I adore this…and it is my true blue….but I have a confession so please read on!
You will see in the parade of pictures I have for you that I made this card in 3 different ways….it felt SOOOOOOO good to get “inky” and I just adore this card so making it in 3 different ways is perfect for me as I will gladly put them to great use! Do you have a favorite?
You can see that it is a Vertical Card with the must have THICK Whisper White and then the DSP (love it) is 4″ X 5 1/4″ so you can get (6) of these cards from one sheet of Designer Series Paper, now that makes me super happy!
There is nothing more cleaner and classic than Navy and White! You know, it is always great to listen to your Mom…and my Mom always told me that you can never go wrong with a crisp white blouse and a Navy Blazer….well this paper, Floral Boutique is my classic!
Some of the cards I used the bakers twine and some I did not….just letting the marker make the dots! You cannot go wrong with any of them…I just wanted to share with you (3) different quick and easy ways to make the same basic cards with some minor changes!
The single stamp below, Stylized Birthday is a TOTAL keeper….to me, it is like the water color “thank you” from the last catalog…..a stamp that will be used over and over and never leave Randall Lane! Soooooo….here is the 1st winner! (click to make it larger)
Jeffie….WAY TO GO!!!! Please email me and I will send you this single stamp! I know that you are going to LOVE it and the ink will runuth over on it! ONE FABUOUS SINGLE STAMP!
The below card has all of the FUNÂ elements in it that I love….a great DSP, a fabulous stamp….the square framelits to create instant interest with the scalloped border…bakers twine and the icing on the cake…the white pom-pom trim!
This card is a great example of how keeping things super clean, simple yet classic will work! We all know that we do not have a ton of “extra time” floating out there everyday so why not – this is a great way to make a handmade work of art!
Isn’t this the prettiest paper? Each and every side is a total keeper – this combo is one that you will want to order…the single stamp and this paper! I have a confession….THIS WAS AND STILL IS my favorite (well as of right now) but I was AMAZED that the DSP when you see it in person looks sooooo much better than in the catalog!!!
We need another winner…..way to go for all of the comments and I will say…when I read them I thought, nope! I do not like that one as well etc….but I actually spent the day yesterday working on product shares and let me tell you….this NEW DSP paper in the catalog is WONDERFUL! (click to make it larger)
Way to go…..Debra – please email me and I can hardly wait to send you this pack of paper so YOU can make some masterpieces of your own! I will say, Pop of Pink it right up there and I think that was my motivation in using the Melon Mambo for my accent color.
Quickly, this is fast and easy and I am going to do a post on the new layering framelits….let me sum it up – You NEED these layering squares!
Way to go Stampin’ Up! for making these for us. The ease of using framelits is a bonus for many that have storage issues – the way that I look at it is you are getting the best of both worlds – a straight edge square as well as a scallop square that works magic! Brilliant and very well thought out! 🙂
So thoughts….please leave me a comment and let me know which one you like….they are all super and easy….to me it just comes down to style, preference and time! DARN…there goes that word again, TIME sure does get the best of us!
Feel free to pin the below picture by hovering over it and save if for the future! Can you see on the envelopes that I also did (3) different ways to jazz them up…again, very simple yet creates an instant WOW to whoever is receiving it!
This was FUN..and I will do the same type of game later this week. Please make sure that you subscribe to my blog so you will not miss a dose of FUN and INSPIRATION….because guess what? – I believe in you!
Have a great day….it is a special one for me as my wonderful god daughter is graduating from high-school! I hope to see you back here tomorrow to see a parade of SWAP CARDS that many talented people did….you will LOVE them – I am so proud of you ALL!!!!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 2, 2016 | Uncategorized |
I hope that you are smiling with this card! This is my kind of card and this is the card that I made for my Card Swap while away on the trip! I knew that I needed to make something that was super clean and simple yet a great representation to my style, clean and simple!
You can clearly see the ease of this card and I love the fact that it is a vertical card and I took the paper all the way to the top! The simple matting with the Night of Navy made the POP easy!
Today’s color palette was inspired my the PPA Challenge and the color palette was a challenge for us from Shawn de Oliveira. If you have not seen Shawn’s work…you need to – Pop over to the PPA Site and see his work as well as the other design teams amazing creations!
I adore the DSP Paper Stacks! They are always a great option for when you are looking for a certain color! Because I was making many of these, I used the DSP Stacks to the max and also used other colors for the dots in making all the cards needed for the swap!
Remember, we have the envelopes in Crumb Cake…I think that this is the perfect compliment for this card. To me, Crumb Cake gives an instant softness to a card but I admit, I forget about using it as much as I do. Here is your picture for you to save for the future and below this is the products I have used for the card!
This stamp set, Painter’s Palette is a very versatile one and one that I think will be very popular. In the catalog you can see that Stampin’ Up! has shown it with a coordinating DSP but the way that I have showcased it today, a completely different look – very straightforward and clean.
Now for some FUN…..I shared with you that we are going to play a game – so here you go! I plan to do another one of these as I think that it is fun for you to get to know the catalog!
Leave me a comment (let me know how you like this card) but leave me a comment with which single stamp in the new catalog would be my 1st pick!!!! Let’s see how well you know me – I think that many of you are going to get this so I will take all of the people that guess it and then pick a winner and then send you this new stamp!
I will pick a winner and announce it on Sunday’s Post along with the next game day that I will do tomorrow. I figured that this way, you will have several days to look at the catalog and pick what single stamp that you would think I would buy!!! 🙂
This is a very exciting Month for Stampin’ Up! – With the extra $35.00 in Hostess winnings….WOOT – WOOT but the BEST ONE…..pick any 2 FREE STAMP SETS.…now that is a HUGE WOOT-WOOT. Please email me if you have any questions!
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