by Susan Itell | Feb 6, 2015 | 3-D Projects, Party Favors, Thank You, Valentines |
Today I had a different post planned but no worries as you will see it super soon…but I wanted to sneak this post in and I am going to call the my "Indulgence Post" hmmmmm……do I have you wondering what I am talking about!
I have had a lot of time to do a lot of thinking (which could be a good thing or a bad thing) and being stuck inside I have naturally had lots of time to reflect on things!
To learn the "low down" on how to make this gem, please click here to see my original post and then you can click here to see it again in another way! I was super happy with this one – the Stacked with Love Paper stack is simply fabulous and I adore the "thanks" framelit…so clean and classic!
I think as we get older we do not allow ourselves the opportunity to "indulgence" in something that we would not normally do for ourself…if you are like me – I would rather do things for John and the peeps….the animals….and I usually put myself last – does this sound familiar to you?
Yesterday I was super frustrated that I could not accomplish a task that to me I should have been able to do…yes, it was with the silly computer but after having a pity party which only Rosie showed up for I decided to switch gears and make some gifts to thank people for dropping off dinners to us…plowing our lane…just great acts of kindness as this is John's busy season….Tax time!
I have made these "old faithfuls" so many times and every time I blog about them I get many comments. This is where indulgence comes in. WHY? – Because it uses the Big Shot…..WHY does that matter?….well clearly the Big Shot is an investment…the Big Shot is basically $100.00 and when we see that we go…..OH NO…I couldn't do that!
Well that is exactly the way I thought about it….and when I finally broke down and purchased it (I used it as a 1/2 price item and that is definitely the way I would go if I were you), I still felt guilty….then you know what is next…you need to purchase dies, framelits etc….to use the Big Shot.
The Top Note Die was probably the 1st Die I purchased….I have no idea why – probably because someone told me I just had to have it…and this post is a testament to how thankful and grateful I feel that I allowed myself to indulge in something that brings me joy….
I simply cannot tell you how many of these "Top Note Boxes" I have made and each and every time I do…I am thankful that this incredible "hobby" has come into my life!
Little things like this box of Life Savers DOES make a difference.
You know how you feel when you receive a gift that someone took the time to make for you – especially something made from their hands…that in itself is a gift!
When the new Occasions Catalog came out I was like a little kid in a candy store and there were sooooo many things that I wanted…..again – here comes the "indulgence thing" again….I really – REALLY wanted the Crazy About You Bundle and yikes the photopolymer one is $42.25….and I was feeling a bit guilty but again, I did get it as a 1/2 price item and just look how many times I have used it over the last several weeks!
The moral of this story is embrace what makes you tick…we all have gifts and many of these inner gifts that we have make such a difference. If you doubt this, go back and read some of the comments that people left on the blog candy post….you all are great….
"THANKS"
p.s. – Good Morning ….I only have (2) spots left for my Stamp of the Month Kit….please click here to see the post on it and if you want a spot, please email me and put in the Subject Line FEBRUARY STAMP OF THE MONTH CLUB.
Tomorrow (Saturday) I will send a confirmation emails out to all that are participation along with the colors of ink that I am using for the kit. It is super cute! ( I am trying to be more organized!!!)
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by Susan Itell | Feb 3, 2015 | Birthday, Valentines |
I realize that Valentines day is right around the corner, but just in case you have this stamp set – I thought that you would enjoy this super cute card…and if you do not, no worries, look at the concept of this card and adapt it to a stamp set that you want to work with!
This is what I call a "formula card" and one that you want to keep in your layouts for the future – WHY??? 1st why not? and 2nd…you will be able to adapt it with so many cards and themes…just change up the color, paper, ribbon etc!
This is a regular A-2 Card and then I cut a smaller piece, just 1/4" smaller and then ran it through the big shot with the new Happy Heart Embossing Folder (this is a great new addition)
Because I was using the Blendabilities I used the Memento Ink to stamp the image and then POPPED it out using the Banners Framelits (! used the 2nd to the largest). After having a ton of fun coloring, I adhered it to a scrap of Marina Mist and then cut it just a bit larger.
I did not use the largest Banner Framelit as it was just too big…so there are times that we just need to adapt to what works!
To me the super fun part of this card is the pom-pom trim! I have had several people email me and ask me what can you do with that? I just love a good challenge, this was super easy as I used Bakers Twine and made the 1st part if tying a bow…laid a piece of the fun trim and then finished my bow.
Today I used three pieces of bakers twine to make the bow, I think adding more really makes the bow pretty and festive!
The only thing left is the envelope. I thought that this print paper from the Sale-a-Bration collection, Best Year Ever was perfect to keep the theme of the card. I have neglected the Envelope Liner Framelit so out it came and with the help of the Big Shot – instant beautiful envelope!
I thought this was a fun and fresh card. The little fish are so darn cute and the sentiment is perfect for the teachers out there!
Remember what today is….the Tuesday Weekly Deals – please click here to see the goodies this week. Remember these are only good for a week so if you like to save money, here is your chance to save an instant 25%.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about the post today….have a great day and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Jan 28, 2015 | 3-D Projects, Valentines |
It is that time of the year….well – it is super duper close but I know many of you do best working on a tight schedule! Even though my "peeps" are all grown…they are never to old to receive some "FUN LOVE" from Mom and Dad!
If you follow my blog (and I hope that you do), you already know that I adore these little boxes – they are just fabulous and I am thrilled that Stampin' Up! has continued to keep these available! I just love them.
The stamp set I used for this fun project is called "Hey Valentine" and I just could not resist! My oldest "peep" teaches little ones in Boston so you bet that I am going to send some fun and love his way for his class (I LOVED being the homeroom Mom when the kids were little….this way I can still have fun!)
I have a bunch of pictures for you…..(kind of "Show and Tell") – I know that you all enjoy pictures – please feel free to email me if you have any questions and I will be sharing with you more ideas of decorated little boxes! They are just so fun and there and many things to fill them up with!
I used the Blendabilities to color my little guy! I just adore these markers and remember, you can earn sets FREE as a pick in the Sale-A-Bration Catalog (I have been taking advantage if this)…remember to place a piece of paper behind your paper as they will bleed through (this is normal)
When I put the box together, I simply cut a strip of paper from the FUN Stacked with Love DSP Stack at 1 1/2" and then I started on a side and went all the way around (It covered all 3 sides and there was a bit left over but I snipped that off) My dear little Pirate will be on the front! (hopefully that makes sense!)
Isn't this a fun project! I do hope that you put on your creative hat and have fun! No worries if you do not have this stamp set…I am sure that you have many Valentines Stamps and/or hearts….perhaps this would be a fun time to call a friend and get together to create – sounds like a fun time to me!
I popped out a heart and did a quick stitch…this would be a great place to write someone name on it! I can remember getting these chocolate coins when I was young and felt so darn special. I would go in my room and count them thinking they were "real money"
Let's have a great day….today I go to get my weekly x-ray. I am super happy that I just about have the Stamp Club Kits almost ready to go out the door. My goal was before Leadership and I am real close considering my ankle! They look beautiful!
I will be offering a new kit next Monday, please remember to email me when I show them as I can only make "so many" – it is a labor of love that I know we both enjoy!
Stampin' hugs…..until tomorrow!
p.s. – quick tip – I like to place a glue dot on the bottom of the box to hold the ribbon in place to tie a simple bow…this way it stays with the box – a completed gift!!!
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by Susan Itell | Dec 28, 2014 | SNEAK PEEK!!!, Valentines |
Before we get to this super cute card that I have for you today…the mystery is solved. Yesterday I shared with you how frustrated I was with the picture quality of yesterday’s card – well you all know that I get myself in a fluster with technology and when I was taking pictures of today’s card – the same thing happen…..PEEP JAMES to the rescue – I had some filter turned on that was making my pictures "wonkie"
So the good news is…my pictures are great for today…(well a heck of a lot better than yesterday) and I hope that you enjoy! To me, this is a great card for Valentines ….and also a great card for just letting someone know how much you care!
Please make sure that you read to the end as you will see where I was inspired! This was too funny, with the Holiday Card Swap, there were 2 cards made with this technique and today's I am sharing what Jeanie made! You know that she is a huge inspiration to me and truly someone that makes me feel so blessed!
This is another great "formula card" so please remember this gem! Let's get going!
- The (real red) is a flat piece of card-stock measuring 5 1/2" X 4 1/4"
- The whisper white is 5 1/4" X 4" and then embossed with the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder (LOVE this folder)
- Taking Jeanie's lead the Deco Framelts was the backdrop of the sentiment focal point. Using the necessary tools for heat embossing…the magic happened!
- To make the points….easy! All you need is (2) pieces of paper that are 4" X 3" and then score at 1' and then fold in~ look at the below picture and you will see how to fold, but also how you can "snip" them off like I did today! This super clean and crisp stripe paper is from the new paper stack in the Occasions Catalog called Stacked with Love.
(This is a great paper stack and I will be offering it in swatches as well as full sheets with the paper and ribbon share I will be offering….I will blog about it soon)
Place some "green glue" on the scored piece and adhere it to the white piece before putting it all together on the red piece. (It sounds super complicated but it really is not)
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- To add some interest, I used the smaller framelit and then embossed again with the sentiment! Fun….right?????
I realize that this card limits you to the ability to write a message and signature…..no worries – simply add a piece of white to the back of the care and you will have plenty of room to write a longer note!
Now let's get to Jeanie's Card…is this a keeper or what! She is truly the best and I am so thankful for her in soooo many ways! She is leaving this morning to be with family in the North….safe and fun travels my friend!
Now we learned yesterday that Karen Hallam has a blog…..now we need to get Jeanie to do the same as her talents are amazing!
This is not only a beautiful card…but the "formula" is stellar for other cards! I adore the gold sheets for the "joy" – so clean and classic!
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions and I hope that this "sneak peak" of products that you will be able to order starting January 6th inspires you – they are….total keepers!
If you have ordered from me in the past 6 months, you will receive your catalogs this week along with a goodie from the Sale-a-bration catalog! LOVE the collection this year!
If you are not currently working with a Demonstrator, please email me and I will be happy to send you the (2) new catalogs! Enjoy the day….our puzzle is "blugging" along…..until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 12, 2014 | Photopolymer Stamps, Valentines |
Have you ever made a card and you just loved it…but then when you see a picture of it…you doubt yourself! Well…this sums it up about this card! It truly is super cute and so simple…just the way I like it!
Before we go further in today's card…I hope that you had as much fun as I did on the Blog Hop Trail yesterday! There was endless talent one after another! As I stated in my post…these hops are one of my favorite things to post every month!
Being a PAL and under the amazing leadership of Mary Fish is nothing short of sheer fun! I invite you to consider becoming a hobbiest Stampin Up! Demonstrator for 2 reasons:
- You will be able to get your products at a discount each and everytime you order…
- You will be a part of the PALS Community and within this community we have private gallerys…chat's going on about tips and techniques….just an endless amount of resources of learning!
I would be honor to have you along this fun…clean and simple ride with me and now is a GREAT time during Sale-A-Bration as you can choose $150.00 worth of products for $99.00….you can click here and get started or email me and we can pick a time to chat….I am totally laid back and want YOU to do what works for you and your family! Well over 80% of the Stampin; Up! family are hobbiest and why not?
We all flock to stores when there is a sale….we use coupons and get gas rewards from our grocery stores….why not get your Stampin' Up products at a discount and also have the opportunity to learn from some of the most amazing people…..I think the hop showcased some of that talent!
O.k. – enough….let's get going….I have lots of pictures and I do hope that you will try a card like this! It is sooooo darn tootin' cute and I know that if you had it in your hands….you would adore this little mouse!
The base is a note card and I would start by using the handy ruler! A ruler and pencil are your friends…like peanut butter and jelly…..
Take this to the Big Shot and place the Just Saying framlit to cut out the speach bubble! TIP: – I would highly recommend purchasing the bundle – Next, cute out a Real Red Heart from the Heart Framelit – This will fit perfectly in the inside of your card!
Take the cut out top and close it and then trace the image….( it will erase easily in a jif!!!) This again will make it easier to get the placement of the sentiment!
I used my new favorite – White Staz On Ink – it dries SUPER FAST….the coverage is not super bold….but I am thrilled with having a white to work with! REMEMBER…stamp the plastic sheet…place it where you want it to go….put the black piece….remove the plastic and stamp! EASY-PEASY!
I did the same to stamp the adorable little mouse on the front! This is from the Life in the Forest Stamp Set, so cute, popular and fun!
This little guy needed some balloons…..so they were a POP with the small heart punch and I mounted them with Stampin Dimensionals (cut in half) Are you wondering where the "X's & O's" came from – these are not necessary as you can just freehand them in….but they are from the Countless Sayings Photopolymer Set….don't you just LOVE this set!
The finale of the envelope with the fresh and fun Polka Dots just makes you smile! It truly is a cute card and I look forward to making more cards with the speech bubble cut out…..really like the effect and ease!
Well that's it and this is my last Valentine Card for you…..time to think forward to new ideas…..I have a bunch of Birthdays ahead to get ready for some clean and simple cards that you can make up in a snap!
Time is sooooo precious to all of us…if I can make reaching your goals easier…..mission accomplished!
Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 7, 2014 | 3-D Projects, Valentines |
I hope that you find this post as cute as I do! They are so much fun to make up and once “you’ve got it” they are a cinch to make a bunch up!
I am sooooooo guilty for picking up pens at work – it seems like everyday someone will walk in my office and ask me if happened to take their pen….and usually – I am “guilty as charged” So….this is what I am giving my co-workers for a little goodie for Valentines Day!
How simple and cost effective! (Rolo’s are on sale this week where I live for .89 a roll and then I just purchase the Hershey kisses in the bulk aisle so I don’t have to buy a whole bag)
Sorry for the amount of photos….but I know that they help! (another reason that I need to do videos) I know that this idea has been “down the pike” many times but I found the instructions that this gal posted last year and when I went to find it for you….she just updated it yesterday – CLICK HERE to see her adorable pencils!
I have followed her guide but I added some “simple tips and tricks” for you to follow! They really are a dream to whip up and they surely will put a smile on someone’s face! Please email me if you have and questions! Let's get to it!
Use your imagination with all different colors! I mixed up the Valentine Colors using Real Red, Rose Red and Melon Mambo!
- Cut your card stock to 3 ½” X 4 ½” (great way to use up scraps) and place it on the
- Simply Scored Scoring Tool and score it a ¼” intervals! See picture below…so easy!
TIP ALERT: I like using this tool for a nice and deep score…I know that you can use your Stampin' Trimmer, but I really think that this gives it a good and crisp effect!
- After your base is scored, simply tear the paper ( a small amount) so it gets the effect of the end if a pencil or crayon (hope this makes sense) Also "work the fibers" of the paper and roll it around the "rolo" – this will make it not so rigid when you adhere it! – see picture!
- Let's get to the Rolo…I know that you have read the great instruction that Jaime did…but this is the way that I found it to be SUPER easy…simply take a smail piece of tin foil and wrap it around the end…(my patience did not jive with cutting a thin sliver) and then go ahead and adhere the Hershey Kiss with several mini glue dots….(love those gems!)
- Cut a 3 ½” X 3/8” piece of blushing bride cardstock…now this is when you would want to use your Stampin’ Trimmer and I would use the measurement lines to the right of the cutting blade! (so much easier when you are making a narrow cut! Take a piece of sticky strip and also place sticky strip on the base part (Rolo and one piece on the outer edge) as shown below!
TIP ALERT: – make sure you do not run the sticky strip all the way up the Rolo….you want part of the tin foil to show!!!
I sure hope that you enjoyed this post and will give it a try! I made 18 of these cute treats in literally no time….remember how I have shared with you before…break your projects down and do bits here and there…it makes it so much easier and you do not become stressed!
The below picture you can see the "end" of the pencil and I think the little heart "is the perfect finishing touch"
One thing to think about with this project is…you can easily change things up if you do not have a specific punch…I also wanted to share the picture of the stamp set…the name says it all and it is perfectly named as there are a dozen of perfect sentiments – Stamp sets like these are real keepers! Even if you do not have a sentiment stamp….who cares – just free hand a heart and cut it out!
Trust me…the message will come accross…..they are loved and thought about!
Have a fabulous day….Valentines is one week from today so please go out and get some rolos and make someone smile! All ages love these and they will be WOWED! I will be packing up my goodies that I have been making and off they go to my loved ones!
Tomorrow is a simple Saturday post for you!!! We were to get a bunch of snow on Sunday but I think we are going to dodge it!!!! I am saying a BIG WOOT-WOOT for that!
Thanks for popping by and please share my blog with your family and friends! It is a joy and pleasure to be your Stampin' Up Demonstrator!
Until tomorrow!
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