by Susan Itell | Mar 4, 2015 | Birthday, Watercoloring |
I just adore this stamp set, From the Herd and you have seen me used it before but the thing I adore about it is that you can use it in so many different ways and each and every time the card looks different because of how you color it!
Today I am using a technique that I have not done in a while….watercoloring using the Aqua Painters! I have always loved using the Aqua Painters and honestly have not used the since the Blendabilities came out.
Watercoloring is fun, it is relaxing, and the one thing that I love is that you have such an array of colors with our color collection. I like to squeeze the ink pad together to get a "puddle" of ink on the cover and then go in with the Aqua Painter.
The best tip I can give you is naturally practice….practice etc…but another thing I like to do is to make sure that I have plenty of moisture on the ink and my painter….(again, you will get a fell with practice) and this is a bit rusty as it has been eons since I have watercolored!
Using our water color paper is also a must….WHY? – easy = when you add water/painting to the paper, it will warp and become very thin etc….when you use this paper – it is meant to have water put on it…works like a charm every time
This is an easel card and they are super fun to do (and easy too). When the card is folded, it is a regular A-2 card but the difference is you will score the front panel at 2"
I had a ton of fun coloring this crazy crowd (this is a birthday card for my brother who is also an animal lover) and I wanted him to be able to have it sitting up at his house to make him smile way after his special day!
I matted the fun with the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack and you can see in the below picture that I used the inside to the fullest! This is a very handsome Paper Stack, perfect for Masculine Cards. Because I want this card to look great from behind and hide the "back side" of the DSP since it is different (and also since I used a punch with it) – I simply covered it with the same size….same color, Sahara Sand.
There are so many fun sentiments on this stamp set, I did a quick stamp and matted it- popped it up with stampin' vitamins and PRESTO…and easel card! I do hope that I have inspired you to try tis method.
Well, what do you think? Can you see yourself trying this? I hope so as it is fun to do something different.
Many thanks for popping in today and remember that you can purchase any of these products scrolling by below! Is this the easiest way to shop or what? Feel free to email me if you have any questions about the colors I used etc…..and I will be happy to help!
Please do not forget to let me know if you are interested in the March Stamp of the Month Club Kit. It is a clean and classic kit and I know that you will enjoy the beauty of sitting down, having all of your supplies and materials cut for you and you can have some "me" time and have fun!
Tomorrow is a great color challenge for the Pals Paper Art….I hope that you stop back and see what I have made and then I hope that you play along too!
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by Susan Itell | Sep 1, 2014 | Birthday, Make it MINE Monday, Watercoloring |
Today is a special day for many reasons…it is my dear friend and godfather to our children; Brandons 51st Birthday…today makes a year to the date that John had his accident and he is amazing – doing all of the things he did before….and it is a Make it Mine Monday, a day for YOU to have fun playing with a sketch!
Please feel free to send me "your take" on todays sketch. I love to see them and I am just amazed at how amazing you all do…this is a fun, rather straight forward sketch!
I can remember that when this stamp set came out…I burst out laughing and I still love it today! I know that you all are seeing lots and lots of new goodies from the Holiday Catalog, I thought that I would throw in goodies from the Annual Catalog! This stamp set is called Giggle Greetings!
Today's post I am using the water-coloring technique using the Aqua Painters but today I filled them with alcohol…a tip that I learned from fellow PAL Ann Schach when reading her blog…she is one talented lady! The reason I did this is that alcohol dries much faster and the paper was very, very flat! I also liked the coverage!
I realize that some of you are a bit skeptical of using the aqua painters…but I say – try it…it is a very rewarding technique and the end result is always a smile on your face!
As far as tips go…I say start with just the "right amount" of "liquid" on the tip and squish together your ink pad to get a smear of ink on the top part to work with. If you start "lighter", you can always go back to darken it up! Make sure that you have a paper towel handy to dab and also clean the brush to use a new color!
I let the DSP of Flash Back dictate the color scheme of today's card! I often do this…let my paper be my guide! The Neutral Candy Dots were the perfect embellishment to follow the sketch!
"Stitching" the Smoky Slate piece I felt did the trick to break up the card and added dimensions. Please do not stress about doing this – just do it…no matter if you do not like it….trust me – the recipient will appreciate your work, time and true love in your card-making!
Thank you for popping in and this is such a special day to me…we all have so much to be thankful for and trust me, I try to tackle life without taking things for granted. John's recovery is amazing and it is hard to believe that it has been a year!
Please email me if you have any questions about today's card and I hope that this made you smile!
Until tomorrow!
p.s. – Guess what Brandon is getting for his Birthday…yep! A nice piece of GREAT cheese and a GREAT bottle of wine….!!!!
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by Susan Itell | Jun 14, 2014 | Super Easy, Sympathy, Watercoloring |
The minute I saw this stamp set I knew that it would be making its way to my home…isn't it simply beautiful! This is a "hostess stamp set" and I think Stampin' Up! has out done themselves this catalog with all of the great offerings!
This was an easy-peasy card to make and one that would be easily a great layout to "mass produce", perhaps change up the sentiment etc…I know that I used a bunch of paper today but I think all of the layers "make it" and you know me…I take FULL ADVANTAGE of saving paper and the pieces that are covered up…I have popped out with punches!
I always try to make my posts for all levels of Stampers but I want you to know how you can earn a hostess stamp set like this – there are several ways!
- If you have an order that totals over $150.00, that automatically means that you have spent enough to earn $25.00 in hostess dollars and this stamp set is $23.00 (wood) and $17.00 (clear)
- If you wish for me to give you a hostess code and you obtain orders from family and friends (they will be shipped directly to them so you do not have to live in the same area) – you can earn hostess dollars
- If you wish for me to teach a class or have a one on one with you I would LOVE it…(I have even had skype sessions to help people learn techniques)
See the below chart and you will see the various levels of earning potentials!
Remember, all orders that are placed through me this week will have the opportunity to win the hostess dollars from my sales this week…just put in the hostess code of YJ4EWY3C and you could be the lucky winner!
Lets get to the card today! This was so much fun to make and WOW – easy as pie!
The base and the envelopes are the new Crumb cake Note card & Envelopes and I am so happy that they have come out with this in this color! To me, this is the perfect size for a quick note! Here you go – I have the dimensions for you but I really….REALLY want you to try this easy technique!
- You can see that there are many layers and it is these layers that help create the simple WOW factor for this card!
- The Water Color Paper (and YES – use Water Color Paper) is 2 1/2" X 3 1/2". I simply took the markers in the following colors: Hello Honey, Old Olive, and Soft Suede and colored the stamp with the brush tip end.
- Using a super simple tool that think we all forget about and heck – you get (2) for just under $3.00…I did a quick "Spritz" of water on the stamp and then stamped it to the Water Color Paper….MAGIC – it is a bit wet so be patient and let it dry!
I matted this onto a piece of Hello Honey that is 2 5/8” X 3” and then onto a piece of Soft Suede that is 3” X 4”.
The Crumb Cake is 3 ¼” X 4 3/8” and then I wanted to use the new satin stitched ribbon in Hello Honey so I did a simple diagonal wrap around this piece before adhering it down! This ribbon is great to work with!
Now you can add the layered water colored piece and POP it with Stampin’ Dimensionals! WOWZERS! The font on the sentiment is super cute…and a simple mat of soft suede is all that is needed!
TIP: When you have a small sentiment like this, I find it easier to use the brush end of the marker than using the stamp pad. Sometimes I get too much ink on the stamp and it blotches! (That’s the type A in me…)
Let’s talk about this stamp set again. When saw it and I knew about the blendabilities I was doing this HAPPY DANCE as this is a PERFECT stamp set for these new markers. I will do a future post using these markers!
I lined the back flap today with the Moonlight Designer Series Stack and it was the fast, finishing touch!
Please do not be afraid to try water-coloring. It is really fun and it does make you feel like an artist at heart!
I always wanted to be able to paint…my art classes in school were not the best – I made great “stick people” and mastered a "primitive tree with leaves"…but when I do a card like this…I stand back and I am proud of myself!
That’s a feeling that I want you to have as well – you can do it…wouldn’t this be super fun in sooo many color palettes? Please give it a whirl!
I hope that this card has inspired you today. I was very pleased with it…hopefully you can find some “me” time and play with paper this weekend!
As always, I appreciate your comments and if you need to email me…please do so – I love what I do and I love helping you! Until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 13, 2014 | masking, Watercoloring |
Woot-woot…I love my little Red Wagon! When I see this is brings back great memories of pulling my kids in a wagon when they were little…I sure miss those days!
It's Thursday and that means there is a challenge….how about pulling out these 3 colors and playing along! If you need help – no worries – I will gladly help you upload your masterpiece!!! Please go to the Pals Paper Art Website and see the endless ideas and then if you need help loading….please email me!
Before I get to the scoop of today’s post…I wanted to answer a question that I get asked a lot! The question is…
Why do you share so much on your blog postings
(like the measurements, tips and tricks etc….)
Well…the answer is super simple…
Why not?
I love what I do and why wouldn’t I want to share what I have learned!
The truth of the matter is…we all have to start somewhere and I must admit – I am not the quickest learner and even though I am passionate about stampin’ – I realize that many people who pop on my blog are beginners!
We all have started as a beginner in many things we set out to do. I want to share with YOU as much as I can so YOU can see that YOU can do it! I find that many of us second guess ourselves and the more we do that….the more we lose self confidence.
I am passionate about Stampin' Up! and I want YOU to feel the positiveness that I feel!
Even though it is very hard for me to answer each of your comments, please know that I deeply appreciate them. I am an email away so please feel free to reach out to me!
Ok. – sorry for the rambling, I just want you to know why I do what I do!
Let’s go….this is a “Susan” card and using the water-coloring technique always makes me smile! This is something that the more you do it…the better your results are…and again, don’t be hard on yourself…whatever you do is from YOU!!!
- I wanted to switch it up a bit and used the Naturals White Paper and cut it to a notecard size – 3 ½” X 5”…I love the natural look of the paper and there are little subtle flakes/fibers thru it that make it look super with the Water Color Paper!
- The “little red wagon” is from the For the Birds Stamp Set and it is perfect for water coloring…using the black staz on ink I “masked” the sentiment, as I wanted to use the sentiment from another stamp!
TIP ALERT: Again, I know that this is basic but I also know that many of you are beginners…when you do this…simply take a post it note over top of the area you want to cover…ink it up….peel it off – PRESTO!!!
- The Big Shot and the Deco Labels Framelits are the “wonder tools” for today’s card…I know that the below pictures are super basic but again, I am trying to teach you some easy techniques that are useful for many cards!
- I used the So Saffron Frame and attached them together with sticky strip…perfect hold!
- Cut out another Wild Wasabi Frame and cut it in half – you can see how I just “peeked” it out on the sides and then took scissors to clean up the other “left overs” – I just wanted the sides to peek!
- Let’s get coloring! Using the Aqua Painters…become your own Picasso…remember to have a paper towel handy to blot off excess water and also to clean the brush to pick up a new color! Have fun…just do it and have fun!!!
- Using the Mono Glue to adhere this whole piece to a mat cut at 3 ¼” X 4 ¾” ….and I used the envelope punch board to corner round the edges….POP up with dimensionals – DONE!
- Making the envelope was easy – following the guide, I needed a 7 ¼ “ square and then punched and scored it at 3 1/8” and kept turning…punching…scoring! Done – it is so fun and easy to make your own envelopes! I lined the outer flap of the card with the Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Collection!!!
Thank you for popping on today! I hope that you like my little red wagon….and I hope that you have memories of a wagon! My peeps are all grown but I love to remember the past! Have a fabulous Thursday and please subscribe to my blog (under the occasions catalog) if you would like a daily dose of inspiration from me!
Remember, when you place an order with me that qualifies for a FREEBIE – will also receive from me…a swatch book of the Designer Series Paper from Sale-a-bration!!!!
Speaking of swatch books…I am going to be doing an offering for you to purchase these handy-dandy gems ( in all of the collections!!!!) to help you with your projects!
I have had a busy week at my "other job" so hopefully I will get my ducks in a row for the scoop for you…I find them to be soooooo handy!
3 lucky people won them from me and I do appreciate when you leave me comments – you never know when I will throw in a fun give-away!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Jan 14, 2014 | Thank You, Watercoloring |
This is probably my favorite day of the month in being a part of Mary Fish's PALS group…I love to see the continual inspiration, talent and just plain ans simple fun that the PALS bring out to all with our monthly PALS Blog Hop! Thanks for popping by!
Welcome to our first blog hop of 2014. This month we are excited to show you the new products available in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog as well as a preview of the free products you can earn through Sale-a-bration at the end of January.
You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.
Let's get to it because you all know that I love the New Occasions Catalog but I wish….I truly wish that I could show you all of the incredible offerings Stampin' Up! has for us in this years Sale-A-Bration….but the great news is…it is just 2 short weeks away….you're gonna love the freebies!!!!
Here you go….as always, please feel free to email me with any questions you might have and if you have not already subscribed to my blog, please do so on the right side bar….I will give you a daily dose of inspiration with your morning coffee!
- The base is an A-2 card but scored at the 5 1/2" side to make a vertical card! I like switching it up!
- The colors of ink I used were Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight and Crisp Cantaloupe!
- The Designer Series Paper, Water Color Wonder is a MUST have from the new catalog….just look below all of the great patterns there are…it is just beautiful!
- The Water Color Wonder Paper is 2 1/2" X 4 1/4" and then I matted a piece of Island Indigo just a "smidge" bigger ( just love that word!!!)
This is a simple card to re-create and a great layout for just about any occasion and stamp set…remember what I have said before…..if you have a great layout – use it OVER and OVER again…once you change up the stamps and colors etc…no one will ever notice as it is a clean, crisp and simple card that carries a BIG WOW!
- Pulling a "teaser" from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog is the Crisp Cantaloupe Twine from the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack….you will also get 2 more colors of twine plus a lot more!!! I say WOOT-WOOT!
I hope that you have enjoyed my post today and it makes you smile and think of "sunshine of Spring" that will be around the corner!
Please stop back tomorrow as I will share with you the 14 cards that the lucky winner, Jane Keller won as well as I have an exciting "realization" that hit me on the head while in Houston! It is a "confession" of an honest Stampin' Up Demonstrator!
Please keep HOPPING away and be a BIG sponge and take all of the posting in….there is truly soooo much talent out there!!!
Remember, We are "officially" one month from Valentines Day and do not wait to order special stamps etc….the Valentines Collection that Stampin' Up! has this year is while supplies last – Last week I did several posts on this day of love! You can hit my SHOP NOW button (upper right) and order in your jammies!
Well….what do you think? Did you like today's post….and more importantly – DO you like the new catalog…What is your favorite stamp set!?!?
As always, many thanks for popping by and until tomorrow!
The next stop is Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month.
- Goldie Shaul at Punch and Stamp
- Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
- Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin'
- Donna Kopenski at craftycardmaker
- Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com
- Colleen Mollema at Uncanny Crafting
- Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
- Janice Warhank at Janice's Papercraft Playground
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
- Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
- Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
- Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
- Diane Roberts at Score at Four and a Quarter
- Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
- Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
- Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
- Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
- Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
- Shirley Sumption at Look at my Cute Stuff
- Beth Beard at My little craft blog
- Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
- Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
- Lisa Gaines-Davis at Cherry St. Papertreats
- Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards
- Kelly DeTommaso at Kelly's Creative Corner
- Sherrie Gross at Stampin Sunshine
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by Susan Itell | Dec 3, 2013 | Sympathy, Tips and Tricks!!!, Watercoloring |
Naturally there are times that we need to send sympathy cards…and most of the time, the timing can be unexpected so my 1st tip of the day is to have some sympathy cards made up so you can get them out in a timely manner!
I also like to have cards on hand that can be made easily in multitudes…and steps! Making a bunch of cards in a step by step method makes it a fun task!
What so I mean by step by step = that is when I can break down a card…like for this card – say if I were going to make 12 of them…I would in steps…
- Cut my Crumbcake Card stock (6 sheets) and score it!
- Using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, I took the "with sympathy" sentiment from the Loving Thoughts Stamp Set and did a quick stamp and BAM – done!
TIP ALERT! – Can you see how large and uniform my piercing holes are? I like to do them this way and how I did it is a 2-step method:
- I do the initial quick pierce…pierce…pierce all the way around!
- Next, I go back and really push the stylus down deeply through the mat to get that deep, yet uniform pierce! – Love this look!
- Now to my favorite part…water coloring! Using the Aqua Painter and the inks I used for this card were, Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum and Sahara Sand…This is sooooo fun and the best tip I can give you it just keep practicing! Did you see a bit of shimmer to the flowers? This was adding just a bit of Dazzling Details to the centers – I love the effect it gives!
- Out come the Stampin Dimensionals! Place them all over the water colored piece and the magic will happen! To me, all cards look better with some depth and dimension!
Are you seeing how you can just do certain steps at a time and then go back and do the next! As for the water coloring…I like to do this if I am watching a TV show and not that the Voice is on – this is my multi tasking…painting and watching tv!
TIP ALERT: Please conserve your paper! You can get 8 liners easily from a sheet of paper….you can get 12 but that is tight! There is no reason why you have to line all the way to the bottom!
Breaking down tasks is the way to go! Many of times when I know I am making a bunch of something, one day I’ll cut my paper, another use the big shot etc…when we try to accomplish too much we get stresses and that’s no fun!
I know it is a sad thing to send a sympathy card but reality is that we have to from time to time! This to me is a beauty and I adore the greens and purples together!
It’s Tuesday and that means more weekly deals! Click here to see what’s on sale this week! My favorite picks….well the Heart Framlits are a must for Valentines…but I ADORE the Merry Mini Pack…makes the added touch everytime…..and the Fun FLowers Bigz L Die….is just simply FUN and makes me smile!
Tomorrow is 3 weeks until Christmas…..SUPER YIKES!
I will be showcasing another Holiday Card for you! As I said before, pace yourself – get a piece of paper out and write down the list of accomplishments you want to tackle for the holidays and then break them down!
Doing this will make you a much happier person!
Need help!?!? Please email me and I will be happy to give you some tips and tricks! There are lots of fun and exciting "happenings" going on with Stampin' Up and you can click here at anytime to get your goodies delivered to your door!!! I say woot-woot!
Enjoy your Tuesday and until tomorrow….
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