by Susan Itell | Sep 28, 2016 | Fun & Cute!, Just Because... |
I am super excited about the theme of this weeks Global Design Project Challenge as it is “Random Acts of Kindness”…this topic touches my heart and I just had to take a break from the new catalog to play along with this challenge!
We all need some “Vitamin D” at this time of the year as the days are shorter. I invite and I encourage you to take a day….take some extra cards you might have that you have made and…JUST DO IT – take some “me time” and write a note and send them out……trust me – your heart will be happy!
If you follow my blog (and I sure hope you do) – you know that I do like to use “fun foam or foam sheets” to add dimension to my cards and today you can see thst i used it with the sentiment….I personally LOVE the look and feel it gives!
How can you go wrong…the image of the “sun” with the word “sunshine”…to me – that is the best type of kindness that you could give! This would be an easy card to “mass produce” and you know me, I love making multiple cards when I sit down to have fun!
I hope that you will pop over to the Global Design Project Website and see all of the GREAT cards that are there…and then – GO FOR IT…we all need to share “Random Acts of Kindness”...trust me – when you do…you will smile, you will be fulfilled…you will feel joy!
Here is your 411 – Directory Assistance photo….FUN card – SUPER easy….TOTALLY timeless….HAVE FUN!
The month is coming to an end….but the beginning of October.…is a special day…WORLD CARD MAKING DAY….so I hope that you will find some time to make a difference on someones life….random acts of kindness are the best and there is nothing better than getting a card in the mail…..DO IT!!! You will 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Sep 27, 2016 | Tips and Tricks!!!, Uncategorized |
Good Tuesday to all….before we get to the topic today….I want to let you all know that the Paper Pumpkin refills for the September Kit are available now – I say a big WOOT-WOOT because I was super happy with the kit and I truly plan to use many to make cards and also save some of the fun tubes for a project for Christmas! CLICK HERE to see the post that I did highlighting these gems!
Now onward to a chat that I hope gets a bunch of comments going…because we all have been there and the bottom line is…IT IS FRUSTRATING!
I have been with Stampin’ Up! for over 4 years and I can clearly remember when the first Photopolymer Stamp Set came out….I thought to myself – this will never stay…..well was I wrong!!!!
I admit, photopolymer is my stamp of choice as I love the ability to “see through” to stamp BUT…I get frustrated in loosing these little guys…am I on that “island by myself” – I do not think so!
The best tip that I can give to you (and please….I am no expert but this is how I feel) I think that it is important to stamp (even if it is on scrap paper) to color/stain the stamp so it is easier to find on your work surface. I can clearly remember that when these stamps came out….my first objection was that I did not like the way they stained as I thought ...”they looked dirty” but that is GOOD….that is what a good quality photopolymer stamp does...it stains.
It is clear that Stampin’ Up! is coming out with more and more Photopolymer Stamps and I think that is very positive. When you are working with these stamps…try to get in the habit after you clean it….TO PUT IT BACK….
One habit that I do before I close the stamp set is to COUNT the number of stamps that are to be in that stamp set and if they are not there….EVERYTHING STOPS….I look and look as these little guys are like MAGNETS and they STICK to just about everything !
Here are my top 3 culprits of where they go! (please let me know if any of these are familiar to you)
- The bottom of a Stamp Pad
- The bottom of my Stampin’ Trimmer
- Stuck on an Acrylic Block because “Silly Susan” forgot to pull it off!
The moral of the story is….just try.
I know that even though I try my best, I have lost some stamps BUT….there have been time that I found it MONTHS later and squealed even louder than Daisy can with joy! (and trust me, she has a healthy set of lungs)
I leave you with a question….where is the strangest place you have ever found a MIA stamp?…..here is mine…
On the bottom of a Tervis Tumbler AFTER it went through the dishwasher! (I was drying off the water on the end of the cup and thought – what is this…..YIPPEE, my stamp!!!!)
What is your tale of the missing stamp!
I hope to see you back tomorrow….I think that it is a super simple card that will make you smile! To me, simple works and simple is effective! I can’t wait to hear how you lose your stamps….where you find your stamps….and what are your best tips in keeping them straight!
Here is a quote that I found that I loved….not that I follow it all of the time – but it is a keeper! Have a great day…see you tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Sep 26, 2016 | Card Swaps |
That right….we just need to have a Holiday Card Swap! Can you believe that 3 months from yesterday it will be Christmas Day!!! YIKES – Yesterday afternoon I sat down to go over the calendar with John and when reality hit me that it was September 25th….I quickly sprouted some gray hairs and then calmed down….took a deep breathe and then decided…it’s time, we need a card swap!
Here is the scoop…I love to do this on my blog and I do share each and every one of your cards as remember the motto….
“What we do is from the heart – not Hallmark”
So….with that said, let’s help each other out with some inspiration! I find that learning from others is so rewarding. Please consider participating…if you are a beginner, a demonstrator…a child/grandchild of a stamper (hint – hint…Caleb are you reading this?)
The date for you to have your card to me is…
Friday, October 21st – that is 3+ weeks away!
Each week I will send out reminders to help keep you motivated to participate. All you need to do is make a card, the theme of Holiday – let’s go with either Thanksgiving or Christmas because of the date of being back to me….and in return – YOU WILL RECEIVE a beautiful card from your NEW BFF!!!
Please send your card along with a self addressed and stamped envelope back to you to:
Susan Itell
15002 Randall Lane
Williamsport, MD 21795
This is always FUN…and I know that this Card Swap will be no different. If you have never participated with me and a swap, please give it a consideration – I love to see your work and others feel the same!
Until tomorrow…Tuesday Tips, we are having a chat about loosing those photopolymer stamps!
p.s. – I you remember, please put on the outside of the envelope – CARD SWAP….this helps me as I have a basket in the kitchen that I put them in ! 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Sep 25, 2016 | 3-D Projects, Christmas, Step it up Sunday! |
Well, Maurice the Mouse (below you will learn how he was named) is back in the house today and I think he is SUPER-DE-DUPER CUTE! I have not made a card like this in a while and I knew that this would be the perfect way to STEP HIM UP!
I loved the comments yesterday about naming him…and I read what Chris came up with and I asked John….who does this mouse look like? – He said. “I don’t know – it’s a mouse”…then when I said – no…..give him a human name…he said, “Maurice” as he has an expression of sophistication! (I am not sure about this but…what-ever!)
There are 2 things that I like about this card…
- It is interactive/3-D, which gives and instant WOW and it is super easy to make… 🙂
- It fits in a regular envelope with no extra postage! 😀
Here is a link to a previous card that I made like this – it has all of the detailed scoop for you on the cuts and scores etc….but below I will do a super quick highlight!
- The front and back of the card are the same size 4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″ (you need 2 of them)
- For today’s card I cut the DSP to the above size and adhered it to one of the above white pieces.
- Score both at 1/2″, 1″, 4 1/2″ and 5″ Fold and score. (Use the side image of the card to make sure that you are folding in the right direction)
- Take the DSP and using the largest Square Framelit, run it through Mr. Big Shot – below you will see how one sheet of paper will do the whole card and then you will have the extra square for another card!
- Add Maurice (naturally he has been water-colored)….I actually stamped him on a bunch of 3 1/2″ squares as I have been out of town and “just in case” I messed up….I had backups! If I were to do it again, I would just cut the paper to the inside piece size)
- To the back of the fun card, a simple scrap of 1 1/2″ X 3 3/8″ piece of white card stock made the perfect pocket to add a note!
I hope that you can see that this really is a card that is very, VERY doable but definitely has a WOW. It is just the BEST that it could stand on someones desk, a night stand…a mantel. Every time I make this card style, I get rave reviews as it is a smile maker! (here is a TIP – if you have someone that is in a home or hospital, it is an instant PICK-ME-UP! to them….)
I am super happy that you all liked the water coloring yesterday. I have great results using the thick white card stock. I know that we have water color paper and if you are more comfortable with that – then go for it. Being the “type A” that I am…I like the “white’s” to match up so this is the main reason that I use it.
I could have really gone to town in making him super elaborate but with being out of town…I took the basic bases and then the ink pads! Let’s chat about the ink pads.
Because I do have all of our ink pads, I use them when I water color…..I like to squeeze the top to make the ink go on the top of the ink pad and then work from there as a palette…BUT – you can easily use a marker and scribble on a acrylic block to take the ink off and color away! The third way that you could water color is to add a drop of an ink refill on a acrylic block and go to town!
One of the best tips that I can give to you when you make a card like this is to use a super strong adhesive to adhered the 2 together. I used tear & tape as the width is perfect and the “hold it gives” is the best!
So…thoughts???Do you like??? To me it is the best of many worlds …
- It is different because of the shape…
- The water-coloring element makes it special…
- The pocket in the back let’s you write a message…
- You can be super flexible with the DSP you can use…a simple change with the DSP can change the entire feel of the card and naturally change the colors that you water color….presto – another masterpiece!
I hope that this 2 day post has made you smile….I know that you all enjoy them but honestly….I think to myself – can I keep coming up with them? I honestly just start with the Saturday card…finish it and then look at it to see how a different technique could work – it is as easy as that and I admit, when I am finished…..I am glad that I stretched myself to make changes!
I invite you to try to do something like this…it is a great way to learn different ways to develop a style. When you really break this down, it still is true to my style, clean and simple. At a glance…it looks hard but break it down…it is NOT….just like water coloring…..did you try it yesterday?
Please remember that we are in the last week of the month which means this is the last week to be able to win the BIG BOX of all of the Stampin’ Up! Markers (someone is going to be happy) 🙂 from me with an order of $75.00+. You can click here to see the offering…my personal way of thanking you for a great stampin’ up! year. (it ends for us on Sept. 30th)
HIT THAT PAW PRINT and have fun – shop away!
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