by Susan Itell | Aug 10, 2018 | Blog Candy |
WOOT-WOOT…it is Friday and I know to many, that makes you super happy! Well I guess I am happy but let’s face it….it is what it is!!! (as the saying goes).
On Wednesday I had shared with you that I would be back to share some photos of my time away and YEP….I will do so but before we get to that…let’s talk about the BLOG CANDY for one lucky winner! (I realize that many do not wish to be bored with things other than Stamping…but heck, I am what I am and I do use my blog as an extension of “me”)
I feel very blessed to have a community of Blog followers that love to share a bit about themselves and I thought – let’s do a super simple BLOG CANDY that we all can see a community of talent from all over this beautiful country! (If you live outside the USA….please chime in as well….it makes it even more special!).
While I was away I saw beauties that I have never seen before. John felt the same way as both of us have been born and raised on the East Coast….it was just amazing and the weather – I LOVED IT….not having humidity as we do on the East.
WHAT IS THE BLOG CANDY? YUM….something super practical!
Let’s face it…we all love to make things with our hands…and I am just like YOU! With a new catalog coming I will be hosting another Product Share (NO, you did not miss it – and I will post on that next week…but these DSP Swatch gems make this wonderful thing that we do (stamping) sooooooo much easier!)
The DSP Swatch Books make life easier, it is as simple as that!
No need to flip through a bunch of paper and all of the info is right on the back of each offering… I cannot begin to tell you how many of these gems I have made up…but I will do so again and again with every catalog as they are lifesavers! (It’s like reading the “above the crease” on the front page of a newspaper))
Leave a comment answering these simple 3 ?’s…
- What State are you from…
- How long have you been stamping…
- What is your favorite type or style of card to make…
Here’s my answer…
I live in Maryland, I have been stamping for 8+ years and my style of card making is to make clean and simple cards with lots of basic layers
OK folks – time to switch gears!…Grab a cup of whatever (somewhere in the world it’s 5 o’clock)….if you want to hear about our time away….if not…please leave a comment and I will see you Monday with a card that will make you BEAM!
Good luck and it will be fun to see the answers and especially where everyone is from! Again, I honestly had NO IDEA WHAT SO EVER that the Pacific Northwest part of our country was as beautiful as it was!!!
It was just amazing and it truly made me feel like a little East Coast Bumpkin having a pair of new glasses on! It is just spectacular and I can hardly wait to go back!
I did earn the Alaska Incentive Trip from Stampin’ Up! (it was wonderful) and naturally that was the reason of our “going to this part of the country” but John and I added 2 days to the front and then a week after making it an ultimate time away!
When I started to go through my pictures I clearly realized that there were WAY TOO MANY THINGS to communicate to you all about…..but here are some of the things that totally stood put in my memory bank! Some will make you smile and laugh….some will make you look and say….WOW – it is beautiful….and then there are some that will inspire you.
For me, the inside feeling from this trip is…
If you can….travel and see things before time slips by!
When we arrived back to Seattle after the cruise…we rented a car and drove with no agendas….nothing booked or planned, (this is a 1st for us) we just knew that we needed to end up at the end of the week in Portland to fly home! After we got off the boat, we picked up the rental car and went to “Highway 101” and drove the Oregon Coastline!
Usually I go by a set of “to do’s” and agendas….and I love to make plans in advance, especially for restaurants as I do love my food and I do love to cook! John and I are both pooped (having some busy past months) and vowed to each other – let’s just get away and relax. We said, We are going to a place we have never been to….so let’s just do it! (Funny thing is……Hannah is getting ready to move to Seattle so she was THRILLED that we liked the area so much…..as she said to me, now I do not need to worry if you will come and visit!!!!)
As I was going through my pictures just to share with you some…..I went to export them and there were 97 (that was just picking some “keepers” from the 100’s and 100’s that I took) YIKES!!!! I know that there is NO WAY that I could edit, communicate the photo but trust me….there might not be 97…..but there are pretty darn close to it!
Here you go….snippets from the travels of John and Susan….
We were about 15 from the house leaving to the airport and I remember that I forgot my backpack/camera….naturally I said a few verbal words and John just looked at me and said NO…we are not going back! (I had a hunch that was what he was going to say)
This is one of those differences about us…..he is one of those die-hards that makes sure that he is WELL OVER 2+ hours ahead to the airport……so – keep in mind – all of these pictures from our time away were taken with my I pad! (and I must say….it did GREAT!)
Next….I left my cell phone on the plane going out to Seattle. WHAT???? YEP, I did. I do have a legitimate reason though…(ha-ha) – after we got all settled in our seat and John took a deep breath and said to me, now I am ok – we are here….we are settled and I am fine (I think that was his way of telling me that I could talk now)….Well….you know me – I spotted a dog on the plane 2 seats back.
My maternal and doggie instincts kicked in…..(John rolled his eyes and then smiled…I know what this means) I naturally asked this sweet gal about her dog and the moral of the story is that her dog is a companion dog to her as she has severe anxiety with flying! Yep….I bet you know what I did – I offered for John and I to move back to sit with her.
We did….and it ends up that she is 29 yrs old – a school teacher and her buddy…Jimmy, flys with her everywhere! (He is a rescue and the story made me melt) They were simply adorable and guess what, my phone was left in the seat back of where we 1st sat….(turned off) and I totally forgot about it when the plane landed!
With the wonders of technology…..we saw from FIND MY IPHONE….that my trusty phone flew all over the country…for many days…..making it’s ultimate stop in Denver – Southwest shipped it to our house and after a 2 1/2+ week journey…..it is back home on Randall Lane.
Ok – I promise that I will STOP…..(I am sure that I will have many people unsubscribe from my blog because of all of the pictures etc….) but as I have said and will say again. I love to Stamp….I love my Stampin’ Up! friends and family….I never EVER dreamed that I would ever have a Blog or heck – be a SUD this long….but I share all of this as this is what makes me tick, this is what makes me roll and this is a passion that I have ….to share and inspire.
I truly, truly feel that we are are all sooooooo darn hard on ourselves. Trust me, I am guilty as well. We all need to take a deep breath and remember that there are truly so many things to be grateful for. When I do not blog, I feel guilty. When I do not create, I feel guilty. Why do we do this?
I am having to come home to 100’s of emails and to-do’s but what is the best feeling is…to have people that I have never ever met before…reach out and care…reach out and ask – everything ok….now that’s what I call is a gift! I am taking a deep breath and it will get done…
Taking time for yourself is super important. I find it much more of a joy to give and give and do and do rather than take care of myself….Am I hitting a cord with any of you? I sometimes think is a habit we get ourselves into….but what happens is – you run yourself down and you lose your belief in yourself!
Many of you know that I love to make up kits…..last year was the PITS for me with kits…..did I plan to break my wrist….NO…..did I plan for my Dad to become ill……NO…..Did I know that I might have to deal with severe bone loss...NO….but these things did happen and guess what – I just kept going forward but now I am going forward with intention.
I am planning to start a “kit like program” in September (it will be different than before)….as I do miss them. It is a passion and love to me to make up sample cards for my kits as we all seems to be our worse enemies ….saying WE CAN’T DO IT….but I have learned…when we have positive energy…WE ALL CAN ACHIEVE GOALS….it is just that we need to see that we are the ones holding ourselves back!
Yesterday I shared in a group text to some special ladies in my life….you are being too hard on yourself – there is no judging here….whatever YOU make with YOUR hands is a gift….it is as simple as that! I am really starting to embrace that motto of getting wiser as you get older!
Creating, Stampin’, laughing, sharing my love for my family, sharing my crazy passion for animals….I guess the highs and the lows is a way to express who I am. I am blessed but guess what – WE ALL ARE BLESSED….I truly love this creative thing that I do!
Darn, I just wish that there was “STAMPIN’ TOWN, USA” that only people that were fun, creative, positive could go to…..this is how I feel when the group of us get together to do some crazy fun weekend adventures together – We call ourselves the Sisters of the Traveling Stamps! We have a BLAST and we are all soooo different….that’s what makes us roll….
Enjoy these pictures of the fun….and if any of you live in Eugene or Florence Oregon….YOU ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND and YES – I would love to come and meet you. (nothing like inviting yourself) We adored those areas! We loved the coast line so much that we only made it in Eugene the night before we headed to Portland!
The great news is….we will be back. It was truly magical and loosing my phone….being unplugged was FABULOUS….we hiked and hiked….we ate and ate (I am a BIG FOODIE)….we laughed and laughed….and we drove and drove saying mile after mile – WOW, LOOK AT THAT! (I’m sure we were being total tourists)
I have become a big yoga lover and I am very dedicated to practicing on a daily basis. I feel better than I ever have and after being diagnosed with aggressive osteoporosis I make sure that I take care of myself. John too has learn to love and appreciate the benefits of Yoga and while were were away we practiced at any studio we could find…..and you will see we hikes and hiked our legs off! This area is the BEST for all of this…..
The peeps are thinking that their Mom and Dad are having “what-ever you want to call it crisis” but we laughed and laughed as there were actually days that went by that we did not check in with them.
James had the best comment……he sent John a text and said……“Everything ok?…reason being the last time we communicated with you all…..Mom was getting ready to get on a Helicopter to a glazier to play with Husky Dogs and go sledding and you were leaving with some men to go Halibut fishing”
We arrived home last Thursday to have all of the peeps come home on Friday and we celebrated Christmas over the weekend.YEP…that’s right….Christmas in August. We have not been together as a whole family since Thanksgiving and even with a delayed plane coming home and the time difference…..I rallied and made it a special weekend.
We pulled out Christmas decorations and had our traditional dinner one night (it was probably 90 outside) and we just laughed as ….only us!!! The other night….we did the yummy Maryland thing…..picked Crabs and then James did his annual firework show!
As we were all outside eating in between storms there was this beautiful rainbow….and I just smiled as I knew it…..I did the right thing….I had a great time away and really vacationed and enjoyed myself….and then came home to the best group of people…..my family!
Every time I see a rainbow my heart skips a beat and my eyes get a tear…as my Mom loved rainbows and the icing on the cake was Hannah looked at me and said, “Look Mom…..Gigi’s with us!”
Have a great weekend….and please leave a comment for the Blog Candy!
Monday I will announce the winner!
ENJOY THE PICTURES…..
Here they are…she was so sweet and her dog Jimmy is the best!!! She said that when she puts the bandana on his neck, he knows that they are going to an airport. It is amazing how service dogs can be trained.
If you are ever in Florence Oregon – you HAVE TO take a ride on the sand dunes…we did the slow tourist one….and then the super thrilled crazy one – I admit, even I was a bit scared – over 60 mph in the sand and it was sooooo hard to see the dips etc….a super fun time!
I sure do wish that the State Parks in our area would take after the Oregon ones….they were simply amazing!
FAB-O tiny restaurant in Florence…..
Eugene Oregon stole my heart – we were only there for a short time but certainly long enough to realize that we will be back! Clean…great weather….fun things to do….lots of beautiful countryside and lots of Vineyards!
Did someone say vineyards??? Oregon has some AMAZING Ones!
John doing a little retail wine therapy at King’s Estate….
Yep…we saw Sea Lions…..they are just adorable and I love the noise that they make. We also did see Whales….not in Alaska….but in Oregon – John was thrilled!
We went to heaven…..Cannon Beach Oregon….(If I am ever missing and the weather is good….I am probably there) – This was spectacular and there was a HUGE CORGI DOG FESTIVAL going on as we walked up the beach – there were 100’s of dogs having the BEST TIME and me…..I was melting missing my pups!
Look at the man below…using his sweet Lab as a foot rest!
Does this make you smile! This little guys was a happy as the rest….playing and having a BIG OLD TIME!
As we walked down the beach I could sense something over my shoulder….YIPPEE – HORSES…..is this the BEST or what!
I view like this does wonders to your soul…..simply beautiful!
Ok….John and I are THE WORST at selfies…..we laugh and laugh every time…..one day we’ll get it!
Look at this amazing water….just breath-taking!
After hiking and hiking…WE FOUND IT….now this is ONE BIG TREE!!!
BEST food truck ever…..look at the flowers on the roof – it is actually a cargo carrier and we stood in line for over an hour!
We were up really high and we were so scared that we would fall trying to do a silly selfie for the peeps!
Recognize this? It was where the Goonies Movie was filmed!
The water in Alaska was always so crystal clear….I had NO IDEA that Alaska was soooooo green and lush – I think that this is a place everyone needs to see to appreciate….WOW!
We took a super fun train ride up a HUGE Mountain…..breathtaking! A great history tour!
We went to a glacier while on the cruise and you would see these massive pieces of ice in the water. The color of the ice was amazing
Every night when we would come back to the cabin…we had a new animal made out of towels….I admit, when we walked in….he scared me!
In Victoria we toured an amazing garden….these flowers were unreal….and to think – this was from my I Pad
The sequence of pictures are all out of order but here in Seattle at the market….now how could I NOT take a picture of a pig! Oh, by the way….Daisy did great while we were away and Hannah even groomed her and put cream on her every day – She looks BEAUTIFUL!
If we lived in Seattle, I think sweet John might need to know these flower ladies….just amazing!
Darn I love food, look at this beautiful bounty that summer brings!
How can you not love a city with a Piano playing on the corner!
I had no clue that Seattle was soooooo hilly – what a fabulous place!
Get ready to moan with this cuteness….this guy was in our hotel – and YEP….he was there for an Instagram following….
LOVED this sign at the yoga studio in Seattle…..it was a great place and the coffee in Seattle….PERFECT!
I know you can’t tell….but I was DRENCHED…..we were very true to our Yoga on our ventures….
The view of Seattle as the boat left the dock.
I was sitting reading a book and looked up…..this plane just gliding in!
Anyone else like fried pickles? You just have to have pickles and cheese with hard shell Crabs!I mastered a new recipe that was a hit with the peeps……(notice the Christmas Tree) – I will say…I heard, “Oh Mom….I can’t believe you did that” (I just asked John if we could just keep the decorations upstairs as heck, Christmas will be here sooner than we think)
Here is the rainbow when we were doing our family crab feast!
I hope that you will find your own rainbow this weekend….
thanks for letting me share……xoxo….susan!
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by Susan Itell | Aug 8, 2018 | formula, Fun & Cute! |
Hello and HHD (Happy Hump Day)…Happy August…Happy everything!!!
Before we get going on some inspiration for you with a super clean and simple card….I think that the below graphic sums up how I feel inside. (well…that might be stretching it a wee bit as actually I feel like I am chasing my tail with all that I need to get ON TOP OF) but we are back and it was the time of my life over the past weeks….
Pop back tomorrow and I will share with you some “bullet points” of the what’s been happening with the Itell family lately…some will make you laugh out loud….some will make you smile….some will make you think – it could only happen to Susan….and then….of course we need a bit of candy….so I hope you will pop back for some highlights of our time away!
I have yet to go thru all of the emails that have piled up (we all know how that can happen too darn fast) but my goal….is to be all caught up by the weekend.
Let’s DIVE IN and I have a cutie for you today! My niece is getting married on Saturday and here is the card that I made for the happy couple. It’s actually a bit hard for me to make wedding cards as this is something that I do not make often but I admit, I was super happy with the end result.
It certainly is a “Susan Card”…isn’t it – very clean lines, very simple and yep…it’s a square card and that always make me smile. I will have the “recipe” for you below – it is a keeper layout that is a super way to use up you paper!
I am working from the Annual Catalog today and truth be told….I think that darn annual catalog doesn’t get the “limelight” that it so deserves. We all get soooo darn excited for the annual catalog to come out and then what happens….YEP – the next catalog comes out in 3 months (the Holiday)….and then in 4 months another catalog comes out (Sale-a-bration and the Occasions)…right back to the next year! Poor Annual Catalog!!!
This stamp set, Dandelion Wishes was coming to Randall Lane the minute I saw it….WHY???? Easy-peasy as I do not know about you but….blowing dandelions was a part of my childhood that I remember. I remember asking my Mom why didn’t we have those beautiful flowers that I loves to blow into the wind in our yard.
The other thing that I instantly loved about this stamp set was the sentiments and the font. You know that I am a BIG believer that sentiments have to “speak to me” if I am going to hit that button to purchase it and yep,this does.
I just love the feeling of using up scraps and products that I have on hand….how about you? I am sure you do as well as it gives us that instant gratification that we are using it up! Many of you think that creating a card like this might be a challenge but actually it is super simple.
You also know how I love to organize what we have. Tomorrow I will share with you (along with some blog candy and some vacation highlights) that will show you how you can conveniently store strips of paper so when you go to sit and create – PRESTO….they are all super clean and ready to use!
As I already share, the over all size of this card is a 4 1/4″ square (my favorite) and the technique that I used was heat embossing the main images from the stamp set. Here is the “recipe” for you and then you will agree with me…it IS super easy to make. At the end of the post you will see the entire list and links for products I used.
As I always say, it is all about having the basics as when you have the basics you can do just about anything. Why in the world do we stress ourselves out by always feeling we need to recreate the wheel. This IS a layout that you could use over and over with different color combinations, a different size of a card and different stamps…and PRESTO – you will smile as much then as you did when you made it the 1st time!
- The over all size of the card is a 4 1/4″ Card in Thick White Card Stock
- Take another piece of scrap paper that is say…..around a 4 1/4 ” square and adhere a piece of Multipurpose Sheet over top of it and then pull back the sheet to expose the adhesive part. Place the 1/2″ strips of paper over top of it. Now you can see how stinkin’ easy this is and how there is no mess!!! If you do not have the Multipurpose Sheets, (I’m sorry but I would hit that button and buy them as they come in handy) you can use either green glue or tear and tape.
- Take the beautiful and colorful piece to your trimmer and cut this to a 4″ square (see how easy – by doing it this way…you eliminate the need to be so precise)
- Use the embossing buddy to make sure the stripe surface is completely free of dust and fingerprints…now it is time to heat emboss! (get ready to smile for the magic). Use the Versamark Pad to stamp the image onto the fun piece and then sprinkle embossing powder over and heat set. Magic every time.
- Mat the embossed piece to a 4 1/8″ square of Gray Granite – this makes a big difference seeing the “peek of gray” behind when you hold it in your handy….remember, it is these simple finishing touches that make a difference to our end projects!
- Take a piece of scraps (this was 1 3/8″ wide to stamp the sentiment on and heat set it) Depending on the width of the sentiment this dimension might vary but I think that the white embossing powder makes a classic statement.
- Simple Susan stitching with a white gel pen does the finishing touches that I was going for……also….do it for the envelope as well!
- Pop up this piece onto your card base and you are in home stretch!
- Make a custom envelope with the envelope punch board. Not only is it easy, but it makes the whole project come together!
Now for the parade of pictures that I have for you. I know that you all love pictures so please enjoy and also please feel free to leave me a comment and I will get back on track in answering your questions! As I always say when I share a card with the dimensions or also call it a “formula type card” …I encourage you to go to your work area and make one.
WHY???? Easy – by doing this while it is fresh in your creative head it will help you understand the process. I am a visual learner and then I need to try it myself. I would write down notes on your “trial run card” and also write the blog date of this post so in the future you can easily find it!
There you go…..a great card that is super easy to do! I do love this color combo together….Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Granite Gray and Flirty Flamingo…fun yet classic! I do hope that you will try it out!
I am sure that you all know what is this month at Stampin’ Up!…..well….many things – but the one that I admit that I love now and then even like it better next month is the Bonus Dollars Days…..for every $50.00 you spend, you will receive a $5.00 coupon to use next month…(YIPPEE as the Holiday Catalog will be live) but remember to keep the email that Stampin’ Up! will send to you….with a code for next month.
I would have no way of doing a “search and rescue” for you and I do not want you to loose that discount. What I do is – the minute I get the email I print it off and then I also write it in my calendar in case I misplace the copy.
Gotta run…..I will pop on tomorrow with some highlights of our time away and also some blog candy for someone! It feels great to blog to you…it has taken me a LONG TIME to type this but I hope that it inspired you and made you smile!!!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 13, 2018 | Blends, Thank You |
Woot-Woot….it is the weekend and I have a cutie for you today and guess what? This layout is one of those “formula types” that I love and try to encourage you to make! WHY? Well, there are a bunch of reasons but the one that comes to mind instantly is…they make card making super easy as all you have to do is find the formula…and adjust your stamp and color combination to whatever stamp set you are working with!
Easy and DONE! As I have blogged…I have become very picky about my purchases as let’s face it….there are soooooo many amazing crafting products out there…… that we just cannot have it all so my shopping the new catalog was very selective!
This stamp set, Accented Blooms is a keeper. I knew the minute I saw it….it would be living on Randall Lane. WHY? Well…..H E L L O….Look at that image…look at that FUN and LARGE “hello and thank you”….look at the sweet sentiments….the price is right and lastly – you see those 2 little stamps – the leaf and the flower….well I have an idea for them! (I think that it will make you smile!!!)
Today I used the Blends to color the image. Blends are the quickest method of coloring for me to do in a jif and when I made this card…I made 6 of them so I simply stamped the images out using the Stamparatus and then colored the image in when I was watching a show that I am kinda hooked on, Shark Tank!
I admit that it drives me kinda bonkers that there is just not one simple click of a button to get the blends….and/or a button to get the new ones that were just released. Oh well….(got that off my chest) – I am asked time and time again….what colors of Blends do I need…and I hold true to my answer – ALL OF THEM!
Hang tight here…..I know that you are thinking – WOW…they are expensive…and YEP, they are an investment but I was asked and I gave my opinion. The reason I say this is…it is such a hard decision to narrow it down as it all depends on the image you are coloring. One thing I will say FOR SURE is….if you are ordering them here and there….always order the combo pack (Blends are on page 205) as you really want the light and the dark of each color.
Now HOLD ON…..I am sure that many of you are thinking …I do not know how to blend!?!? Please do not think of them in this way as true…they DO have the ability to blend seamlessly but think of them just like they sound a LIGHT and a DARK….so…(2) markers in the same family but one is lighter than the other.
The moral of this story is (look at the leaf part of this card)…you cannot go wrong with putting the light color down first (light Granny Apple Green) and then where you have the lines that are on the stamp go over it with the dark one (dark Granny Apple Green) and then guess what? – YOU DID IT….as you become more and more comfortable you will begin to “be that turtle sticking your head out” and experiment with “blending” but we are not even going to go there today!
I always forget to mention this…you know that I am a BIG FAN of the Thick White Card Stock and yep, I do use that for all of my card bases but when I am using the Blends, I prefer to use the Regular White Card Stock to stamp the image on that I am coloring. I think that the thinner weight of the paper takes the markers easier and remember, the bleeding through the back of the paper is TOTALLY OK – that is what happens with alcohol based markers like the Blends are!
Whew…enough jabbering….let’s get to it! I know…I know – I am way too wordy but I am what I am! It is always my goal/intention to make sure you understand and feel comfortable with products. Trust me, I get it as we all learn from trial and error and as anything in life…it takes practice, practice and then more practice! That is exactly why I made so many of these sweet cards….I knew that the more I played with coloring this image, the more likely I would feel comfortable and have a great project!
Click on the below image to take you to all of the offerings!
As always, at the end of my post you will see the line-up of products that I used for the card. I want to remind you about the Buy 3, get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Sale that is going on for the month of July. This DSP that I used for todays card is from the Animal Expedition Paper. Great deal to stack up on the new paper….an instant $11.00 savings!
I love this pattern as it is very versatile but I was also excited to show you a practical card using this DSP Collection. Many at 1st glance think that this is a juvenile/kiddo paper…but as we all know….there are 2 sides to every paper! (ha-ha) I love it that one side is whimsical and then other…a fun clean and classic print!
Here are the dimensions for todays card. As I say with the formulas….I would make the time to make up a card using this formula even if you do not have this specific stamp….true you might need to tweak the measurements to adjust to whatever stamp you are using….but this way you will have PRACTICE (remember that IS that little thing that we need to do in life) and also write down the dimensions you used so you can quickly refer to it in the future!
Without further yada….yada…..
There you go my wonderful cyber friends! I do hope that this made you smile….made you look at the fact that it is TOTALLY OK to use your DSP to cover the whole front of a card and then PRESTO…with layers of paper and the texture from the Embossing Folder…BINGO…you have one beautiful card!
Below is this embossing folder! You will be seeing me use it a bunch this catalog…My guess is that many of you BREEZED right by it in the catalog. Please do not overlook the effect a simple embossing folder can give you. They so affordable and make a big impact!
If you are new to my Blog, 1st…WELCOME….but I also do invite you to check out my very generous rewards program that I offer when you place an order with me. Remember…..I too was a customer and I totally “get it” when you have opportunities to get a FREE STAMP! Those 2 words make my heart pitter-patter every time….FREE STAMP!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend and please feel free to email me and leave a comment sharing how you like this formula…..I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE THE DSP……no more hoarding…pull it out and USE IT UP!!! 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Jul 11, 2018 | Congratulations, PALS Blog Hops, Uncategorized |
Welcome to the Pals July, 2018 Blog Hop. We’re having a “Pattern Party”. This month our creations will feature our favorite Designer Series Papers and coordinating embellishments from the new annual catalog from Stampin’ Up!
You may be starting the hop here or coming from a previous Pal’s blog. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find the the full line-up below to help you move, or “hop” along from Pal to Pal!
Let’s get started by saying “hippity-hoppity-humpday “ to you and I thank you for HOPPING on and see the fun DSP Pattern Party inspiration that i have for you today! I must say…there are many DSP’s from this new Annual Catalog that make me smile….so I thought that I would pick something that might not be as that “instant wow” to you when you have picked up the catalog to see the new offerings!
The DSP that I am using today come from the Best Routes and the Animal Expedition collection! Being that I am a super clean and simple kinda gal…I love prints like these that are “classics” as I find that they will work for many projects that I might make! The other great thing about both of these is…they are both part of Stampin’ Ups! buy 3 get 1 free offering during the month of July!….
You’ve gotta a lot of hopping to do today so let’s get into the beauty and simplicity of todays card! This is a card that I like to refer to as a “formula” What is a formula? Well…..they are your friends as a formula is a “recipe if you will” that you can pull out time and time again…make some changes with the DSP and/or stamp….and POOF – you have whipped up another masterpiece!
Today’s formula fun is using the Friendly Expressions Stamp as well as the framelits as my accent/embellishment from the Stained Glass Thinlit Dies. This stamp set it just the cat’s meow as the fonts and sentiments hit a grand slam…(a true MUST HAVE for your stamp collection!!!)
I am a stamper that loves to share tips and tricks along the way….always! I firmly believe that this is how we learn. There are so many different ways that we can make it easier for us when we sit and create.
I am all about ease and I know that many of you do not use this secret weapon….the Multi Purpose Adhesive Sheets! Another must have product for your stash!
This is a $10.00 investment that you will be thankful that you have! It is a super thin adhesive that you put on your cardstock BEFORE you run your die through “Mr. Big” and then PRESTO….you have adhesive on your detailed die…that all you have to do is remove the backing and once again, POOF – you are a happy stamper!
The biggest misconception I think many stampers have is the fact that they feel like they need to use the whole darn sheet at one time! NO…NOT AT ALL! I simply take a piece of scrap the size I need…peel the top part of the adhesive sheet back and then place the scrap of cardstock on the adhesive!
Next, I like to re-cover the piece of scrap with the sheet that says Sizzix (see below picture) and then trim away just what I need. This step helps to not get your scissors icky!
The other tip is, use the paper piecing tool after you run the shape through (especially with such a delicate die like this) to grab the release paper and again, POOF – you have adhesive ready for you to give it a good and firm press….with no mess!
I know that many of us find it hard to create a masculine card…but this is a card that I am sending to my middle peep James as he just started a new job! We all know what it is like to get something handmade…something unexpected….and hopefully from “dear old Mom” will even make it that much more special to him!
Because this is going to a “guy” I thought that this BEAUTIFUL die would be the perfect accent for some dimension and interest to this clean and simple card. I snapped a quick picture for you to see that it is as easy as this….just eyeball where you want the “peeking out” to be under the sentiment!
How about the FORMULA for you! Yep, this is another tip that I would do today. I would find some “me time” and recreate this card using whatever you have and then write the formula down on your sample. For me, this IS the easiest way to not only get the feel of creating it…but now you have your very own recipe that you can file away just like you do in your kitchen!
Feel free to email me if you have any questions. To me, you simply can’t go wrong with keeping things super clean and simple. They beauty of this type of a design is…IF you choose to fru-fru it up with either some ribbon, sparkle etc…you can easily do that….but if you want it to go out the door like this….you can do that with pride as well!
- Card Base is a regular A-2 (5 1/2″ X 4 1/4″) in Thick Whisper White. (I always use the thick weight for my bases) and then I covered the front with a piece of Basic Gray. I love a card that has “substance and weight to it”
- The white matting rectangle is 5 1/4″ X 4″
- The Strips of DSP are 1 1/4″ X 3 7/8″. To make the adhering these easier and straight…I use green glue to place them as I have time to wiggle them around if needed…..but please, do not stress over being perfectly straight…..just do your best – after all, it is – JUST A CARD!
- The sentiment piece is 4″ X 1/2″ and then the mat is a wee bit bigger at 4 1/8″ X 5/8″
- In the last picture you will see that I popped this piece up as I think we all agree upon this….simple dimension makes a huge difference to our projects!
- The envelope…..I do love my envelopes! I made my very own with the help of the Envelope Punch Board! Not only is it super easy, it is a “statement piece” as there just is something special when you see an envelope that is not just white!
There you go my friends – another fun card that will be the win-win for not only you….but for the recipient as well! That is exactly how I like to make my projects….duplicatable and classic. Have FUN today on the hop and please feel free to leave me a comment on how you like this formula card!
Now it’s time to use the Blog Hop Line-up below to see what the rest of my Pals have chosen as their “favorite”. Don’t forget to show us some love by commenting on our creations.
Mark your calendars for August 8, 2018 when we Cut it Out! Participants will showcase projects featuring “cuts” from punches, Framelits, Edgelits, or Thinlits. . Don’t miss the fun.
- Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
- Su Mohr at Aromas And Art
- Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
- Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stamping Habit
- Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
- Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
- Lori Pinto at LollyPop Paper and Ink
- Terri George at Stamp Me Crafty
- Mary Hanson at Up North Stampin’
- Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
- Stesha Bloodhart at Stampin’ Hoot!
- Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
- Leah O’Brien at Stamping By The Bay
- Nina King at InkPaperSequins
- Jackie Diediker at Stampin’ Jackie
- Rachael at Bluebonnet Stampin
- Lisa Milligan at Stamp Create Share
- Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
- Susan Itell at Simple Stampin’
- Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
I am so glad that you popped by and I must admit, it feels great to do a Blog Hop again (I was afraid I was going to forget all of the in’s & out’s) but now it is time for me to go hopping and see all of the great ideas out there! This is one thing that is just the BEST in what we do…being inspired by others!
Below is the line up of products that I used for todays card! I am super excited to send it and remember, this “formula” for a card is a true blue keeper…just change the DSP used….perhaps the color and/or sentiments and you are good to go! Have a great day and thanks for “hopping in”!
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WOOT-WOOT…it is Friday and I know to many, that makes you super happy! Well I guess I am happy but let’s face it….it is what it is!!! (as the saying goes). 
OK folks – time to switch gears!…Grab a cup of whatever (somewhere in the world it’s 5 o’clock)….if you want to hear about our time away….if not…please leave a comment and I will see you Monday with a card that will make you BEAM!
