by Susan Itell | Feb 16, 2015 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Super Easy, Thinking of you |

I know that many of you miss the Monday Make it Mine challenges so I thought..let's do something fun today if you are up to it! It is totally up to you if you want to play and if you choose to share it with me…great but no pressure, I always adore seeing your work.
Today the challenge is to make a 1 layer card using only 1 stamp set!…wow – this is tougher than it seems but I was pleased with the end result! I have a friend that is starting chemotherapy and I thought that this simple card would bring a smile to her face.
Trust me….I was sooooo darn tempted to add a little flower punch here and there with a pearl but I stayed strong! It just does not get any simpler than this!

I have been feeling like the stamp sets in the annual catalog have been "back burner-ed" a bit with the the new Occasions Catalog, so I decided to showcase something from the big catalog. The stamp set is called Perfect Pennants.

- The card is a note card and I simply stamped the sentiment in Crisp Cantaloupe.
- Using the stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement I went to town and had fun with the polka dots! The inspiration came from the Lullaby DSP as this is where my color combo come from – Baked Brown Sugar, Hello Honey & Crisp Cantaloupe.

I was a bit off with my stamping so I thought…..hmmmmm – what should I do? I just cut off 1/2" off of the bottom of the card! I thought it looked fun and I TOTALLY am going to do this again!

The fun DSP Print from the Lullaby Collection just pulled this sweet card together. I find trying a challenge is super fun and it really does make you step out of your comfort zone!

Please feel free to share with me your take on a 1 layer card from 1 stamp set – it was FUN! I was wanting to do something FUN with you to get the week going so how about it – Hopefully you can find time to slide into your crafting space and give it a whirl!
Between typing this blog I have been making or should I say "coloring with the Blendabilites" the "Thank You" card for anyone that places an order with me this month….click here to see the post and I ask you….is this really a pigeon? If so it's the prettiest pigeon I've seen….
Remember, today is the last day to place and order for the weekly deals….not only will you get 25% off..you will also receive this great card from me! (the Flower Frenzy is my pick of must-haves this week)
Let's all have a great week….my poor peep in Boston…..MORE SNOW – my heart goes out to all that have been effected with this weather – it is BITTER cold here and John has been the BEST in dealing with the animals!!!
Stay warm, please feel free to email me and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 15, 2015 | Embossing Folders, Super Easy, Thank You, Things you just have to buy! |

Yesterday I blogged about the super cute and easy card that I think is just adorable! My inspiration came from the Stampin' Success Magazine that Demonstrators receive. Please click here to see that post and today we are going to go through the "Stepped Up" version!
The reason I am doing this is to share with you how you can take some other products that we have and simply "step it up" I must say, I like both of them. Please remember, do what works for you. It takes a bunch of "trials and errors" to develop a style that works for YOU.
I am sure that you do the exact same thing that I do…that is have fun looking at Pinterest, watching You Tube Videos etc…and there are cards and projects that make you get sooooo darn excited, only for you to go to the effort to attempt to make them to find out that "they just weren't worth it" as it wasn't your style!
When I first started card making I tried all different styles and the happiest I am is with Clean and Simple….that makes me roll and I love to help you reach your goals!

Let's get going – I will share with you the changes I did…they are very simple!
- I looked at the Something Borrowed DSP that I used yesterday and the pattern reminded me of the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder so out it came! The piece is in Sahara Sand and it is 4 3/4" X 3 1/4". I used the corner Rounder before I ran it through the Big Shot.
- The white piece is 3 1/4" X 2 3/4" and then matted with Pistachio Pudding just a "smidge larger" – 3 3/8" X 2 7/8". I also corer rounded them.

- The stamping was just like yesterday and before I POPPED this up I added the simple yet effective piece of Thick Bakers Twine…just a quick and easy touch!
- Now for the part that always makes smile – the envelopes….you know I sure do love my envelopes! Today I took a scrap Sahara Sand and embossed it, just trying to get the focal row of the image. I then took a 1/2" strip of the DSP and placed it on above and below….and after adhering it – a quick snip! LOVE IT! (well, I probably should have made the DSO a bit narrower to make it balanced….but there is always a next time!)

Well…thoughts!?!? I truly like both of my versions…it's all about time! Remember, break your projects down and do it in steps so you are not overwhelmed! This would be a great card to make BUNCHES of in all different colors and different DSP's (if you choice todays post)
Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know how you like today's post! I am an email away if you need help or guidance!

Our dinner was FABULOUS last night….it is wonderful to have James home as he is my helper in the kitchen….he took after me in lovin' to cook – I told you he was a catch!
Lot's of fun posts ahead this week….I hope that you will pop back!
Stampin' hugs! Until tomorrow!
p.s. – James helped me set up an Instagram Account…click here to follow…
by Susan Itell | Feb 14, 2015 | Super Easy, Thank You |

You have heard me blog an endless amount of time that I adore being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and today's quick "Show & Tell" is another reason why!
Let me explain…as you already know, there are many advantages of being a SUD (mainly for most is to be able to get their products at a discount everyday and also be able to see and pre-order NEW product before customers) but another reason that I love it is for a bi-monthly publication that they send to us called Stampin' Success!
Mine came on Thursday and I did not tempt myself to look at it until I was ready to go to bed. (I adore reading cookbooks before I fall asleep – I know, that's a bit strange) and I was so focused on getting a project finished, that I kept this special time to read it for "me time" before I fell asleep.
When I opened up to page #17 I instantly thought…what a super sweet and easy card! When the new catalog came out last June, this single stamp, Watercolor Thank You…would be on my shelf! The minute I saw this simple, clean yet classic card – I knew that I needed to share it with you.

This IS a perfect card to whip up in a jif…a perfect card for a beginner stamper and tomorrow I will share with you a "STEPPED UP" version of it with basically the same elements. Remember what I have said, "When you have a keeper….KEEP IT – and this simple gem is such a sweet card; therefore – IT'S A KEEPER!
In this great publication, SU is wonderful about giving you step by step instructions with great pictures (another reason why becoming a SUD is a win-win) – this magazine is great and filled with great articles and ideas!
Let's get going but you really do not need me….
- Stamp the small flower in Crisp Cantaloupe and the vine in Pistachio Pudding. Both of these are from the Your Perfect Day Stamp Set (I love having small images like this to use as "filler" on clean and simple cards)

- Add a simple "pearl" to the center of the flower
- Before you clean up your stamps….add some simple love to the front of the envelope and then to the back flap…add a piece of DSP from the Something Borrowed DSP Collection and PRESTO! You have once super cute card!

Well that is my "Show & Tell" for you today….please pop back tomorrow an I will share more ideas using this single stamp! When I have people ask me when they are getting started…"What stamps should I buy" – THIS ONE is always one on the list as it makes up quick and clean cards!
Please do not forget…that becoming a Hobby Demonstrator is not only super easy, it is super smart for you as well….you can simply pick $125.00 worth of product and only pay $99.00 for it (and it ships free)….we are a very fun and healthy group of inspiring and talented Demonstrators and I would love for you to be on this fun journey with me! Feel free to email me if you have any questions!

I almost forgot….Happy Valentines Day to everyone….(When you are married to an Accountant….holidays from January 1st – April 15th become a blur" but have a special day as YOU are special! I am making one of John's favorites for dinner, braised Lamb Shanks with a Parmesan Rosemary Polenta! YUM…a great hearty meal for a cold night!
Stampin' hugs to all and until tomorrow!
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by Susan Itell | Feb 13, 2015 | Thank You, Tips and Tricks!!! |

Good Morning! I decided yesterday to be focus and get caught up on the Thank Yous that I needed to get out to all of my wonderful friends that have sent the most yummiest dinners to us!
You have heard me take about the "Iguana's" before….well all of my lizard friends + more have been dropping a dinner off to John's office every 3 days since my fall (as we live in the boonies) and it is easier to drop it off in town so I am finally all caught up with the thank yous!
This card is sooooo darn tootin' cute and I will say, the darn camera does not do it justice at all! I told you that I was not going to do anymore heart cards….but I just could not resist as it was fitting that I needed to make more of the Top Note Chocolate Boxes!

Let's get going…..(please…please CASE this one as it is so fun to make!) Before we get going….I adore this sentiment and I must say….to me this sentiment is worth the Sale-A-Bration level as There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for!
It is called, You Brighten my Day (such an appropriate name)
- The card is a 4 /4" card in Whisper White
- The Crisp Cantaloupe is 4 1/8" square and then using the Hearts Framelits, (#4) I cut it out….(This is why I LOVE this card – you get a really BANG for your BUCK…as it really uses the paper)

- The Black piece is a 4" Square and I used the same #4 framelit to cut out the heart!
- "Piecing" the (2) together using Sticky Strip… I then used the Heart Embossing folder as shown to add the special touch!

- Layering this over the already "cut out" piece makes it a win-win with minimizing paper!
- The sentiment….WOW – isn't it just the best….was a cinch to pop out as we have a punch that fits it perfectly (thank you Stampin' Up!) Adding dimensional to the back and the simple flower was all that was needed!

- Well…not to fast – the envelope! = SUPER CUTE! I used the Lullaby DSP and also stamped the front with the cute sentiment from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set (I also did this in the inside)

Well…as the saying goes…that's all folks! Well….can you see you trying this? I think that this technique would be great with all sorts of framelits that we have…I say "TRY IT..YOU MIGHT LIKE IT"
Today is a GREAT day for me as my middle "peep" drove home from Raleigh, NC last night for the weekend. It will be a joy to wake up having him home.

There is one thing that I always say about James…..it is….."If there were more James' in the world, this world would be a better place" – I truly mean that as he is the keeper of all keepers!
Please feel free to email me if you need any assistance….and feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the card today! I am excited to make other cards with this technique!
Thanks for popping in and tomorrow is Show & Tell – I hop you pop back!