by Susan Itell | Dec 16, 2014 | Super Easy, Thank You |
With Christmas right around the corner I am going to be showcasing some of my favorite stamps that we have in the current Stampin' Up! line over the next several weeks. They will be new posts but I think that they are so darn special and practical, that they need to be front and center to bring this year to a close!
Also, I will be doing (2) blog posts on the Christmas Card Swap…the cut off was on Friday but I thought that I would wait for about 2 more days to blog about them in case someones was hung up in the mail! (I am super proud of myself, I have not opened one of them as I know myself way to well….if I did – I would get nothing done except admiring your work of inspiration!
Today's card is focusing on a single stamp called Vivid Vases! I love that we have many "single" stamp….why??? I think they are a great way to get started with stampin' and they are to me a great "secret weapon" as when in doubt….pull it out!
Coming out in the new Catalog, we will be having (4) new Blendabilities…..today I am showing you the soft sky….it is a beautiful blue and I paper pieced (3) of the vases with the Subtles Designer Series Paper stack. This is so simple to do – just stamp on the DSP and then "fussy cut" it out.
This is as simple as it gets and it is a great example of just keeping it clean works! You can change up the colors to get a totally different look and feel!
Here is a sneak peek of (2) of the Blendabilities….Soft Sky and Pink Pirouette….I am so glad that Stampin' Up! is coming out with softer, more pastel colors for Spring! With the new catalog, there are lots of new stamp sets that lend themselves to the blendabilities!
I realize that they are an investment, but most things in life that are worth it, are an investment. You can earn FREE Blendabilities as a "pick" for a freebie for Sale-a-bration reward (the ones that are in the catalog except the skin tones)!
The finale….the envelope. Carrying out the theme with the DSP on the vases seemed to be a perfect touch!Let's talk about the sentiment….it is from another favorite of mine, Lot's of Thanks Stamp Set. This is filled with perfect setiment fit for sooooo many cards!
I hope that this post brought back some memories of this great stamp. I think that when a new catalog comes out, the blogs are all filled up with the same stamp….and then it kind of gets "put away" It is my goal to remind you to use the many "keepers" that we have! This is a keeper in my eyes.
Feel free to email me and/or leave me a comment.I know that we are all getting super busy with the season../but I hope these flowers "brightened your day"
Until tomorrow….
by Susan Itell | Dec 15, 2014 | Birthday, New Product |
Now this card hopefully makes you laugh!
Stampin' Up! had a preview movie at theatres all over the country to allow SUD see on the "Big Screen" the unveiling of the new catalog and you bet when this stamp set was on the screen…I burst out laughing as knew that it would be on my first order!
From the Herd is a fun and whimsical stamp set that also has fabulous sentiments to make cards fro just about any occasion! I know that this will get used often from my home! I have a dear friend that is celebrating her birthday this week and this is PERFECT for her!
Below is the sketch that I found on clean and simple stamping website and thought it would be a great one for you to play with. I was going to use a simple flower as shown but then "the herd" was making "all kind of sounds" to use them!
The blendabilities were my friend and I just went to town! I adore the fact that this stamp set has so many sentiments in it – it truly covers all bases…from birthdays, to feeling better, to belated birthday's, just for you – you can see that it is a fun one!
The new catalog is available starting January 6th – (that will be here before you know it) I think that you are going to agree with me that it is filled with fun, fresh and unique stamp sets and the new paper = can you say WOWZERS! (I will be doing a paper and ribbon share….stay tuned!)
Here are some more teasers for you….enjoy and I hope that if you have the time….go relieve some stress and find your way to your craft area and make a card with this clean sketch.
The paper I used today is not new…it is from the Flowerpot DSP. The reason I love this paper is it is filled with "small prints" and the colors are very unique. I have showcased this with my Stamp of the Month kit this month and it worked out super!
Enjoy your Monday and remember that today will be the last day for you to take advantage of the Weekly Specials that Stampin' Up! offered this week…they are the best in doing this for use each week! (My pick, the envelope liner framelits) – you know I adore fun envelopes to make you feel special.
Please feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email – enjoy the day and let's have a great week!
by Susan Itell | Dec 14, 2014 | Christmas, Super Easy |
Happy Sunday! I shared with you on Thursday that I was going to share with you the other stamp in the stamp set, Santa Stashe…please click here to see the cute Santa and now to the Nutcracker!
Before we go any further…I loved the comments and emails I received about this whole “mustache” thing and I am with the majority of you….I don’t get it (kinda like I still do not understand the hash tag thing) Anyway, this is a cute card that made me smile and I hope it does the same for you.
The card size is a note card size and it was fun to play with the Blendabilities – I thought hat the night of navy was great on this nutcracker! I made a boo-boo on his hat and I thought….just add some mono glue, snip off some Baked Brown Sugar Bakers Twine and voila!
The blendabilties are perfect for coloring your embellishments! I used the basic pearls and then using the medium Cherry Cobbler Marker….another voila!
He was just as easy to fussy cut as the Santa was – just chop his mustache off as you can stamp another one and use the matching framelit to cut it out! I think that it is fun to pop it up with dimensionals!
The layer color to the card is basic grey and then using the Simply Scored Tool, I score in ¼” on all sides….this is a quick and easy way to add some quick interest. I like to place the image face down and then score….(I like to see the "up" side)
Isn’t that sentiment funny! It makes me smile. Using the Modern Ladel punch was a perfect touch and then layering it with the basic grey and “dots” all the way around did the trick! Doing something simple like dots and also dashes really add a fun flair!
I am sure that you have a "nutty or nice friend" out there that would burst out laughing if they received this! When I made it, I went ahead and made many as not only are they super fun to color all at the same time….you can do this card in "steps".
Remember, they key to this hectic time of the year is PACE yourself….I like to do it in "blocks" so I am not overwhelmed! When I am feeling tired and a bit overwhelmed, it is relaxing for me to grap some images that I already have stamped….take my blendabilities and just become a kid again and color!
Well….did I make you smile? Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know if you smiled and liked this "NUT-cracker" You can always email me and have fun shopping away on my online store!
Last night we went (John, Hannah, Aidan and I) went to our local symphony to hear the Christmas Concert, it was fabulous and truly put me in the Holiday mood! (I am still singing….)
Tomorrow is make it mine Monday and I am showcasing a NEW product that you are going to love!
by Susan Itell | Dec 13, 2014 | Uncategorized |
We might be adults…but we still believe….right?
Well…I believe that each and everyone of us can find a style, find a balance, find a sense of being fulfilled and have a feeling of accomplishment with whatever Stampin' Up! project you set out to do!
By now you know that I am a "Clean and Simple" gal…but I will say that I struggle with finding a balance at times as I wish that I could be more "technical" but I am what I am! This is the message that I want to convey to you!
We all have different talents, different goals, different abilities but I will say that you do not need to but the whole catalog. You know what you like and you know what you do not! I have found that if you heart says…."I don't care for that"…then pass! Follow your gut instinct!
What you need to get started is….basic paper, memento ink, 2 or 3 ink pads of colors you like, a couple of markers, white gel pen, paper snips, snail and mono glue, note card and envelopes, white card stock, medium envelopes and pick 3 stamps that "speak to you" – make sure that one is a great "sentiment stamp set" that will be a great filler, and the Itty Bitty Accents Punches!
As my son James always said….
Start Small….Think Big!
True there are tools of the trade that once you have the "bug" – you will need. TOP OF THE LIST is the Big Shot! I know….I know – it is pricey but it does sooo darn much! Embossing folders are key…our framelits and Bigz Dies….these will take you to the next level and the Big Shot is an amazing tool that you will only purchase once!
Other tools that I would not be without are the Stampin' Trimmer, the Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Envelope Punch Board, Stamp-a-ma-jig,Silicone Mat,Craft Scissors, Stampin' Scrub and Mist, Sticky Strip, DSP Packs and continue to add as many punches and stamp pads as you can!
Well…I know that today I did not have a project for you but these are some "ideas and thoughts" for you as you continue to grow with Stampin' Up! I hope that you continue to love Stampin' Up! as much as I do!
I will say in looking back, the one mistake that I did was that I bought sooooooo much product for over 2 years before I decided to do something for myself and become a SUD….wow – I would have saved a bunch but it was about the journey, I needed this time to learn the love of Stampin' Up!….
I have no regrets….as I loved learning about the whole "bug" of Stampin' Up! but I wish I would have taken the plunge sooner to save money…..think about it – you can be like me and do it for you….and not tell anyone (well….except John and Mary Fish)
I love placing orders whenever I want and the BEST is being able to get the NEW goodies WAY EARLY…..I have my order of the NEW goodies that will be available starting January 6th and oh my – the Sale-a-Bration Items are going to make you smile!
This new catalog will make you smile as there are so many fun, freh, just plain "happy" stamp sets and the new DSP and ribbon offerings are WOW – I will be doing a paper and ribbon share with the new catalog!
I will start to share with you sneak peaks…as they are KEEPERS! If you want these goodies now, click here and get started – you can pick $125.00 worth of product and only pay $99.00 (and it ships FREE)
Please pop back tomorrow, it is part #2 to the Santa Stache Stamp Set….click here to see the super cute Santa I did….he was so fun to make!
Enjoy your Saturday….pace yourself…..and have fun!
Remember, if you order or share this post with a loved one …please use the Hostess Code of JXYUED7N . this way someone will be able to reap the benefits!
Until tomorrow…..
