by Susan Itell | Jul 29, 2014 | Tips and Tricks!!! |
Today is a “happy card” and it is a card that I sent to Susan Hayes for winning the Blog Candy! That was a FUN 2 days of posts…I am enjoying going back and making comments to everyone’s happiness and joys that they experience!
I have a question for you…do you ever create a card and then look at it and smile and say – WOW…I really like this!!! Well…if you are like me and do this sometimes – this is one that I sure did this with this card!
I was so happy with it that I decided to make this my “thank you” card for those great people that placed orders with me in July! I know that you will love it and when you see it in person – you will be smiling!
My inspiration came from Pinterest (we all love pinterest) and it was from a SUD, Angela McCay from in 2012. Click here to see her post. The minute I saw it I smiled and knew I had to take a try on making it!
This card is about as simple as it gets! This is also one of my favorite "flower stamp sets" – Flower Shop and when it was unveiled eons ago…I knew it was going to find a way to my home.
I will say that I did become a bit frustrated with it when I had this LOVE/HATE relationship with the stamped image and then punching it out! (Does this ring a bell to anyone else???)
Want a tip?!? My dear and patient friend Jeanie came to my rescue when she knew how frustrated I was. The tip is to stamp your image and then find out where the punch will do it's job and then use a sharpie marker and put a dot! (hope this makes sense – look at the below picture)
The card is a 5" square and the "vase" was made from the #7 circle framelit. At first, I embossed the "vase" and then when I was putting it together I felt it was to much….so into my scraps it went and I went for the easy way….super clean!
The other "clean thing" I did was not to fru-fru the insides of the flowers…true that would be super cute to have pearls…perhaps some glitz but I thought using good old paper and the 1/2" punch did the trick! Again…less is best!
My stampin vitamins, the stampin' dimensionals were the other easy-peasy touch to the card. I first glued the 4 flowers down with the "green glue" as I adore the "wiggle room" it gives to us and then I put 2 dimensionals together to give it a bigger boost! Woot-Woot!
The simple sentiment of "hello" did the trick – remember to use the Embossing Buddy to "prep" the surface before you use the versa mark and stamp the image! Another tip for you is to have a paint brush handy so if you get some extra embossing powder on that won't flick off…a quick swipe with a paint brush does the trick.
I adore how our white embossing powder comes to life. The is so simple and it truly took no time to make! These are the kind of cards that I like to make LOTS OF….mass producing is fun when you know that end result will be super rewarding!
Please leave me a message and let me know how you like this! I am trying to S T R E T C H myself by using colors that I do not usually use…like this – Wild Wasabi…how about challenging yourself and making a project this week with a color you do not use often!
I am getting super excited to be able to order some of the new products from the Holiday catalog! It is a super cute catalog and please know that of you have ordered from me in the past year…I will automatically send you a catalog as soon as I get them myself!
If you do not currently work with a SDU I would be honored to help you! Please email me and I will mail you a catalog. I think that it is very clear that I love my passion for Stampin' Up! and I just continue to grow and learn…
Remember, the time-frame to take advantage of the buy 3 get 1 free Designer Paper offer is coming to an end…click here to see the papers being offered and you know that today is Tuesday – click here to see the special this great company is offering!
Thanks for popping by, please email me if you have any specific questions and I thank you for sharing my love of stamping and blogging with your family and friends!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 28, 2014 | Blog Candy, Make it MINE Monday |
Today is a double whammy….the Monday challenge that seems to be a "happy thing" for many of you and also the WINNER of the 2 day blog candy winner!
On Mondays, I only work until noon so my goal is to go back and post comments to the incredibly up-lifing comments that you all left…thank you!
And the winner is………SUSAN HAYES!!!!!
Today's joy is reflecting on the many ways I have been blessed.
Over the 2 days I had 196 comments on my blog and email and I hope that you were inspired by the comments! I was smiling from ear to ear as I read them! Being "happy and experiencing joy" is something that IS in our control…lets make it a goal to have it be in our daily routines of life!
Please email me and these goodies will be in the mail to you and I hope that you enjoy (I know you will) and I thank you for your comment!
Now to the Monday Challenge! I hope that you give it a try! I feel like I wimped out by using a flower but I just love this die! Other Ideas that you could use….hearts – stars – I am sure that you have something totally different in mind and I can't wait to see yours! Please email me!
Back to the basics…look at it – see what you have to work with and GO FOR IT! I truly believe that if YOU challenge yourself to do sketches, you will learn so much about your personal style and what works and what stresses you….(now we do not want stress!!!)
We are on the last week of July (yikes – can you believe it) and this means that this is your last week to take advantage of the but 3 get 1 free of the DSP…click here to see the offerings that you can choose from!
I adore this clean and classic paper….Back to Black – it looks soooooo classic with a POP of bright color! So glad that SU paired the white and black together!
I receive many emails from you that you are afraid to use the DSP as a BIG focal point to a card…and even though I am clean and simple – I hope that shows you that it works! YOU can do it….and I know you can!
I know that these Bigz Dies can be $$$ but I encourage you to look at the big picture of the longevity and usefulness of them! I adore the fact that you can change the colors to match what YOU want and it create a WOW factor in a crank of a BIG SHOT!
We need to have a little talk about the sentiment! This is a MUST HAVE….why??? Sentiments that are practical like this set will be your lifesaver to add that special touch that will be the finishing touch…I always remember when I asked Mary Fish about what stamps to purchase….when in doubt – BUY the sentiments!
Look below and let the sentiments open your mind to how they can work for you! I find these "little sentiments" work for just about any card!
As you can see…this is a very basic card…but once again, the lift of the Stampin' Dimensinals are the key to making this card. I call them my Stampin' Vitamins and I always make sure that I am NEVER without them! They add the touch that we all look for!
Envelope time….my favorite! From the very 1st photo you can see that I lined the outside of the envelope…easy…done & fun….but I did also add the sentiment to the from of the card! Why not? I already had the stamp all "inked up"!
I hope that this post has put a smile on your face as I know it did mine! This was a "peanut butter and jelly " thing….and it is one that can use different DSP and different colors that the end result is WOW….
There are no words that can convey to you how touched I was with the great comments! I am looking forward to commenting on your comments! (now say that 3 x's)
I adore Stampin' Up! and I am thankful that the internet allows us to connect….like Bridget and I! That was a great time and I love the emails I receive from many that I wish we could all meet!
A huge WOOT-WOOT to Susan Hayes for winning the blog candy and I thank all of you for taking your time to leave a comment!
My goal was to bring JOY and bring HAPPINESS to your weekend!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Jul 27, 2014 | Blog Candy |
The word for today is “Happy”…as I am so happy to have read all of the great comments from yesterday…joy might be a “short” word in length but WOW – it is one beautiful word that speaks great volumes!
Above in the picture you will see MORE goodies for you to win! So…..one person will win both the 12 cards from yesterday and also the above from today…WOOT-WOOT – please leave me a comment!
Share with me some “happy moments” that bring a big smile to your face…
Back to Webster…here is the definition for happy.
happy
ˈhapē/
adjective
adjective: happy; comparative adjective: happier; superlative adjective: happiest; suffix: -happy
1.
feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.
Here are some of my "happy" moments that come to my mind….
- Watching old “I Love Lucy” and Johnny Carson shows!
- Having my jammies on and stampin’
- Waking up at 4:30 a.m. when we are at a horse show and having the excitement of a fun day ahead (I know that seems crazy but it is a happy thing for me)
- Another horse thing…giving them a good bath and hand grazing them after they have worked so hard!
- Getting all of the laundry done and PUT AWAY (I am famous for not getting it back to the drawers and then I am constantly looking for things)
- Seeing daffodils pop up in the Spring and crisp Fall nights that you can wear sweater.
- Making Thanksgiving Dinner…watching the Dog Show…and Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation (traditions we do on Turkey Day)
- Watching the dogs play and get excited when I come home and going to the barn and have the horses whinny to me when they see me!
- Seeing John’s smile as he comes in the kitchen door with the “fruits” from his garden. (This is the 1st year he has had a garden and he is so proud of it)
- Picking up the phone and hearing on the other end…a “peep” saying “Hi Mom!”
- Going on a long walk on Christmas morning while everyone else is asleep and reflecting on the "season"
I could go and on but I think you’ve got it…pretty much simple pleasures make me happy – what about you? Please leave me a comment and you can have a chance to win the blog candy from yesterday plus the new goodies I added today!
I will use random.org to pick the winner and announce it on Monday! Good luck and I encourage you to take a moment and read the comments from yesterday and today! I can promise that it will make you happy!
So…how about it….take a moment and share with everyone makes you happy.
Remember on Friday I shared that I was going to meet Bridget…well here is a picture of the 2 of us! Now this is a GREAT example of "simple hapiness" – Who would have ever thought that our paths would cross – this is what I LOVE about Stampin' Up and blogging….getting to meet Bridget was so special!
Tomorrow is Make it Mine Monday and get ready to challenge yourself with a fun sketch!
Thank YOU for bringing me JOY and making me HAPPY!
Have a fabulous day and until tomorrow!
p.s. – Yesterday when Hannah and I were driving home (L O N G drive) as there were several accidents but thankfully they were "fender benders" …..I was trying to read your comments on my I Phone and reading them to Hannah….I think I deleted one….and it was sooooooo special…
I can remember it said something to the effect of still loving to hold hands with her husband after 37 years? – If that is YOU……please re-post a comment to yesterdays post…it was beautiful and I want you to have a chance to win!
by Susan Itell | Jul 26, 2014 | Blog Candy |
Happy Saturday to all! I made it to Charlotte (finally after being delayed 3 times) but I guess it was important to have a flight crew! Talk about a fast…ZOOM trip – while you are reading this…Hannah and I are probably driving home!
Nothing like helping your daughter load up her dorm room and keep her company for a 6-hour drive…(I adore the time together catching up!!!) She is a great young lady and had a wonderful experience with her internship this summer.
I was able to meet Bridget from North Carolina/France and WOW…what a treat! (Talk about 2 women talking and talking)– it was wonderful! We met and talked for 2 ½ hours and I adored every minute of it…it was a “joy” for me to meet her as it is great to have a “cyber friend” and then be able to meet in person. I cannot wait until the next time…as I know that there WILL be a next time – what a treat!
Now to the post…as I said yesterday, today and tomorrow are going to be a different type of Posts and YOU can have the opportunity to win blog candy!!! WOOT-WOOT!!!
The candy is 12 handmade cards and beautiful envelopes made from my “2 little paws”
The way you can win is super simple! I do not know about you but there are times that I find it so hard to turn on the news as it is most of the time it is….”not happy” – I like to “be happy and positive” so let’s just all be happy and share with each other what brings us joy!
Leave me a comment and let me know what brings you “joy”! I think this past week has been such a busy and exciting one for me in many ways…here are a couple of things that have happened that make me reflect what happiness and joy is to me!
From the good old dictionary:
joy
joi/
noun
noun: joy
- a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
Here are a couple of quick thoughts that popped into my head….(naturally my dear family and health are always a top of the list but here are some other examples af what make me fulfilled)
- I had a downline send me the sweetest card and the message was beautiful. She knew that I have been super busy with work and the card truly brighten my day and it felt wonderful that she cared. Then several days later she sent me this video (46 seconds of pure joy!) – CLICK HERE and be ready for your heart to fill with joy. This is especially special to me as my love for my dogs and horses! I cannot tell you how many times I have watched this…an instant “pick me up” (thank you Nancy)
- I love to see the smile that I bring to many members at work when I sit and talk with them and just simply ask them “how they are and their family” (There are many elderly people that come to my work and often they are waiting to be picked up by a caretaker etc…and it fills my heart to take a minute and ask them – "How was your day” I will say…I need to be ready as I hear the whole family tree but I know it made them happy!
- Believe it or not…my blog brings me a tremendous amount of joy…why? Well first, I have always considered myself computer challenged and when I set a goal out to try this (it was a BIG one for me) but I have been determined and dedicated to do this. It brings me “joy’ to touch many and to know that I am inspiring you to go out of your comfort at time and try!
- This is a different one…picking strawberries and blueberries brings me so much joy! I know that this is a weird one but there is something so special to go to a farm and appreciate all of the hard work that farmers do and to be able to be in nature and pick the berries. John and I picked 28 quarts of blueberries this year and it brings be great joy to "give away" to others and see their eyes light up to have fresh berries!
Ok – ENOUGH….I could go on and on….so how about it – let's all bring JOY to each other and leave me a message below on something that brings you joy! I know that when you read others "simple pleasures of joy"…you are going to have a great day!
You can leave me a message today and you can also leave one tomorrow so this way you will have DOUBLE the chance of winning! I will use Random.com and announce the winner on Monday Morning!
Pop back tomorrow….as tomorrow will be day #2 of positiveness and I am going to throw in some more goodies to the Blog Candy of happiness! Remember, you can leave me a message today and then pop back tomorrow for more fun!
In closing…this is one statement that I have always said to my kids…and I know if they are reading today's blog…they are saying "OK Mom…I know – you have said it over and over" but it is just in my heart!
"If there is no joy in the journey – than there is no joy at the journeys end"
Thank you for being YOU and sharing a portion of your day with me! I adore your comments and I do read each of them…that in itself is a joy!
Until tomorrow….(go make someone smile today)….
