by Susan Itell | Mar 15, 2014 | Birthday |
Here's a story for you…you know by now I love to tell you about things! Yesterday morning I woke up with the chickens as I had an early morning meeting at work and while having my coffee I surfed PINTEREST for ideas to decorate for St. Patty's Day for an event at work!
I needed some super simple ideas and then I thought – why not try MDS?
Now let me be very, very clear about this and for those of you that know me and have been with me with my blog know that I am computer challenged….I try and I am proud of myself with my daily blog postings…but when I have to "THINK" about something too long and hard….."I FREEZE" and I know I need to get over it…
Well…I have tried MDS several times and have had very good success but the truth is…I do not get on it enough to make it seem "natural" to me as I adore having paper and scissors in my hands!
In playing and playing with MDS I realize WOW…it was FUN!!! Then I also knew that I have another friend that also celebrates her birthday on St. Patty's Day….so here you go!!!
I was sooo darn tootin' excited with the end result and when I came down stairs and showed John…he said – "when did you do that" – seriously it was like the "peanut butter and jelly" thing that I talk about! I just love it when things go together!
This is my 1st "hybrid" card…but no way my last!
I never…ever thought that I would enjoy creating something on MDS and then printing it off on my printer (and trust me – my printer is a super old – portable printer that I take with me when Hannah and I are traveling with the horses so it is nothing super special!)
I am not sure where to go with this post today but one thing I do know is…I need to learn to post about MDS because I'm going to do many more!
I make many, many cards for my job to send to members and I can clearly see how this will be a "great resource" for me to still feel like I am being "creative" and then still have my paper and scissors in my hands…to create a great card!
I simply played around and POOF – this is what I came up with… the shamrock came from the Lucky Frameable Designer Kit – clover and then the sentiment "lucky charms"….for some reason I cannot highlight these items so you can click to them. (sorry!!!!)
I would highly suggest that you hit the SHOP NOW button and on the digital downloads you can see all of the different downlaods that are available!
It is soooo super cool that you can click on the shamrock and then click the color – put in garden green and WOWZERS – it works! I was soooooo happy playing away! – I am going to master this…don't know when…but it's fun and adictive and I am going to do it!
The super cute border in between is called the Tasteful Trim Shapes 3 and the color is Sahara Sand! Isn't it sooo fun that you can change the color just like we have in our paper!!! Another woot-woot!
Seriously, I had fun! It just is a tool that you can play and play and guess what – it works! I apologize that I can not be more precise today but one thing that I can suggest to you is….to down load the FREE 30 day trial of MDS….
If you click on here….you can surf around and see all of the downloads that you can add to the MDS software! Just have fun looking at the different offerings MDS has!
I have done other projects and had Stampin' Up! print them and they are amazing but I will say it was very rewarding to do this myself! I really was impressed that I could whip up something fast for myself here at the house!
After I created this on a piece of Whisper White Card Stock, I cut the the front to 5 1/4" X 4" and then matted it with a piece of Garden Green just a smidge bigger…and you know me…save paper! 
LOVE IT!!! I matted it on an A-2 card size and then added pearls….why not???? Pearls are a girls best friend!
To the inside…. it was from the Cake & Ice Cream Stamp Brush sentiment! Think about this…for just $5.95 you get all of these goodies and you can make them the size that you want…the color you want…that in itself a huge woot-woot!
I have to do a envelope….right??? This was super easy and I used the Designer Series Paper to line the envelope…I wish that we were together to see how happy I was that this all came together!
How about trying MDS? I know – it might not be for you but that is OK….I am going to continue to "play" and when I do …I will share! Remember, you can download it for FREE for 30 days…and then if you like it – it is just $19.95!!!
They even have their own website for help…ideas…tutorials….click here and see! I think you will be wowed with all of the super cute and fun ideas they show!!!
Thanks a bunch for being patient with me today and until tomorrow!
p.s. – go and download the FREE MDS …email me if you need help!
by Susan Itell | Mar 14, 2014 | Birthday, Sympathy |
I know that it is hard when you need a sympathy card as many times we find out that we need one and I think that it is good to have some on hand…just in case!
Yesterday John said to me – “I need a sympathy card for a client – can you make me something special” Mission accomplished, as I needed to do it before I went to work!
Here is a great little card that has a clean and simple WOW factor! Actually you could change out the sentiment and put Happy Birthday, Thinking of you etc…
Let’s go….
- Note-cards and envelopes to the rescue…What am I ever going to do if Stampin’ Up! discontinues these gems! Go ahead and cut the mat at ¼” smaller = 3 ¼” X 4 ¾”
TIP ALERT: You have seen me do this a bunch of times and I think that this is the 1st time I have said this to you…I cut up a whole stack of these mats in Whisper White…Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake as these are the base colors that I seem to “go-to” often! The way I look at it is…a time saver. When you have things at your fingertips – things just come together like peanut butter and jelly!
- The Stamp Set I used was the Stippled Blossoms Set, it is a beautiful set and when you play around with different colors….WOWZERS happens all the time! (please go back to previous posts I have done with the stamp set…they really show you a larger spectrum of the flowers….gorgeous! Just type the stamp name in the search button above!)
TIP ALERT #2 – When you stamp…use the light color 1st and then go over with the darker one….it is a 2 step process and I HIGHLY recommend that you use the Stamp-a-ma-jig!
- For this card I used the Pink Pirouette 1st (lighter) and then went over top with the more detailed stamp in Strawberry Slush (darker)
- The leaves were Pear Pizzazz 1st (lighter) and then Old Olive (darker) next. HOW EASY!!!
- The sentiment came from the hostess stamp set Simply Sketched and using the stamp-a-ma-jig for perfect placement it fit perfectly on the card! WOOT -WOOT – this is just $10.00!!!
- I wanted to add some simple ribbon so you can see in the pictures below how I anchored the ribbon! I am trying to share with you ways to “hide the mechanics” of your card projects! By using simple glue dots on the ends, you can wrap the ribbon behind the mat and have a very clean and professional finish!
- Add dimensionals to the mat….POOF!!!! Done in no time! What would we do without out Stampin’ Vitamins !?!?!?
- To the envelope we go….I was happy about this! I lined the outside of the envelope with the Strawberry Slush Paper from the In Color Collection and then thought – how about using the Large Scallop Edgelit to add a bit of pizzazz!
I was tickled “pink” with the end result of the envelope and all in all…this is one beautiful, fast, easy card that will touch the heart of John’s client!
You have heard me blog before about the “just in case” phrase that I use – when I say that it is like the “little black dress” ! We need to have some "go to’s" for when we are in need of a quick card to send!
I want you to think about what your "go to’s" are for…
- Birthday Cards
- Anniversary Cards
- Sympathy
- Get Well
- Thinking of you
- Just Because
It’s a great idea to have a file of some of your favorite "go to’s" so when you need them…they are ready! One thing that I am guilty of is that I send my cards out (but trust me – I have a nice stash in a basket) and it’s a good thing I have my blog as I often go back and look at different themes!!!
Enjoy your day…get ready for a fun weekend…stay warm and I thank you for popping by today!
Please feel free to email me and as always, I love your comments…you all make me smile and are my source of inspiration!
Shopping in your jammies while drinking a cup of coffee is also super fun…hit that SHOP NOW button and have fun…remember, Sale-a-bration is coming to a close in 2 weeks…
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Mar 13, 2014 | masking, Watercoloring |
Woot-woot…I love my little Red Wagon! When I see this is brings back great memories of pulling my kids in a wagon when they were little…I sure miss those days!
It's Thursday and that means there is a challenge….how about pulling out these 3 colors and playing along! If you need help – no worries – I will gladly help you upload your masterpiece!!! Please go to the Pals Paper Art Website and see the endless ideas and then if you need help loading….please email me!
Before I get to the scoop of today’s post…I wanted to answer a question that I get asked a lot! The question is…
Why do you share so much on your blog postings
(like the measurements, tips and tricks etc….)
Well…the answer is super simple…
Why not?
I love what I do and why wouldn’t I want to share what I have learned!
The truth of the matter is…we all have to start somewhere and I must admit – I am not the quickest learner and even though I am passionate about stampin’ – I realize that many people who pop on my blog are beginners!
We all have started as a beginner in many things we set out to do. I want to share with YOU as much as I can so YOU can see that YOU can do it! I find that many of us second guess ourselves and the more we do that….the more we lose self confidence.
I am passionate about Stampin' Up! and I want YOU to feel the positiveness that I feel!
Even though it is very hard for me to answer each of your comments, please know that I deeply appreciate them. I am an email away so please feel free to reach out to me!
Ok. – sorry for the rambling, I just want you to know why I do what I do!
Let’s go….this is a “Susan” card and using the water-coloring technique always makes me smile! This is something that the more you do it…the better your results are…and again, don’t be hard on yourself…whatever you do is from YOU!!!
- I wanted to switch it up a bit and used the Naturals White Paper and cut it to a notecard size – 3 ½” X 5”…I love the natural look of the paper and there are little subtle flakes/fibers thru it that make it look super with the Water Color Paper!
- The “little red wagon” is from the For the Birds Stamp Set and it is perfect for water coloring…using the black staz on ink I “masked” the sentiment, as I wanted to use the sentiment from another stamp!
TIP ALERT: Again, I know that this is basic but I also know that many of you are beginners…when you do this…simply take a post it note over top of the area you want to cover…ink it up….peel it off – PRESTO!!!
- The Big Shot and the Deco Labels Framelits are the “wonder tools” for today’s card…I know that the below pictures are super basic but again, I am trying to teach you some easy techniques that are useful for many cards!
- I used the So Saffron Frame and attached them together with sticky strip…perfect hold!
- Cut out another Wild Wasabi Frame and cut it in half – you can see how I just “peeked” it out on the sides and then took scissors to clean up the other “left overs” – I just wanted the sides to peek!
- Let’s get coloring! Using the Aqua Painters…become your own Picasso…remember to have a paper towel handy to blot off excess water and also to clean the brush to pick up a new color! Have fun…just do it and have fun!!!
- Using the Mono Glue to adhere this whole piece to a mat cut at 3 ¼” X 4 ¾” ….and I used the envelope punch board to corner round the edges….POP up with dimensionals – DONE!
- Making the envelope was easy – following the guide, I needed a 7 ¼ “ square and then punched and scored it at 3 1/8” and kept turning…punching…scoring! Done – it is so fun and easy to make your own envelopes! I lined the outer flap of the card with the Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Collection!!!
Thank you for popping on today! I hope that you like my little red wagon….and I hope that you have memories of a wagon! My peeps are all grown but I love to remember the past! Have a fabulous Thursday and please subscribe to my blog (under the occasions catalog) if you would like a daily dose of inspiration from me!
Remember, when you place an order with me that qualifies for a FREEBIE – will also receive from me…a swatch book of the Designer Series Paper from Sale-a-bration!!!!
Speaking of swatch books…I am going to be doing an offering for you to purchase these handy-dandy gems ( in all of the collections!!!!) to help you with your projects!
I have had a busy week at my "other job" so hopefully I will get my ducks in a row for the scoop for you…I find them to be soooooo handy!
3 lucky people won them from me and I do appreciate when you leave me comments – you never know when I will throw in a fun give-away!
Have a great day and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Mar 12, 2014 | Uncategorized |
Did you all have fun HOPPING yesterday! It was wonderful…it was fun…it was inspirational! WOWZERS – there is lots of talent out there! Today is all about Ted – it is super hard to find masculine card…do you remember that I shared with you that I went to a Stampin' Up! event over the weekend…..well this is where the inspiration came from!
I participated in a card swap and when I saw a masculine card ….I was doing the WOOT-WOOT dance! The inspiration came from Julie Brewer from Woodbridge, VA ! I knew that I could take her swap and make it my own….
Below is Julie's card and I thank her for her inspiration….but here is what I did to it – to change it up!
Before we get to the nuts and bolts of this card…another inspiration came from Ellen….she emailed me yesterday morning asking me about a post I did in November! After looking it up and emailing her – I knew that I could adapt it to this card! Mission accomplished!
I guess this is one reason that it is great to have a blog as I had already mailed out the card she was asking about but using the search button on my blog made it super easy! Remember, just put a specific stamp set in the – hit search and POOF!
Let’s go! This is so simple – you don’t need me!
- The base is Very Vanilla in the A-2 card size!
- Cutting another piece of Very Vanilla at 5 ¼” X 4” and then pulling out the ON SALE – Argyle Embossing Folder to do the magic! WOOT-WOOT – it's on sale this week!
- The next step to the WOW is using the sanding block and going back and forth….the fibers break down and the “underneath fibers” come to life! Such a simple yet effective effect!
- The Vanilla Strip is 1 ¼” X 5 ¼” and then matted with Soft Suede at 1” X 5 ¼”
- This is where my cyber friend Ellen came in…she asked me about this post, and I liked what I re-visited when I looked it up from her! Using a 1/8” of a strip of very vanilla does the magic…so why not do it again!
TIP ALERT: – Use the RIGHT side of the Stampin’ Trimmer to make your cuts when they are so narrow….works like a charm every time!
- Pull out the Chalk Talk Bundle (get the bundle – you’ll save an instant 15 % and if you are a demonstrator – you receive an instant 35%) instead of purchasing them separately!
- The background was stamped with Old Olive and then the super sweet sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede! (love that neutral)
- The envelope was an easy-peasy decision….with this masculine card….a simple soft suede liner was all that was needed! BAM….DONE!
With the bundle, you can cut out the “background piece” with the framelits but the sentiment was a cinch from the Ex. Large Oval Punch! ….LOVE our punches!!!!
I am so happy that sooooo many of you had a fun hop yesterday! I thank you for popping onto my Blog!
If you are new – please subscribe to my daily blog (right under the Occasions Catalog) and you will get a daily dose of “Susan”!
Ted is doing well….and I thank you for reaching out to me and wishing him well. I am going down next Friday to see him before heading to North Carolina to see my dear Hannah!
Ted has such a great support network and a positive attitude! His 1st round of Chemo over….and doing well….keep those prayers coming!
We all have sooo much to be thankful for….and I thank you for your thoughts, prayers, comments and support you give!!!
Pop back tomorrow – it another color challenge….you’ll smile!
