by Susan Itell | Feb 27, 2014 | Birthday, Photopolymer Stamps, Super Easy |
Happy Thursday to all!!! Today is a very special day for my dear friends son…the milestone that I am asking you to think back to…Ethan turns16 today! So I have a question for you today and it will be a hoot to see the responses…
Do you remember when you turned 16…
Well by now you know me…I love to share stories with you! I am the youngest of 4 and I have clear memories of dreaming about turning 16 and getting my drivers license…I felt like Cinderella waiting for midnight and then I was going to feel different… (just super excited to get my drivers license)
I remember having a special dinner with my parents and grandparents and that one of the gifts I received was a pair of Corduroys that were all different colors….(I would absolutely die if I ever saw a picture of me in them) - I do not know how to explain them but I was super preppy and the legs were each a different color - pink on the front…lime green….bright blue and yellow ( I think they were called panel pants) –
I think Hannah would have croaked if I gave her a pair of these gems for her 16th!
Now Ethan is hitting his milestone today and I cannot believe it…as I type this I look up at a picture of him while we were on a vacation together and seeing him eat little mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls….and to think that now he is taller than I am…has this deep voice…has grown into a independent, fun athletic young man that loves his family and school! Happy special day to YOU!!!
Let's get to the card and still another story…I am sure you have all felt this way before…when you see a card that you love…one that always comes back into your head – well this is the inspiration I felt about this card!
Last June, my dear friend, Brian King made this card for his uplines son when he was taking his drivers test…the second I saw it I knew that I was going to CASE it…well this is another reason I love what I do and I love being a PAL…
I had emailed Brian to see if I could CASE it for my blog and immediately I received an email – ABSOLUTELY! Here is Brian's card…he is one amazing person and a TON OF FUN….and a super talented demonstrator….I just adore him and proud to call him my friend!
Being a part Stampin' Up! and being so lucky to be aligned with such a great group of positive minded people that really work and share their talents…fills my tank to FULL!!!
To me, you cannot get a card that is any cuter…appropriate for a 16 year old…clean…classic and clean!!! A winner all the way around!
Because I am also going to play with the Pals Pals Arts today and I feel like the “Moon and the Stars” were lined up for me today – perfect timing with this great sketch and Ethan’s birthday!
The card size is 5” X 7” and today….I know that this is rare – but I did not make an envelope as I am personally going to deliver this to Ethan with a big batch of yummy brownies for him!!!
This card is CRAZY easy – you do not need me but here you go!
The “focal” whisper white is 4 ¾” X 6 ¾” and then the strip of black paper is ¾” wide.
The “traffic lights” were a cinch to make…thanks to the Artisan Label Punch. I used Black Staz On ink…to me the BEST black ink!
Are you wondering about how I got the “words” on the lights? I simple ran the card stock thru my printer and then used the 1” punch to make the magic happen!
The colors I used were real red, daffodil delight and gumball green and then a stampin dimensional on the back…presto – too darn cute!!!
Let’s talk about this incredible sentiment…it sure does make a statement doesn’t it! Again, so easy! This is from the new Countless Sayings 2 Photopolymyer Set and it is a keeper! Just love these clear stamps!
I then matted this to a piece of Real Red a “smidge” larger – that 1/8” to me and YES – I popped out a bunch of punches to save paper and then adhered it to the base!
I know that Ethan will appreciate his card and he will really love his brownies…ready for this – layer of Chocolate Chip Cookies…topped with Double Stuff Oreos and then a brownie mix…bake and get ready to eat a piece of heaven! YUMMERS!!!
As the Spicher kids were growing up and we would be together for a dinner…they would all say at the same time….after we said a prayer….just love these kids and the family times we have together!
"Miss Susan" is a gooooooood cooker!!!!
Don't forget about the blog candy that I will be giving away tomorrow! Please check back to yesterdays post to read how you can win a FREE Sale-a-bration goodie of your choice by seeing if you can figure out what Birthday Card I am going to make for my son, Will's 27th Birthday!!!!
There have been some ready great ideas…but I can say – no one has nailed it yet!!!
Thanks for letting me go down Memory Lane with you…now do you remember when you turned 16? My Mom always cooked one of my favorite meals – BBQ Country Style Spare Ribs, Baked Pineapple and a yummy salad…her homemade Chocolate Cake and the best icing in the whole wide world! Great memories – I miss her! Still can't get that icing "just right like she did!!
Have a great day…I thank you for your comments & feedback – you make me smile, you make me love to create…you enrich me to believe in Stampin' Up! even more!!!
I do see 1st hand what a difference this makes to so many peoples lives….wowzers….some time to make a card and let them know you're thinking of them…PRICELESS!
Until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 26, 2014 | Thinking of you |
O.k. my friends…I need your help…I need your prayers!!! My dearest friend Dad is very ill…and we need our positive energy going his way! I am going to try to make a bunch of cards that are fun, fresh and appropriate for a man (but I know his wonderful wife will love them)!!!
So Ted…this card is for you! If my cold is better I am hoping to go and see him on Sunday but I need to be well as he is in treatment! Sometimes there are “curves” in life that I just do not understand…there are way to many accomplishments and milestones for this great man to see!
My inspiration comes from my Stampin’ friend Jeanie…you have heard me talk about her a bunch…well she sent me the most wonderful card of thanks and inspiration and it is something that I will always cherish….so I had to tweak it a bit….so Jeanie – this card is my “kick off” card for Ted!
The base is Very Vanilla , a regular A-2 size but scored at 5 ½” to make it a vertical card…something fun to change it up a bit!
Working down…the Baked Brown Sugar is 3 ¼” X 4 ½” …and the super designer series paper of Retro Fresh, is 3” X 4 ¼” and then the last is Very Vanilla is a 2 ¾” square!
I want you to remember this card as this is a “keeper” layout….one to come back to – just think of all of the papers and stamps that will make a dynamite card
The Stampin-a-ma-jig is my friend (and yours too I hope) to make the perfect placement of the sentiments that is from the Sweet Essentials Stamp Set. No rhyme or reason on how I stamped it…I just knew that I needed to keep it high enough so I could put the mini hearts !
Did you see the teeny tiny hearts inside? Where did they come from… that darn “Owl Punch”…he makes his presence when you least expect it!
The finale to the card is the simple yet classic Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon…this ties soooo amazingly each and every time! “knots” work for me…what do you think?!?!
Because I did not think Ted would notice the envelope if it was lined in the inside (men…they do not notice as much) so I decided to line the outside…and it is super cute!
Easy…simple…fast…super cute – what more is there to say! I hope that this card inspired you as much as Jeanie’s card did to me…I know that Ted will love it!
I am ready for you for the next couple of days…I swear – I let my life inspire me with my postings! This is the beauty of blogging…it let’s me pour my personality into my passion!
Remember how I said my oldest son’s Birthday is on Friday – well MISSION accomplished…my inspiration came while I was “picking” Stanley’s stall (Hannah’s horse) last night…it is super cute….well I think it is!
Here is an opportunity for YOU to grab some blog candy from me! Will is going to be 27 on Friday and he is my child that lived in China for 4 years after he finished college teaching…he now lives in Boston and is a Montessori Teacher for “little ones” so….
I will pick the closest to my heart… your interpretation of what my card to my dear Will will be on Friday! Even John said…WOW – now that it great! So put your thinking cap on and guess what the card is going to look like for Will on Friday on his special day!
What will you win….you will win YOUR CHOICE of a Sale-a-bration item…that’s right – your choice!!!! I will keep it open until Thursday night at 9 p.m. and then on Will's 27th Birthday on Friday the 28th you will see who is the lucky winner! WOWZERS – my dear Will is 27!!!
I am feeling better…not the best and I feel like my poor nose looks like Rudolph but I am determined!
Let’s have a GREAT day…you can email me if I can help you…
Thank you for your precious time and please send your thoughts, prayers and positive energy Ted’s way….
Thank you….until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 25, 2014 | Birthday |
Last week I shared with you that I had a bunch of birthdays coming up so I would have to put my thinking cap on for ideas! Well…here is one to inspire you!
I know that it is kind of different for me but I think it is fun and it sure was fun to make! Just think of all of the colors you could use plus it is a fabulous way to use up scraps!
There are 2 tools that are a must for this card…your Stampin’ Trimmer and the Hearts Collection Framelits! You can see in the below photo that I simply took the heart and traced the framelit…this is my guide for making sure my strips of paper are long enough!
This is so easy and so fun…Grap what ever colors your heart desires and I suggest that you use the RIGHT side of the Stampin’ Trimmer when cutting a narrow size like this…it is so much easier to hold etc – the strips are ¼” wide.
Using the mono liquid glue…(little goes a LONG way or if you want – put a blob on a piece of scrap paper and then use a Q-tip to lightly “glue it up” – this way is won’t “squish” out against the next color)!
Fill up the whole heart and then take this masterpiece of paper strips to your Main Stampin’ Man, Mr.Big Shot and using the Hearts Framelits…voila a perfect stripe heart!!! WOOT-WOOT…isn’t it super cute!
Next, the one technique that everyone loves as the WOW factor of heat embossing is as exciting the 1st time as it is the 100th time!!! I thought that this was the perfect sentiment – it is from the You’re Amazing Stamp Set!
When you heat emboss, I do suggest that you use the Embossing Buddy over the area that you re going to stamp. This will eliminate any dust, static etc…from your paper so when you use the Versa Pad to ink up your stamp…it will give it a good and clean stamp!
Take a piece of paper and fold it in half and then generously pour over the stamped image White Embossing Power – (I usually shake it back and forth several time to make sure I get good coverage) and then tap any excess off!
To the heat tool we go…I will admit – I had one that I purchase from a local store and when I was at a Stampin’ Event, my friend Jeanie had one from Stampin’ Up and I was amazed at how much faster and more evenly the final result was…live and learn! (Naturally I ordered one!!!)
Make sure that you do not hold the heat tool too close to your paper as it can scorch – yep – I have done that before…I actually like to move the heat tool in a circular motion and you know it is done when it is nice and shiny!
To the card we go…the base is a 5” square card in the yummy color of So Saffron…and then the next layer is Strawberry Slush (SAVE PAPER – cut out the inside with some punches etc) and then the Whisper White a “smidge” smaller!
I used the liquid glue to adhere the heart and then I did POP up the outer layer with Stampin’ Dimensionals! Cute, fresh and fun! The envelope came together in a breeze with the help of the Envelope Punch Board…it is simply amazing that this tool can only cost $19.95…I think back to the times that I made my own custom envelopes…and now – a SNAP!
To the back flap I added the fun In Color Designer Series Paper! You have heard me say time and time again how much they are a lifesaver for me!
As I say…when in doubt…pull them out!
It saves a ton of time and you always know that you will have the correct color match each and every time! A quick strip of the snail…put the paper over top and cut away! PRESTO!!!
I thank you for your “sniffle wishes” and I am still not my perky self…I truly am not one that gets colds and I am not one that adapts to having limitations but I need to listen to my body! Everyday I am feeling better – my poor nose is sooooo sore!
My oldest sons Birthday is on Friday and I have been thinking and thinking of his Birthday Card…hopefully by the time you read this post, my Mojo had hit and I have already made it! (I find that I do my best creative work early in the morning while I am having my coffee)!!!
When is your best time to be creative?
I think that it is funny to see everyone’s time schedules – I get emails from people at midnight saying they are up working away…heck – I am half way in my sleep cycle! I am an early bird and rather useless after 8 p.m.!!!!
Remember, with every Sale-a-bration order of $50.00 you can pick a free goodie and I will also send you a “swatch” book of the Designer Series Paper….my thanks to you! It is such a pretty paper!
Here’s to another cold Tuesday…I am still not happy with that Groundhog – oh well – I should listen to the card I made on Saturday and just….”bee happy”
YOU make me happy by popping by…have a great day and until tomorrow!!!!
by Susan Itell | Feb 24, 2014 | Love |
Can you remember when you had the “question” popped to you? I do…my Mom and Dad were over at my house and dear John had already asked my Dad before they came for dinner…(What a true gentleman)…and just as I was getting ready to serve dessert John asked me to come into the living room…(No one else was in there) and out of the blue he popped the question!
If was very obvious that my parents knew that he was going to ask me and it was a special night…BUT (let’s see if he reads my blog)…the next day he asked for my ring back as he did not like the way it looked on my hand…I am totally serious! He simply just did not like it…saying he wanted something more classic – and classic is what I got and I love it…almost 25 years later!!
John is truly the best…my best friend & the best blind date I was ever on!
The rest is history…We are blessed in many ways!
I have (2) sets of friends that are getting married and I must admit – I have not made many engagement cards but I think that this turned out cute! Lots of “visuals” for you but I just love this concept of “cutting” the front and stampin’ the inside!
For this…the magnetic platform to me is a must…and if you do not have this by now…you really need to hit my “shop now” button and treat yourself to this gem!
The base is a note card size…my favorite and then I cut another piece of Whisper White at 4 7/8” X 3 3/8” and then I corner rounder all edges – the card as well as the additional piece of white and I like to use the corner rounder on the Envelope Punch Board…works like a gem!
You can see in the below picture that I loosely adhered the white piece together and then place the Deco Labels Framelit and ran it through my main man….Mr. Big Shot….PRESTO – a perfect cut!
Using one of my all time favorite colors, So Saffron, I place the (2) deco framelits in place to cut a perfect mat to go over the hole I cut out! This will make a PERFECT match….so easy….such a WOW factor! I do hope that you try this effect!
Take a pencil and trace the image of the Deco framelit and then you can use the Stamp-a-ma-jig with the help of the super cute stamp set, Perfect Couple (so appropriate) …perfect placement everytime!
Now you can place Stampin Dimensionals on the back of the smaller white piece and adhere the So Saffron frame…(I like using the Mono Liquid Glue for this…live to wiggle it “just in place”)
The BLING is next…I do not use Rhinestones a bunch bit I will say – this is sooooooo fitting!!! I BIG rhinestone is all that is needed! Don’t you think that the recipients are going to love this!
Lastly, the liner for the envelope is the super fun Watercolor Wonder DSP…it is drop dead gorgeous! I simply cannot get enough of it!
I know that an engagement card is something that we do often…but I do hope that you keep this in the back of your mind! I think it is cute, super clean and simple!
I have some super fun posts for you this week! I am hoping that this cold is…OUT OF HERE…as I do not like to be down!!!
We are in the midst of the BEST time of the year with Stampin' Up! – Sale-a-bration is the time of the year that you can get a FREEBIE with every $50.00 purchase! Click here to see all of the offerings in the catalog…they are fantastic this year!
Please email me if I can help you and I hope I inspired you…let's all have a super week…it's a busy but "good" week ahead for me!!!
Tomorrow I have a fun Birthday Card for you…you will be seeing "stripes"…but it is "Susan Fun" card!
Until tomorrow!
