by Susan Itell | Feb 3, 2014 | Super Easy |
O.k..did I get your attention with this title…well there is a story behind it!
One of the great things about being a PAL is….our wonderful leader, Mary Fish, has all sorts of resources for us to use….one in particular is a "Gallery" – a place where we post some of the PALS work!
This in itself is a wonderful resource but another great thing about this is…..you get lots of great ideas, tips & tricks….it's like we are one big Stampin' Family!!! (well, we are!!!!) and when another PAL, did this card…..I LOVED the simplicity of it and knew immediately that I would love to CASE this for my Breast Cancer project this month!
The idea is from PAL, Ginger Toivonen….please click here to see her card and because I needed to adapt it for my use for Breast Cancer project….(I try not to not have a lot of "bulk and embellishments" as the Breast Cancer office likes to be able to have a regular stamp on it) Aren't Ginger's cards….wowzers….just love them! So clean, crisp and practical!
Let's get to it….you really do not need instructions for this one….it is really straight forward….but here you go! ( I know you like them)
- I know that this is the "type A in me" but I always get asked on tips and tricks...Find the center and draw a pencil line – makes life sooooo much easier than relying on your eyes!!! (ha-ha!!!)
- Out comes the Blossom Punch…push it all the way in and center it to you pencil line…..PUSH and PRESTO……it is starting to happen!!!! Woot-woot!!!!
- Next, I use the stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment "Hello there!" (I love this set and I have not used it for a while…..I need to do something about that!) – Now I would not want to go to the trouble of piercing this card if my sentiment was not straight (this is another reason that I stamp it now) This is from the Timeless Talk Stamp Set!
- Look at the below photo and you will see how I lay the piercing guide over top!
This is a technique that I honestly forget about and when I saw Ginger's card…the LIGHTBULB went on…..LOVE IT…and it is a perfect item to share with you during Sale-A-Bration….This is from the Occasions Paper Piercing Pack and then you definately need the paper piercing tool!
- After you are done piercing…place stampin' dimensionals on the back! The flower was so easy….just a 3" x 3" square….and I adhered it to the front of the note-card….and then once you place the pierced portion – BAM – WOWZERS!
- The little flower is from the HANDS DOWN you need to own this bundle, Petite Petals, and I stamped it with the white staz on ink….YES – the white staz on ink….I just purchased it and am having a fun time with it!
- Besides lining the outside of the envelope with the strawberry slush In Color Designer Series Paper Stack….I stamped the outside of the envelope….a simple yet fun touch and just think….it really does not take a bunch of paper to deliver the wow that this sweet card gives!
TIP ALERT: Remeber when I said that I keep the embellishments to a minimum when I make cards for Breast Cancer….we (the volunteers) and I usually make 18 of the same card…..not the "white center" on the flower is NOT a candy dot…..it is a simple punch from the Owl Punch! (the tiny one)
I had someone the other day email me about our punches….she made me smile as she agreed with me that they are the best on the market and my suggestion is…start with the basics and then gradually add to it! We all have birthdays….how about a gift certificate!?!?
Here's to a new week…I have a busy week at work and we are to get more snow….I can't imagine that we will as it was over 50 today! WOW – felt like a heat wave!
Thanks fro popping by and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 2, 2014 | Congratulations, Photopolymer Stamps |
Today's post is a big WOOT-WOOT to my friend and fellow PAL, Brian King! If you know Brian…you will know what I mean…he is larger than life…totally fun…totally a work horse….and totally a special person and I feel very lucky and blessed to have him as a friend…(and another HUGE thing is….one talented stamper!!!)
Brian earn a milestone in the Stampin' Up! ladder, becoming a Manager! He is sooo deserving of everything that comes his way! When I learned this…I instantly thought of a card that I wanted to make for him and it was a card made by another PAL that I was able to swap with at Leadership!
Today's card was an inspiration from fellow PAL, Margaret Moody, and when I saw this ….I was wowed as I never gave this stamp set a thought as I could not imagine what to do with the little "states"! WOWZERS…isn't this the cutest card!!! Margaret gave us this card at the PALS swap in Houston…..too darn cute!
Stampin' Up! unveiled several Photopolymer Stamps and they are WONDERFUL! I will admit, when I first saw them and bought the first stamp set, I was less than wowed but then they kept improving them and when the Another Thank You Set came out…I WAS SOLD!
At Leadership, they announce that Stampin' Up! will be producing them "in house" starting this year so look for LOTS more to come….I say woot-woot! Why do I like them so much…..??? They stamp beautifully, perfect placement EVERYTIME…..and great coverage!
This year as they produce them in house, they will come to us in a case…another woot-woot!
Let's get to this FUN card for Brian…(and let's see if he pops on my blog today)!!!!!
What is this all about? Well this MAP and HIGHLIGHTS are all the states that Brian has downline in to help him reach this growth in the Stampin' Up! ladder! Brian's upline is Pam Morris,and she is nothing less than a TON OF FUN!
Last year when I went to Leadership Pam was soooo sweet to me! I was clearly the "new kid on the block" with the group and Pam was always so incredibly kind to me and always….always made me laugh! I had no idea what a "swap" was…and I had soooo much fun running around with Pam with my jaw down swapping cards!!!! (She gave me a handful of cards to swap)
This stamp set is the Map It Out Photopolymer Stamp Set…..again, I first thought it was dorky but when I saw what Margaret did with it….I thought – HOW CUTE…. then I thought….you could put the state to whomever you were sending a card to….or how fun would it be mapping out a trip……of your travels!!!!
I emailed Pam and asked her if she would send to me the states of the downline that Brian has….and mission accomplished – she came through…..11 states in total but knowing him – it is probably more by now!
Brian always adds a freshness and uplifting spirit when you are with him….and even if he is on a conference call – you know that "Brian is in the house"!!! When we were at Leadersip together last month we had a great time together…he is one of the funniest guys I've met!
This is a super simple card…..just let the magic of the stamp set itself do the magic! Just think of how many cards this would reach to…..I adore how Margaret used it when we received it at leadership….but here is another idea…..I am going to make it and highlight the states that my kids live in and the use the sentiment of "I Miss You"…..
The Whisper White is 4 1/4" X 3 1/2" and the I used the Owl Punch to POP out the states!!!! Matting this "map" just a "smidge" larger (4 3/8" X 3 5/8") was all that was needed!
Using the same size for the Crumb Cake, I just tilted it…and it works – can you say EASY!!!! The key to this card is the Stampin' Dimensionals! I cut them into 4's for the states…Around the edge of the white piece, a quick stitch-dot-stitch-dot in Crumb Cake creates a fun border!
I had to think of a sentiment for Brian, and BRAVO is PERFECT! This simple yet effective sentiment comes from the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set! It is a "keeper" stamp set…..a little something for everyone and for many occasions!
Just a quick stamp on scraps….and then a simple trim and then matted in crumb cake….DONE! This is a quick and simple trick when you "don't know where to go"…works every-time!
I was trying to think of the genealogy of Brian and I……I think we are 1st cousins….once removed!!! (ha-ha!!!) Pam is his upline….and Mary Fish is Pam's Upline…and Mary is my Upline…..so that's how we are ALL related but the best thing is …..we have each other!
WOOT-WOOT to you Brian and it is a pleasure and joy to watch you grow and better yet…a friend!
HAPPY SUPERBOWL to everyone and to let you know….Stanley, my daughters horse is happy and settled in…YEAH….. and it looks like the East Coast is getting ready for more bad weather……..YUCK!!!!
Have a great SUPERBOWL SUNDAY and until tomorrow!
by Susan Itell | Feb 1, 2014 | Stamp-a-ma-jig, Valentines |
Happy Weekend to all!
Today is a GREAT day filled with excitement for me as I am bringing Hannah’s new horse to our farm! He usually stays at her trainer’s farm but they are getting ready to head South with 15 horses to show and dear, sweet Stanley is staying here in the cold with me for the next 6 weeks!
I feel like a new Mom getting the nursery ready…. we just purchased him a couple months ago and he is a real sweetie….I will snap a picture and share with you! It has been so bitter cold here and I have been trying to clean the barn and make sure that everything is ready for him…..John just laughs at me!!!!
How about this card….kinda different for me but at the same time, I think it turned out fun! You can see that today’s post is “all about the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig”!!!
You know that it is my “go to” tool and truthfully, I have (2) of them, as I would not know what to do if I misplaced it!!!! (it’s actually great to have 2 so when I teach someone we can do it at the same time!
Hands down, I think that this is the most intimidating product we have!
Confession time…when I bought mine…I bought it because I thought I simple “HAD TO HAVE IT” (sounds familiar) but when I received it…I figured that I could figure out how to use this silly piece of plastic…only to get TOTALLY FRUSTRATED (sounds familiar)!!!!
Let’s get to it and then I will share with you another way that you and I can work together for you to learn to master how to use this tool!
- Taking another piece of whisper white in the same size….I pulled out the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and went to town! The stamp is from the Peachy Keen Stamp Set and this comes in a bundle and I would definitely recommend that you buy it this way – you will save in instant 15% plus the shapes that come it it are “real keepers”
(After I have finished all of the stamping for this card…
I trimmed the white piece to 3 1/8" X 4 5/8" and then the real red is 3 1/4" X 4 3/4")
- I used the Black Staz On Ink….why? – I just think that this is the best black ink out there! Remember, put the edge of the tool against the plastic sheet…stamp it – now you have your template to stamp on your paper! It really is easy…put the plastic sheet with the stamped image on top of where you want it to go…HOLD TIGHT so the tool so it does not move….then simple stamp!
Because there were many questions about the "square stamp" I thought I would show you the stamp set in the larger view….just be careful that when you order this and you want the BUNDLE..use the BUNDLE code that I have above….(that's why that picture is smaller than usual as it is showing the stamp and the framelits!!!! Hope this helps!
Let’s touch on perfection!!! We are ALL to darn hard on ourselves and trust me, I am totally the 1st one that has to work on that! I am a “true blue…type A” person and it is hard to sometimes let go…but I think that we truly make more out of this tool than is needed!!!
My card today is far from being perfect…but I know I made it….and that is all I need! So the moral of this story is…celebrate WHAT YOU DO and anything you create is a gift of art from your heart!
- Let’s get back to the card…..in this same stamp set is this fabulous heart! I love the details on the edges. Stamped it on some scraps and using the paper snips….I quickly “fussy cut” it out and it was a cinch! The stampin' vitamins of Stampin' Dimensionals POP the hearts up for fun!
- I was just going to roll with the black image and the Red Hearts but I thought it needed something more….and then the light bulb came on!!! The adorable XOXOXOX is from the Oh, Goodie Stamp Set that was in the Holiday Catalog and it was carried over!!! Woot-woot….as it is a fun set for “little something’s”!!! Just simply do the exact same thing as you did with the black stamped image!
Can you see that you will be getting your “fill” with the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig? It really will be your friend…you just need to practice! Think about it like this…it is like learning to ride a bike for the 1st time…it’s a little rough at first….but once you get it – you’re good to go!
- The envelope turned out super fun in my opinion! I adore this bold stripe of Real Red and White….it comes from the Fresh Prints Paper Stack and you can line (2) envelopes from one sheet of paper!
I know that I am not showcasing a Sale-A-Bration item with you…once I saw that heart in the stamp set…I just couldn’t resist and my creativity came up with this!
Here is an idea of a “Susan's Pick Kit” for you to hit that magical number of $50.00!
$50.25….I say – woot-woot!!!
- Peachy Keen Bundle (135225) – $38.25
- Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049) – $11.95
Remember when I started this post, I shared with you another way you can learn how to use this tool? Well, I helped someone on Skype….it was fun – please email me and let me know if you ever would like to chat via Skype…..the best news is….she mastered it and uses this great tool all the time!
Have a fabulous day!
by Susan Itell | Jan 31, 2014 | Sale-A-Bration, Thinking of you |
I am soooo sorry that my post did not go off at 5 a.m. like it usually does….computers….I have no idea what happened but enjoy today's post!
I hope that you have been enjoying seeing the new Sale-A-Bration items! Today's post is from the FREEBIE with a $50.00 and it is called…."You're Lovely"….so appropriate as it is one lovely Stamp Set! I love the little "scroll detail" that outlines the flowers!
The best thing about this set is that it works perfectly with the Deco Labels Framelits and when you look at this card and together we will "break it down" you will see that this simple card can be so versatile for many different themes and occasions! I'll have a "Susan Pick Kit" for Sale-A-Bration after the card scoop!
Let's dive right into it!
- You know that I love the Note Card size (5" X 3 1/2") and I decided to make mine as I wanted it in the Sahara Sand color….this is quickly becoming my "go-to" neutral!
- Cutting a slightly smaller base (4 3/4" X 3 1/4") and then pulling out the Big Shot, I centered the Deco Labels Framelit and cut out the shape! Put it aside for a bit! Let's get stampin'!!!
- Doing my "card making therapy"...it is a watercolor day…..hooray! Using the Black Staz On Ink…I stamped my image on the watercolor paper.…why??? – You really need to when water-coloring as it will not bleed!
- You know what's next….out come one of my favorites, the Aqua Painters…..these gems are simply the best! Using the colors of Old Olive, Crisp Cantaloupe and Wisteria Wonder….I let my tool do it's trick…..remember to squeeze the top of the ink pad to get some of the color on the top! The icing on the cake are the placement with the classic pearls!
- I did not want to use the sentiments that were with the set and I loved the "thinking of you" from the Sweetly Framed Stamp Set….this is a hostess stamp set that you can earn when you have a gathering was th PERFECT choice with this water-colored image!
- I wanted to "jazz" up a bit of the focal part, so I cut the same shape out of the 2 colors and then cut them in half and adhered them to the water-colored focal point! You see….a simple trick like that brings the WOW out!
- Taking the Crisp Cantaloupe Twine, another Sale-A-Bration FREEBIE…I simply anchored it down in the back with some snail….and then POPPED the whole thing UP with my Stampin' Vitamins, Stampin Dimensionals!
- Let's get to the envelope…wondering where this beauty came from??? Well – it is still available and so are some of the other Valentine Goodies! This envelope came from the Sweet Saying Cards and Envelopes …I just adore these gems (plus they are note-card size – my favorites)
I was very pleased with this card….and I know that the person that is receiving it will adore it! This is one of those "keeper" designs for you to "tuck away in your memory bank"!!!
Let's see the "Susan Pick Kit" I have dreamed up for you! Remember…the magic amount is $50.00!!! I love to watercolor and I highly encourage you to stretch yourself and try it!
$52.65
- Aqua Painters (103954) – $16.95
- Black Staz on Ink (101406) – $7.95
- Black Staz On Refill (102566) – $4.95 ( I always buy a refill)
- Watercolor Paper (122959) – $4.95
- Basic Pearls (119247) – $4.95
- Sweet Saying Cards and Envelopes (134609) – $5.95 (get these now – limited time!!!!)
- Sahara Sand Paper (121043) – $6.95 (a fantastic neutral)
WOWZERS – I am soooo happy that it is Friday! My box of NEW product came last night, and I was just too pooped to open it! I am excited to dive in- and the weekend is here!!!!!
Please feel free to email me and remember to subscribe to my blog for a daily dose of inspiration and the best thing is that you can order away in your jammies…..comfort to the max!
Until tomorrow…..
