by Susan Itell | Jul 23, 2017 | Birthday, Step it up Sunday! |
Todays guest designer is Nancy Farrell from the great state of New York and more specifically Massapequa, NY….(now that’s a mouthful to say!) I was super excited when Nancy wanted to do a card and I love how she “blinged it up a bit”. Make sure that you read to the end of the post to see the fun facts I have about Nancy – my way of getting you to know the “pups” in the Top Dog Team!
When Nancy mailed me her card so I could take pictures of it and also be able to type the post I instantly smiled. I smiled because I was so happy that she just made it hers with simple yet fun minor changes that in the end made it a signature card that would bring a smile to whomever was lucky enough to receive it.
This 2 day post is a great example of how simple works. The #1 concern that I hear time and time again from people about their crafting desires and goals is…“There is just not enough time”…sound familiar? I think that you are already going to know what I will say about this….but here you go.
Time is a precious thing that we all seem to have a struggle with. Look at the time that you have for card-making as an outlet not only for yourself…but as a way to make a difference to others. This wonderful little thing that we do is a gift in itself and it doesn’t have to be complicated. If you find that you are overwhelmed…sit back and say – I can do this…because you can – remember it is not Hallmark…it is YOU and that IS the “gift”!
Above you can see side by side the 2 cards. Both super clean and super classic and today Nancy just tweaked it a bit to bling it up! If you were to hold the 2 cards in your hand you would notice the bling a bit more…but the center of the Popsicle is Dazzling Diamonds Paper…and that wee bit of bling makes the card!
In the “stick” – it appears that Nancy used Crumb Cake and heat embossed it to make the stick shiny….another little change! Here is a definite go-to in you are down in the dumbs with your card-making….pull out the heat gun and Heat Emboss. There IS ALWAYS SOMETHING MAGICAL about this technique….as the “I did it and wow factor” happens each time you see the powder melt.
Do you remember what I shared with you yesterday about Bakers Twine? Well yep, today is no different! Nancy used some fun Bakers Twine that we had earlier in the year and just the wee bit of metallic shimmer in the ribbon is the perfect amount of interest.
I think that the contrast of color against the white really makes the difference. The one thing that I m not sure about is…on the sides of the card where the bakers twine is…Nancy has “notches” on both sides of the card with is a great “resting point” for the twine….I am not sure how she did this but hopefully she will “POP” on and leave a comment about it!
A classic card that will certainly make someones day! If you were to give someone this card in person….here would be a great gift idea! Go to the grocery and buy a box of Popsicles’s…. get the recipient a couple of magazines and in the card write the sentiment and say….Here’s to your special day…..enjoy some good old fashion “me time” and enjoy!
To me, all I would need is a hammock and that would be a welcomed treat! Many thanks to both Bridget and Nancy for sharing thier time and talent with us this weekend. It is a joy to be able to see their work and to share!
I will be BACK IN THE SADDLE on Tuesday and I am hoping to provide a FUN week for you as it will be “MY TURN” to inspire you with some simple and clean cards/projects but more importantly…it will be a week of Blog Candy as this is MY CHRISTMAS IN JULY gift to you!
Please pop back on and we will get the comments rolling. I have missed being “present” from my home computer with you but I tried my best to keep you on your toes! I will upload some pictures of the fun we had while we were away. I did purchase a new camera before I left and I am soooooo glad that I did – you will be able to be “up close” with the Elephants and also see the amazing foods that John and I made at a cooking class!
Enjoy the day and before we leave….her is THE BEST fun fact about Nancy and each and every Thursday I think of her. On Thursday she gets together and plays Scrabble with a friend. I just LOVE that idea and it probably hits home to me because I adore that game and no one in my family likes to play with me…as YEP – I just seem to go for the “simple words”….it is always a conversation when the peeps are home!
Nancy was one of my 1st that joined with Stampin’ Up! She has the most beautiful heart and that wonderful heart of hers crochets her little hands off for people. I feel blessed to be the lucky recipient of her work and each and every time I see it….there is a sense of calmness that comes to me as I know that it IS a gift of art from her heart!
Now let’s give Nancy some love for being a turtle and doing a card for you today! Stampin’ hugs to all!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 22, 2017 | Birthday, Simple Saturday |
Happy Weekend to all~ I have another 2 day post for you from team members! Bridget was so excited that she wanted to pair up this weekend with a SUPER fun gal from New York (I will keep you in suspense as to who it is) so I guess you will have to POP back tomorrow!
Now how about this super clean and simple summer Birthday Card! I was just thrilled that team South/North chose this stamp set as it is a classic! I simply think that each of us can remember great memories of an ice-cream treat!
The stamp set is Cool Treats and I was thrilled that it was carried over into the annual catalog! There are matching framelits so you already know that it is an instant WIN-WIN!
I think that just about any stamp company out there has an ice-cream stamp set out but I will say that I think that Stampin’ Up! nailed it with this one with all of the possibilities of “2 step stamping” they have and the sentiments….yep – a classic!
You can clearly see that there are a BUNCH of framelits in this beauty and I agree that this would not be a hard one to “fussy cut” out…but I like to go through my scraps and take the time to cut out a bunch of “cones” and then they are ready to go when I need one.
If you try to get in the habit of doing this….you will find that it makes the journey of paper-crafting much easier. There is nothing like having some elements all ready to go so when you do have the “me time” to craft….you can sit down and craft away!
You can see that Bridget took the Red, White and Blue theme ( I actually think the treat like this is called a Rocket Popsicle) and the one cone is flat on the card and then she POPPED up the 2nd one for a subtle and fun interest.
If you missed Bridget’s fun fold card last week….click here to see it and you will be able to read that she is from the North Carolina area….in case you live near her!
This stamp set is a photopolymer so you know what that means…..yep…..easy to stamp as you can look right through it for perfect placement each and every time when using multiple colors! By far…this IS my stamp of choice and WOW…..we have come a long way with photopolymers!
You all know how I feel about Bakers Twine….LOVE IT and I feel that we all need to have it in every color. Now I know that is a big statement to say but hear me out….it is super affordable and does the trick! Stampin’ Up! offers great color choices and also do not forget to check in the clearance area….(its a bit skimpy right now) but I scoop up twine whenever I see it!
Bridget wrapped the twine around 3 times and then a simple bow! Again, just another element of texture did the trick!
Now how about giving Bridget some love with her card today! I am super proud that these ladies wanted to share their work with you and it is my pleasure to blog about it for them!
Pop back tomorrow and you will see how it was stepped up! This is a great example of clean and simple and you know that the shy truly is the limit with color combinations. Wouldn’t it be fun to do the shaving cream technique with a cone to make a marbled looking ice cream treat? Hmmmmmm…..into my memory bank for the future!
See you tomorrow…..enjoy the day!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 21, 2017 | Watercoloring |
Here is another super FUN stamp that is in the new catalog that I bet many of you have flipped right past! Quirky Critters is a super sweet set that has not only fun images..but the “quirk” in the sentiments is fabulous & fun!
To me…this stamp set is very similar to the stamp that I posted about on Wednesday (click here to see it) in the “whys” that I have in purchasing it….
- It is an affordable stamp ($17.00)
- It has large images that make a quick clean and simple card
- The sentiments are super
- You can do a quick watercolor and DONE! (works for me!)
When you go back to Wednesdays post you will see that the layout is very similar – you know what I say about that…..yep – WOOT-WOOT as really “who cares” – it is one of those “formulas” that I talk about often and I feel…there is NOTHING WRONG at all for having some great foundations to work from when you make cards!
Layers…shapes…straight lines….a bit of bling (ribbon) – what more could a card maker ask for? I chose to use the Aqua Painters to do a quick “makeup application” but I promise to try to break loose and use the colored pencils and blender pens more….I am a “quirky critter” myself – I like what I do over and over!!! (that comfort zone gets the best of us)
The strip of DSP adds that focal interest to the overall body of the card but it really is the layers and the simple lines that make the card “easy on the eye” This is something to think about as if something is too busy, your eye does not know where to focus!
How about that ribbon? How simple of a touch is that! Here is a tip…..I like to use glue dots to anchor ribbon like this down…..it doesn’t seem to “twist” as it might if you used fast fuse or snail. Those little dots sure do come in handy!
I think that this “coffee fun” that is in the new catalog has been a blue ribbon winner all around! Not only is the bundle stellar…..but the DSP is also over the top and you can see that this card has NOTHING to do with coffee!
This is a great example of why getting the “swatch books” when I do a Product Share are a huge helper. When you go to create, you have all of the samples at your finger tips to “flip through” and actually put it next to your project!
I totally forgot to list this Embossing folder in the below lineup….it is Polka Dot Basics – and it is a classic that goes the extra mile….each and every card! You all know I adore Polka Dots….they make me happy!
Hopefully we are back to our little piece of heaven, our home. It will be great to sleep in our own bed….it will be great to have my “critters” around me and it will be great to get back in the swing of things!
Now so fast…..this weekend I have another batch of “team posts” for you…..I do hope that you will pop back over the weekend for a sweet 2 day posts that will make many of you go grabbing for that sweet stamp set, Cool Treats!
Next week we are going to have some good old fashion Simple Stampin’ fun as I am going to share with you my adventures…..have a week long post of blog candy as you all are the sweetest in the world….for popping on and supporting my little Stampin’ fun….this trip would not have been possible without you!
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by Susan Itell | Jul 20, 2017 | Uncategorized |
You know what today is….whenever you hear the day of the week of “THURSDAY” than you know that it is time to play an old fashion fun game of Tic-Tac-Toe…but this time it is a FUN way….with the thing that we all love to do – play with paper! You see…there are still fun games when you are an adult!
Here is the challenge board this week and I hope that you popover to the Tic-Tac-Toe site to see what the other wonderful designers came up with!
I have to apologize in advance…I do not have many pictures for you today….I took all of the pictures of my projects before I left Randall Lane and for some reason I did not take many of this sweet card but I will do my best to shine that sunshine on you this morning to see the fun!
This card is from the below Bundle….and remember when you see the word bundle….than you know that you will receive an instant 10% off and if you would be a hobby demo…you would receive an additional 20% off…I say – why not?
You can clearly see in the below image all of the super die cuts that are with this sweet stamp set! Stampin’ Up! really did a bang up job this season with designing such intricate dies to make the interest even more special….
Can you see that the basic shape is cut out but look closer…you can even cut out the small flower to add some height and interest to “spot light” the flower even more….I say – WOOT-WOOT!
Now here is even a BIGGER timesaver….I stamped the whole thing in Pear Pizzazz and then “pieced” the So Saffron flowers over top so I did not have to worry about stamping and wiping off ink! Here comes another WOOT-WOOT!!!
Now you know I am simple….actually super simple as that is the way I roll and that is what comes naturally to me when I create! The base of this card is the Whisper White Note Cards….these not only are the best because they are already cut and scored but they are a great value!!!
I have to be honest with you….I just do not “get it” why there are so many that do not grab them up and give them the love that they soooooo deserve! Remember…they now come in Very Vanilla and the best part…..the card stock weight is the “thick card stock”
For me, this size is the perfect size to write that “quickie” that we all need to do from time to time and they also make a great “gift” to give….I know that my dear Aunt Jean always appreciates when I give her cards made up with this product.
One thing that I know that I am “guilty as charged” is the fact that I do not use embossing folders as much as I probably could. They are a great bang for your buck and I am trying to be better!
This is a newbie called Garden Trellis and it gives such a rich and deep emboss…so quick and easy with the help of our main man, Mr. Big!
The simple scoring gives this rather “plain jane” a bit of pizazz…I think I should call her “sweet jane” ….what do you think? Please do not forget about scoring for a quickie…..face it – making a sweet card does not mean that it needs to take hours and hours….
That’s it for today! If I have figured it out correctly…than we will be starting the LONG trek home….
- we fly from Chiang Mia to Beijing (6 hours)
- a 7 1/2 hour layover…..
- then from Beijing to Dulles (15 hours)…..
- get the car and COME HOME TO MY CRITTERS!!!!!
I know that we will be super tired but we will have lots of tails wagging….I hope to see you tomorrow and there is a quirky little guy in the house!!!
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