by Susan Itell | Mar 25, 2019 | Birthday |
WOOT-WOOT!
I have a TREAT for you today!
One type of card we always seem to make and we always seem to never have too many ideas for are….BIRTHDAY CARDS!
Yep, like it or not…we all have them each year (unless you are a leap year baby and WOW – how fun would that be to confuse people with your REAL age)!
I have for you today 9 different Birthday Cards that will be sure to put a “SPRING in your step”
These cards were created by fellow team members….we call ourselves, “Top Dogs” and I have to tell you…I am not only super proud of my group of puppies….but there is a BUNCH of talent within this group and it brings me joy to share their work with you!
You will see that they are from all over this wonderful country of ours and I am sure that they would LOVE to hear some comments about their beauties! If you happen to see that you live near one of them and are looking for a SUD or heck – a new person to craft with and share your love of “playing”….than please email me and I can get you their contact info!
I decided to put them in alphabetical order buy their 1st name...WHY? (don’t know)….some cards you will see more than 1 picture of….WHY? – I can answer this….Some cards I feel need more pictures to get the fell and perhaps angle needed to let you get the “real scoop of the card”
Before we get to the “Parade of Cards” I want to declare this week to be BIRTHDAY WEEK on my Blog……yesterday was my dear friend and fellow Team-mate……
J_ ANIE STARK (tee-hee-hee……I think you can fill in the blank) 60th Birthday…..
yep…I said 60 and you know what that means…..when you hit a MILESTONE….you deserve the Royal Treatment and with that said…..tomorrow I will share with you Jeanie’s MILESTONE Cards I made for her…..
On Friday is my youngest peeps, Hannah’s 25th BIRTHDAY….and YEP, that is a super special day for me for obvious reasons….so all week long we are having a BIRTHDAY PARTY and on Friday we will have BLOG CANDY that is super practical!
LET THE PARADE BEGIN!
LOVE, LOVE ….LOVE!!!! Just look how clean and classic this design is and the colors…..who would not smile seeing this beauty!!! I know many times I do not show the inside of a card….but this one just was so sweet. I just love it when there are 2 different fonts within the same sentiment!
Time to hop over to the Wet Coast….this is what I call a keeper! I always am a HUGE FAN of Black and White with a POP…and yep, Beth did it! A quick addition of the Stampin’ Blends did the trick and just look how sweet the inside of the envelope is…..In my eyes….it is always about pulling it all together and the front and the inside of this card is a perfect example!
The minute I saw this card I beamed with the textures….why in the world do we seem to forget about using embossing folders?!? Bridget rocked it with using 2 different embossing folder on the same card – doesn’t it just POP! This is a card that would be fabulous to have several on hand as it could easily go both feminine or masculine!
How about this fun, festive FUN FOLD CARD! (say that 3 times) This is from the one and only Chris R from Iowa! Many of us know Chris as she not only brings joy to our hearts….she makes us laugh! This is just too fun! You can see that I took several pictures for you to get the feel of it! I am hoping that Chris will walk me through the steps of cutting and scoring and I will share with you on a future post!
Back East we go….and I had the privilege to meet Hilda in person last month when there were a bunch of us that did a “Continuing Educational Class” (sounds good…right!!!!) as we went to a Gina K Designs Class/Workshop that was fantastic! Poor Hilda – I think we overwhelmed her with all of the chatter and laughs at lunch…but it was GREAT to meet in person! Again, this is my kinda card as the POP of a sentiment sets the stage for FUN and just think of all of the color combos you could use! Fun…festive and POLKA DOTS….can’t get any better than that! You can see in the 3rd picture the front is a wee bit shorter….love that touch!
WHEW….we are racking up the frequent flyer miles as we go back to the West Coast….and I am THRILLED TO SAY THAT THIS BUNDLE IS BACK ON STOCK….WOOT-WOOT and here is a hint – you will see it tomorrow…..This is a great bundle as there is a PUNCH with it and Karen did a fab-o job with the festive little beauty! Take a peek at that FUN sentiment in the inside of the card – love it! This is another stellar example of how you can easily change up colors and have a card for anyone!
Staying out West we go to Judy…aka “Princess Judy” – we have never met in person but I just adore her sense of humor and no doubt if we were closer we would laugh the day away together….She is ALWAYS so darn clever in her use of stamps – I would have NEVER thought about this stamp set being on to use for a Birthday card but just look…..it is GREAT! Sometimes we all need that nudge to get out of that box we get ourselves into!
Back to California we go…and Shila outdid herself with this beauty! This IS being carried over in the next catalog! Just look at the simple shapes she has on this card along with the die and bakers twine…to make a SIMPLE CARD….SUPER SPECIAL! THere is just something so soothing and beautiful about this Tropical Beauty….super-de-duper!
Last but not least…a card from YOURS TRULY…ME! I will do a separate blog post about this beauty as I think that it is a FUN one to use for many different occasions….just change up the sentiment and POOF…a great card! I just love repetition on a card and this was a FUN one to make up!
As the saying goes…..I cannot wait to show you what I did for Jeanie tomorrow….it is WAY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE but I will admit, it was SUPER EASY to make and one that you just need to see!!!! Have a GREAT AFTERNOON and if you have the time….please give these ladies some good old fashion love with a comment!
I am always proud of anyones works as we are all in the same boat….we LOVE to make works of art with out hands…which is a TRUE work of ART from our HEART!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 21, 2019 | 3D Thursday |
Good Morning!!!! I am an over the moon with this super sweet basket that the talented Sarah Will designed for the Thursday 3-D Group!
I am always so amazed at the talent and ideas that stampers (just like you and I) all come up with! The minute I saw this posted I beamed from ear to ear as this is the type of little “something-something” that is sure to bring a smile to someone! 🙂
As the sayin’ goes in life…“there are the ups and then there are downs”….
The UP is…I have a free PDF that Sarah created that you can make this yourself and then there are the DOWNS… and that is this Bundle (the BUNNY) is no longer available and that makes me sad….for both you and I! 🙁
I guess you could say that bunny HOPPED his way off the shelf !
One thing FOR SURE is…that you could recreated this with other products that you have and honestly….my lower lip is down as Stampin’ Up! was not able to fulfill my order for this sweet bundle as well…..
All I can say is…OH WELL – and I guess that I needed to HOP ON IT EARLIER and bought the bundle earlier when the catalog first came out!
I know that you all get excited with you see cute projects like this and here is the best tip I can give to you….go ahead and make one up…I like to use pieces of cardstock that “are not my favorites” to make up a sample and also I write notes on it as I go (with tips that work for me) and then I file it with the instructions!
In doing this – it gives me the “real feel” for the project and it also allows me to go through the process and see if it is something that I will want to do in quantities!!! (I hope that this makes sense)
The KEY PRODUCT in making this sweet basket is the Window Box Framelits….these have been around for a while and I encourage you to look through your stash as you might already have it and if not, they are a very detailed and special die collection that can make up some beauties!
Here is a HELP/TIP for you….just CLICK HERE and you can see a simple google search that I did with this product and WOW – just look at what you can find – I told you…there are sooooo many amazing crafters out there! I highly recommend that you google search and also You Tube search for ideas using a specific product….this is how I learn!
You can see that it is entirely up to you as to what can go inside…my pick – dark chocolate….I am totally a dark chocolate gal! The other thing that is great about a little project like this is you will not break your piggy bank in purchasing candies as it does not take a bunch…..less is best for our waistlines….RIGHT????
You can CLICK BELOW to download and print off the PDF of step by step instructions!
Window Box Easter Basket Project Sheet (2) Box Easter Basket Project Sheet\
I do hope that this super sweet project made you smile and I do hope that you will give it a try! There is no doubt in my mind that anyone would beam if they received this. I realize that many of you are not fans of making 3D’s but all I can say is….I too was in the same camp but I learned that the more I tried and tinkered with sweet projects like this….I was hooked!
I have a great upcoming post for you….it is a BUNCH of BIRTHDAY cards made by stampers on my team! I think we all can always love and appreciate ideas of Birthday Cards….and I know you will be inspired!
Have a great day….make someone smile and I hope that you can get inky!!!
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by Susan Itell | Mar 13, 2019 | 3-D Projects, PALS Blog Hops |
Welcome to the Pals’ March Blog Hop. We’re so glad you’re here because ”Spring has Sprung” – at least on our blog hop if not outside! Our Design Team created beautiful projects to inspire you. You may be starting the hop here or coming from a previous Pal’s blog. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find the full line-up below to help you move, or “hop” along from Pal to Pal.
Good Morning and are you ready to HOP?
I sure hope so as you will be one tired bunny hopping from 27 different Blogs of inspiration – I say….put on those hopping shoes and get started! This will be such a fun hop this month as who would not welcome a parade of cards to help push SPRING into our crafting lives!
The East Coast has been wet…wet…WET and we have mud, mud,,,MUD so I will gladly take a bit of sunshine and also some COLOR! I have a SUPER SIMPLE card for you that is just so simple to make but in my “simple eyes”….it carries a big statement!
It just “works” when you have the right products at your fingertips and you let them do the work….let them shine and bloom!
The stamp that I am working with is the Incredible Like You Stamp Set. The minute I saw this stamp I knew it was going to live on Randall Lane! By now you know the way that I look at a stamp to determine if it needs to come to little old Williamsport, MD….and yep, it made the cut!
- It’s a Photopolymer (my favorite)
- It has AMAZING sentiments
- I adore that there are (2) different fonts
- The (3) dots…(music to my crafting loves)
- The (5) lines….super fun and would be STELLAR stamped tone on tone in Versamark for a fun background.
When you pair this great stamp with another Blue Ribbon winner, the Happiness Blooms DSP….you have an INSTANT POP of WOW! I just love it when this happens as you can just let the products do the work and the end result – an adorable card!
As you can clearly see…this collection of paper is super bold but to me…it is a must have as the colors are classic and fun….the prints are just fun and fresh and the scale of the prints are great for card making as well as for 3-d projects!
The WOW of POP that makes this card work is the use of a simple Punch. When we can use a Punch and instant smile comes on my face as punches are just so easy to use and they are so very effective on a project.
This punch, the Daisy Punch made its debut last year and this is one that I would always have in your stash as let’s face it…it’s a classic and who would love a little POP like I am showcasing today for you!
When Stampin’ Up! comes out with a punch….it always has a home as to me, punches are just so easy to use and Stampin’ Up! does them sooooo well…..you can see that I did not adhere the petals of the flowers as they look great with the petals curls up a wee bit.
I try to work on groups of odd numbers as it is easier on the eye and it balances your card out. By adhering 2 of them flat and then POPING up the 3rd with dimensionals…the pop instantly happens!
Here is the last star of the show….another Blue Ribbon keeper that just has to be in all of our homes….the rectangle stitched framelits. These are just the basics that will make crafting fun. I often blog about the fact that if you have the “basics” then you are good to go…
It starts with having the right tools & then letting them do the work!
Trust me, I am the very 1st to realize that there are soooooo many products out there that we could fill our house with them….just ask John – I say it is a good thing that the peeps are out of the nest as I have now took over Hannah’s bedroom!!!
Having framelits in the basic shapes…circle, squares, rectangle etc…are your “go to’s” for creating without stress….and these puppies…with the stitched details are the icing on the must have cake!
In the picture above you can see that all I did was take the same size of rectangle and let them be the focal point….I ask you, how easy is this? I feel like sometimes we try to make things harder and I know I too am guilty as charged with that…but I am now facing the fact that IF I want to stamp, play and create….I have to do it efficiently so simple just works for me!
Here is one last peek at this sweet card….SIMPLE right? I sure hope that this put a smile of your face and I hope that I was able to show you that using the basics and letting them do the work….will ultimately work for you in a great card!!!
More inspiration awaits! Use the Blog Hop Line-up below to visit the rest of this month’s Design Team. My fellow Pals are excited to show you what they’ve created! Don’t forget to show us some love by commenting on our creations. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 10, 2019 when our Hoppin’ Pals share their “Families First” projects. Don’t miss the fun!
Have a GREAT day and I thank you for popping onto my blog today…you have a bunch of hopping to do….so lace up those shoes and get going – I will see you next month! May we all have a BUNCH of SPRING in our steps today…. 🙂
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by Susan Itell | Mar 8, 2019 | Just Because..., Uncategorized |
Happy Friday to you and I know that you are as excited as I am as…WOOT-WOOT….we change the clocks this weekend and for me…that is simply MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!
As much as I always am looking for that 25th, 26th etc….hour in a day to do more things that bring me joy…I willGLADLY lose an hour to gain more sunshine!!! I am sooooooo ready for Spring!
I have a beauty for you today that I have just been itchin’ to share with you! I know that many of you enjoyed my last post of beautiful flowers and today I have another one but with a totally different feel! I made this several weeks ago and every time I see it…I smile so I decided to take some time this morning and type up a post.
As my subject line used the word “elegance” I googled the definition of it and below you will see what came up and YEP….I think that this card deserves this special word….as to me, it shines simple elegance!
noun
- the quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance or manner; style.
- the quality of being pleasingly ingenious and simple; neatness.
The star of todays post is the Wonderful Romance Bundle! YEP, I am going to share with you the answers of the “why’s” that I had when I asked myself…..do I need to purchase this bundle!
I have been sharing with you the thought process of how I decide to hit the button as trust me, I GET IT as we cannot simply have everything and I am no different even if I get it at a 25% discount or at 50% off discount (like I did with this one)!
I know that the below thoughts take up a bunch of reading for you but I do hope that you find them helpful – it not….please share with me in the comments (the good and also the bad) as it does help me in hen-pecking on the computer! My goal is to be honest and upfront with you in helping you make a decision!
- IT IS A MUST BUNDLE….I say this because there are many times that I do not find it useful for my needs to get a bundle. There are times that I just feel the stamp would be all I need and/or vice versa with the dies…..but for this one – the BUNDLE is a must!
- The images of the stamps are just beautiful. Today I used the blends to color it in and that was total “easy peasy” as I was with some of my stampin’ friends and knew I wanted to work on something that I could do 2 things at once…..TALK & GET SOMETHING DONE = mission accomplished!
- The sentiments are fab-o and the font speaks to me as I adore when there are 2 styles of fonts together on one sentiment.
- I ADORE the (2) secret weapon stamps in this set that I bet most of you overlooked…..(1) is the little scattered dots and (2) is that wee little flower – WHY DO I LIKE THESE???…. easy = they are great little “something-somethings” to add to a card quickly when you look at something and say….it needs just something else…trust , having simple images like this will do the trick!
- FRAMELITS – not much to say here as they are AMAZING! When I saw the card sample on page 10 in the Occasions Catalog (image below) with the Soft Sea Foam card….I caved, as that did it for me…..just look at the detail! To me, this vertical die is just a show stopper and again, timeless and classic!….2 elements that are always important to me!!
- Remember what I said about the wee little flower? Well….you can see that there are (4) dies to cut out that little guy (THANK YOU Stampin’ Up! – that is soooo appreciated and also so smart!)
- Lastly about the framelits….this beauty below – a total keeper! I know you can easily visualize a sentiment with this gem….or even it tucked behind another element as a layering piece! You know me….I love my paper!!!
Ok – there you go…..let’s get to some pictures of this beauty! I hope that the camera does justice in your crafty eyes as I just adore this clean and simple card! Hopefully Ramsey will chime in on the comments as she was sitting with me when I made this and when I finished it said to her….well….what are your thoughts about this?
I loved her answer….”Did you just make this?”….I laugh and said, YEP!
As I said above, I used the Stampin’ Blends to color this…you can see below the colors that I used. I am often asked….what blends do you recommend to have?….and I am so sorry as you are not going to like the answer but here you go…..you need to have all of them!
YEP….all of them and the reason is…how in the world can you make a decision as to what color you are going to work with on a given day? I know that there are many of you that might be taken back by this comment and I get it….but again, I am being honest.
Stampin’ Up! was super smart to come out with the Blends. An alcohol based marker are dream machines and I have shared many times that I love and have an obscene amount of Copic Markers personally and I LOVE THEM…..but I also have all of the Blends as well so I can showcase them for you with Stampin’ Up! projects!
Again, being able to get the Blends at a 25% off discount is a no-brainer for me and as I simply cannot say enough, well over 90% of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators are hobbists and Stampin’ Up! make is ridiculously easy to become a Hobbiest Demo with no penalties to drop ever….even if you are getting a starter kit and filling it with all blends!!!!
Trust me…I love a deal and I think that I am a pretty savvy shopper….and I am probably just like you and shop from MANY different Stamp Companies and guess what….that is OK – there will not be someone knocking on your door arresting you that you have other companies goodies – if that was the case….I would have a LIFE TIME SENTENCE WITH NO POSSIBLE CHANCE OF GETTING OUT!!!!
I just HAVE TO point out some things below and I have them watermarked on the picture for you…..DO NOT OVERLOOK simplicity and layers when you create! I just ADORE the sprigs when I use both vellum and paper together…..and GO OUT OF THAT BOX that we get stuck in….look and use what you have – little bits here and there make a project!
WHEW…..well, do you agree…???? is it a “keeper card”
I am sorry that my posts are always so long….I just can’t seem to help it as… I am what I am. For me, it is way more important for you to understand and get a feel of where I am coming from…I love to craft, I love to create…and I love to share…I never started this”gig” to pay a mortgage or tuition….I do this for ME and I do this for MY CRAFTING HABIT!
Feel free to email me if you want any more details or have specific questions – this IS the best time of the year to make that decision as during Sale-A-Bration…..you will be able to get soooooo much more for your starter kit……you can pick $175.00 worth of ANYTHING and just pay $99.00 and it SHIPS FREE!!! (shipping fees REALLY make me grumpy) and this is another $17.50 discount
Remember, you only have until March 31st to take advantage….of getting this extra $50.00 of free goodies for the starter kit – I say – click here and get going!
Now can you see…..that is a GREAT DEAL – even if your heart just wants the blends…..look at it this way – you can get 19 SETS OF BLENDS COMBOS ($9.00 each) as your starter kit and just pay $99.00 – (***I only recommend that you purchased the combo packs as lets face it….you are getting 2 different colors even if you never care to “blend”)
We all look at things in different ways and that’s what makes us all tick! I just love to share with you what I create and share how you too can get things at a discount. It honestly makes no difference to me….as with or without you as a SUD….this gal is gonna craft until I simply can’t hold my scissors!
Now go and have a GREAT DAY and don’t forget to change your clocks!!!!
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