They are ALL boy- they love CARS!!

Here is a picture of the twins with their new little race cars.  Only true boys would run them on the table & have their "motors running" too.  It was so cute!  Can't believe that they are old enough to do this.  They are growing up so fast!!  As you can tell they are walking around things  It won't be long & they will be walking everywhere on their own.

They are precious!!

Off to the races we went to watch Uncle Nathan!

'Wacky Wishes' card

HI!
Here is another card that my downline Dawn Klein created!!  This cute card show cases the new Comfort Cafe designer paper really good!!!

'Wacky Wishes'
ink:  Midnight Muse
cs:  Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Comfort Cake designer paper
supplies:  Modern Label punch, 1 1/4" square punch (to make the points on the banner strips), Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, dimensionals, glue dot, Neutrals Designer buttons, linen thread

Yesterday I got ALOT done!!!
*Helped Deke with the pigs (to the locker & selling them last night).
*Manda & the twins came out to visit me a bit -which was great since I haven't seen them for a few days.  They had both learned new things.  Brody walks around everything & can stand alone for a long time; Drake says Papa & smacks his lips when you ask him to kiss.  So cute!  They are growing up too fast.
*I also got ALOT of stamping done.  I got my 3D swap figured out, all cut & put together for Robins swap.  It it DONE!; my general swap designed; & my swap for Robins card group figured out.  Still have my card for Carols swap to figure out & my shoe box swap with our convention group to do.  I am gaining......

I will post some sneak peeks soon of things I've been making for convention.  I am using new products from the upcoming Holiday Mini.  Oh my GOSH.......I want everything in it!!  Wait until you see this mini.  It is AMAZING!!!  If you stamp with me on a regular basis, you will be getting your copy of this mini in the mail by the end of the month.  You can start ordering out of the New Holiday Mini starting August 1st!  NOTE:  This NEW HOLIDAY MINI is bigger than normal.....it is 8 1/2 x 11" & 40 full pages of lots & LOTS of new products!!  

Tonight we race!!  Hope Nathan has good luck.  Nathan went to Allison last night to race in a special race up there.  That is a LONG haul- like 3 hours one way.  He didn't have very good luck.  He was running 2nd & had to pull in because water pump broke.  It tore up alot of stuff!!  He has a lot of work to do in the shop today before he can race tonight. :( 

Deke will be gone all day today as he has meetings.

I have to go to town sometime today to run several errands too- post office, drug store, bank, recycle center, etc.

Hope you have a good day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

I got a nice surprise in my mailbox!

HI!  I got a nice surprise in my mailbox & just had to share these pretty cards with you.  My demonstrator friend, Christy Kimball sent them to me.  Isn't that sweet!!  THANKS CHRISTY!

Stamp sets used are:
'Reason to Smile'
'Betsy's Blossom'- on 2 of them
'Mixed Bunch'


Yesterday I spent the whole day working on placing orders & doing SU! & farm bookwork.  I got alot done.   Deke worked late last night so I stamped!!  I am working on a set sampler of the new products in the upcoming Holiday mini so that I can show customers at workshops!!  The over achiever I am- this project has turned into a much bigger project than I thought it would.   I am still not done with it......but it is so cute!!  I can't wait for you to see it.

I will spend as much of the day today as I can in my studio figuring out swaps & things for convention.  Gosh- we leave next Monday- July 16th!!  Yikes- I have tons to do before then.

I do want to run in town & maybe go on a quick walk & visit with Manda & the twins.  I haven't seen them since last Friday & am going through withdrawl.  I miss my little man Brayden too (haven't seen him since the 4th of July).  I will have to see him this weekend sometime- before I am gone for a week to convention. 

Today we take hogs to the locker & pick up meat there.  Then we sell hogs tonight- so I'll be spending some time with Deke farming!  Which I LOVE!! 

Ok.......I have to get some sleep.  It will be time for the alarm clock to go off before I ever get in bed at this rate. 

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

'Quint-Essential Flower' has endless possibilities...........

HI!

Happy Monday!!

Wow- what a FUN day I had yesterday with a building full of stampers!

I think that it worked out pretty good with having one party & 2 hostesses.

Thanks to all of you that joined us for a great afternoon.

Wonderful company, cute cards & yummy food- what more could you ask for?

 

Here is another card that I did at my workshop yesterday.

I've seen several cards using this new die in many different ways.

Infact- Dawn did one at my downline meeting- will get that posted sometime soon.

The inspiration for this card came from her original idea.

Note the NEW Oval Accent Bigz Clear die.

It is folded in half & used as the flap to open the card.

The card is held shut with a belly bad.

And I used the new 'Quint-Essential Flower' stamp & punches!

'Quint-Essentials' & 'Wacky Wishes'

cs:  Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade & Whisper White

Floral District designer paper

ink:  Calypso Coral & Lucky Limeade

supplies:  Big Shot, Oval Accent Bigz Clear die, Polka Dots emobssing folder, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Pearls, 2 1/2" circle punch, Boho Blossom punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, dimensionals, glue dots

Here is a picture with the belly band off.

Notice that I saved the outside of the flower that I punched off & used it on the 

inside around my words.

There are LOTS of different punches that coordinate with this

 amazing little flower stamp.

2 3/8" scallop circle punch

1 3/4" scallop circle punch

1" circle punch

3/4" circle punch

1/2" circle punch

Have a wonderful day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE

Drake with his flag!

Manda had this picture on her camera & emailed it to me.  Thought I had to share it too so that you could see Drake with his flag on the 4th of July.
(Since I have already posted the one with Brody sitting on his moms lap.)
They are both precious!
And such good little troopers on a HOT day at parades & HOT night at the races. 

'Everything Eleanor' with bleach-

HI!

Today I'm off to Hiawatha for a workshop there!  

Cathy & Judy are my co-hostesses & they have alot of gals joining us!! 

I'm looking forward to sharing my love of stamping with everyone.

There are going to be some new gals joining us.

I can't wait!

This pretty card is one that they will get to stamp today!  

It is so me.....my colors......my style......I love it!

 

I had to smile- as this is one of the cards that I did at my workshop last Sunday too.

Deb commented as she was making this card that it looked 

like a something that you'd see at Younkers or Dillards!  

I "think" that meant that it was elegant!

I know she really liked it!

Note the lighter color of stamping on this card.

It is done with bleach.

I just made a "bleach stamping pad" out of a folded paper towel- with a pie plate 

under it so that no bleach would leak out of it.

Be sure to clean your stamps good with Stampin' Mist after you use bleach so that it conditions them & it doesn't damage or dry out the rubber.

ALSO- bleach is different colors on different card stock- so always test your card stock before you assume that it will match.

Different brand names of bleach, age of bleach & different die lots of card stock all can effect the outcome of the color when you are using bleach.

Don't you love the metal tag too!

The tag is made out of a light weight aluminum flashing that I bought at a hardware store.

It comes in a big roll of different widths & weights.

The tag was cut with the Big Shot & one of the framelits from the Labels Collection.

You do have to punch the cut image out of the flashing- but it does work.

You "might" have to use a card stock shim on top of our clear cutting plate- as all Big Shots do not cut the same- so just experiment.

And the flashing is sharp- so be careful to not cut yourself.

'Everything Eleanor' & 'So Sorry'

cs:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

ink: Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight

supplies:  Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon, Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, sponge, dimensionals, glue dot

Have a great day!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

Another 'Papaya Collage' card

HI!
Today I want to share this pretty card with you!!  The creator of this card is my talented downline- Dawn Klein.  WOW!!  She is an amazing person!   

Dawn is going to convention with me next week & I am really looking forward to our time together- along with Rory, Lynda & Hannah too!!!

 I am so thankful for ALL of the special people (like Dawn, other downline team gals, demonstrator friends & customers) that SU! has brought into my life.  Most of them I would not even know if it weren't for stamping bringing us together.  :)

'Papaya Collage'
cs:  Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Early Espresso
Comfort Cafe' designer paper
ink:  Summer Starfruit
marker:  Early Espresso
supplies:  Big Shot, Designer Frames Folders, XL Oval punch, Basic Pearls, 3'8" Soft Suede Taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, Color Spritzer tool

Have a great day!!
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

I just had to share these......forgot they were on my camera until I went to post the photo of my card I made this morning. 

This is Brody before the races started on Wednesday night.  All kids were given flags when they walked through the grandstand gates.  The boys LOVED them. 

My camera battery died & I didn't get any more photos this night- so you don't get to see Drake & Brayden.  :( 

HUGS!
SUSIE

Another sketch & more 'Reason to Smile'!

HI!
Below is another sketch that I found on 411 Stamping.

So I quickly made this cute card this morning to post.

 'Reason to Smile' & 'Embellished Event's

cs:  Old Olive, So Saffron, Whisper White

Summer Smooches designer paper

ink:  Old Olive

markers:  So Saffron & Old Olive

supplies:  Big Shot, Designer Rosette Bigz XL die,

Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot

Those of you that stamp with me know I am always looking at something 

& have to change it.  

I am not a good copier.  

So- check out the original sketch below & see how what I did.

Have a great day!!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

 

HI!
Here is another 'Reason to Smile' card that I am doing at my July workshops!

Isn't this a cool card?  It is a diamond fold.  It is a 4'x4' sized card when folded down.  Everyone attending my workshops will also be making a matching envelope to go with it too, using the Simply Scoring Tool with the Diagonal Plate. 

'Reason to Smile' & 'Made for You'
cs:  Crumb Cake, Gumball Green, Whisper White
Summer Smooches Designer Paper
ink:  Crumb Cake
markers:  Gumball Green & Tangerine Tango
supplies:  Big Shot, Scallope Square Duo die, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, Gumball Green 3/8" stitched ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots

We had a busy, hot & fun day yesterday celebrating the 4th of July.

It was great family day!

It was so hot & humid, but the boys all did good.

The parades were big & nice.

We saw some 'old' friends from high school we hadn't seen for awhile.

Nathan won his heat, but redrew 9th to start in the main & he finished 7th.

Not too bad- there wasn't much passing- as there was nothing on the bottom side of the track.

I am off now to watch the twins at their house for awhile.

Thanks for stopping by!

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Directions:  for this card I started with an 8" square.  I scored it at 4" on 2 sides- making a cross in the middle; then cut out one of the squares; do a diagonal score from each point on the 2 8" sides.


 

Happy 4th of July!!!

HI! 
Happy 4th of July to you!!
Busy day here- full of parades, family time & racing tonight.  I hope you can enjoy this special holiday too.

Here is a card that I did at my workshop on Sunday & will be doing at my upcoming workshops this month.  The stamp set is the Ronald McDonald set for this year.  It is really sweet!

'Moving Forward'
cs:  Real Read, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper
ink:  Black Stazon
markers:  Real Red & Garden Green
supplies:  Big Shot, Chevron embossing folder, 3" circle die, 2 1/2" circle punch, word window punch, modern label punch, 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, , dimensionals, glue dot, basic rhinestones

We had a nice time at the lake last night.  Nathan cooked a delicious supper for us on the open campfire, went on a walk & played with all of the kids.  It was so hot & humid.  Brayden came home with us & he will ride with his mom in the parade today for her Boot Camp.  We will be walking in the Sigourney parade with my sister Beckie- as she is running for Keokuk County Auditor.  We all have cute red shirts that say 'Appleget for Auditor'.  Then we have the What Cheer parade & the races start early for the Stock Car Shoot out.  Should be lots of cars & good racing tonight. What a busy day!

It is going to be another hot day too!  Be sure to drink lots of water & try to stay cool!

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

We all need a -'Reason to Smile'!!

 HI!

I love that there are a few different places to find sketches......
and have always thought- "I need to do that".
(Just do a google & search for sketches- you will be amazed.)
So here it is........check it out!
This is yesterdays Mojo Monday sketch & my version of it.

What do you think?
I think it turned out pretty cute.
But with sunflowers & brown- how could you go wrong!
They are my colors!

'Reason to Smile' & 'Petite Pairs'
cs:  Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Naturals Ivory
Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack
ink & markers:  Chocolate Chip & More Mustard
supplies:  More Mustard polka dot ribbon, large oval punch, scallop oval punch, color spritzer tool, scallop edge border punch, sponge, dimensionals, glue dot

I really like this stamp set.
It is $5.00 with a $50.00 order.
It is available during July only for our Stampin' UP! exclusive offer.







 



Last night we sold hogs.
Oh my gosh- it was hot.
We were dripping wet from the heat & humidity.

Busy day again today......
Tonight we are going to lake to visit Nathan, April & the boys
& eat supper with them.
Then we are coming back to go to the street dance in Sigourney.
There will be lots of old classmates & friends there that we only get to
see once a year.
Sigourney has a huge following for hometown kids to come back for the
4th of July celebration.
It is great!

I am counting my blessings today for so many dear friends that I've met
because of stamping.
I treasure each of you.
In one way or another we all have a connection through our love of stamping.
We share our good times & bad times with each other.
I am so blessed to have you in my life through all of the ups & downs.
I have 2 very dear friends having some tough times right now & they are especially in my thoughts & prayers.
 
Hope you have a great day & stay cool!

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE 

A wedding card.........

HI!

We had a great time at Laura's party yesterday!  Great to see everyone.  It was a fun day of great company, great food & great stamping!!

Today I'm sharing a neat wedding card. 

'Love & Laughter'
cs:  Real Red, Basic Black & Very Vanilla
ink:  Black Stazon
supplies:  Big Shot, 3" circle die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, small heart punch, Modern Label punch, Large oval punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals

Another hot day!!  We sell hogs tonight (instead of tomorrow night like normal) due to the 4th of July making our schedule different.  Not looking forward to the heat & humidity.

Busy day here.........

Stay cool!

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

There is a 'Reason to Smile'!!

Flowers

HI!

A quick post today.......as I'm trying to get things finished up so I can get loaded up & on my way to my workshop today.  I have a big group coming.  So EXCITED to share my cards with the gals today.  They are all really cute!! And "NEW" things to share!  :)

Today's card is one that I did at my 40 card class in March.  It is simple but cute.  The gals that came to this class choose the stamped image that they wanted out of the whole set- so no ones was alike.  There is a great variety in this stamp set!!!  It is a good one- especially for someone wanting a wide variety!

'Easy Events' & 'Perfectly Penned'
cs:  Marina Mist, So Saffron & Very Vanilla
Subtles Designer Paper Stacks
ink:  Black Stazon
markers: Old Olive & Marina Mist
supplies: dazzling details glitter, dimensionals, 2 3/8" scallop circle, 1 3/4" circle punch

NOTE:  I used the 1 3/8" square punch to snip the ends of the banners with.  Just slide in your square punch instead of having to use scissors to cut your tails!! :)

Deke & I had a very nice time at the Lake Belva Deer dedication yesterday.  What an amazing park we have in Keokuk County!!  So much to do & so beautiful!!  We are really lucky to have such a park in our community.  My sister Beckie & brother-in-law Dan were also there (among other friends), so it was really nice to get to visit & see them too. 

Have a great day!!
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE