'Mouthwatering' cherries- YUMMY!

Good morning!

Thought I'd share real quick.......Here is a cute card made with a new set from the Occasions Mini catalog.  I created this card & everyone made it at my December downline meeting.  Isn't it bright & sweet!  Looks yummy!

'Mouthwatering' & 'Loving Thoughts' sets

card stock:  Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
Sweet Shop Designer Paper

ink:  Lucky Limeade

markers:  Lucky Limeade & Calypso Coral

supplies: Scallop Squares Duo die, Lucky Limeade Ruffled ribbon, Designer Rosette die, Cherry Scented embossing powder, versamark marker & heat tool

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

'Take it to Heart'

HI!
Here is another card that I did at my monthly January classes that I thought I'd share with you!
And the one below I did at my downline meeting in January.  (I posted this one earlier.)

I LOVE these colors & this stamp set!  The ribbon is beautiful & just makes the card pop. 

'Take It to Heart' & 'Loving Thoughts' sets

card stock:  Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red &  Whisper White

ink:  Crumb Cake & Riding Hood Red

supplies:  Hearts Collection Framelits, Riding Hood Red pleated ribbon, white twine, Adoring Accents Embossing Folder (set of 3- used the heart one)

Enjoy!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

My favorite guys & a sneak peek!

HI!
Just have to share a few pictures I took yesterday of my favorite guys! 
I had to smile big when I got all 3 of them to sleep at the same time (with Deke's help)!!  Wow- that was worth celebrating in itself.  Check them out......aren't they all precious!!!

Here is a picture of Brayden asleep on Papa Deke's lap!

I moved him to the couch & he slept for 2 1/2 hours!

















Here are Drake & Brody asleep too!
Brody took a long nap.  Drake took a cat nap- but was sure good all afternoon. 

Here are the 3 boys when they woke up.  So happy!
After we took this picture we made our favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chips Cookies.  Brayden is really getting good at cracking eggs perfectly!

Drake, Brody & Brayden

Wish I would have gotten a picture of Nathan with all of the boys when he picked up Brayden & then you could have seen "ALL" of my favorite boys!















 Here is a sneak peek of a cute scrapbook page that I did at Cathy's workshop the other night that I want to share....
I used the SAB Everyday Enchantment designer paper, the new Blossom flower punch & the cool new Bigz XL Designer Rosette die. 


Have a great weekend!!!
I am planning to stamp alot this weekend!
Have lots I need to get done for upcoming workshops & birthday cards, etc.
ENJOY!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Another card with the NEW 'Mixed Bunch' stamp set & coordinating punch!

HI!
I have already told you that I LOVE this new stamp set & coordinating punch!  This beautiful card is one that I'll be doing at some of my upcoming workshops (so if you are an upcoming hostess & don't want to see it- stop reading now!)  But I decided to share it anyways- just couldn't wait!

The girls all made this it at Cathy's workshop last night too!  (It is the card that I gave you the sneak peek of yesterday!)  Everyone LOVED it!  I am not sure you can actually see it in the photograph- but I think that the champaign shimmer paint/rubbing alcohol spray added that extra sparkle to it for a real WOW!  I knew it was a pretty card & would be a hit when I showed it to Manda last night when she picked up the boys & she said- "Ohhhh Mom- that is beautiful!'  I'll show you the other card we did at Cathy's workshop in a few weeks- so that I don't spoil the fun for all of my other upcoming hostesses that I have in the next few weeks. 

We all had a really good time last night!  Cathy had tons of yummy food & the company was WONDERFUL!  So many of my Sigourney stampin' friends that I haven't seen for awhile & a couple of our Victor friends joined us.....so we had LOTS to catch up on & some of us didn't get home very early- but it was such a nice evening!!


'Mixed Bunch' & 'Loving Thoughts' sets

card stock:  Poppy Parade & Lucky Limeade
Everyday Enchantment SAB Designer Paper

ink:  Poppy Parade & Lucky Limeade

supplies:  Everyday Enchantment Ribbons & Brads- SAB pack, New Blossom punch, New Adorning Accents Embossing folders, New Adorning Accents Edgelits die,  Doily Triple Layer punch

Can you tell that I curled the ribbon ends (carefully) with the edge of our paper snips?  The POPPY flower is scrunched up & double layered with the Doily Triple Layer punch in the middle & held together with the brad. Plus it is all popped up with several dimensionals- which I know isn't a suprise to those of you that stamp with me all of the time- I love the 3D look! 

Enjoy!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Cathy's Stampin' Party!!

HI!
I'm getting ready to walk out the door soon & head to Cathy's tonight for her Stampin' Party!  I can't wait to share with her & her friends!

Here is a sneak peek of one of the projects I will be demonstrating tonight.  Then the girls will get to do some stamping & make their own using new Occasions Mini & Sale-a-bration products!

I love this card!  I know they are going to love it too!! 

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Sale-a-bration has begun!!!

YIPEE!!
One of my favorite times of the year is here.  It is called Sale-a-bration!!  This is when you can earn FREE products from Stampin' Up!  Be sure to check out the Sale-a-bration Mini catalog by clicking on the link here on the left top side of my blog.  Sale-a-bration runs from 01/24/12 through 03/31/12.  Don't miss out!!  Whether you are a customer, hostess or demonstrator- we can all take advantage of the FUN!!  Gosh who doesn't like something for FREE! Especially if is stampin' products!

Here is another cute (non-traditional) Valentines cards that I made using one of the new Sale-a-bration sets!  I sure like this color combination.....

'Sprinked Expressions' stamp set
ink:  Wisteria Wonder
card stock:  Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade & Whisper White

Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Paper
supplies:  Pool Party ruffled ribbon, Lucky Limeade (Sale-a-bration only ribbon), crop-a-dile, 2 1/2" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, dimensionals & glue dot

Enjoy!!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Sale-a-bration Sneak Peek & downline meeting share!

Here is a pretty card that I made for for my "Go Divi" swap & also my downline meeting swap! I did the 'rock & roll' technique by stamping the image into the Calypso Coral (lighter color) & then rolling the stamp around the edges into the (darker color) Poppy Parade.  This gives it different 'tones!! 



This is a totally 'me' card.  I LOVE IT!!  

'Fresh Vintage' & 'Outlined Occasions' Sale-a-bration stamp sets-
*Sale-a-bration starts on Tuesday- 01/24/12
ink:  Calypso Coral & Poppy Parade
card stock:  Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla
Everyday Enchantment Designer paper & Ribbon- Sale-a-bration items!
supplies:  Pearls, Curly Label punch, cutter kit (to distress the edges), sponge

I had a big group downline meeting yesterday with all of my own direct recruits & then asked my side-line demonstrator friends & their groups to join us!  There were 20 of us there!  A busy day!!  But so much FUN- with all of us stamping & sharing our love of stamping with each other.  It was enjoyed by all!  We left with lots of inspiration & many new ideas!!

Katy & Amanda E.





Amy, Lorraine & Desiree'

Katy & Dawn

Lisa L, Dawn, Lisa I. & Kimberly








Happy Stamping!!!
SUSIE

Another 'Sweet Cake' card to share!!

HELLO!
Just a quick post tonight...I had a busy (yet fun) day with all 3 of my boys here.  Just getting dishes done & toys all picked up & I'm off to my Stamp Studio to create!  I have a downline meeting tomorrow with my group & several adopted demonstrator friends.  So- I have LOTS to get done before I can go to bed tonight (or early morning)!  YIKES!!

Had a great time last night stampin' at my home with several friends/customers that got to join me!  Here is one of the cute cards that we made.  Be sure to check out the picture of it below with it opened up!  Too cute huh!
 

'Sweet Cake' & 'Bring on the Cake' sets

card stock:  Island Indigo, Calypso Coral & Whisper White
Sweet Shop Specialty Designer paper

ink:  Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede

supplies:  Bitty Shapes punch pack (small circle), Heart to Heart punch (small heart), Scallop Oval punch, XL Oval punch, Ticket Corner punch, Dazzling Details glitter glue.

Don't you just love this fold & how the card stands up!

ENJOY!!!
Hope everyone is staying warm!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Stampin' Tonight- check out one of the cards we will be making!

HI!
Tonight is my make up Stampin' Night from last Thursday night due to the weather.  (Only a few gals made it last week.)  No snow yet today- but sure is cold out.  Hope that the gals all make it, as I have some cute cards to share!

Here is one the cards we will be making at tonights class.  ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

'Candy Conversation' set
ink:  Melon Mambo
card stock:  Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
supplies:  Small heart punch, Designer Rosette die, Pretty in Pink satin ribbon; Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Don't you LOVE the scallop edge on this card!  It was done with the new Designer Rosette XL die.  Told you that there are TONS of uses from that one die!  I must say- "It is an accessory that is to 'die' for!"

More 'SNOW'!

Living in Iowa blesses us with quite a bit of snow each winter.  This has been a strange winter thus far & we haven't had much snow until the past 5 days.  We woke up this morning to more snow & blowing snow!  It is very pretty, but not fun to work & drive in. 

Speaking of "SNOW" made me think that today would be a perfect day for me to share a cute project I did at my annual fall "Stamp 'Til You Cramp" stamp camp, that I hosted last October.  Aren't these blocks adorable!  I have been enjoying looking at mine sitting above my cabinets in my Stampin' Studio. 

card stock:  Marina Mist; Whisper White; Basic Black; Early Espresso; Pumpkin Pie
Letters to Santa Designer Paper
supplies:  Kraft Gift Boxes; Big Shot; Serif Essentials Alphabet; Snowflake punch; Snowburst Embossing folder; Marina Mist 1/8" taffeta ribbon; rhinestones (colored red with a permanent magic marker); Round Tab punch; circle from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch pack; white gel pen; black marker.

Someday soon I will  post what is on the other side of my blocks!  It cute too!!  A cool way that I got "double duty" out of my blocks!  I know my friends that made them at my stamp camp enjoyed creating theirs for their home too.  Teri loved them so much that she made several of them to give as Christmas gifts!!  

Ok- need to run.......the twins just went home & every Tuesday night I get to be a farmer & help my husband on our farm!  So I'm off now to help Deke sort & load a semi of market hogs.  When I get in later tonight I have alot of creating I have to get done in my Stamp Studio!!  Deke has a meeting tonight so I'll be home alone & pray I accomplish alot of stamping that I need to get caught up on! 

Happy Stamping!!
SUSIE

'Mixed Bunch' & coordinating punch- Occasions Mini

WOW!!!
I had an amazing day at my Hiawatha workshop today!  FUN was enjoyed by all attending I do believe!  We had a large group & a few new gals joined us!  Mary was a gracious hostess!!  She had lots of delicious food & treats for us!  We remembered her mother's birthday (which was today & whom passed away 14 years ago).  She may be gone but never forgotten!  Her favorite flowers were red & white carnations- which Mary had on the table as the centerpiece.  And then after her workshop Mary sent the beautiful vase of carnations home with me to enjoy all week long.  How sweet!!!  I will enjoy them!  Promise!

I have 2 cards I want to share with you tonight......both cards are the same layout.  I just used different color combinations.

'Mixed Bunch' & ''Loving Thoughts'
card stock:  Pool Party, So Saffron, Old Olive & Whisper White
Sweet Shop Specialty Designer paper
ink:  So Saffron
supplies: Blossom punch, 1/2" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Large Pearl Jewels, 2 1/2" circle punch

One of everyone's favorite new stamp sets that I used at today's workshop was 'Mixed Bunch' & the coordinating 'Blossom' punch.  I have to agree- they are some of my new favorites too!  This set & punch has SO MANY possibilities for versatility!  I will be showing you more ideas using these 2 new products from the Occasions Mini in upcoming posts. 

Don't you just love these cards!  These are what I call clean & simple!  And I don't know which one is my favorite one!  Which is your favorite? 

'Mixed Bunch' & 'Curly Cute'
CS:  Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive & Whisper White
Pocketful of Posies designer paper
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry
Marker:  Daffodil Delight
Supplies: Blossom punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch

ENJOY!!!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

My Stampin' Studio

Many of you have asked me where I stamp!
Well- I have been a demonstrator for over 10 1/2 years.  Until just recently- I did all of my stamping at our kitchen island, so we literally ate with stamps all of the time.  Last June my husband said he was ready to move all of my stuff to one room so that we didn't have stamps everywhere!


I was SO EXCITED!!!

So- my son-in-law (Steven) & my husband (Deke)- did all of the work!  (And I might add- they did a fabulous job!)  The only things we purchased were the chairs, cabinets & counter tops- which I bought at Menards when they were on sale!  So this has been a progressing project! 

We made our one stall/attached garage into my new Stampin' Studio.  Our garage was more less a storage room before anyways....so we just painted the floor & moved all of my stuff out there.  It is still a garage....a car can still fit into it & it isn't climate controlled.  Everything in it is just around the outside edges.  But it is so nice to have all of my stuff out there & in one place.  I just love it!

Here are a couple of pictures of Steven & Deke working!!  Don't you love my Pool Party painted walls!  Think the white cabinets/shelving goes well with it.  It is nice & bright!

The shelves were in my spare bedroom- which was big enough to store all of my stamp stuff in but not big enough to set up any tables to stamp at.  The tables were stored in my garage & only set up whenever I had gals come here for Stampin' class.





So- this is where I do my creating at now!
There is also room for 15 gals to sit at tables in my studio for classes!

All of my supplies are stored on my shelves & in my cabinets.

I LOVE my new Stampin' Studio and am thankful for it every day!  It is so nice to have it all in one room & be able to shut the door & walk away from the mess!

Well I am off to my Stampin' Studio now to create!!  I have a couple of swaps I have to get created & have mailed the first part of next week; I have my downline meeting next Saturday & have lots to create & get ready for that; & I need to get packed up for my Hiawatha stampin' workshop that I have tomorrow!

Have a great weekend!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

SNOW puts a kink in Stampin' Night!

Oh the joys of living in Iowa & SNOW!  Luckily we've had a really good winter thus far & have all been spoiled.  We just had our first measurable snowfall for the winter.

Last night was scheduled to be my monthly Stampin' Night at my home.  Everyone that comes makes 6 cards & a simply adorned charm insert.  Due to Mother Nature blessing us with the wind & snow, only a few gals could make it.  We had a great time!  We got to visit & they got some one on one stampin' time with me & got to use some of the new Occasions Mini products with the Big Shot!  I didn't want the rest of the gals to miss out on my cute cards (plus I already had all of the supplies cut), so they will join me next Thursday night (01/19/12) to make their cards!!!  I'm looking forward to seeing them sharing with them then!! 

Today Grandma will have all 3 of my boys again!  So I'm off to enjoy playing with them.  Papa has been cleaning the snow off the driveway with the skidloader & Brayden wants to make sure he leaves some snow so he can go out & play in it later today!  He wants to see if his John Deere gator can run in the snow!  Sounds fun to me- we will have to try it! 

Have a great day!!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

MORE HEARTS- Sneak Peek!

More hearts!!  This is a sneak peek of some NEW/UPCOMING Sale-a-bration sets that will be available starting 01/24/12.  The heart stamp is from the 'Sprinkled Expressions' set & the words are from the 'Outlined Occasions' set.  The Sale-a-bration Mini is amazing!  If you haven't seen it- please contact me, as you don't know what you are missing out on!

Sale-a-bration is my favorite time of the year- as I LOVE FREE stamps & accessories!   Sale-a-bration runs from 01/24/12 through 03/31/12! 

'Sprinkled Expressions' & 'Outlined Occasions'
CS:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake & Whisper White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Supplies:  2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, small heart punch, Pinking Hearts border punch, Adorning Accents embossing folder.

ENJOY!! 
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

'Candy Conversations'- New Occasions Mini

I LOVE hearts!  This is such a simple, yet cute card- that says it all!  It also showcases some of our new Occasions Mini products.  Please note the cool ruffle across the top of the layering....it is done with the new Designer Rosette die.  Isn't that awesome!  I love that you can do so much more with that die than just make a big paper rosette.  I used the pleats to make just the ruffle! 
I LOVE VALENTINES!!

'Candy Conversation'
card stock:  Pretty in Pink, Real Red & Whisper White
ink:  Real Red
supplies:  Designer Rosette die, small heat punch, new adorning accents textured impressions folder, 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin ribbon

Be watching for more posts that include ideas you can use that are created with the Designer Rosette die!
Happy Stamping!!
SUSIE

My 3 boys!

I just have to share this photo with you!  Here are my 3 boys!  I took it last Friday when all 3 of them spent the day with grandma Susie.  The twins get to come every day to grandma's, but Bradyen is in pre-school & gets to join us once in awhile.  We had a fun day!  Aren't they adorable!!



Drake- 4 months, Brayden- 3 1/2 yrs. & Brody- 4  months

'Apothecary Art'- New Occasions Mini

HI!
I'd love to share another card with you that I created.  It is an elegant card using more new products in the Occasions Mini.

Don't know if you can tell by the photo that this is a flip fold- just something different.

Hope you enjoy!!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Supplies:   
'Apothecary Art' & 'Loving Thoughts' sets
CS:  Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Twitterpated designer paper
Ink:  Basic Gray
Markers:  Regal Rose & Pear Pizzaz
Accessories:  Baja Breeze pleated ribbon, pearls, Labels Collections Framelits

'Sweet Cake'- New Occasions Mini

What a great way to start out the year!  I enjoyed a fun afternoon stamping with everyone at my IC group today! We hadn't seen each other for over a month, (or more for a few) so had alot of catching up to do.  Jenny was our hostess & she had LOTS of yummy food.  She even sent home supper for Deke. (We both loved that!  Bless you Jenny!)

Everyone was EXCITED about getting their "hands on" using many new products from the New Occasions Mini catalog.  I was equally as EXCITED to get to show them! 

This is a "sweet" birthday card!  Huh!  Doesn't it look yummy!

Check out all of the new products used in creating it.
Supplies:
'Sweet Cake' stamp set
CS:  Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party & Whisper White
Sweet Shop Designer Paper
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party
Accessories:  Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, New Jelly Bean Brads, Modern Label punch

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

'Take It to Heart'- New Occasions Mini

Here is a cute card I made as my swap for my downline meeting last month.  Used the new Occasion Mini set- 'Take It to Heart'! 
Check out the new pleated ribbon, heart framelits die & the heart embossing folder!  Isn't it all so cool!!

Supplies:
'Take it to Heart' & 'Petite Pairs' sets
CS:  Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red & Whisper White
Ink:  Riding Hood Red
Accessories:  Hearts Collection Framelits die, Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (hearts), 1" circle punch, Riding Hood Red Pleated ribbon, White Bakers Twine.

Have you seen the New Occasion Mini catalog yet?  Oh my gosh!  I LOVE IT!  There are lots of neat new sets, dies, accessories, etc. 

One of my New Year Resolutions is to learn to post to my blog & hopefully find time to update it several times a week!  I hope to share with you some of my creations & keep you updated on happenings at our house.  So be sure to check back every few days!  I am thrilled to be able to share my love of stamping with you! 

Many of you already know that the New Year started out with many changes at our house!  I quit my full time job as the secretary at the County Attorneys Office & am a full time grandma during the day for our grandsons!  Tomorrow I have 3 of the boys so will try to get a picture of them & share!  Years ago I did daycare for several years & helped raise some great kids!  So I'm thrilled now to be able to help with our grandkids!  Gotta love those smiles I get- they just warm your heart!  I am hoping we get on a schedule so that I can spend some time during their naps- in my stamp studio- creating for upcoming workshops!

'Tea Shoppe'- New Occasions Mini

Here is a card I made for my downline meeting last month.  This is a new Occasion Mini set- 'Tea Shoppe'.  Notice the designer paper- Twitterpated, the Twitterpated button & the awesome new Paper Doily Sizzlit! 

Supplies:
'Tea Shoppe' set
CS:  Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White, Twitterpated DP
Ink:  Pear Pizzaz, Riding Hood Red
Accessories:  Large Paper Doily Sizzlits die, word window punch, Scallop Circle #2 die, White Bakers Twine, Twitterpated designer button 

This is a stamp set that I got as a pillow gift (& was the set we used for our Make & Takes) last September when I was honored to have earned the Stampin' UP! (R) Founders trip to St. George, Utah- where I enjoyed 5 days of pampering & spending time with 100 other demonstrator friends!  As a demonstrator we can pre-order new products the month before customers can buy them so that we have time to "play"!

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very healthy & happy 2012!
I know our family has alot to be thankful for as we start out the New Year.

Brody is doing amazing!  Many thanks to all of you that have had him on your prayer lines.
With the power of prayer & a wonderful dr. he is doing great!  Dr. Menezes says he is PERFECT!! 
Other than his scar on his head- you wouldn't know he had surgery on 12/9/11.  He goes back to see Dr. Menezes on 2/22/12 & I will update you after that time with his progress.

We are truely blessed! 
Blessings-
Susie & Deke
Nathan, April, Jackson & Brayden
Amanda, Steven, Brody & Drake