Here is a Sneak Peek of my 'All Occasions' card class!!

HI!

WOW- What a busy week again stamping for me!!  

Sale-a-bration time keeps me on my toes literally with creating & doing lots of workshops & stamping!
I JUST LOVE SHARING MY LOVE OF STAMPING!

I wanted to share today.....

Here is a sneak peek of my upcoming 'All Occasions' card class.

This is an annual event that I look forward to doing each year.

 I know that many of my customers look forward to it too!

This year I've got some new gals signed up to join us, so that is exciting! 
I'm looking forward to meeting them.   

I will spend every spare minute this week stamping & cutting & won't get much sleep!
(On Sunday I will crash!)

But can't wait to share with those of you that signed up for this awesome class.  

If you didn't sign up you won't want to miss out on this class next year. 

So what do you think?  They are all cute huh!

Now to keep my mojo going so I can come up with the rest of the cards for this class.
I am also doing all of the food for this class too.
So have to be done with my cards & all of the class by Friday so I can cook all evening.
We are having yummy BBQ pork sandwiches, cheesy hashbrown potatoes, 7 layer lettuce salad, chocolate chip bar cookies & HOPEFULLY some shamrock sugar cookies stamped with our new cookie press. 

EXCITING NEWS: 
We welcomed a new member to our family earlier this morning.
My nephew Ben & his wife Jenna were blessed with a baby boy-
Lawson Daniel Schmidt.
Everyone is doing well.
Can't wait to meet him!! 

Hope you have a great day!
It is going to be another beautiful day with sunshine & temps in the 70's again. 
Spring looks like it is here.....
the grass is greening, flowers & plants are coming up in my yard.
YIPEE!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

Love this little bunny! It is such a cute Easter card.

HI!  Here is a cute pocket card!
This was one of the make & takes everyone did at my workshops last week.
It was so fun to make!

I like the bright/springy colors.  

'Everybunny' & 'Blessings from Heaven'

cs:  Crumb Cake, Pool Party Calypso Coral, Watercolor Paper

Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper (SAB)

ink:  Chocolate Chip

markers:  Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Calypso Coral

supplies:  Blender Pens, mat pack, paper-piercing tool, dimensionals, glue dots, scallop trim border punch, large oval punch, modern label punch, 2011-2013 In Color assorted brads, Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon

I am not a very good watercolorer- but thought this card turned out good.  

I was very lucky & did have the opportunity to get to watch & learn about watercoloring from my amazing demonstrator friend Diana Gibbs, when we were both at Founders in St. George, Utah, last fall.

 I learned so much from Di about this technique.  

She loves to watercolor & does an outstanding job at shadowing & such.

NOTE:

I do know that the watercolor paper is so much easier & better to work with than any other card stock when doing this technique.  

If you don't have watercolor paper you can use the Naturals Ivory & Naturals White- but they don't let you blend your colors like the watercolor paper does.  

 Do NOT use Whisper White or Very Vanilla to try to watercolor with, as the paper bubbles & looks yucky when it gets too wet.

Stampin' UP! products used to watercolor with are-

Watercolor crayons, ink pad lids, watercolor pencils & markers 

which can be used with blender pens or aqua painters. 

I hope you find time to try watercoloring sometime soon!

ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

SWEET "HEART" CARD!

HI!  Happy Monday to you!!
 

Here is a sweet 'HEART' card that I want to share with you.  I took a picture of it at convention in Salt Lake City, Utah last summer.  I think it is really cute!!

'Sweetheart' & 'Word Play'

cs:  Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White

ink:  Certainly Celery, So Saffron

supplies:  Full Heart punch, Subtles Flower bard, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Paper Piercing tool, mat pack, Pretty in  Pink Satin ribbon

ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

WAHOO!!! Here is a neat card created with the 'Language of Friendship' stamp set!

HI! 
I had a great time with Jo & her friends yesterday. 
It was wonderful seeing & stamping with some old friends/customers & meeting some new ones too!

WAHOO!! I have another workshop today! 

 Linda is my hostess & she has a big group of friends joining us. 
I can't wait to share with all of them!
I got everything cut before I went to bed last night (early this morning) & I just need to pack up & load my car & head out in a couple of hours. 

All 3 of our grandsons spent the night last night, so we are watching cartoons right now. 
Brayden & I made monkey bread for breakfast & it is in the oven baking now.
He has never had it before- so it was fun cutting the biscuits, shaking them in the sugar/cinnamon & boiling the syrup to pour over them. 
I can't wait until he gets to taste it!!
I know our house sure smells good with it baking!
  
 Here is one of the neat cards that everyone will be stamping today at my workshop! 

I think I would call this a simple/elegant card. 
I often do Very Vanilla & Basic Black cards- but for some reason thought this one just seemed it should be a Soft Suede color. 
I really like it- especially with the layered Labels Collection framelits.

'Language of Friendship' & 'Petite Pairs'

cs:  Very Vanilla & Soft Suede

ink:  Soft Suede

supplies:  Big shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Labels Collection Framelits dies, 

Boho Blossoms punch, Bird Builder punch, sponge, dimensionals, glue dots,

Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon, basic pearls

Have a great day!

I hope you ENJOY this card!!
Stop back by again soon.
Next weekend I have my big 'All Occasions' card class & I will SUPER BUSY this week creating for it.  I will share these cards with you in the upcoming weeks.
 

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Happy Birthday card!!

HI!
Just a quick post, as I'm hurrying to get things packed up & out the door.
I have a workshop with Jo & her friends today.
Looking forward to sharing with them.

I wanted to share this with you.....

Check out this cute birthday card!

Do you like the fold?  Different & fun- huh!  The top flap flips open.
This is a card that I did at a workshop several months ago. 
I really like it though.  It is bright & cheery & who wouldn't like it?

'Bring on the Cake'

cs:  So Saffron, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turqouise

Subtles Collection Designer Paper stack

ink:  Basic Black

markers:  Tempting Turqouise, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango

supplies:  Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (circle) Basic Rhinestone, Glue dots, demensionals, So Saffron 3/8" Taffeta ribbon

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Here is cool Blossom punch card!

 HI!

Last night I had a fun group of ladies come to our home to stamp with me!

Check out this card!  It is one of the ones that they made.

At Stampin' UP! leadership in January this technique was shared on a display board.  

Here is the card I created from their idea.  

I am not sure what the technique is called- but I named it "punch out window technique".

You punch out an image & then have designer paper behind it to show through.  

COOL HUH!

Just think of all of the possibilities you could do with this technique.  

'Loving Thoughts'

cs:  Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, So Saffron

Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper- SAB

ink:  Lucky Limeade

supplies:  Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Blossom punch, Blossom Bouquet punch, Boho  Blossom punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack (flower), Subtles Flower Brads, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals, glue dots 

Another busy day here.  I have workshops tomorrow & Sunday to get ready for. 
PLUS I have my big "ALL OCCASIONS" card class next weekend & I haven't had time to start it yet.  I have a big group coming to it & I have lots to do to get ready for this big event.  I'm SO EXCITED about this upcoming stamp camp.  I hope my boys are cooperative for the next week so I can get alot of stamping done. 

Have a great day!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

This is an elegant 'Elementary Elegance'- Sale-a-bration card!!

HI!
I've been BUSY getting ready for my workshop, as tonight I have Stampin' Night at our home.  I wanted to give you a sneak peek & share with you, as this is one of the cool cards we will be stamping tonight!

This card is totally NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND WHEN I STARTED CREATING!!  Oh my gosh......it took me 3 1/2 hours to create & cut this card BUT I LOVE the finished product!  I had in my mind that I wanted to use white embossing powder with this stamp set- but everything I did with it I didn't like.....so here is the elegant card I came up with!  I am so pleased with my creation!  What do you think?

'Elementary Elegance'- SAB set
cs:  Basic Black, Basic Gray & Whisper White
Twitterpated Designer Paper
ink:  Basic Gray
supplies:  Curly Label punch, Basic Rhinestones, Basic  Black 3/8' Taffeta ribbon, glue dots, dimensionals, 1 1/4' circle punch

You can't tell by the photo, but it is a really different fold.  The gray front is partial & it opens up (attached to the black background that is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2).  I made a "window" using the Curly Label punch by punching out the Whisper White cs (front piece)- which shows the Basic Gray through it!  I know that my customers that made this card at my workshop on Sunday just loved it....AND that so made me happy!! {smiles}

Note:  Check out my perfect bow!  I used my bow helper again to tie the bow on this card.  It makes a beautiful bow each time that is flat.  It works so good!  My customers at my class that hadn't used the bow helper before thought it was sooooo cool!   I made many bow helpers on Sunday & sent one home with them.  They were excited!

Ok.....LOTS to do today....
Hope you have a great day!
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Here is a cute Fancy Favor Box!!

HI!
This box makes me think of spring!  And I'm ready for spring!  Yesterdays warm temps were so welcome & such a teaser.

I did not make this box, as it was one of the many cute things on display in our hospitality room on the SU! Alaskan cruise in May.  I love it though & wanted to share it with you. 

'Delicate Doilies'
cs: Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Flirtatious Specialty Designer paper
other: Flirtatious Designer fabric
ink: Melon Mambo
supplies:  Big Shot, Fancy Favor box die, Rhinestone, Large cello bag, White twine, Doily Triple Layer punch, Boho Blossom punch, Lace Ribbon punch

Wouldn't this make a special gift for a special person!!

Note: The Flirtatious Specialty Designer paper will probably be gone when the current catalog ends on 05/31/12.   If you really want it- this might be something you order sooner than later.

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

SUCH A SWEET TREAT!!!

HI!
A busy week here!  Hope I get half done that I need to get done.  I have several more workshops yet this week....so looking forward to seeing & sharing my love of stamping with many of you this week!
There are also warmer temps in store for us!!  The snow all melted yesterday, so it is gone again!!  So I'm happy about that!!  Maybe spring is around the corner after all.

I wanted to share this card...

Wish I could say that I made this it, but I didn't. 

This card was posted on a board in our hospitality room on the SU! Alaskan cruise in May. 
Looks sweet enough to eat doesn't it!  

Wouldn't this be a great card to make & send to a special person in your life!

'Sweets for the Sweet'

cs:  Blushing Bride, Pool Party, Very Vanilla

Subtles Collection Designer paper stack

ink:  Rose Red

supplies:  hemp, 1" circle punch, Curly Label punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, glue dot, dimensionals

Note:  Had I been the creator of this card- you know me- I would have added GLITTER to it! 
Don't you think that some dazzling diamonds glitter on the candy would be cute!

This is the stamp set that I helped Betty design an invitation for HLV's prom.  It turned out cute too!  

ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Another 'Triple Treat Flower' card!!

WOW!!  I had a fabulous day stamping yesterday with Deb & our friends!!
Some gals joined us that we hadn't seen for almost a year!
It was great to all be together- despite the darn snow!
I hope everyone made it home safely.  I drove slow, so it took me quite awhile.
The new blanket of snow yesterday was beautiful, but not in March!
I'm so ready for Spring!  Warmer temps are in site for us this week thankfully!

Speaking of Spring....doesn't this card make you think more of Spring & flowers!!  

This beautiful card is one that we did at my workshop yesterday.
I have been wanting to use the Lattice die & just haven't found the right layout/stamp set to go with it.  
I think that this one worked out great & I really like it!!
The colors are of course some of my favorites!
How can you go wrong with anything that is brown?
And I like the look of the tone on tone with the lattice!!

'Triple Treat Flower' & 'Tiny Tag's

cs: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink & Whisper White

ink: Chocolate Chip & Pretty in Pink

supplies:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Lattice die, 2 1/2 " circle punch, 1/2 " circle punch, Fancy Flower punch, 5-Petal Flower punch, Jewelry Tag punch, 5/16" Neutrals Brads assortment (Chocolate), Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots, 2 way glue pen

Note:  The bow is a "faux bow".  I attached a piece of 4 1/2" ribbon to each side of the card with glue dots onto the back side of the card/cardstock.  Then I tied another piece of ribbon (4" long) to the middle of that & secured with a glue dot behind the knot.  This takes less ribbon & makes the card not so bulky.

I again used the Champagne Shimmer spray/rubbing alcohol mix on the finished card.
Can you see the sparkle?  

ENJOY!!
Have a wonderful week!!!
Stop back by again soon for some more inspiration!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

I love this Triple Treat Flower stamp!

HI!

I have a workshop in Iowa City today & Deb is the hostess!  I still have my last card to cut & packing up to do before I head out the door.  I think everyone will like my 6 cards, they turned out cute!  I can't wait to share!  I will post them sometime in the next week- so be sure to check back to see them.


Today I want to share this card with you that I did at a workshop quiet some time ago.  It is still a favorite of mine.

I love this stamp set.  So simple, so versatile!  AND best of all it goes with punches so you don't have to cut anything out!!  WAHOO!!

This stamp is an A la Carte stamp (single stamp) that is in the main catalog, but you can get it for FREE during Sale-a-bration with qualifying orders.

It has coordinating punches that go with it.  The Fancy Flower punch & 5- Petal Flower punch!!

This card is a door fold card- which means that it folds towards the center & opens up like a door.

'Triple Treat Flower' & 'You're Cherished'
cs:  Basic Black & Sahara Sand
Neutrals Collection Designer Paper stack
ink:  Basic Black
supplies:  Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 3" circle die, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, 1/2" circle punch, Fancy Flower punch, 5-petal Flower punch, basic pearl, dimensionals, permanent black marker

Note:  I colored the white pearl with a permanent black marker!  COOL HUH!  You can make the pearls & rhinestones any color you want with a permanent marker.

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

Piggies!!! I love them! We have LOTS & LOTS of them on our farm!

HI!  

Have you ever kissed a pig?  I have!  I have kissed MANY!

I've cuddled & loved MANY PIGGIES over the years! 
Baby pigs are just like any other baby- adorable.

We are hog farmers here in Iowa & we literally live, eat & breath pigs every day of our lives!!  

So when SU! came out with this cute stamp set- I just had to have it! 

What better way to share my piggies than stamping one on a card & sharing with someone special. 

''Button Buddies & "Teeny Tiny Wishes"

cs:  Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz & Whisper White

Nursery Nest Designer Paper

ink:  Marina Mist

supplies:  Big Shot, Stripes Embossing folder, word window punch, Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon, Subtles designer button, dimensionals, glue dot, basic pearls

Sometime in the next few weeks I'll post a few pictures of our new baby piggies that we are getting next week.......so be sure to check back to see the real thing. 
I know Brayden (our 3 1/2 year old grandson) can't wait to go see them. 
He is a true farm boy!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I'm thankfully home all day today & will spend the day in my stamp studio.
So I'm off to stamp now, as I have a workshop tomorrow & Deb is my hostess!! 
She has a lot of friends coming to join us.  Hope my creative juices are flowing!! 
I have all of my ideas down in my head but nothing on paper yet!  YIKES!!
 

Hope you ENJOY my piggie!!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Another version of a butterfly!!! Check it out!

 

HI!

Here is another version of my Fancy Favor Box that I made.

Check out this butterfly!  

I honestly like this one better.  

I used the Blossom Petals Builder punch to make the center (body) of the butterfly & then drew on the antennas with a marker.

Note the layered butterfly that is a solid color behind it to shadow the butterfly.

 'Mixed Bunch'

cs:  Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla

marker:  Calypso Coral

Everyday Enchantment Designer paper (SAB)

ink:  Calypso Coral

supplies:  Big Shot, Fancy Favor Box die, Blossom punch, crop-a-dile, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon (Calypso Coral- SAB), 2 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals

ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

Check out this NEW Simply Scored DIAGONAL Plate!!

WOW!!!  I'm EXCITED!!!
Look at this new product from Stampin' UP!.......The Simply Scored Diagonal Plate!
The new Diagonal Plate fits securely on the base of the Simply Scored scoring tool and is perfect for scoring unique envelopes, boxes, and more.  It’s the must-have companion to your Simply Scored scoring tool.
It is now available to purchase: #125586 for $11.95.
Click on the link below & watch a video featuring Donna Griffith from the Stampin' Up! Home Office, as she shows how to use the new Simply Scored Diagonal Plate!

I will be using this new Simply Scored Diagonal Plate at upcoming classes, so I can show you how to use it! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vkNFzMa1azw

ENJOY! 
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Cute little BOX!!

HI!  

Here is a cute box that I made using the Fancy Favor Box die as the bottom & the top!!  See how you can use it to put just about anything in it!  Also note the butterfly.....this as my first attempt at making a butterfly using the Blossom punch.  Isn't this a neat box!

'Mixed Bunch' 

cs:  Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade

Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper

ink:  Poppy Parade

supplies:  Blossom punch, Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon, crop-a-dile, basic rhinestones, scissor snips, dimensionals

Below is the box with it opened up so you can see it more closely.  The top part is kind of like a lamp shade that slides down over the bottom box part.  The top part is made with the Fancy Favor Box die too, but I just cut off the parts that fold for the bottom, stuck the sides together & then punched a hole through the top center & tied it together with the ribbon. 

(Inside the box I have some of the new pleated ribbons.)

This box was a gift I gave to some of my hostesses lately at their workshops. 

ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE