Saying GOOD-BYE!

Yesterday we started our day with our Stampin' UP! family at breakfast.

Then back to our room to pack up!

Once we checked out of our room we had to get out bags checked to go to the airport.

 THEN WE HUNG OUT WITH FRIENDS & SAID MORE GOOD-BYES.

We hung out with my dear friend Diana Gibbs, her husband Jeff & son Eric. 
They joined us & we all went to ESPN for great burgers, foot long hot dogs & chicken nuggests for lunch.
It was great to get to visit with them! 

Check out Brayden's Mickey Mouse plate!!

AND it was cute watching Jeff show Brayden some magic tricks!

 Diana Gibbs, Heather Summers & me (terrible picture of me!)  

They are some of my very dear friends!!

Saying GOOD BYE is never fun.....but many of us will connect & see each other again in July at convention thankfully!!  I can't wait!!!

Nathan Summers & Brayden saying their good-bye too!!

Just LOVE this picture.  

They got along so good.  :)

 Brayden LOVES waterfalls. 
This was a beautiful one in the Orlando Airport.
Lots of hours waiting in the airports with flights delayed again....but thankfully arrived home safely around midnight.

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

SO MUCH FUN!!!

Thursday we hung out at the hotel all day!  

Walked around on the Broadwalk, swam, took a nap, etc.

That evening we had our Stampin' UP! get-to-gether & the kids had a Fun Night Out to attend!

Here are some pictures of our day on Thursday.......

 Brayden is swimming in the pool & playing on the playground!!

Here are pictures of the Kids Night Out!

He was very worried about attending- so of course Grandma was too.

But he had a blast!

Oh  my gosh.....we walked into this huge room at our hotel, full of games, crafts, food & much more!

It was like a kids heaven!! 

When we came back to get him he said- "That didn't take you too long.  I had LOTS OF FUN!!" 

These were magical words to my ears!

Below he is standing by their supper table with Mickey & Minney.

He made a balloon sward!

Did some cool sand art projects.

And they even got some neat Disney tattoos. 

Stampin' UP! took us on a bus to Hollywood Studios where we attended the stunt show of Indiana Jones.  SO COOL!  Our president Rich was involved, plus a hand full of other demonstrators they called from the stands.  My friend, Christy Kimball got chosen to go down on stage.  See her & all of the other demonstrators in the costumes in the first picture.  Then magically they started moving parts of stage props & much to our surprise started setting up our supper.  We enjoyed an unbelievable supper & great company!!  They had photo booths set up all around the room & we got to take funny stunt pictures.  What a perfect ending to a great week with Stampin' UP!  They are an amazing company!!  They have brought so much to my life.  I've worked hard to earn trips & go places with them I'd never have gotten to go otherwise.  PLUS I've made treasured friendships with other demonstrators from far.  AND I've gotten to meet some wonderful customers over the years that I treasure & have become dear friends & like family to me too!!  Thanks again to all of my dear customer/friends that helped me to earn this amazing trip!!  I have TONS to share when I get home.  Can't wait to see you!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Our day at Hollywood Studios.....

Yesterday morning we got up & went to breakfast with our Stampin' UP! family.  We then headed to the Stampin' UP! hospitality room where we spin the wheel for a prize, get filled up with candy & visit with friends before we headed out to Hollywood Studios for the day.

Christy was playing rock, paper, scissors with Brayden. 

Then we headed back to our room to gather our things & head out for a boat ride!  We were on our way to Hollywood Studios for the day.

The highlight of the day for Brayden was getting to go to Disney Jr. Live.  He loves this show.  We sat on the floor & many of the kids participated by singing & dancing along.  It was cute!!

Here is Brayden driving us around in this old car.

We saw the Lion King play, The Muppets Play & SO MUCH MORE!!

Back to the hotel we went for a little nap, a snack & then off to the pool for a few hours.

Then my guys hung out together & had pizza & movie time & I attended our Stampin' UP! share night from 9 to 11 p.m.  It was great getting to see many of my demonstrator friends & visiting.  The highlight of our night was Shelli telling us that the shipment of new catalogs arrived earlier than planned & we all got it!  Can't wait to share with everyone on June 1st!!!  Lots to look forward to sharing with you!!

Today we are hanging out at the hotel, swimming, visiting, etc.

Tonight we have a Stampin' UP! supper/evening for the adults at Hollywood Studios and the kids have a fun play date with pizza, a movie, face painting, etc.

We leave tomorrow.  So hope to find time to post some more before we leave.

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

Our BD boy, Magic Kingdoms castle, Animal Kingdom & more.......

Last night we went to Magic Kingdom to watch the lighted parade, light show & fireworks. 
It was amazing!! 
Here is a beautiful picture of the castle.  

Here is our birthday boy with his Mickey Mouse cake!!

What am amazing way to spend your birthday at Disney!

We spent our day in Animal Kingdom on Tuesday with Christy & Keith Kimball.

 Keith, Deke, Brayden & I all went on the water ride.

WOW- we got soaked!  But it was fun!

Brayden loved it so much that he talked Papa & Keith into going on it again with him.

Right outside one of the bathrooms there were water sprinklers.

Heck- he was already wet- so why not- right!

He had a ball playing in the water.

Papa & Deke on our African Safari ride.

This is our Safari bus.

Saw LOTS of animals & beautiful scenery.

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Happy 4th Birthday to Brayden Kalan Wood!

Busy day......

First & most important our little guy turned 4 today!!

Happy 4th Birthday to Brayden Kalan Wood!!  

So happy that you get to celebrate it at Disney with Grandma & Papa.
Everyone all day long told him 'Happy Birthday' since he was wearing his Disney BD pin & his Birthday Boy shirt that Aunt Kathy got for him.

Here is a cute picture from Magic Kingdom yesterday.....
guess race cars run in Brayden's blood.
Oh my gosh......he had a blast driving this RED race car in Speedway Land!!
Too bad it wasn't car #52 instead of #11.

We just got back to our hotel.  We had a fantastic day!  We started out our morning with a full breakfast with our Stampin' UP! family.  Then off to Animal Kingdom we went!!  My friend Christy Kimball & her husband Keith joined us for the day.  We all had a BLAST!!  So glad that they could join us.  Keith was wonderful & helped carry Brayden on his shoulders too.  So between Keith & Papa, it was great to have him up so high to see everything.  

I have tons of picture to share.....just too tired tonight to load them to my computer & try to get any posted.  We did the African Safari, the Raging River ride (2 times), kids petting zoo, Lion King play, Nemo play, Bugs 3D show, etc........  

We had pizza for supper (Brayden's request) & went to the bakery by our hotel & bought him a little Mickey Mouse cupcake for his birthday cake.  The lady at the bakery gave us 4 candles & our concierge guy found some matches for us to light the candles- so we sang 'Happy Birthday' to him.  Then we went to Magic Kingdom for the "Magic Wishes" show at Cinderella's castle, the lighted Disney parade & a fantastic fireworks show!!!

We aren't sure what we are going to do tomorrow.  We might just hang out at our hotel & swim, etc.  Will see how tired we all are in the morning.

I also wanted to share these cute cards that my friend Christy Kimball gave to me. 

Good Night.....
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

We spent Monday at Magic Kingdom.....

Our morning started off bright & early with our Stampin' UP! family, having a delicious Continental breakfast.  My friend, Missy Shipman, brought a cute birthday gift for Brayden of Disney stickers.  How sweet..... (Thanks Missy- he loved it!)

Then Stampin' UP! had us all hop on a bus & took us to Magic Kingdom, where we got to enter the Kingdom early & go to see the cute comedian show- 'Monsters, Inc. Laughing Comedy Show'.  We then headed back to main street to watch the opening singing act at the gate.  Along the way we saw a mama mallard duck & her babies.

Then my friend, Becky Roberts, came to find us.  She knew that Brayden had been looking for lizzards and bless her- she saw one & wanted to make sure he saw it.  Of all places it was in Mickey's mouth.   Do you see it?

Kevin & Aunt Barbie gave Brayden $20 to buy a gift for his birthday.....and check it out.  How do you like his new Mickey Mouse hat?  Of course it is red- his favorite color.  Sure looks cute on him.
Here is a picture of Brayden & papa on the 'Tomorrowland People Mover' ride.   We got to ride it around & see all of the highlights in Tomorrowland.

I have bunches more to share....but am tired & off to bed.  We are headed out to Animal Kingdom tomorrow morning after a full breakfast with our Stampin' UP! family.  Our friends, Christy & Keith Kimball are going to spend the day with us at Animal Kingdom, so we are looking forward to that. 

PLUS Bradyen turns 4 years old on May 1st (tomorrow)!!!  Where has the time gone.  We are excited that he gets to spend his special day with us at Disney!

We have a fun day planned for Tuesday & lots more to look forward to!!  So hope to get back to our room tomorrow night to post more. 
Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

We are here at Disney!!!

We are here!!!

We had a short night on Saturday & a LONG day yesterday.

Delayed flights in Chicago to top it off.....but finally arrived in Orlando about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

From the airport we jumped on a bus & headed for the Boardwalk Hotel.

WOW!!!  What an amazing place.
AND
Much to my surprise when I checked in I learned I earned a concierge room!

It is beautiful & we will get waited on hand & foot the whole week.

There was a cute Mickey Mouse towel figure on our bed & chocolates.

We even have a balcony with a fabulous scenery out our door.

Brayden & Papa checking out our room & balcony.

 During our LONG wait in the Chicago airport we met up with my Canadian demonstrator friend- Heather Summers & her son Nathan. 
They were on the same delayed flight too.
Here is Brayden with his new friend- Nathan Summers (& Heather too)!

 Here is a cute picture of Nathan Summers & Brayden sitting on the huge couch in the main lobby of our hotel.

Here is a picture of some of us hanging out in the Stampin' UP! hospitality lounge.
Great to see some of our dear friends & their spouses again.

Our hotel has a wonderful pool too.
Brayden swam for quiet awhile last night.

Last night Stampin' UP! had a meet & greet along the Broadwalk.

Here is Brayden getting some autographs from some of our friends.

AND

Here is Brayden visiting with Shelli.  

She signed his autograph book & got her picture taken with him.

Not sure she realized that she made a new friend forever!!

He saw her at breakfast this morning & had to go right over to tell her all about Papa sleeping with him last night & Brayden kicking him & about pushing Papa out of bed, etc.  

Too cute! 
Shelli got a kick out of him telling her his story.

I hope to post today's events sometime tomorrow.
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Disney here we come!!

Wanted to show you.....

Here is the autograph book & name badge I just made for Brayden!!

Hope he gets if full of character signatures & pictures.  Excited that he will celebrate his 4th birthday on Tuesday (May 1st) at Disney with us- thanks to Stampin' UP!



AND here is my swap!

'Button Buddies' & 'A Word for You'
cs:  Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade & Whisper White
Summer Smooches Designer Paper
ink:  Rich Razzleberry & Early Espresso
supplies:  Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, 2 1/2 " circle punch, Decorative Label punch, scallop circle punch, mat pack, paper piercing tool, white brad, dimensionals

NOTE:  For those of you in my downline......this will be your swap from me at our meeting on May 12th.

Off to pack & head to Des Moines soon.
Hugs!
SUSIE

Mickey Mouse pancake.....we are getting ready for Disney!

HI!

I had to share this cute picture of Brayden with his Mickey Mouse pancake that I made for his breakfast on Thursday morning.  We are all excited to be going to Disney!!!  Be sure to check my blog each day.  We are suppose to have internet access at our hotel, so hoping we do so that I can keep you all up on our happenings!  I know I won't be posting at any certain time of the day- just whenever. 

You probably won't hear from me on Sunday unless it is "late" that night.  We head out on a "really" early flight & then have a SU! get-to-gather that evening when we get there.  It will depend on what time we get back to our room, if we have internet access & how tired I am if I get anything posted.  

Monday morning "bright & early" we have a continental breakfast & then SU! is taking us to the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy show.  We will probably spend the whole day in Magic Kingdom after the show.  Hope to take lots of cool pictures to show you on my blog.

Thanks again to all of you that made this amazing trip possible.  I can't wait to get there.  I know I'll be excited to be home & raring to go to share all of my new things with each of you!  I am very much a home body & know I'll miss the rest of our family that doesn't get to go with us.  Especially the twins when I'm use to having them at our home all day every day!

We are thankful that David (Deke's Dad) & Darci (Deke's sister) will be here & are taking care of things on our farm for a few days for us!  Bless them!

Have a wonderful day!
SUSIE

Lovin' this pinwheel quilt card!

HI!  Happy Friday!!!

I just really like this card.....
I use to make quilts.  I was blessed a wonderful grandma Cox that showed me how to be crafty!  I just don't have the time any more to do any quilting (someday I will)- so have to do it on my cards!!

This is a card that I did at my STYC.  It is called a pinwheel technique.  It is much easier to do than it looks.

*Cut 2 pieces of card stock 2 5/8" square.
*Lay them on top of each other making the triangle corners.
*With the 1 1/4" square punch out 8 squares.
*Attach them starting at one point & lay on top of each other as you go around the outside triangles, being sure to leave about 1/8" card stock edge. 
*On the last square- slide it in under the first one.
NOTE:  Only put adhesive on the first square on the right side so that you can slide the last square up underneath it.  

'Loving Thoughts'
cs:  Riding Hood Red & Basic Gray
Twitterpated Designer Paper
ink:  Basic Gray
supplies:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, basic pearls, Riding Hood Red Pleated Satin ribbon, dimensionals, sticky strip

One of my MANY projects to do this summer is that I want to make a barn quilt to hang on our old milk shed.  This is the pattern I want to use.  :)  I just love barn quilts & think it would look really neat on our farm.  If I get it done- I'll be sure to post a picture of it!

It is going to be a busy next 36 hours before we leave for Disney!  Making my swaps are first on my list to do.  Then will start making my list of things to pack, clean & such.  Also have stamp orders to deliver & a few other errands I have to run. 

Hope you have a great day!! 

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Off to the races!!

We were off to the races last night.......I just had to share this cute picture of the twins (Brody & Drake) in their racing outfits.  We took this picture last night right before we walked out the door.  Check out their checkered flag socks & racing parts all over their shirts.  They will be 8 months old on Sunday.  Time sure flies! 

Smooches!

HI!

WOW- I have all 3 grandsons this morning, they all stayed over night after the races last night.  So busy here feeding bottles, making breakfast, etc.  We have a zoo this morning!

But I wanted to do a quick post....... This is a cute card that we did at my STYC.

'Friendly Phrases'
cs:  Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight & Whisper White
Smooches Designer Paper
ink:  Island Indigo
supplies: 3/4" circle punch, paper piercing tool, mat pack, dimensionals, 1" square punch, postage stamp punch, Smooches fabric brads

We all enjoyed the races last night.  My sister Julie, nieces Jackie & Mattie & nephew Luke came too, to sit with us & watch Nathan.  It was great to see them!!  Nathan did really good!!  Had to start 10th in main due to the inverting since he finished 2nd last week & he finished 2nd again last night.  He had several cars to pass.  Once he got around them the leader was too far out to catch.  But the winner was our friend Zack- which was great too!  Nathan is planning to race tomorrow night in Columbus Junction, but sounds like it is going to rain so we will see if they have them or not.  Tonight the guys will work in the shop & I have to start working on my swaps for our Disney trip!

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

The RETIRING ACCESSORIES & DECOR ELEMENTS list is out today!

Hi!
WOW- I emailed out the LONG list of retiring ACCESSORIES & DECOR ELEMENTS this morning.  They are LONG!  Lots of things....so if you didn't get it & want me to send it to you- please contact me.  The items on these lists are LIMITED SUPPLY ONLY!!  Get what you want right away before they are gone. 

The RETIRING STAMP LIST will be available until 05/31.  

So you still have time to wait on those. 

Have you noticed the 'Packed for Everything' stamp bundle in the back of the Occasions Mini?

They are really cute!  The set of 4 can be purchased as a set or individually.  The sets are:  'Packed for Birthday', 'Packed for Baby', 'Packed for Dad' & 'Packed for Mom'.

These 4 cards are ones that were my Stamp 'Til You Cramp projects.  The technique on them is called spotlighting.  This is a great way to add color to your card without having to color the entire image.  Plus it highlights something special you like, for example the balloons on the birthday card. 

'Packed for Birthday'

'Packed for Baby'

'Packed for Mom'

'Packed for Dad'

NOTE:
Did you notice the diagonal scoring on each card? 
That was done with the new Diagonal scoring plate. 
COOL huh!
 
We race tonight in Osky.  Should be a nice night- hoping that the rain stays away.
The twins are going to go with us tonight & then spend the night with G'ma & G'pa when we get home.  Brayden is excited that they are going racing with us tonight.
Good luck to Nathan!  Go 52!!

Have a great day!!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Check out this cool CROSS card!!

HI!  Wow a great week here to catch up on things.
The Lord knows I need a week like this.
I need to get a lot done.
Hopefully I get over being sick & back to normal soon.
I still am not back to myself yet.
I am not very good at not being able to go 100 mph.
I will enjoy a quiet day home today with the twins.
If it is as nice as it is suppose to be we might be able to go outside. 
I have plenty of weeds to pull, as our yard needs some attention!
And I think the boys would enjoy the fresh air & can play in their walkers on the driveway.
Every Tuesday night I'm a farmer....as we sell hogs, so I'll go out there when the twins leave.
I also helped Deke outside last night for awhile.  We sorted & moved some pigs.
Then I did work in the yard for about 1 hour before coming in to get supper. 
I just love working on our farm with Deke & being outside. 

Here is a really cool card that I did at my STYC on Saturday!

I just think it is so cool!!  

I just couldn't wait to share it with you.

This time of year we are all looking for a neat cross card for Baptisms, Weddings, 1st Communions, Confirmations or even Sympathy cards.

Pretty cool huh!!

'Blessings from Heaven'

cs:  Baja Breeze, Whisper White

other:  Typing paper- as it needs to be thin paper in order to punch through 2 layers to make the cross.

ink:  Baja Breeze

supplies:  Scallop Trim Border punch, Scallop Trim Corner punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, XL Oval punch, Baja Seam Binding ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot.

NOTE:
My piece of paper that I punched the cross from measures 4 1/2" x 2 3/4".
You fold it in half long ways & then fold the top down approx. 1 1/2".
Using the scallop trim corner punch- punch on the folded corner.
Then open it up & punch the bottom of the cross with the straight scallop trim punch.

I did use just plain old white typing paper to do this so that I could punch through 2 layers at a time.
(card stock & designer paper are too think & didn't want to jam or ruin my punch)
And then I ran it through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder so that the fold lines wouldn't show.

You will have to give it a try!

Have a great day!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE

A new week!!!!!

This is a quiet week for me......even though we have LOTS to do it is much calmer than my normal.

I don't have any more stamping events on my calendar until Sunday, May 5th.  Sue is my hostess that day!!  We'll just have gotten home the day before from our Stampin' UP! Disney trip.......so I'll be excited with new things to share!!!  I'll then be back in the saddle with 3 other stamping workshop that week- one at my home & one with my gals in CR.  PLUS I'll be meeting with my downline group too!!  Lots to look forward to the week we return. :)

Early next Sunday morning, April 29th- Deke, Brayden & I will be heading for our Stampin' UP! Disney trip to Orlando!!  We've never been to Disney before & to make it even more special- G'ma & G'pa are taking Brayden along this year & we will get to celebrate his 4th Birthday on May 1st- while we are there!!  He is excited to get to see Mickey & Minnie.  I honestly don't think he has a clue that there will be so much more there than just Mickey!  We have a chart & are counting down the days!  :)  Someday hopefully we'll get to return to Disney & take Brody & Drake along too!!  G'ma will miss them so much while we are gone.....gosh- I see them daily!!  I'm sure they will have changed tons those few days that we are away.

I want to thank all of my wonderful customer friends for helping me to earn this special trip!  I earned this trip based upon my yearly personal sales.  And I can't say that it was easy!!  I worked hard & held lots & lots of stamping workshops!!  If it weren't for you attending my events & ordering from me- I'd never have earned this special honor.  I treasure you all & thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I love sharing my love of stamping with each of you!!  And I look forward to seeing you at my next event & stamping!!  Stampin' UP! is an amazing company & has brought so much to my life! 

On our Stampin 'UP! trips I so look forward to seeing so many of my demonstrator friends (LeeAnn, Missy, Robin, Di, Kelly, Carol, Jane, Tiffany, Ann, Heather, Mary, Dawn, etc.)!  It will be especially special this year to see many of their families along with them.  I can't wait!!! It will be fun for Brayden to meet new friends too!  We plan to spend some time with my dear demonstrator friend Christy & her husband Keith- as this will be Christy's first SU! incentive trip (WAHOO) & her words on Saturday were that 'it will be fun to see Disney through the eyes of a child', meaning being around Brayden!!  :)  How true!!

I will hopefully be able to have internet connection while we are gone & post daily so you can keep up on us while on our trip!

We are especially grateful that Deke's sister Darci is going to be staying at our home while we are gone so that she can help her dad do our chores with the pigs & take care of my dog & cats.  Nathan usually takes care of things on the farm while we are gone, but with his job change this year at principal at Pekin it was going to be too hard from him to do them.  Thankfully he will still check in with Darci & help after school & make sure the feed is ground & things are going ok.  

Today I want to share a cool card that we did at my Spring STYC last Saturday!  This class was a techniques class.  Everyone made 29 cards!!  (WOW- YES- LOTS!!)  And they all learned something new!!  It was a FUN FILLED DAY OF STAMPING!!!

This beautiful card is the chalk board technique.  It is very striking!  There are different ways to create this look.  I did it by stamping the images with white craft ink onto black card stock, then heat dry the ink (so it doesn't smear) & using sponge daubers I tapped pastel chalks onto the images.  Too cool huh!

'Flower Fest' (retiring) &'Three Little Words' (retiring)

cs:  Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black

ink:  White CRAFT ink, Basic Black

supplies:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Clear Circle Bigz die, Large Scallop Circle Bigz die, Large Oval punch, Fancy Flower punch, Blossom Petals Builder punch, Basic Pearls, dimensionals

Have a great week!!!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!

SUSIE