HI!
Happy Father's Day to all of the great dad's in this world.  I know my dad was amazing & I miss him terribly.  But we have some pretty special other dads in our family- Deke, Nathan, Steven!!  Love them all!! 

This is a card that I did at my workshops this month.  I got the idea from one that SU! posted on Facebook several weeks ago.  (I actually posted their version in different colors a couple of weeks ago on my blog.) And you know me- I have to add layers & change the colors.  I just think this is so cute!!

'Best Dad Ever'
cs:  Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Whisper White
First Edition Designer Paper
ink:  Night of Navy
supplies:  Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, Denim Jean ribbon, paper clip, dimensionals, glue dot

Our kids are coming for lunch today & we are going to cook out- pork burgers & brats.  Nathan has been wanting potato salad so I got that made yesterday afternoon.  Steven wants my cheesy potatoes- so we'll have that too!  Also need to get Deke's chocolate birthday (his BD is on Tuesday) cake baked yet & a little cleaning done.  As usual- I have stamp orders all over my living room & dinning room.  I worked on them all afternoon & evening yesterday.  Wahoo- Lots of customers got my new In Color Bundle- so was sorting & getting that all ready for delivery!! They are going to LOVE our new colors, ink pad design & have fun creating with them!  :) 

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

NEW Elegant Butterfly punch

HI! A couple of days ago I mentioned that the new Elegant Butterfly punch would even work with the 'Papaya Collage' stamp set.  Here is a picture of it.  As you can tell I shadow stamped the butterfly image & then sponged around the edges of it.  Although it is not exactly the same- for those of you that don't like to cut things out- I think this looks good & works perfectly!!!

So- what do you think?

I think it works!!

It is much better than having to cut out the butterfly isn't it?

This is a card that I have previously posted.

It was one of my shoe box swaps that I did for my last "Iowa Inker's" downline meeting.

I also just made a bunch of this card for my May & June customer birthday cards.  :)

'Papaya Collage' & 'Curly Cute'

cs:  Certainly Celery, Soft Suede & Very Vanilla

ink:  Certainly Celery & Soft Suede

supplies: Big Shot, New Fancy Fan embossing folder, sponge, 

Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots, basic pearls, 

Elegant Butterfly punch, Soft Suede marker

Have a great day!

ENJOY!!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Thinking of my dad today.......

Today is a bitter sweet day........as it is my dad's birthday!  We lost him 6 years ago tomorrow.....I know- yes on Father's Day.  A terrible day that we will never forget.  We miss my dad so much!!  I think of him every day.  I so wish he was here to see our grandchildren & spend time with us as he use to.  He would LOVE all 3 of the boys- Brayden, Brody & Drake!  We talk about my dad all of the time.  Brayden never got to meet Papa John- which is so sad, as they would have been great buddies!!!  But believe me- Brayden knows Papa John.  He knows his favorite songs, his favorite foods, his sayings, his favorite color, etc.  I love hearing Brayden bring dad up when we are doing something that he knows dad would have loved!  Dad was an avid racing fan too!!  He hardly ever missed a night of racing with our family.  Every night that Nathan races I say a few prayers as he goes out onto the track & I always put the guardian angel of Papa John on his shoulder.  Believe me- I do believe my dad is Nathan's guardian angel on the trace track, as there has been times when things happened that really should have been so much worse than they were & we were lucky & they weren't.   I know my dad is gone but I also know he is still with us!

Dad- I Will Always Love You- that wonderful Dolly Parton song (that you loved & we played at your funeral).  Thank you for all of your love, support & things you taught me to help mold me into the person that I am today!!

I Will Always Love You Dad!
SUSIE

It is a Flower Note pad........

HI!  Here is another project that I did at Lisa's party last weekend.  It was lots of fun & I think everyone liked it!  I just love the bright colors in the new Floral District designer paper.

It is a 4x4 piece of chip board.  I covered it with a 4x4 piece of our new Floral District Designer paper.  The front piece flips up & underneath is a note pad.

Floral District designer paper
cs:  Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Rose Red
supplies:  Blossom punch, Brights assorted buttons, linen thread, new 1/4" stitched Daffodil Delight ribbon, dimensionals, sticky strip, crop-a-dile.

I punched out 3 different flowers.  The bottom one (Rose Red) I attached directly to the Daffodil (Floral District) designer paper.  The other 2 flowers I misted lightly with water & scrunched them.  I let them dry & then stuck them together with snail adhesive & put them on over the top of the Rose flower.  Then added the button, putting it on with a dimesional so that it popped up. 

Have a great day!
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

More butterflies.....

HI!
Here is a pretty card that I did at my New Catalog Open Houses this month.  You can't really tell from the photo, but it opens in two different directions.  Neat huh!  I got my inspiration in making this card from one that I saw that my friend LeeAnn Greff had done.  I will try to find time to CASE her card & post it too so you can see it.

'Papaya Collage' & 'Petite Pairs'
cs:  Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Whisper White
ink:  Raspberry Ripple & Gumball Greeen
supplies:  Big Shot, Fancy Favor embossing folder, white gel pen, Large Oval punch, scallop edge border punch, Gumball Green 3/8" stitched satin ribbon, rhinestones, dimensionals, glue dot

Notice that the leaves & the butterflies were shadow stamped.  This means that I inked the stamp one time & then stamped the image multiple times without re-inking the stamp to give the image a lighter or shadowed effect.

The 'Papaya Collage' stamp set was one of the stamp sets that demonstrators could preorder in May, so that we'd have it to be able to start June out with new catalog products for our workshops.  I have to be honest- it wasn't a set that I particularly cared for, but I have to say after I've played with it & made several different cards with it I really like it!!!  It has a lot of versatility!!  :)

NOTE:  The NEW Elegant Butterfly punch will work with the butterfly in this stamp set!!!  YEAH!

We raced last night & got home late so the twins spent the night here since Manda had training in Ottumwa early this morning.  So- Grandma is being paged- I'd better run.  I'm going to enjoy another fun day with 2 of my boys!  Tonight we race again.  We are going to race in Eldon for their fair race.  Hope Nathan has good luck!!

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

Cupcake easel card

HI!

Here is an easel cupcake card.  It is one that I took a picture of last year at Founders while touring the Stampin' UP! office, so I have no idea who the creator of it is.

 Notice how the circles are punched out & taped onto the bashful blue card stock on the front piece.  Then that whole square is ran through the big shot with an embossing folder.  This technique is called inlaid embossing.

'Create a Cupcake'
cs:  Pacific Point, Old Olive, Real Red, & Whisper White
ink:  Real Red
supplies:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Scallop Square Bigz Clear die, 3/16" corner rounder, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Cupcake Builder punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (flower), 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, rhinestone, dimensionals

I'm going to enjoy my day with the twins again, as Manda has training today for school.  Deke has meetings all day today, so won't be around.  Tonight we race in Osky- so I wish Nathan good luck!!  Know we sold hogs last night & it was after 10 when I got in & the guys stayed working in the shop until after 1:00.  We'll all be at the race to cheer him on.  The twins will be spending the night tonight since we'll get home late & Manda & Steve will have to get up early on tomorrow morning.

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

A pretty card with LOTS of new things......

HI!

This morning I'm going to share another card that I did at Lisa's workshop on Saturday.

I used lots of new products.  

Too bad you can't see it in person to see all of the details.

Notice the the new designer paper & the new embossing folder images!

This is a very basic layout- but I wanted to showcase the new designer paper.

'Layered Labels'

cs:  Crumb Cake, Raspberry Ripple & Whisper White

Natural Composition Specialty designer paper

ink:  Raspberry Ripple

supplies:  Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Large Scallop Edgelit, Delicate Designs folder, Large Oval punch, Scallop oval punch, basic pearls, Raspberry Ripple 3/8" stitched satin ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot

I covered the back flap of the white envelope to go with this card too with crumb cake designer paper.

I am Lovin' this new Natural Composition Specialty designer paper.

It is really beautiful in person!!!

It has a raised, glossy embossing image on one side of each of the 12x12 sheets & then the back side is just plain.  

There are 2 sheets each of 6 different designs.

All of the designs are beautiful!!!  

I was so surprised when I saw it in person.  

It goes great with both the Crumb Cake & Soft Suede card stocks & all colors of card stock.

I have the twins this afternoon.

I need to get some stamp stuff put away from my workshops this past weekend before they get here.

Tonight we sell 2 loads of hogs.  

At least it is to be cooler out, which will be better for the hogs & us tonight.

Be sure to stop back by tomorrow.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Happy Stamping!

ENJOY!!

SUSIE

Papa & Brayden snoozing.......

Just had to share this.......

Here is a cute picture of 2 of my favorite guys sleeping!  They were laying exactly the same & then I went to get the camera & both of them had moved.  Still a CUTE picture though huh!  :)

Butterflies in flight........

HI!  Happy Monday!

Check out this card that we stamped at Lisa's party on Saturday.  Don't you love the new butterfly stamp set & coordinating punch?  I love it!!

Notice the envelope underneath the card.  I stamped a butterfly on the front bottom corner & then I covered the back flap of the envelope with coordinating designer paper.  

'Papillon Potpourri' & 'Sweet Essentials'
cs:  Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Floral District designer paper
ink:  Rose Red
supplies:  Rhinestones, Elegant Butterfly punch, dimensionals, glue dot, White 5/8" Organza Ribbon

WOW- I had a full weekend of stamping with many old & some new friends!!  Glad to share my love of stamping with you!  We had fun creating some cool projects with lots of NEW catalog products! 

Today Deke & I will be attending the funeral of a friend & co-worker (Cindy Hollingsworth).  She was only 54 years old.  I met her & her husband (Terry) 28 years ago when I worked with them at the Sheriff's Office as a dispatcher.  Then the past 6 plus years I worked with her again through my job as secretary at the County Attorney's Office.  (Plus I worked with her son Jesse too.)  She was a very nice lady & will be missed by many.  I have many fond memories of our times together at work & pleasure too.  My heart goes out to her family.  They are all in our thoughts & prayers.  

Wishing you all a fabulous week!!!
Be sure to check back to see some more projects I've been creating with new catalog products.

ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Stamped pinwheels..........

HI!

Wow- what a busy day yesterday!!!  I was really tired last night.......

The Keota parade was hot, but alot of fun!  The twins were such troopers & so good!  My sister Beckie, my sister Julie, my niece Ginny, Manda & the twins & I all walked the whole way.  My brother-in-law Dan brought an old car that he made & the older kids rode with him in it.  Nathan took his race car & trailer & my guys road in it.  It was a very big & nice parade! There were alot of people.

As soon as the parade was over & I got back to my vehcile I headed to Lisa's for her party!!  She had really fun workshop.  I think my projects were a hit & we all enjoyed a great afternoon visiting & stamping!! I will post pictures of the cards & note holder we did at her party sometime in the next week or so.  So be watching for them.

Then last night we went out to eat supper at Tallyran with my sister Beckie & brother-in-law Dan.  We all wanted Mexican food, but the restaurant was out of that so we had something different.  We'll have to try again some night to get their Mexican food.  We've heard it is amazing!

Today I want to share another pretty card that I took a picture of at convention last July that was on the display board.  I love this cool pinwheel card.  AND I found out that my dear friend LeeAnn Greff is the creator of this beautiful card too!!!

'Sweets for the Sweet' & 'Tiny Tags'
cs:  Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
ink:  Wisteria Wonder & Lucky Limeade
supplies:  Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, mini silver bards, white twine, jewelry tag punch, postage stamp punch, scallop square punch, Lucky Limeade ribbon, Scallop Edge Border punch, Boho Blossom punch, dimensionals, glue dot,

Well- I have lots to get done yet this morning, as I'm making more In Color bookmarks, cutting more card stock & getting ready to start packing up to head out the door soon for my workshop in Hiawatha today.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone there & spending our afternoon stamping together.  I  have a big group coming to join me!!  Wendee is our hostess.   :)  YIPEE!!!!

Hope you have a fabulous day!!!
ENJOY!!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

BUSY DAY!

HI!

Quick post this morning......

Here are a couple of pictures of Brayden & I planting flower a couple of weeks ago.

I'll get updated pictures of our pots for you soon. 
Our flowers are growing like crazy & are beautiful!!

Busy day today!

Finishing cutting card stock & packing up for my workshop at Lisa's this afternoon.

Then heading to Keota soon to be in the parade with my sister for her running for Keokuk County Auditor.  

We all got our new 'Appleget for Auditor' shirts to wear!

Tonight when I get home I will finish cutting cardstock & making book marks for my Hiawatha group I'll be seeing tomorrow.

Here is a picture of a card that was on our hospitality display table at Disney.

It is created with 'Betsy's Blossoms'.

Have a great day!!

Enjoy!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

World Treasures......

HI!
Here are a couple of cards that were on our hospitality display board at Disney.  They are created with a new stamp set called 'World Treasures'. 

Notice the new jumbo wheel 'Alhambra', the 'Labels Collection' framelit, new designer paper- 'International Bazar'.  LOTS of cool new products.

Yesterday was a busy day.  Bradyen & I went to watch uncle Jerry's tractor group ride through Sigourney.  Lots of fun seeing so many old tractors.  And Brayden is a tractor nut- so he loved it. 

Then my friend, Julie, has twin boys & she is having a garage sale this weekend.  So she invited Manda & I to come over to get the first look at everything.  We took the boys & went over to check things out.  Oh my gosh- we struck it rich!  She had so many NICE things!!  It was so organized & clean & just the nicest garage sale I've ever been to before.  Our twins got SO MANY NEW CLOTHES & a few new toys.  We are so thankful she thought of us!!! 

No boys today.  Manda & twins will come out for awhile later though as we are trying to get a wagon ready for them to ride in the Keota parade in the morning.  Have to support aunt Beckie for her Keokuk County Auditor running!! 

I have lots of stamping to do as I have a workshop tomorrow & one on Sunday too!  Can't wait! 

The guys race tonight in Columbus Junction, but I won't be going.......I have to get my things done here.  

I also get my hair cut this afternoon.  I can't wait for that either.....I look pretty shabby.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!!
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Pool Party Doily!

HI!
Here is another card that I took a picture of at convention last July that was up on display boards.  So I don't know who the creator of this card is.

'Doily'
cs:  Pool Party & Whisper White
ink:  Pool Party
supplies:  In Color- 3/8" Designer Printed brads, 5/8" White Organza ribbon, dimensionals

Neat how they layered just the middle of this isn't it!

Brayden is here again today.  He wants to help Papa on the farm some.......so hopefully that will work out. 

I have to take my 7 yr old nephew Luke to get his ball pictures taken this afternoon.  And sometime today we have to go to a pre-garage sale that a customer/friend is having, as she also has twin boys- so checking things out early to get clothes for the twins.

My uncle is in a tractor club & they are coming through Sigourney today- so going to try to make it to town to see them go by too.  Brayden LOVES tractors!  He knows all about them!

We raced last night & Nathan didn't make the invert (finished 5th in the heat & had to finish 4th or better), so he had to start 15th in the main.  He did good though & ended up 5th in the end.  There were a lot of cars & a big crowd in the stands with the $2 off admission coupons. They lasted about an hour later than normal due to a few more cars, 3 extra double feature makes up from the rain out last week & a wreck. 

My friend Debbie & her husband came to the races last night & sat behind us.  Yesterday was Debbie's birthday & they have talked about coming to the races for years & decided that is what she wanted to do for her birthday!  I think they had a fun.  She said she'd like to come again.  :)  Wish Nathan could have won- but at least he finished & didn't get wrecked.  There were also several other friends there sitting with us!

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

NEW PRODUCT- cake card

HI!

First of all I found out who the creator of the card I posted yesterday is.......it is my dear friend LeeAnn Greff.  No wonder of all the cards I took pictures of that was one I really liked & chose to post on my blog.  She is an AMAZING demonstrator, a WONDERFUL person & a close FRIEND!  

I love spending time with her & love her ideas!!

I can't wait to see her at convention next month.

Today's card is one that I'm doing at my workshops this month.

Don't you love all of the new In Colors?

Cute layout too with the big banner of designer paper too huh.

 'Make a Cake', 'Itty Bitty Banners' & 'Bring on the Cake'

cs:  Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit & Whisper White

Patio Party Designer Paper

ink:  Midnight Muse

Summer Starfuit

supplies:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, dimensionals, 2 ways glue pen, metallic brads (assorted- I used the silver), white gel pen

What a fun day I had......I spent my whole day yesterday with Manda & the twins. Brody & Drake had their 9 months dr appt & everything went great!!  The dr was surprised at how much they had grown & said that they were both doing perfect.  They both are getting more new teeth.  Brody weighs 20 lbs 8 oz & Drake weighs 20 lbs 2 oz.  Brody was almost a pound lighter at birth, but now weighs more.  He is a really good eater though & Drake is a little pickier.  We ate lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken & the twins loved the chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy & biscuits.  They are doing great with their sippy cups & are only getting 2 bottles a day now.  My how time fies.  They sure are growing fast.  We made a run to Walmart for formula & baby things too & they were both so good.  Manda is looking at the next step up for car seats, but think she is going to end up ordering them on line, as we aren't finding what she is wanting in the stores.

Last night Deke had a meeting, so thankfully our truck driver was nice enough to back off our load of hogs until later.   So it was a late night for us of sort & loading hogs, but all worked out.  We both just showered & went right to bed when we got in.

Today Brayden will spend the day with me!!  We have some errands to run & stamping to get done.  We race tonight so he'll forsure need a nap this afternoon.  Papa Deke has a meeting all day in Ottumwa & then he will be home long enough to chore & back out the door again for another meeting tonight.  He will hopefully get to the races in time for the features.   Nathan has $2 off tickets for the races tonight- so excited to see many new faces of friends join us for the races.  I know my friend Debbie & her husband Jeff, are planning to come tonight to celebrate her birthday. I think her husband things she is crazy for wanting to come to the races for her birthday- but I think it is cool!

Ok- lots to get done today.....I'd better run.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Flowers!!

HI!

This is a picture that I took at convention last July.  The card was on a big display board.  It caught my attention & I think it is really cool.  I love the different shades of the flowers. 

''Friendly Phrases'
marker:  Pacific Point
cs:  Whisper White, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Certainly Celery
supplies:  Blossom Petals builder punch, Scallop Edge Border punch, Itty Bitty Punch pack, mini brads, 3/8" white taffeta ribbon, glue dots, paper piercing tool & mat pick.

NOTE:  Isn't it cool how the flowers are made with the 2 different petals from the Blossom Petals builder punch?  

I'm looking forward to spending my day with Manda & the boys.  Today the twins have their 9 month check-up with Dr. Mary.  We'll see how much they weigh.  She isn't going to believe how big they are.

Then tonight is my farmer night.  :)

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