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

'Lovely As A Tree'

HI!
Yipee- we got some rain last night!!
There were some plus's & minus's that went along with that.
We got wind first though & it broke a big branch out of our tree in our front yard. 
And Nathan got rained out at Columbus Junction after they drove all of the way down there to race.
BUMMER!
But we were so dry & really need the rain for the crops & yard.

Yesterday I had the twins in the afternoon & my sister Barbie was here to visit. 
It was a nice/fun afternoon!
I did get all of my scrapbook things finally put away.
And I did a little stamping last night.
I kinda struggled with my Mojo at first- but really like the 2 cards I got done.
I have TONS to do today/tonight.

From 3 to 8 today, Deke & I will be attending the dedication of our Lake Belva Deer.  

Since Deke is on the Board of Supervisors he got an invitation to attend & we graciously accepted.  

It is truely a beautiful place!!!

Keokuk County is so LUCKY to have such a great conservation officer- as David & his crew have done an amazing job building everything at our Lake and taking great care of things.

Governor Brandstad will be there to do the dedication.

They are having a bus tour, the dedication & then a supper.

The public is invited to some of this & other parts of it are for reservation/invitation only.

We are looking forward to it. 

Today I wanted to share a card that I did in March at my 40 card class.

Again.......an 'OLDIE' but a goodie stamp set.

I just love 'Lovely As A Tree'.

 'Lovely As A Tree' & 'Embellished Events'

cs:  Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso

ink:  Early Espresso

Soft Subtles Designer Series Paper Stacks

supplies:  Naturals button, linen thread, Word Window punch, Decorative Label punch, dimensionals, glue dot, watercolor crayons & blender pens

Ok- off to my stamp studio I go with my cup of coffee!
I'll be a stampin' fool today.
Thankfully Deke said he would help me do the Big Shot cutting tonight when we get home.

Have a great day!!

ENJOY!

Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Some of my scapbook pages..........

HI!
Here are 4 of my sets of scrapbook pages that we did at my class last Saturday!!  I offered a wide assortment of various layouts & pages.  It was so much fun!!  I think they all turned out super cute!
All of the products I used were Stampin' UP!  Many of them were retired (designer paper, buttons, ribbon, brads, dies)- as I was cleaning out things.  

Yesterday I enjoyed they whole day.  In the morning I had a visit from Brayden.  He was here with his dad at the shop, but he always knows that Grandma has cookies & enjoys his company- so he came down to check in on me & ended up here until his dad came to get him.  Then I had lunch with my friend Marge, Manda & the twins.  After that Manda, the twins & I went to pick out & order her new glasses.  They are cute & look really nice on her.  She got a few groceries & loaded up on formula & baby things too before we headed back home.  The boys are so good!  We had several comments from people we saw that 'They sure are good babies'!  Today they are 10 months old!  Were does time go?  We are so blessed!

Since Deke had a meeting all day yesterday, he spent his whole night moving pigs & it was almost midnight when he got in.  I felt so sorry for him.  I went out & helped him about an hour, as I was getting worried about him.  (I offered to help earlier & he said he would get it- but I should have gone anyways.)  The spent my might in my studio cleaning & putting things away from my scrapbooking class.  Almost done!!

Today I am creating & cutting cards & getting ready for my workshop that I have on Sunday!  WAHOO!!  I have some fun new things to share.  Can't wait to see everyone that is coming.   I have LOTS to do before I'm ready for this workshop.  I hope I have good MOJO & things just click! :)

Nathan races tonight- but I don't know if I'm going yet or not.  We'll see how my day goes.  If Brayden doesn't want to go I'll stay home & stamp.

We've had some terribly HOT days this week & so badly need the rain for our crops!!  I've been PRAYING we get some much rain soon!!  This heat isn't good.   

Have a great day!
ENJOY!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Papa Deke & the twins..........

Today the twins are 10 months old!!!

What a blessing they are.

Just precious!

We are so lucky that our family lives so close to us & we get to spend so much time with them!!

'Lovely As A Tree'

HI!  This set is an OLDIE but a goodie!  I love it & have used it TONS.

This is a card that I did at my 40 card class in March.

'Lovely As A Tree' & 'Loving Thoughts'
cs:  Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
ink:  Early Espresso
supplies:  Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, dimensionals

My dear friend Nicole Slaubaugh gave me a card similar to this one a long time ago, so the creator for this one goes to her.   Thanks Nicole!  :)

This set is just so versatile.  Anyone that has been stamping very long probably has this stamp set.  It is a great set to use for a guy card too!

Deke has meetings in Ottumwa all day today, so since he won't be here for me to have to make lunch for, I am taking my friend Marge out for lunch, as I haven't seen her for a long time & we use to work together at the courthouse.  It will be great to get to see her & chat.  I think that Manda & the twins are going with us & possibly Brayden too.  When we get home I will be heading to my stamp studio to create! I still have to finish picking up from my scrapbooking class & then I have my monthly Iowa City workshop on Sunday & need to get going on those 6 cards too.  I have a bigger group joining us & I have some new fun things to share!!!

Have a great day!!
ENJOY!
HUGS!
SUSIE