More 'Reason to Smile'!!

HI!  Happy Monday!!

Don't we all need a 'Reason to Smile'!  This stamp set is one good reason to smile!

I LOVE fall!!  It is my favorite time of the year.  And it is just around the corner......so you'll be seeing lots of things coming up with fall in mind!

This set is a SU! exclusive & is only available with during the month of August!  It cost $5.00 with a $50.00 order!

If you want this set- be sure to shoot me an email or order on line before tomorrow night (07/31).  I will be placing a last minute order tomorrow if anyone needs me to add it to an order for them.  After tomorrow this set will be gone forever!

'Reason to Smile' & 'Loving Thoughts'

cs:  More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory

Naturals Designer Series Paper

ink:  More Mustard, Chocolate Chip

marker:  More Mustard, Chocolate Chip

supplies:  1 3/4" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 2 1/2" circle punch, dimensionals, color spritzer tool 

Deke is in the office this morning.  I wish I could say I was going to be home stamping all day- but not so.....I have farm business to take care of today.  I have to run to Washington for that & will deliver a few stamp orders on my way home. Then tonight April is having a Thirty One party that I will be going to.  

I have 4 workshops coming up in the next 2 weeks that I need to find time to plan.  I have so many ideas from convention......now to play & figure out what I'm going to do!!  

Have a great week!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Fabric flowers......WOW!

HI!

At convention they had working stations that SU! employees did showing us new products.  The Holiday Mini has new Jumbo Sticky Rounds.  AND they work fabulous for sticking material to for make flowers like this one.

This is a close up of a flower I did on my card for my shoe box swap for my downline meeting yesterday.  I used the Summer Smooches Fabric.

'Itty Bitty Banners'

cs:  Real Red, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

Summer Smooches Designer Paper

ink:  Real Red

supplies:  Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Scallop Edge Border punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (small circle), Brights Designer buttons, Basic Pearls (colored with a red sharpie marker), White Baker's Twine, Essentials Paper- Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing tool, 3/8" Ruffled Lucky Limeade ribbon, glue dots, dimensionals

We had a great downline meeting yesterday!

A big group, lots of ideas & a fun day!

Glad everyone could join me!
It was fun sharing with each other!

Deke & I had all 3 grandsons last night.
(The twins went home about 10 & Brayden spent the night.)

It was a fun night enjoying all of our boys & playing!

They love each other & are so fun to watch them play together.

We did lots of rolling on the floor, chasing each other & laughing!
How lucky we are that they live close by & we get to see them often. 

Made Brayden his pancakes & bacon for breakfast & enjoy him a bit this morning!

Then hope to spend the afternoon in my stamp room getting things put away from yesterdays meeting & gearing up for all of my workshops I have next week.

We were blessed with a little rain yesterday.

Hope more is on the way!

We will take all we can get since it has been so hot & dry here.

Have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

OH- Black cats.........love them!! Especially this one!

HI!

I am a huge cat lover!  

(I'm just an animal lover or any kind.)

AND black cats are among my favorites!  

THEN mix Halloween with them (which is one of my favorite holidays) 

& the potion is AMAZING!! 

Check out my black cat.

He is so cute!!

 Don't you just love his orange glowing eyes?

They are our rhinestones & I colored them with a permanent (sharpie) magic marker!

AND here is my whole card!
It is a window sheet card.
All new products that will soon be available in the NEW Holiday Mini beginning 08/01.
'Frightening Feline', 'Seasonal Saying' & 'Tiny Tags'
cs:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, window sheet
Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Paper
ink:  Black Stazon
supplies: rhinestones, 1/8" black taffeta ribbon, 1" square punch (to make the points on the end of the banner), Little Labels Punch Pack, Basic Black & Tangerine Tango 1/2" scallop dots ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots
other:  Permanent Orange Sharpie marker

What an EXCITING day I have ahead of me!!!

I'm having my downline meeting today & have invited several adoptees to join me!
AND I have a new recruit joining us today too!!
She is becoming a  Stampin' UP! demonstrator & will be
on my Iowa Inkers downline team!!  WAHOO!

I'll be sharing things at today's meeting about convention.

PLUS we'll be doing LOTS OF STAMPING!
Everyone will be going home with TONS of new ideas!!

This Halloween card is one of the shoe box swaps that I am providing for everyone to make.

OK- I'm off now to water my outside flowers, shower, load my car & head out the door!!

Then Brayden is spending the nigh with G'ma & G'pa tonight!
I can't wait......I haven't seen him for almost 2 weeks since I was gone last week
& he has been gone this week.
Sure miss my little man!  Know he misses me too.
I'm excited to get to see him!

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Convention display boards....

Here are some of the display boards at convention!  

They are full of wonderful stamping ideas!

What a FUN week full of lots of great times spent with friends!
AND LOTS OF WONDERFUL IDEAS TO SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU!!
ENJOY!!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Some convention photos of me....

Here is a picture taken of me with some demonstrator friends as we walked 

across the stage at convention, being recognized for an award.

Here I am with my dear friends Tiffany Bauer & Robin Merriman.
We all met at Founders several years ago & keep in touch!
 We are all in the Go Divi's stamp group below
(along with several other great stamping friends)!

Here I am with my dear friend Sharon Cline.

We met at Founders a few years ago too & hit it off. 

I have to laugh as she has the same name as my mom, born the same month, same year & reminds me so much of my mom.

Whenever there is a SU! event we try to connect for lunch or something each time.

It is always great to see her!

This is me with Angie Juda at Awards night.

We met at Founders a few years ago & the past 2 years have been on the same 'team'!

A picture of me walking off the stage being recognized for my 2012 Founders Award.

 

Here is a picture of me eating supper with some friends on Saturday night- saying our good-byes.

We were eating at the Rodizio Grill.

Lynda, Hanna & I joined my friend LeeAnn Greff & her downline & friends.

Googly Ghouls sneak peek.........

HI!

Here is a card that I made for my upcoming downline meeting that I have on Saturday.  This is one of my swaps!  I have asked several adoptee downline gals to join my 'Iowa Inkers' group for  fun day of stamping!!  I am looking forward to seeing everyone & sharing things from our Stampin' UP! convention with them.

This card is a sneak peek!!  This was created with one of the NEW Halloween sets in the Holiday Mini.  You can start ordering from the Holiday Mini beginning August 1st!  This mini is amazing!!  I want everything in it!!!!!

'Googly Ghouls' & 'Border Banter'
cs:  Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Howlstooth & Scaringbone designer paper (Holiday Mini)
ink:  Black Stazon, Tangerine Tango
supplies:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Googlies (Holiday Mini), Extra Large Oval punch, dimensionals

We were blessed with about 1/4" of rain.  We need more, but not complaining.

I have a terrible sore throat.  I went to bed early last night & slept in a little this morning.  I am hoping I am not getting strep throat!   I don't have time for that.

I am still sorting though orders & trying to get things caught up on from being gone last week.  I still can't believe how behind I am on things.  I have some back ordered stamp sets ('Reason' to Smile' in clear) that come today & can then get done with orders so I can connect with everyone. 

Still have lots of stamping to do with July birthday cards & downline meeting things too!!  Hope I get alot done today. 

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

Cute BANNER......

 HI!
Here is a cute banner that was one of our make & take projects at convention.

There is TONS of NEW PRODUCTS in the project!

'Gossamer Lace'

ink:  Versamark

cs:  More Mustard, Primerose Petals, Early Espresso

Natural Composition Specialty Designer Paper

First Edition Specialty Designer Paper

supplies:  Big Shot, Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, NEW 1 1/4" Scallop Circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Elegant Butterfly punch, Linen Thread, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon, Paper Snips, dimensionals, glue dots, wooden dowl

Do you see the glossy raised print on the Natural paper in the 

Natural Composition Specialty Designer Paper??

There are 2 each of 6 different glossy raised prints on each sheet in this pacakge.

It is beautiful!!

What do you think of the flower?

We will be making one of those at our upcoming monthly classes.

So what do you think about the new Delicate Doilies Sizzlit?

I love it!!

AND the NEW 1 1/4" Scallop Circle punch is in the 

New Holiday Mini on pg. 7 for  $15.95.

We sold a semi load of hogs last night in this dreadful heat!

Pray they all made it safely on their journey.

We were just drenched when we got in.

Deke also got over 1200 baby (weaner) piggies in last week when I was gone, so I went through the buildings last night & saw all of them too......they are SO CUTE!

I hated not being here to help with them.

Deke is in the office this morning.

I have alot of stamping to do.

I have a swap I have to make & get in the mail by noon.

Plus July is almost over with & I don't have my July birthday cards even started yet.....have to get that done too!

Then plan to finish working on sorting & cutting boxes of orders so that I can get them delivered.

Southern Iowa Speedway races for tonight are rescheduled due to heat!

Too dangerous for the guys to put all of the safety equipment on & race in this kind of heat.

So we are home tonight to catch up on things here.

I have gotten through the hundreds of emails that came while I was gone & sorted through the pile of mail that came too & paid the bills.

It is amazing how many things you have to catch up on after being gone for 6 1/2 days.

We have a chance for some rain today!!

It hasn't rained in weeks & everything is brown & dying.

I PRAY that we get some rain today and tomorrow.

Plus temperatures are suppose to be close to 100* again today, but cooling down some tomorrow again.

What a tough summer 2012 has been!

Not good for anything or anyone, but especially tough on our animals & crops.

We need a good corn & bean crop so we have the food to feed our pigs.

I am off to my stamp studio now!!!

Excited to get to stamp!

I've missed it.

Have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE

MOJO Monday sketch

 

HI!

Here is this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch.

I couldn't sleep last night, so got up & this is what I whipped up....

 Very simple!

BUT- what a good wedding or anniversary card!

I can think of endless possibilities using this sketch, so I'm sure you'll be seeing it again at one of my upcoming classes or workshops!

'Forever With You'

cs:  Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Comfort Cafe' designer paper

ink:  Midnight Muse

supplies:  Soft Suede taffeta ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot

Note how clean & flat my bow is.

I used the bow helper! 

If you've been to one of my classes you know what I'm talking about.

If you've never stamped with me- it is amazing!

Such an easy way to tie a perfect/flat bow this way. 

I should have taken a picture of the boxes of stamp orders that the UPS man delivered to our home while I was away!!

I came home to 7 boxes of stamps sitting by my door & 2 more boxes that he brought yesterday afternoon!

So yesterday I literally worked on stamp stuff almost all day except during the lunch hour.

Manda & the twins came out to eat tacos with us for a quick lunch.

It was so wonderful to see them!

I missed them bunches!

My how the twins have grown & changed in a weeks time while grandma was away at convention.

Deke went with me to deliver stamps last night to my IC group.

It was great to chat a bit with some of the gals as they met me to get their new treasures!

We then went on a date.

Deke chose to go to the Olive Garden.

It was good.

I'm sure he enjoyed it since I think he lived on brats all last week while I was gone.

Good thing I had just gotten meat picked up at the locker right before I left so he had some to cook.

Today I'm going to unpack, do laundry & sort more orders to get delivered.

Tonight we sell hogs in this dreadful heat!

I have much to catch up on so hoping to get alot done!

Hope you have a fabulous day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE

Join my team in August & get this gift from SU!

Isn't this CUTE!!
Oh how I love Halloween!

This can be yours when you sign up in August to join my team as a SU! demonstrator!!!

Be sure to check out my blog on 08/01 for more details!
OR contact me before then!
dswood@cloudburst9.net

Starter kits are only $99 (you choose over $120 in products) & you can customize the kit with ANYTHING you have on your wish list!
What a great deal!
What a great time to sign up to be a SU! demo!!
What a perfect time to join my "Iowa Inkers" stampin' team!

IT IS SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!!

Hello everyone......
OH it is SO GOOD TO BE HOME!!!  I walked in the door about 12:30 this morning.  I had an amazing week!  Learned alot & got lots of awards.  THANKS again to all of you- my dear customers & downline for letting me share my love of stamping with each of you!!  I can't wait to see you & share some more!!! 

I so missed my whole family!! It was wonderful to walk in the door & see Deke & get a hug & kiss last night.  Manda & the twins are coming out to see me after bit.  Nathan, April & boys are out of town for a few days camping- but will get to see them on Wednesday.  I am such a home body....being away from my family is hard.  BUT I had great company at convention & so happy that Dawn, Rory, Lynda & Hannah were my buddies all week!!!  We had a lot of fun together!!! 

Lots to catch up on today- so this is going to be short & sweet.

I am sharing with you another make & take that we did at convention on Saturday.  It is another sneak peek of a set from the NEW Holiday Mini catalog.

'Affection Collection'
cs:  Primerose Petals, Early  Espresso, Very Vanilla
ink:  Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Primerose Petals, Midnight Muse
supplies:  small heart punch, Primerose Petals stitched ribbon, Scallop Edge Border punch, Basic Rhinestones, glue dot & dimensionals

Be sure to check back again tomorrow. 

Off now to have a cup of coffee (I didn't have any while gone, as our hotel coffee was terrible) & start unpacking & do laundry!  Then I have to sort though LOTS of Stampin' UP! boxes that came the day before I left & while I was gone & get them ready to be delivered! 

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

Heading home......WOOHOO!!!

HI!
I'm heading home today.  I don't get in Des Moines until late though- so be after midnight before I'm actually at my home.  I am so ready to be home.  I so miss Deke, our kids & our grandsons!!  I am such a home body.....being gone for week is a LONG time for me. 

But what a fun & EXCITING week I had  It was full of great ideas, wonderful friends & so much for me to learn & do.  Stampin' UP! 2012 Convention was amazing & I'm so glad that I got to attend.  I enjoyed spending my week with Dawn, Rory, Lynda & Hannah & seeing all of my other demonstrator friends too!!

This is a sneak peek from the NEW Holiday Mini catalog.  Here is one of the make & takes that we did yesterday.  Isn't the material flower cool!!!  Note the new designer paper too!  

'Affections Collection'

cs:  Very Vanilla, Primerose Petals, Midnight Muse

Natural Composition Specialty Designer Paper

ink:  Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Primerose Petals, Midnight Muse

supplies:  Basic Pearls, Primerose Petals stitched ribbon, sticky strip, dimensionals, Essentials Designer Fabric, small heart punch, Bloosom flower punch, paper snips, glue dots

We are headed out the door now to go to the Tabernacle Choir. 
Then back to check out of our hotel & off to the airport.

Have a great day!!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Your'e Amazing!!!

HI!

Well- today is convention day #3 & the last day!
We are headed out the door now.  Have make & takes this morning, then classes & then closing general session.

Here is a make & take that we did yesterday.  Cute new set!!!



'You're Amazing'
cs:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Primerose Petal. Midnight Muse
ink:  Midnight Muse
supplies:  Linen thread, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Itty Bitty punch pack (to make the very small heart- can't wait to show you), Ticket Duo punch, dimensionals, glue dots

Yesterday was a fun day!!  We were busy with classes & learning new things!!  I am so excited!!  I learned alot yesterday that I will be showing & doing at upcoming workshops, classes & my Fall Stamp 'Til You Cramp.

Eight of us got together last night, went out for supper at the Red Rock for salads & then back to our hotel lobby to work on shoe box swaps we all brought to share!  It was alot of fun!!

Dawn & Rory had to leave early this morning.....so sad they had to miss the last day of convention.  BUT so HAPPY they were here to get to spend the past few days with me & attend convention.

Gotta run.....hope to post more tomorrow before I head home.

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A bright vase of flowers.......

Here is a flower card I did a few months ago at my Spring Stamp 'Til You Cramp.

 

'Bright Blossom' & 'Friendly Phrases'

cs:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Summer Smooches Designer Paper

ink: Tangerine Tango & Wild Wasabi

supplies:  Daffodil Delight 1/2"seam binding ribbon, 2 1/2" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack (flower), dimensionals, glue dots

Stampin' UP! Convention 2012!!

Opening session of our 2012 Stampin' UP! convention.  

Our theme this year is "I am".  

There were over 3500 demonstrators that are here attending.

It was a fun day of classes, make & takes & seeing friends.

Awards night was last night, followed by a DJ & dessert.

Here is a picture of Shelli Gardner- Founder of Stampin' UP! & myself 

taken after Awards night last night.  

She is just the sweetest person ever!

Today we start out our morning just like yesterday with breakfast, a walk to the convention center, general session, classes & make & takes.

 Tonight my group & some other friends are getting together to eat supper 

& then do some stamping together.  

We all brought shoe box swaps to share.  

It will be fun!

Have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!

SUSIE

Love this new WOODGRAIN embossing folder!!

HI!  BUSY day yesterday!  Took a bus tour to our Riverton Distrubution Center.  Then picked up our darling convention bags (Summerstar Fruit color), took some pictures, visited some friends & ate at Olive Garden for our lunch/dinner combo.  It was great to see so many demonstrator friends that I haven't seen for several months!!  Lots of hugs!  Lots to talk about!

I was very honored to have earned Founders (the top 100 demonstrators in the company) again for the 6th year in a row.  THANKS to all of my customers & downline for allowing me to share my love of stamping with them!!

Last night we took a stamp class called "I am Inspired" & made a darling pin board.  Wait until you see it!!

I also had my GoDiva's swaps too, right before the class!  Here is my cute 3D swap that I did for it!
It is a note pad holder.  Don't you just LOVE the new Woodgrain embossing folder!!
Many of the products used here are "sneak peeks" of upcoming things from the NEW HOLIDAY MINI that you can start ordering from on 08/01/12!  WAHOO!!!!

'Itty Bitty Banners'
cs:  Early Espresso
Orchard Harvest Designer Paper
supplies:  Big Shot, Woodgrain folder, Autumn Accents BigZ die,  Itty Bitty Banners Framelits,  Top Note die, Brushed Bronze designer buttons, linen thread, dimensionals, glue dots

Sorry this is so short.  We got in late last night & up really early this morning to be at the convention center by 8:00 to start out our general session.  Then we  have classes throughout the rest of the day!  Tonight we also have awards night.  So will be another very busy day & late night!  But can't wait to learn some new things!!

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE