Here was the inspiration for my card today.......such bright & cheery colors!

I got these flowers on Sunday from Karen & Michele (my hostesses) at my stampin' party I had this past Sunday!!  It was their table centerpiece & they then sent them home with me.

They are beautiful & I have enjoyed them all week & they still look wonderful!!!  Thanks ladies!! 

Tying a PERFECT FLAT BOW!!!

Good morning!
Today I'm going to show you how to tie a perfect (FLAT) bow!

So simple!  

For those that stamp with me- I know you agree.

• Start with a piece of white card board from the back of your 12x12 designer paper pkgs. 
• Cut it to 2 1/4" x 4".
• Measure the middle- 1 1/8" inch & mark it with your paper cutter.
• Now take the word window punch & make a slit in the center where you marked it.

•  Cut a piece of ribbon- 8" long

• Lay your ribbon down & put your bow helper helper over the top of it.

•  Wrap your ribbon around the bow helper & make an X.

• Looking at the X that you made, you will now take the TOP piece of ribbon.
• Pull it up & put down the back side of the word window slit.

• Now pull it up through the bottom of the word window slit.

• Make a cross & knot the 2 ends together.

• As you are tightening the knot you will want to pull your tails downward.
• Using your fingers go under the knot & tighten- shaping your bow.

• Now trim the ends of your bow.
• Slide your bow off of the top of your bow helper.
• Turn it over so that the knot that was on the back now becomes the front of your bow.
• AND you have a PERFECT FLAT BOW!

LOVE THIS!!

Do you want a smaller or a bigger bow?

Then just make your cardboard bow helper to be either narrower or wider.

 

Do you want long tails on your bow?

Then just cut your ribbon a longer or shorter length.

 

REMEMBER that if you make your bow helper narrower or wider then you will have to adjust the length of your ribbon too!

 

Be sure to stop by back by tomorrow & I'll show you a card 

I created with my Daffodil Delight bow on it!

Have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A SIMPLE MoJo Monday sketch......

Good morning!  I was playing this morning in my studio & came up with this simple MoJo Monday Sketch that is going the other direction.  

I so LOVE this stamp set.  It is so cool that it has framelits that coordinate with it.  And all though I love all of the images in this set, the MUG is my favorite.  I love hot drinks- whether it be coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider, etc.....so this stamp just makes me think of me!

'Scentsational Season' & 'Petite Pairs'
cs:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla
Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stacks (Chocolate Chip)
ink:  Chocolate Chip
supplies:  Big Shot, Holiday Collection Framelits, Crumb Cake Seam Binding ribbon, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (circle), Basic Pearls, dimensionals, glue dots

Busy day yesterday......I am trying to make the most of my time this week while I'm on "vacation".  It really isn't a vacation, but it is time off of work for me (as the Seeley family is in Florida visiting Steven's brother & family) & I am home for the first time in several years to catch up on things for me.  As usually when I'm on vacation I am taking time off for a SU! trip of some type & I'm never home to catch up on all of the little things that pile up!

This week I'm doing my fall cleaning!!!  I did our family room the other day......Yesterday I moved everything out of our bedroom, wiped down the walls, cleaned the carpets & then decided I was going to paint before I put everything back in.....so I made a quick trip to town to get some paint.  We sold 2 loads of hogs last night- but I painted one wall when we got in & before we went to bed.  I will finish the rest of the painting today & get everything put back in our room & organized before we go to bed tonight.  I love rearranging our rooms, as it is so fun to have things in different places & it is amazing how different the entire room looks!

OK- I'm off now for a quick hair cut & then back to work painting.......just wanted to leave you with a little stamping inspiration today.

Have a fabulous day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

My Mojo Monday Sketch with 'Googly Ghouls'

Good morning.....

Here is this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch.

I whipped up this card this morning......gosh- there were so many different ideas I could come up with for cards when seeing this sketch!

I just can't seem to get enough of this 'Googly Ghouls' stamp set!

What do you think?

I think she is a stinkin' cute little witch!

  'Googly Ghouls'

cs:  Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla

Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Paper

ink:  Basic Black

markers:  More Mustard & Pumpkin Pie

supplies:  Big Shot, Spider Web embossing folder, Googlies, 1/2" Scallop dots ribbon (More Mustard), dimensionals, glue dots, Basic Glimmer Brads (gold), Paper Piercing mat & tool

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

'Pleasant Poppies' to start out our week.......

Good morning.....
Happy Monday!!!

I had a FUN afternoon of stamping yesterday!!  I'm glad that everyone could join me.  Michele & Karen were wonderful hostesses.  We had some new ladies come stamp with us too.   Here is one of the cards that everyone made.  I have already shown you the peek of it....here is the whole card.  Pretty huh!  There is alot of new product used here. 

'Pleasant Poppies' & 'Teeny Tiny Wishes'
cs:  Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Naturals White
Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack
ink:  Basic Gray
supplies:  Blender Pens, Watercolor Crayons, Big Shot, Delicate Designs Folders, Large Scallop Edgelits, 3 1/2" circle die, 3" circle die, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Essentails Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing tool, dimensionals, glue dots, 7/8" Natural Cotton ribbon

What do you think of the new ribbon?

What about that amazing new edge embossing folder?

I have a busy day.....have my yearly exam, a meeting with our insurance agent 
& my nephew (Luke's) 8th birthday party is tonight!!

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A "Bootiful" card...

HI!
A quick post this morning.....I am still getting things done & packing up for my stampin' party today.  Michele & Karen are being "dual" hostesses.  They have lots of friends coming!  Looking forward to meeting some new friends & sharing my love of stamping with them!!

Here is one of the cards that we'll be doing at my workshop today.  

'Bootiful Occasions"

cs:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, 

Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake

ink:  Basic Black Craft

markers:  Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant & Pumpkin Pie

supplies:  Big Shot, Spider Web embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Black embossing powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Owl Builder punch (for the broom), Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop Edge punch, Basic Rhinestones, dimensionals, Simply Scored Scoring Tool (for the lines in the broom)

I LOVE the shiny look you get from using the black embossing powder.

It just really makes this card stand out.

Aren't the rhinestones pretty?

This cool stamp set has 4 different boots in it!

(cowboy boot, rain boot, winter boot & this witches boot)

They are all cute!

Have a great day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A CUTE Snowflake card I made when stamping with friends!

HI!

Here is a photo of my dear demonstrator friend LeeAnn Greff & myself working on our shoe box swaps one night when we got together at convention.
We had a GREAT TIME visiting, stamping & enjoying each others company. 

I so treasure all of my stampin' friends & customers!  

I wanted to share the beautiful card that LeeAnn created for her shoe box swap this night.
She brought her sample card & all of the supplies & I made this card below.

Builder wheels:  'Snowflake Party', 'Good Cheer' & 'Linked Lace'
cs:  Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue & Whisper White
ink refills:  Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler & Bashful Blue
supplies:  Jumbo wheel handle, Wheel Spindle & Spacer, Uninked Triple Cell ink cartridge, Big Shot, Snow Flurry die, Tasteful Trim BigzXL die, (for the scallop edge), Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, 2 1/2" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, dimensionals, glue dots

Yesterday we attended the services of my great-aunt Edith.
 And then last night we races in Columbus Junction.
It was just Deke, Nathan, Brayden & myself that went together in the truck/trailer.
Nathan won his heat & got 3rd in main.
He looked good.
Tonight the guys are racing someplace- but I will be staying home to work on stamp stuff.
Assume Brayden will be staying home with grandma.

I have been busy creating........and have some cute cards to share at my Stampin' Party tomorrow!
Busy day- still LOTS to do......gotta run.

Have a great weekend!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Pretty Doily card......

Happy Friday!!

We all had a FUN night stampin' last night.  

Glad everyone could join me!

Here is one of the cards we made.

Check out the fold.......something fun & new.

 I really like it!!

Notice the Doily die, Faucet buttons, butterfly punch....

'Lacy & Lovely' & 'Papillion Potpourri'

cs:  More Mustard, Early Espresso, Rose Red

First Edition Specialty Designer Paper

Candlelight Christmas Designer Paper

ink:  Versamark & Early Espresso

supplies:  Big Shot, Delicate Dolies Sizzlit, Basic Pearls, Vintage Faceted Designer button, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, 1 1/4" scallop circle punch, Elegant Butterfly punch, Itty Bitty Shapes pack, dimensionals, glue dots, paper snips

See how this opens up!

You can't tell by the picture, 

but the Rose Red flower pieces are done using the technique- faux suede.

You punch out the image, then stress the card stock by crumpling it all up, 

smooth it back out & break down the paper fibers.

Then separate it into 2 pieces.

The inside of the card stock looks & feels like suede.

My Great-Aunt Edith White passed away.

Her services are this morning.

Sure have fond memories of her.

She LOVED RED!

She was a very classy lady.

Brayden is here all day today......not sure if he is going with me to the services or what.

Need to jump in the shower & get ready.

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Discontinued Designer FABRIC ON SALE NOW for only 99 cents!

I WILL BE PLACING AN ORDER TONIGHT IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO ADD ANY OF THIS FABRIC TO MY ORDER FOR YOU!

OR you can order it on line from my Stampin' UP! website:

www.susiewood.stampinup.net

Be sure to check out all of the other clearance rack items too!!!  

 

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST the following discontinued Designer Fabrics from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog will be available at the low, low price of just 99 cents.   No limit on the quantity.

Item Description Price
* 121716 Deck the Halls Designer Fabric $0.99
 *121715 Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric $0.99
* 121817 Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric $0.99
* 121818 Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric $0.99





A jar of 'Perfectly Preserved' stemmed flowers.......

Good morning!!
Here is one of the cards we will be stamping at my stampin' parties in August!  What do you think?  I love it!!  
*I love this set- 'Perfectly' Preserved'
*I love the colors- Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive
*I love how it opens up
*I love the new Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper
*I love the new stitched ribbon
*I hope you love it too!!

*I ALSO LOVE that this stamp set has the "Cannery Set Framelits" that coordinate with it so you can cut out the pieces with the Big Shot & don't have to use scissors!

*AND I LOVE that this stamp set & the coordinating framelits come in a BUNDLE- so you can buy them together & this saves you money when you buy them as a set!  WOOHOO! 

'Perfectly Preserved', 'Fabulous Phrases' & 'Blessings from  Heaven'

cs:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White, Window Sheets

Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper Series pack

ink:  Black Stazon, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

supplies:  Big Shot, Cannery Set framelits, 1/8" Stitched ribbon, Decorative Label punch, 1" circle punch, Dazzling Details Glitter glue, dimensionals, glue dots

Tonight I have a big group of ladies coming to stamp with me at my home.  

They will get to make this card!

AND on Sunday I have a big group of ladies coming to stamp with me 

in Hiawatha & they will get to make this card too!

I can't wait to share!!

 

Here is a close up of the flowers!

 Look at this.......

Can you tell how this card opens up?

I cut the Old Olive card stock for the base of the card at 4 1/4" x 11".

I scored it at 2" & 7 1/2" with my Simply Scored Scoring Tool & fold it on the scored marks.

Then I made a pull up tab that has the jar & flowers on it.

These attached pieces measure-

*Whisper White- 2 3/4" x 4"

*Rich Razzleberry- 3" x 4 1/4"

*Old Olive- 3 1/4" x 4 1/2"

These pieces are only attached to the top 2" of the card- leaving approximately a 1/2" border all around the card front (on all 4 sides) when it is closed.

AND don't forget that I stamped the Jar itself onto a 2"x 3"window sheet piece,

 using the Black Stazon pad & then cut it out with the coordinating framelit!

Ok- I'd better run......be sure to check back tomorrow for another cute card.

I have LOTS to do today......as my Stamp Studio is a total disaster!

I have to get it all cleaned up for everyone to come stamp with me tonight!

I'm off to do that as soon as I get my cup of coffee.

I should take a before & after photo- as I'm a messy stamper & have things laying 

all over my tables from creating & need to get it all put back where it belongs.

Wish me luck that I get it all done in time before my stampin' party!

Have a great day!

Happy stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Some more 'Perfectly Preserved'

HI!
Here is a peek at one of my August workshops cards.  This set- 'Perfectly Preserved' is one of my favorites!  It just has endless possibilities.  And I love the coordinating framelits that go with this set too!  I stamped the jar image onto a clear window sheet using a black stazon ink pad & the cut it out with the jar framelit!  These flowers are so cute too.  You can either stamp them directly onto the card stock or stamp them & punch them out with the 1" circle punch like it did here.  I also added the Dazzling Detail glitter to them to add some sparkle.

 Brayden spent the day/night with us!!  He missed grandma while he was gone to New York & I missed him too!  We had a busy/fun day!!!  He was especially happy to get to spend most of the day with the twins too.  They just love each other. 

Brayden & I helped Manda & took the twins to their 1 yr dr. appointment early.  (They don't turn 1 until August 29th).  We wanted to get it done before Manda went back to school, so that she didn't have to miss a half day of work.  They got raving reviews!!  Dr. Mary said that they are ahead of schedule in all they do.  They are doing things that a 15 month old does.  This was wonderful news to us & we are thrilled that they are doing so well.  Especially Brody!  With his head surgery & all- he is 100% perfect & no signs of any problems.  All of our prayers & working with him has been paying off!! 

Late yesterday afternoon we also went to Sigourney's National Night out on the square.  There were several booths, games & activities for our community.  Brayden's favorite thing was catching the huge goldfish that Misc. on Main had at their booth!! 

When we got home we were off to sell a load of hogs with the help of Steve & Josh!!  The hogs were from our big lot outside & we needed the extra help to hold gates, etc.  Brayden stood on the gate & watched us.  He is such a farm boy!!!  When we got done loading hogs Brayden had to walk through all of the buildings so that he could see all of the pigs!  Papa got 1200 new baby piggies in the week I was at convention & Brayden hadn't seen them yet. 

Ok.....need to get Brayden's pancakes made for him.  His mom will be here in a couple of hours to get him.  Deke will be gone all day to meetings out of town.....so I'm hope to get alot done & ready for my Stampin' Night that is here tomorrow night!!

We were blessed with some much needed rain last night/early this morning!  So nice to hear the sounds of rain hitting the skylight in the kitchen.  

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

A cool BLACK CAT!

HI!

Here is a cool black cat that I made when we got together one night at convention & did shoe box swaps.  My demonstrator friend- Marguerite designed this card.  I just love it!!  Do you notice the embossing folder on the striped designer paper?  How about the new striped ribbon?

'Frightening Feline'

cs:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper

ink:  Black Stazon

supplies:  1/2" Striped Satin ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Labels Collection Framelits, dimensionals, glue dot

Yesterday was a very busy day!  I had the twins.  Grandma Betsy (Deke's mom) came to visit us for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Last night I did hair cuts on all of the guys- Brody, Drake, Steve, Nathan & Deke.  The kids all ate supper with us.  We had our family favorite when we get together- breaded tenderloins, cheesy potatoes, corn, watermelon & cucumber salad! Yummy!!  

I am off this morning to go with Manda to take the twins to their 1 year dr appointment.  They actually don't turn 1 until the 29th of August, but Manda will be back in school then & didn't want to have to miss a day of work.  So we are doing their appointments now & then we can take them back out right after their birthday, after school one day, for them to get their shots.  

Brayden has been on a vacation with his mom in New York.  He got home late last night.  He will be here soon to spend the day with us.  Looking forward to seeing him!  Grandma missed her little man.

Tonight we sell hogs.  Just our luck that it would have to be the hottest day of the week!!  :(

Have a great day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

'Perfectly Preserved'- I am so LOVIN' this stamp set!

Happy Monday!!
Teri had a great party yesterday!  She had tons of yummy foods.  I even got to sit & stamp & visit with everyone.  It was a fun time enjoyed by all!!

I am so LOVIN' this stamp set!!  I can just think of so many ideas to use with it! It is just so versatile.  I did a card yesterday with it at my party & will be sharing that with you later this week!


'Perfectly Preserved' & 'Itty Bitty Banners'
cs:  Early Espresso, Naturals White, Raspberry Ripple, Island Indigo
Orchard Harvest Designer Paper
ink:  Raspberry Ripple, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso
supplies:  Big Shot, Cannery Set framelits, Window Frames Collection framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, dimensionals, glue dot, 1/4" stitched Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon  

I went straight from my stamp party yesterday to Vinton to the races to be with the guys.  Nathan looked good- had some bad luck & didn't do very good.  :(  But enjoyed being with them & glad I went.  Deke rode home with me, so enjoyed getting to visit with him.  It was a crazy week last week & we both caught ourselves coming & going & hadn't had much time to chat. 

Today I have the twins.  Then tonight I have 5 hair cuts to do!  Brody, Drake, Steve, Nathan & Deke.

Deke has Board meeting this morning.......so need to get his clothes ironed & him out the door.   We all have another crazy busy week this week......hope we survive it!

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

'Pleasant Poppies'

HI!

Yesterday I enjoyed my day stamping with Linda & her friends!

Thank you for asking me to share my love of stamping with all of you!!

I am excited to have more parties for you ladies in the next couple of months.

Today I'm off to have a workshop with my Iowa City gals.

We have a big group coming & a couple new ladies will be joining their friends to 

stamp with us today.

I've got some cute cards to share!!

I can't wait to see everyone.

Here is a peek at a card everyone coming to my August workshops will be doing!

(Yes- this is one of the cards everyone will be making today too!) 
I don't want to show the whole card yet & spoil all of the fun for everyone- 
but isn't what you can see cute!!

I used the set- 'Pleasant Poppies'.

I colored them using the watercolor crayons & blender pens.

Well- I had the twins last night so didn't get everything done for today's workshop.
But we had fun together!  They are so sweet!

I am off to my stamp studio now to finish cutting card stock.

And then finish my supply list, pack up, load the car & be on my way.

We were blessed with some much needed rain yesterday!!

It was so good to hear, see & smell the rain.....

hopefully we will be blessed with some more, 

but we will take whatever we get & not complain.

I hope you all have a blessed Sunday.

Be sure to check back again tomorrow.

Happy Stamping!

ENJOY!

SUSIE

'Perfectly Preserved'

HI!

Wow- I got my cards created for my August workshops yesterday.  They all turned out SO CUTE!!  I can't wait for you to come stamp with me & make them.  


This stamp set- 'Perfectly Preserved' reminds me of my grandmas.  They all canned.  This set is so darn versatile.  I just love it!!! 

'Perfectly Preserved' & 'Itty Bitty Banners'
cs:  Early Espresso, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade
Orchard Harvest Designer Paper
ink:  Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
supplies:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots folder, Window Framelits, Cannery Set Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, White Twins, dimensionals

My card today was inspired by a demonstrator friend Renee Watson.  We are in a monthly swap together & I just love her style!!  I'm always thrilled to get her creations.  This card is similar to hers with a few things added.  I love these fall colors together!!  And the new framelits that go with this stamp set are so COOL!!!  You don't have to cut anything out by hand.  Yipee!!

I am off to Linda's workshop in a couple of hours.  We are doing a luncheon with her stamp party today.  She has several ladies joining us & I have only met a couple of them before, so looking forward to sharing my love of stamping with all of them!!  I am excited about the 4 cute cards they will be making!  This new Holiday Catalog is just amazing!!!  It has so many cool new things in it to create with.  My head just spins with ideas every time I look at it. 

I sill have one more card project to cut, then pack & load up.  I also have to shower, feed my animals & water all of my outside plants.  So gotta run.

I have the twins tonight- so will be a busy & tired grandma when I hit the hay tonight!!  I still have lots of stuff yet to get ready for my stamp party I have tomorrow too! 


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