Just for You!

Good morning!

Oh how I love this time of year!!  Fall is definitely my favorite season!  I love the crispness of the air.  And the awesome beauty of the colors changing in the trees, the grasses, the corn, beans & hay fields, etc.  It is just all breathtaking to see!  

I have my pumpkins, my scarecrow & fall mums out in my yard.  Usually we put up a corn stalk husk too, but with corn being so precious this year I don't want to waste any of it.  Next year we'll do that again as a yard decoration. 

Here are some pictures of another card that I did at my September workshops.  I love it!  It is a different fold & created with 2 awesome stamp sets from the Holiday Catalog.  And I love that the framelits coordinate with both of these stamp sets!!!

'Perfectly Preserved' & 'Friendship Preserved'
cs:  Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake, Natural Ivory
Core'dination Cherry Cobbler 
Orchard Harvest Designer Paper
ink:  Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade
supplies:  Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Cannery Framelits set, Window Frames Collection framelits, Sanding blocks, Core'dinations duy buddy, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Ticket Duo Builder punch, Simply Scored Scoring tool, dimensionals, glue dot

  I think this is a very rich looking (elegant) card.

And look at how it folds.......here are some photos of it open for you to see.

Isn't the new Corde'dination card stock so cool!!  I love the way you can sand it & get the weathered look.  

Did you notice how I folded the Duo Ticket punch in half & used it as a tab?

Ok.....my boys are have been here for a bit.  Manda had a meeting before school today.

We are headed to the kitchen for breakfast.  Think we'll have pancakes.

Tonight Deke & I sell hogs- so I'll be putting on my farmer hat.

Have a FABULOUS day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Two Tags die pouch!

Happy Monday!!
It has been a long morning here already.  Brody woke up at 5:30 crying & I couldn't console him.  We just sat & rocked & he finally fell back to sleep about 7:00.  He is now awake & his happy self!!  So glad!!  Drake just woke up at 8:00 & he is very happy too. 

Here is a cute little Two Tags die pouch that I made for my downline meeting on Saturday.  I saw a similar one someplace & tweaked it.  I just can't get enough of this little mummy guy from the 'Googly Ghouls' set.  I've used him tons & think he is so cute!   I love the way you can layer the scallop circle punch right on the edge of the tag die.

 'Googly Ghouls' & 'Tiny Tags'

cs: Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black & Whisper White

Summer Smooches Designer Paper

ink:  Black Stazon

supplies:  Big Shot, Two Tags Bigz die, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Jewelry tag punch, googlies, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, glue dots, dimensionals

Yesterday Becky & Cheryl had a combined workshop.  Oh my gosh!  It was the bomb!!  What a fun day of stamping with lots of ladies!!!  They chose to celebrate Johnny Appleseed's birthday as their theme for their party!  (Plus it is Becky's BD month too- so we had LOTS to celebrate!)  They were too creative with lots of yummy apple things- apple cake, apple turnovers, apple slices with dips, apple juice, etc.   I sure enjoyed my afternoon & think everyone else did too.  We had a couple new friends join us & I think we've got them hooked & they will be stamping with us again sometime soon.  

Here is Becky's Apple Cake recipe.  It is yummy!!  You'll love it!

Raw Apple Cake
Cream:  1 cup brown sugar
                 1 cup white sugar
                 ½ cup shortening

Add 2 eggs and mix well.

Add to creamed mixture:
                                              21/2 cups flour
                                              1 teaspoon soda
                                             ½ teaspoon salt
                                             1 teaspoon cinnamon

Add 1 cup buttermilk and mix.

Last, add:
                  2 cups chopped raw  apples
                  1 teaspoon vanilla
                  1 teaspoon lemon juice

Pour into lightly greased cake pan.

Topping:
                 2/3 cup brown sugar
                 1 cup coconut
                 1/3 cup butter or margarine
                 ½ cup chopped pecan

Sprinkle on top of cake batter.  Bake at 375 for 45-55 minutes.

Have a great day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Autumn Accents die

Good morning!

A quick post......not much sleep last night between trying to get ready for my workshop today & the twins.  

We all had a great time at my downline meeting yesterday.  I enjoyed my afternoon with many of my team!  I think that all of my girls that came had a great time too!  I know there was alot of stamping & chatting going on.  It is fun to get everyone together & connect.  Here is a card that we did.  

'Itty Bitty Banners' 
cs:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Orchard Harvest Designer Paper
ink:  Early Espresso
supplies:  Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz die, Bitty Banners Framelits, Argyle embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder, Linen Thread, Brushed Bronze buttons, dimensionals, Champagne Shimmer Paint Spray

Gotta run.......still have one more card to cut, everything to pack up, breakfast, etc......and be ready to head out the door to my workshop in 3 hours.  Looking forward to seeing everyone today.  Becky & Cheryl are hostesses today & they invited lots of their friends!  I'm excited to share my stamping with them!!

Have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Lots of stamped 'goodies'!!!

Good morning!
 Wow- I sure enjoyed my Friday with my 3 boys all here.  We had a great day!!  The twins are just crazy about Brayden & he is so good with them!! 

Today I'm having my "Iowa Inkers" team downline meeting at our home!!  I've got some fun projects for them to create.  I can't wait to see everyone & share.  I have a big group coming.  It is so much fun to get together with all of my girls.  A few of my team can't make it today & they will be greatly missed.  

Here is a peek at some of the projects my team will be making today.  (I will also be doing some of these projects at a couple of upcoming workshops too.)  We are also doing one more card today, but I don't have a photo of it.  It is my favorite!  It is a fall card done with the triple stamping technique.  I promise to post all of today's projects in the coming week so that you can enjoy them too.   

Plus- my downline Dawn, is also bringing some projects for us to do today at my team meeting.  Bless her heart for helping me out since she knows I've had a crazy week!!  I am super excited to get to see her creations that she will be sharing with us today too!   And yes- I promise I'll share her projects with you too on my blog in the near future.

OK- Gotta run......still lots to do!!

Since the twins are here I have asked my niece, Jackie, to come to help play with & babysit them during my downline meeting. I am looking forward to seeing her & know she is thrilled to spend some time with the twins too!

I hope you have a great weekend!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

An elegant 'Watercolor Winter' card

Good morning!
I want to share an elegant card that I created for my Go Diva "WOW Christmas Card" swap group.  We swap a few time per year.  This is an amazing group of ladies- many of whom I've connected with through Founders that past 6 years.  I'm honored to part of this group.  I hope they all like my card.  

I am also having my downline make this card at my meeting here tomorrow.  I really like this stamp set.  Since it is a 2 steppin' style & a watercolor design I decided that I wasn't going to stress over making them all line up perfectly.   Don't you think it looks ok?

I used the MASKING technique when stamping this.  I stamped the outline of the poinsettia in Early Espresso; then stamped the inside of the poinsettia in Cherry Cobbler; then using a post stick it note I stamped the poinsettia onto it & cut it out using the scissor snips= creating my mask; I put the mask over the top of the stamped poinsettia;  then stamped the outline of the leaves; then the inside of the leaves; then the pine needles; and then removed the mask.   I colored the center of the poinsettia with the awesome new Stampin' GOLD Dazzle marker on pg. 19 of the Holiday catalog.  I also colored the smallest basic pearls using this GOLD Dazzle marker & put 3 of them in the center of the poinsettia.  Cool huh!!!   

 'Watercolor Winter' & 'More Merry Messages'

cs:  Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler & Naturals Ivory

ink:  Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler & Always Artichoke

supplies:  Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Embossing folder, Early Espresso Tulle, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Gold Dazzle marker, 2 1/2" circle punch, 2 3'8" circle punch, glue dot, dimensionals

I first stamped the pines along the outside edges of the Always Artichoke layer & then ran it through the Big Shot using the Lacy Brocade embossing folder on pg. 6 of the Holiday Catalog.  In person this is very pretty & elegant.

Do you see the sparkle on the card?

When I was finished with making the card I sprayed it with Champagne Shimmer Mist & rubbing alcohol mixture.  One of my favorite things to do to a finished card.  I love the sparkle!

The twins did great yesterday while we unloaded & sorted new baby piggies.  
Here are a couple of photos of them.

 I pulled them up to the hogs houses in their little wagon.
Here they are talking to Papa while we are waiting for the piggies to arrive.

 Here is a picture of me holding a black baby piggy so that the boys could touch it.
They both liked it!  He is cute little baby piggy!  I love baby pigs!

 Here the twins are checking out the big piggies with Papa.  These pigs will go to market next week.  
They weigh approx. 270#. 
I LOVE this photo of the 3 of my guys!

Ok.......I need to go.  Another busy day ahead.  Or should I say we have several busy days ahead. 
The twins are staying with us until their parents get home Monday evening.  
So grandma & Papa are going to be tired.  But we'll have lots of fun!!  
Brayden gets to come spend the day with us today.  I am sure he is going to want to head right out to see the baby piggies since he's been in school this week & couldn't be here when they arrived.

I hope you have a fabulous day!!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Founders Circle Group photo

Here is a picture of our group taken at our PJ party at Founders.

I am sitting on the floor.

I am in the 2nd row,  the 6th person in from left side (when looking at the photo).

Shelli is sitting right in front of me.

Wow!!  Lots of friends & a great time we all had together last week! 

Here is a picture of me at our PJ party!

'Daydream Medallions' card

Good morning!
Here is a card that I am doing at my August workshops.  This is a stamp set has endless possibilities.  I love the coordinating framelits!  AND notice the 5/8" Stitched Satin ribbon on this card.  This is the Raspberry Ripple color.  You can get any or all of the 5 new In Color ribbons for FREE this month from SU! as their special this month.  For every $40 that you spend you get to choose one roll of ribbon for FREE!  Choose-
Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green or Primrose Petals.

'Daydream Medallions', 'Sweet Essentials' & 'Pursuit of Happiness'

cs:  Raspberry Ripple, Rose Red, Whisper White

Floral District Designer Paper

ink:  Raspberry Ripple

supplies:  Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits, Fancy Fan Folder, Tasteful Trim die, Boho Blossom punch, Essentails Paper Piercing tool, Pierce Mat, Paper-Piercing Tool, dimensionals, glue dot, Large Pearl, Raspberry Ripple ribbon

We got baby piggies in on Tuesday & will get more in this morning.  Here is a photo of Brody & Drake with Papa.  The twins & I went out to help him.  Brody LOVED the piggies & Drake was  a chicken.  They are so total opposite......so sweet & so much fun!  We get more baby piggies in today.  It will be interesting to see how Drake acts today.

Here is Drake standing at the gate watching the baby piggies come off of the trailer.
He liked this- they weren't too close to him.

 Here is Brody in the pen chasing the baby piggies.  Notice that he also discovered the water nipples.  He sure wasn't afraid.  He chased them, touched them, & just had a blast screaming with excitement!

It hasn't been a good week at our house.  We've been swamped & lots of things have broken.  I keep thinking we are going to see the light at the end of the tunnel.....sure hope so!!  

My washing machine broke yesterday......so I made a quick trip to town & bought a new one.

I got great customer service & Doug delivered it & hooked it up within 2 hours of me buying it.  This wasn't in my budget......but I didn't have a choice- can't live without that around here.  I've already used it!

THEN- we have been fighting with getting enough water supply to the hogs.  Our water comes from our pond- which is extremely low due to the drought.  So we had the pump guy come out on Monday night & lower the pumps & the backhoe guy came out on Tuesday to dig around the pumps to get more water to them.  AND it still wasn't working right, so the the well guy came on Tuesday night to look at things & give us his opinion.  He showed up with all of his equipment to dig a deep well for us yesterday afternoon.  Talk about not being in your budget!  WOW WEE!!  

 Here is a photo of them starting to dig.  My new washing machine costs peanuts compared to what this is going to cost.  But we didn't have a choice.  This severe drought has been so hard on alot of different things this year.  But it has affected the farmers really hard in MANY ways.  I pray that we get some much needed rain.  We needed it months ago for the crops (that we didn't get), but we still need it now too.

On a positive note- my sister Julie stopped by yesterday.  Wow- was great to have her here to visit & help with the boys while Doug was putting in my new washing machine.  She was a blessing!

Ok.....gotta run.  The twins & I are off to help Deke with the new baby piggies that are coming this morning.  Then the twins have an appointment this afternoon to get their one year shots, plus their flu shots.  Poor little guys- they get 4 shots each today.  We are not looking forward to this.

Have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

A CUTE black cat!!!

Good morning!

Here is a cute card that I am doing at my September works.  It is a little different fold & I just love it!  

I am a cat lover & I also love Halloween so this card is just so totally me.

Be sure to scroll on down & check out the other photos of this fold.  It is something simple & fun! 

'Frightening Feline' & 'Border Banter'

cs:  Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla

Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Paper

ink:  Black Stazon

supplies:  1/8" Taffeta ribbon, glue dot, 

Basic Rhinestones- colored orange with a permanent sharpie marker

 Can you tell that the front piece is what opens up on this card?

Front view with the card open.

Back view with the card open.

Measurements:

Basic Black- 4 1/4 x 5 1/2-  for the base

8 1/2 x 2 3/4- folded in half & wrapped around card to make the part that opens

3 1/4 x 3 1/4- to layer the black cat

Tangerine Tango- 4 x 5 1/4- for the base layer on top of the Basic Black

3 x 3- to layer the black cat

Very Vanilla- 2 3/4 x 2 3/4- to stamp the black cat on

designer paper- 2 1/2 x 4- to put on the front Basic Black flap

ribbon- approx. 3 1/2"

Have a great day!!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

'Frosty Friends' & more Founders Circle 2012 photos

Good morning!
I created this card yesterday for a monthly swap that I'm in with other demonstrator friends & I'll also be using it as a shoe box swap for my downline meeting that I have at our home this coming Saturday!

Gosh- I love these little snowmen.  They are so stinkin' cute!   All 4 of them!!

Did you notice that this layout is the same as my Founders swap?  And I also used this layout for my September workshops too.

'Frosty & Friends', 'Jolly Bingo Bits' & 'Sassy Salutations'

cs:  Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
ink:  Black Stazon
various colors of markers used
supplies:  Big Shot, Oval Accent die, Baja Breeze Seam Binding ribbon, 2 way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, glue dot

Here are a couple more photos to share with you from Founders.

 This was hanging on my door at our hotel.

It is made with a styrofoam circle, using masking tape wrapped around it & then painted.
Everyone there had one on their door.
There were several different colors.

So cute!!  So cleaver!!

I brought it home with me & will be hanging it someplace in my stamp room.

Here is a photo that my friend Susan Patterson shared with me.

A great photo of our raft/group waving to their raft/group.

That is me in the denim jacket with sunglasses on- sitting in the middle 
along the outside edge between Mary Fish & Robin Merriman.

As soon as the twins get here we'll quickly eat breakfast & be outside by 7:45 a.m. so that we can help Deke unload baby piggies.
We will be getting over 800 of them delivered to our farm this morning.
(We will get more on Thursday morning.)
This will be the first time that the twins have been out there when we have done this.
They love the baby piggies, so hope they like sitting in their wagon & watching us.
I will try to take some pictures so that I can share with you.

Last night Brayden & Nathan came out to visit, get their hair cut & eat supper with us.
It was great to see them & have them here.
Hoping my little man can come stay with grandma & the twins sometime this week.
He was very disappointed when he found out that the twins got to help with the baby piggies today & he couldn't be here because he had to go to preschool. 
But we assured him he could see them (the twins & the baby piggies) on Friday.
 AND I'm sure he won't forget that we told him this. 

Tomorrow night the other guys- Steven & Deke (maybe Brody & Drake too) will get their hair cuts done.
Glad that I went to cosmetology school so that I can do this for my family.

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

'Owl Occasions' Birthday card

Good morning!

I'm HOME!!  

YIPEE!

I spent many hours sitting in the airport yesterday with delayed flights.

I love to fly but I hate the waiting.

It was so great to see my husband when I walked in the door last night.

And my kitties & our dog Nestle gave me a warm welcome home too!

PLUS I got to sleep in my own bed with my own pillow- which was heavenly!  

My boys will be here soon & I can't wait to see them.

I missed my whole family bunches.

Here is a card that I am doing for my September workshops.

My Hiawatha girls will get to make this one at their workshop on Sunday.

 Isn't this little owl the cutest!

'Owl Occasions' & 'Sassy Salutations'

cs:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, More Mustard, Island Indigo

Early Espresso- NEW Core'dination card stock

ink:  Early Espresso, More Mustard & Island Indigo

More Mustard marker

supplies:  Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Woodgrain Embossing folder, White Baker's Twine, Googlies, Sanding System, Core'dinations Dust Buddy, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, dimensionals, glue dots

My idea for this card came from my friend, LeeAnn Greff.

She had a cute card similar to this one on her blog using this set- but I changed it some.

Today I'm going to be short & sweet.

LOTS to catch up & do here this week.

(Emails, mail, swaps, workshops, downline meeting, baby piggies, etc.) 

It is amazing how fast things pile up when you are only gone for 5 days.

I will fill you in things here tomorrow.

Thankfully I'm home all day & night today!

Have a great week!

Happy Stamping!

ENJOY!

SUSIE

Sweet Mug

Good morning!
I'm headed to the airport & on my way home this morning.

I had a short night with not much sleep.

I've had a great week & have enjoyed seeing all of my friends, 

but I'm so ready to be home to see my family!

I've missed them TONS!
Iowa- here I come!

 This is a cute card that is in the Holiday Catalog on pg. 16.

I love this set- 'Scentsational Season'.

It has coordinating framelit dies too to go with it called 'Holiday Collection'.

'Scentsational Season' & 'Fabulous Phrases'

cs:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Festival of Prints 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 Designer Paper Stack- Holiday Catalog- pg. 20

ink:  Gumball Green, Basic Gray

marker:  Early Espresso

supplies:  Big Shot, Holiday Collection Framelit dies, Labels Collection Framelits, Gumball Green Stitched ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Jewelry Tag punch, dimensionals, glue dots

Day 4- Founders Circle

Yesterday I spent my day at the hotel in the Hospitality Room figuring out upcoming October workshop projects, my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack cards & my Stamp 'Til You Cramp projects!

Now to be a busy bee stamping when I get home to get them created!

For those of you joining me in October to stamp, you won't be disappointed!

I have some super cute & fun projects to share with you!

WAHOOO!!!!

Every day we got to play PLINKO to win prizes.

I won a 8x8 photo album & Cherry Cobbler Tulle yesterday.

Here are some pictures of our Hospitality room at the hotel.

Here we are working on projects.

 Me, Dana, Cherie & Diane.

 Cherie & I met at my first Founders several  years ago.

We connected this year at the airport & road the shuttle to the hotel together.

Then on Friday we were bus partners again.

Last night most of us went to the Tuacahn Amphitheatre to see the product of 'Hairspray'.

It was really good!!  So funny!

It is a beautiful outdoor theater in the valley surrounded by red mountains.

 Check out the waterfall coming down between the steps.

Here is me & Dana.

 A photo of the stage before the play started.

 Brenda, Sandy, Sharon, Kay, me & Dana.

We are waiting for the play to begin.

Me & Rolanda.

She is a hoot!!  I had lots of laughs with this girl this week!

 Pam Morgan (SU! employee), Dana & me.

We got back to our hotel & this is our pillow gift that was laying on my bed.

It is a beautiful silver bracelet with a Founder 2012 charm.

Very neat!  

Such a nice gift from SU! to help remember this amazing week.

 

Honey- I'm headed home to Iowa.  Can't to see you tonight!!

Hope you all have a great day!

Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE