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Monday, October 1, 2012

FREE Paper Piercing Template & a 15% bundle discount from SU!

Cropped Flyer_HolidayGift_Oct0112_US 
Choose for these two great bundles--one with the coordinating Framelits for the Big Shot, and one without--in your choice of either wood or clear!
Item Description Retail Value Special Price
132260 Christmas Gift Pack (wood-mount)
Includes Ornament Keepsakes Set (wood-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack
$55.85 $47.90
132261 Christmas Gift Pack (clear-mount)
Includes Ornament Keepsakes Set (clear-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack
$44.85 $36.90
132262 Christmas Gift Pack (wood-mount bundle)
Includes Ornament Keepsakes Bundle (wood-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, and Festive Paper-Piercing Pack
$70.85 $62.90
132263 Christmas Gift Pack (clear-mount bundle)
Includes Ornament Keepsakes Bundle (clear-mount), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, and Festive Paper-Piercing Pack
$63.85 $55.90

The sale price reflects not only the free Paper Piercing Template but also a 15% discount on the bundled items, so this is an even better deal than at first glance! 

Order any way that is convenient for you! Email me, call me, Facebook me, text me, or skip the middle man and go straight to www.susiewood.stampinup.net and have your order delivered to your doorstep!

If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me!

Sad that you already have this stamp set? Email me for a special offer that will have you smiling, too!

'Snowflake Soiree'

 Good morning!
I got my 3 cards using this 'Snowflake Soiree' set created for my November Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class.  

This is one of the cards you can choose from.

'Snowflake Soiree'
cs:  Whisper White & Midnight Muse
ink:  Midnight Muse
supplies:  Big Shot, Snowflake embossing folder, Midnight Muse Stitched In Color ribbon, Lg Pearl, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 2 1/2" Circle punch, dimenstionals, glue dots

I will be working on the other 6 cards for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class this week.  I will be creating 3 different cards each using the sets-
 "Chock-Full of Cheer' & 'Watercolor Winter'.  
So stay tuned......
& be sure to check back again each day this week for the others, as they will be coming! 

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

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Gently Falling Leaf

Good morning!
This is a card that my downline Dawn Klein brought to our meeting last weekend as her shoe box swap.  I stamped the card, but the original idea came from her.   Isn't it cool!


The leaf was stamped with Black Stazon, then using blender pens & ink from inside lid tops of the ink pads I colored the veins Cajun Craze; filled in the leaf with some Old Olive; & then took a sponge with Summer Starfruit & rubbed it over the leaf to blend all of the colors. 



 'Gently Falling', 'Teeny Tiny Wishes' & 'Woodgrain' background stamp
cs:  Cajun Crazy, Early Espresso & Very Vanilla
ink: Black Stazon. Soft Suede, Cajun Craze & Old Olive
supplies: sponges, blender pens, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Word Window Punch, Victoria Crochet Trim, 1/4" Stitched Early Espresso ribbon, 3/8" Soft Suede Taffeta ribbon, Designer Ribbon Slides, Crystal Effects

Notes:  
*We made a square card stock mask to put over the stamped leaf so that when we stamped the Woodgrain background it wouldn't be over the top of the leaf. 
*We made the "window" around the leaf by scoring with the Scoring Tool.  
*We "aged" the card front by sponging over the Woodgrain image using Soft Suede ink.
*Dawn had her words stamped directly on her card, but I got mine crooked so I covered that by using the Word Window & punching out my words.

THANKS DAWN for a sharing your beautiful card at our meeting!

Sharlene had a wonderful workshop yesterday!  I so enjoyed my afternoon stamping with her & her friends.  Her co-worker Julie & her daughter Morgan came (whom I've never met).   It was a totally all hands-on class & I think they all enjoyed getting to use the Big Shot to cut & emboss with.  It was an afternoon of great company, fun projects & yummy snacks.  THANKS SHARLENE for being a hostess & inviting me into your home to share my love of stamping!

I am home today!   YIPEE!!  I have to get projects from September all unpacked & put back away before I can start stamping.  But I have tons to do.  I have to get my Christmas card class figured out & created; I have my October workshops I need to get figured out & created; & I have to figure out my upcoming Stamp 'Til You Cramp projects too!!  There isn't enough hours in the day today to get it all done but I pray I have good mojo & get alot accomplished. 

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

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Ribbon Specail ends tomorrow!!! (09/30/12)

Normally I don't do 2 separate posts a day-----but wanted to share this card I just made.
So be sure to read the next post too for my cute little Halloween treat that I posted earlier this morning.

 
Here is a cool card that I created to show all of the ribbons that are on special this month.
Tomorrow is the last day that you can get these ribbons for FREE!
I love them all!
They are our 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon.
In colors of:   
Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals , Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit


For every $40 you spend in buying Stampin' UP! product this month you can choose one whole roll of ribbon for FREE!
(If you spend $80 you get 2 rolls for FREE, if you spend $120 you get 3 rolls for FREE, etc.)
Tomorrow (09/30/12) is the last day of this amazing special!!
You can order online or email me if you'd like to take advantage of this amazing special!
I will be placing an order at 7 p.m. tomorrow night so be sure to let me know before then if you want me to add an order for you.

'Bring on the Cake'
cs:  Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake & Whisper White
ink:  Black Stazon
supplies:  2 1/2" circle punch, 2012-2014 In Color markers,
ribbon-
Gumball Green
Midnight Muse
Primrose Petals
Raspberry Ripple
Summer Starfruit

A cute little Halloween treat!

Good morning!

Wow......Sharlene is having a stampin' party today!  I have 4 cards, a 2 page scrapbook layout & Halloween 3D item to share with her & her friends.  I am excited to spend my afternoon with them!  

Here is a cute little Halloween treat!  At Founders Jill Olsen showed us these little containers that she had made.  Aren't they so totally adorable!  The top & bottom of them are our button/brad clear containers.  I added sticky strip to the outside of them & wrapped designer paper around them; then used our clear window sheet as the center to make the container & decorated it.

 'Wicked Cool' & 'Spooky Bingo Bits'
cs:  Basic Black, Tangerine Tango & Very Vanilla
Howlstooth & Scaring Bone Designer Paper
Window sheets
ink: Black Stazon, Tangerine Tango
supplies:  2 1/2" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/4 scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, dimensional, googlies, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, paper snips, glue dot
The 2 1/2" circle punch fits perfectly on top of the clear button/brad containers.
And I filled the container full of candy, put the lid on & secured it with tying ribbon around it!
Such a cleaver idea & a great way to recycle.

Yesterday the twins & I were on the go all day!  We ran errands in the morning with Deke, then my sister Barbie stopped by to visit us in the afternoon.  It was great to see her & have her help out.  We went on a walk & swang on the swing set.  We were outside the majority of the day enjoying the beautiful fall day!  The guys went racing last night & I worked on my Stampin' stuff.

Nineteen years ago yesterday we moved into our home.  We had a bull snake problem in our old house due to a collapsed wall in our basement & to make a long story short- we didn't want to live with snakes & couldn't get rid of them.  So we built a new home right across the driveway from our old 2 story farm house.  It was quite an adjustment moving from a huge house to a tiny house.  But it is so much more energy efficient.  Our home is a berm home & put into the side of the hill.  You can step about 1 foot up on the back side of it & be on our roof.  My mother & father-in-laws live right behind us.   I love our cozy home & love living in the country here on our farm.
Here is a photo of our home.  You can't see them in this photo, but the trees in my in-laws yard behind our home are just beautiful with lots of different colors.  I have our yard decorated with pumpkins, a scarecrow & mums.  Usually I have a corn stalk husk & corn hanging on the fence- but since there is a shortage of the corn crop this year & it is so high priced I couldn't waste it.

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

Friday, September 28, 2012

Fabric Scissor holders

Good morning!
Happy Friday!

Here is a photo of a cute project that my demonstrator friend Sharon McNeely created & showed at Founders.  

These are scissor holders made out of our Essentials Designer Fabric & the Petal Cone die.  She added a die cut fabric flower, ribbon, twine & a button to decorate it.  


This fabric holder could hold other things too though beside scissors.  And think of the possibilities of making it out of card stock & all of the goodies that you could put into it.  
I will have to try this & share.

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


NOTE:  The stamp set shown on the bag above is a special demonstrator only set that we got at convention.  
But it is layered with the Labels Collection Framelits on pg. 191 of the main catalog.

It has been a crazy week here & I haven't had much time to stamp.
Gosh......I have a workshop tomorrow though so have to get all of those projects created so will have some fun things to post coming soon.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fall Leaves

Good morning!
Wow- yesterday was a beautiful fall day!  It was so lovely outside.  The boys & I were out for awhile in the morning & the afternoon too.  I enjoyed the crispness in the air, the light breeze and the beauty of the trees.  Looking up behind our home at the trees changing colors was just break taking.  The colors of nature this time of year are just unbelievably beautiful with the trees, the corn, beans & hay fields- ALL of them  showing different colors.


Here is a card that I made for my downline meeting last Saturday.  Everyone at Sharlene's workshop on Saturday will also be making this pretty card.  I can't wait to spend my afternoon stamping with her & all of her friends! 

'French Foliage', 'En Francais' & 'Lacy & Lovely'
cs:  Cajun Craze, Naturals Ivory
ink:  Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Old Olive & More Mustard
supplies:  Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, dimensionals, glue dots, Champagne Shimmer Mist spray

I love this triple stamping technique.  It is just such an awesome look when you are finished.

The twins & I were happy to have Brayden, my Mom, my Aunt Virginia & my Aunt Kathy as visitors yesterday.  The twins & I love it when Brayden is here to spend the day with us.  He left for a few hours to go ride in the combine.  He is a true farm boy & loves picking beans (or corn) with Uncle Jerry.  I did get to create in my stamp studio long enough to make a couple of cute little cylinders that Jill Olsen shared at Founders.  They are too cute & I will probably be using them as one of my upcoming Stamp 'Til You Cramp projects.  Last night Deke & I made a quick trip to Ottumwa to buy a new vaccum, to replace mine that broke last Saturday.  Deke will be gone all day today, as he has 3 different meetings this morning, afternoon & evening- which means I'll hopefully have some good mojo & be able to get some stamping done tonight after the boys go home.
I hope you can enjoy some of the beauties of this fall day!
Happy Stamping!
SUSIE

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

A CUTE little witch!!

Good morning!
Here is a quick post.....
I wanted to share a CUTE little "punch art" witch.  Someone at Founders (I think it was Sherri Peters) created & showed us this.  I LOVE HER!  (Both Sherri & the witch.)  Isn't this witch just so stinkin' cute!!  I think that punch art is soooooo cool, but it is something that I am not very good at creating.  So any time that I find a neat punch art project that I can share I sure will do that!  So enjoy!!!

 Notice that the tag on this box is created with the Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit on pg. 27 in the Holiday Catalog.  Sherri stamped "spooky" in the circle- which came from the stamp set- 'Wicked Cool' on pg. 28 of the main catalog.
Lots going on here today.....
My Mom & Aunt Virginia are stopping by this morning to visit us before Mom gets her hair cut.
AND
Brayden is here to spend part of the day with us too. 
Uncle Jerry & Aunt Kathy are in the field, picking beans, so he'll go up there to ride in the combine with them for awhile sometime today.

Be sure to stop  back by tomorrow for some more stamping inspiration.

I hope that you have a wonderful day!
Happy Stamping!
ENJOY!
SUSIE

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

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

Monday, September 24, 2012

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

Sunday, September 23, 2012

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

Saturday, September 22, 2012

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

Friday, September 21, 2012

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

Thursday, September 20, 2012

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