Susie's FAUX Bokeh technique card-

This is one of the cards that everyone stamping with me this week at my April classes got to create or will be creating.  I LOVE IT!  Don't you?

It is what I call a faux bokeh technique.  What is bokeh- pronounced Bouquet??  Here is a definition that I found to help explain it.  It is generally a photography term that has become the rage in stamping for awhile.  Normally it is pretty messy- so I came up with this version to make it stamp friendly to be able to mass produce & use in a workshop setting.

Bokeh Origins
The term originates from the Japanese word 'boke' meaning blur. Not simply about the circles of light produced in out of focus areas when photographing highlights, bokeh arises from the aesthetic quality of the overall blur. Good bokeh is appealing to the eye, it can not only make the subject stand out from the background but add a very pleasing visual effect. Done well, bokeh produces soft round shapes and smooth lines but beware, bad bokeh can add a harsh quality to an image. The soft curves and hard lines may produce double lines - creating a distraction to the eye and making the image less visually appealing.

stamp set: 'Big On You' & 'Geometrical' & 'Hello Here'
(I only used the circles out of the 'Geometrical' & 'Hello Here' stamp sets)
card stock:  Soft Sky, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay
ink:  Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, White Craft pad
supplies:  Soft Sky 1/4" Seam Binding ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot

Often times when doing the bokeh stamping technique- different sized circles are cut using the circle framelit on a window sheet to make a template & then a sponge or sponge daubers are used to color inside the cut out circles.  I did my card using circle stamps instead to make it faster to do & not as messy to do for a class with several people creating at one time. 

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Last night I burnt the midnight oil getting ready for my monthly class that I have on Sunday.  Karen & Kathy are my hostesses.  We have a big group coming!!!  Woo hoo!  I can't wait to see everyone & share.

Deke worked in the field all night again & hopefully he is done soon.  

Nathan, Sarah, Mark & Trevor went racing.  Nathan looked good again.  He started 11th in the main & finished 2nd.  Yeah.....he's getting this car figured out.  I am sad that I have only made it to one race all year so far. I hate missing them.  I just have too much to try to keep up with right now.  Hopefully sometime soon I'll get there.  I know it won't be this next week.....I'm gonna be a busy bee creating & cutting for my upcoming Spring Fling that I am having next Saturday!!  

So I'll be stamping all day/night!!  I pray that I have good mojo creating projects for my Spring Fling!

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Butterfly Thinlits.....are NOW AVAILABLE!

1. Get the Butterflies Thinlits at a 15% discount--just $21.20!
2. Buy any of the Butterflies Thinlits Bundles at the already-discounted price and choose one of three FREE Sale-A-Bration items (only available while supplies last)!

• Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (#138633)
• Best Year Ever Accessory Pack (#138634)
• Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper (#138635)

NOTE:  This beautiful butterfly shown above was on a card that my demonstrator friend Linda Wilson sent to me for my birthday in February that I just love!

A cool guy card!

Here is a cool guy card that is a fun fold!  I made this card for a monthly swap that I'm in with some other demonstrators.  I really like this goose that is in the 'Moon Lake' stamp set.

This is what it looks like shut.

And here is what it looks like opened up!  Neat huh!  

stamp set: 'Moon Lake' & 'Work of Art'
card stock:  Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky
supplies:  Paper Snips, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals

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I had a full house that came to stamp with me last night.  I think everyone had a good time & liked the cards.  And I'm excited that several of them are going to be joining me next weekend for my Spring Fling event!!

I am up early this morning to finish picking up tables/chairs & putting our house back in order from last night class, before I go pick up the boys.  Tonight the guys are going racing & I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping.

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

'For All Things' sympathy card

Here is another card that we did at my All Occasions class.  I love this card!  This is one of my favorite stamp sets.  It is a carry over from last falls Holiday Catalog.  It is just so versatile.  It makes a great fall card, a great guy card- just a cool card for many different occasions.

This is similar to a card I did for a blog post last fall, but I didn't use it for a class- so decided to change it up a bit & use it for this class.  I would call this a clean & simple card.

stamp set:  'For All Things' & 'Love & Sympathy'
card stock:  Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
ink:  Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip
other:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Extra Large Oval Punch, dimensionals

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Darn- I ended up not going to the races last night.  I just have so much to do.....I hated missing them & spending time with our whole family though.  Nathan got 2nd in his heat & started 5th.  He redrew 11th for the main & finished 4th.  They said he was fast!  It sounds like he must be getting this new car & the set up figured out it.  I burnt the midnight oil last night working on things for upcoming stamp classes. 

I'm off to pick up the boys.  Then tonight I will have a full house coming to stamp with me!!  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone!!

Gotta run.....
Happy Thursday!!
Hugs!
SUSIE

NOTICE RE: BUTTERFLIES THINLITS

I'm sorry!! 
They will not be available now until Friday!!
I will keep you updated on things!

'Balloon Bash' with photopolymer reverse image stamping!

Here is a super fun card that everyone made at my March classes & I just realized that I had forgotten to post it.  This is a cool technique that I learned at Stampin' Up! Leadership in January when I attended it. I don't know what the official name for it is but I am calling it "photopolymer reverse image stamping"!

Isn't it cool how the words have a shadow stamp over them?  And so how did I do that?  Well when you use any photopolymer stamp you can turn it over & use the solid image or the back side of it.  So that is what I did here.  Be sure to try it for yourself.  It is really neat & would work with many photopolmer stamp set images.

stamp set:  'Balloon Bash'

card stock:  Soft Suede, Pool Party & Whisper White

designer paper:  Best Year Ever (SAB product- not available now)

ink:  Soft Suede & Pool Party

other supplies:  Big Shot, Top Note Die, Dimensionals, Glue Dot, Crushed Curry Ribbon (Best Year Ever Assortment- SAB product-available still with the purchase of the Butterflies Basics Bundle!)

**How did I make the Soft Suede little dots on the Pool Party card stock?  I used a pencil eraser & ink.  

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We had a super crazy, busy day yesterday!  But guess we survived... I was exhausted last night.  I burnt the midnight oil sorting through boxes of orders that I needed to get done that my UPS man had left here the past 2 days.  I had tons of other things too to do, but guess they'll still be here & I'll get them done when I can.  Deke worked in the fields all night & so didn't get much sleep.  Hopefully he will be done this week. 

The boys & I ran errands yesterday morning.  They were the main attraction at the ASCS Office & the City Hall!  When we got home they had a blast playing outside.  The weather was perfect!!  It was my kind of day!!  Wish we had many days that are just like it.  

Brayden did good at his soccer practice.  He then road in the tractor with Papa for awhile afterwards while I got them supper.  I took supper up to Deke to eat in the tractor & to Trevor (a friend of Nathan's that is like our other son) to eat in the shop.  We got Brayden's homework done & then Nathan & Sarah got home to pick him up.

This morning I'm off to Manda's to get the boys.  Nathan will drop Brayden off there & we'll take him to school.  Deke will be in the office this morning, so he got up early to get his chores done & headed to town.  

Tonight is race night in Osky......so I'll head over there to cheer on Nathan & our 52 team.  Deke is going to stay home & work in the field.  I'll burn the midnight oil when I get home working on getting things ready for my class I have here tomorrow night since I didn't get anything done last night.

Gotta run......I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

This weeks- "WEEKLY DEALS"- April 14-20, 2015!

A cute little chick!!

Here is a card that I forgot to share.....it is the Easter card that I made for the boys.  Check out the little hearts along the bottom.  Aren't they cute!  

This stamp set is 'Cheerful Critters' from the Occasions Catalog.

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Brayden rode the bus out after school.  We helped Papa with the hogs after the Seeley boys went home.  We got in we got in about 8, got Brayden's homework done & he went home.  I made a late supper, did dishes & then Susie's Hair Hut was open for business & Deke finally got his hair cut.

This morning we are loading hogs bright & early instead of tonight.  I'll then go to Manda's to get the boys.  Nathan will drop Brayden off there & we'll take him to school & then head out here.  Brayden will ride the bus here again tonight & I'll take him to soccer practice.  When he goes home I'll be burning the midnight oil getting ready for my stamp class that I have on Thursday night.

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Butterflies Thinlits STATUS UPDATE!! AND SPECIAL OFFER!!! AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY!!

 
There was much disappointment when we were not able to purchase the Butterflies Thinlits in time to receive Sale-A-Bration rewards--especially in the discounted bundles. Therefore, from the day the Butterflies Thinlits are again available (approx. this Friday, April 17th through April 30th), Stampin' Up is bringing us two special offers!  Woo hoo!!

1. Get the Butterflies Thinlits at a 15 percent discount--just $21.20!
2. Buy any of the Butterflies Thinlits Bundles at the already-discounted price and choose one of three FREE Sale-A-Bration items (only available while supplies last)!

• Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper(item #138633)
• Best Year Ever Accessory Pack(item #138634)
• Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper(item #138635)

 

A "faux silk" collage card......

Here is the card that I posted yesterday for you.  You can click HERE TO SEE THAT POST!

I promised today that I'd share details about this card, so here they are.

If you look closely in this photo I think you can see some of the details.  Notice the collage stamped roses & leaves?  After I stamped them I took a glue stick & put it all over the whole piece of this collage.  I then took a piece of tissue paper, crinkled it up, spread it out carefully &  laid it over the top of the collage- being sure to leave some of the crinkles in it.  This technique is called "Faux Silk" & it is one of the first techniques that I learned years ago.  

Look behind the butterfly.  Do you see that Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer other Butterflies Thinlit behind it?

NOTE:  The Pistachio Pudding & Crisp Cantaloupe card stock are both 2013-2015 In Colors that will be retiring & soon gone!

stamp set:  'Painted Petals' & 'And Many More'
card stock:  Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper
ink:  Pistachio Pudding & Crisp Cantaloupe
supplies:  Big Shot, Butterflies Thinlit, Spring Flower Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Pistachio Pudding Baker's Twine, Glue Stick, Paper Snips
other:  Tissue Paper

Measurements-

• Crisp Cantaloupe- 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (for butterfly thinlit)
• Pistachio Pudding- 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (for card base); 4" x 2 1/2" (for layer piece)
• Whisper White- 5" x 3 3/4" (for embossed piece on front); 5" x 3 3/4" (inside layer to stamp verse on); 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" (piece to stamp flower/leaves collage on); 5" x 5/8" (flagged banner with words on front)
• Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper- 2" x 2 1/2"
• Tissue Paper- 4" x 3"- trim off access after attached to the flower/leaves collage

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We had a great time at our stamp class yesterday!  It was wonderful to see everyone.  We missed 3 of our regular gals that have all had some health issue.  Hope they are back to join us soon (Judy, Joyce & Lana).  I enjoyed my day stamping with everyone.  It was especially good to see my friend/downline Terri that is home for a visit from Montana.  I'm so glad that she got to come visit & stamp with us while she is here. 

I got groceries & stopped at 2 friends homes on my way home last night after my class.  As soon as I home, I got the car unloaded & then headed to the field to ride with Deke in the tractor for awhile.  We hadn't seen much of each other all weekend, so I enjoyed our time catching up.
 

Deke worked out in the fields until the wee hours this morning trying to get as much done as he could be it rained.  He slept a few hours & was up early to chore & head to the office for his weekly board meeting.  I'm off to pick up my boys & spend the day with them.  Tonight I'm a farmer & will be helping Deke on the farm to sort pigs.  Then I'll be cutting card stock & getting stuff ready for my next class that I have this week on Thursday night. 
 

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

I LOVE this Butterfly Thinlit!!

Here is one of the cards that everyone joining me for my April classes will be making!!

I LOVE IT!  What do you think?  It is the faux silk technique.  I haven't done this technique for a long time & thought that this 'Painted Petals' set was the perfect set to do a collage like this with.

AND EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE.....
Guess what?  This Butterfly Thinlit has not been available to purchase for awhile due to the west coast dock strikes.....but you will soon be able to purchase it!!  And Stampin' Up! is offering a special to go along with it.  Woo Hoo!!

I'll share more about this tomorrow.

I'll post more about this card tomorrow too!  So be sure to check back for details & more information about this Butterfly Thinlit!

I'm off to my class here soon.  Jenny is the hostess today!  I can't wait to see everyone!!  I still have some more cutting to do, load the car, etc....gotta run.

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Congratulations!!!

Here is a fun congratulations card that was one of my All Occasions cards.  It is perfect for upcoming graduations, a baby card or any other occasion that you need to congratulate someone for.

stamp set: 'Bravo'
card stock:  Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Whisper White
designer paper: Irresistibly Yours (SAB choice- not available now- sorry)

ink:  Early Espresso, Crushed Curry

supplies:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small star), dimensionals, sponge

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Nathan got 2nd last night in Donnellson racing.  I stayed home & stamped- burning the midnight oil.  I have a class in N. Liberty tomorrow & Jenny is our hostess.  Woo Hoo!  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone & stamping!

I'm off to pick up the Seeley boys & keep them for the day.  Manda & Steve are taking pictures all weekend.  Today they are taking soccer pictures & tomorrow they are taking pictures for dance classes.  Steve's parents will keep the boys tomorrow since I'll be gone.  

Brayden has a soccer game this afternoon, so we'll go & take the 3 Seeley boys with us to that.  When they go home tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil again.   I am praying that I have good mojo as I have more creating & cutting to do.

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!f
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Don't FORGET the 2013-2015 In Colors will be GONE SOON!

Don't forget that the "2013-2015 In Colors" are RETIRING.

• Baked Brown Sugar
• Coastal Cabana
• Crisp Cantaloupe
• Pistachio Pudding
• Strawberry Slush  

 

BE SURE TO ORDER THEN NOW, BEFORE THEY ARE GONE FOREVER!!
They will sell out fast!!!  
Once they are gone- they are gone forever!
Don't wait to order them until the retired list comes out on April 21st, as that will be too late.

**Don't forget ink refills, twine, sequins & the Designer Paper Stacks too!

It ENDS TODAY!! Don't miss out on FREE SHIPPING!

Don't forget about the awesome Stampin' Up! offer going on right now for FREE SHIPPING!
This offer ends today!  So if you haven't taken advantage of it yet- be sure you do.
Contact me to help you place your order- dswood@cloudburst9.net
or order on line-www.susiewood.stampinup.net
 

Woo Hoo!

SMILE!!!  It is Friday!!  

I made this card awhile back & wasn't totally thrilled with it......so hadn't posted it yet.  But when looking through things to post last night I thought it was the perfect card to share today!!  Oh how I would love to have some warm temps & sunshine here!  Mother Nature teased us with a few nice spring days & then took them away.  I'm ready for them to come back.

stamp set:  'So You'
card stock:  Daffodil Delight, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Vellum
designer paper:  Sweet Taffy
ink:  Daffodil Delight & Basic Gray
supplies:  Candy Dot, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

So what do you think of it?  Yes- I fussy cut out the clouds & the sun using paper snips.  I like the strip of vellum across the card with the words stamped on it.  This is a super cute stamp set in the Occasions Catalog.  And it would also be a great stamp set for scrapbooking too.  I can see lots of possibilities there.

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