Tools= guys!

Here is a great guy card made with the awesome tool stamp.  I used the set- 'Guy Greetings' from the Occasions Catalog.  This was one of the many cards that everyone attending my Spring Fling got to make.  You could easily change the words stamped here & make this as a great Father's Day card too!

I will update this post sometime soon with the supplies used.

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This energizer bunny is dead.....been a long past week getting ready for & hosting my Spring Fling event that I had yesterday.  I got up early this morning & got caught up on emails & such that had piled the past few days.  Then headed to South English to clean up the hall I rented for my event.  I spent 5 hours there cleaning.  Then home to unload my car, mixed up a crock pot of cheesy potatoes, showered & we headed to Nathan & Sarah's for Brayden's 7th birthday party!  We had a fun night there spending it with family celebrating Brayden's birthday!

This morning I'm headed in to pick up the boys.  Deke got up early to chore & he is headed to the office for his weekly meeting there.  Brayden will ride the bus out tonight & hopefully all works out for us to get his hair cut.  Steve needs his cut too sometime this week.  

Tonight I'll be catching up on piles of things from the past week- personal, Stampin' Up! & farm things!  

Gotta run.......

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

A pretty butterfly!

Hello!
WOW- what a great day of stamping yesterday!  I'm so glad that so many came to spend the day with me.  I would say it was a perfect day!  The weather was chilly & wet outside....so it was a perfect day to be inside.  We were warm & cozy & enjoyed a full day of creating together.

Here is one of the cards that everyone made at my Spring Fling event.  I saw a card similar to this on Pinterest.  

I will update this post with the supply list & more soon.  I just LOVE these Butterflies Thinlit!  This is the biggest of the 3 butterflies included in this set of framelits. 

We have another crazy busy day here.....

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

It is Simple Saturday & my Spring Fling!

Here is a quick post.....
Woo hoo!  Today is a big day!  It is my Spring Fling event.  

This is one of the cards that everyone will be making today at my Spring Fling!!  It is done using the beautiful Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper on pg. 19 in the Occasions Catalog.  And I also added the middle sized butterfly from the Butterflies Thinlits Die on it too!  How simple it is- yet so very pretty!  

I'll tell you more about it in the next few days.  It is so easy to just cut this 12x12 sheet of Designer Series Paper up & get 6 cards out of it that are all just beautiful!  I've seen many different cards on Pinterest & different blogs using this idea & I first heard about it when we were at Leadership in January.  I knew then that this was going to be one of my Spring Fling projects.  I hope that all of the girls today think it is as cool as I do. 

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I am headed to bed for a couple of hours & will get up & finish packing up & work on some of the food for today's event before I head out the door.  I have alot of things to carry in the building & get set up before everyone arrives.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone that is joining me & spending our whole day together stamping.

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

A CUTE little gift bag!

Wow- isn't this stinkin' cute!  This is a little gift bag made using the Mini Treat Bag Thinlit Die on pg. 9 in the Occasions Catalog.  

For the inside I made a little pull up piece that has a sentiment on it, plus a pocket to put money or a gift card into it.

I  know that we have several birthdays coming up.  And lots of graduation parties too.  This would be perfect for them! 

stamp set:  'Sumthin' Sumthin'
card stock: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
designer paper:  Birthday Bash
ink:  Bermuda Bay
other supplies:  Angled Tag Topper Punch, Ticket Duo Punch, Mini Stapler, Confetti Stars Border Punch, Crushed Curry 1/8" Ribbon, Bermuda Bay Bakers' Twine, Dimensionals, Glue Dot

This is one of the projects everyone attending my Spring Fling will be making on Saturday!  I really like it. I hope they do too!

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It was nice to have warmer temps & less wind yesterday.  The boys got to play outside & enjoy it.  Deke ended up having 3 meetings to attend yesterday- so got home late yesterday afternoon, just in time to go with me to set up & tables & chairs at the hall I rent for my stampin' events.  We came home & he worked late on the farm & I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock!  

I'm off to pick up the boys.  Tonight I'll be making food, cutting card stock & finishing up things for my Spring Fling!!

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

I'm CELEBRATING!!!

Woo Hoo!!  Gosh.....I have my Spring Fling on Saturday & am thinking now I should have named it Cards Galore!  Everyone will be making other projects too- but I do have a pile of cards for them to make.  I am an over achiever.  And those of you that have attended my all day stamp camps before know that you're going to go home with a ton of finished projects & new ideas!

This is one of the cards everything joining me at my Spring Fling will be making!  The whole day will focus around products from the Occasions Catalog.  I am so in love with this catalog & it is full of so many awesome products that I just haven't been able to share yet at my workshops & previous classes yet.  I'm excited about all of my projects & this class & I hope everyone joining me is too!  I can't wait!

I used the Balloon Framelits & the cool Birthday Bash Washi Sheets when I created this card!  So what do you think?  

stamp set:  'Celebrate Today'
card stock:  Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate, Whipser White, Crushed Curry
ink:  Smoky Slate
other supplies:  Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim, Painted Blooms Cotton Twine, Big Shot, Balloon Framelits, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Multipurpose Glue, Spiral Border Punch

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I spent the night stamping away last night.  Nathan got 2nd in his heat & 3rd in the main.  It sounds like it was a great race & he did well.  He just got the bad luck of having a caution hurt his positioning with only 2 laps to go.  

I'm off to pick up the boys soon & spend my day with them.  Deke was up early to chore & will be gone all day, as he has 2 meetings.  Tonight we're going over to set up tables/chairs/etc for my Spring Fling event.  Then I'll be spending the rest of my night cutting card stock & getting things ready for my Spring Fling.

I hope you have a very special Thursday!!
Happy Stamping!

Hugs!
SUSIE

Another Bokeh technique card

Here is another Bokeh technique card that I did exactly like the other one that I posted last week.  You can see it HERE & read all about this cool technique.  I don't like this one as well, as the Island Indigo is too dark of a color.  But it is fun & amazing how completely different it looks using the darker or lighter colors.

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, Island Indigo
ink:  Pool Party, Island Indigo White Craft pad
supplies:  Island Indigo ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot

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We sold hogs last night & got in about 7.  Nathan was on KBOE Race Talk Show with Jeff, so we got to listen to him.  It was about 9:30 before I got to start stamping, by the time I got toys picked up, shower, supper, dishes, etc.  I burnt the midnight oil again stamping.

I'm off soon to pick up the boys.  Deke was up early to chore & is gone all morning to a meeting.  Tonight  when the boys go home I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping again!  I have LOTS of cool projects I've been creating for my Spring Fling that is this Saturday.  I can't wait for everyone to see them!  I'm looking forward to spending my day stamping with everyone that is joining me.

All of my family is going to Osky tonight to the races.  I just hate missing going with them.  I so wish I had time to go.....but they'll keep me updated with text messages throughout the night.  I hope that Nathan has good luck!  

Ok.....gotta run.

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

Here is the RETIRING LISTS- while supplies last only!

We're saying goodbye to retiring products from the 2014-2015 annual catalog.  Right now everyone has an opportunity to order their favorites with discounts up to 50 percent off retail. Retiring products will only be available until June 2, or while supplies last.  Also included is the My Digital Studio list, with all products discounted 30 percent off retail.

*Note: Due to high demand for retiring stamps, we'll keep producing retiring stamps until May 26 (not accessories-accessories are only while supplies last only). 

• Retiring List PDF
• My Digital Studio (PDF)

  **If you would like to have a retiring list excel list- please email me & I'll email it to you!
CONTACT ME TO ORDER FOR YOU
OR
ORDER ON LINE HERE!

Be sure to check this out the CLEARANCE RACK TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 22nd, for new items will be added to it too!

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"- April 21-27, 2015!

Yay!!

Here is another one of the cards that everyone attending my monthly classes last week made.  What a fun card it is!  Some of the gals changed the words & made this into a graduation card!  It is perfect for many occasions just by changing the wording.

stamp set:  'Balloon Bash' & 'B.Y.O.P'
card stock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Gold Foil
designer paper:  Gold Foil Designer Vellum
ink:  Fold Encore
supplies:  Embossing Buddy, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Gold Sequins, Dimensionals, Liquid Glue, Metallic Gold Baker's Twine, Ornate Tag Topper Punch, Glue Dots

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I've been a busy bee stamping for my upcoming Spring Fling!  

I'm off to pick up the boys & we'll take Brayden to school.   Then tonight I'm a farmer helping Deke.  And I'll be a stampin' the night away when we get in.

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!! 

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

A beautiful card with 'Mother's Love'

Here is another one of the cards that I created for my April classes.   Everyone joining me to stamp this past week got to make it.

I used Shimmery White card stock, stamped the image using the Black Memento ink pad & then colored in the flower with markers & blender pens.   Look at it closely & you'll see where I added a little card stock flower at the base of the 2 stamped flowers to make it look more like the petal is opening up.

I love this....it is a beautiful bright & cheery card!   And how could you go wrong using purple & green together?  These are 2 of my favorite color combinations.  This would make an awesome card for you to give to your mom for the upcoming Mother's Day.

stamp set:  'Mother's Love'
card stock:  Shimmery White, Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, Pear Pizzazz
ink:  Black Memento
markers:  Pear Pizzazz & Elegant Eggplant
supplies:  Big Shot, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle Punch, Pear Pizzazz 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Back(small flower), Blender Pens, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Diagonal Scored Plate, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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We had a great time stamping yesterday!  I was beat when I got home.  It sure makes a long day for me- but I'm glad that it works out so well with us doing 2 classes in one day each month.

I'm off to pick up the boys.  Deke was up early to chore & has his weekly board meeting this morning.  

I'll be burning the midnight oil tonight stamping!!  Woo Hoo!  It is a VERY busy week here for me getting ready for my upcoming Spring Fling event that is on Saturday!!

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Here is a sneak peek of my 4 Seasons Sampler

Here is a sneak peek of my 4 Seasons Sampler & matching cards that are projects for my upcoming Spring Fling that I'm having next Saturday!!  I love them. I think that they turned out super cute!

I will update this post next Sunday when I have a day home to catch up.

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I'm off here soon for the day.  I have 2 big classes.  Karen & Kathy are the hostesses.  I have one class at 10 & one class at 1.  I have a big group joining me for both of them & I can't wait for everyone to come stamp with me.

Gotta run- I'm off to finish packing up, loading the car & heading to my stamp classes.

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

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