A Spring 'Sheltering Tree'

Woo Hoo!  I love this 'Sheltering Tree' stamp set!  It is in the Occasions Catalog, but it is one of the stamp sets that will be carried over & featured in the upcoming New Annual Catalog too.  I'm excited about that!  

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

We have a super crazy week this week.  We load hogs this morning, then I'll go pick up the boys, when they leave tonight I'll be spending my night outside helping Deke again.  This is my farmer day/night.  

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

A wedding card!

Here is another pretty black & white wedding card.  This was one of my Spring Fling projects.  

stamp set: 'Something Lacy' & 'For the New Two'
card stock:  Basic Black & Whisper White
ink:  Black Memento
other:  Bow Builder Punch, Sweetheart Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

NOTE:  The 'Something Lacy' background stamp is not carrying over into the new catalog, but the 'For the New Two' stamp set is.   

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Wow- we had a fun day of stamping yesterday at Ila's party!!  I'm so glad that so many could join us.  This class was a challenge for me as I had a really hard time trying to decide which stamps & supplies I was going to use- as so many of my favorites are retiring & it was hard to narrow things down to just 6 cards.

Gotta run....off to pick up the boys.  Deke is off to a board meeting this morning.  He will be home to work a few hours on the farm this afternoon & then he has another meeting tonight.  Manda, Sarah & I are going to try to figure out Masen's baby shower invites tonight- so I can get them all cut & the girls will stamp them & put them together.  

I have 3 workshops this week- so lots of cutting to do!!  Plus one of them is at our home on Thursday night & right now I have stamps all over everywhere- so I have lots to get done this week!

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

A stack of Painted Blooms cards!

Here is a stack of cards I made using the Painted Blooms Designer Paper.  I just added various words that were stamped on vellum & have some pretty sweet cards.  This designer series paper is just beautiful!  These were a set of cards for my Spring Fling. 

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Brayden had a played good at his last soccer game.  We were all there to cheer him on.  I came home right after it was over with & burnt the midnight oil stamping!  

Nathan got a flat tire in his heat last night in Missouri, so he had to start at the very back in the main.  He ended up getting 2nd!  Woo Hoo!  That is awesome!  Wish we could have been there. 

I'm off this morning to my workshop in N. Liberty.  Ila is our hostess.  I still have to finish cutting, packing up & get the car loaded.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone & spending our time stamping together. What an exciting time of the year with all of the retiring products everyone needs to make sure they get if they want them before they are gone.

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Sunday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Another clean & simple card......

This card is so springy!  I really like this designer paper.  It has beautiful flower images on it.

• I used a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of the Painted Blooms Designer Paper.
•  Added some ribbon around it.
• Adhered it to a piece of 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Rose Red card stock that I fold in half.
• Punched out a little butterfly our of the Rose Red card stock using the Elegant Butterfly punch & added a few pearls to it.
• Used the Starburst framelits for the notched edge circle & cut that out of Rose Red card stock.
• Stamped the words onto a strip of Whisper White CS & punch it out with the 2 1/2" Circle punch.
• And stuck it all together!

stamp set:  'Hello There'- hostess set
card stock:  Rose Red, Whisper White
designer paper:  Painted Blooms
ink:  Rose Red
other:  Big Shot, Starburst Framelits, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 1/4" Whisper White Cotton ribbon, Elegant Butterfly punch

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We got home late last night from the races.  Nathan won his heat & got 3rd in the main.  The boys were all good.  The guys worked late in the shop when we got home, getting the car ready to head to race in Missouri to race tonight.  (Deke & I aren't going with them tonight- just Nathan & Sarah are going.)

This morning we have Brayden's last soccer game of the year.  Deke's sister Darci is coming home to watch him & will spend the weekend here on the farm.  When we get home I'll be a busy stamping bee getting ready for tomorrow's class.  Ila is our hostess!  I'm looking forward to sharing with everyone. 

Wishing you a SUPER Saturday!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

It is "clean & simple" with a pretty Monogram card!

Happy MAY DAY!!!!  

Ok......you all know I love black & white cards.  And this is a pretty "clean & simple" Monogram card.  This is so totally me.

We have several wedding coming up in the next few months.  I'll be using this for one of them.  But this card would be perfect for almost anything you needed a card for!  This was one of the cards I created for my Spring Fling last weekend.

All of these stamp sets are from the Occasions Catalog.

stamp sets:  'For The New Two', 'Your Perfect Day' & 'Sophisticated Serifs'
card stock:  whisper White, Basic Black
ink:  Black Memento 
other:  2" Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

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Today is a very special little man's birthday!  Brayden is 7 years old!  Oh my gosh......where has the time gone?  He is such a blessing in our lives & we love him tons.  How lucky we are he lives so close by & we get to see him so often.  He is such a big helper.  And I just love his smile!

Last night Brayden & I went to the Seeleys.  The boys played & we planted flowers.  He wanted to go to Walkers for a black rasperberry shake (both of our favorites) for his birthday afterwards.  I then took him home & I came home & burnt the midnight oil working on piles of bookwork & orders that got away from me last week.

This morning I'm off to pick up the 3 Seeley boys.  Nathan is dropping Brayden off & we'll take him to school.  I'm sure the boys will be excited as we'll get to sing happy birthday to him!  

Tonight Deke & I will be going to a very special friends visitation, as we can't make it to her funeral tomorrow.  Joyce was such an amazing person inside & outside!!  I met her almost 14 years ago when I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Joyce was a friend/co-worker of my friend Lisa.  Joyce was my 2nd hostess ever.  She was my 1st hostess to have a workshop over $1,000.  And she has been a hostess for me once a year every since that time.  In fact, I believe she has always had over a $1,000 workshop.  She was just a hostess for me in March, as Sale-a-bration was a favorite of hers too.  She stamped with me each month.  We talked often & I looked forward to catching up on our family happenings.  She was an awesome stamper & she brought cards to show me each month that she'd been creating.  She made LOTS of cards for her team at work and since her retiring in January she has been making LOTS of cards for their church.  She was a definite fighter if I ever saw one.   She lost a very long fight with breast cancer.  Heaven gained an angel.....and she leaves us here with heavy hearts, as she touched many hearts in many different ways. Our deepest sympathy goes to her family- Alan, Amanda & Austin.

 

After Joyce's visitation we'll head to the races in Columbus Junction & meet up with the rest of our family there.  Tonight is a big stock car race- so I'm hoping Nathan dials it in & has good luck!  

I hope you all have a FABULOUS Friday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

A lovely BUTTERFLY!

Happy Thursday!!

Isn't this butterfly just awesome!  And honestly, I am not a butterfly fan- but there is just something about this stamp set & coordinating framelits that I totally dig.  It is just so elegant!!  And I have made alot of different cards in various colors & combinations using it over the past 4 months.

stamp set: 'Butterfly Basics'
card stock: Mossy Meadow, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
ink: Mossy Meadow, Rose Coral ColorBox Chalk pad 
supplies: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Butterflies Thinlits Dies, Basic Pearls, Doilies, Dimensionals, Spring Flowers Embossing Folder
other:  Dryer Sheet

This card is one of the many projects from my Spring Fling event last weekend.

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Wow- Brayden had an awesome soccer game last night!!  He scored at least 2 times (maybe 3).  You can tell he has been practicing with Mike.  We were so proud of him.  His last game is Saturday morning.  And then we'll be going to baseball games starting next week.

From Brayden's soccer game we were off to the races!  We had a late night as I went to get groceries afterwards.  But Nathan looked fast!  He had a good night.  He got 2nd in his heat & he was scored 3rd place in the main- but all 3 front cars were 3 wide & within inches of each other.  I was sitting at the finish line & I would disagree with the scorer on where he finished.  If he had a white nose on the car would that have made a difference?  We are the purple #52 car with the black bumper cover (nose).



I'm off to pick up the boys.  Brayden will be here after school tonight.  I've got to get his Crispix "Wood Cake" made so we can celebrate his birthday.  Gosh- I can't believe he will be 7 tomorrow.  

We are going to get a few flowers planted tonight.  And then I'm going to spend the rest of the night a stampin' away for my upcoming class I have on Sunday.  

I hope you have a delightful day!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

A pull out "SWING CARD" using 'Sheltering Tree'!!

Here is a fun fold card using 'Sheltering Tree' stamp set.  This was one of my April monthly class cards.  There are ALOT of my favorite things used here. 

#1- I LOVE the 'Hardwood' background stamp.  It is so versatile.  I've used it on many, many cards....and you just can't go wrong any time you add it to a card.
#2- I LOVE the 'Sheltering Tree' stamp set.  I do wish it came in other choices- but is currently only available in Photopolymer.  And I hope that this stamp set carries over into the new Big Catalog.  Gosh.....what do you think?  I know that many of us have high hopes that it does.
#3- I LOVE fun folds!  I am always looking at different layouts for cards.  This is a super fun fold called a "swing card".  I've seen many different versions of this on different blogs & pinterest.  And of course I had to add a tab to mine to make it pull out!

Check it out opened up!  You just pull on the tab & it pulls out in an accordion fold style.  It is pretty cool!  This card is easy to create! Here are the measurements:

• 8" x 5-1/4" Crumb Cake cardstock
• 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 Early Espresso cardstock
• 3" x 3" Whisper White cardstock for front
• 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" Early Espresso cardstock
• 5" x 6" Whisper White cardstock, scored at 2" and 4" in an accordion fold

stamp set:  'Sheltering Tree' & 'Hardwood' background stamp
card stock:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi
ink:  Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi, Real Red
other supplies:  Big Shot, Square Framelits, Dimensionals, Note Tag Punch

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Oh my.....I was beat last night.  We loaded hogs yesterday morning & again last night.  And then I had the boys all day.  And Manda & I ran to the school's FFA Greenhouse sale at 4:00 & got some plants too in between.  By the time we got in, made supper, took our showers, picked up toys, did dishes, etc.- I was done & headed to bed by 11 (which is early for me.)

I'm off this morning to pick up the boys.  Deke was up bright & early to chore & he is heading to a meeting.  Tonight we'll go to Brayden's soccer game at 5:30 & then we're all off to the races!!  I am so excited that I get to go with my family tonight.  I've missed lots of races this year & I hate missing things.  I sure hope that Nathan & the #52 Wood Racing team has good luck! I hope we see him on the front stretch & get our picture taken! 

Gotta run......I'm wishing you a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!
Happy Stamping!

Hugs!
SUSIE

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"- April 28 to May 4, 2015!

Love this Berry Basket!

Hello!
Have you noticed the cute Berry Basket on page 21 in the Occasions Catalog?  This is it!  This was one of my Spring Fling projects.

Don't you love the Butterflies Thinlit on the side of it?  And notice how I added one of the Something Borrowed Embellishments on page 42 in the Occasions Catalog, to the top of the butterfly.  If you look closely & you can see a little butterfly made using the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper back behind the bigger Lost Lagoon Butterfly.

I lined the Berry Basket using the Something Borrowed Designer Paper on pg. 42 of the Occasions Catalog too.  The designer paper liner makes it alot more sturdy.  I think that this basket sure would look cute sitting on a desk or shelf with almost anything in it.  

Oh gosh.....it make a cute May Day basket too?  And that day is coming up!!  

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We're up bright & early this morning to load hogs.  We'll be done in time for me to go get the boys so Manda can go to work.  Then tonight I'll be working on the farm again, as we sell another load of hogs.  It is going to be a LONG day here!  

Last night Susie's Hair Hut was open for business.  Steve & Brayden both got their hair cut.  Wow- they both look different with shorter hair.  I am glad we finally got this task accomplished.  I spent the rest of my evening burning the midnight oil catching up on piles of bookwork for the farm & stamping.  I'm gaining....but not done.

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

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