Some more pictures....

Here are some more pictures of our buildings from the fire.  They are still smoldering.....just so sad.

We are hoping for no rain tomorrow & Deke is gonna start the clean up process.  We have to get a new building built as soon as possible, as have babies coming in 2 1/2 weeks & we don't have any place to put them.

The building shown here on the right is our shop....see how close it was to the fire!  The lone pole standing the right corner was where the edge of the bale shed was.  The pile of tin on the left side is what is left of our hog building.  Thankfully the wind was blowing to the west & not the north- so that the shop didn't burn down too.

This is the hog building from the east end.

This is the front side of the hog building.  Thankfully they got all of the piggies out safely & moved into another building.

This is the end of hog shed....underneath that pile of tin on the left hand side are the feeders.  They are destroyed & have to be replaced too.

This is the back side of the hog shed- where the bale shed use to be.  You can see again how close our shop was on the other end there.  How LUCKY we are that the wind was blowing to the west & we didn't loose the shop. 

This is another photo from the back side of the bale shed that is completely gone.

Here is another sneak peek! Check out these new 2015-2017 In Colors!

Check out these NEW 2015-2017 In Colors!!

• Mint Macaroon
• Tip Top Taupe
• Watermelon Wonder
• Cucumber Crush
• Delightful Dijon

Which one is your favorite?

Do you see the other new accessories here too?  

• The In Color Lace ribbons.
• The In Color Blossom Accents.
• The set- 'Watercolor Wings'- that coordinates with the Butterflies Thinlits Dies.
• AND the NEW Bold Butterfly Framelits.

I love it all!!  And I'm excited to see how cool these NEW In Colors will be when using/combining them with our existing colors we have.

 ++++

It was a long day yesterday starting out early helping with the pigs, having the boys all day & then back out to work on the farm all night.  We were both beat when we got in late last night.

I'm off early to get the boys, as Manda has an early meeting today.  If it doesn't rain we'll be off to the races tonight in Osky to cheer Nathan on.  Deke has 2 meetings today- so he was up early to chore & then gone most of the day.

I took several pictures of our fire damage last night.....will try to get them downloaded & share with you sometime soon.  It just breaks my heart to see the damage & the mess.  We are thankful no one got hurt & the hogs all survived- but it is a total loss & a total disaster.  

I am gaining on getting through all of our emails.  We had over 600 emails in a one weeks time frame. If you don't hear from me by tomorrow- email me again.

I got all of the mail gone through & the farm bookwork all up to date.  I have part of the laundry done....now to get that finished & then put it all away.  Our suitcases are unpacked- but nothing it put away yet.  I'm slowly gaining.....I was behind when we left & even farther behind now. I hope to get caught up over this holiday weekend.

Gotta run......I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday.

Happy Stamping!

Hugs!
SUSIE

This weeks- "WEEKLY DEALS"- May 19-25, 2015!

A CUTE Birthday Card!

Here is a cute birthday card that everyone joining me for my May classes got to make.  They could choose any of the images- balloon, birthday hat, cupcake or present.  Any of these images could be punched out with the circle punch like I did with the balloon shown here.

stamp set:  'Birthday Surprise'- RETIRING
card stock:   Hello Honey, Baked Brown Sugar- RETIRING, Whisper White
designer paper:  Lullaby- RETIRING
ink:  Baked Brown Sugar- RETIRING
marker:  Hello Honey
other:   Clear Bock- size D, Baked Brown Sugar Twine- RETIRING, Project Life Corner Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle Punch, Scalloped Edge Border Punch- RETIRING, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

  +++++++

We are home finally!!  We got home about 5 pm yesterday afternoon.  It was a long trip & neither of us slept at all on the planes.  As soon as we got home we were out to check on our disaster from the fire.  It is SO SAD!!!  It is such a mess!!  And there is so much to do.  It is still smoldering & you can see the smoke & smell the fire.  Deke worked on the farm grinding feed & catching up on things until really late.  I unpacked our suitcases, went through piles of mail & tons of boxes of stamp orders that came while we were gone.  I haven't even had time to catch up on emails yet.....will hopefully get to that in the next day or so.

We were beat last night & finally got to bed about midnight.  We'll be up bright & early this morning.  Today if my farmer day. We load hogs this morning before I go pick up the boys.  We'll take Brayden to school & then the 3 Seeley boys & I will head back out to the farm.  I have tons of laundry to do & things yet to catch up on.  When the boys go home tonight I'll be headed back out to spend my night on the farm helping Deke with loading more hogs & doing things to help him.

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!   

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

'Petal Potpourri' framed art!

This is just an awesome flower stamp set that is in the Occasions Catalog AND is NOT carrying over into the big catalog.  So you have until June 2, 2015 to buy this 'Petal Potpourri' stamp set if you don't already have it.  It has a coordinating flower punch called- Flower Medallion!  Now how cool is that!!

NOTE:  The stamp set is retiring on June 2, 2015 & the punch is carrying over in the big catalog, so it will be available for at least another year!

This framed art is one of the projects that everyone joining me at my Spring Fling last month got to make. It is just beautiful in person!  Very stunning!

stamp set:  'Petal Potpourri'
card stock:  12x12- Whisper White White
                    8 1/2 x 8 1/2- Basic Black
                    2 3/4 x 2 3/4 "- Crumb Cake
                    2 1/2"- Basic Black Circles
                    2 3/4" -Naturals White Strip to stamp flower onto & then punch out.
                    1" strip- Old Olive for the leaves
ink:  Black Stazon
        Rich Razzleberry
        Pumpkin Pie
        Daffodil Delight
        Rose Red
        Perfect Plum
other:  Aqua Painter, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Medallion Flower Punch, Bird Punch (used the bird wing for the flower leaf)

 +++++++

Yesterday morning we had amazing omelets for breakfast!  They were so yummy!! It was great spending our last day here on the island visiting with all of our friends & saying our good-byes.  After breakfast we went down by the pool & then hung out on the patio for awhile.  It is the last we'll see of many of our Stampin' Up! friends for awhile.  Some of them I'll see at convention in July, but Deke won't get to see any of them until our trip next May. 

We spend the rest of the afternoon packing & getting ready to head to the airport.   We are dreading our long flight home.  Since it is a red-eye flight we plan to sleep all of the way back to Pheonix on the plane.  If all goes well & we connect with all of our flights, we'll get home later tonight.  And we'll both be back to work & the real world on Tuesday morning.  

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!

Happy Stamping!!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Some sneak peeks! Here is my Hawaii swap.....

Woo Hoo!!
Here are some sneak peeks to share that I used for my Hawaii swap.  I used several new products here that you'll be able to purchase on June 2, 2015!

I made 40 cards- here is my pile of them.

Check out the cool new Triple Banner Punch here too!!  Wow- it makes 3 different sizes of banners.  I LOVE IT!

 

Sneak Peeks- 

• 'Friendly Wishes' stamp set
• Watermelon Wonder & Cucumber Crush card stock
• Cucumber Crush ink

stamp set:  'Friendly Wishes'
card stock:  Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Whisper White
ink:  Cucumber Crush
supplies:  Cherry on Top Designer Washi Tape, Banner Triple Punch, 2" Circle Punch, dimensionals

+++++

Yesterday we had a full day here at the hotel.  We got up early & had breakfast with some of our Australian friends.  Then I went to the Stampin' Up! Share Fair, that was for all achieving demonstrators.  We hung out in the Stampin' Up! hospitality room & hotel lobby visiting with other demonstrator friends & their spouses.  We then got on a bus & went to the USS Missouri for a Stars & Stripes BBQ Supper of our final event.  It was AMAZING!!!  I will hopefully get pictures of it posted sometime soon.

We are heading home tonight.  Our plane leaves here at 10:50 pm, so we fly the red eye.  We don't get back to our home in Iowa until about 5:00 pm on Monday!!  We are already dreading the long trip home.  But we've had a great time this week with our Stampin' Up! family.  We've missed our kids & grandsons & can't wait to see them when we get home.

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

'Love'

Here is one of the cards that everyone joining me made at my May classes.  It was a favorite of many!  

I used washi tape & the chalk board paper.   It is clean & simple!

stamp set:  'Gorgeous Grunge' & 'So You'- RETIRING
card stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Chalk Board Paper- RETIRING
ink:  White Craft Pad, Pistachio Pudding- RETIRING
other:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small heart), Pistachio Pudding Baker's Twine- RETIRING, Sweet Sadie Washi Tape- RETIRING, dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++

We had a fun day hiking up the Mountain at Diamond Head yesterday.  We came back to the hotel & sat by the pool for awhile, went out for supper & then attended an Achiever's Gathering with the corporate team from Stampin' Up!

This morning we'll get up early for breakfast, then work on a service project for a local shelter.  I'll be attending an achiever's only share affair & Deke will hang out with some of the other husbands.  We'll then be boarding a bus & going to the USS Missouri Battleship tonight for our final event.  It is a Stars & Stripes BBQ for all of us!  

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

Here are just a few photos to share from Honolulu!

This is the picture of the ocean & palm trees from our room balcony.  We are on the 9th floor.  Isn't it beautiful!!  Now this is what I think of you when you say the words paradise.  

Wednesday

This is a picture I took at the Polynesian Cultural Center when we did a tour there on Wednesday!
They did a parade of the different cultures of us......it was so neat.  Here are a few of the floats.

There was way more to see here at the Polynesian Cultural Center than we had time to do.  It is a beautiful place. 

Here are a couple photos of us riding on the raft.....check us out in the back row!

Thursday

On Thursday we went to Pearl Harbor for the day.  It was awesome!!  It is so humbling that so many lost their lives there.  We got head sets with recordings on them, for all of the different exhibits.  This was great & so informative. 

Here are a few pictures I took at Pearl Harbor.

It was sprinkling when we got there & thus the outcome was a beautiful rainbow across the ocean.

This the the USS Arizona Memorial.   We road on a boat to get out to see.

Shown here is oil in the water........there is approximately 2 quarts of oil that is still coming up to the surface each day from the ship wreck that was on 12/7/1941.  

This is a part of the USS Arizona that is still in the water.  

All of this was just so humbling.....and sad to think of all that happened there that day.  It is a huge part of our history.

Friday

On Friday we went on a hike up the mountain at Diamond Head.  We walked a total of 3.5 miles up the mountain & back down.  It was a rough walk......with lots of rocks, steps & curves.   But look at the amazing view we had when we made it to the top!!

You can see the teal & blue ocean water.

Here is one of the many sets of steep steps we climbed up & back down.

And here is one the of the tunnels we had to walk up & back through to get down.

Deke going down in front of me.

And here is a picture of my friend, BJ Peters & me at the bottom, after we had completed our hike!

'Painted Blooms'

Here is a pretty card made with the awesome designer paper- 'Painted Blooms'.  I just added a vellum strip across the front & stamped words onto it & then punched out a butterfly!!  This was one of the cards everyone made at my Spring Fling last month.

stamp set:  'Four You'- RETIRING- gone on 6/2
card stock: Vellum, Rose Red
designer paper:  Painted Blooms- Occasions Catalog- gone on 6/2
ink:  Rose Red
other:  Basic Pearls, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++

We had another full day yesterday!!  Pearl Harbor was really cool!!  We then came back to the hotel & went out to eat lunch with Dawn & Gene; then laid around the pool with Diana, Michelle, Sherrie & Kay; then went out for supper with Julie & Jim & Dana & her girls.  

We enjoyed watching a beautiful sunset along the beach.  And then came in & went to bed. 

We'll be up early again this morning & head out for a Diamond Head hike. 

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

It's a BOY!

Here is a cute baby card that I made.  We have 2 new great-nephew's born in the past few weeks.  And Aunt Susie needs to get cards/gifts mailed out to them. PLUS G'ma Susie has been playing with ideas for our grandson Masen's baby shower invites. 

stamp set: 'Zoo Babies' & Chevron background stamp
card stock:  Smoky Slate, Marina Mist, Whisper White
ink:  Marina Mist, Smoky Slate
other:  Large Oval Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++

We got on the bus early yesterday morning & went to the Polynesian Cultural Center.  What a beautiful place!!  We were there for a few hours & could have spent many more there.  A damper was put on our day with a phone call as we were getting to the Polynesian Cultural Center, telling us that our bale shed & one of our hog buildings were on fire.  Thankfully many family & friends were there, plus 3 fire departments from Sigourney, Keswick & Keota to put it out.  What a helpless feeling to be so far away & have such a tragedy happening at home & we couldn't do anything about it.  Bless Nathan & Trevor for getting the pigs to safety & to everyone else helping to put out the fire & move the pigs.  We are so sad, but so thankful that no one got hurt.  And the piggies are in a dry new home now & all laid out & sleeping well.

Here are a couple of pictures......

 

 We are off EARLY this morning to do a tour at Pearl Harbor!!  We get on the bus at 5:45 a.m.- yikes...it is gonna be a short night. 

I hope you have a great Thursday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

'From the Herd'- love this fat little piggie!

Check out these cute farm animals.  Especially the piggie.  Isn't he adorable!!!  I just love all of their faces!

This is one of the cards that everyone joining me for my May classes got to make. 

stamp set- 'From the Herd' & 'Woodgrain' (background stamp)
card stock:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Naturals Ivory
ink:  Black Memento, Soft Suede
markers:  Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie
other:  Word Window Punch, Dimensionals, Silver button, Glue Dot

+++++++

Aloha!!!

We finally arrived in Honolulu after a 10 hour flight from Des Moines (& an hour layover in Pheonix in between there).  It is currently 9:17 pm & we just got to our room.  I'm doing this quick post & headed to bed.  We'll be up bright & early in the morning for breakfast & the we are heading to the Polynesian Cultural Center for the day- having lunch & a program there.  Then back to our hotel & have a free night to catch up with our friends here.

What a beautiful city this is.  I haven't even had time to take photos.  By the time we got here & to our hotel, we visited a bit downstairs with some friends, then ate supper out by the pool for our welcome event.  They did a cool light/water show too for us.  And there is a live band playing now that we can hear in our room.

I didn't get any sleep before we left for the airport on Tuesday morning.  I did sleep a few hours on the plane.....but we are both beat!  Hope to sleep well tonight.  Wow- there is a 5 hour time difference....between Hawaii & Iowa.

I hope to post tomorrow morning too.....so check back.  Hopefully I have a few photos to share from Hawaii too, along with a card of some type.

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

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"- May 12-18,201

'Too Kind' is going.....

Here is one of the cards I created for my May classes.  I used the retiring stamp set- 'Too Kind'.  I really like these 2 step flowers & have used this stamp set many times over the years. 

stamp set:  'Too Kind'- RETIRING
card stock:  Tangelo Twist, Whisper White
designer paper:  Back to Black
ink:  Old Olive, Tangelo Twist
other:  Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Angled Tag Topper Punch - RETIRING; Tangelo Twist Ribbon- RETIRING, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Extra Large Oval Punch

+++++

Brayden's ball game was COLD!  They played pretty well.  We brought home Casey's Pizza & all ate together in the shop.  I then got Sarah's 3 pots of flowers planted, my plants all watered, cut all of Masen's baby shower invites, made a couple of sympathy cards, finished up my swaps & started laying out clothes & packing our suitcases.  HOPEFULLY I haven't forgotten too much.  As we are headed for the airport!  I am tired & I will be sleeping on the airplane.  

I am not sure when I will get to post next.  I will try to post each day.  We can purchase internet service at the hotel- so we'll probably do that so we can keep in touch with everyone.  So try to stop back by & see what all I have to share this week!  

I hope you have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Here is a great guy card!

Here is a great guy card.  This is one of the cards that everyone stamping with me this month made.  

I used the stamp set- 'Guy Greeting' from the Occasions Catalog.  I've used it alot- as it has many different images in it & perfect for any guy card you may be needing to send.

This 'Guy Greetings' stamp set will be carrying over into the new catalog- so it will be around for at least another year!  Woo hoo!!

stamp set:  'Guy Greetings'
card stock:   Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White
designer paper:  Maritime
ink:  Night of Navy
other:  Regals Candy Dots (Night of Navy), 2 3/8"  Scalloped Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

+++++

We had a full day yesterday trying to get things done.  Last night we had a nice time with our families coming here for supper to celebrate Mother's Day.  It was great to have them all here.  Deke marinated & grilled boneless pork loins.  They were really yummy!  The boys had fun playing together.

I burnt the midnight oil working on things.  I still have a huge list of things I have to get done tonight.

I'm off to pick up the boys. Deke is off the courthouse.  Then tonight we will be going to Brayden's ballgame.  We'll come home to finish getting stuff done.  Deke has been trying to get extra feed ground up & things taken care of to help make Nathan's job of choring for us easier.  I've been trying to get everyone's orders all placed,  farm bills paid, Masen's baby shower invites cut & stamped, swaps done, etc.  I haven't even started packing!  Yikes.....I have a huge list of things to do tonight & I pray that I get them all done.  I'm sure I won't be going to bed tonight- so I will plan to sleep on the plane tomorrow.

Ok.....gotta run.

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

Happy Mother's Day!!

Hello!
Happy Mother's Day!!  Wishing you all a very special day!!

Here is a fun "pull out" card that everyone joining me to stamp the past few days got to make.   It is a flower basket card & just so pretty!

Check this out- this is the pull out part from the basket/pocket on the front of the card.  And then it just opens up like a normal card with a Happy Mother's Day Sentiment inside of it.

I chose to use a Versamark ink pad so that everyone could see how they didn't need to have all of the colors of ink pads, but instead could just buy an assorted package of the Regals Collection card stock & get to be able to make this.

stamp set:  'Petal Potpourri'- retiring
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Rose Red, Crushed Curry, Perfect Plum, Garden Green
ink:  Crumb Cake & Versamark Pad
supplies:  Big Shot, Zig Zag Embossing Folder, Flower Medallion Punch, Berry Basket Bigz Die, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small flower), dimensionals, Glue Dots, Basic Pearls, Ticket Duo Punch- retiring, Modern Label Punch-retiring

I just love this card!!  

++++++

OH yesterday was a very long day!  It all ended up turning out perfect....but I was on the go non stop.  I was up super early to finish getting everything ready for yesterdays classes, on the road, stamped all day, cleaned up the hall I rent from class & headed home. I so appreciate Sherri, Sammi, Nancy & Fran helping me clean up!! I made it back in time for Josh's graduation party & then we got home late from there.  We unloaded the car & I got the food things put away & finally got to bed about 11:30 p.m.

This morning I have lots to unpack & put away from a car full of things from yesterdays class that is sitting all over our family room floor.  And then have to cook & get ready for everyone coming here for supper tonight for Mother' Day.  When everyone leaves tonight I'm going to crash!

I haven't even started packing yet......guess I will do that after work tomorrow night.  We leave for our Stampin' Up! incentive trip to Hawaii early on Tuesday morning. I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO BETWEEN NOW & THEN!  I hope I can get it all done.

Oh yea....and I have swaps to create & make too to take with me.  Yikes...no clue what I'm going to create for them either. 

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