It is cleaned up......now for the next step!

Just thought I'd share an update & some new photos of our fire clean up.

On Thursday Deke, his dad & Steve Bueheman worked all day!  They got alot accomplished.  Here is what it looks like now.  Steve had his big track hoe & his bull dozer here. 

Next week the re-building process will start on the open front hog shed.  We aren't going to be able to afford to rebuild the bale shed for awhile, as there wasn't enough insurance money to cover the rebuild of both buildings that we lost.  So as of now.....that is on hold....and we go to the bank on Thursday, so will know more after that.

'Too Kind' is going.....

Here is a card made with a favorite flower stamp set of mine that is RETIRING!  It is the set- 'Too Kind'.  

This was a clean & simple card that I made for a quick thank you note I needed to send out.  

stamp set:  'Too Kind'- RETIRING
card stock:  Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White
designer paper:  Painted Blooms- Occasions Catalog- RETIRING
ink:  Old Olive, Blackberry Bliss
other:  Angled Tag Topper Punch- RETIRING, Blackberry Bliss Ribbon- RETIRING, 1 1/4" White Jute Ribbon- Carrying Over, Extra Large Oval Punch,Dimensionals, Glue Dot

+++++

We had a busy day yesterday running errands with Papa & the boys were troopers.  It was fun to have all 4 of them with us, as we picked up Brayden at 11 from his last day of school & he got to go with us too.  We talked Papa into stopping & getting Casey's Pizza for lunch (plus some ice cream from Walkers) on out way home & I think that was the highlight of their day.  

Poor Brody came down with a fever in the afternoon....he acted fine other than his darn allergies have been bothering him....so I'm hoping it is just a virus & passes quickly.  

Nathan, Sarah, Brayden, Mark, Deke & I all went to Donnellson racing last night.  Nathan won his heat & got 3rd in the main!!  Sarah's mom & aunt were there & sat with us in the stands.  It was a fun night out- just a late one getting home.

I'm off this morning to finally get my hair cut!!  I haven't had it cut since November (other than me cutting my bangs a few times).  When I get home from there Cindy is coming down later this afternoon & we are going to work on cutting wedding invitations for Jacie.  

Nathan, Sarah, Brayden & Mark are headed out today for a 3 day racing swing up into Minnesota & then back home late on Monday night.   I hope they have good luck!!!  We'll be cheering them on via text messages & face book.

We'll both be catching up all weekend......Deke will be working on the farm & I have alot of stamping stuff to tackle- as I have piles of it to do!  

I hope you have a SPECIAL Saturday!!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Another sneak peek!

On our trip we had a Share Fair for the demonstrators to attend.  This is a super cute banner that was shown.  I thought it was adorable!  And I hope to find time to make one similar sometime.  I can't even remember who the demonstrator was that made & shared this.....I'll update this information if I figure it out.

I will update this post with the supplies used sometime soon.  I have to look them all up.  I am sorry I am just too tired & don't have enough time to do it right now. 

+++++

We had a VERY full day yesterday!!  Steve Buehneman came with his track hoe & his bulldozer; Deke rented a skid loader with rubber tires that wouldn't go flat & between the 2 of them & with Deke's dad helping- they spent the whole day working on getting the burnt mess cleaned up!  I was amazed at their progress.  They were all filthy & covered in black soot.  We had a huge semi/trailer here to take away all of the debris.  Then they dug a big hole to push the rest of the partially burnt bales into & we're burning them all now (which may take a few days).  We also got a contractor hired & he'll start building the new hog shed sometime next week.  Deke will hopefully get the rest of the clean up finished over the long weekend.  But at least we feel & see some progress to our disaster. 

I took food up to the 3 guys working on the building clean up & the 3 that were in the shop too for their lunch.  The boys & I spent a good majority of our day up there hanging out & watching everything happening.  Thankfully the weather was perfect & it was a very nice day out.

The smell of burning bales is still heavy in the air here.....all of our clothes & everything stinks.  You sure couldn't leave your windows open- that if forsure.  I hope it clears up soon.....but the smell may not leave until we get a rain the next time- I don't know.

Brayden had a blast helping Papa chore & driving him around on the Scout.  He also rode his 4 wheeler for quite awhile too.  It was about 8:30 when we finally got in for supper, then showers, read his books & he went to bed.  I did dishes, laundry & then tired to stamp.  I struggled at first with my mojo, but I think I got a card figured out for my swap.  I have it all laying out & will re-evaluate it & put it together this morning before we go pick up the boys.

We'll take Brayden to school this morning & then head back out to the farm.  We have several errands to run this morning too- so hope that all goes well.

Nathan, Sarah & Mark went to Dennison last night to race.  He did great with a super close 3rd place finish.  Woo Hoo!  Tonight we'll be going to Donnellson if all goes as planned & race there.

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

Another 2015 New Catalog Sneak Peek!!!

Hello!
Here is a cute card that I made last night that I paper pieced- or as my downline Cindy Walker would say- "it is fussy cut"!  Check out all of the new products here- including new In Colors & Lace Trim too!

I would say that this is a clean & simple card.  What do you think?  Gosh this is the first time I've stamped in over a week....and I'm use to stamping daily.  I have LOTS of stamping to get done in the next 2 days, so hoping to have good mojo tomorrow night.

NOTE:  These are ALL NEW PRODUCTS!

stamp set:  'You've Got This'
card stock:  Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe
ink:  Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe
marker:  Delightful Dijon
other:  Watermelon Wonder 1" Dotted Lace Trim, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++

It was cold & rainy yesterday, so the races were cancelled & so was Brayden's ball game.  So Deke worked until after 10 on the farm.  I had a terrible migraine- so actually didn't accomplish much last night other than making this one card & getting a few other little things done. 

I'm off early again this morning to Manda's to get the boys, as she has another early meeting today.  Brayden will get off the bus here tonight after school & is spending the night with us.  We are looking forward to that!!  We haven't hardly seen him, but a few minutes since we got home.  He told me on Tuesday morning when I took him to school that he just had to stay all night with us on Thursday night- it was so cute!  I'm sure he'll be out helping Papa some.  He has become quite the little helper on the farm & loves it!  Deke is planning to start the clean up process today if all goes as he has planned, so I'm praying that is the case.  

I hope you have a special THURSDAY!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

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