This year Founders Group at Convention 2015!

Wow- I am honored to have earned Founders again this year.  I'll be traveling to Utah again in September & I look forward to spending time with these other demonstrators.  

Do you see me in the photo?  If you look from the left side- I'm about 2/3 the way in.  I have a black dress on.  

Here is another Convention swap!!

Look at these piles!  I made 95 of these!

I love the new Mint Macron card stock!! 

Check out the embossing folder on the oval.  I used the new Elegant Dots.

This card is the one I created & made for my Stampin' Up! Leaders Group Swap.   I tried to make it simple- but I ended up adding the ribbon & the embossing folder to make it more of a 'Susie' card.  I love the way it turned out!  I think it is very pretty! 
 
stamp set: 'Wild Flowers' & 'Cottage Greetings'
card stock:  Mint Macron, Delightful Dijon, Very Vanilla
designer paper:  Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper Stack
ink:  Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron
other:  Big Shot, Elegant Dots Embossing Folder, Magnetic Platform, Oval Framelits, Delightful Dijon Lace Ribbon, Banner Triple Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Today is our last day of convention.  We are of!!  We'll be going down for breakfast soon & then heading over to the Convention Center for classes & then have our closing session for the entire group.  After that we'll eat lunch.  And then I'll have my Leaders Group Swap.  This afternoon I'll be attending a special class for Leaders.  It is to come to a close about 6:00 p.m. & Stampin' Up! Convention 2015 will offically then be over with.

Tonight we are going out for supper with some SU! friends & then we'll be doing another card swap!

I hope you have a very SPECIAL SATURDAY!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Here is a photo of us at Convention!!

Janeen, me, Lynda & Donna

Here is another Convention Swap!

Here is another Convention swap I made. I've already shared several other cards here on my blog over the past week using this adorable stamp set 'Gifts from the Garden', with these cute flower pots & these new framelits  called- Lots of Labels.  I love how they layer so well together!

Isn't this new background stamp called- 'A World of Thanks' just so cool! I only stamped half of it onto my Crumb Cake background piece here to give it a different (asymmetrical) look.   What do you think?

stamp set:  'Gifts from the Garden' & 'A World of Thanks'
card stock:  Delightful Dijon, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
ink:  Crumb Cake
markers:   Cajun Crazy, Mossy Meadow, Delightful Dijon
other:  Delightful Dijon Striped Ribbon, Very Vintage Button, Big Shot, Lots of Labels Framelits, Dimensionals, Glue Dots,  Paper Snips

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WOW- we had a long day yesterday.  I am beat!  I will update you more sometime soon.  I'm off to bed.....we'll be up bright & early again & off again for general session & classes.

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

Our Stampin' Up! Distribution Center

Here are some photos of our Stampin' Up! Distribution Center in Riverton, Utah.  We went on a bus ride & tour there yesterday!  And I wanted to share with you.....

Check out this cool rock above that says Stampin' Up! on it & all of the pretty flowers around it.  This is at the driveway entrance.

Here is the outside of the building.

This is the door that we went into the building at.

And check out the mountain scene from the parking lot here. 

Below are some photos of the Distribution Center itself..... where the products are kept on shelves & put into the boxes when we order them & get ready to be shipped out to us.

The boxes go around on this conveyer belt as the product we ordered are put into them.  At the end of the line the boxes are all tape up with the products in them & they are ready to be shipped to us by UPS.  

Here is a picture of a pretty waterfall there too!

I am so glad that we got to go.  I've toured here about 8 times (or more) now, but I always look forward to getting to go there to see everything & all of the employees too!

Here is another convention swap using 'Wild Flowers'!

Here is another convention swap I made.  This one is for my Founder Reunion Group! I meet up with everyone for this swap this morning.  It sure will be great to see everyone!

stamp set: "Wild Flowers'
card stock:  Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
designer paper:  Pretty Petals Designer Paper Stack
ink:   Old Olive, Calypso Coral
other:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Calypso Coral ribbon, Glue Dots, Dimensionals & Basic Pearls

 

This is a Z fold card.  Here is a photo of it standing up.  Can you see how I folded it back & how fun it is looks when you open it up?   I really like this 'Wild Flowers' stamp set & all 3 flower images in it are all pretty!  I'll be sharing a couple more cards that I created with this set sometime within the next few days too. 

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Yesterday we rode the bus to Riverton & toured our Stamin' Up! Distribution Center.  It was a great day!!!  We saw many Stampin' Up! employees that we know.  It is such a beautiful place & the weather was just perfect!  The mountain scenery we could see in the distance along the way was very pretty too!

I worked on swaps all afternoon & got them finished.  Then last night we met up with my friend LeeAnn & some of her team & we went to the Melting Pot (an awesome fondue place) together for supper.  

Convention starts today!!  So this morning we are off early to the Convention Center for my Founders Reunion Swap, to pick up our bag & our convention packet!  We'll have opening General Session & then attend classes the rest of the day.  Tonight if our Annual Awards Night, so we'll be attending that too.

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

SUSIE

A convention swap!

This is one of my convention swaps!  It is the card I made & shared for Sherrie's shoe box swap that we participated in last night!  It is a clean & simple card.  I love the layout of it too. 

stamp set:  'Watercolor Words'
card stock: Watermelon Wonder, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
designer paper: Pretty Petals Designer Paper Stack
ink:  Old Olive
other:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Basic Pearls, Banner Triple Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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This morning we are off early to eat breakfast.  We'll then be riding the bus to Riverton & touring the Stampin' Up! warehouse!  It is a beautiful ride up & back, getting to see some awesome Utah scenery. I love going there to see the employees too.  I am also looking forward to connecting with many Stampin' Up! friends from far & near that we haven't seen for awhile.  We'll do some more site seeing this afternoon/evening.  I also have some more convention swaps that I have to finish assembling sometime yet before I go to bed tonight.  

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

Some "thank you" notes!!

Here is a clean & simple card that I made.  I made these for Sarah, for Masen's baby shower thank you notes.  I needed over 40 of them & I didn't have much time to make them- so this is what I came up with!  I still think that they are cute!  And I used my all time favorite fall back punch- the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. 

stamp set:  Watercolor Thank You
designer paper:  retired Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack (Basic Gray) Chevron print
card stock:   Whisper White HEAVY, Smoky Slate
ink:  Smoky Slate
other:   2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

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Lynda & I had a long day of traveling yesterday.  Thankfully our flights were pretty much on schedule- only a slight delay on the last flight getting out of Dallas to Salt Lake City.  Our hotel shuttle picked us up & we were greeted by the friendly staff at our hotel that we've grown to know over the past 6-7 years.  As we always stay at the same place.  
 

I'm sorry for the delay in my posting.  We do have internet service here at the hotel, but it is SLOW!  Last night I tried to post & I couldn't even log on.  Earlier this morning I tried to post again & it wouldn't download my photos.  So know sooner or later each day I'll get my new post done.
 

Lynda & I are headed out to do a little site seeing today.  Then tonight we are going to a demonstrator stamping event.  We each brought a project for everyone else to make!  We should end up with about 30 different cards by the end of the night.
 

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

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

This is Pretty Petals Designer Series paper!

WOW!  Isn't this a bright & cheerful card!!  I've been using the new Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper Stacks quite abit lately & I made this quick card last night to use for today's post.  Isn't the black background just so striking!  

stamp set:  'Watercolor Words'
card stock: Watermelon Wonder, Basic Black, Old Olive
designer paper:  Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper Stack
ink:  Black Memento pad
other:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, Banner Triple Punch, White Perfect Accents, Dimensionals

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I had a great time stamping with everyone that came to my classes yesterday!  Kay & Norma were great hostesses & we all had a fun time creating together!  It was a long day for me by the time I left early yesterday morning & I didn't get home until about 7:00 last night.  

Oh my way home I stopped a few minutes to see & visit my friend Judy.  Then Deke met me in Sigourney & we ate pizza at Nathan & Sarah's home.  I had to laugh when I walked in the door at Nathan's as Brody came running up to me telling me- "I missed you G'ma since you were flying on the plane."  OH my- I just saw him the morning before (Saturday) & cut his hair & told him I wouldn't see him again until I got home, that I was going stamping & flying on a plane.  He didn't forget!  But yesterday I didn't know that I'd see him again before I did leave.  Now I won't see the boys again until next Tuesday!  YIKES that IS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME for all of us!  I wonder who will miss who more- G'ma or the boys?

I placed orders last night & finally called it a night & went to bed for a few hours- I was just beat!  I'm up early this morning to finish laundry, pack, do farm bookwork & head out to the airport with my friend Lynda!  We are headed to Salt Lake City, Utah for our annual Stampin' Up! Convention!  I am looking forward to seeing so many of my other Stampin' Up! friends there from all over the US & Canada!  We are signed up for some great classes & I hope to be a sponge that absorbs alot to bring home to share with all of you at my upcoming classes!  Our convention this year is going to focus on the New Holiday Catalog that demonstrators can start to pre-order from beginning on 08/04  & customers can order from beginning 09/01!  Woo Hoo! Fall & Winter are my favorite seasons & I'm super excited to get to see some of these new products! I wonder what new products they have in store for us!  I can't wait to see them!

I'm planning to do a blog post each day while we are gone- so be sure to stop back by each day this week to see what new things I have to share!!

I've gotta run.....lots to do yet!

I hope you have a MARVELOUS week!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Watercolor Words'- what a great new stamp set!

Yes- this 'Watercolor Words' is such a great new stamp set that is in the new catalog!  I love the font, words & images in it!  It is such a versatile stamp set & I can see so many possibilities with it!

This is one of cards everyone joining me to stamp this month will get to make!  

Isn't this a cool layout too?  Be sure to check back later this week- as I've got a couple more cards that I made using this layout too!

stamp set:  'Watercolor Words'
card stock:  Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
ink:  Wisteria Wonder & Pear Pizzazz
other:  Big Shot, Brick Wall Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small flower), Pear Pizzazz Ribbon, Banner Triple Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Basic Pearls

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Susie's Hair Hut was open for a bit yesterday morning & I got Brody & Trey's hair cut.  So I have cut all 4 boys (Brayden, Brody, Drake & Trey) hair this week.  The big boys will have to wait until the end of the month to get theirs cut- as I ran out of time to be able to do any more. 

Oh my......I have been stamping pretty much non stop lately trying to get ready for today's class & all of my swaps done for convention, plus I made Thank You cards for Masen's baby shower too!  I'll be sharing all of these cards later this week.  I still have to finish some of my convention swaps.  I have them all stamped & over 1/2 of them are assembled.  I'll be finishing the rest of them on the airplane & when I get to my hotel room in Salt Lake City, Utah.  OH my gosh.....I must be nuts!!  I have made more swaps for this convention than I ever have.  That means that I'll have tons of samples in my baskets to share with everyone when I get home at my upcoming events. 

Woo hoo!  This morning I'm off to stamp all day!  Norma is my morning hostess & Kay is my afternoon hostess.  I can't wait to see everyone & spend my day stamping with everyone that is joining us.

Tonight I'm gonna stop to visit my dear friend Judy, on my way home.  Then I'll be burning the midnight oil packing & doing last minute things around the house- as my friend Lynda & I leave in the morning for our yearly Stampin' Up! Convention!

Gotta run.....

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

SUSIE

More 'Zoo Babies'

Hello-
I wanted to share....here are some cute little tags & ribbon that I decorated these tin pales with to use as table decorations for Masen's Baby Shower.  We had peanuts in their shells in them.  

stamp set:  'Zoo Babies'
card stock:  Smoky Slate & Whisper White
ink:  Smoky Slate
other:  2 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch
ribbon:  Chevron Smoky Slate (retired) & Silver 1/8"

Today is a quick post.....as I'm a stampin' fool between trying to get ready for my classes I have this weekend & working on swaps & things for convention.

Gotta run.......
I hope you have a SUPER Saturday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

I Think You're Great!

Here is a quick card I made last night.  Gosh....I'm kinda getting stuck on Delightful Dijon.  It reminds me tons of our old color called More Mustard- which I loved!  Delightful Dijon is going to be an awesome color for all of our fall projects too!  I know I'll be using it alot more. 

Here I'm showing you the other side of our pretty Designer Series Paper Stacks.  This DSP has a diagonal stripe on the other side.  This side of it has these pretty little white flowers on it.

I used the Banner Triple Punch again.  Gosh.....how did I ever live without this punch before?  I seem to use it often.  I did use banner flags alot before I had it too though- but I just had to fussy cut them using paper snips & this is just so much faster & easier to use than doing that.

How did I get the stripes?  I colored directly onto the stamp using the brushed tip (fat) end edge of the markers.  I did this technique on a card at my New Catalog Open Houses in June too!  You can see that card HERE! 

stamp set:  'I Think You're Great
card stock:  Delightful Dijon, Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White
designer paper: In Color 2015-2017 Paper Stack (12x12- all 5 colors)
markers: 2015-2017 In Colors- Cucumber Crush, Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron, & Delightful Dijon
other: 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Triple Banner Punch, Delightful Dijon Lace Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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I was gone most of the day yesterday.  I had hoped to stamp all night- but I ended up sorting orders & I also got caught up on paper work for stampin' classes & farm bookwork too!

This morning is the hog show at our Keokuk County Fair.  Brayden is here & he wants to go & I wanted to go too- but I'm not sure that is going to happen.  Deke is a judge for a new class they started this year called 'antibiotic free hogs', which is sponsored by our hog buyer & packing house.  This meat will all end up going to Whole Foods, where our meat goes too!  

Tonight the guys are suppose to go racing....but I think it will be too wet & they'll end up getting cancelled.  Either way I'm home tonight & I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping!!  I have lots to get done in the next 24 hours.  

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

SUSIE

A barrel of flowers!

Here is a quick post......
I used the wheel barrel 'from the You're Sublime' stamp set for it.  Check out the little dots embossed on the background of the Delightful Dijon.  They are from the new Elegant Dots Embossing folder.  I think that the name of this new embossing folder fits it perfectly!

stamp sets:  'You're Sublime' & 'You've Got This' (words)
card stock:  Delightful Dijon, Watermelon Wonder, Shimmery White, Crumb Cake
ink:   Black Memento
markers: various assortment of colors
other:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Elegant Dots Embossing Folder, Banner Triple Punch, Dimensionals

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Yesterday was a long day & we were on the go from end to finish.  We had a late night at the races.  The weather held off for the most part & they got all of the races in before it rained too hard.  Alot of my family was there to celebrate my sister Julie's birthday.  Nathan got 2nd in his heat & finished 3rd in the main.  

Today is another full day!!  Our county fair begins too & as much as I'd like to go tonight to the fair, I'd better stay home & burn the midnight oil cutting card stock & getting ready for this weekends classes.

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

SUSIE

Check out this Brick Wall Embossing Folder!

Here is another flower pot card using the 'Gift from the Garden' stamp set.  And check out the Brick Wall embossing folder.  I sponged it using Crumb Cake ink to make it pop!  Isn't it cool!

stamp set:  'Gifts from the Garden'
card stock:  Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
ink:  Crumb Cake
markers:    Cajun Craze, Mossy Meadow, Delightful Dijon
other:  Washi Label Punch, Natural Chevron Ribbon, Big Shot, Lots of Labels Framelits, Brick Wall Embossing Folder, Sponge, Dimensionals, Glue Dots


I am really havin' fun creating with this stamp set!  And this new Brick Wall Embossing Folder too!  Hope you aren't getting tired of seeing projects created with them. 

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Yesterday was a long hot day!  We were up early yesterday morning to sell hogs.  And then we sold another load later last night.  This hot weather is so hard on the piggies & us too!  I'm ready for it to cool down a bit.  It was late when we walked in the door last night.  We were hot, tired & dirty!  We were off to showers & then I made supper.  It was almost midnight & we called it a night.  I had hoped to get to stamp some.....but that will have to wait.  I was just too tired. 

This morning Deke is up early to chore again.  He has an early meeting, will then go to the office for a bit at the courthouse & this afternoon he is a judge at the county fair for the 4-H Antibiotic Hogs, along with our buyer.  This is a new class that has been added & we are excited to be a part of it!  All of our hogs are antibiotic free & all of our meat goes to Whole Foods in California!  What an awesome experience for our young 4-Hers to learn all about this. 

I'm up early this morning too& will be going to pick up the boys.  We'll come home & then go meet Papa for lunch in town.  Brody has an allergy testing appointment today- so Brayden, Drake & Trey will be here with me.

Then tonight we are all off to the races.  I'm going to go pick up my mom & aunt Virginia & take them with me.  Today is my sister Julie's birthday- so she & her family are joining us too.  I hope that Nathan has some good luck tonight!  Lord knows he needs some!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!
Happy Stamping!
hugs-

SUSIE