A beautiful 'Watercolor Wing's butterfly!!

Oh my gosh.....this is a card that I created at the beginning of July for my monthly classes.  I just realized that I hadn't shared it yet here on my blog.  I love it!!  It was alot of fun to make!  There are a couple of new techniques I shared here with everyone.  This card was a big hit at most of my classes.  As Cindy said though- it isn't a card that you'd want to make multiples of but it sure would be a wow card to send to someone special in your life. 

stamp set:  'Watercolor Wings' & 'Tin of Cards' 
card stock:  Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight (inside piece), Window Sheet 
designer paper:  Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack
ink:  Black Memento, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight
marker:  Basic Black (for the little dots on the front left edge)
other:  Big Shot, Bold Butterfly Framelits, Butterflies Framelits, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Note Tag Punch, Basic Black Satin ribbon, 2 1/2" Circle Punch (for inside)

Check out the floating butterfly in the inside.  My dear demonstrator friend Julie Davison shared this idea & I loved it!  I just knew I had to come up with an idea to be able to share it with my customers too.  I cut out 2 little butterflies & they look like they are floating in air by being glue dotted to a window sheet strip.

Don't you like the cute 'window' cut out in the designer paper on the front of my card? 
 How did I do it?

• Take a piece of 3 1/4 x 3 1/4" designer paper. 
• Slide the Note Tag Punch into the paper as far as you can (leaving approx. a 1/4" edge on both the left & right sides) & punch out.
• Then turn the designer paper over (180*) & again slide the Note Tag Punch in as far as it can go.  
• You'll then line up the punch with what you've already punch out.
• There will only be a little smiley face at the top curve of the punch to remove with this punch- thus creating the image shown.  

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Yesterday was a beautiful day outside & we were out there almost all day.  The boys rode their 4 wheelers, played in the sandbox & on the swing set.  They all should have been tired last night.  As I know G'ma was beat!  

 

Nathan, Sarah, Brayden, Manda, Steve & 3 boys & Trevor(like our other son) were all here to eat supper with us last night.  I grilled brats & pork patties & then we had our first sweet corn of the summer too.  It was sure yummy!

Brody, Brayden, Drake & Trey playing in our BIG sandbox! 

 

Today I think I'm home alone!  I have piles of mail, laundry, bookwork, etc to catch up on from being gone all last week.  I have been on the go since I got home & I haven't even had time to unpacked my suitcases yet.  I also need to go get groceries, go to the bank, etc......so I am praying I get alot checked off of my list of things to do today!!  Tomorrow I'll be a stampin' fool.  WOW- my monthly classes for August start on Sunday!!  Woo Hoo!  I have lots of ideas in my head & I'll be praying that I have good mojo in creating! 

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

Here is another Convention swap!

Here is another swap that I made for Convention!  I posted a card similar to it that I made for my monthly classes later last week.  You can see it HERE!

And I made another convention swap with the same layout too.  You can see it HERE!

This is a fun card that I folded back to make a cute little flap!  I wanted to show off the awesome Brick Wall Embossing Folder layer.  It is one of my favorite new embossing folders!  And I did sponge over the Brick Wall embossing with a sponge & the Crumb Cake ink pad to make it pop out more.  Cool huh!

stamp set:  'Watercolor Words'
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
ink:  Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
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, Sponge

How did I make the flap?  

• I cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 3 3/4 x 5".  Along the 5" side I went to the center marking (2 1/2") & made a 1" slit with my paper cutter.  I then just folded the 2 flaps back.
• I will be sharing another card I made with this fold later this week & will try to get a photo taken so that I can show you what this looks like before I folded it back & attached it to the card.

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The races were cancelled last night- so the boys had a fun night playing together on the farm!  They played hard.  There were lots of laughs!  We then had a slumber party at G'ma & Papa's house!  I set up a folding table in the family room,  put a sheet over it, thew in some pillows & blankets under it & the boys crawled in.  We watched a movie & they went to sleep!

Manda will bring Trey out here soon this morning & all 4 boys will be here again today.  Tonight all of the kids will be here for supper.  Brayden leaves in the morning for a vacation with his mom for 10 days- so we're sure gonna miss him.

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

Another NEW Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek!

WOW!  Yesterday I shared a card with a Christmas present on it.........

Well- check out this card that I'm posting today!!  This is another one of the Make & Take projects we made at Convention last week using a NEW Holiday Catalog stamp set called- 'Your Presents'!  Just look how versatile it is!  This is a birthday card instead of a Christmas card.  Isn't it super cute!

AND check out the cute envelope I made using the Envelope Punch Board on page 150 & Watermelon Wonder (2015-2017 In Color) Envelope Paper on page 149 on the big catalog.  

Just wait until September 1st & you can start ordering from this New Holiday Catalog!!  Oh my gosh....my wish list is so long.....it is full of lots of amazing new products!  AND if you'd like to sign up to be a demonstrator & join my Iowa Inkers Team- demonstrators can start ordering products from this New Holiday Catalog beginning August 4th!  Please contact me if you'd like more information about joining my team.

stamp sets:  NEW 'Your Presents' & 'Crazy About You'
card stock:  Whisper White Thick card stock & a strip of Watermelon Wonder
ink:  Crushed Curry, Watermelon Wonder, Mint Macaron & NEW Archival Basic Black pad
other:  Paper Snips, Gold Sequins, NEW Silver Cording Trim, NEW Fine-Tip Glue Pen, Dimensionals, Glue Dot

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Oh what a day yesterday was!!  We are ready for cooler temps- that is forsure.  This heat is too hard on people & animals.  

We had a jammed packed day yesterday!  Selling hogs, keeping boys, dr appt, back out to sell more hogs & wash out a building.....I was soaked from head to toe when we got in late last night.  And I was beat!  I still have a ton of things to get caught up on inside from being gone all last week....that probably isn't gonna happen until Friday or Saturday.  We are also swamped outside now too trying to get things all washed & ready for new baby piggies that we will be getting the week of the 10th.  That will be here before we know it. 

This morning Deke is up early to chore & off to the office.  I'm gonna be busy with my boys for the day.  Brayden will be here early, as Nathan is in Des Monies for the next 2 days for meetings.  And the 3 Seeley boys will be here about 8, as Manda has a class too.  

Tonight we're all going to the races (if they don't get rained out).  Then the 4 boys will all come back home with us afterwards & we are having a slumber party on our family room floor.  Drake has been wanting to have a slumber party for several weeks now & I promised him after I got home from Convention that we'd have one.  None of the 3 older boys forgot that I said that- so I'm following through with my promise.  Then they'll all 4 be here again tomorrow too!  

Ughh.....we had storms roll through last night & the electricity was on & off several times.  Our generator was hit by lightening.....so we are praying that 3E can come down today & fix it.  We can't risk not having it work.....and we're assuming that the control panel is what got hit again.  This is not something we needed to happen.  

Gotta run.....I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!
Happy Stamping!
hugs-
SUSIE

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"

Here are some NEW "HOLIDAY Catalog" Sneak Peeks!

Woo Hoo!!  There are some NEW "HOLIDAY Catalog" Sneak Peeks on this Christmas card that I made as one of my Make & Takes at Stampin' Up! Convention last week!

Isn't this a cool new set?  It is called- 'Your Presents'.  

• We did the kissing technique when we made it- so awesome!!
• And we also decorated our envelope to match it too!
• Plus check out the NEW Striped 1/8" Garden Green Ribbon.  This striped ribbon also comes in NEW Real Red too!

stamp set:  NEW 'Your Presents'
card stock:  Mint Macaron, Whisper White, Vellum, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer 12x12 Paper
ink:  NEW Basic Black Archival, Mint Macaron & Garden Green
other:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, White Baker's Twine, Stapler, Dimensionals, NEW Garden Green 1/8" Striped Ribbon, Glue Dot, NEW Fine-Tip Glue Pen

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Home Sweet Home!  I finally got home late afternoon yesterday from convention!  We had a nice time.....but it was a long week.  I'm happy to be home to my family!  I missed them terribly!  Now I have to somehow find time to get caught up on everything that piled up while I was gone.  Nathan & Brayden stopped by last night- so I was thrilled to see them!  Manda & the 3 Seeley boys will be here pretty soon- so I'm anxious to see them.

Early this morning I'm off bright & early to be a farmer & help Deke.  It is going to be a hot day- so our semi will be here to load by 7:00 a.m.  I'll them come in, shower & have the boys.  Manda has stuff for her masters class to do, so the boys will spend most of the day with me.  Then late this afternoon I have a doctors appointment for my allergies.  

Tonight when I get home from my doctors appointment, I'm a farmer again.  We have another load of hogs to mark, sort & sell.  We'll them move pigs & get that building ready to start washing it out.  So it is going to be a super late night on the farm.  I pray that it isn't too terribly hot.  

I've gotta run.....

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

SUSIE

A Wheel Barrel of flowers!

For my monthly class I made a frog card with this same layout, using the stamp set- 'You're Sublime'.
You can see that card  HERE! 

So I changed it by using the wheel barrel stamp image for this card & coloring it with various colors of markers.  I thought it turned out cute.  It is another fun easel card.  

stamp set:  'You're Sublime'
card stock: Cucumber Crush, Basic Black, Whisper White, Shimmery White, Real Red
dp:  Cherry on Top Paper Stack
ink:  Black Memento
markers:  Cucumber Crush
supplies: Big Shot, Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small heart), Washi Label, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Dimensinals, Glue Dots, Cucumber Crush Lace Ribbon

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Lynda & I will be heading to the airport bright & early this morning to catch our flight.  We've had a fun time in Utah- but we're both ready to be home to our families & get back to our jobs.  

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

Another Convention Swap!

Here is another convention swap that I made.  Isn't it pretty!  I am in love with this fold & know I've share a couple of other cards here on my blog using it the past week or so. 

The clusters of flowers in this set are cool.  I really like their watercolor look image.  And I love that this flower stamp coordinated with the Pansy punch!!  

Did you notice how I sponged the Brick Wall- so that is popped out more?

And do you see the big clear dot in the middle of the flower?  That is one of the Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers.  Neat huh! 

There is no punch nor framelit for the leaves- so I had to fussy cut them with my Paper Snips.

stamp set:  'Birthday Blossoms'
card stock:  Delightful Dijon, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Old Olive
ink: Crumb Cake, Delightful Dijon & Old Olive
other:  Big Shot, Brick Wall Embossing Folder, Delightful Dijon Lace Ribbon, Paper Snips, Pansy Punch, Banner Triple Punch, Basic Pearls, Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers, Sponge, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Wow- we've had a super busy week!  My head is a spinning with all kinds of the new things I've seen & learned at this years Stampin' Up! Convention!  I have lots to share with everyone in my upcoming classes & I can't wait!

Lynda & I are headed to the Temple this morning to listen to the choir sing.  We'll do a little more site seeing & enjoy our last day in Salt Lake City, Utah.  We fly out early tomorrow (Monday) morning to head home.  I sure am missing my family & I look forward to seeing them all tomorrow night. 

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

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