A neat easel card- using 'Definitely Dahlia'!

Wow- have you noticed the awesome big flower stamp in the catalog on page 129?  It is called 'Definitely Dahlia' & it is so pretty!!

I created this easel card for my August monthly classes, so everyone joining me to stamp this week will be making this card.

Check out the cool script words along the bottom of the card!  They are from the 'Greeting Thinlits' set of 3 (hello, thanks & cheers)- page 172.  I love them!

stamp set:  'Definitely Dahlia'
card stock:  Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette & Whisper White
ink:  Melon Mambo
supplies:  Big Shot, Greeting Thinlits, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Whisper White 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, White Perfect Accents
other:   Waxed Paper

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I spent my whole day yesterday working on stamping stuff.  We meet our kids for supper last night & then I came back home to stamp some more.  I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock, getting ready for today's classes.  I'll be headed out door soon.  I have one class this morning & one class this afternoon.  Lona & Fran are our hostesses this month.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone & spending my day stamping with them.  Woo Hoo!

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

Another Holiday Catalog Sneek Peak!

Wow- check out this pretty fall card!  It is made with the new Holiday Catalog set- 'Lighthearted Leaves' & coordinates with the Leaflets Framelits on pg. 172 in the main catalog.

This card was on a display board at convention that I took a picture of.  I just thought it was stunning!  

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Baby Masen is doing good.  Sometime in the next 2 weeks he should make his arrival.  We are all getting anxious to meet him.  I am glad that I could rearrange things & was able to go with Sarah to her doctor appointment yesterday.  Her mom ended up getting off work to go with us too, so both grandma's were there.

Last night we went racing.....Nathan had terrible luck again!  The poor guy....I feel so sorry for him.  He has had quite the year.  He ended up 14th I think, as he got hit & had to pull in & then tag the tail again.  He has some straightening & fixing to do on the race car before it will be ready to race again.  Several of our local tracks are taking the week off racing this week, so he doesn't race again until next Friday night.

I am home all day today & will be burning the midnight oil cutting cardstock & getting ready for my 2 monthly classes that I have tomorrow.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone that will be joining me!  I have lots of fun things to share with them.

Off I go.....lots of stamping stuff to accomplish today!!  

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

A pretty bakset of flowers!!

So what do you think of this?  Here is a pretty basket of flowers.  This is another one of the cards that everyone stamping with me at my August classes will make this week.  The stamped out flowers are also the exact same image as the Ice Cream, Cloud or Tree top images that are in this cool stamp set. 

I used this years new Ronald McDonald set- 'Sprinkles of Life' & the coordinating Tree Builder Punch to make this card.  

I made a window by punching out a section of the embossed card stock.  

stamp set:  'Sprinkles of Life' & 'Cottage Greetings'
card stock:  Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
ink:  Black Memento padmarkers: 2014-2016 In Color set of 5- Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Mossy Meadow, Blackberry Bliss & Lost Lagoon
other:  Big Shot, Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Tree Build Punch, dimensionals, glue dots, Banner Triple Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Pearls, Whisper White 1/2" Seam Binding ribbon

Are you wondering where I got the basket handles at?  I stamped 2 of the candle images that are in this stamp set & then fussy cut them out with my paper snips.  

Do you like the way I layered the banner across the bottom?  It just makes it pop out a little more this way.  

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Yesterday was a busy day!!  And I had a house full of stampers last night too!!   Woo Hoo!  I was beat & have the mess yet to clean up sometime later today when I get back home, but we all had a good time. 

 

I'm off work today so I can go with Sarah to her doctors appointment, as Nathan had a meeting to attend that he couldn't miss, thus he can't go with her.  We are now in the countdown & little Masen could be arriving any day!  We are all getting anxious to meet him. 

 

Then tonight we are all off to Columbus Junction to the races.  Nathan is sponsoring the Kids Club Events there tonight!  He'll be in the dunk tank & giving away t-shirts & other things.  I hadn't planned to go.....but I don't want to miss out spending time with my family either.  I'll just burn the midnight oil again tomorrow night cutting card stock & getting ready for my 2 classes I have on Sunday. 

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

My Paper Pumpkin= 50% off for new subscribers!

Each month a fully designed project kit arrives in a delightful box filled with stamps, ink, and paper-everything cut and ready to go so you can skip to the fun. Just think of it as creativity in a box.

Now through September 10, first time subscribers can get 50% off their first two months!  What a perfect time to try it out and see what you think.

When I was at convention I got a sneak peek of the August and September kits and I promise you will love them!  Be sure and subscribe by August 10th, to get the August kit.

Use the promo code: HALFOFF.
Click HERE to subscribe!

If you have any questions you can contact me here!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE 

My 'Awesomely Artistic' collage card

OH my gosh.......when I saw this stamp set in the catalog I knew right away that I was going to have to have it to make a collage card with!  These dragonflies are so cute!  And this set it just prefect for making a collage with!

Collage cards are fun & easy to make.  Usually when I make a collage card I use various stamps that are masculine.  But this one is definitely not a masculine card.   It sure looks great using 2 of our new In Colors- Mint Macaron & Tip Top Taupe.

This is one of the cards that everyone stamping with me this week for my monthly classes will be making.  How fun it is to stamp! It was a favorite of many gals that made it at my class on Sunday!

Tonight I have a full house coming to stamp with me at our home & this is one of the cards they'll be making.  Guess I'll see how many gals tonight like this card. 

stamp set:  'Awesomely Artistic'
card stock:  Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe & Very Vanilla
ink:   Crumb Cake, Tip Top Taupe & Mint Macaron
supplies:  1 1/4" Burlap, Basic Pearls, Large Oval Punch, Washi Label Punch, Paper Snips, Bone Folder, Dimensionals & Glue Dots

Check out the texture I added to the Tip Top Taupe card stock on the bottom front of this card.  
How did I make it?

• I ripped along the top edge, removing about 1/4-1/2" of if.
• I  then just literally crimpled up this piece of card stock into a ball so that it had lots of creases in it.
• I carefully unfolded it & smoothed it out with my fingers.
• Using the Tip Top Taupe ink pad I light touched the ink pad directly to the card stock so that it would touch the crease I had just made- thus accenting them.
• I then took my bone folder & smoothed the piece of card stock completely out.

It just gives the card a different look & was something fun that I learned to do when I first started stamping.  I would call this technique- direct to paper. 

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It was another beautiful day outside yesterday & the boys & I sure enjoyed it!  They played & played.  There was a nice breeze & cooler temps.  It was my kind of a day forsure!

Last night we all went to the races.  It was a beautiful night to be sitting in the stands too!  Gosh- for August you couldn't ask for it to be any nicer outside.  Mother Nature is treating us good right now.  

Nathan didn't have the best of luck racing......as he had problems with his power steering belt coming off in his heat, so he had to pull in, thus missing the invert for the main.  He started the main in the 13th position & moved up to the 5th spot & then had to pull in again as he had problems with his belt.  The guys put his belt back on in the work area under a caution, so he got to go back out.  He had to start at the tail & move forward through the pack again.  He ended up finishing in the 10th or 11th spot I think.  So it was a disappointing night for all of us.  His car was fast & looked good.....he just had bad luck!  The late models were there too, so for that main I went to the pits & stood on the trailer with the guys to watch it.  It was a late night out!

I hope you have very special Thursday!!
Happy Stamping!

Hugs-
SUSIE

A Christmas card with 'Santa's Gifts'!

Here is a Christmas card I created using a set that in the big catalog- pg. 68, called 'Santa's Gifts'.  I thought it was a cute set- as the reindeer is just adorable.  I made an easel card with it.  My idea for the layout sprung from a card that I saw at convention.

stamp set:  'Santa's Gifts'
card stock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
designer paper:  Neutrals 12x12 Paper Stack (Basic Black & Real Red (for the package)
ink: Black Stazon On & real REd
markers:  Real Red, Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight
other: Big Shot, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Washi Label Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small star), Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals

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Yesterday I had the day off work, so changed hats & I stamped all day/night.  I worked on left over pieces from recent classes- so that I could get the supplies all put picked up & put away.

This morning Deke is up bright & early to chore & has meetings.  I'm up to get a few things done before the boys get here.  Tonight we're all off to the races to cheer on Nathan.  The weather has been perfect the past couple of days- hope today is another nice day/evening out too.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"= August 4- 10, 2015!! Remember- these are while supplies last only!

Another New Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek!

This Santa reminds me of Christmas at my grandmas when I was growing up.  He is the good 'old fashioned' jolly Santa that brings back fond memories of my childhood.  I remember Christmas wrapping paper looking like Santa & Christmas gift boxes too. 

Here is another make & take that I made at convention.  It showcases LOTS of New Holiday Catalog products!  This holiday suite is called- Home for the Holidays!  Isn't that just perfectly fitting words for it!

This make & take is just a tag.  But look closely at it.  Notice that there are alot of new products & details in it......

•  I fussy cut out the Santa from the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper.  
• The words are from a new set called- 'Cozy Christmas'.
• The Poinsettia Button is one of 3 different buttons in the Home for Christmas Buttons set.
• The ribbon is new Very Vanilla 1 1/4" Subtle Stripes Satin Ribbon (it is yummy)!
• The Pool Party Designer Paper with little snowflake (dots) on it is also in the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper.
• And the Red & Vanilla stripped Designer Paper is also another print that is included in the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper.  

Ok......so those of you that know me know.....I was thinking that this tag is just way too cute to be a tag!  So I attached it to a 4 1/4 x 11 folded piece of Real Red card stock when I got home, thus making it a full card.  

 There are some other things that I want you to be sure to notice in my photo of this card right here-

• Check out the Santa Designer Series Paper that I cut the Santa on my tag/card out of laying here.
• And look real close to the Very Vanilla card stock layer I added to my card front.  Here is used a NEW embossing folder called- Softly Falling Snow.  And believe me- it is on page 24 of the New Holiday Catalog in the upper left corner.....you will not think you have to have this embossing folder when you see it in the catalog.  But just wait until you see it in person!  It is beautiful!  It is gradually progressing dots falling.

So here it is......if you look closely do you see these dotted snowflakes?  It is just soooooo cool!!  I have it in my basket of convention swaps, so if you are stamping with me this week be sure to look for it so that you can see it in person!

A beautiful flower using 'Garden In Bloom'!

I LOVE this card.....as these are totally my colors!  It also reminds me of fall- which is my favorite season too! 

I have so missed our old More Mustard color that retired a few years back & I am really diggin' our new Delightful Dijon In Color.   Isn't it pretty!

I am gearing up for my monthly classes that I'm having this week.  Here is a sneak peek of one of the 6 cards I've created.

Yes- this is one of the cards that everyone joining me to stamp for my August classes this week will be making!  Many that made this card at my class yesterday liked it.  I'll be posting the rest of the cards over the next week or so here too, so be sure you stop back by to check them out. 

This stamp set- 'Garden In Bloom' is just an awesome 2 step stamp set.  AND it is so easy to use!  It is photopolymer, so it lines up perfectly, plus Stampin' Up! has put tabs on the stamp images so you can tell exactly where they line up to go together.  

Notice the lighter & darker shades in the flower image.  This is the watercolor look of this stamp set.  

Oh....and check out the bumble bee- he has an oval stamp that fits perfectly in his body, so you have a stamp for that too & don't have to color it in with a marker.  There is absolutely no coloring done on this card, except for using ink pads, along with the different stamps.....it is all done with 2 step stamping of different stamp images. 

I ended up making this a fun fold card too!  Check it out here.   It is another Z fold card.  Gosh....I know- I've used this fold alot lately, but I really like it & the layouts I've been using work just perfectly for doing this fold. 

stamp set:  'Garden In Bloom' & 'Wetlands' (words)
card stock:  Chocolate Chip, Delightful Dijon, Very Vanilla
ink:  Chocolate Chip, Mossy Meadow, Delightful Dijon
other:  Big Shot, Elegant Dots Embossing Folder, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Did you notice the lighter shade of green inside the leaves.  How did I do it?  

• I stamped both the stem & outline images of the leaves using the Mossy Meadow ink.  
• I then inked the solid image of the leaves into the Mossy Meadow ink & "stamped it off" once, onto scratch paper & then stamped it the 2nd time inside the outlined leaf image.  Since I stamped it off first it became just a little lighter shade of the same green & it matched perfectly then. 

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Dena had a fun party yesterday!!  I enjoyed my afternoon stamping with everyone that joined us.  I was happy that I got to stop to visit my friend Judy on my way home from my class.  It was great to see her & visit a few minutes.
 

Wow- we had a storm last night just as I was getting home.  The hail was HUGE!  I'm thankful that there wasn't any damage that we've found as of yet anyways.  And I'm happy that I had just gotten home & wasn't out on the road when this storm hit.  

This morning Deke was up early to chore & he is headed to the office.  Manda & the boys are coming out to our home & we are going to stamp.  We are going to make the twins 4 year birthday invites.  They want Minions.......and since we don't have a Minion stamp, I guess we'll be making them using many of our great punches & doing punch art!   I will post their invite on my blog sometime later this month- so be watching for it.

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

A "Thank you" card!!

Here is a quick & simple thank you card I made!  I really like the font on this 'Watercolor Thank You' stamp.  This card is similar to the ones I made for Masen's baby shower thank you's- except I used our new THICK Whisper White card stock for the card base & the awesome new Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack for my diagonal stripes. 

stamp set:
card stock:
designer paper:
ink:
other:

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I will update this post tonight when I get home from my stamp class with the supplies.  I'm finishing up cutting card stock & packing up- getting ready to head out the door here soon.  I had fun creating yesterday.  I have some super cute cards to share at this months classes.  I can't wait for everyone to come stamp with me & make them this month.  I will be posting them over the next couple of weeks here on my blog for you to see.

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

SUSIE

Your'e so SWEET!

Wow- Here is another card that everyone made at my July classes.  It is a fun fold.  And it is so cute too!  

I just loved these little donuts the very first time I saw them in the new catalog last month.  It is just a neat stamp set.  

stamp set:  'Sprinkles on Top', 'You're Sweet' & 'Me=Grateful'
card stock:  Tip Top Taupe, Delightful Dijon, Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White
designer paper:   2015-2017 In Color 12x12 Stack -Tip Top Taupe
markers:  Tip Top Taupe, Delightful Dijon, Watermelon wonder, Early Espresso
ink:  Tip Top Taupeother:  Whisper White Baker's Twine, 2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Check out how this flips open.  I just love to make fun fold cards. 

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Yesterday I was home alone & spent my day catching up on lots that piled up while I was gone.  I got alot checked off my list, but I sure didn't accomplish it all.  I'll have to work on the rest of it next week. 

As today I'm a stampin' fool!  I pray that I have good mojo.  I'll be creating & cutting cards for my class I have tomorrow.  Dena is our hostess this month & I can't wait to see everyone & share.  

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

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"