A black cat with some witches brooms!

Here is another Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek!  

I am a huge cat lover (especially black cats) & I just love this cat stamp & coordinating framelit.  The cat is actually from the set- 'Festive Fireplace'.....but I just thought it was fitting to have a black cat with brooms- don't you? 

Growing up we had a black house cat named Midnight.  And when Manda was in high school she brought a black cat in the house from the farm & named him Lucky.  He lived with them until Trey was born & he now lives at our house again. 

stamp set:  'If the Broom Fits' & 'Festive Fireplace'
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip & Whisper White
ink:  NEW Archival Basic Black pad
markers:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
supplies:  Big Shot, Festive Fireplace Framelits, Banner Triple Punch, Dimensionals

Note:  I tried to stamp this cat using the NEW Archival Basic Black Ink onto Basic Black card stock- but is all just blended in & you couldn't see the definite outline of the card....so I then stamped it using the NEW Archival Basic Black onto the Whisper White card stock & then cut it out with the coordinating framelit.  I then used my Basic Black marker & colored the cat in.  

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Yesterday was a busy day with the boys.  Manda & I also created bridal shower invites for Sarah & Nathan.  I got 90 bridal shower invites all made last night.  I will share this cute invite sometime after we get them mailed out. 

Brayden came about 9 last night & stayed all night with us.  We are headed out this morning to help Papa again on the farm, as we get baby piggies delivered soon.  So need I say that I have a very excited little farm boy!  He is the only one that will be here today to help us.  And he is thrilled that the piggies arrived before he had to start back to school so that he didn't miss out. 

Tonight I will be burning the midnight oil again, as I have tons of projects to get created.  Hopefully things will go as I have planned & I pray that I have good mojo.  

I hope you have a very special Thursday!!  

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

A Halloween Sneak Peek!!

Woo Hoo!  Oh my......I just couldn't resist making this card last night right before I went to bed so that I had another New Holiday Catalog sneak peek to share with you.  My pre-oder of some of the NEW Holiday Catalog products arrived last week & I finally made the time to pick out a few things to create with.  This is a clean & simple card- BUT look at the cool NEW products from the Holiday Catalog that I used when creating it. 

Those of you that know me- know that I LOVE Halloween!!  I even have a special Halloween Treats class each year....just so that I can create lots of Halloween projects & share them!  There are tons of new Halloween products in the new Holiday Catalog.  I'm going to have soooooo much fun creating projects with them for my upcoming Halloween Treats class.  You can check out my calendar for dates & times of these upcoming classes @ www.susiewood.stampinup.net 

Does this look like a spooky card to you?  Those little black eyes & the darkened trees are really cute huh!  And what about this AWESOME new embossing folder called- Woodland!  It is perfect for any occasion....fall, winter, guy cards, etc. 

stamp set:  NEW 'Among the Branches'
card stock:  Basic Gray, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
designer paper: NEW Happy Hauntings
ink:  NEW Archival Basic Black ink pad, Tangelo Twist 
other supplies:  NEW Spider Web Doilies, 2" Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Triple Banner Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge

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We had a busy day yesterday on the farm with the boys & getting new baby piggies here.  I love hearing the squeal of the boys & piggies!  We definitely have some true little farmers.  They love getting to help Papa on the farm & we love that they can!!  It is surely an experience that they will never forget & neither will we.  We are truly blessed!  And we had an added bonus yesterday too, as Manda got to come out to be on the farm also, so that was neat!

Last night Susie's Hair Hut was open for business & I got Deke's hair cut!  Now I need to find time in my schedule (& theirs) to get Steve & Nathan's hair cut sometime soon too.

Deke & I are both up bright & early this morning.  Deke headed out to chore & I worked on stamping stuff.  Deke will be gone all day to meetings today in Sigourney & then Mount Pleasant.  And all 4 boys will be here with me.   Plus Manda is coming too & we are going to design & create Nathan & Sarah's bridal shower invitations.  We have an idea in mind, so I hope it works out & Sarah likes them!  I also hope the boys cooperate & we can get alot done today- which is a bigger task to accomplish than making the invites. 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Our boys on the farm!

This weeks - "WEEKLY DEALS" August 11- 17, 2015! These are limited supplies only!

It is an explosion 'flower' card!

Here is the last card I have to share with you, of my 6 cards I made for my classes I had last week.  This is a clean & simple card with a real wow- as I did an "explosion pop out" in the inside of it!!!  

Check out the shinny centers of the flowers too.  I used Crystal Effects on them.  I think that it really added some dimension to the card. 

This is a really neat stamp set.  I love that it has a flower punch that goes with it.

stamp set:  'Birthday Blossom'

card stock:  Whisper White THICK, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede

ink: Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride

supplies:  Big Shot, Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder, Crystal Effects, Paper Snips, Pansy Punch, Dimensionals

 

 AND LOOK AT THIS.......

Here is the paper explosion on the inside of my card!  It is a 8x8 pieces of typing paper that I did an origami fold with.  We folded it & then stamped on it- before adhering it to the inside of the card. 

This card was definitely alot of fun for everyone to make.  I loved listening to the gals as they were making it.  It was sweet & made me smile too- just listening to them as they were creating.

I so remember making my first ever explosion card about 15 years ago.  It was a birthday card!  And I just thought it was one of the neatest cards ever.  And oh how I vividly remember it.  I probably have it in a drawer someplace.....as I love making cards- but could never give away cards that I made in a class.  Is that how you are too?

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This morning I'm headed out to help Deke chore & get set up for our baby piggies to arrive.  All 4 boys & Manda will be here too to 'help'!  I know they boys were bouncing off of the walls today with excitement anticipating getting to help Papa & G'ma on the farm!

 

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

SUSIE

'Vintage Leaves' & the coordinating framelits!

Here is another card that everyone joining me at my August classes made this past week.  

Fall is my favorite season so I couldn't resist getting this awesome new stamp set & coordinating framelits from the main catalog- pg. 88.

Check out the cool Corrugated 12x12 paper that I cut a strip of & added along the edge of this card.  It is super neat!  It comes with 2 sheets of kraft color & 2 sheets of white.

stamp set:  'Vintage Leaves', 'Gorgeous Grunge' & 'All Boxed Up'
card stock:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
12x12 paper:   Corrugated Paper (kraft)
ink:  Early Epsresso, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze
supplies:  Big Shot, Leaflets Framelits, Magnetic Platform, Early Espresso Seam Binding ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots

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 I had a full day yesterday with 2 stamp classes.  We all had a fun day stamping together though!  I am glad so many joined me!! 

Deke was up early to chore this morning & is off to a meeting.  I'll be home with the boy(s).  Brayden just got home from a trip with his mom, so I'm sure looking forward to seeing him when he gets here this morning.   Tonight I'll be catching up on farm bookwork & then burning the midnight oil stamping.

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

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