The twins birthday cards......

Here is the twins birthday cards that I made last weekend.  I still can't believe that Brody & Drake are now 4 years old.  (Yep- I made them each their own card for their birthday- but they were identical.)

I choose the primary colors here for their card.  What do you think?

And I made it a stand up (reversed) easel card.  I thought it turned out pretty cute!

stamp set: 'Build A Birthday' & 'Larger Than Life Alphabet & Numbers'
card stock:  Pacific Point, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
ink:  Real Red, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight
other:  Triple Banner Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch,  1 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder

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Yesterday was another hot & busy day!  We played outside for awhile in the morning in the heat, trying to wear off some energy.  Then Masen came & spent the afternoon/evening with us too!  I should have taken a picture of him to share here.  He was 3 weeks old yesterday & is growing so much.  I love it that he is starting to follow your moment & voice with his eyes.  He sure kept his eyes on the boys- watching them today!  They will end up being great entertainment for him I'm sure.  Thankfully Trey isn't jealous of him & loves him too!  They will be best buddies I'm sure! 

Last night Deke & I canned tomatoes again.  This time we got 28 quarts of tomatoes, 2 quarts of juice & 1 pint of juice.  Luckily Masen was a trooper watching us.

I was beat & too tired last night to go any more.  I'm raring to go today with lots to get caught up on though.  I'll do farm book work first thing this morning.  As I'm home alone today- which doesn't happen very often.  And I'm praying that I have good mojo, as I need to be a stampin' fool this afternoon/evening!  

Nathan is racing all weekend and I am torn if I'll be going with everyone or not.  We'll see how my day goes & then decide I guess.  I really shouldn't go at all.  Maybe I'll just go one of the nights. 

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

MORE BATS!

Here are some more bats on this cute Halloween card!  And I used the Washi Tape again too.  If you look closely at the bat I used a Black Sharpie marker & colored pearls for his eyes.  These bats did have to be fussy cut out- as there isn't a punch or framelit for them.  I bent & curled up their wings a little to make them look like they were moving. 

stamp set:  'Cheery All Year'
card stock:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla
ink:  Basic Black Archival
other:  Paper Snips (to cut out bats), Triple Banner Punch, Happy Hauntings Washi Tape, Dimensionals
Black Sharper Marker

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Oh- I'm so tired of this heat!  I so liked last weeks cooler temps & am ready for them to return.  

We got in late last night from selling hogs.  I was dirty, hot & exhausted.  Between the heat & spaz pigs....it wasn't a fun night.  I took my shower, got supper & headed to bed.

I'm off to take Brayden to school & then go pick up the other 3 boys.  Tonight I'll be canning tomatoes.  We have a bunch again....wonder how many quart we'll get this time?

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

"BOO!" It is a cute Halloween card!

Oh gosh.....check out this cute Halloween card.  I love the bright colors added to it with the Happy Hauntings Designer Washi Tape.  The colors are:  Tangelo Twist (notice the stars in it), Basic Black (check out the bat design here) & Rich Razzleberry!  And how it is to just add the Washi Tape!

I cut the "BOO" out with our new Black Glimmer paper, using the Boo to You Framelits Dies.  And then stamped the 3 little spiders hanging too.

The base of my card is the THICK Whisper White card stock that I love!

stamp set:  'Howl-o-ween Treat'
card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Tangelo Twist, Basic Black
12x12 Glimmer Paper:  Basic Black 
ink:  Archival Basic Black
marker:  Basic Black (used this to draw the line for the hanging spiders)
 other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Boo to You Framelits Dies, Happy Hauntings Designer Washi Tape, Dimensionals

NOTE:  The 'Howl-o-ween Treat' stamp set & coordinating Boo to You Framelits Dies can be bought in a bundle & you save 15%.

So what do you think?  Cute huh!  The inspiration for this card came from a SU! concept artist, but her card was going the other direction.  I also added a few layers & things to my card when I was creating it- but I give her the credit for a great layout & Halloween idea!

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Yesterday morning we enjoyed the nice day outside, but it sure warmed up in the afternoon.  It was hot & muggy.  Sigourney let out schools at 1:30.  Manda got here about 2:30 & she helped me finish printing inside wording for Sarah's bridal shower invitations.  We got part of them addressed & ready to mail out before she went home.  

Brayden had a football game last night, so Deke & I went there.  Then we went to Josh's garden & picked several buckets of tomatoes again.  Now we have to find time to get them canned in the next couple of days.

I burnt the midnight oil addressing envelopes & finished getting the shower invites all ready to be mailed out today.  I somehow have to find time though to whip up 12 more of invites- as I was short that many after Sarah's mom sent me their invite list last night.  

I'm off to pick up the boys this morning.  School gets out early again today due to the heat.  Brayden will ride the bus out & be spending the night with us tonight.  The boys are excited about getting to play with him.  Manda will be working on her masters class this afternoon.  When the 3 Seeley boys all leave about 5:00- Brayden & I will go out to help Deke on the farm.  Tonight is my farmer night, and we sell hogs too.  Hopefully I have some energy when I get in, so that I can stamp!  I need to burn the midnight oil again.

Ok- I've gotta run...  

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

A Halloween Treat box & some little bats!

Check out this little treat box!!  
And notice the adorable little bats I punched out too!

This box measures 1 1/4" x 5" as shown here when it is all closed up. 

I made a little belly band to go around it & decorated it with a moon & some bats.  I got 2 of the fun sized Snickers Bars  shown above in the photo, inside the box.  Or I think you can fit one full sized Snickers Bar in it instead of the 2 littler ones. 

Here are the supplies that I used-
stamp set:  'Sweet Hauntings'
card stock:  Daffodil Delight, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
designer paper:  Happy Hauntings
ink:  Archival Basic Black
other: 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Envelope Punch Board

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How did I make the box?  I  used the Envelope Punch Board.

• 6x6 piece of designer paper
• Using the Envelope punch board, line up the left edge of the paper at 1 1/4″ and punch and score down the diagonal line to the right.  Move the paper to the left and line it up at 2 3/4″, punch and score the same as before.  Turn the paper the opposite side and repeat exactly what you just did. 
• Now turn the paper to the sides you haven’t done anything with yet.  Line up your previous score lines with the “Score Guide.”  It’s the pointy piece coming off the punch in the top center.  Punch and score.  Move to second score line, punch and score again.  Repeat again on the opposite side.
•  Look at the photo below- I have drawn over the score lines so that you can see what the box is to look like.  You do not have to draw the lines.....yours will just be scored.

 

•  You will snip in on the first 2 lines on each end to make the flaps.
• You can use the corner rounder on the top side of the Envelope Punch Board on your corners if you want to.
• Now fold up your little box!
• I used the new Tear & Tape Adhesive & Glue Dots to stick my box together.

How did I make the bats? 

Here are the punches that I used-

• I punched out 2 of Bitty Butterfly.  
• I punched out 1 of the Elegant Butterfly.  
• Then using the 3/4" & the 1" Circle Punches I snipped off both of the bottom corners on the butterflies to make them look like a bat!

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I burnt the midnight oil stamping last night.  And the guys were up until the wee hours this morning again working in the shop.  

 

Deke is off early to chore & he has a meeting this morning.  I'm off to pick up the boys & spend my day with them.  Tonight we'll be going to Brayden's flag football game to watch him. 

 

I have lots of stamping to do when I get home tonight & will be burning the midnight oil again.  

 

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

The Holiday Catalog begins TODAY~ September 1, 2015!

To see the new Holiday Catalog on line CLICK HERE!
 
I hope you got your new Holiday Catalog in the mail!  If you didn't & want one- please let me know.  This new Holiday Catalog is 51 pages!!  It is full of awesome new products for the upcoming holidays- Halloween, Fall & Christmas!

This weeks- "WEEKLY DEALS"- September 1-7, 2015 while supplies last

A "Congratulations" card!

Check out this tag card!  It would be perfect for anyone you are needing to send a congratulations card to.

stamp set:  'Crazy About You' (Flower) & 'Bravo' (congratulations)

card stock:  Tip Top Taupe, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight

ink:  Tip Top Taupe, Daffodil Delight, Mint Macaron, Watermelon Wonder

other:  Big Shot, Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Scalloped Tag Topper,  Watermelon Wonder Lace Ribbon, Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Sponge Daubers

At convention I got this tag on a gift that I got from Stampin' Up!  I thought it was too cute to throw away- so I added it to a card! 

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Yesterday was a crazy day!  We were on the go non-stop.  I was beat last night.  

Deke's meeting/picnic was nice.  We got to go on a horse & wagon ride, see a horse pull bales of hay up into the hay mound, see a milking barn, see a rooster & several chickens & lots of old farming equipment.  Brayden enjoyed it!  I'm glad he got to go with us.  Masen was super good & slept almost the whole time we were gone.  He was bright eyed & happy when we got home though.  Nathan & Sarah got home & picked them up about midnight.  Deke & Trevor burnt the midnight oil working in the shop until wee hours this morning, on the race car after we got home from his meeting/picnic.

Gotta run & get the boys!  

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Happy Birthday to you......Steve!

Today is our son-in-law Steve's birthday!!  Here is the card that I whipped up for him, last night before I went to bed!  It is a clean & simple card- but I think it turned out super cute!   I hope he likes it!

I used the same birthday stamp set for Nathan's birthday card- see it here that I posted yesterday!  

This birthday stamp set is an awesome hostess set!  I love the combination of the script letters with the bold letters. 

stamp set:  'Happy Birthday, Everyone'
card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Basic Black
designer paper:  Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack (12x12)
ink:  Archival Basic Black
other:  Stapler, Dimensionals

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Yesterday morning I worked on paperwork & things.  After lunch I went to Osky to get groceries.  When I got home from there I started canning tomatoes.  Deke helped me work on them when he got in from choring.  We got 40 quarts of tomatoes & 2 quarts of juice done!  And we burnt the midnight oil getting them all done.  I'd like to can 100 quarts total yet to get us through the winter......so I'm hoping I can get that many & get them canned yet in the next couple of weeks.

Manda, Steve & the boys stopped out for a few minutes last night.  And shortly after they left Nathan, Sarah & Masen stopped by too for a bit.  They sat & visited with us while we blanched, peeled & worked on canning our tomatoes.  

Deke is up early this morning to chore & then he is off to the office for a board meeting.  I'm off to pick up the boys.  We'll run a few errands this morning (recycle center, etc) & then head out home to spend our day together.  Brayden will ride the bus out here to the farm after school.  He & Masen will be going with G'ma & Papa (us) tonight to a picnic & meeting that Papa has for one of the boards he serves on & is the chairman of.  The meeting is in Fairfield at the Maasdam Barn.  I've never been there before, but I have heard how neat it is & I'm looking forward to finally getting to visit it.

You can click HERE if you'd like to find out more about the Maasdam Barn.

Gotta run......

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

Canning tomoatoes!

Last night Deke & I canned tomatoes.  We got 40 quarts of whole tomatoes & 2 quarts of juice done.  They sure will taste good this winter in chili, goulash, etc.  

As I am posting this the last baste is steaming in the canner on the stove.  When it is done I'll be headed to bed!! 

Happy Birthday to Nathan!

Wow- we have lots of family birthdays in August!  

Last Sunday was Nathan's birthday.  This is the card that I made for him.  It is clean & simple- but turned out neat.  I've rarely made white based cards before, as I love our Whisper White card stock, but it just wasn't thick enough for a card base.  BUT our new heavy Whisper White is awesome!  And it worked perfect for this card!

stamp set:  'Something to Say' (small star), 'Happy Birthday, Everyone' (hostess set)

card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White

ink:  NEW Basic Black Archival pad, Crumb Cake

other:  1" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, small star punch (Itty Bitty Accents Punch pack), dimensionals, Glue Dots, Burlap ribbon threads

I used my fingernail & ruffed up the edges of the Crumb Cake.  

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We had a full day yesterday!!  Lots of joys & much thankfulness fill our hearts!  

We got up yesterday morning & I sang Happy Birthday to the boys.  They were on high & excited about their special day!  In count down to this day we've been marking the days off of a calendar at our home & Manda had a chain that they were removing links off of at their house.  We ate breakfast & then they went home. 

A dear family friend passed away (Jerry Hudson).  Deke & I attended his grave side services this morning.  The rain quit just in time & there were tons of people there.  It was great to see so many old family friends that we hadn't seen for years, as we all celebrated Jerry's life together.  

When we got home from Jerry's services I went to the Seeleys' & spent the rest of they day helping Manda get ready for the boys birthday party.  Everyone arrived at 5:00.  It was a fun time had by all!!  I already posted a few pictures of their party.  

We took Brayden home to his moms about 9:15 last night.  They are going to Adventureland for the day today.  We can't wait to hear all about it when we see him tomorrow night.  

This morning I'll be playing catch up.  I have the day off of work & am home alone for a change.  This afternoon I need to go get groceries.  And tonight I'll be canning tomatoes.  

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

The TWINS 4th Birthday!

Minions were the theme of the boys' 4th birthday party! 

You can check out their birthday invites that I made HERE!!   

Drake & Brody are posing with the Minion cake that my friend Cherie made for them.  Isn't it just awesome!  Her cakes are cute & so yummy too!

I love the smiles & joy shown here!  This is priceless!

Here is the Seeley family-

Trey, Manda, Steve

Brody & Drake

AND check out this adorable gift wrapping that Aunt Kathy made.  This is just so neat! 

An explosion of Snowflakes!

Here is another card I created for my team meeting I had last weekend here at our home.  This is a new stamp set & coordinating snowflake punch!  So fun!

stamp set:  NEW 'Flurry of Wishes'
card stock:  Pool Party, Whisper White
designer paper:  Home for the Christmas DSP
ink:  Pool Party
other:  Basic Rhinestones, Iced Rhinestones Embellishments, Snow Flurry Punch, Dimensionals

This is an explosion card.  I did one similar to this at my August monthly stamp classes.  You can see that HERE!!

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We had a busy day yesterday & on the go.  Susie's Hair Hut was open & I got all 3 Seeley boys' hair cut!  We took the boys & went to the races last night to cheer Nathan on at the final race of the season at Columbus Junction.  Papa Deke sat in the stands with me to help out with the boys.  And Masen & Sarah sat with us too.  Nathan started 5th & finished 5th.  The track wasn't the greatest & it was pretty much just follow the leader all night.  

The 3 Seeley boys ended up staying all night with us again last night.  So we are up early & going strong this morning.  We have a full day today ahead of us!!  We have LOTS going on.....

Today our twins turn 4 years old!!!  It is unbelievable that Brody & Drake are such big boys now!  Where has the time gone?  We are so blessed!  They are such a joy in our lives!  

I hope you have a SUPER Saturday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

It is clean & simple!

This is a beautiful Christmas ornament card that was one of my shoe box swaps for my team meeting last weekend.  I wanted everyone to get a chance to use the new Precision Base Plate with a detailed thinlit.  I had all of the supplies cut for this- except they had to cut the words out & the ornaments- so that they could actually get to use the new products with total hands on.  

Isn't this just a gorgeous card!  

There is alot of new product used here that is in the upcoming Holiday Catalog!  The catalog goes live on September 1st!  Woo Hoo!! 

Notice these NEW products:

• new gold cord
• the ornament thinlit- Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies
• the thinlit words- Christmas Grettings Thinlits Dies
• the designer paper- Winter Wonderland Specialty Designer Paper

stamp set:  none
card stock:  Real Red
12x12- Gold Foil Sheets, Red Glimmer Paper
designer paper:  NEW Winter Wonderland Specialty
ink:  none
other:  Big Shot, NEW Precision Base Plate, NEW Delicate Ornament Thinlits Dies, NEW Christmas Greetings Thinlits Dies, NEW Gold Cording Trim, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

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We played outside all morning & enjoyed the beautiful day!  The boys & I went to visit my Aunt Virginia yesterday morning for awhile.  My niece Jordan & great-niece Ella arrived about the same time as we did.  Wow- what fun we had with the kids playing on the swing set & visiting!  

Brayden rode the bus out after school & the boys all got to play together for awhile.  Then Brayden went with Deke & I to sort & load hogs.  He is a such a little farmer!  When we got done with that I made supper & took up to the shop to feed all of the guys.  It was late when we got in & I was beat.  I showered, picked up toys & called it a night.  

I'm off this morning to pick up the boys.  Manda has to work at the High School FB game tonight so the boys will all be going with me to Columbus Junction to the races.  Trevor & Mark worked in the shop all day yesterday, trying to get the car put back together.  Nathan helped for awhile last night & Deke burnt the midnight oil with Trevor working on it until wee hours of the morning.  The frame is all redone, sheet metal is off & they are working on getting it all back together. 

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

Bow Builder Punch

Check out these 15 Ways to use the Bow Builder Punch!!

There are endless ways to combine the bow pieces from the Stampin' Up! Bow Builder Punch to get many totally different bow styles. 

The chart below shows 15 variations of unique bows you can easily create for cards, tags, gifts, and other paper crafting projects.  

This is pretty cool isn't it!  This is a very versatile punch!  
 

A holiday sneak peek with snowflakes!

This is another card that I made for my team meeting last weekend.  I love this saying.....and the snowflakes & the bow.  I think it turned out really cute.

stamp set: NEW 'Six Sayings' (hostess set), NEW 'Wonderland' (little snowflakes), NEW 'Holly Jolly Greetings' (big snowflakes)
card stock:  Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
ink:  Pool Party & Bermuda Bay
other:  Bow Builder Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Glue dots

And of course you can't go wrong with bling!  If ever in doubt- that is just what you need to add!  Don't you think the rhinestones along the bottom here (under the words) are cute?

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Yesterday was a long day/night.  We went to Brayden's 1st football game.  It was fun to watch them- they did good.  Brayden is growing up way too fast.  He is a good little athlete.  He had a good 1st day at school & loves his teacher.  It was fun to hear all about his day!  I hope his whole year goes as good as the first day!
 
After his game was over we were all off to the races.  Nathan looked great & won his heat last night.  In the main though, there was a 8 car pile up!  And yep- we were in it.  Nathan is fine but his car is totaled.  He won't be racing it ever again.  Now to figure out what he is going to do for the rest of the racing season.  It was a bummer of a night.  

 

We are just getting home from the races & all 3 Seeley boys are spending the night.  I'm headed to bed & hope everyone sleeps all night.
 

Deke is up early & off to meetings again today.  I'll be spending my day with the boys.  Then I'll be wearing another hat, as tonight is my farmer night & I'll be outside helping Deke on the farm all evening & we will be selling hogs too.

I hope you have a super Thursday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE