Here are the cards for my upcoming Christmas Card Class!

WOW!  I burnt the midnight oil last night creating these cards for my upcoming Christmas Card Class.  This big annual class is a favorite of many- including me.  It is a fun day of visiting, listening to Christmas music & creating together!

I tried really hard this year to make my Christmas cards clean & simple......as I didn't want to have them be bulky & have additional postage have to be paid for the mailing of them.

I think they all urned out cute!  What do you think?  Which one is your favorite one?  Which one are you going to be making this year for your Christmas card?

Deke was a very good critic for me last night.....as I asked him lots of questions on what do you think honey?  This one or that one?  This color or that color?  This direction or that direction?  Etc, Etc, Etc.  Bless him- he is awesome!!  

I am not sure which one of them is my favorite one.  It is actually probably the Soft Suede & Crumb Cake snowflake one.  I am a huge snowflake lover.....and this one is in non traditional colors, as I love all shades of brown.  But I really like the Nativity one in the grays & vellum too.  And then of course the Mossy Meadow Pine Tree one is one of the cards everyone made at my September classes.  It was a big hit at my classes & I've had a few requests that some wanted to make that for their Christmas cards this year.  So I granted their wish & it made it easier for me too not having to create another card too. 

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Brayden's last FB game of the year was fun!  There were tons of people there & there were 3 FB games going on all at one time.  They played on the high school football field!  

This morning I'm off to pick up all of the boys & spend my day with them.  Tonight I'm a farmer again helping Deke.  And then I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping again!!  

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

A witches broom!

Here is a little witches broom I made as an alternative project with pieces in my September My Paper Pumpkin kit!  Isn't is cute!

And I added washi tape around the top of it &I made a cute little witches hat too!

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Last night was another late night burning the midnight oil stamping.  I am bummed....as there is no way I'm going to be able to go to the races this weekend.  I just have too much to do to get ready yet for my upcoming classes.  I'm going to try really hard to be able to get to go at least one night.....but right now that doesn't look too promising. 

This morning I'm off early again to pick up the boys- Brody, Drake, Trey & Masen.  Deke is up early to chore & he is in the office/meetings at the Courthouse today.

Brayden has his last football game at 6:00 tonight- so we can't miss that.  As soon as we get home from it we are headed outside to work on the farm.  I'll be a farmer tonight & tomorrow night, helping Deke move & sell piggies.  I'll burn the midnight oil stamping again when I get in.

On top of everything else we have going on- we are trying to get things all cleaned & ready for new baby piggies to arrive next week on Tuesday & Thursday.  Thankfully Deke doesn't have too many meetings this week- but next week he is swamped again with them.  

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs,

SUSIE

This weeks- "WEEKLY DEALS"- Sept 29- Oct 5, 2015!!

A clean & simple card I made when in Kanab for Founder Circle!

This is a really sweet card that we made at Kanab at our Stampin' Up! Office when I was in Utah a couple of weeks ago for Founders Circle.  Isn't is pretty!  It is a very clean & simple card.  

Be sure you look closely at the base of this card.  We used the cool Color Me Irresistible Specialty Designer Paper on pg. 142.  It is Tip Top Taupe colored, but has an embossed (raised) woodgrain texture on it.  I never would have thought to stamp directly onto it & use it as a card base.  But let me tell you that it was easy to do & is a real wow to look at in person.

We also used the Color Me Irresistible Specialty Designer Paper with the Envelope Liner Thinlit & put it inside the envelope laying here so that they coordinated with the card.

stamp set:  'Watercolor Words'
card stock:  Very Vanilla
designer paper:  Color Me Irresistible Specialty
ink:  Night of Navy
other:  Big Shot, Envelope Liner, Medium Very Vanilla Envelope, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Linen Thread, Banner Triple Punch, Classy Designer button

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We had a busy day yesterday......and enjoyed the beautiful weather outside.  Our son-in-law Steven got a new aircraft yesterday.  So last night he tried it out by flying it around on our farm.  If you'd like to check his video & see our farm/house- it is very cool!

 http://www.skypixel.com/pilot/videos/first-flight-wood-farms

Sarah started back to work yesterday.  So I made 3 pans of Taco Pie last night & sent home with all of our kids for them to bake & have for supper.  I told Sarah I'd send supper home with them all week to try to help her out.  I remember how hard it was to go back to work after having a new baby.  We are blessed that Masen gets to stay with his G'ma Julie on Mondays & then he'll be here with us the rest of the week.  

 

Last night I burnt the midnight oil working on projects for upcoming classes.  I have LOTS of stamping to get done this week!  I have 3 classes coming up this weekend.  I pray I get it all done! As this weekend is also the Southern Iowa Speedway Fall Challenge.  We'll be racing on Friday & Saturday nights.  This has been a huge family favorite event for us for years & years.....and there isn't any way I an miss out on going with my family. 

This morning I'm off early to go to Nathan & Sarah's to pick up Masen & Brayden.  We'll then head to Manda & Steven's home to get their 3 boys, take Brayden to school & then head back out to our farm.  Nathan & Amanda both have early meetings today & tomorrow. 

Tonight after the boys all leave I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping again!

I hope you have  TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
hugs-
SUSIE

A reversed image snowman!

Check out this cute reversed image snowman!  This is one of the cards that I made in St. George, Utah when I attended Susan's stamp class at her home.  He is pretty cute isn't he!  This was a fun card to make. 

stamp set: 'Snow Place'
card stock:  Whisper White THICK, Cheery Cobbler, Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizzaz
ink:  Mossy Meadow

other:  Big Shot, Snow Friends Framelits, Lots of Labels Framelits, Season to Cheer Washi Tape, Stapler, Dimensionals, Paper Snips

 
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Gosh....I've been going 100 mph since my planed landed late last Sunday night!  This coming week is going to be a really busy one too!!  

Yesterday Sarah's bridal shower was very nice!  It was a perfect day spent with family & friends.  It was at the Wagon Wheel Winery by Keota, and let me tell you that this is a gorgeous place & they had a few yummy wines too!  The day was enjoyed by all!!  After the shower we went to Deke's parents home for a bit.  My sister-in-law Darci, Aunt Kay, cousin Mary & Aunt Kathy stopped by to visit so that they could all see Masen & the other 4 boys too- Brayden, Brody, Drake & Trey.  Last night I burnt the midnight oil trying to catch up on bookwork for the farm & orders too.

This morning Deke is off early to chore & he'll then ben heading to his weekly board meeting.  I'm off to pick up the boys.  We'll all take Brayden to school & then head back out to our home.  Brayden will ride the bus here after school too.  When everyone leaves..... I am planning on being home all night working on upcoming class projects for this week/weekend.  So I pray that I have good mojo.

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

A lovely leaf!

Check out this lovely leaf card.  This is one that I made in Utah last week at Susan's stamp class.  

stamp set:  'Light Hearted Leaves'
card stock: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla
ink:  Basic Black Archival
markers:  Delightful Dijon, Mossy Meadow, Rich Razzleberry
other:  Big Shot, Woodland Embossing Folder, Into the Woods Ribbon (Rich Razzleberry), Gold Cording, Gold Glitter Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Wow- What a great day of stamping with everyone at my Halloween Treats class yesterday!!  A special thanks to my Aunt Kathy for going up with me & helping me all week!  I know I couldn't have done it without her.  

We got home late last night & I hadn't hardly slept.....so was beat!!   Now off today to celebrate with family & friends at Sarah's bridal shower!

I will update my blog soon.....just sharing new photos now & will share more about the projects sometime soon when I am home to get caught up.

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

A CUTE little pumpkin!!

This is one of my "Halloween Treats" boxes.  It is made with the Curvy Keepsakes Box Thinlits.
I LOVE IT!!!  It is just absolutely adorable!  

stamp sets:  'Sparkly Seasons' & 'Chalk Lines'
card stock:  'Tangelo Twist, Black Glimmer Paper
designer paper:  Happy Hauntings
ink:  Basic Black Archival, Tangelo Twist
other:  Big Shot, Curvy Keepsakes Box Thinlits, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Tree Punch, Bow Builder Punch, Spider Web Doilies, Glue Dots

This is one of the cool projects I made in St. George last week when I attended a stamp class at Susan's home.  I think that Janet designed this awesome little witch hat for the pumpkin.  I so enjoyed going to their class & getting to make 4 super cute projects!

I'm headed to Cedar Rapids here soon for my Halloween Treats class.  I've been a stamping fool this week getting ready for it.  This morning several gals will be joining me for a "KITS" class to make either the Witches Hat (which is now sold out) or the Season to Season Wreath.  Then this afternoon some more gals will be joining us & everyone will be make LOTS of Halloween treat boxes, a cute card & a 8 x 8 (or 12x12) framed Halloween sampler.

My Aunt Kathy is riding up with me & stamping today too!  So it will be nice to have some company in the car.

I'm off to take a quick nap & then get up, shower, load the car & off I go!

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

A Halloween Treat bag!

At convention in July a treat bag like this was shared on main stage by Stampin' Up during an on stage presentation!  I thought it was super cute!  And loved the way the polka dots popped out when ink was rubbed over them.  Doesn't this bag remind you of candy corn?  It sure does me.

This bag is one of the many projects that everyone joining me at my upcoming Halloween Treats classes the next 2 Saturday's will be making.

Check out the ribbon handles I added to my bag.  I think this bag is just the perfect size for many different items to fit inside of it.  What trick-or-treater (or co-worker) wouldn't like to have gotten this from you?

stamp set: 'Howl-o-ween Treat'
card stock:  Whisper White
ink:  Basic Black Archival, Pumpkin Pie & Daffodil Delight
other:  Spider Web Doily, Big Shot, Boo to You Framelits, Stapler, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Sketched Dots Tags & Bag Gift Bags, Stampin' Sponges

This Sketched Dots Tags & Bag Gift Bags are on pg. 151- #138316- $4.00 for 10 bags.

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It was a late night on the farm.  Brayden & Nathan were here for awhile in the shop.  I came in right after we were done loading hogs (a couple of hours before Deke did).  He statyed out & moved pigs & rinsed out pens in the old finisher.  It was right at midnight when he finally walked in the door.  Nothing like making tacos for supper at that time of night.  I worked on sorting orders & making projects for my Halloween Treats class last night. 

Deke is finally home all day today with no meetings, so he'll be working on the farm.  The boys will be excited he'll be here to eat lunch with us, as we've missed him.  He has lots to catch up on outside. He is going to move piggies from the nursery to the old finisher this morning if all goes as planned.  And spend the afternoon grinding feed & mowing.  I'm off this morning to pick up the boys & spend my day with them.  Then tonight everyone in our family is going racing in Memphis, Missouri (which is my very favorite track to go to).  And I'll be home alone cutting & cooking- getting ready for tomorrow big Halloween Treats class.

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

SUSIE

A 'Wonderland'!

Here is a very pretty card that everyone stamping at my September classes this month got to make.  It has a vellum over lay on top of the stamped tree images.  It is just stunning in person.

How did I attach the vellum card stock here?

I just used glue dots on all 4 corners of the vevllum.  If you touch the vellum directly to the strip of glue dots & can leave the glue dot as the circle & flat (as they come) they show less on the adhesive when you go to press it down.  The vellum overlay is the exact same size at the Whisper White card stock above it.  
 
But attaching our new vellum DSP is another story.....it is thinner & no matter how I've tried attaching it- the ahdesive shows.  So you'd need to hide this if possible- like I did on the ORNAMENT CARD I post a few days ago- I put mini brads over the glue dots to help hide them.
 

stamp set:  'Wonderland' & 'Wetland' (words)
card stock:  Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Vellum
ink:  Mossy Meadow
other:  Big Shot, Softly Falling Snow Embossing Folder, Extra Large Oval Punch, Satin Crumb Cake ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

It is a fun fold door card too!  Isn't it just beautiful!!

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It was a long day & a very late night last night.  I got groceries after the races & then had to put everything away when I got home.  I am just swamped & can't keep up!  I was behind before I left for Founders last week & now I am buried with piles & piles of work.  I have too many jobs.  And just because I wasn't here didn't mean that things just stopped & waited for me- nope they just kept piling up.  

I got some of my farm bookwork done late last night before I went to bed, and the rest of it will have to wait until next week.  I finally got caught up on all of our laundry from the past week & half of it is now put away.....the rest of it is folded & laying on the couch, waiting for me to get to it.  And I literally have stamps all over our house!  The UPS man has delivered lots of boxes this week that I need to get opened, sorted & delivered.  Plus I have project boxes from this months classes that still need to be all put away.  And I have projects for my upcoming classes that need to be created & cut.  Oh yeah.....and our wedding invites need to be created & cut & mailed out as soon as possible too. 

We are up early again today....Deke is off to chore & then he is gone again today for meetings in Ottumwa.  I am off to pick up the boys.  When they leave tonight I'll be headed out the door, as tonight I am a farmer....so it will be another late night working outside.  And somehow I have to get lots of stuff cut & things ready for my upcoming Halloween Treats Class.

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

An adorable bag!

Wow- Check out this adorable bag that was sitting at our place setting when we had lunch at our Kanab Stampin' Up! Manufacturing Center last week.  It had our napkin & all of our plastic silverware in it.

It is just stunning- huh!

supplies used:  Gold Sequin Trim, Gold 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Vintage Faceted Button, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (Small Flower), Melon Mambo card stock (for the flower), Mini Muslin Bags, Glue Dots

other:  Purple Rit Dye

Yes- this is our Mini Muslin bags sold on pg. 151.  They come 8 bags in a set for $10.00- #132180.

How did they dye this? 

• dye the muslin bag in Rit Dye- they did it in a stainless steal sink. 
• rinse out good with cold water.  
• then wash in washing machine & put in dryer.  It did shrink some- but not alot.
• make sure you don't wash this with any other items- unless it is more muslin bags, as the color will bleed.

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We had a busy day yesterday.  The boys & I worked out in the yard setting out pumpkins, mum plants & we even went to the corn field to pick some ears of corn to hang on our fence.  They had a blast playing in the corn field.  We swang, played in the sand box & enjoyed another beautiful warm fall day! 

Last night Sarah & Masen were here for awhile to visit.  Aunt Kathy stopped by too to pick up some things to take home with her to cut for me- for my upcoming Halloween Treats class.  So we both got to get snuggles from Masen. 

I burnt the midnight oil again- using the Big Shot & doing lots of cutting for my upcoming Halloweens Treats class too.  

Deke finally got home about 6:45 last night & was off to chore.  He'd been gone all day to meetings.  It was late when he finally got in last night.

This morning Deke is up early to chore & off to another meeting again.  And I'm off to pick up the boys.  Tonight we'll be going to Brayden's football game & then we're heading to Osky to the Season Championship Southern Iowa Speedway races to cheer Nathan on!  I'm going to drive over separately so that I can head home as he is done with his racing- as I still have lots of cutting to do yet every spare minute I can the rest of this week.  

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

This weeks- "WEEKLY DEALS"- September 22-28, 2015!

A Halloween Treat!!

This is another box that everyone joining me for my upcoming Halloween Treats class will be making!  It is a fun one to fill with candy or any other little treat you'd like to give to someone special.  It has a velcro dot under the top flap to hold it down. 

AND check out the adorable tag here!  And the little spider web in the corner!  Plus the designer paper is cute too!

stamp set:  'Sweet Hauntings'
card stock:  Basic Black, Tangelo Twist, Very Vanilla
designer paper:  Happy Hautings
ink:  Basic Black Archival
supplies:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Spider Web Doily, Note Tag Punch, Paper Snips, Basic Black, 3/8" Stitched Satin ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots
other:  Velco dots

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Yesterday was a busy day with my family!  The boys were all as happy to see me, as I was to see them.  We read, played & watched a little movie.  Then went outside & ran, swag & enjoyed the beautiful day.  After lunch when Trey was napping, Brody & Drake had their pre-school class.  We worked on numbers yesterday.  Writing them & drawing connect the numbers, etc.  I bought some really cool dry erase markers & books.  I thought they were neat & so did the boys!  It will be fun to watch their progress in tracing & doing the fun activities over the next few months at G'ma's Pre-School class.  

Brayden rode the bus out after school, so we played outside for a few more hours.  Trey even learned how to push the gas on & make the gator go!  He can't steer it yet- so I had to walk beside him- but he definitely knows how to push on the gas & go.  It was super cute!  I can't believe he is that big already!  He does way more than most 15 month olds do.  He has to try to keep up with the big boys I guess. 

Sarah, Masen & Brayden were here to visit & eat supper with us.  Gosh....I hadn't seen Masen for 6 days & he changed sooooo much!  G'ma enjoyed some snuggles & hugs with him.  Nathan is gone a few nights this week for work.....so we missed him being here with us.

It was a late night around here......as Deke, Trevor & Mark worked on changing motors in the race car until wee hours this morning in the shop.  I burnt the midnight oil working on projects for my upcoming Halloween class. 

This morning Deke is up early to chore & he is gone all day to Des Moines to a meeting.  He'll get home from there & leaves again right away for another meeting he has tonight to attend.  He doesn't think he'll have time to chore in between meetings, so he'll be out late on the farm tonight with the piggies. 

I plan to go pick up the boys early this morning, as Manda has a meeting before school.  Then tonight I need to pay bills, unpack & get caught up on things here at home too....plus burn the midnight oil again creating & cutting more projects for my upcoming Halloween Treats class.

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

A beautiful ornament!

This is another one of the cards that everyone stamping with me at my September classes made last week!  Isn't it just beautiful with all of the sparkle!

stamp set: 'Embellished Ornaments'
card stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Foil, Silver Glimmer
designer paper:  Winter Wonderland Vellum Stack
ink:  Basic Gray Archival pad
other:  Big Shot, Precision Plate, Magnetic Platform, Silver Cording, Mini Silver Brads, Paper Piercing Mat, Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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I had a great time in Utah & learned alot!  I am always so thankful for the many friends I have & value our time together sharing about our stamping & our families.  We are definitely a big family!

Yesterday was not a good day.  I finally got home at 1:50 this morning.  It was a very long & awful day of waiting in airports.  I sat in Las Vegas for over 7 hours waiting.  Thankfully my planes were pretty much on time & I arrived in Des Moines at 11:50 pm as scheduled.  I hated driving home in the dark & played an I-Spy game with myself to keep myself awake & watching for deer.  I saw many animals- 8 coons, 2 big white dogs, 2 fox, 2 possums & 1 skunk.  Plus there were only 5 cars I met clear from Des Moines to Sigourney.  I had a hard time staying away once I hit Osky.....I was happy to pull into our driveway & climb into bed.

We were up early this morning.  Deke is off to chore & go to his weekly board meeting.  I'm to head to Manda's to pick up the boys.  I sure will be happy to see them.  G'ma missed them terribly!  I am looking forward to seeing Brayden & Masen tonight too!

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

A fall 'Happy Scenes'

Hey- check out this pretty fall card!  This was one of the cards that everyone that attended my September classes last week got to make.  I LOVE fall (as you all know) & this is just such an awesome new stamp set in the Holiday Catalog.  

stamp set:  'Happy Scenes'
card stock:  Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, THICK Whisper White
ink:  Chocolate Chip, Mossy Meadow, Tangerine Tango
other:  Big Shot, Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder, Washi Label Punch, Gold Sequins, Metallic Gold Baker's Twine, Dimensionals, Fine-Tip Glue Pen, Glue Dots, Aqua Painters

Check out my neat PLAID embossing here.  I used the Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder.  
How did I do that:

• Ran the Chocolate Chip card stock through the Big Shot in the Stylish Stripes embossing folder.
• Removed the piece of embossed Chocolate Chip card stock from the embossing folder & flipped it over (so that the diagonal strips are going opposite of what they did before).  And ran it through the Big Shot again- embossing it again.
• AND It turns out to be this cool plaid look!!

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We had another fun & long day in St. George yesterday.  I worked on some projects for one of my coming classes for awhile at the hotel in the hospitality room.  We then got on the bus & went to our final event with an early supper outside (in the yard) at the Arts Center.  It was totally amazing!  

After supper we got back on the bus & went a couple of blocks, attending an awesome musical & the St. George Musical Theater called- "West Side Story".   It was late when we got back to our hotel, but many of us hung out in the lobby visiting & saying our good-byes.  

I didn't get much sleep as I was up late packing & getting ready to leave St. George this morning.  As many of you are reading this post I'll be on a 2 hour bus ride, headed to Las Vegas where I'll get on a plane & fly to Phoenix.  I'll have a long lay over in Phoenix & finally land in Des Moines tonight at 11:50 p.m.  I'll hope to be home by 2:00 a.m. in the morning.  So I'm already dreading my day being spent traveling & trying to get home.  I just pray that my flights are all on time & I get home safely.  As I have to be ready to be at work at 7:00 a.m in the morning.

I've had a great time here at Founders this year & have enjoyed my time spent with my Stampin' Up! friends.  But I've sure missed my family!!!  And I can't wait to see Deke, our kids & all of our boys when I get home!  

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

SUSIE

Autumn Wishes

Here is one of my cards everyone joining me to stamp at my September classes last week got to make.  There is alot of new products from the Holiday Catalog used here.  I used the Curvy Corner Trio Punch again. Click HERE to see the card that I posted yesterday using it. 

stamp set:  'Among the Branches',  'Acorny Thank You' & 'Teeny Tiny Wishes'
card stock:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Delightful Dijon
ink:  Soft Suede, Delightful Dijon, Cajun Craze
other:  Big Shot, Woodland Embossing Folder, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Banner Triple Punch, Acorn Builder Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Snips, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Gold Cording Trim

 This card is a fun fold door card.  Here it is opened up.

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Oh wow!  What a fun & busy day we had yesterday!!  We left early yesterday morning to go to Kanab to tour our Stampin' Up! manufacturing center.  We got back to the hotel & ate a quick bite to eat & then left on the bus again to go to Disney When You Wish at the Tuacahn Outdoor Theater.  The show was totally amazing!!!  I've been to 8 shows there before over the years & this was probably my favorite.  

My feet were swollen & I was beat!!  I went to bed shortly after we got back to our hotel.

This morning we are just hanging out here at the hotel stamping.  This this afternoon/evening we go to our final event activity.  This event is always a surprise.....so I wonder where we'll be going.

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

SUSIE