Nathan & Sarah's wedding invitation!

What have I been doing every spare minute I've had the past week??  I've been making 200 wedding invitations for Nathan & Sarah's upcoming wedding.  And they are FINALLY DONE!

Steven, Amanda, Sarah & Aunt Kathy have all had a little hand in helping me with them in one way or another last week.  But last night I got the belly bands on all of them, they are in their envelopes, the postage stamps & the address labels are on all of them.  And they will all be going to the post office today & to get mailed out!  Woo Hoo!!  

My very talented son-in-law Steven, designed the map (inside) & the monogram on the front on the invitation shown here.  He did them in his print shop on the computer.  

Sarah's colors are Blackberry Bliss, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla.  And the tables at the reception will have burlap on them- so I embossed the belly band to add texture to them to go with that theme.

I used our new Trio Corner Punch on the outside flap & inside of the invitation to help add some dimension.

So what does 200 wedding invites look like?  Well- there are 100 of them shown here in the box- all ready to do.  And there are 100 of them laying on the table that I still had to finish getting finished & in the envelopes.  

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Oh my....we've had a rotten week so far..... as our dear Chocolate Lab Nestle passed away yesterday.  She was between 12-14 years old.  We aren't positive how old she was when we adopted her several years ago.  It was really tough on all of us!  The passed away peacefully in her sleep.  So that is a blessing in itself.  The boys got a quick lesson in death & burying.  The twins weren't really old enough to understand it all.  I'm sure they'll have alot of questions & will still be talking about it today.  Brayden took it really hard.  Nestle was definitely part of our family & she will be greatly missed by all of us.  

Thus....my friend Katy found Nestle for us several years ago......and she's been on a hunt to help us find another family dog.  We have a few dogs we are inquiring about at local animal shelters.  I bet we'll have a new dog before the end of the week.  Nestle can't ever be replaced........but we hope to find a new addition to our family to love & enjoy for the next several years.  So I'll share our venture on dog hunting with you in the coming days.

Deke worked late in the fields.  Nathan, Sarah, Brayden & Masen were here for a bit going over wedding things.  And I then burnt the midnight oil & tried to get caught up on a few things in the house after I get the invites all done.

This morning I'm headed to town to pick up the boys.  Deke will be on the farm all day.  We are all excited that we'll be getting new baby piggies today!  My mom is coming to our home this morning to keep Masen for me & the 3 Seeley boys will be going out to farm with G'ma & Papa today.

Tonight Deke will be working the fields late again.  And Sarah, Jenn, Manda & myself are going to get dresses for the wedding altered by my friend Sharlene.  I'll then be burning the midnight oil when I get home working on stamping stuff.

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

It's another pretty snowflake card

This snowflake card is one of my Christmas Card Class cards.  It is similar to a card I made for a swap last month- but I used a different stamp set.  You can see that card HERE!

This card is a simple, yet elegant one.   It love the sparkle that the silver sequins add to this card.

stamp set:  'Flurry of Wishes'
card stock:  Marina Mist, Whisper White
ink:  Marina Mist
other:  Snow Flurry Punch, Silver Sequins, Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Extra Large Oval Punch

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I had a full weekend of stamping!  It was great to see everyone & share with them!!  And Deke had a full weekend of working in the field.  It is another new week & a busy one here.  We are both off to our other jobs this morning.  He is choring & then headed to the courthouse for a board meeting.  And I'm off to pick up the boys & spend my day with them.  

 

Tonight Deke & I will be burning the midnight oil working with him in the field again & I'll be a stamping!! 

 

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

SUSIE

'All Ye Faithful'

Here is another one of my Christmas Card Class cards.  Check out these 3 wisemen...and notice the Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder along the edges here.  This is a simple yet elegant card.  I think that the gold foil strip in the middle just adds so much to this. 

stamp set:  'All Ye Faithful'
card stock:  Early Spresson, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil
ink:  Early Espresso
other:  Big Shot, Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder, Circle Framelits, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

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We had a fun time at Julie's party yesterday with her & her friends.  She is a dear friend & I enjoyed getting to visit with her & see her family.  I was happy that Taylor was home from college & got to stamp with us too.

Deke worked late in the field last night with the tractor & tank.  I rode one round with him & took out his supper.  Then I burnt the midnight oil cutting cardstock for today's classes.  Lorrie & Chris are my hostesses for my 2 classes I have today.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone & getting to stamp again today!!

I'm headed out bright & early this morning......

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

'All Ye Faithful'

Here is another one of my Christmas Card Class cards.  I stamped Mary, Joseph & baby Jesus in a cut out ornament from the Delicate Ornament Thinlit Dies.  I think that it is very pretty!  It is a simple elegance.....and the silver just makes it pop. 

stamp set: 'All Ye Faithful'
card stock:  Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Winter Wonderland Vellum, Silver Foil
ink: Basic Gray Archival
other: Big Shot, Delicate Ornament Thinlit Die, Silver Cording, Paper Piercing Mat, Paper Piercing Tool, Mini Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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I have had a super busy week & have stamp classes all weekend.  I burnt the midnight oil last night after work working on things for them.

Woo Hoo!  I'm off to Julie's party today!  We'll have lots of fun making Christmas cards!

Deke is going to start working in the field with the tank wagon today.......he'll be putting in alot of late nights & long hours on the farm- in between meetings this coming week.  

Tonight I'll probably be home alone & I'll be a stamping fool again!  I have 2 stamp classes tomorrow.  Lorrie & Chris are my hostesses!

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

LOVE these snowflakes!!

I love these snowflakes!  Isn't this a pretty card!  This is one of the cool cards we made when I attended Susan's class when I was in St. George, Utah last night.  

There are A LOT of snowflakes here!  It is just a stunning card!

stamp set:  'Flurry of Wishes'
card stock:  Whisper White, Pool Party
ink:  Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Bermuda Bay
other:  Big Shot, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Iced Rhinestones, Silver Cording Trim, Snow Flurry Punch, Flower Medallion Punch, Basic Rhinestones

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I had a perfect group that joined me to stamp last night!  We all had a great time together creating!

I'm off early again this morning to Nathan & Sarah's to get their boys & then headed to Manda's to pick up her 3 boys.  We'll take Brayden to school & then head out to our home for the day. 

Everyone is going racing tonight in Donnellson.  I'll be home alone.  I have tons of creating to do & card stock to cut, plus wedding invites to finish up too!  I hope Nathan has good luck & I'll patiently await text messages throughout the night to hear how things are going.  

Tomorrow I have a Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack at Julies' home.  I'm looking forward to it!

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

A sparkly poinsettia!

Here is another poinsettia card.  This is one of my Christmas Card Class options too!  It has lots of sparkle in it with all of the gold.  It is very pretty in person.

stamp set: 'Reason for the Season'
card stock:   Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Gold Foil, Whisper White
ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow
other:  Paper Snips, Gold Cord, Gold Sequins, Fine Tip Glue Pen, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Yesterday was a full day with all 4 boys.  Then last night Sarah stamped return addresses on invites & rsvp's, plus put on postage stamps.  And Aunt Kathy & I assembled wedding invites, since I got them all cut last night.  We are gaining on getting them all done.  I burnt the midnight oil again working on them last night.  I'll hopefully get them finished up on Friday night so that they go out in the mail on Saturday.

I'm off early this morning to pick up the boys.  Both Manda & Nathan have early meetings today.  Deke is home today & will be putting back together nursery's- as we are gearing up for our new baby piggies to arrive.  I am hoping maybe Papa will take the twins with him for a couple of hours sometime today, as that would only leave me with the 2 little boys.  Brayden is going home with Aunt Kathy so he can ride in the combine with Uncle Jerry after school today.  So I'll see him later tonight.  

My UPS man arrives about 4:00 pm for deliveries & today he'll be bringing some card stock & ribbons that I need to hurry & get cut & folded for tonight's class.  As tonight is my monthly Stampin' Night here at our home.  I have a house full of friends coming to stamp with me!  Everyone will be making 6 cards.  So today is going to be another super busy day!!  And I pray that I can get everything done.

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

A Poinsettia Christmas card!

Here is another one of the cards I created for my upcoming Christmas Card Class.

stamp set:  'Reason for the Season'
card stock:  Real Red, Cucumber Crush, Whisper White
ink:  Real Red, Cucumber Crush
other:  Big Shot, Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder, Lots of Labels Framelits, Gold Sequins, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 

I burnt the midnight oil making wedding invitations!!  I have them all cut now!  Just need to emboss, punch corners & assemble!  Amanda came tonight & got them all printed for me.  Aunt Kathy came for awhile & punched & assembled circles.......so we are gaining!

Deke has a meeting this morning.  I'm off to pick up the boys!  Tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil again working on wedding invitations.   Sarah & Aunt Kathy are both coming tonight to help.  I would LOVE to get them all done.  I don't think that will happen- but we are really going to try.

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

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"- October 6-12, 2015!

A snowflake card!

This is another one of the cards for my upcoming Christmas card class.  So what do you think?  Isn't it pretty!  This is a totally me card.....love the colors & snowflakes are a favorite of mine too!  And whenever I can use a punch with something....that is a huge plus too!

Check out the little gold sequins I used inside the snowflakes.  I did this so that the card was flatter & you wouldn't have to spend an extra 22 cents to mail it.  I used the new fine tip glue pen to attach them.

stamp set:  'Flurry of Wishes'
card stock:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
ink:  Soft Suede
other:  Gold Sequins, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Snow Flurry Punch

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I was just beat last night!!!  We had a fun day together yesterday.  Brayden didn't have school, so his Papa Mark brought him out to our home right after lunch  The boys played outside all afternoon & I sat on the porch & watched/listened to them while I placed some orders.  My wireless internet worked as long as I didn't go father than the porch.   It was a beautiful day out & we all enjoyed it!  

Last night Manda helped me figure out the printing for Nathan & Sarah's wedding invites.  And I got the invite itself designed too.  I ran into Nathan & Sarah's house to show them the invite & get their approval on it.  Now I need to find time to get them all printed, cut & stuck together so that we can get them mailed out soon.

This morning I'm headed in to pick up the boys.   After Brayden gets dropped off at school I'll be headed back out here to the farm with all 4 boys- Brody, Drake, Trey & Masen..  Deke is home all day working on the farm.  He has 3 buildings to get power washed this week.  We are trying to get everything done & ready for new baby piggies that arrive next Tuesday & Thursday.

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

A sparkly Christmas card!

Check out this pretty card!  It is a simple, yet elegant one.  I used the beautiful set- 'Wonderland' from the Holiday Catalog & added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to it.  It just sparkles & is breath taking in person!

How would you like to make this card for your Christmas cards this year?  This is just one of the 8 cards that I created & you can choose from for my upcoming Christmas Card Class.  You can CONTACT ME for more information on how you can make this card.  My Annual Christmas Card Class is on Saturday, November 14th!!   I also offer a kit to go for this class too.  

You can check out all of the cards I created for my upcoming Christmas card class HERE!

stamp set:  'Wonderland' & 'Embellished Ornaments' (words)
card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Night of Navy, Whisper White
ink:  Night of Navy
other:  Extra Large Oval Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dimensionals

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Yesterday I had another fun day of stamping with lots of friends again.  Some of them stamped with me on both Saturday at my Halloween Treats class & Sunday at my October Card Class.  Woo Hoo!  It was great to see everyone & share.  

I got to stop & visit my dear friend Judy on my home from my class last night.  I enjoyed our chat!!  It was great to see her!  We made her a set of cards from our class & I gave them to her.  Her favorite card was the reindeer one......I'll post it for you to see tomorrow, so be sure to stop back by & check it out. 

Nathan made some Lasanga Soup & brought it out to us for supper, so I just had to warm it up, make a salad & some garlic bread to go with it & our supper was done!  (I trained him well didn't I!)

I spent my night entering orders & answering emails- catching up!

I still have tables/chairs & stamps everywhere from my Halloween Treats class.....so I got up early this morning to work on at least getting the family room all back to normal before I got get the boys & bring them out here.  

Deke is off to chore & then he is headed to the office for his weekly board meeting.  I'm off soon to pick up the Seeley boys.  We have some errands to run this morning & I hope to make it to What Cheer to the bank too.  The boys will be excited to get to play in the park while we are over there.

Tonight Deke has a meeting in Fairfield.  And I will be working on wedding invites.  I have an idea for them & Steve & Manda have been working on the font/wording for them.....so I hope it all just clicks & works out as we have envisioned.  The card stock & supplies arrived on Friday!  We are using Blackberry Bliss, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla card stock.  Once Sarah approves them- I'm planning on cutting & putting them together tomorrow night.  

I'll be burning the midnight oil tonight placing orders from my weekends classes & catching up on some farm bookwork too.

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

 
To show our support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stampin' Up! is going PINK . . . or at least our October Paper Pumpkin boxes are! And because we know our subscribers want to share the love too, we will be making a donation on their behalf to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
Stampin' Up! will donate

• $1 for every active Paper Pumpkin subscriber.
• Plus, an additional $1 for every new subscriber.

Together, we will make a difference!
Here's how you can help: 

1. Subscribe! If you're new to PAPER PUMPKIN, click HERE to get started. Your first kit will arrive in a limited-edition pink box that you'll want to hold onto forever-and we'll donate $2 because you're new!
2. Stay active if you're a subscriber so we can donate $1 for you. Only those who receive the October shipment will be counted for the donation.
3. Be sure to sign up by October 10 so you can be a part of something bigger with a donation to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Remember, those who get the October kit will not only be donating to a good cause, but they will also get a one-time only, pretty pink Paper Pumpkin box! No one will want to miss it. Promise.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) advances the world's most promising research to eradicate breast cancer. Founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, BCRF has raised more than $550 million to fuel discoveries in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, survivorship and metastasis, making it one of the largest non-governmental funders of breast cancer research in the world. This year BCRF has invested $58.6 million in research, to support over 235 researchers at leading medical institutions across six continents, including $11.6 million to the international Evelyn H. Lauder Founder's Fund focused on metastasis. By spending 91 cents of every dollar on research and public awareness programs, BCRF remains one of the nation's most fiscally responsible nonprofits. BCRF is the only breast cancer organization with an "A+" from CharityWatch, and has been awarded Charity Navigator's highest rating of four stars 13 times since 2002. For more information, please visit: www.bcrfcure.org.


NOTE:  

• Sign up to become a Paper Pumpkin Subscriber HERE.  
• Be sure to put my name is as your demonstrator:  SUSIE WOOD
• If you have any questions- contact me by clicking here!

Additional Details: 

• New subscribers are those who signed up between September 11 and October 10, 2015 and have not been a Paper Pumpkin subscriber at any time in the past. 
• All funds will be donated in US dollars.
• Mini spoiler alert! The October project inside the pink box is just as awesome as always, but we should probably let you know that it is not a pink project. That's all we're saying. ;)
• Funds will be donated based on number of subscribers instead of boxes shipped. But, if you want more than one pink box, you can always increase your subscription quantity by logging into your account at PaperPumpkin.com before October 10.

Season to Season Wreath Kit

Here is my Halloween swag I made & put on my Season to Season Wreath.   This is a kit & all of the supplies come in this kit (except the stamp set & ink pads are add ons).  There are pre-cut images for you to stamp on, twine for your swap, ribbon for your hanger, foam wreath & pre-cut leaves too, plus more.  There are also leaves for Fall/Thanksgiving & trees for the Christmas swags. 

It is cute & was lots of fun to make.  Now I'll be able to trade out the different swags & ribbons for the other upcoming holidays.

Yesterday was a long day!!  It was full of lots of stamping!!  I enjoyed my day with everyone that joined me for my Halloween Treats class.  As soon as everyone left I headed off to the races.  Nathan started 12th & finished about there too.  The track was pretty much a follow the leader one.  At least there were no wrecks all night & nothing got torn up, so I guess that is a plus.  It was late when we got home.  

My night was a short one, as I was up really early this morning to finish cutting card stock & getting all packed up.  Today is my monthly class in N. Liberty & Denise is our hostess this month.  So I'm loading the car & heading out soon.  We have a big group coming today to stamp!  I can't wait to see everyone & share.  I have 6 super cute cards created for everyone to make.

Tonight when I get home I'll be cleaning up the tables/chairs & things from yesterdays class- so I'll have our house back in order & ready for my boys coming tomorrow morning.  

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

A Halloween Treat using the Pillow Box thinlit!

Today is my other Halloween Treats class.  This is the pillow box treat that everyone attending will be making!  I have a house full coming to our home to stamp with me today!  Woo Hoo!

stamp set:  'Howl-o-ween Treat'
card stock: Very Vanilla
designer paper: Happy Hauntings
ink:  Basic Black Archival
markers:  Crushed Curry, Tangelo Twist, Rich Razzleberry
other: Big Shot, Pillow Box Die, Boo to You Framelits Die, Basic Rhinestones, Spider Web Doilies, Dimensionals, Into The Woods Ribbon (Rich Razzleberry)

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I've had a really busy & long week.....and I still lots to do for my classes I have all weekend.  Sunday night I'm going to crash!

I spent my whole night last night, into wee hours this morning cutting card stock!

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

'All Ye Faithful'

I made this card with some of the left over pieces laying on my counter, after I was done creating Christmas cards for my annual Christmas Card Class on Wednesday night.

I really like this stamp set- 'All Ye Faithful'.  It is beautiful!  It is just a very modern, yet stylish- just an elegant stamp set.  

If you look closely here, you can see the new Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder that I used around the outside edges of this card.   It too is pretty cool!!

stamp set:  'All Ye Faithful'
card stock:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Gold Foil
ink:  Early Espresso
other:  Big Shot, Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder, Circle Framelits, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

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Last night was a late night on the farm helping Deke.  When I got in I started stamping!  I burnt the midnight oil & got all of my cards created for this months classes before I went to bed!  I had great mojo last night & I'm thankfully everything clicked.  Now to get everything all cut for them.   I will get pictures taken of them & get them posted here on my blog sometime in the next few days so that you can see them!  I look forward to sharing with everyone joining me this month to stamp!

This morning I'll head out early to Nathan & Sarah's home to get their boys.   Sarah has to be at work early everyday & Nathan has an early meeting again today too.  Their boys & I will then go to Manda's & get the 3 Seeley boys.  We'll all take Brayden to school & then the 4 boys & I will head back out to our home on the farm for the day.  

Tonight is the first night of the Southern Iowa Fall Challenge Races.  I am still up in the air whether I will have enough done to feel like I can go with my family or not.  Whether I go or not I pray that Nathan has good luck!  

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

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