"Thankful Thursdays"........

We were very touched when the University of Iowa Children's Hospital contacted Amanda about sharing Brody's story!!  They are doing a series of 'Thankful Thursdays' for the month of November & Brody is starting things off on their webpage!

Here is one of the photos of Brody from when he had his first surgery on 12/9/2011.  Oh my how this photo brings back a ton of strong emotions.  This little guy has been through so much!  He is so strong & brave.  And his smile here just totally melts my heart!
 
 If you'd like to read & see the University of Iowa Children's Hospital today's Thankful Thursday post- read on & click on the link that I have posted below!  

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This comes to us from the Seeley family of Sigourney, Iowa and reminds us that there are so many reasons to be grateful every day.  

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE & READ BRODY'S STORY!  http://bit.ly/1keWq3i

A pretty poinsettia!

Here is a clean & simple poinsettia card.  This was one of my Holiday Extravaganza cards.  I'm still in awhh that this 2 step stampin' set is so cool & easy to stamp!

stamp set:  
card stock:
ink:
other:

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It was a LONGGGGGG day yesterday!  I was thrilled that Nathan & Brayden face timed me around noon- so I got to see him & visit a few minutes.  Then last night Manda, Trey & I went to the hospital to see him.  Deke's sister (Darci) met us there too.  Brayden is doing sooooo much better!  Thank God!  I am so impressed that he is understanding the counting of carbs & understanding all of this.  He also knew how to read his urine & blood tests & told us how much insulin he had to have for those readings.  He is super smart & obviously listened well when they were teaching them today about things.  He is very much a rule follower- so I'm praying that is a good thing & he'll be a good rule follower with all of this.  We all have some life changes that are going to have to be made- but they are all do-able.  We are feeling very blessed right now in so many ways.

Deke worked in the field until the wee hours this morning.  He is trying to get as much done as he can before it rains today.

I'm off to get my boys!!

Gotta run.....

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

'Lighthearted Leaves'

I love this collage card done with 'Lighthearted Leaves'.  This fun layout if a favorite of mine I do each year with leaves or snowflakes.  

Isn't it super cute!  I really like this stamp set.  Love these colors & love this layout! 

stamp set:  'Lighthearted Leaves'
card stock:
ink:
other:

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We had a wild day at our farm yesterday!  It was like grand central station!  The guys are picking corn, mowing stalks, baling stalks, pumping manure.....you name it- we've had trucks, tractors, combines & all going around here.  The 3 boys all got to ride in either a tractor or combine yesterday.  And it was Trey's first time ever....which was absolutely priceless!  Sure glad all of our little boys like being on the farm!

We had a scare last nigh ttoo.....Brayden hasn't felt good for a week or so & had a dr appt scheduled for today to go see his pediatrician.  He was really sick last night though- so they went to the ER.  He is now at the U of I Hospitals for a few days.  He has Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes.  Please keep him in your prayers.  Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes runs on both sides of our families.  We are all going to have some adjustments to make.....but it will all be fine. 

Today is another crazy day!  Masen will be here early this morning so Sarah can get to work early & off early to go see Brayden.  We'll then go pick up the other 3 Seeley boys & come back out to our home for the day.  The guys will be finishing up picking our corn, baling corn stalks & applying manure.  

Tonight I'll head to Iowa City to see Brayden.  Nathan is staying up there with him.  

I had my November Stampin' Night scheduled for tomorrow night (11/5) at our home- but I sent out an email that this will now be rescheduled for next Thursday night (11/12).  With Brayden in the hospital & all else going on I just can't get everything done in order to be able to do it this week.  I apologize & hated to reschedule it....as I never do this.....but I just had to with all going on here. 

Gotta run.....

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

This weeks= "WEEKLY DEALS"- November 3-9, 2015!!

A GOLD deer......

This is a gold embossed deer card.  There is a lot of gold & white here......it is very simple, yet very elegant.  This was one of my Holiday Extravaganza cards. 

stamp set:  'Jolly Christmas'
card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Whisper white, Gold Foil
designer paper:  Winter Wonderland Specialty
ink:  Versamark
other:  Heat Tool, Gold Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Gold Cording, Gold Sequins, Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Glue Dots

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What a beautiful fall day yesterday was.  The boys & I were outside for several hours.  I'm so dreading being cooped up all winter.  Last night I did bookwork & rode with Deke in the tractor for an hour or so.  Then burnt the midnight oil cutting Christmas card kits.

This morning I'm off to pick up the boys.  The guys are planning to get our corn picked today & stalks mowed, so that we can get some big bales made since all of our burnt up in the fire in May.  

Tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil cutting card stock for my class I have here on Thursday night.  And Deke will be working late in the field again.

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

Here is an ADORABLE snowman!

Check out this cute snowman!  This card was one that everyone made at my Holiday Extravaganza class.  It was a favorite of many there.  And I must admit I adore him too!

Where did I get my idea?  Remember the crafting class I took a few weeks ago & made a wooden SNOWMAN- check it out HERE! And then I also got a super cute snowman card from Moncia Davis in my GoDiva Swap Group.  So I combined the 2 ideas & I came up with this card.  I love it! 

(I will type up the supplies I used sometime.....so check back later.)

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Wow- it is the beginning of a new week.  And our week is crazy again- with 4 stamp classes, meetings, boys, pigs, field work & more!

I'm off now to pick up the boys & we'll run a few errands this morning.  Papa is off to chore & then he is headed to his weekly board meeting.  We are looking forward to seeing Brayden here after school.  Tonight when all of my boys are gone home I have lots of stamping to get done, so I will burning the midnight oil.  And Deke is hoping it is dry enough that he can work in the field all night. 

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

SUSIE

Halloween at our house!

 

Here is Brayden in his Gilligan's outfit....we are getting ready to take him to school.

 

Here are the other 4- Brody, Trey, Drake & Masen in the Halloween shirts.

 

 Here are the 3 Avengers!

Drake, Brody & Trey

Here is is Nathan holding our little Owl (Masen) & Trey is checking out his costume.

Just thought I'd share how blessed we are!

It is Frankenstein!

Here is the card I made for the boys for Halloween!

I thought he turned out pretty cute!  I saw a card similar to this one on Pinterest & knew it was gonna be what I wanted to make for the boys.  Brody loved his card when I gave it to him last night.  That warmed G'ma's heart.

Here are their cards & little poppers that I put fruit snacks in.  

I'll do a list of supplies sometime soon when I can get caught up.

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I'm off today for my monthly class in Iowa City!  Gloria is our hostess today.  We have a big group coming & I'm looking forward to seeing everyone & sharing.  

I still have some more cutting to do & packing up to get done.....gotta run!

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

'Peaceful Pines'

Check out this cute gift card holder!  Isn't it cute!

Your gift card just sides down inside here!

And here is the front of it!  I love this new stamp set- 'Peaceful Pines' & the coordinating framelits called Perfect Pines.  This was also one of my Holiday Extravaganza projects. 

I will update this post with more information on the supplies I used someday soon.

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Happy Halloween everyone!!!  I will share my Halloween Treat I made for the boys in the next day or 2.  I haven't had time to download it yet- sorry!

I have a full weekend of stamping!!  I have LOTS to do!  Gotta run......
I hope you have a SENSATIONAL SATURDAY!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

A 'Festive Fireplace' Easel card

Check out this pretty holiday scene.  This card was another one of my Holiday Extravaganza cards. 

I love the look of the fire/logs stamped on the vellum.  It makes them really pop out!

And it is an easel card....look at it when it open & standing up!  

stamp set:  'Festive Fireplace' & 'Oh What Fun' 
card stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Cajun Crazy, Whisper White, Garden Green, Vellum
ink:  Basic Black Archival 
markers:  Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler
other:  Big Shot, Festive Fireside Framelit Dies, Paper Snips, 1" circle Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Yesterday morning Susie's Hair Hut was open for business & I got Brody, Drake & Trey's hair all cut.  When the boys left I headed out to help Deke & we worked on the farm all night.

This morning I'm off to pick up the boys.  We'll run Brayden to school & then head back out to our farm.  Deke has a meeting this morning.  And then he is hoping it will be dry enough he can work in the field this afternoon/evening.  When the boys head home I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping!  I have class on Sunday to get ready for!

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

'Dove of Peace'

Check out this pretty dove card!  I love the gold embossing on the Blackberry Bliss card stock!

This was one of my Holiday Extravaganza cards.  When I first saw this stamp set it was low on my list of have to haves.  But this card is beautiful & it sure would make a pretty Christmas card.  Or it would work great for a baptism, first communion or confirmation card too!

stamp set:  'Dove Of Peace' & 'Your Presents (Joy word from)
card stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White
designer paper: Gold Fancy Foil Vellum
ink:  Versamark & Blackberry Bliss
other:  Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Gold Embossing Powder, Extra Large Oval Punch, Gold Glitter Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Last night Deke worked late on the farm & I did bookwork all night long.  

This morning Deke is off early to chore & head to a meeting.  And I'm off to pick up the boys.  Tonight I'm a farmer.....and will be outside helping Deke mark, sort & load hogs. 

I hope you have a great day!
Happy Stamping!
hugs!
SUSIE

A pretty cardinal!

This is another card I created for my Holiday Extravaganza class.  It is clean & simple too!  This is such an easy & neat 2 step stamping set to use!  And I think the card turned out really pretty. 

stamp set: 'Joyful Season'
card stock:  Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
designer paper:  Season of Cheer
ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Archival Basic Black
markers:  Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie
other:  Big Shot, Circle Thinlits, Cerry Cobbler Thick Bakers Twine, Triple Banner Punch 

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Last night the girls & I went to try on dresses for the wedding.  I made supper when I got home & then Susie's Hair Hut was open for business & I got Deke's hair cut.  I did some bookwork & tried to catch up on my piles of things. 

I'm off to pick up the boys this morning.  Deke is choring & then he is headed to the office.  We both have appointments this morning to get our flu shots too.  

Since we got quite a bit of rain Deke should be in by 8 or so tonight- so that will be nice.   I need to figure out cards for my November classes & get some more bookwork done.  

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

 

This weeks- "WEEKLY DEALS"- October 27- November 2, 2015!

A clean & simple Poinsettia!

Check out this pretty poinsettia card.  It is a clean & simple one that I created for my Holiday Extravaganza class.  This poinsettia is made with a punch!!  Isn't that cool!

stamp set: 'Reason for the Season'
card stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow, very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer Papaer
designer paper:  Home for Christmas
ink:  Cherry Cobbler
other:  Festive Flowers Builder Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 1 3/4" Circle Punch (to build your poinsettia petals on)

I love the sparkle in the middle of this poinsettia.  I used our Gold Glimmer 12x2 Paper & the Festive Flowers Builder Punch.

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Susie's Hair Hut was open for business last night & I got Nathan's hair cut.  Now I need to find time this week to get everyone else's hair cut too.  I then worked on getting caught up on some of the piles that had accumulated the past 2 weeks or so because I had been getting ready for my Holiday Extravaganza class every spare minute I had available.  I also rode in the tractor with Deke for an hour or so from about 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. too.  Our schedules have both been so busy I feel like we haven't hardly had a chance to talk & see each other.  He worked in the field most of the night & came in early this morning.  We are suppose to get quite a bit of rain starting around noon today & he is wanting to get as much done as he can.  Gosh if it rains- maybe both of us will get to go to bed early tonight for a change!

Deke is out to chore & will be headed back out to the field until it rains.  I'm off this morning to pick up 4 of my boys for the day.  Then tonight I am going with Sarah, Manda & Jenn for their wedding dress alterations at my friend Sharlene's home.  I'll come home & I hope to get caught up on my piles of bookwork tonight.

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

SUSIE

My Holiday Extravaganza projects

Here is a photo of everything everyone created this weekend with me at my Holiday Extravaganza Event!  There are 30 projects total here!  They got to do a 12x12 Holiday Sampler, 2 card holds, 5 gift cards & 22 cards!  

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I pretty much spent my entire day in South English yesterday cleaning up & packing up from Saturdays class.  I left home at 9:00 a.m & I got home 9:45 p.m. last night.  And then I had to unload the car & put things away.  It was a very long day!  I had a long weekend full of lots of stamping!

I appreciate the help from my Aunt Kathy in scoring, folding & doing some Big Shot things for the class.  And I appreciate Cindy & Lorraine helping yesterday to pick up & stamp left overs with me.  All 3 of these ladies are in my downline.  

I also was very touched that my friend Karen's husband (Eugene) came over on Saturday at noon & grilled Pork Producers Patties for us to have for lunch.  There were several others that helped out over the weekend too- Patty, Jeannie, Rita & DaraLeah.  I am soooo thankful to all of them for helping me out.

It was another short night at the Wood home.  Deke was in the field until the wee hours again this morning.  He is trying to get as much done as he can before it rains again.  And worked on unpacking boxes & putting away boxes stamp sets, ink pads, punches & supplies from my weekends class.

This morning Deke is up early to chore & then he is off to the office for his weekly board meeting.  And I'm up bright & early to go pick up my boys & spend my day with them.  

Tonight Deke will be working late in the field again & I have piles of paper work & things to catch up from the past week that I'll be doing.

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