Ho Ho Ho! Here comes Santa Claus!

I am always a sucker when it comes to Santa & his reindeer!  And this stamp set just made me squeal when I saw it!

Add some stars in the sky & snow glistening on the ground & on the trees too!  It is just a perfect scene of Christmas Eve.

stamp set:  'Cozy Christmas', 'Oh, What Fun' & 'Your Presents' (for the circle I used for the moon)
card stock:  Night of Navy, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
ink:  Night of Navy
other:  Decorative Label Punch, Silver Cording, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Confetti Star Border Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

I'm a card stock cutting machine right now......as today is my annual Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack!  I'm looking forward to spending my day with everyone joining me to make their Christmas cards.

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

'Winter Wishes'

I LOVE this sled card!!  My dear friend MaryEllen Byler gave me a cool card for her Founders swap that was this fold.  I've done this fold before, but I've always used a window sheet in between the pieces.....this time I used the Lots of Labels framelit pieces in the middle.  It turned out really cute didn't it?

This card was one for my November monthly card classes.

stamp set:  'Winter Wishes'
card stock:  Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Very Vanila
ink:  Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke
marker:  Cherry Cobbler
other:  Big Shot, Lots of Labels Framelits, Vanilla Thick Twine, Boughs & Berries Embossing Folder, Home For Christmas Enamel Dots, Dimensionals, Sponge, Glue Dots

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I had a busy day with my boys yesterday!!  And I had a house full of stampers last night!  

I'm off this morning to go pick up my boys.  We'll take Brayden to school & then head back out to our home.  Tonight when they all leave I'll be burning the midnight oil cutting card stock.  Tomorrow is my annual Christmas Card Class & I have LOTS of Christmas cards to get cut for everyone yet.

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

'Happy Scenes'

This card is for my November monthly card class.  It is a beautiful winter scene isn't it!
  
I saw a card made by Mary H. (in LeeAnn Greff's downline) where she made these cute curtains in the window- so this is my version.

stamp set:  'Happy Scenes'
card stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
designer paper:  Merry Moments Designer Paper Stack
ink:  Marina Mist, Mossy Meadow
other:  Big Shot, Hearth & Home Thinlits, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Scalloped Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

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Last night I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock.

And we are on the go this morning with another busy day here.  Deke if up early to chore & he'll be gone to meetings all day.  I'm off to pick up all of my boys.  

Woo hoo!  And tonight I have a house full coming to stamp with me!  

I hope you have a very special Thursday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A CUTE Christmas Tree!

Here is another card I created of my monthly November classes.  This is a favorite layout of mine that I haven't done for awhile.  I thought it turned out cute & it worked perfect to add the tree here.

stamp set:  'Peaceful Pines' & 'Lots of Joy'
card stock:  Garden Green, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Glimmer Paper
ink:  Garden Green
other:  Big Shot, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Perfect Pines Framelits, Home for Christmas Enamel Dots, 1/8" Striped Ribbon (Garden Green), Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small star), Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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I helped Deke on the farm last night after the boys went home- as we sorted hogs from our outside lot.  When I got in I jumped in the shower & ran out the door, headed to Iowa City.  My dear friend (and downline) Judy had an emergency surgery & so I went up to the hospital to see her.  The surgery went well & I was so happy to get to see her & chat a few minutes in the recovery room.   I got home & walked in the door about 1:00 this morning.  Deke worked in the field all night & he got in the house shortly after I got home.....so we had another short night. 

I have LOTS to do tonight after work to get ready for my Stampin' Night I'm having here at our home tomorrow night.  I'll be burning the midnight oil forsure & I'm crossing my fingers I get everything done.  

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

This weeks= "WEEKLY DEALS"- November 10-16, 2015!

LOTS of Snowflakes!!

Here is a clean & simple snowflake card that was one of my Holiday Extravaganza cards.  I added the silver sequins in the middle of the snowflakes for that added little bling & sparkle.  This is just a really pretty card!

And this card is one that you could easily duplicate & mass produce for your Christmas cards.

stamp set:  'Flurry of Wishes'
card stock:  Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Pool Party
ink:  Pool Party, Smoky Slate
other:  Silver Sequins, Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Snow Flurry Punch

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I had a great day with my boys yesterday.  The weather was so nice & we enjoyed playing outside for quite some time in the morning & a little again in the afternoon.

Brayden was here after school- so Susie's (G'mas) Hair Hut was open for business.  Yeah- we finally got his hair cut!!  

I worked on bookwork & did laundry & Deke worked in the field last night, both of us burning the midnight oil.  We did get all of our cornstalk bales done last night!!  Yeah- now to find time to get them all hauled in from the field & stacked.  They don't have a shed to go into this year though since ours burnt in May.  Deke took the loft out of one of our old barns a few weeks ago & we are hoping that we can stack a few of them 2 high in there.  Several of them are just going to have to sit outside all winter. 

This morning I'm up early to go pick up Masen & then the other 3 boys & just hang out together all day .  Deke is home all day today to work on the farm.  He also has to run 2 hogs to the locker too.  Tonight I'm going to get my hair cut & will then I'll burn the midnight oil cutting card stock.  I have lots of Christmas card kits to get cut for everyone this week!  Nathan & Steve are going to help Deke sort hogs tonight & then Deke will spend the midnight oil working in the field again. 

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Warm Wishes

Check out the fun collage card made using the set- 'Winter Wishes'!  This was another card everyone at my Holiday Extravaganza class made.

I love collage cards....and not just every stamp set works to make them with.  This stamp set works just perfect!  

stamp set:  'Winter Wishes'
card stock:  Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
ink:  Soft Suede
other:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponge, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Snowflake Elements 

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Faith & Lynda were great hostesses at my 2 stampin' parties I had yesterday!  I enjoyed spending my day stamping with everyone that joined us for one of the parties.

Deke is off to chore & head to the office this morning.  I'm off to pick up the boys.  Brayden will be here after school tonight & hopefully I'll get his hair cut.  I've then got piles of bookwork for the farm & stampin' to get done.

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

A gift card holder!

Check out this cute gift card holder!!  One of our medium envelopes is in the inside- for you to slide your gift card into. 

stamp set:  'Cozy Christmas'
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
designer paper:  Merry Moments Paper Stack (48 sheets- 6x6)
ink:   Cherry Cobbler
other:  2" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Crumb Cake Stitched Satin ribbon, Whisper White Medium ENVELOPE

Check out the gift card holder pocket on the inside that is the envelope folded.

card stock-
*Crumb Cake- 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", 2 3/4" strip for Scalloped Circle punch
*Cherry- 5 x 3 3/4"; 2 3/4" strip for 2 1/2" Circle punch; 3 x 3 3/4"
*Whisper White- 2 1/2" strip for 2" Circle punch
dsp- 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" (big dots); 3 1/2" x 2 3/4"- (burgundy w little dots)
ribbon- 4"
Whisper White envelope- score & fold 1 1/4" from each end & cut off corners to make pocket

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I'm headed out the door now.....  I have 2 classes today!  And then I will deliver several Christmas card kits on my way home too.  It will be late when I walk in the door tonight.

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

A cardinal!

 Check this out.  I made another cardinal card! This is one of the cards that everyone joining me to stamp at my November monthly classes will be making.  It is a fun tent fold card too!

Honestly, I really struggled with what to do for a ribbon on this card, as currently we don't have any Cherry Cobbler ribbon other than the twine.  And I was so excited when I thought of the Bow Builder Punch!!  Wow- that is exactly what I needed to use & I thought it turned out just perfect for this card!

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I enjoyed my day with my boys yesterday!  Nathan & Amanda were even here to eat lunch with us too.  We were all excited & happy that Brayden was here to spend the day with us!  His blood sugar is still higher than it should be, so we are adjusting the insulin each day.  He is very active.....and so it is going to take awhile.  He has a great nurse that is working with him via text messages & phone calls to keep up on things with him.  He feels good though.  And he totally gets counting carbs & how to do everything!  I am so proud of him & find it amazing that he is adjusting so well to all of this.  We all had a great day!  

Last night when everyone went home I ran to Osky real quick to get a few groceries & deposit our hog check.  I picked up a Papa Murphy's pizza for supper & came home to burn the midnight oil cutting card stock.

This morning I'm up early to work on cutting more card stock.  Susie's Hair Hut will be open late this morning to give Steve a quick hair cut.  Then late this afternoon Deke & I have a wedding in Osky to attend.  The guys all have Nathan's bachelor party tonight, so I'll be home alone burning the midnight oil cutting card stock.

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

Some CUTE little snowmen!

Here are some CUTE little snowmen!  This is one of the cards that everyone stamping with me at my November monthly classes this month will be making.  

I love snowflakes & snowmen!!  So I love this stamp set!!  It is also such a versatile set that can be used for the holidays & also into January & February- making adorable cards for upcoming birthdays or other occasions too.

I pretty much cased this card from my friend LeeAnn Greff's downline Candice.  I did a few little changes- but I saw her card & fell in love with it!  Check out the cool trees in the background from the Woodland Embossing folder.  I just used a sponge dauber & White Craft ink to pop these out.  I added Rhinestones for some added dimension & sparkle too!

And check it out....the snow along the bottom is made using the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer (12x12) paper.  

I just think these 2 little snowmen are absolutely adorable!!!  Don't you?

stamp set: 'Snow Place'

card stock:  Marina Mist, Real Red, Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper

ink:  Basic Black Archival, Real Red, White Craft

marker:  Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

other:  Big Shot, Woodland Embossing Folder, Snow Friends Framelits, Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Paper Snips

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We had a late night on the farm last night selling hogs.  Since it rained Deke did get to be in the house & in bed before midnight for a change, instead of working in the field all night though.

This morning I'm off to town to run errands.  All of the boys will be here pretty soon.  Brayden got home from the hospital last night- so we are all excited to get to see him!!  He choose what he wants me to make for lunch.....so know I've got to figure out what else we are having with it to get his points right. 

Tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping!!  I have lots of cards to get cut for upcoming classes.

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

SUSIE

"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