May Flowers....

Here is my May calendar.  This flower stamp is such a pretty set & I thought it was perfect for this page.  I don't know if I've ever done a page before with colored card stock & stamped the images in black before. Plus I love it even more that this flower image has a coordinating punch to go with it!!  And I really like the words in this stamp set too. 

stamp set:  'Birthday Blooms'
card stock: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Whisper White
ink:  Archival Basic Black
other:  Basic Pearls, Paper Snips, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Pansy Punch, Dimensionals

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Yesterday I spent my day with Masen & enjoyed that.  It isn't often I have him alone.  He is so sweet & growing so fast.  He is 4 1/2 months old already & has quite the personality.  

Last night we all went to the Little Savage Wrestling Tournament at the Sigourney High School.  Brody & Drake wrestled in the little Pee Wee division.  It was their first tournament.  They did pretty good & both came home with 3rd place metals in their weight groups.  They've been going to Wednesday night wrestling practices the past couple of months.  Their dad (Steven) was a very good wrestler.  It was fun to watch them & see their personalities reflecting.  It was a packed gym with 200 little kids there from pre-school to 8th grade that were all wrestling.  It was late (about 10:45) when we got home.  We were all tired. 

This morning I'm off to work with Deke on the farm.  The boys will come about 1:00 this afternoon & they will be spending the night with us.  So we'll be celebrating the end of 2015 with our little guys here.  We're gonna have a slumber party according to Drake!  We'll play games & have lots of fun!

It was 30 years ago tonight that Deke's little brother Daryn passed away.  He was such a great guy!  We miss him so much.  So this is a night that we really don't celebrate much.......

Gotta run.....I'm late at posting this & getting outside.  Our internet wasn't working last night & I couldn't get this all done ahead of time like I normally do.

Wishing you a safe & fun New Year Eve!

Have a great day!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Spring- has sprung!

Here is my April calendar page- making me think of spring!  Flowers & rain shower.....isn't it cute!

And I thought the words- 'The Sky's the Limit' was perfectly fitting here.

stamp sets:  'Over the Rainbow' (words) & 'Sprinkles of Life' (clouds, rain drops, stems of flowers)
card stock:  Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder
ink:  Marina Mist, Archival Basic Black
marker:  Pear Pizzazz
other: White Gel Pen (center of flowers), Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Tree Builder Punch (for the clouds & little flowers)

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Oh my!!  You gotta love our wintery weather.  Sleet, snow, ice, snow & more snow!  I think we woke up to about 6" of snow yesterday morning.  It was slick!  I tried to go to town, but couldn't even make it up the hill on our gravel road.  It is a good thing my dad taught me how to be a good backer upper!  I had to back up about 1/2 mile.  Thankfully I made it back home & into our garage & I didn't end up in the ditch or have to have Deke pull me out because I got stuck!  I was pretty proud.  

I ended up working outside with Deke on the farm from about 10:30 yesterday morning until about 5:30 last night.  Oh Boy am I sore!  I used muscles I haven't used in awhile.  We got alot done.  I do love working on the farm with him.  We make a good team.  

Today Masen will spend the day G'ma.  Then tomorrow I'll work on the farm with Deke all day again.  And tomorrow night we are having a New Year's Slumber party with our boys!!

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

This weeks "WEEKLY DEALS"- December 29, 2015- January 4, 2016!

Good luck!

This is my March calendar page.  Green & shamrocks= good luck! 

I thought this page turned out cute!

stamp set:  'Awesomely Artistic' (dots in the background), 'Over the Rainbow' (words- Good Luck), 'Pictogram Punches' (small stripped heart)
card stock:  Cucumber Crush, Basic Black & Whisper White
ink:  Cucumber Crush
marker:  Cucumber Crush
other:  1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Accents Punch Pack (small heart), Glue Dots, Dimensionals

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Wow- we started out yesterday morning with sleet, then slush, freezing rain & then snow!  Winter is here!  What a mess!!!  At least we didn't have a bunch of ice or downed power lines. 

Yesterday morning I ran errands in town while Deke was at his board meeting.  We then went to Keota to pick up plastic & strips so that we can cover the curtains in the finisher, so help keep it warmer for the smaller pigs.  I worked on bookwork all afternoon.  Last night we went to our friend Terry Hollingsworth's visitation.  I've worked with Terry on & off at many of my jobs the past 32 years.  He has become a very good friend to us.  He was a deputy sherriff's officer when I worked as a jailer/dispatcher, then a city officer when I was at the county attorney's office & is currently the mayor of our city.  He lost his long battle with brain cancer.  He will definitely be missed by many in our community.   He was also neighbors to Manda & Steve- so I saw him almost everyone morning when I got to their house, as he was out walking his dog.  

Today if the roads is good I need to run to Osky & What Cheer to the banks.  I then plan to help Deke put on the plastic that we got yesterday for the finishers.  So we have alot to get done if everything ends up working out the way we have planned for it to- so I have my fingers crossed.

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

A heart.....

Here is my February calendar page.  I used the stamp set- 'Gift from the Garden'.  Check out the Red Glimmer paper I used for the punch out heart on the flower pot.

stamp set:  'Gift from the Garden'
card stock:  Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Red Glimmer
ink:  Archival Basic Black
markers:  Real Red, Wild Wasabi
other:  Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small heart), Dimensionals

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We had a great day spent with my side of the family yesterday!  It is always so much fun to get together & see everyone.  We had a house full!  

Last night was a late night on the farm with the piggies.  It was cold out!  We had soup to help warm us up for supper when we got in.  

This morning Deke is off early to chore & head to the office.  I'm off to run errands (post office, John Deere store, grocery store, recycle center, bank, etc).  We are suppose to have ice, snow & a wintery mix of bad weather all day today!  We are not looking forward to this.  So depending on the weather- we'll see how much I get done this morning.  I think Nathan & Brayden will be here later today for a bit working in the shop- so looking forward to seeing them.

I hope to work on bookwork this afternoon & will be going out to help Deke with the piggies for a few hours too. 

Wishing you a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Lots of snowflakes!

Every December at my monthly classes we make calendars (instead of our normal cards) for the upcoming year.  I started doing this calendar class about 14 years ago & it is a huge hit.  It is an annual event that many of my friends/customers look forward to each year. 

These calendars are 4x4 & stand up on your desk.  I off the opportunity for everyone can make multiple calendars to give away as upcoming Christmas gifts too!

This is my January 2016 calendar.  I'll be sharing the other months with you in the coming days. 

stamp sets: 'Flurry of Wishes' & 'Six Sayings'
card stock:  Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
ink:  Lost Lagoon, Archival Basic Black
other:  Extra large Oval Punch, Basic Rhinestone, Dimensionals, Snow Flurry Punch

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We had Christmas for Deke's side of the family last night.  It is fun to get together & visit.  We don't get together with them very often.  It is especially great to see all of the little ones!  Everyone was there last night but our Wood family from Pennsylvania- which we sure missed. 

Today we have my side of the family Christmas......and we are looking forward to seeing everyone there too.  We are all going to Beckie & Dan's (my sister & brother-in-laws) home, right outside of Sigourney.

When we get home from our Christmas I'll be headed out to the farm.  Tonight is my farmer night & will be helping Deke outside all night with the piggies!  Due to the holidays are nights are all messed up.  Our trucker will be here about 7 or so to load some piggies to go to the packing house.....and least part of the time we'll be inside- so I hopefully won't freeze.  

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

'Heartleft Sympathy'

Here is a great sympathy card.  It is created with the set- 'Heartfelt Sympathy'.

We've had soooo many friends lately pass.  It seems I've made alot of sympathy cards lately.  My dear friend Jenny's mom passed away & a dear family friend (Terry) passed away. 

This is a sympathy card that was on display at Founders.  It is very clean & simple.....but I totally love everything about it!

stamp set:  'Heartfelt Sympathy'
card stock:  Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz
designer paper:  Timeless Elegance 
markers:  Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz
other:  Banner Punch Thick Very Vanilla Baker's Twine, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Gold Sequins, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Lots of Labels Framelits

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Deke & I enjoyed a quite day at home yesterday for Christmas day.  He worked all morning on the farm & then enjoyed watching some old John Wayne movies in the afternoon (plus a little nap).  I got caught up on laundry & the house is back in order now after everyone being here for Christmas Eve.  And then I spent several hours stamping with some new Occasions Catalog products!  Woo Hoo!

This afternoon/evening we have Christmas at Deke's brothers with his family.  So I have a few things to finish getting done this morning to take with us before we leave for there.  

Gotta run......

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

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Me & Deke

Trey, Papa, G'ma, Masen

Drake, Brody & Brayden

Brayden, Masen, Brody, Trey & Drake

Merry Christmas!

As we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas today with the birth of Jesus.

We also count our blessings each day!

I hope you all have a very blessed day with family & friends!

Hugs!
Susie, Deke & family

You're in my thoughts.....

I needed another sympathy card the other day & this is what I ended up making.  I really like the cluster of flowers in this stamp set.  And of course I used a couple of my favorite colors here too!

And I'm a huge fan of this lacy ribbon.......and when else you ever wander about adding anything- how can you go wrong with pearls!  (or rhinestones)

stamp set:  'Awesomely Artistic' & 'Best Thoughts' (hostess set for words)
card stock:  Delightful Dijon, Early Espresso & Whisper White
ink:  Delightful Dijon Early Espresso
other:  Delightful Dijon Lace Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Oh what a week we've had!  Trey spent the majority of the day yesterday in the ER again getting iv fluids & they finally gave him some meds to keep him from vomiting.  And Masen went back to the dr too & got medicine for his red throat.  I'm hoping that today they are both feeling much better!  I hope they are both eating, drinking & keeping everything down.  And I'm praying that none of the rest of us get sick!  Someone has been sick around here since Thanksgiving & it is time for this sickness to move on.

I burnt the midnight oil last night working on things for Christmas.  And I have a busy day today getting everything ready for our family Christmas.  This afternoon we will all be attending mass & then everyone will be here for supper & opening up our gifts.  We are all looking forward to the fun & being together.  The boys should all be really fun this year!! 

I hope you have a very special Thursday!!

Happy Christmas Eve!!

Many blessings-

SUSIE

Another Sneak Peek!

This is a card that I made at Founders for our Make & Take, using new Occasions Catalog products that we got.  This flowered designer paper is very pretty!  

stamp set: 'Birthday Blooms'
card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper
markers:  Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Watermelon Wonder
other:  Big Shot, Tags & Labels Framelits, Petite Petals Punch,  Basic Rhinestones, White Baker's Twine, Dimensionals, Banner Triple Punch

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We still have a very sick little boy!  Steve was in the ER with Trey all morning yesterday.  They sent him home & he is still sooooo sick.  Not sure what we are going to do.  I'm so worried about him- he is so little to begin with.  It just breaks my heart.  

Last night I worked on the farm & helped Deke.  Then burnt the midnight oil working on bookwork. 

I am not sure what today is going to bring.  I am praying for healthy boys around here.  When everyone is gone tonight I need to burn the midnight oil again & work on stuff for Christmas. 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

This week "WEEKLY DEALS" for December 22-28, 2015!

It's a Sale-a-bration SNEAK PEEK!

Woo Hoo!  Sale-a-bration begins on January 5th, 2016!  Are you ready?  I am!  I LOVE Sale-a-bration time & the FREE products we can all earn.  There are lots of cool things you can choose from this year. 

This is sneak peek of one of the new Sale-a-bration stamp sets.  I used the set called- 'Botanicals For You'.  

This is the card that I made for Manda & Steve's anniversary.  It is clean & simple!  But it is just perfect for them.  They celebrated their 7th anniversary on Sunday & are an awesome couple.  

So what do you think?  I love the big bold script here.  It met Manda's approval- so that is a good!  

I think that this new stamp set can be awesome for many different kind of occasions. 

stamp set: 'Botanicals For You'
card stock:  Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
ink:  Archival Basic Black
other:  Full Heart Punch, Dimensionals

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Yesterday Susie's Hair Hut was open for business.  I got Brody, Drake, Nathan & Deke's hair cut.  I then did laundry all night.  Poor Trey was sooo sick yesterday!  I pray that he is better this morning.  He does have a dr. appointment later this morning if we end up needing it.  I'm just so afraid that he is going to dehydrate.

Masen had his 4 month check up yesterday & got his shots.  He still has a little cough, but he is feeling better.  He weighed 15 pounds & is quite the mover.....he now rolls & rolls!  And he is eating food now.  He is growing up too fast.   

I'm off this morning to pick up all of my boys.  We'll take Brayden to school & then head out to our home for the day.  Tonight is my farmer night & I'll be spending my night out on the farm helping Deke.  We have hogs to sort, sell & move.  

Today is a sad day.  One of Manda's class mates (Megan Hanson) lost her 2 year fight with a brain tumor.  Megan's mom is also an ex-co-worker of mine & current co-worker of Deke's at the courthouse.  Our heart breaks for their family.  Please keep the Hason family in your prayers. 

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

Santa is on his way......

Here is a cute card made with the set- 'A Cozy Christmas'.  Check out Santa & his reindeer.....they are on there way!  This was a card that someone at Founders shared in our hospitality room.  I love the detail on it.  The bright moon, the red home, the designer paper, washi tape & big button!  This showcases alot of product in the outgoing Holiday Catalog!  

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I helped Deke outside with the piggies yesterday morning.  I then spent the rest of the day trying to catch up on my SU! things.  I had hoped to get to "play" with some new products.  I did use a new Sale-a-bration stamp set & made a cute & simple Anniversary card for Amanda & Steve.  As yesterday was their 7th Anniversary!  Wow- they are a very special couple and we couldn't be more proud of them!

This morning Deke is off early to chore & he'll head to the office for his weekly board meeting.  I'm off to go pick up my boys.  Trey is still sick.  And now Masen is too!  Gosh.....we just can't win around here.  I think Brody is the only one left now to get sick.  But first the rest of everyone needs to get healthy.  Wow- what a whirl wind we've had the past month with sickness.  

I hope to work on more SU! bookwork & hopefully get to stamp some tonight......

Wishing you a MARVELOUS Monday!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A Santa Suit Gift Card!

Here is a fun Santa's Suit Gift Card holder that I made.  It is perfect to give to anyone on your list!  Isn't it cute!  I used the Envelope Punch Board for this. 

Here is how the gift card fits perfectly in the inside.

Measurements:
4 1/4 x 11" Real Red CS- score at 2 1/4" & 7 3/4"

On the top half of card, using the Envelope Punch Board- make a notch on each  end at 1 1/2".

 

Basic Black CS Belly Band- 1 x 9 1/4"- score at 2 1/2" on each end,  wrap around the card & attach it- having it line up with the pocket you've created for the gift card/money.

Belt Buckle- Chalk Talk framelit with Silver Glitter Paper

1" Basic Black Square

3- 3/4" Basic Black Circle Punches (for buttons)

The little notches I made with the Envelope Punch Board are what gets tucked in under the Belt Buckle (which is attached to the black belt with dimensionals so that it is 'free').

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Yesterday Masen spent the day wtih G'ma.  We had a fun time!  He doesn't like being alone...... obviously he is use to a house full of others to help keep him occupied!  I didn't ever get far from his sight. 

Last night Deke & I went to Ottumwa to do our Christmas shopping for the boys.  We went out for supper & used the gift certificate that Nathan & Sarah got us for Christmas last year.  When we got home I wrapped presents.

Our family sponsored another local family this year through our county's CPC.  Our 3 older boys know that they they are sharing some of "their Christmas money" with 3 other little boys & a 1 little girl that is their age this year.  We have never done this before.  It was cool to hear the excitement in our boys when we told them we were going to be doing this.  Now it will be fun for them to see what our family is giving to them too.

Today I'll be home & I'll be a farmer & help Deke out on the farm this morning.  This afternoon /evening I hope to get caught up on piles of stamp stuff that I need to get done.  My box of pre-order things from the New Occasions Catalog arrived on Friday!  I haven't had time to open it up yet..... but I plan to get it opened up today & find a little time to "play" with some new products before I go to bed tonight!! 

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

An Embellished Ornament

Look at this pretty ornament car!!.  WOW- I love the way this ornament is colored.  This is actually a card that is showcased in the Holiday Catalog on pg. 15 & designed by a Stampin' Up! (R) concept artist.  

stamp set:  'Embellished Ornament'
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Watercolor Paper, Silver Foil
ink:  Old Olive, Island Indigo & Night of Navy
other:  Big Shot, Embellished Ornaments Framelits, Silver Metalllic Thread, Banner Punch, Aqua Painters, Dimensionals, Glue dots

++++

Poor little Trey is sick now......we just can't seem to win around here.  Nathan, Sarah & Brayden are all finally feeling better.  I think that Brody & Masen are the only 2 left to get sick. 

Last night we finally got our Christmas tree put up.  Deke worked late on the farm, but thankfully helped me put up the tree & decorate it too when he got in.  

I'm home all day today & Masen will be here to keep me company!  I hope I get some things caught up around the house. 

Then tonight Deke & I are planning to go Christmas shopping & I hope I can talk him into eating supper out too, as we have a gift certificate that Nathan & Sarah bought is for Christmas last year that we need to get used. 

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