Time to Celebrate!

Here is my July calendar page.  What else can you do for a July page but stars, red, white & blue?  I think it turned out cute. 

If you look closely at the Night of Navy background piece I did emboss it with the Lucky Stars Embossing folder to add dimension to the page. 

stamp set:  'Watercolor Wishes'
card stock:  Night of Navy, Whisper White, Real Red
ink:  Night of Navy
other:  Big Shot, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Washi Label Punch, Itty Bitty Accents (small star) punch, Dimensionals

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Manda with me to visit Dick at the hospital yesterday afternoon.  He was doing really good.  If he continues to do well- he'll get to go home later today.  We enjoyed getting to visit with him & my mom.  And my step-sister Brenda came right before we left too, so it was good to see her too. 

I worked on emptying & putting away old stamp class things for the majority of the day/night, except when I ran to the Sigourney Hospital to see Dick.  I am not planning on leaving the house today.  I am planning to continue to go though boxes of stuff.  I also have to get our Christmas tree down & put away & everything in the house back to normal......as tomorrow I'll have all 4 of my boys back full time.

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Celebrate in June!

This is my June calendar page.  I did it as a masculine one & marked Father's Day on June 19th for 2016.  (This is also Deke's birthday!)  It is a clean & simple page- but love the little banner punch ere where I punched it out 2 times & used it as 'flags' under the Extra Large Oval Punch.

stamp set:  'Guy Greetings' & 'Birthday Blooms'
card stock:  Chocolate Chip, Whisper White & Sahara Sand
ink:  Chocolate Chip
other:  Extra Large Oval Punch, Banner Punch, Dimensionals

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We had a fun morning with the boys!  When they went home yesterday afternoon I worked on getting caught up on boxes of left over things from stamp classes.  I got alot done, but I didn't even make a dent in the piles.  So guess what I'm doing today!

My step-dad Dick, fell yesterday & went to the hospital in the ambulance.  He'll be there a few days.  Thankfully there weren't any broken bones.  Please keep him in your prayers.  I'm going to go see him later today.  

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Count down to a "HAPPY NEW YEAR" is here!

Our New Year has started out as busy & crazy as ever.  Gotta love it!!  We treasure these times & realize how blessed we are.  We had all of the boys (except Masen) stay with us last night.  We played games & had lots of fun!  Drake wanted to have a slumber party, so the 3 big boys camped out on the family room floor all night!!  I think Trey was the winner at staying up the latest.  Everyone did sleep in a little this morning until 8- so we were a little late at getting breakfast.  Brayden wanted homemade cinnamon rolls & bacon, so he got his wish.  We then took him home to his moms.  

This afternoon we will all be watching the Iowa Hawkeye's & cheering them on!  

Go Hawks!!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy & wonderful 2016!

Love & Blessings from our home to yours!

Susie, Deke & family

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