NEW- 'Touches of Texture'

Check out this cute card!  It is made using a new stamp set called- 'Touches of Texture'!  Isn't is pretty!  The words come from the stamp  set- 'One Big Meaning'.  This was one of the stamp sets we got for our make & takes on the cruise last week. 

And this is one of the stamp sets that I'll be using at my New Catalog "BASH"!  

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Yesterday morning Masen was here bright & early.  He isn't use to be the only one here.  He thought G'ma had to entertain him, thus I didn't get much done.  Manda kept him for a couple of hours while Deke & I attended Judy's funeral.  It was a very nice service, as Pastor Vince Homan added many special touches to Judy's life tribute.  He talked about how stamping is more than just making cards......that it is were friends gather & share their talents, lives, etc.  I so wish I could have recorded him & got his exact wording.  It was just perfect in how I feel about sharing my love of stamping with all!  And it was awesome that he understood how fond Judy was of stamping & how she enjoyed spending time with all that were at stamp classes with her.  I still can't believe that she is gone.  I talked to her daily & got numerous text messages from her each day & so not getting these has been greatly missed.  I'm just so thankful that she isn't suffering any more though. 

Last night after Masen left I burnt the midnight oil catching up on sorting orders, writing out order forms & working on stamping stuff!

This morning I'm up early to get some things done before the boys all get here.  Tonight is my farmer night & I'll head out to help Deke on the farm when the boys go home.  When I get in from helping Deke, I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping!  Deke is home to work on the farm today.  He will be moving piggies from the nursery to the finisher & then hopefully get the nursery all powerwashed.

Gotta run......

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

WOO HOO!!

The new catalog begins today!

You can see it by clicking on the link below.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEW CATALOG!

 If you want a copy of the catalog- please CONTACT ME HERE!

It is a Happy Day!!

WOO HOO!!  The new catalog begins today!!  What an exciting time this is!!  I just love all of the new things in it!  My wish list is HUGE, as this years new catalog is jam packed with alot of cool new stamp sets & accessories!!

Check out this cute card.  I created this for my cruise swap.  You should see this designer paper in person.  It has copper embossing on it & it is just absolutely beautiful!

stamp set: 'Perfectly Wrapped' (NEW)
card stock:  Night of Navy, Cucumber Crush
designer paper: Affectionately Yours Specialty DSP (NEW)
ink:  Night of Navy
other:  2" Circle Punch, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Blossom Punch, Brights Enamel Shapes (NEW), Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Our boys were all happy to spend the day together yesterday.  It was nice & we got to play outside for

 awhile.   We sure missed them all being here.  Even Brayden was here for a little while yesterday morning. 

Last night I went to Judy's visitation & then to Brayden's ball game in Parnell.  When we got home I worked on getting laundry finished up & all of it put away.

This morning Deke is off early to chore & head to the courthouse for the morning.  I'm up early to get some things done before Masen gets here.  Manda's last day of school was yesterday, so I'll just have their boys on & off the next 2 months.  Manda is going to keep Masen for me this afternoon, as we are going to Judy's funeral & my demonstrator friend Lynda is coming to go with Deke & me.  Tonight I hope to get caught up on my piles of mail & boxes of stamps that came while we were gone.   It is amazing how much stuff there is. 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!
Happy Stamping!

Hugs-

SUSIE 

IT IS THE LAST TODAY (Tuesday, May 31, 2016) TO ORDER FROM THE RETIRING LIST!

Click on this link to see the ITEMS BY PAGE NUMBER!!

HERE is a PDF for you to see all of the retiring items!
CHECK IT OUT HERE!

You can now see the retiring items at my on line store- www.susiewood.stampinup.net
CLICK HERE! 

CONTACT ME if you want to order anything or you can order at my On Line STORE HERE!

THANK YOU!!
Happy Shopping!
Hugs!

Let's 'Party With Cake'!

This is a fun stamp set 'Party With Cake'- in the Occasions Catalog, that is carrying over into the our new 2016-2017 big catalog!  Woo Hoo!

This card is one that everyone joining me at my Spring Fling got to make.

SUPPLIES USED-
stamp set:  'Party With Cake'
card stock:  Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Mint Macron, Basic Black
designer paper:  It's My Party (RETIRING TODAY!)
ink:  Archival Basic Black
marker:  Sahara Sand
other:  It's My Party Enamel Dots (RETIRING TODAY!), Owl Builder Punch (for the black circle under the Enamel Dot), Dimensionals, Glue Dots

for the inside of the card-
Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Precision Plate, Party Pop-Ups Thinlits Die, It's My Party Designer Paper, Markers- Sahara Sand & Crushed Curry

 Isn't this inside pop-up (Party Pop-Ups Thinlits Die) really cool!! It too is carrying over into the 2016-2017 Big Catalog that begins tomorrow!

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Yesterday was a busy day!  I worked outside helping Deke most of the day- getting ready for new baby piggies that we get next week.  I got our suitcases unpacked & part of our dirty clothes all washed. 

Late in the afternoon I picked up the 3 Seeley boys.  They spent the night with us.  We had supper, went to get ice cream cones at Walkers, played in the yard until dark & came in for baths. 

We are going strong this morning & Masen will be here soon too for the day.  Deke was off early to chore & then he is headed to the courthouse for his weekly board meeting.

Tonight we have Judy's visitation & then we will be going to Brayden's baseball game.

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

SUSIE

My heart is heavy as I share this with all of you.....my dear friend & stamping sister Judy lost her long battle with colon cancer.  Oh how I'm going to miss her!

Judy Ann Hopping
(January 24, 1952 - May 27, 2016)

Judy Hopping, 64 of Iowa City passed away Friday, May 27, 2016. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Burial will be in the Sixteen Cemetery near What Cheer. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson County Animal Shelter. Friends may sign the online guestbook at hollandcoblefuneralhomes.com.

Judy Ann Hopping was born January 24, 1952 in Oskaloosa, Iowa the daughter of Lowell and Catherine Myerly. Having lost both of her parents at an early age Judy was raised by her aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Lloyd Little. She was a 1970 graduate of Tri-County High School before attending Ottumwa Heights Community College where she received a degree in Business Administration. Judy was united in marriage to Stephen Hopping on May 4, 1984 at the Methodist Church in Thornburg. She worked as the secretary for Urology-Neurology and Nuclear Medicine Technology at the Iowa City Veterans Administration Medical Center. Judy also completed the University of Iowa Nuclear Medicine Technology Program and served on the Board of Directors at the Credit Union. After fifteen years at the VA she assumed the role as Operations Manager of the Federal Employees Credit Union. After twenty years she retired due to health concerns. Judy was not one to set around, even in ill health so she continued working with Two Rivers Bank in Coralville for several years until her health no longer allowed it. She loved her Stamping Up card making and all the friends she made during the classes. Judy would not be complete without her love for her Schnauzer dogs and the love she was given by her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Catherine Myerly; her aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Lloyd Little; a sister, Lora Helm; her father-in-law, Robert Hopping; and two uncles, Burton “Boo” Karsten and Donald Harper.
Judy is survived by her husband, Stephen Hopping of Iowa City, her mother-in-law, Mary Lou Hopping of Floral AR; a brother-in-law Jeff (Carolyn) Hopping of Batesville, AR; two brothers, Roger Little of Dallas, TX and Ronnie Little of What Cheer; a half brother, Jeff (Kathy) Shepherd of Marengo; two aunts, Betty Karsten of Oskaloosa and Lucille Harper of Keswick; her very close cousin, Brenda (Paul) Callahan of Oskaloosa as well many other cousins; nieces and nephews, and great friends.

HOME SWEET HOME!!

We are HOME!!
After 24 hours of traveling home yesterday we walked in the door about 12:30 a.m. this morning!  We were exhausted & happy to sleep in our own beds last night.

We were up early this morning & on the run!  We both have a very busy week!  Since today is a holiday I don't have any boys, so I spent my day working on the farm, helping Deke powerwash the grower, as were getting things ready for new baby piggies to arrive next week.

Hopefully I can get our suitcases unpacked & laundry all done yet tonight too, before I go to bed.  I also need to find time to go through a huge pile of mail & emails that came during the time we were gone too.  

Tonight I'll run in & pick up the 3 Seeley boys from their other grandparents.  They'll be having a slumber party with G'ma & Papa tonight, as their mom & dad are headed to Chicago for a Cubs baseball game!

Oh my......we had an amazing trip!  It was definitely a trip of a life time & one that we've been saving up for- for a long time.  We started our trip by- 

• Flying to Barcelona, Spain & getting on a Norwegian Ship & we cruised the Mediterranean Sea.
• Monday we sailed all day & attended a Stampin' Up! General Session with all demonstrators & our guests, where we got to see demonstrations using new catalog products!
• Tuesday we were in Naples, Italy where we toured all day.
• Wednesday we were in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy where we toured all day.
• Thursday we were in Pisa (Livorno), Italy where we toured all day.
• Friday we were in Cannes, France where we toured all day.
• Saturday we were in Marscilles, France where we toured all day.
• Sunday we arrived back in Barcelona, Spain & spent 24 hours flying back home.

I will try to get photos downloaded & post a few in the coming days of each of stops each day, so that I can share this amazing trip with you!

Deke & I so enjoyed our week spent with each other!  And we also had fun spending time with many of our Stampin' Up! friends from all over the world!  

The photo above of Deke & I was taken in Cannes, France.  We were walking through a beautiful open market of flowers!!  

Oh how blessed I am in soooo many ways!!  Thank you for letting me share my love of stamping with each of you!!  

Sending many blessings out on the Memorial Day holiday, as we remember those that have passed that we love.
Happy Stamping-
Hugs!
SUSIE

A lovely vase of flowers!

Check out this vase of flowers!  They are just lovely!  This stamp set- 'Pictogram Punches' is RETIRING!  This was one of the cards I created for my May monthly classes & everyone joining me at them got to make it.

What is the background on the strip down the middle of the card?  That is a 5 1/2 x 2" piece of Tip Top Taupe card stock that I did the direct to paper technique on.  I laid the card stock onto my grid paper & lightly touched the ink pad directly to the paper.  It makes a neat suede look doesn't it.

stamp set:  'Pictogram Punches' (RETIRING) & 'And Many More' (RETIRING)
card stock:  Mint Macaron, Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe
designer paper:  It's My Party 12x12 DSP (RETIRING)
ink:  Tip Top Taupe
markers:  Tip Top Taupe & Mint Macron
other:  2015-2017 In Color Blossom Accents (RETIRING), Ornate Tag Topper Punch (RETIRING), Word Window Punch (RETIRING), Extra Large Oval Punch (RETIRING), Basic Pearls, 1/2" Seam Binding Whisper White ribbon (RETIRING), Glue Dots, Dimensionals

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What a busy day yesterday was!  I enjoyed my boys & got to see them all!  G'ma is gonna sure miss them.  Gosh- I hardly go 2 days without seeing them & it is going to be alot longer this time.  I'm sure we'll all be very homesick. 

Deke & I are headed off to the airport this morning!  We are going on my Stampin' Up! trip.  This year it is a Mediterranean Cruise.  We are very excited!  We love cruises (they are our favorite trips); we get to see many of our demonstrator friends & their spouses; & we get to spend time together- away from our jobs & crazy life.  This is going to be the longest we have ever been gone before.  We will be returning early on 5/30- if our planes are on time & not cancelled.  

So- I just wanted you to know that I am not planning to do any blog posting here until I return.  If we end up having wifi on the ship I might post a few things here & there.  If I do post something it will not be at a set time or on a regular basis.  I started my blog 4 1/2 years ago & I have not missed one day ever since then of posting.  I am not going to break my good track record & I apologize for not being able to do it.  This year it was just going to be too hard for me to try to get posts done ahead of time for Manda to do them for me & I'm not sure how our internet service & things will be while we are away.  There will be about a 7 hour time change too.  So all in all I am not planning to post until we get home & then I'll catch everyone up on things.  So be sure you check back on 5/31 forsure to check out my post!

I am so blessed to be able to share my love of stamping with each of you!  I treasure the many friends I've met just because of stamping.  I am thankful that you allow me to be your demonstrator & stamp with you!!  Thank you sooo very much!!  And I look forward to sharing new things from the new catalog with you when I get home.  I'll be hitting the ground running- as we get baby piggies in & I have 5 New Catalog Stampin' Parties within a few days of our return home. 

I just finished my swaps!  I haven't even started packing yet.....so I'm off to get that done.  Deke will be headed out soon to chore & then we'll be on our way!  I guess I will just get to sleep on the plane!!  It won't be the first time I've done that on my way to a Stampin' Up! event. 

NOTE:  We will not have email, texting or cell phones either while we are gone.  I guess we are truly going to be on vacation.  Our cell phone carrier doesn't work well with international places & it is going to cost us too much to use them while we are gone.  

I hope you have a FABULOUS FRIDAY & wonderful upcoming weekend/week!

Happy Stamping!!

Take care.....until I can post again. 

Hugs!
SUSIE

Here is Brayden's Birthday card!

Earlier this month, on May 1st our little man- Brayden, turned 8 years old!!  WOW- where does the time go?  I can't believe that he is growing up so fast.  He is such an amazing little man & he just melts our hearts!  He loves being here with us on the farm & we love having him around as much as he can be here!

This is the card that I made for him for his birthday.  I thought it turned out cute!  And he liked it too.  I am always thrilled when my boys are excited to get a hand made card from Grandma!

stamp set:  'Number of Year's & 'Balloon Celebration'
I used the 'Remembering Your Birthday' (RETIRING) for the inside of the card.

card stock:  Basic Black, Mint Macaron, Crushed Curry & Whisper White, Sahara Sand

designer paper:  It's My Party Paper Stack (12x12)

ink: Archival Basic Black

other:  Big Shot, Circle Large Number Thinlits, Thinlits (RETIRING), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (RETIRING), Balloon Bouquet Punch, Baker's Twine Combo Pack (Mint Macron- RETIRING), dimensionals, Glue Dots, Tear & Tape

 And of course I had to add balloons to the inside of it too!  And I tucked his gift money in behind them. 

++++

Oh my......I've been going 100 mph & I am so far behind.  My plate is definitely full!!  I think I need a vacation!!  But there is definitely more work to try to get ready for a vacation too! 

Yesterday was a busy day with the boys.  We played outside in the morning & enjoyed the beautiful day!  When they left last night I got a few things done & then headed to the races late.  I got there just in time to watch Nathan's heat race.  And then as soon as Nathan was done with his main I headed back home to burn the midnight oil working on stamping stuff.  Nathan won his heat again, but ended up pulling in during the main because of motor problems- so that was a bummer, as he was running in 2nd place.

This morning I'm off to pick up the boys for the day.  Deke is home to catch up on the farm too today.  Tonight when the boys head home I'll be burning the midnight oil making swaps & packing.  We head out tomorrow morning for the airport for our annual Stampin' Up! trip.  I have a ton of emails, cards, swaps, etc. to do yet.....& somehow have to get it all done between now & then.

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!!

(And I hope I have a wonderful Thursday too!)

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Saying Good-bye to the Hexagon Hive Thinlit!

Check out the cute thank you cards that I made for the boys to give their soccer coaches!

The twins team was blue & Brayden's team was a almost a florescent yellow/greenish.  So these are the colors I ended up using. 

Didn't they turn out neat?  I know the boys were thrilled with them!  I hope that they coaches liked them.  

I used the RETIRING Hexagon Hive Thinlits & the RETIRING Circles Collection Framelits to make the soccer ball.  

stamp set:  'One Big Meaning'
card stock:  Cucumber Crush, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
ink:  Basic Black Archival
other:  Big Shot, Hexagon Hive Thinlit (RETIRING), Circles Collection Framelits (RETIRING),  Magnetic Platform, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (RETIRING), Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder

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I had hoped to get to stamp last night when the boys all went home, but that didn't happen!  I burnt the night oil finalizing orders & doing paperwork.  And Deke burnt the midnight oil powerwashing in the hog house.

Nathan, Sarah, Masen, Mark & Trevor all went to Webster City racing last night.  Nathan won his heat!!  There were 42 stock cars there.   WOW!

Deke is off to chore & then head to the office for a little while this morning.  He'll then come home & work on powerwashing.  I'm off to go pick up all of my boys for the day.  Tonight Nathan races in Osky, so we'll be going to cheer him on.  

Gotta run....

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

Beautiful stemmed flowers!

Here is a beautiful stemmed flower set that is retiring.  It is called 'Serene Silhouettes'.  This was another one of the cards that everyone at my monthly May classes made with me this past week/weekend. 

stamp set:  'Serene Silhouettes' (RETIRING)
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Hello Honey (RETIRING)
designer paper:  2014-2016 IN Color (RETIRING) & Corrugated paper (12x12 kraft- RETIRING)
ink:  Crumb Cake (for inside words)
markers:   Mossy Meadow & Hello Honey (RETIRING)
other:  dimensionals, Glue Dots, Tea Lace Doilies (RETIRING), White Perfect Accents, Expressions Natural Wood Elements (RETIRING), Wink of Stella Pen

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Yesterday was a busy day!!!

 Today will be another one......

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

A sweet card!

Here is a sweet card that was for my May monthly classes.  Almost everything I used here is on the retiring list.  Isn't it cute though!!

stamp set:  ''Six-Sided Sampler'  (RETIRING) & 'Something to Say' (RETIRING)
card stock:  Watermelon Wonder, Whisper White, Basic Gray
designer paper:  2015-2017 In Color Envelope Paper (RETIRING)
ink:  Archival Basic Gray
other:  Watermelon Wonder 1" Ribbon (RETIRING), dimensionals, Glue Dots, Hexagon punch (RETIRING), Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small flower- RETIRING), Large Oval Punch (RETIRING), Basic Rhinestones

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We had a great day stamping yesterday!!  I enjoyed it & think everyone else did too! 

WOW- what a busy weekend I had, of literally pretty much nothing but lots of stamp classes!!!

This morning Deke is off early to chore & head to his weekly board meeting.  He then has a meeting this afternoon.  I'm off to pick up my boys for the day.  I think Susie's Hair Hut will be open for business tonight.  I know all in the Seeley family needs their hair cut! After they all go home I'll be entering orders & work on stampin' stuff all night. 

Gotta run......I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A cute flower!

Here is another cute flower card that everyone at my May classes is making with me this week!  It is a simple, yet elegant card.  I just love it!  The black, red & white are just stunning together here!  This card has been a favorite of many that have already got to make it. 

stamp sets: 'Beautiful Bunches' (RETIRING), 'A Dozen Thoughts' (RETIRING
card stock:  Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive
ink:  Archival Basic Black
other:  dimensionals, Glue Dots, 3/8" Stitched Black Satin Ribbon (RETIRING- SOLD OUT), Fun Flower Punch (RETIRING), 7/8" Scalloped Circle Punch (RETIRING), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (RETIRING)

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I started my day out yesterday getting to stamp with several that joined me for the morning!!!  We then went to Josie's graduation lunch/party & back home again.  I spent my afternoon packing up & picking up from classes here at our home the past 2 days.  I made a quick run into Manda's last night for 1 hour & helped her plant some flowers outside in her pots & new window boxes that Steve just made for her.  

When I got home I quickly make one card using NEW In Colors, a NEW stamp set & NEW designer paper.  I've been dying to play with some of my new pre-order things, but just haven't had the time to do it.  I then burnt the midnight oil getting things ready for today's 2 stamp classes, before calling it quits for the day.

The guys went to West Liberty racing & Nathan got 4th- so it was late when they got home too.

This morning I'm off early for Hiawatha for my 2 monthly classes there.  I can't wait to see everyone & spend my day stamping with them all.

Tonight I'm hoping to make a quick stop at my friend Judy's on my way home.

Gotta run......

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

Bravo!!

This awesome stamp is retiring!!  It is in the stamp set 'Bravo' & is full of many different & great words that can be use for many different things that we celebrate!

This is my bonus cad for my May monthly stamp classes.  Everyone joining me this weekend to stamp gets to make it.

This is the graduation card that I made for my niece Ginny & I gave it to her last Saturday at her graduation party. 

stamp set:   'Bravo'  (RETIRING)
card stock:  Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
ink:  Archival Basic Black
other:  Big Shot, Circle Thinlits (RETIRING), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (RETIRING), Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (RETIRING), Note Tag Punch (RETIRING)

+++

Yesterday I enjoyed my day with the boys & then had a fun evening stamping with everyone that joined me!  I'm gearing up now for those coming to stamp with me this morning too & looking forward to sharing & seeing everyone!!

We have Jose's graduation party at noon today......so as soon as everyone leaves from my stamp class we'll be headed out the door & going to her party.  When we get home from her party I'll be cleaning & packing up things & getting ready to head out early for my 2 monthly classes in Hiawatha.  

Tonight Nathan is suppose to be racing in Bloomfield.  If it doesn't get rained out we'll all be headed there.  Hope he has good luck!

Have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

Another wedding card!

Here is another pretty wedding card.  This is one is very simple  yet elegant one.  This is one of the cards that everyone joining me to stamp this week for my May monthly classes will be making.  

I've used alot of retiring products on this card.  I'm sad to see see of them go!

I will update this post in the next few days with the supplies that I used.  My week has been crazy & I'm gearing up for 4 stamp classes in the next 3 days, plus the boys all day today too.
 
stamp set:
card stock:
designer paper:
ink:
other:

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Yesterday was a full day!  We started out before it was light out with pigs, then with the boys, then with pigs again & then cutting card stock until the wee hours!!  

Brayden was here after school yesterday too.  And so Susie's Hair Hut was open for business & I finally got his hair cut.  Gosh- it looks so much better!!!  I really didn't have time to do it, but I wasn't sure next week was going to be any better of a time.....so we squeezed it in. 

Then when the boys were all gone I headed out to help Deke for awhile with the piggies & came back in to burn the midnight oil cutting card stock.

Tonight is Stampin' Night here at our home.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone that is joining me.  Yep- they all get to make this wedding card.  Woo Hoo!

Tonight is also the burial & supper for Deke's Aunt Pat Baylor.....so he'll be going to this & I'll have to miss it.  (Aunt Pat passed a little over 2 years ago & they cremated her.  Deke's cousin (Mark) is home from Arizona for his nieces graduation party, so the family decided to bury her remains with her stone, at their family cemetery plot & I guess tonight worked the best for the majority of everyone.)

Ok- I'm off to pick up the boys for the day!  I'm gonna need some coffee to keep me going today.  And I still have lots to do yet before my stamp class too to get squeezed in my day.

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