'Seasonal Lantern'

This is a cute fall card using the 'Seasonal Lantern'.  

I used the Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder on the Vanilla layer piece behind the lantern. 

I used the NEW Stampin' Blends to color it with. 

• Bronze
• Light Daffodil Delight
• Light Old Olive

stamp set:   'Seasonal Lantern'
card stock:  Soft Suede, Lemon Lime Twist, Very Vanilla
designer paper:  Painted Autumn
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Light Old Olive, Bronze & Light Daffodil Delight
other:  Big Shot, Lantern Builder Framelits Dies, Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder, Triple Banner Punch,  3/8" Metallic Gold Edge ribbon, dimensionals, glue dots

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Yesterday was a busy day!!  It was full of stamping, friends & family!!! I had a fun group come stamp with me yesterday morning.  Then we had our family photos taken at Nathan & Sarah's pond.  Then we all went to Deke's cousins daughters wedding reception.  I was beat last night when we got home.

I'm up early this morning to work on getting some Christmas Card Kits cut.  And then I'll be headed out after bit, as I have one of my monthly classes in N. Liberty today!  We are doing a Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack!  I am looking forward to seeing everyone & stamping with them!  

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

SUSIE

'Christmas Quilt'

Here is another clean & simple card.  I LOVE it!  The red strip in the middle is actually embossed using the Quilt Top Embossing folder.  You can't really see it in the photos.  Here is what that Quilt Top Embossing Folder image looks like-

 

 It is pretty & very detailed.

I cut a window framelit out of the Whisper White card stock.  Then I layered behind it a 3x3 piece of the Quilted Christmas designer paper that had the star image already on it.  I did use the stitched framelit over the quilt star too. Look closely at this star below to see it.

I used the Stampin' Blend in Light Cherry Cobbler to color a Perfect White Accent for the center of the start quilt piece.  

stamp set:  'Christmas Quilt'
card stock:  Garden Green, Real Red, Whisper White
designer paper:  Quilted Christmas
ink:  Real Red
Stampin' Blend:  Light Cherry Cobbler
other:  Big Shot, Quilt Builder Framelits Dies, Perfect White Accent, Quilted Christmas 1/4" Ribbon, Quilt Top Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, White Doilies

+++++

Yesterday was a busy day with all of the kids.  We had fun though.  And they all got along pretty well.  Last night I had several join me to come make Christmas cards.  It was a fun night.  I enjoyed visiting with & seeing everyone.  

Oh my......we have a crazy day!  I hope it all just clicks & works out good.  I'm getting everything ready for another Christmas Stamp-a-Stack class this morning here at our home.  Then we have our Wood Family photos taken right after lunch.  Then we have Deke's cousins daughters wedding/reception too this afternoon/evening.  I sure hope it doesn't rain at all today to spoil any of our outdoor events.  Tonight when we get home from the reception  I'll be packing up for tomorrows stamp class in N. Liberty.   And I'll be cutting some Christmas card kits.  

I hope you have SENSATIONAL Saturday!!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

'Muscial Season'

Black & white cards are always a favorite of mine!  I thought this card is very striking.  I added Crumb Cake & Gold Foil to it too!

Clean & simple describes this pretty Christmas card.

I stamped the drummer boy on a piece of Whisper White scraps, cut him out with the Musical Instruments Framelits Dies & popping him up onto another Whisper White piece of card stock, using the Mini Dimensionals.

stamp set:  'Musical Season'
card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Silver Foil, Whisper White
designer paper:  Merry Music Specialty DSP
ink:  Basic Black Archival 
other:  Big Shot, Musical Instruments Framelits, Dies, Magnetic Platform, Gold 1/8" Ribbon, Metallic Foil Doilies (gold), Mini Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with kids.  Then I worked out on the farm helping Deke sort hogs.  Thankfully Steve came & helped us too.  When we got done with that we went to Deke's aunt & uncles 50th Anniversary Surprise party.  And then I worked on stamping stuff when we got home from the party. 

It was a short night, as this morning we are up bright & early at 5 & headed out the door.  We are marking, sorting & loading hogs.  Hopefully the trucker isn't late as I need to get to Manda's to pick up the boys.  I'll then go to Nathans & pick up their 3 kids & spend my day with all 6 of them, as there is no school today!

Tonight I have Stampin' Class here at our home.  It is my first Christmas Stamp-A-Stack Class of the month!  I am looking forward to seeing everyone joining me & stamping with them tonight.

Gotta run....

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

'Smitten Mitten' tags!

I used the 'Smitten Mitten' stamp set & coordinating Many Mitten Framelits, along with the Merry Music Specialty Designer Paper to decorate the bags for everyone attending my Holiday Extravaganza.

Below are some photos of everything as it was all set up for my event.  I took these pictures just minutes before I unlocked the door for everyone to come in for the class.  We had a wonderful day together stamping!  I can honestly say it was pretty much a perfect day!

I am so blessed to have such a nice building that I can rent for my events.  It is within 15 minutes of our home.  It has 2 bathrooms & a small kitchen (with all of the appliances), plus great lighting, soft chairs & lots of tables!  Plus I get to set up on Friday night & clean up on Sunday.   

There were 23 tables, for the 23 projects, all set up for everyone to move table to table & make each project.  Plus they got their bags (shown above), a little test tube thank you treat I made up for each of them & a take home Make & Take kit with a Pizza Box & 3 note cards- using the Quilted Christmas DSP, with the Stitched Felt Embellishments.  

I was so happy with myself that I remembered my camera to be able to take these pictures.  But after the event I was bummed with myself, as I had wanted to get pictures of everyone stamping sometime throughout the day, but that didn't happen.  I was so busy with everything else I forgot.

We also had a yummy lunch!  I made shredded pork sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, layered lettuce salad & green beans w/bacon.  Plus many of my friends were sweet enough to bring snacks & we had a whole table full of bars, cookies & mixes!  

++++++

I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock last night after the kids went home.

I'm off early this morning, as Manda has an early meeting!!  I'll spend my day with the 3 little ones.  The 3 bigger ones will be here for awhile, as they'll ride the bus out & school gets out early today.  Tonight when the kids go home I'm headed out to help Deke sort & move pigs.  And then we have a surprise Anniversary party for his aunt & uncle to attend later tonight too.  We won't be there too late......but we will go for a tiny bit.  

Gotta run.........
I hope you have a great Thursday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

NEW Stampin' Blends are HERE!

 
I love to color!!  And these NEW Blends are just awesome!!!  They are so smooth, so easy to use & your finished product is just beautiful!  At my Holiday Extravaganza last weekend I focused that class around using Holiday Catalog products & the NEW Stampin' Blends!! These NEW Blends were a huge hit!  You'll have to be sure to try them out sometime.  I am pretty sure you'll love them too!  

NEW Stampin' Blends Features-

• Add just the right amount of color where you need it with the brush tip or fine-point. 
• Each color (except Ivory and Bronze) has a light and dark shade marker, available individually or in a combo pack. 
•  Press fit seal prevents air from entering the barrel and causing evaporation.
• The nestable lids are easy to keep track of and have a tight fit for long-lasting color.
• They aren't round, they have a 4 sided barrel- which is great for holding onto easy while coloring.  PLUS they don't roll off of your table!

CLICK HERE to see the NEW Stampin' Blends Brochure!
 

CHECK OUT THE 12 EXCLUSIVE STAMPIN’ UP! COLORS AVAILABLE

A light and dark shade for each.
 

'Ready for Christmas'

Can you say SOOO CUTE!!  Wow- this stamp set- 'Ready for Christmas' looked adorable in the Holiday Catalog when I first saw it.  I just kept thinking I didn't want to have to cut it all out.  Well- I finally did!  And it wasn't too hard to do!  And look how stinkin' cute it turned out! 

Growing up, my Grandma Cox had a staircase like this, with her Christmas tree at the bottom of it with the packages.  So I created this card with memories of my childhood in mind.  I love the way it turned out.  And let me tell you- that staircase was easy to cut out with the thinlits.  I was so totally impressed! 

This is another one of my many cards that I created for my Holiday Extravaganza.  I had several comment on this card that day- which made me feel good.  I had the thinlits out for them to cut out the stockings, the ornaments & the presents.  But really- those are all really easy to hand cut out with scissors.  But you definitely need the thinlits for the staircase & the garland.  

stamp set:  'Ready for Christmas'
card stock:  Wild Wasbi, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Real Red, Gold Glimmer
ink:  Archival Basic Black, Garden Green
markers:  Real Red, Garden Green
Stampin' Blends:  Light Cherry Cobbler- to color the Rhinestones
other:  1 1/2" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Christmas Staircase Thinlits, Rhinestones, Dimensionals

+++++

Yesterday was a busy day with kids.  They all came Trick-or-Treating last night.  We then went to Nathan & Sarah's home for supper.  When I got home I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock!

This morning Deke is off early to chore & head to his office at the courthouse.  I'm off to get the boys, take them to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  The twins get out of school early, so they will ride the bus out here.  When everyone is gone home tomorrow night I'll be burning the midnight oil cutting card stock! 

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

Happy Halloween!!

Our Trick-or-Treaters!

Masen, Brayden & Ainslee

Drake, Brody & Trey

'Gourd Goodness'

Happy Halloween everyone!!!   I hope your day is Spooktacular!!! 

Todays card is a traditional pumpkin card......and don't these pumpkins look so real! They are from the stamp set- 'Gourd Goodness'.  I think this card would make a great Thanksgiving card too!  Especially with the words I added to the front of it.  The words in this stamp set- 'Paisleys & Posies' are just some of my favorite words ever! 

This is an easy 2 step stamp for these pumpkins!  I stamped the more solid image pumpkins in Crushed Curry first.  And then I stamped over them with the more detailed stamp, using Pumpkin Pie.  

I used the Light Crumb Cake NEW Stampin' Blend underneath the pumpkins!  And the dots are from the stamp set- 'Timeless Textures'.

Look closely at the background, as it is embossed with the Pinewood Embossing Folder.

For the bow I used the Jute Twine.  It has 3 strands wrapped together, so I pulled them apart- which made the kind of crinkled.  I liked the different texture look of it this way.  And it is also less bulky when you go to mail it too!  Plus it goes alot farther!  

stamp sets:  'Gourd Goodness', Timeless Textures' & 'Paisleys & Posies'
card stock:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie
designer paper:  Painted Autumn
inks:  Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso
Stampin' Blends:  Light Crumb Cake
other:  Big Shot, Pinewood Embossing Folder, Jute Twine, Paper Snips, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with the 3 litter kids.  The 3 big boys were here just a little bit right after school.  Mondays are always days of catching up from the weekend of being gone to stamp classes & getting the kids back into my routine here.  As of the moment, everyone is healthy!  I pray it stays that way!   I have my fingers crossed forsure! 

 

Last night I worked on farm bookwork, did some stamping stuff & worked on our pile of laundry!  

 

This morning I'm off to pick up kids & spend the day with the little ones.  Tonight I'll be cutting card stock!!  I have 3 of my 5 Christmas Stamp-a-Stack classes this coming weekend, so I have lots of cutting to do!  You can see those cards BY CLICKING HERE!   

 

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE 

'Every Good Wish'

Here is a fun card using the NEW Stampin' Blends!!

This stamp set is called- "Every Good Wish".  I love how it is a solid image stamp, thus the inside words of 'be merry' were left white.  So I took my Light & Dark Old Olive Stampin' Blends & colored the words in.  I then added the Wink of Stella over the top of it.

Look closely at the Basic Rhinestones in the middle of the holly leaves.  I colored the rhinestones with the Dark Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blend!

stamp set:  'Every Good Wish'
card stock:  Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
designer paper:  Merry Little Christmas
ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Stampin' Blend:  Dark & Light Old Olive & Dark Cherry Cobbler
other:  Big Shot, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Holly Embossing Folder, 1/8" Sheer Old Olive Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++++

I spent my whole day in South English yesterday stamping & cleaning up from my Holiday Extravaganza Class.  I had a few demonstrator friends from afar come help me & they did some stamping too!  It was a fun day!! And I so enjoyed getting to catch up with them, as we rarely see each other.  And bless Deke for coming to help put away tables/chairs, vaccum, load up our vehicles there & unload everything when we got home.  He has helped me tons the past 3 weeks for this big weekend event & I am thankful for all he did!

Last night I burnt the midnight oil working on my upcoming Christmas Card Stamp A Stack projects! 

This morning Deke is up early to chore & head to the office for his weekly board meeting.  I'm up early to work on stamping stuff & then go get the boys, take the twins to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  

Tonight I'll be working on stamping stuff again!!

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

'Christmas Sweaters'

Check out this fun card!!  Isn't this Santa cute!!  

This was a fun card that I created for my Holiday Extravaganza class yesterday!!

I colored it with the NEW Stampin' Blends!!  And I added the Wink of Stella to his beard, mustache, & fur on his hat.  

This card is a gift card holder.  I forgot to take a picture of the inside of it.....  You can see a picture of another card I made in August for Nathan's birthday, using this same fold though by
 CLICKING HERE!

Check out how I I colored a White Accent with the Olive Blends.  Cool huh!

stamp set:  'Christmas Sweater' & 'Best Gifts' (words)
card stock:  

• Old Olive- 4 1/4 x 11- score at 2 1/2" & 5 1/2"for the card base; 3 3/4" x 3 1/2"
• Real Red-
• Whisper White-

designer paper:  

• Christmas Around the World

ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Old Olive, Light Cherry Cobbler, Ivory
other:  Everyday Label Punch, Tear & Tape, Wink of Stella, Dimensionals, White Accents

Here are the 3 colors of the NEW Stampin' Blends that I used- 

• Dark Old Olive
• Light Cherry Cobbler
• Ivory

+++++++

WOW!  What a GREAT day of stamping we had  yesterday!!  It was pretty much a perfect day of stamping & sharing with lots of friends.  I think everyone had a good time.  And they went home with a ton of projects & new ideas!  I spent many hours/weeks working on making this big event to be a very special day!!  And I have to give a big shout out to my wonderful husband (Deke) for helping me with doing so much of the Big Shot cutting for me!!  

I'm off this morning to spend my day in South English again, to clean up from my yesterday's event. And I have a few of my demonstrator friends from afar coming to help me- so I'm looking forward to getting to see them, visiting & stamping together with them.

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

My JOY Banner!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!
 
My post for today is short & sweet..... as today is my Annual Holiday Extravaganza Stamp Camp!!  I have LOTS of cute projects for everyone to come make with me.  I've been preparing for this event for weeks!!  And it is finally here!!  I am EXCITED to spend my day with everyone joining me!!

This is one of the projects everyone will be making today!  It is so cute! 

I used the Tags & Trimmings BUNLDE to make this.  PLUS I used the Large Letter Framelits to cut out the letters 'JOY'.

stamp set: 'Tags & Trimmings' (button in the center of the snowflake)
card stock:  Real Red, Whisper White, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
designer paper: Merry Little Christmas DSP
ink:  Real Red
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Trim Your Stocking Thinlits Dies, Large Letter Framelits, 1/2" Circle Punch (to punch out button), Holly Berry Builder punch, Twine, Real Red 1/8" Solid Ribbon, Mini Dimensionals
 
Gotta run......
I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!! 
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Hearts Come Home'

This is a cool stamp set- 'Hearts Come Home' & coordinating Hometown Greetings Edgelits Dies!  I'm a huge fan of Santa & his flying reindeer, so this stamp set caught my eye right away......and then check out the cool font in this stamp set too.  It is just really cute!

This is one of the cards for my upcoming Holiday Extravaganza event!!

I love glitter & glimmer, so I added a sparkly moon, some sparkly snow & some Wink of Stella on the DSP dots for the falling snow.  

When I cut out the Hometown Greetings Edgelits- I cut them on a 3 1/2" wide by 3" high piece of Whisper White paper.  I then adhered it to the 3x3" Pool Party DSP from the Christmas Around the World pack & cut off the tree from the left side & put it right beside the tree on the left.  

stamp set:  'Hearts Come Home'
card stock:  

• Pool Party- 5 1/2 x 8 1/2"; 3 1/4 x 3 1/4"; 4 1/4 x 1"
• Whisper White- 5 x 3 3/4"; 3 1/2 x 3"; 3 3/4 x 3/4"; 4 x 5 1/4"
• Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer- 1 x 3"; 1" strip

designer paper:  

• Around the World- 3 x 3"

ink:  Pool Party
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Hometown Greetings Edgelits Dies, Pool Party Twine, 3/4" Circle Punch, Wink of Stella, Dimensionals, Glue Dot

+++++

Yesterday was a busy day with kids.  And then a late night again, burning the midnight oil cutting card stock.  Deke worked in the field late too.  We are both up early again this morning.  Deke has an early meeting in town.  And I hope to get some more card stock cut before the 3 Wood kids get here at 7:00, as Nathan & Sarah both have early meetings this morning.  I'll feed Brayden & take him to school, get Trey & spend my day with the 3 littler ones.

As soon as the kids are gone tonight, Deke & I will be headed to South English to set up tables/ chairs & things for tomorrows big stamp day!!  We'll then come home & spend our night cooking & finishing up the final details for my Holiday Extravaganza!

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!

Hugs!
SUSIE

'Santa's Sleigh'

Here is an easel fold card, using 'Santa's Sleigh'.  

Check out the reindeer's nose- I colored it with the NEW Dark Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends.

This card is one that everyone at my October N. Liberty stamp class got to make.  

I used the Be Merry Designer paper!  

Look at how I punch the words out with the Everyday Label Punch.  I then trimmed the edges off it & layered another Everyday Label Punch in the Cherry Cobbler right behind it.

I also used the Everyday Label Punch as the pop up for the inside to hold us the easel part of the card.

stamp set:  'Santa's Sleigh' & 'Snowflake Sentiments'
card stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Thick Whisper White, Whisper White
designer paper:  Be Merry DSP
ink:  Cherry Cobbler
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Santa's Sleigh Thinlits,  Everyday Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, NEW Stampin' Blend- Dark Cherry Cobbler, 3/8" Classic Weave Whisper White Ribbon,  Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day!  I took the 2 boys out to play for about 45 minutes after lunch & we enjoyed the sunshine & fresh crisp air.  Masen is finally big enough to ride the swinging horse with Trey- so that was fun!  Ainslee was feeling a little better.   And then I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock when everyone was gone home. 

 

Today is another repeat day!  Deke is up early to chore & head to a meeting in Ottumwa.  I'm off to get the boys & take the twins to school.  I'll then spend my day with the 3 littler ones.  And the 3 big kids will ride the bus out after school.  When everyone is gone home I'll be cutting more card stock.

 

Gotta run.....

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

'Night in Bethlehem'

Here is one of the cards I created for my November Christmas Stamp-a-Stack Classes.

It is clean, simple & pretty!!  This is such a cool stamp set!  I think it makes a great Christmas card that can easily be mass produced. 

I cut out Mary & Joseph with the Bethlehem Edgelits Dies & the Big Shot & then popped them up with a couple of dimensionals. 

 

I added a rhinestones to the center of the star to add some sparkle!

I stamped both rows of the villages in Dapper Denim ink.  I stamped the bottom row & then without reinking the stamp, I off set the stamp just a little to the right & stamped it again, leaving a lighter shade of the Dapper Denim.  
 
stamp set:  'Night in Bethlehem'
card stock:  Dapper Denim, Marina Mist, Whisper White
ink:  Dapper Denim
other:  Big Shot, Bethlehem Edgelits Dies, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals

+++++

Ainslee went back to the dr yesterday afternoon.  She is so plugged up, cough, runny nose, hoarse, not eating, not sleeping, fussy......you name it, yesterday was a long day.  Hope she feels better today.  Her dr says it is just a virus & she is on tylenol & benadryl.  Hope they work. 

We are up early this morning.  I'm going to cut card stock awhile before I go pick up the boys.  Deke is off early to chore & head to the courthouse office.  I'll spend my day with the 3 little ones.  The twins will ride the bus out after school & be here a bit.

When the kids leave I'll be burning the midnight oil cutting card stock again.  If it is dry enough, Deke hopes to be in the field.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Santa's Suit'

Oh....the first time I saw this Santa in the catalog I just loved it!!  I think he is so cute!! Your mind just goes 100 mph when you look at this bundle, as there are tons of different possibilities that could be done with it when creating!

This card is another one of the cards that I have created for my upcoming Holiday Extravaganza that I'm hosting this coming weekend!!  

Check out the Wink of Stella that I used on Santa's hair.  I also used it along the fur & ball of his hat too! 

Look closely at Santa.  How did I color him?  I colored Santa with the NEW Stampin' Blends.  I used the Light Cherry Cobbler & Ivory!!! 

I used 2 strips of Tear & Tape along the back edge of the pretty 7/8" Black/White Stripped Ribbon & adhered it to the front of the card.  

Notice the words- I used the 1 1/4" Circle punch them out & then slid them under the edge of the ribbon.

stamp set: 'Santa's Suit'
card stock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White
designer paper: Merry Little Christmas DSP

Stampin' Blends:  Light Cherry Cobbler, Ivory
ink:  Black Memento
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Santa Builder Framelits Dies, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Starburst Punch, Wink of Stella, Tear & Tape, Dimensionals

++++++++

I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock last night.  We are up early again this morning, as Deke has to chore & head to Des Moines for a meeting.  I'll work on cutting card stock for a couple of hours before I go pick up the boys.  I'll spend my day with the little ones again today & burn the midnight oil again tonight cutting card stock.  

Our poor little Ainslee is still sick.  She has a terrible cough now, but is still on meds from her red throat she had last week.  Yesterday was a long day for all of us!  I hope she feels better today!

Gotta run......

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