Candy Cane

This is one of the cards for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack classes that everyone has been making with me this weekend!  I love it that there is a punch that coordinates with this stamp set!

Can a card be clean & simple, yet elegant?  I love the dimension in this card with the layering of the candy canes & the added bling & sparkle of the snowflakes & the Red Rhinestones!

stamp set:
card stock:
designer paper:
ink:
other:

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This is short & sweet, as I've been going 100 mph all week/weekend getting ready & have all 5 of my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack classes that I'm having.

Last night we had a quick & nice supper with the Seeley family to celebrate Manda's birthday!!  

And then it was another short night, as I was getting everything ready for today's 2 classes.  

Gotta run.......I'm off to spend my day in Hiawatha today with lots of friends there to stamp!

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

Manda's Birthday!! And a Christmas card pull out!

Wow- today is a special day!!!  Our baby is 32!!  Oh my- where does the time go?  How can that be?   Manda was a beautiful dark haired baby girl that has become a beautiful young woman.  She is a great mom, wife, sister, daughter & friend to many!!  I am sad that I have a full weekend of working & won't get to see her today.  We'll have to do something special some evening next week to all celebrate.  She is a true blessing in our life!  And I'm thankful I get to see her almost every day. 

 

 Here she is with her family!

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 This is a fun Christmas card that everyone made at my Holiday Extravaganza class last month!  It is a pocket card that has a pull out in the front.  And then on the inside of it I made a gift card holder. 

Check out the cute Christmas tree.  This framelit has stitching around it!  WOW!  And I added some bling with the Red Rhinestones & a gold star on the top!

This stamp set is called the 'Nothing Sweeter' Bundle in the Holiday Catalog on page 25. 

Here is the part in the front that pulls out!

And here is what the inside pocket looks like!  I just put a gift card in it.

stamp sets: 'Nothing Sweeter' & 'Peaceful Poinsettia' (words for the inside of the card)
card stock:

• Crumb Cake-8 1/2 x 11- score at 4 1/4", turn & score at 5 1/2- diagonally cut bottom left corner & then cut off the completely with your Paper Snips- the bottom right corner; 5 x 3 3/4"; 2 1/2" strip to punch out circle
• Shaded Spruce- 5 1/4 x 4"; 4 x 2 3/4"; 2 1/2" strip (stamp tree onto & cut out with the framelits); 3 x 3 3/4"- cut at a diagonal (use 1/2 of this & save the other 1/2 for another project)
• Whisper White- 4 x 5 1/4 (for inside of card); 2 1/2 x 3 3/4" for outside tag to stamp words onto
• Crushed Curry- 1/2' strip to punch out the star using the Twinkle Builder Punch
• Real Red- 2 3/4" to punch out circle

designer paper:  All Is Bright DSP- 3 x 3 3/4"- cut at a diagonal (use 1/2 of this & save the other 1/2 for another project)
ink:  Shaded Spruce
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Sweetly Stitched Framelits, 2" Circle Punch, 2 1/4" Circle Punch, Tear & Tape, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Red Rhinestones, Twinkle Builder Punch, Real Red 3/8" Satin Ribbon, Stapler

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Yesterday was a busy day with the kids.  When they left yesterday afternoon I was a busy been setting up tables & chairs & getting ready for my Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack.  I had a great group of ladies join me to stamp last night!  We all had a nice time.

This morning I'm up early to clean up & re-set projects, as I have a Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack here this morning & one here this afternoon too!  I am looking forward to seeing everyone & spending our time stamping together.

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Dashing Deer

I love this big deer.  He is very elegant looking!  Check out the background.  I added some snowflakes to it!  I embossed the snowflakes using the Blizzard Thinlits Die & the Embossing Mats. 

Check out the Copper Pearls.  Where did they come from?  I used a sponge dauber & the Bright Copper Shimmer Paint to color the Basic Pearls!  They dried fast!  It was so easy to do! 

Where did I get that corner punch?  I used the Everyday Label punch.  Here is how I snipped the corners!

I am always looking for other ways to get the most out of my products.  And I'm also a big punch girl!  So This is just a fun different look to do! 

stamp set:  'Dashing Deer'
card stock:  Soft Suede, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
ink:  Soft Suede
other:  Basic Pearls, Bright Copper Shimmer Paint, Braided Linen Trim, Everyday Label Punch, Big Shot, Standard Plate, Embossing Mat, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Check out my post below to see how to use the Embossing Mats!

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I burnt the midnight oil again cutting card stock!!  Tonight when the kids go home I have a group coming to stamp with me for my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack!  I've been gearing up all week to get ready for my 5 stamp classes that I have this weekend!!  I am looking forward to seeing everyone that is joining me!!  

I'm off this morning to town, will take the twins to school & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Deke is home to work on the farm today.  So we are looking forward to him being here to eat lunch with us.  

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

How to use the Embossing Mats!

 

 

Some On Stage happenings!

Here are the stars of our show as they kicked off sharing all about 

Stampin' Up! celebrating our 30th Anniversary!!!  

This is Sarah Douglas & Shelli Gardner!!!  

They are both amazing women that I'm so proud & honored to know. 

 

 These amazing ladies are part of my team & traveling partners!!!  

Dawn, Rory, me, Lynda & Janeen

We had a great time together last week in Orlando, at On Stage together!

I'm blessed to have them in my life!

It was wonderful to see them & spend our time together!! 
Rory lives in New York, so I hadn't seen her in person for several years.  
I just so enjoyed seeing her & spending time with all of them!

 

 We went to Universal Studios for supper the first night. 
I was amazed at all of the stores & restaurants that were 
outside the actual park & free to go to!

It was sooo hot & humid there.

(I am thankful I live in Iowa with the cold & less humidity!)

We walked around outside the parks each night & saw some fun things!

Everything at Disney was decorated for Christmas!

It was just sooo pretty!! 

And they were playing Christmas music too.  

It brought out the kid in each of us, along with reminding us of the magic that the holidays bring.  

 

I am always looking for someone to share a meal with me. 

This is one of the many meals that Lynda & I shared last week.

WOW- it was huge! And it was yummy!

This photo was taken at our Leaders Centre Stage class the last day.

I am sitting with a great group of ladies & dear friends of mine!

We try to sit together at each On Stage event that we can.

It is always great to see them & catch up on things. 

Dawn, Dawn, me, BJ, Sharon, LeeAnn & Jane

I can't beileve that it has been 17 1/2 years ago that I signed up to be

a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!!

I have so loved sharing & stamping with so many over these years!!!  

And then I think of all of the things I've done, great ladies I've met & 

far away places we've been over these years.

It is just unbelieveable!

And it is all because I am signed up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!  

WOW!

LOTS of Holiday Catalog Products RUNNING LOW! ORDER NOW!

These products are running low!!  If any of these are on your wish list to purchase- EMAIL me NOW please & I will order it for you OR I can give you a hostess code if you are coming to one of my monthly classes this weekend & want your order to count towards your class minimum!!  Or you can order FROM MY ON LINE STORE!! 

NOTE: *Also indicated with an asterisk which of these products will carry over into a future catalog.

• SNOWFLAKES & STARS WIRE ELEMENTS (item #147819)
• SANTA'S SIGNPOST FRAMELITS DIES (item 1#47911)
• CHICKEN WIRE ELEMENTS (item #147807)
• ALPINE SPORTS THINLITS DIES (item #147916)
• SINCERELY SANTA PROJECT KIT (item #148029)
• FESTIVE FARMHOUSE COTTON TWINE (item #147888)
• 5/8" STRIPED BURLAP TRIM (item #147889)
• DETAILED LEAVES THINLITS DIES (item #147921)
• IN THE WOODS FRAMELITS DIES (item #147919)*
• DETAILED DEER THINLITS DIES (item #147915)*
• GALVANIZED BUTTONS (item #147891)
• GALVANIZED CLIPS (item #147806)
• TAKEOUT THINLITS DIES (item #147927)
• SWIRLS & CURLS TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDER (item #147923)*
• TRANQUIL TIDE 1/4" VELVET RIBBON (item #147802)
• REAL RED 3/8" MIXED SATIN RIBBON (item 1#47894)
• MERRY CHRISTMAS THINLITS DIES (item #147912)*
• FARMHOUSE FRAMELITS DIES (item #147922)

More 'Snow is Glistening'!!

When I got this stamp set I played with several different layouts using the same colors & dsp!  So here is another green tree card.  I actually stamped this one onto the Old Olive card stock, using the Shaded Spruce ink pad.

The Gold Foil just reflects in the photo- but it is very pretty in person!  

stamp set:  'Snow is Glistening'
card stock:  

• Shaded Spruce-
• Old Olive-
• Whisper White-
• Gold Foil-

designer paper:  

• Under the Mistletoe DSP-
• Wood Textures DSP

ink:  Shaded Spruce
other:  1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 1/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, Gold Metallic Pearls, Old Olive 1/8" Ribbon, Dimesnionals, Glue Dots, Champagne Shimmer/Rubbing Alcohol Spray

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Sorry- this is short & sweet!!  I have had a crazy week getting ready for 5 Christmas Stamp-a-Stack classes coming up on Friday night, 2 Saturday & 2 on Sunday.......so with the kids during the day, I've been burning the midnight oil cutting lots & lots of card stock!

 

This morning I'm off to get the boys & take them to school & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Deke is off early to chore & head to Ottumwa for a meeting this morning.  Tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil again!  And hopefully Deke will be in early enough from the farm to help me by doing some Big Shot stuff!

 

I hope you have a great Thursday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Christmas Ornaments!

This ornament card is a very non traditional one.  I love the way it turned out!  This ornament set it pretty cute! 

This is one of the 5 cards everyone will be making this week at my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack classes.  They get to make 2 each of 5 different cards.  

When we were on the Stampin' Up! incentive trip in July, there was a card on the display board with these ornaments.  It was nothing like this card, but it sure caught my eye & made me see the possibilities in creating with this set!  

I used the 'Beautiful Baubles' stamp set for the ornaments.  And 'Christmas Traditions Punch Box' for the words, along with the cute punch too!

The designer paper is from the Country Lane DSP.  It is suppose to be fall, but I love the Blackberry Bliss color & thought it worked great for a more modern Christmas card here.  

Of course......you have to have some bling!  I added some Basic Rhinestones over some of the sparkle images.  And finished it off by adding a little bow in the top corner.  

So what do you think?  I hope you like it as much as I do!

stamp sets:  'Beautiful Baubles' & 'Christmas Traditions Punch Box'
card stock:  Smoky Slate, Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White
designer paper:  Country Lane
ink:  Black Berry Bliss
other:  Basic Rhinestones, Punch (from Christmas Traditions Tin), dimensionals, Glue Dots, Nature's Twine pack (Blackberry Bliss)

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So I've had many phone calls, some emails & several of you that have asked me in person (even other demonstrators (some I knew & some I'd never met before) when I was at On Stage) as to why I wasn't journaling much any more.  Honestly- I've been so busy lately with pigs, kids & stamping that I am having a hard time keeping up with everything.  And I haven't had much sleep.  So not taking the extra time each night before I go to bed to add more to my post is what was was going on.  I'll try to add some for all of you to keep track of us.  I often just feel like I'm a broken record though.  So it warms my heart that you read my journaling & care about what our family is doing.  Thank you all for caring!  And thank you all for asking & checking in on me!

Yesterday was an early & busy day with the kids.  Last night when they went home I made a quick trip to Osky to deposit a hog check & pick up a few groceries.  We were out of milk & bread & a few other things that I had to have.  When I got home I put away groceries & made Deke a late supper when he finally got in.  I then burnt the midnight oil stamping!

It has been a busy week here on the farm.  As we are excited to report that our corn is finally all picked!!  Jessie & Nate came down late on Monday afternoon to start it.  Masen got to ride in the combine for awhile with Nate (so he was super excited about that).  We've been working on potty training him & I'm very pleased to report that he is doing awesome (finally)!!!  I officially only have one (Ainslee) in diapers now- so that is pretty cool!  My boys are all getting to be big boys!

Deke had 2 meetings yesterday & then worked late on the farm moving corn around & hauling in big cornstalk bales.  Ben got here yesterday afternoon & thankfully it was dry enough that he got 132 big cornstalk bales done for us.  That is great as now our piggies will have some nice warm bedding to sleep in this winter, as we didn't have any left over at all from last fall. 

Today is a busy day for everyone around here again.  Nathan, Sarah, Manda & Steve, all have early meetings.  So I'm off early to go to Manda's house.  And Deke is going to go chore early & then come back in to stay with Masen & Ainslee until I get back from town & taking the twins to school.  I'm glad Deke is able to help me out this morning, as it sure makes it much easier for me to not have them all to take in & out of the vehicles.  Deke then has a meeting to attend later this morning in Mt. Pleasant & he will come home to work on picking up more big cornstalk bales this afternoon/ evening.  Tonight when the kids go home I'll be a busy bee cutting LOTS of card stock!!!

Gotta run.....

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

Susie's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack cards!

Are you planning to come join me this week/weekend to stamp?  
Oh wow- I'm super excited to share these awesome Christmas cards with you!

Here are the 5 cards that everyone will be making at Susie's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack classes!!

You get to make 2 of each of these 5 cards!  

So that means you will go home with 10 of these cards & envelopes too!

I just emailed out my reminder email with all of the details on
Susie's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack to my customers!

If you have any questions don't hesitate to CONTACT ME!

NOTE:  The colors, DSP & ribbon may vary from one class to the other class,

 depending on number of attendees.   

This snowflake card will be a FREE BONUS card that everyone coming to my classes 

this week/weekend will get to make 1 of!!

We will be using the EXCLUSIVE & limited time only products 

from the Snowflake Showcase!!  

With all orders placed this month from me-

I will email you a FREE PDF using the 20 great cards using this Snowflake Showcase!

 CLICK HERE to learn more about the Snowflake Showcase!

 

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Christmas Truck!

This as one of my Holiday Extravaganza.  Isn't this truck just so cool!!!

Check out the fence, truck, snow, holly/Berries & swirls!

Here are some tips:

• Where did the swirls come from?  Look closely at the Antlers on the Detailed Deer Thinlits Die.  Yep- it is 2 of them cut out!  And then the Holly/Berries is put over it where they join.  Cool huh!!
• The fence is just cut out once, then cut in half & the big space in the center is covered up by the Oval Framelits!  
• Notice the background- it is the Softly Falling Embossing Folder. 
• Do you see the snow?  I added it using the Multipurpose Glue & Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  

 This card was inspired by a cool one that my dear friend Lorri Heiling sent to me. 

stamp set:  'Farmhouse Christmas', Peaceful Poinsettia' & 'Itty Bitty Greetings
card stock:  Real Red, Whisper White
designer paper:  Wood Textures DSP (for the fence)
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Real Red, Light & Dark Old Olive, Light Smoky Slate, Light Basic Black, Dark Daffodil Delight
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Detailed Deer Thinlits Die, Farmhouse Fraemlits Dies, Detailed Poinsettia Thinlites Die, Standard Platform, Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Classic Label Punch, Multipurpose Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Yesterday was a long day!!  I didn't hardly get any sleep on Saturday night before we headed to the airport at 4:15 a.m.  Thankfully our flight was on time & we got home safely!  I then spent my afternoon helping Deke outside with the hogs.  I got my suitcases unpacked & some laundry done before I had to call it a night.  

This morning we are up early to chore & get things done before the kids get here.  We are all then going to the Veteran's program at school to see the boys.  Brayden is bringing my uncle Jerry & the twins are bringing my step dad Dick.  Tonight when everyone goes home I'll be working on catching up emails, mail & stampin' things. 

Gotta run.......

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A Christmas Tree with 'Snow is Glistening'

Here is another Christmas tree using the 'Snow is Glistening' stamp set!!  This stamp set is part of an exclusive Snowflake Showcase offer that Stampin' Up! is doing for this month only!  

You can CLICK HERE to find out more about this awesome Snowflake Showcase special!

stamp set:  'Snow is Glistening'
card stock:  

• Shaded Spruce-
• Old Olive-
• Whisper White-
• Gold Foil-

designer paper:  

• Under the Mistletoe DSP-
• Wood Textures DSP

ink:  Shaded Spruce
other:  Twinkle Builder Punch (for the stars); Gold Metallic Pearls, Old Olive 1/8" Ribbon, Dimesnionals, Glue Dots, Champagne Shimmer/Rubbing Alcohol Spray

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WOW- yesterday was a busy day full of lots of fun stamping!!!  

This morning we are headed out early for the airport & headed home!!!  As soon as I get home I'm headed outside to help Deke mark, sort & load 2 semi's of hogs!  I had a great time with my friends & learned alot at Stampin' Up! On Stage, but I missed my family & I'm excited to be going home to see them.

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!!

Happy Stamping!!!

Hugs-

SUSIE

Snowflakes!

I told you that I was loving Bermuda Bay snowflake cards right now!  Well check out this one!!!  It is clean, simple & SUPER CUTE!  Don't you think?

I used some of the November ONLY Snowflake Showcase product- 'Snow is Glistening' & the Snowfall Thinlits Dies.  It is available this month only & while supplies last!  You can CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS SPECIAL!

If you buy any of the products that are in the Snowflake Showcase, I will email you a PDF tutorial with 20 card ideas on it, so that you have a lot more ideas!!!

stamp set:  'Snow is Glistening'
card stock:  Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White
ink:  Bermuda Bay 
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Precision Plate, Snowfall Thinlits Dies, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, 2 1/4" Circle Punch, Clear Epoxy Droplets, Whisper White Polka Dot Ribbon, Darling Label Punch

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OH wow!!!  Yesterday was another super busy day, filled with lots of presentations & some great information!  I am loving all of the ideas & fun things I'm learning & I can't wait to share them all of you!!

We are up early this morning & off again for another full day of classes.  

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!! 

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Illuminated Christmas

Here is one of the cards that I created for my upcoming Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack classes.  It is clean & simple & elegant!  This is a card that you can easily mass produce to make multiples of. 

NOTE:  The color & DSP may be slightly different in various classes next week. 

stamp set:  'Illuminated Christmas'
card stock:  Merry Merlot, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
designer paper:  Joyous Noel Specialty DSP (now sold out!)
ink:  Merry Merlot
other:  Big Shot, Layering Circle Framelits, 2 1/4" Circle Punch, Gold Faceted Gems, Merry Merlot & Coppery Reversible Ribbon, Classic Label Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Champagne Shimmer/Alcohol Spray

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We had a busy day at On Stage.  We saw some great presentations & learned some fun things!  I went out for supper with my downline Dawn & Rory & side-line Lynda.  It was great catching up with them, as we hadn't all been together for a few years. 

 

This morning we are up early & off again to the convention center for the day/evening.  I can't wait to see what other fun new things that Stampin' Up! has in store for us.  

 

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Santa's Workshop DSP!

This is a fun fold little elf card!!!  It is another one of my Holiday Extravaganza class projects.  I love the images in this designer paper!  Aren't these little elves just the cutest! 

stamp set:  'Signs of Santa'
card stock:

• Poppy Parade-
• Whisper White-
• Thick Whisper White-

designer paper:  Santa's Workshop Specialty DSP-
ink:  Poppy Parade
other:  White Polka Dot Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Mini Dimensionals, Santa's Workshop Enamel Dots (SOLD OUT NOW), 1  1/4" Circle Punch, 1  1/2" Circle Punch, Starburst Circle Punch, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Blizzard Thinlits Die

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We had a LONG day yesterday in the heat at Epcot.  It was great seeing so many of my demonstrator friends.  Our Centre Stage event was very nice.  I got my Occasions & Sale-a-bration Catalogs & I'm so excited about lots of the new products in them!!  

We stayed for firework/light show finale- it was great!!!  We were beat when we got back to our room.

We are up early this morning & headed over to the convention center for a day full of classes!!! I am looking forward to seeing demonstrations & presenters today!!

I hope you have a great Thursday!!  

Happy Stamping!
hugs-

SUSIE

Country Home

This is a fall card that I did for my Holiday Extravaganza.  I used the Country Home stamp set, along with the coordinating Country Lane DSP. 

Don't know if you can tell by the photo or not, but I colored the cotton on the stamped image here using my Wink of Stella,  

Check out the cool galvanized button under the Linen Trim.   

stamp set:  'Country Home'
card stock:  Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
designer paper:  Country Lane
ink:  Early Espresso
other:  Big Shot, Stitched Circle Framelits, Braided Linen Trim, Wink of Stella, Dimensionals, Galvanized Button, Glue Dots

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We had an hour delayed flight- but finally arrived in Orlando!!  We are tired & ready to get some sleep!  Today is going to be a busy day!  I can't wait to see all of my demonstrator friends from all over that are here too at our Stampin' Up! On Stage, celebrating Stampin' Up!'s 30th Anniversary!! 

WOO HOO!!!

And on another sweet note......this guy got re-elected last night for another term as Keokuk County Board of Supervisor!!!  Yeah!!!! 

I hope you had a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE