'Birthday Cheer'!

Do you have someone special that you want to send a birthday card to?  Well this would be a great card to make & send to them!!!  

This is a cute birthday card with a fun layout!!  Just check it out!!!  This is another one of  the cards that everyone coming to stamp with me for my January monthly card classes will be making this week!

I cut 4 squares that are different sizes-

1. Night of Navy- 1 1/2 x 1 3/4"
2. Call Me Clover- 1 2/ x 3 1/4"
3. Call Me Clover- 2 1/4 x 1 3/4"
4. Night of Navy- 2 1/4 x 3 1/4"

I then used the NEW Dot to Dot Textured Embossing Folder to emboss the Call Me Clover pieces.  And the Simple Stripes Embossing Folder to emboss the Night of Navy pieces.

I put all of the pieces into the 2 embossing folders diagonally- so I would get an angled look.

I stamped the birthday hat onto a piece of Whisper White card stock, using my Black Memento ink pad & then colored some of the stripes with my Dark Call Me Clover & Dark Night of Navy Stampin' Blends.  I used the Wink of Stella to color in the top of the hat & the white stripes.  NOTE:  There is a framelit with this stamp set, but not one for the birthday hat- so you'll have to use your paper snips & fussy cut it out. 

stamp set:  'Birthday Cheer'
card stock:  

• Call Me Clover- 1 1/2 x 3 1/4 & 2 1/4 x 1 3/4- Emboss using the Dot to Dot Embossing folder
• Night of Navy-  1 1/2 x 1 3/4 & 2 1/4 x 3 1/4"- Emboss using the Simple Stripes Embossing folder; 3 x 2 1/4"- layer under words on the outside of the card
• Thick Whisper White-  5 1/2 x 8 1/2- score at 4 1/4", fold in half for card base
• Whisper White-  4 x 5 1/4- for inside of the card; 2 3/4' strip to stamp the birthday hat onto & then fussy cut it out with your Paper Snips; 2 3/4 x 2"- to stamp words on the outside of the card

ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Call Me Clover & Dark Night of Navy
other:  Call Me Clover 1/8"ribbon, Wink of Stella, Big Shot, Standard Platform, Dot to Dot Textured Embossing Folder, Simple Stripes Embossing Folder, Paper Snips.  Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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Yesterday was a busy day with the kids & then I burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock.  

This morning Deke is up early to chore.  He will be gone all day, as he is taking his mom to Cedar Rapids to some dr appointments.  I'm up early to get some more card stock cut before I go get the boys!  I'll take the twins to school & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  When the kids are all gone home again tonight I'll be cutting cardstock & getting things done for my upcoming stamp classes I have this weekend.  

I hope you have a great Thursday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Hearts!!!

OH wow!!!  Talk about some beautiful hearts- check out these!!  I love these new Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies!!!  

And check out this DSP called- All of my Love!  

I am a heart lover........so these are totally my style.  They are so elegant & just so pretty!!

 The color I used here is Flirty Flamingo!  Cool huh!!!  

Check out the Heart Epoxy Droplets I used.  They actually come clear......yup- so that means  you can color them any color you want using  your Stampin' Blends!  That is what I did!  I used my Dark Flirty Flamingo Stampn' Blend & colored them! so that I they would show up & pop more on my card.  

Look at this lace look heart!  And then the little stitched hear in the middle of it.  Oh- what about the pretty Flirty Flamingo ribbon knot.  

These are all NEW products in the Occasions Catalog!  Check them out on pages 5 & 6!  

Do you need a Valentines card?  A wedding or anniversary card?  A birthday card?   A retirement card?  This stamp set could work for almost any occasion!

Here are the supplies & the measurements that I used to make this card-
stamp set:  'Meant to Be'
card stock:

• Flirty Flamingo- 5 1/2 x 8 1/2- score at 4 1/4" & fold for your card base; 2" strip- small stitched heart Framelit; 2" strip- 1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch; 2 3/4" strip- cut out detailed lacy heart Framelit; 2 3/4 x 2 3/4
• Whisper White- 1 3/4" strip- stamp words onto it & punch out using the 1 1/8" Scalloped Circle Punch; 2 1/2 x 2 1/2"; 3 1/4 x 3 1/4"

designer paper:  All My Love DSP

• 4 x 1"; 4 x 1"

ink:  Flirty Flamingo
Stampin' Blend:  Dark Flirty Flamingo
other:  1 1/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, Heart Epoxy Droplets; All My Love Combo Ribbon pack; Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Precision Plate, Be Mine Stitched Framelits Dies, dimensionals, glue dots

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I burnt the midnight oil last night stamping!  And we are up early this morning.  I have boxes of supplies from my calendar classes that I need to get put away before I head out the door to go get the boys.  Deke is off early to chore.  He has 2 meetings today- one in Sigourney & one in Mt. Pleasant.  I'll take the twins to school & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight when everyone goes home I'll burn the midnight oil again cutting card stock for my upcoming stamp classes I have this weekend!  

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Butterfly card

Did you see that yesterday I shared a quick post & a close up photo of this pretty butterfly!!  Well- here is the entire card for you to see.  Keep on reading for more information about it.  And at the end of my post I have all of the supplies, along with the measurements so that you can copy my card!

This card is one of my January monthly class cards.  So everyone joining me to stamp this week will be making this!!!  I know at my class on Sunday, this card was one of everyone's favorites! 

You all know that I just love black & white cards!  They are my favorite!!  And on this black & white card I added a little splash of color too with adding in the butterfly!!  

How did I do the butterfly?  You aren't gonna believe how easy it is!  I used the Sale-a-bration Botanical Butterfly DSP, along with my Duo Butterfly Punch and just punched out the butterfly from a strip of the DSP.  It is just so quick, easy & gorgeous!!  

This is what the each page in the whole package of it looks like!!  There are colorful images on one side of each sheet & then on the back side of each sheet are black & white images! 

 

 So I cut the DSP sheet of butterflies into strips like shown below.  
**NOTE- the butterflies are different colors & different sizes, but each one of them will work perfectly with the large butterfly from Butterfly Duo punch!!

Check out this photo.....see how I cut the strips!  And look at the butterflies that I punched out!! 

Isn't that just soooo cool!!!  There are many different ones & they are all gorgeous!

I did add the Wink of Stella over the top of the entire butterfly to give it some added sparkle!  

So what do you think? 

The stripped DSP that I used here on the card too is also from this same Botanical Butterfly Sale-a-bration DSP.

Do you want some of this DSP?  It is FREE during Sale-a-bration (from now until March 31, 2019) with a product order of $50.  Be sure you add it to your wish list & get it!  It is a must have forsure!  

Here are the supplies & the measurements so that you can make this card too!
stamp set:  'Butterfly Gala'
card stock:  

• Basic Black- 5 1/2 x 8 1/2"- score at 4 1/4" & fold in half for the card base; 2 3/4 x 4"
• Whisper White- 3 3/4 x 5" (for outside of the card); 3 3/4 x 5" (for inside of the card); 3 3/4 x 3/4"- stamp your words onto this strip; 2" strip to cut out the square scalloped Layering Square Framelits- square measures 1 3/4 x 1 3/4". 

designer paper:

• Botanical Butterfly DSP- 5 x 2" (for the stripped DSP)
• Strips of DSP to punch out the Butterfly using the Butterfly Duo punch

ink:  Black Memento
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Layering Square Framelits, Wink of Stella, Whisper White Polka Dot ribbon (4"), dimensionals, Glue Dots

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It is crazy here with kids, pigs & stamping!  

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A beautiful butterfly!!

Wow- check out this beautiful butterfly! 

This card is one that everyone will be making with me at my at all of my January monthly classes this week.

Check back tomorrow & I'll share more details about it!!!  I'll show you some more photos & tell you how I made this!

Sorry- today is short & sweet..........gotta run......

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Yesterday was a great day of stamping!!  Sandy & her little sister Misty- were great hostesses!  It was fun catching up with everyone, stamping & have a fun time with everyone that joined us!!

I was beat when I got home last night.  I stopped & picked up a Casey's pizza on the way home for our supper & called it a night.

This morning Deke is up early to chore & head to the courthouse for his weekly board meeting.  I'm headed to town to get the boys, take the twins to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight when the kids go home I'll be cutting card stock.  I'll be getting ready for more stamping classes that I have this week!  

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy stamping!
hugs-

SUSIE

Dear Doily!

 

 I made this neat card using the new 'Dear Doily' stamp set & coordinating Doily Builder Thinlits Dies.  If you look closely you can see that I shadow stamped the doily around the outside edges of the Calypso Coral.  And then I also stamped one underneath the die cut doily too!

So what do you think?  This Doily cut out sooo easy!!  I was just very excited about that when I did it!  

stamp set:  'Dear Doily'

card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Whisper White, Calypso Coral

ink:  Calypso Coral

other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Doily Builder Thinlits Dies, Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins, Dimensionals, Glue Dot, 1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 1/2" circle Punch

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Yesterday was a busy & LONG day!  Thankfully our trucker was on time, the pigs were first cut- but they sorted & loaded really good!  When we got in the house from loading hogs & choring we quickly showered & headed to Brayden's basketball tournament.  His team won all 3 games.  Nathan  & Deke's friend Joel are the boys' coaches.  Ainslee stayed with me for the afternoon.  And I spent every spare minute creating & cutting cards- burning the midnight oil again.  

This morning I'm up early to finish getting everything ready for today's stamp class in N. Liberty!!  Sandy K is my hostess & I look forward to seeing everyone & sharing!!  

Deke is up early this morning to chore & he is going to go to Drake's wrestling tournament if all goes good for him outside.

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a SPECIAL Sunday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Beauty Abounds'

Today I'm sharing a clean & simple card.  I am using the new set- 'Beauty Abounds' from the Occasions Catalog. 

I am sorry that this is short & sweet today......but we have a crazy weekend!

stamp set:  'Beauty Abounds'
card stock:  Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
ink:  Pumpkin Pie
other:  Wink of Stella, Baisic Pearls, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Butterfly Beauty Thinlits Dies, Dimensionals, Tailored Tag Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2" Circle Punch

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We are off & on the run today.........

I am off to get a little sleep before our alarm goes off at 5.  We will head outside to mark, sort & load big pigs.  Then Brayden has a basketball tournament that we'll go to.  And I'll have Masen & Ainslee for awhile this afternoon.  Plus I have LOTS of stamping & cutting to get done for all of my January stamp classes, so I hope I have good mojo!

Wishing you all a SUPER Saturday!!

Happy Stamping!
hugs-
SUSIE

'Lovely Lattice'- LOVE IT!

Oh gosh.............so late last night I decided I needed a quick card made for today's blog post.  I grabbed these stamp sets that were still on my counter, as I used them at my calendar classes last month!  (and I'm still working on making calendars for all that I give away to family- so still have stamps everywhere.)  

So this is the card I quickly made.  These pretty flowers are from the stamp set called- 'Lovely Lattice'.  It is a NEW Sale-a-bration choice & could be yours for FREE with a $50 order from now until March 31st, 2019.

This is a clean, simple & easy card, but it is soooooo elegant too!  I just love the way it turned out!  It is a totally Susie style card.  I love the colors too.  How can  you go wrong with Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive, as they are 2 of my favorite colors for sure!

So what do you think?  I like it so well I wish it was a class card for this month!  Humm.......we'll see.  It just might be!  Or maybe I'll create a modified version of it for my classes. 

stamp sets:  'Lovely Lattice' & 'Butterfly Gala' & 'Beauty Abounds'
card stock:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Light & Dark Old Olive, Light & Dark Rich Razzleberry
other:  Wink of Stella, Basic Pearls, Duo Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

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This morning I'm off to town to get the boys, take the twins to school & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight the big boys will ride the bus out after school.  When everyone has gone home I'll be a busy bee stamping again!!  I'm gearing up for all of my January monthly classes.  So I pray I have good mojo!

Gotta run......

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

CHECK OUT THE NEW 2019 Occasions & Sale-a-bration Catalogs HERE!

NEW 2019 Occasions Catalog- CLICK HERE to see it!

NEW 2019 Sale-a-bration Catalog- CLICK HERE to see it!

NEW Catalogs- WOO HOO!!!

WOO HOO!!!!! 
Hey- today is the start of   2019 Sale-a-bration, PLUS the NEW 2019 Occasions Catalog starts today too! (Just CLICK ON THE WORDS TO DOWNLOAD EITHER OF THE CATALOGS!)

Isn't this little froggy just so adorable!! I am in love with him!  He is one of the NEW Sale-a-bration Choices for 2019!  If you spend $50 in products from either the Occasions or Annual Catalogs- you can get him for FREE!  

Look at the cute little flies too!!  :)  I made little dots behind them with my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, so that I could show their flying trail.  I then added some Wink Of Stella over the top of them to make them pop & sparkle!

This card a fun Z fold!!!  

I stamped the frog onto my Whisper White card stock with my Black Memento ink pad, punched him out using my 2" Circle Punch & then used my Light & Dark Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends to color him in.  

And check out the COOL Black & White DSP!  It too is a FREE Sale-a-bration choice with a $50 order from the Occasions or Annual Catalogs!  This DSP is called- Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper.  

stamp set:  'So Hoppy Together'
card stock:  Basic Black, Granny Apple Green, Whisper White
designer paper: Botanical Butterfly DSP
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Write Marker:  Basic Black
Stampin' Blends:  Light & Dark Granny Apple Green
other:  2" Circle Punch, Starburst Circle Punch, Big Shot, Layering Circle Framelits (2 1/2" Circle), Granny Apple Green ribbon, Classic Label Punch, Wink of Stella

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Everyone has early meetings today.......so I'm up early to place some orders & then head to Manda's home.  I'll get the boys ready, take the twins to school & then head home to spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Deke is headed out early to chore & then he'll come back in for awhile, so that Nathan can bring their kids here early too.  And then Deke will go back out to work when I get home.  It will be a busy morning- but I'm glad Deke is around today to help me out!  

Tonight the 3 big boys will be here after school.  When everyone has gone home I'll be a busy bee stamping!

I hope you have a GREAT Thursday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Beauty Abounds'

Hello!!

With the New Year comes some resolutions (or goals) that we want to achieve.  The New Year is like a clean slate or a time to start some things!  I know I have a list of things I want to accomplish this year!!!  I hope I can find time to follow through & achieve them.  Spending time with family, walking more, loosing some weight, getting some more sleep, getting my stamp stuff organized & doing lots of stamping are just some of the things on my list!  What is on your list?  

Tomorrow- Thursday, 1/3/19 is the BIG DAY!!!  Woo Hoo!  As the NEW Occasions & Sale-a-bration Catalogs start!  I know I'll be placing an order tomorrow for some things I have on my huge wish list!!  

If you are a customers of mine- I mailed out Occasions & Sale-a-bration catalogs to you.  And you should have gotten them in the mail by now!!!  I will be posting the links to these 2 NEW catalog tomorrow (1/3/19) here on my blog too.  So if you can see the catalog on line then also.  

NOTE:  If you plan to attend one of my monthly January classes, but want to order right away- (before the class) please email me & I'll give you the hostess code for your class, so that the hostesses get credit for it & your order then will go towards your class minimum purchase.  BUT if you plan to order over $150- then you won't want to use a hostess code- as you'll want to be your own hostess & earn the free products for yourself!  REMEMBER for every $50 you spend you get to choose a Level  1 Sale-a-bration item!  If you spend $100 or more then you can decide to choose 1 Level 2 item or 2 Level 1 items.  Gosh......this is my favorite time of the year.......I just love getting free stampin' products!!  And there are some really cool products on my list this year!

I've been gearing up for all of my January classes !!  I'll be using LOTS new products at them & I can't wait to share with all of you joining me for them.  

Today I'm sharing another simple stamping card with an added z fold to make it a little fun!  

There is no coloring & just 2 colors of ink on this card!  I did add some ribbon & Basic Pearls to dress it up!  And I have a few layers too, along with dimensionals!

I also added some Wink of Stella into the center of the flowers too- as it is a great & another easy way to add some bling!

stamp set:  'Beauty Abounds'
card stock:  Mango Melody, Early Espresso, Whisper White
ink:  Mango Melody, Early Espresso
other:  1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Basic Pearls, Grapefruit Grove 1/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Wink of Stella

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I am off early this morning to head to town.  I'll get the boys & hurry home to spend my day with all 6 kids today.  There is no school, but their parents are all back to work.  It will be a fun, but crazy day with everyone!!  I have some things planned to keep them busy!  Tonight when everyone has gone home I'll be a stamping!!!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

Happy New Year- 2019!!!

Oh wow- Happy New Year!!! 

I am sending cheers to the NEW YEAR of 2019 to each & every one of you!!!  I hope we all have a very healthy, happy & prosperous year!!!  

With today's card I'm sharing some old that is retiring, some new that you can't buy yet & some that has been around for awhile in the Annual Catalog!  Isn't it great to combine them all!  

Check out the layout of the card.  I cut the Basic Black base of the card at 5 1/2 x 8 1/2"; scored the card at 4 1/4' & folded it in half; scored the front edge of the card at 1 1/4"; folded in back & taped it down (after tucking the DSP in behind it).

Where did this cool DSP come from?  It is one of the NEW Sale-a-bration choices for 2019!  It is available for you to get for FREE with a $50 order, starting on 1/3/19!  It is on page 11 in the Sale-a-bration Mini Catalog & is called- Botanical Butterflies DSP!  Be sure you look it up!  Yep- on each side of one of these DSP pages there are butterfly images.  And then on the back side of each page is some type of black & white image!  I just totally LOVE THIS- as you know I'm a black & white card lover!

NOTE:  Oh yeah- the butterfly images in this DSP also coordinate with a NEW Butterfly Duo punch too......so stay tuned for more information on this & check out NEW Butterfly Duo punch on page 35 in the NEW Occasions Catalog!

Today I added a little splash of Blackberry Bliss to go with the Black & White.  I stamped the wine glasses onto the Whisper White card stock using my Black Memento ink pad.  I then used my Dark Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Blend & colored the wine in each glass.  On the 2 larger wine glasses I used my Wink of Stella over the wine to give it an added sparkle!

Check out the NEW ribbon here.....it is the Black/Silver 1/4" Striped Metallic Ribbon on page 43 in the NEW Occasions Catalog!  

The word stamp set is the hostess set- 'Warm Hearted' in the Occasions Catalog on page 54 & is retiring.

The Wine stamp set is called- 'Half Full'.  It is on page 22 in the Annual Catalog!!  It has endless possibilities for many different occasions!

And then the numbers are from the set called- 'Labeler Alphabet' on page 175 in the Annual Catalog.

stamp sets:  'Half Full' & 'Warm Hearted'
card stock:

• Basic Black-  5 1/2 x 8 1/2- score at 4 1/4" & fold in half for card base.  Then score along the front edge of the card at 1 1/4", fold back & adhere (after you have attached the DSP); 3 3/8" x 1 7/8"
• Whisper White- 4 x 5 1/4" (for inside of card- repeat stamping the wine glasses along the right edge); 1/2" Strip to stamp numbers onto & punch out using the little circle in the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch; 3 x 1 1/2"- stamp words onto; 2" strip to stamp 2 big wine glasses onto & then use your Paper Snips to fussy cut them out.
• Blackberry Bliss- 3 3/4x 2 1/4" 

designer paper:  NEW Botanical Butterfly DSP- 5 1/4 x 2"
ink:  Black Memento Pad
Stampin' Blend:  Dark Blackberry Bliss
other:  Cookie Cutter Builder Punch (for the little circle); NEW Black/Silver 1/4" Striped Ribbon; Wink of Stella, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

I'd like to share a little bit about this stamp set- 'Half Full' , as it just warms my heart.  Partially because my dear stampin'' demonstrator friend Linda Bauwin designed this wine set for her Million Dollar Achievement.  It is also special to me, as her husband Jay- passed away just before Linda hit her million in sales.  He was her biggest cheerleader & her best friend.  They were together all of the time.  He was just an awesome guy & Deke & I love them both.  We enjoyed our time spent with them each year on our incentive trips.  But long story shorter- this stamp set- 'Half Full' has much meaning as Linda is now only 1/2 full since Jay passed (they are no longer one) & then the wine bottle has the year 1975 on it, as that is the year that Linda & Jay got married.  The font, the images & the words in this stamp set are pretty cool!  Be sure you check it out & add this stamp set to your wish list!!  

I hope you have a VERY SPECIAL DAY!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A LOT to celebrate!!!

Well- those of you that know me know I don't toot my horn too often!  But I have lots of great things to share with you today & I finally made the time last night to get this big post all typed up! 

On Friday afternoon, November 22nd, 2018 I became the 30th Stampin' Up Demonstrator to be a Million Dollar Sales Achiever in the 30th Anniversary Year of the company!!!  Oh my gosh.......talk about what a privilege & honor this amazing accomplishment is!  And I accomplished this huge milestone because my friends came to stamp with me & ordered Stampin' Up! products from me.  I could never have reached this huge milestone without each & everyone that has stamped with over the past 17 1/2 years.

So on Monday, November 26th, 2018- we had a ton of snow & no school, so I was home all alone.  I literally spent my whole day answering phone calls, emails, text messages- just lots of messages from my friends (far & near) congratulating me on this huge milestone.  The first call I got was from Sara Douglas, our Stampin' Up! CEO.  We talked for about 1/2 hour & she just made my day!  And from then on it was a domino affect with one thing after another.  As Stampin' Up! posted the news release on their website, facebook, instagram & twitter!!  My cup was over flowing with so much from so many!!  It was just an unbelievable day! 

Here is the photo of me & the congratulations post that they shared this day! 

 

 ONE MILLION in career-to-date sales is something worth celebrating!  

Congratulations to Susie Wood for reaching this amazing milestone.

Then on Thursday, 11/27/18- I got a delivery from my UPS man.  

It wasn't a normal SU! box, but a box with beautiful flowers 

& a gorgeous card from Sara & Shelli! 

Yes- these flower are real!  And they were beautiful aren't they!!  And the best part is that they dried nicely & I still have this beautiful arrangement sitting in our dinning room 

so that I can enjoy it each day!  

Check out the hand made envelope that has my card in it.  

It is monogrammed, embossed.....it is just totally amazing and way over the top!!

Here is the card!!  Check out all of the detail on it- including my name on the tag!

Notice the Blackberry Bliss embossed piece under the card-  

is actually the back side of the envelope!

This is a fun tri-fold card.  The inside of it was even stamped & elaborately decorated!  

And Shelli wrote me a super sweet note.  And both Shelli & Sara signed it.

Look at the flowers, ribbon, lace & embossing on the tri-fold part!  

WOW!

I would say that they hit the nail on the head when they made my card!

It is a totally Susie card & I just absolutely love it!

All I can say is how blessed I am!  

And how I love stamping & sharing with all of you!!  

And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for stamping with me!

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Stampin' Up! then released this write up on our Demonstrator website 

the first part of December.  

I thought I'd share that photo & the write up with you too, 

so that you all know "my story"!! 

Susie Wood

November 2018: One Million Sales Achiever

After she attended her first workshop alone, spent over $150, and stamped her Christmas cards that year, Susie Wood vowed she would never stamp again. But then . . . she laid eyes on the spring mini catalog and the rest, as they say, is history! The path to one million dollars in personal sales is just that—personal. It’s unique to each demonstrator. And we love Susie’s story! It’s been a 19-year journey of stamping & self-discovery.  She has been a demonstrator for 17 years & 5 months.  She has a consistent, traditional approach, a passion for creativity, and a close-knit community of family and friends.

About a year after signing up, Susie finally admitted to a friend that she was a demonstrator. That friend kick started her business by hosting a workshop where Susie won them over, got two bookings, and transformed the group into a popular monthly stamp class. Even Susie is still surprised: “I never thought I'd stay a demonstrator. I only signed up to do it for a short period of time. Being a demonstrator hasn't ever been my job! It has been a passionate hobby of mine that I get to share with many of my friends. And I so treasure all of my customers, team, and other demonstrator friends. Stampin' Up! has been a true blessing in my life!”

Susie is no stranger to hard work. She juggles many responsibilities on her farm in rural Iowa, while she works a full-time job, and supports her family as a mom, wife, and grandma. “Oftentimes I just don't get much sleep. As when I should be sleeping is when I get to stamp!” Sleep deprivation doesn’t stop her from spoiling her customers with the hallmark of her business, in-person events. “I'm an old-fashioned stamper! My sales are all from face-to-face events.” She prepares down to smallest details and makes it easy for her customers. “It’s all about friends getting together for a fun time of stamping!”

With her creative wheels constantly spinning, Susie can eye new products and envision exactly how she will use them to make her mark. It’s this passion for creativity that keeps her stamping late into the night. “I'm not good at copying things. I like being creative and unique. I love that I have my own style.”

Susie and her husband (of almost 35 years,) Deke, definitely make time for fun and family. They have two married children and six grandchildren who all live within a half mile to 5 miles from them and they see each other daily. “Our son has a dirt track race car. We love racing as a whole family event and have done this since 1999.” Hers is definitely a family business. “We live, eat, and breathe stamps at our house.” Deke is an excellent Big Shot assistant while the grandsons know all about stamps, punches, paper, and markers.

Stampin’ Up! has not only made her family grow closer, but it has made her friends feel more like family. “I love the friendships I have. If it weren't for me sharing my love of stamping I'd never have met any of my customers and team. Many of them have become my best friends.” Susie and Deke look forward to catching up with friends from around the world every year on the incentive trips. “It just warms my heart that our husbands have become such great friends too!”

One thing’s for sure, Susie has found success by finding what works for her. And her advice to others on their own path is simple—“Share what you LOVE! Tell everyone! Enjoy!” Well said, Susie. And congratulations on reaching this million sales milestone!

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I am sending much love & many blessings to each of you as we end 2018!

I look forward to sharing & stamping with you in the New Year of 2019!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a huge part of my life 

& letting me share my love of stamping with you!!  

Happy Stamping!!

Hugs-
SUSIE

Another Sneak Peek!

Look closely at both of theses rectangle!!  Wow- there is a new set of stitched rectangle framelits!!  Woo hoo- they are soooo cool!!!  We needed these & I'm super excited about them!

This card is another one I created for a swap that I did with other demonstrator friends.  I love these little hand prints!  They are sooo cute!  They work great for baby cards, but have other uses too!!

This is a Z fold card.    Here it is when standing up!  

And here it is when it is opened up!  

Check out the stripped designer paper too!!!  

AND look at the sparkly stars!!  They are actually in the Twinkle Adhesive Backed Sequins Assortment on page 197 in the Annual Catalog!

stamp set:  'First Steps'
card stock:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo
designer paper:  How Sweet It Is
ink:  Melon Mambo
other:  All My Love Ribbon (Lovely Lipstick), 1 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Rectangle Stitched Framelits, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Standard Platform, Simple Stripes Embossing Folder, Twinkle Adhesive Sequins

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Yesterday I worked on bookwork & then tried to get caught up on emails & things around the house. 
Today I'm home again- which rarely ever happens!!  I need to find a big burst of energy as I have LOTS I need to get done.

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Sunday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'To Have & to Hold'

Today it is a simple Saturday card!!!  And it is a sneak peek at some more NEW Occasions Catalog products!

I was needing a wedding card real quick this week.  These just happened to be some of the left over pieces from Manda & Steve's Anniversary card, that were laying on my counter.  So this is the card I created!  I think it turned out cute!

stamp set:  'To Have & to Hold'
card stock:  Lovely Lipstick, Whisper White
dsp:  All of my Love
ink:  Lovely Lipstick
other:  All of My Love Ribbon, dimensionals, glue dot 

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I haven't had any kids this week, but have been at one of my other jobs- busy trying to get caught up on my farm book work things.   Hopefully I get finished up with them today.  I need to make a quick trip to the bank & other than that I plan to stay home all day & play catch up.

I hope you have a SUPER Saturday!!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

'Beauty Abounds'

Here is a quick & simple card today!!  I used the NEW Occasions Catalog stamp set- 'Beauty Abounds' (again).  I really like it!!! It also has coordinating framelits that I just got- so I have had a chance to use them yet.  If you like butterflies- you'll love them!  

In this stamp set there are several different bohek images, along with some splatters, butterflies & several words.  It is a stamp set that has lots different uses & possibilities!

stamp set:  'Beauty Abounds'
card stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Calypso Coral
ink:  Calypso Coral, Basic Black
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Old Olive, Dark Calypso Coral
other:  White Twine, Dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Darling Label Punch Box

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Yesterday I worked on bookwork the majority of the day.  Last night we went to Deke's parents for supper & visited with everyone, celebrating their Christmas get-to-gather.  Most of us were there, except for our Wood Family that lives in Pennsylvania.  We missed them.  

This morning I'm up early to finish working on bookwork for our appointment we have this afternoon.  Tonight we will go cheer Drake on at his wrestling meet!

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE