Botanical Butterfly!!

These butterflies are just beautiful!!!  I am still totally amazed at how much I love this Botanical Butterflies DSP!  It just has endless possibilities!  

This is a clean & simple card, but super cute!  I wish that the Tufted Embossing I used would have shown up more in the photo.  It you look closely- maybe you can see it.  

stamp set:  'Itty Bitty Birthdays'
card stock:

• Lemon Lime Twist- 51/2 x 8 1/2- score at 4 1/4- fold in half for card base; 4 1/4 x 5/8"
• Granny Apple Green-  4 x 5 1/4"

designer paper:  Botanical Butterflies- SAB choice- 1 1/2" strip punch out butterfly with punch; 4 x 3"
ink:  Black Memento
other:  Tufted Embossing Folder, Standard Platform, Big Shot, Wink of Stella, Organdy Ribbon (Lemon Lime Twist)- SAB choice, dimensionals, Glue Dots, Butterfly Duet Punch

++++++++

Yesterday was a very nice day of stamping with my uplines, team & follow side-line demonstrators!  They had a celebration for me in honor of my Million Dollar Sales Achievement.  We had cute projects & yummy food!!  It was a great day of visiting, stamping & sharing!!  Thanks to all of them that joined me & ventured out on such a nasty winter day!  Many of them couldn't be there due to various reasons (including the weather) & I regret that.  I told everyone there yesterday that if I could have chosen when I was going to hit my million I would have done it during nicer weather!  

This morning Deke is up early to chore & head to the office for his weekly board meeting.  I'm up early to get things from  yesterdays stamping event put away & head out to get the boys, take the twins to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones. The 3 big boys will be riding the bus here this afternoon.  

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Incredible Like You'!

Today is going to be a fun day!!!  I am excited to see what has been planned for me!!!  As I'm headed out the door this morning to go to a celebration that my uplines & team are having for me to celebrate my Million Dollars Sales Achievement!  It will be a full day of stamping & sharing!!!  I can't wait!

So check out the pile of cards I made!   This is just one of the swaps I did!  I used the 'Incredible Like You' stamp set.  I sure like this 2 step flower image & it was sooo easy to line up & stamp!  (And honestly I didn't even take the time to get out my Stamparatus- so they are easy to do with just your clear blocks!)

This is what the card looks like close up!  I added Wink of Stella over the top of the flower to give it some added sparkle- you know I love sparkle!

Are you wondering where this flowery DSP come from ?  It is from the Butterfly DSP that is a Sale-a-bration Choice!  You can get this DSP for FREE with a $50 product purchase.  WOO HOO!!  Is this DSP on your wish list or have you already gotten it?

Why did I make a purple card today?  Read on to find out-
I decided I wanted to make a purple card for my team meeting today, as a very special friend & downline (Judy) was one of my biggest supporters & best cheerleader over the years with my stamping business!!  She was one of my very first recruits! She never missed a class I had.  She is greatly missed by me each day!  As Judy passed about 2 1/2 years ago after a very long battle with cancer.  (And Judy's birthday would have been this week- on the 24th too!)  Purple was Judy's favorite color!  So she would have just LOVED this Gorgeous Grape color!  Thus this card was made in memory of her!  I just know she would have loved it!  

stamp set:  'Incredible Like You'
card stock:

• Gorgeous Grape- 5 1/x 8 1/2"- score at 4 1/4"- fold in half for card base; 5 x 3"; 2 3/4" strip to punch out Starburst Punch
• Whisper White- 4 x 5 1/4"- for outside of card- stamp words along the bottom right corner; 2 3/4" strip- stamp flower & stem/leaves onto this & punch out using the 2" Circle Punch

designer paper:  Botanical Butterfly DSP- Sale-a-bration choice- 4 3/4 x 2 3/4"
ink:  Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Highland Heather
other:  2 " Circle Punch, Starburst Punch, Wink of Stella, Whisper White 5/8' Flax Ribbon- 5 1/2"- wrap around card front & secure to the back side using Tear & Tape,  Glue Dots

How did I make the bow?  
I cut a 3" piece of the Whisper White 5/8" Flax Ribbon, then cut it in half, tied it in a know & then frayed the ends! 

+++++++

Yesterday started out bright & early with me working outside on the farm with Deke & the pigs!  All I can say is that this frigid cold is getting old!  It is hard on people, animals & equipment.  And yep we got more snow yesterday too!  I think that Mother Nature needs to give a little break for awhile!

Yesterday afternoon I worked on catching up on piles.  I had hoped to get some farm bookwork done- but I didn't get that far......so I have got to find time to get that done soon.

I've gotta run......

I hope we all have a VERY SPECIAL Sunday!!

ENJOY your day!

I know I will ENJOY mine!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Golden Afternoon'

Today is a simple Saturday, with a great monochromatic card using Soft Suede & Crumb Cake! 

I needed to make & send out a couple of sympathy cards this week!  So this is the card that I whipped up.  This is a new stamp set in the Occasions Catalog called- 'Golden Afternoon'- pg. 31.

When I first looked at this set I was thinking that the trees aren't really like we have around here.  But honestly- there is a tree on a curve about 1 1/2 miles from our home that is almost like this!  I looked at it while driving home from taking the boys to school last week & was just shocked that it was so similar.

But I REALLY like the birds in this stamp set & I love all of the words!!  I often sending Thinking of You cards....as they can be used for so many different occasions!

Where did I get this ribbon?  It is the Whisper White 5/8" Flax Ribbon (pg. 35 in the Occasions Catalog)- cut it to approx 3"- cut in half, tied in a knot & then shredded the ends!

stamp set:  'Golden Afternoon'
card stock:  

• Soft Suede-  5 1/2 x 6 1/2- score at 4 1/4" for card base; 4 1/2 x 3 1/2"
• Crumb Cake- 4 x 5 1/2"; 3 3/4 x 1/4"- stamp words on to go across the front of the card
• Whisper White-  3 1/4 x 4 1/4"

designer paper:  Nature's Poem
ink:  Soft Suede
other:  Dimensionals, Glue Dot, Whisper White 5/8" Flax Ribbon

 ++++++++

Yesterday I just had Masen & Ainslee here for the day.  They then went with us last night to set up tables & chairs in SE for my meeting on Sunday.  When we got done there we took them home & then ran to town & ate supper at the Copper Lantern.  When we got home I worked on stamping stuff & finally called it a night.
 

As we are up early this morning in the bitter cold to mark, sort & sell hogs at 5:00 a.m.  The semi pulled in here last night about 9 & slept here- so hoping the driveways aren't drifted in the morning & all goes well.  

When I get in later this morning from helping Deke on the farm, I'll then spend the rest of my day working on farm bookwork!  

I hope you have a SPECIAL Saturday!!

Happy Stamping!
hugs-
SUSIE

Another Rooster!!!

Here is another fun rooster card!!!  For this one I choose to use Basic Black, Real Red & Crumb Cake card stock colors!!  And then I colored the rooster with my Dark Soft Suede, Dark Red Red & Dark Old Olive Stampin' Blends! 

stamp set:  'Home to Roost'
card stock:  

• Basic Black- 4 1/4 x 11"- score at 5 1/2" for card base; 2 1/4 x 5"
• Real Red- 2 3/4" strip to cut out circle with the Layering Circle Framelits; 3 x 5 1/4"
• Crumb Cake- 2 3/4" strip to stamp Rooster onto & punch out using the Starburst punch; 2 x 4 3/4"- Emboss using the Hexagon Embossing Folder & then sponge with Soft Suede ink. 

ink:  Black Memento, Soft Suede
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Soft Suede, Dark Old Olive, Dark Real Red
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Layering Circle Framelits, Starburst Punch, Burlap, Standard Plate, Hexagon Embossing Folder, Sponge, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

NOTE:  This stamp set is a Sale-a-bration choice & you can get it for FREE with a $50 product order!

Check out this card.....can you believe these are the same cards?  There is a huge difference!

Yes this is the exact same card, but on this one I did not sponge over the Hexagon Embossing Folder.  Can you believe how much of a difference there is in how the sponging just makes the card so much prettier & it also pops too!!  

How did I add the Soft Suede ink:

•  I just used my Soft Suede ink pad & a sponge.  
• I rubbed the ink over the Hexagon Embossing image in a circular motion, burnishing it onto the card stock. 

This is another photo that shows the difference in them.
They are:

• the same color of card stock
• the same Embossing folder
• But I just added the sponging to the top one & WOW!!!  What a difference!  I love it!

+++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with the kids.  As there was no school.  I did get a quick hair cut squeezed in for Drake.  Now to find time to get the other boys cut too!  For the majority of the time- they played well!  And little Miss Ainslee tried to keep up with them.  When they went home last night I worked on stamping stuff! 

This morning I'm not sure what is in store again..... we shall see!  There is no school again- so I'm planning on all of the kids again! 

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

A rooster!!

So.........last night I finally played with this 'Home to Roost' stamp set!  This stamp set is one of the Sale-a-bration choices that you can get for free with a $50 product order.  

Oh my gosh.......within less an 1 hour I created 3 totally different cards using this stamp set!!  And I was just using scraps laying in my box.  

Roosters are so many different colors!  I'd say almost any color combination would be cool & work just fine!!  I honestly was trying to not color him too much, as I wanted him to be simple. 

My grandparents had chickens & I did not like having to gather eggs & get pecked by the hens. The Roosters just usually strutted around & didn't bother us.  But we had fried chicken at grandma's every Sunday for lunch after church.  Oh how I wish I could have some of grandma's yummy fried chicken again! 

On this rooster I colored him with my Stampin' Blends!  I used these colors:  Dark Old Olive, Dark Daffodil Delight, Dark Real Red & Light Crumb Cake, with a Light Smoky Slate under his feet!

Check out how I used the Hexagons Embossing folder & then sponged over it with my Soft Suede ink pad.  Wow- it was just amazing how it made the hexagons pop out & look like a wire chicken fence!  

Sometime within the next week I'll be sure that I post the other 2 Rooster cards that I made.  So be sure you stop back by to check them out!

When I made this card I thought of my friends Karen & Susan- that both have chickens!!!  We get brown eggs from them both & as so spoiled & blessed to still get farm fresh eggs to eat at our house!   

stamp set:  'Home to Roost'
card stock:  Mossy Meadow, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
ink:  Black Memento, Soft Suede
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Old Olive, Dark Daffodil Delight, Dark Real Red, Light Crumb Cake, Light Smoky Slate
other:  Burlap, Big Shot, Standard Platform, Hexagons Embossing Folder, Sponge, Classic Label Punch, Stitched Rectangle Framelits, dimensionals, glue dots

+++++++++

Yesterday was another crazy day with more snow!!!!  We woke up to big drifts of snow!!  You gotta just love living in Iowa.  It wasn't as cold yesterday & the sun was shinning good.  Hopefully he melted the snow enough to put a hard top on it so it blow & drift any more. 

Check out this photo from our family room window!  We couldn't even get our family room door open!  The drifts were above the bottom of the window. 

And this one was shows that Deke had already bladed out the driveway with the tractor/blade.  

Yesterday I just had Masen & Ainslee.  Today we should be back on our normal schedule.  I'm headed to town to get Trey & will spend my day with the 3 little ones & see the twins for a few minutes before & after school.  

Deke is up early this morning to chore & head to Ottumwa to a meeting.  And then back home to work on the farm this afternoon.  

Tonight when the kids go home I'll be cutting card stock again!!  I'm working on swaps & demos for my team meeting I have this coming weekend!

Gotta run.......

I hope you have a great Thursday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Message from SU!-

Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack Sold Out

The Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack (item 149623) may be one of our most popular Sale-A-Bration items ever. It’s been so popular, in fact, that it has exceeded our product forecast and sold out in our North American markets. We have a shipment coming in to fulfill backorders, but because this item has been in such high demand, we have been forced to turn off the Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack. Unfortunately, this initial shipment will help us fulfill only orders that have already been placed. Once backorders have been fulfilled, a second shipment will arrive at the beginning of March, which will allow us to turn on this item again; it will be available while supplies last only.

We’re so sorry for the inconvenience.

'Incredible Like You'

Whenever I use purple & green I think of my Grandma.  They were colors I remember her liking & many of her dresses were these colors!

This card also is making me think Spring!!  It is bright & cheery!

I've combined some Occasions Catalog products with some Sale-a-bration products too!!  

Check out the 'Incredible Like You' stamp set on pg. 21 in the Occasions Catalog.  

Check out these Sale-a-bration products- Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack- pg. 7 & the Botanical Butterfly DSP on pg. 9.

stamp set:  'Incredible Like You'
card stock:  Gorgeous Grape, Whisper White, Granny Apple Green
designer paper:  Botanical Butterfly DSP (Sale-a-bration Choice)
ink:  Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape
other:  Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins, Organdy Ribbon (Sale-a-bration Choice), Dimensionals, Glue Dots

 +++++++++++

Oh my gosh.....talk about crappy weather.  We luckily got our hogs loaded yesterday morning & the trucker left just in time to try to beat the bad weather.  It the past 24 hours it started out raining, then we had freezing rain/ice & then we had snow on top of that.  

School is delayed 2 hours for today.....so we'll see what our day brings!  I plan to have kids today & stamp tonight!

Deke is up early to chore, head to the courthouse for a bit & then to Keosauqua, for a meeting.  

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

'Hey Love' alligator!

This little guy looks so ornery!  But he is soooo cute!!!  

He is from the 'Hey Love' stamp set on page 8 in the Occasions Catalog!!

I colored him with my Stampin' Blends!  Check out his belly!  I colored it with the Light Call Me Clover Stampin' Blend & then added some Wink of Stella to make it shimmer!

Check out the Dot to Dot Textured Embossing Folder I used too!  Doesn't it remind you of an alligator skin!

I used the Heart Epoxy Droplets on the antennas on his hat, under the words & on the ends of the red strip! 

NOTE:  The Heart Epoxy Droplets are clear.  I used my Dark Real Red Stampin' Blends to color them, then lifted them off the clear sheet & stuck them onto my card!

stamp set:  'Hey Love'
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Call Me Clover, Real Red, Whisper White
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Real Red, Dark & Light Call Me Clover, Light Crumb Cake
other:  Real Red Ribbon (carry over from the Holiday Catalog), Heart Epoxy Droplets, Big Shot, Standard Platform, Dot to Dot Embossing Folder, Magnetic Platform, Stitched Oval Framelits, dimensionals, Glue dots

++++++++

Rain, Ice or Snow?  What will today be?  We are up early this morning at 4:30 to mark, sort & load hogs.  HOPEFULLY the driveway isn't all drifted back shut with snow & hopefully we don't get any ice.  School is delayed for 2 hours due to the prediction of bad weather.......so we'll see what ends up happening.  So I don't know if I'll have 2 kids, 3 kids or 5 kids today!  We'll see.

Gotta run.....

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

SUSIE

More 'Bloom by Bloom'!

We got more snow yesterday!!  And today it is bitter cold!  So I'm thinking bright, cheery & spring!!

This Happiness Blooms DSP is so pretty!!!  This is just a cute suite! 

Here are the supplies & the measurements for this card!
stamp sets:  'Bloom by Bloom' & 'Itty Bitty Birthdays'
card stock:

• Calypso Coral- 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" (for card base); 4 1/2 x 1 3/4"
• Pineapple Punch- 3/4" strip (stamp little flower onto this & punch out with one of the flower punches); 1 3/4" strip; 3 3/4 x 4 1/4"; 5 x 2 1/4"(Embossing with On My Stars Embossing Folder)
• Whisper White-  4 x 5 1/4" (for the inside of the cards);  1 3/4" strip (stamp words onto this & punch out using the 1 1/2" Circle Punch; 1 1/4 x 1 1/2" (stamp 3 flowers onto this piece)

designer paper:  Happiness Blooms DSP- 4 x 1 (to put along the top) & 4x1 (to put along the bottom)......there isn't any since in wasting DSP when it is going to covered by by the strip in the middle of this card!
ink:  Calypso Coral, Pineapple Punch, Lovely Lipstick
other:  Big Shot, Standard Platform, Oh My Stars Embossing Folder, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Calypso Coral 3/8" Satin Ribbon,  Bitty Blooms Punch Pack, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

+++++++++

Early morning for Deke to chore & head to the office for his weekly board meeting.  ANd I'm off to get the boys, take them to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight I hope we are home.......I have lots of stamping to get done!

Have a MARVELOUS Monday!!
Happy Stamping!
hugs-

SUSIE

Paper Pumpkin subscriptions!

Did you know that you can purchase pre-paid Paper Pumpkins subscriptions?

Sale-a-bration time is the best time to do purchase these pre-paid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions.
As if you purchase a whole years worth during Sale-a-bration then you get hostess free products of your choice, plus you also get Sale-a-abration products too!  

Read below about this.  Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!!  
 

All My Love Suite!!

 

Here is a clean & simple card for today!  This All My Love DSP is super pretty!!  I love the images & colors of it.  It is on page 5 in the Occasions Catalog.  Check it out!  

Most of the supplies I used for this card are part of the All My Love Suite which includes:

• 'Forever Lovely' - stamp set
• All My Love DSP
• All My Love Ribbon
• Heart Epoxy  Droplets
• All My Love Assorted Card Stock

I used the Be Mine Stitched Framelits to cut out this adorable stitched heart! 

 stamp set:  'Forever Lovely'

card stock:  Lovely Lipstock, Crumb Cake, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White

designer paper: All My Love DSP

ink:  Lovely Lipstick

other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Be Mine Stitched Framleits, Heart Epoxy Droplets, All My Love Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++++++

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!!

I hope I'm home all day today!  I have LOTS to get done- bookwork, stamping, etc.  

Happy stamping!
Hugs-

SUSIE

'Amazing Life'

As I was making this card last night I was thinking SPRING!!!  Because the snow was/is piling up outside & I'm hoping that we don't get too many inches!!!

So this card has LOTS of new things on it. 

• 'Amazing Life' stamp set
• Sale-a-bration- Botanical Butterfly DSP
• Sale-a-bration-  Highland Heather Organdy Ribbon
• Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins

The floral Highland Heather DSP is so pretty, simple & elegant!  On the back side of it is some pretty Black & White Butterflies!

This Organdy ribbon is totally yummy- so pretty, soft & easy to tie!  

I stamped this image onto Whisper White card stock using my Black Memento Ink pad.  I then colored in the white spaces using my Dark Soft Sea Foam & Dark Highland Heather Stampin' Blends!

stamp set:  'Amazing Life'
card stock:  Highland Heather, Basic Black, Whisper White
designer paper:  Botanical Butterfly
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Dark Soft Sea Foam & Dark Highland Heather
other:  Highland Heather Organdy Ribbon, Wink of Stella, Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins, Paper Snips, dimensionals, glue dots

NOTE:  There are not framelits that go along with this stamp set- so you will have to fussy cut out these flowers/leaves.  It really wasn't hard though!  I then just used glue dots for these little flowers to attach them onto my card front.   And then I added the Gingham Gala Adhesive Backed Sequins (purple flowers) to the center of them!!

 ++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with the kids.  School got out early too- due to the predicted snow (although it didn't start snowing until about 4 yesterday afternoon).  Last night I worked on stamping stuff & ended up calling it a night, as my shoulder was just killing me.  This morning I'm up early & I plan to stay home all day today stamping!!!

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Sale-a-bration SPECIAL!

• Don't you just LOVE Stampin' Up! products?  
• Do you want to get a discount on your products?
• Have you ever thought of wanting to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? 

When you got your Sale-a-bration catalog did you notice the information below about Option #1 & Option #2?  These are awesome deals!!!

Stampin' Up! is offering a special during Sale-a-bration time to those that are interested in signing up to get a discount & be a demonstrator!  The most frequent question I get asked about it is:  Do I have to have parties & classes?  No you do not.  You can do as little or as much with your Stampin' Up! business as you want.  I am not going to pressure you to do anything.  But I'd love to have you join my Iowa Inkers Team!!!  Most of my team just orders products for themselves & they don't do any classes or workshops.  But you can do classes or have parties?  Or maybe you want to be an on line demonstrator.  

If you join you can do it your way!  Whatever way works best for you!!!  Just remember- I just joined to get the discount for a little bit & was going to quit!  17 1/2  year later I am still going strong & am a Million Dollar Sales Achiever.  Do you think I had that planned?  Absolutely not!!  

You can CLICK HERE to read "MY Stampin' Up! Story!!"

 

How do you join?  It is super easy.........

1. Just got to my MY ON LINE STORE BY CLICKING HERE!  www.susiewood.stampinup.net
2. Then click on- JOIN THE FUN  in the upper right hand corner!! 
3. Don't hesitate to CONTACT ME for more information on this great deal!! 

Here are the 2 Options for joining that are the Sale-a-bration Special right now:

'Forever Lovely'

This card is made with the All My Love Suite in the Occasions Catalog on page 4!  It has beautiful coordinating DSP, ribbon, embellishments, assorted card stock & framelits

Look at these gorgeous flowers!  They are the dis'ink'tive stamp with the light & dark shading already in the stamp.......so you just have to stamp this group of all of these flowers one time to get them all & have them look like this.  The flowers & then the leaves (or vice versa) are coordinating 2 step stamping!  Pretty cool & super easy!  Especially if you use your Stamparatus!

This card is one of the Make & Takes that I made at On Stage last November.  Although it doesn't look like the sample- I used the same supplies, just changed mine up! 

stamp set:  'Forever Lovely'
card stock:  Crumb Cake, Flirty Flamingo, Whisper White, Soft Sea Foam
designer paper:  All My Love DSP
ink:  Lovely Lipstick, Soft Sea Foam
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Lovely Flowers Edgelits Dies, 2" Circle Punch, All My Love Ribbon

Did you notice that I shadow stamped some of the larger flowers onto the background of the Crumb Cake card base, using the Soft Sea Foam ink pad. 

+++++++++

It was really late when we got home from Nathan & Sarah's house, as we stayed there with the kids so that they could go to bed.  This morning I'm up early & headed to Manda's as she has an early meeting.  I'll take the twins to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  The 3 big boys will be here again after school.  Tonight when they all go home I'll be working on stamping stuff!

We were suppose to sell hogs early this morning, but that got changed to next Tuesday morning (early)- so that worked out good. 

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!
Happy Stamping!
hugs,
SUSIE

'Needle & Thread'

This card is made using another cool new suite called the Needlepoint Nook!  It has lots of coordinating products with it & I've used alot of them when I created this card!

Here are some of the NEW products:

• 'Needle & Thread stamp set
• Needlepoint Elements Framelits Dies
• Old Olive Linen Thread
• Needlepoint Nook Assorted Card Stock pack- Blushing Bride
• Needlepoint Nook DSP
  

Check out how this framelit just does a stitched embossing!!  Isn't that just gorgeous!  

stamp set:   'Needle & Thread'

card stock:  Thick Whisper White, Blushing Bride

designer paper:  Needlepoint Nook DSP

ink:  Berry Burst, Blushing Bride

other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Old Olive Linen Thread, Mini Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Share What You Love Artisan Pearls

++++++++

Last night I spend the night sorting orders & working on stamping stuff!!  I have a huge pile of happy mail to take to the post office this morning!!!  

Today is a busy day with the kids.  I'm headed to Manda's this morning, will take the twins to school & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight Nathan & Sarah's kids will be here all evening & we'll take them home to put them to bed at their house.  Nathan & Sarah have visitation for their friend Spencer tonight.  Spencer was in a snowmobile accident late on Sunday night & was killed.  He was only 25 years old & has a 8 week old baby daughter.  Please keep his family & friends in your prayers as they go through this very difficult time.

Gotta run.......

Happy Thursday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

I'm humbled & honored!!

WOW- I was sooo shocked and just wanted to share some of these photos with you!!

So at my class on Sunday, my friends there honored me for hitting my Million Dollars Sales Achievement!!!  Those of you that know me- know that I am not one that likes alot of attention..... so this was totally out of my comfort zone.  I was very surprised & I am very grateful to all of them making this acknowledgment with our group there!!!  

But it is because of every single customer that I have earned this accomplishment!!  

All of my customers are the ones that need to be honored- not me!!!  

I know I am blessed for all of you that have joined me to stamp- whether it was only one time or whether is is every month for all 17 years!!!

Yes-as there are many of you that have been stamping with me for that long!  

Here is a photo of me holding the framed collage that I just unwrapped!!  

Peggy made it!  She had my photo, the article that SU! did about me & then photos lots of her favorite cards that she pulled off of my blog posts from the last year.  Down in the bottom right corner is a photo of the card/envelope & flowers that SU! sent to me.  

It is very cool!  I just love it!!  It will be treasured forever!

And yes- you can tell by my face that I was surprised!!!  

I had no idea that they were going to do anything for me.

Here is a close up photo of the framed collage.  

And here is a cake that Peggy & Rita brought too!  

We enjoyed it, along with all of the other yummy treats that Lorrie & Chris

 had brought for us that day too!   

There was some cake left over for me to bring home for 

the boys & Deke to even get to eat & enjoy!

Notice that the cake has black & white frosting on it- 

which is my favorite color of a card combination!!  

And then they added a splash of purple & teal to go along with it!!  

I told them all this day that I hate to get my picture taken at any time.  

But that day I didn't even have any make up on or anything......

it was just a plain old day to stamp with my friends.

Had I known I was going to be the center of attention for this moment 

I would have come to class a little more prepared! 
My main goal for this day was just to come with CUTE projects 
that everyone would like & have fun creating them with me!!   

I AM SHOUTING "MANY THANKS" OUT TO SO MANY OF YOU!!!!!

I just want to thank soooo many of you that have sent cards & other gifts to me too!  

As I have gotten several other gifts!!!  And I have a huge stack of cards.......

so I'll get a photo taken of them sometime to share too!  

Just know that you are all very special to me & I am very grateful 

that we are friends & that I get to 

share my love of stamping with you all from near & far!  

Sending lots of love & hugs-

SUSIE

Happines Blooms Suite!

This is so bright & bold!!  WOW!!  Isn't this just a fabulous card!  I love it!

This card is made using the Happiness Blooms Suite on page 25 in the Occasions catalog!!

If you look closely you can see that I shadow stamped some of the big flower images onto the Night of Navy card front.  I actually stamped them using my Lovely Lipstick ink pad.  In person it shows up really good.  

Check out the Night of Navy card base & coordinating stripped envelope.  They are actually found on page 26 in the Occasions Catalog.  They are part of the Happiness Blooms Memories & More Cards & Envelopes.  This card is 4 1/4 x 6"- so a little different sized than the traditional card sizes that are 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" & go with our Medium Envelopes.

I love the colors that are in this suite!!  And this stamp set is amazing!  It is called- 'Bloom by Bloom!!  

I used a ton of new products here!!!  Keep reading.......you'll be amazed at what some of them are!  Many of them you will want to add to your Wish List!  

stamp set:  'Bloom by Bloom'
card stock:  Whisper White (piece that the flower is stamped on- measures 2 3/4 x 3 3/4"
Memories & More card pack:  Various pieces cut to these sizes- 4"; 3 x 4"; 3 x 1"
inks:  Black Memento, Call Me Clover, Lovely Lilac, Night of Navy
other: Calypso Coral Ribbon, Paper Snips (to flag the banner); Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

++++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with the kids.  All 3 big boys rode the bus here too!  When everyone left I spend my night working on stamping stuff & Deke went to Nathan's to help him in his shop.

This morning we are both up early!  Manda & Nathan both have early meetings, so I'm headed to town early to get the boys & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Deke is up early to chore, head to the courthouse & then he has a meeting too.  

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

Gotta run.....
I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Geared Up Garage'

Do you need a great guy stamp set?  Well this one is pretty darn cool!!   It has endless possibilities for you when creating some guy cards!  

I've used lots of products from the Classic Garage Suite here.  They are all on page 43 in the Occasions Catalog!

Check out the products in this Classic Garage Suite that I used-

1. Geared Up Garage stamp set
2. Classic Garage Elements
3. Black/Silver 1/4" Striped Metallic Ribbon
4. Garage Gears Thinlits Dies
5. Classic Garage 6x6 DSP stack
6. Classic Garage Assorted Cardstock Pack

stamp set: 'Geared Up Garage'
card stock:  

• Tranquil Tide-  5 1/2 x 8 1/2"- score at 4 1/4"- fold for card base; 4x4" pieces to cut gear out using the framelits
• Crushed Curry-  5 1/2 x 3/4"; 5 1/2 x 3/4"; 3 3/4 x 3 1/2"
• Smoky Slate- 2x2"- stamp words onto & cut out using the framelits

designer paper:  Classic Garage 6x6 DSP- 3 3/8"x 3 3/8"; 3/4 x 3 3/8"
ink:  Basic Gray
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Garage Gears Thinlits Dies, Classic Garage Metal Elements, Black/Sliver Metallic Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

+++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with the kids.  Brody & Brayden were both here after school too.  When the kids went home I worked on stamping stuff all night!

This morning I'm up early to walk & then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight the 3 big boys will be here after school.  And tonight I'll be working on stamping stuff all night!

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
hugs-
SUSIE

Disney gift "cards"!

For Christmas we started a savings account for the kids, so that we can to do a family trip to Disney someday!  

Here are the cards that I made & gave to all of them for one of the Christmas gifts from us. 

Of course I added a little bow for the girls' cards for Mini Mouse.  

But didn't they just turn out sooo cute!!  The boys were excited when they opened them up!  It is a fun trip that we are all looking forward to in our future. 

stamp set:  'Broadway Birthday'
card stock:  Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Crushed Curry
ink:  Black Memento
other:  Twinkle Builder Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch (for face), 1" Circle Punch (2- for ears), Banner Triple Punch, Cookie Cutter Punch (Bow for Mini's hair), Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Classic Label Punch (for inside)

++++++++

Yesterday was a great day of stamping!!!  We all had a fun filled day!!  Even the weather didn't stop us!   Lorrie & Chris were great hostesses with yummy treats & great help!  We had lots there to join us!  And everyone left with some super cute cards & smiles on their faces!!!! 

Peggy & Rita surprised me with a big congratulations cake!!  And Peggy made me a super neat framed collage all about me hitting my Million Dollars Sales Achievement.  Peggy took some photos & sent them to me in a text.  So I've got to figure out how to get them onto my computer so that I can share a couple of them with you.  

I am just sooo blessed & sooo very grateful for each & every one of customers that have stamped with me for the past 17 1/2 years!!!  Just know that each & everyone one of you are the many reasons that I reached this amazing milestone!!!  I sooo treasure each & every one of you!  I look forward to stamping & sharing with all of you that join me this year!!  (And years to come too!)

Ok-

Gotta run....I'm off to get the boys.  Deke has a board meeting.......it is Monday & we are on the GO!  

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Lovely Lattice- fun fold!

This is another fun fold card.  It is a dutch door fold.  Look at this beautiful bouquet of flowers!

This is what it looks like when it is opened up!  I used the NEW Rectangle Stitched Framelits for the inside Soft Sea foam piece that I stamped the inside greetings onto.

I will share more about this tomorrow.........lots yet to do & need to be out the door soon, as I have 2 stamp classes today in Hiawatha!

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

'Lasting Lily'- fun fold!

Wow- I LOVE this new Gingham Check DSP!!!  Look at this pretty card!! It is a cool fun fold too!  

This is another one of the cards that everyone will be making with me this week/weekend for my January monthly classes.  

The stamp set is called- 'Lasting Lily'.  It is a Level 2 Sale-a-bration choice.  You can get it for FREE with a $100 product order from now through March 31st.  This stamp set is a dis'ink'tive stamp.....it has lots of dimension & shading to it.  I added my Wink of Stella over the top of it to make is shine.......so you can't tell by this photo how cool it actually looks in person. 

Is there a trick into stamping these flower/stems/leaves?  Your stamparatus makes lining it all up soooo quick & easy!!

This is how it opens up!  

stamp set:  'Lasting Lily'
card stock:  

• Highland Heather- 5 1/2 x 6 1/2"- score at 4 1/4" & fold for card base; 4 1/4 x 1/2"; 4 3/4 x 3"
• Granny Apple Green- 5 x 3 3/4"
• Whisper White- 2" strip- stamp words onto & punch out; 4 x 5 1/4"- for inside of the card; 4 1/2 x 2 3/4"- stamp flowers/leaves onto

designer paper:  Gingham Gala DSP- 5 1/4 x 2"
inks:   Granny Apple Green, Lovely Lilac
other:  Organdy Ribbon (Highland Heather)- FREE Sale-a-bration Choice with a $50 product order; Gingham Gala Sequins; Wink of Stella, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Tailored Tag punch

+++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with the kids!  I bought the boys some paint brushes & watercolor coloring books- they had so much fun & LOVED it!  It kept them busy for about 1 1/2 hours.  When the kids went home I quickly picked up toys & then got tables/chairs & projects all set up.  As I had several come stamp with me last night here at our home.  It was a fun evening with everyone!!!

This morning I'm up early to get ready to stamp again!  HOPEFULLY the snow doesn't stop everyone from coming to stamp with me!!  

Tonight we will go to Deke's parents home & celebrate his mom's 80th birthday.  I'll come home from there & spend the rest of my night cutting card stock!! As I have 2 classes tomorrow in Hiawatha.

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a special Saturday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE