My August calendar......and making sugar cookies with the boys!

Here is my August calendar.  I love this little bumble bee.  And I love that our Honey Comb Embossing folder coordinates perfectly with our Hexagon Punch- so I used them both on this calendar page.  

 I'm sorry that you can't hardly see the embossing on this since it is in a clear envelope- (that was to protect it from getting any ink or anything on it during my classes).  But it is really pretty & cute in person!

stamp set:  'Sweet Stuff'
card stock:  Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
ink:  Black Memento pad
marker:  Crushed Curry
other:  Big Shot, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Hexagon Punch, 1" Circle Punch, dimensionals, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

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We had a FUN night last night!!  The boys were so EXCITED!!  We baked sugar cookies & then Santa came to visit us!  We enjoyed supper together & the boys got to all play together.  Here are some photos of our night together! 

Trey eating some sugar cookies.

Brayden making balls & pressing out the sugar cookies.

Drake is helping to press out the sugar cookies too & being his silly self!

And here is Brody!

I think that he is eating more sugar cookie dough than he is helping to roll & press them out!

How BLESSED we are that we have 4 little guys that live so close to us & we get to spend time together doing little things like this with them!!  I know that I had 3 awesome Grandma's in my life when I was growing up.  They all lived close by & we got to see them often too.  One of them was my Great Grandma- now how cool is that!  I learned alot from all 3 of them & I treasure many fond memories with them- especially during this holiday season that is upon us.

I will post pictures of the boys with Santa tomorrow.  My internet is slow & taking forever to download & I've got to get to bed.  We had a GREAT time with Santa too!

This morning I'm headed to town to the post office & run some errands.  Then I'll be home cooking.  We have Deke's side of the family Christmas tonight at his brothers in Ottumwa.  We're gonna go on a bus ride around town to see all of the Christmas lights.  (And they got a couple inches of snow on Thursday- so that will make it prettier!)  Then we're going back to Doug's home for soup &  sandwiches & our Christmas exchange.  This year we're sad that we'll be missing one whole "WOOD" family that is now in New Jersey & Pennsylvania.   They will be with us in spirit, that is forsure.   I think the rest of us are planning to make it tonight.  So it'll be great to see everyone!!

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

My July calendar.....

Here is my July calendar.  What else could I have put on it but stars?  Check it out closely & you'll notice the star embossing folder too on it.

stamp set:  'Be the Star' & 'And Many More'
card stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy, Whisper White
ink:  Cherry Cobbler
other:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (small star), Star framelits for large star- or cut it out with scissor snips, Big Shot, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder

Deke went with me last night on my monthly delivery run, so we did some Christmas shopping for the boys while we were in Iowa City.  It was a late night when we got home.  We just have a few things yet to pick up for Trey & we are done.  Now to find time to get our Christmas tree up & our house decorated, plus finish making the Christmas gifts that I have started.

Deke is off to meetings again today.  I'm off to pick up the boys now.  We are looking forward to our evening tonight & being home for a change!  Brayden will be here after school & get to spend the night with us tonight.  Manda, Steve & the boys will be here for supper too.  And then we have someone special coming to visit us- Santa!!  We are going to bake sugar cookies & hopefully get our tree put up before we go to bed.  Brayden is worried why I don't have our tree up yet- as I always put it up Thanksgiving weekend.  But that didn't happen this year as I had too many other things going on with my SU! business that I didn't get that far. 

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

Another New Occasions Catalog Sneak Peek!!

Here is my June calendar.  I used a new stamp set from the upcoming Occasions Catalog on it.  I think that this little worm is so stinkin' cute!  This stamp set- 'Time to Celebrate' is a hostess set in the upcoming Occasions Catalog.  It was was one of my pillow gifts that I got at Founders in September.

stamp set:  'Time to Celebrate'

card stock:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White

ink:  Black Memento pad

markers:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Crushed Curry

other:  Word Window Punch

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Last night Deke had another meeting.  And I had a late night working on getting things ready for tonights delivery.   Soon I'm headed out to pick up the boys & come back home with them.  Deke is gone all day again today to meetings.  Tonight when the boys leave I'm headed out for my monthly stamp delivery run.  I am hoping to stop & do a little bit of Christmas shopping for the boys & get some groceries too, before heading back home.  This month has been consumed with stamp classes & I haven't started my Christmas shopping, nor gotten up my tree or anything yet.  The countdown is on- so I have alot to catch up on so that I'm ready for Christmas in time.

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

My May calendar.......

Here is my cute May calendar.  It is another bright & cheery one with a flower on it!

stamp sets:  'Sweet Stuff'' & 'Project Life Remember This'
card stock:  Real Read, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
ink:  Black Memento
markers:   Real Red, Pear Pizzaz
other:  Boho Blossom (flower) punch, Owl Builder Punch (circle)

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I'm off to go get the boys now.  Deke is gone all day to meetings.  I planning to be home tonight as I have a few boxes of stamp orders to get sorted, Christmas Gift cards to get made, swaps to make & calendars pieces to gather!  So I'll be stamping the night away!

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

This weeks- WEEKLY DEALS- Dec. 16-22, 2014!

WOW!!  There are some of my favorite products on this weeks WEEKLY DEALS!!  

• I love this birthday stamp set- 'Birthday Surprise'!
• I love the Delicate Designs Embossing Folder that looks like a snowflake!
• I love the Gold Encore Ink Pad!
• I love the Ticket Duo Punch!
• I love the Vintage Faceted Buttons!  (They can be colored with your Blendabilities!!)

My April calendar......

Here is my April calendar.  Aren't these little birdie's cute!!

I think that this is just so bright & springy isn't it!

stamp set:  'For the Birds'

cs:  Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

ink:  Black Memento

markers:  Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Pistachio Pudding

other:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Xtra Large Oval Punch, Paper Snips, dimensionals

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Yesterday was a busy day!!  Trey had his 6 month check up & shots.  We also took Drake too to see Dr. Mary, as he has had a lingering cough.  Dr. Mary moved her office to Bloomfield- so it was quite the trip down & back- but she is an awesome Dr. & worth the trip!

Brayden's mom was sick & Nathan is out of town for work- so Papa got to go pick up Brayden after school yesterday & he got to spend the night with us last night.  We enjoyed him being here, as it was a nice surprise!!

I worked on stamp stuff after Brayden went to bed.  I should have stayed up later than I did- but I was exhausted & just decided I needed to quit & get some sleep.

We're off to pick up the boys here soon.  We'll then take Brayden to school & then come home.  Papa is home today to work on the farm all day (the only day this week that he is here & doesn't have any meetings)- so we are looking forward to him getting to eat lunch with us.  As soon as the boys leave tonight I'm headed out to the farm to help Deke.  This is my farmer night to help him sort & sell hogs.  I will be stamping the night way when I get home- as have lots to do!

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!!
Hugs!
SUSIE

My March calendar page......

Here is my March calendar.  I was wanting it to look springy!

We had a fun day yesterday making calendars again!!  I'm so glad that so many could join me.  I have lots of customers & friends of theirs that will be displaying these cute 4x4 calendars on their desks throughout 2015!

stamp set- 'Kinda Eclectic'
card stock- Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green & Whisper White
ink-  Garden Green
other-  Whisper White Organza Ribbon

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Deke is off to meetings for the day & I'm off to pick up the boys here soon.  Manda is only working a 1/2 day, as Trey has his 6 month check up with Dr. Mary in Bloomfield today.  Drake has a terrible cough- so we are gonna see if we can get him in to see her too.  We'll have a busy day!

Yeah- tonight I'm planning to be home.  I need to get my house back in order after having stamp classes here the past week (put tables/chairs, etc away) & get caught up on things that have piled (laundry & mail).  And then I hope to get to bed early for a change.

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

My February calendar page

Here is my February calendar page! 

I had a full day/evening yesterday at my calendar classes.

I'm off again today for another all day calendar class.

I can't wait for the gals today to see all of them & get to make them.

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!

Happy Stamping!
hugs!
SUSIE

My January 2015 Calendar page

Here is my January 2015 Calendar page!  Isn't this little snowman super cute!!  I tried really hard to make myself do a page something other than a snowman for January- but it is a tradition of mine that I just couldn't break!  With all of the snow here is Iowa, to me January is all about snowflakes & snowmen.  And the sentiment I used here perfectly sums it up too!

stamp sets:  'White Christmas', 'Project Life Holiday Cheer' & 'Cheerful Tags'
ink:  Black Memento, Marina Mist
markers:  Marina Mist & Pumpkin Pie
cs:  Whisper White, Marina Mist, Basic Black
supplies:  1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, dimensionals

How did I make the little circle on New Years Day?  I used a pencil eraser tapped into my ink pad!  Isn't that cool!

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I had a fun night stamping with everyone last night that joined me to make their calendars.  Several of the ladies were making multiple ones to give away as Christmas gifts, so it was a late night of stamping again.  Then I worked a few more hours after they left cutting more card stock, getting ready for more calendar classes-so it was a short night.

I have more sessions of calendar classes today here at our home.  It will be another fun, yet long day & a late night of stamping!  I am looking forward to spending my day with everyone joining me today to stamp!  They will be here soon.  Woo Hoo!

I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!!
Happy Stamping!!
Hugs!
SUSIE

I love this cardinal!

Here is a card that everyone at my November monthly classes made.  I CASED the cardinal from my dear Stampin' Sister- Lyssa Zwolanek!  I LOVE the way she added the words in the background & the snow along the branches- using the White Chalk Marker.  I made it into a fun fold, added some different ribbon & some layers.  This card was forsure a favorite of many at my classes.  

Don't you love how it opens up! It is a door fold card.  And then I colored it with the blendabilites markers! 

As I've mentioned in some of my previous posts....I will find time sometime next week to get caught up on giving you the list of supplies!

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I had a house full of stampers last night to make calendars.  I have a class again tonight, 2 tomorrow & an all day one again on Sunday!  I am still cutting card stock for them- it is alot of cutting!

I'm off to pick up the boys & will spend my day with them.  Deke has a meeting again today so he will be gone.  

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

Here is another New Occasions Sneak Peek!

Here is another Sneak Peek of some New Occasions Catalog products.  This was one of the Make & Takes my team made at my Catalog Kick Off last week.  This is also my swap for a monthly group that I'm in too!! (So if you are a demonstrator & in Carol's monthly swap with me- you will be getting this next week!)

Don't you just love the flower & the word framelit!  AND the flower has a punch that coordinates with the stamp set too!  Woo Hoo!

 I'll hopefully catch up the first part of new week on posting the supplies used here!

This is another New Occasions Catalog stamp set that I got as a pillow gift at Founders in September.  I used the pretty 'Gold Soiree' Specialty Designer Paper from the current big catalog- pg. 184.   It is springy looking isn't it!

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Tonight I have a calendar class here at our home!!  I've been burning the midnight oil & cutting lots of card stock for it!  I can't wait for everyone to join me!

I'm headed to town to pick up the boys!  Deke was up bright & early to chore & then he is working on a tiling project all day.  

Gotta run.......

I hope you have a very special Thursday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs!
SUSIE

'Snuggles & Smooches' - A NEW Photopolymer set that was just released!

'Snuggles & Smooches'- #140326= $15.95

A CUTE snowman card.....

Here is a cute snowman card that I made as one of my make & takes for my Catalog Kick Off event I had last week with my team.  It is all made with punches.  Another demonstrator friend- Ronda Wade- shared this.  Years ago I had made a snowman card similar to this, so it was a nice refresher to do one again!

Isn't it just so cute!!

stamp set:  'And Many More'
ink:  Marina Mist
supplies:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1" Square Punch, Bird Builder Punch (the little circles for the buttons), Modern Label Punch, dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Paper Snips, Big Shot, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder

I made a pattern/template for the snowman silhouette by starting with the 1 3/4" Circle punch at the bottom & building upward using the 1 1/4" Circle Punch, then the 1" Circle Punch & the 1" Square Punch.  To make the hat brim I used my paper snips & cut out a little skinny rectangle for it.

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Trey hasn't been himself for the past week or so- not sleeping & fussy- so I took him to the dr yesterday morning.  He has ear infection so got some meds.  HOPE he is on the mend & feeling better soon.  Deke, Manda & all 4 boys went to the ballgame to watch my niece Ginny play basketball last night & I stayed home & burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock.

I'm off to Manda's now.  Nathan has an early meeting, so Brayden will be there too.  I'll take him to school, run several errands this morning while we are in town & then head out to our home.  Deke has a meeting this morning & one this afternoon too- so he'll be gone all day.  Tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil again cutting card stock & Deke will be working late on the farm.

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

Our little miracle!

Here is Brody today!!
AND
Here is Brody 3 years ago today!!
What an amazing dr he has- we love Dr. Menezes.........
 
Below is a post that Manda put on FB today.  It sure teared me up.  This little guy has been through so much!  And he is such a blessing in our lives!!

"It is hard to believe that speed bump #1 caught us 3 years ago, but it was just that, a bump. It slowed you down, periodically, as you haven't stopped moving, progressing, or smiling ever since. I'm a firm believer that everything is meant to happen for a reason- and everything that has happened to this boy has been because He knew he could handle it! You are our champ and have the biggest heart of any little boy I know!  Our fingers are still crossed & we pray that they find bone growth in May!"

This weeks- WEEKLY DEALS for Decemeber 9-15, 2014!