Our yearly Virtual Racing poll for you help me out & VOTE!

 

Those of you that know me personal or if you have followed me over the years, you know that our son, Nathan has a stock car & we race from April through October each year.  It is a family event!

Well, each January, a radio station does a virtual racing challenge with local Iowa race car drivers in all of the divisions.   Nathan does this challenge each year!!  And many of you have taken the time to click on the link & vote for him!  Are you ready to do it again this year?

If you would like to vote for Nathan each day- he (we) would appreciate it!   

How do you do it?

• Just click on this link- http://k985.com/cv-sports-2018-iowas-virtual-dirt-track-classic-round-1-vote-now/
• Scroll down to the STOCK CAR GROUP 3
• Check Nathan Wood- stock car driver
• Then click the VOTE link! 

It is easy to do!  And you can vote one time each day from every computer or device you have! 

Nathan Wood- Stock car driver!!  

Thanks so much!!!!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Heartfelt Blooms'

WOW!!  This is just such an amazing stamp!!  This flower bouquet is so gorgeous!  This stamp set- 'Heartfelt Blooms' is a Level 1 Sale-a-bration choice & can be yours for FREE with a $50 order! 

Check out the fine detail & depth of this stamp.  It is called a Dist"ink"tive stamp, as the ink is laid down in different depths.  It is so easy to get this beautiful look.......just ink the whole stamp (all at one time) & then stamp it onto your card stock!  You have a perfect photographic finish every time!  This stamp almost looks as if it a 2 or 3 step stamp doesn't it.  But it isn't......it is just one single stamp!  Amazing huh!

I'm patiently awaiting the design & release of more Stampin' Up! Dist"ink"tive stamps for us to use in the future!  And Stampin' Up! is awaiting the patent on this amazing stamp design. 

There are 3 different word stamps in the stamp set too!  They are all very elegant, with cursive & upper case fonts, to go along with this elegant flower bouquet stamp.

How did I get this look?
I randomly stamped the flower bouquet all around this piece of 5 x 3 3/4" Whisper White card stock, using the Smoky Slate Ink pad.  It almost give an image of having a vellum over lay on it, doesn't it.  It is just so beautiful in person!  

I would say that clean, simple & elegant are great words to sum up this card!

stamp set:  'Heartfelt Blooms'
card stock:  Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Berry Burst
ink:  Smoky Slate
other:  Tailored Tag Punch, Banner Triple Punch, Shimmer Ribbon Pack (Basic Gray)- Level 1 Sale-a-bration Choice, dimensionals, glue dot

++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day stamping & trying to get caught up on my piles of bookwork.  I got alot done, but not near enough.  I had planned to help Deke on the farm for few hours, but he ended up not needing me to help him, so that was a nice surprise.  He got the pigs all moved on Saturday, so he spent the whole day power washing yesterday

This morning Deke is up early to chore & head to the office for his weekly board meeting.  I'm off to go get the boys, take the twins to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  The 3 big boys will be here after school again too.  When everyone is gone home I'll spend my night working on things I still have in my piles to catch up on- stamping & bookwork!!  

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

Another 'Beautiful Day' Butterfly with Brusho!!

Here is another butterfly I made using the 'Beautiful Day' stamp set & Brusho!!  OH MY GOSH!!  I love how it turned out!!  It is just beautiful & stunning in person!!  It reminds me of a stained glass window!

So this is what the piece of Watercolor Paper looked like before I stamped the Butterfly onto it. 

How did I do it?

• Watercolor Paper
• I sprinkle Green, Yellow & Blue Brusho onto the Watercolor Paper
• Spritz the Watercolor Paper 
• Lightly blotted it using a make up flat sponge.
• I let it air dry over night- as I wasn't sure what I was going to make with it.
• Using Black Archival Ink I stamped the Butterfly onto it.
• I fussy cut the out the Butterfly using my paper snips. 
• I used my Clear Wink of Stella over the entire Butterfly to add the shimmer to it!! 

WOW!  Don't you love the color combination here!!  I just love the way it turned out!! 

stamp set:  'Beautiful Day'
card stock:  Marina Mist, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper, Dapper Denim
ink:  Archival Basic Black, Dapper Denim
other:  Brusho, Spritzer, Paper Snips, Clear Wink of Stella, Dimensionals

++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day working on the farm & stamping!!  I enjoyed my time stamping with everyone that joined me yesterday here at our home. 

Today will be the same- pigs & stamps!

I hope you have a SUPER Sunday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Celebrate You Thinlits

This is a pretty card made using the Celebrate You Thinlits Dies.  I these words out of the Gold Foil Sheets.  It looks great with the beautiful Painted with Love Specialty Designer Paper.

This is one of the cards that everyone joining me for my monthly January classes will be making!  This designer paper is just stunning!!  The gold accents in it are just beautiful on every single sheet.  

stamp set:  'Perennial Birthday' (for inside words)
card stock;  Rich Razzleberry, Gold Foil, Vellum
designer paper:  Painted with Love Specialty DSP
ink:  Rich Razzleberry (to stamp words on inside of the card)
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Celebrate You Thinlits Dies, Triple Banner Punch, Love Mini Tinsel Trim, Glue Dots, Metallic Enamel Shapes

++++++++

Yesterday was a fun day with kids!  And then a fun night of stamping with friends!  When everyone left I got things picked up & headed to bed......as this morning we are up early at 5:00 to mark, sort & load hogs.  When I get done helping Deke on the farm, I'm headed to the house to get ready for more stamping!  I have a group of friends joining me to stamp again today.  

Gotta run....
I hope you have a SENSATIONAL Saturday!
Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Beautiful Day' butterfly with Brusho!

OH.....I've been having fun playing with Brusho!  It is so much fun, as you get totally different looks every time you use it.    I like all of the yellow with blue tips that I ended up with when adding the color to this Shimmery White card stock, for this butterfly! 

So what do you think?  Don't you think it is pretty!!  

stamp sets:  'Beautiful Day' & 'Perennial Birthday'
card stock:  Dapper Denim, Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Shimmery White
ink:  Versamark, Dapper Denim
other:  1 1/2" Circle Punch, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Tutti-fruitti Adhesive Backed Sequins, Brusho, Spritzer

+++++++++

Yesterday was another busy day with the kids.  And then I burnt the midnight oil stamping last night!  Today I'm up early to get a few things done before I head out to go get the boys & take the twins to school.  I'll then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  

Gosh....this week has flown by.  I can't believe it is Friday already.  Tonight I have my monthly Stampin' Night here at our home.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone joining me- sharing & stamping with them!

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a FABULOUS Friday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Epic Celebration'

Check out this fun fold card!  It is a cute pull up card that I made using the 'Epic Celebration' stamp set- a current Sale-a-bration Level 1 choice.  

Wow- this is such a fun set for teens!!!  And I know our younger boys would even love this too!!  It is just a very trendy stamp set! 

I used the little cluster of dots & stamped them using the Real Red Classic Ink directly onto the Real Red Card stock on the top flap of this card, giving it a shadowing effect.  
 
Aren't these just so cool!   I colored the tennis shoes using the Light Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends.  I went over the shoe laces with the White Chalk Marker to make them more dominate. 

And when this is opened up, the words pull up.  There is even room in this little pouch that you can add cash or a gift card to too!

I made 25 of these the other night for monthly swap that I'm in with some other demonstrators. 

stamp sets:  'Epic Celebration'- Level 1 Sale-a-bration choice & 'Birthday Wit'
card stock:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Whisper White
ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Light Cherry Cobbler, Light Crumb Cake
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Layering Circles Framelits, Starburst Circle Punch, Tear & Tape, White Chalk Marker, Dimensionals

+++++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with kids.  And then I burnt the midnight oil stamping!!  

This morning Deke is off early to chore & then head to the Extension Office for his yearly application renewal training for the lagoons.  I'm off early to get the boys, as Manda has an early meeting.  I'll then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  And the 3 big boys will all be here after school.  Tonight I'll be burning the midnight oil stamping again!

I hope you have a very special Thursday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

More 'Lots of Lavender'!

Here is another pretty card using the Sale-a-bration set- 'Lots of Lavender'!!  

These are just beautiful stemmed flowers!  I just love this stamp set.  And if you check out my blog, I've done a few other cards using it. 

stamp set:  'Lots of Lavender'- Sale-a-bration Choice; 'A Good Day'
card stock:  Old Olive, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
designer paper:  Sweet Soiree' Specialty DSP
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Light Calypso Coral, Light Old Olive, Light Crumb Cake
other:  1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Basic Pearls, Perfect White Doilies, Dimensionals

+++++

Yesterday was a busy day with kids.  I kept Brayden home from school, as he still have a fever, cough & high blood sugar.  He went to his mom's yesterday afternoon, so hoping he is feeling better today.

Nathan & Sarah got home last night about bedtime.  The kids were happy to see them & so were we.  

Today I'm off to go take the twins to school & spend my day with the 3 little ones.  Tonight I need to be cutting card stock & getting ready for my upcoming stamp classes I have this weekend.

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Party Pandas'

This little Panda is so cute!!!  He just makes your heart melt doesn't he!  

This is one of the cards that everyone joining me at my monthly January classes is making!  

Look how the honeycomb balloon fits perfectly here with this stamp!  So cool!!

I used several new products here:

• stamp set- 'Party Panda'
• sequins- Tutti-fruiti Adhesive Backed Sequins
• designer paper- Bubbles & Fizz (Sale-a-bration Choice)
• embossing folder- Scattered Sequins Dynamic Embossing Folder

stamp set:  'Party Pandas'
card stock:

• Bermuda Bay-  5 1/2 x 8 1/2"
• Daffodil Delight-  4 1/4 x 1"
• Whisper White- 3 3/4 x 2", 4 x 5 1/4" (for inside of card)
• Real Red- 1 1/4" strip to punch out words & heart!

designer paper:

• Bubbles & Fizz- 4 x 3" -Level 1 Sale-a-bration choice

ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blend:  Light Smoky Slate
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Sweet & Sassy Framelits, Standard Platform, Scattered Sequins Dynamic Embossing Folder, Classic Label Punch, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Honeycomb Balloon

+++++++

Long day with kids......poor Brayden is sick now, so I had to go to school to get him.  Hope he feels better this morning- if not he'll stay home with us.  School is delayed again for 2 hours this morning.  So our normal routine is all messed up today too.  Nathan & Sarah will be home late tonight from their trip.

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

Another 'Waterfront' card!

Here is another fun watercolor card I made at my team meeting, that I made using Blue Brusho!  

I did another card with this same layout using the Green Brusho.  You can see it BY CLICKING HERE!!!

Brusho is fun to play with!!  It definitely never turns out the same.   I personally think I added a little too much Brusho powder here & this card is darker than I wished it would have been.  But it is still pretty & stunning isn't it!  This was my very first attempt at using the Brusho.  (Thus, I should have posted this card before I posted the Green one!)

Things that make Brusho so different-

• The type of paper you use- Watercolor paper, Shimmery White or Thick Whisper White

My preference from the little I have played with it is the Shimmery White, as I personally felt that the color & water were easier for me to control on it.

• The amount of water you apply.
• How you apply the water- aqua painter or spritzer.
• How much Brusho powder you apply to your paper.
• When you apply the Brusho- on dry or wet paper.

I challenge you to try it & let me know what you think!  I've got some more cards & samples to share with  you in the coming days too where I've used different colors, different papers, different stamp sets- in different ways. 

stamp set:  'Waterfront'
card stock:  Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Basic Black, Watercolor paper
ink:  Archival Basic Black, Pacific Point (for the sun)
other:  Aqua Painter, Brusho, dimensionals

++++++++

Yesterday was a great day of stamping!!  We got a little dusting of snow, but it didn't affect our stamping!!  My day was filled with sharing, chatting & having fun with all!!  Thankfully I had dry roads up to Hiawatha & pretty clean roads coming home too! 

Today I'll spend my day with the 3 little ones.  And tonight the 3 Wood kids will be here to spend the night with us again.  

I hope you have a MARVELOUS Monday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE

'Petal Palette' curtain fold

It is a pretty curtain fold card, using the 'Petal Palette' stamp set, along with the coordinating Petal Passion DSP.  I love black & white cards & I added some color here with the Stampin' Blends.

This card is one of my January monthly class cards.  So everyone stamping with me this month at my monthly classes will be making this pretty card!

Check out the sparkle on the roses.  I used the Clear Wink of Stella on them.  

Here is the same card,  just using another print from the Petal Passion DSP!  I colored some of the leaves/stems here using the Light Old Olive Stampin' Blend!

There is alot of new products used here:

• 'Petal Palette' stamp set
• 1/4" Organza Whisper White ribbon
• Petal Passion DSP- I colored some of the dots red, using my Light Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blend

What are the measurements to make this curtain fold?  

• 6 x 2 3/4"- dps 
• score at 2", 2 1/2", 4", 4 1/2" 
• diagonal cut at the 1" mark on your Stampin' Trimmer from the 2" score mark- through all of the rest of the scoring marks.    

stamp set:  'Petal Palette'
card stock;  

• Basic Black- 5 1/2 x 8 1/2- fold in half for card base; 4 1/4 x 1/2"- to put between the curtain seam & the top flower piece
• Whisper White- 4 x 2 3/4"- stamp flowers on this piece & adhere to the front top of the card; 4 x 5 1/4- for inside of card to stamp verse on; 1/4" x 3"- to stamp words onto & diagonal cut both ends

designer paper:  Petal Passion DSP- 6 x 2 3/4"
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Old Olive- light & dark, Cherry Cobbler- light & dark
other:  Wink of Stella, 1/4" Whisper White Organza Ribbon- 6", Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Stampin' Trimmer. Tear & Tape Adhesive, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

++++++++

I'm off early this morning to head to my monthly stamp classes in Hiawatha! It will be a fun day of stamping with everyone.  Becky P & Faith R are our hostesses this month!  We have a great group attending & I can't wait to see everyone & share!

Gotta run.....

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

'Picture Perfect Birthday'!!

 Here is a clean & simple card with some new products.  This is a card that I made for a swap that I was in with some other demonstrator friends last month. 

NEW products I used-

• 'Picture Perfect Birthday' stamp set
• Lemon Lime Twist 3/8" Mini Striped Ribbon
• Bubbles & Fizz Designer Paper- Level 1 Sale-a-bration choice

stamp set:  'Picture Perfect Birthday'
card stock:  Bermuda Bay, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White
designer paper:  Bubbles & Fizz DSP- Level 1 Sale-a-bration choice
ink:  Lemon Lime Twist
other:  Big Shot, Layering Circles Framelits, 2 1/4" Circle Punch, Starburst Circle Punch Lemon Lime Twist 3/8" Mini Striped Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dot, Triple Banner Punch

+++++++

Yesterday was a busy day with kids.  Poor Drake had the flu, so his dad stayed home with him & Trey.  I took Brody& Brayden to school & then spent my day with just had Masen & Ainslee.  Brayden & Brody were here are school too.  Brody stayed & ate supper with us & the boys all played.  Right before bedtime we took Brody home & we took the 3 Wood kids to their other grandparents home at Packwood.  I have stamp classes this weekend & I have lots to get done yet!  So I came home & burnt the midnight oil cutting card stock.

This morning I'm off!  I'll be a stamping all day!!

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

More 'Lots of Lavender'!

Gosh.....I used the 'Lots of Lavender' stamp set again.....it is just so pretty!  I love it!  It is a Sale-a-bration Level 1 choice that you can get for FREE with a $50 product order. 

I've used this set already several times & I've posted a couple of those cards on my blog.  
You can see them -
CLICK HERE!
CLICK HERE!

I just really like this card.  It is a Susie style card.  It is bright & cheery colors!  And the doily & pearls for accents just pull the card all together!  And this stamp set just so reminds me of my Grandma Cox. 

I created this card last month for a swap that I was in with some of my other demonstrator friends. 

stamp set:  'Lots of Lavender'- Sale-a-bration Level 1 Choice; 'A Good Day'
card stock:  Calypso Coral, Powder Pink, Whisper White
designer paper:  Sweet Soiree' Specialty DSP
ink:  Black Memento
Stampin' Blends:  Light Pink Pirouette, Light Calypso Coral, Light Old Olive
other:  1 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Basic Pearls, Perfect White Doilies, Dimensionals, Wink of Stella

+++++++

Another busy day with kids again.....and yesterday was Brooklynn's last day visiting us this week.  

Last night we played games & watched the Hawks play basketball.  Everyone got baths, we read books & got to bed at a decent time.  Ainslee gets up every 3-4 hours- so I haven't had much sleep this week.  I don't normally get much sleep, but that sleep is at least all at one time & not with being woke up, feeding her & then trying to get back to sleep.

This morning I'll get Brayden ready for school, fed him his breakfast & we'll head into the Seeley's.  I'll take the 3 bigger boys to school & then spend my day with the 3 littler ones- Trey, Masen & Ainslee.  And I'll see all of the kids, as they will be here after school for awhile.

I'm not sure what we'll do tonight.  It depends on the weather & kids.  I know I have lots of card stock to get cut, so I'll be burning the midnight oil. 

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

'Celebrate You'

Check out this card.  It turned out pretty cute!!!  And it was so easy & fun to do!!

There are several awesome NEW Sale-a-bration products used on this card that coordinate so great together!

• Level 2 choice- 'Celebrate You Thinlits Dies
• Level 1 choice- 'Amazing You' stamp set
• Level 1 choice- Shimmer Ribbon Pack- I used the Calypso Coral
• Level 1 choice- Bubbles & Fizz Designer Paper
  

I made this card for one of the projects everyone got to make at my team meeting last weekend.  We used the NEW Stamparatus to make this!!  It is so cool that you can just hinge step downward to stamp the words.  You get this look by just re-inking the stamp & hinging it downward one notch for each time you stamp the word.  I just LOVE it!!

stamp set:  'Amazing You'- Sale-a-bration Level 1 choice
card stock:  Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Peekaboo Peach
designer paper:  Bubbles & Fizz- Sale-a-bration Level 1 choice
ink:  Peekaboo Peach
other:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Celebrate You Thinlits Dies- Sale-a-bration Level 2 choice, Shimmer Calypso Coral Ribbon-Sale-a-bration Level 1 choice, Dimensionals, Glue Dot

What is Sale-a-bration?  It is where for every $50 worth of products you order, you get to choose one Level 1 Sale-a-bration product for FREE!  If you order a $100 worth of products you then qualify to choose a Level 2 Sale-a-bration product for FREE (or you can choose 2 Level 1 choices).

 +++++

 Yesterday was a busy day with all of the kids.  Today is going to be the same routine.  

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

'Waterfront'

Awhh......  This is an awesome stamp set that my demonstrator friend, Connie Heisey designed for her million dollar sales achiever.  It is called- 'Waterfront'.

I made this fun card & demonstrated it at my Iowa Inkers Team meeting last Saturday!!  I was playing with Brusho & showing them the different colors & different ways you could use it.

How did I do it?  

• Watercolor paper
• Stamp images using Black Archival ink
• Using an Aqua Painter wet the center of the Watercolor paper, leaving a little edge along all 4 sides.
• Sprinkle on the Mossy Green Brusho 
• Then I went over the Mossy Green color again, using my Aqua Painter & blending it.
• I used a cotton make up pad to blot the color. 

I did a Z fold, layering the watercolor paper onto a black piece.  

As the watercolor paper image dried it became lighter & has more of a light brown or crumb cake color to it.  When it was wet I thought it matched the Always Artichoke card stock the best, so that it what it is layered with here.

This stamp set is so fun & has so many possibilities!! Don't you just love it!!

I made a few other cards with it at our meeting too, so will be sharing them here sometime soon too.

stamp set:  'Waterfront'
card stock:  Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Watercolor paper, Very Vanilla
ink:  Archival Basic Black, Crushed Curry & Cajun Craze (for the sun)
other:  Aqua Painter, Brusho

++++++++

It is just crazy here.....Masen has been sick.  I've had a long week! 

 

Deke is headed out early this morning to chore & come in to stay with Masen & Ainslee for me, while I go get the twins & take them to school.  I'll then spend my day with the 3 little ones- Trey, Masen & Ainslee, plus my great niece Brooklynn.  Tonight who knows what I'll get done.  Having little ones 24/7 keeps me super busy!

 

When I get back home this morning Deke will head to the courthouse to his office for a bit & then spend the rest of the day in Mount Pleasant at a meeting.  

 

Gotta run.....

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

SUSIE

'Happy Wishes'

I did some shadow stamping here on this card to get this look.  And I used my NEW Stamparatus to do it!!  

How did I do it?  

• I stamped the words, then moved the card stock over a little & restamped (without re-inking).

This is a card that I created for my team to make at my meeting that I had last Saturday.  I used the Sale-a-bration stamp set- 'Happy Wishes'.  This stamp set is a a choice you get for free with a $100 order.  It has 16 different stamp images in it & is a really cute set!

So look at the edge of the card!!  Did you notice the new designer paper?  It is from the Painted With Love Specialty Designer Paper in the Occasions Catalog.

Clean & simple sums up this card......but the gold accents & ribbon in the corner of it add that extra bling.  

I did add 3 little Gold Sequins to the top right corner of this card too- to add more bling!

stamp set:  'Happy Wishes'
card stock:  Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Gold Foil
designer paper:  Painted with Love Specialty DSP
ink:  Melon Mambo, Calypso Coral
other:  Gold Sequins, Calypso Coral 1/8" ribbon, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Fine Tip Glue, NEW Stamparataus

+++++++++

Yesterday a long & busy day!!  Last night I didn't get near enough done, but I ran out of energy.

This morning I'm off to go pick up the boys & take the twins to school.  I'll then spend my day with the 3 little ones.  When Masen & Ainslee come this morning they are here for several days/nights- as Nathan & Sarah are going to be gone to a friends wedding week/weekend.  So.......I have no clue what my week will end up turning out to be.  I hope I at least get a little sleep- we'll see. 

Gotta run.....

I hope you have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!!

Happy Stamping!
Hugs-
SUSIE