Randy's 50th Birthday Cards and a Few Other Items

Last week while opening our mail, I almost wet my pants laughing.  It was because Randy's AARP membership card arrived.  I guess the AARP tracks people down who are turning the big 5-0.  I can laugh because I'm several years younger than him.  So my birthdays are never as traumatic for me as his are for him.

I had intentions of throwing a big surprise party for him.  But with the Stampin' Up! convention scheduled a week after Randy's big day, I didn't think I could do it all. Besides, Randy's not the kind of guy who wants to celebrate this milestone birthday.  (I'm not sure who would want to make a huge deal of it.)  So I had to think "outside of the box" and come up with some fun things to do for him.

My big "present" for him was his bacon bouquet.  I had planned on delivering the bouquet to his work mid-morning (just the time when he'd be getting a hankerin' for some), but it turned out that he had to work at another office an hour away.  So, I presented the bacon bouquet to him along with his bacon, egg and cheese biscuits right when he got up.  .  All he said to me about the bouquet was, "You are so weird!!"

I thought about making a bacon card to go along with the bouquet saying, "You are the greatest thing since sliced bacon!" Instead, I made this black and white card:

After Randy told me he thought he'd be getting some black balloons at work, I knew that's what I had to create on his card.  The staff at the office he was working at today threw him a pizza party.  Tomorrow he has to go to a meeting at yet another office.  He's got a suspicion that his home office is planning some type of celebration on Friday.  We'll see what happens 'cause they haven't got me in on the fun yet.

While we were living in the Netherlands, the traditional celebration was to create a display outside someones home with a stuffed person (kinda looked like a scarecrow to me, something old and scary) and a sign to mark that the occupant was turning 50 years old.  I think it had something to do with Abraham.  It was like they publicly humiliated you!  I thought about making an Abraham, but everyone else would've been really confused by it.  So, I didn't do any decorating at all outside.

Randy's favorite cake is German chocolate. So, I made one from scratch for him.

I completely forgot to get 50 candles, so we light as many as we had in the house.

Annika created a card using a bunch of retired SU! glitter.   She did a really nice job on it, don't you think?  The ceiling fan is on, so I hope glitter doesn't get into the frosting.

Sorry the photo is a little blurry.

Here's the inside of the card Annika made for her dad.

Remember the story a few days ago about my washing machine?  Well, long story short, I called the big box store that I ordered the original washing machine from and cancelled my order.  Instead, I went to a local, family-owned store.  I am proud to say that I got about the same deal and as of this afternoon, this house has a fully-functional washing machine again.  Who in their right mind would wait for a month for a back-order???

Only six more days till CONVENTION!!!

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Jet Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Neutrals Patterned dsp
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Basic Gray marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Large Scallop Edgelits, Delicate Designs embossing folder, Small Oval punch, Whisper White 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Signo White Gel pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Reason to Smile Blog Hop

Hi, everyone!  If you haven't heard already, Stampin' Up! is having an awesome promotion.  For every $50 that you spend (before shipping and taxes) you can purchase the Reason To Smile stamp set for only $5. This exclusive set can only be purchased during the month of July.

To celebrate the promotion, a few of my fellow demonstrators are hosting a Reason to Smile Blog Hop.  Here's what I created:

Inspiration for this card came from several demonstrators.  The fun thing about being a demonstrator is that we've got access to plenty of samples.  In fact, I've compiled over 40 different samples using the Reason to Smile stamp set.  I will give all of my customers a copy of these photos when they purchase Reason to Smile set from me.  (Demonstrators, drop me an email and I'll send it to you.)

Stay tuned for a few more samples using this great set.  I may have an August surprise for a special viewer.

Here are the promotion details:

• Dates:  July 1 - 31, 2012
• Spend $50 on any current Stampin' Up! productsto get the exclusive Reason to Smile Set for just $5.
• Orders may be placed on any order type (customer, workshop guest or online)
• There is a limit of one (1) set per customer.
• You will not be automatically prompted to enter the $5 Item Number for a qualifying purchase.  So be sure to enter one of these item numbers after your order reaches $50 or more: 
  • Wood Mount 131274
  • Clear Mount 131275
• Valued up to $20.95
• The Reason to Smile Set is exclusive to this promotion and will not be available after July 31, 2012.
• Deadline:  Tuesday, July 31, 2012; 11:50 PM (MT)

And here is a list of the other bloggers to check out.  Please be sure to give them a Reason to Smile by leaving an encouraging comment.



Lori Witt - http://www.stampinwithlori.com/2012/07/reason-to-smile-blog-hop.html
Andi Potler - http://www.absolutekreations.com/2012/07/10/reason-to-smile-blog-hop/
Eileen Lang - www.eileensstampingcorner.blogspot.com
Karin Biefeld -http://karinbiefeld.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-am-so-excited.html
Elaine Uhl - http://createnstamp.blogspot.com/2012/07/handcrafted-smiles.html

Stamps:  Reason to Smile, Sweet Essentials
Paper: Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Versamark, Markers: Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, and Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents, Large Scallop Edgelits,Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder. Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Freshly Made Sketches #39

Here's my interpretation of this week's Freshly Made Sketches.  

I chose my ink colors from a pattern in the Floral District designer series paper and punched all five possible layers in the Quintessential Flower stamp.  Each layer is popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals. Other new items on this card are the Large Scallop Edgelits, the Delicate Designs embossing folder, and the Bitty Banners Framelits along with the Itty Bitty Banners sentiment.

Stamps: Quintessential Flower, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Floral District dsp
Ink: Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Big Shot, Large Scallops Edgelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Delicate Designs embossing Folder, 2 3/8" and 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punches, 1", 3/4" and 1/2" Circle punches

Dide is still holding onto her top front baby tooth. It's kinda creepy looking!

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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