MERRY CHRISTMAS

No pretty card.
No fancy paper.
No stamps.  No punches.  No glue.

Just this:

May God Bless you richly!    ~Cynthia   <><

First Christmas

Hello Friends

We are getting closer all the time.  Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent and in 2 short days our waiting will be over.  He is almost here.  No, I don't mean Santa Claus.  I mean the Reason for the Season!  Our Saviour, Christ the Lord.

What more appropriate card is there to herald His coming than this one?

Supply List
Stamps - First Christmas
Paper - Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Versamark
Big Shot -  Tasteful Trim Die, Apothecary Acccents Framelits
Tools and Accessories Gold Embossing Powder, sponges, Glue Dots


One of the cards I received at Founders' Circle in September was the inspiration for this card (original card by Linda Bauwin).  With a very few alternations, I CASed it to make the card you see.  And I, for one, love it.  Simple yet elegant and effective.


Love this card.


As the Reason for the Season approaches, I hope each of you is able to enjoy the peacefulness and simplicity of what this image represents!


God Bless you all.  And if I don't 'see you' here again before Tuesday --
 --  Merry Christmas!!    ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous - Rejoicing With You!

Hello dear friends

As we get closer and closer to Christmas (is it really only 4 days away?) we tend to get stressed and busy and forget about the real Reason for the Season.  Well, this card is just a little reminder that this whole season is all about heralding in the birth of our Lord.

Supply List
Stamps - Rejoicing With You, Snow Swirled
Paper - Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink - Elegant Eggplant
Tools and Accessories - Merry Minis Punch Pack (Star Punch)

This is a simple card and is VERY Fast and Fabulous!   But it packs a whole lot of punch, both in how visually pleasing it is, and the message it brings.
So just as the sentiment says....I wish you Peace, Joy and Happiness!

God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Evergreen For Christmas

Hello Dear Friends

It is 'supposed' to be a Thankful Thursday - and despite the fact that I am very thankful indeed (I have been so blessed in life....What is there to not be thankful for?), well, even though I am thankful, today I am posting another Christmas card, not a Thank You card.

Supply List
Stamps - Evergreen, Music Notes (wheel)
Paper - Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink - Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler
Big Shot -  Labels Framelit Die
Tools and Accessories Cherry Cobbler Tulle, cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Merry Minis Punch Pack (Star), Dimensionals, Glue Dots

This is one of those cards that has beauty with just a hint of subtlety.  Did you notice that the words to "Silent Night" are superimposed on the tree boughs?  And there are musical notes inked very faintly on the Celery card mat?  And when you notice those 2 elements, don't you find yourself starting to hum "Silent Night" in your mind.....?  I know I do!

Only a few days left until Christmas.  In all of the hectic craziness of the season, I hope you find yourself humming "Silent Night" and looking forward to our Lord's birth with at least as much joyful anticipation as looking forward to turkey dinner and gifts.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Fast & Fabulous Come To Bethlehem

Wow - It's been way too long since I did a Fast & Fabulous Friday.  But in keeping with my attempt to get back to blogging more often, here is a F & F card using my treasured Come To Bethlehem stamp set.

Supply List
Stamps - Come To Bethlehem
Paper - Whisper White, Midnight Muse
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Labels Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Lacy Brocade EF
Tools and Accessories - Stitched Satin Ribbon, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestone Jewels, Sponges, Dimensionals

This was one of the cards that my friends got to create at the Christian Christmas card class that I held in October.  I think I'll showcase the other creations over the next few days for those of you who were unable to join us.  Believe me, when you see the cards, you'll wish you had been able to come!  This card is likely the "simplest" of the four designs.  But perhaps that is what I love so much about it.  The Come To Bethlehem stamp set needs so little adornment to make a card that packs a big punch!

For those of you visiting from Word Art Wednesday, yes, this is one of the stamp sets that I am giving away to one lucky recipient.  And to the rest of you, for your chance to win this stamp set (plus the Crosses of Hope stamp set), pop on over to Word Art Wednesday and enter their card challenge.

To everyone, I wish you a wonderful day - and a peace-filled weekend ahead.
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Come To Bethlehem & Crosses of Hope Gift

Hello dear friends

There is a lovely site called Word Art Wednesday and I was asked to be a sponsor for their challenge this week.  I was more than happy to sponsor their challenge and see the Word used in wonderful creations, so naturally I agreed.

One of the entries from this week's challenge will win, from me, the Come To Bethlehem stamp set and also the Crosses of Hope stamp set!  So if you are interested, go to Word Art Wednesday and enter their challenge.  It will cost you nothing - but the time it takes to create something beautiful and meaningful.   And in my books, that does not amount to a cost but rather, is a gift.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Come To Bethlehem Coasters

I am so very blessed - Every Monday morning throughout the school year I join several other women at the church and we babysit more than a dozen young children (ages 6 mos - 5 yrs) while their mothers participate in a Faith Study.  The children are all little angels - with the occasional halo tipping off the side - but they are blessed little angels nonetheless.  And I get paid each week with a generous dose of hugs so the rewards are quite priceless. 

Yesterday morning us babysitters were off-duty as we were invited to just come and join the Mothers at their Christmas potluck brunch.   I was all prepared to see my little friends again while enjoying some tasty treats but we awoke to nasty ice-covered roads after an early-morning of freezing rain.  The roads were navigable and I suppose I 'could' have gone, but it was the first Monday morning I have had 'off' in a very long time so I took my cue from the weather and decided to lay low.  I can't tell you how wonderful it was to just hang around lazily at home for a morning! 

At any rate, just after lunch one of the ladies showed up at my door with a gorgeous Christmas gift that the Moms had gotten ready for me, in appreciation for babysitting their children.  The gift bag, the tag, the card, the treat - they were all adorned in Stampin' Up! fashion as the Mom who prepared the gift for me is not only my good friend, but is also my downline, Michelle.  She is the creator of those gorgeous Come To Bethlehem cards from last week!  At any rate, included in the gift was a set of tile coasters that she made for me using my very favourite Christmas stamp set - Come To Bethlehem.  I have seen these tile coasters in many places and have been intending to make them myself, but have just never get around to it.  How wonderful it was to be gifted with them...and using my favourite stamp set too!

Thank you so much to the wonderful mothers who allow me the privilege and honour of looking after their children, if only for a few hours, every Monday morning.  And thank you as well for the lovely Christmas gifts.  And, of course, Thank You my friends for paying my blog a visit today.  May your lives be filled with joy in anticipation of the coming of the Lord.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Come To Bethlehem - Getting Closer

Hello again dear friends

Last night I enjoyed an evening of laughter, giggling and crafting with some of my wonderful club ladies!  Even though December is getting busy for everyone, they all managed to find the time to come to my home and create with me.  How blessed I am to get to spend enjoyable "craft therapy" time with such wonderful ladies!

Moving on then - For today's card, I want to show you one of the gorgeous swaps that I received at Founder's Circle in September.  Once again it uses my go-to Christmas stamp set, Come To Bethlehem (118732 w, 120591 c).

This card was given to me by Sarah Wills and I love the elegance and the simplicity of it.  I also totally love how she used the Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock (127848) with some embossing and sanding to achieve such an interesting background for the scene.  A little bit of Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon (122332) and a single Rhinestone Basic Jewel (119246) are enough to adorn the card without overpowering it.  And when it comes to including a sentiment on the card...who knew the sentiment from Come To Bethlehem would fit so perfectly inside our Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859)??

I received quite a lot of Christmas cards as swaps at Founder's Circle (mine was one too) but quite honestly, this was one of my favourites.  I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Come To Bethlehem For Christmas

Hello Friends

Didn't I promise I would be back today with a new post?  I'm just sorry that my return causes you so much surprise!  I really must be more diligent  in future to ensure that I don't disappear for quite so long between postings.

At any rate, with December upon us and Christmas preparations in full swing, I am definitely absorbed in Christmas card-making.  And arguably my most favourite stamp set of all is the Come To Bethlehem stamp set from the main catalogue (118732 w, 120591 c).  I purchased this set the instant it became available several years ago and I will be saddened to see it retire some day.  Until that time however, it is one of my go-to sets for Christmas cards.

Before I show you current cards using this set, I want to devote today's post to doing a "shout out" to one of my very good friends (and downline members), an exceptionally talented lady, Michelle T.

Champagne Glass-Glittered Come To Bethlehem Card

Michelle is one of those amazing people who seems to be able to accomplish an unnatural number of things in a mere 24 hrs.  She home-schools her young family (she has 5 children and number 6 is due in the late Spring) and is also a doula.   She also happens to be an amazingly creative crafter.  Her scrapbook pages, cards and 3D projects are veritable works of art!  And these 2 cards she made for me last year are great examples of her talent and creative genius.

Michelle's attention to detail is striking.  Notice the pewter-embossed music notes that run behind the main image panel in the card on the right?  Not enough to distract the eye from the main image, but just enough to add visual interest to the background.

Sand-adorned Come To Bethlehem Card

And notice the sandy-coloured terrain in the second card?  If you are wondering how Michelle achieved such realistic-looking landscape, let me assure you that it is no illusion.
She adhered real sand to the card!  The effect is quite extraordinary and wildly intriguing.  It is fun to watch people try to guess what material is on the card.  They all swear it "seems" just like real sand, but no one can bring themselves to suggest that it really is!  Imagine their surprise when their suspicions are corroborated!

Genius.  Pure creative genius!

Yet, in addition to her choice of materials, perhaps one of the reasons these 2 cards of Michelle's are so striking is that they were designed by a heart that is completely, openly and unashamedly Christian.  What better way to look forward to the coming of the Saviour, than to honour Him in even such little details as making Christmas cards to herald His arrival.  Last year Michelle did a wonderful job with these cards of inviting me to "Come to Bethlehem".  Has anything inspired you yet this year, as Christmas and its true meaning come closer and closer?

This post has turned out to be somewhat longer than I intended or anticipated but now I must go.  I look forward to sharing more of the Bethlehem journey (via cards) with you tomorrow.  Until then, have a wonderful day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

November Anniversary Winners!!

Hello dear friends

Remember my November Anniversary Extravaganza giveaway with a monthly prize being awarded from among all online orders placed during the month?  Well, I announced the winner from the first week here, then there were no online orders placed in the 2nd and 3rd week -- but there were several in week 4, so I was able to draw for the monthly prize from those week 1 and week 4 names.  And lo and behold, we have a winner!!

Laura C. from way out on the west coast (British Columbia), is the online order winner.

Remember there was also going to be a name picked from among all $50 orders placed during the entire month, including orders that were part of club orders.   Well, it appears that one of my faithful monthly club members, Diane P. is the monthly winner for that draw.

Diane's prize - Ornament Keepsakes Stamps and Matching Framelits

Laura chose the $50 shopping spree as her prize. 

Lucky Diane is now the proud owner of the Ornament Keepsakes Bundle (stamp set AND framelits). 

I have to tell you....it was almost as exciting for me, letting them know about their winnings, as it was for them to hear about them!

In fact, it was so much fun, that I think I may have to do a few more online and ordering incentive giveaways in the new year!

December is busy and preparing for Christmas is in full swing, but I know I have been neglecting you, my friends.  Never fear.  Starting tomorrow you should see regular posts yet again.  And I even have some videos (very amateurish but at least I am trying) in the works.  Stay tuned, this could get interesting.

In the meantime, now that Advent is upon us and we are preparing for Christmas, I hope this post finds you well and full of joyful anticipation for the gift of Christmas!

Have a wonderful week and God Bless,      ~Cynthia     <><  

Kit to Make the Ornament on the Catalogue Cover!!

Get the Ornamental Elegance Kit--While Supplies Last! December 3, 2012 The ornament on the cover of our holiday catalogue is such a hit that we are making it available to you -- just in time to deck the halls with terrific trimmings you've made yourself! We've simplified this fun project so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results. In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive. (Our Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.) Want greeting or place cards to go with those ornaments? The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) gives you perfect coordination. Fancy a little sparkle and shine? Sprinkle on our Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023)! Place your order today or contact me to take advantage of this amazing offer--just in time to create 10 heirloom ornaments--or stunning tags to attach to a special neighbour gift. The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $17.95 and includes: Die-Cut Cardstock Elements Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon Natural Linen Thread Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Christmas Tray Class

Hello Friends

Surprised?  I am posting something "creative" instead of it just being a post about a sale or a promotion.  I have to tell you, this last month has been a whirlwind of busy.  And it's not likely to ease up any time soon.  But I do intend to get back to posting regularly, never fear!

Okay then - explanation aside, do you remember the Hallowe'en trays that we made at a class here a month ago?  Well I wanted to show you the equally gorgeous Christmas trays that some of my very talented friends made at a class at my home just last week. 

Sharon L.

Donata L.

Maeve S.

Sandy S.

Charity S.

We used the Candlelight Christmas Designer paper, some silver, red or champagne glimmer paper, and an assortment of stamps, ribbons and cardstock to put these beauties together.  Each of the trays is a variation on the same theme - and yet they are all quite different.  I absolutely love the subtle little differences that make each of these trays as unique as their creators.

I still have 5 of these empty trays left so keep an eye out for a notice about another class soon.  (And let me know if you want to be a part of it!)  Right now I have some more stamping to do.  Woo hoo!

And in the meantime, have a wonderful day and God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

This Week's Ordering Incentive!

Mea Culpa Mea Culpa Mea Maxima Culpa!

Holy Moley!!    Has it really been that long since I posted anything worthwhile on my blog?!?  Well friends, not only has it been a while (what an understatement!), but I am not posting anything creative tonight either.

I merely wanted to jump in and let you know this week's November Extravaganza Promotion.  November is my anniversary month and this week, any order over $50 will earn a free package of 8x8 cardstock from me!  Your choice of colour (or even a pkg of mixed colours).

I hope to be back tomorrow to fill you in on some of what has kept me away.  But in the meantime, here is your $50 order incentive for this week.

The Online Etravaganza ends on Wednesday so place your order now to take advantage of some spectacular savings!

Have a wonderful week ahead and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

November Extravaganza

Wow - It appears that when I get tired....I lose track of time, blogging, and pretty much everything else!    :)

I returned home from Rising Star one happy camper.  But one tired lady.  I still had lots of priorities to attend to so the last few days have seen me scrambling to make sure everything gets done.  Not a lot of blogging, but most of the rest of the stuff got covered.  Phew.

So today I am back.  But this blog post is super quick just to remind you about the SUPER 10 day sale at Stampin' Up! that starts today.  Items reduced by 20, 30 even 50%!  And even better, for today only, the Big Shot can be yours for a 20% discount. 

Run, don't walk, to my online store and put in your order today!  Or contact me and I will add your items to my order.

And this week's BONUS present from me (it is my Stampin' Up! anniversary month) - for every $50 order, you can choose the embossing folder of your choice - for FREE - as a gift from me.  And if you do not own a Big Shot (but today is a GREAT day to get one!) then you can choose from a package of rhinestones, pearls or brads, (if you submit an online order, then contact me to let me know which embossing folder/embellishment you would like me to add).  A 100$ order qualifies you to choose 2 gifts.  Etc.

Have a wonderful day.  Have a terrific extravaganza.  And God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <><

Black Friday and Stampin' Up!'s Holiday Extravaganaza

Holiday Extravaganza!

Hello Stampers,
It's that time of year again - Holiday Extravaganza!  During 10 days from November 19th to November 28th you will SAVE on a variety of current Stampin' Up! products - anywhere from 20% - 50% off the regular prices!  Awesome!
So this is how this promotion works...you can place your order online at my store OR you can phone or email me your order!
There are two special dates to keep in mind for the sale - the first Day (Monday, November 19th) and the last day (Wednesday, November 28th) because there are special offerings for those days ONLY! 
Monday, November 19th offerings (midnight - 11:50 pm MST (check time zone)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
181	125586	Simply Scored Diagonal Plate	$15.95	$12.76
186	113439	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine	$122.95	$98.36
186	113474	Big Shot Doctor's Bag	$93.95	$75.16

Wednesday, November 28th offerings (midnight - 11:50 pm MST - adjust for your time zone)
Page Item Description Retail Price 24-Hour Sale Price 7 118941 Clear Block Bundle (Blocks A-I) $89.95 $71.96 7 120279 Clear Block Storage Caddy $18.95 $15.16 175 109127 Stack & Store Caddy $44.95 $35.96

So what else is on sale?  Check out this flyer with all the juicy details - there are several wonderful stamp sets and embellishments on sale - pick up extras for Christmas gifts!

Remember you always earn hostess benefits on purchases of $200 or more - that's $35 in free product! And you can add product that's not on sale on the same order too!

Click here for full list of sale items!
So exciting...now we just have to wait until Monday! Just 3 more sleeps!
Happy Stamping

Day 3 - Pillow Gift

HI there Friends

I realized I let my Facebook friends see what the Day 3 Pillow Gift was.  But I had not yet posted the pics on my blog.  Tsk tsk tsk.  What was I thinking?

Stampin' Up! is known for giving its demonstrators delightful pillow gifts on incentive and award trips. 

Stampin' Up! is also known for rewarding their demonstrators with exquisite bags. 

And sometimes those 2 worlds meet in the most delightful way.  Last night I returned to my hotel room to find this GORGEOUS (!!) leather bag waiting on my bed.  It is large enough to accommodate my laptop computer (yes it is padded with an extra inner cushioned space).  Lots of inner pockets and zippers.  An extra little "wallet" inside.  Luscious deep Cherry Cobbler leather.  Did I already say GORGEOUS?!

I love, love, love, love this bag and I could tell by the squeals of delight emanating down the hotel hallway that all of my Rising Star companions did too.  I mean.....you'd have to be out of your mind to not like this gift!

At any rate, I'll keep this post short.  But I did want you to know that in addition to the wonderful personalized stamp that we were given at our incredible farewell dinner last evening, we were also blessed by Stampin' Up! with this beautiful bag. 

Can't wait to show it to all my friends back home!

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Rising Star Day 3 - the Red Carpet Treatment

Hello Friends

Well if we hadn't felt pampered and preened before (um...but we did) then we certainly do after last night!

Yesterday we got to spend lots of quality time with more Stampin' Up! royalty.  In the morning we did absolutely fabulous Make & Takes using products not yet available (coming in the new Occasions catalogue in January).

These projects are gorgeous and I cannot wait to share them with my customers.  What's more, we created our projects alongside Stampin' Up! CEO and co-founder, Shelli Gardner, her daughter Sara Douglass, and Corporate Head Office top guns, Amy Shwartz, Scott Nielson, Dave Baugh and Chad Richards.  Yes my friends, these 3 gentlemen not only made each of the make & takes the rest of us did, but their work was outstanding!

Kim Vogel and Sara Douglass

Scott Neilson

Shelli Gardner and Kristine Matteson

Shelli

Remember these names my friends.  Because I am going to revisit them later.....

Our day started with more training at the Home Office, then the Make & Takes, a fabulous lunch followed by more training.  And then my friends, I got to get comfortable and intimate with MDS2 (My Digital Studio) under the expert tutelage of Hollie Linford.  I am so happy to have had this training and so eager to get back and share this wonderful program with the rest of you.  It truly is amazing.  And powerful too!!

We went from this gloriously informative tutorial to a spectacular restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City where we were met by none other than.....those Corporate Head Honchos that I listed above.  Yes dear friends, the 9 of us Rising Stars go to enjoy an intimate (and divine) dinner with Shelli, Sara, Amy, Scott, Dave and Chad.  Just us 9 and those 6.  It was intimate.  It was delicious.  It was exciting.  It was lovely.

Checking out our gifts

Everyone got one!

The food was spectacular.  And once again Stampin' Up! outdid themselves with the details.  Our exquisite menus, coordinated with even more exquisite boxes at each of our place settings.  And each box contained a Rising Star stamp that was personalized for each of us individually! 

The mysterious (but lovely) box

Talk about a "personalized" stamp!!

Such beautiful presentation!

Our menu options were out of this world!

Our meal was fantastic.  The company was spectacular.  The restaurant was divine.  The gifts were gorgeous.  What a glorious way to end such an amazing trip.


















I will carry fond memories of the Rising Star Retreat with me for a very long time.  And the new friends I made....that is a subject for another post.  But meeting them makes the rest of the excitement of this award pale in comparison!

Perfect way to end a perfect dinner - Exquisite Creme Brulee

I am posting this as I wait for my shuttle to bring me to the airport to return to "real life".  I can't wait to get back to see my husband and children.  Yes, I have much more to tell you about this Rising Star Retreat - but for now I will post this and say...I hope you are having a wonderful day!

God Bless you all,      ~Cynthia      <><

Rising Star - Day 2 Pillow Gifts

Hello Friends

I've waxed enthusiastic about how well Stampin' Up! treats us and I have to admit that today was my kind of day.  Because I will be honest with you....I am a Stampin' Up! junkie.  I LOVE the products.  And I can never have enough.  So today was the kind of day that makes my heart skip a beat.  Because we got product.  Special product.  NEW product.  He he he.

First we were each gifted with a cute Designer Kit from the new catalogue (pg 18 for any of my demo friends reading this).  Then we returned to our rooms to find the most wonderful pillow gifts!!  Product.  Lots and lots of product!  A new punch.  A new stamp.  A new tool.  A couple pkgs of embellishments.  A new 'sort' of fabric.  I am still smiling from ear to ear.

Can't WAIT to get home and use my new goodies.  Stampin' Up! knows the way to my heart all right.  Goodies, goodies, goodies!

Tomorrow is a full day.  Again.  More business meetings.  More training.  More information on how to be the best demonstrator I can be...for YOU!
Hope the rest of you enjoy your evening tonight.    I have visions of pillow gifts as I drift off to sleep.

God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia     <><

Rising Star - and the Best Dinner Companions Ever!

I told you I would fill you in on who we were honoured to share our dinner with last evening.

Take a look at this ensemble.  If you know anything about Stampin' Up!, you will recognize that we got to rub shoulders with, dine with, laugh with and be blessed by some of the Stampin' Up! giants.

Pam Morgan, Shannon West, Andrea Whithers, Brandi Barnard, Brian Pilling, Kelly Jettie, Bonnie Thurber, Donna Griffith...these are just the phenomenal people we got to spend time with last night.  (and boy did they ever make us laugh!)

Today of course, we added to that list of who's who.  We were greeted first thing this morning by Shelli Gardner herself (CEO and co-founder of SU!) and her daughter, Sara Douglass.  As well as our new BFF's from last night and many other Stampin' Up! greats. 

Just a few of the All-Stars who greeted us today.

The #1 All-Star - Shelli herself

And if you are going to have someone give you a tutorial on how to use MDS, you definitely want my teacher - Hollie Linford!





Tutorials by all the best.  Business meetings with gurus.  And lunch with the cream of the crop at Stampin' Up! home office.  That about sums up my day.

How about you?  Anything special happen in your life?  I hope so. 
May you all be richly blessed!  As I am!        ~Cynthia    <><

I Love Pillow GIfts!

I told you that Stampin' Up! is known for seeing to all the little details.  The tiniest little details...right?  Well let me tell you......Nothing in the world beats pillow gifts!

Every night you get back to your room and there is another surprise something waiting for you and last night it was this little feast.

Milk and cookies to go to bed with.  GOURMET milk and cookies at that.  I have to tell you - The bottle of milk was very much appreciated as I am a milk kinda gal   :)

And in back of that little basket there are chocolate covered pretzel sticks.  My family *knows* how happy that makes me!

We are heading off to the home office now for training and I am very excited.  This is going to be a very full day.  And a wonderful one!

Hope yours is expected to be just the same!   
God Bless,     ~Cynthia   <><

Rising Star - Day 1

Stampin' Up! always goes out of their way to plan things down to the tiniest detail and Day 1 of the Rising Star Retreat was no exception.  The 9 of us (a tenth recipient was unable to make it for the Retreat) met in the hotel lobby at 6:30 tp.m. last night to be taken as a group to the restaurant for our first dinner together.

Tuscany Restaurant entrance

Well, a short drive brought us from the Hilton to the Tuscany restaurant in Salt Lake City and let me tell you, the drive was worth it.  The restaurant is quaint and elegant all rolled into one.  And the snow gave it an aura of what my kids would refer to as a Narnia-feel.

Inside the restaurant is elegant and intimate, and we were lead upstairs to a private room where a table was laid out that made us feel like princesses.  I would have said "Rock Stars".  Except that it was way too elegant for Rock Stars.  Princesses it is!

Table at the Tuscany Restaurant

We were able to find our seat at the table since each place setting had a paper corsage with our name on it.  And beside these - a cardstock box that was so gorgeous most of us didn't even think to look inside it.  But when we did, the box contained 100 of the most professional and refined personal business cards that I have ever seen!   As silly as it is, something as "minor" as a personal business card brought tears to my eyes!  No seriously my friends.  I mean it.  I cried.  Stampin' Up! always thinks about our needs and blesses us in even the tiniest details.  These business cards are a testament to that!

Corsage

Surprise Box

Business Cards!

Moving on to dinner, we each had a hand-made menu that was a work of art in and of itself.  Our choices for our meal had us all wishing we could clone ourselves and have one of everything.  I chose the meatloaf and trust me when I say that this meatloaf, made with pulled pork and beef and topped with blackberries, is unlike anything I have ever had the pleasure to indulge in before!

Menu Cover

Dinner Menu

Best "Meatloaf".  Ever!

There is so much more to tell you.  Not the least of which is the exciting news about who from the company we shared our meal with.  Our table companions rank among a who's who of design and business at the Stampin' Up! home office and we got to share stories and laugh and delight in their company.  But I will have to get to that in a short bit.  More excitement is in store for me today and I have to get ready for it.

Hope you are all feeling as blessed as I am!
Take care and God Bless you all my friends.          ~Cynthia       <><