Going, Going, Almost Gone....Baroque Motifs for a Fast & Fabulous Friday

Happy Friday!!  May I present, for your visual enjoyment, another gorgeous card that uses a retiring stamp set.  And it qualifies for Fast and Fabulous Friday too!!  How great is that?!  Don't forget, if you like this stamp set (and trust me, you won't just like it, you'll love it) you only have until May 31 to order it because then it will be gone forever!  And keep checking the retiring accessories list.  Some of the items have already sold out (accessories are all "while supplies last").  If you see anything you want, order it now, before it is too late.

Moving on -- Todays' card uses the Baroque Motifs stamp set to create a simple but gorgeous card.  And the cute little "frame-slash-Medallion" element....that part is easy peasy.  Just use the ribbon punch in the centre of each of the 4 sides of a piece of cardstock that is 3 1/8" square.  You'll end up cutting a cute little motif into the sides, but the centre square stays attached to the frame. 

Supply List
Stamps - Baroque Motifs (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Baja Breeze
Tools and Accessories - Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Trust me, it is a pretty simple card.  But it definitely has Wow-factor.  Baroque Motifs has such an elegant and fluid swirl as one of its images.  How could you not fall in love with that stamp?

I hope you have been enjoying my stroll through retiring stamp sets.  I have lots more to show you.  And I am certain I will convince you that there is at least one of these retiring stamp sets that you really need to own!

Until next time....
Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless,       ~Cynthia    <><

Going, Going, Almost Gone...Inspired By Nature

By now you must have seen the list of Retiring Accessories that Stampin' Up! released...?!  Absolutely massive, isn't it?!  I have a lot of stuff that is slated to be retired within a few short weeks, so there is one part of me that is in mourning - but another part is excited to see what goodies await us in the new catalogue....which, by the way, is being released to demonstrators on May 7.  Which means I can get it into your hands very soon after that.  Contact me (use the e-mail button on the right sidebar) to find out how you can get your very own, personal copy of the new catalogue.


Okay then.  Today's retiring stamp set is an oldie but most definitely a goodie - Inspired By Nature.  I love, love, LOVED this set the first time I laid eyes on it.  Something about it just spoke to me.  There have been many times when nothing else would do for a card I was making - except the grasses from this set.  Not sure what I will use if SU! doesn't come out with an equivalent image?  But I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

And if you've made it this far, you most certainly must have noticed that whenever I see the grass from this set, my mind drifts to butterflies!  Whether made using the Beautiful wings embosslit, or by being creative with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch, butterflies are my image of choice to pair with the grass stamp.

Hey everybody.....look at this card.  I totally broke from my comfort zone and combined the grass with.....butterflies!  Who could have predicted that, right?


I warned you, didn't I?  I just think this grass is begging to have butterflies flitting around in it.






All of these are cards that I made at classes over the past several years.  Naturally, the common theme is the stamp set - Inspired By Nature. 

But just to prove that I am not a one-image-kinda-gal.....here is a card using the other dominant image from the Inspired By Nature stamp set.  
Would you take a look at these gorgeous and majestic flowers.


Pretty stunning huh?  Are you convinced that you just can't live without it now?  And is it any wonder that the set was so very appropriately named "Inspired" By Nature?!?

If you feel the need - or just the desire - to be inspired by the grandeur of nature, then you really want to pick up this set before it is gone forever.  As for me?  I just might have to keep it in my stash.  Who knows when I will have butterflies just begging to flit and play among the grasses?  Right?


Have a spectacular end to your week.

God Bless,       ~Cynthia   <><

Going, Going, Almost Gone....Flight of the Butterfly

This card is so fast and simple I really should have posted it on Friday.  But I thought I'd show you another ultra-easy one now, since it uses part of one of my favourite stamp sets, Flight of the Butterfly.  I love butterfly images and I am sad to see this set retire.  And I am really sad to see the Butterfly punch retire as well.  But I am hopeful the new catalogue will have more butterflies for me to choose from.   Remember to order any retiring stamps or accessories that you may want, as soon as you can (in fact, why don't you order them now before it is too late).

Moving on....I saw this card on the internet a long, long time ago but cannot remember where so I cannot give credit to the designer.  But I will say it was a brilliant use of several simple elements to create a cute and wow card.  If you know who the original designer was, let me know so I can tell everyone.


Supply List
Stamps - Flight of the Butterfly (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink - Marina Mist
Markers - Marina Mist
Big Shot - Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Butterfly Punch (retiring), Two-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

I have also created this card by using a marker to draw in a dotted flight path (instead of using the stamped sentiment as the flight path).  Done in light pink or light blue with a Welcome Baby sentiment, it makes a very simple but oh-so-cute baby card!!

Don't forget to check out all of the retiring accessories and retiring stamp sets.  You'll want to get them now before they are all gone!

Enjoy the rest of your day.
Happy stamping and God Bless,        ~Cynthia       <><

Going, Going, Almost Gone....Party This Way

Over the next few days I am going to make several quick posts.   These will be cards that I've made at workshops or clubs (or even just for fun!) using sets that are due to retire at the end of May.  Remember, if any of these stamp sets tickle your fancy, you only have until May 31 to order them, before they are gone forever!  And stay tuned ... tomorrow the retiring accessories list comes out.  These items are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Once the stock is depleted, they will never be available again.  So if you see anything you want, order it now, before it is too late.

Right then - todays' card uses the Party This Way stamp set to create 2 fun birthday cards. The red balloons were stamped on scrap white, then cut out and popped up using dimensionals.  

Supply List
Stamps - Party This Way (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White, Real Red, Pacific Point
Ink - Real Red, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Markers - Basic Black
Big Shot - Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Pretty simple, don't you think?  But a pretty cute Birthday card nonetheless.

Hope your day is filled with stamping!  
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Fast and Fabulous Pocket Silhouettes

I can't believe how much time has gone by.  Sorry about that folks.  As you might expect - life has been busy.  And it never seems to fail that when life gets busy, I need a bunch of cards - quick!  So here is another Fast and Fabulous Friday for you.

My good friend, Gisele, was the one who got me interested in the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set a number of years ago.  I hadn't noticed it until she pointed it out to me, and since then it has been one of my favourite sets.  I was saddened to see it on the retiring list and I will surely miss it.  So I decided I better use it again one last time!

I also decided to use my In Colour Inks - many of which will also be retiring at the end of May.  And here is the set of cards I came up with. 

1)  Make a mask (a piece of cardstock with three squares cut out of it.  I used my 1 3/8" Square punch)

2)  Overlay the mask onto the card and sponge colour through the holes

3)   With the mask still in place, stamp the image onto the 2 outer squares (so the image is contained within the square)

4)  Remove the mask and stamp the image over the middle square so it extends above and below the sponged background. 

5)  Stamp your sentiment into the bottom right corner (I used one from the Thank You Kindly set.  Also due to retire at the end of May)

6)  Use a 2-way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds to add glitter to your card

Yes - it really is that easy.  And that fast.


Once I had made a template mask for the sponging, each card took me less than 3 minutes to make!!  And half of that time is just adding the glitter!

These really are Fast and Fabulous in every sense of the word.

I used Concord Crush, Island Indigo, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz for the larger images you see here.  The entire collection you see at the top of this post also has Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party thrown into the mix.   Some are on Whisper White cards while others use Very Vanilla as the card base.  These cards look great in any colour!



The Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, Thank You Kindly and the 2010-2012 In Colours will all be retiring at the end of May.  If you want them (and if I may be so bold as to suggest...yes, you do), then you had better get them quick.   Run, don't walk, to your nearest Stampin' Up! representative.  And if you don't have one, contact me and I can order them and have them sent to you (anywhere in Canada).

I have to get back to making more cards now.  And I have some lovely ladies showing up at my house for club tonight.  So I will bid you adieu and wish you all a wonderful weekend.
      God Bless,         ~Cynthia         <><

Retiring Stamp Sets - Now Is the Time To Order Them!!

It happens every year and it always brings me just a little bit of sadness.

Stampin' Up! just announced the stamp sets that are retiring at the end of May.  And a few of them are ones I am going to really miss.

You can order any of these retiring sets through me and have them delivered right to your door, anywhere in Canada!   Take a look at what is retiring HERE and see if there is anything you want before it is gone for good.  If you'd prefer, use the button on the right to e-mail me to ask me to send you an Excel or pdf version of the list. 

Remember, if If there is something on this list that you want - now is the time to order it.  Once June 1st rolls around, they won't be available anymore and you will have missed your chance!

So get out your pen and start making your wish list......

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

Fast and Fabulous Mixed Bunch

Another Fast and Fabulous Friday?  Already?  Where does the time go?
When the clock is ticking and you just don't have time for all the extras, this card is quick and easy.  The definition of fast and fabulous.

The swirl from Baroque Motifs was stamped several times in Lucky Limeade on a Whisper White card base.  One of the Mixed Bunch blossom images was stamped in Concord Crush ink on a scrap piece of white and punched out with the Blossom Punch.  The edges were sponged with Concord ink and a basic pearl was added to the centre, then the blossom was mounted using dimensionals, onto the card.  A Thank You (from Thank You Kindly) was stamped in Concord Crush onto the card front, then a 2-way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter were used to accent the flower and parts of the Baroque vines.

And that's it.
Doesn't get much simpler than that, does it?

So next time you are pressed for time but you need a card in a hurry - remember that clean and simple is often fast and fabulous.

Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend.   I know I am !
                God Bless,              ~Cynthia       <><

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Well I have told you all previously that I have the best mother in the world (sorry to disappoint all those out there who thought they had her).  I am here to add to that by telling you that I also have the world''s greatest father.  My cup runneth over and I am truly blessed.

I could wax poetic about my parents - but that's not why you came here   :)
Instead I will show you the card I made for my father - an avid fisherman - and hope that the pictures do it even just a little bit of justice!

I have an old retired Stampin' Up! set called Fishin' that came out in 1996.  This set was just itching to be used for my Dad's card so I stamped the bullrushes and weeds and water splash and fish all using Stazon Black ink, onto Naturals White cardstock.

I used my aquapainter to apply colour to the scene, including the water.  Once the image was coloured, I used a brayer to apply "sunrise" colours to the sky.  The image was cut out using the second largest Labels size of the Framelits, then the entire piece was spritzed liberally with a home-made shimmer mist.  It was mounted on a chocolate chip mat that had been embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder, then this was adhered to a Naturals White card.  Finally, the fish was covered with Crystal Effects to make him seem wet and slick.  Here is a close-up so you can see the shimmer on the scene, and the wet/slick look of the fish.

On the inside of the card I stamped a few more fish, a fishing pole and a tackle box and traditional fishing hat (think Tilley hat). 

 I really hope my father likes this card.  I tried to get the fish to resemble a rainbow trout (thank you Google Images!).  I am not certain how well I succeeded. But I know my father will appreciate the attempt!

This is a wonderful stamp set and perfect for my fisherman father.  I know it is retired and I really should sell it at my Open House in June but I am undecided so far.  I don't use if often enough to justify keeping it.  But will anyone else love it the way I do?!?!?  Certainly no one loves my father the way I do.  Well...maybe my 8 brothers and sisters (yes - you read that correctly.  I am one of 9 children.  Told you I had the world's greatest mother and father, didn't I?!).

At any rate, to that wonderful father (married to a wonderful woman), I say, "Happy Birthday and lots of love". 

And to the rest of you - enjoy your day.  The weekend is almost here!  God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

New Purse Die From Stampin' Up!

Oh my goodness gracious!  When I saw the little purses made from the new Petite Purse die that Stampin' Up! is selling, I thought they were "cute".  But I honestly didn't think I would have much use for them.  They seemed small - - - "Cute" but not particularly useful.

Then I made the mistake of making one of these darling little purses and now I am officially hooked!  Absolutely and completely hooked.  They are so stinking cute and so unbelievably easy to make, that it is hard not to make at least half a dozen at a time.  I want to make one in every colour, using every designer paper, and every embossing folder I own.  Every embellishment.  Every ribbon and button and rhinestone and brad in my collection. 

And I've already started.  See the gorgeous creations I made?  Some smart and spiffy purses for Spring, summer and every occasion.  And how about that Wedding White purse and Elegant Black Evening clutch?  Too cute or what?!

Did you know you can get 9 Hershey's Kisses into one of these little darlings?  My Club ladies this month are all going home with a purse full of chocolate!

And the purses can be used for so many things.  I can see these as wedding favours.  Bridal and Baby shower favours.  Birthday parties.  Christmas packaging.  Small gift "bags".  And so much more.

Can't you just see one of these being used as the gift box for a Pandora charm??  How's that for presentation?  Any guy who would use one of these as his gift box has my vote.

And this one - this Elegant Black clutch...don't you think it's the perfect gift box for an engagement ring?!?

The possibilities are endless.   But I seriously think the die should come with a warning.  Caution - using this die to create purses can be addictive!

And on that note - Time to go make some more purses!

To all of you, I wish a splendid day.     God Bless,        Cynthia     <><

Happy Easter !!

Happy Easter to everyone!!

A day of rebirth and renewal!  We celebrated a lovely Easter Vigil Mass at our church last night, followed by a Resurrection party.  Wonderful service.  Wonderful evening.  Truly He is Risen!

And on that note - one of my friends used the He Is Risen stamp set to create this beautiful card.  She is an amazing lady who, in addition to being my friend, happens to be the very first recruit I ever got.  Although, to be honest, she is a craft genius and I did not "recruit" her through any of my own merits.  She wanted to capitalize on the Demonstrator Starter Kit Special last summer, and I was lucky enough to be her upline of choice.  I am very thankful that she chose me and I have been extremely blessed in getting to know her better ever since.   

At any rate, Michelle gifted me with this stunning Easter card that I am sharing with you today.

Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum and Vanilla all come together beautifully in her creation.  The lilies from the He Is Risen stamp set were selectively coloured with the Perfect Plum Stampin' Write marker, then the leaves and stem were coloured in with Pear Pizzazz.  The sentiment is stamped on Very Vanilla in Perfect Plum, punched with the Wide Oval punch, and layered on a Plum backing made using the Decorative Label Punch.  All three pieces of cardstock  making up the front of the card were cut using the Adorning Accents Edgelit Die, and the vanilla piece was also embossed with the Adorning Accents Embossing Folder.

Some Pleated Satin Ribbon and Basic Pearls finish off what I am certain you will agree is an absolutely beautiful card.
Serene.  Peaceful.  Elegant.
Like the card's creator.
And, come to think of it, her Creator!

I pray that everyone enjoys a Peace-Filled Easter and basks in the glorious gift Our Lord and Saviour gave us.    He is Risen Indeed!

God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia    <><

Good Friday Easter Cross

Today is Good Friday - a day of paradox.  Profound sorrow leading to profound joy.  It took me until I was an adult to begin to truly wrap my head around this (and the movie, The Passion, was crucial in helping me even begin to understand it in a deeper manner....)....  Where was I?  Oh yes.  Good Friday.

It is a gloriously sunny morning and I was just blessed to spend a few minutes with someone who began as an acquaintance, became a customer, and quite quickly became a valued friend.  I wanted to give her something to let her know how blessed I feel to have met her, and to wish for her a wonderful, peace-filled and joyful Easter.  So I made her a card I know she will appreciate.  And I wanted to share it with you too.

I stamped the grass from Inspired By Nature in Lucky Limeade, then mounted 2 crosses onto the card front.  (Run your cardstock through the Big Shot with the Lattice Die, then selectively trim away a few rings to leave the cross shape).  The black cross is adhered directly to the card since death is but a shadow, and the victorious white cross is raised up on dimensionals just offset from this.  The white cross was then covered with dazzling diamonds glitter.

A few butterflies (Beautiful Wings embosslit), blossoms (Itty Bitty Punch) and basic pearls, and a Happy Easter from the Delightful Dozen stamp set, and my card was ready to give to my dear friend.

Believe it or not, this is actually a Fast and Fabulous card - in keeping with my Friday venture.  It did not take a long time to make.  But the sentiment and love it carries to my friend are meant to last a lifetime.

To all of you - Happy Good Friday.   And may you each enjoy a glorious and joy-filled Easter!

God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

I am Famous!!

Well, I am not actually "famous".  But I certainly FEEL famous!

I was surfing around blog sites the other evening, looking at cards, and I happened onto the site for Tami White.  She was Stampin' Up!'s #1 Demonstrator last year.  Number one!  And didn't I just about fall off my chair when there in her March 15 posting, I saw MY CARD!!  That's right...MY card!  Mine is the white card with the red rose buds.  I submitted it to a Stampin' Up! contest last Spring - which I did not win - but Stampin' Up! told us they might use our submissions on some of their display boards at Convention.  Sure enough, they must have displayed my card, and Tami saw it and liked it, took a photo of it and decided to post it!  So my card is posted on the blog site of Stampin' Up!'s Number One Demonstrator.  How very, very cool is that?!?!

The photo is a little blurred, and my own photos of this card are not much better (I was in a hurry to send it to the contest.  And I didn't have a blog last year so I wasn't concerned about a decent photo).  But I can show you the "twin" card that I sent to my mother for her birthday a year ago.

The roses are made by punching 3 bird wings (Bird Builder punch) and sponging around the edges of each.  They are glued together and the leaf and stems from the Bird Builder punch are altered a bit and glued together to form the foliage.  The sentiment was heat embossed in gold, then punched out using the Decorative Label punch.    A Cherry Cobbler frame was created for this, and a Modern Label punched piece was split then used beneath this.

The white on white background (Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Eyelet Border Punch, basic pearls) lends it all an elegant feel, don't you think?

I loved both versions of this card and really hoped I might win Stampin' Up!'s contest last Spring.  But you know....it is almost as gratifying to see my card displayed on the blog of their Number One demonstrator!  It certainly makes me feel famous!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful day.  And may you all enjoy a Peace-filled and truly Blessed Holy Week.  God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><