Fast & Fabulous Friday - Reason To Smile

Welcome to my Fast and Fabulous Friday feature.  And as I promised you, today I will give you yet another Reason To Smile.

I will warn you, I am having a brief love affair with this particular image from the Reason To Smile stamp set so you can expect to see a few more cards coming your way using this image.  In addition, since I always have a multitude of people to say thank you to (not the least of whom are my wonderful customers) -  well, suffice it to say that you will see your share of Thank You cards on this blog in the next little while.

Onwards then.  Today's card is another very fast sample that uses the single "daisy" outline image and an aquapainter for quick watercolouring using some 2010-2012 In Colours.  I love, love, LOVE this quick and easy watercolour technique!

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Lacy & Lovely
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Black StazOn, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Tools and Accessories - Aquapainter

How easy is that?  It may be a short supply list and a quick card, but the results are still gorgeous, simple and appealing.  And your recipient will never know that it took a mere 5 minutes to whip up the card!

Trust me - you really don't want to let July pass without taking the opportunity to buy this exclusive stamp set for a mere $5 !  Contact me to find out how you can purchase this stamp set.  You'll even receive a lovely sample from me to start your creative juices flowing.

Check back tomorrow when I'll show you how you can use this same simple design and technique with only slight variations, to produce a variety of matching but non-identical cards!     Until then, have a wonderful day and God Bless,          ~Cynthia              <><

Reason to Smile - Reason #1

Hello there friends.
If you are an optimist like me, you can always find a reason to smile.  But during the month of July, there is an especially good reason to smile!!  Stampin' Up! has come out with an exclusive stamp set that will ONLY be available during July 2012.  It is a 2-step stamping set called ....wait for it....Reason To Smile!  And during July, if you place an order of $60 or more, you can get this stamp set for only $5.  That's right.  $5.  Wood or clear!   Believe me - this promotion IS a Reason to Smile!

I wanted to show you a card that I made using the Reason to Smile stamp set.  I didn't even utilize the 2-step part of it for today's card.  (But don't worry....you will be seeing a LOT of this stamp set over the next little while so you will see some 2-step stamping coming up soon.)  Here's what I have for you today:

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Lacy & Lovely
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Black StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Aquapainter, White Grosgrain ribbon

 One of the things I love about this outline image is that it begs for "watercolouring".  And watercolouring is not meant to be exact.  Outside the lines?  Not to worry.  White spaces?   The more the better.  Exactness is NOT what watercolouring is all about.  Watercolouring gives an 'effect', an "inexactness", that I love.  And it so totally fits my character.  I am a little outside the lines myself sometimes!    :)



Enough about me....July is a great time to put in a $60 order.   Knock a few items off your wish list.  And ALSO pick up this gorgeous stamp set for an amazingly low price!  Better yet - host a workshop or a private card class.  You'll get the opportunity to share some creative time with friends and give them a Reason To Smile too!  What could be better?  I can fill orders from anywhere in Canada.  And I can do parties or workshops anywhere within the Ottawa region.   Contact me today so we can place your order or get your workshop/party onto my schedule. 

See you tomorrow for a Fast & Fabulous Friday!   It's a good bet that I'll be giving you a Fast & Fabulous "Reason To Smile"!  Have a wonderful day. 

God Bless,      ~Cynthia     <><

Customer Appreciation!! 3 Days ONLY

I have the best customers in the whole world!!  Thanks to YOU I have earned Stampin' Up!'s Grand Vacation.  Next April, my husband and I will be going to Fiji.  This is a dream come true and it is all thanks to you!

As my THANK YOU to my customers, I am offering a 3-day Extravaganza Special.  

For local customers:

Place an order for $50 or more in the next 3 days and you can choose any single item worth $17.95 or less FOR FREE!   
My gift to you to thank you for your business. I will pay for it.   And the shipping & handling and taxes too!!  (that's over $20 saved).   
A $100 order gets you 2 items at $17.95 or 1 item at $35.95.    A $150 order gets you 3 items ($17.95) or one item at $53.95, etc.  And if your order is over $200, you WILL qualify for your own hostess benefits in addition to my gift(s) to you!   
For my local customers, please e-mail me or call me to place your order.  Online orders are not eligible for this deal - instead they are subject to the online deal stated below.

For online customers - anywhere in Canada:

Place an online order for $75 or more (before s&h and taxes) in the next 3 days and you can choose any single item worth $19.95 or less FOR FREE!   

Place an online order totaling $75 or more (before shipping & handling and taxes) and you can choose any single item from the catalogue worth $19.95 or less.  Do not add your free item to your online order.  Simply submit your online order then e-mail me with your free item request and your address and I will get it sent off to you!  An online order of $150 or more (not incl s&h or taxes) entitles you to 2 free items ($19.95 or less, each) or a single item valued at $39.95.   
A $200 order (not incl s&h or taxes) gets you hostess benefits and also 3 items ($19.95 or less) or a single item of $59.85 or less.


Offer expires at midnight, Wednesday June 27.  


I really do have the best customers in the world.  Let me thank you with a free gift!

Four Seasons - Summer Hostess set

Good Morning

If you've seen the new catalogue, you must have drooled over the new hostess sets like I did.  And one of my favourites has to be the Four Seasons stamp set.  I can see me getting a LOT of use out of this one!!

Her is my first take on a nice summertime card with bright colours and an easy design layout.

Supply List
Stamps - Four Seasons
Paper - Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight
Ink - Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot -  Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Large Scallop Edgelit
Tools and Accessories - 2 1/2" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop punch, 1" Circle Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds

I love how totally bright and fun this card is.  The inside of the card has the co-ordinating flower (from the Four Seasons Summer stamps) stamped, as well as the butterfly - although I am guessing the butterfly is considered part of the Four Seasons Spring ensemble.    :)

Just something light and summery to say hello on a Sunday morning!  Hope your weekend has been spectacular so far!  
God Bless,         ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous - Trust God

My family was truly blessed and privileged last weekend to attend the wedding of two of the most lovely and giving people you are ever likely to meet.  Naturally I wanted to make a very special card for the young couple, but I did not have a lot of time at my disposal.  I managed to come up with a card that I love, and it just so happens to qualify as a Fast and Fabulous card.

JP and Mary-Rie chose to get married on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary so naturally my card had to include some "Marian" shades of blue. And I couldn't resist using the Lattice BigZ die to make some elegant crosses!   Come on over and see how I put this together:

Supply List
Stamps - Trust God
Paper - Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy
Ink - Versamark
Big Shot -  Lattice BigZ Die, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Silver Embossing powder, dimensionals

The bottom edge of the white card was embossed with the new Delicate Designs embossing folder.   Isn't this bit of embossing just lovely?

Three lattice pieces were cut from the white and 2 blue papers, and a bit of detailing and fussy-cutting transformed these trellis pieces into crosses.  They were offset from each other and the 2 blues were glued together while the white was popped up on dimensionals in the forefront.

The sentiment, from Trust God, is the perfect final addition to this card.  It was stamped with versamark and silver powder was used to emboss the words.  Notice how nice and lovely the background is?  Meaning no stray bits of silver embossing powder on the card.  That's because I used my embossing buddy (finally available to order from SU! after months of not being able to)!  These handy-dandy little pouches work miracles to keep stray bits of powder from sticking where you don't want them.  I may need to buy more than one.  They seem to disappear from my work space.  However, it could be that they are merely getting lost in the messy space that is my craft area.   :)

You cannot see it, but a sentiment from "God's Blessings" was embossed with silver embossing powder inside of the card.

I love how this card ended up.  Simple.  Yet unique and elegant.  I hope the Bride and Groom love it just as much.

We are getting closer to the weekend folks.  I love it!!  I hope everyone enjoys their weekend.  For my friends in Quebec, Happy St. Jean Baptiste Day.  For the rest of us, have a great weekend and try to stay cool!
God Bless     ~Cynthia     <><

Father's Day Card

I can't believe how easy it is to fall behind in posting.  I am only just now posting the Father's Day card that my ladies made at Card Club in May...and that I sent to my own father too!  The technique is called Faux Leather and it is amazing how closely the final product resembles real leather (in fact, my own family was fooled and thought I really HAD used a piece of leather on my card).

Without further ado, here's a great masculine card using the faux leather technique:

Supply List
Stamps - Lovely As A Tree
Paper - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Ink - Early Espresso
Tools and Accessories - Baker's Twine, Brads, sponges, heat gun, Fun Foam, spritzer bottle, Espresso re-inker 


I used dollar store kids' Fun Foam to make my "faux leather" piece.  Go ahead and watch the youtube video to find out how to treat the foam to achieve the leatherized look.  It is surprisingly easy to do.  As for the rest of the card:  Water and a few drops of Espresso re-inker were mixed in a spritzer bottle and then sprayed quite liberally over the bottom (crumb cake) mat piece of the card.  Once dried, the pine image was randomly stamped over the bottom half of this crumb cake piece.  The faux leather/fun foam swatch, once "treated and stamped" was mounted to its corresponding Espresso mat using gold brads.  Espresso Baker's twine was wrapped a few times around this piece then the rest of the pieces were glued together.

Sound easy?  It is.
Sound quick ?   Not on your life!  Lots of steps.  Lots of gluing.  Lots of waiting.   The sponging and distressing and layering all add to the time needed for completion.  Yet it is pretty obvious that it is a gorgeous card.  My own father certainly liked it!  And my father deserves simply the best!

Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day.
Until next time,              God Bless,     ~Cynthia     

New Catalogue Kick-Off and Open House !

Hello Friends

Today is the day.  Deb Duval, Michelle Turner and I are hosting our New Catalogue Kick-Off party this evening from 7-9 here in Ottawa.  I personally, have 114 stamp sets that I am selling!!  And I know Deb and Michelle have a mountain of sets to sell as well.  Not to mention Big Shot dies, embellishments, designer paper and ink pads and ribbons and lots of other wonderful stuff!!  So bring your wish lists and come out tonight from 7-9 p.m. to stamp and shop at Pine Grove Bible Church  (2144 East Acres Rd, near where Montreal Rd crosses Hwy 174).  
Don't forget your glue and scissors!

By the way, sales of retired items are cash or cheque transactions only.  But this is a BOGO event.  That means Buy-One-Get-One.  Woo hoooooo!!     For each retired item you purchase, you can order something of equal or lesser value from the new catalogue.  New catalogue orders must be placed this evening and although retired sales are s&h and HST-free, the catalogue purchases are subject to s&h and HST).

There are plenty of door prizes to win.  A couple of gorgeous cards to make.  Some refreshments to enjoy.  Some shopping to do.  And some fun to be had!!  So join us this evening and unleash your bargain-hunter personality!  You won't regret it.

Have a wonderful day.  See you this evening?
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Serene Silhouettes Part 2

Hello friends

I have had a busy week and the next few days are not looking much better, but I still wanted to post a Fast & Fabulous Friday for you.  In fact, here are FIVE!

Calypso Coral - Petals A Plenty

Wisteria Wonder - Fancy Fan

Lucky Limeade - Dots

Pool Party - Chevron

Island Indigo - Argyle

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Perfectly Penned
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - One of -Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder
Big Shot -  Various embossing folders: Petals-A-Plenty, Fancy Fan, Perfect Polka Dots, Chevron, Argyle
Tools and Accessories - 1 3/4" Circle Punch, sponges, Baker's Twine (In Colours, 2010 - 2012)
 


I hope you can see how just by changing the embossing folder and the colour or placement of the stamped image & sentiment, you can make the same design of card look like a LOT of other things!  And each card is complete in just a few minutes. 


Okay - I'll be honest.  Making any one of these cards is awfully fast.  Making all 5 did take a bit more time   :)    But once you've decided where to place the circular stamped image, the rest just kind of falls into place.  And isn't it neat how the same basic card can be altered in very slight ways to create new and original cards?  I showed these 5 variations to my Private Card Class ladies yesterday and when they made this card, their versions were different still!  Everyone added their own bit of imagination and creative combinations.  I was totally blown away at how unique and gorgeous every single card looked.



Hope you enjoyed today's creative crash course in simplicity.  Have a truly wonderful weekend.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Peak-A-Boo!

Actually, it's a double Peak-A-Boo card! 

My club ladies came over last evening and made this card and I must say, we laughed almost as much as we stamped!  You see, this card is one of those fancy fold-types that is a bit confusing when you first try to put it together since the card-piece shapes do not quite match up in terms of size.  But you trustingly glue it together the way the instructions say and lo and behold, it works.  Ta-dah!!  A peak-a-boo card for everyone at the table! 

I saw this card demonstrated in a video by the ever-so-talented Dawn Griffith.  Her work is terrific and her videos are sensational!  I almost set about trying to change it up when I realized I loved her card  just the way it was.  So despite a colour change, this card is pretty much all Dawn.    :)

Card Front (closed)

Supply List
Stamps - Bright Blossoms, Petite Pairs
Paper - Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink DSP Stacks
Ink - Pretty In Pink, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Tools and Accessories 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch,  Scallop Edge Border Punch, Melon Mambo Scallop Dotted Ribbon, Sticky Strip

Inside Open Card

I'll tell you, the first time you open your own card and the inside slips into place exactly the way it is supposed to...there is a feeling of glee and satisfaction all rolled into one!

I can't wait for the rest of "my ladies" to get to make this card.  They are going to love it just as much as tonight's crew, I am certain!

Hope everyone has a terrific day ahead of them.
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Quick and Easy - Flowering Flourishes

Today's card is one of those elegant "black tie affair" type cards.  You know...the "shaken-not-stirred", Casino Royale type of card.   But best of all, it is really quick too!

Supply List
Stamps - Flowering Flourishes, Occasions Alphabet
Paper - Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink - Basic Black
Big Shot -  Labels Collection Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Basic Pearls, dimensionals, Black Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)


How unbelievably easy is that?  Stamp the flourish onto the Vanilla.  Stamp the appropriate alphabet sentiment onto a vanilla scrap and cut it out with the Labels Framelit.  Piece everything together and add a few pearls.  Voila.  Elegance and refinement in a very few minutes!


This is yet another one of the cards that the ladies will make at the card class on Thursday.  I hope they enjoy the selection I have designed for them.  You'll see another card tomorrow.  Then Thursday I will head to a law office downtown and do a private card class for these wonderful ladies.  I love that I can come in and they can have some creative therapy at the end of a long and stressful day!


Does a private card class sound like something you'd like to do too?  If you are in the Ottawa area and think this sounds interesting, contact me and we'll see if we can make it happen.


Have a wonderful day everyone.  God Bless      ~Cynthia    <><

The Open Sea

Hi friends.  Today I want to share a shameless CASE (Copy And Share Everywhere) of another demo's card.  When people post their cards online, they put them into the public domain and at least among cardmakers it is quite accepted that people will copy your work.  Imitation is the finest form of flattery, afterall!

Well, on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator's website I saw this great card by Cheryl Adams!  I often have a difficult time coming up with masculine cards so when I saw her gorgeous card, I just had to make one for myself.  Sorry I cannot link you to Cheryl's original post - it is on an SU! only website - but suffice it to say that except for my use of Naturals Ivory cardstock, and the compass in the top corner (and, perhaps, some stamping on the inside of the card), this card is all Cheryl!

Supply List
Stamps - The Open Sea
Paper - Naturals Ivory, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Labels Collection Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Basic Pearls, Sponges



The Comfort Cafe designer paper is wonderful.  There is a real mix of patterns - some feminine, some neutral, and some quite suitable for masculine cards.  In short, something for everybody.


I am so glad I stumbled upon Cheryl's card since I have a private card class on Thursday and the lady who is hosting specifically requested that we make at least one card suitable for Father's Day.  I think this will do the trick, don't you think?


I'll keep this short as I also have my June clubs beginning to meet this week and I still have one more card that I need to design for "my ladies".   So without further ado.....have a wonderful week and God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

I Think I'm In Love - Serene Silhouettes

It's official.  I absolutely love the new Serene Silhouettes stamp set.  I mean...how could you not?  The images are just so striking!

Here are 2 versions of a quick card that highlights one of those images.  I also wanted to try out the new Essentials Paper Piercing Pack.  Can you say "WOW!"?  What an inexpensive way to add oomph and character to your cards.

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Layered Labels
Paper - Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits
Tools and Accessories - Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds


Doesn't this card seem classic and elegant?  I just love the effect.  The paper piercing takes a couple of minutes, but the effect is so worth it!  And it doesn't add bulk (so postage stays low).  And it doesn't cost a cent!  What an inexpensive way to add wow-factor to your cards.

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Layered Labels
Paper - Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Perfect Polka Dots EF
Tools and Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds

I tried changing it up to see if I could achieve an elegant effect without the paper piercing.  I used the Big Shot to cut a white Apothecary Accent piece which I shortened to sit behind the sentiment label.  The embossed polka dots coordinate nicely with the dots of the sentiment, don't you think?

I like both card versions and I think I'll let my card class ladies try one on Thursday when we meet.  Any suggestions as to which version might appeal to them more?  I know which way I was leaning, but then I started liking the other one just as much so now I am undecided.  Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know your preference.

I hope everyone's weekend has been wonderful so far.  And that your Sunday is spectacular!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia       <><

Betsy's Blossoms Thank You

Happy Saturday friends!

My various Betsy's Blossom Thank Yous

Itty Banner Framelit Banner

 I wanted to show you some of the quick and lovely Thank You cards I have been creating with Betsy's Blossoms.



Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms, Fabulous Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink - Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse
Accessories - Itty Banners Framelits, Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

Large Oval Frame

Itty Banner Framelit Frame

Decorative Label (altered) frame

I tried various means to frame my sentiment and to be honest, I cannot decide which one I prefer.  Every card has its own personality and I can't decide which style I like best.  That's where you come in.  Go ahead and leave me a comment to let me know which frame style you prefer.

Hope everyone has a spectaclar weekend!    God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><.

Fast (and Fabulous) Friday - Serene Silhouettes

The Fed-Ex truck delivered a BIG box of goodies to my house last night and I must admit, I am a very happy stamper!  I thought I liked some of these stamp sets when I saw them in the new catalogue.  Now I have decided that I LOVE these sets!  Be prepared to see a lot of new sets over the next little while because I am going to have to try out everything!

One of the first sets that I was drawn to is Serene Silhouettes.  I saw a card on another demonstrator's website using a very simple placement of the images, and I liked the way it looked.  So I turned it into a monchromatic 2 minute card!


Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes
Paper - Crumb Cake
Ink - Basic Black
Tools and Accessories -  Sponges, Homemade Shimmer Mist



Three of the 4 stamps included with Serene Silhouettes were used for this card.  One, two, three - then the stamping was pretty much done.  The edges of the card were sponged with black to make it seem like the early morning fog is just drifting away, and lastly, the whole card was spritzed with a homemade shimmer mist so that in real life, the card is quite sparkly.

Really quite fast.  Really quite striking.

I think I will have to explore more ways to use these gorgeous images over the next little while!  I already have a feeling that Serene Silhouettes is going to become one of my favourite sets from the new catalogue.

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend and God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

A Pig With Gratitude and Attitude

Some of you may know that I help out with the Catholic School Board Children's Choir here in Ottawa.  Every year we have 80 kids from schools all across Ottawa who rehearse and perform together as one of the best children's choirs for miles around.  The final concert of the year took place just this past Saturday and I must tell you, the children sounded spectacular!!  Of course, I may be somewhat biased since all 4 of my children are in the choir.

The mascot for our choir is a pig and after each choir practice one child is recognized and given a small plastic pig as an award.  The rationale for our mascot choice is from the the old 'joke' -- you know, long story short: the farm animals want to thank the farmer for being so wonderful and decide to give him bacon and eggs for breakfast.  In order to accomplish this, the chicken merely gives a donation to the breakfast feast.  But the pig is committed!!
Well, since the pig is a symbol of commitment, we use it as our mascot and the choir director awards one each week to the child who is particularly committed and focused at practice.

Choir is finished for this season but the Choir Council is getting together tonight for a final meeting before our summer hiatus.  I wanted to make a thank you card to give to the other Choir Council members, and naturally I preferred something with a pig on it.  So I used the Button Buddies set to make some quick thank you cards.  Here is the least frou-frou one, since there are 2 men on the Council and I didn't think they would appreciate bright pink and glitter!  I'll show you the other cards later.  But for now, here is the "man-version" of my pig thank you card.

Supply List
Stamps - Button Buddies, Kindness Matters
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip
Big Shot -  Square Lattice embossing folder
Tools and Accessories - 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon, Sponges, Buttons, Dimensionals


What do you think?  Not-girlie girl I hope?  Neutral enough that the men won't cringe when they get them?  I sure hope so.  These 2 men put a whole LOT of effort into making our choir a success and they deserve a pig award -- this is my little way of telling them they are appreciated!   So this here pig has gratitude and attitude!


That's all for now.  Have a marvelous day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Two Minute Tuesday - Elements of Style

Hi Friends
I have been very delinquent in posting regularly this past while but I really am hoping to get back into the swing of things over the next little bit.  Especially since the new catalogue has so many lovely products that I am dying to use.  My own vast (!!) box of new goodies is due Thursday (fingers crossed) and I can assure you that when they arrive, there are quite a number of stamps just dying to get inky.  But until my new treasures arrive, here is a Two-Minute Tuesday for you....

Supply List
Stamps - Elements of Style, Fabulous Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink - Midnight Muse, Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot -  Itty Banners Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Two-Way Glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals


So what do you think?  Pretty quick and simple, huh?  And much as I love the new 2012-14 In Colours (I used Midnight Muse for the sentiment), Tempting Turquoise is still one of those colours that calls out to me.  I just love how bright and cheerful it is!

And for all of you in the Ottawa area....I am having my New Catalogue Kick-Off Party and BOGO event (Buy One, Get One) on Monday, June 18th here in Ottawa.  Cards to make, Door Prizes to win, Retired products to buy and new products to be ordered - what could be better?  E-mail me if you'd like to attend so I'll know to have your projects ready for you.  It is goign to be a BLAST!  Hope you can join me.

Until then, have a wonderful day and God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Betsy's Blossoms

Wow - the new catalogue goes live today and in all the excitement I almost forgot to post a card!  I have a BIG order to put in today, along with the typical 'million things to do', so I really needed to make a quick card today.  And since I have been so delinquent in posting recently...I decided to add a little spice to today's card to see which version you like best.  The first card is straight and simple.  Then I embossed the main image layer to see if you liked the stepped up version.  Then I added glitter to the 3rd version.  Start to finish, even with the extra embossing or glitter, took less than 10 minutes.  It took longer to take the photos!  (Sorry for the poor lighting.  I'll have to work on that).

I used the new stamp set Betsy's Blossoms and the new In Colours with the wondrous new and juicy version of ink pads.    Here's what I have for you today:

NB:  I used a 2nd generation stamp of the bird...that is, I inked up the stamp and stamped it on a scrap piece of paper before stamping the bird onto the card.   That way the bird would be slightly paler than the large blossoms on the background card.
 
Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Accessories - dimensionals

 Here is the same card with the top image piece embossed and sponging around the edges.

Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Accessories - Square Lattice Embossing folder, sponge, dimensionals

And last but not least, let's add some glitter to the Raspberry flowers and the bird.






Hope you like this card.  More importantly, have you seen the new catalogue?!?!  Check it out and if you are in the Ottawa area, come to our New Catalogue Kick-Off Party on June 18!!  Ask me for more details.  It is going to be a blast and I hope to see you there!

Have a terrific weekend and God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><