Fall Treasure Hunt & Blog Candy Winner

It's official - the Late Night Stamper's Fall Treasure Hunt has just concluded and a winner has been announced.   
Tricia Miller won the $150 in Stampin Up merchandise. Congratulations Tricia.  Once you send in your address information, that $150 of product will be sent to you.

What's more, one demonstrator who participated in the blog hop also won a $50 shopping spree.  Sadly - this was not me.  :(      
 Diana Soling has won herself $50 worth of SU! goodies.
Congratulations Diana.  If it couldn't be me, I'm glad it was you!

Congratulations to both Tricia and Diana and to everyone who played along.  The blog hop was a huge success.  It was a lot of fun.  And we're planning on doing another one in the Spring so stay tuned.

Next up.....I had my own blog candy that I was offering to anyone who left a comment on my Treasure Hunt post.  I actually said that I would announce the winner tomorrow - but seeing as I have something special in mind for November first (check back tomorrow!) - well, I thought it best to pick my blog candy winner now.   

And the winner is....drum roll please..... 
Lisa Eisner who has won my blog candy - "Always Elegant".  Lisa, please send me your mailing address and I will get the stamp set, Always Elegant, sent out to you.

Congratulations to all the Treasure Hunt participants.  It was a lot of fun.  Special Congratulations to all the winners (there was blog candy on a number of the sites).

And now for my exciting announcement.  November is my Anniversary month.  At the end of November it will be 2 years since I signed up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  And in recognition of this, I am offering special rewards to all my customers.  Check back tomorrow when the first special will be announced!  I can't wait to start blessing so many special people in my life!  November is right around the corner. 

But for now...Well, right now it is Hallowe'en.  And I, for one, still have candy to buy today.  Otherwise there will be a lot of unhappy kids ringing my doorbell this evening.  So I'd better get on that.  In the meantime, have a wonderful day and a safe and happy All Hallows Eve.

God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <>< 

Fabulous Friday - Getting Ready For Rising Star

Hello dear friends.

Wonder where I've been ?  Busy.  Very.  Very.  Busy.
And I still am.  But I had to share a little bit of joy with you.

Rising Star Wallet

Inside-documents, luggage tags, notebook and more

In 2 weeks I will be flown back down to Utah to enjoy yet another award (I am blessed.  So very, very blessed!).  And today the Fed-EX man arrived with a little package that made me smile from ear to ear.  Travel documents, luggage tags, a gorgeous wallet with a beautiful altered notebook inside.... Everything at Stampin' Up! is always done with class and this is no different.  The attention to detail is remarkable.

There is a rather funny story that is associated with the arrival of this little package....but I'll tell you that at a later time.

For now - I just wanted to take a moment to say that it truly is a Fabulous Friday!

Busy.  Busy.  Busy.  More later. 
For now....enjoy your day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous - Blooming With Kindness

Fast & Fabulous Friday and boy do I need "fast" today.  I am prepping all the materials for a Fundraiser at the Navan United Church tomorrow (if you are free from 10 - 1 then please feel free to come join us.  The cards are fabulous and the people are wonderful).  There is a lot of prep work to do so I needed today's card to be fast.  So it is!

This Fast & Fabulous card is one that we'll be making tomorrow.  It is super easy and the recipe looks like this:

Supply List
Stamps - Blooming With Kindness
Paper - Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Island Indigo
Ink - Bashful Blue, Island Indigo
Big Shot -  Labels Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Fancy Fan EF
Tools and Accessories - 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

See?  Nothing to it.  Some stamping (love this flower stamp. It is so forgiving!)  Some die cutting.  Glue it together, add glitter, and done.

Now all I have to do is prepare all the packages for the ladies to make this card.  Plus 3 other cards.  For tomorrow morning.  Yikes!    :)

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.  God Bless,
~Cynthia    <><

Thankful Thursday - Gently Falling

It is absolutely gorgeous in Ontario right now.  The leaves are changing colour and every day brings a new panorama of beauty for us to see.  So today's is a Thankful Thursday instalment showing you a quick card that hints at the Fall leaves and their colourful splendour.

Supply List
Stamps - Lovely As a Tree, Gently Falling, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper - Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Howlstooth and Scarringbone DSP
Ink - Basic Black, Tangerine Tango
Big Shot -  Tasteful Trim Die, 3" Circle Die
Tools and Accessories 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, dimensionals

Isn't it wonderful how even a simple card can look so classy and elegant?  And don't you just love the black scalloped border made using the Tasteful Trim die?  I don't know why it took me so long to get it.  And I predict that it is going to be put to very good use in my craft room!


That's all - I've got to run.  But I did want to tell you that today I am thankful for, among other things, the Fall.  Although I am not a particular fan of the cooler weather, I do love Autumn and the colours that surround me.  I see the beauty and I can't help but be thankful that I am here to enjoy it!

Hope you too are enjoying God's beauty around you, wherever you are.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Sharing the Blessings.....

Last night was a wonderful club night.  Totally awesome.  Not only did we make some gorgeous cards...but the hostess, my friend Becky, brought homemade English Toffee.  Yes friends, you heard me correctly.  Home.  Made.  Toffee.

Don't you wish you had joined us for club last night?!!!!!

My family knows how much joy anything butterscotch, caramel or toffee-flavoured brings me.  And this?  This was just heavenly. 

In addition to the toffee and countless other delectable treats that Becky brought for the club ladies to enjoy (yes, there was way more than just toffee), she presented me with a card that she made for me.  A thank you card no less.  Here I am owing her a truckful of thanks for the treats she blessed us with, and she goes and gives me a Thank You card?!

Fact:  I know some of the nicest people.   :)

And I really do owe Stampin' Up! a ton of thanks for bringing such wonderful friends into my life.

Becky's card uses the Triple Time stamping technique that is popular right now.  The Pumpkin Pie ink, cardstock and co-ordinating ribbon are absolutely perfect for the beautiful image that comes with the Full of Blessings stamp set.  Becky stamped the image twice, making certain that the bird would take centre stage and be the focal point.  She really does have a good eye doesn't she?   Love the balance on this card.  And the white space.  I have to be honest - much as I love the triple time stamping technique, some of the cards can be overwhelming.  Becky's card with its use of white space makes me very happy!  Serene.  Peaceful.  Exquisite.

I have another group of ladies arriving tonight for club.  There definitely will not be any toffee left to share with them.  In fact, I single-handedly ate most of what Becky brought.  And the little bit that was left over last night?  Ate it wile I prepared for tonight's club!  I think my teeth will be stuck together till the weekend.  But it's all good!   :)

Hope everyone else enjoys a day that is as Full of Blessings as mine is.  Don't know how I got to be so lucky that I have such wonderful people in my life?  But I certainly recognize and appreciate it!  Thank you Becky.  For the card.  The toffee.  The friendship.  The conversations.  And more...

 God Bless,     ~Cynthia      <><

Still Just Believin'

Here I am.  Right back with my favourite stamp set again.  You might recall that I made a similar card to these ones just a few days ago.  But I love the stamp set, and I love the colour.  So I had to revisit the general theme and come up with some alternate, but equally gorgeous versions.

Supply List
Stamps - Just Believe
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Lacy Brocade EF, Oval Accent Bigz Die
Tools and Accessories Stitched Satin Ribbon, sponge

See?  Two very similar cards.  Just different enough to be, well...different.  I love them both.  Let's face it, there isn't much that uses this stamp set that I don't love.


I did mean to tie a small piece of ribbon on the existing ribbon on the 2nd card.  Maybe near the middle or just lower.  You know, a faux bow to balance the card nicely.  Can't believe I forgot.   I was so excited to post, I ran forward full steam ahead.  Of course the card is very nice without it, I just think I might have preferred the balance of a little bow.  Too late now though.   I not only photographed the card...it has already been given away.  No alterations are forthcoming.  Not by me at any rate.  Besides, I do love it as is and I am sure the recipient does as well (although she would likely have preferred it in purple.  Her favourite colour).

Off to start my day now.  We are in the full throes of Fall and it is gorgeous.  A bit chilly.  Definitely damp (yuck!).  But gorgeous to see.  Hope your view of the world is as lovely.

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

Hallowe'en Tray Class

Now THAT was fun!  I had several ladies come over last evening to create the Hallowe'en Printer's Tray and I was reminded once again that I have some of the best customers in the world!  These ladies make me laugh.  And they continually teach me to think outside of the box.  Everyone had a different, personal slant to their finished project and I have to tell you - I am mightily impressed!  I missed getting photos of the first few trays before their owners left, but I managed to snag a photo of these four.  Check out the subtle differences and the unadulterated ingenuity of my friends!

Kerry

Janet

Are you as impressed as I am?  If you didn't love this tray before, you would be totally hooked after seeing these trays in real life.  Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

I love the glittery spider web.

I love the way the ladies chose to move it around, cut it down to size, and use it in places I never would have thought of!

And how about those pennant flags?  Too cute, right?!

Whether they made or used the accordion flower/fan, or left it off, with DSP in the "main panel" or it left ready for a photo insert, these printer's trays turned out really wonderfully.  I am so lucky to have such talented friends.  They truly inspire me!

Elizabet

Jo-Ann

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend!  Mine is starting out awfully busy, but it's all good.

Blessings to you all.  Peace and blessings.

God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Tone on Tone With Texture

Good Morning Friends

I promised Olivia yesterday that I would show you a fabulous card that uses virtually no colour at all.  In fact, this card is all about the tone on tone, lack of colour.  Instead, this card speaks with texture.

Supply List
Stamps - Loving Thoughts
Paper - Very Vanilla
Ink - Crumb Cake
Big Shot -  Embossing Folders - Square Lattice, Perfect Polka Dots, Vintage Wallpaper, Argyle, Elegant Lines
Tools and Accessories -  1" Square Punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, dimensionals, Basic Pearls

I used the square punch to cut the flagged ends of the vanilla strips but you could easily do this with a pair of scissors.  And you could vary the look of the card just by changing which embossing folders you used.

So - tell me what you think.  Not bad for a card that is completely neutral in terms of colour, huh?  It was definitely fast.  And in my opinion - it is fabulous too!

I have a crazy day ahead so I am going to keep this short!  Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend.

God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <><

Thankful Thursday - Just Believe

Wow - It's amazing how quickly the days can pass when you are busy.  But here I am at long last, back with another Thankful Thursday instalment. 

Those of you who know me will recognize that I am using one of my absolute favourite stamp sets. Just Believe. I LOVE this set.  Seriously - LOVE it! 

Supply List
Stamps - Just Believe
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Tools and Accessories Stitched Satin Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals, sponge

See?  Not much in the supply list because this card is all about the stamp set.  The flowers/foliage image is gorgeous. (So are the other image stamps that come as part of this set - for example, see the cute frame around the "Thank You"? )

The Just Believe stamp set also comes with 3 sentiments, one of which is a Thank You.  And who doesn't need a "Thank You" sentiment in their repertoire?  Talk about an all-purpose stamp set.  Is it any wonder why I love it?

As for why I am thankful today.....what reason could I possibly have for NOT being thankful????  There is neither enough time, nor enough internet to record all the blessings I have received.

So I will leave you with that.  I am thankful - today and always.  And every day is a good day to say so.  Whether it is a "Thankful Thursday" or not.

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

Christmas Present From Stampin' Up!

Hey there Friends

Stampin' Up! is offering a FREE Festive Paper Piercing Pack when you order the Ornament Keepsakes (stamp set or bundle) and Candlelight Christmas Designer Paper together.

Check out my Christmas Present From Stampin' Up! page for more details.  And contact me to place your order.  Who doesn't love a Free Christmas Present?  Right?

Thankful Thursday With Fun Flowers

Hello Dear Friends

Once again it is Thankful Thursday.  And since we are heading into our Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, I am both thankful...and very busy! So this post will be short.  But thankful, nonetheless!

Supply List
Stamps - Perfectly Penned
Paper - Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink - Soft Suede
Big Shot -  Fun Flowers Die
Tools and Accessories -  1 3/8" Square Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Itty Bitty (Flower) Punch, dimensionals, Basic Pearls

Short, sweet and to the point.  But you get the idea.  I am Thankful for so very many things in life.  The chance to enjoy a long weekend with my family is just one of them.  I am going to go pack now so that when the kids get home from school we can immediately hop in the car and drive to visit my parents, who live almost 6 hrs away.  Thank goodness tomorrow is a PD Day and my husband could get the day off work!

I hope everyone has a blessed weekend, whether it is Thanksgiving for you or not.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Hi Friends

With today's card, I want to honour my friend, Sarah, who celebrated her birthday yesterday.   Sarah is extremely busy with 2 very young children, a loving husband, a job and an active home life, but she still manages to read my blog every once in a while....and I didn't want her to see this until after she had received the card.  Hence the day-after posting!

This birthday card uses a stamp set that I received at Founder's Circle a few weeks back.  I loved it the instant I saw it, but it won't be available to purchase until January so I cannot show you the actual set.  Still, I am allowed to show you any samples I create using it.  So here is the first one.  I just had to use it for Sarah's card since it says exactly what I wanted to express.

Sarah is one of those people who brings warmth and sunshine into so many other people's lives!  And for me last week, she was an answer to prayer.  No.  Seriously.  I mean it.  She was an answer to prayer.  I had something weighing on my mind and I brought it to God in Prayer and asked Him what I should do about it.  In fact, I was so conflicted that I boldly asked God for an answer that would be quite clear and easy for me to recognize when I heard it.  Honest to goodness, I made this prayer for over a week and then last week Sarah sat in my kitchen and made a few statements that jolted me because they were an unequivocal answer to the question I had asked.  And you know what - it really shouldn't surprise me that Sarah was the messenger!  She's just the sort of person that I would have chosen.

Okay - On with the actual card then....

Supply List
Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms, Feels Good (not available yet)
Paper - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots EF, Floral Frames Framelits, Labels Framelits
Tools and Accessories -  1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Bitty (Flower) Punch, sponges, Brights Brads, dimensionals

I love stamping the gorgeous flower image from Betsy's Blossoms then punching out a flower shape using any of the scallop circle punches.  And layering them with some smaller Boho Blossom pieces as I did here just adds so much depth, don't you think?  And I wanted bright and cheery colours - the combination of Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise always make me feel happy and bright!

I'm hoping Sarah had a wonderful birthday!  And I'm hoping she realizes this sentiment was hand-picked for her.  Because she really does bring sunshine into the lives of others.  She certainly did in mine!

Hope the rest of you have sunshine in your lives.  Better yet - I hope you are bringing sunshine into the lives of those around you! 
               God Bless,        ~Cynthia      <><