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