Spectacular Online Stamping Class

Hello Friends

Have you ever wanted to attend a class, but your schedule just didn't cooperate??
Have you ever wanted to learn tips, tricks and techniques for your paper crafting and then wished you could go back to those tutorials over and over again?

Well Stampin' Up! just came out with a solution to those problems.  They created a new series of Online Classes filled with fantastic projects that you'll want to create time and time again.   Classes designed for both the beginner paper-crafter and experienced ones.

#133385 - The Basics Online Classes - $17.95

 

Best of all ..... since this is a computer download there is NO SHIPPING CHARGE!!

Place your order in my Online Store and start your crafting adventure today.

 

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

Update - Mystery Hostess $1000 Party Event

Wow!!  Talk about a fun time!

There were 9 ladies who signed up for the Mystery Hostess Event -  one of them signed up for  2 spots, and one of them took 3 spots.  So there were 12 "spots" taken for the event.  That meant 12 bonus prizes instead of just 10.  So I added another half price item and a $40 shopping spree.

Five of the participants were available to come over on Tuesday night to do some crafting fun and make the 3 cards you see here (plus a gorgeous little gilded purse) and while they crafted, my son was kind enough to draw their names out of a bowl, one at a time.

Here's what the prize breakdown looked like:
1)  $75 shopping spree of FREE products  (Bernadette)
2)  $50 shopping spree of FREE products  (Elizabet)
3)  $35 shopping spree of FREE products  (Cecilia)
4)  FREE set of 10 ink pads - choose from Brights, Subtles or Regals  (Sandy)
5)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)  (Cecilia)
6)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)  (Monique)
7)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)  (Kathy)
8)  Sycamore Street SAB Bundle (DSP, Ribbons, Stamp set)  (Bernadette)
9)  Silver Glimmer Paper PLUS pick 3 more SAB items  (Donata)
10)  Adhesive pack - glue sticks, dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, snail refill, AND a pkg rhinestones ($35 value)  (Cathie)
11)  $40 in your choice of FREE products  (June)
7)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)  (Bernadette)

In addition, since B.R. took 3 of the spots, she had the biggest order and was awarded my thank-you gift of an extra $25 to spend.  Wow!!  Her strategy certainly paid off as in addition to all the lovely things that she ordered herself, she ended up winning $100 of FREE product, one item at 50% off, and the Sycamore Street SAB bundle (worth over $35).  That's a pretty nice set of winnings, wouldn't you say?!?

As for me?  I had a blast.  The ladies brought laughter and smiles into my home last night and I got to share their excitement and anticipation as we waited to see who would win what bonus.

This was way too much fun not to do it again.  I can't wait to run another Mystery Hostess Party - let me know if you want to be included next time.  Anyone and every one in Canada can participate.  And the best part is...everyone is a winner!!

Until next time then....God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <>< 

Designer Paper Flowers and a Video

Hello Friends

I was honoured and blessed to be a part of a Crop to raise money for the Neeje Association For Women and Families yesterday. 

What a thoroughly wonderful day.  This is the third year the crop has run and it gets better every year!

If you saw my post yesterday, I promised that today I would post a video showing you how we made the gorgeous corsages that we gave to each of the participants.  I probably should have waited to film it until today (I did the filming last night after the crop and I was pretty tired.....but I think you'll forgive my few little stutters.  Please?!?)

Let me know what you think.  And let me know if you'd like to see more videos.  I figure I can only get better at them...right?

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is looking forward to more of the same this week.
God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Corsages For a Crop

Good Morning Friends

I have the pleasure, and the honour this morning of being involved in an annual all-day Crop that benefits the Neeje Association For Women and Children.  What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday!!

At last year's event I made a notepad for each of the participants.  This year as a thank you to all of the women in attendance, my upline and I thought it might be nice to make a corsage for each and every one of them.  And of course you know they had to be created from Stampin' Up! supplies.

Corsages for the Neeje Crop Attendees

Look at this veritable garden full of blooms.  Aren't they lovely?!  I am on my way to the crop now but stay tuned because tomorrow I will have the video showing how they are made.  And you will be amazed and very pleased to see how easy it is!

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

Touching Base

Hey there friends

I want to thank all of you who've come over to view my first ever video tutorial.  The response I have received on Facebook, my blog, by e-mail and in person has been very wonderful and supportive!  Thanks so much.  I guess this means I have to plan a few more, huh?   :)

In the meantime, I have a lot of catch up work to do today since we just enjoyed a wonderful long weekend and today feels so much more like a Monday than a Tuesday.  Oh well, guess I better get back to reality and get stamping.  Check back tomorrow for another great card!

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

Multi-Coloured Chalkboard Technique and a Video!!

Well friends, this is it.

If all goes well, when I hit "Publish" there will actually be a video linked to this post.  I hope it works.  And if it does work, you can all watch and see how easy it is to do mutli-coloured embossing as a Chalkboard technique.

This is my first attempt at a video.  I hope it was successful.  Let me know what you think!  I'll be very interested in your comments.

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend (a long weekend for the US and for many of us in Canada).  God Bless,       ~Cynthia   <><

Fast & Fabulous Chalkboard Swallowtail

Good Morning Friends

Remember when we were kids and we used all sorts of wonderful colours of chalk to create works of art on the chalkboard?  Well, I decided to use coloured embossing powder to try to achieve the same effect.  Naturally I wanted to re-create the chalkboard technique I showed yesterday.  So although this card may look like it took time (because of the multiple colours), it is really just various colours of embossing powder and took no time at all.  See?  Fast.  And fabulous!
     (Added note:  See the video to re-create this technique here)

Supply List (Spring or SAB catalogues)
Stamps - Swallowtail (w129213, c129216), Vintage Verses (w129633, c129636)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (121045)
Ink - Versamark (102283)
Tools/Accessories - Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Powder - White (109132), Melon Mambo (123223), Tangerine Tango (123106), Pool Party (129398), Tempting Turquoise (122950), Watercolor Pencils - white (101879), Stamping Sponges (101610), Embossing Buddy (103083)

I think I will do a video (!!) on the multi-coloured embossing technique so check back this weekend if you want to see how that is done.  (Gulp - there - I said it.  I am doing a video.  I've GOT to do one now!!).  I wonder....in today's day and age of white boards and "smart boards"...will kids forget what chalkboards, blackboards and coloured chalk is?  I guess not, since they will still have chalk to colour on the sidewalks.  But it just isn't the same thing in my books.  Oh well, the end of an era!

Don't forget about my Mystery Hostess event.  Offer open to ANYONE in Canada, and you don't need to be available to come to the event evening.  Just let me know you have a qualifying order to put in.  EVERYONE splits the hostess benefits so you will get one of the 10 bonuses listed!  Contact me today - It just doesn't get any better!    :)

In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful day and a superb weekend!!

Chalkboard Easel Thankful Thursday

Hello friends

I'll bet you were expecting a Valentine's Card, right?  I would have - except that all my Valentine crafting was finished last week and THIS is what I wanted to show you today.  If you spend any time online, then you have seen the chalkboard technique cropping up everywhere.  It almost seems like I am the only stamper around who hasn't posted a card using this technique...until now that is.  I wanted to wait until I had a really nice one to show you and I do believe this is it!  And although the sentiment doesn't scream "Thankful"...you better believe I am thankful for all the things that I've got.  Especially the things that are not "things", just like the card says.  By the way, on this Valentine's Day (and every other day of the year) .....I am extremely thankful for the love of a truly wonderful man!  Okay, now I am in danger of getting really off topic, so back to the card:

Supply List (Spring catalogue products)
Stamps - Feel Goods (w129681, c129684), Itty Bitties (128939), Everything Eleanor (w124162, c124164), Mixed Bunch (w125535, c125537)
Paper - Raspberry Ripple (126842), Pink Pirouette (100459), Basic Black (121045), Whisper White (100730), Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stacks (129312)
Ink - Craft White (101731), Raspberry Ripple (126842), Pink Pirouette (126859) 
Big Shot -  To flatten the Soda Pop Tops
Tools and Accessories - Soda Pop Tops (129388), Designer Builder Brads (129329), Watercolor Pencils - white (101879), White Embossing Powder (109132), Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Buddy (103083), Stitched Satin Ribbon - Raspberry Ripple (126845), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), 1/2" Circle Punch (119869), Blossom Punch (125603), dimensionals (104430), Stamping Sponges (101610)

I just love the effect of the chalkboard technique for making cards.  For those who want technical details....the images were stamped with craft ink on the black cardstock and embossed with white embossing powder.  A sponge very slightly loaded with white craft ink was used to create the "smudged" chalk effect and a white watercolor pencil was used to create the lines around the card.  I really love this one done as an easel card - I realize I haven't done an easel fold in a while and for the life of me, I can't figure out why?!   They are certainly easy enough.  And boy are they ever cute!

Today's card?  It is definitely above and beyond the cute category (if I do say so myself).  This is one of the gorgeous cards that my club ladies are making at our February club nights.  Along with a beautiful bloom card and an Easter Basket (that is wickedly cute and easy too!).  If you are local and want to take club nights for a "test drive",  contact me and we'll see if we can arrange for you to join us.

And don't forget about my Mystery Hostess event.  Offer open to ANYONE in Canada, and you don't need to be available to come to the event evening.  Just let me know you have a qualifying order to put in.  EVERYONE splits the hostess benefits so you will get one of the 10 bonuses listed!  Contact me today - It just doesn't get any better!    :)

And in the meantime, have a wonderful day.  Happy Valentine's Day again.  And God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><
 

Mystery Hostess - $1000 Party Event!

The Mystery Hostess $1000 Party Event
Where EVERY qualifying order gets benefits!!

I am holding a Mystery Hostess $1000 Party and EVERY participant will receive a great prize of FREE bonuses!!  (And you don't even have to attend to participate and win!  In fact, you can live ANYWHERE in CANADA and still participate in this event AND win prizes.  EVERYONE who participates wins something!)

I am looking for 10 ladies to put in an order of at least $100.  It can be all your own order, OR you can pass the catalogue to friends/neighbours and co-workers and collect orders that come to $100 or more.  Everyone who brings in $100-worth of orders will get a great bonus!  Names will be drawn from among the 10 participants to decide who gets each one of these prizes:

1)  $75 in your choice of FREE products
2)  $50 in your choice of FREE products
3)  $35 in your choice of FREE products
4)  FREE set of 10 ink pads - choose from Brights, Subtles or Regals
5)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)
6)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)
7)  1/2 price ANY item (pay only 50% on anything)
8)  Sycamore Street SAB Bundle (DSP, Ribbons, Stamp set)
9)  Silver Glimmer Paper PLUS pick 3 more SAB items
10)  Adhesive pack - glue sticks, dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, snail refill, AND a pkg rhinestones ($35 value)

AND -->  The person submitting the biggest order gets an extra $25 to spend - FREE!!

WOW!!  --->  Don't forget, your $100 order automatically qualifies you for the FREE SAB item of your choice.  Increase your order to $120 and choose 2 FREE SAB items! 

Send me $200 in orders and you can take 2 spots and win 2 of the bonus prizes.  Your order automatically qualifies for 3 SAB items!  (You might even have the biggest order and get the extra $25 to spend too!)

Send me your qualifying order before Feb 22 to join this Mystery Hostess event. 

AND  - every participant is eligible to come to my home to my Mystery Hostess Night - Tuesday, Feb. 26 (7-9 pm) where you will make 3 cute cards (and we'll draw names to see who wins the prizes listed above.)

You do not have to attend on Feb 26 in order to participate.  Just send me your qualifying order before Feb 22 and you will be entered that night for the bonus prizes!

So contact me today to let me know you wish to participate.  And get orders from your friends/relatives/co-workers and submit a $100 (or more) order to me ASAP to secure your spot(s).  Help me celebrate a Mystery Hostess - $1000 Party in style!!

Remember - if you live anywhere in Canada you are eligible to participate in this event and win the prizes!  Send me your order today and let's see what kind of a Mystery Hostess you are!

Fast & Fabulous Primrose Blooms

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle.  (Or rather, a monkey's aunt, since I am of the female persuasion...)

In June when Stampin' Up! came out with their In Colours, I have to admit that I saw no use whatsoever for Primrose Petals.  I thought it was too close to too many other colours, sort of halfway between both Raspberry Ripple and Rose Red to warrant much attention on its own.  So I have politely ignored it until now.

Man oh man was I ever wrong!

Supply List (SAB products)
Stamps - Bloomin'Marvelous (w129651, c129654)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Primrose Petals (126841)
Ink - Primrose Petals (126858), Lucky Limeade (126984)
Tools and Accessories Itty Bitty Shapes Punch  (118309), Basic Rhinestone Jewels (119246)

Today's Fast & Fabulous installment has me waxing poetic for Primrose Petals!  I love the way the first stamping is so vibrant, and the repeated stampings get more and more soft and pastel-like.  I also love the way Lucky Limeade mingles so well with the various intensities of Primrose.  Love it.  Love it.  Love it.   

And don't you just love that flower image and the foliage that accompanies it??   This stamp set has 4 images and 4 sentiments included with it and it is a must have in my stamp collection right now.   Do you want to own this versatile and lovely Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set?  Contact me to find out how it can be yours -- for FREE!

Know what else I like about this card?

I stamped the flowers before the card was folded so there is a continuum of blossoms spilling across the crease/fold to the back of the card.  See this one unfolded?  LOVE IT!  (naturally I had to stamp a few blossoms on the inside of the card too).

And yet, for all these lovely effects that have me spouting off about how happy I am...this card took me a mere 5 minutes to create.  Fast.  And Fabulous.  Todays' card certainly fits the bill!



Snowfall warnings for today.  Messy roads already and more expected so I certainly know that I won't be out and about too much.  Its a perfect day to stay home and stamp all day.  Hope you have a chance to enjoy some craft therapy too.
Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Sale-A-Bration and Thankful Thursday

Hello Friends

I am on the upswing after a nasty stomach bug that left me feeling pretty weak.  Thankfully the illness was short-lived (literally a 12 hr bug) but the recuperation took a bit of time.  Now I am just hoping that my family didn't pick it up from me!  We do like to encourage sharing in our family - but this takes it a bit too far!  But since I am "thankful" that I am well again and since it is a Thankful Thursday.....

Thought I'd give you another quick Thank You installment on this fine morning.  So here goes:

Supply List (SAB products)
Stamps - Pretty Petites (w129639, c129642)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Pool Party (122924), Island Indigo (122923)
Ink - Island Indigo (122923)
Big Shot -  Vine Street Embossing Folder (130492)
Tools and Accessories - Sycamore Street Ribbons (130812), Petite Curly Label Punch (129405), dimensionals (104430)

Did you notice that this entire card was made with FREE Sale-A-Bration items?  Well, except for the paper and the adhesive I guess....but everything else -- FREE!!  If you want to get your own Sale-A-Bration products (FREE) then contact me and we'll make that happen!

You might be wondering about the pink-ish background to today's photo?  This, my friends, is something I cannot explain.   Same lighting, same camera, same background -- but today it is pink.  Oh well, no time to figure that one out.   I'd rather just be thankful I felt well enough to make (and post) a card.

Off to do all the other things I need to get done today.  So without further ado - I bid you, Adieu.
Have a wonderful day and God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Best of....Love

Hello Friends

It's February so Stampin' Up! has released the second of its "Best of" series and this one is a real winner in my books.  The "Best of Love" set includes some images that I absolutely love and I think you will too!

Contact me to order your Best of Love (February) or Best of Birthdays (January) stamp sets.  And don't forget to save your "proof of purchase' sticker so that you can begin to earn your free stamp set!  Contact me today and we'll make sure you get the Best of everything!

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

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Bloomin Glad

Hello friends

A very quick (and somewhat late) Fast & Fabulous Friday.  No time to chit chat - just the card today!   :)

Supply List (SAB products)
Stamps - Bloomin'Marvelous (w129651, c129654)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Sycamore Street Designer Paper (127540)
Ink - Pool Party (126982), Island Indigo (122923), Tangerine Tango (126946, Gumball Green (126861)
Big Shot -  Adorning Accents Folder (125601)
Tools and Accessories - Sycamore Street Ribbons (130812), dimensionals (104430), Scallop Trim Border Punch (119882), Basic Rhinestone Jewels (119246)

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