Not the Bling I Promised You

Hi Friends

I'm a bit late with this post - but things got out of hand on my schedule over the last little while.  Sorry.  I promised you a post where I used the new Frosted Finishes Embellishments in the way that they were intended.  Then I got sidetracked into using other new sets (I can't wait to play with it ALL) and I ended up NOT designing the perfect card to show off these beautiful and glittery bling-y embellishments.  However, I am certain you will enjoy these 2 simple but festive cards.

Supply List 
Stamps - Christmas Collectibles (w131772, c131775), Teeny Tiny Wishes (w128748, c127802)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Elegant Eggplant (105126) 
Ink - Elegant Eggplant (126969), Elegant Eggplant Marker (131262) 
Big Shot -  Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder (132174), Christmas Ornament Punch (132152), Word Window Punch (119857), Modern Label Punch (119849) 
Tools and Accessories - Basic Rhinestones (119246), Dimensionals (104430)

Did you know that starting tomorrow, you can order from the Holiday catalogue?  And this gorgeous, heirloom ornament stamp set and the punch are available as a cost-saving bundle.  You really want to own these - 5 different ornament images that make Christmas card-making a breeze!

This card was very quick and easy to create -- once I figured out how to emboss only a handful of the stripes instead of the entire card front!  :)   My club ladies will all find out how to do this.  Come join us if you'd like to learn some easy but Wow-techniques too!  Contact me for more information.




As for the second card in today's post:

Supply List 
Stamps - Festive Flurry (w131778, c131781), Calm Christmas (w132736, c132739)
Paper - Whisper White (100730) 
Ink - Midnight Muse (126860) 
Big Shot -  Northern Flurry Embossing Folder (120902), Festive Flurry Framelit Dies (132193) 
Tools and Accessories - Basic Rhinestones (119246), Dimensionals (104430)

I love using the new Festive Flurry Stamp set and Framelits together.  And I LOVE that you can order them as a bundle and save 15% on the cost!!  In fact, I love that Stampin' Up! made so many of the co-ordinating stamp sets and punches, dies or embossing folders from both the regular and Seasonal catalogue, available as cost-saving bundles.  Woo hoo!  

Okay - it really is time to get on with the rest of my day now.  Hope you are all looking forward to smiles, happiness and sunshine (even if only in attitude)!     

God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Sneak Peak #5 - The Ultimate Embellishment!

Yowzers!!

That's all I could think of to say when I made these earrings using a pair of the Frosted Finishes Embellishments from the new Holiday Catalogue (4 short days until you can place your own orders.  Is your wish list ready yet?  Tick tick tick).

Can you say beautiful?  This picture doesn't even do them justice.  They sparkle.  They shine.  They are glamourous.  And elegant!

Maybe these gorgeous embellishments are "supposed" to be used on cards - but I couldn't resist turning a pair into earrings.  In fact, I am going to wear them to church this morning!  

I will use some on a card today to embellish it - look for that post tomorrow.  But for today, these stunning little beauties are going to embellish...ME!

I am smiling from ear to ear right now, anticipating showing these off to my friends.  I hope you all have your own reasons to smile today too!      Enjoy your day!
         
God Bless,    Cynthia     <><

Sneak Peak #4 - Simple Snowflakes

Happy Saturday My Friends

I am still having a blast playing with the limited materials I have while visiting my parents.  Since I brought a handful of new Holiday Catalogue products with me, I can create a few simple Sneak Peaks to let you see how easy it is to make uber-cute cards, even without a lot of supplies!

With this simple card, I am not certain what draws your eyes and curiosity first - the wonderful new embossing folder (Pretty Print) or the stunning snowflakes (easily cut using the Festive Flurry framelits)?  The snowflake shapes are the 2 smallest of the 4 shapes and sizes included with these framelits.  I embossed them (polka dots or Petals-A-Plenty) and added bling, and a Merry Christmas from my favourite Go-To set of all time - Teeny Tiny Wishes!

Ta Da.  What do you think?  Easy and awesome is what comes to mind here.

Have a long drive back to Ottawa with the kids today so we can see my hubby again after our 2 weeks at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Our visit was wonderful.  But I think we're all missing hubby/Dad right now and it will be GOOD to be home!

"See" you tomorrow with some more wonderful stuff.  Hope your Saturday is spectacular!    God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Fast and Fabulous - Merry Thinlit

Hello My Friends.

I am not sure if I have ever created a Fast and Fabulous Christmas card that I like this much before.  It was so easy.  It was so fast.  It almost felt like cheating!  But isn't it cute?

Take the new Stylish Stripes embossing folder and the "Merry" from the Expressions Thinlits, throw in a bit of Real Red and Whisper White cardstock, add some bling - and let the Christmas season begin!  

Love it.  

LOVE it.  

Really.  
Love.  
It.

Get my drift?

Hoping you love it as much as I do.  Join me on Sept 7 for Inspiration Stamp Day and you'll create cards just as beautiful, just as easily.  For right now, I love visiting my family, but I can't wait to get home and play with the rest of my Holiday Catalogue goodies too.  Less than a week and you can order from the Holiday Catalogue.  Do you have yours?  If not, contact me and let me know!  You want this stuff.  You really do!!

Have a terrific weekend coming up!  A "Merry" one!!      God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Thankful Thursday - Sneak Peak #2

Hello Dear Friends

I am so lucky!  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I not only get every new catalogue early, but I also get to order from them before general customers do.  The newest Seasonal Catalogue goes live on August 1, but I got to place my order on July 1.  And I can tell you - there are some terrific goodies in there that you are going to really, really want!  

Want to find out how you, too, can pre-order products before they are officially released?  And get a 20% discount on every order you place?  Check out my Discount Tab at the top of this page.

As for today's card -- Today I am thankful that I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Because I am not very patient.....and I wanted to play with the new Expressions Thinlits earlier, not later.

I am also thankful since it is my "job" here with Stampin' Up! that sent my husband and I (free) to Fiji in April.  And is sending us to San Diego for 4 days in September.  All expenses paid.  So I am thankful.  Thankful indeed!

I know I used the "Thankful" thinlit on yesterday's card, but I am thankful that I have three words/dies to choose from! And on todays' card I combined the new "Love" thinlit with the flower image from Gifts of Kindness.  Don't forget, when using the Expressions Thinlits you should place a piece of waxed paper between the cardstock (or DSP) and the thinlit, to enable you to remove the cardstock easier once you have cut it out.  A bit of polka dot embossing down the edge of the card, a few pearls, and voila.  A cute and easy card.

Hope you have many reasons to be thankful yourselves!   God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

It's Not About the Dahlias!! (Sneak Peak 1)

Hello hello hello dear Friends

I am bubbling over with sheer joy and excitement.  Last night at my parent's house I finally had a chance to break into my stash of new products from the holiday catalogue.  And I LOVE THEM!!

Although I am limited to the supplies my mother has on hand (pretty much Brights ink pads and Whisper White paper with a very few other materials thrown in) I was still able to create 3 stunningly easy cards - really quickly too!!  

If you've had a chance to look through the Holiday catalogue then you must have noticed the Expressions Thinlits.  You know, framelits that cut out words?  Well - they are super-easy to use.  And cuter than I ever imagined.  See the first of my 3 cards here, a sneak peak of the new thinlits.......it's not about the Dahlias!  No sirree.  Not at all.  It's all about that uber-cute "Thankful" running diagonally across the card front.  LOVE IT!

I absolutely cannot wait to show you tomorrow's Christmas card.  Can.  Not.  Wait.  
I just know you will love it as much as I do!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!    God Bless,       ~Cynthia    <><

New From Stampin' Up! - Make YOUR OWN Stamps!!!

Edited July 23, 2013:    Limited time offer.  FREE shipping and pay NO TAX on this kit if ordered through me.  First 10 people to get this fantastic new kit will get a bonus from me - no s&h and no tax.  Offer good ANYWHERE in Canada.

Hey there Friends

This is new.
This is FANTASTIC.
This is something you are going to WANT TO TRY!!!!

Undefined-Stamp Carving

Have you ever wanted a stamp but couldn't find the perfect image? Maybe you have a special family logo or a sketch you'd like to have as a stamp. Well now you can! Undefined is Stampin' Up!'s new stamp carving product line. You define the rubber stamp any way you want. When you carve your very own stamp, you will have an entirely new and different creative experience. And when you're finished, you will have created a one-of-a-kind stamp! How exactly do you carve a stamp? Watch the video for a tutorial.

Intrigued? We know you want to get your hands on the kit and start carving your own masterpieces. Here are the item numbers you'll need (we suggest adding a refill kit on your first order . . . trust us, you're gonna want it).

Item #	Description	Price
133402	Undefined Stamp Carving Kit	$25.95
134808	Undefined Refill Kit	$12.95
124236	Clear-Mount Cling Foam*	$13.50

*Add a sheet of Clear-Mount Cling Foam to create your own clear-mount stamps. Mounting your stamps on the cling foam allows you to make stamps any size you want, not just what will fit on the blocks in the kit.

Included in the Stamp Carving Kit: 2 carving tools 3" x 4" rubber 3" x 4" foam 4 wood blocks (various sizes) 1 Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker 3 postcards Instruction sheet Stamp image templates

Included in the Refill Kit: 3" x 4" rubber 3" x 4" foam 4 wood blocks (various sizes) Instruction sheet

Express your personality, thoughts, feelings, etc. with a stamp you've carved all on your own! We know you'll have a "look what I made!" moment.
We'd love to see what you make with your kit. Please e-mail us a photo of your creations and any projects you make with your carved stamps to undefined@stampinup.com so we can pin your photos to our Undefined Pinterest board!
Available NOW!!

Mine is already on order my friends.  I can't wait to make my own stamp.  How about you?
God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <>< 

Time For Tape

Good Morning
After so many Dahlias I thought I'd show you something new this morning - an extremely simple card using the Tape It stamp set - in bright, Primary colours no less!

Supply List      Stamps - Tape It (w130712, c130715), Regarding Dahlias (w130324, c130327)  Paper - Whisper White (100730), Pacific Point (111350) Ink - Real Red (126949), Daffodil Delight (126944), Pacific Point (126951), Tangerine Tango (126946). Garden Green (126973)

The Tape It stamp set is new this year and I LOVE the look of all of these faux tape images.  So I decided to use them all.  No Stamp-a-ma-jig.  No fancy techniques.  Just stamp and go.  Pretty simple - but I like the effect!  How about you?

Hope you are looking forward to a wonderful week!    God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Dahlias - Simplicity Come to Life

Hello Friends

I just couldn't resist one last Dahlia card today, using a simple 'paper-tole' effect to make the Dahlia look more 3D and come to life.  It is a simple card, but very effective.  Easy peasy and oh so pretty.  I am holding a Delightful Dahlias class on August 14 and this is one of the types of cards we will be creating.  Interested?  The details are here - and we'd be happy to have you join us for a night of crafting!

Supply List     
Stamps - Regarding Dahlias (w130324, c130327) 
Paper - Whisper White (100730)
Ink - Tangerine Tango (126946)
Tools and Accessories - Paper Snips (103579), Dimensionals (104430), Bone Folder (102300)



May I just go on record as saying that any time you need to fussy cut anything out, paper snips are your absolute best tool to use.  I might be a little frustrated that my mother's house is limited in the colours that are available, has no firm, foam ink pads, and no clear blocks for me to use, but I LOVE that my Mom invested in a pair of paper snips several years ago.  They make this kind of cutting oh-so-much-easier!!  And she was smart and also purchased a bone folder.  Nothing is as effective for easily curling the edges of the petals.

Stampin' Up! bone folder and Stampin' Up! Paper Snips.  My Mom.  She would never sacrifice quality.  Ever.  Trust me!

We have a busy day ahead (celebrating a housewarming for a sister who has just moved back to Canada after 23 years in Germany) so I will sign off.  But I hope you all enjoy the end of your weekend.                 God Bless!    ~Cynthia     <><

Dahlias Are Delightful!

Hello Friends
It is hotter than blazes here in Southern Ontario - but I am still finding time to stamp (using make-shift tools as clear blocks).  I can certainly tell you this, I am missing my new Stampin' Up! ink pads - you know, the firm foam ones!!  I guess I hadn't realized how wonderful they are until I've had to spend a week using my mother's older, felt pads.  Don't get me wrong - even old Stampin' Up! ink pads are great.  But the new firm foam ink pads are definitely superior and are the best thing on the market!

As for todays' cards, I used Melon Mambo to stamp a single Dahlia for the first card, and used a mask to stamp multiples of the Dahlia on the second, Razzleberry card.  An Aquapainter to blend the shaded petals just a bit, and voila -- gorgeous cards - without too much time or difficulty!

Supply List     
Stamps - Regarding Dahlias (w130324, c130327)
Paper - Whisper White (100730)
Ink - Melon Mambo (126948), Rich Razzleberry (126950)
Tools and Accessories - Aquapainter (103954), Dimensionals (104430), Dazzling Diamonds (Melon Mambo card only) (102023)






I really love the effect of using an Aquapinter to blend the shaded petals of the Dahlias.  It reminds me of the children's paint-books we had as kids where the outlines of all the pictures are dried paint, and you just used a wet paint-brush to revive the paint and drag it into the image spaces.  Well my friends, that is essentially what I did here!  And if you are interested in doing this (and more), then join me on August 14 for a Delightful Dahlias class.  You'll get your stamp set (to keep) and some gorgeous cards - along with a few stunning techniques.  Check out my class schedule for more details, but I'll hope to see you then.


In the meantime - stay cool!!  And enjoy your weekend.    God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Razzleberry Dahlia

Hello Friends

It's about time for a Fast & Fabulous Friday, don't you think?  And for extra entertainment, read to the bottom of this post to find out just how I managed to create this card...despite NOT having the tools that I need while on vacation!
On to the card itself:  I LOVE the Regarding Dahlias stamp set in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue and I knew it would be perfect for a quick and easy card for today.

Supply List     
Stamps - Regarding Dahlias (w130324, c130327) 
Paper - Whisper White (100730)
Ink - Rich Razzleberry (126950)
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)
Tools and Accessories - Stampin' Sponges (101610), Dimensionals (104430)

Now for the bit I alluded to above.  I have a confession to make - I am visiting my parents and since my mother has "some" Stampin' Up! supplies, I did not bring many tools with me aside from a few stamp sets that I wanted to play with.  Quite notably, I forgot that all of my mother's stamps are wood-mount, meaning she has no clear blocks - not one - for me to use with the stamps I brought.  Enter a bit of ingenuity that one of my customers shared with me a while back...the Big Shot Standard Cutting Pads --  You know, the clear plexiglass that comes with the Big Shot!!  I was able to temporarily adhere the Dahlia stamp to the Clear Pad and as long as you are careful, it works!  As for the smaller sentiment stamp?  I temporarily stuck it to an embossing folder.  Neither the Cutting Pad nor the embossing folder are optimal, but desperate times call for desperate measures folks.  And as you can see, they worked!

I even managed to stamp a few more cards using my make-shift 'clear blocks'.  Come back tomorrow to see what else I was able to make.  Until then, enjoy your upcoming weekend and God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Thankful Thursday - I'm Back!

Hello Again there friends!
Began to think I was never coming back, didn't you?  I could tell you about how busy the end of the school year was and how busy I've been ...but then again, most of you are too, aren't you?!  So instead of an apology for my absence (which I do feel!), I will treat you to a beautiful bouquet of Thank You cards that I made for the customers who made a purchase at my BOGO event at the end of June.  I had to make a lot of cards and deliver a lot of orders before I could set off for southern Ontario to visit with my family for a few weeks.  But I got most of it done.  And I must say, the Thank You card that I included is one of my favourites so far.  I tried a variety of colours and decided they are all beautiful so I am showing you an entire assortment.  You decide what your favourite colour is and let me kow!

Supply List     
Stamps - Simply Sketched - Hostess Only (w129669, c129672) 
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (121045), Coastal Cabana (131297), Pool Party (122924), Real Red (102482), Strawberry Slush (131295), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Wisteria Wonder (122922), Calypso Coral (122925), Crisp Cantaloupe (131298)
Ink - Basic Black (126980), Pear Pizzazz (131180), Coastal Cabana (131175), Pool Party (126982), Real Red (126949), Strawberry Slush (131178), Rich Razzleberry (126950), Wisteria Wonder (126985), Calypso Coral (126983), Crisp Cantaloupe (131176), Versamark (102283)
Big Shot -  Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder (129984), 3 1/2" Circle Die (121811), Circles Collection Framelit (130911)
Tools and Accessories - Black Embossing Powder (109133),  Heat Tool (129053), Aquapainter (103954), Itty Bitty Punch (118309), Basic Pearls (119247), MultiPurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Dimensionals (104430)

Did you see how long that Supplies list is?  Makes the card seem deceptively difficult, when in reality it was a piece of cake!  I tried many embossing folders but decided I liked the effect of the Modern Mosaic folder best.  The beautiful poppy image from the hostess set was stamped with versamark on a white 31/2" circle and heat embossed (black powder).  An aquapainter was used to quickly watercolour the image with the appropriate colour.  The sentiment was stamped on a scrap piece of white and one end was flagged - a bone folder was used to provide some curl and a black blossom with pearl center finishes it off.  After gluing a series of layers together, it really isn't all that difficult.  But man oh man does this card ever pack a punch!

And have you seen the Hostess Sets available this year?  They are gorgeous.  Simply beautiful.  You WANT to host a party - trust me!

If there is any way I am going to post again tomorrow (my intention!) then I will have to cut this short now.  I hope everyone is keeping cool!  Southern Ontario is in the midst of a heat wave right now and my computer has been 'unhappy' on more than one occasion.  Let's hope I can keep it happy for the rest of my visit with my family!  In the meantime, I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer so far!                    God Bless,       ~Cynthia       <><