Stamp With Cynthia: January 2014

Friday, 31 January 2014

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Banners Again

Hello Dear Friends

A very fast and Fabulous Friday today.

This is a variation on one of the cards for tomorrow's Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Party. It's a great card because it showcases the Banner Blast stamp set and the Banner Punch so well....but it takes absolutely no time at all to create! Hence.... Fast. And. Fabulous!

Last call to RSVP to me to let me know if you'll be joining us for tomorrow's Kick Off Party!
It's your chance to get your hands on some of these fantastic Sale-A-Bration goodies...and even own them yourself!

May you all enjoy a spectacular weekend!
God Bless You, ~Cynthia <><

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Thankful Thursday - Your Chance to Decide.....

Hello Friends

Another Thankful Thursday and another reason to dwell on the things that make me appreciative in life.

Today, quite honestly, I am thankful for my health. I spent the better part of this week knocked out from a cold that was worse than any I've had in the past several years....and with my Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Class coming up this Saturday (want to join me? For details, see here) I just didn't have "time" to be knocked out and off my feet. But thankfully, it turned out to be 'just' a cold and nothing worse.

Tangerine Tango

Strawberry Slush

No flu.
No pneumonia.
No nothing else.
Just a nasty cold.
And as annoying as colds are, they tend to clear up such that you barely remember what it was like to feel unwell.
Well almost barely.

I am not so far beyond the cold that it's remnants don't still linger. I had a voice for much of this week that made me sound like a Disney cartoon character (and it wasn't pretty - let me tell you!). I can mostly speak normally now but it still comes and goes. And I came to realize that you can lose an awful lot of skin from your nose yet still not expose the bone (although I was wondering if I would be able to truly test the limits). But raw, red nose aside, I am doing quite a bit better now and I am looking forward to introducing so many of my friends to all the wonderful Sale-A-Bration products this coming Saturday. So -- Thankful I am. Most definitely!

Which brings me to today's card. I need you to weigh in please. I made this card in two versions, one using Tangerine Tango as the base colour and the second using Strawberry Slush. And since this will be one of the cards my friends make on Saturday at my Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Class, I want to make sure they get a chance to make the best version possible. So I am asking you to weigh in and tell me which base colour you prefer? "Orange" (Tangerine Tango) or "Pink" (Strawberry Slush). I am leaning towards one of the choices but I want to check to make sure that my preference matches what YOU prefer. So.....leave a comment please and let me know which card you like better.

You will give me even more to be Thankful for, if you help me out on this!

Hopefully I will see many of you on Saturday and you will see for yourself how stunning these cards are. And how easy to make.   And the best part is......you can earn the stamp set I used FOR FREE!! Really.... If you haven't RSVP'd already to join me on Saturday, then it is not too late. Let me know you are coming and I will be waiting for you - with a smile!   (and what remains of my raw, red nose of course!)

Hope everyone stays healthy and enjoys the rest of their day.   God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

Wow, wow and WOW again!!

Not only is it Sale-A-Bration time....but Stampin' Up! is continuing to offer their weekly deals! You know, all those wonderful things that they offer for one week only, at a 25% discount. So if you purchase these sale items, during Sale-A-Bration, it's almost like you are making money on the deal!

And they also brought back the Textured Impressions Embossing Machine. Which you can use to help you get a Sale-A-Bration item. And I am offering a special deal on this (read below).

First off - you came for a card, so here is a card! Made, of course, with Sale-A-Bration products. Love the Petal Parade stamp set and I can see myself using it with every colour combination under the sun! For this card I used Raspberry Ripple, Always Artichoke, Pink Pirouette and Perfect Plum, but really, you can use almost any colours and get outstanding results!

And on to the other news I promised. Firstly, the weekly deals:


Weekly Deals - 25 % off until Feb 3, 2014

And lastly, here is the Special Deal I am offering:

There's an exciting NEW Product Launch today - the Textured Impressions Embossing Machine in a sleek new design just for Stampin' Up! And I have a Special Offer just for YOU!

When you purchase the Texture Boutique Embossing Machine (#132657 - $36.95) - AND your choice of ANY three Textured Impressions Embossing Folders - You pay a special price of just $75.00! Shipping and Tax Already Included!! (savings will vary depending on your location)

Your order could include ANY embossing folders of your choice. But why not consider the three NEW Embossing Folders that were introduced in the 2014 Occasions Catalog:
-Ampersand Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
(#132970)
-Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#132187)
-Scallops Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#132971)

And since your order will be over $60, you will also receive FREE - YOUR Choice of any Sale-A-Bration Product!
Just think - You could choose the new Decorative Dots Embossing Folder! (#133520)
That would be 4 NEW Embossing Folders to use with your Texture Boutique.

The Texture Boutique is the perfect, portable tool to create embossed cards, tags, embellishments, and more. Use it with our Stampin' Up! exclusive Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.
The initial supply of these is limited, but it will be making a permanent appearance in the next annual catalog that debuts in May.
Contact me to place your order by messaging me here on Facebook, or e-mail me at millanclan@bell.net.
Offer good only while current supplies last or until March 31st.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Sale-A-Bration is HERE !!!

Hello Friends

Are you as excited as I am? Because if you aren't, you really should be!!

Sale-A-Bration is finally here! The BEST time of the year! The most exciting time of the year. Because until March 31, for every $60 you spend, you can choose one SAB product for FREE! That's right. Absolutely, positively FREE!

Do you have a catalogue? If you want one, contact me and I'll make sure one gets into your hands! But while you are waiting for your live copy, check out the catalogue here to see the wonderful goodies you can earn. You'll want to especially look closely at pages 12 - 17 to see all the great FREE products that are available!

Some of my favourite FREE items are the Banner Blast stamp set and coordinating punch that I used to create both Sunday's card, and this super-cute card today (CASEd with modifications, from this and this site). But to be honest, those are only my favourite products "today". My favourite FREE SAB products change daily, as the mood hits me, so check back often to see what my favourite SAB product "of the day" will be next!

I can't help it. Getting FREE stamps, Designer Paper, Embossing Folders and more makes me giddy with excitement!!

I mean...just look at some of the cool and gorgeous products you can earn for FREE, just by placing a $60 order for the things you love and want (and need?) anyhow!

Super Stamp sets (wood or clear. English or French. Your choice.....FREE), Uber cool embossing folders, Card kits, Designer Paper......all FREE. Woo hoo!!

Banner Blast Stamp Set

Petal Parade Stamp Set

See Ya Later Stamp Set

You're Lovely Stamp Set

Banner Punch

Good As Gold Card Kit

Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper

Come to my Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Party on Saturday, here in Ottawa, and help me welcome Sale-A-Bration 2014 with style!! Contact me for details. So many wonderful items. So versatile. You are going to want to earn them all. Trust me!

Join Now for the best Savings and Excitement!

Want a bunch of these great items? Put in an order (contact me or DIY online). Or host a stamping get-together with friends during SAB and get even MORE hostess benefits for qualifying parties! Or better yet, sign up to get your Starter Kit and save the most money! Contact me and we can talk about the best way for you to save money and earn these fantastic new products For FREE!

If you live anywhere in Canada, ANYWHERE at all, I can help you get the things you want. Contact me and let's make your Sale-A-Bration 2014 something to remember!!

Have a terrific day. And a SUPER Sale-A-Bration!!

God Bless, ~Cynthia <><

Sunday, 26 January 2014

Another Sale-A-Bration Sneak Peak - Banners Galore!

Hello Friends

I am so excited....Sale-A-Bration begins on Tuesday and the products you can earn FREE this year are out of this world!!

Check out the wonderful newness on this card? See those cute little banners? You guessed it! A stamp set that you can earn FREE! And you don't have to cut them out by hand, no-sir-ree. There's a punch that will do that. And you guessed it -- you can earn that punch for FREE as well!

Such a pretty pastel card, and so easy to create too. I just LOVE FREE Sale-A-Bration products. Woohoo!!

I hope everyone is as excited as I am about Sale-A-Bration. Two more days and it is here! Yippee!! If you need a catalogue, let me know! Any order of $60 (before s&h and HST) gets you your choice of SAB item for FREE! And I can ship to anywhere in Canada. Remember that!
If you want a SAB catalogue, or if you want to place a SAB order, or if you just want to order a few more fantastic Stampin' Up! products, contact me and I'll be happy to help you!

In the meantime, have a wonderful end to your weekend and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><

Banner Blast Stamp Set (free during Sale-A-Bration)
Banner Punch (free during Sale-A-Bration)

Friday, 24 January 2014

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Sale-A-Bration Sneak Peak Petal Parade

Hi there friends

Any card-maker who buzzes around the internet knows that Sale-A-Bration is about to begin...on Tuesday Jan 28, no less!

Island Indigo Card Base

And I'm finally getting around to posting some SAB sneak peaks for you. Here's one that I 'whipped up' tonight after supper using the blossoms from the Petal Parade stamp set (FREE with a qualifying SAB purchase) and a sentiment from the See Ya Later set (also FREE with a SAB order).

Actually, to be honest I started off with a solid Rose Red card background (see the 2nd card) but when I was finished, I realized it needed the Indigo mat behind it. So I cut and glued to alter it to be how I wanted it .... so in truth, this card is still Fabulous but ultimately wasn't quite as "Fast" as most of my F&F Friday offerings are.

Hope you'll forgive me?!

Rose Red Card Base

Just as a side note - I especially like how cool it looks when I stamped the bloom multiple times then punched out the images with successive scallop circle punches and layered them together. You probably can't tell that the Rose Red bloom at the bottom of the card has 3 layers (just like the Indigo bloom at the top)? But it does. Honest. I wouldn't mislead you!

I'm keeping this post very short since I have LOTS more to do in the few more days before SAB formally begins.

I can't wait - and I hope you are excited too! If you need a catalogue, let me know! Any order of $60 (before s&h and HST) gets you your choice of SAB item for FREE! And I can ship to anywhere in Canada. Remember that!

So - if you want a SAB catalogue, or if you want to place a SAB order, or if you just want to order a few more need-to-have-them craft supplies, contact me and I'll be happy to help you!

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

Thursday, 23 January 2014

Thankful Thursday - Purple Honeycombs

Hello Friends
Another quick post today

I fell in love with this new framelit the moment I first saw it in the catalogue. Something about it just made me happy.

Another thing that makes me happy? Purple!
And flowers.
So you'll understand why this card makes me very happy!

And it was easy, easy, easy to put together. I can't say enough about the Petite Petals stamp set and matching punch. Such a simple way to make gorgeous accents for a card!

It's Thankful Thursday and today I am thankful for many things. But mostly -- I am thankful for all those wonderful people who have the courage to speak up in the face of pain and injustice. Last evening I discovered that one of my friends, Robin, has courage and strength of character beyond that of most people. And I am totally and immeasurably in awe of her. You can read her story here. And for her, and all those like her who refuse to stay silent even when many around them feel challenged with their words.... I am thankful!! Truly thankful!

Hoping you all enjoy a fantastic end to your week!! And that you have much to be thankful for!!
God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia   <><

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Paper Pumpkin FREE MARKERS Promotion!!

Paper Pumpkin Special Offer Until Feb 10, 2014!

How would you like a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers?

Demoheader_paperpumpkin_demo_1-11-1-27-2014_us_ca

You all know about Paper Pumpkin and many of you have given it a try and some of you still receive it every month. Many of you have offered fabulous feedback to Stampin' Up! about the value of the contents and projects and they have listened!

At Leadership in Houston Stampin' Up! unveiled the Paper Pumpkin kits for February and March and apparently the March kit is lovely and includes more product than ever before!

To make your welcome to the Paper Pumpkin subscription even more inviting when you sign up between January 11 and February 10 you will receive a special thank you gift with your first Welcome Kit package. A set of 2012 - 2014 In Color Markers from (value $21.50 with shipping) and all for $24.95!

Here are some FAQ's about this promotion:
New Paper Pumpkin subscribers who sign up at www.mypaperpumpkin.com/ between January 11 and February 10, 2014, will receive a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers -a $19.95 value-with their Welcome Kit. Don't forget to choose me as your Demonstrator - Cynthia Millan
Q.    I used to have Paper Pumpkin come but I quit - can I sign up again and receive the special?
A.    That depends - if you use the same email you did before then NO you will receive the February kit and the March kit but you will NOT receive the Welcome Kit for a second time. IF you sign up with a new email address then YES you will receive the Welcome Kit in February and the March kit in March. The Welcome kit is the same kit as you received when you signed originally but it will include the set of free markers!
Q. I quit Paper Pumpkin after a few months and want to rejoin but I don't want the Welcome Kit again.
A. It's simple - just resign with the SAME email address as you did before and you'll receive the regular monthly kits. (no bonus gift of markers)
Q. Can I have more than one subscription?
A. Yes you can change the number of kits you would like on your subscription. You can also purchase gift subscriptions for friends and family. I think these are perfect for people who don't regularly craft or college/school kids!
Q. What if I just don't want the Paper Pumpkin Kits anymore?
A. You can stop/quit Paper Pumpkin at any time....but trust me, you won't want to quit until you've received the march Kit, that's for sure!    ;)
Q. Where do I go to sign up?
A. Click Here for Instructions

So if you've cancelled or suspended your Paper Pumpkin subscription and would like to start receiving the NEW improved kits please consider re-signing to check them out. Remember, you can stop receiving PP at any time!
If you need any help please let me know - I'm always here for you!
I'm located in Ottawa, ON, Canada but I can ship ANYWHERE in Canada by UPS.

Paper Pumpkin - How To Sign Up

Paper Pumpkin - How Do I Sign Up?

So How Do I Sign Up?....glad you asked - I can take care of that for you. I will enter all the information and you will receive an email with information on setting your password for your account so you can manage your subscription from then on. Contact me so I can phone you and get your credit card # to get started - remember Paper Pumpkin can ship anywhere in Canada!

OR you can do it yourself. Here's the step-by-step instructions...

1 - go to the Paper Pumpkin Site - http://mypaperpumpkin.com Click Join Here tab!
2 - change the country from the pull down menu to Canada
3 - enter # of paper pumpkin subscriptions you want
4 - enter personal information on next screens including your shipping address (the Pumpkin comes by Fed Ex so if you live in a locked, secured building you might want to consider having it delivered to your work or a friend (or me for local pickup)
5 - enter your credit card information
6 - you will see some red bars with links to pick your demonstrator (that would be me! Cynthia Millan)
7 - click on the "have a demonstrator" bar and enter my first and last name in the fields provided Cynthia Millan click submit (or next, or whatever it says) and I should come up in the right hand side - click my name and you are done!

Razzleberry Starburst

Hello There Friends

This might just be the quickest post I have ever made in my entire career but I wanted to show you how very cool the Starburst Sayings and Starburst Framelits Dies can be.

So what do you think? Are you as much in love with this Razzleberry and Cantaloupe combination as I am? And how cute are these stamps, huh?

Had a busy (but GREAT) weekend and am looking forward to stamping over the next few days. Won't you join me?

Have a great week and God Bless,
~Cynthia <><

Friday, 17 January 2014

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Ampersands and More

Hello Dear Friends

At the 20-card class I held last Saturday, the ladies, quite literally, had 20 different cards to make in one day. You can understand that some of these cards needed to be fast. Really fast. But fabulous nonetheless.

So I CASEd this card and I have to tell you - it is really quick to make but boy does it ever pack a punch!

Quite literally - you emboss the Gold Foil with the Ampersand embossing folder and glue it to your card. Add strips of washi tape and gold sequins, a single stamped Thank You and a Gold Bakers Twine bow and she's done. Finished. Complete.

I think it took me longer to type this than it did to make the card!!!

And in case you are wondering.....for the ends of the sequin trim and adhering that little Bakers twine bow...glue dots are your friend! :)

So there you have it. Fast. Fabulous. Trendy and terrific too!

And if you want a less elegant but equally Fast and Fabulous card (arguably even faster!) using this same Ampersand embossing folder, check this out:

I sponged Gold Encore Ink lightly over the embossed image - can you see the shimmer? Add a few words from Fabulous Phrases and some Retro-Fresh Washi Tape and once again....a really cute card, done in a flash!

I love that Stampin' Up! offers me so many coordinating products that I can use to create fantastic cards!!

Hope you all have a chance in the coming days to create something Fabulous!

Try this one..it's Super Quick.
Super Fabulous. And Super Easy.

Ready?
Ok then......
..........Smile!

Well would you look at that!   You just created a Fast and Fabulous work of art - right there on your face - for everyone to see!

Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless you all!    ~Cynthia     <><

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Thankful Thursday -

Dear Friends

Did you think I was never ever going to post a Thankful Thursday again? Ha! Think again!

I can tell you exactly what I am most thankful about on days like today....... that there are wonderful, artistic and gracious people out there who create gorgeous cards and then share them with the rest of us. Because sometimes, rather than trying to design a card from scratch, you are able to use something you've seen elsewhere. And CASEing cards (Copy And Share Everywhere) can certainly make life easier when you are very, very busy.

That's what happened to me last week. I saw this beautiful card on LeeAnn Greff's blog and although I loved it as is, I thought it was a shame that she hadn't capitalized on the wonderful new Petite Petals stamp set. So I changed the card ever so slightly in order to use new products and voila.....a simple yet gorgeous card.

So today I am thankful. Thankful for all the brilliant people out there who share gorgeous cards and techniques, ideas and advice. Thank you for sharing your passion with me. And inspiring me to share my passion with my own friends.

Hope everyone can find at least one thing to be thankful for!! Heaven knows we are all overwhelmingly blessed!

God Bless each and every one of you!
Today and always. ~Cynthia <><

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Love You to the Moon......

Hello Friends

When I prepared the samples for my 20-card class on Saturday, there were a few cards that I designed that I really, really liked. And this, my friends, is one of them.

Is it the world's most "elegant" card? Refined? Sophisticated? Romantic even? No, not really. But the sentiment combined with the "rocket-ish" tag shape and the solar landscape implied by the punched pieces really made it all come together to make my heart sing!

Yesirree - I do love this card. Hope you find it, if nothing else, at least amusing and charming.

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

Thursday, 9 January 2014

And the Winner Is......

Hello Friends and thank you to all of you who commented on my blog or Facebook page about which Sneak Peak gold flower card from THIS post that they liked best. I know I promised to have a winner after Jan 5...and technically, this IS after January 5 so I guess finally announcing a winner now is ok.

I randomly chose from all of the comments and the winner is......
Lynn L. with this comment that she submitted via e-mail:
SORRY! l don, t even know how to comment on facebook. I like peaceful petals on biege and orchids on white watercolor paper in white. Beautiful. Can, t wait till the 11th..... God Bless, Lynn

Since I will be seeing Lynn at my Inspiration Stamp Day on Saturday (the 11th) I can bring her the winning card and her Baker's Twine gift then! (Of course, I will have to get her to narrow down which of the 2 cards she wants as her "first choice" though?!?)

And just for kicks.....want to see one of the gorgeous cards that Lynn and quite a number of my other friends will be making on Saturday? You'll notice that I had a blast using the On Film Framelits with this card. They are super cute and I next week I'll have a tip to share with you about using them effectively. For now though, I have more preparations to make before I can hold my event in Saturday so I wil sign off and merely wish you a fantastic end-to-your week.

Congratulations once again Lynn.

Hope you - and everyone else of course - enjoyed an absolutely wonderful and thoroughly blessed Christmas and New Year!! God Bless you all, ~Cynthia <><

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