Last Day For Sale-A-Bration - Baby's Change Everything!

Hello Friends

Today is the LAST DAY for Sale-A-Bration so if there is anything you still want to get, then send me your order as soon as possible!  The Sale-A-Bration items were all so fabulous this year, that I can imagine it has been difficult for you to decide which one to get.  So take my advice, get them ALL. (NOW.  Before it is too late!)

But just before they disappear forever, I wanted to show you these quick cards I made last night using one of the free Sale-A-Bration sets -  See Ya Later.  I saw a card similar to these somewhere on the internet a while back but I cannot remember where so I cannot give credit to the original designer.....but I LOVED the idea so I just had to make my own version of it for you to see.

Aren't these adorable?  For anyone who has children of their own, I am certain this rings true for you too.  I heard a quote once that went somewhere along these lines....."Every first born child is born to a woman.  Everyone else is born to a mother."  And there is absolute truth to this.  You love each and every one of your children, without a doubt.  Every one.  But that first one?  Having that child is a life-altering event.  Because you go from being a woman ---> to being a mom.  Nothing can or will ever undo that.  And it changes everything.

And it is wonderful.

This isn't a post about children.  Or motherhood.  It is about cards.   So I will get back on track now.   I thought you would appreciate just how super-cute these cards are.  And how wonderfully appropriate the sentiment is.  For a first child.  Or a third child.  Or a tenth child for that matter!

And remember - you only have until midnight tonight to get your Sale-A-Bration goodies.  So if there is something you want, contact me as soon as possible.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

In the meantime, have a wonderful day.  Have a terrific end to your Sale-A-Bration.  And God Bless you all,        ~Cynthia     <><  

Product List

100730	111351	126956	122981	131181	131203
131210	117335	125598	125472	133536	126980

Last Chance For Sale-A-Bration Class

Hello My Friends

This is it.  Sadly, Sale-A-Bration 2014 will be ending on Monday night (March 31).  I am sad to see it go this year, since I really feel that these have been some of the BEST Sale-A-Bration products.  Ever!  I have loved each and every one of them and I assure you that you really do want to own all of them.

So here it is.  One of your last chances to get them....

I am holding my Last Chance For Sale-A-Bration Class at my home tomorrow afternoon (Sunday March 30).  You will make 2 of each of the cards pictured here, and of course you will have options to switch out sentiments so you can make them birthday or thank you or thinking of you, etc.

Do you want to be one of the lucky ones who comes and makes a gorgeous set of 8 cards with me tomorrow?  Just contact me to let me know you'll be coming - and so I can have your materials prepared for you.  I would LOVE to have you join us.

Make 8 fabulous cards (plus envelopes) - 2 each of 4 different designs.
Fee for the class = $25
   or place a $35 order and your class is FREE!
   or place a $60 order and your class is FREE AND you can choose a Sale-A-Bration product for FREE!

Please RSVP so I can have your materials ready.

Don't forget to bring your adhesive and scissors! I will also have adhesives for sale tomorrow.

And to all of you, I hope you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend!    God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Petal Parade One Last Time

Hello Friends

Doctor appointments for the kids meant my morning ran away from me.  But I finally got around to making a card.  Thank goodness today's card is supposed to be Fast & Fabulous because that is exactly what it is!!

I decided to use Petal Parade one last time and I suspect this is one of the cards we will be making Sunday when I run my Last Chance for Sale-A-Bration class.  If you have not gotten everything you want from SAB yet, then this is your chance to make some cards (8 of them) just for putting in a Sale-A-Bration order!

At any rate, today's card is Petal Parade done in Silver and Cherry Cobbler.  I've been using predominantly pastel colours for this set up until now but I really like the way this card pops, don't you?

After I run some errands, I will try to post another of Sunday's class cards so you can see what we will be doing.  Trust me, everything that is being offered for Sale-A-Bration this year is gorgeous and you will definitely want to own all of them.  So contact me for details about Sunday's class or check it out here - and RSVP to let me know you would like to join us.

We'd certainly love to have you!

Until then, have a fantastic day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><  

Product List
Stamp : Simply Sketched Clear-mount Stamp Set [129672]
Ink : Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966] , Silver Metallic Encore Pad [132142]
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [119685]
Punch : Large Oval Punch [119855] , Scallop Oval Punch [119856] , Bitty Butterfly Punch [129406] , Elegant Butterfly Punch [127526]
Ribbon & Trim : Scallop Trim Border Punch [118402]
Accessory : Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents [119246]

Thankful Thursday - Sweetie Pie Goes Hawaiian

Hello Friends

It's a Thankful Thursday and today I am thankful for all of you!  No.  Truly! 
 ALL of YOU!

Each year Stampin' Up! has a Grand Vacation that they offer as an incentive to demonstrators who perform well in personal sales and leadership.  And yesterday I found out that I have earned the Grand Vacation for next year.  So in May of 2015, myself and a guest (my hubby, of course) will be headed to Hawaii!!

And even better - we've got it all planned out so that we will be able to take the kids with us!!

We told them yesterday.  They had no idea.  Not an inkling - so you can imagine the whoops and screams of delight.  My 4 kids have never even seen the ocean, let alone swam in it.  I guess if their very first experience is Waikiki Beach, everything else might pale in comparison?!

But none of this, NONE of it, would have been possible without YOU.  My friends.  My customers.  My family.  My supporters.  My cheerleaders.  And to be quite honest, none of it would be worth doing if not for you.  More than anything else, what I get out of "this job" is a chance to spread smiles and laughter.  When we get together to craft, we have fun.  Correction....FUN.  And I love the time I get to spend with each and every one of you.

So today I have used Sweetie Pie to create a Hawaiian girl who thanks each and every one of you!  The Sweetie Pie faces are just a shade too small for the Dress-Up mannequin/body, but I think she does the trick anyhow, don't you?   And notice the Crisp Cantaloupe sponging on her cheeks?  I am hoping that reflects the "slight bit" of colour we will all get when we head to Hawaii (instead of the massive sunburns I am hoping we all manage to avoid).  We are still in the clutches of winter here in Ottawa right now, so thinking about being in that warm, tropical sun a year from now is awfully inviting!

Until then - and as always - I will remain thankful.  To all of you.  Each and every one of you who has made this possible.  From the bottom of my heart (and my hula skirt!) - THANK YOU!

God Bless you all,       ~Cynthia    <><

Product List
Stamp : Peaceful Petals [clear] [133107], Sweetie Pie [photopolymer] [136849]
Ink : Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980] , Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [131178] , Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad [131176] , Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker [119680] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]
Card Stock : Gumball Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126840] , Sahara Sand 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121043] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122924] , Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131298]
Tools & Adhesive : Fringe Scissors [133325] , Stamping Sponges [101610] , Blender Pens [102845]
Punch : Petite Petals Punch [133322] , Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack [118309] , Bird Punch [117191]
Ribbon & Trim : Calypso Coral 3/4" Chevron Ribbon [130018] , Calypso Coral Baker's Twine [125573]
Accessory : Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521] , Basic Pearls Jewel Accents [119247]
Big Shot : Dress Up Framelits Dies [130101]

Sweetie Pie - Quick and Cute With Word Bubbles

Hello Friends

I was right - each person in my family took their Sweetie Pie card and read it and smiled from ear-to-ear, knowing it was designed specifically with them in mind!

As for today's quick and cute installment....it is just that.  Quick and Cute.  Sweetie Pie makes it so easy.  

And just in case you don't recognize where the cute little X's and O's came from......the Circle Card Thinlit Die has nine bonus framelit pieces, aside from the actual card base thinlit itself.  And this xoxo string is one of those framelits.

Pretty cute, huh?
And oh, so simple to make.

Hope you are still enjoying my adventures with the Sweetie Pie stamp set.  I have a few more up my sleeve too.  Come back soon for another glimpse.

In the meantime, I hope all of you are enjoying a wonderful week.  
God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Sweetie Pie Photopolymer Stamp Set [136849]

Contact me today to get your Sweetie Pie stamp set:

Product List
Stamp : Just Sayin' [english, clear] [133203] , Just Sayin' Clear-Mount Bundle [134820], Sweetie Pie [photopolymer] [136849]
Ink : Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] , Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad [126952] , Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980]
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121045] , Real Red 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [102482]
Accessory : Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]
Big Shot : Circle card Thinlits Die [133480] , Word Bubbles Framelits Dies [132968]

Sweetie Pie #5 - Never Underestimate the Power of TWO!

Hello Friends and welcome to my favourite Sweetie Pie card so far!

I love my husband.  Truly and deeply.  And oh, so many years ago our mutual love took root and was nurtured and cared for - and over these last 22 years it has grown into our Sweetie-Pie Family Tree!

I LOVE this sentiment!  The Power of Two took root and has grown into something so much better than either one of us alone!

The Sweet Sorbet designer series paper that you can earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration is still available for one more week and it provided the background tree for our Family to grow on.  We often refer to our eldest (the one with pigtails) and our youngest (our son) as our "book-ends" so it is appropriate that his image was generated by merely not inking the pigtails of her image.

As for darling daughter #2 with the short hair?  I wasn't thrilled that this particular photopolymer image has a bit if a frown - so I substituted the smile of daughter #3 (image with the headband) for the frown of the short-haired image and I was much happier.  And you can see the family resemblance too, can't you?   (wink).
The perfectly clear photopolymer makes substituting smiles an easy task.  No Stamp-a-ma-jig required!

As for my darling husband?  His image is that of the short-haired girl (once again substituting a smile for a frown) but like my son's image, I masked off the longer tresses on either side of the face so my hubby would look a trifle more manly in his grooming.

I suppose the Family Tree would be more authentic if mine and my hubby's hair were coloured with a fair amount of gray, but then again, I didn't mean for this to be an identical likeness!   :)  At least the hearts, compliments of the owl punch, lend an air or realism to the card.  Because truly, it is love that has grown us into what you see before you.

My husband should be home from work soon and I cannot wait to give him this card.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has *never* underestimated the power of two!

Hope you enjoy this card.  And I hope you are looking forward to seeing just a few more Sweetie Pie cards in the coming days.

In the meantime, enjoy your Monday and God Bless you all!    ~Cynthia    <><

Product List
Stamp : Yippee-Skippee! Clear-mount Stamp Set [131344], Sweetie Pie [photopolymer] [136849]  
Ink : Versamark Pad [102283] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Real Red 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [102482] , Summer Starfruit 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126839]
Tools & Adhesive : Aqua Painter [103954] , Paper Snips [103579]
Punch : 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch [119860] , Owl Punch [118074]
Accessory : Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133] , Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521]

Sweetie Pie #4 - My Awesome Son

Hello Friends

You didn't really think I would make Sweetie Pie cards for all of my daughters but neglect my son did you?

You might be forgiven for thinking that, since the stamp set does not include any male images.  But where there's a will there's a way and in the stamping world, we are known for being creative so.....

I used the image of the girl with the pigtails, and merely masked off the pigtails while I was inking her up.  Make sure the ink only gets on the hair on top of the head and Voila......a little boy instead of a girl!

My son is about to turn 12 years old and any of you with a boy that age will know that one of the most frequent adjectives in his vocabulary right now is, "Awesome".

And to tell you the truth, he is.  Awesome that is.  Truly and wonderfully AWESOME.

So I couldn't have designed a better card for him.

His little face is peering through the porthole in the front of the card.  Love that little detail!  When you open it up, he is still there, looking up at you.

He'll always be my little boy.

At any rate, this is the 4th and final installment of my quick and simple "Sweetie Pie Children" cards - since I have only 4 children.  But visit again later this afternoon to see the card I created for my husband.  Sweet and Poignant and I cannot wait to give it to him!

He is, after all, my original Sweetie Pie!

In the meantime, I hope you are all looking forward to a spectacular day.  
      God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><


Product List
Stamp : Hello, Sailor [clear] [133278] , Yippee-Skippee! Clear-mount Stamp Set [131344], Sweetie Pie [photopolymer] [136849]
Ink : Versamark Pad [102283] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]
Card Stock : High Tide Designer Series Paper [132992] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Pacific Point 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [111350]
Punch : 1-1/4 Inch Circle Punch [119861] , 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch [119860]
Accessory : Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133]

Sweetie Pie #3 - Doing Nothing With You

Hello Again My Friends and welcome to installment #3 of my Quick and Simple Sweetie Pie cards for my girls.

Darling daughter #3 and I happen to enjoy bird-watching together and can't wait to go out again in the Spring.  Now I will admit that in all of our hours spent traipsing the fields and brush, there have been several occasions when we saw nothing more interesting than a sparrow.  Yet the time spent together was - and is - gold.

I remember one of the first times we spent on an outing, when we came up relatively empty-handed (empty-binoculared?).  Yet DD#3 put her hand into mine as we walked, smiled up at me and told me that it was the best day ever - and she'd rather spend that time with me and see nothing, than not have our time together.

Do you know, even when I am working on the computer and she is reading, she usually comes and settles herself beside me (and I mean *right* beside me!) - because being "together doing nothing" is better than being apart.

So this card - just a simple card with some birds and branches and my own little Sweetie Pie - says it all.  And being able to pull the silver thread out of the Silver Baker's Twine and wrap it around the card means I could add just enough sparkle to match the sparkle in DD#3's eyes and smile!

Just so you know, despite the fact that the Sweetie Pie images are all girls, I actually have a Sweetie Pie card for my son!  And my darling hubby too!  You'll have to check back tomorrow to see installments #4 and #5 in my Love-My-Family Sweetie Pie series!!

Sweetie Pie stamp set #136849

In the meantime, I hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  I certainly have. 
God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia   <><

Product List
Stamp : Serene Silhouettes Clear-Mount Stamp Set [127324] , From My Heart [132007], Sweetie Pie Photopolymer Stamp Set [136849]
Ink : Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [131179] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] , Versamark Pad [102283] , Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]
Card Stock : Island Indigo 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122923] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Tools & Adhesive : Stamping Sponges [101610]
Punch : 1-3/4 Inch Scallop Circle Punch [119854] , 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch [119860] , Extra-Large Oval Punch [119859] , Decorative Label Punch [120907]
Accessory : Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133] , Silver Baker's Twine [132976]
Big Shot : Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [119976]

Sweetie Pie #2 - She's One of a Kind

Okay My Friends

Here is a Sweetie Pie card for Darling Daughter #2.  

DD#2 has very short hair.  Beautifully unique short hair.  Up until last June, she had a full head of some of the healthiest, shiniest long hair I've ever seen, but in June she had it cut off and donated it to cancer.  Go ahead and ask me how proud I am!!   

I am proud not only because of the "motivation" to cut her hair and donate it, but also because she had the courage, in today's cookie-cutter world, to sport a short hair style - and KEEP it short.  Have any of the rest of you noticed that the "fashion" right now is for girls to have long, straight hair?  Long.  Straight.  
Everyone.  
All of them.
Cookie cutter.

DD#2 though?  She doesn't feel the need to conform.  She has self confidence.  She has panache.  She has flair.  She is unique and has the absolute coolest haircut around.  

So after I made the first card, I figured it made more sense to show her uniqueness amongst the rest of the teen girls out there.  

Please don't get me wrong - I am not against long straight hair.  After all, my DD#1 and DD#3 have long, straight hair.  

But I *do* applaud young girls in today's world who have the courage to be individuals and not have to look like everybody else.

So card #2 reflects my daughter, standing out and being unique in the halls of the High School where all the rest of them are just trying to blend in.

I love that about her!!

As for these 2 cards, I'll bet you can see that they are very quick and easy.  Because the Sweetie Pie set is so cute, you don't need to do anything extraordinary to get a gorgeous card.

But keep watching.  Tonight I'll have quick and easy card #3 for DD#3.  
And then my friends, then I will start to show you the uber-cool variations that make this stamp set a must-have for your craft room!!

Sweetie Pie stamp set #136849

Stay tuned.
Come back later.
And in the meantime have a wonderful day!     God Bless,       ~Cynthia    <><


Product List
Stamp : A Dozen Thoughts Clear-Mount Stamp Set [131059], , Sweetie Pie Photopolymer Stamp Set [136849] 
Ink : Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] , Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad [126976] , Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980] , Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [131179] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]
Card Stock : Real Red 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [102482] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Tools & Adhesive : Aqua Painter [103954]

Sweetie Pie #1 - All About You!

Hello Friends

I am *so* excited.  I received my newest Stampin' Up! photopolymer set on Friday and today I got to play with it.  The set is called "Sweetie Pie" and you are really going to want this set.  It is so stinkin' cute!!

So cute, in fact, that I had to make a quick card for each of my 3 daughters.  And I am going to post them all today.  Here is the first Sweetie Pie for my Sweetie Pie #1:

We have a standard joke in our family - a running joke that my eldest daughter uses all the time to crack us up.  In various situations, she has us all in stitches by saying that "it's all about me".  So when this sentiment appeared in the Really Good Greetings stamp set last year, I knew I had to use it on a card for her!

This is a really simple card that came together quickly.  I have loads of ideas for the Sweetie Pie set but for my first cards, I wanted it to be all about the images and I wanted to show you how they could easily pull off a cute card on their own.

So what do you think?  Pretty cute, huh?

Come back after lunch and I'll show you the card(s) I've made for darling daughter #2.  And then at supper I'll post the Sweetie Pie card for my #3 sweetie pie.  All of them are quick.  Easy.  Uber cute.  And quite simply...."sweet".

Have a wonderful morning and God Bless you all,      ~Cynthia     <><  

Sweetie Pie stamp set #136849

Product List
Stamp : Really Good Greetings Clear-mount Stamp Set [130333] , Sweetie Pie Photopolymer Stamp Set [136849] 
Ink : Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175] , Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write Marker [131899], Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]  
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Ribbon & Trim : Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon [131206]
Accessory : Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents [119246]
Big Shot : Set Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [123130]

Fast. I mean FAST. (And Fabulous) Friday

Hello Friends

Cleaning up from another Card-in-a-box class last night, have club ladies due here in less than 90 minutes and another class tonight so this post has *got* to be quick.  And since I discovered the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack yesterday, and the cute little self-adhesive cork pieces that come FREE during Sale-A-Bration, I decided to create something in 2 minutes or less using that.

So - what do you think?

Took me more time to cut and fold the card than it did to stick on the cork pieces!  And there are some cute little shapes with that Accessory pack.  Now my mind is racing with ideas on what *else* I can make.

But for today.  Here you go.  Fast.  I mean *FAST*.  And still Fabulous.

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


Product List
Stamp : Happy Watercolor [clear] [133191]
Ink : Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad [131174]
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Accessory : Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack [133522]
Big Shot : Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [119976]

Thankful Thursday - Sale-A-Bration

Hello Friends

So I am coming to terms with the fact that Sale-A-Bration is wrapping up soon, although I must say I am pretty sad.  The SAB products this year have been among my favourite freebies.  Ever!

But until it is over, I am thankful for SAB and the chance it gives me, every year, to reward my friends with extra perks.  For instance, I've had 6 hostesses qualify for extra Hostess Dollars.  Their parties surpassed a certain level, so Stampin' Up! awarded them with a $40 Hostess bonus - each!

I've had friends with huge wish-lists who have signed up to be on my Team, and have gotten $190-worth of wonderful products for only $125!  It's like Christmas all over again!

And I cannot begin to count how many of my customers have qualified for 1, 2, 3 or even 4 FREE SAB products!

And then there are the products that I have gotten to earn and play with myself.  I am still only beginning to discover the potential of all of them.  For instance, tonight is the first time I have given much attention to the Sweet Sorbet Accessory pack (I have used the coloured twine before but not the adhesive cork pieces).  Let me tell you - these cork pieces are FUN!

I made this quick Thank You card using the Retro Fresh designer paper, some gold Baker's Twine (pulled into individual strands and glued down) and some cork pieces from the free SAB Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack.  These cork bits are too cute.  And so easy to use.  You'll even notice that on top of my Baker's Twine strands I've cut out my own starburst(ish) shape from the extra bits of adhesive cork - and affixed it to the twine pile.  That and a few well-placed strands of gold from the Baker's Twine means this card was super easy to put together, and definitely one-of-a-kind!

I wish SAB wasn't ending soon.  There are still things that I would like to get.  How about you?  Have you managed to snag all your favourite freebies?  If not, there is still time.  Contact me today.  Or come to to my Last Chance for SAB Class next Tuesday night from 7-9.   You'll make some absolutely gorgeous cards.  And you'll see just how versatile these SAB sets really are.  Don't miss out.  Get yours before it is too late.

In the meantime, I hope you are all having the kind of day that is one-of-a-kind .... and in a GOOD way!
But whether this day is going well or not, remember to be Thankful!!  Always.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><


Product List
Stamp : Lots Of Thanks Clear-mount Stamp Set [129690]
Ink : Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978]
Card Stock : Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper [132993] , Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122924] , Baked Brown Sugar 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131296]
Tools & Adhesive : Mini Glue Dots [103683]
Accessory : Gold Baker's Twine [132975] , Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack [133522]

My Talented Friends

Good Morning Friends!

I just *have* to brag this morning about how talented my friends are.  And I mean *seriously* talented!!

Sunday evening I had a downline meeting and everyone was invited to participate in a swap if they chose to.  Well, let me tell you, the 5 ladies who swapped all submitted fantastic cards and I just have to show them all to you here!!

There is something that really stands out for me, for each of the cards, and I will tell you what it is:

Rachelle Arcaro - Terrific and effective use of colours to ensure that the stamped image remains the focal point of the card, even though the designer paper is "all over".  The black oval mat for the sentiment ties in beautifully with the black outline for the image

Melanie Mahar - Absolutely LOVE this ingenious closure for the card.  Simple but so effective!

Dianne Ross - Love how Gorgeous Grunge has been used to create a background stamp to alleviate the "white space".  And the triple banner for the sentiment is a great way to show off this flag!

Cecilia Chow - I absolutely LOVE the overall effect of this card.  The colours are beautiful together, the Baker's Twine at the bottom balances out the sentiment, and the sponging keeps everything very, very soft.  Love it!

Janet Busby - Outside - Love how striking Summer Starfruit and Basic Black are together.  And the embossed panel on the front takes care of the "white space" without being busy.   A really wonderful detail!

Janet Busby - Inside Card - what wonderful use of Sale-A-Bration products!  I have to admit I sometimes struggle with Starfruit but Janet has made a gorgeous card and shown me its true potential!

So?  See what I mean?  These cards are gorgeous and I couldn't have been more pleased when I came home and got a chance to really take a good look at what I had received.  I am so happy and so proud to consider these ladies my friends.   Are they talented or what?!?   I am so lucky to have them as part of my team. 

And you?  If you wish to be a part of our team and share in the fun we have at out monthly meetings, check out the details on THIS page or contact me directly.

Hoping all of you are enjoying your week so far!  Have a wonderful day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Help From My Friends

Hello Everyone

My Fast & Fabulous Friday got off to a slow start.  8 kids in the house (March Break), no school, no appointments, and no priorities.  Would you hate me if I said I am typing this and I am *still* in my jammies?!?

Embossing towards the Inside

Embossing towards the Outside

At any rate, I wanted to offer you a quick post today to inspire you.  

I myself was inspired by my friend and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator (out in beautiful Saskatchewan!),  Shauna Mikuliak.  She posted a quick but beautiful card yesterday and I used it as a starting point to come up with this easy-peasy card.

No tricks.  Nothing complicated.  Just simplicity and beauty. 

The only difference between the 2 is the orientation of the embossing folder.   For the one on the left, the curves of the embossing folder are towards the interior of the card.  And for the right-hand card, the curves of the embossing folder are facing the outer edge of the card.

I'd be interested in your opinion.  Tell me which orientation you prefer?!

In the meantime, I do hope you are enjoying your Friday.  And I hope yours is Fabulous too!

God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <><

Product List
Stamp : Morning Meadow Clear-mount Stamp Set [129678] , Simply Sketched Wood-mount Stamp Set [129669]
Ink : Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] , White Stampin Chalk Marker [132133]
Card Stock : Crumb Cake 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [120953]
Accessory : Silver Baker's Twine [132976]
Big Shot : Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folders [127023]

Thankful Thursday - Sponged Oval Frame

Hello Dear Friends

This March Break is flying by and I am loving having my 4 nieces and nephew up here for a visit.  So today I am thankful for this wonderful week together - and how truly blessed I feel that my children are so close to their cousins and are reveling so much in having them stay with us for this time!

The card I've chosen to represent this Thankful Thursday installment is one from a Spring Has Sprung class I will be doing in April.  So if you like this card and wish to make one of your own, stay tuned for updates in my class schedule!


In the meantime, I certainly hope your March Break has been as wonderful as mine.

Have a terrific - and very Thankful day.
And God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><

Weekly Deals

Hello Friends

Quick and LATE post today to show you the AMAZING weekly deals that Stampin' Up! is offering until next Monday night.  25% off 4 different dies and 3 embossing folders (kind of 4 since one is a set of 2).  If you own a Big Shot, you'll definitely want some of these deals.  And if you don't own a Big Shot yet, now is the time to buy one since you'll receive 2 FREE Sale-A-Bration items with your purchase of one.

Here are this week's deals:

Hope everyone is enjoying their March Break (if you are off school), or just another "week in March" (if you are not).
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Stamping on Designer Paper - the Video

Hello Dear Friends

By now you *must* have seen my previous posts about stamping the Swallowtail image onto the Sweet Sorbet Designer Paper and heat embossing it!  I posted about it as a Fast and Fabulous Friday and showed you even more variations on Saturday.

Well, just to prove to you that this really *is* a fast and fabulous card to create, I made a video of me making one of the cards.  Honestly, I think if I did not talk as much in the video, it might have taken me less than 2 minutes to actually create the card - start to finish!  But since I decided to explain and talk while I made it on camera, the video is all of 4 minutes long.

Even at that - Fast and Fabulous I tell ya!

Have a spectacular day.  More March Break fun in this household but I'll be back tomorrow.  
Till then, take care and God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><