Laid Back Summertime Feeling.....

Hi Friends

I am soooo on holiday mode....
You know the feeling?  Laid back and operating in slow motion as though time itself had slowed down.  Great feeling.  Wonderful feeling.  Hardly productive though!

Believe it or not, I spent quite a while working on cards yesterday, but most of that time was spent working on my PhD.  You know....Projects Half Done.....so I don't have a mountain of new ideas to show you.  Yet.   But since you haven't seen this installment from my recent 20-card class I can show it to you.

The Flower Patch stamp set is one of those wonderful new sets that has a full set of framelits that coordinate with it.  I absolutely love that since the Flower Patch stamps are photopolymer, you can easily stamp AFTER cutting has been done.  That's what I did for my class....I had all the little coloured blooms pre-cut so everyone could just stamp the centre coloured bits afterwards.  And the leaves were easy enough to place as well since all the stamps and blocks are completely transparent!

And can I just say ..... this new cotton ribbon is an absolute pleasure to work with!  Really soft.  Not too fragile.  And gorgeous colours.  I am loving it!

We have a National Holiday here in Canada tomorrow.  July 1 is our official "birthday" celebration.  Sort of like the July 4 holiday in the US.  So for all my non-Canadian friends, have a wonderful rest of your day.  And for all my Canadian friends.....buckle up because the party is about to start!!!

Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful Canada Day!!
God Bless you and keep you safe.    ~Cynthia     <><

Quick Post While My Wifi is Working!

Happy Weekend Friends

Cupcakes Anyone?

On the assumption that I may lose my wifi at any moment, I will post a quick photo of some more of the 20-card class samples. 



And can I just say....I am so glad we got a new cupcake stamp set to pair up with our cupcake punch!

What's Up?

Hope you enjoy seeing this latest installment of the Inspiration Day (20-card class) samples.  They are all very different.  And all very cute.

Traveler on Vellum

Sea Street

Here's to hoping you are all enjoying a wonderful weekend!  Lots of rest.  Lots of happiness.  And lots of good food, good friends and good fun!

God Bless,   Cynthia   <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - BOGO Party Cards

No

    Time

         But

              Must

                    Post............

I couldn't post all day my friends as our internet was down for most of last night and this morning....and then I was out for the better part of today.  But finally, here is your Fast and Fabulous Friday installment.

These are the 2 quick but cute cards my friends who attended last evening's BOGO Party made.  

I have 2 things to say about the cards:
1)  Fast
2)  Fabulous 

As for last night's event, I have 2 things to say about it:
1)  The BOGO was loads of fun!
2)  My friends are AWESOME!!

I am thinking I might run a BOGO event  quarterly instead of every 6 months....because man-oh-man did I ever have a BLAST last night!  

And to make it even more priceless, I got to re-connect with a lady that I often only get to "talk to" electronically.  If you follow my blog, you might notice that "Mi Pablo" often leaves a comment and *always* has something nice to say!  Sunny.  Pleasant.  And downright cheery....that's Mi Pablo.  And last night she was able to make it out at the last minute to pick up some great retired goodies.  And she even brought and introduced me to one of her friends (Hi Marilyn!).  So it was a special night all around.

Okay - back to the Fast and Fabulous part.  Love the Kinda Eclectic stamp set that was used for the second card.  And the top card?  Well my love affair with both Blackberry Bliss (new In Color this year) and the new Lovely Lace embossing folder continues!  The lighting is horrible and the photos are really under-par, but hopefully you get the picture, right?

But for now, I must bid you adieu and get on with my evening.

Hope you are all looking forward to a FABULOUS Friday evening and a wonderful weekend!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Thankful Thursday and a Little Sheepish.....

Hi Friends

Of all the things to be thankful for.....?!?!

Today I am thankful for wifi.  

You see, our home internet cut out yesterday afternoon and did not come back until after breakfast this morning.  And I gotta tell ya, with my BOGO and Catalogue Kick-Off Party today, I have too much to do to *not* be able to get connected.

I know, I know.  
First World Problems.
Yeesh!!
 
That's why I am a little sheepish.  I can't imagine I am so thankful this morning for something so terribly "unimportant' in the grand scheme of life.  
But thankful I am.  Because busy I am.  (Anyone else think I am beginning to sound like Yoda?)

At any rate, on with the card, right?  Thanks to the internet I am able to see lots of other cards by lots of other demonstrators and get ideas and inspiration for my own creations.  And sometimes it is not a matter of inspiration.  Sometimes it is matter of an out-and-out "copy".  I CASEd this card (Copy and Share Everywhere) from my friend, Selene.  I swapped out her 2 pieces of ribbon for a piece of embossed cardstock and a silver bow, but aside from those I didn't change anything.  

So easy and fun when a friend designs something I love that I can share with you!

Too much to do today to stay chatty.   I have over 230 stamp sets, 20 wheels, LOTS of Big Shot dies and framelits and embossing folders and so much designer paper and ribbons and embellishments that I am beginning to think I have a real collection addiction!  Please, please, PLEASE won't you come and take some of this off of my hands?!?  You get to order from the new catalogue for FREE based on what you purchase tonight so come and score some fantastic deals.  And help me clean out my craft storage while you are at it!  There's always room for more when I get together with my friends to get inky!

Until tomorrow then - Hope all of you are thankful for many things.  Appreciate the important ones and the not-so-important ones.  And have a wonderful day!

God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Lovin' My New Embossing Powder!

Hello Friends

Confession time....when they retired my Bright embossing powders (Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango and Melon Mambo) I was pretty sad.  I had just started to really use all the gorgeous bright colours against black backgrounds and I was loving the effect.

Well, I needn't have worried.  Enter Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral and Crushed Curry embossing powders!  Love, love LOVE the way they pop against a dark background!

And just to show you what I mean - voila!  Today's gorgeous card!

The Blended Bloom stamp set has been used a lot by demonstrators lately to show off the colouring potential of the Blendabilities....but it is a gorgeous image in its own right and just perfect as an outline image to show off the new colours of embossing powder.  Against black, the contrast is stunning.

Of course, we shouldn't ignore tone-on-tone effects -- it might not show up well in this photo, but just that little bit of Blushing Bride detail on the left-hand panel of this card breaks up all the "white space" and adds visual interest.

And just to make this card a wee tiny bit more special - it was created as a fancy fold card.  This particular arrangement of panels is called a Joy-fold and is easy to make, despite how involved it might seem.  Honestly friends, sometimes you can jazz up a card and kick it up a notch just by changing it from a standard card opening to something a little different!

I am really going to have to make a few more samples to show you the other great new colours of embossing powder.  And just for the record....No one makes higher quality embossing powders than Stampin' Up!  I've used powders over the years from various sources, many of them famous and reputable names in the crafting world....but I still haven't found any I like as much as the ones sold through SU!  Trust me when I say that they are the best of the best.

Off to do a little more prep now for my BOGO and New Catalogue Kick-Off party tomorrow night.  There is still time to join us if you haven't RSVP'd yet.  I'd love to get inky with you.  Just contact me to let me know!

Have a terrific day everyone, and I'll "see you" tomorrow!   God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Weekly Deals - Lots and lots of Framelits!

Hey there Friends

If you are in the market for framelits, then there has never been a better time than NOW to get them!!  Just LOOK at the weekly deals that are on, beginning today, and ending on June 30.

Window Frame Framelits
Squares Collection Framelits
Envelope Liner Framelits
Finishing Touches Edgelits

All for 25% off!  This, my friends, is a GREAT deal!  And trust me when I say, it just doesn't get any better.  Superb quality framelits.  At a fantastic price!  Love, love LOVE that Stampin' Up! is continuing to offer these 25% deals every week!
Contact me to order yours today!  Let me (and Stampin' Up!) help you to get the best quality framelits, at the best possible price!

Tune in again tomorrow morning for my posting of some new cards.  You're going to love them!

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

Back Again With More Sample Cards

Hello Friends

Told you I would be back soon.

I still have several of the Inspiration Stamp Day cards to show you so here is the latest instalment:

I love how easy it is to create an interesting card, just by altering the fold to make it a little bit different.  This cute card features one of the new In Colors (Tangelo Twist) and the funky new Simply Sports stamp set.  Love how the Athlete can be either male or female.  Just add a ponytail to make the athlete female.  Or, of course, to make him a Brazilian soccer player sporting a ponytail!    :)

And notice the cute sentiments that come with the stamp set? There are 5 options, and they are all easily cut out using the Bitty Banners Framelits.  In fact, these framelits can be used to cut out the sentiments from at least 3 different stamp sets:  Simply Sports, Itty Bitty Banners and Flamingo Lingo.

Speaking of Flamingo Lingo......Every year Stampin Up! produces a stamp set that they sell to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House program.  This years' set, Flamingo Lingo, can be found on the inside back cover of the catalogue and man oh man is it ever cute!  And best of all, for every stamp set sold, SU! donates $3 into the RMH charities program.  Love that my company gives back to the greater community -- ALL the time!

Both of these cards use patterns of designer paper from the Sweet Taffy set.  This is a gorgeous set of papers - bright, bold and fun.  You'll be seeing more of these patterns, I promise.

And did you get a look at the fun embossing folder I used on this Flamingo card?  This "Zig Zag"  folder creates an interesting and intricate geometric pattern that is very versatile.  Yes sirree, I do predict you will be seeing quite a bit more of this folder too!

Well, I better get back to work preparing for my BOGO and New Catalogue Kick-Off Party on Thursday.  If you are in the Otawa area and have some free time on Thursday night, won't you consider joining me?  You'll make a couple of very cute cards, maybe win some door prizes, and have the opportunity to purchase wonderful retired products and order new catalogue items at a 2-for-1 deal.  (details by clicking here)  Woot woot.  Does it get any better?

And on that note - it's back to work for me.  Hope to see you Thursday night.  Contact me to let me know you will be coming (or to ask for details).  

Have a super day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Elegant or Trendy?!

Hello hello hello!

Told you I was back!     :)

Lovely Lace Embossed Vellum - Silver Accents

Lovely Lace Embossed Vellum - Gold Accents

 





















Here are more of the cards we made at my 20 card class on the weekend and can I just say....it doesn't get any easier!!  For the two "Elegant" cards above, we merely ran a sheet of vellum through the Big Shot with the new Lovely Lace embossing folder and attached this to a black card.  A strip of black cardstock across the front, then a bit of embellishment and the card was done.  As you can see, the ladies had their choice of using gold or silver ribbon, and adding either pearls or rhinestones to enhance their card.  It really is THAT easy!  But boy oh boy does this card ever have wow factor in real life!

Watercolor Thank You - Work of Art Hearts

Watercolor Thank You - Work of Art Circles

As for the two "Trendy" artwork-type cards on that come next....when you want or need a card fast, Work of Art comes to the rescue again.  We merely stamped three consecutive times (without re-inking in between) with one of the swooshes that come in the Work of Art set.  Then the ladies repeated this with either the Work of Art circle stamp or the heart.  The new Watercolor Thank You provided the perfect sentiment.  And the addition of either circle or heart-shaped Coastal Cabana sequins and some matching Baker's Twine completed the card.  Quick and cute, wouldn't you say?  And I am quite liking the In Color sequins that are offered in this new catalogue.  Sometimes they are just enough to add the bling I need.

This morning I am holding my last Club until September.  Lots of classes planned over the summer, but our regularly scheduled club takes a hiatus.  So I am off to prep the final bits of cardstock.

Tune in tomorrow for a few more installments from my Inspiration Stamp Day collection.  Some elegant.  Some trendy.  Some refined.  Some bohemian.  We made something to suit everyone's taste!

And just for the record, please feel free to leave me a comment to let me know....which way do your tastes run?  Elegant and Manicured or Trendy and Interpretive?  It will be interesting to hear which kinds of cards people gravitate towards?

Until then - I hope  you are looking forward to a great day.  May your work-day be over Fast.  And may your entire day be Fabulous!   

God Bless you all,       ~Cynthia      <><

Thankful Thursday - Finally Back!

Hello Friends

After a somewhat long hiatus, I am finally back and boy oh boy do I have some gorgeous cards to show you!

I held my Inspiration Stamp Day last Saturday and 37 women got to each make 20 different cards, using stamps and products from the new catalogue.  Over the next few days I'll show them all to you so you can see what fun new things await you in the 2014-15 catalogue.

For those of you who missed my 20-card class - I am offering a 2-go package that includes all of the scored, cut and embossed materials for you to make these cards.  It also includes a goody bag worth $20+ that contains all of the embellishments needed for these cards, as well as extras for creating more cards on your own.  In compliance with Stampin' Up! policy, no pre-stamping has been done.  If you would like to order a 2-go package, please contact me and we can arrange pick-up (if local) or shipping to you (Canada only).  And mark your calendars now....my next 20-card class (for the Holiday catalogue) is already booked for September 13!

Back to the matter at hand -- Perhaps you noticed the Razzleberry rhinestones in the corners of the Kinda Eclectic card above, as well as the Mossy Green button on the World of Dreams card to the left?  The participants of my Inspiration Stamp Day were thrilled to discover that our new Blendabilities markers can be used to colour buttons, rhinestones, pearls, embossing powder and more!  You can own ALL of the Blendabilities PLUS stamp sets and accessories at a discount by joining the virtual "Blendabilities Club".  Click here for more details.

Well, I'll need to post this now or my hiatus will be extended even longer!  But since today is Thursday, I am putting out a Thankful Thursday message to just say how Thankful I am that everything is "getting back to normal" here.  Piano lessons are done for the year.  Flute lessons are done.  Music Theory is over.  Youth Group is on summer hiatus.  Choir is finished.  ConQuest is done.  School is almost done.....  I love this time of year where we are heading in towards carefree days without scheduling!!  

So I am Thankful today for life getting back to what I consider "normal".  Or at least carefree.  For however long that may be.    :)





Hope everyone has a wonderful day and can focus on the things that make you Thankful!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Blissful Blackberry Garden

Dear Friends

This has to be FAST today.  My 20-card class is tomorrow and I still have much to do.  Thankfully, all 740 cards are cut and packaged already.  But the rest of the set-up is yet to come.

So without further ado - here is one of the cards that the ladies will make tomorrow.  I absolutely LOVE Blackberry Bliss, and the Corner Garden image stamped on Bliss and embossed with white powder is a simple way to make a huge statement.  And that statement is....."GORGEOUS"!

Going to get back to the grindstone now.  I'll post the other cards in the days ahead.  And you'll undoubtedly wish you had been able to join us.  Maybe next time?

Until then - have a wonderful day and a Fabulous Friday!    

God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><  










Product List

And Many More Wood-Mount Stamp Set [134273]	Corner Garden Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134048]	Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [133642]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Versamark Pad [102283]

Thankful Thursday - I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Hello Friends

I am super busy preparing for my 20-card class on Saturday but I needed to first acknowledge my dear friend Suzane, who graciously offered her time and came to help me prepare my card packages.   I have over 700 cards to prep so I trust you can all understand how valuable her assistance has been these past few days!  

I am not finished yet, so without further ado I am going to get back to the task at hand.  But I did want to stop momentarily and say that this Thankful Thursday belongs to Suzane and her generous gift of time and friendship!

My challenge to all of you today is to say thank you to someone who does something for you.  Any little thing.  Anything at all.  Even if you "know" they already know that you appreciate it....say it anyhow!  Words have power.  And we need to let people know how much we appreciate them and how grateful we are!

Hope everyone has a wonderful - and truly Thankful - day.   

God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><
Product List

Work Of Art Clear Stamp Set [134114]	Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set [133454]	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171]
Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197]	Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]

I Want a Hero!!

Love it.  Love it.  LOVE IT!

Stampin' Up! brought out a fantastic new stamp set yesterday.  "Calling All Heroes" and it is super cute.  And since it is photopolymer, it is also super easy to get perfect placement of the pieces.  This is a 60-piece set (!!) and it is only $31.95.  Woo Hoo!!

These Special Release photopolymer stamp sets are usually "while supplies last" and the last few gems were sold out pretty quickly.  So if you want yours, order yours today or contact me as soon as possible!

Custom-make a card for all the heroes in your life!  Thanks Stampin' Up! for another great stamp selection!!

Weekly Deals to Tide You Over

I know you are probably dying to see some of the fantastic cards we'll be making at the 20-card class on Saturday, but in all honesty, I have waaaay too much to do today.  So while you are patiently waiting for a sneak peak, get a load of these fantastic weekly deals being offered - just until June 16.  

Hurry and order yours while this sweet deal is on! 

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

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Work of Art

Hello again my friends

I told you a Fast & Fabulous Friday would come, even with the time I need to assemble a huge box of stamps!  Because this one, my friends, is FAST.

The Work of Art stamp set is so easy to use.  The artsy swooshes and swipes and spots are so forgiving!  
Perfect placement - who cares?  
Straight or lined up - not really.  
Imperfect inking or stamping - so what? 

You can literally whip up a gorgeous card without any undue fuss!  So this card really took no time at all.  The "longest" part about making it was having to clean the stamp between ink colours. 

I CASed this card and made miniscule changes (and added glitter!) to create my Fast and Fabulous card.  Hope you love it as much as I do!

And I am totally in love with our new In Colors 2014-2016.  Especially Blackberry Bliss.  Stay tuned for information on my In Color Club for this year!!

In the meantime, enjoy your Friday and your upcoming weekend!  
God Bless!      ~Cynthia    <><  


Product List

Work Of Art Clear Stamp Set [134114]	Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [102023]	2-Way Glue Pen [100425]
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [133642]	Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad [126985]	Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad [126956]
Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]	Wisteria Wonder 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122922]	Pink Pirouette 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [111351]

It's Almost Like Christmas!

Squeal!

Take a look at what the Fed-Ex truck left at my doorstep last night.  This is only ONE of the boxes of goodies!  The other box is chock full of designer paper and embellishments and dies and framelits and embossing folders.....

I wanted the friends who registered for my 20-card class/Inspiration Stamp Day next Saturday to get a chance to play with as many new toys as possible and I guess I went a little overboard!    :)     Man oh man is this ever going to be FUN!

I get to spend this weekend playing and designing like there's no tomorrow.  Yee haw!

Back soon for a Fast & Fabulous Friday.  But first I wanted you to know why you might not hear much from me this weekend..... (he he he)

Enjoy your day my friends.  I certainly will!!    God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Thankful Thursday - People Who Make a Difference

Hello Friends

I am using the Traveler stamp set again today - I used the train yesterday so this time I wanted you to see the majestic ship.  And when you get a chance, take a close look at all of the sentiments included in the Something to Say stamp set.  I'll bet you can find something to suit almost any occasion, couldn't you?!!

As for my Thankful Thursday?  Today I want to give a shout out to all those people who make the world a better place.  
Sometimes it is by their seemingly effortless act of just being who they are.  
Other times they put themselves outside of their comfort zones, or go that extra mile to truly make a difference.
Regardless of energy or time expended, they change the world.  And I am grateful for all them, the young and the old, those I know and those I don't, those who came before my time and those who will come long after I am gone.

I've got to sign off and 'get to the office' now - on Thursdays I get to work with a bunch of young people who truly do go out into the world and make a difference.  They change it - for the better - in everything they do.  The organization is CCO and you can read about it here, but for now, I wanted to dedicate a Thankful Thursday to all of them!   Those unsung heroes who, just by being themselves and staying true to the course, make a difference in this world!

And my challenge to all of you today - be aware of, and truly thankful for all those you know who make a positive difference in this world!  And maybe, just maybe, you can tell them..."Thank You".

God Bless all of you,        ~Cynthia    <><  


Product List

Traveler Clear Stamp Set [134513]	World Map Wood-mount Stamp Set [130342]	Something To Say Clear Stamp Set [134180]
Angled Tag Topper Punch [133323]	Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [127751]	Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad [133644]
Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133679]	Linen Thread [104199]	Stamping Sponges [101610]