Saturday's Open House Card Party

Hey there Stamper Friends

I had a blast last Saturday at my Holiday Catalogue Kick-Off Party.  It was an Open House/BOGO event and based on how full their bags were, I think my friends had a great time and got some valuable shopping done!

Everyone made 2 simple cards and got to oooh and aaaah at all of the gorgeous cards displayed on my Founders' Swap Board.

The Lost Lagoon/Pool Party card that everyone made is a direct CASe from Jenn Tinline's Founders' swap card.  And the Evergreen card is based on one Christine Miller posted online.  

I am so thankful that there are demonstrators out there who design quick but oh-so-cute cards that make my life a LOT easier.

Gotta run.   Busy busy busy!   No time for chit chat today.  Hope it is a wonderful day for everyone!

God Bless,      ~Cynthia     <><

2 SPECTACULAR CLASSES - Next Weekend - World Card-Making Day!

Hello Friends

I have been busy running damage control since the venue I had booked for my World Card-Making Day Extravaganza next weekend informed me that they'll need to make a change to my weekend plans (an elder in their church passed away so the Hall is needed for a funeral service next weekend).

You know, this might work out even better this way.

I returned from Founder's Circle with 2 FANTASTIC CLASSES that I am dying to hold.  And this gives me the opportunity.  Come to my house either Friday night or Saturday - or BOTH (!), and make some of the most gorgeous cards you could imagine.  

Both classes include the stamp set.  (If you already own the stamp set[s] you can choose an alternate one of equal or lesser value - or choose a more expensive one and pay the difference)

The Ornamental Pine Class will be offered Friday night at my home, 7 - 9 pm, and also Saturday afternoon from 1 - 3.

Due to popular demand, the video on how to create the brown card in this set (my Founders' Circle swap card this year) can be found HERE:

The Lovely As A Tree Class will be offered on Saturday morning from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Take both classes and get $8 off ($4 off each class).

Ornamental Pine Class
Friday Oct 3 (7 - 9 pm) or Saturday Oct 4 (1 - 3 pm) 
My house (Also available as a kit to go)

Ornamental Pine Stamp Set

Ornamental Pine Class

Lovely As A Tree Class

Saturday Oct 4 (9:30 - 11:30 am) 
My house (Also available as a kit to go)

Stamp Set - Lovely As a Tree

Lovely As A Tree Card Class

Pricing for Both classes is the same and includes the stamp set!
Choose either clear or wood option.
Already own this set?  Choose an alternate stamp set of equal or lesser value instead.

Clear Option - (stamp set plus product valued more than $35)
      = $40*
OR
Wood Option - (stamp set plus product valued at more than $49)
      = $55*



Take Both Classes and knock $4 off the price of EACH registration fee!

Please note:  Card kits include all cardstock cut or punched to proper size and any embossing.  E-mailed instructions include details as to the  colours of ink stamp sets used.  As per Stampin' Up! policy, no pre-stamping has been done

*s&h will be charged for any kits that are not local pick-up.  Contact me for rates. 
 

More Founders.....

I LOVE my family....but AHHHHHH!

I had 2 hrs sleep on Saturday night (I know, my own fault!) - then had to be up at 5 a.m. to begin my long journey home.  Traveled all day yesterday, long waits in airports, 2 planes and a layover.  Got home last night.  Talked with my family and finally went to bed after we had all "caught up".  

My alarm went off at early this morning and I turned it off -- and fell back to sleep.  My dear husband decided I must be tired -- so let me sleep 45 minutes more before he woke me as he was leaving for work.  Without thinking that I might need time to get ready for work (he's a guy...it takes him 10 minutes) and although the extra sleep was thoughtful, 45 minutes-worth really wasn't how I wanted to begin my day!

Ahhhhh!

So - no long catch up about Founders right now (not until tonight) but a quick post to tell you that Saturday in Utah was FANTASTIC.  The final event, the final dinner, the final everything.  I will tell you all about it later today.  But for now, a picture of how I spent most of Saturday afternoon (this is the view from my bedroom window).  Far away from this morning's cold and drizzle.  Surrounded by people whose advice and suggestions are like pure gold.

Have a wonderful day everyone and I will "talk" with you more, this evening!
God Bless you all,
Cynthia
<><

Day 3 Founders - the Adventure Continues.....

Hello Friends,               

Day 3 of the Founders Circle Retreat began just a little too early for my liking but at least we got to drive through some very gorgeous landscaping indeed

Early Morning Drive

Gorgeous Landscape

and I got to sit beside Frenchie (France) Martin 

Myself and Frenchie!

and share some laughs and get some terrific business advice form her.  And before you know it, we arrived at our destination:  Kanab!  

Employees Outside to Welcome Us to Kanab

 
The Kanab facility is the place where the stamps, paper and inks are actually made and assembled and every year this is a highlight of the Founders Circle Retreat.  Besides being just plain old cool to be at Kanab, the employees all come outside to welcome us and make us feel like a million dollars.  This year we brought some of our own signs and treats to say thank you to them.  Now *THAT* was cool!

Ink Pad Assembly

Cardstock Trimming

Cardstock processing

Photopolymer Being Poured

Photopolymer Hanging, Waiting for Quality Control.

We had a chance to witness ink pads being put together, Cardstock being cut to size, Rubber stamps being formed, assembled and trimmed and the most exciting bit of all....we got to see photopolymer being poured and processed to give us the gorgeous stamps we have come to know and love!

Another highlight while at the Kanab facility - getting my photo taken at "the Rock". 

The "Rock" at Kanab (with Cherokee in the background)

That's Cherokee standing behind the Rock.  Cherokee promised to stand there and politely smile for the pictures!   :)

Cooling My Feet in the Rubber Playground!

After a full morning at the Kanab facility, we spent a bit of time at the Kanab Park ...... that's where cast-off trimmed rubber pieces get a second life, acting as playground materials at the park.  

When it is hot outside and you bury your feet deep into sand or in this case, rubber, you'd be amazed how cool the temperature below can feel.


Back to the hotel so we could prepare for an evening session at the outdoor theatre, Tuacahn Amphitheatre.  

Tuacahn - where Theatre comes alive!

Tuacahn at Night

We saw the Wizard of Oz and it was positively brilliant.  

The acoustics were marvelous and the play was absolutely terrific.  What a wonderful way to end our 3rd day at Founders Circle.
But is that all?   No........

Of course - first I have to show you the Pillow Gift!

All of the pillow gifts have been obviously chosen to fit right in with our Retreat theme of "Home for the Holidays" this year.  How delightful then to come back to our rooms after our Tuacahn experience and find this ever-so-cute Christmas-themed throw pillow sitting waiting on the bed.

I can just imagine it now....my kids will fight over who gets to use the pillow at any given time.

Oh well - for now maybe *I* will use the pillow.  Some sleep will be good too since tomorrow is building up to be a full day - just like today.

I hope you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend and that wherever you are, you are surrounded by people who love and appreciate all you are to them.

God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Day 2 Founders - the Swap

Hello my Dear Friends

Note added October 17:  The video to make this swap card can be found HERE:  

As most of you know, one of the most exciting things about Founders is getting to swap cards with the highest achievers in the company.  And although it might take a loooong time to create my card in 113 copies, nothing in the world beats getting that many in retrun when you swap on Thursday night.

Well, I've got to tell you, I spent a fair chunk of time on Thursday putting the front of my swaps onto the card base, then packaging these in little cellophane bags so they could withstand the trip home in 113 different suitcases.  And let me tell you, I was NOT alone!  It was amazing how many people cam with unfinished swaps this year and had to assemble in the gathering space!

My Founders Circle Swap - 2014

At any rate, fellow Canadians and all-round special ladies Gail Lowe and Eldonna Epp spent hours helping me with these 2 tasks until finally, I ended up with a stack of gorgeous cards!  Without the help of these 2 ladies, I would NEVER have gotten done in time!  

Gail Lowe (Left) and Eldonna Epp (Right).  My life-savers!!

And let me tell you, I was THRILLED Thursday night when we swapped with each other and there was a LOT of excitement about my card.  I have already given permission to countless ladies to reproduce my card at parties, workshops and on their blogs.  

Note.  VIDEO to make this card can be found HERE.

Swapping is a LOT of fun.  Somewhat chaotic, yes - but fun nonetheless.  

And after we swapped, Stampin' Up! provided us with milk and cookies as we shared stories and ideas, tips and tricks for running our businesses.

Milk and Cookies for All

Milk and Cookies after the hard work of swapping!

Swapping in our Pjs

More Swaping in our Pjs

And then when we got back to our rooms, we were greeted once again with a pillow gift.  This time, our pillow gift was a classic children's Christmas story, signed by none other than Shelli herself!

Pillow Gift #2 Wrapped in Classic Christmas cloth

Pillow Gift #2 - a Classic

It was a good day.  A VERY good day.  And the trip is only half done!  Tomorrow we get to re-live one of the Founder's Circle highlights - the yearly visit to Kanab where the manufacturing facility is.

Add caption

But I guess I better leave something for tomorrow.  So for tonight I will leave you with just a sneak peak of all my lovely swap cards!

My Fantastic Founders Swap cards - 2014

And wish to you a wonderful evening and a fantastic weekend!   

God Bless,
~Cynthia   <><

Day 1 Founder's Circle - And So It Begins.....

Ok my dear friends....

Close up of Swap card

Arrived Wednesday in St. George, Utah for 5 days of unadulterated pampering and being spoiled.  Stampin' Up! definitely does it right when they lavish love and attention on us!

The theme for the Founder's Circle Retreat this year is called "Home For the Holidays" and since I am a Christmas junkie, I was excited like you wouldn't believe!  My swap card (the one I hinted at in my last post) was created with this theme in mind.  The close-up I showed you reminds me of wonderfully gingerbread-y type cookies.  It is, of course, merely cardstock that has been sponged, then coated with Irridescent Ice embossing powder.  As you can see from the next shot, it really is just cardstock.

More of my Founders Swap Card

At any rate - after a long day of travel we arrived at the hotel.  This hotel is completely taken over by us for the next 5 days and is transformed into a holiday lodge for our Retreat.

Right from the time we arrived, we were brought into the Holiday atmosphere (despite the 35 degree weather) with all the beautiful decor and attention to detail.

Each of our room dorrs were decorated with a lovely vintage wall-hanging that has the 12 Days of Christmas depicted on it.

And after *everyone* had arrived.....we built gingerbread houses together as an Ice-Breaker mixer event.  We were each presented with a "Participation prize" and it turned out to be a fabulous set of little gift bags and a Tag-A-Bag kit to turn them into cute little presents..  Then of course, it was time for a beautiful and elegant meal together.

We were given a wonderful "holiday-themed" meal of Ham and potatoes with a rich and delicious spiced bread pudding to eat for dessert.

And then....
And then...
And then.....

Wrapped Up Pillow Gift #1

One of the most exciting things about any Stampin' Up! trip -- the Pillow Gifts!

Look at the cute linen this gift is wrapped in!

There is nothing so exciting (for a demonstrator at least) as getting new product.  Wonderful new toys to play with and create with.  And when I returned to my room that first evening, this is what I found propped up on my pillow......

This wrapping just keeps getting cuter!

 It was so pretty I didn't even want to unwrap it!  And I have to show you the gorgeous piece of material it was wrapped up in!  How cute is that!!??

And inside all of this..a FANTASTIC photopolymer stamp set with 33 stamps (!!!!) and a set of framelits - ALL from the upcoming Occasions Catalogue.

Stamp set and framelits as a gift - woo hoo!

I have to tell you, if this is any indication of the products that will be in the Spring catalogue, I am very, very excited indeed.

Alas, all good things must come to an end and I actually *DID* go to sleep on evening #1, despite my level of excitement!

What's more, I got over 9 hours of sleep!  THAT never happens!

Well rested and ready to begin day #2.  That's how I felt.  Tune in later for the day 2 update.  

For now, I wish you all a wonderful day and a great weekend coming up.  
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Woo Hoo!! Founders' Circle, Here I Come....

Good Morning My Friends....

This post is set up to appear at 4:30 a.m.   Just a few minutes after hubby and I leave our house so he can bring me to the airport for an early flight.  

I am on my way to St. George, Utah where I will join an elite group of crafters - The Stampin' Up! Founders' Circle Achievers.  These are the top 20 Canadian and the top 100 US demonstrators for the 2013/14 year.  And we are going to be pampered and cosseted like you wouldn't believe!  Five 5 days of rest, relaxation, sunshine and WARMTH!  Woo hoo.  I am excited just writing about it!

I will be posting frequently onto my Facebook page.  Please feel free to check it out (click HERE).

But "before I go", I wanted to leave you with this little mystery.......A question about the photo I've included here.  So tell me....what is this?

I'll give you a hint.  It has *everything* to do with the Swap Card that I am bringing with me to Founders' Circle.  All 113 copies of it.....

Check back her tomorrow, or frequently on my facebook page, to see FC updates.  
Until then, have a wonderful day and God Bless,
Cynthia
<><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Tomorrow's 20-Card Class

Hello Friends

Want to see one of the great cards you'll make at tomorrow's class?  Trust me, it is definitely fast and fabulous!  The new photopolymer stamps make these kinds of cards a piece of cake to make.  Loving our new, clear and sticky stamps!  Woo Hoo!

Missed out on registering for tomorrow?!  
I had 2 spots open up (Early Bird pricing) so if you want to join me, contact me asap!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!
God Bless,  
~Cynthia   <><

Thankful Thursday - Thankful For Blessings

Hello Friends

I am busy.  
Busy, busy, busy.  

And one of my many "to do" items is creating a whole whack of Thank You cards for all of you wonderful people.   And believe me, I have LOTS of them to make since there are LOTS of you to thank!! 

So if THAT is the "worst" thing that can happen to me this week ---- that I am busy trying to thank everyone who deserves my thanks....well friends, life can't be all that bad, can it?

I am blessed.  Truly and awesomely blessed!

And yes.  I just said 'Awesomely'.  Trust me - it really IS a word!.

Have a wonderful day, filled with a recognition of all the blessings that you can be thankful for! 

God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia   <><

Sneak Peek - Inspiration Stamp Day Next Saturday

Believe me my friends...

If you are not yet registered for the Holiday catalogue Inspiration Stamp Day next Saturday....you *want* to get right on that!  Because the Stampin' Up! products are FANTASTIC and the 20 cards we'll be making are GORGEOUS!!

Register by clicking HERE or contact me HERE for details.

Hope you are having a terrific weekend!

God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Flower Patch Awesomeness

Good Morning Friends

No time.  
So no talking.  
Just a Fast and Fabulous Card.
Enjoy.



God Bless you all.
Hope your weekend is wonderful!
~Cynthia   <><

Thankful Thursday - So Appreciative of My Sensitive Daughter Today!!

Hello My Friends

Did you notice I've been absent quite a lot this past while?!  Summer was an extremely busy time for our family - and this year we tried to pack an extra lot into it since it is the last "summer off" I'll have in quite a while.  You see, as some of you are aware, for the first time in 16 years I am going back to work!  And today was my first day at the new job (more about all of that later.....I need to make this short.....).

Post-it note on the window of the car

At any rate, it has been ages upon ages since I worked outside of the home - (for pay) - and I will admit to being more than just a little bit nervous and stressed about such a big change in my life and that of my family.


Did I say I was nervous?  That is where darling daughter #2 comes in.   :)

When I headed out to the car to drive to work, this is what I saw......  A post-it note on the driver's window  -------->  

Want to know what it said??

Here's what the note "said"

This got me smiling for sure!  I could feel some of the nervousness melting away.

Then I opened the door and saw what was stuck to the steering wheel.  Gotta love that girl! 

Note on the steering wheel

Couldn't sit down until I removed another note.

Note on the driver's seat

Then I had to move the following note just to get the keys into the ignition!

Covering the ignition

Needless to say, I was all smiles as I drove out of the driveway.

Thanks darling for lightening my load this morning.   I love you, I love you, I love you.  Thankful Thursday it is!

Soon enough I will write out all the details about my new job for you, my friends.  But until then, I hope you all enjoyed your day and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend!

God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><