Northern Lights WOW Card and Video

Hello My Friends

Many of you may have seen the Northern Lights technique before - and you might even have re-created it yourself.  But man oh man, look at the way you can take a beautiful Northern Lights card to new levels of gorgeousness!

Yellow/Green/Blue Northern Lights

Blue/Pink Northern Lights

I sponged ink onto the sky to create the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) effect.  Since the Northern Lights can appear in virtually any colour, there are no rules about what colours to use.  However, I have most commonly seen the Green/Yellow/Blue variety and the Pink/Blue variety are also often seen here in Canada so...that's what I went with here.  (Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise and Cucumber Crush for the Green/Yellow sky; Pink Pirouette and Soft Sky for the Pastel sky).

I stamped the Wonderland Pine tree image below using the Archival Black ink, and  sponged Night of Navy ink to make sure everyone knows it is night-time.  A few gel pen stars and voila - a beautiful Northern Lights card. 

But WAIT!

Shimmery Northern Lights with Lovely As a Tree

Stopping now means you have a beautiful card.  But why not make it absolutely STUNNING?!!

It's as easy as covering the card with versamark and Iridescent Ice embossing powder, then heat-setting the iridescent Ice.  

No.  Really.  It really *IS* that simple.

Watch the video below and I will show you exactly how.

Northern Lights cards are always gorgeous.  But the glimmer from Iridescent Ice makes them drop-dead-spectacular wow!  

Go ahead.  Try it for yourself.

Have a spectacular day my friends.  Enjoy my video.  And God Bless,   ~Cynthia     <><

Adding Shimmer to a Card - the first video

My apologies my friends

I tried making a video tonight using my iphone - since the photos that it captures are FANTASTIC quality.  Well - either I don't know what I am doing, or my regular camera is a better quality than I thought, because the video made with my iphone is NOT good quality whatsoever.  However, I will post it anyhow, until I have a chance to make a new and better quality one to replace it!

Shimmery Stamped/Embossed Card

Can you see the shimmer?

In a nutshell, last year I used Iridescent Ice embossing powder to create a spectacular Christmas card that shimmered and glimmered like there was no tomorrow.  You can see that card and video HERE.  Well today I want to show you that you can use the same technique to 'step up' almost any card.  Here, I've used the technique to glimmer up the gorgeous card I created by stamping directly on the embossing folder. 

I promise when I get home form work tonight I will try to make a better version of this video.  But for now...you'll get the idea.

Here you go friends:

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

Leftovers On My Desk

Good Morning Friends

You know how sometimes there are lots of bits and pieces on your workspace, left over from other cards.  And you didn't use them on the other cards but you just can't bring yourself to throw them away?

Well - sometimes I challenge myself to look at this stuff I am collecting on my craft table and make a card with it.  I mean, if I am going to collect the stuff and save it, I may as well try to use some of it, right?

So here is today's "leftovers" card......

Funny thing - I kinda like it!!

Simple and cute.  I am not sure how well you can see the trees, but they were stamped with Versamark and embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  (Because that seems to be on my craft table ALL THE TIME these last few months!!)  I really like the white on white (ish) effect, even if it does not show up very well from my photo.

Today is the last day to snag some fantastic deals or SIGN UP to get a HUGE amount for a low price.  And don't forget that Blendabilities and a Project Life bundle are also available TODAY ONLY, for an exceptional sale price.  Let me know if there is something you would like.  

Until then, I am keeping this post "short" because I have so much to do, I may never catch up with it all.  But I do hope this finds you all well and looking forward to a wonderful week.

God Bless,     ~Cynthia   <>< 

Product List

Festival Of Trees Photopolymer Stamp Set [135059]	Tree Punch [135859]	Filigree Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folders [135818]
Silver Glimmer Paper [135314]	Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131202]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]
Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder [101930]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack [133787]

Gentle Peace - How Beautiful It Is!

Hello My Friends

I had a chance to play this weekend with my new favourite stamp set - the Gentle Peace photopolymer stamp that came in my box on Thursday night.  Can I just say - for the record - that I love it.  But I definitely need your help in deciding which direction to take next.

#1 - Orange and Yellow Background

#2 - Background with added Blues

Now most of you know that Gentle Peace was designed to showcase our Stampin' Up! Blendabilities and I have seen some absolutely gorgeous creations on Pinterest, but this weekend I was in a colour-me-fast mood and I didn't want to take the extra time that Blendabilities would need.  So I chose my favourite *fast* method of colouring...using my Aquapainters!

Don't get me wrong, Blendabilities allow you to achieve much more vibrant colours and in truth they do not take 'that' much longer in terms of time...but patience wasn't my strong suit this weekend so I opted for as fast as I could get!

Help me out here friends - first of all, please weigh in on the original 2 images.  Virtually the only difference is the background 'stained glass'.  But I do want to know if you have a preference for one or the other.  So please tell me, #1 or #2.

#2 - Untouched

#3 - Covered With Iridescent Ice

And then....I decided to cover one of the images with versamark and Iridescent Ice since most of you know that has been one of my favourite techniques this Fall.  I was convinced that the shimmer on the image would lend a reality to the stained glass effect.  But now that they are finished, I am not certain one way or the other?

Check out #2 and #3.  Same image, with or without Iridescent Ice.  Hmmm.  Decisions, decisions......

So I mounted my images on cardstock (Bermuda Bay and Blackberry Bliss are such a striking combination, don't you agree?)  Please weigh in your preference for the finished cards....#4 or #5.  I want to know if the iridescent version is a winner before I shimmer up my other versions.  

#4 - Finished Card (no Shimmer)

#5 - Finished Card - Shimmery

I'll pick a name on Friday night and one of the people who comment will be sent the card that they preferred.  So comment please and let me know what you think!

I do have to say, no matter whether the image has been doctored with shimmer or not, it certainly is beautiful.  Serene.  Gentle.  Striking.  I can't wait to play some more.  Check back tomorrow to see what else I have done with it.

Until then, hope you all had a terrific weekend and are looking forward to a great week as well.
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><. 



Product List

Gentle Peace Photopolymer Stamp Set [139523]	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133]	Versamark Pad [102283]
Aqua Painter [103954]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131197]	Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]
Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]	Filigree Frame Textured Impressions Embossing Folders [135818]	Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder [101930]

Founders Swap - Shimmery Pines, the Video!

Hello Friends

Shimmery Pines (Founders Circle Swap)

Its is easy to create lots and lots of these gorgeous, Shimmery cards

I have been tickled pink  and on cloud nine for the last few weeks.  Ever since I returned from Founders Circle in Utah in September I have been getting tons of e-mails from all over Canada and the US with people asking me how I made my Founders Swap card - the super shimmery Ornamental Pine card.

The short answer is - it is super easy.  Just Versamark and Iridescent Ice embossing Powder.  But if you really want the whole scoop, take a few minutes and watch the video I put together for you.

To be honest, I wanted to make a video of this card anyhow, but the huge interest in it meant that I needed to make it sooner, rather than later.

So here it is folks.  Enjoy!
And have a wonderful weekend.  God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

MERRY CHRISTMAS

To all of you - from my family to yours....
Have a Merry Christmas
And a peaceful, joy-filled and truly wonderful New Year!

God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><