Thailand Achiever's Blog Hop - Annual Catalogue Favourite

Dear Friends

It is almost as if this new Annual Catalogue was made JUST FOR ME!  I mean, honestly, could there be any better collection of beauty and craftiness in one place??

You've either started at my blog - Cynthia Millan - or else hopped in from somewhere else.  Either way, make certain you check out all the bloggers (list at bottom of this post) so you can share some of the crafting joy that we've posted today!

As for my Annual Catalogue favourite - it is DEFINITELY the Colorful Seasons bundle!  This year on July 1, Canada celebrates its 150th birthday and this set, with both maple leaf thinlits and maple leaf stamps, is PERFECT for those of us who plan to celebrate in style!

The photopolymer stamps are such high quality, that it is difficult to tell which leaf images are stamped (top 3) versus which ones are die-cut (bottom 3).  I suppose the leaves overlayed onto the 150 from the Large Number framelits might have given you a hint though, huh?

 
In addition to the ever-so-gorgeous maple leaves, the Colorful Seasons set includes both a perfect cottage-country Muskoka chair thinlit (in the US these are referred to as Adirondack chairs) and also a stamp for a very comfortable-looking deck chair! And a drink too of course (complete with thinlit to cut it out).

Seasonal Layers Thinlits

Colorful Seasons Stamp Set

I haven't even begun to play with all the fantastic thinlits and stamp images that are contained in this bundle! 

Would you like to own this bundle?  (What a silly question.  OF COURSE you'd like to own this bundle!!  Not to mention at least half of the other gorgeous stamps and fun products contained in this new Annual Catalogue.   If you live ANYWHERE in Canada then contact me or visit my online store   HERE to get your fantastic goodies!!  (if your order is less than $200, please use this hostess code at Checkout  BKAYDUEP) 

Honestly?  I would love to help you get your hands on these fabulous products.  So much fun.  Such outstanding quality.  you won't regret it!

So go ahead and take the plunge.  Order yours today. 

Until then, thanks for visiting!  Don't forget to leave a comment.  My friends and I love to hear what you have to say!

 

 

 

And as always, my wish for all of you is that you enjoy today, and look forward to a bright and happy tomorrow.  God Bless,   Cynthia   <><

List of Blog Hop Participants:

Thailand Achievers Blog Hop - Colorful Seasons Sneak Peak (and a Technique)

Hello My Friends. 
 
Boy do I ever have a treat for you today!  Because our Thailand-Achievers blog hop is highlighting sneak peeks from the new Stampin’ Up! Catalogue – that YOU can order beginning on June 1.  That’s only a week away.  Trust me, you will want pretty much everything in this catalogue!   

You may be starting at my blog - Cynthia Millan - or perhaps you've already hopped around?  Either way, make sure you check the list at the bottom of this post and visit all of the blogs because my very talented friends from around the world have some delightful creations to share with you. 
As for me, I have a gorgeous card to show you, and am also revisiting a super-cool technique since Stampin' Up! is going to be carrying Glossy cardstock again.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  We FINALLY have Glossy cardstock again.  You are going to want to order yours right away since there are so many fun techniques that use this product.
 
Moving on to my card and the new Colorful Seasons Bundle…..Full disclosure- Colorful Seasons is probably my favourite bundle in the new catalog and I expect you will see it on my blog.  A lot.  (and I do mean a LOT!) The stamps are gorgeous and the coordinating Seasonal Layers Thinlits are positively exquisite! On their own the stamps or dies are fantastic but together as a bundle they are downright phenomenal!
 
Now, for those of you who didn’t already know, I am a VERY proud Canadian, and 2017 just so happens to be Canada’s 150^th birthday -- so the Maple leaf images and thinlits are going to get quite a workout from me this year.  More full disclosure…I already created a brilliant card for the occasion, but since the card is for a swap and my demo-friends have not received it yet, I don’t want to ruin the surprise.  You’re just going to have to wait to see it.

I also happen to be smitten with the Muskoka chair thinlit and outdoor lounge chair stamp from the set.  What great images for the hot summer to come.  And don’t even get me started on the Fall and Winter cards I will create with this luscious set!       




As for today, I used the branch and blossoms to create a simple but beautiful card.  Since all of the crabapple and cherry trees are in full bloom in Ottawa now, this looks a lot like the scene out my window today. The 3 blossoms can be die cut with either simple outline framelits or more detailed thinlits, or they can be stamped first and THEN cut out with the outline or detailed thinlits.  How fun, right?

I love the gorgeous new In Color, Fresh Fig.  It is just right for these blossoms and will be a go-to colour for me for a lot of upcoming projects.
 

My special sneak peek on this card is the background paper. Did you notice how shiny it is? Did you notice that it is various colours and looks like marble? No this is not designer paper, this is the result of the “Polished Stone” technique using Glossy cardstock.  Yee haw!  Hot Diggety!  (I warned you that I was excited to have glossy cardstock back, didn’t I?)

Glossy Cardstock, Rubbing Alcohol, ink and Cotton Balls

Drops of re-inker on an alcohol-saturated cotton ball

The Polished Stone technique is simple – just saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol), then spot on several drops of re-inker of your choice (I used 2 drops of Soft Sky, 2 drops of Pool Party, one drop of Bermuda Bay and and one drop of Pink Pirouette).   

Start splotching the cotton ball on the Glossy Cardstock

Splotch until the Glossy Cardstock is covered to your liking

Splotch the cotton ball all over the glossy cardstock and voila.  It is that simple.  The colours will run a bit and the edges will smooth out as the alcohol spreads into the cardstock and the colours will fade just a bit as it dries. 

Colours spread and fade as they dry

 

Close-Up of the marbled look of the Glossy Cardstock

What you are left with is a one-of-a-kind work of art! Essentially luscious Designer Paper that you created yourself!

Colorful Seasons Bundle, Glossy Cardstock, inks, stamps, Big Shots…you name it, I’d love to help you get it.   

If you live ANYWHERE in Canada then contact me or visit my online store   HERE, (if your order is less than $200, please use this hostess code at Checkout   Y99PJGMN) I would love to help you get your hands on these fabulous goodies!

Remember, just one more week!  Get your list ready so you can order on June 1.  Or send me your list and I will order for you.  Need a catalogue?  Let me know!  (Last Full disclosure of this post – I warn you now, when you get a catalogue, you will fall in love with EVERYTHING and want it all!).

Until then, thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy all the sneak peeks and don't forget to leave a comment when you see something you like.  Me and my stamping friends love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful week and God Bless you all.     Cynthia   <><

List of Blog Hop Participants: