The Open Sea

Hi friends.  Today I want to share a shameless CASE (Copy And Share Everywhere) of another demo's card.  When people post their cards online, they put them into the public domain and at least among cardmakers it is quite accepted that people will copy your work.  Imitation is the finest form of flattery, afterall!

Well, on the Stampin' Up! demonstrator's website I saw this great card by Cheryl Adams!  I often have a difficult time coming up with masculine cards so when I saw her gorgeous card, I just had to make one for myself.  Sorry I cannot link you to Cheryl's original post - it is on an SU! only website - but suffice it to say that except for my use of Naturals Ivory cardstock, and the compass in the top corner (and, perhaps, some stamping on the inside of the card), this card is all Cheryl!

Supply List
Stamps - The Open Sea
Paper - Naturals Ivory, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Labels Collection Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Basic Pearls, Sponges



The Comfort Cafe designer paper is wonderful.  There is a real mix of patterns - some feminine, some neutral, and some quite suitable for masculine cards.  In short, something for everybody.


I am so glad I stumbled upon Cheryl's card since I have a private card class on Thursday and the lady who is hosting specifically requested that we make at least one card suitable for Father's Day.  I think this will do the trick, don't you think?


I'll keep this short as I also have my June clubs beginning to meet this week and I still have one more card that I need to design for "my ladies".   So without further ado.....have a wonderful week and God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

I Think I'm In Love - Serene Silhouettes

It's official.  I absolutely love the new Serene Silhouettes stamp set.  I mean...how could you not?  The images are just so striking!

Here are 2 versions of a quick card that highlights one of those images.  I also wanted to try out the new Essentials Paper Piercing Pack.  Can you say "WOW!"?  What an inexpensive way to add oomph and character to your cards.

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Layered Labels
Paper - Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits
Tools and Accessories - Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds


Doesn't this card seem classic and elegant?  I just love the effect.  The paper piercing takes a couple of minutes, but the effect is so worth it!  And it doesn't add bulk (so postage stays low).  And it doesn't cost a cent!  What an inexpensive way to add wow-factor to your cards.

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Layered Labels
Paper - Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Perfect Polka Dots EF
Tools and Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds

I tried changing it up to see if I could achieve an elegant effect without the paper piercing.  I used the Big Shot to cut a white Apothecary Accent piece which I shortened to sit behind the sentiment label.  The embossed polka dots coordinate nicely with the dots of the sentiment, don't you think?

I like both card versions and I think I'll let my card class ladies try one on Thursday when we meet.  Any suggestions as to which version might appeal to them more?  I know which way I was leaning, but then I started liking the other one just as much so now I am undecided.  Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know your preference.

I hope everyone's weekend has been wonderful so far.  And that your Sunday is spectacular!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia       <><

Betsy's Blossoms Thank You

Happy Saturday friends!

My various Betsy's Blossom Thank Yous

Itty Banner Framelit Banner

 I wanted to show you some of the quick and lovely Thank You cards I have been creating with Betsy's Blossoms.



Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms, Fabulous Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink - Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse
Accessories - Itty Banners Framelits, Large Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

Large Oval Frame

Itty Banner Framelit Frame

Decorative Label (altered) frame

I tried various means to frame my sentiment and to be honest, I cannot decide which one I prefer.  Every card has its own personality and I can't decide which style I like best.  That's where you come in.  Go ahead and leave me a comment to let me know which frame style you prefer.

Hope everyone has a spectaclar weekend!    God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><.

Fast (and Fabulous) Friday - Serene Silhouettes

The Fed-Ex truck delivered a BIG box of goodies to my house last night and I must admit, I am a very happy stamper!  I thought I liked some of these stamp sets when I saw them in the new catalogue.  Now I have decided that I LOVE these sets!  Be prepared to see a lot of new sets over the next little while because I am going to have to try out everything!

One of the first sets that I was drawn to is Serene Silhouettes.  I saw a card on another demonstrator's website using a very simple placement of the images, and I liked the way it looked.  So I turned it into a monchromatic 2 minute card!


Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes
Paper - Crumb Cake
Ink - Basic Black
Tools and Accessories -  Sponges, Homemade Shimmer Mist



Three of the 4 stamps included with Serene Silhouettes were used for this card.  One, two, three - then the stamping was pretty much done.  The edges of the card were sponged with black to make it seem like the early morning fog is just drifting away, and lastly, the whole card was spritzed with a homemade shimmer mist so that in real life, the card is quite sparkly.

Really quite fast.  Really quite striking.

I think I will have to explore more ways to use these gorgeous images over the next little while!  I already have a feeling that Serene Silhouettes is going to become one of my favourite sets from the new catalogue.

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

A Pig With Gratitude and Attitude

Some of you may know that I help out with the Catholic School Board Children's Choir here in Ottawa.  Every year we have 80 kids from schools all across Ottawa who rehearse and perform together as one of the best children's choirs for miles around.  The final concert of the year took place just this past Saturday and I must tell you, the children sounded spectacular!!  Of course, I may be somewhat biased since all 4 of my children are in the choir.

The mascot for our choir is a pig and after each choir practice one child is recognized and given a small plastic pig as an award.  The rationale for our mascot choice is from the the old 'joke' -- you know, long story short: the farm animals want to thank the farmer for being so wonderful and decide to give him bacon and eggs for breakfast.  In order to accomplish this, the chicken merely gives a donation to the breakfast feast.  But the pig is committed!!
Well, since the pig is a symbol of commitment, we use it as our mascot and the choir director awards one each week to the child who is particularly committed and focused at practice.

Choir is finished for this season but the Choir Council is getting together tonight for a final meeting before our summer hiatus.  I wanted to make a thank you card to give to the other Choir Council members, and naturally I preferred something with a pig on it.  So I used the Button Buddies set to make some quick thank you cards.  Here is the least frou-frou one, since there are 2 men on the Council and I didn't think they would appreciate bright pink and glitter!  I'll show you the other cards later.  But for now, here is the "man-version" of my pig thank you card.

Supply List
Stamps - Button Buddies, Kindness Matters
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip
Big Shot -  Square Lattice embossing folder
Tools and Accessories - 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon, Sponges, Buttons, Dimensionals


What do you think?  Not-girlie girl I hope?  Neutral enough that the men won't cringe when they get them?  I sure hope so.  These 2 men put a whole LOT of effort into making our choir a success and they deserve a pig award -- this is my little way of telling them they are appreciated!   So this here pig has gratitude and attitude!


That's all for now.  Have a marvelous day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Two Minute Tuesday - Elements of Style

Hi Friends
I have been very delinquent in posting regularly this past while but I really am hoping to get back into the swing of things over the next little bit.  Especially since the new catalogue has so many lovely products that I am dying to use.  My own vast (!!) box of new goodies is due Thursday (fingers crossed) and I can assure you that when they arrive, there are quite a number of stamps just dying to get inky.  But until my new treasures arrive, here is a Two-Minute Tuesday for you....

Supply List
Stamps - Elements of Style, Fabulous Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink - Midnight Muse, Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot -  Itty Banners Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Two-Way Glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals


So what do you think?  Pretty quick and simple, huh?  And much as I love the new 2012-14 In Colours (I used Midnight Muse for the sentiment), Tempting Turquoise is still one of those colours that calls out to me.  I just love how bright and cheerful it is!

And for all of you in the Ottawa area....I am having my New Catalogue Kick-Off Party and BOGO event (Buy One, Get One) on Monday, June 18th here in Ottawa.  Cards to make, Door Prizes to win, Retired products to buy and new products to be ordered - what could be better?  E-mail me if you'd like to attend so I'll know to have your projects ready for you.  It is goign to be a BLAST!  Hope you can join me.

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

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Betsy's Blossoms

Wow - the new catalogue goes live today and in all the excitement I almost forgot to post a card!  I have a BIG order to put in today, along with the typical 'million things to do', so I really needed to make a quick card today.  And since I have been so delinquent in posting recently...I decided to add a little spice to today's card to see which version you like best.  The first card is straight and simple.  Then I embossed the main image layer to see if you liked the stepped up version.  Then I added glitter to the 3rd version.  Start to finish, even with the extra embossing or glitter, took less than 10 minutes.  It took longer to take the photos!  (Sorry for the poor lighting.  I'll have to work on that).

I used the new stamp set Betsy's Blossoms and the new In Colours with the wondrous new and juicy version of ink pads.    Here's what I have for you today:

NB:  I used a 2nd generation stamp of the bird...that is, I inked up the stamp and stamped it on a scrap piece of paper before stamping the bird onto the card.   That way the bird would be slightly paler than the large blossoms on the background card.
 
Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Accessories - dimensionals

 Here is the same card with the top image piece embossed and sponging around the edges.

Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Accessories - Square Lattice Embossing folder, sponge, dimensionals

And last but not least, let's add some glitter to the Raspberry flowers and the bird.






Hope you like this card.  More importantly, have you seen the new catalogue?!?!  Check it out and if you are in the Ottawa area, come to our New Catalogue Kick-Off Party on June 18!!  Ask me for more details.  It is going to be a blast and I hope to see you there!

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