Going, Going, Almost Gone....Baroque Motifs for a Fast & Fabulous Friday

Happy Friday!!  May I present, for your visual enjoyment, another gorgeous card that uses a retiring stamp set.  And it qualifies for Fast and Fabulous Friday too!!  How great is that?!  Don't forget, if you like this stamp set (and trust me, you won't just like it, you'll love it) you only have until May 31 to order it because then it will be gone forever!  And keep checking the retiring accessories list.  Some of the items have already sold out (accessories are all "while supplies last").  If you see anything you want, order it now, before it is too late.

Moving on -- Todays' card uses the Baroque Motifs stamp set to create a simple but gorgeous card.  And the cute little "frame-slash-Medallion" element....that part is easy peasy.  Just use the ribbon punch in the centre of each of the 4 sides of a piece of cardstock that is 3 1/8" square.  You'll end up cutting a cute little motif into the sides, but the centre square stays attached to the frame. 

Supply List
Stamps - Baroque Motifs (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Baja Breeze
Tools and Accessories - Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Trust me, it is a pretty simple card.  But it definitely has Wow-factor.  Baroque Motifs has such an elegant and fluid swirl as one of its images.  How could you not fall in love with that stamp?

I hope you have been enjoying my stroll through retiring stamp sets.  I have lots more to show you.  And I am certain I will convince you that there is at least one of these retiring stamp sets that you really need to own!

Until next time....
Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless,       ~Cynthia    <><

Going, Going, Almost Gone...Inspired By Nature

By now you must have seen the list of Retiring Accessories that Stampin' Up! released...?!  Absolutely massive, isn't it?!  I have a lot of stuff that is slated to be retired within a few short weeks, so there is one part of me that is in mourning - but another part is excited to see what goodies await us in the new catalogue....which, by the way, is being released to demonstrators on May 7.  Which means I can get it into your hands very soon after that.  Contact me (use the e-mail button on the right sidebar) to find out how you can get your very own, personal copy of the new catalogue.


Okay then.  Today's retiring stamp set is an oldie but most definitely a goodie - Inspired By Nature.  I love, love, LOVED this set the first time I laid eyes on it.  Something about it just spoke to me.  There have been many times when nothing else would do for a card I was making - except the grasses from this set.  Not sure what I will use if SU! doesn't come out with an equivalent image?  But I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

And if you've made it this far, you most certainly must have noticed that whenever I see the grass from this set, my mind drifts to butterflies!  Whether made using the Beautiful wings embosslit, or by being creative with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch, butterflies are my image of choice to pair with the grass stamp.

Hey everybody.....look at this card.  I totally broke from my comfort zone and combined the grass with.....butterflies!  Who could have predicted that, right?


I warned you, didn't I?  I just think this grass is begging to have butterflies flitting around in it.






All of these are cards that I made at classes over the past several years.  Naturally, the common theme is the stamp set - Inspired By Nature. 

But just to prove that I am not a one-image-kinda-gal.....here is a card using the other dominant image from the Inspired By Nature stamp set.  
Would you take a look at these gorgeous and majestic flowers.


Pretty stunning huh?  Are you convinced that you just can't live without it now?  And is it any wonder that the set was so very appropriately named "Inspired" By Nature?!?

If you feel the need - or just the desire - to be inspired by the grandeur of nature, then you really want to pick up this set before it is gone forever.  As for me?  I just might have to keep it in my stash.  Who knows when I will have butterflies just begging to flit and play among the grasses?  Right?


Have a spectacular end to your week.

God Bless,       ~Cynthia   <><

Going, Going, Almost Gone....Flight of the Butterfly

This card is so fast and simple I really should have posted it on Friday.  But I thought I'd show you another ultra-easy one now, since it uses part of one of my favourite stamp sets, Flight of the Butterfly.  I love butterfly images and I am sad to see this set retire.  And I am really sad to see the Butterfly punch retire as well.  But I am hopeful the new catalogue will have more butterflies for me to choose from.   Remember to order any retiring stamps or accessories that you may want, as soon as you can (in fact, why don't you order them now before it is too late).

Moving on....I saw this card on the internet a long, long time ago but cannot remember where so I cannot give credit to the designer.  But I will say it was a brilliant use of several simple elements to create a cute and wow card.  If you know who the original designer was, let me know so I can tell everyone.


Supply List
Stamps - Flight of the Butterfly (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink - Marina Mist
Markers - Marina Mist
Big Shot - Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Butterfly Punch (retiring), Two-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

I have also created this card by using a marker to draw in a dotted flight path (instead of using the stamped sentiment as the flight path).  Done in light pink or light blue with a Welcome Baby sentiment, it makes a very simple but oh-so-cute baby card!!

Don't forget to check out all of the retiring accessories and retiring stamp sets.  You'll want to get them now before they are all gone!

Enjoy the rest of your day.
Happy stamping and God Bless,        ~Cynthia       <><

Going, Going, Almost Gone....Party This Way

Over the next few days I am going to make several quick posts.   These will be cards that I've made at workshops or clubs (or even just for fun!) using sets that are due to retire at the end of May.  Remember, if any of these stamp sets tickle your fancy, you only have until May 31 to order them, before they are gone forever!  And stay tuned ... tomorrow the retiring accessories list comes out.  These items are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Once the stock is depleted, they will never be available again.  So if you see anything you want, order it now, before it is too late.

Right then - todays' card uses the Party This Way stamp set to create 2 fun birthday cards. The red balloons were stamped on scrap white, then cut out and popped up using dimensionals.  

Supply List
Stamps - Party This Way (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White, Real Red, Pacific Point
Ink - Real Red, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Markers - Basic Black
Big Shot - Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Pretty simple, don't you think?  But a pretty cute Birthday card nonetheless.

Hope your day is filled with stamping!  
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Fast and Fabulous Pocket Silhouettes

I can't believe how much time has gone by.  Sorry about that folks.  As you might expect - life has been busy.  And it never seems to fail that when life gets busy, I need a bunch of cards - quick!  So here is another Fast and Fabulous Friday for you.

My good friend, Gisele, was the one who got me interested in the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set a number of years ago.  I hadn't noticed it until she pointed it out to me, and since then it has been one of my favourite sets.  I was saddened to see it on the retiring list and I will surely miss it.  So I decided I better use it again one last time!

I also decided to use my In Colour Inks - many of which will also be retiring at the end of May.  And here is the set of cards I came up with. 

1)  Make a mask (a piece of cardstock with three squares cut out of it.  I used my 1 3/8" Square punch)

2)  Overlay the mask onto the card and sponge colour through the holes

3)   With the mask still in place, stamp the image onto the 2 outer squares (so the image is contained within the square)

4)  Remove the mask and stamp the image over the middle square so it extends above and below the sponged background. 

5)  Stamp your sentiment into the bottom right corner (I used one from the Thank You Kindly set.  Also due to retire at the end of May)

6)  Use a 2-way glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds to add glitter to your card

Yes - it really is that easy.  And that fast.


Once I had made a template mask for the sponging, each card took me less than 3 minutes to make!!  And half of that time is just adding the glitter!

These really are Fast and Fabulous in every sense of the word.

I used Concord Crush, Island Indigo, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz for the larger images you see here.  The entire collection you see at the top of this post also has Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride, Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party thrown into the mix.   Some are on Whisper White cards while others use Very Vanilla as the card base.  These cards look great in any colour!



The Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, Thank You Kindly and the 2010-2012 In Colours will all be retiring at the end of May.  If you want them (and if I may be so bold as to suggest...yes, you do), then you had better get them quick.   Run, don't walk, to your nearest Stampin' Up! representative.  And if you don't have one, contact me and I can order them and have them sent to you (anywhere in Canada).

I have to get back to making more cards now.  And I have some lovely ladies showing up at my house for club tonight.  So I will bid you adieu and wish you all a wonderful weekend.
      God Bless,         ~Cynthia         <><

Retiring Stamp Sets - Now Is the Time To Order Them!!

It happens every year and it always brings me just a little bit of sadness.

Stampin' Up! just announced the stamp sets that are retiring at the end of May.  And a few of them are ones I am going to really miss.

You can order any of these retiring sets through me and have them delivered right to your door, anywhere in Canada!   Take a look at what is retiring HERE and see if there is anything you want before it is gone for good.  If you'd prefer, use the button on the right to e-mail me to ask me to send you an Excel or pdf version of the list. 

Remember, if If there is something on this list that you want - now is the time to order it.  Once June 1st rolls around, they won't be available anymore and you will have missed your chance!

So get out your pen and start making your wish list......

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

Fast and Fabulous Mixed Bunch

Another Fast and Fabulous Friday?  Already?  Where does the time go?
When the clock is ticking and you just don't have time for all the extras, this card is quick and easy.  The definition of fast and fabulous.

The swirl from Baroque Motifs was stamped several times in Lucky Limeade on a Whisper White card base.  One of the Mixed Bunch blossom images was stamped in Concord Crush ink on a scrap piece of white and punched out with the Blossom Punch.  The edges were sponged with Concord ink and a basic pearl was added to the centre, then the blossom was mounted using dimensionals, onto the card.  A Thank You (from Thank You Kindly) was stamped in Concord Crush onto the card front, then a 2-way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter were used to accent the flower and parts of the Baroque vines.

And that's it.
Doesn't get much simpler than that, does it?

So next time you are pressed for time but you need a card in a hurry - remember that clean and simple is often fast and fabulous.

Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend.   I know I am !
                God Bless,              ~Cynthia       <><