Thursday 31 July 2014

Thankful Thursday Meets Christmas in July!

Yes Friends - you read that correctly!

Today I am thankful for Christmas in July!  

Most notably, I am thankful for the wonderful ladies who attended my Christmas in July Card Class last evening.  We laughed and giggled and I was reminded, after what seems like a *very* long time away from my stamp room, of just how much I love being with my friends and getting inky!

And I think my friends enjoyed themselves too!

Here are the cards we made - 4 designs, with 2 of each design.  And my friends each got to take home a bunch of leftover embellishments that came with their class registration fee.

I am thinking that I will repeat this class when I am home again from my next little time away.  Does anyone want to take this class on Thursday, Aug 14 Because if there is enough interest, I will run it again.  Anyone who knows me KNOWS I am a Christmas junkie and I never tire of making Christmas cards.  Well -- almost never.  And since these stamp sets and products will all retire on Aug 28, now is your last chance to play with them and make some gorgeous cards before they are all gone.

I know, I know, it is still July.  I need to slow down and enjoy the summer - right?  At any rate my friends - contact me to let me know if you are interested in an instant repeat of this class because I just may run it 2 weeks from now.

In the meantime - I am so very thankful to all my friends who came and stamped with me tonight and reminded me that I have Christmas to look forward to!  Woo hoo!  Christmas in July meets Thakful Thursday.  And I am grinning from ear to ear!

Blessings to all of you this wonderful day,      God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Buy 3 - Get 1 FREE Designer Paper Ending Soon!! And New Weekly Deals!!!

Hello Friends

Quick, quick, quick post to say 2 things:


Don't forget, the Buy 3, get one FREE Designer Paper promotion ends on July 31.  So if you want, DSP, NOW is the time to get it!!


And also:


Some great new weekly deals from Stampin' Up!
Get 25% off these goodies, this week only.










Hope life is greeting you with smiles and laughter!  

God Bless,  
~Cynthia   
<><

Friday 25 July 2014

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Fun Framed Thank You With a Jewel or a Pearl?

Hello My Friends

Today my sister and brother and I are taking our kids (well, some of them anyway) to the beach at Turkey Point.  I know, I know, "Turkey Point" doesn't sound much like a nice place to visit, does it?  But it is a wonderful beach on the shores of Lake Eerie, and the 12 of us (I told you, only "some" of the kids were with us....) are going to have a blast. 
Rhinestone

Pearl

But before I go, I needed to make a Fast and Fabulous Friday card.  So here you have it my friends.  Fast and Fabulous.  And quite honestly, this card took mere minutes.  Even the cutting out of the embossed frame, despite being fussy-cutting, really only took about 90 seconds!

But once again I am faced with a dilemma.  The card is just a tad bare.  So I stamped the heart towards the upper corner of the sentiment.  And then, even with that addition, the card needs an extra oomph.  So I tried a pearl.  And I tried a rhinestone.  Then back to the pearl.  Then back to the rhinestone.  And so on and so forth.....

I know it is a very slight detail.  But small details can make a big difference sometimes....

Aargh.  I don't have time today to hem and haw and figure out which one I prefer.  And since you were all so helpful the other day and weighed in with your design preferences, well, I figured I might be able to enlist your aid yet again. 

So leave me a comment to let me know whether you prefer the heart with the rhinestone or the pearl.   

When I return from the beach later this evening I will see which embellishment wins the place of honour on this card.  And one of you who weighs in will receive this card when I return home next week!   (Please make sure if you leave a comment as "Anonymous", that you sign your name as well so I will know who to send the card to!)

I am off to the beach now.  I'll check for your comments when I get back.  Until then, I hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend!            God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><  



Product List

Thursday 24 July 2014

Thankful Thursday - A Starry Double Feature

Hello Friends

I am still over-the-moon excited and thankful to all of you for helping me achieve Founder's Circle this year.  And the well-wishes and wonderful words from so many of you have come pouring in over the last wee....well, it just about makes my heart explode with gratitude!!  So I finally got out my Stars Framelit Dies today to make a quick star card in your honour.

A piece of Moonlight Designer Paper, some star cut-outs, some Little Pieces embosslit accents, some well-placed rhinestones and voila, a card to express my gratitude to all of you.


Then once I was done, I looked at the remaining bits that I hadn't used and I thought to myself....."there's a card inside all those bits.  I just have to find it".......    :)

So I did. 

I started with the 2 bits of designer paper  trimmed off of the first card, and 2 Honey Hello Star pieces that were cut for the first card but not used.  A few extra Little Pieces embosslit embellishments and more rhinestones for balance and before I knew it, card #2 was complete as well.  

Sometimes making a card really is that simple.  You look at the bits that are on your workspace - often the embellishments or discard or negative pieces that remain after you've created your last card -- and you just assemble them into a new card. 



But despite the simplicity of these Thankful Thursday cards, the gratitude I feel towards each and every one of you who supported me over this past year - well that gratitude is neither "simple" nor short-lived.  And it is certainly deserving of a double-dose of Thank You cards, that's for sure!

I hope each of you is able to recognize all of the people who support you and who you need to be thankful for.  And I hope today you find a way to express your gratitude towards them!

May God Bless you all,      ~Cynthia     <><


Product List

Wednesday 23 July 2014

DIY Designer Paper - Your Preferred Variation?

Good Morning My Friends

Since I am visiting at my parent's home and am without most of my supplies, I decided to make my own.  Well.... sort of!

I just received the fun and funky "What's Your Type" photopolymer stamp set and was dying to play with it so I brought it with me on my holiday.  I really didn't have any particular image in mind to create with the varied shapes, so I decided instead to make my own designer paper!  I absolutely love how easy it is to get accurate placement of images when you use photopolymer stamps!!  Believe me - I was able to quite quickly produce a piece of very funky faux designer paper!
Design 1

Design 2

You might also remember that I brought all of my Blendabilities with me on vacation as I have not yet had a really good chance to play with them.  So today I set about colouring some flowers (Beautiful Bunch) and some butterflies (Papillon Potporri).  Can I just mention that I am *still* loving my Blendabilities and I think everyone should sign up for my virtual Blendabilities club (details HERE).  Trust me - you are going to want them *all* so you may as well get them the easiest and least expensive way possible!
Design 3

Design 4

Regardless - after fussy cutting out the images, I was having a hard time deciding on the best placement of the elements on my faux DSP.  I have 4 different variations here - but nothing is glued down permanently yet.  So I am going to ask you,my friends, to weigh in.  

Which or the 4 placements do you prefer?


Naturally I will have to once again do a random draw of all those who weigh in (by Friday), and that person will receive this card - glued down, of course, in their preferred design!!

In the meantime, while I wait to hear back from you, my friends, I will wish to all of you a wonderful (and not too hot) day!!    God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Blendabilities - Can You See the Difference?

Hi Friends
Blendabilities Comparison - Whisper White on top, Very Vanilla on bottom

Still here in southern Ontario enjoying time with my family....but I am *also* enjoying a chance to play with my Blendabilities a bit.  I really liked how Sunday's card turned out and I wanted to see if the Blendabilities looked any different when used on Very Vanilla cardstock instead of Whisper White.  
Blendabilities on Whisper White

Blendabilities on Very Vanilla

You tell me.....

I tried to make my colouring and card construction as identical as possible so that any differences beween Whisper White or Very Vanilla might be more pronounced.  

But honestly?  

Except for the fact that I might have been a bit more vigorous in my use of the Colour Lifter for the Vanilla-based images than the White ones, well aside from that there is very little difference at all.  

And certainly nothing that would make you think you *had* to use Whisper White as your card backing.

Good to know!

But I'd like to hear from you.  Tell me...do YOU see a difference?

So there you have it folks.  Our Blendabilities can be used equally successfully on our Whisper White cardstock and our Very Vanilla cardstock!  And trust me, I can see me using them a LOT in the future.  

If you'd like to play with your very own Blendabilities (at the very best price possible), check out my Blendabilities (virtual) club HERE.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!   God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Sunday 20 July 2014

So Thankful - and It's Not Even Thursday!

Hello My Dear and Wonderful Friends!

I am still basking in the glow and happiness of finding out on Friday night that I had been named as one of the 2014 Founder's Circle Achievers.  E-mails, FB messages, texts and phone calls have all arrived to remind me of just how wonderful all of you are.

And then I went to Mass and I got to praise God for the profound blessings He has bestowed upon me!

I am blessed, so very blessed!

At any rate, I wanted to present a big THANK YOU to all of you, once again, for making this Founder's Circle achievement possible!  And what better way than with a gorgeous card created using the new Blendabilities;  Coastal Cabana and Daffodil Delight for the large Blended Bloom image.  Daffodil Delight for the butterflies.  And Calypso Coral and Daffodil for the small flowers.  Since I am still visiting family and did not bring any punches with me, I was forced to fussy cut all of these images!  So those of you who know me will understand exactly *how* appreciative I must be of all of you, in order for me to do that!     ;)

If you have not yet purchased the Blendabilities, then trust me, you really want to.  And if you want them ALL (like I do), then check out my Blendabilities Club HERE.  You can get ALL of the markers, plus the accessories, plus 2 stamp pads...all for less than the cost of purchasing them individually.  It's a sweet deal my friends.  And heaven knows my sweet friends deserve a sweet deal!

Going to a Family Reunion this afternoon so I'll be reconnecting with a lot of family for the rest of the day.  But know this....YOU are also my family.  Each and every one of you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

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

Saturday 19 July 2014

Awards Night At Convention - THANK YOU to ALL OF YOU!!

Hello Friends
Onscreen at Convention last night - I am one of 20 Canadians to earn Founders

As most of you know, I am not at the Stampin' Up! Convention in Utah - I am in southern Ontario visiting my parents.  But last evening some of my wonderful friends who were there contacted me on Facebook to let me know that I had earned a very high honour with the company.  

It was announced that I am one of the Founders' Circle Achievers for this year.  That means that I rank as one of the top 20 Demonstrators in Canada!  It also means that I get to participate in a wonderful awards retreat in September.  I'll be flown down to St. George Utah where I'll spend 5 days being pampered as only SU! knows how to pamper!  And I will come home with 120 top-calibre swap card samples and at least a few sneak peak goodies that no one else has yet!

To all of you who helped me achieve this over the past year - whether through your attendance and orders or your enthusiasm and support - or all of the above - I thank you wholeheartedly!!

YOU are the reason I do what I do!
Thank you again.

Have a spectacular weekend!!  And God Bless you all!!    ~Cynthia    <><

Friday 18 July 2014

Fast and Fabulous Friday - No Time and No "Stuff"

Hello My Friends

Not only do I have very little "stuff" with me here while I am visiting my parents.....but I also have very little time.  After all, my parents have the most wonderful pool that is beckoning to me.  And this is the same place where I spent much of my childhood summer days so I am having a great time re-living those carefree past days. 
Simple Hello Darling Card

Simple "Another Thank You"


 
Any card I make is going to *have* to be Fast!



I am talking FAST.






 
Well these two samples certainly fit the bill.



They took no time at all to make.  
And they are clean and simple yet fabulous nevertheless.  

I mean...who wouldn't want to open their mailbox and find one of these nestled in amongst the junk mail and bills?

Smile-inducing happiness in an envelope!

Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend!  With lots and lots of smile-induced happiness!!

God Bless,      ~Cynthia   <><

Thursday 17 July 2014

Thankful Thursday - Thankful For Family

Hello Dear Friends

Visiting my parents with 2 of my kids and enjoying being a daughter again (instead of always a wife or mother).  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being both a wife and mother.  But I know my days of being a daughter (at least an earthly one) are numbered, so time with my parents is gold!

So while I am thankful for a chance to visit my parents, I thought I'd show you this GORGEOUS thank you card I received from one of my friends the other day.  She used the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set from last year's Sale-A-Bration along with some masking, some sponging and some expert marker-colouring, to create an absolutely beautiful card!

And she said she was inspired by the pattern on a tissue box!!

I love the card Sylvie gave me.  I love even more, the wonderful sentiment inside.  It is always special to receive a hand-made card since I am only too aware of the time and effort and thoughtfulness it takes to create even a simple one.  

So thank you Sylvie.  For the gorgeous card.  For the thoughtful writing inside.  And for giving me a beautiful image to post while I am Thankful for Family, *without* me having to take time away from my family time to create a card!!!   :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far.    God Bless you all,      ~Cynthia    <><

Tuesday 15 July 2014

You Asked For It and Finally.......

New Catalog Product Shares

For 2014-2015 Annual Catalogue Product Shares, read below
You've been asking and asking so here it is...... I am pleased to offer new 2014-15 Catalogue product shares as listed below! 

WHAT IS A PRODUCT SHARE?
Shares are the best way to get a taste of almost ALL the accessories and DSP's that are offered in the New Stampin' Up! Catalog without having to purchase everything yourself!  I'll purchase them and divide them up (cut, separate, and divide ALL the items listed) and send you your "Share" of them all! 
This is the single most economical way to get a bit of everything - at a cost you can afford!!!

All product shares are either by pick up in Ottawa (free) or shipped via Canada Post letter mail (*see shipping fee if applicable). 

How to Order  - see bottom of post 


Paper Shares!!

Designer Paper Share ($33):  
This bundle includes one of each pattern (6 pieces) 6" x 6" sheets from each of the following paper packs: Typeset, Gold Soiree, Flowerpot, Flashback, Sweet Taffy, Confetti Celebration, Park Lane, Maritime, Lullaby and Back to Black and 4, 6"x6" pieces of Kraft Paper. In addition, you'll get 12, 4.5" x 6.5" sheets from the Moonlight and 12 from the All Abloom Paper Stacks (1 of each pattern).  AND you will receive a 6"x6" piece of EACH of the 5 Glimmer Papers (Champagne, Dazzling Diamonds, Red, Gold and Silver)
That's a total of 93 sheets of 6 x 6" paper!!!

Get Double DSP Shares and SAVE 15% (double share = $56):  
Get DOUBLE the amount of paper - get 6" x 12" cuts of all sheets instead of the 6" x 6" – this extra length is perfect for scrapbookers, bigger dies or just those who love paper! Please note that the Moonlight and All Abloom Paper Stacks are pre-cut by the company and this portion of the share will just be double sheets (48 of the 4.5" x 6.5" sheets instead of 24 sheets). 
That's a total of 93 sheets of 6 x 12" paper!!!



Ribbon Shares!!

Elegant Ribbons Share ($19): 
Some of what you get with the Elegant Ribbon Share!
This bundle of all elegant and sophisticated ribbons includes 1 yard of Venetian Crochet Trim, 2 yards of Gold Sequins, and 2 yards of each of the Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Gold 1/8" Ribbon, 5/8" Organza Ribbon and each of the Gold, Silver, Very Vanilla and White 5/8" Satin Ribbon.
That's 17 yards of yummy goodness in all!


Luscious 1/4" Cotton Ribbon Share ($22): 
Luscious Cotton Ribbons
This bundle includes 2 yards of each of the 12 colours of NEW 1/4" Cotton Ribbon (Blushing Bride, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Island Indigo, Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White).
That's 24 yards of this soft and supple Cotton Ribbon!




Fabulous 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon ($16):   
In Color 2014-16 Satin Ribbons
This bundle includes 2 yards of each of the 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbons in all 5 NEW In Colors (2014-2016) (Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow and Tangelo Twist).
That's 10 yards of this very soft and easy-to-use Ribbon!






Terrific 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share ($17):
This bundle includes 2 yards of each of the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbons in all 8 colours (Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Real Red, Smoky Slate, Soft Sky).
That's 16 yards of colourful joy! 



Baker's Twine Share ($11): 
Some of the Baker's Twines you'll receive!
This bundle includes 2 yards of each of the 17 current SU! Baker's Twines - 1/8" (Gold and Silver), 1/16" (Basic Black, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White) and Thick 3/8" In Color (2013-2015) Baker's Twine (Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush and Coastal Cabana).
That's 34 yards of a gorgeous assortment of twine!







Super Seam Binding Share ($29): 
Gorgeous Seam Binding Ribbon
This bundle includes 2 yards of each of the 12 current 1/2" Seam-Binding Colours including the new Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Night of Navy, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi and Wisteria Wonder ribbons (and also includes 2 yds of each of the returning colours - Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Soft Sky and Very Vanilla).   
That's 24 yards of beautiful Seam Binding Ribbon!


Gorgeous Grosgrain Share ($16): This bundle includes 2 yards of each of the 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbons.  (Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Crushed Curry)
10 yards of oh-so-lovely Grosgrain Ribbon!
 

Do you want to save even more money?

Purchase any 2 Ribbon Shares and get 5% off the price.  
Purchase any 3 shares and get 10% off the price.  
Purchase all of the ribbon shares, and GET 20% OFF the price!!  
I want ALL the ribbons!!  To purchase ALL of these spools of ribbons would cost you over $670.  But you can own all of these ribbon samplers (all 68 different kinds and colours) for $104.  That's a 20% savings)




How to Order :

To reserve a spot in a share, please e-mail me and include:
1.  Full Name
2.  Mailing Address (Canadian addresses only)
3.  Which share(s) you would like to reserve (see choices below)  
4.  Email address
Sign up for one or more shares below.  I will contact you via email to arrange payment via **PayPal or electronic money transfer. Shares will be ordered and filled as groups fill up (SU! policy says I cannot order it and collect payment later) - expect a two week turnaround time to receive your product. 
** A PayPal account is not required to make your payment.  When you receive my PayPal invoice, you can choose to pay using your PayPal account funds or by credit or debit card.  Just follow their SUPER EASY instructions to make your payment via the method that is most convenient for you.

Monday 14 July 2014

And the Winner Is.......

Drum Roll Please........

I had lots of people weighing in on Friday's post and the overwhelming majority voted that they preferred the card with glitter.  A whopping 73% for glitter and only 27% for rhinestones only.

Pretty clear winner if I do say so myself.
Jewels Alone

Glitter

All of the names were entered into a draw and my lovely DD#1 drew a name for me to post today......

Val V - you are going to receive these 2 cards!  Woot woot!  Thanks so much for weighing in with your comment.  I would ask, if you feel so inclined, that after you receive them, you get back to me (and all of use!) to let us know what you think of the cards in real life.  Does your preference for glitter extend to the real version of the cards?   Or did the photo really skew the impression of them and help one over the other?

In the meantime - I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is enjoying their day!

God Bless,       Cynthia    <><

Friday 11 July 2014

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Hello Darling, Rhinestones or Glitter?

Hello Friends
Rhinestones


Glitter added.....

I am so ready for the weekend.  

How about you?

As many of you know, my 3 daughters have been helping to run a VBS at our church this week - And my sister's 4 kids are staying with us also so they can attend or help out too.  They think they are being driven the 6 hr drive home tomorrow but they are unaware that their mother and I have negotiated an extra 5 days for them here.  So they won't be leaving any time soon.  Can't wait to surprise them .... once the VBS is done, that is.

Until then I made another Fast and Fabulous Friday card for you today.  Hello Darling has both solid-coloured blooms and open images so it was pretty easy to create a gorgeous card where the solid-focal point is balanced out with a coordinating light and airy background pattern.  This, my friends, is pretty much the purest definition of a fast card!

But I do have a question for you......which do you prefer?  The addition of several rhinestones to bling it up?  Or do you prefer the dazzling diamond glitter?

Let me know which is your preference.  Then Sunday night I will draw a name from among those who leave me a comment here and I will send both cards to that person!  (So you can come back here and comment whether they are different in real life / whether seeing them changes your mind, or if your decision about which one you prefer still stands....)


Hope you have a truly wonderful weekend!   Let me know if you prefer glitter or jewels?

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


Product List