Painted Petals Quick Sneak Peek

It's almost here Friends!

January 6 the new Spring Occasions catalogue goes live.  And the Sale-A-Bration catalogue too!  So many gorgeous stamp sets!!

I am still with my kids on vacation at my parent's home so not much chance to stamp or play (I did leave my entire stamp room at home in Ottawa, 6 hours away....),

But here is an easy card for you.  New stamp set (Painted Petals - LOVE this one).  New embossing folder (Spring Flowers).  Old framelit (Apothecary Accents - an oldie but a goodie).

Enjoy.  And I will "see" you again soon.  God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Comfort Zone......

Or rather.....NOT my comfort zone.....

Good Morning Friends

Classic and untouched

I have a friend who does shabby chic all the time.  And she makes it look good!  Me?  I prefer things to be fairly well ordered and balanced and in place.  
Mostly.  
Sort of.
Kind of.  

Sometimes.


At any rate, edging a card with versamark and embossing the edges with silver embossing powder just isn't me.  So I decided to try it anyhow.  Because I *know* my friend would do that.  And it would look spectacular!
A bit of sponging just over the raised tops of the Perfect Polka Dots and I have 2 variations on what is essentially the same card.

But with dramatically different flavours!

Shabby Chic with Silver edging

So you tell me......
Plain and simple 'classic' images?

Or a bit of shabby chic to rough it all up and make it feel more 'comfortable' and homey?  

Let me know what you think.
And, as always, have a spectacular day and a wonderful week!

God Bless,
~Cynthia     <><


  




Product List

Cheerful Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135149]	Apothecary Accents Framelits Die [127003]	Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [117335]
Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Sponge Daubers [133773]

Serenity in Winter

Hello My Friends

While we get pummeled with blustery winds and "the white stuff", I thought I would very quickly show you some variations on a card that is all about winter, but has nothing to do with a storm.

Apothecary Accents Framelit

Oval Framelit (large)

The Serene Silhouettes stamp set really is just that...."serene".  Combine that with muted colours (Sahara Sand with Cherry Cobbler birds) and a white-on-white background, and I think I've achieved a card that is both peaceful and classy / classic.  More "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" than "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree".  Don't you think?    :)

Oval Framelit (small)

 














The photographs do not seem to quite catch the sparkle and shine of the glitter (so reminiscent of our new-fallen snow here today) - it is subtle, yet striking.  Does that make sense?   :)




I hope to show you the ins and outs of these cards tomorrow.  For now I will just quickly post them and wish you all a wonderful rest-of-your-week!

God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

• Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies
• Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die
• Serene Silhouettes Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Cherry Cobbler 1" Grosgrain Stitched Edge Ribbon
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin Write Marker
• Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad
• 2-Way Glue Pen
• Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter
• Ovals Collection Framelits Dies

Thankful Thursday - Elements of Style

My Dear Sweet Friends

Events this past week have reminded me, yet again, of just how much I have to be thankful for!  I will not get into details - except to say that I realized once more that I am not "lucky".  I am blessed.  Truly and wonderfully blessed.  And I know it.  And I am thankful.

Which brings me to today's card:

Supply List    Stamps - Elements of Style (w118611, c120045) - retiring, Perfectly Penned (w122890, 122892)   Paper - Naturals White (102316)   Ink - Elegant Eggplant (126969) Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003)   Tools and Accessories - Sponges (101610)

You can see that this card is quick and easy - in fact, it could very well have been a Fast & Fabulous Friday!  But a Thank You card it is so it merits posting today.

I hope all of you take the opportunity to realize how blessed you are with who and what you have in your life.

Take the time to tell someone you love them.  And cherish every moment.

God Bless you all,       ~Cynthia      <><

First Christmas

Hello Friends

We are getting closer all the time.  Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent and in 2 short days our waiting will be over.  He is almost here.  No, I don't mean Santa Claus.  I mean the Reason for the Season!  Our Saviour, Christ the Lord.

What more appropriate card is there to herald His coming than this one?

Supply List
Stamps - First Christmas
Paper - Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Versamark
Big Shot -  Tasteful Trim Die, Apothecary Acccents Framelits
Tools and Accessories Gold Embossing Powder, sponges, Glue Dots


One of the cards I received at Founders' Circle in September was the inspiration for this card (original card by Linda Bauwin).  With a very few alternations, I CASed it to make the card you see.  And I, for one, love it.  Simple yet elegant and effective.


Love this card.


As the Reason for the Season approaches, I hope each of you is able to enjoy the peacefulness and simplicity of what this image represents!


God Bless you all.  And if I don't 'see you' here again before Tuesday --
 --  Merry Christmas!!    ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous Come To Bethlehem

Wow - It's been way too long since I did a Fast & Fabulous Friday.  But in keeping with my attempt to get back to blogging more often, here is a F & F card using my treasured Come To Bethlehem stamp set.

Supply List
Stamps - Come To Bethlehem
Paper - Whisper White, Midnight Muse
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Labels Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Lacy Brocade EF
Tools and Accessories - Stitched Satin Ribbon, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestone Jewels, Sponges, Dimensionals

This was one of the cards that my friends got to create at the Christian Christmas card class that I held in October.  I think I'll showcase the other creations over the next few days for those of you who were unable to join us.  Believe me, when you see the cards, you'll wish you had been able to come!  This card is likely the "simplest" of the four designs.  But perhaps that is what I love so much about it.  The Come To Bethlehem stamp set needs so little adornment to make a card that packs a big punch!

For those of you visiting from Word Art Wednesday, yes, this is one of the stamp sets that I am giving away to one lucky recipient.  And to the rest of you, for your chance to win this stamp set (plus the Crosses of Hope stamp set), pop on over to Word Art Wednesday and enter their card challenge.

To everyone, I wish you a wonderful day - and a peace-filled weekend ahead.
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Fast & Fabulous - Blooming With Kindness

Fast & Fabulous Friday and boy do I need "fast" today.  I am prepping all the materials for a Fundraiser at the Navan United Church tomorrow (if you are free from 10 - 1 then please feel free to come join us.  The cards are fabulous and the people are wonderful).  There is a lot of prep work to do so I needed today's card to be fast.  So it is!

This Fast & Fabulous card is one that we'll be making tomorrow.  It is super easy and the recipe looks like this:

Supply List
Stamps - Blooming With Kindness
Paper - Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Island Indigo
Ink - Bashful Blue, Island Indigo
Big Shot -  Labels Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Fancy Fan EF
Tools and Accessories - 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

See?  Nothing to it.  Some stamping (love this flower stamp. It is so forgiving!)  Some die cutting.  Glue it together, add glitter, and done.

Now all I have to do is prepare all the packages for the ladies to make this card.  Plus 3 other cards.  For tomorrow morning.  Yikes!    :)

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.  God Bless,
~Cynthia    <><

Christmas Cheer!

Hello Friends

I have been working away trying to finish the design of my Founder's Circle card (I will have to make 120 of them by the 11th.  I fly out on the 12th!).  But I needed to take a break and decided to create this quick and cute card for you.  Afterall, I need to start showing you all the reasons why you want to get one of the rolls of free Stitched Satin Ribbon that Stampin' Up! is giving away with every order over $50 this month (see my Free Ribbon page in the tabs at the top of my blog for details)!  I only used a smidgeon of the Gumball Green ribbon on this card, but stay tuned this month for lots of other great uses for the ribbon!

This card wasn't CASed from anyone else, but I'm certain there must be many like it on the internet.  Let's face it - the new stamps and images are so very cute and lend themselves to simple, fast but adorable cards!  Here's mine:

Supply List
Stamps - Scentsational Season, Tiny Tags
Paper - Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Gumball Green
Ink - Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Big Shot -  Delicate Designs EF, Holiday Collection Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Merry Minis Punch Pack, Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, mini-brad, Jewelry Tag Punch, dimensionals

Don't you just LOVE that Gingerbread man?  He makes me smile and so does this card!  Remember - you still have 2 days to take advantage of the sale I am offering - order this stamp set and the matching framelits as a bundle, and get a free gift from me (not to mention the free roll of ribbon from SU!).  Believe me, this stamp set and coordinating framelits are so cute you will kick yourself if you let the season pass without ordering them.  If you live anywhere in Canada, contact me to get your stamps and framelits bundle (plus free gifts) today!

By the way - the offer of a Free Hallowe'en Painter's Tray Kit for anyone purchasing the starter kit has been extended until September 16th!  I'd love for you to join my team so if you are interested, contact me and we can get your Hallowe'en Painter's Tray Kit on its way to you!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Labour Day weekend.  Keep safe!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

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    <><