Stampin' For Autism Blog Hop 2018

Hello Dear Friends

April is Autism Awareness Month and I am both honoured and excited to be part of the Stampin' For Autism Blog Hop again this year!  Every year a number of Stampin' Up! demonstrators set up events and blog hops aimed at raising money for and awareness of Autism.  The AMAZING Lee Conrey is the grand orchestrator of this fundraiser event, but many, many other hands have been carrying the torch and doing their part for quite a few years now.  

This Autism Blog Hop / Fundraiser is a bright, colourful and creative way to raise awareness (and funds) for Autism.

Since we are using Red, Yellow and Blue to highlight this cause, I used red, yellow and blue Brusho as well as Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Night of Navy cardstock to create this set of 3 gorgeous cards. 

I also wanted to use the Remarkable You stamp set before it retires.
It is available in clear-mount and wood-mount and boy, am I ever going to miss it.  Order yours now (HERE) before it is too late!

Why did I want to use this stamp set?

Isn't it obvious?!?

Just LOOK at that sentiment!  

Anyone who knows someone who has Autism would surely want to give a card to them that says...You are Remarkable.


Anyone who knows a parent of a child who is autistic would surely love to give that parent a card that says...You are Remarkable.

I can think of a multitude of people, in fact, for whom I would love to give a card that says...You are Remarkable!

Yes, I am blessed to know so many remarkable people.  But honestly, I'll bet you do too!

At any rate, besides cruising through this blog hop and seeing all the gorgeous projects, there are 2 ways for you to donate to make a difference for this cause: 

 2 Ways to Donate:

  1)  Donate directly to the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) through the Team Blog Hop site HERE. 

 

2)  I will be donating all profits from my sales for the next week!  So from now until April 26, the profits from any sales will be donated to the Organization for Autism Research (OAR). 

Click HERE to place an order in my online store - and use the Hostess Code YCVGTHNF and I will send you a gift of 5 FREE handmade cards!

Don't forget to visit all the blogs in our Blog Hop!  The entire line up of participants is below and TRUST ME, you really want to see their gorgeous projects!! 

Feel free to leave a comment on any or all of the blogs.  We like to know that you've stopped in for a visit.  :)    

I hope you are enjoying your time spent hopping around.

And remember -> You.  Are.  Remarkable!   
God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Thankful Thursday - Why I Do What I Do.....

Hello Friends

I had to write a brief bio today to send to someone in the Canadian Stampin' Up! office - and as I finished it, I was reminded once again of why I do what I do.  

Because I LOVE the ladies I have met as I have undertaken this adventure.  

Because I LOVE sharing how easy it is to create something beautiful.  

Because I LOVE the look on the face of the person who, despite thinking that they aren't crafty, creates a gorgeous project.  

Because I LOVE knowing that I can be some small part in helping others express their creativity.

So many reasons why I love what I do.  So many reasons why I feel blessed.  

Today I created a quick Thank You card to be given to one of my friends.  Someone who never fails to tell me how much she likes receiving my cards.  Someone who, like so many others, reminds me how much I just love doing what I do. 

Thankful Thursday.  I hope you, too, are reminded today of all the things you have to be thankful for!

God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

• Petal Parade Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies
• Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
• Silver 1/8" Ribbon
• Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Versamark Pad
• Happy Watercolor [clear]
• Happy Watercolor [wood]
• Elegant Eggplant 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Stamping Sponges
• Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents
• Heat Tool

Another Sneak Peak - An Italian Christmas

Hello Friends

We had our team Christmas Party yesterday and it was an absolute blast!  Have I taken the opportunity to tell you how much I love and appreciate the ladies I get to work with?  Because if I haven't, now is as good a time as any!  These ladies ROCK!

I wanted to give my downline a chance to play with some of the new Spring catalogue products, but I also needed to keep the "Christmas theme" in the air....so.....remember last post when I promised you I would try to do something Christmas-sy with my new toys?........I used so many new products on this card, I started to lose count.  But here is the Christmas card I came up with:

I used the wonderful new Fringe Scissors to give my Real Red, Whisper White and Gumball Green edging some extra oomph!  The Angled Tag Topper Punch gave both ends of my stamped strip some extra character.  And I looped the luscious new Silver Baker's Twine through the top and bottom tag holes to anchor this strip to the card.  Then there is the Christmas tree image...believe it or not, from a new stamp set.  "Life In the Forest" includes all sorts of cute critter images, and also has these pines - which double quite nicely as Christmas trees if you ask me. 

So, all in all that comes to 4, yes, FOUR new Spring catalogue products used on a card that is still undoubtedly a Christmas card!  (It was pointed out to me, however, that the card also looks somewhat like the uniform for the Italian soccer team.  Can I help it if those Italians are always in the Christmas spirit??).

In addition to this card, my friends each got to make one of the gorgeous ornaments from the Festive Flurry Ornament set (order yours today!), along with 3 other really fun projects, my favourite of which I hope to show you tomorrow.  They brought wonderful food to share (I do love a good potluck!) and I think everyone went home happy!  But for right now....I am going to get busy and spend a bit of time making some of the many cards that I need to send out!

Speaking of getting busy - don't forget to register for Inspiration Stamp Day - Spring Edition (Jan 11, 2014).  We'll be making 20 different cards using fun new products from the Spring catalogue.  This is an event you won't want to miss!  Hurry and register before Dec 31 to get the Early Bird Pricing!

Back to the business at hand -- I am going to get busy now.  
Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  God Bless you all.    ~Cynthia        <><

DSP Bitty Butterflies

What do you do when you promised to show a card but you'd rather enjoy your holiday weekend?  

Make one as fast as possible - that's what!

Here you go then,  Bitty Butterflies punched out from Gingham Garden Designer Paper and a quick sentiment from the 6-Sided Sampler set.

Done.

Now I'm going back to enjoying my last day with my kids before they go back to school tomorrow!

Enjoy your holiday (if you have one today) and God Bless,     
~Cynthia   <><

Sharing Crafting Fun With My Team

Hello Friends

I promised if you came back I'd show you the other projects my Team Members made when they were here last.  

Grunge is all the rage right now, and so is Tape.  Washi Tape is very current-cultural.  And Faux Tape is right up there too.  So here we have a Coastal Cabana card that is 'grunge' without any tearing or ripping or smushing or 'dirtying up'.  Kind of an upscale, elegant grunge if you will.

A bit of bling, a piece of a paper doily.  And who can resist a butterfly or two?


This card is grunge - minus the "grunge" - if you know what I mean?  When I saw it online I had to CASE it (Copy And Share Everywhere) since it is definitely and absolutely my kind of grunge!













And did you notice the super-cute paper-clip bows on Page 152 of the catalogue?  

I wanted my Team members to see how easy it was to create these cute little gems all by themselves!  They really are cute.  And they really are easy.  Honest!  

My absolute favourite part about making the paper clip bows....my 11 yr old son saw these and asked what they were.  I told him they could be used as a bookmark and my bookworm son immediately asked if he could have one (he chose some Pumpkin Pie Designer Paper for his bow bookmark).  I love that even my son appreciates what I do!

Here's hoping that your family "gets" why you love crafting too!  
Have a wonderful weekend and God Bless,         ~Cynthia    <><

Fast and Fabulous - Merry Thinlit

Hello My Friends.

I am not sure if I have ever created a Fast and Fabulous Christmas card that I like this much before.  It was so easy.  It was so fast.  It almost felt like cheating!  But isn't it cute?

Take the new Stylish Stripes embossing folder and the "Merry" from the Expressions Thinlits, throw in a bit of Real Red and Whisper White cardstock, add some bling - and let the Christmas season begin!  

Love it.  

LOVE it.  

Really.  
Love.  
It.

Get my drift?

Hoping you love it as much as I do.  Join me on Sept 7 for Inspiration Stamp Day and you'll create cards just as beautiful, just as easily.  For right now, I love visiting my family, but I can't wait to get home and play with the rest of my Holiday Catalogue goodies too.  Less than a week and you can order from the Holiday Catalogue.  Do you have yours?  If not, contact me and let me know!  You want this stuff.  You really do!!

Have a terrific weekend coming up!  A "Merry" one!!      God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Out With the Old.....

Hello Stamper Friends and Happy New Year!!

I am finally back from a wonderful visit with family over Christmas, and when I say "back", I mean back!  No more long periods of silence and wondering when my next post will be, nosirree!  At least, that is my intent   :)

On with it then.  As we exit the old year and welcome in a new one, I thought I'd give you a peak at some of the gorgeous new products that became available as of January 3 when the new Spring catalogue went live.  This is a card that I made for a recent swap and I love how trendy all the colours and embellished pieces on it are.

Supply List (Spring catalogue products)
Stamps - Just Thinking (129940), Amazing Family (w 120189, c 129192)
Paper - Summer Starfruit (126839), Pool Party 122924), Raspberry Ripple (126842), Primrose Petals (126841), Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stacks (129312)
Ink - Versamark (102285)
Big Shot -  Honeycomb Embossing Folder (129378), Window Frame Framelits (129021), Floral Frames Framelits (127012)
Tools and Accessories - Pool Party Embossing Powder (129398), Embossing Buddy (103083), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), dimensionals (104430)


So how do you like this Just Thinking stamp?   I think this wonderful new a la carte stamp from the Spring catty packs a lot of punch.  And I absolutely LOVE the new Pool Party embossing powder. And don't even get me started on how happy I am with the Print Poetry Designer Paper Stacks!!

All in all, I think I will have a LOT of fun playing with the new products from the Spring catalogue.  Can't wait to show you more so come back tomorrow to see the next creation.

In the meantime, I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas Season and that 2013 holds many blessings for you and those you hold dear.      God Bless you all,    ~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    <><

Come To Bethlehem - Getting Closer

Hello again dear friends

Last night I enjoyed an evening of laughter, giggling and crafting with some of my wonderful club ladies!  Even though December is getting busy for everyone, they all managed to find the time to come to my home and create with me.  How blessed I am to get to spend enjoyable "craft therapy" time with such wonderful ladies!

Moving on then - For today's card, I want to show you one of the gorgeous swaps that I received at Founder's Circle in September.  Once again it uses my go-to Christmas stamp set, Come To Bethlehem (118732 w, 120591 c).

This card was given to me by Sarah Wills and I love the elegance and the simplicity of it.  I also totally love how she used the Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock (127848) with some embossing and sanding to achieve such an interesting background for the scene.  A little bit of Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon (122332) and a single Rhinestone Basic Jewel (119246) are enough to adorn the card without overpowering it.  And when it comes to including a sentiment on the card...who knew the sentiment from Come To Bethlehem would fit so perfectly inside our Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859)??

I received quite a lot of Christmas cards as swaps at Founder's Circle (mine was one too) but quite honestly, this was one of my favourites.  I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.

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

Affection Collection - A Fast & Fabulous Friday

Wow.  Friday is almost over and I am finally getting around to making and posting a card.  So I HAVE to be fast.  Otherwise I will run into Saturday!

I needed to make a card lickety-split so decided to use whatever is on my table.  My downline and friend, Michelle, just finished returning my Affection Collection set so it was sitting there, as well as various ink colours.  So I used what was within arms' reach, and voila.
 
Supply List
Stamps - Affection Collection, Loving Thoughts
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue
Tools and Accessories - Stamp-a-ma-jig, Basic Rhinestones, sponges


In addition to turning out a cute and quick card, I challenged myself to use a set that is not one of my regular go-to sets.  And I really like this card.  Who knew?  Perhaps I should design under a time-constraint more often?

Hope you are all looking forward to a wonderful weekend.
God Bless,       ~Cynthia    <><

Thankful Thursday - Ribbon With Flowering Flourishes

At the Convention this past July I had the honour and privilege of sharing a room with 3 wonderful ladies whom I met through the Stampin' Up! websites.  We all needed roomies.  We all wanted to cut costs.  So we agreed to share a hotel room and the bill.

Boy did God ever smile down upon me!  I got to share my room with three of the nicest SU! demos you're ever likely to meet.  And I am going to tell you much more about all three of them in a future post.  But right now I wanted to acknowledge one of them.  Cathy Gray was both my room mate and my trusted alarm clock.  She made sure I was awake in plenty of time for my class rehearsals, sessions and my flight home!  Cathy has a terrific blog that I suggest you pop over and visit, and one of the features which she uses is called Thankful Thursday.  How wonderful is that?  We should all spend more time being thankful for what we have.  And we should voice it out loud!.  In honour of Cathy and all the multitude of blessings that I have in my life, I am going to start devoting my Thursday posts to Thankful Thursday!  And on this particular Thursday, I am thankful to and for Cathy.

So here is today's installment.  Each of my customers receives a Thank You card with their order (I write a note on a post-it and put it inside the card - That way my customers receive a card that they can either keep or use themselves).  Becky Jensen CASed a card from someone else, now I am CASing Becky's version of the card.   And it highlights the gorgeous Stitched Satin Ribbon that Stampin' Up! is offering Free all month. 

Of course, I finished the card and wondered if it needed just a bit more oomph so I added some bling.  What do you think?  I like the card with or without the extra bling....but I have to admit I think I like this stepped up version a bit more.

Supply List
Stamps - Flowering Flourishes, Just Believe
Paper - Very Vanilla
Ink - Primrose Petals
Big Shot -  Delicate Designs EF, Large Scallop Edgelit, Bitty Banners Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, dimensionals


Remember - if you like receiving cards, either to give or to use for ideas, then place an order with me!  This card (or one one like it) just might be the Thank You card you receive from me!

Have a wonderful Thankful Thursday!  God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

Super Easy Ribbon Ornament Card

Okay.  Four kids in school this morning (3 at the High School, Grades 7, 9 and 10 - and my youngest as the last one remaining at the Elementary School - Gr 5).  Met a friend for coffee at Tim Horton's.  And now I needed to make a quick card for today's post.  This card is a lot like yesterday's card - but with a Christmas flair.  And it was so very quick and easy to make!!  Love, love, LOVE the stitched satin ribbon that Stampin' Up! is giving away FREE during September!

Supply List
Stamps - More Merry Messages
Paper - Very Vanilla
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Delicate Designs EF, Holiday Ornaments Framelits
Tools and Accessories - Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon, dimensionals



I love how easy it was to make that adorable ornament.  I just used yesterday's method, with a different window shape cut into the top piece of cardstock.  I added the small knot of ribbon at the top of the ornament because it was "missing something".  Then I decided to do something easy to "step up" this card.

First on the agenda - add glitter.  Dazzling Diamonds added to the embossed edges of the card (using a 2-way glue pen) add that little bit of festive flair.  Glitter and Christmas just seem to go together....don't you think?  It might not be super-obvious in the photo, but oh how that Dazzling Diamonds glitter does sparkle and shine!

Next Up:  Add bling.  It is so easy to add bling exactly where you want it using the self-adhesive Basic Rhinestones from Stampin' Up!  And since the package comes with 3 lines of rhinestones that are already attached together, it is easy to add lines across a card, like the ones on this ornament!







So tell me.  What do you think?  Do you prefer the card as the original?  With the glitter?  Or stepped up even further with the bling?




Hope everyone is enjoying their first day of school. 
I'll have 4 excited (and hopefully ecstatic?) kids arriving home in just a few hours.  I can't wait to hear all the first-day-of-school stories!






Happy Stamping and God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend -- and They're A Reason To Smile Too!

While I was inking up my Reason To Smile stamps for the Monique-inspired card yesterday, I realized that I have been completely neglecting the beautiful little pansy-like flower that comes in the set.  And this is particularly odd since I love pansies!   So to remedy that situation, I created a card that uses only the pansy image.  Once again I opted to use the ever-so-easy 2-step stamping process to create these gorgeous little blossoms.   Of course, I didn't bother to use pansy-like colours.  Instead I chose to use one of my all-time favourite triple colour-combinations....Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise.  These 3 colours spell "happy" in my books and I love the effect of combining them on a bright and cheery card.

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Friendly Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot -  Large Scallop Edgelit
Tools and Accessories - Rhinestone Basic Jewels


Can you believe I didn't use Dazzling Diamonds glitter on this card?!?  Me?  The "glitter makes everything better" crafter!  I almost used my trusty ole sparkly embellishment, but then I decided to use the Rhinestones instead.  And I think that is exactly what this card needed.  Diamonds are, afterall, a girls' best friend.  And there is no better Reason To Smile than to see diamonds sparkling all over a card, don't you think?

The exclusive Reason To Smile stamp set is only available until the end of July, then it will be gone forever.  And best of all (and here is the real Reason To Smile...), the set can be purchased for a mere $5 when you place an order of $60 or more.  Doesn't that just make you grin from ear to ear?

If you want your Reason To Smile stamp set, contact me before the end of July.  We'll see what we can do to make sure you have a Reason To Smile this month!

Have a wonderful Sunday and God Bless you all,    
      ~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       <><

Gifts of Christmas....Almost Gone

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a Christmas junkie!!  And being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator gave me lots of opportunity last year to really share the Christmas creative spirit with my friends!  And as luck would have it - or would not have it - many of my very favourite Christmas Stamp sets are retiring at the end of May.  So allow me to take the next few days to walk you down memory lane of some of the gorgeous cards I created with SU! Christmas stamps.....

Today's installment of Christmas cheer -- Gifts of Christmas.

Supply List
Stamps - Gifts of Christmas (retiring)
Paper - Whisper White, Concord Crush
Ink - Concord Crush
Big Shot - Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder
Tools and Accessories - 5/8" organza ribbon, Basic Rhinestones

I didn't realize that the card I photographed is one of the few that has no glitter on it.  Most of the versions I made of this card have Dazzling Diamonds on either the dove, or some poinsettias, or the lovely swoosh of the stems.  Yet I managed to photograph arguably the only card I made that is glitter-less.  Go figure!  If you think this card is pretty (and I certainly do) then imagine how elegant and festive it looks with a sparkling dove or flowers!  I will have to leave it up to your imaginations and trust you to picture it.

Our lovely sunshine today has me thinking forward to summer, not winter.  Nevertheless, I will take the opportunity to showcase a few more retiring Christmas stamps for you over the next few days.  I would hate for you to miss seeing how beautiful some of these images are.  And time is running out for you to be able to order them.  Remember, if you see anything you like, just e-mail me and let me know and we can get an order submitted for you before these wonderful stamps are going, going.....gone.

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

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    <><