Happy Birthday Sarah!

Hi Friends

With today's card, I want to honour my friend, Sarah, who celebrated her birthday yesterday.   Sarah is extremely busy with 2 very young children, a loving husband, a job and an active home life, but she still manages to read my blog every once in a while....and I didn't want her to see this until after she had received the card.  Hence the day-after posting!

This birthday card uses a stamp set that I received at Founder's Circle a few weeks back.  I loved it the instant I saw it, but it won't be available to purchase until January so I cannot show you the actual set.  Still, I am allowed to show you any samples I create using it.  So here is the first one.  I just had to use it for Sarah's card since it says exactly what I wanted to express.

Sarah is one of those people who brings warmth and sunshine into so many other people's lives!  And for me last week, she was an answer to prayer.  No.  Seriously.  I mean it.  She was an answer to prayer.  I had something weighing on my mind and I brought it to God in Prayer and asked Him what I should do about it.  In fact, I was so conflicted that I boldly asked God for an answer that would be quite clear and easy for me to recognize when I heard it.  Honest to goodness, I made this prayer for over a week and then last week Sarah sat in my kitchen and made a few statements that jolted me because they were an unequivocal answer to the question I had asked.  And you know what - it really shouldn't surprise me that Sarah was the messenger!  She's just the sort of person that I would have chosen.

Okay - On with the actual card then....

Supply List
Stamps - Betsy's Blossoms, Feels Good (not available yet)
Paper - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots EF, Floral Frames Framelits, Labels Framelits
Tools and Accessories -  1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Bitty (Flower) Punch, sponges, Brights Brads, dimensionals

I love stamping the gorgeous flower image from Betsy's Blossoms then punching out a flower shape using any of the scallop circle punches.  And layering them with some smaller Boho Blossom pieces as I did here just adds so much depth, don't you think?  And I wanted bright and cheery colours - the combination of Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise always make me feel happy and bright!

I'm hoping Sarah had a wonderful birthday!  And I'm hoping she realizes this sentiment was hand-picked for her.  Because she really does bring sunshine into the lives of others.  She certainly did in mine!

Hope the rest of you have sunshine in your lives.  Better yet - I hope you are bringing sunshine into the lives of those around you! 
               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 & 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    <><