My Talented Friends - Variation on a Theme!

Hello Friends

Do I ever have a treat for you!

Do you remember when I re-created a beautiful purple Butterfly Basics card designed by Stampin' Up! CEO, Shelli Gardner and gave it to everyone who ordered from me in the month of January?  Well that card got raves and raves and and I know several people reproduced it for themselves.

Well fast-forward to the story of my beautiful friend, Suzane R.  She reproduced it.  Sort of.  She copied it.  Mostly.  CASEd it - with a twist.  Look at her absolutely stunning variation of Shelli's card.  The vintage, elegant, peaceful feel of the original is converted to bold, bright and knock-your-socks off WOW.  THIS card makes a statement.

Don't you just love it?!

I couldn't be more in love with this card or more impressed with its creator.  Don't you agree that it is a thoroughly brilliant and cutting edge variation of the "original"?

I am really going to have to make several different copies of the card using various combinations of colours.  Because as much as I loved the original, I am very much looking forward to seeing how the entire flavour of the card changes with other colour combinations, such as the one Suzane chose.

I'll let you know later how my experiement on colour variation works out.  Until then, I hope everyone is enjoying their week.       God Bless,       ~Cynthia     <><

Product List

Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Stamp Set [137154]	Papillon Potpourri Clear Stamp Set [123759]	Elegant Butterfly Punch [127526]
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [133642]	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171]	Hello Honey Classic Stampin' Pad [133643]
Versamark Pad [102283]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Stamping Sponges [101610]

Fast and Fabulous Friday - BOGO Party Cards

No

    Time

         But

              Must

                    Post............

I couldn't post all day my friends as our internet was down for most of last night and this morning....and then I was out for the better part of today.  But finally, here is your Fast and Fabulous Friday installment.

These are the 2 quick but cute cards my friends who attended last evening's BOGO Party made.  

I have 2 things to say about the cards:
1)  Fast
2)  Fabulous 

As for last night's event, I have 2 things to say about it:
1)  The BOGO was loads of fun!
2)  My friends are AWESOME!!

I am thinking I might run a BOGO event  quarterly instead of every 6 months....because man-oh-man did I ever have a BLAST last night!  

And to make it even more priceless, I got to re-connect with a lady that I often only get to "talk to" electronically.  If you follow my blog, you might notice that "Mi Pablo" often leaves a comment and *always* has something nice to say!  Sunny.  Pleasant.  And downright cheery....that's Mi Pablo.  And last night she was able to make it out at the last minute to pick up some great retired goodies.  And she even brought and introduced me to one of her friends (Hi Marilyn!).  So it was a special night all around.

Okay - back to the Fast and Fabulous part.  Love the Kinda Eclectic stamp set that was used for the second card.  And the top card?  Well my love affair with both Blackberry Bliss (new In Color this year) and the new Lovely Lace embossing folder continues!  The lighting is horrible and the photos are really under-par, but hopefully you get the picture, right?

But for now, I must bid you adieu and get on with my evening.

Hope you are all looking forward to a FABULOUS Friday evening and a wonderful weekend!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Thankful Thursday and the Promise of Spring

Hello Friends

Anyone who knows me understands that I am a kid at heart and I LOVE the wintertime with its snow and crisp mornings and the "Narnia-feel" to the landscape.  But I also love Fall.  And Summer.  And Spring.  So despite the fact that I fully expect a few more flurries and at least one more dose of true winter weather before Spring really hunkers down to stay, I am thankful for the 'promise' of Spring.

My front yard still has a 3 foot depth of snow and the snowbanks at the end of my driveway?  They'll be around for a while!  But we have had 3 consecutive days of (near-balmy) plus zero weather and some sunshine.  Things are starting to melt and you can just feel nature dying to break forth in all its glory.  

And I cannot help but feel excited myself.  Like I, too, am anticipating newness and growth.  Like if I hold my breath and just wait for it, life will burst forth in a dazzling display of colour.

So here is my Thankful Thursday card today.  Thankful for this feeling of anticipation.  Thankful that we are continually rejuvenated.  Thankful that the colour and majesty of Spring are soon to be on our doorstep.....

I resolved today to use some things from my repertoire that have seen little use of late.  So I dusted off my Delicate Doilies sizzlit, my Beautiful Wings embosslit, and my Papillon Potpourri stamp set.  ALL of which are items that I truly love - but have scarcely used in the last 12 months!

The card is simple, relying mostly on solid, punched pieces and only 2 colours paired with the Vanilla neutral.  But it still whispers in my heart that Spring is on its way.

And you?  Are you looking forward to Spring?  Or does that even require an answer......      ;)

Hope everyone enjoys a day that brings them hope and the anticipation of things to be thankful for!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><


Product List

126842	126859	126843	101650
119976	118138	126999	127526
129406	130698	133322	119855
119856	133155	123759	133107

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Petal Parade One Last Time

Hello Friends

Doctor appointments for the kids meant my morning ran away from me.  But I finally got around to making a card.  Thank goodness today's card is supposed to be Fast & Fabulous because that is exactly what it is!!

I decided to use Petal Parade one last time and I suspect this is one of the cards we will be making Sunday when I run my Last Chance for Sale-A-Bration class.  If you have not gotten everything you want from SAB yet, then this is your chance to make some cards (8 of them) just for putting in a Sale-A-Bration order!

At any rate, today's card is Petal Parade done in Silver and Cherry Cobbler.  I've been using predominantly pastel colours for this set up until now but I really like the way this card pops, don't you?

After I run some errands, I will try to post another of Sunday's class cards so you can see what we will be doing.  Trust me, everything that is being offered for Sale-A-Bration this year is gorgeous and you will definitely want to own all of them.  So contact me for details about Sunday's class or check it out here - and RSVP to let me know you would like to join us.

We'd certainly love to have you!

Until then, have a fantastic day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><  

Product List
Stamp : Simply Sketched Clear-mount Stamp Set [129672]
Ink : Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966] , Silver Metallic Encore Pad [132142]
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [119685]
Punch : Large Oval Punch [119855] , Scallop Oval Punch [119856] , Bitty Butterfly Punch [129406] , Elegant Butterfly Punch [127526]
Ribbon & Trim : Scallop Trim Border Punch [118402]
Accessory : Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents [119246]

Thankful Thursday - Your Chance to Decide.....

Hello Friends

Another Thankful Thursday and another reason to dwell on the things that make me appreciative in life.  

Today, quite honestly, I am thankful for my health.  I spent the better part of this week knocked out from a cold that was worse than any I've had in the past several years....and with my Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Class coming up this Saturday (want to join me?  For details, see here) I just didn't have "time" to be knocked out and off my feet.  But thankfully, it turned out to be 'just' a cold and nothing worse.  

Tangerine Tango

Strawberry Slush

No flu.  
No pneumonia.  
No nothing else.  
Just a nasty cold.  
And as annoying as colds are, they tend to clear up such that you barely remember what it was like to feel unwell.  
Well almost barely.

I am not so far beyond the cold that it's remnants don't still linger.  I had a voice for much of this week that made me sound like a Disney cartoon character (and it wasn't pretty - let me tell you!).  I can mostly speak normally now but it still comes and goes.  And I came to realize that you can lose an awful lot of skin from your nose yet still not expose the bone (although I was wondering if I would be able to truly test the limits).  But raw, red nose aside, I am doing quite a bit better now and I am looking forward to introducing so many of my friends to all the wonderful Sale-A-Bration products this coming Saturday.  So -- Thankful I am.   Most definitely!

Which brings me to today's card.  I need you to weigh in please.  I made this card in two versions, one using Tangerine Tango as the base colour and the second using Strawberry Slush.  And since this will be one of the cards my friends make on Saturday at my Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off Class, I want to make sure they get a chance to make the best version possible.  So I am asking you to weigh in and tell me which base colour you prefer?  "Orange" (Tangerine Tango) or "Pink" (Strawberry Slush).  I am leaning towards one of the choices but I want to check to make sure that my preference matches what YOU prefer.  So.....leave a comment please and let me know which card you like better.

You will give me even more to be Thankful for, if you help me out on this!

Hopefully I will see many of you on Saturday and you will see for yourself how stunning these cards are.  And how easy to make.   And the best part is......you can earn the stamp set I used FOR FREE!!  Really.... If you haven't RSVP'd already to join me on Saturday, then it is not too late.  Let me know you are coming and I will be waiting for you - with a smile!   (and what remains of my raw, red nose of course!)

Hope everyone stays healthy and enjoys the rest of their day.   God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><

• Petal Parade Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Sassy Salutations Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Sassy Salutations Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
• Elegant Butterfly Punch
• Bitty Butterfly Punch
• Ovals Collection Framelits Dies
• Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
• Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad
• So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad
• Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad
• Strawberry Slush 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Soft Sky 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter
• 2-Way Glue Pen

Fast & Fabulous Friday With Wheels

Hello Again Dear Friends

Here is a quick card - hence the name Fast and Fabulous.  

This is another one of my Thank You cards for this month and I have to tell you, I totally love this card.  

I used Island Indigo ink and rolled the Daydream wheel across the bottom of the card.  And like yesterday's card, I used one of the sentiments from the photopolymer stamp set, Another Thank You.  A faux ribbon of embossed Island Indigo cardstock across the top edge of the wheel line quite effectively hides whether or not the wheel stamping is straight or not!!

Love how forgiving this is.

A couple of Island Indigo butterflies punched out and nested on top of each other, and a rhinestone for shine, and this card is complete.  Ta da!!  Fast.  And Fabulous.

My customers all received a Thank You card like this with their orders this month.  I love being able to bless them just a little bit, to say thank you for the way in which they have each blessed me!

Hope you are all blessed in your lives as well/  And that you are looking forward to a wonderful weekend.  God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Happy Birthday Friend!!

I warned you that I have birthdays on the brain, right?

Well, today is the birthday of one of my very good friends!  Someone I respect and admire and I feel blessed and honoured to know.  She ia a beautiful woman inside and out and not only is it her birthday today, but in just a few short weeks it will be the "birth" day of her third child.  I am very excited for her and her growing family.  And I sent this card to her to let her know how much I cherish and appreciate her.

I CASed this card directly from the internet because I loved it from the moment I saw it - and I used it as one of our September club cards to remind my ladies that tone-on-tone can be one of the most beautiful colour combinations.  In fact, most of the stamping on this card is versamark (followed by clear embossing powder) so the darker images on the Soft Suede card really are tone-on-tone.  And Pool Party, combined with the Suede, is such a gorgeous punch of colour.

A bitty vellum butterfly atop the Suede/Pool Party larger one, and there is just enough dimension and 'movement' on the card to keep it bright and  interesting.

And speaking of interesting - you heard about my birthday special, right?  
From Oct 1-Oct 7, I will pay the shipping and handling on any order greater than $60.  Regular HST fees still apply.  But the s&h will be covered by me.  It is the week of my birthday and I am sharing my happiness with all my friends.   Contact me and take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING this week!

Back to work I go - so much to do to prepare for my World Card-Making Day Event this weekend!  Are you going to visit us on Saturday between 10 and 3 to take part in the BOGO?  Or come and take my Delightful Dahlias or Wetlands or Simply Sent Classes.  You won't regret it!

In the meantime and until then -- Have a wonderful evening my friends and God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Washi Butterflies

I must be crazy!

Why would I promise to make and post a new card 'tomorrow' using products from the butterfly bundle that is on sale.....and make that promise on a long weekend?!  Ack.  What was I thinking?!

So in the interest of making a card as fast as I could and posting even faster.....here you go.  A bit of washi tape.  Punched butterflies.  Really Good Greetings and some piercing.  Voila.  

Have family coming over for a BBQ today so there is LOTS to do here!  But check again tomorrow.  I hope to give you another instalment then.

Have a terrific weekend 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    <><

More Wheels and Butterflies

Hello Friends

So after loving yesterday's card, with its butterflies and the oh-so-easy use of a wheel....I have another butterfly-plus-wheel card to show you today.  

A truly wonderful demonstrator named Marlayne (my up-up-up-upline) is moving from Ontario to Newfoundland where she will be infinitely closer to her family, but much-missed by all of us.  We had a terrific good-bye soiree the other evening in her honour, and this was one of our make and takes.  Let's see if you love it as much as I do!

Supply List    Stamps - Butterfly Collection Jumbo Wheel (w130112), Six-Sided Sampler (w130953, c130956) Paper - Whisper White (100730), Island Indigo (101856), Daffodil Delight (119683), Gingham Garden DSP (129310) Ink - Island Indigo (126986)
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406), Jumbo Handle (103661), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (126187), Paper Piercing Tool (126189), Paper Piercing Mat (126199), Dimensionals (104430),  Glue Dots (103683)

Pretty Nice, huh?  Simple yet effective.  And certainly quick.  The most time-consuming element was the paper piercing - but then again, it does add so much to the effect, doesn't it?

Hope you like this card as much as I did.  Tomorrow I'll show you the uber-cute one we made using the Zoo Babies stamp set.  In the meantime, I hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend!  God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Very Vintage Butterflies

Hello There Friends

I hope all of you are enjoying Spring-like weather that gives a hint of the summer to come.  Here in Ottawa things are promising to turn into summer very soon now.

I have a long-over-due Fast & Fabulous Friday for you.  Once again I am in need of lots of thank you cards and I decided to get out my stamping wheels - heaven knows I do not use my wheels nearly often enough!  Do you?
So today I did.  A wheel.  A couple of stamps.  Some heat embossing and punching and voila.  Tell me what you think.

Supply List   
Stamps - Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel (w117693), Papillon Potpourri (w132058, 123759), Express Yourself (w130336, c130339)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Vellum (101856)   
Ink - Wisteria Wonder (126985), Elegant Eggplant (126969)
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Jumbo Handle (103661), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Heat Tool (129053), Stampin' Sponges (101610), Two-Way Glue Pen (100425), Dazzling Diamonds (102023), Glue Dots (103683)

This card came together so quickly.  I inked up my wheel and rolled it across the card body.  Then I added a couple of small butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri set.  I stamped the larger butterfly on vellum and since ink dries so very slowly on vellum, I sprinkled clear embossing powder on these butterflies and heat embossed them before punching them.  The vellum was sponged from behind with Eggplant ink to darken the image and make it more distinctive.  Then it was attached to the card body with a single glue dot.   The addition of a sentiment and some glitter, and your card is complete!  

There you have it folks.  Fast.  And Fabulous.  At long last.
Hope everyone is looking forward to having a wonderful weekend.  I will be busy getting details ironed out for my BOGO party next Tuesday.  I'd love to see you there so please let me know if you can make it.  Until then,   God Bless,       ~Cynthia     <><

The Pumpkin Patch !!

Hi there friends

I have to tell you what a wonderful time I had on Monday night!  Several of my friends purchased the Paper Pumpin kit from Stampin' Up! and came over Monday evening to take part in my first "Pumpkin Patch" and I have to tell you - I enjoyed myself immensely!  You really want to sign up and join us next time around!

Let's get this straight:
I was excited when my Pumpkin Kit arrived.
I was excited when I opened it and saw the pretty blue tissue paper.
Then I opened it and briefly thought...hmmmm, is this all there is?  But on Monday when I started creating, my excitement returned and I was even more excited!!
The supplies Stampin' Up! provided make 4 really, really cute cards.  Nice and simple too.  An easy 30 minutes of refreshing craft therapy.  And then you are left with the materials and tools to continue creating...

I had so much fun creating "outside the box" and beyond just those first 4 cards, but still using the kit supplies.  At least for the time being I wanted to stick exclusively to using the Basic Gray ink and the sentiment and distressed dots stamps included in this kit.  I used the leftover outlines of some of the stickers to create even more elements for cards - see the green sunburst outlines, and the yellow arrow outlines?  And notice the little white Itty Bitty punch blossoms on the Turquoise card?  They are also punched from leftover white "spacer" bits from the sticker pages so they are self-adhering.

I supplied some So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, Baja Breeze, Gumball Green and Whisper White scraps and my guests used their imaginations to create cards unique to themselves.  The Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches were also popular!  

Lynn created this card and I just had to post it - Don't you LOVE the Basic Gray marker journalling around the outside edges of the Doily die cut and Gray matte piece?  I can see so much potential for future cards, just with what we created the other night.

And it was relaxing!  Oh so relaxing.  No pressure.  No time constraints.  No "have to finish cards X, Y and Z by 9 pm...." feeling.  I really enjoyed the atmosphere of an Open Crop&Create Night and I think I may repeat this at more than just the Pumpkin Patch events in future.

At any rate - and until then - I wanted to show you some of the sorts of things you could do using just this first 'My Paper Pumpkin' kit.  I really do think these kits are a fantastic deal for new and experienced crafters alike.  Once you have made the projects that are supplied with the kit, you still have the ink and stamps remaining and the possibilities for using these supplies are endless!   I am excited about getting my next one.  And having my friends over to create with me for another Pumpkin Patch.

Would you like to join us?  Or maybe just get the kit and stay home to create the wonderful projects included?  Hop on over to the Paper pumpkin website before the 10th of the month and sign up for your kit (don't forget to choose me as your demonstrator).  You'll expect your kit to arrive sometime after the 15th of the month - and if you're local, you're invited to join us for the next Pumpkin Patch.  Trust me when I say that you will enjoy your time 'in the Patch'.

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

Sale-A-Bration is Coming.....

Hello Again Friends

Yesterday I finally got some of my new Spring catalogue products inky....and today I used my very first Sale-A-Bration item for the year!  For those of you who don't know what SAB is...it's only THE biggest sale that Stampin' Up! holds every year.   FREE stamp sets, embossing folders, embellishments and paper.....Stay tuned and I will give you all the details tomorrow.

For now, I thought you'd like to see a very small sneak peak of a SAB stamp, as well as some more new Spring catty products.

Supply List (Spring catalogue or SAB products)
Stamps - Vintage Verses (w129633, c129636), Papillon Potpourri (w123757, c123759)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Pool Party 122924), Island Indigo (122923)
Ink - Island Indigo (126986), Pool Party (126982)
Big Shot -  Honeycomb Embossing Folder (129378), Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (120175)
Tools and Accessories - Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406), Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), Distress Tool (127562), Champagne Shimmer Paint (116806), Clear Block C (118486), Basic Pearls (119247), Spritzer (126185), dimensionals (104430)

It is difficult to see in the photo, but I used a clear block to make 3 solid, rectangular pool party stamps on the background of the card, then misted the whole thing with a homemade shimmer mist so it is quite sparkly in real life. Cutting out the hexagon edges was easy since you just follow the embossed lines.  And the new Distress Tool makes roughing up the edges of the card a breeze!

Love how this card turned out.  Love, even more, that I get to give it to a very special lady.  Being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator has allowed me to meet some of the most wonderful friends - people I might never have met if I hadn't had an opportunity to get crafty with them!  Well, the recipient of this card is one such friend.  I met her through a fundraiser that I did for my church almost 2 years ago.  And I get to bring her some craft goodies, along with this card, today.

Which reminds me....I'd better get on that!

Hoep everyone has a wonderful day!   God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <>< 

Just a Little Change Meets Fast & Fabulous Friday

Hi Friends
I'm late with this post today.  We're trying to get ready to go to a cottage for a week and between laundry, cooking, packing and acting as mediator for minor arguments, my hands are full.  But I still have a Fast & Fabulous Friday for you (after quite an extended hiatus of not contributing to this feature).  And in keeping with my recent go-ahead-and-CASe-it theme, I've also used a
"Just a Little Change" element in today's card.

First up, my inspiration:

My up, up, upline sent me this card to congratulate me for my July sales.  I love the card and since I was in need of some quick but cute Thank You cards for customers, I chose to use her card as a starting point and change it up just a little. 
























Here is my CASe version with just a few minor changes:

 

Supply List
Stamps - Everything Eleanor, Papillon Potpourri, Lacy & Lovely
Paper - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Big Shot -  Lacy Brocade EF
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, dimensionals












You can see how this card very closely resembles the original.  Colours, placement, the Everything Eleanor "swoosh".  But it is a somewhat different card.  And I was quite pleased with how it turned out.


Better yet, I think my customers will appreciate receiving it.  It shows yet another way to create a simple yet striking card in just a few minutes.


I told you. 
Fast. 
Fabulous. 
And a CASe with Just a Little Change.
How's that for multi-tasking!?!?


Have a superb weekend.  And a great week ahead.   God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Just a Little Change - World Treasures

I was blessed and honoured at the recent Stampin' Up! Convention to get to share a bit with fellow demonstrators about Earning the Incentive Trip.  And part of what I mentioned included the fact that there are some downright brilliant and creative demonstrators out there who post gorgeous cards on their blog sites.  And the rest of us needn't always re-invent the wheel.  As long as you acknowledge where you got your inspiration, it is ok to CASE (copy and share everywhere) other people's work.  In fact, I would argue that most demonstrators who publish their works online expect to be CASEd sometimes.  Imitation is a form of flattery after all.

With this in mind, over the next little while I will share some CASE cards with you.  I came back from Convention and have been unbelievably busy with family vacations (Family Camp then my brother's cottage), family birthdays, family illness (!!) and my own classes and home parties.  So I just haven't had the energy or mojo to create from nothingness.  And that's where CASing comes in handy!

Today's instalment uses a beautiful new stamp set called "World Treasures.".   Michelle Reynolds published a beautiful (and easy) card using the flower image which I copied here:

I then used the peacock image from the same stamp set and the same card layout and colours to create a similar card.  Virtually the same card.  With a twist.  See?

Supply List
Stamps - World Treasures, Fabulous Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Floral District DSP
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry Markers
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Rich Razzleberry Ribbon
 
There are so many wonderful ideas out there already....go ahead and use some of them.  Copy them (and acknowledge it!).  Or use them for inspiration and as a jumping off point to create something "similar but different".


Don't forget SU! is having a HUGE sale on Fabric and a fun Hallowe'en project incentive if you wish to join the SU! team (see both posts below).  And stay tuned - I will be announcing my holiday shares of ribbon and embellishments in the next few days and you'll want to get in on those for sure!  In the meantime, hope your weekend was wonderful and your week is starting off spectacularly!
God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Fast & Fabulous Reason To Smile (again)

Howdy Friends!

It's another Fast & Fabulous Friday and this one really is super simple and ever-so-cute!  And after a brief hiatus, I am back to using the Reason To Smile stamp set.  Can you believe the last 2 cards I posted did not use this stamp set?  How crazy is that?   :)  Remember, a $60 order in July gets you the Reason To Smile stamp set for only $5 (and with a $100 order I will throw in an additional $20 of hostess benefits for you!  Just until July 17th so act now!).  I can take orders from and get orders to anywhere in Canada so contact me today to get your set.

Ok then.  Onward to today's Fast & Fabulous card....

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Friendly Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Ink - Melon Mambo
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch

See?  Even the supply list is teeny?  This couldn't be simpler.  Randomly stamp your large Melon Mambo piece and your small white piece.  Glue layers together.  Add a punched butterfly.  Stamp a white strip, cut the end so it is "flagged" and use a bone folder to give it a curl.  Done.  I'll bet it only took me 5 minutes to make this card.  Maybe 10, tops (don't want to exaggerate).  Honestly though, it took me longer to post about the card than it did to make it!

Fast.  And Fabulous.  What did I tell you?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  Mine will be busy, busy, busy while I prepare to go to the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah next week.  Since this is only the end of my first "full year" at Stampin' Up!  (the business year goes from July 1 - June 30), this will also be my first Convention and I am very excited.  I will have cards to post while I am away.  And some updates from Convention and any cool cards I see there.   Until then, so much to do, so little time.......

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Happy Birthday MIL

I told you that yesterday was my dear Mother-In-Law's birthday.  I didn't want to post her card until after I had given it to her - but since she has received it, I can share with the rest of you.    :)

Supply List
Stamps - Creative Elements, Blessings From Heaven, Papillon Potpourri, Beautiful Birthday (inside card)
Paper - Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Ink - Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry
Big Shot -  Vintage Wallpaper EF, Beautiful Wings Embosslit
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, Paper Snips, Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds, sponges

I loved creating this card.  The layered white on white mats (with sponged borders) gave the whole thing dimension.   I stamped the Papillon Potpourri butterfly on white cardstock and used this 'paper' for the Beautiful wings embosslit - to create the smaller "patterned" butterflies.  And the pièce de résistance is the flower blossom.  There are 4 layers fussy-cut and elevated with dimensionals between.  Let me tell you, if you want to fussy-cut images, nothing on this planet beats the Stampin' Up! Paper Snips!  They are awesome!  Layer upon layer of flower, highlighted with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  This photo does not do it justice but at least you get the idea.

Better yet - my MIL got the idea.  She knows how much we love and adore her and this card merely repeats something she already knows (the inside of the card says that she is a blessing in "our" lives, not just mine!).  
I hope each of you has someone in your life who is a blessing to you.  Why don't you tell them!  I bet it'll make their day!

God Bless you all.    ~Cynthia    <><