Fast and Fabulous Friday - Hey There Buds in Colour!

Hey there Friends

Blushing Bride Embossing Powder

Crushed Curry Embossing Powder

Must be fast.  

The card.  

And the post.


So what quicker way to make a card than to stamp, emboss, glue and done?


In fact, it was so quick that I duplicated the card in 2 of my new Embossing Powder colours to see how it would look.

 

Which one do you prefer?  The Blushing Bride card or the Crushed Curry card?

And on that note ......
Must.  Be.  Fast.

Gotta run.  And you should too.
(but don't forget to sign up for my repeat Christmas in July Class - details here)

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


Product List

Hey There Buds Wood-Mount Stamp Set [134357]	Crushed Curry Stampin' Emboss Powder [133753]	Blushing Bride Stampin' Emboss Powder [133754]
Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131202]	Basic Gray 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121044]	Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121045]
Versamark Pad [102283]	Crushed Curry 3/4" Chevron Ribbon [130019]	Blushing Bride 3/4" Chevron Ribbon [130013]

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Designer Paper Butterflies!

Hello Friends and sorry that I am late.

March Break officially started for my 4 kids as of last evening so we all stayed up late, and all woke up late!  Of course, they are more "on holidays" this coming week than I am.  But I still got to enjoy a sleep in today!  So when I came down to create a Fast and Fabulous Friday, I really wanted FAST!

This card certainly fits the bill!  In fact, in the span of 15 minutes I had designed the card, made 3 variations and photographed them all.  Not bad since I came downstairs without any idea what I would do.  Sometimes it helps to just look at what is on your craft table and go from there.....

This particular piece of Designer Paper from the Sweet Sorbet collection (FREE during Sale-A-Bration) was sitting on my table - I keep trying to find ways to use it and I decided today to make it my main element.  And if you know anything at all about me, you'll know how much I LOVE the Swallowtail stamp.  So I combined the 2 with some embossing and voila.  Fast.  And Fabulous.

Of course, I started with the white powder, but couldn't quite decide if it needed something "more".  So I re-created the card with Pool Party embossing powder.  Then again with Tangerine Tango.  I had to stop myself form making a copy using all of the other colours too - or I'd NEVER get the post made!!  But as you can see, once you've decided on a design, if all you are changing is the embossing powder, you can alter your colours and create something new in seconds!

I hope they photographed well enough to really let you see how striking (dare I say....FABULOUS) they are in real life.  


I know which one is my favourite.  Please leave me a comment and tell me which one you prefer?

Hope you are looking forward to a Fabulous (but NOT fast) weekend!   God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><



Product List
Stamp :

Happy Watercolor [clear] [133191], Swallowtail Clear-Mount Stamp [129216]
Ink : Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980] , Versamark Pad [102283]
Card Stock : Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121045] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Tools & Adhesive : Heat Tool [129053]
Accessory : Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521] , White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] , Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder [129398] , Tangerine Tango Stampin' Emboss Powder [123106]

Thankful Thursday - What's Not to be Thankful For?

Hello Friends.  

Stampin' Up! is giving us a chance to buy a whole bunch of really great products, at a fantastic discount (see list here).  If Stampin' supplies make you as happy as they make me.....then what's not to be thankful for?  

Seriously, there are many more reasons in life to be thankful than just craft sales.   :)       Family.  Friends.  Health.  Happiness.  If you have any one of these, you should be thankful.  Me?  I have *all* of them!  And I know it.  And my heart is glad!

But for the purposes of today, and this blog, I am going to keep this short....the fantastic November sale is too exciting to try to take any attention away from it.  But do keep this in mind...no matter how tired you get or how busy or how overworked, in the grand scheme of things...what's not to be thankful for?

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

• Sponge Daubers
• Labels Collection Framelits Dies
• Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad
• Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Heat Tool
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
• Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

New Photopolymer Stamp Set

Hello There Friends!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE the way the photopolymer stamp sets from Stampin' Up! cling.  I mean, they really *stick*.  They ink up nicely too and stamp like a dream.  Having used a LOT of inferior clear stamps from other companies over the years, let me tell you that I, for one, am impressed!!

So I was excited when Stampin' Up! announced a new, Christmas-themed photopolymer set.  And the Endless Wishes stamp set did not disappoint.  I got mine delivered last Friday, and my wonderful downline ladies got to use it at our Team Meeting on Sunday night.  Here's some samples of one of the cards we created:

Do you love the emboss-resist technique as much as I do?  It was so easy to create this gorgeous card using Versamarek and white embossing powder for the snowflake images, then sponging Elegant Eggplant, Marina Mist and Pool Party over the embossed images.  I also love that with so many bits, we were each able to string together a sentiment that said exactly what "we" wanted it to say.

So - what do you think? ---   Making cards like this?  It's worth joining my team so you'll be eligible to come to Downline Meetings and create a bit of beauty, don't you think?

Hope everyone is having a spectacular week!!  Mine has been busy, busy, busy, but is lovely nonetheless!
God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Regarding Dahlias - Black Versus White

Hello Again Friends

We have so many beautiful colours of embosssing powder, that I decided I should attempt yesterday's card in more than just Turquoise.  

Voila - here for your approval is a Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Pool Party and Tangerine Tango-embossed cards.  On both white and black backgrounds.

Tell me....what is your favourite?

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

The Dahlia Again - Black or White Background?

Hello Friends

A quick post since I am away....yesterday's card was simple yet elegant so I was inspired to try a variation of it...Coloured embossing of the gorgeous dahlia stamp set on a black background, versus  a white one.

Quite remarkable how the exact same card can appear so very different with just the change of the background colour, huh?

So tell me - which is your favourite?

Hope your summer is rounding out to be wonderful, even as it approaches its end.

God Bless,  ~Cynthia    <><

Regarding Dahlias - a Simple Exercise in Embossing

Hello Friends

I am away for my final vacation of the summer but while I am gone, I have several cards I wanted you to see and admire. 

Isn't it amazing how beautiful a quick and easy card can be?  The Tempting Turquoise Embossing Powder turns this simple card into an elegant one.

LOVE this stamp set.  Don't you wish you owned it too?

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

Happy Birthday Mom

Hello Friends

Yesterday was my mother's birthday and I wanted to post a picture of the card I made for her, but since we were not going to be home to see her until late into the evening (we live a 6 hr drive from my parents), I didn't want her - or anyone else for that matter - seeing her card online until she actually got to open it in person.  Well, long story short, we arrived, I gave her the card, she loved it, and now I can post it.

Did I mention I have the best mother in the entire world?!?

Ok - my wonderful mother notwithstanding, I suppose you want details about the card!

Supply List (Spring catalogue)
Stamps - Swallowtail (w129213, c129216), Itty Bitty Banners (w126255, c126257)
Ink - Versamark (102283)
Paper - Whisper White (100730)
Big Shot - Bitty Banner framelits (129267), Lacy Brocade embossing folder (127819)
Tools/Accessories - Heat Tool (129053), Gold Embossing Powder (109129), Silver Embossing Powder (109131), Embossing Buddy (103083)

Believe it or not, this card was made in exactly the same manner as you see in my Multi-coloured Chalkboard Butterfly video, except that gold and silver embossing powders were used (on white) instead of coloured powders on black.  The rest of it is pretty much the same.  Thank you to Kay Smith for her swap card (almost identical to this one) that reminded me that multi-coloured embossing works marvelously for metallics, too! 

And since I wanted my main card image to be framed in a special way, I put several layers of gold embossing along all the edges of a Whisper White card layer, then Big Shot-embossed this!  Doesn't it look like the vintage gilded frame for a masterpiece hanging in some museum somewhere?

I was pleased with how this card turned out, my mother loved it, and apparently my daughters are part-raccoon (or crow?) since they are captivated, entranced and positively fixated by how sparkly and shiny the card is.

It really is you know.  This card screams elegant and lovely!  And oh, so shiny.

Did I mention that I have the best mother in the entire world?!?

I am going to get back to visiting with this same wonderful mother now.  Have yourselves a fantastic day (and a great March Break for those of you enjoying time off from school).          God Bless,       ~Cynthia     <><

Fast & Fabulous Chalkboard Swallowtail

Good Morning Friends

Remember when we were kids and we used all sorts of wonderful colours of chalk to create works of art on the chalkboard?  Well, I decided to use coloured embossing powder to try to achieve the same effect.  Naturally I wanted to re-create the chalkboard technique I showed yesterday.  So although this card may look like it took time (because of the multiple colours), it is really just various colours of embossing powder and took no time at all.  See?  Fast.  And fabulous!
     (Added note:  See the video to re-create this technique here)

Supply List (Spring or SAB catalogues)
Stamps - Swallowtail (w129213, c129216), Vintage Verses (w129633, c129636)
Paper - Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (121045)
Ink - Versamark (102283)
Tools/Accessories - Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Powder - White (109132), Melon Mambo (123223), Tangerine Tango (123106), Pool Party (129398), Tempting Turquoise (122950), Watercolor Pencils - white (101879), Stamping Sponges (101610), Embossing Buddy (103083)

I think I will do a video (!!) on the multi-coloured embossing technique so check back this weekend if you want to see how that is done.  (Gulp - there - I said it.  I am doing a video.  I've GOT to do one now!!).  I wonder....in today's day and age of white boards and "smart boards"...will kids forget what chalkboards, blackboards and coloured chalk is?  I guess not, since they will still have chalk to colour on the sidewalks.  But it just isn't the same thing in my books.  Oh well, the end of an era!

Don't forget about my Mystery Hostess event.  Offer open to ANYONE in Canada, and you don't need to be available to come to the event evening.  Just let me know you have a qualifying order to put in.  EVERYONE splits the hostess benefits so you will get one of the 10 bonuses listed!  Contact me today - It just doesn't get any better!    :)

In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful day and a superb weekend!!

Swallowtail Gift Bags

Wow.  I mean WOW!

Good Morning dear friends.  I am so excited to show you the gift bags that I just made for a friend.  I know the photos will not do them justice, but I trust you will use your imaginations to see and picture them as glorious as they truly are.  And no, I am not being prideful to say they are gorgeous.  I know completely that it is the image, that wonderful Swallowtail image, that makes them so outstanding.  Me?  I merely put the image on the medium.

Espresso, White and Black embossing powders

Wasabi, Pool Party and Turquoise embossing powders

Tangerine, Cherry Cobbler and Melon Mambo embossing powders

Silver, Pewter and Gold embossing powders

Supply List
Stamps - Swallowtail (w129213, c129216)
Paper - non-SU gift bags
Ink - Versamark (102283)
Tools/Accessories - Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Powder - Black (109133), White (109132), Early Espresso (128980), Gold (109129), Pewter (124114), Silver (109131), Cherry Cobbler (122949), Melon Mambo (123223), Tangerine Tango (123106), Pool Party (129398), Tempting Turquoise (122950), Wild Wasabi (123224)

Trust me when I say that these bags are far more impressive than the pictures can do justice to.  The embossed powders all give a shine to the raised images and there is an ethereal quality to the butterflies 'floating' off the bags,  In real life, I think my favourites are the Black, White, Pool Party, Turquoise and Pewter.  But that is only because the Kraft-coloured bags that I used are fairly 'dark' in their colouration.  I suspect if I used white bags, my favourites might be different.  No matter -- they are all stunning.  Simply and honestly stunning.  I can't wait for my friend to come and see them.  I just know she will be pleased with the results!

I am especially tickled because the bags are going to be used to hold small gifts to be given at her Bible Study this week.  The talk that morning will include the idea that change, although often difficult, can lead to beautiful and unimagineable things.  Sorta like the change that leads from a caterpillar to a butterfly, correct?  So these butterfly bags, in all their glorious splendour, will be the perfect housing for the recipients' gifts.

I think I might just have to make some more of these to keep for myself.  You never know when you'll need a gorgeous gift-bag to 'wrap up' a present.  And if the bag itself is almost as special as the present that it contains....even better, right?

I hope you are all having a wonderful day.  And I hope that any change you are going through, whether slight, or monumental, leads to butterflies and beauty!

God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><