Retiring Stamps Card Class

Hello Friends

Can't wait until this evening when I get to use some of my favourite stamp sets one last time before they retire.  I will write more later about the specifics of each card - but for now, here is a quick peak at what we'll be creating tonight:

French Foliage Gatefold Card (closed)

French Foliage Gatefold Card - (opening)

Elements of Style

Just Believe with Sponging

Circle Circus

Are you interested in joining us this evening from 7-9 here in Ottawa?  Let me know, and we'll see if we can find a way to make it happen!

Still Just Believin'

Here I am.  Right back with my favourite stamp set again.  You might recall that I made a similar card to these ones just a few days ago.  But I love the stamp set, and I love the colour.  So I had to revisit the general theme and come up with some alternate, but equally gorgeous versions.

Supply List
Stamps - Just Believe
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Lacy Brocade EF, Oval Accent Bigz Die
Tools and Accessories Stitched Satin Ribbon, sponge

See?  Two very similar cards.  Just different enough to be, well...different.  I love them both.  Let's face it, there isn't much that uses this stamp set that I don't love.


I did mean to tie a small piece of ribbon on the existing ribbon on the 2nd card.  Maybe near the middle or just lower.  You know, a faux bow to balance the card nicely.  Can't believe I forgot.   I was so excited to post, I ran forward full steam ahead.  Of course the card is very nice without it, I just think I might have preferred the balance of a little bow.  Too late now though.   I not only photographed the card...it has already been given away.  No alterations are forthcoming.  Not by me at any rate.  Besides, I do love it as is and I am sure the recipient does as well (although she would likely have preferred it in purple.  Her favourite colour).

Off to start my day now.  We are in the full throes of Fall and it is gorgeous.  A bit chilly.  Definitely damp (yuck!).  But gorgeous to see.  Hope your view of the world is as lovely.

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

Thankful Thursday - Just Believe

Wow - It's amazing how quickly the days can pass when you are busy.  But here I am at long last, back with another Thankful Thursday instalment. 

Those of you who know me will recognize that I am using one of my absolute favourite stamp sets. Just Believe. I LOVE this set.  Seriously - LOVE it! 

Supply List
Stamps - Just Believe
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Tools and Accessories Stitched Satin Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals, sponge

See?  Not much in the supply list because this card is all about the stamp set.  The flowers/foliage image is gorgeous. (So are the other image stamps that come as part of this set - for example, see the cute frame around the "Thank You"? )

The Just Believe stamp set also comes with 3 sentiments, one of which is a Thank You.  And who doesn't need a "Thank You" sentiment in their repertoire?  Talk about an all-purpose stamp set.  Is it any wonder why I love it?

As for why I am thankful today.....what reason could I possibly have for NOT being thankful????  There is neither enough time, nor enough internet to record all the blessings I have received.

So I will leave you with that.  I am thankful - today and always.  And every day is a good day to say so.  Whether it is a "Thankful Thursday" or not.

Have a wonderful day and 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   <><

Let's Fix That. Here's a Fixer-Upper card

Have you ever created a card and right when you thought you had it pretty much done....you did something to "ruin" it??  I have had this happen more times than I care to remember.  So today's post is devoted to "fixing" a mistake and turning lemons into lemonade.

Take this card.  I stamped the Just Believe image in Not Quite Navy onto a piece of Whisper White card stock, then masked a moon and sponged the same NQN ink all over the card.  I had it pretty much the way I liked it, then wouldn't you know it, I dripped a few drops of water onto the card.  Don't ask me how it happened.  It was stupid and does not bear repeating.
Do you see that large "bleached out" spot near the upper left of the card and the one near the centre bottom of the stems?  Man oh man I thought the whole card was ruined.  Then I had an "aha" moment.  A brainstorm.  What if I made it so that the water-droplet bleached spots were intentional?  What if I gave those bleached out spots a lot of buddies? So I flicked more water all over the card and got an assortment of water spots.  Sheer inspiration borne out of an accident! 

This is what I ended up with!  I added an embossed white panel, a little bit of tearing and distressing down the Elegant Eggplant panels, a few pearls and voila!  Not sure about you but I happen to like it.  It could have been sent to the garbage, but now this card is meant for a dear friend!
So what you think?  Was this a decent save or what?  Would you have even known it wasn't intentional if I hadn't told you?  Didn't think so!    :)

I am enjoying my visit home with family - in fact, last night I did a workshop for one of my sisters who is also part of my downline.  It was a small but wonderful group of ladies and I had a terrific time.  I always love to see the 'personal touch' each lady brings to the table.  I am constantly amazed at the way the same card can turn out so differently in different people's hands.  Their creativity often becomes a jumping off point for my own inspiration.  You'll have to check back later to see what they've inspired me to do next!

Have a wonderful week and God Bless!    ~Cynthia     <><