Comfort Zone......

Or rather.....NOT my comfort zone.....

Good Morning Friends

Classic and untouched

I have a friend who does shabby chic all the time.  And she makes it look good!  Me?  I prefer things to be fairly well ordered and balanced and in place.  
Mostly.  
Sort of.
Kind of.  

Sometimes.


At any rate, edging a card with versamark and embossing the edges with silver embossing powder just isn't me.  So I decided to try it anyhow.  Because I *know* my friend would do that.  And it would look spectacular!
A bit of sponging just over the raised tops of the Perfect Polka Dots and I have 2 variations on what is essentially the same card.

But with dramatically different flavours!

Shabby Chic with Silver edging

So you tell me......
Plain and simple 'classic' images?

Or a bit of shabby chic to rough it all up and make it feel more 'comfortable' and homey?  

Let me know what you think.
And, as always, have a spectacular day and a wonderful week!

God Bless,
~Cynthia     <><


  




Product List

Cheerful Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set [135149]	Apothecary Accents Framelits Die [127003]	Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [117335]
Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Sponge Daubers [133773]

In Colour Club - Blackberry Bliss Card

Hello My Friends

One of the things I really love about the In Color Club is that I challenge myself to create a card for the "club members" each month, using only one of the In Colors (well, and white of course!).

So for those club members who are receiving the Blackberry Bliss assortment this month - here is the card you will receive from me.  

I LOVE the Stippled Blossoms stamp set and by stamping off once or even several times, I was able to achieve several shades of Blackberry Bliss in various levels of intensity.  Isn't the effect just gorgeous?!?

And no, there is no punch that easily cuts out these blossoms and buds.  But since we had quite a long drive to get to our vacation destination this week, I was able to fussy-cut the flowers while my dear husband drove.

See?  Even my husband made a contribution to eh In Color Club this month!

If you would like to receive ALL of the products and accessories for each of the In Colors, (either 2013-15 or 2014-16) but wish to spread the purchase out over several months -- and if you would like to receive monochromatic gorgeous cards that give you an idea of how to use a single In Color effectively, then check out the details of my In Color Club.  It is a virtual club that requires no attendance.  And I would absolutely love to have you join me!

And in the meantime, I hope you are all feeling blessed and wonderful today.  As always!
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Fun Framed Thank You With a Jewel or a Pearl?

Hello My Friends

Today my sister and brother and I are taking our kids (well, some of them anyway) to the beach at Turkey Point.  I know, I know, "Turkey Point" doesn't sound much like a nice place to visit, does it?  But it is a wonderful beach on the shores of Lake Eerie, and the 12 of us (I told you, only "some" of the kids were with us....) are going to have a blast. 

Rhinestone

Pearl

But before I go, I needed to make a Fast and Fabulous Friday card.  So here you have it my friends.  Fast and Fabulous.  And quite honestly, this card took mere minutes.  Even the cutting out of the embossed frame, despite being fussy-cutting, really only took about 90 seconds!

But once again I am faced with a dilemma.  The card is just a tad bare.  So I stamped the heart towards the upper corner of the sentiment.  And then, even with that addition, the card needs an extra oomph.  So I tried a pearl.  And I tried a rhinestone.  Then back to the pearl.  Then back to the rhinestone.  And so on and so forth.....

I know it is a very slight detail.  But small details can make a big difference sometimes....

Aargh.  I don't have time today to hem and haw and figure out which one I prefer.  And since you were all so helpful the other day and weighed in with your design preferences, well, I figured I might be able to enlist your aid yet again. 

So leave me a comment to let me know whether you prefer the heart with the rhinestone or the pearl.   

When I return from the beach later this evening I will see which embellishment wins the place of honour on this card.  And one of you who weighs in will receive this card when I return home next week!   (Please make sure if you leave a comment as "Anonymous", that you sign your name as well so I will know who to send the card to!)

I am off to the beach now.  I'll check for your comments when I get back.  Until then, I hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend!            God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><  



Product List

Fun Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [133727]	Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [133739]	Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [117335]
Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set [133454]	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [133642]	Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [133675]
Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]	Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents [119246]	Basic Pearls Jewel Accents [119247]

Sneak Peak - Something For Baby Buggy

Hello Friends

Well I'm back.  
No seriously.  
I mean it!  

I've finally gotten all my "stuff" in order and now I am back to stamping and creating and blogging in a serious way. And not a moment too soon!  I have my new catalogue goodies sitting here just waiting for me to make good use of them so how about we start with this little darlin'.

I've used 2 new stamp sets, a new set of framelits, and a new embellishment to get the ball rolling.  Can you spot them all?

I am absolutely in love with the "Something For Baby" stamp set.  Twelve really cute images that make me want to squeal with delight.  And even better...there are 11 framelits in the coordinating "Baby's First" framelit set so I can cut out the images and really show them off!  Don't you just adore this cute little baby buggy?

And there are lots of wonderful sentiment sets in this new catalogue - here is one of my new favourites, "Something To Say".  And did you notice the Pistachio Pudding Baker's Twine?  Love, love, LOVE the thick Baker's Twine that they've given us in this new catalogue!  I was so sorry when Sale-A-Bration ended and we no longer had the Thick Baker's Twine in the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack.  But Stampin' Up! knew a good thing when they saw it and decide to offer us an even bigger selection in the new catalogue.  I, for one, couldn't be happier with this decision!

I can't show you everything on the product list yet, but all of the new products become available for you to order on June 2 and trust me....you won't want to wait until then.  Have you seen the new catalogue?  If you live in Canada and you'd like your copy, contact me and we'll see what we can do about getting one to you!

In the meantime, have a terrific Sunday and a great weekend.  God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Product List

Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]	Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad [131177]
Labels Collection Framelits Dies [125598]	Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [117335]

Last Day For Sale-A-Bration - Baby's Change Everything!

Hello Friends

Today is the LAST DAY for Sale-A-Bration so if there is anything you still want to get, then send me your order as soon as possible!  The Sale-A-Bration items were all so fabulous this year, that I can imagine it has been difficult for you to decide which one to get.  So take my advice, get them ALL. (NOW.  Before it is too late!)

But just before they disappear forever, I wanted to show you these quick cards I made last night using one of the free Sale-A-Bration sets -  See Ya Later.  I saw a card similar to these somewhere on the internet a while back but I cannot remember where so I cannot give credit to the original designer.....but I LOVED the idea so I just had to make my own version of it for you to see.

Aren't these adorable?  For anyone who has children of their own, I am certain this rings true for you too.  I heard a quote once that went somewhere along these lines....."Every first born child is born to a woman.  Everyone else is born to a mother."  And there is absolute truth to this.  You love each and every one of your children, without a doubt.  Every one.  But that first one?  Having that child is a life-altering event.  Because you go from being a woman ---> to being a mom.  Nothing can or will ever undo that.  And it changes everything.

And it is wonderful.

This isn't a post about children.  Or motherhood.  It is about cards.   So I will get back on track now.   I thought you would appreciate just how super-cute these cards are.  And how wonderfully appropriate the sentiment is.  For a first child.  Or a third child.  Or a tenth child for that matter!

And remember - you only have until midnight tonight to get your Sale-A-Bration goodies.  So if there is something you want, contact me as soon as possible.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

In the meantime, have a wonderful day.  Have a terrific end to your Sale-A-Bration.  And God Bless you all,        ~Cynthia     <><  

Product List

100730	111351	126956	122981	131181	131203
131210	117335	125598	125472	133536	126980

Butterfly Thank You's

Hello Friends

I'm back - and didn't I promise you that I would show you more quick and cute ways to use the Butterfly Bundle that Stampin' Up! is offering right now at a 15% discount?  

Well here you go.  Instalment number 2.

The Papillon Potpourri stamp set is one of my absolute favourites.  I LOVE butterflies!!  And the Bitty Butterfly Punch makes me very happy indeed.  I always love it when there is a coordinating punch that I can use with my stamped images.

Throw in some polka dot embossing on a background mat and the gorgeous big Thank You from the new "Another Thank You" photopolymer set (these are so nice and sticky.  NOTHING is going to make this baby fall off of my clear block!) and this very fast but very cute card is pretty much finished.

Good thing this card took me no time at all -- because it is a long weekend and we are going to visit friends today.  I've got a luscious dessert to make first so I am going to keep this post short.  But don't forget to check back again tomorrow!

Have a wonderful weekend and safe travels to all those ending their summer with some time away from home.    God Bless you all,     ~Cynthia     <><

In Color Club - Coastal Cabana Gift of Kindness

Hello Friends

Here's another of the gorgeous card & envelope sets that my In Color Club members receive along with their instalment of wonderful, co-ordinating products.

What do you think? 

One of the things I love best about making my own cards is that I can spruce up the envelope and inside of the card if I wish, to make them co-ordinate.  And I'll tell you, this matchy-matchy envelope and card make me very happy indeed!

Won't you join us in our virtual club?  Become an In Color Club Member and receive all of the co-ordinating products in all of our new, delicious In Colors!  For information, check here.  Or contact me for details.  Membership is open to anyone in Canada.

Hope this Monday morning finds you all looking forward to a marvelous week.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Sneak Peak #4 - Simple Snowflakes

Happy Saturday My Friends

I am still having a blast playing with the limited materials I have while visiting my parents.  Since I brought a handful of new Holiday Catalogue products with me, I can create a few simple Sneak Peaks to let you see how easy it is to make uber-cute cards, even without a lot of supplies!

With this simple card, I am not certain what draws your eyes and curiosity first - the wonderful new embossing folder (Pretty Print) or the stunning snowflakes (easily cut using the Festive Flurry framelits)?  The snowflake shapes are the 2 smallest of the 4 shapes and sizes included with these framelits.  I embossed them (polka dots or Petals-A-Plenty) and added bling, and a Merry Christmas from my favourite Go-To set of all time - Teeny Tiny Wishes!

Ta Da.  What do you think?  Easy and awesome is what comes to mind here.

Have a long drive back to Ottawa with the kids today so we can see my hubby again after our 2 weeks at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Our visit was wonderful.  But I think we're all missing hubby/Dad right now and it will be GOOD to be home!

"See" you tomorrow with some more wonderful stuff.  Hope your Saturday is spectacular!    God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Thankful Thursday - Sneak Peak #2

Hello Dear Friends

I am so lucky!  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I not only get every new catalogue early, but I also get to order from them before general customers do.  The newest Seasonal Catalogue goes live on August 1, but I got to place my order on July 1.  And I can tell you - there are some terrific goodies in there that you are going to really, really want!  

Want to find out how you, too, can pre-order products before they are officially released?  And get a 20% discount on every order you place?  Check out my Discount Tab at the top of this page.

As for today's card -- Today I am thankful that I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  Because I am not very patient.....and I wanted to play with the new Expressions Thinlits earlier, not later.

I am also thankful since it is my "job" here with Stampin' Up! that sent my husband and I (free) to Fiji in April.  And is sending us to San Diego for 4 days in September.  All expenses paid.  So I am thankful.  Thankful indeed!

I know I used the "Thankful" thinlit on yesterday's card, but I am thankful that I have three words/dies to choose from! And on todays' card I combined the new "Love" thinlit with the flower image from Gifts of Kindness.  Don't forget, when using the Expressions Thinlits you should place a piece of waxed paper between the cardstock (or DSP) and the thinlit, to enable you to remove the cardstock easier once you have cut it out.  A bit of polka dot embossing down the edge of the card, a few pearls, and voila.  A cute and easy card.

Hope you have many reasons to be thankful yourselves!   God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Razzleberry Dahlia

Hello Friends

It's about time for a Fast & Fabulous Friday, don't you think?  And for extra entertainment, read to the bottom of this post to find out just how I managed to create this card...despite NOT having the tools that I need while on vacation!
On to the card itself:  I LOVE the Regarding Dahlias stamp set in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue and I knew it would be perfect for a quick and easy card for today.

Supply List     
Stamps - Regarding Dahlias (w130324, c130327) 
Paper - Whisper White (100730)
Ink - Rich Razzleberry (126950)
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)
Tools and Accessories - Stampin' Sponges (101610), Dimensionals (104430)

Now for the bit I alluded to above.  I have a confession to make - I am visiting my parents and since my mother has "some" Stampin' Up! supplies, I did not bring many tools with me aside from a few stamp sets that I wanted to play with.  Quite notably, I forgot that all of my mother's stamps are wood-mount, meaning she has no clear blocks - not one - for me to use with the stamps I brought.  Enter a bit of ingenuity that one of my customers shared with me a while back...the Big Shot Standard Cutting Pads --  You know, the clear plexiglass that comes with the Big Shot!!  I was able to temporarily adhere the Dahlia stamp to the Clear Pad and as long as you are careful, it works!  As for the smaller sentiment stamp?  I temporarily stuck it to an embossing folder.  Neither the Cutting Pad nor the embossing folder are optimal, but desperate times call for desperate measures folks.  And as you can see, they worked!

I even managed to stamp a few more cards using my make-shift 'clear blocks'.  Come back tomorrow to see what else I was able to make.  Until then, enjoy your upcoming weekend and God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Fast and Fabulous (Sale-A-Bration) Friday

Hello Friends

I have a Sale-A-Bration Celebration class tomorrow and one of the card choices is my Fast and Fabulous Friday edition for you today.   I certainly am loving the vintage feel of this stamp set and I will be very sorry when Sale-A-Bration is over.  Only 2 weeks left to get your hands on these lovely images.  You don't want to miss your chance.  And if you are in the Ottawa area, feel free to join me tomorrow for a Sale-A-Bration Celebration and you can get your very own stamp set, FREE with a qualifying order!

On to today's Fast and Fabulous card(s):

Supply List FREE SAB products)
Stamps - Feeling Sentimental (w129627, c129630), Vintage Verses (w129633, c129636)
Paper - Naturals White (102316), Midnight Muse(126843)
Ink - Midnight Muse (126860)
Big Shot - Embossing Folders - Square Lattice (119976), Perfect Polka Dots (117335), Argyle (127750)
Tools and Accessories - Paper Snips (103579), Stamping Sponges (101610)


I love when a Fast and Fabulous Friday comes together so quickly.  And I will bet that my ladies are going to really love this card tomorrow!  Wait till you see the other 3 cards we'll be making.  You're going to wish you were here to join us.


I have a hundred and one things to do before the Sale-A-Bration Celebration so I'll say good-bye now, but not without reminding you that you only have 2 more days to sign up for My Paper Pumpkin if you want to receive a kit in March.  The first kits will ship out beginning March 15 and I can't wait to get my hands on mine.  Why don't you sign up (choose me as your demonstrator) and join me for a Pumpkin Patch night of crafting together each month?


Until next time, have a wonderful day and God Bless,      ~Cynthia   <><

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Tone on Tone With Texture

Good Morning Friends

I promised Olivia yesterday that I would show you a fabulous card that uses virtually no colour at all.  In fact, this card is all about the tone on tone, lack of colour.  Instead, this card speaks with texture.

Supply List
Stamps - Loving Thoughts
Paper - Very Vanilla
Ink - Crumb Cake
Big Shot -  Embossing Folders - Square Lattice, Perfect Polka Dots, Vintage Wallpaper, Argyle, Elegant Lines
Tools and Accessories -  1" Square Punch, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, dimensionals, Basic Pearls

I used the square punch to cut the flagged ends of the vanilla strips but you could easily do this with a pair of scissors.  And you could vary the look of the card just by changing which embossing folders you used.

So - tell me what you think.  Not bad for a card that is completely neutral in terms of colour, huh?  It was definitely fast.  And in my opinion - it is fabulous too!

I have a crazy day ahead so I am going to keep this short!  Hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful weekend.

God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <><

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      <><

Christmas Gifts

Ok.  What do you do when you are really pressed for time but want to create a card using the gorgeous Stitched Satin Ribbon that is offered FREE for the month of September?  Well...how about this?  Ultra-simple.  Quick.  And cute.

Supply List
Stamps - Sassy Salutations
Paper - Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple
Ink - Gumball Green
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots EF, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Chevron EF
Tools and Accessories - 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Midnight Muse,  Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, dimensionals




The white-on-white embossed presents show up much better in real life than they do in this photograph.  It doesn't get much simpler than this folks!  And although it's not my favourite card in the whole world, it's not horrible either!  I think I might play with this design and jazz it up a bit.  In fact, I can definitely see potential!


My kids had a wonderful first day at school yesterday.  Hope everyone else who had "first day of something" recently had just as many smiles delivered on their doorstep when it was all done!


Enjoy your day and God Bless!    ~Cynthia   <><

Reason to Smile - Reason #1

Hello there friends.
If you are an optimist like me, you can always find a reason to smile.  But during the month of July, there is an especially good reason to smile!!  Stampin' Up! has come out with an exclusive stamp set that will ONLY be available during July 2012.  It is a 2-step stamping set called ....wait for it....Reason To Smile!  And during July, if you place an order of $60 or more, you can get this stamp set for only $5.  That's right.  $5.  Wood or clear!   Believe me - this promotion IS a Reason to Smile!

I wanted to show you a card that I made using the Reason to Smile stamp set.  I didn't even utilize the 2-step part of it for today's card.  (But don't worry....you will be seeing a LOT of this stamp set over the next little while so you will see some 2-step stamping coming up soon.)  Here's what I have for you today:

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Lacy & Lovely
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Black StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
Tools and Accessories - Aquapainter, White Grosgrain ribbon

 One of the things I love about this outline image is that it begs for "watercolouring".  And watercolouring is not meant to be exact.  Outside the lines?  Not to worry.  White spaces?   The more the better.  Exactness is NOT what watercolouring is all about.  Watercolouring gives an 'effect', an "inexactness", that I love.  And it so totally fits my character.  I am a little outside the lines myself sometimes!    :)



Enough about me....July is a great time to put in a $60 order.   Knock a few items off your wish list.  And ALSO pick up this gorgeous stamp set for an amazingly low price!  Better yet - host a workshop or a private card class.  You'll get the opportunity to share some creative time with friends and give them a Reason To Smile too!  What could be better?  I can fill orders from anywhere in Canada.  And I can do parties or workshops anywhere within the Ottawa region.   Contact me today so we can place your order or get your workshop/party onto my schedule. 

See you tomorrow for a Fast & Fabulous Friday!   It's a good bet that I'll be giving you a Fast & Fabulous "Reason To Smile"!  Have a wonderful day. 

God Bless,      ~Cynthia     <><