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     <><

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend -- and They're A Reason To Smile Too!

While I was inking up my Reason To Smile stamps for the Monique-inspired card yesterday, I realized that I have been completely neglecting the beautiful little pansy-like flower that comes in the set.  And this is particularly odd since I love pansies!   So to remedy that situation, I created a card that uses only the pansy image.  Once again I opted to use the ever-so-easy 2-step stamping process to create these gorgeous little blossoms.   Of course, I didn't bother to use pansy-like colours.  Instead I chose to use one of my all-time favourite triple colour-combinations....Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise.  These 3 colours spell "happy" in my books and I love the effect of combining them on a bright and cheery card.

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Friendly Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise
Big Shot -  Large Scallop Edgelit
Tools and Accessories - Rhinestone Basic Jewels


Can you believe I didn't use Dazzling Diamonds glitter on this card?!?  Me?  The "glitter makes everything better" crafter!  I almost used my trusty ole sparkly embellishment, but then I decided to use the Rhinestones instead.  And I think that is exactly what this card needed.  Diamonds are, afterall, a girls' best friend.  And there is no better Reason To Smile than to see diamonds sparkling all over a card, don't you think?

The exclusive Reason To Smile stamp set is only available until the end of July, then it will be gone forever.  And best of all (and here is the real Reason To Smile...), the set can be purchased for a mere $5 when you place an order of $60 or more.  Doesn't that just make you grin from ear to ear?

If you want your Reason To Smile stamp set, contact me before the end of July.  We'll see what we can do to make sure you have a Reason To Smile this month!

Have a wonderful Sunday and God Bless you all,    
      ~Cynthia      <><

Sunflowers Give Me a Reason To Smile

Hi friends - and my apologies for missing a Fast & Fabulous Friday.  I have been so busy lately my head is still spinning.

In amongst that busy-ness, one of my friends, who reads my blog faithfully, commented that I had not yet posted a card using the 2-step stamping technique with the Reason To Smile stamp set.  I thought about it for a minute and realized how right she was.  So Monique my dear friend, this one is for you!    :)

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Tiny Tags
Paper - Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade
Ink - Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade
Big Shot -  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Finishing Touches Edgelit
Tools and Accessories - Blossom Petals Builder Punch, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, dimensionals

I did not want the outline/detail of the flower blossom to be too overwhelming so I used Crumb Cake ink to stamp the outline.  Daffodil petals and a Chocolate centre completed the flower, while leaves from the Blossom Punch and hand-cut stems made up the foliage.  But my favourite part of this card are the sentiments on the leaves.  Don't you just love the cute-factor this adds!

I have about a million more things I need to do this weekend (or at least it seems that way) - not the least of which - I need to design a swap card for Convention.  I will be going to the Stampin' Up! Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, in less than 2 weeks.  And I want to bring a set of swap cards with me to trade with other demonstrators from across North America.  This is my very first Convention and everyone tells me I am going to have a blast.  And I believe them....Just as long as I can get everything done that I need to, before I go!

So on that note, knowing I have lots left to do,  I bid you adieu until next time.
Hope you like the card you inspired, Monique.  And I hope everyone enjoys their weekend!  
God Bless,          ~Cynthia          <><

July has more than one Reason To Smile....

Good Morning friends

To my Canadian friends and family - I hope your Canada Day was wonderful!  And to my American friends, I hope your upcoming July 4th is fantastic!

Okay then - On to today's cards.  I am loving the Reason To Smile stamp set.  This exclusive set is only available during July and can be purchased for a mere $5 when you place an order of $60 or more.  That's correct...if you place a $60 order, you can purchase this gorgeous 7 piece, 2-step stamping set for only $5.  Wood or clear-mount.  How spectacular is that?!  And read on to discover how I am adding an extra 2 week Reason To Smile to this promotion....
 

Previously I've shown you cards using the stamp from the Reason To Smile set that is the outline of the stemmed flower.  For today's cards I used the solid version of the stemmed-flower, or the large, outline blossom stamp (click on the pale blue-green ad on the upper right of my blog to see the 7 images in the Reason To Smile stamp set).  All of the images are gorgeous and I am having fun finding new ways to use them all.  It's so easy to create lovely cards when you have the right tools - and Stampin' Up! gives me all the right tools for sure!

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Perfectly Penned
Paper - Whisper White, Midnight Muse
Ink - Midnight Muse
Tools and Accessories - sponges, dazzling diamonds, 2-way glue pen



I want everyone to have a Reason To Smile so for the next 2 weeks only, I am offering a spectacular deal:  Until July 17, 2012, place an order of $60 or more and you can order the Reason To Smile stamp set - but if you order $100, in addition to the $5 Reason To Smile set, I will also give you $20 in Hostess Benefits!  FREE!  You can use this $20 to order anything at all in the catalogue, including the exclusive hostess sets (pgs 201-205, Except Carry On - pg 203).  And this $20 has no shipping and no tax! (s&h and tax will only be applied to whatever you order that is over and above the $20).  This offer applies to anyone in Canada.  Contact me to place your order and take advantage of this exclusive offer.  (note - $20 hostess dollar offer does not apply to online orders).

I 'd love to help you have even more Reasons to Smile in July.  Contact me today so that you can own this gorgeous stamp set, and get your $20 of hostess benefits too!   Until then, enjoy the beginnings of what is starting out to be a beautiful indeed summer!
God Bless,       ~Cynthia        <><

Reason To Smile - Happy Canada Day!!

It's July first and today there is more than one great Reason To Smile!! 
It is Canada Day - our country's birthday and a fabulous National Holiday. 

And here at Stampin' Up! there is another Reason To Smile....starting today and continuing until the end of July, the exclusive Reason To Smile stamp set is available for only $5 when you place a $60 order.

If you live anywhere in Canada I can help you to own this gorgeous 7-piece stamp set.  Contact me to find out how we can get this wonderful and exclusive, two-step-stamping stamp set into your hands.  You'll also receive a Reason To Smile Thank You card from me!   A small token of gratitude to help jump-start your creative juices!

To all of my blog readers, have a wonderful weekend.  And for all of my fellow Canadians -- Happy Canada Day!!!  Have a wonderful holiday and a terrific start to your summer.

God Bless,      Cynthia      <><

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Reason To Smile

Welcome to my Fast and Fabulous Friday feature.  And as I promised you, today I will give you yet another Reason To Smile.

I will warn you, I am having a brief love affair with this particular image from the Reason To Smile stamp set so you can expect to see a few more cards coming your way using this image.  In addition, since I always have a multitude of people to say thank you to (not the least of whom are my wonderful customers) -  well, suffice it to say that you will see your share of Thank You cards on this blog in the next little while.

Onwards then.  Today's card is another very fast sample that uses the single "daisy" outline image and an aquapainter for quick watercolouring using some 2010-2012 In Colours.  I love, love, LOVE this quick and easy watercolour technique!

Supply List
Stamps - Reason To Smile (available July ONLY), Lacy & Lovely
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - Black StazOn, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Tools and Accessories - Aquapainter

How easy is that?  It may be a short supply list and a quick card, but the results are still gorgeous, simple and appealing.  And your recipient will never know that it took a mere 5 minutes to whip up the card!

Trust me - you really don't want to let July pass without taking the opportunity to buy this exclusive stamp set for a mere $5 !  Contact me to find out how you can purchase this stamp set.  You'll even receive a lovely sample from me to start your creative juices flowing.

Check back tomorrow when I'll show you how you can use this same simple design and technique with only slight variations, to produce a variety of matching but non-identical cards!     Until then, have a wonderful 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     <><