Sweetie Pie #3 - Doing Nothing With You

Hello Again My Friends and welcome to installment #3 of my Quick and Simple Sweetie Pie cards for my girls.

Darling daughter #3 and I happen to enjoy bird-watching together and can't wait to go out again in the Spring.  Now I will admit that in all of our hours spent traipsing the fields and brush, there have been several occasions when we saw nothing more interesting than a sparrow.  Yet the time spent together was - and is - gold.

I remember one of the first times we spent on an outing, when we came up relatively empty-handed (empty-binoculared?).  Yet DD#3 put her hand into mine as we walked, smiled up at me and told me that it was the best day ever - and she'd rather spend that time with me and see nothing, than not have our time together.

Do you know, even when I am working on the computer and she is reading, she usually comes and settles herself beside me (and I mean *right* beside me!) - because being "together doing nothing" is better than being apart.

So this card - just a simple card with some birds and branches and my own little Sweetie Pie - says it all.  And being able to pull the silver thread out of the Silver Baker's Twine and wrap it around the card means I could add just enough sparkle to match the sparkle in DD#3's eyes and smile!

Just so you know, despite the fact that the Sweetie Pie images are all girls, I actually have a Sweetie Pie card for my son!  And my darling hubby too!  You'll have to check back tomorrow to see installments #4 and #5 in my Love-My-Family Sweetie Pie series!!

Sweetie Pie stamp set #136849

In the meantime, I hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  I certainly have. 
God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia   <><

Product List
Stamp : Serene Silhouettes Clear-Mount Stamp Set [127324] , From My Heart [132007], Sweetie Pie Photopolymer Stamp Set [136849]
Ink : Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [131179] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974] , Versamark Pad [102283] , Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]
Card Stock : Island Indigo 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122923] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Tools & Adhesive : Stamping Sponges [101610]
Punch : 1-3/4 Inch Scallop Circle Punch [119854] , 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch [119860] , Extra-Large Oval Punch [119859] , Decorative Label Punch [120907]
Accessory : Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133] , Silver Baker's Twine [132976]
Big Shot : Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die [119976]

Serenity in Winter

Hello My Friends

While we get pummeled with blustery winds and "the white stuff", I thought I would very quickly show you some variations on a card that is all about winter, but has nothing to do with a storm.

Apothecary Accents Framelit

Oval Framelit (large)

The Serene Silhouettes stamp set really is just that...."serene".  Combine that with muted colours (Sahara Sand with Cherry Cobbler birds) and a white-on-white background, and I think I've achieved a card that is both peaceful and classy / classic.  More "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" than "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree".  Don't you think?    :)

Oval Framelit (small)

 














The photographs do not seem to quite catch the sparkle and shine of the glitter (so reminiscent of our new-fallen snow here today) - it is subtle, yet striking.  Does that make sense?   :)




I hope to show you the ins and outs of these cards tomorrow.  For now I will just quickly post them and wish you all a wonderful rest-of-your-week!

God Bless,   ~Cynthia   <><

• Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies
• Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die
• Serene Silhouettes Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Cherry Cobbler 1" Grosgrain Stitched Edge Ribbon
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin Write Marker
• Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad
• 2-Way Glue Pen
• Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter
• Ovals Collection Framelits Dies

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Serene Silhouettes Part 2

Hello friends

I have had a busy week and the next few days are not looking much better, but I still wanted to post a Fast & Fabulous Friday for you.  In fact, here are FIVE!

Calypso Coral - Petals A Plenty

Wisteria Wonder - Fancy Fan

Lucky Limeade - Dots

Pool Party - Chevron

Island Indigo - Argyle

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Perfectly Penned
Paper - Whisper White
Ink - One of -Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder
Big Shot -  Various embossing folders: Petals-A-Plenty, Fancy Fan, Perfect Polka Dots, Chevron, Argyle
Tools and Accessories - 1 3/4" Circle Punch, sponges, Baker's Twine (In Colours, 2010 - 2012)
 


I hope you can see how just by changing the embossing folder and the colour or placement of the stamped image & sentiment, you can make the same design of card look like a LOT of other things!  And each card is complete in just a few minutes. 


Okay - I'll be honest.  Making any one of these cards is awfully fast.  Making all 5 did take a bit more time   :)    But once you've decided where to place the circular stamped image, the rest just kind of falls into place.  And isn't it neat how the same basic card can be altered in very slight ways to create new and original cards?  I showed these 5 variations to my Private Card Class ladies yesterday and when they made this card, their versions were different still!  Everyone added their own bit of imagination and creative combinations.  I was totally blown away at how unique and gorgeous every single card looked.



Hope you enjoyed today's creative crash course in simplicity.  Have a truly wonderful weekend.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

I Think I'm In Love - Serene Silhouettes

It's official.  I absolutely love the new Serene Silhouettes stamp set.  I mean...how could you not?  The images are just so striking!

Here are 2 versions of a quick card that highlights one of those images.  I also wanted to try out the new Essentials Paper Piercing Pack.  Can you say "WOW!"?  What an inexpensive way to add oomph and character to your cards.

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Layered Labels
Paper - Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits
Tools and Accessories - Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Basic Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds


Doesn't this card seem classic and elegant?  I just love the effect.  The paper piercing takes a couple of minutes, but the effect is so worth it!  And it doesn't add bulk (so postage stays low).  And it doesn't cost a cent!  What an inexpensive way to add wow-factor to your cards.

Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Layered Labels
Paper - Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink - Midnight Muse
Big Shot -  Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Perfect Polka Dots EF
Tools and Accessories - Dazzling Diamonds

I tried changing it up to see if I could achieve an elegant effect without the paper piercing.  I used the Big Shot to cut a white Apothecary Accent piece which I shortened to sit behind the sentiment label.  The embossed polka dots coordinate nicely with the dots of the sentiment, don't you think?

I like both card versions and I think I'll let my card class ladies try one on Thursday when we meet.  Any suggestions as to which version might appeal to them more?  I know which way I was leaning, but then I started liking the other one just as much so now I am undecided.  Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know your preference.

I hope everyone's weekend has been wonderful so far.  And that your Sunday is spectacular!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia       <><

Fast (and Fabulous) Friday - Serene Silhouettes

The Fed-Ex truck delivered a BIG box of goodies to my house last night and I must admit, I am a very happy stamper!  I thought I liked some of these stamp sets when I saw them in the new catalogue.  Now I have decided that I LOVE these sets!  Be prepared to see a lot of new sets over the next little while because I am going to have to try out everything!

One of the first sets that I was drawn to is Serene Silhouettes.  I saw a card on another demonstrator's website using a very simple placement of the images, and I liked the way it looked.  So I turned it into a monchromatic 2 minute card!


Supply List
Stamps - Serene Silhouettes
Paper - Crumb Cake
Ink - Basic Black
Tools and Accessories -  Sponges, Homemade Shimmer Mist



Three of the 4 stamps included with Serene Silhouettes were used for this card.  One, two, three - then the stamping was pretty much done.  The edges of the card were sponged with black to make it seem like the early morning fog is just drifting away, and lastly, the whole card was spritzed with a homemade shimmer mist so that in real life, the card is quite sparkly.

Really quite fast.  Really quite striking.

I think I will have to explore more ways to use these gorgeous images over the next little while!  I already have a feeling that Serene Silhouettes is going to become one of my favourite sets from the new catalogue.

In the meantime, enjoy your weekend and God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><