Thankful Thursday - Sweetie Pie Goes Hawaiian

Hello Friends

It's a Thankful Thursday and today I am thankful for all of you!  No.  Truly! 
 ALL of YOU!

Each year Stampin' Up! has a Grand Vacation that they offer as an incentive to demonstrators who perform well in personal sales and leadership.  And yesterday I found out that I have earned the Grand Vacation for next year.  So in May of 2015, myself and a guest (my hubby, of course) will be headed to Hawaii!!

And even better - we've got it all planned out so that we will be able to take the kids with us!!

We told them yesterday.  They had no idea.  Not an inkling - so you can imagine the whoops and screams of delight.  My 4 kids have never even seen the ocean, let alone swam in it.  I guess if their very first experience is Waikiki Beach, everything else might pale in comparison?!

But none of this, NONE of it, would have been possible without YOU.  My friends.  My customers.  My family.  My supporters.  My cheerleaders.  And to be quite honest, none of it would be worth doing if not for you.  More than anything else, what I get out of "this job" is a chance to spread smiles and laughter.  When we get together to craft, we have fun.  Correction....FUN.  And I love the time I get to spend with each and every one of you.

So today I have used Sweetie Pie to create a Hawaiian girl who thanks each and every one of you!  The Sweetie Pie faces are just a shade too small for the Dress-Up mannequin/body, but I think she does the trick anyhow, don't you?   And notice the Crisp Cantaloupe sponging on her cheeks?  I am hoping that reflects the "slight bit" of colour we will all get when we head to Hawaii (instead of the massive sunburns I am hoping we all manage to avoid).  We are still in the clutches of winter here in Ottawa right now, so thinking about being in that warm, tropical sun a year from now is awfully inviting!

Until then - and as always - I will remain thankful.  To all of you.  Each and every one of you who has made this possible.  From the bottom of my heart (and my hula skirt!) - THANK YOU!

God Bless you all,       ~Cynthia    <><

Product List
Stamp : Peaceful Petals [clear] [133107], Sweetie Pie [photopolymer] [136849]
Ink : Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980] , Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [131178] , Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad [131176] , Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker [119680] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]
Card Stock : Gumball Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126840] , Sahara Sand 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [121043] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122924] , Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131298]
Tools & Adhesive : Fringe Scissors [133325] , Stamping Sponges [101610] , Blender Pens [102845]
Punch : Petite Petals Punch [133322] , Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack [118309] , Bird Punch [117191]
Ribbon & Trim : Calypso Coral 3/4" Chevron Ribbon [130018] , Calypso Coral Baker's Twine [125573]
Accessory : Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521] , Basic Pearls Jewel Accents [119247]
Big Shot : Dress Up Framelits Dies [130101]

Sweetie Pie #5 - Never Underestimate the Power of TWO!

Hello Friends and welcome to my favourite Sweetie Pie card so far!

I love my husband.  Truly and deeply.  And oh, so many years ago our mutual love took root and was nurtured and cared for - and over these last 22 years it has grown into our Sweetie-Pie Family Tree!

I LOVE this sentiment!  The Power of Two took root and has grown into something so much better than either one of us alone!

The Sweet Sorbet designer series paper that you can earn FREE during Sale-A-Bration is still available for one more week and it provided the background tree for our Family to grow on.  We often refer to our eldest (the one with pigtails) and our youngest (our son) as our "book-ends" so it is appropriate that his image was generated by merely not inking the pigtails of her image.

As for darling daughter #2 with the short hair?  I wasn't thrilled that this particular photopolymer image has a bit if a frown - so I substituted the smile of daughter #3 (image with the headband) for the frown of the short-haired image and I was much happier.  And you can see the family resemblance too, can't you?   (wink).
The perfectly clear photopolymer makes substituting smiles an easy task.  No Stamp-a-ma-jig required!

As for my darling husband?  His image is that of the short-haired girl (once again substituting a smile for a frown) but like my son's image, I masked off the longer tresses on either side of the face so my hubby would look a trifle more manly in his grooming.

I suppose the Family Tree would be more authentic if mine and my hubby's hair were coloured with a fair amount of gray, but then again, I didn't mean for this to be an identical likeness!   :)  At least the hearts, compliments of the owl punch, lend an air or realism to the card.  Because truly, it is love that has grown us into what you see before you.

My husband should be home from work soon and I cannot wait to give him this card.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has *never* underestimated the power of two!

Hope you enjoy this card.  And I hope you are looking forward to seeing just a few more Sweetie Pie cards in the coming days.

In the meantime, enjoy your Monday and God Bless you all!    ~Cynthia    <><

Product List
Stamp : Yippee-Skippee! Clear-mount Stamp Set [131344], Sweetie Pie [photopolymer] [136849]  
Ink : Versamark Pad [102283] , Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad [126974]
Card Stock : Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Real Red 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [102482] , Summer Starfruit 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126839]
Tools & Adhesive : Aqua Painter [103954] , Paper Snips [103579]
Punch : 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch [119860] , Owl Punch [118074]
Accessory : Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [109133] , Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521]

Stamping on Designer Paper - the Video

Hello Dear Friends

By now you *must* have seen my previous posts about stamping the Swallowtail image onto the Sweet Sorbet Designer Paper and heat embossing it!  I posted about it as a Fast and Fabulous Friday and showed you even more variations on Saturday.

Well, just to prove to you that this really *is* a fast and fabulous card to create, I made a video of me making one of the cards.  Honestly, I think if I did not talk as much in the video, it might have taken me less than 2 minutes to actually create the card - start to finish!  But since I decided to explain and talk while I made it on camera, the video is all of 4 minutes long.

Even at that - Fast and Fabulous I tell ya!

Have a spectacular day.  More March Break fun in this household but I'll be back tomorrow.  
Till then, take care and God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

More Designer Paper Butterflies

Good Morning Friends

I did it.  I made a whole series of yesterday's Swallowtail card, using various other colours of embossing powder.  Here is the entire series.  Let me know what you think.

Black Embossing Powder

Gold Embossing Powder

Pewter Embossing Powder

Silver Embossing Powder

Melon Mambo Embossing Powder

Turquoise Embossing Powder

Pool Party Embossing Powder

Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder

White Embossing Powder

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend.  God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia   <><

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]

Burlap and Blooms Wreath-Making Class

Happy, Happy, Happy.

Card #1 - Burlap & Blooms Class

I have some friends joining me today to create a gorgeous Spring wreath...the Burlap and Blooms wreath.  And as part of the class, I promised them they would make 2 cute cards.  Oops, I lied.  They are going to make 3.

Because let's face it - I couldn't decide exactly which cards I wanted them to do.  So I decided we would do them all!  What do you think?  Think they'll like them?

Card #2 - Burlap & Bloom sClass

And - if you didn't get a chance to join us today for the Burlap and Blooms Wreath, or the Venetian Romance card class, then have no fear.  These 2 classes will be repeated in a few short weeks.  Send me a message to let me know you want in and I can reserve a spot for you.

Card #3 - Burlap & Blooms Class

And the Venetian Romance card class?  It is also available as a class to go.  So if you want this class mailed to you, send me a message and we can figure out what shipping charges would be (free s&h if a local pick-up).

Venetian Romance Card Class

Burlap & Blooms Wreath

Hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful Saturday!
Take care and God Bless,    
    ~Cynthia   <><

Thankful Thursday - Hexagon Hive

Good Morning Friends

Another Thankful Thursday.  And another chance to remind myself of all the ways I've been blessed.  For today - I get to focus on the fact that my son, who although just a month shy of 12 yrs old, is still cuddly and affectionate.  No - of course not in the smoochy, huggy sort of way he was when he was very young.  But affectionate nonetheless.

He never fails to leave for school and tell me he loves me as he walks out the door.  Usually he will search me out first and give me a kiss goodbye.  And he gives a lot of hugs lately.  Whenever he is thankful for anything (and for a 12 yr old boy, this usually means I said yes to his request to have a cookie), well, lately when he is thankful for some little thing I have done, he comes and wraps his arms around me and looks up at me with his huge brown eyes and gives me a hug.  I think secretly he is assessing each time, how tall he is in relation to me and anticipating the day when he can hug me and look down on me (and this day will come soon enough, I know).  But for now, I am loving this affectionate stage.  And the knowledge that my "baby" is growing into a handsome and caring young man.  
Thankful?  
You better believe it!

As for my card installment today -->  We used the Hexagon Hive thinlit as part of our club card classes this month and I have been toying with the idea of pairing it with our Hexagon Punch.  So last night I decided to try see what I could come up with.

And I love it!

This piece from the Sweet Sorbet designer paper (FREE during Sale-A-Bration) offered a striking pattern and colour palette as a basis for my card.  I used my Hexagon Punch to create 'large' hexagons from the coordinating colours of cardstock and mounted these behind the solid windows that remain when you create the backgound piece with the Hexagon Hive thinlit.  I also used the hexagon hive thinlit itself to "punch out" smaller hexagons from these same coordinating colours.  Embossed and mounted on top of the solid windows, these gave me just the effect I was looking  A sentiment, a few rhinestones, and my card was complete.  

I am loving the way the punched Hexagon pieces layer so well behind the thinlit!!  What do you think?

Off to be useful today - I hope - but I leave you with this.  A gentle reminder.
Be thankful in the here and now for all the precious moments you have with the ones you love.  
Have a wonderful day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Product List
Stamp : Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper [133521] , Itty Bitty Banners Clear-Mount Stamp Set [126257]
Ink : Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad [126980]
Card Stock : Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131298] , Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock [122924] , Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131294] , Summer Starfruit 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [126839] , Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730]
Punch : Hexagon Punch [130919]
Accessory : Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents [119246] , Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]
Big Shot : Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die [132965] , Bitty Banners Framelits Die [129267]

The Perfect Sale-A-Bration Card

It's official.
Susie Wood is a genius!

Susie took another Demonstrator's design, changed the colours and embossing folder, and came up with this beauty - that I loved so much I had to reproduce for you here!

Simple.  But oh so elegant. 

And what a perfect Sale-A-Bration card:
SAB embossing folder (Designer Dots)
SAB stamp set (Petal Parade)
SAB Designer Series Paper (Sweet Sorbet)
SAB Baker's Twine (Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack)

Virtually everything about this card can be earned - for FREE - during Sale-A-Bration.

I think I feel the need to reproduce this card in a few more colours...what do you think? 

But for now....I am busy at my Sale-A-Bration Kick-Off class!  Loving the chance to get to craft and get inky with some wonderful ladies!  Wish you could've joined us.  Maybe next time?

You really *DO* want to get your Sale-A-Bration products you know!  They are too gorgeous to not own them all!!

Hope everyone is enjoying this start to their weekend!!   
We are expecting snow.  
Again.  
And you know what.....so what!  This is February.  This is Canada.  And snow comes with the territory!    For all those who are tired of snow and cold, might I remind you that THIS is going to make your experience of Spring and Summer this year just that much sweeter!  
(Yes, I know, I am an optimist). 

To all of you - enjoy whatever weather you are having.  God Bless you all,    ~Cynthia   <><

• Petal Parade Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies
• Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper
• Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack
• Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
• Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad
• Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Mini Glue Dots

• 1-3/4 Inch Circle Punch
• 2-3/8 Inch Scallop Circle Punch