Just Checking In From Cottage Country

Hi Friends

A quick post from piggy-backing on the Parry Sound MacDonald's wifi    :)

My fabulous upline and her husband and kids joined us at my brother's cottage this year and her boys have been getting some great fishing in with my own husband and kids.  Here's a picture of one of her sons and my hubby with yesterday's catch.  Pretty impressive, huh?!  And nothing in the world beats FRESH fish!  

A few more of these babies today and we'll be enjoying a feast of pan-fried fish tomorrow.  Yum yum.  Can't wait!  My policy:
You catch 'em
You clean 'em
I'll cook 'em

Had to come into the city today to get toilet paper (!!).  But I'm back out to the cottage again soon and offline for a while.  Glorious days.  Wonderful nights.  Millions of stars.  No city lights.  Loons on the lake.  A reel and a rod.  The Beauty and Peace.  All gifts from God!

I am so enjoying this glorious peace and beauty around me, surrounded by family and friends. 
Hope your week is at least as wonderful.      God Bless,     ~Cynthia      <><

Vacation Here I Come

Just a quick post to say that I am going to be away in Muskoka for a week (poor me.  Surrounded by so much unadulterated beauty!).  So you won't be seeing blog posts from me for a while.  But I will be busy, never fear.  I have 120 cards to make and bring to Founder's Circle in less than a month.  And one of the images I decided to use for my swap card needs to be cut by hand.  In triplicate!  So I will relax and do a LOT of fussy-cutting this week while I am away.

While I am "gone" don't forget - Anyone who wants to capitalize on the Free Hallowe'en  Printer's Tray, you've got until Aug 31 to sign up and take advantage of this promotion.  And, of course, I'd love to have you as part of my team!  So follow the links in the post below, or go to my online store and choose "join the fun".

Have a superb weekend and a terrific week ahead!
God Bless,

Cynthia
<><

Just a Little Change Meets Fast & Fabulous Friday

Hi Friends
I'm late with this post today.  We're trying to get ready to go to a cottage for a week and between laundry, cooking, packing and acting as mediator for minor arguments, my hands are full.  But I still have a Fast & Fabulous Friday for you (after quite an extended hiatus of not contributing to this feature).  And in keeping with my recent go-ahead-and-CASe-it theme, I've also used a
"Just a Little Change" element in today's card.

First up, my inspiration:

My up, up, upline sent me this card to congratulate me for my July sales.  I love the card and since I was in need of some quick but cute Thank You cards for customers, I chose to use her card as a starting point and change it up just a little. 
























Here is my CASe version with just a few minor changes:

 

Supply List
Stamps - Everything Eleanor, Papillon Potpourri, Lacy & Lovely
Paper - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Big Shot -  Lacy Brocade EF
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, Dazzling Diamonds, dimensionals












You can see how this card very closely resembles the original.  Colours, placement, the Everything Eleanor "swoosh".  But it is a somewhat different card.  And I was quite pleased with how it turned out.


Better yet, I think my customers will appreciate receiving it.  It shows yet another way to create a simple yet striking card in just a few minutes.


I told you. 
Fast. 
Fabulous. 
And a CASe with Just a Little Change.
How's that for multi-tasking!?!?


Have a superb weekend.  And a great week ahead.   God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Just a Little Change - Embellished Events

I had a great response yesterday to my, "why try to re-invent the wheel?" post.  So how about we try that again, ok?

I saw the cutest card on the web here and I knew with just a quick modification, it was a perfect baby card for those occasions when you weren't sure if the baby was going to be a boy or a girl.  I did make one identical CASe copy of the first card where I reproduced it exactly - but of course I forgot to take a picture of that one (and it is already gone).  Here however, for your viewing pleasure, is my just a little change version of the card.

Supply List
Stamps - Embellished Events
Paper - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip Marker
Big Shot -  Perfect Polka Dots EF
Tools and Accessories - 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 3" Circle Die, Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Sponges

Isn't this a great gender-neutral baby card?  The organza ribbon and delicate doily cut-out on the original card were gorgeous, but really leaned towards a baby girl.  The few modifications I made turn this (at least I think) into a card suitable for the arrival of a baby girl or a baby boy.

See?  The internet is loaded with great card ideas that someone else has already thought up.  When you are pressed for time, (or lacking sufficient mojo), turn to the web and CASe someone else's brilliant idea.

Until tomorrow - have a wonderful day and a great rest of the week.  God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Just a Little Change - World Treasures

I was blessed and honoured at the recent Stampin' Up! Convention to get to share a bit with fellow demonstrators about Earning the Incentive Trip.  And part of what I mentioned included the fact that there are some downright brilliant and creative demonstrators out there who post gorgeous cards on their blog sites.  And the rest of us needn't always re-invent the wheel.  As long as you acknowledge where you got your inspiration, it is ok to CASE (copy and share everywhere) other people's work.  In fact, I would argue that most demonstrators who publish their works online expect to be CASEd sometimes.  Imitation is a form of flattery after all.

With this in mind, over the next little while I will share some CASE cards with you.  I came back from Convention and have been unbelievably busy with family vacations (Family Camp then my brother's cottage), family birthdays, family illness (!!) and my own classes and home parties.  So I just haven't had the energy or mojo to create from nothingness.  And that's where CASing comes in handy!

Today's instalment uses a beautiful new stamp set called "World Treasures.".   Michelle Reynolds published a beautiful (and easy) card using the flower image which I copied here:

I then used the peacock image from the same stamp set and the same card layout and colours to create a similar card.  Virtually the same card.  With a twist.  See?

Supply List
Stamps - World Treasures, Fabulous Phrases
Paper - Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Floral District DSP
Ink - Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry Markers
Tools and Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Rich Razzleberry Ribbon
 
There are so many wonderful ideas out there already....go ahead and use some of them.  Copy them (and acknowledge it!).  Or use them for inspiration and as a jumping off point to create something "similar but different".


Don't forget SU! is having a HUGE sale on Fabric and a fun Hallowe'en project incentive if you wish to join the SU! team (see both posts below).  And stay tuned - I will be announcing my holiday shares of ribbon and embellishments in the next few days and you'll want to get in on those for sure!  In the meantime, hope your weekend was wonderful and your week is starting off spectacularly!
God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Want to Earn Money and Have Fun Too?

How would you like to get a 20% discount on everything you order from Stampin' Up!?
Interested in making cards and/or scrapbooking, and getting paid for it too?
Then contact me to find out how you can join Stampin' Up! and have fun while making money at the same time.  And when you join during August, you'll receive this fantastic Hallowe'en Painter's Tray kit for FREE!!   No trick - just treats when you join before the end of this month.

That's right, this gorgeous Hallowe'en tray kit is valued at over $75 but it is yours when you join by August 31.  And if you live anywhere in Canada, I invite you to join my team so that I can share with you my advice and tips for how to make being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator as enjoyable and successful for you as it has been for me.

The Starter Kit is a great deal:

• For just $125, you choose up to $155 worth of brand-new products from the annual or holiday catalogs, for your completely customizable Starter Kit!  And there is another $70 worth of business tools added into the starter kit as well, bringing its value up to $225.  All for only $125.  No shipping & handling.  And no tax (*except in QC).
• Get a FREE Howl-o-ween project kit valued up to $75 if you sign up for your starter kit by Aug 31.

The Howl-o-ween Printer's Tray includes everything you see below*:

 *Project kit does not include ink

 Plus, when you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator, you gain instant access to dozens of benefits, including:

• Sneak peeks of brand new products!
• Access to an exclusive 30,000+ member online stamping community!
• A monthly magazine filled with project ideas and tips for running your business!
• The opportunity to fuel your passion for Stampin' Up! while getting a 20 percent discount on the products you love!
• Opportunities to make new friends who share your same passion!

Need more information?  Here are just a few reasons to join:

• Fill your Wish List!  Imagine this!  Save 30% on your first product order of $200 or more (placed within 60 days), plus earn hostess rewards. Yes, we demo's get the same perks as our hostesses, plus more!
• Take a Demo Test Drive!  Enjoy Stampin' Up! Demonstrator discounts and benefits through a full calendar quarter (depending on when you sign up, this could be up to 5-1/2 months!) with NO further need to sell or purchase any products beyond the starter kit.  No pressure - just fun!
• There's no penalty to drop!  If you wish to extend your demonstrator status for the following quarter you would be required to have $400 in product sales (including your own orders).  If you choose not to sell (or buy) the quarterly requirement, you merely go inactive.  No penalties and no worries.
• Starter Kit ships FREE!  Yes, that's free shipping - another savings!
• Become a member of my team  You'll be able to attend our special team meetings, you'll be eligible to participate in swaps, and you'll have first crack at my personal classes (enjoy one FREE class per quarter for each quarter in which you remain active - as my gift to any new members) and MORE!   
• Training opportunities!  I have a terrific upline who have shared great tips and advice with me since I started with Stampin' Up!   I'd love the opportunity to share this knowledge with you too!
• JOIN NOW

 Remember, if you live anywhere in Canada, you can order from me.  Better yet, if you live anywhere in Canada, you can join my team and order from yourself!!  And for the next few weeks you'll get the Hallowe'en Tray kit as an added bonus.

Contact me if you have any questions.  Or join today and start your journey into creative fun!

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

Super Fabric Sale from Stampin' Up!

Hi Friends

I know I haven't been around much lately (summer time and all that...) but I wanted to let you know that Stampin' Up! is having a HUGE sale on some of their retired fabrics.  These packages of fabric are selling for ONLY $1.19 each!!

These packages of fabric, which originally sold for $12.50 each, contain one Extra Wide Fat Quarter of each pattern shown in its collection.  You get THREE extra-wide Fat Quarters in each package - that is 40 Cents for each Extra Wide Fat Quarter!!!!

What a deal!  If you are a quilter or a seamstress of any kind, you will know that this is a fantastic deal.  And SU! fabrics are terrific quality!!   100% cotton and 27" x 18".  This is a deal you just don't want to miss!

Items are available only while supplies last so order yours today from the Clearance Rack of my online store or contact me if you are local.

More blog posts to come - again - finally.  Don't worry!

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