San Diego Getaway Pillow Gifts

No Stampin' Up! trip would be complete without the ever-present pillow gifts.  And let me tell you -- NOTHING is as exciting as coming back to your room each night to find a little something extra waiting for you.

Interesting Box

Gorgeous Pitcher

The first night we arrived at our room to find a large and interesting-looking box...and inside we found this gorgeous hand-crafted Mexican pitcher.

The second day we all got treated to Trolley tours of San Diego so that was our "pillow gift".  A little hard to wrap, but a wonderful gift nonetheless.

And tonight....well tonight we returned to our room to find the quintessential box of "crack".  

Box of "crack"

Stampin crack that is!  A stamp set, THREE ink pads, hexagon punch, embellishments and Designer Series Paper....could a girl get more of what she loves??  

And as icing on the cake, this is NOT a stamp set that I already own.  Yee haw.  Love me that Stampin' Crack!!

Now I just have to make sure I can get everything home on the plane tomorrow!

Which reminds me - time to pack then get to sleep.  Morning wake-up is going to come awfully early so I better get to work.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and I'll "see you" when I get back!

God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

San Diego - Stampin' Up! Style

Our first full day in San Diego as part of the incentive trip I earned this year -- Stampin' Up! arranged for Trolley Tours of San Diego that brought us to the Old Town.  Steeped in the colours and flavours of Mexican culture and cuisine, the Old Town was a wonderful way to spend a glorious California day.  Check it out:

Trolley Tours

Old Town is Gorgeous

The Sights & Colours of Mexicana America

Good Food......

Colourful Sights

Stampin' Up! TLC back at the room

Pecan-encrusted Trout for dinner

And the most delightful prawns.....

Lots of great food today.  Lunch and supper were both spectacular!!

And then....at the end of a long day - it was time for bed.

Loving our trip to San Diego so far!!

More later.  

Have a wonderful weekend!  
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

Leavin' On A Jet Plane....

Good Morning Friends

Today is the day!  My dear hubby and I celebrate 21 years of wedded bliss today (and I am not being tongue-in-cheek.  We really are blissfully happy.  At least, *I* am!).  

At any rate, today is our anniversary and it also happens to be the day that Stampin' Up! is sending us to San Diego for 4 days on the Getaway vacation that I earned.  Gotta LOVE a job that rewards you with all-expense-paid vacations, huh?

We were up at 3 am.  Out of the house by 4 am.  And we're preparing to board our 6 am flight now.  It's an early morning - but it's the beginning of a GREAT day.

I love my husband.  And I get to spend 4 days with him in San Diego.  The 4 kids are all still at home (doubtless, still asleep too!).  I am *so* looking forward to this!

Happy Anniversary to me.  Happy Anniversary to us!  I intend to keep you posted about the wonderfulness of this Getaway.  Stay tuned....

Have a wonderful day.
God Bless!         ~Cynthia   <><

Inspiration Stamp Day - Holiday Event

Hello my dear friends

If you've wondered why I've been silent a day or two, it's because I've been somewhat preoccupied.  Very preoccupied is a little more accurate.

Tomorrow morning (Saturday) I have 42 of my dear friends, some new friends, and even 2 of my sisters (!!) all coming together to do an Inspiration Stamp Day -- a 20-card class based on products in the Holiday catalogue.  You'll understand therefore, when I say I've been busy.  In fact, I have been a very busy bee getting all the paper scored, measured, cut and packaged.

This, my friends, is what 840 card packs looks like!!

I still have some planning to do and some set-up at the hall so I am still busy, but just you wait until tomorrow when I begin to unveil some of the gorgeous cards we designed for my friends and family to make.

Hope everyone out there is looking forward to a wonderful, and equally productive, weekend!
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Emboss Resist Intense Butterflies

I've realized that my butterfly offerings over the last few days have been soft and pastel-like and although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, I thought you might like to see something bold, vibrant and intense.

Presenting.....Intense emboss-resist butterflies for your viewing pleasure!

Just a bit of versamark and the Papillon Potpourri stamp set (and clear embossing powder), followed by heavy sponging with Island Indigo and Elegant Eggplant makes this a stand-out 'Wow' sort of card.  Don't the butterflies pop right up off the page at you?

I have always loved the emboss resist technique, and this card is a fast but sure-fire reason to demonstrate why.

Hope your week is looking bright.  All 4 of my kids left for school this morning for the first time since June and I have yet to get much accomplished at home.  Guess it's time for me to buckle down and get to it, so I'll keep this short.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless,      ~Cynthia     <><

DSP Bitty Butterflies

What do you do when you promised to show a card but you'd rather enjoy your holiday weekend?  

Make one as fast as possible - that's what!

Here you go then,  Bitty Butterflies punched out from Gingham Garden Designer Paper and a quick sentiment from the 6-Sided Sampler set.

Done.

Now I'm going back to enjoying my last day with my kids before they go back to school tomorrow!

Enjoy your holiday (if you have one today) and God Bless,     
~Cynthia   <><

Washi Butterflies

I must be crazy!

Why would I promise to make and post a new card 'tomorrow' using products from the butterfly bundle that is on sale.....and make that promise on a long weekend?!  Ack.  What was I thinking?!

So in the interest of making a card as fast as I could and posting even faster.....here you go.  A bit of washi tape.  Punched butterflies.  Really Good Greetings and some piercing.  Voila.  

Have family coming over for a BBQ today so there is LOTS to do here!  But check again tomorrow.  I hope to give you another instalment then.

Have a terrific weekend and God Bless,     ~Cynthia   <><