Sale-A-Bration Sunday - Avant Garden

Well would you look at that.  Three days in a row.  I am on a roll!
I made another very quick, very easy card.  And this time it uses a Sale-A-Bration freebie!

Admission time though.  Today I cheated.  This card is so super-quick because I didn't have to prepare ANYTHING!  

I used our Notecards to make this little beauty.  Pre-cut, pre-scored Whisper White cards just waiting to be turned into a work of art.  (I even stamped on the coordinating envelope to complete this classy little number).

The FREE Sale-A-Bration stamp set, Avant Garden, was used for both the sentiment and the floral and background images.  The blooms were coloured really quickly with our new Watercolor Pencils (available in our Occasions catalogue).  And when I say 'quickly', I'm not kidding!  In short, I used the Pacific Point pencil to colour the flower centres and the Bermuda Bay pencil to make a few lines towards the outer edges of the petals....then I used an aquapainter to smudge all of the coloured lines and bleed them together.  I think it took me all of 2 minutes.  Really!

Same for the leaves.  A few strokes of the Old Olive watercolor pencil then the amazing aquapainter to bleed my lines and fill in the foliage.

And the pièces de résistance.....I used Pacific Point and Bermuda Bay inks to randomly stamp the background dots along opposite corners of the card.  Then I used the aquapainter again to smudge some of the colours together.  Our classic ink pads are all water-soluble and I love the effect of the colour wash that I got by bleeding these spot images a bit.  I repeated that smudged effect of the spots background stamp on the back of the envelope.  Squeal.  I love it when I stamp the the cards and envelopes to coordinate!

Did you know that if you purchase the set of Note Cards & Envelopes (this is a set of 20), and the Watercolor Pencils,  plus a Staz-on black ink pad and the aquapainters, you will be eligible to select a FREE Sale-A-Bration item.  So when you choose the Avant Garden set, you have everything you need to create 20 cards PLUS envelopes!!  For $8 more, you can purchase another set of Note cards and make 20 more cards.  What a deal!!

The SAB products that you could earn FREE (one for every $60-worth of product you purchase) are gorgeous.  See them all by clicking HERE.  

Place your orders online by visiting HERE (at check out, please use the hostess code 3M2AGU7N) or contact me to place your order for you.  

And if you want a LOT of stuff ($100 or more), you can save a TON of money - up to $200 - by making your purchase into a fully customizeable Starter Kit purchase.  See the details HERE or contact me to ask how we can save you lots of money while getting you everything you want.

I'll look forward to showing you another super easy card using the FREE Sale-A-Bration Avant Garden set tomorrow!  Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend and God Bless,      Cynthia   <><   

Product List

Avant Garden Photopolymer Stamp Set [143272]	Watercolor Pencils [141709]	Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes [131527]	Aqua Painters [103954]
Jet Black Stazon Ink Pad [101406]	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad [126951]	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171]

Sweet and Simple Saturday - Beautiful You

Hello Friends

Surprised that I am back so soon?  I did tell you that I would try to be more faithful...right?

Well, in order to get a card made today I needed to keep it simple.  Really simple.  And what could be simpler than to just use the stamp sets and inks that are already sitting on my desktop, right?

You'll notice that I am using the exact same colours as yesterday's card (see it HERE).  Island Indigo, Elegant Eggplant and Pool Party.  

And the same stamp set (Beautiful You) although I am using a different sentiment, as well as a few images from that set.

Even my trusty old, clear Wink of Stella.  Because it was sitting right there!    :)

"My Girl" dancing in the rain - the puddle at her feet and her skirt are both the same stamp!

Falling Petals embossing folder (debossed) simulates raindrops,

Stamped the image of the girl first - dancing in the rain.  Man oh man I love this image.

This
Girl
Is
Me

Then I stamped the sentiment.  Once again, a sentiment that I truly love.  Something that has been my motto for much of my life (I am the Eternal Optimist).  And a sentiment that has carried me through some of the less-than-stellar days in recent weeks and months.  Once again.

This
Motto
Is
Me

One of the blotch images from this set (I call it a 'swoosh') was used to stamp the puddle, and also to quickly colour her skirt.

I used an aquapainter to colour the bodice of her dress and her hat.  I love my aquapainters.  Takes about 20 seconds (tops) to colour using this handy little tool.

Emboss the cardstock with the new, Falling Petals embossing folder.  Actually, in this case, I debossed the card.  The textured images are indents instead of raised elements.  I love changing up the way my embossing folders look, just by reversing their 3D effect sometimes.

Petal-raindrops falling

Her hat is collecting raindrops...

Isn't it amazing how Wink of Stella makes the hat look "wet"?!

Wink of Stella to give some wet-look shine to the puddle she is dancing in, as well as the Falling-Petals rain.  And then it was time to glue this beauty together.

It has taken me 5 times as long to post about it as it did to actually make it.  I told you.  Sweet and Simple for this Saturday morning.

Did you know that if you purchase the Beautiful You stamp set, the aquapainters and a clear Wink of Stella pen, you will be eligible to select a FREE Sale-A-Bration item.  Tomorrow I will give you a sneak peek at one of the super things you could choose.  See all the great SAB products that you could earn FREE (one for every $60-worth of product you purchase) by clicking HERE.  

Place your orders online by visiting HERE (at check out, please use the hostess code 3M2AGU7N) or contact me to place your order for you.  

And if you want a LOT of stuff (why wouldn't you?), you can save a TON of money - up to $200 - by making your purchase into a fully customizeable Starter Kit purchase.  See the details HERE or contact me to ask how we can save you lots of money while getting you everything you want.

Hope you enjoyed this sweet and simple card for a Saturday morning.    Enjoy the rest of your weekend and God Bless,      Cynthia   <>< 

Product List

Beautiful You Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143637]	Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [142761]	Aqua Painters [103954]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad [126969]	Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Elegant Eggplant 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [105126]	Island Indigo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122923]	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122924]

Fast and Fabulous Friday - Dragonfly Dreams

Hello Friends.

And can I just say ...I'm back!

Well, sort of.

Back to blogging, at least.  A lot of the rest of my life is in a holding pattern.  But today I felt like making a card.  So I did.  A Fast & Fabulous 5-minute card that is!

I used the Detailed Dragonfly thinlit from the Occasions catalogue (see it HERE) to cut out a gorgeous dragonfly!   Nice and fun fact - it is super-easy to cut these dragonflies out and remove them from the thinlit too!

A lovely sentiment from the Beautiful You stamp set, also from the Occasions catalogue, was added in the top corner and the fading dots image from the Dragonfly Dreams stamp set was used to create a Pool Party edging around the piece.  

Island Indigo, Elegant Eggplant and Pool Party ink were sponged onto a piece of Whisper White and this was mounted behind the void left by the dragonfly thinlit, then the white mat piece was adhered to an Island Indigo card base.


The Dragonfly cut-out was mounted back "into" the dragonfly void, but was raised up using foam adhesive strips down the dragonfly body.  And Wink of Stella added just the right amount of iridescence to the dragonfly.

A bit of bling in the form of rhinestone jewels and there you have it.  A gorgeous card with just the right amount of elegance.

Did you know that if you purchase the Dragonfly Dreams bundle (stamp set & thinlits) you not only save 10%, but you instantly qualify for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item?  See all the great SAB products that you could earn FREE (one for every $60-worth of product you purchase) by clicking HERE.  

And if you want a LOT of stuff (why wouldn't you?), you can save a TON of money - up to $200 - by making your purchase into a fully customizeable Starter Kit purchase.  See the details HERE or contact me to ask how we can save you lots of money while getting you everything you want.

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of a new year.  With any luck, I will be right back again - tomorrow!

I'll look forward to "blogging at you" again soon.  
Enjoy your upcoming weekend and God Bless,      Cynthia   <><  


Product List

Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies [142749]	Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Stamp Set [142924]	Dragonfly Dreams Photopolymer Bundle [144728]	Beautiful You Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143637]	Foam Adhesive Strips [141825]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Island Indigo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122923]	Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad [126986]	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982]	Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad [126969]
Stamping Sponges [141337]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments [119246]

They're HERE - Spring Occasions Catalogue and Sale-A-Bration Catalogues

Hello Friends

It is the MOST exciting time of the year!  At least, if you love Stampin' Up! products it sure is!!  Because the new Spring Occasions catalogue and the Sale-A-Bration catalogue (SAB) went live today. 


Occasions (Spring) Catalogue



Sale-A-Bration (SAB) Catalogue

T






That's right!  100's of new, gorgeous goodies to choose from.  And some of them are even FREE!

Here are some things you should know about Sale-a-Bration:

• Earn a FREE reward from the SAB catalogue for EACH $60 you spend (before shipping/taxes).  Pick whatever you want from the Occasion Catalogue or Annual Catalogue or Clearance Rack (you can combine items from any source to total $60).  You can purchase absolutely ANYTHING that adds up to $60 to earn free SAB products.
 
• Earn one FREE SAB item for a $60 purchase, TWO FREE items for $120, THREE FREE items for $180 and so on...one free item for every $60 you spend.
 
• When your order is $330 or more (or ask me for a hostess code and gather orders from your friends or host an online party to total more than $330) you will receive FREE MONEY to spend on ANYTHING YOU WANT!  You'll receive 10% of the order total, PLUS an extra $35 to spend in free merchandise. So for a party of $330 you would receive $68 in free merchandise - of your choice!
 
• Want to maximize your savings? JOIN my team of stampers and receive $165 in product BUT pay only $135 (no shipping and no taxes) - AND ALSO CHOOSE 2 FREE Stamp Sets (any value...so choose the most expensive ones as your free gift).  AND you ALSO get to attend my Monthly Team Craft Night for FREE!  Honestly, what are you waiting for??  
Ready to learn more about becoming a member of Stampin' Up! where you will earn a minimum of 20% off your product purchases?  Contact me or click HERE for more information.

Check out the gorgeous new products that are available in the Spring Occasions catalogue.  Start figuring out your $60 (or more) order -- combine items from ANY catalogue or even the Clearance Rack -- and choose your FREE Sale-A-Bration item(s).  Order online HERE, and use Hostess Code 3M2AGU7N, or contact me to order for you.

Happy Shopping my friends.  And have a GREAT day!  God Bless,   Cynthia   <><

Thailand Achievers Blog Hop - Sneak Peek at the Occasions Catalogue

Hello Friends

I'm currently enjoying some much-needed "R and R" time in southern Ontario with my father, at the home I grew up in.  I don't have ANY of my Stampin goodies with me, but I do have one sneak peek to share with you from the Occasions catalogue.  My absolute FAVOURITE new stamp set is the Beautiful You set. 

Gorgeous images.  Easy to use.  And those sentiments?   Be still my heart.  The sentiments alone are worth the price of the stamp set!

You may be starting at my blog - Cynthia Millan - or maybe you've already been hopping around?  No matter which is the case, make sure you check the list at the bottom of this post and visit all of the blogs.  We all have different sneak peeks and you'll want to check out everyone!

This set is gorgeous any way you look at it, but I love the playfulness of the girl walking in the rain.

For my sneak peek I made a double card.  

I love how the Blooms and Bliss designer paper gives the front of the card a feeling of a rainy, murky day.

The outer flap of the card has the girl walking in the rain with her umbrella (don't you just love the "swoosh" stamp used as a puddle, then enhanced with Wink of Stella?  There are 2 "swoosh" stamps as part of this set that are meant to quickly and easily colour in the girl's dresses or skirts.  I love how they look when used to portray puddles and shadows). 

But nothing gets this carefree, happy-go-lucky girl down.  Because when you open the flap, you find....

...that she has ditched those gray skies and is dancing in the rain!  (Once again with the swoosh as a puddle beneath her dancing toes).

And the sentiment is just perfect, don't you think?



Let's face it...if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  Go ahead and dance and have fun, right?


When the actual card itself is opened up (because remember that all I've shown you up to now has just been from the outside flap....), you find the next, perfect sentiment.  Another one that says exactly what you need to hear, so many times in your life....

Live with passion
Laugh out loud
Love deeply

Honestly?  I would have purchased this stamp set for these sentiments alone!!

If you are like me, you want to own this set...plus a WHOLE lot more of the gorgeous products being showcased by all my friends in this blog hop.  

So.....if you are anywhere in Canada, think about purchasing a starter kit and joining my team.  You'll be one of the very first to see the goodies every time there is a new catalogue and you'll be the first to order too. Fun. Fun. Fun!! 

To purchase a starter kit and belong to the Canadian Sunshine Stampers follow this link or simply click HERE. We get to order before anyone else! The starter kit is a great deal at $135, no tax, no shipping and you get to choose $165 of whatever you want! There are no lock in dates, you don't have to sell and there's no pressure from me.   

BUT WAIT!!!  If this interests you at all, then CONTACT ME because during Sale-A-Bration there is a very special deal being offered and I would LOVE to speak to you about it!!  I want to let you know how you can get the very best deal under the sun, and belong to the greatest team in all of Canada!!  Let me know.  I promise to make it worth your while!

Thanks for stopping by. Have an absolutely fantastic rest-of-your-week.   Enjoy all the sneak peeks and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!   
 God Bless you all, ~Cynthia <>< 

List of blog hop participants: