Friday 28 February 2014

Fast & Fabulous Friday - Think Spring

Hello Friends

I know, I know - It's only February.  We *will* get more snow.  Probably even lots of it.  But for today, I am going to think Spring.  Because I just made a super quick and super-cute card that has tulips on it.  And nothing says Spring quite like tulips!

I masked the sentiment on my Blessed Easter stamp so I could ink up just the flowers with versamark.  Some white embossing powder and a heat tool and voila, a gorgeous image.  Which was enhanced, by the way, with a Pink Pirouette marker (to darken the flowers) and a Chalk White marker (to lighten the leaves and add definition to the blooms).

A pass through the Big Shot, the addition of a few pearls, and the card is complete.

I wish they were all so easy!

Lots to do today to prepare for our Venetian Romance class tomorrow morning.  There is still room if you wish to join us - but please RSVP so we can have your materials prepared for you!  

Till then, I bid you adieu and hope that you have a wonderful weekend ahead!    
God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><  

Product List
Stamp : Blessed Easter [133212] , Simply Sketched Wood-mount Stamp Set [129669] , White Stampin Chalk Marker [132133]

Ink : Versamark Pad [102283]

Card Stock :  Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [100730] , Perfect Plum 8-1/2X11 Card Stock [101889]

Accessory : White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132] , Basic Pearls Jewel Accents [119247]

Big Shot : Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [130917] 

Thursday 27 February 2014

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]

Wednesday 26 February 2014

Send Good Thoughts - In the Mail

Good Morning Friends

A quick post today to show you a card I made for my friend Linda who has just a little too much stress in her life right about now.  I sent it to her in one of our clear plastic envelopes so the mailman will be able to see it and, hopefully, get a bit of cheer from it as well.

Did you know our clear plastic envelopes can be sent through the regular mail? 


I haven't used my Top Note die in a while - I guess because we now have so many lovely little shapes of framelits - but Top Note is still one of my favourite shapes.  The perforations around the inside edge are the perfect little addition to add visual interest.

At any rate - I said some prayers for Linda last week and will continue to keep her in my thoughts.   And I wanted to send her a cheery card to let her know that she is loved.

We send so many of our "good wishes" by Facebook nowadays - it felt good to send something a little more tangible.  I think I need to send a few more "Thinking of You" cards.  How about you?

My challenge to you is this, then.  Don't 'just' talk to your friends on Facebook.  If someone needs a kind word or a long-distance hug - SEND them one!  Remember how you feel when you open mail that is not junk mail?  Well, go ahead and pass that on!

To all of you - Have a wonderful day.
God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Product List
Stamp : Happy Watercolor [clear] [133191] , Too Kind Clear-mount Stamp Set [130450] , Stamping Sponges [101610] , Aqua Painter [103954] , Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter [102023] , 2-Way Glue Pen [100425]
Ink : Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [131175]
Card Stock : Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131297]
Big Shot : Top Note Stampin' Up! Bigz Die [113463] , Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [130917]

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Card-In-A-Box - the Video

Hello Ladies

It has taken me a while to finally get this Card-in-a-box tutorial finished, but I finally got it done!  There have been some wonderful tutorials available by great demonstrators, but several of them have been for box cards that do not quite fit into our Stampin' Up! envelopes.  And believe me, when I have gone to all the effort of creating the perfect card, I want to deliver it in the best possible and highest quality envelope - and that is definitely our SU! envelopes.

Don't get me wrong, you can also use the Envelope Punch Board to create a custom-sized envelope - but I prefer to use the high quality, readily available ones that SU! provides.  So here is how I constructed this Card-in-a-box.  you can watch the video, or look over the written/illustrated steps below.  Or better yet....do both!




1. Score along the 9" edge of your paper, at 2 1/8, 4 1/4, 6 3/8 and 8 1/2 inches

2. Turn the paper and score again at 2 3/4"

3. Now cut the paper so it is 5 1/2 inches wide - save the piece you cut off
4. Cut one small tab from the side and add sticky strip to the remaining tab.  Cut 3 other score lines just to the midway point and fold as shown

5. The assembled bare box
6. Add designer paper panels

Panels to decorate the sides of the box are 1 7/8 x 2 5/8" each.  These can be designer paper or paper that you have stamped on.  Or you can stamp directly on the box and forgo any panels.

The panel for the back of the box (to write your greeting on) is 1 7/8 x 5 3/8"

7. This is the strip that was leftover from cutting the box at 5 1/2" earlier

8. Cut this at 3 1/8" with the small "tab" on one end




 















































































































9.  End up with 3 1/8" piece
10.  Cut this piece in half.  Fold ends in "Z" pattern

11. Add Sticky Strip.  Make sure both Z's are facing same direction (see arrows)
12. Insert Z's into box to form Bridge (Make sure tabs are facing in same direction, see arrows)
13.  To Assemble Balloons:  Sandwich foot from the Owl Punch (#118074) and a 1/4" strip of Window Sheet (#114323) between either 2 ovals or 2 circles.  Window Sheets will bear the weight of the balloons so keep them suspended, and they will not crimp or bend like cardstock!

14.  Pop-up elements (Balloons or candles or butterflies or Flowers, etc) can be adhered to inside front or back of box, and to either front or back of each bridge piece.

Hope all of this makes sense to you?!  Feel free to contact me to ask for clarifications or leave a comment here.  Enjoy making your own box cards.  

Note added March 5, 2014:   I was asked what I used to make the Birthday Box-Card.  am sure you could use a variety of stamp sets to make a great Birthday card, but for the one I show here, I used: 
See Ya Later Stamp set (Sale-A-Bration) on the front banner (Banner Framelit to cut it out)
Label Love stamp set (and Artisan Punch)
Another Great Year (1 3/8" Circle Punch to cut it out)
Bird Builder Punch (wing = flame for candle)
Balloons = 1" circle or 3/4 x 15/16 oval punch + foot from Owl Punch
Cupcake Builder Punch for cupcakes
Watercolor Wonder designer paper (Balloon-ish paper to cover outside of box-card and also stripey paper for inside card)


Have a super week and 
God Bless,    ~Cynthia    <><

























Monday 24 February 2014

Making Paper Roses - the Video

Hello Friends

If you saw yesterday's post, you know how gorgeous the flowers are that you can make using the Spiral Flower Die from Stampin' Up!.  Well today I am here to show you how quick and easy they are to make too!  All you need is the Spiral Flower Die, some cardstock, something to wind around (I like a bamboo skewer), and an adhesive (I prefer a hot glue gun but you can use Tombow Multipurpose liquid glue).  Watch the video to see how to make paper roses that you can use for all kinds of gorgeous projects!
A Rose tree

Hope you found this helpful.  Contact me today to order your Spiral Flower Die and start creating a garden of gorgeousness.
Roses on Pillar candles

Roses on a Picture Frame

Close-up of Paper Roses on candles












Hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful weekend!    
God Bless,    ~Cynthia   <><

Sunday 23 February 2014

My Gold Contribution (In Honour of the Olympics)

Hello Friends

Canadian athletes have performed very well at these 2014 Olympics - and they've done so with such class and dignity that it makes me awfully proud!!  In particular, the last few days have brought so much gold into our Olympic repertoire (Women's Curling, Men's Curling, Women's Hockey, Men's Hockey) that I just *had* to show you my own gold today!!





I was asked to donate an item for a Silent Auction to be held for a fundraiser here in Ottawa and this is what I came up with (inspired partly by Janet Wakeland and her innovative ideas).  I wrapped our gorgeous new gold vellum around flameless candles and topped these with Vanilla and Gold Paper Roses to create an elegant table decor trio.

Close-Up of Paper Roses on Largest (and smallest) Pillar Candles

Close-Up of Decorations on Medium Candle

I love that with the new generation flameless candles, the candles look and feel like real wax, the flames flicker, and there is even a timer so that you don't have to turn them off or on manually!




Next - I rolled a large assortment of vanilla, cherry cobbler and crumb cake roses and glued these to a styrofoam base to make a stunning rose tree.  A dusting of our gold glitter on the roses makes this tree an absolutely breathtaking and eye-catching table decoration!

I will admit, it took a few more roses to completely cover the styrofoam than I anticipated when I started.  
But since:

a) I cut 4 pieces of cardstock at a time with the Spiral Flower Die and the Big Shot and

b)  I can get 6 roses from each 8.5x11 inch piece of cardstock and

c)  I rolled most of the flowers while watching the Olympics with my family

...well you can see that making the tree was actually reasonably economical and did not take as much time as it "looks like" it might have taken!

Not to mention the fact that it was fun.  And terribly satisfying.  Once it was completed and I saw how stunning it was, I knew I'd have to make a second one to keep here at home!
Brushed-Pewter Picture Frame with Paper Roses












Then I adhered some of the leftover roses to a brushed-pewter-toned picture frame to create the perfect addition to the decor ensemble.





Lastly, I made up a set of 12 note cards to complete the gift and add a practical aspect to the otherwise decorative collection.
Silent Auction Prize - Decorated Frame, Flameless Candles, Rose Tree and Note Card Set

I am so very pleased with the way this collection came together.  The prize includes some coupons, a free class for the recipient and a free Private Card Class for 4, but these decorative items are the bit that had me grinning from ear to ear.   I love how they turned out, don't you?  And with all that gold paper and gold glitter, I feel truly like I shared some of the Olympic golden moments with the rest of Canada.

I hope the recipient enjoys receiving these items as much as I did making them.  Tune in tomorrow for a quick video on how to make the rolled roses in a flash!  Till then, hope you enjoyed a spectacular weekend with lots of your own "golden" moments!

God Bless,     ~Cynthia      <><

Thursday 20 February 2014

Thankful Thursday - Why I Do What I Do.....

Hello Friends

I had to write a brief bio today to send to someone in the Canadian Stampin' Up! office - and as I finished it, I was reminded once again of why I do what I do.  

Because I LOVE the ladies I have met as I have undertaken this adventure.  

Because I LOVE sharing how easy it is to create something beautiful.  

Because I LOVE the look on the face of the person who, despite thinking that they aren't crafty, creates a gorgeous project.  

Because I LOVE knowing that I can be some small part in helping others express their creativity.

So many reasons why I love what I do.  So many reasons why I feel blessed.  

Today I created a quick Thank You card to be given to one of my friends.  Someone who never fails to tell me how much she likes receiving my cards.  Someone who, like so many others, reminds me how much I just love doing what I do. 

Thankful Thursday.  I hope you, too, are reminded today of all the things you have to be thankful for!

God Bless,    ~Cynthia      <><

Tuesday 18 February 2014

More Shared Love - another R.A.K.C.

I am so lucky.  So very lucky indeed!

Guess what showed up at my house this weekend?  MORE cards made especially for me, by yet another one of my friends!

I shared a R.A.K.C. (Random Act of Kindness Card) with you last week when one of my friends sent me this lovely valentine card.  Well today I get to share with you not just one R.A.K.C. but TWO.

B.M. made this absolutely lovely card for me using the Stippled Blossoms stamp set.  I have to admit that this stamp set was one of my favourites when it first appeared on the scene.  It has such beautiful images.  And the 2 step-stamping allows you to add "highlights" to the images as if you had painstakingly coloured them.  I used this stamp set for the swap cards that I took with me to Convention 2 summers ago!  It really is a wonderful set and B.M. did a spectacular job in creating this card.

However, my dear friend was not content to "just" make this floral card for me.  She knows that purple is one of my absolute favourite colours and since she hadn't had a chance to get her Christmas card to me - well, she decided it was about time I got my Christmas card as well.  Now in her defense, she just had a new baby in the Fall - number 3 in fact - and I am surprised she got around to making any Christmas cards at all.  I certainly didn't have a good excuse when I failed to get my cards out on time this year.  So B.M. has nothing to apologize for as far as I am concerned!

At any rate, better late than never.  And when the card is this lovely, it is certainly worth waiting for!

And let's face it, we will have snow around here for quite a few more weeks-slash-months, so a card with snowflakes fits right into the scenery right about now!

I hope each of you has someone special in your life too.  Someone who randomly and for no reason at all, gives you a card or a hug or a cheery phone call that brightens up your day and makes you feel special!  I am blessed to have many such people in my life.  And I appreciate them all.

I hope I have let them know that!

So thank you B.M. for the wonderful cards.  I hope you know how much your little act of kindness means to me!  And I hope you - and all my friends - have a wonderful week ahead. 





And don't forget we have brand new weekly deals that start today!  A whopping 25% off selected goodies.  Check them out and either order yours online or contact me to order them for you.  Let's make sure you get the things you want at the best possible price!
I leave you now with a wish for you to enjoy a happy day and a wonderful week!

God Bless,     ~Cynthia     <><

Monday 17 February 2014

And Now For Something Completely Different!

Hello My Friends

Saw this today and just HAD to share!!  

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday!
Stay safe, BE AN OPTIMIST and God Bless you all,       ~Cynthia     <><

Friday 14 February 2014

FABULOUS Friday - Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello Hello Hello Hello and Happy Valentine's Day!

I am excited to write this post today - because I am excited to share this card with you.  I wish I could say that I designed it or that I even assembled it.  But no - it isn't mine.  *This* my friends, is the absolutely gorgeous card that was waiting for me in my mailbox when I came home last evening.
Valentine's Card

Now tell me, is this not a beautiful card?!?

Classic.  
Sleek.  
Elegant.  
I love it.  
I mean, I really *LOVE* it!!


Inside of the Card
And best of all - a friend made it for ME for Valentine's Day!!

I met SH (and her lovely daughter) at a home party a little over a year ago.  Soon afterwards SH signed up as a demonstrator and has been slowly accumulating all sorts of tools and goodies since then.  I often have the pleasure of stamping with mother and daughter when I run a class.  But I know that they create many, many cards outside of classes too, and the evidence of their creativity and expertise lies before you now.

I'll say it again - Isn't it just gorgeous?!

I love the details.  
The Adorning Accents hearts embossed across the middle of the card.    
That little bit of shine, with the red glimmer paper "Love" and the glimmer heart as well.
The Fashionable Hearts embossed hearts that are balancing in a teetering tower on the left side of the card.
The angle of the sentiment, almost resting on that lone cabana heart on the right hand side.  
And that little bit of red glimmer tail that hangs down at such a jaunty angle onto the stripey designer paper, below.

And it doesn't end there.  You should see the inside of the card!  Cute little stamped hearts in coordinating colours.  And a stamped envelope too - that is LINED with a piece of coordinating designer paper.  I mean, there is visual eye-candy absolutely everywhere.   

I recognize how blessed I am to have received this card.  But more importantly, I know and understand how truly blessed I am to be able to call SH - its creator - my friend.

So yeah - I know, perhaps today I should be getting all mushy and showing you a card that I designed to give to my darling husband.  He does deserve a wonderful card and all of my love.  But honestly - I can't think of a better way to celebrate Valentine's day than by showing you this friendly card that brought me so much joy! 

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I am blessed.  Truly and undeniably blessed.

Thank you SH for this gorgeous card.  And for your continued friendship.  

And to the rest of you - I hope you are all looking forward to a wonderful weekend.  And a very Happy St. Valentine's Day!

God Bless you,     ~Cynthia   <><
 

Thursday 13 February 2014

Thankful Thursday - Chauffeur No-More!

Howdy Howdy Howdy Friends

Thankful Thursday today is all about being thankful for the little things.  Like my 16 yr old getting her driver's license last week.  Because it wasn't until she drove her sisters and brother to Youth Group at the church that same night - while Dad and I stayed home, comfortable on the couch - that I realized just how much driving I have done over the last dozen years or so.  

Four kids.  
One vehicle.  
You do the math.
To be honest, I am equally thankful that my daughter is a good driver.  A very good driver.  Hence us giving her the car just hours after she passed her driving test.  We trust her.  And she appreciates that trust.  We've been pretty blessed with all our kids.  But that is an entire years'-worth of Thankful Thursdays for another time.

So for now - I am just thankful that for both of the last 2 nights, when I had club ladies here creating up a storm in my basement, I didn't have to be the one driving my kids out and about to the places they needed to be.  Darling daughter had it all under control.  And I got to just teach and ink and glue and cut in peace. 

Thankful?  Who me?  You betcha!!

So who actually gets this Thank You card?   Hmmm.   Daughter?   Driving Instructor?  Driving Examiner?  All of the above - or none of the above?  Could be that this is just one for my stash.  But the gratitude I feel to all those people who contributed to this outcome so that I have just a bit more freedom than I had before......well I kid you not, I am thankful indeed!

Hope everyone has a chance to focus on all the things they are thankful for, be they big or small.  And that you feel blessed beyond compare!  Have a lovely day and God Bless,    ~Cynthia     <><

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Wonderful Weekly Deals!!

Hello Friends

I am pretty excited about the Weekly Deals that Stampin' Up! advertised, starting today!  

The Tasteful Trim Die for 25% off?!!  Woo Hoo!  Floral Frames Framelits at a bargain price!  Artisan Label Punch, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, and two of my favourite ribbons!!  I cannot tell you how excited these sale prices make me!
These are specials you just don't want to miss!  Order them online now, or contact me and I will order them for you. Hurry and get yours today, because by next Tuesday these specials will not be available anymore!  And remember, if you submit an order of $60 or more (before s&h and taxes) then you will ALSO get a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!!

I just love that SU! has continued these fantastic Weekly Deals during Sale-A-Bration.  They are letting us save money.  AND get free gifts!

Have a super day everyone, and God Bless,     ~Cynthia    <><

Sunday 9 February 2014

A Different Angle - Peaceful Petals

Hi Friends

Ever notice that when you find a nice, flowery stamp set, you feel locked into a type and cannot get past the flowers to think outside the box?  I was in that mode with Peaceful Petals.  Love, love, LOVE the set....but only saw girlie cards.

Until I tried.

Here's a card using just the leaves from amongst those stamp images, in green and gold tones. And I must say, it looks completely different from every other card I've made using that set.

What do you think?  Surprised it was Peaceful Petals, weren't you?!

I've got a few more Peaceful Petals cards to show you over the next little while (but they are more along the lines of what you might be expecting....) .  And they'll all use a quick and cool little technique that I've been playing with quite a bit lately.

But until then, I will keep this short and sweet.  Feel free to leave me a comment to let me know what you think of this particular Peaceful Petals card - and come back soon to see its sister cards.

Hope you all have a terrific weekend!   God Bless,      ~Cynthia    <><

Saturday 8 February 2014

My Turn to Get Inky....Neeje Crop 2014

Hello Friends

I am spending today at an all-day Crop organized by a good (and *very* competent) friend of mine, to raise money for the Neeje Association For Women and Children.  
Interlocking Gatefold Valentine

Interlocking Gatefold Options
















The first 3 years this Crop was held, I was one of the Stampin' Up! representatives at the Crop - but this year I get to go as a participant.  No working for me this year.  This time around, I get to PLAY!  Yee haw.  Can you tell I am excited?

At any rate, while I work away, in amongst a great many of my friends, I will leave you with this card that my Club Ladies made in January.  We have so many wonderful framelits that allow you to make interlocking pieces for the front of a gatefold card - so I gave my ladies a choice of whether or not to use a heart (and Pink Pirouette) or Window Frame or Deco label shapes (and I also offered Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party papers and inks).  
Kathy's Valentine Card

The variety that the women made was wonderful.  And some of the ladies really thought outside the box (at least in terms of the colours I had supplied).  Look at the absolutely STUNNING card that Kathy made!  Doesn't it just shout out..."look at me - I'm Beautiful!"?

Kathy will be at today's Crop so I'll have to let her know that her card is posted on my blog.  I just thought you all needed to see how lovely it is.  And in real life, it is even more stunning!

I'm going to move along now - I hope while I am busy *playing* with paper and ink at the Neeje Crop today, you all enjoy a spectacular Saturday.

Take care and God Bless,   ~Cynthia    <><