VERY THANKFUL STAMP SET

First of all I finally had some time to actually stamp today; believe me I was in serious withdrawal!  I got a new set to me last week, the VERY THANKFUL stamp set on the back page of the catalogue. This is our featured "Making a Difference" stamp set which is designated for the Ronald McDonald House Charity. Contribute to the cause of Making a Difference in the lives of children served by Ronald McDonald House Charities by purchasing theVery Thankful stamp set. Not only will you be able to share your thanks with others with these delightful images, but you will have the gratitude of the children and families who benefit from the donation of $2 per set that Stampin' Up! contributes from the proceeds of this stamp set.

I will be featuring a few different cards from this set just to show you the versatility of the designs.

This card is of course very whimsical like the stamped image.  The image was stamped with Garden Green and then colored with markers and blender pens.  I used D/P from the Kaleidoscope collection.  For embellishments I added the Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon and the matching pearls.

The next card is also fun and whimsical.

  As you can see this has a completely different color palette of Pumpkin Pie, Not Quite Navy and Naturals White card stock.  The D/P comes from the Autumn Meadows collection.  The image was colored with markers and embellishments include the grosgrain ribbon and the matching Corduroy Button.

Be sure to leave some comments and win your chance to get a free registration to my Sweet Pea On-line Class.

The Olympic Challenge WInner!

The winner was selected by my daughter Jocelyn who graduated from Nova Scotia College of Art & Design with a Fine Arts Degree.  She knew none of the people who entered so she certainly was a non-biased judge and looked solely at the design and artistic side of the entries.  It's certainly handy to have such a great judge with lots of experience in the artistic side of life.  She's the gal on the left.

Drum roll please....... the winner of my Olympic Challenge is Rebecca Larlee who created the winning design.  This card was created in celebration of our Hockey Gold Medal where are very own Nova Scotian, Sidney Crosby, scored the winning goal!  Rebecca's card was chosen for the originality of the design, the color choices, the artistry and how her Olympic spirit came through!!!  Congratulations Rebecca on winning a free registration to the Spring Soiree On-line Class!

I want to personally thank everyone who entered the Olympic Challenge and congratulate them on the great job you did on your entries!  Thanks so much! 

The second prize for the free entry to the Spring Soiree was earned by a draw from all the comment entries that were left on my blog during the contest period.  Congratulations goes to Elaine R.  who has also won a spot at the Spring Soiree.  There were over 80 entries to choose from and the winner was picked by my DH!  What would we do without them?  LOL  Congratulations to Elaine R. for your win.

Both names will be submitted to the Spring Soiree planners and you will receive your free invitation on March 19th or before to join the class.  Another big thank you for all the people that left comments on my blog over the past month!

Stay tuned because tomorrow I will be launching another contest to win a spot at my Sweet Pea On-line Class!  Details to follow.

THE OLYMPIC CHALLENGE ENTRIES

Hello everyone, sorry I haven't posted in a bit but I've been crazy busy getting ready for April plus I had to speak at a ladies breakfast on Saturday which takes lots of prep and prayer time.

Anyway I wanted to share with you some beautiful cards I received for my Olympic Challenge.  Don't forget that to enter a card gives you a chance to win a free registration to to the Spring Soiree 2010 on-line class.  Oh MY GOSH, you should see the projects there!  So amazing!

Anyway here are the cards I received from customers who are regulars at my classes.

Here are some samples that my customers submitted:

Sheree Delaney's Birthday Card which uses Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Whisper WHite, YoYo Yellow and Glorious Green.  So bright and happy isn't it?  Be sure to leave some love for Sherry in the comments below!

Sheree Delaney's Inside of her Birthday Card  

Rebecca Larlee created this card to celebrate Canada's Gold Medal in the Men's Hockey Final!

 
 Rebecca Larlee's 2nd Card Entry

Here's the inside of Rebecca's card.

Rebecca Larlee's 3rd Entry

The inside of the card.

Rebecca Larlee's 4th entry.  Don't you just love the pocket?

Here's the insert in the pocket.

 
Rebecca Larlee's 5th card.  How adorable is this!

And of course the inside!

Rebecca has only been stamping since November!  Can you believe how awesome these cards are????  Be  sure to leave some love for her in the comment section below the post!  Thanks Rebecca for all your beautiful designs.

If you would like to enter the challenge you can get all the details at:

http://cindyloustampingguru.typepad.com/challenges/2010/02/cindy-lous-olympic-challenge-february-15---march-15-2010.html

SWAP SISTER PROJECTS

One of the exciting things that happens at UStamp is you have the opportunity to participate in a world wide swap if you want.  My swap sister, Lynn, shipped her projects all the way from Australia and they are just too cute to not share with you!  She created an adorable Recipe Box and 3 Cards using the Tart & Tangy designer paper which is now retired here in Canada.

This post is for you Lynn!  Thanks again for the wonderful projects you made for me!

If you would like to take part in the next UStamp be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a  free registration to the event!!!

 
  
  

EXCITING NEWS FOR ME AND YOU!!!

I am a guest designer for UStamp with Dawn and friends!!!

Spring Soiree 2010

 

This fabulous online class begins on March 19th, 2010. 

VIEW ALL THE DETAILS HERE!

I will be giving away 2 free registrations for this event.  To qualify to enter the draw simply leave comments on any of my blog posts from February 15- March 15th.  Winners will be selected randomly on March 16th and will receive an invation to the events on March 19th.

VALENTINE CARD WITH MATCHING MATCH BOX

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Today's post came from U Stamp With Dawn and Friends Love 2010 On-line class. 

Every day a different designer makes a project and then we are suppose to come up with our version of the project.  The original design of this was created by Kirsty Brown from Australia.  She created a darling little matchbox and matching card. 

Here's the version of her design that I came up with which is basically the same layout just completely different colors and embellishments.

I used one of my favorite D/P, Bella Bleu and then tied in the Vanilla and Not Quite Navy to create this set. 

The matchbox was created with a Bigz Die on my Big Shot which is so easy to put together.  It makes the perfect size box for a pair of earrings or any small item you'd like to surprise someone with.  

The card used Not Quite Navy ink stamped on Vanilla.  I like how the original design just stamped the hearts all in a row!  On the additional heart which I popped up, I  stamped it, then covered the whole surface with Versamark Ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder with a few little sprinkles of Dazzling Diamonds added in for sparkle. It doesn't show up very well on camera but is very nice in reality!

I love how the Pinking Heart Border & Corner punches add a little pizazz and of course I just had to add my all time favorite ribbon from the Ribbons Original Elementary collection.  For a little extra bling I added the Rhinestone brad and the pearls.  This was easily a 10 minute card so be sure and try one at home.  For the greeting I used Picture This, which is a Level 1 Hostess set in the Mini Occasions catalogue.

 

SEASON OF FRIENDSHIP VALENTINE TIN

Today's post is a tin I made using the Season of Friendship Stamp Set, the Pink Flamingo Designer Paper, Teeny Tiny Wishes Greeting, and a Lunch Box Tin.  To adhere the Designer papers to the tin I used Tombo Multi-purpose Adhesive.  It's fantastic and because it takes a few moments to dry it gives you the opportunity to make sure that the paper is positioned exactly where you want it.

For punches I used the new Scallop Trim Punch and the Heart to Heart Punch to create the "Heart Tree".  The little birds in the tree were stamped and sponged, with a little white dot for their eyes using our Uni-ball White gel pen.  The greeting was created and then punched out with the small oval punch, then layered on the large oval of Regal Rose and a Scalloped Oval of Rose Red.

Just to finish it off I tied a piece of our gorgeous organza white ribbon around the tin.  The question now is what should I put in the tin?  Leave a comment and let me know your ideas!  Everyone who leaves a comment will get a little surprise delivered to your email address. 

I received the inspirtation for this project on an online class that I attended on Andrea Walford's Sunny Stampin' Classroom.  It's a very fun time!  Be sure to check it out!

http://andreawalford.com/?p=4313

CINDY LOU, THE STAMPING GURU & FRIENDS NOW ACCEPTING MEMBERSHIPS!

I have now started a network on Ning for fellow paper crafters.  If you would like to join check it out!

Visit CINDY LOU, THE STAMPING GURU & FRIENDS

At 7:00pm on Saturday night I'm hosting a chat!  Sign up and join us!

VALENTINE TREAT CUPS

Last night I had a crop at my house, and several of my friends dropped by for a great night of stamping and catching up.  I just had to show you this adorable valentine that my good friend, Lynn Sichky, made.

 

Isn't it adorable??

 
Here's a close up of the top!  I absolutely loved it.  Great job Lynn!  I love how the candy matches the design colors so perfectly.  She was making one for every child in her little boy's class.  Makes you want to be a kid again doesn't it?

I {LOVE} LOVE JUMBO WHEEL

You will find this wheel on page 15 of your Occasions Mini Catalogue and it's just perfect for Valentine, Wedding or Anniversary projects.  Since I'm on a Valentine's kick these days I decided to create a valentine with it.

I wheeled the image on Naturals White with Rich Razzleberry ink and then added a little extra color with a Pretty in Pink and a Pale Plum marker.  The image was cut to the desired size and mounted on a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  I then mounted it again on another piece of Naturals Ivory that had both ends punched with the Scallop Trim border.  I then added a touch of Razzleberry polka-dot ribbon to the ends and mounted it on the main card.  The main card was made with a Naturals White base, a Rich Razzleberry mat and a piece of the Razzleberry Lemonade designer paper.  All in all about a 10 minute card!

The "I {LOVE} LOVE JUMBO WHEEL", can be purchased at my online store.  Here's what the full image looks like.  Think of all the great colors this could be done with!