Last week during our monthly Inspiration Night gathering, I was feeling great. I was so happy to have had the energy and strength to be there. I had completed my cancer treatments for stage 4 Lymphoma but I was awaiting test results to find out if I were cancer free or not. Being with everyone that night was such a great distraction from the unknown. It felt good, to feel good! I was just so happy to be back at Inspiration night after months of not being able to attend.

Darlene, Cindy and Ralene at Inspiration Night

One of my favorite things about being with Stampin’ Up! demonstrators is the community we share.

I really love how so many in that community surrounded me with love and prayers through each step of my cancer journey. I am grateful also for my Stamped With Aloha team leaders who stepped up in my absence and kept our monthly gatherings going! That gave me such peace knowing that our team was being well taken care of in my absence.

Our theme for February was Birthday Bonanza! I designed the projects using products from our Birthday Bonanza Suite. Today, I will share with you the projects we made at our February Inspiration Night.

The first card I created was this Toucan one. One of my favorite things about Stampin’ Up! products is our color coordination. I love how I was able to use Stampin’ Blends to color the beak of the Toucan and it matched the colors of the Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper exactly!

The next card featured the Lion image from the Bonanza Buddies Stamp Set.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! This card takes me back to my High School days when I played Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. One of my downline shared with me this week that she used the Lion image to create a fun project for a Wizard of Oz themed event. I think this image is so cute.

The Koala bear is my favorite!!! When I see Koala bears I think of Rosie and Robyn, two of my stampin’ Sisters who are from Australia. One day I hope to visit them as Australia is one of my bucket list destinations. Since I found out the day after Inspiration Night that I was Cancer Free, I think trip to Australia would be a great way to celebrate!!!

My favorite thing about this Koala bear image, is that when you stamp his face, a personality is born! Do you see how the Koalas on the Designer Paper are looking straight ahead? Well, I love that fact that when I added the stamped face to this Koala, it appeared that he was looking up! That is a great reminder of the lesson I learned during my Cancer Journey and that is the importance of keeping my eyes on God no matter what is going on around me. Psalm 46:1-3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble”. So if you are facing a challenge today, don’t forget to look up!

I added stamped envelopes to each card that featured the cute animals from the Bonanza Buddies stamp set and inserted the cards and envelopes into a Clear Stamp Case.

Do you notice something about all these projects? The measurements I used on the cards are all exactly the same. I love stamping this way. It makes putting together a coordinating class or gift so easy. Here are the measurements for the cards.

Card Base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, folded in half

Designer Paper: 2 1/4 x 5, Backing to Designer Paper: 2 1/2 x 5 1/4, Solid Strip: 1/2 x 5 1/4

Here are all the projects we made at Inspiration Night. You might notice there is an additional project that I didn’t show you yet. It is the little Koala gift card holder in the front. I’ll show you that project in a future post as I have a funny story to share about it.

Until then, I hope you enjoyed these quick and colorful Birthday cards! As you go through your day today I hope you will remember the inspiration I learned from the Koala card that beautiful Cassie is holding in the photo below.

No matter what you face, whether good or bad, don’t forget to look up!

With love and many blessings as I celebrate 7 days officially being Cancer Free!!!

Cindy

Don't Forget To Look Up!

Out of my COMFORT ZONE

Warrior Not Worrier

Stamped With Aloha