Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas.....

.. From my Home to Yours!
Wishing you and those you love nothing but the best in 2011! I hope you enjoy this time with family and are able to truly enjoy what this beautiful season is all about! I am going to take some down time from blogging but will be back after the first of the year to share some fun and excitement. Happy stamping and have a blessed holiday!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland...

So, are you all in the Christmas spirit yet? Gosh, I am starting to and here... I only have 5 days before the holiday hits! I better get in the spirit... don't you think? Last night we had our family Christmas party (where I invite all of hubby's family over) and we just eat, eat, eat, do a white elephant exchange and then round out the night with a Christmas light tour. It was so much fun!

Moving on to a card to share....

Are you walking in a winter wonderland where you live? In my neck of the woods, it's more like these ice skaters! We had a warm up, but not enough to melt the streets and then... the cold hit so -- cars are skating left and right! (Thankfully, it's only on the side streets).

Anywhoo... this card was super duper easy peasy! I stamped the Vintage Postcard on Flourishes Classic White card stock using Platinum Brilliance ink -- which is like a silver shimmer and then accented with a B0000 Copic marker (super light blue). Add an embossed backgound, a linen ribbon and some pearl swirls and... done! I did add some glitter to parts of my snow covered areas -- but it's hard to tell. All in all, it's just a soft looking card.

Glad you stopped by "my place!" Wishing you the best the season has to offer -- however you celebrate!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Mega Masking!

Hi all....it's Flourishes Free-for-All Friday and for this little post, I wanted to show you a bit of what you can do with Flourishes' new Mix-n-Mugs set. As some of the gals on the DT have shown..... you can paper piece with this set(like Danielle did HERE), you can cut and pop up (Like Christine did HERE) or, in this case below -- you can mask!

So... let's get started! I started by making a mask of my mug -- cutting off the very top edge.

Then, I stamped my flowers "in" the mug so that it would look like they were setting inside....
Remove the mask and... voila!
The next step in my creation is actually reverse masking. I wanted to use the polka dots in this set to deck out my mug. So, I made a reverse mask like this....
I stamped the dots multiple times using Angel Pink Memento ink....
Remove the mask and... you have a cute polka dot mug!
And, this is what it looked like after I colored it up. I also added a little sentiment on my mug. Unfortunately, with cold and flu season -- I'm thinking it won't be long before I send this one out. I colored with a mix of Copic markers. I grabbed the Sweet Pea, Hydrangea, Peony, Daffodill and Spring Greens collections grouped by Flourishes and just used a couple colors from each.
And... ta da! The finished creation with some decorative paper, crocheted lace, a dash of pearls and scallops.

I hope this little tutorial on masking with the Mix-n-Mugs set was helpful. I really think this set has so many possibilities. Don't like to mask? Try paper piecing. Don't like to paper piece? Try using the mugs or the fun things to stuff inside on their own! I know I won't run out of ideas any time soon! :-)
If you'd like to grab this set and want to get it at a discount, today is the last day for Flourishes New Release Bundle! You can get Mix-n-Mugs and Butterflies and Blossoms bundled at 10% off. You can click HERE for more details!
Be sure to stop by the other gals blogs to see what fun they've cooked up this Friday!

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber – that's me!
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Thanks for stopping by and have a WONDERFUL weekend! It's baking weekend at my house so, there'll be a lot of mayhem and plenty of sugar highs! :-) See you back here soon!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Mark your Calendar!

As I unveil Flourishes final offering this week, you have to know this one is fun and it won't even cost you a dime!



Last year at this time, Marcella Hawley unveiled a special calendar that you could print off to use with Flourishes' A Year of Flowers 1, A Year of Flowers 2, or A Year of Flowers 3 sets to create beautiful, botanical-inspired calendars. It's a sure fire way to keep your heart in spring all year long. Well, the 2011 calendar is here! Since there are a few steps to download this 2011 calendar .pdf, please click HERE to view our download tutorial. And you can click HERE to get to the calendar page in our store!

On to my creation!
I wanted to use a calendar page to create a cute Happy New Year card. So, print the calendar off and let the fun begin! I used a mix of little items from a few different sets. I used a small circle from the retired Flourished Elements set, the sentiment is from the Holiday Greetings set, and the champagne glass (which I stamped twice to look as though they were clinking) from the You Are Invited set. I grabbed some BasicGrey (from Olivia) and another decorative paper scrap for my background, mat it all up on some silver mirror paper, add some clear rhinestones, some glitter glue on the champagne bubbles and some sheer white ribbon and... done!
Here's a close up of those cute little glasses!
There you have it! An easy peasy lemon squeezy card to wish someone a very Happy New Year! Need some inspiration on how to use this handy template? Hop on over and see our Design Team's creations!

  • Christine Okken
  • Cindy Lawrence
  • Danielle Kennedy
  • Dawn Burnworth
  • Julie Koerber
  • Laura Fredrickson
  • Leslie Miller
  • Stacy Morgan

  • Thanks for joining me this week! I've had a blast and I hope you have too! :-)

    Thursday, December 9, 2010

    Say hello to Flourishes' December Release!

    After being tempted and teased all week with the Design Team's delish samples from Flourishes new release, I'm happy to report that the sets are now live and ready for the picking in the Flourishes Store! Just click HERE to go shopping!!Here's a peek at....

    Butterflies and Blossoms

    Butterflies & Blossoms Web-WM

    Mix-n-Mugs

    comp_mix-n-mugs.indd
    Keep in mind, if you buy both of the sets just released in the New Release Bundle HERE, you get all three sets for 10% off! This offer is only good through December 17th!

    I hope you had fun this week! Be sure to stop by tomorrow to see what I whipped up with one of our new... FREE... offerings! See you then!

    Wednesday, December 8, 2010

    Flourishes Release Week is HERE!

    While the calendar says December, Flourishes decided to kick off their new releases with a beautiful botanical that could warm hearts all year long! Are you ready to see a sneak of the first December set?

    Introducing...

    This set gorgeously drawn by Marcella Hawley offers not only a cluster of clematis adorned with a gorgeous peacock butterfly but single images that you can mix and match to create endless looks. Not to mention, there's a handful of beautiful sentiments to match!

    Would you like to win this set? Head on over to the Flourishes Blog and leave some love in the form of a comment to be in the running for the daily giveaway!

    Now, on to my creation! When Marcella first showed me her drawings, I gasped. I absolutely loved the butterfly in this set. So, I wanted to showcase this little "lady" all on it's own. So, I stamped on Flourishes Classic White and masked and let the fun begin!

    After I stamped and masked, I colored the butterflies up with Copic markers and used the Tigerlily, Flesh Tones 2 and Cool Neutrals collections grouped by Flourishes. I used the drop shadow technique and just shaded the areas that might have a shadow. I started with the C05, and then added C03 and C01 and blended with C00 to create the look. After I was finished, I matted it up on some Basic Grey Ambrosia paper, added a punched sentiment (from the set), added some black bling and some ribbon and... done!

    I had so much fun with this set that... I spent a ton of time playing!


    I'll be showing off those creations in the coming weeks! ;-) In the meantime, be sure to hop on over and see what the Flourishes gals created using this beautiful and timeless set!

  • Christine Okken
  • Cindy Lawrence
  • Danielle Kennedy
  • Dawn Burnworth
  • Laura Fredrickson
  • Leslie Miller
  • Stacy Morgan

  • Other FUN Flourishes Happenings this Week!

  • Join Flourishes for fun, games and giveaways as we take the lid off our December Release. You’re invited to our Power Hour Release Party set for Thursday, December 9th at 9 PM Central. All of our fabulous designers will be there chatting it up, plus we’ll have never before seen samples of all of our new sets. The party ends at 10 PM CST when all three of our new sets will be on Flourishes’ store shelves! Join us here at our Flourishes Member Company Forum on Splitcoast.
  • Did you check out the Winter White Challenge? You have a shot at winning all three of our new release stamp sets! Just click HERE to check it out! You have until this Friday at 5 PM Eastern!
  • Just like in past releases, Flourishes has bundled up a great deal! If you purchase both stamp sets being released in the New Release Bundle – you save 10% But you have to hurry, this offer expires December 17th!

    • Thanks for stopping by! I'll have more fun headed your way tomorrow when Flourishes unveils a one-of-a-kind set aimed at serving up some fun for all kinds of special people in your life! See you then!

      Monday, December 6, 2010

      Deck the Halls Beautiful!


      Hi all! It's the first Monday of the month, which means the beauty girls are at it again with this month's challenge!

      HERE'S HOW TO PLAY: it's the Deck the Halls Beautiful Challenge! For this month’s Bringing Back Beautiful Challenge, use beauty in stamping to create an accent piece for a table, a mantle, a decoration or any kind of home décor. ‘Tis the season for stamping and entertaining –so let’s see if you can create a match made in heaven by using both! Link up your Bringing Back Beautiful creation here. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword BBB05. You have until December 31st to enter! As we unveil our challenge for next month, we’ll share our True Beauties – those card makers who wowed us with this challenge! Winners will be featured on the Flourishes Blog and will receive a True Beauty blog button to display proudly on their blog!

      Now... to my creation! My project isn't necessarily for the holidays but would be a fun, inexpensive gift for someone on your list that you love! This is what you need...

      Supplies:

      • A wood frame (I bought mine at Michaels for $1)
      • A foam paint brush
      • Versamark or embossing ink
      • Two shades of acryllic paint
      • Your favorite stamps (I used Falling Leaves from Flourishes)
      • Deep Impression embossing powder or a semi-course clear powder.

      I had seen folks do resist embossing plenty of times on paper and thought -- what if you did this on a home decor item? Well, if you do that you get what some call.. Antique Embossing! First, start by painting the base of your frame a solid color. I chose a metallic bronze so that my frame would look almost like aged copper when I was done.

      Then, using Versamark ink, I stamped my leaves and embossed with the clear embossing powder.
      Afterward, I created a wash with 3/4 acryllic brown paint and 1/4 water. Using the foam brush, you apply a light, almost streaky coat and let this dry. I wanted my leaves to really POP so, I applied a second coat and then let dry. Now the fun begins! Take a slightly damp paper towel and remove the paint from the embossed areas. You have to be somewhat careful so that you are only removing the paint from the embossed portions. See?
      And, this is a look at my finished product!

      I wish you could really see the metallic sheen in the photo! I did end up sealing this with a clear acryllic spray, just to add a little sheen. You don't need to, but I thought it would be easier to preserve. And, there you have it -- a pic of me and my DS to keep in our home or give to someone (like maybe his nana) that loves us both! :-)

      If you'd like to check out the challenge, click HERE and don't forget to hop on over and see some of the other beauty girls and their fabulous creations!

      Beate Johns
      Cindy Coutts
      Kathy Jones
      Yvonne Hagane
      Heather Jensen

      Thanks for stopping by and Happy Monday! See you back here soon!

      Friday, December 3, 2010

      The Winter White Challenge!

      I think I say this every month... I have no idea where the time goes! It's already time for another Release Week Challenge with Flourishes. Next week, they'll pull the lid off two new sets! WOO HOO!

      In the meantime, you have a chance at WINNING them with......

      HOW TO PLAY: As the winter snow continues to fly, let's wash our cards and creations with white! Show off a little pop of color, but make sure the overall feeling is white! To enter Flourishes' Winter White challenge, simply link your card up HERE. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword FLLCDEC10. You have until December 10th at 5 PM Eastern to enter! Use Flourishes stamps if you have them, but if you don't, please play along anyway! The winner will recieve all of our new releases for the month!

      On to my creation!
      The challenge said to have a "little pop of color".... right? Well, I think I went a tad overboard on the red but... I couldn't help it! :-) This card couldn't be easier. I just stamped the snow guy from the Warm Winter Wishes set on Flourishes Classic White, coloring him up with Copic markers (I used markers from the Poppy, and Flesh Tones 2 collections along with a few grey blue markers) and , highlighting with B0000 and then adding in some sparkle thanks to some glitter glue. Add some decorative paper (Bo Bunny and BasicGrey) and then layer on an embossed piece of white paper, paper pierce and add some buttons with some fun peppermint twine and... that, my friends, is it!




      Make sure you stop by and say "hi" to the rest of the Flourishes gals. I am sure you'll be inspired with their Winter White creations!



      Christine Okken
      Cindy Lawrence
      Danielle Kennedy
      Dawn Burnworth
      Laura Fredrickson
      Leslie Miller
      Stacy Morgan



      Hope you make time for play time and I'll see you back here soon!

      Thursday, December 2, 2010

      New Years Resolutions.....

      It may only be December 1st, but 2011 is really just around the corner! And, like the millions that will look at January 1 and make some wishes for the new year, the Impression Obsession Design Team is putting some of their ideas... on paper in the form of a challenge!

      You can read all about the December 2nd challenge HERE. The goal is to make a card based on your New Years Resolutions. Use IO stamps and you could win a $25 gift certificate to the Impression Obsession store!

      On to my creation! You might look at my card and say... Hhhhmmm? Well... this image is really at the heart of what I want for 2011 -- to keep in better touch with those I love. Life is too short... you know?
      This stamp is part of a set called Letters Mingle Souls. After stamping on white, I colored it up with Copic Markers (RV32, RV34, Y21, Y23, YG63, G40, V01, V04, E25, E31, C01, C03 and B000 to highlight around my letter). Mat it up with some decorative paper (Kaiser Craft), some fun ribbon (May Arts), crocheted lace, and some decorative stitching and.. done!

      Here's a close up...

      And that, my friends, is it! What are some of your New Year's Resolutions? Do you have any unusual ones that you might like to share? Just leave me a little note, I'd love to hear! Make sure to stop by and see some of the other IO gals and what kind of goals they have for the new year!

      Jenny
      Jeanne
      Deborah
      Dina
      Laura

      Thanks for stopping by! And, just a little FYI -- the Impression Obsession 20% off sale is still going on! Just click here to find out more.. or shop! ;-)

      See you back here soon!

      Wednesday, December 1, 2010

      A fun little award with a cherry on top!

      Hi all and Happy Wednesday! This morning when I opened up my email, I got this wonderful surprise from fellow stamper Diane Long. How fun is this? Thanks Diane! With the award, you're supposed to list three things about yourself. HHhhhmmmm.... I love to dance and often do it as I clean house to make that job less miserable. I think coloring should be part of a religion because there is nothing more peaceful and introspective than sitting down for some quiet time with a marker or pencil. I love playing Guitar Hero with my kids. There you have it... three kind of off the wall things about me. HA!

      So, what bloggers do I think have a cherry on top? GOSH... there are too many to list! My blog roll is full of them! (That actually reminds me I have to update that and add a few more!)

      I literally just randomly picked five for you to check out because..... let's face it... they are ALL awesome!

      Susan Roberts
      Amy Scheffer
      Debbie Olson
      Beate Johns
      Barb Schram

      So hop on through if you need some inspiration... these ladies won't disappoint! ;-) Thanks for stopping by and Thanks again Diane for the honor!


      Monday, November 29, 2010

      Hi all and Happy Monday! I hope you had a fantastic weekend. We sure did! I think our family seized every second. Here's a recap.... fabulous Thanksgiving meal, shopping, birthday celebration for hubby, trip to a neighbors for a round of Apples to Apples and a snowman making competition (girls vs. boys), watching our neighborhood start to get decked out for the holidays and a few rounds of bowling... Whew!!! It was fun! On top of it all, I spent some serious time with my mom in the craft room whipping up cards to send to the Children's Hospital of Michigan. We literally had an assembly line rolling and we've got a box started! I'll show those creations soon...


      Today, however, I wanted to share a Christmas creation using one of the new stamps Impression Obsession released for the holidays! This stamp is called Candy Cane Window and it is just plain -- I ended up stamping the sentiment inside the little sentiment window. The sentiment is from a set called Mini Messages.

      I colored this up with a few Copic markers (YG00,YG03,R29, R24, G28, G19, Y21, y23, B0000 and then, where the leaded areas area, I used a grey Copic Spica pen to add some razzle dazzle. Add some decorative paper and some sheer ribbon and... voila! Easy peasy!


      Before I go.... just an FYI from your bargain hunter here... Impression Obsession's annual sale is now extended through Friday, December 3rd. All you need to do is just enter "SALE" in the coupon code box when you go to check out. You have to click the button next to it - or your total won't adjust. This will take 20% off your entire cart. Mitra has been busy at the warehouse adding items so... you should check out her clearance page- you'll get 20% off the already discounted prices!


      Happy Monday everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you back here soon!

      Saturday, November 27, 2010

      Warm wishes... on a chilly day!

      Hi all! Hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend. I am! We are just chilling... kinda like this snowguy above! We "tried" to go shopping yesterday to no avail. There wasn't much on my lists that was on sale so I decided not to brave the crowd. I laughingly said I was going to buy a t-shirt that read..."WELL RESTED" and wear it all Black Friday. My husband thought that was a death wish among competitive and sleep deprived women looking for that almighty deal. Oh well... I still giggled.

      So.. moving on to this fun little creation! All it takes is a darling little stamp.... from the Snow Happy stamp set! (Impression Obsession). I colored it up with Copic markers and then (although you can't really tell) added in some glitter glue to give the snow some razzle dazzle! Add in some decorative paper, an oval and scalloped oval die, some gingham ribbon and a button and... done!

      And.... IO is having a huge sale through tomorrow night! What's the deal? 20% off your entire order and free shipping on all orders $35 and up in the U.S. and Canada! PLUS a free stamp (Snowy Tree Globe) with all purchases over $50! That's a great deal! Click Here to Shop the Sale!!!

      Thanks for stopping by everyone! See you back here soon!

      Thursday, November 25, 2010

      A little bit of a SALE!

      Hello Flourishes fans! Just a little note to say that Flourishes is having a.....

      Black+Friday+Sale+Button


      That's right... everything in the store FRIDAY ONLY is 15% off!! To shop, simply use the code SAVINGS4U at the time of check out in the promotional code box. Stock up for yourself or think of those crafty folks in your life that might want some Flourishes goodies under the tree. So, get shopping! This BLACK FRIDAY sale ends when Friday comes to a close -- 24 hours only!

      Switching gears, I hope and pray that everyone out there that celebrated Thanksgiving enjoyed some time with their family! It was a VERY quiet day at my house. I think because this was the scene outside...
      Yes, you can see we won't be out grilling on the patio anytime soon! So, instead, I cozied up and worked on a U.F.O. (unfinished object!) I've been working on this sweater forever and I am bound and determined to finish it up before Christmas!!! I have to knit the sleeves and collar and... done!

      And, like I said, since it was quiet .... this was DH, who admitted today that he would be the king of the "duff sitters" with football on TV....
      My mom's hands were going so fast with those knitting needles you can see a blur!!! Look at that look of concentration!
      The little gal, DD, was busy reading in the bean bag...I'm not sure if I even brushed her hair in between knitting and making the Thanksgiving dinner... ;-)
      And, DS just wanted to look cerebral. Um... ok. :-)

      So, hope you and yours had a nice day and know that I'm wishing you all the BEST! See you back here soon!