Friday 2-fer!

Hi all! TGIF! I have another Friday two-fer....for you!


STAMP SIMPLY

First things first, it's Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenge! This week it was all about breaking the rules! Stripes, polka dots, and lots of patterns! You know, kind of like when you were a kid and wanted to dress yourself!

So, I grabbed a new set from Flourishes called Gigi and Chloe that will be released April 1st (make sure to check the Flourishes Newsletter for details then!) Then, I went to town!


Meet GIGI! Isn't she the cutest thing? I can't wait for you to see this whole set! Because she has her shopping bags and is ready to go, it really lent itself to lots of patterns. I knew that I wanted to paper piece like mad! So, I stamped my main image in black ink, colored up her skin, hair and gave her a blushing glow! After that, I stamped her on black and cream print, a dusty red paisley and again on a blue paisley. Then, get out your detail scissors and glue pen and piece away!


Here's a close up of her!

I colored her handbag and shoes with two shades of light brown Copic markers and then used a Zig fine tip silver pen to add some studs on her purse. I love how she has this demure look on her face as if to say -- 'Don't worry! I got it all on sale!'

Don't you just love this saying???? I think it's too fun! Perfect for the SU Word Window punch!

Add some more decorative paper, a ribbon tab, and some threaded orange buttons and you are good to go! Shopping anyone?

For this week's Stamp Simply challenge, check out all the official details at Sharon's place, then visit these fine ladies.....
Barb, March Guest Designer
Dee
Tammy
Janine
AJ
Jennifer
Becky

FLOURISHES FOCUS

This week on the Flourishes Newsletter, the "focus" is on ribbon. Latisha is heading things up over there! She has a great tutorial on how she ties a bow! She challenged all of us to make a card WITHOUT decorative paper and instead focus on simple elegance - with a nice fancy bow!

So, away I went! I have to admit, this was a bit hard for me! I don't often make bows - I might knot - but not make a flouncy bow!

I started by cutting out some white cardstock with a Curved Rectangle Nestie. Then, I did one of my favorite things, I left the die on and then sponged on some Antique Linen Distress Ink. This masks the edge and almost looks like a faux mat.

Stamp the large daffodil from the Signs of Spring set on some scrap white twice, color it up with some watercolor pencils, blend with a SU blender pen, cut it out and layer some of the petals over top! One of my biggest tips --- ditch the foam tape when you do this kind of 3-D layering. Afterall, you really don't have a lot of control on how you can angle your pieces on top if you use foam tape- it's just a raised layer. Instead, I use THIS glue. It's a silicone glue that allows you to manipulate your piece of paper to actually be angled.

Here's a close up!

After that - add some bling and a big bow and BAM.... done! As you make your way out into blog land... you have to check out Latisha's fabulous ribbon tutorial HERE. And, then hop your way around the rest of the DT!

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Have a fabulous weekend!

p.s. Don't forget Laura and I's Celebrating 300K blog candy! There are just two challenges and lots of randomly drawn prizes on the line! you have until Monday, March 30! Case Laura and link to this post on Laura's blog, or upload to SCS with the keyword CEL300L. OR, case me and link to this post here on my blog, or upload to SCS with the keyword CEL300J. The clock is ticking!! ;-)