Hot Summer Sets -- Grand Finale - plus a challenge!

Hi all! I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of the summer fun that's being cooked up by Flourishes! Today.... is the grand finale complete with fireworks!! Keep reading too because this set we are unveiling today is on a mission - one that we sincerely hope you will help us with!


Introducing......

For my project today, I combined the Stamp Simply challenge (ssnotime91) with my sneak peek! The challenge? Half circles! All you needed to do was create a project with a half circle as a part of the layout! You can stop by Sharon's place for all the official details HERE! And, you'll have to check and see what the other Stamp Simply gals cooked up! Sabrina, June Guest Designer, Janine, Jennifer, AJ, Becky, Tammy, and Deb.

Well, if you saw the Patriotism On Parade set - you'd know, a half circle is pretty easy to pull off!

So, off I went making "firecrackers!"...
I have to start by saying - this wasn't my idea! I picked it up in the June/July issue of Family Fun magazine. See?

Basically, you cover lifesavers with decorative paper and add the "sparkle" thanks to that metallic packing material that people put in gift baskets and bags. You twist some wire around it and then insert it into the center of the lifesaver! Easy peasy!

I knew right away that I wanted to make my half circle the bunting stamp from this new set. I stamped it, and colored it with Copic Markers (R27, R29, E33, and B29.) Then, I started to work on my box. I made it 5" by 9" and scored at the 2", 4", 6" and 8" mark so that I had a 2" square box with a 1" flap to secure my box. I also scored an 1-1/2" from the bottom to cut and create my flaps to secure the bottom. The rest is just decking out with decorative paper (the Paper Studio) and I did add some ribbon (Hobby Lobby) and bling.

I also added a little message on one of my firecrackers!

Now to the touching part about this set! This story is a bit long - so I hope you stick with me!! When this set was first crafted,one of the things Flourishes really, really wanted to do was use a portion of the proceeds to benefit a military cause of some sort. After digging into the issue,we found a great cause!



Friday night when this set is released - part of the proceeds will go to benefit The Wounded Warrior Project. Here's a little history about this non-profit...

"The Wounded Warrior Project began when several individuals took small, inspired actions to help others in need.One night while watching the evening news, a group of veterans and brothers were moved by the difficult stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq. They realized then and there that something needed to be done for these brave individuals beyond the brass bands and ticker tape parades. The resulting objective was to provide tangible support for the severely wounded and help them on the road to healing, both physically and mentally. What had been initially viewed as a small contribution (compared with what the warriors had sacrificed while serving our country) has become WWP's signature program:WWP backpacks delivered bedside to wounded warriors."

As I went through their website, I was amazed, absolutely amazed at the wide ranging programs this organization initiated. They have training programs to help wounded soldiers transition into the workforce. They have caregiver training focusing on PTSD. They have support groups and rehabilitative retreats that they fund. I started to cry when I saw all the good this organization does.

Having deep ties to our country's military, Flourishes wanted to be a part of the solution. We are proudly donating a portion of the proceeds of our brand new Patriotism on Parade set to the Wounded Warrior Project. We believe in the work they do and we can't wait to support this group's amazing efforts.

Before you go - please stop by and see what our Design Team crafted in honor of this special set!

Leslie Miller
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Julie Koerber
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Stacy Morgan

Do you want to win this set? Simply leave us a comment over on the Flourishes Newsletter -- the winner will be announced first thing tomorrow morning! Speaking of winning sets... did you check out our Easy Breezy challenge HERE? All you need to do is create a ten minute card and link it on THIS post by 5 PM Eastern tonight and -- you're in the running for the drawing for all three of our new release sets! We'll announce the winner during our Release Party!

FYI: Before I go-- don't forget the Flourishes Power Hour! It's our fast paced summer release party over at the Flourishes Forum on Splitcoast! We know you all love to be outside and have more family commitments - but we don't want you to miss out on the fun! So join us for an hour of reveals, games, chat and fun! The party starts at 9 PM Central TONIGHT!


Thanks for sticking with me and thanks so much for stopping by! See you back here soon!