Final Fresh Picks... and a Stamp Simply Celebration!

Hi all! Today is one heck of a party in stampin' cyberspace! First up, we have the final peek at Flourishes releases for August. Can you say WOW? Every release I say - this is the best one and every release the artists outdo themselves!

We also have a bash going on with Stamp Simply! This is the 100th challenge! So, a bunch of SS designers past and present are combining their creative talents to give you a BUNCH of eye candy and ideas that you can sock away for a creative rainy day! We have tag ideas, card ideas, projects, gift ideas and even some tasty treats! To see the full list of everyone playing, you need to click on over to Sharon Johnson's place!

My project is a card set that you could use as a gift using Flourishes brand new set called......

This beauty is another one hand drawn by Marcella Hawley. I swear, we should dub this lady a flower girl - because every type of petal she draws turns into pure magic! I loved the idea of using this set for a grouping of cards!

I figure one of the biggest challenges in card making is deciding what layouts to use? So, I'm making it easy for you! I came up with three layouts and am giving you the sketches to try!

Card #1

On this creation, it is really rather simple! I stamped my image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Flourishes Classic White card stock, cut it out with an oval Nestabilites die by Spellbinders, and colored it up using the Violet, Fields and Daffodil Copic collections! The paper I used is from October Afternoon. Dress is up with a Finishing Touches Beautiful Brad and some bling, add some stitching, a scalloped edge and... bam.. card one is done!

Card #2

This one is literally just stamping, coloring and strategically stamping the butterfly so that it looks like it is perched right there on your sentiment! I love all the elements in this stamp set that allow you to do this! To color up my butterfly, I used black and then the Tiger Lily Copic collection. I also added some dots from my Inkssential pen for the little white dot on the wing! I should point out, the front part of the wing was stamped and colored a second time to pop it up!

Card#3

This one is a fun one because I used an envelope to house my tag card! Above, I took a regular A2 sized envelope, sealed it and then I cut the top off - about 1/16" off. After that, cover it with some decorative paper, paper pierce and stamp your flowers in a darker green to give a subtle effect on your card front. I used a large oval punch to create the opening for my tag and then used the same punch to punch an edge for my curved opening.

Here's a peek below of the tag card that slips inside!

These daisies were colored up the same way as the others and just stamped off the lower corner. Add a half circle at the top, a grommet, some deep plum ribbon tied up in a bow with some burlap string! Done!

I hope you've enjoyed the sketches and the cards! If you try this, I would LOVE to see what you do!

FYI: This gorgeous stamp set will be live in the store FRIDAY NIGHT-- yes.. tonight right after the release party! The party starts at 9 Central right HERE on the Flourishes forum over on Splitcoast! If you click on the link... the chatter is already underway! :-)

When you make the rounds to the design team, you'll see a full rainbow of colors - each just as beautiful as the last!

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Nancy Kirk

Do you want to win this set? All you need to do is leave a comment over on the Flourishes Newsletter! And, remember, the clock is ticking on our Fit For Royalty challenge! THE CONTEST CLOSES FRIDAY AT 5 PM EASTERN! Enter and you could win all four of our new release sets. You can read all about it HERE!

If you think the fun ends after the release party wraps... well, we have something a little extra for you! Did you enter our Fit for Royalty challenge??? If so, you'll want to check back tomorrow (Saturday) -- right here at noon central time for a little extra something! We can't spill the beans now - but trust us - you won't want to miss it!

Thanks everyone for stopping by! See you at the RELEASE PARTY!