Monday, November 9, 2009

Let the sneaks begin!

This Friday, Flourishes will unveil a bevy of stamps just in time to help you finish up your holiday gifts this year! And, lucky for you, our Senior Design team has been letting those creative juices flow. All this week, they will share not just cards, but projects fit for the season! You will LOVE what you see!

Today's sneak peek involves a gorgeous spray of greenery full of holly sprigs, pepper berry, cedar fir, and who could forget beautiful pomegranate and amaryllis!

Introducing....


This breathtaking bouquet was drawn by the ever so talented Marcella Hawley. It's such a classic image and delivers a dose of sophistication!

For my project, I thought that this beautiful bouquet would be a great focal point for a set of coasters! I got the idea rummaging through the clearance aisle at Michaels.... when I found a set of four "naked"circular wood shapes. Here's a peek at the packaging and a look at the finished base after I painted them up with some Decor It! Gold Paint (fast drying) from Ranger.



I cut a circle using my Classic Circle Nestabilities dies so that it was slightly smaller and would show a hint of the gold paint underneath. I stamped the bouquet up with Memento Rich Cocoa and then colored up the bouquet with my Copic Markers. I used Spring Greens, Forest, Poppy, Dahlia, and the Flesh Tones collections arranged by Flourishes. I edged the paper by sponging on some Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks. I adhered it to my gilded circle and then sealed it with Modge Podge - it's a glue medium that seals your work and makes it waterproof! Here's a peek at my set of four!

And, here's a close up!

When all was said and done, I tied them up with a bow and paired it up with one of my favorite winter time drinks... Fireside Coffee! It's an instant drink that you can add two heaping teaspoons to warm milk or hot water for just a delicious coffee, cinnamon, chocolate flavor! I shared this recipe last year at this time, but just in case you missed it, here's the recipe!

Ingredients:
2 cups of Cocoa Mix
2 cups of non-dairy creamer
1 cup of instant coffee
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon of cloves
1-1/2 cups of sugar

Here's a peek at the set!


Want to see what the rest of the Design Team cooked up? Hop on over and see....
Leslie Miller
Christine Okken
Julie Koerber
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Stacy Morgan
Cindy Lawrence
Sharon Doolittle

Would you like to win this set? Who wouldn't!! Head on over to the Flourishes Newsletter and leave a comment there to win!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR MORE FUN AT FLOURISHES...
Did you see our Favorite Things Challenge? If you play, you will have a chance at winning all FIVE of our new releases for November! That's one valuable prize - you could even call it an early Christmas present! Click HERE for the details.

Speaking of the release, you'll want to join us this Friday for our POWER HOUR RELEASE PARTY! It's a super duper fun time full of games, goodies, and prizes up for grabs! We'll host it in the Flourishes Forum over on Splitcoast HERE from 9 to 10 PM Central Standard Time. As the party wraps, all of our sets that we peek this week will be put in store for your shopping pleasure!

It's going to be a fun week at Flourishes! Tomorrow's release is one that will give all your packages a truly fancy feel! You'll see why when you come back tomorrow!


24 comments:

Latisha said...

LOVE this!!
Is the recipe good? If so I may have to package this in jars and give to Jacob's Boy Scout leaders on their next camping trip.
those are the prettiest coasters I have seen in a long time!

ChristineCreations said...

OH it looks and sounds yummy Julie! Such beautiful coloring on the coasters! What a gorgeous Christmas gift that would be. You really made this set shine!

Cammie said...

What a lovely gift set. The coffee sounds yummy, and the coasters are stunning. Another project for me. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cindy Lawrence said...

Ooooh, what a pretty gift set...and yummy too! Love the distressing and vibrant coloring on the coasters...gorgeous!

asela said...

What a wonderful gift idea! Gorgeous

Cindy Haffner said...

Beautiful Julie.

Dee Jackson said...

Those coasters are gorgeous Julie! Your coloring is beautiful! Fireside is one of my families favorite winter drinks:)

NancyK said...

What a beautiful gift set - thanks for sharing! I love the way you colored the bouquet!

Stacy Morgan said...

Fantastic! Oh Julie these coasters are gorgeous, what a fabulous gift idea. The cocoa mix tops it off, awesome! :0)

Liz Williams said...

Beautiful work, both yours and Marcella's!!

Barbara said...

Stunning, Julie!!! This set it fabulous! Thanks for the recipe--it looks delish!

Cherie said...

Awesome! Simply fantastic! What a beautiful gift this makes! I'm having trouble keeping my jaw closed this morning, looking at all of these wonderful projects! Thanks for sharing!

Jenny Gropp said...

OHHHHH Julie -- outstanding project!

Janine said...

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are just gorgeous.

You are a superstar!!
I will update you soon!!

Shelly Schmidt said...

Beautiful coasters and I love the recipe for fireside coffee- Thanks!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, my gosh, Julie! This is SO awesome! What a fabulous, FABULOUS idea!!! I would just LOVE to do something similar. What an absolutely wonderful gift idea. Love the pairing of the coasters and coffee. Gorgeous coloring. So very beautiful for the holidays!

denise g. said...

Oh My!! Not only super pretty, but super economical, too. LOVE what you made. I could have those coasters, however I'm still not old enough to drink the coffee.

stampqueen said...

Beautiful - Great gift idea!!!!

Silke Ledlow said...

FABULOUS IDEA!!! LOVE IT - JULIE!!! Hugs ~S~

The Rubber Maid said...

Beautiful work on the coasters and certainly does make a lovely gift idea. Looks like a set I will have to consider. Mom

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Oh I'm loving this idea...I don't have to make it...well sort of not!! Your coasters are over the top, and your bows, well I bow to you!!

Connie M. said...

Oh My Goodness, Julie!! This is such a wonderful project! You have my address right...don't want it to get lost in the mail...LOL!!! Anyone would LOVE to get this!!

JeanH said...

What a special gift! I would love this. Gotta' try your recipe. Have a Merry Christmas!

Shirley said...

Stunning!!