Friday, January 29, 2010

Flourishes Favorites!

This week over on the Flourishes Newsletter, the ever-so-talented Leslie Miller offered to show us all some of her Flourishes favorites! So, as a part of this week's Flourishes Focus, that's what some of us gals decided to do... create a card using some of our very favorite things in the Flourishes store!

When I started to thumb through my stamps, there was one that caught my eye and continues to take my breath away.... the Sweet Peas set. It was THE most popular set from Flourishes for 2009, and so I know, when it comes to those who would list this stamp set as their favorite --- I'm in good company!

One of the most relaxing ways to spend an afternoon is to put on some good music, brew a cup or two of coffee and sit and watercolor. For months on end, I used Copics and Copics alone - which I still love, but there is something about painting that I've been really drawn to lately. So, I grabbed another Flourishes Fave... my European Watercolor Paper. This paper is very thick, so it takes your watercolor without any warping and it is flexible -- meaning, if you have a color mishap, you can wet your paper and remove color easily. I love that about it!

My third favorite is anything BasicGrey for paper. I love how the patterns are different enough to pair together but all in the same color palette, taking the guess work out of decorative paper! I have an entire basket of BG papers and love, love, love digging through to see which will make it into my next card. (This card was created using Two Scoops--old paper but still a fave!)


My fourth favorite is... the finishing touches - literally! Flourishes has a line of embellishments called Finishing Touches that are always close at hand. I love these ribbon slides! They come in gold and copper too! My fifth fave is of course, any kind of bling -- be it rhinestones or pearls! You'll notice, I don't create a lot without them!

And, last but not least -- fabulous ribbon! Here I used velvet, but honestly, when it comes to the ribbon Flourishes carries, it truly is the best of the best! I heard through the grapevine that Jan picked up some amazing European ribbon at CHA that everyone is going to flip over -- so more favorites might be in store! ;-) Thanks for stopping by and letting me show you some of the 'must haves' in my stamp room! Don't forget to stop by and see Leslie's fabulous tutorial of favorites! You can visit Christine and Laura too -- they put together their top picks as well!

Well, the coffee's almost done brewing and, well, since I have these goodies out and ready....... :-)

See you back here soon!

16 comments:

The Rubber Maid said...

My favorite set too. Love how you did this and got your favorite things on your card. Very sweet.
Mom

Donna Little said...

What a nicely written post. :o) I am considering trying some really good quality watercolor paper, and your info was helpful. thanks!

Linda E said...

Beautiful card, Julie!

Barbara said...

I love your faves, Julie!! You do such an awesome job watercoloring these sweetpeas! Just gorgeous!

Stacy Morgan said...

Oh I love this.... The peas and your pearls are fav of mine! Beautiful coloring and a fantastic card Julie!

ChristineCreations said...

Oh I can tell this is one of your favourite sets Julie - you always do such beautiful work with it and really grab the delicate nature of the sweet peas!

Love the yummy ribbon and slide too.

Deb Neerman said...

Just beautiful, Jewels! Your water-coloring skillz are just amazing!

Have a great weekend, Kiddo!

Leslie Miller said...

Ahhhhhh, my heart flutters. This is perfect in every way. A beautiful image (love the playful spirit of these Sweet Peas), a design not cluttered but with plenty of style. You used some of my favorite things here, too, Julie. Love the velvet and those Finishing Touches. This is really a beautiful and sweet card.

Laura (scrapnextras) said...

Just beautiful Julie! Your watercolouring is gorgeous and the pearls and ribbon slide are the perfect finishing touches!

Carol L said...

The sweet peas will always be one of my favorite stamp sets and I love the beautiful details you added to this one. The two scoops DP you used is also my favorite from that collection of BG! Just beautiful!!

Janine said...

This is so pretty Julie!! The colors are amazing...

Silke Ledlow said...

Gorgeous card - Julie!!! Your coloring looks fabo!!! Hugs ~S~

Anonymous said...

Beautiful card Julie and I love all the trimmings!

Bev J. said...

Beautiful image and I love your coloring. I also love Basic Grey.

Karen W said...

Gorgeous, I love that set also, so versatile.

Sonya said...

Pretty in pink, love all of it!