Hello all and Happy Memorial Day! I hope you are enjoying time with family as we remember all the men and women who serve in our military -- just to make sure we have our freedom! Special thanks to all those in the armed forces!

Last week, Flourishes unveiled one of it's new 123 Create Kits called Venice and I have to tell you -- the ribbons and embellishments and paper in this kit are showstoppers! I just love the classic feel of every element -- from the Damask and scripted prints in the paper to the fabulous crushed silk ribbon to the beautiful vintage brads! OOoo la la!

On to my creation this Monday...

I am completely drawn to the blue paper patterns and blue crushed silk ribbon in this kit. Because some of the decorative paper I used features bits and pieces of handwritten letters, I decided to incorporate a handwritten letter in my card. I know I use this set -- From the Desk of -- a lot, but I really thought it was perfect! I colored it up with Copic Markers and used some of the colors from the Sunflower, Tonal Neutrals and Spruce Collections. I did blend my ribbon with BG000 and BG0000. I also stamped the corner Flourish from the Wedded Bliss set with Antique Linen Distress Ink. Layer up some strips from the Venice paper pack, add some of the loopy ivory trim and then wrap the whole front panel with the crushed silk ribbon. I also used a circle punch and a sentiment from the Hello Hyacinth set. Punch a hole, and tie it to the crushed silk ribbon with some silver cording and.... voila! Done!

Some of the other Flourishes gals whipped up some beautiful creations using this kit-- so you'll have to stop by and see what they have in store!

Christine
Dawn
Sharon

Thanks so much for stopping by! We're having a barbeque if the rain holds off -- ribs! ;-) But, it's been raining like cats and dogs here! Try to enjoy your day and I'll see you back here soon!

Color it with Copic!

Hi all and TGIF! Today's Flourishes Focus is being hosted by the lovely Cindy Lawrence and she's giving us all a "how to" on Copic markers! I haven't quite seen what's up her sleeve yet but, I assure you, it's good!

So, for my Copic creation... I wanted a simple little notecard that I could send anytime! I used Flourishes Mix-n-Mugs set. I love that set because of all the "looks" you can get!

You can see, the layout on this card is pretty darn simple! Just a few layered boxes wrapped around with some ribbon and a simple little circle sentiment tag (sentiment is also a part of this set)! My paper is BasicGrey. After stamping on Flourishes Classic White Card Stock, I masked the "pens and pencils" and then stamped the mug over top so that it looked like those goodies were just sitting inside. Then, the coloring began! I've used some of the Copic Collections grouped by Flourishes and I reached for the Poppy, Cool Neutrals, Sunflower and Azure collections. After I was done coloring, I did add a little razzle dazzle thanks to a Copic Clear Spica Glitter Pen. See?
I also used one of my Copic markers to color coordinate some pearls by just coloring them up! The dies I used were the Spellbinders Standard Circle and Spellbinders Blossom Nestabilities that I cut thanks to my Grand Calibur machine. After I was done embossing, I did use a sanding block to reveal the paper's white core.

Be sure to check out Cindy's Copic creations HERE over on the Flourishes blog and hop on over to see some of the other Flourishes gals below too!

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Thanks so much for stopping by! Sorry this was just a quickie. As I type this, I should be curling my darling daughter's hair! It's a big night -- Confirmation and First Holy Communion! So, until we meet again.... blessings to you!

Birthday Wishes... and more!

First things first, it's one special lady's very happy day!! It's Barbara Anders BIRTHDAY today and another special lady -- Tammy Hershberger-- got some of us gals together to honor Ms. Bar's special day with a little blog hop! We heard through the grapevine that she's got a spa day planned, so hopefully this is the icing on a very delish cake! ;-) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAR.. HOPE IT'S THE ABSOLUTE BEST! (if you came here from Silke's blog.. great! If you want to experience the full hop, just head on over to Tammy's place to start!)


On to my creation! I wanted something perky and spring like for Bar's b-day wish, so.....

... I picked up Flourishes Hello Hyacinth set. Colored it up with Copics. I used the Flesh Tones 1, Hydrangea, Crocus and Spring Greens collections grouped by Flourishes. The water was highlighted with B000 and B0000 markers. Add a little glitter glue to the center of the flowers and... the rest is just matting it up! I used a mix of BasicGrey, Kaiser Craft and Melissa Frances papers. The sentiment is thanks to Flourishes' Tag Lines set. Add some white cotton ribbon and a few buttons and... voila!

Now, this is just one stop on the birthday bonanza. Head on over now to the ever-so-talented

Jessie Rone's Blog!!!

BEFORE YOU GO.... The Flourishes gals have a little show and tell using some of the brand new sets just released! It's a free for all Friday!! I decided to make my creation masculine using the new What a Catch set. I mentioned it before, but I got the biggest eye roll from hubby when I told him I needed a few flies for ... a card! He says he's officially seen it all. I didn't want to break it to him that there's no way in h-e-double hockey sticks that he has officially seen it all. Anywho, I used another one of those babies for an embellie on this card! :-)

I colored up my image with Copic Markers and honestly, I was reaching for so many to get the image to match my paper that, I don't really remember what I used... sorry!! The paper is Basic Grey and the nail heads are actually grey nail head stickers that I sanded the color off to for a brushed nickle look. And... the ribbon that is peeking out is actually THIS jute ribbon. I love the airy feel of this ribbon.

One thing I also did was use the burlap string not only to gather my jute ribbon but to follow the fishing line. Add a sentiment from the set and... voila!

FYI... if you like Flourishes release, there's only 24 hours left to take advantage of the New Release Bundle! Buy all four sets in the bundle HERE and you get 10% off all of them! You'll have to hop on over and see the rest of the gals' creations!

Barbara Anders --- be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday!!!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Thanks so much for stopping by! See you back here soon!

It's all in black and white!

Hi all! It's time for another Impression Obsession challenge and this one is all in black and white... literally! That's today's DT challenge, to create in black and white. All you need to do is reach for your Impression Obsession stamps when you do! Want to read up on the challenge? Just click HERE!


On to my creation! Since I wanted to create something with a bit of "pow" -- I thought it would be fun to combine patterns and reach for some of Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card backgrounds!

My card is a 5-1/2" square and each of the smaller squares are 2-1/2" square. I stamped first and used these Cover-A-Card backgrounds: Tapestry, Music, Lg. Paisley, and Roses and then trimmed to size. Mat it onto some black cardstock and... almost done! I added some sheer black ribbon, a fun sparkly brad and.... up next... the sentiment! I used the sentiment called Live Every Moment, stamped it in black and then, thanks to my Spellbinders Grand Calibur, I cut out the shapes to mat my sentiment on. I used Petite Ovals Lg. and then matted, embossed and sanded my white core black paper that I had cut out with Labels Eighteen. Just that simple!

Want to see what the other IO gals whipped up in black and white? Just hop on over and see...

Daniela Dobson
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Julie Koerber... that's me!
Kathy Menzies
Laura Fulcher

Thanks for stopping by! I'll see you back here soon!

Silhouette Style in 1,2,3!

Wow... Flourishes just put the wraps on another release and man, oh man, what a whirlwind! Today, the FLLC gals wanted to switch gears and show you more of what you could do with one of our newest 1,2,3 Create Kits!

I don't know if you've really let this kit simmer in your creative mind, but I have to tell you firsthand that it is sophisticated and perfect for those elegant occassions. It's feminine. It's soft. And, it has some really unique pieces in a way that is 100% color coordinated. What is better than that?

On to my creation! This is literally a 10-minute creation that you could have on hand for engagements, weddings or even anniversaries!
So, here are the details! I stamped the dancing couple from Flourishes new Wedded Bliss set in black pigment ink (to ensure that it was a rich black, I used Versafine Black Onyx). Stamp the corner flourishes from the set, embellish them with pearls, add some sponging thanks to some Spun Sugar Distress Ink. The rest is simply matting. I did mat the happy couple on some black that I edged with a goldleaf pen. Mix and match some decorative paper from the 5th Avenue kit and add this lush ribbon (also from the kit) tied with some gold cording and that fabulous heart locket (also in the kit!) Ten minutes later... a card ready to send before wedding season hits!

Today, some of the Flourishes gals are showing off ways to use this kit!

Be sure to visit....

Julie Koerber
Stacy Morgan
Sharon Doolittle
Danielle Kennedy

To see the kit in full, just click HERE. Thanks for stopping by! Hope you've enjoyed this little taste of happiness!

Dishing up some Country Charm!

You don't need me to tell you that tags and labels are two of the trendiest items to hit the card making market in a long time! And, to help you add style and pizzazz to your creations, Flourishes has teamed up with Spellbinders Paper Arts to make sure you have the perfect set of stamps to match a darling set of tag style dies. Wonderfully whimsical and reminiscent of Grandma’s calico prints, Flourishes “charming” set offers three labels that coordinate perfectly with Spellbinders Grommet Tags (S4-322). What fun! The coordinating borders offer five coordinating designs to add pizazz and they match the labels' designs to a tee!

Want to see my creation? I honestly wanted to show just how easy it would be to make a note card with an uplifting phrase in a jiffy! How many times have you needed a card in a crunch but yet, didn't have the time for anything super fancy? Well, my friends, when it comes to "thinking of you" style notes, this stamp set and border set delivers!

For my creation, I used some 7Gypsies paper as my decorative edge and stamped both my labels and border on it using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. After I was done, I cut out and matted the border, adding a sewn edge and then, using one of the Spellbinders Grommet Tag dies, I cut out my sentiment (thanks to my Grand Calibur machine!). What's perfect about this set is -- you can line up the window of your sentiment perfectly through the center of the die for easy alignment! The center sentiment was created by stamping the tag stamp again on white, embossing cutting out the center and then adding the sentiment. Add some beautiful silk black ribbon and bling and... voila!

Want to see a close up??

Flourishes knew when it designed this set that it was a match made in heaven with Spellbinder's Grommet Tags. And, because of that fact, both Flourishes and Spellbinder's design teams are joining forces for a fun-filled show and tell blog hop! Make sure to hop on over and see....

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Heidi Blankenship
Beth Pingry
Margie Higuchi
Holly Simoni
AJ Otto
Latisha Yoast
Deborah Young
Kazan Clark
Terre Fry
Becca Feeken
Julie Overby
Linda Duke
Sherry Cheever
Christine Emberson
Gloria Stengel
Judy Hayes
Michelle Woerner
Tina McDonald
Tonya Dirk
Windy Robinson

If you like what you see, both the Country Charm Labels and Country Charm Borders will be available at 9 AM CST!!!! Just click the links to see!

Stay tuned…

Your chance to win these sets and the two others being released this week is coming your way at NOON CST! CLICK HERE TO SEE! Flourishes will spice things up with another mystery and some fun-filled candy! So.... check on back and get in on the fun!

3 in a Row Challenge

Flourishes wanted to spice things up for you this Release Week! We are all so excited about our four new sets and we wanted to ramp up the action to give you even more chances to win them!They will have a different challenge Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at noon CST! The winner gets all four new release sets!

What's today's challenge?

HOW TO PLAY: See this grid above? All you need to do is make a card or creation by using the items in the straight line of your choice. You can take it veritcal, horizontal or even diagonally. For instance, want to take the first column up and down, your card would need to have a button, bling and a die cut shape. Want to take the bottom row? Your creation needs a die cut, lace and at least one pearl! It's just that easy! With four stamp sets on the line, what are you waiting for? There are a few rules -- so click on over HERE for a peek!

On to my creation! I looked at the grid and picked the bottom horizontal row which meant I had to use a die cut, lace and a pearl on my creation. Easy peasy! I, of course, used Flourishes brand new set called Wedded Bliss!

For my creation, I chose a black and white "black tie" feel and just used plain solids -- no decorative paper needed on this one! I started by cuting out a circle using Flourishes Classic White card stock and a Spellbinders Classic Circle die (cut thanks to the Grand Calibur machine). I stamped my main image on it, embossing as well. Then, I took that circle and traced a line in pencil to create a guide line for my stamped circle frame. I used the corner flourish from the Wedded Bliss set-- how fun is that? I added some of the lace from the new 5th Avenue 1,2,3, Create Kit, some 1/2" black ribbon, and where oh where are my pearls?

You can see here! I used some pewter colored pearls around my frame and also on the ribbon laced sentiment tag that I created with the Ribbon Tags Trio die from Spellbinders. Add some paper piercing and... Voila!!







Need a little more inspiration? Barbara Anders also has a sample for you to peek at and get those creative juices flowing!

Don't have time to compete in the challenge? You can still win!





Just by leaving a comment here on this post or on Barbara's 3-in-a-Row Challenge post, you'll have a shot at winning the entire release as well! One of us is the MYSTERY BLOGGER! You don't know which lady it is, so leave a comment on both blogs and one lucky name will be randomly drawn from the comments on the mystery blogger's 3 in a Row Challenge post! You have until Friday at 3PM CST to comment. That person will win THE ENTIRE FLOURISHES RELEASE! We'll announce who the mystery blogger was and the winner on Saturday in our Winner's Circle Post at 12 Noon CST! What an easy way to try to win!

Happy creating and commenting! See you back here tomomrrow for more Flourishes Release Week FUN!

A Little Wedded Bliss!!

This week kicks off Flourishes' Release Week -- and over the next few days it will be a flurry of activity to showcase all four of the new sets! It will be fast paced, fun loving action!

Let's take a peek at Flourishes very first set!

This beautiful silhouette set penned by Lauren Pope is available now HERE as a Pre-Order set in the Flourishes store! It was designed to celebrate all the happy couples in your life -- those getting engaged, those getting married, or even those celebrating many years of wedded bliss! In addition to three gorgeous main images, this 4 by 6" set also features a flourish corner accent plus 8 beautifully scripted sentiments. Flourishes will fully reveal this set at 9 AM CST TODAY... so be sure to click on over and see!

On to my creation...

I have to say, to make it easy, all of the items I used are a part of the brand new 1,2,3 Create Kit called 5th Avenue. I love the vintage and classy embellishments, ribbon, lace and, of course, paper! I did use Spellbinders' Big Scalloped Ovals LG for my black mat and the Petite Ovals LG for my main image (I cut these both thanks to my Grand Calibur machine). After I stamped the silhouette on my decorative paper, I did sponge on some Tea Dye Distress Ink, to give it even more of a vintage feel. What's one of my favorite things about this set? The sentimental sentiments. Don't you love this? "May I have this dance, for the rst of our lives?" Ahhh! I love it.

If you haven't hopped around to see all the design team created, hop on over and see..

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber -- that's me!
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Stay tuned...

Your chance to win this set and the three others being released this week is coming your way at NOON CST over on the Flourishes Blog! Look for our Three in a Row Challenge then. What's a three in a row challenge? Well, you are just going to have to check back and see! What a tease, I know! ;-) Thanks for stopping by!

Word to your Mother!!!

How's that for a title? It's all a part of Flourishes Release Week Challenge! If you play along, you could walk away with the ENTIRE May release -- which includes 4, yes 4 new stamp sets!

HOW TO PLAY: This challenge is all about the words that make your mother's day! Create a card or project by using a sentiment dedicated to mom as your focal point and you'll be in the running to win Flourishes' entire May release! If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword FLLCMAY11. The deadline to enter is May 13th at 5 PM Eastern. Look for who won by clicking on our Winner's Circle post over on the Flourishes Blog Saturday, May 14th! You can read about the challenge details HERE! That's where you'll link up your creation too!

On to my creation!

Guess what? I am using some of the elements from a BRAND NEW 1,2,3, Create Kit called 5th Avenue that will be released Monday! Aren't these papers and embellishments beautiful? The polka dot paper is from the current Gabrielle Kit, I just thought it was so pretty with that floral paper, so I had to use that snipet! Other than layering paper and adding embellishments, the signature of my card truly is a sentiment from the Motherly Love set that I stamped on a Spellbinder's Petite Oval shape that I cut out with my Grand Calibur machine. When the die was still on my cut piece of paper, I did sponge on some Spun Sugar Distress Ink and then stamped my sentiment over top. I then matted it on a Spellbinders Labels Twenty that I embossed and then sanded to show off the paper's white core. I think I am addicted to my sanding block!! ;-) Mat this onto the card front using foam tape and.... Voila! Fini!

Remember to hop on over to my fellow Flourishes mates to see what they cooked up for dear ole mom!

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan

Before I go, I have to say that there are some BIG CHANGES with Flourishes Release Week next week. Want to see what's up so you can mark your calendars?? Just CLICK here to read all about it!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you back here soon! For all the Moms out there... HAVE A BLESSED MOTHER'S DAY!!

My IO Fave!

Hi all and Happy Thursday! Time for another Impression Obsession challenge and this one will have you turning and pulling out your favorite IO stamp. It was a tough call for me I tell ya! If you show off your favorite IO stamp, you could win a few free stamps with the help of a $25 gift certificate to the Impression Obsession Store! Click HERE to check out all the challenge details!

On to my creation!

I absolutely love this stamp called Garden Gate -- it is, in my humble opinion, too sweet for words! It is a blast to color and leaves you with that peaceful easy feeling! ;-) I colored this up with a mix of Copic Markers and then, when I was finished, I did add some razzle dazzle thanks to some glittle glue (Diamond Stickles) -- although you really can't tell from my picture! I did mount my image on a die cut shape that was cut with the Spellbinders Labels Eight and then embossing with the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. Add some hot pink ribbon, a light green card base and some bling and.... ta da!!!! Fini!

Not to enable you too badly -- but if you like the stamp above, you should check out Garden Fence as well. It's also a favorite of mine! ;-)

You'll have to make the rounds and see what the other IO gals picked for their favorite stamp! I know I will love to check out which stamps they love to turn to! ;-)

Daniela Dobson

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff

Jenny Gropp

Julie Koerber -- that's me!

Kathy Menzies

Laura Fulcher

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see ya back here real soon!

Let the fun continue!

Hi all.. hope you're having a great start to your week! I'm here with a little bit of fun and a little show and tell. Did you know Flourishes is having a retirement sale? Some of their older sets will be fading off into the sunset and -- what does that mean for you? It means you get one heck of a bargain!!!

Today, yours truly and my fellow Flourishes designers Christine Okken and Leslie Miller will be showing off some of our oldies but goodies using some of these sets that will soon be fading off into the sunset! Click HERE to visit our sale page!

This is one of my faves featuring the Swing Set....

This one uses the Ornamental Elements set to frame that lovely little tulip....

And, this one is just a little 4 by 4" card that uses the Mixed Greetings set....

Some fun inspiration to take advantage of as you are taking advantage of those deals!!! Remember to stop by Leslie's and Christine's places too!

Just a little FYI! Friday marks Flourishes' RELEASE WEEK CHALLENGE. There are some HUGE changes in store and LOTS of fun things planned, so you'll want to stop by and read all about it!

The Beauty of a Flower

As April showers bring May flowers... that's what this month's Bring Back Beautiful is setting it's sights on -- FLOWERS! Let's show off those beautiful blossoms. This month's challenge is being hosted by 'yours truly'. And, on top of using one of my favorite floral vignettes from the set From the Desk of -- I'm also using the brand new 1,2,3 Create Kit called Gabrielle! This kit has some gorgeous shades of blue and coral. If you haven't checked it out -- just click HERE to see just what you may be missing! ;-) Fellow DT members Barbara and Stacy are also showing off this kit as well, so hop on over to see!

On to the very simple details of my card. After stamping on Flourishes Classic White cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, I colored my image using Copic markers and used the lighter shades of the Sunflower Copic Collection grouped by Flourishes plus the Spring Greens, Cool Neutrals, and my flowers were colored with the Sweet Pea Collection.I did highlight with the Copic colors B000 and B0000. After coloring, I did add some sparkle in the centers of my flowers thanks to some glitter glue! I added a sentiment from the Tag Lines set too.

HOW TO PLAY THE BBB CHALLENGE: Simply be inspired by some of those gorgeous botanicals that every stamper loves! Link up your BBB Challenge creation here on this post using the inlinkz widget. If you upload to SCS, please use the Keyword BBB10. Click on the link above to see all the challenge details! Be sure check out all the beautiful creations our challenge team whipped up with the beauty of a flower!

• Beate Johns
• Cindy Coutts
• Heather Jensen -- will be uploading later. Please send prayers, power is out because of last week's Tornados in the south.
• Kathy Jones
• Laura Fredrickson
• Julie Koerber -- that's me!

I can't wait to see what the rest of you create this month with a little "flower power!" Have a good start to your week and I'll see you back here soon! It's soccer tonight -- DD is on a high because, after three years of soccer, last week she actually scored her FIRST GOAL! Woo hoo! So fun to see my little 7 year old excited! Hope the sun is shining today in your corner of the world!