It's a Special Day!!!

That's right - it's a special day for a special lady! Let’s light the candles and strike up the music!! The owner of Flourishes – Jan Marie Caruso – is celebrating a birthday! And... she told me it's a BIG one! She's a street legal senior citizen! LOL!

Jan Marie is one of those women that once you meet, you swear you've known her a lifetime. She's warm, gracious, creative and kind. And, her giving spirit is never outdone. I laugh because if folks knew just how much Flourishes and Jan Marie were one in the same, they'd be shocked. This lady hardly sleeps, her mind races with new ideas constantly for this company and it's always with all of YOU, her customers and friends in mind! She'll ask... "How could folks be inspired by this idea? Or this stamp set? Or this kit?" So, when we knew her birthday was coming up -- how could we not rally around this woman who rallies around others all the time? It was a no brainer!

Want to see what I cooked up?

I have to admit, I left my comfort zone a bit on this one. I hardly ever use these pearls and swirls from Zva. I have no idea why, but I can never seem to make them look like they belong on a card. I picked it up though, because when I think of Jan, I think lace, ruffles, pearls-- she loves to embellish. So... I tried to be inspired by her creative spirit even though I'm not the best at embellishing! Card Tidbits: I used one of my favorite florals -- Lenten Rose. Then, I colored this beauty with Copics and picked up these collections...

I also did something a little different with this one. Typically, when I shade an image, I used shades of grey or light blue. Well, this time, I took the lead from the Spun Sugar Distress Ink that I had sponged around my image and used the Copic Marker color R20. I liked it because it was subtle and just molded into the background instead of clashing with it. I also used the Classic Keyhole Die to cut my main panel and while the die was still on, I stamped my flowers and then sponged. I love that little ring of white left as a mask. I did some paper piercing and then... matted it all up! 

Good news... all of the items that I used to create my card, with the exception of the pearl swirls are in this month's 123 Create Kit called Bonjour! How easy is that? Want a close up? 

Oh, I almost forgot... the sentiment (which I thought was perfect for Jan's special day) is actually from Flourishes' Around the Arbor set! 

One quick note!!!In honor of Jan’s special day, the worker bees behind the scenes decided to have a COLORFUL sale to help celebrate! TODAY and TOMORROW only – all Copic Markers will be on sale 15% off. Just use the code COPIC15 in the coupon code box at the time of check out to get this fun discount!

So... help us celebrate and leave some love on Jan's blog HERE and while you are hopping around, pay a visit to the Flourishes team members who are honoring her special day! They've been very busy creating....

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Sharon Doolittle
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Beate Johns
Cindy Haffner
Heather Jensen
Maki Jones
Mona Pendleton
Silke Ledlow
Betty Wright
Kathy Jones
Yvonne Hagane
Pat Adam

Happy Birthday Jan! We hope your day is the absolute BEST and cheers to an even better year ahead!