Thursday, February 23, 2012

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!

25 comments:

Heather Rogers said...

So perfect Julie! I love the flowers stamped around the edge of the keyhole die. Your color choices are so soft and feminine...I LOVE the bling. :)
Hugs~

Dawn B. said...

This is beautiful Julie. I really like your sponging and the coloring of your flowers. Such a pretty Jan like card.

Beate said...

I love how you colored the flower, Julie. That with the sponging and the gorgeous pearl swirl makes for one amazing card.
Have a great weekend!
Hugs and smiles

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful card Julie! Love the soft, elegant look of your card! Beautifully done!

Barbara said...

Love the soft pinks and greens! Just a lovely card, Julie!

Amanda said...

Julie, this is one sublime card. I think it is one of the most beautiful cards!! I have fallen in love with every detail from the pearls, to the beautiful brad, down to the Spun Sugar shadowing you did. I love it all :)

Yvonne Hagane said...

This is just stunning, Julie! Love the soft colors and how you`ve put everything together. Beautifullyn done!

Wanda Cullen said...

OMGoodness, totally love this card! Pink and green are the best and I love your use of the image on the keyhole die! This is a gorgeous birthday card - pearls and all! :-)

ChristineCreations said...

Gorgeous! I think you've found your new "thing" then....because the pearl swirls look gorgoeus! Beautiful coloring on the lenten roses!

The Rubber Maid said...

This is so pretty, love the choice of papers and colors. Soft yet also pronounced...perfect! Mom

Cindy Haffner said...

STUNNING Julie!!~

Karen W said...

Very pretty!! Jan is a beautiful lady inside and out!!

Betty Wright said...

Beautiful colors and coloring, Julie! Wonderful frame with sentiment design,too! Lovely card!

denise g. said...

Ok, I am thinking I might need to tell you when my birthday is, because this is GORGEOUS! WAIT! You already said you were sending me something, so I went out and dug the mailbox out before 7 a.m. and leaving for work this morning. Nothing from YOU today, however I got the notice from the tax people that they are LOWERING the assessment on my house. YES! I think that might almost be as good as getting something from Montana. Plus I got a copy of the program where my 9 year old niece was inducted into the Elementary National Honor Society. Good stuff! Wishing you and yours a Great Weekend, Julie. ps I really like the pearls on this, so I think you should try them again on occasion. And I am thinking I need some of that Spun Sugar and I might be able to splurge on that one ink pad since I know my taxes are going down a tiny bit :)

Trisha said...

Absolutely stunning card. You are an awesome colorist and the pearl flourishes are perfect. patnbobcuddy at gmail dot com

redwasher1 said...

Beautiful card!!! A true work of art!

Stacy Morgan said...

Julie this just screams dainty and delicate. Just beautiful!

Sewflake said...

It looks a sweet as spun sugar. I like the stitching/punching around the die and the added pearls.

Bon Bob’s Delights said...

Julie your card is beyond beautiful!! I love to look at your coloring which is always excellent!!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!!! This card is a beauty. Love the colouring of the lenten roses; the paper piercing and the black button. Sorry to hear that pearls are out of your comfort zone but I think they're perfect here!
Beth Greco

Silke Ledlow said...

Julie, this is one gorgeous colored card! Thank you for putting the hop together :) !!! Hugs ~S~

Ravengirl said...

Wow, this is gorgeous! I love the subtle pink background you created here!

Cheryl said...

Magnificent! I love everything about this card. The colors you used on the image are beautiful and I like that you left parts of the image white. The paper piercing is a nice touch, as is the black and pearl embellie.

dpkennedy said...

This is so beautiful! I love how you colored those flowers!

Unknown said...

This is so pretty Julie! I love how you stamped and colored the image! Beautiful and delicate ribbon and pearls too.