Signs of Spring Blog Hop!

With spring officially here in the U.S., the Flourishes Design Team thought we'd share a little flavor of the season by showing off one of our "oldie but goodie" sets that honors this time of year! The set is called Signs of Spring and the entire design team used this set for their fun-filled Friday creations!

On to my creation!

To make my card, I grabbed some of my favorite paper of all time -- My Mind's Eye. All of the papers on my card are from the Sunshine Collection. The button is too! (Looks like Flourishes sold out of the buttons). Add some stitching, some sanded embossed edges added with the Scor-Buddy and.... then the fun part.... coloring! I stamped the small daffodil onto Flourishes Classic White Card Stock, masked and then stamped the image a second time using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. After that, I colored up my image with Copic Markers and used these collections! 

After I stamped and colored, I did use a Spellbinders Petite Oval (cut thanks to my Grand Calibur), and while the die was still on, I added some paper piercing, and also sponged on some Antique Linen ink as well.  Here's a close up! 

And, one of my favorite additions to any and all cards, are these little guys - Prima Crystal Falls Rhinestones. If you haven't checked out the Prima crystals that Flourishes carries, you really need to - they are faceted differently and the color range is so pretty. They are my new favorites!! I actually looked at my card and didn't think it needed any extra bling, but I couldn't resist adding these rhinestones! Yes, I need a support group! See?

The fun news? To honor spring's arrival, you can get your hands on the Signs of Spring set for 10% off through the weekend! So, hop on over to see what the Design Team created, be inspired, and then pick up your own set to create with at a discount!!  Sounds like a great idea to me! So, what are you waiting for! Head on over and see.......

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Thanks for stopping by everyone! I hope you all have a fun weekend planned. I absolutely do-- helping a friend with a stamp camp tonight, and then Sunday -- movie night with some girlfriends. So, should be a fun one! Hope you have a great, relaxing fun-filled weekend as well! Until next time.... have a good one!

~Julie

A little knitting diversion

JUST A NOTE: if you have any questions regarding this pattern, please feel free to email me at juliekoerber@gmail.com. This is an older post and I don't always see these new comments! :-)

Hey all! I have a fun little project to share that I call my less than 2 hour slippers. I was shopping the other day and found some bulky yarn on sale for $2.50 per skein and I thought -- I could make some slipper socks! I love, love, love slipper socks. I have I don't KNOW how many pairs and I usually try to make sure they are bright, fun colors to make my feet happy. I couldn't find a pattern that I really liked -- so I decided to "wing it!" and below -- I'm going to share my pattern with all of you!

Here's a photo of my finished slippers.... cozy as can be!

I had done a similar pair in a worsted weight and thought I could amend the pattern a bit. Well, because of gauge, I decided to wing it and start fresh! I wanted, instead of knitting a tube slipper and sew it up the center - I wanted to have some contouring to hug my feet. See?

And here, my friends, is the easy peasy pattern that creates a pair of slippers using bulky weight yarn in less than 2 hours! Mine took about an hour an a half with sewing!

Materials: 

• 80 to 100 yards of bulky weight yarn - I used Lion Brand Hometown USA in Portland Wine
• Size 11/8mm Knitting Needles
• Large cable needle
• Blunt-eyed needle for sewing when finished

Gauge:
9 stitches/12 rows per 4" by 4" square.

Abbreviations: 
CF4 = slip 2 stitches to the front to cable needle, knit 2 off needles, knit 2 off cable needles
CB4 = slip 2 stitches to the back to cable needle, knit 2 off needles, knit 2 off cable needles
K2tog = Knit 2 together
M1 = Make 1: take the left-hand needle and pick up the bar between the stitches from front to back, use the right needle to knit this bar through the back loop.

Pattern:
Cast on 20 stitches
Row 1: K5, P1, K8, P1, K5
Row 2: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 3: K5, P1, K8, P1, K5
Row 4: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 5: K1, CB4, P1, K8, P1, CF4, K1
Row 6: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 7: K5, P1, K8, P1, K5
Row 8: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 9: K5, P1, K8, P1, K5
Row 10: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 11: K1, CB4, P1, K8, P1, CF4, K1
Row 12: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 13: K5, P1, K8, P1, K5
Row 14: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 15: K5, P1, K8, P1, K5
Row 16: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 17: K1, CB4, P1, K8, P1, CF4, K1
Row 18: P5, K1, P8, K1, P5
Row 19: K5, P1, K1, M1, K6, M1, K1, P1, K5
Row 20: P5, K1, P10, K1, P5
Row 21: K5, P1, K1, M1, K8, M1, K1, P1, K5
Row 22: P5, K1, P12, K1, P5
Row 23: K1, CB4, P1, K12, P1, CF4, K1
Row 24: P5, K1, P12, K1, P5
Row 25: K5, P1, K12, P1, K5
Row 26: P5, K1, P12, K1, P5
Row 27: K5, P1, K12, P1, K5
Row 28: P5, K1, P12, K1, P5
Row 29: K1, CB4, P1, K12, P1, CF4, K1
Row 30: P5, K1, P12, K1, P5
Row 31: K5, P1, K12, P1, K5
Row 32: P5, K1, P12, K1, P5
Row 32: K5, P1, K2tog (6 times), P1, K5
Row 33: P5, K1, P6, K1, P5
Row 34, K2tog on all stitches to end

FINISHING: Sew toe and using a mattress stitch, sew up the top of your slipper until it comfortably hugs your ankle. I had to try on my slipper as I was sewing to make sure it fit properly. After you sew the top, you'll need to seam the back heel. To keep this easy, I flipped the slipper inside out and just sewed up using the chain stitches as my guide.

READER TIP FROM MARIA BOVA: To avoid the point that is created completing the heel, don't sew the seam completely. Leave about 4 stitches on each side. Secure the last stitch by going through again. Then, weave the yarn in and out of the 8 stitches and pull to close the ring. This rounds off the heel.


PLEASE NOTE  This pattern fits my feet--- I wear an 8-1/2 shoe. If you want to make this slipper bigger or smaller -- note -- the distance between the heel and the shaping on my slipper pattern is about 5". So, you can adjust the rows (make less or more depending on your foot size) between the heel and the shaping to account for your foot size. Finished length of my slipper from heel to toe is 10".

An hour and a half later, here's a peek at my now happy tootsies..... Can't you just see them smiling? :-)

Hope your week is off to a great start! If you make a pair, please, please, please let me know and if you can email me a picture to juliekoerber@gmail.com so I can update this post! :-) I'll see you back here real soon!

~Julie

Window Wreath Treat Pouch!

 

Hi all! Flourishes is wrapping up the March release fun and because of it.... the gals with the Flourishes DT are having a bit of a free for all and are whipping up some fun creations using some of the newly released sets!  Just an FYI... you have 24 hours (or less) to take advantage of Flourishes ever-so-special New Release Bundle -- a time when you can get all three of the new sets for March at 10% off, if you purchase them in a bundle. Click HERE to check it out! This special deal ends tonight!

On to my creation! I'm actually taking a creation/tutorial I made last Saturday and changing it up a bit! If you missed the tutorial, you can click HERE. Moving on... I decided to take that tutorial and instead of just making it plain on the front, I decided to use Mother's Words of Wisdom's wreath to make a "window" for any goodies inside!

So, I started by stamping my image onto Flourishes Classic White with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink. I colored up my wreath and I used these Copic Markers...

The greens are actually a part of a soon-to-be released Copic Collection from Flourishes called Pistachio. I love this set and I can't wait for you to see this beautiful color combo! A little birdie told me that some of those collections will begin showing up next week in the Flourishes store! So, after I colored up my wreath, I used fine tip scissors and a craft knife to cut my wreath out and to create the window inside. You can see if you look above that there is an actual window on my box front and --- for that -- I used Flourishes Clear Card Stock. I love this acetate - it's so clear -- making it perfect for a project like this! 

Card Tidbits: I used BasicGrey Sweet Threads for the pop of decorative paper, some wrinkled white ribbon, silver cording to attach my tag sentiment. The sentiment is from the Tiny Flowers and Tags set and the die cut is from Spellbinders Beaded Circles set. A Martha Stewart punch helped me edge the top flap of my treat bag.

Here's a close up.... showing the little tag sentiment...

And here's a shot of the treat bag from the side -- showing you a bit of the dimension...

And that, my friends, is it! I have a little treat pouch ready to go for any kind of occasion! You'll have to see what the other gals created this week with some of the new sets. So.... stop on over and see.....

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber --- you are here!!
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!!! Any Hunger Games fans out there? I am trying to get hubby to ask me on a date to see the movie.... cross your fingers that my "hints" work!!! LOL! Have a good one and I'll see you all back here soon!

Ladybug Hugs for you!

Hi all! Impression Obsession is trying something new and guess what? You get to be the first to check it all out! Starting this month, IO is going to have monthly releases of a few stamp sets just to keep those creative juices flowing and to be able to share even more in the way of new art with IO fans!

A lot of this month's art was penned by a new artist named Claudia Tenorio-Pearl. Her figures have such a whimsical feel that really capture the spirit of a child. Gotta love that! So... on to my creation! (Yes, I know. It's another circle card. I might just need a support group to quit making them!!)

This little number is called Pheobe (CS371) and I just think she's a doll! (She's also available as a single red rubber stamp HERE) Because of the sentiment that is also a part of this clear set, I wanted to make sure my theme was red and black in honor of those lovely lady bugs! I stamped with black ink and then grabbed my Copic Markers to color (R35, R24, R30, BG000, BG0000, C00, C03, C05, C07, R81. R83, R85, G40, and G43). The circle card was created thanks to my Spellbinders Nestabilities Grand Circles and Scalloped Circles. Add a little black seam binding, a little bling (I colored mine red with a Sharpie because I didn't have the right color) and a circle punched sentiment and... ta da! 

Here's a close up of Phoebe! Isn't she darling?  

And, here's a close up of the sentiment! Something like this will be perfect for my daughter when I want to give her a little pick-me-up! 

If you want to check out the new offerings, be sure to hit THIS post on the IO blog where you'll find other creations from the IODT and if you haven't done it yet, Impression Obsession has a brand new website that is not only pretty but fun to scroll through. With so many beautiful images, you'll want to grab a cup of coffee before you start to surf! Click HERE to check it out!

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

~Julie

Fun little treat pouch!

Hi everyone and happy Saturday! Gosh, this week has been a creative frenzy and today -- I have more fun coming your way with a blog hop designed not only to inspire, but to give you a chance to win some fabulous goodies as well! It's a......

These two great companies teamed up to show you what you can do when you pair Scor-Pal with American Crafts! If I am your first stop -- you will want to head on over to the American Crafts Blog HERE to start the hop! Like I said, there are giveaways along the way, so you don't want to miss out! 

On to my creation! I whipped up this little treat box and coordinating mini card. My card is only 4" by 4", so you get an idea of the size of each one! 

I used the Garden Cafe collection and I have to say, I love these bright and cheery papers -- they just make me want to smile! 


To get started I began with two pieces of paper that measure 8-1/2" by 4-1/2" (paper is Petunia's Pastries) 

From there, using my Scor-Pal, I scored 2" around the two shortest sides and 2" along one -- only one of the longest sides. I also scored on the 1"  and 7-1/2" lines, stopping at the lower score line. I inserted some graphical guides for you to "see!"

I folded the bottom up and then, ad you can see, I cut along the score lines. 

On the second piece, I scored just like the first but instead of cutting flaps, I cut out those two outer sections completely.

Add some Scor-Tape like so.....

I folded the flaps in and then, inserted the second piece of card stock like so...

I folded a mountain fold along the sides like so....

And then, I cut off 1" of my sides along the mountain fold.

Add some Scor-Tape on the outside like so....

 And secure the two pieces together to create the base of your treat box!

 Next, you'll want to make the flap for your creation. I started with a 4-1/2" by 6" piece of paper and scored along the 3" line, folding with a mountain fold. I also used a die cut edge to create my curvy flap. You can use punches or whatever you have, just to give the front of your treat box a little extra pizazz!

The next step is one that really isn't all that necessary. I wanted my flap to be two tone, so I cut the edge off my flap and then  flipped the paper, using the opposite side of the Clover Cantina Varnish paper at the top. I sewed the two pieces together and then added some teal ribbon as a kind of cummerbund closure. Then, I accented with a "Delights" accent in Biscotti.  Just that simple! Now I can get some candies or goodies to stick inside to give as a little thank you gift to someone special! 

I wanted to create a kind of gift set, so I created this coordinating 4" by 4" card using the same papers that I used for my treat box. After layering, adding some stitching and pinking the edges, I added a band of the same teal twill ribbon, used one of my Spellbinders Beaded Circle Dies as the front mat for my card and then accented with another one of American Crafts chipboard stickers - it's called "Details Trifle." 

And here's another look at the finished project! 

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great rest of your weekend. Now be sure to hit the next spot on the hop and visit....

Jamie Harper

Sneak Peek Day 3: Magnolias!

Hi all and welcome to the final day of Flourishes’ Release Week! And, guess what? If you like what you’ve seen, I’m happy to report that all three of Flourishes’ new sets for March are in the Flourishes store!! Just click HERE to see for yourself! Are you ready to see our last set being revealed today? It's a beauty with blossoms that are just about as lovely as you can get without being the real thing!

Introducing...

Marcella Hawley's newest set called Magnolias features lush and sweeping flowers so sweet, you can almost smell their pure fragrance! This 4" by 6" set features a beautiful focal image, a corner floral piece and a border of leaves, allowing you to stamp and create accents in a whole host of ways. This set also features six touching sentiments perfect for all occasions.

On to my creation! Once you set your sights on this set, you'll see how beautifully versatile it is! There is a row of leaves and a corner stamp that are just gorgeous. So, for my card, I decided to pair the two to make a frame for one of the sentiments in this set!

After stamping with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink on Flourishes Classic White, I used Copic markers and actually used one of the soon-to-be released collections that Flourishes is putting together! This one is called Pistachio and -- I just love the shades of green in it! It might just be one of my new favorite collections for leaves! I also used one of the new Iced Aqua collections to highlight around my image and sentiment and then, the magnolia itself was colored with the lightest shades from the Sweet Pea and Sunflower collections. See?

After I was finished coloring, you can see that I did add some razzle dazzle with the help of some glitter glue and paper piercing. Speaking of Papers -- I used Kaisercraft's Bonjour and the darker green is from BasicGrey's Indie Bloom paper pack! Add some fun wrinkled ribbon and a little heart shaped bling and.... ta da! Want a close up? 

And that, my friends, is it! Would you like to win the Magnolias set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

   

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! With that bit of eye candy, you’ll surely want to see the design team's cards and creations in full color when you take a trip over to their blogs!

• Barbara Anders
• Beate Johns
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Beate Johns
• Heather Jensen

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES ENTIRE MARCH RELEASE?  Have you checked out the Pinter-Inspiration Color Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in their Noon Time Challenges! Wednesday, we unveiled our Round and Round Challenge HERE. And, yesterday they shared the Front and Back Challenge HERE!  Both are fast-paced noon time challenges that will give you yet one more chance to win our full March release!   All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck!

And, don’t forget Flourishes' New Release Bundle! If you buy all three sets in a bundle, you save 10% off the price. But, this offer only lasts through next Friday, March 23. So… you have to act fast! Just click HERE to see!

Well, I hope you had fun sharing a little creativity this week with me! I have lots up my sleeve so be sure to check back! I'll have more fun headed your way tomorrow. See you then! TGIF!!!

Sneak Peek Day 2: Botanical Bookplates!

Welcome to day 2 of Flourishes Sneak Peeks for our March Release! Today I am helping to unveil not only a brand new stamp set but a coordinating die to make sure that your image is cut and embossed perfectly, each and every time. Are you ready for a peek?

Introducing....

And, it's matching die....

Flourishes' new Botanical Bookplates Vol. 1 set might scream spring, but pair it with this matching die and you're sure to create beautiful cards all year long with Violas and Snowdrops that are as beautiful as those in real life! This new set illustrated by Marcella Hawley features two large focal images plus two smaller bookplate versions that are perfect for tags, or adornments on cards or creations. Add in 5 beautifully scripted sentiments, and you have the makings of beautiful creativity. Botanical Bookplates Vol. 1 was designed to match our Tailor-made Classic Bookplate Die for a perfectly cut and embossed image each time!

On to my creation!

Ok, I have to admit, my card today was inspired by a couple of Flourishes designers! Both Barbara Anders and Stacy Morgan create with "white" beautifully. I have ALWAYS admired how they can use white in such a way to make the color they do have on their cards POP. So, I "tried" to make that work on my card today! I started with a main panel that I embossed with one of Flourishes new folders called Diamond Shadows. I also used Cindy Lawrence's tutorial on how to create a fancy border on the side of my card! If you  haven't checked it out, you should! Just click HERE. After I stamped my main image on Flourishes Classic White with Tuxedo Black Memento, I colored with some of the soon-to-be released Copic Collections from Flourishes! I used Clematis and New Fields. And then, after I was finished, I did use the lighter shades from the.... 

to shade around my flowers. And, then, the centers of my violas were done with the....

From there, add a matching ribbon, a pearl brad and some lovely lace and you're almost there! The  sentiment stamped on a strip is also from this set! The orange paper is from BasicGrey's Indie Bloom and the purple is a strip from my scrap bin. 

Would you like to win our new Botanical Bookplate Vol. 1 and Classic Bookplate Die set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

 

One of the ladies on the link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! So what are you waiting for? Hop on over and see…….

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Beate Johns

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES' ENTIRE MARCH RELEASE?  Have you checked out their Pinter-inspiration color challenge?  Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in their Noon Time Challenges! Yesterday at noon, they unveiled the Round and Round Challenge -- click HERE for details!  And, today at noon, Flourishes will share another fast paced way to win the entire March release! So get those fingers inky and good luck! See you back here soon!

Sneak Peeks Day 1: Mother's Words of Wisdom!

Just like spring, Flourishes' March release is blooming with goodness! If you are ready for some fresh picks, then you have definitely come to the right place! This first set that the DT is showing off this week is Marcella Hawley at her finest. And, she's paired beautiful peonies with one of the world's most beloved women to bring you a touching and beautiful set to honor those special to you -- including your mom!

Mother's Words of Wisdom takes some of the best quotes from Mother Theresa, and brings them to life. All five sentiments in the set were designed to fit perfectly in this gorgeous frame of peonies illustrated by Marcella Hawley. It's an image that anyone you care about, including your mother, will be sure to cherish. 

On to my creation! 

Ok, the circle cards continue! If you saw my post last Friday, I told you that until then, I had never given a circle card a try. Well, I feel a few more coming on in my stamp room! They are fun! I just thought the circular shape of this stamp created the perfect subject for another circle card! I used Spellbinders Grand Circles to cut my shapes for my card and then used two different BasicGrey pads - Indie Bloom and Sweet Threads. I love both of these papers! The ribbon is Silky Crushed and after tying it with silver cording, I did add a bit of bling with the help of a Prima Crystal.  

I stamped this beautiful wreath using Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto Flourishes Classic White and then colored it all up with Copic Markers! Ok, spoiler alert!! I can't show you the main collections I used because three of them are a soon-to-be-revealed brand new Copic Collections from Flourishes! One is called Candy Pink, the other is New Fields and the third is Iced Aqua. So.... stay tuned. They will be in the store very soon! The centers were colored with this collection...

As you can see, after I finished coloring, I stamped one of the sentiments in the middle of my wreath where it fits perfectly! I also cut it out and then matted it on a doily. I just love the feminine feel. Here's a close up! 

Would you like to win our new Mother's Words of Wisdom set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

   

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! 

As you hop your way around the DT’s sits in blog land, some of the gals are using a BRAND NEW 123 CREATE KIT called Pretty in Pink! This kit features a 6 by 6″Pretty in Pink paper pack by Glitz, 12 crystal pins, approximately 200 Candi and dots in a copper shade, 1 yard of pink ruffle trim, 1 yard of 1/8" antique gold velvet ribbon, 1 yard of 5/8" iridescent ribbon,  3 yards of ivory seam binding. All this for the bargain price of $13.50! This is our most inexpensive kit yet and, if you look at all the goodies, I think this might be the best one yet!  Here’s a look…

So what are you waiting for? Hop on over and see…….

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Beate Johns

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES ENTIRE MARCH RELEASE?  Have you checked out the Pinter-inspiration color challenge?  Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in Flourishes' Noon Time Challenges! Be sure to tune in today and tomorrow at noon over at the Flourishes' Blog for two more fast paced ways to win!  So get those fingers inky and good luck! See you back here soon!