It's a Release Week Challenge!

Hello folks! Last month, Flourishes let the cat out of the bag and told you that once in a while they would usher in a so-called Pinter-inspiration challenge. Flourishes is getting on the Pinterest bandwagon and they even have a Flourishes page HERE showing not only all of their sets but cards and techniques that inspire us! So, today's Pinter-inspiration is one inspired by the website Design Seeds. Here's a peek at what they do!!!  

 

They take an image and then, produce a color palette taken from the gorgeous photo! You'll have to check out their website HERE for their literal daily inspiration! I could literally spend hours on their site! 

HOW TO PLAY! So, do you want a chance to win Flourishes entire March Release? All you need to do is be inspired by the color palette above and use it in a creation! Once you are done, just link up over on the Flourishes Blog using the inlinkz widget and you will be in the running. You have until Friday, March 16th at 5PM  EST to enter! Just click HERE for all the official details!

On to my creation! 

I have to laugh because not too long ago, Stacy Morgan joked with me that she just might be addicted to creating circle cards -- after I had seen some of the cute things that she whipped up, I decided to see what the fuss was all about and make my own! I cracked up because as you can see above, no matter what I did -- I couldn't get my card to stand up "straight" for my photo! 

To make my card, I literally just used all kinds of sizes of Spellbinders Grand Circles and dies from the Blossom Nestabilities as well (cut thanks to my Grand Calibur). After I embosssed, I did sand using a sanding block along the embosssed edges to reveal the paper's white core. You can also see that for my sentiment, I used the Ribbon Banners dies. And... don't you love this perky paper??  It's a part of BasicGrey's Indie Bloom Collection. 

On my smallest circle cut from Flourishes Classic White, I stamped the tub of tulips from Flourishes' #1 seller of 2011 - April Showers! I just love this little pail. I stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and then colored my image up using these Copic colors...

After the coloring was done, I did highlight using the marker BG000 and blended with a Colorless Blender. After coloring, I added a fun cotton ribbon, a button and some twine and... ta da!! A card ready to send that celebrates a time that is almost here... SPRING!!! Who's not cheering for spring? 

Need some inspiration? Be sure to hop on over to our DT member’s blogs to see what fun they whipped up using these gorgeous shades of green and purple!

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

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to play along, link your creation below  and don't forget to mark your calendar for the first sneak peek of our March Release on Wednesday!  See you back here soon!

True Blue!

Hi all and happy Thursday! It's time for an Impression Obsession Challenge and this one is True Blue! That's right, all you need to do is use the color blue and pick up your IO stamps when you create! Afterall, you could win a $25 gift card to the IO store, and there are LOTS of new goodies you could pick up! :-)

On to my creation!

For my card, I decided to bring on a vintage feel copying the look you might find on old china. You know, the blue on white rose patterns? So, I picked up Alesa Baker's new stamp called Victorian Rose Chair, and using Adirondack Stonewashed Blue Ink, I stamped on light blue decorative paper. I cut the image out and then matted it on an oval that I had stamped with IO's Worn Rose Branch. I matted it on a Spellbinder Nestabilities Die (Labels Eighteen). I embossed with the die and then sanded afterward to reveal the paper's white core. Stamp the Worn Rose Branch on the main mat, add a little stitching and almost done! I added some 1/2" silky ribbon and a crystal sparklet, attaching a sentiment tag with the help of some silver cording. The tag uses the sentiment You're In My Thoughts. 

Here's a close up of the chair -- I have to say, I love the detail on this stamp! After I stamped, I did go over sections of this image with a blender pen to meld the color a bit and help define the stamped image. 

And here's a peek at that little sentiment tag! I thought this card needed a sentiment and so.. after struggling a bit, I ended up with this cute little tag. And, you know what? I think it works! 

Here's a close up!  

Want to play along in the "True Blue Challenge?" You have until next Wednesday, March 7th to get your cards in! Just head on over to the Impression Obsession blog for all the "official rules" HERE.

While you're hopping, be sure to stop by the IO designer's blogs that are playing along this week!

Dina Kowal

Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Julie Koerber -- you are here!
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett

Happy Thursday! Hope your week is wrapping up nicely... I'll see you back here soon!

~Julie

Fun things for SALE!

Hi all! In an effort to make room in my teeny weeny stamp room. I have to get rid of some STUFF (a.k.a. stamps!!!) It's good stuff and I am hoping it finds a good home! Just click HERE to take a peek. All things are priced to sell and all are in good condition! Thanks for looking!

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!

One last chance!

 

Hi all and welcome to the grand finale of Flourishes' February Release! Just a note!! You have 24 hours (or less) to take advantage of our their ever-so-special New Release Bundle -- a time when you can get all three of the new sets for February at 10% off, if you purchase them in a bundle. Just click HERE to check it out!

On to my creation! I needed to create a sympathy card so naturally, I reached for Flourishes' new set Calla Lilies....

This card is pretty easy peasy! Card tidbits: I stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Flourishes Classic White and then reached for a few Copic Markers. Since my lilies are white - the only real coloring is on the leaves! I picked up these collections...

I also used BG0000 to highlight the shading on the lilies and after I was done, I did add some glitter glue to the centers of my flowers to add a little more pizazz! Afterward, I paired this all up with some My Mind's Eye Paper. I used the Breeze Collection. I added some nice white cotton linen ribbon, a little bling and then I matted it all up on a Classic Oval Spellbinders Nestabilities Die Cut shape and matted that onto a shape cut from a Spellbinders Labels Eighteen,  (cut thanks to my Grand Calibur). And that, my friends, is it! 

To get ready for this big finale, the design team whipped up some beautiful samples with the newly released sets! You'll have to 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

Thanks so much for stopping by! TGIF! Kids have the day off so fun is likely to be had here in my neck of the woods -- hope the same for you! :-) I'll see y'all back here soon!

~Julie

Hey there! Hi! Hello!

If you can't tell by the title, giving a little hey there or hello is the topic for one of this month's challenges for Impression Obsession! The fun starts now and runs through next Wednesday, February 22nd! Play along and you could win $25 in the Impression Obsession store! Want to find out how to play -- just visit the IO Blog! 

On to my creation!

One of the new stamp sets just released at CHA features this little lady named "Sarah!" I just love the fact that you have one main image in this clear set plus a handful of different sentiments you can use as well! You can click HERE to see for yourself! I know my card doesn't really say.. "Hello!" but come on -- this little gal is on a bike and she's ready to come for a happy little visit! :-) I think it works! 

Card tidbits: I stamped her with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then colored my scene up with Copic markers. I used these colors - BG11, BG000, BG0000, R27, YG00, YG03, YG06, YR07, YR09, E33, E37, RV32, RV34, C00, C03 and C05.  

After I colored her up, I did add some paper piercing and some glitter on the wings of the little butterflies and on the little flowers. See? 

And I added the sentiment on a punched circle and then matted it on a Spellbinders Blossom die, added a little twine, some decorative paper from my stash, a little blue ribbon band and... voila! 

Want to see how the rest of the IO Design Team is sharing a little Hey There, Hi and Hello? Just click on over and see....
Daniela Dobson
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Julie Koerber -- you are here!
Laura Fulcher
Vicki Garrett

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Thursday everyone and I'll see y'all back here real soon! :-)

~Julie

Sneak Peek Day 3: He Is Risen!

Hi all and welcome to the final day of Flourishes’ Release Week! And, guess what? If you like what you’ve seen, there's good news! All three of Flourishes’ new sets for February are in the Flourishes store!! Just click HERE to see for yourself! 

Today's final set, in my humble opinion, was definitely worth the wait. If you've been searching for beautiful images and sentiments to celebrate the Easter season, look no further. Marcella Hawley has got you covered. 

Introducing.....

    

He Is Risen features a lily draped cross - a perfect image to celebrate Christ's resurrection each Easter. This illustration gorgeously drawn by Marcella Hawley not only features a beautiful cross but a single Easter Lily as well. This 4 by 6" set also features 5 beautiful sentiments perfect for this joyous religious holiday. 

On to my creation! When I first set sights on this set, I knew that I wanted to create a card that was rather simple in layout to make that cross take center stage. And so, this is what I came up with!

I stamped my image on Flourishes Classic White Card Stock using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink not once, not twice, but three times and then started to color up the main image - focusing on the leaves and cross. I used Copic markers in these collections! 

I added B60, B63 and B66 to color up the Forget-Me-Knots and also added some BG0000 to give the petals of my lilies a little extra pop. After I was done coloring, I did layer the flowers so that there are actually three layers here to give it a little extra dimension..... see? I also added some glitter glue to the flower's stamens. 

From there, matted it all up with some Basic Grey Paper, some beautiful crushed silk ribbon, and gold cording. you can see that I cut out my image using a Spellbinders Classic Oval and Grand Oval, sponging on some Scattered Straw Distress Ink while the die was still on. I also used the die as a guide for some paper piercing as well. Add a sentiment from the set on a notched tag and that, my friends, is it! 

Would you like to win the He Is Risen 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! The design team truly created some stunning creations with this new set...

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

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES' ENTIRE FEBRUARY RELEASE?  Have you checked out the Black and White Plus 1 Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in their Noon Time Challenges! Wednesday, they unveiled their Pinter-Inspiration Challenge HERE. And, yesterday they shared the FRAMED challenge HERE!  All challenges will close TODAY at 5 PM EST! 

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, February 17th. So... you have to act fast! Just click HERE to see!

I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing a bit of creativity with the Flourishes gals this week! I sure had fun! I'll see you all back here soon. Until then, happy stamping and have a GREAT weekend! ;-)

You've been Framed! A Noon Time Challenge

It's the second day of Flourishes' sneaks and with it comes another way to win our entire February release! What fun! This time, they plan to "frame you!" Not in a CSI way, but using a frame in some way, shape or form in your card or creation! :-)

    

HOW TO PLAY: Simply use a frame - whether it be stamped or with a die cut - on your card or creation. Just that simple! Let's see that creativity flow!  If you upload to a gallery, please use the keyword FLLCFEBRW2. Entries must be in before Friday, February 10th at 5PM EST. You can click HERE for all the official rules!

Yours truly took the challenge and used one of the sets we are sneaking today called Tiny Flowers and Tags. I had an absolute blast using one of the little cherry blossoms in this set to create my framed sentiment.

This creation really was easy peasy. I used a Spellbinders Classic Oval - traced an oval on my Flourishes Classic White Card stock (using the inner frame and a pencil) and then started stamping my cherry blossoms along that line. FYI: Be sure, if you do trace the oval, to erase your pencil marks before you start coloring. You might need to heat set your ink to prevent it from smearing. I learned the hard way that pencil does not erase after you've colored over it with Copic markers! This image above is actually my second try! ;-)

When coloring, I used these collections...

Add my oval to a Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Oval (cut thanks to my Grand Calibur), mat it using some pretty decorative paper (a mix of My Mind's Eye), some beautiful May Arts velvet crochet trim, crochet lace, a crystal and... tada!!! Easy peasy lemon squeezy! 

Want to see how some of the other Flourishes Designers were "FRAMED"??? Head on over and see…

• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber  -- you are here! 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan

Thanks everyone for stopping by! Flourishes has one final set to sneak tomorrow that's perfect for Easter. It's a beautiful image with a religious flair that just made my jaw drop the first time I set sights on it! So, be sure to check back! Until then.... enjoy your day! Oh, and while you're hopping around seeing the other DT member's creations, please be sure to tell Dawn Burnworth Happy Birthday!!! :-)

Sneak Peek Day 2: Tiny Tags & More!

Hi all and welcome to day 2 of the Sneak Peek fun that Flourishes is ushering in for February! Wasn't yesterday's Calla Lilies set a stunner? I think so! Today's set is one that you can use for so many things. So many, that Flourishes knows there will surely be creative surprises down the road!


Introducing...

Tiny Flowers and Tags is a fun set with endless opportunities! Create Borders, frames, corners and more! This set offers -- get ready for this --  28 little images and 15 sentiments perfect to send along mini messages to anyone and everyone! And, what's better? Flourishes has a fun addition that makes this set even more well rounded. They've added another die set to their Tailor-Made Die Collection. Want to see?

These Flourishes Tailor-made Dies-- called Classic Tags -- are custom creations that measure 1-1/2" square or less and are manufactured by Spellbinders Paper Arts. What does that mean? A quality die set that not only cuts but embosses as well! Each and every image in Tiny Flowers and Tags fits inside these little tags allowing you to create floral adornments or pint-sized greetings in a jiffy!

On to my creation! When I saw these tiny flowers and sentiments, I knew that I wanted to create a smaller card to truly focus on these little beauties! So, I picked a 4" by 4" square card and some old Jenni Bowlin paper that was still in my stash....

To create my floral frame, I stamped a rose and a leaf  from the set on a post-it note and then used that multiple times as a mask. To make sure my image was indeed a circle, I did trace (with pencil) the internal frame from a Spellbinders Classic Circle die. After I was done, I colored up my image with Copic Markers and used these collections...

I also highlighted around my flowers with the marker BG0000. I cut out my image using a Spellbinders Classic Circle Die (cut thanks to my Grand Calibur). While the die was still on, I sponged on some Antique Linen Distress Ink and then paper pierced around the frame. I matted my image on a doily, added some pretty May Arts ribbon and a little bling and... almost done! I used the new Classic Tags die to create my little floral tag! I think these little tag dies are toooooo cute! I know I will get a ton of use out of them because I absolutely love mini messages!

Here's a close up!

And that, my friends, is it!  Would you like to win the Tiny Flowers and Tags AND our new Classic Tags 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 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! I have to say that the Design Team was on overdrive with this brand new set, so you'll have to hop over and see for yourself!

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

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES ENTIRE FEBRUARY RELEASE? 
Have you checked out the Black and White Plus 1 Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in theNoon Time Challenges! Yesterday Flourishes unveiled their Pinter-Inspiration Challenge HERE. And, you can tune in today -- over on the Flourishes Blog -- for another fast-paced noon time challenge that will give you yet one more chance to win!  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! See you back here at Noon!

Sneak Peak Day 1:Lilies in Bloom!

Gosh, it's hard to believe that I am here again with a brand new Flourishes release! But, how exciting! This month, I will be sharing a mix of new stamp sets that are sure to be welcome additions to any stamper's stash! This first set that the ever-so-talented design team is showing off is one that is long overdue for Flourishes. They've gotten request after request for a set to send condolences and notes of sympathy. And this set not only delivers some beautiful sentiments, but some beautiful images as well.

Introducing....

Calla lilies in bloom and a trio of fresh cut blossoms draped with an elegant ribbon - those images take center stage in this beautifully illustrated set from Marcella Hawley. Pair these images up with seven beautifully scripted sentiments for those times when you want to let a friend or loved one know you care.

On to my creation!

I have to say that to create my card, all of the items used are a part of a brand new 123 Create Kit called Bonjour! This kit offers botanical bliss with a french flair. It features a 6 by 6" Kaisercraft Bonjour paper pack, a pack of coordinating jewels, 1 pack of jeweled vintage brads, 1 yard of 5/8" wide green crochet lace, 1 yard of crushed silk ribbon in champagne color, and 1 yard of pink sheer ruffled ribbon. 

Here's a look!

Card tidbits: I stamped on Flourishes Classic White using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and then let the fun begin by picking up my Copic Markers. I used these collections...

Few more tidbits! I stamped my sentiment (from the set) in the lower right corner, I embossed the edges of my main polka dot panel using my Scor-Buddy and then sanded the raised edges.After I was done coloring, I did cut using a Spellbinders Petite Ovals Nestabilites and Labels Eighteen die, (cut thanks to my Grand Calibur).  After I was done cutting and embossing, I did sponge some Spun Sugar Distress Ink on my oval panel and then sanded the embossed edges of my mat. I also added a bit of razzle dazzle with some glitter glue. See?  

And that, my friends, is it! 

Would you like to win the Calla Lilies  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!  So, what are you waiting for? Hop 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
• Jan Marie Caruso
  
  
  
  

  DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN FLOURISHES' ENTIRE FEBRUARY RELEASE?  Have you checked out their Black and White Plus 1 Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in the Noon Time Challenges! Be sure to tune in today and tomorrow at noon over on the Flourishes' Blog for two more fast paced ways to win!  All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST! So get those fingers inky and good luck!

  
  

  I'll be back tomorrow with another sneaky peek and this one is downright fun with sooooo many options for creativity! So... be sure to check back and see what I have in store! ;-)