Flourishes Friday!

Happy Haunting everyone! One thing that won't scare you is this post! Get ready to be amazed at another handful of creations that are out of this world!

When I went blog hopping this morning, I had to do a double take and a triple take at Becca Feeken's card. I knew the Cuttlebug embossing folder that she used. I own it -- but how did she get the image all over her card front? After I read her post, I was amazed. She is really too stinkin' creative for words! After you're done reading up here, you'll have to click on over to her site and see how she did it! She has a fabulous tutorial and all! She used the wonderful wreath at the center of her creation from the Poinsettia and Boxwood set and also a greeting from the Holiday Greetings set!

Laura's creation today is crystal clear! I cannot believe how stunning this design is! Oh my! I would never have thought to lay the Clear Cardstock Flourishes sells over a patchwork of patterned paper. I would have thought it would be too busy. Laura proves me wrong with this stunning card using the Spring Ephemerals set! Cindy Haffner took one card layout and did it up three ways! Here's one of her creations with the lovely gold embossed poinsettia (from Poinsettia and Boxwood) and the fabulous decorative paper (Glittered Christmas Paper). If you want to see how she twisted and turned this layout for different creations, you'll find her link on our Friends of Flourishes Blog Roll! Too fun!

And last, but not least is Cindy Lawrence's card! She took kind of non traditional Christmas colors and gave it a fresh new look with this poinsettia. I love, absolutely love the layout of her card! If you want to see another version using the Poinsettia and Boxwood set, you'll have to click on over to her place and see the card she did yesterday! oooooOOOOoo, is all I have to say!

Well, that's it my friends! Another fabulous Flourishes Friday! I do have to say, if you want to hear some truly fun Flourishes news, you'll have to swing back tomorrow. There is so much going on at Flourishes and we can't wait to share! IT'S HUGE! Seriously. It is! :-)

Until tomorrow!

~Julie

New Spellbinder Dies Have Arrived

ENABLER ALERT !!! THIS JUST IN !!!!!

The wait is over Flourishes has the new dies in stock! We have all been eagerly awaiting them since we saw them at CHA.

Here is what has been added to the store so far:

Nestabilities - Labels One $24.95 ....................6 sizes

Nestabilities-Label Two $24.95...................... 6 sizes

Nestabilities Small Labels $24.95............................ 5 sizes

Nestabilities --Large Labels $24.95 ..................5 sizes

Nestabilities-Large Pinking Circles $24.95.........6 sizes

Aren't just grand. I think they are the perfect addition to the already great "Nesties" in the store. And that not all of them yet....more will be added to the store tomorrow.

Get Ready, Get Set....Go Shop

Ciao,

Ciao,

Flourishes Featured Stamper #23

Hi all! Another week - another fabulous featured stamper. This week, we are honored to have two wonderful stampers! When you see their creations, you'll see exactly why I had to choose both of them!

So, without further ado...... this week's FEATURED STAMPERS are.....

Laurie and Christine!

Laurie took the step stair card concept and added beautiful rows of Flourishes poppies! I love the color combo, the way she used the JustRite Times Roman alphabet set with the fabulous accents and the Spellbinders tag. Look at the luscious ribbon! This is just such a classy card!

Speaking of classy cards, wait til you see what Christine cooked up! Oh my! She used the Magnolia stamp that is a part of the Lilac set and she made a wreath with it! It is too gorgeous for words! I love the paper piercing she did as well!

Of course, I love showing some of the other creations that also made the top of my list and this week is no exception! I think Michelle's card is truly stunning! The layout is simple elegance and the colors are just delicious!

Stacy's card is so unique - don't you think? I love the colors and I love how she used just the top of the tulip to add accents down the side of her card! Truly original and LOVELY!

Thanks ladies so much for the fabulous contributions! Laurie and Christine, your names will be thrown into the hat for the monthly giveaway of a free stamp set of your choice! I can't wait to see what everyone cooks up for this week!

~Julie

p.s. You'll want to stay tuned to the Flourishes blog! This week we'll have some BIG news to share! It involves fresh faces, fabulous talent and even MORE inspiration! Have I piqued your interest? Hope so! :-)

Basic Grey and Memory Box paper

New and back in stock at Flourishes!
Basic Grey - Urban Prairie 6 x 6 paper and coordinating glazed brads! Urban Prairie is a kaleidoscope of blues, greens, pinks, yellows with elaborate, whiimsical designs!

From Memory Box, we just received our shipment of Gingercake papers - a collection of 6 x 6 papers perfect for the holiday!

Finally, we've received another shipment of the popular Memory Box paper - Winterberry.

Supplies are limited on these items, so shop now!

Flourishes Friday!

This week's Flourishes Friday is all about the glitz and glimmer of Christmas. These ladies have outdone themselves---again!

Laura Fredrickson's card has a copper flair to it! She used the new Poinsettia and Boxwood set, just released this month along with the new Glittering Christmas papers. You have to love the sparkle this paper delivers! I love the way Laura embossed and watercolored her poinsettia. It is just so rich looking! The sentiment is from the Holiday Greetings set.

Cindy Lawrence continues the rich and elegant look with her use of the new All that Glitters set. I actually gasped when I saw these cards. From the embossed base to the decorative corners and the fabulous coloring - these cards have it all!

Cindy Haffner did a fun criss-cross card to make this little reindeer pop off the card! Her muted colors are just rich and the layout is too fun! FYI: Did you know this reindeer from the Flourished Christmas set is a tad bigger and a mirror opposite of the reindeer in the new set Sleigh Ride! There are tons of possibilities there!
This last creation from the lovely Becca Feeken is actually a set. She used the small poinsettia in the Flourishes Poinsettia and Boxwood set to create some paper weights and blank note cards for a gift! Can you believe she used votive candle holders for her paper weight? You'll have to click on her blog to see how she did it!

A special thanks to our team who continually inspires! If you want to see more in depth instructions, just click on their name on our Friends of Flourishes blog roll!

We do have a bit of sad news to report. You might notice there is a name missing in our weekly Flourishes roundup. Recently, Joan Bardee resigned from the blog team because life is just too chaotic right now. If you are a follower of her blog, you already know that she has a lot on her plate! We are just lucky to have spent a short time with her and we've already told her our door here at Flourishes is always open!

With Joan's goodbye comes a few "hellos!" Two very talented ladies will soon be joining the Friends of Flourishes Blog Team! These ladies have inspired me for a while now and I am absolutely sure they will inspire you too! Stay tuned for the official announcement!

Flourishes Featured Stamper #22!

I buckled again! I couldn't pick one winner for the Featured Stamper this week! Once I show you their projects, I am sure you'll see where I was coming from! Too much talent! So, without further ado... this week's Featured Stampers are...... Lois and Michelle!

Lois created this fabulous pocket card with dual tags that are just a perfect fit for the new All That Glitters set! I love her coloring on this creation!
Her second card uses the City of David set and is just so crisp! I love the pop of color on the wise men's clothing!
Michelle created a beautiful card using some Basic Grey paper and the Summer on the Patio set! I love the fold that she used! The saying, "Just because is actually from the Siberian Iris set!

Here's a look at her card from the side so you can see the way it folds! Isn't that fantastic?

Gosh, there were so many fabulous creations this week! Want to see some of my other favorites?


This one from Laurie just pops (no pun intended)! Those poppies are colored terrifically. Pair them with polka dots and a fun Spellbinders tag and this is one lovely card!

This card from Liz is just so soft looking! I love the muted colors she chose! It just makes the flowers in the Mixed Greetings set look so serene! That pop of brown ribbon is nice too!

Thanks everyone for some fabulous Featured Stamper entries! Michelle and Lois, you'll be entered for our October drawing for a free stamp set! Keep those creations coming! Week after week - you inspire!

Until next time....stamp and flourish!! ;-)

Flourishes Friday!

Hi all! Time for another fabulous Flourishes Friday with our uber talented Friends of Flourishes blog team! These ladies never, never cease to amaze! This one has a little new, a little old mixed in for some terrific weekend inspiration!

This first card is a beautiful, non traditional Christmas card. Who would have thought light blue and copper could look so good together for a festive card? Well, apparently Laura Fredrickson did! Her card mixes up fun elements to create a very striking creation! She used the new "All that Glitters" set, one of Flourishes' new releases this month! The sentiment is from the new set, "Holiday Greetings."

When creating this next card, Becca Feeken said, there's nothing like a beautiful poinsettia to get you in the Christmas mood. Wow! All it takes is just one look at her card! She used one of the Flourishes new releases, Poinsettia and Boxwood. Just beautiful! Joan Bardee's card also uses the All That Glitters set in a way that creates such a warm and cozy card. She admitted earlier that she is in love with the new Flourishes Glittering Christmas Paper and this is another fabulous sample using this lucious paper!!!
Cindy Haffner cracked open the Birds And Vine set for this almost glamorous card! Flowers, sparkles, birds and elegant vines combine to create a beautiful and very interesting design! I love those popped up circles that spotlight the birds!
Cindy Lawrence said her goal was a simple card to showcase the Bird and Vine set as well. I don't know how she does it! This is a pretty simple card that is.. well... pretty! She makes it look so incredibly easy-- doesn't she? Did you see the faux brads on the bottom? You'll have to click on her blog to read up on that!

As always, if you want to surf more of these ladies fine creations, just hit our blog roll showcasing our Friends of Flourishes team!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Featured Stamper 21--Wild Card Week

Hi all! As promised, we have a "fashion show" of sorts to show off all the fabulous entries we had last week for the Featured Stamper! Since I couldn't decide, I declared it a "Wild Card Week" which means everyone who made a card will be in the running for a free stamp set! That means Liz, Karen, Lois, Erin, Michelle, and Laurie will all be entered! We'll draw the lucky winner and announce the news on the first Monday of November! Thank you ladies for some awesome creations!

I had a few favorites this week! The first one by Michelle is just a classic "anytime card." I loved the colors she chose and the layout with the embossed layer is just too classy!

Lois's take on a sleigh ready ready to dash through the snow is such a soft and beautiful Christmas card. She used the brand new Sleigh Ride set and even put in one of the evergreen trees from the Forest of Trees set! It's a fabulous combo!
Erin spiced up the Birds And Vine set with this classic color combo that delivers a punch of contrast. I love the polka dot and stripes created all over the card! And the way she layered it up? Very unique and creative!
This last card from Laurie has a vintage look that I love with the inked edges, the classy tag sentiment and the embossed background. When it is all put together, you have a pretty Christmas card with a classic feel!
Thanks ladies for sharing your creativity with us! You do inspire!


Speaking of inspiration.... did you see this creation from Friends of Flourish team member Becca Feeken?

Oh my! Isn't it amazing? You have to click HERE to check out her blog and find out exactly how she made it. She used the new set called Sleigh Ride that is hot off the polymer presses from Flourishes! Becca really is too creative for words. Don't you think?

That's it for this Monday! Thanks for stopping by!

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Christmas and the Holiday Season is certainly a glittery time of the year. Those of us that would not normally have our homes decked out and sparkley certainly take on a new persona. All That Glitters is a new Marcella Hawley exclusive that features vintage ornaments. Each of the images in this Christmas-Holiday season stamp set is a stellar example of her abilities to capture these holiday ornaments at their best.

For my focus I took an unconventional look at both of the Christmas ornament images that I used to highlight today.

Here's a look at my first one:





I love the lady-like look of this card. It is so very pretty in real life. I know Marcella used vintage ornaments from her mother's own collection as the basis for this set, and here I go making it all contemporary and girlie. I just love the contrast....I love the sentiment-- SO SWIRLY-- the crispness of the hot pink and black -white check ribbon. The detail and depth are hidden here but again IRL the depth and tiny green rhinestones(Kaiser flat back from Flourishes too) make this card perfect for that very striking lady on your Christmas card list.

The card is a simple one layer card. I stamped the image using my Copic marker direct to the image (I know some say horrors) and I must say I had to work very quickly. Then using the Copic Colorless blender I gradually added the colors, line, and depth. I used only three Copics...Colorless Blender, RV17, and YG03. Star Dust Stickles added the wonderful glitter look. A Kaiser flat back rhinestone in green was the coup de grâce ! The black "hanger" was done with a small punch to the card and then black embrodiery thread and a knoted tie of black and white gigham ribbon from Flourishes. Hum, very Girlie-Girl !!

For my second card I chose a more traditional look and used this set again in an other than intended approach when it was first conceptualized.



For this card I used both of the branches from the All That Glitters set as well. The techniques used to the best advantage for the card were masking and sponging of colors to highlight some branches that were stamped with Versamark and embossed in white EP, others were stamped with Handsome Hunter and simply highlighted with sponging in the same color. To add more depth in shading I used my Copic Spica Bright green pen. I did this quite liberally on the dark green branches and around the white. This is a case where a lighter color adds the required spolight and give the illusion of more depth on a flat image. After a few critically placed branches, I stamped the pinecone ornament on the card then masked it while I worked on the other parts. It was then colored with my Copics, highlighted and then touched with the Ranger White Essential pen for that frosty look. The sentiment was stamped and embossed, more ink (Creamy Caramel) smudging with a sponge. The ribbon was done with the SU two hole punch. The card is white cardstock to start. The second layer is the Brushed Gold Leaf metallic paper from Flourishes and finally the card itself is SU Handsome Hunter.

The next time I work with these sets I am definitely using the LuminArte Twinkling H2Os....After I finished these I was fiddling here in the Atelier on a scrap piece of paper with them and these ornaments and Oh My were they pretty. You can bet that you will be seeing them all done up soon. They were so simple and vibrant and already had the sparkle of the mica in them. My trial piece will be my inspiration board for an upcoming card at my work space.

Today's card stamps, ribbons and emblishments are all from Flourishes.

Thanks so much for looking in over my shoulder today as I worked. I know your time is precious and am so grateful that you spent a few moments with me. My "teacher-facilitator" hope is that you found something to take with you.

Don't forget that Flourishes is still having the 10% off sale...the ENTIRE STORE---but you must rush to place that order as the sale IS OVER MONDAY NIGHT AT 12:00P.M. CST....the Promo code is RSC88.

Ciao,



"A great teacher never strives to explain his vision. He simply invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself." My Chineese fortune cookie today!

Paper Tin Tie bags

Look at what just came in, and in time for the sale, the white paper gift bags with a tin tie along the top for easy closure.

These bags measure 4 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 9 1/2. They meet the FDA requirements for direct food contact.....which means you can fill them with anything! They have a laminated clear poly inner liner with a clear display window. Easy to close with with the metal tie at the top.


I have not had time to "play" with the bag I have, but you can see what Jan Marie has done with a similar white bag and a whole gift ensemble . Take a look at what she has done using the JustRite Baking monogram.

Don't forget, you still have time to get 10% off, this and everything in the store. Use code RSC88 in the promo code at checkout until Monday.

Flourishes Friday!

Wow! What a week here at Flourishes - we have five new releases, a fabulous sale to take advantage of, a virutal stamp convention and now a showcase of goodies from our talented Friends of Flourishes blog team!


The first card offers up a beautiful winter white creation with a touch of soft color. Cindy Lawrence uses our new Poinsettia and Boxwood set! You can click on her blog (see the blog roll to the right) to find out more on how she did it. For now, you can just drool! Joan Bardee took the same set to create a new technique! We all know that Copic markers can bleed through the paper when you color them. But -- Joan saw something different, she used this for a new technique! Click HERE to see how she did it! The result is a soft, almost antique card that is just too pretty!

Laura Fredrickson used the Mixed Messages set to deliver up some warm wishes! I love the background Laura used behind her little basket of mail. Add in some flowers, lovely scallops and a great ribbon and tag and you have a beauty of a card!

Cindy Haffner uses the Forest of Trees set to serve up a fabulous Holiday themed creation! Isn't that tree just perfect for this time of year? I love how Cindy inked up the background in a soft way. The mini poinsettias, embossed background and ribbon are the perfect additions!


Thanks for stopping by to see what our FOF bloggers have been up to! If you need a little extra inspiration to jump start your weekend, click on the names of our design team members on our blog roll! It's the final day of the Flourishes release celebration and they have all showcased the new sets in grand style!

TGIFF! (that's That God It's Flourishes Friday!)

RubberStampChat Virtual Convention

The Virtual Convention is on at the RubberStampChat forum!

Please join Flourishes and many other vendors at the forum - each vendor has their own "booth" in the form of a thread in the Convention Hall thread.

We continue with our special - 10% off your entire order through the convention, which ends Monday, October 13.

To get this discount, type RSC88 in the promotion code box at checkout.

Free shipping on USA orders over $50

Free shipping on International orders over $100

Today Flourishes officially released 5, yes 5, new holiday and Christmas sets. Today I am going to focus on Sleigh Ride stamp set.





And to make it extra special I have three cards, each at a different level of work. I know that when making Christmas cards we need some that are quick and easy, some with just a touch more, and then that extra special card where we go the extra mile.

This is the first one and it is very simple, but still has elegance and a truly grand feeling about it.





For this card I used Blue Metallic Papers in the Gold Leaf Metallic, both from Flourishes. I used my trusty embossing buddy to swipe the page so I would not have any stray embossing powder . A tiny piece of gold wired ribbon adds some depth and texture. One of the tinest Red Kaiser Rhinestones set Rudolph's nose aglow. To make up this card I cut a standard A2 size piece of Gold Leaf Metallic paper and the card was cut 1/4" smaller, folded and scored with the Teflon Bone--a stampers essential in my opinion. The card was adhered together and Viola it was done. Simple, Easy, Elegant!



My second card is using only the sleigh from the set. For this card I colored it with my Prisma pencils and blender pen. I wanted a deckle edge at the bottom so a torn piece of Red cardstock was readied for the occasion. The cardstock that I am using for this card is core colored so I did not have to be careful which direction I pulled it. Lots of very expensive cards have deckle edges.

The image was stamped with Hybrid Palette Ink-Noir from Flourishes. These inks have turned into my personal favorite. They are permanent so I can watercolor, use my Copics and gamsol with not worries or fears of bleeding or smudging.

I also love this little checkered panel that you can add to the bottom of the sleigh. Living in the Alps of Germany made me aware of the beautiful scenes that are put on their sleighs. This one uses one of the 3 scenes that are in the set so you can create your own personalized sleigh. I LOVE those reins in bright red....it also carried the red deckle edge at the bottom. I choose a greeting from the set as well and embossed in itn gold...Another Viola!

For my third card today, I went all out. as you will see. I have used the Spruce Tree from Forest of Trees Stamp Set.
The tree was stamped in Hunter Green ink on White cardstock. I carefully cut it out and smudged the edges with navy ink. Next I used a long tooth pick to add Flower Soft Glue to the edges and center of the tree. I applied Ivory Flower Soft to create my snow and set it aside to dry. For the card itself I used white cardstock as the base and a mirrored red metallic cardstock (I found at Michaels and bought the only 2 packs I could find). The next layer is again the Blue Metallic Cardstock from Flourishes. T cut the white, folded it, and scored it with my Teflon Bone folder for the crisp edge I love. I stamped the sleigh with Versamark then embossed with black detail embossing powder. I cut it out and set it aside as I worked on the rest. I used a small piece of the same Blue Metallic cardstock, and the house image which I inked with Versamark and white detail embossing powder. Next I used my Prisma colored pencils and added some lights in the house. It is hard to see in this picture but I added some glitter with my Saukara Glitter pen (another must have for stampers and scrapbookers) on the smoke coming from the chimney. The next step was to stamp the sleigh image again this time on the new Glittering Red card stock that we had made just for Flourishes. This photo does not do it justice at all. I stamped it in black, then smudged it with some black on the edges to give it some depth. I carefully cut it apart and layered in on to the blue sleigh. Next I adhered the small house scene. The packages were made using the present stamps from O Christmas tree. They were just the right size. I added snow using the Flower Soft and I was just about finished, but not quiet the Viola! yet. I stamped the sentiment from the newly released Holiday Sentiments stamp set with Versamark and used some sparkle red embossing powder. The beautiful white satin May Arts ribbon from Flourishes was the crowning touch. Viola!

Don't forget that the 10%off special is on the entire Flourishes webstore thru Monday, Oct 13th. The code that is necessary to get the discount is RSC88 , place this in the promotion code box at checkout. Then send us an email at www.flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net with the name of the designer that inspires you and we'll reward her with a tip....on our dime.

That makes it a wrap here in the Altier at Flourishes for today. I am so glad that you joined me. I truly appreciate your precious time to visit with us.

Ciao