Happy Birthday to Flourishes!

We are celebrating at Flourishes! Two years ago this month, this one of a kind stamp boutique opened its doors to a whole new kind of creative expression.

Now, we want you to help us celebrate! Simply make a Birthday creation of your own - link your card to the Flourishes Newsletter post or upload to SCS using the keyword FLLCBDAY. Flourishes will pick one lucky winner with the prize being a stamp set of your choice! So, make time for play time and you might just be a winner! Don't forget to click onto the Flourishes Newsletter tomorrow -- there is a BIG announcement that you won't want to miss! In fact, we think you'll FLIP over it!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday and SCS Color Challenge!!!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC26)!!! It is also the last Tuesday of the month so we have a new guest challenge designer with us today. Please give a warm welcome for Deena Perreault(moonrise)!! Deena is challenging us to go monochromatic with our cards. Her challenge stipulations are ONE color or shades of that color along with white or cream cardstock. All supplies and tools are allowed!!! We look forward to see what you do!!!

I decided to make a monochromatic Christmas card with neutrals. I am using Damask, Forest of Trees, and Sleigh Ride sets.

I realized a couple of things about myself while I was making this card. I have a serious obsession with kraft cardstock. Is kraft a color? I find this cardstock works beautifully with every color. It is like kraft is the new black. The card base is actually kraft cardstock. I layered a vintage cream dry embossed cardstock over the top.

For this card, I stamped the damask for the top portion of the background. I used the C1 copic marker to create the shadowed background look for definion and dimension. I stamped my tree in a cream pigment ink and clear embossed, and I used the sentiment from Sleigh Ride. I love stamping cream pigment inks onto kraft and letting it dry naturally or embossing it. Of course, while I was playing around with a layout, I managed to cover up most of my background. I finished my card with some satin ribbon and pearl accents. I love how my monochromatic card looks.

Oh, the second thing I learned about myself....the less color I have on a card the more stuff I think it needs. I used dp, a punch border, layered nesties, texture, sponging, pearls, and ribbon. I hope it does not look too busy.

Be sure to check out the otherFriends of Flourishes Blog team designers
to see what they created for you this week.

Deena Perreault

Silke Ledlow

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

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Certainly, pixie appeal!



I am hosting SCS Color Challenge(CC229) today!!! I chose my color combo from a card I did back in 2005 when pixie pink and apricot appeal were new colors. We are using certainly celery, pixie pink, and apricot appeal.

I am using mostly stamping up on this card. I have not used many SU stamps on a card lately so I figured it was time. Please click on the card to see a close up.
I colored the toile blossom background with copics and I loved the look so much I did not want to cover it up. I decided to add some satin ribbon and a silver style hardware framed sentiment with a little nestie label 4 tucked inside. I used a sentiment from Best Yet set. I added little pearl domes in the corner and called it finished.
What do you think? Please check out this blog post for more card info. Thanks so much!!!

Stamps SU Toile Blossoms and Best Yet Paper Black, certainly celery, apricot appeal, pixie pink, gp white INK certainly celery, apricot appeal, pixie pink, palette noir ACCESSORIES silver style hardware, label punch, nesties, copics, glue dots, satin ribbon(Micheal's), sponges

ODBD Sneak Peek!

This card is for today's Clean and Simple (CAS25) challenge at SCS. This is a wonderful sketch!!! Thanks, Krystie for the sketch!!!

I am giving you a sneak peek of a August 1st release from ODBD called JESUS! It is fabulous and has wonderful scriptures to go along with it.

The release Design Team blog hops starts Saturday!!! Hope you can stop by and blog hop with us.

Here is another sneak peek card ODBD called Birthday Blessings!

Check out the ODBD blog today for a product review on the Glue Glider Pro . You can buy your Glue Glider Pro for 25% off until Saturday night at midnight. A great savings for a great product!

Stamps
ODBD JESUS
PAPERSU Bermuda Bay, PTI kraft, vintage cream, and true black
INKPalette Noir
ACCESSORIES
Bermuda Bay ribbon, silver pearl domes, copics

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Dry Sponging and A Hootie WHO Moment!

This card is for several DARE TO GET DIRTY CHALLENGE ‘09.


DTGD09cindy_haffner Sketch Challenge
DTGD09genie1314 ~ Previous Theme: Tag Art
DTGD09eggette - Flap Your Wings!
DTGD09Lauraly ~ Previous Theme: Tie One On!
DTGD09gbedwright- DP by ME

I realized after I made this card and loaded it that the Blog Hop for PTI involved using text on a card. I totally missed that. I love using text on my cards...see my banner.

BACKGROUND: DRY SPONGING

I did another stamped background card for my "DP by Me" challenge. For the dry sponge look, I use kraft cardstock. I only do this technique with kraft. I used vintage cream pigment ink. This ink dries beautifully in minutes, but before it is completely dry, I use a dry sponge to sponge over the whole area to soften the whole look. I am left handed so I tend to make soft slow circles in a counterclockwise direction. I rotate the sponge ever so often so it stays dry. This technique removes some of the pigment ink. The image is not blurred provided you wait a couple of minutes before you dry sponge. Depending on the humidity in your area, the drying times will vary. You need to see what works for you. Thought I would share another background stamping moment with you.

STAMPS PTI Life, Text Style background, Background Basics
PAPER PTI Scarlet Jewel, Kraft, Vintage Cream
INK Palette Vintage Cream, Scarlet Jewel, Dark Chocolate
ACCESSORIES Nestabilities, eyelets, gold pearl domes, sponges, ribbon, MS bird punch
tape, pearl domes, sharpie


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Okay, I rarely do cute cards. Not sure why, really. I guess because when I do cute they tend to be out there somewhere. LOL!!! See what I mean? My kids love it, though.

This card started as a scene card and evolved into so many challenges for the
Dare to Get Dirty '09 Challenges.

This card is for the following Dirty Dare Challenges....

DTGD09kittie747 - Scene Challenge
DTGD09DeborahLynneS ~ Taken with Texture!
DTGD09debdeb--Moved by the Music Beach Boys song..."Surf City Here I Come"
DTGD09sf9erfan - For the Boys
DTDG09Scrapnextras Previous theme: Learning Your ABC's! I had to alter the sentiment to say "Hootie Who"
DTGD09PickleTree - Previous Theme: Born to Be Wild

If that is NOT enough, it is also for the CHF Summer Design Challenge! Challenge 4: Create a Scene!

First of all, I stamped the wave and colored. I stamped the surfboard and left a small section at the base uncut. I cut a slit across the ocean and tucked that extra slit into and fold on back and adhere. This allowed me to get surfboard angle I wanted. I cut out the wave to use as a mask so I could softly sponge on the cloud sky. I sponged the sun and punched out to adhere to the sky. I had to alter the sentiment to get the "Hootie WHO" comment. I thought my surfer owl dude needed some hair so I cut a few clippings of embroidery thread and gave him one.

Stamps CHF URA Hoot, Paradise Found(surf board), Wave stamp(unknown)PaperPTI True Black, SU Bermuda Bay, GP whiteINKPalette Noir, SU ballet blue, ODBD sunflowerAccessories,SU Punches, copics, ribbon(Micheal's), Cuttlebug embossing folder, sponges, foam, yellow embroidery floss for the hairdo

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Birthday Blessings to You!!!

Hello!!! It is the time of the month when the ODBD sneak peeks begin for the big release day on August 1st!!! I am using Happy Birthday!!! I am so excited about this set. It has two fabulous Happy Birthday sentiments as well as wonderful scriptures. I love the main image. It is fun to color and is perfect to go with many of your ODBD sets. I used copics to color.

Have you checked out the DARE TO GET DIRTY CHALLENGE ‘09 on Splitcoast? If you’re a SCS Fan Club member you can find out challenge information here. If you’re not a SCS fan club member, what are you waiting for? Are you all having fun participating in SCS Dirty Dare Challenges? Like many of you I need to combine a few.

For this card I combined these challenges.

DTGD09BevMom- Sew Unexpected!

DTGD09eggette - Flap Your Wings!
DTGD09One_Happy_Stamper Sketch Challenge

DTGD09KrystieLee - Clearly Creative!

I just want to say that I used a sewing machine and actually sew stitches on my card. I am amazed. I also sew the clear acetate to the card, too. I have done it only a few times, but I definitely need to try it some more. I think I need to have the space between the stitches longer.

Stamps

ODBD Happy Birthday

Paper

SU bermuda bay, soft suede, crushed curry, SU thoroughly modern dp, PTI bitty dot dp, gp white

INK

Palette Noir, copics, black staz on(acetate sentiment)

Accessories

Nestabilities, EK Succcess border punch, yellow brads(MM?), gold pearl domes, prima flowers, foam tape, foam dots, sewing machine, MS butterfly punch

Dare to get Dirty!!!

Have you checked out the DARE TO GET DIRTY CHALLENGE ‘09 on Splitcoast? If you’re a SCS Fan Club member you can find out challenge information here. If you’re not a SCS fan club member, what are you waiting for? The challenges are fun!!! I am so thrilled to be hosting a Dirty Challenge for you today. My challenge for you is called "DP by ME" and all the information can be seen here.

For my card today I used Strawberries by Flourishes. There are NO designer papers used. All the backgrounds were stamped using images from the set, colored, shadowed, and sponged to create coordinating images to go along with this delicious focal image in the set. I used Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Buttercup, Daffodil, Dusty Rose, Poppy, and Fields. I used some Nestabilities and a touch of black gingham, with four little silver pearl domes that I colored with a permanent black sharpie.

Here are a few of the reasons I like to make my own designer paper.

• Sometimes it is frustrating to find coordinating papers that work with what I am doing. By the time I dig through my stash, I could have stamped a background to use.


• Also, many packs of designer papers often have a few patterns that I love and use up quickly only to be left with some patterns that I do not particularly like(I sometimes use those to created altered designer papers).


• By stamping backgrounds, I always have an endless supply of beautifully coordinated designer paper that works perfectly with the stamp set(s) I am using.


• I also stamp my own designer paper just because it is fun and I love to see what I can create!!

Here are a few of my background stamping tricks

• I work better in smaller areas. I often start with a 5 X 5 piece of white cardstock or the white side of some designer paper I do not like. My cards are generally 5.5 squared so this works for me.


• I choose images or backgrounds that I think will look good with my focal image.


• I often sponge the edges and sometimes sponge color throughout the background so that I can create some depth to the stamp images.


• Lately, the copic C1 has become a very useful tool to add shadow and dimension around images to make items pop and to give the illusion of dimension.


• I also love to add texture or the look of texture with a textured stamp.


• I love to layer some images. Not necessarily a collage look, but more layered patterns and textures to mimic designer looks.


• There are also times when I stamp a background and do nothing to it. Some images are perfect alone and require none of the above add touches. It really is a matter of person preference and style.

Hope this helps!!! I look forward to seeing all your wonderful designer "DP by ME" creations!!!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC25)!!!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC25)!!! This week Cindy Haffner is our host. This week at Flourishes it is all about shimmerz so Cindy is challenging us to get out our stash of shimmerz, shake them up, and use them on our cards. There are so many wonderful ways to use these little pots of shine. As always, if you do not have any shimmerz, yet, no problem. All we ask is that you add some shine to your cards. We cannot wait to see what you create!!!

I am using one of my favorite Flourishes sets called Thank You. I am using some basicgray eva designer paper. I chose to create shimmer and sparkle to my card by using only the shimmerz to color the image. I am using royal red and celery shimmerz. I took a dried blender pen and dipped into each pot to color my image. I love how easy it was to do. The dried results is very striking. I used Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Cool Neutrals. I specifically used the C1 to add shadow to my image. The shimmerz is beautiful and dries very fast!!! I love the look!!!

Be sure to check out the otherFriends of Flourishes Blog team designers

to see what they created for you this week.
Kimberly Crawford
Silke Ledlow
Cindy Haffner
Dee Jackson

STAMPS

Flourishes Thank You

INK

Palette Noir, bordeaux

PAPER

GP white, SU crushed curry, PTI Scarlet Jewel, Eva Basicgray

ACCESSORIES

Nestabilities, shimmerz, foam tape, (dried)blender pen, decorative pin, ribbon, gold pearl domes

Simply IrRESISTible!!! Crayon resist CAS style!

I am showing you a suite of simply irRESISTible cards. I created a trio of crayon resist cards using the newly released Grow in Grace set from ODBD. I wanted to create a clean and simple style(CAS) for mass production purposes. This week's CAS challenge(CAS23) on SCS is an inspiration site http://www.art.com/. After perusing the many wonderful pieces of art, I wondered if it were possible to stay CAS and yet do one of the more detailed pieces of art. I thought I would give it a try. I chose this particular piece as my inspiration. Almond Branches in Bloom I love the depth of color in the piece and the white blooms. I started thinking that a more simple version could be created using a white crayon and sponges. The inspiration itself with the frames also reminded me of the CAS sketch challenge(CAS19) a few weeks ago.

I love creating backgrounds that have depth and dimension. The dogwood image in the Grow in Grace set is just gorgeous. I started with a 4.5 square piece of white cardstock. I did not use glossy just to keep it simple. I stamped the dogwood image several times to mimic the sketch as well as the inspiration piece. It is at this stage that many people choose to emboss the background image, but I chose to just use palette noir or dark chocolate inks with no embossing. Next, I used a white crayola crayon that I borrowed from my son. It is high tech with the twisted technology. WOW!! Whether it is a regular crayola white crayon or a fancy one that I am sure cost more, it does not matter. Also, I buy the mega packs of the big golden yellow sponge bricks from Home Depot for my sponging.

I used the crayon to color in the areas of the dogwood petals and some of the leaves where I wanted to have a white or highlighted area. It is really hard to tell where you have colored since it is not a glossy cardstock, so I worked in a clockwise direction. Then, I started sponging on the lightest color first and developing with darker colors to get the saturation look of the inspiration picture. I did swipe over the crayon some, but not much. To create more shadow and dimension, I used copics C1 and C3 to shade outside the dogwood blossom. I used a BG11 on the blue one, just to see if that color looked okay with the background. I added a Y17 copic color to the center of the dogwood blossoms. I finished the card with the small silver pearl domes in the corners.
Once I had the basic format and flow, it goes really fast. It took me longer to write the blog post than to make all three cards. LOL!!! It really is that simple!!!

I have included individual pictures below.

This card uses dark chocolate, white, and Palette dark chocolate ink. I sponged soft sky, ballet blue, adirondack pook, and a touch of some barely banana. I finished with one of the LONG small rectangles that I stenciled softly inside the rectangle with some soft sky.


This card uses palette noir, white, and true black cardstock. I sponged pretty in pink, hibiscus burst, raspberry fizz, and a touch of barely banana. I stenciled some pretty in pink and barely banana inside the label three die cut.

This card uses dark chocolate, white, and Palette dark chocolate ink. I sponged soft sky, ballet blue, and a touch of brilliant blue. I stenciled inside the label four die with some ballet blue ink.

Stamps: ODBD Grow in Grace Paper: dark chocolate, white, black
Ink: pretty in pink, adirondack pool, soft sky, barely banana, hibiscus burst, raspberry fizz, ballet blue, palette noir, dark chocolate, brilliant blue Accessories: sponges, foam tape, nestabilities, silver pearl domes, copics Technique: Crayon resist, sponging, and sponge stenciling


As always, thanks so much for stopping by!!!!

Color Challenge SC227 and BVC09!!!

This card is for today's SCS color challenge(CC227)!!! Thanks, Nancy!!! Great colors!!!

This card is also for Devine Design Bible Verse Challenge 09!!!

For this card I am using ODBD July releases Mother Teresa and Grow in Grace sets. I colored my Lotus flower with copics. They are lavender in color eventhough, technically, lotus flowers are supposed to be pink. Forgive me!!! I tried to stay within the color boundaries...lol!!! I did use a tad of green for my lily pads. My going gray color is pretty much the copic C1 marker I used to shadow the flower. Also, the silver metal detailing could be a gray hue, right?

I made another big gingham bow!!! I just love gingham. I added a touch of a lemon tart button from a stash that Silke(sparklegirl) sent me. Thanks, girl!!! You're the best!!!

I ran the barely banana background piece through the SU texture impressions plate twice. I sponged the entire back section with barely banana. After I colored the lotus flower section, I sponged it with barely banana and some lavender lace ink at the bottom.

If you stopped by to see my Timeless Tuesday card, that can be found here.

STAMP ODBD Mother Teresa and Grow in Grace

PAPER GP white, barely banana, lavender lace, PTI pure black

INK Palette Noir, barely banana, lavender lace

ACCESSORIES gingham ribbon, PTI lemon tart button, Cross charm, SU textured impressions elegant bouquet, white hemp cording, silver pearl domes, nestabilities

You Are So Special to Me!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC24)!!! This week Kimberly Crawford is our host. Kimberly is challenging us to make tags! Tags are hot and they are everywhere. Tags come in all shapes and sizes and the skies the limit when it comes to decorating and accessorizing. Whether you are making a stand alone tag or one to add to a gift or package, we can not wait to see what you create. So, TAG along with us this week, it will be fun!!!

I am so glad to be back and blogging again!!! I had a pulled muscle in my back and shoulder last week and spent some time with a heating pad and Ben Gay. I am doing a lot better. I just tried to limit my computer and crafting time so as not to aggravate it further.

I am using the Sweet Violets andthe newly released Strawberries stamp sets. I am using the Flourishes classic white cardstock. This cardstock is sensational for using with copics. I colored my sweet violets using the Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Crocus, Violet, and Evergreen. I am using the Strawberries set just for the sentiment on my tag. Another reason this set is just perfect whether you use the strawberries in it or not.

Be sure to check out the other
Friends of Flourishes Blog team designers
to see what they created for you this week.

Kimberly Crawford

Silke Ledlow

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

STAMPS: Flourishes Sweet Peas and Strawberries INK: Palette Noir, ODBD bordeaux ink pad, PAPER Flourishes classic white cardstock, old olive, rich razzleberry, Cottage Wall dp, ACCESSORIES: SU texturez plates perfect details, Spellbinders, silver pearl domes, rich razzleberry polka dot ribbon, large oval punch

Amazing Grace!

Thanks, Dawn for a great limited supplies challenge(LSC228)!!! Today we are to crop it!!! Take an image and cut it down. I chose to use the new ODBD release Amazing Grace song lyrics.

I chose to crop the bird image. This bird image from Sing to the Lord has a longer limb with flowers at both ends. I wanted just the flowers from the dp on the card. I cut out those flowers to keep my card simple and the focus on the verses.

I am using basicgray Marrakech dp. I also chose to stamp the Amazing Grace verse onto a piece of the solid distress paper in the back of the pad. I colored my bird using copic markers. I finished my card with just touches of gold pearl domes.

STAMPS
ODBD Amazing Grace and Sing to the Lord
Paper
PTI dark chocolate, gp white, basicgray Marrakech dp
INK
Palette Noir, PTI dark chocolate
ACCESSORIES
foam tape, gold pearl domes

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC23)!!! This week Dee Jackson is our host!!! Dee is challenging us to cut it out and pop it up!!! We are cutting out items and popping them up to add dimension and interest to our cards!!! The sky is the limit with this one. Just remember to cut it out and pop it up!!! We would love to see what you create!!!

I am using the Waterlilies and Damask stamp sets. I am using the Flourishes classic white cardstock. I colored my waterlilis using the Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Buttercup, Daffodil, and Spring Greens. I cut out the flowers and popped them up to add dimension.

I just love the damask background with this beautiful waterlily. I thought it gave the look of some very elegant water swirls. I stamped the damask in Adirondack POOL which matches beautifully with SU new in color bermuda bay. I outlined some of the damask swirls with the C1 copic markers from the Neutral Collection to give the background some depth and dimension. I finished my card using a Spellbinders tag with grosgrain ribbon detailing.

Be sure to check out the other

Friends of Flourishes Blog team designers

to see what they created for you this week.

Dee Jackson

Silke Ledlow
Cindy Haffner
Kimberly Crawford

Stamps
Flourishes Waterlilies and Damask
Paper
Flourishes Class white cardstock, SU bermuda bay, PTI smokey shadow
INK
Palette Noir, Flourishes Copic Color Collections, Adirondack POOL
Accessories
Nestabilities, bling brads, foam dots, yellow grosgrain

God Bless America!!! Designing for a Cause!

This card is for the Designing for a Cause Challenge that Flourishes is hosting.
When Flourishes launched the Patriotism on Parade set, they knew each and every set would be packaged up with love since each stamp set sold would go to benefit the injured soldiers in our country. A percentage of all stamp sets sold will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The Wounded Warrior Project is an amazing non profit that offers programs, resources, training and more to both the injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families who are trying hard to help their loved ones.

In addition, Flourishes is collecting cards for all soldiers to use to mail to their loved ones. All the cards the Flourishes collect will be donated to the Cards For Heroes. You can read about the Designing for a Cause contest at the Flourishes SCS Forum to find out what you can do to help!!!

I decided to make another tent card with a dangling center. For this design I decided it would be fun to use the Patriotism on Parade set along with the Swing Set stamp sets to create a fun and festive scene. I colored the images using the Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Daffodil, Delphinium, Flesh tones, Poppy, Cool Neutrals, and Spring Greens. I cut out my tree images and the girl swinging. I added black floss for the swing rope. I stamped the children on parade and created a soft sponge sky background using soft sky ink and SU scallop circle punch as a stencil. I finished with a big red gingham bow which I think is very American and some red, white, and blue star buttons.

Stamps: Flourishes Patriotism on Parade and Swing Set Paper: SU night of navy, gp white, PTI poppy and new leaf, Ink: Pure Poppy, Palette Noir, SU soft sky, Accessories: Nestabilites, copics, floss, SU scallop circle and small and large oval punches, foam circles, score pal, sponges

Thanks for looking and have a Blessed July 4th Weekend!!!!

ODBD release day blog hop with candy!!!

It is release day at ODBD!!! We have some wonderful sets for you this month!!! I am showcasing the Let Us Begin set which features wonderful corner images and Mother Teresa quotes.

The design team is doing a color challenge. We each chose three of ODBD ink pads from the store. I chose Sunflower, Olive, and Bordeaux.

I love these three colors!!! The ink is wonderful. I decided to pair my inks with Prism by Prismatics cardstock. I am using Razzleberry dark, Sunflower medium, and Spring Willow medium. I completed two cards that have the same basic background, but different focal images. I wanted to focus on the ink colors in one with a quote and the images in another with a quote.

For my first card, I used one of the corner images stamped in bordeaux. The Mother Teresa quote is stamped in olive. I colored the flowers from the other corner piece using an aquapainter with the bordeaux and sunflower ink pads. I cut those flowers out and lined with a black copic marker. I topped each flower with some stickles for sparkle. I finished with some gold pearl domes and double stitched ribbon.

The second card, showcases another quote from Mother Teresa. This card shows you each color ink stamped with a portion of the quote. I love this look, too.

Now, it is time to continue on your blog hop for candy and to see some fabulous ODBD creations!!! The blog hop starts at the ODBD blog. So, if you stopped by Angie Z's on the way here you next go to Grace's blog to continue with the hop!! There is candy along the way to so you do not want to miss a hop!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!!


Stamps
ODBD Let Us Begin
Ink
ODBD sunflower, olive, bordeaux
Cardstock
PTI kraft, vintage cream, Prism by Primatics
Accessories
gold pearl domes, ribbon, foam tape, foam circles and squares, aquapainter, stickles, gold do dads, nestabilities