Happy Birthday, Jan Marie!

It is Day 2 of the Flourishes first-ever Birthday Blog Hop Celebration! Jan Marie, the owner of Flourishes, is turning another year older and we thought we’d celebrate! Not just with a party and blog hop, but a special stamp set in honor of her day! Let Them Eat Cake was designed by artist Becky Fleck with a Marie Antoinette flair and, just in case you wondered, it’s available in the Flourishes Store!




Want to win our new set? All you have to do is hop on through our celebration and leave a comment on all 14 of our designers' post this Thursday and Friday. Once you left a comment on all 14, you just need to leave a comment on the Flourishes blog saying, "I hopped through the decades with Jan Marie!" Two names will be randomly drawn on Saturday at 12 pm CST from all those who participated. The winners will receive the Let them Eat Cake stamp set along with some other goodies!
 
 
 

 
If you got here from Dawn's blog you are in the right spot!  I created my card with 80s flair!  One of the first things that came to mind when I thought 80s was the ever popular pink and green preppy colors!  I think I actually owned a pair of kelly green espadrilles!  The next thing I thought of was MALL Hair!  This is where we had that big poofy bang thing up front and the back was forgotten or teased to the max.  I thought a topper card would be perfect to reflect on this much sported hair do by yours truly!  Truth be told it could go for the mullet hair don't, too!  LOL!  I will never view the topper card quite the same again!

I also remember the 80s being the decade of excess!  Everything was BIG!  If more was better than most was best!   So, I made a big card that is over the top with three luscious layers of scrumptious cake!  The decade saw its share of long fabulous strands of pearl necklaces, bracelets, and chunky jewelry, hence the addition of pearls!  The ever popular huge bow was everywhere!  From the tops of our heads to the backs of our dresses.   If it stood still long enough, we put a honkin' bow on it!  Funny this is, as I reflect on this wonderful era in American History, it dawns on me that I still do this look with my cards.  What does that  mean?   My card looks like it normally would!  LOL!  Hee Hee! What can I say?  I am an 80s teen!   Hee!

Happy Birthday, Jan Marie!  Blessings to you and yours!
 

Next step in time is Stacy!  Happy Time Warping and Thanks so much for hopping by!

Stamping In Time: On Assignment (SNTODBD4) and C4C25!

It is time for Stamping In Time: On Assignment with Betty (SNTODBD4)!   This week's assignment is to use ODBD Flourished Christian Symbols set.   The challenge is to use the technique rock and roll!   I love using solid image stamps and one of my favorite techniques to use with solid images is to rock and roll.  It gives some depth and dimension to any solid image.  Check out the ODBD blog link to find out how to play! Also, check out the link to check out the SNT Winner!

I chose to make two cards and created two entirely different looks using the same stamp set.  I love the versatility of the ODBD Flourished Christian Symbols.  It comes with wonderful sentiments, scriptures, and solid flourished images.  For the top card, I wanted to create a more light-hearted spring feeling card.  I know there has to be spring-like temperatures somewhere in the world.  To create this look, I started with MME Home collection designer paper.  It is embossed glitter sheets and has an embossed texture feel with shine.  I layered a punch border, stamped my dove and rocked a rolled a deeper color to the edges.  The main image was sponged inside the Spellbinder's die cut shape with a coordinating color.  I finished the card with satin ribbon, cording, flower punch, silver metallic dew drops, and silver pearls.  I really love the carefree feeling of this card.

The second card uses the cross image in the set.  I mixed some various patterns of K&Company designer papers.  I added a dry embossed section and stamped the cross in a dark chocolate ink that I rocked and rolled with a red poppy just to give a touch of red around the tips and create a deeper richer shadowing effect.  I softly sponged inside of the Spellbinder's die cut shape with Ranger Antique Linen.  Again, I used ribbon, button, flower punch, gold metallic dew drops, and cording to finish my card.  This card sketch is for this week's Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C25) less the sentiment section. 

As always, thanks so much for stopping by! 

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC55) and CC259!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC55)!    It is the last Tuesday of the month so we have a guest challenge host! This month's guest is Iwona Palamountain (Chupa). Iwona lives in Australia! She is challenging us to use flowers! Whether they are printed flower designer papers, stamped, punch created, or store bought, put some flowers on your card this week! We would love to see what you create!

For my card I am using Flourishes A Year of Flowers 2  and Sweet Violets stamp sets.  I am using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock.   I colored my flower using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Green Grass, Gerber Daisy, Tiger Lily, and Buttercup.   I am using several Spellbinder shapes.  

Please check out the other FOF Blog Team Designers to see what

they made using flowers this week! 

Silke Ledlow,  Cindy Haffner , Dee Jackson , Maki Jones,  and Barbara Anders

This card is also for today's SCS Color Combo Challenge (CC259)!  This week we are celebrating the Olympics with a Color Challenge Event!  You must check out  the link to find out all about your Olympic Color Choices with dessert option! 

Stamps

Flourishes Year of Flowers 2, Sweet Violets
Paper
Flourishes classic ivory cardstock, PTI enchanted evening, MME, gold mirror cardstock
Ink
Momento tuxedo black, soft sky, PTI terracotta tile, Flourishes copic color collection
Accessories
EK Success border punch, Spellbinder die cuts, inverted scalloped circles, circles, label 9?, tags trio, foam squares, sizzix folder, cb folder, satin ribbon, sponges, gold pearls

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC54), CC258, and OCC!

 

 It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC54)! This week Dee Jackson is our host! Dee is challenging us to " All About Me". Use what you love and what makes you happy!! Use your favorite colors, stamps, layout, and embellishments! Whatever ROCKS your world! We would love to see what you create!

For my card I am using Flourishes Spring Ephemerals, Clouds Background, and Falling Leaves (sentiment) stamp sets.  For the All About Me challenge these are the items that I love that I chose to use on my card.

-I chose soft suede because it is my favortite in color this year.

-I chose three different spellbinders because I love some spellbinder die cuts. 

-I chose a solid image stamp.  I really love solid image stamps.  If I have to choose those are my "go to" images. 

-I love to rock and roll solid image stamps. Favorite technique to add depth of colors.I am also using Memory Box Gossamer dp which is the first pack of dp I have purchased where I believe I love every single piece in the pack.  The soft hues with tonal patterns.  Some even have my favorite script text. 

-I also am using a layered border punch.  I LOVE to layer border die cuts or punches. 

-I also created a card with many layers and piled it high because I LOVE layers!   I love Flourishes classic cardstocks.  I am using the ivory here.  It comes in white and ivory.  Wonderful stuff!

-I added some tiny butterfly punches because these just work all of the time.   I finished with many gold pearls.  GOT to have my gold pearls! 

Now to comply with the OCC challenge this week.   Something old that is new again!  Technically to use something that we bought that has NOT seen much loving.  Well, I have to say that would be my perfect plum and pale plum ink pads and cardstocks.  I think this was the first time I used the ink pads.  Maybe not...just not sure...kwim?  I have to say these colors mixed with soft suede are just gorgeous!  Oh,I must mention that these are the colors I chose for this week's SCS Color Combo Challenge (CC258)!    We are using Soft Pale Plums!  Soft Suede, Pale Plums, and Perfect Plums!   Sound fabulous, doesn't it?  This week's dessert option is to add a critter.  A bird, a butterfly, or other critter of choice.  I added my tiny butterflies! 

Please check out the FOF Blog Team Designers for more"All About Me" card designs!

Silke Ledlow,  Cindy Haffner , Dee Jackson , Maki Jones,  and Barbara Anders

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!  Your comments are greatly appreciated!  I will definitely try to return them, too!

Viva La Verve! Sketches with Home Decor Inspirations! VLVFeb2010!

This card is for this week's Verve Viva La Verve VLVFeb2010 sketch with home decor inspiration challenge!


Here is the inspiration dining room I chose.

I chose this dining room because I thought it looked fun! I cannot imagine having a pink dining room! So girly. Not sure my dh could stand that! So, I wanted to make a girly card!

I am using Verve  Love's Flower, Celebration of Thanks, and Thankful Hearts stamp sets!

I paired these beautiful images with basicgrays sugar rush paper! I added a satin ribbon and bow along with gold pearl accenting! I colored the flower with copics and cut out and popped up a portion of it. Love how this card turned out! 

This card is for Verve Viva La Verve sketch challenge with home decor inspiration (VLVFeb2010)! This is the inspiration dining room I chose.
While this picture seems very bright, there are lots of warm tones with the wood that I used to balance some of the brightness with.


I am using Verve Love's Flower and Hundred Hearts  stamp sets.
I paired these sets with Basicgrays June Bug dp. I sponged some dark chocolate ink over the dp to tone it down some. Love the brightness, but I wanted a warmer look.

NOTE:  If you got the Love's Flower stamp set at release, then you know there was an error in the All You Need is Love stamp image.  I received my replacement image in the mail yesterday.  However, when I went to change it out, I looked at the one with the mistake and thought...I can still use this.  I took scissors and just cut the quote portion away.  I now have a separate stamp without the quote for when I want a more serious sentiment.  So, do not throw that image away!

Stamping In Time: On Assignment (SNTODBD3)!

 It is time for Stamping In Time:  On Assignment with Betty (SNTODBD03)!  Hey, that is me!  This week's assignment is to use ODBD  Footprints in the Sand set or Footprints single stamp.  The challenge is to use  Buttons!  Find ways to incorporate buttons with this set.  You can dress them up or go very casual.  You may even create some unique way to showcase buttons in your design!  Check out the ODBD blog link to find out how to play!  Also, check out the link to check out the SNT Winner!

I really love this poem. When I was growing up this poem was displayed in just about every home I entered.  Anywhere from the living room, kitchen, hallways, and bathrooms this poem was somewhere.  As a child I may not have truly understood the full meaning of this poem.  However, as an adult I know exactly what this poem is saying! 

I am using Basicgray Origins dp.  Must say I really love the colors that come in this pack.   I stamped the poem directly onto one small leafy pattern that comes in the pack.  I layered with one of the grid and floral pieces.   I layered  the Spellbinders Grand 12" Lace Border with a piece of solid garden green cardstock, one of the yellow printed papers from this paper pack, and one of the smaller darker prints.  I love this diecut bordered layered.  I added my buttons with punch twig detailing.  I dressed up my buttons a bit with a gold pearl.  I finished my card with a larger button, gold pearl, and gold cording.  Just so you know, ODBD has some basicgray buttons on clearance! The clearance price shows when you add the item(s) to your cart.   

Stamp set for February 25th Assignment Challenge is Flourished Christian Symbols.

I also want to mention that this card used the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #40 (MMSC40)! 

Also, for SCS Ways to Use it Challenge (WT257)!  Odds Are!  I used odds in the three cluster of buttons, the three layers of lace border punch, and three gold pearls on top right side.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Looking forward to seeing what you create! As always, thanks so much for Stamping In Time!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC53), (FS157), and (CC257)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC53)!  Before I continue, I would like to just thank everyone who played along with us last week with all of our FTTC Anniversary Challenges.  It was a fabulous week made extra special by all of your wonderful comments and beautiful cards.  Thanks so much for celebrating a year of Timeless Challenges with us! 

With that said, please give a warm welcome to Barbara Anders, our NEW FOF blog team member! Welcome to the team! Barbara is jumping right in with a challenge. Barbara is challenging us to easel cards. Never tried an easel card before, no problem. Here is an SCS video easel card tutorial which includes ingredients lists, measurements, and individual pictures as well by Beate Johns. We would love to see what you create!

For my card I am using Flourishes Thinking of You, Lace Edges, and Many Sentiments stamp sets.  For my easel card I am using patterns from the Basicgray Nook & Pantry collection.  I am also using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock. I am using Spellbinders small labels to make my frame.  I used petite ovals to cut out the layered center.  I created some of my own lace using the new Lace Edges set which I stamped and die cut with the Spellbinders Classic Lace borderabilities.  I sponged it this section heavily using some Ranger vintage photo distressing ink to create the old world lace look that Barbara used in her card here.  This card is also for this week's SCS Feature Stamper Challenge(FS157)!.  I cased Barbara again as I thought it was fun to CASE her as well as do her easel challenge!  What an exciting week for you, Barbara!  I am thrilled since this is my first easel card!  It was fun and easy to do!  Thanks for a great challenge, Barbara!

This card is also for today's SCS Color Combo Challenge (CC257)!  This week is all about Chocolate Durango Shadows!  We are using Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, and Sage Shadows!  The neutral options are ivory, white, and kraft only.   This week's dessert option is Patterns!  Whether you stamp your own patterns, use dp, or create pattern with texture, try to use two or more patterns!

Please check out the FOF Blog Team Designers for more Easel Card Designs!

Silke Ledlow,  Cindy Haffner , Dee Jackson , Maki Jones

and Barbara Anders

 

 

Stamps

Flourishes Thinking of You, Many Sentiments, and Lace Edges
Paper
Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock, dusty durango, sage shadow, dark chocolate, basicgray nook & pantry
Ink
terracotta tile, ranger vintage photo
Accessories
Spellbinders small labels, borderabilities, petite ovals, glue dots, satin ribbon, button, gold pearls, sponges, piercing template and mat, foam squares, permanent marker for stitching marks

PTI: TWO CAS Leafy Petal Bits!

This card is for today's SCS Inspiration Challenge(IC218)! Here is the picture I chose for my inspiration.


I stayed with the same colors and sort of design elements a bit. I also went VERY CAS for me! I am using PTI terracotta tile and ivory cardstock. I stamped one of the leafy images from Turning Leaf stamp set onto the ivory using the vintage cream ink. I let dry and stamped the leafy image from Blooming Bits in Ripe Avocado directly over. I added some coordinating buttons with gold metallic centers. I corner rounded one corner and popped this whole panel up on foam squares. I stamped a floral image from PTI background petal flowers set onto the base of the card using the terracotta tile ink. In keeping with the heart in the focal image, I used one of the punch out pieces from my MS heart border punch to accent the setiment at the bottom. I finished with PTI ripe avocado double stitched ribbon.




Stamps
PTI bloom button bits, turning leaf, background flower petal
Cardstock
terracotta tile, ivory
Ink
PTI
ripe avocado, terracotta tile, vintage cream
Accessories
MS lacy heart border punch(heart piece only used), buttons, gold metallic dew drops, gold pearl, foam squares, ripe avocade double stitched ribbon, glue dots

This card is for this week's SCS CAS52 Sketch Challenge! This is very CAS for me. I think this is the least amount of product I have EVER put on a card. It is sort of snowy here today so I have some time to stamp a bit. The snow is not really sticking, though. Which is a good thing.  The kids missed three days this week from last weekend's snow.  Anymore snow day make ups come from spring break....do not want that!

I am using PTI Turning Leaf and Blooming Button Bits(sentiment) sets. I stamped the leafy image using PTI scarlet jewel, enchanted evening, and ripe avocado inks. I punched them out using MS tag punch. I thought it looked cute and fit the shape perfectly. I put foam squares underneath and adhered to my cream cardstock base. I layered a nesties borderabilities scallop with ripe avocado bitty dot dp and enchanted evening cardstock. I added my burgandy satin ribbon with ripe avocado button and metallic dew drop. I finished with three gold pearls in top left and sentiment in lower right. I am not sure I like it. What do you think? There sure is a WHOLE LOT of white space!



PTI

Turning Leaf and Blooming Button Bits

Cardstock

Ivory, ripe avocado bitty dot dp, enchanted evening

Ink

PTI scarlet jewel, enchanted evening, and ripe avocado

Accessories

jewel satin ribbon, ripe avocado button, metallic gold dew drops, spellbinders borderabilities scallop, MS tag punch, foam squares, glue dots, gold pearls

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Anniversary Celebration! (FTTC52B)!

It is Flourishes Timeless Tuesday First Anniversary Celebration! Thanks so much for all of you who have played along with us this past year! To celebrate our First FTTC Anniversary each blog design team member is hosting a challenge! Check out the FTTC Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play, then check out each challenge! FTTC52A, FTTC52B, FTTC52C, FTTC52D, FTTC52E, and FTTC52F! Lots of fabulous prizes to be given away! We look forward to having you celebrate with us!


I am hosting Flourishes Challenge FTTC52B, the second of the FTTC Celebration Challenges!  I picked one of my favorite FTTC challenges.  We are revisiting challenge FTTC23. We are "cutting it out" and "popping it 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 Flourishes Sweet Peas and Strawberries stamp sets.  I always use Flourishes classic cardstock in ivory or white.  Today, I am using both.  I colored my sweet peas using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Sweet Pea, Dusty Rose, and Meadow. 


Check out the following links to see samples designed by Guest FTTC challenge hosts!   Once you make your card for this challenge, leave the link with Mr. Linky!

Carol Lee

Fran Gumprecht

Kathy Wattle

Linda Lucas

Connie McCotter

Liz Williams

This card is also for today's SCS Color Combo Challenge(CC256)! 
This week is all about Crushed Gray Burgandys!  This week's dessert option is TEXT in ways other than sentiment!

Stamps

Flourishes Sweet Pea and Strawberries stamp sets, SU En Francaise bg

Paper

scarlet jewel, smokey shadow, Flourishes classic ivory and white cardstock, crushed curry dp, crushed curry

Ink

momento tuxedo black, ranger antique linen, scarlet jewel

Accessories
Burgandy satin ribbon, MS border punch, MS tag punch, Spellbinder Labels, gold cording, SU three flower punch, gold metallic dew drops, gold pearls, sponges, foam squares, glue dots, Flourishes Copic Color Collections

A little bit of snow...makes a SNOWMAN!!!

What do you get in North Carolina with about 6 to 8 inches of snow?  Shut in the house for 4 days!  Just got the call that school is closed again tomorrow!  I tried to go to work today and got stuck in my driveway.  Can you believe it?  My own drive!  My neighbor pushed me out, but by that time I said forget it!   I parked my car and went back inside.  It was too much for me!   If I cannot get past the mailbox, I do not need to be on the road driving! 

I know many people laugh at how a little bit of snow could really incapacitate the community at large, but I lived in Indiana.  Communities who get snow know how to deal with snow.  I loved those Indiana country boys that have the big trucks with the front snowplow attachments. Those guys would plow the county roads cause it was fun!  Wow!    It is warmer climates that rarely get it that suffer.  I mean what is the reason to budget for salt and sand trucks, work crews, and snow plow machines to get the roads cleared when we would only need it once every 5 years or so?   

So, here we sit!  I am about sick of eating my own cooking! (Do not tell the kids I said that)!  Right about now...Micky D's is starting to look appetizing!  I have been without Mexican for almost a week.  I may need to find someone who can chopper that in.  LOL! 

With that said, I just wanted to share with you a snowman that my son and his friend made today.  They came in asking for a carrot, some coal, and a scarf.  Hmmm...whatever could they be making?  LOL! 

Check back in at midnight for the

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Anniversary Celebrations!  

It is going to be Fabulous!