Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday #253 AND a New Stamp Reveal...

Hello all and welcome to a very special kick off to Flourishes' January Release! Not only are we ushering the new release in with a fun-filled Timeless Tuesday Challenge but we are showcasing a set designed to honor Flourishes' owner and founder.  For our challenge today, yours truly is your hostess and I am challenging you to Get in Shape!

That's right....let's celebrate one of the most popular New Year's Resolutions in a new way....make a shaped card!  I know you can do it.....and to make things even more interesting, you are going to be able to feast your eyes on this gorgeous new stamp set that we are all featuring today!  And when I say all, I mean ALL because the Senior Design team is joining in on the fun!  So without further ado....

INTRODUCING....

Wisteria, Peonies and Bearded Iris -- all three of these flowers are favorites of Flourishes' founder and owner Jan Marie Caruso. Sentimentally illustrated by Marcella Hawley, these beautiful blooms honor the lady at the helm at Flourishes. Three breathtaking flowers paired with three beautifully scripted words and five accent words. This 4" by 6" set is sure to be one you reach for just to send creations to friends far and wide for any and all occasions! Would you like to win this set along with the other two sets being released this month? All you need to do is play along with us!!! We have a special treat for you today -- two actually! First, in honor of Jan Marie and this very special set, Flourishes' Senior Design Team is joining along in this challenge to give you double the inspiration! As you hop around getting inspired on ways to "Get In Shape", don’t forget to try to figure out….

Hidden among the Design Team’s blogs today is our Mystery Blogger of the day. Comment on her blog and you could be chosen to win today’s set! The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Have you got all of that now?  I know...it's a lot to take in!  Since this stamp set is all of Jan Marie's favorite flowers, I really wanted to pay special tribute to this amazing lady.  Although we have never met, I am eternally grateful to her for the opportunity to work with her incredible product line and represent her company.  I just know she has got to be one of the most amazing people!

 For this special card I wanted to make something unique.  I took my cue from these beautifully drawn images....they reminded me of vintage prints and then I decided make it resemble a vintage jewelry piece.  For my card, I used the wonderful Iris image.  I colored this beauty up with Copics and then I used a few Spellbinders dies for my card...Classic Ovals Small, Floral Ovals, and for my card base Labels 28.   

 I stamped my image and sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black onto Flourishes Classic Ivory card stock while it was still in the oval die.  Next, I colored my image with copics, put it back in the oval die, and sponged Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink around to give it an aged look.  I wanted to make this look like a vintage cameo or one of those vintage resin pins, so next I added a few layers of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and heat set each layer. Versamark ink is perfect for this to adhere your UTEE. After 3 layers, I let it cool, and then cracked it to make it look like cracked glass!  This is such a fun technique and it really gives your project that vintage feel.  I finished off my image by edging it out with a Krylon Gold Leafing pen, layering it with a few papers, then adhering it to my gold leafed Floral Oval die cut and layered Labels 28 card base. I left this free from any other embellishment so the beautiful image and cracked glass finish could be center stage.   

I am always amazed at the tremendous detail these stamps deliver....the sentiments in this set are so delicate and will be some you will reach for again and again.  Well, I hope you enjoyed my little card, but you really must see what all of the Flourishes designers have for your inspiration....I am sure you will not be disappointed!  Remember, leave a little blog love for everybody and then link up your own "Get in Shape" creation!  I can't wait to see what you come up with....thanks so much for stopping by!  And a very special thank you to Jan Marie for allowing me to be a part of such a special group of ladies....I hope you enjoy all of the flowers in your beautiful garden today!  

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Deborah Anton
• Heather Jensen
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Katie Sims
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

~Katie

Supplies

Stamps:  Flowers for Jan

Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory card stock, Navy paper, patterned paper 

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink, Versamark

Dies:  Spellbinders Classic Oval Small, Floral Ovals, Labels 28

Other: UTEE, Heat Gun, Krylon Gold Leafing Pen

And these Copic colors:  B21, B23, B24, B26, B29, Y13, Y17, G40, G43, G46, G85, YG91