Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday Challenge #255

Hello there!  Hope this finds you all well and rested from your weekend!  We have a really fun challenge for you this week at Flourishes...."In With the New"!  That sweet Cheryl is the hostess this week and she has challenged us to create a card that celebrates something new.  You can read all about it here.

What a fun challenge and very timely, indeed, as I needed a wedding card!  I started by stamping one of the floral swags from the Spring Blossoms set on to Flourishes Classic Ivory card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it with a few Copics.  Next, I die cut my card panels using Marianne CreaTables Square Frames set, Spellbinders Classic Squares Small set, and Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels Four set with more Flourishes Classic Ivory card stock.  I used some of the lightest pink paper from the Color Made Easy Poppy Collection.  Then I used  Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink and Ranger Worn Lipstick Distress Ink to sponge on a little color on my panels.  Next....I know you know...yep, I took out my trusty Krylon 18KT Gold Leafing pen and went to town.  I mean, if you can't use it on a wedding card, when can you use it....right?  I added a little ruffled ribbon trim to one of the layers and started assembling my card using a lot of foam dimensionals, saving my sentiment panel for last.  I stamped a sentiment from the retired set Happily Ever After in more Tuxedo Black ink.  A bit of pink satin ribbon threaded through one of the panels and some tiny accent pearls finish everything off.

Here you can see this sweet floral image a little better...just right for an almost Spring wedding.  Does it count if you are really looking forward to Spring...lol!    

Now that is one dainty wedding card with a whole lotta layers!  Well, that is all for my card today.  I hope you will go check out what the rest of my team mates have created for your inspiration today, leave them all a little blog love, and then create your own card celebrating something new!  And another little tid bit....you seriously need to check out the sale going on at Flourishes!  If you have a stamp set or two (or in my case dozens) on your "list" that you can't live without, now is the time to scarf them up before they are gone!  You can read all about this amazing sale here.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and I really thank you for stopping by for a visit!  Until next time, take care!  :)

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Katie Sims-that's me!

~Katie~

Supplies

Stamps:  Spring Blossoms and Happily Ever After

Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory card stock and Color Made Easy Poppy Collection

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink, Ranger Worn Lipstick Distress Ink

Dies:  Marianne CreaTables Square Frames set, Spellbinders' 5x7 Decorative Labels Four and Classic Squares Small sets

And these Copic Colors:

RV 10, RV11, RV13, RV14, RV17, RV19, BV13, BV17, G40, G43, G46, E55, E57

Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday Challenge #254

Hi again, everybody!  Are you all still reeling from last weeks' stamp release at Flourishes?  I know I am.....lots of beautiful images to admire and if you wish, make your own!  :)  I know I am going to enjoy playing with my new sets.  Today, the Friends of Flourishes Blog Team has a new challenge for you.  The incredibly talented Jenny is our hostess with the mostest and boy does she have a timely challenge for you....you will need to read all about it here!

Baby, it's cold outside so Jenny wants us to "Button Up"!  :)  I don't think there has been a corner of the US that hasn't been down right frigid this past week.  Sheesh...even here in Peach Country it was 5 degrees one day and the wind chill made it -12!  Now, there are some folks that may be used to that, but not here!  My poor little dachshund had a hard time with it...he definitely did not want to go outside.  Anyways, it has warmed up some now, so we are all good.  

For my card this week, I used two stamp sets....Warm Winter Wishes and Snow Scenes.  I was making this card for a dear friend as a thank you.  On the coldest day we had this past week, my friend drove to my little town to take me out to lunch.  Now, it's a good little drive for her, but she did it because that is just the way she is...sweet as can be...and she knew I needed a pick me up.  We had the best lunch and caught up on all the news and just had a great day.  This will be in the mail by the time this post is up because I know when she reads this....and she will read this, she will know I am talking about her!  :)  

Isn't that the perfect sentiment?  I added several stamped snowflakes in a couple of shades of blue around my sentiment. Then I colored up these adorable mittens with copics, fussy cut them out, and added them plus these cute die cut snowflakes and a button to my card.  I did some stitching before putting all of my layers together and I did use a sponge dauber and various Ranger Distress inks to age everything up a bit.  Some random pearls and a few touches with my Atyou Spica clear glitter pen finish this little card off.  

I can't get over that darling sentiment!  I decided to give you a little peek at the inside of this card....I don't usually add that to my posts but I just couldn't resist this time...

Isn't that little "Thank You" the cutest thing ever?!?  I just had to use it to finish off the inside of this card and I know that my friend is really going to get a kick out of it!  :)  Unfortunately, we did not get snow with our deep freeze (which I feel cheated about...I mean, really, if we are going to be in sub zero temps, couldn't we get just a little snow to pretty things up a bit....but noooo...a busted pipe, yes...but no snow!) but I had to use this anyway!  :)  I used a heart tag and another snowflake and more stamped snowflakes to decorate the inside.  

Well, that is all for my card today, but you know you just have to go check out what my team mates have created for your viewing pleasure and inspiration today!  After you leave them some blog love, why don't you make your own wintry button creation and play along?  You can win a prize and your chances go up if you use Flourishes stamps on your project! I am so glad you were able to stop by today and I'll be looking in the gallery for your awesome creations!  Hope you have a great day and keep warm!!  :)  Take care til next time....

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Katie Sims-that's me!

~Katie

Supplies:

Stamps:  Warm Winter Wishes, Snow Scenes

Paper:  Flourishes Classic White card stock, Flourishes Classic Ivory card stock, Color Made Easy Tonal Neutrals. My Mind's Eye 6s6 pads "Lost and Found-Sunshine" and "The Sweetest Ting-Bluebell"

Dies:  Spellbinders A2 Fancy Postage Edge, and Mat Basics A and B sets; Snowflake die, Heart tag die

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Espresso Truffle, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink,  Ranger Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, Ranger Tea Dye Distress Ink, Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze and Bashful Blue

Other:  Button, twine, pearls, Atyou Spica Clear Glitter pen, foam dimensionals, Scor Tape

And these Copic Colors:  W1, W4, W5, Bg11, BG53, BG57, BG75

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

Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday #252

Hi there, everybody!  It's been a little while since my last post!  Did you all have a nice Christmas holiday?  Spend lots of time with family and friends and eat lots of good food?  Oh, I hope you did!  :)  Well, as you can tell it is time for another Timeless Tuesday Challenge.  This week, our Guest Hostess is the wonderfully talented Jessi Fogan!  She has challenged us to make a shaker card....how FUN!  You can read all of the details here. 

As as extra little bonus, here is a fabulous tutorial from Splitcoast Stampers.  For my card, I decided to use the new Lots of Thoughts set.  I love that little champagne glass and strawberry!  I also decided to make this card a little on the shabby side...a technique that I admire in cards but struggle with in execution.  The patterned papers are from an Authentique 6x6 pad and I also used Flourishes Classic White card stock and papers from the Color Made Easy Poppy Collection.  

My image was stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copics.  I used the Spellbinders' Card Creator Fancy Postage Edge and A2 Card Creator A sets for my window and panels.  Then, I did a little stitching around my card.  For my shaker element, I used a variety glass beads to serve as my champagne bubbles. A little lace, ribbon, and the sentiment oval finish this card off.  I originally planned on this being a New Year's card but with the use of these pink papers, I think it could be used for other special occasions too.  

Well, that is all for my little card, but you should really check out what my team mates have created....I am sure there is a whole lotta shakin' goin' on.....lol!  I hope you can play along with us this week for this super fun challenge....be sure you link up your creation for a chance to win a prize too!  I can't wait to see what you create!  I hope you have a  wonderful New Year's and I'll be seeing you next week with another fun challenge! Take care...

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Katie Sims-that's me!
• Jessi Fogan-Our Guest Hostess 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Lots of Thoughts

Paper:  Flourishes Classic White card stock, Color Made Easy Poppy, Authentique Essentials 6x6 pad

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink, Palette White Ink

Dies:  Spellbinders' Card Creator Fancy Postage Edge, A2 Card Creator A, and Fancy Framed Tags 2 sets

Other:  ribbon, crochet lace, glass beads, foam tape, Flourishes' Crystal Clear cardstock

Copics:  R20, R22, R24, R29, G82, G85, YR30, YR31, Y26, W00, W1, W2, W3

Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday #251

Hi there and welcome back for another Timeless Tuesday Challenge!  I hope you have had a great week....are you ready for Christmas?  Have all of your shopping done?  Me either...lol!  Every year I say I am going to start earlier and I actually did do some of my shopping this summer but I still find myself with plenty to do and not much time left to get it done!  Well, rather than think about that right now, why don't we find out about the challenge this week?  It's a goodie.....use Vellum on your project!  You can thank our wonderfully talented Guest Hostess Greta Hess for this great theme and read all of the details here.

For my card this week, I decided to show off one of the beautiful sentiments from the Holiday Topiaries set.  I love the mix of fonts on these sentiments!  I stamped my sentiment on Vellum with Versamark ink and then added silver embossing powder and heat embossed it.  I made a little wood grain frame by using a wood grain embossing plate then die cutting it out.  

Speaking of die cuts, the card frame and base is Spellbinders' Labels  Twenty Five and Flourishes Classic White card stock.  My blue print paper is from a My Mind's Eye 6x6 pad.  I contemplated what to add to my card to finish it off and decided to break in a new Spellbinders' die set....the Layered Poinsettia!  I cut it out with more Flourishes Classic White card stock and edged the petals in my Krylon Silver Leafing pen.  I added a pretty gem brad for the center and a couple of leaves cut out of brushed silver paper.  As a last touch, I sponged a bit of white ink on the vellum.  This is a little different from my "normal" colors for a Christmas card but I really like the way this turned out.....that sentiment stamped like a dream and has such beautiful detail...

Well, that is all for my little card this week, but I hope you will go see what the rest of my team mates have created for your inspiration.....I know you will love what they have done for you!  Make sure you leave them a little blog love and then play along with us by creating your own Vellum project!  Don't forget to link up to the challenge for a chance to win a prize! So come on and play with us!  I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year full of time with loved ones AND plenty of crafty time too!  :)  Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll be seeing you soon!  

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Katie Sims-that's me!
• Greta Hess-Our Guest Designer!

~Katie~

Supplies:

Stamps:  Holiday Topiaries

Paper:  Flourishes Classic White card stock, silver paper, My Mind's Eye "Moments" 6x6 pad, Vellum

Ink:  Versamark, Palette White, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels Twenty Five, Layered Poinsettia

Other:  Antique Gemstone brad from The Paper Studio, Krylon Silver Leafing pen, Silver embossing powder, Wood Grain embossing plate

Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday #250

Hello there and Happy Tuesday!  Did you have a nice weekend?  It has been cold and rainy here!  Perfect stamping weather if you ask me!  Well, it's time for another Timeless Tuesday Challenge and we have a great challenge for you from this week's Guest Hostess....the oh-so-talented Tricia Traxler!  Her theme will really get you thinking.....you can read all about it here!

I thought about this one for a while!  One of my goals for the upcoming year is to simplify things....declutter, reorganize, and make things clean and simple.....I think we all have had this goal at some point.  For me, it is an annual resolution that I try to keep, but somehow get sidetracked and all of my good intentions go undone.  Sooo, like clock work, it's December so it's time for that oh so familiar "clean and organize" resolution again.....lol!  Yeah, it's usually followed by another repeat resolution to get more exercise and eat healthier....sound familiar?  Enough said about that...lol!  So, for my card, I decided to have my card style reflect my goal.  I know, not exactly what it says, but I think I embraced the spirit of the challenge, don't you?  And to be quite honest...this "clean and simple" card took me just as long if not longer than my other cards usually do!  I struggle with CAS style....just like I struggle with those resolutions I mentioned above...but I stuck with it.  

The little tea cup is from the retired Christmas Tea set and the sentiment is from Snow Wonderful .  I used a couple of die cut layers using Spellbinder's Mat Basics A and B sets, Flourishes Classic White card stock and the darkest red paper from the  Color Made Easy Poppy collection.  I edged my image panel with a Krylon 18KT Gold Leafing pen....no, I have not found mine yet.  I borrowed this one from my mom.  I only used a few Copics to color the tea cup and that finished up my card.  Whew!  I did it...a CAS card!  Now, let's see what you come up with to illustrate one of your New Year's Resolutions!  Please check out what my team mates have created and make sure you leave them a little blog love then come on back and play along with us....remember, you could win a prize!  I can't wait to see the gallery this week with everyone's resolutions!  I am so glad you were able to stop by...I hope you have a great week!  :)

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Katie Sims-that's me!
• Tricia Traxler-Our Guest Designer!

Supplies:

Paper:  Flourishes Classic White card stock, Color Made Easy Poppy

Stamps:  Snow Wonderful, Christmas Tea

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Krylon 18KT Gold Leafing Pen, Spellbinders Mat Basics A and B sets

And these Copic Markers:

YG13, YG17, R24, R29, E40, WO, Y23, Y26

Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday #249

Hi there again, and here we are all gathered together for another Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge!  I hope all of my US friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Did you eat plenty of turkey and get some nice rest and relaxation in?  I hope so!  Are you ready to find out about the challenge this week?  Our hostess is our Guest Designer for the week, Kerin Sylvester!  Kerin has challenged us to use stitching on our project.  You can read all of the details here:

  

A challenge made just for me!  I LOVE to sew on my cards!   Well, let me rephrase that...I love to sew on my card when my sewing machine is behaving like it should.  Unfortunately, that was not the case for this card.  The tension was off (I think) and the stitching is not quite right.  I decided to just go with it and add some random stitching passes to make it look a little more purposeful.  You won't tell anyone, right?  I am not the most knowledgeable person about sewing machines ( I would honestly be embarrassed to tell you how little I know about them) but I did not want to waste a perfectly good assembled card! Sooo...

 My card template came straight from Silhouette's library.....they have some of the most adorable shapes. It came together really quickly and I used minimal supplies...mostly buttons!  A bit of felt and ribbon add a little extra on my tag.  I thought that the Christmas Cookie template would make an adorable shaped card and I knew just the sentiment to go with it...from Sweets of the Season.  Another way to get some use out of your sentiment stamps...gotta love that too!  Flourishes has such pretty sentiments, don't you think?

Now don't look too close at that stitching....remember, we are once again pretending that I meant it to be that way!  ;)  Have you noticed there is a lot of make believe in my recent cards....lol?!  I think the little frosting swirls are so cute and isn't that sentiment perfect?   Can you smell  the Christmas cookies baking?  I'll take two, please...and some milk!  :)  Well that is all for my card today.  I am so glad you were able to drop by!  Please make sure you check out what my team mates have created for you....it will be amazing, for sure!  I would like to welcome our guest designer this week, Kerin Sylvester!  You will be in for a real treat, I just know it!  Leave these amazing ladies a little blog love and then come on and make a stitched creation and play along with us!  I can't wait to see what you come up with!  And like my card, I am wishing you all of the best this wonderful holiday season!  I'll see you next time and I hope you have a great week!

• Allison Cope
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Katie Sims-that's me!
• Kerin Sylvester- Our Guest Designer this week!

~Katie~

Supplies

Stamps:  Sweets of the Season

Paper: Flourishes Classic White card stock, Kraft, Green Polka Dot

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink

Dies/Punches:  Spellbinders Holly Motifs and Labels Four die sets;  SU!  Decorative Label punch

Other:  Buttons, twine, ribbon, felt