It's time to FLIP!

It's Thursday, October 1st... and that means it's your FLIP shopping day!!! If you are a card carrying member of FLIP (Flourishes Loyalty Incentive Program), on the first day of the month you are entitled to a 15% discount on your purchase!!! But you have to act because this sale is just a 24 hour special. If you are a member, you should have recieved an email sharing the promotional code that will work in order to get your 15% off. Simply shop on October 1st and place the code in the promotional code box at check out. If for some reason, you didn't recieve this email, feel free to email us and let us know at flourishesllc@cox.net. Remember, in order to
qualify, you just needed a single purchase (not combined order) of $100 or more. You can see this POST for details on member benefits!

FYI, the code is ONLY available to our FLIP members and only on October 1, 2009 - so shop to your hearts content on that day! You will receive a different code for November 1.

HAPPY SHOPPING AND HAPPY STAMPING!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC35)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC35)!!! Thanks so much to all of you who played along with us with the stamp misting. Keep reading to find out who won!

The Friends of Flourishes blog design team are bringing you exciting and different challenges each week. Flourishes gives away a store gift certificate each week. Random.org decides who wins!! Everyone can PLAY and anyone can WIN! Make sure you continue reading to find out how.

It is the last Tuesday of the month so we have a Guest Challenge Host for you. Please welcome Francie Gumprecht(Francie G) as our guest challenge host! Welcome Francie and thanks so much for hosting with us! Francie is challenging us to extend our creations outside the frame. Whether your want to make a dimensional piece or use subtle cut lines, the look is to go beyond the frame you choose for your card. We cannot wait to see what you create!!!

Let's go see what the blog design team created for you going outside the frame this week.

Up first is our challenge host, Francie Gumprecht. Francie is using Cottage Home stamp set. Francie used a spellbinders classic frame. Next, she stamped the cottage home scenic image

using momento tuxedo black ink onto Flourishes Classic White Cardstock twice. She colored using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Hydrangea and Spring Greens. She cut out sections of the scene and adhered on top of the frame die cut to extend it beyond the frame. She added some flower soft detailing and kaiser pearls to finish her card. Beautifully done, Francie. Lovely card!!!

Next up is Silke Ledlow. Silke is using the Strawberries stamp set. Silke is using Flourishes Classic White cardstock and colored the strawberries and flowers using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Buttercup, Poppy, and Fields. Silke stamped the strawberries twice using momento tuxedo black ink and cut out portions and adhered it to extend over the top of her receased die cut frame. She finished with three rows of red gingham and some silver pearls. Gorgeous colors and dimension, Silke!!! Beautifully done!!!








Up next is is Betty Wright. I am using the All that Glitters and Sleigh Ride sets. I stamped the ornaments and greenery using Momento tuxedo black ink onto Flourishes classic ivory cardstock. I colored using Flourishes Copic Color Collections in Dusty Rose, Poppy, and Water. I used versamark and clear embossed the ornaments before I cut out to adhere on top and off of the edge of the oval frame to give them some depth and shine. I am using spellbinders flourish impressabilities for background textures, label eight, and label six die cuts. I finished my card with some sheer ribbon and red kaiser pearls.








Cindy Haffner is next. Cindy is using the newly released Falling Leaves set. Cindy has combined sever spellbinder die cuts and pendants to create a layered frame with the sentiment and leaf coming out of the frames. Cindy is using Flourishes Classic White Cardstock and colored her image using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Spring Greens and Fields. Wonderful shape card and I love the touch of sparkle detailing on the leaf. Beautifully done, Cindy!!!








Last up this week is Dee Jackson. Dee is using the Cherries and Peaches, Life, Love, and Lemons, and the Basketweave stamp sets. Dee is using Spellbinders label one die cut. Dee stamped the peaches using Momento black tuxedo ink onto Flourishes Classic White Cardstock She colored using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Tiger Lily and Evergreen. She cut out the entire image and adhered to the top of the inset framed panel so the peaches extend beyond the frame. Gorgeous colors and fabulous card, Dee!!! Wonderfully done.

Please check out our individual blogs for more card details!!

Francie Gumprecht

Silke Ledlow

Betty Wright

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

We also have the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday blog button working properly again. If you need the code, check here.

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Winner(FTTC34)!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers: 2
Timestamp: 2009-09-29 02:36:35 UTC

Carol L (Our Little Inspirations) Congratulations!!! You Won!!! Please email:
flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net for your coupon code!!!!

Now, it is your turn to play! Here is what you need to know!

• Anyone can play whether you have Flourishes stamps or not. Of course, if you have Flourishes stamps, by all means, use them.
  

• Use keyword code FTTC35 when linking to SCS or public gallery.

• Be sure to use the Mr. Linky to be eligible for the gift certificate drawing!

• If you use either your blog link or online gallery, please give an active Flourishes Blog link.

• You can combine this challenge with as many others as you want.

• The challenge runs from Tuesday, 12:01 am until Monday at 8 pm EST Enjoy yourself!!!
  
  
  

  As always, thanks so much for stopping by and playing Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge with us! Don't forget to use Mr. Linky!!!!

  Your Flourishes Friends!
  

Limelight Week 4 with Michelle - Basic Paper Piecing

I think paper piecing and distressing are my 2 favorite techniques. I love the look of paper piecing, but also enjoy the process of stamping the images, cutting and piecing it all together.

For this card I used paper from the Basic Grey Archaic line and some distressing to create a rustic and country looking peach card.

I first stamp the image on the paper that will be the "canvas" for the piecing. I also stamped the enough times that I have a choice of prints to use. The pieces are then all cut out.

Once I cut the pieces out I start glueing the pieces down. I like to leave the edges without glue so they can be pried up a bit for added dimension.

The leaves were stamped on a plaid paper. I really like to use patterns for most of my paper piecing for added interest.

Once the pieces were glued down I ran the layer through a Spellbinder scalloped oval for the shape. I also added extra leaves to the top of the image and distressed the edges.

This should have been my next step but I just couldn't get the layout to work right.... I kept playing around and still wasn't happy until I had that "aaaaha!" moment and flipped it upside down.

Once I flipped the layers it all came together. I stamped the sentiment and layered it on multiple payers and added a gold organdy ribbon.

I've had soooo much fun being the flourishes Limelight designer. I hope you had fun reading my posts each week and maybe learned a little something. I can't wait to see who's up next!

One Set, Two Looks

Hello! It's me, Leslie, here today to share a little something for our Friday Focus. I thought it would be fun to choose a stamp set and take a look at it from two different creative points of view. I know that more than once I've looked at those black and white images and thought, "It's gorgeous, but it's just not me". Or perhaps whenever I use a particular stamp set I assign it the character it first imprints on my mind. Maybe my style or preference changes somewhere along the line and I think of purging a set from my collection. Over the years I've gotten a little better about visualizing how I might use a new stamp set, as well as tweaking the old sets to suit the new me. That I'm the world's worst at relinquishing old sets bears witness...


Today, however, I'm using a relatively new set, Gerbera Daisies, which I saw at first in one light -- a bright, summery, cheerful, fresh, I love it to pieces kind of light -- but just that one light. So, testing out its possibilities, I made two very different cards.

On the one hand, I have a cracked Victorian cameo, dressed in lace and pearls and pretty papers, tied with taffeta and expressing a heartfelt sentiment. This is not how I first imagined using this set but, gosh, it works! I started out with the image stamped on Classic White cardstock and colored with Copics from the Hollyhock collection. It was bright and pretty and good to go in any direction. Once I added a little caramel sponging around the edges and created the cracked glass finish with ultra-thick embossing powder, it began to move toward the romantic, vintage style of the finished card.




On the other hand I have pure clean and simple, with nothing but a splash of color in the center of all that white. This is how I orginally saw the set and, in fact, this style is working its way toward becoming my preference in stamping. The white may change with the season, as will the images, but so will my mood from time to time, and then I'll be right back around to layer upon layer of designer papers, trims, and color mixes. More than likely these same stamps will be there with me traveling the circuit of my mind's eye and my heart's desire.



These days if I gasp and sputter when I see a stamp set (as I do with most of Flourishes' stamps) I can rest assured I'll find a use for it and it will endure. A daisy is a daisy, a rose is a rose, a beautiful image is just that -- a beautiful image, however I'm inclined to portray it at the moment.

So... why not try a new look with an old set, or an old look with a new set? Clear your mind, experiment and, most of all, enjoy! I know you'll enjoy the samples the team has to offer today:

Christine
Cindy
Faith
Julie
Latisha
Laura
Stacy

Happy stamping!
-- Leslie

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC34)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC34)!!! Thanks so much to all of you who played along with us with the mix it up challenge last week. Keep reading to find out who won!

The Friends of Flourishes blog design team are bringing you exciting and different challenges each week. Flourishes gives away a store gift certificate each week and everyone can PLAY and anyone can WIN! Make sure you continue reading to find out how.

This week Silke Ledlow is our challenge host. Silke is challenging us to a technique. We are to try Stamp Misting. You ink the stamp, mist with water, then stamp. You can decide if you want your stamp mist image to be the background, focal image, accent element, or all three. We would love to see what you create!!! Here are two tutorial links from SCS to help you. One and Two.

Let's go see what the blog design team did with the Stamp Misting technique challenge!!!




First up is our challenge host Silke Ledlow. Silke is using the Spring Ephemerals set. For the challenge, Silke is using shades of melon and olive to emphasize this beautiful silhouette flower. I love the variation in colors the misting technique gives. It looks watercolored. I guess, in a sense, it is!. Silke combined pattern, scoring, piercing, ribbon, and some silver pearls to complete her card. Beautifully done, Silke!!!

Up next is is Betty Wright. I am using the Rejoice set. For the stamp misting challenge, I focused on the background. I also used an outlined image. I used alittle too much water, but I really love the effect and kept it. Once it was dry, I sponged the edges. I used the same image for the focal image and used Flourishes classic ivory cardstock and Flourishes copic color collections in Dusty Rose and Evergreen. I finished with a few tiny touches of bling!!!

Cindy Haffner is next on our technique challenge showcase. Cindy is using the Summer Blossoms set. For the technique challenge, Cindy stamped the leafy image in olive. Love the subtle variation of color with a more detailed fine image. For added visual effect and to give some definition, Cindy misted additional colors. Cindy combined embossing texture, piercing, and corner accent with ribbon detailing to finish her card. Gorgeous, Cindy!

Last up this week is Kimberly Crawford. Kimberly is using the Autumn Flourishes set. For the stamp mist technique challenge, Kim chose to create die cut leaf accents which actually become the focal image in the arrangement. The technique is done the same...ink, mist, stamp, but afterwards, Kim cut out the shapes, added some sponge coloring and color misting, then darkened the edges for an added effect. Love the colors, the design elements, and details!!! Wonderfully done, Kim!

Please check out our individual blogs for more card details!!

Silke Ledlow

Betty Wright

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

Kimberly Crawford

We also have the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday blog button working properly again. If you need the code, check here.

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Winner(FTTC33)!!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers: 10
Timestamp: 2009-09-22 02:02:16 UTC

Lori (Lori's Purple Giraffes) Congratulations!!! You Won!!! Please email:
flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net for your coupon code!!!!

Now, it is your turn to play! Here is what you need to know!

• Anyone can play whether you have Flourishes stamps or not. Of course, if you have Flourishes stamps, by all means, use them.



• Use keyword code FTTC34 when linking to SCS or public gallery.

• Be sure to use the Mr. Linky to be eligible for the gift certificate drawing!

• If you use either your blog link or online gallery, please give an active Flourishes Blog link.

• You can combine this challenge with as many others as you want.

• The challenge runs from Tuesday, 12:01 am until Monday at 8 pm EST Enjoy yourself!!!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  As always, thanks so much for stopping by and playing Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge with us! Don't forget to use Mr. Linky!!!!

  Your Flourishes Friends!
  

Have you 'Flipped' yet??

We just don't say this ENOUGH! We love our customers at Flourishes - they are like family! We feel like we know so many of you on such a personal level. It'so fun being able to share this corner of the crafting world with you!


That's why we came up with......

What does this mean? Flourishes Loyalty Incentive Program! It was a way for us to say thank you to those loyal customers who keep on coming back and supporting everything we do!

Here is how it works! The next time you go on a shopping spree in the Flourishes store and spend $100 on an individual purchase not including shipping, you will receive a beautiful Buckhead Betty bag that has been exquisitely embroidered with the Flourishes logo in a fabulous shade of hot pink! Take it to the beach, take it to a stamp class, take it where ever you like and wear it with pride! When you recieve your bag, you will be a card carrying member of FLIP! This little card will come with a guest pass to a year's worth of savings!

Here's a peek at the bag if you haven't seen it yet....

Isn't it cute? It has a really super duper fun polka dot print on the inside!

The sale: Once a month - on the first of the month for one day only, we will have a sale you will FLIP over! And ONLY members will be able to cash in on those sales with 15% off ANYTHING in the store!

Our next sale is just 10 days away!!

Our next big announcement? Fun and games just for FLIP members! Watch for it soon! :-)

Limelight Week 3 with Michelle - Golden Touch

One of my first "favorite" things about stamping was gold embossing powder... the glitz, the sparkle, the elegance just drew me in. As time went on I kinda forget about my gold ep and it sat buried under all those other supplies. Well for this Limelight post I decided to brush off that jar and put it to good use again. I combined the gold embossing power with another one of my personal challenges.... to NOT use white paper on a card.

For this card I used the Thank You set and embossed the sentiment block on brown paper. For the Tulips I used a light orange paper, embossed with gold and added shadows of color with Copic markers.

I grabbed Strut Your Stuff for the next card and embossed the image on a tan piece of cardstock with the gold ep. The bird itself was colored with irridescent watercolor paints. I love combining this type of medium with embossing... it just adds more shimmer to the projects. If you don't have the watercolor paints you can also use Pearl Ex (with a bonding agent), shimmerz, or liquid pearls.

Holding the card at an angle really shows the shimmer!

For my last card I used the Cherries & Peaches set. The main image was colored with a combination of Copics and Irridescent watercolor paints. I also added a little bit of white gel pen for added highlights.

This technique shows up best on darker cardstocks

I stamped a sentiment that wasn't fitting in my open area very well so I cut it apart and rearranged it.

Thanks for joining me for week 3. I hope you enjoyed this Limelight post and find a chance to try some of these techniques. Have a great day!

1 Sketch... For YOU!

This week the gals over at 2 Sketches 4 You and Flourishes are teaming up for their weekly sketch! Kazan drew a wonderful sketch and today for our Flourishes Focus - our design team is going to show you our take on it!

If you want to play along - all you need to do is follow this sketch....

There's only one catch! If you want to be in the running to be honored with the Card of the Week title, you need to have your card linked up with Mr. Linky HERE by Saturday, September 19th at midnight MST. Time is running out! But, if you win, you will walk away with two stamp sets courtesy of Flourishes! Enter as many times as you like! All you need to do is use the sketch!

Want to see what some of our DT cooked up with this fabulous sketch? Here's a peek!

Leslie Miller featured Flourishes new set Falling Leaves...

Stacy Morgan grabbed a classic - Coffee with Friends - for this fun creation!

Latisha Yoast used our set Birds and Vine for a fun spin on a Halloween card!
Cindy Lawrence used the new Cottage Home set
and so did I.... Julie Koerber!
If you'd like to learn more about any of the cards featured, just visit our designers' blogs!

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Julie Koerber
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Sharon Doolittle

Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check back this Sunday! Michelle Giraud will be back to step into the Limelight again to showcase another one of her fabulous creations with Flourishes stamps!

See you then!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC33)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC33)!!! Thanks so much to all of you who played along with us with the sketch challenge last week. Keep reading to find out who won!

Do not forget to use Mr. Linky when you play!!!

The Friends of Flourishes blog design team are bringing you exciting and different challenges each week. Flourishes gives away a store gift certificate each week and everyone can PLAY and anyone can WIN! Make sure you continue reading to find out how.

This week Betty Wright is our challenge host. I am challenging everyone to Mix It Up!!! You can use stamps, dp, textures, or a combination of all three to mix different patterns. You can blend subtle patterns for a conservative look or go all out with bold and daring patterns for an extreme look. The choice is yours!!! We would love to see what you create!!!

Let's go see what the blog design team created with the Mix It Up challenge this week!

Up first this week is Betty Wright. For the Mix It Up challenge, I wanted to mix flower images for patterns. I am using Flourishes Sweet Pea, Gerbera Daisies, Nasturtiums, and Sweet Voilets stamp sets. I stamped all of my flower images using Momento Tuxedo Black ink. I am using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock and Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Water, Sky, Daffodil, Violets, Tiger Lily, Poppy, Dusty Rose, Hollyhock, Evergreen, and Cool Neutrals. I added my sentiment and a polka dotted bow to complete my card.

Up second this week is, Cindy Haffner. Cindy is using the Forest of Trees and Holiday Greetings sets. For the challenge, Cindy combined dotted designer papers, circle diecuts, and polka dotted ribbon. The circle theme offers a beautiful pattern to enhance the tree scape Cindy created. The soft multi-stamped trees in different hues of soft blues, tans, and browns really make for a beautifully serene Christmas card. Wonderfully done, Cindy!

Next up this week is Dee Jackson. Dee is using the Gerbera Daisies set. For the challenge, Dee is mixing up a small tonal print flower and a more bold colorful printed pattern paper in the background. She is using Spellbinders Label Two as the focal panel. Dee is using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Spring Greens and Poppy. I love how she cut out the small bouqet and placed it onto the label two shape with the sentiment. Dee finished her card with some sheer ribbon and silver cording. Lovely card, Dee!

Next on the list is Kimberly Crawford. Kimberly is using the newly released set Think Pink- Fight Like a Girl! and Beach Life sets. Kimberly is mixing a bold striped mulitcolored pattern paper with a stamped panel of palm trees. The bold colors and patterns set off the Flourishes classic white cardstock focal panel with the one outlined pink flamigo and I wear pink sentiment!!! This set is one of four new releases this month still available for a bundle discount until the 17th. Check here for details. Kim finished her card with scalloped lush velveteen ribbon and colored natural twine.

Up last this week is Silke Ledlow . Silke is using another of the newly released sets this month called Seasonal Wreaths. For the challenge, Silke is mixing up a rough faux texture dp with a more elegant damask print. Silke is using the Flourishes Classic White cardstock to stamp and color her image. She is using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Poppy, Fields, and Flesh Tones. I love how Silke cute out the cute little bow that comes in this set and popped it up at the base of the wreath. Please remember to check here to see how you can get this set as a bundle for a discount until the 17th!!! Beautiful card, Silke!!!

Please check out our individual blogs for more card details!!

Betty Wright

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

Kimberly Crawford

Silke Ledlow

We also have the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday blog button working properly again. If you need the code, check here.

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Winner(FTTC32)!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 17
Timestamp: 2009-09-15 03:20:37 UTC

Denise (Paper Gems Studio) Congratulations!!! You Won!!! Please email:
flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net for your coupon code!!!!

Now, it is your turn to play! Here is what you need to know!

• Anyone can play whether you have Flourishes stamps or not. Of course, if you have Flourishes stamps, by all means, use them.



• Use keyword code FTTC33 when linking to SCS or public gallery.

• Be sure to use the Mr. Linky to be eligible for the gift certificate drawing!

• If you use either your blog link or online gallery, please give an active Flourishes Blog link.

• You can combine this challenge with as many others as you want.

• The challenge runs from Tuesday, 12:01 am until Monday at 8 pm EST Enjoy yourself!!!
  

So here goes!!! We have Mr. Linky!!! You click on the Mister Linky in green and add your URL and name. The comments section is now open for you to comment as you wish on our cards. Mr. Linky will give us links to your cards!!! We cannot wait to see what you create.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and playing Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge with us! Don't forget to use Mr. Linky!!!!

Your Flourishes Friends!

Got sketch?

Hi all and Happy Monday!

If you needed a little extra inspiration to kick off your creative week, we might have just what you need! This week, Flourishes is happy to sponsor the sketch over at.....

2 Sketches 4 You!

It's a really fun sketch drawn by Kazan Clark! Want to see?

If you enter, the lucky winner of the Card of the Week will win two, yes TWO sets from Flourishes! You can check out all the official details HERE.

And, while you are there, be sure to check out all the fabulous designs that the 2S4Y Design Team created using Flourishes stamps! I was blown away!! Just click HERE to check it out! :-)

This friday our own Senior Design Team will be rocking this sketch, so you will have to come back to see our take on this fun design!

See you back here soon!

Limelight Week 2 with Michelle - Color Outside the Lines

Hi everyone! This weeks technique I wanted to share is something I call "Coloring Outside The Lines". Rather than coloring the inside of the image, color the ouside for a nice contrasting look. I thought the Gerber Daisy set was perfect for this technique so you can leave them white and color the background any color you want.

I like unusual color combinations, so I wanted used some a pink/yellow/green combo for this card. It's a bright and bold combo that really pushes the comfort zone! The main image was stamped on Flourishes Classic White Cardstock, which is perfect for coloring with copics.

Once the main image was stamped and cut down to size I started with the darkest shade of pink (RV13) and thickly outlined around the flowers. I then used lighter shades (RV11 & RV10) as I moved away from the flower and finished up with V000 around the edges of the panel. I like to start with the darkest color first and continue to blend with the lighter shades until it looks "just right".

While the pink looked pretty, I wanted to pump up the color a little bit so I used YR31 to color over the entire background area. This gave the whole image a sunrise/sunset cast to it.

If you accidently color inside the lines just take your blender pen and guide the ink back to the stamped line. I love how easy it is to fix mistakes with Copics.... I'm not neat when I color so being able to go over the same area multiple times is a real plus for me.

I added a bit of color to the stems using YG03, YG11, and G05.

Filled in the insides of the flowers with orange and yellow (YR61 & Y02). Then added a little bit of shading to the flower petals with C-1.

I almost never can leave an edge unfinished....so I usually apply some distress ink to it. My absolute favorite is vintage photo.... but I do use a variety of others as well. I apply the ink with a sponge applicator for the distress tool.

I finished up the card by matting the main image on bright green cardstock. The butterfly was stamped, colored, cut out and adhered to the top part of the image. The sentiment was stamped on a scrap of white paper then added to the bottom of the card along with some buttons and a strip of scalloped edging.

What do you think? I hope you enjoyed this brief tutorial, it's a fun technique that really comes in handy when for images like the white flowers.

See you next Sunday!