Flourishes Focus: Masking

Hey everyone~

Cindy here! :) Today I'm going to share a tutorial on masking using Eclipse Masking Tape. Have you seen it? It's in the Flourishes store, and it truly is the best product I've used for masking images.


Today I'm taking you "back to basics" with a simple form of masking.

I started my project by stamping an image from the Poppy Patch set three times on Classic White cardstock. I used Palette Hybrid Noir Black ink.


Now, I wanted my flowers to look more natural, like they would in a garden. So I decided to stamp a couple more flowers in between. In order to do this without overlapping the lines of my images, I needed to mask the images I had already stamped.

So, I stamped a couple more poppies onto my Eclipse Masking Tape, and cut them out.


Next, I stuck the stamped Eclipse Tape directly over my stamped images and proceeded to stamp the remaining poppies. Here you can see me peeling off the last "mask".


I used to use Post-it notes for masking; but this stuff is sooo much better! I definitely did not know what I was missing until I tried it! For one, the Eclipse Tape is sticky all over; so there's no chance of it slipping or moving and ruining your project. It is completely re-usable as well, since it doesn't lose it's stickiness. I store my masks with my Flourishes stamp sets, stuck right to the side! :)

Here's my finished card. I just love the dimension and depth you get from something so simple as masking off a couple of flowers! How easy is that!?

Here's the full card recipe:

Stamps: Poppy Patch

Papers: Classic White, Basic Black, Sweetbay Designer Paper

Inks: Palette Hybrid Noir Black, Copic Markers: Poppy Collection, Evergreen Collection, C7 from the Cool Neutrals Collection, BG11 from the Water Collection

Accessories: White Pearls (dyed black with Copic Marker), Angel Wings Shimmerz Paint, Black Satin Ribbon, Black Crocheted Lace Ribbon

I really wanted to show you a second sample using masking in a different way; but I just ran out of time. I did start the card; so I'll show you quickly another masking technique without a finished sample at the end.


I know...what a tease, huh?! I tore the edge of my roll of Eclipse Tape and adhered it to the bottom edge of a folded card base. Then I used the Palette Hybrid Landscape pad and a sponge dauber to sponge ink all along the exposed edge. This is a terrific technique to use when you want to add the "illusion" of layers of cardstock, without actually adding the layers. Stay tuned this coming week on my blog for the full reveal of this card. ;)

So, you wanna see some more masking fabulousness??? Well, hop on over to the rest of the design team blogs to see what they've come up with for you:

• Christine Okken
• Faith Hofrichter
• Julie Koerber
• Latisha Yoast
• Leslie Miller

Until next time, happy stamping!

Hugs~
Cindy

More Shimmery Goodness

Hey everyone~

Welcome to another day of shimmery goodness! Have you been enjoying the samples this week? I sure have!

Today, Laura & I (Cindy) are sharing a couple of samples using Shimmerz fabulous paints.

First up is Laura's gorgeous sample:

When Julie suggested we do a Shimmerz week, I was thrilled, 'cus you know I love all things that sparkle and shine, and Shimmerz is just that! When I opened the package with my glorious colours, I knew I had to paint my Sweet Peas..it was just too perfect. I kept the card really simple, adding a gold ribbon slide and a gold embossed sentiment from Sweet Violets. The Martha Stewart lace doily punch and some gold half back pearls finish it perfectly. Here's a close up of the Shimmerz!

Stamps: Sweet Peas, Sweet Violets (Flourishes), Paper: Classic White, Rich Razzleberry Ink: Versafine Onyx Black Accessories: Gold Ribbon Slide, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, gold half back pearls, Martha Stewart Lace Doily punch, Magenta, Sugarplum, Pink and Green Olive Shimmerz paints


For my sample, I chose the I Love Roses stamp set. I love the vintage appeal of the roses in this set, and I thought it would work perfectly with the Shimmerz paints.

I combined the Orange Sherbet & Burgundy Shimmerz on my rose, a combo I would not normally put together. I was oh-so-pleasantly surprised at how pretty they look together. For the leaves, I used the Green Olive and accented with Burgundy.

Here's a close up view, so you can better see the shimmer & sparkle...so pretty in person! :)


Stamps: I Love Roses Paper: Classic White, Chocolate Chip, Fernbrae Designer Papers from Memory Box Ink: VersaMark, Palette Burnt Umber, Linen Distress Ink Accessories: Copper Ribbon Slide & Brads, Reversable Satin Ribbon, Circle Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Gold Embossing Powder, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Burgundy, Orange Sherbet, and Green Olive Shimmerz Paints

That's the end of Shimmerz week here at Flourishes; but I know that I will be using lots more of that yummalicious paint on my projects!

Have a sparklin' day!

~Cindy

Copics 102

Hello Flourishes Friends!

It's Cindy here, and I'm excited to bring you a little Copic coloring video tutorial today. I have never done a video tutorial before; but I thought it would be easier for you to see it in action. I hope you find it helpful!

Like Christine, I picked up my very first Copic marker six months ago. I also love to watercolor; so this was quite a learning experience for me as well! I so wish I had these wonderful natural color blends available to me when I first started. I researched for days before I decided on my colors. Flourishes has done all of the work for you! How awesome is that?! Oh, and I must not forget to mention the awesome new Classic White & Ivory paper! It is truly fabulous for coloring with Copics. I really, really love it!

These are the collections I'm featuring today:

Check out the video, and let me know if you have any questions.



Here's the finished card:

Stamps: Nasturtiums
Papers: Classic White, Always Artichoke, Porcelain Designer Paper
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tiger Lily Copic Marker Collection, Evergreen Copic Marker Collection, Daffodil Copic Marker Collection (flower centers)
Accessories: Copper Finishing Touches Heart Pin and Brads, Ticket Corner Punch, Ivory Crocheted Lace, Moss/Olive Silk Ribbon, Sewing Machine, Dimensionals

Next you'll want to stop by to see what Julie, Latisha, and Stacy have done with the fabulous Flourishes Copic Collections. I happen to know that some of them have tutorials for you too. ;)

Tomorrow, Julie will be here with Copics 103 and another Flourishes Copic Collection. I hope you're enjoying the tutorials this week! Isn't Flourishes awesome?! :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

~Cindy

Flourishes Focus: Flower Soft

Hello friends~

It's time for another Flourishes Friday Focus! It's Cindy Lawrence here, and I've got a fun product focus this week...Flower Soft.

I'm sure you've seen it around, after all Flourishes carries a lovely selection in the Flourishes store. Maybe you even have some...and maybe you aren't really sure what to do with it. Today, I have a quick tutorial for you that will hopefully give you a little inspiration, as well as some helpful tips.

What you need to get started:

• A stamped image of anything you'd like to give some soft texture to.
• A jar or two of Flower Soft - I've used the Summer mix here.
• A large container to dump your Flower Soft into. It needs room to expand!
  
• Flower Soft Glue - a quick-drying tacky glue with a fine tip for precision.

Prepare your Flower Soft by dumping some out into the large container. You will find that those little jars hold a lot! It is very tightly packed, and you will need to pinch it to get some out of the jar. I like to then "fluff" up my Flower Soft by sifting it through my fingers, to break up any clumps.

After you've stamped your image, you will apply Flower Soft Glue to the area to be covered in Flower Soft. If you'll be covering a large area, you may need to do it in sections to prevent it from drying out before you're ready.

Now you're ready to apply the Flower Soft to your glued image. Hold the image over the large container and sprinkle FS onto it until it is completely covered. Then, gently press the FS into the image until it is fully adhered.



Next, tap off any excess, and complete your project. How easy is that?!



I used the Pale Green Flower Soft for the grass. I just love the texture and dimension this wonderful, fuzzy stuff gives to my card! Other ideas for Flower Soft are moss, snow, fuzzy animals, flowers and flower centers, teddy bears, baby blankets, and so much more.

What is it made of, you ask? Well, that is apparently a trade secret; but what I do know is that it is acid-free, non-toxic, man-made fiber...and it has a spongy texture that springs right back when you squish it. It is virtually indestructible...really cooool stuff!

I hope you've enjoyed the tutorial, and are inspired to make some fun Flower Soft samples of your own!

Check out the fabulous Flower Soft creations of the rest of the design team:

Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Leslie Miller

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Thanks for dropping in on us! :)