Some Hellos.... Some Goodbyes....

When we first started the Friends of Flourishes team, we thought it would be a way to give YOU more inspiration. What it created for us, was an extended "family" here at Flourishes. And, over time, this group launched our fabulous Timeless Tuesday challenges and we've really all now got the FTTC bug!

One of the "faces" we added last year was the ever-so-talented Kimberly Crawford. Her scrappy style is all her own and it's really helped us all see that Flourishes images are truly timeless and can be used with virtually any style! That's why it's with sadness, we bid Kimberly a fond farewell. Her family is moving in pursuit of a new job and a new life and let's just say, life will be a little crazy for her in the coming months. We wish her all the best!!! We'll miss you Kimberly! Of course, you can always check in on her HERE at her home on the web -- For The Love of Paper.

With that sad goodbye comes a few "hellos!"

Last fall we introduced you all to Maki Jones and told you that we would be adding her for a three month stint as a guest designer. Well, we all decided (pretty early on) that we couldn't let her go! The funny thing is - we were all so comfortable with her on the team, we forgot to tell all of YOU that she was sticking around for good! :-) She's is such an uber talented member of the team and we're so glad she's not going anywhere!

The next face is a new one to some of you but... if you play with the Timeless Tuesday Challenges, you've probably seen her work a time, or two, or three.... playing with the team! Please welcome.....
We are so overjoyed that Barbara said "yes" and decided to join our little group here on the web! Her style is so beautiful and her coloring skills are over the top fabulous! You can check out her blog HERE, if you want to see for yourself! Since Barbara is a new addition, we thought we'd have her share a bit about herself!


I live in South Central Virginia, right on the North Carolina line, in Martinsville (think NASCAR) with my husband and best friend, John, and our nine (yes, 9) rescue cats. I'm a registered nurse, currently working as a nurse manager for a home health agency, but I'm hoping to retire at the end of this year. I've always been a crafter--I can't remember not either doing some sort of needlework or craft, even as a child, and was inspired by both of my parents to be creative with my hands. I also love to garden and that's why I need to retire--I don't have enough time now to do all the "fun" things I want to do.

I got into stamping in a round-about way. I started a small scrapbook about five years ago for an annual event we hosted and never expected to go much further with it. But while looking online for inspiration for layouts, I ran across blogs with cards and other paper crafts. I'd never done that and it looked like fun so I bought some stamps and supplies at a craft store and made some simple cards. Then I found a Stampin' Up demonstrator who taught me a lot and the rest, as they say, is history--I was totally hooked. I found Splitcoast Stampers and studied all the galleries, learning from every card I saw and never looked back.

I've been a huge fan of Flourishes stamps from the beginning of my stamping "career". I am so excited to be sharing my work with you and I'm so honored to be a part of this incredibly talented Fans of Flourishes team--it's literally a dream come true!

If you want to see these ladies in action, all you need to do is come back tomorrow when they launch another Timeless Tuesday challenge!

If you still want to be in the running for all the fabulous Timeless Tuesday Anniversary Prizes, it's not to late to whip up a card or two to enter the challenge! Just click on THIS post to find out all the details! The challenges close tonight at 6 PM Eastern!


Thanks for stopping by!
~Julie

A belated welcome!

You all know the name Betty Wright and have seen her fabulous work right here many a time on the Flourishes Newsletter. But, behind the scenes, this woman has been a dynamo! When she joined our Friends of Flourishes team she jumped right in with both feet and had an energy that was definitely mega watt!

So, when the Friends of Flourishes team wanted to start hosting a Tuesday challenge, it was a no-brainer for Flourishes to say to Betty - "You Go Girl!" She's now the Team Coordinator for the FOF Team and she is heading up these fun weekly challenges.

So, join me in congratulating Ms. Betty for her new role with Flourishes and, of course, if you have suggestions on challenges you'd like to see here -- she's your gal!

Speaking of Tuesday -- that's tomorrow and-- yes-- another challenge is brewing! Make sure to come back to see what the team has in store this week, and who won last week's challenge!

See you back here tomorrow!
~Julie

Festive Flourishes Friday--I'll be so blue!

Are you ready for another Festive Flourishes Friday Challenge? Well, don't be so "blue" this holiday season! Join us for week three of the Festive Flourishes Friday Challenge! The theme is just as it sounds ~ "You'll be doing alright with your Christmas of white but I'll have a blue, blue Christmas!"Grab your favorite Flourishes stamp set and dress it up with a dose of blue! It doesn't have to be a Christmas card! Any style will do!

Remember, you can join our challenge at any time and, if you make up past challenges and complete all four - your name will be thrown into the hat for a free stamp set of your choice! Simply share a link to your card with a comment here on this post or upload your card to SCS using the keyword FFFC3. Of course, we'd love it if you added the FLLC keyword too so that your work shows up in the SCS company gallery!

Well, as we get to the fabulous "blue" creations, we have a new some exciting news! We have a new face that's joining our Friends of Flourishes team! She's lovely inside and out and to say she is a talented cardmaker would be an understatement! Say hello to Silke Ledlow!


"Hello everyone!!! My name Silke Ledlow, better known as *Sparklegirl*. I'm a mom to 3 beautiful girls, Sarah, Rebecca and Miriam. My husband Jerry and I have been married for almost 15 years. I was born and raised in Germany - to be exact - in beautiful Bavaria!!! We are living in beautiful Georgia and enjoying most of our time outdoors with our Boxer puppy *Luke*.

I was introduced to stamping about 4 years ago and have been hooked ever since!!! It has become my *outlet* from a busy day!!! As you can imagine I'm excited and humbled to be on the *Friends of Flourishes* Team!!!"

And, Silke.... we are excited to have you!!

Now.... to the "blue" creations! Silke starts off this week's Festive Flourishes Friday parade with a gorgeous creation using the Stamp Simply Thank You Set! I love the crisp, elegant simplicity of this card. It's almost as if the flower is saying, "Am I not the prettiest thing you've seen?" :-)

Kimberly Crawford brings us the next creation using the All That Glitters set in a fine shade of blue.... I love the antique gold she added for a pop of glitz! So elegant! And, the way the pine cone ornaments are just hanging there? Stunning!
Becca Feeken's creation just looks like something you'd find hanging on the wall at Grandma's house. It's got class, an antique sophisticated flair with ribbon and a darling crocheted flower. I love the subtle look of the roses from the I Love Roses set and the way she centered up the sentiment from the Thinking of You set. Beautiful!

Cindy Haffner dressed up the Poinsettia from the Poinsettia and Boxwood with a lovely shade of blue that just sparkles like diamonds! I love how she framed up the sentiment from the Holiday Greetings set for a little extra pop of interest!

Dee used a gorgeous midnight blue for her card featuring the All That Glitters set! I love the way the branches of the evergreen tree looks like it is shining in the moon's light! Just looks so serene and pretty - don't you think?

Betty Wright is up next! Her card has a "blue bird come fly away with me theme that is just so stunning in shades of turquoise and teal! She used the I Love Roses set and the Bird And Vine set! I love how that little bird is off in flight!

Yours truly (Julie) decided to join in on the fun this week! And, the Bird and Vine set is also one I reached for! I tried to keep it simple with some decorative paper, pretty ribbon and pearls! The sentiment is from the Holiday Greetings set!

Next on our stop is Christine at Christine's Creations I can't believe how Christine strung the elements of the Autumn Flourishes together to create this stunning wreath decked out in blue! Truly Brilliant!
And, we should point out - this is Christine's last week on the Friends of Flourishes team! Next time you see her fabulous creations it will be here for our January release! We welcomed her aboard to the Senior DT and she graciously accepted! We couldn't be more thrilled! I am a huge fan of Christine's watercolor talents. Her talent just makes Flourishes images look so stunning!

BLOG CANDY ALERT: To honor the two new additions to our fabulous teams, we are offering up some blog candy to usher them in! Silke is giving away two sets ~ the Stamp Simply Thank You and the Spring Ephemerals! And, Christine is giving away the fabulous Poppy Patch Set! So, click on their names, head on over, give them a congrats.... and sign up for some candy!

Thanks for joining us on the blue Christmas tour! I've been told that the SCS Limited Supply Challenge this week is also a Blue Christimas! So, check it out and enter your cards there too!

Have a great weekend!
~Julie

Festive Flourishes Friday!

Just hear those sleigh bells ring-a-ling, ting, ting, tingle-ing too! Come on it's lovely weather for --- Festive Flourishes Friday! And, you can join in all the fun!

This week, it's all about the colors of Christmas-RED and GREEN! So, grab your favorite Flourishes set and let your creativity flow! That’s the only requirement! You don’t even have to make it a Christmas card. If you want to play along, simply leave a comment on this post or upload your card to Splitcoast using the keyword FFFC01. Keep in mind, we’ll be doing this fun Friday challenge all month long and there will be a special drawing for those that play all four weeks! Details on what is up for grabs -- to come!!

So, let's start the parade!

Don't you love how Becca used one of the flourished borders from the Flourished Elements set for her birdies from the Birds And Vine set to sit on? Very cute! They just look so alive sitting there! I love how one is even looking up to see the bird in flight! Very creative!

I absolutely LOVE the vibrant colors of Cindy's card. This is just too pretty! I love the decorative paper she used. I love the punched and paper pierced edges and I love how she added glitter to the ornaments from the All that Glitters set to make it just sparkly and festive!

Betty's ready for a sleigh ride with this beauty! Don't you love the antique flair to this card? She used distress inks to give her card that warm and cozy look! Love the vintage Christmas feel!
Now Dee and I were both on the same page when we did this challenge -- because we both are doing double duty this week! In addition to the Red and Green-- We both take part in the Friday Stamp Simply challenge which - this week - is to make a Christmas card with stamps that are NOT Christmas! You can add a Christmas sentiment, but the image had to be something that was not designed for Christmas! So, Dee used the Just Rite alphabet in the Times Roman font (on sale now--25%) to spell out her Noel and also added those fabulous flourish from the Wedding Esssentials set. Do you see the extra sparkle she added? Adds a bit of whimsy!

For my card, I used the Mardi Gras set and stole the crowns from the set to make me "Three Kings!" the saying, "Wise Men Still Seek Him" is from the City of David set. See that Christmas Glittered Paper sticking out on top? I love the razzle dazzle of this paper! And... it's on sale now! I thought the card turned out well and -- I love the Mardi Gras set for the crowns! Can you see - King-For-A-Day birthday cards? Fit-For-A-Queen gift packs? Oh my, the options are endless!
Since we made this challenge up mid week - Christine already made a card ripe for Christmas using beautiful shades of blue! She is actually at a retreat -- (waving to Christine) hope she had fun!! Her card is a real stunner! That crisp blue and white is to die for! I love, love, love the angel from the Rejoice set (it's on sale now you know-- 25%!)

We hope you enjoyed taking this "ride" with us this morning and remember-- if you want to join us in the challenge, make a card and link it in a comment here or upload to Splitcoast. This week's key word is FFFC01!

Can't wait to see what you come up with!

~Julie

Flourishes Friday!!!

Forget 'Black Friday!' We have a flurry of Flourishes creations ripe for the picking this Friday and none of them are even close to black! LOL!

We're going to start with Christine who offers up an extra serving of creativity! She just got some new Flourishes sets and man, did she get inky! :-)

Her first card is just a gorgeous use of the All That Glitters set. I love that cool and serene blue with a dash of silver! Just beautiful! Her second card using the Poinsettia and Boxwood set actually made me gasp! I love the early colors of a young white poinsettia in bloom--- Christine nailed it with these soft greens! Mix in the layering and the fabulous layout and -- wow-- you have a gorgeous card! Becca's style is always so elegant and this week is no exception! I love the panels in her card and I also love how she hung the ornaments from the All that Glitters set right off one of the flourishes in the Flourished Elements set! Add a sentiment from the Holiday Greetings set and... voila-- an elegant card perfect for the holidays!

Cindy's card also has a holiday flair and is just a beautiful card with some exquisite detail! The only stamped image is her use of the Holiday Greetings set! I love the die cut she used for the front of her card, the poinsetta, the punched edge and the little cherub charm for some extra dazzle.
We hope you enjoyed this week's feast for the eyes! It will definitely get you in the spirt of holiday cardmaking!

And, before I go, if you haven't traveled down our blog candy trail, you should! We have a whole host of goodies that our design team is giving away that is all Just Rite! Time is running out! Our drawing will be Sunday evening,so make sure you sign up soon!
Sunday - Faith
Monday - Susan
Tuesday - Cindy
Wednesday - Laura
Thursday - Flourishes Newsletter
Friday - Latisha
Saturday - Julie
Sunday (evening) - Winner’s Roundup on the Flourishes Blog

Happy Friday! We'll be back with the winners and news of a HUGE sale that you won't want to miss starting Monday!

Flourishes Friday!

Hi all! It's another Flourishes Friday full of fun inspiration for all of you! This week, it's a mix of Christmas and every day creations! Today, get ready for some commentary from my 5-year old daughter who joined me today for the trip around blog land!

First up is Becca! When I first set eyes on her creation, Ellie said, "oooOOoo, that's brilliant! She added a red jewel lto the noses!" Well, I tend to agree, pretty brilliant use of a border punch too! I love the ribbon, the tag, the layout, pretty much everything about this card! Stamps Used: Flourishes Sleigh Ride, Flourishes Holiday Greetings . Next up is Christine! Ellie said she loved the flowers on this one and the way they were colored. She asked, "If I practice, maybe I can color that good!" Well, we can all aspire can't we??? I have to break out my Lilac set soon and give it a try! This card is a real stunner! The inking around her flower image just gives the card so much depth! Stamps Used: Lilac

This next creation by Cindy is one that mixes a contemporary edge with some classic, elegant images. The layout is stunning and both us girls here at the Koerber house loved the antique heart she added for a little extra pop! The paper piercing is a great addition too! Stamps used: Flourished Christmas
When we saw Betty's beautiful card, Ellie said," ooOOoo, she's pretty good! I like the bow. How did she get that bow? Did she buy it at Michaels?" When I said, no honey, she made the bow she looked at me almost shocked and said, "She made the bow? Wow!" Funny girl! Betty used this week's color challenge for her inspiraion and I have to say- I love the bold look! Looks like a breath of spring! Stamps Used: Poppy, Thank You, Spring Ephemerals
Thanks for stopping by! We hope these creations help inspire some creativity in your craft room! If it does, please link up your creations! We'd love to see what YOU do with Flourishes stamps!

Until next time!

~Julie (and Ellie)

Want to be like Becca?

Well, this week you can! Our own Friends of Flourishes, Becca Feeken is the Featured Stamper today on Splitcoast Stampers! She's FS91! Click HERE to see her fabulous gallery!

If you've never played before - here's how it works! Take a trip to her gallery and CASE a card by following these rules -- You have to change two or more things on the card i.e use a different color combo, change up the stamps, use different embellishments. After that, post to SCS and list the changes you made making sure to link up to Becca as well to give her credit! Don't forget the keyword - FS91! For all the details, click HERE!

Way to go Becca! I can't wait to surf the gallery to see which card I am going to try to imitate-- as if that is even possible! :-)

Flourishes Friday!

Happy Haunting everyone! One thing that won't scare you is this post! Get ready to be amazed at another handful of creations that are out of this world!

When I went blog hopping this morning, I had to do a double take and a triple take at Becca Feeken's card. I knew the Cuttlebug embossing folder that she used. I own it -- but how did she get the image all over her card front? After I read her post, I was amazed. She is really too stinkin' creative for words! After you're done reading up here, you'll have to click on over to her site and see how she did it! She has a fabulous tutorial and all! She used the wonderful wreath at the center of her creation from the Poinsettia and Boxwood set and also a greeting from the Holiday Greetings set!

Laura's creation today is crystal clear! I cannot believe how stunning this design is! Oh my! I would never have thought to lay the Clear Cardstock Flourishes sells over a patchwork of patterned paper. I would have thought it would be too busy. Laura proves me wrong with this stunning card using the Spring Ephemerals set! Cindy Haffner took one card layout and did it up three ways! Here's one of her creations with the lovely gold embossed poinsettia (from Poinsettia and Boxwood) and the fabulous decorative paper (Glittered Christmas Paper). If you want to see how she twisted and turned this layout for different creations, you'll find her link on our Friends of Flourishes Blog Roll! Too fun!

And last, but not least is Cindy Lawrence's card! She took kind of non traditional Christmas colors and gave it a fresh new look with this poinsettia. I love, absolutely love the layout of her card! If you want to see another version using the Poinsettia and Boxwood set, you'll have to click on over to her place and see the card she did yesterday! oooooOOOOoo, is all I have to say!

Well, that's it my friends! Another fabulous Flourishes Friday! I do have to say, if you want to hear some truly fun Flourishes news, you'll have to swing back tomorrow. There is so much going on at Flourishes and we can't wait to share! IT'S HUGE! Seriously. It is! :-)

Until tomorrow!

~Julie

Flourishes Friday!

This week's Flourishes Friday is all about the glitz and glimmer of Christmas. These ladies have outdone themselves---again!

Laura Fredrickson's card has a copper flair to it! She used the new Poinsettia and Boxwood set, just released this month along with the new Glittering Christmas papers. You have to love the sparkle this paper delivers! I love the way Laura embossed and watercolored her poinsettia. It is just so rich looking! The sentiment is from the Holiday Greetings set.

Cindy Lawrence continues the rich and elegant look with her use of the new All that Glitters set. I actually gasped when I saw these cards. From the embossed base to the decorative corners and the fabulous coloring - these cards have it all!

Cindy Haffner did a fun criss-cross card to make this little reindeer pop off the card! Her muted colors are just rich and the layout is too fun! FYI: Did you know this reindeer from the Flourished Christmas set is a tad bigger and a mirror opposite of the reindeer in the new set Sleigh Ride! There are tons of possibilities there!
This last creation from the lovely Becca Feeken is actually a set. She used the small poinsettia in the Flourishes Poinsettia and Boxwood set to create some paper weights and blank note cards for a gift! Can you believe she used votive candle holders for her paper weight? You'll have to click on her blog to see how she did it!

A special thanks to our team who continually inspires! If you want to see more in depth instructions, just click on their name on our Friends of Flourishes blog roll!

We do have a bit of sad news to report. You might notice there is a name missing in our weekly Flourishes roundup. Recently, Joan Bardee resigned from the blog team because life is just too chaotic right now. If you are a follower of her blog, you already know that she has a lot on her plate! We are just lucky to have spent a short time with her and we've already told her our door here at Flourishes is always open!

With Joan's goodbye comes a few "hellos!" Two very talented ladies will soon be joining the Friends of Flourishes Blog Team! These ladies have inspired me for a while now and I am absolutely sure they will inspire you too! Stay tuned for the official announcement!

Flourishes Friday!

Hi all! Time for another fabulous Flourishes Friday with our uber talented Friends of Flourishes blog team! These ladies never, never cease to amaze! This one has a little new, a little old mixed in for some terrific weekend inspiration!

This first card is a beautiful, non traditional Christmas card. Who would have thought light blue and copper could look so good together for a festive card? Well, apparently Laura Fredrickson did! Her card mixes up fun elements to create a very striking creation! She used the new "All that Glitters" set, one of Flourishes' new releases this month! The sentiment is from the new set, "Holiday Greetings."

When creating this next card, Becca Feeken said, there's nothing like a beautiful poinsettia to get you in the Christmas mood. Wow! All it takes is just one look at her card! She used one of the Flourishes new releases, Poinsettia and Boxwood. Just beautiful! Joan Bardee's card also uses the All That Glitters set in a way that creates such a warm and cozy card. She admitted earlier that she is in love with the new Flourishes Glittering Christmas Paper and this is another fabulous sample using this lucious paper!!!
Cindy Haffner cracked open the Birds And Vine set for this almost glamorous card! Flowers, sparkles, birds and elegant vines combine to create a beautiful and very interesting design! I love those popped up circles that spotlight the birds!
Cindy Lawrence said her goal was a simple card to showcase the Bird and Vine set as well. I don't know how she does it! This is a pretty simple card that is.. well... pretty! She makes it look so incredibly easy-- doesn't she? Did you see the faux brads on the bottom? You'll have to click on her blog to read up on that!

As always, if you want to surf more of these ladies fine creations, just hit our blog roll showcasing our Friends of Flourishes team!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Featured Stamper 21--Wild Card Week

Hi all! As promised, we have a "fashion show" of sorts to show off all the fabulous entries we had last week for the Featured Stamper! Since I couldn't decide, I declared it a "Wild Card Week" which means everyone who made a card will be in the running for a free stamp set! That means Liz, Karen, Lois, Erin, Michelle, and Laurie will all be entered! We'll draw the lucky winner and announce the news on the first Monday of November! Thank you ladies for some awesome creations!

I had a few favorites this week! The first one by Michelle is just a classic "anytime card." I loved the colors she chose and the layout with the embossed layer is just too classy!

Lois's take on a sleigh ready ready to dash through the snow is such a soft and beautiful Christmas card. She used the brand new Sleigh Ride set and even put in one of the evergreen trees from the Forest of Trees set! It's a fabulous combo!
Erin spiced up the Birds And Vine set with this classic color combo that delivers a punch of contrast. I love the polka dot and stripes created all over the card! And the way she layered it up? Very unique and creative!
This last card from Laurie has a vintage look that I love with the inked edges, the classy tag sentiment and the embossed background. When it is all put together, you have a pretty Christmas card with a classic feel!
Thanks ladies for sharing your creativity with us! You do inspire!


Speaking of inspiration.... did you see this creation from Friends of Flourish team member Becca Feeken?

Oh my! Isn't it amazing? You have to click HERE to check out her blog and find out exactly how she made it. She used the new set called Sleigh Ride that is hot off the polymer presses from Flourishes! Becca really is too creative for words. Don't you think?

That's it for this Monday! Thanks for stopping by!

Flourishes Friday!

Wow! What a week here at Flourishes - we have five new releases, a fabulous sale to take advantage of, a virutal stamp convention and now a showcase of goodies from our talented Friends of Flourishes blog team!


The first card offers up a beautiful winter white creation with a touch of soft color. Cindy Lawrence uses our new Poinsettia and Boxwood set! You can click on her blog (see the blog roll to the right) to find out more on how she did it. For now, you can just drool! Joan Bardee took the same set to create a new technique! We all know that Copic markers can bleed through the paper when you color them. But -- Joan saw something different, she used this for a new technique! Click HERE to see how she did it! The result is a soft, almost antique card that is just too pretty!

Laura Fredrickson used the Mixed Messages set to deliver up some warm wishes! I love the background Laura used behind her little basket of mail. Add in some flowers, lovely scallops and a great ribbon and tag and you have a beauty of a card!

Cindy Haffner uses the Forest of Trees set to serve up a fabulous Holiday themed creation! Isn't that tree just perfect for this time of year? I love how Cindy inked up the background in a soft way. The mini poinsettias, embossed background and ribbon are the perfect additions!


Thanks for stopping by to see what our FOF bloggers have been up to! If you need a little extra inspiration to jump start your weekend, click on the names of our design team members on our blog roll! It's the final day of the Flourishes release celebration and they have all showcased the new sets in grand style!

TGIFF! (that's That God It's Flourishes Friday!)