A Shopping We Will GO!

After a fantastic week of sneaks, the time has come to unveil all FOUR of our new stamp sets for September. And, boy oh boy, was it hard to keep a lid on these wonderful sets! It's time to take a peek at....

Falling Leaves

Seasonal Wreaths

Cottage Home

Think Pink: Fight Like A Girl!

If you like these sets... there's an added incentive to buy them all! For the next week, you can take advantage of the New Release Bundle -- it's a special package where you can buy all four sets at 10% off! What a deal! Just click HERE to SHOP!!!! :-)

Also, we were blown away by all the fabulous entries for our Feel of Fall challenge!!! They were all stunning creations and we loved all of your takes on the sketch! It was a fun one! Well... drum roll please... Random.org picked the number 11, which means

Brenda Kluge is the winner of all four of our new releases!!

Brenda, all you need to do is email us at flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net with your snail mail address and we'll go ahead and get your new stamp sets sent right out! Congrats!!!

We have one more winner to announce! Random.org picked the number 61, which means Deb C. is the winner of our Think Pink: Fight Like A Girl set!!

Deb C said...
This terrible disease has hit two of my aunts and a good friend is battling it right now. I will be buying this set for sure.
Friday, September 11, 2009 12:01:00 PM


Congrats! Simply email us at flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net and we'll send your set out to you! Congrats to YOU!

Thanks again to everyone who joined us this week for our peaks and our Release Party! It was fast paced fun!! Don't forget to check in with Michelle Giraud for Week 2 in the "Limelight!"

See you back here soon!

The Feel of Fall -- the final day!

This year, more than a million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Some will win the fight... others won't. Truth be told, not one of us will live our lives and not be touched in some way by this disease.

That's why when the wheels started to spin about a set that Flourishes could use to help others, "thinking pink" was just a natural for us!

Introducing....


This spunky and fun set was what happened when one designer's idea collided with the talent of one of Flourishes' artists. I'm proud to say, I'm that designer. When you have an idea, and you have a friend that is one the most talented ladies in the industry - Marcella Hawley - you bounce ideas off of her! When I shared my "concept" of subliminally hiding the breast cancer awareness ribbon in different feminine images, she just took it and ran with it. The result is a set that sisters, moms, aunts, friends, grandmas and YOU can use to share encouragement to those facing breast cancer or to honor those who have survived it. It's a way for us to stand together to help eachother "fight like girls!"

When the "Flourishes" i.e. Jan, Nancy and Sharon talked about this set, they knew they wanted to use it to help others in the fight. That's why a portion of each stamp set sold will go to
help STAMP OUT breast cancer and support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This grassroots effort has, to date, invested more than $1 billion in the fight against breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an effort that is working to save lives, empower people, and energize science to find a cure. We couldn't think of a better group to join in the fight! If you'd like to read more, simply visit http://www.komen.org/.

Our Senior DT doled out some Pink Power and created some really fun creations! Be sure to stop by and check out...

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

Want to be tickled pink and win this set? All you need to do is leave a comment on this post! Random.org will draw a number and we'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Now to the winner of yesterday's drawing! Random.org picked the number 49 which means Sharon D. is the WINNER!

Sharon D said...
What a charming set! Love the cottage!
Thursday, September 10, 2009 10:07:00 AM

Thanks for playing Sharon! Just email us at flourishescustomerservicellc@cox.net and put The Feel of Fall Day 2 Winner in the subject line! Don't forget to share your snail mail address so that we can get your stamps sent right out to both of you!

DON'T FORGET, you still have a chance to win all four new releases by entering our Feel of Fall challenge! You can read all about it HERE! The contest closes today at 4PM Central... so hurry up and get your entries in!

We hope to see you tonight at our POWER HOUR RELEASE PARTY!!! It's sure to be a rip roarin' good ole time! It starts at 9 PM Central over in the Flourishes Forum on Splitcoast! And remember, all four new sets will go live in the Flourishes store - just as our power hour wraps up!

See you then!!!

The Feel of Fall.... day 2!

As cardmakers, we love showering our friends with homespun gifts. We love creating things with our hands.... from the heart. If you've been looking for a stamp set to welcome new neighbors, offer blessings to old neighbors or even share a warm thought with a friend, this new and charming set by Lauren Pope offers just that!

Introducing....

Picket fences, a stony path, a country road and a charming cottage home - all of these things make up this one of a kind set that is sure to warm the heart. It's a unique set rich with beautiful sentiments. We can't wait for you to see it in its entirety! The good news is... you won't have to wait long! Cottage Home will hit the Flourishes store right after our Power Hour Release Party Friday night! The party starts at 9 PM Central right HERE on the Flourishes forum over on Splitcoast!

Now, let's hop down the path to some of our "friends'" homes in blogland! The Senior DT has worked its magic so be sure to pay a visit to.....

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

Do you want to win this charming set? All you need to do is leave a comment on this post! Random.org will draw a number and we'll announce the winner tomorrow! We have TWO winners from yesterday's giveaways! Random.org drew the number 42, which means Yvonne is the winner of our Seasonal Wreaths set.

Yvonne said...
Wow love both of these!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009 9:47:00 AM


And, we drew a second number, 15, which means Cammie is the winner of our Falling Leaves set!

Cammie said...
These are so lovely! Marcella is a fantastic artist. I especially like the middle wreath.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009 5:40:00 AM

Thanks for playing ladies! Just email us at flourishescustomerservicellc@cox.net and put The Feel of Fall Day 1 Winner in the subject line! Don't forget to share your snail mail address so that we can get your stamps sent right out to both of you!

DON'T FORGET, you still have a chance to win all four new releases by entering our Feel of Fall challenge! You can read all about it HERE!

Tomorrow is a final look at our sneak peeks. This one will have sisters, moms, daughters, grandmas, aunts and friends banding together to "Fight Like Girls!" Come back to see how we are thinking PINK!

See you tomorrow!

The Feel of Fall..... day 1!

I love this time of year - when reds, rustic orange, deep plum and golden yellows take center stage. It's a time when wreaths are hung on doors across the country and kids can be found jumping in leaf piles left and right. We've captured the essence of both of these seasonal favorites.

Introducing....




And....

Both of these sets were masterfully drawn by our resident artist Marcella Hawley. Each one in a style that only Marcella can do! They richly define the feel of the season and are a delight to the eye. Wait until you see what our design team created with these beautiful sets! Both the Falling Leaves and the Seasonal Wreaths sets will hit the Flourishes store right after our Power Hour Release Party Friday night! Woo-hoo! So, mark your calendars! The party starts at 9 Central right HERE on the Flourishes forum over on Splitcoast!

The Senior Design Team created some gorgeous projects that truly capture the beauty of this time of year! So, be sure to hop on over and see!

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

Do you want to win the Falling Leaves or Seasonal Wreaths sets? All you need to do is leave a comment on this post! Random.org will draw a number and we'll announce the winner tomorrow. And, DON'T FORGET, you still have a chance to win all four new releases by entering our Feel of Fall challenge! You can read all about it HERE!

Tomorrow, we'll continue our sneak peeks! You'll love this set! It's one that just proves, the road to a friend's house is never long!

See you tomorrow!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC32)!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC32)!!! Thanks so much to all of you who played along with us with the no coloring 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. Everyone can PLAY and anyone can WIN! Make sure you continue reading to find out how.

This week Cindy Haffner is our challenge host. She is challenging us to a sketch she has designed. As far as sketches go, there is not much of an explanation necessary. You can turn it and modify the shapes to fit your size card, but in the end, it should still look like the sketch. Thanks for a great sketch, Cindy!!! Good Luck!!! We cannot wait to see what you create!

Let's go see what the blog design team created using this sketch!

Up first this week is our challenge host, Cindy Haffner . Cindy is using the Flourished Christmas set. I love this beautiful flourishes reindeer. Cindy is using Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Flesh Tones. I love the soft spellbinders stenciling for the focal image. For the corner hidden circle detailing, Cindy used layered snowflakes. Love the lace and die cut border detailing! Wonderful Christmas card, Cindy.

Next up this week is Dee Jackson. Dee is using the Cherries and Peaches set. Love the wonderful warm colors, Dee!!! Dee is using Flourishes classic ivory cardstock and Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Tiger Lily and Fields. I love how she stamped a portion of the sentiment on the corner circle. Love the different sized brads and touch of natural string to finish the card. Lovely card, Dee!

Next up is Silke Ledlow . Silke is using the Summer on the Patio set and has created a beautiful fall card with this image. Silke is using the Flourishes Classic White cardstock to stamp and color her image. She is using Flourishes Copic Color Collection. I love the different thickness and thinness of score lines Silke created for her background. The border punch and ribbon along with silver pearl accents makes for a beautiful card. Wonderfully done, Silke!






Last this week is Betty Wright. For my card I am using Flourishes Rejoice and Waterlilies sets. I am using Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock and Flourishes Copic Color Collection in Water, Sky, Daffodil and Cool Neutrals. I am also used one of the new Spellbinders Impressibilities Flourish for the background and one of the new ornate Spellbinders fancy tags for my sentiment. I added a Spellbinders pinking nestabilities to the top corner. I wanted to use a Christmas set to make a card that is not.

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

Cindy Haffner

Dee Jackson

Silke Ledlow

Betty Wright

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

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Winner(FTTC31)!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 34
Timestamp: 2009-09-08 00:11:51 UTC

Lisa Cook 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 FTTC32 when linking to SCS or public gallery. Leave a comment on this post with a link to your creation. Please give a direct link to your blog post so we can see the Flourishes challenge post and not just the general page. To get the full link, click to read the comments. Another page will open that will have just the one card and your comments. Copy and paste that link here in the comments section.

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

Limelight Week 1 with Michelle - Autumn Poppies

I'm so excited to be the Limelight Designer for September! I've been a fan of Flourishes stamps from almost the very beginning because of the beautiful florals in the line.... I'm kinda addicted to flowers on my cards! One of favorite sets (and most frequently used) sets is Poppy Patch. I love to use it for bright red poppies as well as peachy looking vintage poppies and one of my favorite, blue poppies. Today I'm going to use the Poppy Patch set for an Autumn themed card with a 4.25" flat scalloped circle as the base.

For the card base you can use a precut scalloped circle like I did or you can cut your own with dies or a circle cutter. The base doesn't need to have scallops, the card looks nice with a smooth edge as well. Since my base measures 4.25" I cut the Classic Ivory layer 4" in diameter and the dotted layer 3.5" in diameter.

I stamped the poppies on the patterned paper in a random layout. The stems I colored with an olive green Copic marker and colored outside of the lines a little with a lighter color because I didn't want them to get lost against the background. I also stamped and cut out enough flowers from the Ivory Cardstock to paper piece over the patterned background.

I used some rusty tones of orange (E08, R02, YR02, YR00) for the flowers because I wanted to keep with the Autumn theme. Once I was done coloring and shading I inked the edges with Distress Ink in Vintage Photo.

Once I stamped, colored and added the leaves to the main image I went ahead and distressed the outer edge of the patterned paper by sponging with brown ink. I matted the image on the Ivory circle, then ink the edge of that as well. The lines were drawn with a black gel pen to mimic a blanket stitch.

To attach the card front to the scalloped base I score the front 1/2" from the top edge and adhere it to the cardbase. For added decoration I punched a strip of coordinating paper and added 2 vintage brass brads. The gold ribbon was tied in little knots and randomly glued to the image. I love little bits of ribbon and embellishements popping out from behind the raised layers.

To add to the distressed look I only use glue in the center of my layers so the edges can be pulled away for more dimension. My favorite tool for distressing is my fingernail because sometimes it's easier than digging for another tool :)

I like my cards busy with lots of embellishment and distressing. I've always joked that when I think a card is done I have to add one more embellishment to it before its REALLY done. For this card I added the little knots of ribbon to mimic butterflies. It may not have been necessary but it's that added little zip that makes it special.

Thanks for joining me today! I hope I provided a little insight into how I design and passed on a little trick or two for you to try as well! See you next week.

Time to Shine the Limelight!

September marks a new month and with it, we say farewell to Makiko Jones as our Limelight Designer! :-( I don't know about you, but she continually inspired me from week to week. So much so, I've bookmarked some of her projects to try on my own! I already tried her faux screen technique. If you haven't seen that tutorial yet -- you should click HERE and check it out! Amazing! Thanks Makiko! We were honored to have your creations here on the Flourishes Newsletter and we know we'll still be stopping by your "studio" for more inspiration!

As we say goodbye to Makiko, we say "hello" to another fabulously talented artist, who will be gracing the pages of the Flourishes Newsletter each Sunday in August! Let's give a warm welcome to.....

I've been a fan of Michelle's work for the past several years! She has such a distinct style that can be seen as shabby and rustic one day to just plain feminine the next. Embellishments and creating a fun "twist" in her work is her specialty! To get ready for her big debut, we asked her to share a little bit about herself!


I live in Central New York with my husband, 2 teenaged daughters, 2 dogs and 20 chickens. I've been stamping for 5 years and have been members of several design teams including SCS Dirty Dozen, My Favorite Things, American Art Stamp, Gina K Designs, Impression Obsession and Embellish-It Online.

Really? 20 chickens? I don't think I've heard that before! :-) Thanks Michelle for sharing your talents with us in the Limelight! Michelle will be with us each Sunday in September... so get ready to be "wowed" by this "Twisted Chick!"

See you tomorrow!