Friday, January 30, 2009

Fans of Flourishes, we are on the dawn of a new day here on the Flourishes Newsletter. We hear all the time, "Oh, I love that image, but I am not sure I could color it that nicely! It takes an artist to do that!

Well, we are here to tell you that anyone can do it - and we want to show you how! Get ready for a new Friday feature called Flourishes Focus. It's a time when our designers will take time out of their day to show you how they do it!

February is all about color! Coloring techniques, tips and tricks to make your cards larger than life! And first up are Christine, myself and Laura! We'll be dabbling in different mediums to show you just how easy it is!

Here's a glimpse into what we want to share!




So, join us next Friday as we kick off Flourishes Focus! We want to help make this a class room of sorts and we would love to see your "homework!"

For those who love a good challenge or two, I should warn you -- you will need to come back on Tuesday as we kick off a whole new fun-filled event with our Friends of Flourishes team! They're conspiring as we speak to come up with some creative fun that you are sure to want in on!

Have a great weekend!
~ Julie

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Thank You Cards

Hello Friends,

Now that the holiday season is behind us you may be faced with writing a few thank you's. A thank you note expresses your appreciation for gift or act. But what is the best way to convey your thanks and gratitude? And are there some occasions where a thank you note is not necessary? Are all thank you notes formal?

Remember that the important thing is to send a timely thank you - a perfect card is not required but a heartfelt note of thanks is always welcome.

Here are a few tips and a few samples of easy to make thank you cards:

-Wedding thank you's are generally more formal, for other occasions a simpler card will do.-Always reference the gift in the note and try to personalize it - "thank you for the ipod gift card - I've downloaded three of my favorite songs already!"

-E-mail thank you - if the gift giver is a person to whom you regularly communicate with via e-mail and your relationship is casual then an e-mail may be appropriate.

-All gifts should be acknowledged with a note, unless the gift was opened in front of the giver—then you have the chance to thank them in person.

Always send notes in the following situations:

-Wedding gifts, bridal and baby showers
-For sympathy letters, flowers, or mass cards.
-To the hostess after a party that was hosted in your honor.
-For gifts that were received by mail.
-After being entertained by your boss.
-Gifts received during a hospital stay.
-After being a house guest for one or more nights (unless it's a close relative or friend)

Thank you notes are not required in the following situations - but it is a nice touch
-After being a guest at a dinner party.
-After a job interview
-When a friend has helped you out with a special favor

(Sources: Emily Post and About Entertaining)

Thank you notes and cards do not have to be elaborate - remember it is the thought that counts! Here are some examples:



Need a Thank you for a Christmas gift? Then use a christmas stamp! This simple design is quick and easy and uses up some of those small scraps. The ornament is from the All That Glitters and the sentiment from Thank You. Palette inks in Noir and L'Amore Red were used.













Along the same lines, if you received a birthday gift, send a thank you with a birthday theme. The balloons are from the Birthday Celebrations set and the sentiment is from Many Sentiments. Basic Grey Paper and ribbons from Romani, prisma pencils and palette inks in Noir and L'amore Red were also used.


















For a more formal look - gold embossed images not only look elegant, they are quick and easy to do. The sentiment is from Thank You, the floral bouquet from Thinking of You and the rose is from I Love Roses.










Use decorative paper for a quick and easy card -I picked up this paper on vacation - its like wrapping paper only a little heavier, but lighter than scrapbook paper. For that matter, you can use wrapping paper - just wrap it around some chipboard like I did here. The sentiment is from the Many Sentiments set.







One of my favorite all occasion stamps is Damask, which I find perfect for thank you cards. You can use this background, or just about any other background image and combine it with embellishments for a quick card. I picked up these little thank you charms in the wedding section of Michael's.



























Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you found this information helpful - have a great day!





Wednesday, January 28, 2009

What has the DT been up to??

Here we are half way through the week and we have a dose of inspiration for you to get those creative juices flowing! We thought you'd like to see what our Design Team has been up to already this week! If these creations don't inspire -- I don't know what will! :-)


Our first stop is to see the lovely Faith Hofrichter. I am sure I have never seen a blue poppy - but isn't this beautiful? See? All flowers don't have to show their true colors. I think this one using the Poppy Patch set is just a beauty!
These next two cards have gone to the birds! Sets featuring those fine feathered friends seemed to be ones a couple of our designers picked up this week!

First up is Christine Okken, who, with a little watercolor turned this birdie from the Home Tweet Home set into a cardinal with such a fabulous pop of color! I just love the mix of decorative paper, the sponged edges and the dose of paper piercing!


Laura Fredrickson picked up the Love Nest set for her creation this week! Isn't this card just darling? I love the soft colors she picked, the flourished corner and how those birds are popped up to make them really stick out! Another plus? If you like what Laura did with this set -- it's still on sale through February for 25% off!


Latisha Yoast created a darling pocket card using one of our newest sets - Birthday Celebrations! I just love everything about this card- from the bold graphic decorative paper to the pop of pink and the way she situated those cute little cupcakes! Too cute! Here's the card in the pocket...

And, here it is out! Pretty fab!


And... yours truly took some time this week to make some ATCs for the ATC swap going on over in the Flourishes Forum at SCS! This is only the second time in my life that I have made ATCs so--- be kind please! :-) I used the Spring Ephemerals set along with some Basic Grey and Memory Box papers. There is still time to sign up for the swap so -- be sure to check out the thread HERE.

You might notice one of our gals is missing this week-- Yep -- Miss Cindy Lawrence is running amok all over CHA checking out the newest papers and products! We told her to keep her eyes peeled for fabulous things we might "need" to stock in the store.

If you liked today's focus on our designers -- we hope you come back and see what we have in store! These ladies have a few fun things up their sleeves that they hope to share with YOU!! So, stay tuned!

Enjoy the rest of your week!
~Julie

Monday, January 26, 2009

My Creative License

Want to learn the creative ins and out with Becca Feeken and Faith-Markie's Mom? You Can...Flourishes is hosting a Stampers Dream Weekend Feb 21-22 with a separate Copic Certification Class on Monday Feb 23. Scroll down to an older post for all the DEETS! Registration must be made by Feb 8.

I know we all love to see how others put together their work space. My space is located in the Atelier (studio) at Flourishes. It is a very large room and needs to be kept ready for classes. I recently completed a redo in the Atelier and carved out a very private space for myself to work. I have named everything I own for as long as I can remember, cars, rooms in the house,.....you get the drift. Well it was no different when it came to my space...and the name came easily...Creative License...well I do my creative work there....but more than that just about everything there has been re purposed and now serves me well in another capacity. Would you like to peak inside?

Come on and I will show you around.

Here is a look at Creative License from the Atelier.

My space was originally a large closet that the doors were removed, a counter top installed along with a bookcase from another time in our home--it was mounted on the wall. The entire space in only 6 feet deep by 9 feet wide, but feels spacious and everything is a my fingertips. The exterior "walls" are screens that Mike brought home from a tour in Thailand. We separated them making a right and left corner wall..one for each side...kind of bird cage. The bird cage works with the wonderful fabric that the roman shade is made from. The cage allow air to circulate.and me to feel as though I have this very private space. Overhead halogens ceiling mounted lights and a small ceiling fan keep the air circulating...yes I do turn it off when the glitter or EP is out...LOL


I just love my chair...it is old and comfty, but for this time around it need ed to be dressed up and pretty. My friend, Sharon is a stitcher and did all the work on my chair, the beautiful roman shade that can shut off my space from the entire studio.


Here is my chair now: And a look under the pretty skirt:








Now I am sitting pretty!

To my right is the storage for my stamp sets, small punches, re inkers and the like. I have re purposed literary storage units that were previously housed my papers, but I just felt were too big. These were fitted with photo storage boxes from Michaels--all in white and black. The other items are arranged in clear acrylic picture frames also from Michaels and the are now trays to house re inkers, embossing powders, dauber cases, small punches and look like this:

Up close of the frames turned trays.




Here is my actual work space. The counter top is a regular laminate top. My DH has wired small halogen lights under the bookcase. The wiring also allows for extra plugs for embossing gun which is hung on a cup hook just above my lava lamp. Those wonderful inkpad storage units were built for me by Mr Mike Wiggins a organizemore.com. He is the most delightful man to work with and you will see a be more of his woodwork in just a minute.
This is the storage space just to my right on the work space.
Look at the embossing gun just above the lava lamp! My small embellishments are housed in the original container that many of them came it. I have added a magnet strip to the back of each container and the hung a magnetic board I got at WalMart--again at my finger tips. The desk top paper storage units is also from Mike Wiggins at Organizemore.com

Just on the side of this and moving toward the
door way of my space is my tall paper storage units-2 mounted together and to the wall. The slots are 1 inch each and hold plenty of paper for me. Next to them are storage units that house projects that I am working on or spare parts.


So this is your first glimpse of my Creative License. Soon I will show some of my other fun and re purposing of items for great use in my work space, but that will have to wait as this post is getting long. So come again another time for MORE of Creative License. I have lots more re- purposed things to share.


Here is a parting shot for today.

Thanks for coming to visit with me today at Creative License. I hope you enjoyed the visit come again soon.


My wish for you is that today be filled with blessings and your mojo overflowing.


Ciao,





Sunday, January 25, 2009

Flourishes Featured Stamper -- the grand finale!

Hi all! This post is a bit bittersweet. After 36 weeks of watching uber talented Featured Stampers come and go - this challenge is coming to an end. The good news is - we are going to be ushering in something this coming Friday that will knock your socks off! I can't tell you too much now because we want it to be a surprise. So... stay tuned! Let's just say it's a whole new round of challenges with a whole new spin on fun! It will stretch your creativity and give you some fun ways to get your hands on the best of all that Flourishes has to offer!

With that in mind, this last round of winners was a tough one to pick -- knowing this would be the last time I doled out the title of Featured Stamper!

So, without further ado - this week's final Featured Stampers are.....


Deena, Stacy and Alison!

First off, Alison's card blew me away. She even gave a tutorial here on how she made her background of her card shimmer. It just created such a beautiful look. That tulip from the Stamp Simply Thank You set is colored just gorgeously and the black dp background just makes everything pop!

Deena also tried a new technique with her card! She did faux mosaic - a technique I have never tried - but WOW -- look at the results! I love how the faux tiles were created to match the mosaic in the table from the Summer on the Patio set! Did I mention I love the earthy colors too? So much to like in this card - don't you think???


And last, but not least, Stacy whipped up this striking creation with a bold pop of red - she also used the Stamp Simply Thank You set! I love the crisp feel of this card, and the embossed background! Her layout is just stunning! I want to thank those players who have stuck with us since the beginning! It has been so much fun watching the amazing creativity that is churned out from week to week! You have been such an inspiration. I just know that more good things will come from this talented team of stampers when you see what's in store here at Flourishes!

Because this was the last challenge, I thought it only fair to draw a name for the January stamp set! So, the winner of the free stamp set of choice is ......
Lois!
Lois, just email us at flourishesllc@cox.net and let the ladies know which set you would like! It's ironic that Lois' name was drawn because she has been with us literally since day one! In fact, she was the winner of the very first Featured Stamper challenge 36 weeks ago!! So, thank you Lois for your continued support! We hope you ink up those new stamps for our next round of challenges! Did I mention that we are kicking them off Friday???? Stay tuned for more! The talented Betty Wright will be back then to fill you all in!
Take care all!
~Julie

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Look Whats Coming Soon!

Stampers Dream Weekend & Copic Certification Class.

This great weekend is Feb 21 & 22 with a Copic Certification class on Feb 23. Just Imagine 3 days of stamping ...with Becca Feeken, Faith (Markie's Mom) and Jan Marie and on top of that a bonus Color Theory Class with Marianne Walker of Copic. Visit the Flourishes webstore click on classes for registration.

The Copic Class on Monday Feb 23 requires a separate registration. Visit the Marianne's blog I like Markers to register.
Each class requires a separate registration. Contact Flourishes for accommodations information if necessary.



Here is a look at just one of the new products we have ordered, it is a peel off sticker and comes in gold and silver foil. We have on order two different styles. Each style has at least four different designs of stickers on each card. With enough to use on at least a dozen cards or several scrapbook pages.
I am by no means an expert at applying stickers, especially ones as thin as these, I was able to do it right on the first try and seems a perfect fit for the Spellbinders dies. The stickers are very flexible, hold tight, and gives your project a formal look. Just the look for the wedding card I need next Saturday.

Flower soft has come out with new colors in sprinkles in bold colors and new mixed colors for Spring. Look for these new products as well as a floral bouquet color selection box which includes seven Spring/Summer color selections and a project booklet.

We are always on the look out for new and unique items for the boutique.
I am off to make more cards using Flowersoft and stickers.

Friday, January 23, 2009

It IS A Flourishes Friday!

Please read my blog entry just below on our Stampers Dream Weekend & Copic Certification Class. This great weekend is Feb 21 & 22 with a Copic Certification class on Feb 23. Just Imagine 3 days of stamping ...with Becca Feeken, Faith (Markie's Mom) and Jan Marie (that's would be me!) and on top of that a bonus Color Theory Class with Marianne Walker of Copic. So scroll down for all the information, data, and how to's. The Copic Class on Monday Feb 23 requires a separate registration.

I don't know about you, but for me this week has just flown by. We are heading into a weekend and our Friends of Flourishes Bloggers are going to give you a feast for your eyes and have your mind swirling with inspiration! Maybe their week didn't fly as fast as mine....LOL

So let's not tarry a moment. We are up, up and away!

Our first stop is to the Atlanta area.

Dee Jackson has posted this beauty on her blog, StampingcuzIluv2. She has the detail on the what and how she made this beauty.

At our next stop over at Silke's blog, My Life, I found this very interesting and inspiring card.

I just love that "ribbon" at the top it works perfectly with Home Tweet Home, don't you think?

It is always a pleasure to stop in at Betty's blog, Stamping To The Wright, she has a perfect place to rest your feet while you are there! Don't you love how she dressed up the Chairs To You set?


Cindy Haffner up in Canada has this beauty to share as well. She is also using the Home Tweet Home set. Be sure to stop at her blog, Cindy Haffner's Corner for a different take on this beauty!



I found this while surfing the net yesterday and just had to share.
This was created by Leslie from Running With Scissors, now that just takes my breath away. So much inspiration, what's a girl gonna do???? Stamp I hope!

Another piece of inspiration was on Christine's blog yesterday....her blog is appropriately named Christine's Creation and this will dazzle your eyes!


Becca Feeken lives so close of Flourishes, but not quite close enough for me today. This piece of inspiration will certainly get your mojo up and running.



Well that our tour for today...lots and lots of inspiration from very talented ladies. Now keep your eyes pealed because next week at this very spot Flourishes will unveil something new that you will not want to miss....it will be here in the Flourishes newsletter.

Thanks for your visit to the Atelier at Flourishes. It was a great ride today wasn't it? I hope you enjoyed the view from my point of view.

My wish for you is that I hope your day is filled with blessings and your mojo is overflowing.

Ciao,


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Stamper's Dream Weekend

Need a warm get away???? Want to work with great designers? Want to be more comfortable with Copic Markers? Then We've got the answer!


Three days of Learning & Sharing

Flourishes Stampers Dream Weekend
Saturady & Sunday,February 21-22, 2009

Copic Certification Class
Monday February 23, 2009

Join us for a full weekend of stamping with some of the best Flourishes Designers!

In addition to making cards with artistic elegance, you'll learn techniques and have a chance to sit in on a free lecture given by Marianne Walker on the theory of color.


What: Flourishes Stampers Dream Weekend

Where: 4140 Lyric Lane, Pensacola, Florida

When: Saturday February 21 & Sunday Feb 22

Stamp the day away with a morning and afternoon class featuring Flourishes designers Becca Feeken and Faith Hofrichter( Markie's Mom). You'll learn how to create wonderful cards in their original style.
Instruction, lunch, snacks, and all supplies are included.


Sunday, February 22: The morning is free for you to sleep in or enjoy some of the sights. Join us in the afternoon for a class with Jan Marie Caruso, where you will come away with finished cards and a limited addition stamp set.


Then join us afterwards for a lecture on Color Theory by Copic Instructor Marianne Walker. We'll provide an afternoon snack and all supplies.

Price: $150 per person

Payment is due by February 8 AND IS NONREFUNDABLE! Accomodations are separate and not covered by this registeration.


HOW Do You Sign Up?

Space is limited for these classes.

To register and pay for the Flourishes weekend go to the Flourishes

website: www.flourishes. org;

Click on the CLASSES category


Monday Feb 23 Copic Certification Class with Marianne Walter. See the I LikeMarkers blog (Ilikemarkers. blogspot. com)Cost of this class is $120.00


These classes are independent of each other but three days of pure stamping with some of the best will be something you won'nt want to miss.








Monday, January 19, 2009

Featured Stamper 35!

This week's Flourishes Featured Stamper has a dose of spring woven in! I loved all the entries and when it came down to it... I had to pick three because each was so beautiful and unique!

So, without further ado - this week's Featured Stampers are...

Deena, Lois and Angel!

Ladies, all of your creations had such a unique flair that I had to do a double take!
Deena, I love the artistic flavor your card delivers with the fun background and soft washed flower!

Angel, your orange and white combination - also with the Stamp Simply Thank You set- made the whole card pop! It was a card with high contrast that made me say -- wow!
And Lois, your elegantly inspired card shows just how versatile the Birds and Vine set can be! I love the way you paired gold and white together to create such a posh card!
Ladies, your names will be entered into this month's drawing for a free stamp set of your choice! Keep those submissions coming! They inspire!

Have a great week!
~Julie

Friday, January 16, 2009

Thanks for the memories!

Wow, this week went fast and we hope you enjoyed all the sneak peeks of our "Celebrating Home" collection! We sure had a blast!! So, if you missed the fun at tonight's release party--- here's a look at this month's three sets in their full glory!

Home Tweet Home


Birthday Celebrations

Chairs To You!

The sets are now in the store and we've brought back our ever popular New Release Bundle! You have a chance at picking up all three for 10% off! Now, the moment you've been waiting for! Who walked away with the Chairs To You set from yesterday's sneak peek! The winner is.....

Barb W said...
These are the cutest chairs! Chairs were such a big part of my life growing up as both my mom and my grandmother collected them. Thanks for the opportunity to win this set.

Also, we picked the winner of the Celebrating Home Challenge during our release party and the winner of the challenge was....

Theresa Momber! A.k.a. TheresaCC on Splitcoast! Theresa wins all three of our newly released sets!!

Ladies, you can also email us at flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net with your addresses and we'll get your goodies sent right out!!

Congratulations ladies!!
~Julie

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Sneak Peek Day 3 - Chairs To YOU!

Welcome to Day 3 of the Flourishes Sneak Peek! This last stamp set being released in January is one that is so fun and versatile, you are going to want to sit down for this one! Grab a cup of coffee while you are at it!

Introducing....
This set has such an amazing story behind it! A few months back I was offering up some blog candy over on my blog, and I asked those that stopped by to offer up some suggestions for a stamp set they would love to see! Well, one lady, Jessica Russell offered up a brilliant idea! She wanted to see a set of chairs with fun sayings like - "You're going to want to sit down for this," and "Chairs To YOU!" I immediately picked up the phone and had a chat with the ladies at Flourishes. Months later, Jan Marie called and said, "We have the chairs set in production!" It was amazing to watch this idea "flourish" and become a reality!

Want to meet Jessica??? Well, here she is!


When I told her that her set would soon be in her inky hands, she told a story of why chairs have such a special place in her heart.....

"I love it when I happen upon an especially comfortable chair! I had a tiny rocking chair at my Grandma's house when I was small. She's 94 now, and has kept it all these years. Now, my son will get to rock in it when he gets a bit older. I love rocking my little guy at night before I put him in bed. I have a beautiful, antique upholstered rocker that is also from my Grandma. It creaks, but the rhythm of the creak I think helps soothe him! ! Thanks so much for running with the idea!"

Isn't that a sweet thought? And.... here's the fabulous card she made with her one of a kind set illustrated by our talented new artist Lauren Pope!
I love the embossed background, the ulpholstered look of the chair and all the fun embellishments Jessica added! Very posh!

Want to cozy up in your favorite chair for a little blog hop? Be sure to visit our entire team to see what fabulous inpiration they crafted with this set!

Julie Koerber
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Dee Jackson
Nancy Kirk
Jan Marie Caruso
Kimberly Crawford
Betty Wright

Cindy Haffner
Becca Feeken

Silke Ledlow

Don't forget to leave a comment to win this set! We'll randomly select one person to win. The candy will move quickly - we'll announce the winner for the Chairs To You set tomorrow.

Want to know the winner of the Home Tweet Home set??? Well, it's Holly!

Holly said...
I think from the sneak peak I'm going to love this set!! I love the birds but I am fussy, I don't like mine too cutesy per say, this looks perfect can't wait til it's released.

Holly, just email us at flourishesllc@cox.net and we'll get your set shipped right out!

Have you checked out our Celebrating Home challenge? (Details on that challenge can be found HERE) Take part in this challenge and you can win all three of our new sets this month. Time is running out though! You only have until 5 pm Eastern! The winner will be announced at our release party Friday night from 7pm - 9 pm Eastern time over at the Flourishes Forum on Splitcoast. That's where we'll reveal all the new sets and give you an opportunity for more prizes!

That's it my friends! Thanks for stopping by! See you at tonight's release party!!!

~Julie