Limelight Week 3 with Theresa Momber - Waterlily Reflection

Hi Stampers! It's Theresa again with my third Limelight post. Today's card features the Waterlillies set and Spring Ephemerals set. I used the reflection technique on this card and sponged a water background.

Here are the details...

I colored the lily using mostly colors found in the Crocus and Violet Copics Collections.

I started by coloring the deepest parts of the flower with V06.

Then I added V04, blending out from the previous color in small circles.

Added V12 in the same manner.

I finished with V01, leaving just a tiny bit on some of the petals completely un-colored. Then I used my blender pen to soften the transition to white.

After coloring the lily, I went over it with a Versa Mark pen and then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

Next, I stamped the leaves and used Copics from the Evergreen and Spring Greens Collections.


I used YG03, YG05, YG93 and YG99. Then I used my Versa Mark pen again, to go over the leaves, before embossing with clear.


To do the reverse image of the lily, I used the plastic sheet from my Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped the lily on the smooth side. Then, I turned the plastic sheet over and placed it where I wanted the reverse image, pressing down all over the image.

Sometimes I use a Mirror Image Stamp and sometimes I used the plastic sheet, like today. I have found that I get a crisper image from the Mirror Image Stamp, but the ink drys more quickly, so I have to work fast (huffing on the image before stamping helps). Whereas, with the plastic sheet, the ink stays wet, but the image is a bit smeary. Today, I wanted a less defined image, so I used the plastic sheet.



Here you can see the result after I lifted the plastic sheet. The embossing on the lily protected it from the ink when I did the reverse image.

I wanted the reflection to be a little lighter than the origianly image, so I just used the three lighter colors. I also went over the entire reflection with B41, to give it a slightly blue tinge.

After coloring, I heat embossed the reflection with clear embossing powder.

To sponge the background, I placed a post-it note across the paper, where I wanted the horizon line. Then I sponged some light blue.

Sponged some medium blue, keeping it light in the center.

Switched the post-it to cover the bottom and started sponging the sky with light yellow.

Next I sponged in some turquoise ink.

I removed the post-it mask and then sponged teal ink all around the edges, followed by some black.

Stamped some of the silhouette images from Spring Ephemerals around the edges, using turquoise ink.

I layered with a piece of black cardstock and added a flourish punch (EK Success). The card base is turquoise.

On the inside of the card, I added a piece of white cardstock and stamped the lily with lavender ink, then stamped the image in black on top.

Thanks so much for letting me share my project today. I'll see you next Sunday!

Limelight Week 2 with Theresa - Sponging

Hello! It's Theresa again, for my second week as Flourishes Limelight Designer. This week I used stamps from four different Flourishes stamp sets to make my card. Creating a sponged background is one of my favorite things to do on my projects, so today I am going to show you the step by step method I use, along with some of my favorite sponging tips.

Here are the details...

I started with a piece of Flourishes Classic White cardstock and sponged the entire surface with a pale apricot color.

Tip #1 - I recommend using a very smooth cardstock, like Flourishes carries (also great for Copics, btw). A rough cardstock will grab the ink and make your sponging look splotchy. When using a smooth cardstock, like Flourishes, the ink will take just a tiny bit longer to dry and give you a little more time to blend your colors.

Next, I sponged the bottom and right side with a darker apricot ink, working my way in toward the center.

Tip #2 - Keep your sponge fairly dry to start out. If your ink pad is very juicy, you might want to ink up your sponge, then tap it off a few times on scratch paper. Then start just off the edge of your paper and work your way in, building up the color very slowly.

Then I worked on the opposite side and corner, sponging light pink ink.

Tip #3 - Use a small swirling motion to apply your color, rather that tapping or patting, working from the darkest areas toward the lightest areas. This way, as you approach the lighter areas, there will be less ink on your sponge and create a smooth transition of color.

Next, I went back to the apricot corner and applied a light caramel color, sticking pretty close to the corners.

Tip #4 - Use very soft, squishy sponges. I like the round craft sponges that you can find at craft stores, cut into wedges, or jumbo sponge daubers.

Then I finished by sponging a darker pink back in the opposite corner again.

Tip #5 Although you can use just one color to sponge, getting a dramatic gradation of color is easier if you use more than one shade of the same or similar color.

I used the same colors to sponge a second panel.

Tip #7 - Try to use an even pressure when sponging and don't press too firmly around the corners and on narrow pieces. Sometimes as you are swirling the color on, it is easy to accidentally press too hard and crinkle the paper. (I do this a lot!) If you crease your paper too much, it will take the color more deeply in the creases and only make them more obvious. If you do accidentally crease your paper, here are a few things you can do to hide it. You can hide the area with another layer or embellishment. You can trim the paper to remove the bad area or you can sponge the area very dark so that it doesn't show.

Next, I stamped the checkered lily from Spring Ephemerals on my larger sponged panel. Then I used the swirl stamp from Strut Your Stuff and stamped with pink and apricot inks. I also stamped the swirl on the vertical panel (not pictured).

I used Copic markers to color the butterflies from Butterfly Moments, starting with Y11. I knew I was going to cut out the butterfly, so I intentionally went over the lines. I like to do that when I know I am cutting out an image, so that I don't have white showing if my cutting isn't precise. Then all I have to do is going quickly along the cut line with a dark marker to hide the white edges.

I added Y17 to the centers and outer edges of the butterfly.

Used YR07 in the very deepest parts of the wings and along the outermost edges.
For the body, I added a little N5 and N3 to the yellow that was already there. I used the same colors for the second butterfly, but added some pink.

My sponged panels were layered with black cardstock and the larger butterfly was popped up using Pop Dots. The sentiment is from Siberian Iris. I stamped it in the lower corner (see top photo), then pierced on either side. I also added some piercing to the main image panel.

I also wanted to show you how I did the inside of the card. The butterfly was stamped with light pink, then the sentiment from Butterfly Moments was stamped in black, right over it, leaving space below for signing.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome last week and for letting me share my favorite technique with you today!

Happy stamping and I will see you next Sunday!

Timeless Tuesday Challenge

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC17)!!!! Thanks so much to all of you who participated in last week's square card challenge!!! Keep reading to find out who won!

For those of you who are new, the Friends of Flourishes blog 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.

Last week I mentioned that we had a big surprise this week. Well, it is time for the big announcement! You may be asked as a Timeless Tuesday Challenge participant to guest host a challenge with the blog design team. As a guest host you will be asked to choose the challenge, make a card, and be showcased along with the other blog design team designers. Just keep playing along in our weekly challenges and you could be ask to guest host with us. Without further ado, it is time for this week's challenge!!!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC17)! This week we are introducing our first Flourishes Guest Challenge Host Connie McCotter(cmc2stamp)! Thanks so much Connie for hosting this week!! Connie is challenging us to sponging. Sponge coloring, sponge distressing, sponge shading, and sponge stenciling to name a few are some of the hottest techniques in stamping. So, grab you ink pad and sponges and add a little sponging to your card. We would love to see what you create!

Let's go see what the blog design team and our guest created for you this week!!!

Up first is our challenge host, Connie McCotter! She is using the newly released DIY Topiaries set. Connie has stamped the topiary and colored it using copics. For her background she has layered the focal panel with the background and created a continous beautifully sponged sky effect for the topiary. She used a sentiment from the Flourished Words stamp set. Connie finished her card with some rhinestones and ribbon detailing. Beautifully done, Connie!!! Thanks so much for being our Challenge Host this week!!!

Next, is Kimberly Crawford. Kimberly is using the newly released DIY Topiaries and A Man's View sets. Great colors and coloring, Kim!!!! The topiary is beautifully colored with copics and the sky and grass background elements are beautiful. Kim's embossed background has some sponged distressing around the edges to give the cardstock a deeper, richer color around the border. I love how she finished the card with a little hanging tag, some wrapped twine with a bow, and a button accent. Wonderful card, Kimberly!!!

Silke Ledlow is next on our card tour. She is using the Swing Set stamp set. She used the various images in this set to create her outdoor scene. Silke has sponged colored the tree and the grass. The fluffy cloud background showcasing dark and light sky detailing is a reverse stencil technique. I love how Silke finished her card with some scored cardstock detailing, ribbon, and silver pearls!!! Love the colors and the whole created outdoor scene!!! Lovely card, Silke!!!

Up next is Betty Wright. I am using Thinking Of You and the Vintage Wallpaper stamp sets. I stamped my background and focal image using versamark. I embossed both in black. I sponged colored and shaded the background in verying shades of yellow inks. I stenciled the focal image using oval nestabilities as a stencil and sponging on the inside. I love the dramatic effect of these colors and sponge techniques. I finished my card with some buttons, dry embossed border, and black satin ribbon.

Next up is Cindy Haffner. She is using the newly released Nasturtiums set. Love these colors and the beautifully colored flowers. Cindy is also showcasing some fabulous Spellbinder shapes. I love the layered look of these shapes and designs. Cindy has stenciled the outside edge of the focal image. Love this look and effect. Cindy finished her card with a punched border, some flowery ribbon that she adorned with touches of pearls. Wonderfully done, Cindy!!!

Be sure to check out each designer's blog links for more specific card details.

Because of today's sponge it challenge - here's a fun little incentive to add a little more color to your ink pad stash!
That's right -- all ink pads are on sale for a limited time only! So, now's a great time to run over to the store and stock up! Just click HERE to check them out!

This week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday(FTTC16) Winner

chosen by Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:6
Timestamp: 2009-05-26 03:01:29 UTC
Ann V. (raindropecho) you WON!!! Congratulations!!!!

You need to email: flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net for your coupon code!!!!

By the way, if you still do not have theTimeless Tuesday blog button for your blog, check here for the codes.

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 code word FTTC17 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 generic 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!!!

We cannot wait to see what you create!
As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Your Flourishes Friends!