Limelight Week 3 with Sherry

Good Sunday morning! My project for you today uses Flourishes Lilac Set. I have had a fondness for lilacs since I was a little girl, and when I saw this set I just HAD to have it.

One of my favorite techniques is the Wrinkle Free Distress. This is a technique using dye based inks and water, dip the paper into the water/ink mixture, dry the paper and continue adding layers of color until the desired color is reached. I used this technique in making the background for the lilacs. The colors used were purple, lavender and blue, along with watercolor paper. I have done this technique many, many times and only realized a few weeks ago that watercolor paper makes a fabulous background.

Once the background was made, I stamped the larger of the Lilacs on the background twice and then embossed in gold. Using the same lavender and purple, the lilacs were water colored over the background, as were the leaves. A third lilac was stamped on an extra background that I made at the same time and embossed in gold. This lilac was trimmed out so that it could be raised over the background.

Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities was used to cut and embossed the lilac background. The die was laid over the image and pencil marks were made where I wanted to the lilacs to hang over the edge of the Label. I trimmed the section of the lilacs that I wanted to highlight. When the die was realigned with the images, the sections I trimmed out were put under the die to keep them from being cut. For the bottom of the card, a border was made using Spellbinders Victorian Border Pierceabilities.

Thanks for joining me today and I’ll see you next Sunday!

Honoring Our Wounded Warriors...

Don't you just love this classic card above created by one of our talented designers - Cindy Lawrence? We did! One, it's design is crisp and clean with a bold pop of color and second, it honors a very special project we have going here at Flourishes!

When we launched our June release, we knew we were saving the best stamp set for last. That's because it was packaged up with love knowing that each stamp set sold, would go to benefit the injured soldiers in our country. A percentage of all stamp sets sold will benefit....

The Wounded Warrior Project is an amazing non profit that offers programs, resources, training and more to both the injured soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families who are trying hard to help their loved ones. We read the emails that poured in and we thought.... how can we keep the momentum going and honor those customers who bought/want to buy the set to help us in our effort and do more good?

We came up with a plan!

For those who purchase the Patriotism on Parade set, we would LOVE to see your cards! In fact, we will create a "parade" of our own! To make it easy to find on SCS - please use the keyword: FLLCPOP. Each Saturday in July, we'll be scouring Splitcoast and the comments that you leave here on this post and we'll be publishing YOUR cards right here on our blog! We'll have a new crop of cards each week to showcase!

Click HERE to see the Gallery Submissions! FYI: If you made a card using this set before our announcement, just add the keyword: FLLCPOP to your post!

Here's the clincher! If you use this set to create a card or two or three - send them to us at:

Flourishes LLC
4140 Lyric Lane
Pensacola, Florida 32514-6871

We will send them straight to the troops that are now serving over seas! It will tell those that are selflessly serving our country that there are some wonderfully creative people back home that care enough to send the very best -- a hand made card created from the heart!

What is in it for you? With each card you send by August 1st, you'll be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Flourishes to use however you like! There will also be 2 (two) $25 gift certificates for the runners up!

TIPS FOR CARD MAKERS

Once we gather the cards up, we will donate them to Cards For Heroes. Below are a few tips delivered straight from their site!

What kind of cards are needed?
Blank General/all occasion cards are in greatest demand. i.e. miss you, love, birthday, thinking of you, hello, thank you. The soldiers will use the blank cards to send to their wives, husbands, children and family. FYI: You do not have to use the Patriotism on Parade set for all of your cards. All you need is one to qualify all of your creations as entries into the drawing!

What kind of cards should I avoid sending?
No glitter that will flake off the card—it is a safety hazard!! It can make a mess on a uniform and make a hero visible to night-vision goggles! Please do not send suggestive or risque cards. We don't want to offend any of our service members. Funny cards are okay, but keep them positive and upbeat.

Can I include some extra cards geared toward the holidays?
YES!! If you wanted to send some extra cards geared toward holidays, Cards For Heroes is also looking for Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day--lots of Any Hero cards please, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Can I use dark colors?
You can use dark card stock, but if you do, please attach a liner inside with lighter colored paper. Our heroes may only have a Bic pen or a pencil to write with, so please give them space and surface to write on.

Can my cards be embellished?
This question usually refers to those with "lumpy" embellishments that can require extra postage. This is not a problem for our servicemen and servicewomen since cards are mailed for free for them.

Do I need to send an envelope?
Sending an envelope with your card is much appreciated! Cards For Heroes did have some envelopes donated, but if you are able to send one, it will help their donation go that much farther!

Hope these tips help! We can't wait to see this project take off. We know our customers are some of the most thoughtful, generous bunch out there. We can't wait to band together and really help impact the lives of soldiers here on U.S. soil and abroad!

Thanks in advance from the bottom of our hearts!

~From all of us at Flourishes!

Friday Focus: Spellbinder dies

Hello everyone, Latisha here today for our Friday Focus - which is Spellbinder dies! Spellbinder makes wonderful dies that can cut, emboss and stencil, and you can use them with any die cut machine which makes them universal. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned stamper these really are a wonderful tool to have. I enjoy using the dies, because they give your card/project a really nice polished look. The sky is the limit when it comes to using them!


Here I scored my card stock as I would normally do when I make a card, but I placed my die a little above the scored/fold line. You do this when you want your card to have a shape to it.

1. score card as usual
2. place die over card stock leaving a little of the die over the fold line
3. emboss (I use a cuttlebug so "a" plate, "b" plate, embossing mat, cardstock, die facing down, "b" plate again)
4. cut
5. remove from machine, ready to create
For this card, I used a curvy rectangle for my card base, by leaving a little over the edge of my score line. Spellbinder dies "nest" which means you can layer them without thinking, you just use a smaller die, no math involved. I cut the scalloped octagon in black, then used a regular octagon to cut and emboss the white card stock, an again, they "nest" perfectly. 1. score card base
2. place curvy rectangle die over card stock leaving a bit over the score/fold line.
3. emboss
4. cut
repeat #3 & #4 to cut the octagon shapes.
Spellbinder dies can go through a lot of different material, here I took some card board that came in a pajama set, cut it down just a little, then ran them through my machine...waa laa...perfectly cut chipboard pieces.
When you use the Spellbinder dies, mix them up a little. You don't need to use just circles, squares, ovals etc...together. Here I used a Labels die, two different sized circle dies, and a double ended tag die.


I stamp first and then cut them out, however if you are new to Spellbinder dies, I suggest cutting an embossing your paper first then stamping. They are such a valuable and easy tool to use, I find that when people are having a hard time with them, its because they are "sandwiching" them wrong. Check your die cut machine to find out the correct sandwich to use.

Take some time to check out what the DT has done with Spellbinder dies.

Julie Koerber

Laura Fredrickson

Cindy Lawrence

Leslie Miller

Christine Okken

Faith Hofrichter

Stacy Morgan

Sharon Doolittle

Have a wonderful Weekend!

hugs

Latisha

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge!

It is time for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge(FTTC20)!!!! Thanks so much to all of you who participated in last week's designer paper 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.

This week Betty Wright is our host. I am challenging you to get inspired from Kim Poloson's posters. Search through the many posters to find an inspiration piece. As with all inspiration pieces, there may be one or two things in the photo that inspires you whether it is an element, layout, or color scheme, or you may want to recreate the whole look. There are so many wonderful ones to choose from you will probably want to play several times. Make sure you include a link in your write up as to which one you chose and why. We would love to see what you create!!!

Let's go check out what the blog design team has created for you this week with the inspiration challenge.

First up this week is our challenge host Betty Wright. For my inspiration pick, I chose Blooming Paris II . I am using the newly released Waterlilies set. For the large pink portion of the card, I used a soft distressed piece of solid basicgray paper. I am using the black line Jenni Bowlin paper for my center text background section. I stamped one of the sentiments in this set several times to recreate the look of the inspiration piece. I colored and cut out my water lily flower using the soon to be released Spring Greens, Fields and Hollyhock copic color collections. I finished my card with an ivory organdy ribbon bow.

Up next this week is Cindy Haffner. Cindy chose as her inspiration pick the Bel Bouquet IV. She is using the Spring Ephemerals set. This is a wonderful solid line stamp set that looks perfect in color or in silhouette. Cindy has combined some rich sponge detailing with this lovely set to create some depth and a vintage look. I love how Cindy used the Spellbinders label four and sponged within the frame to create added dimension and texture to the card. Beautifully done, Cindy!!!

Next up this week is Connie McCotter. Connie chose Back to the Garden I as her inspiration pick. Connie is using Butterfly Moments and Flourished Words stamp sets. I love how Connie recreated the look of the poster using some wonderful patterned designer papers. Of course, the highlight of the card is her wonderfully colored butterfly. The sponge distressing just adds so much richness to the overall look. Just beautiful, Connie!!!

The next card is Dee Jackson. Dee chose Le Jardin Secret II as her inspiration pick. She is using Peony, Thank You, and Autumn Flourishes sets to recreate the look in the inspiration. I love how she used the solid leaves from the Autumn Flourishes set in a tone on tone. The thank you script sentiment saying is beautfiul stamped at an angle. I love the how she cut out and colored the peony and used it to finish the the look. Of course, all of the sponge detailing really adds to the overall feel of this card. Wonderfully done, Dee!!!

Next, is Kimberly Crawford. As her inspiration pick, Kimberly chose Garden Shadow I. Kim is using the DIY Topiaries, the newly released Life, Love and Lemons for the sentiment, and Autumn Flourishes sets for her card. I love the Autumn Flourishes image used to recreate the look of the flourished elements in the poster. The punch borders and score line detailing along with the sponge distressing puts some fabulous finishing touches on this card. The topiary image with sentiment are just perfect to finish the look. Terrific card, Kim!!!

Last this week is Silke Ledlow . Silke chose Tuscan Fruits II as her inspiration pick. She is using the newly released Life, Love and Lemons stamp set. This is a fabulous new fruit set. You can choose whether to make them lemons or limes. I also love the terrific sentiments that come in this set. I love the clean, simplicity of the poster Silke chose. She did a wonderful job recreating the look with this set. I love the overall colors, patterns, and coloring!!! Lovely card, Silke!!!

Be sure to check out each designers blog links to get more detail card information!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Winner(FTTC19)

decided by
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:35
Timestamp: 2009-06-16 01:34:41 UTC

Deanna Cosgrove 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 FTTC20 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!

Limelight Week 2 with Sherry - Sanding!

Good Sunday morning! I hope everyone had a good week and you’ve enjoyed your weekend so far. Remember last week when I told you that I wasn’t happy without my daubers and sanding tools in front of me? Well, this week I have decided to do a sanding project. The best thing about this project, is that I recently received some gorgeous SEI papers that have a white core. Another one of my favorite ways to distress.

Before I get into the details of my card, my favorite sanding tool is nothing more than a nail file that you can purchase at any drugstore or discount store. One of the cheapest sanding tools I’ve found. There are two ways I like to sand, which I will try to explain in the next few photos.

Sanding the embossed accents by holding the file flat.

Sanding the edges by angling the file.

Here's my card for this week.

Hopefully you’ll be able to tell in the photo, that the striped background paper was wrinkled, crushed and crumpled and then unfolded. Holding the file flat, I sanded along the top of all the wrinkles and then at an angle to sand the edges.

The bottom background layer was embossed with the Spellbinders Paisley Impressabilities and then sanded the Spellbinders Grand 12” Classic Lace Borderabilities and then sanded to show the highlights of the embossing.

The background layers for the rose, was die cut and then embossed with Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities. These edges of these layers were sanded with the file at an angel. The only sponged layer on this card, is the white panel the rose is on; and it was sponged very lightly with Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink.

The rose was stamped out 3 times and each image colored with Copic Markers. The two extra layers were trimmed out, and then layered on top of the bottom using foam tape in between the layers. Here’s a closer look:

Even though the inside of the card is finished, I didn’t add a sentiment. Since this image is quite versatile, a sentiment can very easily be added to the inside for any occasion.

• Stamps: I Love Roses from Flourishes Stamps
• Paper: Prism Blush Red Light; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; SEI Dill Blossom – Poi, Myrrh and Licorice
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Antique Linen
• Accessories: Spellbinders Paisley Impressabilities, Grant 12” Classic Lace Borderabilities, Labels One Nestabilities; May Art Ribbon, Venture Foam Tape, Copics and Airbrush System; Sanding Tools; SEI Brads; Tsukineko Sponge Dauber; Ranger Matte Accents

Thanks for joining me today and I’ll see you next Sunday! I would love to see your work if you try sanding. You can either post a link here or send me an email.

Hot Summer Sneaks Are Over!

We just wrapped up our Flourishes Power Hour and HAD A BLAST with all of you! What fast paced fun we had showing off samples, chatting it up with the DT and playing games! But, all good things must come to an end and such is the case for the Hot Summer Sneak Peeks from Flourishes. The good news is... now the stamp sets are in the store and you can see them in their full glory!!

Waterlilies

Lemons

Patriotism on Parade

If you missed the announcement about the Patriotism on Parade set and Flourishes effort to make a difference in the lives of wounded soldiers, you'll want to read HERE! It's pretty special! You should also know... we have BIG things planned for this set and ..... if you own it - you will be able to get in on the fun!!! We can't wait to share this news so... stay tuned!

Before we go, we want to share the winner of yesterday's blog candy -- the winner of this Patriotism on Parade set! Random.org drew the number 62 which means the winner is......

Julie Campbell said...
Love a chance to win, love this stamp set, love that it's for a VERY worthy cause, really falling in love with FLOURISHES! I'm new to you, but so impressed with what I'm seeing and happy to jump in--thanks for letting me!

And, speaking of winners, after all the names were put into the hat, we stirred it up and the winner of the Easy Breezy Challenge and all THREE of our new release sets is Makiko Jones! You can see her 10 minute creation HERE. It's stunning!

Julie and Makiko, all you need to do is email us at flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net. Be sure to include your address and we'll get your stamp set sent right out to you!

Thanks so much for sticking with us this week! We are always over the top excited when we can share the latest work from our talented team of artists! We love it even more when we see their talent -- on YOUR cards!

See you back here soon! Remember, Sherry Cheever will be stopping by on Sunday with part two of being "in the limelight!" So, stop back!

Hot Summer Sets- The Grand Finale!

What's more American than baseball, apple pie and the Fourth of July? Not much! That's why Flourishes wanted to capture that American spirit on polymer. This set, drawn by the talented Lauren Pope, features fun images that center around not only our American Patriotism - but Canadian patriotism as well! These images are perfect for not only cards but we could see this set really taking off on scrapbook pages as well!

Introducing....
We knew when we launched this set that we wanted to use it to honor the men and women who serve and have given their lives for the freedom of our country. As many military men and women will tell you -- Freedom is not free. In times of war, soldiers come home wounded and are in need of a helping hand in life. Having deep ties to our country's military, Flourishes wanted to be a part of the solution. If you didn't know this, all three of the Flourishes' husbands are retired military. Jan Marie has a grandson that is currently headed overseas to Afghanistan for a second tour of duty. That's why we are honoring this fine organization....
Flourishes will proudly donate a portion of the proceeds of our brand new Patriotism on Parade set to the Wounded Warrior Project. It's a non-profit organization who's mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. We believe wholeheartedly in the work they do. They have training programs to help wounded soldiers transition into the workforce. They have caregiver training focusing on PTSD. They have support groups and rehabilitative retreats that they fund. They are going above and beyond to help the men and women that went above and beyond to protect and serve. We can't wait to give back to this one of a kind charity!

We hope you make time to see how our design team put this whimsical and patriotic set to use! Please stop by and visit....

Leslie Miller
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Faith Hofrichter
Julie Koerber
Latisha Yoast
Laura Fredrickson
Stacy Morgan

Do you want to win this set? Simply leave us a comment over on the Flourishes Newsletter -- the winner will be announced first thing tomorrow morning! Speaking of winning sets... did you check out our Easy Breezy challenge HERE? All you need to do is create a ten minute card and link it on THIS post by 5 PM Eastern tonight and -- you're in the running for the drawing for all three of our new release sets! We'll announce the winner during our Release Party!

Now, to the winner of yesterday's Life, Love and Lemons set! The Random.org number was 37 which means the winner is....

Our Little Inspirations said...
Your DT has made some incredible projects with this wonderful new stamp set! Thanks for the inspiration ladies......you all rock!!

To claim your set all you need to do is email us at flourishesllccustomerservice@cox.net with Patriotism On Parade Winner in the subject line! Be sure to include your address and we'll get your set sent right out to you!

FYI: Before I go-- don't forget the Flourishes Power Hour! It's our fast paced summer release party over at the Flourishes Forum on Splitcoast! Join us for an hour of reveals, games, chat and fun! The party starts at 9 PM Central TONIGHT!

Thanks so much for making this week a blast for us all! Your comments about the new sets and the work of our designers is truly heart warming! We feel the love! Hopefully we will see you tonight!