What Are You Thankful For? Chance to Win Blog Candy?

Here at Flourishes we are Thankful for a successful...and busy...year! We have a busy year planned for 2009....but before we get get too far into our plans, its time to stop for a moment and reflect on what the last year has brought us.

It these weeks of economic upheaval I am Thankful that I have a job I enjoy, family that is safe and healthy. I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but for today "it's all good".

We would like to know what it is that you are Thankful for, leave a comment and have a change to win .............
this bundle of JustRite products.
The New
Sonnet Stamper Kit with 40 embellishments, 4 borders & 4 designer centers and Curlz font in three sizes. Plus the smaller C-30 monogram stamper kit with damask borders and times new roman font and an extra ink pad. Plus 10 designer centers and borders.....DYI stamper kit with special occasions alphbet set and 3 borders. And that's not all, you will receive the upper and lower case typewriter alphabet.

On November 30 we will choose, by random selection, one person to win this group, and start the sale that is JustRite. We will have all JustRite products on sale at 25% off while supplies last.

Check out the trail to other blog candy,
Sunday, Faith
Monday, Susan
Tuesday, Cindy
Wednesday, Laura
Thursday, Flourishes
Friday, Latisha
Saturday, Julie

Happy stamping and I will see you at the end of the goodies trail on Sunday, right here at Flourishes newsletter.

Poinsettia & Boxwood

It's back......You don't have to wait any longer for the poinsettia & Boxwood, we now have more at the store. Order now and still have it in plenty of time to make your Christmas cards and decorations.

And enjoy your Holiday Gatherings tomorrow!

Poinsettia & Boxwood Update

Many of you are looking for our newly released Poinsettia & Boxwood on the Flourishes webstore without finding it. The demand for this set has been wonderful causing it to be currently out of stock. Have no fear this beautiful set by Marcella Hawley will be back in the store by this weekend.

We thank you for your support of Flourishes.

Featured Stamper---- And MORE!

Sorry I am a bit late with this post all..... I am a bit under the weather! :-( But, even though I am green around the gills, I am still able to be completely and utterly inspired by this week's Featured Stamper entries!

So... without further ado... This week's Featured Stampers are.....

Michelle Woerner from the SCS Entries!

And... Laurel Seabrook - my pick from the overall SCS Flourishes Gallery!

First up, Michelle! Her cards have such a classy and clean look about them that I just admire! This first card is a true stunner with the way she used the magnolia stamp from the Lilac set. It just looks so soft! Her second card is just beautiful with the Damask and one of my favorite flowers from the Spring Ephemerals set! Gotta love that sheer ribbon too!

And now on to Laurel! I just loved the rustic look this card took on with all the different Flourishes elements on it! Can you find the three... yes three.. Flourishes stamps she used?? Very clever Laurel! Love the distressed edges too!
Before I say goodbye, I have to share some of my other "faves" from this week's entries!

I love the bold color and whimsical feel of this card by Ilina Crouse! Isn't it beautiful? Butterfly Moments is one of my favorite sets and this card--- wow-- does it justice!
Karen Wallace brings on the "bling" in pure holiday style using the All That Glitters set along with plenty of sparkle and shine! It created such a classic card - don't you think?
And lastly, Lois served up two lovely creations perfect for the holidays that just have stunning elements tied in with a bow! First, I love the old time feel of this card using the Sleigh Ride set with such fun ribbon and decorative paper!

And this card using the City of David set is just too classy for words! I love how Lois used the Glittered Christmas Paper in the background for some extra sparkle!

So Michelle and Laurel, your names will be added to the hat for this month's drawing for a free set! The drawing will be next Monday, so stay tuned! We still haven't had a wild card week yet.... Hhhhhm. Better get those entries in!!! :-)

Until next week!

~Julie

Whew, this week went flew bye for me. The great thing about that is that it is time to take the Flurry of Flourishes express to see some sensational cards. Are you ready to see what these very creative ladies have put together for us this weekend? Let's Go!!

The first card is by Becca Feeken and it is a real stunner!



Becca's attention to detail makes this card the exceptional beauty that it is. Visit her site Amazing Grace and get all the details. She used Autumn Flourishes for this card.



Our Next stop is to visit Betty Wright's' Blog Stampin to the Wright. She has a real crowd pleaser today in this card.



This really talented lady is sharing the details and her insight into creating Christmas card that quick and easy. You will really want to visit her blog.

Christine at Christine's Creations has the most beautiful mouth watering card to share.



Don't you just want have some of that Cocoalucious Cocoa? Again, I have to say that again it is the details in this card that set it apart as well. She used Coffee with Friends, creatively placing elements of the set coloring-especially shading- make it star quality. Her choice of layout, and papers is so wonderful. Cocolacious wouldn't you say?

This next card I have for you is the sunshine to carry us through the week, Cindy Haffner



Her artistic placement of the Autumn Flourishes around the frame of the Nestabilities cut designer paper is just genius. Visit her at Cindy Haffner's Corner.

Thank you stopping in the Atelier at Flourish today. I am sure glad you came.

Ciao,

All That Glitters is..... Sparkly!

Did you happen to the see the Weekly Inkling this week over at Splitcoast? If you didn't, you need to!!! Miss Beate Johns did a FABULOUS tutorial on creating "Sparkly Stained Glass!" It is a stunning yet easy way to pack some punch to your holiday creations! Just look what she did above with the All that Glitters set! It's to die for! Check out the full tutorial HERE!

Thanks Beate for a stunning card and a wonderful tutorial! If you want to see some other beautiful work she did with Flourishes stamps, check out THIS post on her blog recently! If you own the Peony set, you'll have some fabulous new inspiration!!

Happy creating!

~Julie

Non Traditional Traditional

Today I am sharing with you a card using non traditional colors but Flourishes traditonal stamp set Flourished Christmas.

This was a very simple card to make and really could be mass produced. If you choose to you could just vary the cards and colors. The layout is simple and straightforward. I did do a faux bow on this card and several have asked how to do this. It is really easy and tonight I will put together a tutorial to show you how.

Card Elements

Papers: Old Olive, Basic Grey Blitzen (Velvet Stocking)

Inks: Encore Gold

Accessories: Ribbon from Michaels

Techniques: Faux Bow

Now for a little Christmas card making trivia.

Did you know ...

The tradition of sending Christmas cards started in 1843 - about the same time as the first Christmas seal was published. British businessman Sir Henry Cole asked artist John Calcott Horsley to print some Christmas cards. One thousand cards were printed in black and white and then colored by hand. The idea was well-received, because the following year, more than 25,000 Christmas cards were sold. However, the first Christmas card provoked controversy in certain circles in England, because the Christmas card pictured a company of people touching glasses and saying "Merry Christmas". Putting alcohol and holy Christmas in one picture did not please the English citizens then.

For more than thirty years, Americans had to import greeting cards from England. In 1875, German immigrant to the U.S. Louis Prang, opened a lithographic shop with $250, and published the first line of U.S. Christmas cards. His initial creations featured birds and flowers, unrelated to the Xmas scene. By 1881, Prang was producing more than 5 million Christmas cards per year.

A reminder:

10% OFF SALE ENDS WEDNESDAY!

Save 10% on all BASIC GREY PAPER AND BRADS! Check out the selection HERE.

Save 10% on all TWINKLING H2O'S, POLISHED PIGMENT POWDERS AND MICA POWDERS - see the selection HERE!

Save 10% on VERSAMARK INK PADS

Save 10% on the JUSTRITE BAKING ENSEMBLE and CHRISTMAS ENSEMBLE as well as the 2 5/16" and 3 1/4" WOODEN STAMPERS HERE.

New Release Bundle Sale! Save 10% when you purchase all three new releases for November - select the NEW RELEASE BUNDLE product

Thanks for stopping in at the Atelier at Flourishes today. I am really glad you came.

Ciao,