Friday, April 29, 2011

Retirement Sale Romance

Have you heard about Flourishes Retirement Sale Bash going on?  There are several sets that are retiring from the FLLC Lineup and they are drastically discounted.  Thursday started the last discount that will be given at 65% off.  So there are some fantastic buys!  And some beautiful sets too.....today I'm going to showcase a lovely set that was designed with Autumn in mind - but has so much more potential to it then just Autumn, today I've given it some vintage romance...


This beautiful set is called Autumn Flourishes, and get this...it's selling for $5.59, AMAZING!  As you can see I've stamped it in VersaMark ink and then embossed it in clear embossing powder on Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock.  Then to match my gorgeous Pink Paisley paper Butterfly Garden, I sponged the embossed image with soft pink and peach ink.  It resists the embossing and leaves you with a beautiful design.  I've also overstamped the designer paper with stamps from the set as well, tying it all together.  I added the sentiment from the new Mother's Day sentiment set Motherly Love.  


Above you can get a much better look at the embossing and how it shines.  


As you can tell, the Spellbinders really help give it that vintage feel, I've used Fleur De Lis Rectangles and Fancy Tags Three for this design in my Grand Calibur.  Then I added some sewing, pretty lace, a satin bow, and some gorgeous pearls.  

Here's another card from the archives that I made with this set, and I made it into a Christmas wreath using vellum and silver embossing...


So...go scope through some of these beautiful sale sets and see their potential!    When they're gone they won't ever return :)  

Thanks for stopping by today friends!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

There She Goes - Blossom By Blossom




Today it's another delightful new set from There She Goes.  This one is such a cutie with Torico's wonderful illustrations.  It totally makes me smile, and I think it will make you smile too!


I had so much fun coloring this one up with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS.  I love the springy colors from this Fairy paper from Prima, so that gave me my coloring direction.   Aren't those chicks just the cutest?! 

I also added some pretty felt accents, with a puffy cloud and a rolled flower sunshine (I love how it turned out!)


Blossom By Blossom is a 4X8 stamp set that includes a total of 22 stamps and will sell for $18. 


Would you like to enter to win this adorable set?  Just start at the There She Goes Blog and follow along the Hop links and leave a comment at all the Trendsetters' Blogs, then check in again and leave your name in the Link post for today's set.    A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Blossom By Blossom set. The winner will be announced Saturday (Apr. 30th) during the Release Party Chat. 

So, you should have come from Ann's Blog and now you're headed to Corinna's Blog...I know you'll find something beautiful there!  

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

There She Goes - Lighten Up





What a fun set I have to Sneak Peek for you today!  It's so cute, so fun and interchangeable and with such great sentiments, designed by the fabulous Torico!


I've used this weeks TSG Sketch for this card (isn't it a great one?)....


The lamp shade is paper pieced with a little copic coloring on the ruffles, top and in the depths of the lampshade too.  Then I sponged some pretty Summer Sky Memento ink.  



Then a little silk ribbon, some cool rhinestone brads and it's a sweet encouragement card :)

Lighten Up is a 4X6 stamp set that includes a total of 20 stamps and will sell for $15.

Alright now for the DEETS.....remember you can enter to win this sweet set by jumping in on the hop, visiting all the TSG Designers, leaving a comment and then adding your name to the TSG Blog Post.  A great way to be inspired and have a chance to win!  

You should have come from Ann's awesome blog, and now to continue on the hop you're headed to Corinna's creative place.    Thanks for hopping by today!  

Monday, April 25, 2011

There She Goes! Confidential and Garden of Life Hop



It's another FUN month of New Release Sneak Peeks at There She Goes!  I'm excited to show you some great new sets this week!  And TWO sets today!

This is a fun and snazzy set that embraces the office worker in your life...that woman who holds it all together - or the one who can't wait for Friday to come! :)


I've colored up this *busy* girl with Copic Markers in some nice deep reds and gave her some classy black and grey tech all around her.  I think I'll be giving this to our Office Administrator as a little tongue in cheek thank you for all she does for the staff at Church keeping everything together.  I've been assigned with making the cards for all our Admin Staff for Administrator Appreciation Day - so this will be for our *Chief Admin*  :)  She's a great lady!  And I know she'll get a kick out of it.  


I've added some fun metallic brads as accent on the Spellbinder Grommet Tags and used some paper that's actually a bridal theme - Making Memories I Do.  

Now for set number two! 



This set is a beautiful breath of spring, and is illustrated by Chris Dark... I LOVE sunflowers....so I had to use them...


I've put together a few of the small sunflower images, coloring them up with Copics to like like it's just spring - not fall when their centers get really brown...I've colored the centers with pointillism, and sponged up the edges with warm Daffodil ink.  


I've also used the Blossom Two Spellbinders die to frame the image, and then the smallest of the dies to create a little sunflower as accent in a few layers adding a green gem in the center, just like the colored sunflowers.    The sentiment is just a portion of the larger sentiment that I could fit and sneak under the ribbon  - this part reads *beauty of it all*.   Inside I'll stamp the whole sentiment.  


IMPORTANT TSG Hop Details!

*You have a chance to win these sets being previewed simply by visiting all of the Trendsetters blogs participating in the hop, and leaving a comment on their challenge post. For more info, where to start, and where to check in when you're done see the TSG blog.

*You should have come from Ann's blog today to me....and now you're heading to Corinna's Blog to see some more.  Have fun taking in all these fun and beautiful creations today!   

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Flourishes Friday - Tomorrow's Forecast

Here we are at Friday again,  and this Friday the most special one on the calendar for me, as it is Good Friday.  The day I remember my Savior Jesus dying on the Cross for me.  We'll be at our Church today having a special service, one of my favourites all year where we pray for/with people as we serve communion to them.  I count it a real privilege to pray for people, it's one of my favourite services all year.

So friends how has your week gone?  Could you use a little encouragement?

How about this?


I put together a pretty sunny card for you today with the new set April Showers from Flourishes, and I just love this sentiment...there's always hope for a brighter tomorrow isn't there?  And that is especially true as we remember Good Friday.  I have hope...Sunday's comin'!

I used a very rounded theme to match the pretty sunshine taking full advantage of my Spellbinders Dies and my Grand Calibur


Here's the Grand Circles Die, the Large Pinking Circles Die, and the Grand Scalloped Circles Die after I've run them through the Grand Calibur.  Then as a line of pretty trim I added the Parisian Accents Die in a light gray color to match the clouds.  


I also added some sheer dotted ribbon in a ruffled fashion around the pinked main image, with a pretty bow and a Karen Foster Scrapstick as accent.  I used the Daffodil and Cool Neutral Copic Collection for coloring as well as a B00.

Just thought I'd let you know that there are NEW Flourishes Copic Collections in the Store!  I'm so excited!   Check out THIS LINK Friday to see them all!

Remember today is your last day to purchase the April New Release Bundle from Flourishes at a discount.  For more wonderful eye candy with these new sets see the Design Team....

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

More Easter Eggs

I'm on an Egg theme here!  And today's eggs are in a jar!  I have loved this series of PTI stamps since they came out, and I especially love the Spring Fillers...so here's what I did with them...


This paper from Prima Jack and Jill Celebrate is perfect for this Easter card.  The paper pack has lots of other themes too, but the Easter ones are SO cute, just look at the bunny and little chicks!  

I colored up the eggs in the jar with Prismacolor pencils.  The beautiful spellbinders is NEW it's Lattice Rectangles  and it's gorgeous...lacey without being too froofy  (is that a word? I'm making it one today :))

I over-stamped the sentiment with another pretty egg and some silk for a bow and its fresh and sweet!    I hope your Easter plans are shaping up well.  We'll have Easter Sunday service, which I am so looking forward to, and then later to my parents house to celebrate with my brother, sister-in-law and niece and nephew.  And I know there will be an egg hunt in there for the kids, grandma loves to spoil them with chocolate.  Which I can then sneak!  LOL!

Stamps;  PaperTrey Ink - Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Spring Fillers;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Sky;  Paper:  Barely Banana, Soft Sky, Prima Jack and Jill Celebrate, Flourishes Classic White;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Lattice Rectangle Dies, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Circle Punch, Silk Ribbon, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Blending Stumps, Dimensionals, Sewing Machine

A Big Basket for Easter Eggs

Hello again everyone!  Crazy...more than one post in 24 hours!  But I'm back with the Sketch Card I wanted to finish up today.  It's an Easter theme :)


Here's Mr. Bunny on his way looking for Easter eggs, and the BIG basket is waiting for him to find them.  :)  I was originally going to have him hold that basket but you can see it's way too big for him to hold and still look alright.  So today's sketch challenge at SCS was perfect for the two focal points.  


Outside of the copics I used to color, everything else is SU, though the paper is retired, I love it's boyish plaid and stripes.    

Ok gang, laundry is calling me!  I'll be back tomorrow with another Easter card, I just HAVE to use some of my Easter stamps before Easter is over!   You don't mind hey?

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Picnic Parade, Teeny Tiny Wishes;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze; Paper:  Kraft, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze, SU! DP, Flourishes Classic White;   Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Copic Markers, Kraft Seambinding, Scallop Punch, Dimensionals, Piercer, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Sponge

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Spring in My Step

Good, good day everyone!

We've had some happy news in our house.  Earlier this year our daughter applied for an IB Program (International Baccalaureate) at a High School she very much wanted to get into, it's out of our district, and they are almost always over subscribed in applications, so getting in is not a guarantee.  We've been waiting on pins and needles and got the call today, she's IN!  Woo HOO.  She'll be going to school with one of her very best friends from church, lots of other kids from church and one of her best friends from JH.  We're so grateful!

AND, son #1 applied for a special program in the Junior High he'll be going to in the fall....we also found out last night, he's IN!  And he's overjoyed, so are we!  It's amazing how much energy you put into "waiting", but we also feel so happy to know our kids are in the palm of God's hand, and we're looking forward to what next year had in store, despite the crazy-ness of having a HSer, a JHer and an Elementary kid!

I've stamped for some challenges at Splitcoaststampers.  I never get to do that anymore.  It was fun! This one was for the color challenge, with the colors of Concord Crush, Crumb Cake (Kraft - I'll never get used to calling it Crumb Cake) and Ivory.  I used the SU Sale A Bration set and colored it up with Copic Markers, and used my NEW Spellbinders (Fleur de Lis Rectangles) to frame it up.    The centre bloom is popped up...and again to me the pic looks a little fuzzy.  :(


Here's a bit closer, I added some dots into the outline with my Stampin' Write marker in Kraft to match the blossoms.  




I hope to get a sketch challenge card done Wednesday and I'll post it here too                              

Tidbits:

1.  I'm getting really close to 300 000 hits and 300 followers.  At that sweet 300 grand mark I'll be having some SWEET Blog Candy that I've been saving up for...so stay tuned!  I'm excited to say thank you to you my readers :)

2.   Lately I've had more friend requests on facebook, and you'll also notice I haven't responded.  There's a reason  - honest.  Facebook for me is primarily ministry related.  My husband and I are Youth Pastors and we work with minors.  So, facebook is primarily work (as in ministry) and personal.  And because I work with minors I need to be really careful what's on my page and who sees it.  So, in that way I'm pretty private.  Just so you know - I don't post anything creative or any of those type of notices or links there.  I try and keep my two little worlds separate.  Blog for creative, fb for personal and ministry.  So, that's the FYI for you, I'm really not trying to be a snob or anything!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Botanicals and Birdhouses

Flourishes never ceases to amaze me with wonderful things each month.  I feel so blessed to work with them!  As you probably know they've created new 1 2 3 Kits each month that include paper, ribbon and embellishments together in a very affordable ensemble, so the guesswork is taken out of creating and you can put together something really beautiful.

You probably also know these kits are selling like hotcakes!  And we're so glad you like them!  A new kit called Gabrielle started yesterday (See HERE),  and it even has some gorgeous add-ons to this kit too!   But I have another sample of the last kit  - Botanical to show you today.

Ok, side note, have you noticed that some of the pictures on blogger are showing up blurry?  I just can't understand it?!  It's crisp when I edit them...and then when I put them on the blog they don't have the right definition...sigh - it's really frustrating!...but if you scroll down the closeup will show you better detail.



This set, Friendly Reminders is still one of my all time favourites from Flourishes, and it's this bird house that I especially love :) coloring it is really fun.  I paired it up with the beautiful Prima paper in the kit, Botanical and the embellishments from the kit as well.  And colored up the image with Copics to match the gorgeous paper. 



I've sponged the Beaded Oval Nestabilities, and the Ribbon Tag Die with some Baja ink, it really softens the effect.  Did you see that all the new Spellbinders are in the Flourishes store?  Some very delicious ones :)  I just got my order the other day!  SO exciting.

Alright gang, I hope to spend a good Tuesday day off with my husband.  Hoping this finds you having a good day too!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Little Green Men

How about some Monochromatic Magic? 

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, Karen. She wants us to create a monochromatic card. In order to do that you would choose one or more shades of one color along with ONE neutral color to use in your creation. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! :)  

I thought it would be really cute to do a little green man today with this very fun set from TSG called Out of This World.  It's so super cute isn't it?  


I stamped this little guy onto the smaller planet in the set and then colored him up with Copics (YG11, YG13, YG16, G21, G24, G28) and then gave him some shadow as he's  being lit by "something out there :)".  The sketch is this months' SFYTT from Jen Del Muro.



I've given the stars along the bottom a touch of glitter pen so they're actually shiny, and used my NEW Spellbinders :)  Labels Eighteen which is an awesome die!  I've added the sentiment tabs outside the main card design, 'cause you know he's out of this world :)  

So now you're invited to join us in this monochromatic challenge!  To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that utilizes monochromatic coloring, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (Apr. 25th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store! 


By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :) 

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG103 so we can check out your beautiful work!  

Thanks for dropping by today!

Stamps:  There She Goes - Out of This World;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Pear Tart, SU! Wild Wasabi;  Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Prism Spring Willow Light;  Flourishes Classic White Cardstock, Wild Wasabi Patterned Paper;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Eighteen Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Copic Markers, Sponge, Glitter Pen, Dimensionals, Martha Stewart Quilt Edge Punch.  

Thursday, April 14, 2011

April Showers


Well have you had fun seeing all the fabulous creations this week at Flourishes?  These sets are SO great.  And today's is one of my favourites! It's so sweet, so full of spring and such great images!


I'm crazy about these boots!  I'd totally wear rain boots like this!  :)  I love the leaf theme in the boots so I gave them some deep green and yellow with my Copics and then some touches of coral in the tulips to match this dp from Basic Grey Curio paper.  


Then the part I love the most, a little puddle of water from playing in the rain.  I added a drop of re-inker to some Crystal Effects on a plastic lid, mixing it up with a toothpick and then adding it to the design with the toothpick after everything else was finished.  Then I left it to dry for quite a while.  I love how shiny  - just like water  - it is on and in front of the boots.  

The brads are Basic Grey Curio as well, and the ruffled ribbon is silk placed on strips of Scor Tape.  

The girls on the Design Team have some fantastic projects to show you today....

You can enter to win this set today at the Flourishes Blog

All these fantastic sets are available for purchase now....this next week ONLY at a discount see HERE.

Stamps:  Flourishes - April Showers;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress honey...;  Paper:  Always Artichoke, Flourishes Classic White, Summer Sun, Basic Grey Curio DP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Large Scalloped Ovals Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Quilted Edge Border Punch, Copic Markers, Sponge, Scor Tape, Silk Ribbon in Moss, Sewing Machine, Curio Brads (Basic Grey), Dimensionals, Victorian Embossing Folder.  

Orchids, April Showers and Moms

Wow… did this week go fast and did we have fun! As we wrapped up YET ANOTHER fun and fabulous Release Party, it’s time to report that all of our sets being released for April are now in the store and are ready for YOU! Want to see them in their full glory? Stay tuned to find out how you can QUICKLY win our entire release!!!

Orchids

Orchids-Web-WM

April Showers

April Showers-Web-WM

Motherly Love

Motherly Love-Web-WM


You’ll have to stay tuned for samples of our April Showers set! Look for our Design Team to show off their creations tomorrow!  And I hope you can come back, I love this set!

Now for the details on our fun, fast paced, heart racing, get those creative juices pumping challenge! It's our SPEED CHALLENGE! And, if you have some time to play along, you could win our entire April release! Follow this sketch below and get your card linked on this post by 12 Noon Central Standard Time on FRIDAY and you could be the lucky winner! Below is not only a sketch, but a sample from the lovely Barbara Anders using it. So, let the paper fly and see if you can nab our new release for trying! Use Flourishes stamps if you have them, but play along anyway if you don’t… the clock is ticking! Be sure to add your creation using our Inlinkz linky on the Flourishes Blog!
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speed sketch

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Motherly Love


Can you believe that Mother's Day is not very far away?  Well today Flourishes has you covered with this beautiful sentiment set that speaks of the love of a mother, and how much we appreciate her!


Ever start a card with the ribbon?  I did on this one!  I hadn't used this beautiful coral shade of silk ribbon in a long time, and I was determined to do it on this card!  I paired the beautiful sentiment with the equally beautiful Lenten Rose from the March Release, coloring it up with Copic Markers.  I love how they frame the oval and the sentiment.  Now that I look at it I can see I was highly inspired by Leslie Miller's gorgeous card last month with this set!  

The sentiment is stamped on a sheet of Curio paper from Basic Grey and sits behind the popped up flowers and oval frame.  And this is all on an embossed card base.  


Here's the Copics I used G21, G24, G28, YG00, R30, R32, R35, R43, R46

Now here is a very simple but sweet card that really focusses on the embellishments and sentiment. 


Clear cardstock can really make a design a show stopper can't it?  Here I've created the card base with Flourishes Clear Cardstock, and then added the very pretty Pixie designer paper from Memory Box with the Labels Three Nestabilities shape (outside and inside the card so you can write on it), accenting with the Lotus Shapeabilities die.  These beautiful accent roses are Rose Floret Flowers , and they are gorgeous!  I've added some pretty pleated ribbon in pink and then some rhinestones to frame up the top a little.    If you notice this is a take on this month's Christmas Challenge from Flourishes as well.  



You can enter to win this set today at the Flourishes Blog, just comment to enter! 

Our fantastic Power Hour Release Party is TONIGHT in the Splitcoaststampers Forum.  A great time to chat, see the new sets and samples from the Design Team, play fun games for prizes.  8 PM MTN, 9 PM Central Time.  Please join us!  

And don't forget to come back tomorrow, we have another AWESOME set to show you!

Now head on over to these fabulous Design Team Friends for their Motherly Love samples

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Beautiful Orchids



I was so very delighted to see this set from Marcella's hand :)  Orchids are my mom's very favourite flower and Marcy illustrated them SO beautifully,  I think she really captured the delicate design of an orchid.  I know there will be lots of designing with this set in my future.  It's simply stunning!  

I have two cards to show you today, 'cause I just couldn't help myself!  


I colored these delicate orchids with Prismacolors pencils and OMS for blending.  When I looked up these orchids I often found them in this type of color, pink but almost translucent on the petals, so I tried to capture the depth and also softness in them.  

The papers are Memory Box Gossamer which matched perfectly and still have that soft feel. 


Here you can see a little more detailing on the coloring, the gems and silk bow.  

And now for the second card....I thought I'd incorporate April's Kit from Flourishes (that I showed you on Monday) with the other Orchid stamp....



These gorgeous papers just sing to me :)  I watercolored these Orchids with my Derwent watercolor pencils and a little waterbrush, pulling in the yellows, burgundies and greens from the papers.  I used the delicious ribbons, lace and pearls from the kit as accents.  The card is 5.5 x 5.5 inches.  


Isn't that lace just dreamy?  

Here's a look at the kit again, and a link to it in the store


Now you can head over to see the other amazing beauties with this Orchid set on the Design Team.  

Christine Okken  (you are here)

Back tomorrow with some more beautiful Sneak Peeks!  

Remember - before you go...  

You can enter to win this set today at the Flourishes Blog

You can enter to with the whole release by playing in the Pre-Release Spring Has Sprung Color Challenge

You can order the Pre-Release sets today if you already know you're in love!