Just Because

Just because you don't have any stamps from Flourishes doesn't mean we don't have what you like to use. You will find you can still use many of the products we carry with out using any.... or at least many stamps.
The first part of this card was done with LuminArte' metallic mica in gold, I mixed it with Dreamweaver translucent embossing paste (left over from my early years in scrapbooking). I used the paste like "frosting a cake" over a brass stencil.
Also Sharon Johnson gave me the idea of using Dreamweaver paste but I do not have the black paste so I tired translucent paste on black paper. I liked the effect well enough that I will not run out to get black paste...not yet anyway..LOL
I was in a hurry (leaving it to the last minute) to make a birthday card for NancyK, I wanted to use different colors of Mica and paste. Fortunately for me the paste drys within an hour, gives a bright metallic shine, and is easy to mix. Nancy will have to post the card I made for her as I gave it away before I took a picture.
Anyway i made the butterfly and set it aside while designing the rest of the card, by the time I had finished the card the butterfly was dry.
I used the new chocolate metallic paper as the base of my card, I added a DP layer by Memory Box with MayArts chocolate satin ribbon

The butterfly was cut out using Spellbinders classic oval nestabilities and highlighted with pearls. I did use one stamp, the sentiment is from Siberian Iris and cut with the tag trio. I found I like these tag trios because of the more narrow opening, great for just a few words, and they do not overpower the front of the card.
You say you don't have any stamps from Flourishes, well wait till you see what is unveiled next month.

Paper: Chocolate Metallic from Flourishes, Memory Box, SU black and so saffron, Bazzil samples
Ink: nior Black from Flourishes, Distress Ink
Embelishments: Pearls, metallic mica, chocolate ribbon, nesties all from Flourishes
Stamp: Siberian Iris from Flourishes
Small butterfly: Martha Stewart punch

Coffee With Friends

Some days it feels like I have to fight to get anything done, let me rephrase that. I have to make time to get fun things done, why do I have to make time?? because it takes me so long to create a card, that life just keeps interrupting before I can finish.
Believe me this is what I need about now, a nice cup of steaming coffee with fiends, well let me link you to a friend that said May I Suggest Was that already 12 days ago?? Sharon Johnson suggested paper piecing and it is quite easy.
First I stamped with SU garden green on the background paper using the flourish and the flourish with the flower from Coffee With Friends Stamp Simply line at Flourishes, I stamped at an angle. Then I stamped the main image with nior black ink....next stamp the same cup on your DP...for that I just inked the "body" of the cup and lined up the stamp on my paper. Using clear stamps makes it easy to stamp in the perfect spot the first time, I don't know about you but I don't want to waste a single scrap of paper. I did the same for the saucer under the cup.
When I was ready to add the "steam" I found I wanted it to angle off to the left. To achieve that I first stamped on a rubber surface..SU's large retangle in The Shape Of Things worked well... with Brilliance moonlight white, then quickly stamped above the cup and embossed with detail white.
After cutting out the cup and saucer I attached them to the black outline, added a touch of ribbon at the corner with a butterfly on top.
All of the images are from one stamp set, even the sentiment.
Paper: SU and g. c. d.
Ink: Palette Noir Black

Dimensional!

I have been truly inspired by several cards that have been posted in the last week, so much so that I wanted to try my hand using a similar technique.
I say similar because I do not know how Linda Duke made her tole peony, nor can I manage as many layers as Markie's mom, with all the scallops, dots, and embellishments. Their cards have been drop dead gorgeous, you have to see them to believe them.
They have inspired me to try my have at creating a dimensional flower. The reason the rose almost looks dimensional is because it is dimensional, it just doesn't show that well in the picture.
I have three copies of the same image, sent to me by my SBS7 sista Kerri Hunter, the base layer I colored lightly with markers. The second layer I colored in more detail, cut out each petal, bent it slightly with my fingers then attached to the base image using a quickie glue pen.
The black scallop was cut with nestabilities and in this case I used a rolling ball writer by Sailor to make the dots around the edge.
The rest of the card went fast, as I already had an embossed piece of vellum that I had thought to use on another project but didn't, and the black card stock was left over from the last black card I made. Add a little ribbon and an sentiment and DONE.

The second card I made was using lilac and the same technique as with the rose card. I am a little disappointed that it doesn't look as dimensional as IRL , oh well I will just try more layers next time.
Anyway I used lilykate paper, some old scrapbooking papers, buckaroo blue as the base card with a touch of white. Adding sheer ribbon and a "bug" topped off this lilac.

From Australia

I have been reliving this week, my one memory of kindergarten, not having enough time to spend at the easel to color. Now that I am an adult, I still don't have all the time I would like to color, but I sure do try. Our SBS7 is having an image swap, I received my images from Kerri Hunter in Australia earlier this week. The first card was colored with Copic Markers, just a few markers can give you a range of shading depending on how "heavy" a hand you have when applying . I do not have any formal knowledge of using Copic Markers, just my limited experience. But I do love working with them and hope to take their class some day. I added a few touches of SU markers in browns and sky blue with Radiant Rain on the "sky" background.
The paper is BG lilykate, bayou blue, and dark brown, with a touch of steele blue ribbon.
The second card I was a bit more splashy with the ribbon, but then I was trying to give the same image a different look, with a change in shapes and colors



This time I used Nesties to cut the image and scalloped background, added the white dots with a inkssentials white pen. I did add pearl fabric paint, mainly just because I had the color I wanted, but I do like the results. Although it is hard to see the dimension on the pink/rose flowers.
I had fun adding bits and pieces, the blade on the trowel is colored with a silver sharpie pen. The sentiment is from Flourishes Words.
Seems like I am always needing birthday cards, so they go out as soon as I can get them finished.

Just a simple little Peony

Have you ever.....started out to make one thing then ended up making something totally different? Then you come back for a second look..........That is the case with this card, it is one I had made as a condolence card for the office I work in to send out.
In the beginning I had put more black ribbon on left edge. I did not like that look, it was too "heavily decorated" for what I had in mind so I discarded it and started in a whole new direction.
A few days later I can back to Peony and took a second look, took the extra ribbon off the edge and liked the look.
I used SU papers, creamy carmel, garden green, black, white.....I did direct to polymer inking then filled in with SU markers. The 3/8 inch black satin ribbon has the same rich quality as the larger satins but in a more delicate look.

SSC #38 Thinking of You

Using Sharon Johnson's method of stamping simply and her challenge #38 of using silhouettes I made a quick and easy card.

As a matter of fact I employed all of Sharon's "ideals". Ten minute card, Stamp Simply, May I Suggest, and her latest challenge.

I had to laugh though....finding 10 minutes of free time to make a card is not easy some days....not to mention it took me 5 minutes just to tie the bow. It also took me 5 minutes to cut a mask..so all in all it did take a little longer than 10 minutes.

I stamped the silhouette (Marti Gras) on white card stock, stamped again on then cut out to place over the first silhouette so I could stamp the background (Harlequin). Added a little BasicGrey Scarlets Letter paper, both are layered onto black with basic gray as card base.

The ink is noir black and groove guava. Sentiment (All-Year Cheer I) is stamped on gguava . I added black sheer ribbon to complete the card.

After taking the picture I went back and added the circle dots in the harlequin background, it gave it a more finished look.

Releasing: New Design Team & New Stamp Set

It is an exciting time here at Flourishes. We are saying, "Hello" to a new Design Team as well as a new set release, and what a winning combination that is going to be for everyone. I am pleased to announce to you the team;

Leslie Miller is returning as our Senior design member.

Julie Koerber

Faith Hofrichter

Susan Roberts

Linda Duke

Welcome Leslie, Julie, Faith, Susan, and Linda.

Please get to know these ladies by reading in Flourishes newsletter blog their complete biographies. With their background and talents we are looking forward with excitement, welcome!

Here is a look at the new Spring Ephemeral being released the first of June as a bonus. It has

four solid floral images and the common name for these flowers, bleeding heart, checkered lily, forget me not, (I can see more uses for that one) and shooting star.
The first card I made with these images was a combination of two stamps. I place them both on an acrylic block, hand inked them with markers, starting with the lightest color to darkest. I misted lightly with water then stamped on gable green.

The second layer is garden green with just an edge of the black scallop ribbon peeking out from behind the light green. Card base is creamy caramel and finished off with black sheer ribbon.

This would qualify as a ten minute card, especially with inking all the stamps at once and stamping only once. Then it was just a matter of adhering all the layers. Quick and easy!

Hope you enjoy, I know I will enjoy watching what our new design team can do.