Day 3 January FLLC Release Love Sweet Love

thecarusomanner2 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:45:25 +0000

Hello Friends,

Today draws to a close the three days for our Flourishes January 2012 Release. The newest set in the Flourishes line is Love Sweet Love. This set speaks of all things love, chocolate, heart and flowers, and, OK today we added a twis,t a cookie bouquet. That is Love Sweet Love. Here is a peek at this sweet, sweet set:

For today I choose the basket of love in the form of tulips and lilac, two of my favorite flowers; but neither will grow here in the Florida panhandle. In my virtual garden of coloring they are both found often.

If you expected this to be pink, I have disappointed you as I chose a light aqua as my dominate color. I had lots of fun coloring the image using these Flourishes own Copic Collections:

I had a lot of Copic markers on my work space. One of my new luxuries this year is to have a part-time studio assistant. Oh my does this make a difference in my day. Well I am here to tell you she almost passed out when she saw all the markers astrew. “Not to worry”, I told her they are labeled to it’s easy to clean up, she chuckled and let me continue on in my own little corner of the world.

Once the image was colored I trimmed it and had I looked at this through the camera lenses before I continued I would have gone back and re trimmed. Lesson learned. I used a new to me embossing folder from Couture Creations called Hedged Maze. I simply love it. It is a full 5″x7″ folder that makes really deep impressions. We hope to have these in the store real soon. I also used another embossing folder on a second layer. It is new to our store and it is called Debonair Edges by Craft Concepts. After the image was embossed, I sponged with white craft ink and let it dry, then I cut the images apart using only the square image. I cut two pieces of Flourishes Classic White paper with Spellpinders Lacey squares, using the two largest dies. I added a May Arts Twill in Turquoise and then layered it with another piece of woven ribbon from my stash. A small strip of white lace finished off the bottom. I made a bow out of May Arts Two Tone Light Blue ribbon. At the very top a piece of 1/8″ Velvet ribbon was added. In this picture it looks dark but in real lfe it matches the turquoise nicely. Some crystal findings from Michael’s finished it off for me.

Well enough gushing for today. It is time for me to send you on to the designers taking part in today’s release.

Barbara Anders
Julie Koerber
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle
Heather Jensen
Beate Johns
Cindy Haffner
Mona Pendleton

Of course we want you to have lots of chances to win some or even all of this month’s releases so we have a Mystery Blogger

and a Noon Time Challenge in which you can take part…lots of chances and even more if you leave me a love note from this post.

Thanks for sharing your time with me.

Ciao,

FLLC Release Day 2–Heart Lines

thecarusomanner2 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:18:01 +0000

Hello Friends,

Today we are releasing a great new sentinments set called Heart Lines. I think this set by Marcella Hawley is just the right for so many people that we would like to send Valentines and to let some know the are special to us for many other days of the year. So without further here is a peak at the set.

I really had fun creating my card for this set. Again today I used this month’s 1,2,3 Create Kit, Sweet Nothings. Using Peach Blossom cardstock as my base, I then choose papers from the pad of Sweet Nothings paper. Then using Spellbinders Twisted Metal dies, using the largest image in the set, I cut that image twice; once on the small aqua white dot paper and once on the Peach Blossom cardstock. I used the aqua dot paper in the center and then added the large piece as a frame around the insert. Then I cut two more pieces from and additional die from the same die set in Peach Blossom, which when I assembled the center focus, I added to each side. The only coloring on this card was to highlight the outlined words and I using the SU Peach Blossom marker to fill in the open space. I also dyed white ribbon with the same color reinker by placing a few drops in a zip baggie and squashing the ribbon until the color was absorbed through out the piece of ribbon. I then made a peg bow, following Beeca’s instructions, added a Basic Grey Glazed Brad (don’t know the name), but several of them worked quite well. Adding some rhinestones to highlight several areas completedthe look for me. I hope you like it.

There is also a

And a noon time challenge and lots of ways to have a chance to win some of this month’s release stamps.

Visit the designers listed below and leave a note to each of them for yet even more chances to win.

Can’t wait to have these babies in you inky fingers??? I understand, so we’ve made them available in the preview bundle and you can even get the bundle 10% off.

I hope I have added an AH moment to your day. I am glad you came to visit and hope you left me a note in the comment section.

Ciao,

FLLC Release Day 1- From the Heart

thecarusomanner2 — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:22:47 +0000

Hello and welcome today one of Flourishes’ fabulous sneak peeks for January! We have three new sets coming your way designed to deliver a little love to someone else’s life! The calendar might say winter but we’re sure these Valentine sets will WARM your heart!

Introducing…

This classic set – From the Heart – penned by Becky Fleck, offers an antique flavor for Valentine’s Day! An ornate heart stands as a focal point and is a perfect companion to Spellbinders Classic Heart Nestabilities die (S4-136) and Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Heart Nestabilities Die (S4-137). A curled banner is the perfect accent — allowing a few of the sentiments to be stamped inside!

I just love Acanthus style art. It is so classic, found in so much architecture. It is actually a plant that has thorny leaves and is native to tropical and warm temperate regions, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia. Acanthus is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. Several cities are names for this plant such as Acanthus (Greece), an ancient Greek city, Acanthus (Egypt), an ancient Egyptian city, Acanthus, Ontario, a modern Canadian town. Now that I have shared a little bit of knowledge I found on the internet and the suspense heightens, I want to share with you my card for today. So close your eyes tight and then open them now.

Viola !

I used the newest 1,2,3 Create Kit from Flourishes - Sweet Nothings. I love the paper and wonderful accessories in this set. I added two different ribbons from my stash and a jewelry piece I found at Michael’s. I stamped my image in Memento Rich Cocca ink and colored with the Copic Collection Black Cherry.

Would you like to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win!

Barbara Anders
Julie Koerber
Cindy Lawrence
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle
Heather Jensen
Mona Pendleton
Cindy Haffner

Mona Pendleton

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE JANUARY RELEASE? Have you checked out our “ A New Year Challenge”? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in our Noon Time Challenges this week! To do that, all you need to do is check in — right here on the Flourishes blog Wednesday and Thursday at noon! These fast-paced challenges are designed to spark creativity and give you another chance to win some wonderful goodies! All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck!

Can’t wait until all of our sets are revealed Friday morning? Well, you can pre-order them now if you like what you see on our designers’ blogs! Just click HERE. You’ll also see that we are offering our special New Release Bundle again – 10% off if you purchase all three stamp sets in one bundle!

Ciao,

Snow Beautiful in Pink

thecarusomanner2 — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:04:24 +0000

Today Flourishes is having a Free for All for our theme. We have a very special family that we have watched the children grow through the years. Their third child has finish her high school and is off to be an Au Pair for a French family for six months before starting college. I wanted a very special card for her as a Bon Vonage and here it is. Along with the card will be a journal for her to record this wonderful experience. It reminds me of my very first trip to Europe and how much my world expanded. I kept a journal and reread it once a year.

It is a variation of another card I did using the same Snow Beautiful set. I love these little Purple Finches. Here in Florida we don’t have snow or Purple Finches, I know of these great little birds from a calendar page–a most amazing place to learn about so many things in the world–calendar pages.

The Snow Beautiful set and our custom Tailor-Made Keyhole dies are a perfect pairing. I promise I will have another take on this set for winter cards…It is destined to be a go to winter card. The pink cardstock has been hugged in a Couture Creation 5″x7″ folder,Tied Together. I just love the Coutre Creation having this larger size of embossing folders. The detail is just great. We will soon be adding them to the Flourishes store. The images were all colored with Copics –and I had just a touch of bleed through on the pinks…I hurried the process just a tad. It is topped with Flower Soft white and of course, a little glitter. Tiny brown velvet ribbon and white lace are both from Flourishes. The sheer wide white ribbon is layered with satin pink pleated ribbon then festooned with ivory iridescent faceted crystals–they just pick up the colors so beautifully.

Here we are just busy baking and decorating. We don’t actually decorate until the last week of Advent as we are still in a waiting time and getting ready for the coming of Christ. Our Advent wreath is lite each night for supper. At Thanksgiving I bring out my Spode fine Christmas china. The pattern is Christmas rose. I purchased them at the Spode factory outlet in England. Sitting on the floor in the shop,I ran my fingers around each plate then set it down to make sure is was level as these are all the seconds in the factory. I loved the process and treasure the dishes. I plan to share our holiday celebration with you over the next few days.

I know everyone is very busy so I let you scoot to the Flourishes Senior Design Team to see their lovely creations. We are all highlighting the sets from the December bundle and the Tailor-Made Keyhole dies. So off you go to visit. Also, this is the last day to take advantage of Flourishes New Release Bundle — 10% off all new release sets if you buy them in a bundle. You can check out that fabulous deal HERE!

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Sharon Doolittle
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger

Thanks for stopping in the Atelier….I treasure your visits

Ciao

Little Black Dress

thecarusomanner2 — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 03:57:24 +0000

For style, and classic elegance one cannot beat the little black dress. I was so excited when I saw this collection of papers that I knew it was a must have for Flourishes. So we’ve put together a Kit of the Month featuring, Basic Grey Little Black Dress Paper.

The best thing I can say to you is, “if you like it, buy it now”, the quanity is limited. I have used this paper so much on a variety of cards. There is such a range of papers, ribbons, buttons, and trims in this kit that you won’t be disappointed.

Here is my card for today featuring the kit.

I used a layout that Becca at Amazing Paper Grace had used. This layout was so elegant and classic that I knew I would have to find a way to include a graphic on the card. I used the set With Gratitude, our Flip gift for this year, setting on the Blush Blossom paper cut from our very own Tailor-Made Keyhole die. I did a very tiny touch of toning using Copic Cool Neutrals.

I used the Spellbinder Fleur de Lis Squares, just as Becca did. To add a touch of color I used Blush Blossom paper, Little Black dress Paper Pad, and Classic white cardstock, buttons from the kit, then I added some blush colored pearls. I am in love with the way this card turned out.

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE DECEMBER RELEASE? Have you checked out Flourishes’ Feminine Flair Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in their Noon Time Challenges! The Night and Day Challenge or… the Perfect Pear Challenge! All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday!!

Can’t play? Well, you could take advantage of a fabulous deal! Just click HERE for a peek at Flourishes’ New Release Bundle — order both sets for 10% off when you buy it in a bundle!

Today completes our December release and I hope you will hop to all of the designers to see their creations today. So here’s the list:

Thanks for coming back today. I will have a post on the Flourishes blog on Saturday, so hope you will come back for that one as well. As Always I love your visits and read each comment….they spur me on.

Be sure to check out the Flourishes Blog for all the details for challenges and ways to win this month’s great releases.

Ciao for today,

Release Day Two- Pears

thecarusomanner2 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:17:03 +0000

Flourishes is releasing two new stamps this month, both stamps, Snow Wonderful andPears are over the top wonderful. Today we are releasing Pears, to add to our fruit botanical line. Marcella has put her great talents in motion with this set. While this is a slight departure from all of the holiday card making it is a little rest from the total infusion of Christmas in our daily lives.

Pears are in their high point this time of year and Mike & I received a box of them from Harry & David. I used the fresh pears as my guide for this card. I love the combination of the bright green and black and think they work well with this small image from the set. So here is my card for today.

The card uses the Spellbinder Fleur de Lis rectangles. Designer paper from my stash of Basic Grey, Basic White paper, Kaiser black rhinestones,and apple green ribbon from my stash.

You will want to visit the Flourishes blog to get all of the details of the challenges and ways to win this month’s releases. Also remember the

as well as our designer to see the great creations they have made with this wonderful set:

Want both of these set at a discount, then get thm in our December Release bundle and our Tailor-Made Keyhole die as well.

I am grateful for all the get well wishes from all of you. My physical therapy is continuing, still using a walker, but each day is a little better. Thank you for your visit today, I am so glad you came.

Ciao,

Surprise—Happy Birthday Julie

thecarusomanner2 — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:26:30 +0000

For all of you that visit here please see my post for Julie birthday click here to go to the Flourishes blog.

Thanks,

Jan Marie

Final Sneak –First Noel

thecarusomanner2 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:52:28 +0000

Hi Stampers,

Today is the final day of the Flourishes Christmas Holiday Releases. Today we have our signature silhouette artist Lauren Pope taking center stage. Lauren has created a wonderful and easy to stamp image that is full of meaning and elegance. The First Noel is a standout set for stampers looking for the meaning of Christmas!

This set has a wonderful detailed manger scene and the included sentiments are perfect for this set.

In planning for my post today, I put myself in the stamper’s seat, I’m normally there any way. We always need lots of cards for the holidays, we all want them to be beautiful and to speak to our art and creativity. My life gets really busy and time is of the essence, so I created my card with all of these points in mind. So here it is.

Here’s my thinking - dramatic, elegant, one sheet of card stock, ease of mailing. I used the Center Step Card I found on Splitcoaststampers. I printed out the directions and viewed Frances’ tutorial. This is really easy. I followed her directions to the letter and had success on the first try. Too bad is was on scratch paper–now for the real thing. I used one piece of Navy card stock cut 5 1/2″ x 11″, then I cut, scored, and folded as directed. I dusted a second piece of Navy cardstock with my Perfect Printing Pouch to remove any static. Working over a piece of scratch paper I “inked” up the image with VersaMark watermark stamp pad and stamped the image, then generously sprinkled Ranger’s Super Fine Detail gold embossing powder and heat set it. I attached the card to the card face using thick glue dots. On each side of the card I added some ribbon from our Boutique cuts Ruban Fantaisie Lurex-GOLD and then on the top of the gold ribbon I added a string of Kaiser Pearl Strip in white. I used one larger Kaiser pearl on the star.

Here are some other views of the card, first a straight on shot

and now one from the side

I know this will be a go to layout for upcomping cards for the holidays. I think it would be just as pretting using the navy on silver, or a light sky blue silver…my wheels are already turning.

PS…I did add a 1″wide x 4″ long strip wich I scored in the middle and added a score line and 1/2″ on each end and then attached to the inside of th card to make it more stable. Here a side view….look at the strip attaching the front and back of card.

I hope you have enjoyed looking in the Atelier today. I certainly am glad you came.

Please visit our designers today

Be sure to look for the Secret Blogger

Visit the Flourishes Blog for all the details and lots of chances and challenges to win some of these great releases. You may be lucky and win one or all of these beautiful sets. Good luck!

Oh I almost forgot, tomorrow we are releasing a new 1,2,3 Create Kit December 25, there are limited quantities and some of the designers will highlight this kit as well.

Ciao,

Day 3 Joy is in the Air

thecarusomanner2 — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:20:37 +0000

Hi Stampers,

It is another great day here at Flourishes, and we are ready to release another new stamp to our Christmas and Holiday line up. Take center stage…Joy is in the Air!

This set is just full of fun images and ready for all of you that love to color. The globe is the perfect nesting spot for any of the three images that Marcella Hawley has penned for us. This set will bring out the child in us regardless of age. In fact my niece was here this afternoon and her three-year old knows just where to head when she comes over as I have a drawer of colors and art materials for the little ones. She saw the Santa I was working on and giggled and asked for her own! Gotta grow them young!

Here is the card I made to share.

Isn’t he super? I had so much fun coloring that I did three different scenes and had to choose. I made some mistakes along the way……I covered two images with Clear Glaze to have that real feeling…I felt sick as the Copic markers bled terribly, so I just smiled and started over, I had learned another lesson! I used the following Flourishes Copic Collections:

You are right if you think my desk was a pile of Copics, but I was in my glory coloring with joy! I could have doe it all day but then you all would be wondering where your new goodies were sitting..LOL

For more joy, take a spin around the Flourishes designers to see their creations.

Check the Flourishes blog for all the details. Join in the challenges and have lots of chances to wins some of these new luscious sets.

Thanks for making my day special with your visit. Come back tomorrow for another great reveal.

Ciao,

It’s a Big Day for Flourishes!!!

thecarusomanner2 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:38:55 +0000

Hi Stampers,

Today I can hardly contain myself. We are on day two of release with a very special stamp set by Marcella Hawley. Petals & Peace is a unique look at the winter season. This beautiful set has two gorgeous images, one with Roses and Greenery and one with Amaryllis and music score. But to make this even better, we are releasing our very own custom die line, Tailor Made, and made just for us by Spellbinders. So without further adieu here is the set Petals and Peace

And here is the companion die for the set:

Now here is the card I made using these beauties:

Here is an upclose look at the image

The card is 2 dimensional. I used an Anna Griffin embossed and glittered paper for the face of the card, layered on Classic Ivory paper. I cut the keyhole die out thru both pieces of cardstock and stitched the edges. The look through the key hole has the roses images which I cut with the same die, and colored with these Copic collections:

The beautiful silk ribbon is May Arts Silk Champagne. Lots of foam tape keep this layer floating above the keyhole. I really like how this card turned out. All the pieces came together just as I imagined.

There is a lot going on today, so visit the Flourishes blog for all the details. Here is a link list to all the designers joining the hop today, they have a lot to share

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber – D.T. Coordinator
Sharon Doolittle
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Heather Jensen
- Beate Johns
- Cindy Haffner
Of course there is a Secret blogger…so come on along, join the fun.

Thanks for stopping in today.

Ciao,