Running With Scissors...

Spring Has Arrived

We’re now officially a few days into Spring, and I’m feeling the promise of pretty days ahead.  How about a Spring card to celebrate the change of season?

I used the pretty bird and bluebells image from the Spring is Sprung set today.  It’s delicately colored with Copics and freshened up with a Spring green silk ribbon and Zva pearl flourish.

If you enjoyed last week’s samples of the new Flourishes release, you will surely love seeing a few more from the team today:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Jan Marie Caruso

• Today is your last opportunity to take advantage, if you wish, of this month’s New Release Bundle – all four sets bundled up at a 10% savings.
• Also, another week brings an additional 5% off all sale merchandise.  Flourishes Gambler’s Sale is up to 45% off, now.  See the sale pages here.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.  I’m certainly looking forward to it.  Take good care, and I hope we can meet back here again next week.

Stamps:  Spring is Sprung  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, Prima AnnaLee designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, celery, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Silk ribbon, Zva pearl flourish, Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Squares and Labels One Nestabilities

My Sweetheart

I’ve been saying lately that if Wally gets any sweeter I won't be able to stand it.  He’s less than two years old.  Oh, my. . .  how will I ever get through the next few years?  I hope Wally helps your heart feel happy today.  Hugs from both of us!

A Little Sweetie for a Sweetie

Well, I finally broke down and bought one of these sweet little MFT Pure Innocence sets.  This one is called Just Because You’re Special.  I picked her up on a recent shopping trip at Stamper’s Dream when I was trying to be practical and select stamps unlike anything else I had, but which I thought I would have a use for.  Actually, I had my friend’s granddaughter in mind for this set.  Grandma likes to send cards just because, and they are received with enthusiasm.  It was not just this particularly endearing child, but the sentiments – “You make my little heart happy”, “Just because you’re special”, “Thinking of you” – that sealed the deal. 

I watercolored with Tombow Markers on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper.  If you notice her legs look a little yellow it’s because I thought I’d give her some tights to wear.  A corner punch (old) and some stitching finish the layers.  I avoided an excess of embellishments to keep the card an easy mailer.

These Pure Innocence stamp sets are so popular, I’m thinking of putting a few of these in my “cards for sale” basket at work and see what happens. 

Thank you for your time today.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  MFT Pure Innocence Just Because You’re Special  Paper:  Chocolate, Guava, 90 lb hot press watercolor, BasicGrey Nook & Pantry designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, Guava, Tombow Markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Offray ribbon, K&Co daisy, scallop corner punch, label punch

Snow White and Rose Red

When I was little one of my most treasured possessions was a beautifully illustrated book of Grimm’s Fairytales, and my favorite of those fairytales was Snow White and Rose Red.  I do remember the story of the two kind-hearted daughters of a poor widow who lived in the woods.  They, of course, wound up marrying princes and lived happily ever after.  What I remember most clearly about the story, however, is the two rose trees, one bearing white blooms, the other red.  I always think of that story when I see the rose tree in Flourishes DIY Topiary set.

I colored with Copics on Flourishes Classic White cardstock.  The sentiment can be found in the Sweet Violets set.  The sheer ruffled edge ribbon and Prima butterflies are available at Flourishes, too.

I made this card using supplies from my 1, 2, 3 Create Kit from Flourishes, which featured the Memory Box Brioche paper, some pretty ribbons and crochet trim, and more butterflies, buttons and bling than you can shake a stick at.  These kits were in limited supply and they’re sold out already, but, gee, I’ve got a long way to go before I use everything in the kit.  I’m pretty excited to tell you that Flourishes has put together a new kit for you, and it is…sigh…dreamy!   Take a look:

• Prima Sparkling Spring 48 sheet paper pack
• 2 yards avocado cotton linen ribbon
• 2 yards 1/4” pink silk ribbon
• 1 yard while silk ribbon
• 1 yard cotton ruffle trim
• 12 Prima flowers
• 50 Crystal Mosaic Stickers

Imagine the possibilities!  Check here to find the new March kit, and visit Julie to see a lovely sample of it in use.  Dawn is sharing a sample made with the Brioche kit which I used today.  Thank you!

I’ve got to run now.  I hope your week is off to a good start!  Take care!

Stamps:  DIY Topiary, Sweet Violets  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, Memory Box Brioche  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Brilliant Blue, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, Prima butterfly

Wrapping Up with a Celebration

How about some birthday fun today?

Flourishes saw Spellbinders new Nested Pennants, and Nested Lacey Pennants and knew they needed a stamp set to coordinate with these funky and fresh dies!  The Birthday Pennants set offers 6 different pennants and flags, 9 sentiments, and 8 accents which you can use to deck out your pennant shapes in fun and different ways.

My card requires little explanation as my focus was on clean and simple with the Birthday Pennants set:

I have to say, I do love the way these stamps and pennant dies work together.  The fit is perfect!

Would you like a little more to coordinate with your cards?  How about our new Strips and Stripes background set?  This set offers 3 strips to use together or separately and they all match up with the Birthday Pennants beautifully.  I stamped a coordinating strip and one of the Birthday sentiments inside my card:

Here’s a look at these two sets which were released Thursday night in the Flourishes store:

Birthday Pennants

Strips and Stripes

Because of this match made in Heaven with the Spellbinders Pennant dies, Flourishes has invited some of the awesome Spellbinders team to join us for a little show and tell.  So many different looks for these stamps and dies, and all very fun!  Hop on over and visit:

Barbara Anders     Christine Okken     Cindy Lawrence     Danielle Kennedy     Dawn Burnworth     Julie Koerber     Stacy Morgan     Jan Marie Caruso     Heidi Blankenship     Beth Pingry     Margie Higuchi     Holly Simoni     Mona Pendleton     AJ Otto     Latisha Yoast     Deborah Young     Kazan Clark     Terre Fry

Don’t forget to check in at the Birthday Pennants post on the Flourishes Newsletter to leave a comment for a chance to win the two sets we’re showcasing today!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these last few days with us.  Have yourself a wonderful weekend!

Stamps:  Birthday Pennants, Strips and Stripes  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, black  Ink:  Rose Red, Olive, Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories:  Ribbon, Spellbinders Lacey Nested Pennants

Flourishes New Sets are in the Store

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 March are now in the store and are ready for YOU!  Want to see them in their full glory? Introducing.... Lenten Rose

 Spring Is Sprung

 Birthday Pennants

 Strips & Stripes

You'll have to stay tuned for samples of our Birthday Pennants and Strips & Stripes sets -- look for our Design Team to show off their creations tomorrow along with some very special guests!  Since our Birthday Pennants set is designed to coordinate with Spellbinders Nested Pennants and Nested Lacey Pennants, we've asked some of Spellbinders' finest designers to join us for a good old fashioned blog hop.  So, stay tuned!  See you back here tomorrow! Can't wait to get your hands on these stamps?  Just click HERE to go shopping! :-)

DID YOU CHECK OUT FLOURISHES FIRST EVER SPEED CHALLENGE?  Click HERE to find out how you could QUICKLY win this entire release!

Flourishes Preview, Day 2: Spring is Sprung

Isn’t it a lovely thought – Spring is so close I can smell it, see it, and feel it!  There are days I think I’m only feeling it in my stamp room, but even that gives my spirits a lift.  I think you may feel it a bit, too, when you see the Flourishes preview we’re sharing today.

Marcella Hawley is on fire, I tell you!  This month she’s drawn up some real beauties for us, and today’s set is full of the sweet delights of Spring.

I chose to share my bunny card today.  I love every image in this new Spring is Sprung set.  I watercolored with markers on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper.  I layered two Spellbinders Nestabilities shapes – Labels Four, and Labels Seventeen.  A ZVA pearl flourish and hot pink cotton linen ribbon play dress up along with a double row of stitching.  The sentiment fit nicely into one of my Nested Lacey Pennants shapes, cut to length and tucked under the bow.

Now for the important release details:

• You can preorder Spring is Sprung here.
• As always, the entire release is available at a 10% discount in the New Release Bundle.  It can also be preordered here.
• Leave a comment on the Spring is Sprung post on the Flourishes Newsletter for a chance to win this set.
• Join us in the A Cut Above the Rest Challenge and you just might win the entire March release – four fabulous stamp sets!
• Please accept our invitation to the Power Hour Release Party in the Flourishes Forum on SCS.  The fun starts at 9 pm central tonight (Thursday, the 17th) – games, giveaways, chat, more samples, and the first full reveal of the new sets.

I should mention that Flourishes Gambler's Sale is still going strong.  We're all the way up to 40% off now!  You can see all the sale items here.

You’ll love every sample the team is sharing today!  Take a look:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Jan Marie Caruso

Thanks so much for your time today.  There’s more to come tomorrow.  Hope to see you then!

Stamps:  Spring is Sprung  Paper:  Pink Passion, 90 lb hot press watercolor, Prima Fairy Flora designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir, Celery, Tombow markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, pearl flourish, Spellbinders Labels Four and Labels Seventeen Nestabilities, Spellbinders Nested Lacey Pennants

Flourishes Preview, Day 1: Lenten Rose

Prepare yourself for beauty when you see what Marcella Hawley has illustrated for Flourishes this month.  We begin the previews today with:

There are many colors to choose from for this oh, so lovely Lenten Rose.

I watercolored on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper and used a craft knife and a Spellbinders Standard Oval Nestabilities die as a guide to cut an opening in the card front.  Pearls and scripture grace the design.

• You can preorder Lenten Rose here.
• As always, the entire release is available at a 10% discount in the New Release Bundle.  It can also be preordered here.
• Leave a comment on the Lenten Rose post on the Flourishes Newsletter for a chance to win this set.
• Join us in the A Cut Above the Rest Challenge and you just might win the entire March release – four fabulous stamp sets!
• Please accept our invitation to the Power Hour Release Party in the Flourishes Forum on SCS.  The fun starts at 9 pm central this Thursday, the 17th – games, giveaways, chat, more samples, and the first full reveal of the new sets.

The team has some stunning samples to share with you today:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Jan Marie Caruso

I hope you enjoyed today’s preview of this gorgeous stamp set and will drop in again tomorrow for the next peek.  Have a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Lenten Rose  Paper:  Classic Ivory, Webster’s Pages Lullaby Lane & Life’s Portrait designer paper, 90 lb hot press watercolor  Ink:  Palette Noir, Palette Umber, Tombow markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Pearls, Spellbinders Standard Oval Nestabilities

1, 2, 3 Create

Do you ever struggle to find just the right ingredients for card making?  You love that ribbon, but don’t know what paper will match?  Or you have the paper but don’t have the right embellishments?  Well, Flourishes is taking out the guesswork with its brand new 1, 2, 3 Create Kits.

Each month we’ll release a new kit which contains three essentials – paper, ribbon, and embellishments.  Our first kit features:

• 30 sheets of Memory Box Brioche designer paper (3 each of 10 designs)
• 12 Prima paper butterflies in three sizes
• 60 self-adhesive rhinestones in shades of blue
• 60 buttons in coordinating colors
• Two yards of cotton linen ribbon in turquoise
• One yard of cotton crochet lace
• One yard of red sheer ruffle ribbon

 

All for just $18!  These kits are in limited supply, so you may want to get them while they last.

That’s a lot of butterflies, buttons, and bling to go with those pretty papers and ribbons!  I can guarantee first hand they’re all a great match, too.  I’ve had the opportunity to design with the Brioche Kit this month, and I found that when I sat down with just these items to combine with my own cardstock and stamps, it made the whole process not only simpler, but quite a lot of fun.  I love the summery colors in the Brioche papers, and most of all, I love having red to work with.  It seems there’s not a lot of red in designer papers.

I started with this card:

I’ve covered up a lot of the paper, but it did inspire me to get out this cute Friendly Reminders birdhouse, which I can’t believe I’ve just now colored for the first time.  I watercolored with markers on 90 lb. hot press watercolor paper.

If you have a minute, pop over and visit Julie and Dawn, too.  They’ve also made cards with this month’s 1, 2, 3 Create Kit.  In fact, I’ll go along with you.  I’d love to see how very different each of our designs turned out using the same kit.  Fun stuff!

Thank you for your visit today.  I’ll be back on Wednesday when the Flourishes team begins sharing previews of the new releases.  I think you’re going to love them!  See you soon!

Stamps:  Friendly Reminders  Paper:  Poppy, Saffron, 90 lb hot press watercolor, Memory Box Brioche designer paper  (from kit)  Ink:  Palette Noir, turquoise, various markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, crochet trim, button – all from this month’s 1, 2, 3, Create Kit, linen thread, 1 1/4” and 1 3/8” circle punches, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

A Cut Above–Flourishes Pre-Release Challenge

It’s pre-release challenge time again – the forerunner to the debut of new stamp sets from Flourishes.  We’ll begin sharing previews next week, but first:

This month we’re challenging you to use your die cuts and decorative punches to enhance the focal image of your card or project.  Or, perhaps the die cut or punch could be the focal image, itself.  However you interpret this is up to your own creative instincts.  We’d love to see what you do!  For uploading to an online gallery, see the keyword in the graphic above, and be sure to link your creation on the Newsletter.

I’ve used the Irish Blessing stamp set today.  I couldn’t see how the card would benefit from adding a sentiment to the front, but the set includes this beautiful Irish blessing which I stamped on the inside.  I colored my bundle of shamrocks with Copics and layered three Spellbinders die cuts underneath:

• Standard Circles LG Nestabilities
• Labels Thirteen Nestabilities
• Lattice Pendants Shapeabilities

All three dies were cut simultaneously in my Grand Calibur machine.

Let’s see what the rest of the team has done with their die cuts and punches today:

Barbara Anders

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Danielle Kennedy

Dawn Burnworth

Julie Koerber

Stacy Morgan

Jan Marie Caruso

Just want to mention that Flourishes Gambler’s Sale is up to 35% off now.  It’s an additional 5% every week till it reaches 50%.  See all the sale items here.

Wrapping up this week’s stamping with a wish for you all to have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to catch you back here on Monday!

Stamps:  Irish Blessing  Paper:  Chocolate, Wasabi, Flourishes Classic White, BasicGrey Origins designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, nailheads, Spellbinders as mentioned above, Scotch brand foam mounting tape