Monday, November 30, 2009

Grow

My brother and sister-in-law dedicated our sweet niece on Sunday at Church.  I love dedications, because it's as much a dedication of the parents as it is of the child to God.  We were privleged to stand on the stage with them and surround them when our Senior Pastor was praying for them.  She was just adorable too, she's about 8 months old now and what a cutie! 

So this is the card I made for them.  I thought that the theme of growth would be especially fitting, so I pulled out this Stampavie image from All That Scraps because it has these two cuties watering the flower. 


I wanted to make it very vibrant and girly, so I started with a color palette from Basic Grey's Lemonade DSP.  I also received gorgeous new ribbon from Sharon's Stamp Simply store.  This is amazing velvet Ric Rac, and it's SO luscious! 

The image is colored with copics, (and actually after I took this picture I added a little YG 91 to the leaves and grass to give them a closer match to the Kiwi Kiss greens in the paper and ribbon). 



I popped up the butterfly and then added the letters from my Billboard decorative strip from Sizzix.  I also did a little treatment called the "dirty rag" on the center of the flower.  To give copic coloring texture, you put a little blender solution on an old rag and dab onto the colored area, it pulls some of the color away and you get more of a textured look.   Lastly I didn't like how the color came out on the smaller mouse, so I paper pieced her little dress, and I like it much better. 

I used a ton of Copics, but here are some of the collections I know I used:  Petunia (flower petals and dress details), Sunflower (dress and apron, and butterfly), Peony (dress, ears and cheeks), Spring Greens and Evergreen for the greenery (out of stock right now), and Sky (for the bird, hat details, watering can), warm greys for the bunny (W00, W2, W3) and E31 and E57 for the mouse and flower center.

Recipe:  Stamps:  Stampavive - Mouse and Rabbit with Sunflower;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Purely Pomegranate, Kiwi Kiss, Flourishes Classic White, Basic Grey Lemonade DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Four Nesties, Scalloped Rectangles Nesties, Velvet Ric Rac Ribbon, K & Co Gems, Dimensionals, Copic Markers.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Peaceful Sky

This was a card I did last week for the color challenge that I didn't have time to post last week.  My mom has requested a few Christmas cards from me, and I started on the first couple with the challenge colors.  They were Bermuda Bay, Old Olive and then Pretty in Pink.  You might not be able to see the Pretty in Pink here, but it is there...I sponged them onto the sky behind the branches and pinecones.  Not totally traditional Christmas colors, but if you try hard enough - you can make almost anything Christmassy. 



One tip I find that always gives something a more Christmas look is to add sparkle.  The Christmas season is filled with glitter, light and sparkle.  So after my card was completed I added Crystal Effects to the pinecones and then sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds over them.  They have really nice dimension and sparkle then.  On the picture below you can see it much better. 



Come back tomorrow, I'll show you the card I made for our Niece who was dedicated at Church on Sunday, it was a special time for all of our family!

Stamps:  SU Peaceful Wishes, Teeny Tiny Wishes;  Ink:  Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Pretty in Pink;  Paper:  Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Old Olive Patterns DSP, Bermuday Bay Patterns DSP;  Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Piercer, Modern Lable Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, EK Success Scallop Punch, Sponge, Bermuda Bay Ribbon. 

Hubby Heart to Heart

I thought I would show you the card I made for my husband's birthday last week.  It was sweet and fun to make.  I'll start by telling you the story behind it.

My husband grew up in the US Midwest.  He was always athletic, played most sports that are out there; but he excelled at basketball.  He did well enough to make All-State one year and to be recruited to play basketball in college.  In the US Midwest - you know there are no sports like basketball :) 

Since then, he still plays, but now we've moved to Canada.  And what's the national sport in Canada?  Hmmm?  Any guesses?  Well of course it's hockey!  But you see, my American husband was never allowed to step foot on the ice.  Hockey season ran in direct conflict with basketball season.  And an injury playing hockey would drastically interfere with his BB game, so the coach said absolutely NO Ice Hockey. 

But, my husband being the man he is, decided this year to learn to play hockey (yes he's over 40).  Just because.  So, he joined our church team, and began learning how to skate :)  He's having fun despite the fact that they play at 11:00 at night, and he's even scored some goals.  I'm so proud of him.  He's just that kind of guy, he never gives up, he doesn't think so highly of himself that he can't learn something new, and he sets an example of faithfulness, a heart to learn and grow and an attitude of fun to his family.  I love him. 



So, this is very much a "picture of us".  If you know him he's 6' 3", and I'm maybe 5' 4 1/2" (yes that half matters).  So, on skates he'd be like 6'7" to me.  So, I'm the little shrimp in the green hat (cause I LOVE my green!), and I added braids to my Canadian touque :) with a multi-liner pen. I have quite long hair right now and often wear it in braids like that.  All the extras are colored in with SW Markers. 

I used Mercy's MSC49 for the basic layout, and embossed the black snowflakes in the background and sponged the other sections with white craft to give it that snowy feel. 



If you look carefully you can see that I kept the tiniest sliver of paper between the skates to keep them the right width apart, but not what you could see just looking at the card from the front. 

Thanks for the visit today!

Recipe:  Stamps:  SU - Snow Buddies, Sweet Little Sentiments;  Ink:  Stazon Black, Craft White, VersaMark;  Paper:  Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, RHR Patterns DSP, Old Olive Patterns DSP, Whisper White;  Accessories:  Black Embossing Powder, Stampin' Write Markers, Sponge, Checkered Ribbon, Dimensionals, Kaiser Pearls, Circle Punch

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Let your Fingers do the Shopping


Why fight the crowds today - why not let your fingers do the shopping?   It's far less crowded and stressful!  It's a fantabulous Black Friday sale at Flourishes today ONLY!.... The sale is for 15% off everything in the store (gift certificates included!)  24 hours only~  The promo code to take advantage of this sale will be JINGLE.  
As well, Flourishes is offering something new, so girls bring your husbands over to the computer right now to tell him there is something you need to show him. Flourishes is now offering new Gift Certificates , in $25, $50, $75 and $100 denominations.  And the purchaser will receive a special gift giving certificate for opening. 



Before you go...how about some eye candy to get you there....I finally finished a baby present I had been working on for several weeks for volunteers that work with us.  Their daughter was born about 8 weeks ago...and I wanted to knit her a blanket.  Here's the product of my work. 



So here is the blanket, tag, and card we gave to them.  The blanket is knit with bamboo yarn, which has gorgeous sheen and is SO soft!  I wanted to mirror the stripes from the blanket in the card too. 



Above is a simple little tag I tied on the blanket using the stork flag from the Lampost Greetings set. 


I embossed the lamp post in a baby pink and then took my prismacolor pinks and softly shaded in the post, flag and greenery (pinkery!).  I really wanted a soft tone on tone effect.  Embellishing with rich crochet ribbon and velvet ribbon and some pretty embossing.  I think it will keep this sweet little girl warm this winter! 

Now for some more eye-candy some of our Flourishes girls have more pretty things for you to look at today:  Julie, Leslie and Laura. 

A True Friend

Happy Thanksgiving my US friends! 

Just nothing better than a true friend is there?  I've been blessed this past year to be in a Bible Study/Small Group with some amazing women that have really made a difference in my life.  They spur me on, encourage me, tell me truth - even when I don't like it at first (but always appreciate it later), and just live their lives out in front of me, and beside me with an authentic faith relationship with Jesus.  They are so precious to me.  And I am very thankful for them.  So, here's a friendship card I'll give to at least one of them! :) 



This beautiful PaperTrey set has such interesting and unique blossoms, they are so fun to color!  I used a combination of pinks and yellows and oranges to achieve the variation of colors with my Prismacolor pencils.  A friend in the SU club I go to used this Razzleberry color pairing with this DP and I thought it was gorgeous, and knew it would work with this card.  I overstamped the blossoms on the Razzleberry designer paper too, just to unify it a little more. 

Here's a picture of the dimension on the card, the smaller bloom closest to the camera is "double" popped up, with 2 layers of dimensionals. 



Well, that's it for today!  I've got some cooking to do!

Recipe:  Stamps:  PaperTrey Ink - In Bloom;  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Razzleberry;  Paper;  Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, Regal Rose, SU Raspberry Lemonade DSP, Flourishes Classic Ivory;  Accessories:  Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stump, Big Shot, Labels 8 Nestabilities, Rich Razzleberry Grosgrain, Gold Brads, Dimensionals

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

One Cupcake at a Time

Happy Birthday to the LOVE of my life today!  You are an amazing man my beloved!

Here are the results of another adorable Stampavie set which is new to me, this one called Mouse, Bird, Ladybug Cupcake.


I thought it would be cute for kids cards. I actually tried to make it more masculine/neutral, hoping it might do for one of my 10 year old son's friend's birthday this week. I'm not sure it's "cool" enough, but my son is such a sweetheart he still thinks it will be great. And I asked for his honest opinion too!


I kept my Prisamcolor pencils out to color this sweet scene too, and the primary colors are so nice. I also added texture with the the Sizzix Friend Texture plate on the horizontal strip, and this sentiment is perfect from the SU set Sweet Little Sentiments done on two flags to mirror the horizontal and vertical lines of the card. No ribbon, just a clip and some brads to keep it boy friendly. What's your verdict? Think it will pass for a boy birthday??

To all my American Family and friends, have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow.  We'll be having an American style Thanksgiving dinner with friends to celebrate my husband's birthday. 

Recipe:  Stamps:  Stampavie - Mouse, Bird,  Ladybug Cupcake, SU Sweet Little Sentiments;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Riding Hood Red Patterns, Brilliant Blue, Flourishes Classic White, Whisper White, SU Jersey Shore DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Nestabilities Large Labels, Mini Clip, Silver Brads, Sizzix Friends Texturz Plate, Dimensionals, Prismacolor Pencils, Blending Stump

Monday, November 23, 2009

Leaf Boat Note

Happy Tuesday Everyone! 

Did I mention that I received a bunch of new stamps?  {insert giddy smile} I was just beside myself to get them.  I've been looking at Stampavie Stamps for a while now and their whimsical style just finally got to me.  So here's a first attempt with a really cute one, this mice couple in a leaf boat.  I think it's just darling. 

I hadn't used my Prismacolor pencils for a while and I really wanted to create a softer feel for this image, so pencils are always a great choice.  I know the picture is a little bit soft too, but if I contrast it anymore in the editing program, the coloring really loses its true feel. 



I have to say that Flourishes really has fantastic paper for both Copics and for Prismacolor pencils, it's a dual kind of paper that colors up so beautifully.  I colored the pair with colors that are actually really rare for me.  These are more cool jewel tones, and I'm more of a warm color girl, but I love how it came out in these colors!  Who knew?!

And the Eskimo Kisses paper is fantastic for them I think too.  I used last weeks SCS Sketch flipped. 



So sweet!  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Stampavie - Mice Couple on Leaf, SU Sweet Little Sentiments;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Nestabilites - Deckled Rectangles, Oval Punch, Piercer, Rich Regal Brads, Prismacolor Pencils, Blending stump, Poly-twil Celery Ribbon, Dimensionals

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Autumn Blessings

It was a happenin' weekend at our house.  We had an inch of snow, my husband took a group of High-Schoolers for a weekend retreat at camp, and I was left to man the fort at home.  Our middle son had a Handball tournament all day Saturday and our daughter had a get together with her youth group friends.  We were all going back and forth in different directions.  Keeps you going doesn't it?

But here we are at the beginning of another week.  And for those of you in the US, it's American Thanksgiving this week, we still celebrate both Thanksgivings. :)  How can you resist two turkey dinners?  And another opportunity to be thankful.

So in that theme I have a card for you with a new set for me. 



This pretty Autumn Abundance PTI set has been on my wish list for a while.  I just love the pitcher vases!  I colored the vase and leaves and leaf bough with Copic markers and created a simple design matching the scallops from the square nesties to the scallop edge on the horizontal bough.  Sweet and simple - which is perfect for at this time of the year!



I also colored my clear rhinestones with my YG95 marker to match the artichoke paper.  Love how that works out!

Recipe:  Stamps:  PaperTrey Ink Autumn Abundance;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Always Artichoke;  Paper:  Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, SU Autumn Meadows DSP, Flourishes Classic White;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Nestabilities - Octagons, Scalloped Squares, Ric Rac Scalloped Border, Kasier Rhinestones, Burgundy Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals, Copic Markers.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Pretty Packaging - Tag! You're It!

Getting a little bit of my Christmas shopping done here and there.  Which is always a good thing.  So, my mind has been on more Christmas preparations.  Today Julie Koerber challenged the Flourishes Design Team to incorporate Tags into our designs, and to give you some fun ideas for Christmas and Holiday packages this season.  Julie has a feature on Tags on the Flourishes Blog today with perfect timing for your holiday packages. 

I'll have to admit, we're more of a "tear the packages apart" kind of family.  But a pretty package always gets opened more delicately don't you think?  Almost with the anticipation of something wonderful inside.  So today I created a more extravagent tag for that special present. 



I started with two of the new Copic Collections from the Flourishes store.  Did you know there are 17 NEW Copic Collections in the store?  Today I chose Fuschia and Meadow, (Sunflower on the inner flower) and I'm just beside myself about the Fuschia Collection!  I don't know about you but I have a hard time getting the right reds to combine, but these 3 colors together are magic!  The perfect deep red! 

There are two layers to the poinsettia, and the inner one is popped up, with the leaves tucked behind the flower. 

Tip: When using a cut out flower like this on your design, after cutting the images out, use your Copic Marker to edge the cut piece so that your white paper won't show.  It just gives it a more finished polished look.   


I cut out a Labels Five Shape in Real Red and then added texture with my SU embossing folder and then added the shimmer with Champagne Mist Shimmer paint, as well as adding a really light layer of the shimmer paint on the flower. 

The ribbon is black silk, sorry about the frayed edge...I could not find my good scissors to save my life tonight! 

Now head on over to these fabulous Flourishes women to see their special Tag Creations:  Julie Koerber, Latisha Yoast, Laura Fredrickson, Leslie Miller, Stacy Morgan

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Poinsettia and Boxwood, Fancy Labels;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Garden Green;  Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory, Real Red, Basic Black;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Five Nestabilities, Oval Punch, Champagne Shimmer paint, SU Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Copic Markers (Fuschia and Meadow and Sunflower Collections), Dimensionals, Kaiser Pearls Black, Silk Ribbon, Copper cording

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Pretty Packaging Cocoa and Marshmallows, and Copic Organization

Well we had a really busy day Tuesday, it's our day off and we got some errands done.  We went Ikea (more on that later) and to our Christian Book Store because one of our favourite groups Casting Crowns had a new CD out yesterday.  We are huge Casting Crowns fans.  While at the bookstore we found some AMAZING sales and we stocked up on some Christmas presents for our kids, our nieces and nephew and other family.  Love it when that happens.  I'm such a book lover and my kids are too, so it's never hard to find something to give to read. 

Anyway, I have a cute card to show you today that's just right for a sweet little gift for those cozy, crisp days of winter.  Again, my SU Demo Susan designed it, but it was just so cute that I had to share it with you.



What I love about this cute snowman/marshmallow face  is that he has an inside pocket when you open the card just the right size for a packet of hot chocolate.  You can just see the brad holding the pocket together.  I tried to take a picture of the inside too, but it was so blurry it just wouldn't work.  But trust me, the hot chocolate is in there :)

Now how about what I found at Ikea?  Well, I just got some more Copics from Flourishes the other day and had some issues.  I had no more space!  When I first started getting Copic Markers I bought 2 Copic Binder/Folders, I assured the store owner I'd "never fill them" HA!  I counted again today and I have 137 Copic Markers and 12 atyou Spica pens.  There was no more room in the inn, so I took them all out of the binders and color sorted them and put them in elastics see....



But that's not a very efficent way to store or use them.  So at Ikea today I went looking around for some ideas and found this cool CD storage case that doesn't have any lid.  It's just the right size for markers!  And inexpensive too, $9, and it's quite study. 



And from the front: 




And I still have room for some more in there.  Once that's filled I think I'll quit...maybe. 

What I love about it is that it can sit out on my table when I'm coloring and everything is easily accessible, and then it's easily put away in my shelf.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Pretty Packaging - A Creative Photo Card

Hello everyone!  Hope you're enjoying this new week.  We have unseasonably warm temperatures right now...but we saw a bunny tonight sporting all-white fur...so we're thinking that snow won't be too far away. (sob!) 

Speaking of those icy temperatures coming.  I have a pretty Stair Stepper Card to show you that also doubles as a great photo card.  This project was designed by my SU Demo Susan, so I can't take credit for the design, just the stamping (wink!)



What I really like about this project is that it combines a number of techniques, the Stair Step fold, the mirror image technique and a picture, so it would be perfect for those special people that you want to send a special Christmas picture to.  Now ideally it would be a cozy outdoor picture in the snow (didn't have any snow), or in front of the fire place or the Christmas Tree (not up yet)....so you'll just have to do with this picture of my trio on the first day of school this year. 

Here's a closer picture of the mirroring.  We used acetate to do the double image. And the blue sponging leaving the middle unsponged really gives it a lovely glow. 



And the great news, it still fits in an A2 envelope! 

Have a great day!  See you tomorrow!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Winter Post, Snowflakes set? ;  Ink:  Basic Black, Bordering Blue;  Paper:  Bordering Blue, Basic Black, Whisper White;  Accessories:  Scorer, Sponge, Acetate, Snowflake Punch, Blossom Punch, silver brad

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Pretty Packaging Cups of Friendship

Do you have a Tea Lover in your life?  I think the sharing of a Cup of Tea is so symbolic of friendship, what about you?  I'm not a coffee drinker, but I can do herbal teas, and a number of my friends drink tea. 

This next set called Christmas Tea is beautifully designed by Lauren Pope.  It's delicate and intricate just like a china tea cup, so that's the feel I was going for.  Today's project would be a nice gift for any tea lover in your life.  I created a special box holding various kinds of tea bags, and a tea bag/spoon rest.   This is my favourite project of the release I think.  I'm happy with how it came together from my head to the paper!  And thanks to the encouragement of my sweet friend Broni, I'm entering this into the Moxie Fab World's Plum Crazy Challenge too....



I began by using a box I often use for cards (A2 Box Tutorial here) and  I decorated the lid and bottom of the box before assembling. 

I watercolored the tea cups with reinkers and waterbased markers, then the pretty part, I added watered-down Lumiere to give the tea cups shimmer  - just like a porcelain cup.  Love how it looks!  After I cut it out with my Labels Five Nestabilities, then I masked the cups with Eclipse Tape and sponged with Rich Razzleberry ink.  It really sets off the cups.
 


I thought that it had an old fashioned feel, so I added the large scallops punch along with the crochet lace and Razzleberry ribbon.  The box ties and unties on the right side.

One last closeup of outside to really help you see the shimmer, and then I'll show you the inside. 



Here is what I was able to put inside the box: 



Tazo Passion Tea, Loose Tea bags of Cranberry Apple Zinger (wow it smells good), 2 special Triangular Infusion tea bags from Forte (aren't they a cool shape?) and a Tea Bag Rest/Spoon holder. 

I have to admit, one of my pet peeves is tea bags without tea strings on them.  I hate digging for them in your cup with a spoon and trying to squeeze out the reminaing flavor without a string.  So, on these bags I created my own strings with some linen thread and a circle punch. 



Here is what the box looks like empty.  I took the A2 box and added a separation to it to keep everything from scattering in the box.  Sorry about the photo, I think it's the shadow from my OTT light.



Now head on over to the other Design Team Members blogs for some other fabulous projects with this great set.   Cindy Lawrence, Julie Koerber, Latisha Yoast, Laura Fredrickson, Leslie Miller, and Stacy Morgan.

Join us tonight at 8 PM Mountain time (9 PM Central time) for our power hour Release Party in the Splitcoaststampers Forum!  Games, prizes, and the sets unveiled!

And...to win this great set today head on over to the Flourishes Newsletter to enter!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Christmas Tea;  Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Rich Razzleberry, Black Stazon;  Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss, Kiwi Kiss Patterns DSP, Flourishes European Watercolor paper;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Five Nestabilities, EK Success Scallop Punch, Crochet Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, Reinkers, SW Markers, Aqua Painter, Lumiere, Labels Eight Nestabilities, Sponge, Kaiser Pearls, Dimensionals, Scor Tape, Scor It, Modern Label Punch, Eclipse Tape, 1 inch circle punch.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Pretty Packaging - Lampost Luminary

Have you enjoyed this weeks projects by the Flourishes Team members?  Aren't they great?  I'm blessed to work with such creative girls.   Today I have a really fun set called Lampost Greetings.  It's a set that's so versatile for every occasion. 

When I saw Beate's Luminary Tutorial on SCS a few weeks ago, I knew the idea would be perfect for this set. 


I colored the pretty Lamp Post with Copic markers (Evergreen and Water Collection from Flourishes which should be back in stock soon).   I added borders with my Lattice Borderabilities, and the windows with Labels Six Nesties .  Once I had put the Luminary together I added the Lampost with dimensionals, and then gave the globe sparkle with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter.    Now you can spot a tiny flaw....I totally ran out of Scor Tape & Sticky Tape on yesterday's project (like the very last inch), so this is only adhered with Mono....and the top corner really does need something stronger.  But I just got some so I'll fix it right up.  And another FYI, I trimmed down the greenery from the original image so that more of the light would show through.  I have a Lampost on each of the four sides. 

Inside is a tiny votive...ok, just so you know it should be an electric votive, but I didn't have one (eek!), so I lit a flame votive for the candle in complete fear that that whole project would go poof!  But I took a couple of quick pictures and blew that baby out! 

Here's a closer pic of the coloring: 


Would this be pretty on a table?  I feel like I'm on a romantic walk in New York!

I did work on a 2nd project with this set....and it's so close to completion I just can't stand it, but still not ready for photography....so I'll post it Friday night after the Release Party.  Be sure to join us Friday evening at the SCS Flourishes forum for a great time! 

Back tomorrow with one of my FAVOURITE projects of the whole release! 

Stop by the Design Team's Blogs to see their projects with Lampost Greetings!


Want to win Lampost Greetings set today?  See the Flourishes Newsletter

Recipe:  Stamps:  Lampost Greetings:  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Baja Breeze, Memory Box Dewfrost DSPFlourishes Classic White;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Lattice Borderabilities, Labels 6 Nesties, Dimensionals, Copic Markers, 2 Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Pretty Packaging - Gift Tags & Holder

I have another fantastic set to show you today illustrated by Lauren Pope.  It's called Christmas Borders and it celebrates the whimsy and design of an old fashioned Christmas with the candies, presents and ornaments. 

Do you ever find yourself getting to the stage of wrapping all the presents only to find you don't have any tags to label them?  I was thinking that a really nice and practical gift for someone would be a set of fancy tags, you could even add the wrapping paper to match as part of the gift.  How practical would that be for a Teacher or Hostess you're visiting during the Christmas Season? 

Well, here is my inspired Gift Tag Holder closed.  You can see all the ribbons from the inside collected together on top. 



and here it is open:  (if you click on the picture it will give you an even larger shot).



I used a Timeless Template from Lauren Meader (Recipe Wrap-up) for the  Tag holder, and then filled each pocket with a couple of tags.  I colored each of the Christmas Borders with Copic Markers.   I added various ribbons on the different tags for variety, satins, ginghams, organdies, twine, grosgrain...all intermixed together. 

I really like this last picture.  Instead of a 6th pocket on the far right, I added an acetate section to the panel and then added smaller gift tags attached with glue dots so they can be lifted off and used.  I used my Nestabilities to cut the tags into pretty shapes. 



And here is a closer picture of the coloring on the front. 




So would you like to see what all the other Design Team girls have designed for you with this set? 

and to win this set today be sure to check out the Flourishes Newsletter!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Christmas Borders, Fancy Labels;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Kiwi Kiss, Garden Green, Real Red;  Paper:  Close to Cocoa, Garden Green, Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Flourishes Classic White Paper, Basic Grey Mistletoe DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Fancy Labels Nestie, Labels 8, Labels 2, Borderabilities, Scallop Edge Punch, Kaiser Rhinestones, Various Ribbons, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Brads, Slit Punch

Monday, November 9, 2009

Pretty Packaging - Famous Fudge

Day Two of New Release Sneak Peeks!  And today's set illustrated by Lauren Pope is a great one for home-made gifts.  So many elements in this set to make your packaging special.   

Each year my husband makes a big batch of fudge that we give away to friends, teachers, our volunteers that work with us, etc.  It's a secret recipe that his mom made for all of them growing up (she makes homemade caramels too).  But everyone around here calls it Terry's Famous Fudge.  It's really rich and decadant! 

So my sweetie and our daughter cooked up a batch just for this project! 



Doesn't it just look yummy?!  I cut those two pieces of fudge just to tempt you! 

I began by decorating this great Gift Bag from Flourishes.  I added a strip of Kraft and Burgundy along the bottom, and then just stamped the bag as well.  I decided to go with Craft Ink and Stazon Ink to get really deep coverage.   The gift bags come in packs of 10 and are great for something just like this. 

My favourite part of this project is the twill ribbon.  Look at the detail I was able to get with this stamp - even on the twill!



I held it together with a corduroy brad, which is a nice simple homey touch.   Inside is a YUMMY one-pound tin of Famous Fudge. 

Then I added a little 3 x 3 gift card that can be tucked into the ribbon.  Sweet and simple. 



Today you'll want to visit the Friends of Flourishes Blog Team for all their fabulous samples with this set as well as some of the Senior Design Team.

Betty Wright, Dee Jackson, Kimberly Crawford, Makiko Jones, Silke Ledlow, Julie Koerber, Stacy Morgan and Latisha Yoast. 

Recipe:  Flourishes - Fancy Labels;  Ink:  Close to Cocoa Craft, Bravo Burgundy Craft, White Stazon;  Paper:  Bravo Burgundy, Kraft, Confetti Cream;  Accessories:  Twil Ribbon, Corduroy Brad, Scallop Edge Punch, Big Shot, Labels 2 Nestabilities, Burgundy Grossgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Pretty Packaging - A Banner of Joy



It's time for a fantastic week ahead with more Pretty Packaging ideas!  I have all kinds of festive decorations, gift ideas and packaging ideas for the week ahead...this week with the fabulous Flourishes November Release Sneak Peeks.  Are you ready for a week full of all things wrapped up nice and pretty? 

This is the first year that we have a mantle at this house, and I'm so excited to have it decorated!   When we first moved to this house 11 years ago the mantle was an ugly railroad-like tie.  I really disliked it and asked my husband to take it down....and we said we'd replace it...well it took 10 years (lol!), but this summer my husband made a new mantle, and I love it!  He really did a beautiful job crafting it. 

I used this stunning new set illustrated by Marcy called Christmas Bouquet, it contains beautiful Amaryllis flowers, figs, pinecones, leaves and berries.  I watercolored 3 of the arrangements and created a banner celebrating the JOY of Christmas for our new mantle.  This probably won't be how I decorate the top of the mantle once I really take out all the Christmas decorations...but I wanted to show you a Christmassy feel (I even cut up some of the pine tree in the yard to use as garland!).  Just in case you're wondering, yes I did paint the painting above the mantle, it was way back when I used to draw and watercolor, I did it for my husband because it's one of his favourite Bible verses. 



Because our living room has chocolate browns and "Kiwi Kiss" looking accents right now,  I used the SU Christmas paper from last year called Holiday Treasures.  I thought it would really give it a festive feel. 
 
Here are some closer pictures....
 


It's really such a lovely stamp!



And here is a detail of the coloring.  I used about 6 different greens to achieve the definition between the different leaves. 



 
Well, all week the Flourishes girls Design Team and Friends of Flourishes Blog Team are going to bring you wonderful gift ideas with the New Release Sneak Peeks, so please visit often!  Here's who's up for today!
 
Cindy Lawrence,  Julie Koerber, Latisha YoastLaura FredricksonLeslie MillerStacy Morgan
 
And to win this fantastic set today please see the Flourishes Newsletter

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Christmas Bouquet;  Ink:  Black Stazon, Ruby Red Craft;  Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, European Watercolor Paper, SU Holiday Treasures DSP, Whisper White;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Pennants Die, Labels One Nestabilities, Blossom Nestabilities, Scallop Edge Punch, Kaiser Pearls (Pewter), Fancy Label Punch, Chipboard Letters, Striped Ribbon (SU), K&Co Button Brads, Sticky Strip, Slit Punch, Dimensionals. Reinkers, SW Markers, Aqua Painter. 

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Raindrops on Roses...Pretty Packaging Series

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings, These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels, Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings, These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs, These are a few of my favorite things

Today's Challenge for the Flourishes Design Team was to be inspired by the lyrics to this song from the Sound of Music....one of my favourite movies of all time!  In fact, I asked my then boyfriend - now husband to come to my place after our 3rd date to watch it on TV.  :)  I KNEW it was love if he agreed to come watch the Sound of Music!  He did, and here we are 16 years later.  :)



My mom also asked me to make a candle and card for the mom of a friend who is turning 90.  Really its such a simple gift to make a candle, and yet the fact that the two coordinate makes it special.  The roses go all the way around the candle in the different pink colors.  I also bought a candle dish, but forgot to put it under the candle for the photo.

One of my favourite things is watercoloring, as you probably already know.  There is just something about the blend of color that you can achieve with watercolor that is not possible with any other medium.  I also find the process of blending and laying down color really relaxing; quite peaceful.  So this Rose is perfect for the theme and for the birthday card.  This rose is colored with a blend of reinkers and waterbased markers. 


What you may not be able to see are the tiny "raindrops" on the rose, after the card was completely assembled I added Crystal Effects onto the rose and sprinkled it with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Tip:  To get the raindrop look on the rose:  Because watercolor paper is extremely pourous, be careful to add your Crystal Effect in raised dots rather than spread thin...otherwise it will just spread and soak into the paper rather than standing up like a dot.  OR your other option would be to add a tiny flat circle to the paper, let it dry and seal the paper, and then add more CE in the raised manner.

Here's a closeup of the rose, sorry there's a little smattering of stray glitter which will blow off I'm sure: 



So, we'd like to invite you to join in the challenge....see the Flourishes Newsletter for details on how you can be a part...the prize is the whole fantabulous New Release coming next week! 

Now we invite you to visit all the other Design Team girls to see how they've been inspired by the song "My Favourite Things"


Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes - I Love Roses, Sweet Violets;  Ink:  Black Stazon, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Kiwi Kiss;  Paper;  Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti Cream, Basic Grey Pink Lemonade DSP and Perhaps DSP, Flourishes European Watercolor paper;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Lattice Pendant, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Kaiser Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, Reinkers, Stampin' Write Markers, Aqua Painter, Tissue Paper, Heat Tool, Wax Paper.