Friday, April 30, 2010

And to All a Good Night!

Happy May Day Everyone!  I hope that you are enjoying some sunshine wherever you are.  But, I have something for you today that has everything to do with icy cools not warm sunshine.  :)

Today begins Flourishes Christmas Challenges at the SCS Forum, it's designed to help you get a jump on your Christmas card creations (doesn't that always seem daunting in December?)  Every year I say, I want to have my Christmas cards out Dec 1....never happens.  Maybe this will be my year!

Stacy Morgan is going to be our hostess and this time she's challenged us to use a  fantabulous sketch.


And here's my icy cool Merry Christmas to All...


The card measures 5 1/2 x 5 1/2.  I used this gorgeous wreath from the Seasonal Wreaths sets (a very good all year round set), and colored the Christmas balls with Copic Markers (Robins Egg, Sky, Water, Azure and Holly and Meadow Collections from the Flourishes store).  I also added the background set Holly, stamped in Bermuda Bay ink.  Because I don't really have acrylic blocks that are quite large enough for this background, I used my cool new tool too from Flourishes the Compact Stamp Press, it worked so well and I got a perfect impression.  It's designed to create scenes in one stamping impression, but it works great for big stamps too. 

The papers are Memory Box Spearmint, and I added some real and faux stitching.  For the faux stitching you can see I used my glitter pen to link up the stitches and it adds a really nice touch.


Here you can see a little of the glitter stitches, and the rhinestones I added into the wreath too. 

So, to play, just use this sketch to create a Christmas card using Flourishes stamps. When you wrap it up with a bow, just link up to the challenge thread on SCS and you'll be in the running to win a Flourishes Christmas stamp set of your choice! Just think, you'll get a jump start on your Christmas creations AND have a chance at winning stamps to make even more Christmas cards! Oh what fun it is!! Please use the Keyword FLLCNOEL1 if you upload to Splitcoast. You have until May 30th to submit your cards and Flourishes will announce the winner with next month's challenge!


We hope you play!

Just to remind you too, today is Our Daily Bread Designs New Release Day for May....you'll want to check out the Design Team's wonderful creations starting at the ODBD Blog

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes Seasonal Wreaths, Holiday Greetings;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Prism - Intense Teal; SU Soft Sky, Sage Shadow, Flourishes Classic White Paper, Memory Box Spearmint DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels One Nesties, Copic Markers, Rhinestones, Piercer, Glitter pen, Faux Suede Ruffled Ribbon (Flourishes), Scalloped Punch, Floral Accent Shapeabilities, Dimensionals, Sewing Machine.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Floral Frenzy Friday

Whew Friday.  Glad it's here.

Once a month we gather all the girls from our JH and HS Youth Ministry and do something called Girls ONLY.  This month (Wednesday night) we did a Princess Bride night and it was really amazing.  I'll tell you all about it hopefully next week, and maybe have some pictures for you, as well as the invitation I made to send the girls.  That was a big focus of this week...and it was fantastic to do, but I'll be glad for a little down time this weekend.  My wonderful mom took the boys to her place for a sleepover because Friday is a PD Day for them....so I will hopefully have a beautiful day of rest today. 

And today is a fantastic Flourishes Friday!  May Day is Saturday so we thought we'd do a little Floral Frenzy for you.  The very talented Dawn is doing a focus on the Flourishes Blog about how to use some of the great flower accents in the store, so you'll want to be sure to check out her tutorial. 

My florals today came in the form of watercolored ones. 

I stamped the lattice and roses from the new set Around the Arbor, and then watercolored, adding detail to the wood with my Stampin' Write Marker.  I also added texture with the embossing.  And I used our new Boutique Cuts ribbon in Latte and crochet trim in ivory for the ribbon treatments, the Boutique Cuts section of the store has all sorts of new ribbon, and you can purchase it by the yard!  It's awesome!


So, you can see some more Floral Frenzy inspiration with the rest of the team today:  Danielle Kennedy, Dawn Burnworth, Julie KoerberLaura Fredrickson, Leslie Miller, and  Stacy Morgan

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes Around the Arbor;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Suede;  Paper:  Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Flourishes European Watercolor Paper, Soft Suede Prints DSP, Thoroughly Modern DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Thirteen, Scalloped Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Bow Easy, Glue Dots, Sewing Machine, Kaiser 1/2 Pearls, Sponge, waterbased markers, waterbrush, Dimensionals, Boutique Cuts Ribbon. 

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Up to My Eyeballs!

Wow!  I've been up to my eyeballs in work the past 2 weeks.  And while I love what we do, it's left me very weary when it's day and night like that.  So, you can tell from my intermittant posting that it's been crazy here.  And then when you're that tired, sometimes your creative juices disappear, at least that happens with me.  I really wrestled with this card, and I'm still not sure about it.

Colors today at the SCS Color Challenge are Barely Banana, Old Olive and Ballet Blue. 

I thought this beautiful waterlily flower would really work with the yellow, the lilypads in olive, and the *water* in Ballet Blue.  I did an off-set shape with the designer paper inside the Labels 10 shape which I thought would work with the off-center lily. 


Copic colors used: Flourishes Daffodil and a little Buttercup Collections , and Evergreen Collection on the Lily pads.

Ok, time to get supper going.  Thanks for stopping by and your patience during this busy time!


Saturday, April 24, 2010

A Day For Moms

It's a day for Mom's at Our Daily Bread Designs!  Today the Shining the Light Challenge Team has created cards or projects for Mother's Day and we invite you to get a head start on your Mother's Day creations too!  Here's my contribution today



Wouldn't a wreath or table centerpiece look beautiful for a Mother's Day present?  I used this new Happy Mother's Day set from ODBD and colored it up to match my Kioshi paper using my Prismacolor pencils.  It has a very spring feel with the papers, lots of spring greens and softly colored flowers.  I added the sentiment from the set in vellum inside the oval, so you could still see some of the color through the paper. 



So make sure you join us in the challenge this week!  Link at the ODBD Blog and if you're using online galleries use the keyword ODBDSLC11.  Just a reminder this challenge will go for TWO weeks because next Saturday is a New Release day with the Design Team.  Winners each week earn a gift certificate to the ODBD store!  Fantastic! 

Now you'll want to visit my team sisters to see their beautiful creations for Mother's Day too:

ChrisSabrina, Patter, Natalie, Francie and America

Thursday, April 22, 2010

All That Glitters

Today's Flourishes Friday is Christmas in April :)   We're unveiling a brand new set of challenges at Flourishes that are designed to take the rush out of some of your Christmas preparation.  The DT has a dose of Christmas inspiration today but check back May 1st as we unveil this challenge in our SCS Forum and Stacy Morgan will be your Hostess with the Mostess. Those who participate in our monthly Christmas Challenges will have a shot at winning a Christmas Stamp set of their choice!

Though it's hard to imagine Christmas right now - because we've been having such warm weather....I went back to a tried and true Flourishes set that I have always loved.  All That Glitters, and I love it because of the vintage style ornaments. 



Last year I *had* to have some Christmas paper from SU, and then can you believe it?  I didn't even crack it open!  I was feeling a little guilty about that, so I used this paper today - and look how perfectly the theme matches to the ornaments on the card.  Score!  Totally a traditional Christmas color scheme, but you always know it works then! 
 
The Flourishes vintage ornaments are colored with the Holly and Fuschia Copic Collections from the store.  After coloring I added some Champagne Mist shimmer paint overtop to give them that really sparkly touch.  Then for the vintage feel I added hemp tied it bows for hanging.  Don't you love the ribbons?  one is red velvet, and the other is new braided trim from the store.  I think the combination works nicely. 
 

The sentiment is from our Holiday Greetings Set and it pairs perfectly. 

So head on over to visit the DT girls to see their Christmas Creations,

Cindy Lawrence, Julie Koerber, Laura Fredrickson, Leslie Miller, Danielle Kennedy, Stacy Morgan and Dawn Burnworth isn't Christmas today but she does have something Flourishes to show you!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes All that Glitters, Holiday Greetings;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Garden Green;  Paper:  Garden Green, Very Vanilla, Flourishes Classic Ivory, SU Merry Moments DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Scalloped Rectangles Nestabilities, Embossing Folder Scallop Edge Punch, Hemp, Copic Markers, Glue Dots, Buttons Velvet Ribbon, Braided Edge Ribbon, Dimensionals, SU Shimmer paint.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A Dirty Girl Challenge

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I could play in the Dirty Dozen current and alumni challenge.  But today is finally the day!  Kelly challenged us to an Earth Day creation, since it's Earth Day in just 2 days. 
Requirement - use something recycled on your creation, Restriction - no buttons.

This is my second recycled creation in a week!  It's really making my brain work!  I used a bit of a similar theme....cardboard, but this time I took it apart a little differently.


We just finished using a box and had it in the recycling, I took it out and peeled off both the outer and inner layer of the box to reveal the corrugated cardboard in between.  Then I ran this corrugated layer through my new SU Bird and Branch punch.  It's a little fragile with just being the core of the box, but I carefully sponged the bird and then adhered them down adding some pearls as accent.  Then to match the cardboard, I added some Kraft run through the crimper around the center of the card. 

Happy early Earth Day!  You can find all the other Dirty Girls' creations at Splitcoastampers by using the keyword:  DCED410



Recipe:  Stamps:  Bella Toile Background;  Ink:  Not Quite Navy;  Paper:  Kraft, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Bella Bleu DSP, Cardboard;  Accessories;  Big Shot, Labels 11, Deckled Ovals Nestie, SU Bird and Branch large punch, Crimper, Kaiser pearls, Dimensionals, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge, Bow Easy. 

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A Little Recycling

Today's Our Daily Bread Designs Shining the Light Challenge is a fun one....you need to use something recycled on your creation. 

Hmm, I had to think about that one for a while.  Then my husband came home with a cup of Starbucks coffee and I looked at the coffee sleeve and knew I had my idea! 

Underneath this pretty fruit basket is part of my husband's coffee sleeve, how's that for recycled?  I just cut the sleeve off on each end and then made sure my focal image would cover the Starbucks logo.  I really like the white flourishes on the sleeve so I thought it would great on a card. 


I tried something new with the coloring on this card.  I colored this lovely Fruit of the Spirit image with Copic Markers on Kraft paper, and then added prismacolor pencil in white overtop for highlight.  Coloring with Copics on Kraft gives you a totally different look.  The color somes out much more muted, but I think it's a neat effect.  I cut the table cloth piece of the focal image out and left the top for a Labels One Nestie tipped on the diagonal.


This card will be going to our Senior Pastor, he's just finished a series on the Fruit of the Spirit and he really is an amazingly gifted preacher, so we feel very blessed to work with him, and hear from him each week. 

Now head on over to my DT Sisters to see their recycled creations and then jump in yourself!  Your have a chance of winning $15 in ODBD Gift Certificates!  What could be better???  This week's code is ODBDSLC10 for online galleries and you can link up at the ODBD Blog.

America Kuhn, Chris OlsenFrancie Gumprecht, Natalie Dever, Patter Cross, Sabrina Jackson

Recipe:  Stamps - ODBD Fruit of the Spirit;  Ink - White Craft Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper - Old Olive, Whisper White, Kraft;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels One Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, Scalloped Punch, Olive Satin Ribbon, Stapler, Latte Buttons, Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Friday, April 16, 2010

Unlock Your Future

We had a fantastic time tonight at the Flourishes Release Party!  So fun to see so many of you there.  And now the new sets are available , with the New Release Bundle at a discount this week...and you can see them in all their beauty.  I have one more sample to show you and then you can see the sets.  I used metallic pencils on this one to give it a really cool look.


Around the Arbor







Hats off to You!





Fanciful Flourishes



Spring Bouquet

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A Beautiful Spring Bouquet

Ok, everyone brace yourselves, this set that we're sneak peeking today is going to knock your socks off! 

It's called Spring Bouquet, illustrated by Marcella Hawley, and it's STUNNING.  To me it combines all of what's best about Flourishes, and you'll see some peeks of other floral sets Marcy's done combined in this wonderful bouquet. 

I have two samples for you.  One a little vintage and eclectic, and one fresh and full of spring. 

Vintage Wonderful Mom - I took the inspiration for this card and the colors from these gorgeous new Webster's Pages in the store.  Oh my they are wonderful.  And this one combines both the vellum sheets in the die cuts pack, and the Seaside, Garden Gala and Nature's Storybook pack


I know the colors are bold but I just am so inspired by them!  I used a combination of prismacolor pencils and copic markers to color this.  Prismas on the large turquoise roses, the tulips and the leaves and tiny flowers.  Copics on the Sweet Peas.  An important tip with Copics: The nib is designed to be very pourous so ink flows fluidly through it.  In my Copic Training I was told never to touch the nib of a copic marker to any other medium.  So, if you're combining Prismas and Copics - use the Copics first.  Finish with the Prismas.  Otherwise you run the risk of clogging up your nib or ruining your true color coming out of the marker. 

Here is a closeup of the coloring


And her you can see the beauty of the vellum with the red cherries sheet. 



I've added some vintage touches in the two types of crochet lace ribbon, and the fancy flourish and the number of layers as well.  I think this will be the card for my Mom for Mother's Day because she truly is a wonderful Mom. 


Sunshine Bouquet - Here is another card where I was inspired by paper.  The new Basic Grey Kioshi pad has some great spring-like combinations of color, and I have a deep love for the Apricot shade and new it would pair well with purple. 


This card is watercolored because I new I wanted vivid color and a real contrast between light and dark.  I think it makes the flowers appear so much more real.  Doesn't this Hydrangea punch by Martha Stewart go perfectly here?   It was delightful to color.  The satin and dotted ribbons are from the store too, as well as the black rhinestones


This card just makes me smile.  Hopefully you too! 

The other DT girls will continue to WOW you with this set so give them a visit.

Dawn Burnworth
, Julie Koerber, Leslie Miller , Stacy Morgan, Danielle Kennedy, Cindy Lawrence, Laura Fredrickson


Did you hear the AMAZING NEWS???? Our very own Dawn Burnworth is a brand new SCS Dirty Dozen Girl!  So happy for you my friend! 


And please join us tonight for the release party!  8 pm MTN at the Flourishes SCS Forum.

To enter to win this set leave your comment on the post at the Flourishes Blog and a draw will be made on Saturday for this set! 

Recipe: 

Vintage Wonderful Mom:  Stamps - Flourishes - Spring Bouquet; Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Paper:  Prism Frosted Teal, SU - Riding Hood Red, Flourishes Classic White, Websters's Pages - Vellum Diecuts and Patterned paper;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Floral Accent Shapeabilities, Crochet Ribbon, Piercer, Dimensionals, Prismacolor Pencils, Copic Markers (Sweet Pea Collection and Daffodil Collection). 

Sunshine Bouquet:  Stamps - Flourishes - Spring Bouquet;  Ink:  Black Stazon;  Paper:  Lavendar Lace, Always Apricot, Flourishes European Watercolor Paper, Basic Grey Kioshi Designer Paper;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Pinked Circles Nestability, Satin Ribbon, Dotted Sheer Ribbon, Dimensionals, Waterbased Markers, Waterbrush, Martha Stewart Hydrangea Border Punch, Black Rhinestones. 

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Fanciful Flourishes

Are you like me and love the look of damask and flourished designs?  There's something so elegant and versatile about them.  Today we have a fantastic set designed by Becky Fleck that incorporates the elegance of flourishes, damask in three different styles, and is creative about how you can put them together. 

I'll start with this Vellum Flourished Butterflies card.  There are two parts to this butterfly stamp, the flourished stamp, and the solid background.  You can layer them or use them separately.  I started by stamping the solid butterfly stamp on the white background layer (cut with Labels 8) in this pretty purple ink (Lavendar Lace).   Then I used the same size Label cut in cardstock vellum and stamped the flourished butterflies in White Craft ink and embossed them.  Then I took this fantastic new tool from Flourishes the Retractable Blade, and cut out the vellum layer of the butterflies, leaving the body intact.  After placing these two layers off-set from each other, I raised the butterfly wings. 


Here is a closeup where you can see the embossing in more detail, as well as the Stardust pen and the fancy piercing.  So pretty isn' it?  I think it's the silk ribbon that just puts it over the top though. 


Now how about something very dramatic as a change?  On this card I used two of the damask elements to create a type of "patterned paper" look.  I chose really strong color contrasts in the Razzleberry and Kiwi Kiss.  The Razzleberry is the larger damask image, and the Kiwi is the smaller damask.  You could use tons of different color combinations here too. 


I realized that the U Scallop Oval punch works perfectly with this large EK Success Scallop.  These pretty embellishments in the center area are new in the store from Prima - Say it in Pearls....back in stock soon :)  They are GORGEOUS and really fit with this type of card.  Focal Nesties Shape is Labels Six. 

Here's a couple of pictures that show you the scallops front: 

And back. 


My other DT sisters have fantastic things to show you again today: 


Dawn BurnworthJulie Koerber, Leslie Miller, Stacy Morgan, Danielle Kennedy, Cindy Lawrence, Laura Fredrickson

To enter to win this great set see the Flourishes Blog to enter.  Winners will be chosen and posted on Saturday.   And be sure to join us for the Release Party at the Splitcoaststampers Flourishes Forum, Friday Night 8 PM Mountain Time.  Never been before? Please come, it's an hour of fun, full peeks at the new Releases, games, more chances to win and lots of fun chatter! 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Flourishes Release Week Begins!

I have two fantastic sets to show you today for the April Releases at Flourishes

The first is a perfect set for those celebrating a very special accomplishment in their life.  Graduation!  It has some great elements that can stand alone or be used together to create a great card, or set of cards for those in your life.  It could also be used for back-to-school or teacher cards as well. 

I have a clean and simple design for you with the set, Hats Off to You


I actually started this card with the ribbon....I just love the stripe to this ribbon in the Flourishes Store.  I stamped one of the sentiments from the set "Hats off to you" in white Craft ink on Kraft cardstock.  On the main panel I stamped all the hats as if the whole class were throwing them up.  I added the sentiment around the main scalloped circle in a curve.  One of the best things about clear stamps is that you can curve them and see where you are stamping.  The piercing is with an Ecstacy template. 


Simple, but also easily re-creatable in case you have a lot of Congrat's cards to make, and you could easily use your own grad's colors. 

Around the Arbor

Now for the very beautiful set Around the Arbor, this set combines beautiful items in a garden that you'd want to relax in, along with some lovely sentiments.  I call this one Secret Garden.  :)


I started by coloring in the trellis and gorgeous vining roses with Copic markers (Daffodil Collection, Tiger Lily Collection, Evergreen Collection, Poppy Collection, and Flesh Tones).  I framed it with the Spellbinders Foliage Frame, and then took some pretty scalloped ribbon in Apple Green, and attached it behind the frame with Scor-Tape in a diagonal pattern like the trellis design. Here's another angle.


And a closeup, you can see some of the glittery touches I added with my Stardust pen ...


And there are so many other pretty parts to this set too!  Be sure to stop by my Design Team sisters to see their beautiful creations with these sets.

Want to win these great sets ???  Go to the Flourishes Blog to enter your name on today's post.  We'll be drawing for all the winners on Saturday there! 

Nothing Better...

Nothing better than a late afternoon card :)  Today was our day off, so I spent time with my beloved husband, and had a nice lunch at a Neopolitan Italian Pizza place. 

Today's Color Challenge over at SCS is with three colors that I happen to really like - which will all be retired this June.  You've probably heard about SU's color revamp.  I know I will love all the new colors, but I have to say, there are some that I will really miss.  And SHEESH!  We didn't get Kiwi Kiss back!  What's wrong with the world!  Alright, I've vented, I feel better now.

I really love the warmth to this color palette - Blush Blossom (which I will really miss), Cameo Coral (another I will miss) and Ruby Red (I LOVE Ruby Red, but we are getting Riding Hood Red ...so I feel somewhat consoled). 


This is a pretty clean and simple design for me actually.  'Cause my friend Dianne (yes you know who you are woman! :) ) accused me of putting "a million layers on everything and piercing everything".  (LOL waving Dianne!).  So, this is only 6 layers by my count girly, and NO piercing.  This is PTI's beautiful In Bloom set, and it's just made to be colored with Copic Markers.  I intentionally layered the stamps overtop of each other to see if I could achieve a bit different look with the markers.  I think next time I'd overlap less, thought I still like it.

Colors I used:  Flourishes Sweet Pea Collection (R00, 01, 11, 12, 14) and YR01, and R35.  YG0000, YG00, and YG03 on the leaves.  Silk Ribbon with a Ribbon Slide as accent, a little punching and pearls.  That's it! 

Now stop back later tonight....like 11 pm ish, it's Release Week at Flourishes and I have some great things to show you! 

Recipe:  Stamps:  PTI - In Bloom;  Ink:  - Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Gina K Pure Luxury Cardstock, SU - Patterned Paper;  Accessories:  (SU) Scallop Edge Punch and Corner Punch, Kaiser Pearls (Latte), Flourishes Finishing Touches Ribbon Slide Copper, Silk Ribbon, Dimensionals

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Ask, Seek, Knock and Wild Roses

This week's ODBD Shining the Light Challenge is a great sketch for you to play with. 

Here's the Sketch


I was feeling like making a couple of cards, one masculine and one more feminine.  Here is the masculine one...
I love the richness to this door from the Ask, Seek and Knock set.  I colored it with Copic markers giving the door hardware some blue touches to match the paper I chose. 

I stamped one of the verses all over the background Baja Blue layer and weathered it a little with the stamp pad.  Then I cut the verse into parts and distressed them and added them over the ribbon.


Now to the feminine version...


This is the very beautiful new set Mom, I thought the flower looked just like a wild rose that we have so many of around here along the wooded parts.  It's actually our Province's official flower, so I made this for the Inspiration Challenge at SCS today too.  I colored these with Copics as well taking my colors from the Basic Grey Green at Heart paper again :)  It's totally yummy. 


So there you have it, a masculine and feminine version of the sketch!  We'd love for you to join us by creating something with the sketch too.   Use your ODBD stamps and you could be eligible for our Shining the Light Award, and a random player will win a $15 gift certificate to the ODBD Store.  Link your creation at the ODBD Blog, and online galleries using the code ODBDSLC9. 

Now head on over to my ODBD Challenge Team Sisters to see their sketch creations:  America Kuhn, Chris OlsenFrancie Gumprecht, Natalie Dever, Patter Cross, Sabrina Jackson

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Little Twinchie Fun

Happy it's another Flourishes Friday :)  Today we're beginning our pre-release challenge for a great set of new stamps to be released a week from today!  You will LOVE them too!

So, what's our challenge?  What's 2 by 2 and loves to take center stage? It's a "twinchie" and it's what our release week challenge is all about. To take part, all you need to do is make a 2 by 2 inch segment the focal point on your card.   I liked them so much I had to make 2 Twinchies the focal point of my card!

Actually there are a lot of Flourishes stamps that are perfect for this challenge because so many of our stamps have the image in different scale sizes.  I took out this beautiful Lilac set and inked the smaller lilac blooms twice and colored them with Copic Markers (Petunia and Meadow Collections)   I took my color palette from this yummy new Basic Grey Paper Green at Heart, it's a perfect match to Razzleberry and Melon Mambo cardstock from SU. 


Below you can see the fluttering butterflies and the fancy flourish edges.  Two types of ribbon too - dotted sheer in Apple Green (which I LOVE!) and Scalloped Edge in Bright Pink.  Ok, so maybe the two ribbons were a little overkill, but it's a bright card :) 


So now I KNOW you want to jump in and create with Twinchies too!  You have until Friday, April 16th at 5 PM EST to enter for your chance to win our entire April release! Use Flourishes stamps if you have them, but if you don't please play along anyway. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword FLLCAPR10. Keep in mind, in order to be eligible, you need to link your creation to the Flourishes blog post using the inlinkz linky. Good luck! We can't wait to see what you create!

Here's the links to all the other fabulous Flourishes DT girls and their Twinchie creations today!

Cindy Lawrence, Danielle Kennedy, Dawn Burnworth, Julie Koerber, Laura Fredrickson, Leslie Miller and Stacy Morgan

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Every Step of the Way

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter.  We took the opportunity with Spring Break and Easter to go to visit my husband's family in the US.  2800 + km, and about 36 hours of driving.  But it was a good trip and I feel blessed that we were able to do it.  We were able to meet our new nephew, and for the kids - their new cousin Gideon for the first time.  He's just 4 months now and we got in lots of cuddles and holding time with him, he is precious.  Our kids just love being with their cousins and seeing Grandma and Grandpa. 

A highlight for me was our youngest son learning how to ride his 2 wheeler.  Last summer we tried to teach him, but he just couldn't grasp the balance and emphatically told us, "NOPE, no more, I'm done trying".  So we left it till this spring.  My delight was seeing him grab hold of it in one day and now we have another little bike rider.  He just LOVED finally being able to ride with his brother and cousins.  The wonderful thing is that my husband's home town is so small probably about 300 people that the streets are quiet and the kids can play anywhere they want.

Here's my little guy in action. 


We had a blizzard while we were there, a 6 hour power outage, rain, sunshine, lots of games, Easter Egg decorating and Easter Egg Hunts.  All very exciting for 8 kids under 13 years old.   

So now we're home and my allergies have kicked in full force.  I don't know if I've ever had them like this - I honestly think I used an entire box of Kleenex yesterday. 

I tried today to get back in the swing of things creating, so I made a card with yesterday's Color Challenge at SCS, Soft Suede, Tempting Turquoise and Certainly Celery, and today's Sketch Challenge as well.


I'll admit, my watercoloring is a little rough here.  My waterbrush was a tad too damp and these are really tiny images.  But aren't they cute?  I added some grass to ground the images, and I tried to replicate the flag in the sentiment too, and added some sewing to border the patterned paper pieces. 

Cutie patootie :) 

Recipe:  Stamps:  SU - Picnic Parade;  Ink:  Stazon;  Paper:  Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery Prints, Turquoise DSP....I think from Bali Breeze, Watercolor Paper;  Accessories:  SW Markers, Waterbrush, Playground Buttons, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Pinked Hearts Border Punch, Sewing Machine, Glue Dots, Corner Rounder.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Cast Your Cares

Today's Shining the Light Challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs is so fun and fitting for a post-April Fool's Day.  Today we want you to use stitching or for April Fool's - faux stitching on your creation!  I chose to go with the faux stitching route since I haven't done it for a long time.  I wanted to get some more masculine cards in my stash too, so I pulled out this great set Fishers of Men, and my Copic Markers. 
 

After coloring the card I added sponging details with my Ranger Distress Inks (Tea Stain), and then added some copic pointillism for the sand, and glittery shimmer on the details with my glitter pen.  For my faux stitching I added a faux blanket stitch around the edges and then two cross stitches on each side of the main image.  I also like the nautical knotting I added with the hemp on each side too.  It all helps with the masculine feel too. 


So join us on the challenge this week!  Get stitchy with us, and use the code ODBDSLC8, and upload your link to the ODBD blog.  Each week we get to award a $15 prize to the ODBD store, and for those who use ODBD Stamps - a Shining the Light Award too! 

For more inspiration see the Challenge Team's creations:  America Kuhn, Chris OlsenFrancie Gumprecht, Natalie Dever, Patter Cross, and Sabrina Jackson