Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Trendie Tassels

Today I get to show you a fun trend on the There She Goes Blog... Tassels!   I read recently on a Fashion Website  via Moxie Fab World that Tassels are going to be the trend in fashion this spring, so you can only imagine that they'll be the IN thing cardmaking too :)  

I am so taken by this gorgeous new stamp set illustrated by Chris Dark, Season's Greetings.  The vintage country feel is just so well done in this set!   I thought I'd make something I can set out each Christmas as a pretty festive decoration, a 3D Christmas Frame.  It would make a nice gift too I think, especially if someone liked Santa's or Snowmen which are also included in this set.    You can click on these pictures to make them larger to see more detail.  


I colored up this gorgeous Santa, and these pretty trees with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS, I stamped several of each and layered them in the design for a real Paper-Tole effect.   The trees and hills are under the glass and the Santa, the tassel and the buttons are overtop of the glass on this frame.  That way you don't lose all of the 3D effect.  


Above you can see some of the dimension of the Santa... I added a warm golden glow around the images, I thought it suited that vintage country feel.  



Above is the pretty tassel, and some buttons over the glass...



And a little dimension on the tree, as well as sponging and sewing on the designer paper hills.  


On the TSG site I have a tutorial on how to make the tassel....so be sure to check it out.  :)

Recipe:  Stamps:  There She Goes - Season's Greetings;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Tea Stain, Honey, Vintage Photo;   Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory, Jenni Bowlin DSP - Vintage Red Line, Red/Black Line Extension; Accessories:  Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Blending Stumps, Various Buttons, Glue Dots, Scor Tape, Dimensionals, Grossgrain Ribbon, Jute Twine, Frame, Sponge, Sewing Machine. 

Monday, November 29, 2010

Christmas Tea

My mom asked if I would make a gift for a good friend of her's who had a birthday.  She requested a bookmark as one of the items, and her friend loves these purpley-razzleberry shades.


Last year I had created a pretty Christmas Tea box  (see this post for all the details), so I knew it would work again for this gift too.  The set is the beautiful Christmas Tea from Flourishes. 


Here is the bookmark....I hadn't watercolored for SOME time, but I pulled out the brush and reinkers/markers for this one.  I'm a little out of practise!  I also added some Lumiere overtop of the cups (you might be able to see the shimmer), it gives them the feeling of real china.  I masked the cups with Eclipse masking tape and then sponged the cups heavily with Razzleberry ink, you can really see the texture of the watercolor paper with the sponging.  




And here is the card.  Watercolored again as well, and I tried to keep the feeling of the box and bookmark in the card too.  I cut out a sprig of holly and berries and added it to the design.



A pretty little set for the Birthday Girl!

Thanks for dropping by today, I'll be back again with something tomorrow!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes Christmas Tea;  Ink:  Black Stazon, Rich Razzleberry;  Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Rich Razzleberry, Flourishes European Watercolor paper, SU! Cottage Wall DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, EK Success Scallop Punch, Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, White Crochet Ribbon, Dimensionals, Pearls, Watercolor brush, Reinkers/SW Markers, Lumiere, Sponge, Eclipse Masking Tape, Slit Punch.  

Sunday, November 28, 2010

'Sup Dude? Cards for Kids Challenge

This week I get to hostess the There She Goes Challenge and invite you on in!  :)    I'm so excited!

I often need kids cards....with three kids and all, I find that birthday parties sometimes catch me by surprise and I'm sorry but I just can BUY a card anymore :)  So, I created this card for one of our middle son's best friends who had a birthday coming.  They love to do adventurous things together.  Last Christmas they spent a day with us in the mountains and we sledded/snowboarded just outside the house on the smaller hill.  They had a hoot, so I thought this would be a fitting card for him...


I'm in love with anything Torico draws for TSG....and this set is no exception...These cute snow puppies in Snowy Days just make me smile...especially this little DUDE with his bum in the air on his snowboard.  eeee hee hee!  It just makes me giggle!

And call me crazy, but I'm quite in love with this card too.  It turned out even better than in my head!  I colored up parts of the pup with Prismacolor pencils and OMS and then paper pieced his jacket (don't all snow boarders have crazy plaid jackets like this?)  and his touque and snowboard, adding depth with some prismacolors on the paper pieced parts.    What I really love are all the diamonds in the paper and in my awesome Spellbinders Diamonds.  I offset the frame and inside diamonds to give it the feeling of motion.  


Some crazy sewing completes the motion feel and some great corduroy brads.  It was a delight to make.

Hope you can join us in making a card for kids!  More details on the TSG Blog.....You could find yourself in the TSG Trendsetting Spotlight next week ...and the winner gets a gift certificate to the TSG store!

Recipe:  Stamps:  There She Goes - Snowy Days;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss;  Paper:  Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Flourishes Classic White, SU! Muirfield DSP;  Accessories:  Bit Shot, Diamonds Nestabilities, Sewing Machine, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Blending Stumps,  Corduroy Brads, Dimensionals.  

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Little Black Friday Shopping?




Get those shopping bags ready because Flourishes is having a fantastic Black Friday sale!  
That's right... everything in the store is now 15% off EVERYTHING! To shop, simply use the code SAVINGS4U at the time of check out in the promotional code box. Stock up for yourself or think of those crafty folks in your life that might want some Flourishes goodies under the tree. And remember, if you can’t think of what to buy the crafter who has everything, we have gift certificates! 

So, get shopping! This BLACK FRIDAY sale ends when Friday comes to a close -- 24 hours only!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Gather a Harvest of Love

Today I have a sweet little 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 inch card to show you for American Thanksgiving and the Sketch Challenge today at Splitcoaststampers.


I've colored up this beautiful bevy of fruit and veggies from There She Goes Bountiful Blessings Set , with some rich autumn colors with Copic Markers.  I've sponged the edges with Ranger Distress Rusty Hinge.  The designer paper is from Basic Grey Indian Summer.  


We have so much to be thankful for.... I really want to be a person who doesn't take that for granted.  My Dad is home from the hospital with some new medications that seem to be taking care of his heart, and he won't need a pacemaker yet.  Our kids are healthy and full of life.  Just yesterday we had Parent Teacher conferences for our sons and both teachers talked about their character, leadership and what a positive addition they are to the class.  What more could a parent want?  I am blessed with love all around me, and especially a husband that is the best friend I could ever have.  This year American Thanksgiving is also his birthday ...so I can be doubly thankful.

Have a great day friends!

Recipe:  Stamps:  There She Goes - Bountiful Blessings;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Rusty Hinge;  Paper:  Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Flourishes Classic White, Basic Grey - Indian Summer;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels 11 Nestabilities Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Sponge, Rhinestones, Flourishes Lace/Velvet Ribbon in Chocolate, Dimensionals, Copic Markers, Corner Rounder.  

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Warm Hearts

Happy TSG Release Week Everyone!  This coming week you'll be able to see the fabulous NEW Releases coming out from There She Goes!  And WOW you will be so excited once you see them!  

Today we're challenging you to use these great colors together with us.  More deets are available on the TSG blog on how to enter, but the winner will get a gift certificate to the TSG store...something you might want to use on this new release :)


So, here's my little snowglobe with this cutie patootie pair.  I've stamped this Snowy Days set onto Kraft or Crumb Cake whatever you'd like to call it :), and then added the color with Prismacolor pencils.  As well as stamping a veritable snowstorm in white craft ink with the fun snowflakes in this set.  

Other details of note:  I've debossed/letterpress inked the snowflakes on the Cherry Cobbler Panel and added smaller Beaded Circle dies on the left side as accent.  I did create a *bottom* for the snow globe and embossed some lines in as well as sponging with white.  I also wove some twine through the beaded circle and then wound it around the corduroy brad and tied a second bow which looks fun I think.   I've scored the card base and the white layer in stripes (to look like a blizzard coming down), but it is hard to see in these photos.  


Do you notice the cute bed of new Flower Soft Polar White snow they are standing on?  :)

I know the other Trendsetters will have fabulous things to show you....so check out all the links on the TSG Blog.

Recipe:  Stamps:  There She Goes Snowy Days;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, White Craft, Cherry Cobbler;  Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Crumb Cake;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Beaded Circles Nestabilities, Prismacolor Pencils, Sewing Machine, Corduroy Brads, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Peppermint Twine (Flourishes), Dimensionals, Red Pearls, White Pearls, Polor White Flower Soft, Scor Pal. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Joy for Julie

Hi Everyone!

Saturday is a BIG day for my friend Julie Koerber, our DT Coordinator at Flourishes....she has a monumental Birthday today!  :)  So I made something to celebrate her....

I'm a little late for the fun sketch Julie gave us for Flourishes Friday but here's the starting point.



So here's what should arrive in your mailbox this week Julie :)  

She's an absolute gem and it has been my privilege to work with her for these past several years.  She's the brain that keeps everything running creatively and smoothly for us Flourishes girls, plus she's a really wonderful lady and friend.  There are these times when this *cyber* dt world has brought me it touch with some truly beautiful people, and I can count Julie as one of my friends who I've actually met and hugged in real life too, she's someone I'm really grateful for.  Blessings on you Julie!   

I've colored up these gorgeous Paperwhites with Copic Markers.  On the center/middle panel I took all of the one word sentiments and flower names that Marcy gave us and created a collage of words in Cherry Cobbler and sponged the inner panel.  I think it gives it a pretty botanical feel.  


The rest is just pretty Spellbinders shapes (Lacey Circles, Mega Deckled Rectangles), some pretty embossing, and pearls.  

It was good to create again.  Friday is the first day I've really been home.  The new medications they've put my Dad on seem to be doing what we had hoped, and though they'll monitor him for several more days there, we're feeling much more hopeful, he's feeling better and getting fiesty again, and then the good news is he doesn't need a pacemaker yet.  So that's positive too.  Thanks to the many of you who were thinking of us and praying for us.  I truly appreciate it.  I'll hopefully catch up a little with some of you this week, as well as catch up on work and all I've left undone at home!  I told my friend on the phone today....all the public spaces in our house look clean....but the private spaces...not so much!  Thanks for sticking with me!


Recipe:  Stamps - Flourishes - Paperwhites;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Cherry Cobbler;  Paper:  Whisper White, Flourishes Classic White, Cherry Cobbler;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, Small Mega Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities, Two toned ribbon, Prima Designer Pearls, Embossing Folder (Floral Screen? - or Victorian?),  Dimensionals, Copic Markers

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bountiful Blessings Wreath

I love beautiful wreaths....Autumn ones, Christmas ones.  To me a beautiful wreath is such a festive decoration.  I received some beautiful new sets from There She Goes which included this beautiful Bountiful Blessings set.  Perfect for autumn, and for American Thanksgiving coming up here shortly, so earlier this week I made a quick card with it.  


I've colored this beautiful wreath up with Copic Markers to match a number of papers I put together from several packs, Basic Grey Indian Summer, Memento Tinsel and another pack I can't remember.  I used the Mojo sketch from this week as well.  I thought the large circle was a great match for the wreath.  


I've woven some narrow satin ribbon through the two Lacey Circles which always looks so nice, and added some leaf accents around the sentiment.  Simple yet elegant.

Well, gang....as I write this Wednesday night, I'm exhausted.  Today I presented at an Administrators Symposium, was at the hospital and then did the kids after school thing and then to church tonight - though I just dropped our daughter off and came home.   The week has taken it's toll on me so I'll be taking a couple of days off I think.  I tried to be creative tonight and my brain is fried.  Nothings working.  My Dad is so far not getting a pacemaker, they want to try a new medication on him first, if it works it would eliminate him having to have surgery.  So he's there a few more days at least.


Recipe:  Stamps:  There She Goes - Bountiful Blessings;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Flourishes Classic Ivory, Basic Grey Indian Summer, Memory Box Tinsel;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, Large Oval Punch, Copic Markers  B0000, R39, R59, RV69, YG93, YG95, YG99, YR12, YR14, YR24, E25, Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Gold Organza Ribbon, Antique Brads.  Sewing Machine.  

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Peaceful Waterlily


A quick post for today!  How about a little change of pace from some of the Christmas Cards I've been doing.....?

This is a card I did recently that I hadn't posted here yet....I masked and stamped these beautiful Waterlilies and Lily pads from the Waterlilies stamp set from Flourishes, using Memento Tuxedo Black on Flourishes Classic Ivory.  I colored them using Prismacolor Pencils and OMS.  

Embossing folder is from SU! Elegant Lines, and the beautiful Mosaic Tiles from Flourishes give it some sparkle and elegance too.  

Thanks for dropping by!   My Dad is still in the hospital.  I spent most of the day with him.  I'm really hopeful that tomorrow we'll hear on the pacemaker that he needs.  Thanks for your care!


Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes – Waterlilies;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  SU!  Regal Rose, SU! Bermuda Bay, Flourishes Classic Ivory;  Accessories:  Sizzix Big Shot, Spellbinders Labels Ten Nestabilities, Spellbinders Labels 14 Nestabilities, Cotton Linen Ribbon in Turquoise (Flourishes), Scor-Tape, Mark Richards Crystal Mosaic Stickers, SU! Textured Impressions Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Foam Dimensionals, Prismacolor Pencils (Pink, Peach, Carmine Red, Magenta, Kelp Green, Marine Green, Dark Green, Light Aqua, Aquamarine), Odorless Mineral Spirits, Blending Stump.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Art Reception

Our daughter has been able to be involved in some neat things the past few weeks, so I thought I'd show you a little sneak of one of them.  She received a letter last spring that one of her pieces of art from Grade 8 Art was being chosen by the school district for an art showing this fall.  We knew it was an honor, but didn't really realize what a great thing this was until we were invited to the Opening of the Art Showing last week.

Art teachers from all grades across the city submitted pieces of their student's art to be adjudicated.  1400 pieces were sent in, and 201 were chosen.  Our daughter's was one of them.  It was so neat to read the criterion they have for choosing, and these pieces will be up for a whole year.  They did such a fantastic job of the reception and making it a really big deal for all of the students and families.  I was so impressed!  The art was just outstanding too.  Kindergarteners all the way through grade 12 students did some wonderful pieces.

Here's our daughter at her piece... they frame each of them and it really felt like a gallery showing.



Her's is the bottom left piece, it's mixed media, the students drew a still life in one direction on the page, rotated the page, drew it again, rotated and drew again, then colored with chalk, pastel, charcoal and then added paper.  So it's sort of collage/abstract.   It's funny because she says, "Mom it wasn't my best piece"...but still!  It's such a big deal to be chosen!  It's neat the way they paired it with two other pieces from other students too.  Fun to see her recognized and to be able to share it with her!


And now I'll show you something that my mom did with one of my pieces.  Do you ever wonder what people do with your creations you make for them?  Sometimes I wonder if they get saved or tossed....but my sweet mom doesn't toss anything.  I gave her a special piece I had made for her way back HERE.  And she decided to frame it!  Here's what it looks like now:



It looks really great on their wall, and I was so touched that she'd frame it.

 Thanks for letting me share it with you!

...And on a person note again! Never a dull moment in our family.  Now it's my Dad who is in the hospital.  You might remember a month or so ago that my husband's Dad had a stroke, well, Sunday my Dad was admitted to the Heart Institute here in the city we live in.  What's essentially happening is his heart electricity is not doing what it's supposed to so it beats far too slow and then goes crazy high for long periods of time and they can't control it.  He already has a bad heart, but it looks like he's going to have a pacemaker put in.   Things are a little crazy around here.  And if you're willing, we'd appreciate your prayers for his recovery and that the pacemaker could be put in quickly!

I have pre-posted things ready to show you all week, but I'll be in and out the next few days juggling kids, work and hospital.   Thanks to you friends out there.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Book is a Gift

How about a little There She Goes Fun again this week?  We've got a great sketch for you to play with designed by the fabulous Holly!  


I think one of the best gifts that you could give me, or our kids is a good book.  We love to read....and I'm so grateful that the kids have picked up this beloved past-time as well.  They are all avid readers, and are constantly talking to one another about the great books they are reading, and books are always on the Christmas wish list.  So, I love these parts of the set Believe in You, because it really celebrates reading too.  Both of these kids are separate stamps in the set, but they worked well together on this panel in the sketch.  I've colored them up with Copics that match this fun Cosmo Cricket school themed paper, called The Boyfriend.    The kids will be sending it to their cousins as a thank-you for some books they received as gifts from them.  


Do you see how perfectly the ribbon matches the paper?  I colored some ivory taffeta ribbon with my BG75 Copic Marker before tying it into a bow.  I also faked my threaded buttons by using a Sharpie to draw in the black lines.  



So, jump in on the sketch with us!  If you play you can win $$$ for the TSG store, and how fun would that be!

Here's the deets:    To be eligible for the giveaway at TSG, you are to create a card that uses the sketch provided then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the Mr. Linky that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (Nov. 22). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!



Stamps:  TSG - Believe in You;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Blue Bayou, Daffodil Delight, Flourishes Classic White Cardstock, Cosmo Cricket - The Boyfriend;  Accessories:  Copic Markers (Y15, Y17, Y35, Y38, Y21, YR02, RY04, YR07, YR09, R00, R01, E00, G24, G40, BG72, BG75, BG11, BG0000, W2, W3), Taffeta Ribbon, Sharper Marker, Sewing Machine, Dimensionals, 1 3/4 inch Circle Punch, Buttons (SU and Basic Grey).  

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Vintage Snow


It's the last day of Sneak Peeks for the November sets at Flourishes!  Hasn't it been a great release?  I love every one of these sets, but today's set just stole my heart!  There are so many elements to the set that I could hardly contain myself in making more cards  :)  So, I have two cards that I just love to show you today with this gorgeous Warm Winter Wishes set!

Here's a wonderful vintage snowman that I colored up with Prismacolor pencils on Kraft and I just LOVE how it turned out.


I took my color inspiration from this awesome Basic Grey Jovial paper with the cutie patootie snowmen on it (aren't their funny faces a hoot?)


I did some fun slope-y stitching all the way around as well as adding twine and button accents.  


Now on this card I went soft and sweet with an adorable pair of knitted mittens.   Don't they look cozy?


I used some fabulous soft shades of pinks, peaches and greens (W00, W1, V0000, R00, R01, R11, RV00, RV02, YG00, YG03), to match this pretty designer paper which is again Jovial from Basic Grey.  I over-stamped the designer paper with Peach Parfait and Blushing Bride, and some of the snowflakes that come with the set.     

I had the idea to create a soft vellum pocket with a tag inside of it for the card....


The sentiment is layered on a Snowflake Shapeabilities which suits the theme on the card.  

So, here's a look at the tag out of the pocket below....


On the picture above the colors are a little too saturated, they are more true to the two pictures above. 

I've added all kinds of pretty borders and embellishments in the Velvet Crochet lace and crochet trim and pearls to make it accented with a vintage style.  

I know the Design Team will have fabulous things for you to be inspired by today....

Remember you can enter to win this set today at the Flourishes Blog.  And tomorrow all the winners will be announced in the Winner's Circle at the Flourishes Blog too!  

Thanks for dropping by today!

Recipe:  

Vintage Snowman:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Warm Winter Wishes;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, White Craft Ink;  Paper:  Kraft, Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Basic Grey Jovial DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels One and Labels 17 Nestabilities, Dotted Wavy Border Punch, Twine, Buttons, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Prismacolor Pencils, Sewing Machine

Vintage Mittens:  Stamps:  Flourishes - Warm Winter Wishes;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU!  Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, Vanilla Craft Ink;  Paper:  Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride, Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock, Basic Grey Jovial DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Long Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities, Victorian Borderabilities, Snowflake Shapeabilities,  Eyelet Border Punch, Kaiser Pearls, Velvet Crochet Trim, Pink Loop Trim, Dotted Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Slit punch.   

Paperwhites and Winter Delights!

After being tempted and teased all week with the Design Team's delish samples, we are happy to report that the sets are now live and ready for the picking in the Flourishes Store! Here's a peek at....

Paperwhites


Vintage Postcard


Warm Winter Wishes



Keep in mind, if you buy all three in the New Release Bundle HERE, you get all three sets for 10% off! This offer is only good through November 19th!

We hope you had fun this week! Be sure to stop by tomorrow to see what our ever-so-talented design team whipped up with our new Warm Winter Wishes set! You won't be disappointed! ;-)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Vintage Warm Wishes


For my American Friends  - We remember Veteran's Day today, for us in Canada it is Remembrance Day...Let we Forget.

We have another beautiful set to show you today reminiscent of old fashioned Christmases, with a Currier and Ives feel,  illustrated by the wonderful Lauren Pope.   It's Called Vintage Postcard and it combines a beautiful Winter scene, with numerous old fashioned elements that can be used to give it the feel of a beautiful vintage postcard.  I have two cards to show you today....


I've really tried to give this some old world feel  - stamping the image in Bravo Burgundy ink and then adding a little fine tip Stampin' Write Markers to give a little more burgundy or deep green where it needed it.   This card is a little longer than usual at 4 x 6 inches.  


Above you can see that I *vintaged* it up by sponging both Barn Door Distress ink and Tea Stain Distress ink on the edges.  I've added some gorgeous Christmas paper from Webster's Pages - Waiting for Santa and Sweet Season pack .  As well as adding some gorgeous Crochet Trimmed Velvet Ribbon. 


And here is more of a detail on the image....it's really so lovely isn't it?  


Now I tried some similar colors but with a different feel.


I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black, and then added some color with Copics and then also stamped an additional part of the image and colored it in with the Spotlighting technique.  Then I cut out 14 different shapes from the Lattice Pendant Die, attached it to the image with Scor Tape so it would be nice and sturdy and then wove this gorgeous glittered velvet ribbon through the shapes.  It adds some real glamour!


And below is a little detail on the pretty postmark I added as the sentiment....



Don't forget everyone that we have a wonderful Release party tonight (Thursday 11th) at the Splitcoaststampers Flourishes Forum 8 pm MTN/9 PM Central/10 PM Eastern!    These sets will be available tonight after the release party...

You can enter to win this beautiful set at the Flourishes Blog today....

And we still have ONE MORE fantastic set to show you tomorrow....I think it's my favourite of the release!  So please come back!

For some more beauty on this wonderful set see the Design Team...

Vintage Scene - Stamps: Flourishes - Vintage Postcard;  Ink:  SU! Bravo Burgundy, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Ranger Tea Stain Distress Ink;  Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock, Webster's Pages - Waiting for Santa Sweets of the Season;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Floral Accent Shapeabilities, Lattice Borderabilties, sponge, SW Markers, Crochet Lace Edged Velvet, Twine, Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals. 


Glamour Spotlight Scene - Stamps:  Flourishes Vintage Postcard;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory, SU! Cherry Cobbler;  Accessories;  Big Shot, Lattice Pendant Die, 3/4 inch Circle Punch, 1 inch  Circle Punch, 1 3/4 inch Circle Punch, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Dimensionals, Glittered Velvet Ribbon

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Paperwhites



There is a beautiful flower we're going to show you today, that I had never heard by this name...you may have heard of them as Jonquils or Narcissus but these beauties are called Paperwhites.  Isn't that a lovely name?  It sort of evokes a feeling of fragile soft beauty.  Here is what I learned about them.

"A native to Europe and Asia, Paperwhites are now grown around the world. Paperwhites are smaller in size, compared to other daffodils. Only a few other winter flowers have a more delicious fragrance than Narcissus papyraceus, more commonly known as the Paper White. Their bloom time is usually sometime between Thanksgiving (US) and Christmas."  (The Flower Expert).   


Doesn't that sound lovely?

I'm going to do something different and show you a couple of pictures of this one, I'm still determining how much light I want in my photos....you tell me which you prefer ok?

Aren't these flowers beauties?


This above was the original picture I was going to use because the whites are not so bright white that it washes out the image, but the background is more gray....  I think I just need to add some background lighting.


This one has more of the bright white contrast, but it almost washes out the color...

Regardless, I stamped this beautiful bouquet of Paperwhites on Flourishes Classic White and then colored the background with this warm buttery soft yellow(Y0000 and Y00) to make the whites of the flowers pop.  The flower centers have the addition of Y02.  I did add some very soft BV0000 and C1 to the depths and shadows of the Paperwhites to give them a little definition.  And I used YG11, YG13, and YG17 on the stems and leaves.

I cut out the gorgeous shape with Lacey Circles Nesties pierced it, and wove some beautiful Satin Finish Cotton ribbon in Pear through the Lacey Circle, tying it at one end in a big bow and laying it on top of another layer of Lacey Circle shape off-set slightly.    This is a larger card at 6 x 6.



I thought the Lacey look would go well with Martha Stewart's Ring's border punches, so I layered it on a square and added an extra row at the bottom of the card.  I'm still not an expert at these border/corner punches, it's not always easy to get your alignment quite right!


The little sentiment is on the smallest of the Lacey Circles nesties.  I added the soft copic coloring first and then stamped the sentiment in Pear Pizzazz to finish it off.  Remember I told you I was so inspired by Yvonne Hagane's work?  This is inspired by another layout she did!

A beautiful set isn't it?

Well, you'll want to see the beautiful inspiration with the other Design Team members....


Remember to visit the Flourishes Blog to enter to win this beautiful set today, and you can still create something for our Pre-Release Color Challenge to enter to win the entire New Release! 


And the new release is also already available for Pre-Order HERE! 

Recipe:  Stamps:  Flourishes Paperwhites;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Pear Pizzazz;  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White, SU! Pear Pizzazz, Memory Box Enchanted DSP;  Accessories:  Big Shot, Lacey Circles Nestabilities, Cotton Finish Satin Ribbon, Basic Grey Pearls, Dimensionals, Copic Markers, Sewing Machine, White Crochet Lace, Martha Stewart Rings border and corner punch, Piercer.