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. 

20 comments:

Latisha said...

Christine this is one gorgeous banner! Look at all the detailing you did in your coloring...I hope it gets to stay up for a little while :)
hugs
Latisha

Willy's creations said...

Looks lovely the banner.

Hugs,Willy

Cammie said...

Absolutely stunning!

Cindy Lawrence said...

Christine, this is just GORGEOUS! Your details, as always, are spectacular! Yeah for having a fireplace mantle this year, and it's just gorgeous too! :)

Jerri Kay said...

Stunning!!! Love your banner Christine, so beautiful on your fireplace mantel! I can't wait to see the rest of Flourishes sets, this one is incredible!

Dee Jackson said...

What a beautiful banner!!I really like the way you colored this image. Wow!

Julie Koerber said...

Just lovely Christine, I "lost time" just looking at what you did here! Your banner is incredible and if I had a mantle, I'd be begging a certain friend to make one of these beauties for me! LOL!

NancyK said...

What a beautiful mantle! I love the coloring of this image - gorgeous!

scrappingnana said...

Wow, this is gorgeous. Your husband did an excellent job on the mantle also.

Stacy Morgan said...

Christine this banner is beautiful! Oh so very creative and just perfect! I like the pearls... they are just the perfect accent! Beautiful!!!!

Leslie Miller said...

Christine, your coloring is incredibly gorgeous on this! Your color choices for the wreath are wonderful. What a beauty to grace your mantle during the holidays!

Marisa said...

Wonderfully done! You are half way ready for Christmas with the decorating of your :D Love the framed verse above the fireplace too - one of my faves!

Traci M said...

Christine, this is so beautiful, so much detail to stop the eye from wandering and settle on...your JOY is so appropriate for this time of year to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. And that verse is one of my favorites too!! Thanks for sharing your lovely work!

Beate said...

Wow! Gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS! I love your banner! Your coloring is stunning!
Hugs and smiles

Linda Carson said...

Beautiful banner! You're dh sounds very handy around the house...very slow but very handy! lol

stampqueen said...

Beautiful Banner!!! Great coloring too!!!!

Amy Sheffer said...

Incredible! Your artistry is amazing!! We have a missing mantle, too - LOL. Can't wait to see the rest of the new Flourishes projects!

Silke Ledlow said...

OMG - this is one awesome banner - Christine!!! Beautifully done!!! Hugs ~S~

Rose Ann said...

Wow...what a gorgeous banner you've created, Christine!! I love your coloring and all of your fine details!! Beautiful!!

Diane said...

Gorgeous banner..gorgeous mantle!