Our Coffee Spot with Concord & 9

 

I’ve got the most fun card today!  Last month Concord & 9th released the most fun themed dies to create your own pop-up Shoppes.  They are SO cute!  It’s not often I have an immediate reaction to something like that, so I purchased the Pop-Up Base Dies, (and the other dies and stamps in the theme which you’ll see more of in the future).  

So this card is an A2 base, and all the dies help you create a little pop up store front.  I was also inspired by a deck of playing cards my son recently bought (of all things!) but the moroccan tile pattern they’re based of is really beautiful, and I love the colours together.  

It’s a lovely deep navy, coral and sage green.  So that was what inspired my coffee shop colours.  

I will admit that there are a lot of tiny pieces and it takes some time to put together (especially the first time), but it’s very straightforward with the videos provided by Concord and 9th, and I totally had fun relaxing and putting it all together.  I’d encourage using a craft tweezers to add your glue to your pieces.  

All of the elements I used on this card come in the Pop-Up Shoppe base dies with the exception of the two cups on the table, and the stamped cup on the sign which are from the Bake Shoppe Bundle.  There are just endless ways you could use these dies and stamps that I’m looking forward to.  I’ve used a couple of tones of sage green darker and lighter and darker and lighter coral to add contrast.  

For the background inside the Shoppe, I’ve run some patterened paper through a coverplate die (PinkFresh Studios).  The “windows” are lined with acetate and that provides a great backdrop for you to add details to. The little shoppe sign folds flat to fit in your envelope.  They’ve even included sweet little elements like door hardware and lightbulbs that I cut from silver cardstock.  

And they’ve designed the entire card front to fold flat for mailing.  It’s really ingenious.  

I’m so glad I purchased it! Cardmaking should be fun, and this was a total joy bringer to me!  And I think it will make the recipient smile too.  It’s a real keep-sake kind of creation.  

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Our Coffee Spot with Concord & 9

Friends Listen

Well folks, the stakes are getting a wee bit higher!  It's week three of our six-week Gambler's Sale and we're stepping up the discount again -- this time to 30% off store wide! With that kind of discount, some of your favorite sets on your wish list won't last long!

Today I chose to play with a new favourite set of mine...Friendship and Flowers...

I really love how these pincushion flowers look!  I began by using my Silhouette Machine and the Silhouette cut file for this set cutting out two shapes on Flourishes Classic White cardstock.  Then I stamped with Memento Gray Flannel because I knew I wanted a more muted palette with gray being one of the colours.  Colouring is with Copics with W00, W1 and W3s and BG0000, BG10, BG11, BG57.  

Then for fun I used one of our Tim Holtz stencils (only 2 kinds left), a sponge and sponged some colour (SU Pool Party ink) through the stencil on a Spellbinder’s Circle, framing it out with our Perfectly Pierced Classic Window Die.  I like how the sponging ties into the polka dotted paper.  

The designer papers are Teresa Collins Memories and there’s a few accents, Iridescent Twine, Seam Binding, Enamel Dots and a pretty button.  

Why is this sale a gamble? Well, ALL of the items now in the store will be going, going, gone -- never to return again. So, if you see something you really want -- buy it now or take a gamble to see how low the price will go! Like we said, this week everything is 30% off with the code GAMBLERS30. Just use that code in the coupon box at the time of check out to get 30% off your entire order, even on already reduced sale prices! Each Monday, between now and February 24th, we'll be adding another 10% off! While you're shopping, be sure to check out this special deal!

Our MYSTERY BAGS were WILDLY popular in the past and so, why not bring them back? Each bag is valued at roughly $40 but... you pay only $25!!! Each bag has two stamp sets -- YES TWO! One is an unpackaged set that we cannot sell because it doesn't have an index sheet. But, it stamps perfectly and would love a new home! Each bag also has a fun tutorial sheet showcasing a card or technique. Add in a few yards of ribbon and an embellishment and that is what is in each Mystery Bag. It's one heck of a bargain!

Click HERE to visit the store and pick one up today! Now, one last treat to share with you today!

The Flourishes Design Team put their creative powers to work this week sharing some creative inspiration to help you kick off your week! Keep in  mind, if you love their creation and want to make one just like it -- these stamps won't last long!

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken  (you are here)
• Cindy Lawrence
• Julie Koerber
• Stacy Morgan

Have fun shopping! Don't forget the code  GAMBLERS30 --  and remember that once these items are gone they will be gone forever!

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Friends Listen

November Sneak Peeks 2 - Friendship and Flowers

Hello again and welcome to Day Two of November Sneak Peeks!  Now that you’re all warm and cozy from our fantastic hot-beverage set yesterday, today we’re going to celebrate all that’s warm and special about friendship.  Introducing….

This set, Friendship and Flowers illustrated by Sam Pickard will send sunshine to any friend - near or far! With a beautiful pincushion flower at the center of this set, you'll find a beautiful butterfly and beautifully scripted sentiments add just the right touch. Set measures 4" by 6”.  We think it has the perfect heartfelt friendship sentiments in it and we know you’ll love it!

I did some really fun things using the Silhouette Cameo and our cut files that will be available for this Friendship and Flowers set to create this card.  I’ll show you a bit of a mini tutorial on how I did it :).  

Hopefully these pictures won’t be too small for you - but you can click them to see them much larger.  

First I used the butterfly shape that’s designed for the butterfly in this set and singled it out on the screen, replicating 2 extra.  I used these 3 butterflies as the ones I would cut and stamp in Memento Tuxedo Black and then using the negative space from the cut butterflies for working on the  background.   

Counting out the squares on the grid - click and move the butterflies where you want them on what size your cardstock will be  (I knew I wanted mine about 4 inches by 5 1/4 inches).  Then you can turn the butteflies the direction you want them by first clicking on the image so you see the boxed end points.  Then using your curser, click on that little green dot and it will allow you to turn or rotate your image, whatever direction or degree you’d like.  

Now using one of the corner points on the 90 degree angles drag each image to enlarge it.  Dragging it on the corner point keeps the proportions of the image - it just enlarges it.  This way you have a larger windowed butterfly.  Anything hanging over the edge of the red line of the cut file screen won’t be cut, and you’ll be trimming your card stock the size you want.  

Send to Silhouette to cut, and then trim your card stock (I used Flourishes Classic White) the size you want.  

I stamped and embossed the cardstock and popped it up over so pretty chevron paper from My Mind’s Eye - Cambridge Court, and then popped my coloured butteflies over top.  

You can see I’ve used Memento Teal Zeal for the sentiment, Color Made Easy - Tiger Lily cardstock, seambinding and enamel dots as accent.  I really love how it turned out and it opens up a whole new world on the Silhouette machine for using negative space!  

The Design Team did a great job celebrating friendship with this set and we know you’ll be inspired.   And, while you’re hopping and looking at their creations, don’t forget to try to figure out….

Hidden among the Design Team’s blogs today is our Mystery Blogger of the day. Comment on her blog and you could be chosen to win today’s set! The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Allison Cope 
Christine Okken (you are here)
Cindy Lawrence 
Heather Jensen 
Julie Koerber 
Silke Ledlow 
Stacy Morgan 
Tosha Leyendekker

Do you want to win Flourishes’ November Release?

• If you would like a chance at winning all three of our soon-to-be released November sets…you can play in our Grab A Cup Challenge – we will have multiple winners there! Deadline for entries is FRIDAY November 15th at 5 PM EST. Check out the link for the official rules!
• All three of our November sets can be pre-ordered now, even before you see them all! Take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all three sets together in a bundle. This discount will only be available through November 22nd, so you have to act fast!
• Keep in mind, all of these sets will be live first thing Friday morning in the Flourishes store along with the coordinating cut files for this release.
• And, don’t forget to come back to the Flourishes Blog Saturday, November 16th for the Winner’s Circle where we’ll announce all of our winners of this weeks’ challenges!

Be sure to stop on by tomorrow when we share a set we know will become a staple element you’ll reach for time and time again.  Don’t distress…it’s coming soon!

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November Sneak Peeks 2 - Friendship and Flowers

Sweet Seeds of Friendship

Friday has rolled around again and the Flourishes Design Team has a treat for you today!  We're digging into the Flourishes vault to showcase some of our sets that are retiring!  As we make room for new, it means we need to clear out some of these beauties.  So - if you like what you see along the way - be sure to add them to your shopping cart, once they're gone - they're gone for good!  

It always feels a little sad to say goodbye to some beautiful sets we've loved so well - and today I have two of those sets that will be hard for me to see retiring - Sweet Nature and Seeds of Friendship.   Today I put them together to create something special for a friend.  

I began by stamping the seed packet onto Flourishes Classic White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I coloured up the top part of the label with Copics, and then poked my scissor through the middle of the lower part of the seed packet and trimmed out the inside like a window.  I popped that up onto this pretty paper (MME - Kate & Co - Oxford Lane).  Then I stamped out the pretty ranunculus from Sweet Nature, coloured that with Copics and carefully trimmed it out, tucking it in my seed packet "window".  

Along the bottom I used a gorgeous new Spellbinder's die Scalloped Border Two (LOVE).  I think that scalloped edge just makes the card! 

Other tiny touches - Color Made Easy True Blue Cardstock for framing, pretty white lace and MME - Enamel dots as accents.  It's so cheerful!  I love how it turned out!  

Now for more fun with some other beautiful sets that are retiring - see the rest of the Design Team:

• Allison Cope

• Christine Okken (you are here)

• Cindy Lawrence

• Heather Jensen

• Maki Jones

• Silke Ledlow

• Stacy Morgan

• Tosha Leyendekker
• 
  

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Sweet Seeds of Friendship

Colorful Creations Challenge

Welcome to the March Pre-Release Challenge at Flourishes!  We have some beautiful things coming your way next week and we want to kick it all off with a challenge for you to jump in on.  Aren't these colours gorgeous?  It really makes me think spring, and I had a really fun time creating with them.  

I really love how this turned out!  I pulled out the very lovely Botanical Bookplates Volume Two set and inked the larger image onto Flourishes Classic White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Then I coloured it all up to have the feel of some vibrant patterned paper with my Copic Markers.  After it was all dry I ran the cardstock through this lovely Fireflies Embossing Folder (on sale!).  I LOVE the effect and how the embossing runs through the flowers as well as pops out of the white space. The effect of the embossing is even prettier in real life.  

Then I colored up the pretty framed pansy image from the set, cutting it out with our special Tailor Made Classic Bookplate die, designed to fit this set perfectly.  The cardstock is from our Color Made Easy - True Blue Collection and Sunflower Collection.  I've added some pretty cotton crochet lace, blue seambinding and snow white pearls.  

Now we invite you to join us on this lovely colour challenge too!  Simply make a card with these colours and link it up on our Flourishes Blog.  All the Challenge rules will be posted there as well.  It's your chance to win the entire March release!  Sneak peeks begin next Wednesday!

Also, before we go, we'd love to fill you in on a fun sale you can use to stock up -- it's FLOURISHES FLASH SALE! That's right, if you don't take advantage, it will be gone in a flash! Everything, store wide will be 10% off -- even our SALE page. Some items on sale have already been marked down 55% -- so this makes those deals even sweeter. Our sale closes Sunday at 11:59PM -- so shop now for the best selection! Simply use the code FLASH10 in the coupon code box at the time of check out.

For more colourful inspiration see the rest of our wonderful Design Team!

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken (you are here)
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Heather Jensen
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan

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Colorful Creations Challenge

Water You Up To?

Water you up to?  What am I up to?  Well, it's been an upside-down unexpected week for us.  If you've been following along you heard me say that my husband broke his wrist playing hockey a few weeks ago.  He went back to our doc because he was still having some lingering side pain,  she send him for an ultrasound and a few hours later told him to get to the hospital, his spleen had to come out ASAP.  Long story short....eventually that's what happened.  Your spleen is supposed to be the size of a fist and my husband's was more the size of a football.  So, he's still in the hospital, spleen-less, in lots of pain, still struggling with a fever from a source we can't pinpoint, and I've been bouncing back and forth between the hospital, basketball tournaments, kids and a wee bit of crazy-ness.  And right now...real exhaustion.  

So I may not be around much in the days ahead...or I may just pull out some designs you haven't seen yet that were for submission that didn't get accepted.  Time is a bit precious here.  I know that many of you are faithful prayer warriors and we appreciate your prayers.  

This watermelon card is stamped on Flourishes Classic White with Memento Tuxedo Black with the set called  Wild for Watermelon, paired with Pistachio Color Made Easy Cardstock and Poppy Cardstock, colored up with Copics.  The background is scored with the Scor Bug tool and the little "watermelon seeds" are Candi colored black with copics.  

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Water You Up To?

May Arts Ribbon Hop!

Welcome to our monthly blog hop with CardMaker!  You should have come from Sandy Allnock's Blog here....thanks for joining us!

I'm excited that today we get to partner with my favourite ribbon manufacturer - May Arts to bring you today's inspirations!  We got to play with an assortment of wonderful ribbon, so I have a couple of projects to show you.  And...be sure to read all the way through...May Arts is having a wonderful giveaway too!  

I thought I'd begin with a little ribbony Valentine for you.  I began by die-cutting two layers of Classic Scalloped Hearts from Spellbinders keeping the negative image of the die cut and creating a layered window design, lining the smaller opening with rows of this pretty double striped pink ribbon from May Arts.  All you do is outline the back of the heart with Scor Tape and lay the rows of ribbon down. Then I embossed the lighter pink layer of cardstock with this Fireflies embossing folder.  

A little bow, some gems and this pretty sentiment from Flourishes Inside and Out You stamped onto a little Tailor Made Classic Tag and trimmed out and you have a perfectly pink Valentine!  

For this card, I wanted the ribbon be the center of attention and make a big beautiful statement...so I decided to create a ribbon rose.  (Here's the tutorial if you're interested in making one).    This pretty houndstooth ribbon creates such a pretty rose!  I paired it up with this Sweetness of Friendship stamp from Flourishes stamped in turquoise ink, again using a die as a framing piece by instead keeping the negative of the die cut.  This one is the Floral Ovals from Spellbinders.  To match the ribbon I used a Houndstooth embossing folder on the turquoise cardstock, and added some felt leaves cut with a Sizzix die.  I think the leaves add just the right pop of colour.  Finally I added some pretty gems with this Lacey Ovals Nestabling.  

Such a fun accent don't you think?  

Now you'll want to stop by the May Arts Blog today and enter because they are giving away something special!    FOUR Spools of ribbon of the winner's choice!  How awesome is that?  

Now I'm going to send you off to Dee Dee Catron's Blog to see some more ribbon goodness!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

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May Arts Ribbon Hop!