Hope You Can Cling To

 

This month over at Splitcoaststampers they have a Hope You Can Cling to challenge.  I have been wanting to join in on the fun.   I chose Teresa's challenge to add a heart to your creation.  This sweet image and paper is from Tiddly Inks.  One of my favorite digi companies.  This image is called You Are On My Mind.

Have a great day and a Happy Halloween.  We are off to church tonight for a family fun time with Trunk Or Treat.  I think I have the only child out there that does not like Halloween. I am so thankful our church has this fun and safe event for the kids on Halloween.

Face The Sun

Turn your face towards the sun and the shadows will fall behind you.. Don't you love that quote.

Today is another Free For All day at Flourishes.  I wanted to show you a neat technique that I saw Beate John's demonstrate over at SCS.  It is called Bleached Out Images..

I stamped my Flourishes Sunflower set onto Kraft paper.  Then I embossed it with Clear Embossing powder.  After it cooled I took a Q-Tip dipped in bleach and painted the inside of the petals and leaves.  I let it dry and colored with Copics.  Here is a picture of the bleached flower.

 

This is before I blended all my colors on the image.  I just love the vibrancy you get with this technique.  A few important tips:

Be sure to use clear embossing powder so you don't ruin your Copics.

Make sure the bleach is dry before you color with your Copics or you will ruin the tip.

Be careful around the edges of your image and don't use too much bleach or it will bleed outside the lines. 

I used Flourishes newly released 123 Create Kit called Sunshine.. I love this kit. 

Want to see what everyone else has come up with... Check it out here:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Oh Christmas Tree

 

It is time for another Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge.  I can't believe that it has been 2 years that I have had the pleasure of designing on Mo's Challenge team.  This week Elaine is challenging us to create a card. with any holiday or celebration image .

I chose the image Boughs For The Tree from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I love this image.  It reminds me of the days when my kids would all gather at a tree farm and as a family we would pick out a Christmas tree.  Then we would go back to the barn and drink hot chocolate to warm up.  

Come join in the fun at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge blog. 

Season Of Celebrations

This week at Flourishes we are again showcasing all the new stamps sets.  I love this Season Of Celebrations because it evokes so many childhood memories for me.  I remember that exciting feeling of Christmas morning when we would race downstairs to rip open our presents. 

This new 123 Create Kit  is filled with amazing elements for cardmaking. I love the paper in this kit.  Everything you see on my card was from this kit.  I also used Spellbinders Labels 22 and Ribbon Banner Dies. 

Today is the last day to take advantage of the New Release Bundle.  You can save an extra 10% so hurry over and order today.

Check out what the rest of the team has created:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Pumpkins

 

This week at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Elaine is our hostess.  She is challenging us to use our favorite Mo image with a sentiment.  Now that was a hard decision. BUT I love pumpkins and this image by Mo is perfect for this time of year.  I love pumpkin pie, latte, cookies, bread etc etc so I chose this image for the challenge. 

I colored with Copics and created a round card.  I added some round ribbon flowers and lots of buttons.
Check out Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge and join in the fun.  This image is available HERE at Mo's store.

Christmas Candles

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It is the final day for Flourishes New Release.  Today we are showing you the last set called Christmas Candles.  All sets will be available today. 

 

Not only am I showcasing this new set but I also get to show you the newly released 123 Create Kit called Sunshine.  Today Julie, Christine and I are showing you all the goodies in this kit.  I stamped my image and colored with Flourishes Copics Collection Copper, Falling Leaves, and Green Grass... Everything you see here is included in the kit.  Paper, pearls, and ribbon.  It is such a beautiful kit.  Don't forget to add it to your order today.   

Each day we’ll have the Mystery Blogger, if you comment on each of the DT posts you increase your chance of finding the Mystery Blogger, and you could be chosen as the winner!  Winner will be announced like usual – on the Saturday Winner’s Circle post on the Flourishes Blog and you will win the set of the day.

 

· Don't forget to play in the Heavy Metal Challenge this week!  You could win the entire New Release!

·  You can also order the New Release Bundle – and receive 10% off all four sets!  This discount will only be available for one week following the release!

Flourishes is decking the halls to get ready for the Christmas season and we’ve stocked the shelves with a brand new 2011 Flourishes Christmas Catalog. This 20 page full color catalog offers a look at not only every Flourishes Christmas set that is available, but a handful of tutorials showcasing projects that are perfect for the Christmas gift giving season. It even offers a sneak peek at some of our Christmas sets for November! At just $6, this catalog is a must have!  Check it out HERE.

 

Check out what the rest of the DT has for you today:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Sharon Doolittle
• Jan Marie Caruso

The Show Me Challenge

Well, last release, we challenged players to come up with a fun and unique twist on a challenge, suggest it and they could win a chance to be in the Flourishes spotlight – not only would their challenge be picked, they would be the superstar of the day ushering one of our noon time release week  challenges as well!

Join Linda Carson as she challenges us to check out Flourishes' Tutorial Library! If you haven't checked it out, there are dozens upon dozens of ideas to get those creative juices flowing! Simply give one a try and you'll be in the running for this fun-filled challenge. Keyword FLLCORW2. Deadline for entry is October 21st at 5PM EST.

 

I chose Amanda Havon's tutorial from this week's Limelight.  She posted a tutorial on how to make a luminary.   I didn't do mine exactly like hers because I could not find the same luminary she used.   I took a glass candle holder, some faux tea lights, and some mulberry paper and created my own box.  I think next time I will chose a mulberry paper without so much pattern.  I stamped on the paper with the new set called Season Of Celebrations.  Then I embossed the image to give it a dark look.  

I added the faux candles and my luminary was all ready to go.  Sorry about the poor photography. It has been raining for days here and it tough to get a good picture.  Thanks Linda for a great challenge and Amanda for a wonderful tutorial. I got one Christmas gift checked off my list.

How to Play:

Simply scroll through Flourishes Tutorial Library.  Once you find a technique or project that you’d like to give a try, have some creative fun and make it! After you’re done, be sure to share a link to the post on our tutorial library, so we can all see what inspired you! Be sure to link up to this post using our inlinkz widget. You need to do that in order to be in the running. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword FLLCORW2. You have until Friday, October 14^st at  5PM EST to enter! Let’s get that name game started and get creative!

Be sure to link back to the Flourishes post for all the official rules. We have a few that will be too many to name. i.e. use Flourishes stamps and you get counted twice, no combining challenges. Etc.!

Need some inspiration:

• Cindy Lawrence
• Dawn Burnworth
• Barbara Anders
• Heather Jensen
• Linda Carson (our guest designer)

Season Of Celebrations

Today is day 3 of Flourishes New Release Week.  This set  called Season Of Celebrations ushers in that feeling of Christmas.  Did you know it is only 72 days until Christmas? That is 10 weeks from now we will be preparing our packages and decorating our trees.  This set brings back all the great feelings that Christmas and winter evokes.

 

When we were kids we used to spend hours sledding and ice skating.  My dad would build a big bonfire to keep us warm.  I wanted to capture sledding as sunset when you could no longer feel your toes but didn't want to quit.  

I stamped my image and embossed it on Flourishes Classic White Cardstock.  The ribbon, lace trim, button, pearls and paper are all part of the newest 123 Create Kit. I am giving you an early peek at it.   I LOVE these kits. They make it so much easier to create.  I used the Spellbinders Oval Dies and the Labels 14 Die. These shapes were all cut out with my Grand Calibur.

  

Each day we’ll have the Mystery Blogger, if you comment on each of the DT posts you increase your chance of finding the Mystery Blogger, and you could be chosen as the winner!  Winner will be announced like usual – on the Saturday Winner’s Circle post on the Flourishes Blog and you will win the set of the day.

 

· Don't forget to play in the Heavy Metal Challenge this week!  You could win the entire New Release!  

·Today at noon please stop back at the Flourishes Blog . Each day a Noon-Time Challenge will be given.  And if you play you can WIN!

· Friday we will release the 1,2,3, Create Kit which I have given you a sneak peek today.

·  You can also order the New Release Bundle – and receive 10% off all four sets!  This discount will only be available for one week following the release!

Check out what the Design Team has up their sleeve:

Barbara Anders
Julie Koerber
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon Doolittle
Jan Marie Caruso

Meet My Under The Mistletoe

Welcome to Day 2 of Flourishes New Release Week.  I can't wait until you get to see this set in its entirety.  It is so pretty.  I have always loved the Mistletoe and how it can bring that magical feel of Christmas to your holiday. 

 

I stamped my image onto Flourishes Classic White Cardstock and colored with Copic Collections Fuchsia and Green Grass.  I used the Spellbinders Ovals, Beaded Ovals and the..Labels 17 for my card base. I cut all my shapes out with my Grand Calibur.  The designer paper is from the Yuletide Collection from Memory Box.  This fabulous two toned ribbon goes perfectly with this paper. I added some bling from the Say It in Pearls from Prima. 

Wouldn't you like to win this set.. Of course you would. 

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-    Each day we’ll have the Mystery Blogger, if you comment on each of the DT posts you increase your chance of finding the Mystery Blogger, and you could be chosen as the winner!  Winner will be announced like usual – on the Saturday Winner’s Circle post on the Flourishes Blog and you will win the set of the day.

     

Don't forget to play in the Heavy Metal Challenge this week!  You could win the entire New Release!  

Wednesday and Thursday please stop back at the Flourishes Blog at Noon Central time. Each day a Noon-Time Challenge will be given.  And if you play you can WIN!

Friday we will release the 1,2,3, Create Kit

You can already order the New Release Bundle – and receive 10% off all four sets!  This discount will only be available for one week following the release!

Now check out what the rest of the team created:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Jan Marie Caruso 

Holiday Sparkle

Today the Senior Design team is joining in with the very talented Friends of Flourishes Tuesday Challenge team for the release of this fabulous set.  The challenge today is to create an ornament or a card with an ornament. You can read up on this week's fun filled challenge HERE.  The winner of this week's random drawing wins THE ENTIRE OCTOBER RELEASE!  We are showing you a peek at the new Holiday Sparkle set.  

I used the pretty new Prima paper called North Country.   I added the Crystal Sparklets to my card panel for some extra bling. There are so many ornaments in this set and I colored 3 of them and cut them out.  I stamped my pine tree boughs in the background and popped up my ornaments. 

That's right, one of the ladies below is the Mystery Blogger, which means, if you leave a comment on all the blogs below, you have a better chance to win this brand new set from Flourishes! One of the folks that comments on the Mystery Bloggers' blog post today will win this fabulous set! So, let's get commenting!

• Beate Johns
• Cindy Haffner
• Heather Jensen
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Tammy Hershberger 
• Rosemary 
• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Jan Marie Caruso



Stamping for Katie

 

"From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer.  If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year.  This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight.  A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer.  Her first post about it is here.  The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post here.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file.  100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family.  Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support.  In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker and True =D Doodle Designs both also donated digis that are for sale.  Direct donations are also being accepted.  Information central is HERE.  This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button. 

Here are all the items available for sale.

Keep Swimming Octopus Peachy Clear stamp $5.50 with free shipping

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp $3.00 with instant download

Keep Swimming Octopus DIGIstamp with SVG cut file $3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Mermaid DIGIstamp $3.50 with instant download

Keep Swimming Ribbon Fish DIGIstamp and DIGIpapers $5.00 with instant

 

I have followed Katie's blog from the very beginning of this journey.  I admire her courage and strength at a time when I would have folded completely.  I created this card with my son doing all the coloring.  As he was working on this picture I just kept thinking about Katie and her boys and all that they must be feeling at this time.  I am humbled by her attitude and courage.  Keep on swimming Katie we all love you. 

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation.  The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today.  I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.  If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz
PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

Bloggers for Katie:

AJ Otto
 Beate
Carolyn Mustopa
Dawn Burnworth  (you are here )
 Deb Felts
 Gretchen Belknap
Heather Jensen
Jen del Muro
Julie Ranae
 Kate - i {heart} papers
Kendra Wietstock
 Lisa Johnson
Loretta Lock
Lori Tecler
 Lynn Mercurio
Marianne Walker
 Michele Gross
Stacy aka Twinshappy
Tracy Schultz
 Debbie Olson
Cindy Lawrence
Cindy Haffner 
Julie Koerber
 Christine Okken
Tammy Hershberger
Danielle Kennedy
 Barbara Anders
 Makiko Jones
Ashley N Newell
Shannan Teubner
Taylor Usry
 Jen Tapler
Jenn Balcer
Jenny Chesnick
Jess Larsen
 Jessica Knutsen
Jimmi Mayo
Joan Bardee
 Joan Ervin
Julia Aston
Julie Day
Julie Ebersole

Heavy Metal Poinsettia

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It is time for another Flourishes Release Week Challenge. 

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  Our challenge is to go "Heavy Metal".  Create a card with metal somewhere on it.  I chose the Flourishes' Poinsettia and Boxwood set.  I wanted to use some soft muted colors for my creation today.  I rarely use softness.  I embossed my petals and leaves in gold embossing powder.  

 

I added lots of bling to the edges of my Spellbinder's Teardrop Circle Die. I added some of the beautiful Victorian Websters Estate Polka Lace and trim from the Flourishes ribbon section.  I used the MME  Blush designer paper in keeping with a neutral color.  The poinsettia was stamped on watercolor paper and watercolored with markers.  

I am also entering this in Stacy's Noel Challenge this month.. See it HERE.

HERE’S HOW TO PLAY: Make your card shine or something on your card shine like fresh candy. Please use Flourishes stamps and when you wrap it up with a bow, just link up on our SCS Christmas Spirit Challenge 18 thread! And then, you’ll be in the running to win!

Now wouldn't you like to see some more inspiration...

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Patchwork Quilt

Today at Mo's Digital Pencil the theme is to create a card with patchwork. 
I chose Mo's Kai In Leaves and

Mummu's Laundry ..  I remember my grandma hanging out her hand crafted quilts on the line on a fall day just like this.  I merged the two images in Photoshop Elements.  This adorable stand was given to me by my sweet friend Grace for my birthday one year.  Her husband made it for me with her help.  

Come join the fun at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Blog. 

Please read Mo's message to everyone HERE.  It is important...