Friends of Flourishes, Layers and Layers

Hello and Happy Saturday! This week’s Friends of Flourishes theme is Layers and Layers.  I have nine layers, to be exact!  Our hostess, Kren, dreamed up this lovely challenge.  I went off grid a bit and made an A2 card box with the beautiful Flourishes, lc. set called Endearing Rose.  

 Here you have the top view of my box. This is my box lid and I have embellished it with a pair of birds.  I got a bit technique-y and colored three images to pop up some of the greenery, the male bird and then the flower to the right of the male.

The side view allows you to see all the layers and how I popped up a few of the pieces of my bird image.  

The rest of my team has created beautiful projects for your viewing pleasure.  Be sure to visit them:  Davi, Gloria, Kren, Shirley, Toni (you are here) and Vickie.  While you are visiting, you might also want to see the other stamp sets available from Flourishes, lc.  Thanks for stopping by!

Edited to add:  I also made this for the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  I love making these boxes and have a tutorial for one on my blog.  You can find it here.  

Details: Stamps: Endearing Rose (Flourishes); Paper: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Smoky Slate, SEI Madeline dp; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Regal Rose; Accessories: Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, Spellbinders dies, white ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, Copic Markers, paper snips, sponge dauber.

Inspired Again!

Oh yes, this was a fun challenge!  Yesterday I posted about the Inspiration challenge.  I had to play again. Really, I had five separate tabs open on my computer after looking at girlgeek101's Inspiration! Pinterest board. If I didn't have household responsibilities, I probably would have played all day long.  As it was, I put off a fair amount of chores.  

This is the inspiration piece that I used for my card.  I really wanted something more colorful from my patterned paper stash, but it just wasn't there.  Instead, I brightened up the monochrome pattern with a hot pink ribbon and mat.  I opted for the clean and simple style because that is just me!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamp: Azalea (Power Poppy); Paper: Snow Storm Smooth, Melon Mambo, Heidi Swapp dp; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Circle punches, thin satin ribbon, Tin Type impression plate (PTI), stampin' dimensionals, Touch Twin Marker

Inspired Today

There isn't a Friends of Flourishes design team challenge today, but I hit up Splitcoaststampers for today's Inspiration challenge.  Today's hostess, girlgeek101 offered up an inspiration board on Pinterest as fodder for creations this week.  I chose this piece to work with:

A pencil eraser, a paint brush and a sponge dauber were the main tools to create today's card! Of course, I used Flourishes stamp set named Winter Birds.  I think I translated it pretty well to a card.  I'm pleased.  I didn't even notice the silver bird in the bottom corner of the photo until I showed my daughter the pin.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Details - Stamps: Winter Birds (Flourishes); Paper: So Saffron, Basic Gray, White; Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Smoky Slate, Rubber Stampede turquoise, Basic Gray; Accessories: pencil eraser, paint brush, white craft ink, Linen & Canvas impression plate (PTI), sponge dauber, stampin' dimensionals.

PTI Turns 10!

Papertrey Ink is turning 10!  Isn't that amazing?  With stamp company anniversaries, typically come challenges.  Papertrey is offering up some challenge.   The first one is to create a project using sample projects made with their Stitched Coasters Die.

I chose the number 1 coaster above.  The obvious choice to me was that I would need to make a square card.  I pulled turquoise, lavender and pink from the coaster and used those colors on my card.  Finally, I thought about stitching, but then I just didn't use thread.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Details - Stamps: Bigger Blooms (PTI); Paper: Snow Storm Smooth, Tempting Turquoise; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Wisteria Wonder, Tempting Turquoise, Gold; Accessories: Adhesive rhinestones, mat pack, piercing tool, Tin Type Impression Plate (PTI), stampin' dimensionals. 

The Road Home Inspires

Today, I played along with one of the Flourishes Release Week challenges.  It was tough to get good pictures of the "country roads" around my home.  I did take this picture and I am a little bummed that my roses don't show up hardly at all.  They are the teeny tiny bit of red near that closest telphone pole on the right side of the road.  I want you to know this because we were to draw color inspiration from our country road.  I didn't use my colors in the same proportion as my photo.  I used kraft for the drying grass on the side of the road, gray for the road, yellow from the lane dividing stripe, red for my nearly invisible roses and of course a touch of green for all the glorious trees in my photo.

Here is my card.  It's as rustic and down home as where I live. 

I stamped the wheat for all the tall grasses you see on the road.  I inked up half of my butterfly to get a profile to fit into my design.  I used the burlap twine as a natural fiber found around our little hobby farm.  That sentiment just seemed to fit for today.  Calm is a good summary of the tenor of our home today. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Beauty in Nature (Flourishes), Hello Hyacinths (Flourishes); Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, unknown dp; Ink: Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, burlap twine, corner chomper, Linen & Canvas impression plate (PTI).



An Inspired Saturday

I had a bit of time to play along with the Inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers today.  My daughter is busy playing with her cousin and having a ball.  I whipped up this fun little card inspired by a bath bomb.  It looks like Earth to me and that made me instantly think of this stamp set.  I used a sketch from the clean and simple stamping blog to get me going straight away!  My daughter may prefer to use this card for her father's birthday tomorrow, we'll see.  Happy Saturday folks, I'm heading out to the garden after I fix lunch for the girls!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Out of the World (Unity); Paper: Naturals White, Basic Black; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Real Red; Accessories: Copic Markers, Black Sharpie, M's rhinestones, stampin' dimensionals, paper snips, corner chomper.

Inspired by Earrings

Just a quickie little post today, while my hubby is enjoying a chat with one of his best buddies!  Yesterday, while he was fishing, I had a little time to play the Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  I chose a pair of earrings as my inspiration piece.  I got to use my newest Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company set.  This is called Welcome Poppies and will be released next week.  I love the black poppy image stamped on the kraft card stock.  I color one poppy for interest and added a sentiment flag to try and create a visual triangle. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone is having a Happy Father's Day!

Details - Stamps: Welcome Poppies (MFP); Paper: Chip Board (MFP), Speedy the Cat Black Linen (MFP), Ruby Red; Ink: Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Square punch, stampin' dimensionals. 

Scenic Selections - Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 
May Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Oopsy Daisy Featured May 15
Get Reel Featured May 16
Scenic Selections Featured May 17
Flamingos on Vacation Featured May 18

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on May 19, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday May 18, 2012.

Lois
Vicky
Anne
Pat G.
Karen H.
Patty P.
Mary
Marilynn
Pam
Debbie
Nancy
Bonnie
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Sue
Kelli
Janine
Mark's Finest Papers

For today's card, I found a little inspiration in a picture of some new bathroom rugs a crafty friend of mine, Michelle, posted on Facebook.  I immediately saw the sketch potential and then went along with the yummy colors.  I didn't want to alter the sketch a bit, so I left off a sentiment.  I used the three different sized leaves in three different inks to decorate the six panels.  A few brads finishes off the simple note card.

Here is Latte posing on the new bathroom rug!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to see what Tangii has posted for you today!

Details - Stamps: Scenic Selections (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Soft Sky, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake; Accessories: Square punches, SU brads.

Daffodil Greetings - Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company Blog Hop

 Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 
April Blog Hop! 
This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Fabulous Dogs Featured April 17
Daffodil Greetings Featured April 18
Hey, Cowboy! Featured April 19
Train Talk Featured April 20 


Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 21, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 20, 2012. 
Lois 
Vicky 
Anne 
Pat G.
Karen H. 
Patty P. 
Mary
Marilynn 
Pam 
Debbie 
Nancy
Bonnie 
Kathy
Brenda
Toni
Tangii
Anna S
Sue
Kelli
Janine
Mark's Finest Papers 

 

When I first saw this daffodil image I was thrilled and the excitement has not faded one bit.  This is such a gorgeous image, I had to showcase it by itself.  I recently read a brief article on mixing colors.  I used the author's idea about using a gallon, a pint and an ounce.  My husband came upstairs to my craft room as I was working on this card with a slice of homemade Roasted Garlic Bread.  When I told my husband about the gallon-pint-ounce theory, he thought I was nuts.  He said, "Paint?  But didn't you color that the other night?".    I replied, "Yes, dear and I would love to have another slice of that bread.  Some things you can only tell your crafty friends!!!  Thanks for listening gals! 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to continue on to Tangii.  She'll have something fabulous for your viewing pleasure!

Details - Stamps: Daffodil Greetings (Mark's Finest Papers); Papers: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, GKD white, BG Urban Prairie dsp; Ink: Tuxedo Black, Versafine White; Accessories: MM embroidery floss, random button, ticket corner punch, Yellow Stickles, Copic Markers, Vintage Wallpaper ef, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals.

An Inspired Saturday

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Oops, no green here.  I guess you will have to pinch me.  It's been a rather uninspiring day today around the home front.  My hubby baked a loaf of curried lentil bread and it was delicious.  I made it to the grocery store and picked up all the ingredients for my contribution to the Girl's Night feast.  We have a green theme going.  I am bringing Chicken Alfredo with Spinach Fettuccine and cocktails made with Midori.  We have plans to chat it up in the hot tub after dinner and one of the babies goes to bed.

What's that?  Oh, my card.  That is indeed where the inspiration comes in.  You see, one of my friends was shy a card for the birthday girl tonight.  So, I pulled up today's inspiration challenge, saw the striped wallpaper and remembered this amazing card and had a go at it.  I love how it turned out!  I can see dozens of variations coming out of this one.  It's also a sneak peek of a new Mark's Finest Papers set called Flaps My Wattles that is being released very soon! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Flaps My Wattles (Mark's Finest Papers); Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Groovy Guava, So Saffron, Tuxedo Black; Accessories: corner chomper, glaze pen, stampin' dimensionals. 

Jess Inspired

Papertrey Ink is celebrating its 5th anniversary.  That means there will be some challenges and a big, big prize.  Today's challenge is to be inspired by one of the design team members favorite cards.  These ladies work so hard to provide us with inspiration on a regular basis and they continually come up with pieces of breathtaking art.  I could have chosen any one of the design members.  But really, how could I not go with Jessica Witty?  Her card was truly amazing!  I tried to keep it quite similar with the sketch, except it looks like I threw some Melissa Phillips in there too.  (Now there is a cross to die for!)  I couldn't help myself, I loved the colors.  Instead of embossing the doily like Jess did, I die cut mine and glued it onto my card stock.  I fussy cut out my wreath and popped it up.  And I worked on all of this during the Superbowl and not the commercials folks!  I may have got my workout in for the day running up and down the stairs to get this and that.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!  I hope you have had a fabulous weekend that leads right into a wonderful week!

Details - Stamps: A Wreath for All Seasons (PTI); Paper: Confetti White, Pale Plum; Ink: Crumb Cake, Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Soft Suede; Accessories: Large Paper Doily Sizzlit, SU flower punch, paper snips, SU pearl, May Arts burlap string, corner chomper, glue dots, liquid glue, stampin' dimensionals.

We Are In A Winter Wonderland

A VSN Winter Wonderland, that is.  We played five challenges tonight and have all kinds of challenges for players tomorrow.  I hope you can stop by and take a look or play a few.  It's really quite fun!  This challenge was the first one out of the gate.  The Amazing Lydia led us off with an inspiration challenge of sorts...create a card about what gives you the warm and fuzzies.  I opted for the smell of cookies baking and some snuggle and reading time with my girl.  The current reading topic in Kindergarten is the traditional story and variations of The Gingerbread Man.  We also completed a family homework assignment to decorate our own construction paper gingerbread man.  Our gingerbread lady was complete with designer paper, embroidery floss, rhinestones, googly eyes, embossed lips, rhinestones necklace and earrings, chalk blush and Pearl Ex eyeshadow!  My girl had a fabulous time raiding Mommy's craft room. My husband even got in on the action trimming some designer paper shoes and adhering embroidery floss with 1/8" scor-tape!

Anyway, I hope to see you at VSN tomorrow.  It's sure to be a ton of fun.  Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Got Treats; Paper: Whisper White, AC Merrymint; Ink: Versamark, Creamy Caramel; Accessories: Nestabilities, paper snips, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber, clear ep, heat tool.

A Merry Little VSN Card

Yup, this little card is from the last VSN mini.  Since the main event is coming up this Friday and Saturday, I thought I would show you a little VSN love.  This card was for Kelly's challenge called Jingle Bell Rock.  Kelly challenged crafters to make a card representing your favorite holiday song.  For Kelly's challenge you were to use at least two layers and two embellishments.  I fudged a little and used two different colors of Stickles.  The VSN police didn't come after me, so I assume it was okay.  I had a hard time choosing a favorite song.  So when I spied this little sentiment and I was off to the races!

I use sketches almost exclusively when I play along with VSN so that I can make the time limit.  I was inspired by this Fall To Layout for today's card.  I say inspired because I didn't stick to the sketch exactly.

Happy Wednesday folks!  Thanks for coming by!

Details - Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Verve); Paper:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Old Olive, AC Merrymint; Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive; Accessories: paper snips, Stardust Stickles, Lime Stickles.

Wacky Inspiration

Yes, that's right!  It's Angelina Ballerina and she is the inspiration for my card today.  Flourishes is hosting a World Card Making Day challenge to be inspired by the colors of your favorite animated character.  My daughter watches a good assortment of cartoons, but Angelina is one of the few I sit and watch with her. 

Onto my card...

I made another telescoping card after learning how to do it during the last VSN.  It's quite fun and easier than it looks.  I used a set that Julie Koerber just recently sent in a generous box of blog candy.  Pink just turned out perfect as today starts the Hope You Can Cling To challenges on Splitcoast Stampers.  This card meets Beate's criteria for a circle card (at least I think it does).

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Birthday Celebrations (Flourishes); Paper: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White; Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Bordering Blue; Accessories: Nestabilties, white organza ribbon, SU white brads.

Going to Court

I think this might have to be my theme card for next week.  Last weekend, I received a subpoena to testify in court.  I'm supposed to appear next week.  I have spoken to one witness advocate (I think?) who said I should probably know more by Friday about when I would have to appear.  She's fairly certain that jury selection will eat up the first day.  She was also fairly certain that the prosecutor would want to prepare me.  Hmmm, I guess the prosecutor would have to contact me first, right?  I'm a little nervous.  This information is from 8 years ago and I barely remember the client.  My girlfriend, who is a police officer, was excited for me.  When I wasn't excited back, she told me it might even come to a plea agreement and then I wouldn't have to testify.  I felt a little better then.  In any case, I think I will stash this card in my purse.  I know it is only paper, but the idea is powerful!

The crafty connection here is the Verve Get Your Diva On challenge, Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge and the My Favorite Things sketch!

Details:  Stamps: Sunny Days (Verve), Words of Wisdom (Verve), Making A Statement (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Concord Crush, In Color Patterns Pack, Wisteria Wonder; Ink: Concord Crush, Versmark; Accessories: Loopy Blooms die (Verve), Leafy Sprigs die (Verve), corner chomper, stampin' dimensionals, M's rhinestones.  

Papertrey June Blog Hop Challenge

Happy Saturday!  It's a gray and overcast day here.  You know, the kind that is perfect for stamping.  My daughter is still in her pajamas and happy to be coloring at the dining room table while Mommy crafts away. 

I saw the Papertrey Ink announcement about June's blog hop yesterday and planned to participate.  After I gave the challenge some thought, I remembered that I would need a birthday card for my Great Aunt's 90th birthday celebration tomorrow.  Instantly, I knew where I was going with this one!

I found a good sketch to use for my wreath and went to town!  This month's inspiration challenge comes from a photograph with a gorgeous gradient colored wall.  I pulled the kiwi and coral colors from the wall as my inspiration for my card. 

I hope you like it and I hope Aunt Irene likes it too!  We'll see tomorrow.  Have a joyful Saturday!

Details - Stamps: A Wreath For All Seasons (PTI); Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, SEI Mimosa dsp; Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Colorbox Coral Rose; Accessories: Nestabilities, May Arts Burlap String, white twill tape, M's silver pearls, corner chomper, stamping dimensionals, glue dot.  



Birdie Thoughts

I'm thinking of you today!  It doesn't matter how near or how far, I'm thinking of you today!
I am having Birdie Thoughts today.  Raven thoughts.  My little girl turns 5 years old today and is having the time of her life with her aunts, cousins and grandmother in Disneyland.  Isn't that a dream come true if you are five, to spend your birthday in Disneyland? 

Her Auntie has been posting pictures all day long so I don't miss out on any of her fun.  I just wish I could pause time for her so that she could nap and then go back at it without missing any hours in the day.  She has two more days in Disneyland and I have two more days of....VSN!  That's right folks, it starts tomorrow.  Be sure to pop on by and play a while!
I made this card for a Stamp 2 Spend challenge where Kelly asked us to make a monochromatic card with a touch of gold.  I used a little gold on my birds chest and for the cording from which it's perch is suspended.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Warm and Fuzzy (GKD); Paper: Whisper White, Green Galore, Gable Green; Ink: Basic Black; Accessories: Nestabilities, Seeing Spots ef, Swiss Dots ef, paper snips, gold cord, paper piercing tool, SU rub-ons, stampin' dimensionals, WCC, blender pen.

A Wild Thing Post

Yep,  "wild thing, you make my heart sing"! Don't you just love fun stamps??  Verve puts out some great stamps.  They are about to have another release and honestly I can't wait!  I bought the whole release last time because everything was fabulous and fit the theme of the upcoming VSN!  I was a hostess, so that really worked well for me.

This card was made for Theresa's challenge called Wild Thing, an inspiration challenge related to the song.  I'm not an animal print type girl, but surprised myself by finding this Basic Grey pattern in my stash.  I thought it was perfect!  I also used some really old, funky fibers on this card too!

I hope your day is going amazingly well and that the time change hasn't wiped you out!  Thanks for stopping by :)

Details - Stamps: Sweet Treats (Verve), Swirling Hearts (Verve), Love Notes (Verve); Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, BG Granola; Ink: Early Espresso,Versamark, Creamy Caramel; Accessories: Sweet Scallop Tag die (Verve), 1 1/4" circle punch, M's brown satin ribbon, glue dots, stampin' dimensionals, M's fibers, MM eyelet, clear ep, heat tool.

Happy To Revisit

I am happy to revisit this little gem from VSN!
I made this card for Alison's challenge called Love Is...., which was to create a card based on one of four quotes.  I chose this quote by Dr. Suess, "You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better
than your dreams".  Nice, huh?

I keyed in on the dream aspect of his quote and found a lovely Verve quote to use on my card!  Then, I build the rest of my card around this Basic Grey designer paper that felt rather dreamy to me!

I stamped my sentiment first, then embossed those heart over it.  I found I used tons of hearts or love-y type images and phrases for this last VSN.  It was  a good thing!

Have a fabulous day!

Details:  Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve), Love Notes (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Blush Blossom, BG Lilykate dp; Ink: Soft Suede, Versamark, Blush Blossom; Accessories: Nestabilities, clear ep, heat tool, white organza ribbon, MS Arch Lattice punch, glue dots.

A Diva Card and An Award

Got Your Diva On?  Well, I had to give it a try!  Verve stamps is soliciting guest designers via an inspiration challenge this month.  Charmaine is the Verve Diva who has chosen this challenge and it couldn't be a cuter inspiration picture!  Oh my, what a dream come true it would be to design for Verve.  I am happy just using Julee's stamps and sketches! 

I also worked in a Technique Tuesday challenge to use pink and/or red on my card.  I went with pink! 

My card isn't too technical.  I used liquid pearls which I hard ever use and I did some hand stitching (because I am afraid of my machine!)  I also used some pearls and some white wrinkled ribbon I received from Limelight.  I'm pretty sure it is May Arts and I need to get my hands on some more of that, as I just used the last bit of it!

I recently received a couple of awards.  I'm new to this, so forgive if I don't quite get it right!  Fiona sent me this award:

Conditions:

1) You have been tagged, do you want to accept? YES! then create a post on your blog and post the love blog photo.
2) Link back to the person who gave you the award and say if you accept.
3) Choose 3-5 of your favourite blogs to tag, link these in your post too and tell the lucky people they have been tagged.

As the aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, please don't tag somebody with 3000 followers.

So...my nominees for this award are Keva, Debbie, and Melissa. These are lovely ladies that I have discovered through my own love of Verve. 

I'll save the other award for tomorrow or this will be a crazy monster post!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Love Notes (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Pirouette Pink, Bella Rose dsp; Ink: Sahara Sand, Versamark; Accessories: Jotted Heart Die (Verve), Embossed Oval Die (Verve), scalloped scissors, white wrinkled ribbon, M's self-adhesive pearls, needle & thread, white opal liquid pearls, stampin' dimensionals, glue dots.