Friday, September 30, 2011

Happy World Card Making Day Eve!

In honor of World Card Making Day on Saturday, October 1st, Flourishes is kicking things off one day early in a wild and wacky fashion! As you can see, the gang's all here and they are ready to usher in one very colorful challenge-- just for you! It's all about that inner kid and why we love card making in general -- we get to be creative!

Are you ready??? To play in this challenge, just think like a kid and share your favorite animated character! Find a picture of that character and then, be inspired by the colors for one fun-filled color challenge! Flourishes will take entries through next Thursday, October 6th at 5PM EST. Be sure to show the character in your post with either a picture or a link. Ready to see mine?
Yep, Sheldon James Plankton, the notorious and nefarious nemesis of Sponge Bob Square Pants fame --
the little pip who squeaks, "I've exhausted every evil plan in my file cabinet..." Yep, I love his spunk!

So, I look the three main colors - green, red and pale yellow for my inspiration! Wanna see?
When I thought of green, red and yellow, I immediately thought of Flourishes' Italian Garden set because I knew the colors would meld! After stamping on Flourishes Classic Ivory Card Stock, using Memento Tuxedo Black, I did reach for my Copic Markers and used colors from the Sunflower Collection, the Fields, Poppy, and Evergreen too (all grouped by Flourishes HERE). Cut it out thanks to a Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities Die (thanks to my Grand Calibur Machine), add some stitching, a punched border and you're almost done! Add in some decorative paper (a mix of BasicGrey, Webster's Pages and the polka dot is unknown), cream linen ribbon and a button and... ta da!

Here's a close up of those delish Italian goodies!

Want to know more about the challenge? The winner of this challenge gets a fun-filled prize pack with 5 Flourishes stamp sets of our choice. Once you're done with your creation, head on over to the Flourishes blog to THIS POST to link up your creation! If you upload to Splitcoaststampers, please use the keyword FLLCWCMD11! Here's the fun part, all of the Flourishes Design team picked their favorite characters -- so you'll have to hop around and see which ones made the top of their lists!
Thanks for stopping by! We can't wait to see what you create. Happy World Card Making Day! Th-th-that's all folks! ;-)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Winner, winner chicken dinner!

Hi all! Sorry to keep you waiting on the winner of last Saturday's blog candy! I put all the names in a hat and..... this is the name I pulled out is....
GLENDA BROOKS who said... Oh my goodness, how generous! Thanks for the chance to win! September 17, 2011 2:29 AM

Glenda, just shoot me an email at juliekoerber@bresnan.net with your snail mail addy and.... those treats will come your way very, very soon!

GUESS WHAT BLOG HOPPERS! I have one more treat (at least) to share and so, again, all you need to do to be in the running is to leave a comment here on this post! I'll draw the winner next Saturday!

What's inside:
BasicGrey Curio paper pack
BasicGrey Wisteria paper pack
Prima Botanical paper pack
Impression Obsession - set for 4 decorative tile cling stamps
Flourishes Fiddles and Fern
Flourishes Spring Ephemeral
Impression Obsession cling sentiment set
Flourishes Honeycomb background stamp
Stampin' Up Yummy stamp set
Set of 4 alterable coasters
10 yards of burgundy satin ribbon

So, just leave a comment and maybe you will be the lucky name I draw next week! See you all back here soon!

~Julie

Friday, September 23, 2011

Hi all and TGIF!!! It's Flourishes FRIDAY! And, today the Flourishes gals have another look at some of the stamp sets released last week! I swear, I am addicted to the new Feminine Charm set and that's exactly why I reached for it for my creation today!
I decided to color up the hat stand that's a part of the set and used my Copics to get the job done! I used the Flesh Tones 2, Violet, Sunflower, Poppy and Fields collections grouped by Flourishes. I also made it easy and picked up the new 123 Create Kit called Garden Girl. I just love when you can reach for a package of goodies and have everything you need to make a perfectly color coordinated creation! Add some accents to the hat with the help of a white gel pen and a little bit of bling! Throw on some paper piercing,  a sentiment from the set on a sentiment flag and.... tada! Oh, I almost forgot, I did run my orange decorative paper through my Grand Calibur with an embossing folder and then, using a sanding block, sanded the dots to reveal the paper's white core. I love the distressed polka dot look!

I  will say that the clock is ticking for you to get your hands on Flourishes New Release Bundle. It ends at the close of today! What's in the bundle? Only all three of Flourishes' newly released sets for September at 10% off the retail price! You can click HERE to check it out. While you're at it, you'll want to make the rounds to all the Flourishes gal's blogs today to see what they cooked up using the new sets! Hop on over and see.....

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

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a marvelous weekend and I'll see you all back here soon!


Supplies I Used.....

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

What a Hoot!

Hi all and Happy Wednesday! If you didn't notice, Impression Obsession introduced a brand new stamp line recently for their Fall/Winter line up called Zenspirations, designed by Joanne Fink. I have to tell you, I am in love with these whimsical designs. I guess I am not alone because today the IO Design Team decided to have a hop centered around these fabulously fun stamp sets! On to my creation!


For my creation, I picked the set called What a Hoot! And... isn't this little lady cute?


I just think she's darling! For my card, I stamped using Memento Tuxedo Black and then colored her up with Copic markers using YG23, YG21, E37, E31, R83, R81. The base was shaded with C3, C1 and C00. I also accented her eyes with a white gel pen.

And... speaking of gel pen, I also accented this fun sentiment too! See?


Would you like to win a $25 gift certificate? All you need to do is visit these lovely ladies' blogs to see their Zenspirations creations!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Impression Obsession What a Hoot!
Card Stock: Flourishes Classic White
Decorative Paper: My Mind's Eye - Vanity Fair
Markers: Copic Markers
Ribbon: Pink Cotton Linen
Embellishments: Kaiser Sparklers in Fern
Pen: Ranger Inkssentials White Gel Pen
Spellbinders: Blossom Nestabilities Die, Grand Scalloped Square (for decorative border) & Grand Calibur Die Cut Machine

Monday, September 19, 2011

A new twist on a joy fold!

Hi all! This week, some of the Scor-Pal Design Team is pairing up with Glue Arts to show you some fun projects that are created when you combine both products. The sky was the limit on what we could create, so I turned to fun type of fold that's been around for quite a while!

If you've been stamping for any length of time, you've probably seen, heard of, or tried the "Joy Fold" card. Splitcoast Stampers has a fabulous tutorial HERE. But, one thing I've been wanting to do with this tutorial is put a new spin on it. With all the fabulous die shapes out there right now, the sky is the limit for how many ways you could create this look! So... here's my version! Here's a peek at the final card...
And here's how I started - with the smallest shape in Spellbinders Grand Labels One.

As you can see, I cut, embossed and then, with a sanding block, I sanded my embossed edges to reveal the paper's white core.

You can really score anyplace on this shape. I wanted my shape to have a little overlap so, I lined up my shape with the edge of my Scor-Buddy and scored on the 3" line.

Next, I cut a piece of decorative paper to measure 4-1/8" by 5-1/4". I scored 1/8" all the way around using my Scor-Buddy and then, using a sanding block, sanded the edges.
Using another piece of decorative paper, I picked up the Labels Eighteen and used the largest die in that set, cut and embossed and then, again, sanded the edges of the paper to reveal the white core. From there, I scored just to the one side of the points on the die. I didn't measure, just eyeballed it!
And here's what it looks like when you assemble it to a 4-1/4" by 5-3/8" card base. This isn't your typical card base - it's just a panel. The folded dies will create the "opening" for your card.
Add the embossed panel to the center and your card just needs decking out!
This is where Glue Arts 3-D Raisen's come into play! I wanted to add a button to my front to help keep my joy fold secure. I didn't want my flaps flying! ;-)
Put the Raisen on the button.....
And attach it to the front of your card!

This is the button in action! Because the 3-D Raisen's are so highly tacky, they really secure the button so that you can then insert the flap underneath and keep the card front closed!
Next, Glue Arts U Cut It comes into play. I love the fact that this foam can be cut to size. How many times have you tried to piece a bunch of foam tape together to lift up an odd shaped piece of paper? I know I have!
So, here you can see, I cut the foam to the exact size I needed!
And above is a peek again at my finished project! I also adorned the inside with a sentiment from Flourishes A Season of Thanks (just released last Friday!) set to accent the inside.

And there, my friends, you have it! A new spin on a well loved type of card fold! Hope you enjoyed! Be sure to check out the Scor-Pal blog HERE this week for more fun-filled projects and ideas!

~Julie



SUPPLIES:
Paper: My Mind's Eye - A Happy Heart; Flourishes Classic Ivory
Stamps: A Season of Thanks by Flourishes
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Antique Linen Distress Ink
Button: My Mind's Eye Sunshine buttons
Twine: May Arts
Adhesive: Glue Arts 3-D Raisen's and U Cut It Foam

Scor-Buddy mini scoring system by Scor-Pal
Dies: Labels Eighteen, Classic Circles, Grand Labels One, Grand Calibur machine all from Spellbinders 
Copic Markers


Friday, September 16, 2011

The Blog-candy-palooza Continues!

Hey all! The comments are in and I have a winner from Last Friday's Blog Candy giveaway to honor my 4th anniversary in blogging! Drum roll please!

The winner from last week is...... Ravengirl a.k.a. Toni said...
September 10, 2011 8:41 AM

My goodness, that is quite a load of stamping stuff! Thank you for the chance to win!
Toni, just email me at juliekoerber@bresnan.net with your snail mail addy and I'll get your goodies out in the coming days! If I don't hear from you by next Friday, next week's winner wins both bundles of candy! 

Well, you can tell by the title that the blog candy will.... CONTINUE! Want to see what's up for grabs this week? Here goes!


Here's what is inside, it's got a bit of a Christmas flair! 
  • Stampin' Up All Scallops Stamp Set
  • Webster's Pages Sparklers
  • Impression Obsession Jolly Holiday Clear Stamp Set
  • Impression Obsession Holiday Chickadee Stamp
  • Collection of Memory Box Papers
  • Prima Say It In Pearls
  • Prima Flowers Belle Art Script
  • Cornish Heritage Farms Christmas Expressions
  • 3 yards of shimmery ivory American Crafts Ribbon
  • 4 Wooden Alterable Coasters
  • K & Company Ancestry Designer Paper
So.... leave your comments on this post and you will be in the running. I will announce the winner coming up NEXT Saturday. I'll take comments through Friday at 5PM EST! Good luck!!!



Hi all and welcome to the grand finale of Flourishes September release! I am happy to report that ALL of the September sets are live and ready for the taking! You can click HERE to see for yourself! Well, today, you might feel inclined to slip on a sweater and sip some cider as you check out our next offering. It's ripe for fall and just oozes with an autumnal flair!

Introducing.... 

Both rustic and elegant, this seasonal set called A Season of Thanks by Marcella Hawley offers the best images to welcome the beauty of fall on your cards or creations: a grouping of Indian corn, a trio of gourds and a beautiful urn filled with the season's bounty. Paired with four fancifully scripted sentiments, you have the perfect autumnal offering.

On to my creation!
When I saw this urn, I just saw something very rustic and earthy. After I colored it up, I wondered if my coloring was too bright -- so, out came the Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks and a sponge! After I sponged a bit I realized that I wanted to almost create a spotlight on the urn and I think it worked! I used Copics to color it up and picked up the Flesh Tones 2, Tiger Lily, Spring Greens, and Falling Leaves collections grouped by Flourishes. The paper is a mix from my dp stash. Add in a pennant sentiment that was sponged with Distress Ink (Nested Lacey Pennant Dies) and some fab brown ribbon and some pearls and... voila! I have to mention that I did use the Classic Ovals and Labels Eighteen dies from Spellbinders (Cut thanks to my Grand Calibur) for my image and mat. After I cut and embossed, I took out my trusty sanding block and did sand the edges. I've said it before, I know. I'm addicted to my sanding block! :-) Oh, and as you can see, I did split my card front in half and mixed up the decorative paper -- attaching them with a sewn edge. 

Here's a close up to show this great image! 
 
And that, my friends, is it! Want to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on our designers’ blogs today! Why, you ask? Because one of them is the….


One of the lovely ladies on our blog list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! So, head on over and see how our fabulously talented DT used this new set with plenty of fall flair....

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


Want to win FLOURISHES' ENTIRE RELEASE? Well you’ll have a few chances! You can play in the Colors of Fall Challenge – just click HERE to find out how. You can also play in the Noon Time Challenge Three's a Charm posted HERE. Or... you could check out the fabulously fun Sketch Challenge that we posted at noon on Wednesday HERE! Just know, time is running out! You only have until 5pm EST tonight! So get those fingers inky and good luck! Winners for ALL of the giveaways will be announced in Flourishes' Saturday Winner’s Circle over on the Flourishes Blog! I hope you all had as much fun as I did unveiling Flourishes' new fall sets! I can't wait to see what YOU create with them!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Little Medallion Messages.....

Have you ever desired a classy and elegant stamp that was so pretty, you could create "stamp and go" cards that take minutes but didn't look like it? Well, does Flourishes have a stamp set in its September line up for you!

Introducing....

This elegant medallion -- called Medallion Motif -- designed by Becky Fleck is perfect for quick and easy cards that don't scrimp on style. The medallion measures 4" wide and tall and offers seven different beautifully scripted sentiments designed to fit the center of the medallion. A dotted circle frame serves as an added design element! What fun! 

On to my creations! I decided when I saw this fun design and all the fun sentiments that this was a perfect set for a quick, yet elegant card set....
This set honestly couldn't be easier! These little cards actually measure 4-1/8" square and I had some 4-1/4" envelopes to match. All of my white mats were created using Flourishes Classic White paper and stamped using the medallion stamp with Versafine Black Onyx ink. There's a dotted circle frame and those were all stamped on a scrap, accented with a sentiment and then punched out using a 1-1/4" circle punch. Add a 1/2" black ribbon tied in a bow, pop up the sentiment at the center of the medallion, add a rhinestone and... done! I used Memento Inks in Rosebud, Bahama Blue, and Lulu Lavender. Want to see each one?

Card #1

 Card #2
 Card #3
 Card #4

I will give you a hint too -- these cards actually qualify for today's Noon Time Challenge over on the Flourishes blog! So, you'll have to check it out HERE later today! 

Want to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on our designers’ blogs today! Why, you ask? Because one of them is the….

   

One of the lovely ladies on our blog list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! So, head on over and see how our fabulously talented DT used this divine design element!

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



Want to win FLOURISHES' ENTIRE RELEASE? Well you’ll have a few chances! You can play in our Colors of Fall Challenge – just click HERE to find out how. Like I said earlier, you can also play in their Noon Time Challenge that they will be posting HERE over on the Flourishes Blog at Noon CST today. You could also check out our fabulously fun Sketch Challenge that we posted at noon yesterday HERE! 

So click on back, get those fingers inky and good luck! Winners for ALL of ther giveaways will be announced in Flourishes' Saturday Winner’s Circle on the Flourishes blog at 12 noon CST!

Can’t wait and know you’ll want our release NOW? Pre-order it HERE! See you back here tomorrow as Flourishes unwraps these sets and unveils one last peek -- it's one that has the colors of fall in mind!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Flourishes Fall Fashion... is HERE!

Hello all, are you ready for some new polymer? Well, Flourishes is about to roll out the red carpet for it's new fall line up and today's offering is about as stylish as it gets!

Introducing.....
Look at this fashionable dress form ready to be dolled up for a night on the town! This posh image is just one of the latest from Marcella Hawley! Feminine Charm not only offers this elegant dress form, but a high style hat stand and some racy little high heel pumps that just scream - "Take me out!" Pair these fabulous images with 8... yes 8 fashionable sentiments and you have a great "girly" set for all occassion cards for your gal pals!

On to my creation!

This card is one of those that I think just screams... girly! And, I love that about the extras added to give it that feminine touch. The construction is super easy peasy. I simply stamped my dress form on Flourishes Classic Ivory, colored with Flesh Tones 1, Flesh Tones 2, Water, Sky and Spruce Copic Collections grouped by Flourishes. Add some great My Mind's Eye Paper called Breeze, a Webster's Pages Sparkler, some great shimmery ribbon, a beautiful trim, some stitching, and you're almost done! I did use Spellbinders Labels Twenty for my shape that I matted my dress form on. I cut and embossed using my Grand Calibur and then, sanded the edges of the embossing to reveal the paper's white core.

One more thing I did that you can see below is I actually sewed along the edges of my ribbon to give it a tailored look! I figured that it fit the style!

And that, my friends, is it! Want to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on our designers' blogs today! Why, you ask? Because one of them is the....

   

One of the lovely ladies on our blog list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don't know which one it is... so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! So, head on over and see the high style and feminine charm that all of these ladies are offering today!


Want to win FLOURISHES ENTIRE RELEASE? Well you'll have a few chances! You can play in the Colors of Fall Challenge - just click HERE to find out how. You can also play in Flourishes' Noon Time Challenges that they will be posting over on the Flourishes Blog at Noon CST today and tomorrow. So click on back, get those fingers inky and good luck! I'll see you back here tomorrow with another fun and fresh fall stamp set!