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Flourishes Floral Calendar...Finally!

I finally finished my calendar!!  I am thrilled with the way it turned out.  I encountered a few "production" issues that made me detour half way through the project, but I think it was for the better.  I had intended on adhering each page to the chipboard page that came with the calendar stand, but I was about half through, when I realized that the bulk of the layers, ribbon and pearls made that idea rather cumbersome.  Honestly, the calendar looked like a rolodex it was so "fat" LOL!  I ended up removing the pages I had already adhered and just sticking with the paper page.  Really, Flourishes Classic White is such a nice sturdy cardstock that it is just fine.  It still fans, but at least you can tell which month it is open to!

So here they are, really quickly.  I used paper from just about every Basic Grey paper pack I have.  The months don't match the months from the set, but that's OK.  I chose them to match the colour of the printing on the calendar page, since I wasn't using the month/flower word stamps, I just worked with the colour the month was printed on the calendar.  You can click on each photo to enlarge it.

 

 

 

 

Now I realize that I didn't photograph January's, which has the crocus image on it.  Oh well.  I will try to get that this evening.  Right now I'm off to do some Christmas shopping.  Oh and speaking of shopping, Flourishes Bundle special ends tomorrow!  So don't delay that purchase any longer.  You'll get all three sets, plus the calendar download is free with the bundle purchase.  This is really a fabulous set, and you'll be seeing a card from me on Friday...so these gorgeous flowers are definitely not just for calendars!

Have a fabulous day and thanks so much for dropping in!  I love it when you do!

Flourishes Preview; A Year of Flowers Calendar set 3

  
Happy Flourishes Friday!  We are almost at release time, and today we are previewing the third set in Flourishes "A Year of Flowers" Calendar set.  All the sets and the calendar download will be available in Flourishes store tonight at 10:00 Central, right after the release party!  I hope you plan on being there for the games and prizes, and of course the full reveal of all three sets!  Here's my sample for the third set.

 

Today, I'm fast forwarding to November, 2010!  I chose to showcase the gorgeous chrysanthemums from Set 3, pairing them with Basic Grey's "Indian Summer" designer paper.  The bouquet was coloured with Copic markers, and sponged with a little Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango.  I used EK's postage border punch and some black grosgrain ribbon to finish.  So simple!  Here's a close up of the image.

There's more of this set to soak up, and the rest of Flourishes Design Team has some fabulous creations to show it off!  Pop in for a quick visit at their blogs for a fabulous treat!

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan

I know you're anxious to win this set, so leave a comment on this post on Flourishes blog, and you'll be entered to win!  The time to get your Floral Finesse challenge card posted is closing in!  Make sure you have it posted and/or linked by 5:00pm Eastern for your chance to win all three sets! 

I'll be at Flourishes Power Hour release party tonight!  Will you?  I hope you'll join us in Flourishes Forum on Splitcoast Stampers, 9:00pm Central for fun, games, prizes and of course the full reveal before the shopping starts!  It's the fastest hour of the month...guaranteed!

Have a fabulous day, and your visit is much appreciated!  I love that you've taken a minute of your day to visit!  Make it an amazing day, and I look forward to seeing you this evening!

Flourishes Preview: Year of Flowers Calendar Set 2

  
We're back today with previews of the second set in Flourishes Year of Flowers Calendar set.  Oh my these are beautiful images to work with.  I have 2 versions of a July calendar, using the same Tigerlily image.  I think it might be my favorite in this collection! 

  

This uses the calendar download and the Tiger lily image.  I coloured it with my Copic markers using the Tigerlily collection and paired it with Basic Grey's "Ambrosia" designer paper.  Incidentally, the calendar set does have the months paired with the name of the corresponding flower images, however, they were a teensy bit too large to fit on the tab, and it seemed redundant on the calendar, so they are not on these calendars.  "July" is from an old calendar set and it's not near as classy as the Flourishes version, but it fit.

 

Here is the second version.  This one I sized to display in a CD case, which is such a nice presentation.   The image was cut with the Labels 4 Nestability and the background was sponged before removing the paper from the die.  I used the same Basic Grey "Ambrosia" paper and Fiskar's Apron Lace border punch.  Here's a close up of the flower.  What a beauty!

Let's see what the rest of the team has been up to with this set!

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan

Hop on over to Flourishes blog and leave a comment for your chance to win this set!  You can win all three sets in this release by playing along in our Floral Finess Challenge.  You have until tomorrow at 5:00pm Central to get your project done and uploaded.  Tomorrow is the final preview and you can be there for the full reveal of all three sets at Flourishes Power Hour release party.  There will be more samples, lots of chat and prizes.  The fun starts at 9:00pm Central in Flourishes Forum on Splitcoast Stampers.  I hope to see you there!

OK, that's it for me today.  I'll be back same time same place tomorrow with the final preview.  I hope you will be too!

Flourishes Preview; A Year of Flowers, Calendar set

 
We are nearing Flourishes next release, and this month we have something very special to share with you.  Flourishes has created a set of stamps featuring twelve of Marcella Hawley's fabulous florals.  These gorgeous images will be beautiful on a card, on a calendar or whatever project you decide to work with.  Today we are previewing Set One, containing four amazing florals and January through April.  In addition, Flourishes has created a downloadable calendar that will be free with your bundle purchase, or $2.00 on it's own! 

  
I worked with the pansies in the set, and the calendar download.  The calendar download is a 6"x6" inch calendar, but by printing 2 or 4 to a page, you are able to get a variety of sizes to work with.  I chose the 4 to a page option for this calendar, (only printing 2 at a time) to get the size that worked.  The calendar stand is by Maya Road and I picked it up at my LSS (on sale!), a while back.

Aren't those pansies amazing?  I had so much fun colouring them! Marcella has outdone herself with this collection!  Don't miss seeing the fabulous projects the rest of the design team created with this set!

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan

You could be the proud new owner of this set, simply by leaving a comment on the preview post on Flourishes blog.  If you want to win all three, then don't forget our Pre-Release challenge.  You'll find all the details here.  Friday brings our release party, and of course that means more chances to win, plus more samples and the full reveal.  I hope you have your calendar marked, because this is one release you will want to see it all!

I'll be back tomorrow, advancing the calendar to July!  Until then, have a fabulous day, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Recipe:  Stamps:  A Year of Flowers (set 1) (Flourishes)  Paper:  Classic White, Euphoria DP (Basic Grey), Soft Sky  Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa  Accessories:  Bliss Pearls (Kaiser), Soft Sky ribbon, scallop border punch, crop-a-dile

A Quick and Easy Gourmet Christmas gift!

I think you'll love this idea if you have a few people on your list that you want to give a sweet something to acknowledge their kindness and friendship this Christmas.  All the details are posted on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog.  I hope you'll pop over and let me know what you think!

Thanks for dropping by!  I'll be back tomorrow, and I hope you'll be able to drop by again!

Taylored Expressions November Key Ingredients Subscription!

 
One word.  Gorgeous!  Honestly, this is my favorite Key Ingredients kit that Taylored Expressions has released yet!  It's perfect for fall, Thanksgiving and well anything you want to add a little colour and class to.  This month Taylor challenged us to focus on the Thanksgiving theme.  Well, Thanksgiving for us was last month, and we really don't have many traditions aside from making it a family get together.  So that got me thinking.  Maybe we should start some traditions.  Make it more of an event, with a fancy dinner instead of just a big dinner. I can start preparing for next year and maybe it won't come at me like a runaway train!  My girls would just love that!  So here's what I came up with!

Can't you just picture the entire table setting?  Add some wine coloured tapered candles and a centre piece and you have one beautiful table!  I am no Martha Stewart, but just having these on hand makes me want to get a turkey and celebrate with you! 

My dd's will just love the idea of place cards.  I can see them arranging the seating over and over!  I started by stamping the foliage images from Celebrate Life on Choice Snow White cardstock.  I have to say this is one of the smoothest heavy weight cardstocks I have found.  It takes ink as beautifully as it take Copic markers.  I stamped the leaves in Memento Rich Cocoa and the buds in Purely Pomegranate, with a few of the sprays in Crushed Curry.  I added a bottom border of the Indian Summer designer paper, by Basic Grey which is part of the kit.  The letters are stickers I promised I would use so I wouldn't have to throw them out.  (gee where have I heard that before?)  I added the sentiment "Thankful for You", because it was so perfect!  I cut it out with the oval Nestability and anchored them with rhinestones which are part of the kit as well.  Aren't those skeleton leaves beautiful?  I am in love with the rich colours they come in and the elegant touch they add!  Yes, they are part of the November Key Ingredient Subscription kit too!

The napkin ring was very simple.   I cut a 1" x 6" strip of designer paper and threaded it through the yellow scalloped circle before attaching the designer paper and sentiment.  The sentiment was cut out with the word window punch, and adhered to the circle of designer paper with pop dots. Two more rhinestones were added to finish it off, and as simple as it is, it adds such a pop of colour and elegance to that white napkin.

I did make a card to go with the set. It's the same with the exception of a different piece of the Indian Summer paper and I added sheer ribbon from the November Key Ingredients subscription kit.

The Baker's Dozen have more fabulous takes with the November Key Ingredients subscription kit, and I know you'll want to see what they've cooked up for you!

• Taylor Van Bruggen
• Charmaine Ikach
• Donna Baker
• Sharon Harnist
• Karen Giron
• Jodi Collins

The Key Ingredients kits can arrive in your mailbox every month!  Taylored Expressions offers a subscription service so you never have to miss one or find out it's sold out by the time you get to it.  You'll find all the details here, and you will not be disappointed in these kits!  It's like Christmas every month!

This is my second post today, so scroll down for more seasonal creations!

I'm back Sunday with the Sweet Sunday Sketch.  Until then, have yourself a wonderful weekend!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Celebrate Life (Taylored Expressions)  Paper:  all from November subscription Key Ingredients kit  Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry  Accessories:  ribbon, rhinestones, skeleton leaves all from November subscription Key Ingredients Kit, Oval &Tag Trio Nestabilities (Spellbinders), sticker letters (Provo Craft), pop dots

Christmas Borders; Flourishes Preview Day 3

  
We're on our third day of previews with Flourishes November release.  Today we are sharing our creations made with Christmas Borders.  This is a beautiful set that will stand alone, or will add a fabulous border to your Christmas creations.  Keeping with the theme of gifts and giving, I decided these borders would make a perfect wrap for a candle, so that's what I set out to do!

  
I love these images and coloured them bright and fun as they would suggest.  I used Copic markers along with some Sakura Glaze pens to add a little pop!  The gold border strips added the perfect finishing touch, and you'll find them in Flourishes store! A border punch and taffeta ribbon finish them off, and the entire project could be completed in under an hour!  That's perfect when you're in need of a quick little hostess gift!

Here's a look at them individually.  (you can click on the pictures to make them larger)

 We are fast approaching release day on Friday, Nov 13.  You can celebrate with us in Flourishes Member Forum on Splitcoast Stampers at the release party which starts at 8:00pm Central.  There are always lots of games and prizes, plus the full reveal just before the store opens.

Want to win this set?  Leave a comment here on Flourishes blog, but do it quickly, the draw will be made tomorrow!  And lastly, a quick reminder to get your Favorite Things challenge creation done and linked back to Flourishes...all the details are here.  

I know you're curious as to what the rest of the design team created, so I will send you off for a quick tour!

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan

I'll be back tomorrow with another preview and I hope you'll join me.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always love it when you do!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Christmas Borders (Flourishes)  Paper:  Classic Ivory, Real Red, Certainly Celery  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories:  Copic Markers, Gold Border strips, Celery taffeta ribbon, border punch (MS), tacky tape, Sakura Glaze pens

Christmas Bouquet; Flourishes Preview Day 1

  
I know what you're thinking...it's Monday...how can it be a Flourishes Preview?  Well, you're in for a real treat, as we will be previewing five fabulous sets this week, one a day until release day on Friday, November 13!  This time we're focusing on gift ideas and packaging, so you'll be inspired to get going on all those handmade gifts you promised yourself you would make this year. 

Today, we're previewing "Christmas Bouquet", and you probably guessed it's another amazing illustration by Flourishes Marcella Hawley.  I love working with her images, they are drawn so beautifully and have wonderful and crisp details.  They just call to me to bring them to life, and this time I decided to frame it!

The square nature of the image made it perfect for framing.  I stamped it in Memento Tuxedo Black on Classic White and coloured it with my Copic Markers.  I also used my Sakura Glaze pens to add some depth to the white and red berries.  They really pop.

The sentiment is the quote from the old song "The Holly and the Ivy", which is part of Doves in Holly set released last month.  I think this might be a great gift for my daughter's Choral teacher.  DD loves her and I think she would appreciate the reference to the song.

The rest of the design team has some amazing gift and packaging creations to inspire  you this season.  Have a peek!

Julie Koerber

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Leslie Miller

Latisha Yoast
Stacy Morgan

 

I hope you will be playing in our pre release challenge, creating something inspired by the lyrics to the song "My Favorite Things".  You'll find all the details here.

 

Of course you know your opportunity to win this set is as simple as leaving a comment on Flourishes blog post here.  And don't forget to mark your calendar for Friday evening to be a part of Flourishes Release party, starting at 8:00pm Central.  It's always so much fun, and you are the first to see all the sets revealed!

 

Tomorrow the Friends of Flourishes will be treating you to a preview of one of the new sets this month.  So be sure to drop into Flourishes blog to check it all out!  I'll be back on Wednesday with more previews!  I hope you will be too!

 

Recipe:  Stamps: Christmas Bouquet (Flourishes)  Paper: Classic White  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories: Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze pens, ticket corner punch (SU), gold brads, frame (Dollarama)

 

Key Ingredients release...and ideas for the Kitchen!

Taylored Expressions is releasing the September 20 Key Ingredients kit!  If you have a subscription, you probably already have it by now, and if you don't, well it's now available for purchase!  Having a subscripton is a wonderful option, as your packages are mailed before it becomes available for sale!  There are more benefits, like free shipping of any additional purchases that will be shipped with your kit, a challenge and more!

This month Taylor challenged us to create something for or from the kitchen.  Oh boy.  I thought long and hard for this one.  I don't bake.  I'm not much of a cook, so the kitchen isn't a place I like to spend a lot of time in.  So I thought, why not brighten it up, and even if I don't like to spend much time there, at least it will have a few of my favorite things...and they won't be fighting!  I decided on fridge frame magnets.

  I had picked up these little wooden frames at Walmart.  Years ago I bought a set for the girls to decorate, and they were so inexpensive, it was inevitable I would have to make some for myself!  I started by measuring the frame and cutting the designer paper from the Sept 20 Key Ingredients kit and matching cardstock (both from the kit).  I cut an opening in the centre and adhered the pieces to the frames.  Taylor also challenged us to distress.  Well, I'm not great at distressing because it against my nature to rough up perfectly pretty paper.  I did sponge around the edges and after a few deep breaths I was ready to finish.

I embellished the frames with ribbon and buttons.  Everything you see was from the September 20 Key Ingredients kit, except the brown stitched ribbon.  I pulled that out of the Father's day KI kit!  See another reason you should subscribe, the kits are so fun to mix and match!

The beautiful colours of fall in this kit really make it a must see, so check out all the sweet treats the Bakers Dozen has cooked up for you:

Taylor Van Bruggen

Charmaine Ikach

Donna Baker

SharonHarnist 

Karen Giron

Jodi Collins

You are invited to play along with the Key Ingredients challenge too!  Create something for or from the kitchen and distress it!  Post a link to your creation on Taylor's blog, and there just might be a prize in it for someone!

But wait!  There's more!  I am also sharing my take on Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch!  A couple of weeks ago, Karen asked me if I would like to be a part of  her Sweet Sunday Sketch team, and being that I love my sketches, I said yes! 

So here is the sketch and my take on it!  I used the September 20 Key Ingredients kit along with Beary Special and Beary Special Accessories! 

Be sure to see what Karen and the rest of the team have come up with, and you are invited to play along.  Just link your creation up to Karen's post with Mr. Linky!  Word has it that Karen also has some blog candy, you'll definitely want to play along!

Jennifer Tapler

Karen Motz

Lynn Put

Nancy Riley

Sarah-Jane Kale'

Vicki Burdick

and of course Karen!

 

Well I am looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.  It's been a busy week and a long day!  I hope you have something wonderful planned.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love that you included me in your day! 

Berries and Cherries Clipboard Organizer

 With the girls going back to school soon I thought it would be fun to give them a little organizer that will brighten their day each time they open their locker.  I chose to cover a clipboard with the Berries and Cherries stamp set and Key Ingredients kit.  It's busy and fun, just like my daughters!

I picked up the clipboard quite some time ago.  It's an alterable clipboard,"Art Blanche" by EK Success and the clip is unattached which makes it easy to alter, but I'm not sure where I got it.  I started by stamping the row of cherries from Berries and Cherries in Blazing Red and Forest Green Stazon directly on the bottom of the clipboard.  Since I wanted it to be an organizer as well as a decorative piece, I created a little angled pocket along the bottom where she could tuck her lunch card or whatever little note she wanted to save.  The wave was done with the EK dotted wave border punch, and it's secured with 1/4" Sticky Tape.  I added a small calendar which I printed off and cut out from PrintFree.com.

The middle panel has the sentiment from Berries and Cherries, which I thought fit in so well with the 'tween mentality:

"Why eat fruit, when you can eat fruit with Chocolate"

I stamped the row of cherries along the bottom, and the chocolate covered fruit above it.

The top portion was a series of left over designer paper strips from the Key Ingredients Kit, that seemed to fill the space perfectly.  I tied ribbon from the Berries and Cherries Key Ingredients kit to add more fun and placed a post it note in the clip.

Since there wasn't place for a photo holder, I decided to cover a couple of binder clips so she could add (and remove) a couple of photos to the organizer too.  They were the perfect use for tiny scraps, as it takes 1" x 1 1/2" of designer paper and it's done!  By the way, you can click on any photo and it will become a bit larger and clearer!

The back of the clipboard has three magnetic strips across it so it will attach firmly to her locker door.

Are you getting the Taylored Expressions Newsletter?  I was thrilled that me and my project were featured in it this week!  You would also hear about the new changes for the Key Ingredients subscriptions!  The subscription is now offered with monthly installments instead of up front!  They are a fabulous deal, Taylor has a quick video showing you all you get, and you get it every month!  You will also find all the new products that are in store and what's back in stock!  You can sign up for the newsletter on the left side bar directly from the store.

I hope you enjoyed my fun little project today.  I know going back to school is fraught with mixed emotions, so I hope this will help the transistion and start the year off with cheer and chocolate!

Have a fabulous weekend and thanks for stopping in today!  I love it when you do!

Recipe:  Stamps:  Berries and Cherries(Taylored Expressions)  Paper:  all from the Berries and Cherries Key Ingredients kit  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Blazing Red & Forest Green Stazon, Rose Red and Green Galore (SU!)  Accessories:  clipboard (Art Blanche by EK Success), Sticky Tape, binder clips, ribbon from Berries and Cherries Key Ingredients kit, scallop border punch (SU!), dotted wave border punch(EK), calendar from www.Printfree.com,