Sneak Peek Flourishes New Set

Here's a peek at one of the cards I've created using a set from Flourishes that will be release on Wednesday...check back on Wednesday for the full card.

Bloggers Challenge - Mother's Day

Bloggers Challenge #46 brings you loads of ideas for last minute creating of your Mother's Day cards.

Both of my cards use the Watercolor Distress Technique from a past issue of the TJNL. On the card with the Iris - after the Iris was stamped, I simply went back and colored in my image with Distress Inks and an aquapainter.

Details:

Stamps - Flourishes Siberian Iris

Ink - Archival Black, Distress Inks Weathered Wood, Peeled Paint, Concord Grape

Card Stock - Eggplant, Black, Vanilla, Celery

Details:

Stamps - Starving Artistamps Silhouette Flowers

Ink - Archival Black, Distress Inks Worn Lipstick, Lavendar, Shabby Shutters, Marigold

Card Stock - Black, Vanilla, Olive, Orange

Wishing you all a lovely Mother's Day

~lisa

Sketch Challenge

This weeks Sketch Challenge on SCS is a great layout to use for a lot of images. Here's two that I created using this weeks sketch

Stamps- Artistic Outpost - Home Plate

Stamps - Flourishes Wedding Party
Designer Paper - Damask Notepad

TechnoStamper Sketch Challenge

It's Monday, time for another one of MJ's Monday Sketch Challenges....This weeks sketch was a very easy one - I've created 3 different cards to show just how versatile a sketch can be.

For this card, I rotated the sketch on it's side. I used the Burnished Embossing Technique from a past issue of the TJNL, with my Ornate Tooled Leather stamp. I stamped my Silhouette Asters from Starving Artistamps in Blue Bayou Ink on white card stock, then cut out a circle with my coluzzle, I layered this on a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock that I punched with my Marvy Scallop punch, then pierced holes with my piercing tool. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Love & Happiness rub ons.

For this next card, I used the Wedding Party set from Flourishes. I stamped it in black ink on shimmer card stock, added color with watercolor crayons. I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the body of her dress with my Quickie Glue Pen, then gave her a necklace, and accented her veil and dress with some gems. The sentiment is white embossed.

On this last card I rotated the sketch again, and replaced the circle image in MJ's sketch with a butterfly.

Details:

Stamps - Baroque Motifs, Touch of Nature, Holidays & Wishes

Ink - Pumpkin, Chocolate Chip

Card Stock - Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Other - Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool

Bloggers Challenge - Chipboard

This weeks bloggers challenge was to use chipboard in a project or on a card. Pretty easy for me - cause I love chipboard. I created a wedding squash book - my chipboard is covered by the Damask Notepad designer paper - perfect for a wedding! The sentiment is from Flourishes Wedding Essentials set, and the beautiful ribbon is also available at Flourishes.







Details for squash book:

• 36 inches of ribbon
• Chipboard (cut 2 - 5" x 5")
• Patterned Paper (cut 2 - 6" x 6" )
• Card Stock (cut 3 - 8 1/2" x 8 1/2", score in half, open and fold in half the other way, open and fold on a diagonal. You'll now have 2 squares and 4 triangles. Line up the squares in this order: facing up, facing down, facing up. Overlap the squares and attach with adhesive. Push the triangular sides in and "squash" into a square.
• Cover your chipboard pieces with your patterned paper
• To adhere ribbon, fasten it to the underside of one chipboard cover
• Squash the album. Use sticky strip to adhere the covers to the album.
• Tie the ribbon in the front to hold the book closed.

Looking for more chipboard ideas - here's some previous blog posts

Flip Book Albums

Scratch Pad Holder

Card Organizer

This weeks bloggers challenge came at a great time - Stampin' Up! will be having a Chipboard Special during the month of May!

Get On Board with Chipboard
Promotion Dates: May 1-31, 2008

Promotion Details:

Spend $35 on Stampin' Up! products and get 25 percent off any On Board items from the Spring-Summer Collection.

There is no limit to the number of discounted chipboard products a customer may purchase once the qualifying order of $35 has been reached.

This offer is being made in conjunction with a Cutting Mat/Hobby Blade combo pack special offer; click here for more details.

Download the flyer

Garnet Iris

One of my favorite mediums are color wash sprays - there are a variety of different ones available to crafters - two of my favorites are made by Ranger and Stamp Zia. You can make your own color wash sprays (mix dye based reinkers and rubbing alcohol in a spritz bottle) - however I've found them not to be as vibrant as the ready made ones.

Here's a card I created using a morphed version of the Cling and Scrunch Technique (TJNL). Why "morphed" you ask? Well, it's a little creative altering of the technique so to speak.

To start, I placed my watercolor paper into a shoebox and lightly spritzed using my Garnet Color Wash Spray, then quickly placed a piece of scrunched saran wrap over the ink - this not only spreads the ink - but will give you the lines you see in my finished sample. Once my color wash was dry (I cheat and carefully use the heat gun to speed up the drying time) - I removed the saran wrap, and black embossed my Iris image. Using an aquapainter and watercolor crayons, I colored in the stem of the flower - then quickly poured on clear embossing powder while the crayon coloring was still wet, and heat set. This adds a bit of dimension to the image. For my iris, I simply used my aquapainter (no water color crayons needed here), and lightly went over the iris image, while wet, pour on the clear embossing powder and heat.

Here's a close up of the embossed image

ETA - Betsy at ISC is offering a special on the Adirondack Color Wash Sprays - preorder 4 get the 5th one FREE - just mention this special!

Details:

Stamps - Siberian Iris

Ink - Versamark, Garnet Color Wash, WC Crayons

Card Stock - Watercolor, Pink, Black, Mellow Moss

Other - Saran Wrap, Heat Gun, Clear EP, Aquapainter

Bloggers Challenge 42 Triangle Box and a tip...

This weeks Bloggers Challenge was to create a Triangle Box. There are many different patterns out there for Triangle Boxes - here's the one I used. With this pattern you can make the Triangle Box as big or as small as you'd like.

Details:

Stamps - Flourishes Wedding Essentials

Ribbon - May Arts

Here's the dimensions on mine:

Cut card stock to 10 1/2" x 3 1/2" (stamp or use embossing folders before you continue)
Score in on the 10 1/2" side at 5 1/2"
Turn your card stock and mark the center (1 3/4") on your 3 1/2" sides
Using a scoring blade score from the center point to the base (5 1/2" mark)
Fold the sides in to form your box
Use a hole punch and punch through all layers at the point and tie with a ribbon

Here's another one - these are really quick and easy. For this one I used the Cuttlebug Smoosh Technique (TJNL). I used my lavender ink to dye my white taffeta ribbon. If you scroll down you'll see a close up of how I created my elongated word window.

To create the elongated word window I cut my card stock to the width of the opening on my punch, and stamped my sentiment. Then slipped it through the punch with one edge through the slot and the other sticking up like this and punch

Remove your paper and reinsert on the other side like this and punch

Flourishes New Releases and Guest Designer

Things have been quite busy at Flourishes...Today Flourishes is releasing THREE new sets

• Wedding Essentials
• Wedding Party
• Siberian Iris

Along with these new releases, the talented SHARON HARNIST, has joined on as a Guest Designer for Flourishes.

You can enter to win TWO Flourishes stamps sets of your choice just for uploading any card to the SCS gallery that is done with Flourishes images. Be sure to read this thread for more details. Good Luck!

Here's a few samples I did for the new releases, you can see more new release samples here, along with many other Flourishes samples.

These open images from the Wedding Party set are great for using the Paper Piecing Technique. Here, I stamped and embossed the image in chocolate on shimmer card stock. Then stamped and embossed the image again on Afternoon Tea Designer Paper, cut it out and adhered it to my image on the shimmer card stock. I used markers to add color to my bridesmaid and flower bouquet. The sentiment is from the set Wedding Essentials and is stamped in Chocolate Chip. The main image is layered on Chocolate Chip, then a Groovy Guava base.

Here's another card I created that features the Wedding Essentials and Wedding Party sets. The main image is stamped in Black Archival Ink from Ranger on shimmer card stock and heat set, then colored with markers. I used the Stardust Gelly Roll Pen to add a bit of shimmer to the brides dress. The designer paper under the couple is by Teresa Collins .

On this last card I used the beautiful Siberian Iris set. To add dimension and lift to my Iris, I used the Paper Tole Technique (06/03 TJNL). I stamped my images in Black Archival Ink , heat set and water colored them in Lavender and Artichoke. I used the Stardust Gelly Roll Pen to add a bit of glitter to the Iris.

Oh Happy Day.....

Let's see....the mail lady brought me loads of goodies today - new fun products and rubber from Innovative Stamp Creations

Details
Stamps - Innovative Stamp Creations
All About Me
Friendship
Fansy Designs
Assemblage

These stamps are perfect for the Color Collage Technique in the April issue of the TJNL.

New rubber from Flourishes - have you seen the new Menswear set? Great for masculine cards, and fun to paper piece!

My April Issue of The Technique Junkies Newsletter arrived too! It's always a fun mail day when the new issue arrives.

Allie at Croppinsville USA asked me to join her Design Team - she's carrying a lot of cool stamp lines, be sure to check them out. Allie's also looking for members for her Design Team - if your interested you can email Allie.

Easter Hinged Tins

You can purchase your hinged tins at Specialty Bottle or Paper Mart.

To create my insert, I cut my card stock to 6 5/16" x 4 1/2" scored at 9/16" on all sides - cut in, then used my retired corner rounder to round the corners so it fit nicely inside my tin. Circle was cut with the smallest circle on the coluzzle companion. I did have to flatten the bottom of the eggs for the lid to shut - but it works.

Happy Easter!

Got Eggs?

Just in time for Easter - I found this cute little box on SCS, it works perfect with the "Got Eggs" sentiment from Flourishes Easter Bunnies Set.

Stained Glass

Here's the Easter Card I made for my parents - I'm sharing it today - as it has to go in the mail tomorrow to reach them on time!

I thought the Easter Blessings set would be perfect for that Stained Glass look - so I used the Stained Crystal technique from the 10/03 TJNL to add color to my images. To keep with that stained class look - I used the Floating Acetate technique (02/06 TJNL) for my card base. I recently received some Crystal Clear Card Stock from Flourishes - and I have to say, this has got to be some of the best stuff for making acetate cards! Chocolate Poly Twill is wrapped inside the card and tied onto one of SU's new ribbon slides from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware.

Got Eggs?

There's a great Peek-a-Boo candy tutorial that can be found here on SCS, and my new rubber from Flourishes is perfect for this little treat holder.

Details:

Stamps - Flourishes Easter Bunnies, Wheel SU Petals
Ink - Chocolate Chip, various markers

Card Stock - Bashful Blue, White, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Other - Crop-a-dile, Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Chocolate Twill

Here's a close up of the inside - I used my

Crop-a-dile to add some dry embossing to the scallop edges

TechnoStamper Sketch Challenge

Boy, Monday's sure seem to come fast! Here's MJ's sketch for this weeks TechnoStamper Sketch Challenge. I'll definitely use this sketch again.

Details:

Stamps - Flourishes Easter Bunnies

Card Stock - Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Confetti, Basic Grey - Two Scoops

Ink - Black, Close to Cocoa

Other - Markers, Color Pencils, Large Oval Punch

Technique - Pencil over Marker 02/05 TJNL

Easter Blessings

My new Easter Blessings rubber from Flourishes arrived today - I just love the flowers wrapped around the cross - so many possibilities for different types of cards.

I used the Smackin' Acetate Technique from the 06/03 TJNL, but did the cheaters version. I actually stamped my image on a piece of acetate first, colored on the back side, spritzed and smacked to my already stamped image. This way I was able to place my colors exactly where I wanted them.



Details:
Stamps - Flourishes Easter Blessings
Ink - Black Stazon
Card Stock - Apricot Appeal, Wild Wasabi, Black, Glossy
Other - Spritz Bottle, Acetate
Markers - Summer Sun, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa

Details:

Stamps - Flourishes Easter Blessings

Card Stock - Watercolor, Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Romance

Ink - Versamark

Other - Black EP, Celery, Rose, Carmel Markers

Technique - Marker Wash 10/07 TJNL

Easter Blessings

Flourishes will be releasing their new Easter Stamps later this week - here's a peek at one of the cards that Jan created. Be sure to check out her blog to find out the history behind the Easter Blessings stamp set.

Bloggers Challenge 36

This weeks Bloggers Challenge is to create a card using the layout on page 44 of the Stampin' Up! Spring Summer Collection. This is a pretty basic layout - so I thought I would share a few cards this week. If you'd like to play along, please leave a link to your creation here on my blog - or you can upload to your SCS gallery and use keyword BCW36.

Details:
Stamps -Baroque Motifs, Touch of Nature, Holidays & Wishes
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Purely Pomegranate
Other - Tool Kit, Dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Chocolate Satin Ribbon

Details:
Stamps - Starving Artistamps - Small Silhouette Flowers ,
'Lil Squares Background , Sun Spirit Studio Sentiments
Card Stock - White, Black, River Rock
Ink - Black, River Rock
Other - White Taffeta Ribbon (dyed with River Rock Ink), HP Hardware, Sponge Dauber, Tool Kit

Details:
Stamps - Flourishes Fantasy Floral Garden, Many Sentiments
Card Stock - Bashful Blue, White, Black, Sage Shadow
Ink - Black, Sage Shadow
Other - Dew Drops, Sponge Dauber, Crystal Effects, Two Scoops DSP

Flourishes Birthday Celebration

Monday, Jan Marie of Flourishes will be celebrating her birthday and you can win some awesome presents! To enter to win simply upload any card or project to your SCS gallery made using any Flourishes, LLC Stamp Sets. Please use the keyword fllcjanmariesbirthday when uploading. If you don't have a gallery on SCS - you can post your creation to your blog and leave your link on the Flourishes Forum.


Flourishes will be doing random drawings thoughout the day on Monday and announce the winners....Big prize winners will be announced on Tuesday.

Smaller gifts will be given away on Monday

Big prize items:
Xyron 900
Nestabilities-Standard Classic Circles
Nestabilities-Classic Scallop Circles-LG
A pair of Fiskar scissors engraved with Flourishes,LLC
Various Flourishes Stamp Sets

What are you waiting for - get out your Flourishes images and start creating!

Details:
Stamps - Flourishes -Damask, Many Sentiments
Ink - Celebration Spectrum Pad, Night of Navy
Card Stock - Night of Navy, Green Galore, Clay Coated Card Stock
Other - Large Oval, Navy Grosgrain, Sponge Dauber, Brayer, Spritz Bottle
Tech - Spectrum Roll - TJNL

Damask Gift Box Tutorial

While working on another project with the Damask image, I realized my score marks were not in the right place, so I improvised and came up with a template for a box, rather than throw the pieces on my recycle pile.

Here's the finished view - the box uses the Damask image and Many Sentiments both from Flourishes. To add some depth to my brocade blue card stock I used the Faux Denim technique from a past issue of the TJNL.

Here's the dimensions for the lid (click to enlarge

Cut your card stock to 5" x 3 3/4"

score 1/2" on all sides

Cut on the bold lines as indicated

You can use your fiskars scoring blade, I used my Mini Scor-It from Betsy at Innovative Stamp Creations.

Dimensions for the bottom (click to enlarge)

Cut card stock 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Score 13/16" on all sides

Cut as indicated

I used sticky strip on my tabs so that my box would hold securely in place.

Flourishes Damask

Flourishes will be releasing two new sets next week - Damask and Many Sentiments

Details:
Stamps - Flourishes - Damask, Many Sentiments
Card Stock -Chocolate Chip, Brushed Copper
Ink - Versamark
Other - Copper Embossing Powder, Satin Chocolate Ribbon, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Dimensional

Details:

Stamps - Flourishes - Damask, Lace Heart

Card Stock - White, Black, Real Red

Ink - Real Red