CR84FN 45

Hello!  It feels like forever since I posted last.  I am recovering from the hectic holiday season.  Did you have a wonderful holiday?  We had unseasonably warm weather which made it hard for me to be in the Christmas spirit.  I think we will pay for it soon.  The winds are howling right now as some "wintry mix" rolls in.  That cracks me up when I hear the weather person say that.  That means it will be a mix of rain, snow, and ice.  I wonder what it will look like when I wake up.

Well, the CR84FN DT have resumed their biweekly color challenge.  This week we have blue, orange, and yellow.  Can you see I used my new My Favorite Things stamp set?  I ordered that for myself for Christmas.  I could hardly wait to open it and play.  I used my new Janome Sew Mini to stitch on my card.  I thought I had the tension worked out before I stitched on my card, unfortunately it didn't turn out so great.  I am a little disappointed.  I do love how small and portable it is.  It can just sit right on my craft desk.  I will just have to play with it a little more.  I absolutely LOVE the new Fringed Perennial die.  I used the smaller of the 2 petals and centers.

I used the new sketch at MFTWSC to get me started creating again.  They have some of the best sketches.   

Make sure you stop by and see what the rest of the design team has created for you.

Mona

Suzanne
Deborah
Stephanie
Sue
Andrea
Lisa

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Baby Yourself

What a month I tell ya.  I made a little time for myself tonight and made a card for My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch.  I have this darling Lather.Rinse.Repeat Pure Innocence image that Beate gave me.  She used it a couple times and passed it on to me.

There is no secret that Pink is my absolute favorite color.  I even colored her little rubber duckie pink. I didn't realize that my image was taking up so much space on my card.  I would have used the smaller scalloped border if I had.  It looks funny with once scallop hanging out on each end.  I colored the outside edge of the bubbles with B000 and then filled in with Stickles.

You can find a link to the challenge in the SCS forum HERE.

Supplies: 
Cardstock: PTI/ Rustic White, White, Kraft & Neenah /Solar White
Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye
Button: PTI
Twine: Doodlebug
Dies: MFT/ Simply Scallops, Oval Tab
machine stitching


Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Cards for Teachers

I have a couple cards I want to share with you.  Today was my son's Christmas party at school, I guess I should say "holiday" party.  Anyway, I made his two teachers a Christmas card.  I used the same basic layout just changed the papers and embellishments.  

Supplies:

Cardstock: PTI/ Rustic Cream, Smokey Shadow

Patterned Paper: Simple Stories

Stamps: PTI  2011 Holiday Tags , Inside and Out Holiday

Dies: PTI: Mat Stack 3, Limitless Layers 1 3/4, MFT Border Die

Ink: Tsukiniko/ Tea Leaves

Twine: PTI Rustic Cream

Supplies:

Cardstock: PTI/ Kraft, Rustic White

Patterned Paper: Echo Park

Stamps: PTI/ Love Lives Here Holiday, Inside and Out Holiday

Dies: PTI/ Mat Stack 3, Limitless Layers 1 3/4, Sweet and Sassy scalloped die, Love Lives Here Holiday die, PTI/ Banner border die (inside card)

Twine: PTI/ Rustic Cream

Ink: Memento

   

I have been busy making tags for all my Christmas presents.  I hope to photograph them tomorrow and I will share them.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Timeless Tuesday

Are you running around like crazy trying to get last minute shopping done?  Well, I am finished shopping and wrapping, but I want to make special tags for all my presents.  That is on my to do list in the next couple days.  I also need to make Christmas cookies and more Party Mix, the batch I made the other day is already gone.  Is there something special you make every year?  Do you have a certain holiday traditions?

This week at Flourishes Timeless Tuesday, Beate is our challenge hostess and she is challenging us to use the Telescope Technique.  You stamp your image two or three times and cut it smaller every time for a layered look.  I chose the Gerber Daisy set and cut it using the Petite Ovals Sm and Petite Ovals Scalloped sm.

 I used the Lenten Rose and Sunflower Collection sold in the Flourishes store.  

Other Supplies:

Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream, Kraft & X Press It paper

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye

Ribbon: Hug Snug Seam Binding

Twine: PTI Rustic Cream

Copics: G21, G24(stems)

I hope you take a few minutes to stop by and see what the rest of the design team has created.

Design Team:

Tammy
Silke

Cindy 
Makikio
Beate
Mona 

Theresa Polak (December Guest Designer)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Flourishes....123 Create Kit

I am so excited that I get to share with you this beautiful new 123 Create Kit from Flourishes.    I love Basic Grey and this is no exception.  Look at the pretty feminine papers.  There is even some in the pack that can very easily be used on a masculine card.  The image is from the pretty set called Feminine Charm.  

So, this was the first time I have stitched on my image.  I was terrified to ruin it.  I messed up a little where they meet, but I love the look.  I will try this more often for sure.  Do you see the pretty ribbon?  It is like seam binding in texture with a little bit of shimmer.  I think I might need more of that stuff.  I even love the thinner lace that was in the kit.  The flower in the center of my bow is a button.  I just just tied it on with some twine.

I also used C000, C1, W1, E37, 

Flourishes has some amazing Create kits.  They come with a 6x6 pack of paper, some ribbon and trim, and some kind of bling.  They are all different and we have a new one every month.

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE DECEMBER RELEASE?  Have you checked out our Feminine Flair Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in our Noon Time Challenges!  The Night and Day Challenge  or… the Perfect Pear Challenge! All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck!

Can’t play? Well, you could take advantage of a fabulous deal! Just click HERE  for a peek at our New Release Bundle — order both sets for 10% off when you buy it in a bundle!

Make sure you stop over to the Flourishes blog.  Several of the Design Team members have created something with some of the various kits we have.

Barbara Anders

Julie Koerber
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon DoolittleHeather Jensen
Beate Johns

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Pears

It is time for sneak peek #2 on the Flourishes blog.  Today the Flourishes Design Team is featuring a new set called Pears.  I love the realistic designs of Marcella Hawley. 

Lush pears ripe for the season, that's what this beautiful set by Marcella Hawley delivers. This 4 by 6" set features a flowering branch with fruit, a trio of pears and a beautiful section of a blossoming branch. Comes complete with four gorgeously scripted sentiments that are perfect for all occasions.

Supplies:

Cardstock: PTI/ Kraft, Dark Shadow, Neenah/ Solar White

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye

Spellbinder Dies: Petite Ovals LG&SM

Ribbon: Cotton Linen White (Flourishes Store)

Twine & Button: PTI

Lace: Wrights

I used a lot of different green Copics for this image.  I also used B000 for the blue around the image.  

I took these pictures of our pear trees 2 years ago.  They are such a beautiful blossom, but they sure are stinky.  I went out one day and couldn't figure out what smelled so bad.  I followed my nose and sure enough it was the Pear blossoms.

Do you want to win this set?  One of the ladies on our link 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 beautiful new set. The winner will be announced on Saturday, December 17^th at noon CST. Want another chance to win? Go to the Flourishes Blog at noon CST to check out the challenges that could you walking away with the entire December release.

Barbara Anders

Julie Koerber
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger
Sharon DoolittleHeather Jensen
Beate Johns



Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Snow Wonderful sneak peek

Hello and welcome to the first day of sneak peaks for Flourishes new release.  Today we are sneak peeking the new set called Snow Wonderful.   This set has beautiful winter themed images and it also goes with the Flourishes Spellbinder Key Hole Die Set.  

I added a good bit of Stickles to the snow.  I really wanted a wintery scene.  We are definitely not having any of the fluffy stuff here in IA.  It does not feel like Christmas to me.  I think this is only the second time since I moved here in 1997, that we didn't have snow for Christmas time.  It is going to be 50 degrees tomorrow.  That is crazy!  So I just look at this and dream of a White Christmas.

I made the image an actual tag element on the card, so it can be flipped over to the sentiment on the back side.  For the mat shape behind the die, I just traced and cut the outer edge of the die.

Supplies: 

Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Rustic White, White

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye

Stamps: Flourishes/ Snow Wonderful

Ink: Memento/Tuxedo Black

Copics: E31, E33, B000, C1, C0, R29

Ribbon: May Arts

Twine, Button: PTI Rustic Cream

***A couple things before you go.  You still have time to participate in the Feminine Flair challenge.  You have a chance to win the entire December release.  Also, we will be having a Noon Time Challenge on the Flourishes blog.  So make sure you stop by and check out the rules and time line for participation.  Most important is that you get a 10% release bundle discount if you purchase the whole release bundle.***

One of the ladies on our link 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 the set of the day! So, head on over and see how our fabulously talented DT used this beautiful new set.

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



Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Timeless Tuesday / Opposites Attract

Hello everyone.  I promise I did not disappear.  I have been creating away to help out during release week at Flourishes.  Today however, it is time for another Challenge at Timeless Tuesday.  Makiko is our challenge hostess and she is challenging us to use the same image and make two cards/projects with two totally different looks, style theme or colors. For example, you can make CAS and lots of layers, feminine and masculine, monochromatic and lots of colors, for a child and adult, for birthday and sympathy, etc. Anyway you think they are totally different or opposite.

Here is my more embellished card with more layers, patterned paper, and ribbon, and pretty bling:

This is my CAS...well, as CAS as I get.  Only cardstock except a strip of patterned paper an image, with a little twine and a tag:

Supplies:
Cardstock: PTI/ White, Kraft, Rustic White
Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye/Love ME
Stamps: Flourishes/Hearts and Flowers
Spellbinders Dies: Standard Circles Lg&Sm, Scalloped circles
Border Punch: EK Success 
Twine: Doodlebug/ Cupcake
Twill: Wrights (hand dyed by me)
Copics: Lenten Rose Collection
Tag Die: PTI

I hope you take a few minutes to stop by and see what the rest of the design team has created.

Design Team:

Tammy
Silke

Cindy 
Makikio
Beate
Mona 

Theresa Polak (December Guest Designer)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Timeless Tuesday 147

Are you having a good start to your week so far?  I am on a roll.  I am back again with a card for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday.  This week Silke is our challenge hostess and she  has made a sketch for us.  I love sketches.  They make life a lot easier for me.  All I have to do is choose papers and stamps.

I used a set that came out last holiday season called Doves and Holly.  I have tried to sit down and color this image a few times before and it just didn't turn out like I wanted.  I think because it is on the lighter side.  It is hard for me to do good shading on something so light.

Supplies:
Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream/Kraft
Stamps: Doves and Holly
Patterned Paper: Authentique
Ribbon: Offray
Twine & Button: PTI Rustic Cream
Dies: SB Standard Circles, MFT Deorative Doily Duo, Lil Inker Banner Die

I hope you take a few minutes to stop by and see what the rest of the design team has created.

Design Team:

Tammy
Silke

Cindy 
Makikio
Beate
Mona 

Theresa Polak (December Guest Designer)

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Bring Back Beautiful / Just For You

It is that time again.  Time for Flourishes Bring Back Beautiful.  This month is :

The Beauty of Winter. This month the challenge is to create a winter/holiday creation. Link up your Bringing Back Beautiful Challenge creations HERE to enter. If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword BBB14. You have until December 31th to enter! As we unveil our challenge for next month, we’ll share our True Beauties – those card makers who wowed us with this challenge! Winners will be featured on the Flourishes Blog and will receive a True Beauty blog button to display proudly on their blog!

Guess what?  I have something to share with you.  I made my son this cute little Tea Bag Holder just for a little something.  He loves to have tea and coffee with me so I thought this would be a special little handmade treat.
***you can click on the pictures to make them bigger if you need.  When I tried to make them bigger they were HUGE.  They are not cropped so I think that is why.

I used the adorable Sweets Of The Season set and colored the candy canes.  I used the Postage Stamp Dies (they are on sale in the Flourishes store).  I also used Standard Circles sm&lg.  The little tag die is PTI and the ribbon is from May Arts.  Beate was kind enough to send me some to try.  The twine is Martha Stewart.  Cardstock is PTI/ Rustic White, Kraft, and Poppy.

I used a couple of neglected supplies in my stash for this.  See the mini grommets?  Had to pull out my Cop A Dile for those.

Here are a few photos of what my son was doing while I was making cards.  He cracks me up with his Legos.  He alters them and orders guns for them online.  He asked if he could take pictures of them in my light tent.  So he took all of these.  I showed him how to take them close, so we don't have to crop them.  I don't think he even knows I put them on my blog yet.  Hehe.

He puts these guns together out of different pieces.  He is very creative.  I love that about him.  I can definitely say that the creativity in my family comes from my mom's father's side of the family.  My grandfather was a craftsman.  He made furniture for a living.  Wonderfully solid wood pieces.  My mom's youngest sister did cross stitch.  My mom's middle sister did everything.  She was one handy lady!  My mom did a good bit too. She sewed all mine and my doll clothes when I was little.  She did cross stitching and crochet.  Later in her life she was into beading.  She made the most beautiful book thongs.  I will share them one day.  They deserve a post all to them selves.  Unfortunately all of them have passed away.  It breaks my heart to think of that.  My MIL pretty much did everything as well.  She is an amazing quilter!  I love getting them, she gives them to me for my birthday and holidays.  Sometimes when we visit I try and steal some.  With her permission of course. Ha!

Look how cute he poses them.  You should see his room.  He uses the top from his Thomas The Train table and builds wars and stuff like that on it.  It scoots right under his bed at night.  Works perfectly.  It even has water and grass designed on the board.

Make sure to stop by the rest of the design team.  Beate has come back to join us on the BBB challenge team.  Don't worry, she didn't leave Timeless Tuesday.  She is doing both

Kathy

Cindy

Yvonne

Laura

Chupa

Beate

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather