Framed Challenge

Flourishes is having their 2nd noontime challenge before their new release and this time we are to include a frame on our creation.  I used a couple of Labels Eight Nestabilities to make my frame and popped it with foam dots over a sponged BG.

STAMPS: Kids Play by Flourishes
PAPER: Daffodil Delight, White
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Cajun Craze, Dusty Durango, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry
ACCESSORIES: Square lattice EF by SU, Black satin ribbon, Labels Eight Nesties, Sponge

Chocolates & Roses

Good Friday to all and welcome to another Raise the Bar Challenge! This week it's a color challenge with a chocolates and roses theme...thus...the call to use reds and browns! I am not happy with my coloring of this image (from Flourishes' Lenten Rose set) and am so anxious to attend Debbie Olsen's standard Copic certification class next week in Richmond, because I really need some directions from a pro!  I used my circle cutting system from Creative Memories for the image panel, then layered it on a Nestie cut circle of Riding Hood Red CS.  The weathered wood BG was created by scoring every inch then swiping Vintage Photo and Fired Brick distress inks on top.  I only wanted a hint of the red, so a very light hand was used with that pad.  I really LOVE the new Flags and Tags Stamps that Laura Pryor has released at Lil' Inker Designs!  Tons of sentiments that fit perfectly on this banner die.  That's it from me...hope you can take some time to see what the other bartenders have created and leave some love on their blogs:
Joni Wilson
Thanh Vo
Julie Smith
Peggy McCurry

Pinter-Inspiration Challenge

Good morning friends! I created this card for Flourishes' noontime challenge posted yesterday!  This is the picture they found on Pinterest to inspire us in some way...

To digress a bit...if you haven't discovered the fun in creating your own boards and saving photos for future reference on the Pinterest website, you really must check it out!  I have gotten endless recipes, papercrafting ideas, and even a photo of a hairstyle that I took to my hairdresser the last time I got my hair cut - lol! 

Since pink/black/white is one of my fave color combinations, I knew I wanted to start with that.  Lil' Inker Designs has just released this large flag die, so that was another element I included.  The picture has an overall feminine theme with the elegant ribboned cameo necklace and the bling of the earrings, so I chose to use the Fleur de Lis Nestie to frame this lenten rose image - so fun to color with Copics!  I fussy-cut the image and popped it with foam dots then added some sparkle with Diamond Stickles to the centers.

So, I'm crossing my fingers and toes that maybe...just maybe...I'll win some new stamps.  Have you seen the glimpse of the new sets to be released soon by Flourishes?  OMG...the design team has really outdone themselves with the sneak peeks this week!

STAMPS: Lenten Rose (Flourishes), Kids Play (Flourishes)-sentiment
PAPER: Yours Truly by Echo Park, Black, White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black
ACCESSORIES: Flag die by Lil' Inker Designs, Fleur de Lis Nestabilities, Copics (RV32, RV34, RV93, Y18, YG91, YG93, YG95, BG0000, B0000, C0, C1), Raspberry Fizz ribbon by PTI, Diamond Stickles.

Black & White Plus One

This is for Flourishes Black and White plus one color challenge.  I decided to add another card to my Christmas stash by using this poinsettia image from the Poinsettia & Boxwood set by Flourishes.  I embossed with Ranger's Queen's Gold EP, then colored with 3 shades of yellow green Copics (YG0000, YG00, YG93).  I added champagne micro beads to the center.  DP is Mambi Color Basics by Me & My Big Ideas.  Thanks for stopping by...this is a quick post as I'm off to work shortly and need to plan for some snow in the forecast! :-(

Color Throwdown 178

Hello everyone! It's Wednesday already, so that means it's Color Throwdown Challenge time and just look at the great colors that Keva has given us!

 I found some papers in BasicGrey's Curio pad that worked perfectly for this combo, so added them to a Cajun Craze base!  Not sure if poppies actually grow in these colors...if not, they really should! LOL!  Since the sentiment spoke of a "grateful heart", I thought this heart-bordered circle Nestie would be a great fit.  Images and sentiment were stamped with Early Espresso ink.  Copics were used to color: Y15, Y17, E08, YG93, YG95.

The layout is for February's Sketch for You to Try Challenge by Jen del Muro.  I loosely interpreted the 3 circle elements on the vertical strip as the trio of poppies.

If you don't have the exact colors,  please feel free to substitute colors that are close! Make a card or paper crafted project and post it to your blog. Then use the direct link from your blog and link it to the Color Throwdown blog using the linky tool. If you post to an online gallery please add CTD178 to the keywords.  For more inspiration, you'll want to check out the other design team members' creations: Barbara Anders, Broni Holcombe, Danielle Kennedy, Joan Ervin, Keva Brown, Kerri Michaud, Kristin Eberline, Lori Tecler, Lynn Put, Tammy Hershberger, and our fabulous guest designer - Jenny Peterson!

STAMPS: Poppy Patch by Flourishes

Mojo Monday

Debbie Carriere has a wonderful layout for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge! I had happy mail today when my order for brand new MME papers arrived! I just had to play and what a hard decision as to what to use first - lol! So, what did I use?
STAMPS: Blue Skies, Vintage Oval Frame, All Aflutter PJ - all by Verve
PAPER: "Dilly Dally" DP from the Miss Caroline series by MME, White by PTI
INK: Versafine Onyx Black, Antique Linen distress ink by Tim Holtz
ACCESSORIES: All Aflutter dies by Verve, Vintage Oval Frame die by Verve, Star charm, Baker's twine, Grosgrain ribbon, Glitter, Distressing tool, Sponge dauber.


Positive thought for today...
YOU didn't fail.  You haven't lost.  Instead, you've gained...a chance to start again, this time with new ideas, new energy, and a new perspective...an opportunity to try something you've always wanted to do without the ties of the past to restrict you...a time to step back, take it easy for a while, and let fresh plans take shape in your mind and heart...a space in your life for renewal and reflection...an occasion to reach out to others who can help and encourage you.  It's all in how you look at it!
                              From "It's All in How You Look At It!" by Patricia Mitchell

Exciting News!

I'm jumping up and down with excitement at being asked to be the Limelight Designer on the Flourishes blog!

I'll be sharing cards/projects every Sunday for the month of February and I'm hoping all of you can visit me there to see what I've been up to!  Here's a sneak peek...