May Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Birthday Wishes

 Welcome back again to another fun Beautiful Blossoms Challenge! I really do look forward to these every month, and this month is another good one!

Our challenge photo is :

Look at those beautiful flowers and lovely blue color of fine china! So inspiring! I was inspired by the blue and the details on this photo. I love the clean white flowers and on the china, so I left a lot of white space on my card, and added a few hints of blue here and there. I was also inspired by the details of the vessel, so I added a few details to inspire the eye.

I stamped out tulips in a bucket from Flourishes (gone out of business) "Tulips for Friends" stamp set, cut it out, and colored it in with Copics. I cut the main "base" under the tulips in white cardstock that I stamped some decorative edges around (I decided to leave them unconnected because it was more interesting that way, and I wanted the main focus on the tulip bucket) the outer edges. I used Echo Parks "Stitched Squares" die set for my main "base" on top. I stamped a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp from their "Tiny Words" set, on the base after I'd stamped the corner decorative images. Then I cut out a blue cardstock using MFT "Scalloped Squares" die set, after that, I cut out another white square from Echo Parks "Stitched Squares" die set, as my "bottom base". As I added each "layer", I placed 1/8" foam tape under them, to give "lift" and spacing so the card wouldn't seem "flat" and uninteresting. Then I put my main image on last, with more popdots under it to pop it off the card even more.

As you may have noticed the challenge photo is both small and detailed, so I kept the idea of that scale and detail in mind when I created my card. It is both small (3 1/2 x 3 1/2) and detailed. I know there isn't any yellow in the photo, but remember, it's for inspiration only. You can be inspired by the colors, subject, details, size, theme, or anything else you find inspiration in!

I hope this month's photo, and our design team's examples have given you plenty of ideas to create something. We're looking forward to seeing your submissions and lovely inspirations, and I'll see you next month, Crafty Friends!

Sweet Birthday Wishes

 Hello, Friends! I'm back with a card I made during Thanksgiving vacation, that I'm going to submit to a few online challenges. I Miss joining online challenges, but you know, working two jobs really takes all my extra free time away. So this is a nice and welcome bit of extra time I had to just play around with my little crafty treasures for a bit.

I created this card out of a "new-to-me" stamp set from Momma Elephant.

I stamped out Momma Elephant's "Yay A Party" and colored it in with Copics, then cut it out the main image with a stitched die from Paper Trey that has been long retired. I matted a yellow cardstock from Bazzil under it, called "French Vanilla", then matted that with a yellow chevron design paper, again cut from the Paper Trey dies from the same stitched rectangle set, but this one has scallops on the edges. There is no name on the Paper Trey dies, so I cannot name the set.

I kept everything simple and clean. I wish the lighting caught how soft the colors on the bunnies and the rest of the scene, are.

I'm submitting my card to the following online blog challenges :

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Pattie's Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

Just Add Ink - Add Dies

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

All Sorts Challenge - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Birthday

Color Throwdown - Color Challenge (chose to feature only Yellow)

September Beautiful Blossoms Challenge : Birthday Greetings

 Good morning fellow crafters, I've missed you! 

Another month, another design challenge! How are you enjoying them so far? Have you been feeling the challenge? Have you enjoyed the beautiful inspiration photos? I know I have.

I definitely love the rusty red and the soft oranges, so perfect for my favorite time of the year. Such beautiful fall colors!

I chose to use Honey Bee Stamps Love is a Rose stamp set and the dies to cut it out. I colored it in with my Copic markers. Then I chose a Doodlebug Design blue doily to place under the image. I found some blue-green coordinating paper that I cut out with Pink Fresh's Slim Ornate Banner die, then rounded the corners with a corner punch. Then I placed Popdots under that, and placed it over some design paper with Pink Fresh's Fancy Rectangle Frame over Bazzil's Cornmeal cardstock, then added some yellow enamel dots.

As busy as this looks, it was pretty simple to make and layer. I just love it when a card comes together so quick, don't you?!

Thank you for your follows and kind comments, it means the world to me! Until next month, thank you for joining us at Beautiful Blossoms Challenge!

Happy Birthday!

 Of all the kinds of cards I create, I love making Birthday cards the most! 

I realized I haven't made a nice, bold card with colors that POP! I wanted a card that just said summer, using some of my favorite "tart" vivid shades that invoke those summer vibes. 

So I created this card for my daughter's birthday last week, and she LOVED it.

I stamped out half of my (large!) image from Colorado Craft Company, called "Sweet Friend Cupcake" and colored it in with Copics, using some strong colors that would Pop off the card. Then I stamped my sentiment with a stamp set from Spellbinders called "Birthday Pennants". Then I matted my image using Doodle Bug Company's "Pistachio" cardstock, layering that over some really vivid patterned paper (no designer given on it). I placed the PP over some "Buttercup" yellow cardstock from Simple Stories and added some white cardstock under that that I punched out a "lace" edge using Fiskars "Swiss Dots" edger. I placed more Pistachio cardstock under the white Swiss Dot punched edge paper, but I popped that off the Pistachio using PopDots to offer depth and keep it from feeling "flat". I then added the image over the PP using more PopDots so there'd be some "lift" and life to the image.

This has to be one of my favorite cards I have made of recent. I love all the bright, bold and sassy colors! They just make me squeal with delight! I could make a hundred cards using these colors and they'd still make me smile. I don't know about you, but I'm just not ready for summer to end!

Happy Birthday, Jan Marie!

Light the candles, cue the music and get ready for a little bit of birthday fun! It will SOON be a very special lady's birthday and so we rallied the troops to send some birthday wishes her way a little early! On Monday, February 25th, Jan Marie Caruso, the fearless and creative force behind Flourishes will be another year older -- what a wonderful thing to celebrate! So, we've asked Flourishes' designers from all of our teams to join us to help make this day super special with a......

Here's the scoop, there's a way YOU can help Jan celebrate and win some Flourishes stamps as well! HOW? We just love creative challenges here at Flourishes and so, why not usher in another one! One randomly drawn winner will get a $25 gift certificate to the Flourishes store, just for playing along!

Here is the birthday card I made for Jan Marie.

I wanted to create a nice and feminine card for her birthday so I used Flourishes Feminine Charm shoe image that I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored the shoe in with Copics then cut the image out with Flourishes Tailor-Made Classic Keyhole die. I used some Scor-Tape under the diecut to attach my paper lace doily, then I added a bow from Flourishes Color Made Easy Seam binding in Baby Pink from the Poppy line. I used paper from My Mind's Eye Lavender and matted it with Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock as my card base.

Jan Marie, I hope you have a very happy birthday filled with lots of love and surrounded by family and laughter. Thank you for creating the perfect company offering elegant stamps and embellishments! I love what I do and I'm so thankful to be a part of your design team!

Here are the Copic sets that I used for this card:

One extra note? Jan may be the head of this company but one thing she doesn't get a ton of is happy mail from customers using her stamps? Let's change that for her birthday and flood her with some creative "love" by sending her your Berry Sweet Birthday Blog Hop creations! Here's her address so you can pop them in the mail!

Jan Marie Caruso

4140 Lyric Lane

Pensacola, FL 32514

I know she would love to see "in real life" what beautiful work you all do and I know it would bring a huge smile to her face!  So, join us in singing her a special little birthday song! Be sure to check out all the fun and festive wishes and grab some great ideas for birthday cards along the way!

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence         

Danielle Kennedy

Heather Jensen

Julie Koerber

Silke Ledlow

Stacy Morgan

Allison Cope

Broni Holcombe

Cindy Haffner

Maki Jones

Amanda Havon

Aleksandra Mihelič

Dina Kowal

Iwona Palamountain

Kathy Jones

Meredith MacRitchie

Sasha-Marie Holmes

Deborah Anton

Thanks for stopping by and helping us with Jan Marie a wonderful and fabulous BIRTHDAY on Monday!
Thank you for visiting!

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Birthdays!

Good Morning Timeless Tuesday friends! It's time for another fun challenge, and this week I am challenging you to: Create a Birthday Card or Project!! It's as simple and easy as that! Who doesn't need a birthday card at the last moment? I know I do :)

I used Flourishes new "Inside and Out Happy" stamp set. This is my new favorite go to set with all of it's easy and quick sentiments for any occasion!

I stamped Flourishes "Inside and Out Happy" birthday sentiment out on Flourishes "Classic White" cardstock that I cut out with a diecut. I cut some pennants from Spellbinders "Nested Pennants" dies with papers from the Flourishes 123 "Viola" Kit, which the ribbon and rhinestones are also from.


All this month I am using Flourishes "Viola" 123 Kit. With all of it's versatility and embellishments, you will want one too! I personally loved all of the beautiful papers and trims :)

Please visit the rest of the team to gather more Flourishes Timeless Tuesday inspirations!

Cindy
Broni

Denise

Ally 

Maki

Nina Brackett - October's Guest Designer

Thank you for visiting and please have a great day!

Timeless Tuesday and Some Exciting News!

Good morning everyone :) 

 If you read the post Sunday from Flourishes HERE, you already know my exciting news! Or if you have just arrived and don't know, I was recently invited to be a member of Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Design Team! I am so excited and honored to have been asked, I have been using their stamps for two years now and I even dreamed of being on their team one day! Still can't believe they asked me and I'm still in shock but excited to get started so let's begin, shall we? 


This weeks Timeless Tuesday hostess is Beate and her challenge is to create a Birthday Card. I decided to create a pretty blue feminine card, keeping it soft.

I used Flourishes "Feminine Charm" stamp set with some blue papers and pearls. I embellished my card with May Arts "Light Blue" silk ribbon and Webster's Pages "Ladies and Gents" fabric ticket and a flower.
 
I am in love with the May Arts silk ribbon, I've never felt anything like it! It is so soft and silky, it will give you those big delicious voluminous bows you have always wanted. You will probably be seeing more of these ribbons in my future cards they are so pretty :)


Here are links to the rest of the team for more wonderful Flourishes inspirations.

Beate

Cindy

Heather

Maki

Mona

Silke

Tammy

Geri Utterback - April's Guest Designer

Kazan Clark - April's Guest Designer 

Thank you for visiting and please have a great day!
~ Amanda