Sunday Morning Flourishes

Hello again, I'm back with another Flourishes card that I kept very simple and sweet.

Remember those cool shaped cards that were all the rage a few years ago? Yep, I decided to go "retro" and make one and just have fun with it.

I picked Flourishes Garden Picks stamp set and stamped it on Flourishes Classic White cardstock. I colored the flowers in very softly with my Copics, then fussy cut it out and set it aside. I stamped Flourishes Love and Lace as my circular background, in Memento Desert Sand on Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock I diecut out into a circle. I matted the diecut circle with Spellbinders Picot Circles die, using a very light and soft pink cardstock, to give it a lacy and feminine feel.
I attached my base to my top half and I cut out a scalloped circle shape in a soft pink cardstock, attaching it to my base for decoration. Then I added a fancy tag shape so that my top could have a "catch point" so my card wouldn't flop closed. Then I stamped the flower images in Memento Desert Sand on the fancy tag piece, adding my sentiment in the middle. I finished off my card with some pearls and swirl bling, keeping it very simple and not fussy.

I hope this card inspires you to try another retro card shape or style!

As promised I am also announcing my blog candy winner from Flourishes Release Week! The winner is: Liz Williams!!! Liz, please email me at : havonfamily@yahoo.com to claim your prize!!

Challenge Blog Link Up List For This Card:

Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
Colour Crazy - Anything Goes
Creative Corner - Favorite Color Combo - (Pink & Creams)
Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
Cut It Up! - Summer Time Memories - (Picked Flowers in a Jar)
Fussy and Fancy - Pink & Cream w/ Lots of Bling
Morgan's Art - Add 3 Of Something - (3 or more Pearls and Bling)
Pattie's Creations - Anything Goes


Thank you for joining me and I will see you soon with another Flourishes card!
~ Amanda

Flourishes Free For All Friday!

Hello and welcome to another Flourishes Free For All Friday! It's my turn to host the Flourishes blog and show off a creation using another Flourishes Image.

I am using another Flourishes retiring set called The Sweetness of Friendship.

I stamped out The Sweetness of Friendship on an acetate frame with some Memento ink so that it wouldn't smear after drying. Then I took an old back piece of Prima flower packaging and used that as my card background. After letting the stamped sentiment dry on the acetate, I placed popdots under the acetate to lift it off the card background to create depth. After placing the acetate image where I wanted it on the card, I added some flowers, leaves and some pearl swirls over the white popdots so that they couldn't be seen and also add some color and beauty to the card's overall look.

This was an experiment to see if I could find a way to place popdots under the acetate so I could lift it off the card to add some depth and interest. I really like how it all turned out and I may try this again, although working with acetate is tricky and it doesn't photograph easily. I'd like to encourage you to try it, if you haven't, you may find you like it!

Don't forget that Flourishes is having a huge blow out sale to retire old sets and make way for some of the new ones! Don't miss out, you only have a couple days left to buy your favorite sets. The sale ends July 31st.

Thank you for visiting and I will see you next Friday for another Free For All Friday!
~ Amanda

Flourishes Release Week: A Mother's Hug

Good morning, are you enjoying Flourishes Release Week, so far? I know I am and I don't want it to end, but today we are showing you Flourishes last new set. I feel like Jan Marie saved the best for last, because it is.

 The set is called A Mother's Hug, and it's simply beautiful.

I stamped A Mother's Hug on Flourishes Classic White cardstock and colored it in with Copics. I matted the image in with Color Made Easy: Iced Aqua cardstock and Taupe cardstock for the card base.

I hope this Release Week has been both fun and inspirational for you as much as it has been for me. I also hope you've been leaving comments on all the designers blogs and lastly the Flourishes blog each day, so you can have a chance at a $25 Flourishes Store Gift Card! I know I want one, I have so many stamp wish lists for that store! So be sure to leave a comment below and keep on hopping through to get some more great eye candy from each of the other bloggers! You have until June 3rd to leave your comments!
Don't forget, if you buy all 3 of the new sets you get a 10% discount!

                                           Amanda Havon - me

Nancy Nickel

Naomi Gong

Vicki Dutcher

Flourishes Blog

Do you remember that I am also giving away a prize on my blog, too? Today is the last day to leave a comment so that you're able to receive this sweet prize!!

You had to have left me a comment on ALL THREE blog hop days to be in the running to win it! I'll announce the winner on my blog Friday June 3rd!


It's been an amazing week with you and I hope you come back soon!
~ Amanda

Flourishes Release Week: DAD You Rock!

Good morning! I've been waiting anxiously for today to arrive to start showing you Flourishes new stamp line, which I know you'll love.

All of our new stamps are available for purchase each day of their release, and if you buy ALL the new release sets, Flourishes will give a 10% discount!

Are you ready for Flourishes first stamp set of Release Week? I know I am so let's get to it!
Today we are featuring : DAD You Rock!

 For this fantastic Father's Day card I used:  Dad You Rock, Flourishes Classic White Paper, Color Made Easy: Blue Jean Collection, Copic Markers, and Memento Ink.

In honor of our Release Week and Grand Opening, Flourishes is giving away a $25 gift certificate to one random commenter over the next 3 release days. You must comment on all DT blogs and the Flourishes blog, on all 3 release days. You will have until Friday, June 3rd to comment!

I hope you'll continue along the Release Week Hop and check out the other crafting designers and what they've created. But Don't forget to comment on them, circle back to the Flourishes blog and leave a comment there as well so we can count you in for the prize drawing!! You don't want to miss out on a single day or a chance to win a gift card prize!
So hop along to:

Amanda Havon - You Are Here
Nancy Nickel
Naomi Gong

Vicki Dutcher

Flourishes Blog

I am also giving away a blog prize in honor of Flourishes and coming back to the Senior Design Team! All you need to do is leave me a comment each day, on ALL THREE blog hop days, and on Friday June 3rd, I will announce the winner!
Would you like to see what you could win?

I will be throwing in some pretty ribbons for you too! Don't miss out!!

I'll see you tomorrow and show you another new set from Flourishes that I know you'll like too. Meanwhile, I hope you hop on over to the other designers blogs, check out their creations and leave some blog love.

Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow!
~ Amanda

A Creative Journey With Melissa August Release!

Good morning!! Welcome to the monthly NEW RELEASES for A Creative Journey with Melissa. Every SECOND WEDNESDAY of the month we will be featuring our newly released stamp sets. I am a Design Team member for A Creative Journey with Melissa and I am so excited to be able to share these creations with you today.

The new stamp releases this month are the Awareness Ribbon Stamp Set #3 - Ready for a Fight and the Awareness Ribbon Stamp set #4 - Autism Awareness. We are also highlighting our amazingly cute and versatile Everyday Alphabet and Everyday Alphabet Outline stamp sets throughout this hop. I am highlighting the Autism Awareness set for this blog hop, and this one is really near and dear to my heart. It is a beautiful set and has some very nice and appropriate sentiments.

My youngest has Autism.  I love her very much, and how her older sister does, too. When they play together, they have some pretty fun adventures. Sometimes it's nice to know there are others out there thinking of us, which is why I am so excited about the Autism Awareness set!


Here is the first card I made.

I used A Creative Journey's Autism Awareness set that I colored in with Copic Sketch markers and fussy cut out with a craft knife, then popped it up with popdots. I edged my Kraft cardstock in Memento Tuxedo Black so it would stand out a bit and give it a shadow effect. After edging my top layer of cardstock, I added some popdots under that to give more depth to it so it would stand out even more. Then I stamped my sentiment in Tuxedo Black and added some Black Kaiser Pearls to finish the look.

Here is my second card using the Autism Awareness stamp set.

I used the Autism Awareness set and colored it in with my Copic markers, then fussy cut them out and popping the upright ones up on popdots and leaving the upside down ones firmly attached flat to my card. I added some scored lines to add some interest and popped my white layered cardstock up on popdots.

Please be sure to hop along to each participant, follow their blog and answer the question correctly that they have posted to qualify to win the prizes. The prizes include:

• The Awareness Ribbon Stamp Set #3 - Ready for a Fight
• The Awareness Ribbon Stamp Set #4 - Autism Awareness
• Sizzix Embossing folder set

My question is : What type of die cutting machine do you have if any?


Thank you for visiting and be sure to visit these fellow DT Members blogs for more inspirations!

Rhoda
 

Amanda (you are here)
 

Marie
 

Alena
 

Brandie
 

Melissa

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!!

A Creative Journey

As you can see life has caught up with me and since I'm not on any design teams anymore, my creative drive has all but left me for a bit. Mixed with life and keeping up with my kids schooling, my card crafting has really taken a back burner in my life.

But I recently joined a nice and friendly design team for a stamp company called A Creative Journey with Melissa. Here is a link to their online store and blog: A Creative Journey with Melissa.

It's a 6 month DT commitment and I'm glad I joined because it really pulls me out of my creative shell and get to what I love: Creating Cards!

I chose to work with a set called Petals For You.

I chose to score my own lines on ivory paper with my Martha Stewart Score Board. I used a My Mind's Eye "Sunshine" paper pad for my patterned paper and back cardstock for my matting. I used Memento and Close to My Heart inks to stamp up my Petals For You set, and added colored my rhinestones in with my Y17 Copic marker to bring some pizzaz and color to the card.

You can find the Petals For You in the A Creative Journey's store front HERE.

I hope to have more items to show in the future (*crossing my fingers*) so stick around and I hope to dazzle you some more!

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a great day and come back again soon! 

Flourishes Friday Focus: Beach Sets!

Happy Friday Flourishes Friends!  How is the weather in your neck of the woods?  Is that summer heat getting you down?  Well today the Flourishes Senior Design Team has a treat for you focussing on three beautiful summery sets:  Beach Life, A Guiding Light  and Seaside Life  because we know that this time of year makes you long for those cool ocean breezes. 
I chose to work with Beach Life for my simple 10 minute card. 

I stamped out a shell from the Beach Life in Versafine Onyx Black ink, onto Classic Ivory cardstock and fussy cut it out. I used the Sweet Pea and the Dahlia Classic Copic Collections. Then I diecut out my cardstock with some Spellbinder dies. After that I stamped out more shell images from Beach Life, as a background, in Memento Desert Sand ink then I sponged Tattered Rose Distress Ink around the background. 

Just a quick note, we seem to be currently out of Beach Life  stamp sets at the moment, but we should be back in stock soon, though! :)

Head on over and visit...  

Amanda Havon

Christine Okken 

Cindy Lawrence

Heather Jensen

Julie Koerber

Maki Jones

Silke Ledlow

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

       Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your summer in the sun, hopefully at the beach!!

Flourishes Release Week: Berry Sweet Frames!

We're back today with our last day of fabulous New Releases for June!   Today's set celebrates the sweet bounty of a fruitful summer garden!   Introducing....

This set is surely berrylicious! Designed with three sweet-as-can-be accent stamps of raspberries, strawberries and cherries, this set can deliver a gift from your garden or cheer to a friend. The gingham background is designed as a perfect fit to our Perfectly Pierced Classic Frames Die. Layer using the die or come up with your own fun ways to combine all of these sentiments and images. With this fresh picked set, the creative options are endless!

I stamped Berry Sweet Frames in Memento Pistachio ink out onto a Perfectly Pierced Frames in Classic White cardstock, and I stamped the sentiment out in Memento Tangelo and Memento Bamboo Leaves inks. I colored in the cherry with the Poppy, Fuschia and Olive Green Copic Collections. I matted my card with Color Made Easy Pistachio cardstock and ribbon from the Color Made Easy Iced Lime ribbon collection.

We'll have some berry-beautiful things to show you with these Berry Sweet Frames, so take a trip on over to visit the Design Team today to see what we have in store for you, and don't forget that once again today we have a …

We'll have some very fun summer inspired ideas to show you with this set, so drop on over and visit the Design Team today to see them all, and don't forget that we have one last day of the…

One of the Design Team Members is today's Mystery Blogger.  If you comment on her blog you could be chosen to win today's great set!  The more you comment on the DT Blogs, the better your chances of winning!

Amanda Havon
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Heather Jensen
Julie Koerber
Maki Jones
Silke Ledlow
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

DO YOU WANT TO WIN OUR ENTIRE RELEASE?

If you want a chance to win all four of our June stamp sets?  Time is running out...

You can play in our  Textures of Nature Challenge

– Deadline for entries is Friday at 5 PM EST.  OR, play along with the gals for this week's Timeless Tuesday Open Sesame Challenge! Be sure to check out the links for the official rules!

All four of our June sets can be pre-ordered even before you see the last set tomorrow. Take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all four together in a bundle.

All sets will be live first thing Friday morning along with the coordinating cut files for this release.

There's one more set tomorrow that's very sweet and tasty feeling :)

Flourishes Release Week: In Nature

Welcome to Day Two of Flourishes June Releases!  We're thrilled to show off more nature-inspired offerings for you today.

One of the things that makes summer so special are those tranquil moments spent in the outdoors.  Think of those peaceful places of recreation or solitude away from the hectic schedule, celebrating the beauty and restoring power that nature has.  Today we bring you...

You can feel the solitude in this beautiful and earthy set penned by Lauren Pope. Whether it's catching the great outdoors by canoe, or sitting by the lake front cabin, this set delivers a serene dose of nature. This 4 by 6" set offers two main images plus three beautifully scripted sentiments. Images are great for nature lovers or even for the men in your life!

I used Flourishes In Nature that I stamped out onto Kraft paper in Versafine Onyx Black and colored in with colored pencils. I tucked some Turquoise Ruffled Edge Trim and some Ivory Laurel Venise lace on top of my yellow striped background paper and added some Ice Green Pearls that I colored in with a B05 Copic marker from the Flourishes Copic Sky Collection.

We'll have some beautiful creations to show you with the In Nature set, so take a trip on over to visit the Design Team today to see them, and don't forget about today's…

One of the Design Team Members is today's Mystery Blogger.  If you comment on her blog you could be chosen to win today's great set!  The more you comment the better your chances!

Amanda Havon
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Heather Jensen
Julie Koerber
Maki Jones
Silke Ledlow
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Along the way today you'll be introduced to the beautiful Trail Mix 123 Create Kit for this month too - here's a sneak peek at what's in it...

AND NOW DO YOU WANT TO WIN OUR ENTIRE RELEASE?
How would you like a chance to win all four of our soon-to-be released June sets?
You can always play in our  Textures of Nature Challenge – there will be multiple winners there! Deadline for entries is Friday at 5 PM EST.  OR, play along with the gals for this week's Timeless Tuesday Open Sesame Challenge! Check out the links for the official rules!

Also, if you like what you see on our designers' blogs today, you can pre-order this set (along with the other three sets as well). You can also take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all four together in a bundle. All sets will be live first thing Friday morning along with the coordinating cut files for this release. So, be sure to come back and join us each day this week as we unveil a whole new host of paper crafting fun!

Come back tomorrow when we'll show you something that's pretty and tasty-sweet!

Flourishes Favorites: Focus on the Guys!

Hello Flourishes Friday Friends!  Today we're going to continue on our theme of masculine cards that we began last week, giving you some more great inspiration for that guy in your life!   The Senior Design Team is picking any set in our Flourishes Stamp Collection and showing off their masculine designs to you today.  I now you'll be inspired and come away with some great manly ideas!

I used the Flourishes Father's Day set to make my card.

I used Father's Day that I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black onto Classic White cardstock and sponged with Memento Desert Sand ink onto a Spellbinders Perfectly Pierced Frame diecut. Then I tied some Kraft Jute around my card and added a Black Button knotted on, then I matted my card with Flourishes Kraft and Classic Black cardstocks. 

This will be Danielle's last Friday with us :(  We are going to miss her sweet spirit and her amazing designs! Please stop by her blog and leave her some love! :)
And don't forget our Designer Focus on the main blog.  Did you know you can have a chance to win a
Flourishes Goodie Bag if you CASE this weeks designer? To play along, visit our Flourishes main blog page HERE to read more about it!

  Amanda Havon
  Christine Okken
  Cindy Lawrence
  Danielle Kennedy
  Heather Jensen
  Julie Koerber 
  Maki Jones
  Silke Ledlow
  Stacy Morgan

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Splitcoast Product Review: Action Card Templates!

Ok, how many of us love those action cards that are so hot right now? I know I do! Today the Splitcoast Stampers Product Review Team is reviewing the Green Sneakers Action Card Templates on Splitcoast, HERE, and you're sure to love these!

I used them to make this Father's Day Slider Card.

When you slide it open, it looks like this! Isn't that fun? The possibilities are endless!

So hop on over to the Splitcoast Stampers Product Review page HERE and read more about them and what the rest of the PR Team and I think about them!

Thank you for visiting and please visit the rest of team's creations with these Action Card Templates! I promise, you won't be disappointed!!

Flourishes Free For All Friday!

Good morning and welcome to Flourishes Free For All Friday with a twist! Today begins a new segment to our release rewind favorites from Release Week. We are starting a Designer Focus where each Free For All you will get a closer look at each of us Senior Designers! Isn't that exciting? I know I would love to know what inspires each of us and how some of us come up with our delicious designs! This week the focus is on our wonderful Julie Koerber! Visit the Flourishes blog to read all about her, and our CASE Challenge! Play along to CASE one of her creations and a random winner will receive a Flourishes Goodie Bag!! I love a good CASE challenge, don't you? Play along and YOU might be our winner!

Don't forget, it's the LAST DAY for the New Releases Discount Bundle! In your bundle you'll receive the Old Tea Rose, Glamour Girls, Call Me & Simply Charming! Such Pretty & Cute sets!

I used the Old Tea Rose on my card from this month's release.

I used the Old Tea Rose stamp set that I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink and fussy cut it out. Then I colored it in with Lenten Rose, Dahlia, Poppy, Beehive, Olive Green and Evergreen Copic Collections. I cut out a Perfectly Pierced Classic Window on Classic White cardstock and stamped my sentiment over that in Memento Rich Cocoa. I sponged Memento Pistachio ink on the edges of the Perfectly Pierced Window then placed my fussy cut images on popdots and placed it over the diecut. I layered the Perfectly Pierced Window on top of another Spellbinder diecut, matted with the Color Made Easy cardstock line in Pistachio and decorated my card with pearls.

Check out the rest of the Senior Design Team for more inspirations and amazing projects!

  Amanda Havon
  Christine Okken
  Cindy Lawrence
  Danielle Kennedy
  Heather Jensen
  Julie Koerber 
  Silke Ledlow
  Stacy Morgan

Have a wonderful creative day!

Free For All Friday!!

Hi all! Just like we do every Friday after our release, our designers pick up their favorite new sets and let their creativity go crazy with a "Free for All Friday!" The goal is to show off those new images and give you even more ideas on how to use them!

This is just a taste of what you'll see when you hop around and see what the design team has to offer today! Also, time is running out for our New Release Bundle Bargain! Today is the last day to get all of our new sets at 10% off when you purchase them in a bundle. If you want to know more, just click HERE  to see the bundle in the Flourishes store!

 I chose to keep my card simple and as if you were looking out a window.

I used Flourishes new "Bees and Blooms" stamp set that I stamped onto Classic White cardstock, in Memento Angel Pink. I stamped out my sentiment, also from Bees and Blooms, in Versafine Onyx Black, then I added Kaiser Kraft pearls in Blush. I framed the card with Color Made Easy Candy Pink cardstock and popped it up on popdots to make it seem like you were looking out a window at the Bees and Blooms.

Ok, now it's time to hop on over and see.....

   Amanda Havon
  Christine Okken
  Cindy Lawrence
  Danielle Kennedy
  Heather Jensen
  Julie Koerber 
  Maki Jones
  Silke Ledlow
  Stacy Morgan

Hope you have a fabulous weekend and we’ll see you all back here soon!

Flourishes Release Week : Bees and Blooms

Hi all and welcome to day 2 of Flourishes' fabulous sneak peeks! Today's stamp set is one that is close to our hearts in more ways than one. For starters, it's the last stamp set penned by Becky Fleck for Flourishes. And because of that, we decided to make it a special set that will help a cause close to Becky's heart. Take a peek at....

This stippled beauty called Bees and Blooms features apple blossoms and bees buzzing in such an artistic way. And, Becky created a SVG and Silhouette cut file to be used with this set. It's a unique look that is begging to be water-colored, colored up with Copics or just stamped on its own!

Now, the special part of this set. Becky is donating 100% of her artist fees to benefit the Relay for Life. Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. And, Becky's team takes to the track in my own home town of Billings, Montana to help make a difference. Here's what Becky has to say about this powerful, uplifting, tear-jerking, survivor-uniting event....

"My aunt Linda took me to my first Relay for Life in July of 2005. It was 6 in the morning and the track at West High was three-deep in burning luminaries. It was such a breathtaking sight and I  remember how quiet and peaceful it was. That day, we formed our first team to walk the following year. We are a small band of sisters, nieces and friends called "Nip It In The Bud," and we joyfully celebrate the birthdays of three cancer survivors on our team. We are proud to have taken first place in the "Family & Friends" category the past three years for our fundraising efforts.

There is so much more to Relay for Life than just walking a track for 14 hours. Camaraderie is shared by everyone, support is given to those who need it, survivors are honored, lost battles are remembered, caretakers are appreciated, and everyone comes together with like minds and like goals. 

This quote, by Margaret Mead, hangs on a plaque in my pastor's office and offers a thought-provoking idea of the true meaning of Relay for Life: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  To all of you who purchase my last stamp set from Flourishes, on behalf of my entire team, thank you for your support!

For my card I kept it simple and inked up the Bees & Blooms stamp with Cantaloupe, Potter's Clay and Rhubarb Stalk Memento inks, by just tapping the inks directly on my stamp, in a random fashion. I stamped out my image onto Flourishes Classic White cardstock, to which I then scored two lines across it using my ScorBuddy. I stamped the sentiment In Versafine Onyx Black, onto on of the Perfectly Pierced Victorian Ovals die set. Then I tied a ribbon from the Color Made Easy Poppy line called Basque Red, added a Poppy Button and some Metallic String to finish my card.

Because Flourishes supports Becky in her mission, 10% of all sales of Bees and Blooms will be funneled right into Becky's team fundraiser to raise money toward cancer research. Every single one of us has someone that we know that has been affected by this horrible disease. So, let's join forces to help stamp out cancer!
And, we'll also be giving away a set today. All you need to do is figure out......

We don’t know which one of these ladies below will be the Mystery Blogger but one will, so leave comments on all of our designers’ blogs and you’ll be in the running to win today’s Bees and Blooms Stamp set!  Want to see all the beautiful things you can create with this beautiful set for a fabulous cause? Head on over and see…..


  Amanda Havon
  Christine Okken
  Cindy Lawrence
  Danielle Kennedy
  Heather Jensen
  Julie Koerber 
  Maki Jones
  Silke Ledlow
  Stacy Morgan

DO YOU WANT TO WIN OUR ENTIRE RELEASE?
If you want a chance to win all three of our soon-to-be released sets, you can always play in our Summer Lovin' Challenge – there will be multiple winners here! OR, play along with the gals for this week’s Timeless Tuesday Challenge! Check out the links for the official rules! Also, if you like what you see on our designers’ blogs today, you can pre-order this set (along with the other two sets as well). You can also take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all three together in a bundle. All sets will be live first thing Friday morning -- that's tomorrow -- along with the coordinating cut files for this release. So, be sure to stick with us this week as we unveil a whole new host of paper crafting goodies!
We’ll see you back here tomorrow for another new release sneak peek! This one will have you taking a trip past the garden gate for some beautiful inspiration!