Introducing... Grab a Cup!

Welcome to our November Sneak Peeks at Flourishes!  We’re really excited to show off this month’s sets to you, because we know they’ll be ones you’ll want to use over and over again.  Each of them convey a real sense of warmth and will be perfect for any occasion you have with friends and family.  Today’s set is one we’ve been anticipating with great excitement because we think it’s fabulous!

Introducing….

Grab a cup and enjoy with this sweet-as-can-be coffee and tea inspired set. Use it to send warm thoughts across the miles or to invite a dear friend to share some time over hot drinks. This set, illustrated by Marcella Hawley measures 4" by 6" and offers three main images, four accent images and six mix and match sentiments!  It celebrates everything coffee and tea should be!

And look at what we’re also offering this month with this set...

Need some quick and easy card inspiration delivered right to your door? Look no further than Flourishes' Class in a Box! This kit comes with all the supplies needed to make 6 cards -- 2 each of three designs. All pieces are pre-cut and ready to assemble, with embellishments and everything! Just stamp, color and put them together! When you're done, save the full color, glossy instructions to make all of these cards on your own in the future. The instructions are great layout ideas for any and all of Flourishes sets! Kit comes with the Grab a Cup Stamp Set SS263 plus embellishments, ribbons, pre-cut decorative paper, and card stock for card bases. All this for just $30! Get yours today before these fabulous kits are gone!

I have to say I was drawn to this stamp set.  As a previous restaurant owner, we served a lot of delicious coffee and tea based beverages, including one of my favourites... lattes!  So I decided to create with the super yummy latte stamp from the fabulous "Grab a Cup" stamp set.

For my cardstock choices I used our Classic Ivory and Classic Kraft.   For my basic central die cut shape I used our detailed Perfectly Pierced Classic Window Die Set and for the cute little tag, I used the Tailor-Made Classic Tags Templates Die.

I stamped my latte image onto our Classic Ivory Cardstock using Memento "Rich Cocoa" ink and then I coloured it using the following Copic Collections:

If you look close, I even stamped the cute little coffee beans image included all over my little central square...

To finish off my card I used matching patterned paper and finished it off with this awesome sentiment included in the stamp set...

And once again, I used some subtle coffee bean images using some Ranger "Antique Linen" Distress ink...

For my card design today, I used the latest weekly Card Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers:

You’ll see some fantastic inspiration along the way today with our design team and this set.  And, while you’re hopping and looking at their creations, don’t forget to try to figure out….

Hidden among the Design Team’s blogs today is our Mystery Blogger of the day. Comment on her blog and you could be chosen to win today’s set! The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Allison Cope -- you are here!

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Heather Jensen

Julie Koerber
Silke Ledlow

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

Do you want to win Flourishes’ November Release?

If you would like a chance at winning all three of our soon-to-be released November sets…you can play in our Grab A Cup Challenge – we will have multiple winners there! Deadline for entries is FRIDAY November 15th at 5 PM EST. Check out the link for the official rules!

All three of our November sets can be pre-ordered now, even before you see them all! Take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all three sets together in a bundle. This discount will only be available through November 22nd, so you have to act fast!

Keep in mind, all of these sets will be live first thing Friday morning in the Flourishes store along with the coordinating cut files for this release.

And, don’t forget to come back to the Flourishes Blog Saturday, November 16th for the Winner’s Circle where we’ll announce all of our winners of this weeks’ challenges!

Be sure to stop on by tomorrow when we share a beautiful set that will have you wanting to “phone a friend"!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps:  Flourishes (Grab a Cup)
cardstock:  Flourishes (Classic Ivory & Kraft), Bazzill
patterned papers: Graphic45
die cut shapes: Flourishes, Spellbinders
ink:  Memento, Ranger
edge punch: Fiskars
twine: Darice
tools:  Cuttlebug, Tim Holtz Piercing Ruler.

12 Weeks of Holiday Cards - Week 7

Welcome to Week 7 of my 12 Weeks of Holiday Cards!

Each Wednesday until Christmas, I will be sharing with you a fun and simple holiday card fit for a quick assembly.  I will share tips, tricks and techniques along the way.  So join me...

Use Non-traditional Holiday Colours

There is nothing better than a surprise when you open an envelope and you see a card that uses non-traditional colours for a holiday card.  And for you, the creator, the options are endless!

For this week, I'm sharing a card I made last month because it's one of my favs!  Not only is it PURPLE and IVORY but...

...this card is designed to fold up flat so it's easy to send in the mail!  Super cool!

This is a Surprise Pop-Up style of card.  You can check out how it's made at Splitcoast right here.


Here is a view of the back side of the card...

I even designed an envelope to match!

I hope you've enjoyed this week's 12 Weeks of Holiday Cards!  Don't forget to check my blog out later today when the Flourishes Design Team reveals this month's first new stamp set for November!  Remember... you could win some NEW stamps just for hopping and commenting along!  See you then! 

~ Ally ~

Timeless Tuesday ~ Pick a Sketch!

Howdy stamp fans!  It's Tuesday... time for another fabulous Timeless Tuesday Challenge with Flourishes today.

This week I get to be your hostess!  Hooray!  So I decided to go with a sketch... well, actually TWO sketches.  Your challenge this week is to pick a sketch and create a card or project using the design...

So here is the card I created using the sketch on the right side...

Partridge in a Tree

I began my card today by cutting out the large topiary tree shape using the Holiday Topiary Silhouette Cut File from Classic White Cardstock.  Then I stamped my tree image from the "Holiday Topiaries" stamp set  using Memento's "Black Tuxedo" ink and coloured it using the following Copic Collections:

Next I cut out the Labels Twenty-Eight shape from Spellbinders, leaving my white cardstock in the die and stamped my background using the "Love & Joy" sentiment from the same "Holiday Topiaries" stamp set using Memento's "Espresso Truffle" ink.  Then I airbrushed it with a variety of Copic's from the image.

I created my card base and matted all of my patterned papers and added a little soft yellow button and twine.

Before you go too far, be sure to visit the rest of the DT's blogs, as well as our November Guest Designer and leave them a little blog love. In return, they will amaze you with their beautiful work...

• Allison Cope - you are here!
• Cheryl Lea
• Deborah Anton
• Jenny Gropp
• Judy Rozema
• Katie Sims
• Connie MacFarlane, our November guest designer

Thanks for stopping by!
~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Holiday Topiaries)
Silhouette cut files: Flourishes
cardstock:  Flourishes Classic White
patterned papers: Echo Park (Reflections Christmas)
die cut shapes: Spellbinders (Labels 28)
ink:  Memento, Copics, Ranger
tools: Copic Airbrush, Silhouette
button:  Flourishes
twine:  Darice
other: thread.

Grab a Cup!! ~ Our November Release Challenge is Here!

November brings crisp, cool days that might find you heading into your favourite coffee shop to grab a cup of warmth, and dwell in that inviting aroma that only a cozy cafe can bring.

This month we’re inviting you to “Grab A Cup” with us on the Flourishes Senior Design Team and be inspired by this fantastic photo as you create something equally warm and inviting.

Next week we’ll be bringing you our November edition of new Flourishes stamps, and we can’t wait! They’re absolutely fabulous!  Because we know you want a chance to win these great sets, “Grab A Cup” and be inspired by this great coffee and treats photo as you create.    Play in the challenge and you could WIN our whole November Release!

Hey stamp lovers! I tell ya, if I could find those exact mugs and plates I'd be all over them!  They would match my kitchen and dining room perfectly!!!  I hope you've grabbed your own cuppa joe this morning because I know you're going to hopping along and gawking at all the amazing creations my fellow designers have created for you today!

For today's card, I used a variety of aspects from the challenge photo... but especially the colour of the dishware.  Here's my creation using our inspirational photo...

I began by die cutting an oval of Classic Ivory cardstock and stamping & masking the three mugs from the fabulous "Mix n'Mugs" stamp set using Memento "Rich Cocoa" ink.  I then coloured them using the following Copic Collections:

I also masked off my 3 mugs and splattered them with some Copic brown tones using my Copic Airbrush to get that spotted, pottery look.  I also added some super fine white paint dots using some watered down white acrylic paint and a toothbrush.

Next I matted my oval with a scalloped oval of "Rain" cardstock from the Emerald Coast Color Made Easy cardstock collection.  If you super closely at my oval, you can see a couple of pies too... they were stamped using Memento's "Desert Sand" ink from the "Fresh Baked" stamp set.

I cut another piece of Classic Ivory cardstock and stamped some subtle snowflakes from the "Handmade Snowflakes" stamp set in a blue ink and Memento's "Desert Sand" ink.  I distressed the edges and inked them up with "Desert Sand"  and Ranger's "Vintage Photo" Distress ink.  I then matted it with a piece of "Calypso" cardstock from the Emerald Coast Color Made Easy cardstock collection.

I decorated the front with a piece of May Arts' Turquoise Striped Twill, a bow of "Argentina" Seam Binding ribbon and a cut snowflake using the Handmade Snowflake Silhouette Cut File with an Emerald Coast Button & some jute.

I finished off the inside of my card using the same subtle snowflakes from the "Handmade Snowflakes" stamp set in a blue ink and Memento's "Desert Sand" ink as on the front of the card.  I also stamped my "Let It Snow" from the "Sentimental Christmas" stamp set using Memento "Rich Cocoa" ink.

I hope you like my little coffee inspired card today!  Come along and join in the fun!  Here are the official rules...

THE OFFICIAL RULES:

Simply create a card or project inspired by the photo above.

Entries need to be in by Friday November 15 at 5 PM EST.

Those entries using Flourishes Stamps will be counted twice.

You must link your creation on our InLinkz Widgit to be counted

You must have a link to our challenge in your blog post or gallery post

Please DO NOT combine challenges from other sites or locations.  Only those entries that don’t combine will be in the running.  Because this challenge means winning new Flourishes sets we want to see your beautiful creations made specifically for this challenge.

If you upload to SCS please use the keyword FLLCNOV13 .

We’ll announce the winners on Saturday in our Winner’s Circle Post here on the blog on Saturday November 16th, so check back then to find out if you are a winner!

Thanks for stopping by today and we look forward to seeing what you create!  We’ll see you here on Wednesday November 13th when our delicious November Sneak Peeks start!

Enjoy the inspiration and creating!

And now for some wonderful Grab a Cup Inspiration, our Design Team has some beauties to show off to you:

Allison Cope -- you are here!

Christine Okken

Cindy Lawrence

Heather Jensen

Julie Koerber

Silke Ledlow

Stacy Morgan

Tosha Leyendekker

Happy hopping everyone!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps:  Flourishes (Sentimental Christmas, Handmade Snowflakes, Mix n'Mugs, Fresh Baked)
cardstock:  Flourishes (Classic Ivory, Emerald Coast Collection)
Silhouette cut files, button, twill, ribbon:  Flourishes
woodgrain cardstock:  Elle
patterned papers: My Mind's Eye
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Memento, Copics, Stampin' Up!, Ranger
tools:  Silhouette Cameo, Copic Airbrush, paper piercer
white paint:  Delta
jute:  Darice
other: thread.