Blog Candy Winner!

The WINNER of my Blog Candy Giveaway is... comment #26...

Angie1:34 PM     I shared you on my fb page. Here is my link: https://www.facebook.com/angela.bode?fref=ts

Congrats Angie!!!  Please email me with your full name and mailing address!!!

~ Ally ~
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Timeless Tuesday ~ Make a Splash!

Hello everyone!  Hope your Tuesday is going well!  It's time for another inspiring Timeless Tuesday Challenge over at Flourishes!

I'd like to take a moment to say good-bye to the lovely Denise Marzec.  Today is Denise's last day with the FOF team.  Strangely enough, today is actually both our FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY with Flourishes!  Yup... one year ago today, we both joined the Flourishes Family.  Denise, I wish you all the best with your family and friends.  I know you will be sadly missed by all the girls on the team.  I wish you well in your future endeavours, whatever they may hold for you!  Best wishes to you!  I know we'll be see you around!  Big hugs! 

I also wanted to say a quick thank you to all the people who were concerned for my family.  We live about 45km East of Calgary and if you are not aware of Calgary's (Canmore, High River, South Eastern BC) situation, it was flooded late last week as our area was doused with tons of rainfall in a small amount of time.  Thankfully, even though we live on a lake, we were not directly effected by the flooding as the lake is not connected to a river source of water - only rainfall. The only ill effect we suffered, was our loss of Internet because our provider is located inside the flood evacuation area and they removed all the power sources to the affected area on Friday afternoon.  Thankfully it came on late yesterday.  I'm so relieved!

Now... on to this week's challenge...

This week's challenge comes from the lovely Broni!  Broni is challenging us...

...to create a card or project inspired by water!  (FTTC226)

You could use watercolor, water scenes, colors of water, etc.  Whatever you think is water related.  Have fun with this one!

For my project this week, I decided to make a card featuring the new "In Nature" stamp set from the June release...
I started off my die cutting a piece of Flourishes Classic White Cardstock using a Spellbinder's die and then stamping the tent & canoes image onto the cardstock using Memento "Black Tuxedo" ink.  I also cut and folded my card base using "Sugar Cookie" cardstock from the Color Made Easy Paper Collection ~ Sunflower.

Then I used the following Copic Collections to colour in my image...
I matted my white cardstock and image using a piece of Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock that I added some Ranger "Wild Honey" Distress ink to.

Then I created the patterned paper  and layered ribbon aspect of my card.  For this, I used the Flourishes June 123 Create Kit - Trail Mix.  I also added some bright Primrose Seam Binding ribbon too!
This kit, called Trail Mix features a 6 X 6" Bo Bunny Trail Mix paper pad, 1 yard of gold burlap ribbon, 2 yards of brown seam binding ribbon, 2 yards of kraft jute, 1 pack of wooden buttons, 2 yards of two-tone green ribbon, 1 pack of copper pearls and 1 pack of embossed mini-brads. What a bounty of card-making fun!

Now... go on and check out all the fabulous water inspired creations the rest of the Friends of Flourishes Team as created today...
Join us for our challenge this week and you could win some money to shop in the Flourishes store with!  Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to check out my Flourishes BLOG CANDY too!  Click the banner at the top of the blog or click HERE for details.  This is the last week you can add your comments to WIN!!!!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (In Nature)
cardstock: Flourishes Classic White & Ivory
patterned papers: Flourishes 123 June Create Kit
die cut shapes: Spellbidners
ink: Memento, Copic, Ranger
buttons, ribbon, jute: Flourishes 123 June Create Kit
tools: Scor-Pal
other: thread.
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Roosters & Sketches

Hi everyone!  Today is the newest sketch reveal for Let's Capture Our Memories!  Today's reveal is using one of my very own sketches... a card sketch at that!





Here is what I created using my own sketch this week...  an easel card.



I used the super cute "Giddy Up!" patterned paper collection by Carta Bella and for my rooster and greeting, I used Flourishes stamps.

Come on out and check out what my fellow design team members created using my sketch this week!  Click HERE!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes
cardstock: Papertrey Ink, Bazzill
patterned papers: Carta Bella (Giddy Up!)

ink: Memento

stars:BasicGrey


other: thread.

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Timeless Tuesday ~ Scallops


Hey there Flourishes lovers!  We're back again for another fabulous Timeless Tuesday Challenge!  Hooray!

I'd like to take a moment to welcome the newest member of the Friends of Flourishes Team... Welcome Cheryl Lea!  Congrats Cheryl and welcome to the Flourishes family.  So glad that you'll be a part of our team.

For this week's challenge, our fantastic hostess Denise Marzec is challenging us...

...to create a card or project that includes some scallops!
(FTTC225) 

Super easy this week huh!?!  Here is the card I created using some scallops...
I began my card creating a 5"x5.5" card base using Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock.  I then cut a piece of the same cardstock for my front card panel.

I then used a vibrant piece of gorgeous green patterned paper (which if you look closely, has some pretty white scallops on it!) from our 123 Create Kit - "Trail Mix" and die cut it using a scalloped edge die from Spellbinders.  This month's kit is jam packed with gorgeous pattern patterns, 2 lush ribbons, some jute twine & pearls, cool wooden buttons and some flashy brads!


I then drew a pencil guideline on my ivory cardstock as to where I was going to position my scalloped green paper so I knew where to stamp.  Then I took the two strawberry images from our brand new stamp set, Berry Sweet Frames and some "Rich Cocoa" Memento ink and stamped away!

Then I coloured my strawberry images using the following Copic Collections:

To add some final touches, I stamped the pretty little gingham back ground from the Berry Sweet Frames using some "Pear Tart" Memento ink right along the double scored line I created using my Scor-pal tool.  And I added a simple sentiment from the same stamp set to finish right off!

I wrapped the top of my card front using the rich cocoa ribbon, tying the bow with jute string and a fun button which I coloured the inside to match the red of my strawberries; all of which are included in the 123 Create Kit - "Trail Mix".  Volia!  My card was finished!

Now... go on and check out all the fabulous scalloped inspired creations the rest of the Friends of Flourishes Team as created today...
Join us for our challenge this week and you could win some money to shop in the Flourishes store with!  Thanks for stopping by!

Don't forget to check out my Flourishes BLOG CANDY too!  Click the banner at the top of the blog or click HERE for details.

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Berry Sweet Frames)
cardstock: Flourishes Classic Ivory
patterned papers: Flourishes 123 Create Kit
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ink: Copic, Memento
ribbon, button: Flourishes 123 Create Kit
tools: Scor-Pal.

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Lots of Stampy Fun Today!

Hi everyone!  Today's it's a 2-4-1 day for me.  Join me on the Flourishes Blog today to find out all about decorating your die cuts AND...


...also check out the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog for my article on using stamps & Copics to create back grounds!

Happy blog hopping today!

~ Ally ~

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Come Sail Away With Me!


Happy Father's Day everyone!

I made this yesterday for my darling husband for Father's Day who obviously loves sailing!  I used my Klic n'Kut machine to cut all the pieces and then added some fun stitching.  So easy and I love how it turned out!  All the patterned papers I used came from the Fancy Pants Design "Down By the Shore" collection - I just love those little whales and octopi.

~ Ally ~

Supplies:

cardstock: Bazzill
patterned papers:  Fancy Pants Designs
die cut shapes:  Spellbinders

tools: Klic n'Kut

other: thread.

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PageMaps & Flourishes Unite!


Hello all and happy Saturday! Today I have a special treat! Some of the Flourishes gals have joined the PageMaps™ team to usher in a little source of creative inspiration with Becky Fleck's latest round of Cardmaps sketches! Each designer took a different sketch and created to her heart's content!

Here's a peek at my sketch...


And here's a peek at my creation!

As soon as I saw Becky's sketch I knew I wanted to use some fun speech bubbles in place of her cute postage stamps.

So I grabbed my NEW "Call Me" stamp set and away I went...

I cut some simple speech bubbles from Flourishes Classic White Cardstock and some fun patterned papers using my digital cutting machine and then stamped all over my bubbles.  Cute huh?

Now if you hop on over to see these ladies below, you'll get fresh inspiration with different sketches and fabulous designs! And, if you want more than that -- you'll find it just a click away HERE -- with even more sketch ideas and samples! So, hop along and have some fun!

Allison Cope
To view the entire June line up of card sketches, please visit the PageMaps™ website HERE.

Come on out and check out what my fellow design team members created using Becky's beautiful card sketches at PageMaps™!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC.

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Call Me)
cardstock: Flourishes Classic White
stickers, patterned papers: My Mind's Eye
ink: Memento, Stampin' Up!
tools: Klic n' Kut
other: thread.
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Natural Textures & a "Linen" Tutorial


Today's the last day to play along with the Textures of Nature Challenge over at Flourishes!  By playing along, you could win some of our amazing new June release stamp sets.  You check them out here!

So the challenge is to create something with an outdoorsy texture in mind – or use an element from nature as part of your design.  It could be the texture in an embossing folder that has woodgrain, leaves or vines, it could be a leaf rubbing behind your image, something glossy like rain or shiny like a berry.

So I created this natural feeling masculine card....
I used the fabulous new Flourishes 123 Create Kit - "Trial Mix":  I used the patterned papers, green ribbon, jute twine, pearls and a wooden button from the kit for my card today.




Here's a close up of my focal image.

To create the "linen" effect on my focal image:
  1. I cut my white cardstock using a Spellbinder die.  
  2. Leaving my cardstock within the die, I used my air brush and added a mix of yellows, oranges, browns and greens.
  3. Next I added a bit of Copic Blender Solution to old baby cloth I have (it has cool texture to it!) and carefully dabbed the solution all over the image to give it the "linen" effect.
  4. Then I went back with my blender pen and highlighted the clouds, tent and flags.
  5. I then added a bit more colour to the trees, grass and scrubs using dots of colour.
I think the effect is cool!  Looks like it's been printed onto fabric!  Texture without texture :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you'll join us in our challenge!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

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Timeless Tuesday "Open Sesame" with a Sneak Peek!!!

Hi all and welcome to day 1 of Flourishes’ fabulous sneak peeks and our Timeless Tuesday Challenge!!  You'll get a few opportunities to WIN our entire new June release stamp set just by playing along!  For the remainder of this week we will be sharing our newest stamp sets with you!  Aren't you excited?!  I sure am!

Since Sneak Peek Day 1 overlaps with the Timeless Tuesday Challenge, we have some amazing projects showcasing our newest beautiful floral stamp set by Marcella Hawley today...
This stunning new stamp set features a glorious spray of wildflowers along with some wonderfully heartfelt sentiments.  It will be a 'must-have' on your shopping list this week!

AND...another way to win...
You need to find out who today's Mystery Blogger is!  Hidden among the Design Team is one Designer who has this set to give away.  Comment on that blog and you could win today's beautiful Picking Wildflowers set!

For my challenge this week, create a card or project
 that moves or opens in a non-traditional manner (FTTC224)!  

In other words, create a card that doesn't just open normally.  Maybe it has a third panel like a tri-fold card or it has a greeting tag that pops up when you pull a ribbon!

There are lots of fun tutorials you can try out.  Here are just a few examples of some great card tutorials that will fit perfectly for this week's challenge:


For my card today, I decided to create a Center Step Card for my second card creation.

I began by creating my card base using the Bouquet cardstock from the Color Made Easy collection ~ Crocus.  Then I cut a rectangle of Flourishes' Classic White Cardstock and stamped my large poppy bouquet from the new "Picking Wildflowers" stamp collection using Memento "Black Tuxedo" ink.  I matted my image with the medium shade of purple, Snapdragon, from the Color Made Easy collection ~ Crocus.


I coloured my image using a TON of Copic markers from the following Copic Collections:

For my finishing touches I stamped some back ground subtle stamping using some delicious Memento "Elderberry" ink. I added some gorgeous Mango Orange seam binding ribbon from the Tiger Lily Color Made Easy collection.

Today we have both our Flourishes Finest Design Team AND our Friends of Flourishes Team sharing their "Open Sesame" inspirations with you!  Take a moment and leave some love on all of our designers' blogs.
Come and hop along and visit with all of our super talented designers and join us in our challenge this week for a chance at winning our ENTIRE new June release!!  Yup... that's right... you could win our entire new release just by playing along. Don't forget to comment as you go along because one lucky commenter today is going to win our new "Picking Wildflowers" stamp set!

Don't forget to check out my Flourishes BLOG CANDY too!  Click the banner at the top of the blog or click HERE for details.

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by: Flourishes LLC.

Supplies:
stamps:  Flourishes (Picking Wildflowers)
cardstock: Flourishes
die cut shapes:  Spellbinders
ink: Memento, Copic
ribbon:Flourishes
tools: Copic Airbrush
gems: Doodlebug 
other: thread, ribbon embelly.
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Boats & a Sketch!

Hey gang!  Need some mojo?  Why not check out the newest sketch from Let's Capture Our Memories!

Out layout sketch this week was designed by the talented Melissa Williams!


Here's what I did with the sketch this week...

Experiment: Boat

 Come on out and check out what my fellow design team member did with this sketch!   Click here!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:

cardstock: Bazzill
patterned papers: My Mind's Eye
alphas, stickers, brads: Simple Stories
ink: Copic, pen
washi tape:My Mind's Eye, Bella Blvd, Tim Holtz
mask:Crafters Workshop
mists: Tattered Angels

other: thread.

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Timeless Tuesday ~ From The Garden

 

Hey fellow stampers! It's Tuesday and time for another fabulous Timeless Tuesday Challenge over at Flourishes!

This week our super talented hostess Jenny, and she is challenging you to create a card or project with a fruit or vegetable on it (FTTC223)!  Yummy... think yummy snow peas, delicious watermelon, crunchy lettuce, sweet peaches and sour lemons!  Pick a fruit and veggie and display it on your project this week.

The last day of school is fast approaching for my son so I thought I'd get started on a gift for his classroom teacher.  I knew I wanted to make her some personalized cards so I thought I'd make her a little box to store them in.

I began by creating a Stationary Box for my cards. You can see how I made my card using this Splitcoast tutorial right HERE.
I used the Flourishes Perfectly Pierced Classic Frame die set and Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock.  I stamped the "To send a letter..." sentiment from the "From the Desk Of" stamp collection along with a single pear from the "Pears" stamp set for the front of my box.

I added the little "From the Desk of..." topper using the Flourishes Perfectly Pierced Classic Window die set using some Memento "Black Tuxedo" ink and Ranger "Old Paper" Distress Ink.
I decorated the inside of my stationary box with the same papers as the outside.  I'm going to make some mini cards to put in the left-hand pocket and put some stamps in the right-hand pocket for her.

I began by colouring up some cherries from the "Peaches and Cherries" stamp set for my first card. Here's how I coloured my cherries using colours from the following Copic Collections...

Step One:
I coloured the cherries with a base colour of Copic R32:
Step Two:
Next I applied Copic R37:
Step Three:
Then I added Copic R59 to the shadowed parts of the cherry...

Step Four:
Then I took the Copic R32 and blended all the reds together.

And here is my final card...


I created five cards in total for my stationary box.  Each one is slightly different but uses the amazing Flourishes Classic Ivory Cardstock and Copic Markers.  

Pears
 Pears using the "Pears" stamp set.
 ~~~~~~~~****~~~~~~~~
Strawberries
Strawberries using the "Strawberries" stamp set.
~~~~~~~~****~~~~~~~~
Raspberries
Raspberries using the "Berry Sweet" stamp set.
~~~~~~~~****~~~~~~~~
Apples
And finally... Apples using the "Apple of My Eye" stamp set.
~~~~~~~~****~~~~~~~~


I sure hope his teacher likes her gift.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope my project inspires you to create something fun as a gift today!

Take a moment and leave some love on our designers' blogs today.
Come and hop along and visit with all of our super talented designers and join us in our challenge this week for a chance to win!!  Good luck!!!!

Don't forget... to check out my BLOG CANDY giveaway!  
It contains some fun patterned papers and two Flourishes stamps!  
Either click the banner at the top of the page or click here.

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:   Flourishes LLC.

Supplies:
stamps: Flourishes (Apple of My Eye, Pears, Berry Sweet, Strawberries, Peaches & Cherries, From the Desk Of)
cardstock: Flourishes Classic Ivory, Bazzill
patterned papers: Crate Paper
die cut shapes, edges: Flourishes, Spellbinders
ink: Memento, Copic, Ranger
pearls: Queen & Co.
other: thread.
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Happy Birthday Blog Candy!

CONTEST CLOSED!!
 
Howdy all!  Since this month is my birth month, I thought I'd give a little gift away of my own.

Here how you can earn ballots to win my Birthday Blog Candy:
  1. Become a Follower of my blog.  Leave a comment below stating you have become a Follower.  If you already are a Follower, thanks, and post a comment indicating so! (= 1 ballot)
  2. Post the image above on your blog and link it back to this post.  Leave a comment below with a link to your blog post. (= 1 ballot)
  3. Post the image above on Facebook or Twitter and link it back to this post. Leave a comment below with a link to your Facebook page.  (= 1 ballot)
  4. Post the image above on Pinterest and link it back to this post.  Leave a comment below with a link to your PIN.  (= 1 ballot) 
Please post one post per item above; Follower = 1 comment.  Blog Link = 1 comment, etc.

This prize package contains:
  • a 6x6 pad of Bo Bunny "Prairie Chic" papers
  • a "Bees & Blossoms" stamp set from Flourishes and
  • a "Happy: Inside & Out" stamp set from Flourishes
  • plus a few other bibs and bobs!
This giveaway is open to all international participants.
A randomly chosen winner will be announced on June 29th!

Good luck!
~ Ally ~

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