No Time To Stamp?

Day 2 for me, Friday, at CHA started with Jan Marie, Susan, Jerri Kay and I checking out the floor.  Between bumping into people, a lot of quick hellos, and trying to see all we could in that short, short time, I had to report to the JustRite booth at 1:00 to do make-n-takes.  That was a blast — I did the little black and white bridesmaid dress favor boxes for over 4 hours until they closed down.  All the make-n-takes at the JustRite booth were VERY well recieved, and they had a ton of them going on all three days.  The volume of display items was also very impressive and they drew a lot of attention not only from prospective buyers but also magazine editors, news people, writers and wedding planners.  It was fun to take that all in from the sidelines as I was doing the make-n-take projects.  I almost hated for it to all end that afternoon at closing time!!!  The new products coming out by JustRite are truly amazing — and I’ll share more about them in another post — but just think circles, large circles, and ever LARGER circles, and ovals, and even larger ovals, and think of a rubber grid to snap your alphas into, a large rubber grid — large enough to create full sentiments and even short sentences — complete with new alphas, too!!!  No more stressing to get alpha letters straight on your project — perfection, EVERY time!!!  Can’t WAIT to actually get this product so I can show you!!!

From there our little group headed over to the SCS Cupcake Reception at the Hyatt next door.  This was another, OH MY GOODNESS experience!!!  Many very familiar faces I had not run into already were there — oh what fun!!!  And everyone was SO friendly and nice — a very festive atmosphere with lots of picture taking going on.  Here’s some I got, and, sadly, many of mine didn’t turn out, but here’s a few:

Sharon Harnist, me, Jerri Jimenez, Lindsey Botkin, Sherry Cheever, Michele Boyer, Trudee Sauer, seated Jeanne Streiff, Bev Gerard.

Susan Roberts, Jan Marie Caruso, Ellen Hutson, Sharon Harnist, Sherry Cheever, Bev Gerard, me, Jeanne Streiff.

Kirsten Dubosque, me, Michelle Giraud.

Jennifer Buck who is on my Friday Stamp Simply Challange team (yay, Jenn!!!!),  AJ Otto, Brooke Lien, Angela Magnuson.

Val Stangle, Carole Burrage, Jenn Balcer, Leigh O’Brien.

What a pleasure to meet these ladies — and there were so, so many more I met that I don’t have photos of — oh, I only wish I did.  It was truly an experience I will always cherish and never forget.

And starting Wednesday, Flourishes begins its Christmas in July Celebration  — and that means 15% off ALL Christmas sets — so be sure to check on what the entire Flourishes DT is up to come Wednesday!!!

Next post — Blog Candy — I promise!!!

Hi everyone — I’m home from CHA and feel like I’ve been away from here (computer/Blog)  forever.  I haven’t been on a computer for 4 days — yes!!!  I don’t have a laptop and my hotel was charging 42 cents a minute for computer use, and we all know how those minutes turn into hours, so I opted to stay off!!!  Well, I’m home now and have an awful lot of catching up to do!!!

I just can’t tell you how much I enjoyed my trip.  My DH and DS#1 took me down to Chicago, about an 8 hour drive, and they kept themselves busy all those days taking advantage of what Chicago has to offer, while I was busy every waking moment with the task at hand.  We arrived late Wednesday night and I had a Copic class first thing  Thursday morning.  I was a bit on the late side getting there, so I just took a seat, not realizing WHO was all seated already.  As Marianne started her presentation, my eyes began to wander the room, and one by one I became aware that I *knew* in a sense, probably 3/4 of the people in the room — AMAZING!!!!  Actually meeting all these people and seeing them in real life as opposed to their on screen avatar was truly the high point of this entire trip for me.  And I’ll share a few pictures with you in a bit.

The Copic class was fun!  Marianne Walker kept things interesting throughout as she explained both the product and technique to us as we colored away.  All attending received the Copic Certification Certificate.  But would you like to know THE most valuable bit of information I received at the class — click here — it is the link to Marianne’s Blog — I Like Markers.  How have I missed this Blog?  Where in the world have I been — somewhere with my head buried in the sand, obviously!!!  Marianne’s blog is filled with tutorials and answers to questions — it’s like having many little mini-classes right at  your fingertips.  I may have missed Marianne’s Blog before, but believe me, it’ll be a daily morning stop from now on!!!  Thank you, Marianne, for the fun, informative class and for all the time and effort obvioulsy put into your fabulous blog!!!

Here’s a few pics taken at the Copic class — now, how’s this for a star-studded classroom!

Leigh O’Brien, Bev Gerard, Joan Fricker, Taylor VanBruggen, Kim van der Sanden.

Nicole Heady, Michelle Wooderson, Jana Millen.

Lynn Mercurio (Lynn in St. Louis).

Julie Campbell  and Lisa Silver.

Michelle Giraud (flaxychick) and Laura Canale (Lov’n Life n  Vegas).

Debbie Olson and Lori Craig.

Carolyn King (Cammie), Deborah Anton (Beadn&Stampn), Carole Burrage (TruCarMa).

How much fun!!!

I picked up a few packs of goodies while at CHA from Making Memories and thought I’d offer them as Blog Candy — so that post will be up later tonight or tomorrow!  Along with more photos from the SCS Cupcake Reception and the CHA show floor.

Thanks so much for stopping in!!!  Hope your week is off to a great start!!!

An artist, a hottie, and a peony – what could they possibly have in common?  Well, far more than meets the eye!!!

You’ve heard all of us at Flourishes mention Marcella Hawley from time to time.  I’d like to introduce you to her today.  Marcy is the artistic talent behind so many of the beautiful images in Flourishes stamp line, the latest being our series of beautiful botanical images.  Marcella Hawley was founding art director of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion, a pioneering art-centered decorating magazine. Previously, as assistant to the art director at Martha Stewart Living, she was part of the creative team that launched Martha Stewart’s premiere television show and Weddings magazine. Now home in St. Louis, Missouri, Marcella is a devoted gardener, illustrator, decorator, and maker of things. Husband Patrick Hawley is her partner in life and business, as web developer and IT maestro for MHCreative. They have two children, Tallulah and Finn.   For more information on her work, please visit www.marcellahawley.com.

OK, so that’s who Marcy is on a professional level.  Some pretty impressive names listed on her resume, but on a personal level, she’s just like the rest of us – a devoted wife and mother who loves her husband and her children – and she’s also someone who likes to have a little fun!  And in that vein she nominated her husband, unbeknownst to him, as the Hottest Husband of 2008 through Redbook Magazine.  And Patrick OBVIOUSLY is hot, as he was one of the finalists in the contest!!!!  Huge Congrats!!! to both Patrick and Marcy!!! How fun!!!  You can see the Redbook article along with an adorable photo of Patrick and their children by clicking here.

We at Flourishes are so honored and privileged to be able to work with both Marcy and Patrick.  Patrick was instrumental in helping Flourishes get their original site up and running and he still lends a technical hand from time to time!!!  Not only is this couple hot, hot, hot!!! in many respects, but they are a part of what makes Flourishes what it is today, and we’re so pleased to share this fun news with you!!!  Thank you, Marcy and Patrick, for your part in Flourishes success!!!!

OK, so we’ve covered the artist (Marcy), the hottie (Patrick), now what about the peony?  Well, that would be our Peony stamp set, drawn by Marcy, of course!!!  I just wanted to share a card with you today and I thought this newly released Peony would be just perfect for the occasion!!!

The card base is 5.5” square.  The main image panel is 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 and is set askew on the card intentionally – just for fun!!!    I use 6″ square envelopes so it still fits in the envelope just fine.  The pink strip is Cuttlebug embossed, the Peony sentiment is run through the Cuttlebug with the Tags Trio dies by Spellbinders, and the bee, also from the Peony set, is cut with a Petite Circle Nestability die and then matted with a punched 1 ¼” circle using a SU punch.  The main image panel with the Peony was created in the following steps:

• Ink peony stamp, direct to stamp, using ColorBox Chalk Inks, and stamp onto white cardstock.
• Using SU markers I filled in areas on the leaves and stem.
• Using the Inkksentials Opaque White Pen, I colored in all white areas on the peony and accented the leaves a bit.
• Using a C1 Cool Gray Copic marker I outlined the entire image.
• I made a mask of the peony using Eclipse Masking Tape, adhered it over the peony and then stamped my scripted background in Palette Hybrid Charcoal.
• I then heavily sponged the edges of the panel with the Charcoal ink.
• I then matted the panel in gray and then pink before adhering to the card.
• I then attached my Peony tag and bee with dimensional products.

Here’s my supply list:

• Stamps:  Peony by Flourishes and retired SU Script
• Paper:  Black, White, SU Pixie Pink, SU Basic Gray Textured
• Ink:  Palette Hybrid Charcoal and Noir Black, ColorBox Chalk Inks in Orchid Pastel, Dark Brown, Olive Pastel, SU markers in greens, browns and yellow, C1 Cool Gray Copic marker, Inkksentials Opaque White Pen, Stardust Clear Glitter Pen (on wings).
• Accessories:  Black Sheer Ribbon, Black Dotted Sheer Ribbon, Tags Trio and Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU 1 ¼” punch, Cuttlebug, Textile Embossing Folder, Mounting  Tape, Dimensionals, Zots, Glue Dots, Sponge.

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  Hope you enjoyed this fun story about Marcy and her Hottie!!!  Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!!

Just a quick note to remind you all there are continual games going on in the Flourishes Forum at SCS.

We are running a never-ending Featured Stamper Challenge.  Any and all cards made with Flourishes images can be entered here, and double dipping with other challenges is fine — we are ALL for multi-tasking — LOL!!!  We’re on Week #2 right now.  Each weekly winner is featured on the Flourishes Newsletter Blog.  Each weekly winner’s name is thrown in a drawing for a monthly winner, who wins a prize!!!  Our first weekly winner was Lois, a/k/a Clownmom.  You can check out Lois’ article here.

We also have a never-ending Christmas Card Challenge running as well.  There are no winners or prizes for this challenge, but getting a head start on your Christmas cards is gift in itself!!!  Plus, viewing the challenge entries gives you ideas to get you inspired!!!  And again, you MAY enter your Christmas Card Challenge entries into the Featured Stamper Challenge as well!!!

Remember, please use the keyword FLLC for all Flourishes uploads — we all LOVE to be able to easily find them and see what you’ve been up to!!!

And tomorrow is our Stamp Simply Challenge here on my Blog — again, it’s a super easy one that truly ANYONE can play — hope to see you then!!!

Some Splitcoasters from this area are planning a stamping event in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula.  Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.  It is the first weekend of August — what a gorgeous time to enjoy the beauty of our Upper Peninsula.  You can check out this thread for more details and to sign up!!!  I’ll be there and hope to meet many of you!!!

Good news!!! The JustRite folks just launched their new Blog!!!  Congrats to JustRite!!!

And, in celebration, they are offering some FABULOUS BLOG CANDY — would anyone out there like to try to win a JustRite Monogram Stamper and Accessories?????  Check it out at the JustRite Blog — and good luck everyone!!!!  The drawing will be on Monday morning, so you have plenty of time to sign up yet!!!

And remember, if you don’t win one, we do carry a good variety of the JustRite Monogram stampers at Flourishes — you can see them here!!!  And, as always, free shipping is offered on all purchases over $45.00!!!

Wonderful Memorial Day Weekend wishes to you all!!!

Hi everyone!  I had such good intentions of having a project to post tonight, but it just didn’t happen, and though I am typically a night owl (as well as an early riser), I need a good night’s sleep tonight!!!  But I’ll tell you what you can expect from tomorrow’s (Monday’s) post — and it’ll be up as soon as I get it done –

I find myself still needing 6 more graduation cards, so I’m going to try to come up with some super quick ones, using the JustRite Monogram Stamper to *somewhat* personalize them — a shortcut on personalizaton — if you can feature that!!!

I also want to talk about tassels as I have recieved so many requests about what I use and where I get them.  And, quite frankly, getting them has been a problem of late, so I’m planning to do a quick little tutorial for you on how to make your own tassels.

And lastly, would YOU like to be a FLOURISHES FEATURED STAMPER????  It’s a new game/contest I’ve started in the Flourishes Forum at SCS.  I think it’ll be a lot of fun!!!  You can read about it in the Flourishes Forum.

Goodnight everyone!!!  Hope to be back with the above post sometime on Monday.

Hi everyone!  Well, Jan Marie and I are home again — at least home in the UP of Michigan — Jan is still quite far from her home in Florida!!!  We had a great show in Sayner, WI this past weekend — all went well — but are we tired!!! WOW!!!

We left here on Friday morning, set up Friday afternoon, taught a class on Friday night which was done in a round robin style — 6 tables of 8 people at each, 30 minutes at a table, then rotate to the next — that worked really well and all the participants had a great time.  They each ended the evening with 6 different completed projects.  This was our Flourishes card for the round robin.

Saturday was super busy.  I did Make-N-Takes for 7 hours staight, Jan Marie ran the checkout and my friend Deb (DeborahLynneS) helped customers at the display with their questions.  This was our Make-N-Take Number 1 (Best Wishes), Number 2 (Wedding Card), Number 3 (Christmas Card).  They were all well received, as was all of the Flourishes product.  People really loved the classic and timeless Flourishes style, and Flourishes really did offer something new and different to the participants.

I have a few photos to share right now before I must run off for church.

This was our booth before customers arrived, and that’s Jan Marie off to the right — we had a space 10′ wide x 8′ deep, but luckily we got to push out a bit — 8′ isn’t very deep - LOL!!!  The customers sat at the front table to do the Make-N-Takes.  We planned on having 4 people at a time, but very quickly a 5th chair got squished in, so we were running 5 at a time, and there was always a line behind each chair, waiting for the seat to empty, so that was good!!!  And I must say, my calculations of how many cards we’d run through was pretty much right on!!!

This is a close-up of our display that my middle son, Ben (age 20) built.  The specification when he built it was that it had to break down small enough to fit into the back of an Explorer — so the base is like a table, the upright display pops into it, and the pediment on top also comes off — 3 pieces — we could handle it!!!  (Though it isn’t the lightest thing on earth — LOL!!!)  It served it purposes VERY well and looked great!!!

This is the sign that Jan Marie had made in Florida and brought up with her.  We shopped on Thursday when she arrived for the curtain rods to hang it. This is also a showing of some of the cards that the fabulous Flourishes Design Team provided for us.  There are more hanging on the sides of the display.  I can not tell you how people loved seeing all these fabulous creations up close and personal!!! There truly were a big hit!!!  THANK YOU FLOURISHES DT!!!!  Your hard work and willingness to share these is much appreciated!!!

And I must say, the most fun part of it all for me was getting to meet so many of my SCS and Blogland friends.  I also met many new people from the UP that I hadn’t known before and look forward to seeing many of them again soon.  Some of our local stampers, DeborahLynneS and Sarahzoe (Deb and JoAnn) are planning a UP SCS event here in Baraga for the beginning of August, and many of our new friends are coming.  We invite you all to come as well — here is a link to the Stampin in the UP  thread, please check it out!

All Flourishes products can be viewed on the online store.

Well, got to run — running late — talk to you all soon!

There is a sale going on at Flourishes – how fun!!!  All you have to do is attend the Virtual Convention, and you can read more about it at Seaside Creativity.  Follow the links to get to the Virtual Convention and the discount code!!!  Happy shopping!!!

Please note, I still have an active Blog Candy post open – scroll down 3 posts.

Just a quick note as I know many of you have been waiting for the Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders — well, they are now back in stock at Flourishes, so that is good news.  They differ from the standard Ovals in that they are somewhat more elongated.  I used them on this card, if you’d like to take a peek.

Just letting you know, as I know some have been waiting!!! And the full set ships for FREE!!!

Thanks much — hope you are having a great day!!! 

Oh, if you are just checking in, please note there is a Blog Candy post just below!!!