Silk Bows & Sweet Birds!

Hello! I have a little card for you today using some more of the wonderful hand dyed silk ribbon from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store! This Rusty Bucket hand dyed silk is just so rich looking! I thought it would be the prefect touch with this DP from Prima, and small roses from Zva Creative! To give it a little added touch, I added an antique brad in the center of my bow!

The sketch for this card is from this week's Midnight Madness Sketch challenge. The image is from the Home Tweet Home set from Flourishes. I stamped it with Memento black ink and colored it with copic markers. Then to finish off the image, I sponged the background with some baja breeze ink.

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have a great day!

Connie

Card Details:
Images: Home Tweet Home - Flourishes
Inks: Memento Black, Copics, Baja Breeze
Paper: Not Quite Navy, White, Prima DP
Accessories: Hand Dyed Rusty Bucket Ribbon, Flowers from the Zva Creative

Vintage Sweet Peas!

Hello! I have another vintage looking card for you today! I so love all of the crochet ribbons and trims that the Really Reasonable Ribbon store has. For my card today, I have used the Penelope Natural crochet lace to accent portions of my card. Additionally, I have used some of the brand spankin' new seam binding! I actually used some white seam binding, and colored it directly with my R11 copic marker to match the colors in my image perfectly! It was just that simple, and let me tell you, it is super easy to work with...I tied my bow with the bow easy in no time flat!! There are also specific colors of seam binding in the store, so be sure to check it out!!

The Sweet Pea image on my card is from Flourishes Stamps. I colored it with my R11, R12 and R14 copics. I then sponged the image panel with some antique linen and spun sugar distress inks to match the Capella Basic Grey paper! I actually used three different DP patterns on this card, so it qualifies for this week's Timeless Tuesday challenge over on the Flourishes blog! The sketch is from this week's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge! Finally, I was inspired by this week's Moxi Fab Tuesday Trigger - comfy cozy. I picked up on the flower pillows and the crochet blanket on the couch.

Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a great day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Sweet Pea - Flourishes

Inks: Copics and Memento black, antique linen and spun sugar distress inks

Paper: Old Olive, White, Basic Grey Capella Paper

Accessories: Ribbons from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store, Antique brad from SU!

Ribbon Frame Tutorial!

Hello! I have a little picture tutorial for you today on how to create a ribbon frame! This is a fun and easy technique to use ribbon on your card. I personally love to use satin ribbon when I make a ribbon frame, but you really could use many different types! Here I decided to use the Pink Satin with Grosgrain edge ribbon.

First stamp and color your image, and cut it out. You will need four strips of ribbon...one for each side of your frame. You will want to give yourself plenty of room to create your frame...I usually will cut a piece about twice the size of each side of the image. Then tie a knot in the middle of each piece of ribbon.

Next, if you are going to layer your image, I recommend you do it at this time. Then punch a whole in each of the corners. The thicker the ribbon, the bigger the whole you would want to punch. Here I used my crop-a-dile. (**Please note, that when creating the frame it is usually easier if you layer your image on at lease one piece of card stock...the sturdier your image is the easier it is to maneuver the ribbon in the punched holes.)

Start by placing your first side of ribbon in two of the wholes. Followed by a second side of ribbon as you can see in this photo.

Finish adding all the sides of the ribbon.

Next I like to adhere the knot to the front of the card where I want it to say. That way when fixing the ribbon on the back it will not move out of place.

Next flip your image over and adhere the ribbon ends to the back of your image...here I have used score tap, which gives a wonderful strong hold!

Here is your finished product! Just add it to your card and embellish it as you wish!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial today! Have a great day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Flourishes

Inks: Memento Black, Copics

Paper: Basic Grey, Pink Pirouette, White

Accessories: Crop-a-dile, Pink Satin Ribbon from the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store, Half Backed pearls from Zva Creative.

Joy!

Hi...it's Connie here...I have a fun Christmas card for you today which is showcasing two yummy ribbons from the Really Reasonable Ribbon store - Sheer Ruffled Edge Old Gold and 5/8" Ivory Crochet Lace!! Behind the image I placed two strips of the old gold ribbon and the layered it with the crochet lace. I then added another strip of the same old gold ribbon and topped it off with a bow tied with the bow easy and a gold gem to finish it all off!

This fun reindeer image is from the Flourished Christmas Stamp set from Flourishes. I stamped it with Memento black ink and colored it with copics. I cut it out with a Labels 10 nestabilities sponged with some Tea Die Distress Ink. The DP is from My Minds Eye Holly Jolly collection.

Thanks so much for visiting today. Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:
Speedy the Cat Friend's Challenge - Have circle on your card
Crazy 4 Challenges: Circle on your Card
Ginger Snap Creations 80 - Vintage Hues
For Fun Challenges: Free For All

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Flourished Christmas - Flourishes

Inks: Memonto Black, Copics, Tea Dye Distress ink

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Grey DP

Accessories: Ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon Store

FTTC52F - My Favorite Flourishes Stamp Set!

This is a sample for Maki's "favorite stamp set" challenge (FTTC52F) Flourishes Timeless Tuesday! Please check out the Flourishes Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play along!

The image I used for this card is from my most favorite set Thank You set! Tulips are my favorite flower, so that would explain why this is my favorite set! I stamped the image with palette black ink and then colored it with copics. I used the Labels Five Nestabilities for the main image panel. I created my own DP by using the background set included with this set. To finish off the card, I dry embossed the base with a cuttlebug EF, added some deep red gems, and some red satin ribbon tied in a tailored bow!

Thanks so much for visiting! Have a wonderful day!

Connie

Card Details:
Images; Thank You - Flourishes
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red
Inks: Palette Black, Copics
Accessories: Red Satin Ribbon, Deep Red Gems, Cuttlebug EF

FTTC52D - Think Pink!

This is a sample for Silke's "think pink" challenge (FTTC52D) for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday! Please check out the Flourishes Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play along!

The image for this card is from the Rock-a-Bye set. I stamped the image with palette black ink and color it with copics. The image panel was cut out using the Labels Eight Nestabilities, and the corners of the sentiment were rounded with my Zutter 1/2" corner rounder. The DP is from Basic Grey's Porcelain collection, and in a total Silke fashion, I used a white card base for my mostly pink card!! To finish off the card, I added some purely pomegranate double stitched ribbon and some pink gems!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Rock-a-Bye - Flourishes

Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red, Basic Grey Porcelain DP

Inks: Palette black, Copics

Accessories: Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Pink Gems, Labels 8 Nestabilities, Zutter 1/2" Corner Rounder

FTTC52B - Cut it Out and Pop it Up!!

This card is a sample for Betty's "cut it out" and "pop it up" challenge (FTTC52B) for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday! Please check out the Flourishes Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play along!

The image for this card is from the DIY Topiary set. I stamped the topiary image on some green DP from the Basic Grey Origins collection, and the base in some brown paper from the same collection. I then cut it out and popped it up on the same stamped image on the white image panel. I then colored the background sky and ground with copic markers. To finish off the card, I used more papers from the Origins collection, stamped the sentiment directly on the base, and added some jumbo eyelets and yellow gems along the side!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: DIY Topiary - Flourishes

Paper: White, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey DP

Inks: Palette black, Copics

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Yellow Gems

FTTC52A - Love this Sketch!!

This card is a sample for Cindy's "it's a sketch" challenge (FTTC52A), over on the Flourishes Newsletter blog!! Please check out the Flourishes Anniversary Celebration post to find out how to play along!

For this card, I am using the Waterlilies set! I stamped it with palette black ink and then colored it with copics. I then sponged the image panel with scattered straw, tattered rose and walnut stain distress inks. The DP used on the four back panels (which were cut out using the labels 1 Nestabilities) and the base panel is from Basic Grey's Porcelain DP package. To finish off the card, I added some brown grosgrain ribbon along with the sentiment.

Thanks so much for visiting today!!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Waterlilies - Flourishes

Paper: Chocolate Chip, White, Basic Grey DP,

Inks: Palette Black, Copics, Scattered Straw, Tattered Rose, and Walnut stain distress ink

Accessories: Labels 1 Nestabilities, Brown Grosgrain Ribbon

FTTC51, MMSC38 & SSCC23 - P, P, P, P What Begins with P

I made this card for this week's Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #38, Stamping Sister's in Christ $23 - to use a bit of green and Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #51 - Guest Hosted by Pat Adams which is to be inspired by the letter P. For my P inspiration, I Paper Pieced the Sweet Violets image, used half back Pearls, a bit of Pink, Periwinkle paper for the flowers, and I Popped up the flowers with dimensionals! Whew!! That is a lot of P's!!

Love the DP I used on this card, which is from Basic Grey Sugar Rush. My other favorite product, that I just LOVED seeing at CHA are these FUN pearl flourishes from Zva Creative...they have a ton of fun flourishes and frames with pearls and bling!!

Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a wonderful day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Sweet Violets - Flourishes

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Sugar Rush DP

Inks: Basic Black, Copics

Accessories: Half Back Pearls, Pearl Flourish from Zva Creative

FTTC48, MOJO120 - Life, Love, Lemons!!

I made this card for two challenges, this week's FTTC48 - to use yellow, black and one other color...I chose green, and the sketch is from this week's Mojo Monday #120. When I saw yellow...I immediately thought of this Life, Love, Lemons set from Flourishes!

I colored the image with copics, cut it out with my creative memories circle cutter, a scalloped circle Nestabilities, and then followed this week's wonderful sketch by using some Basic Grey Origins DP!! To give my card the finishing touches, I used a Martha Stewart Botanical Border Punch, some yellow grosgrain ribbon, and some yellow gems!

Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a wonderful day!! Oh and don't forget to come back on Saturday for the first Our Daily Bread Designs challenge! It is gonna be a fun one!!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Life, Love, Lemons - Flourishes

Paper: Basic Black, Origins DP - Basic Grey

Inks: Palette Black, Copics

Accessories: Yellow grosgrain ribbon, yellow gems, scalloped circle Nestabilities, creative memories circle cutter, Martha Stewart punch

MMSC31, FTTC45 & FLLCDEC - Snowy Gate fold

I made this card for three challenges, Midnight Madness Sketch challenge (MMSC31), and Flourishes Timeless Tuesday (FTTC45) - to make a gate fold. This week's MMSC lends itself so nicely to a gate fold card!! Finally this card is for FLLCDEC - where we were to be inspired by our favorite flower...well my favorite flower is a Tulip, and they come in pretty much any color you can think of, but my absolute favorite are red and blue ones!

I colored my Lamp Post from the new Lamp Post Greetings released last month from Flourishes with copics, sponged the background "sky" and covered portions of the image with glacier white flower soft for snow! To finish off the card, I added some red rhinestones and red satin ribbon.

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have a wonderful day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Lamp Post Greetings - Flourishes

Paper: Real Red, SEI DP, Whisper White

Inks: Copics, Distress inks

Accessories: Red satin ribbon, Red Rhinestones

FLLCNOV & SC254 - Copper Thank You!

I made this card for both this week's SC254 on SCS and this month's FLLCNOV - where we were to be inspired by the word of My Favorite Things from the Sound of Music. I was inspired by two different lines...Bright Copper Kettles and Cream Colored Ponies.

I heat embossed the fall wreath image from the Seasonal Wreath Set from Flourishes, and the sentiment which is from the Thank You set with copper embossing powder. The DP is from Deja View Timeless collection, and the back panel is dry embossed with a cuttlebug folder. To finish off the card, I added an antique copper finishing touches ribbon slide with some cream colored ribbon.

Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a wonderful day!!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Seasonal Wreath, Thank You - Flourishes

Paper: Copper, Very Vanilla

Inks: Versamark

Accessories: Copper Embossing powder, heat tool, Cream satin ribbon, finishing touches ribbon slide, embossing folder

FTTC40, OCCC & MMSC26 - Vintage Santa

This card is for three different challenges!! This week's FTTC40 to use a image that is colored, and then mat with all neutral colors and to add some texture! OCCC - to create a vintage card, and MMSC26 for the wonderful sketch!!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this vintage Santa image from Flourishes called Santa, I Believe! I decided to try the sepia technique that I saw in the latest Technique Junkies news letter. This is such a fun and easy technique and just perfect for that vintage touch! I lightly colored my image with some chalks, and highlighted his hair by watercoloring with some craft white inks.

Thanks so much for visiting today!! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Santa, I Believe - Flourishes

Paper: Deja View - Timeless DP, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa

Inks: Walnut stain and Tea Dye Distress inks, craft white ink

Accessories: Chalks, CB folder, sponge daubers, water color brush, chocolate twill ribbon, caramel satin ribbon.

FLLCOCT & FTTC37 - Sparkle Christmas Tree!

**If you are here for the ISC blog hop, please see the two posts directly below this one! Thanks!!**

I made this card for both Flourishes FLLCOCT - to add sparkle to your card, and FTTC37 - Sketch challenge! I used the fun and fancy tree from the Flourished Christmas set. LOVE this tree!!

I stamped the tree in craft handsome hunter in on silver paper, and heat embossed with heat and stick powder. I then poured dazzling diamonds all over the tree...talk about sparkle!!! Believe me...this card just shimmers!!

Next I added the kaleidescope pendent made with emerald green metallic paper, and placed it on some more silver paper which was dry embossed with a cuttlebug embossing folder. To finish off the card, I added some emerald green crystal brads, and the sentiment.

Thanks so much for visiting today!! Have a wonderful day!

Connie

Card Details:
Images: Flourished Christmas
Paper: Silver and Emerald Metallic Papers
Inks: Craft Handsome Hunter
Accessories: Heat and Stick powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Brads, Oval Punches, Embossing Folder.

FLLCSEPT - Grandma's Tulip

***Second post of the day - To view the final Innovative Stamp Creation's Sneak Peeks please see post below.***

I made this card for this months Flourishes sketch challenge FLLCSEPT. This tulip image is one of my favorites!! I colored it with copics and then cut it out with a Spellbinders Fleur De Le Pendent. The DP is from BasicGrey Porcelain collection. I added the Fleur De Lis border, some wide yellow satin ribbon and some half pearls.

Pretty simple, but I love the look of this sketch...I sure hope my Grandmother likes it (I made it for her b-day this Monday). Tulips are her favorite, so I don't think I can go wrong with this image!!

Thanks for visiting!

Connie

Card Details:
Images: Flourishes
Paper: BasicGrey Porcelain, Barely Banana, Old Olive, White
Inks: Palette Black, Copics
Accessories: Yellow Ribbon, Pendent and Border Spellbinder Dies, Half Pearls

FTTC30 & SFYTT - Happy Birthday Pearls

I made this card for two challenges, FTTC30 - to use pearls on you card...which is guest hosted this week by Liz Williams...Congrats Liz!! The sketch is from i{heart}tostamp, and can be seen here...what a fun sketch Jen!!

This butterfly is from Flourishes Butterfly Moments set. I heat embossed my butterfly with craft black and clear EP, and then colored with copics. The DP is from the Deja View Timeless stack. I added the tiny half pearls to the centers of each of the flowers on the DP. The sentiment is from the Flourished Words set, which was then punched out with my scalloped oval punch from SU! To finish off the card, I added a bit of chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon.

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have a great day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Butterfly Moments, Flourished Words - FLLC

Paper: Bashful Blue, Deja View Timeless DP, White

Inks: Craft Black, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Clear EP, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Half Pearls, Scalloped Oval Punch

FTTC29 & MOJO100 - Joy!

I made this card for both this week's FTTC29 - A color challenge of olive, red, black and a neutral of our choice; and the sketch is from this weeks Mojo Monday sketch MOJO100.

This color combo just seemed to scream Christmas to me...so I broke out my Flourished Christmas set and went to work! I kept it pretty simple with this layout...the DP, scalloped circles and ribbon did most of the work for me!

I was also able to decorate the inside of my card. I used the same layout as the top of my card. The sentiment is from the same Flourished Christmas set, as are the flourishes I stamped in the corners...they are from the reindeer's antlers!

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have a great day!

Connie

Card Details:

Images: Flourished Christmas - Flourishes

Paper: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

Inks: Old Olive

Accessories: Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon, Scalloped Circle Nesties, Scalloped Circle Punch, Other Circle Punches.

FTTC28, FLLCAUG, MMSC14 - Royal Greetings

I made this card for three different challenges: FTTC28 - to score it, FLLCAUG to create a card fit for Royalty, and for MMSC14...another fabulous sketch!!

The image I used is called Strut Your Stuff from Flourishes. I embossed the peacock in gold, and watercolored it with re-inkers and a watercolor brush. The border across the bottom was created with a spellbinders borderabiltity, and the sentiment is from Flourishes Flourished Words set. To give my card its royal look, I added plenty of gold paper (which is scored on each side), some emerald gems, and velvet ribbon!

I had just so much fun with this "royal card"!! Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a great day!!

Connie

Card details:

Images: Strut Your Stuff & Flourished Words - Flourished

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Brilliant Blue, Gold, White

Inks: Bermuda Bay, Brilliant Blue

Accessories: Gold EP, Heat Gun, velvet ribbon, spellbinders borderabiltity, oval punches, emerald gems, score pal

CC230 - Flourishes Birthday!!

I made this card for three different challenges today. Today's CC230 - Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, and Blush Blossom. Also, I joined in of this week's FTTC27 - to use hardware, and FLLCBDAY challenge...to celebrate Flourishes 2nd birthday by creating a birthday card!

I chose to use Flourishes Do It Yourself Topiary set today. I colored with rose Topiary with copics. For the hardware aspect of my card I used a Finishing Touches Pretty Pin...LOVE these!! The "Happy Birthday" sentiment is from Flourishes Flourished Word set.

Thanks so much for visiting today!! Hope you have a great one!!

Connie

Card Details:
Images: DIY Topiary, Flourished Words - Flourishes
Paper: Chocolate Chip, White. Porcelain Basicgrey DP
Inks: Palette Black ink, Copics, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Finishing Touches Pretty Pin, Chocolate satin ribbon, Label 4 Nestabilities

I Got to do More DTGD09 Challenges!!

Yep, I was able to do all of the DTGD09 challenges today...all within two cards!! This first card used four challenges: DTDG09Scrapnextras - Previous theme: Learning Your ABC's! - to use monogram/alphabet sets on your card; DTGD09cindy_haffner Sketch Challenge; DTGD09blondie090277 - Paper Tole; and DTGD09StamperSharon: What’s black & white & red all over? - black and white cards with a pop of red.

Love, love, love this great sketch from Cindy!! For my paper tole, I used the 3 Step Hearts & Roses stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps. I stamped it four times, cut out the different layers, and popped them up on dimensionals. Then stamped the sentiment with KSS's Mix it up - Monogram & Alphabet.

For my second card, the four challenges were: DTGD09Lauraly ~ Previous Theme: Tie One On! - to use ribbon on your card; DTGD09TruCarMa ~ Previous Theme: Good Enough to Eat! - use a food image on your card; DTGD09DeborahLynneS ~ Taken with Texture!; and DTGD09basilefamily - The Happiest Hour - which was an inspiration challenge, picture can be seen here.

I was VERY inspired by this picture. I soooo don't ever use bold bright colors...not that I don't like them, they are just not what I reach for all the time. This gave me the chance to use some poor neglected colors. In fact, this is the first time I have used my Green Galore ink pad...it was still in it's wraper...and I think I bought it over two years ago! LOL! I also picked up on the citrus fruit in the picture, which also qualifies for the "Good Enough to Eat" challenge. The images and sentiment are from Flourishes Life, Love and Lemons set.

Now for Deb's texture challenge, if you squint your eye and look closely, you can see that I ran the white label 1 nestabilities and white strip of paper under the images through my big shot with a SU texturz polka dotted plate. The large circle brads are also textured, as it the ribbon across the top...which work for the final challenge from Laurie!

Whew!! I am tired just typing all of this! LOL!! Thanks so much for visiting today! Have a great weekend!!

Connie

Card 1 Details:

Images: 3 step Hearts and Roses, Mix it up - Monogram and alphabet - KSS

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White

Inks: Rose Red, Ruby Red, Real Red, Basic Black

Accessories: Hero Art black half pearls

Card 2 Details:

Images: Love, Life, Lemons - Flourishes

Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore, Pixie Pink, Yo-Yo Yellow

Inks: Same as above

Accessories: Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon, Circle brads, Label 1 Nestabilities, Polka Dotted Texturz plate