the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Flourishes Friday

Happy Friday, friends!

Have you ever spent hours on a card that should have taken you twenty minutes?  Isn't it aggravating?!  That was me last night while making this card.  I embossed the pretty heart image onto European Watercolor Paper, and watercolored it with dye inks and a water brush.  Easy peasy, right?  Well, then I thought I'd make a "simple" card.  Whenever I make a conscious decision to make a simple card, it takes me foreeeeevah!  ...and as you can see, it IS a simple card!  Good grief, why do I have to make things so complicated?!  LOL

I used the pretty Hearts and Flowers set from Flourishes.  The finished card size is 6" x 3-1/4".  After tearing my card apart a bazillion times, I finally chose to layer strips of the blue cardstock to add a bit of interest without competing too much with the focal image.  Rhinestones and a fancy border finish things off with a little pizazz.  I colored clear rhinestones with a R19 Copic marker.

Check out what the rest of the Flourishes design team created this week:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan
• Flourishes Blog

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!  We are hoping to get in a little ice skating again...this time with Dad in tow. ;)

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Hearts and Flowers
Papers:  European Watercolor Paper, Rich Razzleberry Textured, Marina Mist
Inks:  VersaMark, Rich Razzleberry, Marina Mist
Accessories:  White Opaque Pen, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Clear Rhinestones, R19 Copic Marker, Razzleberry Satin Ribbon, Black Detail Embossing Powder, Water Brush, Dimensionals 

Good Catch!

Hello Stampers~

My goodness, this week is slipping by quickly!  I took MLK Day off on Monday, and it has thrown me completely off kilter.  I did use that day off to spend some fun, quality time with my kiddos.  We went ice skating...the kids for the first time ever, and me for the first time in 20+ years!  We started out on our own pond in the backyard, and then got confident enough to head to a public skating pond.  We had the best time together, and the kids are chomping at the bit to go again.  I am so glad we decided to get ice skates for Christmas this year...gonna be a good investment I see. :)

About that card up there...

It's made with Penny Black's Good Catch stamp set (sweeeet), which I picked up at Stampers Dream. I colored the image with Copic markers, and air brushed the sky with the Copic Air Brush system.  

The fun layout is this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch.  The card size is 5-1/2" square.

Here's a close-up of the image:

...and here's a look at the MANY Copic markers I used to color the image:

Yeah...I know.  I just can't help myself sometimes!

Before I run off, I thought I'd share a few of the pictures from our skating adventure.  Enjoy! 

Gosh, I could share many more; but I will refrain.  I have been having fun with my new camera...learning something new every time I take it out for a spin. ;)

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

Hugs,

~Cindy
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Stamps:  Good Catch (Penny Black)
Papers:  Classic Solar White (Neenah), New Leaf (PTI), Sugar Rush Patterned Papers (Basic Grey)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  White Pearls (colored with R29 Copic marker), Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Copic Air Brush System, Circle Nestabilites, Red Gingham Ribbon, Heart Border Punch (EK Success), Dimensionals 

Flourishes Release Day!

Hello Stampers~

Happy Friday to YOU! :)

It's Flourishes release day, and all of this month's sets are now LIVE in the store!

The final release for this month is the adorable Tokens of Affection set.  This is such a different style for Flourishes, but sooooo CUTE!

For my card, I chose the sweet robot image:

I colored him in with Copic markers and air-brushed the background with the Copic Air-Brush System.  Can you tell I recently got new air cans???  I've been using that thing on all of my cards lately!

I layered a couple of different Spellbinders Nestability Dies onto a dry-embossed 4-1/4" square card base.  The pretty pink ribbon is Cotton Linen from the Flourishes Store.

I used a Sakura Glaze Pen to add shine to several areas of the image.  Here's a close-up view for you: 

Isn't that a great sentiment?!  My hubby will get a kick out of it. ;)

Here are the Copic markers I used:

That's all from me today, folks!  Have yourselves a FANTASTIC Friday!

Thanks for visiting with me!  Now, stop by and check out the rest of the design team creations:

• Christine Okken
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan

You'll also want to swing by the Flourishes blog to check out all the happenings right now!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Tokens of Affection
Papers:  Classic White
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Spellbinders Labels One & Twelve Nestabilities, Lattice Embossing Folder (SU), Pink Cotton Linen Ribbon, Glazed Brad (Basic Grey), Blush Pearl, Copic Air Brush System, Clear Glaze Pen (Sakura), Dimensionals

 

Flourishes Sneak Peeks Day Two!

Hello Stampers~

What a day we had yesterday!  My drive in to work was absolutely treacherous...scary, scary stuff.  BUT I made it safe and sound, and for that I am truly thankful. :)  Today is sure to be a less eventful day.

I've got another Flourishes sneak peek to share with you.  Today's set is called Love Notes, and is just sooo much fun!

I chose to make an elegant card using some vintage papers from Graphic 45's Le Romantique collection.

I used the violin image, coloring it with Copic markers and giving it a generous coat of Glassy Glaze.  I then cut the image out and attached it to my Nestability layers using Dimensionals.  I gave the top layer a soft air-brushing with my Copic Air Brush system and an R21 Copic marker.

It's hard to tell in the photo; but I added black rhinestones to the punched lattice border at the bottom of the card.  I just love the wired crushed satin ribbon here...don't you?

Here's a close up  of the focal image:

I hope you've enjoyed today's sample, friends.  

This week's Flourishes happenings:

Did you see our The Color of Love Challenge that we kicked off last Friday? You could win our ENTIRE January release! Check it out HERE.  

Want to join our DT with some chatter, fun, games and giveaways!  Mark your calendar for our Power Hour Release Party!  It’s set for TONIGHT (Thursday) at 9 PM Central time!  We’ll host it HERE in our SCS forum!
Just like in releases past, you can save a BUNDLE with our new release bundle!  Purchase all three sets for 10% off!  You can check it out HERE!  

Now you'll want to check out what the design team has done with the Love Notes set:

• Christine Okken
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan

So glad you stopped by today!  Have yourself a lovely Thursday, friends!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Love Notes
Papers:  Classic Ivory, Textured Smokey Grey, Black, Graphic 45 Le Romantique Patterned Papers
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Sweet Blush, Copic Markers (E13, E15, E19, E44, E47)
Accessories:  Wired Rose Satin Ribbon, Martha Stewart Wide Border Punch, Black Rhinestones, Labels Fourteen Nestabilities, Petite Oval Nestabilities, Copic Air Brush System, Glassy Glaze, Dimensionals

 

 

Flourishes Sneak Peeks Day One!

Hello Stampers~

It's a brand-new year, and Flourishes is kicking it off with some fabulous stamp sets!  It's release week, and the design team will be sharing sneak peeks with you from now through release day on Friday. :)

Today, we're showcasing the gorgeous Hearts and Flowers stamp set.  Wait until you see the EYE CANDY the design team has whipped up with this one...yummmy!

I went with a soft, watercolored look on my card:

I am in love with Prima's Flora and Fauna patterned papers, and just knew I had to use them with this fantastic daisy heart image.  I embossed the image in white, and colored it in with Copic markers in pretty pastel shades.

Here are the markers I used:

I popped the image and ovals up with Pop Dots, and added some soft air-brushing with the Copic Air Brush System and my G82 Copic marker.  The faux stitching on the patterned paper is done with a White Opaque Pen.  The pretty yellow ribbon is Cotton Linen from the Flourishes store.

Here's a close-up of the image:

To make the flower centers pop, I used a Sakura Clear Glaze Pen to shine 'em right up. :)

So, did you hear about Flourishes Timeless Tuesday 100th Challenge Blog Hop?  You DIDN'T??!  Well, you need to check it out right HERE.  There are some AWESOME prizes for playing along!

Next, you'll want to stop by the rest of the design team blogs to see what gorgeous creations they've cooked up for you:

• Christine Okken
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Laura Fredrickson
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan

Have a fantastic Wednesday, friends!  We're in for a WHOPPING snow storm today, and yours truly needs to be at work by 5:30am...good times.  The good news is there are no crazy drivers on the road at 5am in the middle of a snowstorm.  Oh wait...except for me! LOL

Thanks for visiting with me, as always!  You guys are the BEST!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  Hearts and Flowers
Papers:  Classic White, Textured Pale Yellow
Inks:  VersaMark, Bundled Sage Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Yellow Cotton Linen Ribbon, Flower Button, White Button Thread, Classic Oval Nestabilities, Copic Air Brush System, White Opaque Pen, White Embossing Powder, Clear Sakura Glaze Pen, Pop Dots

 

JustRite Week with Stampers Dream Day Two

Hello Stampers~

I'm back for day two of JustRite week with the Stampers Dream team.  My sample uses the Fancy Tags & You Inspire Me stamp sets.  I love the elegance of these sets, and how beautifully they work with Spellbinders dies.

I began with a pretty ivory cardstock, and punched all the way down both sides with Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Border Punch.  I added a dry-embossed ivory layer and several layers of Prima's Annalee Patterned Papers.

The layout for my card is this month's Sketch For You To Try.  I finished it off with some pretty trims, a bit of air-brushing, and a Prima flower.  Now I'm ready for the next wedding or anniversary on my card list.

It's time for you to stop by the rest of the design team blogs to see their gorgeous creations.  Your first stop is the amazing Kim Teasdale.  Here's the line-up for the whole week:

Monday - Michelle , Cindy , Amy , Mariana 
Tuesday - Michelle , Cindy , Kim , Tosh , Teresa 
Wednesday - Michelle , Teresa, Tosh , Lea, Christina 
Thursday - Michelle , Christina , Amy , Lea, Kim

Thanks for visiting, friends!  Have a glorious Tuesday! :)

Hugs,
~Cindy
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Stamps:  JustRite You Inspire Me, JustRite Fancy Tags
Papers:  Flourishes Classic Ivory, Prima Annalee Patterned Papers
Inks:  SU Melon Mambo, SU River Rock, Copic Markers (BG13 & R81)
Accessories:  Prima Flower, Pink Crocheted Trim, Pink Velvet/Crocheted Ribbon, Labels Five Nestabilities, Petite Oval Nestabilities, SU Lattice Embossing Folder, Copic Airbrush System, Dimensionals, Martha Stewart Modern Garland Border Punch 

Stampers Dream JustRite Blog Hop Day One

Hello Stampers~

How are you all???  Gosh, I've missed you!  I can't believe how easily two weeks can get away from you!  I planned to take it easy over the holidays; but then I came down with some serious cold/flu symptoms, which officially kicked my behind last week.  The good news is that I am feeling a million times better, and ready for a fabulous week ahead! :)  I hope you all had very blessed Christmas and New Year holidays with your loved ones. 

It's JustRite week at Stampers Dream, and the team has some fun and fabulous samples to share with you.  I chose the Adorable Dragon set for my sample.  This dragon truly IS adorable, don't you think?  I just love this fun new line of stamps from JustRite!

I colored him in with Copic Markers, using the Colorless Blender to achieve the textured effect on his body.  Here's a close-up view for you:

I used Spellbinders Hearts Nestability Dies to anchor my dragon, and the Copic Air Brush System to achieve the blended shades of pink on the heart.  The fun heart patterned paper is from Bo Bunny's Crush Collection.

Here are the Copic markers I used:

Next up you'll want to stop by and see what fabulous creation Amy has for you.

Here's the line-up for the whole week:

Monday - Michelle , Cindy , Amy , Mariana
Tuesday - Michelle , Cindy , Kim , Tosh , Teresa
Wednesday - Michelle , Teresa, Tosh , Lea, Christina
Thursday - Michelle , Christina , Amy , Lea, Kim

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps:  JustRite Adorable Dragon
Papers:  Prism Razzleberry Light and Dark, Neenah Classic Solar White, Bo Bunny Crush Patterned Papers
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see photo), SU Purely Pomegranate 
Accessories:  Hearts Spellbinders Nestability Dies, Shimmery Ribbon, Crocheted Trim, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Dimensionals, Clear Sakura Glaze Pen, Copic Airbrush System, White Opaque Pen