the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Flourishes Friday

Hello Stampers~

Welcome to another addition of Flourishes Friday! :)  This week's focus is all about retirement....no, not mine, but rather some fabulous stamp sets that Flourishes has decided to retire.  The best part?  They are on one FANTASTIC sale!  At 65% off,  they are sure to go FAST!  Be sure to click on Flourishes' SALE PAGE to get some bargains of your own!

For my card, I chose to use the Summer Blossoms stamp set.  It was one of the very first Flourishes sets I ever owned, and I made some of my all-time favorite cards with it.  I love the sweet simplicity of the images...so very pretty. :)

My card base is Classic White cardstock, as are most of the other layers.  For a little pop of color, I used a narrow strip of pretty Pixie patterned paper from Memory Box.  I also sponged on a bit of color with the Tim Holtz Spun Sugar & Shabby Shutters Distress Inks.  The Spellbinders Nestability Dies I used are the new Labels Eighteen and my tried-and-true Classic Ovals.  I used my Grand Calibur Die Cut Machine to cut them out & emboss them.  is sized at 5-1/2" x 3-1/4". 

The flowers are colored using just a few Copic markers - YG01, R83, R85, & R89.  I added some Citrus Ultra Fine Flower Soft to the stamens.  The final touches are pretty pearls, which were colored with my R85 Copic marker, White Braided Trim, and a soft Pink Cotton Linen bow.

Here's a close up:

That's all from me today, friends!  Stop by some of the other designers' blogs to see their gorgeous creations:

• Julie Koerber
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan

Have a fantastic Friday!

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Summer Blossoms
Papers:  Classic White, Pixie Paper Pad (Memory Box)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (YG01, R83, R85, R89), Tim Holtz Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters Distress Ink
Accessories:  Spellbinders Labels Eighteen Nestabilities Die, Spellbinders Classic Ovals Nestabilities Die, Grand Calibur Die Cut Machine, Dimensionals, White Braided Trim, Pink Cotton Linen, Pearls, Argyle Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sponge Daubers, Citrus Ultra Fine Flower Soft

Sweet Snuggles

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a sweet sample to share with you using the adorable Snuggles image from Stampavie.  This one reminds me of my daughter, Abbi.  Although she's not so little any more (ten and a half already....gulp!), she is still a big snuggler..especially with our kitties. :)

I used this week's Mojo Monday Sketch for the layout.  The main card panel was made with mySpellbinders Grand Labels One Nestabilities Die.  I colored the image in using Copic markers, and sponged on a bit of Tim Holtz Distress Inks for the sky and grass.  The pretty patterned papers are from the Blossom Soup collection from Jillibean Soup. 

Here's a close up of the image:

Doesn't she just give you the warm fuzzies?!  You can pick this image up for yourself at Stampers Dream...but hurry, because they're going fast!

Here are the Copic markers I used:

Have yourselves a fabulous day, friends!  I hope to have some vacation pics to share with you all tomorrow.  I have about 300 to sort through! LOL

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  Snuggles (Stampavie)
Papers:  Neenah Classic Solar White,  Blossom Soup Patterned Papers (Jillibean Soup)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters Distress Ink, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities, Big Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Grand Labels One Nestabilities, Green Satin Ribbon (PTI), Yellow Button (PTI), White Button Thread, Sponge Daubers, White Pearls, Dimensionals 

Whatever you are be a GOOD one!

Hello Stampers~

I'm back with a quickie post today.  Since we arrived home from our vacation, it's been go-go-go.  I haven't had a minute to stamp...and I'm having withdrawals, cuz it's been nearly two weeks since I've stamped a thing!

We did have an absolutely perfect vacation, though.  We hiked the Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, explored parts of Death Valley, toured Hoover Dam, saw a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas, walked the strip a couple of times, swam & hung out in the hot tube every night, got a nice start on the tan, and ate lots of wonderful food.  Oh, and the weather was PERFECTION...sunny & 80's every single day.  It was honestly the best vacation any of us can ever remember...could have stayed another week! :)

Now it's back to reality, and I am READY!  I am officially only working 2 days a week now; so, in true Cindy fashion, I have made myself quite a list of things I want to accomplish with my "free" time.  We shall see how that goes...

Today's card was made with a fun image from Whipper Snapper Designs called Mustang.  I just couldn't resist pairing it up with that sentiment...good words to live by! ;)

I'm not going to get into a lot of detail about this card; but I will tell you that I colored it with Copic markers (shocker, right?), and the size is 5-1/4" square.

Here's a close-up view:

That's all, folks!  I'll have a new sample to share with you tomorrow...and maybe some vacation pics too.

Have yourselves a FABULOUS day!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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He Is Risen! Hallelujah!

Hello sweet friends~

I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very blessed Easter!  I am so thankful for an amazing God who cared enough for each one of us to send His only Son to save us.  How amazing is that?!

Love & blessings to you all on this GLORIOUS DAY! :)

~Cindy

Lattice and Rolled Ribbon Rose

Hello Stampers~

I promised that I'd share the other ribbon technique I taught in my class last week; so here it is!  This one's called the Rolled Ribbon Roses technique, and my friend Dawn has awesome instructions HERE on the Flourishes blog.

Here's a close up of the flower:

There are a couple of other techniques on my card that might be of interest to you.  The frame for the lattice was created by layering two Spellbinders Labels Four dies inside each other, and running them through the Grand Calibur machine together.  Then the lattice itself is made by layering 1/2" strips behind the frame and attaching it to the card front (which also has been cut out with the Labels Four die).  I should mention that I embossed the front layer of the card using a pretty embossing folder, and then cut out the center.  After the lattice was attached, I adhered the whole thing to my card base.  On mine, I added a pretty piece of patterned paper to the card base before I attached the lattice.  It adds a pretty pop of color, don't you think? The leaves, flowers, and patterned paper are from SU.  The red satin ribbon is from PTI.  The lattice technique was a recent Splitcoaststampers challenge; so you can find great instructions and lots of samples right HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

The Stork Report

Hello Stampers~

Today I thought I'd share a sweet little baby card I made using Whipper Snapper's new The Stork Report stamp.  It's such a fun image, isn't it?!  I paired it up with some pretty Fly a Kite patterned papers from October Afternoon.  The sentiment is from Friendly Expressions.

I colored the image with Copic markers, and I confess I do not remember which ones.  Here's a close-up:

 

That's all for today, friends!  Thanks, as always, for visiting with me today!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Easter Note Cards

Hello Stampers~

I have a little set of note cards to share with you today.  Remember the little carrot candy pouches I made to go into my kiddos Easter baskets?  Well, these are the little critters I had left-over from that project.  So, I made them matching cards....one for the hubs too, of course! ;)

The cards are 4-1/4" square.  I decorated them with pretty papers from the Stella & Rose Mabel collection from My Mind's Eye.  The sweet little critters are from the Hello Spring stamp set from Taylored Expressions.  I kept the embellishments very minimal, just a pretty Mint Glimmer Ribbon strip and a couple of Orange Rhinestones.  I used SU's Word Window Punch for the sentiment, and scalloped circle, 1-3/8" circle, and 1-1/4" circle punches for the main image.  Of course, I popped the sentiments, images and circles up with Dimensionals; but that is it, my friends.  These are truly easy-peasy little cards!

Have a WONDERFUL day, my friends!  

Thanks so much for spending a wee bit of it with me! :)

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Chics Rule

Hello Stampers~

Today's sample is made with My Favorite Things' adorable new One Sweet Chick stamp set from the Pure Innocence line.  I stamped and colored her with Copic markers, and paper pieced her dress using  some Hometown Summer patterned paper from Pink Paislee.  I combined that with some pretty blue patterned paper from Basic Grey's Hello Luscious pack.

The card itself is  5-1/4" square.  I added Cream Satin Pleat Edging and Small Ivory Organza Roses Ribbon to the bottom edge of my card.  The ivory flower is from Prima.  I also did a bit of sewing on a couple of the layers.

Here are the Copic markers I used:

That's all folks!  I hope your day brings you lots of joy! :)

Hugs,
~Cindy 

1 2 3 Create with Orchids

Hello Stampers~

Today I have another fun sample made with Flourishes April 1 2 3 Create Kit - Prima Botanical.  I am having so much fun playing with this one!

 I used Flourishes new Orchids stamp set.  I stamped it in VersaMark ink onto European Watercolor Paper, and then embossed it with vanilla embossing powder.  I then colored the image in using a water brush and some Rhubarb Stalk  & Bamboo Leaves ink from Memento.  I also added a touch of Groovy Guava ink (SU) to the flower petals.

This card is a bit larger than normal... 6" x 4".  It's a Fabriano watercolor notecard.  I cut the patterned paper into 1/2" strips and layered them onto some Classic Ivory cardstock.  I then added the trim, ribbons, pearls, and a punched border to finish things off.  You may notice that the Sparkler I used in the center of the flower is a different color than the one pictured in the kit.  Well... have you met me?  I colored it with a Copic marker (R59 to be exact).  I also flipped it over, because I really like the bumpy side of the Sparkler.

Here's a close-up:

I just love the way detailed flower images look when embossed in white or vanilla and watercolored...so soft and pretty.

Thanks for visiting with me today, friends!

Christine & Julie have kit card samples to share with you today as well!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Flourishes Release Day!

Hello Stampers~

Oh my gosh, I am CRAZY in love with this new set from Flourishes!  It's called April Showers, and has just been released this morning!

I have been dying to ink up those adorable rain boots!  Here's my card:

I chose a vibrant green, and lots of pretty bling.  The boots are my favorite part of the card!  Check them out close-up:

I used a Clear Stardust Gellyroll Pen to add sparkle to the leaves on the boots, and then covered them entirely with Glossy Accents.  They are so pretty that I want a pair myself! :)

I colored them with Copic markers (YG00, YG01, YG03, YG17), and used the Copic Air Brush system to shade the sentiment layer.

Check out what the rest of the design team created with this awesome set:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Danielle Kennedy
• Dawn Burnworth
• Julie Koerber
• Jan Marie Caruso
• Leslie Miller
• Stacy Morgan

OTHER FLOURISHES FUN THIS WEEK!

• Flourishes’ Spring has Sprung Challenge is in full swing! You could win Flourishes’ ENTIRE April release! Check it out HERE.
• Save a BUNDLE with Flourishes new release bundle! Purchase the entire release for 10% off! You can check it out HERE!

Have a fantastic weekend, friends!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  April Showers
Papers:  Intense Green Textured (Prism), Classic White (Flourishes), Lily Bee Picket Fence Patterned Paper
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Bamboo Leaves, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Copic Air Brush System, Spellbinders Long Rectangle Nestabilities Die, Clear Stardust Gellyroll Pen (Sakura), Dimensionals, Glossy Accents, Say It In Crystals Bling & Trim (Prima)