the creative closet by cindy lawrence

God Bless the USA!

Today, the Flourishes design team is focusing on the fabulous Patriotism on Parade stamp set.  I adore this set and everything it stands for.  We are indeed blessed here in America!

I stamped the silhouette parade image onto kraft cardstock using Memento Paris Dusk ink.  The patterned paper is from Authentique.  The star trinket pins began their life white...that is, until they met up with my Copic markers and Air Brush System...LOVE that thing!

I used Spellbinders Peite Oval Nestabilities Dies for the main flag image background, and sponged a bit of Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink.  The red gingham ribbon was a bit bright white for the card; so I sponged that with Antique Linen Distress Ink also.  The fireworks were stamped with Memento Lady Bug and Paris Dusk inks. 

The flag was colored with the following Copic Marker Collections:

Check out the rest of fabulous patriotic creations made by the design team:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber 
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

That's all from me today, friends!  Have a fantastic Friday!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Cindy 

What a Catch!

I have a quick post for you today. I made this card using Flourishes What A Catch stamp set, which is such a great set for guys...or anyone who loves fishing for that matter!

I used a bit of weathered wood look patterned paper from the My Mind's Eye Fiddlesticks 6x6 pad to give the feel of a dock.  I also added a bit of real fishing line, some Slate Gray Braided Trim, a few silver brads, and a couple of Metallique Candi dots.  I colored the image with Copic markers (I know...shocking, isn't it?!).

The Spellbinders dies used behind the image are Labels Twenty and Classic Oval.  The punched border at the bottom of the card was made with a Martha Stewart border punch.

That's all from me today, friends!  We are off to enjoy another gorgeous, sunshiny day at the ocean.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~Cindy 

Miss You a Latte

Now, THIS is one happy girl, dontcha think?!  Ahhh.....bliss.  Any of you who love coffee as much as I do, will completely understand. :-)

Have you seen the line of à la modes from My Favorite Things?  They are super-adorable,and come in designs perfect for any occasion you can think of!  This one's appropriately called Miss You a Latte. 

I whipped up this simple creation for a dear friend from across the miles.  I love the happy colors in the chevron striped paper from My Mind's Eye; so I built my card around that little strip of paper.  The card base is a nice, sunny yellow, and I added a stripey, wood-grain feel to the background by swiping the same color ink pad down the paper.  I added a pretty punched border along the bottom, that mimics the chevron pattern.  A fun tag, a few red square gems, a bit of Maraschino Red Twine, and a sweet, yellow flower button finish things off nicely.

I colored my image with the following Copic markers:  

*background - a light spray of BG01 with my Copic Air Brush System

*ground - E31, E33

*skin - E00, E02, E11

*hair - E50, E53, E57

*shirt - Y32, Y38

*jeans - B32, B34, B37 

*shoes/head-band/coffee cup logo - R22, R4, R29

*coffee cups - E31, E33, E35, E43, E44, E47, E49 

That's all for today, friends!  Hope you have a very blessed Monday!

~Cindy 

Flourishes Friday Free For All

It's time for another Flourishes Free for all Friday!  The design team is sharing projects using some of their favorite sets from this month's release.  

My card is 5-1/4" square, and uses both the Summer Blossoms and Happily Ever After sets.  This is probably a little bold for your average wedding; but I think it would be great for an anniversary!  I used some fun gathered yellow gingham ribbon along the bottom edge of the card, and a wide yellow striped ribbon in the center.  The pretty papers are from Basic Grey's PB&J collection.  I really like the bold color combos in this collection.  I used Spellbinders Classic Oval dies to cut out both the floral images and the sentiment.  I then layered them onto a Spellbinders Ornate Artisan Tags & Accents Die.  I added a fancy trinket pin, Sparkler, and a few rhinestones to finish things off.

The images were colored in with the following Copic Marker Collections:

Check out the gorgeous creations made by rest of the design team:

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Just a reminder...TODAY is the last day you can get the June New Release Bundle at 10% off!  Check it out HERE!

Have a fabulous Friday, friends!  We are heading out tonight to check out the new movie Brave...so excited to see that one! 

Thanks for stopping by!

~Cindy

 

Happy First Day of Summer!

Happy first day of summer, friends!

Like most of the country, we're experiencing a mini heat-wave this week; so it's off to the beach for us!

I made this card using Flourishes On the Porch stamp set, which is a new fave of mine.  We have a big, grandma-style front porch on our home, and it's one of our favorite places to hang out. :-) 

I used my Spellbinders Grand Calibur and Grand Labels One Nestabilities Dies to cut out the card shape.  I then added layers of Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Two Nestabilities Dies and a Classic Circle Die to top it off.  I cut the patterned papers into small squares, pieced them together, and made a quilted look background by running it through the Grand Calibur with the Venus Crest Art Nouveau embossing folder.

I added a bit of piercing to the top and bottom, a pretty Two-Tone Light Blue Ribbon, a couple of Leaf Trinket Pins, and a few pretty green rhinestones.  The image was stamped on Classic White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored with the following Copic Marker Collections:

That's all for today, friends!

Have a terrific day!  ...and stay COOL!

~Cindy 

Flourishes Release Day!

Hi all and welcome to the final day of Flourishes’ Release Week! And, guess what? If you like what you’ve seen on our designers’ blogs this week, I’m happy to report that all of Flourishes’ new sets for June are in the Flourishes store!! Just click HERE to see for yourself! Are you ready to see our last set being revealed today? We actually have a set and a digital download to help celebrate all kinds of occasions!

Introducing.....

Flourishes new Happily Ever After set is the perfect companion set for the new set Summer Blossoms. Here, you have a pint-sized sentiment set that packs some punch when it comes to wishing "The Happy Couple" well.  Use it for anniversary wishes, weddings, bridal showers or even to congratulate a newly engaged couple.  It's a must have set to add to your collection!  This set measures 4 by 3" so it's a bargain at $8.50.  AND...to make sure all your events are truly memorable, we've added a do-it-yourself invitation to deck out however you wish.  Baby showers, potlucks, bridal showers and more!  This blank download allows you to personalize any get-together with that elegant, handmade touch.  Created as a part of Flourishes' Blossom Collection with fonts that match this series of stamps -- this invitation blank offers endless opportunities for entertaining in style! Click HERE to see this in the store and CLICK HERE for instructions on how to download this image after your purchase.  The tutorial was from a post we featured a while back for our calendar download.  

Here's my sample, which uses the Invitation Blank and three stamp sets: Happily Ever After, Summer Blossoms, and Wedded Bliss.  You can see how easy it is to make beautifully coordinated invitations.

I made this sweet invitation and coordinating vellum envelope in no time at all!  The pretty florals from the Summer Blossoms set were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored in with the following Copic Marker Collections:

I stamped the dancing couple from Wedded Bliss in a pale blue ink right over the invitation.  Here's a look at the vellum envelope:

I cut a notch out of the top of the envelope to make it easier to slide the invitation out, and also to showcase the pretty ribbon and flowers.  The green pleated ribbon and pretty little flowers come from this month's Sunkissed 123 Create Kit.  You can also find the pretty Light Blue Sheer Ruffle Edge Ribbon in the Flourishes Store.  I rounded all of the top corners to add to the elegant feel.  Finally, I cut out a couple of circles with my Spellbinders Classic Circle dies, used the Copic airbrush system to add a light blue background, and stamped "Mr. & Mrs." from the Happily Ever After set.

I have a close up of the coloring on the blossoms for you:

 

Would you like to win our new Happily Ever After Set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win! What are you waiting for? Time to hop along and see what these fabulous designers created!

• Barbara Anders
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger
• Beate Johns

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE JUNE RELEASE? Have you checked out our 10 Minute Creations Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in our Noon Time Challenges, click HERE to check out the Pop It Challenge and HERE for our Arts and Letters Challenge! All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck!All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST–TODAY– and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post! So get those fingers inky and good luck! We hope you’ve enjoyed sharing a bit of creativity with us thi s week! Be sure to tune back in tomorrow to see if your name is in …… THE WINNER’S CIRCLE!

That's all, folks!  Have a terrific Friday!

~Cindy

Flourishes Arts & Letters Challenge

Are you ready for a fun Flourishes challenge?  Well get ready to get your fingers inky because if you play along, you could win all three of our new stamp sets this month!

HOW TO PLAY: To play in the “Arts and Letters” challenge, all you need to do is just do what the title suggests — create Art… with Letters!  Use a letter as a focal point in your card or creation and you will be in the running! If you upload to a Splitcoaststampers gallery, please use the keyword FLLCJUNRW2.Entries must be in before Friday, June 15th at 5PM EST. To enter, make sure you link up your creation on the Flourishes Blog using the Inlinkz widget!

Here's my creation:

I made this set of cards for my daughter's teacher.  I kept them clean & simple...aren't you proud?! ;-)

I used Flourishes Classic White card stock for the base, and Spellbinders Classic Circles dies to cut out the letters from the Letters in Blossom set.  I stamped them with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored them in with lots and lots of Copic markers from Flourishes Copic Collections.  I used an argyle embossing folder to give the background a bit of texture, and finished the background off with scored lines on either side of the embossing, made with the Scor-Buddy.  I tied them all up with some pretty baker's twine, and added a few pearls at the top to pull it all together.  The sentiment is from the coordinating Summer Blossoms stamp set.  I stamped the sentiments using several of the new Memento inks.  You can check them out HERE!

Here are a couple of the individual cards up close:

When I finished making the cards, I put them in an acrylic box and tied it up with a pretty ribbon:

Check out what the rest of the designers created for this fun challenge:

• Amanda Havon
• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Stacy Morgan
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Heather Jensen

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Happy stamping!

~Cindy 

Flourishes Sneak Peeks Day Two!

Are you ready for day two of Flourishes sneak peeks?  Today's set is a GORGEOUS floral alphabet set, called Letters in Blossom.  It's the perfect companion to sister sets Happily Ever After and Summer Blossoms.

Here's my creation:  (Click on it to see it larger.)

I made this one for my sweet girl's birthday...which isn't until August; but I'm ready! ;-)  The card base is Flourishes Classic White card stock, which I embossed with Spellbinders Regal M Bossabilities folder.  I then added a punched border along the bottom and some pretty Basic Grey Picadilly floral paper panels.  I added a bit of green gingham ribbon along the top edge, some White Braided Trim along the bottom edge, and finished it all off with some thread, a button, and a few rhinestones.

The letters were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, cut out with Spellbinders Classic Oval dies, and colored with the following Copic Marker Collections:

I added a bit of sparkle to the letters with a Spica Clear Glitter Pen.

You can purchase all three of this month's release sets in a fantastic New Release Bundle, which will only be available through June 22nd.

Want to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

 

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win!

• Barbara Anders
• Beate Johns
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

Before you go, be sure and check out this month's Sunkissed 123 Create Kit.  Want a peek?  Take a look. All this for just $20!  Awesome, isn't it?!

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE JUNE RELEASE? Have you checked out our 10 Minute Creations Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in our Noon Time Challenges, which began yesterday and continue at noon today.  Our noon time challenges are fast-paced chances to win our full June release!   All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog post!  So get those fingers inky and good luck!

See you back here at noon for more Flourishes FUN!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Cindy 

Flourishes Sneak Peeks Day One!

 

Hi all and welcome to the very first day of Flourishes Sneak Peeks for JUNE! It's exciting because the sets being revealed this week aren't just unique for June -- they are part of an entire collection of stamp sets that will be released over the next year! It's called the Blossom Collection and each set released under this name will be designed to coordinate with the other pieces for all types of occassions! Use one set on it's own or slowly add to the collection  -- that's the beauty of it!

Today's set, Summer Blossoms, is the first part of this collection and features beautiful blooms perfect for summer!

Part of The Blossoms Collection, this beautiful array of summer blossoms illustrated by Marcella Hawley features a bouquet, corner stamps, and pieces to create your own borders or frames. Add in a trio of all occasion sentiments and you have the perfect set to create cards for every day correspondence. Set measures 4 by 6" and is the perfect companion to sister sets Happily Ever After and Letters in Blossom. If you like what you see, this set is available for pre-order now, just click HERE!

Here's my creation with this gorgeous set:

My card is 5-1/4" square, and the image is colored with the following Copic Marker Collections:

All of the pretty patterned papers and embellishments come from this month's 123 Create Kit!  Check out everything you get in it:

I just love the sunshiny colors & happy embellishments in this kit!

Want to win this set? All you need to do is leave some love in the form of a comment on the blogs below! Why? You need to try to figure out…..

One of the ladies on our link list below will be picking a name from the comments on her blog post today. We don’t know which one it is… so the more blogs you leave comments on, the more chances you have to win!

Okay, now it's time for you to check out the rest of the design team's creations!  Happy hoppin

• Barbara Anders
• Beate Johns
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <--- You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Julie Koerber
• Sharon Doolittle
• Stacy Morgan
• Tammy Hershberger

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD WIN OUR ENTIRE JUNE RELEASE? Have you checked out our 10 Minute Creations Challenge? Just click HERE to find out how to play! You can also play in our Noon Time Challenges, which kick off today and continue noon tomorrow! Our noon time challenges are fast-paced chances to win our full June release! All challenges will close this Friday at 5 PM EST and winners will be announced Saturday in our Winner’s Circle blog p ost! So get those fingers inky and good luck!

Don’t forget our New Release Bundle! If you buy all three sets in a bundle, you save 10% off the price. But, this offer only lasts through next Friday, June 22! So… you have to act fast! Just click HERE to see! Stop by the Flourishes blog again today at noon for more Flourishes FUN!

Thanks for stopping by today, friends!

~Cindy 

King for the Day

I'm back with a card made using another of Mo Manning's fabulous images.  This one's called King for the Day.  I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it.  It is the perfect image for Father's Day, and reminds me of my hubby when he gets a chance to relax.

I colored the image with the following Copic markers: E02, E07, E09 (chair) ~ E50, E11, E13 (skin) ~ C2, C5, C9 (hair & remote) ~ N00, N2, N4 (t-shirt) ~ BG72, BG75, BG78 (pants) ~ Y32, Y35, Y38, W1 (socks) ~ YG03, YG17 (can) ~ E44, E47 (chair legs)

The image was stamped on Copic X-Press It Blending Card using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

The layout is this month's Sketch For You To Try.  The sentiment is from Flourishes.  The patterned papers are from Basic Grey's Max & Whiskers 6x6 paper pad.  I added a strip of burlap ribbon and a few metal eyelet accents to finish it off.

That's all for today, friends!  I'll be back here bright and early Wednesday morning for day one of Flourishes June release. :-)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~Cindy