the creative closet by cindy lawrence

Page Maps Card Sketches: Wish You Were Here

Hello all and happy Saturday! Today I have a special treat!  Some of the Flourishes gals have joined the Pagemaps team to usher in a little source of creative inspiration with Becky Fleck's latest round of Cardmaps sketches! Each designer took a different sketch and created to her heart's content!

Here's a peek at my sketch...



And here's a peek at my creation!


I chose to use the Windows to the World set, which I haven't dusted off in a while. :)  I began with a 5-1/4" square Classic Kraft card base, and added layers of Pistachio Color Made Easy card stock, and pretty patterned papers (can't remember which pad they're from!).  The sentiment was die-cut with the Perfectly Pierced Classic Window die set, air-brushed with my G40 Copic marker, and stamped with Memento Lady Bug ink.  The window image was stamped on Classic Ivory card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, die-cut with a Spellbinders Classic Circles die, and colored with the following Copic Marker Collections:

A bit of green velvet trim, seam binding, a pretty resin rose, and a few pearls finish off the details.

Inside, I kept things very simple with a strip of card stock, a strip of patterned paper, and a stamped sentiment. 

Now if you hop on over to see these ladies below, you'll get fresh inspiration with different sketches and fabulous designs! And, if you want more than that -- you'll find it just a click away HERE -- with even more sketch ideas and samples! So, hop along and have some fun!

Allison Cope

Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
Deborah Anton
Julie Koerber
Makiko Jones
Silke Ledlow
Stacy Morgan

Thanks so much for visiting today, friends!  Have a wonderful weekend!

~Cindy

Supplies:

Flourishes Release Day: Berry Sweet Frames

We're back today with our last day of fabulous New Releases for June! Today's set celebrates the sweet bounty of a fruitful summer garden! Introducing....

This set is surely berrilicious! Designed with three sweet-as-can-be accent stamps of raspberries, strawberries and cherries, this set can deliver a gift from your garden or cheer to a friend. The gingham background is designed as a perfect fit to our Perfectly Pierced Classic Frames Die. Layer using the die or come up with your own fun ways to combine all of these sentiments and images. With this fresh picked set, the creative options are endless!

My card begins with a 5-1/4" square of Classic White card stock, a layer of Tiger LIly Color Made Easy card stock, and pretty background papers from Echo Park's For the Record 2 Tailored collection.  The fun gingham frame was stamped in Memento New Sprout ink, and die-cut with the Perfectly Pierced Classic Frames die set.  A couple of red enamel brads, a bit of red lace trim, and a touch of seam binding from the Poppy Color Made Easy Collection finish off the details.

I stamped the cherries with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored them with the following Copic Marker Collections:

The sentiment was stamped in Memento Bamboo Leaves, the oval frame in Memento Lady Bug, and the background air-brushed with my R12 Copic Marker.

Inside I added a couple of strips of patterned paper, stamped the sentiment in Memento Bamboo Leaves, and the pretty raspberry image in Memento Lady Bug ink.

We'll have some berry-beautiful things to show you with these Berry Sweet Frames, so take a trip on over to visit the Design Team today to see what we have in store for you, and don't forget that once again today we have a …

One of the Design Team Members is today's Mystery Blogger. If you comment on her blog you could be chosen to win today's berry-great set! The more blogs you comment on the better your chances!

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

DO YOU WANT TO WIN OUR ENTIRE RELEASE?

If you would like a chance at winning all four of our soon-to-be released June sets...

• You can play in our Textures of Nature Challenge – there will be multiple winners there! Deadline for entries is TODAY at 5 PM EST. OR, play along with the gals for this week's Timeless Tuesday Open Sesame Challenge! Check out the links for the official rules!
• All four of our June sets are NOW AVAILABLE and you can check them out HERE. Take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all four together in a bundle. And, for even more creative options here's the coordinating cut files for this release. Thank you for joining us for this month's New Releasea and all our outdoor fun! We can't wait to see what you create with this month's sets!
• Join us back here on the Flourishes Blog tomorrow for the Winner's Circle where we'll announce all of our winners of this weeks' challenges!

Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends!  Have a terrific Friday!

~Cindy

Supplies:

Flourishes Sneak Peek: S'more Fun

You've come back for S'more Flourishes Fun? Well we're bringing it to you today! Hasn't it been great? And for some more outdoor fun today - we think this set might be one of our favorites! Introducing the very darling....

Get on the road again with this summer inspired set designed to share S'more Fun! From a darling daisy clad lantern and a vintage RV ready for summer to finger licking good S'mores fresh off the fire, this set is sure to bring smiles! This 4 by 6" set features three main images, an accent image plus four all-occasion sentiments.

I just had to use that fabulous vintage camper on my card!  I paired bold colors wth dark grey to create a bright and happy card.  The card base is from the brand-new Tonal Neutrals Color Made Easy Collection, and the card stock layers are from the Emerald Coast and Tiger Lily Color Made Easy Collections.  The patterned papers are from the Miss Caroline Dilly Dally and Notable Collections from My Mind's Eye.

I stamped the image on Classic White card stock with Mememto Tuxedo Black ink, and colored it with the following Copic Marker Collections:

How's that for a few color options?! ;-)  I die-cut the image with a Spellbinders Petite Oval die, and backed that with a couple of Perfectly Pierced Classic Window die-cuts.  The sentiment was stamped with Memento Gray Flannel ink, and air-brushed with a YR35 Copic marker.  I wrapped some orange and white twine around the botton, and tied it up with an Emerald Coast Button.  The pretty pale blue "brads" at the top are actually white enamel dots that I air-brushed with my Copic air compressor and BG53 Copic marker.

Inside I stamped the image in Memento Tangelo, stamped off one time to soften it.  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Gray Flannel, and added a couple of strips of left-over paper along the top edge.

We'll have some very fun summer inspired ideas to show you with this set, so drop on over and visit the Design Team today to see them all, and don't forget that we have one last day of the…

One of the Design Team Members is today's Mystery Blogger. If you comment on her blog you could be chosen to win today's great set! The more you comment on the DT Blogs, the better your chances of winning!

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

DO YOU WANT TO WIN OUR ENTIRE RELEASE?

If you want a chance to win all four of our June stamp sets? Time is running out...

• You can play in our Textures of Nature Challenge – Deadline for entries is Friday at 5 PM EST. OR, play along with the gals for this week's Timeless Tuesday Open Sesame Challenge! Be sure to check out the links for the official rules!
• All four of our June sets can be pre-ordered even before you see the last set tomorrow. Take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all four together in a bundle.
• All sets will be live first thing Friday morning along with the coordinating cut files for this release.

Stop by tomorrow for one final sneak peek, and another chance to win some Flourishes goodies!

Thanks so much for visiting!

~Cindy

Supplies:

Flourishes Sneak Peek: In Nature

Welcome to day two of Flourishes June release!  We're thrilled to show off more nature-inspired offerings for you today. One of the things that makes summer so special are those tranquil moments spent in the outdoors. Think of those peaceful places of recreation or solitude away from the hectic schedule, celebrating the beauty and restoring power that nature has. Today we bring you...

You can feel the solitude in this beautiful and earthy set penned by Lauren Pope. Whether it's catching the great outdoors by canoe, or sitting by the lake front cabin, this set delivers a serene dose of nature. This 4" by 6" set offers two main images plus three beautifully scripted sentiments. Images are great for nature lovers or even for the men in your life!

My card begins with a Rich Browns Color Made Easy card base, as well as layers of Emerald Coast Color Made Easy card stock, and Classic White card stock.  I added three Candi's to the top corner, a pretty brown gingham ribbon and Emerald Coast button to the bottom, and finished off the details with a pretty punched border along the bottom edge.

The sentiment was stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, and die-cut with the Perfectly Pierced Classic Window die set.  I air-brushed it with my G40 Copic marker.

The image from In Nature was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored with the following Copic Marker Collections:

Inside the card I added a layer of Classic White card stock, and a strip of Emerald Coast Color Made Easy card stock.  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Rich Cocoa, and the image in Memento New Sprout.

Don't forget about today's…

One of the Design Team Members is today's Mystery Blogger. If you comment on her blog you could be chosen to win today's great set! The more you comment the better your chances!

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker

Along the way today you'll be introduced to the beautiful Trail Mix 123 Create Kit for this month too - here's a sneak peek at what's in it...

AND NOW DO YOU WANT TO WIN OUR ENTIRE RELEASE?

How would you like a chance to win all four of our soon-to-be released June sets?

• You can always play in our Textures of Nature Challenge – there will be multiple winners there! Deadline for entries is Friday at 5 PM EST. OR, play along with the gals for this week's Timeless Tuesday Open Sesame Challenge! Check out the links for the official rules!
• Also, if you like what you see on our designers' blogs today, you can pre-order this set (along with the other three sets as well). You can also take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all four together in a bundle. All sets will be live first thing Friday morning along with the coordinating cut files for this release. So, be sure to come back and join us each day this week as we unveil a whole new host of paper crafting fun!

AND we have another set to show you tomorrow that just might have you craving the open road!

Thanks so much for stopping by, friends!

~Cindy

Supplies:

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Heartfelt Thanks

 

Hi all and welcome to day one of Flourishes' fabulous sneak peeks!  Are you ready for your chance to WIN our entire new June release just by playing along with this week's challenge?   Since Sneak Peek Day One overlaps with the Timeless Tuesday Challenge, we have some amazing projects showcasing our newest beautiful floral stamp set by Marcella Hawley. 

This stunning new stamp set features a glorious spray of wildflowers along with some wonderfully heartfelt sentiments. It will be a 'must-have' on your shopping list this week!  

This week's Timeless Tuesday Challenge is to create a card or project that moves or opens in a non-traditional manner.  Use the keyword FTTC224 when uploading your creation.  In other words, create a card that doesn't just open normally. Maybe it has a third panel like a tri-fold card or it has a greeting tag that pops up when you pull a ribbon! There are lots of fun tutorials you can try out. Here are just a few examples of some great card tutorials that will fit perfectly for this week's challenge:

Center Step Card
Circle Side Step Card
Concertina Fold Card
Criss Cross Card
Diamond Fold Card
Easel Card
Lever Card
Pop-Up Stage Card
Slider Card

I chose to make a center step card using the gorgeous Picking Wild Flowers set.

I began with a 5-1/2" x 11" piece of Classic White card stock.  I layered some Crocus Color Made Easy card stock, and patterned paper from Graphic 45's Secret Garden collection.  I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored it with the following Copic Marker Collections:

The sentiment was stamped in Memento Elderberry ink, and die-cut with the Perfectly Pierced Victorian Ovals set.  I air-brushed the oval with my V06 Copic marker.  The ribbon is Elderberry Seam Binding, and the finishing details are a couple of pearl stick pins, and a vintage brad.

Here's a look at the way the folds look from the side of the Center Step Card:

It looks like I forgot to snap a photo of the inside of the card; but, as you can see, I stamped it up pretty, as usual. :)

Since both the Flourishes Finest Design Team AND the Friends of Flourishes Team are sharing their "Open Sesame" inspirations today, you've got some hoppin' to do!  Check 'em out:

• Allison Cope
• Broni Holcombe
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Deborah Anton
• Denise Marzec
• Heather Jensen
• Jenny Gropp
• Judy Rozema
• Julie Koerber
• Katie Sims
• Makiko Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• Tosha Leyendekker
• Berni Cuttino, our June guest designer

Remember...join us in our challenge this week for a chance at winning our ENTIRE new June release!! Yup... that's right... you could win our entire new release just by playing along. SWEET, right?!

CHALLENGE RULES

HOW TO PLAY: Everyone can PLAY and anyone can WIN! Here's how you can win…

• Create a new card or paper-crafted project fitting the challenge. Flourishes stamps are not required, but if you've got them, why not use them?
• Why not use Flourishes stamps on your creation?!? You will receive two ballots towards our weekly prize if you use our stamps! Hooray!
• Include a link back to this challenge in your blog post or gallery upload.
• Please clarify in your blog post, how your creation specifically meets our challenge.
• If you upload to Splitcoaststampers, please use the keyword FTTC224.
• One random winner will be picked from all of the entries.
• Deadline to enter is next Monday at 6:00 p.m. EST.

AND...another way to win...

You need to find out who today's Mystery Blogger is!  Hidden among the Design Team is one designer who has this set to give away.  Comment on that blog and you could win today's beautiful Picking Wildflowers set!

Thanks so much for stopping by, friends! 

~Cindy

Supplies:

Sending Sunshine

Hi friends!

 In just a few short days Flourishes will be unveiling a new round of stamps inspired by the great outdoors.  So today, the design team is challenging you to be inspired by the TEXTURES of nature!  

HOW TO PLAY: Create something with an outdoorsy texture in mind - or use an element from nature as part of your design. It could be the texture in an embossing folder that has woodgrain, leaves or vines, it could be a leaf rubbing behind your image, something glossy like rain or shiny like a berry. The interpretation is up to you! If you play along with us, you could win Flourishes entire June Stamp Release! If you upload to SCS please use the keyword FLLCJUN13.  You can enter as many times as you like, but we want you to know if you use your Flourishes stamps, your entry counts twice! You have until Friday June 14, 2013 at 5 PM EST to enter. Just be sure to enter your creation on the Flourishes blog using our InLinkz Widgit. Enjoy exploring those nature textures!

My card is 5-1/2" square, with a Quick Sand card stock base from the Rich Browns Color Made Easy Collection.  The dark brown card stock layers are also from the same collection.  The gingham patterned paper is from the Unforgettable collection from My Mind's Eye.  I stamped the sentiment on a Perfectly Pierced Classic Window die-cut in Ranger Walnut Stain ink, and air-brushed it with my E47 Copic marker from the Rich Browns Collection.  The buttons are from the Rich Browns button collection.  A bit of dark brown lace trim at the top and a stitched brown grosgrain ribbon at the bottom, finish off the details.

Here's a close-up view of the textured background I created.  I began with a piece of primed canvas, and painted on some Gesso, making some areas thicker than others.  After allowing it to dry, I air-brushed on the browns to give it the look of wood grain.  I used the following Copic Marker Collections to create the background:

To get the streaks, I held the air-compressor trigger close to the paper and sprayed in long, steady streaks.

I stamped the image on Classic White card stock with Espresso Truffle ink, and colored it with Copic markers.  I added bits of brown in the leaves for interest. 

I added some rich pinks and reds to color the flowers.  Here is the Copic Marker Collection I used on the flowers:

Inside the card, I added a strip of dark brown card stock, a strip of patterned paper, a sweet sentiment stamped in Ranger Walnut Distress Ink, and the hollyhocks in Ranger Victorian Velvet ink.

Okay, stop by the blogs of the rest of the Flourishes design team to see their fabulous creations:

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
  
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan
• And be sure to welcome our NEWEST Senior Design Team Member - Tosha Leyendekker!! See more about her HERE. I could NOT be more excited to have Tosh joining us!  She is so incredibly talented, and a sweet, genuine person too. :)
  

THE OFFICIAL RULES:

• Simply create a card using any textures from nature, or inspired by nature
• Entries need to be in by Friday June 14th, 5 PM EST
• Those entries using Flourishes Stamps will be counted twice
• You must link your creation on our InLinkz Widgit to be counted
• You must have a link to our challenge in your blog post or gallery post
• Please DO NOT combine challenges. Only those entries that don't combine will be in the running
• If you upload to SCS please use the keyword FLLCJUN13
• We'll announce the winners on Saturday in our Winner's Circle Post here on the blog on Saturday June 15th, so check back then to find out if you are a winner!

Thanks for stopping by today and we look forward to seeing what you create!

Have a terrific Friday!

~Cindy

Supplies:

A Guiding Light

Hello friends!

Today the Flourishes design team is continuing the theme of masculine cards that we began last week, giving you some more great inspiration for that guy in your life!

For my card, I chose to work with A Guiding Light and the Antique Map background.  I began with an Emerald Coast Color Made Easy Collection card base, layers of Classic Black, and rich patterned paper from Bo Bunny's Weekend Market collection.

I used a thick rope cord to make the sailor's knot down the left side, and added a bit of Striped Turquoise Twill for a little pop of color.  The dies used are Spellbinders Petite Ovals and Labels Eleven.  I added a trio of black rhinestones to balance the rope detail.  I stamped the Antique Map in Ranger Old Paper Distress Ink, the ship in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and the sentiment in Memento Nautical Blue ink (how could I not use that color?!).

I lightly colored the image with the following Copic Marker Collections:

I kept the inside sweet and simple, with a bit of patterned paper, a pretty seaside image, and the beautifully scripted sentiment.  Now my card is ready to give to my sweetie pie for Father's Day. :)

Now you'll want to hop on over to see the amazing creations from the rest of the design team:

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy - This is Danielle's last post with Flourishes...gonna miss that sweet girl!
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan

Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends!

~Cindy

Supplies Used:

Flourishes Friday: What a Catch!

Happy Friday, friends!

This week the Flourishes design team is focusing on a couple of fantastic masculine sets.  I chose to work with What a Catch, and some rich papers from Bo Bunny's Mama-razzi collection.  The dark brown card stock layers are from the Rich Browns Color Made Easy Collection.  The die-cuts are from the Tailor-Made Classic Keyhole die set.  A strip of stitched brown grosgrain divides the papers.  I balanced the card with a couple of Candies on the top left, and one of my son's fishing lures on the bottom right.  A bit of twine serves as a rustic fishing line.

I stamped the image on Classic Ivory card stock with Memento Espresso Truffle ink, cut it out by hand, and colored it with the following Copic Marker Collections:

Inside the card, I added a couple of strips of patterned paper, stamped the fish & "Dad" in Ranger Rusty Hinge Distress Ink, and stamped the sentiments in Ranger Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

If you need a little more inspiration for this set, all you need to do is click HERE and travel over to the Flourishes Gallery. If you click the link, it will take you to a beautiful array of creations using the What a Catch set...perfect inspiration for the guys in your life!

Check out the rest of the design team creations:

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
  
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan

Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends!

~Cindy

Supplies:

Hey, Girlfriend!

Hey everyone~

Today, the Flourishes design team is sharing projects made with some of the new May release sets.  I chose to work with Glamour Girls because I haven't had a chance to use it yet.  I kept the card monochromatic, with a Classic White card base, and pretty purple and lilac paper layers from the Crocus Color Made Easy Collection.  The gorgeous lace is White Scalloped Lace Trim, and I added a pretty Elderberry seam binding ribbon & sparkly Prima Crystals to finish off the details.

I paper-pieced her gloves with pretty purple patterned paper from the Secret Garden collection from Graphic 45.  I stamped her on Classic White with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored her with the following Copic Marker Collections:

Inside I stamped the beautiful roses from Old Tea Rose in Memento Lulu Lavender, and stamped the sentiment in Memento Sweet Plum.  A slim strip of card stock from the Crocus Color Made Easy Collection balances it off nicely.

Check out the beautiful projects created by the rest of the design team today:

• Amanda Havon
• Christine Okken
  
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Danielle Kennedy
• Heather Jensen
• Julie Koerber
• Maki Jones
• Silke Ledlow
• Stacy Morgan

Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends!

~Cindy

Supplies:

CardMaker & Flourishes Blog Hop

  Today the CardMaker Magazine Blog Team is pairing up with the Flourishes Design Team to bring you some fabulous inspiration with our most recent Flourishes May Release sets! It’s a taste of creativity you’re sure to love!

For my card, I chose to use the Call Me set, and cheery shades of red, white, and blue-green.  I love this fresh color combo!  My card size is 5" square.  The patterned papers are from the Happy Days collection from Echo Park.  The blue-green textured papers are from the Emerald Coast Color Made Easy Collection.  The ribbon is Paradise Aqua Seam Binding.  I finished off the details with a Poppy Button, Red Enamel Dots, and a Crystal Trinket Pin.

I stamped the image on Classic White card stock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, die-cut it with the Spellbinders Labels Twenty Eight die set, and colored it with the following Copic Marker Collections:

Inside the card, I added a bit of patterned paper, stamped the image in Memento Lady Bug (stamped off once), and stamped the sentiment in Memento Teal Zeal.

Flourishes loves CardMaker Magazine and its endless source of inspiration in each edition. You’ll find gorgeous photography; beautiful creations, step-by-step instructions and card and paper-crafting designs from the simple to the elaborate; and we love that a number of our Flourishes designers have been published in its pages! So hop along today and be doubly inspired by two great teams! 

You'll want to be sure to comment because we're giving away our entire May Stamp release valued at more than $70...one prize on the Flourishes Blog and one prize hidden along the blog hop! The deadline to participate is Friday the 17th at 5 pm EST...yes, that's just two days away!  So, go and get commenting! :)

If you're going in order, you should have come from the lovely Stacy Morgan's blog before here, and next you're off to see what the oh-so-talented Melanie Muenchinger has created.  If you didn't start at the beginning, hop on over to the CardMaker Blog to get all the details and start at the beginning.

Thanks so much for joining us today!  Good luck!

~Cindy

Supplies: