Hello Friends,

Today I have several subjects to chat about with you .  Today is not a one sided chat.  I am asking you to participate by weighing in with your ideas.  To make it even better, I will be giving away a goodie bag to one lucky person that takes the time to leave a comment.  Have I got your interest up?  I hope so.

Before we get to that point I want to share some new items that have recently been added to the FLLC store.  Here is a card that I made using several new items to the Flourishes lineup.

We recently received our first shipment of Craft Concept embossing folders.  We’ve carried embossing folders before, but these are different.  The impressions made by these new folders are very deep and detailed.  There also is  a second line  called Couture Creations that is a whopping 5″ x & 7″ size.  I have received the samples and all I can say is, Oh My Goodness.

Today’s card uses two of the Craft Concept folders , More Dots and Ossie Dots.  They were both embossed onto Flourishes Classic White card stock.  The Ossie (larger dot) was also embossed on vellum.  The layering effect is grand.  Look closely at the bottom of the vellum and see the detail I added by using a Martha Stewart Punch.  This card was all about the contrast of restraint and unabashed detailing.  The look I was after was white on white with only the palest of coloring.  Embossing folders, dies from Spellbinders, and the use of a MS punch gave me lots of detail without color.  My image from  Love Sweet Love,  one of our newest sets, was colored using great restraint.  I achieved this by only using Copic pastels for coloring.  The lace  arrived yesterday and I could not wait to put it to use.  We received an entire shipment of new laces….oh la la!  Atop the lace is the pale pink French cotton ribbon, layered with a strip of metallic curling ribbon.  The tiny opalescence crystals are from the Prima Say It in Crystals line.  The card base is the palest of pink card stock.  This card is dripping with elegance.

NOW here is where you can get involved.  The CHA (Craft & Hobby Association)  Convention and market is just around the corner and we are going shopping for the upcoming months for Flourishes.  Several of us  from Flourishes will be attending CHA in Anaheim Jan 29-Feb 1,2011.  The energy there is incredible.  Here is a peak shot at the doors being opened on day one last summer in Chicago.

The sea of people travel through the doors to a mind blowing array of colors and displays.  Vendors have put their best foot forward to display and show off their wares.  It is an adrenaline rush to the max for all.  Sensory overload soon takes over.  We found we need to be well prepared for this extravagant shopping spree.  We review as much as possible from the unbelievable stash of pre-show information. We study the floor maps to find our favorites,  then we  are off to shop till we drop!!!

Wait a moment, we want this trip to be different.  I want to take your thoughts and wishes along.  So gather up you thoughts  and fill me in.   Other than our fine stamp sets, what do you look for in the Flourishes store?  Do you have any stamping needs that you can’t buy at Flourishes?  What would you like to see us carry?  Now is  the time for you to weigh in!!   One lucky person will receive a bag full of goodies.  Leave a comment of what you would like to see in the Flourishes store.  You could be the lucky one!!! 

I thought it would be great to get your ideas of what you would like on your wish list of items in the Flourishes store.  Is there something that you would like that is not available?  What are your favorite  things to use and would like to see more of in FLLC?  Do you like our new custom Tailor-Made dies?  Want More dies or do you think there are already enough on the market?

I would like Flourishes to be a one stop shopping center for our retail customers.  How can I make that happen for you?  Flourishes does not nor can we afford to compete with the big box and chain stores.  We want our store to have a boutique of special and unexpected finds.  How do you feel about that?  How are we doing with our kit each month?  We intentionally don’t give out a set group of patterns to follow as we  feel that our designers can open up your inspirational vibes and let you work the magic.  Is that a good thing or would you like more basic cards to follow.

Take some time and think, then leave me a comment!  It’s your time to weigh in on our selections.

Ciao,

Hello Flourishes Customers,

If you visit our store you will see something rare…very rare… We Are Closed.  Don’t fret very much as it is only to give us time to count inventory and refresh our store.  Flourishes will close at Midnight CST 30 December and re-open 1 January 2012 just as the tick of the clock says “Happy New Year”.  As  usual we will have our FLIP sale for qualified customers .  If you are not yet a FLIP make the qualifying order of $100.00 of product and get the remainder of the FLIP year’s program coupons and the Limited edition Stamp set, “With Gratitude” only available to FLIP customers.

I want to thank each and every customer of Flourishes for their support through 2011.  We are so grateful.  Our designers have put forth a stellar year of design work.  2012 will bring new art and many other things through the year.  Our 2012 color catalog will be released at CHA during the last week of January.  We are working deligently to have some spectaluar new art and tutorials available for you.

To make room for our new stamps sets, we will retire some of our older sets.  We will notate the stamp sets that will be discontinued and when they are gone, they will gone. So this may be the last chance to order them.

I wish to all the best that 2012 can offer.  It is a new year, and maybe each in our own way we can help to make it a better year for all.   Happy New Year, 2012!

Peace to all!,

Hi all and…. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

… And told us to get those creative juices flowing! She also told us that from time to time she’d be issuing a surprise challenge to share some fun projects out there in blog land!  You’ll have to stop by and see what the DT gals whipped up…. truly inspirational!!! AND, if you feel so inclined, you can snap up some of the tins in the Flourishes store HERE to create your own fun!

Barbara Anders
Christine Okken
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber 
Sharon Doolittle
Stacy Morgan
Tammy Hershberger

Thanks so much for stopping by! As we close out 2011 this weekend, know I am raising my glass (clink) and proposing a toast to a wonderful new year full of nothing but blessings and plenty of stamping inspiration for all of you!

Be sure to check back Sunday when we unveil the next big designer that will join us all month long… in the LIMELIGHT! You won’t want to miss this one!