Flower Cart

Happy today! Tomorrow...well that will be a different situation. Yes, it's Friday which is good for most peeps. But for me it means another round of epidurals. This time we are going to try to take away some of the problems that I am having in my lower back. It's been just over a year since my fusion and I am still having loads of difficulty. So cross your fingers for me that these next few weeks will be worth all the trouble of having needles stuck into my spine. ugggg

So onto this adorable gift box. Yes, gift box!! See the little pink ribbon pull? This is sooo cute! I came across the directions at Mu-Ha.Blogspot. I'll warn you now...it's all in Russian. If you'd like to make the wheel barrow and need help with the tutorial, just let me know.


Chipboard, Brads, Kraft and Pretty in Pink card stock, hand made flowers (by me).

Challenge #7 @ Paper Craft Planet

Ok, well I missed a few days of the Twelve Days of Christmas Challenge at Paper Craft Planet. They were finally getting tired of birds ( you know, a partridge, calling birds, french hens, turtle doves...) so they decided that Swans are elegant, right? Create a card (or any paper craft) that is all black and white - think of "high formal" weddings. Feel free to toss in a dash of color. Phew, I can do that! I decided to try out a black flower using the Fabulous Flower set. I must say, that flower looks gorgeous in any color!

Pointsetta Box

Two posts in one day! Aren't I the over achiever!


I've made another box and matching 3 x3 note cards. The box is made with Real Red card stock and embossed in white using the Baroque Motifs wheel. I also decorated the note cards with the same materials. The flowers are made from my world famous 'Fabulous Flowers' recipe. You can also learn how to make these simple flowers. The details can be found on my previous post here.


Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog,
Michelle

123 challenge

One stamp set, up to two kinds of embellishments, three colors and as many punches as you would like. Well here you go ~ This is a challenge submitted by the Late Night Stampers Design Team (which I am a member of) I love how these cards came out! It's always fun to try new ways to create something beautiful.
The first one uses the Always stamp set, some brads and a piece of chocolate chip ribbon. I used the scallop punch, snow blossom, five petal, scallop square, and the 3/4 circle.


There is a lot of detail in the card. I love how the flowers turned out. I added paper piercing all around the card, made my own faux buttons and faux thread. I even cut up the Scallop square punch to go around the bird.



Next is a very bright card using the new In colors, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango.
The stamp set is Fresh Cuts stamped with the Tangerine Tango onto Whisper White. Again, I made my own buttons.


To make the buttons, I punched out three 3/4 inch circles, glued them all together. Then using a regular button as a template, I punched the two holes. I then covered it all with Crystal Effects. Be careful not to fill the holes because it'll be a pain to thread the buttons if you don't. Once the buttons were dry, I cut thin strips of co-ordinating card stock then threaded and tied them up. Pretty cool, huh?

Next I used a gorgeous stamp set from the Spanish catalog called Flores Suaves. I don't understand why it's not in the regular catalog, but I'm glad that we have the option to be able to purchase the set.


Here's a close up of the bee. Isn't he the cutest! And it looks like he is walking in honey. I accidentally got this effect when I heated up Crystal Effects a little too much.


If you'd like to join in on our challenges, let me know and I'll hook you up to our site. Sorry, it's a private site but we are always looking for new members. Leave me a post and I'll send you an invite.
In the mean time ~ go glitter something :-)
Have fun,


Michelle Bowley

Fabulous Flowers

Dare to be Fabulous!
Here is the card from the pre-convention class that I taught. Everyone was wowed by the beautiful flowers that they learned how to do. I recieved an email from one of the ladies that she was very impressed that the flowers survived the air trip to Canada. They are very sturdy.

The flowers are made with all Stampin Up products, plus my secret ingrediant that you have right in your home! I am taking orders for the directions to make the 'fabulous flowers' Only $5 for the e-mail directions or I can mail you a personal card, as shown above, along with the directions for $10. Pop off an email and let me know which version you would like at michellebowley@gmail.com PayPal accepted :-)
Be sure to click the pictures for a much closer look.

Here are pictures of my contest entry using the flower technique.

I hope you love the flowers!

Michelle Bowley

Fabulous Flowers

How about another tease. Here is a close up of one of the flowers that I will be teaching how to make at a pre-convention class. This flower uses only Stampin' Up! products (well with one other little something that everyone has in their house). Once convention is over, I'll be taking orders for the directions. And you're going to say..."d'uh, why didn't I think of that!" In the past two months I have made over 1,000 of these little puppies. I'm thinking I may offer packets that can be used during your workshops for a full card using the flowers. Let me know what you think of my idea. It's not written in stone yet, so give me some feedback.
thanks heaps!

Fabulous Brayer

I dusted off my brayer again and tried something a little different from my other tries. This time I brayered the card stock first using Barely Banana, Rose Red and Brocade Blue. I then stamped the large flower from the Fabulous Flowers set with versamark and embossed it with clear embossing powder. Once it was cooled I outlined each petal with the sharp end of my Stampin Up black marker. I layered the card using Cameo Coral, Black and Brilliant Blue. Also adding the ticket punch to some of the layers. I used Brocade Blue ribbon attached with Brilliant Blue brads, used dimensionals to pop up the main image. The sentiment is from the Fresh Cuts stamp set.

Recipe:
Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Fresh Cuts
Paper: Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Brilliant Blue, Black
Ink: Black, Rose Red, Banana Yellow, Brocade Blue
Accessories: 5/8" Brocade Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Bold Bright Brads, Ticket Punch & Dimensionals, Brayer, Versamark, Clear Embossing Powder

Thanks for popping in,

Another Try

I decided I didn't care for the card that I shared yesterday. There was just something that didn't click for me. Well I turned the card over and loved it. I also took some of the Ballet Blue away, I thought it was a little too strong for the subtle color changes. Let me know which card you like better.


Stamps: Fabulous Flowers
Ink: Rose Red, Barely Banana. Ballet Blue
Paper: Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue, Barely Banana, Real Red
Ribbon: Always Artichoke
Other: White embossing powder


This card uses the Fresh Cuts stamp set. I saw a similar layout somewhere out in web world and promptly lost the page. So from my feeble memory, I put this card together.


Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Ink: Black, Bashful Blue
Paper: Black, Bashful Blue, River Rock, Designer
Riboon: White, Bashful Blue
Other: Black embossing powder, Half Pearls


Thanks for looking,

Another Brayer attempt

I'm still learning how to use the brayer. I'd love some comments on what's right and whats wrong with this card.First I embossed the flower from Fabulous Flowers using white embossing powder. I then brayered a piece of Whisper White card stock using Regal Rose, Barely Banana and Ballet Blue. My Barely Banana is starting to look like Old Barely Banana, it's so dirty. I then outlined the petals with an Elegant Eggplant marker. I embelished with the Elegant Eggplant ribbon. Then used Elegant Eggplant, Creamy Caramel, Ballet Blue and Real Red to mount the card.
Let me know your thoughts,

Sunny Florida has officially started it's rainy season. That means less time in the pool and more time crafting! I used the Fabulous Flowers stamp set, some glittered up brads, white gel pen, and the Lovely Lilac ink pad. I like it so much I am going to make it in pink , too. But my secret is that I will be using my technique making flowers. I can't reveal how I do it until after the Stampin Up! convention, where I will be holding a class on the flower making process. I hope you've signed up, because the class is full.