Nov 28 2007
A Merry Little Flourish
I’ve been wanting to use this little string of lights from my Flourishes O Christmas Tree set. The stamp is actually only a three-light section but that allows you to do pretty much anything you want with it. It was easy to put the pieces together since these are clear stamps, though as you can see, I wasn’t very imaginative in simply stringing it straight across the panel.
I colored the lights with markers and outlined them with my Barely Banana marker for a little glow. I also sponged around the panel with Barely Banana for an all-over glow. After coloring the lights I went over them with a Sakura Stardust clear glitter pen. It muted the color a little bit so I went over the lights again with my markers. It didn’t diminish the sparkle but it brought some of the color back, which shows more in real life. Funny thing — when I used those same markers to color the ornament hanging up there in the corner they had become *sparkle* markers! It was fun while it lasted but it didn’t last long. The markers reverted to ordinary after just a bit of coloring.
I used more of my Figgy Pudding paper on this card, too. The “Merry Merry!” is also from the O Christmas Tree set, as is the little ornament. The ornaments in this set are all very cute. I need to do more with them. I hadn’t planned on using this one but I felt I’d positioned my scalloped circle too close to the center of the panel and I was trying to balance it out a bit. It still doesn’t look right to me, darn it, but it’ll have to do.
I’ve been using a lot of clear stamps lately and I feel I’d like to tell you something about the Flourishes stamps. They’re good quality. I’m not just saying that because I’m on their design team. Like all clear stamps they work better after they’ve been rubbed with an eraser and used a time or two, but it takes very little conditioning to get them working well with ordinary dye-based ink. They also peel off their plastic sheets easily and cling well to the blocks. They’re not flimsy. While I’m all about the enjoyment of creating with pretty images, I do appreciate a quality product and an honest assessment. I’m thinking maybe you do, too.
Now…I’m trying out my post timestamp for the first time today. If all goes well this should show up sometime around Wednesday, the 28th. If not…well…oops! Thank you for visiting with me. Have a wonderful week!
Stamps: O Christmas Tree
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Old Olive, Whisper White, BasicGrey Figgy Pudding designer paper
Ink: Ruby Red, Barely Banana, Palette Noir, markers
Accessories: Scallop punch, 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ circle punches, ticket corner punch, ribbon, antique brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Scotch brand dimensional mounting tape
Post-timestap it’s so fun
I always use it when I know I won’t have time to be as chatty as always on my blog. I loved the sparkle on your cards, I can’t wait to get my glitter pens! 
Gorgeous card. The glow of the lights is ingenious!
This is So Sweet. This line of stamps is wonderful Leslie!!!!
Your card is beautiful. I think you are enabling me to go out and buy the fiddgy pudding paper…it looks so very Christmasy…I love Flourishes stamps…
Hi Leslie - Thanks for sharing your opinion on the quality of the Flourish stamps. I’ve not been overly fond of a lot of the acrylic stamps lately and am often debating if I should keep trying them. However, I just got a set from Hanna Stamps and am pleased to report that the quality of their stamps is great; I’m really happy w/ them.
Love that figgy pudding paper, too!!
Kerry
Beautiful card! I love the way you used the stamps and paper together!!
Lovely card,love what you did with your barely banana it adds the perfect touch!!TFS!!
Cute! I love how the lights look like they’re actually glowing. Beautiful card, as always!
I love your Christmas lights, and how they seem to really glow! I also love the paper you used, and your stamped twill! Beautiful card, Leslie!!
Leslie, Did you hear my “WOW” ?!? I just love how the upper BG panel makes your entire card Pop…..especially with the hardware and ribbons. Your main image is so beautifully colored..love the glow from the lights and your scalloped sentiment is perfect. TFS
I love this!! Oh those eency lights are making me “want” that set! Darling stamps! Like you … I do see a difference in clear stamp quality … and you’re absolutely right. Some are flimsy .. difficult to “handle” when maneuvering between storage acetate and acrylic blocks. It really is worthy infomation to share when you perceive specific excellence in a stamping product. Thank you! I’ve had my eye on a couple of Flourishes …. well .. add one more to the list now! *grin*
~Bev
Very pretty, love the glow you added around the lights!
This is such a pretty card.
Janine
You are one of my new favorite sites to visit - love what you do!! This card is especially pretty!! TFS!!
Just beautiful — love those Figgy papers, Leslie!
Gorgeous card Leslie, LOVE the dp and creative and beautiful design. Have a wonderful weekend, Jennifer
Don’t you just adore Figgy? I think Figgy should replace Stella for December…just sayin’!! LOL! This is a beautiful card, Leslie!
Oh so beautiful!
What a beautiful card! Love the dp and colors.
This is beautiful! I love the paper and the way you used the hp.
Dee
What a wonderful use of the Figgy Pudding paper! Great matchup with the circles paper and your scalloped circle sentiment. I can just imagine how that string of lights sparkle IRL. Pretty ribbon & hardware treatment too. Is that decorative twill, or did you stamp it?Linda
This card is absolutely delightful!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that strand of lights!!!