Oct 22 2008
Flourishes & Me
Today I’m writing to share with you that I have retired, at least for the time being, from the Flourishes Design Team. That was no easier to say than it was to do, but it’s said and done now and I’ll have some time to reflect upon my decision and ponder my future.
Flourishes was my first design team experience. I never even thought of becoming part of a design team when I started my blog. One day I saw a notice about a new company looking to form a DT and on a whim I sent an example of my work to them. I had no idea what to expect; I’d never seen their images but I was intrigued by the name, “Flourishes”. Well, the rest is history and the Birds and Vine image on today’s card is an example of how beautifully the company has grown into its name.
It’s with gratitude that I dedicate this card to Flourishes. They are responsible for alleviating my “fear” of clear stamps and, indeed, teaching me to embrace their virtues. Photopolymer has come a long way and the high quality of Flourishes’ stamps certainly turned me around. I love my rubber, including the wood mount, but I no longer shy away from clear stamps.
I’ve enjoyed the challenge to my creativity, the friends I’ve made along the way and the opportunity to help acquaint all of you with their beautiful designs and the products Flourishes selects so carefully as compliments to their images.
I’ll continue to use my Flourishes stamps — good Heavens, they’re gorgeous — but not on a design team schedule. We’ll consider this a sabbatical of sorts, a breather. We all need a vacation once in a while, don’t we? In time I may decide to jump back in with both feet…we’ll see.
I’ll leave you now with the card recipe and a wish for a wonderful day. I’ll return soon with more stamping to share. Take care!
- Stamps: Birds and Vine, Thank You — both from Flourishes
- Paper: Brushed metallic red, BasicGrey Scarlet’s letter DP — both from Flourishes; Neenah Classic Solar White
- Ink: Versamark
- Accessories: Ribbon from Flourishes; gold embossing powder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
Love your card Leslie and sorry to hear you are leaving Flourish, but I understand, Design Teams do take up alot of time. Look forward to all your furture gorgeous cards.
I understand, Leslie. I had the same experience when I was the Design Team for All That Scraps. It’s a great honor to be on a DT but it carries with it a large investment of time and responsibility. ATS is very generous and supportive to their DT members, as I’m sure you experienced with Flourishes. I was very grateful to ATS for allowing me the opportunity. I’m quite sure Flourishes will miss your wonderful samples.
Oh, Leslie, I am sorry to hear you are leaving the DT. But maybe after some rest you will come back!
This card is elegant and very beautiful at the same time! Love the embossed look!
What a gorgeous card, Leslie! And I totally understand where you’re coming from on the retirement issue! Everyone needs a breather…time to step back and evaluate how you’re spending your time. I’ll still be here visiting and drooling over your creations!!
Leslie, Thanks so much for all you give to us. I look forward to seeing every creation, and will always be watching for the next one. I do, however, understand the pressures of a DT schedule. And I wish you only the very best. Enjoy your sabbatical. It is well deserved.
Congratulations, Leslie, on making a very difficult decision… and reclaiming some of your personal time. That being said, you have been such a wonderful part of the growth of Flourishes, helping a fledgling company spread its wings and take flight. Your Flourishes cards have been such inspirations to me in my creatively challenged periods, and I thank you for that. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations using all kinds of stamps and products, and maybe some gardening pictures, too, as you find time in your very busy day.
Absolutely gorgeous card. Thanks for all your creations. You are an inspiration. Maybe now you can send us some beautiful Stampin’ Up creations.
Leslie, this is so beautiful, a wonderful tribute to Flourishes. I certainly understand your decision and applaud you for it! The creative process takes a lot of time. It’s not just making a card as you well know. You have to design, assemble, photograph, blog/write, and upload at SCS, all of which require several hours. Now you can go back to just designing for the pure pleasure of it! I can’t wait to see all of your new creations! Hugs, Jerri
Beautifully said, Leslie. You are a class act all the way. Now that the difficult decision is behind you, the happy stamping (and other things) can begin. Linda
What a gorgeous card!!! I’m sure it was a hard decision for you to make and I’m also sure that Flourishes will miss you.
Leslie, the news saddened me but I totally understand. You have been a wonderful part of Flourishes…the only charter member left. Your sabbatical is well deserved. Your generous sharing of your talents with Flourishes and the stamping community has been wonderful. This card is lovely and I will treasure it always. You’ve grown , Flourishes has flourishes…..it has been a wonderful walk together. Enjoy your time off.
Jan Marie
Your card is so very beautiful, Leslie!! I love your embossing, beautiful papers, and ribbon treatment!! I also totally understand where you are coming from with respects to designing as part of a team. Enjoy your time as a freelance designer, and I will enjoy whatever you create and share! Hugs!!
Gorgeous card! They chose wisely when they asked you to join their team. I have enjoyed seeing your Flourishes creations. Enjoy the extra time you have now
Leslie another stunning card! Good for you to do something for yourself! As women we seem to have a harder time of that then men
When you have a second I have something for you on my blog, so pop by and collect!
Angie
Your card is just stunning to say the least. I absolutely LOVE it! tfs
Leslie, you have made a very difficult decision, but it will be exciting for you to do your own designs and reach for whatever strikes your fancy at a time of your choosing. TFS your elegant Flourishes card and I just can’t wait to see your next gorgeous creation. Happy Stamping my friend, Nancy
Beautiful card-I love it embossed with the gold. (I won that set from Julie Koerber’s blog and really like it.) Best Wishes as you go on into the future. Love your beautiful cards, pictures and your tutorials. Thanks!
Leslie, you will be missed at Flourishes, however your are simply moving on to another part of your journey. Hopefully you’ll continue to post…if you do, we thankfully will know where to find you and I for one will still be here looking at your lovely creations.
What a beautiful, beautiful card. I know this must have been a difficult decision, but we all have to make those at some points in our life. I hope you’ll continue to stamp and post what you’ve made. I have very much enjoyed your beautiful creations.
Leslie, your card is beautiful! Simple elegance. Everyone needs a break once in a while and I’m sure Flourishes has sold lots of stamps just because of your beautiful cards!
This is a lovely card and a great tribute. It is wise of you to know when to take a step back and recharge you battery of sorts. Good luck with what ever path you chose next. TFS.
Debbie/Phx AZ
What a beautiful card! Sorry to hear you won’t be part of their DT anymore, but as long as you’re still stamping, that’s great! Enjoy your break!
Leslie, I’m so sad to hear this…you have done such beautiful things with Flourishes’ stamps. At the same time I understand the need for a break in pace, and the opportunity to just create in an open space with out DT requirements. Enjoy your breather…today’s card is breathtaking! The vine looks gorgeous in gold and your colour and paper choices couldn’t set it off better. I will still look forward to seeing everything you do. All the best!
Leslie,
Needless to say, another beautiful card you’ve created. I know Jan Marie and the team at Flourishes will certainly miss you, as you’ve shown so many people what is possible with their products. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you so much.
Leslie, your card today is just beautiful - totally LOVE it!!! But, I LOVE all you do, with whatever stamps you use!!! Enjoy your time — it is the one thing that escapes us so easily — best wishes, my friend!!!
Your cards are wonderful and an inspiration. Please do consider coming back–and Thank you for the work you have done. I’ll miss you.
This is beautiful, as always, Leslie. Best wishes with whatever you decide to do. As long as you’re still stamping, we’ll all still come here to drool.
Leslie, you are a brilliant designer and teacher and my heart leaps when I see your name in my e-mail box. I know we can expect new and exciting blog submissions without the demands of doing it as a team member. Enjoy your rest!
I’m sure that was a tough decision for you Leslie. You know I’ve been a HUGE fan of yours from Day1 and I love everything you do! Looking forward to what your future stamping brings! Enjoy some time stamping “freestyle”.
HUGS!
Change is so healthy for the mind and soul. You are so blessed with your talent bursting at the seams! The demands of a DT must be difficult at times, you were tops and always produced top notch cards and projects for Flourishes! Enjoy your space and your new pace! God bless! Deb
Leslie, I can’t say your news didn’t make me really sad! It has been such an extreme honor to serve on a DT with you! You are such a huge inspiration to not only me but many!!! Just know, we are here for you whatever you do! It’s selfish on my part — I’ll still need that “Leslie Fix!!”
Gorgeous!!
Wow, now as long as you keep stamping and posting I will be happy. Everything you make literally jumps off the screen. Thanks for being such a good stamping friend!
That Brushed Gold BG paper really does make your beautiful main image pop~ A really lovely card as always!
Beautiful, love the gold, against the red!
Leslie, you will be dearly missed as a Flourishes designer! Your work is always breath-taking!!! Enjoy your sabatical, and come back soon!
Hugs ~C
Leslie,
Your work always inspires me
Very sad to see you leave Flourishes, what you do with their images always amaze me. But I totally understand you leaving. No pressure to create on a timeline. It can all be organic now. I love your work, so I will continue to stop by your blog and see your newest creation.
enjoy your time
Beautiful card, Leslie. I know your decision to take a leave from Flourishes took a lot of thought and insight. They will definitely miss you. Look forward to your future creations…your work is very inspirational.