Apr 24 2009
Flourishes Friday Focus: Flower Soft
Hello, and happy Friday! Today’s Flourishes Friday Focus is all about a fun product called Flower Soft. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. If you’d like to learn more about it, Cindy has prepared an instructive post on the Flourishes Newsletter, and a few of the team have some cards to share which put the product to use: Christine, Cindy, Julie, Latisha, Laura.
When I set out to make my card, I thought of this image from Summer on the Patio – a pitcher of summer blooms, which includes a couple of feathery plumes resembling Astilbe. Since I’d given the image all that dimension with the Flower Soft, I decided to pop up a few of the other blooms as well. It was some pretty tiny cutting, but it made for a very fun main image on my card.
I was feeling a summer in the country look, and the flower-sprigged saffron paper and soft country blue seemed to express that well. I softened the Bordering Blue by sponging with white pigment ink. The pink plaid ribbon has a touch of saffron in the weave, and its pink adds just a bit more color, matched up with the pink in the Flower Soft.
The close up photo gives you a little better look at the Flower Soft. I first watercolored the image, then applied Alene’s Tacky glue to the plume-like blooms and pressed the Flower Soft into the glue. I find it a more secure application when I press and hold for a moment, rather than simply sprinkle over the glue and come what may. The cut out and popped flowers were applied last with tiny pieces of foam mounting tape, which I can cut to any desired size.
I hope you enjoyed my little country card today, and perhaps it brings the warmth of summer to those of you who are still experiencing winter weather. Spring is a touchy time of year but, oh, we’ve certainly had some tantalizingly beautiful days here on the Oregon coast.
I’ll list the ingredients and wish you a happy weekend, whatever the weather. There’s something to enjoy in every season. Take care!
Stamps: Summer on the Patio Paper: Bordering Blue, So Saffron Prints designer paper (retired SU!), watercolor Ink: Palette Umber, Craft White (pigment), SU! markers for watercoloring Accessories: Offray ribbon, SU! filigree brad, Flower Soft, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders curved rectangle dies, Scotch brand foam mounting tape
Beautiful!! I love how you combined popped up stamped flowers with just a touch of Flower Soft!
[…] Flourishes Friday Focus: Flower Soft […]
I love your positive attitude! Thank you for the reminder that “There’s something to enjoy in every season.” (Very profound statement, actually, and can be looked at in more ways than merely nature.)
Lately I’ve found myself wanting winter to be over instead of enjoying the few beautiful signs poking up here and there. Today I think I’ll take my camera outside and prove that winter is over by capturing some digital evidence.
Your card is wonderful. I’ve enjoyed looking at all of the detail and being a “country-style” kind-of-a girl, I really appreciated the country beauty on this one. Wow! Those are some small cuts you had to make - but, as usual, done with perfection.
That is some very fiddly little cutting, but the results are gorgeous.
Love this one! Beautiful! I love how you popped some of the stamped flowers with the Flower Soft flowers.
Absolutely stunning card! The devil’s in the details but, oh, so worth it!
Do I ever say “WOW” when I visit your blog? (sometimes I think it is every time). This is just gorgeous! The Flower Soft DOES add to the dimension of these flowers and even though it may have taken you time, the cut out flowers adds even more to the layers of these beautiful flowers!!
This is beautiful! I am just so in awe whenever I see a post about your cards. Thanks for also putting together the details on how you make each card. This is one of my favorite. I love the country look and you definitely captured it with this one. I love how you softened the blue with some white and the flower soft just makes the pitcher of flowers seem to bring it to life.
Beautiful card and I love the pitcher of flowers-wonderful coloring-have never used flower soft. tfs
Oh Wow, this is totally gorgeous!!!
Oh Leslie, dare I say this is the prettiest card I’ve ever seen? I know I keep saying that about your cards, and I run the risk of crying wold too many times, but I just LOVE your card and the scant use of the Flower Soft. Superb!
Wowzers, Leslie! This is gooooorgeous, girl! Your watercoloring is fabulous, as always, and the addition of Flower Soft makes this extra-special!
Oh Leslie, this is absolutely STUNNING!
Simply beautiful - Leslie!!! The Flower Soft works perfectly with this image!!! Love it!!!
Love this country summer card! That image is PERFECT for FS and the way you popped up the flowers made such a huge impact! Just so warm and inviting!
This card is just awesome, I love how you colored it and all those extra cutouts makes this just stunning, make you want to frame it :).
To die for Leslie! Love the look of the flowersoft with the popped up flowers! So gorgeous and creative, and absolutely beautiful! WOW!
I absolutely love what you’ve done Leslie…the combination of the gorgeous coloring with the flower soft is stunning (I’ve never been able to get astilbe to grow in my flower gardens!) ….so I’ll enjoy yours all the more!
The detail you put in to this card is just lovely…love all the little flowers and that flower soft is pretty neat “stuff”! LOL
So gorgeous Leslie, soft and pretty!
Wow………love the dimension of the flower soft and your cut out blooms. I have been wanting to see this new product IRL. Hopefully we can get together soon. We are sitting in our little airstream with full tummy’s (homemade cinnamon rolls) looking at the stunning view of snow covered Hurricane Ridge. You were right Leslie, this area is gorgeous. We are driving to Hoh river area this a.m. , since the Jazz Fest. does not start until later this afternoon. Again, TFS your gorgeous card (have WiFi in the KOA campground).
So very pretty Leslie! I just got some Flower Soft, and have not yet used it– oh, I just can’t wait now after seeing your gorgeous design!
I read your bolg daily- love it and rarely post…..But today, I am REALLY LOVING the card, the stamp, the colors and the way you popped up the flowers- this card is just GORGEOUS!!! Thanks so much for your (daily) inspiration- you are blessed with such talent!
You’ve totally brought that stamp to life Lesley! It’s a complete stunner.
Popping up some of the flowers was inspired and your colouring is beautiful.
Viv xx
Your card is absolutely gorgeous beyond words. I love the way you combined the flower soft with the raised up flowers. The textures and depth really makes the stamp come alive and look so real. I definately need to get me some flower soft after seeing your card.
This is absolutely beautiful Leslie - the 3d effect is amazing and really brings the card to life!!! Gorgeous colors, and papers, just love everything about this! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
This card is so precious and pretty, it brings tears to my eyes.
Leslie, this is gorgeous!! Your beautiful watercoloring, and the colors you chose are so warm and yummy, not to mention the way you popped up the flowers and added flower soft. Beautiful work!
This card is pretty from a distance, GORGEOUS up close!
Leslie — Your watercoloring is awe inspiring. I so love looking at your blog and have been inspired to do more watercoloring. I have to say that I also enjoy reading your blog as well. Real words in complete sentences is such a pleasant change of pace!
You have showcased that stamp so beautifully, Leslie! I love your watercoloring, as usual (!!!) and the way you popped up the cut out flowers along side the flower soft, which looks very lifelike and not over the top. My fingers hurt just looking at all those tiny pretty flowers you cut out!!! LOL!! Lots of work, but the result is stunning!
Wow, I was just slack-jawed as this card image started to appear on my screen! It’s so, so gorgeous!!! Your coloring is absolutely fabulous and your attention to detail, namely the Flower Soft, is unbelieveable!
I enjoed your card very much, Leslie! I love the dimension with flower soft and some small cut-out flowers! Again I want to tell - your coloring is stunning!
Beautiful and so spring feeling Leslie. I like that you cut out the tiny flowers, and so am thinking that would of taken a lot of time. Your flower soft looks wonderful! Great card all around.
Beautiful card, thanks for sharing all the info and your talent! I don’t think I would have the imagination to do this - or the patience! I’m glad you have both because I really enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thanks again!!
Leslie, this is suchhh a beautiful card!! You did a fabulous job with the flowersoft. It really is gorgeos!! I agree with what you said about the seasons, it’s oh so true.
GORGEOUS!
Wow, this card is so beautiful. I can see it put into a shadow box type frame and hung on a wall to be enjoyed all year round
Leslie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Love the colors, coloring, and all your wonderful cut work detailing!!!! Stunning!!!!
Thud. Sorry, I just fell on the floor. What a gorgeous card! Your watercolouring is outstanding, and the colours you chose are amazing. I recognize the SU dp–have some in a green. This is a colour combination that is going into a list of my favourites. What a treat to read your blog with my coffee this morning!
WOW, I LOVE those flowers!!!!
Beautiful card, Leslie! I love how you cut out the flowers and only applied Flower Soft to a few flowers, for just a little added detail.
That bouquet is AMAZING.
Oh WOW! That is SO elegant and beautiful! Super gorgeous card!
Oh my what a Beautiful bouquet, great job on cutting out all those little flowers and the flower soft is a pretty touch!
I love this card. Not much else to say except it is just beautiful and this technique is the tops! Thanks for sharing. I am off to CASE this one for sure, but I doubt I can do it justice…
Beautiful card! I have some flower soft and haven’t used it yet. Maybe I need that stamp set?!
This is truly gorgeous, Leslie — such a lovely bouquet with your FS and the popped up elements — truly lovely!!!
Beautiful job on your bouquet. The popped flowers and the flower soft work so well together. I have this stamp and I really love it, but I forget about it. Look what you did with it and mine sits sad and lonely in my craft room!
Beautiful!..
Its perfect for Spring!..
Thank you for sharing!..
Gorgeous Leslie, love the flower soft and your popped up flowers!!
Oh my goodness, Leslie!! This is just gorgeous!! You’ve really made these flowers come to life, and I love how you’ve used the flower soft as well!! I love the pretty ribbon and hardware piece as well!! Soooo lovely!!
Stunning!! What else can I say that I haven’t said to you a dozen times already? Your coloring is amazing and the dimension is fabulous and your layout awesome! Ok, I said it again!!
I absolutely love this card!! So gorgeous and perfect!!
Exquisite & Breath-takingly beautiful. WOW. Special card. I have not seen flower soft yet, but your flowers are so soft and gorgeous.
Leslie this is so beautiful…..the little details are what really make this card SHINE. Thank you so much for sharing