Introducing Simple Sunflower, FF Additions 2, Flower Fusion & Think Big #7

Flowers definitely speak to the heart...

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Especially sunflowers.  There is just something about them that brings sunshine to the soul.

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They can be bold.

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They can be simple & understated.

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They have design elements that can be used in a variety of ways in paper crafting.  And now we have the perfect little stamp set to help you along with that. Simple Sunflower is a beautiful floral set is dedicated to the popular sunflower.  Perfect for a variety of different projects.  With the centers being separate stamps, you are able to create stunningly realistic sunflowers in a variety of different color combinations.  The sweet little sentiments have a lot of mix & match possibilities as well.  Be sure not to miss the coordinating dies that are available separately!

The details.

• Simple Sunflower will be available for sale on August 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Simple Sunflower contains a total of 11 stamps (1 large sunflower, 1 small sunflower, 1 large center, 1 small center, 1 large leaf,  1 small leaf and 5 sentiments).
• The large sunflower measures 1-7/8" in diameter, the small sunflower measures 1-3/8" in diameter.  "Sending you" measures 1" x 1/4".  "Sunshine" measures 1" x 1/8"
• A set of coordinating dies will be available for sale separately, retailing for $7.  The die collection will cut shapes to coordinate with both sunflowers, both center and both leaf images.  The dimensions of the two dies are as follows: 3" x 2" (A), 2-1/2" x 1-1/2" (B).

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When speaking of flowers, you definitely can't stop with just sunflowers.  The bright colors of all the other varieties definitely bring so much inspiration.

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Real blooms and designer blooms alike.

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Painted blooms.

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Layered blooms.

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Melissa Bickford's latest Flower Fusion set can be used to interpret all of this and more.  Flower Fusion #7 is the seventh set in a monthly series of sweet floral images, sentiments and coordinating dies. Each set features clean and simple designs and a fresh font combination that you will love mixing and matching. The coordinating die will make stamping a breeze and give you a perfect flower every time you use it. No more cutting required!! There are so many possibilities with this series and if you love flowers as much as I do then this will be a must have for your stamp collection!

The details.

• Flower Fusion #7 will be available for sale on August 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Flower Fusion #7 contains 8 stamps (1 large outlined flower, 1 small outlined flower, 1 large solid flower, 1 small solid flower, 1 flower center, 1 stem and 2 sentiments).
• A coordinating die for the large flower in this set will be available for sale separately, retailing for $3.  It measures approximately 1" in diameter.

Melissa Bickford's previously released Asian Fusion stamp set has been super-sized for our latest addition to the Think Big Favorites line-up.  You will love all the new design applications that open up with the new larger size!

The details.

• Think Big Favorites #7 will be available for sale on August 15th.
• It will retail for $5.
• Think Big Favorites #7 contains a total of 3 sentiments.  "Birthday Wishes" measures 3-1/4" x 1".  "Thinking of You" measures 3-1/4" x 1/2".  "Wishing You Well"  measures 3-1/4" x 1/2".

Also this month, Heather Nichols is introducing the second additions set for her Fillable Frames series.  Fillable Frames Additions 2 is a set that include companion frames and sentiments to the Fillable Frames series of stamps and dies #7-#12. Now you have even more frame and sentiment combinations and possibilities. All of the sentiments are designed to fit perfectly into the frames when arranging on your acrylic block – making lining up and card mass production a breeze. 

The details.

• Fillable Frames Additions 2 will be available for sale on August 15th.
• It will retail for $24.
• Fillable Frames Additions 2 contains a total of 17 stamps (6 frames and 11 sentiments).
• The frames in this set will coordinate with Fillable Frames dies #7-#12.

Now that we have all the details covered, let's get onto the projects!

Today I was feeling inspired to create a few custom backgrounds and this card features the results of lots of fun mixing and matching.

I used the solid leaves from Harvest Berries in Ripe Avocado, the large Flower Fusion #7 flower in Terracotta Tile, the small flower in Orange Zest and the "flower center" dot in Summer Sunrise.  I then used a black pen to add dots tot he centers of some of the flowers.  Totally in love with this color combo.

I die-cut the Mat Stack 1 die from Vintage Cream and the *NEW* Layerz Mat Stack 1 from Terracotta Tile (more details about this product line tomorrow).  I discovered that this frame from Fillable Frames Additions 2 looks pretty darn fantastic when used with the Mat Stack 1 shape.  I stamped it in Ripe Avocado and then added the sentiment (also from Fillable Frames Additions 2) in True Black.  I added a small heart from Simple valentine using Orange Zest ink.

The custom background was adhered to a Summer Sunrise card base and I tied Orange Zest Satin Ribbon around it to help add emphasis to the focal point.

For this card I dug out my seldom used Perfect Pearls to create a dramatic black card.

I stamped the largest sunflower from Simple Sunflower in VersaMark and applied Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls to the petals and Perfect Bronze to the center.  For the stem I used a stripe from Faux Ribbon and leaves from Autumn Acorns.  Green Patina Perfect Pearls was used on that portion.  I used a Gold DecoArt paint pen to add an outline to the focal point block for definition.

The beautiful sentiment from Think Big Favorites #7 was stamped in VersaMark onto a strip of Ripe Avocado cardstock and Sunflower Sparkle Perfect Pearls was applied to it.

This card was really fun to create and it was a nice change of pace to do something in black like this rather than a traditional white or cream.

Now for a fun & bright color scheme of Scarlet Jewel, Hibiscus Burst & Aqua Mist.

I created patterned cardstock strips for the bottom portion of the focal point.  The Scarlet Jewel strip was stamped with Polka Dot Basics using Fresh Snow ink.  The Hibiscus Burst strip was stamped with Background Basics: Houndstooth using VersaMark ink.

I die-cut the Flower Fusion #7 shape from each of the three colors of cardstock and stamped them with the coordinating outline flower in VersaMark.  I then heat embossed them with White Filigree embossing powder.  Black rhinestones were applied to their centers.  I hand-cut a few leaves from True Black felt for even more texture.

The "Wishing You Well" sentiment from Think Big Favorites #7 finishes everything off, stamped in True Black.

For this card I wanted to mix an match a few different textile patterns.

I die-cut white cardstock with the Simple Sunflower die and stamped the coordinating flower image using Aqua Mist ink and the center in Ripe Avocado ink.  I hand-cut some leaves from Kraft cardstock and stamped them with Background Basics: Houndstooth using Smokey Shadow ink.  If you have never used Smokey Shadow on Kraft, I highly recommend it.  The effect is really beautiful!  

The sentiment (from Simple Sunflower) was heat embossed with White Filigree Embossing Powder onto a strip of Simply Chartreuse cardstock.

To ground everything, I stamped the Mat Stack 5 shape from Modern Wood Mats in Ripe Avocado onto the Spring Moss card front.  The finished front was adhered to a Ripe Avocado card base.

Here is a project featuring another one of the backgrounds I created.

I stamped the large lined leaf image from Harvest Berries in True Black all over a Pure Poppy card front.  I then added the small outlined flower from Flower Fusion #7 in Fresh Snow ink.  I added the small dot trio from Harvest Berries in True Black to the center of each of the flowers.  You can just barely make out the large solid flower from Flower Fusion #7 in the background stamped with VersaMark.

I die-cut Fillable Frames #8 from white cardstock and stamped the coordinating frame from Fillable Frames Additions 2 in True Black.  The sentiment is also from Fillable Frames Additions 2.  Heather selected an amazing font combination for all the sentiments in this set.

I wrapped some black twine around the cover a few times and finished it off with a simple knot.

For my last card I wanted to demonstrate how you can combine both Simple Sunflower & Flower Fusion #7.

I heat embossed the largest sunflower from Simple Sunflower in White Filigree Embossing Powder.  I then stamped elements of Flower Fusion #7 around the large bloom using VersaMark ink.  I used the small berry trio image from Harvest Berries in Fresh snow ink to finish off the center of each of the smaller flowers.  I used one of the beautiful large, detailed buttons from the White/Cream Button Mix to add definition to the large sunflower.

The sentiment (from Flower Fusion #7) was added in Smokey Shadow ink onto the Harvest Gold focal point.  I used Background Basics: Houndstooth to fill the Kraft card base with pattern.  A border created with the XL Rickrack die help to tie everything together.  I used my pinking shears as well.

I hope you have enjoyed the projects I have shared with you today.  These sets are so versatile and so easy to use, I just know you will turn to them again and again.  What are your initial thoughts of these sets?  Do you have a favorite?  We would love to hear your thoughts!  You could have the opportunity to win an amazing prize package just for leaving a comment here today!  Here's what's up for grabs!

• Simple Sunflower stamp set
• Simple Sunflower die collection
• Fillable Frames Additions 2 stamp set
• Fillable Frames #7 stamp set
• Fillable Frames #7 die
• Fillable Frames #8 stamp set
  
• Fillable Frames #8 die
  
• Fillable Frames #9 stamp set
  
• Fillable Frames #9 die
  
• Fillable Frames #10 stamp set
  
• Fillable Frames #10 die
  
• Fillable Frames #11 stamp set
  
• Fillable Frames #11 die
  
• Fillable Frames #12 stamp set
  
• Fillable Frames #12 die
  
• Flower Fusion #7 stamp set
• Flower Fusion #7 die
• Think Big Favorites #7 stamp set

You have until 7am EST, Sunday, August 14th to leave your comment and be eligible to win.  Only one comment per person please.  One randomly selected winner will be announced on our August 2011 Release Winners page no later than noon EST the same day.  Thank you for stopping by today and best of luck with the contest!

Michelle Wooderson is showcasing some additional projects using Simple Sunflower & FF Additions 2.

Jessica Witty has more to share using Flower Fusion #7 & Think Big Favorites #7.

Heather Nichols has projects to share using Fillable Frames Additions 2 and other products she is releasing this month.

Dawn McVey is featuring her new set, Gratitude Journal.

Melissa Bickford has inspiration using her new Flower Fusion #7 set.

Maile Belles is showcasing two new sets, Background Basics: Houndstooth & Autumn Acorns.

YOU"RE IN MY HEART CARD

• STAMPS: Fillable Frames Additions 2, Flower Fusion #7, Harvest Berries (available August 15th) Simple Valentine (heart)
• INK: Terracotta Tile, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, Ripe Avocado, True Black, Tea Dye Duo
• PAPER: Vintage Cream, Summer Sunrise, Terracotta Tile
• OTHER: Mat Stack 1 die, Layerz Mat Stack 1 die, Orange Zest Ribbon, black pen (America Crafts)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4.25" x 5.5"

BIRTHDAY WISHES CARD

• STAMPS: Simple Sunflower, Autumn Acorns, Think Big Favorites #7 (available August 15th) Faux Ribbon
• INK: VersaMark
• PAPER: True Black, Ripe Avocado
• OTHER: Sunflower Sparkle, Green Patina and Perfect Bronze Perfect Pearls (Ranger), paint brush, Gold DecoArt PAint Pen (Marvy)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4.25" x 7"

WISHING YOU WELL CARD

• STAMPS: Flower Fusion #7, Think Big Favorites #7, BB: Houndstooth (available August 15th) Polka Dot Basics
• INK: Fresh Snow, VersaMark, True Black
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Aqua Mist, Hibiscus Burst, Scarlet Jewel, Kraft
• OTHER: Flower Fusion #7 die, White Filigree Embossing Powder, True Black Felt, Black Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft)
• FINISHED SIZE: 4.25" x 5.5"

SENDING YOU SUNSHINE CARD

• STAMPS: Simple Sunflower, Modern Wood Mats, BB: Houndstooth (available August 15th)
• INK: Ripe Avocado, Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow, VersaMark
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Kraft, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado
• OTHER: Simple Sunflower die collection, White filigree Embossing Powder
• FINISHED SIZE: 4.25" x 5.5"

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH CARD

• STAMPS: Harvest Berries, Fillable Frames Additions 2, Flower Fusion #7 (available August 15th)
• INK: Fresh Snow, True Black, VersaMark
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy, True Black
• OTHER: Fillable Frames #8 die, black twine
• FINISHED SIZE: 4.25" x 5.5"

HERE IF YOU NEED ME CARD

• STAMPS: Simple Sunflower, Flower Fusion #7, BB: Houndstooth, Harvest Berries (available August 15th)
• INK: Fresh Snow, VersaMark, Smokey Shadow
• PAPER: Stamper's Select White, Harvest Gold, Kraft
• OTHER: XL Rickrack Border die, White Filigree Embossing Powder, Fresh Snow button, pinking shears (Fiskars)
• FINISHED SIZE: 3.5" x 5.5"