The winner of Liz’s Jan – Feb Valentine Love inspiration colour challenge is….

by admin ~ February 20th, 2012

Hi everyone, we hope you all had a fabulous Valentines Day and even if you don’t celebrate the day of love, that you got some scrapping of those you love achieved instead.

A very big thank you to our loyal entrants this month, we very much appreciate your ongoing support.

Now for what you are waiting for,  I have my youngest daughter Maddison helping me to draw the winner this month ….and the winner is -

  

……PAM a newbie to our challenges :-)  with her layout titled Precious …and what a precious photo and layout it is too. If you could email us at  flourishwithabling@yahoo.com.au with your address Pam, we will get your FWAB prize pack posted off to you as soon as possible.

Thank you once again to those of you who entered and we hope you will join in next months challenge which will be one of our darling DT Liz Webers sketches and will be posted to the FWAB blog and facebook at the start of next month. It’s a fab sketch, you will love it!

Until then, happy scrapping everyone,

Maggie and the FWAB team

January ~ February Challenge

by admin ~ January 21st, 2012

Hello there, hope you are ready for the next Flourish With A Bling Challenge?

This one is a “love” inspired colour challenge.

Here is the inspiration picture

I got inspired by some pretty bling, flowers, papers and ribbons I recently purchased so I made not 1 card but 3 cards using this pretty picture.

Flourish With a Bling Challenge Rules

- You are required to use Flourish With A Bling products

- You are required to use the above inspiration photo for your entry

- You are required to upload your entry into the Flourish With A Bling Gallery

- You can create a card, layout, otp, home decor, anything

- Challenge closes midnight 19th February 2012

- You can enter as many times as you like

- You MUST have fun!

PRIZE – a fantastic pack of Flourish With A Bling goodies perfect to scrap more fabulous layouts or cards

We look forward to seeing all of your gorgeous creations in the gallery.

Liz, Maggie, Kate and Lucy

And the winner of this months sketch challenge is…..

by admin ~ January 15th, 2012

I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend….my apologies for not having posted the winner of this months challenge sooner but wordpress was playing silly buggers yesterday and wouldn’t let me upload anything. I hope you wern’t sitting by your computer all day yesterday waiting for this post!

A very big thank you to Sandra, Gillian and LizzyC for your fabulous entries this month, all of us here at FWAB appreciate your ongoing support so very much and love that you continue to join in our monthly challenges, thank you.

Now down to business….the winner of  Liz’s December sketch challenge is ……drumroll……it’s Sandra hehehehe, you are on a roll here at FWAB! As Sandra has won the last 2 challenges, Sandra so very kindly said that if she gets drawn again, then we must have a redraw to let someone else win…so very generous of you Sandra, thank you. So here goes, the new winner now is …..drumroll……Gillian with her Happy Birthday card, using the FWAB  teal pearls from our 100 pearl packs. A very big congratulations Gillian, if you could please email us at flourishwithabling@yahoo.com.au with your address, we can post off your prize pack asap.

 

Please keep an eye out for our next challenge over the coming week. In keeping with the day of LOVE coming up soon, it might be something to do with Valentines Day :-) ….so get your photos ready!

Happy Scrapping and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Maggie and the FWAB team

** Guest DT – Lauren Matthews **

by admin ~ January 6th, 2012

I started scrapbooking about three years ago – with one bag of supplies that I bought on e-bay (this has now grown to consume an entire room). I began creating pages of my nephews and family but I soon realised that cardmaking was my passion! Plus I have always been more about the craft of papercraft, rather than preserving memories! :)

Cardmaking has not only given me a creative outlet (and a way to spend all of my money!) but it has also connected me to the most amazing and inspiring group of women. I posted on Facebook that I was scrapbooking and a friend of mine from high school, Liv, reconnected with me and invited me over to scrap with her friends. Well ever since then, a day hasn’t gone by when I haven’t spoken to those girls – we go on retreats, craft, but more than that we support each other through everything! Plus, we also provide each other with crafty ideas, inspiration and tools (I think we own between us the entire Stampin Up catalogue!).

I’d always done calligraphy for wedding invitations but since I’ve really started cardmaking I’ve set up my own hobby business – Cards by Lauren – creating cards, invitations and other event decorations & gifts. It’s so wonderful seeing people’s reactions when I can make a special card for their friends, or create a look for their wedding. Please visit my blog  here - I welcome any orders – large or small!

Here are some fabulous OTP creations and cards created for us by Lauren – The first one is a  little box containing a chapstick, (what a fun idea and perfect for summer), using the red beach hut from Nicky’s beach huts, as well as silver rhinestones from the 100 packs  -  Next up is a cute little gift bag using the teal Grace pearl flourish that Lauren has cut up to suit, as well as silver rhinestones from the 100 packs – love the vibrant colours -

                

With the following gift box, tag and card set, Lauren has used the orange Jasmine puffy flourish as well as silver rhinestones from the 100 packs – certainly made with love…handmade, and to die for …who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive this gorgeous set!

With the following 2 stamped cards Lauren has used the Grace pearl flourish and again cut it up to suit – can you spot leaves from the olive green Jack vine? A very clever and effective idea  -

     

On this next card using Graphic45 papers, the olive green Jack vine and parts of the Adam vine go perfectly in complementing Lauren’s colour scheme  - Next we have 2 vibrant and colourful cards and sticking to that theme, Lauren has used the green Jack vine and the hot pink Jasmine puffy flourish -

 

For this fun Mo Tastic card, Lauren has used pearls from the 100 pearl packs – and then the bronze Luke flourish for this striking paisley card and again Lauren has cut the flourish up to suit -

 

Lastly a fun candle card using the banner from Nicky’s beach huts - and this fun summery card using the sparkly sun and clouds from the Up in the Sky set, as well as silver rhinestones from the 100 packs -

  

I asked Lauren a few questions -

If you could create a card with someone, who would it be and why? My crafty ladies (Liv, Shey, Gab, Briohny, Simone and Donna) OR Rob Ryan (amazing papercut artist).

What is your favourite technique at the moment? I recently got a scoring board, so anything that involves scoring (boxes, cards, chocolate sliders, anything!) I’m really in to!

If you were stranded on a desert island, and could only take 5 papercrafting items with you, what would they be and why?

- my big shot (including dies and folders) – so that I can cut and create!

- stampin up cardstock (in every colour) – so that I can make card bases and embellishments

- stampin up inks (in every colour) – so that I can stamp away and not have to worry about bringing patterned paper

- My stamps (a world of creating awaits)

- double sided tape – you’ve got to stick it down somehow!!

(maybe FWAB would’ve been number 6? lol :-) )

We all had the pleasure of meeting Lauren last year at the Pakenham Picture to Page show and are thrilled to have been able to share with you all the fabulous creations Lauren has made for us. A very big thank you Lauren from us all here at Flourish with a Bling.

Happy Scrapping everyone and we hope you have all had a great start to the New Year for 2012!

Maggie and the FWAB team

***Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas***

by admin ~ December 20th, 2011

All of us here at Flourish with a Bling would like to wish you and your families and loved ones, a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for 2012.

We thank you for your continued support and encouragement over the past year and hope you will join us again in 2012 as we have lots of fun and exciting things to share with you. Be sure to check back often as we  update this blog as well as facebook on all things Flourish with a Bling.

If you aren’t already a fan of us on facebook, then please “like” us and spread the word as we will also have prizes and give aways exclusive to facebook fans in the coming New Year.  

If you manage  to get a bit of crafting time in over the Xmas break, don’t forget our December sketch challenge by our lovely DT Liz Weber. You can find all details here  and you have until midnight January 13th to get your entries in, so please join in the fun for your chance to win a fab FWAB prize pack.

Happy Holidays to you all,

Kate, Lucy, Maggie and Liz

The FWAB team

***FWAB release 2 NEW designs – the Chloe pearl flourish set and the Kate’s Corner rhinestone flourish set***

by admin ~ December 15th, 2011

Our most elegant range of pearl and rhinestone flourishes have arrived! The adhesive on these collections is amazing, you won’t find an easier-to-use pearl or rhinestone flourish anywhere!

The Chloe pearl flourishes comes in a pack of 2 with 8 matching pearls. Each flourish measuring  approx 5cm x 17.5cm , they come in a range of 9 beautiful colours – pearl, red, olive green, black, purple, pink, blue, baby blue and antique gold. We have also added 4 NEW colours to our 100 pearl packs, olive green, blue, antique gold and purple!

   

   

The red, olive green and antique gold flourishes are perfect for Christmas layouts or cards.

 

2 stunning Xmas cards created by our lovely DT Liz Weber -

 

Kate’s Corner comes in black and silver, they are a pack of 2 different corner flourishes with 24 individual rhinestones to match;  these are great for flower centres.

 

 

 

A few more layouts and cards using our stunning new Chloe pearl flourish set…

 

 

 

3 more cards created by FWAB DT Liz Weber -

 

Please check your local scrap or online store if they have these 2 new designs in stock, if not, I’m sure they’d be happy to order them in for you as FWAB do not have a MOQ for retailers when ordering.

Happy Scrapping everyone and we hope you love using these 2 new FWAB designs as much as we loved designing them.

The FWAB team

 

 


December Sketch Challenge

by admin ~ December 10th, 2011

Hello and welcome to the next Flourish With A Bling challenge.  This month we have a sketch for you.  You can use the sketch to create a card, a layout or an otp.

Here are some very gorgeous cards to help inspire you.

Cards created by Maggie

Cards created by Lucy

Card created by Kate

Card created by  Jen De Felice

My card

I hope the sketch and these gorgeous cards inspire you to get creating, remember we have a few guidelines to follow when joining in with the Flourish With A Bling challenges

Flourish With a Bling Challenge Rules

- You are required to use Flourish With A Bling products

- You are required to use the above sketch for your entry

- You are required to upload your entry into the Flourish With A Bling Gallery

- You can create a card, layout, otp, home decor, anything

- Challenge closes midnight 13th January 2012

- You can enter as many times as you like

- You MUST have fun!

PRIZE – a fantastic pack of Flourish With A Bling goodies perfect to scrap more fabulous layouts or cards

We look forward to seeing all of your gorgeous creations in the gallery.

Liz, Maggie, Kate and Lucy

The winner of Liz’s Xmas colour inspiration challenge is –

by admin ~ December 9th, 2011

In keeping with this festive season, I have Maddison all dressed up in front of the Xmas tree and ready to draw the winner of this months challenge. We had 4 lovely entries, so a very big thank you to you all for your ongoing support of Flourish with a Bling.

Now for what you have been waiting for. The winner of Liz’s Xmas colour inspiration challenge is …….

  

A very big congratulations to Sandra with her entry of a Christmas card using a frond from the FWAB Jasmine laser flourish. Woohoo to you for another win (at least you know its an honest draw when you win again lol!) and thank you so much for entering.

A very big thank you again to our 3 other fabulous entries, we all really loved seeing your Xmas creations and hope that you will join us again when our next challenge is posted early next week.

We already have your address on file Sandra, so I will post out your prize pack as well as one of our new designs as a special bonus, as soon as possible.

Thank you once again ladies, and please, everyone spread the word about our monthly challenges as we would be thrilled to increase the number of entries.

Happy Scrapping,

Maggie and the FWAB team

 

***This month’s guest designer is – Sonia Thomason***

by admin ~ November 9th, 2011

We are so excited to be sharing with you our next guest design team member, the gorgeous Sonia Thomason from Perth, WA. Design team member for the fabulous Scrapmatts chipboard,  previous DT for a LSS, an online store as well as having been on the Addicted to Craft Wholesale design team.  I had the pleasure of meeting Sonia up at the Brisbane Papercrafts Festival in June thanks to the wonderful Angella Peardon, and how lucky are we to now have Sonia creating with some of the FWAB range!

Sonia is a Mum of two beautiful girls, Alex born in 2003 and Isabella born in 2005 and married since 1994 to husband Kym. Sonia’s family are the love of her life but scrapbooking is her ‘me’ time. Sonia loves creating memories for her family to look back on and enjoys being part of this wonderful craft.

With Sonias vintage/shabby style of scrapbooking and OTP projects, you will be sure to fall in love with each and every one of her creations. Sonia’s attention to detail, layering, distressing and love for butterfly’s, will leave you wanting to see more and more…and lucky for you, Sonia is regularly published in Scrapbooking Memories magazine, Scrapbook Creations and has also been published in an e-magazine called Scrapstreet..

Here is Sonia’s first layout for us and ooohhhhhh we are so excited to be sharing them with you –  Sonia has used the FWAB Lee’s Tree and grass, olive green Jack Vine, and toadstools from the Taylah’s Toadstools pack – so stunning, and what an adorable photo of 2 little fairies.

 

I asked Sonia a few questions about her time spent in the industry and this is what Sonia had to say –

How long have you been scrapbooking and how did you get started?

I have been scrapping since my oldest daughter was a year old. I was invited to a Creative Memories party at a friend’s house and at the time I had no idea what scrapbooking was. I went along hoping to have a nice afternoon tea and a good gossip but little did I know it would lead to such a fabulous addiction! I had a wonderful time playing with photos, shape cutters and some stickers but I kept asking if there was more to the craft. Feeling a bit excited by it all I went looking for some more information the next day and walked into my first scrapbooking store and that was it!

My two daughters Alex (8) and Isabella (6) love sitting with me for creative ‘girlie’ afternoons and it’s a wonderful way to spend time together talking through different memories. I love seeing how they remember certain moments and how they capture them. I’m sure they will have many wonderful times looking back over their creations in years to come!

What is your favourite tool or technique at the moment?

I can actually answer both of those questions together as they relate to one thing – distressing! I adore vintage / shabby pages and I’ve spent many hours with ink stained hands tearing and rolling back the edges of my papers to get just the ‘right’ look. I have just discovered the new Comfort Distressing Tool by Prima and I am in love! It distresses paper with minimal fuss (and no mess on my hands!) and also has an edge scraper and a bone folder – what else could a girl want. There’s nothing like a new scrapping toy to put a smile on my face!

What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you in this industry?

One of the highlights would have to be my first cover on a scrapbooking magazine. I remember walking to the newsagency stand on the day it came out and tingling with excitement. It was wonderful to see Alex’s gorgeous face peering back at me however I kept the jumping up and down until I got home! It was priceless to take my girls to the shop after school and watch Alex’s reaction – I think she stopped every shopper in the store and showed them her picture (which is exactly what I’d felt like doing earlier LOL!)

Who is the one person in this industry that you would most love to meet and create with?

There are so many fabulous and creative people I’d love to meet but I guess Tim Holtz would be at the top. I am constantly amazed at the different techniques and projects that he comes out with. While his grungy style is different to how I create I find that a lot of what he does easily translates over a lot of different styles. I guess that is the reason he is so popular!

On this next layout, Sonia has used the FWAB teal Jasmine laser flourish and the olive green Jack Vine…..so stunningly beautiful.

 

This next fun summery layout is using the sun from the FWAB Up in the Sky pack and the banner and beach hut from Nicky’s Beach Huts.

 

For the beautiful frame below, Sonia has used the FWAB Adam vine, a white puffy Jasmine flourish, one of the fences from the Trent’s Fence pack and a flourish from the  silver  Bella rhinestone pack. What an absolutely adorable photo…precious moments indeed.

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed finding out a little bit more about the gorgeous Sonia Thomason and seeing the  fabulous work Sonia has created for us here at Flourish with a Bling. If you would like to see more of Sonia’s work, please check out Sonia’s blog here and her DT work for Scrapmatts here.

A very big thank you Sonia for making the FWAB products look absolutely stunning and for joining us as a guest DT member, it’s been fabulous having you with us and we hope you’ll join us again soon.

Happy Scrapping,

Maggie and the FWAB team

 

 

****Liz’s November Christmas colour challenge****

by admin ~ November 8th, 2011

This month we have a fabulous colour challenge created for you by our wonderful DT member Liz Weber – perfect for this time of year and to get you in the swing for all things Christmasy.

Here are some samples we have created for you -

 

 

 

Flourish With a Bling Challenge Rules

- You are required to use Flourish With A Bling products

-You are required to use the above colour challenge photo and details as inspiration for your entry

- You are required to upload your entry into the Flourish With A Bling Gallery under Liz’s November Christmas colour challenge category

- You can create a card, layout, otp, home decor, anything

- Challenge closes midnight 8th December 2011

- You can enter as many times as you like

- You MUST have fun!

PRIZE – this fantastic pack of Flourish With A Bling goodies perfect to scrap more fabulous Christmas layouts or cards

We are so looking forward to seeing your gorgeous work in the gallery.

Liz, Maggie, Lucy & Kate

FWAB Team