Tuesday 9 July 2013

MFP Blog Hop Day #1 - Lotus Blossoms

Mark's Finest Papers July Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are:
 Featured July 9th - Lotus Blossoms
Featured July 10th - Shello 
Featured July 11th  - Be Virtuous 
Featured July 12th - Presents

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on July 13, 2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday July 12, 2013.



 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:
"Dino News"



 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is
"Dragonflies"     



Today's set is lovely, called "Lotus Blossoms":


This set is really pretty.  I created two cards to showcase the images:

 


I had fun playing with a 'shabby chic' style that I love, but haven't really used in a while.  I started with the main image and decided on a red and black colour scheme.  I decided to add some white and grey, an I love the result.  The felt flowers with gem centres are a new addition to my stash and I love them as a final touch.


 



For this card I wanted to keep everything really soft and feminine so I started with a white card base and brown ink.  I originally was going to keep everything really clean, but after the first card I couldn't resist more ink!  In additon to the inking some dry embossing and water colouring helped the images to pop, and the jute twine that I love so much is the perfect embellishment.  

I had a ton of fun with this set, and I really think there is a lot you can do with it.  But of course this isn't the only set Mark's Finest Papers offers.  You can find this month's sets along with many other beautiful sets at the Mark's Finest Papers Store.  In the meantime, why not have a look and see what the other design team members have to offer?  The lovely Toni is next on the hop, but if you haven't visited the other designers I really encourage you to visit everyone.  There is lots of inspiration to be had!  See you tomorrow for day #2!  :)

23 comments:

  1. Lovely cards - both so different. Love the way you have alternated the blossoms on the 2nd card and the twine addition.

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  2. Cathy--these cards are beautiful! Love the 2nd one! TFS

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  3. Cathy, these are such beautiful cards. You really captured two totally different looks with this set. I have to say I really like the second one best. I like the layout and the softness of your second card.

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  4. Two very different looks but both are lovely.

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  5. Beautiful cards. I really like the one in the brown tones with jute twine.

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  6. Love the red on your first one!!! Love the soft colors on the second!!!
    Beautiful work on both...

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  7. Cathy, lovely work here! I love the colors you chose to use on both cards. So different and fresh.

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  8. Stunning work. Love the oriental themes. Beautiful

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  9. LOVE the shabby look. Great designs.

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  10. Cathy,
    Two very pretty cards - but my fav is the second one. The colors are awesome and your twine treatment, as always - is so perfect!

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  11. Beautiful cards!!! I love the black felt flowers on the first card! Beautiful design! Love your coloring on the blossoms on your second card! Gorgeous!

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  12. wonderful and very pretty cards Cathy.

    greetings karin

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  13. These are vastly different and equally as gorgeous! I can't decide which I like better!

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  14. Wow theses are so pretty. I love the colors and the last card is a favorite of mine. TFS AJ-

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  15. Both cards are fantastic, but I really love the 2nd one-love the softness and design of it.

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  16. Both of your cards are Beautiful!!!

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  17. Two very different looks with the same stamp set and both of them are beautiful!

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  18. Great cards, especially love the 2nd one -great color scheme. Thanks for sharing

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  19. Love both cards and how drastically different they are but yet look awesome.

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  20. More beautiful cards! I really like the second one a lot!

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  21. Absolutely stunning cards. I love this stamp set to bits.

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Thanks so much for your comments! I read them all and appreciate every word! :)