An artist, a hottie, and a peony what could they possibly have in common? Well, far more than meets the eye!!!

Youve heard all of us at Flourishes mention Marcella Hawley from time to time. Id like to introduce you to her today. Marcy is the artistic talent behind so many of the beautiful images in Flourishes stamp line, the latest being our series of beautiful botanical images. Marcella Hawley was founding art director of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion, a pioneering art-centered decorating magazine. Previously, as assistant to the art director at Martha Stewart Living, she was part of the creative team that launched Martha Stewart’s premiere television show and Weddings magazine. Now home in St. Louis, Missouri, Marcella is a devoted gardener, illustrator, decorator, and maker of things. Husband Patrick Hawley is her partner in life and business, as web developer and IT maestro for MHCreative. They have two children, Tallulah and Finn. For more information on her work, please visit www.marcellahawley.com.

OK, so thats who Marcy is on a professional level. Some pretty impressive names listed on her resume, but on a personal level, shes just like the rest of us a devoted wife and mother who loves her husband and her children and shes also someone who likes to have a little fun! And in that vein she nominated her husband, unbeknownst to him, as the Hottest Husband of 2008 through Redbook Magazine. And Patrick OBVIOUSLY is hot, as he was one of the finalists in the contest!!!! Huge Congrats!!! to both Patrick and Marcy!!! How fun!!! You can see the Redbook article along with an adorable photo of Patrick and their children by clicking here.

We at Flourishes are so honored and privileged to be able to work with both Marcy and Patrick. Patrick was instrumental in helping Flourishes get their original site up and running and he still lends a technical hand from time to time!!! Not only is this couple hot, hot, hot!!! in many respects, but they are a part of what makes Flourishes what it is today, and were so pleased to share this fun news with you!!! Thank you, Marcy and Patrick, for your part in Flourishes success!!!!

OK, so weve covered the artist (Marcy), the hottie (Patrick), now what about the peony? Well, that would be our Peony stamp set, drawn by Marcy, of course!!! I just wanted to share a card with you today and I thought this newly released Peony would be just perfect for the occasion!!!

The card base is 5.5 square. The main image panel is 5 3/8 x 4 1/8and is set askew on the card intentionally just for fun!!! I use 6″ square envelopes so it still fits in the envelope just fine. The pink strip is Cuttlebug embossed, the Peony sentiment is run through the Cuttlebug with the Tags Trio dies by Spellbinders, and the bee, also from the Peony set, is cut with a Petite Circle Nestability die and then matted with a punched 1 circle using a SU punch. The main image panel with the Peony was created in the following steps:

• Ink peony stamp, direct to stamp, using ColorBox Chalk Inks, and stamp onto white cardstock.
• Using SU markers I filled in areas on the leaves and stem.
• Using the Inkksentials Opaque White Pen, I colored in all white areas on the peony and accented the leaves a bit.
• Using a C1 Cool Gray Copic marker I outlined the entire image.
• I made a mask of the peony using Eclipse Masking Tape, adhered it over the peony and then stamped my scripted background in Palette Hybrid Charcoal.
• I then heavily sponged the edges of the panel with the Charcoal ink.
• I then matted the panel in gray and then pink before adhering to the card.
• I then attached my Peony tag and bee with dimensional products.

Here’s my supply list:

• Stamps: Peony by Flourishes and retired SUScript
• Paper: Black, White, SU Pixie Pink, SU Basic Gray Textured
• Ink: Palette Hybrid Charcoal and Noir Black, ColorBox Chalk Inks in Orchid Pastel, Dark Brown, Olive Pastel, SU markers in greens, browns and yellow, C1 Cool Gray Copic marker, Inkksentials Opaque White Pen, Stardust Clear Glitter Pen (on wings).
• Accessories: Black Sheer Ribbon, Black Dotted Sheer Ribbon, Tags Trio and Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU 1 punch, Cuttlebug, Textile Embossing Folder, Mounting Tape, Dimensionals, Zots, Glue Dots, Sponge.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. Hope you enjoyed this fun story about Marcy and her Hottie!!! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!!