For the Last Time at Isabella's

I'm writing this post with a sad face as this will be my last post on behalf of Isabella's Sketchbook.  Unfortunately, due to constraints imposed by ill health in the family, Isabella no longer feels able to continue to run the challenge blog and has taken the difficult decision to disband the Design Team.  However, the store will remain open and I encourage you all to support Isabella and keep her spirits up! So, for our last challenge we are looking for beautiful hand-made flowers on your project. Perhaps you're a dab hand with a crochet hook, or you have a knack with rolled paper roses.  However you wish to make them, we'd love to see them.

As usual, the DT have some beautiful samples for you over on the Challenge Blog, so don't forget to visit them and leave some love for the final time.

Here's my card this week:

Image: Isabella's Sketchbook, 'Suitcase Stack'

Papers: 'Raspberry Goodness' Digipapers - unfortunately, I think this set is now retired and I cannot find a link to it anywhere!

Other: Paper flowers by me; tickets by me too!

I love this image - it must be my favourite Isabella as it is so versatile and I thought it only right that it should get one final DT outing.  It also seemed fitting that I should do a 'goodbye and good luck' card today, so that's precisely what set the tone for this project.

The paper flowers are rolled roses made from circles of coloured paper, cut into a spiral with scallop edged scissors, crumpled and folded before rolling.  I paper-pieced the suitcases, obviously, with a range of co-ordinating Raspberry Goodness papers and then coloured some white guipure lace to the right colour with my Copics (good tip as it allows you to have any colour lace to match your project - give it a go, it's easy!). The two tickets were printed on to kraft card in raspberry and brown, then a little brown chalk was applied to the edges to soften them. I bought the beautiful cotton heart ribbon whilst on holiday in Wales earlier in the year and this is its first outing - it was just perfect for this project.  I love the combination of kraft, cream and raspberry on this card - so soft and elegant (I hope!) and I think I might just have mastered some 'vintage' with this one!  I knew it would come, eventually.

So, now it's over to you. Don't forget that you must use an Isabella's Sketchbook image for your project and there are so many to choose from over at the Isabella's Sketchbook store that you can't fail to be inspired.  I hope you'll join us in this last challenge and make it one for Isabella to remember. 

Can't wait to see your flowery creations.
Happy crafting.
xx