Could this be a masking effect?

1

I’m learning flash on my own, but can seem to figure out how to achieve this effect. The flowers look like they’re growing.
If you could help me or point me towards a tutorial that will help me creat this effect I’d appreciate it. The examples are;

http://www.margotblanche.com/ and [URL=“http://www.beyonceonline.com/main.html”]http://www.beyonceonline.com/main.html

I’m looking for something more like the first one though.

Thanx