tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48530231330554734412024-02-07T19:39:56.800-08:00Stardust DreamsDarkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-35174811422272279532012-10-21T17:35:00.003-07:002012-10-21T17:35:57.317-07:00Birthday card for mother-in-lawYes, it's been a busy week for crafting.... can you tell? :D
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So, yesterday evening (Saturday), hubby warned me that my mother in law was coming to dinner tonight (Sunday) for her birthday. That's all the notice I was given. Then he had to go out to give a lecture for the university.
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While he was gone, I realized he has been out of town, running constantly since he got back, and the chances of him having gotten either a gift or a card for his mom were pretty slim. He just hasn't had time.
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I, however, had been thinking ahead. For Christmas, I thought, but I'd forgotten her birthday was this month. (For some reason, I have it stuck in my head that she's got a spring birthday...). Well, luckily, the materials I'd ordered to make her a Christmas card came in on Friday. How's that for timing?
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So, I hurried and made her a quick card for her birthday instead. And, luckily, it was a hit! She's a fan of Asian art. I kept things simple and used paper from the Die Cuts With A View Far East Stack which, luckily, coordinated not just with each other, but with her tastes as well. If I'd had another afternoon, I would have fussy-cut the butterfly and branch against the outer frame instead of box-cutting it like I did, but I didn't have enough time to do that right.
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U4C-D94ddh0/UISKY0v_O5I/AAAAAAAAUhQ/JTN7yArsqG0/s512/P1080534.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K_4H2NyMj5Y/UISKs_b6LYI/AAAAAAAAUiA/EYsyJ0Ars4k/s512/P1080539.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ERjtVnnf-dHE5egL57bNwzd-4i7BjdWCO6z_5EVF-vcxqc29ropvcuillOYNC-9F3HvRFZadpKTcFnnWzwLXZzDdpn0AOxP8TaI_bUr6gmPEqDuKUPw0jjuTkLMN1vSGDA47D9nzcmTM/s512/P1080541.JPG" />Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-80067739912391361362012-10-21T17:26:00.000-07:002012-10-21T17:26:08.736-07:00Autumn arbor<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dc5RobBKSHI/UISK9SBmNgI/AAAAAAAAUik/cGlOokYM0YU/s512/P1080543.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNXmCWfLSNaHXtcIRwnjweoZtN4RS1REbI-KVEOMK6bb5zk-sAzDSizOvN7pSJQUsJXRfoVgiLyNxAGzW4qmaG6tmoNXserRVqaEEf0TJ4pkPEIGQlyLtAiMzrE82W_aMbJppwvXtJEFI/s512/P1080545.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN3_db2rje6xXQPzrhRZ0yxA2XGKmmmIr-k-ZaX_v0io9Sm4ZdGxoG_ic0IyMNdDRkIYCGj6QP8lbuQcTgR-FDrv2GVsNkpcAHmPGAWU-fQF5zYTTEYZRrjf8X_zZQFzaOV-6W4pBwmSF/s512/P1080546.JPG" />
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This card originally was just because I had the materials and idea, then I discovered this month's <a href="http://crafterscompanion-challenge.blogspot.com/2012/10/crafters-companion-october-challenge.html">Crafter's Companion challenge</a> rules had changed. Instead of needing to use specifically a Crafter's Companion stamp, *any* obvious Crafter's Companion product qualifies. And I used Spectrum Noir markers to color. Soooo... I'm now entering it in the Crafter's Companion challenge (fall colors) for the month. :D
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I used memento ink to stamp this arbor on some parchment effect paper, then cut it using a Spellbinders Fleur de lis die. (Amusingly, I wasn't sure I wanted that die when I got it, the illustration just didn't look too impressive, but now that I've got it, it's one of my favorites). I colored the stamp using my spectrum noir in fall colors (which are almost the only spectrum noir I have so far...), added a touch of chalk in the middle of the roses for texture and 'oomph', then colored the wood of the arbor and the bench using my white sakura glaze pen. Then I ran a sheet of orange glitter paper through the same Spellbinders die and used the punched pieces in the cutouts.Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-15966126906525469542012-10-21T15:00:00.001-07:002012-10-21T17:08:21.996-07:00Fall cutsI'll update this post with more information later (running to dinner with mother in law), but here's an entry for two challenges. Our Daily Bread Designs (a sketch challenge) and Cheery Lynn (use corner embellishments)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpM1zRgztjDO0qI6HKZpPSE0aS3fONwwXla7e5zAXznfJsPS9DQsNIr5lrbL7oYtr7_pnHBudIiJBVDueo4nLLuWwdgyWffL8b3QsL59cAN4jg-sP_LAvgIBUPVeShM4Dvzn1MZ0ABCe9/s512/P1080548.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4CFOHG4rvS6q0Ifmh_V4ocAsG4Wt05nda5BG-vN9bOJE532EChmf3StI1tdqEEBt-y2Hlcfg6Bf3iCvJxNziAf7cqjTquzCv6PNq8b_RW7pLwYOEWJvLiCKZSRbGsQ4dtwgn2vJqJihP/s512/P1080549.JPG" />
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Edited to add materials:
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Dies: cottage cutz filagree fall leaves; memory box snowflake corner die; cheery lynn mini butterlies set (one of the butterflies of the trio); spellbinders dies;
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stamp: inkadinkado
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Challenges: <a href="http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/odbdslc126-sketch.html">Our Daily Bread Designs</a>
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<a href="http://cheerylynndesignschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/10/cheery-lynn-designs-challenge-50-corner.html">Cheery Lynn</a>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-86746921213811946532012-09-27T22:08:00.001-07:002012-09-27T22:08:02.796-07:00Dots? Well, technically.....This month's challenge over at<a href="http://crafterscompanion-challenge.blogspot.com/2012/09/september-challenge.html"> Crafter's Companion</a> is to do a project using stripes and/or dots. I'm not really a stripe or polka-dot person, so I've been mulling this one over a bit. Also been out of the crafty stuff for a few weeks after the news that the publisher of my favorite MMO, City of Heroes, is pulling the plug on the game despite it making a profit. No warning, apparently no hint to the developers, just suddenly poof! You're all fired, except skeleton staff, servers go down at the end of November, players you're out of luck. So I've been rather busy in a campaign to try and save our beloved game.<br />
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Anyway, that's just an explanation for why you haven't been seeing any projects from me lately. :)<br />
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Back to the point of this post, though... I finally came up with something that uses a stamp available from Crafter's Companion, and *technically* uses dots. So I figured it's worth a try to submit it. ;)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b3UsgIuV1IE/UGUnQG-t9fI/AAAAAAAAUeY/iHYTv07ehrA/s512/IMG_20120927_232534.jpg" /><br />
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I stamped the Barnard Castle Art Kure stamp using Memento ink onto ultra smooth premium white cardstock, then colored it mostly with a stippling technique (stippling is dots!) using spectrum noir markers. I then cut it out in a spellbinders die, cut a second frame in a coordinating color, glued the second frame over the first, and applied some flowersoft in an autumn mixture.<br />
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This finished piece, by the way, is smaller than an ATC.<br />
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I'm entering this project into both the challenge at Crafter's Companion, and the challenge at <a href="http://www.spectrumnoir.com/challenge/">Spectrum Noir</a>. Their challenge is to create a card or project for any holiday and color it using only Spectrum Noir markers. I don't know about you, but for me, fall colors like this make me think of both Halloween and Thanksgiving, or even go farther back to the Harvest Festival. Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-70422545089096385252012-09-01T22:55:00.001-07:002012-09-01T22:55:20.374-07:00Very generous birthday giveaway :DStacy over at <a href="http://scrapwithstacy.blogspot.com/">Scrap with Stacy</a> is having a birthday giveaway, with some very nice stuff. Hop over and take a look!Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-44748754503038505742012-08-26T17:55:00.001-07:002012-08-26T17:55:38.319-07:00Cheery Lynn Doily ChallengeI did mention I was addicted to challenges this month, right? :D I barely got this one done in time, though.<br />
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Most of the challenges I've found deal with stamping, but this one was for dies. Yay! I love dies! Specifically, Cheery Lynn's <a href="http://cheerylynndesignschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/08/cheery-lynn-designs-challenge-42-doilies.html">challenge</a> this week was to use a doily in a design. And while the doily didn't have to be Cheery Lynn, at least one die on the project had to be.<br />
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Lucky for me, I'd just recently purchased two "Christmas themed" Cheery Lynn dies from <a href="http://shop.sweetstamps.com/Doily-Dies_c408.htm">Sweet Stamps</a>. The Christmas is in quotes because while they're called Christmas doilies, I think they have so many more uses.<br />
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Like stained glass?<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtNZqh2TBbFJrzHB7w8rmzoTkkFY2SLojsWJcbV1yk3y9calTn0pAHsAlE-m1r-XZzlw-YspseKB0V9SkUEehNKJWIpjofyJY0zImN6YlqcFoABpCmtroygL08ZzHXSDCRvw8zBz3T60-/s512/P1080509.JPG" />
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That's what I went for anyway.<br />
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I started by using a colorbox ink (mermaid specifically) on a technique I've been wanting to try -- applying the ink to one part of an embossing folder before running it through the machine. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder (Madison) and was rather happy with the results.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5OM6jzLqd-LpM5EKUuqBYHJgiVtdRW4BtFRCD8dzjB02c6Mg0aSTsbja_HSDx-DFBY6xwktC0DDWks8JB9HUxJuT0OdrXQMFZ_l3PytXTAAePln4H7ZUdENp7946_XL4RIZeU9rA59wp/s512/P1080510.JPG" />
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My doily choice was the Christmas Ball Decoration, which I ended up cutting three times. Once was in white and run through enough to actually punch the holes. The second time was also in white, but purposely undercut so I'd have instruction lines for my coloring. This die did come with an angel wing, but since I wanted multiple colors for the interior of the doily, I needed an undercut of the full die for best results. The third time was in a darker blue, purely to add just a fraction more height and that barest hint of shadow.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2_kSUfLbPzI/UDq9ykHqCrI/AAAAAAAATUk/hyJNspsiVKA/s512/P1080512.JPG" />
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I colored the second doily (the undercut) using Sakura Stardust glitter pens. Wow do they sparkle. By far the best glitter pens I've used to date.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9dMgAQ-JbBUIi9Q5kMZkn94P0U01bI-LDPbQKzNawB7lx8n2haP6Smv49ZTDz_ufOR8C4z_06oLePTRpcTLjd_k5MAVhuqAb0FBSFqesGhVf8pmAAuEcuSstK_dCK37ZCxBcan3s5XFb/s512/P1080514.JPG" />
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Then I added some leaves from a Sizzix die (one of the leaves from Flowers, Branches and Leaves) and drew a detail line on the leaves using a dark green Sakura glaze.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUyKONH81ykGmOxbaZeeJqzKfPyJHKVKWMj8hypivYKfinpIahMEilFHowQGm_L_S75roNbRbg8x-Qmxv-dOkR8LVoi1gu7xO3A9YHWsmdb5pu4ZBluicJ8G8bsU9SArZHUarcuvo3ZDo/s512/P1080511.JPG" /><br />
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The butterflies are also Cheery Lynn, specifically the mini exotic butterflies. Those I also cut twice, once in blue for the top layer and once in white undercut so I could use the same coloring technique on their wings.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxo-PtlVkfmQXja2PkX-EmPyf9pWVeUfDtPWE2XqGv_c_8RzytcPSoxipfk1VAuA8gRa-qhveyz9XJv0Kx6Of_YV2bYp8amFpDuuHhxOYPi97JxwTsBl8TcE3HS12ytetGCrdlk2HEVXY/s512/P1080515.JPG" />
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I traced the blessing from a computer printout (my handwriting's not that good! Also... transparent vellum isn't recognized by my printer....) onto a teal vellum, which I cut and lightly embossed using a Spellbinders die.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXzRiXX-KcwA6cucUl0KtdoLLrZSpKUKETzEFvz9hKioLmUI7EsGOnyHQ0QawLlYvPZ09yDPCKEcxqDDceErpGXfJatcURNQrjoePu2N0xDZjjDul9YB6uFEGOizVOTOlAXjEl9gaYjdI/s512/P1080513.JPG" />
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Finally, I added the flowers, which I'd put together from Michael's supplies several months ago for another project. Glad I made extras. :D<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Rq5Ai8nWFuM/UDq97-dq8DI/AAAAAAAATVE/ZR2dVjMEYVQ/s512/P1080517.JPG" />
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My intention is for this to be part of a pair or perhaps a 3-part triptych with the other pieces also using doilies and finishing the blessing.Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-43988153528966058322012-08-26T07:14:00.003-07:002012-08-26T07:14:53.174-07:00Let the Children ComeApparently, I'm addicted to doing challenges this month. ;)<br />
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I found another challenge I decided to do. This time, it's over at <a href="http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/">Our Daily Bread Designs</a>, which looks like it has some nice Christian themed stamps and dies, and a few others that are more generic.<br />
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This week's <a href="http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/odbdslc120-sketch.html">challenge</a> was a sketch challenge. That's where the challenger provides a layout sketch for your project, and you try to do something to match the sketch.<br />
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Here's what I came up with after some brainstorming with mom.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb22fR3x299cm6fPGhLTI06scXPJ70gVkRv_Am4bhJfo8_loPzVxZ5yiG745Y0HKny25PavYF4hg9NnWUjt69dUKmiV6tB23N1owpvDHbntjUBLiSIi9SNzUb6RStqMAYCI46CnnNUuoH4/s512/P1080478.JPG" />
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This was done on a cardstock called stardust -- it's white with little colored flecks in it to give it a little character. I printed the bible verse directly on the cardstock. I used the Paintbox Poppets project CD from Crafter's Companion (link in my sidebar) for the girl and to print a coordinating paper for the ribbon. I cut and embossed the girl and her coordinating frame with a spellbinders die.<br />
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On the bookmark/ribbon section, I stamped the flourish with Perfect Medium, then tapped blending chalk in blue and pink for the detail. Then I dusted it with Perfect Pearls in a pink interference color. The shine doesn't really show up well in the picture, but you can almost see it -- that's not a smudge on the lower leaf, that's reflection off the Perfect Pearls.<br />
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At the base of the ribbon is a cute angel stamp that I stamped in versamark watermark ink and tapped with the blue chalk, then I attached two pieces of lacy ribbon and a pink pieced flower for the 'bow'. In the middle of the flower, I glued some flowersoft for a bit of center dimension. Finally, I added a few highlights to the girl with sakura glaze pens. Not much, just enough for a little pop here and there.<br />
Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-83394744642846966182012-08-20T15:25:00.002-07:002012-08-20T15:25:54.719-07:00Morehead shaped popup cardThis week's challenge over at the <a href="http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/">Sweetstamps blog</a> was to create a popup pedestal card. This was tricky, but fun. I think it also works with the theme of friendship for this month's challenge at <a href="http://crafterscompanion-challenge.blogspot.com/">Crafter's Companion</a>.<br />
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What I chose to do was a modified project from the <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/CD_c_156.html?AffId=38">Morehead CD</a>. For me, even though it's just one girl, the girl and butterfly motif is something I would definitely send as a pick-me-up or thinking-of-you to several friends, which is why I think it works with the friendship theme.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_0elTskuMxQ2xQu_BUdkBqelKVP336nov8u17jRMXDa9dm0GNdxSqFAVfzL_DpcxGDZqzN_n4bEqRfcn5onfsMCvrH1KFIhNLzPiE2lwVMdLIVnSJv0I0BiUyNNq89ZbEzhKgn0spF0C/s512/P1080469.JPG" />
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I fell in love with the CDs after trying the Paintbox Poppets, and this Morehead collection has some very cute projects as well (though I'm still partial to the Paintbox Poppets).<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1-7SOUuNj4SsaqyCUFV_QgMb1oy7aU5OeOg-iWhMESMcXbT2GCykfa3TwNA6Mdw_fqlXa1n6rTuTc2hsoOU8Vef6thOZThCozSczi-cjV8cOUadkkFHJQEt7FC9wLdgETL301reRFfoY/s512/P1080470.JPG" />
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I printed the project on cardstock, then ran it through the printer a second time to apply the coordinating color to what would be the interior of the card. I printed a second copy of the card, then cut the girl from the second printout so I could raise her with foam tape. I added some glossy highlights to the shoes, butterfly, white dots, green leaves, and yellow flower centers by using the Sakura glaze pens, then applied flowersoft to her hat. A few glitter-gel pen highlights to the bows and umbrella, and just a touch of graphite shading in a few places, and the girl was ready to apply.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn92UalC9v4CSyBOwjNR2ERBFwgG-oeNOIKkoXQeTEvrXfO-RLyJcfj7vprD4XneJpYlUV1EbrItwCi5cm9iN_vcZvbRGKgzJ8GbGd1QrIWdxZmclWRbZ0Qryt4Oq_v6T9ACtf46hHHGM/s512/IMG_20120819_203549.jpg" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir42IVWeOaxWj6fgnOaGDSfPRqaW_LlVn5YMAh1XWdTo14O_vNdxCKtP4Z4uYGTA7ynac01fm8PEKwqwzAK6EwmPN-xBnVBTiogM54Uo_KLHcND_BbtQrdnPaJCjQSFHxb7cxDAvhlJWEM/s512/P1080471.JPG" />
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For the inside, I applied some solid purple cardstock panels, and stamped them with some butterflies and flowers for texture. I created the pedestal from the same purple cardstock so it wouldn't stand out, but I wanted the butterfly-fairy to pop both literally and visually, so I stamped her in purple ink on a lighter purple cardstock.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQxfThpTtEbR0g5t_yoChUbdRnJ45h1NXgAXr1AVLIVrMHfrjOHR7-wKoGCDlyMUd6z5AxOC2oHTMzshTai_8HFA0aaM3_3aQ5vQZdamsAdcb1xGczoLeQczEciXAQc9_nx-0ljmy5Hq6/s512/P1080473.JPG" />
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Finally, I left a blank label that I die cut and embossed with my Spellbinders nestabilities (love these things), then added a small punched butterfly in a contrasting color.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pX7_JFGoi37NDy_8OnBE8B1I3_IZXgnNYpsHHlWO16HyiJy5rBCaZEkwS3TGlEKi4wcBkNO-4o2S5KQ1BbkhqBF-tKmBGGKFV-Clv_DLdCk2fywi2qmKksk0c_0rVNYFtABio85J9K3w/s512/P1080474.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhIg7YcPe0PcNyTfNPcZDXv8vFeHFmRJK58UFRFOM9bngUKa-RZ-tlcJWufil83nK9IcOd2lAu_wG_dd9_fvgi6S3-VIFV3ADaZ6I5O38Wh_AmUTXqYbOZz3aBDbcjwPaUdavrtDJAasU/s512/P1080476.JPG" />
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<br />Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-48114220642795700982012-08-15T23:15:00.001-07:002012-08-16T10:12:36.162-07:00Zendala Dare 14Again, a bit belated, but I thought I had a great idea for what to do with this. Unfortunately, the idea didn't work out as well as I would have liked.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmEJ1hVtcQaytI28bCwD47j1mbslIfAjpFCqZZAgb1girzw8njhDYSPrPEZzWOVNyIAHN3bFXWmeGUojeybLIpV2QRBMBI-TVFXIXCRXKLJG-IYO2e7yiCk0oOpCofLcCaEDyP8NACxI6/s512/IMG_20120815_144759.jpg" />
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This was done on Erin's template for <a href="http://thebrightowl.blogspot.com/2012/07/zendala-dare-14.html">Zendala Dare 14</a>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-49627202933662445662012-08-11T22:00:00.001-07:002012-08-11T22:00:52.410-07:00I'm ready for autumn :DIt's been a hot one this year, and I'm definitely already in the mood for the crispness of autumn, and what little color change we get down here. Which isn't much. So, I've decided to make my own. :D<br />
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I made this card (blank inside, for the time being) to enter into this week's challenge at <a href="http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/challenge-77-stamped-background.html">SweetStamps</a>, which was to use a stamp for a background.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMgdEXPyuegF-g17gEobJRroxGiY3L9Z5S6V2KJLk-GbWC9YnHup0YU1MYOICUm133DDZfn8hYUeNWxEmVbwaFOXuEomCRzvpfWvUrQL9NCeFVK4wLy_5GUMFkmse_tmblO088BTaotPE/s512/P1080461.JPG" />
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I spritzed some parchment-textured cardstock with orange and green glimmer mists, then stamped the alternating corners with a stamp from the inkadinkado Foliage Trails set, stamped in pumpkin stazon ink. Then I cut the pumpkin using the cottagecutz filigree pumpkin, placed it on a scalloped oval punched from a lighter shade of parchment cardstock, and used blending chalks to color the scallops. The pumpkin and oval are glued together, then attached to the base of the card with some foam to raise them up just a bit.Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-2216280994277763142012-08-10T23:22:00.001-07:002012-08-10T23:22:08.413-07:00Zendala Dare 12 :)Okay, so I'm a bit behind. More than a bit, really. ;) But I got in the mood to do another zendala, so browsed through the templates offered by Erin, and settled on the template for <a href="http://thebrightowl.blogspot.com/2012/06/zendala-dare-12.html">Zendala Dare 12</a>.
Here's my end result. Or at least end result without shading. I am going to go back and shade it, too. :)
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJ_v99WJe-fd3uxihXOn2NCzjBRlGNuhkzXXlRSXDhYDvlqVDPhq5_0agPVKfghN4wLze2YExjHPYMhU-mvfHHOVOr4O01ys09AVBG6CR8vtplJTmAb0Ssnipa6Lvh98rAOkPe-epuPXQ/s512/Scan-008.jpg" />Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-27656340012662972782012-08-01T22:25:00.000-07:002012-08-01T22:25:13.233-07:00A cousin care packageOne side of my family is going through a particularly rough patch with health problems all through the family -- including the uncle with Parkinsons that I've mentioned before. So, mom (my primary sounding board) and I decided we needed to send them a creative care package.<br />
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It's taken a few weeks to get it all together, but it's finally ready to send. All of the envelopes were made using the envelobox creator I got from Crafter's Companion. (I've also blanked out all the names but mine in the photos, for privacy)<br />
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First, for my uncle. He loves photography and loves the American Southwest, so I printed a picture I took in the Valley Of Fire from a trip there earlier this year and put it in a simple folded frame. Originally, we intended to embellish it with deer or grasses or something, but in the end we decided the picture spoke best on its own. <br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8y-enZ3_8Kk/UBnoVgG4Y1I/AAAAAAAATJw/-YzWiOo11uQ/s512/P1080450.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOG0mbtP49XKgXp3iId5qbDdXwkvUFlaCsK_mwlqCNNXbYxIh0fDzUjTAh-ZVFvA1mca1YuvpF_uPgDP1lk7TDpEIcm-vFkx7IR6l6srFYHPYYD1RQEX1hpGRo-mk1k8H3yg7loXFZ-Pd/s512/P1080448.JPG" />
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Next, for his daughter / my cousin, K, who is a very strong Christian. (Honestly, I don't know how the family would get through all they've been through and are going through if not for their faith).<br />
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This one was a bit larger, and required an inner box inside the envelobox in order to have enough support to not damage the flowers. In theory, the finished piece stands up on its own. This was done using a cross on some very pretty scrapbook paper, which I cut out to decoupage, then pieced together the flowers and used some flourish dies cut in two different but complimenting colors to create a shadow effect. The lighter blue is the same paper the cross was on, and the dove (cut by mom :D ) was from that same sheet.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_TBEpk-BZ_v645MMnoUl9bG9jEdkuJsoieK6wE7ulg9X974frQ-QYoDUrqwdB5Wbh_iJuPetCAX30hBDEf-3_xHc_zFaZhjIn6VOjxmxqRGb_L1FfVnVv8kpKc4lCNg_0K2K1r1Y5H3N/s512/P1080411.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDsGKqSczZVrYxgxzW__eY5y8VCCkgM2A9DXSAlGau8SVI43ffg8WeOJJuXp3dDSOF-8TycVDHP7dJTr3PFoEXsUXaYeTISuCChOfnFN9b0X6dbeb4ZX9sDJ2C9TuG9hyphenhyphenY4c3f7MFdlaLl/s512/P1080412.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07oSLr6_W7k_D3K5SBzlALFgv3kM__EfxQUBk8opbYgPLWlDq8RUeLNhm2CX9qiS1RHdB8obdBJOyajpfdBH4Gfx3vGVpcoQ2tKTqy1Hs-NVovVOdt-4AzAVIOFQuwWqCab9VHegNflbY/s512/P1080414.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQGZzSFxKXH3hXrVZCgACEyj_ghAvono9e64JkqO3FpW7gpRVA6VcMjTqnEkIF46WmU32fbTa970dqLbn6J3DjJVuqKH8-vWyJC31xJea-RQ4gqUSO1Oxnm4xEnvvCUa1E8qAZ22QWHEg/s512/P1080416.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXpsux6d5MfQ32a-WyA2PnvWwHELYCKzsgGPOyjYu6DQ88KI441TzauXpoeKgH5WwkZXBx74In_e2_TlQUatvsMzjhdwPjd7E-N2IumuDau8B48fS-B3KSM2PhyphenhyphenSpsekYiwwRPFmjLTlv/s512/P1080419.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LQ5Uz2WfmazTZmMAS3JEHxedWXoXiNMA2-nKmKy7tjfd5sKPPG4h8j4dWVD8NhhYuQPVWDtRryViDtGVEbsV8G12tL12-8Nlx08TNvyfpmVpyrYzVwpi83kxm5c5tXIERJFUEsj-iMrb/s512/P1080420.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2-rjhtxhDAP6XsZXZQ4MgxFjBtKIdq5vU9HeiYdsLRg6AZl1aCWVMfDnOIwGn_kOszjgJ973qdyRBzx2QlGCUxoy1XH3EEBaKTb3y1rF3ui87puh6bPkbx23IeXHMuEbNmT2wVy5CViN/s512/P1080303.JPG" />
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For K's oldest daughter, C, I made a cowboy themed card. She loves all things cowboy. After gluing the denim and bandana papers to cardstock to strengthen them, I ran the card through the big shot with some Spellbinders Nestabilities to create the window.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivULca5zaTk-TU74QnWOrX5S4PzV9mOPbPYls6wmxjNj_Wc-CZusDiZt3R5uHsHQr3A3FEeGDk0aGAhNRlOGyR-s6weh7fFAcP-STGvM-3kPzwYwdp77gGs0wv5VIzhh0P_LuK7jPPCzdS/s512/P1080438.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--w5YiUeEnfo/UBnoR3UPTlI/AAAAAAAATIo/FHRWwT5bupI/s512/P1080439.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ov75-6sMxtk/UBnoSZTbEvI/AAAAAAAATIw/ZkGQDoPcwQA/s512/P1080441.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pL114XWHbrE/UBnoS3G4YwI/AAAAAAAATI8/RrGxoM_VF7w/s512/P1080442.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVCvPXgBNjgSs7iC8crEv7Sc-L7E-kgChmm8Ws2OHWdyojB46bM0bUQBfMc2MKCzYOUW7TMbF2J6lSPI_9YLfkYCmbQjqF2okMvQmSS_W-R3SWIAxIdBisVsximdbFQSMOuoIWw4hn8T6/s512/P1080444.JPG" />
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For K's younger daughter, M (who has some serious health issues), we opted for another cross, and a bible verse, with a color theme in her favorite color of blue. I used two cottagecutz dies, one Spellbinders, and a Spellbinders embossing folder. The cross was filled in with sakura glaze pens, and I used chalks to color the edge of the verse.
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpsxMOkuIjIe-Y8DiWy1ruDxLtGU2WiOe62JWGh8LXN_LGbrgkJgO3FixxxA7411YuUMtxGfdTFHgxBcpk2gluz8ASbiOfwQwq6IUIPnXF1PqTU3vN0nppejCA4s1Tqz9Cn2ySQVPUcp-/s512/P1080427.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAolEyivR4Hv82o366_-DZmxNqJhzt3fvTKer13169q-0ciq02Sbji_HAW0ersGwrCORmy3pzqPHwXLn5JNx2nv1GCRkqCSbEeqhEnf1fRB65YyQrgt5vzjyGXy4z6M_8g54MBSDDqxgP/s512/P1080428.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvPvxS-qQrS_fim03TP06K_lxlvrqovD1zOj1G-p_sYtdl12LzivJp8FIGcLc8m57nGKq7aIjqFabZxcTVMbdrx9dj7QobRG7I3jyZ4_LbAfnAeIFwDM-Q9EmRO4wvnQUPI7I_JXaQ6Wd/s512/P1080433.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWk-JJ8MB3jt6g5rHd1uAPppS1vjoUr3CbRWHqLDy0veuSrkI48qMLXURiGerNxoirAMp3nXshb7Up1_Ehe_gKKBM4nLiYU4bBxVBGTmaci0JJWPVV1tFIVvBr0AT02PnqMgOXjc73TAg/s512/P1080435.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYLjyY_MZI64BFJlUWeGL13pdABm7VJYCEIxoPwvWRE4cBno6Rfx7msD-4mtmyc0CTWNsq4oL996qQemUHaF86s8I3iVGTD7p0oFCC8vW0SCbAeAHNVnwP0hRdbjjImC_oRAqtzXVjNVd/s512/P1080436.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rIQoHmjtaa-3qlP3n6kkXyTvCtHvSrO3Lntu9UU4an8_qrBjQyEftxDjWi5Cv5P4nZ4p4V7rh-MDHCJjXd7P-vbzx82oc3AEmIFkRDmVSoHq3SPe8zRNMIZqkDVRFsvm4q6x7_Y2usPq/s512/P1080437.JPG" />
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And finally, for M's 2 year old son, J, who hasn't gotten to see much of his mom since she's been in the hospital so much, a Noah's Ark card. :)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdMfApTi_AS0JkKoOiL9u2OCV73LyGUowVRY5nggOJN8bjxCsXqrKmAB2D6s07Z9i2kgNSNPhVz0UQf0vXiexOoM0Kf6DjSmpBxO3P0AJzbPgHyx_r0_44MfCCXWP6tO6DZ12Jldg9oH2/s512/P1080290.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4TZy4gz4etFMSQleB33xPyL0IsXkU59Il3wb7v0cqFtmUTRCeABXC4bWtdAV-JQkY2MKxtLsDmbCIO-YkmptTHP1pZI3iNamcZJ-QURWMFLLyDJK-KnYWaz5cNVrD-ZLSfOQHNEqA9jb/s512/P1080292.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxYoBYU7tIQHNuhJIxDYphZzkV0-dRJ_7yv4sAS2n5Z8L90nLJ5xsLGC5tsjcYu79T7n7TQd2GYcLwJHbt6lE8Nn2kOnLb6IMuQxFhsAUYspdbEm3dLgGucchTOUGLrnsjyJMHpnBU3Ad/s512/P1080293.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNG-6wGHdTy3PUFP-QAtOyYeVYE7z-bAjUGFRDTJbWRYPq1vqFycqJhkMcgQE2_EWRcfaTwsUDmsnrj0Bg4Tolgw8XrWXnrCBwZ7RINaav-NZ__UHMnRsI84IPOU0RxZN6IsYZw6UuVh8/s512/P1080295.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHD0Qiwr7V7yPofGL_xCjvuTObmWjtOeP7B8CMV5DF0waXOLs94os9-SfOQscYsmNEQs0ssrD2vsZKrQRaYwKIWGOjoQvPfmnkz-nfp6NX0tW5-SdNv1PcmZEF1vQo-q1XN7q2CJr2sQYu/s512/P1080297.JPG" />
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We hope that all of these will bring just a little smile and moment of joy and peace to them in these trials.Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-29860403034262116822012-07-23T17:59:00.002-07:002012-07-23T17:59:55.692-07:00Castle Combe ChristmasIt's Christmas in July, so time to make something winter-themed. :D<br />
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That, and I wanted to enter <a href="http://crafterscompanion-challenge.blogspot.com/">this month's challenge</a> at Crafter's Companion. And while I've entered my mom's birthday present, I'm not sure it really qualifies since it's not technically a stamp (though the CD *is* found under a stamps category, so we'll see). Thankfully, I found out that I can enter up to three times, and I've been wanting to do something with this stamp anyway, so...<br />
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I decided to use the <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/Art-Kure-EZMount-Stamp--Castle-Coombe_p_573.html?AffId=38">Castle Combe Art-Kure</a> stamp and a winter themed embossing folder from Cuttlebug, then cut the center out of the resulting embossed section to make a window to peek through. <br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QBGZ96uzBnwb7wf3bhLUnyaZlP0cCUAM_Lb_e_n2-c2hAUxoxawJ9jNDqvj8GMjHCQ2cuTbvbCqPI96ixyL5Z2R47MwvhwiQDZXMR1dPRCWFFSkMSnaVip8QvJbeb5HJlqco6RhbQCEL/s512/P1080394.JPG" />
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I'd intended to color the stamp with my tombow markers (I don't have any spectrum noir and don't know if I even like alcohol markers), but I discovered that I had something wrong. Pigment ink is not the same as archival. The black ink pad I have is not water proof. This makes coloring with markers difficult.<br />
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So I tried with my prismacolors, but colored pencil just wasn't quite strong enough for this one.<br />
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I thought about leaving it black and white, but liked the effect of color.<br />
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What I ultimately ended up with is discovering that my sakura glaze pens didn't smear the ink for some reason. And, I learned you can somewhat blend them (though not to the level you can with tombow markers or what I've seen with spectrum noir or letraset). Enough for what I wanted, at least.<br />
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So I colored it with glaze pens, used three different glues to apply the polar white flowersoft, then added a touch of glitter to some of the embossing. The three glues? The flowersoft glue goes down heavier so I used it for where I wanted the thickest snow. Then my quilling glue gave the next best dimension, and finally used the sakura quickie glue pen for the flattest areas of snow. I also used the sakura glue pen for applying the glitter.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMMzLZCpqG2QAA6i5rTobW3qylqx9xCjfbwQEjp1kycwhovKbnGo_cRnKhHff0jUB9GxYpIXbVrnbHuNe6enDxhgYqB0jcJdo1E1B9psBF-CM79QA7SblqMIDr7-EEYKVNq3o6pXtaayy/s512/P1080396.JPG" />
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What I've learned...<br />
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I need a new ink pad, for one. Glitter gets EVERYWHERE for two. And I love flowersoft. :DDarkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-89815770800959105742012-07-22T23:12:00.000-07:002012-07-22T23:12:49.674-07:00Sticky Situation - which glue to use?So, my first foray into using glue for crafts in many, many years was a few months ago when I discovered quilling. At that time, I got a kit from Lake City Quilling (Well, technically from Hobby Lobby) that was a good starter's kit. It included all sorts of tools, including glue.<br />
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What glue?<br />
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I have no idea, beyond that it's an acid free crafter's glue. And that it works wonderfully.<br />
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It's a fairly thin glue that flows easily (necessary for quilling), dries very quickly, dries clear, and has a good bonding.<br />
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I was using that for my other papercrafts, but really wanted to try some of these other glue applicators for larger surfaces. I was also curious about the glue pens that can be both permanent and repositionable. That just didn't make sense to me. How can it be both?<br />
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Then, furthermore, I had the flowersoft glue to consider.<br />
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What's the best?<br />
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And something I didn't find easily online... what's the drying time?<br />
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So, I got a few and decided to do my on comparison.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3gwki27x8ZY/UAuQ67EqFMI/AAAAAAAATEs/yP1If8Ny6ZA/s512/P1080320.JPG" />
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These were my candidates. The Zig glue pen from EK Success, the Tombow Multi liquid, the Sakura quickie glue, and my two fine-nosed applicators both with the quilling glue in them.<br />
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Though, it turns out they apparently don't *sell* the fine tip applicator on the left any more. Naturally it's my favorite. :p<br />
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Anyway, back to the test.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqCA-r5mfkx9bsX7Ognk-J-42rGXp7MYgVB-6VGi7-wCEET1P8j9JGX_kz4c0ul9t2npzzzGjEZzhde7d00LGEHLmg0_xpVfv5MQdeUZPmJlHsQfqNgZ2UaFiVNVIavNgd7dKmJnWRsg8/s512/P1080322.JPG" />
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I made a mark with each of the pens, and started a timer. As you can see, both the Zig and the Sakura go down blue. Theoretically, if you apply something when it's blue, it's a permanent bond, or wait until it dries clear and it's repositionable. As you can also see, the Zig pen was ok to write with, the Sakura pen wrote just like I was writing with any of their other gel pens, and the Tombow was not so easy to write with. The T is from the narrow tip, the smear from the broad tip.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbITL00x6upMdTDCjrR_dJmYGEayDpCQ5v9l14htXbkJ3GtdjB9WsfOi1YF-lZ0YS_DwhyQ9fL8H6evxz0XYXS9JWKCSZ4f14_kJq6_awrVDdUsytQ1zL7HW0GkVuHUXEo-OzRpeKWIPmp/s512/P1080323.JPG" />
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Once I got the three two-way glue samples down and started the timer, I went for the quilling glue using the applicator on the left. For this applicator, the cap is a pin that is supposed to be rust proof. For me, the shape of this applicator works wonderfully, though I have had trouble with pins rusting in them even though they were supposed to be rust proof pins. Anyway, for a fine, steady line, the quilling applicator worked the best. Which you might expect since it's used in quilling.<br />
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Clock ticking (we were at 3 minutes by this point, and you can tell the quickie has already mostly dried, as have the thinner sections of the zig) I went to use the other quilling applicator....<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OLPevDiyh1qeniiWnXfGIWCmuPDVPchdrIzDP6MRzeb7qRxuckPCmPcpmEazR8yS3L2tL1vCm5pOVBtnpjLCWWM54o0uStmyBtar4gfwFZOAPSoKLTzoCaVkPTKenT1eX1ez7X7dcgfn/s512/P1080324.JPG" />
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Um. That's not how that's supposed to work.The cap is supposed to come off the needle nose, not bring the nose with it.<br />
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So, after a bit of working, we were hitting the 15 minute mark, but I still wanted to show how the applicator worked.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaisuIqzOIX2OsgGTGgrnIjiBKTa_glIIKs_pSQrsCusTugIicg_uknYUrjd7pnggeCIf4H2VySGg9DSyb_TuzjoEKXnC5DDJ6ZIPqEXyEQq0kwIcuHvjUz12RbeM68tmh9sWoC0dDf8P/s512/P1080326.JPG" />
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I finally got the needle nose back in the proper place on that applicator, then applied a line. Which, as you can see, isn't as smooth as the other quilling applicator I liked better. It's not even as consistent as the flow in the Tombow, but is certainly a finer line. You can also see that after fifteen minutes, the quickie is dry, the zig is mostly dry, and the quilling glue (which is 3 minutes shorter in timing than the other samples) is almost dry at 12 minutes. (And I can vouch for the fact that when used to press two piece of paper together, with pressure applied rather than just sitting there air drying, the quilling glue dries to a usable hold in less than a minute). The Tombow glue is pretty much nowhere near dry. Though it's also not really usable to spread at this point, either.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSnIinJdfUhwHX-Z7XOnkazL1plxH6q3qFUMQfa5Fk4k2Ded-YlIlZywsrRocU6QKSWixULuo5CJcX762Z13pSe32HA4FW8IqeNzZToM-uPjc_bkq720-maYnCUTFwa9ecIkYDCbI_1Ko/s512/P1080328.JPG" />
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By thirty minutes, you can see that the quickie is still dry, the zig has caught up and is now dry, and the Tombow is showing signs of reaching the dry state. At least for the smeared stuff. The T is still thinking about it.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFqWZA9M1RZqgNIsMOuPSSjo2YS7OSM5__qOqQye1Pe80-DKAeJuB1ZNgwXHb7CLTdCJEnAELXM6voRAIF76lCed7X70lp495mVWqTKWiN6HHGFEq9EHL8bzXMzx8uMVwXKBvGcZUFjsK/s512/P1080329.JPG" />
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In fact, it took almost a full hour before the Tombow finally dried to its full "repositionable" state.<br />
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So how good (or bad) are these tackies?<br />
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Well, pressing my finger to the Quickie glue, I could lift the page up a couple of inches before it lost tack and fell off. Zig got maybe an inch farther than that. Quilling? It wasn't meant to be repositionable, so didn't try. But the Tombow? I got a good foot off the table with no sign of losing tack, shook my finger a bit and it still held well, yet came loose cleanly when I pulled it free.<br />
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How about for actual *gluing*? As in take a scrap piece of paper, apply glue to one corner, and fold the opposite corner to stick to the glue? Then apply pressure...<br />
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The quilling glue dried to the point of usability in 30 seconds. So did the Tombow, and the Zig, and the Sakura, and the flowersoft glue (which I didn't use in the drying test). So, for what glue is actually *meant* to do? They all glue.<br />
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But which is my favorite to use?<br />
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Hands down for just gluing, my quilling glue. It cleans up easily, flows smoothly, and just works well all the way around. But for anything I want repositionable? The Tombow is my preference. Even though it takes longer to dry, when I want something repositionable, I generally want it to stay where I put it until *I* tell it to move. And I'm not 100% convinced the other two will.<br />
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My least favorite? The Zig. While it's true that the only glue applicator in my bunch that you don't have to squeeze is the Sakura quickie glue pen, the Zig was the hardest on my wrist and fingers.<br />
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Hopefully, this little science experiment will help someone decide on which glue they might want to use in the future.<br />
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And maybe someday I'll add to it with some other options as well, like the elmer's glues. That'll be the next time I decide to spend an evening watching glue dry...Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-66805684511466159952012-07-21T23:06:00.001-07:002012-07-21T23:06:46.330-07:00Paintbox Poppets presentMom's birthday was this month (Happy "21 again" birthday, mom! Love you!), and so I finally got to share a project with her that I've had in the works for a few weeks.<br />
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The lovely Kathy over at <a href="http://www.kathysdouble-k-krafts.blogspot.com/">Kathy's Double-K Krafts</a> did a <a href="http://www.kathysdouble-k-krafts.blogspot.com/2012/06/200-follower-contest.html">project</a> (scroll down on the post to see it) using the <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/Paintbox-Poppets-Interactive-Papercrafting-CD-ROM_p_722.html">Paintbox Poppets CD</a> available at Crafter's Companion, and it really struck me as something absolutely perfect for my mom. So, I ordered the CD.<br />
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I expected maybe 10 projects we'd want to do from the CD....<br />
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Try more like 50? Those who have reviewed the CD to say it is packed with projects weren't kidding, nor were they exaggerating. It took me over an hour to decide what project I wanted to do.<br />
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This is what I decided on...<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHRmGbQCb4muEZyQJUWcwmy-4K2ko1XRxv4qB3q5LqsYfJIPg4mRsBjZ5p9BMz8Qa8v641jf04L3_zDgg26KrF3RuoixMhMN2YVeVdWAJy8dPFpLzPq-23_AxlSyJjEvEncVgQU_P1wDI/s512/P1080282.JPG" />
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The project as presented on the CD is a box frame, and as first printed it comes out so that the full thing is not quite 5 inches square. That made the girl inside a bit smaller than what I really wanted. I found that by telling Acrobat (which you do need for the frame projects) to fit to printer margins, it made the whole thing closer to 6 inches square. I also ended up printing 3 copies of the decoupage page and making a decoupage frame instead of using the box frame that printed with the original project. For my tastes, the box frame that was printed was too deep for the project and overwhelmed the girl. That's not necessarily the case for all of the frame projects, though.
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Anyway, after cutting and applying the decoupage pieces (of which there are 5 layers), I used my sakura glaze pens to add some dimension and shine to the fruit and the honey, then used flowersoft on the flowers. I also touched up the girl's skintones with a light touch of the prismacolor colored pencils and discovered that just the tiniest bit can make a subtle but significant difference in appearance.
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For the frame, I didn't just want three layers of a flat square, but didn't like any of my dies for embellishments, either. What I ended up doing was cutting a lacy edge on corner triangles, then outlining the edge with a green glaze pen for just a touch more dimension.
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Finally, I used my nifty envelobox creator to create an envelobox for the project, and used a dimensional sticker for the clasp. A touch of tombow glue allowed to dry to be repositionable made the finishing touch so the box would close and stay closed yet be easily openable too.
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Viola! Birthday present for mom!
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihs7do_Q8ySGIjPB-o6lKgYMD_OckuDqHBboWI2ltPQPLXdD8X1YN-v3XaK8TjU5xokg_LHFierp4Ny1u9p9uMdrCJsCUKvUhYAi4pUzC2WkP2asEXaFt0BpkEuL_apxUeYK6USk4QzkrW/s512/P1080280.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6B_W-w50WrTZ_Hn2ur4NvtfFjAyi0KXolksmJhjLUQOplKwhxK7OGB71n_r_A0S0tzajZhxJ0ESMORj7J8mmO8ZB0qhp3IA9OsgIalTdgxv334Exj5SY8snEJ3IfOeRpZw804jNVSMlk/s512/P1080281.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQeDQ3GQ5vqvO0asYM11xRPO2k5k7m-2HqhjWHsIx5nJZqT7s6htcpQUmV3fHxzhQx6_JCUBvBp2gR0Z6g8VQYWwa-R-raN5Zz-e7uWUsTe7JE97HC9diJ0xo8p_PvBA-RrMQ6Au1XuAJ/s512/P1080283.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kbEUnXKDZHcx1VlYK2xTJZXQZMidAWVdmtPEn4EmpI0TZ2zmzGt1TeMYlnw6t5-H6iIit2D_u3VnSsbMaSbWhmIoUGuaetaJyMiqj9PTRwgBIOy70w8OgzjTae3eAHFt3zVkQFKQ1Sbs/s512/P1080284.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1WyuvxZ1Jgo/UAuQoni7gQI/AAAAAAAATFU/dcIbfLw3gWE/s512/P1080287.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNl_RVLM0M5Uc_6mTKIxU7kv7JoHQwJ7oe362YHkmHsEz5tFtHSAR9CxX1x1tcePb4QT7Hd8dGc4BT0htXJsBib9Z5EPDhTGK5JhihaNJT306enxOb_9TRSnwVO9vEHXF6rD70W7Bg7Xv/s512/P1080288.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bFrIJM73VSA/UAuQnt4DX3I/AAAAAAAATFM/WYSn-AUrK64/s512/P1080285.JPG" />Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-91507337411155360012012-07-20T21:56:00.002-07:002012-07-20T21:56:46.259-07:00Another blog candy giveaway :)Berrylicious has a great giveaway for some fun blog candy as a celebration of hitting 100,000 hits. Hop on over and take a look :)<br />
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<a href="http://berryliciousblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/100000-hits-candy.html">http://berryliciousblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/100000-hits-candy.html</a>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-68208363407200595422012-07-20T21:17:00.003-07:002012-07-20T21:18:02.077-07:00Huge giveaway of Prima products!Ingvild Bolme is giving away a huge stash of Prima products in celebration of her new blog design! Hop over and take a look<br />
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<a href="http://www.ingvildbolme.com/2012/07/win-mountain-of-prima-products.html">http://www.ingvildbolme.com/2012/07/win-mountain-of-prima-products.html</a>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-91639477854815060382012-07-05T22:44:00.000-07:002012-07-05T22:44:20.905-07:00Koi PondThis past year (or more!), my mom had a koi pond put into her back yard. A month or so ago, she went out to feed them and discovered that she had more koi than she'd stocked the pond with. She was so excited to have baby koi, I knew I had to do a project with a koi for her. Really, I'd been planning something koi for a while, but hadn't come up with anything I liked until we found some koi stickers and I started quilling.
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Then it came together.
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Several weeks later (granted, I did work on other projects at the same time, and had to hide it from mom so it would be a surprise), I finished her koi pond. It's a little under 6 inches on a side.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbnsVoN7_1ZozrAXwAXcBc5tZgAhImXsjCsEQg9viQblZaL6NZBfcTDcltEayxR825Z7p7vO5AOBEsObdxx3vfBOEUz347IqWCF5gM7dutlYeClTltdQEsZoUryYdEaLQR1MfEBn7H8aQ/s512/P1080251.JPG" />
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I used parchment cardstock, some Martha Stewart punches, a sizzix die, Michael's recollections soft flowers (the type that come in glass bottles, and which may not be available any more...), koi stickers, flowersoft, and did some quilling.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiE42GCWb0c9A5P7jj59RKOj6HpUn7EiKL_E59yuAwcX1QwLPTrgOOePZIrjOc8pgbIr2bDd7Wv6uJuRMjHg88r8YOFSvadztM3BZNbh8GqC5rZrcY-TcdIN0MYUxituSG5s3LMb8_8Ly/s512/P1080252.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-K8QOGBiFo0KoUK3VekxRZAGdi-EoGpqqPu0xRkLaFyL0gQ54UZ7gFnkGKB4WhITEHh0njP-WUeZJcnzNfxKL9qFAxVWXTYKc015XJ3lzgvlsb3BCM6TvDXKyr95QoZe09tB_qkf45pg/s512/P1080253.JPG" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hCx3a1WfJ5E/T-_QbwFPXrI/AAAAAAAAS5s/9hE_st6e4xc/s512/P1080254.JPG" /><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kiEM0rbmYd4/T-_Qg3sZTHI/AAAAAAAAS6c/32zfAFo0MWk/s512/P1080260.JPG" />
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I also used the envelobox creator to make an envelobox to store it in, and for safe transport from my house to mom's. Besides, the envelobox is a new toy, and you gotta play with new toys when you can. ;)
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvmG1H8d514/T-_QmRa2ILI/AAAAAAAAS7M/RK-cGhXpAwk/s512/P1080266.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8oMNjezIq5t95xn3SXhOIsC7H4H6hke381rbzRVRJdFYsacnJeyCDRtvLJeSzsrk43n4tyBJ1dLXXQ1AO4IrvFYnqXdR-GL_4A6t6bSc_oHtZ8xCDk_9fSmlWc-0M6JexwRTt37b__n_/s512/P1080268.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsRvhDrujxOj69nVFk23pAjTrc9ldpX5YelF3hYr7ovqRV_RpBjCmlPZ_pQEzyls-X3lgwaGuvnHPeRo1LMMn2JFfUoLRnw-7fgqB82IcteexLNGIpy8WSnVasjwuCi6qjK_x-fDFJ_Gi/s512/P1080269.JPG" />Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-80445278164226606092012-06-28T22:25:00.000-07:002012-06-28T22:25:38.883-07:00Steampunk ShadowboxSo, a couple of months back, at a Hobby Lobby sale, mom and I came across these really cute steampunk dimensional stickers. I loved them, she loved them, and she asked "what's steampunk."
The next few weeks were spent teaching her about steampunk (which, while not my *favorite* genre, is one I like) and picking up various supplies for a paper-plus crafting project. I don't know what you call it when you go from just paper products to paper, stamps, metal embellishments, wood....
She decided she was overwhelmed with everything, so asked me to make something for her. Knowing what sorts of things she likes, I ended up deciding on a shadowbox. And here's the result. Hope you enjoy! I sure enjoyed making it.
<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lgwyBUiQ0Gk/T-knvHrB1BI/AAAAAAAASx0/VSe9aMaaIhM/s512/P1080233.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYd-9F-jiwgj9Uciz6_d832oL5Xn2jvnUVg-S7i73ffyI_i8zMl3nmD50sxMfhmP2cE5TLI4urZHCUmcZzsPzWp39zh8v207tgaEQrTwlF9a86ij7xnAhq-STZh7fmoOIe6lqeMiaDOi1u/s512/P1080219.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo1BuZuNpLICDwpOV5CTYgp2fKJXvnmFOJ-JhgL-fcQanxz8RxZ50n3IP3OzzFurx6AHKlqeWDw-bNO47a08j4xJKKD7hHvCY1U0LJmiD926XyCFJN1L6K47ZfgA7mExwxaBHF4extIvp/s512/P1080220.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDozBHG0-jl6uN79-OW9IBY1AD6ccpV6S_mD9j3-OSUxVyboC7sBVW1-ZHjgDH7BTDhSDl8laqm-ktYnRht9_Unn9L0qHhujRvx8k9zEyxPiEmoC3GSkVeMfzh8V4n1qqbGmqWMSnsG9YO/s512/P1080228.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YUfgmgqktbc/T-kntqG4rgI/AAAAAAAASxk/YBJrKq-JArA/s512/P1080229.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tPObnI81Zx6SK37-0XbWAm_N1oMT0j3bCDL8hiWkNqs7ktKv_6T-mwobfpvY1ASItSJ0IARTNxpixqs95i5qqyB0UiJts2dbwqq1w7cb-vVgPz87IjhWqMNnMz0g39vG4tO1ww89gkOa/s512/P1080232.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLLjU6qQOQ-Ty6CZnBsJj0PCLkfNEJqJQBjtWEBdVIk5KK85MUy-kbatCVauHoRN2HDo6ca5x24zaGlFEnk5GiXF4Ez9epdlDJXgUC9L4wrF_79tmYbVqGfLj9gteFzLRJjSWqZIDcDBg/s512/P1080243.JPG" />Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-19207461338722028362012-06-16T21:51:00.000-07:002012-06-16T21:51:55.098-07:00Envelobox Creator!A short while back, I won a prize package through <a href="http://kathysdouble-k-krafts.blogspot.com/">Kathy's Double K Krafts</a> and <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/">Crafter's Companion</a>. Specifically, it was the prize package of an <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/The-Envelobox-Creator_p_371.html">Envelobox Creator</a>, <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/The-Boxer_p_372.html">Boxer</a>, their scoring and embossing styluses (stylusi? What is the plural of stylus...), and <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/The-Ultimate-Advanced-Construction-Techniques-DVD_p_373.html">DVD</a> (the last of which is still on back order).
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<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-re5CRedRB_s/T91dSPt2EvI/AAAAAAAASus/ETd7WXJ4rD4/s512/P1080067.JPG" />
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I knew I liked the sound of the set just from the pictures and videos, but I like it even more once it came. The boards are very sturdy, and very easy to use. I also have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martha-Stewart-Crafts-Scoring-Envelope/dp/B0036FDKZS">Martha Stewart scoring board</a>, which I love as well. However, the envelobox creator I think is actually sturdier and easier to use with heavy cardstock. I get lost on which scoring groove I'm using on the Martha Stewart one on occasion -- not so on the envelobox creator. It is very well marked, and the grooves are just a little wider than on the Martha Stewart board. And having all the measurements already done for you? Very nice. Very, very nice.
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<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xgNP3v1T7bg/T91dThUl9gI/AAAAAAAASvE/30Rj4jVEP_0/s512/P1080070.JPG" />
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I haven't actually used the boxer yet, but it feels just as sturdy as the envelobox creator.
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7vzmI6Gb9iw/T91dTabkjxI/AAAAAAAASvk/7lobWYiF-xM/s512/P1080069.JPG" />
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The envelobox creator and the boxer are both intended to be used with the <a href="http://www.crafterscompanion.com/The-Ultimate-Crafters-Companion_p_9.html">Ultimate Crafter's Companion</a>, which I don't have. However, I found the boards fit rather well when nested on the Martha Stewart board. They'd probably be much better with the Companion.
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<img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Y3g41GSHaak/T91dUmp6NwI/AAAAAAAASvU/1z_yVJqjb24/s512/P1080072.JPG" />
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Personally, I'm a detail person, and I like to make very fine lines. So I barely use the larger embossing stylus. So far, anyway.
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<img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0B9NwGPh7zA/T91dStBu5TI/AAAAAAAASvc/rU5xQ88Zf84/s512/P1080068.JPG" />
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I haven't done much embossing in years, but I decided to try it out again with the patterns that came on the envelobox. I really am impressed with how clear the designs come out even if you score over something that isn't part of the design. As in, if you miss the groove, no problem. The way these embossed designs are positioned, it doesn't show up on the front at all. And there's no need for a light box, either.
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Now, I've had a specific project in mind for this thing from the moment I learned about it -- even before finding out I'd won the package.
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Remember the embellished papercraft frames I've been doing for gifts?
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1gGgqAEVvJdTSfI8wVdbg2ZEanieUNcqPWbesTw2QLjuiAhgT8zenDN_gFX-6dQBfGBK6VkFu7zFA1TYz04z6tiKeByET3cvkll2Xw08UhTYkaYZzrmNsn_qaObEg6R1OB_ENmvFUzea/s512/P1060919.JPG" />
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Well, I need a safe way to mail them, and I just wasn't happy with any of the commercially found products. Mail in a plain box, sure. That I'm going to do. But the frames need to be protected before putting them in a standard mailing box.
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It took me three tries of experimenting with the enveloboxer and the instructions (which, overall, are pretty good even without the DVD) to find the right combination and get the measurements right. It also helps when you actually read *all* of the instructions... little pro tip there. Skipping one in your excitement results in a failed box. ;)
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But, I did finally get some enveloboxes made that are perfect for what I had in mind.
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<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t6p2foGJlE8/T91S4Qle5MI/AAAAAAAASuQ/nMWf4vqi_c0/s512/P1080060.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-TRCtLmYNYrKtAuqmeTDix6_Oy7H_AScA_pTRIPoZbE44BrcCwoyB7IbZbRcEZ3B4bV4pjsMfp80Jq4-7O0A0duXaCOlHzYsW3gOoqIhM_tEdm8g0lTgtT3ijCYOFU_j2AHvRWat8Zwg/s512/P1080062.JPG" />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7YHkH3kIFHxukzdE5FA19nK6sMwsk1PGdesUQWt85npHNjlf4AMYdaH5Z-BwvxDGl2yJFzl9688PJimFW1nrqM8jaD2ZVsyJmxwns_vzgiDPU4rzw21CUTHwVmoC5yWQcRWhyphenhyphenDRVfogl/s512/P1080063.JPG" />
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I can see I'm going to get a lot of fun out of these things, and I've only just begun.Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-48963290690331552062012-06-08T20:52:00.000-07:002012-06-08T20:52:40.618-07:00A trip means new tangle patterns!Just got back from a trip to DC, and of course ever since discovering Zentangle, I look for patterns everywhere. This trip resulted in one set and one individual pattern that I don't think I've seen before. So, I present them to you :D
First pattern is inspired by the lamps in the lobby of our hotel:<br>
<img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F8gL5Ynkv6w/T87J9Wx4N0I/AAAAAAAASEU/9BZt64JO9XI/s512/P1070097.JPG" /><br>
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I call this one, TOG, for Triangles of Glass: <br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnCiHT4kHksJLPqrR8V68MJi8gcIWHxWLsrybWyzHcXxeSH1LSsr89romzdyZrGNnqjKU1p2kJDAByXv_A3H4FtsitX1TAV9GxfmsiDCtbrYdq3M9jN1b0JdpuIr8gk_v7PvvKHSjDKGZ/s512/Scan-007.jpg" /><br>
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The second is a set, really. All of these come from a single architectural detail seen on one of the buildings in DC.<br>
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjyZLP5J57t6OPPOjUKOKxm0zYgl_5qxaNL-KRvjayvnE7OSm5M1kv0I7acudY4MEDpxu3QIz0CJIqoDMrH9Hb8Lw1H8g9ZRemUB7SSjLhwySTbkEpf4SafyAgUIi_XaEyirhKZVoMqz-/s512/P1070161.JPG" /><br>
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It took a while to find the correct architectural name for these things. It's called a spandrel. So I've named the pattern Spandrae. <br>
<img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4U-ZujCjvWE/T9AvOLN0CdI/AAAAAAAASuA/LS0AZCPa1Js/s512/Scan-006.jpg" />
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In this set, each variation builds off of the one I've called -seed. "Seed" because it is the seed from which the rest grow. Spandrae Pearl is pretty obvious, just fill in the circles. For Spandrae Cavi, add three smaller circles at the four corners of each square. "Cavi" for "caviar" ;). Spandrae Trico puts triangles at the four corners, and Spandrae Trico Plus and Spandrae Fancy both build off of Spandrae Trico. Trico Plus adds triangles pointing inward (but not touching) the center circle. Spandrae fancy builds from there to put little curlies on the top and bottom triangles. Finally, Spandrae Wings goes back to start from Spandrae Seed and adds curling wings from the center circle.
Enjoy!
(And if you ever end up using one of my patterns, I would love to see what you do with it.)Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-77061385995196836702012-06-02T18:17:00.002-07:002012-06-02T18:17:37.666-07:00Yummy crafty stash giveawayCandy over at <a href="http://candyscraftcorner.blogspot.ca/2012/05/one-year-blogaversary-giveaway.html">Candy's Craft Corner</a> is holding a one year blogaversary giveaway with all sorts of nice stash. Hop over and take a look!Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-23351227742082667692012-05-31T18:37:00.001-07:002012-05-31T18:37:48.856-07:00One prize came! Also: have you seen this pattern?I got my first prize package, the one from <a href="http://nannys-room.blogspot.com/">Jeanne Forsyth</a>!
<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/J6wcGCKUwL" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vduaH1j56qI/T8gTZkbWAMI/AAAAAAAASC4/ZPGSLvBHJcA/s512/P1070067.JPG" /></a>
It consists of a Pelikano junior pen, a Stillman & Birn beta series sketchbook, and a lovely watercolor ATC. I haven't gotten to actually *use* either of these yet, but I am enjoying the feel of them. ;) The paper in the sketchbook is *really* good. Very heavy watercolor paper. I just have a problem now that I haven't thought of anything that I want to do on such nice paper. I'll probably end up doing a zendala or three. I can see how this would be a fantastic field journal. Good sturdy covers that will give a clipboard feel.
The pen has a fountain head, but no mess of dealing with dipping ink. I haven't dared actually *use* it yet, because I'm going to a formal dinner on Monday and don't want to do so with ink stained hands. So, playing with it will have to wait until next week. ;)
I just know I'm going to have a lot of fun playing with these new toys.
Unrelated to the package, I did another pattern (taken from the background on something I saw on TV), and I want to see if anyone's done this or not. It's similar to the official pattern Assunta, but not quite the same. I could have sworn I've actually seen this before, but I haven't been able to find it.
So, have you seen this pattern before? If not, let's name it! (And I'll get a better scan if this pattern isn't already out there)
<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/BUUNuu3mdf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ls6i3zj6_FE/T8gTbBQE9NI/AAAAAAAASDA/SH7lfbxXqSs/s512/P1070068.JPG" /></a>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-58638721487576115142012-05-30T15:40:00.002-07:002012-05-30T15:40:42.994-07:00Zendala Dare 4, plus a new patternSo, I'm a bit late getting this one posted, but I finally scanned my entry for Erin's <a href="http://thebrightowl.blogspot.com/2012/05/zendala-dare-4.html">Zendala Dare 4</a>. I've had it finished for a couple of weeks now, it's just been a matter of getting it scanned. The idea this time was to have either a beach or Mexico theme. Well, I love ancient archaeology, and will always remember the trip my parents and I took to Chitzen Itza when I was in high school. So, when she said Mexico, I thought Mayan.
<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/g9HxqiH5Cb" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2xDecMhyxDA/T7M389-4NlI/AAAAAAAAR6Q/t9vkBEjJlCc/s512/Scan-001.jpg" /></a>
To finish the piece in the way I wanted, I needed a pattern that in this setting would evoke thoughts of Mayan Hieroglyphics, so I put together my own pattern. For Mayo-Hiero, the idea is to put formless blobs in the center of the block.
<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/frUZ3Bc8bu" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3rLjiCnO-zfSVEFJkGvwOq5dOVfF_g1aOp59UggY6VbjB7iqQro2XFfSZ64jck-xwZCRfdzx82LI0ahK0bLBUSxKFFkfSA0x-N0bDqxyPNwo4T2imTH-jOdFvURALEqN40Lv4FhfXDRs/s512/Scan-004.jpg" /></a>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4853023133055473441.post-35333557445508887732012-05-23T09:37:00.000-07:002012-05-23T09:37:58.623-07:00Just a few cardsI guess you would call these cards. Cards? Picture frames?
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Paper Crafts. That'll cover it. :D<br>
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These are what I've been working on lately.<br>
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This one is for a friend's daughter and their baby granddaughter.<br>
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<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/8LptCGVtBF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sH0-yHiN_R4/T7R3VHiEKbI/AAAAAAAAR64/5My6IbHJX9c/s512/P1060926.JPG" /></a><br>
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And this one's for my grandfather's upcoming birthday<br>
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<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/NhT80Q7f9N" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0RJ0Hwc-EkB4HFRPlWusXNKPBWkXsDDgvJrj7-eq_GckBsRDj9KOH8mGE6gFOSxEpoNb9vCEqjg-b_zotrEvC6Ap8AEGB67nrb_6R11s6qRJBBENm4_zb3rIQnaBQtp84eVCyrbLs0PB/s512/P1060923.JPG" /></a><br>
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I did this one for my grandma for Mother's Day<br>
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<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/I9nnrnzeOF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1gGgqAEVvJdTSfI8wVdbg2ZEanieUNcqPWbesTw2QLjuiAhgT8zenDN_gFX-6dQBfGBK6VkFu7zFA1TYz04z6tiKeByET3cvkll2Xw08UhTYkaYZzrmNsn_qaObEg6R1OB_ENmvFUzea/s512/P1060919.JPG" /></a><br>
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This one for mom for Mother's Day (that's her cat, Figaro, in the quilled black and white)<br>
<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/QoQy8NePCg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9aVw5UTlKLDEksOEEYBq2tikQZgCNc86BOjdzIcxv4-3x9aP2XYj629ymmlHaMa8rYzhKUIQIjrrn7k1qUjrOVDapJF-AnDs1VW6fE4Q6PCPc_Nfr0DRm4Ku0OXeat5VE_dg-fgqNrJV/s512/P1060917.JPG" /></a><br>
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And this as just a 'thinking of you' gift for my aunt and uncle. My uncle's Parkinson's has gotten worse, so this is just for a pick-me-up.<br>
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<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/V38HoiUYTL" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LDl_llFz16EXPEm7aNaDLBYuq31EKlo0n9nGmhYYFmkpeaDLJVUxlu3TrrkUxI9srJ5B9tGqbbVCPa1N3JRtTA6yxudb8wRvk6S0zvxNogx9LhuFMR9vsZg74NN8XCQEkxGAJc5k2YOO/s512/P1060928.JPG" /></a><br>Darkskyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14461105403864674853noreply@blogger.com0