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SPREAD JOY NOT GERMS BLOG HOP

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We’re doin’ our part, staying home to stay safe and keep others safe and so that others on the front lines, my younger sister among them, can fight the good fight.

But, we CAN stay connected—a bunch (understatement) of us have joined together for a massive creative hop, designed to spread a lotta JOY, no germs. (wink)

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Typically I reach for watercolors, colored pencils or alcohol markers to color in my images but this time I wanted to try ink blending over the top of some white embossed images. This is more of a “resist” effect/way of doing things.

In hindsight, I think I probably should have grabbed even smaller brushes, but I think it still turned out OK—smaller brushes just would have better enabled me to achieve the shading I was going for in specific areas. Note to self: Keep practicing. (wink)

SPONSORS AND PRIZES!


THIRTY ONE companies are offering more than FIFTY prizes on this hop! Comment on the blogs on the hop to be entered. No minimum number of comments required, but the more blogs you comment on, the greater the chances of winning.

Deadline to enter is April 24 and winners will be announced on Monday, April 27 on the Catherine Pooler Designs and Hedgehog Hollow blogs. Please check there on that date to see if you won!

Full details and hop list are available here:

Catherine Pooler Blog

Hedgehog Hollow Blog

If you get lost along the way, please visit the Catherine Pooler or Hedgehog Hollow links above to see the full roster.

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Thank you for commenting, and may the odds be ever in your favour! (wink)

Your next stop along the hop is Vicki Ditcher’s blog, All I Do is Stamp

Stay safe and healthy, folks

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SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES

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Two amazing women and small business owners, Jamie Gracz and Ellen Hutson, are supporting each other in a very unique way during this extremely challenging time and I wanted to share. Now through April 24th, you can save 20% using code ELLENHUTSON at Avery Elle.

I’ve also got a quick share of one of my favoritest (so not a word, but should be) Avery Elle Stamp Sets:

I LOVE pho —and yes, it is one of my all time favorite meals and one of the best comfort foods evvvah! This set was illustrated by the talented Caryn Davies, of Glitter Me Silly. Caryn has a crazy good sense of humor—if you ever have the good fortune to meet her, she’ll make you laugh sooo soooooo hard!

All the images were stamped with Gina K’s Amalgam Jet Black Ink and colored in with Copic Markers. Used a mini score board to make the background—I wanted it to look like all the yummy goodies were raining down into the bowl. Mission accomplished! (fist pump)

This card is making me hungry—I could just swim in a good bowl of pho, I love it so muchly . . .

Hope this card sparked an idea or two for you!

Stay safe and stay healthy!

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STRETCHING YOUR STAMPS

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(chortle)

Oh, Rainbow Dog, I smile every time I look at you! (insert gleeful grin here)

This is an extremely simple design, without much in the way of technique—you could say, it’s a more literal interpretation of “stretching your stamps”, heh, heh, heh!

I don’t think much of an explanation is needed, but hey, if you have questions, just ask. And, if you want to duplicate this card, the orange, yellow and green strips measure 5/8 x 4 1/4”. Finished card is your standard A-2 (measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2”). Specific paper, ink and marker colors are listed below in the supplies.

I found it easiest to space things out by gluing the pink and blue dogs into position first, then the orange and green, with yellow being positioned last. Popped the whole thing into the MISTI so I could stamp the sentiment nice and straight in the desired spot.

If you would take a moment to leave a comment on today’s post, I’ll draw a name randomly this Friday evening, Mar 27th; I’ll email the winner and send this card out via snail mail.

Stay home, stay healthy, stay crafty. (wink)

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3 SIMPLE BOTANICAL CARDS - FLORA & FAUNA 3RD BIRTHDAY

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My friends over at Flora & Fauna are celebrating 3 years!

They have a big sale going on to celebrate—20% off Mar 19-23, with code: birthday3

These three cards feature images from their most recent release. If you’re like me and adore hand-drawn, whimsical imagery, their stamps are so SO fun to work with!

Feat. Flora & Fauna Butterfly Dreams

Feat. Flora & Fauna Butterfly Dreams

I love how the butterfly white embossed on black POPS against that colorful flower. I used Fresh Inks in Peach, Tomato Red, Celery and Basil for this one.

Feat. Flora & Fauna Tropical Leaves | Everyday Word Party

Feat. Flora & Fauna Tropical Leaves | Everyday Word Party

Just watercolored (with Kuretake Gansai Tambi) some patches of green in various hues and then gold embossed this gorgeous leafy stem onto vellum; it’s secured to the card front with glue dots—the line details really help conceal those glue dots nicely!

Feat. Flora & Fauna Tropical Leaves | Word Party 3

Feat. Flora & Fauna Tropical Leaves | Word Party 3

OK . . . my name is liar—I actually had FOUR cards, but I forgot to grab the fourth one to shoot. I’ll shoot and share it another day—not sure why I forgot it, but hey, it’s crazy times right now, right?! Anyway, I took part of my third card and used it on this one above. I’ll give you a hint: I used a particular EH die that made pulling this off super easy . . .


Hope you’re staying healthy during this time, and maybe getting an opportunity to craft and make cards!

Thanks for stopping by!

When you purchase via my affiliate links, I receive a small commission from the vendor. Thanks so much for your support!


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BEAR COZY KIT

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When I was a kid, I used to hand-embroider things like dishcloths, pillowcases and hankies and I had a little box to keep my flosses, needles, bits of fabric and an embroidery hoop. It was the very first hand-craft I can remember trying. (insert happy sigh here)

I’ve been having so much fun with this kit—I made THREE cozies straight away and man, I gotta say that I had forgotten how satisfying and relaxing just doing a simple blanket stitch (totally optional, but, isn’t it purdy????) is! I could makes these guys all day long, seriously! And, they’re just soOOoo stinkin’ cute, I can’t even . . . •all the heart eyes•

I added just two simple straight stitches to each of the eyes on my white bear, for eyelashes. And, my brown bear in the background has an even simpler whip stitch around his edges. love LOVE!!!

Here’s a few more details:

The kit is $29.99 and includes the dies, enough felt to make 12 cozies, coordinating embroidery floss, and access to additional digital content. It's perfect for a crafty get together with friends and I already know my granddaughter will want to make a pink bear cozy (pink is her favorite color, naturally!)

It all comes in a reusable, vinyl mesh zippered bag—super handy for keeping everything organized, storage AND for taking on-the-go! I love the fact that this kit is set up for peeps who like to sew and those who don't (various adhesives are listed below)—check out my YouTube video on the Ellen Hutson channel HERE for easy-peasy how-to’s and tips!


I can’t take the cuteness . . .

Have a fab day!