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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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CREATE FOR YOURSELF

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Crafting, just for me—for the fun of it—is a rare and elusive event. Nowadays, working as a creative within the industry involves a hellalot more than just “making a card”. Truth.

But, when you get the chance to make, just for the sake of making, for yourself—without restriction or parameters, without a million other things and deadlines looming over you or interruptions . . . oh my, how refreshing that is for the creative soul and your inner well-being. Ask me how I know . . .

I filmed myself making the above card and gave myself permission to NOT spend an hour in the master bedroom closet and possibly 25 gazillion takes on a voice over (pollen + allergies have been driving me nuts)—just me making a card from start-to-finish, with some relaxing music. Uploaded to my IGTV channel so you can see it there or here. ↓



Thanks for stopping by and hangin’ with me for a few minutes out of your day.

Stay safe, stay healthy!

NO COLORING FUNNY BIRTHDAY CARD

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Last minute birthday cards don’t have to be “generic”—they can still be funny and relatable, UKWIM? Sausage dog got a little too much party goin’ on . . . (chortle)

All the images were stamped with coordinating (meaning they “look good together”, not matchy matchy) ink hues on pretty colors of card stock—I don’t always have the time, nor the desire, to meticulously color things. I had scraps of pretty colors of card stock just sitting in my bins, so it made sense to use them up this way—saved me time, reduced waste. What more can you ask for?

Oh yeah, you do have to add a dash of humor. (wink)

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I did borrow from a variety of sets* to pull this off the way I wanted, but um, soooooo very worth it! (cheeky grin) Also raided my stash of pom poms and wiggly eyes for just the right embellishment. And, helloooOOOooooOO—Glossy Accents on the wine and bottle for the win! (monkey clapping)

It’s Wednesday. Just in case you’re losing track of your days in isolation.

Stay cozy at home and stay healthy! Please.

LUCKY LADY(BUG)

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Once I get on a roll with something, I seem to enjoy making various reiterations of it; this time, after making the DIY chipboard with Pale Rose Card Stock, I used Copic Markers to create the ombré effect. Just had to include this sweet ladybug from the Mondo Gerbera Daisy—just too perfect for this particular design.

The ladies got coated with Glossy Accents for dimension, after I used a colored pencil to lightly shade them in.

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I didn’t apply Glossy Accents to the “lucky” chipboard this time around because I really loved the matte finish in contrast to the glossy ladybugs. And those little black scallop rows* are such a sweet and delicate accent! I tossed the leftovers into a zip lock bag for any time I need them. Handy!!!

Have a fab day!

*ETA: The above sample was made in NOV 2019; since that time, the Scallops die as an individual has sold out so I have linked to the Pattern Dies Combo.