4 of the best

The DCM dare for this week is to use their most popular challenges of 2007 together : 'and cut', frames, buttons and ribbon. I've managed all those. For now I have only scanned as it's dark, but will try and photograph this when it's light so that you can see the glimmer. I have sprayed everything in sight, but particularly like the effect on the white ribbon bow.

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Stamps : Stampington Butterfly Girl; R&L Travel France set; Time to Stamp ATC set1

Inks : Glimmer mist Black Cherry and Candy Apple Red; DI refill Antique Linen; StazOn Saddle Brown and Black; DI Antique Linen and Aged Mahogany

Extras : Mini red buttons; Slide Mount Frame; PP by Paper Mania; white bow; Perfect Pearls 'pearl'

Man of Letters

The 4x4 Friday challenge is to use sequin waste or an equivalent in stamps in some way on your art work.
I have sponged through a piece with various colours as I like the depth it gives to the background. The sequins I have are not quite the right colour, so I used a spiral clip instead.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy Letters 5; Stampington Fresh Flowers Elements

Inks : DI Broken China, Peeled Paint, Weatherd Wood and Faded Jeans; Archival Grape; DI refill Antique Linen

Extras : Perfect Pearls 'Pearl'; Spiral Clip; Sequin Waste

Thank you with a flourish

The Theme Thursday challenge is to include flourishes. With this card I would like to say thank you to all of you who have sent me Christmas wishes, cards, or emails. It means such a lot to me.

It also gives me the opportunity to use the embellishments given to me by my children, and to play with more homemade glimmer mist.

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Stamps : BLine Leaf Swirl; HA Written Thank you; Stampington Butterfly Girl

Inks : DI Tattered Rose and Aged Mahogany; Versamark; DI Refill Antique Linen

Extras : DCWV beige and pink card; Paper Cellar pearl circles; Perfect Pearls 'Pearl'; Clear EP

Imagine using doileys!

There's a great tutorial on http://www.scrapperlicious.blogspot.com/ about using doileys and their impressions.
My doiley has very few holes, but lovely leaves, so I used the stamped waste. I sprayed it with patina glimmer mist, and then distressed the atc with what was left on the craft mat.
The Wednesday Stamper challenge is open themed this week, with a suggestion that you use your Christmas presents. The gm was a gift from my parents, who were rather bemused that I should want such a thing (I bought it for them to give to me!). ---
Stamps : Hampton Arts Imagine; HA dragonflies

Inks : Glimmer Mist Patina; DI Broken China, Dusty Concord and Black Soot

Extras : Prima flowers; paper doiley; purple brad

RAKs

I received this puzzle decoration from Donna's draw after the Santa Claus fest on December 6th. In real life it looks even better, and is quite large. Both it and the bauble below will become part of our annual decoration collection - all the more special as they are made by friends. The bauble was sent by Isa when I ordered her book. Thank you both very much.

I received another RAK from the Quietfire team who host Created By Hand challenge. This was a digital page of vintage images - no doubt you will see these in due course.

I can't believe how generous everybody is, and how lucky I've been to have been chosen in draws. Thank you!

Christmas Day

This is from me to you to say happy, happy Christmas. May you know joy and peace today as we celebrate Christ's birth.

Believe

The Theme Thursday challenge is an ATC with wings. Here's my angel, beseeching us to believe in the true meaning of Christmas.

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Stamps : Crafty Individuals 21; HA Dainty Flower Background

Inks : H2Os in Cranberry, Snap Dragon and Blue Flame; Versamark pen; DI Black Soot; Archival Grape

Extras : black lace; Jones Tones Lazer Gems; image from Flickr; Candy Turquoise EP

Cards from blogging friends

from Tania, Rein and Leni, and Jacqueline. The 4th is from Rachel, a non blogging 'crafty' friend.

Thank you ladies.

Stocking tags

The in-laws are staying with us for Christmas, and we all thought it would be lovely to do a stocking for them too, each with its own tag. In doing so I have achieved 2 challenges :

4x4 Friday's theme of Santa Claus, and Wednesday Stamper Light. I can just feel the anticipation of this little girl as she waits in the firelight for Santa to fill her stocking.

You can just about make out the glimmer of the pearlised spray, the remains from the last 2 projects.

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Stamps : Clarity stamps leaves; Denami Merry Christmas

Inks : DI Old Paper and Shabby Shutters; StazOn Olive Green; ColorBox Eggplant; DIrefill Antique Linen; VersaMagic Hint of Pesto

Extras : red glitter glue; images from www.anoldfashionedchristmas.com; PerfectPearls Bronze; MM eyelets; scraps of ribbon; BB card

Copper stitches

The TMTA theme for this week is cross stitch. I have used the same pearlised mist as in my last entry to use up the mixture, but could not get a good enough photo. Back to the scanner!

I didn't have any brads in copper, so I pressed orange ones onto a versamark pad, and then embossed them with copper EP.

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Stamps : Time to Stamp ATC set and Vintage Sewing

Inks : DI Broken China and Dried Marigold; Brilliance Cosmic Copper; Versamark; DI refill Antique Linen;

Extras : Copper EP; Perfect Pearls Bronze; Orange brads; Madeira copper thread

Off to the Nativity

The Gothic Arches theme is Joy at Christmas/children. I thought this little angel looked pleased with her allotted part - didn't we all want to be the angel in our nativity plays (one year I was the cow!!!).

I have fallen in love with the Tim Holtz homemade sprays (see entry below for recipe). This one is made with DI refill ink in Antique Linen, and Perfect Pearls bronze. Again I have photographed it so that you can see the glimmer. The background is my register on a music stand - I took it at school to get the best light.
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Stamps : Lakeland Ltd Ornate set; Elusive Images Wise Men

Inks : DI Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose and Aged Mahogany; VersaColor Brown; DI Antique Linen refill

Extras : Perfect Pearls bronze; image from www.art-e-cats.typepad.com

Best friends

The Theme Thursday challenge is on friends, and the 4x4 Friday theme is blue & silver.

This image is from Flickr. Don't you just love the expression of the smallest girl!?

I have tried another Tim Holtz technique on this - mix together 1 pipette full of broken china ink refill with a small scoop of Perfect Pearls 'pearl' in a mini mister, and fill it 3/4 full with water. Shake thoroughly, and spray. The colours are my choice, but the variations are endless. Before this I sponged on Faded Jeans and sprayed with the Sticky Fingers inks. This is the same work; above it was scanned, and below it was photographed. As you can see on the 2nd image, the pearl comes out quite silvery. These colours are closer to the original.
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Stamps : AudDesign swirl; MSE Friends Always

Inks : Perfect Pearls 'pearl'; Sticky Fingers sprays Bluebell and Delphinium; DI Faded Jeans, and Broken China refill; StazOn Ultramarine

Extras : Peeloff borders; Paper Cellar Crystal Gems

Inside and out

The DCM challenge this week uses the above title, asking for the inside of the card to be as important as the outside. In this case, they become as one when opened out.

The colours are truer in the photo below.---

Stamps : Crafty Individuals; BLine Tick Tock; HA Old French Writing

Inks : DI Spiced Marmalade and Aged Mahogany; Brilliance Moonlight White; VersaMagic Magnolia Bud

Extras : Gold Peeloffs; Images from Crafty Individuals Butterflies and Flowers pad; pinks and maroon card

A to Z

The Created ByHand challenge for this week is alphabet.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy Schooldays 3

Inks : Ecoline White, Light Green, and Chartreuse; StazOn Black; Versamark

Extras : Copper and black EP; PM copper letter and frame

Umbrella girl

The Wednesday Stamper theme is umbrellas. Once I found this image the rest of the atc flowed fairly easily. I felt she needed a dark background to highlight the umbrella and the delicate colours in her dress.

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Stamps : Time to Stamp ATC set 1

Inks : Adirondack Eggplant; Versamark

Extras : image from Flickr; PM flower ribbon; brayer; Glossy card

Gossamer wings

The Gothic Arches theme for this week is sparkling wings.
As my scanner doesn't pick up anything glittery, I have photographed the arch as well. Until I can redo the photography (which is not in any way one of my gifts!!) this will have to do. Although the image is out of focus, you can at least see the sparkle on the wings and the swirls. I did try to edit it, but I think you should blame the operator rather than the camera!

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Stamps : Stampers Anonymous swirl; HA Old French Writing

Inks : Adirondack Wild Plum, Lettuce and Latte; Watercolour pencils

Extras : Seafoam White and Fairydust EP; Ultrafine glitter; image from Flickr; vellum; glue pen

Tag for Peter

The DCM challenge is to make a tag. This is the 3rd of three tags, which I've made to attach to my childrens' stockings.

For those of you following Tim Holtz's Christmas tags, I used one of his techniques. I painted some Adirondack dabber onto the tag and then sponged on some distress ink. After stamping I went awol and added some glimmer mist. The image is from www.anoldfashionedchristmas.com/

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Stamps : HA Merry Christmas; BLine Fern

Inks : Adirondack dabber Lemonade; DI Broken China, Fired Brick and Shabby Shutters; StazOn Olive Green and Ultramarine

Extras : Elusive Images tag; fibre scraps; vintage image

Decorative tiles

Mosaics are the theme of TMTA this week. Although I haven't used glimmer mists, there is a lovely sheen to this atc as there must have been some residue on my craft mat when I did the distressing.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy Frames 5; Stampers Anonymous Mosaic

Inks : Adirondack Wild Plum; DI Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed and Black Soot; StazOn Black

Extras : pink paper; 7 Gypsies key; Waxy Flax cherry

Alpha Y and Z

It is a great sadness that Isa's alpha challenge has come to a natural conclusion. I have so enjoyed awaiting each week and all the optional extras, most of which I have managed to achieve. Thank you Isa for the work you have put in to running this for us. Your examples have been inspirational. I hope you can challenge us in new ways next year.

Y is for Yuletide - I'm not sure if you can make that out on the image, which is from http://www.anoldfashionedchristmas.com/. On the airship it says,'A Joyful Yuletide'.

This partners a tag that I made earlier in the week. I shall need to make one more and then I have one for each of my children.

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Stamps : Denami Starburst; Katy's Corner Peace

Inks : StazOn Olive Green and Ultramarine; DI Broken China, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters and Fired brick; Glimmer Mists Walnut Gold and Candy Apple Red

Extras : Elusive Images tag; mohair fibres

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Z is for Zinnia.

This is 4x4 in size.

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Stamps : Crafty Individuals 118

Inks : DI Tattered Rose, Aged Mahogany and Worn Lipstick; Versamark Bamboo; Adirondack peach Bellini

Extras : Image from Crafty Individuals Flowers and butterflies pad; BB card; green ribbon; Stippler

Queen of clubs

Theme Thursday asked for work on the subject of playing cards. I couldn't get any spade images to work, and was digging myself into a hole (lol) so they have been omitted. For some strange reason spades was my worst suit as a child; hearts being my favourite.

One of the reasons I don't write much on my blog is that I'm afraid you'll find out how odd I am!! (The above being a perfect example!)

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Stamps : Time to Stamp ATC set 2; BLine Rough Diamonds; AudDesign swirls

Inks : DI Broken China, Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick; Archival black

Extras : Heart and Corner punches; red scrap; Decadry RubOns

Childhood memories

This is my entry for the Created ByHand challenge on using collage images. This image is from a gallery on flickr. I looked at her and started to sing, "Ain't she sweet?"
I dyed the ribbon with the Adirondack inks. It has faded out a bit on the scan.

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Stamps : Time to Stamp ATC sets; Crafty Individuals 21

Inks : Adirondack Stonewashed and Wild Plum; Marvy pens Salvia Blue and Magenta; DI Milled Lavender

Extras : Paper Cellar crystal gems; Prima flower; ribbon

Spring tulips

The DCM challenge today is to base your card on candy stripes. Not only are these stripes, but also in candy colours. Somehow I was reminded of liquorice allsorts (yum!)...

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Stamps : HA Birthday tag; Stampington Martha's Bulbs

Inks : VersaMagic Hint of Pesto; Marvy pens Jungle Green, dark brown and Coral Pink; Anna Griffin chocolate

Extras : PP by Aunt Gertie; ribbon from card blank packaging; blender pen; Corner punch; MM eyelet; SGme clear EP

Santa's toys tag

Today is 6th December, and there is a special Santa Claus fest going on here. To all you ladies who celebrate today - have fun!


This is my contribution for the festivities.

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Stamps : Katy's Corner Peace; Denami Starburst

Inks : DI Shabby Shutters and Dried Marigold;Glimmer Mists Walnut Gold and Candy Apple Red; Anna Griffin Chocolate; StazOn Olive Green

Extras : Image from www.anoldfashionedchristmas.com; fibres

Bunny

Toys is the challenge from Wednesday Stamper this week. I put in the word imagination because I admire the way children take a toy and use it in so many ways. A chess board can be used as a car park, or a base for a doll's house....

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Stamps : Stampington Roller bunny and Checkerboard; Time to Stamp ATC set; Paper Artsy Man of Numbers 2 and Frames 4; AudDesign

Inks : DI Fired Brick, Dried Marigold, Spiced marmalade and Broken China; Versamark; ColorBox Frost White

Extras : Gesso; clear and seafoam white EP; sanding block

Card for J

The DCM challenge today is entitled buttons and bows. I've made this card for a friend's son with colours I know he'd like. The PP was a free gift in one of the craft magazines a while back - I can't remember the manufacturer.

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Stamps : Denami present

Inks : watercolour pencils; Archival black

Extras : PP unknown; SGme clear EP; PM buttons; Imaginations epoxy sticker; blender pen; sanding block

Wonderland dream

The TMTA theme is Alice in Wonderland. I searched through my stamps for relevant images. Sorry that the Queen is clubs, and not hearts, but I couldn't find a satisfactory way of altering it. Also I think I was a bit heavy handed with the shadowing!

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Stamps : Time to Stamp ATC sets 1&2; Stampington Cup Collection; Personal Impressions Checkerboard

Inks : Watercolour pencils; Archival black; DI Fired Brick and Broken China

Extras : Blender pen; DecaDry RubOns

Carol medley

Saturday Stampers asks for a piece of work based on Christmas with a twist - Christmas themed, but no obvious images. This is based on 4 specific Christmas Carols. I will send this to the 1st person who guesses the carols correctly. (Please make sure you leave a link)

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Stamps : Stamporium stars; Elusive Images Wise Men; HA Musical Instruments

Inks : DI Shabby Shutters, Mustard Seed and Aged Mahogany; VersaColor Brown

Extras : printed music; PP by BG

Alpha W and X

Because time is limited this weekend, I am doubling up both of these challenges. Isa's W challenge also fulfills Theme Thursday's Winter/Snow theme.

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Stamps : HA Wishes tag and snowflakes set; Artworks Diamond Dust

Inks : Adirondack dabbers Pool, Juniper and Purple Twilight; DI Dusty Concord; ColorBox Frost White

Extras : MM RubOns and purple eyelets; Tracing Paper; BB blue and purple; Sirdar fibres; Gesso

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The X factor I have doubled with 4x4 Friday's theme of mostly red.

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Stamps : HA swirls; Paper Artsy Frames 2; Funstamps C55 & C57

Inks : DI Worn Lipstick and Fired Brick; H2Os Gold Dust, Spiced Pumpkin and Green Tea; ColorBox Frost White; Glimmer Mist Walnut Gold

Extras : crystal gems; MM RubOns; Heart embossed ribbon; pearlescent black paper

Perfume bottle

The Wednesday Challenge is on the theme of words. Here's my effort.

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Stamps : Time to Stamp ATC set 1; Elusive Images Fleurs et Parfum; Crafty Individuals 21

Inks : DI Dried Marigold and Shabby Shutters; Watercolour pencils; StazOn black and Olive Green

Extras : Copper wire shaped on a wire jig; orange brads; PP by BG

Partridge in a pear tree

Toot toot! DCM have asked me to be guest designer for the next 2 weeks - I was so excited. Daft of me to take this on during the 'silly season' - endless concerts and rehearsals - but I thought it might keep me sane!

My card is on their theme of birds (tweet, tweet). I have used an image from the internet.

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Stamps : Lakeland LtdOrnate set;Stampington Scripted Greetings

Inks : DI Black Soot, Tattered Rose and Dried Marigold; Glimmer mists Walnut Gold and Candy Apple red; Archival Black

Extras : PP by Scenic Route and BG; scallopd edged scissors; BB red; MM pink brads; green 'wiggly' wire (?)

Congrats...

to Rein,
whose name was pulled out of the hat as a contributor to my 10,000 hits challenge. Your paper artsy stamp set is on its way tomorrow. Thank you to all those who helped me to celebrate - I really appreciated the effort you put in.
Ros x

Tidings of great joy

The Created Byhand challenge is to make a card on the theme of Christmas with vintage browns and burgundy. I used the colours they suggested, but they've come out more pink than burgundy on the top layer.

The image is from Flickr.

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Stamps : Elusive Images Wise Men; AudDesign swirls

Inks : DI Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap and Aged mahogany; Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson, Coffee Bean and Cosmic Copper

Extras : Dovecraft brads; Madeira Metallic thread; BB brown

Christmas Eve

The DCM challenge is entitled hanging up your stocking. This image is from the internet. I accidentally ripped the background of my 1st attempt, which was, of course, much better than this one, and a better size.

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Stamps : Stampington Christmas Found Elements; HA Timeless Icons

Inks : DI Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters and Antique Linen; Adirondack Sunshine Yellow and Caramel; Glimmer Mist Walnut Gold

Extras : flower punches; red seed beads

Haute Couture

The TMTA challenge is on headwear. I think this is a great hat! I have opted for quick and easy on this atc - just sponging, stamping and a spritz with glimmer mist.

You still have until Thursday to join in my challenge - see the 10,000 hits entry.

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Stamps : Sunday International Lady with Hat; Crafty Individuals 13

Inks : DI Tattered Rose, Shabby Shutters, Aged Mahogany; Glimmer Mist Walnut Gold

White lace and promises

The 4x4 Friday challenge is on the theme of stamped lace. These Carpenters lyrics have been haunting me all day - well, some of them as I can't remember them all!

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Stamps : HA Wedding, and Fanciful Heart Filament; Time toStamp ATC Set 2

Inks : Versamark; Fluid Chalk Blue Iris; Marvy pen Peach Pastel

Extras : Seafoam White and SGme clear EP; HA pink card; Decoration Ribbon; PM sparkly white brads; tracing paper; pink paper

Multi tasking

The Saturday Stamper challenge was so multi faceted it should have been hard, and I think I might have groaned when I read it. But after finding this image on Cora's blog, it all came together quite quickly. So, I had to include friends, buttons, button wisdom, diamonds, and chalk inks.


I cheated on the buttons as there are some on the girl's coat. The diamonds are stamped on very subtly. I decided to name the dog Buttons, and then base my saying around him. It seemed appropriate as they are pulling thread.

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Stamps : HA snowflakes; MSE Friends Always

Inks : Fluid Chalk Olive Pastel, French Blue, Blue Iris and Lime Pastel; Versamark Pen

Extras : Seafoam white EP; computer text on tracing paper

Song without words

The DCM challenge uses the above title - in other words, we have to portray a song without referring to the words on the card. This one is very easy to guess - as usual I've been humming away whilst creating. I've used the November 4 sketch from 2Peas.

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Stamps : Denami manger; PSX Ornate star 4

Inks : Adirondack Sunshine Yellow, Butterscotch and Caramel; ColorBox Frost White; StazOn Black; Versamark

Extras : SGme Clear EP; blue PP by Imaginisce; BB brown; Sticky Fixers

Copper Butterfly

Theme Thurday's challenge is to use chalk inks on your work. There is a good link on their site which leads to suggestions on chalk ink techniques. I have used one of them here; sponging the colours on, overstamping, and then layering with brilliance inked acetate. (Obviously, their instructions are more explicit!)---
Stamps : HA Old French Writing; Stampington Butterfly Girl

Inks : Fluid Chalk Olive Pastel, Yellow Ochre, Yellow Citrus and Burnt Sienna; Brilliance Cosmic Copper

Extras : Japanese copper paper; DCWV Green card; MM copper eyelets; Sequin Waste; Judikins Embossable Laminating sheet

Alpha U and V

Isa has set 2 challenges this week. Here are U for Urchin and V for Violin ( I've been waiting for weeks to do this one!!). The Wednesday Stamper theme is diamonds, which I have included on the violin atc.

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Stamps : PaperBag Studios Addison; Time to Stamp ATC set 1; Stampington Small Violin

Inks : Alcohol Inks Butterscotch, Terracotta and Gold Mixative; StazOn Black

Extras : Pearlescent black paper

10,000 hits challenge

10,000 hits is fast approaching. I can't believe how many of you come to visit me, and leave such praising comments. I really do appreciate it!


To celebrate this momentous occasion I would like to challenge you to use this vintage image in a piece of art work, and leave a link here.

At 10.30pm next Thursday (29th Nov) UK time I will close the challenge and draw a name out of the hat. The chosen name will receive a paperartsy stamp set. You will need to leave some way to contact you.

Contributions from:
Rein
Jacqueline
Leni
Tania

Deck of Me, weeks 39 & 40

The prompt for week 39 was someone spesh...

Steve, you pick me up when I fall down; you bring me back to earth when I'm over the top; you are my rock, totally dependable. You are my special-est person. Thank you!

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Stamps : Stampington Facade; AudDesign

Inks : StazOn Olive green and black; DI Peeled paint

Extras : PP by BG

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Week 40's prompt was not anymore... How are you not anymore?

I was an unhappy child; lonely, and frequently withdrawing into a dream world. Once I discovered my gifts of music, creativity, and faith, I learnt to be happy with myself.

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Stamps : Paper Artsy One Penny 2

Inks : Sticky Fingers Spray antique gold, pink, Lilac and Bluebell; Moonglow Desert Moon Sunset Pink; StazOn Ultramarine

Extras : Tissue and tracing paper