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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Simon Says Stamp Gratitude Blog Hop

[This is my second post of the day, for my Winter Scene Pop-up tutorial, see below]



Hello crafters! I was so happy to be asked to be a part of the Simon Says Stamp Gratitude Blog Hop. Even if we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here, I always thought it has a very meaningful message, to count your blessings and the things you are grateful for. What are you thankful for?

There are so many things to be grateful for, little things and big things. The first thing that comes to my mind is quite a big thing and that is how grateful I am that everything turned out all right when my son was born. I got very ill (without knowing it) and things could have gone really bad if I had had a check-up just one day later than I did. It was an emergency and he had to be born preterm. Even if it is soon three years ago, I still think about how lucky we were daily.

I decided to do a wall-hanging with a photo of the two of us from last year. The sweet sentiments in the Simon Says Stamp Beautiful Words stamp set worked really well for this theme. I used some of my favourite things: dies, dry embossing, stamping, hearts, birds, branches, and of course techniques. I took some step-by-step photos during the process of creating this.

This is a pretty long post, don't miss the end which has info about a giveaway and a special Simon Says Stamp offer.

I started out with a Wendy Vecchi Art Parts Five Panel Frames and clear embossed an alphabet pattern stamp from Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz School Desk set.

Paint the frame with white paint, and before it dries completely, wipe off the paint from the embossed letters. The embossing resists the paint, but not completely, creating a great worn look.

I wanted to play a bit with Tim Holtz's new Frosted Film. I knew I would love it, even by just reading the name 'frosted film', I love using clear elements. I applied the film (which is self-adhesive) to patterned paper and cut the larger heart from that. I cut it one more time from grungepaper and glued the two together to give it more weight. It is so hard to photograph the frosted film, it gives a matte, frosty look to the heart.

I also used this great Core'dinations Tim Holtz Colorcore cardstock, which comes in a handy pad. It is so easy to see all the colours at once and pick the ones that fit the project. They are the perfect size for die-cutting and coordinate with the distress range.

I used one of my favorite techniques with the Core'dinations cardstock, dry embossing. Love the subtle effect of the dry embossing once you have sanded off some of the surface colour. I smeared some Distress Stickles Rock Candy on the papers for a bit of shine.

The metallic parts were painted with Ranger's Patina ink, which is opaque and covers the metal very well. After the word band dried, I rubbed some white paint into the text to make it stand out.

The Bird Branch and Heart were die cut from grungeboard which was first covered with white sticky back canvas. I wanted a watercolour effect and smeared distress inks (Dusty Concord, Broken China, Gathered Twigs and Walnut Stain) on my craft sheet and misted them lightly with water. I misted the canvas pretty heavily with water before applying the ink with a paint brush. If you don't mist the canvas, it absorbs the ink very quickly, making it hard to get the fluid watercolour effect.

I just had to use one of my favourite dies, the Sizzix Birds on a Wire, by Karen Burniston. I wanted to try something different and adhered the Frosted Film to a strip of Clearly For Art modeling film. The die doesn't cut through the thick film completely, but it easy to cut the birds out with a pair of scissors. I coloured them lightly on the back with alcohol ink (Stonewashed). I am not sure how heat resistant the frosted film is, so I heated the birds very carefully from the back with my heat gun, one section at a time, and shaped the birds. Be careful not to burn yourself. Once cool, the modeling film keeps its shape perfectly.

Time for assembly. The Five Panel Frame comes with a backing piece so it is very easy to assemble. I used multi medium to glue everything together. One of the sentiments was stamped on a little ticket. I also added a little wood veneer man standing on a branch.

The wings were die cut from modeling film covered with Frosted Film. I wanted them to be whiter, so I coloured them at the back with Snow Cap alcohol ink.

The sweet banner stamp was stamped with Tumbled Glass on Specialty Stamping paper. It fits perfectly for the sentiments in the stamp set. The sentiment was stamped with Archival Ink Jet Black and when dry, I covered the banner with the Frosted Film. The green heart was stamped with second generation stamping using Peeled Paint ink, and also covered with Frosted Film. The small hearts were die cut from left-over pieces of modeling film covered with Frosted Film and coloured at the back with alcohol ink (Wild Plum and Stonewashed).

I sometimes end up with wall-hangings that never make it to a wall, because I don't take the time to add a hanger at the back. For this project, I picked an easy option, hinge clips. I painted them with Opalite Patina Ink and tied a piece of string between them.

The 'thank you heart' was die cut from purple Core'dinations cardstock, carefully sanded (while all the pieces were still stuck to it), inked and coated with Glossy Accents. I sprinkled a little bit of dry Rock Candy Distress glitter onto it.

You can see the Frosted Film effect better here.

I will be giving away a $50 donation to the charity of a commenter's choice. Just leave a comment with what you are most grateful for and you will be entered in the drawing (there is not need to write the charity of your choice in the blog comment). After the winner is chosen Simon Says Stamp will be in touch with you to find out the charity you have chosen. We will draw winners on Wednesday 11/28.

This Friday Simon Says Stamp will offer a Black Friday discount code to its customers for 35% off selected items in the store. But blog hoppers get the code early for stopping by my blog! Click here to see the items that are included in the sale. Enter SIMONBF35 in the Promotion Code box (be sure to use all CAPS) and you will get 35% off of those items. Happy Shopping!

Thank you so much for visiting! The next stop in the Simon Says Stamp Gratitude Blog Hop is the amazing Debby Hughes and her blog Lime Doodle. If while hopping, you encounter a broken link, you can go back to the beginning for links to everyone who is participating in the hop.

Happy Crafting!! And Happy Thanksgiving!

Anna-Karin


Supplies:
Dies: Simon Says Stamps: Thank You Heart die set; Sizzix: Bird Branch, Birds on a Wire, Heart & Wings, Hearts Set Movers & Shapers, Mini Tickets;
Embossing folders: Sizzix: Bingo & Patchwork, Dot Matrix & Gridlock; Playing Games Texture Trades
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp: Beautiful Words; Stamper's Anonymous Tim Holtz: School Desk, Odds & Ends
Ink: Distress Ink: Dusty Concord, Frayed Burlap, Broken China, Gathered Twigs, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Walnut StainArchival Ink Jet Black; Ranger Patina ink kits: Antique Window, Weathered Copper
Alcohol ink: Adirondack Stonewashed, Wild Plum, Snow Cap
Paint: Adirondack Snow Cap
Stickles: Distress Stickles Rock Candy
Glitter: Distress Stickles Rock Candy dry glitter
Embossing powder: Ranger clear
Surfaces: Core'dinations Tim Holtz Distress Colorcore 4.5x5.5Wendy Vecchi Art Parts Five Panel Frames, Clearly For Art Modeling Film; Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Frosted Film, Grungeboard, Grungepaper, Crowded Attic paper stash; Claudine Hellmuth white sticky back canvas; Ranger Specialty Stamping paper
Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Word Bands, Game Spinners, Hinge Clips; Hero Arts Light Yellow pearls; Studio Calico wood veneer Potty People
Twine: Hemptique Thick Natural Hemp Cord twine
Adhesive: Ranger Glossy Accents; Claudine Hellmuth matte multi medium

81 comments:

  1. Beautiful wall hanging, Anna-Karin! I love how texture rich this piece is, and the picture of you and your son is precious!!

    Have a great day!
    -Stephanie
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  2. Oh my your wall hanging is breathtaking! Each corner has so much to look at. Truly stunning :)

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  3. Annf, I perfectly understand you. It's a real gift when everything goes on all right! And I'm thankful for my family and my little son. I'm thankful for all people who help me to livt my happy life.
    The frame is vtry beautiful! Full of your happiness.
    Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your family!

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  4. This is beautiful! I love all the wonderful details! What a great blessing to have your son. My son lost his heartbeat before he was born. They put the heart monitor back on me 30 seconds before he lost his heartbeat. They had to shock his heart to get it started again and he was born 10 min. later!! We are truly blessed!

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  5. This is stunning Anna-Karin! Wow!

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  6. Fourth reason to be thankful: a wonderful hubby that doesnt care what (or how much) craft stuff I buy, built me a fabulous studio and is proud of my creations. Now if only he would learn to cook so I didn't have to leave the studio! Also, Anna-Karin, your project is awesome and I will definately be trying some of your great techniques!

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  7. Thanks for the inspiration. I am thankful for my family. For the ups and the downs and the in betweens, for the blessings that they bring into my life and for the love that I feel for and from them.

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  8. AWESOME!! Can’t wait to go shopping!! =) Well I am THANKSFUL most for my health and second for my BEAUTIFUL FAMILY and FRIENDS!! I am SO BLESSED to be aliive everyday and I am looking forward to a LONG Life!! THANKS for sharing your AMAZING PROJECT tutorial!! Have a FABULOUS THANKSGIVING!! =)
    If I win I’d like to donate to the Crohn’s Disease Organization!! THANKS for the chance to help!!

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  9. Stunning wall hanging! What a great idea! I haven't ever thought to do something like that! Thanks for the inspiration! I am thankful for many things in my life (like my excellent health and my job that pays my bills), but I am most thankful for my husband. He's always so supportive and encouraging in everything I do and he provides that motivation to work towards my dreams.

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  10. Beautiful artwork.
    I'm grateful that we are most of the time healthy and happy. And I'm thankful that I have 2 wonderful kids and a wonderful hubby.

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  11. I am thankful for so many things in life! First of all, for my Lord who gets us through this earth each day and in the end will take us to Heaven if we are found faithful! Also, for my husband of 11 years and counting and my two wonderful children! Cute project idea!

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  12. OMW THIS IS AMAZING. Sorry for shouting but I love this. I'm thankful that God lead me to doTERRA oils for our health.

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  13. What an absolutely gorgeous wall hanging! Thanks for sharing and also the generosity of SSS!
    I have 2 kids that I'm thankful for every day. They are 22 & 20 now and not a day goes by that I am not thankful for them and their wonderful personalities!

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  14. Oh WOW!! what an amazing wall hanging !! the photo is beautiful and all the details are fabulous ! I love the frosted birds ,, stunning ! :-) thanks for the photo's showing us how you made this :-)

    I am thankful for my family and friends, and to the internet for giving us all this opportunity to 'meet' people from around the world and have a lovely get together like this :-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  15. Beautiful details, what a work of art!

    I am thankful for my health. Sadly this year I lost someone close to me from cancer and it reminds you have precious good health and life is.

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  16. what a gorgeous frame! Never thought the emboss one!WOW! I an grateful for my family and friends!

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  17. Wow! This is beautiful! LOVE the use of color and texture!!!

    I'm most grateful for my family--God's greatest blessings in my life...

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  18. Your project is terrific! Love all of the colors and textures!
    I am grateful for having a good job and great friends and family.

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  19. Amazing creation, so full of detail. Love how those transparent blue birds turned out. I'm grateful for having plenty of work, so that I can live on this beautiful Greek island with my loving husband and our 6 cats and can afford to craft.

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  20. LOVE seeing the Frosted Film in use! Thanks for the step-by-step!
    Yes, you are blessed to be a mamma.
    I'm thankful for my children too!

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  21. I am most grateful for my family

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  22. I love your frame...so beautiful! Thanks so much for your inspiration and for a chance to be entered in the giveaway!

    Aside from my family, I am grateful for all the wonderful friendships that I've been blessed with!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  23. This is just stunning! So beautiful! I love all the dies and techniques you used. My very favorite thing is the birds on a wire, love that translucent look, so subtle, so effective!

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  24. Absolutely gorgeous wallhanging here. I just love it. I´m so grateful for all my life, my awesome family and my wonderful friends everywhere

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  25. OH MY GOODNESS! What an amazing project and tutorial. You son is beautiful and happy that everything turned out....thank God! Happy to be hopping with you. Fondly, Kathy

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  26. Beautiful work :)
    I'm grateful for my family (hubby and three sons)
    Hugs!

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  27. What a beautiful, heart-warming and thoughtful project you've shared with us today! I'm grateful for my family (who live four hours away - sometimes the distance seems soooo far) and for my amazing husband. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  28. Wow, love your wall hanging--gorgeous! I'm thankful for my church family--always there to help out when needed and keep me on the right path.

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  29. Wow! This is an AMAZING work of art! I love the colors and all the wonderful details!

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  30. You are truly talented. This is a wonderfully fun and poignant project.

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  31. Wow! You really put a lot into your project.
    I am most grateful for my husband. he was the answer to my prayers.

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  32. This is so fantastic. All the details are just stunning, especially the birds. What a great idea!
    What am I most grateful for? My wonderful family comes to mind first!

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  33. Lovely wall hanging to celebrate the most precious gift of your child and good health! I am grateful for my family, friends and my own recovery from a serious health issue.

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  34. I am thankful for the opportunity to possibly win money for my favorite charity! Thanks

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  35. This is so beautiful and special. I thank God for my wonderful family.

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  36. Love your wall hanging! Simply stunning. I am so grateful for my family. I am the oldest of nine, so my family is quite large. We lost our mom in June, so I'm so thankful we will be together to get through the holidays.

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  37. What a wonderful piece of treasured artwork! The details are all amazing, especially those birds!
    I'm grateful for the great life I'm living! I'll take the good and all the bad and still come up a winner! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  38. Stunning wall hanging!! thanks for all the tips on how you created it!
    I am grateful for all the support from family, friends and especially new friends that have helped me through this difficult year.

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  39. Wonderful project. Love the layers and the tutorial. I am grateful for the freedoms we have in America and to all those who have fought to protect them.

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  40. Wow! Beautiful piece of art - great use of so many different techniques and I love the colors, too! I am grateful for our troops both at home and abroad who protect our freedoms :)

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  41. I'm thankful for the grace of God and that I live in the USA!

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  42. What a clever piece of art! It's a treasure, for sure! I'm grateful for faith, freedom, and family!

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  43. I'm most grateful for my loving family. We may not always get along, but we stand beside each other when life gets tough.

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  44. I am definitely grateful for family and friends, but also for bloggers like all of you who share their ideas and knowledge so freely! Thank you! Your wall-hanging is beautiful! So striking and obviously very meaningful to you!

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  45. Great Memory Frame!
    Especially like all the textures

    I am grateful for my salvation and fun, healthy family

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  46. Wow! Amazing techniques! Love them all, and so glad to see the Frosted Film in action. I am grateful for my beautiful 5 year old daughter, the roof over our heads, and my job:)

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  47. Wow oh wow oh wow what a stunning project! Thank you for the tutorial. I'm thankful for my health, even though I should take better care of myself!

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  48. Beautiful work!
    I'm most thankful for my family & friends.

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  49. Amazing project! Love all the details. I am so thankful for my family and my church.

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  50. I am most thankful this year that we became foster parents to our cousins 13 year old daughter and that our home will be her forever home!

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  51. I am thankful for having a job that pays me enough so that I can have fun with stamps.

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  52. Beautiful wall hanging! Each section is a little work of art. TFS your story. Your guy looks like a sweetheart. :) Today, I am most grateful for my parents. They have been my rock since I lost my husband, and before that my brother. They are near and dear to my heart. :)

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  53. AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS in every detailed way !!!! LOVE IT!!!!

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  54. I am thankful for my faith and family and friends and all the many blessings I have been graced with! God bless!

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  55. Wow! Lots of fantastic techniques...a beautiful work of art! I am most grateful for all of the people in my life!

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  56. Beautiful job on your wall hanging, I am thankful for my dear hubby and our two wonderful little boys.

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  57. This is Fabulous!! Love it! I am Most Thankful for my Family and our Health and our Precious Grand Babies!

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  58. I'm always thankful for family and friends. I LOVE what you did. WOW and FANTASTIC.

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  59. Thanks for all the detail photos & Thanks so much for participating in the blog hop. I have so much I am grateful for, but most importantly, my friends, my family, my job and my home. Blessings to all.

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  60. This is a wonderful project. I love all the elements and the colors. Lovely picture, too. I'm grateful for all the tremendous ideas you share.

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  61. Can't wait to try some of these techniques and teach them to my stampers class. Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving as we thank the Lord for all His tender mercies!

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  62. Your son is beautiful, Anna-Karin...what a lovely picture of the two of you!! So glad his early arrival went well!! Your wall hanging is beautiful, as well..such wonderful details! So happy to have been a part of this hop with you:)!!

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  63. Hi, Anna-Karin! STUNNING work! Wow! Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving and holiday season! ♥

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  64. what a great project! I am thankful for friends and family especially my son who puts things in perspective for me daily :)

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  65. Anna-Karin, I am awed, totally awed, by the way you put in so much effort into the small details of every single embellishment, making a simple wall hanger look so astonishing! Thank you for participating in SSS Gratitude Blog Hop, cause by participating, you give each and everyone of us a chance to do a good deed indirectly. I am grateful to God, for letting many nice and helpful people cross my path of life. It is not easy to live without the support of loving family members and friends. Hence, I feel that it is important to learn to cherish and appreciate all that they have done to make me a better me. :)

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  66. Hi Anna-Karin. I've just become a follower of your blog because I adore your work! So much detail, like this wall-hanging has. I just love finding all the little things you've included.

    I, too, am so thankful for my beautiful children - that they came into the world safely and are healthy and happy.

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  67. WOW WOW WOW! Thanks for sharing your story and your precious picture with us.

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  68. Wowza! This frame is Ahh-Mazing! Every single detail is soooo pretty and comes together perfectly. I'm thankful for the laughter of my little girl each day. Smooches...

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  69. What a fantastic project! So many wonderful elements (I think I need to try the modeling film!) Thanks for sharing!
    What I am most grateful for is very similar to you, I am most grateful for the love and good health of my family and friends! It's such a blessing not to have to have medical issues that could take those loved ones or friends away!

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  70. Awesome project! Some of the products you used are new to me, thnaks for the detailed and clear explanation of each step.
    I'm very grateful for my family and for a Mission trip to Honduras last September.

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  71. Beautiful work. Grateful for crafters who love to share their talents.

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  72. WOW! Beautiful project. Thank you for all the detailed instructions.

    My fourth, thankful for crafters who share their talents.

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  73. beautiful wall hanging...amazing how in such a tiny bit of time things can change so dramatically. Very happy all is well with your son. I am grateful for my close and healthy family.

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  74. Amazing... What a fun use of so many different supplies

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  75. wow all of your work is so detailed and good. thanks for sharing all the wonderfulness

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  76. I am most thankful for the patience & resolve my husband has shown this last year. Earlier in the year he experienced a work related injury, injuring his back. Surgery was unsuccessful and he has suffered daily ever since. Still, he doesn't let it get to him. He takes it all in stride, hoping & praying for pain free days. Not sure I could be as strong as him with all that he’s been through. I’m thankful for my strong man.

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  77. A few weeks ago there were big floods in our country and many people lost everything they had, so in that moments you learn to cherish every little thing you have, because you know there are so many in need out there. So I’m thankful for everyone that helped those who were affected by the disasters, it gave me hope that we can still find unity in these hard times.

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  78. stunning plaque with such detail and texture and so much to look at, I am blessed to have a wonderfully supportive husband and so many blogging friends to cheer me up during the bad times
    Hugs Kate xx

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  79. What a stunning plaque you created. Such beautiful bright colors and love how you explained how you did each step.

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment! Happy Crafting!