Friday, April 24, 2015

SSS Falling For You Blog Hop

Hello everyone!! I am so excited to be a part of the Simon Says Stamp Falling For You Blog Hop, in celebration of the new fabulous Falling For You release. I love the name of the release and the stamps, stencils and dies are wonderful and very versatile. Don't miss all the inspiration and there is a prize to be won on each stop of the hop. You should have arrived here from the wonderful Wanda Guess.


I had so much fun that I made two art journal pages and one card. The first journal page is also a stepped tutorial.

The Falling series of dies and stencils (Falling Hearts, Falling Snow, and Falling Stars) are favourites of mine and I was so happy to see them in the form of 6 x 6 in rubber stamps. These stamps are so versatile, I'll be using them a lot since they work for many different techniques and projects. 

I like to now and then use photos in my art journal, and since we had a new addition to the family very recently, I've been all about baby photos lately. Big brother had has a bit of a hard time adjusting to having a sibling, and I wanted to include him on this page so that he would know just how much he matters. I did a fun batik resist technique on this page and the technique works just as well on any type of project.

These are the Falling For You products that I used: Falling Hearts, Falling Snow, Falling Rain, Circle Sayings, and Solid Falling For You Backgrounds.You can find the whole release here.

Start by clear embossing the three background stamps on Ranger's Specialty Stamping paper.

I used Simon Says Stamp inks, love these colours. Use the direct to paper technique to quickly cover the paper with ink, by dragging the ink pad over the paper. Immediately smooth out the ink with an ink blending tool. You need to be pretty quick to get a smooth and even look. 

Now we are going to remove the embossing powder with an iron (no steam). Place the paper between sheets of printer paper and iron. I normally have two sheets of printer paper over the paper, to protect my iron. The embossing powder transfers to the paper. You need to change the paper frequently; otherwise, you'll transfer the powder back to the inked background again.

When I ironed my first background, I was a little impatient and didn't bother changing the printer paper fast enough. The result was a halo or shadow effect around the dots. I sighed and almost started over again, but decided that I really liked the shadow effect, and did the same thing on the other two backgrounds. It is a little hard to control, but gives fun extra dimension to the background. I love these types of happy accidents.

Cut three strips large enough for your project. I worked in my Small Creative Journal. This would work great as a background for a card too.

Next, I decided to use Sizzix new Inksheets, which won the Hot New Product Award at CHA at the beginning of the year. With the Inksheets, you can turn any wafer-thin die into a stamp, so it works great together with Simon Says Stamp Exclusive dies. All you need is Inksheets, which you get in white, silver, gold and black, and an Inksheets Transfer Pad. There is also a starter kit available. Use this sandwich: Magnetic Platform, Inksheet Transfer Pad, paper, Inksheet with the matte side facing the paper, die facing down, normal Cutting Pad.

I used the Life, Family, Love set, which is a favourite of mine, and I love that I can now turn these dies into stamps, especially since the result is a great outline look. I wanted a subtle effect and used white, but if you use one of the other colours, the words will show more.

Since I wanted the boys to sit on a cloud I took out the Chevron Cloud dies, and got the idea of trying something else with the Inksheets. I wanted to see if the chevrons would transfer, even though they don't cut the paper when you use this die, but are meant for dry embossing and inking. Instead of using the Transfer Pad, I used a normal Cutting Pad, and added a shim with a single sheet of printer paper. Otherwise, the sandwich was the same as above. My experiment was successful, the cloud was die cut and the chevrons were transferred. Cool! I used a silver Inksheet. Normally, you don't have to cut the Inksheets, since they will only transfer where the die is, when you use the Transfer Pad. But for my sandwich it was better to cut the Inksheet first, to prevent that it transferred everywhere. On this photo, from left to right: the die cut silver chevron clouds, the dies, and the leftover Inksheet clouds.

I temporarily adhered my backgrounds to a piece of paper, and stamped with the sentiment stamps in the Circle Sayings set. Slate ink was used instead of black for a softer look.

The Woodland Frame, Sketch Heart, and Large Holiday Hearts were die cut from white paper, using the Magnetic Platform. Sandwich: Magnetic Platform, Cutting Pad, paper, die facing down, second Cutting Pad.

Here you can better see the subtle effect of the Inksheet word, and the cool shadows from the batik technique.

I was real happy with these chevron clouds. They aren't perfect and I might experiment with other sandwiches later. But I thought the clouds were pretty cool nevertheless.

The white Inksheet words stand out best on the blue background. 

I love this heart and the Woodland frame.

I also added some stamped sentiments with Jet Black ink to make them stand out better from the background. This one, from the Friendly Flowers set, was perfect for my page.

The last Inksheet word. I was happy with how this journal page turned out and I had such fun with the techniques.

Then I made a card:

For the card, I used the Solid Falling For You Backgrounds set. I stamped them with the same inks used on the journal page, but on Neenah cardstock. It can be hard to get good impressions with clear stamps that have large solid areas, if you struggle, try using the Sizzix Stamper's Secret Weapon, which provides a great surface for stamping, especially for clear stamps.

After stamping the panels, I cut them out and temporarily held them together with masking tape. The Happy die was transferred with a black Inksheet, and I stamped 'birthday' underneath to complete the sentiment.

The panels were stamped with circles using Slate ink and mounted on a folded cardstock base embossed in the Dot-Matrix folder.

I had some leftovers and made a quick journal page:

The background of this page was watercoloured at some other stage, which made the page extra quick to complete. After picking my sentiment, I used dies and some fun surfaces to build a little scene. I liked the idea of the umbrella protecting the house from the rain/problems.

I die cut the outline of the umbrella with wood paper from MME. I used a silver Inksheet for the drops on the inside part of the umbrella, and cut the shape out with scissors. The clouds were die cut from Tim Holtz new cool Deco Sheets, which is very shiny. The Falling Rain stamp was stamped in the background, with grey ink.

The roof of the house was die cut from paper leftover from the journal page above, as well as the cute little yellow birds. I made sure to get a heart on each bird - the Magnetic Platform makes this easy, since it prevents the dies from shifting. The body of the house and the trunk of the tree were die cut from the wood patterned paper.

I used the Falling Snow stamp to add texture to this part of the page, stamping it repeatedly with Victorian Velvet ink. This is one of my favourite ways to use background stamps. I love this sentiment and die cut another word from leftovers from the first journal page.

Don't forget that there are prizes to be won! If you leave a comment, you have a chance to win a price on each stop of the hop. The winners will be drawn on 28 April and Simon Says Stamp will contact them.

Next stop on the blog is the fabulous Kathy Racoosin. Don't miss all the inspiration!

If you get lost, head back to the Simon Says Stamp blog again.

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:




664 comments:

  1. Beautiful patterns and journal pages!

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  2. Wow your background technique is simply amazing! Will have to try it out! :)

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  3. Gorgeous page and I love the background

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  4. Those background stamps look amazing with the clear embossing! Love your projects!

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  5. The new cling background stamps are fantastic and look very versitile! Your project is lovely!

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  6. I love how you used those circle word stamps on your journal page!

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  7. Like the layouts & photo. Like the detail you put into this. It is a work of art.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"

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  8. How very creative, thank you for sharing :)

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  9. Such fun projects :))) thank you for sharing :)))
    Love all these "falling" stamps :)))

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  10. Wow, these are all great. I love the combination of the falling stamps together. Your layout is lovely as is the journal page.

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  11. Nice work! Very creative usage of the new products. Thank you for the chance to win!

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  12. Your pages and card are amazing, I love how you have used the products :)

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  13. Thanks for showing us your ideas with the stencils. I think we are going to have some fun with these!

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  14. I neeeeed the falling stamps, beautiful backgound I see ahead....

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  15. Thank you for sharing the versatility of this release! So creative and inspiring!

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  16. That made some awesome BG papers! TFS all your ideas with us!

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  17. Super cool layouts and use of stamps TFS... Congrats on teh new addition in the family.

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  18. You are so talented and creative, gorgeous layouts!

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  19. wow... what beautiful projects!!

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  20. Wonderful projects. You put so much work into them!

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  21. What a great release!!!! I see shopping at SSS in my future!

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  22. I absolutely love this project and how you emboss and then remove the embossing so that its flat again. I think its a very cute page, You are very talented.

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  23. Neat projects. Love that tattered heart.

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  24. I had not heard of the inksheets before, now I can't wait to try it! I also liked seeing the solid falling background stamps. I was curious about how they would look.

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  25. Very creative use of the stencils and dies.

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  26. Amazing pages. Thank you for all of the instructions! Cool techniques!

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  27. I just love the backgrounds that you created!

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  28. Amazing.... love those beautiful backgrounds!

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  29. Somne awesome techniques here--tfs!

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  30. Wow! Fantastic journal pages! ♥

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  31. gorgeous layers!!! and that journal card is lovely :)

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  32. What!!!! Incredible creations, I mean I'm in awww over your work. So many different techniques that you created on your projects. You have made the SSS release stand out. Definitely need the whole collection and your talent.

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  34. Lots of fun stuff in this release!

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  35. the more i see these background stamps used, the more i want them...prob the idea behind the blog hop lol, but your work is just inspiring, thank you

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  36. WOW! So many project to inspire us! Thank you, all are wonderful!!

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  37. Awesome projects. I think the circle stamps are my favorite and I love that you used them as a background element.

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  38. okay, i have a few things. first off, i'm soooo glad simon featured you and i was aware of this hop.. i'm super happy i have discovered you. second, your card and page are AMAZING!!! you are so talented and i love it. will definitely be following you on your sites!!!!

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  39. Hi Anna-Karin. I hadn't thought about making resist paper with those background stamps. Now I can't wait for them to get here. I haven't tried the ink sheets. I just couldn't see the need. Now that I saw your stuff I may have to rethink that. Thanks.

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  40. I have to agree, I think the halo look is actually pretty nice, what a nice happy accident!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  41. Nicely done. I had not heard of the turning dies into stamps before, thanks for the info.

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  42. Hi Anna-Karin. Great technique ideas. I will definitely do some emboss resist with the background stamps. I may even try out those ink sheets. I haven't seen anyone use them yet.

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  43. I like the tri-color birthday card! Cool techniques!

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  44. Wow, this is a fantastic Layout ! Great work.
    Thank you so much for sharing with us !

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  45. wow! what a fabulous technique you have shown here for your journal pages! love what you have done with the dies and 'falling' stamps.

    have a great weekend!

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  46. Thank you for the new techniques, I love what you did with the stamps and iron. Can't wait to get my hands on the new release!!!

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  47. Wow, so very inspirational. Thanks for all the great ideas. Really loving this blog hop, would have never came across your blog.

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  48. These projects are gorgeous! I love the iron off technique!

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  49. Wow...we are all falling for these new stamps but you have taken them to a new level. Thanks.

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  50. Very nice projects! I like seeing these products used on art journaling pages. Thanks for sharing!

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  51. I really love those background stamps!

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  52. Love your layouts. Those background stamps are on my wish list!

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  53. You highlighted so much versatility with the new release. Lots of inspiration.

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  54. I'm going to have such a hard time choosing which stuff to get from this new release as there is too much that I want!!

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  55. Great techniques! And I have the same iron as you!! LOL

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  56. Oh my. Beautiful layout. I like how you used new release products. Picture on layout is awesome...great memory.

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  57. I love the specialty paper technique and the Simon products you used are must MUST HAVES.

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  58. The shadow /halo effect is perfect. Loved your work. The ink sheets seem really cool

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  59. Really like the background that you created!

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  60. Super pretty! I love the colors and you made a fabulous art journal!

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  61. Your designs are fantastic. Thank you.

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  62. Great project and fabulous release this month.. i just love Lila’s stamps set and background stamps..Thank you and thanks SSS for the fabulous Blog Hop!!

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  63. Wow what a lot of elements in each card, but beautiful. Sentiments are so wonderful.

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  64. Beautiful. And so many ideas on how to use the products. Thank you. Children are so cute.

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  65. Love those background stamps! Great tutorial.

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  66. Love how you made this super adorable page. The background techniques are so inspirational. Thanks for sharing:)

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  67. O WOW your work is awesome. I love all the techniques and textures and layout is great. TFS

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  68. cool shadow-effect on the background stamping! thanks for all the inspiration!

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  69. Wish u had videos on these! They are awesome!

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  70. Wonderful journal pages. Lots of love and work went into these.

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  71. Wonderful techniques with the new release. thanks.

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  72. Love the way you used the stencils!

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  73. Love the way you used the stencils!

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  74. I love how you used the stamps. Wonderful work. Love this new SSS release. Just so versatile.

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  75. Wow fabulous creativity! Thanks for sharing your techniques.

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  76. I am loving these background stamps I can't wait to use them. The journal page was fantastic

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  77. Amazing projects! I love shadow effect on the background stamping. Very cool!

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  78. Very cool technique of removing the embossing to get a neat look.

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  79. I love these stamps! So versatile!

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  80. What a great card. It looked like a lot of work but worth it!

    Stay blessed!

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  81. Wow! So much to take in! Amazing work! You have a great eye. Wonderful use of this new release. Very impressive! Thank you for showing various ways to incorporate these products.

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  82. Gorgeous inspiration!! I just love the mix of background stamps you used! And yes, sometimes accidents turn out prettier than we first imagined! :)

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  83. Really liked the journal page! Like the sentiment very much.

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  84. I love all three of your projects and will definitely be trying out the techniques you've shared. Thanks!

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  85. WOW! So many things to like and comment on! Your design work is awesome! I can't even pick one thing! It's all beautiful! Thanks for sharing these!

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  86. So super to see what you made with the perfect new stamps!! They are so versatile and next to the striped cling stamp the real must haves from this release.... Thanks for jet more inspiration; I always love to see what you make and get inspired every time! Have a colourfull weekend!

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  87. Love the many great ideas you showed using these new products. Your journal pages are awesome and your talent shines. Thanks to you and SSS for the inspiration.

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  88. Wow you really rocked these new products so great to see what you can do with them. Very inspiring gorgeous projects. TFS.

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  89. LOVE all your background techniques. Thanks for sharing.

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  90. Anna! Your LO is so bright and full of happiness! And the journal page is fantastic!

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  91. Wow!!! Projects are awesome. Love your use of the background stamps and stencils. Thanks for sharing!

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  92. Love the different techniques, I've never tried that resist before and I really like the halo look!

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  93. Wow--those stencils are so cool!
    Beautiful projects :)

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  94. Great cards, ty for such wonderful pic to illustrate your process.

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  95. The background is beautiful. Very useful tutorial.

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  96. Love your backgrounds and the use of dies to create your pages and card. Your choice of colors is nice. Nice designs. Nice job! TFS

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  97. Love your journal pages and all the layering. I really want those background stamps! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  98. Awesome use of the products. Love the colors and designs!

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  99. Great pages and card! Love the technique! Beautiful!

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  100. Love the way you did the first journal page, gives me hope on doing my journal. Great job

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  101. What a great idea, to use them for journaling cards!

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  102. Love your journal pages! Loving how you used the different background stamps for the various elements! Love the circle sayings stamps! - Payel (Beau Monde Designs)

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  103. Another great interpretation of the products in this release. Thanks for sharing.

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  104. Wow! You have been busy...beautiful
    ,

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  105. You used lots of the items from the release to make super journal pages. Very colorful and inspiring. Thanks.

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  106. Great use of background stamps and enbossing!

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  107. Love all your projects. Thanks for sharing.

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  108. Wow, so many fun techniques. I bow to your creativity! Thank you for the inspiration.

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  109. Wow you made great use of the products from this release!

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  110. You've demonstrated so much with this new release. Thanks for sharing.

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  111. What great pages you created for the MEGA hop! Thank you!

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  112. Great creations with such fun details like the chevron clouds! Your sweet picture reminds me so much of one we have of our boys.

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  113. Such a sweet layout!! I really love your variety of uses with the background stamps!! Thanks for sharing! ;)

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  114. Absolutely love your journal page. The colored background with the white diecuts are great. And a cute picture.

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  115. Wow such amazing work. I'm glad your little boy is getting used to his baby brother, bless him. These new products are awesome particularly the circular sentiments...I will put them on my wish list ;0) x

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  116. Thanks for showing different ways to use the terrific backgrounds- great cards with much to see and admire!

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  117. Love the technique with embossing and ink blending. Such a cool effect

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  118. Anna-Karin, your art journal pages and card are fantastic. Great use of these new products. I am loving those background stamps too!

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  119. Somewhere I missed the transfer part. Great idea and love the cards.

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  120. I am so excited about the "Falling" series in this release.. I can't wait to get my hands on them. The way you used the sets together to make the panels on the card ... Just inspired!

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  121. Love the emboss resist! Those clouds...must have.

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  122. Fabulous card made! Love the whole design of the card!

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  123. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one over the moon about the new background stamps. So pretty and so many techniques come to mind! Great stuff give done here!

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  124. Your journal pages are really neat. Using the new release on them really makes them shine. This release is so versatile.

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  125. I love the use of the circle sentiment stamps. Thanks for the chance of winning.

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  126. Love your creativity especially using the stamps which are amazing.

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  127. Thanks for the visual! Wonderful projects!

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  128. What a nice assortment of lovely projects! I was especially interested to see the circular stamp used on a scrapbook page -- a perfect use!

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  129. Nice projects! I like how you used the new products!

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  130. Love how you used the background stamps!!

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  131. Aww! this is way too sweet! What an awesome job! love the picture!!!

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  132. Love the layering on the layout and the card. the colors are so pretty and they really set off the rest of the project. The house journal entry is darling. Love that big umbrella.
    thanks for sharing.

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  133. Wonderful how you used all the left overs without creating the same

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  134. Awesome projects, thanks for sharing the "how to" of what you made!!

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  135. Nice designs. Thanks for sharing.

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  136. Really like all the examples you gave! Love the new release.

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  137. Fantastic ideas and tips. Thanks for sharing.

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  138. Lots of new technique stuff to digest here...thank you! I do love those circle sayings.

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  139. I've never tried removing embossing powder. The result is so pretty that I think I'll have to give it a try!

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  140. Super cute projects! Love this release!

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  141. GREAT instructions and I LOVE the pages. THANKS!!!

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  142. GREAT instructions and I LOVE the pages. THANKS!!!

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  143. Love these projects, you are so creative! TFS.

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  144. Fantastic layout! Thanks for sharing!

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  145. I wasn't sure how I would use those backgrounds. Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  146. you are amazing ...
    nough said
    Sandra ltb

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  147. Great use of the SSSbackgrounds. Love the journal pages!

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  148. Anxious to try the background method

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  149. Fabulous projects! So much inspiration!

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  150. The background stamps are fabulous. Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  151. So much great information. Hadn't heard of inksheets yet, so I'll definitely be coming back for a closer read. Thanks!

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  152. I like your style of crafting almost avart garde. You approach is unique and stylish.

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  153. You did a wonderful job on these pages! So creative!

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  154. Wonderful projects!!! Thanks for the photo tutorial Anna-Karin!

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  155. What gorgeous projects! Thanks for showing how you got all those fab layers in!

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  156. I love those backgrounds. Your pages are fabulous!

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  157. Great page!! I love that halo effect!!Hooray for happy accidents!

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  158. Fabulous art journal pages and thanks for showing us the process! TFS

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  159. What a great journal page. Thanks for sharing the iron technique, I'm definitely going to try it out.

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  160. Love your work - love the new release!

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