Saturday, April 25, 2020

SSS Sunny Days Ahead Blog Hop

Hello crafters and welcome to my blog! I hope you are all well and healthy. I am so happy to take part in the Simon Says Stamp Sunny Days Ahead blog hop, to celebrate the new release. You should have come here from the very creative JD Collins.


The Sunny Days Ahead release is filled with wonderful and versatile products. You can see them all here. I think the name for the release is perfect, there are sunny days ahead. You will find gorgeous graduation products, lots of ways to celebrate Mother's Day, and an many pretty spring florals. If you use the code sssink you get a free Intense Black ink pad with any purchase (offer valid until 4/26 at 11:59).


I made two projects for the blog hop and they are very different from each other. There is a mixed media canvas featuring a trio of roses, and a quick stamped and watercolored Mother's Day card.

 Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Here's the finished canvas. Mixed media projects look harder to do when you just see the finished product, but if you follow along in the tutorial below, you will discover that it isn't so hard. It is created layer upon layer. This would be a great Mother's Day gift and it is easy to send too, since many of us might not be able to see our mother in person on Mother's Day. Especially in these days. It's a 6 x 6 in canvas, but you can also turn the design into a card, if you use sturdy paper as a base. It was made with the Rose Trio Stencil.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Start with a layer of gesso (I forgot to take a photo of that step) and let it dry. The paint watered-down Distress Paints on the background, misting heavily with water.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Rose Trio stencil.

When dry, apply Texture Paste through the Rose Trio stencil.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Paint the roses.

Paint the roses with three shades of pink and red. The pink shade to the right is a mix of Picket Fence and Candied Apple.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Continue with darker shades, adding shadow areas on the inside of the petals. Blend into the lighter shade by using some of the lighter colors.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Add a little white for highlights.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Paint the leaves.

Paint the leaves with three shades of green, starting with the lighter one.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I wanted this canvas to have a light look and didn't add as many shadows as I often do, just a few lines here and there with a black marker. I also scribbled a white gel pen here and there for more highlights.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Stamp randomly with the You Matter background stamp. It's an older SSS stamp, and one of my favorites.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Add grit-paste.

For more texture, apply Opaque Grit-Paste around the edges with a palette knife. You can also use Texture Paste, but it will give a little less texture. Let dry.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

At first, I was going to use brown for the edges, but then I decided that I wanted to skip the brown and have more of a green feeling to the background. So I painted the grit-paste with Shabby Shutters, and added darker shades of Peeled Paint and Forest Moss. You can add paint directly to the grit-paste before applying it, but I usually like to paint it afterwards when it is dry. Some of the white will be visible and you get a better and more varied texture.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

And for some shimmer, I mixed an ice-cream stick scoop (just the tip of an ice cream stick is enough) of Perfect Pearls into water to make my own shimmer mist, and misted on the project.

 Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Cut sentiments from the Sentiment Strips Reverse Mom Days and drag a black ink pad along the edge to hide the white cutting line.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

I used two sentiment strips and liked the contrast of the black strips against the background. Here you can see the texture of the grit-paste better.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Don't worry too much about mistakes when painting the roses, mistakes won't be visible in the end, especially not when you see the canvas from a little distance.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Red rose.

You can of course also paint all the roses in the same color, or make them white or yellow instead. The circle words was stamped with the Mom Word Mix 2 and Green Leaf ink.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Texture.

I like the shape of these leaves, with the soft curving lines.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The glimmer is a little hard to capture on photo, but you might see it better here.

Layers of ink - Mixed Media Rose Canvas Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

For a more grungier example with similar techniques, check out my Bouquet of Roses canvas tutorial.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The Mother's Day card is very different from the canvas and is quick and easy to make. You can use any colors that you'd like. I used the wonderful Luck and Hugs set. The circle flowers and overlapping open letters are so cool and fun to color. You can also use Distress Ink instead of watercolor paint.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson. Stamp with Luck and Hugs.

Start by white embossing the stamps that you want to use on watercolor paper. As you can see, there are lots of options in this great set, and many different sentiments.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Mix and test watercolors on a piece of scrap paper first. I always test my colors and how they will blend before painting on the actual project. Start with the 'h' and paint the whole letter, also the overlapping part. Continue with the next letter before the 'h' dries. You want the paints to blend. Paint over the edge here and there so that the outline of the letters will be visible.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Continue with the flowers. This is also a good exercise in wet-on-wet paint blending. As you can see the orange and the blue create a darkish color, which is why I didn't place them next to each other in the word. On the flowers, the dark areas add interest, but on the word, they would have been too strong.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Splatter a little paint on the card. The stamp the sentiments. They come from the Mom Word Mix 2 set.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Distress the edges of the watercolor panel before adhering it to a piece of blue cardstock and then to folded white cardstock.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

You can cover the word when splattering, but I liked having just a few splatters in the letters.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

Here you can see how the paints blend with each other on the paper.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

These flowers made up by overlapping circles are such a fun design.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The heart was die cut with Tim Holtz Falling Hearts die from SSS glittery paper. It was a left-over from another project.

Layers of ink - Hugs Watercolor Card Tutorial by Anna-Karin Evaldsson.

The colorful splatters add a nice playful touch to the card.

There are of course prizes to be won, and at each stop on the hop SSS is giving away a $25 coupon, randomly drawn from those who leave a comment. The winners will be posted post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday, the 29th of April.

Your next stop on the hop is Amanda Korotkova and she will show you wonderful inspiration using the previously released Mother’s Day, Graduation, and spring floral Simon Exclusive products.

Here are all the stops along the hop:

Anna-Karin Evaldsson (you are here)

ADDITIONAL INSPIRATION using previous released Simon branded products.


For more Sunny Days inspiration, remember to check out the Sunny Days Ahead gallery at SSS, and if you make something with products from the range, it is fun if you post it in the gallery too. There are galleries for all releases, and for the card kits, full of inspiration. Part one of the Sunny Days Ahead blog hop was yesterday, so don't miss all the inspiration there.




Thank you so much for visiting today and I hope you will have a lovely weekend!

Happy crafting!

Anna-Karin

Supplies:

* Please note: the links are affiliate links, for which I receive a small percentage of sales generated by the link, at no extra cost to you.


118 comments:

  1. Your rose canvas was awesome. Thanks for sharing

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  2. I especially like your hugs card. The watercoloring looks awesome. I'm going to try some more watercoloring today...

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  3. Your canvas is beautiful, I hope you hang it. I love your bright happy mother's day cardtoo.

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  4. Your canvas is just beautiful! I love it and your Mother's day card is very pretty too!

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  5. What an amazing canvas, I love it.

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  6. Have never done any mixed media on canvas. Yours is lovely! I really like the card the best. I do have a question, or rather a comment about your ice cream scoop. Cant imagine one that small!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment Sarah and for discovering my mistake. It was supposed to be 'ice cream stick'. That would otherwise have had to have been some type of miniature ice cream scoop. So funny!

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  7. Great projects. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. WOW! The texture and coloring is simply incredible! I LOVE THESE!

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  9. Fabulous projects! Gorgeous canvas with amazing layers and textures. Beautiful, fresh and happy card design.

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  10. I absolutely love the art panel! Amazing!!

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  11. The mix media project looks awesome, and the card is so pretty!! Thanks for the photo tutorial!!

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous! You are a true artist!!

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  13. The mixed media one is awesome (Both are beautiful) I want to touch it! I can see the texture. Very cool

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  14. Wow! Although I've never done mixed media this is stunning! And I also LOVE your hugs card...clean, simple, and colorful! My kind of card!

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  15. Your cards are terrific.

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  16. Wow! Your canvas is gorgeous! Fun card too

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  17. I love the mixed media work you did, very pretty. Lots of texture really makes it work.

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  18. the mixed media project is
    gorgeous. thanks for the
    detailed explanation.
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Your canvas is awesome and is a perfect gift idea. I also love your card for it's bright and cheery vibe!

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  20. Love the hugs card with pretty watercolors

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  21. OH MY WORD!!! The mixed media canvas is breathtaking!! I need to save to my Mixed Media board on Pinterest! I'm intrigued! Your HUGS cards are so refreshing and cheerful!

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  22. The card is pretty but my favorite is the canvas. It is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing with us. Stay safe and healthy.

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  23. Both of your projects are amazing! Thanks for explaining your process in such detail. I love Mixed Media.

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  24. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. Your rose canvas is my favorite!

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  26. I LOVE this! Usually a pastel cutsie gal but have just started to dabble with grunge- wow great dimension-colors-background awesome? Thanks for the inspiration and please be healthy!

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  27. Awesome Sunny Days Ahead Release! Awesome creations! I especially love the textured flower canvas!

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  28. Very cool projects!! Love the colors!! Thanks for the inspiration!!

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  29. WOW! Thanks for the step by step of the canvas - it is beautiful. Always did love your style!

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  30. Great canvas! And the card is very bright and cheerful. Thanks for sharing.

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  31. Your canvas is gorgeous!!!

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  32. Your rose canvas looks like a piece of tapestry. Thanks so much for sharing the great details.

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  33. Love your mixed media use of the roses stencil and the hugs stamp!

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  34. Love that new rose stencil, your canvas is lovely!

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  35. Lovely projects. I love the canvas. And the tutorial is much appreciated. I love the card too.

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  36. Thank you for sharing, you do wonderful work!

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  37. What a great canvas and love the card too.

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  38. i especially love the way you colored the card. Thank you!

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  39. Very creative. Your canvas is very cool and your card so pretty.

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  40. Loved the texture of the roses card. So realistic. Thanks for sharing.

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  41. beautiful canvas piece I love roses

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  42. I love your canvas project! It is really special!

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  43. Thank you so much for the step-by-step instructions. Both pieces are lovely, and I really like the bright colors on the "hugs" card.

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  44. I love the depth and texture of your floral canvas! It is just stunning!

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  45. Lovely creations, love that stencil.

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  46. Gorgeous projects. Your mixed media canvas is amazing.

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  47. Love the watercolor hugs! Very pretty.

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  48. Awwww I love the hugs card. It is so pretty and colorful.

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  49. Wonderful mixed media project and sweet card.
    Thanks so much for sharing.

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  50. The rose canvas is so pretty, with a vintage vibe.

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  51. Your mixed media flowers are beautiful, but so is your water colored hugs card! Amazing!

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  52. Your card & mixed media project are both so pretty, each in their own way. I've not done much mixed media, so I enjoy seeing what people create.

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  53. I haven't yet attempted mixed media canvas, but your work is inspiring! Love the mother's day card and its colors!

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  54. Gosh, these are both so very beautiful! I love mixed media.

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  55. That canvas is just, WOW, and your hugs card is awesome!

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  56. Two beautiful projects! Thank you so much for taking us through the process step by step!

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  57. Your mixed media canvas is very nice and I like your colorful hugs card!

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  58. Your canvas piece is so pretty and with the steps laid out it doesn't seem so hard. The colorful card is so cheery and fun.

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  59. Love your projects today - BUT OMG what a fabulous canvass project - LOVE the distresses and antique look of it - so yummy:)

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  60. Wow, love the colors and the torn edge on the blue base card!!

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  61. Your mixed media card is stunning!

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  62. Hugs, we all need them these days! Love your projects always,hugs.

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  63. Love both of your examples. The canvas with the distress paints is gorgeous.

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  64. Love your cards!! So pretty! Thanks for the inspirations!

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  65. Love your work. But, absolutely fell in love with your first project! Thanks for the step by step instructions!

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  66. Ohhh wow, love it. Beautiful

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  67. What a beautiful title for a beautiful release. So many wonderful products and artists for us to follow. As an Australian 🇦🇺 I especially love the “Mum” die. A lot of the cards I used to make for my Mum, before she passed, had the top of the “O” cut out of them🙂 Thank you to Simon for the release and to you for the beautiful inspiration 💖

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  68. I love your mixed media canvas!! It makes me want to try it!! Beautiful!

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  69. Your canvas is gorgeous and I love your card too, so cheerful and pretty.

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  70. Beautiful projects with these new stamps! I especially love the canvas artwork you created.

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  71. Thank you for sharing 2 wonderful projects with us. They are both very pretty.

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  72. Love the mixed media canvas and the card

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  73. Beautiful projects - your canvas is stunning!

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  74. Love your cards. Crazy for that new stencil.

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  75. Pretty canvas and card! Love the stencil you used for the canvas project! Awesome colors and textures! Beautiful card too, and a great color combo!

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  76. s gorgeous project - love all the texture and colours!

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  77. Such a lovely canvas...made me smile,scrolling down was so much fun...Thanks for beautiful inspirations!!

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  78. Nice instruction for the rose canvas build.

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  79. I especially like the "Hugs" card. Thank you for sharing.

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  80. WOW, absolutely amazing, I love all the details that went into creating your amazing projects, especially the first canvas!

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  81. What great projects. Very different from each other. I love your pretty floral canvas!

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  82. Wow... I love your first project.. It looks fantastic... Woww.

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  83. The rose canvases are very pretty. Love the hugs card.

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  84. Such a pretty canvas! You are right - it can be so intimidating. Thanks for breaking it down!

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  85. Both the creations are lovely, love the second card with embossing.

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  86. SWOON!! This is BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE this technique and can't wait to try it!! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!!

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  87. the texture paste roses! WOW! love that

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  88. Thanks for taking the time for the step by step photo's appreciated. Lots of great texture ...

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  89. I was very impressed with the steps to creating that lovely mixed media canvas. Thanks for sharing. And the 2nd card is very sweet. How much Mom deserves these expressions of love.

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  90. Your canvas is Stunning and I love your colorful card!!!

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  91. What a fabulous canvas!! Your Mother's Day card is sweet and pretty!

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  92. The canvas is stunning. You inspired me.

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  93. Simply gorgeous inspiration!

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  94. Beautiful canvas and cute card.

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  95. Wow! Gorgeous projects! Your color blending is amazing. TFS!

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  96. Great mixed media roses and very pretty card! Wonderful ways to use the great items in this new release! Thanks for sharing!

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  97. The vintage card is beautiful, and the watercolouring on the second colour is done so well! love the colours you chose

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  98. Lovely projects, once again :) It's true that your mixed media projects look complicated and difficult, but when you explain the process, it makes me think even I could create something similar. Thank you.
    I love the watercolor card as well, especially the torn edges against the vibrant blue mat; striking!

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  99. Beautiful work love the mix media tyfs

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  100. Love the roses! Wish it was a video though.

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  101. loved seeing the mixed media project, it is beautiful
    I love your card also
    thanks for sharing
    Barb Housner

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  102. Ooh the mixed media card is amazing! Lots of textures! Awesome work :)

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  103. Love both your projects. The colors on the card were bright & beautiful. Thanks!

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  104. Your canvas is beautiful. I love the layers and textures. Thanks for the tutorial. You make it sound very easy and I like easy:) Your card makes me feel happy with all the bright and pretty colors. Thanks.

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  105. all I can say is WOW.....Wow......wow ....thanks for sharing

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  106. I can't believe you can create such amazing mixed media and then go clean and simple! What talent. I have never been able to do a mixed media distressed look before. Both are amazing and stunning creations. The floral's are beautiful!

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  107. Your mixed media canvas is inspiring. And your card delightful.

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  108. Love the canvas with the text over the flowers!

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  109. Both are such beautiful projects and your tutorials are great. I love the water color card - so simple but a lot of *pop*.

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  110. Just beautiful, can't decide which one I like the most. Love them!

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