Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Whimsy Hop! New Rubber! New DP! Metal Dies!



I'm starting off the latest Whimsy Blog Hop today, yay!  Welcome precious peeps! There are a ton of prizes to be won along the way, and lots of time to enter, so I hope you'll hop along with us!  The hop starts today (Wed Nov 10) and goes til noon Wed Nov 17th.
There are lots of new rubber stamps by the Whimsy Artists, so I hope you'll check out the fun we've been having drawing and designing them!
I'm giving away (well, Denise of Whimsy Stamps is!!) my Peace on Earth rubber stamp set!  I have used the angel from the set on my card.  See the entire set here.  If you are entering for the draw, leave a link to your blog by using Inlinkz at the bottom of this post.  If you don't have a blog, just make sure you tell me so in a comment and I'll make sure you are entered.  I'll be using Random.org to pick the winner on the 17th!
Well, I have some news for you! I have been secretly working away along with Denise and Ann of Whimsy on some special projects!  We have come up with some original 6 x 6 designer paper, AND some metal dies!!!  Ann developed a metal die for all her ticket sentiments and I designed (with some help from the Whimsy Studios) a snowflake die I call, "Winter's Jewel 1" !   I'm so excited to see my illustrations being used in these new ways!
My Winter Jewel 1 is on pre-order and will start shipping around Nov 22.  But the ticket die and papers are available now!  I can't wait for you to see!  And tell me what you think!
Ann did the bulk of the work for the paper packs.  Most of the images she used are my rubber stamp illustrations for Whimsy, which I hand painted.  But she used her graphic art design skills to arrange them in various patterns for the papers!  I think she did a fantastic job myself!
There are two packs that will be for sale.  Each pack will have two each of twelve designs for a total of 24 sheets per pack.  Here is a sample of one of the 6 x 6 papers from the Holiday Folly collection: 
And this is the snowflake I designed!  I actually had a lot of graphic help -- I needed it!  The Whimsy Studios artists helped me tweak it to get it perfect.  Without their input and know-how, it would not be symmetrical at all.  I'm afraid I've never had a course on computer graphic design, and when you are drawing a snowflake, you really need the help of a computer if you want it to look right. 
It wasn't ready for me to use on my card today, but I can't wait to get mine and start using it!  I'm rather pleased with how it turned out!  This die will cut and emboss just like the big name brand dies out there.  Cool, huh? heh - heh, yeah, cool (snowflakes -- cool -- get it??) Actual die measures two inches.
          
Now on to the details of my card!

I stamped my Angel from my Peace on Earth set in Versafine Onyx Black ink onto 140 lb. cold press watercolour paper by Canson. I used Distress Inks to water colour.  The background was done using a very loose brush stroke and two brushes; a round size 6 and size 10. 
I used Twinklets Diamond Dust glitter on the snowflakes and on the wings.  I used gold Smooch Spritz all over the card, but it is impossible to see the delicate gold sheen it gave it.  So nice IRL though!
The two white panels were embossed with the Spellbinders Impressability snowflake die.  I then used Vintage Photo Distress ink to distress just about everything!! lol
Snowflakes are from some Martha Steware punches and also some Spellbinders snowflake dies. 
The circle tag is from the new Winter Letter Seals by Raindrop Echo Designs (Ann Vento for Whimsy Stamps).  It cuts perfectly using the circle dies by Spellbinder! She's a smartie, designing a lot of her sentiments with those popular dies in mind! You can find all her Whimsy graphic work in rubber here and digital here
Below is another example of her beautiful work.  She does custom rubber stamps for crafters!! There are a ton of beautiful designs and fonts to choose from!  This is what she did for me that I can put on the back of all my cards.  And see how beautifully it fits my Spellbinders frame too! 
Not to mention, the custom stamps are made in grey rubber to save on costs.  They stamp well and yet are very affordable!!  AND she also does custom digital work too -- signatures and watermarks.  You can find the many templates she has available here.  And here's a hint: November 15 thru 21, Whimsy has a 20% off sale on all their rubber and digital Custom stamps! And this week, November 8 thru 14, all their digital stamps are 50% off!! They are having their 2nd birthday bash sale-abration all month long.  Check the blinkie on my right side bar near the top for details.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Crazy Challenge: Things with Wings
Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge: Display weather (snow, ice, rain, sun)
One Stop Craft Challenge Blog: Embossing
Drunken Stampers: Punch Me!
Paper Sundaes: Let it Snow!
Craft Your Passion Challenges: Use double anything (two embossed panels on mine)

 Seven of us are offering blog candy prizes, so you won't want to miss out on your chance to win!  And one of the blogs has the GRAND PRIZE of ALL the stamps being released today!  If you get lost in the hop, here is the hop order.  Don't forget to sign up below that with Inlinkz!!

Hop begins here Crissy Armstrong (that's me, that's me!!)
Phew, so that was a lot to tell you!  Now if you want to continue on with the hop, go to
  Simonne's blog to see what she has cooked up for you! 








101 comments:

  1. All I can say is WOW! Crissy this card is absolutely stunning! The details are amazing as is your coloring. Love all the snowflakes and pretty accents too. Gorgeous! :)

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  2. wow, totally stunning Crissy, love this angel and you have coloured her perfectly as always! hugs Debx

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  3. Holy WOW!!! I'll come back an leave a comment after I pick my jaw up off the ground! Simply stunning!

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  4. Crissy, both the card and the image are over the top amazing!! I love your pretty snowflakes with this!! So stunning!! HUGS

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  5. Okay.. :) WOW!!! this is STUNNING!! I just became a follower of your blog as well.. you creation is breath taking.. thanks for sharing off to the next inspirational blog..for the hop..crossing fingers, toes, and eyes to win.. HUGS

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  6. OMG! This is utterly stunning, Chrissy! Beautiful layout and colors! And those snowflakes are so pretty! Wonderful coloring of the image! LOVE IT!
    And the new Whimsy releases are gorgeous!!!
    Hugs,
    Silvie
    xx

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  7. Very beautiful card,lovely details.
    Grtzz Marjon

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  8. Your new release is amazing, Crissy, just so beautiful. I was thrilled to be able to design with it for this release. The card you made is absolutely lovely - love how you colored your background in shades of blue. It really makes the angel pop. Congrats on a great release!

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  9. Your card is absolutly beautiful! I found your blog thru Beate Johns blog, unfortunatly I do not have a blog yet but would you enter me in the drawing.Thank you so much Dee

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  10. That card is totally gorgeous. I have sat and stared at it for ages.
    Beautiful.
    CHRISSY!

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  11. Oh Wow Crissy Stunning card gorgeous image fabulous colours
    Anne xx

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  12. I LOVE the angel! That background is so beautiful. I am going to have to see if I can master that one it really made the card.

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  13. Oh wow wow wow Crissy this is STUNNING! Out of this world coloring and beautiful details! Love the snowflakes! :-)

    Hugs,
    Iris

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  14. Thanks for this, love your snowflake! Off to start hopping!

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous image, card, and snowflake, Crissy!

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  16. Crissy this is absolutely stunning, your colouring always amazes me and your new stamp set is beautiful. The snowflake die looks wonderful too x

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  17. Okay...so first of all I have to say that I LOVE your new set. The angel is stunning and so are the other images in the set. Thanks for creating it for us, who can't draw.
    Your coloring looks AMAZING like always. I kept on staring at your angel when I first came to your blog post.
    I love how you layered the snowflake and how you finished off your card. It's a work of art.
    Hugs and smiles

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  18. Stunning creation sweetie, your colour work is amazing and i am so loving the dies shapes too big hugs love Pops x x x

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  19. Wow! This is just fabulous. I love the image and those swirls are gorgeous. Congrats on your designing of the snowflake.
    Marion

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  20. Oh my goodness, your card is gorgeous. I just love that angel. I'm so excited about the paper and dies and can't wait to get my hands on them.

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  21. Wow Crissy!I love your vintage snowflakes,the paper,and your amazing coloring!!Gorgeous work!
    Chris

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  22. OMG! Chrissy you have totally outdone yourself with this one, I can't find enough superlatives to describe it. Try, FABULOUS, SENSATIONAL, GORGEOUS, STUNNING! Sorry, I guess I might be in danger of boring you now, but hopefully you get the picture, lol.

    Hugs

    Judi xx

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  23. This is amazing and I really admire your artwork.

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  24. Crissy, I'm sure you hear this all the time, but my goodness you are talented! This card creation is breathtakingly beautiful! Your technique on the deep blues background is stunning! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

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  25. WOOOWEEE Crissy this is AMAZING I am in amazement with this creation, TOTALLY GORGEOUS what an AWESOME way to start this hop!!!

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  26. Wow, this is absolutely stunning. Beautiful! Love all the layering, techniques and texture you added to the card. I don't have a blog but would like to be included in the drawing.
    Thanks and God bless!
    Peggy Allen

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  27. A beautiful card Crissy, love your coloring, the snowflakes and scrolls, and that bow and snowflake are exquisite.
    hugs
    Donna xx

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  28. WOW this is just stunning!! Your coloring is always so beautiful and brings the images to life!! Love the colors and all your gorgeous details!!!
    Congrats on making your first dies and paper!! Lovely job ~ I adore it all!
    :)Kathy

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  29. Crissy this is just beautiful!!!I love
    your angel,paper and ribbon!!
    I don`t have a blog.
    Hugs
    Meghan

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  30. This is stunning!!! Your image, your colouring, everything is divine!!! Loving the glitter and those clear flecks of fabulousness on the snowflakes, just awe amazing!!!
    hugs, stephanne

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  31. A true work of art by a talented lady!! Love the angel.Please enter me in the hop as I have no blog.

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  32. Your card and design are wonderful! I dont have a blog but here am I! xxx

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  33. The image background alone would have been enough to get me as excited as a spaniel who has spotted some grub... but everything else - the subtle way you have painted the folds, highlights in her hair, glass glitter on wings, gorgeous snowflakes and beautiful swirls - well, I am a happy spaniel indeed!!
    Hugs
    Annika

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  34. OMG Crissy, your card is just stunning! Your angel is beautiful and so is your coloring. Congrats on your new stamp set and snowflake die, both are wonderful! I love the designer papers too!

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  35. wow o wow, where do i start. Firstly i love your card, just breathtaking,
    secondly the papers and dies, i just cant control myself i dont know what to buy first(if i had the money id buy all of the release)
    Thanks do much for the chance to win such sweet candy. I have everything crossed.
    x laura x

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  36. Stunning card, Crissy! Fabulous colouring and details.
    Hugs, Vanja

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  37. Wow, what a beautiful card. Love your coloring. And what an amazing snowflake you made. Perfect.
    Hugs, Yvon

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  38. Wow!!I love the colors,paper,image,and those gorgeous snowflakes!Amazing!
    Nicki

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  39. Totally awesome and stunning card Crissy!! I love the image and all the details you've put into creating this masterpiece. Thanks for sharing! "Hugs" Carol

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  40. Wow! This is stunning! I so love the angel and the snowflakes...BEAUTIFUL!

    XXX

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  41. Love your blog & the card will keep an eye out for your snowflake Die Do not have a blog but would love to win the stamp
    Ann

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  42. Stunning, love the vintage look of your card Crissy and that super design of your very own snowflake die, it's wonderful!

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  43. Your card is magical!
    So beautiful and elegant!
    Hugs!
    Sandra!

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  44. I love the beautiful vibrant colors and the snowflakes.

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  45. gorgeous, gorgeous card Crissy! Congrats on the stunning papers and your snowflake die! ♥

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  46. Gorgeous card! I love the snowflake die as well. I put it on my wishlist at Whimsey Stamps as soon as I saw it!

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  47. Oohhh Wow i love this card, it looks so fresh and festive, thanks for sharing your beautiful creation

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  48. This is stunning!!! Not only can you illustrate - you have an amazing talent of putting a card together and coloring!! WOW!! I love the color contrasts that you used - and how you colored the background is incredible!! Tuly inspiring work!! You are a very talented lady!!!

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  49. Wowzer Crissy this is awesome what wonderful detail, that image, papers and design are so beautiful thank you for sharing this with us at OSCC this week.
    Hugs
    Lorraine x

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  50. Oh Crissy - this is just divine! I love the image and the way you have nrought it to life!! Those snowflakes are PERFECT!! Love it! Thanks you for joining is at the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge this week!! {{{hugs}}}
    Linda SSIC Design Team

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  51. oh wow! Totally absolutely stunning! Love everything about this card - unbelievable coloring and the snowflake is to die for.
    I wish I was the recipient of this beauty ;)
    Thanks for joining us at Paper Sundaes this week!

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  52. Your card is beautiful. Loved all the details and the coloring is great. This is one of the prettiest angel images I have seen.

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  53. SENSATIONAL~~ Amazing card and the images, dies and paer are stunning
    Love It all and thanks so very much
    Hugz

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  54. Gorgeous card! I love it!

    I am drooling over all the new products being release today. I think I am going to be shopping over the week end!

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  55. Your artwork is incredible! Love your snowflake die also!

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  56. Oh, my goodness. What an incredibly beautiful card. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

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  57. WOW I am just loving this beautiful card...it is just stunning.Thank you for joining us this week at
    Craft Your Passion Challenges
    Hope you join us each week.

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  58. Oh Chrissy this image is absolutely gorgeous and your coloring is beyond words!!! I can't take my eyes off her.... and congrats on the new ventures too! I have GOT to get some of this dp!!! So luscious looking!!! Wow!

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  59. Crissy, I LOVE your new images! Esp the set you used for your card, which is of course, gorgeous! I'm blogless but would DEARLY love to have a chance to win this set. Thanks so much!
    R/

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  60. I was postitively drooling over this card, Crissy - it's just soooo gorgeous!
    Diane x

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  61. Wonderful card - love all the details. Thanks for joining us on Kaboodledoodles this week. Jill

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  62. Wow, your card is no doubt gorgeous! And I think that the new releases ar so wonderful, and definitely hopping along :)

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  63. Lovely card and adorable snowflake.
    hugs Dorte

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  64. What a wonderful card Crissy,I love the image and the colours.
    So gorgeous papers.

    Hugs Riet.x

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  65. Love all the details and how the image is strong enough to still be the focal piont, fab thanks for sharing.

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  66. Absolutely stunning card Crissy,your colouring of this gorgeous Image is just beautiful,Hugs Debbie x

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  67. Lovely details! what a beautiful card!
    Hugs

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  68. Wow! What an amazing way to start of the hop! This is absolutely stunning! Beautiful coloring - love that background. Aweseome layout with those swirls and gorgeous snowflakes. Amazing! hugs, Angela

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  69. Wow!!! this is a beautiful card. I could run on forever telling you I love this and that about your card but all I will say is AMAZING.
    Thank you for entering your fabulouis card in our challenge this week at Kaboodledoodles and we hope to see some more of your creations in further Kaboodle challenges.

    Shirley

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  70. Hi Crissy

    Wow what an absolutely gorgeous card - just shows how versatile a stamp can be when you look at your's, Denise's and Annika's cards - you've all done such great work!

    Thanks for joining us at Kaboodle Doodles for our Vintage Challenge.

    Good luck with all your work at Whimsy - you must be so excited to get your work published and created - Wow!

    Tina
    X

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  71. OMGosh beautiful card,
    thanks for joining us at Secret Crafter: 108 Red and Gold,
    Good luck,
    Hugs Bridget ;) x. SCSC DT

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  72. Beautiful Crissy! Love how you colored your angel and the background is fabulous!
    Pam Going Postal

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  73. This is a beautiful stamp and you have done wonders with it on your card. The colour combo and glitz & sparkle just say 'Christmas@.

    Those papers look lovely too, & well done on your die of a snowflake.xx

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  74. Truly stunning, your work always blows me away, wow wow wow!

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  75. This is amazing Chrissy i totally love it! Off a hop a go this is going to be great a hop! hugz xx

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  76. This is quite possibly the most amazing Christmas card I've ever seen! Fabulous!
    Thanks for joining us at Kaboodle Doodles and good luck!
    Farrah

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  77. Beautiful Crissy, this Angel is Stunning, your coloring just pops out!! Love all your work!
    Hugs,
    Patricia

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  78. Wow that was a fantastic hop! I have even treated myself to some digis from the shop too LOL Thanks for the chance to win some ever so yummy goodies too! hugz xx

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  79. Such amazing talent. Loved the card and papers you used.

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  80. So gorgeous , So unique card. The image is so precious. I love the snowflakes and all sentiments and embelishments. Amazing work.

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  81. what a gorgeous red and gold creation thank you for sharing with us at the SCSC this week
    Hugs Kate xx

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  82. Wow - this is stunning! I love your new images and I'll be shopping for a few soon! Thanks for joining us at Paper Sundaes for our Let It Snow challenge!

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  83. Gosh, I truly love your work, you are so talented, thanx for sharing!
    Cheri

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  84. This is breathtakingly beautiful.
    Thanks for sharing and joining the OSCC this week.
    Hugs
    Valxx

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  85. Absolutely stunning creation.Your shading is just amazing and love the fabulous background behind the angel.Thanks for joining us at Craft Your Passion :D
    Lisa x

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  86. Oh Crissy,This is beautiful!!!!!
    I love your colors,snowflake,image,
    ribbon,charm,paper and sentament.
    Hugs
    Meghan

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  87. Beautiful card!
    Thanks for joining us at the SCSC!
    Helen x

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  88. Love your card. Thanks for the fun hop.
    Hugs, Rosalee

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  89. Wonderful card, breath taking! TFS

    xdebrax@yahoo.com

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  90. I absolutely adore this image and your card is just stunning! Thanks for joining us at Kaboodle Doodles!

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  91. Absolutely stunning hun and gorgeous blog too :o)
    hugs and xxx

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  92. A gorgeous cardu... a real artwork! Love those colors you used. And the image is awesome. Just love the snowflake and your coloring as well. Thanks for joining us at Paper Sundaes this week.
    Hugs, Karina

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  93. What a stunnin card and love that die
    thanks for sharin this with us
    hugs Nikki C

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  94. This is so elegant and beautiful! I especially love all the sparkle. It makes it very festive!
    Thanks for such a great card!
    Anna Banana

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  95. Your cards are always so special. I think this one is my favorite of all of them. Gorgeous!!!

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  96. Congratulations Crissy! I'm so thrilled for you! Your papers are gorgeous, as is your card. You angel is so sweet!!!! Hugs, Jerri

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  97. Crissy, this is the most beatuiful card I have ever seen. I have all of the other stamps you have shown but not this one but I will have it in a couple of minutes.
    It is absolutely the most beautiful card I have ever gazed on. Thank you so very much for sharing it.
    Hugs Cathy K

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