Sunday, February 16, 2014

Simple Card Design for Many Occasions


Today I have a simple and useful card to share.  There are times when you need a card for a friend or relative who is ill, having a hard time or has suffered a loss.  These cards are difficult to make when you are "on the spot" so it is a good idea to make some to have on hand when an occasion arises when you'd like to send a card quickly.


I started with this pretty Florette from Webster's Pages and tried to find the best shade of purple or lilac for the card base from my stash.


Next I needed to add a layer to the base.  I went to one of my favorite "finds" - a pack of wedding cardstock that is very wedding specific on the front side...


...but has this beautiful gold damask design on the "B" side.

I tend to make a lot of cards with pretty standard graduated layering mats.  So this time, I tried something a little different.  I cut the gold layer at 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches so it would create a stripe across the card.  This left room at the lower right for a sentiment.  I like the way you can "audition" clear stamps by holding them over your project to see how they fit.

 

This Sincere Expressions stamp set from CTMH has some lovely and useful sentiments.  You can find this stamp set on my friend Joy's CTMH site HERE.


I wanted to add a little bit of contrast at the long edges of the gold layer.  I looked for ribbon but couldn't find any that coordinated nicely.  Then I looked up and saw some of my washi tape and had an "aha" moment.  The washi tape would work perfectly to add a subtle edge to the gold damask.


The best way I know to get the tape lined up straight across the card is to work on a gridded mat.  I sat the paper in position along the grid and placed the top 1/4 inch above one of the bold inch lines on the mat.


Washi tape is very forgiving,  You can pick it up and put it down several times so if the line isn't straight the first time just lift it and try again.  I also used a bit of orange washi tape to keep the piece from slipping on the mat.


When the washi tape line is straight you can lift the entire piece and smooth the tape to the back.


Here is the back side of the piece.  On another card, I might choose to use this as the front with the interesting scroll work that remains from the wedding side of the paper.


It works best to trim toward the outer edges from the center to get a nice even cut.


I stamped the sentiment with Versamark ink and then sprinkled gold embossing powder on the wet ink.  The first powder I used was the Ranger Super Fine Detail embossing powder and I didn't like the way the words looked when they were finished.  The fine detail embossed sentiment (at the bottom) actually makes the words less attractive in this case because it blends in too well with the texture of the cardstock.


I decided to try again and this time I used the Zing brand embossing powder from American Crafts.  I think the fatter and smoother letters look much better.


Once I had added the layer and sentiment, it was easy to pop on this large flower with leaves.  This simple formula could be followed with all sorts of papers and cardstock.  You could make up some bases and have them ready to finish up quickly when you need a card.


Can you guess what I added to the boxes today?


 If you said flowers you would be right.


I like to fill the boxes with items that are as close to identical as possible - and I had three sets of these flowers.  The patterns are a bit different than the one I used for today's card but I think you will like them.

How do you play along in the blog celebration giveaway?


To enter for a chance to win one of the three boxes - see all of the details on the first blog celebration post HERE.  Then come back and get your comments in on this post.  Remember, if you sign up for the new newsletter (see the box at the top right of the page) I will be choosing one person from the subscribers as a box winner (you don't need to leave a comment here since I can see that list).

Today's question to answer in your comment is:

A few years ago, everyone seemed to be buying jars of little flowers to add to their projects.  The flowers that have become available in recent years are different in style, larger and quite lovely.  Many people also making their own flowers now since there are dies and cartridges that have rolled flower cuts to use.  Do you use a lot of flowers?  What type do you like to use? 

Happy President's Day vacation week - I am not going anywhere but I hope you have a great trip if you are taking the school break as a chance to get away with your family.  I'll be here...filling up these boxes with some more goodies!

Subscribe to Capadia Designs if you would like to have new posts delivered directly to your email. 

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82 comments:

  1. I use flowers a lot on scrapbook pages. Not so much on cards because they get so thick and difficult to mail.

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  2. I don't have much experience with non-paper flowers. The card turned out great.

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  3. What a pretty card, I really love the sentiment set. I have yet to use my washi tapes, this gives me another example.
    Thank You for sharing.

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  4. Your card is lovely, and a great suggestion to make a few bases for finishing when needed. I love card making, but really do not enjoy sympathy cards, although everyone seems to like the ones I've made. As for flowers, I love the look, but they make the card so thick, it has to be hand-delivered, so if I'm mailing, I really don't use too many. Thank you. bmarczak68atverizondotnet

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  5. I like simplicity. I might add a pun punched flower but that is it.

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  6. I used to use a lot of flowers....and think I need to get back to that. Typically prefer small flowers in clusters but am intrigued by the new trend

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  7. This is a beautiful card to have on hand for a need. I love the embossing. I have lots of flowers. I seem to be drawn to them like I am to paper. I like Petaloo and Paper Studio. I've even found some cute ones in the $1 bins at Michaels. Thank you, Diane for the chance to win these wonderful items.

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  8. Since I tend to mail most of my cards, I still use a lot of the small 3D flowers from years ago. The post office and I don't seem to agree on things and they like to reject most of my mailings even when I follow there stupid guidelines. I agree that the flowers that can be found in the craft stores now are more beautiful, but they don't go through the mail well.

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  9. I LOVE flowers...all kinds! I usually add them to every project I make. I have a slew of the the bottle variety in just about every color and combo. I have a ton of punches and dies that I also make. I actually prefer to make my own b/c I can customized the color and use matching paper to make them as I do not have to worry about finding and mixing just the right shade to make it match.

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  10. The flowers I use are mostly flat because I mail most of my cards. There are a lot of beautiful flowers available, but few that can be easily mailed.

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  11. I like to stamp and punch my flowers, but need to keep them flat since I mail most of mine. Like your card very much.

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  12. I still use a lot of the bottled flowers...I still have a very adequate supply even tho I have used them alot. I do like to use the new punches, Cricut cartridges, and packaged flowers that have come on to the market. I mist 'em, ink 'em, gunge 'em, distress 'em, crumple 'em, spay 'em with water & let 'em dry...then layer them up & look at wonder in how much they have changed. I think God still plays a part in making the flower look more beautiful than I could have when I finish.

    Thank you for all your ideas. Beautiful Card! So many uses!

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  13. I like flowers but I hate making them. Any flowers that I do make I use different punches and just punch out my flowers and add a brad in the center......simple, easy and quick.
    Any large 3D flowers I save and put on packages or gift bags and not on my cards
    ColleenB.
    Texas

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  14. Thanks for the great card ideas/tips. Flowers are great. Dending on how much time I have for a project determines what type of flower to use, cricut flowers are my first choice if I have time, but if not, I like to have on hand other options.

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  15. I've never bought a jar of flowers. I love making them. Love layering them with my own papers and I love rolled flowers. Love being able to make all sizes, too.

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  16. I don't use many flowers on cards since most of mine are going to go through the mail and must meet USPS requirements for thickness. When I do use them, they are usually small ones or very flat. I have some that I will probably use for hand delivered cards.

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  17. Beautiful card! I need to make some of those to have on hand.

    I love flowers and have tons but since there are only males in my family except me, I don't get to use a lot of flowers. I love the tiny flowers the most b/c I can add a few to my manly pages w/o it being to girly. I have all types of flowers just in case.

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  18. I use the small tiny flowers on my cards and save the larger ones for my crochet items. Your card - tastefully done!!!

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  19. I love your card and the colors. I use lots of flowers on many of my projects. I recently purchased the CTMH Artbooking cartridge and can't wait to try this rolling method.

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  20. I use all types of flowers on my cards, from the paper ones in the jars to die cut and punched flowers. I have even used fabric flowers.

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  21. I really like your card and I agree that having some ahead is a great idea. I use flowers for my cards and scrapbooking. I use paper ones I make. I love fabric flowers they are so pretty. I use Petaloo and Prima. I also look in clearance at Micheals.

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  22. I have jars of those flowers. I do like the Prima ones and use those on a special project.

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  23. It seems I NEED to put flowers on most of my cards! I know they aren't very practical for mailing but I can't help myself - I love them. I usually use my cartridges for both rolled and flat flowers with brads, etc.

    Sandy C - Missoula, MT

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  24. I don't use a lot of flowers but when I do I use flowers that I make from paper - either rolled or from die cuts.

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  25. I have a lot of flowers but always forget to add them.

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  26. I have lots of jars of flowers and sometimes make my own with my cartridges. Since most of my crafting is scrapbooking and not cardmaking, I don't make bulky flowers, or else my scrapbooks would never close!

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  27. I have lots of flowers (part of my hoarding sickness) and lots of cartridges with flowers of various kinds. I have used them at times but I find they tend to make my cards and scrapbook pages too bulky so I don't use them as much as I would like.

    debling at cox dot net

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  28. I use flowers on gift packages not cards since I mail most of my cards. I love making them out of all kinds of materials and all shapes. I love how you created your card. So elegant.

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  29. This card is so elegant and looks very easy to duplicate. Thanks for sharing this with us. I use flowers some times
    But maybe not enough. I should use them more often.

    Luria

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  30. I love your card. I mainly use the packaged flowers from Hobby Lobby. I don't use the 3D ones being that I mainly mail my cards. Thanks again for the chance to win.

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  31. I use flowers that have less bulk, because I mail most of mine.
    kathylascala at gmail dot com

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  32. I have lots of flower and a lot of them are the ones I bought several years ago. They're the ones that are layered and put together with brads. I don't use them any more, so I'm thinking about putting them in craft boxes I'm putting together for my three youngest granddaughter! I have other flowers, too, but I use them on mini albums and paper covered boxes that I make.

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  33. I love the card. Purple is one of my favorite colors. I love using flowers on everything. I have acquired quite a few flowers in many colors. I love to use them on my cards. I also love the 3-D flowers that are on stems. Makes for a bulky card, but I make envelobox so they don't get smushed! I will also make my own flowers if I don't have a pre-made one in the style/color I need.

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  34. I like to use silk flowers on LOs. They add a nice pop of color and draw your eye in. I even take apart flowers and use the petals.

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  35. I don't use flowers... to bulky usually. If I hand give a card I may add one!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  36. I do remember and still have those colorful flowers in various sizes. Since then I have learn to do my own with paper, ribbons and fabric; and enjoy those even more. Still one can find beautiful ones in stores.
    Thanks

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  37. I still have a lot of flowers "hoarded" in my craft room. Many of them from the now defunct Creative Memories Power Pallets. I need to use them up. They do go well on cards because they are not so thick as some of the ones in the stores now. I did make a great use of flowers by creating my daughter's wedding boquet. You can view it here on my blog.
    http://craftycolonel.blogspot.com/2013/10/preparing-for-big-day.html

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  38. I use flowers all the time. I do have 4 jars of the old style flowers. Need to figure out a way to update their look. Now I am cutting my own from Cricut Cartridges. I've seen a few made from ribbon but haven't tried it yet. I'm staying home today also not because of snow but just as a catch up at home day.
    Thank you
    Linda in Stanwood

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  39. I love the idea of flowers on my cards, but I never make them. I have a bunch of flower stamps as well as flower-theme cartridges, but never think to use them.

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  40. I tend to use more flowers on my granddaughters pages than I do on cards. I have a bunch of the "jar" flowers, but I don't tend to use them very much.

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  41. I use different types of flowers for different projects. I occasionally use some (from a jar of flower layers) that I can layer to match a project but mostly I cut my own with my Cricut or Cameo.

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  42. I have occasionally used flowers on some projects.

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  43. I sometimes use flowers on my pages. It really depends on the subject or my mood.

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  44. Diane, I love this card. It id beautiful! I do like the larger lettering. I use lots of flowers. I love them. I use cloth, paper and ones I have cut with my Cricut. I love the ones you used on this card.
    Kathy U:)

    kathy21361(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  45. I love your idea for using Washi tape to make a finished edge on a mat. I'm going to try this in the future. I use a fair number of flowers, some purchased, some hand made. I have the Flower Shoppe cartridge and I use that whenever I want larger flowers to decorate boxes, gift bags, etc. I love making flowers, but it's definitely time-consuming and I'm glad I have a few pre-made flowers on hand for when I'm in a hurry.

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  46. I use flowers already made. Sometimes I make the flowers from the Cricut Cartridges that I have. I like the ones most made from my Cartridges. Love this card...

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  47. I also purchased a bunch of those little flowers and used some on scrapbook pages but it is more difficult to use on cards as they add so much bulk and make it more difficult to mail. Most of the flowers now reside in a plastic organizer box waiting to be used someday(I hope).
    I love your idea of making the cards to have on hand for future unexpected use. There are always times like that and I end up in a panic to get a card made and stress out.
    Alla S
    seven016ataoldotcom

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  48. The only flowers I use are stamped or die cut ones. I almost always mail my cards and don't like the bulk of the others.

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  49. I"m one of those people who bought a bunch of those jars of flowers...and rarely use them.

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  50. Never got a jar of flowers, usually I make paper flowers & tend to keep them more on a flatter side to fit scrap pages & cards that can be mailed. Have to say I do love how your card turned out

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  51. I like to make my own flowers. I have used cloth, coffee filters, tissue paper, cardstock, and pattern papers. I usually use my Cricut, but I have a few small punches that are fun, too.
    Your card is beautiful!

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  52. I still have a few jars of those paper flowers on my shelf. I bought a bunch of white ones so I can ink them up to match my project. I have some CM flowers, too.
    Karen L 1020 at gmail dot com

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  53. I occasionally use flowers. I have so many that I have bought that I don't make them very often.

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  54. I have about a half dozen little bottles of flowers and use them as often as I can. I just love the look of them on cards and layouts.

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  55. I have several flowers, but don't find myself using them much. I guess since I mainly scrapbook boy pages I don't work flowers in as much as girly pages.

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  56. Hi Diane Great idea to have 'generic' cards on hand. I don't use flowers as often as I should either! I have a boxful like everyone else seems to have...Alison

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  57. I'm still using up those little flowers you spoke of. I also like felt ones for fun cards and larger, more intricate ones for pretty cards. Sometimes I use stamps to make my own flowers. Thanks for the chance!

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  58. I use handmade flowers, mostly by my hands. In some instances I will use die cut flowers.

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  59. I must say that--even though I have purchased lots of flowers, I do not use tem often. I find I purchase a set, just to get one specific item. Not a very cost effective practice!
    Shellee at srobisonatbrown-strauss.com

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  60. I LOVE flowers...I use them mostly on cards that I hand deliver and on gifts. My favorite flowers are the 3D ones from the Silhouette Store rather than the already made silk prima flowers (of course I some of those too!).

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  61. I use the smaller prima flowers on some cards but find even the small ones can get bulky. I've used them more often to make barrettes.

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  62. Your card is so very nice. I really need to make some to have on hand. I absolutely adore using flowers on my projects. I pretty much use shabby chic as a crafting style and I feel that flowers are a must. I use Wild Orchid Crafts flowers for the most part. I do make them sometimes using fabric flowers and transforming them into something different.
    vballen at comcast dot net

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  63. I love using flowers on everything!! I use handmade flowers that I make from paper,fabric,lace,ribbons, burlap, and anything else I can find!! I also love Petaloo , Prima, and Recollections flowers from Michaels.

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  64. I almost never use flowers. I have only sons to scrapbook for, and if I do use a flower, it's for a card which must be mailed. Therefore, I prefer diecut flowers as opposed to the bulky, 3-dimensinoal ones.

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  65. I love including paper flowers- I use a punch to create a bunch of layers that I manipulate to create a 3-D flower. Since I learned the technique they've been showing up on all my cards!

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  66. Love making flowers from punches,dies cricut and hand cut. Love prima flowers but everyone knows you didnt make them.

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  67. I do use flowers on my projects. I either make them or I use the ones from Michaels.. I love making vellum flowers.

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  68. I use all kinds of flowers. I like the touch they add to my pages, I used a lot in my Europe travel pages. I was surprised how well they worked with travel embellishments.

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  69. I usually make my own flowers. I have many tools to make them. I do have purchased flowers but seem to use them much. I like to make my own customones. carjo40@gmail.com

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  70. I don't use flowers. I'm primarily a scrapbooker and I think they make for really bumpy pages - too bumpy for me.

    Your sympathy card was lovely!
    anticil at comcast dot net

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  71. I have some purchased flowers but enjoy making them myself either from dies or Cricut cartridges or the Cameo. When mailing them I like to use a die and use several layers of tissue paper. It makes a pretty flower that is not too bulky or heavy to put in an envelope and mail. The bulkier flowers are beautiful on handmade boxes using either dies, or one of my cutting machines. The boxes are beautiful and people love them!

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  72. I never got in on the flowers in jars, at that point I was building up a stash of stamps & inks instead ;-) With only a hubby and son in the same state as me, I tend not to use flowers for cards as the bulky flowers can't be mailed easily. I have made 3D paper flower bouquets for teachers and friends, and I use cut files or simple hand made flower designs for those. As much $ as I spend on scrapbook supplies, I am thankful there has been a trend or two that I haven't been obsessed with!

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  73. The jar flowers just didn't work for me ... I never had the correct color or size. I make my own and find that very satisifying.

    Jo xx

    gijo109 at sbcglobal dot net

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  74. First I want to say I love that you are using a lot of CTMH product I love close to my heart :) I do use a fair amount of flowers I quite like flowers and I do make them sometimes and I do buy them once again I will use anything that goes with my mood :)

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  75. I love using flowers on mini albums. I have silk, paper and home made flowers. If I am making my own, I usually make a whole bunch in different colors/sizes/shapes on the same day. This way, I have options later on. I keep them in recycled see-though peanut jars...this way I can easily spot the colors I need! ;-)

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  76. I do not use very many flowers but, of course, I do have some paper flowers. I normally use stamps and cut the flower out and pop it up with glue dots.
    Rebeccajholley [at] gmail [dot] com

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  77. I do tend to use flowers quite frequently, especially on cards. I tend to use my Spellbinders dies or my Cameo to make flowers most of the time.

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  78. I had a flower phase... I think I'm over it now. But, this post has made me think about flowers again... guess I'm not over them LOL!

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  79. I actually use a lot of flowers on a lot of whether it's card making, scrapbooking, or my altered art. I have tons and tons of fake flowers, since I used to work at a wholesale florist company. I also love paper piecing flowers

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  80. I have a hard time with flowers, I buy them, but they never seem to look right when I use them

    Hugs, Jenn Zeeb

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  81. I am a FB follower

    Hugs, Jenn Zeeb

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