scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 21:38:56 GMT
Last day to submit for CARDtober, and I finally got my last card done. I used a newly released Queen & Co. shaker kit that just arrived in the mail on Friday, so maybe that’s not entirely approved, but I’m not on a team or doing this for points. I have completed every CARDtober challenge for 4 years in a row with this last card. Besides, it was as good an excuse as any to use a new purchase.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 17:24:14 GMT
Stamps that have a matching die are always pricey to me. When I can get a good deal, I jump on it. A few years ago I bought a Brother Scan N cut, hoping it would prevent me from needing a die for each stamp, but I still end up getting dies. Same here. Although I do use it for cutting out some stamped images. Sometimes a die is just fast and easy.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 17:20:10 GMT
I used to buy a lot from both Stampin’ Up and CTMH, but CTMH changed their style to one that appealed far less to me. The Stampin’ Up rep that I found online didn’t bother to respond to my last email (I had a question which remains unanswered), and has made zero effort other than get her commission if I order. I looked through the latest catalogue and saw nothing of interest, anyway. So neither of those companies are getting my money anymore, although I loved them in the past.
I have a huge collection of stamps, anyway, so I’ve gotten much pickier about what I buy. My stamps are well organized, so I can easily find what I want very, very quickly. I buy very few stamps these days, even though I am a stamper. Don’t ask me how many I have. I’m not willing to tell, but if it were a “Who has the most stamps” contest, I’d probably win it. I do use my stamps. Since organizing them well, it’s so much easier and faster to find the perfect stamp for my project. Organizing all those stamps last January pretty much killed my desire or need for more stamps.
Since I really don’t need more stamps, I tend to spend my money on dies, particularly stitched dies. Queen & Co. is more affordable, and the gal who designs their dies has very cute designs, so they get most of my spending money these days.
I used to spend a lot of money at conventions and at Tuesday Morning pre-COVID shutdowns. I found Queen & Co. at a convention. During COVID, I started looking up companies I’d found at convention and started buying from them online.
I had a Spellbinders Monthly Small Die membership for a short time, and have bought some of their dies on sale.
I would love to get back to going to conventions again. I went to the one in June and spent a chunk of change on dies at the Tall Mouse booth. I was sick and missed the September convention. If I get a chance to go to a convention where Paper Wizard is, I would spend a bunch on their goodies. They have such high quality laser cut designs.
And $12/month goes to my Silhouette subscription, which gives me $150 in designs of my choice each month. As much as I love the look of a die cut that you get from an actual die, you can get some really nice and detailed designs from a cutter, too, and the dies that are super detailed are usually super pricey. My cutter keeps me happy, especially since I am adept at making my own designs, both from clip art and from scratch. The subscription, however, saves me design time. If someone else has done something that I like and works for what I want, and I am getting it for an average of 8 or 9 cents per design, why take the time to create it? I used clip art to make the vinyl designs for our Disney shirts.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 16:26:13 GMT
BTT in case anyone is on a team still trying to get points.
I may still post a card for the last challenge, even though I’m not on a team. I have done every challenge for the past 3 years now, so I hate to break a perfect record. I just have to get my card finished.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 16:23:08 GMT
I include myself in my layouts, but rarely is a layout just about me. I should. I just don’t usually think to do it.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 16:20:52 GMT
I just keep a ball head straight pin handy.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 7, 2022 14:48:51 GMT
I am finally getting around to writing a review/tips/etc.
NOTE: I have added a few things since I first posted this.
We allowed for 6 days at Disney (2 days at Hollywood Studios, 2 at Epcot, 1 each at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom). We also did 1 multipark pass day at Universal Studios to see the Harry Potter World part. We wish we’d had 1 more regular day at the latter, particularly at Diagon Alley. The 6 days at Disney allowed us to do everything we wanted, but if we’d had to stand in long lines, we’d have had to prioritize. We had the DAS pass, which was a huge help (DH is disabled due to back surgery and a heart attack he barely survived). We got to do pretty much everything we wanted.
Staying at a hotel on property (and the Dolphin/Swan hotels are included) gave us an edge on getting those desired dining reservations! However, our DD snd her DH were still able to get into a restaurant they wanted (but couldn’t get reservations for) by going the stand by route there at Disneyland. We saw stand by people getting into Space 220, too. We absolutely loved Space 220, Skipper’s Canteen, and Tusker House. If you have food allergies or restrictions, they really try to accommodate your needs (all the restaurants, not just those 3).
Memory Maker was definitely worth the money for us. We hit just about every photographer we could find. Tip: if a Disney photographer is a bit too quick in scanning your magic band or whatever, ask them to do it again. Some photographers at Epcot had longer lines and rushed it. Result: We had photos that weren’t ours, and probably vice versa. We were missing the Test Track photo, because of the way that one is done, but because we knew the day, approximate time, and what we were wearing, Disney Memory Maker person was able to find it for us. We got so many photos taken that in most cases, I didn’t worry if some were missing, but it might be an issue for another family.
My DH had spent countless hours watching YouTube videos on preparing for Disney, and it paid off.
If anyone in your party is older or disabled, it helps to plan in rest days if you can afford the extra hotel costs. We definitely needed them.
We loved the Dolphin hotel. They were fabulous! They handled huge numbers of people during the hurricane and even managed to get us all fed. We extended our stay due to the hurricane, and they helped us with the room change, which we did the night before, so that we could still get to the parks the next morning and not be delayed. The Dolphin was also within walking distance of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios, or in our case, easy distance for our mobility scooters. We took our own scooters, and we took spare batteries, which we swapped each night. The fully charged batteries lasted the full day in the parks, but we never stayed till midnight, since the hurricane changed those plans. We did have our chargers, just in case, but we never needed them. We did see people with rental scooters just stuck waiting for someone to come bring a different scooter.
PLEASE look before you suddenly shift directions where you are going. Scooters do NOT stop on a dime! Thankfully, we didn’t hit anyone, but I lost count of how many times someone just suddenly changed direction without looking and stepped right in front of my scooter. I also had people do it, who looked right T me, knowing that they were stepping right in front of me, expecting me to stop in time, or gambling that they could dart in front/past me fast enough. There were a TON of people on scooters there, many of whom are NOT used to using a scooter. Please take a second to look before you suddenly change direction.
Also, if you are a larger family group, please do not string out in a line all the way across the walking areas from left to right, making it impossible for others (on scooters OR on foot) to get past you, especially if you are sauntering slowly. Sometimes people are trying to get to their reserved dining or attraction in time, and a roadblock is not appreciated.
If you go when the weather can be hot, do NOT wear black or other dark clothing! You’ll feel like you are cooking if it’s sunny. Take a compact umbrella if you are at WDW. You’ll need it at least once. The downpour (pre-hurricane by several days) was quite something. A poncho is helpful, too, but the umbrella can also be used as a sun shade on hot days. We’re older. We don’t care if it doesn’t look cool. Comfort matters more than appearance.
We did the droid building experience (less expensive than the light sabers), bought a special 50th anniversary ornament for our Disney tree, and got 50th anniversary badges (written up nicely in silver and black ink instead of sharpie) as momentos. The droids were definitely worth it, IMO, but the BB8 moves like it’s drunk. It’s pretty funny, and our granddaughter loves it. DH built an R2 unit, which is more stable. There is a place outside the droid factory (can’t remember how close) where a lot of people were playing with their droids. We got the case and personality chip. That was helpful, because the cardboard boxes are ZERO protection when it rains. It’s not waterproof, but it kept my droid dry. The droids are also pretty sturdy, which was a good thing, because I managed to drive mine off the building surface and onto the floor. It didn’t even crack, and it still works fine.
Final lesson learned the hard way: If anyone here makes their own custom shirts with Cricut/Silhouette, be aware that layering vinyl tends to come off in the dryer. A single layer of vinyl is usually fine (except metallic silver). Unless you do different colored layers like a puzzle, putting them in the dryer will ruin your vinyl decorated shirts. Hang them to dry. We loved having our unique shirts, though, even though I have had to do some repairs since getting home.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 6, 2022 15:14:46 GMT
For most companies, I am more likely to buy if I have had my eye on something, and then a sale occurs. I bought some dies from My Favorite Things not too long ago.
However, the company where I have little resistance is Queen & Co. I have no affiliation with them, but I do love their stitched dies, especially their Foundation dies. I use them mostly for card making, but they can also be used for scrapbooking. I also love their shaker kits. I don’t make shakers that much, but they just have really cute stuff, and you can use a shaker set without making it a shaker. I have learned that if you don’t buy their new kits when first released, sometimes they sell out before I decide I really do want it. Sometimes I have ended up waiting a long time before they get them in again. If I’m not sure that I will use a new release, I’m more willing to wait. More recently, though, they’ve had a lot of really great releases. Their Christmas baking shaker set is absolutely adorable. I was stalking the mail carrier for that one. In a way, they are my equivalent of a monthly subscription, except that I only order a kit if I really like it.
I used to spend a lot of money at Tuesday Morning. I used to buy a lot from Close to My Heart and Stampin’ Up. I almost never buy from any of those three now. I have bought a fair amount from My Favorite Things, but now it’s only occasionally. I used to have a Spellbinders subscription, but I don’t use my Spellbinder dies as often as I do my Q&Co. dies. At least now what I am buying is more likely to actually be used.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 4, 2022 5:30:26 GMT
Yes, thank you I was sorry not to be able to participate much this year. You were missed, especially as a host. I’ve also always enjoyed seeing your creativity.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 3, 2022 16:16:52 GMT
Hoping all is well for your drive and your Disney trip!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 3, 2022 6:12:18 GMT
When you purge, you will never recover the money you spent on the stamps. You might get a little back if you sell them, but probably not much. If I want something out of my house, I give it away.
Having said that, however, I am more in line with Don’s way of thinking, except that mine are all very well organized, accessible, and quick/easy to find, in spite of my huge collection. Organizing them well has made it so much easier to find what I want. I definitely use them a lot more than I used to do.
Also, having a stamp platform was a game changer for me. It has helped me to use my stamps more, too. Someday I will give a bunch of them away, but not yet.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 2, 2022 17:56:17 GMT
The only thing I reallllly want, but I cannot purchase is the Glowforge. I reallllllly want it and can afford it, but I worry that I just won't use it and it isn't cheap. But oh, the gifts I could make. Same here. But I don’t feel like I can afford it, and I don’t know where I would put it. And I wonder how much I would really actually use it, too. On the other hand, part of me thinks the Cameo 4, with the capability of cutting balsa wood might be a more affordable and better (for me) option. I can’t quite bring myself to think that seriously about it, though.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 2, 2022 13:54:40 GMT
Hey that UK stamp tool posted earlier on thread by cardboxer from craftstash.us is very interesting to me if that media block is like a jelly mat. I’ve been wanting to get into jelly mat printing but I’m clumsy so one that fits in a platform would be awesome. I just might order this one I’m watching the videos on the ‘media mat’ use now Got links you can share, please? Now I’m curious. Not that I need one more thing…..
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 2, 2022 1:09:19 GMT
I stopped by today for the first time in a long time. They had more than the last time that I stopped by, but I still left empty handed. They had ephemera, including some things for a long discontinued BoBunny line (which I love). I didn’t need anything that was there.
Maybe if I had been there when items had just been put out, I might have been tempted, but nothing exciting enough for me to take it to the register. Not yet.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 2, 2022 0:51:08 GMT
If you just want to try out a stamp press style tool to see if it's for you, you can easily make one in a few minutes with an clear plastic CD or DVD case. Other people have used hinged photo frames to DIY, but the CD route is the easiest IMO. Pull out the black plastic part that holds the disk, put some foam in the bottom, and attach clear stamp to the lid. It'll only do small papers and careful not to be very rough as the plastic can crack, but for a relatively small investment you can test out the principle and decide if you want a commercial version. This is good advice. Back when the MISTI was the only one available, I did the hinged frame version. It worked okay, but not perfect. It worked well enough that I decided to get the Tim Holtz version when it was available. And later I bought the Stampin’ Up version. Having a good stamp platform has helped me consistently use my stamps so much more, and I get much better impressions. I don’t stamp without a platform now. I ended up removing all of my wood mounted stamps and turning them into peel and stick stamps. No regrets.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 1, 2022 14:22:12 GMT
If you plan to use it for scrapbooking, the one by Stampin’ Up is designed for scrapbooking, not just card making. And it’s great for layered stamps, stamping a pattern or border on a page, etc. The smaller stamp platforms are big enough for stamping on layouts, because they are open on two sides. Can you stamp the entire page at once? No. But even if the platform is big enough to stamp a 12x12 page, stamps big enough to stamp a background in one go are rare, if they even exist (probably very expensive if they do). The plates attach to two sides.
I bought the SU one for stamping backgrounds, borders, etc., on my pages.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 1, 2022 14:03:42 GMT
I love CARDtober. I am usually struggling by the end, but I get so many cards done that I can use the rest of the year, and it’s a lot of fun, even if you just do it for the creativity and not for points. Thank you for organizing it, grammadee!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 1, 2022 5:53:04 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Nov 1, 2022 5:52:10 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 31, 2022 23:09:45 GMT
The cut file dragon looks great, jjpeapea, and I love your colors and the sentiment! Thank you for sharing it!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 30, 2022 20:29:28 GMT
I rarely bother going to Michaels, but not as far as I know.
Most people in my area (DFW) seem pretty honest overall, but I’m sure there are exceptions. Maybe the risk of loss is less than the cost of having to pay employees and their benefits?
It seems like cashiers are disappearing everywhere and being replaced by automatic kiosks. I saw it at McDonald’s first, but lately have seen it more and more elsewhere. I don’t normally mind the electronic check outs, but sometimes it can be a problem, especially if something goes wrong. I was at CVS yesterday. I needed a receipt for my purchase, so of course it was out of paper, and after the guy replaced the paper, he still couldn’t get it to print. I had to wait several minutes while they found a manager and got my receipt. From now on, I will request the email receipt, but there is still no guarantee. People can make mistakes, but a machine can make them, too.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 30, 2022 14:12:45 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2022 23:50:33 GMT
The gem tones really do look gorgeous. Beautiful cards, jjpeapea and nylene, and a nice challenge! I finally got mine done this afternoon. I went with amethyst and emerald. The back layer of the card actually is a closer match to the purple than the photo makes it look. Not sure why it looks muted. It’s not, actually. I’ve been itching to use this Graphic 45 paper, with its lovely gem tones.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2022 23:45:55 GMT
This was a great challenge, azcrafty , and your cards are delightful. jjpeapea , your cards turned out really cute! I ended up using ephemera instead of stamping on mine. Sorry the image is so big.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2022 17:38:18 GMT
Although I love my Portrait 2 for cutting out stamped images and some designs, I use my Cricut Maker more. I think it's easier to learn and use, and it cuts many more materials than the Silhouette machines. I bought the Explore to cut thin leather, but I have found that my Cameo 3 cuts it, as well as craft foam, and other materials that the Cameo supposedly doesn’t cut. Since the OP is already used to the Silhouette software, using the Cricut software would be a come down. Cricut software is better for newbies who want something very simple and easy, but for anyone used to using Silhouette software, especially if they are adept at creating their own cutting files, the Cricut software can be a disappointment. The Silhouette software does so much more than Cricut software does. The Cricut cuts better detailed images than Silhouette, but the difference is not usually that huge unless your image is smaller and has very fine detail. If you need that extra bit of fine cutting, though, for a very intricate doily, Cricut machines do the better job.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2022 3:51:23 GMT
nylene, all three of your cards are lovely!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2022 3:49:28 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 29, 2022 3:48:29 GMT
nylene, I think your little singing gnome is adorable!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 28, 2022 19:15:03 GMT
Nylene, your Nativity card is exquisite! I absolutely love it! Thank you for sharing it!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,193
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Oct 28, 2022 12:35:11 GMT
This is the last challenge that is my responsibility to host for CARDtober 2022. Every past CARDtober, I have done at least one box card. Earlier this month, I was too behind and too sick to really want to make the effort, but I decided to get my box card in at the last moment. However, you will probably be happy to know that making a box card is NOT the challenge. The challenge is to include a Magical Beast, a four footed creature such as a unicorn, alicorn (winged unicorn), centaur, griffin, dragon, etc., on your card.The twist is to use a sentiment that is NOT from the same stamp set, paper collection, or whatever. My dragon stamps are from My Favorite Things, but the sentiment was from a Mama Elephant set. Sometimes the perfect phrase will be found elsewhere. You may or may not have appropriate stamps in your stash, but some papers also have such magical beasts in them. In a pinch, you can use clip art the way you would use stamps. Print the image, color it, cut it out, whatever works.
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