Monday, January 28, 2013

Design Motifs

**Please scroll down to see my Skipping Stones Design Farewell Blog Hop post**



Paper Smooches is showing off their CHA release during the entire month of January. 37 designers (including me!) are participating along with the Paper Smooches Design Team, so there will be a ton of projects to inspire you this month. Paper Smooches is known for their fun and whimsical hand-drawn stamps. They decided that it was time to broaden their product line to include DIES and wood mount stamps! I have a project to share using NEW Paper Smooches Product that releases on February 1, 2013 on their website along with many retail stores around the globe. You will find a new blog link (or two) to follow every day in January at the PS Blog.

Paper Smooches is giving away $500 worth of product! Hidden on FIVE of the participating blogs is a prize package worth $100 each. The prize includes a variety of stamp sets, wood mounts and dies. Comment on as many blogs as you can to increase your chances to be one of the five winners. Deadline to comment is January 30th, winners will be announced on the PS Blog on January 31st.


Today I'm introducing Design Motifs, a clear stamp set with many, many geometric shapes! How fun it will be to put together your own pattern with these stamps. My first card features the large chevron image, stamped repeatedly in rows of magenta, orange and red onto watercolor paper. I sprayed some water on the top edge of the image and let the colors drip together, and then finished with some white splatters and a sentiment from Word Up. The embellishments are simple: some black floss and a few coordinating colors.


I've got another card too, featuring the long stamp contained of many rectangle boxes in different shapes. Some simple gold embossing onto a custom background paper, along with the same sentiment and tied with May Arts Burlap String. This set, Design Motifs, was entirely way to fun to work with and there are about a million pattern combinations swirling in my head-waiting to make their way onto paper...

*I used the residual ink left on my baby wipe after cleaning up my mess on the first card to make the background on the second. Just pressed the wipe onto a clean sheet of watercolor paper!*

I enjoyed making my own background paper for these two cards...thanks to Moxie Fab World's 75 Creative Card Challenges Week: Make your Own Background Paper Challenge for the inspiration!

I'm so honored to be among this amazing line-up of designers to help Kim and Paper Smooches introduce their fabulous new product. Thank you!

179 comments:

  1. Just love your background. Those colors are so warm and inviting. Feeling the warmth here. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Love how you created the backgrounds! Beautiful colors!

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  3. Fabulous backgrounds created on both your cards, love the designs and colors!!!

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  4. Love the backgrounds! Both cards are beautiful!

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  5. oh WOW!!!!! i LOVE the watercolor effect of these cards!! that top card is my favorite!!!!! the colors work so well together and really look amazing!! wow!!

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  6. wow Karen the color on these are gorgeous... LOve those chevrons and that gold embossing..PERFECT..love these cards..

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  7. beautiful cards! love the colors you've used!

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  8. A pretty, bold card! You've showcased the new release beautifully! "Everyone" needs geometric shapes in their collection, and this one from PS = perfect! Thank you for sharing.

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  9. Wow! Absolutely stunning cards! I love your custom backgrounds and the way you used these stamps! TFS!

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  10. These ar absolutely GORGEOUS! I love the touch of the white spatters on the first card, and the gold accents on the second.

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  11. More AMAZING backgrounds...love these colors and your technique!

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  12. Love your cards- the colors are amazing. The stamps are great!

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  13. Karen, I love how you've taken Kims bold designs and turned them into something so different from the normal, you've shown how versatile these stamps can be. Love the bright punchy colours too :0)
    Jenny x

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  14. These speak right to my artsy fartsy loving heart. Love the mix with the metallic too.

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  15. oh, wow! Those colours are amazing! Just love these! What a cool new stamp set :)

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  16. These are so pretty and warm Karen! Love the little feathers on the first card and the shimmery gold on the second.

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  17. How lovely! Your technique is super fun, TFS!

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  18. Cool cards. Love how you spritzed the first one, so the colours ran together. :)

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  19. Love the colors!!! Thanks for sharing how fun this set can be!

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  20. your cards are just awesome!!!! LOVE that technique on the first one, how gorgeous! :)

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  21. Karen, these are amazing! Simply stunning!

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  22. Thanks for all the ideas and techniques Karen. Your cards are beautiful.

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  23. Such beautiful backgrounds Karen and i love the feathers on the first one!

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  24. I love these colors!! Gorgeous cards!

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  25. love the technique on the chevron card! love the blending that happened b.c of the water! COOL!

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  26. I like the backgrounds on your cards.

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  27. Those backgrounds are gorgeous!!

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  28. Wonderful cards! I love that first one especially, love how you created the chevrom pattern and love the water on top, gorgeous!

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  29. Hilde van RijnsoeverJanuary 28, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    Wow, your fisrt card blows me away! Stunning background!

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  30. Love the different techniques you used on this card. the stamps look great esp. the way you used the watercolour paper to create the cool effects.

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  31. These are stunning, Karen! Love the bold colours of the first and the softness of the second. :)

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  32. Beautiful backgrounds! love the cards!

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  33. The backgrounds you created, Karen, are absolutely fabulous! And I adore those feathers on the first card. Makes me smile :-)

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  34. OMG, your watercolored backgrounds using Design Motifs are gorgeous ~ so soft and stunning, Karen!

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  35. The colors on both of these are absolutely divine Karen!

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  36. What a bright and cheerful way to start the day!! (Better stop blog surfing and get to work...)

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  37. OHHH! These cards are fab-- love those backgrounds! Great color combos too!

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  38. So pretty! The background you created for that first card is wonderful.

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  39. How cool--this stamp set will definitely be a favorite of everyone--so many geometrical creations! Thanks for sharing your fabulous card designs!

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  40. These are really beautiful! I love the washed watercolor look you have going on with both of these cards!

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  41. Those backgrounds are just absolutely gorgeous!

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  42. love your colors~ very nice cards!
    Sandra ltb

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  43. I love how you incorporated your stamping onto these two amazing backgrounds.

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  44. Very yummy, both of these. Love the very graphic lines to these cards, but with the artsy touch. The chevron is something I must have! LOL!!

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  45. Gorgeous cards, your backgrounds are so pretty!

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  46. The red and orange background card is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing them with us! :)

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  47. Incredible Chevrons! GReAT use of the large arrow to build them:)

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  48. These cards are amazing Karen - I love everything about them! The colours, the patterns, the techniques... wow!! Think I'm definitely going to have to get this set!!!

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  49. Love the colors you used, really pretty cards.

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  50. Love the orange, magenta, and red card. Thanks for the tip of putting it on watercolor paper and spraying with water so it drips.

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  51. Very unique. Love the whimsical sentiment against the abstract background.

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  52. Very unique. Love the whimsical sentiment against the abstract background.

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  53. Beautiful! Those backgrounds are stunning!

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  54. Love the water color chevrons...great colors. And the background on the second one is so soft and lovely.

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  55. The background treatment was lovely on both cards and I love that For You stamp! Thanks for sharing!

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  56. Wow, those spattery looks are awesome! I love those new shape stamps, too :)

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  57. I love the way you used this set!! And I love how different they are!

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  58. Love those geometric images on your glorious backgrounds!

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  59. Love the watercolor technique and the colors you used. This looks like a really versatile set!

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  60. i can't wait to see the rest of that set!

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  61. Great backgrounds. Interested to see this set. TFS.

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  62. Beautiful cards. I love their simplicity but elegence in the colors. Gorgeous work.
    Lauren

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  63. Great projects! I especially love the bright colors of your first card!

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  64. Two great backgrounds! The first one looks like you could of used masks and spray ink! Love the gorgeous blending on card#2!

    Those rectangles remind me of piano keys too!

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  65. Great cards. I love this graphic set. neat chevrons.

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  66. Love the colors you used on both cards, very pretty! Love the way you used the stamps!

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  67. such delightful warm colours on your lovely cards...

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  68. Your cards are lovely. Can't wait for the release!

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  69. I really love your simple style and I adore the bright colors on the first card. Wonderful examples!

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  70. Like the background and the clever idea you came up with. Thanks for sharing.

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  71. WOW! This is beautiful! LOVE the colors - and especially the feathers!!!

    housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
    www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

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  72. ohh i love this effect!!!! i totally need to steal it form you!!!!

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  73. These are both sunning! I love the water colour effect backgrounds, especially in the second one, gorgeous colours too! Can't wait for the release!

    Love Beth xx

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  74. Wonderful cards - love the watercolor!

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  75. Love both of your cards!! Wonderful designs! Thanks for sharing your talent.

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  76. The cards are both gorgeous!
    :o)
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  77. Wow! Gorgeous backgrounds on your cards! Love them.

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  78. Both cards are awesome! Love your use of ink! I would like to know how you inked the 2nd card though.

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  79. Love the graphic designs on both cards! I can imagine the countless number of combinations--a definite must have set!

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  80. Your cards are gorgeous!!!! Love those backgrounds - just awesome!

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  81. I love the look of watercolour, so the background in your first card really caught my fancy...lovely!

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  82. WOW! Those watercolor backgrounds are FABULOUS, Karen!!! These stamps look like LOTS of FUN!!! Adding them to the wish list!!!

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  83. Loving the idea of geometric builders.

    Terri E.

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  84. I love your cards! The second one is just delicate and beautiful, love that gold embossing. :)

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  85. Ooooh, these are absolutely fantastic!!

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  86. Great backgrounds coloring effects!!!

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  87. Great idea to make a second background design from the leftover!

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  88. totally too cool! Love the vivid colors!

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  89. Very nice! A great way to use the stamps!

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  90. beautiful cards. Love how you made a second background from the leftovers of the first! Thanks for sharing

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  91. Ahh I love the geometric shapes!

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  92. These are beautiful! Love the colorful backgrounds and the cool shapes. Very fresh and fun!

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  93. I love your colorful backgrounds. Fabulous cards. TFS

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  94. ohhh, LOVE those backgrounds! I have water color paper and my inks sitting right here, I'm gettin' inky!

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  95. Both of your cards are absolutely stunning. These new PS sets are very intriguing, indeed.

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  96. These cards are just fabulous! I really love the simplicity of it!

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  97. Amazing cards! Great inspiration too!

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  98. Wow stunning cards, I love the colour choices

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  99. Love seeing you intro this fun new set! Congrats & fantastic creations!

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  100. Wow! The second card is breathtaking. Totally in love with it.

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  101. Wow! The second card is breathtaking. Totally in love with it.

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  102. Your backgrounds are always amazing Karen and these two are no exception! Gorgeous work :)

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  103. Love this set. Your cards are wonderful. Looking forward to the release.

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  104. In a word... fabulous!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  105. Two wonderful cards! Your backgrounds are outstanding. Great colors, too!

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  106. Your colours and texture are amazing Karen! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

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  107. Love the colours in the first card and it's genius how you did the background for the second.

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  108. Great way to show off the new background stamps!

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  109. Wow! Your water misting technique rocks. You have always been so awesome at that!

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  110. Woooaaa, how unique. I love the feathers and just how striking your cards are! Wonderful!

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  111. FAB, FAB cards Karen - LOVE the bright colours :)

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  112. wow! Love what you've done Karen!

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  113. Can you say FABULOUS! I love your cards. You are SO creative. Thanks for sharing the new PS dies and giving me some great inspiration. :D

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  114. Love what you've done with the geometric shapes! Can't wait to get my hands on this set of stamps. Am hoping there will be matching dies....

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  115. Love what you've done with the geometric shapes! Can't wait to get my hands on this set of stamps. Am hoping there will be matching dies....

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  116. Love your colors and techniques, WOW! jjueckatcoxdotnet

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  117. Both of your cards are great, love the colors you used for each one.

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  118. Both great samples but I really love the second one with the watercolor background and the gold embossing. So many great ideas!

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  119. Love the cards, love the colors. Can't wait to try it myself.

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  120. wow these are gorgeous! I LOVE the colors on both, and the way you made your own patterned paper is awesome, this will be a great set!

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  121. Awesome cards!! I love the chevron and the stamp on the second!! Holy Moly!!

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  122. I can't wait to see this whole set. It sounds wonderful and your cards are gorgeous using the set!!!

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  123. The 'for you' card is AH-MAZING!
    -Suzanne suzyq28024@gmail.com

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  124. what amazing colours! bright & beautiful.

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  125. Terrific backgrounds and use of colors.

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  126. Terrific backgrounds and use of colors.

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  127. Wow and wow! These are fantastic. I am in love with that first one!

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  128. totally love your drippy watercolor homemade background. well done

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  129. seriously. these are great! i am in awe - AWE - of that elegant card you got out of a geometric, graphic image.

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  130. your stamping always blows me away girlfriend :)

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  131. Karen, love both cards! The watercolor background is awesome!

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  132. Very rich, artistic, designs, with great visual appeal. LOVE that you made the different background papers yourself. A totally different take on Paper Smooches.

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  133. Wow you made some awesome backgrounds! Looking forward to the release.

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  134. Such neat cards. You've made me want to see more of this set! :)

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  135. LOVE your takes on the Design Motif stamp set!

    B-

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  136. These backgrounds are soooo pretty!

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  137. love both the cards..and the way you created the background is awesome..

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  138. here I am trying to win

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  139. lovely cards! so colorful :)
    thanks for sharing!

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  140. Gorgeous cards! Thanks for sharing!

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  141. These are awesome! I love how your re-used the ink. Looks great! :)

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  142. Fantastic cards!! I love the chevrons and the water spots on the first, and coloring the second with the residual ink from the baby wipe: brilliant!!

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  143. Thanks for sharing your cards are amazing!! Have a fabulous week!! :)

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  144. Love the colors of these cards. The variety are inspiring. I should try this too

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  145. Your backgrounds on your cards are so beautiful! :)

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  146. These are fantastic backgrounds. Love the cards

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  147. Beautiful cards with the use of the stamps!!!

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  148. Very cool cards! You're really creative!

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  149. Really pretty! I love the water colored paper on the second card!

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  150. Your two cards are fabulous! I can't decide which I like better, the beautiful "water color" chevrons or the gold embossing.

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  151. LOVE the backgrounds Karen. Great color combos.

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  152. gorgeous colors and how clever!! lovelove how you made the second background with leftover ink. amazing work as always, Karen! this set is so on my to get list!!! =)

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  153. Such a cool idea about the baby wipes...you clever girl!!!

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  154. Hey Karen! Thanks for linking this up to the Make Your Own Background Paper Challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

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  155. Whoa! These are incredible, Karen! Can you believe I'm so far behind I haven't even peeked at the new PS goodies yet? But your chevron pattern is amazing. And feathers! Super cool choice of embellishment.

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  156. Love these Karen! And the gold on the 2nd card! Ack! Too amazing! :)

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