Friday, October 21, 2011

Inspiration Hop, Day 1: Basket Additions and Strength and Hope



Good morning! Hope you all had as much fun as we did last night at the StampTV new release party and are ready to start hopping again! Today we are showcasing two sets, the first is my new "Basket Additions" set. All these new toppers and greeting options will make our many "basket sets" from Gina K Designs truly year round and ready for almost every occasion. Get ready to get your mix and match on!
This first card is what I peeked yesterday, (this basket is from the "Spring Basket" set), it could be an early Valentine with all these hearts and candy, but also with this "Sending hugs & kisses" greeting and perhaps in different colors would make a terrific anytime "I love you", friendship or even get well card. The layering of the images in the drawing allows you to snip off any parts along the edge you want to take out to modify your design to make ti more appropriate for your recipient (or just not ink up), the teddy or candy box or example. I used half a doily to make it look like it's sitting on a table, Scor-Bug to emboss some holes at the bottom and and Scalloped Edgeabilities border.


Next I took the basket from "Holiday Basket" and added this new topper to turn it into overflowing picnic hamper! I think this image works well for masculine cards as well as showers, anniversaries, etc. Lunch anyone? LOL! I also used this long greeting from the "Holiday Basket" set and inked up just the "May your day be filled with" and now you can add any of the words in the new "Basket Additions" set! Here I added "blessings". Card base is Pure Luxury Cranberry Tart and DP is from the new StampTV Wishing You Joy Kit.
Here I added the Christmas topper to "Spring Basket" for a holiday card. I pieced the tasseled liner and ornaments with more DP from the new kit, and added sparkle to the star and ornament tops with Sakura Glitter pens. Card uses Pure Luxury White, Grass Green, and Lipstick Red.
Finally I wanted to show how much more versatile these images are than they first appear. Putting the liners with the seasonal elements allowed for easier and faster stamping, as well as allowing for more images in the set, but you can also separate the image after stamping to make even the liners interchangeable (or omit the liner). Here I snipped apart the "crafting" addition I'd already colored and paper pieced...

...and then put the quilt with the harvest arrangement, brand new!

Now I can use the crafting piece separately to plop into another basket (stamped on Kraft). I couldn't resist pointing out all the fun papercrafting stuff nestled in between the sewing/knitting supplies and yarn to you! :)Lots more to come with all these new stamps and all their coordinating friends, stay tuned!

The next set for today is Theresa Momber's "Strength and Hope". She really hit it out of the park with this set, not only is it beautiful and extremely useful, Theresa will be donating all her proceeds from Strength and Hope, for the first month of sales, to cancer research. I hope you buy this set, it is one you'll use again and again.

I am sure you will be seeing a lot of gorgeous pink cards today on our hop since in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, and I will for sure be making a few myself this month, but I actually really needed to make a card for a girl and her family who attend our church: 16 year-old Hunter is critically ill and was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Disease (cancer of the immune system) Although I don't know her personally, the church has been lifting up so many prayers for her (if you could say one, too, that is greatly appreciated.) "Strength and Hope" is exactly what I needed to make something special.


I love that Theresa's set includes images and inspirational sentiments that will provide strength and hope for anyone who is going through trials, no matter what the illness or circumstances may be. There is a different colored cause ribbon dedicated to virtually every disease, which you can find online, I learned this way that Hodgkins Lymphoma's is violet.

I colored the ribbon with BV02 an V17, then added shadows underneath and to the flowers with BV00. Cardstock is Pure Luxury White, Black Onyx, and Wild Heather (embossed with the Scor-Bug). I cut out and popped up one of the flowers for more dimension and and added Stardust Stickles to the centers.


I had to use this terrific quote from Christopher Reeve. "Hope" is outlined with a Sakura Stardust pen. Thanks for all the thought and heart you put in this set, Theresa! It will be a "go to set" for me, for sure!

Thank you for visiting today and please enjoy the rest of the hop. Be sure to leave comments along the way for more chances to win a fabulous Gina K. Designs grab bag filled with a least a dozen individual precut images! A winner will be drawn randomly from all comments so the more you leave, the more likely you are to win, good luck!! We'll be back with more sets and inspiration on Monday!

Have a great weekend!

119 comments:

  1. Oh so awesome Mel, wowza! One after another is just stunning! I really love the picnic one, looks like you can just grab that basket up and go have one! :D Love your coloring on T's set, gorgeousness!

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  2. Love, love all these ideas! Gorgeous coloring! I just love this set. Fabulous purple ribbon.

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  3. I don't even know where to start when it comes to sayin' all that I love about all these great ideas and this fun set! My favorite of all the basket fillers so far!

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  4. Wow, I am just blown away by this set and all these projects! I am going to have to learn how to color! Love the purple ribbon project too. Great job!

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  5. Amazing cards today Melanie! Love all of your new additions, they are super cute! Your hope card is beautiful and sure to me uplifting!

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  6. Awesome, Mel! I love all of these additions for the baskets. I have every one of your basket sets and this is just a fabulous addition to those sets. Can't wait to place my order for this one. Thanks for the great ideas for using the additions! Fabulous cards!

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  7. Soooooo love all those baskets!!! And YAYY for Purple Ribbons!!! :-) I had fun using your basket toppers and LOVE how my Fall one turned out... stay tuned to see it! :-)

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  8. Gorgeous cards, Mel! LOVE your Longaberger picnic basket -- fabulous coloring! And SNAP -- I didn't realize you put a Copic marker in the Craft topper ... love it! And what a gorgeous Hodgkins awareness card.

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  9. Every project is beautiful! Love each and every one! Thanks for sharing...love your new set!

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  10. Love the versatility you showed with the toppers/baskets Melanie--great ideas. And the ribbon is lovely in violet and you are right it can be used for many causes--beautifully done!

    hugz,
    Suzanne

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  11. This was so interesting and I'm putting your previous basket release and this one in my wishlist. Those are stunning and versatile!
    What a lovely, high impact cancer card. Someone told me just yesterday that General Cancer was purple and white ribbons together. Can already see how to do that!

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  12. The basket was great enough on it's own and now you made it a better investment

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  13. The basket was great on it's own and now it is even better
    Gorgeous variations

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  14. Wow! Gorgeous cards! I am truly inspired by these examples and these stamps! So many things you can do with them! Thanks for sharing your talent!

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  15. What a great idea these basket toppers are - I've never seen anything quite like them before, thanks for showing how versatile they can be.

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  16. Awesome cards! I love the strength and hope set!

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  17. WOW Mel--what an awesome set of cards--love all of them!

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  18. love this stamp set and your cards are wonderful!

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  19. your basket stamps sets are truley inspirational. I'm adding some of them to my Christmas gifts list.

    lovely cards

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  20. Such beautiful cards Mel, love them all, and thank you for the tips with your basket additions, can't wait for my new stamps to arrive!

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  21. WOW! You did it again. These are fabulous.

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  22. Great Card, very inspirational !

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  23. These are so incredible! Love the baskets especially.

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  24. Wow, Melanie. I just love how you colored and set up all those baskets. They are so versatile for all year round occasions. think I might have to invest in them.

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  25. LOVE the basket stamp....but I ahve to say the Strength and Hope set. My cousin is currently battling Hodgkins Lymphoma, I would love to make her a card using that beautiful stamp with the ribbon and flowers!

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  26. The picnic basket is my favorite. We have a group of friends we do winery tours with and this would work well for them.

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  27. Hi, I am a new beginner, only a month into card making. My heart is throbbing at the site of all these new cards. You are so talented and have helped me to set my goals high.
    Beautiful cards and person.
    Hugs,
    Cindy Schwing

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  28. Your cards are always amazing! And what a versatile stamp sets. Will definitely had to add this one. The Christmas card is adorable.

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  29. Melanie your sets are terrrrrific. The cards are totally inspirational and amazing. Thanks so very much for the idea

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  30. Mel, Mel, Mel. Your set is stunning. I love all your samples, of course your coloring and layouts are PERFECTION on each! Hugs to you my talented friend!!

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  31. Those are beautiful cards. The quote by Christopher Reeve really speaks volumes.

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  32. melanie, I really love this!!!! This is so perfect and I can't wait to get this set!!! excellent coloring on all the cards!!!

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  33. What wonderful creations! Love all these ideas! Thanks for sharing!

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  34. OMG!! Every one of your cards are absolutely gorgeous and I LOVE the stamps!! Woo-hoo!

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  35. Both sets are so wonderful. I don't have any of the basket sets and now I see they are a must. So will be saving up for those as they are all so complimentary together. And, love the idea of changing the ribbon color for each different type of cancer. That is awesome too. So that will be added as well. Help, I need to really save but it will be so worth it.

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  36. So pretty! Thanks for sharing! Always love looking at your projects! It was fun last night! Have a great weekend!

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  37. Love your Basket series. I must get all of them.

    Nancy Nguyen

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  38. gorgeous cards! love the Valentine's card with doily and the wine basket is going to be a favorite of mine, ha! thanks for making another awesome set my friend

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  39. Oh, Melanie! I almost feel dumb to be so thrilled about a stamp set, but I am. Thanks for all the ideas on ways to use it too. That helps someone like me so much! I can't wait to get my hands on this set.

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  40. Love all your wonderful creations

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  41. Melanie, awesome toppers to your basket series. Your samples are very inspiring.

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  42. Love the new stamp set! So many possibilities and such lovely cards. Thanks for sharing.

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  43. You love hearing what's on my mind ? Oh Me...to be a winner or Please Santa give me money for Christmas ! Love every one and so many ideas.

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  44. I am always so impressed with your work, Melanie!! Love your new stamp set and the versatility to mix and match with the other basket sets. Beautiful cards!!! Hugs, Sharon :o)

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  46. I just love what you did with the stamp set! Your cards are works of art! Love the doily! made me look a little longer to see how you did that!

    Saying a prayer for Hunter.

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  47. What a great idea for the "basket additions" and how cute you have made them up!

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  48. Really nifty use of the stamps. Thanks for sharing.

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  49. Wow so many looks from your basket & add ons.....looks like MUST HAVES to me. Such beautiful cards. Fun time last night to full of inspiration! TFS!

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  50. These are great ideas, wonderful sets!

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  51. These are just so beautiful. I especially love the tut on coloring the ribbon. It really helps newbies learn the ropes.

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  52. Fantastic!! You really outdid yourself with these designs.

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  53. These are so awesome! I love the colors on each.

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  54. Oh how amazing you are, Mel! Love your beautiful cards. Thanks for the great inspirations.

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  55. What creations!! Everyone loves baskets

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  56. Such fantastic cards! I love all the fun things you have done with those baskets!

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  57. I love your basket set Melanie and all these extra sets that go with them, your sample cards are gorgeous.

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  58. Beautiful cards Melanie. Your new Basket additions set is terrific - it covers everything from fall through Christmas though Valentine's Day through spring picnics! How versatile!

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  59. I loved this basket additions set so much that I also purchased two of your other basket sets as well. So now I'll really be able to mix and match.

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  60. I SURE DO LIKE THIS SET - SO MANY WAYS TO USE IT.

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  61. Love these stamps, so many different ways of using these. Great work!

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  62. Such fabulous, versatile uses of the basket and the ribbon in different colors for different illnesses -- Fabulous!

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  63. Beautiful cards love the colors and love how you made your cards. thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.
    http://www.anita-craft-corner'blogapot.com

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  64. You make it so easy to make our cards individual with all the alternatives you have given us. Your designs are easy to use and pretty!

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  65. Love your cards so much. Thanks for sharing

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  66. What a fantastic idea with the Basket Additions and your examples are wonderful. Really like your Strength and Hope card, too. Beautiful work, as usual!

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  67. I totally love these new stamps. I can't wait to get them.

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  68. This is a mus thave stamp set. Thank you for wonderful ideas.

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  69. Love this set. Works for any type of cardgiving. Thank you.

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  70. Beautiful new set. Love the versatile pieces and such great card ideas!

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  71. WOW...all you sets are just great but...I have to admit...I think this is the bestest yet!!! There is something for every occassion in this set...just WONDERFUL!! Kim

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  72. Melanie,

    Gorgeous cards; and such talent creating this wonderful set and oh so versatile!

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  73. Everyone of these projects is gorgeous!!! Love all the new basket additions, just awesome! Your Strength and Hope card is so beautiful!

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  74. I love the baskets you've made and want to add this set to my collection.
    Sandy

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  75. Love all the projects. Great set!
    Hazel
    hdhall6002 at sbcglobal dot net

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  76. Que hermosos trabajos te felicito.

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  77. Awesome ideas with your new Stamp set, Melanie!! Love all the images!! Can't wait to get it. Your purple ribbon card is just gorgeous. Great card!

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  78. Awesome Cards!! Gorgeous coloring!! Love the new set!!

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  79. I especially love what you did with the hope ribbon and quote from Christopher Reeve. Simple, yet elegant.

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  80. Love the new additions. Beautiful cards.

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  81. Am loving these new stamps! Thanks for the chance!!!

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  82. Great cards!!!! Beautiful job! TFS,
    Victoria Merrick
    angelicmsn1@aol.com

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  83. The endless possibilities with that baskets. Thanks for the examples. I love them.

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  84. All of your crds with these sets are just stunning! Your beautiful basket sets have every occasion covered!

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  85. Wowers! I'm stunned at all the different projects from one stamp set! And the special sayings with the Strength and Hope set just really make it a special set too! TFS!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  86. What a fantastic set you have created and your examples are gorgeous.Alice Roushia

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  87. Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing!

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  88. These are such beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing.

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  89. Wow!!!! I am always so impressed by how versatile your images are, Mel! You do such fabulous cards, and we do so love getting to see your creativity at work! Thanks for all the inspiration!

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  90. What a neat stamp set you created! I love it!

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  91. WOWZERS! Great new basket toppers! Love all your samples!

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  92. You are SO clever with the basket toppers!!! Hunter's card are absolutely stunning. Thanks for sharing!

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  93. Wow, you are amazing! Love all the baskets and the purple ribbon is wonderful. I really like how you made these for different occasions. Love them all!

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  94. Wow, so many inspirations. Love the baskets and the versatile images.

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  95. OMG these are amazing and I love every single card you made to show case them so beautifully ty. The hope set is also a set I truly wish I could purchase unfortunately I am on a spending freeze until I am able to work again. :( I love love love all these stamps, and now I'm sad, I always support breast cancer awareness in any way I can. I buy almost everything with the pink ribbon on it. I wish I could purchase this to help out the cause for all cancers.
    I found this blog hop through a friend, Tina Gilliland and popped by, I am so glad I did, tx Tina.

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  96. Awesome cards! Thank you for all of the inspiration!

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  97. Another gorgeous set and LOVE all the ideas you provided. Beautiful job using Theresa's set ~ stunning in every way!

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  98. I think the basket cards are absolutely amazing! Thinking I'll make my own Christmas List to Santa with this collection. ;)

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  99. I just placed and order for "Basket Additions" does this set includes a basket?

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  100. Re stylesplenty: the additions set only has greeting and toppers like what you see above, you can choos which baslet style you prefer from Spring Basket or Holiday Basket, at this time time of year I think you would get more use out of the holiday set with the seasonal flowers plus it has two greetings. You can email info@ginakdesigns.com to add one of the basket sets to your order, hope this helps!

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  101. I love the new sets. Your cards were beautiful. Love the basket fillers

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  102. Wow, you have hit a home run with another wonderful and versatile set! You have made beautiful cards!

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  103. These are all fantastic love the Christmas basket but my favorite is the first one the Valentine basket it is so awesome

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  104. Can't possibly choose a favorite out of the group!

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  105. Ooh, love the basket additions set, Melanie! And your cards are so beautiful - I always fall for the sets after seeing the DT's awesome creations!

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  106. I sssssssoooooooooooooooooo enjoy alll of your basket cards. TFS!!
    Jean McGee

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  107. Beautiful projects! Thanks for the inspirastion!

    Carol B
    ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

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  108. Wow, you have been one busy bee!! What wonderful cards, one is more amazing then the next, I love them all. I really like the design behind all your sets, it is so nice to be able to mix them up and create such a variety of cards. Alot of bang for your buck and that is what we need these days!!
    Thanks for it all!!
    Donna

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  109. Love your card. The color are pretty and the stamp set is cool.

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  110. Adorable creations.... the ribbon and pumpkin are very sweet looking!


    Hotel Key Card
    Plastic gift card

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  111. You've got such another AMAZING stamp set....that picnic card is such a perfect anniversary card!!!

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  112. Wow, wow, wow - phenomenal coloring and shading work.

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Your generous feedback helps make my work and this blog better! Thanks for inspiring and motivating me! :)