Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Anything But Cute Mixed Media Challenges - #1 - Vintage Garden

Hello Everyone!

Today is an exciting day for me as we launch the very first challenge over at ANYTHING BUT CUTE MIXED MEDIA CHALLENGES! This blog is a project that I have been working on since October, so the wait has been long and tortured! Thank you so much to everyone for all the support and encouragement, I am so happy to finally be getting this show on the road!

The very talented and wonderful Branka is hostessing our first challenge and she has chosen the theme VINTAGE GARDEN. A quick peek at my make and then I will dish all the details.


What do you think of when you hear the word Garden? Is it flowers, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, bees, lattice, vines, fences? Whatever garden vision you have, we want to see it. But make sure it's in a vintage style. 

Remember folks, we want to see experienced AND new mixed media artists, so don't be bashful or shy. Whip out those stencils and ink pads...let's get messy and strut your stuff!! I am really looking forward to seeing what you come up with!! 



When I heard Vintage Garden, I thought of the old Roman style gardens, overgrown but still so stately. I decided to build on that theme, so I pulled out my pizza boxes and got to work!!

The base is cut from corrugated cardboard. I covered it with texture paste and then used three colours of DecoArt Americana paints to make it look like a lush green background. Seaglass, Hauser Lt Green and Light Avocado.


I hand drew the arch on a pizza box and cut out a 3d version. I used some Liquid Pearls to make the rivets and then painted the entire thing white and then dry brushed on some Tan paint and Burnt Sienna paint to antique it. I don't have any photos to show you of my process here, because when I went to take the memory card out of the camera, I sadly discovered...IT WASN'T THERE!! Doh! Live and learn, right!


The bird bath / water fountain and butterflies are made from crafter's clay. I painted them with Titanium White and antiqued it with a little DecoArt Crafter's Acrylic paints Tan and Burnt Sienna. The flowers are all cut with a Joy Crafts Flower die. I coloured them with distress ink Dried Marigold. The vines are from Marianne Designs and coloured with Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint.


The birds and bird house are made from crafter's clay. The bird house stand is actually a lamp post that I cut out three layers of using a Kaisercraft die. I glued them together to make it more dimensional and then gave it the same treatment with Liquid Pearls and paint as I did on the arch.




For the bricks I used a home made stencil and home-made paste to lay the pattern. I painted the bricks in layers using DecoArt Americana and Crafter's Acrylic paints Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna and Dark Chocolate. I spritzed a little Picket Fence to shabby it up.



UPDATE:
My Vintage Garden project won awards in the following wonderful challenges:


  


That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. I read and appreciate every single one! If you have any questions, please let me know.


79 comments:

  1. Gosh this is pure romance! Love it- and I missed this awesome card below.. It is a dream piece as well Pamellia!
    ♥♥♥
    Susi

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  2. I love your Roman style garden. A gorgeous art of piece, Pamellia.
    Hugs xx

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  3. I could move into your garden straight away! a pure romantic delight. Good luck with the new challenge - I shall certainly be trying to join in with you. Jennie x

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  4. What a perfect piece for your first challenge Pamellia. You have captured the spirit of a Roman garden perfectly. Your hand made pieces are clever . Good luck with your new venture....how exciting to see your baby born xx

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  5. You are so talented, Pamellia! You need to start your own product line! I love this creation you shared today. I am amazed how you created the arch from the pizza box. Love the brick stencil and those delicate flowers and vines.

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  6. Big congratulations on the first challenge! So amazing and simply stunning make Pamellia!!! So many gorgeous details, my eyes are just darting everywhere trying to soak in and capture all the beauty!!! Love it!!! Have a wonderful day my dear!

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  7. As soon as I saw this I felt like I had been transported back to Rome so I was thrilled for you when you said that is what you were trying to convey - you nailed it. I love the fountain and arch against the brick wall with all the wonderful vines and flowers. I have France on my bucket list but I could easily do Rome again now that I see this beauty - or maybe Tuscany this time.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  8. What a gorgeous garden! I love the arch and the texture. A Roman garden for sure!

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  9. Stunning as usual! Such a lot of lovely detail and such a fabulous original design, love this! x

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  10. Absolutely and completely lovely! So creative! I adore your style. Thanks for joining us at Little Red Wagon.

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  11. Such a delight to visit your garden...I could sit there all day long! Beautiful. ..love how you made the arch dear.you are such a inspiration.. Hugs.

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  12. Big congratulations, Pamellia, on the first challenge! Oh, dear, I could write about this masterpiece of art for days! When I saw this stunner for the first time I couldn't wait to see more pics! I love every detail there! You are an uber talented artist, my friend!
    Have a great day, my dear!
    Big hugs :)
    Branka xxx

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  13. You are so creative! Love the fountain and the arch. It does give the effect of an old garden. Congratulations on your new venture!

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  14. Congrats on the first challenge and on your piece- it is a WOWSER!

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  15. Congratulations on your first challenge!! And oh my - wow!! What a garden this is!! I love every single amazing detail you added!! The arch is fabulous!! It gives the feel of actually being in the garden!! The brick, the fountain, I absolutely love everything!! It is such a work of art!! I want a garden like that in my backyard :) Love, love this my friend!! Have a great day :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  16. Congrats my friend and wow, love love love this project...everything is eye catchy and classy.xxx{aNNie My Personal Blog}

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  17. I think of all those things for the word Garden Pamellia and who have you nailed it here with colours, dimension and array of loveliness.

    I have a love of Ivy and have the annoying (well to hubby that is) habit if planting all the little bits that come in planted indoor pots and baskets and have an abundance of it all over the place, over sheds, walls, you name it and there is Ivy.

    I am so pleased you shared with us for my theme at Allsorts this week, thank you.

    B x

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  18. Hi Pamellia,
    another of your superb mixed media creations.
    Superb designing as usual.
    Love everything you have used,and created in this gem of a creation.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  19. Me again Pamellia, I should have said that I wish you all the best with your challenge, as I committed non cute person I would love to join in but being a realist somehow think it's unlikely time wise, TL keep me more than a little occupied. Not that I'm complaining as I love it.

    B x

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  20. Pamellia,
    I think this is going to be a long comment, so grab a cup of coffee...First a tremendous congratulations on your new challenge blog, and thank you for putting your faith in me in having me on your Design Team. I am SO thrilled and honored, that I cannot put it into words!

    Second, I would like to move a nice comfy chair into your Vintage Garden, and listen to the fountain, watch the birds frolic in the bath and in the trees. I'd reach out and run my hands over the stucco and the brick to feel it's antitquity. I would smell the garden-y smells of fresh dew and the perfume of those gorgeous, delicate flowers. I could spend a week here, and never admire it all!

    Foremost, you ARE AN (trite words here) A M A Z I N G, C R E A T I V E artist, and the entire world is a much better place because you are in it, and you are so willing to share your talents and knowledge with us!

    Big hugs on a job VERY well done, my friend! Sara Emily

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  21. Amazing detailing on this one ! I loved how you have worked on everything in details putting the vintage garden together ! Fabulous Job !

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  22. Congratulation on your first challenge with the new blog and what a way to start it off - a wonderful romantic, vintage garden scene - just so beautiful. I love reading all the details of how you achieved the finishes and textures, one of these days I will have a go myself. I haven't got many mixed media supplies but I'll see what I can do with them, in the mean time I will try and absorb all that you share with us.
    Have a great day.
    Lorraine

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  23. Your long awaited and very special day is finally here Pamellia. So excited for you and for the opportunity you have given to all of us to participate too. Heading over to ANYTHING BUT CUTE now but first just want to say how I would love to walk in your Vintage Garden. It's just beautiful. Thank you for all the details of how you created this genuine delight. As always - just love it. j.

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  24. Wonderful card, love all the details! Really YUMMY! Hugs, Valerie

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  25. I have been in that garden in a dream, I kid you not. This is so very beautiful, to realize most of this is a pizza box is so hard to believe, especially with no photos this time LOL. I can't say anymore I am literally lost for words and back in the dream.

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  26. OMG Pamellia!!!! This is STUNNING, GORGEOUS, PHENOMENAL...I can't believe what YOU can make out of a pizza box!!! Congrats on your first challenge...putting on the thinking cap...would love to play along!
    Take care,
    Beth
    P.S.
    I just know that your new Challenge Blog will be a HUGE success!

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  27. LOVING the fact you use pizza boxes for your substrates and for your 3D embellishments Pamellia. Congratulations on the launch of your fantastic challenge blog, love the theme and your interpretation of it. i would love noting more than to have a picnic and read a book in your garden... it is beautiful and relaxing, will be back to visit for another look at your amazing macro images.

    Mo :-) xxx

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  28. What a stunning project to kick off the new blog. I can just imagine this garden in an Italian setting with the fountain and arch. Beautiful xx

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  29. Dear Bubbles, congratulations on the design, implementation, and hard work of Anything But Cute Challenge blog! You have chosen wonderful design team members (not just saying that because I am a DT member) that get along smashingly. I am thrilled for you and this new adventure! And thank you for bringing me along for the journey. :)

    Your vintage garden LO is stunning and Amazeballs! I will never look at pizza boxes the same. Crafters Clay is so fun to play with and you do it so well. I love the layers and depth to this piece! Awesome sauce and fantabulous my teamie! Hugz to you muffin! ~Doc

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  30. Absolutely stunning, adore your arch and your interpretation of the theme, gorgeous 3d elements too and a wonderful detailed backdrop. Congratulations on your new venture x x x

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  31. Hi Pamellia,

    Oh my this is stunning. love it, love it, love it! So beautiful you have created just what you set out to do a Vintage Garden. Love the Arch and how you made it, it gave me a chuckle, there was me thinking it was made of wood, how clever of you.
    I will enter my card tomorrow, I made it a while back and have been hanging onto it for your first challenge hoping it would fit in, I think it will...just lol!

    Have a lovely day

    Love & hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  32. A wonderful artwork project with a lot of inspiration

    Love Chrissie xx

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  33. Oh my Pamellia this is absolutely gorgeous.
    Hugs ;-)
    Veerle

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  34. Oh Pamellia... I don't even know what to say. This is something I would love to hang on my wall! Your design is impeccable and the fact that you repeatedly make every detail is spectacular. I love the molded elements, the pizza box arch, the exquisite brick background.. and how beautiful are those birdies and butterflies! Stunning creation, my dear friend! Have a wonderful day. :o)

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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  35. Huge congrats on bringing your dream to fruition Pamellia! You couldn't have set a higher standard with your challenge debut! A totally captivating piece. The arch is brilliant!!! Then all the other elements make it look like a scene in a romantic fairytale. Gloriously textured and antique, it really is a total gem. Nicola x

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  36. I love every amazing detail Pamellia!! The ivy and fibres are so beautiful on this piece and really makes it look so romantic!! Congrats on having your first challenge go live for challenge blog - the journey has begun xx

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  37. Hi Pamellia
    Its just any chance to tuck into a Fours Seasons with extra chess for you isn't it hahaha!
    My word, this is the dogs wotsits (or ducks doodahs lol!) and is thoroughly amazing. It seems too inadequate to call it a card or project. . . . . . Its a work of art.
    Now, I shall pop over to the new challenge and see just how messy I may need to get!
    Best wishes.
    Ang x

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  38. Blooming predictive text. . . . .should be cheese not chess lol! x

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  39. A gorgeous project Pamellia and very best wishes for your new venture.
    Yvonne xx

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  40. Gorgeous, fabulous use of colour and awesome texture too! Will check out your challenge next Karen x

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  41. Congratulations on the start of your amazing journey - and what a fabulous way to start things off! The way you created the arch is just amazing, it looks so realistic. I love the gorgeous wall in the background and the beautiful moulded elements you added - they are exquisite. Such a beautiful creation. Hugs, Anne xx

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  42. Hi Pamellia, good luck with the new challenge blog. Love the Arch and all the gorgeous detail.
    Happy crafting, Angela x

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  43. I am happy your challenge is up and running! Your garden is gorgeous! I love all the depth and texture you've created here! It looks like a lovely place to visit!

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  44. This project is amazing, love it to bits. good luck for your new challenge xx

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  45. I am so much in love with your Vintage Garden Pamellia. It's amazing how some the elements from this gorgeous creation are made from recycle item and handmade products by you! I love the ivy growing so beautifully. Congratulations on your first challenge blog. and the theme is right up to my taste :) Hoping to find the right time to play. Thank you for the chance to continue being messy, I love it! Hugs xx

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  46. Stunning Pamellia, just love how you antiqued all your paperclay embellies, gorgeous garden scene just perfect for the theme.
    Hope your challenge will go off with a bang (I'm sure it will do). Wishing you lots of success with it all!

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  47. WOW this is gorgeous! It definitely looks realistic, vintage and old. I love it! And congratulations on your new challenge blog! I hope to play in the challenges very soon!
    Hugs,
    Jo

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  48. Awesome, I cannot get over the incredible detail in this project. The detail in the brick wall is breathtaking and the way you have aged everything ilooks so realistic. Another outstanding project.

    Dionne xx

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  49. I think this is now my favourite of all your stunning creations Pamellia! I love it and also love your use of pizza boxes ;)
    Big hugs
    Donna xxx

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  50. I had to come back for another look! I've just spent the last 20 minutes staring at your amazing brick work and that arch, and had to tell you I could look at it for the rest of the day! Your arch is totally awe inspiring, as is the brick! You have really got it going on, girl! I'm off to see if I can make some bricks that look 1/10 as realistic as yours! Big hugs!

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  51. Wow, girl... this is fabulous!!! Love your brickwork, the arch, and all your lovely flowers and ivy! FANTASTIC!!!
    Congratulations on your launch!!!

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  52. Whenever I hear the word "garden" I think of butterflies and flowers. Go figure! lol I absolutely love how you interpreted the theme! Your creations is stunning! I was wondering what you made that arch from and then I read you made it out of pizza box. Pizza box!!! Girl, is there anything you can't do?! Wow, just wow!
    Big hugs to you my friend! xx

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  53. I am in awe at the depth you have achieved with this card. I feel like I have stepped into your lovely garden! Thanks for joining us at ABC CHALLENGE! Good luck and please join us again.

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  54. Congratulations for this new blog challenge... So it was worth to wait, hey! Your vintage garden is fabulous! I love this so perfect Green background, the textures, the composition... Everything! My best wishes for your new journey

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  55. Another stunner Pamellia. Adore all your textures and the little paperclay birds. Can you tell me the name of the mould please.
    Wishing you all the luck in the world with your new blog challenge. I'm sure will grow in strength very quickly.
    Julie x

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  56. I just don't know what to say about this creation Pamellia, I don't have enough words to describe how this makes me feel, I am a big lover of both garden and vintage so this awesome project makes me feel so......happy.....inside, the old wall background is amazing I would love to have one like that, the arch, the birds and flowers it is truly a world of magic, magnificent work of art.
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  57. OMGosh this is amazing Pamellia!! I love all of the textures, the brick wall and clay embellishments are stunning!
    Big hugs, Tammy

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  58. WOW...I would love this garden in my backyard...glorious! LOVE every fabulous detail!!!

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  59. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love EVERYTHING about it!! Just gorgeous!! Thanks for joining us over at Perfectly Rustics.

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  60. The level of work and skill put into this work is astounding and the results are truly beautiful. I'm sure you'll inspire many people to join in with the new challenge. Thank you for joining us at Make My Monday. Marina DT

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  61. Did you hear it? That was my jaw dropping to the floor with a big bang! This is simply outstanding my friend! The gate arch is pure genius, the brick in the background stunningly painted - everything ties in beautifully with the vintage garden theme. Absolutely mind blowingly gorgeous! Big hugs xxx

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  62. WOW Pamelia to think you made the gorgeous door...you are so talented..In love with your project.
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia
    Cards Crafts Kids Projects

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  63. Fantastic vintage garden reminds me of The Secret Garden,fantastic brick wall and you made the template ????? I have a bought one and it is rubbish.Love the tangled overgrown look and might have to have that vine die lol
    Carol x

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    1. Hi Carol. The template was easy to make, I just used an exacto knife to cut the bricks out of a piece of acetate. It doesn't have to be perfect, better if it isn't actually. Thanks for visiting, hugs :)

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  64. What a fabulous creation, wow! Fabulous elements and textures.
    Congrats for the new challenge, love to take an entry, hope to have some time.
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts, welcome again;-))m

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  65. WOW stunning piece of work, love it all .
    Thank you for sharing at Allsorts 'April Showers Bring May Flowers' challenge and good luck x Susan x

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  66. I love how all the elements of your card come together, fantastic job. Thanks for joining us for the Perfectly Rustics use three of something. Cathie DT

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  67. This is amazing Pamellia! Huge congratulations on your first challenge - a great choice! Hoping I can play! Chrisx

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  68. What a beautiful piece Pamellia, I feel as if I'm peeking through the gate of a stately classical garden. Congratulations on your first challenge at your new challenge blog, what a wonderful start!

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  69. This is beautiful, so serene. love the texture you have created

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  70. Wow this is amazing, it is like a piece of artwork! Thanks for joining us at Perfectly Rustics.

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  71. Wow this is gorgeous! Looks like a peaceful garden and sparks my imagination to dream of passing through that arch and into the garden! Thanks for joining us at Tuesday Throwdown!

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  72. Absolutely gorgeous - your stone arch is just wonderful, and I love the other "stonework" in your beautiful garden. A really lovely taste of spring outdoors.
    Alison xx

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  73. Oh I love your little Vintage Garden! It reminds me of the Secret Garden story! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous card at ABC Challenge! Hugs Julie DT xox

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  74. So gorgeous! Love your brick wall- so very clever! xx

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  75. I'm so excited that "Anything but Cute" is off the ground with the first challenge! I can't believe that you made that arch from a Pizza box! Talk about inspiring! I love how you arranged it "off the page". Your entire project is incredible, and as always, totally inspirational!

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