Sunday, June 5, 2016

Anything But Cute #14 - The Birds and the Bees

Hello Everyone!

It's time for another mixed media challenge over at Anything But Cute. Niki is our hostess with the mostest this month and she has chosen the theme "THE BIRDS AND THE BEES". More about that in a minute, but first here is my project.

I thought I would go ultra-feminine for this one, so I have a nice girly card ready for any occasion!


Here is what Niki had to say about her theme. "With the lovely warm weather in my neck of the woods, I am seeing so many wonderful birds and bee's, so I would love to see those in your mixed media makes! Pull out those bird stamps, think of feathers and maybe some honeycomb. Or you could even go for a non-traditional interpretation like a family crest that has a bird emblem on it. The sky is the limit but NO BUTTERFLIES please!"


I absolutely love Niki's challenge theme and it took me directly to a warm spring morning with the birds singing and fluttering outside my window and the sky as blue as can be. I have put together this shabby chic card with that very morning in mind. 













For my tutorial portion of the project, I have put together this video. Enjoy!




UPDATE:
My card won an award in the following wonderful challenge:
**  Scrapy Land {Challenge #43} - Anything Goes (dies: Memory Box, Cheery Lynn)


***
Since our theme this month is about birds and bees, and my card is about birds, I figured I would share lots of bird photos with you today. This first set is from our trip to the African Lion Safari.

First up is this gorgeous Black-Mandibled Toucan


Next up is a Pterodactyl... no wait, it's Darth Vader... no wait, it's an alien...
Oh for crying out loud...WHAT IS IT????
UPDATE - Thank you to Kathy Gnj for identifying this as a Northern Ground Hornbill


This is an easy one. Say hello to the Ostrich who invaded my space!


Seriously, and he showed me his tonsils!!


He was so close, I actually took a picture from UNDERNEATH him!! Awesome!


A panning shot of a Marabou Stork.


Next up is the Chaco Owl. Got a great action shot of him coming in for a landing.



Next up is a Falcon Peregrine Falcon perhaps?? Not sure.


There's no mistaking this next fellow - the Bald Headed Eagle.
DOESN'T THIS LOOK JUST SAY IT ALL!! YIPES!



Back on the home front, I'm still working on my panning. Never gets old!! lol


On the boardwalk we have a Sparrow enjoying the view, and


... Billy the Budgie still alive and kicking - you go boy!


So NOT a bird - but bird related!


A baby American Sparrow. Poor thing sat on this branch forever! He couldn't seem to get his balance or get his wings to work, so he just sat there until he gained his composure. Poor little guy! 



No post would be complete without my token morning coffee shot...


...and a baby squirrel!!
I would like everyone to meet JUNIOR. He's been visiting every day for a week or so now, but hasn't worked up the courage to come onto the balcony. Isn't he adorable!!


BET YOU THOUGHT I FORGOT ABOUT THE BEE PORTION OF THIS THEME!
The only bee shot I have to date. lol


That's it for today - longest post ever right? Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.


71 comments:

  1. What really pretty soft and delicate colours Pamellia, although you have kept the colouring so very pastel each pops our as a contrast to the next.

    Have a lovely Sunday.

    B x

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  2. Lots of detail and lots to look at with the prettiest of colours and gorgeous layout x What a great challenge theme for you and your love of birds (and squirrels of course x ) Stunning photos and chuckled at the amazing big birds and then the little sparrow x Always such a delight to visit your blog x

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  3. Can't say which I enjoyed more- the pretty card and video or the awesome photos. So so enjoyed your post today

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  4. WOW!!! You are AMAZING Pamellia! Your creations are drop dead gorgeous and now all these fabulous wildlife photographs ... you are talented beyond belief! I LOVE your designs and strive to be do half as beautiful work as you! You are truly an amazing inspiration to the rest of us! ALWAYS a pleasure to come to your blog.
    Oh yea ... lol ... Thanks so much for playing in our ‘BIRDS’ challenge at Dies R Us! Please come back again soon!

    Darlene (DRU Blog Leader)
    DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG
    DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

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  5. Oooh such fabulous colors on your card and such a lovely contrast the chipboard makes

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  6. Wow, Pamellia, this is jaw-dropping gorgeous!! Another project I could just stare at all day...but the lure of a video will pull me away!! Heehee!! I can't wait to see how you put this together!! The layers and details are amazing!! I love those birds and the colors and the flowers...oh heck, I love every single thing about it!! It's spectacular!!

    My gosh, those photos are amazing...until I scrolled upon Darth Vader!! Eek!! What the heck is that thing??!! Can you imagine just stumbling upon that thing in the wild??!! The ostrich is too darn cute!! And wow, the bald eagle is so regal and beautiful!! Hi Junior!! He's too sweet!! I hope he gets the courage to visit!! And my gosh, your morning shot is gorgeous!! I hope you have a fabulous Sunday my friend!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  7. Gah, I got so caught up in the amazing beauty of your project and the awesome pictures, I totally forgot to thank you for playing along at Scrapy Land!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  8. I know I said this so many times but it's really a great pleasure visiting your blog and I enjoy every time seeing your phenomenal photos and creations, Pamellia! I can't tell you how much I love your card! It's a perfect combination of magical fresh colors, stunning layers and fantastic details, as always! This piece of art really express your love for nature and Spring! I am in awe and can't take my eyes of this utterly stunning masterpiece, my friend! Thank you so much for a great video tutorial! You made my day! Big hugs and lots of love to you! Branka xx

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  9. Wonderful theme, just right for you and your gorgeous card. Great photos, too, you surely had fun there. Hugs, Valerie

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  10. Another wonderful card. I have lost count of how many amazing layers there are. Gorgeous colours. Hugs Mrs A.

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  11. Nothing like watching one of your videos while eating some chocolate to make a Sunday morning most enjoyable! Beautiful card! I love the colours.

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  12. Very pretty and girly! Love the birds too. Thanks for playing along with us at Just Us Girls!

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  13. Phenomenal photos and an exquisite card. Love visiting your blog Pamellia ♥

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  14. Another gorgeous card, Pamellia! I wish I could reach in and feel all the texture and layers. You always have such wonderful tips as well. Thanks so much for sharing them in the video. The bird photos are amazing. I hope the new squirrel gets his courage up for a closer visit!

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  15. The card is so feminine and just BEAUTIFUL and those photos are really phenomenal! WOW!
    Happy new week ahead Pamellia!
    oxo Susi

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  16. Your card is stunning as always! Love the combination of pretty pastel shades and the little wooden birds, gorgeous layers and flowers. Your bird photos are amazing...hope someone knows what that scary-looking black bird is!
    Chris
    x

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  17. Gorgeous !! Loved the light blue n purple combo and awesome layers .Thank you for the video :)

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  18. Gorgeous !! Loved the light blue n purple combo and awesome layers .Thank you for the video :)

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  19. It never a gets old visiting your blog and learning new techniques and also new animals. You are a breath of fresh air dearie. Now your card is pulling my wind into a feminine mood today! Say what!?! Yeppers, looks like I'll be baking my some cookies. Anyways, gorgeous blue and purple combo and I can't wait to see the amazeballs video! You sure do know how to capture beauty-through art and through your photos! That black bird is epically awesome!!!! Love the bee shot as well and you already know how I feel about the squirrels. Hugz to you muffin! ~Doc

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  20. Wow, I was going to start by talking about the gorgeous little birds on your card but now I've seen your amazing photographs so I don't know where to start now:). Love your card, especially the background colours that you've used. Your photographs are just out of this world. Thank you for brightening my day :) Crafty hugs, Sandra X

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  21. Hi hunny, wow love your card, beautiful colours and love the die cut, those bird photo's are awesome!!!! don't know how you get so close to them, our wildlife stays way away from us, mind you could be the dogs barking and acting like cats when there around could be a clue, lol

    catch up soon, hun
    hugs Liz xx

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  22. Fabulous card Pamellia and I always so enjoy your video tutorials! So many clever and original ideas, just fabulous!! Your photos look all amazing too once more!

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  23. Wow awesome photos Pamellia, wonderful birds, the second one really does look prehistoric, ugly looking thing, but amazing at the same time.
    Your card is stunning, gorgeous layers and beautiful colours, I just love it. Your posts are always a delight to read and a feast for the eyes, thank you for sharing, Kate x

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  24. Oh, my dear Pamellia! I have been waiting all day to get to visit your blog and view your video, and wow, was it ever worth the wait! such an amazing spring time card with those gorgeous feminine and delicate layers! So fun to see you work, and if I ever do get to see you in person, I will be doing nothing other than watching you create! He! He! Love your colors and I need to get one of those pipettes (where does one get those?) so I can splash around some color! Love your expired card technique with the embossing powder--I'm going to give that a try sometime soon. Oh, I could just gush over this all day long, but I will not say anything everybody hasn't already said--so I'll just say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this fabulous card! Another new favorite for me! Big Hugs!

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  25. Oh shoot, it is like Grand Central Station around here, and I forgot to say thank you for joining the Anything Goes challenge at Scrapy Land with this wonder and to say how much I enjoyed bird watching on your blog. Give that little baby squirrel a pinch for me! He's so cute and will be eating out of the palm of your hand in no time! Hugs! Sara Emily Guest DT

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  26. Wow Pamellia, stunning creation, gorgeous layers of amazing papers and decoration.
    fabulous photos, but think I prefer the little fellows, gorgeous budgie, surprised he`s still survived..
    Pam x

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  27. What a beautiful bird card Pamellia...those little birds seem quite happy on your gorgeous layers. Great bird photos too....Billy winked at them...lol. Hugs xx

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  28. Another mouth watering card Pamellia, really beautiful. Ah all the wildlife but wow that ostrich looked a bit fed up ha ha
    Hugs
    Donna xx

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  29. Fabulous pics and great to see the little budgie still alive -brilliant card love all the textured layers and I love Bees off to check out the video
    Carol x

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  30. The subtle shades in this creation are very feminine and pretty and work beautifully with the chip board elements in the design. Yet another wonderful project, you are very talented and a fabulous photographer too. Lovely pictures.
    Lorraine

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  31. Beautiful card Pamellia, I love those birds and all the flowers, those photos are wonderful
    Kevin xx

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  32. WOW!!!! This is one gorgeous and oh so shabby chic card! You outdid yourself with this masterpiece!!! I don't even know where to begin, so I'll just say BRAVO!!!!
    Off I go to check out the video :)
    Hugs
    Samra
    Paper Talk with Samra

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  33. Wow! Just when I think you have hit the top with your creations...out come some more! WOW girl, your creations are so amazing! I LOVE your eye to details which I am sure I have told you a bazillion times, hehe!!! The layers, the colors and then all these yummy elements...whoa, seriously A M A Z I N G!!!! Love it!!!
    Oh my gosh, your Pterodactyl is scary! Eeeek, that is one strange looking bird! I probably would have dropped my camera and ran for the house, lol!
    You sure can capture some amazing shots~they are all really cool and beautiful except for..you know, the scary one! Yikes!!
    Have a great day my friend!
    Sherrie K

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  34. Stunning card Pamellia!! I love the soft pastels and the bold look of the birds, your cards are always a work of art! All your wonderful bird shots and so cool,and your little jr is a cutie :)

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  35. Wow Pamellia, I really did not see the full beauty of this card until I watched the video. It really is stunning, so much detail and so many fabulous layers.

    Your nature shots just get better and better, your camera work is amazing my friend. So much talent in one person.

    Dionne xx

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  36. Stunning card Pamellia and I too can visualise a beautiful early morning where the colours are gorgeously ethereal and delicate as the light is just coming through with the dawn chorus singing in our ears. You have used your senses and visual perception brilliantly bringing this wonderful layered card together. Love your bird shots and so glad you had one of a bee. Have a great week. XxX

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  37. Amazingly gorgeous as always, so much to see and your video's are such a delight to view...loving this... ♥ {aNNie}

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  38. Stunning card with so much to look at and take in. I wanted to touch it and feel all the textures you have introduced.

    Great photographs as well with things I have never seen-the black one is scary.

    Have a great day

    Love Chrissie xx

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  39. About your card first- this is super feminine and hence so beautiful!! :) I loved your shared pics- the landing owl stole my heart ! Such a cool shot! That squirrel and bee also made my day along with the coffee shot! Thanks Pamellia! :)

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  40. What a wonderful creation ... I love sipping y coffee whilst watching your videos ... And what the heck is that bird!!

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  41. Your cards is always beautiful, and this is gorgeous! I Love your work and just had to be a follower ;-) Hugs! Thank you for joining Live & Love Crafts challenge this month! Love from Cathrine-DT.

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  42. The card looks beautiful. There are so many wonderful details to find.
    Thanks for sharing your work with all of us at Fairytale-Challenge. Good luck!
    Ilse (thera)

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  43. Your cards are always so beautiful Pamelia. Loved watching the video and seeing it all come together .. simply amazing background and details. Also love your bird photos but my fave is definitely the baby squirrel .. what a cutie!!

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  44. What a beautiful card Pamellia, I love that colors and the gorgeous birds! Fabulous photos too!
    Hugs, Tammy

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  45. That's such a fresh springlike card, beautiful and loved all the nature shots, I did squee a bit at the cute squirel! It's amazing what we learn about creatures when we're able to interact with them isn't it? I didn't know bunnies did 2 types of poo til I owned them! They do the little round ones that you see on the grass and then they do smelly squishy ones that (sorry about this) they eat direct from their bottom to enable them to digest the grass etc fully! I'll be less gross next time I visits, honest! Cara x

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  46. My dear friend, I soaked up every detail of this yesterday and am so grateful I can finally leave you much-deserved love. Pamellia, to say this is exquisite just doesn't do it justice! The colors are one of my all-time favorite palettes and I loved watching it coming to life in your video. The layer of crinolin is gorgeous. The birdies are so pretty and I just want to frolic within your soft and lush floral arrangement. The wreath is gorgeous and oh how I adore your ribbon. Beautifully done, my talented friend! And thank you for sharing your masterpiece with us at Deep Ocean!

    I love how you filled this post with bird pictures. My goodness Pamellia, you have always been a natural with photography but it's been amazing watching you develop the craft. Your pictures are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing them with us... and I always look forward to your token coffee shot, too! I will forever be enamored with nature and wildlife photography. Thankfully you spoil me with them in ever post! Have a beautiful day, my dear friend. :o)

    Hugs and blessings,
    Karen

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  47. Just been having a fantastic catch up to see what you have been making. Of course I loved the photos as well but will have to come back to this one as all the photos didn't show up.
    Yvonne xx

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  48. Your wonderful card is magnificent, and so are all these grand photos. I'm awed at your photography skills...those were some awesome shots of these critters. (Also love the beautiful sunset). However did you have the spot-on perfect wooden birds? They look right at home with the frilly loveliness of all the other elements of your wonderful card too. It's wonderful how your morning scene could inspire the creation of this work..your imagination knows no bounds. TFS & Thanks for a lovely, most enjoyable post.

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  49. Your card is amazingly beautiful!!! Thanks so much for joining us at Dies R Us for the 'Bird Challenge' this month!

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  50. Wow- what a beautiful card! I saw it at the Scrapy Land blog and had to come and see the card and your blog! Thanks for entering our challenge and hope to see you again at Scrapy Land for our next challenge.

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  51. Gorgeous card! So very elegant! Love your bird photos too. Your photo of "Darth Vader" intrigued me so I went on the hunt and wonder if it is a Northern Ground Hornbill?

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  52. Wow...this is so amazing and lovely shabby chic card Pamelia! thanks for sharing and
    I enjoy the video....thanks you so much!!!!
    xx Gerie

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  53. Such a stunningly beautiful card, Pamellia! I particularly love the colours you've chosen to use! Wow truly amazing photos too! xxx

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  54. Stunning card Pamellia, and thanks for the video, just love all your layers.
    Fantastic photos but that Ostrich looks scary and so does Darth Vader!
    Love your new little visitor, hope he plucks up the courage to come to dine.
    Hugs, Avril xx

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  55. So very pretty Pamellia! Definitely my kinda card! Love it! Thanks for sharing pics too - I hope that hornbill doesn't migrate my way - he should live with Voldemort! Nicola x

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  56. I do hope you have a photo collage in your home of these treasures! And your card is so so pretty, Pamellia! I love the many colors you added this time and the natural chippies. So perfect splashed in white. Great challenge and so much variety! Thanks for being a super team mama. Big hugs, Autumn

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  57. Doing a catch up, your card is sensational, so many layers and tucked in elements, I LOVE it, as I do of all your cards.

    FABULOUS photos, and WOW, what incredible carving on the tree stump. Did you do that? LOL?
    Faith
    x

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  58. Hi Pamellia,
    another of your stunningly superb creations today.
    Thank you for the wonderful video tutorial as usual very useful to learn how you make such gorgeous creations.
    It's funny as I was watching the video we are having thunder storms.
    Beautiful photos as always.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  59. Too funny, girl! Fantastic make, as always, and sublime bird photos - wow!! I am catching up backwards here, and look forward to a great evening of seeing you in action on all fronts! xxx Lynn

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  60. Love this beautiful and feminine project- pretty chipboard birds and love the dies you used. I just love all of the lace and colors and all of it!!! Your pictures surely are amazing, including the view of that ostrich- even the tonsils!!! That poor Hornbill- not that scary.... but probably gets his picture taken lots! We have been watching a video of 2 Bald Eagle babies- eggs laid in Feb- and one baby is just getting ready to fly out of the nest- the other is already gone. It has been amazing!

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  61. OMG yet another post full of delight, beauty and enchantment, words will never be able to convey my feelings when seeing your pictures and your stunning creations Pamellia, I think you must realise by now the pure pleasure, and many others for sure, get from seeing not only your craft but your stupendous photos, this is pure magic
    hugs
    lorraine x

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  62. So glad I watched your video last night and left comments about your wonderful card on YouTube, because your incredible photos have stolen the show on your post! My favorite part of the card close ups are those perfectly placed mini pearls! Wow!

    The bird shots are all amazing, right down to the ostrich's tonsils! Wow! Could you smell what he had for lunch? Junior is adorable, and the carving is beyond lovely! Some people truly beautify the world in the most unexpected places!

    Thanks for sharing your excursions! Love, de

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  63. Hi Pamellia
    You are the Queen of Layers of Loveliness. Each card is like a delicious cake where you want to see every tasty layer.........but obviously I wouldn't eat your card as that would be silly!
    That second bird is not something you'd want landing on your bird table but I'm sure his mother loves him.
    Ang x

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  64. Gorgeous and so many beautiful layers of sweetness. Charming and feminine design with beautiful effect.

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  65. How gorgeous this card is! I loved seeing your photos - especially the birds of prey! Hugs, Chrisx

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  66. Beautiful mix of colors and textures. Thank you so much for participating in the Memory Box June watercolor challenge.

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  67. Crazy good beautiful card, I so adore how you work your magic with color and texture! Love the pop of color and sweet birds. Then I totally got lost in your photo gallery...eeek! Love all the birds and bees, wow you are so creative and amazing!
    hugs
    ~kim

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  68. WOW; your card is extraordinary; such gorgeous layers and textures. Loved watching the tutorial; really interesting how you built this masterpiece from scratch. As always; fascinating photos as well! Thanks for playing with LLC (Sorry I'm behind with my commenting...as usual ;-))


    Hugz, Sandy
    Owner & Operator @Live & Love Crafts

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