Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Hero Arts Summer Blog Hop


Welcome to the Hero Arts Summer Blog Hop!  All week long the Hero Hostesses are sharing cards inspired by summer.  If you arrived here from the fabulous Jenn Biederman you are in the right place. If you just joined in the hop go to the Hero Arts Blog to start from the beginning.

Of course when we talked about summer I was thinking of the glorious flowers that fill the landscape during the hot summer days.  Being in the north we really only have the summer months to enjoy our flowers so I really appreciate the months that they shine.
 A few steps to create my card:
  1. Lay stencil over white cardstock and spritz with gold mist. Lift stencil and place onto white cardstock and pick up the reverse image from the stencil.  This was the reverse image piece that I used in the background. 
  2. Paint black cardstock with white paint using foam brush. 
  3. Stamp flowers over dry painted surface using black water resistant ink. 
  4. Color flowers using STAEDTLER Soft Pastel Chalks and a waterbrush.  The waterbrush will pick up the chalk and apply it like watercolors.  Repeat until desired shading. 
  5. Add highlights in center of flowers using white gel pen. 
  6. Splatter a little gold watercolor around the edges by inking up the waterbrush and splatter around the flowers. 
  7. Add shading around edges of flowers using watercolor pencils and waterbrush. 
  8. Cut rectangle around flowers and hand cut edges of flower. 
  9. Stamp sentiment using Gold ink along edge of flowers. 
  10. Accent with lace trim and gems. 
  11. Assemble card. 
Products: Stencil, Hero Arts Made With Love, Hero Arts - F529 Garden Star, Versafine Toffee, Yellow Gems, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Dijon, Lace Trim

My second card was inspired by the hot summer days where the sun is so hot that the air shimmers and you see sun spots.  I decided to create a background using alcohol inks in yellow to reflect the hot summer day.
 Steps for the sunshine card:
  1. Ink up glossy cardstock. Smear a blend of alcohol blending solution and yellow alcohol ink over the entire surface. 
  2. Drip alcohol inks directly on the surface yellow let dry. Drip the next shade of yellow overlapping circles. Let dry. Repeat with different shades of yellow and Alcohol blending solution. Let dry between each color to hold the circles. 
  3. Stamp flowers using Versamark onto the surface randomly. Heat emboss using light yellow embossing powder. 
  4. Stamp butterflies on extra piece of alcohol ink background using versamark. Heat emboss with light yellow embossing powder. Cut out. Accent centers with pearls. 
  5. Assemble card. 
  6. Stamp sentiment on coordinating cardstock. Cut in banner shape attach to front of card.
Products: Ranger Alcohol Inks - Sunshine, Butterscotch, Alcohol Blending solution, Hero Arts -
H3257 Real Salvia, Hero Arts - Everyday Sayings.Hero Arts - Papillion

We decided to share some of our favorite recipes for summer..  As you know from previous posts, cooking is not my strength. :)  When we have family parties in the summer I am usually asked to bring the pudding salad.   No cooking involved and easy to make. 

Pudding Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
  • 8 oz Cool Whip
  • 1 5.9 box of Vanilla Instant Pudding 
  • 1 15 oz can of Mandarin Oranges 
  • 1 15 oz can of Fruit Cocktail 
  • 16 oz Maraschino cherries
  • 2 medium size Bananas
  • 3 cups of Milk (for pudding)
  • Optional:  Marshmallows
  1. Make Instant Pudding per instructions. 
  2. Fold in cool whip into pudding.Stir until completely mixed.
  3. Drain cherries, fruit cocktail, and mandarin oranges of juices. 
  4. Mix in fruit into pudding. 
  5. Slice up bananas and mix into pudding. 
  6. Add marshmallows if desired. I have never actually added them. :) 
  7. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving. 
Everyone loves the fact that you have full cherries in the salad. They are like little surprises.

Now onto the next stop in the hop.  The extremely talented  Donna Mikasa

Don't forget to leave a comment at every blog because Hero Arts will be doing random drawings from all the blog comments. There will be three lucky winners, and the more you comment, the greater your chance of being one of them!!! 

If you encounter a broken link, just go to to the Hero Arts blog for a list of all the blogs with their links. Please report any broken links to blog[at]heroarts[dot]com.

Thanks for stopping by!

Suzz




184 comments:

  1. Beautiful floral cards; I especially love the second one using an old favorite, the real salvia stamp!

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  2. Wow both so beautiful Suzanne! The white embossing over the warm rich colours on the second is stunning!

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  3. After trying out all these new recipes I will have to have a picnic to eat it all.
    LOVE your second SUNNY alcoholic ink card.

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  4. Wow Suzz, these are both stunning cards! Love all the gorgeous layers and your colouring on the first card! The background on your second card looks fabulous and the embossed flowers and butterflies look so pretty against it! Your pudding fruit salad sounds yummy!

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  5. Your 2 cards are gorgeous and your dessert sounds decadently good!

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  6. Beautiful flowers! Your cards are so pretty and the recipe sounds great too!

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  7. the recipe sounds yummy! and love your gorgeous cards!
    linda patti tpatti@windstream.net

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  8. These are gorgeous flower cards! I love them both. I especially love the background on the first one...fabulous!

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  9. Stunning cards. Such beautiful colors and details!

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  10. love the cards!and the recipie sounds really yummy!

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  11. Love both cards, in particular the first one! Nice color matches and nice layout!

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  12. I love your details on both cards! They are gorgeous!

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  13. Have to try this salad! Sounds yummy :) And your cards are beautiful. They look like summer :)

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  14. Such lovely cards! Thanks for sharing your talent!

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  15. On your first card those flowers are indeed glorious. I love the layering and stenciling. In fact....I love this card. Lots of terrific sunshine on your second card. The pudding fruit salad sounds delicious!

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  16. Fab cards - love the one with the alcohol inks.

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  17. Both cards have the air of a summer day! Beautiful!

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  19. These are fantastic! I love the backgrounds! My favorite is the second card, the alcohol ink looks so striking behind the silhouette image!

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  20. What a treat seeing that second card, Suzz! Both are so beautiful! I'm always amazed by your talent! So fun to be hopping with you this week! Thanks for the awesome recipe too - yum! :)

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  21. What stunning cards! Love the alcohol ink background of the second one. :-)

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  22. Gorgeous cards! Thank you for sharing the how-to details! And your recipe: a perfect 'pairing' to go with your colourful floral cards! Thanks for sharing!
    c

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  23. Both cards are really lovely and bring to mind beautiful summer flowers and gorgeous summer days. I'm so glad to see this recipe....I had it somewhere once before(or one similar) and never found a recipe for it. It is delicious and now I can make it! Thanks!

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  24. Awesome summer cards! That alcohol ink background is stunning ... I need to get mine out of the closet!! I enjoy your very artistic cards and it's been fun picnicking with you!!

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  25. Wow, these are stunning cards! I tried ot read the tutorial but got a little lost (I am visual), maybe after I've had more coffee! :)

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  26. Beautiful floral cards! I love the flowers stamped on the painted cardstock and the alcohol ink background on the second card.

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  27. Lovely cards and so evocative of summer, especially the second one. Thanks for sharing your recipe; sounds good!

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  28. Both cards are beautiful, but I just love the one with the alcohol inks. I need to remember to use mine more often.

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  29. I love both cards. You always inspire me. It's so neat that you create beauty in so many styles, using so many techniques!

    Know a similar dish from my childhood. I was one who picked through to find the cherries!

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  30. beautiful floral cards..and the recipe sounds yummy.

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  31. The alcohol technique is stunning!

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  32. Both cards are pretty... but the second one, oh my, it is just stunning!

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  33. What terrific cards! I especially love the various yellows of alcohol inks on the glossy accent card! It does remind me of the very hot days of August here in Ohio! You can almost feel the heat! I am definitely trying this. Also your recipe looks cool & refreshing! Just the thing for a picnic!

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  34. WOWZERS, Sue, your 2nd card is summer on paper! LOVE how it turned out! And your pudding salad with the cherries is mouth-watering!

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  35. These are both gorgeous and so creative! I'm saving the tutorials and hope to try some of these techniques -- I really like the white paint on black background.

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  36. Stunning cards, Suzanne! Glorious flowers indeed! So happy to see your work amongst the blog hop!

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  37. thanks for reminding me how much i love alcohol ink backgrounds!

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  38. Beautiful cards! Love the colors & all the detail :)

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  39. Love both your gorgeous unique designs, fabulous cards!!

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  40. Gorgeous cards! Love the stenciling on the first and the alcohol ink background on the second. I have a similar recipe but I always add the mini marshmallows. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

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  41. Love your cards especially the backgrounds. Very vibrant and just pops off the page. The second one is so incredible. Love the bright yellow.

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  42. Your cards are just beautiful! It's a work of art.

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  43. Love your cards and instructions.
    Your recipe for fruit salad is the same recipe that has been in our family for years for our traditional fruit salad for all our holiday dinners.
    It is yummmmmyyy.
    If you like walnuts or pecans, you can also add some of them chopped up in this salad.

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  44. Your cards are simply beautiful!

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  45. Both cards are just lovely and I have that flower stamp in the first one -yea! That recipe sounds wonderful - going to try it soon!

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  46. Thanks for the "how to" tips - great cards!

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  47. Beautiful summery floral cards.

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  48. What a beautiful flower card! I love the color you choose for them!

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  49. I just love these floral cards... I can see blue and purple for a color combination using your technique. Tks for the inspiration.

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  50. Love, love , love your pink flowers card. Technique you used to color is great.

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  51. Love the sunny yellow one best!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  52. Both cards are great. Love the alcohol ink background - they are so much fun to make.

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  53. Love both your cards. The flowers on the 1st one are gorgeous.

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  54. Two beautiful cards. Love the flowers, and the white silhouettes.

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  55. Beautiful cards! Perfect summer colors. Love the alcohol ink background. Thanks for the recipe. It sounds yummy.

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  56. Wow!! Gorgeous cards!! Love the use of alcohol ink!!!

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  57. Cooking is not my strenght either. But I sure love your cards!!!

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  58. These cards are lovely! And yes, sometimes when it's that hot out, you really do feel like you're seeing spots! :)

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  59. Great cards! Thanks for the reminder to pull out my AIs and have some fun. ;-)

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  60. I should have eaten lunch before blog hopping !! The cards and recipes are all delicious!

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  61. Your two cards are beautiful, and your recipe sounds great!

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  62. Your two cards are beautiful, and your recipe sounds great!

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  63. Your second card is absolutely stunning!! It really speaks to me! Thanks for your inspiration!

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  64. I just love both of you're cards.
    Thank you for sharing your talent. I can't wait to make that pudding recipe also. Thank you

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  65. Love the acohol ink background, it makes the embossed flowers pop!

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  66. Wonderful summery cards. Love the gorgeous flowers on the first one.

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  67. Both are fabulous! Thanks for the how to on the second.

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  68. I love both cards they are pretty and unique!

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  69. Two super duper cards - Love what you did with the stencil!

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  70. These are both gorgeous but I especially love the fabulous look of the second one!

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  71. Such pretty cards, Suzanne! And this recipe sounds simple enough I can use it for Gigi (we're starting to learn to cook)! TFS!!!

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  72. Both cards are absolutely beautiful and love the recipe too! Thank you!

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  73. Both cards are absolutely beautiful!! Your recipe sounds super yummy!! It's making my mouth water!! Lol. Thx for sharing!!

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  74. Your cards are amazing, Suzz! I love both of them. And, that fruit salad sounds divine - will have to try it.

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  75. Oh, my....Your cards are just incredibly gorgeous!!! Can't choose which I love more. Stunning.
    <3 J

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  76. The second card has some amazing background.

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  77. Ooh Suzz! These are exquisite! I love the colours you used in your second card!

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  78. Wow--amazing cards as always! And your salad reminds me of ambrosia--yum!

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  79. Great card. The recipe looks like a winner too!

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  80. I think gold is a very pretty color, the card looks great. Your salad does sound good for a hot summer day.

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  81. Love your pink flowers!

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  82. Love those flowers -- great job with the techniques

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  83. Very lovely cards. They are filled with wonderful details. Thanks

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  84. Thank you for the great cards... I loved the backgrounds that you created for both cards

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  85. Your cards are beautiful! Thank you for including the directions--I really appreciate it!

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  86. I LOVE that sunshine card. WOW. My mom used to make a dessert that was very similar to that.

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  87. Fabulous cards, love the alcohol background and those pink flowers are beautiful!!

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  88. Both cards are beautiful. The second card - the background had me thinking of orange and lemon slices. The fruit salad sounds yummy - another recipe for this weekend. tfs
    Sharon L-S

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  89. Both cards are really pretty.

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  90. Suzanne, not one but TWO stunningly gorgeous cards! Perfect summer florals...just amazing!

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  91. Lovely card. Your salad recipe would be a perfect summer dinner dessert.

    Sherry in MI

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  92. The butterfly card is beautiful.

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  93. Love your cards! Thanks for the inspiration and the great recipe, too! :)

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  94. Your pudding salad sounds refreshing. Wonderful cards I especially liked the softness of the first.

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  95. Lovely cards. The bright
    flowers are great and
    the use of the alcohol
    inks works wonderful to
    show the heat.
    Carla from Utah

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  96. Beautiful cards, lovely images for these techniques. Thanks for the step by step, I may give this a try!

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  97. Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing the how-to steps!!

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  98. Love the colors on the Sunshine card.

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  99. Beautiful cards Sue. I especially love the wonderful alcohol ink background combined with the embossing.

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  100. I'd never been to your blog before this. I love your artsy, inky style. Great cards. I'll be back to your blog for sure.

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  101. Both cards are great. Unique and full of inspiration. Thanks loads,
    Candy Meyers

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  102. Such innovative cards. Thanks so much for sharing. Love your techniques.

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  103. Both of these cards are beautiful, Suzanne! I love your backgrounds!

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  104. Absolutely gorgeous cards. What wonderful techniques. Thankyou for sharing.

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  105. Great card design with the use of stencils. Thank you for all of the tips today.

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  106. Lovely cards.

    craftymom205 at yahoo dot com

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  107. Love both cards and the recipe too!

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  108. Wow--your work is absolutely amazing! Gorgeous cards, Suzanne!

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  109. Beautiful cards!Thank you for the tutorial,Thanks for the recipe!!!

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  110. Absolutely gorgeous cards, the recipe sounds delicious too!

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  111. That alcohol ink card is fascinating!

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  112. Both of your cards are simply beautiful!

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  113. Suzanne, you have outdone yourself with these gorgeous floral cards! Thanks for the step-by-step too!! And your recipe sounds perfect for someone like me, not into cooking either!!

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  114. Thank you for sharing a fun technique Suzanne.

    Both the cards look bright and beautiful.

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Regards,
    Vithya

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  115. Love the second card, it really pops! :) TFS

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  116. Wow your cards are really great. Those are some very interesting techniques you used. Thanks for sharing all the steps and creative things you did.

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  117. Cool cards! I love how you have tried to capture summer :)

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  118. YOur flowers look so real, so glad you enjoy them so much.

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  119. The #1 card really make me smile bright both cards very awesome....

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  120. your cards are stunning Suzz. Love the way your flowers fall off the side of the rectangle and the yellow background on your second card is just awesome

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  121. Beautiful cards! And your pudding sounds delish!!

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  122. Wow, those are really gorgeous cards!

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  123. The alcohol inked card is awesome! Love the effect it creates :)))

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  124. Gorgeous cards. Each one is so awesome and stunning.

    Love the recipe.

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  125. They are both gorgeous, but I especially love the background treatment on the second one! Beautiful, Suzz!!!! :)

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  126. I love your Sunshine card! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  127. What stunning cards!!!! WOW!!!

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  128. Love the yellow with the butterflies!

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  129. So beautiful cards, thanks for sharing!

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  130. Gorgeous cards! And your recipe sounds so delicious!

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  131. Gorgeous cards Suzz, the second one has the most amazing background. Love the sound of your recipe too.

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  132. You have made some really beautiful cards. Thanks for inspiring us!

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  133. Beautiful floral cards & your pudding salad sounds yummy!

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  134. WOnderful summery cards !Loved the stenciled bg and the stamped flowers on first one ,fab effect.The second one has amazing bg .

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  135. wow gorgeous cards.. love those flowers..

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  136. Wonderful cards! I love the first one best - the flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for the yummy recipe and the chance to win. :-)

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  137. Gorgeous flowers in the first, love the centers, and the second cards background and embossing is very cool!

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  138. wow your cards are amazing love the centers of the flowers on the first card!

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  139. Beautiful cards! Thank you for the detailed instructions! I'll have to try your recipe! Thanks for sharing!

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  140. both your cards are so beautiful! TFS!

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  141. I am always impressed by your beautiful cards...

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  142. Love your second card, the white embossing really pops from the alcohol ink background.
    Margriet

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  143. Pretty cards and great colors!

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  144. Beautiful cards as always!

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  145. Two very beautiful cards I just love flowers too.

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  146. Your cards are always phenomenal. Thanks for all the helpful instructions. Wish I had a bowl of pudding this instant.

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  147. Love your card, the flowers are stunning. Thanks for sharing the card and the recipe, and also thanks for the inspiration.

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  148. I really like your flower cards!!!

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  149. Such FUN!! THANKS for sharing and have a Fabulous Week!!n ;)

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  150. Pudding salad - sounds hilarious but rather delicious too! Both cards are so pretty, but I love the gold alcohol ink one - screams summer.

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  151. such a cute card!!!!!!!!
    Thanks for the recipie too!!

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  152. Love both your cards, very beautiful color combinations, the pink and golden looks fab. Love it. :-)

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  153. Great rads. Pudding fruit salad recipe sounds yummy.

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  154. Wow, two amazing cards! I love your beautiful flowers on the first, and I have to try out that background technique from your second card, looks awesome with the white stamping. :) Thanks for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  155. Beautiful cards and love all the colors. The dessert sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

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  156. I agree...summer IS flowers! Love to see them everywhere.

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  157. Great cards. Thanks for sharing.

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  158. This is the first time I've seen your cards. They are just beautiful!

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  159. Love both of yours card. Thanks for the great recipe and for sharing.

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Thank you for stopping by and spending a little time here with me on my blog!