Tee-riffic Hal

Hi everyone,

This will be my last challenge as part of the Fab 'n Funky challenge theme. I am a little sad, as they truly are a great bunch of gals, but am currently struggling to fit in cardmaking into my schedule. I hope you will join in with us for this week's challenge, themed "In Stitches". Now you can interpret that any which way you like, I tried something punny. We are sponsored by Dr. Digi this fortnight, I've used Hole in One Hal (pre-coloured), adding my own sentiment at the bottom:

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Christmas Lantern

Hi all,

Another message from me after a quite a bit of radio silence, with another Fab 'n Funky challenge themed "Anything with Ribbon". I'm not a big fan of bows on my project, so I tried an alternative way to use ribbon by treating it like another layer on my card and tucking it underneath some paper and as an accent in the corner. This ribbon has been living in my stash ever since I started crafting, so it was good to use some of it up.

If you want to play along, here you can find the link, along with more inspiration how to use ribbon on your projects from my lovely teamies.

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Let's Tee Up

Hi everyone,

We did manage to take a day trip last week, despite the variable weather. We went to Kamp Vught, near Den Bosch, that served as a concentration camp during WWII. Later on, it was used to house Nazi collaborators, Germans evacuees and eventually former troops from the East Indies Army and their families from the Moluccas (part of Indonesia). It was very interesting; perhaps not the most joyful location in the Netherlands, but as we both are interested in what happened here during the war and beyond, it had been on our 'to-do' list for some time. We did have some rain during the day, especially when we walked through the woods to the victim's memorial, but other than that we were lucky. 

Thank you all for the lovely comments I received on my previous LO, I am only just starting this scrapbooking thing and it's really nice to know other people like my projects. I am pretty happy with what I have created so far and I guess that's the main thing, but still.....thank you :) 

Anyway, I'm back with another scrapbooking LO, this time journaling our visit to St Andrews, Scotland last year. I knew I wanted to use the golf scrapbook paper, but had some difficulty to get all the pictures on the page. Perhaps I should have made it a two-page spread, but I wanted to contain it on one page. I think I will be sharing more LO projects with you in the coming time, as I have also started working on our 2012 & 2014 holiday and our 2010 honeymoon books. Plenty of pages to share then ;)

Materials:
* Panduro After Work Hole in One & Prima Alla-Prima DPs
* Computer-generated Title and journaling
* Scalloped Circle and Rounded Corner punches
* Bo Bunny On This Day Stamp set
* Button, Twine & Dew Drops from stash

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You're a Hot Dog!

Good morning everyone!

I am having a couple of days off work, well-deserved if I do say so myself as I had a big deadline yesterday and made it, yay! Hubs is also off, so we are planning to take some day trips, weather permitting of course. It's looking fine now as I type this, but of course that doesn't necessarily have to last! We shall see :)

I wanted to share with you a card I made for the fresh Fab 'n Funky Challenge, the theme is For a Child. Lots of things you can do with this theme, perhaps a baby card, or a card for a boy or a girl. I went with the latter (more for a boy than a girl I think, but I'd like to stay open minded ;)) and made a fairly simple card. In my experience, children are not really into very elaborate card (which is great for me, as that's not my style anyway), but like something fun and clean. Say that's the style I went with for my card, using a cute Wiener dog. To add a bit of interest, I cut the buttom of the coloured paper and folded it back. I thought it was a fun technique, I am curious what you think! Anyway, come and join us if you can, we'd love to see your work!

Materials: 
* Kenny K Hot Diggity digi, coloured using Spectrum Noirs and Promarkers
* Hunkydory The Dog's Biscuits DPs
* Nellie Snellen's Multiframes Circles dies
* Marianne Design Eline's Vintage stamp
* Vintage Photo Distress Ink
* Around the Block Dog brad (It says: Go Fetch!)

Challenges: 
* Little Claire's (A Man's Birthday Card)
* Creative Moments (Anything Goes/Animals)
* Crafts 4 Eternity (Something Old) The papers were a gift many Christmases ago, the brads I once bought on a fair, but never used.
* Tuesday Throwdown (Furry Little Friends)
* Pinspirational Challenge (Inspirational Photo with a Dog and Cat)
* Crafty Creations (Dig Deep: Use Something from Your Stash)The papers were a gift many Christmases ago, the brads I once bought on a fair, but never used.
* Creatieve Zebra (Alles Mag)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Anything Goes)
* Glittler 'n Sparkle (Use Something Metal) I've used a brad
* Creative Fingers (Anything Goes)

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Welcome to Paradise!

Hi everyone!

Not a card from me this week, but I do have a scrapbook LO to share with you. I have recently been getting back to a bit of scrapping, keeping a journal of all the fun things we get up to every month and also some traditional LOs. This is one about our visit to Celtic Park in Glasgow last December. As Celtic plays in a green and white hoops strip, I tried to mimic this with my background. Parkhead or Paradise is what the Bhoys (or Celtic fans) call the stadium. I'm not a crafter who plans very much, I just do and see how things turn out. Sometimes that's a disaster (because I already stuck on some elements and can't change it around anymore) but it worked out pretty well this time. Hope you like this change of pace from me!

Materials: 
* White, Green and Black CS
* Tim Holtz Idea-ology Adage Ticket
* Anna Griffin Letters & Border stamp set, used with Forest Moss Distress Ink
* Darice photoframe embossing folder
* Footballer and football peeloffs
* SEI Christmas Mint Vanilla Icing Accents frame
* Pebbles Chips Black chipboard
* Star, brown & rhinestone brads from stash

Challenges: 
* Brown Sugar (Use a Banner)
* Pinspirational (Anything Goes)
* Crafts 4 Eternity (Anything Goes)
* Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge (Anything Goes)
* All Crafts Challenge (Anything Goes but No Cards)
* Mema's Craft (Anything Goes)
* Scrap Our Stash (Selfie & Pre-made Frame)
* Paper Wings (Anything Goes with Stamping)
* Fan-Tastic Tuesday (Anything Goes Rectangle or Square)
* Crafty Calendar (Anything Goes)

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Going to the Movies

Good morning all,

Well, they finally stopped work outside my window, so I can work in peace again. Unfortunately, now they will be painting all the offices, so I have to pack up my stuff very soon and vacate my work space. Will it ever stop? Probably just before the start of the new school year ;)

Anyway, let's talk of nicer things, how about the new Fab 'n Funky challenge starting today? My teamie Aurore has picked the theme "Inspired by a Movie". Can you guess my inspiration? It's A Christmas Carol. I really like the way this card turned out, using up some snippets of paper and ribbon that were lying around my crafty desk. Why don't you pick up some more inspiration from my teamies over at the challenge blog and enter our challenge this fortnight?

Materials:
* Studio Light Decoupage image
* Marianne Design Old Fashioned Christams & Papermania Bird Song DPs
* DCWV The Glitter Stack Bright CS (Behind the punched-out Stars)
* MS Doily Lace & Star border punches
* Marianne Design Jingle Bells stamp set & Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink
* Brads & ribbon from stash

Challenges:
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Inspired by a Movie or Song) A Christmas Carol
* Left of Center (Christmas in August)
* Crafty Hazelnut (Reach for the Stars)
* Creative Card Crew (Christmas)
* Sparkles Forum (Christmas in July)
* Pixie Snippets Playground (Use up Snippets) Little pieces of ribbon & Glitter CS on the front, DP snippets inside
* Christmas Card Challenge (Embellish It)
* Glitter 'n Sparkle (Add Some Glitter 'n Sparkle) Glitter CS
* Mema's Craft (Anything Goes)
* Winter Wonderland (Anything Goes for Xmas)

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Five GOOOOOLD Rings!

Hi all,

Do you have that special crafty stash that you don't use, but just look at? Yep, me too; I have several  Graphic 45 retiring lines' pads that I bought on special but never got round to using as I kept taking them out and looking at the lovely images and felt bad for even considering cutting  it up. But not anymore, dear readers! I have actually made a card with one of my pads and I once I got started I thoroughly enjoyed myself :) I've used the Twelve Days of Christmas pad; I kept singing the song as I was crafting. As a matter of fact, it's still in my head! I am sure people who walked by our house this week were a bit puzzled to hear a Christmas song over and over again, as I didn't quite realise I left the window open....... Anyhow, my other Graphic 45 pad are for the chop now as well, no more hoarding ;)

Materials:
* Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Christmas DP
* Reflections Black CS
* Vintage Berries Candi
* Nellie's Multiframes Circles
* MS Ribbon Threader border punch
* Marianne Design Stampfairy sentiment stamp
* Ribbon from stash

Challenges:
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Inspired by a Song or Movie) The 12 Days of Christmas
* Bloggers Challenge (Christmas in July)
* Christmas Card Challenge (Anything Goes)
* Creative Card Crew (Christmas)
* Sentimental Sundays (Christmas in July)
* Sparkles Forum (Christmas in July)
* Crafting for All Seasons (Christmas in July)
* Lexi's Creations (Christmas in July)
* Cute Card Thursday (For the Birds)
* Craftin Desert Diva's (Christmas in July)

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Wild Thing

Hi all,

Boy, is it hot out here! In addition to that, they have been digging up foundations next to my work window for the last week, so I eventually fled home and am now working there. Still warm, but no more industrial interference, so a big step up in my book!

We are still on fortnightly challenges @ Fab 'n Funky, this week our theme was picked by the lovely Wends and it is "Walk on the Wild Side". Anything with wild animals or wild animal print will do! We are sponsored by Doodle Pantry, who provided us with some lovely image to work with for this challenge and is offering our winner a lovely prize. I decided to use some fresh colours together and feel it really worked for this challenge, what is your take on the theme going to be? Come share with us!

Materials:
* Doodle Pantry Northern Outdoors digi
* DCWV the Green Stack DPs
* Reflections Black CS
* Sew Easy Pinecone Floss
* Scalloped Circle punch
* Studio Light Paper Leaves & Button
* Brads from stash

Challenges:
* Pause, Dream, Enjoy/PDE Linky Party (3 or more patterned papers)
* Fairytale Challenge (Use a Digi)
* Bearly Mine (Let's Go Digital)
* Cards Galore (Use a Stamp or Digi Stamp)
* Card & Scrap (Bright Colours)
* Creative Fingers (Anything Goes)
* Sister Act (Anything Goes)
* Penny's Challenges (Anything Goes)
* Pinspirational Challenge (Inspirational Photo) I was inspired by the forest
* Little Miss Muffet (Anything Goes)

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Summer Z-card

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Whenever I am about to make a card, I like to pick my husband's brain to get inspired. So when I told him this week's theme @ Fab 'n Funky was "Feels Like Summer", he said: Flowers. Who can argue with that? So I decided to go with a garden theme, using plenty of flowers and even a butterfly. I made Z-fold card this time, really fun to decorate 3 cards in one!

Materials:
* Studio Light decoupage and sentiment
* DCWV Glitter Stack Brights CS
* Docraft Country Companions & Basic Grey Olivia DPs
* MS Doily Lace & Picket Fence border punches plus rounded corner punch
* Memories Direct Paper Flowers
* Ribbon, gems, butterfly sticker and pearls from stash

Challenges:
* Natalie & Amy (Summer Time)
* Chocolate, Coffee & Cards (Summer Days)
* Fussy & Fancy (Summer Time)
* Card Mania (Circles)
* Scrapper's Delight (Anything Goes with Summer Time)
* Ladybug Crafts (Summer Flowers)
* AnMa Creatief (Bloemen)
* De Creatieve Zebra (Zomerse kaart zonder stempel)
* Creative Corner (Outdoors)
* Pile It On (Add Some Flowers)

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Baseball Birthday

Good afternoon all!

How is everyone doing? I'm pretty good, it's really great weather here at the moment, I'm steadily working my way through all things on my to do list and it's only two more days until the weekend! Life is pretty good right now :)

Although I have slowed down a little when it comes to crafting, I wanted to share a project with you that I made a while ago but never actually shared. It's a birthday card for my husband; he loves baseball and when we were in New York on holiday last month he managed to see two Yankees games which he absolutely loved. I joined him for one game, I went shopping the second time (there's only so much baseball I can handle). It was great fun though, even though the games last a pretty long time. So I am sure it comes as no surprise I attempted to mimic the Yankee's home kit on this card. I made a baseball out of a circle with some stitching, I think it turned out quite ok actually :)

Materials:
* Mayzy Art Baseball digi, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue & K&Co Peter Horjus Sports DPs plus some baseball themed DP from my stash
* TH Distress Tool
* Stars border punch
* Personal Impressions sentiment stamp
* Some red thread for stitching

Next week I will be back with a card for the Fab 'n Funky challenge; we are a biweekly challenge for the summer months but will be back in full force later on in the year!

Challenges:
* Creative Card Crew (Masculine)
* Crafts Galore Encore (Use a stamp or digi) I've used both!
* Emerald Fairies (Birthday)
* Shopping Our Stash (Red, White and Blue) I bougt the baseball paper about a century ago!
* Inky Impressions (Patriotic: Red, White and Blue)
* Pile It On (Outdoor Fun)
* Cupcake Inspirations (Celebrate & Inspiration Picture) I've ued the colour scheme
* Twisted Tuesday (Red, White, Blue and Stars!)
* Polka Doodles (Red, White and Blue)
* Bearly Mine (Let's Go Digital)

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Classic Christmas

Happy Wednesday all!

A fortnight has gone by, meaning it's time for a new Fab 'n Funky challenge. And what do you know: It's our monthly Christmas challenge! It's my first time playing along and I think it's a great idea. I haven't been working on my Christmas cards at all this year, only having 2 measly cards in my stash so far. So this challenge is going to be a great way for me to focus on Christmas cards a little bit more so that I don't have to worry about it so much come December. Maybe it works the same way for you :) I've used up some of decoupage image I have had in my stash for ages and simultaneously tried out a holly leaves die I got for Christmas and never got around to using it yet. Shame on me, as it's such a versatile die, perfect for Christmas cards! I'm going to try to make a wreath next, there's no stopping me now ;) The green dots under the image are actually the leftovers from the diecut, they seemed to good to waste.

Materials:
* Studio Light Decoupage image, papers and sentiment
* DCWV Glitter Stack Brights CS
* Joanna Sheen Signature Dies Holly Berries
* Card Candi Vintage Berries

We are sponsored by My Creative Classroom, so there's something in it for the winner! Hope to see you and your creations at the challenge blog.

Challenges:
* Crafty Hazelnut (Building or part of a building)
* Glitter 'n Sparkle (Include some Yellow)
* Aud Sentiment (Two-Word Sentiment)
* Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge (Show Me Some Glitter) Glitter CS
* Merry Monday Christmas (Sparkle, Shimmer and Shine) Glitter CS
* Charisma Cardz (Sparkle and Shine) Glitter CS
* Christmas Card Challenge (Inspiration Picture) Presents
* The Cupboard Trilogy (Use Yellow)
* Creative Fingers (Anything Goes)
* Sister Act (Anything Goes)

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A Birthday that's Out of this World!

Hi everyone!

Long time no see, huh? I just noticed I haven't posted for a good month, I can't believe it has been this long! I am back now though and you will see new projects on a more regular basis from now on, promise :) In the month I wasn't posting, we have been on a lovely long holiday to New York, two whole weeks in the Big Apple and it was absolutely wonderful! We had a great time, fantastic weather, had great food and saw plenty of the sights. But now it's back to normal and I have more time for crafty business again. Today I am sharing my first new project, it is a birthday card for my husband who turned 41 yesterday. Happy Birthday dearest! He is a major Star Trek fan, so when I saw this lovely image I knew this was perfect for his card this year.

I teamed up the image with some papers I have had in my stash just about forever, good to use up some old stash though. I bought some more stash in New York, so need to make some room ;)

It certainly feels good to be back, it was great to get crafting again. See you on Wednesday for a new challenge @ Fab 'n Funky!

Materials:
* MayzyArt Vulcan free digi (available from their freebie website), coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* SMIRK Him DPs
* Reflections Black CS
* Number stamps from Anna Griffin Banners stamp set
* Space ship image from the Internet
* Scalloped Circle punch
* Button & from stash

Challenges:
* Inky Impressions (For the Boys)
* Creatalicious Challenge (Happy Birthday)
* Tuesday Throwdown (Celebrations)
* Creative Moments (Anything Goes/For the Boys)
* Stampin' for the Weekend (AG) Last Challenge!
* Digi Galore (Add a Button)
* Bearly Mine (One for the Boys)
* Mema's Craft (Only Men Allowed)
* Ladybug Crafts (Something for the Boys/Dies)
* Ladybug Crafts Ink (For Him)

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Four years in!

Hi everyone,

It's time for another Fab 'n Funky Challenge, we have a "Photo & Colour Inspiration" board for you this time. You can find the board on the challenge blog, using purple, blue, gold and brown. I decided to use this colour scheme to create the anniversary card for my husband; come June we will be married for four years. How time flies, incredible! Anyway, here's my card:

Materials:
* Kenny K Sexy Cupid digi, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* First Edition Up Up & Away and Authentique Remembrance DPs
* We R Memory Keepers Cupid sentiment Stamp
* Seedless Preserves Distress Ink
* Heart gems from stash
* Golden Rod Stickles

Challenges:
* Oldie but a Goodie (Anniversary) First Edition Papers & Heart gems are at least 3 years old
* KennyK's Krafty Krew (Anything Goes, Twist: Femme Fatale)
* QKR Stampede (Anything Goes, Twist: Gems or Rhinestones)
* Addicted to Stamps (Inspired by a Song) Bee Gees - Arrow Through the Heart
* Paper Makeup Stamps (Sparkle)
* Sister Act (Anything Goes)
* Eureka Stamps (Up in the Air)
* As You Like It Challenge (Favourite Fur or Feathers) I love this sassy cupid image!
* Digi Designs (Use Those Markers)
* Shopping Our Stash (Sing it To Me) Bee Gees - Arrow Through the Heart

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For My Mum

Good morning everyone,

It's Mother's Day today in the Netherlands and of course I made a card for my mother to send to her. I decided to revisit my old crafty stash and delve into all the decoupage books I have that never got used up. I found this adorable image with matching DPs that seemed just perfect for the occasion. Together with lots of embellishments I have found in my stash, I made this card. It doesn't open like a regular card, but you need to slide away the front to reveal the message inside. I made a double bow to bulk up the ribbon a bit, but it's still a dainty bow to me. Anyway, my mum should have received this card by now, so it's safe to post it here as she is a loyal follower of my blog and I didn't want to spoil the surprise. Let's hope she likes it!

Materials:
* Create & Craft Pastels CS
* Studio Light image, DP and sentiment (it says I think of you in Dutch)
* Vintage Photo Distress Ink to blend the edges
* Pearls, ribbon, brad and flower stickers from stash

Challenges:
* Crafty Bloggers Network (Pink with Ribbon)
* Emerald Fairies (Flowers, Ribbon and/or Lace)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Mother's Day)
* Diva's by Design (In the Pink)
* Sister Act (Anything Goes)
* Alphabet Challenge (G for Gorgeous Gowns)
* Tuesday Throwdown (Special Lady)
* Sassy Studio (Happy Mother's Day)
* Charisma Cardz (Mother's Day)
* Mema's Crafts (May Flowers or Celebrate Moms)

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Lonely Christmas

Good morning everyone!

That's the week in half again! It's pretty mild out here, so our challenge this fortnight @ Fab 'n Funky might come as a bit of a surprise: It's "CHRISTMAS"! This is part of our change-up, where we have a Christmas challenge every month. A great way to get started on that Christmas card pile we need at the end of the year I'd say. Our challenge sponsors this time is Dr. Digi, this is the first time I encountered their digis and they actually are really fun to work with.

Materials:
* Dr. Digi Lonely This Christmas digi, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* Dovecraft Let It Snow & My Mind's Eye All is Bright DPs
* Scalloped Circle & Snowflake punches
* Tumbled Glass Distress Ink
* Pearls & brads from stash

Challenges:
* Oldie but a Goodie (Hats) Everything is old, except the image and the MME DP
* Quirky Crafts (Something Starting with S) Snow Man
* The Squirrel & the Fox (Punches or Diecuts)
* Whoopsi Daisy (Handcoloured Image)
* Let's Craft & Create (Punches or Dies)
* I Love Promarkers (Not Quite Straight)
* Corrosive Challenge (Head Gear)
* We Do Doobadoo (Embellish It) Used punched snowflakes, pearls and brads
* Scrapping 4 Fun (Use a Stamp/Digi)
* Jingle Belles (All Bundled Up - 3 or more Layers)

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About Faithful Friends; My Final Challenge @ Ooh La La

Hello everyone,

You must have noticed it has been a little bit quieter on the blog the last couple of weeks, as I have been really busy at work (again!) with many deadlines. I guess that's the life of a researcher, we all need the funding and acquiring it takes up a lot of time and energy, not to mention very strict and short deadlines! But I'm not complaining, it is really a great feeling when you can successfully complete a project submission :) However, not much time left to crafting I'm afraid and so I had to step down from a couple of DTs; first Treasured Times and today is going to be my last challenge as a DT member @ Ooh La La. I've had loads of fun, but it's time to give another talented crafter the opportunity to be part of this great team.

Anyway, this week's challenge theme is "Faithful Friends". When this theme was announced, I immediately thought of dogs. For those among you who have had dogs, I am sure you will agree. And since I hadn't had the opportunity to work with the Faithful Friends CD, I went looking for a cute image and boy did I find it! This one's adorable and reminds me of our dogs who loved to play with tennis balls too.

Cute, no? I continued the theme with some dog paws' DP and a lovely brad from a little bag that I bought ages ago but never had gotten round to use. I'm curious what you will come up with, so why not join the fun?

Materials:
* Ooh La La French Bull Pup image from the Faithful Friends CD
* Hunkydory The Dog's Biscuit & Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells Patterns and Solids DPs
* Star Border Punch
* Hunkydory The Cat's Meow sentiments
* Around the Block Heart Dog brads
* Black square accents and ribbon from stash

Challenges:
* Glitter 'n Sparkle (Add some Ribbon)
* Totally Gorjuss (Cuddly)
* Quirky Crafts (Something Beginning with S) Stars, Sentiment
* One Stitch at a Time (Anything Goes)
* Created with Love (In the Garden)
* Gem of a Challenge (Cute & Cuddly)
* Kitty Bee (Animals)
* The Male Room (Man's Best Friend)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Punch or Diecut)
* Creative Inspirations (Cute Character)

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Swinging Chicks

Good morning all,

A quick post this morning, as I have a busy work week ahead of me. Extra days off are great,  but they do cut into the time I have to complete work tasks!

The new challenge at Ooh La La is 'Spring/Easter" this week and I decided to make a gift box for Easter (Pasen is the Dutch word for Easter), perfect for some Easter-theme sweets! As usual, I went for an image from the Yesterday's Memories CD, still my favourite! This one's actually from the bonus folder and called Baby Chicks. Here's my box:

I am wondering what you can do with this theme, looking forward to see your creations!

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Baby's Journey

Good morning all!

Did you have a fun weekend? As predicted, I spent mine sniffing on the couch, but feeling a bit better now so I'm on the way to recovery! I even managed to make this lovely card, perfect for a boy or girl me thinks. What a coincidence that this fortnight's theme @ Ooh La La is "FOR A CHILD" then eh? ;) I've used an image and papers from the Shawn Jenkins Collection CD, such a fun CD with both an 'everyday' and Christmas/Winter section.

Materials
* Baby's Journey image and DPs from the latest CD (Shawn Jenkins Collection)
* Coredinations Retro Mod Squad CS scraps for the extra clouds
* Dovecraft Cupcake Boutique Paper Lace Doily
* Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink
* Button and twine from stash

If you have any new projects suitable for our challenge theme, why not link up and join the fun? Hope to see you there!

Challenges:
* Delightful Challenges (Out Like a Lamb) 2-4
* Crafty Calendar (Animal Antics) 2-4
* Open-minded Challenges (Animal Antics) 11-4
* Creative Corner (Rainbow) 3-4
* Wags 'n Whiskers (Rainbow) 3-4
* Crafting When We Can (For a Child) 12-4
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Inspired by a Book) The Bible 3-4
* One Stitch at a Time (Anything Goes) 5-4
* The Sisterhood of Crafters (Animals) 6-4
* Craft Room Challenge (Transport) 31-3

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Easter Release

Evening all!

Has the weekend started for you all yet? Mine certainly has, although I will probably spend in on the couch feeling all sorry for myself because I caught the flu! Great......actually this WAS perfect timing for once, as I just finished my scrapbook of our holiday to New York last year (yay!) and this lovely card:

The reason I am showing you this card today, is because the image I used is part of the Treasured Times New Release for Easter, there's a whole bunch of cute new images to choose from; some specifically for Easter, others less so. To celebrate this new release, our fearless leader Jody is offering some fantastic prizes; 10 prizes of one of the new release images! More information on the Inspirational Blog and our Facebook page.

Materials:
* Emo Angel (designed by Jehanne Silva-Freimane), coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* Dovecraft Cupcake Boutique Paper Lace Doily
* Papermania Summer Bloom DP
* Memories Direct Flowers
* Washi tape around the image (what a nightmare, it kept getting unstuck!)
* Brads from stash

Challenges:
* Kaboodles Doodles (Dreaming of Spring) 29-3
* Cupcake Inspirations (Garden) 29-3
* Pile It on (Pretty Hair) 29-3
* Whoopsi Daisy (Welcome Spring) 30-3
* 4 Crafty Chicks (Spring) 1-4
* ABC Challenge (H is for Hair) 30-3
* Stampin' for the Weekend (Spring Colours) 10-4
* A Creative Romance (Spring Flowers) 11-4
* Created with Love (Girly) 29-3
* Sassy Studio (Pretty Pastels) 2-4

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Pop Your Clogs Off

Hi all,

A short post this time, as I'm overflowing with work at the moment. Today I have a male birthday card to share with you, I made this for my uncle who is a farmer, so very familiar with clogs ;) It's perfect for this week's challenge over @ Fab 'n Funky, which is 'BOYS TO MEN'. Hope you can complete some male projects and join our party!

Materials:
* Studio Light image, DP and sentiments
* Prima Reflections DPs
* Crafters Companion Embossing board
* Vintage Photo Distress Ink
* Star brad from stash

Challenges:
* Bloggers Challenge (Happy Birthday)
* Craft for the Craic (Something Green)
* Fussy & Fancy (Birthday)
* Card a Day (Baby, Spring, Congratulation, Easter) I've gone with the Congralutions theme
* Flat Friends (Cards 4 Men)
* Scrap It Girl (Birthdays)
* Sunflower Field (Birthdays and/or Flowers)
* Glitter 'n Sparkle (Include some Green/St Patrick's Day)
* Pile It On (For a Guy)
* Kaboodle Doodles (Use Green)

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Tea for One

Hi all!

I hope you all had a nice weekend, mine was lovely having spent it visiting my parents and enjoying each other's company. It's always a tiring weekend, as I need to travel for several hours to get there and back, but worth it!

As usual, another challenge is starting today @ Ooh La La, themed "FOR A SPECIAL LADY". I used this challenge to make a Mothers' Day card for my MIL, as the UK Mothers' Day is coming up soon; in the Netherlands we don't celebrate it until May. I managed to use up a last bit of lace I had lying around, always so satisfying when that happens, don't you think?

Materials:
* Ooh La La Teatime image & DPs from the Yesterday's Memories CD
* K&Co Ancestry DPs, edged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink
* CartUs Scalloped Oval die
* Hot Off the Press You're Tea-rrific sentiment stamp
* Lace from stash

Challenges:
* Cute Card Thursday (Girls, Girls, Girls)
* Rhedd & Rosie's (Aged/Distressed) I've used Distress Ink
* Polkadoodle (Mum's the Word)
* Bearly Mine (One for the Girls)
* Card & Scrap (Ribbon and/or Lace)
* Seemacraft (Something for Mum)
* Cupboard Trilogy (Mothers)
* Freshly Brewed (Sketch or Photo Inspiration) I've used the photo to inspire the card's theme
* Gem of a Challenge (Mother's Day/Female Birthday/Special Lady)
* Ladybug Crafts (Anything Goes)

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Tea Party

Good evening everyone!

A scheduled post from me this time, as I am visiting my parents this weekend,but wanted to share with you that a new challenge has started today @ Treasured Times, again with the theme of "LAYERING". I've used a Christine Young image of Paper Nest Dolls fame this time, you can find here. While digging in my stash I also found this fun sentiment stamp, which worked perfectly with this card I think! Hope to see your lovely creations at the challenge :)

Materials:
* Teddy's Tea Party digi by Christine Young, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* Echo Park A Walk in the Park &  Papermania Birdsong DPs, plus some scraps
* MS Doily Lace punch
* Washi Tape, Flowers from stash
* Hot Off the Press You're Tea-rrific sentiment stamp

Challenges:
* Flourishes (It's a Wash) Yellow Chevron Washi tape
* Digi Sketch Challenge (Cute)
* Digi Choosday (All About the Girl)
* As You Like It (Favourite colour medium & Why) Spectrum Noirs, love the colouring results, the price and that you can refill the pens!
* Aud Sentiments (Anything Goes)
* CCEE Stampers (Snacks)
* Cute Card Thursday (Girls, Girls, Girls)
* MilkCoffee (At least 2 Flowers)
* Crafter's Cafe (Flowers)
* Hobbybook (Make It Girly)

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It's a Heat Wave!

Good morning all!

Well, the carnival festivities are over and that means normal life resumes once again here in the south of the Netherlands. That also means I'm expected back at work, so no more full days of crafting for me, boooooh! I love my work really, but it's just so nice playing around the crafty desk all day long once in a while that makes me a little reluctant to go back to work.

Anyway, Wednesday again, so that means another challenge @ Fab 'n Funky. Our lovely teamie Shirley has chosen the theme this week and it is "HEAT STROKE". So get out your hot and/or summery images and play along! We are sponsored this week by Doodle Pantry, who also allowed the DT to play with some of their images. I chose to use a pre-coloured image, Bird Bath Joy, but they also have the same image uncoloured. Such a wonderful image and after all, what's nicer during a hot summer's day then to cool off?

Materials:
* Doodle Pantry Bird Bath Joy, pre-coloured image
* Prima Prima Bella & Echo Park For the Record DPs
* Forest Moss Distress Ink
* Button and pearl from stash

Hope you like the theme and will get inspired by all the creations from the DT girls, have a look here to see for yourself!

Challenges:
* Card Makin' Mamas (Stack It Up)
* Pattie's Creations (Spots & Dots)
* Crafty Bloggers Network (Nature)
* Crafty Sentiments (Spots or Dots)
* Top Tip Tuesday (3, 5 or 7) 3 colours, 3 DPs, 3 pearls, 5 banners
* Allsorts (Spring is Coming)
* Jellypark Friends (Things with Wings)
* Created with Love (Think Spring)
* Oldie but a Goodie (Spring has Sprung)
* AnMa Creatief (Lente/Voorjaar/Pasen)

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Happy Anniversary

Good morning everyone!

Another week is starting, I hope you all had a good weekend? We took advantage of the gorgeous weather yesterday to take a walk through a forest nearby. It was wonderful, but my muscles are protesting a little bit today, better take it easy and stay at my desk crafting. Any excuse eh ;)

Anyway, a new challenge is starting today @ Ooh La La and this time our theme is "ANNIVERSARY". Such great timing, because it will be my parents' 51st wedding anniversary next week. So I had plenty of inspiration! Here's my card:

Materials:
* Ooh La La Couple image & DP from the Passion for Fashion CD
* Prima Reflections DPs, distressed with distressing tool
* Gold Stickles
* Ribbon, button and pearls from stash

I hope you can join us with your anniversary projects!

Challenges:
* Diva's by Design (Make It Sparkle) Stickles and glitter in the ribbon
* Totally Papercrafts (Make It Shine) Stickles and glitter in the ribbon
* Crafty Ribbons (Ribbons & Buttons)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Something Spooled)
* Dream Valley (Vintage)
* Scrappers Delights (Bling It Up) Stickles and glitter in the ribbon
* Alphabet Challenge (Buttons & Bows)
* Gem of a Challenge (Anniversary)
* My Sheri Crafts (Bling It On) Stickles and glitter in the ribbon
* Creative Fingers (Anything Goes)

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Birthday Boy

Hello all,

While everyone is busy celebrating Carnaval over here, I am having a little crafty holiday :) Perhaps I will finally get around to do some scrapping this time, we'll see!

Today I have a card to share with you, though, linking up with a new challenge and stamp release party over @ Treasured Times:

We're giving away a full set of digis of the new releases, a 20 dollar gift certificate to the store and 3 packages of Vintage Trinkets to one winner. The winner will be chosen on March 9th by random drawing. to be eligible for the prizes you must comment on the new release, follow the blog and like us on Facebook. You can have a look at the new release using this link.

With regard to our challenge, our theme this time is "LAYERING". Any creation goes, but you have to show us some layering.

The DT have all used the same image from the new release, Birthday Owen drawn by Christine Young:

Materials:
* Birthday Owen by Christine Young, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue & Papermania Bird Song DPs
* Hely Cupperditch Special Delivery Twine
* sentiment stamp

Hope to see you and your creations at our release party!

Challenges:
* Passion for Promarkers (Make it Digital)
* Penny's Papercrafty Challenge (Guys and Girls)
* Card Makin' Mamas (Stack It Up)
* Delicious Doodles (One for the Boys)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Something Spooled) Twine
* Totally Gorjuss (Happy Birthday)
* Suzy Bee (Make It Masculine)
* Incy Wincy (Birthdays)
* Simply Create Too (Shop in Your Stash) I've had these DPs forever, found them in the snippets box
* Marker Pop (Anything Goes)

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Spotty or Stripey......or even both!

Hello everyone,

There, the week's in half! Just a couple more days and then it's the weekend once more! I never got around to scrapping last weekend, will it happen this weekend? Probably not ;)

I have a gift voucher holder for this week's Fab 'n Funky challenge; the lovely Wendy picked the theme of "Spots or Stripes or even both". Great theme Wendy :) I made this for a dear colleague who has left for another job, but never actually gave it to her as other arrangements were made for her sending off-present. Thankfully she won't be away completely, as we still will be collaborating on research projects, but she won't be around as much. Nevertheless, we work really well together and this was meant to be my thank you to her (the sentiment reads: Thank you very much!). I have made a few of these holders recently and they are really cute; the middle is a sleeve which holds the card together. The middle section is a sleeve which holds the card in place. Inside I stuck an envelope with room for a voucher.

As the theme is fairly broad, we are expecting a large variety of participating projects, so come and join our party and link up :)

Materials:
* Echo Park For the Record DPs
* Eline's Vintage Sentiment Stamp set
* Pearls from stash

Challenges:
* Pile It On (Sentiment as the Focus)
* QKR Stampede (Sentiment Only)
* Cutie Pie (Cute with Spots & Dots)
* Pinspirational Challenge (Anything Goes)
* Shopping Our Stash (Make Your Own Embellishment) I made the rosettes from DP
* Flourishes (A Lotta Polka Dots)
* Lisa Somerville (2 or more Patterned Papers)
* Crafty Sentiments (Anything Goes)
* Sweet Stamps Technique Challenge (Fun Folds)
* AnMa Creatief (Aantal-3) 3 papier dessins

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Christmas Fashionista

Happy Monday everyone!

Did you enjoy your weekend? We had a quiet couple of days, only left the house for some groceries and the cinema, where we watched Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom which was a great film.

This Monday sees another challenge @ Ooh La La and this time it was my turn to come up with a challenge theme. I chose: FASHIONISTA, Not that I'm such a fashion enthousiast myself (people who know me can attest to that!), but I do enjoy looking at lovely dresses especially from eras gone by.

This is my first Christmas card of this year; it's a fairly simple card but the image is stunning enough to pull it off I thought!

Materials:
* Ooh La La Elegance image & sentiment from the Yesterday's Memories CD
* Basic Grey Jovial DPs
* Distress Tool & Vintage Photo Distress Ink
* Brads from stash

Challenges:
* Allsorts (Use Brads)
* C.R.A.F.T (Christmas)
* Creative Fingers (Anything Goes)
* Craftitude (Anything Goes)
* Lisa Somerville (2 or more patterned papers)
* Sparkles Christmas (Anything Goes)
* Picture & Scrap (Celebrations)
* Crafty Hazelnut Christmas Challenge Extra (Anything Goes)
* Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper Challenge (Anything Goes with Patterned Paper)
* A Creative Romance (Let's Get Sentimental)

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Layered Ice Cream

Woohoo, it's the weekend!

And boy, was I ready for it! A very busy week with lots of meetings, travel and social events, so I am happy to be able to sleep in and do absolutely nothing for a bit. Maybe I will do a bit of crafting today, there are several years worth of holiday photos waiting for me to get scrapped (including our honeymoon!), but I never get around to it. We will see :)

First, though, there is another challenge @ Treasured Times that I wanted you to know about. This week, we are "Layering" it up, so we want to see your layered creations. I decided to use some DP scraps, paper piecing and faux layering (I ran a Promarker around the image's edges, creating the illusion of another layer underneath the image) for this theme. All the DT girls used the same summery image, a welcome change to more wintery cards  :)

Materials:
* Ice Cream Annie digi by Rosa Silva, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* Silver Stickles
* Echo Park For the Record DPs
* Inkadinkado Fun in the Sun mini stamp set & Black Soot Distress Ink
* Rounded corner punch

How about you come and join the party?

Challenges:
* Whoopsi Daisy (Include a Sentiment)
* Top Tip Tuesday (Girly)
* Creative Fingers (Anything Goes)
* Card Makin' Mamas (Make It Sparkle)
* One Crazy Stamper (Anything Goes)
* Cards Galore Encore (Add a Gem, or glitter, or Candi or any bling) I've added glitter/bling (Stickles)
* Color Me Creative (Anything Goes)
* A Creative Romance (Let's Get Sentimental)
* Bloggers Challenge (Use 2 or more patterned papers)
* Sister Act (Anything Goes)

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Brads Galore

Happy Wednesday all!

Well, that's the week in half, just a couple more days to go until the weekend. Okay, maybe I'm a LITTLE optimistic here ;)

Anyway, another Wednesday also means another Challenge at Fab 'n Funky. This week was my turn to pick a theme and I settled on "Calling All Brads". I am sure that, like me, you have industrial amounts of brads in your stash, wasn't this all the rage way back when? Anyway, time to use 'em up! We are sponsored this week by Kenny K and the DT got to use some of their wonderful images to work with.

Here's my make:

Materials:
* Kenny K Olympic Runner digi, coloured with Spectrum Noirs & Promarkers
* Echo Park For the Record DPs plus some scraps
* Marianne Design Tower of Pisa & Joy Crafts Vintage Flourishes Grass Border Dies
* Vintage Photo & Forest Moss Distress Inks
* Eline's Vintage sentiment stamp
* Washi tape & brads from stash

I'm really so happy with my Tower of Pisa die that I bought in the sale last week, perfect for my 'ancient' card theme!

Challenges:
* Delicious Doodles (Diecuts and Punches)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Use Embellishments) 4 brads & washi
* A Little Bit Crazy (Man Up!)
* De Creatieve Zebra (Mannenkaart)
* QKR Stampede (Anything Goes)
* One Stitch at a Time (Anything Goes)
* Whimsy Stamps (Something New) My new Tower of Pisa die
* Sparkles Forum (Show Us Your New Stash) My new Tower of Pisa die
* Lacey Sunshine (Use a Sentiment)
* One Crazy Stamper (Anything Goes)

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Have a Heart

Good morning!

Bright blue skies and mild temperatures, it really doesn't feel like winter in my neck of the woods. It's crazy to think that its February when I look at my rose bush IN BLOOM! Bush totally lost the plot in my opinion. Anyway, we have a new challenge starting today @ Ooh La La, asking for creations "With a Heart". I'm sharing a Christmas card with you, using heart papers and some cut out heart as embellishments. I used this card as my hubs'  Christmas card, I really like the unusual colour scheme en theme. Hope you like it too and are inspired to join our challenge this fortnight!

Materials:
* Ooh La La Noel 4 Penguins pyramage image from the Yuletide Wishes CD
* Helz Cupperditch Pepper's Christmas party & Dovecraft Noel DPs, edged with red ink
* MS Presents border punch & Joy Craft Flower punch (Snowflake inside)
* Studio Light sentiment

Challenges:
* Scr@p Card (Valentijn en/of Harten)
* 4 Crafty Chicks (Anything Goes)
* Crafty Creations (Seasonal) I've chosen Winter
* LEJ Designs (Anyhing Goes)
* Crafty Catz (Anyting Goes)
* One Stitch at a Time (Anything Goes)
* Catch the Bug (Anything Goes)
* Papernest Dolls (Anything Goes)
* The Rubber Buggy (Anything Goes)
* Hobby Vision (Winter)

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Sending You Speedy Love

Hello everyone,

Oh dear, the first month of the year is over already, where does the time go? Looking back, it was a busy month, with lots of deadlines and internees at work but also the start of our lovely tradition to go the sneak preview at our local cinema each week. All in all a pretty good month :)

Anyway, the first of the new month also means a new challenge @ Treasured Times. Thank you if you participated in our last challenge btw, it's fantastastic to see all your lovely projects! Hope you can join in this time too, our challenge theme is "VALENTINE ANYTHING GOES", so whatever style of Valentine project you have, you can play along!

I am sharing my card today, which I loved so much it's going to be my hubs' Valentine's card :) The DT girls all used Thomas Love on the Road, drawn by Erica Nicomedi. It's such a wonderful image, whether on its own or in a scene as I have created.

I actually made the trees in the background using a larger Christmas Tree stamp and a bit of masking. Works a treat!

Materials:
* Digi = Thomas Love on the Road by Erica Nicomedi, coloured with Promarkers & Spectrum Noirs
* EMP Vintage DPs
* DCWV The Glitter Stack Brights CS and some purple CS scraps
* Anna Griffin Letters & Borders, We R Memorykeepers Love Struck Cupid and Eline's Winterhuis Jingle Bells stamps
* Seedless Preserves & Forest Moss Distress Ink
* Sew Easy Pinecone Floss
* Sakura Glitter gel pens
* Heart gems & ribbon from stash

So if you are working on your Valentine's Day projects, come and link up with us :)

Challenges:
* Shopping Our Stash (Cabin Fever)
* Passion for Promarkers (Anything Goes)
* Little Miss Muffet (Luuuuuuuurve)
* I Love Promarkers (Love is in the Air)
* Sweet Pea Stampers (Love)
* Aud Sentiments (Sharing the Love)
* C.R.A.F.T. (Love/Valentines)
* Scrap Cards (Valentijn en/of Harten)
* Natalie & Amy (Love is All Around)
* City Crafter (Love Story)

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Words at Centre Stage

Hi everyone!

Here I am with my card for Fab 'n Funky's latest challenge, which is "All About the Words", I was really cutting it close this time! I made this card last night and even though I don't craft well under strict deadlines this time it worked really well and came together incredibly fast. I played with my new dies and embossing folders and love the effect I can accomplish:

Hope you like it too and you feel inspired to join us this week!

Btw, hello to my new followers, it's great to have you :)

Materials:
*Stampart by Katherine Sentiment-More Butterflies
* K&Co La Boutique and Prima Jack 'n Jill DPs
* Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Tiny Flowers
* cArt-Us Scalloped Oval Dies
* Tumbled Glass & Victorian Velvet Distress Inks
* Wooden butterflies from local store (Xenos), coloured with Promarkers
* Ribbons and pearl from stash

Challenges:
* Created with Love (Winged Things)
* Pile it On (Wood) Butterflies are made of wood
* Inky Chicks (Bingo) I've used Pearls, Ribbon, Butterfly
* Whoopsi Daisy (Bingo) I've used Pearls, Ribbon, Sentiment
* Stamps+Fun=Creativity (Embossing)
* Craftitude (Anything Goes or Ribbon and Pearls)
* Quirky Crafts (Birds, Bugs and Butterflies)
* Emerald Fairies (Things with Wings)
* The Squirrel and the Fox (Show off your New Stuff) My new dies and embossing folder
* Creative Craft Challenge (New) My new dies and embossing folder

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It's a Male Thing

Happy Monday everyone!

I'm back from my parents where we celebrated my mum's birthday, I'll share her birthday card in a couple of weeks. But before then, this is my dad's birthday card. His birthday is in December (Boxing Day) so he has already received it and it's safe for me to share it on the blog :)

Perfect in fact for this week's challenge @ Ooh La La, where our lovely teamy Anne has asked us to make a card "FOR A MALE". The image comes from Ooh La La's Boys to Men CD, such a great image for a winter birthday I think! The string on the card actually was a nightmare to work with, so inflexibe! I tried tying the string into a decorate knot by following a video I found online, but I couldn't do it and after half an hour of faffing (and I have to admit a bit of swearing too!), I decided to make up my own knot and call it a day LOL

Materials:
* Light House image and DP from Ooh La La's Boys to Men CD
* We R Memory Keepers Vintage-T CS
* First Edition Up  Up & Away DP
* Silver Ink
* EK Success Binding Edge border punch
* Studio Light sentiment
* Buttons & rope from stash

Hope you can join us over at the Challenge Blog, we're very curious to see what you make for the men in your life|!

Challenges:
* Let's Craft & Create (Masculine)
* Scrap Cards (Winter/Schaatsen)
* Parade Your Crafts (Christmas/Winter)
* Dream Valley (Boys/Men)
* Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge (Embellishments)
* Emergency Crafters (Blue or a Snow Flake)
* Lia Stampz (Color & Picture Inspiration)
* Charisma Cards (It's a Boy Thing)
* Jelly Park (Buttons and/or Bows)
* Robin's Fetish (Winter Cards)

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