Showing posts with label OMG. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OMG. Show all posts

Kenny K's - Maggie Mayhem & a camera question...

Check it.  This is a just-for-fun card I finished the other day.  Not for classes, not for DT, not for Christmas... just for the hell of it.  Ahhhh.  Cardmaking for the sheer joy... can ya' feel it?!

And since I suck at the whole photo-taking thing, I thought I would show you the difference from my scanner vs. camera.  Let's just say that in real life, the image color is actually in-between these two representations.
 
{photo shot with camera}
Awhile back, Kenny K had a contest to name his newest digi line, Krash Kittenz... and one of my names was selected!  Yeay!  This is Maggie Mayhem... VERY fitting name me thinks :)
 
{scanner version}
 I'm trying out the Latina-esque / sun-kissed skin tone with Copics E11, E13 & E15.  The jacket & shoes:  N1, N4, N7.  Reds:  R59, R29, R24.  Hair:  E21, E25, E29.

{photo shot with camera}
The trim is some pleather belt-ish stuff I found at JoAnn's, along with the black rose trim.  The paper & "beware" are from a Halloweenie MS paper pack... yeah, Martha can rock the paper once in awhile.  I added a touch o' shimmer to her bandanna, armlet, & necklace with a Stardust glitter pen.

{scanner version}
My camera is just a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5... nothing fancy.  Something that can fit into my purse.  I'm thinking of getting a "real" camera sometime this year and I need to know what to get.  I am NOT a photographer-type person.  I don't want to have to read an encyclopedia in order to use a camera, and I'm too lazy to have to manually focus a shot.  Sooooooo... any suggestions?  Please leave a comment or email me at my address in my sidebar.

So.  What do you think of Maggie?

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More Simply Betty!

It's that time again... Simply Betty Stamps blog has got a new challenge for the month!  Yeah, you have a whole month to come up with a card for a chance to be a Guest Designer!  And as a Guest Designer, you'll be able to get your grubby mitts on new release images before anyone else... for free... that's what I'm talkin'bout :)

Let me start by saying this:  they don't call them CHALLENGES for nothing.  Yikes.  I'm not really a "bright and colorful" kinda girl :)  Especially not primary colors... those really scare me... and NOT in a good way :)  So, I had to just suck it up and give it a shot... and this is what I came up with.


I think it works pretty good, right?  I mean, I still had to get a little grungy with it... and maybe I over-did it a bit, but I thought I needed to tone it down a notch :)  I'm VERY happy with how Christian turned out!  The photos don't show it well, but the coloring worked out on this one :)


Rubber stamp:  sentiment (retired TAC)
Paper:  Bazzill, Neenah & misc. cardstocks
Ink:  Noir Palette
Other:  Copic markers, Scor-Bug, EK Success edger punch, Tim Holtz edge die, We R MM eyelets

Christian can also be purchased in cling mounted scroll cut rubber form... and right now he is only $6.75 instead of $9!!  Can't beat that.


So, if you are up for a challenge, go check out the SBS blog for all of the details.  OH!  AND Betty is starting up a new challenge blog starting September 15th and she has a DT call going on right now!!!  So be sure to go HERE for those details!!
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Kenny K Challenge #4 - Alice Chains

**If you are here for the for the Simply Betty Stamps Victorian Beauties Bloghop, please scroll down to the next post.  Thanks!

Ok, I'm seriously diggin' the latest Kenny K digi's, Gothik Angelz... this line TOTALLY fits in around this blog :)  And I have finally managed to squeeze in a card for one of the KK challenges... bonus!


This is Alice Chains... what do you think is goin' on in her mind?  Me thinks this would make a fun Valentine's Day or Anniversary card... I'm sure the hubbs would like it ;)


A lot of fun to color, but MAN the skirting took awhile, whew.  LOVE how her eyeshadow & bodice turned out!  Please click on photos to enlarge.


Digi:  Alice Chains (Kenny K)
Rubber Stamps:  Background Soup, Spunky Sprite Boys (both TAC)
Paper:  Bazzill & Neenah cardstocks
Ink:  Charcoal Palette, Onyx VersaFine
Other:  Tim Holtz edge die, Scor-Bug, Stardust silver glitter pen, black tulle, garter clasp
Copics:  0, BV20, BV23, C3, C5, E000, E00, E02, E11, R02, V93, V95, V99


I FINALLY got to use this garter clasp that has been in my findings bin forever!  Very fitting for this image me thinks :)

I can't wait to color up a few of the other KK images I purchased... I'm thinking Devastatia or Lady Raven will be up next ;)
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Gates of Hell by Donna...

The Creepy Cricut Cween herself has WOW'd us once again!  Check this fabulousness out:


OMFG... cool, right?  Well, check out the view from the side:


I KNOW!  Be sure to click on the Cween's link above so she can give you all the detail for this!  Thanks, Donna... fantastic!
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Bat House by Oz

Check out the awesomeness that is Macabre Mistress Oz!  I LOVE this Bat House... no bird should venture too close, that's for sure :)  


See below for the details for this fabulous project!


Not every neighborhood can afford a 2-story bat house, but then not most would not consider us "every" neighborhood! This little sweetly shingled bat house is ooze-ing with details. From the top of it's cresent moon weather vane to the bottom of it's iron grated platform. 


The patterned paper is from Graphic 45. I stamped a woodgrain design on kraft cardstock for the shingles. The misc pumpkin buttons are all from my stash I had lurking around. I do so hope you ENJOY! 
~ Linda aka Oz

Fantastic work as always, my friend!
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Hello, my name is Barb, and I am an Enabler...


Well, most of you with kids are gearing up for Back to School:  shopping for clothes, supplies, and whatnot.  So Betty has decided that the parents deserve a little shopping fun too! Not only a little shopping fun, but some cool deals too... online & indoors beats this heatwave hands down!

Right now at Simply Betty Stamps:
My Little Shoe Box papers, stickers, and overlays are 50% off!
BoBunny papers, stickers, and embellishments are 40% off!
All Rubber is 30% off!
All Digis are 25% off!

How's that for a sweet Back to School mom has done all the shopping reward!? So hurry on over the Sale ends Thursday night at 11:59 PM (California time)!!

Have fun shopping! See you all soon for winners of the first SBS Challenge (a new one starts on the 5th!), a New Release Blog Hop August 6th, and lots more fun!
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HDH049 - Appalling Arachnids

HDH Macabre Monday Rules:
1. Create a dark and macabre SOMETHING (card, scrap page, altered item, whatever) that follows the specific Macabre Monday challenge given. Cutesy is fine, but creepy is better :)
2. You have until the following Sunday night @ 5pm central time to post your creation and please leave a direct-link back here.
3. If you upload to any online galleries (TACPCC, S&S, PCP, SCS, etc.), please tag the title using HDH049.
4. Weekly giveaways!  Some weeks will be loaded with loot, others not-so-much... but the thrill is in the win, right?!  Some prizes shall be by random drawing, others hand picked... and I'm not telling you ahead of time :)
5. I'll be selecting a weekly Gruesome Twosome (my top two favorite creations) from all the players. At the end of every month these will be compiled and a Master of Macabre will be selected and will receive a little giftie from me... this could be stamp sets, handmade items, papers, halloweenie embellishments... you just never know.

Ok, my little pretties... your challenge this week:
Appalling Arachnids

 You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween page, project or card using spiders as the MAIN focus.  Six, eight or more legs the better!  Fuzzy, shiny, ugly, cute... let's see those spideys :)

And, being the loser I am, I have not done my challenge card yet :(  BUT, some of the Minions have some wonderful eye candy-corn for you today!!!  Check it:

 Seriously jaw dropping.  You MUST go and check out her blog for more details about this wonderful project!

Digital Demon Susan:
 LOVE the spider!  Did you know that Susan has a digital store?  Go see!

Chaotic Creepy Glowbugg:
Seriously creepy spider... thank you for the nightmares, Creepy Glo :)

Fabulousness, right?  I know!  Tune in again this week for a few more!

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And now...

.introduce you to The Sisterhood of the Sinister...
Haunted Design House's very own
Macabre Minions!
{trumpets sounding: doot doot doot doooooot}
wait a sec...
...
...

{maybe it should be shrieking screams instead?}
':)

At any rate, here they are!


Lynx
{Sultana of the Sinister & Macabre Mistress}
I'm also known as Blackdragon because I ALWAYS wear black and adore dragons.  I love darker art, but not the gorey stuff.  I have a warped sense of humour, and love to have inky fingers.  I am known to have an artistic flair and create detailed scenic pieces that tell a story.

I am one busy mum of three hailing from the UK.  When I've got a free moment between the kids & oldies, I am busy creating work for the five other design teams of which I am part and I am hoping to open an Etsy shop very soon!  I was very proud when Barb made me one of the two Macabre Mistresses, along with the wonderful Oz.


The Oz
{Sovereign Monarch of Mayhem & Macabre Mistress}
My name is Linda but I have answered to many things over my years on this planet. The most important to me being Mom and Darling. After several failed attempts, I found my life partner Robert in 1999 and sadly lost him to a brain tumor in 2006. Before he left though, he instilled in me a deep deep craving for life and all of it's goodness that just hasn't gone away. Even though I am now myself fighting cancer, I laugh, cheer, smile, hug and love every moment of my life. This is it folks and this is the "Good Stuff" don't waste it.

I have crafted all of my life and plan on having glue and my MS score pad on my tombstone. Right now it is difficult for me to sit up and create but that just means I am planning.... oh boy if you could see what I am going be making soon!!

I was thrilled to death to find Barb's little dark side blog because it opened up the opportunity to create from the heart and mind in any direction I could take it. I was loving the challenges all over blogland but truthfully some of them were getting so awfully stale. Being a Macabre Mistress has allowed me to shake loose my wings, show a little horn and sprinkle a little dried newt into my Chai all with a touch of guilty pleasure.

Now Barb has honored me with a "Sally Field" award. OMG, you like me... you really do like me! and right at the only (hopefully) time I am not able to play.  But I am getting better, shrinking those damn tumors, and even caught myself admiring a 6-pack of abs the other day. You know that is one of the most important signs of recovery!!!  So even though this bio doesn't list all my past accomplishments, design teams, featured artists, awards or publishing dates, I hope it does express to you my desire to be part of this marvelous group and foremost my NEED and desire to return to creating and play along side! Thank you Barb for your vote of confidence and to my sister Minions..... I SHALL RETURN!


Gloria Steiger aka "Creepy Glowbugg"
{Cadaverous Concoctor of Chaos}
Born September 16, 1970 in Newport Beach, CA. That makes me a Virgo, and if you are one, or know one, I really don't need to say anymore.

My grandparents were a doctor and a nurse in my grandfather's private practice in a small town in Texas. They moonlighted for 30 plus years as magicians, and their wedding anniversary was on Halloween, so "it" has been in my blood since conception (it skipped a generation though, cause my parents are not cool at all).

I am currently on two other design teams, Hambo and The Burtonesque Dolls. I have managed to 'creep-out' or 'gross-out' the relatively mainstream images from Hambo and I am fitting in quite nicely with the Dolls and their Tim Burton inspired challenges.

I love Copics, Jim Henson is my personal saviour, and nothing beats Led Zeppelin, except the Doors.

I have been a fan of HDH for quite a while now, and I feel a kindred spirit in Barb and the Minions. It is quite an honor to be grouped with such a talented bunch of ladies who share the same twisted, black and orange dreams as I do.  Huzzah!


Donna
{Creepy Cricut Cween}
Hi, I'm Donna, and I'm so honored to be one of the Macabre Minions here at Haunted Design House. I've always done some sort of crafting, but began making cards after receiving a Cricut Expression in May 2008. I love doing shaped cards using Cricut Design Studio and have more recently begun stamping and exploring other creative techniques.
I've been married since dinosaurs roamed the Earth (almost 35 years, YIKES!) and we're proud parents of 2 furbabies, Goliath and Jezebel.  It's quite a treat being retired and being able to craft the day away.  My participation in the awesome Macabre Monday challenges has surprised a few of my followers, but those who REALLY know me know I'm a Halloween and Horror freak (with a special spot in my heart for the supernatural and occult).  Don't let that smile fool you!  I can be EVIL!  Mwaa!


Susan
{Devious Digital Demon-ess}
I'm writing this entirely of my own free will and Barb has NOT threatened to unleash her flying monkeys. All is perfectly lovely here at HDH and the new design team is NOT being chained up in a dank dungeon and forced to inject Eye of Newt into candy corn, not at all, I don't know what could have put that idea into your head.
p.s. If you see my hubby, tell him I love him. NOOOOOOOOOO! No! I'm sorry Mistress Barb, I didn't mean it! 
{rest of text is illegible due to copious amount of blood splashed all over the page} 


And lastly, there's me:
{Masterful Mistress of the Macabre}
I have nothing REMOTELY as witty as what Susan has written... dammit.  
I'm a not-so-mild-mannered Architectural Project Manager by day, and Miss Artsy Arts & Crafts by night.  I'm also a demonstrator for The Angel Company (I know... the name REALLY doesn't fit my creepy vibe, does it?!!).  I am married to the MOST un-romantic man EVER, whom I lovingly call Poot :)  We have two K-9 kids, Heidi (yellow lab) & Thor (red shepherd & lab mix) who obviously think we are the pets of the house.

I have always had an affinity for Halloween.  Dressing up that one night every year was (and is) a blast!  For one evening you get to really let loose and pretend to be whatever you want (or truly are!).  Half of my Halloween decor is out all year-round... what's not to love about copper pumpkins, poison bottles & spider candle holders?  I've even got a HUGE cast iron cauldron that is proudly sitting on my front porch... you know, we don't get THAT many salesmen coming by anymore :)

I've had such a good time with this little ol' blog, and hope to make it even more fun with some help from my Macabre Minions :)  They are so talented and I am thrilled that they've agreed to it.  So do you want the low-down on some upcoming awesomeness?

Macabre Mondays will always be here!  Duh.  I know.  BUT, now the Minions will be giving extra eerie inspiration to spurn additional challenge participants!  AND we're getting some fabulous sponsors!!!
... to name a few!  I KNOW!  I'm totally psyched!  Starting late next month, HDH will be celebrating
a year's worth of challenges!
I KNOW!  I can't believe it either.  I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments, challenge participation, inspiration, AND enabling :)

Fiendishly Fun Fridays will be starting up soon!  Totally random creepy links, bizarre photos, weird factoids, and WTF moments :)  Me thinks you'll enjoy it.

I will start listing upcoming HDH challenges in the sidebar so that you can plan ahead :)  There are soooooo many great challenge sites out in blogland that there is no way we can do them all, so I'm hoping this will help you out :)

So, what do you think?  Am I long winded or what?!  How about some blog candy to celebrate the Macabre Minions?!  Just leave a comment with a couple of key words describing each of five Minions and me... just to make sure you actually read all of this stuff :)  We'll draw a name on Sunday August 1st... wanna know what the prize is?  Too bad!  You won't know until you open it ':)
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Yet another little announcement :)

Are you guys jones'ing for an actual card on this freakin' blog?!!  Now that a lot of the housekeeping has been done, how about a little fun?!


I am super excited to tell you all that I am one of the newest members of the Simply Betty Stamps design team!  Yes, Lynx TOTALLY caught the new badge in my sidebar... clever girl :)


The SBS blog will be hosting monthly challenges AND there is going to be a new release on July 15th, so you might want to go follow to be updated!  In fact, Betty has a fun way to win all SIX of the new releases going on RIGHT NOW!


Yes, I know... SBS are a bit cute... BUT if you will notice there is a subtle appearance of skulls, bats & spiders!  Love it.  I call it creepy-cute.


Stamps:  London, sentiment (unknown source)
Paper:  black & premium white cs (TAC), green & amber cardstocks (Bazzill)
Other:  Michael's $1 ribbon (I know!  effing fabulous, right?), pearls (Michael's), clear Stardust gel pen
Copics:  0, C1, C3, E000, E00, E11, E57, G12, G14, G17, G85, V93, V95, V99, YR20, YR23, YR24


So, what do you think?!  Don't you LOVE the sentiment?  I should probably make a stockpile of these ;)
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A mere 46 hours left...


Bite me, Eric... 


... no, really, bite me.
:)
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Happy Mail!

***O...M...G... Becky... look at this pile of stamps...  
... it is so big:


And these photos really do not show it well enough.  I don't know that I'll ever be able to use them all, but I'm gonna try :)  That priority mail envie was stuffed!  AND it had a wonderful little note attached telling me to SNAP OUT OF IT AND GET TO CREATING!  :)  I love my support people!


You, too, can get a whopper of a stamp package... be sure to check it out at the link above!  Thanks Barb at Stamp It Crazy... you are freakin' awesome!!

***I just totally dated myself with this play on lyrics... can YOU name that song?!  :)
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26 days and counting...

... until True Blood starts up again!


Eric, I think I love you.
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Master of the Macabre... times two...


I cannot freakin' believe this... do you realize that I didn't select a March Master of the Macabre?!!  I knew I was behind for April, but daaaaaammmmnnnn!!!!

The Gruesome Twosome list from which I will draw a name for Master of the Macabre for March 2010 (from HDH028-HDH031 challenges):
1.  Susan
2.  Creepy Glowbugg
3.  Tracey
4.  Lynx
5.  Terry EO
6.  Alex
7.  Paula
8.  SIC Barb

{drum roll}

The Master of Macabre for March 2010 is:  Creepy Glowbugg!!!  Grab your Master of the Macabre badge from the sidebar, and please email me with your mailing address so I can send out your winnings :)

The Gruesome Twosome list from which I will draw a name for Master of the Macabre for April 2010 (from HDH032-HDH036 challenges):
1.  Renee
2.  Linda in PA
3.  Dragon
4.  lachsekatze
5.  Renee
6.  Sarah
7.  Gabby
8.  Donna
9.  Margie
10.  Suzi
11.  Donna


{drum roll}

The Master of Macabre for April 2010 is:  Renee!!!  Grab your Master of the Macabre badge from the sidebar, and please email me with your mailing address so I can send out your winnings :)

Now then, I guess I'm going to have rely on you guys to remind me when it's time for May's MM selection!  If I haven't posted it by 8pm (central time) on June 5th, someone needs to yell at me... seriously... AND demand a prize for having to act as my assistant :)

Thanks so much for everyone's participation!  Our followers are growing every week... we like that!  Because we all really need a little bit of dark to balance out the cute & cuddly in our lives :)  Keep the Eerie Inspiration comin', guys!!
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Blog candy alert!

If you haven't gone over to Stamp It Crazy's blog and become a follower, please get it in gear and do it!!!  For every 50 followers she gets, she will give away 50 rubber stamps!!  Yes, you read that correctly.  She needs 24 more before she'll draw a winner this time, and then another 50 and she'll do it again!
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I couldn't take it....

... all of that rubber... sitting there... staring at me... mocking me... I cracked.


Ta da!  It was so worth it... ya' know... not getting some of the non-fun stuff done that I really need to get done :)  Isn't she awesome?!  This is one of the Goddess stamps from Elementals from Smeared Ink... me likey alot.  I almost started with regular skin tones and thought better of it... I'm so glad.  I think I'll have to buy refill ink for my Copic markers soon, but man I had fun.


I added Crystal Lacquer on the water drop tattoos, eyes & lips... o-so-shiney :)  I seriously tried to get a decent photo, but I'm telling you right now the skin shading looks way better in person.

One thing I might do next time is mask off the inked cheek area... I HAVE been know to perform stamp surgery before... cutting out elements or snipping them apart... but I'm thinking Terra might hex me if I did that :)  AND this is such a lover-ly stamp image... maybe I'd better stick to masking :)


And just so you know, I've NEVER seen a stamp sheet of rubber so damn thick before!  It is unbelievable... I'm just sayin'.  Lil' Grumpies is on my list, but I must wait until next month... dammit.
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Hello Dolly... take two

I couldn't resist doing another card for the HDH030 Hello Dolly challenge :)  Especially since a blogging buddy of mine, Melisa, sent me a couple of stamped images... with a little nudge to Goth them out a bit ;)  This one is for you, Melisa!!

I also wanted to participate in Copic Creations challenge No. 24.  I just started following this challenge blog... they have some great tips!  I chose to do Skin Tones and a Brunette Hair technique... and maybe this qualifies for the Feathering technique, too?!

Stamps:  boy w/ wagon (B-line Designs), dolly (Kraftin' Kimmie), Aged Ornaments (TAC), skull (Bombshell), unknown sentiment

Ink:  Moulin Rouge, Charcoal, & Noir Palettes, Memento Tuxedo

Other:  Copic markers

The boy image did NOT have the rusty knife in his hands originally (of course)... I drew that little twisted element myself  ;)

Don't worry, Copic Creations people... I'm working on a not-so-twisted entry, too!



So, Melisa... did it live up to your expectations? :)
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Check it!!!

Barb over at Stamp It Crazy is giving away this teensie bit of yummy rubbah goodness!  Yep, 50 images will be given away every time she gets 50 followers!  She only needs 10 more for the first drawing... get over there and follow!!! :)
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Movie Alert on Chiller!!!

Alert:  Killer Klowns from Outer Space is on the Chiller channel right now (10:00pm central)!! 
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365 Cards - Day 149 - Try a Technique Tuesday!!

Greetings all, & welcome :) I'm totally psyched to have been chosen as a guest designer for today over at 365 Cards!! This entire week is Reader Appreciation Week, so be sure to join in the fun for prize opportunities and to gawk at all of the wonderful cards the Design Team & Guest Designers have created :)

What is the technique today? SPONGING! Those that know me or my work will be the first to tell you that this is a technique that I use on probably 90% of my cards... and 100% on my Halloween cards :)

Sponging tends to create depth, and REALLY finishes off certain images wonderfully. The entire background of this Halloween Flourish Tree card was created with sponging. Yep, I started with a completely white cardstock panel for this baby :) I also used regular hydra sponges, as well as manicurist pads... the sponge creates a stippled texture, while the pad creates much softer blending.

I created a reverse-mask for the moon first. Start with the lightest yellow, and keep layering color toward the center... then add darker yellows & cognac colors at the outside edge to create a rounded look to the moon.

I then stamped the weedy image along the bottom & the tree. The tree is heat-embossed to give a bit of sheen and nice raised quality. Place a piece of paper to create a horizon line and start blending green & black inks for the ground and blues & purples for the sky. I went back with darker shades of blue & purple ink and created thin lines of clouds to add an eerie touch.

Then I stamped the sentiments & bats** in black, sponged black ink around the edges, distressed them, and matted the panels. Next up, used the Scor-bug for a little texture, swiped a white ink pad around the card base edges, and topped it all off with some sheer grungy-olive ribbon.

**The bats are actually one of the butterflies from the Love & Laughter tree image... I just snipped it apart from the main image... oh how I love cling-rubber stamps... I can manipulate them so easily to fit whatever I need :)


Stamps: Flourish Trees of Hope, Love & Laughter, Edge Designs, Tag Tidbits (happy), retired GWP (Halloween)


Paper: White UltraSmooth, Basic Black, & Penolope Cardstocks

Ink: Raw Sienna, Cognac, Noir, Starry Night, Prussian Blue, Violete, French Lilac, Landscape, & Jardin Moss Palettes

Other: Transcendence Embossing Powder, hydra sponges, manicurist pads
(from Sally Beauty Supply), olive sheer ribbon

What do you think?

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