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August 28, 2018

Rubeena's Crafting Anniversary Blog Hop



Welcome to Rubeena’s Crafting Anniversary 2-Day Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Leanne West's blog. If you didn't, no worries, I have the full blog hop list down at the bottom of my post.

I am so excited to be participating in this epic hop with more than 70 guests and over $600 in sponsored prizes hosting by my dear friend Rubeena!! Not only are we celebrating four years since Rubeena first discovered cardmaking but also crafting in general. This industry is made up of wonderful individuals who are creative, inspirational, kind, and incredibly supportive! Hop along so you can learn about why we create and how much joy it brings us! For details on day one of the hop, you can visit this post.

First a bit about my own creative journey...

I have been creative my entire life, when I as young I took art lessons for many years learning to sketch still life and later oil pastels. I entered the world of paper crafting as a teenager creating scrapbooks, old school--no embellishments! I tried all types of different crafts as an adult--sewing, knitting, dried flowers (was obsessed), folk art painting and then cardmaking. My journey got a bit derailed 17 years ago now when I was diagnosed with MS. Life offered my lots of new difficulties, one of the biggest is muscle weakness in my right side and a pesky tremor in my hands sometimes. However I didn't let that stop me and I found my way back to cardmaking and scrapbooking then started my blog in January 2011, that was also the year I started my 25 Days of Christmas Tags challenge. I love this cardmaking community, so many wonderful and talented people. I have made friends all over the world and I have been so fortunate to meet so many people in real life too. I hope you enjoy the hop and get inspired to create from so many fabulous crafty people!

I made two cards for the blog hop today, both using Altenew stamps and coloured with my brand new 36 half pan Altenew watercolors. Deliciously creamy!! My first card uses the Camellia Build a Flower and the second card is made with the Dahlia Blossoms stamp set. Both cards have sentiments fron the Crafty Friends stamp set--since this hope is all about crafty friends!!






GIVEAWAYS
In celebration of this anniversary, we have several amazing sponsors. Let’s thank them for their generosity! Winners will be randomly selected from comments left on all the blogs. The winners will be announced by Wednesday, September 5 on this page. Winners will have up to 2 weeks to contact Rubeena at ararerubycrafts@gmail.com to claim their prizes.

Studio Katia - $50 gift card
Hello Bluebird - $50 gift card
Altenew - $50 Gift card
Pinkfresh Studio - $30 gift card
Gina K. Designs - $50 gift card
Clearly Besotted - $35 gift card
Simon Says Stamp - $25 gift card
Spellbinders - Card Kit
Jennifer McGuire - $50 Simon Says Stamp gift card
winnie & walter - $40 gift card
Mama Elephant - $25 gift card
Hero Arts - $25 gift card
Nichol Spohr - Custom-sewn rainbow pencil case filled with brand new Spellbinders dies
Danielle Flynn - $25 Simon Says Stamp gift card
Picket Fence Studios - four $25 gift cards

BLOG HOP



The next stop on the hop is the fabulous Marge Yoon I know you will not be disappointed in what she has for you today. Thank you so much for stopping by and make sure you stop in at Rubeena Ianigro's blog, it is always loaded with inspiration!

128 comments :

  1. Gorgeous cards - I especially love the blend of colours in the Dahlias!

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  2. Beautiful work...especially love the Dahlias. I have two planters full in various colors. Love them. This hop is so awesome, such talent in many levels. Great to be part of this community..

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  3. That was a lovely post, Tracey! I enjoyed reading your story and I've always been inspired by your determination and positivity. You have created two works of art worthy of framing! Your painting is perfection and I am in love with those sediments!! Hugs, Darnell

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  4. Thanks to the generous sponsors, Ruby and friends! Your cards are fresh and modern. Thanks for sharing your story of crafting and life challenges as it further endears your blog posts to me. I'm beginning to think I need those watercolors!

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  5. Beautiful cards Tracey..love both of them..

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  6. I love Dahlia's so much and you have made them come alive.

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  7. Thank you so much for sharing your journey here today, your determination is just amazing! You should be super proud of yourself, truly hope you are, cause its just amazing, honestly! Love your cards, beautiful! The altenew watercolors seem so amazing, might need to look into getting some for myself!!! Thank you so much, again, for sharing! 💜

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  8. So gorgeous Tracey. Always in love with your designs and colouring. Simply perfect 😍😍😍

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  9. Very nice cards, thanks for sharing.

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  10. Gorgeous cards, awesome
    coloring. So glad you
    can still create!
    Carla from Utah

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  11. Fabulously colored blooms Tracey. The cards are gorgeous.

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  12. I think your new watercolors are perfect for your blooms, Tracey...your cards are absolutely gorgeous!
    Thanks for sharing your story with us...I have enjoyed visiting your blog for as long as I've been a card maker...you have always inspired me to be creative, and I love your YT videos :) Thanks so much for being such a great leader in our crafty community...and for being part of Rubeena's Hop!

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  13. Love these gorgeous cards! Had to pin one for future inspiration!

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  14. Thank you for sharing your story. It is very inspiring. And I love your cards. I discovered your blog through the 25 tags of Christmas last year. Looking forward to it this year too!

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  15. Love these big flowers, your cards are beautiful thanks for sharing.

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  16. Clean, beautiful cards. Gorgeous colors (pink is my fave!).

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  17. Gorgeous cards Miss Tracey....your flowers are so beautiful!

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  18. WOW, gorgeous cards! Just ordered my new Altenew watercolor pan set and can't wait to get started. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  19. Just gorgeous florals! I love the colors you used! Simple and sweet cards

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  20. Oh Tracey, Bless you sweetie...my daughter Tina suffers from MS also...so I do understand the effort it takes to keep yourself moving and doing the things that are important in your life. My daughter is so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is her Rock....he does anything he can to aid her in her journey through this horrible disease. I will keep you in my prayers...I am so glad that you have the fortitude to do your crafting...because young lady...YOU are very talented.....I loved both of your beautiful cards.....as I have love so many of the participants in this two day blog hop for Rubeena’s Celebration...It has been such a great experience....
    Thank you sweetie...for offering up your heart...and your talent for all to see....much love...and big hugs....

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  21. Simply gorgeous!!! Love the simplicity of your card and I'm so happy to see you on the hop.

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  22. I just got my Altenew watercolor pan set this week and can't wait to try it. Your w/c is gorgeous - such pretty cards!!! TFS!!

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  23. Both cards are so femininely pretty in pink. I love those Dahlias. Don't we all!! Thanks for sharing your story!

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  24. Wonderful cards.
    The zinnias on the second
    card are so lifelike.
    thanks for sharing
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. Tracey, both cards are beautiful and your story has inspired me as much as your work. Bless you!

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  26. Such gorgeous cards! Love the way you show depth in the flowers and your choice of colors.

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  27. I enjoyed reading your about your crafting journey Tracey! Love that we began blogging just a couple of months apart and have been faithful followers ever since. Your cards today are lovely. Those big pink blooms are wonderful!

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  28. Really pretty cards! Love the simple beauty.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

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  29. Such gorgeous and inspiring cards!

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  30. I love blog hops because they inspire me to create and all of you are so talented that I can't help but be inspired. Thank you.

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  31. Love your cards! I have the Pan Set of Watercolors on my wish list !! Maybe I'll win something and get a chance to purchase them!

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  32. Two beautiful cards! Love the big, bold flowers and sentiments on them both!

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  33. Gorgeous cards! Beautiful compositions and watercoloring. Thank you for sharing your story :)

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  34. Thank you sponsors for this super-hop. And thank you for the info and inspiration here! Really pretty...

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  35. Oooooh, delicious watercolors! Getting those pan colors wet must be a blast. Enjoy, and your work is stunning! Keep 'em coming!

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  36. Your use of yellow with the pink is fabulous!

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  37. Such beautiful cards! I love your watercolors! And the flower on the first card is fabulous.

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  38. These are gorgeous! LOVING the colors!! And loved reading about your creative journey!!!!!!!!!!

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  39. Two absolutely BEAUTIFUL cards Tracey!! I'm really loving your 1st card where you set the leaves apart from the flower...something about that just really grabs me!! FABULOUS water coloring too! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! :0)

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  40. You did it!! and so beautifully, too, Tracey! Gorgeous water coloring, fabulous choice of blooms! You must pack these little babies when you visit!
    OH am I happy to be one of your crafty friends! xx
    =]

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  41. Love the watercolors and these cards are just so beautiful!

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  42. Fabulous cards Tracey...those water colors do look like they are so smooth and creamy! The blending of the colors is striking!

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  43. these cards re just gorgeous - love your work:)

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  44. The flower images stand out on the white backgrounds.

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  45. Tracey, thank you for sharing your story. So many of us have chronic pain or illnesses, but you are truly inspiring. Your cards are just wonderful!! I love the watercolour medium & these seem to keep their rich creamy colour & not fade out as much as others.
    I know there are gifts to be won, & yes, it would be great, but seeing the creativity & beauty people in this crafting community create is a gift in itself.

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  46. Love the cards and the color combinations

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  47. Crafty friends really are the best friends! Thanks for sharing!

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  48. Tracey the colours you've used in your cards make my heart happy! The dahlia you coloured reminds me of one of my favourites we have blooming. Love your CAS style as well. Thanks so much!

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  49. Both cards are gorgeous. I love those bright, creamy watercolors, too!

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  50. Beautiful cards. Love your watercoloring.
    Thanks so much for sharing your story ❤️

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  51. Beautiful floral cards and thanks for sharing your creative journey.

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  52. Gorgeous floral designs and beautiful coloring! Enjoying all these beautiful creations along the hop to celebrate Rubeena's crafting anniversary!

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  53. Fabulous cards! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  54. Two beautiful cards! Love the clean and simple design!

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  55. I love your watercolor blooms! So glad to have been in your creative circle, and to have you in my crafting universe!!!! Yay for creative peeps!

    -HUGS Kimberly

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  56. I love your gorgeous flowers. They are both just oh so pretty!

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  57. Beautiful floral cards. I like the bright pink.

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  58. These stamps are wonderful and I love how you coloured them.

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  59. Lovely cards, I really love the first one. Thanks for the inspiration, and for supporting Rubeena!

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  60. Thanks for sharing such great cards.

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  61. Wow! Gorgeous cards!!! Beautiful colouring!!!

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  62. I love your beautiful flowers! The colors are so bright and cheerful and it all looks amazing!

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  63. Beautiful cards. Love the coloring. Bless you on your life’s journey.

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  64. Thanks for sharing your creative journey. What I’ve discovered amongst my creative friends is that creativity comes in many forms including crafts, scrapbooking, music and dance and probably some others that I’ve left out like teaching is an art as is writing.

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  65. Beautiful cards! So glad you found your way back to crafting and sharing your wonderful creations.

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  66. Such pretty cards! I love your CAS style!

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  67. What lovely cards! They are both great! Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the blog hop!

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  68. Congratulations to Rubeena! Love her work. And what an amazing group this crafting world is to sponsor such wonderful prizes. Love your card inspiration too!

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  69. Both cards are lovely, but the first has really won my heart with the contrasting black and that lovely pink - thanks for inspiring!!

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  70. Your crafting journey is so inspiring, and so is your beautiful Card art! I love the 25 days of Christmas tags series too, thanks for all you do!

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  71. two very lovely cards, Tracey - beautifully colored with those fantastic new Altenew watercolors - and thanks for sharing your crafting journey

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  72. Oh I love the two beautiful flower cards, Tracey! Love simple , clean and bold design. Thank you for your friendship and support. So glad to hop along with you, my friend :)

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  73. Love your beautiful flowers.
    (Gilda)

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  74. What a lovely post, Tracey ... warm, friendly, inspiring ... just like you! I can sure understand why Ruby invited you to be part of her special hop! Gorgeous blooms ... bold and striking and so delicious against all that glorious white space! Hugs, Anita :)

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  75. Amazing cards! Love the colors!

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  76. Beautiful flowers. Very nice job. I love those big flowers.

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  77. How wonderful that you have the courage and strength to overcome the challenges you face with MS and do what you love! Your cards are beautiful! Keep creating and my thoughts and prayers are with you!

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  78. Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing! ~ Lenice

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  79. These are beautiful, Tracey! I think you and your new watercolours will be best friends. ;) Does *creamy* mean that they are more opaque than some watercolours? Curious...

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  80. Love both of these cards. Such beautiful coloring. And your story is amazing. So very happy that you are a part of this blog hop.

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  81. Two beautiful floral cards, Tracey. Both are stunning.

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  82. Tracey your cards are beautiful! So pleased to see you here celebrating with everyone along this wonderful hop ! Thanks for sharing your crafty story, it's lovely to read about your crafting journey!

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  83. Such a great pair of floral cards Tracey! The watercoloring is wonderful!

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  84. Thanks for sharing your crafting story. Like many of us crafting is an outlet that helps us get through things. Your cards are lovely. Keep on keeping on.

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  85. I love your beautiful cards! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  86. I've never have seen such an obvious disconnect of flower and leaf as in your gorgeous card. I LOVE it and would love to try this technique. Great job.

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  87. Beautiful flowers! Love the cards! :)

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  88. Beautiful card, Tracey!! Love the amazing coloring! I need those watercolors!

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  89. Such beautiful cards! Love them both!

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  90. Two beautiful cards! Such pretty flowers! Thanks for sharing your crafting journey.

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  91. Beautiful, clean cards! I love the simplicity of the flower buds and the sentiment. Sometimes less is more. Love the Dahlias! I wish I could get them to grow in my yard. Thanks for sharing your crafty journey and being a part of Rubeena's celebration.

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  92. I don't know how on earth I missed your blog when I originally went through this hop, Tracey. I came by your blog today quite by chance and I was shocked to see that I somehow missed visiting you. Anyway....LOVE your art (as always) and enjoy the inspiration. Thanks for being part of this amazing celebration, and thank you for sharing your time and talents. You are always a blessing an inspiration to me.
    Karen Letchworth
    www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com

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  93. Both cards are delightful! So glad you didn’t let MS and those pesky tremors stop you from doing what you love! You’re an inspiration to those of us who share those pesky tremors to forge through!

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  94. They're both lovely! Congrats to Ruby!

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  95. Beautiful cards--my favorite is the dalias. Love that bright cheery pink! TFS--have a blessed day.

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  96. SQUEAL!! Just BEAUTIFUL!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

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  97. I love the dahlia blossoms! One of my favorite flowers. Beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing!

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  98. Stunning cards and I am really missing out not having a big bloom in my stamp stash! Thanks for sharing and for supporting Ruby's anniversary!

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  99. I love these sentiments. This set is definitely on my wish list! Gorgeous cards.

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  100. Love these sentiments. This set is definitely on my wish list. Beautiful cards

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  101. Wow, Tracey I had no idea you had MS! Have been a fan of your beautiful work and am so happy to hop along to see all my "friends" along the way in support of Rubeena, of course. But now I am getting to know each of you better than ever before! You are a fabulous designer! Love your Altenew floral cards and always will!!
    Beverly Jordan
    @jordanbev5 on IG

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  102. Tracey, we have somethings in common. I have a form of MD and can relate to the frustrations that muscle weakness & tremors bring to our crafting endeavors. I have found that coloring other fine motor skills task helps calm my tremors. I have enjoyed your 25 days of tags posts. Thank you for sharing your beautiful cards in this post. Thank for being a source of inspiration to me and so many others.

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  103. Both cards are gorgeous! The colors are so rich and beautiful, I really have to get the Altenew watercolors now lol. Thank your for sharing and the inspiration to keep creating despite health issues.

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  104. Thank you so much u for sharing a bit of your story with us. And your two floral cards are pure delight !!
    [margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]

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  105. so glad you can continue to create! great cards!

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  106. Tracey, you are so amazing and wonderful! Thank you for celebrating with me :) Hugs

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by! I love to read each and every comment!