Saturday, May 25, 2013

OWH Memorial Day Bloghop + giveaway!

Hi everyone and welcome to another great OWH bloghop!  Our challenge inspiration is to make Thank You cards for our heroes, based on an OWH sketch.  I chose sketch #165:
 
for my card:

I did partial embossing on each side of my white layer, leaving the center flat for my sentiment, which is from Simon Says Stamp.  I cut the chevron border on my Cricut, added a red ribbon, and bestowed a fabric flowery-flourish on top (hmmm...don't know what the correct name is!)
 
I've got a giveway for you!  Hero Arts recently released a new set of stamps available exclusively in Hobby Lobby stores.  I bought stamps for myself and wanted to giveaway each set below:
 
Just leave me a comment and let me know if you'd rather have the set on the left (Blessings to You) OR the set on the right (You're Always in my Heart).  Many stampers live far from a Hobby Lobby and I'd like to spread the stamping goodness to someone who can't get to the store (USA addresses only).
 
I'll draw two names (one for each set) on Wednesday, May 29th, and announce it on my blog and email the winners.  Good luck!
 
Thanks for stopping by today! Happy Memorial Day weekend.
 
 


109 comments:

  1. Erika, This is a wonderful card. I really like that touch of black and your "flowery thing". The black helps to bring everything else out. Enjoy your weekend.

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  2. Oh my gosh, I feel a CASE coming on! I absolutely LOVE this card with all the stars and chevron borders - not to mention the fabulous patriotic colors! That medallion is amazing and really caught my eye! Well done!
    I love love love the stamps you're generously giving away, and my fav is the one on the right with that little postage stamp! Happy Memorial Day weekend!

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  3. Great texture on your card. I love the pinwheely accent. Thanks for the chance for candy but I've got a Hobby Lobby 20 minutes away.

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  4. I love your card especially the sentiment and how you put the black around it. I don't have either set so I would love either one.

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  5. Hi Erika!
    I love that fabricy flowery finish!! So stunning! Thank you to you and your husband for your service!
    Blessings,
    Antoinette

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  6. This is very pretty. I like your ribbon work.

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  7. Great fabric flowery-flourish! Haha!

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  8. Love how you reversed the embossing on the top and bottom panels -- very creative.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win some blog candy. Either set would be great, but the right set is my favorite of the two.

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  9. So awesome!!! I like the embossing also! Thank you for supporting OWH!

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  10. Love the partial embossing! And no thanks, I may or may not have bought the stamps already, so don't pick me. :) (leslie #113)

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  11. great embossing folder! and I love that star flower thingy, looks really good

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  12. I have this embossing folder. What a neat idea to flip and use both sides. Your card is beautiful and I love your embellishment. I am one of those who does not have a Hobby Lobby near by so I would love to be in the drawing for one of these sets. Thanks so much.

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  13. Fantastic layout and gorgeous card. I like that embossing folder too.

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  14. Beautiful Patriotic card and I love that fabric/ribbon flower!

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  15. Super fun card! What about that ribbon flower very nice. Wow a drawing.. the one on the right!(I have no HL near by)

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  16. Gorgeous card! Truly patriotic! Love the star embossed background, and your ribbon flower is amazing!
    Either set would be an amazing win! Thank you for your generosity!

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  17. Gorgeous card - love the "fabric flowery-flourish" thingy! :-) Oh, and please leave me out of the drawing - I was fortunate enough to find both sets at my local HL! Thanks for the giveaway, though, and for supporting OWH!

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  18. Great card. It is very well done.
    TY, for the give away I always love hearts and they both are awesome either if I am picked.

    reflections:0)

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  19. I love the embossed stars and the red, white and blue theme. So appropriate for Memorial Day. I love the stamp set on the left. So nice of you to have a giveaway on your blog. Ty!

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  20. What a beautiful card. I love the flower. I love both sets. I'd probably choose the set on the left.

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  21. The flourish really sets it off. I also like leaving the middle flat for the sentiment. Brilliant. I have the HA set on the right and my HL still had both sets when I was in there last. TFS and supporting OWH

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  22. that flowery-fabric thing is my favorite!! did you make it yourself?? amazing!! i'm in hawaii and we definitely don't have a HL nearby... or a michaels or joann's!!! i'd love either set but i think i like the one on the right a teeeeensy bit more. thanks for the change to win goodies!!

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  23. Love what you did with that sketch!!!

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  24. What great details on this card. Absolutely fabulous job! Thank you for the opportunity to win a prize. Either set would be fine as there is no Hobby Lobby near me.

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  25. Both cards are great and well made.

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  26. Beautiful card! Love the flowery flourishy thinga ma jig. :D Great give away as well. Wish I had waited. I ordered them last week.

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  27. The "flower thing" :-) pulls it all together.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  28. I like the card's embossing technique. Great giveaway too. Either set would be wonderful (Hobby Lobby not too close).

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  29. This card turned out beautifully! That embossing folder is one of my favorites but I have to admit that I have never managed to master 'partial embossing'. I am constantly amazed by the generosity of OWHers and the thought that you would give away these brand new stamp sets makes my day. No doubt someone will be very happy to put them to use on OWH cards. Thanks for joining in the hop and for supporting Operation Write Home!

    Paula S.
    OWH Blog Team

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  30. This card has lovely clean lines yet lovely detail! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  31. Wow.... Your card is incredible. Love the embossing. It really stands out.

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  32. Really striking card with the black white and red contrast! Love the flower embellishmet! I would take either stamp set since my Hobby Lobby was out of them! Thanks for a chance to win and for your support of OWH.

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  33. Gorgeous card, Erika, I love the embossed star background and that lovely, looks like ribbon, flower! TFS and have a great weekend.

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  34. Enjoyed your interpretation of the sketch. Thanks for sharing. No Hobby Lobby in this state. The one on the right would be most versatile.

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  35. Like what you did with the embossing and the ribbon flower.

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  36. Love your flowery flourishy thingy ma jig! So cute!

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  37. I really like your card. The stars embossing is great. I need to find that folder. :-) Please do not enter me into your drawing. I live near a Hobby Lobby and have both sets. I'd rather someone who doesn't live near one win.
    April

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  38. Love this card! I like to know what you call that item which you use to stand the card up with. I m looking for one for myself.

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  39. I like your flowery flourish. I'd love to win either of the sets since I don't have a HL anywhere near me, but if I had to chose I'd say the one on the right. Thanks for the chance and being so generous!
    Happy Memorial Day and thanks for your support of OWH!
    R/

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  40. Great card! I love the embossing and how you created that ribbon flower. So sweet of you to purchase some extra stamps, I have never been to a Hobby Lobby they are so far away. If I get picked, I'd love the set on the left.

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  41. your card is so cute! love the embossing and how did you make that flower?
    I would love the one on the left (Blessing)

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  42. Your card is gorgeous. I love both sets, I could never pick! ;) Have an awesome weekend and thanks for supporting OWH.

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  43. LOve the 'flowery' thing..lol! nice double embossing. I like both sets esp. the Heart Stamp. Holly hobby is hours away, even Michales and JoAnne is over 2 hours away. Love the country life, but...lol.
    Hummer Hugs,
    Misty
    http://delitefulsuds.blogspot.com/
    hummingbird204 at comcast dot net

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  44. What a great card. I love the little flourish. Thanks for supporting OWH and for the blog candy...but you can leave my name out of the drawing...I have an HL real close and the restock shipment is due any day now...so I can pick it up. Let's spread the love to someone who can't get to an HL :-)

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  45. This card is a terrific example of how to do this sketch! I love the flowery flourish thing! Since there is no HL for hundreds of miles from me I would feel very blessed if I won either set but I do like the set on the left the best. Thank you for supporting OWH and have a great weekend!

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  46. Love that "fabric flowery flourish!" So much going on with this card, but you put it together perfectly. TFS.

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  47. Erika, I adore this card! Great embossing. How did you make the fabric flower thing a ma bob? ;) I can not decide between the two sets so kindly choose for me! Maybe the one on the right? ;) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  48. I love the fabric flourish it is a great embellishment :) Thank you for sharing and supporting OWH!

    Amanda
    http://www.ajsdigishoppe.com

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  49. Love the embossed star background...your card is lovely. I would love the set on the left...thanks so much for the opportunity!

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  50. The card is fabulous! Where did you get (or did you make it?) the striped flower thing? And for me...the set on the right.

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  51. What a great card. I like the chevron border I really like the black and white flower you added too.
    I really like that You Are Always in My Heart stamp set, could get a lot of use out of that. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  52. I love the "flowery" embellishment - really makes the card pop. I would love to have the "you are always in my heart" set - thanks for the opportunity to win it:)

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  53. The embossing folder is so outstanding. You did such a great job!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  54. I created the sample card for this sketch when it was introduced, so it's fun for me to see how someone else has used it! :) I like your flowery thingie, and the partial embossing is a really creative way to include that horizontal element in the sketch.
    Thank you for your generosity in offering blog candy! The closest HL store is about 90 miles away so I don't get there often. I prefer the "thinking of you/you're always in my heart" set on the right. That patriotic heart is great!

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  55. Truly a striking card! Very clever use of embossing!!

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  56. Great card, but I'm most impressed by your generous spirit. I have a Hobby Lobby just down the street, so as much as I would like to win a set, I'll leave that for those who aren't as lucky as I am. Thanks for your participation in the OWH Blog Hop!

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  57. wonderful card-love the details

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  58. Great card...the flourish gives off a little visual movement! I do not need either stamp as I could not pick between the two so bought both. WTG on your selective embossing...I have yet to figure that out!

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  59. what a super card...I would love to learn how you did that ribbon flower, it's so pretty. Thanks so much for sharing your card and for supporting OWH

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  60. Do you have a tutorial on that flower flourishy thing. I love it. Oh, and I'd pick the stamp set on the left.

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  61. great card - love all the elements

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  62. Great work I like your ribbon pinwheel!! Yes I live far from a hobby lobby but would be glad to win either!!

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  63. Absolutely love your card. The flourish is great!

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  64. Beautiful job on your card. I love how you only embossed on the top and bottom leaving space for the sentiment. Wish you would reveal the Cricut cart for the chevron - nice! And your ribbon pinwheel is a great embellishment. I would love the stamp set on the left (Blessings to You). Thank you for sharing your card with us! ~ Marilyn

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  65. Very pretty and patriotic! The flowery thingy(that is a word isn't it?) is very cute! Thanks for your support of OWH!

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  66. This is just beautiful! You did such a good job on this card, I just love it!

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  67. You card is so sweet! I love that striped flourish embellishment. Thanks for offering those stamp sets as blog candy. I don't have a hobby lobby close by. HMMM...if I had to choose- it would be the one on the left. TFS! (Amy A. #118)

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  68. Love your cards - i would love to have the Blessings to You stamps - no hobby lobby near me - thanks for sharing and supporting OWH

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  69. Great card. I love the ribbon flower. (Cindy #25)

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  70. I love the fantastic fabric flowery flourish. Great card!

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  71. love how you turned the edging around to provide more emphasis to your sentiment! super smart!!

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  72. Wonderful use of embossing folders! Love your take on the sketch, thanks so much for sharing! Thanks for a chance to win. The closest Hobby Lobby is an hour away, so I don't go often...would love to win the set on the left!

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  73. LOVE your card, esp. that fabric flowery-thing! ;-) TFS and esp. for the chance to win; oh, yes, please!! I'd prefer the set on the right but would be thrilled beyond belief with either set!! RBBRRMQN at YAHOO dot COM

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  74. Wonderful card--I like the embossing and the fabric embellishment. I like the stamp set on the left.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  75. Love this card! I really like the way you framed the sentiment and of course the awesome flowery-fabric thing! (Skip my name in the drawing please :)

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  76. Beautiful card. Love the embossing.

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  77. Your take on this sketch is gorgeous! I really like how you left the area free from embossing to place your sentiment. I haven't tried that technique but now I plan to try it soon. It adds so much interest.


    Cheri - John 3:16
    www.djssundries.blogspot.com

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  78. This is a beautiful card! Love the stars!
    I would pick the set on the left.

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  79. Your black, white and red color scheme is really striking! I like how you did the embossing, too! Thanks for sharing your great card! --Yvonne (ymbashor at yahoo dot com)

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  80. Your card is wonderful. Very patriotic. I love the rosette you used. I also love the EF you used. This is a wonderful take on the sketch.

    Hugs,
    M.E

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  81. very pretty card! I'm intrigued as to how you made the ribbon medallion? would love to be lucky enough to win the stamp set on the right--thanks for you generous blog candy. mflayer at comcast dot net Happy Memorial Day weekend!
    :) Marie (OWH #119)

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  82. I'm not sure what to call the fabric flowery-flourish either, but it is fabulous!! Your card is wonderful and the star embossing is perfect for the theme! Both stamp sets are wonderful but if I had to choose, I would pick the set on the left.

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  83. Wow...fabulous card. I love the border cut and the embossing with the large stars. The fabric flowery-flourish is awesome. Would love to know where that came from. Great job! Thank you for sharing. I love the one on the right, you are always in my heart. The heart flag is yummy! dodge3670atAOLdotCOM

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  84. I love that you took kind of a girly sketch and made it gender-neutral. Great card. As for the stamps, I like them both. I don't know, the left one.

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  85. Love your flowery flourish! Beautiful card! I have the stamp sets so you do not need to include me in the drawing-- just wanted to say thanks for your support of our troops and give some blog hugs!!!

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  86. Gorgeous card. I love that you embossed each side and your flower is amazing. Wonderful job. I would choose both but since you asked for one. I will choose the one on the left. Blessings to you. Thanks for the chance. And Thanks for joining in the hop.

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  87. wonderful card, Erika! I really like the flowery flourish and that chevron ribbon is awesome!! I would love the stamp set on the left... no HL near me. :(
    Jen
    jennifer.mueller409 at gmail dot com

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  88. Hi Erica! Your card is so beautiful. I'm hopping around and am learning lots of tricks that are new to me, like the partial embossing you did. That's really smart! Thanks for supporting OWH.

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  89. I like of how you embossed your card. That is such a great idea. Thank you for supporting the troops.

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  90. Wow, this card is spectacular! Love the embossed stars and the clean crisp look of your design. Thanks also for offering these stamp set, I love the one on the right!

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  91. You did such a great job using that sketch. The card is a real standout with that embossing. Both of these stamp sets are awesome, especially for OWH! If I had to chose one though, it would be the one on the right. love that flag heart design! I don't have a Hobby Lobby anywhere near me so thanks for offering these up as prizes.

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  92. This is a great card. I love the star embossing. I would love to know who makes that I have never seen it before. Either set would be a great addition to my stamp collection but I like Blessings to you the best

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  93. I love your card! Very clever to leave the center flat for the sentiment and I love your flower thing! Thanks for the chance to win, it s very generous of you to think of those of us who aren't near a HL. Both sets are awesome!

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  94. Your "flowery thing" looks a lot like a pinwheel to me! Did you make it yourself? It's awesome!

    And you're very generous to buy extra OWH stamp sets for people who haven't been able to get them from HL yet. The one on the left is unlike anything else in my collection and I hope I can get to HL soon. It's over an hour away, so a trip there requires some planning!

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  95. Great card!! LOVE the embossed stars.

    Both stamp sets are cool, but I like the one on the right better

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  96. I love the embossed stars...what a wonderful card. i really like these stamps but the blessings to you is my favourite. Thanks to all the troops for your sacrifice.

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  97. I LOVE this card!! I really like your flower thingy :) Either set would be awesome and very much appreciated but I like You're Always In My Heart the best. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  98. Great way to offset the embossing - pretty effect! Thanks for a chance to win:
    BobbisTreasure at aol dot com

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  99. Love the flowery flourish and it is such a nice card too.
    It might be after the weekend here in the UK, but I just wanted to support such a good cause.
    "Like the ivy and the wall, together we stand united we fall"

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  100. I like the "Thinking of you" set. I do live far from a Hobby Lobby, so you're so sweet to offer the blog candy! Your card is wonderful. I really love the way you embossed the two sides of the card!

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  101. The pinwheel, the stars, the red white and blue! This card is so lovely and eye-catching!!!! Thank ubfornsharing this and thank u for offering blog candy! I'd love the Blessings to You stamp set if I win! Birdofparadise73 at gmail dot com

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  102. Your card made me gasp, it's just the right touch of classy and whimsy. So gorgeous! And wow, how generous of you to share some blog candy. I'd love to play with the set on the right (You're always in my heart). Our stores have been out of them, would be fun to win one of these! :)

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  103. Love your style! Thanks for sharing!

    Winning ether set would be great!

    ptucker6 at cox dot net

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  104. LOVE THIS CARD! Great use of partial embossing and the pop of colors is perfect for the holiday! Would love to win one of the stamp sets!

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  105. Perfectly Patriotic Than You card, I really like your flowery-flourish thingamabob ! Thanks so much for the chance to win the You're Always in my Heart stamp set; there is no Hobby Lobby (any craft store!) nearby. Thank you, too, for your support of OWH !

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  106. I forgot to say I liked the one on the left. But both sets look great.

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  107. I like how you placed the borders in toward the sentiment! That, and the partial embossing, really highlight the words. Nice job! Thanks for supporting OWH! And thank you for sharing those Hero Arts/OWH stamp sets as gifts (not exclusive to HL though). Thanks for your involvement. ~Dotti H., OWH Board member

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