Positive Things to Come!!!! Simply Sunday Challenge enter till 8/13

Good afteroon everyone! I hope you are all doing well this Sunday, and resting in Him. I want you to know I appreciate each one of you. I was off for a few weeks, but now I'm back

--can you stand it????

Dont' forget we only have a few more days to get your Design Team applications in!! Can you believe I'll be announcing a new team on or near August 8'th????

I want to thank each of you for your support of my stamp line--I feel so blessed--Thank you!!!

Thank you SO much--and from here on out--things are going to be good. Life is Good, God is Good, and I am looking for His favor and blessings, for not only me but each one of you. My blog is a ministry, and I truly pray for each of you that visit each day. Love to you all this Sunday--and dont' worry, I'll be back to making tutorials very soon. Right now, Im' just resting in Him, and blogging with you!

So come along, and let's think POSITIVELY. Even though life isn't always easy, we have the GOD given talents he has given us. He gave them to us when we were born, and no matter how much trials, mistakes, or adversity comes our way--they are still waiting to be unlocked to His fullest potential. His talents and future promises for our life WILL NEVER be taken away. I want you to remember that--God is just waiting to open up those blessings and talents--all you have to do is let go of the past, and MOVE on with the future--go out on the limb, so he can unlock all those talents and blessings He has saved up just for you.

Imagine a room full of love, hope, desires--all the things we have prayed for, wished for, and desired. However, guess what? Unless we trust in God and let Him move on our behalf--they will be forever locked away--treasures stored up that no one will enjoy. We just have to have FAITH, trust in him *(not ourselves)*. For only when we give in completely to Him, and leave it up to Hiim that He knows best--and go out on faith--trusting in Him--pushing that dream into possiblity---- can God work--can he unlock the storeroom--and bless us with His bountiful blessings and talents to achieve those dreams. Only when we RELINQUISH our self...our own will--can we allow Him to work, and His blessings to manifest.

I am believing that God is working the Most...when we see it the Least, and I'm going to rest in Him.

Dont' forget, I'd love to have you leave me a comment, join my blog as a follower, and check out my stamps at K Andrew Designs. THANK you for being here with me today. It is a pleasure and blessing to have you here and call you friend.

 I would love to see your positive projects--anything that encourages, uplifts, or puts a smile on your face is welcome! The winner will receive a FULL YEARS subscription to the scrappy magazine Creating Keepsakes!!

Our Special Guest Designer Karen and her wonderful easel card
Dance like Nobody's Watching

Visit Karen's Blog Here

This week the Design Team is featuring the

Postitive Thoughts Stamp Set

which benefits Storefront Children's Shelter 

(a homless shelter for children & Youth)

Triangle Card

Visit Brenda's Blog here

Today is Your Day

Visit Julie's Blog here

Today is Your Day

Visit Kathy P.'s Blog here

Forgiveness

Visit Kathy T.'s Blog here

 Birthday Card
Visit Amy's Blog here

Life is So much Better
Visit Rebecca M.'s Blog here

Join us and link up your positive project here until August 13'th!

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Starbucks Saturday: How to Gain More Followers & Blog Readers: Giveaway!

**Don't forget I have a DESIGN TEAM call going on and my NEWEST stamp Release ***

Hi everyone--it's a beautiful morning...hmmmm...good to the last Coffee drop over here! I love coffee--and you will know that if you saw my newest release stamp set: Coffee & Tea For You & Me

 I am super excited to be with you here again on a beautiful Saturday! I didn't have any questions about blogs this past week, so I think I will go with something that I get asked alot....How do I get people to follow my blog???

Let me start off by saying, that you will have a large people visiting your blog to see what you have made, but they might not ever follow or leave a comment. Some people never will, some are short on time, and some don't want to take the time. So realize that only a about 10% of who visits your blog becomes a follower!

Five GREAT Tips to Increase Your Blog Followers

(more to come soon!)

*Tip ONE: Post frequently (once a day, every few days). The more you post, the more active your blog, and greater chance it has to be seen and picked up my search engines.

*Tip TWO: Write a Guest Post for another blogger. Why? This introduces you to another scope of readers who will come over and see your blog!!

*Tip THREE: Comment on other people's blogs. It's a nice thing to do, and others notice it! They will see your comment and come check out your blog!

*Tip FOUR: Try a Giveaway (This should be within your means, and only if you feel it will add to your blog of LOYAL followers--some people might follow, only to never come back or unfollow you after the prize is awarded. So this is not one I suggest to new bloggers--I do it because I enjoy it--you should only do this if you feel good about it.

*Tip FIVE: Make sure your Blogger Profile has a LINK to your blog in it. Many time s people will click on your profile to find your blog. If it's not listed--they move on. Not sure how to make sure it's on there? Here we go...

A. Head over to your Dashboard: Then Profile, then EDIT profile.

B. Now Show My Blogs, and click on Select Blogs to Display

Now make sure to CHECK the blog you want others to see. I have three due to the Design Team & Magazine I write for--my personal one is the one I should select. Then all you do is click save settings, and your blog is now under your Blogger Public Profile.

I have several emails thru the week asking questions about all types of bloggie things, pleas for advice on certain matters, and more! This is a great way for me to answer those questions so everyone may benefit. If you want me to answer any question, please shoot me an email to kristalstamper@yahoo.com and don't worry if will be in total confidence unless you want me to share your name....you can always sign keep this Anonymous--and don't worry... I will! I'll also share heartfelt messages here too!

Because I love you all so much (do you know I pray for you each day?)...I want to give one of you my fabulous readers a "Cuppa Coffee on ME--my little treat for you--a Gift Card to Starbucks or other place of your choice for your favorite cuppa joe or smoothie or other what-not! lol!

 

Okay who's ready for a cuppa joe on K? Leave me a comment sweet friends today!!!

THE WINNER for last Saturday's cup of Joe is.....#57

Creative Journey email me using the Contact Form at the top of my Page, and I'll get your Starbuck's Gift card right out to you!!!

Love you all--make sure to leave me a comment or email about what you would like to see me write about next Saturday!!

Dont' forget to stop by and see my NEWEST Stamp PREORDERS--for a liimited time, you can get them at a discount and reserve yours before they sell out!!! I even have a Coffee & Tea set! Yay!!!

Coffee & Tea Mix & Match  

Sympathetic Sayings (Larger set)

Winged Things: Mix & Match

(Bonus frame & images)

JOIN ME tomorrow for GIVEAWAY MONDAY--I will announce the latest winner of the Chomas Embossing Set and have a FANTASTIC prize for you!!!!

I want to offer one of my followers (you guys are so awesome) a COFFEE on me! Just leave me a comment today, and I'll draw a winner next Saturday for the Gift Card. If  you don't have a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Even McDonalds-they have all sorts of iced Coffee. You just let me know which one you want!!! Tell me ONE thing you are thankful for!!!

Don't forget you can subscribe to my blog as a follower, find me on facebook (tab at the top of the page), and grab my blinkie for you blog (left sidebar). I would love it if you did!! If you are a new follower, leave me your blog addy so I can pop over and see you!!

Love to you ALL & God Blessings Be Upon You!!

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Winged Things Preview Stamp Set 3 of 3 of August Releases!!

Oh my goodness--I bet you guys are like WHEN is Kristal going to stop introducing Stamps? hahaha! Okay so this is the last of the NEW releases for August!!! I love it! It's much more elegant than usual, but I wanted it to be used with butterflies, bees, dragonflies, hearts with wings, all winged creatures--and they are usually beautiful!!! This set is a MIX and MATCH set--so it can make TONS of sentiments just by mixing and matching the stamps in this set! Also there is a tiny butterfly and bee--to accent your sentiments or frame. The frame is meant to fit the mix and match sentiments inside--how cool is that????

Since this is a Mix and Match set the possiblities are endless: here are a few I've come up with using this set:
Bee my friend, Bee my mine, You are bee-utiful, Thanks for bee-ing my friend, for my friend, I'll bee there for you, I'm there for you, you are the wind beneath my wings, Let your heart take flight, let your love take flight, let your faith take flight, Let your Imagination take flight, Let your dreams take flight, Bee Brave, Sweet as can be, brave as can be, let your heart be brave, busy as a bee, bee-loved, and more! Then these sentiments:

If there were no change, there would be no butterflies, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles.

Guess what? Each stamp set you purchase goes toward a WORTHY charity organization. I research these well, and only give to ones that are not a hand-out but a way for good people to help themselves during bad times! This one is no different...

When you purchase the stamp set Winged Things, you are not only aiding me and my two boys, but a fabulous charity called Elisabeth Glaser's Pediatric Aids Foundation. This program gives 87.5% to  prevent pediatric HIV infection and to eradicate pediatric AIDS through research, advocacy, and prevention and treatment programs

I am proud to support this charity with me donating (I donate EVERY quarter--so I will be donating mid September to all charities) $1 from every stamp set to the Charity listed out of my profit. After all fees, I donate the full $1--so no money is lost, and is given to the people in need.

I hope this stamp set provides a good sentiment base for you to inspire others with a beautiful and sweet set using your favorite butterfly, dragonfly, bee, honey, and other sweet winged things!!! Winged things are very inspirational to me!

Thank you for  your love,  your support, and cheering me on with the design and sales of these stamps that go to a good purpose as well. May God bless you richly.

Want to check this stamp set out? Head over to K Andrew Designs and preorder now! They will be on their way to you within 2 weeks--in order received. I can't wait to see what beautiful & uplifting cards you make. I have only ordered a SMALL amount, so that is why I'm taking preorders.

So let's Stretch those wings, and stamp up some Inspiration!!!!!  Love to you all--Kristal

To PREORDER NOW click HERE

Winged Things (On Preorder Now--RESERVE your copy as Quantities are Limited)

Okay so leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!

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Exciting news--I need your help and advice! eeeeek!

Hi everyone! As you know, I'm releasing a set of 3 new stamp sets: Sympathetic Sayings, Coffee & Tea, and Winged Things! You can preorder all of these now by going to my store K Andrew Designs Stamps. I'll be only ordered a small initial quantity--so reserve yours now--eeek! They will be here mid August if not sooner!

Also, one person who preorders one of the new August releases will receive their order FREE--I'll randomly choose one person thru random.org and reimburse their order!!!! woot woot!

Okay now I really want to do something super special for my readers and friends. I know that you dont' have to buy my stamps. I'm always so grateful that you do and support me and my two boys and the wonderful charities I've chosen....so I want to do something to REWARD those of you who are so loyal! I want to make a special stamp set that only my frequent shoppers will receive--a special customer thank you set! Here's where I would LOVE your help~~!~

I would love to know what kind of stamp set you would like to see me feature for my customers only! Now please DONT leave a comment here telling me (we want to keep this thing a surprise!) so email me here use my contact form  at the top of page!

Get ready because VERY soon....you will see the Winged Things set--and I even have a bundle (deep discounted) of all three new releases for preorder in my store! Thanks for letting me share with you, and guess what? Monday I have an awesome GIVEAWAY!!!! Just wait till you see and I'll announce the chomas embossing winner too then! eeeek! YAY!!!!!!

Oh ps head over to my FACEBOOK PAGE HERE and sign up for the latest giveaways (Surprise K Andrew Designs stamp set)!

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Coffee & Tea for You & Me Pre-View! eeeek! soooo cute!

Hey ya'lll! I'm BAAACK with my next new release for August!! I will have one more full set after this--so if you want to preorder all three--there is a place in the store to do so! Now I am Super Duper excited (Imagine BARNEY the purple dinosaur dancing--that's how happy I am) about this set. This set is a MIX and MATCH set--so it can make TONS of sentiments just by mixing and matching the stamps in this set!

PS I also heard Cricut is making a tea and coffee cartridge--how cool is that?

I LOVE coffee and tea--I guess it comes from being a true GRITS. What's that? A Girl Raised in the South! lol! I love this set because it can even be used without a coffee and tea tone! Some of the stamps that can be made are: How Ya Bean? Bean There Done That, Love ya a latte, Miss you a latte, Java fun day, Java great day, Have a Grande Birthday, Have a fun birthday, Have a latte fun, Spill the Beans, Perk Up, You're just My cuppa Joe, You're just My cuppa tea, Perk up! Our Friendship is the right blend, Our friend is a latte fun, Our friendship is Grande, How ya bean sugar, You're just tea-rrific, What's brewing, Brewing up a latte fun, Brewing up a good time, Have a great day sugar, and on and on!!!!!

Guess what? Each stamp set you purchase goes toward a WORTHY charity organization. I research these well, and only give to ones that are not a hand-out but a way for good people to help themselves during bad times! This one is no different...

When you purchase the stamp set Coffee & Tea, you are not only aiding me and my two boys, but a fabulous charity called Wayhouse for Women. This is a fabulous rehabiltation program for women and mothers who have a substance abuse problem. This program gives 89.6% to getting mothers back into their lives and with their family by ensuring they kick the habit and have the skills long term to not relapse!

I am proud to support this charity with me donating (I donate EVERY quarter--so I will be donating mid September to all charities) $1 from every stamp set to the Charity listed out of my profit. After all fees, I donate the full $1--so no money is lost, and is given to the people in need.

I hope this stamp set provides a good sentiment base for you to pull from to share your love with all your friends, family, and men-folk. Everyone loves coffee or tea--and this is just a super versatile set!

Thank you for  your love,  your support, and cheering me on with the design and sales of these stamps that go to a good purpose as well. May God bless you richly.

Want to check this stamp set out? Head over to K Andrew Designs and preorder now! They will be on their way to you within 2 weeks--in order received. I can't wait to see what beautiful & uplifting cards you make. I have only ordered a SMALL amount, so that is why I'm taking preorders.

So let's Perk Up and Brew up some Fun!!!!!  Love to you all--Kristal

To PREORDER NOW click HERE

Coffee & Tea for You & Me (On Preorder now Quantities are Limited)

Okay so leave me a comment and let me know what you think!!

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NEW release: Sympathetic Sayings Stamp Set!!!

Hi everyone! I'm super excited to announce the preorder for a NEW release: Sympathetic Sayings. Many times while looking for positive sentiments to send to someone who is experiencing a sad time, I just couldn't find an elegant, positive sentiment. Well apparently many of you have been the SAME way...sending a sympathy card is a hard task!

I've jam-packed this stamp set with beautiful and uplifting sentiments for divorce, death of a loved one, miscarriage, loss of a pet, and more! There are sixteen perfect sentiments just the right size for cards, journaling, and more!

Guess what? Each stamp set you purchase goes toward a WORTHY charity organization. I research these well, and only give to ones that are not a hand-out but a way for good people to help themselves during bad times! This one is no different...

When you purchase the Sympathetic Sayings, you are not only aiding me and my two boys, but a fabulous charity called Camp Good Days & Special Times. This is a camp for children who have lost a parent or very close family member to cancer, death, or other life challenge. 86.4% of all the money raised goes to counseling and a happy camp time for these grieving children. I love Camp Good Days because they only have ONE paid employee!!! Losing someone is VERY hard--we all know that.

It's hard because even a divorce is like losing someone--children even go thru a despairing time--and to lose a parent forever is just devestating. I am proud to support this charity with me donating (I donate EVERY quarter--so I will be donating mid September to all charities) $1 from every stamp set to the Charity listed out of my profit. After all fees, I donate the full $1--so no money is lost, and is given to the people in need.

I hope this stamp set provides a good sentiment base for you to pull from when you have a friend or loved one going thru a VERY difficult time.

Thank you for  your love,  your support, and cheering me on with the design and sales of these stamps that go to a good purpose as well. May God bless you richly.

Want to check this stamp set out? Head over to K Andrew Designs and preorder now! They will be on their way to you within 2 weeks--in order received. I can't wait to see what beautiful & uplifting cards you make.

So no matter what life brings us--we can respond in a positive and loving manner. Love to you all--Kristal

To Preorder Now click HERE

Sympathetic Sayings: Benefits Camp Good Days (Camp for Grieving Children who Lost Parent)

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Design Team Hijack #6

Did ya hear?  The Getting Cricky Design Team has HIJACKED the Getting Cricky Blog while Kristal is away!!  This is Brenda with Creativity is a State of Mind and I'm so happy to be able to share something old and something new with you today...

As most of you know, I've been following Kristal's blog pretty much as long as she has been blogging.  I found her by accident shortly after she started blogging and was hooked, I mean - hook, line and sinker.  She has the best tutorials, videos, giveaways and most of all INSPIRATION!!!  There are days I have been down and out and I go back and reread previous posts that she has written just to lift my heart a bit.  It seems as if she is talking directly to me and makes me wonder how she can know exactly what I am going through.  Then I look at my "problem" and remember that I am not the only one who has a rough time.  We all have our "days" and think "my life so so bad", but someone else is going through something today too.  They are thinking the same thing...so pick yourself up and change what you are so unhappy about and turn that frown upside down.  You are the only one that can change your attitude.  Sure others help, but it's up to you to pull up those boot strings and make it a better day...Remember "Today is the first day of the rest of your life"!  Sometimes we just need to simplify our lives...to much baggage and to much drama.  I am starting to see that now in a brighter light.  Unemployed means a lot of time on my hands to think (and yes, job search), but I've come to realize that I have everything I need right here at home!!!  I have a great husband, that supports my crafting lifestyle, even if he doesn't understand it.  I have a great daughter and son in law who are expecting their 2nd child.  I have two sons who help out at home and love that mom can hang out with them and watch tv or just sit and chat.  I have a beautiful granddaughter that I absolutely adore and a craft room full of "stuff".  What more can I ask for?  Sure...I can't go out an buy those really good specials at Michaels or the newest toy right now because the extra money isn't there, but I can shop my stash and revisit oldies but goodies.  Sometimes we tend to forget what's right here at home...so here is what I found for you today.

If you all remember Kristal used to sell her SVG files online.  She has made some of the cutest files and oh how I have bought my share...LOL  I could own stock in her company...hahaha.  Well, when she came out with her stamp sets, not only did I buy them, but I love them, just like I did her files.  I was looking to make a card the other day and I was looking at her "Food for Thought" stamp set (that's how I get my inspiration) and I remember I had purchased this "Orange You Sweet" file of hers.  So I dug way deep into my computer of files upon files and found it and came up with this:

I added some fake flowers and attached some bling
for the centers as embellishments 

Of course I used the "Food for Thought" stamp set and
stamped directly onto the ribbon.  I love doing this
to add a bit more to plain ribbon

The E-craft also draws so this was pretty cool.
The drawback to that is that the E-Craft only
has black pens, but it worked for this.

See what you can make if you just stop and reflect on the past a little?  I feel very good about my card and am excited to be able to combine something old and something new.  Now, I don't know if Kristal is still selling any of her files, but I am sure if you emailed her she can answer any of your questions.

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Featured Blogger: Deborah Foti plus AMAZING giveaways and Stick Pin TUTORIAL!!!

First off i want to say Thank-you Kristal for having me as a featured blogger and a Friend. I found Kristal many many months ago before i even started my own blog. I found myself visiting her daily! I enjoyed reading her encouraging words. And then she came out with her stamps sets and oh my goodness if you haven't seen them yet and really need to take a peek i just love them and have used all of the sets as much as i can. I bought all 6 because she gives $ 1.00 of every set to 6 different Charity's and don't let her fool you she also gives $1.00 of her own money for every set that's bought. So for each set she donates $2.00 and her sets are the cheapest around. I love how versatile they are. So If you haven't gotten a chance to check them out you can by clicking on this LINK . Some of her charities include Cancer Angels, Storefront Shelter (Homeless Children Shelter), Fallen Heroes, Doorways for Women & Children against Domestic Violence, and Autism Research.

 
So for my post  today i want to share a few cards that I've made using K.Andrews stamps .. I'm also going to share a little photo tutorial on how i make my stick pins ..Ive been asked many time's and i thought that i would give it a try :-)

This card is a card i call Pull out Tag card ..lol I'm not sure whats its really called , I used the stamp set "Splash-tastic summer " on this card.. I also handmade the flowers and of course the stickpin. I used a file from www.littlescrapsofheavendesigns.com "mermaid Buddy's" My all time favorite paper piercing file company ..
Yes Kristal I make the paper piercings my self :-) lol

I hand made this Rolled Ribbon and again added two pink ( my favorite color) stickpins

This is the front of my card , I took some scrap ribbon and sewed it to the front, added my rolled ribbon and then my stickpins

These are my Tags I just the stamp set "positive Thoughts " one of my favorites out of all of the sets

This tag stamp is from the "freedom isn't free " stamp set

I wanted to share a close up of the ribbon flower and the stickpins ..

This is the front of the card :-) I used the file "military kids" from little scraps of heaven.

This is a card that i made just for Kristal , I hope that you liked it hon :-)

The "Go ahead and laugh" is a stamp from " Positive thoughts" stamp
The owl is a file from " http://www.littlescrapsofheavendesings.com/ . I added a ribbon and a few flowers.

This is the inside of the card.. A handmade ribbon and stickpins made with Kristal's favorite colors

I made this little card for my son whom is heading to college, I used the "fabulous friends" stamp set

I made this little note book by using the "food for thought" stamp set :-)

 So this is how i make my stick pins .. I'm sure that there are many different ways to make them.

A photo of all of the things that i use.

These are the pins that i use. I get them from Michael's for $ 2.99 and i use earring backs for stoppers.

This is called tulle Fabric , Although i call it bridal Vail  ..

I color the tips of my pins with my copic markers.. although you can of course leave them white.

I cut out what ever I'm going to be using for a back .. this time i wanted to use a butterfly. I always ink the edges for an extra touch.

So i start by adding a drop of glue to the pin , and i added my beads , for every bead you add you use a drop of glue, You can use jewelry glue but i like using my glue gun.

I always add the Tulle Fabric to the centers of my projects .. just use a dab of glue to hold it into place.

I always add a ribbon to the background also :-) just for that added touch

Today just for leaving me a comment and visiting K.Andews blog I'm going to be giving away one of my stick pins from my ESTY shop  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/snuglebuggin?ref=si_shop

and a POSITIVE THOUGHTS stamp set from http://www.gettingcricky.com/

Have A SUPER day My Friends :-)

WOW! Thank you Deborah--thos stick pins are gorgeous--and your tutorial is fabulous!

I absolutely LOVE all of the projects Deb has made--and her incredibly SWEET spirit! It makes my day seeing what each of you my sweet readers make with my stamps and your incredible talent. Just absolutely the nicest thing we can do is share our love, talent, and blessings together like this.

Don't forget to hop over and see Deborah at her blog--because she is such a special person--you will LOVE seeing her talent and kindness just beam each day!!!

Love to you all! I can't wait to see each of you make with my stamps-don't forget you can check out K Andrew Designs Sentiment stamps here! I have a NEW stamp set release coming very very soon--just an additional set. I've decided to only release one stamp set at a time--to not overwhelm anyone--and why not? We have so much time to enjoy each of the stamp sets as they come!!

Love to each of you! I'm so excited about the blessings that God has for you--did you know that I pray God shows each of my followers and friends His favor? Well I do! So expect good things!

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Design Team Hijack #5

Hi My Fellow Crafy Crafters


It's Becka with http://www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/ here.
Today is Day 5 of HIJACKING Kristal's blog while she is busy taking in some R&R. I am happy to be here with you today. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.
I always love coming to Kristal's blog everyday to inspire, uplift and just make me feel plain better everyday. Since she is away, I will try to give you some words of my wisdom, but please be nice Kristal is way better at this than me.
Anyways, today I would like to talk to about HERO's. Everyone has a person they look up too. For me my hero is my mother. She is the greatest, most loving, and strongest person I know.  When I was a child my mother was a single mom raising 3 girls, with not very much help from our dad. But she stayed so strong for us kids, although she worked a full time job, she still cleaned houses at night just so we would have enough money to buy groceries she always was happy. She always taught us that honesty and love were they greatest things you could give to another person.  Whenever one of us was hurting she was always there for us, she always stood up for us and what she believed in, lifts us up when we are down, always has great advice to give, and she would never let anyone ever hurts us.
My mom is still the same to this day, she is my bestfriend and I love her so much and she is my hero.
So who is the Hero in your life? Today I made this card to show my mother how much I love her.

I love this little stamped image, can you believe I colored this with colored pencils? I just got them this week and this is only the 2nd image I have colored. I am trying to get the hang of it. The sentiment is from K.Andrew Stamp set Positive Thoughts.

Please check out all of Kristal's stamp sets HERE. They are all awesome, and she donates $1 per set sold to a charity that is close to her heart. Please check back tomorrow to see who is the next one to take over Kristal's blog. And come visit me at http://www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com/

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