Wednesday, August 10, 2016

In Praise of Ferocity

Good for Lilly King.

I think whatever happens in the rest of the Olympics, the high point for me will be that finger wagging at a cheater. Her medal was a bonus. Her TRUTH TELLING was her solid gold performance. I'm a huge fan of that kind of ferocity. We didn't become rebellious colonists by being quiet about injustice, after all.

I am lucky to be surrounded by a ton of fierce women in the craft industry. I'm amazed at how many of my friends have seized their destiny and changed the landscape with their creativity. It's as inspiring as feisty little Lilly King.

One such friend is Danielle Walls - the owner of Neat & Tangled. I won't spoil for you how her incredible stamp company came to life, I'll let her tell it in her own words in our recent Crafty Chat.



I am honored call Danielle a friend, and stoked to help her celebrate the fourth birthday of her company today with a week long blog hop! (Be sure and stop everywhere for your chance to win some of her extremely generous prizes - she'll be choosing from all commenters to win a $100 and two $50 gift certificates to her store.)

When I saw her ADORABLE Little Stinker set, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

I decided that the little sign he was holding looked like he was waiting at the airport for his skunky little girlfriend. So I stamped the whole skunk image again, fussy cut her head, colored it in pinks and put it on his sign.

Hopefully she will appreciate how important he wanted her to feel making such a big deal about her returning from her skunkette conference!

Homecomings this fancy should be celebrated so I paired that with the cute Celebrate die.

I made the floor tiles using this tutorial for checkerboard flooring, and then I rounded the corners of each tile and fuzzed out the lines a little bit with a Progresso pencil.

Then I used the Serene Scenery paper to create a wall and a window to complete the airport feel - the molding I made is the same paper as the wall - I just colored it with a grey Copic marker. Still cracks me up just seeing it on my desk.

I colored the skunks with Zig Clean Color Markers - Light Grey, Deep Blue, Light Carmine, Blue Grey, Light Pink, Pink on Bristol.
Little Stinker by Understand Blue



That skunk is a gentleman!

So go see what everyone else has cooked up today - the amazing duo of Wanda Guess and Kristina Werner are up next. You know it's going to be amazing.

Happy birthday Danielle - you are a force for good in the world! Good for you for creating the world you now succeed in.







Monday August 8


Tuesday August 9


Wednesday August 10



Loveyameanitbye.



239 comments:

  1. So adorable!! Such a fresh take on the little stinker set - love it!

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  2. Omg!!. Too stinkin cute!!!. What an awesome idea to make it look like a sign at airport. I love stamps like this that allow you to be creative in them using your own saying, artwork etc. Made me smile and know others would too. My favorite example for this stamp set. A must have for sure.

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  3. Hehe, that is so cool. Love how you did the floor tiles.

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  4. Oh my my! What a genius thought which converted the whole creation to another world! I love the stylish sign board to pick her skunk girl friend and what an awesome floor! So many details and dimension in this stinkin' cutest creation! Absolutely Fabulous!!!!!

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  5. This is so creative and cute! :) Love this stamp set! :D

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  6. Your little stinker is just too fun.

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  7. First off I so agree with you Lydia..Lily King rocked it :)
    I just adore your card!
    The flooring and the walls and window !
    Love how the cute skunk is holding up a picture of his girlfriend :) way to cute!

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  8. What a fun card. Just love it. Sinker is adorable.

    Marjeta

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  9. Beautiful card and love your stamping idea!

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  10. Your card is amazing---such a work of talent and creativity. I will be back to hear the story behind Neat and Tangled. Thank you for sharing your card and Danielle's story!

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  11. Cute card! That lil stinker is adorable.

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  12. Lydia, this is AWESOME. I haven't seen it done yet with this stamp set.Background rocks.

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  13. I love your card and how you used the zig markers. I love blue too. Great job. Happy birthday neat and tangled. Great stamps!

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  14. Oh my! This is sooo cute and amazing!!

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  15. I love that celebrate die! Go Lilly King!!

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  16. Crazy adorable! "Waiting for his skunky little girlfriend" - awesomeness.

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  17. I think that card is stinkin cute and I love the tile floor background. Thanks for sharing. Good job N&T for four years.

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  18. Oh, how stinkin' CUTE! A great card Lydia. Love the tile floor too! So cute! Now I have to go.....I have Crafty Chat #13 to watch... Totally enjoy these BTW!
    A HUGE Congratulations to Danielle! Love N&T! Off now to watch it...

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  19. Adorable skunk. Great coloring.. The Zig markers are on my wish list.

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  20. Such a sweet little card. Love Danielle's crafty chat video!! TFS

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  21. FUN and FABULOUS card Lydia :)
    He is SO STINKIN' CUTE and so is your card, I LOVE it AND the story behind it, from the sign to the molding at the airport!!!
    THANK YOU for bringing a SMILE to my day and INSPIRING me to have CREATIVE ADVENTURES!!!

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  22. OMGEE so cute! I totally agree that the skunk could be waiting for his girlfriend at the airport. So clever and whimsical! Love!

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  23. This is adorable! Very creative!

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  24. Nice depth with the lined pattern!

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  25. Wow..I loved how you created the floor ad the bg ! Stinking cute card !

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  26. Skunky and his girlfriend..wonder what she's called! ;) Adorable card, Lydia!

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  27. Oh so adorable, I love this little skunk, what a cutie!

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  28. Love Neat and Tangled's story, their stamps are just too cute! Love your skunk card!!!

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  29. So stinkin' cute (couldn't resist!) Lydia - I love your blog posts - they make me laugh all the time and nod my head, yes, how true. Keep up all the good work!

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  30. The card came out so sweet, the tile looks real!

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  31. Love the new products. Beautiful cards.

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  32. I love blog hops because they inspire me so. You are such a talented artist; I love what you create.

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  33. I like the way you put the little skunk on the cover page that the little skunk is holding. Very clever! Funny you call him a gentleman, I see "him" as a sweet little girl....just love that stamp boy or girl!! Thanks for your ideas

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  34. Very very cute. TY for sharing your story and card

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  35. Soooo adorable! I love what you do - your wonderful talent!

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  36. One of my students this summer is a real Nigerian prince!

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  37. How clever is this! So cute. Keeps you from picking up the wrong person at the airport. Thanks for the back story.

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  38. I love the clever use of the stamp on the card. Believe me , I never would have thought of the airport sign. Genius!

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  39. What an adorable card. I just love that skunk. So, so sweet.

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  40. Stinkin cute card! I love the crafty chats!!

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  41. I love you card Lydia. It is so adorable! Tfs

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  42. OMG love that card!!! and the story behind it!!!!

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  43. Your card is simply adorable. Love two skunks in two different colors...great idea. Super job.

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  44. I like the celebrate die. It is so nice to be able to incorporate the big script dies with or without other words for a card front. The little skunk is adorable!

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  45. Love this skunk and can't wait to receive it in my order. Love the face on the sign.

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  46. What a powerful tribute to Danielle's feisty, creative spirit that has, indeed, had an impact on many of us. She and her fabulous products had a powerful influence when I first started my crafting journey (my way of expressing creativity that I didn't realize I had...it's not much, but it still warrants expression) and continues to be felt, years later. I'll be listening to the Online Chat later. As it has with the other conversations, something significant will resonant with me...I'm looking forward to discovering what the gem will be with Danielle. Your card is ultra sweet! Yes, that gal skunk is lucky to have such a gentleman awaiting her...
    ~carol

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  47. Love your card--especially that little gentleman skunk! Thanks for sharing!

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  48. Beautiful lil stinker!!! I love this! That "sign" that the skunk is holding is sooooooooooo versitile!!!! It could be used for almost anything!!!

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  49. Love the story that went with the card! SO CUTE!

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  50. What an adorable card! So cute and fun!

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  51. Love your card and it's little skunk tale!

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  52. Gentlemen skunks are my favourite. Stinkin' cute card <--bad pun. Love it!

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  53. A-maz-ing. Just the imagination and skill that you put into this delightful scene boggles my brain.

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  54. OOOOOOOOOOOOOO! What a fabulous backstory for this wonderful card!!! You are so creative!! TFS!

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  55. Great new dies & stamps! Great card! I love this little stinker!

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  56. Thanks for the entertaining tale of Mr. Skunk at the airport... what a hoot!!
    You created a wonderfully fun scene!

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  57. That card is so cute, I'm in love with that skunk.

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  58. Oh the skunk is too cute! Can't wait to receive my order!!

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  59. So adorable and love the word die. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda D.

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  60. The wall with the window is a really great idea. I also love this cute shrunk with the sign! Great job. :)

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  61. Such a cute card. Love the wood background.

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  62. Aww what a cute story you created for your card! Of course skunks don't write so he had to draw her picture! He's a great little artist too! Love it!

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  63. I love his little "girlfriend"!! Such a cute idea!

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  64. Happy birthday, neat and tangled. Thank you for sharing.

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  65. I love that cute blush on his cheeks! The coloring on the shrunk is great, I need these markers!

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  66. You are so funny and I loved your card. TFS

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  67. Great new products. Love your card. It's so skunky cute.

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  68. Forgive me but I have to say it. This card is "stinken cute". Love it. I love your blog. It's funny & it's serious.

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  69. Adorable skunk! Love the story idea you created having the skunk be a gentleman.

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  70. This card is so cute! Love the card and the story! Thanks for sharing!

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  71. This is pretty much the cutest "stinkin'" card I've seen! Thanks for sharing!

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  72. Your card is so original and fun! I like how you changed it up to reflect your own creativity!

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  73. Cute card with a great idea showing the skunk holding a picture!

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  74. Your skunk "gentleman" was adorable... Loved the background!

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  75. Love your card! The little stinker is just behaving perfectly!

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  76. How fun...I love the whole scenario you've set up with this card! Too cute!

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  77. What a great way to use the stamp!

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  78. Love how you developed a story for this cute little fellow LOL!

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  79. What a totally fun card! Thanks or all the inspiration and the very informative video with Danielle.

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  80. Beautiful card you are very talented
    I'm a fan
    I love the way you integrate colors

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  81. Really cute card! I love that little skunk! Love how you used your papers for the background!

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  82. Clever way you added the girl skunk. So cute.

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  83. Love the airport window.
    Clever idea.
    Skunks aren't a favorite but this one is
    darling and can come to visit anytime he
    wants.
    thanks for sharing.

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  84. I love your unique take on the Little Stinker set! This is adorable! I also love all the texture you provided in the background with the patterned paper!

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  85. Super cute card! what a lucky skunky gal! :)

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  86. Just so adorable--reminds me of my son waiting at the airport for his girlfriend to arrive. That look of hope--and then the joy when they meet up!

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  87. I am in love with that skunk. He reminds me so much of Peppe Le Peuw (i'm sure that is not how it is spelled) I'm telling my age. he was a cartoon many many years ago. He would say "Oh my little cabbage.... come away with me to pariiie" then he would start at her hand and kiss her sweet little skunk arm all the way to her shoulder. ROFL i cant stand it! It was so so funny. Lydia, i love your card! You are a genius! Hugs, treen

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  88. This is fabulous! I love the scene (and story) you created!

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  89. What a fun idea! I like that he's holding her photo and not her name.

    Noreen
    Crafty Journal

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  90. This is so adorable!!! I love how you used the papers in background! Beautiful convo!
    Of course I love the cute stinker, too!!! Really cute!!!

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  91. Thanks for sharing your card and your talents! You are an inspiration to me.

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  92. That is the cutest card and I just love that skunk!

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  93. Great job on the card, Lydia! I'm impressed with the floor and wall. Looks so real! Thanks so much for sharing with us and for participating in this great hop and giveaway.

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  94. super cute...very clever card mf...
    hugs,
    K

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  95. Continued success to Neat & Tangled, I already have several items in my wish list! Your card is so cute.

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  96. A very cute card - great coloring job.

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  97. Great card. I love the 'celebrate' die.

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  98. Love your card and the airport scene you made with the skunk and his sign!

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  99. This is really cute! And the more I see this celebrate die, the more I need it.

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  100. Don't you just love the Zig markers for coloring? Couldn't live without them and Copics. Loved your skunk card.

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  101. What a fantastic idea! That airport scene is marvelous! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  102. Great job all around! And that floor, will have to give that a try.

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  103. Really sweet. He looks happy to have her back home. Thanks for inspiring and for hopping with Neat & Tangled as they celebrate 4 years.

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  104. Very cute and creative :) Hugs...Janie

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  105. Super cute card! Love the floor designs incorporated into the card!

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  106. How fun this card
    is! Great design
    for the card.
    Carla from Utah

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  107. Love the stamp set but the back story for your card is AWESOME!!!

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  108. What a creative idea you used for this cute card.

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  109. Thanks for sharing. It's always inspiring to listen to how people start out. For I'm a watcher not a doer but maybe someday it could happen.

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  110. love this release so many wonferful things!!!

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  111. Cute! They have some of the best products!

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  112. Oh nooo this is so adorable!!!! Love the story this card tells!!

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  113. I love the mix of textures in this card! So pretty!

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  114. Love this fun card! Awesome coloring and a cute skunk! I bought some of the Bristol paper to try out with the Zig markers!
    Happy Birthday to Neat and Tangled!

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  115. Cute!! The touch of blue just made the card.

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  116. So cute. Love the scene you created.

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  117. Wonderful card. It's full of such great details.

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  118. Love the story behind your card design, so fun!

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  119. So pretty ...
    I fall in love with the tile....

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  120. Adorable. Fun idea making the scene at the airport. I already splurged on the celebrate die but I might have to get the stamp set, too.

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  121. I have a few "little stinkers" that would love your card!

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  122. Loved meeting Danielle through Crafty Chat!! Great blog post and your card is adorably fun! Happy 4th neat & tangled!

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  123. Cute, cute card and fun idea! Loved the interview on Crafty Chat and think Neat & Tangled is super!

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  124. Cute card! Love your little skunk... Nice job! Thanks for sharing him/it!

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  125. I love the airport idea! It's fun to see how people can use their stamps in different ways. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  126. Oh, so cute. Loving this blog hop. TFS such an adorable creation.

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  127. Love that Little Stinker and your card layout.

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  128. I really love how gorgeous and detailed your card is, I am really loving this hop, and seeing everyone show their creativity and talent.

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  129. Great idea to make a sign with the skunk girl on it. Who wouldn't feel good about being front and center on a sign. Thanks for the sweet idea.

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  130. Haha! I love the "airport sign" imagery! So cute!

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  131. Ute, cute skunk!
    Love your overall design.

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  132. So many great details on this card, Lydia! I'm just in awe! I have enjoyed each and every Crafty Chat and can't wait for each new one. A very happy 4th birthday to Neat & Tangled! ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

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  133. Great card. Love the wood floor tiles. So cool. Thanks for sharing.

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  134. Love your post and your card! Go USA! What a cute way to welcome his skunkette home!

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  135. Such a cute card!!! Love it:)

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  136. Great card. I can't imagine doing the flooring!

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  137. What a unique card. Love your idea. I definitely agree with your view on the Olympics.

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  138. That is a very cute card.
    Thank you for sharing

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  139. How imaginative! I really like your execution of this fun and unique way to interpret this set.

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  140. Now I'm intrigued! Have to check out your "floor" tutorial! Cutest little Skunk ever along with the awesome Crafty Chat video. I love listening to them while I craft away. Happy birthday to Neat & Tangled!

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  141. Go USA, and what an adorable card! So excited to get my hands on this release!

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  142. Fantastic card with so much love!!!! Great Zig watercoloring on this precious lil stinker and great ideas for future cards using tile technique :)

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  143. Very nice card thank you for sharing!

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  144. Such an adorable little stinker! This is very cute and I love your idea behind it!

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  145. The card is adorable and very creative. Thanks for for sharing and for the inspiration.

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  146. Great post & video! Great card also!

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  147. This is a super cute card! I love the little skunky sign!

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  148. I love your imagination! You're so artistic - interesting - refreshingly different! Love this little stamp and die set. TFS!!

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  149. That little skunk reminds me Pepe Le Peuww from looney tunes. Hubby and I have a standing about him...so I'm definitely purchasing this set! Great coloring job!!

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  150. Just adorable. You are so creative.

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  151. So stinking cute.... Pun intended!!

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  152. Really cute card and such a great idea!! Love the sign idea!!

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  153. Think the last comment was eaten by the hungry web. Love this card, not sure if I love the card or the story that goes with it the most. As for Lily....you go girl! Her outspokenness was perfect, was so happy to see her smoke the gal in the race. Off to watch the Crafty Chat, love those, BTW!

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  154. Love it! How awesome that they are being so generous!

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  155. Darling little stinker! Oh, and your commentary lately about...well, in my own words...the need to abolish "political correctness" does my heart good! Lilly King's finger wag speaks to all of us and I appreciate her conviction and courage! (Yours too!!! )

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  156. Great card! Your attention to detail is spectacular.

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  157. Gotta love that Little Stinker from Neat & Tangled!! You made a great card ... thanks for sharing with all of us out here!

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  158. So fun, Lydia ... and so darned cute ... what a sweet skunk 'couple'! Anita :)

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  159. Love your Gentleman skunk awaiting his beloved sweetheart! Hilarious AND perfect scene! Love it!

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  160. Hi Lydia ~ This is an absolutely adorable use of this sweet little stinker! Very clever to have him waiting for that someone special at the airport. Fun, fun, fun! Thanks for sharing.

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  161. You are so amazingly creative and clever!

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  162. Agree Go Lily!! Our athletes are incredible!! Super cute stinker card!!

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  163. Love the idea! So cute! Thank you very much for putting in the link to learn how to draw the flooring!

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