Saturday, December 31, 2011

How to Get Out of a Crafting Slump with Marah Johnson!

Do you ever look at your cache of craft supplies and want to use everything at once but you can't decide what to do with them all so you just don't make anything? Maybe you feel like you use the same ten products all the time and you want something fresh and different? Marah Johnson has shared some of her creative genius with us to help get out of that crafting rut!

A few fabulous things about this technique:

-You can use it with cards, scrapbooks, art journals, configurations, boxes, canvas, and you can surely adapt for fabrics!


-Your paper projects will not end up floppy - personally, I love a card or scrapbook page that has some weight to it! Because this technique involves layering, you end up with a thicker end product!


-You don't need a ton of supplies to make this technique happen. Try gesso for some tooth and texture, glues & adhesives, an old book or your favorite papers to give it a patchwork feel, scissors, a sewing machine or some We R Memory Keepers goodies, and maybe a paper distresser and you've got your base!


-It's a great way to recycle!

-Depending on your reasons for crafting - to celebrate (a birthday, Valentine's Day, other holidays), to document milestones, or just because you like to make something you can hold and look through - you can adapt the shapes and papers to fit the theme! Marah uses a lot of hearts which...not to be puny...I love, but you could also use stars, or die cut shapes with Spellbinders or Sizzix.

Thank you to Marah Johnson for giving us permission to share this superb technique!!

Would you like to win blog candy?! Join our following and leave a comment about why you love this technique for a chance to win this exclusive Hero Arts Stamp Set!
We will announce a winner on Wednesday!


Happy Crafting!
-Sarah
Sarah@SimonSaysStamp.com
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93 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 31, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    This is lovely! I love all the vintage papers, and how they all work together!

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  2. Grá O'NeillDecember 31, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    Haven't tried this yet, but it looks like a great way to use up left over bits & pieces :)

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  3. HussenaDecember 31, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    wow marah's technique looks so awesome...would definitely want to give it a try!!! it opens up a lot of possibilites.....wishing the whole team of simon says a very happy new year:)

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  4. Dee in N.H.December 31, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I'll have to try this. Just grab that box of leftovers and go for it! Sounds fun! Happy New Year everyone! Stay safe and warm tonight!

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  5. Paula SDecember 31, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Wow! Love the texture on this technique.

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  6. Paula SDecember 31, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Wow! Love the texture on this technique.

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  7. 2crafteverydayDecember 31, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    thank you for sharing the brilliant technique...!!

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  8. UtaDecember 31, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    What a great idea! I love old book sites and note sheets on cards and layouts.

    Hugs, Uta

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  9. Karin ÅkesdotterDecember 31, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I LOVE the vintage look and that it is different and very beautiful.
    Happy New Year! Thanks for this chance!

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  10. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Love the vintage papers, the layering, the sewing, and the paint. It's so simple and elegant. Would love to make a Christmas album like this. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  11. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    I love the vintage look of your pages. Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win.

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  12. gilaDecember 31, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    vintage ist immer schön, tolle ideen
    lg gila

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  13. PamDecember 31, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    This looks fabulous! I could use up some bits & pieces that I can't bear to toss.

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  14. ScrapthatDecember 31, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Love ephemera and love the look of layering...this has the best of both worlds!! :D

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  15. magsDecember 31, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    This technique looks great. Such a vintage look and uses up lots of left over bits and pieces.
    Mags
    x

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  16. HannahDecember 31, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    Love the piecing of this layout. Makes me think of an old quilt. I use gesso in my painting projects but never thought of it for paper crafting! Such a good tip.

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  17. mtscrapgalDecember 31, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Thanks for the new "recycling" method. Would love to win a spot in the new class with Jennifer and Kristina. They are super talented girls. Thanks. I am a follower now.

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  18. LauraDecember 31, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    That's a great idea.
    Laura

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  19. Tracy ErcoleDecember 31, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    It's a great way to use leftovers. :)

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  20. Stamping SusiDecember 31, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    This looks great! I will try it - next year. So: Happy new jear everyone!

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  21. BethWDecember 31, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    It's different and vintage-just my style.I'm thinking it would also make a great card front.Thrilled to know I am not alone in being overwhelmed by my supplies and not knowing where to start.

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  22. SusDecember 31, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    What a great way to use up my vintage book supply. Thanks for the great technique.

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  23. Message KeeperDecember 31, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Basically, you can dump all the things you like altogether! What a great technique!

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  24. Annette AllenDecember 31, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    what an awesome technique...thanks for sharing..

    Happy New Year

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  25. sharonDecember 31, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    That's great way to use up the leftovers or recycle those old books and magazines. Love layering different papers and then adding some paint or gesso, such fun ;-)

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  26. bethannDecember 31, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    love this, it is a great way to up-cycle, looks wonderful. gets that vintagy look without buying another new product and it will be very personal. then you take the base layer and off you go to wherever that muse takes you

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  27. ColleenDecember 31, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    That is exactly what I need practice doing...layering and making it look good...I love the different stitching she has done. Thank you

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  28. KellyDecember 31, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    I love stitching and need to do it more often. Love the layering on her project!

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  29. MyrtoDecember 31, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Happy new year everyone!

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  30. dianaDecember 31, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Thanks for these ideas! Best wishes for 2012! ;-)

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  31. Tini A.December 31, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Great creatons today...love these idea for recycling my old books!
    Have a nice new year!!!
    Tini

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  32. UnknownDecember 31, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Love vintage look. Thanks for sharing. Looks great. Happy new Year for everyone

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  33. Rhonda MillerDecember 31, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Wow, I love the look of all these layouts and how you used the same products, but each one looks different. TFS.

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  34. MoniDecember 31, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Gorgeous project! Fab papers. Happy New Year! Hugs,moni

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  35. conilDecember 31, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Boy, Marah really knows how to get her craft mojo out of its slumber. KUDOS!

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  36. JamieDecember 31, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    I adore this vintage collage style!! This could be altered in so many ways:)

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  37. Glennis FDecember 31, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    This looks so interesting - just the kind of thing that I like.
    I also love the stamp set, thanks for the chance to win

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  38. Miriam PrantnerDecember 31, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    What a neat technique! Thanks for the great idea!

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  39. GiniDecember 31, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    A great technique never thought of sewing it as well!
    Love the stamp set too :-)
    Gini
    xx

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  40. ChunyuanDecember 31, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    great technique. love the vintage papers, stitching too. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  41. TonaDecember 31, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Thanks for the inspiration Marah!

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  42. AidaDecember 31, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Great Technique Marah! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. SuvenkorentoDecember 31, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Interesting idea!

    What a sweet stamp set! Oh boy, wouldn't I love to have that. Thank you for all the blog candy opporturnities :) You are the best.

    Happy New Year to Heidi & others at Simon Says Stamp!

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  44. DanieleDecember 31, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    its amazing how all the pages look different but using the same supplies....inspirational,
    Happy New Year to you all
    hugs

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  45. Sue DDecember 31, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    Great technique--I like that you can customize to the recipient what pages you use.

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  46. Lizzie RDecember 31, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    love the printed papers. so cool and creative...and green! definately will give it a try!

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  47. Lynne in NIDecember 31, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I haven't tried this technique before, but it looks fab!

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  48. Melissa SheaDecember 31, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I love it because I can just play! See what lands. Love the vintage and stitching too. Happy New Year SSS blog land!

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  49. Pam HDecember 31, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    Great way to recycle and use what you have. If you don't have vintage papers then you can distress "new" supplies that you have building up in your stash.

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  50. Emily KeatonDecember 31, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    What a cool technique!! Thanks for the chance to win. :)

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  51. Sandra StraitDecember 31, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    What a fascinating idea. So easy and yet so many ways it can be used!

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  52. Stacie (craft-princess)December 31, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Love this technique! Great vintage look! Thanks for a chance to win a fab stamp set!!

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  53. Kelly SasDecember 31, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    First of all I like this technique because it uses old book or vintage papers. I also like it because it is simple yet yields such elegant results.

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  54. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 3:45 PM

    Thanks for the idea and the chance to win! A new year, a new technique to try! I love it.

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  55. momiDecember 31, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    I definitely want to try sewing! Happy new year! :)

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  56. RachelDecember 31, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    this looks so cool, love the vintage look it gets. happy new year!

    -rachel w k
    rwkrafts.blogspot.com

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  57. tmishlerDecember 31, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    inspiring technique

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  58. Denacline88December 31, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    looks like fun, thanks for shring the techniques with us today. Happy New Years to everyone.

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  59. Denise BryantDecember 31, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Very cool! I have been wanting to try Gesso for awhile now! I love the look, and it looks like fun to work with it!
    DeniseB

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  60. judyDecember 31, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    I love this technique; it is a great
    way to use scraps and supplies to get a lot of different looks. I love all the design and texture possibilities. Thanks for sharing.

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  61. TheresaDecember 31, 2011 at 6:30 PM

    I love these! The vintage look is awesome! I have a new appreciation for "old print". Must start collecting it ;D

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  62. ManderlyDecember 31, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    I like how versatile this layout is and I love, love to layer! I have been stuck for about a week now, just dawdling and making flowers but not knowing what to do! Now I do! Thank you so much for sharing this technique:-)

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  63. coccinelleDecember 31, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    I LOVE THIS,
    I THINK THAT IS A VERY ORIGINAL IDEA FOR USE OLD PAPER.
    XXX
    COCCINELLE

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  64. Renee VDecember 31, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    I do love this style or "technique" because it's so easy to do, but looks like it could have taken the artist forever :) It's a great way to use up scraps, and who doesn't love book pages?

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  65. KatieDecember 31, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Great ideas! Love the theme, it would be great for valentines day! And you are right I do always use the same things even though I have tons!!! of 'other' things. Also, I love this hero arts set! Thank you for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  66. MeghanDecember 31, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    What a great idea! I have to try this. Happy New Year!

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  67. Rae AnnDecember 31, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    I love this look. The subtle collor shades, visual texture created by the positioning of the words and music - they make a beautiful backdrop for a special stamp or journal entry.
    Rae Ann O.
    http://joyinart.blogspot.com

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  68. Erin-January 1, 2012 at 12:45 AM

    I love this technique because it has so much texture. What a great way to do vintage! So romantic! :)

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  69. EfratJanuary 1, 2012 at 1:11 AM

    Great technique. Thanks for the chance to win this fab stamp set.

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  70. Vikki HJanuary 1, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    great technique and ideas to use up my odds/ends!

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  71. Weenie ThomasJanuary 1, 2012 at 4:48 AM

    Using scraps of left over paper to give a quilt like feel is very neat

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  72. CaroleJanuary 1, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    I love the vintage look of this and up-cycling! Now I really want to find some old sheet music to use for my card-making. Happy New Year!

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  73. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Like stated I think it can be used in a variety of projects. It gives you the opportunity to try something new and used new(old ) things you may not have considered

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  74. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Like stated I think it can be used in a variety of projects. It gives you the opportunity to try something new and used new(old ) things you may not have considered. Clara Palacios lluvia540

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  75. Janet's JoyJanuary 1, 2012 at 11:21 AM

    I love how this looks!! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  76. Joan-AnneJanuary 1, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    I love vintage style! Good way to recycle old unwanted books!

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  77. Small TJanuary 1, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    What a great way to use scraps and old books. Thanks for sharing! Xx

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  78. KimberleyGJanuary 1, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    NOt my thing I guess.

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  79. AlmondkaJanuary 1, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    Great ideas!Thanks for the inspiration.

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  80. Maryann LaursenJanuary 1, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    This just looks amazing and I love vintage, so it sems so perfect here to me.

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  81. Larissa HeskettJanuary 1, 2012 at 7:15 PM

    What a great design!!
    I really like doing this technique for the bases of canvas art or for fun mixed media pieces!! I agree with the fact that it adds weight and texture and i also like you said uses up the scrap pieces you have laying around so it cuts down on the waste!! THANKS for sharing and for the chance to win!! =)

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  82. Emily HJanuary 1, 2012 at 7:33 PM

    I just love this!

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  83. Mary-Anne VJanuary 1, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I love how the layers not only add character and texture but also is a great way to use scraps. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  84. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2012 at 12:26 PM

    Nice to meet Marah! I will visit her blog now! Thank you for the giveaway! I love Hero Arts and Studio Calico stamps!

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  85. hhnjnkohtJanuary 2, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    I think it's always good to try out a new technique!

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  86. UnknownJanuary 2, 2012 at 5:55 PM

    I'm always looking for ways to use up scraps. I hope to find more of them as I work on my craft room & supply reorganization this year. I love the vintage look and it's one of those techniques where anything goes. Love that!

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  87. Carol MaitozaJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    I love the idea, I just have never been all that good at choosing what to layer, you know what I mean? I need some help in that area.

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  88. pboszkoJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    great technique...can't wait to try it with my vintage leftovers!

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  89. Mrs. HillJanuary 3, 2012 at 1:19 AM

    I've never tried this technique but always liked the look! Now, maybe I'll give myself permission...

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  90. smithddJanuary 3, 2012 at 3:11 AM

    Love this idea! Some spots of color from paper scraps would ne cool too.

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  91. RomaineJanuary 3, 2012 at 6:07 PM

    Love this! I have several library discards floating about that I have not used as I am not sure....will have to try!

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  92. ShannonJanuary 3, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Love the vintage paper!

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  93. marah johnsonJanuary 4, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    Thank you soooo much for the sweet comments!...happy new yeart to everyone!

    ReplyDelete

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