A Boy, a Bear, and a Train Christmas Card

I love this sweet scene of a boy playing with his train along side his bear buddy. I can just imagine him receiving the train set as a Christmas gift - playing with it all morning, as his parents get ready for visitors.

I colored the image using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and blending with Lavender Spike Oil and blending stumps. The lavender spike oil is very strong smelling so if you don't like strong smells, I don't recommend using it. However, it does not have toxic fumes like many other solvents. It is also clear so I am hoping it does not turn yellow over time (I had this issue with Linseed Oil on my Dragon Get Well Card - sadly it turned yellow after only a few months).

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

1. Cut blue cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut white cardstock 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Cut blue stripe paper (Dot-Stripe) 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 inches; adhere to white cardstock, then adhere to card base as shown.

2. Cut a piece of Strathmore 500 Bristol Plate about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches. Use a Stamp Platform and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink to stamp The Most Wonderful Gift of All (Dreamerland Crafts), leaving room to die cut image later (I actually wish I had stamped mine a bit higher). Use a Copic Multiliner SP .3 to draw a line across background. Optional: you may also draw tongues for the boy and the bear and fill in above each as shown below.

3. Color image using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and blending stumps dipped in Lavender Spike Oil. You may want to practice blending on a scrap of the same paper before coloring image. The Spike Oil really blends the pencils well - so much so that you have to use a light hand if you want dark areas. I also recommend going over areas again in pencil, not blending with oil, to get a darker color.

4. Use Small Stitched Rectangle Stackables and Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables to die cut image and blue cardstock as shown. Adhere image to blue, then adhere to card base.

5. Use Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink to stamp "Happy Holidays" sentiment (Miscellaneous 02, Dreamerland Crafts) on strip of blue stripe paper (it may be short but tag should cover this). Trim and adhere to card as shown. Also use Blueprint Sketch to dye a length of White Seam Binding, spraying with water as you do to get ombre effects along ribbon. Set aside to dry.

6. Use 1" circle punch to punch snowflake paper (Polar Pals) then put one side in a 1" Tag Press ring so design is facing front (smooth side), push it the rest of the way in. Use Tag Press to close back. Use Crop-a-Dile (or other small hole punch) to punch a hole in top of tag. Tie bow in seam binding you dyed in step 5. Add tag to loop pin with Snowflake Adornment; pin to back of bow. Use Pop-up Glue Dot under tag and Mini Glue Dot under bow to adhere to card where shown (note if sentiment strip is short, this should cover it).

7. Use snowflake punch (All Over the Page, 3 Snowflake Punch) to punch some snowflakes from white cardstock; adhere where shown.

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamps: The Most Wonderful Gift of All (D18038), Miscellaneous 02 (DS18039)
• Cardstock: White, Blue
• Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pads: Dot-Stripe (6135), Polar Pals (5038)
• Strathmore 500 Bristol Plate
• Derwent Coloursoft Pencils
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• Stamp Platform
• Copic Multiliner SP .3
• Blending Stumps
• Lavender Spike Oil
• Lawn Fawn Dies: Small Stitched Rectangle Stackables, Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables
• 1" Circle Punch
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology 1" Tag Press Rings
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Tag Press
• Crop-a-Dile Tool
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Loop Pins
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Adornments Snowflakes
• Blueprint Sketch Distress Oxide Ink
• White Seam Binding
• Pop-up Glue Dots
• Mini Glue Dots
• Snowflakes Punch, Martha Stewart Unavailable - Alternatives: All Over the Page, 3 Snowflake Punch

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Layered Ink Embossed Snowflake Holiday Card

I love the layered look of this snowflake background. It is pretty easy to achieve. The most difficult part of making this card is remembering where you stamped the embossing ink! I ended up putting the embossing powder across the entire top and let it fall over the whole surface to see where the snowflakes were (over a sheet of paper to catch the extra of course), then added more powder where necessary. Since I wanted the background to really stand out, I just added a simple greeting with a few snowflakes to finish the card.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Cut teal cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere to card base.

3. Cut white cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches (larger than the final size for some wiggle room). Use a powder tool over the entire surface. Randomly stamp large snowflakes from Snowflakes and Stardust Set using VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Use a heat tool to emboss with clear embossing powder.

4. Use an ink blending tool to very lightly apply Broken China Distress Oxide ink - don't worry about streaks or unevenness; they won't be noticeable when finished. See above photo - top left image. Wipe over surface with a paper towel. Distress Oxide inks take a long time to dry. You may want to use the heat tool to speed up the process (be careful not to remelt the embossing - keep the tool moving). Test it before going to the next step by sprinkling some embossing powder over the surface. If any sticks, it is not dry, brush off and dry again. Once dry, use a powder tool over the surface again.

5. Randomly stamp small snowflakes from Snowflakes and Stardust Set using VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Emboss with clear embossing powder. Apply Broken China Distress Oxide ink with ink blending tool until completely and evenly covered. Wipe over surface with a paper towel. Once dry, trim to 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Adhere to card base.

6. Stamp Seasons Greetings on teal cardstock, leaving enough space to cut a strip at least 5 1/4 inches wide with greeting near right side. Emboss with white. Note: there is no apostrophe on this stamp, although you may add one with a VersaMarker to emboss in white or by just using a white gel pen. Trim to 5 1/4 inches wide. Adhere to card using dimensional tape/mounting tape.

7. Use Aspen Flurry Punch All Over the Page on white cardstock to create snowflakes. I actually used the Punch Around the Page Snow Flurry punch but it is no longer manufactured, although you can still find it on eBay or other places online. Adhere snowflakes to sticky side of Post-it Tape. Apply Rock Candy Distress Stickles or Rock Candy Distress Stickles Glitter (I actually used Picket Fence Distress Stickles but it looks like it has been discontinued by Ranger). Let dry completely. Adhere where shown (I used tweezers to place each snowflake with a dab of glue).

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Snowflakes and Stardust Set (481), Seasons Greetings Large (983-07)
• Cardstock: White, Teal
• Distress Oxide Ink: Broken China
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Powder Tool
• Heat Tool
• Ink Blending Tool
• ColorBox Pigment Ink: Powdered Sugar (ClearSnap/The Stamps of Life)
• White Embossing Powder
• Dimensional Tape/Mounting Tape
• Distress Stickles: Rock Candy
• Post-it Tape

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Snowflakes and Stardust Christmas Card

This card has some incredible sparkle and shine, unfortunately not all of it shows in the photographs - but it is really beautiful in person. The Rubbernecker Stamps Snowflake Panel background and Snowflakes and Stardust tree stamps coordinate perfectly for a snowy holiday or Christmas card. Tim Holtz, Idea-ology, and Sizzix products help add to the fun.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base. Cut blue cardstock 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Cut Canson Bristol XL paper about 5 x 7 inches. You could use regular cardstock but this paper makes blending easy. Use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Snowflake Panel in VersaMark Ink or other embossing ink - you will cover the entire panel so you may want to stamp horizontally across the paper, embossing as you go. I recommend using a powder tool before stamping (although I forgot and some powder stuck where I didn't want it to - I didn't bother re-stamping, I figured it added to the snowy look... at least that's what I tell myself). Emboss with Silver Pearl embossing powder.

3. Once the paper has been completely embossed, use an ink blending tool to blend from bottom to top with the following Distress Inks: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Dusty Concord. Be sure to overlap each color as you go. I usually blend up the paper then back down. Trim to 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches; add matching ink to edges so they won't stand out. Use a slightly damp paper towel to wipe over embossing. Spray a couple coats of Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz. Adhere to card base.

4. Cut Canson Bristol XL paper about 5 x 6 inches. Use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Snowflakes and Stardust Set tree line (use the one that matches the snowflakes tree stamp) in VersaMark Ink or other embossing ink; emboss with Silver. Next stamp snowflakes tree and emboss with Silver Pearl. Finally stamp Distress Oval Frame and emboss with Silver.

5. Die cut around frame using largest oval from Nested Oval Small Stitch Die Cut Set. Use ink blending tool to blend Stormy Sky Distress Ink starting in center and fading out to edges (leave edges white). Blend Faded Jeans Distress Ink in center area to darken around tree, fading into Stormy Sky ink. Use a slightly damp paper towel to wipe over embossing. Spray with a couple coats of Frost Sheer Shimmer Spritz. Adhere to card base with dimensional/mounting tape where shown.

6. On blue cardstock, stamp sentiment and emboss with Silver. Trim to 5 inches wide, leaving a small amount above and below sentiment. Adhere where shown with dimensional/mounting tape.

7. Die cut Sizzix Mini Snowflakes from silver Deco Sheets (you will need to use the Sizzix Movers & Shapers Base Tray and two cutting pads). My favorite die cutting machine is the Sizzix Big Shot Pro because it is heavy duty and cuts the largest Sizzix Pro dies. If you don't need to cut Pro dies, the next model down is the Sizzix Big Shot Plus. The most economical is the Sizzix Big Shot. Adhere largest snowflake in upper right corner; Deco Sheets are adhesive backed so you just need to peel off the backing. On the smaller snowflake, peel adhesive backing away from area that will touch the sentiment and tree oval only. Add dimensional/mounting tape to other parts. Adhere where shown.

8. Adhere Blue Jeans and Lilac Doodlebug Design sequins where shown. I use Beacon Gem-Tac for gluing sequins. Apply Silver Stickles to centers of sequins as well as randomly along the tree snowflakes.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Snowflake Panel (482), Snowflakes and Stardust Set (481), Distress Oval Frame (986)
• Rubbernecker Stamps Dies: Nested Oval Small Stitch Die Cut Set (5014D)
• Cardstock: White, Blue
• Paper: Canson Bristol XL
• Powder Tool
• Heat Tool
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Ranger Embossing Powder: Silver, Silver Pearl
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Blending Tool
• Distress Ink: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Dusty Concord
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Frost
• Stickles: Silver
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape
• Deco Sheets (Tim Holtz/Idea-ology)
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers Magnetic Dies: Mini Snowflakes Set (657474)
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers Accessory - Base Tray (657007)
• Doodlebug Design Sequins: Blue Jeans, Lilac

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Twas the Night Holiday Card

The background stamp for this card is the entire famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" published anonymously in 1823. I embossed it in Liquid Platinum on red. The color is a beautiful warm silver - perfect for a holiday card. The double bow is dyed with Distress Inks, tied with twine, and fastened with a holiday brad.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut green cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base. Cut Quartz Stardream cardstock 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base. Stardream cardstock has a subtle shimmer that looks really beautiful in person, but unfortunately doesn't photograph well.

2. Cut red cardstock about 5 x 7 inches (larger than the final for some wiggle room). Rub Powder Tool over surface. Use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Twas the Night with VersaMark ink (or other embossing ink). Heat emboss with Liquid Platinum embossing powder. Trim to 4 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches, centering writing. Adhere to card base, centered.

3. Trim a piece of vellum (thick if possible) about 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Rub Powder Tool over surface. Use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Happy Holidays Circle with VersaMark ink (or other embossing ink). Heat emboss with Liquid Platinum embossing powder. Use a fairly small paint brush to paint gift and holly in green (Chromium Oxide Green Dark) and red. I used acrylic paints by Golden - I wanted the paint to be opaque so I could use adhesive behind it without it showing. At first I used C.P. Cadmium Red Dark but it didn't match well so I painted over with Naphthol Red Light. You may need two coats. Die cut with 4th largest (2.875 inch) Nested Circle Small Stitch Die. Adhere to card where shown using dimensional/mounting tape.

4. Cut off a length of seam binding, enough for a double bow and tails. Dye with a combination of green Distress Inks or Distress Stains (e.g. Pine Needles and Peeled Paint). Once dry, wrap around your fingers a couple times, leaving a tail on each side. Tie in the middle with a piece of red/white twine. Bend the tines of a holiday brad around the middle. Adhere where shown.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Twas the Night (653), Happy Holidays Circle (657-08)
• Rubbernecker Dies: Nested Circle Small Stitch Die (5012D)
• Cardstock: Red, Green
• Stardream Cardstock: Quartz
• Vellum
• Golden Acrylic Paint: Chromium Oxide Green Dark, Naphthol Red Light, C.P. Cadmium Red Dark*
• Powder Tool
• Heat Tool
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Embossing Powder: Liquid Platinum
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape
• Distress Inks or Distress Stains: Pine Needles, Peeled Paint
• Seam Binding: Hug Snug Chalk White
• Twine: Red/White
• Holiday Brad
• Enamel Dots

*Used C.P. Cadmium Red Dark first but didn't match so painted over with Naphthol Red Light

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Frosty in a Frame Christmas Card

This little Frosty stamp is so adorable. I love the sketched look. I wanted my coloring to have a similar look so I used a slightly textured paper with my trusty Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils. I matched the colors to the Doodlebug Design background papers. The list of colors is near the end of this post, following the list of supplies. Clear Wink of Stella adds a subtle shimmer to the snowman (unfortunately it doesn't photograph well; see closeup below).

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 inch x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut blue cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere to card base. Cut plaid patterned paper (Doodlebug Design Polar Pals) 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Cut blue cardstock 2 1/2 x 5 inches. Cut tree patterned paper (Doodlebug Design Polar Pals) 2 1/4 x 5 inches. Adhere to center of blue. Adhere to card base where shown.

3. Use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Frosty in Small Frame with Jet Black Archival Ink on Strathmore 500 Bristol Vellum Surface paper. Note: you could use regular cardstock but I like the extra tooth and texture this paper provides; it may need to be stamped a couple times due to the texture. Color with colored pencils. I used Faber-Castell Polychromos; the list of colors that I used is below the list of supplies. Add Clear Wink of Stella to white parts of snowman - it's subtle; you can barely see it in the photo (it looks better in person). Let it dry and add more if desired. Die cut with 4th largest Nested Square Die.

4. Die cut blue cardstock with 3rd largest Nested Square Die. Adhere colored Frosty in Frame using dimensional/mounting tape - leaving room to slide the sentiment banner under.

5. Use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Merry Christmas with VersaMark Ink (or other embossing ink) on blue cardstock, leaving enough room to trim and add tail. Emboss with Snowflake Embossing Tinsel. Note: using the Stamp Platform or stamp positioner allows you to stamp again if you don't like the first result. Trim and cut tails. Adhere to card where shown, between the snowman and its mat.

6. Use Aspen Flurry Punch All Over the Page on white cardstock to create snowflakes. I actually used the Punch Around the Page Snow Flurry punch but it is no longer manufactured, although you can still find it on eBay or other places online. Adhere snowflakes to sticky side of Post-it Tape. Apply Star Dust Stickles. Let dry completely. Adhere where shown (I used tweezers to place each snowflake with a dab of glue).

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Frosty in Frame Small (23-09), Merry Christmas (980-12)
• Rubbernecker Stamps Dies: Nested Square Die Cut Set (5001D)
• Cardstock: White, Blue
• Paper: Strathmore 500 Bristol Vellum Surface
• Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pad Polar Pals (5038)
• Archival Ink: Jet Black
• Colored Pencils: Faber-Castell Polychromos
• Wink of Stella: Clear
• Powder Tool
• Heat Tool
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Embossing Powder: Snowflake Embossing Tinsel (Ranger)
• Stickles: Star Dust
• Martha Stewart Snow Flurry Punch Around the Page or Aspen Flurry Punch All Over the Page
• Post-it Tape
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape

Faber-Castell Polychromes Colored Pencils Used:
Cold Gray III 232, Black 199, Terracotta 186, Deep Red 223, Purple Violet 156, Violet 138, Helioblue-Reddish 151, Cobalt Blue 145, Sky Blue 146, Cobalt Green 156, Chrome Oxide Green Fiery 276

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Distress Ink Trees in Snow

I love the look of watercolor cards, especially for Christmas and the holidays. This one has the look of watercolor but is very easy to make. I used Distress Inks, although you could use traditional watercolor paints. The two part Watercolor Forest by Rubbernecker Stamps makes it super simple to create the trees; the background is just a few colors semi-randomly applied. A couple sprays of Sheer Shimmer Spritz makes this card look magical (unfortunately the shimmer doesn't show up well in the photos).

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base.

2. If necessary, cut watercolor paper about 5 x 7 inches. Use painter's tape for a delicate surface to tape down to a craft mat, making sure the tape seals well to the edges. They will be cut off but the tape will hold the paper more flat if the contact is good.

3. Use an old toothbrush or old firm paintbrush to flick masking fluid all over the surface of the watercolor paper. If you get a few splats that are too big, just wait until they dry, roll them off with your finger, then flick a few more dots in those locations.

4. Once masking fluid is try, use a spray bottle or Mini Mister to spray the entire surface lightly with water. Use Shabby Shutters Distress Ink (top edges) and Peeled Paint (centers/bases) on the smaller trees from the Watercolor Forest stamp set. Spray lightly with water and stamp where shown (i.e. lower left, leaving room below for snow banks and to the left for the top layer of trees, which will be offset) - you may want to leave the stamp in place for a few seconds before removing. This helps the dye ink to soak in a little more. If the image beaded up in places, use a waterbrush or watercolor brush to spread the ink around inside the tree areas.

5. Use Forest Moss Distress Ink on the larger trees from the Watercolor Forest stamp set. Spray lightly with water and stamp offset from the first set of trees a bit over to the left. You may want to dry with a heat tool.

6. Spray lightly over the sky area above the trees. Starting with Weathered Wood Distress Ink, tap some on a craft mat, palette, or acrylic block. Use a waterbrush or a watercolor brush to add water to the ink then apply it below the trees to create snow banks as shown. Hint: you may want to apply lines of water first so it will bleed a little as you apply. Next apply it around the tops of the trees, leaving some white as a buffer. You may touch it in a couple places to get the inks to blend, if you like that look. You can add more or less water depending on how much you want the ink to travel or bleed. As you move away from the trees up into the sky area, start adding more and more Faded Jeans. Move the brush around sort of randomly to make some areas darker than others. Add small amounts of Dusty Concord as well (sparingly). The top areas should be darker. You can dry one layer and add another on top (again leaving some areas lighter) to darken it even more and give it a more painterly look. Be sure the area where you will stamp the sentiment is dark enough so that the white heat embossing (next step) will pop. Let dry or dry with heat tool.

7. Use your finger to rub off all the masking fluid. Remove tape. Check to make sure the watercolor panel is clean before proceeding. Trim panel to 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches. Using VersaMark Ink (or other embossing ink), stamp "Laughter and Joy" sentiment in upper right corner as shown.

8. Spray entire panel with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz - at least a foot or more away. You may want to apply a couple coats. I recommend doing this over a craft sheet or a sink. Allow to dry.

9. Cut blue cardstock to 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Adhere watercolored image to blue cardstock. Adhere to card base.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Watercolor Forest (972), Laughter and Joy (982-05)
• Watercolor Paper: Fabriano Hot Pressed Extra White
• Cardstock: White, Blue
• Distress Inks: Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Weathered Wood, Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord
• Masking Fluid
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle
• Painter's Tape: Delicate Surface
• White Embossing Powder
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Craft Mat
• Waterbrush or Watercolor Brush
• Spray Bottle or Mini Mister
• Heat Tool

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