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07 August, 2011

DIY Vintage French Tea Towels

044 I seem to be obsessing with towels lately, since in addition to my Wisteria knock-off linen towels, I have another project to show you! It’s my version of vintage French tea towels!

025Actually, the towels are not vintage, but the designs are! My friend Babs at Upstairs Downstairs gave me a stack of wonderful vintage illustrations recently and I have been waiting to find the just right project for them. I believe I have finally found it!

004First, I started with two yards of Osnaburg that I bought with a 40 % off coupon at Hobby Lobby…so about $2.50 a yard. I love this fabric! It has the nubby texture and unbleached color of linen, but without the fussiness, since it is 100% cotton. With the assistance of my co-host Baby Kitty, I cut four pieces, each measuring 20 inches wide x 28 inches long.

043Then I hemmed them on three sides, leaving one of the short sides for a ruffle made from the selvage. You don’t even have to unravel it, since the selvage comes that way…and is stitched so that it will not unravel any further! This will make the three tea towels I am showing you, plus one more.

039 Next, I scanned the drawings and, using Photoscape, I added French labels for each of them and then flipped them so that the writing was backwards. I then printed them on iron-on transfer paper and added them to the towels. I had been avoiding using transfers, but it was really easy!

040 I love the way they turned out! The fabric has a real vintage look, don’t you think? Helping it look even more authentic is my Victorian silverplate master sugar spooner in the background. I am using it as a vase, since it has no lid. It was a $14 thrift store find and dates from the late 1800s! Woo hoo!

038 This one is my favorite! Any one who knows me knows I have a thing about goats! I want one! (And for you Francophiles, there is an accent mark over the first e in chèvres…it just doesn’t show up! Sorry! Stuff like that drives me crazy!)

042 Here they are all together…a cow, sheep and goats! Hmmm…I think I have an idea for my next post! Can you guess? Think very French thoughts!

034 Here's a final look at my French-inspired vintage tea towels! (Miss Kitty, on the other hand, seems more interested in the children playing outside than my latest project.) I think they are the perfect contrast in texture for my vintage silverplate tea set and could even be used as napkins for afternoon tea! And stay tuned to my next post to find out what a cow, sheep and goats have in common!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my project!  Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures on Mondays
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Beth at The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Jill at French Cupboard for Voilà! French Inspiration on Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!

87 comments:

  1. Love, love, love these, Debbie!!! How wonderful to have those great images. You wouldn't want to share, would you? Your sewing talents are just providing you with so many pretty things these days. These tea towels DO look vintage and I will have to check out the fabric tomorrow when HL opens. I don't like to iron, so cotton suits me fine!
    xo Sue

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  2. They look wonderful! I am always using my postcards,scanning them and transfering them to material. I have used muslin mostly...but love the what you used.
    The spooner is gorgeous and I would of snapped it up in a minute! makes a wonderful vase.

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  3. Debbie, I love them. I love the cards Babs gave you. My favs are the cow and sheep since I have a thing for those lately. You could make and sell those on etsy. I would buy them. And your find is great. You always find the good stuff. What thrift store to do go to?

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  4. They turned out great Debbie! My favorite is the goats too! Happy Sunday:@)

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  5. Wow Debbie these really came out awesome. I absolutely love them. What a great friend you have their because she sent you some awesome cards to use for your linen towels. I have to try this photoscape one day.

    Paula

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  6. These are gorgeous Debbie and once a teacher, always a teacher :))) You are perfect teaching.
    Have a nice week
    Riet

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  7. Debbie,
    Your "Frenchy" tea towels are lovely!!! Have you tried to buy tea towels lately??? NOT a lot to choose from out there on the market. Everything seems to be going 70's disco prints. YUCK! You may be on to something BIG!!! Thank you for sharing how easy they are to make; however...I'm not a seamstress, nor do I want to be. Therefore; I'll just have to enjoy yours!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  8. I love, love, love, your tea towels!! Thanks for the great how to. Just lovely and I love anything that has a French flair!

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  9. Absolutely beautiful Debbie!!

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  10. Gawjus!!!! Oh, Debbie these are so good.
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia ;)

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  11. You did such a great job on those darling tea towels. My mother (who is now in her 80's) used to make what she called "cafe curtains" with Osnaburg fabric. It has such wonderful nubby texture. Thanks for reminding me about it...it tends to get stuck over in the muslin section at the fabric store and I just forget about it...and it is such a bargain (especially with YOUR coupon!)

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  12. Debbie, you've done it again! I marvel at your expertise and creativity. These tea towels are absolutely delightful with their vintage look and French touch. The vignette with the spooner and hydrangea is stunning. Just looking at this makes me dream of France.
    Happy Day, my friend. ~ Sarah

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  13. Oh, I forgot to say, Baby Kitty is looking as handsome as ever. And ditto what Kim had to say, I'd be in line to purchase these if you decide to go into business. LOL

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  14. What a great post. I love these. The material was a steal. I'll have to check that out. I use iron transfers for my art. I assume these are decorative use only and no wash?

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  15. Debbie you are so talented! Love the look of these oh so frenchy towels. I think the goats are my favorite! That material is amazing as it looks old! Can't wait to find out what all those animals have in store for us.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  16. Sign me up for an order when you start to sell these, and you could. These towels are so lovely. What a great project using those beautiful vintage illustrations from Babs, who has great taste too. This is a great tutorial, thanks for sharing.....
    Have a great Sunday.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  17. Deb another beautifully crafted project. These are really pretty!! You are one very clever lady. Love love the spooner another wonderful treasure. Happy Sunday! xo Kathysue

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  18. They are absolutely gorgeous Debbie and I do see the accent mark on the goat towel! Great job!!!!

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  19. They are fantastic. I really like the fabric you used. You did good!

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  20. I totally LOVE these Debbie! You used your creativity and talent to make something tres chic! My best to Miss Kitty and the Staff!

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  21. Those really are fabulous Debbie!
    Honestly, you have the best imagination and creativity!
    These would sell big in shops and for a lot of moola too!
    Well done!
    Cindy

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  22. I think you might have a new calling in life, making neat towels. I know I would like some and some for my shop to sell. Very clever. Richard at My Old Historic House.

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  23. Hi Debbie, love the French barnyard critters. They are waaaaaay cuter than I ever imagined! Honestly, you really outdid yourself on this post! A+! Linda

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  24. Just have to say...Love reading your blog!

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  25. Oh Debbie, the tea towels are fabulous and of course you know that I totally love the images. I am so fascinated by farm animals and always have been. Love them all. Thanks tons for joining the party and have a super Sunday. Hugs, Marty

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  26. Hi Debbie, these are fab girl. I have a bolt of this fabric, just need the transfers and I can go to town making them for the shop. lol... I'm glad you enjoyed seeing Bailey, even though it was 2 years ago. My they grow so quickly... he's with us this w/k as is most.. always puts laughter in the house.
    hugs ~lynne~

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  27. Goodness Debbie - they're GREAT!
    They look so classy too :o)

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  28. Debbie, I am also in love with these! The graphics are fabulous and I love the ruffle. So Cute! I know you could sell these. Thank you for sharing at the Open House party.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  29. Hi Debbie,
    These are so cute. I love the animal images and the cute ruffle that you added.
    Baby Kitty really did a great job. They are so good at giving their opinions!
    Gizzy and Gabby send kisses to Baby Kitty.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  30. Debbie, these are just fantastic. I just left PB a couple of hours ago and what you made with your 40% off Osnaburg would rival anything I saw there. I haven't used Osnaburg in years but I'm going to have to head down to the fabric store and pick some up.

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  31. There you go again Miss Creative-Pants. Whipping out your machine and whazzo-snazzo you've created beautiful Frenchy towels. :) Love these. And love how you utilized a vintage postcard for another purpose. Please do a step-by-step tutorial on the transfer. I have always wanted to try this. I think I get it, but would love to see a how-to. Me likey pictorials. :-)

    Love to you, Barb

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  32. I LOVE your towels. They turned out wonderful! I love your cats too. :) And your photography is top notch. Great post, I look forward to the sheep, goat, cow one.
    AT

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  33. These look really awesome, Debbie. So professional looking!...Christine

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  34. Wow! Those are gorgeous, Deb. Almost too pretty to use. "Hi Baby Kitty" hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

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  35. Debbie, these little Frenchy towels are beautiful! I would like some just like them. You are incredibly talented!

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  36. Your towels are so lovely! They would make great gifts!

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  37. These are wonderful Debbie!! Can you get transfer paper at HobLob as well?? I want to make some of these for my mother in law and sister in law!! I just love um! Please stop by and share sometime for Treasure Hunt Thursday!

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  38. Beautiful job, Debbie. Fromage?
    xoxo Jeanette

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  39. Great towels.. Love the designs you chose for the towels too. they are beautiful! xo marlis

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  40. Oh these are wonderful...I wish I had them in my house!
    Thank you so much for your sweet comment about my screened in sun-room that Susan featured today for her Metamorphosis Monday.
    We've enjoyed our little room so much this summer minus the bugs and the baking sun! Plus I can go in and change it up every once in a while to suite my mood and or season!
    Thanks again,
    Terry at LA BELLA VIE

    http://sweetpea-labellavie.blogspot.com/

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  41. They look wonderful and your cat's are so cute.

    Regards from Sweden

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  42. Love the towels! I hope you will share the files or tell where we can obtain them. I have some tea towels with roosters on then in blue that I bought in the Baltimore area years ago and I love those! I've stencilled on Osnaburg as well as printed on it but the transfer would probably be more color fast.

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  43. Oh my....these are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing :)

    xoxo
    jenny

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  44. Deb... I always enjoy reading about your projects... especially the sewing ones (probably because I never seem to get the time to sew)... and your towels turned out beautifully... one of these days...
    summer blessings. Dixie

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  45. Debbie,
    Looks like you are having so much fun making these pretty hand towels...have you thought about selling some? I think you would do really well with them. Thanks for sharing them at my party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  46. You're so clever, I LOVE these!!!!! I'm going to have to try some transfer paper one of these days, I love the result. This will be on my top ten this week.

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  47. Thanks so much for sharing, your tea towels are fabulous! I've been hesitant to try transferring also, but you've given me the courage to try!

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  48. These are awesome. I think I'd like them without the print, but it's such an awesome addition.

    - The Tablescaper

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  49. Beautiful towels/napkins! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  50. The towels would make nice Christmas gifts too...you have inspired me to creat this, love, love,love them!!!

    Can't wait to see more...
    Sylvia

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  51. These little are so lovely! great tutorial, I am going to add Photoscape to my list of favorites in my tool bar (that will come in handy since I am a newbie), adding you to my list of sites I've joined, and I hope you will have some times to stop by, too! Those images of the sheep are precious...Andrea @ townandprairie

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  52. OH Debbie these are Beautiful !!! I love them all sweet lady, what a great friend you have !! I also have to try doing this..
    I hope you have a great week.
    xxoo Diane

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  53. Love the cute tea towels, got to make me some.

    Zeus received his package in the mail today and he was so excited to get the cute gifts. So many of them too. Please tell Baby Kitty thank you from him as well as me. I love the way you framed his picture and it is now up on my fridge. And so love the sweet book mark. Thank you so much.

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  54. I just discovered your blog and I love it! These towels are such a wonderuful idea...for me and for gifts. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  55. These towels are just gorgeous! And they are much better and prettier than anything I have seen on the market. Kudos to you!
    Thanks so much for the great tutorial! I'll be making these for myself and for hostess gifts!
    What an inspirational stop!
    Yvonne

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  56. Debbie, those are so great looking! What a cleer girl you are. laurie

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  57. OMG! I love these towels! I appreciate the "how to" as I'd like to try it. I am so happy to have found your blog today. I can't wait to read on!

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  58. Oh Debbie, these towels are precious! You are so talented and generous to share your beautiful ideas!

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  59. WOW!! I would buy these too! Why wait for Etsy? I love every single thing about these towels! So pretty. So French. Lovely idea!

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  60. Very nice, Debbie. I've been looking for a good tea towel tut and I think I've found it. The Graphics Fairy has wonderful vintage artwork for doing something like this. Thank you for sharing!

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  61. These are wonderful Debbie! I love the vintage images you used. What a great find. Thanks for linking it up at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  62. loving these and all the thought that went into them! found you via savvy southern style. come visit anytime!

    michele

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  63. Oh good grief, I hate to say it, but I'm lusting after these tea towels! They're so yummy, thanks for the how-to. I need to get my rear in gear with this transfer business. I have so much trouble with my printer, OK, no excuses!! thanks for sharing on VIF, Debbie!
    xoxo Debra

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  64. These are gorgeous, Debbie! Love the images and the fabric! The ruffle is a wonderful touch.

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  65. I love them! I especially love the graphics you used. I'm going to try...try this! Thanks for the inspiration and how to!

    Nancy

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  66. I think these towels are absolutely fabulous. I am thinking you need to consider selling them to people (like me) who cannot sew. I would love to see what you might sale one for. Sorry if I am being a little too presumptious. I just really like them.

    So nice to visit with you.

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  67. Hello Debbie thank you for stopping by and your lovely comments. Yes I certainly have and am falling in love, shes asleep by my feet at the moment. Hope alls well with you. Teresa

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  68. LOVE LOVE these tea towels Debbie, you did a fabulous job on them!! LOVE the images you used on them too! Martina

    PS-- That last picture is gorgeous!

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  69. So vintage looking, so french and so fabulous. I want them! Have a great weekend, Linda x

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  70. I love these, and you are so right about osnaburg... I have always loved it! t. xoxoxo

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  71. These are just lovely! I'm a fan of the fabric as well.

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  72. These are delightful! Wish you could share those illustrations, I especially love the cow and sheep.

    XoXo,
    Kristal

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  73. Just fantastic!!
    I am inspired, thanks
    Michele

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  74. love these and I used to have a cat named Baby Kitty 8-)

    Happy new follower form Vintage Inspiration Friday.
    Laura

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  75. Thanks for the great tutorial, Debbi! These look so sweetly French vintage, I can't believe they're new! Now....if I could only sew....lol! What transfer paper did you use? :)

    xoxo laurie

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  76. I love these Debbie! They are beautiful! I will be featuring them this week on TTF so others can check it out! Thank you for joining TTF and have a fun day!

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  77. found you through Savvy Souther Style and will be following you now. i love your towels. good job!

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  78. Now, this is a SUPER idea! I have got to tell my daughter to take a look! This would make great inexpensive Christmas gifts!
    Thank you for sharing!
    Leticia

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  79. I'm a new follower and your blog is lovely. I love these tea towels. Would love these in my kitchen.

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  80. Soo cute Debbie! I LOVE these!! Sharing these at the party tonight! Thanks for linking up! :)

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  81. They are gorgeous, just wish that I could sew.

    Leeann x

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  82. BEAUTIFUL, and oh so French! Thank you for sharing it with us. Love your blog!

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  83. I love those too! Don't have a sewing machine or I would try to do them myself. Maybe you can get some of the cats to help you starting a shop to sell them. :)

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  84. Such great creations....love the edge of the ruffle too.
    So very delightful.

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  85. Love those tea towels! Would you please share the brand name of your transfer paper? So many of the brands got bad reviews on Amazon; I don't know which brand will be the best. Thanks!

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    1. So glad you like them, Beth! I use Avery brand, although I have heard that TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) is really superior. I want to to try it! Hope that helps...hugs...Debbie

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie