"Look, no hands! Oh snap! Let me show you my shocked face! Am I right -- and left? Low five! High five!" Happy as a clam, Petals star jumped in triumph with the scene behind them painted in warm shades of orange and peach scattered with fluffy clouds. She flourished the splintered paintbrush over and over but it did not work. The living drawing brought her hand to her face for a facepalm and then straightened, expressionless as a blank page except for tears that welled in her eyes because she did not know how Shelby would return home.

"Magic happens every day," Shelby smiled. "And I am a good artist. Nothing in my hands, nothing in my hands..." The girl produced the paintbrush like a magician.

Petals eyed her empty hand astonishingly.

Shelby straightened the wand like a magician and colors splashed to create a beautiful door.

"Which hand?" Petals held out clenched fists. She opened both and grabbed Shelby in a hug.

The girl held out her hand to let the paintbrush fall like a mic drop for Petals to catch. Petals told her friend, "Here is my vital secret: Your heart is about the size of your hand when you hold a paintbrush. Fireflash, will you always imagine?"

"Pinky promise," Shelby looked back as she opened the door to her room. After the smiling duo performed a complicated handshake the seven-year-old jumped through the opening.

"Deuces!" Petals flashed two fingers in a peace sign.

Shelby sat up sharply on the bed like a touring oneironaut returning to the waking world. The child checked her desk. She moved the book to lift the paper that covered the picture of Petals and the flower blossom. Shelby ran her fingers across the budded charm that had become embedded into the drawing. The girl spoke with her hands, "Thank you, Petals."

> Animated Bonus Feature! Click the still below for hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation in graphite pencil form of the handcrafted character Petals and Her Paintbrush.

Here's a glimpse at the huggable plush toy Petals and Her Paintbrush collectible. Petals is handcrafted with multi-colored fleece material under-stuffed with polyester fibers. Her paintbrush is a combination of felt and fleece. Petals has child safe embroidered eyes, suitable for ages 3 and up.

"Multiple colors flew from the paintbrush bristles and splashed onto the wall dripping into the shape of a door with luminescence like stained glass, opened by a doorknob that hummed a lovely song."

Design for Petals and Her Paintbrush inspired night light. Packaging made from handmade paper embedded with flower seeds to draw on, plant, and grow.

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