My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Wednesday, November 09, 2011

"It's A Cultural Thing" Blog Hop with Prizes!

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle "It's A Cultural Thing" Blog Hop! If you hopped here by way of artsy Dawn Thomas, then you're in the right place! If you're just beginning here, you might enjoy starting at the SNS Home Blog, to become eligible for a grand prize and three "mystery" prizes! This is my last blog hop as a Sparkle Staff Member - so thanks for stopping by. SNS has such a diverse selection of images, we decided to combine many of the stamps featuring themes which create American culture. 

I was very fortunate to have been raised on the West Coast, then in New England, and finally to the Gulf Coast of Florida. My parents were very open to interesting ideas. Growing up my siblings and I always enjoyed the influences of Asian, European and Latin customs - in our meals, celebrations and home decor. My fondest memories include those earliest childhood years which were in southern California. Horticulturally and architecturally, we thrived with Asian influence. So my projects today are reminiscent of Asian filigree and an Asian garden.


Today I'm showing a "card gift box" which will hold an assortment of coordinating and beautiful cards. These will become a Christmas Gift for a dear person (no names - don't want to give anything away LOL). This idea came from a wonderful mother and daughter team on The Craftiblog.

8.5" x 11" card stock was used.

The gift box is actually a repurposed cake mix box, top cut off, carefully opened flat, spray paint on the printed side, and reassembled with the kraft side out. Just click on the photos below to see how to create the gift box or visit my Gallery at the SNS site (one last time) here.



A Martha Stewart border punch cut gold glossy card stock to provide additional stability and to show off  the lace, which has been attached with 1/2 Tear-ific Tape, and then burnished with one of my favorite glitter colors -  Fantasy Gold, also on special this month!

The card stock was randomly stamped with the Lotus Flower Plant image from the Oriental set 181, embossed with rich Gold Coast Cosmic embossing powder, and highlighted with more Fantasy Gold glitter.




The medallion flower was created with Flowers in the Square image, fussy cut, and combined with purple, navy, and gold glossy layers created from Spellbinders Rose and Carnation Creations sets, cut on their Grand Calibur.

The gold glossy leaves are cut from a Sizzix Sizzlet die.

The box is the perfect size for 5x7 (A7) size cards.

The coordinating A7 card below uses the same background creation, Spellbinders "In Spades" borderabilities die, Butterflies Two shapeabilities die, and the Flowers in the Square image cut from navy and olive, embossed with Gold Coast and Dark Night Cosmic embossing powders. (Cosmics are my favorite EPs - so rich and creamy). The butterfly is embossed with Gold Tinsel EP. The recipe for my card is available on the SNS Art Gallery.


Thanks for stopping by!

Your final destination is the SNS Blog! To become eligible for the Grand Prize and three mystery prizes, please leave a comment on my blog below and return to the SNS blog and answer one or both of the following questions. There are no right or wrong answers LOL
What is your favorite tradition which was “brought over” by another culture? Does your family celebrate this? If that’s too ambiguous, how about what special thing do you especially enjoy about American Culture? Answering these questions back on the SNS Home Blog makes you eligible for the Grand Prize and 3 other secondary prizes! Good Luck!


Stamping Hugs,

41 comments:

creativearts said...

Wow! Donna, the box holder and card are amazing! Very pretty! I love your colors and the flower is gorgeous! I have been missing you with your little tidbits of chatter but I wish you joy and happiness for the future. I want to see more pics on your blog!

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Wowser! These turned out fabulous. I love the colors and so much attention to detail! You are the bomb. I would love to get a gift like this. Who wouldn't?
I am always amazed at your talent!

Unknown said...

OMG!! You out did yourself Donna!! I'm so jealous you have all this time now to create!! You have done a beautiful job (and it's green:) I love everything about it from top to bottom...what a great combo...I'm going to have to try something like this!!

Barbara Bruder said...

WOWSER!! Donna your projects are just stunning. Another fabulous job on these!! I especially like that green, it just is so pretty.

Linda said...

OMG! Donna, What a great idea. Fabulous flower and colors. I like the lace and the beautiful card for inside. thanks for showing us step by step.

Shona Erlenborn said...

Wow - look at you Lady! Looks like you've got too much time on your hands!! Seriously Donna, these are gorgeous! I remember seeing that box tutorial - but you really made a work of art here. Awesome color choice too. Love everything about it and you! Keep having fun with your free time!

Lana Clarke said...

Donna your card and card box is just so beautiful and elegant and I'm sure the recipient of this fabulous creation will sure cherish it forever. I just love the elegant oriental stamp and how you have embossed it with gold stunning xxx

Karin said...

Donna, Donna, Donna! I'm speechless right now! Everything about this is amazing. I can't believe you made that layered flower, it's stunning and so intricate. And from a cake mix box came this work of art? I love the lace trim and delicate ribbon handle too :) No wonder you were last on the hop, you really out shined us all with this brilliant project...Your talent will be missed, but it's mostly it's just you that will be missed aroung here....Big hugs!

Anonymous said...

Christmas gift??? me me me LOL... Once again you've blown us away with your talent!!! What a beautiful set - love the colors and the texture and the list goes on!!! It's just so elegant - just like you :) Brenda

April said...

Donna, what a gorgeous box and cards!I love the many layers of the medallion and all the other elements. great job!

Karalee said...

OMG talk about eye candy! I can't wait to see what you come up with now that you're going to have more "play" time. These are absolutely gorgeous!

Anita Braddock said...

Supper Beautiful the colors and glitter you used are great Love Love the cards and box. Love Love the flower you made. the embossing is great.
thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.
abbraddock@msn.com

Anonymous said...

What a GREAT gift idea. Whoever gets your special gift is in for a wonderful surprise. The colors you chose make for an elegant combination. Thanks for sharing.

karenajo

Barbara said...

Talk about thinking outside the box! I absolutely ADORE that idea! And your making the medallions into the beautiful flower. Gorgeous colors, beautiful detail..the recipient of your gift is very lucky! Thank you so much for sharing and for a great deal of inspiration!

NanaConnie said...

WOW, gorgeous!! Love that lace trim and the sparkle. Great idea to make a set of cards. I'm doing some of those myself for gifts this year. SnS is going to miss you terribly, but I'll keep following your blog in order to stay in touch. Hugs.

NWFlamingo said...

Yipes! I bet all the cake mix boxes in your cupboard are shouting, "Pick me next"!

Gina R said...

Very nice cards, love the way you made then

Amanda R said...

Oh Donna, this is just gorgeous! And recycled too! Love the lace, such a beautiful touch. Thanks for all the wonderful comments you leave me, they are always appreciated!

Gerlinde said...

Stunning! Words don't do that project justice! That is the epitome of card crafting! A true work of art! I am so going to miss your way with words on all your kind comments, but I hope to be able to see more of your artwork on your blog!

E. Marie said...

Donna, these are gorgeous!! Love the bright green and all the beautiful embellishments. That lace is stunning, as well as the layered flower. We will soooo miss you but you better stay in touch. I will be back to your blog to see what you are up to - I know it will be awesome!!

Frann said...

Donna, the recipient of this set will be blown away--it is gorgeous beyond words! I will miss your friendly comments and responses on the SNS blog. I'm eager to see what you'll create on your own blog.

Anonymous said...

All the sites were great. I love being inspired by the new techniques. Thanks for sharing. Donna

Anonymous said...

Domna: once more you went over th top. I love the box and the simple recipe for it. Then to see a coordinated care is the icing on the cake (get it cake icing - cake box?)

I will miss our banter and jokes, but wish you luck and hope to see you around.

C said...

Wow, Donna! Your creations are just absolutely stunning! I never would have guess you repurposed that box. Now I'll be saving all my boxes.

Your card is stunning with the gold embossing and that deep green is just drop dead gorgeous!

TerryH said...

Wow, love the green and gold combo, how unique! And I think I might snag the idea of the box, way cool!

Hopemore Studio said...

Oh Donna, those are stunning!! You know how I love altered and this takes the cake (pun intended)

~Angie

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Love the fussy cut flower made from the medallion!

NancyA
booknplays@aol

birdibrost@hotmail.com said...

Great to see an alternate idea to card making. Giving a gift in this - who wouldn't want to give and get one.

Anonymous said...

what a clever & beautifully adorned box & gift holder Sandy Rustydoc1@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

Whoa! What a beautiful card holder and card! They are both treasures. Your tutorial is wonderful and the whole project is a masterpiece. TFS for the details.

happy said...

What incredible details you've put into your projects! I often struggle with green paper, but your color combinations are great.

Kathy Vogel said...

The medallion flower & the butterfly are stunning. I love the glitter.

Dawn said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your projects. That stamp set is amazing!!! It is definitely going on my WISH LIST!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!! I love the card and box idea. I would have never thought to use a empty cake box.

Denise B.

Aileen said...

The box is absolutely stunning--so many layers of unique and beautiful things. I loved the lace, the flowers and the use of the punch. Your creation uses so many techniques; it looks as if you had to spend many, many hours on it. I loved the leaves--oh, i just loved it, period. Thank you.

Julie Z said...

Donna, this project is just stunning! Such a neat idea & SO beautifully done! Others have said it already too - you have such an amazing attention to detail! And all the photos / explanations you included were a great bonus too! TFS all of that & this beautiful project!
We've been sharing our goodbyes for a little while now, but suddenly it does seem a bit more "official" and that much harder to believe that you won't be hanging around SNS with us. You have meant so very much to me in my SNS endeavors & personally. I truly hope we will continue to be hopping into each other frequently. Big Hugs & blowing SNS Sparkly kisses your way!!

Pat said...

Gorgeous color. Awesome job with the embossing. Yours always turns out wonderfully.

Shannon White said...

Wowzers! How Gorgeous is this! What a Fabulous gift box and card set! Anyone would be thrilled to receive such a Gorgeous gift! 8-)

Hugs
Shannon 8-)

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow these are gorgeous ! Your work is beautiful ! Thanks for stopping in on my blog.

Carolyn said...

Ohhhh Donna.....such a beautiful box! I love the fact that you have recycled and green is my favorite colour too. Then of course the lace...I love lace too. Oh it is just perfect.

Carolyn

Sharon Field / Inky A*Muse-ment said...

Lovely stunning card Donna!! LOVE the colors and embossing.. what a great project! The lace is to die for!