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

Friday, February 17, 2012

Christmas Follows Valentine's Day, Right?

Hi! Thanks for stopping by. I'm delighted to have made a card for some wonderful on-line challenges. 

Ever receive store-bought cards which are just too pretty to be put in the neighborhood recycle bin? This card is one of those. Recycled "in-house", this card front has only been altered slightly with blue ink, VersaMark and Sparkle Embossing Powder, and of course, lots of layers and embellishing.


A very talented Girl Friend invented a spectacularly-easy-to-use Bow Maker called Craft-Dee BowZ. Even my fumble fingers make perfect bows everytime. While it is designed for children and adults, she also made some adjustments for "handi-capped" people such as myself. Thank you DeeDee!


Sparkle EP allows use of the VersaMark Pad and/or VersaMarker, to get in those special spots. Here a small 1" cube was smooshed across the bulk of the snow, and then the marker did the areas around the children and sky, so they remained glitter-less. Much easier than glue, Sparkle EP will never rub off, either. 



This card has been submitted to the following fun challenges:
Christmas Card Challenges #11 - Sketch
Christmas Inspirations - Challenge 41/2012 Anything Goes
Christmas Crafting Challenge - Blue, Silver, White
Crafter's Companion #21 - Anything Goes
Pretty Little Ribbon #7 - Anything Goes
Totally Paper Crafts #104 - Ribbons and-or Bows

Thanks for visiting!
Stamping Hugs,






37 comments:

Pauline said...

What a fab way to recycle this pretty Christmas card scene! Love the punched edges and all the gorgeous sparkle!

Sarah said...

Fabulous card!

Thanks for joining us at the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop challenge.

Sarah x

CARLA PREDIGER said...

Marvelous card! You got a wonderful result by recycling it. And I'm glad you found our Christmas Inspirations Challenge blog to play with us! I hope you will play with us along the year.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Awesome card with your re-creating' a card front ! It's gorgeous with all the glitter & extra colour ! And yes we have to start on Christmas cards again.... Cheers !

NanaConnie said...

Donna, I did post a comment over on the SnS blog but wanted to make sure you saw it here, too. Love all the sparkle on your card, and I really believe in recycling store-bought cards, especially Christmas cards! I’ve even been known to die cut the inside sentiment from a Christmas card and use it as the card-front focus of a hand-made card. Of course, being able to do that depends on whether or not the sender wrote over the inside sentiment. lol Hugs.

Barb said...

Your card is beautiful! I love that you recycled. And the sparkle is gorgeous!

Shannon White said...

Oh this is a Great way to recycle! I have aBox full of the ones that I just can't part with and always end up adding a couple to the box each year.. Love this idea Miss Donna! And Love the sparkle too! 8-)

Hugs
Shannon

Barbara Bruder said...

What a beautiful card. Love the recycling. Merry Christmas!!!

Shona Erlenborn said...

Wow Donna, this is stunning! Love how you used my all-time favorite EP, it makes the scene a beautiful snowy wonderland. Your die cuts and all the embellishments are wonderful.

Karalee said...

Wow, this is absolutely beautiful! I love it.

Margo said...

The prettiest recycling job I have seen!
Thanks for joining the CCC this week!

creativearts said...

Gorgeous embossing powder on a repurposed card! Love the border also! Keep recycling!

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Fabulous job on the CCC sketch. Thanks for joining us this week.

Keep It Sweet and Simple said...

This is just beautiful and what a fab way to recycle those old Christmas cards.
Love all the shimmer.
Caroline xxx

E. Marie said...

This is really gorgeous and a great idea!!! Love it.

Karin said...

It's NEVER too early to start on Christmas cards! No matter what, I'm always short come December :) Love your recycling idea too and this is so beautiful!

Lena said...

Donna,
Really this is a gorgeous card. Absolutely fabulous. I loved scene you created: amazing.
Thanks for joining us at Christmas Inspirations.
I hope to see you again.
Hugs!
Lena

Amanda R said...

Gorgeous Donna and you are getting an early start on Christmas cards for this year!

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Such a beautiful card. You really made a phenomenal (sp?) card. Love the punches, inking, layered dies and the Sparkle EP snow. You have such a gift for layering! And don't you wish that the Christmas spirit lived all year?
Love ya.

Pat said...

I love it. That EP is wonderful. I watched her use it at Stampfest. Beautiful card.

Betty Wright said...

Donna, this is absolutely gorgeous! Beautifully colored and I just love all the sparkle!

Pathy said...

Wonderful card. I love it

Thanks for joining us at Christmas Inspirations.

Hugs!

meg said...

What great use of a beautiful card the backing you added is superb. Thank you for joining in the Christmas Crafting Challenge.

Vicky said...

So gorgeous sweetie :o)

thanks for joining us at tpc...and good luck..!

biggest of hugs Vicky xx

Magali said...

Wonderful card. I love it

Thanks for joining us at Christmas Inspirations.

Hugs!

Victoria said...

This is a beautiful card excellent use of the ribbons/bows theme this week on totally papercrafts. Thank you for joining us
Victoria DT Member TP

Karin said...

Love the new blog header Donna!

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

Hi Donna I Love your new blogheader. Beautiful. And your card so nice and fabulous.
Lovely greeting and nice weekend

Debbie said...

Beautiful...what a fabulous image and a great recycling project. Thank you for joining us at Christmas Crafting this month.
Debbie x

Clare said...

Great recycling! Love all the sparkle!

Lana Clarke said...

Wow what a fabulous card Donna and how fabulous that you were able to recycle!
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog you are so nice ;)
Hope you are well
Hugs
Lana x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Donna,
I just stopped by to let you know that I'm passing on a Blog Award for you. Please check back at my Blog at Feb 29th post for details ! Have a great day ! Shirley

Wendy - Anntaurus said...

This is gorgeous. Thanks for joining the Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge.

Wendy -x-

Ellen Taylor said...

Beautiful sparkle and Layout! Fabulous card!

Joann said...

Love your card. What a great way to reuse a card. What a great idea.

Carol L said...

You win the prize for recycling!!! This is so pretty with the added sparkle and shimmer and the bow really is perfect! NJ!

Shirley said...

How lovely and needed right about now!~ You are going to be so ready for next year!! That die cut is perfect for the downhill scene!