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

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Recycling Frosty's Poinsettia

Note: Last call for my July Christmas blog candy - click here and scroll down for details. For an extra chance to win, share a story about your Christmas recycling venture(s) in a comment below (no need to "follow" my blog - this is just for fun to share with my blog visitors).

A big welcome to you, My Dear Blogging Friends, and to my newest followers - Edwina, Lynda, Lisa, Nancy, K Williams.


Alright! Alright! Alright! I confess! I cheated! 

But Frosty under the poinsettia was WAY TOO CUTE just to throw in the recycle bin from someone's store bought card last year.

And besides...
      a little known fact about Frosty the Snowman is that...

 he loves poinsettias 

Frosty is always happiest being surrounded by the rosy flowers...

Alas...

macho peer pressure caused him to forsake the poinsettias whenever crowds are around. 

Only his closest friends know the truth.


An obscure paparazzi captured this intimate moment of Frosty surrounded by his friends and poinsettias.


The very sweet image, snowflakes, heart and the poinsettia were all "distressed" by using a VersaMark pad and VersaMarker and using Sparkle N Sprinkle Silver Lightning embossing powder. All the photos that really brought out the power of the bling, "dulled" the image - not sure why other than maybe the coating on the image?


This sweet little card is entered in the following challenges:


  1. Christmas Stampin All Year Long - #25 techniques (heat embossing all the distressed edges of the image, poinsettia, and the heart and snowflakes will Silver Lightning EP) (W-Thursday winners)
  2. Cut It Up - #23 - Christmas in July use die cut (Spellbinders, Memory Box, Poppy Stamps dies) (2W-F)
  3. Fairytale Challenge - #72 Christmas in July (2W-F)
  4. Inspire Me Fridays - #112 Recycling/Altering beautiful store bought cards (W-F)
  5. Christmas at Sweet Stampin - Snowman theme - (M)
  6. Created With Love - #50 Anything Goes (W-M)
  7. Anything Goes Challenges - #97 Anything Goes (T-2W 7-16)


Products Used:
Sparkle N Sprinkle Silver Lightning embossing powder
Sparkle N Sprinkle Twinkling Clouds flocking (on the bunny tail)
Sparkle N Sprinkle Dimensional Glue (for bunny tail)
Inkadinkadoo Greetings Peg Stamp Set
Papers: DCWV designer papers, SU blue, Recycled image from store bought card (cheating, I know, but isn't it cute?)
Dies and Punches:
Spellbinders Grand Large Labels LF-168
Memory Box Corner Bow (to form frame)
Poppy Stamps Blooming Poinsettia ie #861
MS Himalayan Snowflake Large Punch
MS Heart Seal Punch (two piece punch)
EK Success 3/4" round punch
Inks: VersaMark, Brilliance Starlite Silver, VersaFine Satin Red
Embellies: USArtQuest Prills, Lace

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed learning this wonderful little secret about Frosty! Don't forget to share your Christmas recycling tip for an extra entry in the basket for the blog candy drawing!

Warm Hugs,



48 comments:

Lynne in NI said...

Awww what a cutie :)

Chris Hanselman said...

Donna, such an amazing card. Your cards are always so delightful. Thanks for joining our Anything Goes Challenge at Created with Love Challenges.

~~Chris

craftin-dawn said...

Great recycle!! Love the card!!! Thanks for joining us this week at Created With Love Challenges for our ANYTHING GOES Challenge!
DawnD

pam said...

still a brilliant card Donna, great recycling.
pam

Debi said...

Wonderful recycling card Donna. I should do a bit of this. I have a box of card parts I've saved for the last 5 years and never seem use them. I must consider how I can work them into my cardmaking. Thanks for being my inspiration!!!! It might also help if you nagged me on occasion! You could leave a comment on my blog like ..."I really like this card but wouldn't it be neat with one of those old card parts in your stash you were complaining you never use."
If that works perhaps we could advance to dieting!!!!!
Hugs,
Debi

Sue said...

Awwww such a sweet snowman, so pleased he has been given a new home on your gorgeous card. I love all your detailing and fabulous sparkle
hugs Sue xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

I have been known to recycle my last year's Christmas cards as well. One year I used the card fronts and made little gift boxes from them. Also one year I got a beautiful white sparkly card which I made lovely snowflakes from. I then reused them on my own card creations.

Migdalia said...

Creative, Fun and Super DUPER cute!!!
Thank you for joining us at Cut It Up Challenges.
Have a wonderful day,
Migdalia
♥ Crafting With Creative M (my blog)♥
♥ 2 Creative Chicks Challenges ♥
♥ Silhouette Challenges ♥

McCrafty's Cards said...

I love it Donna, you are right the image was far to lovely to throw out, you have made a wonderful card with him, I like all the snowflakes and swirls.
Kevin xx

Heather said...

Oh, what a sweet intimate moment you captured. And yeay for recycling a gorgeous card from last year. Love how you used the embossing powder as an accent instead of actually embossing and image or sentiment. It really adds a lot of sparkle and shine. Thanks for playing with CSAYL.

Sue from Oregon said...

I so love the fact that this is a recycled creation! I still have cards from way back that the images were just too pretty to throw away-great idea!

NanaConnie said...

Donna, I don't think I've ever seen a better example of recycling old Christmas cards! This is fabulous. Love how you let us in on the secret about Frosty and poinsettias, and shared with us the paparazzi shots. Great story! :-D Hugs.

Bernardine Cuttino said...

DE, fabulous recylce card,love the coloring and of course those poinsettias, and thanks for sharing.
Hugs

Leslie Miller said...

I simply can't stop smiling! Your darling Frosty has some very sweet friends who seem to adore him as much as I do. What a wonderful image. Way too cute to toss out and I'm so glad you chose to recycle him! Love the glittery touches you added. So sweet to include the heart. Many fabulous details, such as the polka dot leaves. I'm just smitten! I've been saving a card to possibly recycle like this. I have another, as well, with not such a cute image, but there are a couple of glittery pom poms on it I hope to use. That's the extent of my Christmas card recycling this year. Thank you for such an inspiring and utterly charming card today, Donna!

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow I am so pleased that frosty had his life saved and in such a beautiful way.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

Fabiola said...

thanks to join the fun with us at CSAYL Donna with this so cute and lovely card, i love poinsettia to, hope to see you next time, biz

Becky said...

Hi, De. I love the snowman card. I, too, have recycled exceptional store bought cards I have received. I have used them to make ATC' s and my granddaughters love to use them to make cards for their friends (using some of my stuff to embellish). You aleays make such beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing.

Shona Erlenborn said...

So sugary sweet Donna. Little Frosty looks so happy to be adorned by all those poinsettias. Love the added frosty bling. Just gorgeous!

Cut It Up Challenge Blog said...

I love recycling last year's Christmas cards, too. This one was a cutie to begin with, but you really brought him over the top. Enjoyed reading his little bio, too!

Thanks for joining us in our Christmas in July Challenge at Cut it Up Challenge Blog! Hope to see you there again!

Evelyn
http://mylittlecraftblog.wordpress.com

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Donna ! Wow what a gorgeous design from a recycled card. But of coarse you have added the 'Donna touch' and created such a beauty. Beautiful! Happy Sunday, Shirleyxx

Anne Temple said...

Your card is fabulous! Love all the elements you added to this to make it your own and that embossing powder is the perfect color for this sweet topper.

KarinsArtScrap said...

it's a cute and gorgeous christmas card Donna.
love all the glitter.

greetings karin

Lady Bug Stampers said...

Donna I know I am a bit late this week with my comments but I had a really busy weekend with grandson birthday. But I had to come look at your card here when I saw it. OMG I love it it is just to precious. Great recycle job my dear. Thanks for joining us this week at Created with Love Challenges. Hope to see more of you.
Linda K. DT

Bianca said...

Your card is so very beautifull. Thank you for joining us at Fairytale Challenge! xx Bianca

Eret said...

Such an awesome recycle. Seems like this card was also cute at first but now it is absolutely fabtastic. Love what you did with it. So adorable Christmas card.
Hugs
Eret

SHartl said...

I love recycling anything I can get my hands on so this is a fabulous idea. You're right about Frosty being too cute to toss! I often recycle holiday cards to make gift tags.

Karenladd said...

So adorable! So fun how you used this little snowman and embellished with the beautiful poinsetiias. I love recycling elements from Christmas cards and last year I actually recycled the entire front of a card which a snow scene on it. I stamped and fussy cut a gnome, coloring his hat and suit red. Popped it up on foam tape and had myself a happy little Christmas elf card. Some cards are just too pretty to throw away, right?

StampNK said...

What a cute card and a sweet little snowman. I love recycling old Christmas cards and I usually keep my favorites every year to do just that. I sometimes use just an image from the card, and other times I turn the card into a gift tag!

Unknown said...

Oh Donna, you have made me chuckle, what an imagination, you have you should write books, LOL...fabulous card, so love that snowman xxx

Unknown said...

Donna this is a stunning card.

Love what you have done with it.

Very pretty indeed.

Thanks for joining in the fun at CSAYL.

Traceyxx

Julie Z said...

Fabulous recycle De! You're ABSOLUTELY right....way too cute to throw away. What a great new card it makes with all the wonderful accents and sparkle you added!!

cotnob said...

This is a fabulous card Donna, great recycling. Frosty is adorable, I can quite understand why you had to re-use him and he looks so happy under his poinsettia with his little friends all around. Fabulous die cut and glittery details.
Pauline
x

Uta said...

Your card is so pretty. Thanks for joining us at the Fairytale Challenge.
Hugs, Uta

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Cheater, indeed. Too funny. This is a great recycle. I especially like that corner bow frame. And Frosty is just too darned cute.....along with all your tongue in cheek comments. LOL!!!

Sue said...

I could never throw a snowman out recycled or otherwise, that is why my basement looks like it does!! He is adorable, and I love how you dressed up the card with all your extras, a great idea and oh so pretty too.

Hugs
Sue

Monica said...

Oh how sweet is this Donna, I love the poinsettia and the snowman is darling. The flourishes add much charm.
Love,
M

Anonymous said...

I agree, too cute to throw away Donna! Love everything about the card.
Amelia

Hazel said...

I saw your lovely Christmas card on Christmas at Sweet Stampin - you might also like to enter this into my CHNC challenge extra for July - I'd love to see it there too. x

Carol Hurlock said...

Your right Donna this little guy was way to cute to go in the garbage. He is simply adorable. I love the fun Christmas colors and the pretty poinsettia. He will delight the next person he is outward bound to this year. For my recycling Christmas efforts-I comb the thrift stores for items I can repaint in shabby chic colors. I rescue anything that I can re-purpose to that effect.
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Nela said...

Totally adorable!
Thanks for playing along with us at Fairytale Challenge!
xx Nela

Marilyn said...

Great card. I like that fab poinsettia and all the sparkle you've added. Great use of dies too.
Thanks for joining us at Christmas at Sweet Stampin' and I hope you'll join us next time as well.
Marilyn

Bonnie said...

What a waste it would have been to throw this festive guy away, Donna! You've done him up beautifully and made and extra special Christmas card!

Dawn said...

The price of fame...Frosty's reputation is now forever ruined lol. A gorgeous card, love the recycled front and you've embellished it beautifully.

Hugs, Dawn

Decosse's Dynamite Doodles said...

It isn't cheating when you work to save our world one recycled Christmas card at a time! I too have a number of sweet images I want to incorporate into cards. Now it is just a matter of finding the time to do so. Love what you have done here and also the humour. Always a nice added touch!

Thanks for the warm welcome too!

Hugs,
Lisa

Amy A said...

Donna, Such an adorable card. and great job with the recycling! As always, your design is amazing!

:o)
~Amy

SD pooja said...

Such a cute n lovely card !

Lee Ann Barrett said...

Hi Donna! Your snowman card is just darling! Love how you fancied him up! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving such sweet comments!

Christina Hor said...

LOL. I can't help but giggle Donna. The story behind the card is too funny. I didn't know any of that about Frosty! And doesn't matter that this was made using recycled Christmas card. You did gorgeous with this adorable Frosty image and his pals Donna! I see now why you love this image so much. There so much magic and beauty of the holiday captured in this little image and you brought it all back to life with so gorgeously with your creative talent Donna. Oh just marvelous. Thanks so much for for sharing this with me. Hugs, Christina