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

Monday, December 16, 2013

A Little Sugar Plum Fairy in each of us!


Wintry Greetings, dear blogging friends,
and new followers Loll, Benzi, Faye, Roxie, Mary H!
We're approaching the end of the year already - Yikes!

Mid Month Reminder for  
Path of Positivity Challenge
(challenge # 9 - Joy)
It's been a Joy guest designing with the great team at PoP this month.

Submissions are accepted to the PoP challenge through January 5.
In case you've not heard of PoP, it's a wonderful challenge blog comprised of "positive" thoughts - regardless of personal belief. All religions, philosophies, and life-sharings are welcome. The intent is to bring some positive "conversation" to share with our cyber buddies!


This month it is all about "Joy" 

The quality of Joy is always desired to help us look forward to new opportunities.
Joy helps me keep a Positive Outlook despite the circumstances.

It is my experience that Joy is the result of Love, Acceptance, Kindness...
(especially toward ourselves because we often put ourselves last)
and I have discovered
Joy affords Peace, Contentment and even Wisdom by helping me shift my attention from the hardship or "negative" aspect, to the silver lining and blessings of Life.

Is Joy helpful in your life?


For the second half of the month, Creative Bug Digitals is the PoP sponsor.

 CBD provided their darling ballerina image. 


She is my Sugar Plum Fairy, 
        and reminds me that 
                 a little "sugar plum fairy" 
                          resides inside all of us
(giggle)

All we have to do is look inside 
and 
delight in that sugared goodness 
and 
enjoy the beautiful 
Dance of Life.


** DECEMBER PRIZES **

The sponsors and prizes for this challenge are:
  • Ten digital images from Creative Bug Digitals for the person out of the top seven who receives the most votes during voting week.
  • Three digital images from Ike's World for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.
  • Three digital images from Fresh Brewed Designs, our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.
  • One digital designer paper from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky voter who leaves a comment.
  • One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles as well.
And custom Badges for the Top Seven!

Thanks for stopping by - be sure to play along with the PoP Challenge - all you need is a craft, project or written Life Share which has the theme of JOY - then upload that blog post to their Linky!


Products used:
  • Creative Bug Digitals ballerina
  • SNS Diamond Dust G1116
  • Copic Markers
  • Computer generated sentiment
  • Dies: Spellbinders, Cottage Cutz foliage branches
Fabulous Challenges these cards have been submitted to:
  1. Crafty  Catz Weekly Challenge #211 - Anything Goes (12-19)
  2. Polkadoodles #50 - Anything Goes (12-22 announced 4 days later)
  3. Sister Act #37 - Anything Goes (12-20)
  4. My Heart Pieces Digital Stamps Challenge "Sparkle" - (12-18)
  5. The Stamping Chef - #9 Anything Goes - (12-17)
  6. Corrosive Challenges # 189 Anything Goes - (12-23)
  7. Challenges 4 Everybody - #35 Anything Goes (12-20)
  8. Artistic Inspirations - #72 Anything Goes (1-4)
  9. Crafty Bloggers Network - "Girly" - (12-31)
  10. Love to Create - #96 Anything Goes (12-23)
Chilly December hugs,



40 comments:

Shona Erlenborn said...

How cute! I found something different that caught my eye in each of the photos. A lovely display of layers, texture and joy! The inside of the card is so pretty too Donna. Thanks for spreading your gorgeous touch of joy.

Pat K said...

Gorgeous card Donna...LOVE the sparkle surrounding this sweet dancer. hugs, Pat K x

Brenda said...

This adorable card has sugar all over it!!! Just gorgeous...so much beautiful detail.

Benzi said...

Donna, that's a darling fairy and love all the sparkle on the roses and sprinkled all around. The card is beautifully created.

Joy is a must in one's life and you use it so well. You've written a wonderful post about what it does for you and I've enjoyed reading it.

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a joyfull ballerina, and what a pretty card you made with her, great sparkle and beautiful flowerworld , when you look at the card you really find joy and happenes, at least it feels so!!!

Greetings
Maria

Sue said...

Gorgeous card Donna. I love the cute image, beautiful colouring and full of sparkly details.
hugs sue xx

vic said...

Hi Donna oh your card is just beautiful and you have decorated the inside beautifully too, I agree with everything you said about joy, what a great chalkenge :)
Hugs
Vic x

KarinsArtScrap said...

what a beautiful card with great dies and that little touch of glitter Donna.

gr karin

Unknown said...

Love the way you have been distressing with the Diamond Dust!! Beautiful:)

craftieodmae said...

Beautiful, and so many gorgoeus details, love all the glitter!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Another stunning 'Donna Design' full of glitter and sparkle with fabulous layers and lovely flowers. The image is sweet and your colouring is beautiful. I hope you are doing well, enjoy the Season. Hugs, Shirleyx

Anne Temple said...

This is adorable! Love all the sugar (aka glitter) all over.

Monica said...

Wow, Donna another beeeeeeeeautiful creation from you. I love the sugar plum fairy. Hope she blesses me. And look at the all the stunning detail here. The flowers are the prettiest.
I tried entering a card but something went wrong with POP. Will give it another go. Gosh, such a busy time of the year. Christmas concerts, vacation and what not happening here. All good and much to be grateful for.
Hope your health is better.
Much love,
M

Karen Petitt said...

Gorgeous image De, you've coloured her beautifully and I love the layout and embellishments - a stunning card inside and out xx

cotnob said...

This is a beautiful card Donna, such pretty pastel colours and adorable image.
I love all of your fabulous die cuts and lovely rolled flowers.
I hope you are well.
Pauline
x

Kat W said...

Your post is full of gorgeousness from the uplifting words to your adorable little sugar plum fairy - I think there's more than a little bit of her in me! I do have a HUGE love for pink anyway as you will know from my blog!
The layers of your card are just gorgeous and the rolled roses are stunning - love the sprinkling of glitter too!
As for joy - it's really a matter of perspective and can always be found if you are open to it :-)

Big hugs and smiles,
Kat xx

MaryH said...

This is a delightful & cheery image, and you have really sent it right over the top with all the intricate & rich embellishments you've added. Loved the lacey die cut, and those flowers...oh my, my. And the inside was just as beautifully decorated too. Such a gorgeous card. TFS & Merry Christmas. Hope you are arranging some nice sunny weather for us!!! Hugs

Shirley said...

You have used my fave colour on her Donna. Pink has always been a positive colour for me (not so much the vibrant but I love rose pink).

Roses are also my fave flower. Your roses are made beautifully and a lovely shade they go oh so well with your blog post sentiments.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

NanaConnie said...

You're going to love this, Donna -- My youngest granddaughter was looking over my shoulder as I clicked onto this post and her first reaction to the top photo was, "Is that a cake? Could you make me one like that for my next birthday?" LOL When I told her it was a card, at first she just couldn't believe it. She read through your whole post and then decided I was right. So now she wants a card like it. :-D It's so beautiful, my friend!! I doubt I could come anywhere near anything so gorgeous. Fortunately, her birthday is a long way off so she'll probably change her mind a dozen times.

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Oh DE, this ballerina is simply adorable for the special little girl in your life. Beautifully designed and of course that glitter gives it the perfect finishing touches.
Merry Christmas
Hugs

creativearts said...

Love that pink hair! The card is adorable and I love the inner page with the sentiment. Have a great holiday!

Unknown said...

Super card, lovely image, thanks for joining us at The Stamping Chef with our anything goes challenge hugs Txx (DT)

Jac’s Playground said...

Beautiful card, love all your layering and what a fab sentiment inside, it made me smile on a very grey and damp morning and for that thank you! thanks for joining us at Crafty Catz this week, Jac x

Alanna said...

WOW Donna, this is so pretty. All your cards are so detailed and gorgeous.

Thanks for sharing it with us at Sister Act Card Challenge.

April said...

What a sweet, sparkly card! I just love the image. Great job as usual!

Mayras Designs said...

Donna, This card is full of such pretty details ! I love the pinks, the layers , the roses ! Beautiful creation !

hugs,
Mayra
mayrasdesigns.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Love the layering of the dies! Such a pretty image! Thanks for joining us this week at Love to Create!

Mei
LTC DT
Anyone for Anya DT
Stampavie and More DT
Creative Fingers DT 

Sue said...

She is a sweetie for sure. Love the pink and turquoise colors together, and of course your signature sparkliness! So many beautiful details on every creation, how could you not feel joy looking at this card. Hope your holidays are wonderful. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Donna.

Hugs
Sue

Sylvia said...

Fabulous card, thank you for joining us for this months girly challenge.

sylv xx
crafty Bloggers Network DT

Leslie Miller said...

This darling magical creation exudes joy! You exude joy! I feel joy every time I visit here. Such a happy place. This is the sweetest treasure with your tiny dancer surrounded by all the pretty sparkle and flowers. Love! Now I can go to bed with a smile on my face.

Eret said...

Donna, your card is as beautiful from the inside as it is on the outside. Really stunning card. Love the soft pastel colors. They goes perfectly with this darling fairy. All the different layers and your beautiful flowers are gorgeous. Magnificent card!
Hugs,
Eret

Sherry Eckblad said...

Your card is absolutely adorable both inside and out. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments about my cards.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Donna it is always such a pleasure to see your cards and all the creativity on it. This is so beautiful and I love all the detail of the flowers and dies. Wonderful job! Have a blessed Christmas.
Hugs,
Amelia

Desire Fourie said...

Donna we are so honoured that you are guest designing for us at POP. Your card is just pure joy and makes one so happy looking at it. Yes, I am sure there is a fairy lurking in all of us xxx Thank you also for all your wonderful uplifting and inspiring love you always leave over at my little space in blog land. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and joyous Christmas.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, Donna, I am just getting caught up on my commenting now that my computer is back. I love this! Such a sweet image, and pink is my favourite colour. Your colouring is beautiful and I so enjoy seeing how you add your glitter. The flowers are lovely too. I really like your sentiment on the inside of the card - I never think to make the inside so pretty like this. Well done!
Wishing you a joyful day!

Michelle said...

Beautiful card - love all the detail. Thanks for joining us at Love To Create for this weeks challenge.

nwilliams6 said...

Love this sweet image and that great sentiment! The sparkle and flowers on this are really extra special. I have definitely missed visiting your wonderful blog and seeing your gorgeous work! Hope you are all ready for Christmas - Merry Christmas and lots of hugz!

K8 said...

Lovely card whit all the layers, she is so cut that ballrina!! Love the sparkle!! Thank you for playing with us at Artistic Inspirations this time, hugs Kate DT

Carol Hurlock said...

I have such a "thing" for rolled roses and these just spark my creativity. I love how they shine and catch the light. The sugar plum fairy is just darling.
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Path of Positivity said...

I forgot to mention in the first one how much I love the way you describe us -- "challenge blog comprised of "positive" thoughts - regardless of personal belief. All religions, philosophies, and life-sharings are welcome. The intent is to bring some positive "conversation" to share with our cyber buddies!"

What a beautiful description and I am glad that you are able to see how important it is to me that the blog be all inclusive. It is about people and the journeys we share and the paths we take together. We are all human beings and it is so important to recognize and understand that we are all different. Thanks for seeing my vision.

As far as your creation goes it is simply one of the best cards I've ever seen using one of Naomi's images. Everything about it sparkles and shines joy for all to see. Thank you for being part of our journey this month. It wouldn't have been the same without you.

Hugs,
Lisa