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, April 15, 2015

Lace and Pearls from the Heart {Scrapy Land}

Happy Spring, everyone! And welcome to my humble little blog. 
Special welcome to new follower Becca Cruger.
Sadly, this will be my last post with the marvelous Scrapy Land design team - best team ever! Such kindness and encouragement in one place - I cannot thank my teamies enough for a very enriching and supportive experience!
Be watching soon for a Guest Design Team option at the SL Challenge blog!



This is Scrapy Land's 16th Challenge!


Challenge #16 is open from April 15 until May3. 
The theme is "PEARLS AND/OR LACE" using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells".  Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and many are discounted.
The prize is a $15 gift card - good for anything in the Scrapy Land store!

My cards feature the following Scrapy Land dies.
(for all the dies used, please see the product list at bottom of post)


Scrapy Land Memory Box - Riviera Corner MBD-98372
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Elegant Scrollwork MBD-98153
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Chloe Stem
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Leavenworth Butterfly Trio (filigree)
Scrapy Land Memory Box - Cascadia Butterfly Trio (solid)
Scrapy Land Spellbinders -  Bitty Blossoms S5-086
Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn - "Cherish" B415
TIP:
When using semi-transparent glitter or embossing powder on die cuts, be sure to distress or shade the edges of your die cuts.
(It brings more dimension to the die cuts after the glue dries, because the ink can be seen through the glitter as shown on the leaves in my project)



TIP:
How to create a frame when you do not have dies the size needed.
(if reading from my blog, please click on the photo below to enlarge the print)


Love the pretty script on Cheery Lynn's word dies, especially when they are shadowed with a darker color. The pearl dotting the "i" is colored with a Copic Marker. The Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork die cut is timeless, and customized with SNS Mulberry Star EP. Little pearls grace the body of the butterfly (links for die cuts shown below).


Memory Box's Chloe Stem is coated with Prills in the color called "mini pearls" as part of the Scrapy Land Challenge this fortnight.


The SL designers enjoy seeing your fabulous works of art! You are all an inspiration to us!



The Path of Positivity Challenge has a wonderful theme this month. It's all about GROWTH. I thrive in the process of Growth - even those periods of 

     extreme complications

          challenges

               unpleasantness

But surprisingly I have learned (for me) that my Greatest Growth takes place when 

  • things are SEEMINGLY good, 
  • or 
  • when I cease to struggle (using up precious energy) in a particular hardship
  • especially when I am "at rest" despite the circumstances.  

I call this "embracing the challenge", though I may not like what is happening, or respond OUTWARDLY in a manner that others think I should.

When Life is not its prettiest, we look for ways to make it pretty - we work hard to change whatever is troubling us; so Change is often a natural outcome from that. But Change and Growth are not always synonymous.

When things are soooo Good (typically when we do not recognize that "things are good"), we might not realize that the Status Quo needs a bit of shaking up, to help us deepen our commitments to certain people or causes - even commitments to ourselves. Sometimes, when everything is "going our way", we bask in the easiness of life, and forget the preciousness of

     every little aspect of life

          every tiny moment

               every soul who crosses our path

we might even tend to take the goodness for granted (though that is never our intention).  

Like my card, The Heart Shape had to morph, undergoing lots of cut ups, inking, dry embossing, gluing, shaping, before it began to come together in a format I had not previously imagined. It remained rather flexible in my hands during the arduous transformation. Our lives can be like that. I treasure every stumbling block, every moment of life, because it is THOSE ISSUES which cause the Real Me to come through - both my Flaws AND my Strengths become more visible.

Friday, a Stamping Buddy came over to play. I explained to her that it is the Process of Creation I most enjoy - 

     far more than the actual finished project

  • I enjoy watching plants grow from seeds. 
  • I enjoy having to prune plants to nubs on occasion, because it is good for them - then I get to watch how they re-emerge prettier than ever. 
  • I allow the "dead blossoms" to sometimes seed, even though the plant's sickly appearance gives the viewer a desire to cut off the "dead blossoms" or to think it needs to be watered. 
  • In my heart, (in faith), I know the plant is still growing, and producing the POTENTIAL FOR NEW LIFE

Though we may be 
     fragile, 
          vulnerable, 
               hurt, 
                    afraid, 
                         or lonely, 

it's entirely possible that we are in that "seed bearing" mode, where Growth is not apparent - YET - but where the potential of growth is just around the corner. Sometimes Growth requires patience, rest, faith and to continue "walking in mercy" regardless of what is happening around us and in us.

I'd love hearing what Growth means to you!




Products Used:

  • Sparkle N Sprinkle: Brushable Glue, Mulberry Star EP, Sunny Daze Glitter, Spirited Green Glitter
  • Image: freebie digital heart colored with Copics (I'm sorry, the name of the pretty heart image is not in my records, but it might have been from Digital Tuesday.)
  • Lace, fabric flower, mini flowers and Pearls from stash
  • USArtquest Prills in "minnie pearls" color (on Chloe die cut)



Fun Challenges participating in:
  • Craft for the Craic (fun) - April "Die-ing for Spring" must use die cut with Spring theme - this card is full of Spring Time colors, flowers and butterflies - dies listed above (5/1)
  • Crafts 4 Eternity - #221 Texture - prills, lace, glitter, embossing powder, silk flowers, pearls, glitter, dry embossing (4/15)



  • Jo's Scrap Shack - #83 Florals and Butterflfies - I hope using the die cuts for the theme is acceptable with the spring green, heart shaped fauna (4/17)




  • Creative Colors Challenge - #33 Use 3 Colors from the Inspiration Photo shown at left [pale pink, bright pink, lime green, yellow (ceiling) deep plum-lavender (embossing powder)] (4/30)
  • DiesRUs Challenge - #24 May Flowers - must use dies (please see grocery list above) 5/1



stamping hugs,


59 comments:

KraftyKoolKat said...

This creation is awesome Donna. Such gorgeous colours and a fantastic layout.
You will be greatly missed I am sure over on Scrapy Land and I hope they have you back as a guest.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Shona Erlenborn said...

Well that's one way to go out with a bang! What a gorgeous detailed piece, Donna. Loving the color theme, pink and lime green - perfect for Spring and all those challenges! Love how you used the dies to the maximum and all the pretty lace, pearls and flowers - exquisite!

craftieodmae said...

It's all so gorgeous I couldn't decide what to droll over first.

Pamellia said...

Wow, gorgeous Donna!! So many beautiful die cuts and I love all the added glitter and pearls! You will surely be missed at Scrapyland! hugs :)

Pat K said...

Fabulous creation Donna. Love how you've incorporated all the beautiful die cuts and your colour choices are wonderful. hugs, Pat K x

Lori Kobular said...

Your card is absolutely gorgeous Donna! I love all the details you put into your creations! Thanks for the tutorial too! It has been a pleasure working with you on the SLDT!! You will be missed with all your creativity!!

KarinsArtScrap said...

what a very beautiful and decorated card Donna
Gr Karin

SD pooja said...

Your card is full of spring freshness Donna ! Loved the bright color combo and that glitter too :)

Anne Temple said...

Your card is amazing Donna! Love the bright, bold colors and all the fabulous details and tips you've shared. I'll definitely miss having you on the team, but know I won't be far away :-).

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wowzers, Donna! Well, you're really going out on a high note! This is absolutely spectacular! Love everything about it, the hearts, butterflies, flowers, glitter, flourishes, borders, lace, pearls - all incredibly gorgeous! Thank you for all the tips! I enjoyed reading your blog post about growth too - very well written!

P.S. Regarding our recent conversation, I decided not to go for it at this time. Thanks for your advice!

Sending hugs,
Kitty

Sue said...

Another fabulous card. Sounds like you enjoyed your stay with SL. Wonderful tutorial on how you did the heart frame. Such brilliant colors, sparkle (would not be you without sparkle)and so many lovely details. You are a strong person, and I know that first hand from your gentle kindness shown to me when I was going through a bad time.
Keep on keeping on............

Hugs
Sue
ps, I made a correction to my post today, had the wrong link for the free image of the flower bouquet, in case you were looking for it, sorry for the confusion.

Wynn said...

A truly stunning card and some great tips. Thank you for sharing it with us at OLL challenges. Wynn DT

Linby said...

wow! what a show stopper of a card, so much detail.
Thanks for taking part in the OLLCB this time.
Lynn x
DT

Sue said...

WOW!!! That card is stunning.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Sue

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, Donna, this is absolutely stunning!! The details you add to projects is amazing!! I love the colors, the sparkle and the layers!! Every detail is perfect!! And as always, your tips are fabulous!! You will be so missed my friend, but I will still be stopping by your blog all the time!! It's been so fun being dt sisters with you!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

cotnob said...

A stunning card Donna, such beautiful colours and fabulous design - wonderful attention to detail and beautiful embellishments.
I'm sorry to hear that this is your last post with Scrapy Land, I'm sure you will be very much missed.
Pauline
x

Bridget said...

Donna,

Very pretty card. Such bright and vibrant colors. Such beautiful embellishments.

Thanks for playing at ~Jo's Scrap Shack~

Happy crafting,
Bridget

coldwaters2 said...

Wow Donna this is so incredibly beautiful, the design is amazing full of so much lovely detail, a truly wonderful creation.
hugs
lorraine x

Patricia St Martin said...

Just amazing card love all the beautiful colors, colors are so stunning and all the amazing layers and the beautify in all the different objects and so much to look at, with all the sparkle make me happy. You have created a Awesome project. I will miss you.
Hugs, Pat/♥

Karenladd said...

A wonderful card and what a great tip on making what you already own work for a project! Love how that bit of scallop peeking over the edge of the heart is just enough to give the impression that it's a whole piece! I have enjoyed your projects for Scrapyland, but be assured that I will continue to follow your blog and gain inspiration from everything you make!

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a great card and tutorial you shared. I love your card with all the elegant elements you added. And, I am sure Scrapyland will be missing you too!

Janis said...

So incredibly gorgeous, Donna!!! Your work is always exquisite and will be missed at SL, I'm sure!!! What a clever way of framing when you don't have the right size of die!! Thanks for the mini-tutorial. You are always so creative with your card-making techniques.

Thanks so much for your inspiring and "real" words about growth. I am challenged and uplifted by this message!!! Hugs and blessings to you this day!!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

MaryH said...

Simply AWESOME post...card & thoughts shared too. Hate to hear this is your last SL post, but only you can determine where your energy is best to be placed. Loved the tutorial...some wonderful ideas here, and hope I can remember them all. The card is just spectacularly beautiful, and I love everything about it. Very feminine, and the colors are evocative of the spring blossoms I'm seeing around our neighborhood just now. Blessings, Hugs & TFS too. Glad you had some craft playtime with a good friend.

NanaConnie said...

Love that gorgeous card and your fabulous tip about glitter on die cuts, Donna! I'll try adding color to the die cut bits before I glitter next time. It's sad seeing you leave SL but onward and upward to other things, right? I've really enjoyed all your marvelous creations and I appreciate you and Lynn introducing me to a new challenge and terrific place to shop for die sets. Thanks, my friend. :-D

pam said...

Stunning beautiful card design Donna, love your die cuts. amazing layout with beautiful flowers.. butterflies.. and colors.
Hugs Pam

aussie aNNie said...

De this and your card below is stunning, it's hard to be on a wonderful DT and have the time finish....you have done them wonders...love your creativity and your tips you give...take care and sorry if I don't visit all the time as time spent with my dad does take up half of my day.xxx{aNNie My Personal Blog}

Patricia Chalas said...

Oh my gosh, Donna, this is absolutely stunning!! I love the colors, the sparkle and all the layers!! You will be so missed.. It's been so fun... hugs!

Jean Bullock said...

Love the layout and your choice of dies. Thanks for the great tutorial.

I liked your musings on growth and change. Indeed, change does not always result in growth. Sometimes the opposite occurs. Sometimes we flee from change and regress to the comfort zone of previous ways of thinking and acting. Change is inevitable. Growth is not.

Take care. Hugs

michele said...

Thank-you for joining us at Crafts 4 Eternity this week Donna, Gorgeous card! hugs x

Darlene said...

Gorgeous Donna! Love the design and happy colors! Thanks for all the tips & tricks! Thanks so much for playing in our ‘MAY FLOWERS’ challenge at Dies R Us! Please come back again soon!

Darlene (DRU Blog Leader)
DIES R US CHALLENGE BLOG
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS

Lady E said...

Donna I love your blod and tutorials, always I'm so impressed with your work :) Beautiful card, colors just amazing :)
Love from Lady E
www.scrapartbyladye.blogspot.co.uk

Becky said...

I love the colors used and the tips on how to add borders to dies when you don't have other sizes. This is a beautiful card. Thanks for sharing. :-)

Benzi said...

Scrapy Land will miss you as much as you miss them, that's for sure. You always make the most beautiful things. I love your card and that beautiful fabric flower. Thanks for the good tips. I can just imagine you are full of them. :-)

jimlynn said...

Donna, I know you're going to be missed at Scarpy Land! It really is a wonderful team and I loved being on it with you.
Your card is sensational as well as the tutorial being so informative. Love the colors on your card - one of my favorite color combinations right now too. So beautiful!!!
Lynn

Stampsnob. said...

Lovely card. Great Tip TT . Enjoy your retirement , you will be missed.............Lis

Leslie Miller said...

Donna, I always marvel at the amount of fabulous, beautiful detail you can fit onto one card! Everything seems to be in exactly the right place, never too much, and always a bit of fantasy or whimsy to it.

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

was für ein großartiges Werk. Deine Arbeit ist wirklich unglaublich schön. Wenn ich die vielen Schritte sehe, die nötig waren um das zu gestalten, kann ich nur sagen meine größte Bewunderung für deine Geduld.
Vielen Dank für die ausfühliche Erklärung.

Ich bewundere deine Stärke und Kraft trotz deiner Einschränkungen so etwas zu erschaffen. Du kannst sehr Stolz auf dich sein.

Ich wünsche dir von ganzem Herzen alles Liebe und Gute. Du bist für mich ein großes Vorbild und ich schöpfe Kraft und Mut wenn ich deine Worte lese.

Ich habe täglich Schmerzen und mein Herz ist nach Aussagen des Arztes nicht in Ordnung. Trotzdem versuche ich jeden Tag zu genießen als wenn es mein letzter wäre.
Ich versuche positiv zu denken.

Ganz liebe Grüße Hugs Silvi

Paula said...

Well Miss Donna, you've certainly treated us to a very special card today. The tutorial is very helpful, makes me look at some of my dies in a whole new light.

Jo Williams Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator said...

WOW this is simply stunning Donna!!! Oh how lovely! Thanks so much for playing along with us in our Funday Friday challenge this week!
Hugs,
Jo
♥ Jo's Scrap Shack ♥

Samra said...

WOW!! Donna I am so glad that you found me and that I came over to your blog to return following favor and I simply fell in love with your work!!!

Claudia's kaartjes said...

Hi,

So pretty card. Thanks for joining us at CCC and good luck.

hugs
Claudia
DT CCC

María Pilar said...

Lovely card!!! Thanks for joining us at CCC.

María Pilar said...

Lovely card!!! Thanks for joining us at CCC.

Dr Sonia S V said...

Donna what a visual treat you have shared ...hearts are my fav shape and you have shown such a beautiful trick to get a scalloped heart sized to a project...Love your creation
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts Kids Projects

Joanna said...

great card Donna!!! I hope you won :) thanks for taking part in craft for the craic challenges :)

MaxiBelle Studio said...

Wow, stunning creation. Love the bold colours, very striking. Thanks for joining us for our 'April Showers bring May Flowers' challenge #24.
Alicia (Dies R Us DT)
MaxiBelle Studio

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Donna, your card is just stunning,and yes we will mis your beautiful creations that is true!! Have a great retirement en injoy your free time!!

Hugs
MAria

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous creation love all the uplifting colours great dies and embellishments
Carol x

Desire Fourie said...

Wow Donna, this is one amazing project. I just adore the yellow and green and how creatively you used the scrumptious heart.
Hugs
Desíre
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

April said...

Awesome card! Lovely in every way!

Carol Hurlock said...

Hi Donna:
Well look at this-what a beauty. I read your tips-how awesome. I love the one about the frame-I have to remember that. Your coloring and shading is perfect and the glitter accents just accentuate everything perfectly. Love it. Thanks for being patient with me. I have had my head stuck in the sand for a while. I have come up for fresh air!!!! lol
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Sharon said...

Wow Donna, this is spectacular. The green and pink looks fabulous and I love all the gorgeous. Embellished to perfection.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Hugs Sharon. x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow stunning design Donna. You sure have a beautiful way of putting die cuts together to create art. I hope you are doing well, thanks for your visits to my blog :) I'm catching up as I was away. Take care, Shirleyxx

Shirley said...

Not sure how I missed the beautiful lace and pearls Donna as they are gorgeous.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Sabrina Jackson said...

Oh my goodness, Donna, your card is absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for taking the time to play along in our Creative Colors Challenge! Hugs, Sabrina (CCC DT)

Petra Swart said...

Absolutely amazing combination of elements, Donna!!! And the pinks and greens are so beautiful and the glitter is lovely!!!! This is a work of art that should be framed!!!
Have a great weekend!!!
Hugz

Pat said...

Beautiful card and beautiful words, thank you! and thank you for joining us at the Path of Positivity challenge blog today!

Desire Fourie said...

First of all Donna, this is one amazing and colourful creation so feminine but yet so strong in design. Then of course you have totally inspired me with your take(s) on growth and just what I needed to read at this stage of my life xxx This is so perfect for our GROWTH theme this month. Thanks for sharing your talent with us and good luck.
Hugs
Desíre
{Path of Positivity DT Member}
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

ILEANA ARTUFFO said...

Wow! But this is a masterpiece!I poked around a bit in your blog and saw wonderful creations! I love your colors and designs are beautiful! Very very compliments!I have quickly become a your new follower(sorry for English, but Im Italian!)
Big crafty hugs.
Ileanaxx