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, August 05, 2015

Frilly Christmas Fairy

Welcome, blogging friends! 
I'm back as an Alumni Designer for the Scrapy Land ANYTHING GOES challenge, with this flat, easy-to-mail sweetheart of a card. The die cuts are "mix-and-match" in a sort of "create-a-build" die with Sue Wilson and Spellbinders combination. They work very well together.


The inner portion of the "second ring" is from two sets - Sue Wilson's Italian Decorative Frame set and the Spellbinders Stately Circles on the outside of the circle. They went through the die cut machine at the same time to create a custom design. It is popped up on the card so that the outer frame and the image frame are lower than the 2nd ring, creating a little dimension.
Colored with Copic Markers, the cute Bugaboo Winter's Fairy image is embellished with a little SNS Sparkle N Soft for more texture.

(Scrapy Land dies shown below with their links)

To enter the challenge just use any die brand that Scrapy Land sells.


Die-Namite's Pine Wreath, paired with Cheery Lynn's Holly Lace Flourish, is cut apart and used for bursts of greenery around the card, top and bottom.

Sue Wilson's Umbria die really dresses up the bottom of the easel card.


Bugaboo's Winter's Fairy image comes with one bird on her mittened hand, 
     but...
          I added lots more because
               my fairy is enjoying a bird party! 
                    They are so tweet - I couldn't resist!

The lace and rhinestones are a perfect stop for this frilly card,
without adding too much bulk.


Wanna be a...

If you'd like to be a guest designer for Scrapy Land, then follow these simple steps (no previous design team experience required):
  1. Participate in both of the August challenges, following the challenge rules.
  2.  Add GDT after your name on the thumbnail photo you submit for the challenge. 
  3. You must have a Blog and a Facebook account (We have a private FB group and this is how we correspond with one another.)
  • This will be for a 3 month term and will begin with the October 7 Challenge #27 and end at the close of the December 16 Challenge #32.
  • You will need to participate in both challenges each month, as well as comment on specific challenge entires.  Applicants invited to join the team as a guest designer will be given compensation information at the time of acceptance.
  • Applicants invited to join the team will be notified by September 2, 2015 

**********

At Path of Positivity Challenge this month, the theme is Opportunity.
Being aware of the earth's fragility, and how vulnerable all living creatures are regarding climate change, we are mindful to help Mother Nature. My card reflects a fairy caring for her bird friends. Many of us enjoy having areas in our yards to nurture Nature.

Our mini-farm sports a watering-hole that many animals use, especially during times of drought. A variety of birds build nests in our oak hammock, and we keep the bird feeders stocked with black-oil sunflower seeds purchased from our local Wal-Mart.

Hummingbirds are kept happy with their feeders as well, with our home-brewed "nectar".
It may not be much, but our pets and wild animals with whom we share this land, are well-cared for. The native animals on surrounding acreage pass through safely, to and from the forest. 

There are diverse flowers, herbs and vegetables for the bees and wasps to pollenate, helping them keep healthy immune systems.

Opportunity knocks wherever we live. It may appear in the smallest of ways. Often it is the little, seemingly inconsequential things, that we are being given the Opportunity to make a Difference.

We all experience new opportunities everyday, be it at our Employment, at home or in the store, during an excursion, pursuing a dream, helping someone else realize their dream, volunteering, taking care of a sick person, or just being there for God's Creatures.

**********

Products Used:
Die Cuts:

Image: Bugaboo's Winter's Fairy
Flocking: Sparkle N Sprinkle Twinkling Clouds Sparkle N Soft product.

Participating in the following Challenges:
  1. Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge July 31-Aug 6, #CPC073115, Anything Goes with Christmas Twist (colored with Copics)
  2. Crafting With Friends #3 Anything Goes 8/11
  3. Crafty Hazel Nut's Christmas - August - Anything Goes 9/1
  4. Sparkles Christmas Challenge #55 "No Designer Papers" 8/30
  5. Creative Craft Cottage #44 - Anything Goes 8/7
  6. The Crazy Challenge #203 Fairies (used Bugaboo's Winter's Fairy image)
  7. Path of Positivity Challenge (please see writeup above) #29 Opportunity 9/1
  8. Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Aug 4 (duplicated Bugaboo's birds all over the card) 8/17

Lots of Hugs!

57 comments:

Paula said...

this card has so many of my favorite things on it; Sue Wilson dies, bling and lace just to name a few. Lovely creation Donna, and aren't you smart for getting a heads up on Christmas!

cotnob said...

It's lovely to see you Donna, your card is beautiful.
I love the contrast between the white and lovely deep red and your combination of die cuts is gorgeous.
Pauline
x

Anne Temple said...

This is gorgeous!! Love how well those die sets look together. You are so creative to think to put them together too. :-) Welcome back as an Alumni Designer!!

I'm a Little Teapot said...

My goodness...this is such a beautiful card. You are right, the Spellbinders and Wilson dies go very well together. (I just added the Wilson dies to my wish list!)

Marilyn said...

This has to be one of the cutest ways to display a Bugaboo image that I've ever seen!
What fabulous dies and the way you have layered them is gorgeous. It's a perfect holiday card. I love the way you've placed the little birds among the boughs and branches... that's so cute!

Pamellia said...

Wow Donna, you always amaze me with the way you use your die cuts! Everything is coordinated so perfectly and looks like they were meant to be used together! Love your image, what a wonderful holiday card! hugs :)

Lori Kobular said...

Wow Donna! Your card is gorgeous! I love how perfectly all the different dies come together! You image is so sweet too!

Jacee said...

An amazing design Donna, so very very pretty, love it!
hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Sue said...

Loving this Christmas card.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Shona Erlenborn said...

This is awesome Donna. Great little image - wonderfully colored! Love the use of all of those dies! Especially all the cute little blue birds! ADORABLE!

Lisa said...

Wow, Donna, this is absolutely gorgeous!! I see some dies I'm going to need to get!! I love how you layered them!! The image is so sweet and colored perfectly!! I love how you were able to pack so much punch into this card, yet it can still be mailed!! I need to take lessons from you my friend!! Have a great day!! Hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Stampsnob. said...

So beautiful Donna Love the S Wilson dies they make your cards look so lacey........Lis

Patricia St Martin said...

Donna you done it again, how does your mind think to put those dies together and they work so well, so creative, my friend. LOVE the extra birdies, they are so cute. Just a beautiful Christmas card.
Hugs, Pat♥

Karen said...

Oh Donna, this is Christmas elegance at its finest! I adore Sue Wilson dies and you have showcased them to perfection. There are so many I'd love to own and you make me want them even more. :o) The image is darling, the trims are beautiful, and I love the precious birdies you have scattered about. The touch of Christmas sparkle is gorgeous. Always know how much I love your work, my friend! Thinking of you and wishing you a day of sunshine. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Unknown said...

Wow...this is stunning. I love all of the layers, and how you mixed the different dies. Thank you for joining us at Crafting-With-Friends. We hope to see you again!
~ Bonnie DT

pam said...

OMW Donna, your easel card is stunning, love this beautiful colored image, gorgeous die cut layers with little peeks of greenery, Stunning.
Lovely to see you posting today.
Hugs Pam x

Sue said...

This is gorgeous Donna, I love the image and your design is stunning. The sentiment is so beautiful too.
hugs Sue xx

McCrafty's Cards said...

beautiful card Donna, I like the image the die cuts and the design
Kevin xx

MaryH said...

The different dies meshed well together to create the wonderful lacey look to this beauty. The tiny fairy with her birdies is darling & colored pretty & great focal point to all the delicate die pieces. I will be looking at my S/B & SW with a different eye after seeing your brilliance! Also love the way you've made the easel 'stop' with the row of red rhinestones and the tiny snowy branches peeking out. Done with your usual artistry & skill! Glad to see you're feeling up to making & sharing a card. Have a great remainder of the week. TFS & Hugs

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wonderful card. Great image and sentiment and I love how you combined so many gorgeous dies to complete this card. You sure know your way around dies. I hope someday I can improve myself too.

Pat K said...

Gorgeous card Donna. Love how you used these two dies together, very creative. hugs, Pat K x

Heather said...

This is gorgeous!! I love how you have combined all these die cuts together. They look like they BELONG together. All the layering is fabulous. Thanks for playing with CHNCC2.

Anet's Crafting said...

Gorgeous card Donna. Thank you for playing along with our Challenge at Creative Craft Cottage. We would love to see you again … Anet DTx

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

ich bin ganz begeistert von der wundervollen Karte. Die Kombination der Stanzschablonen gefällt mir sehr gut. Eine sehr edle Farbkombination hast du gewählt. Ich mag das sehr mit dem rot/weiß.
Ich wünsche dir einen wunderschönen Tag. Hugs and Knuddel Silvi

Petra Swart said...

Oh, those little birds are just sooooo cute, Donna and I love the sweet fairy!! Beautiful dies you have used so creatively and I love the dark base to really have all the detail on the dies show clearly!!! All the little leaves and the rhinestones are so pretty!!! Beautiful card!!!
From your story at the bottom of your post it sounds as if you live in a really beautiful place, Donna!!! Loved reading it!!! We must use all those Opportunities to make a Difference, hey, no matter how small it is!!!
So lovely to have a post from you, my friend - hope you're well!!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugz

KarinsArtScrap said...

it's a very beautiful card Donna and great dies.
Gr Karin

Becky said...

Your little fairy is so cute, and I love all the extra birdies. Thanks for sharing.

Pat said...

Beautiful card, cute image and great design, thanks for sharing with us at Sparkles Christmas Monthly.

Pat xx

coldwaters2 said...

Wow Donna what a beautifully designed card those dies you have used look amazing, love that image also the embellishments and the red gems as the stopper, stupendous creation and I love it to bits.
hugs
lorraine x

Pink Unicorn said...

Your card is stunning, what a great way of combining die cuts and the image is super cute. Thank you for playing with us at the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge , “Feathered Friends”. We hope to see you back again soon! Karola, DT, InvisiblePinkCards

N-Eva said...

Wooow…this is beautiful, what a lovely card. I love these little birds <3. . You put so much work and detail into your card . Thank you for sharing your wonderful project with us at Holly Jolly Christmas challenge.Neva

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, Donna! So adorable! I love all those sweet little birds nestled throughout, and the die sets you used look fabulous! What a wonderful card!

Helen said...

Great card - love all the details you've added

Thanks for joining us at Creative Craft Cottage

Helen x

Karen said...

Sweet Donna, I am fluttering back to thank you for the incredibly kind message that popped up in my email... you deserve every bit of happiness and it warms my heart to know that I can be a source of that for you. :o) The beauty within your heart shines through every creation you post. It is truly a joy to know you and an honor to be one of your encouragers! You are loved, appreciated, and forever treasured. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

SD pooja said...

Wonderful card ! I the image is cute and I loved the frames you have used ,delicate design does not overpower the image and how nice to decorate the inside too.Make the card compete :)

KraftyKoolKat said...

Such a wow creation Donna. Such gorgeous colours and layout. Really delicate and pretty.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Cazro said...

A splednid card, with a lovley image. . So pleased you shared with us at Sparkles Christmas. Caz

crafty-stamper said...

Love the cute beautifully coloured image and fabulous dies-love the bling stopper
carol x

Sue said...

Beautiful died and love how you used them all. Inside of the card is as pretty as the outside. Your little fairy is delightful. Your signature attention to detail always shows through, Donna. Love everythng about this beauty. That deep red card is awesome.

Hugs
Sue

Anet's Crafting said...

Your Christmas card is adorable Donna, love the pretty frame dies it goes perfectly with the cute image. Anet x

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow what a beautiful easel design. Love the ornate shape and the red and white is so striking.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

Annie said...

Beautiful coloring! Adore the bling and die cuts! Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft Cottage and hope to see you again soon! :) ~Annie

Sandra H said...

Oh this is just the cutest card ever what a lovely image and just perfect for our challenge over at “ Sparkles Christmas Challenge "No Designer Paper“ good luck and hope to see you again next time Dt Member Sandra H xx

Cvetelina Borisova said...

Such a cute card! Thanks for joining us at The Crazy Challenges.

Dr Sonia S V said...

Such a beautiful and intricate die
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts Kids Projects

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, Donna! Thank you for visiting my blog today - I have missed you while I am on my blog break! I wanted to stop by to see if you have been crafting and - Yay! - you have! Way to go for being an alumni designer for Scrapy Land - they are so lucky to have you back!

Your card is gorgeous - I like how you have tucked the greenery and little birds into those beautiful intricate dies. The image is adorable! I enjoyed reading about your Opportunities and it just shows how one person can make such a difference.

We have hummingbirds here - the ruby-throated variety migrates here each summer. This year we have been blessed with about 20 or so hummers that visit our 6 feeders every day. They are such a joy to watch - it is almost mesmerizing! It is a labour of love to make the nectar for them each day. We are having a problem with wasps in the feeders though - they like the nectar too!

I hope you have been feeling okay, my friend, and that you are enjoying the summer. Sending lots of hugs!

Stamping With Bibiana said...

adorable, like the rhinestones as a stop for the easel. warm hello from california
bibiana

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Donna, another gorgeous design. I love how you combine die cuts and the lay out of the card. I hope you are doing well, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Julie Odil said...

Donna, this is so pretty. I love how you used the dies and layered them. I also like your explanation of opportunity. Thanks for joining our Opportunity themed challenge this month at Path of Positivity Challenge blog.

Meighan Wheller said...

Wow beautiful dies Donna. Love how they frame this super cute image and love your colouring. Thanks for sharing with us at Holly Jolly, we hope you will join us again soon. Meighan DT

maria's knutselplezier said...

Oh,Oh,OH ,Donna,what a great and lovely card did you make!!! I really love it, great image , great colours and what a lovely stamps it really looks so sweet!!!I hope you are oké !!!

Greetings
Maria

Pat said...

Donna, I love reading your post as much as I love seeing what new awesome project you create. Thank you for the inspiration both in crafting and in behavior, that you share with us at the Path f Positivity challenge blog.

Helen said...

Me again!

Thanks for joining us at the Sparkles Christmas Challenge too.

Helen x

Monica said...

Beautiful easel card. The red necklace like cord looks gorgeous and the image is so so so cute.

Monica taylor said...

Wonderful write up on opportunity and beautiful card. Love the die cut.
Thanks for joining us over at PoP!
♥ Monica
DT Member for PoP Challenge!
My personal Blog - Taylormadecards4u

Desire Fourie said...

Donna I am back with my DT hat on:
This is just so beautifully designed adore the red and white.
This is so perfect for our OPPORTUNITY 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}

ScrappyHorses said...

Your card is beautiful; the fair and birds are so lovely and fragile lending the perfect picture to your writing! Thanks for sharing your card and words on opportunity!

Katrina
ScrappyHorses.blogspot.com