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, September 14, 2016

Tis the Season!

Waving a hearty welcome to you, lovely crafting friends!

Hoping you and your special loved ones are doing well.
Alas, this is my final post for the DRU team - I'm sad to leave my very talented teamies,
but... 

looking forward to sharing wonderful news with you next month!
(It is always difficult to sit on a secret for several months, don'tcha think?)


Let's do a little Christmas Dies R Us Inspiration today!

Several layers of the same die cut can achieve texture, richness and color.
Here's what I did:
click below for:
STORE
The following Dies R Us Products were used:

Die Versions "Snow Flurries" DWP-004 (I love these snowflakes!)

The glittery full moon has a piece of sticker paper behind (hand cut after adhering it).
The glitter is sparkly in person, but on camera, Velvet (Microfine) glitter is more like a velvety with only a little glitter showing.

TIP:

The larger the glitter grain size, the more area for the light to reflect the sparkle.
The smaller the glitter, the more "movement" of the card is needed to show the glitter.
In this instance, I wanted the reindeer details to show up clearly, and not be covered up with the sparkly glitter to which we are all accustomed. SO--
I HAVE  LEARNED--
The larger the glitter grain, the more likely to get a blurry photo, or have part of the card elements/details covered up by the grains.
Hence, SNS Cloud Nine Velvet Microfine glitter was my choice:



The square card sports a timeless white embossed Anna Griffin sentiment:

Tip:

To grace your projects with unexpected elegance and use the "left-overs" in your stash:

1. Use opulent scraps of paper in the layers.
2. Wet emboss sentiments, background panels, or layer edges.
3. Find that odd, left-over brad, eyelet (remember those?) or other metal embellishment. Heat it up, dip it into your embossing powder, and make it new for your current project:


Love the detailed stitching on the Poppy Stamps Main Street Stitched Tags:


The Pearly Vellum in gold and white lends an unexpected elegance!
Wishing the photos showed it better (sigh):


Tip:

Use tones of the same color that work well together, without clashing.
In this case, it was all about the golds:
  • The heavier pearlescent circular frame is beautifully crisp - it was made by using the round die that came with the Sue Wilson Mini Christmas Scene Background set, and a Spellbinders Classic Circle that was just a tad larger.
  • The intricate brad has been heated and dipped into Detail Gold embossing powder.
  • Non-metallic, true-gold-hue printed in the pretty in the Anna Griffin papers sets the stage for the other golds, not taking away from their textures.
  • The Gold Galaxy Brilliance Ink accentuates the dry embossed green panel, and red tag under the white.
NOTE: to answer Becky's comment question below - the EP will usually not completely melt into the container. The brad gets very hot, so use tweezers, of course. When you dip it, the EP will not completely melt. It mostly sticks to the brad head like glitter on glue. Seldom does it actually melt all the way. Most of the time, I have to use the heat tool on it again to finish the melting process. I hope that helps explain it a little better!


Hope you enjoyed today's ideas. 
If you did not notice, I have a little gift offering for my followers.
Just click on the link under the "tabs" of my blog photo for details.


Products:
My card is supporting the following challenges:

  1. A Snowflake's Promise #28 "Anything Christmas Goes" 9/21
  2. Christmas Card Challenges #40 "Anything Christmas" (hanging head in shame that I did not use the optional challenge). 9/18
  3. Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenges  (Sept 14) Christmas Dies 10/15
  4. Classic Design Team Open Challenge #6 (Sept) Anything from a DT 10/1
  5. Crafty Gals Corner Challenges #89 - Freestyle! 9/21
  6. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra (Sept) Anything christmas 10/1
  7. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper (Sept) Anything with PP (my background) 10/1
  8. Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #213 Inspiration Board - I was inspired by the red and white color combination, the snowflakes, the opulent setting, the magical decor for the meal) 9/19 (sep post)
  9. Paper Creators Crafts Challenges #51 Christmas 10/1
  10. ScrapyLand #49 Anything Goes with dies 9/19
  11. The Twelve Months of Christmas Link Up #21 Anything Goes with Optional Theme Nature of Christmas - I'm not sure if the icy white leaves count as flora or not LOL 10/1 (sep post later)
  12. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge Blog #14 (Sept 15th-Oct 15th) Anything from a DT
happy hugs,


74 comments:

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

This is so creative and nice! Thank you for sharing!

Janice said...

Beautiful tag(s) card Donna! You have used so many differnt techniques and I love the vellum additions! Thank you for sharing such inspiration.
It has been lovely working alongside you on the Dies R Us design team, I have learnt so much from you. Looking forward to hearing your news next month......it sounds exciting!

brenda said...

It's another glorious creation Donna, such clever use of dies and such effective layering of the different colours and elements TFS.

B x

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Donna, I'm going to miss seeing your work on the Dies R Us blog but I will continue following you for all your great tips and cards. Your work is glorious and shows the time you put into each detail. I love the layering of the tags and the dies you used together. So creative. I can't wait to see what good news you have to share. Stay safe in all this terrible weather Florida is having right now.

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow gorgeous and a great design Donna. fab dies.
Gr Karin

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna this is a gorgeous Christmas card I love the design. I can't wait to hear your exciting news. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Shona Erlenborn said...

Such a wealth of creative information! Love all the techniques you've squeezed on to this beauty Donna! Loving the gorgeously layered textures.

Becky said...

This is so rich and beautiful. I love all the textures. When you dip the hot brad into the embossing powder, does it not ruin the embossing powder? I've been hesitant to do it because I was afraid I'd melt a bunch and have a mess. Thanks for sharing.

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Gorgeous card ! Great design , ans Fabulous TIPS ! Thanks !
Big Hugs
Maryvonne

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW what a grand and gorgeous card Donna...love the colors, the layers, the beautiful shine and your designing!!
Cheers
Dr Sonia

KimCreate said...

Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog! Your card here is beautiful too! Love the addition of Gold. So super pretty and I think I have a piece of paper like what you used. Kim

Christine Alexander said...

just dropped by from merry monday challenge. I love all those beautiful layers on your card.

April said...

So beautiful! Just love it!

Chris said...

Hi Donna, Just popped over to thank you for your lovely comment and following my blog. Love what I see here, your work is so beautiful...am now following you too :)
x

Beebeebabs said...

Another beautiful card thanks for sharing!!!

Babs said...

Love this and the lovely rich colours of Christmas, a beautiful use of dies..

Hugs Babs x

Sue said...

Hi Donna, That card is stunning. I love how you give tips on how you made it as well.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Linda said...

Hi Donna, your card is gorgeous!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, Donna! This is absolutely beautiful! Love all the layers and gorgeous tags! I'm excited about your news and can't wait to find out what it is! Wishing you a wonderful day!

Hugs,
Kitty

McCrafty's Cards said...

Beautiful card Donna i like the traditional colours all the lovely dies and the gold so classy!!
Kevin xx

Karenladd said...

This is just gorgeous, and thank you for all the tips and hints on using glitter and customizing the metal eyelet/brad. Loving the traditional colors and wonderfully detailed die cuts. The layered tags and pearly vellum add a beautiful elegance to your design.

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, sweet and dear Donna, what a gorgeous card with so many wonderful elements to gaze upon. I love each aspect of this beautiful card, and I loved all the tips. I've been stamping for a very long time, and I always love to learn. You are such a joy, and while I am sad that this is your last DiesRUs post, I look forward to "visiting" with you whenever you share posts. You are loved and one of the most amazing and talented stampers, and I especially love your heart, which clearly reflects in your artwork! You are the epitome of elegance! Hugs, sweet and dear friend! xoxo

Verna Angerhofer said...

You certainly are going out with a bang then with this beautiful Christmas card. So many lovely details and layers and I love all the awesome colors you used for it. So wonderful and well designed. And, I can't wait to hear what your next news report will reveal. Sounds intriguing and exciting indeed!

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Gorgeous Greetings Card Donna. Love your addition to your creation of those gorgeous tags, looks fabulous, love it, nice work and so beautifully illustrated on your blog too.
Thank you for sharing with us over here at Classic Design Team Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
[Annette Registered Owner/Admin for Classic Design Team Challenge]


Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Back again, and again, gorgeous creation, love it.
Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Annette DT Registered Owners/Admin for World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

Bonnie said...

How pretty, Donna! I love all these beautiful die cuts! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday!

Jean Bullock said...

Beautiful card! Loved all your tips, especially the one about heat embossing the brad. Definitely going to try that one! Can't wait to hear the exciting news!

Leslie Miller said...

What a beautiful card for your final DRU post, Donna! One door closes, another one opens. I'm looking forward to your BIG news! I love my microfine glitter and you're so right about how it can't be fully appreciated in a photo. I just yesterday finished a card using lots of microfine glitter and it simply doesn't show well in the photo. You're so good with creating texture and interesting details on your cards. The Main Street tags is a great set and I love it. Never occurred to me to cut the detail in it like this. Genius! Thanks for always inspiring with your fantastic ideas and eye for beauty and detail!

Shirley said...

Fabulous and more Donna (as usual).

It's always sad when you leave a design team especially when you enjoy what you are doing but as they say one door closes and another opens so I can't wait to hear your news.

Sorry for being AWOL again but as usual life is what it is. Scrolling down to see all your fabulous makes that I have been missing.

Hope all is well with you and the family.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Windy Ellard said...

Love all the elements on your card...so beautiful and vintage! Thanks for the inspiration!

KraftyKoolKat said...

Every layer is full of loveliness De. You always manage to tie everything together just right to make the creation look perfect.

Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Linda Vich said...

Wow Donna! I can't stop looking at this card! Love all your layering.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow gorgeous card Donna, I love the layers of tags... fabulous! Take care, Shirleyxx

Pia S said...

You shared a lot of great tips with us here. We could all be better at sharing, personally I still learn basic tips that will make my crafting life easier. So pls continue sharing. Your design is so rich in detail and gold, but it looks elegant and not messy or over the top. That balance can be hard to find, but you're great at it.

Ans Gilbert said...

Hi Donna,
and here I am admiring your wonderful card, love the pretty papers and read about the golden brad, I allways do this dipping in embossing powder and melt it with the heattool..
Enjoy the weekend,
hugs,
Ans

Alexandra MacVean said...

I absolutely LOVE Christmas and LOVE LOVE your card! :)

Patricia St Martin said...

Very rich looking Christmas card and love all the wonderful tips, thanks for sharing. Always love your postings and look forward to the next one.
Hugs, Pat

Debbie Henderson Debbie's Designs said...

Wow, this card is so pretty. Loving all of those beautiful layers. Thanks for playing Merry Monday!

Heather said...

Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous!! All those layers and the gold make it look so rich! Thanks for the different tips, I may have to try the embossing powder trick on some odd brads I have. Thanks for playing with CHNCC2.

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

eine wundervolle Karte hast du gestaltet. Es gibt viele Details zu entdecken. Ich bin begeistert von deinem Werk. Die Karte sieht sehr edel aus. Vielen Dank für die tolle Erklärung wie du alles gemacht hast. Ich wünsche dir ein wunderschönes Wochenende. Ganz liebe Grüße Hugs Silvi

SHartl said...

I love that little touch of glitter in the moon die cut! It gives a great magical feel to the whole scene.

Unknown said...

Only YOU could and would create a glitter gauge!!! Fantastic! Even in my jetlagged state I can see the beauty of every little detail and layer of your creation! WOW!!!

Stampsnob. said...

Very creative Can't wait to see what your secret is I sure it will be enjoyable for all your blogger friends ......Lis

Mandy LaCroix said...

Beautiful creation! :)
Thanks for sharing over at Christmas Card Challenges!

NanaConnie said...

Ooo,DOnna, I'm mad about the stacked tgs on this card. Great tips about the glitter grain sizes and I'll have to remember that. My sparkle never photographs the way I want it to do and now I'm beginning to understand why. :-D
Sad to see you leaving Dies R Us. I have always enjoyed what you do with your dies. Of course, I know that leaving doesn't mean you'll stop using dies, right? Hugs, my friend.

Carla's Cards said...

Pretty holiday card, love the die cuts!
Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Carla DT   http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...

Carla's Cards said...

Yup, it's me again!
Lovely card!
Thank you for sharing with us over here at the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Carla DT for:-  http://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...

Linda Simpson said...

Simply stunning Donna, love the design and gorgeous dies you have used. The papers are fabulous too.
Hugs
Linda xxx

Maura said...

Love all your pretty layers and die cuts - and the addition of the gold gives this card such an elegant feel! And thank you for your kind comment on my Christmas card at splitcoaststampers!! Beesmom aka Maura

cotnob said...

This is a gorgeous card Donna, such a fabulous design and lovey rich colours.
Can't wait to hear your secret!
Pauline
x

MaryH said...

Opulent is certainly the correct word to describe this masterpiece. So many lush layers, and I like the placement of the different mats, with the patterns and colors. The vellum added a touch of light airiness to the DP's, and loved the tone-on-tone of the outline poinsettia. Always enjoy your creative tips, and I think the red Santa circle with the golden rim, looks like the red Chinese pieces one might see in a fancy museum. So good job on that effect. Love the glittered moon...and will have to check out the velvet glitters..I have some of the microfine...not sure if that is the same 'look'. TFS & have a grand week. Hugs

laurie said...

This is SO beautiful Donna!Awesome design and beautiful colors and details. Thanks for sharing at The Christmas Card Challenges!

Sue said...

Love this gorgeous Christmas card, Donna. And all your super ideas and hints. Love the tag die too, anything with stitches, I love, must be the former sewer in me!!!! Gorgeous colors and that Santa's Sleigh die is awesome. Just love everything about this one!!

Hugs
Sue
Your name gif image of Santa stuck in the chimney is adorable!

*Vicki* said...

Absolutely stunning Christmas design here my friend!! Really love the elegant look of the die cutting and touches of gold everywhere!! So beautifully done my friend!! HUGS :)

Karen said...

Donna, this is breathtakingly beautiful... Christmas elegance and whimsy, wrapped up into one heartwarming creation. Thank you for the sweet inspiration, my friend. This is stunning. :o) I look forward to hearing your happy news when you can share! Have a lovely day. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

TracyM #6773 said...

BEAUTIFUL card Donna!!!
LOVE all your layers, textures, sparkle and shine!!!
THANK YOU for joining us at the Crafty Gals Corner :)

Elizabeth Hart said...

Love it!! This is such a lovely and elegant card - every layer is a perfect addition. Thanks so much for joining us this time at the Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge, Elizabeth (DT)

Olga Fink said...

This is fabulous Donna!
xoxo Olga

http://cheryl-cherylscreativeatcscards.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

oh gosh always love,all the pictures,you show us hun its always a real pleasure to visit your blog,this is simply stunning such amazing detail hugs Cherylxxxx

pam said...

Gorgeous tag card design Donna, love you`re layered tags with the beautiful focal image.
fabulous papers and colours.
Sorry for no comments been on holiday.
Pam x

crafty-stamper said...

Gorgeous Christmas card Donna love the fabulous dies and beautiful traditional coloured papers-look forward to hearing your news
Carol x

Christina Hor said...

WOW! What gorgeous details on this Christmas card Donna! I absolutely love all the different elements. So elegant and work so gracefully beautifully together! You've really brought out the timeless classic beauty of Christmas with the Santa & reindeer image, glitters and die elements Donna. Gorgeous inspiration and final card for your final Die R Us inspiration. Hmmm. I wonder what the news is? I don't think I can wait until October to find out. How about secretly share with me via email? Haahaa. A lovely evening and wonderful weekend ahead to you and your dear DH Donna. Hugs.

Tracey T said...

What an elegant card - I love those layered tags. Thank you for playing at Christmas at Sweet Stampin'. Tracey x

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Wow, DE, this is elegance at the top of the board. Love the traditional palette and those dies goes on my wish list. Spectular composition and so festive for the holidays. Have a beautiful weekend.
Hugs
Berni

Tracey said...

Beautiful & elegant card Donna :o)
Hugs
Tracey
xx

Lori Kobular said...

Gorgeous Christmas card Donna! I love all the layers and the beautiful papers you used! Sorry I have been MIA, but we were away on vacation and just got back home yesterday and I am trying to get caught up on my commenting!

Sue from Oregon said...

Hello Donna-thanks for stopping in today and leaving such a nice comment on my blog! Your card is so pretty and shaming me in to getting started on holiday cards...I have not made any...OH MY! ♥ Sue Kment

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow Donna what a stunning Christmas creation. Just adore all the luscious layers and traditional colours. This will also be perfect for one entry as an anything goes creation for our challenge below.
Hugs
Desíre
{ATG with a CREATE WITH TLC Element}
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Birgit said...

An amazingly gorgeous card Donna! You'll be so missed at DRU but I'm looking forward to the reveal of your big secret!! Hugs to you~

ELE said...

Blog gorgeous and your cards are perfect in every detail. It 'a great pleasure to follow you, from now new followers on your blog. See you soon, creativEle

Andree said...

An absolutely gorgeous Christmas card Donna. I love the traditional colours and layering. Your finishing details are wonderful xx

Helen said...

Great card - love your design.

Thank you for sharing with us over here at Classic Design Team Open Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Helen x
(DT member)

Helen said...

Me again!

Thanks for joining us at the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up too.

Helen x

Jacqueline Muller said...

Beautiful layering of die cuts and papers.
Thanks for joining The World Wide Open DT Challenge
Hugs, Jacqueline