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, October 22, 2016

Garden Fairy

Welcome, everyone!
Hope this finds you doing well.

Today I'm celebrating my birthday by guest designing for
the Scrapbook Stamp Society
using this darling Garden Fairy image by Sherri Baldy!

Although we love living in Florida,  it is still hot and humid here.
My card reveals that I'm dreaming of the cooler, less humid days of a Florida Autumn
 -- another 3-4 weeks to go! sigh...



I always enjoy coloring these sweeties with Copic Markers.
Brings out the little girl in me.





Design Tip:

Don't waste that pretty paper!


Here is a Close Up of the "easel stop" using the left over portions:


Love this pearly coated vellum! Wish the photos better reflect it!

(The heart brad was an ugly color, so it was heated up, dipped into embossing powder, with the process repeated two more times. The EP is a Cosmic color, giving it that creamy, pearly finish)


Tip:

Use your stash by changing those outdated flowers!
On the left are the bright yellow Prima Flowers.
On the right, they have been inked, crumpled, and layered.



Finished card:
(gorgeous embossing folder! It's a shame to cover it up!)


Thanks for popping by today, friends!

Products Used:
Sherri Baldy My Besties image #IMG376
Penny Black Eloquence Sentiments
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One
Impression Obsession Mini Rectangle Tags
Sue Wilson's Faux Quilled Leaves
Anja's Large Ovals "Creatables" die set
Embossalicious Die'sire Rose Vine embossing folder
Sparkle N Sprinkle Fiery Brown embossing powder (on the heart-shape flower center)
Prima Flowers (altered), Tulle stained gold
Distress Dye Inks, Brilliance Inks
Papers: White Pearl Vellum, Chocolate Brown, Rusty Brown, Express-it White,

Playing in the following Challenges Please:





Stamping hugs,




52 comments:

Sue said...

Hi Donna, WOW! What a beautiful card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Sue

KraftyKoolKat said...

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE.
This card is awesome. Such gorgeous colours and the embossing and layout is beautiful.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Veerle said...

Hi Donna, your card is gorgeous and such a great tip on using older flower dies. Thank you so much for entering your card into our ATSC challenge.
So glad I could inspire you with my card in using your stamp in a new way. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Hugs, Veerle

Mrs A. said...

Happy birthday Donna. lots of crafty ideas on this post. Thanks for sharing your tips with us. A gorgeous card and love those colours together. Hugs Mrs Mrs A.

SewPaperPaint said...

I spotted this card in the linkup and had to see the details! Truly such a beautiful design. I too use my old flowers that way, great tip! Love your fall colors and elements here. Hugs, Autumn

Carole J said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Donna! Love your coloured image and the way you gave ordinary Prima flowers the va-va-voom beauty treatment! Hope you've had a lovely Birthday! xx
PS. I'm intrigued as to how you embossed your image background leaving the image flat - was this done by hand?

Donna Ellis said...

Hi, Carole! Thanks for noticing that! I actually rain the embossing folder through three times, moving it carefully around the image. Some of my friends create a thick mask, and it works for them, but for some reason, it does not work that way on my grand calibur. So I just carefully placed the folder around the image on both sides, and across the top!

Verna Angerhofer said...

A fantabulous card design. I love the way you colored the little fairy image. And, the die cuts used and all the embossing really are outstanding elements which make this card great. But I love it even more that it is an easel design. You seem to have captured the transition of Summer into Autumn with your pretty flowers and gorgeous colors as well. And, so hope you are having a wonderful birthday celebration too! Eat some cake for sure! LOL

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Hi Donna! You put so much time and detail into your cards; it's amazing. I love all of it, from the coloring of the garden fairy and the pot (love the pot), to the choice of dies, your embossing folder, and flowers. I wish I had that patience to put so much time into one card.

Happy Birthday and congrat's on your Guest Designer spot! We'll gladly trade some of this chilly weather in Maryland and power outages from all the wind for some of your warmer air.

Jean Bullock said...

Ooooooo, I love your coloring and color scheme. The embossing folder and dies you used are gorgeous. I love easel cards and this one is so pretty. Well done as usual, my friend.

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

Oh my word hun this is stunning the style shape and oh your colouring is just first class hugs cheryl xx

Shirley said...

A beautifully coloured image Donna and wonderful colour choices as usual.

Send some of that heat over here please x x Hope you have had a great weekend.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Linda Vich said...

You have achieved so much dimension in this card! Thanks for the tip about using both the positive and negative parts of due cuts!

Stampsnob. said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY hope it was wonderful .
This Bestie is a favorite of mine Love what you did with her //Lis

Lori Kobular said...

Happy Birthday Donna! I hope you had a lovely day today! I love your card! That fairy is adorable, I love her eyes! The dies you used work perfect and you did a great job coloring her and the butterflies. Absolutely gorgeous!

Dr Sonia S V said...

OOoh isnt she adorable and Donna Thank you so much for sharing those superb tips...love your flower altering one
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Wow your creation is just stunning, darling image and your coloring of her is just fantastic!! Like the framing of her on a side like that, your flowers are just beautiful and that background is terrific!!!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Well HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Donna! What a fun way to celebrate! I did not know your birthday was so close to mine, which is tomorrow! I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and got spoiled! Your fall card is gorgeous! Your colouring looks amazing and I love the easel style and pretty flowers and die-cuts! I always enjoy the crafty tips you provide - thank you!

crafty-stamper said...

Happy birthday for yesterday Donna and fabulous card love all the embossing,cute beautifully coloured image and great use of dies
Carol x

Leslie Miller said...

Sooooo pretty, Donna! Your coloring is always way beyond fantastic, and it has to be to keep up with the awesome card designs you come up with. Ohhhh, that beautiful embossing. You know I love it! And pretty die cuts... that lattice panel is droolworthy. You stepped up those flowers beautifully, too. Your version is waaaayyyy prettier! For some reason this post came in my email, but not Feedly. It might show up later, but usually it's the other way around. Feedly works all day long as opposed to once a day. Computer stuff! Can't live with it, can't live without it! Pssst, hope you had a perfect birthday!

Beebeebabs said...

Absolutely beautiful card - love the image and great coloring - fabulous job as always. I will put the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One on my wishlist thanks for sharing!!!

Chrissy said...

Beautiful easel card..cute image..fab colouring..love the background and colours..Fantastic..
Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

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


Janice said...

Another Wow card Donna, as always! I love everything about it, particularly the dies you have used and the embossing folder.
I hope you had a lovely birthday. :-))
Janice x

*Vicki* said...

EEEK!! Oh my goodness this is amazing my friend!! LOVE that sweet image with the Fall colors and what beautiful texture you've achieved on this easel design!! Those flowers look quite amazing my friend!! Beautiful work as always!! HUGS :)

cotnob said...

A gorgeous card Donna, such a pretty image and beautifully coloured. A fabulous design and super flowers.
Pauline
x

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

I love your design and colours. You have used your gorgeous Die Frame so wonderfully, looks fabulous with your gorgeous easel. Nice work and so beautifully display on your blog too. Congrats on being GDT too.
Nice work.
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 just super fabulous work.
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

aussie aNNie said...

Oh De HAPPY BIRTHDAY my friend, we have known each other for ever it seems and I did not know when it was your birthday...have a great day, and just ADORE your card. Thanks for the tut as I use this die a lot and it's nice to know different ways of using it. I too will be GD at SSS next month....gorgeous image and colouring.xxxx

Andrea Beecroft said...

Wow what a beautiful card I love what you have put it together it is adorable and so much work you have put into it. Gorgeous. Thank you for sharing it with us over at My Bestie 3D and More Challenge Blog. Good luck with your entry. Hugs Andrea

Andrea Beecroft said...

A truely beautiful card Donna love the way you have made it. Thank you for sharing it with us over at Create It Colour It Show It Off Challenge. Good luck with your entry. Hugs Andrea

Tammy said...

Beautiful card Donna, I love that sweet image and the gorgeous fall colors! What a fabulous design too!
Hugs, Tammy

Abfabdesigns said...

Beautiful colouring love how you changed the Brad.
Hope your birthday was awesome
Hugs xxxx

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Wow Fabulous card Donna ! Love the embossing and the automnal Colors
Have a nice day Donna !

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Donna a belated Happy Birthday and a big congratulations on your GD spot. Wow Donna this is one incredibly beautiful creation totally exquisite, the image is so pretty in the lovely soft coloures the contrast with the coffee coloured background is perfection, the embossing folder, flowers and dies you have used look wonderful, thank you also for the tips they always come in useful, thank you for sharing
hugs
lorraine x

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow Donna, your card art is gorgeous! I'm finally getting a chance to take a closer look after seeing it up on FB. The detail that you put into each design is amazing, the image is coloured so beautifully. I love how you turned the 'oval' die shape behind the image and of course I love all the floral embellishments. Stunning! Hugs, Shirleyxx

Sue said...

Hi Donna, she is adorable, and colored up beautifully. What wonderful texture you have added to the card, and love how you used the dies. Great colors too. We are cool here today in Western New York State. Loving the cooler weather.

Hugs
Sue

Sue said...

ooops, forgot to wish you a very Happy Birthday. Hope your day is as special as you are............{{BIG HUG}}

Sue

Bonnie Garby said...

What a lovely card Donna. Your coloring job is fantastic! I'm so glad I stopped by. :)

Marlies said...

A gorgeous card Donna! A lovely dsign and colours and a cute image. A good tip for the flowers too. Thanks for joining our challenge at Addicted to Stamps(ATSC). Marlies

Lisa said...

Oh my goodness, how did I almost miss this stunning card??!! I absolutely love it, Donna!! You have completely brought the image to life in color!! I love how you placed the background shape and the fabulous embossing!! The flowers are beautiful, too This is a work of art!! I love, love it my friend!! It's so gorgeous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Shona Erlenborn said...

Well you've rocked it again Miss Donna! What an exquisite work of art! It looks like that pot is 3D. Beautiful coloring, dimension and texture. Love all the embossing and the flowers are so pretty. Great idea to use the negative of the die as the easel stop. All around brilliant card!

Birgit said...

This is such a sweet card Donna! I love your tip for giving new life to out dated prima flowers. I still have some in my crafty cupboard that I think I'll give that a try with. Thanks for the great tip and Happy belated birthday!!

MaryH said...

As always, stunning coloring of the cute image. Love the embossing folder (that russet color is so rich and I liked the way you've burnished the design too). Great way to use the asymmetrical die design, looks more dramatic than just a 'straight on' aperture..The lace looks so pretty and great idea to save the cutouts for the easel stops. Just a really beautiful card, and Happy Belated Birthday. Hope you had a marvelous day, filled with all things that you love best! TFS & Hugs

Wanda said...

Beautiful card! I love your new take on those old flowers. I have tonnes of those too.

Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Wanda DT World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

wannabcre8tive said...

Oh my, what a gorgeous card. I love the dies you used and the colors. The image is just adorable and great coloring.

Handmade by Veer said...

Stunnnig card! Love the image and the coloring!
Thank you for sharing with us over here today at the Classic Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Veronique DT for http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...

Monica said...

Hi Donna, such a nice way to colour the flowers and make them match the colours you are looking for. The image is adorable and there is something about flower pots that I love. Great colouring.

Love,
M

Monica said...

Happy birthday with love and blessings and lots of crafting,

Monica

NanaConnie said...

What a delightful card design, Donna! Wonderful embossing folder inside and that lattice-work die is marvelous. Love the flower embellies and that you did an easel card.

CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...

Gorgeous and beautiful card Donna
Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.
Dianne DT for the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge


xx

Christina Hor said...

Oh a very very happy belated birthday to you Donna! Did you have a lovely one? What a beautiful image and card you've chosen to do in celebration of your birthday! She is adorable and I love her very large eyes! I've always wanted large eyes. Haha. The little trick you did with the embossing around her is amazing! I would be pulling out my enamel accent or stickles instead of attempting that! Just genius Donna! And I love the colors palette. Feel like warm autumn which is what we are experiencing right now. Just loving it. Haha. A very belated happy birthday once again Donna. May everything your heart desires came true. Hugs.

Crafting Suzie's Creations said...

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

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