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

Thursday, February 02, 2017

Love is in the Air - Cardz 4 Galz

Hello, Sweet Blogging Friends!



It's time for the 40th Cardz 4 Galz challenge!

It is always a pleasure seeing your artful treasures.

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #40 theme is selected by teamie CAZ - Love is in the Air! 
You may have 3 separate submissions, and have as many cards as you like on each submission.  

so get crafting and show us your interpretation of Love - it all depends who the cards are for, right? Love is one of those gifts we give ourselves, and lavish upon others.
Challenge ends on February 15.

I love being on this team - not only because my teamies are so talented and inspiring, but because I get to use all my "stuff" that has lain neglected far-too long!

I'm using a beautiful PSX stamp in a resist technique, employing SNS White Detail Embossing Powder, 5 colors of distress inks, and lots of layers of hearts! It also makes me VERY happy to use some Recollections rhinestones to "bling things to life!"


It's such unusual designer paper, which has been in my stash for YEARS, so glad to be finding a good use for it, from a company called Pocket Full of Papers.

Although the card is an A8 (5.5 x 8 inches), it just fits the post office guidelines for a flat card, and a regular size envelope. But it might be an extra ounce LOL

Check out the detail for the rhinestone flourishes on each side of the card.
Notice a difference in the two sides? (click on the photo to enlarge)
The top left does not show up as clearly as the top right.
The right flourishes are much more defined.
By the way, the rhinestones truly are sparkly, I just couldn't capture it with my camera.

The difference close up:

The right side has been finished with Sparkle N Sprinkle Peruvian Lily Microfine Velvet Glitter.
This glitter is micro fine, and has a very small sparkle effect, but it's just enough to not detract from the rhinestones. The tape is covered up by the glitter.
Peruvian Lily Microfine Velvet Glitter is one of my favorite colors due to its versatility. It goes with just about anything - pinks, purples, greens, blues, reds, oranges, whites, blacks. I suppose it would even go with yellow and bright orange if the colors were used in other places as well LOL


Now both sides are glittered. The top left is much more defined:



Products Used:

On a Personal Note:



Even in Florida we have some cold and dreary days, where there is such a chill, that our thin-blooded bodies just can't tolerate the cold. Everything is relative, right? We recently had nights descending into the 30s and 40s. On those cold days, this is what we enjoy to take the chill out of the air. The cold days make all you Northerners seem like Super Heroes to us!



Challenges I'd like to play in:

  1. Classic Design Team Open Challenge Blog #11 Anything for a DT goes 3/1
  2. Come and Get it Challenges (Jan 27) 3 or More Layers 2/5 (9 layers plus the base folded card and flourishes)
  3. Craft Rocket Challenges #32 "It's a Love Thing" 2/14
  4. Crafting from the Heart #145 Anything Goes 2/5
  5. Crafts Galore Encore (Feb 1) Anything Goes! 3/1
  6. Crafty Creations #334 Anything Goes 2/15
  7. Die Cuttin Divas #302 Anything Goes 2/7 (heart dies used in a variety of ways)
  8. heARTful Stamping Challenge (Jan29 - Feb 5) Use a Rubber Stamp + theme Anything Goes 2/5
  9. Love to Craft #7 Anything Goes 3/5
  10. Pile it On Challenges #125 Quotable 2/5 + other challenges
  11. Word Art Wednesday (268-269) Anything Goes + Love/Wisdom 2/15 (paraphrased 1Corinthians chapter to concise words)
  12. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #18 Anything for a DT goes 2/15
Stamping Hugs,

57 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

Pretty 'love' card De.xx{aNNie}

Beebeebabs said...

Wow absolutely stunning - love the background and bling another great creation thanks for sharing!!!

KarinsArtScrap said...

very different design Donna but it's very beautifullllllllllll
Gr Karin

Shona Erlenborn said...

Another beauty. Gorgeous sentiment set among the pretty paper and rhinestones.

Lori Kobular said...

Wow Donna!! You really know how to "bling to life" a card! This is gorgeous!!

KraftyKoolKat said...

Wow Donna this is an explosion of loveliness.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Linda Simpson said...

A gorgeous card Donna, love the design and wonderful sparkle.
Hugs
Linda xxx

SewPaperPaint said...

Love your colors here and the beautiful layered hearts! Hugs, Autumn

Sue said...

Hi Donna, That's a beautiful card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier.

Hope your days and nights warm up. Sue

NanaConnie said...

Gorgeous, Donna. So happy to see all the sparkle, Glitter Queen. :-D What a fabulous tip about covering up that tape behind the rhinestones with micro glitter! Much as I love using that kind of bling, I do hate the look of the tape. Thank you for that info. :-D

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, Donna, this looks AMAZING! I am loving the heart theme lately and you've got so many here! I wouldn't have noticed the difference in the two sides unless you pointed it out. I imagine the difference is much more noticeable in person! I really love all of these hearts and I might have to copy this idea! The bling is gorgeous!

Now for our little test, please reply to my comment here on your blog and I'll let you know if I receive notification! Thank you!

Hugs,
Kitty

Leslie Miller said...

This is gorgeous! I love the idea of covering the tape with glitter. I have quite a few rhinestone swirls that I haven't used in ages. Must remember your idea and get those out of hiding. 30s and 40s feels pretty cold to me!

Linda said...

This is such a beautiful card, Donna! I love all the details!

Lisa said...

This is absolutely stunning, Donna!! I love the papers you used!! The design is so creative and beautiful!! The bling is fabulous!! Love, love this my friend!! So, so gorgeous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna this is a gorgeous card I love all the details you have added to the beautiful design. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna I am back again this time to thank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge 37 Anything Goes sponsored by Kenny K. Hugs Jackie DT

*Vicki* said...

Wow what a beauty this is Donna!! I really love the sparkle and bling everywhere and your elegant heart design!! Beautifully done my friend! HUGS :)

Janis said...

This is so totally gorgeous. I LOVE all the hearts and the bling. That patterned paper is wonderful for a background, too. What a genius idea to use the velvet glitter to cover the transparent tape on your swirls. I need to remember this tip!! Beautiful card in every way with a fabulous sentiment, too!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Gorgeous colors and love all the bling.....well done!

pam said...

Gorgeous Valentine card you are sharing today Donna, love the bling and what a difference with the taped glittered, I have not used swirl rhinestones, only signal ones! I do not trust the sticky, so I remove the gems and apply with pva glue on my project.lol

Hugs Pam x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your card is so gorgeous with those awesome colors, wonderful hearts and all the bling you added to make it so elegant looking.

Unknown said...

YOWZA! Everything you create is incredible! And I adore how you always add your sparkly glitters. The hearts are fabulous! You are wildly talented my friend!

Conniecrafter said...

so pretty, the layering of all the hearts looks fantastic and the gems are a pretty touch with it all!

Barbara Bruder said...

Donna, what a beautiful card. Its a great array of all the elements that work so well together. Thanks for your tips. Thanks for joining us at Crafty Creations Challenges for our latest challenge. We look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work. Hugs, Barbara { Crafty Creations Challenges }

Karen said...

Donna, this is gorgeous! The paper is outstanding and I absolutely LOVE your tip about the glitter! Completely brilliant.. and what a lovely shade, too! The focal point is stunning, in word and design. The sparkly flourishes and plethora of hearts are beautiful. Everything you make is lovely, my friend. Have a wonderful night. :)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

sarascloset said...

Donna,what an amazing Valentine's Day card! I love the rhinestones, and that's a great tip on how to make them really pop! It's those little details that make your cards extra special! I might not have noticed the difference at first, even after clicking on and studying your close ups! Thank you for sharing this with us! Very cool design! Sending warm hugs!

Stampsnob. said...

Wonderful Love the heart arrangement .....Lis

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Gorgeous card Donna , absolutely fabulous !
Thanks for the tip !
Hugs
Maryvonne

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Gorgeous card Donna , absolutely fabulous !
Thanks for the tip !
Hugs
Maryvonne

cotnob said...

A beautiful card Donna, such a fabulous design and lots of beautiful details.
Have a lovely weekend.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Wow this looks absolutely amazing. Love the work you have put into this project. Looks Great. Nice job.

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 gorgeous work. Love this.
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

Janice said...

A gorgeous card Donna, I love the layers and the embossing.
'Janice x

Mrs A. said...

Two gorgeous colours and the design paper really does make this card special. I love all your rhinestone embellishments and it does make such a difference hiding the backing. Hugs Mrs A.

Keen Crafter's Hand Made Goodies said...

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

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

Pia S said...

Oh, wow, how gorgeous! The sparkle on here is incredible, like the card has been covered in lots of diamonds. This is lovely, Donna!

Diane said...

Beautifully created...love all your pretty details and the bling and, well I just love all of it. It is bitter cold here too...brrrr!!

Dwie lewe rączki said...

Wonderful card. Thank you so much for playing along with us at Come And Get It Challenges.
Hugs, Iwona

coldwaters2 said...

Wowzer Donna this is a card that has impact, not only is it full of beauty it is ornate, classy and elegant, wonderful creation
hugs
lorraine x

Diane said...

Absolutely stunning design Donna.

Hugs Diane

Georgiana said...

Stunning! Thank you for joining our “Anything Goes” Challenge this week at Die Cuttin’ Divas.

Stay Creative,
Georgiana
• Carson's Creations •
Die Cuttin’ Diva DT

Petra Swart said...

WOW, that velvet glitter is amazing, Donna - unbelievable the effect that it has on the rhinestones!!!!! Your card is simply beautiful and should definitely go to someone very, very special - I think you should sell it to a young man who wants to give it to his girlfriend - you would get a lot of $s for it!!!!! So elegant and classy, my friend!!!! Wonderfully done!!!!
Have a great day!!!!
Hugz

Pamellia said...

Wow Donna, your creations never cease to amaze me!! This is just stunning! I love the swirly background, that paper is just lovely, and your layers upon layers of hearts are so beautiful. The bling though, dang that bling just elevates the design to regal!! WOW!!! What a brilliant idea with the micro glitter, it really does make a difference! Another amazing design my friend!!

We still have no snow, but we have had a few cold days. We love throwing a log in our fireplace on those nights, there's something so relaxing about the warm flickering light and the sound that it makes!! hope you have a great week my friend. hugs :)

Sian said...

This isi a really lovely card, and that stampe works really well with the resist technique. Sian.

Karen Letchworth said...

Absolutely amazing, Donna. Thanks so much for sharing your art with us again. It's always such a blessing to me when you do. Have a wonderful week.
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com

Christina said...

Oh my Donna! This is just stunning! All the bling and layers! How long did that took you? I absolutely love the PSX stamp with the resist technique and the Peruvian Lily Microfine Velvet Glitter. Just too stunning for words! And yes it will take you a little extra with postage. I would go with the "non-machinable" for this one so that it will be hand process by the postal service and not go through the machine for sorting. This is a card to treasure. LOVE LOVE LOVE. May you have a very lovely new week DOnna. Hugs.

Mieke Duckers said...

Beautiful card with very fine details like the Rhinestones..Love is coming from it!! Hugs, Mieke

Ginny Maxam said...

Such a beautiful card!! I remember when that stamp came out! Love your art! Thank you so much for sharing with us at word Art Wednesday! Ginny M,DT

Puppy Kisses and Paper Dreams said...

Wow! Love it, and the rhinestones are really fun.

DIANA L. said...

WOW what a beautiful blingy card I love it.
you could enterthis in my DL.ART Thankful Thursday Anything Goes FEBRUARY Linky Challenge. Have a blessed day
DIANA L.

DL.ART DESIGN TEAM MEMBER
DL.ART crinkle ribbon
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com
http://dianamlarson.ctmh.com

Planetsusie said...

This is gorgeous Donna - I have trouble using my gorgeous papers - I just like to look at them lol! Very pleased to see you are using some old stash - you might even inspire me to do so!!! Must thank you for the tip about the rhinestone swirls - I hate seeing the plastic when I use them but have never thought of using fine glitter - what an absolute corking idea! Hugs to you Sue Pxxx

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a very special beautiful card , I love it!!
Have fun!!
Maria

aussie aNNie said...

Sending you hugs and thanks for popping in, hope you are well.xx{aNNie}

Glenda Atkins said...

Stunning creation, so love the glitter effect. wow!
hugs
Glenda

Irena Stefanova said...

Gorgeous card! Thank you for sharing at LTCCB!
hugs
Irena

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous card and background love all the bling-been cold and wet here for absolutely ages BUT 30-40s we are lucky to reach 20 in midsummer!!!
Carol x

Sue said...

That is cool background paper, and the rhinestones look fabulous, both sides!!
What a wonderful sentiment too. Awesome card, so much detail, typical Donna of course!! LOVE it.

Hugs
Sue