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, March 02, 2017

Embossing Powder and Butterflies {Cardz 4 Galz}


What a joy to see you here!
Thanks for taking time to visit.

It's time for the 42nd Cardz 4 Galz challenge!



Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #42 is hosted by ME! (giggle) -and the theme is:  Embossing Powder.
You may have 3 separate submissions, and have as many cards as you like on each submission.  

Show us your cards using embossing powder in any way! 
Challenge ends on March 15.

Taking the easy way out, I smeared VersaMark ink on die cuts, dredged in glittery embossing powder and heat set. The Gold Tinsel EP actually looks like a rich ultra glitter in person - the EP actually does not show up over the glitter. In this way, I was able to create a sparkly frame without having to wait for messy glue to dry. The butterfly is also embossed:



After adhering the four-layered butterfly from Impression Obsession, I carefully spooned a little EP onto the center area to distress the project for visual interest  and heat set from under the cardstock - to add even more sparkle:


Here is a peek at the card prior to the distressing with just lightly heat embossed sentiment in the background:



It is always a pleasure seeing your artful treasures,
so please come play with us.


Tuesday Throwdown is having a WINGS challenge, so I created a pairing card for that as well using the same dies and similar color scheme - one is with embossing powder, the other is with glossy cardstock and Parisian Mist Glitter!


I used Super Adhesive Sheets (double stick sheets) to die cut the butterfly, and burnished the glitter into the top layer.

1/2" Tear-ific Tape is on the back of the smaller frame, so that the glitter could be burnished into the openings on the front side, and then peeled, to adhere the small frame directly to the card on the backside:


In real life, both cards are equally sparkly whether just glitter was used, or the embossing powder - Neither required the use of glue.

Products Used:
Sparkle N Sprinkle:

Impression Obsession Butterflies Dies
Sue Wilson Butterfly Frame Dies
Vellum (gold and white for butterfly layers)
Gold Glossy and brownish-gold cardstock (for under the EP)

Challenges I would like to support please:

  1. Classic DT Open Challenge #12 "Anything Goes for a DT" 4/1
  2. Craft Rocket Challenges #34 - No Designer Paper" 3/17
  3. Crafting by Designs "March" - "Anything Goes" sep post 3/31
  4. Crafts Galore Encore Challenge "Anything Goes"  4/1
  5. ScrapyLand Challenges #61 Anything Goes with Dies SL Sells 3/13
  6. Tuesday Throwdown #332 "Things with Wings"  3/6
  7. World Wide Open DT Challenge #19 "Anything Goes for a DT" 3/15


Thanks for popping by!
hugs,


52 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

You are amazing, the embossing is amazing, your technique is amazing and I know I am going to have to try this out. Love it De.xx[aNNie]

Valerija said...

This is really very sweet and wonderful. Love the technique, the dies you used and love all the sparkle too. Great job Donna!
Have a lovely day.
Valerija xx

Sue said...

Hi Donna, WOW, both cards are fab.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Pamellia said...

WOW WOW WOW, this is so darned elegant, it could be an invitation to a fancy ball at a fancy castle in some fancy place!! Nobody can use glitter like you can, and this may be one of my favourite examples! All that gold, oh how posh! The frame is beautiful to start, but with all the shimmer it just elevates it even more, and what a wonderful way to highlight your sweet glittery butterfly in the middle! I love the green one as well, so pretty!!

It seems that spring is trying to pop up here, these mild conditions are just beyond abnormal! We should have a couple of feet of snow right now, but instead, the squirrels are half naked and grass is starting to turn green... in February!! So wrong! Sending my hugs and wishes to you Donna, let's catch up soon ok. :)

Linda Simpson said...

This is fabulous Donna, a real jewel of colour and sparkle.
Hugs
Linda xxx

NanaConnie said...

Oh, Donna, that sparkling gold EP is utterly magnificent! I love the big pearl on the butterfly. The next card is equally beautiful and the butterfly just stands out with the sparkle against the shiny gold paper.

Shona Erlenborn said...

Another stunning pair! Love when a simple layout packs so much punch! Beautifully sparkly projects!

craftieodmae said...

Donna you have done it again, eye popping gorgeous!!!!

Unknown said...

These are GORGEOUS! That first one in solid gold is STUNNING! So much glittery goodness. Love them! xo~

Lisa said...

Oh wow, Donna, these are both so stunning!! I love the beautiful designs of each card and the amazing sparkle!! The butterfly frame is fabulous...adding that to my must-have list!! Love, love these, my friend!! So gorgeous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

KraftyKoolKat said...

Wow sweetie this so beautiful. Everything you touch turns to old!!!
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

MaryH said...

Both are awesome! Love the look of the cream & gold, and great idea to smoosh the die with the glitter as you've done. Like the added detail of the distress embossing in the center, behind that glorious layered butterfly. But then I saw the green sparkle on #2 and that is equally amazing. Love the gleam showing under the design of the die pattern, and that butterfly really gleams & shimmers. Lovely use of the pretty dies with this wonderful butterfly too. TFS & Hugs

SewPaperPaint said...

This is so very elegant and absolutely stunning, my friend! Big wow - love the use of gold glitter! :) Hugs, Autumn

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, my word, I love LOVE that butterfly frame so much! I have gold tinsel EP, and have never thought to use it like this. Other EPs, yes, but not the tinsel. Sheesh, where has my head been? Gorgeous cards with or without the embossing. Soooooo beautiful, Donna!

Linda said...

How gorgeous, Donna!

Stampsnob. said...

Beautiful dies and way to use glitter Now I would have die cut glitter paper and it would not look near as good.......Lis

pam said...

OMW dear Donna, I do love your sparkly butterflies, fabulous outer frame with a gorgeous butterfly in the center, perfect colours and layout..
Hugs Pam xx

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Wow beautiful. Such lovely work here. Nicely 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 great 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


Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are super elegant with all the beautiful glitter you added. And, I love the design and layout. Your butterfly looks to be lifting off any time now.

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Love both cards, Donna, but I really LOVE that sparkly green butterfly.

Sue said...

Donna..........both cards are fabulous. Your signature sparkle everywhere, and those beautiful butterflies. LOVE the Sue Wilson die, might have track that one down it is gorgeous. Wonderful cards as always and love your how-tos also.

Hugs
Sue

Conniecrafter said...

Both of your butterfly projects are just beautiful. I have yet to try glitter embossing powder but the more I see it on projects the more I think I should get some :) Such pretty framing of these!!

Karenladd said...

These are just beautiful and all that glitter makes the butterflies look like jewelry! The card with the green litter is my favorite...so fresh and unexpected! Glitter is something that I don't use very often because I always end up with more on the table and my clothing than on my card!

Diane said...

Donna these cards are so beautiful, elegant and classy and just downright GORGEOUS!! Love, love the pretty sheen on both!!

Christina said...

Oh what sparkly and elegant butterflies cards Donna! That gold tinsel on the first card is beautiful and so is the IO layering butterfly frame! Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead Donna. Hugs.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

WOW, very gorgeous and glittery, love them both ! Hugs, Xx

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful dies made all the more fabulous with the embossing and glitter
Carol x

Petra Swart said...

WOW, Donna, all the sparkle on these two beautiful cards is just great!!!!! The butterfly dies you used are sooooooo stunning!!!! Love the pearl and the little flower brad on the butterflies!!!! Both of these are wonderfully done, my friend!!!
Have a great weekend!!!
Hugz

karenlotty said...

What a great way of making a glittery card Thank you for sharing with Craft Rocket Challenges

Julie B said...

Love your sparkly butterflies and frame Donna. What girl doesn't? :)

Lori Kobular said...

Donna I am loving all that beautiful gold on your cards! Such elegant cards! I just love butterflies! Thanks for playing along with us at Scrapy Land Challenges!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Absolutely stunning, Donna! Both of these are gorgeous! I love your use of embossing powder! That butterfly frame die is beautiful - I've never seen it before. You've outdone yourself again, my friend! Brilliant cards!

Babs said...

Hi Donna what a beautiful card, love the gold with the embossing powder, your butterfly die really is beautiful and elegant too.

Hugs Babs x

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

OMG this is amazing! So glamorous and glittery! Love them both! It's funny because I fixing up an old clock for my daughters and I did the opposite techbique...mod podge, glitter, and sealant glue...literally the same result. No glitter residue and super shiny. Great cards!!

Pam Tiedtke, or Pammie Lou said...

This is fabulous! Very elegant! Thanks for joining us at Tuesday Throwdown!
Hugs

Beebeebabs said...

Wow absolutely beautiful - love the dies - another great job as always thanks for sharing!!!

KarinsArtScrap said...

wow gorgeous cards Donna my favorite is the second card and stunning dies.

Gr Karin

Nicola Gold said...

Well your blog has changed a bit! I've finally bought another heat gun after 2 years without one, so I need to get onto some embossing too. These cards are just fabulous. I especially love the first one as it's just soooo bling and the frame die is gorgeous all glittery.
Thank-you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge 'Anything Goes' March 2017.
Nicola, CGE DT (Amethyst Lily Designs )

Sue said...

These are gorgeous Donna, such stylish designs and wonderful sparkle.
hugs, Sue xx

Keen Crafter's Hand Made Goodies said...

This is gorgeous so elegant 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/...

Monica said...

Hi Donna,

I love your sparkly cards and your blog header has such a beautiful quote. Hope you are well, my blog buddy.
I could not pick on one card as a fave since both of them are so pretty in their own way. The frames are gorgeous and your treatment to the first one is amazing.

Love,

Monica

Pia S said...

These are gorgeous, amazingly sparkly and love seeing how the same die can be used in different ways to create different looks.

cotnob said...

Gorgeous cards Donna, they are both beautiful but I especially like the first one - a fabulous design.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Debi said...

Beautiful cards. Love all the sparkle, esp. the green. Always happy to have you join the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge.
Good luck. Debi TT DT

aussie aNNie said...

Hello my lovely De, across the long ocean, just sending hugs.xxx[aNNie]

DIANA L. said...

OH MY GOSH!! Donna these are absolutely amzing and beautiful I love the design and the dusting of glitter around the butterfly I may have to try this one. The frames on both are just gorgeous.
Have a great week.

Puppy Kisses and Paper Dreams said...

These butterfly cards are stunning!!! Love the embossing, love the shine, love how happy and elegant they are. Wow!

Janice said...

Two beautiful butterfly cards Donna! Love all the glitter and the design of each of them.
Janice x

Shelly Schmidt said...

Not one but 2 gorgeous sparkly cards! I LOVE the first and the extra sparkly EP by the butterfly really adds such a great touch. I love using the tacky paper and tape for glitter, I may just have to drag some out today...... Thanks for sharing and love the added photo's too!!!

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Wow !Stunning ans so elegant !
Thanks for joining us at Scrapyland challenges blog and good luck !
Maryvonne DT Member

Linda Vich said...

WOW! Both of these cards are outstanding Donna! I love how you used the glitter to distress around the gold butterfly but I really like the green and gold combo!