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, May 25, 2017

Step Into Christmas {Cardz 4 Galz}



Hello, blogging friends and visitors! It's great to see you this morning, and I hope you are doing well.

DING! DING! DING! Time for a new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz Challenges today!
Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.
Challenge #48 is chosen by teamie Tina -and the theme is:

  Inspired by a Song.  

Show us your cards using any theme as long as it is inspired by a song!
Be sure to say what the song is!  
Challenge ends on June 7.

Working on my Christmas cards again!



Song: Step into Christmas

the lyrics begin:

Welcome to my Christmas song

I'd like to thank you for the year

So I'm sending you this Christmas card

To say it's nice to have you here

I'd like to sing about all the things
Your eyes and mind can see
So hop aboard the turntable
Oh step into Christmas with me

The song and its lyrics can be enjoyed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUSl3nwnPA0










A sparkling Creation!

It's a SNOW COVERED, old-fashioned Christmas House using lots of OLD STUFF from my stash!  The card is A7 (7.5" x 5.75")

The stamp was copyrighted in 1999, given to me by a friend. Red-faced, I admit that it was virginal! Yikes! It's by a company named VIP STAMPING.
Stamped with VersaMark and heat set with White Detail EP.
Old SB frame die cut.
Old MS holly border punch.
A virginal "Elegant Snowfall" embossing folder.

Four colors of glitter:

Champagne on one poinsettia layer,
Gold on the flower center,
Diamond Dust on the snow around the house grounds,
and Starfire glitter all over the roof and smoke.
Adhered with the medium NUVO Pen - I'm so addicted to those pens.

A little dry embossing for the snow, pretty punches and die cuts finish it off!


Now TWO Christmas cards are in my STASH (laughing here)



I never cease to marvel at how kind creatures are to human beings despite everything we do.





Challenges I'd like to support:
  1. A Snowflake's Promise #40 "Anything Christmas Goes 6/13
  2. Always Fun Challenges #7 "Anything Goes" 5/29
  3. Christmas at Sweet Stampin' May - Anything Christmas Goes 6/10
  4. Christmas Cards all Year Long May - Christmas Precipitation 6/1 - (The stamp is covered with snow covered with glitter, the ground is also coated with snowy glitter, the rooftops are coated with snowy glitter, an embossing folder called Elegant Snowfall was used.)
  5. Crafting by Designs (May 24) - "Get Ready for Christmas" 5/30
  6. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge  #6 Anything Christmas Goes 5/29
  7. The Merry Christmas Challenge Blog May - Anything Christmas Goes + Option of Gingerbread 6/1
  8. Addicted to Stamps Holidays - (Christmas) 5/29
Stamping Hugs,



55 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

Great use of your 'old' stash De, the gorgeous stamp sure makes a fabulous and ideal Christmas card.xx [aNNie]

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

deine Karte ist wieder wunderschön gestaltet. Eine tolle Idee sich von einem Lieblingssong inspirieren zu lassen.
Ich bin begeistert.
Ich danke dir auch ganz herzlich für deine lieben Kommentare. Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag.
Hugs Silvi

Donna Phelan said...

Oh WOW! This is awesome! I know I have eaten many a Christmas cookie that looks just like this! YUM! Gorgeous layers and die cuts! And of course your signature sparkle! This is amazing! And that ain't no Fa La La-ing..... Have a happy day!

Sue said...

Hi Donna, Lovely Christmas card.

The video is amazing.

Hope you are having a nice day. Sue

SD pooja said...

Lovely Christmas card ! I liked the vintage look of the stamp :)

KarinsArtScrap said...

what a very beautiful card Donna, it looks like a cookie house.

Gr Karin

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous glittery card. I love seeing Christmas designs, I normally get started in the summer, not sure about this year :) The video of the amazing Dolphins and fisherman is wonderful, thanks for sharing. Take good care, Hugs, Shirley xx

Nancy said...

It's a beautiful card, Donna! It's always fun to pull out, and use, the old stuff, isn't it? :o)

Pia S said...

A decade and then some and your house stamp gets used, and it's put into good use too. This turned out really beautifully sparkly and Christmasy.

Linda said...

It is gorgeous, Donna! I love this!

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna this is a stunning Christmas card. I love all the details you have added it is fabulous. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Becky said...

Great card. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Simpson said...

Gorgeous card Donna, love the sparkle, image and wonderful poinsettia.
Hugs
Linda xxx

Lisa said...

What a gorgeous card, Donna!! I love the Victorian house!! The sparkle is amazing!! The layers and dies you used are fabulous!! And the poinsettia is a perfect touch!! So beautiful, my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh it's so beautiful with that lovely trim! Really amazing make! Hugs, Autumn

Chris said...

It's gorgeous Donna, love the stamp and all the added sparkle...great use of your 'old stuff' with a beautiful result!
Chris
x

cotnob said...

A super card Donna, such a fabulous old fashioned image and so beautifully framed. Your poinsettia is beautiful and I love all of the sparkle - a perfect Christmas card.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a delightful card and I love the vintage style of it. I love all the sparkle on it. I worked on winter theme cards but not exactly Christmas ones but those will be next on my list after I get the Father's Day ones done. Too much to do it seems. Now with weekend guests I am in cleaning mode.

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

This reminds me of a gingerbread house with white frosting on a ginger colored house.....very festive and you immediately know it's a Christmas card. I have to admire you for getting Christmas cards done this early. I can't even think that far ahead right now. Thanks for sharing this beautiful card.

Karenladd said...

What a warm and homey card for Christmas. It looks a lot like a gingerbread house, all done in shades of brown and shimmery white. I try to work on my cards all through the year but my good intentions usually go by the wayside as I find myself in a card marathon right before Christmas...eeek! This one is so sweet, and you always use glitter in wonderful ways.

Janis Lewis said...

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing at The Holly & Ivy. ~DT Janis

Lori Kobular said...

Donna this is a gorgeous Christmas card! I love Victorian Houses!! I live in a knock off Victorian house. Plus I love "Gingerbread Houses" that just scream Christmas to me!! I collect Gingerbread ornaments! I love everything about your beautiful card! That stamp is just amazing!! On another note, would you like me to send you some stamped sailboat images?

Janis Lewis said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janis Lewis said...

Me again! Thanks for sharing at Always Fun Chs.
~DT Janis

Lori Kobular said...

Donna! I forgot to mention that the video is incredible! I love dolphins! One of my favorite places to go is Discovery Cove in Florida where we can swim with the dolphins! I LOVED that story about how they help the fishermen!! Thanks for sharing!

Janis Lewis said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing at The Merry Christmas Challenge.
~Owner/DT Janis

pam said...

Love this beautiful Christmas card Donna, what a fabulous image, love the sparkle and fabulous die you have used.
Off to watch your video now.
Hugs Pam x

Babs said...

A fabulous song choice you have chosen Donna to be inspired by a song, love the holly die down the side, and your beautiful image..

Hugs Babs x

Shona Erlenborn said...

Fabulous make, Donna! It looks like a gingerbread house to me. So much gorgeous sparkle and glitz! Thanks for sharing the dolphin video too - how amazing!

Tammy said...

What a gorgeous Christmas card Donna! I love all of the sparkle and the beautiful dies you used, perfect song too! Looking forward to working with you too! :) Also, thanks so much for joining us over at Holly & Ivy!
Big hugs, Tammy

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my goodness I think I have that stamp too :) So pretty, love all the sparkle and your pretty flower at the bottom and I love that die to frame , just lovely!!

sarascloset said...

A beautiful and festive Christmas card! Great for you to get an early start! I need to get my monthly (promise) card done soon! Thank you for the inspiration! I love the Christmas house--reminds me of a gingerbread house, which is making me want cookies! Yes, I can't believe my Roger kitty still loves me so much when I step on him when he's following me around (on accident of course!). He gives me that "why did you do that to me?' look and then comes to give me love. Now, what human would do that? Sending you hugs!

NanaConnie said...

Let me start by complimenting the blog header - it's magnificent! As for the card, I love the old Victorian house (makes me miss my home in Northern California) and the glittery poinsettia. Wonderful holly border and the frame around the image is a fab die cut!

Monica said...

Hello dear Donna,

This old fashioned card is so charming and the poinsettia adds that spark of colour to brighten it up. I love the mocha look of it though.

I will send you pics of the anniversary of my initiative. I seem to be making headroads with meditation as well. For the next event we have a laughter yoga session. And before that we have an essential oils class.

How are you? Thank you for always encouraging me and lifting me. Love you lots,

Monica

KraftyKoolKat said...

Really gorgeous Dee. Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxxxx

Julie B said...

That song takes me back to school in the early 70's! Great use of the lyrics as inspiration for your fab card. :)

Sue said...

Your Victorian House, Christmas card is so very beautiful. Love all the sparkle (wouldn't expect anything less) The die is lovely too. And finished off with the poinsettia! You have two more Christmas cards in your stash than I do!!!

Hugs
Sue

Gail said...

What a beautiful stamp of the house. It makes me want to live in one like that! Thanks for joining us at Christmas at Sweet Stampin'! --Gail

Dortesjs said...

So pretty and sweet card

Beebeebabs said...

Absolutely gorgeous - love everything about it thanks for sharing!!!

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

I like 😊😊😊

Leslie Miller said...

Gosh, Donna, I love the stamp! Isn't it amazing how we can have such awesome things just sitting around gathering dust? And then when we finally use them we totally love them. I'm having such fun with all my new/old stamps! With the white embossing and glitter on tan paper your house reminds me of a Christmas cookie. So cute! Beautiful layers and the poinsettia is gorgeous. I enjoyed the song, too! And the dolphin video shows there's something new to marvel at every day. Thanks!

brenda said...

Lovely use of dies and stamps Donna and super Christmas creation, well done on getting ahead with them, I have not made one yet although quite a few for June TV shows - that's when it starts every year.

Many thanks for your kind visits and apologies to be so late getting here, as you probably saw on your visit have been in hospital/recovery much of the week, a real pain in the rear but not much I can do about it.

B x

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful Christmas card love the old fashioned house stamp and glitter
Carol x

Ina G said...

Super sparkly Christmas card Donna. Fabulous!

Ceal said...

Fabulous card, thanks for joining use at ATSM!

Janice said...

A lovely vintage Christmas card Donna, I love the detailed frame too.
Janice x

Sian said...

Lovely card and great use of embossing.

DIANA L. said...

Great take on your song theme I love the design of you Christmas card- You will have them all done before you know it. Have a happy and safe memorial day.

Valentyna Komisarenko said...

Such a cute house, makes a warm holiday card. Thank you for sharing your creation with us at ATSM!

Donna said...

Donna, gorgeous card! Love your beautiful embellishments. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I'm glad my Bugaboo card gave you a chuckle. I love it when you can pair sentiments with images and they go so well! Have a wonderful weekend!

Karen said...

Sweet Donna, your card is lovely... nearly as beautiful and as sparkly as you! The Christmas house is exquisite and makes my heart flutter. The frames and edges are so beautiful and I just adore the colorful poinsettia. Gorgeous work, my friend. And let me assure you that you did NOT say too much in my book post from a few weeks ago. It warmed my heart that you shared as you did. We are in complete agreement, too... for various reasons, it is so easy to overwork ourselves, which we can ill afford. Thank you for being such a blessing and a constant encouragement in my life. I am forever grateful for you.

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Shirley said...

Hi Donna, everything perfect as usual and it would not have been completes without your famous glitter and sparkle especially at Christmas time.

Video with the Dolphins and fisherman is amazing thank you so much for sharing with us all.

Have missed so much but off to have a mooch. Take care of yourself sweets as you are one very special lady.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Diane said...

FABULOUS Christmas card Donna...so pretty and love, love all the sparkle (of course..lol)...a beautifully put together creation and design.....have a wonderful weekend!
Diane {Nellies Nest}

Mrs A. said...

After having been chucked out of blogger and then finally managing to get back in I'm now playing catchup. Love this incredible card. The image is gorgeous and I love the colours you have used. Hugs Mrs A.