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

Tuesday, August 01, 2017

Buzzing for Critters {2 Crafty Critter Crazies} {SheepSki Designs}

Hello, Critter Loving Friends!

It is my pleasure is to Design for the 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge Blog today!

If you love critters - ANY kind of critter - this is a fun challenge made for you.
The ABCs: From Ants to Anteaters, Butterflies to Buffalos, Crocodiles to Cardinals
you get the picture.


SheepSki Designs is sponsoring August's challenge, which ends August 30, so get hopping and show us your projects using critters!

Any style, any theme, any technique - just be sure to have a critter on it!

I'm featuring this dramatic, multi-purpose Bee 'n Blossom image:

Colored with Copic Markers, and heavily distressed with both water-based and pigment inks, my card uses LOTS AND LOTS of oldies from my stash! Sigh... I love using my oldies stash.

Do you find a certain SPECIAL ENJOYMENT using your older products? 
It's like running into an old friend, and reliving good times.

Hmmm. Not sure which company made this flower. It's been in my stash since before 2006. I added two more Copic colors and orange flower stamens for dimension. The azalea flower was colored the same shade and I added dots.

The Chloe Stem layers are heat set with Ice Rink Cosmic embossing powder (has lots of sparkle), and DLArt Vintage Ivory crinkle ribbon gives it a little body.


Azaleas really do bloom yellow, even though they won't grow in our area. But I found these at Wal-Mart's on-line greenhouse:


AT MY HOUSE:

All kinds of bees, wasps, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds thrive in our "conglomeration" of flowers that tolerate the heat and humidity. Most flowers are "volunteers" that reseed themselves year after year like periwinkles, snapdragons, pentas and coleus. The bees and wasps are especially happy when I come out with the watering can each morning, and quickly attach themselves to moist leaves for a quick drink. It's like they know I want them to be healthy and to thrive!

This gorgeous, heavily distressed Sue Wilson Frames and Tags "Madeleine" die set has been in my stash for over a year - dormant and unused (giggle). How could I have let it go this long? Isn't it stunning? Lovely transparent brown vellum lies beneath it.


Gold Coast Cosmic embossing powder was used on the sentiment, and in distressing the tag.
The distressing was done with several colors of dye-base inks and then on top with Encore's Gold Pigment ink. If I could do it over, I could have used the Gold Coast Cosmic embossing powder around the edges as well.


There are lots of golden highlights on this card - it's a shame that my camera automatically "dulls" the shine. Still, it's a pretty card that will brighten someone's day.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to play in the

Products Used: (* means virginal or a decade old)

  • Image: SheepSki Designs "Bee n Blossom"
  • Sentiment*: Stampendous "Thoughtful Wishes" (2 years old)
  • SNS Gold Coast Cosmic embossing powder (sentiment)
  • SNS Ice Rink Cosmic embossing powder (Chloe Stems)
  • Tonic-Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
  • Gold Pearlescent Paper*, Brown Vellum*, Express-it Copic Paper, Daisy Paper* (the specialty papers used are over a decade old)
  • Sue Wilson Frames and Tags* "Madeleine" die set (year old)
  • Spellbinders Scallop Squares
  • PoppyStamps Main Street Tags die
  • Memory Box Chloe Stems
  • Encore Ultimate Gold pigment, Distress Inks, Memento Inks, Copic Markers
  • DLArt Vintage Vintage Ivory crinkle ribbon*, Rhinestone flourish

Challenges I'd like to play in please:

  1. 613 Avenue Create #200 "Anything Goes + Option 8/6
  2. A Bit More Time to Craft #49 "Anything Goes" 8/15 (sep post)
  3. A Perfect Time to Craft #8 "Anything Goes" 9/1
  4. Artistic Inspirations Challenges #184 "Anything Goes" 8/7
  5. Classic DT Open - #16 AG for a DT - 9/1
  6. Crafts Galore Encore (Aug) Anything Goes 9/1
  7. Crafty Animals #5 Anything Goes 9/1 (sep post - VISIT BLOG)
  8. DLArt Thankful Thursday Challenge #209 (Birthday or Thank You)  8/9
  9. Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #250 "Things With Wings" 8/6 (sep post)
  10. International Art and Soul Challenge #13 "Use Dies" (used 4 dies listed above)  8/6
  11. Sheepski Facebook #14 Anything Goes Challenge 8/20
  12. The Crazy Challenge #254 Rustic Elegance 8/14 sep post
  13. The Ribbon Girls - Use any image + ribbon (crinkle ribbon) 8/6
  14. World Wide Open DT Challenge - #24 AG for a DT - 8/15
  15. Joy Clair Challenge (Aug)  Inspiration Board below* 9/1




Buzzin' Hugs,



35 comments:

Valerija said...

What a stunning card! I love how you've used the adorable image! So creative and beautiful!
Valerija xx

Dortesjs said...

Beautiful card, i can smell the honnie and the summer ;O)) so sweet

aussie aNNie said...

Dear De, what a most beautiful post of nature, bees, flowers, sunshine what else could one ask but a real life walk through your garden. We are surely blessed to be able to grow such gorgeousness in our gardens and I would love to see more of your pics in future. Fabulous stamp used and most delightful card presented. Thank you for sharing your beautiful skills.xx[aNNie]

Abfabdesigns said...

Wow what a stunning card and the flower is just fab Dahling xxx

Chris said...

This beautiful card makes me think of drowsy, sunny summer days reading in the garden and hearing the soft droning of the bees, busy amongst the flowers...heaven! I love the earthy tones with the warm yellows, the image is lovely, the flower coloured to match the stunning bloom you have altered so beautifully.
Chris
xx

Sue said...

LOVE your card. The image is so beautiful wit the little bee doing his thing, and the colors are wonderful. So much detail and sparkle too!! Absolutely stunning! Love everything about this card.

Hugs
Sue

SD pooja said...

Bright and lovely, your card is Donna :)

SewPaperPaint said...

I just love this bee image and your gorgeous coloring. I live in Azalea country, but have never seen any yellow blooms! Cool! Gorgeous card, sweetie. Hugs, Autumn

KraftyKoolKat said...

So beautiful De, your are so very talented. Your colouring of this image and the added flower is awesome. I wish I had just a fraction of your talent.

Hugs
Cathy
xxxxx

Lori Kobular said...

Oh my goodness!! This card is absolutely gorgeous! I love the image and the way you colored it! But that Madeline die took my breath away! I have to get my hot little hands on that beauty! I love the flower and the ribbon you used on this lovely card!

*Vicki* said...

WOW!! This is such a stunning creation Donna!! I just love the pretty yellow bloom on your design along with your bee image in the elegant frame!! Thanks for sharing this amazing design!! HUGS :)

Lisa said...

Wow, this is stunning, Donna!! Your coloring is perfection!! I love the sweet bee and the gorgeous flowers!! This is so beautiful, my friend!! I love, love it!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Sue said...

Donna, What a beautiful card inspired by those beautiful flowers. Sue

Leslie Miller said...

What a fun challenge! You know how I love critters. I adore your card with the bee and flower and, YES, I love visiting old friends in my stamp stash. We're very comfortable with each other and don't even have to talk when we're together. That SW die is very pretty. I know how surprised you must be that you hadn't used it till now. I just love everything about your card, including the warm colors. I have a large yellow azalea in my garden and I look forward to its blooms every year.

cotnob said...

This is fabulous Donna, such a pretty image and beautifully framed - your flower matches your image perfectly - a gorgeous card.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Wow this is just an amazing creation, looks stunning. Fabulous work here. I love it.
Sorry I have been missing in action, had bad injury and operation to my right wrist. Still mending.
Thank you for sharing with us over here at "A Perfect Time To Craft" and best of luck with your entry.

Annette DT for http://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com.au/...


crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely stunning Donna and of course I adore the fabulous Bee image and the beautiful flower is the perfect embellishment
Carol x

Conniecrafter said...

Oh my I totally love this!! You did a terrific job in coloring this and using all your older items!! It is a wonderful feeling using up those items that have been around for a long time isn't it, and it all works together just perfectly!! I just love how you colored the flower to go with the one in the image beautifully done and gorgeous framing!! Love this!
Liked your story of how the bees enjoy the watering you do in the mornings :)

Sheryl said...

This is breath taking. I love the colours and the way all the elements work perfectly together.
Glad you stopped by at 613 Avenue Create.
Hugs Sheryl DT member xx

Shona Erlenborn said...

Don't know how I managed to miss this beauty - where are you finding time for all this stamping. The colors and composition are just stunning! I feel like I've just walked into a garden. This is just amazing!

Crafty Pearly said...

I'm so in love with this make. Great job. Thank you for joining us at Crafty Animals. Hugs Traci DT xx

Doris Klein said...

Wow.. this is just amazing! I love the frame and the big flower! It's a pretty and lovely creation! Many thanks for letting me be your GD this month.

Hugs
Doris
*GDT* 2CraftyCritterCrazies
Kleido’s BastelStüble
*Owner* Do-Al(l) Kreatives (#8 – Birthday (Summer kids are the best))
*DT* Die Sketchtanten

Angie said...

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

Angie DT

Lori Kobular said...

Hello Donna!! Your card is gorgeous! I love that sweet bee! I plant for the birds, bees and butterflies so I love when I see them on my flowers! I love how well your card goes along with the inspiration photo for the Joy Clair August Challenge! I am so glad that you entered your card in this challenge! Best of Luck my sweet friend!!

Pia S said...

It's a gorgeous card, and that old fabric flower is perfect with the ones on the colored image. Everything fits together so well and the whole design is so elegant. I take pleasure in using old stash, and using scraps always feels very satisfactory too.

Jacqueline Muller said...

Wow! Really gorgeous. Love it all.
Thank you for joining the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge.

Jacqueline DT World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

AndreaNorris said...

This is a stunningly beautiful creation. Don't forget you can enter it into my Facebook challenge https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730005463906336/ and blog challenge https://sheepski-designs-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/challenge-5-flower-power.html
Andrea x
SheepSki Designs

KarinsArtScrap said...

gorgeouss Donna

Gr Karin

Teresa Arsenault said...

What a wonderful design. I love the depth, texture and colours. The jeweled flourish is a splendid addition. hugs, Teresa

CG said...

Stunning card! WOW, love all the bright yellow. I used that paper for my wedding album! Thank you for joining us International Art & Soul! Hope you'll join our new challenge, which starts today. And be sure to check back next Sunday for the winner's post. Best, CG

Donna Phelan said...

Wow, wow, WOW! This is beyond amazing! Your flowers look amazing (yeah I tend to use that word a lot on your Blog--but it's just the most perfect word to use here!) I wish I had something as beautiful in my gardens! That die cut is awesome, a perfect place to showcase your images! The layers are FAB. I just love this all! Truly!

Isobel said...

Great project thank you for joining the challenge at
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk

Unknown said...

Beautiful project thank you for joining the challenge at Crazy challenge blog
Miroslava DT

Carla Chacón Fraija said...

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

Helen Gullett said...

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful card with Joy Clair August Challenge. I hope you will play along with us again in September!