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, September 22, 2011

Magical Winter Moments Blog Hop & Blog Candy

You're here! The final blog in the Sparkle N Sprinkle Magical Winter Moments Hop! WELCOME! (((( hugs )))) How's that for an enthusiastic reception?

Did you hop here by way of Kim Jaime, our newest Shoppe Instructor? If so, you're right on track. Otherwise, you may wish to start from the beginning to become eligible for a fabulous grand prize and three "mystery" prizes!

Do you love glitter? Me, too. It's especially good if you are as"boo-boo" prone as I am in creating cards. Glitter covers a multitude of mistakes. :-)

How not to start a blog post: **apologizing**. I promise in real life this is a pretty card with all the sparkly glitter, shimmery embossing powder, and reflective mirror cardstock (CS). No matter what I did in photographing it, or what magic was used in my software, this card remained aloof and uncooperative. It just would not glisten, sparkle or reflect! (no squealing allowed) :-D

Mirror Cardstock creates phenomenal effects! Standing at an angle so the camera and my face didn't reflect in it was a bit difficult. In person, the ornament is very shiny and pretty. Sparkle N Sprinkle carries several colors of mirror card stock - available in individual sheets, or in packets.



To further torture you, here is another tragic photo which shows a little of the glistening Gold Tinsel EP used in the layer around what is supposed to be TRUE GREEN cardstock LOL. It's fun converting plain, inexpensive cardstock into amazing designer cardstock! Honest! it really is pretty in person LOL - just take a piece of cardstock decide how much will show as a mat or layer, apply VersaMark Ink in that area, pour on your EP and heat. The rest of the CS remains as it was. It also makes adhering the layers a little easier because the center is not "coated" with a resistant covering.


The panel background was created by randomly stamping and embossing with Gold Detail EP, the holly bunch from our brand new Christmas Basket Stampette set. With a Sakura Glue Pen, glitters Elegant Emerald, Cerise, and Fantasy Gold became my coloring medium of choice. 


OK, your torture is now complete LOL. Seriously, I cannot apologize enough for how poorly this card photographed. Hopefully you know me well enough to know that if I say it is absolutely, glisteningly pretty, you know it's true.

Thanks for withstanding the icky photos. Now that your maltreatment on my blog is complete, here comes the part you've been waiting for. To qualify for the Blog Candy drawing for a free Christmas Basket Stampette set, just leave a comment below and become a follower of my blog. To become eligible for the Hop's grand prize and 3 mystery prizes, leave the same comment below (LOL) and return to the SNS Home blog. When there, please leave your answer to the following question:

With Autumn festivities upon us, and Chanukah and Christmas soon here, what is your favorite holiday activity? 


52 comments:

Linda said...

WOW! what a stunning card Donna. I love the colors and the background and your use of detail.

creativearts said...

Very stunning card! All of the gold glitter is perfect!

Barbara Bruder said...

I love this card.It is very striking. Great job on the embossing. And the colors are pretty.

Kim Jaime said...

I really love this card!

NanaConnie said...

Sigh -- there goes the stamping budget. I have to have both the stampette sets, and the new Noelle set!
I think the card is gorgeous and there is nothing harder than photographing mirror or shiny CS. Fantastic ornament, Donna. Love the way you used the fussy cut image on it.

Shona Erlenborn said...

Well it looks pretty darned good to me Donna! The colors are stunning - and to have the patience to paint on the glitters - it must have taken ages - but it was well worth it. Just beautiful!

Julie Z said...

Well I know how frustrating it is to not be able to capture all that shiny & sparkling beauty in your card - I can TOTALLY relate - it can be a major challenge. But besides not looking as beautiful in the pictures as it is in person - your card is gorgeous! Everything about it is just beautiful & the photos are actually QUITE pretty even if we can't see all the sparkle and shine. TFS that beautiful card Donna!

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

I absolutely love the colors. Even if its not the real color? I think it is beautiful! All the elements you brought together really make it an awesome card. You really rock!
Cheesy
P.S. I feel for you with the photography glitches...think we've all had that happen.

Kristyn C said...

Love the flowers. looks so much better on your card than in the set. I just loved it, very very pretty!

Anonymous said...

love the background you created! very pretty card. Pam Beeson

Anonymous said...

I'd love to see that in living person!!! It's got to be gorgeous! What detail.........you've done it again :)
Brenda

Kathyk said...

I love the use of mirri card on your project. That stamp set is sooooo cool

Kathyk

Anonymous said...

Donna, I can tell how sparkly your card is, and I love it. I LOVE sparkle - everywhere. thanks for sharing your ideas.
Jan Hobbs

Anonymous said...

so pretty !
dilnazheckman @ hotmail . com

Anonymous said...

so pretty!
dilnazheckman @ hotmail . com

Kristin said...

Stunning!!

Dianne Potter said...

What a wonderfully bright and sparkly card. I am more convinced than ever that I MUST have all the new stamps. Thanks so much for your inspiration.

Beth said...

Isn't it amazing what a little EP and glitter can do for a card? You don't need a scene or even a saying to convey such beauty!

Karalee said...

Donna, this card takes my breath away. Absolutely beautiful.

Sharon Hiller said...

Really love your card, it just looks so expensive. Beautiful.

Booknplays said...

Beautiful cards. It looks so rich with the gold outlines and the mirror paper. I need to get me some of that paper!

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a beautiful card using the glitz from all that mirror cardstock and glitter too. It dresses the card up fantastically.

Linda Rapacki said...

The glitter flowers make this card very elegant.

Joni said...

Great cards. All that glitter is great.

McStamper said...

A really beautiful card.

Amanda R said...

Donna you can say what you want but I love this card! I got so many ideas from it, I definitely need to try the EP around the edges!

Anonymous said...

Donna

What an awesome card. I love the image with the tag, it just pulls it all together. The red sparkle was just what was needed to bring the bling out.

That gold on the bottom layer is awesome and it did pop in the smaller image.

I believe you (the first paragraph or two)

Unknown said...

Donna, you really shouldn't be so hard on yourself!! That is a beautiful card and you did a great job photographing it! I know it is prettier irl, but all our cards are:) Your card is awesome!

marjorie said...

Oooh! I can tell this is a gorgeous card!! I love the mirror effect and your use of glitter! Very very nice look!

Lynne Platt said...

Donna - It was glittery on my laptop and absolutely gorgeous! It reminds me of vintage Christmas and for some reason my grandmother. Thank you for your wonderful cards, your inspiration, your help, and for just being a wonderful person!

Anonymous said...

pretty card even though its not sparkling like you want it to in the photo.. I can see the shimmer!!Nice job!
Kasot@aol.com

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous color combination! Very striking!
DeniseB

E. Marie said...

Lovely "Ugly" card (: Your pictures may not have shown the look you wanted of this card but I think it is very pretty. The gold glitter and embossing is beautiful.

Gerlinde said...

THAT is my favorite style of Christmas card! Glitter, gold embossing powder and mirrored cardstock! If it's that gorgeous on your photos, it must be breathtaking IRL!

Anonymous said...

Just beautiful - a gorgeous card! The stamp set just doen't look anything like you made it be.....
judystolz@hotmail.com

NWFlamingo said...

Oh the suffering! What were you thinking torturing us like that? Ha! LOL. Great stuff!

Karenladd said...

LOL...I do feel for you as I am sure your gorgeous card is way more beautiful in person and it must be frustrating to have had so much trouble photographing it! With all that, it is STILL absolutely amazing! I am a new follower and can't wait to see what more is to come!

carrie said...

Love the elegant look of this card! The gold tinsel EP on this green is wonderful with the pop of the red ornament. Super card!

Candy Meyers said...

What an elegant card! I absolutely love it. So special. Thanks loads for sharing it with us.
Candy Meyers

Anonymous said...

a glitter dilemia Oh Dear!1 looks grand anyway love the ornament

Sandy rustydoc1@yahoo.com

Nikki said...

Beautiful Cards and love all the glitter

SHartl said...

Your card looks gorgeous so I can only imagine how amazing it must look in person. Have never seen mirror paper but it would be perfect for a holiday card! I am following your blog and have been having fun looking back over your past posts. Lots of inspiration there!

Pat K said...

So different and elegant - very creative

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! just beautiful

poochiegrammy@yahoo.com

April said...

Beautiful, Donna! I love the colors you used. Wonderful job!

Kathy Vogel said...

I think the card is very pretty. It showed up quite well on my touch pad.

Anonymous said...

Even if you say it photographed poorly, I say it is such an elegant card - thanks for sharing !

karenajo

Anita Braddock said...

wow very gorgeous I love this card the colors pop so Beautifuly and i love the glitter. thanks for sharing and for the chance to win.
abbraddock@msn.com

Sharon Field said...

What a beautiful card Donna! Love the embossing, stamp AND sparkle too!

Dawn said...

well I don't think these were icky photos at all. I think it is a great card. Its much better than mine!

Karin said...

I think this is just lovely Donna! The gold embossing is always so rich looking and the glitter you added is perfect :)

Shirley said...

Absolutely beautiful!!!