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, June 25, 2013

"Milk and Coffee" is at Fashionista this Month!

June's blog candy is here.



This month at Fashionista Challenges we are celebrating birthdays and weddings with sponsor Milk and Coffee! For a chance to win some wonderful images, pop on over with your birthday or wedding related card and play with us!


And I also have a very special tip - 


Just for you! 


Sponsored by fumble fingers herself!





This darling little image of Charlotte with her friendly butterfly is available from Milk and Coffee images here.

In my card, the image has been flipped, and a second butterfly added.

TIP: To add the second butterfly, open your image, do a "SAVE AS" and rename this image to "butterfly only". Crop as needed and place your butterfly into the image, or print separately to fussy cut and layer on top.


Here is my special tip:

Make your pretty "button medallions" with delicate mulberry paper (it really is pretty). But then, let your fumble fingers drop the finished Medallion. Be sure you roll over it with your chair and smash it while looking on the floor for it. Then try to fix it suitably for the card. It looks especially endearing all smashed up. 


Here is how it is supposed to look:


And here it is all smashed after being rolled over (not once, but twice):


Quite an interesting look, wouldn't you say? hahaha
(I love sharing my boo-boos with you!)



Lots of glitter and glitter-fied embossing powders were used, of course!

The Happy Little Flying Bird is from the Spellbinders Presto Punch Template "Bird" Set.
Both "By The Lake" EP and "Waterfall" glitter were used on the bird
(links shown below in product grocery list)


The "wish" sentiment on the top panel is tied with tiny satin ribbon, bedecked with a heart charm, and glitter-fied on the edges using a Quickie Glue Pen.


The bottom sentiment is by Great Impressions:

The same tiny ribbon has been laced in and out of the lace edging, and finally tied in a bow. The vellum Fantastic Flourish has been "cut in half" and placed on each side of the panel. The bottom turquoise panel is also covered with VersaMark and heat set with "Sparkle" EP for a very glittery effect.


Have you checked out the Path of Positivity Challenge yet? This month's theme is Strength - increasing our personal strength of character. The Birthday sentiment on my card is how I usually derive Strength -

"I wish you time for joy and laughter,
peace and reflection...
but most of all, I wish you Love."

In times of hardship I require moments of peaceful reflection - regardless of where I am, what is happening, the circumstances which present themselves to me, it is remembering/reflecting that true Love will bring Peace to my soul. And my Soul flies to that Love. Strength allows me to "rise" higher than the pain and limitations of my body. Strength allows me to see the good in all people, regardless of what they may say or do. Little fears can become big fears, unless I reflect, allow Peace to pervade, and Love to bloom. For me, Love is not so much an "emotion" or something I "feel", but rather, a

State of Being

Once we realize our Strength is directly related to the Love and Peace saturating our very being, we can:

  •  care deeply about all things without becoming embroiled in them; 
  •  we can overcome hurdles by taking those "baby steps" rather than noticeably giant leaps; 
  •  and we can grow stronger and stronger by recognizing that Strength is not always something which Shouts Itself Known, but rather, something of Beauty, which is of recognized in the quietness of soul after reflecting on what is truly within our control, and that which is not.

Check out the wonderful submissions to the Path of Positivity Challenge for a little inspiration in your day. A lovely person, blog owner Lisa shares from her heart, and has created a "space" where we can share something from our own hearts as well.


NOW...

Let's hear it for the beautiful SMASHED mulberry medallion - 
big grin 
(I am SO proud!) hahaha




Products used:

Images:
   Milk and Coffee Charlotte and Butterfly

   Stampin' Up! "Wish" image
   Great Impressions "Birthday" image

Punches and Die Cuts:
  Life Style Nesting Hearts
  Life Style Nesting Lace Hearts
  Martha Stewart Vintage Floral Punch Around the Page
  Cheery Lynn Tropical Flourish
  Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder
  Spellbinders Curved Rectangles
  Spellbinders Shapeabilities Die D-Lites S2-010 Fantastic Flourish One
  Spellbinders BIRDS P5-006
  Stampin' Up! Oval and Scallop Oval punches
Glitters and Embossing Powders:
   Sparkle N Sprinkle "Sparkle" embossing powder
   Sparkle N Sprinkle "By the Lake" Cosmic embossing powder
   Sparkle N Sprinkle "Waterfall" G1071 Glitter
Lace, Recollections bling
Ribbons, Pearls (from my late mom' stash -smile)
Inks:
  Tumbled Glass dye ink
  Cloudy Blue dye ink
  Old Paper dye ink
  VersaMarker, VersaMark Ink
  Versafine Pigment Deep Lagoon
Copic Markers
Adhesives: Alleen's Quick Dry Tacky Glue, Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, Dimensionals
Cardstock: White, Turquoise, Coral-Pink, aqua mulberry paper, vellum

This sweet card is entered in the following fun challenges! 
(thank you, Challenge Hosts)!


  1. Path of Positivity #3 - Strength (M) - please see my paragraph just above the bottom photo.
  2. Die Cuttin' Divas - #121 Birthday (W) with 3 Embellishments (6 dies are listed in products used) (embellies are ribbons, Pearls, Lace, bling, charm
  3. Addicted to Stamps - #59 - Gorgeous Lace (trimmed around heart and base sentiment, and also paper lace with the punch around the page.)
  4. Country View Challenges - #4 - June Die Cuts (M) - (6 dies are listed in products used)
  5. Really Reasonable Ribbons - #74 Seeing Dots and Ribbon - (2WP15) - tiny Satin ribbon for the charm on top panel, and woven ribbon around base - dotted swiss embossed background, dotted ink spots around image)
  6. Craft Your Passion - #168 - In the Garden (image and card design are garden)
  7. IncyWincy Designs - Tic Tac Toe (frame it-emboss it-2 or more stamps)
  8. Shabby Tea Room - #172 Summer Breeze - (colors, nature, clean outdoors)
  9. Great Impressions - "A Little Sparkle" (M)(glitter everywhere! even under the sentiment)
  10. Totally Gorjuss Challenges - #189 (Happy Birthday!) sentiment is birthday wish


Always loving hugs,



59 comments:

KarinsArtScrap said...

what a very beautiful card Donna so beautiful made.
you can put your card also in this challenge we ask a easelcard.
http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.nl/

greetings karin

Sue said...

Your card is stunning Donna. I love the cute image, beautiful colour scheme and all your detailing - especially the mulberry medallions, look fabulous. The touches of sparkle are gorgeous too.
hugs Sue xx

brenda said...

Well Donna what can I say other than totally stunning. And there was me thinking from your message over at my place that you had made a boo-boo like me, if you did I can't see it.

Hope you're doing okay or at least as well as can be.

B x

pam said...

Another gorgeous creation Donna, beautiful image, love the colours you have used and beautiful embellishments.
hope you are feeling a lot better.
pam

pam said...

Another gorgeous creation Donna, beautiful image, love the colours you have used and beautiful embellishments.
hope you are feeling a lot better.
pam

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

deine Karte ist fantastisch geworden. Was für eine liebevolle Gestaltung. Ich bin absolut begeistert. So viele wunderschöne Details hast du eingearbeitet und alles so wunderschön erklärt. Das Motiv ist sehr schön und diese Farbe gehört zu meinen Lieblingsfarben.
Eine grandiose Leistung von dir. Obwohl es dir noch nicht wirklich gut geht entsteht so etwas bewundernswertes. Ganz liebe Grüße Hugs Silvi

Sharon said...

This is stunning Donna. Love the image and your tutorial on adding the 2nd butterfly. There is so much gorgeousness on this card and the smashed up medallion looks fine.
Hope you are improving with you health.
Hugs Sharon x

Jennifer said...

What an absolutely beautiful card, there is so much to look at. The image, the embellishments, the colours that you used are all stunning. I hope that you are feeling better than you were. Hugs, Jen :-) x
Krafty Keepsakes

Pat K said...

Another gorgeous creation Donna. Love how you flipped the image and added the extra butterfly. Great use of the mulberry paper and the sentiment is wonderful. hugs, Pat K x

Becky said...

I like the smashed medallion. Looks kind of flowery. I actually make some that look like that out of crepe paper. :-)

P.S. I loved your Dahlia card so much I ordered the stamp set and have been having fun playing with it.

L.B. said...

Super pretty. Love the blue. Thanks for joinign DCD

Jackie W said...

Wow, Donna, your card is gorgeous! Love the beautiful image and die cuts! Your smashed medallion still looks fab!! :) Thanks for sharing your funny and strength building moments! So glad you joined us at Incy Wincy Designs!
Jackie :)

Shona Erlenborn said...

Oh Miss Donna! You're a riot! Love what you achieved here, especially the smashed mulberry flower. I'm still laughing, imagining you searching the floor for your lost flower. Kidding aside, another beautiful creation, with the right amount of embellies and bling!

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow Donna this is such a serene creation. I just adore the monochromatic colouring and the pretty lace trimmings.
{I would love you to take part in my 600 Follower Give-away. Thank you so much if you have already entered and good luck.} Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

cotnob said...

This is absolutely stunning Donna, beautiful image and colours. Such an intricate design and fabulous attention to detail, especially your smashed button medallion - you did make me chuckle with your description!
Pauline
x

Abfabdesigns said...

Beautiful beautiful beautiful great attention to detail ,plus the lovely smashed button on the medallion lol .
Glad you feel better darling ,take care
Big hugs xxxxxxxxx

Stampsnob. said...

So beautiful, Love your "tip" section. That image is adorable.......Lis

Anne Temple said...

Your card is beautiful! Love the colors and it looks like the butterflies are sprinkling sparkle dust over the little girl.

Chris Hanselman said...

Donna, such a stunning card. I love all the embellies and die cuts. The image is adorable. Love how you flipped it and added an extra butterfly!!

Hugs
~~Chris

Path of Positivity said...

Oh my goodness, where to begin. I guess I should start by saying thank you for the very special shout out you did on the Path of Positivity. Your kind words touched me deeply.

Next I should move on to that gorgeous card you created with all its sparkly goodness, extra specially treated medallions and all. Loved the 'fumble fingers' trick. I love alliterations so that was right in my wheelhouse. Also, I've managed a few trick of my own like that. I love that you share your boo-boos along with your successes.

Finally, I'd like to touch on your comments about inner strength. It is amazing how much strength can affect us and how much we need it in our lives. So true are your words that strength isn't something that 'shouts itself known'. We definitely need to dig deep for it sometimes and look for it in places we never imagined it would be.

Thanks once again for joining us this month on the Path of Positivity. May you continue to find the strength you need to get through each and every day.

Hugs,
Lisa

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Wow Donna, I don't know where to start but I will say your design is very gorgeous. Love all the gitter, lace, layers, die cuts, flower, flourishes... wowzer :) Oh yes the image is beautiful too and your colouring is always wonderful. Take good care, hugs, Shirleyx

Amy A said...

What a lovely card Donna! Just Beautiful! I the colors and how you incorporated all the embellishments together...smashed up button and all! Love! Love! Love! Oh, did I mention I Love this Card? :)

Verna Angerhofer said...

Absolutely gorgeous...and I would never dreamed of making that little girl's hair in blue shades, but it is awesome. Just a magnificient work of art.

NanaConnie said...

De, I dearly love the smashed version of the rosette! If you hadn't fessed up that it was an accident, we wouldn't have known.
Would you share what program you are using to "flip" your images before printing them? I print everything using Word but have no idea if it can be used to flip images. I've also never done anything like merging .png images, although everyone says they merge .png images for scenes or using two images together. You color combo on this card is magnificent, my friend! Love that sweet image and the lace.

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Oh DE, this is magnificent, just love the soft pastels of this beauty, the details are amazing and eye catching. Just love, love all of the embellies. Thanks so much for your sweet comments, I read them over and over. With much love and blessings.
PS. love your header
Hugs

Sue from Oregon said...

Another fancy schmancy gorgeous creation Donna! You really ought to add this to the Great Impressions June Challenge (sparkles) this would be a perfect fit!!! So many lovely details!!!

~ginny said...

First - I really like your coloring of this image... and there are lots of fun details to examine - smashed medallion and all! I am delighted you entered your project in the “In the Garden” Challenge - good luck!
~ginny
Design Team - Craft Your Passions
RubberMAD (http://ggetty.blogspot.com/)

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

What a stunning creation you have made for us to admire, Donna. I love everything about it, and it is so you. And your views on positivity are so insightful, just as you are always. I wish you much strength to help you thru your trials. Love you much.

Leslie Miller said...

Another grand masterpiece of detail and wonder! I look and look at all the details and marvel at how you can dream it all up. I like the way you have of adding that soft edging of glitter. She's a sweetie! Your story about how you "made" the distressed medallion had me in stitches! I'll have to try it!

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great and sweet card Donna, your colours chose is perfect ant the image is so cute!!!I really love your beautifull easelcard it's super!!

Greetings
Maria

Jill Norwood said...

This is a beautiful masterpiece! I love your "smushed" medallion flowers! LOL! Your post was so fun to read! Fantastic details on your lovely card! Wow!!!!!!

gracescraps@gmail.com said...

Such a lovely card!!! Love all your details, especially the laced ribbon! Thanks for joining our Seeing Dots & Ribbon Challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon!! ~ Blessings, Tracey
http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/

Heather said...

Lovely card!!
Thank you for joining us at Really Reasonable Ribbon!!
Hugs
Heather

Kat W said...

Wow, there is always so much to enjoy on your cards Donna! I love all the pretty details but I especially love the 'distressed medallion ;-)
Hugs, Kat xx

snappy scrappy said...

So pretty...love the colouring! Thanks for playing along with us at DCD!

Shannon White said...

Wow!! Soo Gorgeous Donna!! Love your Wonderful Coloring on this Sweet image!! Such a Magical creation! Love all the Wonderful embellies and sparkle! Really a Fabulous Birthday card and the sentiment is Wonderful too! 8-)

Hugs
Shannon

April said...

What a sweet and lovely card! I love the sparkle and your smashed medallion! You are so funny. Great job on your card!

ScrappyHappyMommy said...

This is stunning. I love your "smashed" flower. Reminded me of a morning glory the way they curl sometimes. Thanks for joining us this week at Craft Your Passion for our "In the Garden" challenge.
Anita
DT CYP
http://scrappyhappymommy.blogspot.ca

Anke said...

Beautiful card. I love the colors.
Thanks for your lovely words on my blog. Also thanks for joining us at Totally Gorjuss
hugs Anke

Starr said...

Donna your card is so beautiful! Your coloring and details are perfection! Thanks for sharing with us at The Shabby Tea Room this week!

Brenda Brown said...

Such pretty colours and a fabulous design. Thanks for joining us at Country View Crafts in our die-cuts challenge.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Jenny said...

Loving all the sparkle, lace and blues Donna! Gorgeous card! Thanks for sharing with us at Great Impressions Stamps!

Eret said...

Thank you for sharing your exquisite piece of art, Donna. Your card is magnificent. Lots of fabulous details as always. You and your cards are amazing.
I love to read your boo-boos so please keep sharing. Your smashed rosett is awesome. I love how it looks. I'd like to make it too but rolling it over with a chair seems very time consuming :)
Hugs
Eret

Carol Hurlock said...

Oh my goodness this is gorgeous. I love the sweet image. You can always tell the heart of a person by the images that speak to their heart! Your smashed medallion looks shabby chic!....lol You want to smash it and rough it up a bit for that style. It's suppose to look used and old. hahaha Love all the pretty laces both paper and fabric and the distressed edges are perfect for a shabby chic theme. I just did a card in this pretty Peacock Feather myself. I am in love with this color. Yours looks so pretty against the Kraft. Such beauty and elegance.
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Peanut said...

WOWZER! What a stunning card, Donna! I love everything about it. And your tip...that's priceless! Like you, I'm a warts and all kinda gal! I'll be following you... to see what else you plan on running over! LOL
And... thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a sweet comment.
xxx Asha
Sunny Summer Crafts

McCrafty's Cards said...

Wow Donna, what a fantastic easel card, the image is adorable I love the colours all the lace the charm and the gorgeous die cuts.
Kevin xx

Crafting Vicky said...

Totally gorgeous card yet again!!! And totally the type of thing I would do... roll over the part that I'm looking for lol I've actually lost a die in my room... still not found... I'm sure one day it will turn out.. in the meantime I have misplaced items that I had pulled out to make a card... only to find them when the card is finished... yup totally get this. ;)

Dawn said...

Stunning card, Donna. There are so many beautiful layers and textures. Love the lace and beautiful ribbon strung through the die cut. The image is really sweet and all the glitter is gorgeous too. The medallions are very pretty. I wouldn't call it 'smashed' - I think the technical term would be 'distressed' :) It still looks beautiful.

Hugs, Dawn

nwilliams6 said...

Wow - your posts are so positive and sweet. This card has some very creative coloring - I studied it and wish I could do it. Beautiful details everywhere. Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. Hugz!

Sue said...

Absolutely stunning card. LOVE the pretty blue and all your fabulous details. Your smushed medallion looks like a lovely flower now and if you had not said anything, no one would have noticed. So pretty.

Hugs
Sue

Donna Maligno said...

De this card is lovely - especially the layers and colors used. I almost spit my gum out when I read about your paper medallion. Fumble fingers has nothing to do with it -- we've ALL done it! LOL! You are too funny.

Sharon said...

What a lovely card Donna, thanks for the tip too!

CG said...

Hi Donna! Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog, they make my day! I'm so blown away ever time I see one of your cards...This one is especially fabulous! Love your coloring, it's so very whimsical. Happy crafting! Best, CG

Monica said...

Hello Donna,

I loved reading that bit about strength...
Charlotte looks beautiful and the medallion flowers are very pretty even though they went on a short journey to the floor and back to the card. You make me laugh when you write of such stuff. I love the charm and the sentiment.
Love,
M

Shea said...

OMG, Donna, I nearly fell out of my chair at your account of how you "enhanced" your lovely mulberry medallion. Frankly my dear, it looks MUCH better with the added "character" you gave to it! (Not once, but TWICE!) I'm still laughing out loud - really!! Not only are you a gifted crafter, you're also a brilliant story teller and I'm pinning this card not only for it's sheer gorgeousness but also because it'll probably make me laugh out loud every time I read it. Oh, and yes, it's a gorgeous card. The beautifully-colored image, the FABULOUS sparklies, and all the wonderful layers which you've so expertly combined. Thanks so much for the belly laughs. Not once, but TWICE!!

Gloria Shirr (purpleglo) said...

Gorgeous creation Donna!! Wow do you have the talent!! I love everything about this card!! So incredible! I voted for you on this one. Have a fabulous day. Hugs, Gloria

http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com

NanaConnie said...

Just saw that this was the big winner at Path of Positivity. Hooray and Congratulations, my dear friend!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Hi Donna, I just saw that your gorgeous design was a winner at the positivity challenge ! Conngratulations - a well deserved award to a positive lady! I hope you are doing well, Shirleyxx

SD pooja said...

Wow ! Its so beautiful..loved the colors a lot..n thanks a lot for the tip...Its tricky to make rosette of delicate paper make it stay stiff..