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

Saturday, August 23, 2014

No-Color House Mouse Challenge! {Scrapy Land}

Greetings, blogging friends! SO HAPPY you are here!


I have some fun news to share!

Ta-Daaaaa! Today is my first card share using dies from Scrapyland where I have joined several talented artists in the all new DESIGN TEAM!


We will be featuring a "new and improved" Challenge Blog on the first and third Wednesdays with prizes and awards! Challenge Rules are here. It all begins on September 3! Hope to see you there!



More sharing...

Do you ever make promises to yourself, and then put everyone else (and every "thing" else) in front of the promises? It's a bad habit of mine.

Every month, I promise myself to participate in certain challenges, and the time always gets away from me.

This month I decided NO MATTER WHAT, I would play in the HM challenge. 
And then the photography would not cooperate! BAH! 
Four days and nearly 100 photos, later, I am still dissatisfied. 

This card glistens and sparkles beautifully, but the camera refused to capture it. I'm so sorry for the shoddy photography, because the card is really pretty. I promise it does not look slightly "icky" wherever the distressed glitter appears. (giggle)

The first challenge: House Mouse and Friends Challenge (absolutely NO COLOR on the HM image!)


The card uses this week's MOJO Monday sketch:

Do you like the machine stitching for A Gem of a Challenge and ALBC Challenge?
My shoulders spasmed and made the left side go crazy LOL 
(that is why my card designs are results of covering up mistakes and blunders)

One of my favorite dies is the Spellbinders Blossoms (the roses shown in my card), available at a discount at Scrapyland. 


This is the only photo which even remotely captures the amazing glitteriness. The Chunky Diamond Dust and Luau Green Microfine glitters are both from Sparkle N Sprinkle. See the Diamond Dust in the tear drops of the circle, too? As well as the holes in the MS border punch?


Thanks for sharing my happy news today!

Products:
Scrapyland Spellbinders Blossoms (the roses shown in my card)
Scrapyland Spellbinders Circles and Teardrop Circles
House Mouse Daisy Throwing stamp
House Mouse You Make Me Smile stamp
Sparkle N Sprinkle  Chunky Diamond Dust and Luau Green Microfine glitter
The rest is old stuff from my stash

Fun Challenges I'm playing in:

  1. House Mouse and Friends Challenge - #176 Leave the image uncolored - with thinking of you 8/25
  2. MOJO MONDAY Challenges - #359 Sketch - 8/25
  3. A Gem of a Challenge - #126 Stitching - 8/28
  4. STAMPlorations Challenges - August - Use Stamp(s) and Die Cut(s) 8/31
  5. ALBC - August - "Sew What?" Stitching from Sewing Machine 8/31
  6. Crafts Galore - August - Anything Goes 8/31
  7. Sparkle N Sprinkle - August - Anything Goes (2 colors of glitter shown) 8/25
  8. Natalie and Amy challenges - #23 Die cuts and Flowers 8/30
  9. Mema's Challenges - August - Anything Goes 8/30
  10. Crafty Girl Challenges - #25 Anything Goes 9/4
  11. We Do Doobadoo Challenges - #13 Add Textures (layers, glitters of different sizes, ribbons, stitching) 9/13
  12. Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge  - #43 Anything Goes 8/29
hugs,

54 comments:

KristyLee said...

Hi Donna,
Your card is fabulous, and so glittery! Love the no-color idea. And congrats on your new DT gig! How awesome! You know if you want to you can share your cards and such that you make using any Spellbinders products on my FB page called "Kristy's Bloomn' Journey."
Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristysbloominjourney/
Peace,
Kristy

E. Marie said...

So cute. Love how you coordinated with the background paper and added the stitching. Congrats on the design team position!

Stampsnob. said...

Love House Mouse Love them even more if I don't have to color them. Great card Donna.............Lis

Jean Bullock said...

Congratulations on being selected for the team. They chose wisely! I know what you mean about trying to photograph glitter and other shimmery mediums, but I think we can understand the effect by looking at the last photo. This is a darling card. The roses are awesome. I didn't realize you had made them yourself. I definitely need that die.

Brenda said...

Congrats!!! You're photography is NEVER shoddy LOL... beautiful card as always :)

pam said...

hi Donna, congrats on your DT postion..

This is a beautiful card, love the image and roses you have made, your layout with all the glitter and sparkle looks amazing..
pam x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Congratulations and I think it is awesome you have a new design team to play with. It can be fun I know, but for me at this stage of life I find it too demanding for me. I seemed to have slowed down a bit since retirement which is okay too. I still enjoy doing what I do anyway.

And, I must say I love your card with all that glitzy glittery look. I can see it quite well, but I understand how a photo just does not do it justice compared to what it looks like in reality. But we get the idea anyway. I so enjoy your work.

Sharon said...

First of all congratulations on you very well deserved DT position.
Your card is gorgeous. I know it is difficult capturing the sparkle of glitter but you can still see how gorgeous your card is. The image is adorable and I love the design.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend Donna.
Hugs Sharon, x

Sue said...

Big congrats on your new DT place Donna, I am so happy to you.
Your card is gorgeous, such a sweet image with a beautiful sentiment and fabulous papers. Your flowers are wonderful and all the sparkle looks fantastic.
hugs Sue xx

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hi, Donna! Big congrats on your new DT - so exciting! I hopped over and am now following the blog - I had not heard of this company before. Your card is beautiful and I always enjoy seeing your glitter! I think your photography is fine - the card looks gorgeous! Enjoy your weekend!

Hugs,
Kitty

jimlynn said...

This photo is not shoddy at all! I can see all the shimmer and shine just perfectly. CUTE image and love it with no coloring. A beautiful card!
It's going to be great working with you on the new DT too!
Lynn

Anne Temple said...

Your card is gorgeous! Love the color of ink you used to stamp the image and all that glitter looks fabulous! Love that you shared it with us for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge this month too.

Bonnie said...

Love that background paper with the whole flower the little mouse is depetaling! And I love that little rose and all the sparkle!

Lisa said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Donna!! The image is so sweet!! I love the touches of glitter and the design!! The flowers look amazing!! What a fabulous card!! I'm so excited to be on the team with you!! Have a great weekend :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

NanaConnie said...

Congratulations on the new DT spot, my dear friend! I know you'll enjoy it. Fantastic card, and what a great challenge to do House Mouse with no color on the image. That certainly doesn't mean your card is drab and without color. :-D Loving all the sparkle and both your paper choice and the flowers are simply magnificent.

creative lady said...

Donna, congrats on your new DT. Your House Mouse is so cute. Thanks for stopping by to play along with Mema's Crafts challenge.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great card dear Donna, so much to see , I love the little maouse but I really love your beautiful background, great details and lovely clours!! Super!!!

Greetings and have a nice weekend!!
Maria

McCrafty's Cards said...

Beautiful card Donna, you never let me down, you always add such beautiful sparkle to your creations I like the sweet image and the gorgeous sunflower papers. Congratulations on your new DT spot, I know you will be very happy with the team all beautiful girls
Kevin xx

KarinsArtScrap said...

ahhhhhh this is so cute and a fab card Donna.
Gr Karin

Sue said...

The card is fab. Putting the glitter on the rest of the card making it stand out in a way makes the no colour image stand out even more.

Hope you have a lovely day.

Shirley said...

Wahoooooo, huge congrats Donna and no apologies needed for the photography it looks amazing. We crafters have fabulous imaginations and I am sure each and everyone of us can picture your stunning make glistening in the sunlight.

He is rather cute and he makes me smile.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

America said...

The effects of the fab sponging for shading around this adorable uncolored HMD image combined with those great cuts and punched borders is so pretty.
Thank you for playing with us at House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge. Good Luck to you! Hope you will come back to play again tomorrow for another brand new challenge! :)

Unknown said...

Great Design Thank you for sharing with us over at Suzy Bee's, hope to see you again next week.....
Hugs
Suzy B Owner
X

Shona Erlenborn said...

What a darling card Donna. That image is so sweet, the little mouse doing the happy dance!! You've certainly managed to make your card colorful enough with your many other gorgeous details. The die layers and the gorgeous flowers and ribbon are just full of happiness. Congratulations on your new DT position - how exciting for you!

Benzi said...

Donna, this is awesome with all the sparkle and I love your stitching..sorry, though, about the spasm in the shoulder.

Huge congratulations on the new DT position. You'll be a wonderful asset to the team, no doubt about that.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Camille Short said...

Classic!

Leslie Miller said...

Well, Donna, this card looks mighty fine to me! I understand about the difficulty photographing glitter and having it not come out looking like blobs. Happens to me all the time. In fact, just in general I could do a lot more stamping if it wasn't for all the photo retakes and editing. I do appreciate your efforts in trying to give us something fabulous to look at, and this is fabulous! It must be completely amazing and magical in real life! Hard to believe you made this so awesome without coloring. You are a gem! Hey, congratulations on your new assignment! This means we are guaranteed a regular dose of Donna and I can tell you I am certainly looking forward to that! Enjoy!

Cornelia said...

Very nice card in lovely colors!

Christine said...

Hi Donna congrats on your DT post..love this sweet cute image such a happy card design cant help but smile when I look at it..lovely colour combo & lots of sparkle make this one gorgeous take on the No colouring chall theme.

Thanks for sharing with us at House Mouse & Friends Mon. chall,

smiles Christine x

Dawn G Designs said...

Gorgeous card! Green and yellow are my favorite colors! Congrats on your DT position! Thank you for joining us at the Crafts Galore Encore Anything Goes, Dawn DT Member x

Kelly Lloyd said...

Really beautiful card
Thanks for sharing with us at a gem of a challenge
Hugs Kelly

ILEANA ARTUFFO said...

Wonderful glittery card! Beautiful no-color image!
Thank you for entering the Suzy Bee's Challenge.
Ileanaxx

Unknown said...

Very Pretty Donna, I love House Mouse! Congrats on the new design team!

Papercrafting Princess said...

Love the patterns!

Eret said...

Congratulations on your new DT position, Donna. It is so exciting!
I'm so happy I have time to visit your blog again. Here are one masterpiece after another.
I love these lovely Autumn colors on your card. Your roses are so beautiful and the glitter is stunning. I love everything about your card.
Hugs,
Eret

Eret said...

I forgot to thank you for sharing your gorgeous card with us at the Sparkle N Sprinkle. You are an inspiration, Donna!
Hugs,
Eret

Blossom Cards said...

lovely fab card thanks for sharing with SBBC this week Rachel dt

cotnob said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
cotnob said...

Congratulations on your new DT spot Donna, I'm so pleased for you.
Such a gorgeous card, your image is adorable and perfect for the theme. I love your beautiful papers and wonderful details and embellishments.
Pauline
x

Petra Swart said...

Hi, Donna and congrats on that DT post, hey!!!
I love your fun card and the sewing looks great!!! Love all the glitter and sparkle and that sweet little guy is just soooo cute and makes me smile!!! Lovely card - great roses, too!!

Have a lovely day!!
Hugz

MaryH said...

You may have had photography frustrations but it doesn't show here! Love what you've done for the meeces. That is a gorgeous rose - wish I could make one like that. Love the dusting of glimmer on that pretty yellow. Inspired decorating to add the sparkles in the cutout holes of the S/B die and on your punch. TFS the heads up about the new challenge (saw it at Lisa's just a bit ago). I LOVE this card and I'm glad you felt up to playing. I forget about the HM challenge, and I love HM stamps. Not a motif I find easy to color unless I keep to the grays for some reason. My brown mice just don't look nice. We've had a beautiful day with sun & a delicious cool breeze all day long. Enjoyed it! TFS & Hugs. Off to see a couple posts I've obviously missed!

aussie aNNie said...

Congrats De, looking forward to the new challenges...love your HM card, simply gorgeous.xxxThe Journey is the Start

nwilliams6 said...

Donna, this is wonderful! The image is just so fun and then your layers, glittery flowers, and special details move it to a whole other level! Wow! Really special! Hugz!

sallysbitz2 said...

Your card is stunning. I love House Mouse, perfect for male or female.
Beautiful colours and a great take on the sketch x

hugs sally x
sallysbitz2.blogspot.co.uk

crafty-stamper said...

congrats on your DT post,very well deserved.Love the House Mouse image,beautiful dies and B.paper
Carol x

Sue said...

I'm late to comment, but you know what they say, better late than never!!! I knew it would sparkle and shine! Lovely sunflower background, and all your signature embellishments and do-dads! What a cheery card. And congrats, I see you won something........well deserved.

Hugs
Sue

shirley-bee said...

Gorgeous card - House Mouse images always make me smile :) Thanks for joining us at STAMPlorations!

susiestacey said...

Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog posting today and for becoming my newest follower - l in return am now following you.
Love your HM no colour card - it is hard not to colour don't you think?.
I see you are from Florida - l have just returned from a holiday there and WOW it was hot - l was still dripping wet at 11pm but we had a fantastic time . Take care x Susan x

Jane Savage said...

Gorgeous, Donna! Love those fabulous autumnal colours and that beautiful sunflower paper! The sparkle is the perfect finishing touch! Many congrats on your new DT position! Very well deserved! xx

Karen Petitt said...

Fabulous card Donna and huge congratulations on your new DT: your creations are beautiful so I am not surprised.
I'm so sorry it has been such a long time in between my visits. Will try to remember to pop over to the new challenge soon Karen x

Karen Petitt said...

Grr I think blogger just ate my comment, grr!

Firstly huge congratulations on the new DT huni - your creations are beautiful and I am not surprised someone has snapped you up.
Your card is, as always, a really stunning creation!
Finally apologies for the lack of visits - I am hoping to settle down with the new regimen over the next month or two and that will make me feel much better and be able to do more visits Karen x

Sharon said...

Congratulation Donna on your DT place - very well deserved and you will be such an asset to the team.
I really wish that cards could be photographed to look as beautiful in the flesh - I just cannot master this.
Your card is delightful. Love the cute image and it sparkles beautifully against the colour. A gorgeous design.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Hugs Sharon. x

8kidsandstillfindtimetocraft said...

Beautiful creation ..Thankyou for joining us at the crafty girls challenge blog..good luck ..Anita DT

Lady E said...

Thank you for visiting me Donna. This is beautiful card I love the stamp colors and stitches too :)
Have a great day :)