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

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Butterflies Butterflies

Greetings Sweet Blogging Buddies and Crafty Friends! 
Thanks for your comments and support.

Here in Florida it is still in the mid 80s, making it difficult to get into the Fall Colors many are enjoying at this time. However, we have enjoyed a few cool mornings at 59F (15C).
So my cards are still summery! 
They are also in honor of our Southern Hemisphere friends coming into their Spring months.

The Challenge this fortnight at Scrapy Land is 
Anything Goes WITH EMBOSSING. 

To enter the challenge follow the theme AND use any die brand that Scrapy Land sells
and become eligible for a fabulous prize and badges!

My cards use the following "mix-and-match" dies from several Scrapy Land manufacturers.


(Scrapy Land dies shown below with their links)


The cards are size A7 (5x7):

The solid yellow beneath the frame is dry embossed. Difficult to see, there are three layers of butterfly wings - the white (back) and vellum (middle) are both dry embossed.

The sentiment is gold heat embossed.

Both sides of the slender, designer paper frame are distressed with Crushed Olive ink. It was cut using SB Grand Large Labels.

Hope you can see the dry embossing in the white and vellum layers! 



The pretty Die'Sires background image is self-embossing during the die cut process:

Both the frame and background show dry embossing.
The base of the butterfly die cut was cut with a layer of Tear-ific Tape.
Velvety Cloud Nine Glitter was burnished atop the adhesive so that the yellow paper color would remain natural, while the velvet glitter adds sparkle and texture.

Added a peek of Sue Wilson California Collection Border, Corner, Tag on the bottom of the card for a touch of elegance. 

My pink card uses the same sketch as above:

The embossed frame was coated with Tear-ific Tape,
dredged with Cloud Nine Glitter, and then dry embossed after being die cut.

The butterfly's base layer is also coated with Velvet Glitter to match the frame.

Just a touch of Sue Wilson's border die again, to create texture in the flower arrangement.
The seam binding was crinkled and spritzed with Tattered Angels.

Looking forward to seeing your creative designs at the Anything Goes Challenge #27 for the Scrapy Land Challenge.

Products Used:

Scrapy Land Dies:
Other:
Thanks for letting me play in the following Challenges:
  1. Craft Your Passion - #284 "Anything Goes" 10/25
  2. Crafty Boots - Oct 12 "Pink Challenge" 10/25 (two weeks)
  3. Sparkle N Sprinkle - Oct "Anything Goes with Loose Glitter/EP" 10/25 used glitters shown above and gold EP.
  4. Creative Card Crew #94 - "Use Ribbon" Used hand-dyed ribbon in my pink card, and satin ribbon bow tied on one yellow card 10/26
  5. Sweet Stamps "Oct" 'Anything Goes' 11/1
  6. Hiding in My Craft Room - #221 Favorite Cutting Tool (my favorite tool is my SB Grand Calibur - all these dies were cut with it, and it is used on every card creation!) 10/24
  7. Craft-Dee BowZ - October Challenge "Anything Goes with a Bow" 11/1 (my yellow and pink cards each have bows from my CDBZ).
Stamping Hugs,



54 comments:

Paula said...

Oh my gosh Donna, these cards are so beautiful! I thought I loved the yellow one, then I saw the pink one. I decided they both are too pretty to choose a favorite. Love all the techniques you did with the glitter and embossing too.

McCrafty's Cards said...

Wow Donna, these are so beautiful I love the butterflies and all the dies you have used, love the sparkle to
Kevin xx

brenda said...

Butterflies Donna !! I think we all have a love of them and all of these are just beautiful, it's very hard to choose a favourite but those in the fresh lemons really do brighten a very wet day here in the UK and offer reminders of fresh Spring days.

B x

Shona Erlenborn said...

So gorgeous Donna. Love your beautiful embossed butterflies in their monochromatic settings, so elegant and delicate. You have really taken embossing seriously here my friend! Thanks for the tip on the Die'Sires background. Insanely awesome cards!

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW Both your cards look amazing Donna...love the gorgeous embossing you showcased
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Lori Kobular said...

Donna your cards are amazingly beautiful! I love all the butterfly dies, I think I see one that I have to get! Love the pastel colors of your cards! Very elegant!

Anne Temple said...

These are all so elegant! Love the soft yellows and all the dies you've combined to create stunning cards. Love the little roses for the body on the pink one too.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Hello Donna, you made a bunch of very beautiful , elegant cards!! I love them all very much , but the first one is my favorite, I love these golden colours a lot !!

Have a nice day
Greetings
Maria

KraftyKoolKat said...

Both of these creations are so beautiful Donna, I don't know which one I love best. They are so gorgeous and delicate.
Hope you are well.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxxx

Linda said...

Donna, wow! Your cards are gorgeous! It is chilly here in Montreal, typical Autumn weather and the colours are glorious!

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

wow, deine Schmetterlingskarten sehen fantastisch aus. Ich bin von der Gestaltung absolut beeindruckt. Es ist farblich alles so wunderschön aufeinander abgestimmt. Der Glimmer bei den Schmetterlingen gefällt mir sehr gut. Deine Karten sind einfach perfekt. Ich bewundere sie sehr. Ganz tolle Stanzschablonen hast du verwendet. Ganz liebe Knuddelgrüße Hugs Silvi

Lisa said...

Oh wow, Donna, all three of your cards are stunning!! I love the elegance!! I could just stare at them all day!! Your details are just perfect!! I have added so many dies to my wish list after seeing these!! Love, love, love them my friend!! Absolutely gorgeous!! Have a great day :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Sue said...

WOW!!! They are stunning.

Hope you've had a good day. Sue

coldwaters2 said...

OMG Donna these creations are so beautiful they show off the beauty of the die cuts and embossing folders that you have used to perfection, I am afraid I cannot pick a favourite as they are all stupendously designed. The three layers of butterfly show up so well, your photography skills are top notch, the colours the papers and pearls swirls are gorgeous, the ribbon and lace as well as the background die cut is fantastic so elegant and chic, the pink one is is just amazing with the added flowers and the scrunched antique ribbon, awesome work Donna they are excellent.
hugs
lorraine x

KarinsArtScrap said...

wowwwwwwww stunning cards and design Donna and they are very chique
Gr Karin

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Stunning Donna ! I can not choose ! Very élégant and féminine , soft Colors , Fabulous !

cotnob said...

These are gorgeous Donna, such beautiful butterflies and super designs. I love the warm yellows and pretty pinks, you have added so many fabulous details - wonderful cards.
Pauline
x

Stampsnob. said...

Why oh why just tell me why I didn't cut more butterflies at your house Not sure I even saw this die Oh this card is soooo beautiful WHY?.........Lis

crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely beautiful love all the embossing and gorgeous butterflies and beautiful seam binging ruffle -I much prefer the soft look of seam binding to ribbon
Carol x

pam said...

STUNNING STUNNING STUNNING do you think I love these Donna!!! I adore butterflies, three amazing cards my dear friend, all a touch different..top card that touch of black makes your butterfly "pop"..gorgeous pink feminine version with beautiful flowers. Love the pearl swirls.

Hugs
Pam x

Jean Bullock said...

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo pretty! My favorite of these lovely cards are all the portrait layout ones. The embossing is so pretty and I love the popped up butterfly wings. Well done, as usual, my friend!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous designs Donna, so feminine and elegant. Your combination of colours, die cuts and sparkle is stunning as always. Take good care, Hugs, Shirleyxx

Karenladd said...

These are just spectacular and so gorgeous with all the layered die cuts.I think the pink one is my favorite, though the yellow one is almost neck and neck! That seam binding ribbon is so delicate and feminine and really adds to the design. We are having warm weather here in California as well, so Fall is still in the distance but I am loving the autumn projects I see all over blogland. Hope you are doing well!

Sue said...

Three absolutely stunningly elegant cards. The dies are all so beautiful. Loving the light yellow cards. Embossing and all your pretty details make these cards all extra special. Wonderful creative work, my dear friend. Glad you are feeling up to crafting, love to see your always beautiful work.

hugs
Sue

MaryH said...

Oh.My.Goodness! What a beautiful set of stunning cards...and I'm loving all these gorgeous layers with the wonderful textures & embossing. Some very pretty patterns in the paper that worked so great with your other colors. I am awestruck at these butterflies (do you know about Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge here: http://butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/). I really like all the lacey looks of the fabulous dies (I don't NEED any more enabling, but I am weakening as I study these cards !!!! LOL). You have the best eye for the colors, patterns and just old-fashioned feminine looks that I so love on a card. It's difficult, but I think I love the soft yellows best of all. Also loved that velvet look of the pink glitter on the underlying wing of that beauty and the way you've used the pearl swirls for their antennae. TFS & hope you're doing good. Big hugs.

Patricia St Martin said...

Each one is just gorgeous! I LOVE the soft yellow and the designer paper is beautiful, all of the embossing is perfect. Those die cuts work so well together. Love all the wonderful layers of the butterfly and the pearls. your bow is stunning. Then you have the pink card so elegant just as stunning. Love the yellow flowers tips of pink very creative, the ribbon and all the sparkle. I love how you surprise me every time when I come by.
Hugs Pat♥

Donna Maligno said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Stunning designs, colors and construction. LOVE THEM ALL!

Peanut said...

Good gracious! WOW! Absolutely lovely cards, Donna. Elegant, classy - LOVE everything about them!
hugs, Asha

Becky said...

Beautiful cards, as usual. The yellow looks so summery, but the pink is my favorite. I'm not usually a "pink" person, but it is so feminine. Just gorgeous.

Eret said...

Stunning cards, Donna! I love the texture and soft colors you used on them. Your layered butterflies are gorgeous. Fantastic work, as always!
Hugs,
Eret

Karen said...

Oh Donna, these could not be lovelier! The summery color palette warms my heart on this chilly day. The textures and layers are stunning... and the embossing is simply exquisite. More works of art from your beautifully crafty heart, my dear friend. These are gorgeous! Have a blessed and sparkly day. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Jacee said...

Beautiful Donna, what fabulously pretty cards
Hugs Jacee
Simply Paper Card Design

Pia S said...

Gorgeous designs!! I love yellow. And I love that you made a card using pink as well, keeping the designs very similar, but achieving very different results. It always amazes me what a difference colors can make... A very inspirational post.

Dee's Craft Room said...

Two beautiful cards. I love the light, delicate design, with all of the embossing and pretty flowers. Thank you for sharing your work with all of us at Crafty Boots Challenges.

Dionne

Leslie Miller said...

Well, I'm crazy about yellow and white as well as pink and white, and a summery card with butterflies and pretty die cuts and ribbon is fine by me any time of the year. I love fall cards and fall colors, but with all the focus on seasonal cards I get to missing beauties like this long about now. So thank you for these, Donna! I feel refreshed!

aussie aNNie said...

Brilliantly made creations with the loveliest of colours and design.
♥ {The Journey Is The Start aNNie my personal blog}

NanaConnie said...

Absolutely stunning, Donna! I love those exquisite butterflies. It's really dangerous for me to keep visiting your blog. Every time I come by, you've used another set of dies that I simply MUST have. lol At this rate, I'll be broke before Christmas. :-D

Tracey said...

Beautiful cards Donna & so elegant :o)
Hope you're having a great weekend.
Hugs
Tracey
xx

Amelia Breytenbach said...

Stylish, elegant and so beautiful Donna! Love all of them.
Amelia

Petra Swart said...

Oh, my, what a wonderful set of cards, Donna!!!! That delicate and layered butterfly is simply stunning, my friend!!! As always you have used the most beautiful dies and EF's and I love all the fabulous detail you've got on your cards!!! These are really such special cards, Donna!!! So soft and feminine in the lovely pink and yellow with the glitter!!! Really beautiful!!!
Have a lovely Sunday and keep well!!!
Hugz

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful cards.Love the softness of the colours and the elegant die cuts.Thanks for joining us at Craft Your Passion.Hope to see you again next week.
Lisa x

Robin said...

I so love butterflies and these are just gorgeous!! Thanks for your lovely comment on my card. Just a little FYI: while I distressed the edges of all the papers I did not do the ribbon. It came that way...but I love the look of it. Hugs, Robin

Samra said...

WOW Donna, I simply adore these cards you made!!! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! Love the intricate designs and such wonderful soft colors!
Hugs
Samra

Dwie lewe rÄ…czki said...

Lovely card. Just perfect for our ribbon challenge at Creative Card Crew. Thanks for joining us!
Hugs, Yvonne

lalkygirl said...

Wow what beautiful cards ...love your layered butterfly and all your pretty embellishments
Thanks for joining us at Craft-dee BowZ and good luck
Tracey

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, Donna! Your butterfly cards are spectacular! I love butterflies - my second favourite behind cats! You have an awesome die collection! I love how you added the pearls and swirls on one and the flowers and ribbon on the others. I love all the gorgeous layers! Very lush looking cards!

I am blogging again but just for this week - for the Cat Lovers Hop. Still waiting for confirmation of when the contractors will be here but I have a feeling there is going to be a delay! Hope you are having some good days, my friend. I'm always happy when I see you've been able to do some crafting! Sending love and hugs!

Desire Fourie said...

Stunning butterfly creations Donna. Just adore the cream and pink versions.
Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

*Vicki* said...

Wow!! Such a gorgeous design!! So elegant and I love the popped up details on your butterflies!! BEAUTIFUL!!! :)

E. Marie said...

Donna, all of these cards are so gorgeous with all the dies and embossing. I really love them. Thank you for sharing with us at Sparkle N Sprinkle's October Creative Challenge.

April said...

These are gorgeous! Love them!

Diane said...

Morning Donna, wow these designs are just stunning.

Hugs Diane

Verna Angerhofer said...

Beautiful cards my friend! All are so very gorgeous. Love butterflies regardless of the time of year too!

Monica said...

All so beautiful and very divine. Love the filigree.

Unknown said...

Well I certainly have enjoyed your butterfly series....they are all so beautiful...truly!