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, May 04, 2016

Tingling Slime! (Dies R Us}{Tiddly Inks}

Greetings, Crafty Friends!
Welcome to my blog for a little Dies R Us Inspiration!
Yikes! This morning we had a fierce thunderstorm bringing an unusually strong amount of lightning and thunder and LOTS OF HAIL! It beat the vegetable garden down pretty badly, but other than that, all is well.

In the Ellis Household, we are celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary,
so today I'm showing a humorous card for my husband,
who prefers Simple and Silly.

(Noooo, I'm pretty sure that is NOT why he married me, giggle)

That being said...

          Have you ever tried combining... 


                    elegant, ornate elements... 

                              with... 

                                        silly, humorous pieces?


Dies R Us  is an on-line store carrying a huge assortment of amazing dies by several manufacturers.
I hope you enjoy today's project

click below for:
STORE

PINTEREST BOARD
CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

My card uses the following Dies R Us Products:


Sue Wilson Spanish Collection Seville CED1203
Darice Dies - hearts (plain and scallop) nesting dies

We live on a mini-farm, and my husband is constantly battling the buggies and ickies around the place here in central, rural Florida. Hence, the characters of my card. 
Wouldn't this card would be so sweet even without the easel effect?


But I liked the sentiment so much, that an easel card was the only option.

How my multi-dies are held together:


(this is what my work area REALLY looked like before cropping the above photo): LOL

Will those buggies NEVER stop?



How to make the border for the "stop":



Use the same border to create cohesiveness on the top panel.
Be sure to distress-ink the border for interest!







I discovered the slug on a freebie site! It's eyes are just perfect for the theme. The clip art site is called Clipart Panda by Ron Leishman



The silly, love-smitten slug has been paired with the cutest ever snail digi set called 

Snails Galore by Christy Croll at her store called Tiddly Inks. Would you believe her fantastic 9-piece set is only $1? 

I used some of Christy's "slime" behind and round the clipart slug. 

Christy, thanks for such a fun image!


Other Products Used:
Submitted to the following fabulous challenges:
  1. Crafting a Beautiful Mess #2 Anything Goes 5/26 (last Friday M) (3rd entry)
  2. Crafting by Designs (May 4) May Anything Goes, M (1st Wed)
  3. Crafting with an Attitude #18 Anything Goes M (1st Thurs) 6/2
  4. Digital Delights by Louby Lou #9 - Anything Goes (used 2 digital image and 1 digital coloring book image) (last Thurs 5/26
  5. Ellibelle's Creative Moments Let's Color Saturday Linky Party #9 (images are colored with Copics)
  6. Fab N Funky Challenges #303 "Three Or More Layers" 5/11
  7. Inspiration Destination #84 "Anything Goes" 5/11
  8. Jade's Sparkling Butterflies (2 Crafty Girls) #18 "Add a Sentiment" 5/12
  9. Scrapy Land (#41) Anything Goes with a Die Manufacterer SL sells (listed in body of post) 5/15
Our winter herbs have flowered and are now seeding:

The lush, thick densely-green parsley, suddenly spiked upward with elongated, straight leaves, and then blossomed, barely resembling green Queen Ann's Lace:


The aromatic Basil struggled through the winter but provided lush, yummy leaves. Then it flowered a salmony-coral color, bursting open with seeds this week!



wishes that you enjoy an interesting-but-sweet week-end,
and lots of stamping hugs,



56 comments:

brenda said...

You do make the most pretty cards with your dies Donna and this is no exception and that butterflies and bees border die is just so lovely and perfect for use at this time of year in particular.

B x

Janice said...

A perfect easel card for a perfect husband! I love the way you have combined elegant with humorous, it works so well. A super selection of dies used and a great tutorial.
Happy Anniversary to you both, a wonderful milestone!
Janice x

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

herzlichen Glückwunsch zu eurem 40. Hochzeitstag.

Du hast eine wunderschöne Karte für deinen Schatz gestaltet. Sie ist nicht nur edel sondern auch noch super witzig mit den Schnecken. Was für eine grandiose Idee von dir. In eurem üppigen Garten ist sicher immer sehr viel zu tun für deinen Schatz. Passender hätte deine Karte nicht sein können. Ich wünsche euch beiden von Herzen noch viele glückliche Jahre zusammen.
Big Hugs&Kiss Silvi

Monica said...

Hi Donna,

Always a pleasure to visit your beautiful blog and see your creations. Your silly yet ornate card is perfect and I am sure your hubby liked it. I hope you had a great day together. 40 years is a long time and may you have many more.

The fauna looks pretty with its flowers. Thanks for sharing.

Love,
Monica

Sue said...

Hi Donna, Many congrats of your anniversary. I love the card and the sentiment made me smile.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Donna , it's absolutely fantastic! Wonderful card in both its elegance and in the tenderness of humor!
Congrats for your anniversary !
Gorgeous card ! Fantastic ! Love All ! Love it !Thank you for this great tutorial
Hugs
Maryvonne

Linda Simpson said...

Hello Donna, thank you for your comments on my blog! I love your creations and enjoyed having a browse though your gorgeous projects. I am now following you too!
Hugs
Linda xxx

Unknown said...

Who Knew? 40th Wedding Anniversary = Slugs.....must jot that down I will need it in 12 years LOL This is a fantastic card, so many details and beautiful dies and love....made with love. I am sure the Hubby will adore this, it's FUN! Happy 40th Anniversary--that's AWESOME!!! What a wonderful day!!! xo~

Shona Erlenborn said...

This is hilarious and fancy! Bet hubby loved it! Love how you made the bug border into the easel stop and then also added it to the top of the card. Such fun. The slug and snail images are awesome and great addition of the slime! The Sue Wilson die is so pretty - thanks enabler!

Darlene said...

OMG I can't stop chuckling after reading through your write up ... so much fun to come visit you!!! HAPPY (WOW 40th) ANNIVERSARY! Congrats to you & the hubster! IF I had made it through my 1st marriage (without killing him, lol) I would be approaching my 50th anniversary ... dang, where does the time go??? Anyways, your card is AMAZING ... elegance and slimy all in one ... who would have thought! But as someone else has already said, only YOU could pull this off and do it famously! Beautiful, Funny, Icky ... all in one! LOVE IT! Have a fabulous week! OH and thanks for sharing your photos on the herbs ... I love seeing what's going on in other parts of the US & World! Here in Ohio things are really coming back to life and I'm lovin' it. Now I just need to get more outdoor time to 'spruce' it up from it's winter nap. HUGS from OHIO!

Lori Kobular said...

Happy Anniversary!! Here's to 40 more years of wedded bliss!! Your card is beautiful and so much fun! I love the sentiment! I hope the hail didn't damage your garden beyond repair!

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous card, great theme, love the little creatures and the layers of die cuts. Great tip on how to attach the butterfly die cut at the top. Congratulations on 40 years together. A special milestone and I'm sure the years have flown by. You look far too young to be married for 40 years, you must have been a young bride. Hugs, Shirleyxx

*Vicki* said...

Well a happy Anniversary to you both!! :) These snails are really adorable and I just love the expression on the one's face!! LOL! I know your hubby will adore this heartfelt and handmade design straight from you! The easel design is perfect and I love the beautiful touches with your die cutting along with the neutral colors! Thanks for sharing this one of a kind heart art!! :) HUGS

KarinsArtScrap said...

fantastic image I love it and it's a gorgeous card Donna.

Congratulations on your 40 Anniversary.

Gr Karin

Linda said...

I love the card, Donna, and your photos are beautiful! A very Happy Anniversary to you! Warm hugs. :)

craftieodmae said...

Gorgeous card and plants!!

Crafts-by-Alison.blogspot.com said...

Donna super card love the dies you have used. Alison xx

Conniecrafter said...

Donna I forgot to say when commenting on the DRU blog that I just love that sentiment for the inside also!!! Such a fun and creative card!!

Leslie Miller said...

Happy 40th anniversary, Donna! You've combined elegant and cute/humorous beautifully here. I don't often remember to do that, but it works so well! Oh, how I love the bug border! If I didn't have so many not yet used dies I'm trying to use for the first time I'd be tempted to run right off and buy that one. It's brilliant how you used it for a stop on your easel card. I just love this garden scene and it sounds perfect for your hubby. After a couple of dry years we don't have nearly as many slugs and snails as in the past, but it used to be quite a battle. I don't use slug bait because of the dogs. Found that the hostas do quite well in pots on the back deck where there's lots of pavers and gravel. I'm so happy to see your garden photos, too. I welcome those anytime!

Abfabdesigns said...

Happy Anniversary Donna such a fun card hubby will love it ,and so did I
Hugs xxx

Diane said...

Haha..this super fabulous and so funny...you are so darn creative, I need your mojo!! What a fun, fun card and I am sure the hubby will get a great laugh out of it..the sentiment is so perfect!! If you don't be careful, you will own as many dies as me...YIKES!! I took a peek at your craft room and wowza you have lots of stuff to work with...my kind of gal..lol...I love all my 'stuff' even though I have too much, I could have worse habits. Going away until Monday and can hardly wait, I need the break! Have a fabby weekend!!

cotnob said...

Congratulations on your 40th Wedding Anniversary Donna, I hope you both have a lovely day.
Such a fabulous card, you have combined elegant with humerous beautifully. Your slug and snail are brilliant, they go so well with the bug border. I know how hard it is to keep the bugs at bay, we have a large vegetable garden and greenhouse - it's a constant battle.
Pauline
x

NanaConnie said...

Oh, Donna, I love your combo of Silly & Simple mixed with those spectacular die cuts! Well done, my friend. Jack is going to love this even if he sniffs a bit at the fancy dies. :-D Hugs and Happy Anniversary.

April said...

You did a great job combining silly with elegant! Love the card.

Karenladd said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your husband Donna! This card is the perfect mix of beautiful and hilarious!! (the best combo, in my opinion). Thanks for the about taping your dies together to make it easier to cut the frames. I have some nested frame sets that are just a bear to line up but will try this the next time. Hope you have a wonderful anniversary day and thanks for sharing this delightful design with us.

pam said...

Congratulations on your 40th Wedding anniversary Donna, I love this gorgeous card for your hubby, full of humour! yet so beautiful with the gorgeous die cuts, perfect easel card and colours.. That sentiment is the best ..
Hugs Pam x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Well, first of all congratulation on your 40th anniversary. Have a wonderful day of celebration. I also love your comical card with the elegant touch. I do believe you pulled it off wonderfully. But so sorry your gardens got damaged by hail and I hope they come back so you can have some produce still from it. But that happens in spring and summer with storms.

Christy C. said...

Lovely!! Thanks for sharing!

KraftyKoolKat said...

Love those cute little pests and your very stylish layout sweetie. I hope you are keeping well, I am so sorry I don't have the time for sending emails at the moment, but my thoughts are with you always.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Becky said...

That card is too cute! Glad to hear you didn't have much damage from the storms. We had some lightning and thunder in several storms, and a yucky day altogether, but it wasn't as bad as it was predicted to be, for which I am thankful.

Inky hugs!

Beebeebabs said...

Beautiful card thanks for sharing!!!

Patricia Alvarez said...

Very beautiful card! I love how you designed it. Beautiful coloring too. Thanks for joining us at Inspiration Destination. I hope to see you again on the next challenge! Good luck!!! Patricia

MaryH said...

First, BIG congratulations on your milestone anniversary! Hope you have a splendid & happy day. Enjoyed seeing the produce growing around your garden, and bet those herbs smell delicious after the rain. Didn't realize that these would flower as yours have done. So delicate & pretty while tasting yummy in your sauces too. The card is darling. Love the pretty combined with the whimsy. What a perfect motif for your farmer DH...yeah, I bet he does have to fit these little critters. It was a cute and clever idea to select this theme appropriate motif, and brilliant designing to put with the elegance of the SW frames. Of course you wanted an easel card so as to show it & display it! TFS & Hugs.

Patricia St Martin said...

Donna, Want to wish you and hubby a Happy Anniversary and many wonderful years to come. Love the pictures of the herbs, we do not like all the rain and storms but that what keeps those wonderful plants growing. Each week I see a little more coming out and nothing is as beautiful as new birth of mother nature.
This is a wonderful card and love the humor about it, the bugs are so much fun, wonderful die cuts and the sentiment is perfect.
Hugs Pat

Janis said...

What a riot, Donna!!! I just adore this hilarious card and how you combined elegance with humor. Many heartfelt congratulations on your anniversary!!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

crafty-stamper said...

Belated congrats on your 40th Wedding Anniversary and love the fabulous easel card,cute fun image and love the beautiful dies and bug bordes
Carol x

Ellibelle said...

Another fantastic creation Donna, the dies are so beautiful and fun fun image!
Thanks so much for sharing!!

xEllie
Let's Color Linky Party
Critters and Creatures Linky Party

JD/ Jill said...

Your card is adorable! So much work went into your card, and the great directions on how you made it. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby!

Karen said...

Donna, you work such magic with dies. :o) What a beautiful and delightful card for such a special celebration! Happy Anniversary! I love the image and sentiment.. it fills the heart with sweet laughter. :o) Gorgeous work as always, my friend. Sending you tons of love and happiness. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

Pat K said...

Happy 40Th Anniversary to you and your hubby Donna. Fabulous card..elegant and humorous at the same time...love it. Thanks for playing along with us at Fab'n'Funky Challenge. Pat K x

Sue said...

First, A very Happy 40th Anniversary to you and your hubby. A milestone many don't achieve these days!!
What a wonderful card, he must have gotten a big kick out of it. Love that you made it so darn cute, while using those elegant dies. Awesome card.Hope you celebrated and now on to 41!!

Hugs
Sue

Petra Swart said...

Oh, my, Donna, what a fun card you made for hubby!!!! Had to LOL at this one, my friend!!!! How wonderful that you found digi's so fit to use, hey!!!!! Great idea to do it as an easel and as always, you have used beautiful dies and the one with the creatures are just so super perfect for your card!!!!! Such a cute card!!! And big congrats on the 40, hey - may the next 40 years be even better than the first 40!!!
So sorry to hear that you had some bad weather and damage to the veggies!!!! Hopefully all will be growing strongly again, soon!!!! And you've got some parsley and basil in the garden!!!! I can never have enough parsley - I love using it and basil I also use a lot - I've got a lovely basil pesto and tomato quiche I often make - so yummy!!!!
Keep well, dear friend and have a great day!!!!
Hugz

Sharon said...

This is fabulous Donna. I cannot bear slugs but you have made this slug seem somewhat adorable. Love the design of your easel card. The dies are gorgeous.
Congratulations to you and your hubby. May you have many more long and happy years together.
Hugs Sharon. x

Anonymous said...

Hello, A beautiful project!! Love all the embellishments which fit together perfectly. Thank you for joining us at 2 Crafty Girls We wish you good luck. Hope to see you again for our next challenge.

Jade
Crafty-Jade-Creations

Unknown said...

Stunning make,thank you for joining in with us at Digital Delights and good luck

Pia S said...

Congrats on your 40th anniversary!
This card seems to be the perfect combination of something you, the elegant style and creative use of die cuts, and something hubby, with the humorous theme. A perfect combination and match, which seems to be your case as still going strong after 40 years of marriage!

Olga Fink said...

Fantastic card 😀 happy anniversary! 😀😀
Xoxo Olga

Tracey said...

Fab card Donna & such fun :o)
Hugs
Tracey
xx

Unknown said...

Wow this is fabulous, thank you for the tutorial. Congratulations on your anniversary. Thanks for joining us at A Beautiful Mess. Cathy DT x

sarascloset said...

Wow, Donna! What an amazing card for a huge milestone! You are to be praised not only for the sweetest card but for working so hard to achieve that anniversary! What a pleasure it is to visit your blog and read this fabulous tutorial--much to be learned here!

While I'm here I want to thank you for joining the Anything Goes challenge at Scrapy Land. Hugs! Sara Emily Guest DT

Nancy Hill said...

Such an adorable card. Love the little snails. Reminds me of our snail mail in our area since it takes so long for our mail. Just bought the Seville die and love what you did with it on this gorgeous card. Thanks for playing along with us at Scrapy Land and can't wait to see your next gorgeous card with us soon. Always friends and lots of hugs Nancy, Scrapy Land Design Team Member

Christina Hor said...

Oh a belated happy 40th anniversary Donna! May your love for each other continue to strengthen and many more happy memories made in the next 49 years. What a lovely card for your sweet hubby! I love the humor and the colors go so perfectly with the images. Very earthy. And like a happy marriage, this card is a perfect blend...mixing the elegant of the fancy dies for the lady (YOU) with the masculine of the snails, critters and earth tone colors for the gentleman (your hubby). You do beautiful work as always Donna. LOVE this! Hugs!

CherylQuilts said...

On, dear Donna, a belated happy anniversary, and what a wonderful 40 years you've had together. And I am in love with this amazing card! All your cards are absolutely exquisite, and this one made me smile so much and giggle. My DH would love this too, and I know your hubby loves it! Your cards just wow me each and every tie, and I so appreciate your sharing how you've made them. The detail with the dies is so fascinating to me, since I love dies. Thanks so much, and I know you look forward to celebrating more wonderful years together! Big hugs, sweet friend! xoxo

coldwaters2 said...

Wow Donna 40 years of marriage is awesome congratulations. Donna your card is full of fun also beauty, my garden has quite a few of these little critters in at the moment especially with all the rain we are having, the sentiment made me smile, the colours and dies you have used are fantastic and very mother nature, brilliant creation. I love herbs have always tried to grow some of them in my garden at the moment I have Mint, Rosemarie and Chives all are well used. Thank you for sharing your pics
hugs
lorraine x

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh DONNA! This is unbelievably cool and clever! I adore this so much and am reminded of my tomboy childhood and love for the outdoors. Thanks so much for that warm fuzzy feeling. Let me know if you need my address!!! ;0 Ha, hugs, Autumn

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Gorgeous card!
Thanks for joining us at Scrapy Land Challenge blog ,good Luck !
Maryvonne - DT Member