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, August 03, 2016

Pretty in Pink

Hello, sweet blogging friends!
I have missed you all very much, and hope to resume leaving more comments soon!

Today I'm sharing a little Dies R Us Inspiration,
featuring the same die to create two different style cards!


click below for:
STORE
The following Dies R Us Products are being used:

Taylored Expressions Banner Stackets #1
Spellbinders Labels Five, Labels Four

Some tips for the square card:

TIP: embossing folders with the same design as the die cuts can be used together to create interesting background, such as the flourishes shown in the first card:



TIP:

I tried a tip that many bloggers have shared - and what a difference! Several blogging friends have suggested wetting the die cuts and papers before trying to shape them. That's what I did with these flowers! Not only is it much easier (and lots of fun), but when the shape dries, it is somewhat hardened into that contour. I'm sorry it took so long to experiment with this technique, because it really does work! The flowers were inked first, and then spritzed with water and shaped. After drying, they retained their shape beautifully!




For a shaped card, choose a shape that will accommodate the pretty flourish of the die:




Not wanting Black for the sentiment, but desiring something bright and dark, I combined Crimson Red VersaFine ink with a semi-transparent Cosmic embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle. The resulting color came out just right, and is bold and creamy in texture. I used it on both cards:




Check out this find from my Mom-and-Great-Aunt-Agnes stash! Do you see the price on it? Too cute!  The pink was a little pale, so I gently inked it with Wild Plum distress ink:



Thanks for visiting today!


Products Used:

  • Taylored Expressions Banner Stackets #1
  • Tutti Designs Poppy Edge
  • Die'sire Embossalicious Regency Swirls embossing folder
  • Spellbinders Labels Five, Labels Four
  • Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder
  • Craftwell Delicate Dots embossing folder
  • WRM Next Level Dots embossing folder (large hearts)
  • Life Style Quickutz Hearts
  • Sentiment: Hero Arts "You Sparkle" stamp set, American Art Stamp KC6015B
  • Sparkle N Sprinkle: Dandy Dandelion Sparkly embossing powder (on brads for flower centers), Strawberry Sherbet Cosmic embossing powder (for sentiment)
  • Ink: Pink Sherbet Distress, Wild Plum Distress, Crimson Red VersaFine


Challenges I'd like to support:
  1. Cards 4 Galz - #28 Monochrome 8/18
  2. Sisters of Craft August Challenge "Anything Goes" 9/1
  3. Through the Purple Haze #105 Monochrome 8/10
  4. Tinker Dream Bastel-Dream #43 Anything Goes 8/15
  5. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #12  "Anything Goes" 8/15

Stamping Hugs,

54 comments:

SD pooja said...

Both the cars are real pretty ! I loved the layering of two die-cuts gives nice shadow effect and those shaped flowers give very nice look to the card !

Sue said...

Hi Donna, Stunning. I adore the heart.

Hope you have a lovely day. Sue

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna both of these cards are stunning that is an amazing die and the two cards are so different. Have a great day today. Hugs Jackie

D K Crafts said...

Hi Donna, two very beautiful cards. Love the die image and thanks for the tip on using it wet. Colours and layout are great and I love the sentiment on the heart card. Donna

SewPaperPaint said...

I always learn so much from a visit. The way you used the swirl and the dry embossing on together is brilliant! My mind would have never come up with that. Really a great touch. Your flowers are so beautiful! Great projects, Donna Ellis. Hugs, Autumn

Pamellia said...

Oh my gosh, rick rack! I have a whole bin of that stuff somewhere in my craft room, how hilarious! I'm pretty sure mine are all from my Mom's youth when she made all of our clothes by hand!

Beautiful cards Donna! You have really showed the diversity of this die, such wonderful results with both techniques. Love that heart shaped card with all the pastel pinks, yummy!! And I sure do love me some glitter!

Still no rain for us here. It's rained twice since May, I'm starting to dream about water, the body knows when dry is dry, that's for sure! lol. sending hugs my friend :)

Lisa said...

Oh wow, these are both absolutely stunning!! Wow!! The designs are amazing!! I'm adding that die to my must-have list...you've showcase it to perfection!! The designs and details on both are just gorgeous!! I love these!! So beautiful!! And the rick rack is so awesome!! Hard to believe anything used to cost only $.13!! Have a great day sweet friend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Beebeebabs said...

Absolutely gorgeous cards you did a awesome job as always thanks for sharing!!!

Maryvonne Coussé said...

Gorgeous cards Donna and Love that Die !!!!!So elegant !!!!
Hugs
Maryvonne

Janice said...

Two beautiful, classy cards Donna, and a great way to show us how to use the dies. Great tips re the embossing folder and the flowers, I will give them a try!

Linda Vich said...

Lovely cards Donna! I really like how you achieved very different looks from the same dies. I remember my mother and sister adding ric rac to clothes they made for me as a child!

Unknown said...

Stunning cards! I love how you use all of your dies in such a magnificent manner....like EVERYTIME!!! Absolutely beautiful. 13 cents, how funny is that?!?! Great idea to ink it too!

Lori Kobular said...

Donna both of your cards are gorgeous and I am now in love with that Tutti die! You are so awesome at putting together different dies! I, of course, love all that pretty pink!

Linda Simpson said...

Oh my Donna these are absolutely gorgeous, love the designs and love the dies too. They most certainly are pretty in pink.
Hugs
Linda xxx

Linda said...

They are just gorgeous, Donna! I love all the details. Hugs.

Leslie Miller said...

Gosh, Donna, you've got me wanting to rush out and buy that die! But I must have something similar. LOVE the amazingly creative things you've done with it. So pretty! You always have the best ideas. Isn't it so cool to have that vintage rick rack? I have some, as well, plus some lacy hem tape and old seam binding and other trims. Also many buttons still on the original cards. All inherited from my mom. Good tip about wetting the paper for the flowers. They sure came out good!

KarinsArtScrap said...

gorgeous flower die Donna beautiful cards you have made with it

Gr Karin

Lou Sims said...

Hi Donna,
Thank you for the invite over to your blog and I am glad I took you up on the invitation. Great explanation about using the die cuts in completely different ways but each creates a stunning card. Lou x

*Vicki* said...

Wow Donna!! Your card is absolutely gorgeous!! I love that intricate die with the flowers and you've showed it off amazingly on your design here!! Absolutely gorgeous details my friend!! Always love to come see what you've made!! HUGS :)

cotnob said...

These are beautiful Donna, gorgeous dies and you have done a brilliant job showcasing them - two fabulous designs.
Pauline
x

Stampsnob. said...

ooooooooooo Donna I love that die and you have done wonderful 2ith it My newest motto if I want something I have to have three ways to use it ...............Lis

Carole J said...

Beautiful cards, Donna. The dies themselves are very pretty, but it's what YOU do with them that makes all the difference. Adorable sentiments on both cards. x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Absolutely gorgeous pink card creations. I just love the dies you used on them. And, each card is so very different in style. I love when a die can be used in so many ways. The sentiments you used are fantastic too!

pam said...

Two gorgeous pink cards Donna! one of my favorite Tutti dies you have used, love the heart and how you cut the frame away from the flower.
Hugs Pam x

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

Wow I love these Die Cuts they are just magical and love what you have created with them too. Thank you for illustrating so nicely on your blog step by step. Great work.
Thank you for sharing with us here today at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Annette DT Registered Owners/Admin for World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

Pia S said...

I don't think i would have though of using the die like you did, using the leftover piece as an important design detail and mounting the white cut onto a colored one for a shadowing effect. Really inspiring! I wonder if I've got any dies to use this way, I'll sure keep it in mind....

Becky said...

Great tips and techniques. I never would have thought to use the negative piece in that manner. Your pictures doesn't do it justice. :-) I'm adding to my "want list". Thanks for sharing, my friend.

Babs said...

Hi Donna, I just love what you have created with your beautiful die, they surely are gorgeous cards and the colours are just lush.

Thank you for your lovely comment on my card, I have now become your latest follower

Happy Crafting
Hugs Babs x

KT Fit Kitty said...

So pretty in pink, Donna! You've got an amazing collection of dies and you use them in such creative ways! Thanks for sharing your talent and tips! Have a great weekend, my friend!

Babs said...

Thank you for your message De I understand , hope they find some way of fixing it very soon

Hugs Babs x

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Wow oh wow. love your use of the die using my favorite colors. Love how you used the negative space. The embossing brings out the focal point of the die. and of course, fabulous on the heart using the same die. Love, love this.
Hugs
Berni
Have a wonderful weekend.

Karenladd said...

Oh, I just love these pretty cards and I love how you used the same die for two different designs. The embossed die cut negative looks absolutely beautiful and adds just the right amount of texture. I smiled when I saw that 13 cent rick rack, because I inherited some just like it from my Mom (but in baby blue and in yellow!). What a great tip to ink it for more intense color.

AO Creations said...

Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz, good luck!!! Amy DT

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

Amazing work! This looks like a lot of work and you did a great job! Beautiful colors

April said...

These are gorgeous! You always do such a wonderful job!

NanaConnie said...

Donna, I really love how spectacularly different these two cards are and yet, each one is magnificent in its own right! Love the tip about matching embossing folders and dies. I'm going to have to look through my EFs and see what I have that match dies. I know I have some but hadn't thought about pairing them with die cuts. Thanks. :-D

Christina Hor said...

WOW! I absolutely love this inlay die cutting technique Donna! This is truly a die-embossed mix of beauty card. I need to add these dies to my wish list. I thought I got every Spellbinders Label dies but apparently I've missed this! LOL. Have a lovely weekend and happy August! Hugs.

KraftyKoolKat said...

Two really awesome creations sweetie. Very pretty, you are so talented.
Hugs
Cathy
Xxx

laurie said...

Your details are SO gorgeous! I love how you shaped the flowers, what an awesome tip!

http://cheryl-cherylscreativeatcscards.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Oh wow gorgoues die and you have shown it off to perfection hun stunning hugs cheryl xx

crafty-stamper said...

Gorgeous cards and beautiful dies -love all your tips to get extra out of your dies-I always wet my flowers too,they do hold shape better when dry.rik rac a blast from the past lol
Carol x

MaryH said...

WOW, WOW! Both of these are just gorgeous, and I'm loving that die too. TFS the tutorials...I know these take longer when you're doing the post, but it was so helpful to see the great tips. I would never have thought to try that with the die, but it is SO effective to create such beautiful looks. I've not tried wetting the flower shapes first either. (and I'm flower challenged - must try this. I did know about it, but have never tried it!) Have a great upcoming week, stay cool. Hugs & TFS

Mrs A. said...

How totally different both these cards look. I love them both even more so as they are pink. Hugs Mrs A.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, dear Donna! Just popping in to say that Chana answered your comment over at 613 Avenue Create. I had a question too and just checked there for the answer since I didn't receive an email response. While there I noticed your question was answered as well. One of your questions was the same asmine hehe! Hope all is well with you, my friend! Sending hugs your way!

Nancy Hill said...

Beautiful cards with the Tutti Design dies. Hugs

Karen said...

Donna, your work forever inspires me and I am so grateful for your crafty gift... your cards are stunning and they truly showcase the versatility of beautiful dies. Gorgeous work from your beautiful heart. Have a sparkly night. :o)

Hugs and blessings,
Karen

maria's knutselplezier said...

Dear Donna, two amazing cards again, I love your colours and of course your very pretty flower details!!Thanks for all your nice comments on my blog , you are so nice!!!

Have fun!!
Maria

Desire Fourie said...

Oh wow Donna this is such versatile and creative use of the die. Loving your creations as always. This will also be perfect for one entry as an anything goes creation for our challenge below.
Hugs
Desíre
{ATG with a CREATE WITH TLC Element}
{Doing Life – my personal blog}

Sue said...

What a gorgeous die. And of course you showed us two completely different ways to use it, and awesome for sure. Love he heart shaped card and the colors you chose. Flowers are lovely. I also love how you put the die cut back into the cutout on the other card. Just beautiful.

Hugs
Sue

Glenda Atkins said...

Absolutely beautiful, and what a fabulous die.
hugs
Glenda

Carla's Cards said...

Lovely detailed work!
Thank you for sharing with us over here at the World Wide Open Design Team Challenge and best of luck with your entry.

Carla DT for:-  http://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/...

Cazro said...

Stunning creations. Amazing cards, they are both beautiful. Wonderful way you have incorparated all of your elements. Thanks for joining us at Cardz 4 Galz. Caz DT.

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

zwei wunderschöne Karten hast du wieder gestaltet. Sie gefallen mir beide sehr gut. Vielen Dank auch für die Erklärung wie du die Schneideschablonen verwendet hast.
Ich bin begeistert von beiden Werken. Hugs Silvi

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

You have definitely displayed how one die can be so totally different when used. Both of your cards are to "die for" (laughing). Really they are both beautiful. You put so much love and attention to detail into your work.