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, October 31, 2017

The Merry Christmas Challenge #41 Anna Griffin

Hello, sweet blogging friends!
It's getting to be that time of year!
Do you have your holiday cards made?

I'm happy to say this is my first post as a Designer for the Merry Christmas Challenge Group! This ought to help me keep on schedule for making Christmas cards in 2018.




The theme is always ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES. This can include any type of crafting at all, so work on those decorations, tags, wreaths, sweaters, cards -- Anything Christmas Goes! Every fortnight begins a new challenge.



Some years ago I purchased an Anna Griffin Christmas Card kit for making 40 cards. I was a little disappointed and set it aside. But today, I've decided to start using some of the goodies in the box and mix it up a little with die cuts and other papers.


Products Used:
Dies: Sue Wilson Pierced Nobel Dies, Pierced Flags, SB Christmas Tree, Anna Griffin Santa Clause Face, Memory Box Holly Flourish

Papers: Anna Griffin Christmas, KandCcompany

Challenges I'd like to play in please:
  1. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - Nov 1 Anything Christmas 12/1 (sep post)
  2. Kerst/Christmas - Dec #12 - Anything Christmas 12/1
  3. Delicious Doodles Challenges (Nov) Christmas - Traditional Colors or Image (I used both) 12/1



Stamping Hugs,






46 comments:

Valerija said...

Wonderful card Donna. Love the image.
Valerija xx

DIANA L. said...

Beautiful Donna.

brenda said...

What a happy Santa he is Donna, such a lovely traditional feel to him and the use of traditional Christmas colours never fails to please.We used to get so many Anna Griffin products in the UK but now they seem in short supply, such a shame as their quality is excellent.

B x

Sue said...

Hi Donna, A lovely jolly Father Christmas card.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Silvis Kreativstube said...

Hallo liebe Donna,

eine wunderschöne, nostalgische Weihnachtskarte hast du gestaltet. Sie gefällt mir sehr gut. Hugs Silvi

Shirley said...

Beautiful and such a jolly Santa Donna. Love Christmas but sadly I'm not a fan of making Christmas cards. Love to see them but just don't like making them. I do get lots of pleasure at seeing everyone else's and this is a gorgeous make. By the way I have lots a Anna Griffin goodies also ... ahhh those were the days xx

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

craftieodmae said...

Gorgeous!!

Bunny said...

Congratulations on your new position. I love this Santa. He's so jolly looking. It's a cute card, too.

My girlfriend makes nothing but Anna G. cards. She loves them.

You're going to be stocked up by 2018 with cards. Yay for you! [Bunny]

Chris said...

Congrats on your new DT post Donna, looking forward to being inspired by all your festive creations! This card is such a lovely traditional make, with that jolly Santa and the red/green combo. It has a real warmth about it! Great that you managed to use your card kit too!
hugs
Chris
x

Shona Erlenborn said...

Love the vintage look to this fabulous traditional Christmas card. Love the image and the way you have layered the papers. The gold holly sprigs are a wonderful addition.

Glenda said...

This is just the thing to get me into the Christmas card making time! Love it!

KarinsArtScrap said...

great Santa and a very beautiful card Donna
Gr Karin

Beebeebabs said...

Such a beautiful Christmas card - Love your Happy Santa great job as always!!!

Marilyn said...

Congrats on the new DT. Your card is gorgeous and it's a fab image.

Lisa said...

Congrats on your new DT, my friend!! This is so beautiful!! I love the vintage Santa image!! The papers are so pretty!! Love it, Donna!! So festive and fabulous!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna this is a stunning Christmas card that Santa is fabulous. Congratulations on your new Design Team position. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Lori Kobular said...

Congratulations Donna on your new Design Team position with Merry Christmas Challenges! I can't wait to see all your wonderful cards! I do hope you are doing better now! Your Christmas card is so lovely! The tree behind the Santa is such a great idea!!

Linda Simpson said...

Beautiful Donna, such a jolly looking Santa!
Hugs
Linda xxx

Diane said...

Beautiful and festive card Donna...congrats on your new position...it should be lots of fun!!

Debbie Mageed said...

Just wonderful! I love taking old supplies and bringing it to the future then making it so much better! You did that perfectly today, Donna! Congrats on your new DT position. I don't do a whole lot of Christmas stuff but will play along as much as I can. Looking forward to seeing what you make! Hugs, Debbie

cotnob said...

A gorgeous Christmas card Donna, such a jolly Santa image and great design.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

pam said...

Congratulations on your new DT position De, what a wonderful traditional Christmas card, love this Santa! like you have box`s of not used kits!
Hugs Pam x

Conniecrafter said...

Being on this team will help you get your Christmas cards done, Congrats! Love his rosey cheeks, great die cuts to go with it. Love the kraft and red combo!

sarascloset said...

Good morning, Donna! I thought I would pop in to say hello and to let you know I'm still alive! Life has gotten so terribly hectic; I've started a new job and am helping out with an old one. No time for crafting let alone visiting, while I get into a routine.

I'm so happy to pop in today, because this card is so sweet! I love that your found things to use along with your AG card making supplies. Your die cuts really bring this to life! Congratulations on your new DT! Perfect to keep you on track with those Christmas cards! I fell off my Christmas card wagon last month, and now I have a LOT of catching up to do!

Thinking of you all the time, even when I don't get by! Hugs!

coldwaters2 said...

Congratulations on your new DT debut and what a wonderful festive creation I love that image of Santa and the lovely papers a super make Donna
hug
lorraine x

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

This is such a joyous Christmas card with that Santa and the perfect papers behind it. You've definitely taken this Anna Griffin Santa to another level. Congratulations on your new DT spot......they are very lucky to have you!

Becky said...

Beautiful card. My Christmas cards have been done for months, but I've been making some to send to Ronald McDonald House for their guests. I love making Christmas cards, and yours are always beautiful.

Inkyfingers said...

What a fun traditional Christmas card and what a great idea to use up old stash!
Hugs
Carol x

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wonderful vintage card design. I love it.

KraftyKoolKat said...

Big congrats on your new role Donna. Awesome card to kick off with.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Leslie Miller said...

Well, congrats on your fun new gig! This will definitely help you get those Christmas cards done. You've made your Anna Griffin supplies better by mixing and matching. That rosy-cheeked Santa is so cute!

aussie aNNie said...

Congrats De and what a beautiful and happy card. Great use of the AG supplies they are always beautiful...hugs.xxHave a lovely weekend.♥
[aNNie]

Ina G said...

Congratulation on your new DT spot Donna - so well deserved and they are so lucky to have you. Love this very traditional Christmas card. Always nice to actually use a few bits & bobs from our ever growing box.

Pamellia said...

Congrats again on your new design team gig Donna, and what a wonderful start with this fabulous card! I just love red and green for the holidays, and they go so well with the neutrals too! Your layers are so fun, corners tucked in and clipped off creates wonderful interest! My favourite is definitely your Santa image, oh I love me some Santa!! lol. A fantastic Christmas card, so fun and festive!

Well the rain here continues, day after day after day. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, but if it were only a few degrees colder, I would be living in a glorious winter wonderland of white! Hope all is well my friend, hugs :)

Janice said...

Congratulations on your new DT role Donna. Your card is a very traditional Christmas one, something we don’t see so much
of these days, so it makes a lovely change.
Janice x

Donna Phelan said...

Oh he's soooo Jolly, I love him! lol Great rustic colors, gives off a lovely vintage vibe. Congrats on your new gig, bet you'll have all of your cards done like *snap* Merry Merry!

MaryH said...

Love this jolly vintage look Santa. Takes me back to my childhood images of the Santas on cards. I like the way you've used the kit supplies and made the project all your very own too. But then you have a goodly stash to search out more splendid items I know! LOL. The dies and kit products combined to make such a pretty and unique-to-you stunning card! Well done. (and how on earth you're involved in another challenge. Oh my! Hats off to you, Miz D.) TFS & Hugs

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous Santa card Donna, love all the layers. Congratulations on your new DT spot, they are lucky to have you there. I hope you are doing well, Hugs xx

Sue said...

Congrats on the new DT gig! Would be good to make Christmas cards year round so that when the holiday season hits you are prepared. LOVE the Santa image, look at those cheeks. Beautiful card, someone is going to be delighted to get this beauty.

Hugs
Sue

Caren B said...

Love that Santa, great card.

crafty-stamper said...

Congrats on your new DT Donna love your traditional vintage looking Santa--and in answer to your question I only have promarkers no copics so can't tell you if they blend together-I am sure someone on FB will know though
Carol x

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

Great image!

Dr Sonia S V said...

Donna what a beauty you have created and Congrats on your new DT role...you have shared a rocking post for it . Love the way you layered the elements and that Santa image is showcased so beautifully
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Heather said...

This is adorable!! Love all the papers you used, specially those dots! Thanks for playing with CHNCC2.

Mia said...

Absolutely beautiful, Donna! I love your happy Santa! Perfect for Christmas, my friend.

NanaConnie said...

How did I miss this fantastic Santa? Too much time away from daily crafting, probably. Glad to be getting back to my usual routine. I think this card is wonderful, Donna, and I dearly love the old tyme Santa! Great idea framing out the Santa and the using the Christmas Tree die to cut the dp and the frame for it. I love all the layers!