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

Thursday, September 06, 2018

Decoupage for the Birds! {Back to the Basics and Beyond}

Hello, Blogging Friends! Please join me today for the Back to Basics and Beyond Challenge. It's all about decoupage. This is my first ever decoupage card, and I hope it's done correctly!

For the next two weeks, join us by uploading an "Anything-Goes" challenge as long as decoupage is used. The team has all kinds of inspiration and a variety of styles to view, so take a look! Hope to see yours there.


It was pure joy working with Linda's quality products. My cards feature the "Les Beaux Oiseaux Designer Ephemera" - Beautiful Birds - I've done an Asian style card from the travel postcard.

Linda's products are available by leaving a comment on her blog or emailing her at lasimpson60@gmail.com


The designer paper is from one of Linda's digital paper packs containing green, tan and brown papers.

TIP:
I used a sepia setting on my computer and changed the green paper to become a bit more "olive" to match the bird, before printing it out.

I printed 4 copies of the bird topper, cutting out flowers, butterflies, and various parts of the bird, with the largest layers on the bottom, and the smallest on top. But first, each piece was inked around the edges for a crisper appearance.



The white frame was smooshed with VersaMark ink, dredged with Opaline embossing powder and heat set:


The edges of the base topper were "distressed" with a Large Glue Pen, allowed to sit for about 15 minutes, and then Sunkissed Copper Gilding Flakes were applied to the edges:




After brushing away the excess gilding flakes, I added more texture by "distressing" with a VersaMarker, dredging with Copper EP and Glitter, and heat setting:


More of the embossing formula adorns the coordinating digital paper:



There were three textures of copper on the card:


Thanks for dropping by, and hope to see your decoupage project at
Back to Basics and Beyond Challenge


Products Used:
Challenges I am supporting with this card:

  1. Crafty Cardmakers #217 "All Creatures Great and Small" 9/17 sep post
  2. Get Creative Challenge #73 "Lots of Bling and Sparkle" 10/1 (I used lots of gilding flakes and the embossing powder contains sparkly glitter)
  3. We Love 2 Create #12 "Anything Goes Mixed Media" 2 kinds of embossing powders (one hand blended), gilding flakes, metal accessory distressed)


Stamping Hugs,

47 comments:

Bunny said...

This is so pretty. Thanks for showing an up close view of how it looks. [Bunny]

Lori Kobular said...

Wow Donna!! This is an incredibly gorgeous card!! I love the bird and that die frame you have it mounted on is so lovely! The gold flakes really set off the bottom paper! You are such an artist when making cards with so many wonderful details!!

KarinsArtScrap said...

this is very beautiful Donna I like how you make the tutorial to let us see how you do it, thanks

Gr Karin

Chris said...

Beautiful decoupaged card Donna. Such a lovely image, the added dimension looks wonderful as does the delicate die cut frame. Love the use of the gilding flakes too, such a pretty effect.
hugs
Chris
x

Wendy L said...

Gorgeous card Donna and the image is beautiful,
Great idea to print out like that, in sepia, xxxx

SD pooja said...

I loved that decoupaged bird and the color scheme.

Shona Erlenborn said...

Gorgeous color palette. The sepia setting was a great idea. The popped up bird. flowers and butterflies are stunning and all your details on the distressing and embossing is so beautiful Donna. A beautiful work of art for sure!

KraftyKoolKat said...

A real beauty sweetie. Love the subject & the colours. Gorgeous layout with that awesome frame.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxxx

Linda Simpson said...

This is awesome Donna, thank you for sharing. Love what you have done with my ephemera.
Hugs
Linda xxx

crafty said...

A lovely card. Thank you for joining in the Crafty Cardmakers challenge.
Mary

Sue said...

Hi Donna, That's a nice card.

Hope you are having a nice day. Sue

sarascloset said...

Well, I would not have known what decoupage was if you hadn't shown it here on your lovely card. I love that bird image and your copper touches. Beautiful fall colors! Sending hugs to you, Donna!

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, stunning!! Wow, Donna, this is spectacular!! You decoupaged perfectly!! That bird is so amazing!! I love the dimension and the gilding flakes around the edges!! Everything is so absolutely amazing and I love, love this!! You are such an inspiration, my sweet friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

cuilliesocks said...

Absolutely stunning Donna, beautifully put together too, gorgeous bird image, love it and also your new header, all those sunflowers, just gorgeous, Kate x x

*Vicki* said...

Wow Donna, you've really turned this already gorgeous bird image into an over the top stunning design my friend! Love the wonderful Vintage style of the image, but you've also added the fabulous embossed elegant layer behind it as well as the mica flakes along the edges and made it amazing! Very pretty my friend and thanks for sharing! HUGS

NanaConnie said...

WOW, Donna! What an incredible card! I love how you used Linda's Birds and the layers give magnificent dimension. Adding the gilding flakes was a stroke of genius and they add such wonderful shine and sparkle. Great tip about using the sepia option before printing the papers. I may have to try that. Heat embossing the die cut frame was a delightful touch. I guess I just love everything you did on this one, my friend. :-D

Verna Angerhofer said...

I have no clue as to how one is to decoupage but believe me whatever you did is certainly making this card so gorgeous in every way. I love the gold leaf added, the pretty die used and the wonderful colors and design. The vintage style of it is just amazingly beautiful!

Carol L said...

THis is just stunning with that layered bird and all of the distressing and embossing you put into this beauty! Love the gilding flakes and pretty ribbon slide accent too!

Conniecrafter said...

Oh wow it is just beautiful, I haven't made my own decoupage I have always used predone kits, just punch out and layer, just love how you did that, love your embossing and use of the flakes, gives it a wonderful touch. The ribbon with the slider tops it off so nicely!

meg said...

love the distressing on the paper and image beautiful card

Janice said...

A really pretty decoupage card. I love the frame you have created with the flakes too.
Janice x

Jane Savage said...

This is beautiful, Donna! I love the gilded edging which goes so wonderfully with the vintage feel of your design!
Thank you for joining us this month at We Love 2 Create! Jane S (DT) xxx

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW Donna...how gorgeous this is...love the bird image and that opaline embossing so ethereal and gorgeous
Cheers
Dr Sonia

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

You did an amazing job cutting the birds out and layering them. They look like store bought ones. Beautiful work as always, Donna. Love the touch of coppers.

Linda Vich said...

Donna you have so much going on in this card! I love the various forms of layering and all the different techniques you have used!

Becky said...

Beautiful!

Margarets designer cards said...

Love the image and the work that went into producing a great card

Donna said...

How beautiful, the frame and glitter are fabulous touches! Have a wonderful weekend!

Leslie Miller said...

Goodness, those birds! Oh, my, love how you've layered this one and added the gilding. I've always thought of decoupage as the resin stuff you pour on, but now certain memories are coming back to me. I've done this before! This challenge blog really makes you reach, and that's a good thing. I'd say this is right up your alley. Beautiful, Donna!

pam said...

Wow this is stunning Donna, love the attention to detail on your decoupage, beautiful image and design, love the finishing touch`s..
Hugs Pam x

cotnob said...

This is gorgeous Donna, such a pretty decoupage image and beautiful die cut frame - a fabulous card.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Monica said...

Wow, Donna, how well you use art in your cards. Love this Asian flavour here and the beauty of the metallic sparkle. JUST STUNNING.

Thanks for the visit and the kind words,

Monica

Donna Phelan said...

YOWZA! This must have been so much FUN to create! I love all of those beautiful birds. Your creation is magnificent, that layered bird looks amazing. Great accents to, especially the gilding flakes! WOW!!!

April said...

Your card is beautiful!

Sue said...

Simply beautiful! Love the lovely bird image and flakes are amazing on this card. Another lovely card with all your special touches, Donna.

Hugs
Sue

MaryH said...

Such a beautiful print to start the project with! Thanks for showing the steps you took, and you put in such detail on this card. It shows too. Love the gilding flakes and the Oriental flavor very much. Great job on the decoupage and it's just such a lovely, lovely card. TFS & Hugs (So far the commenting is working with the addy change.)

Beebeebabs said...

Such a beautiful card - love the bird picture and beautiful die cut - another great creation thanks for sharing!!!

Pia S said...

I love the concept of this challenge blog. I’m leaving for a holiday on Friday and have lots to do before I go so I doubt I’ll make this challenge. Too bad, I’d love to have a go at decoupage, will put it on my to do list for after the vacation. The way you used this topper is inspiring and the sparkle and shine detailing looks fantastic.

Margaret Mifsud said...

Such a beautiful card!! I love the colour mix and the heat embossing looks fabulous!! Amazing details and wonderful composition!! Thank you for playing along with our Challenge at Crafty Cardmakers. x

Valerija said...

What a sweetie. Ilove it.
Valerija xx

Mia said...

Is this your first decoupage ever? Wow, Donna, you created a beautiful card. Lovely design, pretty bird and a LOVE the gilding flakes. Hugs, my friend.

crafty-stamper said...

WOW stunning card Donna love the finished vintage result,beautiful embossing and great decoupage too
Carol x

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful card De, love the close up and how to pics...sorry not been around much had a few surgeries and just as well we can schedule posts. hope all's well your end.xxx

Mrs A. said...

This really is besutiful and your fussy cutting round the images is second to none. Hugs Mrs A.

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Donna it is so lovely to be back visiting your wonderful blog again, I love, love your creations and the fab tips that you give, your work is exceptional I have missed seeing it all, I hope that I am back on a regular basis now.
hugs
lorraine x

Terry said...

https://welove2create.blogspot.com/ wow fabulous, lovely card thank you for sharing with the Dt from We Love To Create, thank you HUgs TErry xxx

Helen said...

Beautiful, Donna - I loved seeing how you created this too.

Thanks for joining us at Get Creative.

Helen x