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, December 06, 2018

Experimental Christmas - Moving Along With the Times

Greetings to all my blogging friends!
Here in Florida we have vacillated from being freezing (well below normal) to the 80s (above normal), so it's been a strange, humid Autumn for us.
Today's card share is full of experiments, some good, some disappointing, but everything worked out in the end.



It's time to share a Project for the new Moving Along With The Times Challenge!

Challenge #86's theme is ANYTHING CHRISTMAS - for the next 2 weeks just make sure your project is Christmas themed, and upload!


Always an experiment to share, blogging friend Connie has inspired me to do the same with this project:

On watercolor paper, the image was partially inked with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair and heat set with Firecracker Red Detail embossing powder. It contains glitter, so there is a lot of sparkle on the card. I deliberately chose the textured side of the watercolor paper. After coloring the poinsettias with distress inks, I painted on Masking Fluid, allowing it to dry completely. (TIP: use an old brush):


Once the masking fluid was dry, I stamped the SNS Crackle Background 5x6 stamp in the open spaces to change the look of the image, again with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair and heat set with Clear Detail EP so the texture is a little different from the main image. 


Fresh Pear Mica Mist was sprayed over most of the panel, allowed to dry, and then more distress colors were added.


After heat setting the Mica Mist, I wet the cardstock again in certain areas, applied a color of distress ink, heat set, and repeated the process using the following colors: Spun Sugar, Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, Lemonade, Worn Lipstick. Then I rubbed off the masking fluid.

Finished card:

The sentiment was also stamped with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair and embossed with Firecracker Red Detail.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to play in our challenge this fortnight!
Moving Along With The Times Challenge.


Products Used:




Challenges I'd like to support:

  1. ABC Christmas Challenge (Y, Z) Z is for ZERO EMBELLISHMENTS 01/02
  2. Archi-Scraps Challenge (December) Anything Christmas (right side bar - name country) 01/01
  3. A Bit More Time to Craft #81 AG (sep post) 12/15
  4. Christmas Crafts All Year Round (Dec 1) Christmas AG 01/01
  5. Crafty Addicts #55 AG Christmas 01/02
  6. Crafty Friends #98 Christmas 12/16
  7. Crafty Gals Corner#180 AG Christmas 12/19
  8. Kerst Christmas (Dec 1) Christmas 01/01 FB
  9. Merry Little Christmas #5 AG Christmas 01/01 sep post
  10. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1848 AG 12/10 sep post
  11. Scrapyland Challenge #103 AG with dies SL sells (2 dies from the SW Essential Sized Pierced Noble Rectangles) 12/19 (sep post)
  12. The Artistic Stamper (Dec 1) Christmas (sep post) 01/01 FB ALSO, leave comment
  13. World Wide Open DT Challenge #11 AG for a DT 12/15 (sep post)

Stamping Hugs,



39 comments:

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna this is a stunning Christmas card it is just so pretty. Those poinsettias are gorgeous. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Wendy L said...

Hi Donna, this looks lovely, both contemporary and traditional too. thank you, xxx

Beebeebabs said...

Wow your cards is absolutely gorgeous love it - love the background and thanks for sharing the tutorial - great creation as always!!!

Shona Erlenborn said...

Gorgeous! This card seems to be glowing! The coloring is amazing and I love that you used the masking fluid. So creative Donna!

cotnob said...

This is beautiful Donna, so pretty. Thank you for sharing your process.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Bunny said...

This is an absolutely fantastic Christmas card. The colors are beautiful. This is one of those cards when you get finished making it you don't want to give it away. Yes..........it's that pretty! [Bunny]`````````

Diane said...

Donna this is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Very beautiful and unique, I haven't tried the masking fluid yet, but might have to get some now!! OH, and congrats on your win at Scrapyland...happy shopping lol!!

Margarets designer cards said...

Beautiful Christmas card, love your design,
Finally blogger has played ball and I can leave you a comment some days I can other days it just won’t play ball

Becky said...

Beautiful card. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Simpson said...

Hi Donna, this is stunning! I love the step by step photographs. Thank you!
Hugs
Linda xxx

Sue said...

Hi Donna, That is beautiful.

Hope you are having a good week. Sue

*Vicki* said...

Wow this is absolutely gorgeous Donna! Your creations are always inspiring to me and remind me to keep trying different things and use my stash in a different way! Love that crackle background so much and it's on my wish list! :) - thanks for reminding me about that as I write it down! LOL!

The poinsettias are gorgeous and the texture of the embossing along with the watercolor paper really gives this an artsy warm feel and design!! So beautifully done my friend and 'joy' is the perfect word for it!! HUGS

Poppyfield Card Crafts said...

Hi Donna, I have to say a big "WOW" to this card. It's fabulous and I love everything about it

Thank you for the very helpful tips too

Hugs.... June

PS I could really do with some of the Florida heat over here in the north east of England! It's freezing today :(

KraftyKoolKat said...

This is a real stunner Donna. You always take so much trouble in making your beautiful creations.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Leslie Miller said...

Wow! Your experiment turned out gorgeous! There is so much inspiration out there in Blogland. I forget more things than I remember. Now you've reminded me that I have a crackle background stamp I haven't used in forever. Beautiful stamps, rich colors, and lovely watercoloring, Donna!

Lisa said...

Wow, this is so stunning, Donna!! The colors are amazing!! I absolutely love seeing the progression of how it came together!! I have the Nuvo Masking Fluid and I've not used it yet...you've inspired me!! This is so artistic and gorgeous, my friend!! I love, love it!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

pam said...

Stunning Christmas card Donna, love the wonderful stamp and beautiful sparkly colours you have created.
Hugs Pam x

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous collage stamp and love all the layers of colour and great tip with the embossing too--also reminded me I have a neglected crackle stamp too
Carol x

Donna said...

This is gorgeous, like every detail, they all blend and complement so well, like the joy saying and how you did the ink around it like a glow! I always enjoy your mini tutorials, so informative!

Ina G said...

Unbelievably gorgeous Donna. This card looks amazing with all those techniques you did here. That stamp is a stunner. Really love it. Merry Christmas.

Ann Greenspan's Crafts said...

Love how you layered the stamps; it has a mixed media look to it that gives the card so much beauty to look at. More gorgeous colors too!

Verna Angerhofer said...

This card is so very gorgeous and the colors on it are spectacular. I just love the beautiful pink poinsettias.

Annettes Hobby Rosettes said...

What a fabulous project you have created here. Looks fantastic. Lovely 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

Conniecrafter said...

I will have to say I think your experimenting has turned out wonderful, your masking is just wonderful to get that terrific background. I love the texture of it and such pretty coloring of the flowers and leaves!
Thanks for the link :)

KarinsArtScrap said...

this is gorgeousssssssssss Donna
Gr Karin

Donna Phelan said...

Pardon me, but I just have to say this, you're crazy....there is NOTHING disappointing about this beauty! I love your layers of color and those fabulous poinsettias! They. Are. Gorgeous! This piece of artwork is GLORIOUS! The colors are beyond, I bet that sparkle is something! YOWZA!!!

cuilliesocks said...

Such a stunning card Donna, I love the poinsettia mage and your colours are gorgeous.
I love your new page header, it's beautiful, Kate x

KT Fit Kitty said...

How wonderful to experiment and then it turns out so beautifully! The poinsettias are so pretty and I love all the texture and sparkle! Beautiful holiday card, Donna! Hope you have a great weekend, my friend!

NanaConnie said...

I love how successful your masking was, Donna, and that background is absolutely luscious! I've never used Masking Fluid but may have to try it. Beautiful poinsettias and I especially like that they are pink. Pink poinsettias have become my favorites. Your entire design is spectacular!

LCSmithSAVED said...

Gorgeous! And you made it look so easy :) Thanks for joining in at Archiscraps this month.

Time on My Hands said...

It might have being an experiment but it sure worked out well, love all your work and colour choice. Thanks for joining us at Archiscraps.

Lori Kobular said...

Sorry it has taken me so long to get to your post Donna! Your card is gorgeous! I love the poinsettia stamp! I never heard of masking fluid before, I am going to have to look into that! The crackle stamp really adds a lot of texture to your background! Wish we could create together so you could teach about all these products I don't know about yet!!

Chrissy said...

Beautiful card..
Thank you so much for sharing and joining in with us at CCAYR...[ Christmas Crafts All Year Round]

Luv CHRISSYxx

aussie aNNie said...

Stunning, love your gorgeous stamp and magnificent result.xx

Pam Tiedtke, or Pammie Lou said...

Oh my, Donna, this is just stunning and I bet it's even more lovely in person. I'm so happy you shared it with us at PIP Challenges!!
Hugs

Julene Matthews said...

Thanks for entering Archiscraps. Your card is delightful

Mrs A. said...

Gosh Donna, this is so beautiful. I love the colour combination you have used. Hugs Mrs A.

Dale Tiernan said...

This is really gorgeous. Dale (DT at Unstampabelles)

Kleri said...

Awesome Christmas card!Great technique!Thank you for sharing with us at the Crafty Gals Corner!Hope you join us again soon!
Hugs
Kleri DT
http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
http://kefartworx.co.uk/ (My blog)