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, January 09, 2019

A Tutti Collage for Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Greetings, blogging buddies!
Thanks for visiting my blog today!


Today begins a new challenge at
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'!


My marvelously brilliant teammates have fantastic samples to share! We hope to see your imaginative artwork each month in our "Anything Goes Christmas" Challenges. The challenge is for ANY Christmas theme craft project. January's Challenge is open until February 12.


This month I'm playing with my virginal Tutti Deer Family Tree die. It's YEARS old, and has been crying out to be played with. It's a large die and will cover your standard A2 size creation. These cards are 5" x 7".



Products Used:
Tutti Deer Family Tree die
Tonic Studios Slab Merry Christmas die
MS Deep Edge Lace Trim Doily Punch
Crafters Companion Elegant Snowfall Emb Folder
2.5" Tear-ific Tape
GM2039 Ocean Breeze Microfine Velvet Glitter,
GM2000 Cloud Nine Microfine Velvet Glitter,
A colorful, dark Microfine Glitter called "Celebration"
Gold and White Brilliance Ink
Not Quite Navy, White, Gold Glossy cardstock

First I die cut 2 black back panels as bases. Then using brown, green and white, I cut out the shapes. Because the backgrounds were going to be dark, I placed white scraps on the back so that the snowflakes inside the deer would show up:



I made a big boo-boo on my first card, by applying the 2.5" Tear-ific Tape to the panel before dry embossing. As you can see, when I put the glitter on, it made a funky texture:


Lesson learned. For the light colored glitter, I dry embossed first, and applied the glitter to a white panel, adhering the glittered panel to the background:




The deer family and sentiment were adhered to the exposed 2.5" Tear-ific Tape, and the microfine glitters were rubbed in afterward.



Then a white and gold done in the same techniques:



On a Personal Note:
It's a normal day in central rural Florida's Winter.
Missy (our black cat) finds a convenient spot for an afternoon nap - the passenger bench in her Daddy's Mule. In the next six weeks, the oaks will lose the rest of their leaves. A week later, squigglies full of pollen appear, blanketing everything in yellow including the pool, and then the new leaves burst forth shortly thereafter, with lots of baby monarch butterfly caterpillars.



Challenges I'd like to support please:

  1. ABC Christmas Challenge (A+B) A for Anything Christmas 1/16
  2. Pile It On Challenges #150 "Land Animals" (deer family) 2/3
  3. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #419 Something Old (the die is old) 1/12
  4. Sparkles Christmas Challenges #96 "Add Some Sparkle" 
  5. Merry Little Christmas #6 AG Christmas 02/01 sep post
  6. Kerst Christmas (Jan 1) Christmas 02/01 FB
  7. Christmas Crafts All Year Round (Jan) "Let It Snow" (white snowy theme) 02/01
  8. Creative Craft Cottage #114 "Winter" 1/21 or 2/7? (sep post)
  9. Shopping Our Stash #385 Winter Blues 1/15 (sep Post) (13)
  10. Holly and Ivy Christmas #43 AG Christmas 2/8 (sep post) (15)

Stamping Hugs!

30 comments:

Wendy L said...

Fab card Donna.
The first two blogs I look at this morning are Christms cards, I better get cracking!!!!

KarinsArtScrap said...

these are gorgeous cards Donna

Gr Karin

Sue said...

Hi Donna, I love your cards.

Can't blame Missy for grabbing a snooze.

Hope to see a photo of the yellow and baby caterpillars.

Hope you have a nice day. Sue

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna your Christmas cards are gorgeous. I am glad I am not hte only one making them. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Bunny said...

I lovev all of these beautiful cards. Especially the gold and white.

Time to break out the winter woolies tomorrow. I see our weather changes back to cold. We have been enjoying the weather and being able to get out in it. We acted like tourist inSt. Augustine on Saturday with some friends. Had a grand time.

I love the look of y'all's property. It reminds me of Bayard when I was a kid.
[Bunny]`

Chris said...

Your cards are beautiful Donna, a lovely way to showcase your tree/deer die cuts! A great step by step explanation of your design process too...:)
Have a lovely day
Chris
x

KT Fit Kitty said...

Your 3 cards are absolutely gorgeous! Love that beautiful die-cut deer tree! The goal card is especially elegant! And ooooh, I envy your Florida weather! We have a rainfall warning in effect today but at least it's not snow! That was last night, just a couple inches, and it's all gone already!

Leslie Miller said...

I think the funky texture is kinda cool! Sometimes those boo boos turn out happy. Three beautiful cards ready for next Christmas! Way to go on that and also for using a not yet used die, which is beautiful. I love seeing your pics from home, too. So different from here where it's wet and chilly.

*Vicki* said...

Hello my friend! :) Wow, I don't blame you for wanting to have a play with the die because it sure is stunning! All three of these designs are gorgeous and have their own unique look! I especially love the white and gold so much, butI have to say that the blue creations with the sparkle really make that die stand out so pretty!! Love your sweet photo and don't blame kitty for a nap as it looks wonderful there! HUGS

Kath said...

Fabulous cards - my favourite is the white and gold one. Thank you for sharing at Christmas Crafts All Year Round.
Kath x

Pia S said...

Three similar designs which still look different. This is the way I think I need to make Christmas cards this year, in threes, but still not making them identical. How did you manage not to use this die for so long? It’s lovely.

Karenladd said...

That glittery panel adds so much and I really do love that deer trio. I have been using a fine tipped glue pen to glue down intricate dies ut will have to see if I can find some of that Tear-riffic tape to try sometime. Thanks for the inspiration and crafting tips!

Shona Erlenborn said...

What an awesome die Donna! Love each of the three, yet how they are all so different. The first one is awesome with the "textured" background - don't you just love happy accidents! Missy looks quite comfy in her spot in the sun - she wouldn't be doing that here right now! I need to ask you about your caterpillars!

Conniecrafter said...

They are all beautiful, but I will have to say that the white and gold is my favorite, has such a lovely elegant feel to it.
Your little missy is so sweet napping on the mule, can't wait for spring to come :)

Debbie said...

Beautiful cards!! That is a wonderful die! I think the white/gold is my fave. :)
Thanks for playing along with us at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!
Debbie
Debbie's Dash of This and That

Monica said...

Such pretty cards again, Donna.

Wow, monarch butterflies remind me of a butterfly park we went to some 15 or more years ago in San Francisco I think. It was such a beautiful experience.

Love,

Monica

cotnob said...

Gorgeous cards Donna, such a beautiful die - I especially like the white and gold one, it is so elegant.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

crafty-stamper said...

Beautiful Christmas cards Donna love them all
Carol x

AO Creations said...

Super cute!!! Thank you for joining us at MLCC, good luck!!! Amy DT

Marlene Atkinson said...

Super cute. Thank you for sharing with us at THIAC Challenge. Marlene DT

Deanne Saunders said...

Beautiful cards! Thanks so much for participating in our CHRISTMAS CRAFTS ALL YEAR ‘ROUND challenge. Hope you participate in our next challenge!! Have a happy crafty day!!!
Deanne at A Little Bit O’ Paper

Donna said...

Greetings from another Donna (I wish I lived in Florida!!!)
A fab collection of cards, thanks for sharing and for crafting away the "Winter Blues" with the crew from SHOPPING OUR STASH!

Wendy Nicola Jackson said...

Such a gorgeous set of cards Donna. Love the different finish you gave each, but still using the same theme. So lovely hun. Hugs, Wends xoxo

MagsB said...

What gorgeous cards, Donna, the die is so versatile! And I like your 'boo-boo' it looks really good!

Thanks for joining in at The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge.

love Mags B x

Angela said...

wow Donna your card are really gorgeous, love the design.♥
Thanks a lot for joining us at our Add some Sparkle Challenge by Sparkles Christmas Challenge
Good luck and hope to see you again.
Hugs and greetings Angela DT

Dorte said...

Wonderful christmas cards with a lovely design and a super die. Thanks for sharing it with us at this years first challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge.
Dorte x

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous cards Donna :-) a beautiful set and I absolutely love that die design, how fab is that!! :-)

Thanks for joining us on the ABC Christmas Challenge 🎄
Luv
Lols x x x

Fikreta said...

Your card is very beautiful !
Thank you for joining us at Creative Craft Cottage !
Hope to see you again.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, Donna!

Just popping in to say CONGRATS on your win at ABC Christmas! We were both winners - just wanted to make sure you didn't miss seeing it.

http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2019/02/winners-top-picks-b-are-for.html

Hugs,
Kitty

Helen said...

Stunning cards!
Thanks for playing at Pile It On!
Helen x