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, March 03, 2021

Navy, Denim, and Pink - What's Old is New - Mistake-Proof Techniques

Greetings! My wish is that you enjoy many small surprises to brighten your day!
Today, I'd like to share some easy-peasy cards. I love this technique because it is MISTAKE PROOF.



First, I perused the craft room and brought out THREE, (count 'em) THREE, virginal stamps, all three purchased sometime between 2000 and 2005. Some of the inks were unused as well. These are 5x7 cards.

TIP:

ink colors can set the mood:
First came the background, where Hero Arts 113317 Large Delicate Woven Fabrics image was randomly stamped with 2 blue DIsNext I smooshed and/or distressed in pink inks - some with a pale pink distress, and others with brilliant VFC Charming ink. 
They both give a different look: one more vibrant, the other more vintage.
Finally, foliage image by Stampa Rosa J67-139 Alesa Baker Designs was stamped in VFC Medieval Blue. With a Quickie Glue Pen, areas in the background were "painted" so pale pink glitter could be added for extra dazzle and sparkle.



Stamp, die cut, distress the focal image (sorry for the poor photo):

The vibrant inks make a more contemporary feel. The flowers have also been glittered, and so has the background of each card:

I LOVE GLITTER:


The Spun Sugar pale ink made a more vintage appearance:



This technique enlivens cards that focus on a sentiment:



and it's fun to use on the coordinating envelopes as well:

Thanks for popping by!

Products Used:
  • Stamps: Stampa Rosa J67-139 Alesa Baker Designs, Hero Arts 113317 Large Delicate Woven Fabrics, Stampin' Up! Early Spring, 
  • Dies: Spellbinders 5x7 Modern Stationary, MS Doily Lace Trim punch
  • Inks: VersaFine Clair Charming, Versafine Clair Medieval Blue, Distress Spun Sugar, Distress Chipped Sapphire, Distress Faded Jeans
  • Other: White Detail embossing powder, Navy and White cardstock, pale pink glitter, clear glitter, navy blue glitter, Sakura Glue Pen

Challenges I would like to play in please:

  1. Retro Rubber Challenge #153 Tic Tac Toe (bottom row of challenge board). 3/12 (3 virginal stamps 15-20 years old)
  2. Try it On Tuesday (Mar 2) Say It With Flowers  (Classic and timeless joy and love) 3/16
  3. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #491 Anything Goes 3/15
  4. Double D Challenges (Mar 3) Book Covers inspired by the top right cover with Navy and Pink. 3/15
  5. A Bit More Time to Craft #135 AG 3/15
  6. NEW NEW NEW Inspiration Station #1 Inspiration Board (Blue & White) 3/15

Stamping Hugs,


41 comments:

crafty-stamper said...

Love the beautiful stamp and fabulous stamped background that
co-ordinates brilliantly with the stamp
Carol x

Chris said...

Hi Donna,
hope you're doing well, it's good to see you posting again.
This is a gorgeous design- great techniques, beautiful stamps and lovely sparkle! Love the envelopes too- makes it even more special to receive- I can vouch for that personally :))
hugs
xx

pam said...

Lovely to see you posting again Donna, fabulous techniques. love the colours and stamps you have used and of course your fabulous sparkle.
Hugs Pam x

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna it is lovely to see a post from you again. The cards you have made are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Donna said...

What beautiful cards Donna, I always enjoy your explanation of how you create your cards! Hugs, Donna

Stampsnob. said...

Looks like a lot of good work These are lovely ..........Lis

Anne Buckingham said...

Such fun cards! Love the color and design. Love that you can make a collection of cards at the same time. Love that you decorated the envelopes to match. This is a clever design that I can use as inspiration with whatever stamps I have. You are forever an inspiration to me.

Verna Angerhofer said...

Wow! The combination of the three stamps and the colors of the inks really make for a great set of gorgeous cards. Each is so beautiful!

creative lady said...

Beautiful card, love the design and the colors. Thank you for joining Retro Rubber Challenge Blog.

Bunny said...

Lovely cards, Donna. The blue sparkle is beautiful. Lovely dies and stamps. [Bunny]

Mrs A. said...

Love these cards . The colours work so perfectly together. Your talk through of your making them is very clear.. hugs Mrs a.

Sue said...

Hi Donna, WOW they are fab.

Hope you get a nice day. Sue

Lori m said...

Thank you for sharing Donna, your cards are always stunning as with all the beautiful sentiments. Just love the detail and explanation you provide. Hugs, Lori m

Darlene said...

WOW! These are all just stunning Donna! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Book Covers’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

Sue said...

WOW, that is a lot of stamping! So good to see you back in the craft room. What gorgeous colors you chose and the cards turned out absolutely beautiful. Love the matchy envelopes too. Need to do more of that! Now to invent a way to show how beautiful glitter looks in a photo..........

Hugs,
Sue

Monica C. said...

Oh what beautiful cards, Donna. I love the blue and pink and yes, so amazing how changing the shade of one color makes such a difference.
So good to see you creating again!
Hugs Monica

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful stamps and cards Donna

Gr Karin

Mac Mable said...

I so enjoy reading how you do your fabulous cards Donna x. These are absolutely beautiful, unique and glorious. What a pretty focal stamped image and I love the bakcogurnds and the bit of glitter x ....great that you have co-ordinating envelopes too x. So good to see your blog post Donna x.

cuilliesocks said...

What a beautiful set of cards Donna, lovely images and colours.
Hope all is well with you, Kate x

Maria Rodriguez. said...

WOW!! You've been busy, those are some beautiful cards and I'm so happy you shared them with us at RETRO RUBBER this time.
Stay healthy and safe.
XO
Maria/DT

Beebeebabs said...

Hello my friend - your cards are absolutely beautiful - you did a great job as always. Hope all is well with you and your family

Conniecrafter said...

Wow Donna these are stunning, I do love the way you stamped and colored these, such pretty colors, I like how you used the punched border with your sentiment too, of course you used glitter, and that made them lovely! I love your second card too, love the stamping around your sentiment, Stunning creations!!

cotnob said...

A wonderful collection of cards Donna, you have created beautiful backgrounds for your lovely stamps - you have shared some fabulous techniques and thank you for the tips.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

LeAnne said...

Gorgeous! I love the vintage, eclectic feel to your assembling of cards! Very pretty with the glitter, too! Thanks for playing with our grid this week at Retro Rubber!

KraftyKoolKat said...

These are beautiful Donna. I can assure you, nothing is mistake proof with me. lol!!
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

Donna Phelan said...

Fabulous! Love that fabric texture image, and how you stamped and smooshed to create your pretty backgrounds! They really have that WOW factor! So many wonderful creations! I can't believe you know the year you bought things, they are all a blur in my craft room lol Be well! xo~

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful project, GREAT choice of colours from our mood board, thanks for entering our current challenge, "BOOK COVERS " ♥ delightful design and colours.
Thanks for joining in at [aNNie Designer for Double D challenges
https://thejourneyisthestarthere.blogspot.com/{My Blog}

Leslie Miller said...

I love the "old is new" idea and find it a fun self-challenge. These stamps are as beautiful now as ever, and it's wonderful that you brought out not one, but three virginal stamps! The main image goes perfectly with the woven background stamp. Your cards and envelopes are gorgeous, and while you were at it you made several, so now you can feel better about putting the stamps away again. Yay!

Donna Walls said...

Beautiful cards Donna...but you always create beautiful cards! Thanks for entering your designs in the New challenge at Inspiration Station! Donna, DT

Jan Mahew said...

Donna, Glad you are feeling better! You brain is always creating. Your cards are fabulous! You never cease to amaze me. Take care, stay safe and stay healthy!
Hugs,
Jan

Paro's Kraftology said...

These are gorgeous 😍 thank you for joining Penny's Paper-Crafty 😊 DT Parvathi Tripathi

Helen said...

Gorgeous cards and fantastic technique! Thanks for joining us at Try it on Tuesday!

Diane said...

Wow Donna what a fabulous use of the stamps and look at how many you have created, I am totally impressed not only by that but at how gorgeous they all are, way to go!! Thank you so much for joining our challenge at Double D!
Diane DD DT {Nellies Nest}

Lena said...

These are gorgeous Donna. Thank you for sharing the tutorial, I'm going to give it a try. I especially love the colours you used. Beautiful!!!
May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more,
and nothing but happiness, come thru your door!
♥ Lena

coldwaters2 said...

WOW Donna these look sensational and so very beautiful I love the design, images and colours,excellent work
hugs
lorraine x

Inkyfingers said...

What a gorgeous collection of cards, Donna and thank you for the detailed steps on how you created them. I love that you created matching envelops too - it makes the recipient feel that something very special has landed on their doorstep... and they'd be right!
Hope you are well.
Hugs
Carol x

Amelia Breytenbach said...

Wow! This is superb Donna. So pretty and so perfectly done. Thanks for sharing with us at Double "D" Challenges.
Amelia (DT Double "D" Challenges)

Birgit said...

I saw that you won and so deservedly. This is beautiful and elegant looking. I love the touch of pink as well. I may copy from you if you don’t mind.

KathyA. said...

What a sweet card! Thanks for joining us at Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge. DT Kathy [myasperations.blogspot.com]

Helen said...

Beautifully put together Donna - great to see how you created them.

Thanks for joining us at Penny's.

Helen x

Aimeslee Winans said...

Just simply breathtaking, Donna! I hope your posting more means you are doing better! Hugs! Thanks for the walk-thru, I'm Pinning! xoxo