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

Monday, November 21, 2022

Chillin' with my Snowmies - Jan's Digi Stamps

 I may be chillin' but not with my snowmies! I feel for all of you in the areas where several feet of snow has changed EVERYTHING in your worlds! Hoping your homes are unharmed, and that you are snug and safe.


This darling little snowman set is the cutest ever! I couldn't stop coloring Jan's "SNOWMIES" because they made me happy! The Merry Christmas sign affords a break in the snowmies' bodies, so they can either wear a sweatshirt or be "au naturale"! LOL

 Today's cards are for the mid-month reminder of November's Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!  If you use a JDS image in your card, please mention it. There is a 2nd draw specifically for those who use one of Jan's fun images.

Snowmies is debuting at $3.75 instead of its regular $5 price. There are 3 charming black-and-white images, 3 beautifully colored images, and 3 fun sentiments in this set.


December's Sale includes all 50 of Jan's Holiday Stamps. Be sure to take advantage of her beautiful 2022 freebie Ornaments 2022!

While there are many fun frame dies on the market, I used one sweet scalloped rectangle die for the outside, and then a different shaped die for the inside, to create these frames:


Also on these cards, I used a freebie "font" called Freebie Font WWFlakes. Instead of an alphabet, you get some 30 different snowflakes which can be made itty-bitty or as large as your font numbers will take you, in order to create all kinds of fun accessories for your winter scenes.

SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

While some of my stamping friends industriously make several of the same design, I'm unable to make duplicate cards without it becoming a tedious chore. Do you find that to be the case? Or are you able to make lots of the same card? These are all utilizing the same sketch, so I think that counts. My other crafting deficiency is that I forget EVERY-SINGLE-TIME to set out my papers, embellies, colors PRIOR to coloring, so then I spend a lot of time trying to mix and match after the images are colored. Are you organized and efficient? Or do you fall into my category of trying to find things that look good together after the images are colored?

My only planning was in making glittery frames and using stencils LOL
Since several companies are featuring "flocking, fluff, and fuzzy stuff" again, I got out my Flocking that contains glitter, and put it on two outfits for these cuties.

BF (before fuzziness) giggle:
(psst! the heart brad was heated and dipped into embossing powder that contained glitter)

AFU (after fuzzy'ing up!) more giggles:
(both red and white were used on this card)


Debuting next we have non-traditional in purple and pink fashion statements:



Finally
We have the red-green outfits. And NOOOOOOOOO, these snowmies are NOT sitting on grass. It is FANTASY SNOW to coordinate with their attire, in case you couldn't guess (more giggles):


I hope you enjoyed this rainbow of snowmies. "We" (Snowmies and Myself) were greatly entertained in selecting our fashion colors! Don't forget to play in the Challenge!

Products Used: Stamps  Jan's Digi Images: Chillin' with my Snowmies,  Freebie Font WWFlakes (for the snowflakes), SU En Francais bkgrnd stamp, IO CAC Screen, Dies: SB Labels 23, SB Wonky Rectangles, IO border die #18V, Tonic Mixed Edge Rectangles, MS Starlight Punch, MS Lace Punch, MS Heart Punch, Other: Express-it cardstock, Alcohol Markers (Copics, CopicMultiliner, PrismaColor), Glitter cardstock, assorted stencils, assorted Distress & Oxide inks, VersaFine Clair, Flocking, embossing powder.

I'd like to play in the following Challenges please:

  1. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #11 AG DT 12/15
  2. Pammie's Inkie Pinkies #2247 AG 11/28
  3. Crafty Catz #614 Christmas 11/23
  4. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #11 AG 12/1
  5. Classic Design Challenge #11 AG 12/1
  6. Crafty Friends Challenge #161 Christmas 11/28 
  7. CD Sunday Plus Challenge #97 AG using downloadable products ( I used digital stamp with a font that makes snowflakes) 12/1
Stamping Hugs,


26 comments:

KarinsArtScrap said...

these are very beautiful and cute cards Donna

gr karin

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous cards Donna love the cute snowmen,die-cut frames and the different colourways.I usually colour first then look for papers-unless I have particular papers I want to use.Just lately I have made maybe three of the same card but these were Christmas and needed flat for posting so quick to duplicate.No snow yet(thankfully)but thick fog overnight and Rheard everyone scraping ice of their windscreens this morning-really cold
Carol x

Lori m said...

Donna, your cards are always stunning. I'm one, that can make duplicate cards when using my Cricut machine.

This year, I've run into some complications and my cards are way behind being finished, thank you for the inspiration in getting my mojo moving, hugs, Lori m

Chris said...

Bright, beautiful, sparkly cards featuring these happy snowmies - so fun and festive! Love your glittery frames, the stencilled backgrounds and the fuzzy bits! Fabulous in all the different colours. Like you, I struggle to make duplicates of the same design- changing the colours, papers, stencils etc stops me getting bored, but really prefer to create a 'one off'
Hope you're continuing to do well Donna, it's lovely to be able to enjoy your posts and beautiful creations again.
Hugs xxx

Donna Walls said...

Donna, these cards are adorable! I love the bright, cheerful colors and your card designs. Thanks for such lovely projects for Jan's Mid-Month inspiration post.
Donna xx

Donna said...

Each and every one is stunning, I like the glitter frames, all your different backgrounds and layers and your fabulous coloring! I usually only make multiples when it is Christmas time or I am making masculine cards. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

I had a chuckle with the image, the cards, the glitter and fuzzy! All of your post in fact, I love your cards, so fun and beautiful. As for organising, NOPE, I don't even get stamps out to use together, as for digi stuff, I have to look for something after placing one thing, so I guess I am NOT organised and definitely NOT efficient. As for making more than one card? I have actually made 6 of one card recently, then found out I had to make another of the same UGH! Not happy!
Thanks for this post Donna, it's been fun.
Faith x

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Fun cards and fun post, it made me smile :) I'm pretty organized about my stash, but I'm as you about colouring first and then searching something to match :D And also, as you, I can't make duplicate cards! And no plans about the designs, only a bit of mojo and a lot of mess on the table. :)
Love all the designs of those super cute snowmen, and can't choose a favourite, any card is amazing! Fabulous colouring (the shadows of the snowmies looks great!!) and LOVE all the matching papers, stencils, glittery frames, flocks, borders and snowflakes! Love all! :)

pam said...

Ar these are beautiful, cute cards Donna, your colouring as always is perfect.
Hugs Pam x

Beebeebabs said...

Very nice Christmas cards thanks for sharing!!!

Donna Phelan said...

Snowmies....that's the best lol Love them! Each color and design is a wonderful happy sight! Love the glittery goodness! Glad to see you crafting away! Merry Merry! xo~

cuilliesocks said...

Hi Donna, I'm loving your little Snowmie cards, they are gorgeous and so beautifully coloured too. Lovely card designs too, they are so much fun.
Hope you are well, Kate x

Pamela said...

Four great cards - I couldn't pick one as a favourite over the other three!
Pamela
CD Sunday Plus DT.

Aimeslee Winans said...

Donna, I know you must be feeling better and are able to move better because you are making cards! These are utterly adorable and I now must go buy that stamp set and Pin your samples. :-) Perfection!

To answer your question: I always want to color first, but I do it last, because I don't want to have to look through a gazillion paper packs/collections trying to color match. I choose my papers first, then color my image to match them. And often, the way I choose the papers is, first ones I come to that will work! It seems counter-intuitive, but works best and fastest for me. XOX

Donna Ellis said...

Aimes, I want to be like you when I grow up! Maybe I can get more into that habit in the new year!

Leslie Miller said...

Look at all these darling snowmies dressed up in different colors! I love each and every one of them! There are so many beautiful things going on in addition to the cuteness of the snow people. Frames are a favorite element in my card making and I enjoy mixing up my dies to make different shaped frames, too. About your questions... I do not like making multiples, but it does help if I can change up the colors. I made 6 of a kind earlier this year and I guess they were pretty, but as I sit down to prepare for mailing I wonder why I made them. They are not what speaks to me and now I have six of them, sheesh. I don't always have a plan when I sit down to craft. My room ends up looking like an explosion occurred and I spend way too much time on decision making. I'm very organized, but when it comes to the design process I fly by the seat of my pants.

Jan Mahew said...

Donna, Absolutely stunning creations each with their own color scheme and perfectly colored images. You never cease to amaze me! I so appreciate you showcasing "My Snowmies" on your cards and that you shared them with others!
As to your question - I will have to say I do not plan ahead... whether drawing, creating or coloring. I draw and color the images. When I sit down to make a sample card, I find myself digging for hours in my stash until I find the papers I like best with my images and hope others like my choices too. Like Leslie my craftroom often looks like a bomb has gone off!
Hugs,
❤️

Seafield Jo said...

These are all fabulous. I'm not surprised it makes you happy to colour them, they certainly made me smile on this very wet morning!
Thanks for sharing with us.
Jo
CD Sunday Plus DT

Lori m said...

Donna, I had to pop back in to see those smiling snowmen faces and wish you a Happy Holiday, hugs, Lori m

Barbara Bruder said...

What darling cards (as always), Donna!! Love the frames you made, really makes your cards and images come alive! Thank you for sharing with us over at World Wide Open Design Team Challenge.

StampNScrapJunkie said...

I have been drooling over this image for awhile and you have done a fantastic job of bringing the snowmen to life! I especially love the unexpected pink and purple combo! Thanks for joining us at Crafty Catz!

Carol said...

Fabulous cards Donna. I couldn't pick one above the others.
In answer to your question, I so rarely duplicate a card, I can't remember when I did.
Carol xx
CD Sunday Plus DT

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Donna these little guys are just the cutest, I love all of these, I too have a hard time making the same card more than once but I have done it for siblings. I love the shimmer on these and the neat borders you put with them too, wonderful collection!

Wendy L said...

That is definitely a cute image and you have made gorgeous cards, thank you for joining us at the Crafty friends challenge

Margarets designer cards said...

Four beautiful christmas card, I love the images and colouring
Thank you for joining us
Margaret
CD Sunday plus DT

KraftyKoolKat said...

Such a gorgeous array of cute and morale lifting cards Donna. I love them all. If I am using backing paper and embellishments, I do tend to choose it all first before colouring the image. I hope your health is not too bad at the moment sweetheart.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx