Partridge Parade

My neice had a Stampin' Up! party!  I was lucky enough to get invited.  I decided to buy this cute little partridge set because I didn't own anything with partridges!

Love all the little babies along the bottom.  This is a fun layout too!

Thanks for visiting!

Donelda

CASual Friday #37 and Play Date Cafe #116 - Bamboo Sympathy

I got some time to play in my craft room!  Had fun with 2 challenges ... CAS-ual Fridays #3737 (a sketch) and The Play Date Cafe#116  (plum, pear, and mouldy cheese)

Here is the card I ended up with.  I wanted to use one of my new sticky-back canvas pieces by Ranger and also a new-to-me set Peaceful Garden by Papertrey Ink.  Oh yeah, and I also pulled out my new white silk 1/4" ribbon and added some of the plum colour (using a Copic), also from Papertrey Ink. 

Here is a close up of the sentiment and bamboo on the canvas ... great texture!!  and although you can't really see it in the photo very well, I did some embossed diagonal lines on the blue cardstock.

Thanks for dropping by for a visit.  Hope you have a great week!

Donelda

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #190 - Blue Black and White

Hi again!  Having lots of fun creating today!  This time I decided to play along with the Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #190 - use the colours blue, black and white.  I haven't played along with these challenges yet but the design team had such great inspirtion!

I used one of my new sets from Penny Black called 'mimi in paris' and coloured her all in using Copic markers.  I used some of my new 1/4" silk ribbon again (Papertrey Ink) colouring half of it with the same colour of copic ink.  Love the look!

Hope you enjoy!

Donelda

Tuesday Morning Sketch #130 and Lily Pad Card Challenge - Best Wishes Bride and Groom

My blogging buddy, Jessica, created the sketch for this week's Tuesday Morning Sketch so I wanted to play along.  As well, Lily Pad has a card challenge going on right now ... to use your favourite patterned paper and make a card with it .. no more hoarding! 

Well, I have had this paper from Stampin' Up! for years ... one of my favourite in the pack that I loved and therefore wouldn't cut into it .. until today!!

This lovely doily die was sent to me from one of my former Secret Sisters - Linda (thanks yet again!).  The colours ended up being pretty washed out ... bu the leaves are stamped with Mellow Moss and the Best Wishes sentiment (Papertrey Ink - Giga Guide Lines) is embossed in gold to match the ribbon feature which has the rest of the sentiment (from Wedding Day, Papertrey Ink) embossed in white.

What a great day of card making!  Hope you've enjoyed your Sunday as well.

See you tomorrow with another challenge card.

Donelda

Pink Wishing you Well

Pink and Brown - great colour combo!! 

I made this card specifically to use that cute rose stamp at the bottom!  It is a gift from a blogland friend of mine Susanne!!  She sent it in a challenge package and I just had to make good use of it! 

This set from Papertrey Ink, Everyday Classics (2nd anniversary set) has not seen nearly enough ink!  I need to fix that!  This particular sentiment bugs me ... the W in the little tiny word "well" is hard to see and I think it kind of looks like a letter H....... eeeks!!

Well, I'm done here ..... see you all tomorrow!!

Donelda

Another One Layer Wednesday challenge.  This time Susan wanted us to make a one-layer card that uses white, gray, with a pop of one bright color of your choice.

I used a white card base embossed with this lovely embossing, added a strip of grey along the bottom.  It is covered with Glossy Accents (continuing my obsession this month with this product) and the added colour is the blue half pearls (in the photo are looking rather close to the grey colour).

My sentiment is hidden inside.  It just didn't seem to want to go on the outside!

Off to see what others did with this colour combination.

Thanks for dropping by,

Donelda

Barbles Inspiration Challenge #2 - Dreams Take Flight

I really wanted to play along with Barb and her Barbles Inspiration Chellenge #2.  Check out the picture board she supplied for us to use as inspiration!  It was so hard to focus!  In the end, I decided to go wtih the picture of the bird on the wire.

And here is my final creations.

I decided to pull out my alcohol inks to create this swirly cloudy background.  So much fun.  The silver mixative is what really made the swirls.  The image is Bird Branch from Memory Box ... a sad stamp because he has not been inked up for a long time!!  Happy now!

You should join in Barb's fun.  Link up on her blog HERE

Valentine project Recap

This week at Crafty Creations Challenges #154 the challenge is to make anything but a card.  I had plans to do that but work has been keeping me away from my computer.  So, I offer up an old project I did many years ago as inspiration.  I made this box back in 2008.  White the idea of making a heart shaped box sounds intimidating, it is rather easy... you just need good liquid adhesive! 

And there is a tutorial on SCS right now!!

Hope this inspires you!  Head over to Crafty Creations Challenges and link up your project!

Donelda

Journey Card Set

Imke was one of my former Secret Sisters ... and sent me this awesome stamp from Paperbag Studios.  I was inspired by Godelieve's cards set seen HERE and made my own.

Done in Blue Bayou ....

... Wild Wasabi....

... and Purely Pomegranate! 

The stamping at the bottom was done with various stamps from Background Basics: Stars ... one of my least used Papertrey Ink stamps (certainly one I could have lived without ... but it was one of the first background stamps after Polka Dot Basics .. how was I to know there would be much better in the future?!).

Hope you are having a great week so far!

Donelda

Lawnscaping Challenge - Past Due!

I don't know about you but I think that Lawn Fawn stamps are adorable!  However, I don't own any.  I try to stick to 2 or 3 primary companies ... but it is tough.  There are lots of others who also love Lawn Fawn stamps, and some of those gals run a challenge blog called Lawnscaping Challenge.  Earlier this month, they celebrated their birthday and for the occassion, Melania Deasy created the cutest digital image set to share! 

So I took advantage of the cute images and created this!

... and I think I am currently "hooked" on using glossy accents ... as I've done here on the balloon!

Enjoy your day!

Donelda

One Layer Wednesday (OLW) 75 - Masculine Birthday

This week's One Layer Wednesday challenge #75 from Susan R. is to create a masculine birthday card.  Easy peasy ... when I need a masculine stamp, I just reach for my Bitty Grunge set from Stampers Anonymous (good old t!m holtz).

And this particular birthday sentiment is always my 'guy' go-to ... it is from Birthday Basics (Papertrey).  It's perfect - bold, strong, and not a feminine serif in sight!!

Embossed in gold makes it stand out on top of the Chocolate Chip ink. 

Off to get some more CAS masculine ideas from all the other CAS addicts...

Thanks for dropping by!

Donelda

Glimmer Mist - Here for You

I am loving all the creations being made using misting sprays.  I pulled out this great blue from Tattered Angels.  Sprayed some big splotches onto some BasicGrey paper (Basics White) which is a must have! Stamped the mug from Warm Happiness (Papertrey Ink) and cut it out.  A bit of layering made a great focal image.

Thanks for dropping by today.

Donelda

Crafty Creations Challenge #153 - Valentine

This week's challenge at Crafty Creations Challenge is to create a Valentine Themed card or project.  We are being sponsored by Whiff of Joy this week so play along ... you might win a prize!!

Here is my card...

The papers come from one of my past Secret Sisters (thanks Linda).  I saw a lovely die in this shape, so in true Donelda fashion, I created my own out of cardstock.  The images and sentiment are from Papertrey Ink.

Now off to see what everyone else created from the Design Team playing along this week:

Peggy

 Jaime

Donna

Lindsey

Kathleen
Julemarie
Deena

Thanks for visiting.  Enjoy making a Valentine themed project.  Don't forget to link it up at Crafty Creations Challenges for a chance to win!

Donelda

Lucy's Photo Inspiration - Lavender Sympathy

When I saw this inspiration photo from Lucy Abrams blog I knew I needed to use my new Gracious Vases stamp set (Papertrey Ink).

I also decided to get the shape of the inspiration piece from a Half & Half die (Papertrey Ink).

Off to see what everyone else created ... and maybe try my hand at a few of her other inspiration photos.  (note - sorry for the horrid photo ... can't wait for spring so that there is more light! )

Thanks for dropping by,

Donelda

One Layer Wednesday (OLW) - Red and Pink Only

So Susan's latest One Layer Challenge #74 (a nice even number) is to create a card with red and pink ONLY.  That means no black for the sentiment or outlines.  I've got to admit I thought and thought and thought about what I was going to do.  Then I decided to do this:

I cut out a heart as a mask, stamped the word LOVE (Paper Trey from Papertrey Ink) in red in the bottome right edge of the heart.  Then I continued to add the same word repeatedly using pink ink.  While the difference is not so obvious in this poor quality picture, it stands out better in real life! Sigh!! To make sure the heart shape stood out, I did a little bit of sponging with the pink around the edges of the heart. 

Off to post and see what everyone else did with pink and red only.

Thanks for dropping by,

Donelda

Skulls and Birthdays

Pulled out my Picket Fence Crackle Paint (Ranger) to paint this Grundgeboard Skull (Idea-ology).   It also uses Bitty Grundge stamp set (Stampers Anonymous, T!m Holtz)

I added some dots using a piece of bubble wrap and gesso (I have done this before on THIS card too!) and the sentiment is one from Unity.

Someone grungy will enjoy this card.

Thanks for dropping by for a visit.

Donelda

Wishes and Banners

I created these banners based on the ones you can buy at Papertrey Ink ... of course I don't own them and have to make them by hand!!  Used 2 different black markers with different sized tips for the double lines around the banners.

I have used a card by Anya as inspiration but can't for the life of me find the link!!  Sheesh. Sorry Anya but thanks for hte inspiration!!  If anyone has the link, please share!!

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Shaped Card - Valentine Gumball Machine

The challenge over at Our Creative Corner for this week is Shaped Cards.  I adore shaped cards but rarely think to make them ... so I thought I'd give it a go.

I found this awesome digital image in my digital file and went to town!

I used lots and lots of Glossy Accents for the clear part of the machine where all the heart gumballs are ...

and also on the one pink heart at the door of the machine ...

That was a ton of FUN!!  I must remember to make shaped cards more often!! 

It is also challenge day over at Crafty Creations Blog.  The challenge this week is to Use Something New.  This is the first time I've used this image so it is new!!  Drop by and see what some of the Design Team members created for this week's inspiraiton and play along for a great prize!!

Thanks for dropping by! 

Donelda

Birthday Wishes

I'm not one to use stickers all that much but for some reason, I had bought a bunch at a local stamping store.  So, I decided it was high time to pull them out and use them.

This is all grey, white, and silver - awesome color combo!  The leaves are silver (a little hard to tell in this photo - maybe click on it to get it larger?).  The background is a the Hero Arts decorative woodgrain background stamp but I colored over it with a silver marker and it turned out looking awesome. 

Hope you are having a great day!
Donelda

Nautical Wishes

So I know I created this card based on a color challenge ... but that was months and months ago.  Sheesh, some things never change!

I think the little bits of twill look like flags from a big ship!  And you might not be able to see them very well in this photo but there are large compases stamped with versamark on the brown background.  A subtle effect. So much fun to make!!

Enjoy your day!

Donelda

Congratulations on being Pregnant!

This is my favorite image to use for Congrats on your Pregnancy cards!  I wanted to create a general card for someone special who is going to have a baby!  I wanted the card to be gender neutral so I threw in pink, blue, green, and yellow!! 

And a close up of the background paper (BasicGrey) ... stamped with a Hero Arts cling stamp and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Great effect!

Hope you are having a great day!

Donelda

Celebrate with Letter Press

So I have seen many other crafters creating beautiful faux letterpress backgrounds using their cuttlebug folders.  I decided I should give it a try.  I was less than impressed with my results.  I think I'll need to try it a bit more.

I also admire those who can create beautiful clusters of flowers on their cards.  I don't do it very often despite having 2 large jars full of beautiful flowers ... I just don't get how to get them attached!  Anyway, I gave it a good "go" on this card.  Any advice is welcome!!

Thanks for visiting.

Donelda

Crafty Creations Challenge #149 - Heat Embossing

Hello eveyone!  It is time again for another Crafty Creations Challenge.  This week we are trying to warm up ... so we are to use HEAT EMBOSSING!  

I took my inspirationn from this tag.  See the words clear embossed all over it.  Very Cool.  Maile Belles does this often - like HERE. 

So, I started out by printing this lovely digital butterfly by Patty onto white cardstock.  Then, I added the flowers (Life, Papertrey Ink) in Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink).  I then stamped the leaf border image (from Modern Basics, Papertrey Ink) along the bottom of the panel using Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  Just to ensure I used enough heat embossing, I also used white embossing for the sentiment!

Here is the close-up of the clear embossing over the flowers.  A very cool effect.

Now you will want to go see what the rest of the Crafty Creations Design Team 2 did with heat embossing:

Peggy

Jamie

Jenni

Donna

Lindsey

Kathleen

Have a great day ... and hopfully all this heat embossing keeps you warm!!

Donelda

Our Creative Corner - Bright and Happy New Year Lollipop

Check out this awesome bright and happy colour combo that Our Creative Corner has posted as a challenge!  Love it!! 

I had saved this awesome lollipop from my sons Halloween stash because I knew it would come in handy some day ....

Colours are a bit off due to it being so cloudy and grey here today!  So frustrating.

This card also qaulifies for the Sparkles Forum Challenge - Anything but a Christmas card as well as the Pile It On challenge #1 of 2012 - Anything Goes so I've entered it there as well. 

Enjoy your day.

Donelda

CASEing Lucy's butterflies

I created this card after seeing the one HERE that Lucy Abrams made.  Hers is stunning ... and sadly I don't own such a big butterfly die or punch .. so I had to improvise!

But I like the results anyway! It just not quite as dramatic as hers.

(ETA - got the large butterfly die from PTI for Christmas .. will need to recreate this using it soon)

Thanks for dropping in for a visit!

Donelda

Colour Q Challenge #117, Dilly Beans, and Lucy Abrams

I finally had a little time to sit down and do a little craft making.  I love the black and white + a colour challenges so the CQC #117 appealed to me.  And, check it out, Dilly Beans is running a red and black challenge ... which will work for my card as well!   Lucy Abrams is running with her sketch challenges this week (like she did last year) so I wanted to play along with one of those too.

I decided the strips could be home-made washi tape.  Pulled out some new Papertrey Ink products (Background Basics: Gingham, butterfly die, and Pure Poppy red ink) and got busy. Here is my card:

I've been browsing on Christine Middlecamp's blog again ... hence the many layers on the big red butterfly ... reminds me of this one I saw on her blog...

That was fun.  Think I'll drop over to these sites to see what other crafters created ....

Donelda

Image Swap - Patti's Gals

This is my January card for an image swap I belong to over at SCS.  This month Patti sent us this great image to play with and challenged us to come up with an appropriate sentiment to go with it! 

I decided to add my "sentiment" into a word bubble .. it says, "Life is too short to order the small slice".

Here is a side view to see the dimension of the gals!!  Doesn't that chocolate cake look delish!! 

Thanks for visiting,

Donelda

CAS-ual Fridays #33 - Kraft, Twine, and Nautical

 What a great challenge going on at CAS-ual Fridays - Create a clearn and simple project using kraft and twine.  I decided to combine it with another more difficult challenge posed by a new friend of mine ... use a lighthouse image or something nautical on a christmas card. 

I adore making little embellishments like this one to cover bow knots.  The simple sentiment was all that was needed.  I didn't have any green vellum, so I used ink and sponge to make plain vellum the colour I needed. 

Off to see what other creations were made using kraft and twine at CAS-ual Fridays.

Thanks for dropping by.

Donelda