Donna's Designs: 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

A Year in Review

I hope everyone had a joyous and wonderful Christmas. So where did 2012 go? I thought it would be fun to reflect back and do a year in review. As we take a stroll down memory lane there will be a link under each photo in case you would like to view the whole post.

In January I shared some kisses with you ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/01/tea-time-with-kisses.html

February was busy creating a garden photo book ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/02/shutterfly-garden-photo-book.html

March brought some bunnies and a cozy Easter tea ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/03/spring-decorating-tea.html

In April I enjoyed some tulips and china with you ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/04/tulips-tea.html

May brought lily of the valley blooms ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/05/lily-of-valley.html

In June we smelled the peonies together ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/06/sara-bernhardt-peonies.html

July was filled with cheery Shasta daisies ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/07/shasta-daisies.html

In August we strolled the gazebo garden enjoying the summer flowers ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/08/gazebo-garden-stroll.html

Painted Lady butterflies came to visit in September ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/09/painted-lady.html

In October I shared our fall foliage drive and hike ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/10/fall-foliage-tour.html

November brought a piece of history with Robert Frost's home and burial site ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/11/robert-frosts-home.html

December was filled with holiday decorations as we shared tea time together ...

http://www.donnaheber.com/2012/11/sleigh-bells-ring.html

Well, that is my year in review. A big thank you to my old and new followers for your friendship throughout this past year. It was a year filled with crafting, sipping tea and enjoying the gardens.

I'm looking forward to 2013 and the wonderful opportunities which lie ahead. Hang on as we continue to have more fun! I will be starting the year off with a charming giveaway. May you have a safe and happy New Year!

Today I am joining Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
and
Evelyn @ My Turn for us

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Favorite Things Hop Co-Host

Hi everyone! Did you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends? My kitty Cheops had a great time playing with his new toys. Santa even brought him a nice cozy bed!

I'm excited today to be co-hosting this week's blog hop at Katherines Corner. Katherine is so sweet and was born on the same day as me, which makes us Scorpios! I encourage you to take a peek at Katherine's blog where she shares recipes, book suggestions and her cute dog Izzy. Now lets get this party started!

About the Thursdays Favorite Things Hop, this hop is where you can link your favorite post or write a post about your favorite things and share with old and new followers! Here are the rules, yes there are rules, but just a few:

Follow Katherines Corner preferably through Email it's on her sidebar (or she has facebook, google plus and twitter too).

Please follow my blog too!

Visit as many blogs in the list as you can and leave a comment.

Share the button on your post.

No adult content blogs.

Please grab the hop button to share with others, you can copy and paste the image with a link to KatherinesCorner.com or grab the code from Katherines Corner it's on her right sidebar. It's always nice to have the hop button on your post, but it IS NOT mandatory, although a link back to Katherines blog is always appreciated.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

On this Christmas Eve I would like to wish everyone

a very Merry Christmas!

Hope your celebrations will be filled with love.

Tonight we are sitting by the tree listening to Christmas music and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.

Lots of whipped cream sprinkled with a bit of sugar ...

As a tradition I have left a few treats for the big guy!

I'm sure he won't mind if you take one :-)

I've also left him a note for his eyes only!

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Vee's Notecard Party - Dec.

(click photo to enlarge)

Are you ready for Vee's Notecard party? Each month I look forward to joining. To participate just choose four pictures from previous posts that would make a good set of notecards.

This month I decided to select photos depicting the season. Since we haven't had any snow I thought it would be nice to look back at a few winter scenes.

Please drop by A Haven for Vee to visit more notecard photos. I'm also linking with Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Snowflake Dinner Invitation

As the holidays approach we are getting ready to invite friends and family for holiday feasts. It is a joyous time of the year! Today I would like to share with you my snowflake dinner invitation. I made quite a few of these this year.

On a piece of Whisper White paper I loaded the silverware stamp with VersaMark and then StazOn Stone Gray ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder and a heat gun. I then colored over the image with a VersaMark pen and embossed it again with clear embossing powder. This will protect the image from getting blue ink on it when I create the background.

The background was sponged in Brilliance Platinum Planet and Marina Mist leaving some areas lighter. Next, I stamped the antique background in Marina Mist and adhered it to a piece of Marina Mist paper.

A plate was created from a Spellbinders Large Classic Circles #7. A smaller circle was placed in the center and I sponged Going Gray ink around the edge. You're Invited was stamped in Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder. The plate was then glued to the main image and I cut off the excess from both sides. I added a glitter snowflake for some sparkle.

To create the inside of the invitation, I used the invite stamp from Stampin' Up's Hugs & Wishes set. It was stamped on a piece of Whisper White paper cut from a Spellbinders Labels One #6 die. The piece of Marina Mist paper was stamped with various snowflakes first by loading the stamps with VersaMark and then Marina Mist ink and embossing them with iridescent ice embossing powder. Everything was mounted to a white embossed card.

Are you surprising your guests this year with any invitations? These invites are great because you can customize them for any occasion. Please join me in prayer as we take a minute to pray for the lives lost in Connecticut and for those families in mourning. It is such a sad time for all of them.

Today I am joining ...

Blue Monday @ Smiling Sally

Make It Monday @ Make It Monday

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Compliments to the Chef, Antique Background, Sincere Salutations, Hugs & Wishes, Serene Snowflakes (all by Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Embossed Card, Marina Mist, Whisper White

Ink: StazOn Stone Gray, Brilliance Platinum Planet, Marina Mist, Going Gray, VersaMark with both Clear and Iridescent Ice EP

Accessories: Spellbinders Large Classic Circles #7, Labels One #6, Recollections Glitter Snowflake

Techniques: Embossing, Sponging

Card Size: 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Thank You Romantic Homes!

I am just tickled pink today! My blog has been featured in the January 2013 issue of Romantic Homes magazine. What an honor, I am humbled and so appreciative!

Several months ago I received a sweet email from Beth Livesay asking if she could feature Donna's Designs in their 'Site Seeing' section. It is such a great feeling to have your blog recognized. I've tried to create a place where bloggers can come for a cup of tea and enjoy the flowers from my gardens.

When I first started blogging I never imagined I would be published. I still can't believe my gazebo has been featured. I have been very fortunate this past year to have one of my dreams come true. So my advice to you is don't be afraid to spread your wings, make a wish and live your dreams!

Please join me for a cup of tea as we browse the new issue.

May your week be filled with sparkles!

Today I am joining ...

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday @ Artful Affirmations

Tuesday Cuppa Tea @ Antiques and Teacups

Tea Talk @ The Teaist

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Friday, December 7, 2012

Dreaming of a White Christmas

I'm still dreaming of a white Christmas, but until that happens I will just have to create my own little wonderland. Are you ready for a decorating tour?

A beautiful vintage skate painted in London white and sprinkled with glitter brings back memories of when I skated as a little girl.

Adorned with ruffled lace, burlap, crinkled seam binding and a vintage pin.

This year I added some silvered glass balls in sea blue and went with a softer color palette. It gives the tree a Victorian vibe nostalgic of Christmas time in the mid-19th century.

I decided to 'dress up' the wrought iron mirror in our living room.

This swag hangs over my induction cooktop. Pine cones, German glitter glass and shiny ornaments add even more sparkle.

I added a frosty garland around my chandelier and dangled a few snowflake ornaments.

Mercury glass trees and an etched pillar holder light the way.

Silver baubles fill a white wrought iron basket.

Do you remember the cream lantern I decorated for autumn? Well, I decided to re-decorate it with a pearl and berry candle ring.

Sprigs of silver glittered leaves are tucked behind a burlap bow.

Glass jewel ornaments hang from a faux window while candlelight flickers.

Simple clear stones and pearls fill a hurricane topped with a snowflake pillar.

Silver sparkles ...

pretty pale blue ...

and glistening white.

About ten years ago we moved our Christmas tree into the sunroom. It was the only place in the house free from kitty paws! Cheops and his brother use to go crazy over the shiny ornaments. I really can't blame them.