Ticket to Love

 

Can you believe the week is almost over - yippee!  I'm sharing a simple Valentine's Day card using some pretties from the Artisan Embellishments Kit.

I started with a piece of Mon Couer pink paper and embossed it with a Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Rosa embossing folder (one of my favorites).  Doesn't it just look divine?

 

Lace was wrapped around the pink paper and adhered to Very Vanilla.  A heart was cut from Bella Rose background paper using the Memory Box Grand Heart die.  It was popped up with a love ticket placed in the center.  I found a piece of pink sheer organza ribbon in my "stash".  It adds some romance without covering up the heart.  A Very Vanilla resin rose becomes a charming accent for this valentine.

 

Happy Valentine's Day was stamped in StazOn Stone Gray on a piece of pink paper cut from a Spellbinders Floral Ovals #4 die.

 

I wish Stampin' Up! would offer this lace in the big catty, but I'm sure Shelli isn't reading this blog  :-)

Enjoy the big game this weekend!

Today I am joining ...

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic On A Shoestring
Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique
 

Stamps:  PSX Happy Valentine's Day
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Bella Rose by Iralamija, Mon Couer by Scrapbook Graphics
Ink:  StazOn Stone Gray
Accessories:  Pink Sheer Organza Ribbon, SU Artisan Embellishments Kit, Clear Spica Pen, Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Rosa Embossing Folder, Memory Box Grand Heart Die, Spellbinders Floral Ovals #4 (Inside)
Technique:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Pretty Musical Notes

 

Wow, that was such an awesome party, wasn't it?  I want to thank Vicki again for coordinating such a lovely event.  A big WELCOME to all my new followers and to everyone who stopped by to leave a comment.  I am truly grateful!  I have met some of the sweetest gals through blogging.
  

If you didn't enter my giveaway you can still do so until February 14th.  I will leave a link at the top of my right sidebar.  Don't forget you can also subscribe to Donna's Designs and receive updates right to your mailbox.
 

Today I have a shaped card to share with you.  Sometimes I just can't get enough of my Spellbinders dies ... lol.  The card base was cut using a Labels Twenty #5 die.  Now, when cutting your base card be sure to leave a little piece outside of your die for the hinge.  You don't want to completely cut through the top.
 

After setting my base card aside.  I cut another piece from designer paper using the same die cut.  The reason I cut two pieces is because if I had just used the designer paper for my base it would have been too flimsy.  I then glued the designer paper to the front of my base and snipped off the top where the hinge is.  Two more layers were cut using dies #4 and #3 all from Melissa Frances papers.

The musical notes image was stamped onto a piece of Very Vanilla paper cut from a Labels Twenty #2 die and colored with Derwant metallic pencils.  As I started to stack my layers I wrapped a piece of Soft Sky seam binding around the first layer.  A little butterfly was stamped in StazOn Stone Gray, hand cut, sprinkled with Stickles and popped up.  To finish the card I added a simple bow and some clear rhinestones.

Here is a hint - to make your shaped card stand straight snip a little piece off the bottom back of the card to create a straight edge.  Depending on what type of die you are using you may not need to do this.

I hope your week is off to a fantastic start and that I have added a little sparkle to your day!

Stamps:  JustRite Musical Notes Labels Twenty & Fleur De Lis Labels Twenty
Paper:  Natural White Linen, Melissa Frances Billet, Essie & Octavia, SU Very Vanilla
Ink:  StazOn Stone Gray, Derwent Metallic Pencils
Accessories:  1/2" Soft Sky Seam Binding, Kaiser Clear Rhinestones, Star Dust Stickles, Spellbinders Labels Twenty #2, #3, #4 & #5, Gamsol
Technique:  Colored Pencils
Card Size:  4" x 5 1/2" 

Grow Your Blog & Giveaway

 

Hi blogging friends, 

Today I am joining the Grow Your Blog party at Vicki's place.  If you are new to Donna's Designs I hope you will take a few minutes to look around.  This is a great time for us to get to know each other.  I have been married for over 20 years.  My darling husband and I have a love for Ocicats.  We currently have a chocolate-silver named Cheops.

I started stamping in 2008.  For me creating cards is about more than just rubber stamps and ink - it's about sharing a part of yourself and your creativity with others.

Donna's Designs has been featured in Artful Blogging, Creating Vintage Charm, Romantic Homes, Gatherings, Rubber Stamp Madness and Old Fashioned Living.  

On my blog I share with you my passion for gardening.  As you stroll through my gardens you will see native plants which attract butterflies and hummingbirds.  As you tour and take in all the architectural elements I have incorporated into my gardens; whether it is the gazebo, arbor, trellises or the pond, I'm sure you will find something you like.

I also enjoy sharing my vintage teacups and china.  I have been collecting these pieces for many years.  I do hope you will consider becoming a follower of Donna's Designs so you don't miss a thing  :-)

For this special party I am giving away a pair of vintage style rose earrings in blush pink.  Aren't these just romantic?  

All you need to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment on this post by midnight on Friday, February 14, 2014.

I will pick the lucky winner on Saturday, February 15th using random.org.  International bloggers are welcome to enter.

Thank you Vicki for hosting this lovely party.  Please stop over to 2 Bags Full to visit the other participants.

My door is always open so please do come back to visit!  I would love for you to "like" and follow Donna's Designs on Facebook.   

Love ...

 Love is in the air ... can you feel it?  Tonight I am sharing with you some of my Valentine's Day decorations.  Remember the cute Valentines we use to bring home from elementary school?

A sweet Valentine basket holds a pink embossed dish filled with ornaments.

This scalloped edge mirror is the perfect centerpiece for rose scented candles.

 

I just love sparkly things ...

Reflections from the glass jars  :-)

 

The wrought iron mirror in the parlor decorated with dangling hearts.

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." ~ Karen Sunde

In my travels I found these mercury ornaments with crystal encrusted tops.

My favorite lantern has been decorated in roses.

I created a candle ring from a rose garland.

This little birdie is a sure sign that spring will soon be on its way!

 A string of vintage hearts dangles across a faux whitewashed window.

This romantic wreath created from silk organza fabric.

 

The roses are book pages edged with ink.

Some candles, roses and white lights dress up the cabinet.

I always look forward to decorating for Valentine's Day.  The shades of pink brighten the cold winter days.  I hope you will stop back tomorrow to enter my giveaway.

Stay warm my friends!

Tonight I am joining ...

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique

Lovin' Chalk Paint

 

Hi everyone,

Today I have a little paint project to share with you.  We all know how wonderful Annie Sloan's chalk paint is so I decided to paint this cherub candle holder.  Although, I adore the style of this holder I wasn't too crazy about the gold distressing.  I wanted something a little more subtle.

It started like this ...

I applied one coat of Old White and then was able to reapply a second coat in about an hour.  Here is what it looked like after two coats.

Using a soft rag I sparingly applied dark wax for a more weathered look.  Voila ... I was finished!  I love the way it turned out.

Soft and dreamy ...

I added a garland of cottage roses.

Which do you prefer the before or after?  Don't worry you won't hurt my feelings ...lol.  Thanks for stopping by to see what I have been up to.

Don't forget you can follow Donna's Designs on Facebook.    

Today I am joining ...

Make It Pretty @ The Dedicated House

Twirl and Take A Bow Tuesday @ All Things Heart & Home
Cottage Style Party @ Lavender Garden Cottage 

Before and After Wednesday @ The Dedicated House

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a daily cup from Mrs. Olson

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Mount Shasta

I have a friend at work who loves to give everyone weather updates.  It doesn't matter if it is snowing, raining or 90 degrees out.  I don't even need a weather app since I know I will get the latest updates ... lol.  So when his birthday came around I wanted to create a card with a mountain scene.  I'm calling this one Mount Shasta.

On a piece of Kromekote glossy paper I stamped the mountains in StazOn Dove Gray.  I did a little masking with a Post-it note around the base of the mountains knowing that I was going to stamp trees in the foreground.  The trees were stamped in StazOn Olive Green.

Next, I stamped some faint clouds using Bashful Blue ink then colored in the mountains slightly with ColorBox Whisper Grey and Going Gray.  The background forest was colored in Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy and Night of Navy.  I wanted to give the perspective that you are up high looking down upon the forest.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Night of Navy and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Some matching trees were stamped in the corner.

A big happy birthday to my friend.  He also received a gift card tucked inside this creation  :-)

Stamps:  Stampscapes Fog, Cliffs & Waves, Pine Row, Pine Tree, Tree Duo Large, Cloud Cumulus, PSX Happy Birthday
Paper:  Smoky Slate, Kromekote Glossy White, Bashful Blue
Ink:  Mountains - StazOn Dove Gray sponged with ColorBox Whisper Grey & Going Gray; Trees - StazOn Olive Green; Foreground - Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy; Sentiment - Night of Navy with Clear EP
Accessories:  Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Nine #5, Post-it Note
Technique:  Embossing, Sponging, Masking
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

A Candle Burning Bright

On this winter's night a candle is lit,

sparkling and shimmery the candle glows,

its beauty reflects through the windows of my soul.

Let it reflect in the hearts of many

  

and awaken our senses,

to live in the light ...

to be the light ...

forever burning bright.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me.

Today I am joining ...

Inspire Me Monday @ Create With Joy

Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage