Poetry in Kindness

I hope you are having a fantastic weekend.  This creation was made for a friend who loves purple.  She has been very kind to me and I wanted to surprise her with a gift and a card.

I started with a solar white linen card then layered a piece of purple damask paper from Baer Design.  Using the Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles #4 die I cut and embossed a piece of purple paper for the next layer.  I then stamped the rose images from Elements of Style in VersaMark Dazzle just to give the paper a little sparkle.  For the next layer, I used the Romantic Rectangles #3 die (also stamped the rose image in VersaMark Dazzle) and layered a piece of plum paper behind it, which was distressed.  I cut a piece of coordinating purple damask paper using the Spellbinders Labels Twenty die.  The sentiment by JustRite was stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder onto a Small Standard Circles.  The edges were sponged with Pale Plum ink.

A tiny butterfly was cut using the SU Beautiful Wings Embosslits die and then I covered it with Angel Wings Shimmerz Paint.  The final step was to add the the roses and tie a pretty bow from seam binding.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.  In the lower right hand corner, I stamped some roses in Pale Plum and accented them with Star Dust Stickles.

Since I had planned to put this card inside a clear box I wasn't concerned about having too much dimension.

Are you working on anything crafty today?  It has been raining the past two days so I don't feel guilty about playing with my paper.

Stamps:  JustRite Kindness, SU Elements of Style, Inkadinkado Sentiment

Paper:  Solar White Linen, Recollections Purple Passion, Baer Design Digital Purple Damask, Shimmery White

Ink:  Adirondack Purple Twilight with Clear EP, Pale Plum; Roses - VersaMark Dazzle; Sponging - Pale Plum

Accessories:  Bluebird Lane Seam Binding, Kaisercraft Misty Roses, Star Dust Stickles, Angel Wings Shimmerz Paint, Lilac Spica Pen, Spellbinders Romantic Rectangles Dies, Labels Twenty Die, Small & Large Standard Circles Dies, SU Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Edge Distresser, Bow-Easy

Technique:  Embossing, Sponging

Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Pretty Lace Holders

Hi everyone,

So when I'm not blogging there are so many other things occupying my time from photographing pretty things to creating new cards.  Lately, I have been printing graphics to turn into holders to organize my lace yardage and twine.

I started with thick pieces of kraft chipboard ...

covered each one with pretty floral paper ...

and began wrapping ...

These holders have about 10 yards of vintage distressed lace on them.

I've been a busy little bee organizing.  It is so much easier working with lace when you can unwrap the size piece you need without digging through a huge pile.  I also had no idea how much I had accumulated until I started gathering it all.

I think they look too pretty to hide away in a drawer.  Don't you think?  I've decided to keep them in this bucket painted with roses.  I love having my trims nice and organized so I can use them in my projects.

Have you been doing any organizing lately?

Today I am joining ...

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

Blissful Whites Wednesday @ Timewashed

Before & After Wednesday @ The Dedicated House

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show Off Friday @ What About

Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique

Easter Tree

Hi there sweet friends,

Happy Easter!  I hope today finds you blessed in the company of family and friends.  Cheops will be our sleuth this year looking for those special 'treats'.  Are your baskets opened yet?

I have an Easter card to share with you.  I used the Easter Tree stamp by Serendipity Stamps.  It has been in my stash since last year.  The image was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on a Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Nine #5 die and colored with Prismacolor pencils.  I added a little sparkle to the blossoms with a clear Spica pen.  Crystal Effects was added to the bow for some dimension.

The focal image was then layered onto a piece of Soft Sky paper also cut from a Labels Twenty-Nine die.  The corners were accented with pearls.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Lavender Lace and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I thought the tree and saying went well together even though they are by different manufacturers.  Everything was mounted to a spring green card.  Pretty pastels to celebrate the occasion!

I was tempted to add some ribbon and doodads to the front, but held back and decided to keep things simple.

Blessings to you on this glorious Easter.  

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Easter Tree, Northwoods Rubber Stamps Script Wishing You An Easter
Paper:  Spring Green, Soft Sky, Shimmery White
Ink:  Image - StazOn Timber Brown with Prismacolor Pencils; Sentiment - Lavender Lace with Clear EP
Accessories:  Kaiser Pearls in Bliss, Clear Spica Pen, Crystal Effects, Creative Memories Corner Rounder, Spellbinders Labels Twenty Nine Dies, Gamsol
Technique:  Embossing
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Easter Colors

Hi blogging friends,

I have slowly been adding some fresh spring decorations around the house.

The next couple of days will be chilly, but it makes me enjoy the spring colors even more.

Keeping things simple and sweet ...

The name of the hyacinth is derived from Greek language where it means 'flower of rain'.  It is also mentioned as the 'sorrow flower' and 'In memory of Hyacinthus' (who is a divine hero from the Greek mythology), symbolizing dying and the resurrecting beauty of Nature. 

Easter wouldn't be complete without some bunnies and treats!

Which do you prefer strawberry cheesecake, bubblegum or cotton candy?

or a little chocolate ...

I hope your Easter is filled with sweetness!  Blessings to you  :-)

First Blooms ...

How exciting it was the other day to see the crocus blooms open.

After all the snow and frigid temperatures we had this winter it was a pure joy.

What better way to enjoy them than with a cup of tea!

Today I am sipping chamomile - a light flora smell with a subtle hint of apples.

Royal Albert Prairie Crocus is perfect for a spring day.

This particular teacup is part of a special collection.

A little texturizing using the 'Tableaux' by French Kiss.

Just a whisper of what's to come ...

Thanks for spending some time with me.  I always enjoy  your company  :-)

Today I am joining ...

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Tea Time Tuesday @ Rose Chintz Cottage

Friends Sharing Tea @ Bernideen's Tea Time

Wow Us Wednesay @ Savvy Southern Style

Accidentally Wonderful Wednesday @ Accidentally Wonderful
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delighsome Life

Creating Vintage Charm!

I'm so excited to share this news with everyone!  The March issue of the gorgeous Creating Vintage Charm Magazine is now available and I have been featured inside.  This magazine is filled with beautiful photography, articles, DIY projects and gorgeous creations (like my 3 handmade card tutorials).

Below is a photo of the cover along with a sneak peek of what is inside.

The card in the lower right hand corner is one of my creations!

I was very fortunate to have three tutorials in the spring magazine.

Please visit Creating Vintage Charm to purchase your very own copy of the March issue.  While you are there I recommend you take a look at Sonia's blog and Facebook page.

Thank you Sonia and the team for putting together a magazine filled with beauty and for featuring Donna's Designs.  I'm eagerly awaiting my copies to arrive in the mail  :-)

Wishing everyone a wonderful and blessed weekend.  I'll be back to share the first blooms from the garden and tea with you.

Lacey Tiers for You

Hi blogging friends,

I've been working on some things behind the scenes, which hasn't left me much time to post.  I'm still here and have a card to share with you today using the JustRite Lacey Tiers dies.

The white base card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" with an embossed floral front.  I then cut two frames using the Lacey Tiers borders and staggered them.  They were glued together.  The center stack is lily paper with a piece of Whisper White left over from the Lacey Tiers border.  I added a Prima Fairytale purple rose to the center.  Pearls accent the circular motif.

Since this was for a 40th birthday, I stamped the number 40 in Pale Plum and embossed it.  The Spellbinders Labels One were stacked and popped up.  A triple loop bow was made from seam binding with a rhinestone brad in the center.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Adirondack Purple Twilight and embossed with clear embossing powder.  After the layers were stacked, I added an elegant flourish cut from Recollections Purple Passion paper.

I finally saw my first robin over the weekend.  Spring, get here soon!

Sending blessings your way.

Stamps:  SU Brushstroke Alphabet Numbers & Beautiful Birthday
Paper:  DCWV Floral Embossed, Lily, Whisper White, Recollections Purple Passion
Ink:  Numbers - Pale Plum with Clear EP; Sentiment - Adirondack Purple Twilight with Clear EP
Accessories:  Bluebird Lane Dusty Silks Seam Binding, SU Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad, SU Basic Pearls, Prima Fairytale Purple Rose, JustRite Lacey Tiers Dies, Spellbinders Labels One, Labels One Small & Scalloped Labels One Dies, Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes Die, Bow-Easy 
Technique:  Embossing
Card Size:  5 1/2" x 5 1/2"