Grow Your Blog & Giveaway

Hi blogging friends,

Today I am joining the 3rd annual 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 or stop back after the party.  Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I create handmade cards with rubber stamps and digital images.  It is a hobby I picked up seven years ago.

These are just a few of my favorites ...

My craft room began as a bedroom and has since evolved into my crafting studio/office.  It is not a large space, but I have tried to make the most of it so that everything is within reach and accessible when my 'mojo' is flowing.  I do my best to explain how I create my cards and always include a supply list for your reference.

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

On my blog I also 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, pond or the fountain, I'm sure you will find something you like.

From time to time I will share some of my vintage china.  I have been collecting pieces for many years.  Tea time is usually on Tuesday.

My husband and I have a love for Ocicats and currently we are blessed with a chocolate-silver named Cheops.  He will pop in occasionally to say 'hello'.

For this special party I am giving away a sterling silver heart locket.  Isn't this just sweet and perfect for Valentine's Day?

All you need to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment on this post by midnight on Saturday, February 14, 2015.

I will pick the lucky winner on Sunday, February 15th using random.org.  Everyone is welcome to enter, including International bloggers.

Thank you Vicki for hosting this lovely party.  Please stop over to 2 Bags Full to visit the other participants.  I do hope you will consider becoming a follower of Donna's Designs so you don't miss a thing!  You can also follow me on Facebook.

Now, let's party!

Snowflake Flip It

On this blustery cold day I have a snowflake flip it card to share with you.  I'm just loving the beautiful Stampin' Up! thinlits die!

I started with a piece of 5 7/16" x 10" Brushed Silver paper and went under the knives on one side of the die to create a flip on the front of the card.  This allows me to have a bigger card and more space on the inside for a greeting.

The snowflake was decorated with Surf glitter paper, Soft Sky and Brushed Silver.  A rhinestone accents the center.  Silver glitter snowflakes fall down the left side of the card.  On the right side, I adhered snowflake paper to Soft Sky then wrapped a piece of organdy ribbon around them with a triple loop bow.  

The inside greeting was stamped in Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I also stamped a silver snowflake.  It was a little too difficult to flip the card open and try to take a picture holding the camera - sorry about that  :-(

Have you been keeping warm these last couple of days?  Our thermometer currently reads -9 degrees ... brrr!!!  Hey, after living on top of a mountain in Vermont a little cold won't hurt this gal.

Have a super day!  Thank you for stopping by.

Stamps:  SU Serene Snowflakes, Northwoods Vintage The Chill of Winter (Inside)  
Paper:  Brushed Silver, Soft Sky, DCWV The Winter Matstack Designer Paper, Recollections Surf Glitter Paper, Shimmery White
Ink:  Marina Mist with Clear EP; Snowflake - VersaMark with Silver EP
Accessories:  SU Snowflake Card Thinlits Die, Ribbon Trends 1/4" White Organdy Ribbon, Recollections Silver Glitter Snowflakes, Kaiser Silver Rhinestone, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, 1" Circle Punch, Creative Memories Corner Rounder, Bow-Easy
Technique:  Flip It Card
Card Size:  4 1/8" x 5 3/8"  

Shutterfly Calendar for 2015

Hi everyone,

In late December I decided to make my own 2015 calendar to use in my craft studio.  The fact that I had a coupon from Shutterfly for a free 8" x 11" photo wall calendar sealed the deal!

The calendar was so easy to put together and it only took me like 15 minutes.  I chose an array of pictures - some from the garden and others from places we traveled.

When it arrived I was so impressed by the print quality.  The paper is heavy weight and the spiral-bound binding is very sturdy.  To check out Shutterfly's calendar section, click here.

I've created Shutterfly photo books in the past.  You can see that post here.

So for just $5.99 (the price of shipping) I was very happy with the finished product.  I most definitely will be creating another calendar for next year.

Thank you for stopping to visit me!

Toasting the New Year!

Hi blogging friends,

New Year's marks a new beginning.  New people to meet, new adventures to enjoy and new memories to create.  I hope the first few days of 2015 have brought you much happiness.

Today I'm sharing my New Year's cards.  I started with a black onyx metallic card and layered it with Spellbinders Captivating Squares cut from Brushed Gold paper.  The digital image is from PaperElement (I totally love it!) and was cut using a large classic square die.  I scattered a few mini gold star brads before taping it down.

A Happy New Year tag was created from a JustRite custom tag die.  The Shimmery White paper was sponged with Brilliance Galaxy Gold to coordinate.  A black eyelet was attached and the tag hangs from a piece of gold cording.  A bow was made from 5/8" sheer gold metallic ribbon.  I added a little bit of shimmer to the champagne with a clear Spica pen.

Something a little different this year.  Do you send out New Year's cards?  I'm off to pull out my Valentine's Day stamps so I can get a jump on things.

Wishing you a magical year!

Stamps:  Happy New Year (computer generated)
Paper:  Onyx Metallic, Brushed Gold, PaperElement Happy New Year Digital, Shimmery White
Ink:  Sponging - Brilliance Galaxy Gold
Accessories:  Target 5/8" Sheer Gold Metallic Ribbon, Recollections Mini Star Brads, SU Basic Eyelet in Black, JustRite Custom Tag Die, Spellbinders Captivating Squares #4, Large Classic Squares #6, SU Gold Cording, Clear Spica Pen
Techniques:  Sponging
Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4"