Wednesday, December 26, 2018

A Christmas Nuthatch

Hi friends,

I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!  Our little Pippin had a stocking filled with toys.  He couldn't decide which one to play with first.

Today I'm sharing one of the Christmas cards I created.  It's always challenging creating with a curious kitty around - he does slow me down some  :-)

I've used a digital image by Fred She Said with some non-traditional colors.  


The background was created using a Stampin' Up Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The focal image is a combination of Spellbinders Classic Circles.  


I stamped the inside sentiment with StazOn Black using the Memory Box Wonderful Time stamp.


I have so much to be grateful for this past year, especially for those who come to visit me.

Wishing you a Happy New Year with the hope you will have many blessings in the year to come.








Stamps:  Fred She Said Nuthatch, Memory Box Wonderful Time  
Paper:  Kraft, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White
Ink:  StazOn Black
Accessories:  Kraft 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Kaiser Clear Rhinestones, Spellbinders Victorian Tags, Spellbinders Small Classic Circles #5, Large Classic Circles #5, Small Classic Circles #6, SU Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 
Technique:  Digital Image
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Monday, December 24, 2018

DIY Glitter Monogram Ornaments

Hello there,

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve!  Are you all ready for tomorrow?  A couple of weeks ago I was in Pottery Barn and I saw these glitter monogram ornaments.  They caught my eye, but I wasn't impressed with the quality of them as they were made out of cardboard.  I thought it would be easy to recreate these at home.

Pottery Barn Silver Ornament
A few days later, I swung by Michaels Crafts and picked up 3 wood letters for 99 cents each.  I used some Champagne Metallic Paint, Mod Podge, and Fairy Dust Glitter to create monogram letters for our Christmas stockings.


I started by drilling a whole in the corner of each letter then sanded the wood lightly to remove any rough spots.

Next, I painted each letter with a coat of Champagne Metallic Paint.  Don't worry if it doesn't come out perfect as the glitter will hide any imperfections.



After waiting about 30 minutes or so I painted each letter with a thin coat of Matte Mod Podge and then sprinkled ... sprinkled ... and sprinkled glitter all over them.  Tap off the excess glitter and let them sit for a few minutes to dry.

Because I didn't want the glitter to rub off onto everything I sprayed an even coat of sealant over the top of each one.  To hang each letter from our stocking I used Baker's Twine and tied a knot around the loop.

Pippin's Stocking
Can you see the glitter?


Donna's Stocking
Michael's Stocking
What a super easy project, which allowed me to create letters to match our Christmas stockings and they are better than Pottery Barn!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house,
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Randi's Song for Autumn

When it comes to autumn my go to stamp set is Randi's Song by Our Daily Bread Designs.  I've mixed up colors and have created numerous cards with this pretty set.


I stamped the Ecclesiastes 3:1 in StazOn Timber Brown on a piece of Shimmery White paper, which was cut from a Spellbinders Small Long Rectangle die.  I then sponged the paper with Barely Banana, So Saffron, Summer Sun and Really Rust.  This piece was layered onto a piece of Early Espresso.


The leaf image was stamped on Shimmery White paper using a Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves ink pad then I sponged the leaf with Barely Banana, So Saffron and Summer Sun.  A corner rounder was used on the edges.  I adhered this to a piece of Crushed Curry cut from a Small Classic Square #5 die, which I also rounded the corners.  Everything was layered onto a piece of Early Espresso using an Eyelet Square #3 die.  I weaved a piece of naturals hemp cord through the eyelets.  The card base is Crushed Curry with Early Espresso.  Next, I ran a piece of Really Rust through the Big Shot using a Cuttlebug Victoria Embossing Folder.


The inside sentiment by Impression Obsession was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown and embossed with clear embossing powder with a heat gun.  The tree cluster was stamped using the first two colors of the Kaleidacolor ink pad.


I've missed blogging with all of you.  I hadn't planned on taking a break - it just happened.  I appreciate everyone who still comes by to visit me and leave a comment.  If you are on Facebook you can follow Donna's Designs there too.

Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!








Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Randi's Song, Infinite Beauty by Impression Obsession, Stampscapes Tree Cluster Small (266D)
Paper:  Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Really Rust, Shimmery White 
Ink:  Ecclesiates 3:1 - StazOn Timber Brown (sponged with Barely Banana, So Saffron, Summer Sun & Really Rust); Maple Leaf - Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves (sponged with Barely Banana, So Saffron & Summer Sun); Inside Sentiment - StazOn Timber Brown with Clear EP; Tree Cluster - First two colors of Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves  
Accessories:  Naturals 48 lb. Hemp Cord, Corner Rounder, Nesties Large Long Rectangles #4, Small Long Rectangles #4, Small Classic Squares #5, Eyelet Squares #3, Cuttlebug Victoria Embossing Folder
Technique:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Friday, November 16, 2018

Mini Muslin Gift Bag Holder

Hello Crafters,

Today I have a super easy project to share with you.  I've had these Stampin' Up Mini Muslin Bags forever and finally decided to use one for a gift card holder.  Tell me why did I wait so long?


For You was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown on a Spellbinders Gold Labels Four Die.  A little Brilliance Pearlescent Beige was added to the edges.  I then popped it up on a Labels Four Small Die cut from Close to Cocoa Paper.  The tag was hung from Baker's Twine.


I created a bow using Winter White seam binding and added the kraft paper leaf dipped in wax.  These I had purchased several years ago on Etsy.  


I think I'm addicted to these bags now!  My mind is swirling with ideas.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend as we start to think about the Thanksgiving Holiday.








Stamps:  JustRite Shoes Vintage Labels Six
Paper:  Close to Cocoa, Shimmery White
Ink:  StazOn Timber Brown, Brilliance Pearlescent Beige
Accessories:  SU Mini Muslin Bags, Winter White Seam Binding, Baker's Twine, Gold Labels Four #1, Labels Four Small #4, Hole Punch
Technique:  Sponging
Bag Size:  4" x 5 1/2"

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

A Dusting ...


Our first dusting of snow arrived last night ...


It feels as though autumn came and went so quickly.


It was a late start and now the leaves are crisp and speckled with snow.


The gardens last hurrah.


A new season is beginning.  The thermometer is at 26.8 degrees.


The pond has a thin glaze, but the Koi do not mind.


It's official, hot cocoa season has arrived.

Thank you for stopping to visit.

Stay warm!

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Share the Message 2018 Winner

Hi everyone,

It's time to pick our Share the Message blog candy winner.  I would like to thank Karin and Jeanne for entering.  The # selected using random.org was 2 - Jeanne at Reba Li Creates.


Congratulations Jeanne!  Please email me your address using the link on my right sidebar and I will get these pretty pink items in the mail to you next week.  Thank you for your support ladies.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Autumn Prayer Candle

Hello and thanks for stopping by!  I have something a little different to share with you.  The other day I created an autumn prayer candle using the Stampin' Up Vintage Leaves Set with matching Framelits Dies.  

I started with adhering a vintage tea dyed doily to the glass candle.  The leaves were stamped in Close to Cocoa, sponged with various inks and cut out using the matching dies.  I did spritz them using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold.  The tips were glued together then I used a small hole punch so I could string a piece of linen thread through them and wrap the thread around the glass.



To finish the project, a piece of ivory seam binding was wrapped around the jar with a triple loop bow.  The center was accented with an antique brad.


These candles would make great centerpieces on your table or sitting on a shelf.  I've started creating other designs for the holidays.

Stamping has been quite challenging with Pippin.  Just this morning he took off running with one of my sponges ... LOL!


I'm sending prayers to all of those dealing with Hurricane Michael.  Stay safe and see you soon!








Stamps:  SU Vintage Leaves
Paper:  Shimmery White
Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Distress Wild Honey, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, YoYo Yellow
Accessories:  Ivory Crinkled Seam Binding, 4" Vintage French Lace Doily, Tattered Angels Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist, SU Linen Thread, SU Leaflets Framelits Dies, Bow-Easy, Glass Prayer Candle
Technique:  Sponging  

Monday, October 1, 2018

Share the Message 2018 Giveaway ...

Hi everyone,

I've been gone for way too long.  Life has been so busy and Pippin is now over a year old!  I thought it was important that I post about 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'.  Breast cancer, and other types of cancers, have touched so many of our lives in one way or another.  Let us spread the word about early detection and mammography.


To help promote breast cancer awareness month, I will be giving away a Be You Notebook & Pen, Pink Ribbon Heart Key Tag and Notepad with Magnetic Closure.


All you need to do to enter the drawing is be a follower of my blog, like Donna's Designs on Facebook and leave a comment on this post by Saturday, October 13, 2018.

I will select a winner on Sunday, October 14, 2018 using random.org and will give the winner 48 hours to contact me via email.

Please spread the word to your family and friends about October being 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month' and the importance of being screened.  If you know someone dealing with the disease, I encourage you to reach out to them - your support would mean everything.  This is a cause I am passionate about and I'm proud to display my pink ribbon this month.

Good luck and thank you for joining this cause.

Faith . Love . Hope . Believe

Friday, May 25, 2018

Welcome Spring Blooms

Hello friends,

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted.  Time has been flying by and Pippin is growing up fast.  The gardens are looking great!  Would you like to see what has been blooming over the past month or so?  Please come along and stroll with me.

Purple tulips looked so stately this year.


Magnolia blooms in pretty hues of pink.  They remind me of tissue paper flowers.


Pear tree covered in white blossoms.


The violets have taken over.  Carefree and spreading their wings ...


Brunnera 'Jack Frost' with beautiful forget-me-not like flowers and frosty heart shaped leaves.  A spring favorite of mine.


I have five different varities of lilacs now.  The old fashioned variety has started to fade.


Cleome by the fountain.


Pulmonaria so bright and cheery.


The ever so dainty bleeding hearts.


Iris 'Cristata' blooming in front of the pond.


I just love this time of year.  All the blooms make me smile.  I will be back to share some photos of Pippin with you.

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



Wishing you a happy and safe Memorial Day!
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