Evergreen Woodland

Hello friends,

It has been such a long time since I've posted on my blog!  If you follow Donna's Designs, I do post from time to time on Facebook and Instagram.  Today I have an evergreen themed card I created layering digital images.  Although I love stamping sometimes I can achieve a much better result with digital imaging.  

This card truly represents how I decorate my home for Christmas.  You will find snowy trees, reindeer, silver decorations and evergreens.  I like to keep the decorations out until mid-January since winter is still upon us.

A peek at the inside shows a snow covered deer among evergreen trees.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and memorable Christmas!  Pippin received a few new toys that he just adores.

Stamps:  Digital Images by Isabelle Salem
Paper:  Fresh Air, Bordering Blue, Shimmery White  
Ink:  Bordering Blue
Accessories:  1/4" Organdy White Ribbon, Spellbinders Small Petite Ovals #2, Large Petite Ovals #2  
Technique:  Sponging, Spritzing
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")  

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")

Oh Deer!

Hello everyone,

The new year is already upon us and I hope yours is off to a great start!  Everything here is still covered in a blanket of pretty snow, which inspired my creation.

When I first saw the Stampin' Up In the Meadow set I knew I had to have it.  There are so many scenes you can create using these stamps.

The deer and branches were all stamped in StazOn Saddle Brown onto Shimmery White paper.  I then colored the deer with Prismacolor pencils and sponged the sky in Bashful Blue.

I used a VersaMarker pen so I could precisely dab the branches where I wanted the glitter to stick as well as around the grass and ground.  Next, I sprinkled heat & stick powder and used a heat gun until it turned clear then finished with dazzling diamonds.  I wish you could see it better in the photos.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with family and friends.

And now we welcome the new year.  Full of things that have never been.

~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~

Stamps:  SU In the Meadow
Paper:  Natural Linen White, Bordering Blue, Shimmery White
Ink:  StazOn Saddle Brown, Bashful Blue, Prismacolor Pencils
Accessories:  Spellbinders Labels Eight #5, Gamsol
Technique:  Sponging
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5") 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Let the excitement begin! I can't believe it is Christmas Eve already.  Before I get started on making hors d'oeuvres and preparing the prime rib, I have another card to share with you.  

On a piece of Kromekote glossy paper I stamped the images in StazOn Black.  I created a mask for the moon by cutting a piece of paper with a small classic circle die.  The background was sponged in Adirondack Cloudy Blue, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Adirondack Denim.  After letting it dry and keeping the mask on I spritzed the paper with Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist.  The corners were rounded and the image was mounted to a piece of Night of Navy.  White organdy ribbon was wrapped around the layers with a triple loop bow and silver glittered star brad.

Peace was cut from Marina Mist paper using the Spellbinders peace sentiment.  It was glued to the front of the card to finish it off.

The inside of the card is a combination of Scalloped Labels One & Labels One.  The sentiment was stamped in Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The branches were done in StazOn Black.   

I'm off to prepare some things in the kitchen.  Michael went to work this morning so it's just Cheops and I.  I'll be back a little later to visit you.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!

Stamps:  SU Wandering Words, A Wish for Peace, Stampscapes Crooked Limb (097E)
Paper:  Solar White Linen, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Kromekote Glossy White, Whisper White
Ink:  Images - StazOn Black; Sponging - Adirondack Cloudy Blue, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Adirondack Denim
Accessories:  1/2" White Organdy Ribbon, Recollections Silver Glittered Star Brad, Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist, Creative Memories Corner Rounder, Spellbinders Peace Sentiment, Small Classic Circle #6, Scalloped Labels One, Labels One #6, Bow-Easy 
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4" 

A Christmas Lantern

Good evening friends,

These past few days have been so hectic!  It is my busiest time at work and will continue like that until after the first of the year.  My card for you today uses a pretty digi by Fred, She Said. 

The Christmas Poinsettia Lantern was printed and cut using a Spellbinders Gold Labels Four #3 die.  Crystal Effects was added to the flame and the flowers were accented with a clear Spica pen - neither show up in the photos  :-( 

The focal image was mounted to a piece of Soft Sky, which was also cut from a Gold Labels Four die.  Everything was popped up onto a piece of Gilded Christmas paper by Miki.  You can see the collection at Studio Girls Scrapbookgraphics.

Two circles were cut using the small and large classic circles dies and the greeting was stamped in StazOn Black.  A triple loop bow was made from 1/2" Soft Sky seam binding with a cream flat back pearl in the center.

Here is a look at the inside.  I used a sentiment from the Christmas Blessing set by Our Daily Bread Designs.  A poinsettia flower was adhered to the corner. 

I don't know about you, but there were so many Christmas cards I wanted to make this year. Unfortunately, I didn't start early enough.  I plan to finish the projects I already started and put them aside for next year.

Last night I noticed Cheops' eye infection has come back so we are giving him drops again twice a day for seven days.  I'm praying this time it will clear up for good.

Blessings ...

Stamps:  Christmas Lantern by Fred She Said, Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Blessing, SU To You & Yours
Paper:  Solar White Linen, Soft Sky, Gilded Christmas Designer Paper by Miki, Whisper White
Ink:  StazOn Black
Accessories:  1/2" Soft Sky Seam Binding, Wild Orchid Crafts Cream Flower Flat Back Pearl, Crystal Effects, Clear Spica Pen, Spellbinders Gold Labels Four #3 & #4, Small Classic Circles #2 & Large Classic Circles #2, Bow-Easy 
Techniques:  Digi
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Christmas Lodge

I was feeling a little nostalgic when I created this card and wanted to make something vintage.  Boy, I wish I was inside this lodge right now, sipping some hot chocolate and watching the snow fall.

The background paper is by The Paper Studio and was mounted to a natural linen white card.  I then embossed a piece of Very Vanilla paper with the Northern Flurry embossing folder by Stampin' Up!

The focal image is a combination of Spellbinders Small Classic Ovals and Lacey Ovals.  Christmas Lodge was stamped in Soft Suede and embossed with clear embossing powder.  To create the snow I used several products.  Basically, a trial and error effect and it wasn't supposed to turn out pink!  It was then mounted to a Lacey Oval cut from a piece of Very Vanilla paper.  1/8" ivory satin ribbon was weaved through the loops.

Merry Christmas was stamped in Soft Suede onto a Papertrey Ink banner and the edges were sponged.  A few glitter snowflakes finish the front of the card.

I used the coordinating sentiment and branches in the set to decorate the inside.  Now, this is something I rarely do as I tend to mix and match everything.

I found myself making quite a few square cards this Christmas and really like them.  Don't be surprised if you see a few more soon  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  It's time for me to make Chicken Parmigiana for dinner.

Stamps:  SU Christmas Lodge
Paper:  Natural Linen White, The Paper Studio Gold Wedding Texture, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Soft Suede with Clear EP; Sponging - Soft Suede
Accessories:  1/8" Ivory Satin Ribbon, Recollections Snowflakes, Liquid Pearls White Opal, DecoArt Glistening Snow Writer, SU Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Papertrey Ink Banner Die, Spellbinders Classic Ovals #4 and Lacey Ovals #4
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Peaceful Wishes for You

Good morning friends,

As I listen to Christmas music, I thought I would share a card I created for my dear friend Rita.  I have always adored the SU Peaceful Wishes set - an oldie, but a goodie!

The base card is natural linen white mounted with a piece of Lost Lagoon.  Next, a piece of Very Vanilla paper was embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I wish I knew the name of the folder; however, it became separated from the packaging so it's a mystery.

The branches were stamped in Distress Iced Spruce onto a piece of Very Vanilla paper, cut from a Spellbinders Labels Nine #6 die.  They were accented with a mint colored Spica pen.  A pinecone was stamped in Chocolate Chip and embossed with clear embossing powder with a heat gun.  Peace was stamped in Marina Mist and also embossed.  You should know by now I practically emboss everything ... LOL!  I found some antique ivory and gold ribbon in my stash - perfect for the bow!

The inside greeting by Stampabilities was stamped in Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder.

An elegant card for a special lady!  I wanted to go with a softer color palette.

Well, the countdown begins - the last shopping weekend before Christmas.  Have you finished?  Are you ready for the big day?  Michael and I are off to do some grocery shopping and stop at the butcher.

Stamps:  SU Peaceful Wishes, Four the Holidays, Stampabilities Joy, Love & Peace (G1111)

Paper:  Natural Linen White, Lost Lagoon, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Branches - Distress Iced Spruce; Pinecone - Chocolate Chip with Clear EP; Sentiments - Marina Mist with Clear EP

Accessories:  Antique Gold & Ivory Ribbon, Spica Pen in Mint, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Labels Nine #6

Technique:  Embossing

Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4"  

Christmas Sparkles

 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!  I hope this day is magical for each and every one of you.  Last night after fixing horsd'oeuvre platters I created this snowflake card.  

The shimmery blue background paper was embossed with a Cuttlebug Flurries embossing folder.  I then spritzed it with Tsukineko Sheer Frost Shimmer.  A piece of Fresh Air paper was cut using the Memory Box Essex Label die.  The matching Christmas Sparkles stamp was done in Ballet Blue.  Organdy white ribbon was wrapped around before adhering it to the base card.

 

I punched two snowflakes from opal pearl shimmer paper using a Marvy snowflake punch.  Both were popped up and then I glued a frosted finishes snowflake to the center.  Kaiser silver rhinestones were added to the label.

The inside sentiment was stamped in Ballet Blue and embossed with clear embossing powder with a heat gun.  Snowflakes were stamped in VersaMark with silver embossing powder.   

May your day be filled with smiles and wonderful holiday traditions!  Blessings to you and your family. 

Stamps:  Memory Box Christmas Sparkles, SU Greetings of the Season, Serene Snowflakes

Paper:  Fresh Air, DCWV The Shimmer Matstack Blue, Coredinations Opal Pearl Shimmer
Ink:  Ballet Blue with Clear EP; VersaMark with Silver EP
Accessories:  1/4" Organdy White Ribbon, SU Frosted Finishes Snowflake, Kaiser Silver Rhinestones, Tsukineko Sheer Frost Shimmer Spritz, Cuttlebug Flurries Embossing Folder, Memory Box Essex Label Die, Marvy Snowflake Punch, Spellbinders Labels Seventeen #5 die
Techniques:  Embossing
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Believe Poinsettia

 

Hi everyone,

Did you have a nice weekend?  Mine was rather exciting as I picked up my new SUV on Saturday.  I ordered it in October and it finally arrived.  So many new buttons to play with!   

Yesterday I couldn't resist pulling out my Memory Box Believe Poinsettia stamp.  I don't think I even used it last year - poor neglected stamp  :-(

I stamped the image in StazOn Timber Brown on a piece of Shimmery White paper cut from a Labels Eight #5 die.  I stamped it again on Shimmery White and cut out the poinsettia.  Everything was colored with Prismacolor Pencils with Gamsol.  The flower was popped up for dimension.  A few light rose Swarovski crystals sparkle in the center.

The focal image was mounted to a Decorative Labels Eight cut from Pretty in Pink paper.  The matting is parchment sand paper. 

 

The inside sentiment was stamped in StazOn Timber Brown.  Scrolls were stamped in VersaMark Dazzle on the pink paper.

I hope you are enjoying all that the holiday season has to offer.  I enjoy crafting this time of year.  We are supposed to be very cold this week so hot cocoa is on the agenda.

Stamps:   Memory Box Believe Poinsettia Collage, Stampabilities Joy, Love & Peace, Stampington & Company Wrought Scroll

Paper:  Natural Linen, Pretty in Pink, Parchment Sand, Shimmery White

Ink:  Image - StazOn Timber Brown colored with Prismacolor Pencils; Scrolls - VersaMark Dazzle

Accessories:  Jolee's Jewels Light Rose Swarovski Crystals, Spellbinders Decorative Labels Eight #4, Labels Eight #5, Gamsol

Technique:  Embossing

Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Santa Tags

Have you been naughty or nice this year?  I have a little something to show you today from old St. Nick himself!  These digital Christmas tags are from Vectoria Designs.  She has a wonderful shop on Etsy.   
 

To make them a bit more magical I added Stickles platinum glitter around the edges.  Jumbo eyelets in antique brass were added to the tags with winter white seam binding.  Each corner was adorned with a Hero Arts felt poinsettia.

  Wouldn't these make a perfect finishing touch for your gifts this Christmas?  I plan to make several sets and wrap each tin in Cherry Cobbler seam binding with a bow. 

 

Thanks for stopping by to visit.