My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Friday, June 07, 2013

Tilda is at Fashionista this month! (blog candy awarded)

Hi! Welcome to my newest followers (Dorothy, Elena, Charlotte, Barbara, Cindy, Betty, Divinity) - and I have so much to share with you all, dear blog friends.



First, thank you for your prayers and good wishes. I can sit up for brief periods of time now, and hope to craft a little and to resume visiting more blogs each day.

Fashionista DTSecond, before this "icky stuff" attacked my body, I had the good fortune of joining the incredible artists on the Fashionista Design Team! 

This is my first card for Fashionista, and also my first card ever using a Magnolia stamp! (hanging head in shame as everyone clicks their tongues in disbelief) smile...

The Challenge at Fashionista this month is titled "Terrific Tilda - Anything Goes!"

Because Florida rains have arrived early, this little Drip Drop Tilda image seemed perfect - and who wants to use an umbrella when the weather is as Gorgeous as Florida's?

 Besides, I LOVE running through the rain! (though these days it may not be called "running" haha)

Besides, it is perfect for this month's Path of Positivity Challenge which is about Strength and Courage.

The motivational quote is, "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have." by Cayla Mills

Shown in my card - After the Storm come Sunshine, Flowers and Butterflies. Those three hopeful things represent a number of Wonders which contribute to our lives each day. To me, Strength and Courage include:
  • Having the courage and strength to forge and enjoy life under any circumstances
  • Finding the Beauty in Life during those "difficult times"
  • Possessing a Loving Heart despite what appears to be happening around us
  • Doing what is right because we know it to be right
It is these things which perhaps prove our strength of character, and we need prove that only to ourselves, right?

That Special Inner Courage and Strength also guides us to constantly strive to higher "planes" than we otherwise would have explored.

Little "Drip Drop Tilda" is enjoying the rain, and egging Mr. Sun to appear so that her friends in the garden of life can enjoy themselves more fully. She is colored with Copic Markers (via very shaky hands), and mostly adorned with die cuts and layers.


The tulle was dyed with Memento Summer Sky and Danube Blue inks and woven through the Martha Stewart punch around the page.

The glitter is applied around the rhinestones where otherwise that clear adhesive would show. Instead of using clear, Electric Blue Glitter was used for a wee bit of drama.

May Blog Candy Winner

Finally, I want to award the May Blog Candy. Thank you for being so patient. Jack has pulled the winner's name out of the basket, and it is.... KAREN LADD - Congratulations, Karen! (As promised, Karen has been notified via e-mail). Karen has her choice of three Sparkle N Sprinkle Flocking Colors.


Submitted to these wonderful challenges:


  1. Path of Positivity Challenge - #3 - Strength and Courage (featured above in 4 paragraphs)
  2. You Me and Magnolia - #14 Anything Goes (unable to upload)
  3. Created With Love - #44 Anything Goes
  4. Tammy's Scrapin Corner - #65 Add Extra Texture (woven tulle, embellishments, fabric rick rack, folded sun)
  5. Inky Chicks - #5 - Use a Magnolia stamp (Drip Drop Tilda)


Products used:
  • Magnolia's "Drip Drop Tilda" (darling little rainy-day image) [if interested in this special edition image, please click here, and then enter "drip drop" in the search engine. It is currently only available for export from Europe]
  • Sparkle N Sprinkle Blue Lightning Glitter G1008
  • Spellbinders S4-117 Petite Scallop Circles
  • Spellbinders A2 Curved Borders One
  • Spellbinders Butterflies and Dragonflies shapeabilities - retired
  • Spellbinders Carnation Creations
  • Cottage Cutz Button Flower
  • Memory Box Elegant Scrollwork
  • Martha Stewart Scalloped Teardrop PAP
  • Cheery Lynn Tropical Flourish
  • Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish
  • Recollections flowers and rhinestone flourish
  • Tulle (white dyed with blue Memento), yellow rick rack
  • Papers: SU blues and yellows, DCWV old old pad blues and yellows,
  • Copics, Memento Summer Sky and Danube Blue
  • Adhesives: Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky Glue, Dimensionals

As always, the warmest of hugs to you,


47 comments:

Brenda said...

Adorable and love the colors :) Glad you're feeling a little better....

Sue said...

Hello Donna
I am pleased that you are starting to feel better, I hope you continue to do so.
Big congrats on you new and well deserved DT place.
Your card is stunning. I must admit to not owning any Tilda images! You have coloured this sweetie beautifully and your detailing looks amazing and I love how you have been inspired by the Strength and Courage Challenge.
Take care of yourself
hugs Sue xx

cotnob said...

This is a gorgeous card Donna, I love your beautiful colour combination and your embellishments are fabulous especially your folded sun.
I'm so glad you are now able to sit a little and hope you continue to improve and are able to do even more in the near future.
Take care of yourself.
Pauline
x

pam said...

first so glad you are getting a little better Donna.
your card is beautiful, must admit I do not own any tilda images myself, but love what you have created on your card
pam

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

So beautiful Donna, with all the layers & bright colour combination. I'm happy you are feeling a little better and appreciate your thought provoking words about finding inner strength and being positive. Take care special lady, Shirleyx

Shona Erlenborn said...

What a gorgeous card Donna. I needed that umbrella today too! My favorite spring colors - blue and yellow. Love the image and all the embellies - they go so well with the "wellies"!

Sue said...

Donna, first, so glad you are feeling better, enough to craft some. This little card is adorable. Love little Tilda, have a drawer full of them. Colors are so great together and those beautiful yellow flowers...just lovely. All your dies and details are so pretty. Take care of yourself, feel better.

Hugs
Sue

Chris Hanselman said...

Donna, I love your card. Love all the die cuts. Hope you are feeling better. Thanks for joining our Anything Goes challenge at Created with Love Challenges.

~~Chris

Dawn said...

Congratulations!!! Your card is adorable. What a sweet Tilda and beautiful layers and dies. Love the sun and lovely colours.

I'm so glad you are feeling well enough to post and hope you are feeling oodles better soon.

Hugs, Dawn

Barbara GR said...

Hi Donna
Hope you feel better! Your Drip Drop Tilda is just
gorgeous!
Hugs
Barbara GR

Karenladd said...

Hi Donna! This darling Tilda is just wonderful and the coloring is perfect! Hoping you start to feel better soon...and thanks so much for picking my name as a winner! Off to email you back.

Unknown said...

Big CONGRATULATIONS DARLIN' couldn't happen to a nicer person. Love this Tilda stamp and one I have been trying to purchase....need to have another try...love the colour combo and awesome flowers flourishes and oh just everything...take care and keep smiling...lotsalove, annie xxxxxxxxxxx

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

You did an awesome job as always. Love everything about this card. It has been rainy here too for awhile. Glad you are feeling a little better. And congrats on the DT.

Monica said...

Hello dear Donna,
This is such a sweet Tilda card... and I love the raindrops and the sun which reminds me of a graceful fan as well. The rhinestones look awesome as do the flowers and striped paper. And I loved reading your post about strength and courage.

You are so kind to visit me and ask after me... Amazing how giving you are inspite of all the conditions you have. It kind of makes my faith stronger... I hope you get even better.
I am so relieved that you are a shade better and are able to craft atleast.
Thank you for asking about my headaches... they are still there. I do that healing prayer and atleast that works and makes them better. The doc has asked me to wait another month and see. I do think I need to get that bone sorted.
Much love and gratitude for touching my life,
M

Monica said...

Forgot to congratulate you for your DT post... how lucky they are.
Love and healing,
M

Sharon said...

what a beautiful card Donna! I love your copic coloring, and glad you could find to sit long enough to stamp... hope you continue to have good days! Hugs,
Sharon

April said...

Whoo-hoo! How cute! I love the colors
and all the frills!

Stampsnob. said...

I love those little girls Your card is wonderful so much detail .........Congrats on the design team ........Lis

Maris said...

lovely card, thanks for joining in at YMAM(i put your link into it)

KarinsArtScrap said...

Donna you have made a gorgeous card and a beautiful design.

greetings karin

Unknown said...

How Adorable, I love this Design
We are so pleased you came over to enter our challenge. 



Thanks for visiting and entering this week's challenge.
we hope to see you back next week.

Hugs Tammy Ortiz - Owner of Tammy Scrappin Corner

brenda said...

Hello Donna,

Apologies for not popping by for a week or so, had a bad spell so just catching up again.

Sorry to read you previous post, having a compromised immune system I totally understand all what you say. I think when we have these conditions we always expect rather more from our bodies than we should, but that's just human nature and probably proves our willpower is strong.

I have been more than a little frustrated this week with another of the silly dizzy sessions when all the world is on the move.

I know I should really rest up and let it pass, but I am always trying to make a point to my body that it won't get the better of me. And I think you are much the same by the sounds of it.

But you have certainly not lost your eye for detail in a beautiful card, stunning vibrant colours and so much attention to detail.

Please do take care, I know what you man about missing blogging but at times we just have to sit back and wait for the episode to pass.

End of essay.............

B x

Blossom Cards said...

I love your card and image thanks for sharing with CWLC this week
happy crafting to you Rachel DT http://blossomcards.blogspot.co.uk/

Verna Angerhofer said...

What a stunning work of art. I adore the coloring and elements you added to make a fantastic creation. Tilda is such a cutie and like you, never did color Tilda as I don't own her in any form. She certainly is adorable!

Gloria Shirr (purpleglo) said...

Gorgeous Donna!! I love all the wonderful flowers, the image and the layers. It is fabulous! I love that kitten with the headset on for "I love My Music". Would you share where you found it? It is so cute!!



Thank you for sharing your wonderful creation with us at Tammy's Scrapin Corner!! I am your newest follower and would love to have you follow my blog also. Have a fabulous day!! Hugs, Gloria

http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com

Path of Positivity said...

When I read your post from June 1st, I was brought to a time several years ago when I became disabled. At the time I couldn't sit at all without extreme pain, and was only able to stand for a few moments at a time. The only position where I could any relief at all was laying down. Unfortunately, even 11 years later sitting and standing are still uncomfortable but I've managed to build up a tolerance that at least allows me to sit for longer periods of time again. However, it took me almost eight years to get to this point and any day it could revert back again. This is of course in addition to a number of other medical conditions that I live with.

It took me a very long time to realize that my life was no longer going to go in the direction I had mapped out for it. It was time to let go and follow a new path which after a few years lead me to card making and the blogging world. Each day I can sit and still walk with just my canes, even a small distance, is a gift. I often talk on my personal blog about never taking anything in life for granted since you don't know how long you'll have it. It takes great strength to continue on each day when every single one of them is filled with pain so I commend you on your ability to see past the pain and push to do what you love when your body allows you to.

This month's theme of strength, is the perfect notion for you to focus on as you deal with this latest setback in your health. Each of the items you listed as to what strength represents to you resonate deeply within my own soul as well.

Your card turned out absolutely beautiful and represents the notion of weathering the storm through strength to be greeted with a gift once you are on the other side. The truth is that gift may be something we never expected. Your colouring is beautiful and one would never know it was done with shaking hands. Your embellishments are layout are also incredible.

Congrats on your new position with Fashionista. That is a true testament to your skills as an artist. I am so glad you were able to join us again this month on the Path of Positivity.

May the sun shine down on your face as it greets you on the other side of each storm you endure in life.

Hugs,
Lisa

creativearts said...

Gorgeous beautiful card, De! Love the yellow and blue, the die cuts, the flowers, coloring, everything! I am so glad you are improving and am looking forward to seeing many more lovely cards. Congrats on your design team position. May it bring you comfort and happiness.

NanaConnie said...

I have tried so hard to leave comments the last two days but my internet connection has dumped me each time. Let's hope I have better luck this time. I love what you've done with this wonderful little Tilda. Great color choices and those roses are fabulous. I, too, have Tildas which are unused and I love them so much when I see others using them. Time to dig them out! :-D

Bernardine Cuttino said...

Hi DE, firstly, so glad and excited to hear you are doing better each day. Secondly, congrats on the DT nod. Now this beauty you created is awesome, dies and colors are eye catching and your design is striking.
Sweet luv
Berni

Planetsusie said...

Hi Donna - I am glad you are feeling a little better now, it's even worse when you can't craft to take your mind off things. Also glad you liked my Blue Hairy Fairy -methinks we have the same sense of humour!!

Anyway I must say I lurve your card, those colours are just gorgeous and go so well together. Your choice of dies and the threading of the tulle is perfect! I love absolutely everything about this creation!

Big get well hugs my friend

Sue Pxxx

Shanna Shands said...

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful card!

Shanna Shands said...

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful card!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Such a supper sweet Tilda stamp, and what an amazing card did you create with it , you are really a great artist!!!I injoy coming to your blog and looking your amazing, beautiful creations, I still learn from designers like you!!

Greetings
Maria

Sharon said...

This is fabulous Donna. The image is so adorable and I love the blue and yellow colour scheme. The dies and embellishments look beautiful.
Hugs Sharon. x

ShersL84bed said...

wow, this is beautiful. I wish I could create like this. Darling card Donna.

Smiles SHer

Shannon White said...

OMGoodness is your Tilda a Darling Miss Donna!! Love the Wonderful Summery Fresh colors you chose and your Beautiful Design as well! Just Beautiful Coloring and Beautiful embellies, all arranged so Wonderfully too! Just Love the whole ensemble my friend! 8-)

Hugs
Shannon

Jennifer said...

I am your newest follower and it has been a pleasure to look at your cards. What an absolutely beautiful card, the Tilda image is wonderful as is your colouring. Everything about the card just stands out and you really don't know where to look first. Gorgeous. Hugs, Jen :-) x
Krafty Keepsakes

Shelby said...

Love love love the color palette you've used in this design (one of my favs) and your coloring of this sweet Maggie is spot on great!!!

Shelby

Leslie Miller said...

Your first Magnolia and, of course, you did a splendid job with her! Know what I love? Those little designer paper raindrops, among many other things. It's so clever the way you layer your flourishes, and it takes a creative mind to fit all those pretty little accents on there, such as the tulle peeking along the edges. Your color palette is perfect for the image. I just love every little detail! Beautiful words of positivity, too. What a wonderful challenge!

rosie said...

gorgeous card. love the colours x fab layout

Nikki Craft said...

This is just gorgeous:)...The colours are beautiful! I hope you are feeling better soon:) x
hugs Nikki x

Shea said...

What a fabulous piece of work, Donna! You're not the only one who didn't own any Tilda stamps - I still don't! This card is so lovely, full of the colors, patterns and textures that you do so well. The flowers and swirls and rhinestones make me SWOON, and I love the tulle woven through the PATP. And you've colored Tilda in such a soft, lovely manner, this card would brighten anyone's day who's lucky enough to receive it. Best wishes on your improving health, Sweetie. :)

Janie Printz said...

Beautiful card & so perfectly colored. Tildas are my FAVORITE of all the images & this one is adorable. Love the embellies you've used & am so glad you're feeling better. Hope you are better every day.
Hugs, Janie

Crafting Vicky said...

Totally gorgeous card. It might be the 1st time that you use Tilda but I have a feeling that it will not be the last time! Totally love what you wrote about strength. It's so very true!

I have become your latest follower.

Anne Bente said...

Hvor er det bare super flot.

10000 tak for at du deltager på Card and scraps udfordring,

knuzzzz♥

bestevenn said...

Love your card and all the details. Thank you for joining us at Card and Scrap.

Jytte said...

What a great card!!

Thank you for joining us at Card and Scrap :)