Friday, 7 August 2015

Dragonfly (Metallic), Happy Birthday, Male/Female

Hello.  
I wonder how you are doing today?  
Do you get the balance right between working hard and playing hard?  I wish I did...

When I saw the latest challenge by House of Cards with the cue word 'Metallics', I was very happy.  You see, I've been working on several projects at once recently as I'm trying to finish some designs, so I already had some metallic die cut leaves ready to go.  It was simply a case of coming up with an idea that worked...

Why am I working on so many projects at once?

Because there's this theory that I have a craft table somewhere...  but right now that's sounding more like an urban legend as it's buried away, hidden somewhere underneath too many half finished designs!  Come on...  confess.  I can't be the only one!

Here's my card...




I had a lot of fun with this design as I used some 'upcycled' elements - packaging from an embossing folder and from a disposable shower cap (of all things).  I don't know who came up with the idea but I've never seen something in a hotel packaged so beautifully!

Here's a quick rundown of the dies used:
Marianne Design Creatables 'Maple Leaves'
Elizabeth Craft Designs 'Dragonfly Silhouette'
Tattered Lace 'Retro Alphabet'

This is a simple card to put together, but I love the effect of the different textures combined with my trusty Walnut Stain Distress Ink and Paper Distresser Tool.  Giving the whole design some added dimension by targeting areas to glue and lifting edges just adds something 'extra' to this, I think.




As Seize the Birthday have an Embossing challenge 'Topper' to go with their 'Anything Goes' challenge this month, I did a two for one design special.  (In other words, I purposefully designed this card around both challenges).  Doesn't always work...  but I'm glad when it does :)




Other challenge being entered into:
Simply Create Too  (Challenge #91)  Anything Goes


I originally thought that this design might be suitable for men as well as women, but looking at it now I'm not so sure.  What do you think? 

If you have the time, I always value your comments.

Take care...

Donna


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34 comments:

  1. Marybeth7 August 2015 at 19:06

    This is stunning , Donna! Love those metallic leaves, always fun when we have stuff ready to use. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Definitely could be used for a man as well.

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    Replies
    1. Donna7 August 2015 at 19:21

      Hi Marybeth :)
      I agree... I love it when I find packaging I can reuse!
      Hope you have a fantastic weekend, too... and thank you for letting me know it suits men as well as women. I doubt my own judgement sometimes!

      Delete
  2. SewPaperPaint7 August 2015 at 19:21

    Very pretty and I am so excited to begin my fall cards!

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    1. Donna7 August 2015 at 19:25

      Thank you...
      Glad you like it... and happy to hear you are excited :)

      Delete
  3. Olga Direktorenko7 August 2015 at 20:41

    Beautiful project, Donna! The woodgrain with antique letters looks gorgeous! Can't believe the summer is going away...

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    1. Donna7 August 2015 at 20:46

      Thanks, Olga. I do not like the cold, so Summer disappearing is a very sad time for me :(
      At least it comes back... eventually!
      Loving your You Tube videos :)

      Delete
  4. Nessa's Crafty Place7 August 2015 at 20:44

    This is really lovely Donna-beautiful shades and really well suited to the pretty Dragonlfy and leaf.
    Nessa xxx

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    1. Donna7 August 2015 at 20:50

      Thank you, Nessa :)
      Looked for your email contact on your blog but could not find it anywhere!
      Are you able to link your Google Friends account up with your blog? Took me ages to figure it out!!!

      Delete
  5. Kristie Goulet7 August 2015 at 21:10

    What a great card! Love the colors and the pop of metallic! Beautiful.
    I am your newest follower. :)

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    1. Donna7 August 2015 at 21:13

      Hello Kristie :)
      Thank you for leaving such a lovely comment... and for being kind enough to tell me you are following me.
      I'll pop by and return the visit :)

      Delete
  6. Donna8 August 2015 at 00:31

    Fabulous card and so creative! Glad you played along at House of Cards. Donna HOC DT

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    1. Donna8 August 2015 at 06:20

      Thank you, Donna :)
      Appreciate you taking the time to stop by. X

      Delete
  7. Mynn xx8 August 2015 at 06:08

    WOWOWOW, Donna! I am in LOVE with all the amazing texture and shine you've used on this card! Absolutely brilliant! Thank you for joining us at House of Cards! HUGS! :) Mynn xx

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    Replies
    1. Donna8 August 2015 at 06:21

      Mynn... you are very kind. Really glad you like the card :)

      Delete
  8. Diane8 August 2015 at 23:02

    Wow, stunning design Donna.

    Hugs Diane

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    Replies
    1. Donna8 August 2015 at 23:15

      Hi Diane :)
      Thanks for being kind enough to stop by. Glad you like the card :)

      Delete
  9. Stamping With Bibiana9 August 2015 at 15:33

    love, love your card, the tones are just terrific!
    hello from California
    Bibiana

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    Replies
    1. Donna9 August 2015 at 15:56

      ... and hello back from the UK!
      Thanks, Bibiana :)

      Delete
  10. Sarah9 August 2015 at 22:22

    Nice card . I follow your blog now ! Good luck . Sarah

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    1. Donna9 August 2015 at 22:24

      Thank you, Sarah :)
      Very happy to have a new follower. X

      Delete
  11. Donna Nuce10 August 2015 at 03:31

    Hi Donna! Gorgeous card! Love that you upcycled some of your elements! Have a great day!
    Donna
    HOC DT

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    1. Donna10 August 2015 at 06:24

      Hi :)
      Hope you have a great day, too :)
      Thanks for being kind enough to let me know you like this card :)

      Delete
  12. Sue McRae10 August 2015 at 16:04

    I love all the texture and layers on this card Donna! Absolutely perfect card for a guy!

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    1. Donna10 August 2015 at 16:58

      Thanks, Sue :)
      Hope you are having a good week.

      Delete
  13. Toni10 August 2015 at 16:37

    This is absolutely amazing--I love it! The texture is perfect against the metallic. And the card is perfect for a man or woman--who wouldn't want to receive this??? :)

    Toni
    HOC DT

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    1. Donna10 August 2015 at 17:02

      Hello Toni... Thank you so much :)
      You really are a very kind bunch of people at HOC... It makes joining in your challenges a real pleasure :)

      Delete
  14. Nancy11 August 2015 at 20:10

    Incredible card! Love the texture and those stunning leaves look almost real! So glad you joined us at Seize the Birthday and hope to see more of your incredible work again soon and yes this card could be both feminine and masculine for sure!

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    1. Donna12 August 2015 at 21:59

      Hello Nancy :)
      Thank you so much for your kind words. They are treasured and appreciated. X

      Delete
  15. Anni12 August 2015 at 10:55

    What a beautiful and elegant card!
    Thanks so much for playing along with us at Seize the birthday!
    Anni

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  16. Darnell16 August 2015 at 19:00

    The beautiful monochromatic coloring and texture on this card are just magnificent, Donna! I'm pinning this one to CASE!! Enjoy your day! Hugs, Darnell

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  17. Donna16 August 2015 at 19:24

    Thank you, Darnell :)
    You have a good day, too.
    That's for such a lovely compliment. Means a lot to little old me :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sarn21 September 2015 at 16:21

    This is a CORKER . . . love all the elements. Love it to bits. xxx

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    1. Donna21 September 2015 at 19:36

      Thank you :)
      ... I think it's the corrugated card that pulls this one off.
      Nothing like a bit of recycling/upcycling to make me happy :)

      Delete

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