Think Outside the Box with Donna Espiritu
Happy Wednesday, G45ers! Thank you for joining us on the blog this fine day. We are having a wonderful week getting to know our 2014 Design Team. Today, we introduce a fantastic designer, Donna Espiritu. Donna joins the team from Saudi Arabia. She makes the most incredible altered projects covered in stunning flowers, bold layering, beautiful embellishments, and they are finished off with the most dazzling details. She has such a great story of how she came to papercrafting in her introduction below. We cannot wait to get to know this talented designer. Welcome Donna with us!
"My name is Donna Espiritu. I'm from the Philippines currently living in Saudi Arabia with my husband. We have no children yet so you would always see me, hubby, my nieces and nephew, family, and friends as usual subjects in my projects. I have been scrapbooking since 2004 when I got married. I think of myself as a crafty person ever since so when I came across scrapbooking through I got interested right away. It was difficult finding scrapbook-related materials that time in the Philippines so what I did was download images from the internet, print and cut them up. Instead of working with my wedding album, I ended up making my first niece's baby album. I got hooked so much and was so happy when a local paper manufacturer started carrying scrapbook stuff. As the saying goes, I got hooked from then on.
I also dabbled into digital and hybrid scrapbooking a few years later. I loved it as well! I love learning new things and how I was able to incorporate both paper and digital scrapbooking. I also tried my hands in card making, altering stuff and mixed-media. I think I am addicted to the smell of new papers! I also collect pens -journaling pens, glittered, calligraphy pens, any kind- that I use for doodling on my layouts (one way or another I've got to have my own hand-writing into my creations).
My style has evolved over the years. Someone told me when I was starting that there's a free-style vibe in designs. I don't really know how to describe my style, but I can do a simple (but not clean) or embellished layout/page or project. I love layers, clusters of papers and embellishments and I also love trying out new things/techniques and make it my own."
Donna makes the vivid colors of Bohemian Bazaar come alive with this gorgeous altered box. Don't you love the flower burst in the center of this project? It looks like the layers go on forever!
Supply List
Bohemian Bazaar 12x12 double-sided papers
Bohemian Bazaar 8x8 double-sided papers
Bohemian Bazaar tags and pockets
Bohemian Bazaar chipboard
Bohemian Bazaar cardstock stickers
Square kraft box
Pink Cardstock
Prima flower
Blue Fern Studios chipboard
small gold beads
gold doily
gold nylon thread
satin ribbons
rhinestones
The card below is full of elegance and class, topped with the most wonderful sentiment. Can't you imagine how delighted your friend would be if you sent them this beautiful card?
Supply List
Typography 12x12 double-sided papers
Typography chipboard
White cardstock
Prima flowers
Martha Stewart border punch
Tim Holtz distress ink
Rhinestones
Black nylon thread
Wow! We adore these altered holiday boxes by Donna. Don't you love how she used the cardtock flowers and chipboard from The Twelve Days of Christmas? What a brilliant idea for those hard-to-wrap gifts - let the gift wrap surprise and delight!
Supply List
Twelve days of Christmas 12x12 double-sided papers
Twelve days of Christmas chipboard 1
Twelve Days of Christmas Chipboard 2
Twelve days of Christmas banners
Twelve days of Christmas flowers
Satin ribbon
Gold nylon thread
Gold brad
Stitched sequins
Martha Stewart Puncher
We adore these wonderful projects by Donna! Is there a project that jumps out at you? Are you excited to see more from this talented artist? Welcome Donna in the comments below. Thanks for joining us for another day of excitement. We will see you tomorrow!
Happy Papercrafting,
Graphic 45
Want to try these projects out? Visit your LSS or order online today! Graphic 45 Store Locator Link Here
Bright and cheery projects.
Posted by: Gwen Moss | June 04, 2014 at 05:16 AM
Great altered boxes, so pretty!
Posted by: Mary H | June 04, 2014 at 05:29 AM
Wow those Christmas boxes are amazing! Really beautiful projects. I look forward to seeing moreof Donna's work. Michelle t
Posted by: michelle t | June 04, 2014 at 05:33 AM
Nothing better than more awesome boxes! They are beautiful.
Posted by: Jan Elmore | June 04, 2014 at 05:56 AM
Awesome!!
Posted by: Dorothy McCarthy | June 04, 2014 at 05:56 AM
Really makes me want to go home and get crafty with my G45 items!!! Great holiday boxes!
Posted by: Laura C - Michigan | June 04, 2014 at 05:58 AM
Beautiful designs Donna; look forward to seeing more of your creativity!
Posted by: Yvonne Boucher | June 04, 2014 at 06:20 AM
Fabulous Donna what thrill to be on the team with you
Posted by: Andrew Roberts | June 04, 2014 at 06:30 AM
Way to go Donna! So proud of you!
Posted by: Neelu | June 04, 2014 at 06:43 AM
Soo much beautiful work here from Donna too, she has a very fancy style, I think, and I love her colorful art here.
Posted by: Maryann | June 04, 2014 at 06:53 AM
great projects!
Posted by: Linda B | June 04, 2014 at 07:34 AM
Color, color and more color. I like Donna's style.
Posted by: linda ann murphy | June 04, 2014 at 07:39 AM
Absolutely beautiful projects. Thank you for the inspiration.
Posted by: Carol Mc | June 04, 2014 at 07:40 AM
The gift boxes are really amazing!
Posted by: Sharon P. | June 04, 2014 at 07:49 AM
Wonderful projects! Looking forward to seeing more!
Posted by: Kathy Jo | June 04, 2014 at 07:56 AM
Love the colors! Lovely work!!!
Posted by: Nancy | June 04, 2014 at 08:16 AM
Gorgeous creations! LOVE THEM!! WOW!!
Posted by: barbara f | June 04, 2014 at 08:16 AM
Those holiday boxes are wonderful!
Posted by: Lu L. | June 04, 2014 at 08:36 AM
Beautiful...love all the great colors.
Posted by: Yolanda | June 04, 2014 at 09:48 AM
What fabulous projects!
Posted by: Tona | June 04, 2014 at 09:56 AM
Welcome to G45! Looking forward to seeing more of your interesting work. I like the idea of coordinating an envelope flap to the card contained within...very pretty. Those gift ideas are certainly very different. Again, welcome!
Posted by: Martie Rollin | June 04, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Welcome Donna. I'm really digging your altered boxes. They're beautiful
Posted by: Mary Reppe | June 04, 2014 at 10:48 AM
Welcome aboard, Donna! Your works are awesome and your story is so inspiring! Looking forward to seeing your creations throughout the year!! xoxo
Posted by: Maria Cole | June 04, 2014 at 11:01 AM
You are very talented! I love your projects.
Posted by: Karen Oliphant | June 04, 2014 at 11:18 AM
Amazing use of color. Love all the layering. Can't wait to see more. Kim
Posted by: Kim | June 04, 2014 at 11:38 AM
The holiday boxes are incredible! Thanks for sharing your creative and inspiring art. Look forward to seeing more.
Posted by: Beth Beery | June 04, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Lovely fun projects!
Posted by: Paula | June 04, 2014 at 01:10 PM
Donna certainly loves bright & bold with lots of embellishments :)
Posted by: caroline | June 04, 2014 at 02:48 PM
Welcome Donna. I look forward to seeing more of your lovely creations!
Posted by: Helen Cooke | June 04, 2014 at 03:37 PM
Wow, I love Donna's work. Gorgeous.
Posted by: Debbi Mann | June 04, 2014 at 03:41 PM
Welcome to the DT Donna! I love your Twelve Days of Christmas boxes! They are gorgeous! TFS!
Posted by: barbara macaskill | June 04, 2014 at 03:46 PM
Very pretty projects!
Posted by: Jeanne Kelly | June 04, 2014 at 03:52 PM
Such gorgeous projects again today!
Posted by: Lynn Hardy | June 04, 2014 at 05:11 PM
Bohemian Bazaar is my favorite line (so far), and the box is beyond beautiful. You will be a great asset to the DT.
Posted by: Sue Kendrick | June 04, 2014 at 07:42 PM
Great projects!
Posted by: Marsha | June 04, 2014 at 08:28 PM
Donna creates beautiful packaging - too pretty to open!
Posted by: Noreen | June 04, 2014 at 09:48 PM
Wow! Amazing projects! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Scrappin' Diva - Cindy B | June 04, 2014 at 10:33 PM
Welcome to the party Donna! looking forward to seeing all your creativity using G45 products.
Posted by: Karen Itzenhuiser | June 04, 2014 at 10:45 PM
Welcome Donna. I love your layers - the description was so on point - it looks like the layers on the altered box go on forever. So pretty. The Christmas boxes are fantastic.
Posted by: Cathy Osborne | June 04, 2014 at 11:25 PM
Beautiful projects. I love the "outside the box" project I think that is one of my most favorite papers. It is just so bright and happy.
Posted by: Karen | June 05, 2014 at 12:13 AM