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

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas Cactus Massacre

Wintry Pink Greetings from Florida and welcome to another Creativity-with-Mother-Nature moment LOL!

Every March my Christmas Cacti experience a massacre. The plants are in tiny clay pots (4"-5").

I give them "buzz" hair cuts, meaning it looks like a lawn mowing.

The cut-off pieces are rooted directly in a clay pot where they grow for 9 months before blooming.


Every holiday season, 3-4 of these plants make their way to someone else's home.



Then the cycle is repeated the following March. The mama plant is in a 3" clay pot nestled in the green ceramic pot on the right side of the 2nd shelf. It is about 15 years old and has never been repotted.

These types of cacti are actually "air plants". In the wild, they grow attached to tree trunks, boughs or shallow soil. They are happiest when root-bound. These easy-to-grow plants prefer not being over-watered. African Violet or other bloom-related fertilizer is perfect for them!

Have fun trimming your Christmas Cactus and making some babies!

Blooming hugs,


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A Traditional Christmas






Ever need a real big card to fit something in it? Big cards have their places - this one accommodates inserts, so the A8 size card fits the bill. 

The card was easy to assemble.


The designer paper is very flimsy and shiny - I "wrapped" a piece of 6.75" x 4.75" white cardstock with it to give the paper dimension and stability. 

Pretty texture!



Sketch is from Sparkle N Sprinkle's December Sketch



Simple little red flowers and gold leaves finish the corner.



Challenges are listed below the card recipe.

Sparkle N Sprinkle products are listed first:

Pine Cone Swag image 3691-475C
Spirit of Christmas Set 3694-475G
Brushable Glue #540
Clear Detail Embossing Powder #280
MS Floral Crochet Deep Edge PAP punch
SB Rose Creations
SB Petite Scalloped Oval
SB Petite Oval
SB Labels Ten
Crimson Red VersaFine Ink
Sapmoss Green Dye Ink by Nick Bantock
Leafy and Frilly Die Cuts in my stash
Metallic Brad
Lace
Cardstock: Gold Metallic (card base), white, designer paper

This card is submitted to the following challenges:

SNS December Challenge - Sketch
Artistic Inspirations - #20 Anything Goes
Fashionista Challenge - #10 Winter Challenge
Forever Friends Challenge - #51 Christmas
Hooked on Craft Challenges - #27 Christmas

Thanks for visiting. Here are some Holiday Hugs just for you,

Monday, December 17, 2012

Penny Black Snowy Park

Hi! An easy, sparkly card to share today. The most difficult part was photographing it because of the glitter and embossing powder.


Using Staz-on ink, this Penny Black image was stamped on white cardstock covered with Sparkle n Sprinkle Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter. Stampin' Sistah Shona Erlenborn documented a fantastic tutorial using Velvet Glitter and Staz-on Ink here.

The mirror cardstock was dry embossed with Craft Concepts Tuscan Tiles embossing folder (looks a little like snowflakes after sanding).

The following Sparkle n Sprinkle products were used on this card and can be found in their on-line store:

SNS mirror cardstock
SNS Americana embossing powder
SNS Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter GM2000
SNS Super Adhesive Sheets SAS02
SNS Brushable Glue #540
SNS Double Sided Tear-ific Tape SAT01

One last try for glitter:


I give up! 
It looks pretty in person!

This card is entered in the following challenges:
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes #9
Come and Get It Challenges - Dec 16 Anything Christmas
Dream Valley Challenges - #47 Christmas
Eclectic Ellapu - #10 Anything Goes
Great Impressions - December Challenge Anything Goes
Penny Black and More - "It's Your Choice" challenge
Quirky Crafts Challenges - #26 Last minute Christmas


Christmas Hugs,


Tuesday, December 04, 2012

Sparkly Pink Butterflies

Do you ever wonder why we torment ourselves? (or am I the only one?)

(see also Velvet Glitter Butterflies using the same technique, here)





I'm in love with Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter, and all the techniques which look so pretty with it, that I've been making more for make 'n takes.

So where's the torment?

Ugh! Photographing glitter and embossing powder is pure torture! LOL
Painting with Watercolors has never been easier!




  Custom embellishments: 
  • use the same color cardstock in the die cuts, 
  • paint a bit of matching watercolors on them, and 
  • coat with embossing powders. 

The Winter White Cosmic embossing powder offers a chance to DISTRESS with sparkling, creamy EP. (on the flower petals). The cardstock color peeks through the distressed EP, but is still slightly "icy" in appearance.

The Memory Box Fuchsia Sprig and Cheery Lynn Tropical Flourish are both cut from pink cardstock, watercolored a bit, and then coated with VersaMark ink and creamy, pearly SNS Opaline Cosmic Embossing Powder. (The Cosmic line is really quite magical). Creamy - Pearly - So Soft looking!




Here is a close up of the distressed flower petals, the now-pearly flower center, and the pearly flourish.


The Opaline Cosmic EP is gorgeous - one of my favorites. Used on the el-cheapo brad (flower center), it now appears to match the pink pearl swirls.




Embossing Powders can completely change the look of ordinary die cuts and papers.

The cheapest, ugliest cardstock in your stash can be transformed into beautiful designer style paper.

A simple sentiment finishes the card.


The supplies used in making this card are listed below.

SNS supplies listed first:

Words Had Wings Stamp 3575-451B
Rhubarb Stalk dye ink #99615
SNS Opaline Cosmic EP359
SNS Winter White Cosmic EP409
SNS Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter (microfine) GM2000
SNS Super Adhesive Sheets SAS02 (double sided)
SNS Brushable Glue #540
SNS Double Sided Tear-ific Tape SAT01
Dove Blender Pen
VersaMark Ink

Other Supplies:
SB Embossing Folder (M-Bossibilities EL-002 )
SB Grand Nestabilities Labels Four
SU triple flower punch
MB Riviera Corner Die (inside)
CL Tropical Flourish Die
MB Fuchsia Sprig
Lyra Aquacolor Crayons
Class A Peel Stickers (any stickers having an outline, open interior)
Cardstock: Green, Rhubarb, Pink, White
Recollections pearl stickers
brad for flower center

Challenges this card is submitted to:
Loves Rubberstamps Challenge - Week 29 - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations - Challenge 18 - Anything Goes
Lady Annes Challenges - Anything Goes (posted 11/12 thru 12/10)
Crafty Boots Challenges - Anything Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - #36 To Die for
Joyful Stamper - Inspire Me Fridays #88 - Anything Goes!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamping hugs, always


Friday, November 30, 2012

Velvet Glitter Butterflies

Hi! It's the holiday season, so in my usual "backward" way of doing things, I opted to do butterflies - something suited for Spring Time, not Winter -- unless, of course, you live Down Under --

 I'll just pretend I'm making this card for those living Down Under then...

Yes, it is - sparkly - 
- glittery - 
the glitter-i-est EVER!
(see also Sparkly Pink Butterflies using the same technique, here)



How to best show the card -  in the bright light to show the colors?



or in the dark to show the glitter-i-ness?



or just capture the sparkle to the best of my ability?



it is one of the sparkliest cards I've ever made! Wanna know how to make one of these super-easy cards? This project is a combination of two techniques found on the




  • Cover White cardstock with Super Adhesive Sheets (or any ultra sticky double-stick tapes)
  • Cut the white panel to the size/shape desired.
  • Pull off the protective top sheet of the sticky paper and apply a little Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter.
  • Rub glitter into Adhesive Sheet, tap off excess.
  • Burnish remaining glitter, to bring out the sparkle.
  • Apply any outline style sticker on top of the Velvet Glitter.
  • Press firmly so sticker is firmly adhered.
  • Use regular markers, watercolor pencils or watercolor crayons to color.
  • (I used a Dove Blender pen and pulled the color directly off the crayons and blended on top of the glitter, within the lines of the stickers. The middle of the butterfly has some "smudged" pink just above and below the body to add "warmth" to the blues and greens.
  • That's all there is to it!


  • The flourish is inked with VersaMark and heat embossed with gorgeous Moss Star EP. I layered a bit of the flourish with SNS Dimensional Glue and coated it with that stunning Priceless Peacock color glitter. Some of the flower layers have the Moss Star EP, too.
  • The brads (flower centers) were heated and dipped into Moss Star EP where it melted to coordinate with the rest of the card.
Close up of the flowers and brads:

Don'tcha love the shape of the card and the cool butterfly sticker? I had forgotten they were in my supplies -
and the watercolor crayons were whining to be used - it had been too long.

Shading on the butterfly - and notice the dimension of the sticker itself - since it is on top of the glitter:



And the best part?
It takes hardly ANY Velvet Glitter to achieve this look.
A very economical way of creating a sparkling card!
And easy, too.
Did I already say EASY?

EASY EASY EASY EASY






Thanks VERY much for stopping by. 


The products used in this project are listed below.


I also submitted this card in several fun challenges which are listed below below the card ingredients.






SNS Moss Star embossing powder EP430
SNS Priceless Peacock G1015
SNS Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter (microfine) GM2000
SNS Super Adhesive Sheets SAS02 (double sided)
SNS Dimensional Glue #539
SNS Brushable Glue #540
SNS Double Sided Tear-ific Tape SAT01
Dove Blender Pen
VersaMark Ink
Embossing Folder (CC Walrus and Carpenter)
SB Grand Nestabilities Labels Four
SB Rose Creations Dies
SB Carnation Creations Dies
CL Tropical Flourish Die
Lyra Aquacolor Crayons
Class A Peel Stickers (any stickers having an outline, open interior)
Cardstock: Black, Celery, Turquoise, White

FUN CHALLENGES this card is submitted to:

ATC's and Cards with Attitude - Challenge #28 Anything Goes
Card Makin' Mamas - Use silver or Gold (butterfly is silver)
Emergency Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes
Fun With Shapes and More - Challenge #122 Nothing for Christmas
Hot Shot Craft - Challenge #13 Butterflies
Joyful Stamper Inspire-Me-Fridays - #87 Anything Goes
Pause Dream Engjoy Challenges - #48 forgotten stash (stickers, Dove blender, Grand dies)
Peachy Keen Stamps - Challenge #45 - Shape it Up (shaped card)
The Stamp Man UK - Emboss It (flower petals, brads, flourish are heat embossed, layers are dry embossed)
Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge - #22 Use Texture (glitter bkgrnd, dry embossed layers, raised sticker, heat embossed flourish, brads and flowers)



Stamping Hugs,



Friday, November 16, 2012

But... It MORPHED!

Are you ever inspired to do one thing, but then it comes out completely different?
(for step-by-step directions, please click here)




That's what happened with this card. Inspiration for one thing, but "it" just got out of control -- IT MORPHED! (notice *I* don't take any responsibility here)

The glitter is lightly brushed to provide a distressed look, allowing the ivory cardstock to peek through.


Three friends and my Grandma were the influence behind this card. Inspiration Card is from Florida Stamper friend Andrea Robert, DeeDee Maligno (Craft-Dee BowZ) contributed the magnificent 3"wide lace, and Heartfelt Creations designer Linda Loew made sure the flowers came from HC's Tattered Blossoms stamp and die set! (Thanks, Andrea, DeeDee and Linda!)  Here are the inspiration pieces:


So where does Grandma come in? Brooch Flowers! They resemble Grandma's glitzy jewelry of the 1930's and 40's. My sister and I enjoyed hours playing dress up with Grandma's jewels, hats, gloves, fancy gowns and purses. Do you have dress-up memories? These "brooch flowers" are in honor of Grandma .

The brads were heat embossed with glittery embossing powder. They did not photograph well. The same color EP is used in the sentiment, so that should give you an idea of how glittery they actually are.

The "sentiment" close-up below shows the glitter in the embossing powder.

Where it looks like "flecks" show in the embossed image, it is actually glitter. Looks great in person!


Sparkle N Sprinkle Sentiment, Glitter and Embossing Powder
(links at bottom of post to specific colors)


Dimmed the lighting to show the glitter in the embossed sentiment and flowers
(click for better detail):


Thanks for stopping by today.
Products used and Challenges entered are listed below:

Cardstock: Silhouette Cover by Crown Vantage (Cream Pearl Glossy) and ivory colored CS.
Memories "Sand" Dye Ink
HC Tattered Blossoms HCD722 die
HC Tattered Blossoms HCPC3468 stamps
Couture Creations Washed Away embossing folder
Couture Creations Tied Together embossing folder
SNS Cappuccino Star embossing powder (flower centers)
SNS Celestial Glitter G1031 (misture of golds and transparent)
SNS Brushable Glue
SNS Spirit of Christmas image
Shaped glitter mixture (hand blended at home)
MS Traditional Scallop Edge border punch
SB Rose Creations Dies
SB Carnation Creations Dies
SB Long Classic Rectangles
SB Long Classic Scallop Rectangles
CL Fanciful Flourish
Large star brads, small circle brads
3" Ivory lace fabric ribbon
3/4" Fabric ace layered on top
Cheese Cloth
Brads

Card is entered in the following fun challenges:

Card Crafter's Circle #49 - Textures
Craft Challenge 181 - Use Fabric (2 laces, cheese cloth)
Craft Us Crazy #30 - use Holiday Theme or Favorite Color
Forever Friends Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenges #48 - Textiles (2 laces, cheese cloth)
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Sassy Studio Designs Dare to be Sassy #151 - no patterned papers
Christmas Card Challenges #50 - Christmas Holiday
ATCs and Cards with Attitude #27 - Autumn/Winter Anything Goes
Lady Anne's Challenges - Sentiment Needed

Happy Thanksgiving!


Friday, November 02, 2012

Up! Up! And Away!

Up! Up! And Away! It's your Day!

Hi! I'm lucky to have heard from my friends who have been affected by Super Storm Sandy. They are without power and have huge messes to clean up, but thankfully they are safe. I hope all the friends and family of my cyber friends have been as fortunate.

Today's card share features Sparkle N Sprinkle's newest and darlingest stamp set by popular artist Michelle Perkett.

The set is called Abby and Walter's Birthday. The stamps are available as a set, individually, or as digital images. For stamps, click here. Digi images are available here.

The image is colored with Copic Markers and Prismacolor markers. I'm just learning to use them.

Added lots of sparkly glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle, and used several die cuts, punches and other frilly elements.

The triple loop bow was made on my Craft-Dee BowZ tool. Sewing on paper produces a soft look, especially when using lace or ribbon.


Products Used:
Tattered Rose Dye Ink
Lemonade Dye Ink
Shell Pink Dye Ink
Cloudy Blue Dye Ink
SB Labels Four Nestabilities S4-190
SB Fleur De Lis Squares S4-318
Memory Box Meridian Border (cut away arches)
MS Vintage Floral Punch Around the Page
fabric lace and ribbon
sewing machine
Dimensionals
Copic and Prismacolor markers
Cardstock: Pale Turquoise, White, DCWV Luxury Stack, Watercolor Paper


This card is submitted to the following challenges:

The Artistic Stamper - Anything Goes
One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes
Unique Crafters Challenge - Sugar and Spice Frilly
Anything Goes Blog Challenge - Challenge #79
Party Time Tuesday - Anything Goes #92
Lady Anne's Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenge - Bling It Up #108 (glitter on both images)
Fab 'n Funky Challenges - Die Cuts and Punches (both used)
Inky Impressions Challenge - Lots of Layers #83
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges - 100th Challenge - Birthday
Whimsy Stamps Challenge - All Things Sparkly #52

Thanks for stopping by!