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

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Oldies But Goodies with Impression Obsession

Hi! Hope you are enjoying a great week, and staying warm.




Today's cards are part of several challenges, but also one of my own. I wanted to see how many different looks I achieve in a single crafting session using the same image and the same sketch, with similar colors and the same technique for coloring the image.



My cards today work with the Card Patterns Sketch #148 and Impression Obsession's "Impression Obsession - Oldies but Goodies" challenge. The Sketch has 4 panels in the background, which are varied in each of my cards. (Thanks, Tracy, for a great sketch!

First is a staggered look on pale ivory background - sorry for the crooked photo.


Next is a dark olive background, using the panels as shown in the sketch.


Our Florida Stampers Group has a different challenge going to use something "virginal" in our cards.

For my cards, this consists of:


  • K and Company designer paper
  • DCWV "Pocket full of Posies" DP
  • Impression Obsession's Butterfly Round stamp
  • cute blue ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbons
  • Bamboo Leaf Memento Ink



Images were all watercolored.
My pink card has changed the panels into shapes, and the sketch has been placed vertically.

Perhaps one of the more fun things on this card was the "Boiltex" rick rack found in my stash of sewing supplies once belonging to my Great Aunt Agnes. It was 100% cotton, 3 yards, made in the USA -- and -- get this -- a whole 19 cents. I wonder when THAT was purchased? It is guaranteed not to have any "point curling" LOL.



Thanks very much for stopping by. I'd love hearing your comments, especially about old items in your crafting stash.

Some of the items used on these cards:
Derwent Watercolor Pencils
Lyra Watercolor Crayons
Watercolor Paper
K and Company "Sweet Nectar" DP
DCWV "Pocket full of Posies" DP
Dove Blender
Tuxedo Black Memento
Bamboo Leaf Memento
Majestic Blue Versafine
Dusty Concord dye ink
Stonewashed dye ink
Raspberry dye ink
Stream dye ink
Grand Calibur
Spellbinders Petite Circle Small S4-116
Spellbinders Petite Scallop Circle Small S4-117
IO Butterfly Round F2267
Stonewashed Ink
Cheery Lynn Swirl Die
Martha Stewart edge
Chalk Pastels
Starfire glitter (Sparkle N Sprinkle)
Bubble Gum glitter (Sparkle N Sprinkle)


Challenges Submitted to:
Anything Goes #58 - Anything Goes!
Card Patterns Sketch #148
Impression Obsession - Oldies but Goodies (Butterfly Round)
Incy Wincy Designs - Bold and Bright
Lexis Creations Challenge - Anything Goes!
Paper Pretties - Glitter Anywhere Challenge
Party Time Tuesdays - Happy Birthday
Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes!
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Anything Texture (glitter, ribbon, brads)

stamping hugs,

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Angel Mousie

What's an insomniac to do when waking up just before midnight, and can't go back to sleep? After exhausting all the usual tricks of making oneself sleepy, I turned on the computer to find some challenges to enter, and made a card.  That was fun!



This simple A7 size, sparkly-winged House Mouse Angel card was made with Prismacolor pencils, gathered lace, die cuts, and some patterned papers. Oh! and Glitter, of course!

Challenges this card was submitted to:

Christmas Card Challenge - Use Lace
House Mouse and Friends - New (New image, new papers, new lace)
Charisma Cardz Challenges - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
House Mousie hugs,


Saturday, January 07, 2012

Fantasy Hummers in the SNS January Sketch Challenge

I'm changing this post from the "sneak peek" it was, to my card for the Hummer Reveal! LOL
Drawn by artist Rosiland Solomon, the new stamp sets are realistic, and true to a few of the many hummingbird variations found in Nature.


Here are the great images you will receive on the sets (a total of 14 stamps).



My featured card showcases two hummers and a saying.



To see some fabulous designs, visit the SNS blog and:

For more beautiful hummingbird cards, please click here.

Have you checked out the Monthly Sketch Challenge at SNS?

Designer Barbara Bruder has created the sketches and longs to award prizes to participants! This is a new SNS feature, and lots of fun. The Sparkle Team has come up with terrific examples from which to get ideas. Just visit the SNS blog and click on the Challenge tab to find all the details with a chance of winning a brand new rubber stamp set of your choice! (Be sure to click the January link!)

My contribution to January's SNS challenge gives everyone a sneak peek of a brand new stamp set not yet on the SNS website, and includes Fantasy Hummers - (Fantasy because they are not "real" colors for hummers, where Pastels are combined with a navy card base). Just click on the images to see card details. 

Watercolor paper, Memento Paris Dusk ink, Watercolor Pencils, and VersaMarker were my friends in coloring these sweet images. Of course, a card wouldn't be complete without SNS glitters - Navy and Bubblegum Pink.

Also used were two Martha Stewart Punches, Quickutz and Couture Creations embossing folders (joined by Memento Angel Pink ink for the backgrounds). 

Cheery Lynn's "Heart to Heart" die, and Petite Spellbinders Circles were also utilized. And what's a Valentine without lace (from Joann Fabrics)?


The Stars, of course, are the darling hummers. But only a part of them shows. The new hummingbird collection includes a regular size stamp set with the sweetest, most versatile sayings, and a stampette set containing a surprise image unlike any I've seen! The stamp set is "Hummingbirds and Flowers" and the stampette is "Hummingbird Party". Since hummingbirds hold a special place in my heart, I was happy to see these wonderfully depicted hummers accompanied by flowers which are natural for them to pollinate.

Can't wait 'til you can see both sets!

Thanks for stopping by today. To view a marvelous collection of cards using this sketch, just click here.

Stamping hugs,











Submitted to:
Sparkle N Sprinkle Monthly Sketch Challenge
Party Time Tuesdays Something New Challenge (stamps and heart die)
Bearly-Mine Anything Goes Challenge
PaperTake Weekly Anything Goes - Anything New Challenge (stamps and heart die)
MFP Speedy Fox and Friends - Brad and Eyelet Challenge (heart brands)