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