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

Friday, January 31, 2014

Mermaid Kisses - Sparkle N Sprinkle February Reveal


Warm greetings to all my blogging friends, and to
Maria, Barb, Sally, Gloria and new Blog Lovin' followers.

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's February 1 Reveal
with three opportunities to win (details below).
directions for this card are here.

Pssst!

If you enjoy on-line challenges, the SNS February challenge is live with four chances to win. You may use any compay's images. The theme is always 
"Anything Goes with Glitter, Embossing Powder and/or Flocking."



Spunky and Bug #523

We hope you enjoy all the new
SNS products in 2014
including
less expensive stamp sets
our own line of digital stamps
cut files to match our stamp sets
an exclusive line of designer papers
to match our glitters and embossing powders.






Mermaid Kisses #529


This month we are featuring three fun new stamp sets by artists 
Michelle Perkett and Beccy Muir.

The Mermaid Kisses stamp set is available on line.

It is also included in Jazzy Jill's Technique Video for the month.



Spunky and Rocco #526
Three Winners (one for each new stamp set) will be selected by Random.org during the Designers Mystery Party. Winners will also get to choose one Glitter and one Embossing Powder to go with their new stamp set.

How the Mystery Party works:

On Three of the participating blogs below,
a Commenter will be selected to receive the prize
No one knows who the three Mystery Designers are, so you may wish to visit each blog to leave a comment.

The winners will be announced on February 3 on Facebook, the SNS blog, and on our blogs:

Emmy van den Heuvel
Cristina Ojeda
April Williams
Anne Temple
Anita Scroggins
Donna Ellis
Shona Erlenborn
Eret Pank
Mayra Duran-Hernandez
Marie Berquist
Jazzy Jill

Each of the three stamp sets are available at 20% off.
Promotion valid through February 3. 
You may also phone the SNS Shoppe to place your orders.

Below is a close up of the pretty Princess Rose Cosmic Embossing Powder - It is creamy-pearly-glittery (is that a good word?).  Velvet Sparkle Embossing Powder was applied around the inky distressed areas with a VersaMarker and then heat set. In real life, it is very sparkly, and not as "bumpy" as our regular Sparkle EP. My Mermaid's "fins" are textured with it as well. 



All of the sparkle is exclusively accomplished with embossing powders.
It will not rub off and helps create "depth" with color.

I apologize for not better capturing the amazing Sparkle.

For the last week
SOMEONE sent down a bunch of NORTHERN winter weather, which has blotted out the Sunshine we are so well known for here in Florida!
(giggle) We are such wimps down here.
"Distressing" with EPs covers up mistakes and is lovely in person.


more sparkle:
My computer-generated sentiment uses GarineldonNo01 font (an on-line freebie). The letters resemble a moving ocean.


one more sparkly look, just in case you haven't seen any sunshine for the past week:


Thanks for stopping by today! I hope to begin regularly visiting blogs again when the bingo game is completed.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products Used:
Mermaid Kisses Stamp Set 529 + computer generated sentiment
Copic Markers - R02, R00, R20, R35, R21, E00, E43, E35, BG49, BG34, BG00, YG06, Y32
Moss Star Embossing Powder EP430 (very sparkly)
Mediterranean Star Embossing Powder EP429 (very sparkly)
By The Lake Cosmic Embossing Powder EP400 (sparkly and pearly)
Princess Rose Cosmic Embossing Powder EP387 (sparkly and pearly)
Spellbinders:
Decorative Elements Tear Drop Circles S4-344
Standard Circle Small S4-116
Labels Eleven S4-246
Itty Bitty Blossoms
Martha Stewart: assorted leaves, scallop edge punch
Dye inks for distressing
Cardstock: Pink, Turquoise, Celery, White, Neenah White, Green Vellum
Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug for 5x7 card

Path of Positivity Challenge - Generosity - When we recognize how truly incredible and remarkable every creature is, we become More than what we were, and can bring a Generosity and Beauty to the world we otherwise could not.

Challenges this card is entered in:


  1. Path of Positivity Challenge - #10 Generosity - my statement is just above this section. 2/3
  2. Crafty Catz Weekly - #216 Anything Goes 2/6
  3. Fairytale Challenge - #86 More Than 2 Colors - (pink, Turquoise, Green, Coral + skin does not count) 2/14
  4. 4 Crafty Chicks - #179 Anything Goes - 2/6
  5. 4 Crafty Girls - #10 - Anything Goes - 2/5
  6. Paper Crafting Journey - EMBOSS THAT! - (4 colors of EP - on the image, distressed around edges of both images, and all that glitter is actually EP) 2/10
  7. The southern Girls Challenge - "It's All New" (love your challenge name). (New Mermaid Stamp, New Shell Bead embellishment, New Princess Rose and Velvet Sparkle EP, New Copic Colors, New Dec. Tear Drop Circle die cut) 2/6?
  8. Creative Moments Challenges - #35 Anything goes Add Some Sparkle - lots of sparkly EP and rhinestone flourish. 2/10

warm, cozy hugs from Freezing-UNsunny Florida!
(bad weather go away!)





Sunday, January 26, 2014

Messy Bessy Falls In Love ~ My Besties ~

My January Blog Candy is located here
(You do not have to be a follower to become eligible)

Welcome new follower Natasha, and all my blogging buddies!

SNS Bingo is gobbling up all my time the past month, and I apologize for not visiting your delightful blogs since the game began. 

I did manage to create a Friendship card 
WITH EACH OF YOU IN MIND
with this darling new 


from Sherri Blady's line of My Besties.


Here is the little darling in her uncolored format:
Messy Bessy Falls in Love
Sherri drew these wonderful little hearts on strings. I cropped a few and placed them on the bottom in the grass, because this love-struck little charmer sees love everywhere!

The little "stringed heart" was cropped from the main image and placed in my computer-generated sentiment, to carry the theme throughout the card.

Also in use is one of Sherri's newest dies called Romantic Hearts Frame. I cut the frame diagonally to produce a "messy" appearance to work with little Messy Bessy.


This month the theme at Path of Positivity Challenge is GENEROSITY. (In case you've not heard of PoP, it's a wonderful challenge blog comprised of "positive" thoughts - regardless of personal belief.)

In the past 2 years, I've learned a lot about Generosity from my blogging friends, in particular.

My take on Generosity is not sentimental, and not so much "material" as it is something which transforms us from within.


Generosity is something which comes from the Heart, 
      without any hidden agenda or motivation other than 
            to be all we can be, 
                and to share our being-ness with others 
                    in order to bring a Love In Action to the world, 

beginning in our own communities, 
      our own families, 
            our own dear little hearts.

Bursting with that UNsentimental Love, we become Generous of Heart --

   patient, 
       tolerant, 
            kind, 
                 productive, 
                      efficient in what matters most.

Messy Bessy is dripping with heartfelt Generosity.
She hugs her new-found Love close at heart, and allows that love to overflow all around her!


Image is colored with Copics


One more photo of this sweetie:


Thanks for popping by today!

Products Used:

  1. Sherri Baldy's Image - Messy Bestie Falls in Love
  2. Sherri Baldy My-Besties Die - "Romantic Hearts Frame"
  3. Computer Generated Sentiment
  4. Copic Markers E25, E60, E53, E35, E43, R29, RV02, RV21, RV04, YG03
  5. Willow and Wild Plum Distress Inks
  6. Spellbinders: Labels Five, Wonky Rectangles, Grand Rectangles
  7. Martha Stewart Lace Heart Edge, Twig Punch, 
  8. CB Swiss Dot Embossing Folder
  9. Flowers, Satin Lace from Lavish Laces
  10. DCWV designer papers


Awesome Challenges I've entered with this darling card:

  1. Path of Positivity #10 - Generosity (please see my comment inside my post) 2/4
  2. Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #15 - Something New (new digi, new frame die cut, new Spellbinders Rectangle base, new flowers, new ribbon) 1/30
  3. My Besties Norge #10 - Anything Goes 2/1
  4. Challenges 4 Everybody - #37 Anything Goes 1/30
  5. The Squirrel and the Fox -  #62 Use Embellishments (lace, flowers, punches, sewing) 2/5
  6. Sentimental Sundays - #191 Lovey Dovey (this card is all about love) 2/1
  7. In The Pink Challenges - #36 - Die Cuts and Punches (listed in my products used) 


always a warm hug for you,

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Favorite 5 Creations of 2013


Happy New Year! We made it! 

(giggle)
The Very Talented Debby of "A Scrapjourney"  is challenging everyone to post 5 of their favorite 2013 cards and share them, linking back to her place, sharing a prize. 

My blog candy is shown below. You do not have to be follower to win my blog candy, 
but of course, I love it if you are!

My favorites were chosen by the techniques involved:

Lovely Twisted Easel Wreath (Copics, rolled flowers and Vellum)


Snow One Like You (Embossing Powder backgrounds, stamped and painted on Glitter)


Winged Sisters in Teal and Fuchsia (Copics, opaque EP distressing)


Charlotte with Butterfly (Copics, Lace and Mulberry Paper)


Asian Birds (Embossing Powders and Stained seam binding)


Now it's time to share your favorites, too!

Thanks for your inspiration and heartening encouragement throughout the year! 

At the end of this month Randon.org will select a winner for my Blog Candy from the comments left below (and/or from emails sent by email followers).


New Year Hugs,