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

Monday, March 31, 2014

April Showers Reveal - Sparkle N Sprinkle

March 27, 2021 - note:
THIS SET IS NOW AVAILABLE AT JAN'S DIGI SHOP. It is $4.00 and contains 10 images, including a colored version.

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's April 1 Reveal.

A very special welcome to new followers: 
Dr. Sonia, Kitty, Chrissy, Debs, Kimberly S, Pat N,Carmen and Susan.

singing, "April Showers bring May Flowers"...


This month 5 new stamp sets are being introduced. Until April 3, the sets are 20% off their regular price. The April Showers stamp set by artist Jan Mahew is available on Cling Mounted Rubber, as a digital image, and is also included in Jazzy Jill's Technique Video for the month.

*NEW* also available as 
digital image here.
*NEW* also available as 
digital image here.
*NEW* also available as 
digital image here.

Crackle Background #609P5

















On April 3 five winners will be selected from the comments left on the designers' blogs listed below. Each winner will receive a new stamp set, and the choice of one embossing powder and glitter to go with their new set.

The new SNS Creative Challenges also begins today, with lots of prizes and recognition badges. This month, if you use a Sparkle N Sprinkle image in your Challenge project, not only will you become a Featured Artist, but your name will be entered in a separate drawing for 3 Ultra Fine Glitters and/or Embossing Powders.

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

Steff Munnings - new designer!
Donna Ellis (me!)
Shona Erlenborn
Eret Pank
Mayra Hernandez
Emmy van den Heuvel
Belinda Shupe
Marie Berquist
April Williams
Jazzy Jill

My card today is a feat!
It is flat! (for mailing)
  It is small! A2 size. 
 Normally I make size A7 (5" x 7"), so this truly was a difficult card to make in my book.
          Still, there is plenty of sparkle. (giggle)


The card "jacket" is white and covered completely with Sparkle N Sprinkle Teal Velveteen Microfine Glitter. Painted with Sparkle N Sprinkle Brushable Glue and immediately dredged with glitter, it only took about 30 minutes to dry completely, even in Florida's humid weather. The excess was brushed off, and the jacket was glued to the pink card base. AND the glitter stays in place.


The sweet little image was heat embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle White Detail embossing powder, then colored with Prismacolor pencils.

The darling sentiments are heat embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle Mediterranean embossing powder, tied with sparkly fibers, and adhered onto the umbrella handle. The umbrella was first heat embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle By The Lake embossing powder, then coated with Sparkle N Sprinkle Pink Lady Cosmic embossing powder to create texture and a unique marbled look, similar to rain.

The raindrops are first embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle White Detail embossing powder and then lines were drawn with a VersaMarker next to each white line, and heat embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle By The Lake embossing powder.

Spellbinder's Classic Square dies were used to create the window card and jacket.
directions to re-create this card are here.

Remember that the new stamp sets are 20% off through April 3, and three of them are available in our digital store as well (see above for the links).
Thanks for stopping by today! I always appreciate your visits!

Products used:
Prismacolor Pencils: Deco Pink, Blush Pink, Precious Red, Light Aqua, Deco Aqua
Stream Water Base Marker
SB Grand Ovals (behind doily)
SB Classic Squares (create window card base and jacket)
SB Labels Nineteen - S4-311
IO Umbella Die049-A
Cheery Lynn Swedish Spring Oval Frame FRM 135

This card is submitted to the following Charming Challenges:
  1. The Kraft Journal - #165 Inside and Out - use Kraft CS and follow inside-out theme 4-6
  2. The Paper Nest Dolls - #7 Anything Goes - 4-11
  3. Use Your Stuff - #129 Die Cuts - 4-6 (used 7 die cuts listed above)
  4. Allsorts Challenge blog - #252 Use Those Dies (used 7 die cuts listed above) 4-3
  5. Speedy The Fox (MFP) Challenge - #205 Use a Negative from die cut (square dies used to create window card and jacket 4-3
  6. Word Play Saturday - March "Anything" (two sentiments on front) 4-5
  7. Alphabet Challenge - Mar28 "D is for Die Cuts" - 4-7
  8. Crafty Cardmakers - #113 "You've Been Framed" (use frame) 4-13
  9. Izazovi I Slatkisi Challenges #30 Embossing (used 4 colors of embossing powder) 4-2
  10. Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - #224 Anything Goes 4-3
  11. Cut It Up Challenges - #41 Anything Goes (7 die cuts) 4-1

Stamping hugs,









March Blog Candy Winner

It's the last day of March - time to announce my blog candy winner.
Thanks, Lynne, for sponsoring the blog candy!

My March Blog Candy is sponsored by Paper and Stones

The information for the gift certificate is located on my original blog post.


Currently Paper and Stones has a 20% off sale (through April 6)

HOWEVER

you can combine it with a discount coupon found only on my blog:

FRIEND50

Therefore, your purchases are 50% off the 
marked down price
Way below wholesale pricing.

Please be sure to visit my original blog candy post for all the information.
Shipping is not as reflected in check-out. Lynne is adjusting the shipping and crediting your accounts.

all new items uploaded

and now for the winner:



Congratulations, Pam!

Here are some of my favorite items on sale (PLUS YOUR 50% OFF)

originally $8.95, currently $7.16 - now add the 50% off the $7.16 = $3.58

Several Cheery Lynn Designs Die Cuts all at 20% off plus my FRIEND50 code to get another 50% off.

Remember, currently 20% off with another 50% off with my coupon code until April 6.

Just Rite Stampers
Memento Dye Inks
Templates
Buttons
Tattered Angels
Heartfelt Creations
Ribbons
Sparkle N Sprinkle
Zing
Crafters Companion
assorted embellishments
Spellbinders
Washi Tape
Stickles
Blank Book Boards
Mini Albums
Inkssentials
Epiphany Crafts

and many more name brands and items.

Pam please contact Lynne by visiting her home page and clicking on the CONTACT SELLER link.

hugs,


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Rustic Medallion with a Little Lace {Sparkle N Sprinkle}


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Hello, dear friends! Because all our "south of the equator" blogging buddies are moving into Autumn, these creations are for them!


Fellow blogger Desire Fourie (way down "south" in South Africa) inspires me with each one of her unique card designs. The medallions on my cards are taken from her Fabulously Folded Flower Medallions. (how's that for alliteration?)

Desire has several tutorials, but this one appealed to me. 
I placed the petals in the same direction, rather than creating "mirror image petals" as Desire suggested. Please check out her blog because she has several excellent interesting folded embellishment tutorials.


The printed papers are from my stash - over 8 years old... (sad but true LOL)

The Copper Flame embossing powder is brand new from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

The distressing is done with Walnut Distress Ink and By The Lake embossing powder, also from SNS.


Chipboard looks fabulous when covered with paint, EP or Glitter. Perfect way to add dimension without making things too thick for the postal service.



The checkerboard embossing folder is from Shona Erlenborn. The brad below was heat embossed with SNS Gold Detail EP.


VersaFine was used with the "just because" stamp from SNS Rocco With Roses.

Thanks for stopping by! Products used are listed below, with the great challenges I've entered!
hugs,





Products Used:

Sparkle N Sprinkle Rocco With Roses Stamp Set #527 ('just because')
Sparkle N Sprinkle Copper Flame Mixed Media embossing powder EP453 *NEW*
Sparkle N Sprinkle By The Lake embossing powder EP400
Sparkle N Sprinkle Gold Detail Embossing Powder EP168 (on the brad)
VersaMark Ink (712353310018)
Sparkle N Sprinkle Brushable Glue #540
SNS-Want 2 Scrap chipboard Style D #816722012647
SNS-Want 2 Scrap chipboard Word Sentiments of Love #816722016140 
VersaFine Deep Lagoon Ink
Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Tea Dye Distress Ink
Embossing Folder - Darice Borders (card 1 and 2)
Embossing Folder - Couture Creations "Constellations" (card 3)
Spellbinders Decorative Elements Tear Drop Circles S4-344
Spellbinders Standard Circle Petite S4-116 (8 circles for the medallion)
Martha Stewart Leaves and Branch Deep Edge Punch
Martha Stewart Laurel Leaf Punch Around the Page
Martha Stewart Zig Zag Edger
Cardstock: Brown, Umber, Pale Melon, Turquoise, Patterned Paper
Brad (for medallion center)
Lace (optional for medallion layer)

Challenges Entered:

  1. Artistic Inspirations - #84 Anything Goes - 3/31
  2. UnstampaBelles Challenges - #33 Must have 3 different geometric shapes and no stamp images (cards 1 and 2) round, square, rectangle, Cones (in medallions), V-shape triangles (3/31)
  3. Use Your Stuff - #128 - Use Ink (used VersaFine in sentiment, Walnut Distress ink all over each layer, including each petal of the flower medallions, VersaMark was applied on brads for EP to be applied, and VM was also applied randomly on the layers so EP could be applied for distressing around the edges. Old Papers which had never been used. (3/31)
  4. Crafts and Me - #146 - Anything Goes (4/3)
  5. Crafty Hazel Nut's Patterned Paper Challenge - March 2014 (4/1) - Use patterned paper from stash in project - the distress leaf PP was used as the main card focal point and also in each of the folded medallions.
  6. Through The Purple Haze - #34 Bingo - (left vertical column Flower-Image-Punch (card #3)  3/30 




Thursday, March 13, 2014

Ragamuffin Bestie Celebrating St. Patrick's Day!

Please sign up for
My Fabulous March Blog Candy!



Top o' the Mornin', me dear lads and lassies
LOL - corny I know.

for those using the translate button:
That's Irish for "Good Morning, dear blogging friends!"

A special welcome to new followers: 
Beatrice, Tina Teasdale, Steff, Chrissy

Hi! Is this adorable little Ragamuffin Bestie celebrating St. Patrick's Day or is she performing in a circus on a flying trapeze?

Maybe both?

Today she is swinging in an easel card.

Or MAYBE her "normal self" is to dress up and swing in the front yard!

TIP:
There is a lot of extra confetti around this little darling. I cropped part of Sherri Baldy's image (the little squiggly frills) and then pasted them all over the image and even in my sentiment below!


Playing with the My Besties images is enjoyable:
        It allows the little girl in me to come out and not be inhibited about how 
            gaudy, 
                or frilly, 
                     or silly, 
                          or wonderful 
                                my card can be. 

AND AND AND I am reminded to be "My own Bestie" 
             and 
                      to even DO my own best, without being concerned 
                                if it is "good enough" for anyone else. (Thank you, Sherri!)


MORE CONFETTI! -- The glittery line around the designer paper is actually Swan Wing Glitter Tinsel 

Because the tinsel still has lots of space between each piece of tinsel, I "mooshed" in some Luau Green Velvet Glitter. It changed the color from clear white to an iridescent two-glitter look!

The greeting is actually a freebie "coloring book page" found by googling "St. Patrick's Day Words Color Book Page".

It's very tiny now! LOL

The oval behind it is also covered with Luau Green Velvet Glitter.

Don't forget to Sign up for My Fabulous March Blog Candy! It is a gift certificate!


Wonderful Challenges to which this card is entered:

  1. Scrapbook Stamp Society #36 - Anything Goes w/Distressing 3/16
  2. Besties Challenge Blog (Mar 3) - Anything Goes 3/15
  3. Artistic Inspirations Challenges - #82 Anything Goes w/green/St. Patrick's 3/16
  4. Crafting from the Heart - #9 - Anything Goes with Favorite Colors (my favorite color combo is green and pink) 3/14
  5. Crafters Cafe Challenge - #54 Use Flowers 3/18
  6. Cuttin' and Stampin' Challenge -  St. Patrick's Day #14-10, (3/17)
  7. Die Cuttin' Divas - #156 Luck of the Irish (3-17) (Dies Used are listed below, different sizes were used in each die set)
  8. Digi Choosday Challenge - #10 "It's All About The Girl" (3/17)
  9. Sweet Stamps - #160 "good luck" (3-16) (my sentiment does not specifically say "luck" but it wishes the best in every way for St. Patrick's Day) Used my new Sweet Cuts die!
  10. My Besties UK Challenge - (Mar 10) "Flower Power" 3/16  Lots of Flowers!
Products Used:

My Besties Ragamuffin on Swing IMG256
Computer-Generated Sentiments
Sparkle N Sprinkle Luau Green Velvet Glitter GM2004
Sparkle N Sprinkle Swan Wing Glitter Tinsel GT3002
Sparkle N Sprinkle Diamond Dust Glitter G1116
MS Floral Crochet PAP Deed Edge Punch
Spellbinders Classic Ovals Large S4-110
Spellbinders Decorative Floral Ovals S4-356
Spellbinders Grand Ovals LF110
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Ovals LF11
Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms S5-086
Spellbinders Petite Scallop Oval S4-141
Sweet Cuts - Elegant Leaves SC023
White flowers from Lavish Laces
Copics E00, E70, E35, R02, G20, G21, G43, G07, G28, YG91 and others for shading

A little something from my front door - 
we have NEVER had petunias grow during the winter,
they can't stand the cold weather.
BUT THIS YEAR:

The sun was too bright yesterday.
It reflected off the white petunias.

So I took photos on either side.

I now know that petunais cannot handle hot weather at all, and enjoy above freezing temperatures, but definitely below 70F.

During our freezes, the begonias and petunias were covered with old tee-shirts and covered again with layers of sheets.

the other side is below.

This winter we pulled out all the landscaping in the front yard, and replanted (I'll bore you with some photos another time).




Happy St. Patrick's Day a few days early!

hugs,


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Just Because

(Clear It Out Challenge 12-2014)
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A "just because" card.
The colors are not showing up correctly - especially the greens should be more pastel.
We are overcast today and I could not achieve the true colors in photographing :-(




I promise! It started out FLAT.

But I could not escape myself.



The rose cried out, sobbing hysterically to be used.

I could not refuse.



Love the creamy dreamy Embossing Powder. Even though it is not "detail" powder, the Cosmic line works really well on detail images.



Now my card is not flat for mailing.
Sigh.
(giggles)

psssst! 
The solid green cardstock is actually more the color found in the patterned paper on top.

Don't forget my March blog candy
It's a great gift certificate to a wonderful on-line shop!

Products Used

Sentiment by Verses BB0506-E
MS Swirling Lace Punch
Sparkle N Sprinkle Cosmic Semi-transparent Embossing Powder E121
Spellbinders Labels Five S4-229
Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms S5-086
Cottage Cutz Greenery dies

Gratefully submitted to the following fabulous challenges:
  1. Created With Love Challenges - #77 Think spring (spring colors and flowers) 3/13
  2. Crafting from the Heart - #9 - Anything Goes with Favorite Colors (my favorite color combo is green and pink) 3/13
  3. Tuesday Throwdown - #186 Stitching (sewn around the edges) 3/17
  4. Crafters Cafe Challenge - #54 Use Flowers 3/18
  5. Deep Ocean Challenge -  #73 Lace and Pearls 3/23
  6. Shopping Our Stash - #134 Sentiments Only 3/17
  7. Die Cuttin' Divas - #156 Luck of the Irish (3-17) (Dies Used are listed below, different sizes were used in each die set)
  8. Ladybug Crafts - (Mar 1) Anything Goes - (Apr 1)
  9. Papertake Weekly - (Mar 11) BINGO (gems, free, lace -- or -- Lace, punched shapes, flowers) (3-16)


A little glimpse of my backyard last week:


Hope you enjoy a wonderful day!
hugs,

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Fix for Blogger's Tabs/Pages Problem


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After trying to edit the tabs (Pages) in Blogger's Dashboard yesterday, I discovered that Google has removed the edit/add/delete feature from their Dashboard.

So off to visit the Google Help Blog, where a number of other people are complaining about the same issue (all as of this month). With no remedy being offered, I played around with some other places (in our blogger account) where these features are offered and found the remedy.

The format had changed without notice.

I was able to add, edit, and delete static pages* in two manners:

  1. Go to layout, and click on EDIT where it shows the PAGE TABS appear on your blog.                  OR
  2. Look at your actual blog (not from the dashboard). Where the little wrench appears on the right of your PAGES/TABS, click on that. 

Either way, a CONFIGURE PAGE LIST window pops up.

1) REARRANGE the Pages by clicking on the left icon and dragging.

2) DELETE BY Clicking the "x" on the right side

3) TO ADD A NEW STATIC PAGE - At the bottom of the window click on ADD LINK PAGE.

4) TO EDIT EXISTING STATIC PAGE TITLE: No edit option. You have to delete entirely and re-add in order to "edit" wording for your tab.

*Static pages contain no written information. Static Pages are Pages/Tabs that when clicked, the tab title automatically reroutes to another page, website or blog.

Hope this helps!
hugs,