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

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Besties With Edith {Scrapbook Stamp Society}

Hello, Friends! 
And a very special welcome to new google followers: DarnellBonnie, GEM23g, and Petra Swart.



Today's My Besties card is dedicated to Edith, and uses my newest Flower Tutorial.


(Who is Edith? Click here to discover how you can brighten someone's day).
Edith is recovering from recent brain surgery, undergoing physical therapy, and awaiting radiation and chemo treatments.

Today is also my final "official" card as part of Sherri Baldy's Scrapbook Stamp Society's design team.

Today's card share uses Sherry Baldy's darling "Wendy Puppy Love" image, available here.


She is colored with Copic Markers, sitting in a garden of glitter and Prima Flowers (new Flower Tutorial). There is also lace attached all the way around the scalloped oval (smile).


inside:



This month, the theme at Path of Positivity Challenge is all about Dreams.

Lots of "things" flavor our dreams.

Certain life events, education, upbringing, health, positive (and/or unsavory) relationships, and DESIRE are some of the things which affect our dreams.

Having dreams can keep us motivated to constantly seek the Good in Life, even if our Dreams are not fully realized. It can be easy to blame others for our unfulfilled Dreams, or to blame certain life experiences.

But I have learned that Dreams are flexible. They are those creative moments in our lives that cause us to see possibilities. We can make goals to help us on our Journey in meeting our Dreams face-to-face. The important thing is to keep moving and to allow our Direction (and Dreams) to change as challenges and opportunities present themselves.

Instead of viewing stumbling blocks as obstacles, those "blocks" may actually be BUILDING blocks to bring us to a different place, fulfilling an "UNKNOWN DREAM" which has always resided in our hearts.

For me, I would not have discovered the wide world of Beauty found in our Internet Community, had I not become critically ill, and home-bound. I've altered my dreams, and pressed forward, knowing that GENUINE BEAUTY is always beckoning me forward, to the most Beautiful of Dreams. Thanks for being part of my Pursuit.

There is nothing so Dreamy as following the Path, and creatively embellishing it with what is in our hearts.


Such sweetness! 


Thanks for stopping by today. 
Don't forget to take a peek at my newest Flower Tutorial.


Products Used:

Sherry Baldy's Wendy Puppy Love digital Image
Sparkle N Sprinkle Glitters: Crystal Ice, Lator Gator Microfine, Mountain Mint Microfine, Chunky Diamond Dust.
Sparkle N Sprinkle Brushable Glue
Copic Markers
Lace, Buttons
Spellbinders: Detailed Scallops 5x7 S6-004, Grand Rectangles Nestabilities, Grand Scallop Ovals Nestabilities
Martha Stewart: Flourished Lace PAP, Butterfly punch
Cheery Lynn B147 Olive Branches
Papers: Neenah Solar White, Georgia Pacific White, Stampin Up Blue, SU Aqua, DPs from stash.
Old, Old Prima Flowers (from Terry)

Fun Challenges Submitted to:


  1. The Cutie Pie Challenge - #73 Use a Cute Digi (Darling little girl with puppy!) 7/19
  2. Path of Positivity - #16 Dreams - (please see my words toward the bottom of my post) 8/7
  3. My Besties Friendship - #3 Use a My Besties (freebie offered) 8/3
  4. My Besties German Challenges - #5 Anything Goes 8/15





stamping hugs,

Easy Flower Tutorial #2 (Prima, single layer flowers)

Hi, Everyone! As promised, here is the 2nd in a series of how to use those single layer "Prima" flowers we all have in our stash.



To see larger photos, please click on the photos to enlarge.

My first tutorial uses smaller flowers here.

WARNING: the glue DOES get all over your fingers and under your finger nails, but just wash it off afterwards.

These flowers (courtesy of Terry) are about 1.5" (3.75cm).

This is very basic and easy - no inking, glittering, etc to make them look even prettier!
The buttons don't even have threads or twine tied through them.

There are 3 flower types being shown all from one layer flowers.

SIMPLE DOUBLE LAYER FLOWERS
(WITH OR WITHOUT CRUMPLED PETALS)

Items needed:

Larger prima flowers
Buttons
Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky Glue

Put a drop of glue in the center of the flowers for the buttons. (or sew through holes if you'd like the thread to show).


Place buttons on glue droplets.


Place another flower layer UPSIDE DOWN and add a drop of glue.


Place button layer on top. Allow to dry.
Use as is, or crumple the petals to your taste.


Now you have lots of dimension without any manipulating, and it probably will go through the mail if a sheet of text weight paper is placed on top of your card before putting it in your envelope.


DIMENSIONAL FLOWERS USING THREE PRIMA FLOWERS

Items needed:

Larger prima flowers
Buttons
Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky Glue

Put a drop of glue in the center of the flowers for the buttons. (or sew through holes if you'd like the thread to show).


Place buttons on glue droplets.


Fold Flower in Half.


Fold in half again. 


Open the 2nd half and round it around a pencil, or just manipulate it with your fingers so that it will fit around half of your button on the original layer.

Apply glue to folded half (sorry for the gloppy drop there, it takes a while for my hands to not shake, while I photograph with one hand and hold with the 2nd hand LOL)


Attach it around half of the button. The glue will dry clear. Because the flower is folded in half, the petals actually face away from each other, creating more dimension.


Open the 2nd petal, leaving it only folded in half. Apply glue to folded edge and apply to other side of button. "Crunch" the two half together until you are happy with the shape.


Here is "The Before", with a single layer, and "The After" with 2 halves glued around the button.




DIMENSIONAL FLOWER BUDS USING ONE FOLDED PRIMA FLOWER

Items needed:

Larger prima flowers
Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky Glue

Fold a single flower in half, and in half again (making it 1/4 fold).


Insert droplet of glue (which will dry clear).
Hold the bud while the glue sets a little (about 60 seconds).
You can shape the bud at the same time.
If making for scrapbooking and cards, try to keep one side fairly flat for adhering to your project.



Top left: plain prima flowers
Next: several single flower buds.
Front Right: 3 double flower buds. (two flat, front one is crumpled)
Back Right: two triple flower creations for more dimension.


SAMPLE CARD: using all three styles.
The double layers were crimped to look like buds.


hope you enjoyed my easy-peasy tutorial - it was even simpler than the first!
hugs,
de


Friday, July 04, 2014

A Big Favor - Pretty Please?



Hello, dear blogging friends.

One of our blogging-paper-crafting-friends, Sue Drees, recently shared some sad news.

Her sister fell on June 22, and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. On June 25, the tumor was successfully removed. However, the biopsy brought back devastating news - a fast growing Brain Cancer. Sue's sister is determined to fight this all the way. She began physical rehabilitation on July 4.

Sue and her sister Edith live in the North East (USA). Sue and her husband transport Edith's husband to the hospital each day and check up on changes and quality of care.

While Sue did not ask for help, I've kept in touch with her and asked if Edith would enjoy receiving cards of encouragement and support.

Sue was so grateful that the on-line community might help in this way - it was something she had not considered.

Edith enjoys Quilting and LOVES flowers! Edith's beloved fur child is a little pug, and both miss each other very much.
Will you please consider sending a note, tag, or card (or two or three? LOL) offering encouragement? Edith valiantly fights other illnesses in addition to this new challenge. She is a very courageous soul.

Cards can be sent addressed to Edith c/o Sue and she will take them daily to the hospital.

To obtain the mailing address, please write:
thinkingofyou@tampabay.rr.com

Thank you for making a difference in one person's life, by bringing in a little sunshine.

UPDATES WILL BE POSTED CONTINUALLY AND KEPT IN A TAB AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG. Thanks again.

love,