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, September 30, 2014

300th Follower Blog Candy Winner!

Sneak Peek for tomorrow's post:



Thank you, dear blogging friends, for helping me celebrate my 300th Google Friend Follower! Everyone was encouraged to submit entries - even those who follow by other readers, e-mail, etc.

There were a total of 57 comments/e-mails. Random.org chose the winner for me:


and drum roll...

The Winner is Stampsnob aka Lis!

Congratulations, Lis.
Please email your mailing address so I can mail your goodies!

stamping hugs,

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Emboss It! {Scrapy Land Challenge}

pssst! I have blog candy! Visit here.



Hi, everyone! Waving enthusiastically from hot hot HOT, humid Central Florida!


It is time for the 2nd All-New Scrapy Land Challenge! The Challenge is open until September 28. The theme is ANY die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells AND must use embossing powder twist. Scrapy Land sells well over 40 manufacturers of dies, and most are at a great discount!




Dies sold by Scrapy Land used to create this card:

*Spellbinders Fair Isle Pendant S4-270 (3 of the dies used)

*Spellbinders Octagons (for sentiment)

*Impression Obsession Border Duo Two (2 dies used)

*Impression Obsession Snowflakes


Inks and embossing powders were used to embellish each one of the layers.

VersaMark Ink smooshed on the surfaces of the die cuts is easy to apply. The embossing powder is perfect for covering up any mistakes!


It was difficult photographing this card because of the textures. Here is the actual soft coloring:


The Impression Obsession Snowflakes cut through a Planters Peanuts can liner - it is thinner than canned sodas, but heavier than most foils. The snowflakes were cut in half and pieced around the bow (ribbon is died with the same color ink "cool peri").



The following photo is dark, but showcases the difference in EP textures in the pennant versus the lace backgrounds. The formulas are shown further down in this post.



HOW THIS CARD WAS MADE:

Before EP and After EP with Mica Powder on Border Die Cut:
boo-boo time confession:  originally I was going to highlight the ovals in the die cuts, but I could not control the shaking in my hand, causing blobs of color. The panel covered with EP also had those same blobs at the bottom left, but they are scarcely noticeable, even with this slightly semi-transparent EP on top!
Here is the difference between adding EP (bottom) and before the EP.
The bottom panel is 1 part clear EP with an equal part of white mica powder

and a touch of glitter.

Before EP and After EP with Glitter instead of Mica Powder on Fair Isle Pendant Die Cut:


Instead of Mica Powder, the panel on right was coated with  1 part of clear embossing powder 3/4 part glitter.



The scallop border is part of the Border Duo die which is 7.25" long.
It has been inked with the same color Cool Peri lavender dye-base ink,
smooshed with VersaMark Ink and embossed with 
the same EP formula as the pendants. 
I paper pierced just outside the two borders, using a plastic canvas piece as a guide.
Next...

The sentiment is from the Anna Griffin "Send a Celebration" sentiments set. It is heat embossed with SNS Concord Star EP:



I wish you could see the holographic prettiness embossed into these powder formulas!



Products Used:

  • Scrapy Land Spellbinders Fair Isle Pendant S4-270
  • Scrapy Land Spellbinders Octagons (for sentiment)
  • Scrapy Land Impression Obsession Border Duo Two
  • Scrapy Land Impression Obsession Snowflakes
  • Anna Griffin Send a Celebration Sentiments
  • cardstock: white, purple, metallic lining from a peanut jar (snowflakes)
  • Embossing Powders: two white/clear EP formulas, and one SNS Concord Star detail EP.
  • Rhinestone flourishes (adhered with glue because the adhesive on them will not stick to EP very well)


Fun Challenges This Card is submitted to:


  1. NBUS - Never-Before-Used-Schtuff) #2 -  9/25 Spellbinders Fair Isle Pendant S4-270 (3 of the dies used it is YEARS AND YEARS old and not ever been used) and Impression Obsession Border Duo Two (probably a year old and never used) and some white mica powder in an unopened jar mixed with the clear EP and glitter to create a unique EP color.
  2. 613 Avenue Create - #89 Anything Goes 9/19
  3. Crafting When We Can - #78 Christmas Come Early 9/26
  4. Paper Creator's Crafts - #29 Early Christmas 9/18
  5. Crafting at the Week-end - #5 Anything Goes 9/27
As always, thank you for stopping by! I hope everything is going well in your little part of the world!
hugs,

Sunday, September 14, 2014

My Besties Goes Shopping {Scrapbook Stamp Society}

Please leave a comment to become eligible for my September blog candy here.

Greetings, dear blogging friends! I am Guest Designing from My Besties images today.

And a very special welcome to new google followers Ina Good and Lady Anne.

Today's card share features a great Sketch from Your Next Stamp Challenge, bright sunny goldenrod yellow from Cupcake Inspirations and this darling little My Besties image. She is all decked out for shopping, something I actually detest!

UNLESS

It is shopping for crafting supplies, of course.

"I Love Shopping" Bestie can be found here.

She would be really cute in Christmas colors as well, preparing for the festivities about to come!

"I Love Shopping Bestie" is attired in late Summer/early Autumn hues (by Copic Markers), bringing sunny cheer to each of the shop personnel she greets.




The September sketch from Your Next Stamp Challenge was used.

It's a great design!

The papers are of unknown origin. They are a gift from my very talented blogging friend Marie Berquist. Because some matching embellishments were included with the Basic Grey logo on them, the papers may be by Basic Grey also. (Thank you, Marie! Are you surprised I've already utilized them?)


Love these bright colors from the Cupcake Inspirations Challenges this week! The bright yellow and kraft colored cardstock are perfect complements for this darling card!


The bow is from Stampin' Up Grosgrain ribbon, a Prima Flower, and sewn with a "Tiny Findings" button purchased from Michaels. The other buttons were stitched to the sketch layer, after the panels were stitched to the white panel. Martha Stewart Vintage Floral PAP is beneath the sweet Hero Arts sentiment.


Hanging my head in shame:
Prima Flower - gift from friend (never before used)
Hero Arts Stamap - about 6 years old (and never used)
SU Ribbon - about 5 years old (and never used)

Redeeming myself:
Patterned Papers - gift from Marie (arriving 2 days ago!)

Challenges:
  1. Your Next Stamp Challenge: #16 sketch (shown above) 10/1
  2. Cupcake Inspirations Challenge: #278 (see inspiration photo above - used 2 colors) 9/21
  3. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges: #194 Stitching (faux or real) Sewing machine stitched - both straight stitch and zig zag stitching 9/21
  4. Fan-Tastic Tuesdays Challenge: #52 Anything Goes With Buttons (7 buttons sewn on) 9/16
  5. My Besties Aussie Challenge: #28 Anything Goes with Besties and Flowers 9/30
  6. Digi Sketch Challenge: September - "It's a Girl Thing" (I followed the theme only, and not the sketch) 9/30
  7. Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge: #46 Anything Goes 9/20
  8. 4 Krafty Girlz: #26 Anything Goes 9/18
  9. Crafting from the Heart: Anything Goes 9/14
Products Used:

  • Sherri Baldy My Besties IMG162 (shopping)
  • Hero Arts "sparkle" sentiments set
  • Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles (LG) S4-142
  • Spellbinders Curved Rectangles S5-006
  • Inks: Salmon, Pummice, Paris Dusk dye-based
  • Copic Markers
  • MS Vintage Floral PAP
  • Paper: White, Basic Grey PP, Kraft, Slate Blue
  • Embossing Folder: Couture Creations "Constellations"


Thanks for visiting Today!
Shopping Hugs,

Very Sad News - an Edith Update


It is with tears streaming down my face that I share the following message from Sue Drees. Many of us know Sue from the House Mouse and Friends Challenge blog, but she is blogging buddy to all of us.

Donna, it is with profound sadness that I must tell you that my beloved sister passed away this afternoon.

The past four days and nights we have stayed at the nursing home with her.  All of her children and grandchildren made it into town to be with her in her final hours.  We are so grateful to have all been together (13 of us).   I will miss her everyday for the rest of my life, but rejoice that she is with my parents in Heaven and can breathe freely at last. 

I want to thank you for all you did and a special thanks for each and everyone who sent a card, note, and in some cases some extra goodies.  This display of love from complete strangers brought great joy to Edith and our complete family.

Prayers and well wishes were so very much appreciated, and continue to be.

Big Hug to All, 
Sue

In case you have not seen the tab at the top of my blog for Edith Updates, please let me share something very endearing. Edith kept the cards YOU ALL SENT in a box. When visitors came to see her, she brought the box out to share them with others. Sometimes she even took the cards to show the nurses and staff and various medical facilities. We never know the results from our pretty "prayers of our fingers".

If you would like Sue's Address Or Edith's Husband's address to send a sympathy or thinking-of-you card, please send an email to thinkingofyou@tampabay.rr.com.

Thanks for brightening someone's final days, and for cheering her caregivers. And thank you for sharing your personal experiences with this dreaded disease as well. It is not a forgiving disease, nor are the treatments easy on the patient.



Wednesday, September 10, 2014

OH MY! September Blog Candy




WOW! I unexpectedly hit 300 Google followers when 


Susie Stacy, and 

joined this week! 

So I am going to award one of my followers blog candy! 


A pretty Christmas set called Winter Swirl

a wonderful Autumn set called Fall Harvest by my favorite artist Rosiland Solomon, 

(both valued at US $24.49) 

and


and A sweet Spring Time set called Tulips (valued $13.49).

If you follow me by e-mail, and want to be eligible for these prizes, please e-mail me privately by replying to your email, or by visiting my blog (click on the title on the top of your email) and leave a comment by clicking on the tiny word "comments" at the bottom of the blog post.

If you follow me via bloglovin', or some other means, please visit my blog post and leave a comment by clicking on the tiny word "comments" at the bottom of the blog post.

If you follow by Google Friend Connect, please just leave a comment as you ordinarily would.

Please contact me or leave a comment no later than September 30, 2014.

One problem - 

I can only mail the rubber stamp sets within the US. But I promise if the winner lives overseas, or across the border, to have a wonderful prize for you, too, which is not as costly to mail. Thank you for understanding.

Thank you, dear blogging friends, for visiting my blog and leaving comments so faithfully. I am home-bound, so the internet community is my where my friends are. Thank you for the ways you enrich my life and encourage my soul.

blogging hugs,






Wednesday, September 03, 2014

Scrapy Land's New Challenge! {Scrapy Land}

Note: for Edith updates, please click here. She has experienced a little set-back - cards would be great!

Welcome to the All-New Scrapy Land Challenge! My teamies and I are looking forward to to inspiring you with our challenge creations twice a month on the first and third Wednesdays. (Rules are HERE). The Winner and Top Three are selected by the design team. The Winner will be awarded a $15 gift card to the Scrapy Land Store, where there are more than 40 brands of dies and other goodies offered at a discount!


We are also looking forward to being inspired by YOUR creations, as well! 


Spellbinders "Bitty Blossoms" S5-086
Tattered Lace "Couple" (dancing)
Cheery Lynn "Fanciful Flourish"
(for several fancilful flourish options click here)
Spellbinders "Scalloped Borders Two" S5-202

The rules are simple - just follow the theme (this time it is "Anything Goes"

and 

use at least one die cut 
from the 40+ brands 
that Scrapy Land sells! 

Scrapy Land sells dies manufactured 
all over the world, 
so there is a great variety, 
and most prices are discounted 
to help enable you to add to 
your stash. 

The dies used in my card are shown on the left.


Gosh! No stamping on my card! It was a challenge to completely use die cuts in my creation, but fun to think outside my box! The Tattered Lace "Couple" (dancing) die is beautiful! Delicate and VERY easy to cut! It passed through my Grand Calibur the first time on thick white card stock. I brushed on glue and sprinkled the Celebration Velvet Microfine Glitter. (the card is not black, it is NAVY BLUE)


The easel card is 6" x 6" on white 8.5" X 11" cardstsock. But I wanted to use a punch which required a 6.75" square. Do you ever have the wrong-size card stock for the size card you want? We can still make 6" or 6.5" square easel cards, even with the small cardstock sizes. Because the Silver Glossy base is larger than 6", the "folds" for the easel card are at 6" and 9", leaving only 2" for the final portion.
How Sparkly and Pretty! The white roses and white leaves are distressed with Sea Wood Distress Ink, then I brushed on glue and added Transparent Starfire Glitter. The Sea Wood Distress  Ink shows through the glitter. 

Below, I've lightened this a little so you can see the navy cardstock details in the roses and leaves.



Sentiment is computer generated using Garineldo01 and Garineldo Plain fonts. They were free here.


My teamies and I are looking foreward to seeing your creations.
Just use a die cut from one of the brands Scrapy Land carries on ANY type project and
click on the logo below to enter!


Products used:

Scrapyland's Spellbinders Borderabilities Scalloped Borders One
Scrapyland's Tattered Lace Couple Dancing
Scrapyland's Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms
Scrapyland's Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish
MS Lace Flowers PAP
Aileen's Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Paper: White, Silver Glossy, Navy
Computer-generated sentiment
Sea Wood Distress Ink
Sparkle N Sprinkle: Starfire Glitter G1017, Celebration Velvet Microfine Glitter G2010, Brushable Glue #540


Challenges Entered:

  1. Crafts 4 Eternity - #191 - Bingo Middle Row - Use a Punch (MS Lace Flowers), the color BLUE (NAVY here), use some die cuts (several shown above) 9/5
  2. Creative Corner Challenges - Anything Goes - 9/5
  3. Through the Purple Haze - #57 Anything Goes - 9/6
  4. Sparkle N Sprinkle - September - Anything Goes With Loose Glitter 10/1
  5. Ladybug Crafts - September - Anything Goes 10/1
  6. Clear It Out Challenge - Sept 2 - Anything Goes 9/9 (used Celebration Glitter and Spellbinders Scalloped Borders One which have been in my stash for a long time without being used)
  7. Fan-Tastic Tuesdays - #51 Anything Goes 9/9
  8. Through the Craft Room Door - Sept 2-8 - Anything Goes
  9. SplitCoastStampers #IC454 - Design Seeds (denim color inspiration)




Thanks for dropping by!
hugs,