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

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Holiday Spirit {Scrapy Land}


Welcome to my project for the 8th Scrapy Land Challenge! 
And a special welcome to new follower Pauline Steward.


The Challenge is open until January 4. 
The theme is "HOLIDAY THEME using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells" (electronic die cuts do not qualify)Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and most are at a great discount.
  plus free shipping over $45!

My card features the Sue Wilson Spanish Collection - Seville and the following dies.
Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles Large S4-142
Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Squares 



The Inkadinkacling sentiment is stamped with white pigment ink and embossed with Sparkle N Sprinkle EP107 Sparkle.

The Impression Obsession Snowflakes are die cut from the silver liner found on peanut cans, then layered and held together by a silver brad.


The Impression Obsession Pine Branch has been embossed with a little Sparkle EP and then Chunky Clear and Silver Glitter were added.

LOVE this die: Memory Box String of Bells. It is covered with Silver Ultrafine Glitter (isn't it so pretty with those darling little swinging clappers bringing movement to the banner?)


We are looking forward to seeing your pretty Holiday Creations at the Scrapy Land Challenge.

Products Used:

Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Spanish Collection - Seville
Scrapy Land Memory Box String of Bells
Scrapy Land Impression Obsession Pine Branch
Scrapy Land Impression Obsession Snowflakes
Spellbinders Long Classic Rectangles Large S4-142
Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Squares
Stamp: Inkadinkaclings (no name #60-60083)
Embossing Powder: Sparkle N Sprinkle EP107 Sparkle
Inks: SU Whisper White Pigment, Brilliance Sky Blue Pearlescent
Paper: Navy Blue, White, Tin Liner off a Planters Peanut Can
Glitter: A-Line Stamping brand Silver Opaque Ultra Fine Glitter, Off-brand Chunky Clear Glitter

Challenges I'm Playing In:

  1. Cards Galore Encore Challenge - Merry Christmas and Anything Goes - 01/01
  2. Die Cut Divas - Snow and Christmas/Holidays - (my pine branches are covered with glittery snow) 01/01
  3. Crafty Creations Challenge - #278 Something to "die for" - must use die cuts - 12/23
  4. Double Click Skittles - #11 Happy Holidays - 12/23 (Jan 10)
  5. A Gem of a Challenge - #134 Anything Christmas - 1/6
  6. Sentimental Sundays - #237 Anything Goes with a Sentiment - (stamped sentiment in white ink and used EP) 12/23
  7. Artistic Inspirations - #122 Anything Goes Christmas - 12/21
  8. Card Mania - #62 - Christmas 12/26
  9. Get Creative Challenges - #4 Blue Silver White (I have used Navy Blue - the photos look black, but the Cardstock is navy blue) 12/31
  10. Incy Wincy Designs - (week of Dec 15) Anything Goes Christmas - 12/21
  11. Monday Morning Challenge - #1 Anything Christmas or Winter - 12/29

Thanks for visiting!
Stamping Hugs,


Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Christmas Cheer {Scrapy Land}

Welcome to my projects for the 7th Scrapy Land Challenge!
AND
a CAS tutorial using this pretty die.

This card trio features the beautiful Die'sire - Christmas Present die cut set
With the festive embossed ribbons, this die cut set is great for elegant birthday and anniversary cards.
Die-sire Create-a-Card dies are from the United Kingdom, 
making them more expensive in the US, however, most dies are sold below the MSRP at the Scrapy Land on-line store.

NOTE: Dies coming from the UK and Europe are more expensive due to the high cost of shipping from the distributor to the U.S. retailer.


The Challenge is open until December 14. 
The theme is ANYTHING GOES using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells (electronic die cuts do not qualify)Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and most are at a great discount
  plus free shipping over $45!


My Projects use the following Scrapy Land die cuts:
(please see product listing below for other dies used)


The Memory Box String of Bells (shown below) is cut from gold glossy cardstock. 
This card uses a not-quite-salmony color called Mountain Rose. Galaxy Gold Brilliance ink and Mountain Rose dye ink have been applied to the white panels.  

Inside:

Below my card also uses Sue Wilson die cuts (also out of the UK):
Both are marked down 5% at this time.

The base also uses:
Impression Obsession Christmas bell die cut in gold glossy
Spellbinders Grand Scallops
SU roses ribbon border
Sparkle N Sprinkle Palm Green Cosmic embossing powder


Close Up of the Die-sire die cuts: 

This die is connected as a single piece 
        (ensuring perfectly placed cuts), 
                but cuts two separate shapes shown below.


I was surprised that this die does not have a cutting edge around the outside of the die. 

It must be trimmed by hand, or have a previously die cut shape ready before using the Die'sire die. 

So I have created a flat, "clean-and-simple" card tutorial below to show how this die is easily utilized. If mailed in a rectangularly shaped envelope, the finished card will use a single stamp:


Tutorial:

The sentiment can be placed on the back of a card when this sort of design is created:

Because the bells on the back were adhered with Xyron 150 applicator, some of the stickiness stays around the edge of the die cut. Some clear glitter sticks to that stickiness and makes the die cut look prettier. You probably cannot see that unless the photo is clicked on to enlarge.


I STRUCK GOLD!

DOING THE HAPPY DANCE to have "found" my gold and silver glossy cardstock - long forgotten - it was purchased some 10 years ago from Marcos Papers and was still in its original packaging.

Do you ever re-discover a long-ago-purchased item still in the original packaging?

Thanks for visiting! I always appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Do you read my blog posts via e-mail? Sometimes I mention to "click to enlarge" or to "leave a comment". To participate in those activities, just click on the title of the email to come directly to my blog post. Then click on photos to enlarge them, or leave a comment. Thank you!

Stamping Hugs,


Products Used:
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Spanish Collection - Valencia
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Spanish Collection - Corner, Border and Tag
Scrapy Land Sue Wilson Spanish Collection - Cordoba
Scrapy Land Die'sire - Christmas Present
Scrapy Land Memory Box String of Bells
Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Squares LF127
Spellbinders Grand Labels One LF161
Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One LF018
Spellbinders Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles (LG) S4-143
Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Oval (SM) S4-141
Impression Obsession Bells
EKSuccess Corner Punch
Stamps: IO Warmest Thoughts, SU Elegant Cheer, SU Merry Christmas
Brilliance Inks: Pearlescent Lime, Gold Galaxy, Rocket Red
Other Ink: Mountain Rose Dye Base, VersaMark
Sparkle N Sprinkle embossing powder: Detail Gold, Palm Green

Challenges Entered:

  1. Christmas Card Challenges - #53 Anything Goes - 12/6
  2. Fan-Tastic Tuesday - #64 - Anything Embossed (dry embossing in each design and wet embossing on 2 of the cards) 12/10
  3. My Creative Moments Monday Morning Creative Challenge - #1 Anything Christmas or Winter - 12/27
  4. Craft Hoarders Anonymous - #21 Celebrate the Season Hoarded Items - My Christmas cards use hoarded SU rose ribbon which was purchased over a year ago and never used. It also FINALLY uses pretty Gold Glossy cardstock (I actually forgot about it - it was purchased from Marcos some 10 years ago and was in the original packaging when I RE-discovered it last month!) 12/14
  5. Emerald Faeries Challenge - #62 Red and Green (card #2) 12/31
  6. Seemacrafts Challenge - December - "Christmas" 12/31
  7. Sweet Stamps Challenge - #198 Christmas Spirit 12/7