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 16, 2015

Sugar Plum Snow Ballerina {Scrapy Land #32}

Best Wishes to all for a very happy holiday season, 
and may the new year be especially good to you and yours!

Welcome new followers Cara Malmrose of My Creative Chaos, Cheri Weston of Stamp'n Boomer, Jenny Alia of Jen's Paper Obsession

Today I have fun card share for Challenge #32 at Scrapy Land
For those who enjoy the Nutcracker Suite At Christmas Time
it's...
The Sugar Plum Snow Ballerina!


Challenge #32 at Scrapy Land is 
Anything Christmas/Holiday Goes with die cuts. 

To enter the challenge follow the theme AND use any die brand that Scrapy Land sells
and become eligible for a fabulous prize and badges!

My card measures A7 (5" x 7") using the following "mix-and-match" dies from three Scrapy Land manufacturers.


(Scrapy Land dies shown below with their links)
Poppy Stamps Poinsettia Bloom

We would love for you to become a Follower of the Scrapy Land Facebook page and the new Pinterest boards.




I'm not sure where I acquired this graphic. It was lightly precolored, so I added the blue and some extra pink, to bring out the "sugar plum" theme. It's a silly, sweet creation.

Looking forward to seeing your creations on the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog!

NOTE: A glimpse into the future! Hope you enjoy!


My Christmas Cacti this season:




Scrapy Land Products:
Other Supplies:
  • Inks: Sky Blue dye, Spun Sugar dye, Worn Lipstick, Tuxedo Black
  • (partially pre colored image unknown)
  • Rhinestones, Stitching, Patterned Paper, White & Pink Cardstock
  • Stickles (on flowers) and Sparkle N Sprinkle Bubble Gum Glitter G1088
  • USArtquest mini Prills "Mango"
Playing in the following fun challenges please:

  1. Avenue 613 #154 "Create Your Own Challenge" 12/20 (Col 1- image, sentiment, PP, Solid Paper Col 2-  die cut, Col 3-  Stickles (on flowers), Col 4-   Pearl (center of lace), bling (rhinestones by sentiment) sequins (on lace), flowers (poinsettias in corner and Chloe Stems), Col 5 - lace, real stitching in frame.
  2. Glitter N Sparkle Challenge #167 Non-Traditional Colors 12/20
  3. The Christmas Challenge #74 Anything Goes  12/31
  4. A Gem of a Challenge "Anything Christmas Goes" 1/2
  5. A Snowflake's Promise #12 Anything Christmas 12/28
  6. Fan-tastic Tuesday #116 "Make It Sparkle" 12/21
  7. Holly Jolly Christmas Anything Christmas  01/16
  8. Eureka Stamps Challenge #171 "Non Traditional Christmas Colors" 12/21
  9. Sparkle N Sprinkle Challenges December - Use Loose Glitter (on Snow Dancer's tutu and head ornament). 12/31
  10. Shopping our Stash #231 "Let It Snow" 12/23


Christmas Hugs,



Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Christmas {Scrapy Land}

A Happy Hello from Warm, Sunny Florida!
Hard to believe we are nearly at the end of another year.

Pretty Die-Versions snowflakes adorn today's card.

Challenge #31 at Scrapy Land is 
Anything Goes with die cuts. 

To enter the challenge follow the theme AND use any die brand that Scrapy Land sells
and become eligible for a fabulous prize and badges!

My cards measure 6 inches square, and A7 (5" x 7") using the following "mix-and-match" dies from three Scrapy Land manufacturers.


(Scrapy Land dies shown below with their links)




Both frames are dark purple, and the middle 
dry-embossed paper is a metallic lavender.
The ornate white frame and Snowflakes are coated with glittery 
Sparkle Embossing Powder.
This photo shows the metallic lavender a bit more realistically.
is among my favorite for the pretty details.


The metallic paper is textured and dry embossed.
Snowflakes are adorned with sparkly rhinestones.
The square card took a little longer to create because of the heat embossed snowflakes and frame, and the extra inked areas. 


But the rectangular card was very fast and easy. 

Even though dimensional adhesive was used, both cards are relatively flat for mailing purposes.

Sue Wilson Ornate Pierced Rectangles
Looking forward to seeing your creations on the Scrapy Land Challenge Blog!


Scrapy Land Products Used:
Other Products:
  • Sentiment: SU Elegant Cheer
  • DCWV Metallics Set, Rhinestones, dye ink, pigment ink, purple/white CS
  • Sparkle N Sprinkle's SPARKLE embossing powder.
  • Embossing Folders: Die'Sire's Star Of Wonder, and Craft Concepts Tuscan Tile
Challenges I would like to play in please:
  1. Crafty Hazel Nut's Christmas Challenge #257 Use Die Cuts Or Punches (listed above) 12/4
  2. Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #108 Use a Diet Cut 12/4
  3. Winter Wonderland Challenges Nov 27 "Add Some Sparkle and Bling (snowflakes have rhinestones, and snowflakes and frame have glittery Sparkle EP, cardstock is shiny) 12/3
  4. Christmas Card Challenges #52 - Anything Goes Christmas 12/4
  5. Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Nov 24 - "Embossing" (I used EP on the frame and snowflakes and 2 EF's on both shiny background panels). 12/6
  6. Cuttlebug Mania Nov 24 "Embossing" 12/7 (used 2 EFs and several die cuts shown above)
  7. Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge - Nov 30 - 12/6
  8. Always Playing With Paper #53 "Non Traditional Christmas Card" 12/5 (Used unconventional colors).
  9. Artistic Inspirations #146 "Anything Goes with a twist of Christmas" 12/13
  10. Sparkles Christmas Challenges - #59 Christmas Die Cuts (Santa's sleigh) 12/28

Crafty Hugs!





Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Crafts Galore Encore!

Yes! I'm doing a Happy Dance!

Beginning 2016, I'll be joining the fabulous UK-based Design Team at 



Hope to see your pretties at the challenge.
There are lots of chances to win badges and prizes!

This month, the challenge theme is "Merry Christmas - Anything Goes".

The rules are SIMPLE at 


  1. Enter using the theme - new projects only(no back linking).
  2. Maximum of 3 entires per Challenge.
  3. Enter any number of other challenges in addition to ours.
  4. Your blog post should link to our challenge with a comment about your creation if appropriate (ie: Bingo challenges, Inspiration words or photos, etc.).
  5. Please link your specific entry, NOT your blog in general.

Thanks for sharing my happiness!
Looking forward to seeing you there.
warm crafting hugs,