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, February 28, 2017

A Reverse Silhouette {Sparkle N Sprinkle}

You're here - I'm so glad!

 As Guest Designer, I'd like to invite you to the SNS Blog Hop.
Check out my talented Teamies' beautiful creations,
AND
earn a chance to win the grand prize!


Welcome to the ALL NEW Sparkle N Sprinkle March Reveal Blog Hop!

NEW STORE - NEW BLOG - NEW PRODUCT LINES!

IT IS ALL ABOUT FUN AS YOU HAVE NEVER ENJOYED IT!

It's Demo Donna on the SNS YouTube Channel!

 Subscribe today to REVEL IN all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques - AND - great entertainment! Each week a new technique is shared, and each month, a new video kit is revealed!

The new sets are 20% off until March 3, 2017, so after the blog hop, hop on over to the NEW STORE and have fun shopping! Be sure to check out the OTHER amazing new products as well! With names like TONIC and NUVO and STAMPENDOUS and HOUSE MOUSE, you're sure to fill that cart up quickly!

There are FOUR new rubber stamp sets being released this month with their digital counterparts, plus a new Digi Papers set, and a gorgeous Digi Only Bundle set full of lots of extras.   

The new SNS sets are:



When you purchase the digital versions of any of the SNS rubber sets, you will receive extras that are not available otherwise.  These extras can include additional images, sentiments, digi papers, and/or decoupage sheets that not available with the rubber version.  

Every new digi set purchased lists exactly what is in the bundle including:
 ~ black and white images
~ colored images
  ~ .jpeg format (white background) 
~ .png format (transparent background) 
 ~ a cut file to use with your electronic cutting machines!

To expand your crafting capabilities and project types, you're going to want both the rubber versions AND the digital versions of all our new releases, especially while they are 20% off.

On March 3, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on all the Designers' blogs listed below.  Please leave a comment with each designer to be eligible for the Grand Prize (checked for compliance).  The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and the SNS New Blog.  

The Blog Hop Order this month is:



We hope you enjoy the New Reveal Blog Hop as much as we do.  Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the Designers' blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize.   Wonder who the Mystery Host will be this month?

Today, I attempted some CAS cards. So difficult for me!
I wanted to show one technique, used four ways.
Each card was stamped with VersaMark Ink and White Detail Embossing Powder.
Two cards on black cardstock, two on a lavender-blue cardstock.
Three of the stamped images were then painted with bleach:



After the bleach had dried, each of the cards was painted with Tombow Markers in the bleached areas:



Before putting this card together, I ran the melon color through an embossing folder, and then inked the edges with VersaMark Ink and heat set Clear Detail Embossing Powder to deepen the embossed shapes and bring a little more desired vibrancy to the color of the cardstock:



This lavender-blue card is a lesson on covering up mistakes that occur when dropping things all over the card as you create (giggle):

Use your border punches or border dies repetitively on the the same project to create cohesive, visual interest. I love using my old punches. In this case, I covered up a multitude of boo-boos you hopefully cannot see. Another technique I employed was to apply glitter unsymmetrically (the tinsel across the bottom of the card and in the flowers. It helps when I make a cutting mistake in layers, and also provides a little sparkle without being overwhelming:



Sparkle N Sprinkle is retiring many of the "colors". Among them are this gorgeous semi-transparent Cherry Lemonade G1118. I love this soft "orange" color which allows the color of the card stock to show through. It reminds me of creamsicle ice cream (yummy!). This glitter is half price!

ENABLER ALERT: Check out all the SPECIALS and Close-outs here. The Close-Outs are on the "old" Sparkle N Sprinkle website.

The bleach on this card was colored with a variety of Tombow Marker colors:


APOLOGIES THAT LOOSE GLITTER HAS REFLECTED ALL OVER THE CARDS. The cameras these days pick up every tiny speck!

Another Black background - this one was not colored with any markers. The bleach did all the work.
It was fun using an old butterfly punch, coating it with Beach Ultrafine Glitter:


The second lavender-blue card is colored with blue Tombow markers:


The white frame is actually three Sue Wilson pierced rectangle dies - two were put through and cut, and then the middle die was added and passed through the machine again in embossing sandwich:





Doing The Unexpected-But-Simple things can often bring sweet rewards in our card making.

Next on the hop is the incredibly artistic Shona Erlenborn! 
She always has meticulously photographed techniques featured in her blog posts.

Sparkle N Sprinkle Products:

I would like to enter these cards into the Mod Squad Bleaching with Color Challenge!  3-6

Thanks for visiting, my friends!
hugs,

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PRIZES AND INFO

Hi, everyone!

First of all, I'd like to say thank my lovely blogging friends who participated in Christina Hor's Hug a Heart Card Drive and blog hop!

She has now posted the winners on her blog here.

Next -



Thank you to all my sweet, "regular", blogging buddies who visit and leave comments, invitations, and best-of-all, FRIENDSHIP... You mean so much to me... and it's time for a little blog candy award from here.




The winner is:
Karin van eijk!

Karin, please email me with your full name and mailing address.

And Karin, I would like to thank you for being one of my first followers, and your many kindnesses over the years of expressing loving, kind, encouraging comments!

I will have more blog candy later in the year.
hugs,


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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Cardz for Teenz {Cardz 4 Galz}

What a joy to see you here!
Thanks for taking time to visit.

It's time for the 41st Cardz 4 Galz challenge!




Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #41 theme is selected by teamie Babs - Cardz 4 Teenz.
You may have 3 separate submissions, and have as many cards as you like on each submission.  

Show us your cards for ages 13 to 19. 
Challenge ends on March 1.


I've used this darling little cupcake Besties, surrounded by butterflies, and girly, lacy shapes.

It is always a pleasure seeing your artful treasures,
so please come play with us.
Products Used:

Besties Image
Life Style Nesting Lace Ovals Dies
Impression Obsession Birthday Die
Die'sires butterfly border Die
Copic Markers
On a Personal Note:

 While many of you are wishing to thaw out from freezes, or shovel yourselves out of snow-covered peaks, we have been enjoying an extremely mild, wet winter. Just so you know, though, it means lots more bugs, vines, weeds, and soil contaminants that a good freeze can quill to help farmers and normal people tolerate the hot months.

 A little stroll at 8:30 AM - the sun just after sunrise:

 A dwarf azalea on steroids - giggle. The early morning sun is casting light on the screen. You might be able to see that it is slightly green because of how damp the winter has been - we must pressure wash the mold and mildew off. (not essential if we have normal weather patterns).

 Kilo, wondering what I'm doing, and why am I walking so early:

The last of our cabbages and onions. It's too warm to leave them in the ground any longer:

The "Community Water Hole" so that all the critters and birds can drink during the day; and at night, water for the deer, opossums, raccoons, bobcats, foxes, and whatever else strolls through in the nocturnal hours.

 One of the several woodpiles stacked around the property. During the cooler months, lots of tree trimming is done to minimize damages from summer storms, tropical storms and hurricanes. After the debris is burned, the larger pieces are split using our log splitter. I marvel that my husband enjoys doing these things. The "logs" have since been transported to the open-air "wood shed".

Top of the "hill", and the top of our property, are these large azaleas. The center bushes are a good 12 feet high (3.6 meters). Everything is in a shadow - the foreground reveals a bit of sunshine trying to peek through the trees as it is still early:

 My favorite person Jack (and Kilo, his faithful sidekick) at the waterhole. (The wood pile behind him has been stashed away). That large green plant growing up the huge oak trees in the back left is a Monstera in the Philodendron Pothos variety.
Because we have not had severe freezes the past several years, it is growing crazily!

Another woodpile - which has been since stacked. The little open air "wood shed" is visible below at the right. We enjoy using the fireplace when there is a chill in their air, or if it is too warm for the heater, but it's chilly outdoors and very wet. During the winter, of course: 

March means a month of severe pruning and massive leaf raking! All the brown area above is fallen oak leaves. Our oaks lose their leaves in February, and grow little "squiggles" at the beginning of March in order to release pollen. The air will be yellow with pollen, and we all stay away as much as possible. It is those weeks we relish heavy rains to knock the pollen out of the trees and air.



Stamping Hugs,


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Monday, February 13, 2017

Sparkle N Sprinkle Leafy Spring Wreath

Hello, Sweet Blogging Friends!
Welcome to my little blog,
and to the reveal for a lovely new stamp set by Sparkle N Sprinkle and Beccy Muir called

Available both digitally and in rubber, it's a pretty set that is suitable for several occasions.
I used the rubber for the wreath, and the digital for the sentiments:


The first card is flat for mailing:
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Pearl White were used around the circle. The image is stamped and colored with markers. The sentiment is digital, part of the same set.

Some of the flowers are popped up because the wreath is recessed behind the basketweave layer:


Instead of layering the flowers directly atop the flowers beneath, I off-set them a little:


Nuvo Drops were also used in the flower centers with a touch of glitter.

A Pretty Yellow Wreath is always a friendly sight!


When creating cards, I try to plan the layout, and the rest is done to cover up boo-boos!


Interior (sentiment is a sneak peek):


The frame is actually "popped up", and the wreath is recessed beneath it:


The pretty Tonic Essentials Layered Leaves Embossing Folder is highlighted with some Brilliance ink pads, and distressed with Straw around the edges.



The Pretty floral spray was
created with:


dimensional flowers,

ribbon from DLArt,

Sizzix Branch with Leaves in vellum,


Sue Wilson Faux Quilled Leaves
coated with 

Tulle,


a Martha Stewart heart
covered with

and some
pretty pearl flourishes.



Here's a close up of the
glittered items:


Lastly a sweet pink card with lacy elements:


The bow is made from my Great-Aunt Agnes's stash from the 1940s or 1950s. It's a pale pink with large scallops and scallops in the scallops (giggle).

While this frame is also popped up, it was done a bit differently:




The result is a much sturdier frame, and it looks fabulous in real life, easier to adhere, and gorgeously sparkle-full! I imagine a less sturdy cardboard would have been just as acceptable:


Interior:


Thanks for stopping by today!


Sparkle N Sprinkle Products:


Other Products:
Sizzix Branch with Leaves in vellum
Sue Wilson Faux Quilled Leaves
MS open heart punch
DLArt Ribbon
Pearl Stickers with (glitter added)
We R Memory Keepers Next Level Woven 1 embossing folder

 Challenges I'd like to support please:

  1. Allsorts Challenge #402 Hearts and/or Flowers 2/17 (I used the rubber for the wreath, and the digital for the sentiments)
  2. Artistic Inspirations #172 Anything Goes 2/20
  3. Classic World Wide Open DT Challenge #11 - Anything Goes for a DT (SNS DT) 3/1
  4. Crafting from the Heart #146 Anything Goes  2/20
  5. Crafting When We Can (#137) Flowers 2/19
  6. Crafty Cardmakers #182 Add Some Texture (wet and dry embossing, glitter, lace, fabric, flowers) 2/27
  7. The Corrosive Challenges - #2 Anything Goes 3/12
  8. Use Your Stuff #251 Bingo Card 2/20 (Yellow card uses diagonal from left to right - pearls, bling, heart, embossing) (Flat Pink card uses 2nd row Enamel dots, sparkle in flowers, pink, stamping)



Stamping hugs,


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