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

Monday, March 07, 2011

Glitter Tinsel and Quilting

Designer, Teacher, Coordinator - she does it all. Dawn Thomas, that is. Dawn coordinates our Tampa Bay Area get togethers for The Florida Stampers group. Saturday we enjoyed 2 sweet projects, courtesy of demo artists Kim Davenport and Dawn!

Kim helped us make darling little bird house containers which hold little goodies or candy. Armed with excellent directions and lots of patience, Kim guided us through lots of laughter, diversions, and "how do you do it?" questions.

Here's my finished product after a lot of fumbling:



This little birdie's house has a thatched roof made with Yellow Gold Glitter Tinsel to resemble straw. Sparkly straw from Sparkle N Sprinkle, of course. :-)


It's true what they say about "a bird in the hand..."
Jack quickly relieved the bird of the candy cache inside. Jokingly he claimed to have ripped off the roof. My response was laughter, musing that I wished I could have seen that... then he CLAIMED not to have done it. What do you think? Did he?

Dawn demo'd how to achieve a look which simulates hand-made paper with embedded dried flowers. I thoroughly enjoyed this demo because I'm passionate about flowers and addicted to easy texturing. I wonder if it will work with REAL dried flowers - does anyone know? SIMPLE - stamp an image, pop on the paper flowers with a droplet of glue, place in detailed embossing folder, and put it through the die cut machine. In THIS case, we christened my brand new Grand Calibur!


A great day all 'round! Are you in the Tampa Bay Area? Our next meeting is the third Saturday in May.
Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle & Really Reasonable Ribbon's Fantastic Blog Hop!

   
Welcome to the February Sparkle N Sprinkle and Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop! We are so excited to be pairing with Really Reasonable Ribbon today for some great new ideas and products. If you have been following along, you should have hopped here from the very talented Aphra Bolyer!  If you haven't, please please please pop over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog and hop along. Both design teams have created some amazing projects, demonstrating how stamps, ribbons and glitter just naturally go hand in hand.


This month we all received the wonderful RRR February Ribbon Kit, filled with a gorgeous array of trims and ribbons for lovely Springtime projects. Lots of great pastels to match up with SNS's hand-blended glitters, embossing powders, flockings, and specialty stamps. If texture is something you enjoy adding to your crafting projects, SNS has the colors for you. The SNS glues are specially formulated to keep glitters and flockings where they belong. 

In addition to the coveted Really Reasonable Ribbon blog candy, Sparkle N Sprinkle is giving a stamp set to one lucky hopper!  Leaving a message on every blog increases your chances of winning, because it's a mystery which of the artists' blogs has been chosen to house the prize! On Tuesday February 15, a name will be drawn from the comments on the mystery blog. Winner gets to choose a stamp set of their choice from SparkleNSprinkle.com!"


My Spring time creation uses 3 of the hand-selected ribbons from RRR's inspirational February Ribbon Kit, SNS Starfire glitter, 3 images from the "My Rose Garden" set, colored pencils, Lime Pearlescent Brilliance ink, and a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Adhesives were dimensional Zots, SNS Brushable Glue, SNS Dimensional Glue, and SNS glue pen.


This closeup helps show the detail in the ribbons, and how a touch of sparkly glitter adds happiness and texture to any paper project. A toothpick dipped in SNS Dimensional Glue was placed over the stripes on the ribbon to add more cheerfulness.


It was great fun using RRR's spectacular ribbons with our quality SNS products. It's time for me to say good-bye. Thanks for hopping by. Let me know what you think about the card, and what other colors might create an even prettier version! Don't forget to leave comments along the way to qualify for the prizes! Now hop on over to view Kerri Michaud's marvelous designs!


Stamping Hugs,





Sunday, October 17, 2010

SNS Birthday Blog Hop!



The more visitors we have, the more prizes will be awarded, so tell your friends! To become eligible for a prize just leave a comment at each designer's blog about her card AND who you think has the Hidden Birthday Prizes. If you've only just arrived, please check the GAMES page at the SNS website, or the link above. Feel free to return to the SNS Home Blog if there is another comment you'd like to leave there. In the meantime, we hope you have enjoyed the hop and obtained some great technique ideas in the process.





My Fall Inspiration is a bit different over traditional Autumn Ideas. We live in Central West Florida. The colors are taken from an indigenous tree called the"Turkey Oak".  The vibrant colors only last a brief 3 or 4 days. Displaying a single stamp from the SNS "Frames and Borders Set #219" and two colors embossing powders, this project portrays a unique grasp on Autumn - the metallics reminiscent of icy-sparkly frost on the pumpkin, with golden leaves still waxy and dazzling in the Florida sunshine.
To show how much embossing powders can change the appearance of cardstock -- all the embossed images are stamped on the same color cardstock! What a difference the EP colors make! Cordial Red EP is very clear. Spiced Cider, one of the newest Essentials colors, creates the metallic look blended with glitter. Unfortunately, glitters and EPs don't show up well in photographs, but are amazing in person.


On a more traditional note, SNS Designer Barbara Bruder sent a surprise package containing blank die cuts just itching to be colored and used! One was a large pumpkin. I painted the pumpkin with regular acrylic paint, shaded with Createx translucent paint, and chalked in a reddish orange. Frosted with glitter, it appears to have frost on the pumpkin. 

The entire background has been coated in Black Ice Glitter. The vine and stalk have been coated with 3 colors of EP. The coats are thicker on the stalk to create dimension. VersaVine Onyx Black stamped "Wish" from our Fairy Dust set.

So... who do you think has the hidden birthday prize(s) on her blog? I'm interested in seeing what you say in the comments below. :-D The names of our winners will be placed on the SNS Home Blog October 20.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck! 


Sparkle N Sprinkle images:

Flowers in the Square 0470-219V
Mirror Gold Cardstock 99570
Cordial Red Embossing Powder EP352
Spiced Cider Embossing Powder EP407
Brushable Glue #540
Dimensional Adhesive Dots
Cardstock: Red, Yellow Gold, Ivory, Gold Mirror
1/4” Tear-ific Tape SAT01
Grand Calibur
Spellbinders Standard Circle Sm S4 116
Spellbinders Petite Scallop Circle S4 117
Spellbinders In Spades Pendants S4 208
Corner punch
Scissors
Plain Tape

NOTES:
a) embossing powders can change the appearance of cardstock -- all the embossed images are stamped on the same color cardstock.

b) the base of this A8 card is actually the yellow gold CS (the background was for photographing)

1. With Yellow Gold CS, create A8 size card base. Corner punch red panel and adhere to card base. Set aside.

2. With VersaMark Ink, Stamp image twice on Ivory CS. Emboss one image with Cordial Red EP, and the other with Spiced Cider EP. Fussy cut image in manner pleasing for layering. Slip the two outer frames together to form an interlocking effect. Tape backs together so they don’t slip apart.

3. Cut dies for layering, adhering some with Tear-ific Tape, and others with Dimensionals, depending on the look you wish to achieve. Cut some of the dies in half, and piece together from the back side with plain tape.

4. When layers have been constructed to your liking, adhere to card base on the red panel. 


Pumpkin card:

Stamp Credits Sparkle N Sprinkle:
Wish 3131-394AA

Other Supplies:
Bullfrog EP404 
Bronze Rose EP335 
Butterscotch EP115 
Orange Crush Glitter G1092 
Black Ice Glitter G1020 
Brushable Glue 540 
VersaMark Ink 99702
VersaMarker 99561
1/4” Tear-ific Tape SAT01
cardstock (orange, black)
die cuts
optional border punch
heat tool
black ribbon


1. Paint die cuts (pumpkin, vine) with paints, inks, pencils or chalks. Apply a thick layer of VersaMark Ink (either with refill or VersaMarker on pumpkin stalk and vine. Sprinkle with the 3 colors of EP, as desired. Thicker application gives added texture and depth. Set vine aside.

2. With Brushable Glue, lightly “paint” a shaded area at the top of the pumpkin to resemble due or frost and sprinkle on Orange Crush Glitter.

3. Paint black background entirely with an even coat of Brushable Glue. Adhere pumpkin and sprinkle Black Ice glitter on the rest of the black cardstock. Allow 15 minutes to dry. Border punch if desired.

4. Adhere glitter black panel to an orange piece of cardstock. Attach embossed vine. Tape on the black bow.


Tuesday, May 11, 2010

A Thank You Booklet


Some gifts deserve a unique "Thank You" card.

Made for a dear friend who always knows just what to say and do, this booklet is bound to bring a smile to her heart.

The cover is dry embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. The dies are Wizard's Spellbinders Butterflies Two and Floral Accent Shapeabilities.

The raised embossed areas are glittered with Sparkle N Sprinkle Glitter, adhered by a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.






Made of chipboard, the booklet appears plain when untied, but then accordions to accommodate photos, messages, stamped images or die cuts.

My Thank You is filled with sweet sayings from Sparkle N Sprinkle - all but one from the Solid Butterfly Set #391. On alternating panels, Sizzix and Cuttlebug embossing folders have been utilized and glittered. Antiquing was done with VersaColor cubes, and glitter adhered with a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen. All words were heat embossed with Plum Wine Embossing Powder (one of the "cosmics"). 
One of the great things about cling rubber is the ability to cut the stamps apart and use them however you wish! This panel is actually a combination of stamps. "You" is cut from one stamp, and placed on the acrylic mount above "Fill Life With Happiness". The simple curved loops framing the Nesties die cut are the antenna from the butterfly in the same set. 

Many thanks to my Angel friend for inspiring me yet again!






Thanks for visiting. Hope your day is beautiful!


Directions for booklet:


Stamp Credits: all Sparkle N Sprinkle

Friendship 3091-391B
Friend 3090-391B
Happiness 3096-391B
Kindness 3094-391A
Friendships-Blooming 0848-265E
Floral Butterfly 3088-391B

Other Supplies:

Bubblegum Glitter G1088
Interference Green Glitter G1099
Mystical Mauve Glitter G1072
Lemonade Glitter G1091
Bridal Glitter G1029
Plum Vine Embossing Powder EP376
Orchid VersaColor Cube 99703-034
Lilac VersaColor Cube 99703-035
Narcissus VersaColor Cube 99703-131
VersaMark Watermark Pad 99702
1/4” Tear-ific tape SAT01
Sakura Glue Pen 99202
Brushable Glue 540
Heat Tool
Ruler
Old Paper dye ink
Paper trimmer
Printed paper to coordinate cardstock
Die Cuts, punches or decorative scissors
12-15” of Ribbon
Embossing folders
Chip Board or Cardboard
Choice of embellishments


These instructions will build an accordion booklet 3.25” x 3.25” x .5” when it is closed. Opened up, it will be about 27” long, depending on the length of the accordion.
Note: after experimenting with fabric, mulberry paper, cardstock and printed craft paper, I recommend not using card stock for the cover. Because it had more strength and “give”, the best option was the fabric.

1. Cut chipboard into two 3.25” squares. Cut a spine 3/8” x 3.25”. Set aside.

2. Using fabric or printed paper, cut two pieces: one, 3” x 6.5”, the other 8.5” x 4.5”.

3. Score the larger piece 5/8” down both the long sides and .75” across the top and bottom.

4. Brush the glue onto one side of the 3 chipboard pieces, and carefully center them inside the score lines of the longer piece of printed card stock, leaving about 1/8” between the three pieces. (This is so the booklet will fold easily. If creating a thicker accordion, the spine piece needs to be cut wider than 3/8” and the measurements for the printed paper should be adjusted slightly.) The 3 pieces should be in a straight line. Cut corners only on the diagonal, leaving just a little more than needed to cover the chip board.

5. With the chipboard side showing, apply Tear-ific tape on the outermost edges of all four sides of paper. (If using fabric, use Brushable Glue). Carefully “close” the two spaces on either side of the spine, creating a “fold” or semi-score. Reopen the booklet so it lays flat, chipboard side up.  Peel off the protective layer of one strip of the tape, gently folding onto the chipboard. Then do the opposite side. Next adhere the top. Now fold the booklet up again, so it looks closed. Turn up the bottom piece, remove the strip, and adhere firmly. This assures that the book will close without tearing at the binding.

6. Place ribbon down the middle of the chipboard, making sure that it is centered, with equal amounts at the top and bottom. Adhere with Tear-ific tape. Finally, apply the smaller rectangle of paper to cover the chipboard and ribbon. Before adhering the very bottom, be sure to “test it” by closing the booklet, then firmly press the bottom, verifying that there is enough room for the booklet to open and close.

7. Cut coordinating card stock into 3” strips. If using 8.5” x 11” cardstock, cut the strips 3” x 9”. If using 12” cardstock, cut the strips 3” x 12”. Score strips at 3” intervals. Adhere the strips together to make an accordion the desired length, making sure there is enough room inside the booklet when it is closed.

8. With your choice of dies, punches, embossing folders or scissors, cut and decorate shapes as desired for layering.

9. Because SNS stamps are cling mounted, it’s fun to cut the stamps apart, using them in assorted ways. The sentiment “You Fill Life With Happiness” is actually two stamps, with the “You” cut off stamp 3090-391B and placed on the acrylic block with stamp 3096-391B. The design element creating the frames is actually the butterfly antenna 3088-391B. Images are stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Plum Vine EP. Antiquing is accomplished with a dauber and Versacolor cubes. Glitters are adhered via Sakura Glue Pen.

10. When glitter is completely dry, and the accordion panel is finished, anchor the end of the accordion piece to the inside over of the booklet using either Brushable Glue or several pieces of Tear-ific Tape. Finish by closing booklet and tying ribbon in a bow.

11. Adorn front of booklet as desired.