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, September 26, 2012

Creativity with Mother Nature

Hi! I have missed posting to my blog. Thank you, my cyber friends, for your caring e-mails. For those who may be unaware, Paper Crafting and anything involving intricate use of my hands has not been in The Plans for 2012 due to health reasons. But I've enjoyed visiting your blogs as often as possible, and being inspired every day by your tremendous talent. Maybe soon some of these medical conditions will lapse back into remission, and I may rejoin you in crafting endeavors.

In the meantime, I hope you will indulge me as I share some photos from my Real Passion (no, they are not X rated photos of my husband LOL). I'm a Dirt Person! Though working diligently in the garden has not been possible this year,  all the container plants are blooming, and the indoor plants are happy.

Have you ever seen a Philodendron bloom? This one did, as have others over the years. Normally, this specie will not bloom until matured to a good 7-10 years. However, I learned a trick four years ago, quite by accident.

Older plants need to be pruned to maintain a full shape, and the cuttings are far too precious to throw away, so I root them directly in the soil with a tree fern post for stability. When the cuttings are taken from mature plants, the cutting is "tricked" into thinking that it is dying. The cutting senses something is wrong, so a flower emerges for the purpose of making berries (seeds), therefore insuring that Life will continue.

The bloom on this particular cutting is long past. The "cutting" is now 3 years old, standing 5'6"tall (1.7 meters). Greeting visitors as they enter the foyer, he proudly stands guard in front of the 10' foot tall ficus tree, which is also regularly pruned. Here is the "cutting" at 3 years old:

Thanks for sharing my little show 'n tell, and for being such great friends, inspiring me, and checking in to see how things are going in my little life.

Always Yours and Lots of Hugs, of course,

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Happiness is living in a Shoe

Greetings! So hard to believe it is already mid-April, and yet, that it is "only" April with these hot temperatures!
Today's cards are traditionally colored with Tombow markers and pastel squares. The images are gold-embossed. Oldie but goodie techniques. The Shoe Cottage is being retired by Sparkle N Sprinkle and is currently available 1/2 off, while supplies last.


Most of the cards were designed using Cards N Things Sketch #115: 


One thing I experimented with was sewing on cards. These are my first attempts on a new machine, and I learned a lot! It was fun layering cardstock, designer papers, lace, punched pieces and tule fabric, and deliberately making crazy designs or multiple lines. DEFINITELY easy.


Also used were:
Spellbinders Grand Labels One, 
Spellbinders Rose Creations, 
Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish, 
assorted K and C designer papers, 
Martha Stewart punches
ribbons/fabrics from Joann's.


Cards were submitted to the following Challenges:
Anything Goes Craft Challenge Blog - #64 Anything Goes
Cards N Things - Sketch #115
Celebrate the Occasion - #58 Use Pink
Crafty Sentiments - Spring Pastel Challenge
Die Cuttin' Divas - #60 Pastels plus die cuts
Scrap-Creations - April 10 Spring Challenge


Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Kindness by Sparkle N Sprinkle Sketch

Hi! I'm showing a VERY easy card today, which features the SNS Challenge Sketch -- it's a simple sketch, conducive to just about any image (and a chance at winning any large stamp set!).

A new embossing folder called Compassionate from Couture Creations was used. (I love love LOVE it!). Dry Embossing on mirror cardstock always produces a WOW card. 

Using a sanding block, I lightly removed some of the finish from the embossed mirror cardstock. It is burnished with a bit more pressure on the detail-raised areas (bringing out the white base), and more lightly on the bold-raised areas (just enough to deglaze the mirror aspect, but leaving the color). 

The Vintage Floral Punch Around the Page was used as the backdrop for "Your Kindness Is Appreciated" by SNS. It is embossed with the new Mulberry Tuscany Creamy Cosmic embossing powder.

Also used are Pink Sherbert and Lemonade dye inks, and VersaMark ink. Simple!

Thanks for stopping by.
Stamping Hugs,

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Springy Star Card

Hi! It feels good to be posting again. I hope Life has been good to you since our last visit.

Today's card share is for a very dear friend. It is the result of our Florida Stampers Get Together where Paula demo'd a Star Card. We all made templates for future use. Here's my card: fi-nal-leee.


PaperCraft Inspirations has a wonderful free template section. They have two marvelous, life-size PDF documents to download. Simply place them on your 12"x12" light-weight cardstock and mark the places which require trimming or scoring. 


If you prefer videos, check out "Molly Scrap" on YouTube.

Finally, Tracy at "I Wanna Build A Memory" has a very easy to follow, pictorial tutorial here 


A Scoring Board and Tool are highly recommended for this project.

It was fun using K&Company's Sweet Nectar DP, and Spellbinder's Rose Creations dies S5-050.

Stonewashed dye ink was smudged around the edges of each layer, tag and floral die. Pink pastels were applied in the tags as well. Stamps are from Anna Griffin's "You Are" set. Simple tag punch from EK Success, and Martha Stewart's Vintage Floral Punch Around the Page were also used.

If you've not created a Star Card before, please don't be intimidated. Even I found following the template remarkably easy. I'm looking forward to making more of these cards.

This card has been submitted to the following challenges:
Gingersnap Creations - GC142 Border Punches
My Mums Craft Shop - #48 - Mum's the Word
The Pixie Cottage - #112 Perfect Pastels
Whimsical Designs - "Going Green" (use Green somewhere)
City Crafter - #100 - Things in my Heart (this card is made for a very dear friend)
Sweet Stamps - #57 Think Spring

Thanks for dropping by today!

Happy St. Patrick's Day hugs,