A Hand-Lettered Hello

Hi there!
Samantha here, and today I'm sharing a cute little card that is ready to mail and cheer someone up! 

 

     

Well that's the goal anyway! It's always nice to get a sweet card in the mail! It just lets that person know that you're thinking of them! 

Let's make this card!

- stamp and color your image (I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers), once dry, fussy cut out!
- on the card front, add a light layer of Distress Ink to the stencil itself (I used Worn Lipstick and Dried Marigold), spritz with water and press down onto the cardstock
- once dry, add a light layer of distress ink blending around the background and splatter some water on top

- once it's all dry, stamp your sentiment, and add your paintbrush image!
- I also added some black strips of cardstock with a longer sentiment
- add foam tape and adhere it all to your card

I have to admit, this card didn't turn out 100% like I  had envisioned! I went a little lighter in the background, and I think that's bothering me a little! I'm usually a 'bolder is better' kind of girl! lol!

I used the First Day of School stamp set, and part of the title was created with the Clear Lettering Alphas, while the other part used the Just Saying Hello stamp set! I also used the Big Hearts Polka Stencil!

    

There is always a fun challenge going on in the Create a Smile Friends and Family Facebook Group!
Check out all the details and play along, we love to see what you make! 

~Samantha

         

(((VIDEO))) Distress Stain Rainbow Backgroun

Hello crafty friends! It's Jess and today I have three cards and a video using some stencils and die sets.

I had recently reorganized some things in my craft room and now my Distress Stains are displayed where I can see and reach them readily. So I wanted to make a point to use them soon. I decided to see if they would work well with my beloved Create a Smiles stencils and diecuts.

My go to when playing with a medium is to create a rainbow. I did it last month with my Alcohol Inks and felt drawn to trying again with my Distress Stains. I think this is because I can use a whole bunch of colors at one time. When I'm using a previously neglected supply I want to really have some fun with it. You can get more details in the video:

Use black to make your rainbow colors really pop. This technique works with a variety of stencils from the large shapes of Big Hearts Polka to the thin lines of the Diamond stencil so be sure to play with whatever Create a Smile stencils you own.

Big Hearts Polka

Diamond Stencil

Lots of Stars Stencil

Magical Frame Die Set

Pocket Tag Die Set

Tiny Sentiments Dies

Be sure to join the latest Create a Smile challenge.

Stencil Experiments Part 1

Hey stampers, Anni here!

Today I have two cards to show you both featuring beautiful stencils by Create a Smile.

Over the years I collected different kinds of embossing and glimmer paste. With all the fabulous stencils Create a Smile is offering I thought it was a good idea to make a comparison.




For the first card shown above I used a translucent embossing paste. I mixed it with ink from ink pads. For this example I've chosen pale ink colors and went with a rainbow order. This way you get a subtle and shine through effect.

Here is my second card:

Here I used a glimmer paste by Nuvo and brighter colours. As you can see the background is much brighter. The glitter is very noticable and shines in various colours.

When you have backgrounds like these your card don't need much more. So all Idid was stamping, colouring and fussy cutting some critters and heat emboss a sentiment.

Next week I have two more cards with similar but different backgrounds to show you. Hope you will come back.




Show us your art work: Use #createasmilestamps when you're posting on Instagram!

      

((VIDEO)) Valentine Window Card

Hello crafty friends! It's Jess and today I have two carda and a video with a Valentine theme using the Lovely Critters stamp set and Big Hearts Polka stencil.

My sister suggested making a window card with the Kat Scrappiness heart dies that I recently received and I thought that idea paired perfectly with the Lovely Critters set from Create a Smile.

I started by making a more interesting background by layering the Big Hearts Polka stencil to create some custom patterned paper. Then I colored up all the Lovely Critters. This turned out to be a great idea because I was able to create a bonus card with the leftovers and extra critters. You can get more details in the video:

You can use the 'scraps' from the window cut outs to create a whole second card. 

Big Hearts Polka Stencil

Lovely Critters Stamp Set

Be sure to follow on Facebook for the most up to date information and inspiration!

Hey Girl Layout

Hi there!
Samantha here, and today I'm sharing a layout I created! What?!

     

Well, I was bit by the scrapbook inspiration bug when I went to create a project! So this is what happened! ha! Lots of mixed media, and lots of color! Love it!

Let's make it together!
- on a 12x12 piece of cardstock, cover it in gesso
- once dry, add your watercolor (I used the Kuretaki Gansai Tambi watercolor set)
- once *that* step is dry, you can use the stencil and some embossing paste to add texture!

- while everything was drying, I stamped the flower images multiple times in black ink and then fussy cut them out.
- I arranged them around my photo cluster and then glued them down

- I love how the colors are bold, and so they let the flower images really stand out, as the 'white' space! 

Not a scrapbooker? That's ok! The same background could be adapted and used for a card! 

To create this layout, I used the brand new In Bloom stamp set, along with the Clear Magic Flowers stamp set! I used the Big Hearts Polka stencil to add some texture to the background!

    

I also used some of the Enamel Stickers that Create a Smile Stamps sells! I LOVE THEM!! They have different shapes and colors in each pack!! I can't get enough of them!!

~Samantha