Comeback Party #4 - the release is here, so is Francine!

Good mooorning!

First of all:

We're so super excited the day has finally come - the new release is now available in the store! Hooray!

Many of you have been waiting and orders are already rolling in. the stamps seem to be flying off the shelves - you're the best!

Check out the full release in our store 

Sooo, of course we have some more inspiration by the DT for you:

Marina used a fantastic combo of In Bloom and Where your heart is / Wo Dein Herz ist to create this sweet card that calls for a camping trip! I really love her floral background!

Anja also used Where your heart is / Wo Dein Herz ist and combined it with Cart full of treasures / Wagen voller Schätze. The koala meeting the mouse is just way too cute!

Nicole has two more floral cards for us, both have a soft and light feeling !
On her first card she osed flowers from In Bloom  for a lovely watercolor-card with some lose color-bleeding - what a fantastic effect!

On her second card she used the flowers from Cart full of treasures / Wagen voller Schätze  in such a unique way! Instead of adding it to the cart she created a frame with our Magical frame to make the flowers pop. So clever!

And now I would like to welcome a former video team member back as a guest.

Please say hello to one of my favorite crafters on the entire planet:

Francine Vuillème

Francine is not only a crazy talented colorista, but she has the ability to keep things simple while adding details and never being boring. She has a super unique style and always thinks outside the box (You'll see what I am talking about in a minute...)

You just HAVE TO check out her blog and swoon about all her projects: 

So let's see what Francine has for us:

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Hi everyone! Francine here! I’m thrilled to join the Create A Smile comeback celebration! 

For this event, I created two cards using stamps from the newest release! On both cards, I went for a clean and simple design to make the images pop. Here is what I came up with: 

For the first project, I used the Licht ins Dunkel / Light up the dark and the Licht an! / Lights on! sets. I started by coloring the mole and the lantern (of course, in rainbow colors… I couldn’t resist) and cut out the image with scissors. I added a layer of Wink of Stella clear glitter to the lantern for more shimmer but unfortunately, you can’t see it on the picture. It’s beautiful! Next, I created a teal background using the ink smooshing technique. I chose Peacock Feather and Cracked Pistachio Distress inks that I applied directly from the pads to a sheet of acetate, sprayed the sheet with water and pressed the ink (side down) onto cardstock. Once it was dry, I stamped the sentiment to the "smooshed" background and I adhered the mole with foam pads for more dimension. To finish off my card, I added some Create A Smile enamel dots (I LOVE them because they are not too big).

For the second card, I also used the Licht an! / Lights on!  as well as the Licht ins Dunkel / Light up the dark stamp sets. I colored the lantern and cut the image with scissors. I added googly eyes and drew a mouth to create a character. I stamped the sentiment in black ink and cut a speech bubble around. Next, I spritzed the background in black to make the yellowish-orange lantern stand out from the "dark". It matches perfectly with the sentiment. I adhered the lantern and the sentiment to the card front with foam pads and added twine for more interest. I decorated the card with some Create A Smile enamel dots. 

I hope you enjoyed these projects! Thanks to Christine for letting me join the party and welcome back!  

Francine 

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W.O.W.Z.E.R.S! See what I mean? Not only is her coloring outstanding as always but her designs.... woah! Addong googly eyes to the lantern - she cracks me up! and that black mist! Black mist without making it look sad? Can I please have some of those skills? For my birthday? Thank you!

Francine you ROCK and I am so glad you came back as our guest. Big hugs and kisses to you!

If YOU agree that francine did an amazing job - let her know and leave her some love!

Thanks for celebrating with us!

We still have a challenge going on over at instagram

AND 

you could get this mini set for FREE with an order over 60€ placed August 18th - August 20th!

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to treat yourself!

"Genie in a bottle" VIDEO tutorial & Good bye...

Hi everyone! Francine here with a video tutorial. 

Today, I’m featuring the newest Flaschenpost / Message in a Bottle stamp set. From this month, Create A Smile will have an English and a German version of each stamp set! Here is my card using the super cute genie and the bottle:

       

Watch the video below (or HERE) to find out how the card was created:

CLICK THE HD ICON IN YOUTUBE TO WATCH THE VIDEO IN BETTER QUALITY

Stamps: Flaschenpost / Message in a Bottle (Create A Smile)
Inks & other mediums: Black Hybrid Ink (MFT), Distress Inks (Ranger), Versamark, Copic Markers
Paper: white cardstock, teal cardstock (Bazzill)
Various: Mini Splats stencil (The Crafter’s Workshop), blending tools, tiny heart (MFT), 3D foam pads, tape, runner tape, gold gel pen, Stickles, trimmer, scissors

I only used 4 colors to create the rainbow splat. 

Sometimes, I use more colors or a different combination to get a rainbow but basically, you don’t absolutely need more than yellow, red and blue. 

To end up getting more colors with the blend, just overlap the colors slightly! 

It’s time for me to say good bye to Create A Smile! This was my last video as a video team member. Thanks SO MUCH Christine for the fantastic opportunity and for having me in the video team from the beginning! I’m going to miss you girl but I know we will keep in touch! <3

Francine  

Color Bursts Background

Hi everyone! Francine here! Today, I’m back with a video tutorial. Here is my project:

This time, I want to share how to create a fun  and colorful background using Color Bursts. Color Bursts are watercolor pigment powders that react with water.

Watch the video to find out how the card was created:

Stamps: Letters & Perfect Tune (Create A Smile)
Inks & other mediums: Ken Oliver Crafts Color Bursts "Orange" and "Alizarin Crimson", Black Licorice Hybrid Ink (My Favorite Things), Versamark, Copic markers, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Pen
Paper: white cardstock (or watercolor paper)
Various: 3D foam pads, washi tape, white embossing powder, anti-static powder tool, bone folder, scissors, trimmer,tape, heat gun, etc. 

    

You can sprinkle Color Bursts onto the background and then spritz them with water. But you can also add water first and then sprinkle Color Bursts over it.

If you spritz a small amount of water, the background will be more vibrant. With more water, it will be softer.

You can always add more powder and/or water. Don’t forget to experiment and try to create multiple layers.

Don’t forget to share your Create A Smile creations with us! Upload them right in the sidebar. 

Thanks for stopping by! I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Francine

Video Tutorial - Watercolored flowers

Hi everyone! This is Francine.

Today, I’m back with a video tutorial featuring the beautiful Magic Flowers stamp set from Create A Smile. Here is my project:

I thought this set was perfect for watercoloring. This is why I decided to make a watercoloring tutorial using Distress inks. 

Watch the video to find out how I created the card:

Stamps: Magic Flowers & Bad Day (Create A Smile)
Inks: Versafine (to stamp the sentiment)
Mini Distress ink pads: Tattered Rose & Forest Moss (to stamp the flowers and the leaves); Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany (to color the flowers); Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint & Forest Moss (to color the leaves); Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Weathered Wood (for the background)
Papers: smooth watercolor paper, white cardstock (for the card base)
Various: paint brushes, water, non-sticky craft sheet (Ranger), trimmer, score-tape (to fix the watercolored panel to the card base), masking paper/post-it, etc. 

   

Don’t forget to let each petal dry before you go on or work with an area that is not adjacent to a wet one.

For a transparent look, don’t add too much color. You can still come back and add another layer if you want more saturation.

Work quickly and don’t try to color the image “perfectly”. For the background, allow the colors to run over each other and let some tiny white areas here and there. It gives a beautiful watercolor look!

I hope you got inspired! Have a creative day!

Francine

Video Tutorial - Hi there!

Hi everyone! It's Francine! 

Today, I’m back with a video tutorial for Create A Smile. Here is my card: 

I decided to make a Clean & Simple card showcasing the Poppin’ Over stamp set. The critters in this set are the cutest!!!! The sentiment is from the Hey, Quatschkopf!  set. “Hallöchen!” is a German sentiment that means “Hello there!”.

Here is the video showing how I did this card:

Stamps: Poppin’ Over & Hey Quatschkopf! (Create A Smile)

Inks: Black Licorice Hybrid Ink (My Favorite Things)
Copic markers: E40, E41, E42, E43, E44, E89, E11, RV42, R42
Papers: white cardstock, scraps of blue gingham paper
Dies: Stitched Circles (Simon Says Stamp)
Various: Inkssentials Enamel Accents Black (Ranger), Copic Multiliners, 3D foam pads, tape runner, trimmer, scissors, etc.

  

Use Enamel Accents or Liquid Pearls to add dimension to your projects! I added Black Enamel Accents from Ranger to the critter’s eyes and nose.

Keep a lot of white spaces to make the image pop and become the focus point of your card! 

Instead of chocolate or fudge brown, use following combination to color critters and animals: E40, E41, E42, E43, E44, E89! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day…

Francine

Bubble Background (VIDEO TUTORIAL)

Hi everyone! It's Francine and I’m back with a new video tutorial featuring the Create A Smile stamp set called Make a Wish. 

In this video, I show you how to create a simple but colorful background using dye inks and selfmade masks in combination with one bold sentiment. I got inspired by the talented Laura Bassen. 

You can see how I created this card in the video below!

CLICK THE HD ICON TO WATCH THE VIDEO IN BETTER QUALITY 

Stamps: Make a Wish (Create A Smile)
Inks: Versamark, various dye inks from Simon Says Stamp 
(Lemon Chiffon, Green Apple, Maliblue, Island Blue, Doll Pink, Orange Peel)
Papers: white cardstock, acetate
Punches: 1 3/4'', 1 3/8'', 2 1/4'' circle punches (EK Success & Paper Shapers)
Various: silver embossing powder, anti-static powder bag, heat gun, tape runner, blending tools, trimmer, cutter

If you don’t have a shade you need for your project, you can mix it over the stencil, using two other colors. For example, I needed a purple shade, so I mixed blue and pink to get a beautiful purple shade that matches perfectly with the other colors.

If your embossing is not perfect, you can carefully remove the excess with a cutter. 

I hope you got inspired! Thanks for watching! 

Francine

Video Tutorial - Nautical Scene

Hi everyone! Francine here! 

Today, I’m back with a new video tutorial featuring the Create A Smile stamp set called Underwaterlove. Here is my card:

In this video, I have no specific technique to share (or maybe something about masking!) but I hope it will give you more ideas on how to use this set.

You can see how I did my card in the video below! CLICK THE HD ICON TO SEE THE VIDEO IN BETTER QUALITY

Stamps: Underwaterlove & Sending Sunshine Kit (Create A Smile)
Inks & Co.: Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks (Ranger), Hero Arts Black dye ink, Memento black ink, Copic markers
Paper: My Mind’s Eye, Neenah Solar White 80 lb cardstock, acetate
Dies & Punches: Speech Bubble Die, EK Success Scalloped Border punch, 1 1/4"Circle Punch
Various: enamel dots, 3D foam pads, tape runner, blending tools, Wink of Stella Clear Pen, etc.

Create your own stencils with your dies and acetate or cardstock. 

Use color strips at the bottom of your cards to add a touch of color and still keep the design clean and simple. 

Have a wonderful day!

Francine