We dare you to create a smile : Giving thanks !

Hello everyone!

It's time for a new challenge here on Create a smile blog and the theme is ''Giving Thanks''

And don't forget a 25€ gift certificate to Create a smile store is waiting for you 

Let's see what our guest designers created to bring you some inspiration

Lisa made this adorable card using Bärmail stamp set

Stephanie created two gorgeous cards using Time to say thanks stamp set and In bloom stamp set , Loops of love stamp set

Thank you so much for creating this amazing cards Lisa and Stephanie and for being our guest designers ! Make sure to check their projects and leave them some love!

Now let's see some inspiration from our design team

Alexandra made this lovely card using Pure poppies stamp set , Cool cuts Double stitched rectangles

Ashlee created this adorable card using Served up stamp set , Diagonal grid stencil

Ellenor made this beautiful card using Cool cuts Postage Edge Circle dies , Dress me up stamp set

Giada created this gorgeous card using Pure poppies stamp set , Cool cuts Tiny Sentiments

Ksenija made this card using Pure poppies stamp set 

Laura made this interactive card using Cool cuts Tiny Sentiments , Glowing Seaside stamp set , Gull Gang stamp set

Victoriya created this adorable card using Gull gang stamp set

Hope you get inspired to play along with our challenge ! Now is your turn to be creative!
Please make sure to check the rules before entering the challenge! Have fun

An InLinkz Link-up

(((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.

((VIDEO)) Playing with Stencils

Hello crafty friends! It's Jess and I'm very excited to be joining the Create a Smile video inspiration team and to share my first card featuring Perfect Tune!

For today's card I wanted to try something new with my stencils. I have used them with ink and with sprays but never with Distress Stains so I decided to give it a shot. In my video I share the results and some helpful tips.

I started with some thick white cardstock, the Say It stencil, and some Distress Stain. Check out the video for more instructions.

If you find that you are getting ink underneath the stencil try using a lighter hand as you apply the Distress Stain. Also keep in mind that the Stain will spread more if you use watercolor paper.

Say It Stencil

Perfect Tune Stamp Set

Tiny Words Cool Cuts

You still have plenty of time to enter the Create a Smile challenge this month. The theme is embellish! You could win a 15€ gift card!

Birthday Wishes

Hello!
Samantha with you again, and today I'm sharing a funky little birthday card! 

To be honest, I really just wanted to color and play with my favorite colors! Sometimes cards can be as simple as that! And it was SO much fun making this card with that cute little chameleon!! I love him! 

To create this card, you'll just need some time to have fun and create something to make you happy!

I started by using some embossing paste and my favorite stencil ever to create the fun little white on white background.

While that was drying, I cut a strip of white cardstock, the length of the card and started blending with Cracked Pistachio and Twisted Citron Distress Inks.
Then I stamped on that background with the cute little leaf image!
Next, I stamped and colored the chameleon with Copics and then fussy cut him out!

I heat embossed the sentiment and also used a die cut for the word "Birthday"! Love mixing stamps and dies that way!

I popped up the sentiment onto the card front and it was done! :)

I used the Jungle Fever stamp set for the chameleon and little leaf images. The sentiment was created by combing the Mini Birthday stamp set and a word from the Tiny Sentiments Die! The stencil I used is the Skinny Chevron Stencil.

I really had fun making this card, and I think that's mostly because I used colors that make me happy, and images that are just plain FUN! So be sure to LIKE what you are doing when you make a card! It sounds so basic, but it's true! If you're happy, your card will be better for it! 

Did you know that Create a Smile stamps sells WAY more than just stamps? There a variety of exclusive chipboard shapes, stencils, acrylic blocks, washi tape, flair and Pretty Pink Posh Sequins to name a few other items! Make sure you check it ALL out here!!

Thanks again for spending some of your time with me! 

Have a great weekend!

~Samantha

Sunny Birthday Card

Hey stampers, with all these Christmas cards around at this time of the year I thought you might want to see something different.
 

I have the winter blues and I wanted to make something sunny that reminds me of summer. In summer I used this stamp set a lot and I grabbed it to get me in a better mood.

 

• Use the great  Stacked Pierced Ovals to create the window. I really LOVE this shape, it is totally different from other oval shapes on the market.
• For a little bit dimension I added some underwater "leaves". 
• I love inlaid die cutting as a special detail. I used it for the senitment as you can see in the detail shot.

Next week is release week - there are a lot of new SUPER CUTE stamps ahead.