Kraft Card Inspiration

Hi everyone! I don't know about you but sometimes when I get stuck and I simply just can't come up with a design for a new project, I switch to kraft cardstock. I don't know why but it sometimes gives me a new inspiration if I step away from white papers once in a while. So here's what I came up with for today's post ...

Of course, you can always recreate it in white cardbase or any colour but kraft cardstock give this vintage look that I like. 

First I cut away a part of the paper using this cloud-like die by Pretty Pink Posh and then lightly traced out the shape on the card base, so that I know how much to stamp. 

I took those hearts from the Lovely Critters set and a bunch of dye inks and started to stamp away. Remember to stamp some of the hearts peeking out of the border. This makes it look like there's endless hearts underneath it ;) 

I added some white hearts & die-cut a bold white birthday message because I like how white stands out from kraft and brings focus to the message. 

Create A Smile - Lovely Critters Stamps
Create A Smile - Birthday Triple Dies
Create A Smile - Mini Birthday Stamps
Pretty Pink Posh - Stitched Borders Dies 2

Follow Create A Smile on Facebook keep yourself updates on all the happenings and if you're an Instagram addict like I am, you can follow Create A Smile using this name : @createasmilestamps ! :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Marina

Release Countdown "1" - Giveaway time! + Guest Designer Wiebke Zander Part 2

Hello everyone!

It's release-countdown week!
That means we're introducing our newest products to you, sharing inspiration and also excitement :)
Countdown 1 means we only have to sleep one more night until the new products are released in the shop :)

This release is a big one - We'll have 3 standard size stamp sets, 3 mini stamp sets and 2 sets of dies. Something fun, something cut, something classy - something for everyone :)

So much fun stuff to play with! 

Any favorites? Must-haves? Something for your wishlists?

When will these products be available?

Friday:         Countdown "0" IGNITION!!!! Sets will be released at 10 am CET (3 am EST)

Today's giveaway time, and you get a chance to win a 15 € Gift Card to our store. :)

To take part in the drawing:

Comment on this post, telling us about your favorite thing (no person, no animal) at home. Do you love to spend time in your kitchen and sip a coffee from your favorite mug? Or is your sofa your best friend? Maybe you have a bowl that your grandmother gave you and you love it....

Whatever it is, let us know :)

You have until Saturday 11:59 pm to play along. The winner will be announced on sunday :)

Good luck!

No it's time for some more fun stuff by our Guest Designer Wiebke Zander (click on the name to check out her amazing blog!):

 

I’ve seen a lot of beautiful cards created with a neutral color in combination with one bright color. Therefore I picked out that piggy from „Lovely Critters“ to create a card in just neutral tones, with a tiny bit of piggy pink (oh.. and teal).

• use your sponge tool to apply the color over the stencil, just softly and sparing the edges
•  cut out the sentiment cool cut twice – one with your intended cardstock and one with foam
• glue them over each other: you'll get a bit of dimension on your card
• stamp out the hearts with an ink pad color, cut them out and place them with foam on your card
• color out your critter with copic markers, using three color tones (use one pretty dark tone to get much more contrast in your coloring)

At the beginning it’s pretty strange to use just grey for your background and the sentiment, but when it comes to coloring out your focal point (Mr. Pig), you’ll see that he's getting much more attention than in combination with a colorful background – just be brave to use neutral tones :)

_____________________________________

I think Wiebke is completely right - neutral backgrounds can add a lot to your projects - just give it a try! I think her combo using the lovely critters stamp set with the new Geburtstag Triple dies are a great way to send some heartfelt birthday wishes to a loved friend - super cute!

That's it for now

Thanks for stopping by - have a great day!  

Release-Countdown "2" - Inspiration by Anja, Angel and Terhi

Hello everyone!

It's release-countdown week!
That means we're introducing our newest products to you, sharing inspiration and also excitement :)
Countdown 3 means there are 3 more days until the new products will be added to the shop.

This release is a big one - We'll have 3 standard size stamp sets, 3 mini stamp sets and 2 sets of dies. Something fun, something cut, something classy - something for everyone :)

So much fun stuff to play with! 

Any favorites? Must-haves? Something for your wishlists?

Time for some inspiration!

Before we get started I'd like to show you what's waiting for you during the next days:

Thursday:     Countdown "1" Giveaway-day!
Friday:         Countdown "0" IGNITION!!!! Sets will be released at 10 am CET (3 am EST)

Let's see what we have for you today ;)

First up is Anja - she made two adooorable cards using Doctor's helpers and showing how to stretch your stamps and use them in unexpected ways - so clever! I an in love with the idea of making the hedgehogs or foxes hold words <3

Next up is our new DT member Angel: She used Doctor's Helpers and some watercolors for a simple and cute get well card. What I love about this is that although it uses that cutie-mouse it still looks like an adult-card :)

Terhi used LOTS of products on her sweet birthday layout. Stacked Pierced Ovals, Stacked Pierced dies, Paper from the Snowdance Kit, Crystal Letters, Birthday triple dies, Mini Birthday stamps,...

And she made everything go together so nicely!

What amazing creations - I love this team!

For my part I'd love to share a German birthday card featuring the Mini Geburtstag stamps and the Geburtstags Triple dies:

Check back on Thursday night for the Giveaway :)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Release Countdown "3" - Inspiration by Kelly and Samantha

Hello everyone!

It's release-countdown week!
That means we're introducing our newest products to you, sharing inspiration and also excitement :)
Countdown 3 means there are 3 more days until the new products will be added to the shop.

This release is a big one - We'll have 3 standard size stamp sets, 3 mini stamp sets and 2 sets of dies. Something fun, something cut, something classy - something for everyone :)

So much fun stuff to play with! 

Any favorites? Must-haves? Something for your wishlists?

Time for some inspiration!

Today is Anni's and Marina's turn. Before we get started I'd like to show you what's waiting for you during the next days:

Wednesday:  Countdown "2" Inspiration by Angel, Anja and Terhi

Thursday:     Countdown "1" Giveaway-day!
Friday:         Countdown "0" IGNITION!!!! Sets will be released at 10 am CET (3 am EST)

Let's see what we have for you today ;)

First up is Kelly, who created a stunner of her card using the Crystal Letters and Crystal Numbers. And the best part? She also shares a video on her blog.  Look how she made the sentiment stand out and shine. I am blown away!

You won't believe it, but the watercolor panel is ONE layer! Kelly achieved that dimensional look a shading. What?!?

Samantha  made two cards: On der first card she also went bold with her background. I have never seen a background like that before and I love it. The frame-like design makes the foxes from Doctor's Helpers stand out so nicely"

For her second card she used the Pills from Doctor's Helpers in a rainbow circle - what a fun idea for a get well card!

And I have a card using the Mini Birthday stamp set  and Birthday triple dies set (combined with the possum from friends & couples)

More inspiration coming soon, and I am pretty sure you'll love it :)

Thanks for stopping by!