Remember to Smile!

It's the middle of the month, so the Naughty or Nice Troublemakers want to remind you of our current challenge, Share a Smile! I took the theme very literally this time. 

I decided to use this month's sketch from Stamplorations. 

And it only took me four tries to get a card I liked! 

My first three attempts used a stencil and distress inks for the vertical strip. First try: my colours were too reminiscent of Halloween, so that's in the future use pile. The second panel: better colours, but I brain-gapped and used the "hello" sentiment instead of "smile". Another future use panel. Third attempt: different colours, also good. Stamped and embossed the correct sentiment this time. Stamped and embossed three flowers, popped them up in the appropriate places. Decided the next morning... ugh. Into recycling it went. And so we come to the fourth and final version. Stamped and embossed "smile" in sparkly embossing powder. Masked off the three spots where I wanted my smiley faces. Stamped "smile" several more times in pale grey. (My MISTI was invaluable for getting these right.) Stamped the three happy faces and again broke out the sparkle embossing powder. Popped the panel up on a black card base and, TA DA, a cheery card. 
You still have two days to share a smile with us! 

Supplies: white & black cardstock, STAMPlorations Bold Sentiments & Simon Says Stamp Color & Sunshine stamps, Versafine onyx black, Versacolor sky grey, Memento Luxe lilac posies, love letter & Danube blue inks, Hero Arts clear sparkle embossing powder, fun foam