Vintage Letter Thank You Card

I'm Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group for this week, so for 5 days I'll be showing you several works using Michael Strong's stamps. I hope you'll find them inspiring.

My 2nd card for this week is a Thank You card in Vintage colors, using a Kraft card basis and Kraft CS for the stamped sentiment, which is the dictionary definition of the word Todah (i.e. thank you, in Hebrew).

The patterned paper background paper is in shabby chic style, and the patterned paper used for the Rosette was designed with old letters and post cards.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Hummingbird stamp (small) from the Mini Wings set.

I stamped it on a contrasting light blue paper using VersaFine Ink - Black Onyx, and cut it using Michael Strong's Mini Wings Metal Die Cutter Set -  they are so easy and fun to use!

I also used Tim Holtz Rosette (large) with a snowflake on top of it, which was cut out of a Vintage patterned paper, as a tribute for Christmas and for a dramatic 3D look.

Both the Rosette and the stamped tag with the sentiment were inked all around, to give them a distinct, eye-catching frame.

I glues the Rosette, The sentiment and the Hummingbird 3D, and added several colorful blings.

You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Thank You Card With Stamped Background

I'm Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group for this week, so for 5 days I'll be showing you several works using Michael Strong's stamps. I hope you'll find them inspiring.

My 4th card for this week is a Thank You Card With Stamped Background.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Hummingbird stamp (small) from the Mini Wings set.

I also used a Hebrew stamp which shows the Dictionary definition of Todah (i.e. Thank You).

The technique is simple and fun.

You can create your own stamped background pages, and they'll never look the same.

Also, each piece you'll cut out of your page will look different.

To create your own background page, all you need is several different stamps and several ink pads in various colors.

You start by choosing one stamp, stamping it randomly here and there on your page, using one ink color.

Then you do the same thing again, using another stamp and another ink color every time.

You stamp all over the page, in the gaps between the already stamped images, until you're happy with the result – a background page uniquely created by you!

Now you can cut pieces of your page and use them for backgrounds, to create any card or art project you desire... a unique one.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Happy Spring Card

Here's a card I'm sharing as your Card Captain today for the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
I created this card in vivid, primary colors, to enhance nature and its sheer beauty.

I love the tiny Hummingbird, which is flying high above the fields.
Things must seem different from the bird's point of view.
Don't you sometimes wish you could fly?

Supplies used:

Cream CS for the card's basis
Yellow paper from a magazine
Red leather textured CS
White canvas textured CS, with Aqua painting printed on it
Turquoise paper for stamping
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Diamond Plate
Michael Strong Cloisonné Hummingbird stamp (small)
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Michael Strong Mini Wings Metal Die Cutter Set
Tiny clear bling
White Gel pen
Double sided foam tape

I chose this Aqua painting, printed on heavy white canvas textured CS, as the main focal point of the card.
Can you feel that spring is in the air?
I used yellow paper (recycled from a magazine) with the Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Diamond Plate - as my main background.

This embossing resembles the tracks left by a tractor plowing the field, which fits the painting (artist unknown, taken from an advertisement).

Then I layered the red leather textured CS, and then the CS with the Aqua painting.
I added faux stitches, using a white Gel pen.
I stamped Michael Strong Cloisonné small Hummingbird on turquoise paper, using VersaFine ink - Onyx Black, and cut it using Michael Strong Mini Wings Metal Die Cutters - they cut like butter!
I added a tiny bling for the Hummingbird's eye.
The Hummingbird was glued 3D with foam tape for extra dimension, so when you look at the card from its lower view you can see the bird's shade - it seems to be actually flying in the air.
As long as it doesn't fly away from my card, I'm OK with it…

 

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Michael Strong ATC Swap - Soar

This is the ATC I created for the Michael Strong ATC Swap, which took place in May 2012 at the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
I made several ATCs, 6 for the swap and extras for myself and for 2 friends.
Some were decorated with a Hummingbird, some with a Dragonfly.

Supplies used:
Recycled Manila CS, cut to ATC size (2.5 x 3.5 inches)
White CS from a recycled box
Ranger's Distress ink - tattered rose, worn lipstick
Inkessentials Distress ink applicator
Michael Strong stamp - The Lily Set (background panel)
Michael Strong stamp - Hummingbird (small)
Michael Strong stamp - Dragonfly (small)
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Embossing ink
Black EP
Cream ric-rac ribbon
Tiny pink bling
Clear bling
Double-sided foam tape

To create the background, I stamped Michael Strong's Lily background panel, using VersaFine ink - Onyx Black.
I randomly applied Ranger's Distress ink - tattered rose and worn lipstick - using the Inkessentials Distress ink applicator.
Then I stamped Michael Strong's Hummingbird and Dragonfly (here you only see the ATC with the Hummingbird) on white CS from a recycled box, using embossing ink.
I heat embossed it with black embossing powder and cut it accurately with scissors.
I distressed the edges of the Soar (computer printed) label using Ranger's Distress ink - worn lipstick.
I used a cream ric-rac ribbon to enhance the bird which seems to be flying over it.
Both the Hummingbird and the Soar label were glued 3D for extra dimension.
Can you see the shade of the flying bird?
And the bird's beak is aiming into the flower center, hoping to find some honeydew… there's nothing but distress ink in there! (lol)

I added a tiny pink bling for the bird's eye, and a clear bling for the label, for extra glam.
(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Happy Birthday Hummingbird and Rosette Card

Here is my 1st card for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group

I created this birthday card in optimistic colors with a romantic chic.

It is also my interpretation of this month's sketch (#43) at the group.

Supplies used:
Cream CS for the card's basis
Papermania patterned paper - Origins (2 pages)
Cream CS for the Ornamental die
Patterned paper for the Rosette (from a friend)
Recycled white CS (from a tea pack) for stamping
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die - Ornamental by Tim Holtz
Sizzix Sizzlitz Decorative Strip Die - Paper Rosette by Tim Holtz
Michael Strong Cloisonné Hummingbird Stamp (small)
Embossing ink
Michael Strong Midnight Black EP
ProMarkers - Vanilla, Tulip Yellow
Ranger's Distress Ink - fired brick
Black lace
Sentiment - "Happy Birthday" gold rub-on
Tiny clear bling

Black gel pen

Double sided foam tape

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Hummingbird using Embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using Michael Strong Midnight Black EP.
Then I cut it and colored it using ProMarkers. I added a tiny clear bling for the bird's eye.
I distressed the background patterned paper and the Ornamental die using Ranger's Distress Ink - fired brick.
I used a black gel pen to draw faux stitches around the Ornamental die.
Then I layered the papers according to the sketch and added the black lace.
I added the rub-on sentiment.
The Rosette and the Hummingbird were glued 3D for extra dimension.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Home Sweet Home Card

Here is my 5th card for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group
I decided to use the new adorable Little Houses Set - are these stamps stunning or what?
I can already think of so many ways to use them... they are a must have!
I created this card to celebrate a newly renovated house.
The colors I chose are vivid, and there's quite a lot of coloring which is fun, as there are so many creative options.
I chose the background paper with the musical notes because the people in this house love music.
I wish their home will always be filled with music and laughter!

Supplies used:
Cream textured CS for the card's basisTurquoise CS
Crafty Individuals patterned paper - Background Papers (Book 1)
Cream CS
White recycled CS (from a tea pack)
Spellbinders Shapeabilities Dies - Fancy Tags
Martha Stewart's Gothic Arches edge punch
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Michael Strong's Little Houses Set - Cottage
Michael Strong's Mini Cloisonné Wings Stamp Set - Hummingbird (small)
Embossing ink
Michael Strong's Midnight black EP
ProMarkers
Tiny clear bling
Double sided foam tape

First I stamped Michael Strong's Cottage stamp from the Little Houses Set on cream CS, using VersaFine ink - Onyx Black.
I colored the stamped image using several colors of ProMarkers.
Then I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné small Hummingbird on a piece of recycled CS using Embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using Michael Strong's Midnight black EP.
I cut the small Hummingbird using scissors.
I cut and layered the background papers and added the punched fence.
The printed sentiment and stamped images were all glued 3D for extra dimension.
Finally, I added a tiny clear bling for the Hummingbird's eye.
Now take a look at the close-up to see the detailed coloring.
Can you notice the cute kitten at the window? I colored him blond with blue eyes (lol)
I just love how versatile this stamp is - it can be colored in so many ways, and it can be combined with other stamps such as the Hummingbird in flight.
Endless possibilities!

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly