Japanese Fan and Flowers 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 1^st card for this week is a Christmas card in non-traditional colors, using Japanese themed elements.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Silhouette Fan stamp (medium) from the Cloisonné Silhouette Fan set.

I heat embossed it in white, and accented it with colorful blings.

I also used Tim Holtz Snowflake Rosette for a dramatic 3D look.

I think it actually makes everything pop out!

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

Michael Strong Pink Challenge - Japanese Kimono Card

Here's a new card I created using vivid, optimistic colors - mainly shades of pink, as required by the October challenge at enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group .

I gave it to a friend as her birthday card. 

Ingredients:

Shocking pink spotted CS for the card's basis
Striped patterned paper

Shocking pink spotted CS

A recycled piece of a cereals package

Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set

Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Kimono stamp

Embossing ink

Gold EP

ProMarkers - I used shades of pink

3D foam tape

Clear and pink bling

I layered the patterned paper, and then I used the shocking pink spotted CS,

its corners punched using Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set (I used only the corner punch here).

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Kimono on a piece of cereals package (I say: reuse and recycle whenever possible!)

I heat embossed the stamped image with gold EP.

Then I carefully cut the Kimono using TH scissors. I didn't use Michael Strong's die cutters here because the cereals package was very thick.

I colored the Kimono using ProMarkers and glued it 3D for extra dimension.

I added several clear and pink blings to add some glam.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 

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

Japanese Fan and Sakura Flowers Card

Here is my 5th card for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group

I created this card in a color combo which is suitable for a man or for a woman, and fits any occasion.
It has a clean and simple look to it, following the Japanese theme.

Supplies used:
White leather textured CS for the card's basis
White CS leather textured for stamping and punching
Basic Grey patterned paper - Boxer
Michael Strong Cloisonné Silhouette Fans Stamp (large)
Embossing ink
White EP
Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug embossing folder
Sakura Flower punch
Ranger's Distress Ink - faded jeans
Distress Ink applicator
Red blings
Double sided foam tape

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Silhouette Fan large stamp using Embossing ink and heat embossed it using white EP, then I cut it with scissors.
I embossed a piece of white CS using the Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug embossing folder and colored it with the ink applicator and Ranger's Distress Ink (faded jeans).
I layered it on top of the Basic Grey background paper.
The Silhouette Fan and the punched out Sakura Flowers were glued 3D for extra dimension.
I added red blings 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

Japanese Hummingbird Card

Here is my 2nd card for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.

I created this card for a dear friend who likes Japanese motifs.

This card was created using strong, contrasting colors, yet it reminds me of a serene nature's scene.

Supplies used:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis

Black and red leather textured CS
Off-white recycled CS (from a tea pack)
Dovercraft patterned paper - Eastern Promise
Narcissus stamp by Kodomo
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Michael Strong's Mini Cloisonné Wings Stamp Set - Hummingbird (small)

Embossing ink
Michael Strong's Midnight black EP

ProMarkers - Mint Green, Tulip Yellow, Peach
Black Satin ribbon - recycled from a chocolate box
Clear tyny bling and several medium blings

Double sided foam tape

First, I stamped the Narcissus using VersaFine ink - Onyx Black.
Then I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné small Hummingbird using Embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using Michael Strong's Midnight black EP.
I colored the Narcissus and the Hummingbird using ProMarkers - Mint Green, Tulip Yellow, Peach.
I cut and layered the papers, added the ribbon and glued the stamped Images 3D for extra dimension.

Then I added a tiny clear bling for the bird's eye and several medium blings 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

Japanese Dragonfly Happy Birthday Card

Here's the 3rd card I made for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
It's a Happy Birthday card for a dear friend.

Supplies used:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis
Shiny gold paper
Japanese patterned paper - Making Memories
Pergamano Parchment (Vellum) paper
Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Dragonfly stamp (large)
Embossing ink
Gold EP
Happy Birthday stamp by Hero Arts
VersaFine Onyx Black ink
Clear and red blings
Double sided foam tape
Diamond Glaze

I cut and layered the papers.
I stamped "Happy Birthday" using VersaFine Onyx Black ink.
The sentiment was glued 3D for extra dimension.
Then I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Dragonfly stamp on Parchment (Vellum) paper, heat embossed it with gold EP and cut it carefully.
I attached the Dragonfly's body using Diamond Glaze, allowing its wings to hang in the air as if it's flying.
I added red and clear blings all over 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

Japanese Thank You Card

Here's a card I created for the Michael Strong's Yahoo group November challenge - an oblong Thank You card.

Supplies used:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis

Japanese patterned paper
Cream CS

Pergamano Parchment (Vellum) paper
Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Dragonfly stamp (large)

Embossing ink

Hematite EP

Martha Stewart Edge Punch - Hydrangeas
Brown ink
Gold rub-on

Clear round blings and dark red square blings

I wanted to give this card a classical look, so I used a calm color combo, and made the dragonfly fly by lifting its wings in the air.
The only thing which keeps it from flying away is the weight of the blings on its wings… very light, very transparent.

Take a look at the Dragonfly's close-up.
Can you actually see the Dragonfly in flight?

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Red Black & White Kimono Card

This is my 5th card this week as Card Captain of the Michael Strong's Yahoo group.

Ingredients:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured CS
White CS
Cuttlebug embossing folder - Distressed Stripes
Ranger's Distress ink - Fired Brick
A recycled piece of a cereals package
Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Kimono stamp
Embossing ink
Hematite EP
3D foam tape
Clear and red blings

I embossed the white CS through the Cuttlebug and distressed it using Ranger's Distress ink - Fired Brick.
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Kimono on a piece of cereals package (I say: reuse and recycle whenever possible!)
I heat embossed the stamped image with Hematite EP.
Then I carefully cut the Kimono using TH scissors. I didn't use Michael Strong's die cutters here because the cereals package was very thick.
I layered the papers and added the Kimono using 3D foam tape for extra dimension.
I added several clear and red blings to add some glam.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Japanese Kimono Iris Folding Card

This card made me try the Iris Folding technique.
This is my first Iris Folding card EVER and it's a lot of fun!
I have no idea why I never tried it before, but I'm going to use this technique over and over again.
You can find a tutorial here
You can find the pattern in Michael Strong's blog.
If you want your pattern to match the size of Michael Strong's Kimono Die Cutter, print it after resizing it to exactly 3.78 x 4.57 inches (who said size doesn't matter? lol)

I used contrasting yet complementary colors in order to get an elegant card.

Ingredients:
Cream leather textured CS for the card's basis
Cream leather textured CS for the Kimono Iris Folding
Original Japanese Aizome Chiyogami patterned papers
Michael Strong's Kimono Die Cutter
3D foam tape
Turquoise blings in 2 sizes

I used Michael Strong's Kimono Die Cutter to cut a Kimono shaped hole in my CS.
I created the Kimono Iris Folding on the back of my CS and turned it over, its textured side up.
I used original Japanese Aizome Chiyogami patterned papers, which were brought to me from Japan by a friend.
I glued the finished CS using 3D foam tape onto the card's basis for extra dimension.
I added several turquoise blings to add some glam.

Take a look at the Kimono's close-up.
You can see the Iris Folding layers of the Japanese papers.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Japanese Kimono Card #1

Here's a new card I created using vivid, happy colors.

Ingredients:
White CS for the card's basis
Red leather textured CSDovercraft patterned paper (Eastern Promise)
A recycled piece of a cereals package
Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set
Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Kimono stamp
Embossing ink
Gold EP
ProMarkers - I used Poppy, Vanilla and Cocoa
3D foam tape
Clear and red blings

I used the patterned paper, its corners punched using Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set (I used only the corner punch here).
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Kimono on a piece of cereals package (I say: reuse and recycle whenever possible!)
I heat embossed the stamped image with gold EP.
Then I carefully cut the Kimono using TH scissors. I didn't use Michael Strong's die cutters here because the cereals package was very thick.
I colored the Kimono using ProMarkers and glued it 3D for extra dimension.
I added several clear and red blings to add some glam.

Take a look at the Kimono's close-up.
Now you see why this is my Japanese Kimono Card #1 - there will definitely be more of them.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Japanese Dragonfly's Flight Card

I made this sympathy card For Mike. I hope he likes it.
I wanted it to be a card suitable for a man (hence the choice of colors), and also to be serene, light and alive.

I used the Dragonfly embossed on Parchment (Vellum) paper motif again, as its transparency gives the Dragonfly a light look, like the natural Dragonfly.
Note that the direction in this card is unusual, so the Dragonfly seems to be flying towards you.
In case you wondered, the wings flatten so the card can be easily inserted into an envelope, then they pop up again when taken out.
Parchment (Vellum) paper gets the desired design.
I bent the wings slightly and I didn't glue them, so they're free to "move" a little.

Ingredients:
White CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured paper
Kodomo patterned paper - Dragonfly Garden
Pergamano Parchment (Vellum) paper
Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Dragonfly stamp (large)
Embossing ink
Hematite EP
Sakura punch in 2 sizes
Silver and dark grey patterned paper from my stash (for the punched Sakura)
Clear blings

The Dragonfly was heat embossed with Hematite EP on Pergamano Parchment (Vellum) paper.
I cut the Dragonfly carefully and glued it only in the center, its wings hanging in the air to get the feeling of flight and movement.
I added several clear blings on the Dragonfly's body and around the card.

Take a look at the Dragonfly's close-up.

Can you actually see the Dragonfly in flight?

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Dragonfly's Flight Card

I made this card for a dear friend.
I wanted the card to express the power of nature, yet to be serene, light and alive.

Ingredients:
Cream CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured paper
Kodomo patterned paper - Dragonfly Garden
Pergamano Parchment (Vellum) paper

Michael's Strong's Cloisonné Dragonfly stamp (large)
Embossing ink
Carnelian EP
Sakura punch in 2 sizes
Yellow-orange CS from my stash (for the punched Sakura)
"All the best" gold rub-on

Clear blings

Take a look at the Dragonfly's closeup.

Can you actually see the Dragonfly in flight?

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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