Bird and Flower Inspiration 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 5th card for this week is a clean and simple Bird and Flower Inspire Card.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower stamp (small) from the MiniShapes set, which I heat embossed and cut, then adhered it 3D.

I used a patterned paper for the background (for a change… lol) along with a swirly Bird die cut, an Inspire stamp and several blings.

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

Merry Christmas Card with Washi Tape and Christmas Tree with Tutorial

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 Merry Christmas Card with Washi Tape and 
Christmas Tree.

It is followed by a step-by-step tutorial, with photos.

I hope you'll try it and enjoy it… It takes less time to make the card than to post 
about it (lol)

Today's card is all about making the background papers yourself.

This technique is fun and easy, and it enables you to create various backgrounds, to make different cards.

I made the main background by stamping Snowflakesfrom Designs by Ryn on a leather textured red CS.

I also stamped the sentiment "Merry Christmas" on a scrap of the same red leather textured CS, and inked its edges using Platinum ink, the same ink I used to stamp the Snowflakes, to enhance it.

I also added 2 brads, all shiny and bright.

Then I used a piece of plain white CS, which I wrapped with several stripes of Washi Tape in Christmas related colors and themes.

You can use any combination of Washi Tape, I simply picked those which will pop out and will be contrasted to the red background. Once you're satisfied with the size of the wrapped CS, you can trim its edge off.

Here's the CS wrapped with Washi Tape:

And as Washi Tape sometimes has a tendency to become loose (it doesn't always stick to its place), I wrapped it behind both sides of the CS, and I adhered the 3D double sided foam tape on the back side of the CS exactly ON the Washi Tape's ends, so the foam tape secures them:

Now I used MichaelStrong's Cloisonné Christmas Tree stamp (large).

I stamped and heat embossed it on a scrap of the same red leather textured CS, then I cut it and added a few pearls for some more glam.

I adhered the Snowflakes background paper to the card basis, then the Washi Tape background paper and the decorated piece with the sentiment, using a double sided foam tape for a 3D effect.

I added the Christmas Tree on top of the Washi Tape background paper, also 3D. You can see it in 2 different color combos.

You can see the 3D effect here:

It sure feels like the right time to create Christmas Card.

We don't celebrate Christmas in Israel, but I'd like to send Christmas cards to my friends worldwide who celebrate Christmas.

Please let me know if you liked my tutorial, if it was clear (I'm always happy to answer questions), and if it made you want to create something similar.

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

Spring is the time of plans and projects ATB

For a very long period of time I've been engaged with family duties, unfortunately very unhappy ones.

During this time I rarely created anything, and as much as I wanted to, I couldn't find peace of mind and passion to create. My blog has also been neglected.

Now I got my MOJO back, and it feels so good!!!

I needed to share it with you. I still have several former unpublished creations to share with you, and I also plan a little Giveaway soon. Stay tuned!

But for now here's my entry to the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group Spring challenge - a Spring ATB.

I made the 3D cube myself, out of sturdy CS, and it was such fun that I guess I'll make more ATBs in the near future.

Materials used:

Sturdy 12x12 Polka Dot CS by Netanella – Hot Air Ballons  collection

Scor-Pal

Red, light blue and black leather textured CS

Cream paper

Michael Strong Honeycomb stencil

Michael Strong Stamps: Cloisonné Butterfly (small and large), Cloisonné Flower (small)

Michael Strong Metal Die Cutters: Butterfly (small and large), Flower (small)  

Ranger Distress Ink - Fired Brick

Ranger Ink Blending Tool

VersaFine Ink - Onyx Black

White and light blue EP

Polka Dot Paper Tape in 3 color patterns

Turquoise and gold Gel pens

Black pen

Jewel brads

Clear blings

Double sided clear and foam tape

First I cut the 12x12 CS for the 3D cube, which turned out about 3.8x3.8 inches (9.5x9.5 cms), and left margins to glue the parts together. Please let me know if you're interested in a step-by-step tutorial.

I added Polka Dot Paper Tape in 3 color patterns all around the cube's connections of faces, both for decoration and to strengthen them.

Then I randomly decorated 5 faces of the 3D cube, using Michael Strong Honeycomb stencil, Ranger Distress Ink - Fired Brick, and Ranger Ink Blending Tool.

I stamped and cut the large Butterfly, and added clear blings to make it glamorous.

I stamped and cut the small Butterflies, and colored them using Gel Pens.

I stamped and cut the small Flowers and heat embossed them, then I added Jewel brads to their centers.

I glued all the images, using double sided clear and foam tape.

The large Butterfly, on the top of the cube, was glued only at its center, its wings flying in the air.

I added the sentiment, hand written with a black pen, on 4 faces of the cube.

I really enjoyed making this ATB, and it felt like spring is in the air (though it feels like summer in Israel).

I'm so glad I got creative again, and I hope this passion will last and grow.

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

Gecko Tag for Good Luck and Paisley Tag

Here are my 4th creations for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group

Today it's Technique Thursday, and rather than sharing a specific technique I preferred to share several useful tips.
Therefore I created two tags on which it's easier to demonstrate my tips.

I decided to use the Cloisonné Gecko Stamp and the Cloisonné Paisley large stamp.

The colors I chose are earth tones, trying to match the stamped images and the embellishments to the backgrounds.

Supplies used:
Cream CS for the tags
Beige and cream CS
Vintage book's pages
Cuttlebug embossing folder - Distressed Stripes

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Dies - Fancy Tags
Crop-A-Dile
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Gecko Stamp
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Paisley Set (large)
Ranger's Distress ink - Rusty Hinge, Pine Needle
Embossing ink
Ranger's Green EP
Versacolor metallic Ink - 3 colors - bronze, gold and silver
Promarkers - Vanilla, Mint Green
Green pen
Big spotted brads
Flower eyelets
Ribbons and fibers from my stash

Double sided foam tape
Double sided tape

First I stamped the Gecko and cut it around.
Then I stamped the Paisley, heat embossed it, colored it with ProMarkers and cut it around.
I embossed the tags using the Cuttlebug and colored them with Ranger's Distress inks.
The Ribbons and the stamped images were all glued 3D for extra dimension.
Then I added the eyelets and the brads.

Now here are my tips for a better looking creation, no matter if it's a tag, a card or any other project.
The back side of the work looks messy - holes for the eyelets, ribbon strands hanging loose, brads' legs showing.
All these make each project look unfinished and non-professional.
To avoid this, simply cover the back side of your work, and none of the above will be seen.
I used a vintage book's page to cover each tag's back side.
Then I added a satin ribbon and some colorful fibers at the top of the tags.
You must admit they look better now.

You can also cover the back side of brads and eyelets or the ribbon's attaching place with small punched out or die cut papers, and use them as decorative elements.
Do you have any tips you'd like to share?

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Transparent Flowers Card

Here's the 3rd card I made for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.

Ingredients:
Cream leather textured CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured CS
Martha Stewart's Quilted edger punch
CI patterned paper
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower stamp (small)
Transparency sheet
Stazon ink
Velvet covered brads

I punched the black canvas textured CS using the Quilted Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page Edger (I used only the border punch).
I punched circles in 2 sizes out of the cream leather textured CS and the black canvas textured CS.
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower stamp on a transparency sheet with Stazon ink: Teal Blue, Royal Purple and Blazing Red.
I cut each flower and attached it asymmetrically to the CS circles with velvet covered brads, each brad in the color different than the flower's.
The circles with the flowers 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

Christmas Card #11 - Reindeer And Bear

This card has a cream CS as its basis
Ingredients:
Leather textured brown CS
Kraft CS, which was punched using Martha Stewart's Garden Trellis deep edger punch
Basic Grey patterned paper - Jovial , its edges distressed with brown ink
Reindeer and Bear stamps (from my stash) stamped on Kraft CS, its edges distressed with brown ink, then glued on leather textured brown CS and glued 3D for extra dimension
Light blue and white checkered ribbon, inserted into large light blue and white buckle brads.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

christmas Card #5 - Christmas Flowers

This card has a cream CS as its basis
Ingredients:
Heavy dark turquoise bubbles textured CS
Shiny gold paper, which was punched using Martha Stewart's Garden Trellis deep edger punch
Basic Grey patterned paper - Jovial
3 Velvet Poinsettia flowers (light red, white and true red), attached with a turquoise crystal brass brad and glued 3D for extra dimension
Turquoise blings in various sizes, to add some Christmas glam
I hope you'll find it inspiring. Merry Christmas!

Challenges
F for Foliage for Alphabet Challenge Blog (10.12.10) .

DDCC #92-Dec 2-Christmas Card/Tag or Ornament for Dutch Dare Card Challenges (8.12.10) .

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

Transparent Mini Album - Flowers And Butterflies

This mini album was created out of a big transparent page (12x12) cut into 4 smaller pieces.
I've easily cut it with a knife, with scissors and with Sizzix dies.
Because it is transparent, I had to pay attention to what's showing on the other side of each page. I think it's challenging, don't you?
Yet I could use so many techniques, inks and 3D items, and that turned it into a fun project to play with.
It is very colorful and cheerful, and there's still some room left to add photos.
It came out rather chubby because of all the embellishments I put in - and I like it this way.
I hope the photos show its transparency and the way each page seems from both sides, through the layers.

There are quite a few of them, so sit back and enjoy…

You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it.

Ingredients:
transparent page (12x12) - for the pages
transparent page (12x12) - for the TH dies (flowers and flourishes), colored with
Stazon ink
Cuttlebug's embossing folder - Tiny Bubbles
Basic grey patterned paper - Pyrus, cut with SN through the Cuttlebug
Rub-ons, brads, clear and turquoise blings
Ribbons
Metal binding rings
Felt flowers
Silk flowers
Martha Stewart's Quilted edger punch
A turquoise paper rose I made myself, like the TH paper roses, distressed with Ranger's distress ink (Broken China) and lightly coated with Diamond Glaze for a shiny glazing
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower stamp (small), heat embossed with white EP (on light blue CS) and with baby blue EP (on black CS)
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Butterfly stamp (large), heat embossed with white EP (on white CS), once as it is and once coated with Diamond Glaze for a shiny glazing, both glued 3D for extra dimension.

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

Wedding Card

My eldest son who's going to a wedding asked me to make a card for him.
I made a simple yet elegant wedding card, in my favorite color combo - black, white and red.
I used several layers of textured CS.
The bride's dress was hand embossed with a stylus on Parchment paper and attached to the black CS with heart brads, then glued 3D for extra dimension.
I wish the young couple harmony and love.

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

Happy New Year - Spirella Card

Here's a card in bright colors, made with green and bright yellow CS, yellow and green PP from my stash, all distressed with Stazon ink, TH flourish and brads.

The main motif is a spirella with embroidery threads and the greeting says Shana Tova (Happy New Year in Hebrew), both were glued 3D for extra dimension.

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

Primary Colors Card

Here's a cheerful card with primary colors.
The central flower was made of folded patterned paper - the same pattern used for the background - punched out with a scalloped circle punch. Each petal was folded 4 times.

After folding all the petals I glued them to each other.

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower stamp with Stazon ink on textured red CS for the center, and on a piece of transparency (clear acetate sheet) separately, and carefully cut them with nail scissors.
The whole flower was glued 3D for extra dimension on bright yellow textured CS.

I also used red and white CS punched with Martha Stewart's border punch, and a few brads.
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Folded Card For June Card Challenge

I made this card for the Michael Strong's Yahoo group Folded Card challenge.

You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it.

The central flower was made of old book pages (a nice way to re-use them), punched out with a scalloped circle punch. Each petal was folded 4 times.

After folding all the petals I glued them to each other.

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower stamp with Stazon ink on a transparency sheet, and carefully cut it with nail scissors.

I attached the transparent flower to the folded flower with a flocked brad.

The whole flower was glued 3D for extra dimension.

To decorate the corners I added 2 pairs of flourish die cuts made of black textured CS.

Each one of them was set in an opposite direction to create a double-flourish corner embellishment, accented with a pearl.

The purple ribbon was inserted into a piece of black CS which was punched with a simple office binder.

I also used light blue CS, a patterned paper with script from my stash, and pearls all over.

Now go figure out how many folds there are in one flower…

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

I Love Chocolate !

I made this card for the Michael Strong's Yahoo group Chocolate challenge.
It reminds me the story of Hansel and Gretel and their candy house.
Well, my house is entirely made of chocolate!
First I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Paisley Set.
The roof tiles were made of small Paisleys stamped with Brilliance brown ink on light brown textured CS and hand-cut with nail scissors. Yes, I cut each and every one of them separately. They were adhered to a dark brown CS panel in rows, overlapping each other.
I used the background stamp from the Cloisonné Paisley Set on both sides of the door, which was attached to the main house panel with a piece of paper to enable the door to open.
The handle is made of a big brad, covered with brown corduroy.
The windows are small octagons, stamped with the small octagon stamp from the Cloisonné Octagons Set, and glued 3D for extra dimension.
Each M&M'S Chocolate Candy is a colorful brad.
Finally, I used a white gel pen for the faux stitches around the main house panel.
The matting is made of red textured CS.
People who know me already take me for a chocoholic.
This card seems like it's made of pure chocolate, it makes me want to take a bite…