Dragonfly and Dragonfly Fairy 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 1st card for this week is a Dragonfly and Dragonfly Fairy Thank You Card, with a home-made background.

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

I used the adorable Dragonfly Fairy stamp from Designs by Ryn .

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

I created the background using several colors of Glimmer Mist.

I also used Michael Strong's Honeycomb stencil.
I used Michael Strong Mini Wings Metal Die Cutter, it cuts like butter.

Then I added stamps, Distress inks, and several 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

Spring Flowers, Winter Showers Canvas

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.

As I promised, after today's post there will be a small Giveaway (a surprise), a token of gratitude to those of you who took the time to leave comments to my posts this week. Your feedback means a lot to me.

I'll give you a few more days to wonder around and maybe to leave more comments, and then I'll announce the winner.

And now to today's art work – an 8x8 inches (20x20 cms) canvas, which was actually my entry to the Spring Challenge – and I won!

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Butterfly stamp (large)

I also used 2 stencils and 2 stamps made by Designed by Ryn, I think they're adorable and very versatile.

I used Maidenhair Fern and Flowing Branches stencils, and Trickling Water 2 and Raindrop set stamps.

First, I colored the canvas using acrylic paint.

Then I used the Flowing Branches stencil with 2 coats of modeling paste.

When it dried completely, I colored it using 3 colors of Ranger's Distress Ink.

Then I added punched Sakura flowers from upcycled magazines, all over the tree branches. If you take a close look you can see several eyes within the flowers.

I used the Maidenhair Fern stencil to add more interest to the background.

Then I stamped both Trickling Water 2 and Raindrop set stamps for a richer look.

The main idea was to show the Spring Flowers welcoming the beginning of the spring, while the Winter Raindrops were still in the background and were still present.

I added Mike's Butterfly, stamped with black ink on vibrant red CS, its wings not attached, so it seems to be flying in the air.

I added some blings to add glam, and some washi tape on both sides of the canvas to connect between them.

You can see the 3D effect, in the branches, in the raised flowers, and in the flying Butterfly.

I also added the word SPRING in contrasting black, written with my new Daymo.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 

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

Wise Owl and Leaves Card

Here's another Michael Strong card in shades of green, using the Whimsical Owls stamp set.

I colored the Owl using ProMarkers, and glued it 3D to add some dimension.

The background was embossed with numbers, then colored and edged using Ranger Distress Inks.

I framed the dark green CS with faux stitches, using a white gel pen.

The leaves are a die cut.

The pearls enhance the Owl's eyes and also draw the corners, and - of course - add some glam.

I added Washi Tape with musical notes… will the Owl sing "Happy Birthday"?

(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

Wonderful Heart Gift Box

I made this gift box for a special, wonderful woman with a very kind heart.
I think the design says it all.
I gave her this box with a tag and with a turquoise beads bracelet, hand made by me, as a gift to her.

Supplies used for the box:

Cream leather textured CS for the Box

Red leather textured CS

Basic Grey patterned paper - boxer
Ranger's Distress ink - Fired Brick
Wonderful stamp -DoCrafts
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Heart Stamp (large)

Embossing ink

Gold EP

Clear blings

Scor-Pal

1" circle punch

Double sided foam tape

First I created the box out of cream CS, following Michael Strong's tutorial

My addition is a tip for an easy opening of the box.

After scoring and folding the CS, but before cutting and adhering its corners, I used a 1" circle punch to cut a HALF CIRCLE opening at the front side, where the box opens up (I simply inserted the circle punch half way and punched).

It creates a perfect notch to slide your finger in to open the box without wrinkling it.

I distressed the patterned paper using Ranger's Distress ink - fired brick.

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Heart using Embossing ink.

I heat embossed it using gold EP, and cut it with scissors.

Then I stamped the Wonderful stamp using VersaFine ink - Onyx Black.
I adhered both stamped images using double sided foam tape for extra dimension.
I added clear blings for a glamorous look.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Winter Tags Swap

Recently I hosted a Winter Tags swap at the AllThingsTim-Euro Yahoo group.
Here is the tag I created (I made 6 tags).
The winter in Israel is often very sunny, and it only rains heavily from time to time.
So along with the black Umbrella Man for rainy days, the background reflects the sunny weather.
The stamp's sentiment is a motif we should all think of.

Supplies used:
White CS for the tag
Recycled CS for stamping
Black leather textured CS
Ranger's Distress Ink - Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge
Black VersaFine ink
Tim Holtz embossing folder - Rays
Sizzix Bigz Die - Umbrella Man by Tim Holtz
Tim Holtz stamp - Life is not about…
Ticket punch
Satin ribbon and fibers from my stash
Round and flower shaped blings
3D double sided foam tape

First I embossed the tag through the Cuttlebug using Tim Holtz embossing folder - Rays.
Then I used Ranger's Distress Ink (Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade) for the background.
I stamped the Tim Holtz stamp using Black VersaFine ink on a piece of recycled CS.
I used the Ticket punch to cut off the corners of the stamped sentiment.
The Umbrella Man and the stamped piece of CS were glued 3D for extra dimension.
I distressed the tag's edges using Ranger's Distress Ink (Rusty Hinge).
I added round and flower shaped blings for extra glam.
I added satin ribbons and fibers.
I added my details on the back side of the tag.
Here are my 6 tags.

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

Michael Strong Holiday Tag Blog Hop

Here's my Christmas Tag for the Michael Strong's Yahoo group Holiday Tag Blog Hop.
Thank you for stopping by today.
I hope you'll be inspired to make your own holiday tag.
Although we don't celebrate Christmas, I make Christmas and Holiday cards and tags for my overseas friends, and I think it's a fabulous season (and a good excuse to create some more!)

Supplies used:
White CS for the tag's basis
Merry Christmas patterned paper from my stash
Grey leather textured CS
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Christmas Tree Stamp (medium & small)
Embossing ink
Hematite EP
Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Distresser
Blending tool
Ranger Distress Ink - Pine Needles
Red ribbon
Checkered fabric heart-shaped buckle
Clear, green and red blings
Fibers from my stash

You're welcome to leave a comment in each blog. Enjoy your tour!
Your next stop is Heidi's blog
If you get lost you can see the list of participants in Hetty's blog
There's also a bonus: search the letters in each blog.
My letter is "y".
When you have collected all 13 letters from all 13 blogs, make a wish out of them and you'll enter a prize drawing.
The prize will be a Michael Strong stamp, of course.
Send your answer to Hetty privately: buzzy4you@hotmail.com NOT in the comment!
Hetty will pick a winner on Wednesday, December 7th.

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

Camouflage 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.
Here's my 5th card for this week, in military camouflage colors.
I made this card for my son who's a soldier. He's about to finish one of his very difficult military trainings.
I'm sure you understand why I can't give you any details (I wish I could say more, but it's all top secret), so trust me that all the elements and colors in the card perfectly match the spirit of what he's doing.
I wish him good luck in his future military service.
I miss him badly when he's away but I'm very proud of him!
As peace is rare in our country, all I can wish for is that he comes back home safe from those dangerous actions he won't tell me about.

Materials used:
Black canvas textured CS for the card's basis
White CSCuttlebug embossing folder - Distressed StripesRanger's Distress ink - Tea Dye, Crushed Olive, Forest MossA recycled piece of a cereals package Mat gold canvas textured CS
Michael Strong's Fleur De Lis Die Cutters
Camouflage colors cotton ribbonClear blings
3D double sided foam tape

I embossed the white CS through the Cuttlebug and distressed it using Ranger's Distress ink - Tea Dye, Crushed Olive and Forest Moss, trying to give it a camouflage effect.
I printed the text "I'll Be Watching You ..." on a recycled piece of a cereals package and colored it using Ranger's Distress ink - Tea Dye.
I adhered a camouflage colors cotton ribbon.
I used Michael Strong's Fleur De Lis Die Cutters to cut the shape out of mat gold canvas textured CS.
I glued all the elements 3D for extra dimension.
I added several clear blings to resemble the lights in the darkness.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Steampunk Tags Swap

I created these tags for a Steampunk Tags Swap which took place at the AllThingsTim Yahoo group .
I made 9 similar (but not identical) tags. I've sent 7 tags and kept two - one for myself and one can be traded. If you're interested, please let me know.
I chose vintage colors and earth tones with some blue and striking red for a dramatic contrast.

Supplies used:
Manila CS
Patterned paper - commercials of a fashion designer
Shoe boxes recycled cardboard - blue (Reebok), and kraft and dark red (Saucony)
Red CS
Tim Holtz Steampunk stamp set
Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz Die - Gadget Gears
Ranger's Distress Ink - Fired Brick, Tea dye, Weathered Wood
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
EK Success punch - Folk Heart
Pure alcohol
Ranger's Glossy Accents
Color changing soft fibers
Satin blue ribbon
Checkered ribbon with changing colors
3D double sided foam tape

For the tag's front side I've cut Tim's #8 tags out of commercials of a fashion designer CS.
It had old machine parts printed all over it, in vintage colors, which was perfect for my tags.
I distressed the papers with Tea Dye distress ink.
I added the text "Without heart we are just machines", printed on the same CS back side, and distressed it with Fired Brick distress ink.
I sprayed alcohol on each piece to enhance the colors and to fixate them.
The folk heart was punched out of bright red CS and was glazed with several coats of Glossy Accents for a shiny look.
I stacked several Gadget Gears dies, cut out of recycled shoe boxes cardboard in various colors.

For the tag's back side I've stamped 2 different stamps from Tim Holtz Steampunk stamp set using black ink on manila CS, and then distressed it with Tea Dye distress ink.
I added a few more Gadget Gears dies, cut out of recycled shoe boxes cardboard in various colors.

All the embellishments were glued using 3D foam tape for extra dimension.
I chopped the tags' corners with TH scissors, punched holes with the Crop-A-Dile and distressed the edges using Ranger's Distress Ink (Tea Dye).
Then I added colorful soft fibers, a blue satin ribbon and a checkered ribbon from my stash.
I also added my info on each tag's back side, printed and colored with Weathered Wood distress ink.

And here are all my 9 tags:

I have an extra tag - who wants it?
(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Fish Card for Rosh HaShana

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 1st card for this week is inspired by the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group monthly sketch #39, shown here:

The main motif in this card is the Fish, which is one of the symbols of Rosh HaShana (the Jewish New Year holiday).

Ingredients:
Cream leather textured CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured CS
Gold paper
Light cream textured CS
Turquoise leather textured CS
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fish Stamp (large)
Embossing ink
Ranger's Distress Ink - Old Paper
Gold EP
Swirl Edger Punch by EK Success
EK Success Medium Corner Adorner
White and light blue half pearls

I chose these colors to create a dramatic contrast and to get an elegant color combo.
I used the edger punch to create the black and gold paper stripes to match the sketch.
I used the Swirl Edger Punch by EK Success to create scraps with edges resembling waves, and stacked them so the black waves and the gold waves were in opposite directions.
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fish on turquoise leather textured CS, heat embossed it with gold EP and cut it out using TH scissors.
The Fish was glued 3D with foam tape for extra dimension.
I added a piece of light cream leather textured CS, distressed with Old Paper distress ink and its corners rounded, as the background of the Fish image.
I added a white half pearl for the eye and several light blue half pearls which resemble the water bubbles.

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

Sailing Adventure for Hot Summer Days

I created these tags for a Summer Tags Swap which took place at the AllThingsTim-Euro Yahoo group.
I made 6 tags. I've sent 5 tags and kept one for myself.


Supplies used:
White CS
Old book's pages
White printer's paper
Recycled tea package
Tim Holtz Air travel stamp set - world map and compass
Cuttlebug embossing folder - Distressed Stripes
Ranger's Distress Ink - Scattered Straw, Rusty Hinge, Frayed Burlap, Fired Brick, Black Soot, Faded Jeans, Broken China
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Plastic coffee stirring spoons
Color changing soft fibers (in 2 colors)
Organza blue ribbon
Light blue half pearls with sticky back
Pure alcohol
Ranger's Glossy Accents
3D double sided foam tape
Ink blending tool
Tim Holtz scissors

I started with #8 tags, which I cut out of white CS.
The tag's front side
I used mostly stamps and distressed inks, blending several ink colors until I was satisfied with the results.
I stamped Tim Holtz Air travel stamp set - world map using black VersaFine ink, and covered it with Distress Ink - Scattered Straw and Rusty Hinge.
I stamped the compass on a piece of recycled tea package.
I colored it using other Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap and Fired Brick, and Black Soot for the edges.
The compass was cut with scissors and glued using a 3D foam tape for extra dimension.

The lower part was made of a separate piece of CS, Cuttlebug'd using the Distressed Stripes embossing folder.
I flipped it so the stripes became horizontal, to resemble sea waves.
I used Distress Ink - Faded Jeans and Broken China, and added light blue half pearls with sticky back for some glam.
I sprayed pure alcohol wherever I used the Distress Ink in order to enhance and to fixate the colors.

The boat is the main motif on this tag and it's very outstanding.
It was created from an old book's page, using an Origami folding.
It was glued using a 3D foam tape for extra dimension, and it's wider than the tag itself.
I used a brown plastic coffee stirring spoon (cut with a cutting tool) for the oar.

The tag's back side
I covered it with an old book's page, matching the one the boat was made of.
I added my details, printed and distressed with Distress Ink - Faded Jeans, to add some color to the back side.
I added an organza ribbon and fluffy fibers from my stash, in matching colors.
And here are all my 6 tags:

I hope you've had a great summer!
(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Phantom of the Opera Tags

I created these tags for a Phantom of the Opera Tags Swap which took place at the AllThingsTim Yahoo group .
I made 15 similar tags. I've sent 14 tags and kept one for myself.
The colors I chose are very dramatic, as required by the theme.
I was lucky to attend the original production of the Phantom of the Opera in NY in 1980, and I still remember it very vividly.
I used several main motifs from the show: the musical notes, the rose, the chandelier, the white face.
I added other motifs referring to making it into a film (with text and admit ticket).

Supplies used:
White CS
Papers - commercials of the "black swan" movie
Old book's pages
White printer's paper
All Night Media Single Rose stamp
Tim Holtz Urban Grunge acrylic stamp set - chandelier stamp
Tim Holtz Lost and Found acrylic stamp set - film stamp
Tim Holtz Ideaology mask - Concerto
Tim Holtz Patchwork embossing folder - Admit One
Ranger's Distress Ink - Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Spiced Marmalade
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Red half pearls with sticky back
Color changing soft fibers
Organza burgundy ribbon
Adage tickets - Admit One
Pure alcohol
Ranger's Glossy Accents
3D double sided foam tape

I started with #8 tags, which I cut out of white CS.

The tag's back side
I started working on the tag's back side, printing the swap's details (and mine) on white printer's paper and attaching them to it.
Then I attached the Concerto mask to the tag and blended Ranger's Distress Ink (Fired Brick) all over and around it, until the tag was covered with ink (and so were my fingers… lol)
I sprayed alcohol on the tag to enhance the colors and to fixate them.
I stamped the Single Rose stamp using black ink.

The tag's front side
I used leftover commercials of the "black swan" movie (which I collected for artistic purposes, to re-use in one of my works).
The white face reminded me of the white mask in The Phantom of the Opera, and the wings around the eyes seemed mystical to me.
I cut the papers to fit to the tag's size and adhered them, covering their lower part with a piece of an old book's page (because it's about telling a story).
I stamped Tim Holtz film stamp using black ink (because it's also been filmed).
The chandelier stamp also reminded me one of the motifs in the original production of The Phantom of the Opera.
I stamped it on white CS, cut it and covered it with Glossy Accents to create a glazing. It was glued using a 3D foam tape for extra dimension.
I added red half pearls for the eyes, to make them a bit scary and dramatic.

I took a few Admit One Adage tickets I had and created the rest of them using Tim Holtz Patchwork embossing folder (the Admit One part).
I distressed them using Ranger's Distress Ink (Spiced Marmalade) to give them some bright color, and glued them 3D for some extra dimension.

I chopped the tags' corners with TH scissors, punched holes with the Crop-A-Dile and distressed the edges using Ranger's Distress Ink (Vintage Photo).
Then I added colorful soft fibers and an organza ribbon from my stash.
The fibers and the ribbon remind me of the woman's hair.

And here are all my 15 tags:

Creepy… aren't they?
(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly