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

Mini Cards And Mini Envelopes

Here are my 4th creations for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
I decided to share 2 Mini Cards and Mini Envelopes.
It's Technique Thursday, therefore I used the attached tutorial.

I have no idea where I got it from, so if you recognize its source please tell me so I can link back to it.

Supplies used:
Japanese patterned paper - Making Memories
Red and grey leather textured CS for stamping
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan Stamp (small)
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Christmas Tree Set of 3 (small)
StazOn ink - Jet Black
Embossing ink
Black EP
Scor-Pal
EK Success corner Adorner
TH scissors
A colorful checkered ribbon
Clear and red blings
Double sided tape

I created the mini envelope according to the how-to shown here.
I glued the envelope using double sided tape.
I used Making Memories double sided CS, so both the inside and the outside of the envelope look nice.
I cut two 3x3 mini cards out of the same CS, to match the envelope.
I rounded the envelope's and the cards' corners using EK Success corner Adorner.

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan small stamp on red leather textured CS using StazOn ink - Jet Black, and cut the stamped pieces using TH scissors.

Then I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Christmas Tree small stamp on red and grey leather textured CS, heat embossed it with black EP and cut it carefully using TH scissors.

Then I added the colorful checkered ribbon, and also several clear and red blings for extra glam.
BTW the musical notes sheet was only used as a background paper for taking photos.
(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Bookmarks With Japanese Fans

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.
Today I decided to share 3 kinds of bookmarks, all with the same motif - the Japanese Fan.
I always read several books at the same time, so I find bookmarks very useful.
It's Technique Thursday, therefore I used Michael Strong's technique for painting the background paper and 2 other techniques for making the bookmarks.

I painted the background myself, using the technique shown at Michael Strong's tutorial

I sure know how to paint, yet making my own background paper is fun and always gives surprising results.
For the 1st bookmark I used this tutorial but changed it to my needs.
For the 2nd bookmark I used Shira's tutorial
For the 3rd bookmark there's no need for a tutorial, I'll explain about the materials I used.

These bookmarks are easy and fun to make, and you can add them as gifts to books.
Materials used:
Red leather textured CS for stamping
Transparency sheet
Black canvas textured CS for the painting technique
Acrylic paint – I used white, red, light blue and silver

Brushes, 2 sizes
StazOn ink - Jet Black
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan Stamp (small)

Large paper clip
Red and turquoise satin ribbons
Clear and red blings
Double sided tape
3D double sided foam tape
Crop-A-Dile
EK Success corner Adorner

First I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan stamp on red leather textured CS several times and once on a transparency sheet using StazOn ink - Jet Black, and cut them all using TH scissors.
Then I created the painted background paper on black canvas textured CS.
For the 1st bookmark I adhered 2 stamped fans to a large paper clip (on both its sides) using 3D double sided foam tape, and added clear blings and a red satin ribbon.

For the 2nd bookmark I used the background paper, cut 2 triangles of it and glued them carefully.
I added a stamped fan on a transparency sheet and a red bling.

For the 3rd bookmark I used a scrap of the background paper, its corners rounded.
I added 2 stamped fans and large clear blings.

I punched a hole using the Crop-A-Dile and added red and turquoise satin ribbons.

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

Extra Sparkling Christmas 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 3rd card for this week - another Christmas card, using Iris Folding again. What a fun technique, you should try it.
I re-used gift wrapping hologram papers for an extra sparkling effect.
You can find a very clear tutorial in Hetty's blog
You can find the pattern in Michael Strong's blog.
If you want your pattern to match the size of Michael Strong's large Christmas Tree Die Cutter, print it after resizing it to exactly 11.31x 14.86 cms (who said size doesn't matter? lol)

Ingredients:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured CS for the Christmas Tree Iris Folding

Recycled gift wrapping hologram papers - shiny green and shiny silver with stripes and circles, and silver with white dots
White photo paper
Michael Strong's Christmas Tree Die Cutter
Snowflake punch (1 inch)
3D foam tape
Red blings

I used Michael Strong's Christmas Tree Die Cutter to cut a Christmas Tree shaped hole in my CS. It cuts like butter, it's a pleasure to work with these cutters (I'll save the cut-out tree for a later project).
I created the Christmas Tree Iris Folding on the back of my CS and turned it over, its textured side up.
I used recycled gift wrapping hologram papers - shiny green and shiny silver with stripes and circles, and silver with white dots which reminded me of snowflakes.

The papers were so sparkly that it was difficult to take a good photo of the card. Can you see how sparkling it is?
I glued the finished CS using 3D foam tape onto the card's basis for extra dimension.
I added several snowflakes, punched out of photo paper which is very white and resembles snow .
I added several 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

Iris Folding Christmas 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.
For my 4th card for this week I decided to use the Iris Folding technique.
You can find a very clear tutorial in Hetty's blog.
You can find the pattern in Michael Strong's blog.
If you want your pattern to match the size of Michael Strong's large Christmas Tree Die Cutter, print it after resizing it to exactly 11.31x 14.86 cms (who said size doesn't matter? lol)
I used contrasting yet complementary colors in order to get a classical card.

Ingredients:
White leather textured CS for the card's basis
Black canvas textured CS for the Christmas Tree Iris Folding
Recycled gift papers – shiny red and silver with white dots
Michael Strong's Christmas Tree Die Cutter
3D foam tape
Clear and red blings

I used Michael Strong's Christmas Tree Die Cutter to cut a Christmas Tree shaped hole in my CS.
It cuts like butter, it's a pleasure to work with these cutters (I'll save the cut-out tree for a later project).
I created the Christmas Tree Iris Folding on the back of my CS and turned it over, its textured side up.
I used recycled gift papers - shiny red and silver with white dots, which reminded me of snowflakes.
The papers were so sparkly that it was difficult to take a good photo of the card.
I glued the finished CS using 3D foam tape onto the card's basis 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

The Secret Of Life Gothic Arch

As this is the 4th day this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group and it's Technique Thursday, I decided not to show you a card but something rather different.
I hope you'll find it inspiring.
I made this Gothic Arch using quite a few techniques and incorporating several products, including recycled items.
It's a multi-stage project, so there are many details and photos.

Ingredients:
Cardboard
Patterned paper - Far East by DCWV
Original Chinese newspaper (recycled)
Mod Podge
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - turquoise
Blue pigment ink
Plain turquoise paper
Black marker
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Butterfly stamp (large)
StazOn ink - Black Jet
Transparency sheet
Canvas textured black CS
Embossing ink
Mixed colors EP
Tim Holtz clear stamps: Flights of Fancy (bird, butterflies), Urban Grunge (crown), Life's Possibilities (word stamp)
Double sided tape
Crop-A-Dile
Satin ribbons – turquoise and black

The outer side
First, I cut the Gothic Arch out of cardboard. You can find the template here.
I cut 2 Gothic Arches, one was left as it is (that's unit 1) and the other one was cut vertically into 2 wins (that's unit 2).
I adhered the DCWV Far East CS on the front side of unit 2 and on the back side of unit 1, and cut off the CS so it was exactly the cardboard's size.
I used Mod Podge for adhering it.
I distressed all the edges of these parts with blue pigment ink.

The inner side
For the inside's background I used a recycled original Chinese newspaper to create a collage of pieces, words and photos all mixed together.
After I covered all the inner parts with the newspaper, using Mod Podge underneath and also on top of the paper pieces, I sprayed it randomly with turquoise Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist and let it drip a bit for a messy look.
I wrote the text The Secret of Life Is… Trying to Find Inner Peace on plain turquoise paper, cut it with scissors into pieces and glued each word separately, inside and outside.

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Butterfly stamp on black textured CS (for contrast), then heat embossed it with mixed EP.
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Butterfly stamp again, this time with black StazOn ink on a transparency sheet.
I cut both butterflies carefully using TH scissors (yes, the antennas too).
I glued the embossed butterfly on the back side.
I glued the transparent butterfly inside, using double sided tape to adhere only the butterfly's body. You can see me holding its wings, as they aren't attached to anything.

I stamped TH stamps with black StazOn ink wherever they seemed to fit, trying not to overload my project with images.

I punched holes on both sides using the Crop-A-Dile.
I tied turquoise and black satin ribbons to attach all the units together.

You can see the Gothic Arch vertically, too, back and front.
You can (and I think you should) enlarge each photo by clicking on it.

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

Card of the day #4 - Happy New Year Card

I'm Card Captain at Michael Strong's Yahoo group this week.I'll upload a new card every day, and my 4th card for this week is a Happy New Year card.
Today is Technique Thursday, when I'm sharing a technique with you.
After I stamped, heat embossed and cut with nail scissors DOZENS of Christmas trees, in various EP colors and on several colors of CS, I thought I might as well use them to create a special card which fits the occasion.
It's a luxurious card, very rich and colorful.
It's a pop-up card. Its outer side seems clean and simple, showing one large Christmas tree with a few blings on it, and the colors are elegant yet calm.
But once you open the card, there's a celebration of colors inside.
It may seem like a lot of work… well, it is!
But the technique isn't complicated and you can try it with any stamp you have.

For the card's front I used:
White canvas textured CS on heavy white CS for the card's basis
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Christmas Tree stamp (large), stamped on silver CS and heat embossed with black EP, cut with nail scissors and glued 3D for extra dimension
Clear, green and red blings

For the card's inner part I used:
White canvas textured CS
Dark grey, red and grass green leather textured CS
Black and forest green canvas textured CS
Blue CS
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Christmas Tree stamp (small), stamped on these pieces of CS and heat embossed with silver, black, white and gold EP
All the trees were cut with nail scissors and then carefully glued in layers to create the card's depth
Clear, green and red blings
Shiny gold paper and white canvas textured CS
The sentiment Happy New Year was written with a gold gel pen in a special font called Dorly's hand writing :-)

Take a closer look at the side view of the card, from both sides.
And believe me - you really should enlarge these photos!

The tutorial was taken from my Israeli friend Shira and here's the tutorial.
I wish you all a very 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

Sparkle About Atmosphere Painting

Here's a new atmosphere painting in shades of white, black and red.
It's a Mixed Media painting created using acrylic paint, combined with several techniques, on canvas 40x40 cms.
Could you create a similar painting of your own?
In a workshop each and every one of you can create a unique painting, in various colors, using the techniques shown here.
You don't have to know how to paint to create this!
Are you ready to paint?

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

Paper Piecing On Canvas For Kids

I made these for my cute nephews and nieces, to match the colours and themes they like.

Paper Piecing on canvas (8x8)
I used acrylic paint, Basic Grey & other paper scraps and Stazon ink.

As you can see, this is one of my favorite techniques.

The Helicopter and the car patterns were designed by me.
You can find free paper piecing patterns here