Pay It Forward Blog Award... And New Shoes

I'd like to thank Rosie Guiher for nominating me the LIEBSTER award. Rosie has a great blog called Play Time, and I think you'll enjoy her Clean and Simple style and her lovely creations.
Play Time

About the Liebster award

This award was designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion. Once you've been nominated, you award it to five blogs which you like that have less than 200 followers, to encourage new visitors to visit these blogs.

These are the rules
Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.
Post the award onto your blog. Give the award to five bloggers you appreciate and who have less than 200 followers.
Leave a comment on their blog, letting them know that you have given them this awesome award.
It's always nice to discover new blogs… I hope you'll be inspired!

Here's my list of 5 blogs. I recommend that you check them out.

1. PearlGemD by Esther Farkash

2. She who stamps & scraps by Marjie Kemper

3. The Happy Room by Kathie McGuire

 4. The Zen of Oriental Card Making by Fabrizio Martellucci

5. Sentiments and Scrapbooks by Barbara Ford

Don't forget to leave a comment, because getting feedback is important to all of us.

In the mood of adding happy colors to my life, here are my new shoes.
They are shockingly colorful, and I just love them. Aren't they awesome?
I hope to post more often from now on.
There will also be a Giveaway for my birthday soon… stay tuned!

(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

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

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

Chinese Happy New Year Card 2012 - Year Of The Dragon

This card was made for the Chinese New Year 2012 - the year of the dragon, celebrated on 23rd January 2012.

Supplies used:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis
Background paper - patterned metallic gold paper with swirls by Making Memories
Shiny gold paper
Black canvas textured CS
White printer's paper
Red leather textured CS for the punched Dragons
Chinese Dragon stamp by Rubber Stampede from my private collection
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Large Octagons
EK Success Whale Of A Punch - Dragon - if you find a place where I can buy it, please let me know! (I borrowed it from a friend)
VersaFine Onyx Black ink
Large round jewel brads - red with golden frame
Tiny clear blings
Double sided foam tape

The card's front:
I layered the papers, die cuts and punched out dragons.
I chose the Octagons to resemble the Chinese Feng Shui Bagua.
I used tiny clear blings for the dragons' eyes, to add some glam.
The whole piece was glued 3D for extra dimension.

Inside the card:

An octagon made of black CS and a shiny gold dragon, along with a Happy New Year sentiment in Chinese and in English.

On the envelope:
Chinese Dragon stamp, stamped with black ink on the envelope's front and back sides.
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

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

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

Oriental Fans On Painted Background 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.
Today's card #5 is a card with a hand painted background, using yesterday's scraps of background paper.
For the technique please look at Michael Strong's tutorial.
Ingredients:
Red leather textured CS for the card's basis and for stamping
Silver CS
Black canvas textured CS
Aqua paper
Black canvas textured CS for the painted background
Acrylic paint - I used white, red, light blue and silver
Brushes, 2 sizes
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan Stamp (small)
Black Stazon ink
Martha Stewart Quilted Edge Punch
Clear blings

I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan with black Stazon ink on red leather textured CS and cut it out using TH scissors.
I cut squares of the painted background paper and glued them on the aqua paper, adding the stamped fans on top of them.
I punched black canvas textured CS using Martha Stewart Quilted Edge Punch on both sides of the CS.
I layered all the CS and papers one on top of the other, and added clear blings for some glam.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Oriental Fan 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.
Today's card #2 is an Oriental Fan card, made for overseas friends.
Trying to be efficient, I made 2 similar cards with the same composition but in different colors.

Ingredients:
Black canvas textured CS for the card's basis
Pink and turquoise CS, in 2 color shades
Dovercraft Eastern Promise patterned paper
Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan Stamp
Hematite EP
ProMarkers
Brown pen
Chocolate Brown ink
Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set (I used only the border punch here)
White and light blue half pearls

The Fan
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Fan twice on white CS, heat embossed it with hematite EP and cut it out using TH scissors.
Then I colored each fan with ProMarkers. I used Coral and Cocoa for one fan, and Pastel Blue and Pastel Green for the other one.
The fans were glued on dark pink and dark turquoise pieces of CS, which were cut a bit larger than the fans.

I punched both pink and turquoise CS using Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set (I used only the border punch here).
I layered one punched border under the patterned paper (at its upper side) and one punched border on top of the patterned paper (at its lower side).
I used Chocolate Brown ink to distress all possible edges, and the punched borders, too.
I added the fans and a few half pearls.
the sentiment Happy Birthday was written with a brown pen in a special font called Dorly's hand writing :-)

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

Chinese Happy New Year Card - Year Of The Rabbit

This card was made for the Chinese New Year - the year of the rabbit, celebrated on February 3rd 2011.

Ingredients:

Red leather textured CS for the card's basis

Transparent vellum paper with Chinese text in gold and Chinese marks in dark red, carefully attached so the glue is hidden underneath it

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

Rabbit stamp by Comotion rubber stamps from my private collection (discontinued), stamped with black ink on red leather textured CS

Red half pearls, to add some glam.

Inside the card:

A small piece of red leather textured CS

Shiny gold paper, its upper border punched using Martha Stewart Large Punch around the Page - Double Arches set (I used only the border punch here)

Rabbit stamp by Comotion rubber stamps from my private collection (discontinued), stamped with black ink.

For the interlacing ribbon piece I used matt gold canvas textured CS

Both its edges were punched with EK Success Binding Edge Edger Punch.

Then I used a narrow red satin ribbon, interlacing it from one side to the other all the way down, and simply tying its ends.

This piece was glued 3D for extra dimension.

On the red envelope:

Rabbit stamp by Comotion rubber stamps from my private collection (discontinued), stamped with black ink

and there's a cream outer envelope for postal delivery.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Challenges

Michael Strong's Yahoo group Chinese New Year Card challenge (end of January 2011) .
MY SHERI CRAFTS CHALLENGE #42 - ASIAN / CHINESE NEW YEAR (until February 5th 2011) - I won the Ooo-La-la Blog Award

Year of the Rabbit for Daring Cardmakers (until February 4th 2011) .

pearls for Belli Challenge #109 - the letter P (until February 2nd 2011) .

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