Friday, March 23, 2012

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

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Coffee Lover Gift Box

Here is my 4th creation for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group

I'm into boxes this week (you probably noticed that… lol), because they are fun to make and they also seem very practical for little gifts.
I created this box for a lady whose birthday is coming soon.
She loves drinking coffee, therefore I intend to send her this box with several Taster's Choice coffee and ice coffee bars and a little surprise gift in it.
It's Technique Thursday so here's the link to the technique I've used to create the background piece (inspired by Judy, thanks dear!)
It's called Faux Leather with Masking Tape and it's fun - try it!


Supplies used:
Cream leather textured CS for the box
Coffee themed CS (from an advertisement)
Recycled CS
Kraft CS
Scor-Pal
1" circle punch
Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set
Embossing ink
Bronze EP
ProMarker - Azure
Masking tape
Ranger's Distress Ink - faded jeans
Distress Ink applicator
Clear EP
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 connecting 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 created the background piece according to the tutorial, using recycled CS covered by masking tape pieces, colored by Ranger's Distress Ink (faded jeans) and heat embossed with clear EP.



I stamped Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set Coffee Cup (large) on kraft CS using embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using bronze EP and cut it with nail scissors.
I gave it a touch of color using ProMarker - Azure.
The background piece and the Coffee Cup were glued 3D for extra dimension.
Please note that the music sheet isn't part of the design, I only use it as a background when taking photos.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Like a Fish in Water Box

Here is my 3rd card for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group

I'm into boxes this week, because they are fun to make and they also seem very practical for little gifts.
I created this box for my swimming tutor, a great guy who actually makes me feel like a fish in the water - hence the fish and the waves motifs.
I filled it up with Taster's Choice coffee and ice coffee bars, which fit perfectly into the box.
I'll give it to him with this Beach Party Card and with a bottle of my home-made delicious coffee liquor (the guy just loves coffee!)

Supplies used:
Cream leather textured CS for the box
Basic Grey patterned paper - Archaic
Turquoise CS
Grey leather textured CS
Scor-Pal
1" circle punch
Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set
Michael Strong Cloisonné Fish Stamp
Embossing ink
Silver EP
White EP
Turquoise blingWhite sticky back half pearls
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 connecting 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 stamped Michael Strong Cloisonné Fish using Embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using silver EP and cut it with scissors.
I added a turquoise bling to enhance the eye of the fish.
I stamped the turquoise CS with Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set - the steam panel wonderfully resembles waves in the water - and heat embossed it using white EP.
The steam panel and the Fish were glued 3D for extra dimension.
I added the pearls to resemble water bubbles.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

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

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Spring Flowers Tea Box

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

I created this tea box for a friend.
We meet often and have tea together, so she was very pleased to receive it, and as I guessed she likes purple!
I chose spring colors as spring is in the air - can you feel it?

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 connecting 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.
Try it, it's simple and it works.

Supplies used:
Cream leather textured CS for the Box
Patterned paper by Crafty Individuals - Springtime (Book 3)
Light blue leather textured CS for stamping
Patterned paper for the Rosette (from a friend)
Scor-Pal
1" circle punch
Sizzix Sizzlitz Decorative Strip Die - Paper Rosette by Tim Holtz
Michael Strong Cloisonné Flower Stamp (small)
Embossing ink
Gold EP
Ranger's Distress ink - dusty concord
Large light green bling
Double sided foam tape


I distressed the patterned paper using Ranger's Distress ink - dusty concord.
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower using Embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using gold EP.
Then I cut it and added a large light green bling to enhance the flower's center.
The Rosette and the Flower 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

Monday, March 19, 2012

Happy Birthday Hummingbird and Rosette Card

Here is my 1st card for this week as Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group


I created this birthday card in optimistic colors with a romantic chic.

It is also my interpretation of this month's sketch (#43) at the group.

Supplies used:
Cream CS for the card's basis
Papermania patterned paper - Origins (2 pages)
Cream CS for the Ornamental die
Patterned paper for the Rosette (from a friend)
Recycled white CS (from a tea pack) for stamping
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Die - Ornamental by Tim Holtz
Sizzix Sizzlitz Decorative Strip Die - Paper Rosette by Tim Holtz
Michael Strong Cloisonné Hummingbird Stamp (small)
Embossing ink
Michael Strong Midnight Black EP
ProMarkers - Vanilla, Tulip Yellow
Ranger's Distress Ink - fired brick
Black lace
Sentiment - "Happy Birthday" gold rub-on
Tiny clear bling

Black gel pen

Double sided foam tape


I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Hummingbird using Embossing ink.
I heat embossed it using Michael Strong Midnight Black EP.
Then I cut it and colored it using ProMarkers. I added a tiny clear bling for the bird's eye.
I distressed the background patterned paper and the Ornamental die using Ranger's Distress Ink - fired brick.
I used a black gel pen to draw faux stitches around the Ornamental die.
Then I layered the papers according to the sketch and added the black lace.
I added the rub-on sentiment.
The Rosette and the Hummingbird 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