Dream of Flowers - Day 5

This is my last day this week as card captain at yahoo group Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps and I have made a card using Mike’s small tulip rubber stamp and a leaf stamp from Stampin Up. The back ground of this stamp was made with Gina K’s upholstery background technique. You can view the video on this technique at:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvvenzdngmi

I water coloured the tulip with my distress inks and then added a sentiment, ribbon and some bling for interest.

Thank you for joining me this week. I have really enjoyed coming up with my ideas. Come join us at Yahoo group Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps.

Judy

Finger Painting with Distress Inks - Day 3

Today’s card was created for day three as card captain at Michael Strong Rubber Stamps using one of Mike’s Cloisonne Crane rubber stamps and a feather stamp by PSX.

I embossed the feather stamp with white embossing powder and then used my fingers to add the different colours of distress ink over the embossed image. After inking the image I then took a cloth and rubbed the embossed areas removing any ink.

I layered the card with several different embossed papers, added a beautiful ribbon and the crane as an embellishment and the finishing touch for the card.

Judy

Michael Strong's May Challenges

Hi. These are my cards I am entering in Michael Strongs’ challenges for the month of May. One challenge Mike gave us was a drawing that he had done that we had to incorporate into our card. That was a real challenge and along with the the restrictions of using the colours gray, black and white representing the the gray days.

This is the drawing he gave us　
　

This is my card.

　
Along with the drawing I used his Cloisonné circle stamps and a digi stamp from Bugaboo Digi Stamps for the sentiment.
　

The second challenge was a card sketch. The one rule is that you must included at least one Michael Strong stamp in the sketch. These are always fun.

This is the sketch:
　

This is my sketch card.
　

For the background I stamped Mike’s Mosaic stamp with VersaMark and then added PearlEx powders in several colours. Once I covered the image I took the excess powder off with a swiffer duster. The Cloisonné Crane was embossed with Pearlustre Amethyst. I like the way the PearlEx shows off the details of the background stamp.

Well I better call it a night. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you come and join us at the Yahoo Group Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps.

Judy

Time For A Card Sketch

I really like card sketches and every month at the yahoo group Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps we have a new sketch challenge.  Come join in the fun. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

I decided to use an old technique called faux leather to create the background.  You use masking tape in torn into pieces and then a couple of different dye based inks to colour the tape. The instructions can be found on the Split Coast Stampers web site.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/faux_leather_with_masking_tape/

 I think the first time I did this technique we used shoe polish to colour the tape. 

The Cloisonné Fish stamp is by Michael Strong.  This stamp is made in two sizes and this is the smaller version.  The sentiment is from a set made by Just Rite stamps.   

Thank you for taking a look.

Judy

Acrylic Smash Technique

Good morning everyone,

I have the honour of being Card Captain this week for the Yahoo Group Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps. Come join the fun.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

For my first card this week I used the acrylic smash technique to create the kimono and background paper. The technique can be found on the Splitcoaststampers web site:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/acrylicsmash/

I combined the colours of green, gold and purple for both the kimono and the background paper but let more white show through on the background. The Japanese sentiment stamp is from my collection of unmounted rubber stamps and I added ribbon, pearls and a bow to complete the card.

My creative thought for the day is by Harvey Mackay:

"One sure-fire way to stay creative: force yourself to learn something new."

Judy

It is Blog Hop Time at Yahoo Group Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps

This blog hop is all about Holiday tags and is also a scavanger hunt. Collect a letter from each blogs and once you have all the letters , make a wish out of them and email your answer to Hetty privately at: buzzy4you@hotmail.com NOT in the comment! Hetty will pick a winner on Wednesday the 7th of December. Prize: of course a Michael Strong stamp.

I do not at this time own any Michael Strong Christmas themed rubber stamps so this hop was more enjoyable for me because I had to search my imagination for some unconventional holiday tags.

I used Michael’s Cloisonné fish to create my Jinggle Fish. I thought he was kind of cute.

I used three of Michael’s Cloisonné triangles to create my Christmas tree and then I coloured it with my metallic rub ons and added some bling.

To make these tags I used parts of the Cloisonné frames that I had in my stash from previous projects along with some die cuts and ribbon.

For the final tag I used the Cloisonné cat and added a tree and a couple of sentiment stamps and fibre that I had in my stash.

My blog letter for this scavenger hunt is "L'.

The next Blog to visit is Kathie Mcguire's

http://www.kathiemcguire.blogspot.com/

If you get lost finding your way around to all the blogs visit Hetty's Blog for a complete list of participants.

http://craftchaos.blogspot.com/

Have a creative day.

Judy

Saturday Card Sketch - Michael Strong Rubber Stamps

Tonight’s card is a sketch card for one of my favourite yahoo groups “Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps”.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

I used one of the Silhouette Panels for the card and added some pattern and embossed papers, a butterfly and bling to complete the design.

“Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.” Edward de Bono

Have a creative day.

Judy

Kimono card

After my technique card yesterday for Enjoy Michael Strong Stamp Yahoo group I decide to paint another piece of paintable wallpaper with gesso and cut out the kimono pattern using Michael’s kimono metal die cutter and a butterfly using Joy Craft Cutting and embossing stencil, I then went looking for my Sparkling H20 to colour the kimono.

I love the way the kimono and butterfly sparkle and the way the colour adheres to the crevasses of the paper, there is no need for bling on this card.

Thank you for stopping by.

Judy

Give Thanks Challenge

I created this card for a challenge at one of the Yahoo groups I belong to, Enjoy Michael Strong Rubber Stamps.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

I used part of the Cloisonné Pot for the holder of the tree. The sentiment was copied from the invitation Michael sent to the group for this challenge. I hope he does not mind that I incorporated it into my card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Judy

Technique Day Michael Strong Rubber Stamps

Thursday is Technique Thursday for Yahoo Group – Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps and I have created this card for the today’s project. My inspiration for this card was the Cloisonné Fish from Michael Strong’s collection and the round easel card. The pattern for the card can be found at:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/easelcard/

I painted gesso on paintable wallpaper purchased at Walmart and cut out the circle for the background of my card and painted it with blue alcohol ink. I then cut out several different circles with my metal die cutters in a variety of papers to give the card a layered effect. I embossed one of the circles with the bubble embossing folder.

The Cloisonné Fish was stamped on glossy card stock that I had coloured with several different shades of alcohol ink. My husband took a fish hook and dulled the pointed end for me to add to the card, I then added lots of pearls, bling, sea shells and a sentiment.

I got carried away with the card but it was fun to do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Judy

Joy, Stand Up Christmas Card

It is day 3 of the card of the week for me for my yahoo group “Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps”.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

I wanted to use Michael’s Cloisonne’ Mosaic frame rubber stamp and create a Christmas themed standing card. I had some chip board letters in my stash but the colours were wrong so I spray painted them gold then I stamped the frame three times and embossed the images with silver embossing powder. I then cut out part of the frame so that my letters would stand out. I coloured the frame by using several different colours of metallic rub on paint.

I had fun making the card and used many scraps from my stash. Remember if you use the frame stamp and cut out pieces save them for another project. The pieces make great embelishments.

Have a creative day.

Judy

Cloisonné Bird

Today is day 2 of my turn as Card Captain at one of my favourite Yahoo groups "Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps"

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

This card was created using Michael Strong’s Cloisonné Bird rubber stamp. I love the shape of the bird and created this flower to go along with the bird and of course I had to add some bling, actually I added a lot of bling.

The flower was made by putting a thin strip of pattern paper through my corrugator crimper and then twisting it into a circle and taping in place with extra sticky tape. I used a coat button from my stash for the centre of the flower.

Quote of the day:

“We express our being by creating. Creativity is a necessary sequel to being.” Rollo May

Have a creative day. Thanks for stopping by.

Judy

Michael Strong Rubber Stamps - Christmas Ornament

I am excited this week to be Card Capitan for this week for one of my favourite Yahoo Groups “Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps”.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

I will be making a card of the day using different ideas and techniques using my Michael Strong stamps. I hope that you like my ideas because I had lots of fun creating the different cards.

The card I created for today is a Christmas ornament I made by using two stamped images of the one of the Silhouette Fans rubber stamps from Michael’s collection. I added some ribbon, bling, and a glittered brad to decorate the ornament and an embossed silver paper with Christmas balls and added a little alcohol ink to give the background some more colour.

My quote of the day:

"You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." Maya Angelou

Have a creative Day.

Judy

Saturday Sketch

This card was created for the October Saturday card sketch challenge for one of my favourite yahoo groups, Enjoy Michael Strong Stamps.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/enjoyMichaelStrongstamps/

I embossed one Michael's Cloisonne Panels that I had stamped on some paper that I had used the melted wax crayon technique on. I then added some co-ordinating papers and bling to complete the card sketch.

Well back to my craft room. Have a creative day.

Judy

Come And Get It Challenges - Easel Card

This week’s Come and Get It Challenge was to make a easel card. I was pleased with the way this card turned out although I made several mistakes and make some modifications to my plan along the way.

I have wanted to try this technique using Michael Strong’s kimono die cut for awhile and today was my chance. I cut the plastic with the die cut, embossed it with the swirl embossing folder and add colour to the back with Future floor polish and die inks. I added some gold accent flakes while the floor polish was drying to add some interest.

The background paper was made to match the kimono by splashing the same dye inks on gloss card stock and smearing them around. I did not like the way they turned out so I grabbed my Simple Green cleaner that I use to clean my stamps and sprayed the paper. I liked that effect and decided to use the paper on my card. I then tried to add some gold rub on the outside swirls of the kimono but it would not set so I rubbed it off although some stayed in the crevices of the swirls and I liked the effect.

Well back to my craft room and see what else I come up with tonight.

Judy