promised template

Here's the template for the paper vase we used in my "Blue Ribbon Cards" class. Simple design folds flat for mailing.

Year of the Ox

I will not be designing a digital Ox stamp this year but my friends at Hanko Designs have a perfect stamp set for your New Year enjoyment. Check it out by clicking the link https://hankodesigns.com/hanko_product/dlmc68-year-of-the-ox-dandelion-stamp/

All about the Grid!

 

Hi All, Here are some grids I used in my last Zoom class. I promised to publish it so you can copy and use it in your own variations. Enjoy,

Simple Paper Beads

One of the cards we're making in my Japanese Design ZOOM class on July 25 has a bead  accent detail. These are simple to make and add a lot of interest to a card. Here's how to make them:

Simple Paper Beads

Materials:

Scrap paper

Wooden Skewer

Glue

Scissors

Steps:

Cut a scrap of paper into a long triangle (the one in the picture is 3 ½” x 1”). .Depending on the size of bead you want, this measurement is adjustable.

Lay a wooden skewer on top of the wide side of the cut paper triangle with the decorative side of the paper down.

Start rolling the paper tightly onto the skewer between your finger and thumb.

When you get to within a ½ inch of the end, dab some liquid glue on the paper and continue rolling until the pointed part is firmly attached to the “bead”.

Slide the bead off the skewer and allow it to dry.  

If you are using the bead as an accent as seen on my finished card, put a small drop of glue in one end of the bead and insert a piece of thread. Let it dry before using.

Enjoy!

My first ZOOM class!

Hi everybody,

Thank you for all the interest in joining a zoom version of my in person card classes.
I'm calling these classes "You Deserve a Gold Star! in recognition of our shared experiences these past few months.
So, here is how it will work:

There are two classes on Saturday June 20. One in the AM from 10:30-12:30 and another session from 1:30-3:30 PM. I have room for 14 in each class.

We will be making five different cards using my newest stamp set, Art Nouveau Stars. If you would like to add your name to the roster please email me at mike@strongstamps.com and let me know which session you would like to be a part of. I will try to accommodate those wishing to be in the same class together. I will mail you all the materials you will need for zoom class day. Please mail me a check for the cost of the class ($25.00). If you wish to purchase the new stamp set the cost is $25.00 plus $12.00 for a total of $37.00. That covers all postage and taxes. If you rather, you may pay with a credit or debit card through my special Paypal account just for this class. Here's the link  https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/summary.

After I receive your payment, I'll ship you the class materials. Please note that all cards with embossed images will be done for you. It will not be necessary to purchase the stamps to join the class. If you do not wish to join the zoom class, you may purchase the kits and or stamps also. The kits come with a picture of each of the finished cards for reference. For those joining the class, I will email you your access code and a list of supplies you will need before the class.

Here is my address

Michael Strong
3922 Paseo Zuniga
La Mesa CA 91941

Thank you, I'm looking forward to a fun day with my paper pals!

Big fun, big give away!

I have a new stamp release in early May and to mark the occasion and to provide a little quarantine relief here's a little participatory fun.

The new stamp set is called (grandly) Art Nouveau Stars. It's one of those designs you can color, cut apart or emboss. There are two stamps in the set, one 4" and  one 2 1/2"

So, the first set of images you see are the alternative stamps, one plain and one colored This image will be a free digital download only. The second set of images is the rubber stamp design that will  be available soon. I used Prismacolor pencils to fill in the intricate sections. The plain (alternate) one is part of the participatory fun. If you want to play along, print the image out and color it any way you want using any medium you like.

When you have finished it, send it to me at my  Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/michael.strong.5070. When you do, everybody will see your beautiful work and you will be automatically eligible for a prize of the new stamp set plus a whole bunch of other cool stuff!

Have fun!

Mike

Manila Envelope Folio

Here's a fun and easy (really!) little photo folio that would make a great gift.

Materials:
(For mine I used 6 1/2"  X  9 1/2" envelopes, sometimes called catalog envelopes)
6 envelopes (5 for the folio and 1 for a little pocket sleeve)
1 sleeve (the sleeve is cut from the bottom of one of the envelopes to measure 6 1/2" x 2 1/4"
20 pieces of decorative paper trimmed to fit each of the pages of the folio (for mine I used 20 sheets of paper cut from a 12 x 12 stack of Christmas scrapbooking paper to measure 6 1/4" x  4 1/2" each.
2 pieces of decorative paper measuring 6" x 2" to cover the front and back of the sleeve.
extra strength glue stick or similar

Steps:
Lay the first envelopes on the work surface with the flap open.
Apply glue to the flap of a second envelope (the glue goes on the top of the flap, not on the pre-glued underside)
Lay the second envelope on top of the first envelope and make sure it is aligned snugly top to bottom and side to side.
Press down the first flap onto the glued flap of the second envelope and press firmly.
Apply glue to the flap of the third envelope as before and align it on top of the second envelope as you did before.
Press down firmly on all the flaps to seal.
Repeat this procedure until all the envelopes have been glued together.

Fold the second envelope in half so that the bottom of the envelope meets the front flap. Press to flatten the envelope so it becomes the first "page" of the folio. (see photo)
Open the folded page to allow you to fold the next envelope in the same way.
Continue opening each page and folding the next envelope until all pages are folded and flattened.
Cover each page including the back with your precut decorative papers. (be sure to glue the decorative papers well especially at the 4 corners.
Your basic folio is now complete!

NOTE: You may add decorative photo mats, pockets or gift card holders to any page to personalize your folio as a gift. just remember if you are cutting an opening in an open-folded page, slip a cutting mat into the pocket FIRST so that you will only cut through one page. Have fun!