Origami Crane Cards

 

 

Here are two cards made by my friend Tricia Morris using the new Origami Crane cardstock.

Something special

My pals at Club Scrap and I collaborated on another collection of cardstock. This one is based on my new Origami Crane stamp set. Go here: http://www.clubscrapcommunity.com/main-community/main-blogs/Michael-Strong-Has-Done-It-Again.-.html
to see the cool cards my friend Tricia Morris made. Thanks Tricia and thanks to the design team for doing your usual awesome work!

Star Box with Note Cards

 

Here's a fun and easy patriotic project to do with kids.

Materials
Scor-it scoring tool or similar
Red cardstock
White cardstock
Silver cardstock
MSRS Cloisonné Star set
Silver embossing powder
Versamark inkpad or similar
Glue stick
Tape
Paper cutter
Heat tool
Scissors
1 ½” round hole punch
Red white and blue ribbons

Steps
Using a paper cutter, cut a sheet of red cardstock to yield one 7 ¼” x 11” piece and one and one 1 ¼” x 11” piece as shown.
Score at ¾” on all four sides of the 7 ¼” x 11” piece. Score a line at 5 1/8” (measured from the left side of the sheet) and another at 5 7/8”.
Fold all the scored lines in toward the middle of the sheet.
Using scissors, make four tabs on the top of the sheet by cutting the four short score lines as shown. Do the same at the bottom.
Fold all the tabs in toward the center of the box and add glue to the top of each tab as shown.
Attach each tab to the adjacent wall of the box as shown to form the bottom of the box and the hinged lid of the box.
Snip away a small triangle on each side of the lid back to make the box close easier.
Lay the 1 ¼”x11” band of cardstock under the box and wrap it around to the front. Glue the two ends of the strap together. Add ribbon around the strap and secure it on the top with tape.
Add ribbon to the strap for decoration.
Stamp and emboss one large star and seven small stars on the silver cardstock. Cut each one out. Attach the large star to the strap covering where the ribbon is attached. Add a small star on top of the large one.
Cut and fold six white note cards to fit the box (5 ½” x 4 ¼” each). Add a punched red circle and a small star to each of the note cards as shown.
Enjoy!

Star Box materials

 

Star Box steps

 

 

 

Star Box steps

 

 

 

 

Star Box steps

 

 

 

 

Our hockey loving cat

 

Stella, our cat never paid much attention to the TV. But we just got a projector to show movies on the wall above our living room/dining room and she is hooked! The closest she can get to the action is to sit on our wall clock. Hockey seems to be her favorite show.

Spring Cleaning

Carla and I have lived in our house since 1984. Over the years, we have accumulated a lot of stuff. Every now and then I get the brilliant idea that I want to get rid of everything and start fresh. Yesterday and today I did just that...sort of. I'm talking about cleaning out the garage. Alas, we here in San Diego do not have basements. That means things end up in the garage including 12 years worth of card project kits in (neatly?) labeled document boxes, many many heavy document boxes. When time came to load them into the truck to take them to the landfill, I just couldn't do it, too many happy memories of all the fun we had in all those classes. So, they now reside in a rented storage unit along with assorted baby furniture, other furniture and stuff the kids never took with them when they moved out! Until I can think of what to do with them all, that is where they will live. Now the garage is neat and tidy. It looks so empty though.....

The Great Yosemite Stamp Escape 2010

 

I finally got around to posting some pictures from TGYSE 2010. Best year yet! We has so much fun and the weather was beautiful(unlike last year!). Here are the instructors at The Cat's Meow in Oakhurst for Friday night's reception and ATC exchange. From right Terry Medaris(master of the colored pencil), Karen Thomas(origami artist extraordinaire), me and Stephanie Sheets (master of paper artistry and engineering) and some of the happy card makers from my "Box of Chocolates" class. Thanks to everyone for making our time with you all like a homecoming!

The Great Yosemite Stamp Escape 2010

 

 

The Great Yosemite Stamp Escape 2010

 

 

 

 

Heavy Metal Card Winners

 

Here are the winning entries in the Heavy Metal card challenge. This month there are two artists who have won previously along with an artist who has won with her first submitted card! From left to right they are Brooke Bassett, Brigit Edblom and Candy French.

Brooke Bassett USA (previous "bleach card" winner)
Brooke's card is like a little work of folk art. I love that pop-top flower with the casual ribbon stem and even more casual paisley leaves. This card would bring a smile to anyone's face. My only question is where did those fantastic green pop-tops come from? Well done Brooke!

Birgit Edblom Sweden (previous "squared away" winner)
Brigit has meticulously crafted a lovely still life of little tin apples in a bowl. They are perfection! The homey color palette and gingham frame is just right. Well done Birgit!

Candy French USA (first time winner!)
Candy has designed a floral symphony in metal! The bold background color and the rustic copper frame are the perfect accompaniment to the gorgeous embossed flower in the center. I want to learn how she achieved that color effect because it is stunning. Well done Candy!