Easy Poinsettias

Here's an easy way to make dramatic paper Poinsettias to decorate cards, napkin rings or your Christmas tree. If you are ambitious, a garland of them would look amazing!

Materials

Red cardstock
MSRS Leaf stamps
Bleach
Dye inkpad (dark red or similar)
Dye inkpad or marker (yellow)
Dye inkpad (black)
White glue
Paper towels
Scissors

Steps

Use the fall leaf bleaching method to make a random bleach marks on the red cardstock.
Rub some dark red ink directly from the pad in several spots over the bleached paper.
Turn the cardstock over and stamp the non-bleached side with the leaf stamps.
Cut out the leaves and arrange six of them on a punched out circle of cardstock (I used a flower punch) as shown.
Turn the six-petal flower over and glue six more leaves to the back between the front leaves.
Ink a small piece of paper towel with the yellow pad or marker. Pinch off seven fingernail size pieces and put a small dab of white glue on each one. Roll them in the palm of your hand until you have seven tiny balls. Arrange them in a circle in the middle of the flower as shown.
Enjoy!

Easy Poinsettia

 

Poinsettia steps

 

 

 

 

Poinsettia steps

 

 

 

 

Poinsettia steps

 

 

 

 

Snowflake Card Challenge

 

Here's the latest card challenge at EnjoyMichaelStrongStamps yahoo group. Design a winter themed card. The only requirement is that the card must feature at least one cut paper snowflake. Paper snowflakes are fondly remembered classroom decorations. Seeing them brings back memories of them taped all over the school windows at Christmas time. This challenge ends on December 30. Three winners will be chosen and swell prizes will be awarded. Now get cutting!

Bleach Card Winners!

 

Here are the winners of the Bleach Card Challenge at EnjoyMichaelStrongStamps yahoo group. They are, from left to right, Brooke Bassett, Lori Rife, Inge Postma and Sarah Byrne. Congratulations to you all!

Brooke Bassett- New York USA
Brooke's card made me smile! I'm sure that was her intention. Her charming little sunflower comes with a shy smile that is disarming and her clever use of the butterfly wings as leaves adds just the right touch of spontaneity. I like how the bleach reacted with the red paper to make just the right sunny color. Well done Brooke!

Lori Rife-Illinois USA
Lori has taken my Maple Leaf pattern and bleach technique in a new direction. She has created a pleasing design that is emblematic of Autumn. Her positioning of the leaves in a formal arrangement gives them an abstract quality which I love and the unadorned dark background gives dramatic contrast and keeps the focus on the main elements. The Cameo and ribbon finish the composition perfectly. Well done Lori!

Inge Postma-The Netherlands
Past winner Inge has done it again! As usual, she is thinking outside the box (or card) by creating a handsome art piece that would brighten up the dullest corner. Her brilliant misty bleach work is enhanced by a beautiful color palette. The scalloped frame and the shrink plastic adornments add just the right touch of whimsy. Well done Inge!

Sarah Byrne-Indiana USA
Sarah's card was a very late entry. In fact, I was writing the critiques when I checked one last time for entries. When I saw her card, I had to break the precedent of naming three winners and add Sarah's card to the list.
What I like about Sarah's card is her use of color and shading and the subtle use of bleach as a paint medium. I had the feeling of coming upon a treasured vintage card that has been tucked away for a very long time. It's just stunning and I am glad she shared it with us. Well done Sarah!