a card for my Aunt

Hello, my friends,
 Hope you had a very happy Christmas with your beloveds.

 At our region, the peak of the biggest cold wave this month was over this afternoon. The consumption of electricity at our supply company seems to be decreasing gradually. Thank you.

 Yesterday, I finished a card for my aunt. Though I was going to make it after the coming New Year holidays, I couldn't wait to do it, because I received the HA new released stamps yesterday morning. This time, the delivery was quicker more than I expected for this time of year.　(But judging from the tracking report, my parcel seemed to have taken enough 'ZZZ time' for about a week at LA before going through the customs clearance.

Well, here is the card, Thinking of you'.

And, this is a close up.

 The methods I used: Blended several Distress Inks after stamping with oil based ink, or after heat embossing. Spread the Distress Stickle Rock Candy on two hearts' surface after blending inks with blending foam.
 By my broad interpretation of the sketches, I'm going to send this to Flickr to join in HA December challenge Round 2. Hope this qualifies their requirement.

Christmas card for my father

Hi, again,
 I have one more post today. Just finished a Christmas card for my father. When I thought about its design, I hit upon a good idea to take on two themes of Hero Arts December challenge Round 2.
Made the design to combine 'pocket card' with 'one of the sketches'. Wow, the card for my father was done, and I can join the challenge!

Here is the card.

 The bottom half is a pocket. The method I used is stamping with distress inks and blending for the oval shaped area, and heat-embossing for the pocket area.

Here is a close up.

 The reason I chose Starry Night stamp for this card is ...

Finally finished my 1st card in 2011 (Warmest Wishes)

Hi, there,
 My first paper craft creation in 2011 was a season's greetings card to use Fabulous flourish and Classic Holly which I ordered at the beginning of last November, but I received them on Christmas day. Oh yes, this was my first use.
(Last year, there were much rationing delay, misdelivery, and floating mail or parcel among the mails that I sent or I was supposed to receive last holiday season for maybe the security or a economic recession. Did you also annoy it?)
 We are still now in a severe recession spread over the world. It's difficult to recover soon, as you know. Hope we will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel next year!


Well, here is the card.

Made a simple card, though it was a hard task for me to cut out the holly branch. Its coloring is by Copic markers. The Fabulous Flourish stamp is just only heat-embossed. Stamped the sentiment on the sheer part of the ribbon to use StazOn.


Here's a closeup. (Click both photos to enlarge, please.)

The holly branch is a little raised partly. I'm going to send this to Flickr HA group pool to say hello to the members there and to join the ongoing contest.


Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Fabulous Flourish / S5449, Classic Holly /CG229, Christmas Sayings/ CL343

Other supplies:
Bazzill CS
Tsukineko StazOn / Jet Black, Memento / Tuxedo Black
Ranger Adirondack Dimensional Pearl / Cranberry, Stickels / Diamond, Embossing Powder / Seaform
Diamond Glaze, Copic Markers, button, ribbon

*I have a trouble in my both eyes. So I can't make out whether the photos is good or not. Sorry.

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week, and have a wonderful holiday season!!
Tomo

Christmas Wreath card

Hi, there!
 This is my second card to use my prize goodies from Hero Arts. I played it today :), though it was for a short time. And, finished a card to use the Starburst Lace and the Wreath of Leaves stamps with my favorite small holly tree since last year's release.

 Here is my new holiday card for the the Hero Arts October challenge Round 2.

Click the photo above to enlarge please.

 Love this elegant wreath stamp so much!
The wreath part was layered stamping and embossing - stamped with two pigment green color inks and embossed with embossing tinsel. I used the Starburst Lace first, and stamped the wreath stamp on it to make layers. And added Twinkling H2Os watercolors with a natural sponge onto the layered wreath. Also colored holly trees with them.
*The holly tree was stamped with green color oil based ink after stamping the Design Blocks Tree with Memories white on the Kraft.
The white ribbon was stamped with oil based red ink to use 'Peace Love Joy' clear stamp. And the central holly tree was raised a little to make 3 - dimensional.
Can you see the stamped image of the Starburst Lace? ;)


Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Wreath Of Leaves / CG215, Starburst Lace / S5317, Poly Clear Holiday Sayings / CL343,
                  Design Blocks Tree / S5037, Sparkle Clear Merry Christmas / CL364
Other supplies:
Bazzill, American Crafts and Kuretake CS, Hero Arts Kraft notecard
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Crimson Red, Olympia Green
Kodomono Kao Ink/ moss green, viridian, Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Soft Pool
Ranger Embossing Tinsel / Snowflake, Glossy Accents
Luminarte Twinkling H2Os / Kiwi, Stargazer, Egyptian Gold
Hero Arts gemstones and metalic decor, Kreinik Blending filament

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a wonderful day!
Tomo

Branch & Flourish Tree with a dove - Christmas card

Hi, everyone!
 Tonight, I enjoyed holiday card making to use one of my new stamps given by Hero Arts as my fab-five prize in this August which was delivered about 10 days ago. I was going to play with them from this morning, but the urgent order from one of my clients was sent by e while my sleep time (I heard that they read my yesterday post of my today's schedule for playing with my new toys - I didn't ever told them about this non-official blog, but they already noticed it... So I played with stamps for about an hour after finishing it.)

 The items I received from Hero Arts were: Cling / Wreath of Leaves (CG215) and Snowy House (CG212),  Wood Mounted Starburst Lace (S5317) and Branch & Flourish Tree (K5445), Hue Ribbons (CH229, 230) and the Holiday catalogue. Thank you so very much Hero Arts for the generosity! :)

 And, here is my brandnew holiday card, just finished for sharing and for the the Hero Arts October challenge Round 2.

Click the photo above to enlarge please.

 This is a simple and flat card - only one wing at the front of the birdie is 3 - dimensional.
Used two pigment chalk inks for clear embossing for the Branch & Floulish tree, because I wanted to keep the clear lines of its elegant stamp image - generally, using color embossing powder makes tiny colored embossing dots which sometimes I'm not find of. (I recognized that it comes to be so effective elements. It depends on the designs or the purposes.) The coloring for the birdie are by Copic markers and Twinkling H2Os. And did hand stitching to use light pale lilac metalic thread for its finishing.

Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Branch & Flourish Tree / K5445,  Al: Holiday Dove / LL213, Poly Clear Holiday Cheer/ CL359
Other supplies:
Bazzill CS, Hero Arts Kraft notecard
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento / Tuxedo Black
Color Bo Chalk Ink / Gold, Warm Red, Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Soft Sand
Ranger Diatress Ink / Spun Sugar, Stickles / Platinum, Glossy Accents
Liminarte Twinkling H2Os / Heavenly
sequens, Copic Markers, Kreinik Blending Filament

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

Knit cap shaped Christmas card

Hi, there!
 I've been a bit detaching from playing on the internet and doing paper-crafts. Since my last post, it hasn't been difficult for me to use my time for those.  But finally..., I finished just only a card last weekend! :)
Though I'm disgusted with myself to write similar words, I apologize you, my dear friends and visitors who visit here frequently and left me your lovely comments. I couldn't visit your blogs and probably couldn't read all your e or snail mails.

 Here is my new holiday card, 'Knit cap shaped Christmas card' for the the Hero Arts October challenge Round 2. (I'm gonna go Frickr to submit this, if I make time for it.)

Click the photo above to enlarge please.

 Knitted the border (length: 4") of 'one-purl-one rib stitch' to use left-over tweed yarn and also made a pompon to put on the stamped image of Winter Tree's top.
I've been wanting to make a holiday card to use the 'joy word border' stamp as a terra. This set is really 'Oldies, but goodies!'. Love those designed font shapes! :) As a matter of fact, this card was made. And maybe, the tiny cutie snowman inspired me. He whispered me about making a knit cap shaped card? ;) But, wait! It seems that it's too difficult to put into an envelope...

Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Winter Tree / H5244, Holiday Word Borders / LL039, Stamp It Christmas / CM006
Other supplies:
Bazzill and American Crafts CS
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento / Tuxedo Black
Color Box Chalk Ink / Creamy Brown, Warm Red, Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Soft Pool
Ranger Distress Ink / Spun Sugar, Rusty Hinge, Stickels / Diamond, Stampendous Fun Flock
Hero Arts Sequens and Heart Accent Pearl, Copic Markers, Tweed yarn

*Fortunately, I could upload this photo directly to blogger today. :)
It's over 2:30AM here. But I didn't have a dinner last night. I'm going to have something from now on and go to bed. Have a wonderful day, everyone!
 And the prize for my fab-five win in this August was arrived here about 10 days ago (I was away at that time), and finally I opened the parcel last night. That made me so happy! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, Hero Arts for the generousity!
I'm going to play with them after I wake up.

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

Circle Doily tree and tree skirt - Christmas card

Good evening, my friends!
 Hero Arts' this month's theme is 'Holiday card making'! Knew it about 6 hours ago - of course, I expected it as same as everyone. ;)
  I knew that I had to take enough sleep time (it's midnight here!) - I have an appointment after taking a nap. And according to the circumstances, I have to go abroad for several days. But I couldn't stop creating!
So, finished a Christmas card to use Circle Doily cling stamp for my holy tree and its skirt. Looking forward to the arrival of the new holiday stamps around next weekend. :)

Voila! Here is my first entry card for the Hero Arts October challenge Round 1.

Click the photo above to enlarge, please.

 The image of this result was in my brain when I saw the stamp on the catalogue page.
The holly tree was created by white embossing on the purple colored vellum and decorated with the ribbon and the gemstones. I used the left-over leather, approximately 1 cm wide for a tree trunk.
The tree skirt was stamped the Circle Doily stamp with VersaMark Champagne and added to stamp the sentiment. The finished size of this easel card is 4" x4".
I'm going to make several same cards for actual use. I had a good time to make this one, I think. But, SLEEPY! ;)

 To tell you the truth, I've been struggling with Blogger since yesterday evening. Probably, the limit file size for photo uploading was already over? Couldn't accept it at all... So, the enlarged photo is from my web server.


Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Cling Circle Doily / CG168 Sparkle Clear Holiday Messages / CL244
Other supplies:
Bazzill swiss dots and orange peel CS, Making Memories PP, World Win Translucent Vellum
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Versa Mark / Champagne
Ranger Embossing Powder / Sea Foam
Hero Arts gemstones, ribbons, brad, Spellbinders Nestabilitie die

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

Autumn Objet (object) - distressed frame etc.

Hi, friends!
 It's already Friday here! And I'm away from my home office, and somehow I'm blogging. Ha ha. I'm now taking a coffee break. :)
 Finished an autumnal distressed objet (object) and an autumnal ATC for masculine four days ago to join in the Hero Arts September challenge Round 2.
 These items were by my hubby's request. - I may remove this line. He doesn't much like that I write about the private. :(

Here is the pic of those.

 I made those by both vertical and horizontal use of left-over paper strips to add on the autumn leaves or some images for those.


This is a photo which I took the frame only.

 For this background (mat), three Acrylic Dabbers were used by a paint brush on a chipboad. The stamp on the mat is Tim Holtz's. Other stamps are all Hero Arts.


 And here is a partial closeup around the maple leaf.

 This time, I used the Glossy Accents to cover a leaf, already colored with perfect pearls red to use like watercolor for a half of the leaf. Its finished look was like a kind of cool sticker. I thought about it for a while to use it flat or 3-dimensional. And finally decided to take the dimensional use. So, I put the distress stickes for the edge of the leaf and decorated with several Idea-ology metals for its finishing.

Click the photos above to see larger and more clear photos!

And here is the ATC. I used the stamped image of Misty Garden and a leaf covered with both Glossy and Crackle Accents which were made the other day - I posted it on Sep. 28, 2010.


Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Real Leaves / LL684, Poly Clear Season of Giving / CL361, Cling Dots and Stripes / CG150
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz stamp
Other supplies:
Bazzill and Kretake CS, Basic Grey PP,
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Smokey Grey
Ranger Acrylic Dabber / Espresso, Willow, Salmon, Distress Ink / Pumice Stone
          Distress Stickles / Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Tarnished Brass, Glossy Accents
Perfect Pearl / Forever Red
Tim Holtz idea-ology Grungeboard, Key Hole, Philosophy Tag
ball chain, buttons, Chipboard

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week, and weekend!
Tomo

a card for thanksgiving

Hi, everyone!
 It's already Tuesday, here! Today, I posted a card which was finished about a week ago, because I was very busy last week, and couldn't do it.
 It looks like autumn season has begun around our region finally. But it was over 30C when I made the card. It's cool down at the moment - 22C at 2:05AM - . It's really comfortable! :) :) :)
I've been hearing about severe weathers or disaster hits here and there over the world by some TV news. Please take good care of yourself and your family members!

 Well, here is my thanksgiving card for the Hero Arts September challenge Round 2.

 Made this background to use three stamps, those were Misty Garden, Maple leaf from Season of Giving clear set and Circle Doily by Hero Arts. And then, decorated with layers of several papers, ribbons, clear circle and the stamped leaves.
* My Pin Oak leaf stamp is from © 2007 'More Real Leaves' set.
You can find it in the brand new poly clear set CL457 Real Leaves -probably, it looks like that the size is different from mine -, or the similar design in the digikit Foliage.

And this is a partial closeup photo.

 Wanted to take the crackle effects into the leaves, because I saw several beautiful works by other Flickr group members. So I used both crackle and glossy accents by Ranger for my leaves, already stamped with Distress Inks and put Perfect Pearls on each. The reason I used both glossy glues was the difference of the time for dry. I added Glossy Accents for the veins of a leaf soon after covered all with Crackle Accents. The powders of the Perfect Pearls float in the area which almost covered with Crackle Accents.
 But my autumnal card is almost the same as my last year's. I'm really ashamed of it.

Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Design Blocks Misty Garden / S5097, More Real Leaves / LL685,
                Poly Clear Season of Giving / CL361, Cling Circle Doily / CG168
Other supplies:
Bazzill and American Craft CS, Basic Grey PP
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Toffee, Versa Magic / Sahara Sand
Ranger Distress Ink / Wild Honey, Tattered Rose, Fired Brick, Rusty Hinge, Walnut Satin
            Perfect Pearls / Red, Kiwi, Green, Bronze, Glue / Crackle and Glossy Accents
            Distress Stickles Tarnished Brass
Hero Arts Clear Circle, ribbons, button, paper code, Fiskars Punch

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

Ghosts!!! :) - Halloween ATCs and a card -

Good evening, everyone!
 Just about an hour ago, I came home from Tokyo visit by the last flight, left Haneda (Tokyo) Airport at 20:00 and arrived Fukuoka at 21:35. This was the third time biz-trip to Tokyo since last week. Though the landing was delayed for about 15 min., it was really a smooth flight tonight.
 The previous biz-trip was really thrilling, because the 9th typhoon came close to my city. I had some meetings and worked at a TV broadcasting corporation and stayed Tokyo last Monday. The next day, I flied back to Fukuoka just an hour before when our citiy came into the storm area. LOL.

 Well, tonight, I posted my ATCs and a card for this Halloween season.
Made these as my second submission for the Hero Arts September challenge Round 1 and my actual use for my friends etc. with some gifts.
* This was the same one in my Frickr gallery which I sent before 16:59JST today (before Sep.16, 23:59PST) to use my laptop computer - I brought it for my work this time. - to connect by my cell phone. Haha. I remembered that today was the deadline for Round 1! ;)

 Love this little ghost (Of course, I love the big ghost in the clear set! and the new one which released this year! Don't they look a bit shy? Really cute! ) and the pumpkin stamp! I used those many times for my last year's creations. But this is the first time that I share you mine to use them, I think. I sure remember that I couldn't make time to take pics of those or to send them to Frickr and here, because I restarted my work perfectly since last Autumn, and came to be very busy suddenly.
After that, those stamps spent days boring in my drawer until I started using again this month.

This is a hybrid cards. The center piece was used an easy way of masking - the ghost was stamped with oil based ink twice onto the printed paper, the selected area (by Lasso Tool) of the digital data was already removed and the edge of it was blurred by Photoshop.
Other elements are a little 3-dimensional. The black colored ghost is filled with Copic multiliner. The coloring for the pumpkins is Copic markers and color pencils.

*The center piece of the greeting card at the left is the same size of the ATCs.
* And I want to apologize you who made the original, if anyone used the idea that the ghost bites the pumpkin. Suddenly, last night, I hit upon it and searched the same idea in the Flickr pool, and used it for my pumpkins. (just only searched by tags -the product ID numbers-). Though I remember the bitings on many ice lollies...

*The ATC at the center bottom was the inspiration for my first entried card for this month's.
UPDATED (Sep.18, 2010 1:51AM JST): I took a pic of the ATC with my first entried card. Here it is.

Stamp used:
Hero Arts Tall Pumpkin / G5269, Stamp It : Halloween / CM004 (ghost & combats),
Hero Arts Digital / Halloween Greetings
Other supplies:
Bazzill CS, Creative Imaginations PP, Hero Arts Tsugumi notecard, Printable paper
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Soft lilac
Ranger Distress Ink / Pumice Stone
Hero Arts 2mm gems, Copic Markers, Color pencils, ribbons

I'm going to have a give away (small goodies for Halloween with a bit ribbons for Christmas). I think I want to prepare it in a few days. Thank you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week and weekend!
Tomo

Halloween card for two challenges

Hi, there!
 How have you been in these days? It's yet like mid-summer here. :(
But, since passing away of the 9th typhoon Malou on Tuesday, it has been a bit calm. I wanna write here, "Autumn is just coming!!!" ASAP. How many days do I/we have to wait for it?

I had two biz-trips from last weekend to this Tuesday. Since then, I've been busy for my work. But I'm off today. So I could make a card for joining into both the Card Patterns sketch 80  - Thanks the Card Patterns for the great sketch! The left one is for this week's. I noticed it and had a lot of fun with this sketch before I went out. - and the Hero Arts September challenge Round 1. Hero Arts' September theme is 'Everything Autumn!' - Harvest, Halloween and Thanksgiving -. Also have a lots of fun theme! :)



Here is my Halloween card.

 This is a hybrid card. The center piece was used an easy way of masking - the ghost was stamped with oil based ink twice onto the printed paper, the selected area (by Lasso Tool) of the digital data was already removed and the edge of it was blurred by Photoshop. Other elements were a little 3-dimensional.
 This was my second time to join in the Card Patterns since last year.
*The actual color of the ribbon border is purple with emerald green stitching lines, and the stem of pumpkin is khaki green. Sorry, this photo isn't in good condition.　

Stamp used:
Hero Arts Tall Pumpkin / G5269, Stamp It : Halloween / CM004 (ghost & combats),
                Digital / Halloween Greetings
Other supplies:
Bazzill and core'dinations CS, 7gypsies Nottinghill PP, Hero Arts Tsugumi notecard
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Soft lilac
Ranger Distress Ink / Black Soot, Stickles / Starry Night, Distress Black Soot
Tim Holtz idea-ology / Grunge Sheet, Copic Markers, Color pencils, ribbon, Torchon lace

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Tomo

3 cards (Teatime Silhouette)

Hi, everyone!

 How have you been in these days? We, family have been a bit weak by the abnormal heat since the middle of this month (it's been 35 - 36C for about a month).  I wasn't feel good in a few days, but I came to be a little better today.

 And finally, I made the set of cards for the Hero Arts August Challenge Round 2.

This 'XOXO' card is 1 of 3 cards, a little 3-dimensional.

And here is the photo taken 3 cards all together.

The two at the back are flat cards to have the same layers (except the torchon lace) as the one at the left.
I enjoyed creating with my new these woodblock and cling stamps. Love the nostalgic looks of these so much! :)

Stamp used:
Hero Arts
  Teatime Silhouette / F5408, Cling Ancient Motif / CG186, Manuscript Background / H2141
  Clear Design Thank You Sayings / CL341, Everyday Sayings / CL342(sentiment)
Other supplies:
Bazzill CS, Basic Grey PP(for the tiny tags)
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Vintage Sepia, Crimson Red, Onyx Black
Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Soft Lilac
Ranger Distress Ink / Tea Dye
ribbons, embroidery thread

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

One more card to use Silly Scape, and funny story about my disaster 'distressing?'

Hi, everyone!
 The typhoon was over, though the strong wind sometimes howled while yesterday night. There was no disaster around me, thank you. But it takes a long time to change an extratropical cyclone, and it will hit the Touhoku region, the northern area of Japan again soon. I have some friends met on the internet and had the actual meetings around there. Hope they are in safe!

 Well, today, I posted another card to use the silly scape stamp here again. ;) The fact that I was going to share you with my last card. But I couldn't, since the two kitties (they are originally outside kitties, first three months of life.) broke it into fragments, while quite short time I was away from my desk. It was perfectly finished!
 I had no disaster by the typhoon hit, but I had another disaster before the typhoon was coming! LOL?
I was astounded and very shocked when I found the scene, but I switched my mode soon and looked at their playing with their temporary toy, because they were so adorable! and I found no way to 'rescue' my card... they SCRATCHed it and BIT it A LOT already. They brought my card the fantastic effect of distressing? Oh, no!
 So, I redid it - made new one - yesterday midnight to join the Hero Arts August challenge Round 1.

Here is the card, 'a little greeting to say HELLO'.

 I was going to make 'back to school card' with a school bus and crayons (or pencils - the pencil shaped buildings exsist already in this scape) by the partial use of this stamp. But there's no recievers among my family, relatives and friends. So I finished this card to left my first idea behind.
 I so love the font shape of this sentiment stamp. So I chose it for this card.
And, this time, I didn't color on the stamp image of the silly scape at all, just only stamped with black oil based ink. Added some stitching (both by hand and by machine) and the raised small colorful parts on the white cardstock for its accents.
These embelishments looks like epoxy stickers made by myself to heat-embossed. The heart and the balloon shape were die-cutted to use Quickutz cookie cutter dies.

And this is a partial closeup.

 Click the photos above to see larger and more clear photos!

 The heart shaped embelishment was made by heat-embossed with UTEE clear by Ranger a few times, and then I buried the HA heart shape accent pearl a little before it dried. And I heated it again slightly. No crackles were appeared on the pearl's surface. I was surprised at the result and I recognized again the high quality of the Hero Arts products!

Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Silly Scape / K5425, Holly Bird / A5078, Poly Clear Say Hello / CL378
Other supplies:
Bazzill CS, Kuretake CS, Basic Grey PP
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento / Tuxedo Black
Ranger UTEE embossing powder / Clear
Color pencils, Copic markers, HA Accent pearl Heart, thread, Quickutz cookie cutter dies

-----

And, here is the photo of the kitties broke my card. I took this pic this morning when they were outside.
I thought they were gangs just only in our garden, but I noticed this time that they already came to be the gangs in my room... sigh. They dash into the house when I open the doors or the windows every time.
And they have a brother/sister. The kitty is yet fear to come into indoor. I hope him/her to keep its style! Three invaders? I prefer two than three!

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

a window scene card to use Silly Scape

Hi, there! How are you, today?
 Finally I posted a card which finished last weekend. Oh, yes, I played with the Silly Scape stamp yet. Probably the photo wasn't in good condition. (This may appears in strange colors depends on your monitor settings. Sorry!)
I'm going to submit this to the Hero Arts August challenge Round 1.

Here is a window scene card, 'thinking of You'.

Click the photo above to see a larger and more clear photo!

 Wanted to have it a soft look this time. I used color pencils with Copic markers for the buildings' image, though it may look like a watercolor.
Can you see it normal 'city' scape?, not 'silly'? Or, yet silly? *giggle*
 Other colorings were... I used Ranger Distress inks for the tree, and HA Shadow Ink Pool for the sky to use a blending foam. And added the clear and color buttons with hemp cord. Saw many pretty embelishments to use buttons on HA blog last week,so I wanted to take several buttons into my card.
*The blue CS was punched out at the bottom and was just only folded. Because I wanted to add one more motion onto this card as same as the buttons drawing the wave line.
(I was going to post the partial closeup, but I quit it since the photo wasn't good and didn't have time to take its pic again. Sorry!)

Stamp used:
Hero Arts: Silly Scape / K5425, Design Blocks Tree / S5037, Poly Clear Say Hello / CL378 (a tiny bird), Sparkle Clear Simple Messages / CL173
Other supplies:
Bazzill Kraft CS, Kuretake CS
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Smokey Grey
Hero Arts Shadow Ink / Pool, Ranger Distress Ink / Tea Dye, Shabby Shutters
Color pencils, Copic markers and colorless blender, HA clear and color buttons, hemp cord, EK success punch

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

A night owl (me?) in the silly scape

Hi, everyone!
 I was a bit busy yesterday, but finished a card to join the 'Keeping in touch theme' of the Hero Arts August challenge Round 1, to use my favorite brand new Silly Scape stamp. It was delivered the day before yesterday. I wanted to make a little whimsical card to use it.

 Here is the result, 'A night owl in the silly scape'.

 I so love the silly scape stamp. This reminds me of my birth place, New York city, USA. And also love the tiny owl. This guy is my most favorite at this moment -actually since I saw him on the catalogue- among HA cute owls that I have. :) And I'm really a night owl. Ha!

 I colored the HA notecard with several copic markers for the background, and added the machine stitching a little. And put star shaped gems.
 Moved the second triangular roof partially in the back row from the left to the top of the third building to perch the owl on it. The buildings at the bottom right is 3-dimensional. And actual color of the circle around the sentiment is silver color. A red bow was too big???
 I'm now having a few ideas to use this stamp. I hope finishing them in the near future.

This is a partial closeup.

Stamp used:
Hero Arts Silly Scape / K5425, Poly Clear Say Hello / CL378
Other supplies:
Bazzill CS, Hero Arts notecard
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento / Tuxedo Black, Brilliance / silver
HA star gemstones, eyelets, ribbon, Copic markers

-----
 I inform all the lovely peoples of my father's update. He is going to leave hospital today's afternoon. I'm a bit worrying about taking care of him in this severe weather. - It continues over 35C for about 10 days. By the weather forecast, the burning hot days, the temperature around 35C will continue to 2 more weeks. *sigh*
 And it's no doubt it makes me to take more time to him. And I have to prepare for my work little by little. But I hope him to spend comfortable days at home! - with our cat, Gray, too! Her condition comes to be pretty good - eats enough, sometimes plays, and ocasionally assumes a threat posture to the outside noisy three kitties - they were born in our garden on Mother's day in this May. And their mom is yet with them.
 Thank you so very much for all your so kind words to me to cheer me up! I so appreciate all of you!

Thanks for stopping by! :)
Have a beautiful week and weekend!
Hugs to you all, Tomo

a card for Moxie Fab World 'Clean and Graphic Challenge'

Hi,everyone!,
 August has just begun! It's burning hot today here. How are you doing?
 Finished a card for the Card Style Clean and Graphic Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.
 I happened to know it this morning, when I cleaned up my bookmarks of my internet browser. And I said to myself, 'this was it!' that a few of my friends made lovely cards and shared it/them with us on each blog or Flickr photostream. Oh, my! I'm really slow...
Probably, this is my first entry to the Moxie Fab World. (I added their blog in my bookmarks, since there were some articles or challenges I had interests, I guess.)

Here is my card, 'Thinking of you & Smiling'.

Though I thought whether I should submit this or not for quite a while after finished, I decided to join. Hope this qualifies the requirement.

The flower at the center is a little 3-dimensional. I took a paper-piecing technique slightly off-set.
*I removed the three stems - filled in it with Copic multiliner - from the original stamp image for this card. The black color for this background was also filled with the multiliner.
*You can see a larger photo by clicking the photo above.

UPDATED: August 3rd, 2010
I decided to entry this card to the Hero Arts August challenge Round 1, since very kind lady, Anita told me about it! Thank you, Anita! Her blog is here.


Stamp used:
Hero Arts Cling Poppy Background / CG140
Hero Arts Poly Clear Say Hello / CL378

Supplies:
Bazzill CS, Making Memories PP
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black, Memento / Tuxedo Black
Ranger Stickles Diamond, Fruit Punch
Embelishments: HA Pearl, Copic markers and multiliners

Thanks for stopping by! :)
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

Gift of a Japanese Miyabi (a Washi paper binder etc.)

Hi, everyone!
 Finally, and just finished this Washi paper binder to join the Hero Arts July challenge Round 2, and I'm going to send it to one of my foreign friends as a gift.
 Used two HA digikit, 'the Hues papers' and 'the Seed and Pod Backgrounds' for the background papers of the binder cover to have a washi paper look.
The center piece was a little different colors from the card that I made on July 19th. Probably the receiver likes the orange color, I guess.

Here is the result. (finished size: 6.5"w x 6"h )

 After looked at a wonderful technique article by Shari Carroll on the Hero Arts web site, I hit upon making a washi paper folder binder for my friend.
 Two kinds of the digi papers were created by a few layers of colors (applied a transparent effect on each Hues papers.), and I put 'the Seed and Pod Backgrounds' on the top layer.
Heat-embossed on the orange paper with Copper powder to use the Dots and Stripes Cling Stamp.
For the beige paper, I applied the Photoshop effect 'embossing filter' on 'the Seed and Pod's data.
* I wrote about the Photoshop embossing filter at the downward of this post with a picture.


 This binder cover image was inspired by my Japanese Urushi dish and fork (the Japanese lacquerware), and the lovely Hero Arts Cling Stamp 'Floral Garden'.
*This lacquerware is for the Japanese sweets. I put the leaves and flowers. :)
I sometimes play like this way... Though I prepared the Japanese sweets to take pic with this dish, I had a several sudden visitors yesterday afternoon and I served all for them.

This is the binder inside. The tag shaped card is in a 1/4 circular shaped pocket.
Put the small size of washi papers into the 1st sheer pocket.

 I used the method the French 'Cartonnage' which is very popular around me as same as in France, the place of origin for making this kind of hard covers or the boxes. - wrapping around the thick paper board with papers or fabrics. I used the digi papers this time and the 7 gypsies Kraft Bookboard, approx. 2mm thick. You can probably easy to find how to make it like this way in books or some resources on the web related on the bookbinding.

And the 2nd pocket. There are bigger size of Washi paper in it.

And 3rd pocket. Wanted to see through the stamp of  'Imagine, Play, Create' at inside of the back cover. So I put into a few paper cords to wind the circular shape.

And this is the inside of back cover. I always love to use this inchie stamp to give some materials to friends.
I added a HA gemstone heart on it. The ♥ is lilac color.

And this is a quite simple look of the binder back.

 This binder has 3 sheer pocket pages. Those were made to cut A4 size document folders of office supplies, and made holes by Zutter Bind It All.
 I didn't stamp on the sheer pages at all. I came to the feeling that I wanted to stamp a bit on those. But it's up to my friend! ;)

 And I applied an embossing effect to use Photoshop on 'the Seed and Pod Backgrounds' on the beige paper.
Here is a comparable data.

To use the embossing filter brings a subtle mixtured different colors on the drawing lines of the pattern. Hope this helps.
*I used the PS CS5 this time. Probably this effect is in the PS-elements or other paint (raster based) application software. Because this is not a high level effect. Sorry, I've been a Photoshop user since PS3, and haven't ever use any raster based softwares. So I don't know the details. Glad that you look at and read your manual of your software, or visit the manufacturer or distributor web site to get the details of your's. Thank you.


Stamp used:
~ for the center piece ~
Hero Arts Old french Writing / H2365
Hero Arts Cling Floral Garden / CG107

~ for the binder base ~
Hero Arts Cling Dots and Stripes / CG150
Hero Arts Digikit Seed and Pod Backgrounds
Hero Arts Digikit Hues Papers

~for inside of the back cover ~
Hero Arts Clear Design Mix & Match Elements / CL266

~ for the tag ~
Hero Arts Sparkle Clear Hello Birdies / CL177
and the same stamps for the center piece

Supplies:
Bazzil CS, Basic Grey CS, watercolor paper, Printer paper
7 gypsies / Kraft Bookboard 12"x12"
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Onyx Black
Ranger Distree Ink / Victorian Velbet, Broken China, Spiced Marmalade
            Stormy Sky, Antique Linen, Tea Dye
Ranger Perfect Pearls / Rust, Pearl
Ranger Embossing Powder / Copper, Acrylic Dabber / Copper
Embelishments: HA, Cloud9 Design
Braid, Zutter Bind It All etc. Adobe Photoshop CS5

Thanks for stopping by! :)
Have a beautiful week!
Tomo

Finished a summery card

Hi, everyone!
 After the two parties of the visitors in these few days left my home for their each countries, I accessed the Hero Arts blog, -just about four hours ago-, I tried to make a card. I knew that it was really reckless attempt, becase only two hours were left till the limit to entry at that moment.
But I could finish it. So I sent it to Frickr to join the June challenge Round 2.
Wow..., five months has already passed since my last entry.

Here is the card, 'You are the best'.

 I used 8 pastels for the stamped image of the Scallop greenery, after stampd it with deep lagoon color oil-based ink.

And this photo is the one that I took pic with the pastels I used.

And, this is a closeup.

 The reason I used pastels was...this has the merit to get an interesting effect and also I can expect rapid coloring and finishing. For this reason, I sometimes do it.
 After I colored on the stamped image with these pastels broadly, spreaded them by finger to mix each pastels. After that, sprayed the mist of Perfect Pearls with water to fix the pastels and to add a bit shimmer effect on it. And one more ... , this way brings to add another effect mixed Pastel powders and Perfect Pearls on the surface.

 The part of the bottom half is...,
 Stamped the background stamp with white dye ink first, stamped it again with VersaMark Champane and embossed with clear powder.
This time, I chose the combination of champane color and clear embossing powder, because I also wanted to get 'a bit shimmer effect' for this part, the same as the center piece. ;)

Stamp used:
HA Scallop Greenery / H5365
HA Design Blocks Flourish / S5034
HA Clear Design Mix and Match Elements/ CL266

Supplies:
American Crafts CS, DCWV PP
Tsukineko Versa Fine / Deep Lagoon, Onyx Black, VersaMark / Champane
Memories Dye Ink / White
Ranger Distress Stickles/ Rock Candy, Worn Lipsticks
Ranger Perfect Pearls / Pearl
Ranger Acrylic Dabber / Gold
Jacquard / Gum Arabic
Pastels, ribbon, QuicKutz nesting die, Spellbinders Nestabillities die

Thanks for stopping by! :)
Have a beautiful week and weekend!

Red Heart with an owl

Hi, there!
 On Jan. 18th, after my winter vacation, I restarted my work.
And finally today, I could be back blogging. :)
So I introduce you my Valentine's card that I made last Wednesday -Oh! A week has already passed. - for participating in Hero Arts January challenge round 2, and Caardvarks 'Red Heart Challenge'.
And this is for my father, going to have an operation on an internal disease in this February.

Here is the card.

And this is the detail around the flower. 

I like to make flower petals curl to use glitter glue, because it's so easy to get the effect for non heavy weight papers.
So I cut out one flower motif from 'Heart and Flowers' stamp image, and used Ranger Stickles and Distress Stickles, after slightly colored with Copic Markers.

Stamp used:
HA Owl / B4951
HA Cling Stamp Ledger / CG138
HA Cling Stamp Heart and Flowers / CG159
HA Clear Design Everyday Sayings/ CL342

Supplies:
HA Kraft notecard, Chatter Box PP, Bazzil Basics CS
Tsukineko / Brilliance Moonlight White, Copic markers, color pencils
Tim Holtz Idea-ology / snap
pearls, jute cord etc.

Thanks for stopping by! :)
Have a beautiful week!

Thank you card with a butterfly

Hi, there!
 Finished this card  for one of my friends and for Hero Arts January challenge 1st round.
 I've been playing with this butterfly cling stamp again, after I noticed the day before yesterday that the Hero Arts changed their challenges a little
- from former 'weekly' challenges to 'month-long' contests around the monthly theme. The details are on this page of their blog.

Here is my card.

And this is a closeup.

 This Design Blocks 'Wallpaper background' has been in my favorites since last spring, but probably, this would be the first time to use it for the card opened to the public, I think.
I did heat embossed with white powder, colored with Liquid Pearls and put the Diamond Glaze inside of the leaves' shapes. And added Dimensional Pearls for the flower centers.
 And I colored with opaque gold marker and put the Diamond Glaze for the dots in the butterfly image.

Stamp used:
HA Cling Stamp Butterflies (3 images) / CG130
HA Design Blocks Wallpaper background / S5166
HA Clear Design Thank You Sayings/ CL341

Supplies:
HA Kraft notecard
Ranger / Distress Inks, Perfect Pearls, Liquid & Dimensional Pearls,
Judikins / Diamond Glaze, opaque marker, ribbon, beads, wire etc.

Thanks for stopping by! :)
Have a beautiful week!