Thursday Dream Schemes--Love in the New Year

Our challenge this week was "Love in the New Year". I just adore so many of the love themed stencils that it was hard to choose. I finally decided to let the paper guide my decision--a Bo Bunny print that was pink, red and ivory. The red swirls in the paper reminded me of the swirly heart stencil LL 3010, so I pasted this with red glossy paste on ivory cardstock.

Then, I needed a sentiment. I chose LM 276, which is a larger stencil. I liked this design, with its cute little hearts imbedded into the capital letters, but I still wanted the beautiful swirled heart to be the focal point. This posed a problem because of the relative sizes of each of the stencils, therefore it was--Shrink Plastic to the Rescue! I roughed up the white shrink plastic and then stencilled it with Red Pepper Adirondack Pigment Ink. For Kate, who asked previously (I just read it today, sorry) about how I know where to cut the shrink plastic, most of them are easy to find the edges of once stencilled. This one, I stencilled the red right over the edge of the stencil and then "eyeballed" the border size as I cut it. My Big Bite set in the largest hole setting created the holes that I would use to affix the plastic. I shrunk it with my embossing heat tool. It turned a slight ivory, which fit my color scheme perfectly.

This card was cut to about 3 1/2" by 5 1/2" and is folded at the top and distressed on the edges with Antique Linen Distress inks. I cut around the pattern on the pink paper and adhered it to the base. (It was raising up when I took the picture--sorry for the shadow.)

I attached the shrink plastic to the heart with both Glue Dots and small pink seed beads. I then used the beads to embellish around the heart. I put the whole heart on foam tape when I attached it.

I wasn't sure about this card when I started, but the color scheme really grew on me. With the beading, which I realize is difficult to see in the photos, and the almost lacey looking edge, the whole thing took on a sweet, old fashioned look that I quite like now.

Thursday Dream Schemes--Free Challenge

This week, we have a free challenge week. I chose to do one last Christmas card (seeing as Christmas Eve is tomorrow). This time, I decided to eschew my glitter-loving ways and do something a little more vintage. I used metals and alcohol inks.

First, let me clarify one thing--the glittery silver around the edges is not actually part of the card, but my Christmas tablecloth. Additionally, the black border around the images is burgundy velvet paper. It is beautiful to use, but horrible to photograph. The brown color is Creative Imaginations Real Wood paper in cherry.

So, the steps? Well, first I distressed the beautiful

Basic Grey paper and the Real Wood with Walnut Stain Distress Inks. Then, I ran two fantastic Dreamweaver Stencils, LL 430 Buck and LS 92 Merry Christmas through my Revolution Die Cut Machine. I used the Quickutz Metal Sheets and a rubber mat to make the impression.

I used alcohol inks over the whole impression, making sure that I rotated the blending tool between each pat. I let it dry for just a moment, and added a second coat.

Then, I lightly sanded the whole thing. The sanding removed the inks on the embossed portion only. It also scruffed a little on the background. The lovely, vintage look probably could have been enhanced even more if I would have taken the sanding block to the edges as well, but perhaps that is a project for another day.

The rest was simple assembly and adding a couple of brads. As it was, I liked this project when I was finished. It looked like a "masculine" Christmas card. I made a second one to give to my father for Christmas and will probably use similar techniques on other cards. Come back again next week, when the theme will be "Love in the New Year". I am not sure what I will be making yet, but I promise--no more Christmas cards. (Although this card could have just as easily been an all occasion or birthday card.)

Thursday Dream Schemes--Blue Paste Challenge

This week's Dream Team Challenge is Blue Paste. This card is my crazy acetate fueled glittery take on the winter snow. Ironically, Michigan was experiencing a snowstorm as I assembled and photographed it.

I just loved using this blue paste. Don't get me wrong, the black paste is fantastic for use with Metallic FX powders, but the blue paste is deep without being too dark for the transparent Art Glitter.

This entire project was done with Glossy Blue Dreamweaver Paste and transparent Art Institute Glitter in three colors--Polar Bear (white), Blue Boy (light blue) and I think French Lilac (purple). The stencils I used were Let it Snow LG 717, Snowflake LL399 and Small Snowflake LS 26. That was it. Add white and blue cardstock, white glitter paper, acetate and you have one very large finished card (it is about 6x7). Everything was done by pasting with blue paste and covering it with glitter while it was still wet. The Let it Snow stencil was on the white paper, but everything else was pasted on the acetate. Then, I rough cut around the snowflakes, stacked it all and assembled.

There was alot of pasting, but the technique was super simple. I have set the card out on my table for the past few days and I just LOVE the way it seems to change color with the light. Sometimes it looks purple, sometimes a little greenish and other times blue, as it appears here. Can you believe there was only ONE color of paste? The Art Glitter does all the work to change the color.

I would like to mention that the initial spark for this one came from fellow Dream Teamer, Kristi Van Doren, of Kristi's Creative Cafe. Kristi (whom I have never met in person) inspires me with her tight color schemes and use of both snowflakes and GLITTER. I hope to inspire her someday, too.

Dream Team Schemes

This week for the Dream Team Scheme, we get to post a free choice. This one is that second one that I made for the "Non Traditional Christmas Colors" challenge. A special shout out goes to my aunt (who is only 4 years older than me) who absolutely LOVES purple. Indeed, I chose a purple and white theme because of her and this will probably be her Christmas card.

The images, Christmas LL3009 and Holly Swirls LG 731 (two of my absolute favorites) are pasted on acetate. The swirl is made with the pearlescent paste and the Christmas with the silver. The Christmas is then placed directly onto a beautiful paper from Reminisce (last year's Christmas line) with all sorts of white glitter patterns on a white background.

On the other hand, the holly had a little more to it. Working on the back with Art Glitter Dries Clear and the fine point tip, I echoed the gorgeous curves in the stencil. I enhanced them with a deep purple Art Institute Glitter. I then waited until it set up a little before making another echo with the glue and putting a medium purple Art Glitter on. After that set, I filled in the blanks with a light purple Art Glitter. When I mentioned I let it set up a little, I don't mean that I actually let it completely dry. I just didn't want the glue to migrate at all, so just a few minutes betweeen layers. Finally, I let it dry overnight. Then I set it on top with a couple of Glue Dots and added a ribbon. The actual colors of the purple are a reddish lilac. This detail shot is close to the right color.

The two lightest purples are transparent glitters, which allow the glitter on the paper to sparkle through. I only wish that the photos did it justice. The whole thing just sparkles in any light. Of course, different light shows the purples off differently, as you can see by this outdoor shot.

I hope you enjoyed this one, as I really loved making it.

Thursday Dream Schemes

This week, the Dreamweaver Team was challenged to use a sketch. Upon seeing it, I immediately thought about that ribbon and the three bows. Truth be told, I actually became a little obsessed with the idea of attaching charms in three spots on that ribbon. I decided to use shrink plastic to make the Dreamweaver Stencils the appropriate size. Then, the idea hit me--I could use the Candy Cane stencil LL 555 to make cute little canes to hang from the ribbon. I would use a small Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays for the sentiment. I also downloaded some cute Silhouette designs for the flourishy parts around the edges.

Well, you know what they say about "the best laid plans". The candy canes were too long and narrow to shrink well. I had to try it several times before I realized that they would just curl up and stay that way. Still obsessed with the plan, I switched to Valentine's Day. These shrunken patterns were really cute (expect to see them soon). I guess I just wasn't in the Valentine's mood during the first week of December, because I couldn't finish it. I switched again--this time to the small ornament stencils LM 297 and LS 98. I used pigment ink to stencil them on white shrink plastic and heated it with my heat gun. This was a bit scary at first, because they would blow around the table. Once I realized that I could gently hold them down with a wooden skewer as they heated, it all turned out fine. I am actually thinking about using this technique to make cute charms for Christmas earrings.

The charms looked a little too small for the original three bow vertical design, so I opted to switch the design to horizontal and add two more charms. Then, I took a good look and decided that I wanted the sentiment to be a larger focal point, so I switched the stencil to a larger, more graphic version of the Happy Holiday sentiment.

Next, I used the Double Sided Adhesive Paper behind the Happy Holidays stencil LM 249 to create the sentiment. Just a little soap on the back of the stencil before I adhered it to the paper, and I was assured that it would come off without bending. I have used this technique several times, but have recently discovered a new secret--the Microfine Glitter by the Art Institute Glitter Company. It goes right into every little crevice in the stencil and really enhances all the detail. Then, I used the Art Institute Ultrafine Transparent White Glitter (my favorite--Polar Bear) for the background.

The background papers were the Reminisce Christmas Collection from last year. Very glittery and shiny. So, that left me with the question of the flourish. With all the glitter, the charms and the larger sentiment, I really didn't think I needed the flourishes. They would have probably been a little too much, so I deleted them.

Unfortunately, it is snowing and dark here in Michigan again, so photographing it was a little difficult. This card is SO sparkly, that this picture does not do it justice. Here is another. It is also not great, but if you can imagine the above colors with the below shine, well, that is what it really looks like. The charms look askew, but they are actually free to swing.

Dreamweaver Thanksgiving Parade

This is the first of new weekly Thursday posts by the entire Dreamweaver Team. This week, we had a challenge--to create a Christmas card using non-traditional colors. I had so much fun with this that I created two! I have chosen to only post one today, so be on the lookout for a purple glittered Christmas card in the future....... Meanwhile, here she is:

So, if you haven't guessed, my nontraditonal color choice is orange, blue, and ivory. The skater was easily created by running the stencil through my manual die cut machne. Then, I used a Versamarker and embossing powder on the skates (silver and white). Three colors of Ranger Adirondack Ink (Peach Bellini, Orange Sunset and Terra Cotta) were used to stencil her face, coat, and Season's Greetings tag. I used Fun Flock on the fur, hair and earmuffs.

The snowflake details were created with almond colored shrink plastic. I cut it out with Spellbinders Dies and sanded it. Then, I used a snowflake stencil (two different ones, actually) and Brilliance Moonlight Ink to add the images. I must have had some blue in my stencil brush, because the color shifted when I heated the project. I loved the result, though--so I kept it. I used a Copic marker to outline the image.

I punched the guide hole on the snowflakes using my Crop A Dile. Of course, even the large hole would not have been big enough for the brad once the pattern was shrunk. Because of this, I heated the plastic with my heat gun and punched it again when it was still warm. This did the trick, and I was able to push the brad though and create the look I wanted.

The paper is a Graphic 45 Christmas paper. I just fell in love with doing this project, as I was amused by the challenge and pleased with the results. I couldn't help but giggle as I thought about how, between this card and its diametrically opposed glittery purple sister, I was creating Christmas cards in Halloween colors. If nothing else, it gave me a fresh perspective on Christmas tradions. Give it a try sometime--and check in next week for more Dreamweaver goodness!

Christmas Recipe Box

The store I work at has started playing Christmas music and, while I do sort of think it is too early, it was wonderful to listen as I taught this class. It was half of a workshop that I ran twice with my friend and coworker, Claudia. She taught a cookie recipe book, while I taught this box. When I created it, I thought of it as simply a cute recipe box that someone would fill with the special family recipes that you only use for Christmas. I worked on it, though, I got to thinking about what a great gift box it would make! (Just fill it with stencils and glitter for me, please!) Also, I was thinking I will probably put mine on the mantle as just a cute Christmas decoration.



The box started as a $1 recipe box. I created the project adding a chipboard roof, Graphic 45 paper and Co'ordinations Cardstock. The box, of course, opens (for all that glitter to fit into!).

The doors, which are made with the Creative Imaginations Real Wood paper (the thicker Cherry wood), also open to reveal the cute Santa image. In the students' version, you can't see the back of the brads that make up the door handles, as they are hidden with the cardstock backing.

The images and the colorful frames are all from the Graphic 45 paper. The wooden frames are that real wood paper again, cut small and run through the Xyron. The "icicles" are a ribbon stuck under the eaves with Glue Dots.

So, do any of my Dreamweaver followers recognize the roof? It is the Dreamweaver fish scales stencil run through my embossing machine with the Co'ordinations cardstock. It was then sanded and trimmed to make the cute roof. The slight white "frosty" shimmer comes from Metallic FX in Moonstone just rubbed over the top with a finger. It sticks in the texture to create the look. Then, I added white Liquid Applique, which I heat set for a puffy snow look.

Finally, the cute Santa. He, too, was taken from the paper and mounted on chipboard. I then cut out around the Santa. What you can't see in the picture is that the reverse of the same Santa (there was a front and back on the paper) was cut out and pasted on the back. You can see his belly poking out from behind the chimney on the back of the box. I took my two sided Santa and colored the black parts with a journalling pen. I then added white flock and a fantastically beautiful red Art Institute Glitter. He was just the finishing touch I needed!

Dreamweaver Christmas Card Class

Here are the cards for my Christmas Dreamweaver Stencils class.
This card was made with four different types of paste--black matte, glossy white, regular and crackle. The moose antlers were crackled and then stencilled with pigment ink. The moose was enhanced with two colors of Fun Flock. The string of lights was pasted with the regular paste, and then covered with a Versamark marker and Zing metallic green embossing powder. The bulbs were covered in beautiful Art Institute Glitter. Finally, his antlers were enhanced with embroidery floss and beads.



I love the technique used on this one. The ornament was pasted using the regular paste. I then enhanced the dimensionality by adding a little shading of Distress Ink. With a technique I learned from Lynell herself, I overlayed an all over holly stencil and used pigment ink in green to stencil the pattern. While it was still wet, I added UTEE and embossed. The silver was added with a Versamark marker and tinsel embossing powder. The berries are red Stickles. The word "celebrate" was pasted in Glossy Black and Metallic FX was thrown on it while wet, making a lovely, shiny effect.




This card used silver embossing paste and pearlescent embossing paste on acetate. I stacked the two images. The silver image is in the back. When dry, I flipped the design and added alcohol ink to the back. I enhanced the berries with Stickles. It was simple, but is striking in person. I just love it.




Simple, simple, simple. All glossy black embossing paste with Metallic FX thrown on while wet and berries enhanced with Art Institute Glitter.






This one was honestly probably my favorite. Fortunately, it was also one of the simplest ones to do. I used the double sided sticky backed paper by Dreamweaver, cut to the size of the stencil. Then, I soaped the back of the stencil, and attached it to the paper. I used light green transparent Art Institute Glitter on the leaves. I carefully added the yellow beads to the center. Then, I poured a pink transparent Art Institute Glitter on the flower. Using a stencil brush, I stencilled on some pigment ink in dark green and burgundy to add dimension to the flower. The glitter took it beautifully. The secret is to use a high quality, transparent glitter, because it accepts and reflects the colors better. After I was happy with the look, I VERY carefully peeled the backing off of the stencil (put the stencil down on the table and peel the paper up off of it). Then, I poured the Art Glitter opaque color Martini over the whole piece. It was really fun to do!

Dreamweaver Challenge

Hey, Folks.
Today would be a great day to toddle off to PaperTherapy and check out Wendy's Dreamweaver challenge. I know that most of you checked out the blog hop a couple of weeks ago, and saw LOTS of inspirational things. Well, if you have been working (or at least thinking) up a storm, now is the time to get your reward. Make a project, upload it to Wendy's challenge, and you could win 5 Dreamweaver stencils. Yes, I said 5. Check it out here.

Halloween Card Class

I am very pleased to show everyone the cards I am making with my students this Thursday, October 21st.




This first one is super simple, but lots of fun. Last year's Eerie collection from Basic Grey really does all the work. Just add a little distressing, a little cutting, an Inkadinkadoo stamp, some Twinkling H2Os, and some Karen Foster Scrappers' Twine and you are all done!



This one took a little stamping and cutting, but the real work was done with Co'oredinations cardstock, a Tim Holtz mask and some alcohol inks. The stamps are Tim Holtz and My Mind's Eye. I also really enjoyed using that Karen Foster twine with a few beads.


This next one is also really easy. It involves My Mind's Eye paper and stamps, Basic Grey paper, Distress Inks, Dew Drops, and a craft knife.

This last one was made with some of my new favorite products, Luminarte and epoxy papers, both from Creative Imaginations. The paper is from the Wicked collection, and is originally a black epoxy pattern on an off white background. I stamped the bottom images with Inkadinkadoo stamps on black tags and embossed them with clear powder. Then, I used the Luminarte daubers over the top of all the black to make it really juicy. I threw a little Kosher salt on the bottom images to create a mottled effect. I then used a damp cloth over the epoxy papers and the emobssing to wipe off the excess. Finally, I sprayed Radiant Rain (also a Luminarte/Creative Imaginations product) in white/lilac over the top. I painted the ghost with Twinkling H2Os in Heavenly White and added yellow Stickles to details. The Happy Halloween is a Tim Holtz stamp that was embossed on vellum. I punched squares of the images and out of vellum. I adhered it all and added the ribbon. I think you can tell how beautifully shimmery this stuff is, and it is even shinier in person. Just so much fun!

If you are interested in having fun with this class, call Scrap Tales to sign up.

AND THE WINNER IS.........

First, I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments. They really mean alot to me and inspire me to keep pushing the envelope.

As selected by Random.org, the winner on this blog is Linda B (NY Card Lady). Linda, you have until midnight Tuesday to contact Lynell with your information at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com . Tell her that you won on my site and let her know which goodies you want. If you don't contact her, I will have to choose someone else.

BLOG HOP

WHAT IT IS/HOW TO WIN

Here it is, our Dream Team Blog Hop. This is my very first Blog Hop, so bear with me. For three days, October 1-3, the Dream Team members will be posting new samples and card information. You need to comment on EACH member blog to qualify for the most fantastic free prizes. You can win YOUR favorite stencil, paste and Metallic FX color. Remember, comment on EVERY blog for the most chances to win. Become a follower of the Dreamweaver stencil blog here for an extra chance. After leaving your comments, go to the Dreamweaver Stencil site and choose your favorite stencil. Tell us why it is your favorite or how you would use it, and you can win it. Check back on the blogs October 4th to find out if you are the winner picked by random.org for that site.

DAY 2

This is the beginning of day 2. For a look at DAY 1, start with Deborah's blog here. Okay, so on to my goodies.

I am calling today METALLIC FX MADNESS DAY for my blog, anyway.

First Technique: Metallic FX on paste.

This peacock card was created using Peacock Stencil LG 730 and Feather Stencil LJ 840. I pasted the feathers on blue cardstock with Glossy Black paste and threw Metallic FX powders in Ivy, Kiwi, Navajo Sky and Glacier on it while the paste was still wet. I did the same with the peacock design on acetate. When they were dry, I used a Swiffer sheet to wipe off the excess. I then decorated the top with black Art Glitter and rhinestones. I put vellum behind it and laced ribbon up the side. I wish the photographs could do the beautiful Metallic FX powders justice!

This next card was done using the same techniques with the Holly and Swirls LL 3005 and Seasons Greetings LS 91. Using the Glossy Black Paste really made the Kiwi and Ivy Metallic FX powders stand out, even on the white cardstock. This card will be featured as one of 5 in my next Dreamweaver Card Class at Scraptales in Brighton, Michigan. (They also have a large selection of Dreamweaver Stencils and supplies in stock.) Check out the website for further class information here.

Second Technique: Metallic FX on Double Sided Tape

Okay, I had to work a little for this one, but I finally have it down to an EASY technique.

First, cut the Dreamweaver Double Sided Mounting paper to size. Then, rub soap on the back of the Candy Cane Stencil LL 555. You need to do this so that the stencil will be able to be removed easily from the backing without bending. Then, use the removable tape to mask out the ribbon. This is very important, because once the Metallic FX powders go down on the backing paper, you cannot attach anything else to them. When the ribbon is masked off, rub a little Metallic FX in Kimono Red on the candy cane with your finger (otherwise known as the very important crafting tool.) I find that the finger works best because you can really get into the nooks and crannies. Gently flick the stencil from behind several times with the stencil face down to remove as much of the powder as possible. Then, use a damp cloth over the stencil to remove the additional powder. Remove the tape and color the ribbon using 3 different colors of green flocking. I used the Picasso Stencil LL 332 to mask off the areas I wasn't currently putting flocking on. (It is probably the ugliest AND most useful stencil you will ever own.) Press the flocking onto the mounting paper with some pressure, as that is the best way to make it stick. Then, roll off the excess. Flick it and REALLY get the extra flocking off. Put stencil face down on a table and CAREFULLY remove the mounting paper. Pour white Art Glitter over the top of the whole thing. Apply to card.

What I like the most about this technique is how the FX powders are beautifully shimmery, but have an almost antique look about them, making a nice contrast with the flock and the glitter.

The Celebrate Stencil LM 283 was done with the first technique.

Now, the last technique: Metallic FX on Polymer Clay

For best results, use black polymer clay. Play with it then roll it out with your brayer and smush it several times until it rolls out smoothly. Put a little olive oil on the back of your stencil and press it into the clay. Brayer over the top a couple of times until the clay raises a little above the stencil. The Christmas one was made with Happy Holidays LM 139, Three Deer LL 467 (backwards, as it turns out) and Metallic FX in Gold Dust, Eye of the Tiger, Ivy, Kiwi and Kimono Red. The Iris (I am thinking about making it a bookmark) was done with Bearded Iris Stencil LL 516 and Metallic FX powders in Purple Satin, Plum Royale, Sapphire, Moonstone, Kiwi and Ivy. I also added a little yellow flocking with Zig Squeeze N Roll Glue.

Well, MY post is finally over. Just in case you can't tell, Metallic FX is one of my newest obsessions. I hope you learned enough here to make it one of yours, too. Comment below to win your favorite goodies. Then, go to Lee's Blog to continue your hopping.

GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HOPPING!

Blog Hop!

The Dream Team is having a blog hop October 1-3rd. There will be special goodies and prizes. I highly recommend EVERYONE participate. My hopping day is Saturday the 2nd, but start with Lynell's Dreamweaver Stencils blog on Friday the first for the best opportunity to win a fantastic prize. I have to go back to creating my samples for the hop.........

Fall Dreamweaver Card Class

Here are the pictures of the cards in my upcoming Dreamweaver Fall Card Class. In this class, we will be using paste, crackle paste, a die cut machine, metals and all sorts of goodies to decorate the cards--everything from alcohol inks to embossing powders. I am trying something new this time, and running the class on a Thursday night for all of the people who just can't commit a weekend. It runs from 6 to 8 on Thursday, September 30th. Anyone interested should call Scrap Tales to sign up. You can see the cards in person in the store behind the register. It should be lots of fun!

Christmas in August

Okay, so I know it is HOT in Michigan today, but I just finished my cards for the Dreamweaver Design Team Christmas challenge, and I am very excited about them, so I am posting one today. This one took a long time for me to figure out because I had something in mind, but nothing was coming close to it. Finally, I think I got it right.

This card started with a statement I heard from Lynell in California's CHA last January. She said that she doesn't use the binders in her Metallic FX, because the polymer clay artists liked to use it without binders. I filed that notion away for awhile, but it was always in the back of my mind. This ornament, which I actually purchased to teach a cloisonne technique in a class, was used with black polymer clay. I pressed the stencil into the clay, then removed it and cut the embossed design out with my Exacto. I used the holly stencil, and pressed that into the clay as well. Then, I brushed the openings with mica powders and rubbed the powder in lightly with my finger. After that, it was baking according to package directions.

The word also used mica powders. It was pasted with glossy black and sprinkled with moonstone and goldfinch Metallic FX while it was still wet. Once dry, Swiffer cloths work great to pick up the excess.

Assembly wasn't too hard. I used metallic white Wassau paper, Bo Bunny green pattern paper, ribbons and a Dreamweaver pin. I sent the ornament through my 5" Xyron, and also actually tied it onto the card as well. The actual card is an A2, with that 1 1/4" on the right hand side trimmed off, so the celebrate word underneath shows through.
Enough Christmas for today--hope you enjoyed it!

Lynell and me at CHA

Well, CHA was very interesting. (I got a little hung up on that Teresa Collins Stampmaker.) I was even more excited, of course, that some of MY work was hanging in the Dreamweaver Stencils Booth! You can see my summer card (previously posted) behind Lynell and me in the picture, but several other pieces were there as well. I was so excited that I am afraid I made a total geek of myself. Fellow Dream-teamer Louise was running a Make-N-Take using one of Lynell's latest Christmas stamps and an absolutely gorgeous technique of painting with pigment ink on transparent Art Institute Glitter. Unbelievable!

Also, I had completely forgotten that I had not yet posted the two CHA stencilled cards yet. Here I was, thrilled to get the fantastic new Christmas stencils, and I hadn't shared the Peacock or the Black Eyed Susan (I call it a Daisy) cards--so here they are.

The daisy was stencilled with the original paste, which I was thrilled to find takes about any additional techniques with no problems at all. I used a Versamark pen over the vines and heat embossed them with American Crafts Zing! in metallic green. Then, I flocked the centers in gold and added Art Institute Opaque glitter in Martini to some of the petals, using Zig glue. I pasted the word summer in glossy white, echo cut around it and popped it up. The papers are by Bo Bunny.

The peacock, quite honestly, was alot of work. The bird was pasted several times with glossy blue paste on white cardstock. Then, it was mounted on chipboard, cut out and layered. The edges of the board were distressed with ink, and the layers were assembled. Then, I used Zig glue to select areas to add the Navajo Sky Mica Powders and to add Goldfinch Mica Powder to the beak and opaque black Art Institute Glitter to the eye. The gems were from Little Yellow Bicycle Lucky Me collection. With the peacock done, I moved to the background. It was pasted with the original paste on a white background. While the paste was still wet, I used the peacock to flatten the area I would glue it to, and added Art Institute Glitter in Polar Bear to the vines. I then used the dream stencil with blue paste and Art Institute Glitter in a color that I have since forgotten the name of. Finally, I assembled all of it. It took a very long time, but I was extremely pleased with it.

Well, I am off to work on some projects for Scrap Academy at the store, my fall Dreamweaver classes and, of course, my Dreamweaver sample with the beautiful new Christmas stencils.

This Week's Challenge

This week's Scrap Wars challenge was to create a two page layout that included a baby picture, high school picture and current picture of yourself. It also had to include journalling. I have never scrapped a page all about me before, and I found the idea intimidating. Of course, once I got into it, I just couldn't stop. This Bo Bunny Mamarazzi collection was absolutely perfect! The colors were great, and even the stickers and embellishments seemed created for a layout about oneself! I made it look like an old fashioned scrapbook, by laying the elements in a more haphazard manner. Yes, the woman in the current picture with me is Lynell from Dreamweaver Stencils. If you are in the area, stop by Scrap Tales and vote for me.

I just got back from CHA where I saw ideas galore, met up with Lynell from Dreamweaver, and got my picture in the booth with some of my cards. It was SO exciting, but more on that in a future post.

I right now, I want to share the thing I wanted to post just before I left. I entered the Bo Bunny Design Team Challenge, and one of the entries has a story. I made this mini album of a trip to the zoo with my friends and their children. I used the seriously cute Peacock Lane line and the some really adorable pictures of Jessie. I knew I wanted to enter it in the challenge, but I also figured that it would be a good gift for my friends. I worked and worked on it until I had it just right--and I also fell in love with it. I asked Steve if he thought that I really HAD to give it away. He said probably not, but I know I can't keep it. I never made it for myself, and Jessie isn't my child, so, in the words of the Bo Bunny slogan, I guess it will be "a gift of love".