Getting Wild

For this week, the Stampendous theme is "Let's Go Wild"!  Today, I am also posting as part of the Dreamweaver Thursday, but, of course, using this theme.  

This card was made using three different stencils: LJ 915 Opto Checkerboard, LM 2004 Lizard and LS 1004 You & Me.  First, I patted the back of the checkerboard stencil with a little Black Soot Distress Ink and then tapped most of it off with a damp cloth.  I embossed white card stock using my Cuttlebug.  I put the stencil, clean side down, on the A Plate and then layered it with the card stock, Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat and the two B Plates.  It created a sort of sketchy looking background.  I embossed both of the lizards the same way, except I used color coated aluminum (medium blue and black) instead of the card stock.  Just to make the color differences more dramatic, I "poufed out" the metal by working on the back with the ball tool from the beginners metal tool set, and then the front using the deer foot tool (also from the beginners kit).  This "poufing" was just a little extra on my part, and not entirely necessary.  You could just skip to the next step, which is lightly sanding the tops of the lizards.  Then, I used my fine tipped scissors to cut around the images.  For the saying, I pasted with the Glossy White Embossing Paste on some teal card stock.  While the paste was still wet, I threw a little Crystal Glitter on it.  When everything was completely dry, I assembled the card.

Check out the other responses to the Let's Go Wild Theme:

Stampendous Blog (main blog link)

Pam Hornschu

Kristine Reynolds

Wendy Price

Laura Drahozal

Lyn Bernatovich

Louise Healy

Lea Kimmel

Alison Heikkila

Tenia Nelson

April Showers!

Welcome to the Stampendous-Dreamweaver Stencils April challenge of "Showers to Showers!" Our designers have so many choices with this theme, baby, wedding, rain...You'll definitely want to see what we come up with each week of April!

 

Today I chose to interpret the theme this way:

 

 

     This cute baby shower card was created with four stencils:  LJ886 Fireworks, LG756 Open Elephant, LG628 Dogwood Pattern and LS22 Congratulations.  First, all the stencils were run through the Cuttlebug with the Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat.  The fireworks were run through with white card stock.  The congratulations stencil and the elephant and dogwood combo were created using teal coated aluminum. 

      For the congratulations, I used the following "sandwich": A Plate, stencil face up, metal face up, rubber mat and two B Plates.  This "debossed" the image, pushing the metal down into the word.  I sanded the piece with the stencil still under it. 

     The other piece of teal metal was sent through the Cuttlebug the same way, but with both the dogwood stencil and the metal face down.  I sanded the metal after removing the stencil.  Then,, I sent the textured metal through the machine the same way, but with the elephant stencil.  After I removed the stencil, I added Black Beauty Color Solutions to the eye and Aquarius Color Solutions to the crevices that outlined the elephant.  I used the tip of a cotton swab to add the Color Solutions with precision.  I sanded the image again, paying special attention to the tusk.

 

 

     Finally, I replaced the fireworks stencil and sprayed it with Memory Mists in Silver.  As you can see, when I replaced the stencil, I got it a little off the original embossing.  This was not my intent, but when it was done, I liked the sense of movement it conveyed.

     I added a beautiful May Arts Ribbon and a little teal card stock and I was done.

Our "A Team" wants to "shower" you with lots more ideas, so be sure to visit and leave them "showers" of comments!

Dream It Up!

Leadonna Kimmel

Louise Healy

Laura Drahozal

Jamie Martin

Marching Into Spring

Ready for fresh air, sunshine, new leaves, and flowers blooming? Well, the Dream Team is right there with you! Our challenge for the month of March is...coincidentally...Marching into Spring. Per usual, we'd love to have you play along with us, and link your own creations to the Inlinkz tool on the Dream It Up! blog, or at the bottom of this post. Play as many times as you'd like. Those of you who work Dreamweaver and/or Stampendous products into your projects receive bonus points, but everyone has an opportunity to be the winner who receives the stencil of their choice.

Here's my hint of Spring:

 I have decided to present one of my favorite stencils, LL 3001 Long Thistle, in two different ways.  You might notice that the colors are almost the same--I just love purple and green together!
The top card features the stencil pasted with Glossy Green Embossing Paste on linen material.  Sometimes, when I paste on linen, I get small imperfections like the ones on the upper left side of the image.  I don't mind them, though, because they add to the organic feel of the image.  When the paste was dry, I replaced the stencil and brushed on a little glue with my stencil brush.  After the glue was slightly dry, but tacky to the touch, I sprinkled on Metallic FX in Kiwi, Ivy Garden, and Purple Satin.  I could have just as easily sprinkled the Metallic FX on the paste while it was wet, but I felt that applying glue later allowed me a little more control.

For my second card, I used the stencil through my Cuttlebug with green coated aluminum.  The "sandwich" that I used was A plate, stencil face down, metal face down, Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat, and two B plates.  I removed the metal and placed it face down on a piece of suede.  I further embossed the image manually with the tools in my Beginner Metal Kit.  Specifically, the Teflon Tool and the Ball Tool.  Then, I flipped the metal right side up on a smooth, hard surface and used the "deerfoot" side of the Teflon Tool to sharpen the details around the image.  At this point, I could have filled the back of the image with filler paste, but I chose not to on this one.  I did put it face up on the Herringbone Stencil LJ 914 and used a blending stump to create the light texture in the background.  I then gently sanded that area.  Finally, I used Color Solutions Alcohol Ink Thinner on a QTip to remove the green on the flower.  I replaced it with Color Solutions Alcohol Ink in Thistle and Sugar Plum to add in the purple color.

Thanks for stopping by to see my post.

The "A" team would love to share their interpretations of this theme:

Dream It Up!

Leadonna Kimmel

Louise Healy

Laura Drahozal

Lynn Mercurio

Pam Hornschu

Jamie Martin

An InLinkz Link-up

  

Frilly and Fabulous!

Break out the frou frou! For the month of February, the Dream Team are going Frilly and Fabulous! Vintage, retro, or modern, adding extra charm with fun Fran•tagé products from Stampendous, ribbons and lace from May Arts, buttons, crystals, charms, or even creating your own dimensional decor! A snippet or a pile, whatever your creative heart desires! Remember to link your creations using the Inlinkz tool on the Dream It Up! blog for a chance to win the stencil of your choice! Bonus points for using Dreamweaver and/or Stampendous product in your work of heart.

 

Here's what I've been playing with:

 

 

It isn't frilly per se, however it is VERY flourish-y, which is almost the same idea.  I made this one very simply using my Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat and Cuttlebug with the stencils and two B Plates.  I used white card stock with the Damask Stencil LJ 907 and red coated aluminum with the Tole Heart Stencil LL 3010 and, surprisingly, with the bottom of the Ornate Xmas Tree Stencil LX 7003.   Then, I sanded the tops of the metal pieces to reveal the aluminum underneath and cut around the design.  I assembled the card and added the May Arts ribbon through the holes I punched with my Crop A Dile.  That was it!  Pretty easy!  Now, it is your turn.  Visit the other team members, get inspired and make something of your own.  Link it for your chance to win!

 

For more frilly fun, visit the "A" team:

Dream It Up!

Leadonna Kimmel

Louise Healy

Laura Drahozal

Lynn Mercurio

Pam Hornschu

Jamie Martin

An InLinkz Link-up

A Creative Blog Hop

My friend, Linda Neff, invited me to participate in a Creative Blog Hop.  Apparently, I have only to answer a few questions and pass along a great name for you to check out next week.  That is all I HAVE to do, but I have been dying to share this project for some time, so bear with me, please.  If you are only here for the answers to my questions, just zip past all the pictures, okay?
So, here is the project that I wanted to share:

It was so much easier than it looks.  I used Dreamweaver Stencils (I am on their Design Team), metals, my Cuttlebug, some alcohol inks, May Arts ribbon and some cardstock and adhesive.  Let me tell you how I did it.

1)  I ran the Dreamweaver Stencil LG758 Jellyfish through my Cuttlebug with the following sandwich:  A Plate, stencil face down, blue coated aluminum face down, Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat, and two B Plates.

2)  I ran the Dreamweaver LM248 Happy Birthday Stencil through the Cuttlebug the same way, except that both the stencil and the metal were face up.  For this one, I temporarily left the stencil attached.

3)  I dripped Color Solutions alcohol ink on both pieces, staying towards the outside on the jellyfish and inside of the letters on the word.  Since the metal was already blue, I didn't worry about covering every singe area.  I used the colors Aquarius and Blue Velvet and just a Q Tip wherever I felt I needed to smear the colors.  I let them dry.



4)  I sanded both pieces.  The words were sanded completely with the stencil still under the piece.  The jellyfish was just lightly sanded.

5)  I used a Q Tip to apply Color Solutions in Pearl White to the top of the jellyfish, blending it with the blues a little.
6) I assembled the card.

Thanks for being patient with me.  I hope you enjoyed it.
Now, on to the questions:

1)  What are you working on at the moment?

Honestly, when I am not working on blog posts or design team work, I never, ever make cards.  I primarily scrapbook.  I also do plenty of things that would be considered home decorating.  I am working on a Halloween place setting for two right now, relying heavily on my Silhouette Cameo.

2)  How does your work differ from others in your genre?

I think my work differs from others because I enjoy using a variety of materials, especially metals.  They are so easy and fun to use that I am surprised the more people don't work with them.  I have always had a soft spot for specialty materials like metal, wood, vellum, fabric, glittered, holographic, mulberry, velvet and handmade papers.
 
3)  Why do you create?

I am inspired by most things that I see.  I can't imagine what life would be like without the creative process.  When I imagine things in my head, I am excited to try and breathe life into the ideas.

4)  How does your creative process work?

Sometimes life inspires the creativity, and sometimes it is a challenge or competition and yet other times it is the materials.  Whatever inspires the ideas, once I get on a roll I fill pages of notebook paper with sketches and scribbles.  Every now and again, I get lucky enough to come up with a fully formed idea, but generally there is a lot of revision before something actually comes to fruition.  I usually have to have a pretty complete idea before I start a project.  Then, of course, it changes, often entirely, as I work.

For your exploration next week, I present Kristi Parker Van Doren of Kristi's Creative Café.  She is absolutely fearless.  She combines various styles and materials in very creative ways.  I hope you enjoy her work.

I am also going to have you take a look at Pam Hornschu, the fearless leader of the Dreamweaver Design Team.  She posts as 1Pampered Stamper.  Her work never fails to astound me with how ingeniously she creates.  I would never think of such creative ways to use stencils and stamps.  She inspires me.

Check those out next week.  You won't be disappointed.  I hope you come back again soon!

Have a great time looking!  I hope to see you back.

July--a month to die for!

Welcome to July...the month to DIE for! Yep. All of this month, the Dream Team are featuring our newest toys...our DIES! You'd be surprised at how many we have, and what fun things you can do with them...especially when used in conjunction with many of their stencil counterparts. They are such a simple way to create an effective card. Here's mine for this week:

 

 



I really tried to create something "gender neutral" here.  I used the die DL3029 Dog. The stencils I used were Dog Stencil 3029, Swirl Stencil LJ 863,  Snow Splatter Stencil LJ 878,  Houndstooth LJ 913, Herringbone LJ 914, and Dog Words LG 749.  I used the Rubber Embossing Mat with a manual die cut machine (specifically a Cuttlebug for me, but you can use whatever you want.)  I also used the Matte Black Embossing Paste, Palette Knife, Removable Tape, and Color Coated Aluminum in Brown, Black, Red and Medium Blue.  Finally, I needed sandpaper, white and black card stock, adhesive and scissors.

 The mechanics behind the project were very simple.  I ran the metal through the machine with the rubber embossing mat and stencils: swirls with brown, snow splatter with black, the words and herringbone with red, and the houndstooth with medium blue.  Each time, I sanded the metal before removing it from the stencil.  Then, I placed the metal I wanted to use for the dog on the die.  I had to do one color at a time.  Also, I removed the rubber embossing mat and set up the cover mats to cut thin dies.  I also used a little card stock "shim" to make the die cut properly through the metal. 
Next, I taped the dog stencil to the white card stock and pasted it with the Matte Black Embossing Paste.  You could use Glossy Black just as easily.  It might even work better.  While the paste was still dry, I placed the metal into it.  You can see by the close up below that the stencils are slightly larger than the metal.  They create a slight "outline" that way, which is a very pretty effect.

 



Also, my black paste bled a little under the stencil, but that worked out well, too.  It created a very cute "smile" on my dog!
After the paste dried, I used the scissors to cut around the dog.  I then assembled the card!  Simple as that!

I'm sure that our "A" team is just DIE-ing to show you their creations, as well as our Guest Designers for the month of July, so stop by and take a look....

Dream It Up!

Leadonna Kimmel

Louise Healy

Laura Drahozal

Lynn Mercurio

Pam Hornschu

Jamie Martin

and

Terri Sproul (GD)

 

Tiny Treats Box

Welcome to a new month and a new challenge with Dreamweaver Stencils.  For the month of May, the challenge is "Tiny Treats".  The thought is that you can create a small token for teacher appreciation, graduation, party favors and the like.  Here is my take:

 MATERIALS:
Dreamweaver Stencil LX 7017 Stars
Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat
Mercart Metal (One sheet, any color aluminum)
Mercart Teflon Tool (in the Beginning Kit--optional)
Color Solutions Alcohol Ink in Lemoncello, Aquarius, Mojito Green, Iceberg and Cosmo Pink
Double-Sided Mounting Paper
Manual Die Cut Machine
Box (mine was $1 at Michael's)
Black Paint
Paint Brush
Sharp Scissors
Craft Knife

Sandpaper

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Paint the bottom and inside of the box.
2)  Run the metal with the stencil through the manual die cut machine.  You will be debossing the silver side of the metal.  You also need the Stamping Details Mat.  The sandwich for the Cuttlebug is A plate, stencil face up, metal color side down, rubber embossing mat and two B plates.
3)  Repeat step 2

4)  If desired, use the Mercart Teflon Tool to sharpen and deepen the "wells" you have created by using the stencil.  You can do that by running the tool around the edges of the shapes against the stencil.
5)  Drip Color Solution colors into the wells as desired.  Let dry.
6)  Sand the metal to remove any color that got outside the wells.

7)  Use the scissors to cut the Double Sided Mounting Paper to fit each of the sides of the box.  Be sure to cut out spaces for the hinge and the clasp.
8)  Decide on which portion of the metal pieces you want on the side.
9)  Remove one side of the coating on the paper and adhere to the back of the metal.
10)  Trim the metal to fit the adhesive paper, leaving just a little extra all the way around.
11)  Remove the backing of the adhesive paper and attach the metal to the box.
12)  Rub the slight excess metal around the corners, tuck up next to clasp and trim with scissors or craft knife where necessary.

13)  For the top, select two areas that you would like to feature.
14)  Place mounting paper on the back of the metal parts.
15)  Trim around the stars if desired, always making sure that the metal will cover the top.
16)  Remove backing and place on the top.

I hope you enjoyed this post today.  If you create a "Tiny Treat", be sure to send the picture to Lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and you could win a wonderful prize!  In the meantime, you can find some more inspiration by visiting my fellow teammates.

Dream It up!

Laura Drahozal

Lyn Bernatovich

Pam Hornschu

Heidi Erickson 

Louise Healy

Jessica Griffin

Cyndi Bundy

Working with Ranger Embossing Powders!

 

For the next four weeks, the Dreamweaver Team is working with Ranger Distress powders, so get ready for some fun!  The Dreamweaver challenge is still Festively Fall, so don't forget to enter that competition for your chance to win any stencil you want.  Meanwhile, take a look at my fall card.


MATERIALS

Dreamweaver Stencil LL 515
Dreamweaver Stencil LJ 905
Stamping Details Rubber Mat
Ranger Inkssentials Surfaces Metal Foil Tape Sheets
Vagabond or another manual die cut machine
Mercart Metal Teflon Deerfoot Tool  (in basic tool kit)
Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool
Alcohol Inks in Stream
Alcohol Inks in Pool
Alcohol Inks in Espresso
Alcohol Ink Blending Solution
QTips
Sanding Block
Inkssentials Non Stick Craft Sheet
Ranger Perfect Medium Pen
Distress Embossing Powder Vintage Photo
Distress Embossing Powder Spiced Marmalade
Distress Embossing Powder Peeled Paint
Ranger Heat It Craft Tool
Craft Knife
Tim Holtz Paper (mine was from the seasonal pad)
Removable Tape
Three Stencil Brushes
Distress Ink in Mustard Seed
Distress Ink in Forest Moss
Distress Ink in Peeled Paint
Distress Ink in Vintage Photo
Core'dinations Cardstock
Adhesive
Floss

DIRECTIONS
1)  Run the pumpkin stencil and the foil tape sheet through the Vagabond with the rubber mat.  You will be setting up as if you are cutting a Cuttlebug Die, but also include the rubber mat.  Make sure that you have the stencil face up, the metal face up and the rubber mat in the middle of your "sandwich".
2)  Use the Mercart tool to push the metal into the edges of the stencil.  You are creating "wells" to put your embossing powders in.  Be gentle with the tool to avoid ripping the metal.

 

3)  Use the blending tool and the alcohol inks to color the metal.

 

 

 4)  Use your Perfect Pearls Pen to place the shadows and cover with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powders.

5)  Heat.  BE CAREFUL not to overheat and burn. 

 



6)  Add the Spiced Marmalade Powders and heat.  Then, add the Peeled Paint and heat.

 

7)  To brighten up the color a little, add additional layers of Spiced Marmalade.

8)  When all the embossing is finished, use a craft knife to scrape out the lines in the pumpkin.

 

9)  Use removable tape to attach the sunflower stencil to the Tim Holtz paper. 

10)  Use the stencil brushes and Distress Ink to stencil the image onto the paper.

11)  Use QTips with Blending Solution to remove any excess alcohol ink.

 

11)  Assemble card.

So, did you know you could win just for commenting on our collaboration?  Here is a look at the fabulous prize package:

So, comment today!
Also, be sure and check out the other bloggers and leave comments for them, too.  The more places you comment, the better your chances to win!

 

Dream It Up!

Wendy Jordan

Liz Martin

Kristi Van Doren

Lee Kellogg

Pam Hornschu

Cherylynn Moser

Louise Healy

Laura Drahozal

Cyndi Bundy

A New Challenge!

It's May now, and the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team are playing with a new challenge, and we're hoping that YOU will play along! All of this month, we'll be creating for graduations and/or using black and white with a pop of color. May and June are typically the time for grads in the US, but to keep things even more interesting, you can choose to play with our colorway challenge instead.

 

This is my creation, and, as you can see, it almost fits both categories (no real pop of color here).  I actually taught this in one of my recent classes.  It was fairly easy, and the assembly includes an older Little Yellow Bicycle paper, some gray cardstock, white cardstock, and a silver and black ribbon. The other supplies are a Basic Tool Kit from Mercart Metals, Embossed Metal Backing Paste and glue.

One of the reasons that I had no "pop of color" here is that I wanted to keep it generic for everyone in class.  If it were up to me, there would have been a red ribbon and tassel in honor of the high school my nieces go to.

Anyway, the real reason that I taught it in class was to learn the technique.  The hat was "debossed" and the tassel and diploma were "embossed".  Here are the steps:

1)  Place a piece of Mercart black coated aluminum on top of Dreamweaver Stencil LL449 Graduation and an acrylic block.  The placement goes like this:  acrylic block (or any other hard and smooth surface), stencil face up and aluminum, black side up.

2)  Use a blending stump (a drawing tool) to lightly run over the top of the hat area until you can see where the edges are.

3)  Using a Mercart Teflon Tool, push the metal up against the edge of the stencil.  This defines the edges.  Use the larger end of the tool to flatten the area on the inside.

4)  Remove the metal from the stencil and trim off the excess.  You should have a defined cap with a slight edge around it.

5)  Replace hat into the stencil.  You can lay it on top and gently move it around until it "locks" into place.

6)  While metal is in stencil, sand lightly until you can see a silver lining around the cap.  Remove and trim closer.

7)  For the tassel and diploma, you will set up the acrylic block with both the stencil and the metal face down on the block.

8) Repeat steps 2 and 3.

9)  Remove metal from stencil and place black side down on a piece of suede.

10) Push the metal out with Mercart Ball tools.  Use a small one for the thinner areas (it is on the outline tool) and a larger one (on the small cup and ball tool) for the larger areas.  You can also use the tools more creatively, like making scratches with the small tool for the individual threads of the tassel.

11) Flip metal over and place back on acrylic block.  (It should now be face up.)  Use the Mercart Teflon Tool to define the edges and flatten the background.  You can do this by "outlining" with the tool.

12)  When you have the metal the way you like it, remove it from the acrylic block and fill in the wells you have created with Mercart Embossed Metal Backing Paste.  Let dry. 

13)  Sand off as much black as you like and attach to card.  I use just a little Designer Dries Clear Glue by Art Institute Glitter for this.

You do not have to have a complicated creation to play along with us, so pull out your supplies and have some fun! Link your creation to the Dream It Up! blog, or email pics of your creation to Lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com. We love to post your submissions on the blog as well as the Facebook page. Even more, we love to provide you the opportunity to win one of two sets of two stencils by playing along. You have all of May to link as many creations as you'd like! Sorry...winners must be from the US or Canada.

In the meanwhile, head out to the other blogs for some more inspiration, and I will see you here next week! 

Dreamweaver and Twisted Sketches

Okay, so I don't know if this one qualifies as CAS, but I thought it was pretty simple (at least the Dreamweaver Stencils part).  I am super excited, because this is also my first post for my new design team position with Twisted Sketches.  (It is where the new blinkie leads, even if the blinkie itself doesn't seem to be scrolling correctly.)  Anyway, every week they post a sketch with a "twist" (this week's twist is Wish), and every two weeks I am responsible for a layout. 
This layout is about the "Wishes" fireworks show at Walt Disney World.  It is my absolute favorite fireworks show.  It has a storyline and a song which includes the lyrics "All your wishes will come true" and that line of the song kept running through my mind when I saw the twist. 
I followed the sketch pretty well.  It can be found here.  The stitching is from the Bazzill in Stitch'z template and the letters are Espresso (large) and Phoebe (small) from Lifestyle Crafts. 
Now for the exciting part--the handmade fireworks embellishments.  I used the Dreamweaver Stencil Fireworks LJ 886, Mercart metal in red and blue coated aluminum, the Mercart Teflon Tool, a sanding block, double sided adhesive paper, a pair of scissors and a blending stump (a cheap drawing tool).  Here are the simple steps:
1) Place color coated aluminum on top of the firework that you wish to create.
2) Gently rub the metal with the blending stump until you can see the edges of the firework.
3) Using the fine point of the teflon tool, you need to define the edges and "color" in the fireworks.
4) While the metal is still on the stencil, sand over the top to remove the color.
5) Remove the metal from the stencil.
6) Put the metal on one side of the double sided adhesive paper.
7) Trim around the outside of the firework embellishment.
8) Peel the backing off of the firework and attach--you are done!
So, that was simple enough, wasn't it?  If you have done something Clean and Simple with Dreamweaver Stencils or products, link it up to the Dreamweaver Stencils Blog for the chance to win some beautiful stencils.  In the meanwhile, go check out the posts of the rest of the team.  Get inspired, and create something beautiful!  I will see you next week!  Until then--may all your wishes come true...

That project I promised you....

Here it is--that big project that I promised you. It falls in the challenge cateogory for the month. It is green. It is also a little Scottish, a little jewelry, and a lot easier than it looks.

For this one, I am going to give a complete supplies and materials lists and a step by step. I'll prove that it isn't difficult, just a little time consuming.

SUPPLIES: Stencils: Cameo LL 3017, Long Thistle LL 3001, fine tipped scissors (like Cutterbee), Mercart Basic Metals Tool Set, Die Cut Machine (I used Cuttlebug) with soft embossing mat, sanding block, Big Bite, heat gun, Versamark, a stencil brush and any color of ink.

MATERIALS: One piece of chipboard and two pieces of Double Sided Adhesive Paper all about 3"x3", two pieces of black coated aluminum (Mercart) about 3"x3" each, one piece adhesive backed aluminum (Lifestyle Crafts or Ranger) about 3"x3", one pin back finding, three small siver brads, Mercart Backing Paste, UTEE, Versamark, a good white glue (I used Art Glitter Institute) and glitter. I used Art Glitter in the following colors: Microfine Opaque 514 Bavarian Forest, Ultrafine Transparent 94 Key Lime, Vintage Glass Glitter 902 Kryptonite and Dazzlers D40 Green Vibe.

DIRECTIONS:

1) To save time, I ran both stencils through the Cuttlebug with my soft embossing mat and the black coated aluminum.

2) Once I had the embossed metal, I enhanced the embossing with my Mercart metal tool kit until it looked exactly the way I wanted it. Then, I filled the back with Mercart Backing Paste and let it dry while I did the next steps.

3) Use the cameo stencil with the stencil brush and ink, inking the design on chipboard, Double Sided Adhesive Paper, and the paper side of the adhesive backed aluminum.

4) Cut around the outside of the inked design on the chipboard, one piece of the Double Sided Adhesive Paper and the adhesive backed aluminum. Cut around the oval inside on the other piece of Double Sided Adhesive Paper.

5) Attach the adhesive backed metal on the back of the chipboard.

6) Decide on where the pin back should go on the back of the chipboard, mark the spots, and use the Big Bite to make small holes for the brads. Attach the pin back with the brads. The top of the pin should look like it does in the picture above.

7) Remove one side of the paper from the smaller piece of the Double Sided Adhesive Paper to reveal the sticky backing. Coat this with one layer of Art Glitter Microfine 514 Bavarian Forest. Rub it in well with your finger to burnish. I like the look of the Microfine on the bottom layer. This layer shows through the others in the end, and the Microfine looks more like the base of a gemstone than most glitter. You can use a different color of green if you want a different look. (You can use any color you want as long as you coordinate all of the glitter.)

8) Cover the glitter with Versamark. Then, cover this with UTEE (I have also used a regular clear embossing powder, but the UTEE builds up the "stone" faster.) Heat until melted AND while still warm sprinkle with a little bit of the Art Glitter Ultrafine Transparent 94 Key Lime Glitter. (Once again, you can choose another color, but make it transparent).

9) Another layer of Versamark and then UTEE. This time, while it is still warm add the Vintage Glass Glitter in 902 Kryptonite. I use the Vintage Glass Glitter because it won't melt and change color. It is good to have a little "flash" of the main color.

10) More Versamark and UTEE. This time, add the Dazzlers and pour on more UTEE right away. While this is heating, the Dazzlers will melt, changing the shape and color and adding an extra "flash" to the stone.

11) Last layer of Versamark and UTEE. You and sprinkle just a little of the transparent glitter and whatever little leftovers you have brushed off while heating. Just make sure that this level is pretty smooth.

12) Sand the metal pieces well, revealing lots of the silver aluminum. Then, cut the center oval out of the cameo and cut closely around the thistle.

13)Place the second piece of Double Sided Adhesive Paper on the top of the pin base.

14) Remove the backing from your "stone" and place on the pin.

15) Put the metal frame on top of the "stone" and push it down on the adhesive paper on the edges. Use the scissors or a metal tool to press up against the scalloping on the edges. It should look like the picture on the left.

16) Put a small amount of glue on the back of the thistle and let it dry for a few moments until it is really tacky.

17) Position the thistle on top of the pin.

18) Trim around the excess metal. Sand any edges that are sharp.

You are done! I promise it isn't that hard to do. Do you know what else isn't hard? I mean, really not hard? Entering the Dreamweaver Challenge. I strongly suggest that everyone give it a try. All you have to do is make something St. Patrick's Day or green (the color or the movement), then put it somewhere online (everybody uploads stuff anyway). Then, just link it to the Mr. Linky on the Dreamweaver Stencil blog. If you do before the end of February, you could win two gorgeous stencils and join in on the fun! Give it a try and I promise you won't be sorry. If you are looking for more inspiration, check out the other team member blogs (listed on the side of mine). Get inspired and I will see you next week, when we will reveal the next challenge. Until then, here is one more view of the pin. I hope you can see the flashes of color in this picture. Have a good week!

A New Challenge--St. Patrick's Day or Green

Is it February already? Yes, it sure is--and time for a new challenge. The winners of the Valentine's challenge are posted at the Dreamweaver Stencils blog at www.dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com . The new challenge should be posted there, as well. You have until the end of the month to link your creation there. The theme is St. Patrick's Day OR green. Here, I have presented both. I began by running a piece of white cardstock through my Cuttlebug with a Details Embossing Mat and LX7002 Plaid Stencil. I then used the new stencil LG742 Pointed Celtic Knot on Double Sided Adhesive Paper. I soaped up the back first to make it easy to remove, and then placed it on the paper, soap side down. I placed green Stampee foil over the top and rubbed it down using a fine tipped embossing stylus. Once I pushed down as much as I could, I removed the foil and rubbed black flock over the whole thing. I vigorously brushed off the excess flock. Then, I put the whole thing stencil side down on the table and very carefully removed the paper from the stencil. I made sure to "walk" my fingers along the stencil to keep it flat while I removed the paper. I poured Crystal Art Glitter over the whole thing and brushed off the excess. The shamrock was created with green coated aluminum. I used stencil LS58 Clover. I placed the stencil face down on a hard surface, put the aluminum green side down over the top and pushed it into the opening using Mercart Metal Tools. I removed the stencil and placed the aluminum face down on a piece of suede, using the Mercart Ball Tool to create the dimension. I flipped it over, put it on a hard surface and used the Teflon tool to enhance the details and flatten the metal. I put Mercart Backing Paste in the clover and waited for it to dry. Then, I cut around the outside of the shape and assembled the whole card. A lot of steps, I know, but ultimately not difficult. c

Check out the rest of the blogs and get inspired. Don't forget to make a little something Irish, or green and link it over to the Dreamweaver Blog for a chance to WIN! I will see you next week!

Valentine Challenge and One Stencil Four Ways

This year, we have new, monthly challenges. This month, the challenge is Valentine's Day. YOU have the whole month to come up with an answer to that challenge (a card, a decor object, a scrapbook page, or anything else that your heart can imagine) and link it to the Dream It Up! blog. There is a Mr. Linky on the bottom, so you should post your creation somewhere (blog, gallery, Snapfish, whatever), copy that site into the Mr. Linky and you are done! The best part? We are giving away TWO prizes--one for the most creative project (which may or may not be Dreamweaver related) and the other for the best use of Dreamweaver products. You have until January 31st at 11:59 PM EST, so get busy! The winners will be announced Feb 2nd.
So, about now you are thinking, geez, I would love to enter, but I only have one or two stencils, and I have used those before. I say, "No excuse!" I offer to you four different ways to use one (or two) stencils. These are in classes of I am teaching, and they feature LL 567 Heart Swirls.

EXAMPLE 1: Easy Metals
This one you have seen before. It was part of last week's post. The heart was created by running the stencil through my Cuttlebug with a Details Mat and Black Coated Aluminum. Then, it was sanded so that the silver color showed through. The background was created almost the same way, but instead of aluminum, I used Core'dinations cardstock. I spritzed the back with a little rubbing alcohol before I ran it through to sort of loosen the fibers of the paper. I used the large LX 7001 Damask Stencil. I distressed the edges of the paper and mounted it all. That was it. This card is part of my class at My Craft Room in Troy, MI this Saturday morning.

EXAMPLE 2: Double Glitter
This is a very easy, quick and fun technique. First, I soaped the back of the stencil to create a slight resist. (This makes it easy to remove from the Adhesive Paper later). I brushed off the "crumblies" created by the soap. I then removed one side of the backing on the Double Sided Adhesive Paper. I placed the stencil soap side down on the sticky side of the adhesive paper. I covered the entire thing with gold Art Glitter. (It doesn't have to be Art Glitter, but that is my favorite.) I tapped and then brushed the excess glitter off very well. I placed the whole thing stencil side down and carefully removed the paper, keeping the stencil flat on the table by "walking" my fingers along it. I poured crystal glitter over the whole thing. Then, I added the gems. The background on this one was made the same way as the last--I ran it through the Cuttlebug after spritzing the paper with a little alcohol. I didn't sand this one. I used the Plaid Stencil LX 7002. I am teaching this card in Jackson at Altered Art Addicts on Saturday, February 4th. (Of course, there are a few more cards with this, and I will post them later this month.)

EXAMPLE 3: Shiva Oil Sticks

For this example, I used black cardstock and Silver Shiva Oil Stick. These sticks are pure oil paint, so you have to remove the film with your fingernail before you begin. I did that, and then rubbed the newly exposed section on waxed paper to create a palette. I taped the stencil down with removable tape. Then, I used a stencil brush to pick up paint from the palette. I rubbed it around over the stencil to create the color on the black background. When it was all colored, I gently wiped the top of the stencil. Then, I used transluscent paste and a spatula to paste over the oil colors. Without the paste, the oil colors would take a long time to dry. The paste creates a barrier when it dries, which allows you to touch those colors. The bonus? While the paste is still wet, you can put the gems in it and they will stick. I am teaching this card in a class in Flint at Capture a Memory on Sunday, February 5th.

EXAMPLE 4: Double Glitter with Foil and Flock
The technique on this card is almost identical to that on the Double Glitter Card. I soaped up the back of the stencil. Then, I attached it to the Double Sided Adhesive Paper. This time, I used silver foil instead of just glitter. The foil that I used is NOT the Gold Leaf Foil, which is gorgeous, but must be used a little differently. This is the Stampee type foil, with the acetate backing. You use this foil by rubbing it, dull side down on something really sticky. You can use a glue pad, glue pen, glue powder or, as in this case, Double Sided Adhesive Paper. I put this foil (dull side down) on the open spaces of the stencil. First, I rubbed a little with my finger, and then I pushed it down the best I could with an Embossing Stylus. I pulled the foil backing up. Then, I used silver glitter to fill in the blanks. I brushed off the excess, turned the whole thing over and carefully peeled the paper off of the stencil. Then, instead of flooding the it with glitter, I used Stampendous Fun Flock in dark purple. The only tricky bit with the fun flock is to make sure that you use PLENTY ( Its okay, the stuff multiplies). Push down hard when you apply it to make it very plush. That's it. Easy, really. I am teaching this card as part of a class at the Stamp Peddler in Northville, MI on Saturday, January 21st.
So, now that you have seen a few different ways to use a single stencil, perhaps you should get that one you own out and create something for our challenge. Not enough inspiration? Well, take a look at the other Dreamweaver Team names on the left side of my blog. Visit them, too, and get inspired! I'll see you next week.....