A Fan Embellishment

This week, I will be using the "Blooming Spring" theme to bring you a scrapbook embellishment--the flowery fan.  It is so easy to do with stencils.  Let me show you how.

First, flip over stencil LG 644 Cherry Blossoms on a piece of paper towel.  Then, spray it with any of your scrapbook sprays.  I used Creative Imaginations Radiant Rain.  You could even spray a couple of different colors.
Then, place the stencil and paper towel on the base of your manual die cut machine.  Add a piece of white card stock on top of the sprayed stencil.  Follow it with the Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat and cover it with the cutting mats for your die cut machine.  I used my Cuttlebug, and the sandwich is: A Plate, paper towel, stencil (spray side up), white card stock, Stamping Details mat, and two B Plates.  Run it through the machine and set aside.

Run a piece of plain card stock through the machine with the LJ 903 Large Open Fan Stencil and the same sandwich you used before (minus the paper towel).  Leave the stencil attached, and use a stencil brush and pigment or distress ink to add a little color to the blades.

Remove the stencil, and place it on the cherry blossom imprinted card stock.  Center it until the fan falls where you like it, and then send it through the machine.

Remove the stencil and card stock from the machine and flip it over.  Use an Embossing Tool to run around the edges of the fan and enhance them a little.  (This step is not entirely necessary, but it does make the cutting easier.

Cut around the embossed fan area.

Adhere to the embossed white card stock and then cut out that fan as well and you are done.  I added letters for a title with a die cut font that I had.  (By the way, I used some of the extra embossed card stock to punch out the Mickey Ears on the bottom of the page.)

I hope you had fun learning how EASY this is to do!  You could make anything.  Speaking of possibilities, try playing alone with our challenge to win some stencils for yourself.  Just make something "Blooming" and send a photograph to Lynell@Dreamweaverstencils.com and you could win!
In a major announcement, Dreamweaver has selected a new design team.  I am thrilled to say that I am back on.  Check out the Dream It Up blog to see everyone.

A Fresh Start--A Resolution Worth Keeping

A good resolution for me this year (aside from getting more organized) is to take notes when I get a phone call, need to leave a message, or just think of a new idea.  To that end, I have decorated a cute little notebook.
MATERIALS:
Dreamweaver Telephone Stencil LM2015
Dreamweaver Small Cathedral Windows Stencil LJ909
Mercart Black Coated Aluminum
Mercart Metals Teflon Tool (in Basic Tool Kit)
Double Sided Adhesive Paper
Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat
Manual Die Cut Machine (I used the Cuttlebug)
USArt Quest Notepad Holder
Graphic 45 Paper Botanica Bella Collection Paper (actually an expired collection, but any would work)
Graphic 45 Communique Collection Letters
Black Card Stock
Card Stock in Color Coordinating with Paper
5" Xyron With Permanent Adhesive
Scissors

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Run the Cathedral Windows Stencil through the die cut machine with the card stock using the Stamping Details Mat.  Spritz the back of the card stock with a little rubbing alcohol to loosen the fibers before you send it through.  The "sandwich" for the Cuttlebug is A Plate, stencil FACE DOWN, card stock face down, Stamping Details Mat, and then two B Plates. This is embossing.
2)  Run the Telephone Stencil through the machine, debossing the metal.  This is the "sandwich" for the Cuttlebug:  A Plate, stencil FACE UP, metal black side up, Stamping Details Mat, and two B Plates.  Do not remove the metal from the stencil.
3) Use the Teflon Tool on top of the metal to push it right up against the stencil on all the sides.  You are merely "sharpening" the image.  Do not remove the metal from the stencil.
4)  Sand the metal to remove the black coating from the parts that are raised on top of the stencil.
5)  Remove the metal from the stencil and place on one side of the Double Sided Adhesive Paper. Press the metal down on top of the paper. Trim with regular scissors.
6)  Trim papers and arrange. Don't forget the inside cover.  Use the Xyron to put adhesive on the back of the paper.  Adhere all papers and card stock.

7)  Use the other side of the Double Sided Adhesive Paper to adhere the metal piece to front cover.

That is it!  The stencils really did all the work.
Now it is your turn to create something that is "A Fresh Start".  Take a picture of it and send it to Lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com for a chance to win!

A CAS Dreamweaver Christmas

This month's challenge theme is CAS Christmas, and this week I have made it about as clean and simple as possible.  Here is how:

MATERIALS:
Dreamweaver Stencil  LL589 Musical Christmas
Mercart Copper Coated Aluminum
Manual Die Cut Machine  (I used a Cuttlebug)
Stamping Details Embossing Mat
Mercart Cup & Ball Tool (optional)
Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Eggplant, Pesto and Espresso
Tim Holtz Blending Tool with felt
Sandpaper
Printed Musical Paper
Cardstock
Ribbon

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Run the stencil through the die cut machine with the metal and Stamping Details Mat.  With the Cuttlebug, the "sandwich" is A plate, stencil face down, metal copper side down, Stamping Details Mat,  and two B plates.
2)  Use the Mercart Cup & Ball tool to push out the scroll a little, if desired.
3)  Use blending tool and alcohol inks to lightly add a little extra color to copper.  I LOVE using the copper coated aluminum this way because it seems to be enhanced by almost every deep color. It becomes mottled and beautiful.
4)  Sand the embossed image to reveal the silvery aluminum underneath.
5)  Assemble the card.

See how easy that was?  Check out the other blogs this week and pick up a little more inspiration.  Then, you should create a beautiful CAS Christmas card of your own and send it to Lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com.  It could show up on the Dreamweaver Blog and you never know--you might just win!  See you next time, and stay inspired!

Inky Falling Leaves

 

So far, I have been "Getting Inky" this September with alcohol inks.  This week, just like the weather here in Michigan, I am in the mood for a change.  I am going with a simple embossing and inking strategy.  Here is how this simple card is made:

 

MATERIALS

Dreamweaver Stencil LL 3004 Falling Leaves

Dreamweaver Stencil LG 616 Leaf Texture

3 Dreamweaver Gold Handled Brushes

Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat

Manual Die Cut Machine with mats (I used the Cuttlebug)

Brown Core'dinations Color Core Paper

Ivory Cardstock

Ivory Parchment Cardstock

Fall Colored Yarn

Mini Mister filled with rubbing alcohol

Distress Ink in Mustard Seed

Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade

Distress Ink in Barn Red

Distress Ink in Peeled Paint

Distress Ink in Pine Needles

Distress Ink in Tea Dye

Distress Ink in Walnut Stain

Blending Tool

Craft Sheet

Paper Towel

Sanding Block

 

DIRECTIONS:

1)  Spritz the back of the Core'dinations paper with rubbing alcohol and run through the embossing machine with Leaf Texture Stencil and Stamping Details Mat.  For the Cuttlebug, the sandwich is A Plate, stencil face down, Core'dinations paper face down, Details Mat, and two B Plates.  You will have to run this piece in two passes, because the stencil is smaller than the area needed.  Just move the stencil down and run it again.

2)  Follow step one again with parchment colored cardstock and the Falling Leaves Stencil.

3)  With the stencil still in place on the Falling Leaves part, you will be coloring with Distress Inks.  To start, use a Gold Handled Brush and pick up some of the Mustard Seed Color.  Brush a little off onto the paper towel and rub in circles over the areas you would like yellow.  Cover a little more area than you would like on all sides.  You will blend new colors into the yellow.

4)  Switch to a different Gold Handled Brush.  Follow the same procedure as step 3, but with Spiced Marmalade.  Brush out excess color when done.

5)  Use the same brush with Barn Door.

6)  Switch to a different Gold Handled Brush.  Following the same procedure, use Peeled Paint and then Pine Needles.

7)  Sand the top of the leaves on the brown cardstock and wipe with paper towel.

8)  Rip edges of brown cardstock and then brush them with the Walnut Stain.

9)  Put colored leaves on craft sheet.  Use foam and the blending tool to edge the parchment cardstock with Tea Dye ink.

10)  Assemble card.

 

I love how the Distress Inks worked on this card.  They were very vivid and blended extremely well.

If you want to give the Inky Challenge a try, you have until the end of the month to take a picture of your creation and either email it to Lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com or upload it and link it to Mr. Linky at the www.dreamweaverstencils.blogspot.com .  Give it a try and you have the chance to win the stencil of your choice!  That's right, any stencil at all.  What do you have to loose?  Get inky with us!

Two Flower Cards With One Terrific Stencil

This is the last post for the Dreamweaver Flowers Challenge, and I had a little dilemma.  I had two cards with one of my FAVORITE stencils (LL 3023 Tall Poppy) and couldn't decide which to post.  So, I decided to post both of them.  Two techniques with the same stencil and even the same colors.  Here is how they are done.

CARD 1:  The Metal Look

1)  Run the stencil LL 3023 through your manual die cutting machine with Mercart Green Coated Aluminum.  You are DEBOSSING, so the metal goes on top of the stencil with the green side up.  Here is my Cuttlebug sandwich:  Plate A, Plate B, Stencil face up, Metal green side up, Dreamweaver Details Embossing Mat, Plate B.  Leave the metal on the stencil and set aside.

2) Follow step one again, but with white cardstock (spritzed lightly with rubbing alcohol on the back) and Stencil LX 7002 Plaid.  Be careful to run this one through with the stripes perpendicular to the opening and right in the middle of the plate.  This one will sometimes bend if you are not careful.

3) Go back to the metal piece.  Use a Mercart Double Teflon Tool to refine the interior edges of the metal, pressing them against the stencil.  Use a couple of drops of Alcohol or Alcohol Blending Solution inside the main parts of the flower to remove the green from those areas.  Dab lightly with a paper towel.

4)  Drop Alcohol Inks into the wells that should be relatively clean of the green.  Use whatever colors you like.  Let dry for a few moments.  With the stencil still attached, sand all the color from the background. 

5)  Assemble the card.

CARD 2: Foils and Metallic

1)  Place Stencil LL 3023 Tall Poppies on a piece of ivory cardstock.  Tape down with removable tape all the way around the stencil.

2)  Using the Paste Spreader LM 2010 and the Green Glossy Embossing Paste, emboss the image. 

3)  Remove the stencil and sprinkle with Metallic FX in 10 Kiwi and 11 Ivy Garden.  Set aside to dry.  Do NOT wipe clean until it is completely dry.

4)  Soap the back of the Thank You Stencil LS 1009 to create a resist.  I use the Dreamweaver Handmade Hawaiian Soap because I can just apply it dry and do not have to adjust the amount of water that I add. 

5)  Brush the "Crumblies" off of the stencil (this part you will know when you see).  Attach to the Double Sided Adhesive Paper soaped side down.

6)  Pour glitter on the words.  I used Art Institute Glitter in Microfine 500 Ruby Red.  I love using the Microfine Glitter on detailed portions, because it makes them look so beautifully crisp.  Rub it in with your finger, then use a large, clean stencil brush to remove any excess glitter.  Brush it a couple of times just to be sure.

7)  Place the whole thing stencil side down and carefully remove the adhesive paper from the stencil.  Leave the stencil on a flat surface and walk your fingers along it to make sure that the stencil lays flat.

8) Pour glitter over the top.  I used Art Institute Ultrafine Transparent in 197 Flax, which created a lovely light ecru color.

9)  When the paste is dry, rub it with a Swiffer Refill Sheet to remove all of the excess Metallic FX Powder.

10)  Place glue over the parts that you want to be red.  You should apply it lightly and carefully.  I used Art Institute Designer Dries Clear Glue with the Ultrafine Metal Tip.  Wait for it to dry until it looks clear.

11)  Once glue is clear and still tacky, place red Stampee Foil over the top of it.  Be sure to lay it dull side down.  Give it a slight rub and pull it off.

12)  Squeeze Buttercup Liquid Pearls on top of the seed area of the flower.  Let dry.

13)   Assemble the card.

Both cards done!  Which was your favorite?  I am not sure which I like better.  I can tell you though that you should definitely enter the Dreamweaver Flowers Challenge.  You have until the end of the month to make a floral card and post it somewhere online.  Then, just link it to the Mr. Linky in the Dream It Up Blog.  Too complicated?  Email a picture.  You can find the info on that blog as well.  If you do, you are eligible to win wonderful stencilling prizes! 

In the meantime, check out the other blogs this week.  Also, if you scroll down a little, you will find the Connie Crystal Post which also uses a Dreamweaver Stencil AND last week's post which was scheduled to go on time, but somehow got messed up by Blogger.  Get inspired.  Enter the flower competition.  You have nothing to lose!

Clean and Simple Easter

I must appear to REALLY love Easter with all the eggs I have been posting lately.  I don't know what it is, exactly, but here is another.  This time it is for the Dreamweaver Clean and Simple Challenge.  Which you can still enter. Just put together a clean and simple project.  Then, put it somewhere online and link it to the Dream It Up! Blog.  You could win some beautiful stencils.
Anyway, here is how I accomplished this simple egg card:
1) Run the Plaid Stencil LX 7002 through the manual die cutting machine (I used my Cuttlebug) with white cardstock sprayed lightly with rubbing alcohol.
2) Run the Damask Stencil LJ 907 through the machine with aluminum.  (I used the back of one of the color coated aluminums).
3) Place the aluminum face up on your craft sheet and "drip" drops of alcohol ink on the metal.  Keep some of the colors a little seperate, but occasionally put them close enough to overlap.  You can also encourage the blending of the colors with a small paintbrush.  Let dry.
4) Place Egg Stencil LG 670 over the aluminum.  When you have it positioned to your liking, use a small piece of removable tape to tape it to the stencil. 
5) Flip the stencil and metal over.  Use a stylus to run around the edge of the stencil and make an indent.  Remove metal from stencil.
6) Trim around the embossed egg with a pair of scissors.
7) Lightly sand to reveal the damask pattern and mount.
That's it.  Simple, right?
Check out the other team member projects and get inspired!  Then, make and enter your own clean and simple card for the chance to win great prizes!  What is the challenge for next week?  Come back and check it out.   I will see you then.