Sandy Claus is Coming to Town--Day Five

SANDY Claus is Coming to Town!

Yes...SANDY Claus! All of this week, the Stampendous and Dreamweaver teams are playing with a mix of their products, along with some wonderful, SAND-ABLE papers from Core'dinations. Join us as we sand our way to the "core" of all things Christmas and the Holiday season. Of course, there will be prizes, and we give away the best...this time with a mix of fun Core'dinations products as well. To be one of three prize package winners, follow the posted link lists each day, leave a comment, and winners will be selected from these comments at the beginning of next week. Here is what you might win:

Here's what I'm showing off today:

 

This card was much easier than it looks.  The LS 92 Merry Christmas Stencil and the LX7027 Quatrefoil Stencil were run through the Cuttlebug with my Rubber Embossing Mat and sanded.  It took a little effort, but Wow! did I ever love that chalk effects Core'dinations card stock!  It really made everything pop. 

For the flower, I stamped the Stampendous Jumbo Cling Rubber Poinsettia Stamp three times on the alcohol ink friendly variety of  Core'dinations Card Stock with Momento Ink.  I also stamped it once on smooth green card stock.  I cut the leaves out of that and colored them (and the yellow flower insides) with Derwent Inktense Pencils.  The flower itself was colored with Spectrum Markers.  I them fussy cut it and adhered it down, allowing the tips of the petals to overlap the card edges.  I cut additional petals from the second and third image and raised the outside edge of the petal with foam while adhering the insides flat.



 

 

I added a May Arts ribbon and I was done.

 

Leave a comment for me, and head to the next on the list:

Dreamweaver:

Dream It Up!

Kristine Reynolds*

Lyn Bernatovich

Gill Wilson

Louise Healy

Kristi Parker Van Doren

Laura Drahozal

Jamie Martin*

Lea Kimmel*

Alison Heikkila

Lynn Mercurio

Pam Hornschu*

*On Stampendous team as well

Core'dinations:

(will not be posting on their company blog, but individual posts only)

Tami Mayberry

Head on over to the Stampendous blog for links to their posts:

STAMPENDOUS IMPRESSIONS

Sandy Claus is Coming to Town--Day Four

SANDY Claus is Coming to Town!

 

 

Yes...SANDY Claus! All of this week, the Stampendous and Dreamweaver teams are playing with a mix of their products, along with some wonderful, SAND-ABLE papers from Core'dinations. Join us as we sand our way to the "core" of all things Christmas and the Holiday season. Of course, there will be prizes, and we give away the best...this time with a mix of fun Core'dinations products as well. To be one of three prize package winners, follow the posted link lists each day, leave a comment, and winners will be selected from these comments at the beginning of next week. Here is what you might win:

Here's what I'm showing off today:

 

 

First, I sprayed the back of the Large Damask Stencil LX7001 with Strawberry Daiquri and Metallic Gold Memory Mists and ran them through my Cuttlebug with Color Core Core'dinations Card Stock and the Rubber Embossing Mat.  (Sadly, you can't see the shimmer it created in this photo).  I waited for the card stock to dry before I sanded it to reveal the beautiful core color. 

As I waited, I used Metallic Gold Embossing Paste on White Canvas Textured Core'dinations with the LL 3009 Christmas Script Stencil. This had to dry as well.

 I used the DL3005 Holly & Berries Die Cut with Color Silk Card Stock.  The flourish is from the gorgeous Stampendous Jumbo Cling Rubber Poinsettia stamp set.  I used Gold Delicata ink and Stampendous Clear Embossing Powder on vellum.  I stamped it twice, using the extra edges on the sides of another piece.  I attached it to the white card stock and fussy cut the edges.  After that, it was a simple matter of assembly, using May Arts Ribbon and a few rhinestones.  

Leave a comment for me, and head to the next on the list:

 

Dreamweaver:

Dream It Up!

Laura Drahozal

Lea Kimmel*

Louise Healy

Pam Hornschu*

Alison Heikkila

*On Stampendous team as well

Core'dinations:

(will not be posting on their company blog, but individual posts only)

Suzanna Lee

Head on over to the Stampendous blog for links to their posts:

STAMPENDOUS IMPRESSIONS

A CAS Christmas With Dreamweaver and Ranger!

Still feeling festive? We hope so! Dreamweaver and Ranger still have two weeks left of our Festively Distressed collaboration, and we are full of distressing ideas...Tim Holtz' Distress Powder ideas, that is. Mixed with our fabulous line of stencil designs and exciting products, your creativity will know no bounds! If you missed the first two weeks, start HERE and HERE!

For our postings this week and next, we are offering you the opportunity to win one of two prize packages, perfectly coordinated for your holiday crafting. Simply leave a comment on each of our Dream Team's posts, and YOU could be one of two randomly selected winners!

The Dream Team have been challenged for the month of November to create something CAS (clean and simple) for the holidays. The extra challenge is mixing the Distress Powders in for the collaboration with Ranger. Think that it's possible? Well...let's see...

Here's what I came up with:

It is VERY clean and simple. 

MATERIALS:

Dreamweaver Large Poinsettia Stencil LG700

Dreamweaver Double Sided Mounting Paper

Handmade Coconut Soap

Large Stencil Brush

Distress Embossing Powder in Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, Aged Mahogany, Barn Door and Mustard Seed

Heat It Craft Tool

Stickles Dry Glitter in Gold

Liquid Pearls in White Opal

Core'dinations Kraft Core

White Cardstock

Plaid Ribbon

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Soap the back of the stencil
2)  Brush off the excess soap that accumulated around the openings
3)  Remove one side of the Mounting Paper and attach to the soaped side of the stencil
4)  Pinch some of the Mustard Seed powder into the center of the poinsettia and rub in with finger.
5)  Continue filling in the image with the colored distress powders by putting the color on the stencil and pushing in with your finger.  Start with the outermost colors.
6)  Brush off the excess powders.
7)  Place entire project stencil side down on a flat surface.  Carefully remove the adhesive paper from the stencil.
8)  Heat with Heat It Craft Tool until the Distress Powders melt a little.  Let cool.
9)  Cover entire project with Dry Stickles.  Brush off excess.
10)  Assemble card.
11)  Dot Liquid Pearls into "seed" areas.  Let dry.
Easy enough, right?
 

So tell me what you think in your comment below before heading over to the rest of the Dream Team posts:

Dream It Up!

Ranger Ink Blog

Pam Hornschu

Louise Healy

Kristi Van Doren

Laura Drahozal

Terrece Siddoway

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cherylynn Moser

Wendy Jordan

The Ranger blog is offering another amazing prize opportunity, just for playing along with the Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Powders and Dreamweaver Stencils and linking your creation on the Ranger blog. The winner of last week's prize AND the winner of last month's Dreamweaver prize can be found HERE.  You can find more details about this week HERE.
 

We hope that you have been inspired by our creations, and will continue to follow the Dream Team through the Dream It Up! blog as well as to like us on our Facebook page. We really encourage you to play along with our monthly challenges for more prize opportunities and creative fun!

Festively Fall Ranger Fun and a Little Trick (or Treat!)

Welcome back to week two of our amazing collaboration between Ranger's Tim Holtz line of Distress Powders, and our beautiful Dreamweaver Stencils & Products! If you missed last week's event, start HERE.

Last week, we were totally blown away by the awesome response we received from those of you who hopped over from Tim Holtz's blog and the Ranger blog to check us out! We've been doing the "happy dance" ever since! Hopefully, you will continue to check us out, especially over the next few weeks as we continue our play-time in Tim's sandbox. (It is rather an appropriate metaphor considering the cool texture of his Distress Powders.)

Apparently, Tim and the wonderful people at Ranger were also excited by the response, and they've decided to "up the ante" in the form of an additional prize package(s) which will include TWELVE Distress Powders each, and a handful of Dreamweaver Stencils to go with! Wow! Just one teeny-tiny detail...to win one of these packages from their blog, you need to create something with Tim Holtz's Distress Powders and Dreamweaver Stencils and attach it to the inlinkz on the Ranger blog. Winners will be selected randomly. For more details, head over to the Ranger blog.

Once again, this week we are offering another fall prize package as shown here. Just leave us all some love as you visit, for an opportunity to be the one random winner we select. Curious as to who won from last week? It could be YOU! Visit the Dream It Up! blog for the announcement of the lucky commenter.

This week, I have two creations for you.  The first is festively fall.  The second, in honor of Halloween, is a little trick (or treat--up to you) of a Halloween decoration.  The main part of both is done in the same, easy way.  Here is the fall card:



MATERIALS:

Dreamweaver Stencil LL 3004 Falling Leaves

Dreamweaver Stencil LM 146 Thinking of You

Dreamweaver Red Glossy Embossing Paste

Removable Tape

Paste Spreader

Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Distress Embossing Powder in Fall Colors.  I used Fired Brick, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, 

                   Peeled Paint, Pine Needles, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain and Aged Mahogany

Tim Holtz Alterations Biz Die Tattered Leaves

Vagabond, or another manual die cut machine

Sanding Block

Tim Holtz Tonic Studios Paper Distresser

Core'dinations Kraft Core Cardstock in fall colors

Core'dinations Color Core Cardstock in two teals

Adhesive

 

DIRECTIONS:

1)  Tape leaf stencil over teal cardstock with removable tape onto craft sheet.  You will be taping all the way around the stencil, with the first piece being a "hinge" you can use while removing the stencil.  Dog ear the other edges to make them easier to remove and try to get each side in a single pass.  Check out the picture below.

 

2)  Use the paste spreader to remove embossing paste from the jar and lay a strip across the top of the stencil.

3)  Use the back of the paste spreader like a squeegee to spread paste all the way down the stencil.  You can put the excess paste back into the container.  Try doing this in one sweep if possible.

4)  Remove the tape from all the sides EXCEPT for your hinge side. 

5)  Carefully lift the stencil, using that last piece of tape as a hinge.  See the picture.

6)  Clean the paste spreader quickly and dry thoroughly.  You can then use it to spread the Distress Embossing Powders across the pasted surface.  You don't have to worry about completely covering the area, that is why I used the red (in case I missed some spots).

 

 

7)  When the powders are the way you like them, flick off the excess and let dry.  I love the way the colors come out on the red paste--and they don't need to be heat set with this method.

8)  Use die cut machine to cut leaves from the kraft core paper.

9)  Use sanding block to sand and distress leaves.

10)  Use Distressing Tool to distress the edges of the leaves and the paper.

11)  Assemble card.

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN PROJECT

I am sorry, but I just couldn't resist, as I love Halloween.  This project was inspired by the Haunted Mansion in Walt Disney World.  There is a scene where a skeleton hand is trying to push open a coffin.  It is nailed shut (well, almost) where mine is chained shut.  Both have a glow coming from the inside.......

 

MATERIALS:

Dreamweaver Stencil LJ 816 Spider Web

Dreamweaver Stencil LS 28 Spider

Dreamweaver Black Glossy Embossing Paste

One Dreamweaver Blue Handlled Stencil Brush

One Larger Dreamweaver Stencil Brush

Paste Spreader

Removable Tape

Distress Stain in Tea Dye and Vintage Photo

Adirondack Paint Dabber in Snow Cap

Adirondack Gold Metallic Paint Dabber

Distress Embossing Powders in Black Soot, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo

Heat It Craft Tool

Inkssentials Foil Tape Sheets

Grungeboard Basics

Vagabond or another manual die cut machine

Tim Holtz Alterations Movers and Shapers Mini Lock and Key

Alterations Movers and Shapers Magnetic Tray

Alcohol Inks in Caramel and Espresso

Alcohol Ink Applicator

Distress Embossing Ink

Distress Marker in Picket Fence

Small Coffin Shaped Box (I bought it for one dollar at Michael's)

Small Plastic Skeleton (I bought a set of 4 at the Dollar Tree)

Small Paint Brush

Paper Towel

One Glow Bracelet

Chain

Jump Ring

 

DIRECTIONS:

1)  Stain the box using one layer of Tea Dye Distress Stain and then one layer of Vintage Photo.  Let dry.  (I used two different colors to add more depth of color--you can use one).

2)  Paint the inside of the box with gold to reflect the color.  You can uncap the paint and dip with the small brush to get into the corners.  Let dry.

3)  Place spider web stencil where you would like the image.  Stencil, dipping the large stencil brush into the Snow Cap paint, brushing it off on paper towel, and then brushing it in circles over the stencil.  Let dry.  (I moved the stencil down to get the bottom of the coffin).

This is with the webbing finished

4)  When web is finished, position the spider stencil onto the web and, using the same techinique as the leaf card, paste it with the black glossy paste.  Sprinkle with the red and black embossing powders.  Let dry.

 

 

5)  Cut up foil and add it to the front and the back of a piece of grungeboard.

6)  Use the Vagabond, the tray and the mini lock die to cut a lock from the foil covered grunge board.

7)  Use alchohol inks and applicator to distress the metal lock and all the metal pieces on the coffin.

8)  Use small stencil brush to cover areas of metal with the Distress Embossing Ink and emboss with Walnut Stain and then Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powders.  This makes the metal look rusted.

9)  Use the Picket Fence Distress Marker to enhance any webbing that is not white enough.

10)  Use paste spreader to add black paste against the coffin opening and make an "ooze" down.

11)  Cover with Peeled Paint Embossing Powder and use heat gun to set.  This will make it bubble and change colors a little.

12)  Add skeleton (make sure to leave the hand sticking out) and cracked glow stick.

13)  Wrap with chain and close it and the lock with a large (easy to open) jump ring.  DONE!

 

 

Aren't you excited to see what's next? Check out the Dream Team players for today:

Ranger Blog

Dream It Up!

Wendy Jordan

Kristi Van Doren

Louise Healy

Lee Kellogg

Georgia Sommers

Liz Martin

Laura Drahozal

Terrece Siddoway

Cherylynn Moser

Pam Hornschu

Cyndi Bundy

You already know where to find Ranger's/Tim Holtz' products, but if you are having difficulty finding Dreamweaver, encourage your local stamp/paper-craft store to carry the line of fabulous stencil designs, pastes, and other products to mix with all of your stash of Tim's crafty goodness. You can also purchase our products on-line at Stencil with Style.

We'd love to see you come back regularly and play along with our monthly challenges (and more opportunities to win stencils) by linking your creations to the mr. linky on the Dream It Up! blog, or emailing pics of your creations to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com. Since you're on the computer already, head on over and like us on Facebook as well. Just another location for dreamy and distressed inspiration!

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!

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.....

A Few Changes for 2012--January Challenge

Welcome to the first posting of the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team 2012 ! We're changing things up a bit for this year, and YOU can help. The first Thursday of every month will feature our new challenge and will extend through the entire month. This means that YOU have ALL month to play along with the one challenge, as many times as you want. Sometimes it will be a color challenge, sometimes a theme, and sometimes a technique. We are hoping that an entire month will give you plenty of time to be inspired, create, and link to the Dream It Up! blog . Each month we are offering TWO prizes...one for the most creative version of the challenge (does not have to be Dreamweaver Stencils ' product, but we sure are happy when it is!), and the second for the best use of Dreamweaver Stencils ' product in the challenge. This could be stencils (of course), Embossing Pastes , Metallic F/X , the new Color Solutions , etc., anything you find on the Dreamweaver Stencils' web site , or in your local store. Don't know where your local store is? The list can be found on the web site . Not near any of the stores listed? There is also an online site to purchase from, Stencil with Style !For the month of January, we challenge you to create something for Valentine's Day! You have until January 31st, 11:59 PM EST, to post and link your creation(s) to the Dream It Up! Blog Mr. Linky. The winners will be announced February 2nd, along with the February challenge.
This month's challenge is Valentine's Day.
Here is my version of this month's challenge:

I chose to feature the cards that I am teaching in a January 14th class at My Craft Room in Troy, Michigan. While my focus is on the metals, I have a couple of extra techniques thrown in. Lets start on the left, shall we? For this card, I used two stencils. One, the candy hearts, can only be obtained by taking the class. I ran that stencil through my Cuttlebug with plain metal, dripped alcohol inks on it, and sanded it. The other was the Plaid Stencil LX 7002. I used that one with Adirondack Dye Inks to create the plaid on the background. The middle card also features that Plaid Stencil, this time run through the Cuttlebug with SEI Velvet Paper. It is difficult to see how beautiful it looks because velvet paper does not photograph well. Then, I used the Cuttlebug with the Cathedral Windows Small Stencil LJ 909 and fuschia coated aluminum. I sanded the metal and put it back through the Cuttlebug without a stencil to flatten it out. I put the metal face down on top of the Heart Swans Stencil LM 2000. I used the Mercart metal tools with the stencil to create the 3D swans. Then, I filled the back with Mercart Backing Paste and let it dry. Once dry, I pounced some alcohol ink right over the swan area to enhance and seperate them from the background. I then sanded the swans well, using the Mercart Fiberglass Tool when I had to get it very shiny in little areas.The final card in the row was the easiest. The background was created with Damask LX 7001 run through the Cuttlebug with Core'dinations Color Core paper and sanded. The Heart Swirls Stencil LL 567 was also run through the Cuttlebug, but with black coated aluminum. It, too was sanded. That was it. Simple, right?

Need more inspiration? Please visit the rest of our fabulous team listed here:

Pam Hornschu (our fearless leader)

Laura Drahozal (me)

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Dreamweaver Free Week--A Masculine Confirmation Card

I have to admit, I know that my projects are generally of the "not for the faint of heart" variety. I just like to push the products and techniques a little further than I think they would go. I assure you, however, that this week's project is EASY. I promise.
When Lynell asked me to use the Gothic Cross LG 694, I thought about how my nephew is having his Confirmation this October. This cross isn't particularly masculine, but I knew that with the right color combination I could make it appropriate for a teenage boy. I also chose to use the recently discontinued Bless You (which your LSS can still get if you want it) and the brand new Herringbone Pattern Stencil LJ 914.
Okay, here are those easy directions:

1) Use Core'dinations dark blue with a blue core through your die cut machine with the Herringbone LJ 914 stencil. Be sure to spray the back of the paper with rubbing alcohol before running it through. Sand the result--making it look a little like fabric.

2) Place a light gold coated aluminum on the back of the Bless You stencil. Using the Mercart teflon point tool to lightly push in the metal from the back of the stencil. Push all around the edges of the words.

3) Remove the stencil and flip the metal. Clean up your edges by rubbing the Mercart teflon deer foot tool (opposite side of the other tool) up against the edges of the words.

4) Flip the metal back over and place it on a piece of suede. You are working on the back side. Use the Mercart ball tool to push out the letters. Also, while on the suede, roll over the edges of the metal with a Mercart texture wheel. Flip it back and clean up with the deer foot tool on a hard surface. Fill in the back of the metal with Mercart Filler. Let dry.

5) To Deboss the cross, use a darker gold covered aluminum. Place it on top of a face up stencil LG 694. Using the fine end of the teflon tool, press into all the lines. Sand to get a silver cross. Cut out

6) Assemble the card.

See, simple, right? If you haven't tried the metals, I do have one warning: they are SUPER addictive. If your local store doesn't carry them and is concerned about minimums with a new company, let them know that they can order them directly from Dreamweaver with their next stencil order. If they are still reluctant, you can order these tools and metals yourself from the Mercart website. All the tools I used here are in the basic kit. I have news though, about that addiction. I am absolutely planning on ordering more tools and metals myself. I have Christmas projects in mind....
That said, thanks for stopping by. Check out the rest of the Dream Team Blogs. Leave a comment. Link a project of yours to the Dreamweaver Stencils Blog--we would love to see it.

Thursday Dream Schemes--Free Week

Happy Summer! This is my first blog post of a brand new summer, so I decided to show something fun and easy from my upcoming summer class.


The fish stencil shown here is actually discontinued--but never fear! If your local retailer does not have it in stock, they can still order it from Dreamweaver for you. It is stencil number LJ 848. If you are in the Brighton, Michigan area, I will be teaching a class at Scrap Tales twice in July and this stencil is INCLUDED in your class fee. Call the store to register.
Anyway, on to how I made this one. It is actually the easiest one in this class. The fish are a double glitter technique. You soap up the back of the stencil and attach it to the Double Sided Adhesive Paper. Then, you use three different colors of Microfine Art Glitter on the fish. I pinched the colors, one at a time, into the spaces and then used my VERY IMPORTANT art tool--my finger--to push them into the paper. This is critical with the microfine glitter because it is so light weight that it won't go down into the crevices on its own. When burnished like this, though, it creates a beautiful shimmering look.
When the fish are done, brush off any excess glitter. Brush it off well, mind you, because you don't want it to migrate to the areas that are supposed to be blue. Then, you put the whole thing stencil side down on a flat surface. You must remove the paper from the stencil while the stencil remains on the table. Slowly and carefully pull the double sided adhesive paper off while walking your fingers along the stencil to keep it flat.
Once you have removed the stencil, pour blue glitter over the top and gently rub it in with your fingers. (I used Art Glitter True Blue Ultrafine). Brush all remaining glitter off of your project.
The little shell charm was made with the Scallop LS 6 stencil. I used the ArtC clay. I believe it is a white paperclay. I smoothed the clay down on my craft sheet. Then, I put just a little vegetable oil on my finger and rubbed it lightly on the back of the stencil. I pushed the stencil onto the clay and rolled it slightly. Then, I removed the stencil and cut the excess clay around it. I rolled a little of it into a ball and draped the shell over the top to create dimension. I had to let this dry. I am really not good with patience, so I set it out to dry overnight. This sort of clay never dries hard, it always remains a little spongy. When it is dry, use a craft knife to put a little hole in the top.
The assembly is easy. The base is blue and is followed by Core'dinations White Wash in yellow that has been lightly sanded and ripped. The twine is from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist collection. See? An Easy summer card.
So now that you have a summer greeting from me, you should go check out all the rest of the Dreamweaver Design Team creations. Get inspired. Create. Then post a link to the Dreamweaver Blog. See you next week.

Dreamweaver Free Week--A "Pear" of Thank You Cards

This week, I am posting two cards made with the same four stencils: LJ 909 Cathedral Window Small, LJ 808 Cathedral Window Large, LL 563 Large Pear, and LS 1006 Small Thanks. I was particularly interested in showing the contrast between the small Cathedral Window and the large one. These two cards were both very easy to make.
On this first one, I ran plain white cardstock through my Cuttlebug with the large Cathedral Window. I then lightly brushed across the pattern with purple ink. I ran the Thanks through the machine with Core'dinations cardstock. I sanded it to bring out the words. I used white cardstock again and embossed the pear by hand. I colored the pear with ink in a couple of colors using a stencil brush. I then placed the small Cathedral Windows on top and hand embossed selected areas. I inked them with a much darker color.

This second card was done the same way. The primary difference (aside from the size) is that I used Core'dinations cardstock on the background as well. I then lightly sanded it to bring out a very light purple.

These cards were very easy to do. They are just the sort of thing to do during a quick indoor break this summer while the temperatures are soaring outside. You should give these techniques a try. While you are thinking about stencils, take a look at the other projects made by the Dreamweaver Dream Team this week. Their links are on the left. Take a minute and get inspired!

Dreamweaver Free Choice Week AND New Stencils!

Welcome to another Free Choice week! After ALOT of rain here in Michigan, with an occasional nice day thrown in, I felt truly inspired to post this card. I was feeling the saying, which is one of Lynell's newest designs. It is on a stencil with several fun sayings on it.

When designing this one, I was thinking about how that cute new apron stencil would look hanging from a clothesline. I also felt that the apron itself should be plaid, evoking a fresh spring country day, when a sudden rainstorm could ruin the attempt to dry clothes in the sun. Originally, I pictured the apron in pink plaid, but the color was just too pale to hold its own against the blue.

First, I pasted, using the original paste. The words were on brown color core Core'dinations, which was ripped later in the process. The apron was done on a mottled Basic Grey brown, because I wanted the various shades of brown to show up as shading, as if it were blowing in the wind. After the paste was dry, I used the Dreamweaver Stripe stencil to create the plaid. I tried to follow the "flow" lines in the apron, splitting up the top and the bottom. I stencilled these with Distress Inks in a couple of different browns. First I went in one direction, and then I moved the stencil to a 90 degree angle and stencilled in the other direction. I really like how the Distress Inks are so delicate on the paste. The background was the rain stencil, run through my Cuttlebug with Core'dinations color core in blue. Then, I lightly sanded it, to enhance the embossing.

After some assmebly, which included a twine and real tiny clothespins, the card reflects my very mood today. I hope that there is no rain where you are!

Stop in again next week and see what is in store for the Blue and Orange Mother's Day card challenge. In the meantime, check out the other Dream Teamers on this free week.