Dreamweaver and Quietfire Blog Hop Final Day

Get ready for an amazing week of Awesome in Autumn! This week we are playing with the Quietfire Design team, and are so excited to play with their amazing images and sentiments. In their beautiful calligraphic style, their quotes and thoughts are the perfect addition to our Dreamweaver designs. Follow along with us, and leave your comments for an opportunity to win one of two wonderful prize packages:

Here's what I've created for today's post:

One of the little joys of the fall season for me is the frosted autumn leaves in the morning.  The frost on the bright colors is so beautiful!

And here are the instructions:
MATERIALS:
Dreamweaver Stencil LJ 906 Maple Branch
Dreamweaver Stencil Paste Spreader LM 2010
Dreamweaver Palette Knife
Dreamweaver Handmade Hawaiian Soap
Dreamweaver Large Stencil Brush
Dreamweaver Double Stick Mounting Paper
Removable Scotch Tape
Dreamweaver Translucent Embossing Paste
Distress Embossing Powder in Broken China
Quietfire Designs Take Time to Delight #6270 sed
Distress Ink in Black Soot
Art Glitter Black Night Embossing Powder
Art Glitter D94 The Big Apple Opaque Art Hexis
Art Glitter Ultrafine Opaque 278 Poppy
Art Glitter Microfine 500 Ruby Red
Art Glitter Ultrafine Transparent 85 Crystal
DCWV Patterned Paper
White and Black Card Stock
Scissors
Heat Gun

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Soap the back of the stencil.

2)  See the soap residue around the holes?  Brush it off with the large brush.

3)  Pour the Dazzlers on the stencil and push into place with your finger.

4)  Add additional glitter to fill in the areas left blank by the larger flakes--first ultrafine, then microfine.

5)  Brush off the excess glitter.
6)  Place project stencil side down and carefully remove the paper.
7)  Pour the Distress Embossing Powder over the background and push in with your finger.

8)  Clean and completely dry the stencil.
9)  Replace the stencil and tape in place all the way around the edge with removable tape.
10) Use the palette knife to place the embossing paste on the edge of the paste spreader.
11)  Pull the embossing paste across the stencil.

12)  Remove the stencil.
13)  While the paste is still wet, sprinkle clear glitter across the edges of the leaves.

14)  Let dry.
15)  Stamp the sentiment with Distress Ink on white card stock.
16)  Sprinkle with embossing powder.
17)  Flick off excess powder and heat set.
18)  Assemble the card.

When you see it close up, it is easy to see the dazzlers.

See how the project looks like frosted leaves?

And now, check out all the posts for this wonderful hop.  Don't forget, you have a chance to win!

Quietfire Design Members...

Sherry Cheever

Holly Eastabrook

Yogi Grunwald

Robyn Josephs

Teresa Horner

Suzanne Cannon

and

Dream Team members...

Jessica Griffin

Cyndi Bundy

Wendy Jordan

Lyn Bernatovich

Louise Healy

Terrece Siddoway

Lea Kimmel

Heidi Erickson

Laura Drahozal

Cherylynn Moser
Stacey Rumsby

Pam Hornschu

and the

Dream It Up! blog

and

Quietfire Creations Blog

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.....

Free Week--Upcoming Jackson Class

This week, I have decided to post a card preview for the class that I am teaching at Altered Art Addicts in Jackson, Michigan this Sunday. So here it is, all four cards. These techniques are a little easier than they are in my average post.

The first card I have featured is made with a simple pasting technique. I put the brown paper down on my craft sheet, texture side up. Then, I laid the Christmas Script Stencil LL 3009 on top of it, right side up, and taped it all the way around, directly to the craft sheet, with Scotch Removable tape. I used the back end of my spatula to get Gold Embossing Paste from the container and place it on one of the short sides of the stencil. Finally, holding my spatula at a 45 degree angle to the stencil, I pulled the embossing paste across it. I let the spatula scrape gently on the stencil as I did it so that the paste was level with the top of the stencil. I removed the stencil immediately, and then let the paste completely dry before I added Christmas Red Stickles to the "berries" on the image. I just love this stencil, especially with that gold paste.

The second card here is also created with paste, and the basic technique is the same as the first. I used the Holly and Swirls Stencil LL 3005. Instead of the Gold Embossing Paste, I used the Glossy Green Embossing Paste. After I removed the stencil, I sprinkled Metallic FX in Kiwi and Ivy Garden over the top. I was able to sprinkle just a little on while the paste was still wet using cut straws to get the powder out of the containers. After the paste dried, I used a Swiffer refill to remove all of the excess mica powders. I like to use the micas in colors that are similar to the glossy paste color. I think the look is almost like a patina. When the paste was dry and the project swiffered, I used the Christams Red Stickles again for the berries.
The third card was created with the "double glitter" technique. First, I soaped the back of the Mistletoe Stencil until it had a "cloudy" look to the metal. (This stencil is discontinued, but will be yours if you sign up for the class.) The soap "crumblies" had to be removed with a clean stencil brush before I could proceed. Then, I peeled the paper off one side of the Double Sided Adhesive Paper and put the soaped side of the stencil down on the exposed adhesive. I put some small pearls into the "berry" holes of the stencil. I then used green flock in the plant portion and white flock on the square section. When I used flock on this project, I put a generous amount on the area that I needed filled, then I pressed it in vigoruosly with my thumb. After that, I brushed it off well, and, when I thought I was done, I brushed it again. Afterwards, I put the whole thing stencil side down and carefully peeled the adhesive paper off of the stencil, while "walking" my fingers along the stencil to keep it flat. Then, I flipped the paper over and poured Jadestone Art Glitter over it. I have used this stencil many times lately, as it is my giveaway for the holiday season, and I have to admit that this was probably my favorite technique with it.
Finally, I used the Holly Flourish Stencil LG 731 through my Revolution. (I could have used the Cuttlebug, but I like that the Revolution has a magnetic base.) First, I put the stencil face down on the plate. Then, I spritzed the back of the cardstock with a little rubbing alcohol and placed it on top of the stencil. Then, I used the rubber embossing mat, a couple of shims (this is determined by a little practice with your own machine, as they all vary a little) and my embossing mat. When the embossing was done, I left the paper on the stencil and flipped the whole thing over. I used Fantstix and Distress Inks in Peeled Paint and Pine Needles to add a little color. Then, I removed the stencil and colored the berries with Burgundy Stickles.
So, pick your favorite card and give it a try. Better yet, if you are in Michigan, call Altered Art Addicts and come out to take the class. Go to everyone's blogs and check out other things you can do with these fabulous stencils. Be inspired, and come back again next week, when we will have a sketch AND theme challenge.

Thursday Dream Schemes--Free Week

It is another free challenge week at Dreamweaver, and this week, my card was inspired by a stamp. See, I was prowling a craft store, looking for sayings that would go with the fabulous new umbrella stencil, when I found this Inkadinkado stamp in the kiddie writing that said "Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms." The sentiment was written by Alyssa Knight, when she was 12, apparently. I didn't buy it at first, because, although I liked it, the rainbow part really had me wondering--how could I show it? Well, here is my resulting card, as well as the step by step instructions:




I found a way to create a rainbow rainbow using the new paste spreader LM 2010.
First, cut the cover sheet of a Double Sided Adhesive paper in half. Remove the top half of it, and replace a strip along the right side. Soap the back of the spreader, and position it so that it covers up to the top of the rainbow--where you want the sky to show through. Using the Double Glitter Technique, cover that upper left hand corner with blue Art Institute Glitter. Brush off the excess. Pick up the spreader, and scoot it down to rest under the first color of the rainbow. Be careful not to change the relative position of the spreader, because you want to make sure that the rainbow stripes are even across the arc.
Then, put red Art Institute Glitter on that stripe, brush it off, and move the spreader further down. Keep repeating this process, using the roygbiv colors that we all learned in elementary school, until you have a complete rainbow. The great thing about this technique, is that even if you get a little sloppy with the color that you are working on, as I did with the green in this photo, the current color will only stick to the adhesive paper that was just revealed. The parts that have already been covered with glitter just won't accept any more. Make sure that it is good and covered with glitter for each and every stripe. After you are finished with the rainbow, brush off the colors well, then remove the stencil anthadditional coverings from the Double Sided Adhesive Paper. Cover the entire thing with the sky blue that you used above the rainbow.

Then, position the umbrella stencil so that the umbrella reaches side to side and overlaps the rainbow. When you are sure that you have it right, tape sheets of paper all the way around the stencil. This way, you can be sure that none of the paste gets on any of the glitter that you worked on. Then, paste the umbrella with Glossy Black. You will need to work quickly and confidently to get it pasted well on all that fantastic glitter. Remove the stencil and set this aside to dry.

Meanwhile, get clear acetate and the Rain Stencil. Paste the stencil on the acetate using Pearlescent Paste, and tossing clear glitter onto the paste while it is still wet. After the paste is dry, brush off the excess glitter.

For the assembly, the Double Sided Adhesive gets adhered to the cardstock background. Then, the acetate overlay, which is attached with Glue Dots and brads. Finally, the ribbon and the popped up saying.

One last parting shot. I think it really shows the acetate

Thursday Dream Schemes--The England Cards

For those who don't know, I had the wonderful opportunity to represent Dreamweaver Stencils at the Stitches Show in the United Kingdom. (Think CHA of the United Kingdom). I had an absolutely fantastic time demonstrating to the retailers across the Atlantic. I showed several different techniques, and used the products of those demonstrations to create some cards for Woodware, the United Kingdom distributor. Three of the cards that I made wound up with the British version of QVC. I will never see them, and no one will hear my name, but it was thrilling nonetheless. Five others were just left with the wonderful Woodware women, and I never got photos of those. These five were finished just a little later, and I was able to take these (not fantastic) photos of them on my bed before I mailed them off on my last day. You will notice my souvenir scarf laying behind them. Now, I had random items with me, so go easy on me this week. (In fact, I would have more, but my cuticle scissors gave up on me.)


A version of this bird card was one of my make and takes during the show. It was created with the Woodware Microfine Glitter (I liked it so much that I "pinched" the remainder when I left), and Stampendous Fun Flock. First, I soaped the back of the birds on a branch stencil (to allow it to be easily removed). Then, I attached the stencil to the double sided adhesive paper, soap side down. I used a Big Shot to dry emboss the birds on a branch stencil, and then loosely cut out the birds. This way, I created a mask, to individually color the birds. I covered the stencil with the mask, lining up the birds. I put glitter into each of the holes seperately, pushing the glitter onto the adhesive backed paper. I also pushed glitter into the saying. I brushed the excess glitter off. Then, I removed the mask. I put alot of flocking on the branched and pressed it in HARD with my finger. It is the only way to make your flocking feel plush. Then, I rubbed and brushed the excess off completely. I removed the stencils, and flooded the remaining area with white glitter and added a ribbon.





The rest all used this same "double glitter" technique. Some used additional techniques. The Thistle, for example, used flock and glitter in the blue (I didn't have purple) thistle flower. The glitter is shaded because I used two different colors. Both the Thistle and the Blue Knot also use the "plaid maker"--which is the stripe stencil held one way and stencilled, then turned and stencilled at 90 degrees. The knot also had a machine embossed raindrop background.


This owl card has a double glitter raindrop pattern, but also includes a simple machine emobssing on the owl. It was embossed with a slightly thicker copper. Then, I just sanded lightly over the top to add to the dimension.



So, those were my quickly assembled "demonstration" cards.




Did I have fun in England? ABSOLUTELY! I am including a few photos here.





The picture on the left is Windsor Castle. This is the largest currently inhabited castle in the world. I was able to tour around, but not go into the state rooms, as the Queen actually followed me there. The other picture is me at the St. George's Chapel on the castle grounds. This "chapel" is larger than almost any church I have seen in the U.S. It was fantastic. It survived a shelling in World War II, and still has the hole to prove it!



You should recognize the photo on the left. The right is the front gates of Buckingham palace. It is the crest of the royal family. Below, there is a picture of Westminster Abbey side entrance and a crocus that was beginning to bloom in the gardens by Buckingham Palace.



The next picture is of the White Tower in the Tower of London. The Tower has an intriguing history, and this building is the oldest, from 1024.
This is Trafalgar Square, as seen from the front steps of the National Gallery.



I will finish with my favorite new dinner finisher--Sticky Toffee Pudding. It is like a chocolate sponge cake infused with toffee, served with vanilla ice cream and a little chocolatey/toffee sauce. So delicious, and COMPLETELY WORTH all the calories. Yum! I only wish I could get it here......