DREAM it UP !

Thurday's Dream Scheme's/ Christina is Answering the Challenge

2012-03-15T00:00:00.008-07:00

Christina D. is answering our challenge from the UK! She made this lovely card for our CAS (or Clean and Simple) challenge this month. Christina traced the stencil design with a black fine tipped pen and then"doodled" as she calls it inside these lines of the mushroom stencil (LL3025). Some people are calling this technique Zentangle which is making a series of patterns with pen and ink. Christina took this a step further by coloring in some of the patternwork with the Tim Holtz distress pens. The sentiment along the edge is a sticker made by a distributor in the UK called Woodware Craft Collection.

Would you like to play along with our challenge for a Clean and Simple (CAS) card creation this month? Then just link your blog to mr. linky below and we'll come by to encourage you. If you don't have a blog just email me your creation like Christina did...tell me a little about how you did the work and I will post it for you on my blog. My email is lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com. We will have two winners each month one for best use of Dreamweaver Stencils products and one for best interpretation of the challenge...which doesn't need to be my products at all.

Be sure to follow the rest of the team's interpretation of our challenge. They are listed below mr. linky and if you would like to see the two stencils you could win just scroll down to March 1st for more info:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Cyndi Bundy

Jessie Hurley

Rose's Dragonfly Creation/ Keeping it Clean and Simple

2012-03-13T17:59:00.003-07:00

Rose S. sent me this lovely dragonfly card. She paste-embossed it onto white cardstock with the Dreamweaver Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) and then sprinkled it with several mica powders while it was wet. After it was dry she tapped the excess powders off and burnished it. Then she repositioned the stencil onto the paste-embossed stencil design (LM193 dragonfly) and outlined it with a black fine tipped pen, cut it out and mounted it onto a piece of black velvet paper that was cut out with a nestie. The five crystal embellishments added that finishing touch.

Thank you for playing along with our clean and simple challenge this month, Rose! By the way if you are reading this and don't have a blog, email me a picture of your clean and simple creation (like Rose did) at: lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and I will post it here for you. Or if you do have a blog and you too would like the chance to win the stencils posted at the beginning of this challenge (just scroll down to the beginning of this month to see what you could win). We are giving two stencils away to two different people. One for best use of Dreamweaver Stencils products and one for best interpretation of the challenge, which in this case is CAS or clean and simple. Just link your image below with mr. Linky and we'll come by to see your creation:

Thursday's Dream Scheme: Joining the Challenge

2012-03-06T14:31:00.019-08:00

Here is a card that Joy H. sent me this morning. I am really loving that some of you who don't have blogs are sending me a picture of your creations via my email. Thank you!

This was Joy's first paste-embossing experience. GREAT job Joy! She stenciled the floral design (LL335) with distress inks and next paste-embossed on top of them with the translucent embossing paste (DEPT). So when it dries the flowers look very glossy. The dark purple color of the die cut embellishment really made the design stand out.

Your stenciling is beautiful Joy! Love your shading on the flowers and the vein work on the leaves too. Did you use our Picasso stencil shield?

Again thank you for playing along. Hope this is your first of many challenges.

Be sure to sign up with Mr. Linky below to play along and if you don't have a blog be sure to email me like Joy did at: lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com Don't forget to scroll down to see last Thursday's post to see what you could win. And....take a look at the other people's postings that have linked for this CAS challenge.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/March Challenge!

2012-03-01T01:00:00.010-08:00

This month we encourage you to use any color you wish, although I have to say I did enjoy all those different shades of green. However, you have to keep it clean...and simple! Yep. We are challenging you to create with your Dreamweaver products in a CAS style.

OK...I know it isn't quite what you expected, but today is special for our household and business. This is my husband's birthday. YAY!!! Wayne is actually the man behind the curtain...he is the one responsible for all the wonderful Dreamweaver Stencils. For more than 20 years we have worked together and we make a great team...but I want everyone to know that without him this business would not exist. He is a wonderful graphic artist and the stencils you purchase from us are sketched by hand and then computer rendered by his perfectionistic hand as well. Thank you Wayne and Happy Birthday too. I wish I could claim that I made this beautiful card, but it was made by my friend and fellow stenciler Elaine Benedict. It is a wonderful example of CAS (clean and simple). Elaine teaches and reps in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin.

Now you have the opportunity to play along. Create your own Clean and Simple design (preferably with Dreamweaver Stencils' products) and link it to the Dream It Up! blog from your own blog, online gallery, or just send us an email (lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com) of your creation for us to show off on the blog. At the end of March, we will select two winners to win a set of these stencils each:

LJ889-Lrg. Thinking of You

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Cyndi Bundy

Jessie Hurley

Two Winners for the Go Green Challenge!

2012-02-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

This past month we have had several people join our challenge and we wish to thank all of you! The two categories that we have put forth at the beginning of the year are #1: Best interpretation of the Challenge and #2 Best Usage of Dreamweaver Products. And it was a difficult choice because everyone was so creative!

winner of #1 was Anne Temple...with her Go Braugh AND Green party favor

winner of #2 was Sue Petersen for best usage with Dreamweaver products.

So please email me:(lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com) your snail mail addresses and I will send you the two stencil prizes.

Hope everyone will play along this next month too...see tomorrow's posting for the March Challenge!

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Go Green or Go Bragh!

2012-02-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

I have had a lot of fun with the green challenge this month. As you read this Pam Hornschu and I are traveling in England. We get to spend some time with Dorothy Adam who is in charge of Woodware Craft Collection's blog in the UK. If you have time see what Dorothy has created recently using the heart whimsy stencil (LL599) by clicking HERE.We won't have time to get over to Ireland, but Dorothy is from Scotland and we will be traveling to Yorkshire and doing a demonstration at a store in Preston. I am hoping things over there will be more green than gray at this time of year...so wish us luck.

So in honor of our Scot friend Dorothy I have posted a plaid card today. I used a Kelly green colored aluminum and put it through my embossing machine with the "stripe" stencil (LX7002). Once through I removed the stencil and used a manicure sanding block to sand off the top layer of bright green color on the stripes. Then I turned the metal piece one turn or a ninety-five degree turn and with the "stripe" stencil still running through the machine vertically I ran the metal through the machine a second time and violá instant "plaid". (I did sand these stripes as well, for the light and dark effect of a plaid.) The mushroom stencil (LL3025) was paste-embossed onto acetate using Dreamweaver Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP). The acetate that I used is considered transparency film. I purchased this at a local office supply store...ask for the type that can be photo copied, that way if you are heating it in any way it will hold up well. I often place my paste-embossed pieces onto a pancake griddle (lowest setting) and they dry in less than half the amount of time. Once the paste is dry I reposition the clean stencil onto the design and colorize it with the new Color Solution Alcohol Ink. I dripped several drops of Aspen Leaf Yellow onto a felt applicator along with a few drops of Color Solution thinner and dabbed the color onto the caps of the mushrooms. I then used a cotton swab with a couple of drops of Creme Brulée onto the stems and underside of the caps and on the other end of the cotton swab I used Pine Bough green on the grass. The spots on top of the caps were done with Paprika Red and another clean cotton swab. To do a shaded effect on the stems I removed some of the Creme Brulée color with a couple of drops of the Color Solution thinner on a clean swab. Then I cut the acetate quite close to the design and mounted it onto the metal plaid piece done earlier.

Here is another mushroom card...not quite so green. This card was paste-embossed the same way as the one above, but the back of the acetate was then "sponged" with a felt applicator using the Color Solution alcohol inks. The sky was done with Iceberg and then a few drops of citron was added to that color behind the mushrooms and lastly Creme Brulée was added to the area underneath the mushrooms for the "earthy" effect. I stenciled the caps a bit differently than the one above. I used Paprika Red first and then I put a couple of drops of the Color Solution thinner on a cotton swab and rubbed out some of the Paprika Red color. To finish the card the acetate was placed on a periwinkle blue cardstock and the black frame was mounted on top of the acetate.

If you have time join us this month for our Go Green or Go Braugh challenge in honor of the upcoming month of March! Just link to Mr. Linky below or email me a picture of your card and I will post it for you when I return from the UK. You could win two stencils LL490 or LL542. Also take time today to see what the rest of the team is posting just follow the list below:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Thursday's Dream Schemes/This month's challenge is green

2012-02-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

This month we are challenging our readers to Go Green or Go Braugh in celebration of the upcoming month of March. Today I have taken a very organic spin on this challenge. The first card uses two different versions of the monstera leaf stencil. LG 641 is an open cut stencil that is just a cut out of the leaf's shape and LG 706 is the shape of the stencil with the swiss cheeselike holes to give the design that authentic monstera shape. Why do they call this leaf Monstera?...well, like it's name it is huge and the vase stencil (LG707) here is dwarfed by the leaves on the card, but I love to do the faux cloisonné technique and that was done on the vase to give it that ceramic look. If you are interested in knowing more about that technique email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and I would be happy to email you the faux cloisonné instructions.

The second card I am showing you today is a technique called "strié" and couldn't be simpler to do. Here the leaf stencil (LG642) at the bottom of the card was stenciled three times, one on top of the other, the last one a bit darker than the first two. Then the leaves at the top draping down was dry embossed with a stylus. The stencil was then removed and using a large brush I pulled pigment ink across the embossed design. The small thank you (LG691) was done the same way. This is one of my favorite techniques and if you enjoy dry embossing it is a very effective yet simple way to colorize your creation.

Join us this month and play along as we continue to stencil green things onto green paper or metal etc. Just add your link to mr. linky below and don't forget to see what the team is up to this week by following the listed links below:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Sue Petersen sent me this beauty for the Go Green Challenge

2012-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you Sue, for sending this beautiful creation via my email!

She paste-embossed the dot stencil (LJ804) onto black cardstock using the Glossy Green Embossing Paste (DGGP) and also used the same paste on white cardstock with the damask stencil (LJ907). I love the green crystals and the white roses that were used as embellishments.

Thanks for being the first to do the challenge this week and hope you'll join us again.

If anyone else is interested in doing the same just email me a photo of your card to: lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and when I get home from the UK on the 27th of Feb. I will post it on the site to enter you in our monthly challenge.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Go Green or Go Bragh!

2012-02-09T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today I am writing about a couple of the new quilt designs that came out at the end of last year. We really introduced them first in Hawaii, because our customers over there really embrace the beauty of Hawaiian quilting. These designs could have a bit of a Hawaiian flare, but anyone who enjoys flowers or gardening can also appreciate their organic presence. This first design, the fern stencil (LX7007) was stenciled with warmer green pigment ink and then the stencil was shifted forty-five degrees and stenciled with a cooler aqua colored pigment ink. Both colors were stenciled with a very light touch so they look almost transparent one on top of the other, this gives a full feeling to this fern card. The hula dancer was paste-embossed on lime green cardstock using matte black embossing paste (DMBP) and once dry was mounted in the lower corner.

This second quilt design, the bird of paradise (LX7006) was also stenciled with bright colored pigment inks. The Hawaiian thank you word stencil (LM133), Mahalo, was stenciled with a gray pigment ink and then the stencil was shifted just slightly and then paste-embbossed with matte black embossing paste (DMBP). These 6 x 6 inch stencils can be crafted as greeting cards as you see here or they can be used on fabric for actual quilt designs.

Hope you'll join us this month in our challenge of Going Green or Go Bragh! In honor of the upcoming month of March. You could have the enjoyment of winning these two stencils: LL490 the cherry blossom circle or LL542 tall lilies, if you happen to email me a picture of your project I won't be able to post it until the very end of this month's challenge since I will be traveling in the UK until the 27th. But when I get back we will post it for you:

Sign up with mr. linky below and also follow the list of the design team to see how they are interpreting go green or go St. Pat's Day!

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Thursday's Dream Schemes/ Announcing our winners!!!

2012-02-02T01:00:00.000-08:00

Ok...so we have now entered into the month of February, and due to our riotous schedule this past week and the Dream Team's trip to our annual winter trade show...I've decided to post a couple more Valentines this week. We only had a handful of players this month...as you may have counted, so we have decided that everyone is a winner. Our fearless leader, Pam Hornschu, has found herself at the mercy of internet problems when she arrived home, and so I am the announcer of the news that ....HEY!!! EVERYBODY who joined our challenge by posting a Valentine card this month wins (I think there were four or five of you). So thank you...thank you...thank you, for playing along with the team for our Valentine's Day challenge and if you did so please email your snail mail addresses to my email: lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and I will send you the following stencils for your winning creations:

Also I want to share with you another winning card...this one has been done by Sue Peterson and was waiting for me in my email when I got home tonight from CHA. Remember I told you if you don't have a blog that you can send me a photo of your card and I will post it for you. She has taken me at my word and emailed me her image to join our Valentine's Day challenge. THANK YOU Sue!...a lovely card by the way, done with the heart and rose stencil (LL425) using the double glitter technique and she even paste-embossed the dot stencil (LJ804) using glossy black paste (DGKP) on a red cardstock to create the beautiful background.

The Valentine you see here was done by my husband Wayne. He is a wonderful artist and as you may have heard he has been doing some Zentangle work lately. To begin this work he traced our large heart stencil (LJ834) onto a bubble paper I created as a background. Then he drew the patterns inside the heart with a Sakura micron Pigma pen (01). He finished the design by drawing a small scalloped design on the very outside of the stencils edge for the effect of eyelet lace.

Be sure to visit the blogs of the Dream Team (their links are listed below) ...many of them were at CHA and yet will be posting for our new challenge for the month of February. Which is Go Green or Go Bragh in honor of the upcoming month of March, so you can translate that literally or figuratively! Post to Mr. Linky throughout this monthly challenge:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Last Day to Sneak a Peek

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Simple styling on this one. Once again I used the double glitter technique on the new Quatrefoil background stencil (LX7010). And then paste-embossed the new open cross stencil (LJ918) with Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) and sprinkled it with an ultrafine glitter while it was still wet.

This open cross was designed to use with the Zentangle technique that I blogged about yesterday. Hopefully I will be able to show you some more cards with that technique in the near future.

This post will be short and sweet today, because I am burning the candle at both ends in order to get ready for our trade show.

Will be back next Thursday and Pam Hornschu, our team leader will be announcing the winners then from our Valentine Challenge. Be sure to join up with Mr. Linky below...remember your creation could even be rubber stamped...it doesn't even need to be done with Dreamweaver Stencils to qualify for one portion of the Challenge to win. We really want to give you a prize!!! PLAY PLAY PLAY!!!!

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Thursday's Dream Schemes/or Sneak Peak #4

2012-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00

Several years ago we had a mushroom stencil. We discontinued it, but violá mushrooms happen to be "in" again!!! So we revised it just a bit and once again you can stencil mushrooms. Or as in this case you can use the technique of Zentangle in the mushrooms.

Not long ago Suzanne McNeill from Design Originals introduced us to this fun art form. And she has been showing us the beauty of combining this unique way of drawing with our metal stencils. You can read all about it in her latest book "Zentangle 6 Terrific Stencils and Cards."

My husband, Wayne Harlow, started this creation by first tracing the mushroom stencil (LL3025). Next he removed the stencil and then one line at a time he drew the different patterns within the open spaces of the mushroom stencil. He uses an 01 micron Pigma Pen by Sakura. He also shaded certain areas with a 4B artist pencil. Wayne is one of those people who enjoys detail work. This past September we had time on our vacation to do some drawing together and he showed me how easy this art form can be...I have to admit it can be quite addictive. LOL!

If you haven't been by this past week, be sure to read my posts Monday through today to get a sneak preview of our newest designs. Our Valentine Challenge is still going on, so don't be shy, just hop right in and create a card and link it to mr. linky below! We have had at least three players this month and would love to have more. Also I have listed the team below so you can hop around and see some of the marvelous creations they are sharing this past week.

One last bit of information...for the next several days we will be at CHA in Anaheim. So I may not be posting until next Thursday's Dream Schemes, but we will be in touch soon!

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Sneaky Peeky Week/Day #3

2012-01-25T01:00:00.000-08:00

I am very excited about our new background stencils. But before I get too far ahead of myself (I am so excited)...this box came to me originally as just raw wood and then I spray painted it with satin black aerosol latex paint. It took me three coats to be satisfied with the coverage. Remember that Monday I used this same dot stencil (LX7011) with the kitty stencil? Well today I paste-embossed it with Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) onto the lid of this wooden "card box". And also used the same paste on the sides as well, but used the new paisley background stencil (LX7009) for this step. This wooden card box will be a major project at CHA for a company called Walnut Hollow. They will be teaching a class for 100 students (retailers mostly) and will be finishing their box entirely different than this one, but then they will send these students to our booth to do a make 'n take of an A-2 sized card to put into their box. Once the embossing paste was dry I colored my paisleys and dots with our new Color Solution Artist Grade Alcohol Inks. These scrumptious colors are a lot of fun to work with and I actually used precision tipped cotton swabs to do my coloring. I understand that there are also brush marker nibs that work even better, can't wait to get some and try that method as well.

Next week we will be busy with CHA, but we won't forget our Valentine Challenge players. You still have time to add something to Mr. Linky. Read HERE to find out what is involved and what you could win. Also take a few minutes to see what sneak previews the design team has been working on, here is the list of blogs to hop to:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Sneak Peek Week/Newest Designs #2

2012-01-24T01:00:00.000-08:00

OK, so it may be a little hard to see the contrast in this photo of the retro background stencil (LX7012) with retro kitty(LL3020), but I really loved doing the double glitter technique and then pasting on top of the glittered paper. As mentioned in yesterday's post the team is showcasing some of the new designs that we are showing retailers this week at CHA in Anaheim. But I also have to say that I really enjoy this double glitter technique and if you would like how to instructions email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and I will send you the step-by-step instructions. You can also view how to do it in my "Tips & Tools" DVD.

These new retro kitty designs have a little history. Fellow stenciler and card artist Pam Hornschu (the leader of our design team actually), happens to be a cat lover. So she asked if we would be interested in these retro kitties that her son, Bryan helped her design. And of course they are just purrrr-fect for a couple of our retro backgrounds! The standing kitty that I paste-embossed for yesterday's post had glitter on him, but this kitty stencil (LL3020) was very simply paste-embossed with Matte Black Embossing Paste (DMBP) and dried. The small thank you (LS1009) was done the same way. So thank you Bryan for the lovely designs!

Now don't forget to play along with our Valentine challenge this month. You could be the winner of some Dreamweaver product! Just don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky below. And take some time to see what the rest of the team is sharing today. Stop by everyday this week for inspiration on what to do with the new designs.

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Sneak Peek Week/Newest Designs

2012-01-23T01:00:00.000-08:00

New Retro Kitty with New Background Dots
This week the team will be sharing some of Dreamweaver's newest designs. Most of us are meeting up at CHA in Anaheim to share these with your local retail stores. So check back each day to see what the team has to show you. And look for them to be available at your local stores soon. The background above was done with the double glitter technique using the new dot stencil (LX7011). And then the kitty stencil (LL3021) was paste-embossed on top with with Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP). While it was still wet I poured a transparent crystal glitter on the kitty. Now follow the links to the team's blogs below to see what the are creating with the newest designs. And don't forget that there is still time for you to sign up with Mr. Linky and join our Valentine challenge this month.

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Join our Valentine Challenge this Month

2012-01-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

This week I am featuring a guest designer. Julie Makela is my distributor from "down under" and has created two scrumptious cards for this month's Valentine's Day challenge.

This first design starts out with her stenciling the lace frame background (LG727) with white pigment ink. To make them look like they were layered she stenciled the one at the top left first and then the next time she placed her stencil she was careful to only stencil the white ink right up to the edge of that first placed frame. This creates an illusion of depth. She then repeated this randomly as she moved the lace frame to other positions. Then she paste-embossed the heart whimsy stencil design (LL599) with the Glossy Red Embossing Paste (DGRP). While this paste was still wet she sprinkled bright red glitter onto the hearts.

The second card was equally effective by using the same colorway of black, red, white, but added a finishing touch of Metallic Gold Embossing Paste (DGP) with the You and Me stencil (LS1004). This time the same heart whimsy stencil (LL599) was paste-embossed with a Matte Black Embossing Paste (DMBP) with the red glitter again sprinkled onto the hearts.

Take the time to visit Julie's blog when you get the chance. She is a wonderfully creative person and has shared many innovative tips and techniques with Dreamweaver over the years.

Be sure to visit the Dream Team blogs as well:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Also to learn more about our new way of doing our challenges click here and then feel free to post your creations via mr. linky below:

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Join our Challenge of the Month

2012-01-12T01:00:00.000-08:00

Hey, we want to thank those of you who joined our challenge this month. I can't wait to give away some stencils...so keep it up. If this is the first time you have been to the site this year here is a recap of the way we are playing our challenges:

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.

Here is the Valentine I am doing this week, in fact this is actually a creation that I posted a few months ago, but it is one of my favorite heart designs and I just couldn't resist sharing it again:

Last week's creation was fairly involved, but today it couldn't be simpler. In fact this is a card I taught in the Atlanta area store, Rubber Stamp Fantasy last month when I was there. The class was called "Power Pasting".

The very first thing you will notice about this card is that the embossing paste is pink...and of course Dreamweaver does not carry pink embossing paste. I created it very simply by taking a Tablespoon of the Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) and then mixed it with one teaspoon of the Glossy Red Embossing Paste (DGRP). To mix it completely I put it out onto a piece of wax paper and smeared it together using my palette knife (DPK). I then used this mixture and paste-embossed the dangling heart stencil (LM272) onto matte black cardstock. After it was dry I triple matted it with glossy black card stock, matte black again and then the pink. Then I put this creation onto a glossy black card. Sometimes the embellishment on your creation steals the show. These ribbons from Creative Impressions do just that...I LOVE LOVE LOVE their products! (Especially the crepe ribbons like I used last week too). And of course the ladies that run that business.

So here is the list of our Dream team don't forget to see what they have been up to and leave a comment or two as you go. Join us this week and link your creation onto mr. linky below:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Thursday's Dream Schemes/ Valentine's Day Creations this Month

2012-01-05T02:00:00.000-08:00

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 !

   I have to admit that Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. And I enjoy sending them to friends, family and even my sweetheart either before, on or after the actual date. One year I missed getting my Christmas cards done, so I did Valentine's Day cards instead. Yes, I am a bit of a heart fanatic...as you can tell by our design line-up.
     This card was not difficult to do. First I dry embossed the large open heart stencil (LJ834), then I left the stencil in place and placed the flower lace stencil (LJ820) on top of it. This way the embossed heart is pushed up as close as possible to the flower lace stencil so that when you paste-emboss the design onto the heart there will be very little gap. I used the Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP) to paste-emboss and used the new paste spreader (LM2010). I especially like this paste spreader for wide open designs like the heart or large background stencils like the flower lace stencil. I immediately removed the stencils and cleaned them. Then I sprinkled the dark purple flocking onto the wet embossing paste. These days I dry things quickly by setting them in my large electric skillet on the warm setting. Pasted items will dry in half the time they usually do when I use this skillet. In this case I just left the flocking piled onto the paste while it was drying. While this was drying I mixed 1/4 tsp. of Plum Royale Metallic F/X (FX07) into 1 Tbsp of the Pearlescent Embossing Paste using the smaller palette knife (DPK). Then I used this mixture and paste-embossed the word "Love" from stencil (LL498) onto acetate or transparency film. Also while I was waiting for these pasted pieces to dry I stenciled the flower lace background design onto the lavender paper using pigment ink and a very large 3/4" stencil brush. This particular stencil has a repeat to it so I could move it around on the larger piece of paper to cover the entire area.
     By now the flocked and pasted heart was dry, but to ensure that the flocking was deeply embedded into the Glossy Black Paste (DGKP) I warmed up my laminator, placed the heart inside a sleeve of glossy card stock (so the flocking wouldn't get sprinkled inside my laminator) and put the entire heart -flocking and all, through the machine. This way the flocking was impressed into the warmed up embossing paste. I cut out the pasted "Love" from the piece of acetate. I placed a piece of double stick mounting tape onto the back of the acetate and adhered it onto the flocked heart. A piece of Creative Impressions' Eggplant colored crepe ribbon, was tied onto the lavender background card then the mauve striped paper was cut 1/8" larger than the flocked heart and mounted behind it. These two hearts were then mounted using foam mounting tape onto the ribboned cardstock. For a finishing touch an ivory embellishment pin was colored using the Sugarplum Color Solution Ink (CS208) and placed down through the bow of the ribbon adornment. To finish the card I mounted it onto another piece of metallic pin-striped mauve cardstock.

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

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Celebrate! A New Year for Dreamweaver

2011-12-29T02:00:00.000-08:00

I am really looking forward to the New Year! I know the Dream Team of 2012 will have many creative projects to share with you, so get ready to boogie!!!

Before I forget, I just want to let you know that I will be teaching at Scrapbook Territory in Berkley, CA on Jan. 14. Check their blog for details.
OOPS...I guess there was an error, on their blog it says Jan 12 Thursday, but I will be there on Jan 14 Saturday, not Thursday.

This week we are focusing on creations that celebrate looking forward to what's ahead and these three kitties are doing just that as they peer into a window created with the faux ceramic tile technique.

To create the window I first dry embossed the tile grid stencil (LJ811) by running it through my Big Shot embossing machine. Then I stenciled yellow pigment (using a 3/4" stencil brush) at the bottom sections of the window, oranges through the middle (use a second clean brush for oranges and reds) and at the top section I stenciled with purple pigment ink (again use a clean brush for your darkest colors). Be sure to leave the grid stencil in place on the white cardstock. I then taped the confetti stencil (LJ854) on top of the grid stencil and stenciled spring green and blue pigment ink through the confetti stencil onto the yellow areas of the window, red on top of the orange areas and magenta on top of the purple areas of the window. Next I removed only the confetti stencil. To finish off the window, which appears in real life to be shiny (hard to capture in the photo), as you would believe glass to be...I again left the LJ811 grid stencil in place and used a jumbo dauber and daubed a clear embossing ink all over this window grid stencil. THEN at last I finally removed the grid stencil and sprinkled Suze Weinberg's Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel all over the window panes. Next tap off any excess powder and heat with a heat gun. I then mounted this finished window on a pale blue card stock and also placed a small strip of brown at the base to create a window sill to give the kitties a place to sit. For instructions on this faux ceramic tile technique you can watch it being done on my DVD titled Unique Techniques (DVD-1).

I paste-embossed the three cats stencil (LM266) with Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP). And immediately when I removed the stencil I sprinkled the cat on the left with black glitter being careful to waterfall (or angle) the cardstock away from the other two wet pasted cats. Next I glittered the cat of the far left with a pale gold glitter this time angling the paper away from the middle cat. Then I paste-embossed the "Celebrate" stencil (LS90) using Matte Black Embossing Paste (DMBP) in the middle of the windows. It is a little tricky to paste over the top of something as "bumpy" as this window background, but I used the new paste spreader (LM2010) and that has made a really big difference. The difference being that I can usually paste something with just one sweep across the stencil rather than going over it several times. Remember that every time you stroke across the stencil with a palette knife or spreader you run the risk of the paste squishing under the stencil. Once the "pasted" kitties are dried you can reposition the stencil and overlay the zebra background stencil (LJ815) on top of the gold glittered kitty and stencil with brown pigment ink to get his stripes. The calico cat in the middle was daubed with brown and black pigment ink...leaving just a few patches of white showing through. I even stenciled the inner edges of the black cat with black pigment ink to give him some shadows or depth. Then the window and sill were placed on a piece of dark blue velvet paper for the feeling of a night time celebration.

Pam Hornschu, our new team leader, will be letting us know how our 2012 blog challenges will be done this year. Below is Mr. Linky and we look forward to your playing along soon.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Burgundy and Gold Colorway

2011-12-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

OK...so I know this card is more maroon than burgundy, but it is a card that team member Kristi Van Doren designed and it really sings to me. You know the song...Lalalala la and a partridge (or two) in a pear tree, or in this case in a pear and a tag. Great card Kristi!!!

I decided that in this post instead of talking about technique I am going to talk about what a great design team we have had this past year. Team member, Deborah March is moving on, but I know she will be in touch...she is traveling big time. In fact off to Ecuador and other places as well. As some of you know she has three precious grandson's in Ottawa and is planning on some time with them in the near future. Can't wait to hear from her to see what she is up to next. In her lifetime she has been a nurse and social worker and has spent much time upholding the enthusiasm of the team in spite of her own ups and downs...and even some private counseling for yours truly. Thanks Deborah and wishing you much joy in 2012, you deserve it.

Although Kim Parkinson will not be rejoining us, she has mentioned that she will still be teaching and we are hoping when our teaching team gets going that she will join and then we will hear when and where her classes will be. She also has three little guys in her life and it has been so great seeing her pictures of them on her blog. When I see them it always makes me realize that my priority is family first. Thanks for all of your innovative ideas Kim...we have all benefitted from your creative and sharing spirit.

As 2011 comes to a close we want to welcome three new members to our design team. Yes...it was really hard to choose only two new team members, so we've added three. Here they are:

Jessie Hurley is from British Columbia, Canada and is very enthusiastic about Dreamweaver Stencils (well really, what's not to like...right?). She has something in common with our team member Lee Kellogg... she owns a retail store. So as she starts to blog about stenciling I am sure she will let us know more about her business, can't wait.

Cyndi Bundy is from North Carolina and is a very busy lady. She has three teenagers, which is really a mind blower right there (I only raised one and it nearly blew my mind)...but then she also has an eight year old. I'm in awe...because she also is a sales rep, a stamping teacher, a blogger and is on a couple other design teams,woops almost forgot...she also has a hubbie. We are not yet sure about her sanity, but we will find out more soon.

Cherylynn Moser is from Oregon. She is from both eastern and western oregon...her hubbie has been in school and so they take turns moving from one location to another. (Higher education can be a really moving experience...just ask her.) She too had her own retail business, but because of the travel she has given that up and mostly teaches in stores in Western Oregon. Fortunately for Dreamweaver she likes to stencil and we have benefitted from having her teaching expertise. She has stenciled for many years and we have been fortunate to have her play along with our challenges too. Thanks Cherylynn...looking forward to having you on the team too.

Please go to the Dreamweaver Stencils' Facebook page. After "liking" us, if you leave a welcoming comment to our new members, you have the opportunity of possibly winning a wonderful stencil design. Click HERE!

As this year winds down I want to thank Pam Hornschu for her organization of many blogging details and for putting out the call for the new team. She has also saved my personal blog many a time from delinquentness (spell check says that is not a word) due to my travels and busy schedule. To each of the other members thank you for your unflagging enthusiasm for our stencils and for your silliness when we needed silliness and your seriousness when we needed that. Hoping that 2012 will be a bit less eventful in some ways and full of hope in every way! God bless us everyone!

And on that note, if anyone would like to play along and join our burgundy (or maroon) and gold colorway challenge here is Mr. Linky to Link to...

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Sketch Challenge #13 by Pam Hornschu

2011-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Today's schematic challenge was created by Pam Hornschu. She has encouraged the team to use a vintage flair, but also said that just good old Christmas would do as well. So I did a bit of a variation of retro instead by using that turquoise blue with a rosy red that was seen so much in the 40s and 50s. I remember we had turquoise appliances when I was growing up and I still love that turquoise/aqua color. This is also a case of CASE-ing...remember what that means? Pam wrote about the "ultimate compliment" a couple of weeks ago on my blog...then just scroll down to her post on my site (Nov 17) and see the resemblance of my card and hers... thanks Pam for letting us know how it all works.

This card is quite simply made. I cut three vertical windows with a craft knife and put clear acetate behind them.

On another piece of aqua cardstock I paste-embossed the poinsettia stencil (LG700) using Dreamweaver Glossy Red Embossing Paste (DGRP) and while it was wet I placed aqua crystals onto the wet paste using the Grab-IT tool (RGGI). While this was drying I cut a semi-circle of rosy red cardstock and paste-embossed the Merry Christmas stencil (LS92) with the Dreamweaver Matte Black Embossing Paste (DMBP).

I would like to emphasize, that usually the poinsettia stencil is somewhat tricky to paste-emboss, but I did the paste work on this stencil by using the new paste spreader (LM2010) and it was so much easier than my past experiences. If you are having difficulty with larger stencils or very "lacey" stencils like the poinsettia...which has many fine bridges, this larger spreader really makes the work a breeze. Both of my newer DVDs go into detail on how to use this helpful tool. Tips&Tools can be ordered as DVD-3 and Embossing Paste Techniques as DVD-2.

Just a final note...because of my recent travels we have put off choosing our newdesign team members, but we will let you all know soon. Also if you would like to play along this week with the above challenge, just check add your nameto mr. linky below and we would love to have you on board.

CASE-ing...The Ultimate Compliment

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's Pam again! Lynell is off teaching classes this week.
Ever heard of the expression to "CASE" someone else's design work? This acronym means to "Copy and Say Everything"...in other words, being inspired by someone's creation to the point of copying it (with slight changes) and being proud to admit that you did not come up with the original idea, but someone else did. If you have ever been on Split Coast Stampers web site, you will see a lot of CASE-ing. As Lynell has said frequently, nothing in art is immaculately conceived. Everyone is inspired by someone else into taking the thought one step further. The cards in this post are the perfect example of this. The card at the top was created by me for the latest release at CHA Summer in July. I kept it very simple, and went with just the pink and white retro theme. I embossed the Christmas Tree on the white cardstock panel with my Big Shot machine, embossed the Christmas Tree again on Mercart Aluminum and Core'dinations cardstock (both of which were sanded to reveal their underlying color), I added a bright pompom and a sticker sentiment. Done.
The second card was created by Rebekka Behunin, a long time friend, helper, and wonderful teacher of Dreamweaver Stencils products and techniques. Obviously, Rebekka took my card to the next level. Her version uses all Mercart Colored Aluminum in various colors, run through the embossing machine, sanded, and in addition...a machine-embossed sentiment and yummy Creative Impressions' bow and Dreamweaver Stencils 3" pin for extra bling.
The third card by Elaine Benedict, sales rep and teacher for Dreamweaver Stencils, falls sort of in between the first and second card...one main color (red), part Mercart colored aluminum and part Core'dinations cardstock, both sanded as before. Elaine also added the embossed sentiment with a ribbon, plus a star brad on top, and rhinestone accents. When you look at all three cards, you can see the progression. All three cards have their own unique look, and I'm sure like me, the other two artists were pleased to create their own version, and I was complimented by being their inspiration. Somewhere along the line, the tables will be turned, and it will be me being inspired by their work to "CASE" it, in honor of their creativity as well. This week, I'd like to challenge you to CASE something that one of our Dream Team member's (list at right) has created and link your version here on the Dream It Up! blog!

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Silver & Turquoise Colorway Challenge

2011-12-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

Well at first glance this creation may not impress you as being silver and turquoise. However once you read this you will understand why I thought it would qualify. For those of you who enjoy the metallic leafing technique done on embossing paste here is the gist of where I am headed. There are basically four types of variegated metallic leafing that Dreamweaver sells. They are called variegated green, red, blue and black. The blue and the green are fairly similar and have a golden undertone so when I do the prep work with a metallic paste I usually use the Dreamweaver Gold Embossing Paste (DGP) and the red has a definite orange metallic undertone that "says" to me, "I'm copper", so of course I basecoat with the Dreamweaver Copper Metallic Embossing Paste (DCP). But the black has always been a bit of a misnomer to me. It has a bit of golden tone to it and yet the variegation is more silvery to me, so why they call it "black" I am not sure....hmmm, but because I perceive it as silver I usually basecoat with the Metallic Silver Embossing Paste (DSP). And that is what I did with the new ornate Christmas tree (LX7003).

For the second part of this colorway challenge I would also like to draw attention to the turquoise cardstock that I've used. This beautiful cardstock is imported from Japan and is offered by Hanko Designs owned by Kathy Yoshida. You will find that on her site it is referred to as Tsumugi Turqoise. These lightweight cardstocks absorb the embossing paste beautifully.

Once the paste was dry I repositioned the stencil with removable tape and daubed the Stamp & Stick Glue onto the swirly areas of the design and the star at the top. I removed that stencil and heated it with a heat gun for 15 - 30 seconds until these glued areas became tacky and then applied the black variegated leafing and burnished it with a firm clean stencil brush. I then repositioned the stencil again and daubed on the same glue and stenciled these glued areas with a small stencil brush and the mica powders sold by Dreamweaver called Metallic F/X...the colors I used? Poinsettia: Plum Royal, Holly Leaves: Ivy Garden, Pears: Goldfinch, Partridges, Sapphire.

The pin was colorized with the new Artist Grade Alcohol ink Color Solution: Color- Iceberg. It is really fun to colorize the white or ivory pins with any of the new Color Solution inks.

Be sure to follow the sidebar at the right and visit the rest of the team to see what they have done for this beautiful colorway challenge. And if you are interested in playing along with us this week just add your name to Mr. Linky below and we will come visit your blog. If you don't have a blog but would like to send me a sample of one of your creations I would love to post it for you.

This is a card by Rebekka Behunin let me post, she travels and teaches with Dreamweaver Products here in Southern California. This is another turquoise and silver creation: the metal is colored and then sanded. She used the swirl stencil in the background (LJ873) and the gingko stencil on top (LJ893) and then paste embossed on the black cardstock with the Dreamweaver Silver Embossing Paste (DSP) using the thank you stencil (LG691).

A Cornucopia of Thanks from Dreamweaver Stencils

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

As Lynell is away with family for the Thanksgiving Day festivities, this is Pam once again sharing one of my creations for the holiday. Originally, we were being doubly challenged this week with a sketch design of either a round card, or a round panel on a card, along with the Thanksgiving theme. Since most of us here in the US, either entertain in a huge way or travel long distances for this holiday, I thought that I'd take pity on the girls and suggest that we just stick with a Thankful/Thanksgiving theme this week. However, I had already started my card with the circle sketch in mind, so I continued with it...somewhat. I had paste-embossed in Metallic Copper Embossing Paste the Cornucopia stencil on a circular cut kraft card. Once this was dry, I placed a sheet of Stampee Red Foil over the surface, placed it between a folded sheet of printer paper, and ran it through my hot laminator. The process adheres the foil perfectly to the pasted surface. I did change up the process with one detail. I crumpled up the piece of foil really well to break up the look of the foil on the copper paste, and give it a slightly aged appearance. I added to this by softly stamping a crackle finish around the edges with brown ink. I stenciled the sentiment from this stencil slightly overlapping the image with the same brown ink and embossed clear brown embossing powder over it for added shine. My dark brown card and fun plaid patterned paper finished off the warm and homey look that I was trying to achieve. Since the Dream Team have taken special time this week to inspire you with their Thanksgiving creations, be sure to check them out:

Wendy Jordan
Terrece Siddoway

Laura Drahozal
Deborah March

This team is a fabulous group to work with, and we would all love for you to join our team! The Dream Team call is open until November 30th for submissions. The term will start January 1st, 2012. All the info can be found in the post HERE. Meanwhile, please play along with us and post your own Thanksgiving creation and link it below.

Nothing Warped About This Sketch Challenge!

2011-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Pam here for this week's Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team sketch challenge, created for us by Wonder Wendy (yes, Wendy, I just did that to you!). Since I was lucky enough to work with this sketch twice this week (and now have two more Christmas cards to add to my pile!), I decided to keep this pretty simple. I ran the base card through my Big Shot with the Stripes stencil to mimic the cute paper. Do you remember the correct "sandwich" recipe for embossing with stencils using the machines? No, no. Put away the peanut butter and jelly. It goes like this:

1) Place stencil first on base platen (item number face down). If stencil has predominantly vertical or horizontal lines, place to go vertically through machine.
2) Spritz the back of your cardstock with rubbing alcohol, (helps to break down the fibers slightly for a deeper emboss) and place face down on stencil.
3) Place rubber embossing mat over cardstock layer.
4) Place TWO clear platens on top (add cardstock shims if necessary). This will protect your stencil from becoming bent.

Note: If your clear platens are warped from repeated die-cutting, do not use with stencils. We recommend purchasing a set for your die-cutting and a separate set for embossing.

Okay, so that was simple, right? Now I followed the same process once again with the red Dotted Swiss cardstock panel and the Poinsettia stencil...but just one more addition. To get just a bit more pop, I applied Warm Red ColorBox Chalk ink over the surface of the stencil, placed my spritzed panel on top, etc., etc....the end result being a transfer of ink just dark enough to add more depth to the embossed image. I paste-embossed the Happy Holidays sentiment in Regular White Paste over the panel and sprinkled with ultra-fine crystal glitter. The striped panel of paper with it's matching punched circle "buttons", and baker's twine bows add the fun factor. The rhinestones add the "Kristi" touch...the bling!
Now, it's time to see what our fun team has been up to with Wendy's challenge. We'd love for you to take part as well and link your creation below on Mr. Linky. Want to play with the team all the time? We are looking for YOU! We have a design team call now through the end of November for the term beginning January 1st, 2012. You can find the info in THIS POST. Feeling social? Be sure to LIKE us our new Facebook page found HERE.

Butterflies in the Winter?

2011-11-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

I am still posting some of the alternate projects for the Thistle card for my upcoming classes at Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta, Georgia. I showed that card on my blog a few days ago. And if you want to see the boards with the actual classes click HERE to visit their blog.

Again this card is done with the same materials...colored aluminum from MercartUSA, and the new Color Solution which is an artist grade alcohol ink from Dreamweaver Stencils. However it uses two different stencils: the daisy background stencil (LJ892) and the new butterfly stencil (LJ916).

You may ask, "What makes this color used on these metal projects artist grade?". Well, it comes in 16 vibrant colors for one thing, and this means you can mix the colors and thin the colors to make them tints, tones and shades. Also the conditioner which is the Color Solution actually helps the solution stay moist for a few seconds longer than most alcohol inks. Which means you have a bit more time to work with them. Yes, they do dry quickly but you have time to manipulate them more which makes it nice for the traditional stenciling procedure of applying your colorant moist as opposed to extremely wet (and of course you can't stencil with a dry applicator...where's the fun in that).

HEY!!! Don't forget ....if you are a cardmaking, blogging, enthusiastic stencil fanatic (like the rest of my team)...consider joining our design team. Click HERE to learn more of what you can expect from us and what it means to be on the team and of course how to make it happen. You have until the end of November to respond.

Nouveau Rose

2011-11-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

Here is another creation which could be substituted for the Thistle at my classes at Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta, Georgia on December 3. It uses the exact same materials (done on aluminum metal from Mercart), but different stencils. The Nouveau Rose stencil (LL3000) was embossed with the Nouveau Roses background stencil (LJ862) and the Thank You stencil (LM222) adds a vertical sentiment.

If you are interested in seeing the descriptions for the other classes click on Rubber Stamp Fantasy and this will take you to their blog.

Would you like to join the Dreamweaver Stencils design team? We would love to have you try out for the team, just click HERE to find out all the details.

Classes in Georgia

2011-11-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

There has been some discussion regarding the projects for Layered Metallica which is my December 3 afternoon class at Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta Georgia. I have included a couple of alternative cards for people and here is one of the possibilities that you can do with the exact same materials, but different stencils. See the detail of how the background stencil (LX7001) comes alive in the detail of the poinsettia (LG700). I love how this technique makes you want to touch the metal. I have put the backing paste from Mercart behind the poinsettia stencil area to give it the extra "puffy" look.

If you are interested in the New Dream Team Call and what is required of you to be on the team click here to discover how it all works.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Free Challenge Today!

2011-11-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

This week I am posting a card design I made with Mercart's metal. I will soon be teaching a metal embossing technique where the stencils are being put through the Big Shot or Cuttlebug embossing machines with metal and then sanded and colorized using our new Color Solution Artist Grade Alcohol Inks. This is just a small preview because the class has not yet been taught, but over the next couple of days I will show a few of the creations for my upcoming classes at a stamp store in Marietta Georgia called Rubber Stamp Fantasy. If you happen to be visiting or living in the Atlanta area near Rubber Stamp Fantasy I will be teaching there December 2-4, so go to their blog to see all of the different classes scheduled for those dates and sign up...here is their link:http://rubberstampfantasy.blogspot.com/ The stencils used for this creation are the Thistle (LL3001) and the Celtic Cross (LG647). Be sure to check back over the next few days for more information. Later in December I will be sharing more details on how to do these techniques.

Also remember our New Dream Team "call". Click here to find out more about how you can become a team member. To let us know more about your talents why not play along with us this week. You can make any creation you desire since it's a free week. Just connect in to mr. linky below and we will hop by your blog and share your creative moments.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Black and White Colorway Challenge

2011-11-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

This card was done by Julie Makela, stenciler extraordinaire, from Australia. Our monthly colorway challenge is black and white, so I thought you would enjoy these little penguins from "Down Under". Julie has a website and a blog that you can visit to see some of her other creations if you click here. Every once in awhile she visits us here at our blog, so Julie if you are reading and I haven't told how you have done this correctly, just hop into the comments and let us all know your methods. Thank you soooo much for sharing your work with us over the years. Julie has been our inspiration for what we call the "double glitter" technique and more recently for her techniques with the Stampee Foils.

These little guys (penguin stencil LL560) were paste-embossed in Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP) onto acetate and once they were dry she painted their white stomach and necks on the back of the acetate with a Glossy White Embossing Paste or white acrylic (DGWP). While they were drying she sculpted the mountains (or icebergs) onto black cardstock freehand, using a sharp tipped spatula or artist palette knife again with the Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP). To finish the card she layered textured papers...white, silver, and an icy pale blue.

For those of you who enjoy card design or teach or both we are putting out a Dream Team Call, just continue on and read through to the next posting to hear all about what we can do for you and what you can do for Dreamweaver Stencils. Design team member, Pam Hornschu, is taking on the responsibility of making it all happen, so if you have any questions about being on the team feel free to email her.

Dreaming of Being on the Dream Team? Bring It On!

2011-11-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

See this great badge? This could be yours! How? By submitting your best artwork in our Design Team Call. Here's the info:

Dreamweaver Stencils’ Design Team Call out:
Beginning: November 1st, 2011
Ending: November 30th, 2011
New team members will be announced: December 8th, 2011
Term from January 1st, 2012 through December 31st, 2012
(first posting will be January 5th, 2012)

Do you dream in color? Do you dream in texture? Do you dream in fun? Then the Dreamweaver Stencils’ Dream Team wants YOU! We are looking for someone with an organized mind but still able to think outside the box…or in this case…the stencil.

Here is what we would require from you:

1) You must have a blog and be willing to post for Dreamweaver Stencils at least
once per week…on Thursdays usually. These posts must be live on time. We
understand that emergencies happen. Please let Pam know if you will not be
able to post that week. An inconvenience is not an emergency. If you know in
advance that you will be away, pre‐schedule your blog. If you need advice
regarding this, no problem.
2) You must be able to link your blog to a social network site such as FaceBook,
Twitter, etc.
3) You must be willing to link your posts to at least one online site each week,
such as Split Coast Stampers, Two Peas in a Bucket, Paper Craft Planet, etc.
4) You must be willing to play with the once a month challenges (the first
Thursday of each month), which will include sketches, colorways,
inspirations, and dimensional items (boxes, frames, quilts, wall hangings,
furniture…anything other than a card). This challenge week will fulfill your
obligations for that week’s post.
5) You must be willing to submit your creations to online magazines, and paper
magazines in the industry at least two times per year. We understand that
whether you are published is at the whims of the editors, but we would like
some effort put forth in this, including emailing a copy of your submitted
design to Lynell and Pam.
6) You will be required to create samples for new release product, and
physically send them to Dreamweaver Stencils for use on sample boards,
industry and retail shows, sales reps, etc. Occasionally your samples can be
photographed and emailed. Many times you will receive your samples back
after they have been photographed for use.
7) Occasionally, you may receive new product for you to test and provide your
opinion.
8) Your samples will be cards, scrap pages, and dimensional items. We want
crafters to see all the multiple ways stencils can be incorporated into their
projects. Your samples will need to demonstrate a variety of techniques and
products as well. Patterned papers, stamps, and embellishments from other
companies can be added, but the stencil designs MUST be the focus.
9) You must provide supply lists and instructions with each sample.
10) You will be expected to sign a form promising not to share any trade secrets
or new designs before release.
11) You are free to belong to other design teams as long as they are not direct
competitors of Dreamweaver Stencils.

Here is what you can expect from us:

1) We will provide you with a beginning “kit” including several stencil designs,
paste, Metallic F/X, Memories Mists, aluminum, tools, etc. Some of these
items you will be allowed to select your own designs, colors, etc.
2) With each new release, we will send you one each of the stencils designs, and
extras that we receive from various companies in the industry for you to play
with and incorporate into your samples. We will request that you give these
companies credit on your blogs, etc. for these items.
3) We will provide you with Lynell’s Tips and Techniques video as well as a
complete assortment of Technique Sheets. We do not expect you to know
these techniques from the start, but be willing to learn and expand your
creativity.
4) Occasionally one of your creations may be used for a display board in stores.
You will be given the first opportunity to make the amount necessary and be
compensated in cash for your work. This is not expected, but gives you the
chance to earn a little extra.
5) Another reward opportunity will be available to you for being published in
any of the main industry magazines such as Paper Crafts, Just Cards, Scrap &
Stamps Arts, Stamper’s Sampler, etc. You will receive a “credit” to spend as
you would like on Dreamweaver Stencils and product.
6) You will be welcomed to the Dream Team Yahoo Group site which will give
you an opportunity to learn from the more experienced members of the
team, enjoy the fun of our stenciling “family”, and received updated bulletins
regarding team events. You will have your own “album” where you can
upload your designs for the rest of the team to see, and for Lynell or Pam to
possibly use in the weekly Dream It Up! Posts (yes, you will receive credit).
7) You will have a wholesale discount of 50% for purchase of other
Dreamweaver Stencils’ product for your use. If you are interested in teaching
locally, there are other ways that the company will be willing to help you so
that your classes are profitable for all. (See info on the requirements for the
Dreamweaver Stencils’ Teaching Team.)
8) We take great pride in our Dream Team members, so any opportunity that
we can help to promote you and your creativity will be made a priority. We
will keep an updated list of the latest editorial calendars for magazines on the
group site, or other challenges or opportunities you can go for. There will
also be a calendar in the Yahoo Group site for you to keep track of upcoming
deadlines and assignments.

This is what we need from you by December 1st, 2011:

1) Samples: at least two cards, one scrap page, and one dimensional item. At
least one item must be stenciled. We realize that many do not have much in
the way of stencils, so your creations may be completed in another papercrafting
technique (stamping). Your dimensional item does not need to be
mailed…just the flat pieces.
2) Photos of your samples. This is important as you will be posting each week
and your pictures need to be crisp, clean, clear, and well lit.
3) Name, address, phone number, email, and blog address. Your blog will be the
main view of you. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. We
don’t expect you to be an English teacher, but these items affect how others
perceive you and the Dreamweaver Stencils company as well.
4) A couple of paragraphs describing you…why you papercraft, how long have
you been crafting, have you stenciled before? Why do you want to be part of
the Dream Team? Why would you be a good addition?
Hopefully we have not scared you off with all these details. You will want to rely on
US and we will want to rely on YOU. If you have any questions, please feel free to
email Pam at phornschu@hotmail.com.

Please mail your samples by November 30th, 2011, to:

Dreamweaver Stencils
Lynell Harlow
Dream Team 2012
1335 Cindee Lane
Colton, CA 92324

Email your personal info and photos to:
Lynell Harlow
lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com
Pam Hornschu
phornschu@hotmail.com

Cards via Snail Mail

2011-10-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

I love it when you send me a card in the mail. This card comes to me from a follower who won a stencil in our last blog hop. Marijane is an avid follower and this thank you card made my day.

She paste-embossed the pineapple stencil (LS27) with the regular Dreamweaver Embossing Paste (DEP) and then stenciled it with yellow and green and then shaded with a bit of brown.

Love it Marijane, and hoping you are having a good weekend!

Just a heads up regarding our new design team call, Pam Hornschu will be posting information this next week on what to expect so keep in touch.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Sketch by Kim

2011-10-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

This weeks sketch challenge is by Dream Team member Kim Parkinson. And the technique I chose is appropriate for her creation because she was one of the first people that ever sent me a card with alcohol inks showcased. It was such an inspiration that I have been intrigued with the idea of working on metal with alcohol ever since.

I began by dry embossing the new "Prince of Peace" stencil (LX7004) through my embossing machine with a yellow-gold colored aluminum. Remember the stacking process is important so you don't bend the stencils. Here is the formula that works best...follow this order for all of the plates and materials for the best results.

1. Thick white plate (Cuttlebug and Big Shot both have these).
2. Stencil
3. Material to be embossed goes face down on the stencil in this case gold colored metal is against the stencil
4. Thick rubber mat by Stamping Details
5. Two acrylic plates (be sure these are not warped and if you are using the Cuttlebug it would be the two "B" plates.

After it is embossed I removed it from the stencil and sanded the raised lettering with a fine grit sanding block or manicure block. Then I repositioned the stencil onto the metal and daubed a mixture of Color Solution alcohol ink (the color was Sugar Plum CS208) with thinner or blending solution (CSC). This was accomplished by dripping just a few drops of each onto a felt applicator. The new one ounce bottles have a control tip nozzle that just squeezes out one drop at a time.

Then I dry embossed the nativity stencil (LL3019) onto a plain "silvery" colored piece of aluminum using the same stacking formula as above and then removed the stencil and daubed the entire surface with the same Sugar Plum Color Solution (CS208) using a felt applicator. Because I wanted to colorize the nativity with a yellow gold color I replaced the stencil and wiped the purple color off of the design using a cotton swab dampened with thinner. Doing this gave me a clean surface to work on, otherwise the purple would mix with the next color I used. The Color Solution Gold Star (CS203) matches the background to a "t" and was perfect to then stencil a beautiful yellow-gold color onto the nativity. Again I achieved this using a clean piece of felt on my applicator, but this time I wanted it to be more opaque so I didn't add thinner like I did with the Sugar Plum Color Solution.

Once these pieces were dry I mounted the nativity onto a glossy piece of black cardstock and again onto the metal piece.

If you would like to play along with our sketch this week sign up on mr. linky below. And be sure to follow the "dream team" list at the sidebar on the right of my blog to see what the other members have done this week.

Art for Joplin

2011-10-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Design team member Kristi Van Doren has been working so hard the past few months on an e-bay auction for the people of Joplin Missouri. Many people lost everything including loved ones in this terrible tornado in southwest Missouri. Kristi lives in nearby Springfield and has been getting together both finished pieces of crafts and artwork as well as crafting supplies donated by CHA members.

Today I went onto the site and noticed she has my allotment of stencils, dvd, embossing paste and a beautiful tray that someone handcrafted. This lot of items (including the peacock stencil that you see in this post) is worth almost $100 retail and the bid is only $12.50, so I would like to encourage those of you that are crafting enthusiasts to take a look at what is available to bid on and then give a stab at getting some of these crafting treasures. It is for a great cause and you would benefit in more than one way. Here is a link to the ebay page http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=33694 that is titled ART for Joplin. This allotment has only a few hours left, but there are other items that are still coming up.

Have a good weekend!

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Artist Grade Alcohol Inks-Color Solution

2011-10-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

This Fall card was created using the new Color Solution Artist Grade Alcohol Inks and they will soon be available. I designed this card to be taught at a retailers workshop in the UK recently.

The Japanese Maple leaves stencil (LJ906) was paste embossed with the Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) and after it was dry I repositioned the stencil onto the leaves to add the color.

The Color Solution inks have a control tip on them. This means that only one drop at a time will come out of the tip. So I dripped Paprika Red and Aspen Leaf onto a felt applicator and daubed it with a tapping motion through the holes of the stencil design. These inks dry a bit slower than other inks that I have worked with so I waited just a minute for it to dry completely then I daubed on just a small amount of a purple color called Thistle for some sharp contrast. The stems were daubed with Creme Brulee (this is a light carmel color) and a few drops of Paprika as well.

The frame was simply made by daubing Citron and Aspen Leaf onto glossy card stock and then die cut twice with a nestability frame...a larger one and smaller one of the same shape.

The embellishment pin started out white and then I daubed it with the Thistle Color Solution. (These alcohol inks can be used on many non porous surfaces. I have used them on acetate, glossy cardstock, shrink plastic, metal, gourds, ribbon and the list goes on and on because of course they can also be used on porous surfaces as well.) Next it was threaded through the beautiful red crepe ribbon from Creative Impressions. I absolutely love their line of crepe ribbons. (And everything else they have for embellishments as well.)

I know I have been teasing you with these new alcohol inks and the design team will start showing them off on their posting creations as well, keep in touch by visiting our blogs. Be patient...these new inks will be in your local rubber stamp store soon.

Also this past week I was posting in pink and black every day and mentioning that a call will soon be going out for a new design team. Pam Hornschu will be our new team leader and she is staying on top of the details. I will be posting more details as she lets me know her next steps in the process. As the owner of Dreamweaver Stencils I wear many hats and am happy to turn this demanding job of co-ordinating the design team call over to her. I have learned so much about design teams this year and yet with all that I have going on I realize that I can't do it justice. I want to thank Deborah March and the present team for keeping on through the ups and downs of their busy and eventful lives. Looking forward to being supportive of each and every one of the new team.

Join us this week and link us to a creation you have on your blog! After all it's a free challenge this week...anything goes.

Black Flocking on Glossy Black Paste

2011-10-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

I loved doing this card. The flower lace background stencil (LJ820) is one of my favorites. This time I paste-embossed it with Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP)... in fact I used the new paste spreader (LM2010) to paste-emboss the black paste onto a pale pink cardstock. The new spreader is especially wonderful for large lacy designs like this one. After I removed the stencil and while the paste was very wet I sprinkled the black flocking generously over the design. I placed it on my pancake griddle to hasten the drying time. (It usually cuts the drying time in half ...if not faster.) Then I turned on my laminator to give it time to heat up. After about 20 minutes I knocked the excess flocking off the paste (you don't want it too thick going through the laminator) and then sprinkled it sparsely with the black flocking. I then placed it into a folded piece of glossy paper and ran it through my now well heated laminator. The heat and pressure helps push the flocking into the slightly heated glossy black paste. I trimmed it out and tied it up with a pale pink ribbon and a black organza ribbon to make it look like a package wrapped in black lace. The small celebrate stencil (LS89) was placed onto a small glossy black tag and then paste-embossed with a mixture of Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) and a small amount of Glossy Red Embossing Paste (DGRP). The ratio was 4 parts white to 1 part red. Remember when you are mixing to make a tint you want the majority of the mix to be white. Once it was dry I tied it into the ribbon. This is a card that people want to touch...the fuzzy surface is a real tactile delight!

This is my last pink/black colorway posting. Tomorrow it is a free challenge day for the Dream Team...come back and see what they are dreaming up!

Aint She Sweet and Pretty in Pink (and black)

2011-10-18T03:00:00.000-07:00

This is the pink and black card I mentioned in an earlier post that Pam Hornschu posted a couple of months ago on her blog. She sent me the actual card and every time I look at it I see some small detail that I missed before. One thing that I saw yesterday on the card was that the pink die cut behind the cameo stencil design (LL3017) was dry embossed through an embossing machine using the fleur de lis background stencil (LJ841). And I think it was such a clever detail to put the same die cut behind the pink one and offset it to give it a shadow effect. The little banner saying "little sweetie" is done in the same way.

The houndstooth background stencil (LJ913) was paste-embossed with the Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) on a glossy black cardstock.

For the cameo itself she dry embossed the stencil on a piece of black colored aluminum using her embossing machine. She then removed the stencil and using a low grit manicure block sanded the image. The necklace was a simple embellishment of sticky crystals.

I am amazed at how many different ways you can use this cameo stencil and I am sure the new Dream Team will come up with many more ideas. If you are interested in maybe trying out for the team, be sure to stay tuned for our "call" at the end of the week. And thanks to all of you who have been following my pink and black theme this week.

"You Tube" Video of the Double Glitter Technique

2011-10-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed doing this double glitter technique with "sticky paper". I cheated a bit and added the yellow-gold mounting paper to give the pink and black an added kick. Recently I was a guest on the TV show Scrapbook Soup and if you want to watch exactly how to do this umbrella using this fun technique click on this YOU TUBE link to take you to the TV session. I tend to be a visual person and I am sure that at least the majority of crafters are the same, so it is nice to be shown how to do a technique, instead of reading the details. You can also email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com if you want me to email you the step by step process of double glittering. The rest of the card was very simply done. The raindrops stencil (LJ905) was paste-embossed with Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP) onto bright pink cardstock. The Showers of Blessing sentiment (LG738) was paste-embossed with Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) onto glossy black cardstock and then glittered with hot pink glitter before it dried. (Marj Marion was again the inspiration for this rain words stencil.) In the YOU TUBE video the umbrella stencil used is (LG737) and the dots stencil (LJ804) was over-layed onto the umbrella stencil and stenciled in black pigment ink.

One thing the Dreamweaver Design Team has done recently is a blog hop with our sister team in the UK. The theme of the hop was stenciling and creating on things that are NOT paper. So for our upcoming "Call" for a new design team we will probably be asking those of you who are interested in trying out for the team to do the same. Put your thinking caps on and look back at the old posts from a few weeks ago to see what our blog hopping team created for this amazing challenge. My favorite saying is: "No idea is immaculately conceived", so be inspired to inspire!

It's a Girl/More Pink and Black

2011-10-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

When I make a card that I am doing multiples of I do whatever I can to make it as simple as possible and the "it's a girl" (LM189) stencil was so easy to just stencil with black pigment ink. Even though the holes in this particular stencil are very fine I use as big a brush as I have because I am not worried about shading. Sometimes people think that if the holes are small you need a small brush, but you want as big a brush as possible if there isn't the need for finesse. Of course the paste-embossed bear was a little more involved, but that too was not so difficult to do quickly. In my new DVD called Tips and Tools (DVD-3) I show how you can paste-emboss multiples of the same design without changing the tape and washing the stencil off after each paste application. DVDs are great if you are a visual learner.

The little bear stencil (LM137) was paste-embossed very simply with the Matte Black Embossing Paste (DMBP). When the design dried I replaced the stencil and daubed some of the Stamp and Stick Glue (GSP) onto her bow and paws and then stenciled them with Pixie Blush Metallic F/X (F/X09).

The ribbons were a black with white polka dots and a pale pink organza tied together. I cut single slits on either side of the bear with an x-acto knife (these were done after I mounted the main card onto the black border cardstock, so they were only cut through these two card front pieces.) Then I threaded the untied pieces of ribbon behind the bear and through these slits. Next I tied the ribbon into a bow and put mounting tape on the back of the black piece of cardstock to then mount onto the bottom pink cardstock.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Dreamweaver Stencils Design Team stay tuned this next week for more details. One of the requirements will be for you to design a card using all the innovation you can dream up. We won't require that you use stencils just lots of imagination. So Dream it UP!!!

Ink Transfer using your Embossing Machine:

2011-10-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

To achieve the background for the cameo Elaine Benedict used a technique that some people are calling "letterpress" and I am calling "ink transfer". She started by tapping a pink distress ink called "spun sugar" all over her background tapestry stencil (LJ907) and then placed it face up on the thick white plate of her embossing machine. (Please note that stacking the plates in the right order is important so you don't bend your stencil.) She then placed her digital or glossy card stock face down on the inked stencil and followed this with a thick rubber embossing mat by "Stamping Details"(REM). The last two acrylic plates were then placed on top of this rubber mat. (If you are using a Cuttlebug it would be two "B" plates.) Just be sure these acrylic plates are not warped because the end result could be a curved stencil. I recommend that you have two acrylic plates that you use just for embossing with your stencils to avoid this pitfall. Then she embossed this stack of thick white plate, stencil, paper, rubber and last the two acrylic plates through her embossing machine. You want them to go through firmly for the best embossing results. This then transfers the ink from the stencil onto the cardstock and embossed the tapestry design at the same time. I have an instruction sheet on how to stack the plates through your embossing machine...email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com if you are needing this.

She then paste embossed the cameo (LL3017) in Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP) and the happy birthday (LM248) was paste embossed with the Translucent Embossing Paste (DEPT) and sprinkled with a pink glitter.

This cameo stencil (LL3017) seems to lend itself to this colorway, because this past Thursday design team member, Louise Healy, posted another beautiful rendition of the same stencil for our black and pink colorway challenge. In fact design team member, Pam Hornschu used the same cameo and colorway on her August 25 posting. Yes, these ladies are truly kindred spirits...makes me want to go do my own version right now. LOL!

I want to thank several of you for designing cards to go on my blog this year. Elaine Benedict and Marj Marion have been popular guest designers. Those of you who have occasionally joined our challenges and leave comments keep our creative spirits soaring. So if you are an adventuresome stenciler and would like to join our team be sure to check back next Thursday for more details on what it takes to belong to the Dream Team. Tomorrow we will have another pink and black creation, see you then!

Get Ready-Get Set-Get your "Glossy" Valentines Done Early

2011-10-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Well, this card doesn't have to be a Valentine, but I have several people in my life that already have their Christmas cards finished and are starting on the next holiday...yes, Valentine's Day will be here before we know it . LOL!

The pink dangling heart (LM272) was paste-embossed with a specialty mixture of one Tablespoon of the Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) with one teaspoon of the Glossy Red Embossing Paste (DGRP) mixed together using a palette knife (DPK). These two glossy pastes mixed together equal a sparkling look...and there wasn't even a speck of glitter in sight.

To make the second layer of black paper look like a darker black I used glossy black cardstock. And to make the ribbon look like it was pink with black dots...(it is a white organza ribbon with black dots), I tied it together with two very pale pink ribbons behind it to give it that same pale pink appearance.

Remember I told you we will be putting out a call very soon for a new Dreamweaver Stencils Dream team. What does that mean for you? It means that if you are interested be sure to practice up on your stenciling skills. At least one of your submissions should be a stenciling project. We will give you more details in one week.

Don't forget to come back and see more black and pink tomorrow! Dream team member Georgia Sommers posted a beautiful card yesterday in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Week. This reminded me that this past weekend as I was watching the Raiders play football that they were all dressed in black and white and then their shoes, socks, gloves and other accessories were hot pink. Great colorway guys!!!

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Colorway Challenge- Pink & Black

2011-10-13T03:00:00.000-07:00

This week is another colorway challenge...my fave challenge of the month you know! Marj Marion from Art n Soul in Olympia is the creator of this darling bird inspired card. In fact Marj was the one that really encouraged us to do a stencil of "bird words" (LG734) as you see in her sample. This card isn't difficult...just takes a bit of time, so if you are a beginning "paster" give it a try. She paste-embossed both the bird words and the fine feathered friends stencil (LM2009) with the Dreamweaver Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP) and the bird cage (LL3012) was paste-embossed with the Pearlescent Embossing Paste (DPP). The two black birds on the cage were little die cut birds as were the to white birds on the right...these embellishments were die cut on a glossy card stock and then glued onto the card.

As I was trying to decide on what to post this week I discovered that I have several cards done in pink and black, so this week I am going to try (operative word here is "TRY") to post everyday for a week with pink and black....and as I do so I will leave you some encouragement to try out for the Dreamweaver Design Team. We will be putting out a call in another week with details on what we need from you.

You are probably wondering what it means to belong to a design team...when I put out my initial call over a year ago, two or three of the people who answered the challenge didn't even know how to blog. But they came on board and became bloggers. YAY!!! They are proof evident that it can be done. LOL!

If you are interested in playing along this week with our colorway challenge sign up on Mr. Linky below, or email me one of your pink and black creations and I will post it this coming week. Be sure to visit the rest of the design team listed on the sidebar at the right for more pink and black inspiration.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Our Canadian Friends

2011-10-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

This Thursday is a free challenge week and today I am honoring our Canadian neighbor's Thanksgiving holiday. This year October 10 is their Thanksgiving (the date changes yearly just like ours) and I actually wish we celebrated this same day for ours, it just makes so much sense. It is before the weather turns cold for one thing, so the "over the river and through the woods" drive to Grandmother's house is much safer and the scenery much more Fall-like. Also we would have a bit more time to enjoy that holiday, because it is separated by more than two months from Christmas. Let's advertise this idea on facebook to everyone we know and see if we can get things changed. SERIOUSLY!

Today I have featured a simple dry embossed card using the pumpkins stencil (LL514) and the happy thanksgiving stencil (LM251). The greeting was even more simply done by just stenciling it with pigment ink. After the pumpkins were dry embossed I stenciled them with pigment inks as well. Next I took a large stencil brush and added just a touch of green pigment ink at the edge of the white cardstock by stenciling in a circular or rouging motion all the way around the card. Sometimes simple is elegant.

Speaking of elegant, the second card I am featuring is done by Canadian card artist and teacher Fran Holt. I met Fran at CHA and she was kind enough to send me a card recently. I love it when I can post YOUR creations on the blog...feel free to send them to me anytime. Now I have to admit I don't know how she did the background, so Fran...if you are reading along here let us know by writing us a message in the comments at the bottom of this post. Well here is what Fran emailed me as an explanation as to what she did for the damask background:

Hi Ladies,

Thank-you so much for your kind words about my card. My background was made using an ink transfer technique - so easy to do with Lynell's Dreamweaver stencils. Here are the steps that I followed.
Place your stencil on the flat bottom of a cardboard box.
Spray it with 4 - 6 sprays of at least 2 different colours. I used my old LuminArte Radiant Rain sprays: Sky Blue and Bronze Medallion. (I had the best results when I used opaque sprays that laid down solid colour.)
Place a piece of watercolour paper over your sprayed stencil. I used Canson, 140 lb, Cold Press.
Run your fingers over the paper, without moving it, to press it into the ink. When you're satisfied that you've transferred the colour, lift it off.
That's it, easy and simple. Have fun and enjoy!

I do have an instruction flyer with the above technique called "ink transfer technique". If anyone wants this please email me and I will send it to you. lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com The cameo stencil (LL3017) was paste-embossed with the Pearlescent Embossing Paste (DPP). The damask background stencil is (LX7001). This is a fairly new size of stencil for us and measures six by six inches. I made these LX stencils a size that would go through the Embossing Machines, both the Big Shot and Cuttlebug. Just FYI we also have a new size of rubber embossing mat (REM) that fits these stencils made by Stamping Details. For those of you that may be interested in taking a class from Fran, she teaches at a store in Pointe-Claire, Quebec called Bonnidee. Take time to visit them.

If you would like to play along this week remember it's our free week, so anything you want to show us. And I do love getting your cards in the mail as well if you don't know how to blog...I know you're familiar with snail mail.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Sketch by Deborah

2011-09-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

Sketch by Deborah March

Two days ago the hot weather finally broke and I felt that perhaps Fall was on it's way. With this positive thought I am going forward with a more seasonal attitude to my card making and blogging. I do love this time of year, even though Southern California is usually somewhat behind the rest of the country with it's Autumnal weather.

Our challenge today is a sketch by our own fearless leader Deborah March. I am presenting a card done on metal and colorized with new alcohol inks that will soon be on the market called "Color Solution". These artist grade alcohol inks are highly saturated and stay wet just a bit longer, giving you more time to work with the colors.

First I paste embossed the spider stencil (LS28) onto a piece of acetate using Pearlescent Embossing Paste (DPP) with the Goldfinch Metallic F/X mixed into it for a golden coloration. I set this aside to dry and then moved on to embossing the spider's web. I started by putting the spider web stencil (LJ816) through my embossing machine with a piece of aluminum.

The method I used to stack the plates:

1. A thick white plate or "platen" first

2. The stencil face down

3. Next the piece of metal to be embossed

4. Thick rubber mat (REM)

5. And finish with the two acrylic plates ...(if you are using the Cuttlebug then use 2 "B" plates).

...I also can't stress enough that for this step #5 if you usually use one of these acrylic plates for die cutting it could be warped and it could warp your stencil, don't put a warped acrylic plate close to the stencil or rubber mat.

Just FYI...I show how to do this stacking method in my new DVD Tips and Tools.

Once this was finished, I placed the embossed aluminum face up on my work mat, then I dripped several Color Solutions on the metal directly...Darkest Brown, Thistle, Citron and Gourd Green and then once it started drying I applied several drops of Gourd Green and Iceberg onto a piece of felt with just a few drops of thinning or blending solution and daubed it on top of the other already drying inks. This method of working a wet mixture of ink and thinner on top of the dry alcohol inks creates the puddling of color that you see in the finished "web" (LJ816).

A few minutes later when it was completely dry I sanded the embossed spider web with a fine grit sanding block so the web would stand out. I then cut the web into four rectangles and mounted the spider I had previously pasted onto acetate directly in the middle of the web.

Celebrate the F/X of Autumn!

2011-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi, Pam here once again. Lynell should be travelling back from Hawaii today, and therefore was unable to write the blog post for this week. Since it was a free week again, she suggested that I post this gorgeous card from our terrific sales rep in Illinois, Elaine Benedict. You've seen some other fabulous creations by Elaine on the Dream It Up! blog. Personally, I think we need to add Elaine to our Dream Team! What do you think? I love how she very softly stenciled the large LJ916 Butterfly stencil in the background of this card. I'm not precisely sure whether she used the Paintstiks or one of the Splendor Ink Pads with the stencil brushes, but either would achieve this effect. Then she went on to paste-emboss in Glossy Black the LJ906 Maple Branch before setting aside to dry. When paste-embossing a larger stencil like this one, we recommend using the new Paste Spreader. It works sort of like a "squeegee" to spread the paste evenly and helps to remove evenly as well. Once the paste was dry (approximately 45 minutes, or 20-30 minutes if placed on a low-heat electric pancake griddle, or the top of your toaster oven), she applied various shades of the Metallic F/X Powders. These leave a wonderful shimmer of autumn colors. One of my favorite parts of this card, is how even through the paste and powders, you still see the great textural lines of the cardstock base...and of course those beautiful butterflies! Now is your opportunity to see what the Dream Team has been up to for this free week. Please take advantage of the free week, to create your own piece of artwork and link at the bottom for us to see as well!

Dreaming in Lime and Gray

2011-09-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Hi, there, it's Pam here once again. Lynell is off to Hawaii to teach some wonderful Dreamweaver Stencils' classes. Poor thing! Don't you feel sorry for her? Lol. So I'm here with the honor of creating two items with Lee Kellogg's colorway challenge of LIME and GRAY! Yes, two, as I needed one for this blog and one for my own. Really unique color combo, but actually fun to work with. I kept the techniques simple on this card. Mostly using my embossing machine to add texture to all the elements. The card base was created from Core-dinations cardstock, and was run through the machine with the Herringbone stencil, and the embossed areas were sanded to highlight the pattern. The bamboo panel was created with the ink transfer method of inking the Bamboo stencil itself, running it through the machine with a strip of watercolor cardstock spritzed with rubbing alcohol. The spritzing helps to break up the ink a bit, creating an almost pointilism look, as well as enhancing the embossing. The final addition was the squares of Mercart aluminum run through the machine with the small Dragonfly stencil, off the edge for added interest. The Dream sentiment was simply ink-stenciled directly on the card. I love the contrast pop of the shades of lime green against the foggy gray color. If you have any questions regarding this card, or any of the Dreamweaver Stencils' line of products, please leave your question in the comment section, or email us at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com. Now do the hopping thing around to the Dream Team blogs and see what creative processes have been at work with them as well. Don't forget to create your own version of this week's colorway challenge, and use the Mr. Linky tool at the bottom of this post. We can hardly wait to see what YOU come up with!

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Glass Fusion

2011-09-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

Several days ago when we began our blog hop I posted a piece of glass fusion by Shirley Parlin. We were showing how you can do so many different home decor projects with stencils. Several years ago Shirley got interested in doing stained glass and as her glass art evolved she began doing glass fusion. Here is her explanation of how it works...in a nutshell:

"Fusing glass is just what it says, fusing two or more pieces together. For glass you need a lot of heat and this can be accomplished with a kiln that is especially made for glass firing (which is easier to operate) or you can use a regular ceramic kiln, which requires more "watching" or monitoring. Also, you must be sure that the pieces of glass are compatible, but using the stencils is somewhat simplified because you are using a glass powder referred to as "frit".

To do the background I started with a round piece of clear stained glass for the base, cut another piece of compatible glass just a bit larger of the blue and layered it on top of the clear. Then I used the geese stencil (LG687) for the design. I positioned the stencil where I wanted it, stenciled some white glue to the area and finished it with a sifting of black glass powder, the material known as "frit". We moved the stencil for each placement and proceeded with the same application of the black "frit". Then it was fired in our kiln and violá!"

Here are a couple of smaller pieces that I made with Shirley and use as coasters, the tulips stencil (LL444) and the wave crest stencil (LL477):

HOP ACROSS THE POND AND BACK/DAY FIVE

2011-09-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Quilt Block by Barbara Alama from Honolulu, HI

We have a winner!!! I used random.org to choose a winner for this posting.

The winner is #8 of 8 Janine and her comment was: "very elegant".

So, Janine, you can email me your snail mail address to: lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and I will send your your blog winnings.

We are continuing our blog hop with our friends from the UK. This year Woodware Craft Collection, Dreamweaver's exclusive UK distributor, has begun a blog and design team. Don't hesitate to visit their blog to ask questions and get information by communicating with their talented designers. They are great sources for technique and can even give guidance on where they may be teaching or where you can find Dreamweaver Stencils or Woodware's other great products.

In just a few days I will be flying to Honolulu, Hawaii to do a consumer show at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Joining me will be long time friend, quilter and Hawaii resident Barbara Alama. She stenciled this beautiful quilt block with an oil based paint and for a finishing touch she glued a myriad of gold, pearl and silver beads for some added bling. Barbara teaches quilting at one of the local stores in Honolulu and her students also enjoy stenciling as well.

To achieve the intensity and shading that you see here she started by placing the kimono stencil (LG634) in the center of a piece of muslin and taped out the edges to keep the fabric clean.

To keep the fabric from moving and shifting as she stenciled, she placed a piece of fine grit sandpaper underneath the fabric.

There are several fabric inks and paints out there that can be used, but Barbara often stencils with oil based Paintstiks. People often see the large crayon looking Painstiks and think that you use them directly on the stencil. But after peeling back the dry paint skin you actually stroke the creamy paint onto a palette and next pick up this color with a stencil brush to apply it to the stencil. The base color she chose for this kimono was Prussian Blue (a well known pigment that is favored by many artists in their palettes). Using a 3/4"stencil brush she started at the outer edge and repeatedly layered the color on the kimono stencil. Remember that if you are stenciling a wall hanging and it isn't going to be laundered it is OK to stencil with any pigment based ink that you would use on your paper creations.

Next she layered the cherry blossoms stencil (LG644) on top of the kimono stencil. Leaving the kimono stencil in place keeps the area beyond the kimono design clean. This time she didn't shade from light to dark, she just stenciled the blossoms quite heavily with an Alizarin Crimson Paintstik (another favorite artists' pigment) and then used a brown color for the stems. Whether you are creating on a box, a frame, a piece of furniture or working on a piece of fabric like Barbara's creation you can use stencils in a hundred different ways. So enjoy and when before this HOP is over be sure to sign up as a follower to keep up with the latest stenciling trends.

For the next "HOP" on this magnificent blogging tour, visit the blog of Pam Hornschu:http//1pamperedstamper.blogspot.com Remember to leave comments on every blog. This will give you more of a chance to win goodies in the form of Dreamweaver Stencils.

HOP ACROSS THE POND AND BACK.../Day Three of TALLY HOP!!!

2011-08-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

We have a winner for this posting who has been chosen using random.org. She was winner #12 of 13.

It is Marijane who made the following comment: I am thrilled to be getting ideas beyond card-making! All the home-dec art I saw today is really inspiring and with Christmas still a way off, there's time to make some of these darling projects as gifts. You will be remembered long after the Christmas cards are put away! The featured stencil is also one of my favorites.

Please email your snail mail address to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and I will send your blog winnings.

Our fearless leader, Deborah March, has inspired me with a project she did a few weeks ago! So I CASEd it! Her project was a frame as well and she too, used the Corner Swirls stencil (LJ896). I loved it, but I diverged a bit and used the Matte Black Embossing Paste (DMBP) instead of the white that she chose. I found this frame already painted at a discount store and I couldn't resist the shabby chic finish that was already on the frame. I printed out a photo of my daughter onto just regular copy paper...this gave the picture a grainy appearance. It was only black and white, so to give it a vintage feel I sprayed it with the Memories Mists colors- Pale Ale and Orange Juice. I know there are a lot of mists or sprays out there, but frankly I love these. They dry quickly and they are very saturated in pigment. This sepia toned look was just what I wanted.

Take time to visit the other designers on the hop and don't forget to leave a message or comment...very easy to do. This will give you an opportunity to win some blog candy. In this case it comes in the form of the Dreamweaver Stencils. If you are just starting out here you can even go back to the beginning of the hop and leave comments. Just go to the portion of my blog where the schedule is listed and hop to the blogs that started on Monday. This will increase your opportunity to win a stencil. Your next stop will be to visit Pam Hornschu at: http://1pamperedstamper.blogspot.com