Fast and Easy Christmas Card

For those of you who would like to do a fast Christmas Card this one that Elaine Benedict made is so simple. Silver embossing paste is applied to the Coiled Christmas tree stencil (LG729) and then as soon as you take the stencil off ...throw some silver glitter on the paste. The holographic stars add just that something extra to make this a true Elaine Benedict card design. Like Louise she also teaches throughout the Illinois and Wisconsin area, if you live there look for a class at a store near you.

Classy Classes in Chicago

Louise Healy, from the Chicago area, has taught many stenciling classes. And on November 6, she will be teaching at Stampology in Chicago. She takes one stencil, which the students receive with the class and then you learn three different techniques. Although there are three different techniques displayed here you will have to click on her name and go to her site to find out what you will really be learning. But I can guarantee it will be interesting. This first holly leaf is done with matte black embossing paste as a base for the crackle to be done on. The second card is a shadow technique and then the third card is a technique called Faux Cloisonne'. Our other design team members also teach classes, so click on their names and travel to their sites to learn where they are teaching. Also right now Wendy Jordan is running a challenge that could win you 5 free discontinued Dreamweaver stencils. Yes, that's right, they won't be manufactured again for some time. So click on her name and find out all about how to win.

Foiled Again!

Have you ever gotten rid of some of your craft materials because you are doing something totally different and you don't use that particular technique anymore? Then you discover a new technique using that material and there you are, without that special element you are needing that will make all the difference ...ahhhrrrgh!!! Well Pam Hornschu sent me these two beautiful cards in red, black, white and gold, using a "foil film" that I know I had given away because I no longer used it. Now I am desperately trying to find some of that material so I can try the technique myself. She started with a red cardstock and...

#1. Sprayed the front of it with a spray adhesive.

#2. Next she placed the "branches with birds" stencil (LL526) ...or the (LJ900) Berry branch as shown in the first sample, onto her thick white platten of her Big Shot embossing machine and anchored it with very small pieces of removable tape (so the stencil will not shift or curl).

#3. She crumpled a piece of gold foil, (the size of the red cardstock) and smoothed the back of the foil onto the front of the red cardstock which has been sprayed with adhesive.

#4. Next this gold foiled-red cardstock piece is placed gold side down onto the stencil.

#5. Now she places her rubber mat for embossing onto the back of this red cardstock layer.

#6. She layers the two clear cutting mats that come with the machine onto the rubber mat.

#7. Now is the time to run these layers through the Big Shot Embossing Machine.

As it rolls through the machine it cracks and spreads showing the red cardstock through the gold foil. I can tell I am going to be in love with this new process...now if I can only find some of that gold foil....hmmm.

And of course if you are reading this Pam, you are welcome to make corrections in the comments. Thanks for this fun technique!

Metallic Embossed Purse

This beautiful embossed metal and paper purse by Kathi Anderson was embossed on pewter metal from MercartUSA. Kathi travels and teaches in New Mexico and has an upcoming class at China Phoenix in Albuquerque on November 6, so if you are lucky enough to be in that area ...that is where it is happening. (She also reps my stencils in Missouri and Western Texas.) She used the new flower stencil with the flourishing vines and leaves (LJ902). Although the pewter is somewhat pricey, Kathi says that she is able to put the metal with the stencil through the Big Shot embossing machine. Then she adds more detail work with tools that she reps from MercartUSA. If you have more questions she will be staying tuned with your comments and will make a point of answering any questions.

Sleighs were made of Wood!

You have to give this sleigh a double take...yes Laura actually made this sleigh from wood that is so thin you can use it like paper. She cut it out and even stenciled (LG731) the holly flourish onto it, outlined it with glitter glue and paste embossed the runners and season's greetings with silver paste. Puffy glue for the snow Laura? You'll have to correct me in the comments Laura if I'm off base, but I'm thinking that is what it is. It was all created on a metallic blue cardstock for a stunning effect. Fun!

Victorian Christmas!

OK, it is warm again in So Cal, but I am still finding wonderful Christmas Card samples from the Dream Team to share with you. These particular delights are from Kristi Van Doren who hails from the "Show Me" state of Missouri. She has used the embossing paste with the metallic leafing technique and then embellished with gorgeous ribbons and colored her creations with everything from the Metallic F/X, Pan Pastels, Dye inks, pigment inks, and the list goes on. If you want to see more of her creative spirit just click on Kristi's name under the Dream Team's listing. Kristi's creations always have something new for me to try. One thing that I love about these victorian treasures is that you can actually take the new stencil designs and use some materials from your past Christmas decor...wrapping paper, vintage post cards, ribbons etc. That "Go Green" mantra could be used in many ways when it comes to creating with your Dreamweaver stencil supplies and I never realized that so many of our designs could create this kind of vintage flare, thanks Kristi for creating these.

Stencils used Top left: LG695 Partridge in a pear tree, LL534 Partridge on a branch, LL563 Large pear,Background LJ900 Berry branch/ Top right: LG731 Holly Flourish / Center Card:LL3005 Holly with swirls and LM134 Merry Christmas/ Bottom Card: LL3005 Holly with swirls.

So Many Beautiful Cards!

The Dream Team has sent me so many beautiful creations and I haven't had enough time to show them and tell about them in the detail they deserve. So what I would like to do is show some of them here and if you have questions on how they are done please hop on over to their site to learn more. Here are two of Louise Healy's creations. I know she has posted about these techniques recently. Remember when you are working with the crackle paste to put a base coat of the matte black or any of the other pastes down first and let it dry before you use the Crackle Embossing Paste on top. This will ensure that the paste will be flexible and won't crack off of the card stock. Also note that the embellishment pin used on the first card was originally white and Louise used alcohol inks to color it. More about that card on her site...