Valentine's Day is just around the corner: Think "Blog Hop"

Hey, everyone, I know this design looks somewhat familiar. But I just can't seem to help myself...I love this sketch! And besides that, it was very simple to do with our new paste spreader. This new size of stencil, (Damask LX7002) is almost six inches square so the new spreader (LM2010) does a great job of pasting larger background stencils in just one sweep. I think you will love it. After I paste-embossed the damask design in glossy red embossing paste (DGRP) I sprinkled it with microfine red glitter and set it aside to dry. Then I paste-embossed the Happy Valentine's Day stencil (LM241) with the same type of glossy red paste and glittered it as well. The black ribbon added just the right accent color to this red valentine.

By the way...keep watching our blog because some of the Dreamweaver Dream Team will be connecting with designers from some other companies to do a virtual blog hop on Valentine's Day and you could win some wonderful blog candy from Dreamweaver Stencils and several other companies. Stay in touch for more information.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/The Valentine "Bunny" ???

Yep, you heard right...the Valentine "Bunny". I couldn't resist letting him into my Valentine line-up this week. Louise Healy sent this little guy to me awhile back when the team was sharing their creations of the new designs. Maybe this will be an inspiration for those of you who like to get those Easter cards done early. You could make him a valentine too, by adding a heart embellishment here and there.

Our challenge this week is a colorway challenge using pink and brown. I love Louise's use of the dark brown flocking with this double glitter technique. Yes, flocking can be used in place of glitter, however the application is slightly different. When you put the flocking on you need to take the time to really rub it into the stencil holes. It takes a bit more time because the fibers of the flocking need to rub together and cling to each other. This will create an image that is more filled out or dense and also give the impression of "fluffy". When this is complete use a large brush and sweep away the excess flocking, remove the stencil and put in the background glitter. This little bunny (LM2008) is also available in a miniature size (LS1007).

As an embellishment Louise used one of our hot pink three inch pins (TIPP) and she dipped it in a clear drying glue and then a transparent glitter. (If I am wrong on this one Louise...would you please correct me in the comment section.) That pin is the icing on the cake...errr I mean bunny card.

Please feel free to join our challenge this week. It doesn't have to be a valentine...it could even by a brown and pink bunny card! Also if you are interested in the instructions for this double glitter technique email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com

Double Glitter Valentine

Kristi Van Doren used two different techniques on this Valentine. The Happy Valentine's Day stencil (LM241) was effectively yet simply done by paste-embossing the Glossy Black Embossing Paste (DGKP) onto the coral pink cardstock and the upper part of the card was done with the double sided mounting paper (MPDS), this paper is sometimes referred to as JAC paper and the Oval Lace Doily stencil (LJ836) using the double glitter technique. Remember to smooth the natural Hawaiian Handmade Soap (DHHS) onto the back of the doily stencil so that it will not attach to the sticky mounting paper and bend your stencil. If you have little crumbs of soap in the holes of the stencil use a large 3/4" stencil brush (NHB-3/4") to rub the soap out of the holes and make it smoother on the back of the stencil. A silver glitter was sprinkled all over the exposed sticky paper and once the stencil was removed the lace area was filled in with a beautiful red coral glitter. The lace border divided the two techniques for a unique embellishment to finish the card. If you are interested in the instructions for the Double Glitter Technique email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com.

Heart Cards this Week

Deborah March, design team member from Nova Scotia, made this beautiful heart card. Some of my postings this week may not be exactly Valentines, but I think "heart" cards are valid to send on Valentine's Day.

Once again this Valentine creation is paste-embossed with the lovebird stencil (LL3011). Deborah used the white paste on the aqua paper by just repeating the heart portion, and then she added an aqua color to the white paste and paste-embossed the white paper with the entire motif. I am a bit biased, since aqua is one of my favorite colors, but I do think this is a gorgeous color-way. The little pearl embellishments and the sentiment really add that little bit of panache. Also the silver lining on both card mountings really makes this card sparkle. A very elegant card to send to someone you love on Valentine's day, don't you think?

This week I would like to again challenge you to send a card to a shut in or someone you know that needs a little extra love these cold winter days. In fact tonight I am going to take time to do just that, so join me if you have time.

Pretty Pink Valentine

Elaine Benedict paste embossed this beautiful tole heart (LL3010) with the regular matte embossing paste (DEP) on pretty pink paper. When it was dry which took about 25 minutes, she repositioned the stencil and stenciled it with pigment inks using a 1/4" brush for the green and 1/8" brush for the small pink hearts. She also stenciled the background leaves from the spider mum stencil (LJ892) on a paler pink cardstock using the same ivy green pigment ink, but this time she used a 1/2" brush.

Valentine's Day is on it's Way!

Lee Kellogg has dry embossed this lovebird stencil (LL3011) on pewter. After she embossed it she took a

special metal brush and distressed the background area of the pewter. Magdalena Muldoon from Mercart has many different metals and tools available to purchase. You can also purchase these materials at Lee Kellogg's store in Santa Fe, NM, called Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps.

This week I will be showing several different Valentine Cards made by the Dreamweaver Design Team which you can make to share with those you love.

Thursday's Dream Schemes/Challenge Yourself

Just returned from CHA and after reading Louise Healy's post this A.M. I realize how severe the storm is that hit the country. Hoping that all of you are safe and sound. So in your comments today... let me know if you are inside cozily by the fire, (or maybe I should say cozily by the fired up computer) or basking in the sun.

There was a lot to take in this past week at CHA and one of the many interesting things was sitting down with Magdalena Muldoon from Mercart to learn about working with colored aluminum. In our booth we were demonstrating how to run it through the embossing machines that are so popular. This is one of my first attempts and it will be one of the techniques shown in the second DVD we taped recently called "Tips and Tools: Creating with Metal Stencils". (This DVD will also be available this Spring.) After running this through the embossing machine I also added color to the Lovebird stencil (LL3011) with the titanium white Paintstik.

When you use Paintstiks they initially have a dry skin on the top of them that you peel back with a dry paper towel. Then I stroke this white color onto a palette of wax paper until it is smooth and creamy. Next I used a 1/4" stencil brush and picked up the color off of the palette and stenciled it through the holes of the stencil onto the birds.

Dream Team member, Wendy Jordan, posted three different card techniques done with the same stencil today. One of them is using the metal from Mercart, the other two are using the foils from Stampee Crafts. Julie Makela (distributor for Dreamweaver Stencils in Australia, also known as The Stencil Specialists ) demonstrated in our booth using these foils. Yes, "foiled again"...this material has been used by crafters in the past, but it will be used in a very different way by the Dream Team here at Dreamweaver...check our posts regularly for more on this new twist on a familiar product. And be sure to check out Wendy Jordan's renderings of Julie's technique when you get the opportunity.

Also I want to thank Cardabilities for sponsoring the sketch from last week. We have three winners from their challenge. Be sure to visit their interpretation of Karan Gerber's beautiful sketch at Cardabilities.com.