Love in the New Year (Thursday's Dream Schemes)

I like to think that Spring is just around the corner, even though New Year's Day 2011 is only two days away. These beautiful lovebirds (stencil LL3011) were stenciled by Elaine Benedict in the name of Love (stencil LG697). The birds were paste embossed with the regular embossing paste using the hinge technique. After they were dry she repositioned the clean stencil on top of the pasted image and stenciled the lovebirds with a variety of pigment and metallic inks. She started with a yellow green and then shaded with a darker color of kelly green on the lower half of the image. The yellow beaks and black eyes were shielded with the Picasso stencil shield (LL332), so that the the breasts and heads could then be stenciled bright red. The word "love" was paste embossed with the metallic gold paste and while it was still wet just a bit of gold glitter was added.

As we move into 2011 Dreamweaver will be presenting fifteen new designs. These lovebirds and the tole heart I posted a couple of weeks ago are now ready for purchase. Please feel free to play along with our Thursday's Dream Schemes. The sidebar at the right has all of the Dream Team's names so be sure to head out and see what Love in the New Year is posted on their Dream Schemes. And then leave some love in the comments section of their postings, it is what we live for...Love!

A Variation on Double Glitter Technique

Welcome to Thursday's Dream Schemes! I can't believe Christmas is in just a couple days. Hallelujah, let's rejoice, give thanks and sing. (Be sure to laugh a bit too.) Every other week or so we will have a free challenge day, you can do whatever moves your soul. So please create and play along with us. You can follow the Dream Team list on my side bar and see what they have done, some marvelous things today and not all Christmas either. Enjoy!

This technique is a bit of a variation on the double glitter technique. I used the technique with Art Institute Microfine Transparent glitter, the color is called Rock Moss, which is a very soft green. Then I did the background in a transparent crystal glitter by Stampendous. Next I stenciled with a Brilliance ink, the color is called Ivy and it is a Pearlescent pigment ink. With the stencil repositioned, I used one of the curves on the Picasso stencil shield (LL332) and stenciled down through the center of each leaf. I also shaded the edges of all the leaves. Yes, you can stencil on glitter. This opens up so many possibilities, because the glitter still shows through the pigment ink. I like using transparent glitters for this technique, because they are pale and this way the ink really creates and shapes the image. The berries at this point are still the green glitter color (but a pale color because it is transparent glitter), so I added the Brilliance Crimson Pearlescent pigment ink by Tsukineko. I used one of the large holes in Picasso to shield off the green areas while I did this red color. The Rejoice stencil (LS1001) was paste-embossed with Metallic Gold Embossing Paste. For the finishing touch I attached the bow with foam mounting tape and then used the gold three inch embellishment pin and affixed it by pushing it down through the foam tape to protect anyone from being stuck with the sharp tip.

Thanks for visiting, please feel free to play along as we continue our weekly Thursday's Dream Schemes. You can do this by signing up on Mr. Linky and also if you are interested in the instructions on the double glitter technique email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com

Thursday's Dream Schemes

This Thursday's Dream Scheme is a color way challenge for anyone who would like to play along. The Dream Team will be using the Glossy Blue Embossing Paste, but you can use any blue you want with some purple added. Have fun with us. Link your post with our Mr. Linky and we'll go to your site to see your beautiful creations, and be sure to visit the blogs of our Dream Team for more inspiration! You'll see their links on the sidebar on your right.

This card is something old, something new and something blue. I started by dry embossing the corner flourish stencil (LJ896) through my embossing machine...(this is something older), then I paste embossed the "new" tole heart stencil (LL3010) with the Glossy Blue Embossing Paste. Also my ribbon also makes it something "purple" too. Then for a finishing touch I added the initial "P" (from the alphabet stencil LJ850) by dry embossing it by hand on a light table with an embossing tool, took all of two minutes. I mounted the card with foam mounting tape and added the embellishment pin through the ribbon and hid it in the foam mounting tape.

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Thursday's Dream Schemes

This beautiful "Christmas" script (LL3009) rendition was done by Lee Kellogg. Lee owns Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps, which happens to be two things. It is a unique rubber stamp store in Santa Fe, NM and she also produces her own unique stamp line called "StampaFe Art Rubber Stamps". You will need to visit her web site when you get the chance. http://www.funrubberstamps.com/

I am always telling my students that the stenciling process ...is a translucent layering of paint through the holes of the stencil. This card epitomizes that age old technique. You'll notice she has layered several colors of greens on the holly leaves (LL3005) and yet you can still see the print from her paper background through the stenciled image. The pages she uses for her backgrounds fit into the category of "GOING GREEN". Use old book pages instead of spending mega bucks on expensive papers. (I admit I love the expensive papers too), but this is not a budget buster. I also love the glitter enhancement, it gives this beautiful card a festive twist!

We sure hope you'll join us this week! Sign up and share your creations with us! We would love to have you as a follower. Share the love by leaving us your comments. My design team appreciates the kudos and be sure to share the site with your friends when you get the chance.

And the Winners ARE....

the following...

#1. Cin

#2. naush

#3. Cherylynn M.

You will each receive the Christmas tree stencil in the post on the left! And I will send you the instructions to do the double glitter technique that Georgia Sommers used on this tree.

You have 24 hours to email me at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and give me your address, so I can send you the stencil.

Thanks to everyone who left comments and joined our challenge. We look forward to having you join us again. Tell your friends to become followers too, so they will know when challenges, hops and blog candy are happening here. Join us tomorrow to see what the team is doing for Thursday's Dream Schemes!

Answering the Challenge!

Just a quick note here and then be sure to read my December 1st post: Wendy has given us a sketch challenge and it looked so pretty and simple I couldn't resist playing along. You can play along too! There is a link at the bottom of December 1st post so you can! Create your card, fill out the information in the widget box and have a chance to win a stencil!

This first sketch challenge was fun to do and really quite simple. Don't forget to go to all the designer's blogs and see their creations. They are all really quite amazing! Just look at the Dream Team sidebar at the right and start with our team leader Deborah and march along the Dreamweaver blogging trail.

This simple candy cane (LL555) card was made with the double glitter technique. I know I have told you how to do it before here on the blog, but if you are interested in written instructions, just send me an email with where you want me email it and I will make it so! lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com

P.S. The way I hid the sharp tip of the embellishment pin on the Season's Greetings (LS91) is to use foam mounting tape on my other pieces. Then I can slide the pin's tip down through the foam pieces to keep people safe.

NEW challenge!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a NEW weekly challenge! Every Thursday, we'll bring you ideas, including fresh sketches, colour combination challenges, and occasion challenges, and hope you'll play with the Dream it Up designers.

This week, we have a sketch challenge created by "our Wendy!"

Tomorrow we'll show you the Dream Team's interpretations of the sketch, so DO come back then!

Meanwhile, if you'd like to play, go ahead and show us YOUR interpretation of our sketch by using our "Mister Linky" below.

We can hardly wait to see what you'll create!

For this inaugural challenge, one lucky participant will receive a Dreamweaver stencil! The random draw will be made on Wednesday December 8th...good luck!

From the Dream Team

Simple Flocking

When it's time to make multiple Christmas cards, it is nice to choose something that you can do quickly. Cherylynn Moser from Oregon paste-embossed the holly background stencil (LJ891) with a glossy embossing paste. It really doesn't matter which color of glossy paste you use, because it is then covered with the thick colored flocking. I recommend the glossy pastes, because they have a greater surface area which is ideal for adding glitter, flocking or the Metallic F/X. Next she sprinkled green flocking from Stampendous all over the design and tapped off the excess, like you would when using a glitter.

For a quick-dry, place it on a pancake griddle on the lowest setting. After about 20 minutes take the card off the griddle and give it another hard tap to remove as much flocking as possible and then use a dry "Swiffer" dusting cloth to remove any excess flocking from the card's background. To finish off the card, Cherylynn stamped a sentiment, tied it up with contrasting ribbon and chose a pin with a pin cap to protect the tip. Great card Cherylynn!

Whenever you are paste-embossing a larger background stencil like the one above... I make this recommendation:

For ease of application use two palette knives, a larger spatula (WDPK) and then a smaller one (DPK) that is offset. Dreamweaver sells both of these knives. Begin with the smaller offset knife to remove the paste from the jar, and then spread it onto the larger applicator. With the larger palette knife method, I usually hold the knife at a 35-45 degree angle, then spread the paste across the larger stencil in only one or two passes. Don't be afraid to put plenty of paste on the larger knife, because most of this excess goes back into the jar as you finish paste-embossing. If you don't have this heavier load, you will have vacant empty spaces that you will have to go back over again and fill. The more you "fuss" with the process ...the more likely you are to have the paste seep under the stencil. So more paste is better.

BLACK FRIDAY

On my last post I used black velvet paper and had so much fun with it that I decided to try it again. I paste-embossed the ornament stencil (LG674) with Metallic Copper Embossing Paste, removed the stencil and while the design was still wet I used a waterfall technique to sprinkle the ornament holder with copper glitter. Next I turned the paper the opposite way and with the same waterfall technique applied the aqua glitter. I set it onto my electric pancake griddle with a very low heat setting so it would dry quickly. In about 20 min. I replaced the ornament stencil and paste-embossed the horse/sleigh stencil (LL388) with the Matte Black Embossing Paste. Then I carefully placed the Merry Christmas stencil (LM134) at the bottom and paste-embossed it with a special mixture of 1 Tablespoon of Pearlescent Embossing Paste and 1/4" teaspoon of Navajo Blue Metallic F/X. Because this last stencil has very fine lines it dried in just a few minutes on the warm griddle. The large blue bow made of wired ribbon added the finishing touch for a very "Blue Blue Christmas".

Thursday's Dream Schemes

THURSDAY'S DREAM SCHEMES

Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the first "Thursday's Dream Schemes" challenge. This Thursday I gave just the design team members the challenge to create Christmas cards with a non-traditional colorway. In this instance that means no Christmas red or green and no maroon or forest green. Should be fun to see what everyone did. The designers have been giving me some teases, so I'm looking forward to hopping from blog to blog to see what their creative little pea brains have been up to (just checking to see if any of the team is following along...hehehe!). So use the side bar where their names are listed and travel along to enjoy. In the future we want you to play along with our challenges and hops so stay in touch and feel free to encourage us with your comments...we love those!

AN UNUSUAL GLITTER TECHNIQUE

I have discovered long ago that I am a true technique junkie and I would like to share with you a very simple technique using the glossy metallic embossing pastes and ultrafine glitters. To begin with I paste-embossed the line of Christmas trees (LL532) with the Metallic Gold Embossing Paste. I used a black velvet paper from SEI. While the paste was still wet I held the cardstock at an angle and waterfalled the glitters one at a time off of each tree. I love the contrast of the black velvet background and the sparkling ultrafine glitters from Stampendous. Since I wanted the paste to be very dry I placed it on a warm electric pancake griddle at a very low setting and then prepared my second card.

This time I paste-embossed the ornaments stencil (LL468) with the Metallic Silver Embossing Paste and added the glitter in the same waterfall method as the first card, tapped off the excess glitter and set this aside to dry on the warm electric pancake griddle.

Once these were both dry I took a craft knife and with the tip I scraped off the detail areas of each tree or ornament, as shown in the picture. On the larger areas I kept the blade of the knife more flat and used the tip for the finer details. I noticed that the ornaments that were basecoated with the silver paste had an almost pastel look to the scraped areas, just slightly lighter tints as if the glitter had stained the paste. So I'd like to challenge you to try some of the other pastes and see what your results might be.

Autumn Splendor

On Thanksgiving Day we will be kicking off our "Thursday's Dream Schemes" with our own Dream Team's Thanksgiving Day Parade of Christmas Cardmaking. Isn't it interesting how we associate different holidays with different colors? Thanksgiving is warm tones and Christmas has variations of reds and greens. St. Patrick's day is green and Valentine's Day is pink and red. July 4th is red/white/ and blue etc.etc.etc...you get the picture. So the "Scheme" for the Design Team this Thursday is a challenge to do a Christmas card in a non-traditional color scheme. I have already been hearing a few tales as to what we can expect and I am getting very curious. As we get going over the next few weeks the team will be posting every Thursday and we will of course include you in some of the challenges.

Today I am sharing a beautiful card from follower Marijane. (Thanks Marijane for all your comments on our blogs.) I received this beautiful card from Marijane after she won the blog hop challenge a few weeks ago. And since this is my "Last Hurrah!" to Autumn, before we begin posting Christmas goodies again, I wanted to share this beautiful creation of hers. She started by basecoating both the wreath stencil (LG719)and the word Autumn (LM295) with the Matte Orange Embossing Paste (DMOP). The advantage to using the matte orange paste first is that you don't have to then basecoat with an orange color when you stencil. When it was dry, she repositioned her stencil with removable tape and stenciled the designs with Autumn colors from Tsukineko's Magic Splendor Pad. This pigment ink was applied with small 1/8" and 1/4" stencil brushes. For the finishing touch she highlighted portions of the wreath with a Krylon metallic gold pen. The beautiful ribbon is from May Arts and she said it is still on the market to purchase. I look forward to seeing more of her work when we start having followers post to our blogs. Thanks again Marijane!

And don't forget everyone, if you are an early riser, pop by to view the team's creations...or if you get tired of cooking for that big meal or get bored watching the Dallas cowboys trying to win another football game stop on by to get inspired.

Thursday's Dream Schemes

On Thanksgiving Day we will be kicking off our "Thursday's Dream Schemes" with our own Dream Team's Thanksgiving Day Parade of Christmas Cardmaking. If you are an early riser, pop by to view the team's creations...or if you get tired of cooking for that big meal or watching Dallas try to win another football game stop on by to get inspired.

To make this card, use the wheat stencil (LL462), and start by dry embossing it through your embossing machine or you can use a stylus and light table instead. Then to do the Strié technique just follow these directions:

First load your 3/4" stencil brush with harvest gold pigment ink by tapping it firmly on the ink pad.

Place the embossed card in front of you on a piece of scrap paper. Begin in the upper left hand corner and make sure the flat bristles of the loaded stencil brush are resting on this scrap. The majority of the color will be off loaded at the edge of the card stock. As you pull the brush in a straight line toward you, lessen the pressure you are applying and sweep the bristles of the brush upward coming off the card right in the center of the paper. (If you don't make this sweeping upward motion, the pigment will stop abruptly and make a smudging coloration right in the middle of the paper.) As much as possible, keep the bristles straight and then repeat this same action moving approximately a brush width at a time, all the way across to the right side of the card. The streaks of pigment hitting the edges of the dry embossed design will accent the upper half of the image. Now you have half of the card done. Turn the card a full 180 degrees and repeat this same action again, moving right to left. The card is now finished, however, if you want a more "linen" look to your card, you can turn the card 90 degrees and repeat the same "strié" technique again. To finish this linen look, turn the card 180 degrees again and finish the last side. Now, all four sides are done and you will have twice as much color on the card.

Double Pasting Technique

I often refer to card artist, Polly Weed, as "pastel Polly". Working with the soft tones of pastels really is her signature medium. Although you often think of this medium as being soft muted tints ...she has combined it here with strong tones and glossy finishes for a full palette of Fall colors using the pumpkin stencil (LL515). By the way, the colorful print she mounted this on is not cardstock, but rather 100% cotton fabric. (A great way to use up scraps from sewing projects.)

To achieve this look, she first paste-embossed with Matte Orange Embossing Paste. Dreamweaver makes this colored paste, but you can also take a couple Tbsp. of the original Embossing Paste and mix it with a small amount of an orange colored tube acrylic (1-2 tsp.) to make your own color. Once the paste was dry, she repositioned the stencil on top of the design and stenciled it with pastels. Some people use sponge applicators for pastels, but Polly uses a small stencil brush with firm yet soft tipped natural bristles. Just a bit of dark brown and green pastels added some shaded highlights. And then to finish it with an Autumn glow she pasted the image again, this time using the Translucent Embossing Paste which dries to a glossy sheen. When you first use this paste you will notice that it has a milky white appearance when first applied, but in 40 minutes or so it dries clear. This clear embossing paste has many uses. You can stencil the cardstock first and then put this paste on top for a clear glossy finish, or even add glitter when you are done. You can also add the new Metallic F/X mica powders into translucent paste for an iridescent sheen.

For an embellishment, Polly just added a handwritten sentiment..."thankful".

On Thanksgiving Day we will be kicking off our "Thursday's Dream Schemes" with our own Dream Team's Thanksgiving Day Parade of Christmas Cardmaking. If you are an early riser, pop by to view the team's creations...or if you get tired of cooking for that big meal or watching Dallas try to win another football game stop on by to get inspired.

Warm Tones for Autumn

Although this beautiful card by Louise Healy is not an Autumn creation per se, it could be. I often connect warm tones like browns, reds, rusts, golds with the season...for good reason. This Fall I have traveled back and forth from Washington to So Cal several times and have really enjoyed the full spectrum of colors. Last weekend we spent a day up in the San Bernardino mountains and just caught the tail end of some color, but mostly things are now a bit brown. This coming weekend they are looking at a snowy forecast.

To create this card, Louise paste embossed the pussy willow stencil (LL3007) with Matte Black Embossing Paste. Whenever you use the crackle paste it is a good idea to basecoat the stencil with any of the other pastes, remove the stencil and let this layer dry. The reason for this is ...that if you don't, the crackle paste could easily crack and crumble off the paper. The basecoat will give your crackled stencil image flexibility. I often use the matte pastes because #1 they dry faster and #2 they have a bit of a "tooth" to them, so the crackle will attach better. Once the matte paste is dry, reposition the stencil and paste-emboss the crackle paste on top. During this process, instead of scraping the crackle paste down to the stencil's surface, I leave just a thin skim of it over the entire stencil design. This will ensure that you don't scrape down to the level of the original matte paste layer. Now just wait and let it do it's crackle thing.

Louise finished the card by stenciling the stem with Chocolate Brilliance ink and then using a slightly larger brush she brushed the same ink off the edges of the card using a circular rouging motion. (Tip: the larger the brush you use for this edging, the softer the look.) She also used the "Picasso" stencil shield as she was stenciling with the brown to protect the white areas. She finished off the card with the dark brown embellishments placed on the diagonal. This card would be great to send to your favorite guy for any special occasion or gal for that matter.

The Santa Ana's are Blowing

It is finally Fall here is Southern Calif. How do I know? The weather has cooled down to a dull roar and the Santa Ana winds are blowing. These beautiful clear warm days of Autumn remind me that this is the reason we stay in this highly populated area.

Marj Marion has again used her technique of using micro beads on the embossing paste. This card's background was created by brushing a warm colored ink on white card stock and then stamping the word "Windy" (Fun Stamps #A2821) randomly using the same color of ink. The Fall leaves (LG728) were then paste embossed onto acetate using Metallic Copper embossing paste. While the stencil was still in place she sprinkled it with the microbeads. The colors she used were highly contrasting--a gold and a dark brown or black, making a point of leaving some of the metallic copper paste exposed. She then dry embossed the Autumn stencil (LM295) on pumpkin colored cardstock that she had stamped with a small leaf stamp. (Marj ...if you're listening and know the maker of that little leaf stamp, just let us know in the comments.) To finish off the sentiment she stenciled the word with a dark brown ink, a lovely accent color.

The end results of her card creation was to make an easel card. This happens to be a card she sent me in the mail and it is so nice to enjoy it by propping it into position and leaving it on my desk. I love getting pretty cards in the mail. Don't forget to actually send your creations to friends and other loved ones. There is nothing like going to the mail box and seeing that hand addressed envelope greeting you.

The Last Hurrah!!!

Thanksgiving is just next week, but for the "Last Hurrah", I would like to post just a few cards that have an Autumn flare. The two cards seen here were created by Oregon teacher, Cherylynn Moser. The falling leaves (LL3004) were stenciled with bright colored pigment inks. Once she finished the stenciling she wiped the ink off of her stencil and taped out all the edges to add Dreamweaver's translucent embossing paste. After removing the stencil, and while the paste was still wet, she sprinkled on a transparent ultrafine glitter. When it is wet the paste is very milky, but once it is dry you can see the colors very clearly through the transparent glitter. The finishing touch on this card was to use a large stencil brush and a gentle pressure to stencil a chocolate brown color onto the edges.

The second card, using the tree background (LJ849), was paste embossed on a dark brown cardstock with the original embossing paste (that's the one with the maroon label). Once it was dry (this dries in half the time of the translucent paste) about 25 minutes, she repositioned the clean stencil onto the design and stenciled it with stencil brushes using Autumn toned pigment inks. I have also seen this tree design paste-embossed on creamy metallic paper with glossy white embossing paste...then glittered. This stencil has been done many different ways and I love every way I have seen it rendered.

Metallic F/X ...a Simple Creation

Cherylynn Moser teaches with Dreamweaver Stencils in the state of Oregon. As I end my theme today with Simple Cards for Christmas I would like to tell you that this card couldn't be simpler. I know it looks elegant, but elegant can be easy to achieve with stencils. She paste embossed the Holly flourishes (LG731) using the Matte Black Embossing Paste. After it dried she repositioned the stencil onto the pasted design and then daubed the pasted holly flourish witha glue from a glue stamp pad. Next she took a small stencil brush and loaded the ends of it with the Ivy Garden green Metallic F/X color. Metallic F/X are the Dreamweaver brand of mica powders. To make sure she didn't have too much on the brush she tapped off the excess into the opened jar lid of her color and then stenciled it onto the holly. She used the Kimono Red color of Metallic F/X to achieve the berries. So that the red color didn't get onto the greenery she used a stencil shield called Picasso (LL332). This is a tool used by stencilers that has curves and holes in it so that you can hold it up to the work that you are stenciling on and put color exactly where you want it. The book "New Dimensions in Cardmaking Using Embossing Pastes with Metal Stencils" shows several different ways to use this clever tool. If you don't own this book it is a great reference book for working with the pastes. It was published a few years ago, but the gallery in the back was recently updated with new card designs.

Elegant, but Still Simple...

Deborah March made this gorgeous card. The details in the card...the bow, the nested gold ovals, the gold embellishment pin, the red crystal berries and the layers of paper may have taken a bit of time to put together, but the holly sprig (stencil LL3005) was merely paste embossed with the metallic gold paste. Very simple yet very elegant as well, Deborah. Recently I had a customer ask about how to tie a nice bow, and several of the design team have chatted back and forth about doing a tutorial. Louise Healy did post a step-by-step on her blog. Deborah mentioned that she uses a plastic template called "Bow Easy" which works well, and uses it all the time for her work. As you can see, here are the results of the "Bow Easy". Hop around on the Dream Team's blogs, because you may see some other recommendations over the next few days for bow tying.

Simply ....Merry Christmas!

Theresa Winters made this technique easy as pie...well as easy as paste embossing the LM250 Merry Christmas and LL532 Line of Christmas trees using the regular embossing paste and while it was still wet she added ultrafine glitter. Whew! But wasn't that easy? I also love the corner punch with the delicate filigree, this added card construction turns "simple to make" into a classy creation!

Could be a Christmas card? ...

...or it could be a special occasion card. This simple yet "effective" card by Louise Healy, was done using the pearlescent embossing paste on the Hallelujah stencil (LM2007). One of the things that adds to the beauty of this card is the use of the beautiful paper from Hanko Designs. The background paper has an almost vintage feel to it. But other than the triple mounting that was done to this creation, the time involved is minimal. Great for some of us who lead very busy lives. You could create three or four of these and have them on hand for celebratory moments, like when a special friend has good medical news or when your daughter hears that she passed her boards or when the hubbie gets a raise at work....well you get the idea. It doesn't have to be a Christmas card, but it could.

Simple for a Beginner...

This card is lovely, but really not that hard for a beginner to do. When I choose stencils for a beginner's Embossing Paste Class... I often choose ones that have small stencil openings. This berry branch design (LJ900) is ideal for a beginner. Design Team member Kim Parkinson paste embossed the design with Dreamweaver Metallic Gold paste and once it was dry, she paste embossed the "Season's Greetings" stencil (LS91) using either the metallic silver or the pearlescent paste (they both appear to be silver on dark cardstock, because the pearlescent is semi-transparent and picks up the dark from the cardstock). Instead of putting the thick chunks of glitter on the wet paste right away, she waited for it to completely dry, (this happens pretty quickly...another good reason for choosing a delicate design...fast dry time!) and then she squirted small daubs of glue on the berries for the chunky glitter to attach to.

Continuing the Theme...

I am continuing my theme for the next few days with Christmas Cards that are extremely simple, but very "effective". LOL!!! My friends in the UK often say that and I think it is so true. The combination of simple and "effective" is just what you want when your life is so busy. Marj Marion did this card by paste embossing the bicycle (LJ895) using the Glossy White Paste on red cardstock then adding glitter onto the wet paste after she removed the stencil. Another variation on this would be to use the regular embossing paste and while it was wet sprinkle it with regular or thick embossing powder, then when the paste was dry you could heat the powder with a heat gun for a glossy effect. Don't you love her little clear plastic embellishment that is tied up with ribbon and says "Santa's Cycle"?

Another Classic

This is another classic Christmas card project from Elaine Benedict. And who would have thought that this corner flourish stencil could double as a Christmas tree (LJ896). She pasted the swirly flourish with a glossy embossing paste, removed the stencil and sprinkled it with green glitter while it was still wet. Then she did the ornament on a different piece of paper with the same technique, using gold and red glitter, and once it was dry she cut it out and mounted it on the first card using foam mounting tape. This ornament was from the JOY stencil (LL510), but you could also use stencil LM297 which is another ornament which is on a small stencil by itself.

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...