
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Love in the New Year (Thursday's Dream Schemes)

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!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A Variation on Double Glitter Technique

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, December 16, 2010
Thursday's Dream Schemes

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.
Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
For best results, use HTML mode to edit this section of the post.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thursday's Dream Schemes

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.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Answering the Challenge!

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.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Simple Flocking

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.
Friday, November 26, 2010
BLACK FRIDAY

Thursday, November 25, 2010
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.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010
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.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
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.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Double Pasting Technique

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.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Warm Tones for Autumn

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.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Santa Ana's are Blowing

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.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Last Hurrah!!!


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.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Metallic F/X ...a Simple Creation

Saturday, November 13, 2010
Elegant, but Still Simple...

Thursday, November 11, 2010
Simply ....Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Could be a Christmas card? ...

Simple for a Beginner...

Monday, November 8, 2010
Continuing the Theme...

Saturday, November 6, 2010
Another Classic

Friday, October 29, 2010
Fast and Easy Christmas Card

Thursday, October 28, 2010
Classy Classes in Chicago



Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Foiled Again!


#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!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Metallic Embossed Purse

Saturday, October 16, 2010
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!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Victorian Christmas!




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.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
So Many Beautiful Cards!


Thursday, October 7, 2010
Hallelujah!


The mother and child Christmas Card was also stenciled by Deborah March. The image in the center was rubber stamped and then the crystals were placed to add a very classy embellishment. The Hallelujah stencil (LM2007) was paste embossed and then the Metallic F/X (color ivy garden) was sprinkled onto the wet embossing paste. She also sprinkled a thick embossing powder onto the stamped image and then heat embossed it for a shiny effect.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
We're having Christmas Card making weather today!



Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Still Hopping...I mean HOPING!

Thanks again for your support. All of the hoppers have turned in their names and addresses and the items will be shipped on Monday, October 11. Thanks for your participation and don't forget to come back and comment on future postings. Some of the design team will be hosting their own challenges with blog candy offered, so keep in touch to see what's going on and where. Hoping to hear more from you.
Here are a couple samples from store owner and design team member Lee Kellogg. She owns Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps in Santa Fe NM and everything she sends in is very clever. I love how she has used these backgrounds for a very altered Christmas. Great recycling ideas too!
The weather here in So Cal has turned very cool and I am thinking Christmas cards, so I am going to post of few of those over the next few days. Tralalalalahhh lala la lah!

Monday, October 4, 2010
Celebrating the Winners of the Dream it UP site:

Well it just goes to show that is pays to follow the suggestions and comment on every site... as I visited all of the blog winners on the Dream Team's blogsites I noticed that two different people won twice. Random choices can be amazing. Because there was some confusion on our part I decided to choose one more winner from our site for the Blog Candy of your choice: Random.org chose....
Marijane said...
What a blast! Three days of fun and great ideas. I will now re-visit them all just to reinforce the inspiration. Thanks for the opportunity! I will leave my days favorite choices here (wasn't quite sure where to do it):
Rhinestone tree LG711
White glossy paste
Moonstone FX
I must say the past few days have given me a LOT of new favorites!
All 22 winners of the blog hop have been in touch. 11 won on the individual design team's sites and then 11 won here on the Dreamweaver Blog.
This sample card is done by Laura Drahozal with the Berry Branch stencil (LJ900). Silver or Pearlescent embossing paste was used and then when it was dry she embellished the berries. If you are listening Laura we would love a comment on what you added to those berries. I also love the Hallelujah stencil (LM2007) it also could have been done with Silver or Pearlescent. One reason I love the Pearlescent is that it is semi-opaque, so when you use it on dark card stock it can appear silvery. Also because it is semi-opaque you can add the Metallic F/X to it to colorize it and it still has a shimmer to it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Blog Archive
-
▼
2010
(74)
-
►
November
(16)
- Simple Flocking
- BLACK FRIDAY
- Thursday's Dream Schemes
- Autumn Splendor
- Thursday's Dream Schemes
- Double Pasting Technique
- Warm Tones for Autumn
- The Santa Ana's are Blowing
- The Last Hurrah!!!
- Metallic F/X ...a Simple Creation
- Elegant, but Still Simple...
- Simply ....Merry Christmas!
- Could be a Christmas card? ...
- Simple for a Beginner...
- Continuing the Theme...
- Another Classic
-
►
October
(15)
- Fast and Easy Christmas Card
- Classy Classes in Chicago
- Foiled Again!
- Metallic Embossed Purse
- Sleighs were made of Wood!
- Victorian Christmas!
- So Many Beautiful Cards!
- Hallelujah!
- We're having Christmas Card making weather today!
- Still Hopping...I mean HOPING!
- Celebrating the Winners of the Dream it UP site:
-
►
November
(16)