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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Louise Healy

Kristi Van Doren

Liz Martin

Lee Kellogg

Georgia Sommers

Pam Hornschu

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!

 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?

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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.