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...

Hallelujah!

This first card is done very simply. Matte black embossing paste was used on the LG731 holy flourish and then the ivy garden Metallic F/X was stenciled once the paste was dry. Next the red crystals were glued into place. The holly punch and bow embellishments really make this card shine. Season's Greetings was paste embossed with metallic gold embossing paste from stencil (LJ904).

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.

We're having Christmas Card making weather today!

Finally the weather in So Cal has cooled off. No guarantees that it will stay that way, but for now it is putting me in the Christmas card making spirit. These three Christmas cards (going clockwise from the left) are by Kim Parkinson, Laura Drahozal and Georgia Sommers. I posted them today because someone wanted to know specifically what was new at Dreamweaver right now. The embellishment pins are new and really fun to add a festive touch to your creations. When I mount my card I try to use foam tape on the back of some of the mountings and then it is easy to push the pin down behind the mount and into the foam tape. This protects the card from damage when you mail it and hides the tip from view. Kim's Poinsettia stenciled (LG700) card is done with the Faux Cloisonne technique, Laura has used the metallic effects on black polymer clay using the open ornament (LL470) and layering the holly leaf stencil (LL3005) on top of it...(and she has offered to do a technique sheet for us so we can all now her special tips on the metallic f/x and the poly clay) and Georgia used the JAC paper technique on her CHRISTMAS, then mounted it with some printed scrapbook paper (or even wrapping paper would embellish this beauty). I love the bow made out of netting Georgia!

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!