Christmas in August!

Here we are, the home stretch to the BEST time of year, CHRISTMAS CARD CREATING!  Oh yeah, and I guess Christmas itself is pretty great too, but I have to admit that having an excuse to collect more than my fair share of Christmas Stamps and Christmas paper and of course Christmas STENCILS, is by far my favorite pastime!  So here is my first card for this months Challenge...

I used the Molten magic Technique on my Small Ornament Stencil LM-297 because I'm totally in LOVE with how easy the Molten magic technique is!  I used Gold Embossing Paste first, and with the stencil still on the image, sprinkled Metallic F/X Copper, Amber Glow, and Kiwi randomly over the paste.  Then I removed the stencil and heated the image with my heat gun allowing the paste to melt and pop.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how fast and easy this is, and everyone asks how I did it! 

Do you want to get into the holiday spirit a little early?  Link your own Christmas in August creations to the Dream It Up! blog mr. linky, or email pics of your creations to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com, for an opportunity to win this wonderful newly released Heart Ornaments:

Don't you just love this new design? There are several newly released stencils and products from CHA last month, which you can view for yourself HERE. During the week of August 20th - 25th, the Dream Team will be posting all week with a hop on Saturday to top it all...featuring all of these new fabulous designs...in collaboration with the Woodware UK team. Just a little hint...you may want to buy all of these new designs now, so you are ready and waiting for the inspiration that will come your way that week! Meanwhile, check out what the rest of the team has been creating this week:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal 
Cherylynn Moser 

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 
Jessie Hurley

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy

Hot Stuff for our Men!

I don't know about you guys, but today has been H.O.T. and I'm tired of it!  I know, for all you Vancouverites, you're thinking I'm crazy since it's been raining for the past week, and has only been hot Today, but still, I'm not a happy girl!  However, the weather is in keeping with our theme this month, and I'm back to Copper!  I decided to design a Card for a Man's birthday, and I just love this perfectly Canadian Moose Stencil (LG 715).

I heated the copper again with my Creme Brullee torch, embossed the copper with the stencil, and then using my Stylus and Paper Stomp, pushed out every area, (from the back) in the body to make him more lifelike.

I also added a haphazard border with my pounce wheel, and matted him onto cardstock, then attached him to the card.

Because the Copper is so beautiful, I don't like to embellish too much and take away from the stencil.  Stenciling Copper is BY FAR my favorite technique for making Man Cards!

Now don't forget to post your creations to Dream it Up! as there are only a few days left in the month and remember you could win a Brand New, Newly Designed, Not Released yet Stencil!  have I gotten you excited to win yet!

Hope so!

And with that,

Stencil til you sweat, 

Heat copper til your hyper

and don't give up on the men in your life, the right card, and they'll understand why you are so hooked to this craft!  (Trust me, Andrew LOVES making Copper Cards now too!)

Summer Fun...Summer Chillin'

I wanted to stay in keeping with my card from last week with the Hot Copper, by doing Lynell's "Molten Magic" technique.  I had the idea of using Copper Embossing Paste, and REALLY making a "Hot" card...but it didn't quite work out the way I saw it in my head, sigh.  So as I flipped through my stencils, I came across one of the newer designs for this year, and I hadn't really played with it much.  Nouveau Wisteria LL 3026 is definitely a Summer Flower, but it evokes a more relaxed feeling, so the colours of my card needed to reflect that feeling as well.

So to create the Molten Magic technique you need to...

Tape down your stencil using Removeable Tape.

I then used the Pearlescent Embossing Paste and covered the entire stencil in the usual Paste Embossing technique.

Then using a small paintbrush and Metallic F/X, I flicked the Purple Satin, Glacier and Kiwi all over the paste without removing the stencil.  Oopsie, I forgot to take a picture!

Carefully remove the stencil and then using a Heat gun, heat the paste until the Metallic F/X kind of melts into the paste and the paste bubbles up.

Then I matted the image on Light purple cardstock, added green ribbon to the stamped dark purple background, and then adhered the matted image to the background.  Once it was all together I attached it to the Pearl card base, and the card was complete.  

A soft relaxing summer card that might evoke the need for a Sangria in the garden...don't ya think?

Now check out the other Design Team members creations and be sure to post your efforts to the Dream it Up! blog because you could win a Free Stencil for your very own!

And with that,

Paste 'til you perspire,

Melt 'til you're Molten,

and beat the summer heat by creating in an air conditioned craft space!

Jessie

Fire-ry Hot in the SummerTime!

Well, Summer has finally hit B.C. and it's Smokin' Hot!  Okay, so maybe not as hot as some Provinces (and States) have been, but I moved AWAY from Toronto to escape this dreadful Sweat-Fest!  Yes, I love the rain!  I adore any excuse to sit at my craft table and work away, and the Sun just beckons us all outside, and away from our Stencils!

However, the Heat did spark some inspiration for my "Summer" Challenge...!

 I'm not sure that the camera picked up the Fire-y Hotness of the Copper, but I love heating the Copper to create the flame-like effect!

So, to create this card, I used the Plumeria LL-385 stencil and embossed it onto my Copper using my BigShot machine and Silicone mats.  

Then I heated my Copper using a Creme Brulee Torch (I find this has a lot of control over where I am heating)

I also used my Teflon Tool to shape the Petals into the Copper a little deeper, as well as my Pounce Wheel for added detail in the petals.

I finished the flowers off with a small bead of Athracite Pearl Pen by Viva Decor.

I can feel the heat emanating from this card, what about you!?

So now, it's your turn.  Check out the other Design Team members for inspiration and then create your own Idea of what's hot in the Summertime and send it to Lynell...you never know you could win this months Prize Stencil..and remember, it's a NEW design that WE haven't even seen yet!

And with that,

Stencil 'til you Sweat,

Mat 'til you Melt,

and try not to get burned with your Brulee Torch!

jessie

Summer Fun!!

My idea of Fun in the Summer is a Tall, Cold Ice Cap from Tim Hortons (Ahh, there's that Canadian again), but as I write that I realize, that really I like an Iced Cappa any old Time!

However, this month's theme is in fact Summer Fun, and there isn't anything more beautiful in B.C. than all the gorgeous flowers that bloom after our Spring Rainy Season (I know it feels like we're still in the rainy season!) and since I wasn't quite done with Glitter yet, (after all, I lost my computer and missed last weeks post!) I thought I'd sneak in another Glittered Card!

The background glitter on this image is so sparkly, that it was tough to take a photo without glare, sorry!  But I used one of my favorite Stencils, Violets LM 105 and Ultrafine Purple Glitter and Silver Glitter, as well as Microfine Sweet Basil glitter.  I like mixing my ultrafine and microfine as it adds different texture & shine that you wouldn't get by only using Microfine glitters.

Now it's your turn to create a card with what your idea of Summer Fun is and post it to the Dreamweaver site in order to have a chance to win a free stencil, and this month is special!  We are giving away a never before seen, NEW RELEASE stencil!  In fact, you aren't even go to see the entire thing now!  We're only giving a sneak peek!  here it is...

Ohhhh, didn't your mind just explode with ideas!!!

I can't WAIT to get my hot little hands on this stencil myself!  So check out the other Design Team members blogs for inspiration and get Pasting!

And with that,

Paste with Passion,

Design 'til you Drop

And Spread the word about the GREAT cards that are shown on all the Dream Teams Websites every week, these ladies are AWESOME!

jessie

Glitter isn't just for Girls!

 AND

ARE TEAMING UP THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE TO BRING YOU AN AMAZING CREATIVE COLLABORATION MIXING DREAMWEAVER STENCILS AND ART GLITTER. COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE...WE PROMISE IT WILL BE A SPARKLING ONE!

For this week's card, I thought I would design a Glittered card for a Guy.  I'm always being asked for idea's on how to create "Man Cards", and often we turn to our Car stamps, Moose Stencils, and the like.  I wanted to show you that you shouldn't necessarily disregard Glitter! 
 

The stencil on this card is Cattails LL 517 and I used the Art Institute "Turning Leaf" Pee Wee Glitter set.  After soaping the stencil and laying it on the Double Sided tape, I rubbed the Dark Brown Glitter on the tips of the grass blades and at the base.

Then I rubbed the Orange Glitter on the tops of the cattails (again without using tape to mask off any area's as I like the loosey goosey blending of colour, remember)

Once I had my "Shading" in place, I then rubbed in the remaining brown on the Cattails, and then green for the stem and leaves.
I then removed the stencil and poured the Sand coloured glitter all over the background.  I matted the image on a piece of handmade paper, added the buttons and the felt word "Joy". 

So even though I used glitter for my main technique, I think this card can still pass for a "Man" card (and I asked Andrew what he thought, and he said he'd like it), so see!  Glitter's not just for Girls!

 

Now go visit the Art Glitter blog and the Dream It Up! blog for fabulous inspiration from both talented design teams. We are encouraging all of you to play along with the challenge of creating with Dreamweaver Stencils and Art Glitter*, preferably using the Double-Glitter Technique with a wedding theme. Just link your creation to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog, or email pics to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com, for an opportunity to win one of four fabulous glitter and stencil prize packages. One winner will be chosen each week. (US and Canada only, please).

 

For more inspiration from the Art Glitter design team, please visit their blog for a complete list of players throughout the month.

For more inspiration from the Dream Team, here's the blog list for this week:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 
Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser 

*For the month of June Art Glitter is selling 1 oz jars of glitter for $5.98 (regular price $7.32)! Get the deets HERE!

Double Glitter Technique...Truly!

 AND

ARE TEAMING UP THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE TO BRING YOU AN AMAZING CREATIVE COLLABORATION MIXING DREAMWEAVER STENCILS AND ART GLITTER. COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE...WE PROMISE IT WILL BE A SPARKLING ONE!

Now last week, I noticed that I had "Mis-Read" my challenge, and instead of doing the "Double Glitter" technique, I had used "Double THE Glitter" tee hee.  But I knew that the Peacock Stencil LG 730 really had to be done in the Double Glitter or "Glitter Painting" (as you have heard me refer to it) technique, and here she is....

Now the only trouble with Glitter, is that it DOES NOT photograph well, and although I think the photo of this sample is quite pretty, in Real Life, it is stunning (If I do say so myself, though I think Marilyn will agree with me, she quite liked last weeks!)

As to how I did it, I covered my stencil in Coconut Soap (so the stencil wouldn't stick to my SookWang) and laid it down on my SookWang Tape.  I probably should have taped off areas to prevent the glitter from getting in the wrong area's, but I wanted a loosey goosey blended look, and didn't want it to look too "Perfect".  (P.S. "Loosey Goosey" IS the technical term!).  I then used Art Glitter's "Rose Garden" PeeWee glitter set, exclusively to "paint" my Peacock.  Obviously I used the darkest Green for the tips of the swirls, and filled in the rest with the lightest Green.  I then used the Darkest Pink on the ends of each Feather, blending into the medium Pink, and then filling in with the lightest Pink.  I wanted to add a little more dimension in the Peacocks colouring though, so I used the Medium Green (sort of had a bluish hue) to add some depth to the Peacocks face and back.

Now you're probably admiring how delicately perfect I glittered her eye...you were, weren't you...and I have a secret to tell you...I actually gently coloured over the glitter with a Copic Marker!  Yes, I KNOW!  I actually own a Copic Marker!  Because the Glitter is non porous, you need a permanent marker for the colour to stick to it.  So Tombow aside, I had to turn to Copic.  I guess they have their uses after all, tee hee.

Anyway, after all the glitter was added to the main image, I carefully removed the stencil, and then applied the Clear glitter from the same set, all over the background.  If I were to do this again, I must confess that I would use a background glitter that was a little more Matte in finish, as the original is SO sparkly, that it almost takes away from the Peacock itself.

You will have to come by the store to see this beauty in person though as she is quite lovely!
 

Now go visit the Art Glitter blog and the Dream It Up! blog for fabulous inspiration from both talented design teams. We are encouraging all of you to play along with the challenge of creating with Dreamweaver Stencils and Art Glitter*, preferably using the Double-Glitter Technique with a wedding theme. Just link your creation to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog, or email pics to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com, for an opportunity to win one of four fabulous glitter and stencil prize packages. One winner will be chosen each week. (US and Canada only, please).

 

For more inspiration from the Art Glitter design team, please visit their blog for a complete list of players throughout the month.

For more inspiration from the Dream Team, here's the blog list for this week:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 
Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser 

*For the month of June Art Glitter is selling 1 oz jars of glitter for $5.98 (regular price $7.32)! Get the deets HERE!

And with that,

Spread the Sparkle,

Glitter on the Go

and Don't forget your Glitter Gone Mat (tee hee)

jessie

Dreaming of Glitter Mash-Up!

 AND

ARE TEAMING UP THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE TO BRING YOU AN AMAZING CREATIVE COLLABORATION MIXING DREAMWEAVER STENCILS AND ART GLITTER. COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE...WE PROMISE IT WILL BE A SPARKLING ONE!

Here's my Design for this week....

I strayed a little from the Double Glitter Technique, but I used Double the Glitter, does that count...?  I had my mind set on an idea for a gorgeous Wedding card, and didn't realize I was supposed to stick to Double Glitter, oopsie!  I embossed the Peacock Stencil LG 730 with Translucent Embossing paste and the Paste Spreader (LOVE this tool...now that Pam and Lynell showed me how easy it was at CHA) and then sprinkled with my fingers, the Light Sand, Gold, and Chocolate Glitter from the Turning Leaf Pee Wee Glitter set all over the wet paste.  I left it to dry (about an hour) and then matted it onto Gold Cardstock and then Chocolate cardstock.  I wanted the Peacock image to be the Focal, so i didn't add any extra embellishment.  Inside the card I added my Congratulations to the lucky Couple!

I can't wait to try my hand at this stencil next week with Double Glitter (or Glitter Painting as I usually call it).
 

Now go visit the Art Glitter blog and the Dream It Up! blog for fabulous inspiration from both talented design teams. We are encouraging all of you to play along with the challenge of creating with Dreamweaver Stencils and Art Glitter*, preferably using the Double-Glitter Technique with a wedding theme. Just link your creation to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog, or email pics to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com, for an opportunity to win one of four fabulous glitter and stencil prize packages. One winner will be chosen each week. (US and Canada only, please).

 

For more inspiration from the Art Glitter design team, please visit their blog for a complete list of players throughout the month.

For more inspiration from the Dream Team, here's the blog list for this week:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 
Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser 

*For the month of June Art Glitter is selling 1 oz jars of glitter for $5.98 (regular price $7.32)! Get the deets HERE!

And with that,

Spread the Sparkle,

Glitter on the Go

and Don't forget your Glitter Gone Mat (tee hee)

jessie

Black, White & Mini...

This is the last week of our Black and White theme, and I thought I would show you something a little different...

My first passion is creating different and unusual Mini Albums.  And I made one for my DreamWeaver design team "Audition" that is one of my favorites.

The "Base" is a Ribbon Spool Holder that is sort of like a small version of a Counter Top paper towel holder.  I made the pages using acrylic sheets and stenciled the Snowflake LS 26 on them using White Staz-On Ink.  (I put a pc of Black cardstock behind the Acrylic in the picture so you could see the Snowflake)  I then used the Zutter Bind-it-all to attach my Album Pages around the Base.

I matted photo's of Ella and Daddy having a Snow Day down the scariest street in our Neighborhood!  Thank Goodness the road is so steep that cars can't make it up in slippery weather, so Andrew was safe to Toboggan away!  (I printed the photo's on Canvas paper, you can see the texture in this picture)

Then I pasted the Penguin Stencil LL 560 in Black Embossing Paste on Glass Slipper Bling Cardstock, and yes, I hand cut them all out (You KNOW how I like to do that!) I adhered the penguins haphazardly throughout the album and I was done!

Oh, and I added Black Snowflake Peel-Off stickers to the base and top of my Ribbon Spool.

What do you think...?  I believe that Lynell liked it, as she gave me a shot and here I find myself early on a Thursday morning sharing this project with You!  Thanks Lynell!

So, as this is the last day for this challenge, be sure to get your entry in to Lynell before Midnight in order to be eligible to win some Free Stencils!  And as an aside, next week we will be joining up with the Art Institute Glitter (ooooh Glitter!!! My FAVORITE!) so be sure to come back and check that out, but also take a peek at their Design Team this Friday so you can see what they're up to...and you might recognize a few faces...No, not me, I have to admit, I thought about it, but I've missed a couple weeks here because i got overwhelmed with Store Stuff, that I didn't want to risk Lynell kicking me off this team!  (Like she would, have you met her, she's so sweet...she even mentioned that she might come up and teach in the store for me one day...I think we'll hold her to that!! wink wink Lynell)

Don't forget now, Black and White by Midnight, and Glitter next month, I truly hope that you take part in our challenges as it is so much fun pulling out your stencils and getting creative!

And with that,

Make Mini Albums 'til you Melt,

Hand cut stenciled images 'til you get Hot

and can you tell that my A/C isn't working tonight, yikes!

jessie

Black and er, Cream...?

I must first begin this blog by apologizing for missing last week!  It was Ella's 5th birthday and I'm afraid my brain was all consumed by that, sigh.  However, I do have a card to share with you today for this Months Black and White (okay so I cheated a little and went Black and Cream) theme.

Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have told you it was cream, tee hee.  I used Basic Grey's Little Black Dress patterned paper, with a Lacy Black peel-off sticker as a background to the most gorgeous Stencil, the Cameo LL3017 .  I did the simple pasting technique using the Pearlescent Embossing Paste, and because I used it on Black Cardstock, it turned slightly silver, but in a sophisticated tone, not too shiny silver to set off the Vintage look.

I love how this card turned out, but let me know what YOU think!  And while you're at it, send in a card for this month's contest, it's an easy challenge, so there's a good chance to win!

And with that,

Emboss with Elegance,

Paste with Panache,

and remember to see the world in all it's colour, even when you're surrounded by dark tones!

hugs,

jessie

Black White & Zen

Gosh I love Zen Doodling!  Too much maybe, as I'm afraid that I'm using the same technique for this week's challenge! 

Inspired by my Fellow Design Team members who have done some amazing cards with this Apron LG 736  Stencil, I wanted to fill all those spaces with some Zentangle too.  I used the book "Zentangle 6" to learn how to do these patterns, and was surprised to learn that many of my fellow Dream Teamers created the samples in the book!  I TOLD you these ladies are awesome!  I do have some of these books on order and should arrive in the store over the next week or so, but if you want to have a peek-a-boo at mine, come on by the store!

Here's a close up...

Now, as I was catching up on my e-mails, I learned that we are now allowed to offer Sneak Peeks of the new designs being released at CHA this summer!  So some of the other members might be posting images with the new stencils, so be SURE to check them out.  I for one, am pulling them back out to play with, so that next week I can show you something new, and in the same Black and White theme, so be sure to check back!

And don't forget, if you post a picture of your card, or e-mail a sample to Lynell by the end of the month, you will be entered to win 2 free stencils! 

Good Luck!

And with that,

Doodle til you drop,

Glue til you go crazy,

And get yourself a new stencil to re-inspire you if you're feeling blocked!  There's so much you can do with them!

May's Challenge - Black, White & Grad!

It's the very merry month of May now, and the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team are playing with a new challenge, and we're hoping that YOU will play along! All of this month, we'll be creating for graduations and/or using black and white with a pop of color.

I just tried my hand at Zentangle for the first time, with the Tie Stencil LG 735, a Black Micron .05 pen and the Zentangle 6 guidebook that I picked up at Dreamweavers, and thought that it made the perfect card for this challenge...

Not too bad for my first try, though I've decided that I don't like free handing circles, I'm a "Square" kind a gal!  I've made samples of my Zentangling with the Apron Stencil, and the Holly is next on my list...Check out the Gallery on the Dream It Up! blog, as they have even more samples to take a peek at!

Now it's your turn to play along with us, and you do not need to have a complicated creation, so pull out your supplies and have some fun! Link your creation to the Dream It Up! blog, or email pics of your creation to Lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com as we love to post your submissions on the blog as well as the Facebook page. Even more, we want to provide you with the opportunity to win one of two sets of two stencils by playing along. You have all of May to link as many creations as you'd like, so get creating! Sorry...winners must be from the US or Canada.

And with that,

Doodle til you Dazzle,

Relax til you Zen,

and get a creation into our contest, this month is an EASY challenge!

Glitter painting Tutorial

Welcome back to Dreamweaver's Thursday Challenge!

This week, for my "May Flowers" card, I chose to do my favorite technique, Glitter Painting!

Supplies Needed
Dreamweaver Stencil (I used Long Tulip LL377)
Glitter (I used Glitter Ritz Kiwi, Sweet Basil, Light Copper, Rose Copper& Clear)
Coconut Soap
Removable Tape
Glitter Gone Mat
SookWang Double Sided Tape



Step 1
Rub the Stencil with Pure Coconut Soap, this will prevent the Stencil from Sticking to the SookWang Tape and ruining your background.  Brush off any extra soap with a stiff stencil brush.

Step 2
Place the stencil on the Sookwang Tape, being sure that even the small "Bridges" on the stencil are flat against the Sookwang tape.

Step 3
Using the Removable Tape, mask off any area's that you do not want glitter to stick to.  In my sample, I masked off the Petals of the Tulip.

Step 4
Using your finger, "Paint" the darker Glitter into the area's where you would like Depth.  I painted Sweet Basil onto the tips of the leaves and the base of the stem.  Brush off the excess.

Step 5
Pour the lighter colour over the remaining area.  It will only stick where there isn't glitter already, so don't worry about the Darker glitter coming off or getting in the way.  Tap off the excess.

Step 6
Remove the Tape from the Petals and with your finger again, "paint" the Darker colour where you would like depth.  I used Rose Copper on the tips and base of the Tulips petals.  Tap off the excess.

Step 7
Pour the lighter colour of glitter over the petals now, as you did in Step 5 with the stem.  Tap off the excess.

Step 8
Carefully remove the stencil from the Sookwang Tape.  If you have applied the soap correctly, the stencil should come off fairly easily.  If it doesn't, be patient with it, and next time, use a little more Coconut Soap.

 Step 9
Pour Clear Glitter over the entire background to cover the SookWang tape that was under the stencil.  We use Pure Coconut soap so that there isn't any soap residue that will interfere with the glitter sticking to the tape.  Clean up any excess glitter with your Glitter Gone Mat.

 Step 10
Attach to your card!

Isn't it pretty?  And all in all it only takes a few minutes to complete.  I wasn't able to make a video of this card, but here is a video I made with this same technique, but using the Holly Stencil LL 3005

Be sure to visit the other Design Team members Blogs, and of course upload a card of your creation to the Dreamweaver Blog Dream it Up! you could also win some fantastic stencils!  And be sure to "Like" us on Facebook There's even MORE inspiration there, and it well worth the look-see! 

This tutorial was also posted on PaperCraft Planet so check out that site too as there are some cool projects and more tutorials there as well!

And with that,

Glitter 'til you're Gonzo,

Inspire 'til you're Insane

and play with a Stencil you haven't tried yet, it will REALLY re-inspire you!

Jessie