Dreamweaver Stencils' New Releases and a Free Week!

This week is a free week again for the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team challenge, PLUS...this is the week that the brand NEW designs are released as well. I sooooo love this new "Apron" stencil (which could also be used as a sundress), and have created several super fun designs with this. This version would work well for Mother's Day coming up, or just for the fun of it. The Apron was paste embossed with white. The process goes like this:

1. Place stencil on brown cardstock. Place removable tape around all four edges.
2. Using palette knife or Paste Spreader, spread paste across stencil at slight angle. Holding knife at 90 degree angle (straight up and down on edge), scrape off excess paste.
3. Carefully peel away tape from last three edges. Use first as a "hinge" to lift stencil and remove pasted panel. Set aside to dry.
4. Place stencil in water and use soft scrub brush to clean and let dry.
5. When paste is dry (approx. 30 minutes), place stencil back over image, and apply Palette Glue with jumbo Dauber over pasted surface.
6. Apply heat tool slightly until tacky.
7. Pour glitter over tacky surface. Pour off excess.

The rest of the card was just a matter of layering papers, a little distressing with ink. Of course, the seamstress in me had to add brad "buttons" and a rick rack border to the apron, as well as a little stitching and buttons on the card.  Now be sure to take the tech trek around to the rest of the team's blogs (links at right), leave some love as you go (including some for me!), create your own free theme design, and link it to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog.

Dreamweaver Stencils:
LG736 Apron
LM2010 Paste Spreader
DEP Embossing Paste
RMT Removable Tape
GSP Palette Glue Pad
DPK Palette Knife

Stampendous Pastel Pink Glitter
Tsukineko Rich Cocoa Memento ink
Bazzill cardstock
MME patterned paper
ribbon, rick rack, buttons, twine, pom pom trim
brad fasteners
sewing machine

I Love Stampendous Dragonflies!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE dragonflies. So, when Stampendous introduced this "Dragonfly Vine" Cling stamp in January, I could hardly wait to play with it. This is only one of the creations I've come up with so far using this gorgeous image. Trust me...you'll be seeing more! Stamped simply on patterned paper, matted, popped up on a darker panel with a elegant border and ribbon should have been enough...but you know me! I distressed some flowers and added the subtle bling of swirls of black Dot Sparkler Class A' Peels (see close-up at left). Even more subtle was the addition of the "grateful" sticker sentiment at the bottom. For more inspiration using this wonderful image, check out the projects on the Stampendous web site and blog.

Stampendous:
(CRP119) Dragonfly Vine Cling
(AC672HSK) Class A' Peel Dot Sparklers

Tsukineko Onyx Versafine ink
My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Bazzill cardstock
Prima flowers
bling brad, ribbon
corner rounder, EK Edger

New Releases from Dreamweaver Stencils!

 As we're going through a bit of a heat spell in California this week, I thought I'd post this refreshing card featuring new designs from Dreamweaver Stencils. The Damask background is the same as I've created before by running the Memories Mists covered stencil through the Big Shot with a white cardstock panel to transfer all that gorgeous ink to the negative areas that are beautifully embossed. The bottom panel is coral cardstock run through the Big shot with the Stripes stencil. The newly released Umbrella stencil was "sludge-pasted" with a mix of Matte Orange, Matte Yellow, and Glossy Red pastes. Once dry, I cut around it, matted it with white and popped it up on the card. The ribbon and flowers add to the springy feel of this card. The sentiment was paste-embossed with Glossy White and matted as well. I think this card would be perfect for a bridal or baby shower, or a just-because-I'm-thinking-of-you card! I'm looking forward to posting more fun projects using Dreamweaver Stencils' new releases. Be sure to come back to see!

Celebrate with a Jumbo Cupcake!

Quickie post today. Been sooo wrapped up in fall and winter catalog samples, that I thought I'd take a moment to post something in bright spring/summer/party colors. This card features the Stampendous Cling Cupcake XL image...and I do mean XL. Pretty much a life size cupcake. No calories in this one...maybe extra fiber, but 100% cute! The fun "liner" was run through my Corrugator. The "icing" was layered for dimension. I created a cute pick/flag for the sentiment, added drops of Sakura Souffle Pens on Class A' Peel Dot Sparklers for "sprinkles". Borders of Class A' Peel Ric Rac in the background
add to the fun. This card would obviously be perfect for a birthday card, but would be fab for any celebration, or even for an invitation for a party. I have a good friend who's birthday is this weekend...so guess what she's getting in the mail? Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Don't eat too many chocolate bunnies and jelly beans! Lol.

Stampendous:
CRW061 Cling Cupcake XL
SSC1115 Birthday Assortment
AC672HSS Class A' Peel Dot Sparklers
AC653VW Class A' Peel Ric Rac Border

Tsukineko Onyx Versafine ink
Bazzill Limeade
white, bright pink cardstock
MME and Tinkering Ink patterned paper
Sakura Souffle Pens
toothpick, pompom
Marvy-Uchida Corrugator
double-sided foam adhesive

Getting ZENtangled with Dream Schemes Sketch #5

Last week I traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, for the NAMTA (National Art Materials Trade Association) show, and had soooo much fun. Lynell Harlow (owner of Dreamweaver's Stencils) and Lee Kellogg and I took turns demo-ing with the stencils and all the fabulous products and techniques to go with. Whenever we had opportunities to walk the show, we were inspired by so many wonderful products, artists, and...art! What many of you may be unaware of, is at these trade shows, we frequently have the opportunity to collaborate with other companies and artists...a kind of "We have this, what can you do with it?", and "I'd love to see what I can do with your product!" This show was even more so. Suzanne McNeill of Design Originals and Lynell put their heads together to see how the Dreamweaver Stencils would work with Suzanne's latest fixation, "Zentangle", an art using fine pens to create patterns within patterns. Along the line of doodling, but with a little more brain activity required. We loved her end result, which you can see on the Dream It Up! blog, and had so much fun playing with this new idea.

The butterfly that I created was done in our booth, which shows how quickly you can catch on to this. I love the graphic look of it! Since I wanted to blog this fun process, I chose to incorporate it into this weeks' sketch challenge designed by my booth partner and co-team member, Lee, as seen above at left. I did flip the sketch on it's side to fit the size of the butterfly panel. My three strips were not torn as I

wanted to keep the clean graphic lines, so I paste-embossed the "Zebra Skin" in Glossy White on black cardstock and divided it in three strips. A few dots of Copic White ink at the corner and a sticker sentiment finished it off.

Then, I decided I wanted to play some more, and yet follow Lee's sketch a little more exactly. This time I "Zentangled" the vase on black cardstock with a white gel pen. I created three torn-edged strips of paste-embossed "Damask" and "Flourishes" in Glossy Black and Glossy White. A torn edge black panel behind the vase to frame it nicely. For more texture, I embossed the base card with the Big Shot machine and the "Stripes" stencil. The final card is still graphic, with a softer, more elegant appearance. Now is your time to play along with us. Follow Lee's sketch and link your creation to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog. Need more inspiration? Check out what the rest of our fantabulous Dream Team has been up to this week. Interested in learning the art of Zentangle? Check out the Design Originals books on this fun new technique HERE. Interested in knowing how this art form began? Click HERE. Interested in the Sakura pens used to create this? Click HERE.
 

Dreamweaver Stencils:
LJ815 Zebra Skin
LG620 Oriental Butterfly
LM194 Small Ginger Jar
LJ890 Flourishes
LX7002 Stripes
LX7001 Damask
LM2010 Embossing Paste Spreader
DGWP Glossy White Embossing Paste
DGKP Glossy Black Embossing Paste
ET Stylus tool (for perfect white dots)

Sakura Micron Pen Black .03
Sakura White Gel Pen
Copic White Ink
black and white cardstock
ribbon, charm
Big Shot
double-sided foam adhesive

Lizzie Anne Designs Sketch #161

 Amazingly enough, I actually had some time to play along with the Lizzie Anne Designs sketch challenge for this week. Tricia (Lizzie) suggested that we die cut an overpanel to expose a peek of print behind. My overpanel was Core'dinations' cardstock run through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and sanded to expose the swirls. I chose a simple rectangle for the die cut shape. My print was created from stamping the argyle and dragonfly from the "It's Good to Be Queen" Mix set in various shades of chalk inks, with the addition of several dragonflies embossed in white. The sentiment and frame are from the same great set. A little bling was added to the additional dragonfly. This challenge can be as simple or as intricate as you desire. Come play along with us this week and post your own creation to the Lizzie Anne Designs Facebook page HERE.

Stampendous Easter "Hunted" House!

 This slightly over-the-top creation was published in the Stampendous October 2010 catalog, and also featured on one of the daily banners for the Stampendous website during National Craft Month in March. It was one of those occasions when you get so wrapped up in playing, that you forget how much time is going into a project. I guess I can't really say that it just "snowballed"...more like just kept "hatching" and "multiplying"! I wove strips of pale yellow cardstock over the surface of the card front for the Easter "basket" appearance. The roof was snipped strips of parakeet cardstock. Little bits of edger punched white for trim on the roof and tiny curtains in the windows. The bunnies and eggs from the Perfectly Clear "Busy Bunnies" were Copic-colored and tucked here and there. A slide out surprise bunny was added with a fun sentiment from the same set. A "sprinkle" of water was created from Multi Crystal Glitter and Dot Sparklers on acetate as seen in the closeup pic at left. I have to admit that a lot of time went into this, and would probably not be something I would be sending to all my friends no matter how much I love them, but I had soooo much fun

creating it. What can YOU do with the "Busy Bunnies"? For more Easter inspiration, please check out the projects on the Stampendous website, blog, design team members, and Facebook page.

Stampendous:
Perfectly Clear "Busy Bunnies" (SSC1103)
Multi Ultra-fine Crystal Glitter (GM220U)
Class A' Peel "Dot Sparklers" (AC672HSS)
Thermo Acetate (PC75)

Tuxedo Black Memento ink
Copic Sketch Markers
Bazzill cardstock
white cardstock
Fiskar Edger Punch
Prima Flowers
brad fasteners and turnmounts

Break Out Your Chocolate Bunnies...It's Lizzie Anne Designs Team Challenge Time!

 Today is Lizzie Anne Designs team challenge day, and in case you hadn't guessed...our challenge is to create Easter cards! I did two in the same color schemes 'cuz, hey, the stuff was already there and I still wanted to play with it. The first card holds a little treat wrapped in tulle with a cute ribbon bow. The background was stamped with one of the sweet egg images from the Spring Mix, "Follow Your Dreams". The sentiment at the bottom is from the same set. Lots of stencils, borders, and dies were used for added texture and interest. The next card has a Martha Stewart border which is perfect for spring. Two egg images were stamped and embossed in white over the three squares, along with the same sentiment on a tag. I love the rick rack on this. I found it in with my MIL's stash of old sewing supplies.

 Be sure to visit all of the team blogs. You will be amazed! Then take your newly inspired self over to the Lizzie Anne site and get your own fun Easter images.

Lizzie Anne Designs "Follow Your Dreams"
Dreamweaver Stencils Large Dots stencil
white and jade cardstock
Cuttlebug dots embossing folder
Martha Stewart edger punch, tag punch
Nestabilities Labels Four
rainbow rick rack, Prima flower
brad fastener
gingham ribbon (Maya Road)
double sided foam adhesive
button, twine

Simple Dream Schemes

 Free challenge week at Dreamweaver Stencils. My post is a super simple beginner basic card for spring. The Bazzill cardstock card is run through the Big Shot with the Sunflowers stencil. (Tip: Spritz back of cardstock with rubbing alcohol for a deep emboss!) I sludge-pasted* the Nestie lacy scallop circle with a mix of Matte Yellow and Orange pastes and only one portion of the Sunflowers stencil. I stamped a tiny bee and appropriate sentiment, added ribbons and you're done! This same card could be created using a wide variety of Dreamweaver Stencils in the same way. For instance, for the holidays...use the Snowflakes stencil to emboss the background with just one snowflake paste embossed (sprinkle glitter on the wet paste). Or emboss the background with any of the wonderful jumbo stencils, and use one of the fun small images for your focal piece. Hurry on over to the rest of the team's blogs as listed at right for more dreamy ideas, create your own, and link to the Dream It Up! blog's Mr. Linky.

Dreamweaver Stencils:
LJ902 Sunflowers
DMYP Matte Yellow Paste
DMOP Matte Orange Paste
DPK Palette Knife

Stampendous Perfectly Clear "Buzzin' Blooms" (SSC1070)
Bazzill Parakeet  and Sunbeam Cardstock
white cardstock
October Afternoon paper
Onyx Versafine ink
Nestabilities Lacy Circle die
EK Edger punch, Big Shot
ribbon

*For directions on sludge pasting, click HERE.

Simply in Stitches

Looks complicated, but it's not. The Beauty Within image from Lizzie Anne Designs "Follow Your Dreams", was simply stamped and loosely colored with chalks. Four panels of patterned paper were the background for this great image, and the stitching around the outside mimics the sketchy outline of the image and frames it for more impact. I recently saw this great tutorial on creating flowers from patterned paper using a Nestabilities circle or scalloped circle die. So easy and so fun! The centers have pearl stickers. A fab sentiment from the "Follow Your Dreams" set was stamped on the side. Really fun, huh? Be sure to visit the Lizzie Anne Designs blog, Sketchbook, Team blogs, and Facebook page for more inspiration. Hope you have a very creative week!

Lizzie Anne Designs "Follow Your Dreams" Mix Set
Rich Cocoa Memento ink
Decorator Chalks
MME patterned papers
kraft  and off white cardstock
Nestabilities Scalloped circles dies
pearl stickers
sewing machine

CROSSing Pretty with Distressed

Quickie post as I'm heading out of town to the NAMTA show in Phoenix, Arizona, with Lynell from Dreamweaver Stencils. Road trip! Lol. Anyway, I'm planning in advance for my blog as I have some challenges and some fun stuff I've wanted to show you. This card was created for the Stampendous October 2010 catalog, which featured Valentine's through Easter and spring. Ordinarily I'm not wild about crosses, but Dreamweaver's has a Celtic styled one that I love, and this one from Stampendous I love. It has a great shape and the flowers just make it more spring-like. I paper-pieced the flowers using the background paper and added Dot Sparklers in the centers. A little distressing takes it from being too "pretty" which pleased me. I know a lot of people are "over" the whole distressed look, but I still like it. I like things that appear to have a history. Be sure to visit the Stampendous web site, their blog, their Facebook page, and the rest of our team of fabulousness as listed at right, for more inspiration. We've all be working like insane people creating for the July catalog. Can hardly wait for you to see all of the amazing samples these girls are creating! You'll just have to wait... ;)

Stampendous Perfectly Clear "Flower Cross" (SSC1087)
Class A' Peel "Dot Sparklers" (AC672HSS)
Rich Cocoa Memento ink
Bazzill Parakeet and Petunia cardstock
patterned paper
circle punches
double-sided foam adhesive

Bonjour to Friday!

 A quickie post for Friday. So busy right now with various creative deadlines, so am posting previous creations. This card features Lizzie Anne Designs "Bonjour" set. I love the old world feel of these images, so I added to the image with shades of distressing inks that mimic age and patina. I originally created this for a sketch challenge for a magazine submission call. I thought it was an interesting sketch, and worked well for highlighting the medallion images in this set. Hope you have a creative Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Lizzie Anne Designs "Bonjour" set
Rich Cocoa Memento ink
Teal Memories Mists
WRMK "Dippity Dots" paper
tan cardstock
Queen & Co. Brads
twine

Dream Schemes Colorway: Teal & Yellow

 This week the Dream Schemes Team was challenged to a teal and yellow colorway by our own Kristi. I chose to play with the Hot Air Balloon stencil which had been calling to me for awhile now. First I stenciled Versamark ink through the image twice over the teal cardstock and embossed with pastel yellow embossing powder. Then I paste-embossed the image once and set it aside to dry. Meanwhile, I covered a strip of cardstock with double-sided adhesive, rubbed soap over the back of the stencil (preventing the stencil from being stuck permanently), and glittered the portion of Bird Words stencil that I wanted to use with teal glitter. After I removed the stencil, I filled in the rest of the strip with pastel yellow glitter. By now the paste-embossed piece was dry, so I was able to place the stencil back over the surface. Using a large dauber, I applied Palette Glue over the surface in sections and covered these in the teal and yellow glitters, respectively. I think this card would be great for anyone taking the next step in their lives...a graduate, new employee, or even a retiree! Now is your opportunity to play along. Pull out your teal and yellow crafty goodness, and link your creation to Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog. For some incredible inspiration, visit the blogs of the rest of the team as listed at right.

Dreamweaver Stencils:
LL3003 Hot Air Balloon
LG734 Bird Words
DEP Embossing Paste
MPDS Double-sided Mounting Paper
DPK Palette Knife
KD02http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/access1.htm Jumbo Dauber
GSP Palette Glue Pad
DHHS Hawaiian Soap

Stampendous:
Pastel Yellow Embossing Powder
Pastel Yellow Ultra Fine Glitter
Ocean Spray Ultra fine Glitter

Versamark ink
Bazzill and Coredinations cardstock