Stencil Simplicity for Floral Fun

The Dream Team is in to their second week of the Bloomin' March challenge, and there are no lack of fabulous blooms to choose from!

For my post today, I chose to use designs with a bit of Celtic flair to them...the Nouveau Rose and Rose Bush tall stencils, and I used them very simply. This card is the perfect technique for a stencil beginner.

Both panels were run through my Big Shot Pro machine (any embossing machine will work), with a specific "sandwich" to protect the stencil:


1. Place stencil face down on base plate.
2. Place cardstock face down on stencil. (Spritz back with rubbing alcohol if available.)
3. Place Embossing Details mat on top of stencil.
4. Place TWO clear flat plates on top of all, and run through machine.

The bottom panel was simply machine embossed. The top panel was cut from Co'ordinations cardstock, and once machine embossed, the surface was sanded to reveal the core color. A pretty ribbon and a beautiful embellishment pin finishes the card in elegant style.

Speaking of style...check out the rest of our wonderful Dream Team as they reveal their own versions of a Bloomin' March:

Dream it UP  

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy  

Terrece Siddoway 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser

Kristi Van Doren

Pam Hornschu (me)

Be sure to visit again next week as we introduce our new Dream Team 2013 to you! So exciting!
Don't forget to follow us on the Dream It Up! blog, our Facebook page, Pinterest, and Paper Craft Planet's Dreamweaver Thursday Tutorials!

Summer Fun in the Tropics!

 The Dream Team is in week two of the "Summer Fun" challenge for the month of July. Last week, my post was all about fun at the beach. This week I'm going tropical! I used the beautiful new Nouveau Wisteria stencil, done with a modified Faux Cloisonné technique.

Starting with the base of the card, I used this yummy coral cardstock from Bazzill. I applied Versamark ink over the Large Cathedral Window stencil, and ran it through with the card in my Big Shot machine. This transferred the ink in only the negative portion of the design on the card. I covered this inked area with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, and heated to melt. I added a layer of regular clear embossing enamel over the top and heated again.

The focal panel was ink stenciled with the Splendor Circus Pad and the smaller stencil brushes. (Tip: I highly recommend having one brush in every size for every color you will use.) To apply color in the smaller areas without runover, using the Picasso stencil is the perfect tool. Lots of spaces, holes, and shapes to use as a mask as you are stenciling.

While this ink was wet, I applied the UTEE over the surface and heated it, then repeated with the regular clear powder as before. At this point, I felt like something was still needed. So I tore a rectangle of cardstock, laid it over the stenciled panel, and sprayed with Teal Memories Mists. Then, I removed the panel, tore the edges some more, replaced it, and misted again. And then repeated one more time. The result was a soft frame that highlights the exquisite detail of the Wisteria design.

I embellished with beautiful soft aqua twill and web trim from May Arts. This prevents the image from appearing to hang in the middle of nowhere.

Now we want YOU to play along with us using the Summer Fun theme. Obviously, this theme has a loose interpretation, which gives you NO excuse not to play with us. Please link your creation to the Dream It Up! blog on the mr. linky, or email pics of your creation(s) to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com for an opportunity to win the complete version of this sneak peek stencil design to be released next week at CHA Summer in Rosemont, IL:

Hmmm. I think you can guess that this design is NOT for Summer Fun. However, our upcoming challenge for August will be "Christmas in August". Get the hint?

For more inspiration, visit the rest of our creative team:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 
Jessie Hurley

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser

Garden Birdcage Card

When Stampendous first sent me their two new sets of Perfectly Clear stamps with birdcage images, I thought, "Birdcages? Seriously?", but in actuality I've had a lot of fun with them! This particular card has the cage stamped and embossed with white powder on a printed background along with other stamped elements from the set. I love sets of stamps because of their versatility. I accented with those velvety Class A' Peels again (love, love, love 'em!) and a silk flower for dimension. I sponged ink around the edges to distress and add that artsy thing that's still so popular. I'll be posting more with these sets as I've found them perfect for so many occasions and styles.

Perfectly Clear "Tweet Cages" from Stampendous (SSC1074)
Class A' Peel "Scrollwork Borders" in Velvet Olive from Stampendous (AC726VE)
White Embossing Powder from Stampendous (EP100)
Frost White ColorBox ink
Olive ColorBox Chalk ink
Bazzill cardstock
print unknown
silk flower
glitter brad fastener