Its time to celebrate . . .

I love Christmas but for me, December 31 is a special time for remembering the past and celebrating the hopes and expectations of the New Year.  And there's a card for it, too.   This is one of my favorite multi-purpose designs.  I've used it as an invitation to a New Year's Eve party, a panel card with the date, time and place printed on the back.  And, by changing the stamped image on the front, as a New Year's greeting for someone I had neglected to send a Christmas card to.  

Here's what to do:  paste the Fireworks stencil (LJ886) with translucent embossing paste.  Remove the stencil and let the paste set for a few minutes.  Then sprinkle ultra fine silver and gold glitter randomly over the slightly tacky paste and set aside to dry.  When the paste has dried, cut to size, adhere to mat and add ribbon.  Stamp sentiment or image, mat and adhere to card front.  If you're using this as an invitation, print information on card stock.  Cut it slightly larger than your mat and adhere to the back of the stenciled design.

This year has been a wonderful ride with the Dream Team and there are new and exciting things coming next week when our three new members, Cyndi Bundy, Jessie Hurley,  and Cherylynn Moser begin posting.   So get the year off to a good start and mark your calendars for Dream Scheme Thursdays.  We look forward to seeing you!    In the meantime, join the rest of us in celebrating the New Year by checking out the Dream Team blogs (listed on the right) and leaving us a note.

Happy New Year,
Liz

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE

Our color challenge this week was to use burgundy and gold and I immediately new that the Christmas Script stencil (LL3009) would be perfect for my card.  And it's a snap to put together. 

Paste emboss the stencil with metallic gold paste.  When dry, cut to size, and mat on ivory Stardream paper.  Cut larger mat and add ribbon and tie the bow before adhering to card base.  Adhere Christmas Script matted piece and you're done.  Note:  I used a wired gold ribbon, which is not post-office friendly.  If you're going to mail your card, remove the wires before tying the bow and it will flatten nicely when you put it in the envelope.

With Christmas just days away, I know there's more on the "To Do" list than there are hours in the day, but be sure to check out the Dreamweaver blog, DREAM it UP!   Lynell is announcing the new Dream Team members and you'll want to be sure to check out their blogs and add them to your blog reader so you can follow along each week as we continue our Thursday posts.   And there's more to see from the rest of the Dream Team – check out their blogs by clicking on the links on the right.

Wishing you all the best this holiday season, and my thanks for following our blogs (and hopefully playing along with the challenges) this past year.   If you have yet to join a challenge, why not make it a New Year's resolution?   You'll find once you start, you're hooked!

All the best this holiday season to you and your family.
Happy crafting,
Liz

Dream Scheme Sketch Challenge

Today's sketch is brought to you by Dream Teamer Pam, with the added instruction to make it a "vintage Christmas."   Here's the sketch

And my card

There are very few products you'll need to pull this card together.  Begin by dry embossing the poinsettia stencil (LG700) on to red Core'dinations paper using a personal die cut machine, such as a BIGkick, BIGshot, Cuttlebug or Vagabond.  You'll need to use the "sandwich" that works best in your machine, but we find that putting the stencil directly on the base plate, then layering paper, silicone embossing mat and two new cutting plates (used only for embossing) is the best way to keep your stencil from bending.  Spritz the back of your card stock with rubbing alcohol or water to loosen the fibers and get a better impression.  The advantage to using rubbing alcohol is that it dries a little faster than water, though either will give the intended result.  Rub the front of the paper with a sanding block to give the image more definition.  You can see a lot more shading in the original, which didn't come through as well in the photo.  Trim the image and cut into three equal sections.  Adhere to green card stock.  Adhere patterned paper to solid red card stock and tie a bow.  Stamp sentiment.  Adhere poinsettia panel to patterned paper and adhere to card base.

That's all there is to it.  Take a break and visit the other Dream Team blogs for more ideas and inspiration and then play along with us in this week's sketch challenge.  You can link your project on the Dreamweaver blog, DREAM it UP! using Mr. Linky.  We'd love to see what you've been working on.

It's ten days and counting and not nearly enough time to get everything done.  So remember . . . there will be more holidays next year and what doesn't get finished in the next few days, will put you ahead of the game when December 2012 rolls around!

Happy crafting and Happy Holidays,
 Liz 

Designer's Choice on Dream Scheme Thursday

Bright, shiny ornaments, twinkling lights, tinsel and GLITTER!   What else could be more 

Christmas-y?  Today is designer's choice and this is one of my favorite stencils (OK, each stencil I work with is my favorite of the moment).

 

This card was made using the Long Stocking stencil (LL499) and the double glitter technique.   Begin by adhering one side of the double-sided mounting tape (MPDS) to card stock.  Leave the protective covering on the top side until you are ready to position your stencil.   Rub the back side of the stencil with Handmade Hawaiian Coconut Soap (DHHS), making sure to cover the entire stencil.  This will keep the stencil from making a tight bond with the adhesive.  Carefully brush the soap "crumbs" from the stencil openings, making sure not to bend the stencil.  Remove the protective paper from the double sided mounting paper and position your stencil, soap side down. 

Now, here comes the fun part.  I used Glitter Ritz micro fine glitter in Grasshopper, Regal Red, Dark Gold and Cool Highlight.  To add glitter, I cut a straw in to 3" pieces and then cut one end at an angle to make a little scoop.  This is perfect for getting into small areas.   I began by applying red to the stripes and burnished it in with my finger.  After tapping off the excess and returning it to the jar, I added the gold, burnished it, then added the green and burnished it, as well.

Place the glittered image, stencil side down, on a flat surface and begin removing the card stock.  Be sure to move your fingers along the stencil as you peel back the card stock so that the stencil always remains flat and does not bend.

Lastly, apply the clear highlight glitter to the entire image and rub it in with your finger.  Trim to the desired size and you're read to finish your card.  I used several layers of mats and ribbon for mine, but the fun part is finding a patterned paper or embellishment in your stash you had forgotten about. 

As the countdown to Christmas continues, check out the Design Team's posts (see the sidebar on the right) for more ideas and inspiration. 

Happy crafting,
Liz

Dream Scheme Color Challenge

I know it comes around this time every year, but I still can't believe it is December 1!  There are still some cards to be made, so for today's color challenge,  I've made a holiday card in non-traditional colors. I hope you like it.

Here's what you will need:
Stencils:  Let it Snow (LG717) and
Ice Skates (LL3016)
Metallic Silver Embossing Paste (DSP)
Silver Metal  (AC14)
Clear Glitter
Palette Knife (DPK)
Removable Tape  (RMT)




to make this card:

Position the Let it Snow stencil on card stock; tape each edge; and paste emboss with Metallic Silver Embossing paste.  Carefully remove the stencil and while the paste is still wet, sprinkle clear glitter over the surface and tap off the excess.  While the paste is drying, carefully wash the stencil and palette knife.

Dry emboss the ice skates stencil on the silver metal by hand or with a personal die cutting machine.  Carefully remove the stencil.  To help retain a sharp image, spread Mercart's Filling Paste or Dreamweaver's  matte white embossing paste over the back of the embossed metal.  Mat and layer each piece as desired and you're done.  Another card ready to mail.

Don't forget to visit the other Designer's blogs to see their take on the turquoise and silver colorway challenge.  And while you're at the Dreamweaver blog, DREAM it UP!, let us see your project by linking it using Mr. Linky.  We love to see all the great work that's out there. 

See you next week.

Happy Holiday Crafting,
Liz