Christmas in August

I hope you all enjoyed last week's Dreamweaver/Woodware UK blog hop.  There were so many great projects posted with lots of ideas, inspiration and techniques to keep me busy for quite a while. 

Today is the final post for the Christmas in August challenge and I've used an older but very versatile stencil, LL499, Long Stocking,  with two techniques, each one giving a totally different look.

 The first is using the double glitter technique.  You will need double sided mounting paper, coconut soap and microfine glitter.  For this project I used Glitter Ritz Microfine glitter in Kiwi, Sahara and Regal Red plus Cool Highlight Transparent glitter for the background. Begin by cutting card stock and double sided mounting paper to size.  Peel off the protective covering from one side of the double sided mounting paper and adhere it to the card stock.  Soap the back of the stencil and brush away the "crumbs" from the open areas of the stencil.  Remove the protective covering from the double sided-mounting paper and position the stencil, soap side down, on top.  Place the protective paper over the stencil and gentle rub to be sure it is firmly attached.  This will prevent the glitter from getting into places where you don't want it to be.  I started at the top with the Kiwi glitter and masked off the bottom part of the stocking, removing bits of the mask as I added other colors.  Remember to rub in the glitter with your finger tip to get the best results. 

To remove the stencil, place it face down on the table and begin peeling off the card stock with one hand and holding the stencil down with your other hand, walking your fingers along the stencil to keep it flat against your work surface.  Cover the remaining areas of sticky paper with the clear glitter and rub it in with your finger.  Trim edges and adhere to coordinating mat(s).  Adhere to patterned paper, add embellishments and then adhere card base and you're done!

The second card uses Core'dinations paper, sanded to remove the outer layer of color and reveal the outline of the stencil.  Here's what to do:  Place the stencil on the red paper and dry emboss using a personal die cut machine and "sandwich" stack that fits your machine.  In all cases remember to keep the stencil as close to the base plate as possible to keep it from bending.  It is recommended that you keep a set of clear plates just for dry embossing with stencils.   Repeat the process with green paper.  Rub the surface of the red and green images with a sanding block to reveal the embossed surface.  Cut the top of the stocking from the green paper and attach to the top of the red stocking.   You can either tear the edges as I did here, or trim them and adhere on to coordinating mat(s).  Adhere to patterned paper; add ribbon or other embellishments and adhere to card base.

For more Christmas ideas, check out the rest of the Dream Team posts, but please leave me a note first.  I love hearing from you.

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal
Cherylynn Moser 

Louise Healy

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy

See you next week for a new challenge and another chance to win a great prize.

Happy crafting,
Liz

Dreamweaver/Woodware Blog Hop - Saturday

Here it is – the BIG DAY – when both teams are blogging for the Dreamweaver/Woodware Christmas in August hop.  If you're just joining us, scroll down to the earlier posts to catch up.  Here's what's going on . . .

All of this week, the Dream Team and the Woodware UK teams are celebrating the release of the new holiday designs from Dreamweaver Stencils. Of course, no celebration is complete without prizes...and there are some fabulous ones for those commenting on both sides of the "pond". 

Each team will be providing the opportunity to win four prize packages of stencil designs, perfect for the holidays. Just leave your comments each day on each players' post as well as the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs, and the Dreamweaver and Woodware Facebook pages. Two random commentors will be chosen from the batch of weekday posts, one each from the DW and WW Facebook pages, and from the big hop on Saturday, from each side of the pond!* That's a total of eight prize packages up for grabs! Here's what you could win:

 

Here's today's project:

Begin by paste embossing the Mitten stencil (LJ923) with regular embossing paste (DEP).  When dry, reposition the mitten stencil over the pasted image and add a piece or two of tape at the top for stability.  Here comes the fun part: using the Christmas Borders stencil (LJ922) position it over the open parts of the mitten stencil and apply ink using a stencil brush.  You'll need to move the border stencil around to fit the pattern to the open space of the mitten.  Set aside for a bit to allow the ink to dry thoroughly, but keep the mitten stencil attached for the next step.  When the ink has dried, apply Palette Stamp and Stick glue pad to the image, using a dauber.  Sprinkle Cool Highlight Glitter Ritz Microfine Transparent glitter over the image and rub in with your finger.  Remove the stencil, tap off the excess glitter and you're done!

There's a lot more to look at, but don't forget to leave me some cheer before you move on to the other players for today:

Woodware UK
Dream It Up!

  Lee Kellogg

 Cherylynn Moser
Dorothy Adam
Louise Healy
Debs Frost 
Laura Drahozal 
Terrece Siddoway

 Cyndi Bundy
Wendy Jordan
Francoise Read

 Liz Martin
Georgia Sommers
Siobhan Fyffe
Pam Hornschu 

Kristi Van Doren

I hope you've had fun following along this week and found enough crafty goodness to get you started on your own projects.  'Cause you know, the holidays are just around the corner!

See you next week and happy crafting,

Liz

Dreamweaver/Woodward Blog Hop - Thursday

Welcome to Day 4 of the Dreamweaver/Woodward Blog Hop.  If you're just joining us, scroll down to the earlier posts to catch up.  Here's what's going on . . .

All of this week, the Dream Team and the Woodware UK teams are celebrating the release of the new holiday designs from Dreamweaver Stencils. Of course, no celebration is complete without prizes...and there are some fabulous ones for those commenting on both sides of the "pond". 

Each team will be providing the opportunity to win four prize packages of stencil designs, perfect for the holidays. Just leave your comments each day on each players' post as well as the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs, and the Dreamweaver and Woodware Facebook pages. Two random commentors will be chosen from the batch of weekday posts, one each from the DW and WW Facebook pages, and from the big hop on Saturday, from each side of the pond!* That's a total of eight prize packages up for grabs! Here's what you could win:

 

Here's what I have to show you today.  The detail in the Christmas Borders (LJ922) stencil is exquisite, and it really doesn't need a lot of embellishment.  I might add a little glitter to the next one, but that's about it.

And it couldn't be easier to make – something to keep in mind if you need to make a lot of cards.  Paste emboss red card stock with regular embossing paste (DEP) and set aside to dry.  In the meantime, wash and dry the stencil, palette knife and paste spreader.  When the paste is dry, trim to desired size and attach to coordinating mat.  Attach ribbon and sentiment and adhere to card base.  There you have it.  Try Lynell's power pasting technique, which she demonstrates in the Embossing Paste Techniques for Artful Cardmaking DVD.  You'll be done in no time!

There's a lot more to look at, but don't forget to leave me some cheer before you move on to the other players for today:

Dream It Up! Woodware UK
Louise Healy
Laura Drahozal
Lee Kellogg
Terrece Siddoway
Wendy Jordan
Pam Hornschu
Liz Martin (you're here)
Kristi Van Doren

Cyndi Bundy
Cherylynn Moser

Remember to follow along with the challenges on the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs for more prize opportunities, and more crafty inspiration, as well as "liking" DW and WW on Facebook.

That's it for today.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for more holiday ideas and inspiration.

Happy crafting,
Liz 

*Winners selected must be from USA/Canada/UK only. 

Dreamweaver/Woodware Blog Hop - Wednesday

Are you ready for more?  All of this week, the Dream Team and the Woodware UK teams are celebrating the release of the new holiday designs from Dreamweaver Stencils. Of course, no celebration is complete without prizes...and there are some fabulous ones for those commenting on both sides of the "pond". 

Each team will be providing the opportunity to win four prize packages of stencil designs, perfect for the holidays. Just leave your comments each day on each players' post as well as the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs, and the Dreamweaver and Woodware Facebook pages. Two random commentors  will be chosen from the batch of weekday posts, one each from the DW and WW Facebook pages, and from the big hop on Saturday...from each side of the pond!* That's a total of eight prize packages up for grabs! Here's what you could win:

Today's project uses the newly released Season of Joy stencil (LX7016).

This is a beautifully detailed image which really doesn't need a lot of embellishing.  To highlight the design, I used one of the most basic techniques – regular embossing paste – on midnight blue Stardream paper, with a touch of glitter sprinkled on the horizon and on one side of each of the trees in the foreground.  The star was painted with a gold leaf paint pen. I experimented with ribbon and different colored mats, but they detracted from rather than enhanced the image.  Less is more . . . leave well enough alone . . . is what I had in mind.

There's a lot more to look at, but don't forget to leave me some cheer before you move on to the other players for today:

Woodware UK 
Dream It Up! 
Louise Healy
Lee Kellogg
Jane Gill 
Terrece Siddoway 
Wendy Jordan
Pam Hornschu 
Liz Martin (that's me!)

Remember to follow along with the challenges on the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs for more prize opportunities, and more crafty inspiration, as well as "liking" DW and WW on Facebook.

 

That's it for today.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for more holiday ideas and inspiration.

Happy crafting,
Liz 

 

*Winners selected must be from USA/Canada/UK only. 

 

Dreamweaver/Woodware Blog Hop

All of this week, the Dream Team and the Woodware UK teams are celebrating the release of the new holiday designs from Dreamweaver Stencils. Of course, no celebration is complete without prizes...and there are some fabulous ones for those commenting on both sides of the "pond". 

Each team will be providing the opportunity to win four prize packages of stencil designs, perfect for the holidays. Just leave your comments each day on each players' post as well as the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs, and the Dreamweaver and Woodware Facebook pages. Two random commentors  will be chosen from the batch of weekday posts, one each from the DW and WW Facebook pages, and from the big hop on Saturday...from each side of the pond!* That's a total of eight prize packages up for grabs! Here's what you could win:

Here's what I've made for today's post using the newly released Heart Ornaments (LJ921):

Begin by taping the stencil to card stock and inking the image with pigment inks.  Wash and dry the stencil.  Reposition the stencil on the inked image and tape all sides.  Apply translucent embossing paste with the paste spreader.  Remove the stencil and clean it.  While paste is still wet, sprinkle glitter on to image and set aside to dry.  Mat on coordinating card stock and that's all there is to it!

 

Don't forget to leave me some holiday cheer as you move on to the other players for today:

Woodware UK 
Dream It Up! 
Louise Healy
Lee Kellogg
Francoise Read 
Pam Hornschu 
Liz Martin (you're here)
Terrece Siddoway
Cherylynn Moser

Remember to follow along with the challenges on the Dream It Up! and Woodware UK blogs for more prize opportunities, and more crafty inspiration, as well as "liking" DW and WW on Facebook.

*Winners selected must be from USA/Canada/UK only. 

That's it for today.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for more holiday ideas and inspiration.

Happy crafting,
Liz

Glittering Christmas in August

It wouldn't be Christmas without bright and shiny glittering objects, so of course I turned to the double glitter technique.  If you followed along with the double glitter challenge in June, you should have this technique well in hand.  Here we go:

For complete instructions on the double glitter technique, scroll down (or click here) to any of my posts for June and you'll find the details.  The stencil is LL557, Long Merry Christmas, and the glitter is Glitter Ritz Microfine glitter in Real Red, Sea Green and Sahara.

Mark your calendar for August 20-25 for the  Christmas in August blog hop with the Woodware UK design team.  There will be lots of crafty goodness during the week and a blog hop on Saturday, August 25.  Don't miss it, or the chance to win some great prizes. 

In the meantime, check out this week's postings from the Dreamweaver Team.  Be sure to link your project to the Dreamweaver blog, Dream it Up!, using Mr. Linky.  We'll be looking for you.

Dream It Up!

Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal
Cherylynn Moser 

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy

 

Happy Crafting,

Liz

Christmas in August, Week 2

It's Week 2 of our Christmas in August challenge and I've chosen the newly released LJ923 Mittens for this week's project.

Trace the mittens on to patterned paper and cut them out.  Mat them on to contrasting card stock and added faux stitching with a white pen.  Carefully trim around the edge, adhere to coordinating mats, add button and bakers twine and adhere to card base.   Couldn't be easier!  I didn't have a coordinating button, so I painted a clear button with Winter Red Color Solutions Alcohol Ink (yes, I know . . . it looks green, but in real life it really is red!).

There's still plenty of time to get into the Christmas spirit.  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 Ornament.

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 working on:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu   

Laura Drahozal
Cherylynn Moser 

Louise Healy
Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin

 Cyndi Bundy

Happy crafting,

Liz

Christmas in August

When the weather's too hot to go outside, think cool thoughts and start working on Christmas cards!

Here's the first of many you'll be seeing during the coming weeks.

 There's not a lot of steps involved for this quick and easy card.  I'm using the Star Dream Christmas Tree (LG746) was released last month and I'm so excited to be able to post it.  Tape the stencil to card stock and apply matte black embossing paste (DMBP).  Set aside to dry.  Reposition the clean stencil over the pasted image and with a dauber, apply Palette Stamp and Stick (GSP) glue to the image.  Here comes the fun part:  apply Metallic FX in the colors of your choice.  For this card, I used Kimono Red for the circles, Gold Dust for the stars and Kiwi and Ivy Garden for the swirls.   

For different look, use regular embossing paste (DEP) instead of black.

And if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit 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 working on:

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

Happy crafting,

Liz