Dreamweaver's February Challenge

Whew!  We're back from CHA and did we have a blast!  It was three days (for me; I didn't stay for the final day of the show) filed with demonstrations, make and takes, and seeing lots of friends.  It was also a good time for the design team, minus Terrece, whom we dearly missed, to spend time together and share a lot of laughs.

But now we're home and it's time to get on with the February challenge, which is to create something using  a St. Patrick's Day theme or the color green or both.   You'll have the entire month to submit your project on Dreamweaver's Dream it Up! blog.  Here's what I've done:

I embossed the Pinwheel Checkerboard (LX7013) and the Shamrock (LS58) stencils on to two shades of the Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection paper from Core'dinations using a die cut machine.  Lightly sand both pieces and trim to size.  The shamrocks were edged in gold with a Krylon Gold Leaf pen.

Be sure to visit design team blogs listed below for more ideas and inspiration.  When you've finished your project, but sure to link it to the Dream it Up! blog using Mr. Linky.  We can't wait to see what you've done.  Here you go:

 Laura Drahozal  

Louise Healy  

Wendy Jordan  

Terrece Siddoway 

Kristi Van Doren 

Georgia Sommers 

Lee Kellogg 

Liz Martin 

Cyndi Bundy 

Cherylynn Moser 

Jessie Hurley

 

See you next week,

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 

Thursday Dream Scheme Sketch Challenge

It's a bit early, but happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.   To celebrate Dads this Sunday, the Dream Team is combining a sketch challenge with a Father's Day theme.   Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

Of course, artistic license came into play by combining the focal element with the sentiment.   The card came together rather quickly, using Bo Bunny Mama-razzi Stripe and Core'dinations papers and the Happy Father's Day Stencil (LM244).  I dry-embossed the stencil and sanded the raised portion to reveal the sentiment.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.  I hope your day is filled with friends and family, a barbeque, baseball game or round of golf – something special to celebrate your day. You've earned it!

Happy crafting,
Liz