Getting inky with stencils . . . and glitter!

I hope you've been having fun with the Getting Inky with Stencils challenge.  Here's what I've been working on this past week.  By the way, it's a great way to incorporate some of the beautiful background stencils into your projects.

Begin by cutting a piece of double sided mounting paper (MPDS) to your desired size, peeling off one side of protective paper and adhering it to a piece of card stock.  Peel back half of the other sheet of protective paper and sprinkle Glitter Ritz Microfine Warm Highlight glitter on the exposed sticky paper.  Tap off excess glitter and burnish with your finger.  Remove the other half of the protective paper and repeat the process. 


Now you're ready to get inky.  Note:  no need to rub the back of the stencil with soap as the glitter has completely covered the adhesive and there is nothing for your stencil to stick to.  Place the Hexagons stencil (LJ806) on the glittered paper and gently pounce distress ink (tea dye) around the edges.  Remove the Hexagons stencil and center the Flower and Leaves (LG625) stencil on the glittered and colored background.  Color the image (I used Splendor pigment inks by Tsukineko), adding layers and shading as you go along.  I used Spellbinder's Labels 22 to cut out the image and then adhered it to two coordinating mats before adding ribbon and then adhering it to the card base.  This really was a lot of fun and I can't wait to try it with some other stencil combinations.

The design team has been working on other project, so do stop by and take a look . . . and be sure to leave a note.  We love hearing from you.  Then, post your project on the Dream it Up! blog using Mr. Linky for a chance to be this month's lucky winner.

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

 

 

See you next week,

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

A Fragrant Valentine

Here's a little something that will last long after the flowers and candy are gone . . . fragrant sachets filled with lavender and decorated with a glittery heart.    And they couldn't be easier to make.

Begin with a trip to your local craft store for the organdy bags.  You'll find them in the wedding section.  To keep the organdy bag from slipping and sliding, place a piece of card stock inside. Trace the open Heart stencil (LS80) on to Double Stick Mounting Paper.  Cut it out, remove the protective layer on one side and adhere it to the organdy bag.  Remove the remaining piece of protective paper and cover with glitter.  I like to use Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitter as it adheres well and doesn't rub off. Tap off the excess glitter then rub the glittered heart with your finger.    Remove the card stock stiffener and fill the bag with dried lavender,  a fragrant potpourri or, if you use a larger bag, Hershey's kisses or other small candies fit just fine.  Pull the strings and tie into a knot or bow, depending on the length of the ribbon.  And there you have it.

There's still time to submit a project for this month's challenge.  Check here for the details and then link your project to Dreamweaver's Dream it Up! blog using Mr. Linky.    For more inspiration, check the rest of the Dream Team blogs:

 Pam Hornschu  
 Laura Drahozal 
 Louise Healy 
 Wendy Jordan  
Terrece Siddoway 
Kristi Van Doren 
Georgia Sommers
 Lee Kellogg 
Liz Martin. . . you're here
Cyndi Bundy 
Cherylynn Moser 
Jessie Hurley

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.  The Dream Team is going to the winter Craft and Hobby Association trade show where 16 – that's right, 16 – new stencil designs will be released.   We're so excited about them we're going to be showing sneak peeks beginning this coming Monday, January 23.  Then, every day throughout the week, there will be a post showcasing a new design.   These stencils are so much fun to work with, I can't wait to show you. 

So don't wait until next Thursday to stop by, 'cause if you do, you'll have missed all the fun and excitement of the earlier sneak peeks.

See you Monday,
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

I scream, you scream

. . . you all know how the saying goes.  Summer and ice cream just go together and one of my favorite hostess gifts for summer BBQs is a do-it-yourself ice cream sundae kit.  I put two sundae dishes, an assortment of toppings and a gift certificate from a local ice cream store in a basket, wrap it with cellophane, and add a big bow to make it festive.   Taking my inspiration from Dream Team member Lee Kellogg, the Queen of Tags, and one of my favorite Dreamweaver stencils, here's the finishing touch:

I used the double glitter technique with the Sundae stencil (LL431), and began by adhering double-sided mounting paper to white card stock.  After soaping the back of the stencil with Handmade Hawaiian Coconut Soap, I removed the protective paper from the double-sided mounting paper and placed the stencil on it.  I applied Glitter Ritz Microfine glitter in bronze, regal red, pink, sea foam and stardust to the exposed areas of the stencil and rubbed it in.  Handy tip:  make a glitter scoop by first cutting a straw into 3-4 inch pieces and then cutting one end at a very shallow angle to make the scoop.  It's just the right size for getting into small areas.  I cut the image out and adhered it to white card stock cut with the largest Nestabilities Labels Four die.  Add ribbon and it's ready to be tied to the basket. 

For more fun and inspiration, be sure to stop by the other Dream Team blogs.  It's Designer's Choice this week and there will be a lot of good ideas to get your creative juices flowing, starting with the Dreamweaver Stencil's blog, DREAM it UP!

Happy crafting,
Liz