Wednesday/Thursday Multitasking

Today's post is a two-for-one special!  Dreamweaver Stencils is this week's sponsor at Cardabilities and the Dream Team's Thursday Challenge is a turquoise/brown/kraft brown/neutral color challenge, so I decided to bring you a sketch and colorway challenge a day early.  Have I confused you yet?  Don't worry, it's pretty easy and a lot of fun.  Here's a way to really get the creative juices flowing. 

Here's the sketch                                                    and the card

I began by dry embossing the Big Dots background stencil (LJ 804) and the cupcakes (LL551) on white cardstock.  Before removing the cupcake stencil, I colored them with Shiva Artist's Paint sticks (Winter and Spring iridescent tri-color sets were used on this card).  I haven't used paint sticks in a while and I had forgotten how much I liked the subtle shimmer of the iridescent sticks.  They are a nice touch for a more masculine card without going overboard.  I think they'd be great on the Easter egg stencils (LG685 and LM253).  The dot background was cut to size and edged with the chisel point of a coordinating Copic marker.  

Bonus:   There are three cupcakes on this stencil, so change the colors and sentiment to suit your needs and you'll have three cards ready to go.

Ready to play along?  Check the Cardabilities  and Dreamweaver blogs as well as those of the Design Team and get to work.  We're looking forward to seeing what you can do!  Keep in mind that some members of the Design Team are posting different projects today and tomorrow and some of us are multitasking, so be sure to check back tomorrow for more inspiration.

I'm off to the Craft and Hobby Association's trade show this weekend to meet many of the Design Team members and spend time in the Dreamweaver booth.  Until next week, 

Happy crafting,

Liz

Thursday Dream Scheme

For today's Designer's Choice, I chose a sweet treat.  And what could be better than a cupcake?  Well, three of them, all in a row, sounds pretty yummy to me.  

I started with the Cupcakes stencil (LL551) and dry embossed it using a Sizzix BIGkick.    With the stencil still in place, I inked the bottom of the cupcake using the two browns from the Hazy collection of Splendor ink by Tsukineko.   I repositioned the clean stencil over the cupcakes and covered the inked portion with a post-it and used a bit of removable tape to cover the chocolate kiss, cherry and candle to keep them clean while I applied a product called Mudd Puddles into which I added glitter to give it a little sparkle.  Before removing the stencil, I took off the tape and colored the chocolate kiss, cherry and candle with Copic markers and applied a layer of Diamond Glaze for added interest.

Be sure to check the other Dream Team members' blogs (see the sidebar on the right) and don't forget to stop by Dreamweaver Stencil's DREAM it UP blog to see what's on hand for today's Thursday Dream Scheme.

Happy crafting and see you next week,
Liz

Dream Schemes Sketch Challenge

Welcome to our Thursday Dream Schemes Sketch Challenge.  After checking out the Dream Team's creations (see the side bar on the right), stop by the Dreamweaver Stencil's blog and show us your take on the sketch by using Mr. Linky.  We'd love to see what you  can do!

Here's the sketch                                               and here's my card

 

OK.  So I can follow directions . . . sometimes.  I like to think of it as creative license. But what I really love is the "ah hah" moment, the  light bulb that shines above your head when the ideas jell and you know exactly what you're going to do.  I fell in love with the glossy blue paste when we were working on the December 23rd challenge, and I pasted a lot of stencils, not knowing how I would use them. The baby buggy (LL541) was a perfect match for the Theresa Collins paper (I did leave off the sentiment because there was too much going on in the background).  And, while the ribbon looks almost black in the photo, it is the same color as the glossy blue paste!  I used Nestabilities Labels Four for the image and mat, and there you have it – card to welcome the precious little bundle of joy.

I hope you're enjoying visiting each Dream Team member's blog and don't forget to link your card via Mr. Linky.

See you next week,

Liz

 

Thursday Dream Schemes Designer's Choice

It's a new year with new beginnings and a blank . . . well, almost blank . . . calendar in front of me.  One of my goals is to schedule crafting time, much like I do everything else, rather than trying to fit it in piece meal.  So far, so good for week one!   Here's what I've done. 

In keeping with the Valentine's day theme, I wanted to experiment using the same stencil and technique, but varying the products to achieve different looks.  I began with the heart background stencil (LJ833) and applied ink to the back of the stencil.  I then placed the stencil on card stock, inked side down,  taped the top and bottom with repositionable tape and ran in through the BIGKick.  Carefully removing the tape, I set the card aside to dry, and cleaned the stencil.

For the card on the left, I repositioned the clean stencil and taped all sides before applying pearlescent embossing paste.  For the card on the right, I applied white embossing paste.  When that dried, I repositioned the stencil and taped just the top and bottom to keep it in place while  I applied glue (Palette Stamp and Stick Gluepad) with a dauber and then brushed on Pink Blaze Metallic F/X.  I think this is my favorite as the metallic F/X over white embossing paste gives it a shimmery velvet look. 

I have a few more ideas to work on, so please stop by in the coming weeks.   But before you leave, be sure to visit the blogs of the other crafty designers and the Dreamweaver Stencils blog, DREAM it UP.

Happy crafting,
Liz

We have Secret Santas . . . Why Not Have a Secret Cupid?

I love leaving little notes and stocking stuffers for loved ones on the days before Christmas, so I thought why not do something similar for Valentines Day?   Who doesn't like chocolate and what could be better than the anticipation of a special treat?   Well, when today's Dream Scheme challenge, Love in the New Year, was announced I knew exactly what I was going to do.   There are so many beautiful Valentine's Day stencils that I haven't even scratched the surface.  The possibilities are endless.

I decided that tags would be a good way to go.  I could write a note on the back and then tuck them into the breakfast or dinner napkin, put on a pillow with a yummy chocolate, or add to a briefcase or lunch box. 

For the background papers I used Ranger distress inks and an acrylic block and applicator tool.  In both cases, I applied the ink directly to a splat mat and then spritzed it with water.  For the paper on the left, I used an acrylic block as a stamp and after dipping it into the ink, applied it directly to the paper, giving it a mottled look.  For the paper on the right, I used the alcohol ink applicator tool with a cotton pad, and applied the ink in a circular motion, leaving some areas darker than others.  

After allowing some drying time, I attached the Heart Swirls stencil (LL567) and applied metallic gold ink (Splendor by Tsukineko).

The Tole heart stencil (LL3010) reminded me of the beautiful scroll work you see on Victorian lockets so, with a bit of cutting, I made one!   First I taped the stencil to the background paper and applied metallic gold ink (Splendor by Tsukineko).  Then I carefully traced the outline of a heart and cut it out with a craft knife.    A photo was attached to the back before adhering it to the darker pink mat.

I still want to try the double glitter technique, and maybe another heart with flocking.  Then I thought I could ink the back of the stencil and run it through the BigKick for a different look.  And maybe next I could try . . . .  oh, you get the picture. 

Don't forget to visit the Dreamweaver Stencils blog, DREAM it UP, as well as the blogs of the other fabulous designers.  Then, mark your calendar and be sure to stop by next Thursday for another round of Dream Schemes.

Wishing you all the best in the New Year, and be sure to add some crafting time to your New Year's resolutions!

Liz

Thursday Dream Schemes Designer's Choice

I know it's a busy time for all of us, but thank you for stopping by and spending some time with us to see what we've created for you. 

Before you know it, the first birthdays of the year will be rolling around and, while I always have a stash of cards for the women in our family, the men are a little harder.  This one, using Dreamweaver Stencils LJ845 (Bamboo) and LL537 (Tiki God) is just right!

First, I positioned the Bamboo stencil on white card stock (cut slightly longer than the stencil) and applied Splendor ink.  On a smaller piece of card stock, I positioned the Tiki God stencil and applied black matte embossing paste.  When that was dry, I repositioned the clean stencil over the black paste and applied a layer of crackle paste, removed and cleaned the stencil and left the image to dry.    While the Tiki God was drying, I went back to the Bamboo image and applied a layer of Mudd Puddles sand paste to mimic a beach scene.  When the Tiki God had dried and crackled (a wonderful effect, almost like magic), I repositioned the clean stencil and used pastels to color him.   I then cut out the Tiki God and attached him using adhesive on the bottom and dimensional adhesive on the top to make him stand away from the bamboo.   By attaching the image to the left of the green card stock, there's enough room to stamp a greeting of your choice, be it birthday greetings, party invitation, get well, or just thinking of you. 

Be sure to visit the other designer's blogs listed on the right and don't forget to post your creation using Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up blog

Thanks for spending time with us, and we look forward to sharing more with you in the new year.

Happy Holidays,
Liz

Time Out for Thursday Dream Schemes

Good Morning Blog Friends,

I know it's only nine days until Christmas and there's more to do than there are hours in the day, but take a break and see what the Dream Team has created for you.  Today's challenge is color – blue/purple – using the glossy blue embossing paste.  The glossy blue paste is rich and regal, like a sapphire.  And there are so many ways to use it.  

Time is short these days, so I've combined this week's challenge with my nephew's birthday card.  I chose the balloon stencil (LL487) and, after taping the stencil to white card stock, applied the glossy blue embossing paste.  I then carefully removed the stencil and cleaned it.  After the paste dried, I  applied ink to the balloons.  When that dried, I used a soft cloth to remove the ink from the embossed image to restore the glossy finish.   I then cut around the balloons and attached them to the front of the card with pop dots to make the balloons stand out from the rest of the card.  I hope he likes it!

There's more to see, so be sure to click on the links in the right-hand sidebar to see the other projects the Dream Team has made. And be sure to come back next week to see what we've been working on.

Happy Holidays,
Liz