Thursday Dream Schemes Celebrates Christmas in July

I'm so glad this is a designer's choice week because I am LOVIN' the summer 2011 Dreamweaver Stencil release.  Now, I know it's hard to think of the holidays while parts of the country are experiencing unbearably high temperatures, but staying cool by the air conditioner is a great way to get a head start on your holiday projects.  And, as an added bonus, embossing pastes dry a lot faster when it's hot!

I began by paste embossing the holly stencil, LJ917 with Glossy Green embossing paste on Stardream gold card stock.  On Stardream cream card stock I embossing just the sentiment with Glossy Red embossing paste.  When dry, I cut the sentiment to size, attached it to the card and added ribbon.  While I'm a fan of the clean and simple style, I think red glitter dots scattered randomly on the holly berries might be a nice touch of bling.  That's all there is to it.  This is an easy card to make and with power pasting technique found on Dreamweaver Stencil's Embossing Paste Techniques for Artful Cardmaking DVD, you can make multiples in no time.

Be sure to check the other blogs for more projects using the new stencils and be sure to stop by in the coming weeks to see why we're so excited about these awesome stencils.

Happy crafting,

Liz

Thursday Dream Scheme Monochromatic Color Challenge

Whew!  That's a long title.  But the fun is just beginning.  Get out your favorite stencils, papers, inks or pastes and embellishments and play along with us for today's color challenge.

Picking a color was probably the hardest part because there were so many I wanted to use.  I began by attaching the Large Flourish stencil (LJ896) to paper and adding color using Splendor Inks by Tsukineko and a large sponge dauber, which worked better than a stencil brush for this particular application.   I positioned Thanks (LS1006) on cream card stock and applied the ink again, using the dauber.  The ribbon began as a piece of cream colored sheer, but didn't look quite right, so out came the inks and dauber and voila! – color coordinated ribbon.

 Check out the other blogs for more inspiration and don't forget to stop at the Dreamweaver Stencils blog, DREAM it UP! and link your project using Mr. Linky.  I can't wait to see what color you chose.

Happy Crafting,
Liz 

Woo Hoo It's Sketch Challenge Thursday!

Our sketch today is courtesy of team leader, Deborah March, and is so much fun to work with.

Here's what I did

It's a quick and easy card to make.  Just emboss the Baby Shoes (LL327) with copper embossing paste, let dry and cut to size.  Add sentiment and embellishments and you're done. 

Play along with us this week and link your creation to Dreamweaver Stencil's blog, DREAM it UP! so we can all see what you've done.  And don't forget to visit the other blogs for some great projects 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

It's a Red, White and Blue Star Spangled Blog Hop

Welcome to the 4th of July blog hop.  There's a lot going on and you don't want to miss it.   First of all, a big thank you to Taylor Usry for putting this fantastic weekend together.  There are lots of blogs to visit and you can be a lucky winner of some amazing blog candy, just by leaving a comment.   

But first, here's my card . . .

I began by applying glossy white embossing paste to the Fireworks stencil (LJ886).  After carefully removing the stencil and placing it in a pan of water for cleaning, I applied gold, red, silver and blue glitter to the center of each firework burst, being careful not to cover the entire area.  I then applied translucent glitter to the remaining areas so that all of the paste was covered.  The sentiment is from Stampin' UP! and the tag is edged with a gold Marvy paint marker.

Now, for the Blog Hop details:   Blog Hop participants are listed below.  You'll want to visit as many as possible and leave a comment on each one.  You have until Tuesday, July 5th at 6:00 pm, EST, to comment on as many blogs as you can.  Winners will be drawn from random comments on blogs, and announced on Taylor's blog,    http://taylorusry.blogspot.com    next week.

Ready, Set, Hop!
Taylor -- http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/
Cyndi -- http://scrappychickcyndi.blogspot.com/
Lynn -- http://www.stamperosity.com/
Patricia -- http://thinkingofinking.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Alison -- http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Berenice -- http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com/
Erica -- http://www.inkedupandreadytoplay.com/
Mary -- http://softangelkisses.blogspot.com/
Janelle -- http://rainpuddlesdesign.blogspot.com/
Erin -- http://stamptillucramp.blogspot.com/
Maria -- http://riacreations.blogspot.com/
Jennifer D -- http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com/
Pam -- http://1pamperedstamper.blogspot.com/
Angelique -- http://scrapping-angel.blogspot.com/
Sandie -- http://sandieshores.blogspot.com/
Wendy P -- http://paperinkandsmiles.blogspot.com/
Suzi -- http://mrsweyremaster.blogspot.com/
Kathy -- http://pixieduststudio.blogspot.com/
Beth -- http://inkyfingersrule.blogspot.com/
Wendy J -- http://papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/
Kerry -- http://kerryischilling.blogspot.com/
Louise - http://www.artfullyarticulate.blogspot.com/
Liz -- http://www.blackcatsstudios.blogspot.com/
Laura - http://www.rememberinglifesmoments.blogspot.com/
Lee -- http://www.leekellogg.typepad.com/
Jennifer I -- http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/
Krissy - http://www.paperinkspirations.blogspot.com/
Sunghee -- http://www.creativityinprogress.com/blog/
Cindy - http://cindycoutts.com/

And the prizes:

Stampendous - - http://www.stampendous.com/ (3 Cling Jumbo Flowers plus a handle - 3 prizes total) they are giving away: one Cling Jumbo Tulip set ( http://www.stampendous.com/product/0/CRS5012-R/_/Cling_Jumbo_Tulip_Set ), one Cling Jumbo Tiger Lily set ( http://www.stampendous.com/product/0/CRS5010-R/_/Cling_Jumbo_Tiger_Lily_Set), and one Cling Jumbo Dogwood set ( http://www.stampendous.com/product/0/CRS5011-R/_/Cling_Jumbo_Dogwood_Set ) . Each set will come with a Jumbo Handle. ( http://www.stampendous.com/product/32763/SSH57-R/_/Jumbo_Perfectly_Clear_Handle )

Chi Chi Memories - http://www.chichimemories.com/ - (digi stamp set of winner's choice)

Pixie Dust Studio - http://www.pixieduststudio.net/ - 2 digi images of winner's choice (1 winner)

Dreamweaver's Stencils - http://www.dreamweaverstencils.com/ - prize pack to 1 winner

Karber Digital Studio - http://www.karberdigital.com/ - 2 digi images of winner's choice (1 winner)

Maria Levine -http://www.etsy.com/shop/tykatsupplies - Ippity Kit (1 winner)

Skipping Stones Design - http://skippingstonesdesign.com/ - 1 clear stamp set of SSD's choosing (1 winner) --**as sooon as I know what the set is, I'll let you know)

Cindy Coutts/Christian Paper Crafts - http://cindycoutts.com/ - one SU stamp set - Fast & Fabulous -- US resident only (1 winner)

Sunghee Chon - http://www.amusestudio.com/sunghee/ - 1 a muse studio catalog + 1 stamp set of choice (Value equal or less than $12.99) for US resident only.

Sunghee Chon -- http://www.littlepotatohouse.com/ -- $20 gift certificates to Little Potato House template shop for US or non-US resident.

Karen from Your Next Stamp - http://www.yournextstamp.com/ would love to give away a stamp called Ellie loves The Beach http://yournextstamp.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_226_165&products_id=2586

Remember, if you get lost, go back to Taylor's blog  http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/ to get your bearings and then continue on for more fun and inspiration.

Have a happy and safe holiday,
Liz

Summer is finally here!

Welcome to another Dream Scheme Thursday.  Summer is officially here and we have the hot weather to prove it.  So for this week's Designer's Choice I chose a card in bright, sunny colors, appropriate for the start of summer.

I began by attaching the Mosaic stencil (LJ901) to lightweight card stock and applying color using Splendor "Circus" ink by Tsukineko.  After removing the stencil and cleaning it, I repositioned it over the colored area and applied translucent embossing paste.  I carefully removed the stencil, washed it, and allowed the card to dry.  I wasn't kidding about the warm weather –  the paste dried in about 15 minutes!  Next I applied double sided mounting paper to card stock and, after soaping the back of the Summer stencil (LM294), attached it to the front of the sticky paper.  Using Glitter Ritz Microfine Glitter in Copper, I sprinkled it over the letters and rubbed it in.  After carefully removing the stencil, I applied Glitter Ritz Cool Highlight Transparent Microfine glitter to the remaining area and rubbed that in as well.  I used a scalloped oval punch for the shape and  the broad top of an orange Prismacolor pen to outline the scallops.  The ribbon is by Creative Impressions.

Thankfully, it's cooled down a bit, so I just might make another card in cool blues and greens with a hint of gray to capture the morning fog.

I hope your summer is off to a good start.  Get more ideas and inspiration by checking out the other Design Team blogs and the Dreamweaver Stencil's blog, DREAM it UP!  Leave a note letting us know you've stopped by.  We love to hear from you.

Happy Summer,
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