Thursday, October 18, 2012

Festively Distressed Fall!


The Dream Team designers are so excited to have the opportunity to play along with some unique Ranger Products in the Tim Holtz line...specifically, the Distressed Embossing Powders! Our own Louise Healy demonstrated how fabulous these are with the Dreamweaver Stencils when she created this card for a fun class at CHA Summer 2012:


Apparently, Tim Holtz agreed with all of us on this unique use of his product, so he very generously had Ranger (thanks, Patti!) send the team some samples to play and blog with. So...here we go!

Here's my post for today:
Start with a natural finish wood mirror, I used
an Ikea 10" square mirror

Use the Ranger Adirondack Snow Cap Dabber to
put a white washed look over the whole mirror.
Let it dry, or use a heat tool.


Apply Distress Stains to create sky and ground areas,
wiping gently between colors with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Dry with a heat tool to make sure the stains are
completely dry before continuing.

Tape LG687 - Geese stencil to the upper right corner.
Use a small stencil brush to apply Distress Ink black soot over the design.

Use foam to apply a layer of Distress embossing Ink over the geese.

Sprinkle with Distress embossing powder black soot,
tap off excess and heat thoroughly. Brush gently with
hand when cool to remove the distress crystals.

Place LL517 - Cattails stencil in lower right corner and
use a small stencil brush to apply Distress Inks vintage photo.

Apply a layer of Distress embossing Ink.
Sprinkle the pods with vintage photo Distress powder, and the
leaves with frayed burlap Distress powder. Tap off excess and heat set.

Repeat the cattails two more times in the left corner.
Add additional inks to create more depth (I added evergreen bough and
broken china to the "water" area using a small stencil brush. I also
added some spice marmalade behind the cattails using Cut 'n Dry foam
then finished the edge with walnut stain Distress Ink on a foam applicator)

Finish it off with some garden twine and a charm, plus a few
of the leaves I had left over from last weeks project! 
If you missed last week's post on how to create pasted embellishments with your stencils, click here.
See that little mirror in the mirror, that is from a CHA class that I took with Tim Holtz one year. It was the first time I had worked with his Distress Embossing Powders and I have been hooked ever since! You really need to give them a try, they give such texture to your projects!

For the next four weeks, on our regular Thursday posts, we will be featuring the wonderful things that you can do with Tim's Distress Powders and Dreamweaver Stencils. Leave comments on each of the team blog posts for opportunities to win one prize package for each of the four weeks:


Don't forget to play along with the Dream Team's monthly challenges for more opportunities to win some great stencil designs! October's challenge is Festively Fall, and November is CAS (clean and simple) Christmas! Link your creations on the Dream It Up! blog, or email pics to lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com. Join us on Facebook as well! Lots of inspiration, and lots of fun!

I didn't even know this was the prize stencil when I created my project this week!
Here are a couple of other cards I have created with the Double-glitter technique substituting Ranger's Distress Embossing Powders for the glitter and then heat setting when finished.
LG745 - Tree line

LG743 - Stylized dahlia

LL379 - Tall palm trees


Happy Creating,
Louise

93 comments:

Scrappychick said...

Your mirror is just beautiful! And I love the rest of the cards I haven't seen yet somehow LOL. Thanks for inspiring us and being noticed by Ranger so we could all participate in this fun collab!

Lynell Harlow / Dreamweaver Stencils said...

That mirror is stunning and those cards have inspired me no end...thanks Louise!

Cherylynn said...

WOW Louise! this would go perfect with the decor in my house (hint hint)!

Robyn said...

LOVE the stencils and I'm going to have fun trying all the new techniques

Anonymous said...

Louise - amazing! I love the mirror and the how you photographed it show off another mirror!

Pam Hornschu said...

I love how you created that wash of color on the frame, and the TH powders are perfect in contrast! Love all of the cards that you posted for this...that dahlia is amazing!

Liz Martin said...

The mirror is BEAUTIFUL! I keep going back to look at it again and again.

liberal sprinkles said...

what a super technique and great projects!

maria f. said...

What an amazing effect you can achieve on your cards with this technique. I love your choice of stencils too.

Uniquebynancy said...

I love what you did with the tree stencil. Especially the fall card.
Nancy

Tarnished Rose said...

Fabulous!

Smiles~
Marilyn

Cahos' Chaos said...

STUNNING!I love this! great job. thanks for sharing.

Tasha said...

I LOVE the frame, that is such a neat idea!! Thanks for the how-to! :)

KropinKat said...

Absolutely love the project. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

Kathy Eddy said...

Love your mirror and it looks like you really had fun with this and couldn't stop!

Rachel B. said...

Really nice!

Margie said...

Beautiful frame and cards!

Beejay said...

Love this mirror! The stencils and embossing powders are so versatile! Thanks for sharing!

logan said...

Can't wait to make this up for a Christmas gift.........will look great in our little cabin outhouse...tee hee. The hubby will love it! Thanks for the step by step directions!

Lady Bright said...

Lovely idea, will be great for gifts this year! So quick and easy, wonderful directions!

Karin said...

Beautiful results using this fabulous combination.

Buncobuddy said...

OMG! Gorgeous!

sunflower sue said...

Love this mirror! The cattails are wonderful. Looks like a fun project. :)

Kelly said...

Your mirror is one of the coolest projects I've seen in a long time! You have my mind screaming with ideas :))

momoftwo said...

Lovely mirror. Would love to try one for myself.

Beth said...

Louise, the mirror is beautiful! I would find myself looking at the frame and missing the whole point of looking in the mirror! :) Stunning! TFS

D's Paper Studio said...

The mirror is beautiful as well as your cards. Thank you for the tutorial. I know I'll be trying this one.

Rea' said...

Oh wow, the mirror is beautiful, those stencils you used are so awesome, I'll have to add this to my "try" list! Your cards are beautiful also!

toni said...

Love the mirror distress embossing must create the perfect texture for the 'cats tails' we call them bull rushes in the UK x

choman9912@aol.com said...

ABSOLUTELY love the frame!!!!!! Great job.

Joy H said...

This is super stunning Louise - congrats for coming up with the technique as well! I am going to put this mirror frame as on my must try list!

Yogi said...

you definitely made a bunch of projects. All wonderful. Love the mirror
Have a great day

Katina said...

Your mirror came out fantastic. Love the look and feel of an Autumn Collage!

Karen Schroeder said...

Love the mirror! What a cool way to decorate an inexpensive mirror!

Patti W said...

Gorgeous!!!!

bzyPTmom said...

Beautiful project! Love the mirror.

Ntsisterz said...

Who would have thought that your stencils and Tims product were such a good match?! Love the frame.

Kristi said...

Over achiever! LOL REally GREAT job!

Karen AKA Soccerboyzmom said...

Never thought to do this on a frame -- totally fabuous.

Terrece said...

WOW! I am humbled! I hope you don't mind if I copy your frame. It fits this area perfectly!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

The Tree Line has me swooning!!!! Totally fantastic technique! I need some stencils!!! I can't wait to see more!

Jackie said...

The frame is very creative! I love that you hung it so we could see your other frame.

Karen said...

Super great idea for the frame! Turned out perfectly..thanks for the inspiration!!

WandaH said...

This mirror is stunning. Great project.

Jenni said...

The frame is stunning and I love the cards! Super ideas :)
Jenni

Anonymous said...

all your projects are spectacular!

Isabelle said...

Loooove it never think doing it!!
now i'll try for sure!!

Unknown said...

fabulous mirror - love it!

Mary said...

The mirror is stunning and you've given me a whole new way of looking at the distress embossing powders.

Mardi said...

WOW WOW WOW ... I love it.

mamablitger said...

LOVE LOVE your idea...Thanks a lot for sharin...Very impressive mirror and frame. Bright idea !!!!!

Winnie said...

Such a lovely mirror. I love that you made a home decor project! The soft background on the mirror really accents all the details you put into it with distracting. Love it. Thanks for taking us through the process.

Dana D. said...

I can't begin to tell you how much I love what you've done. I have 3 of the wooden mirrors and can't wait to get started. Looking forward to see more of your projects. Love..love this one.

Marianne H said...

Stunning

Lost Mermaid said...

This I MUST MUST try! Thanks!

teepee said...

Your mirror is absolutely stunning! I love it. Thanks for the step by step instructions with pictures. Gonna try this!

Maureen Chandler said...

WOW - I love the techniques on your mirror! The colors are beautiful and I would love to use this technique on a small rocking horse for our granddaughter! Thanks so much!!!

Flo said...

I love it. So beautiful.

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards and the mirror is gorgeous.

HelenM said...

Love the frame. Thanks

Linda said...

absolutely gorgeous! Would love to look in a mirror like that every morning!

Laughing Through Life said...

All I can say is WOW!

Lindalee622 said...

Your mirrow is wonderful! Thanks for sharing the how-to.

Serene said...

Your mirror frame is totally awesome. I'm blown away how lovely that is. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent.
Shades of Blue

Penny Walker said...

Awesome projects. wonderful job.

Pamela said...

I love this mirror frame, it is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us.

Barb said...

loved that mirror--great technique

Pam said...

Stunning project! I love that mirror!

MLiss3 said...

The sky is the limit. Thanks for all your ideas. Great picture frame!

Hettie said...

Wow!!

jcinokc said...

Love that mirror. That looks really great.

Cheryl C said...

I do love it when other surfaces are used and this is so perfect for the wood frame. Love how that turned out. Thanks for your great idea! And I do love the other projects with the overall Emb. Powder giving it such a unique look.

Art By Wanda said...

Your frame is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nan G said...

Love the frame! Now to find the geese stencil as I have the cat tails! And of course I'll need more distress embossing powders!

Rufus said...

I'm in love with your frame! It's really, really good looking! It's going in my "one of these days" file. Thanks for sharing it!
R/

Marijane said...

Wow Louise, these projects are all gorgeous! You are so talented and I am thrilled to see that Tim Holtz has recognized your artistic abilities as well as Dreamweaver stencils. I never would have thought to emboss the stencil image. Great idea, and by the way... Ikea should be thanking you for selling so many of their mirrors! After taking your tiled mirror class at Cottage Stamper last year I immediately went to Ikea and bought 5 more to make Christmas gifts! Thanks for all the inspiration!

Cropperhopper said...

Your mirror is beautiful! I wasn't expecting a work of art! What a nice surprise.

Kris in Alaska said...

Wow what can I say but stunning... simply stunning!

Kris in Alaska
funamom at yahoo dot com

Nadine said...

Your mirror frame is STUNNING! Very creative! An awesome job. I will definitely use this technique.
TFS

Unknown said...

ok now i have to do this one too! i love this frame the wood is so cool

TAM said...

WOW your frame is just amazing - thanks for sharing the step by step tutorial so we can all have a go.

Larissa Heskett said...

HOW AWESOME!! =) THANKS for sharing!! I LOVE my distress powders and am always eager to learn NEW techniques and ideas for using them!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

Paper Profusion said...

Your frame is truly gorgeous. Can't wait to get some of those stencils. Nicola x

Jeri said...

I can't wait to try this, I have every stencil you used. I would have never thought to use them in the way that you did. I'm always looking for a different way to use our crafting materials. Thanks for sharing.

Mariec said...

Great use of the stencil! Thanks for the idea :)

Lesa said...

Love all your projects! Looking forward to putting your techniques to use. Thanks!

Julia said...

Gorgeous frame! What a great idea...

sewzallsquirrels said...

So many new ideas here...I love them!

MORMOR said...

Definitely WOW gorgeous mirror. The technique has me very intrigued. Cards are beautiful too. I am loving this hop through the design team, so inspiring.

Nancy S said...

What an amazing technique! I can't wait to try it.

Dina said...

This just blows me away!!!Amazing!!!

Adrienne Crist said...

This is so amazingly beautiful. I have some of these Ikea mirrors laying around (doesn't everybody? LOL!) and am so lad so I can try out some of these techniques, I was just first blown away by the use if the stains on the frame, it jut got better and better with everything else! Would never have thought to use those techniques on the mirror! Silly me, wish I was ore creative!

Dana D. said...

I just have to tell you that I just made this. Bought the stencils and had a wooden mirror from Michaels and had the distress inks and embossing powders. My....how I love your project. Thank you so much for sharing this. I love it!!