Simply Elegant

At first glance, this is not a WOW card, but sometimes beauty is in the details. It's hard to see , but the white cardstock has a checkerboard pattern to it. It is one of Hanko Papers wonderful designs. The Dreamweaver Stencils Triangle Knot (LM180) was recently re-released and I chose it as one of my stencils for the inital design team challenge. It is pasted on a grayish-blue cardstock with Pearlescent Embossing Paste. After it dried, I used a deckle scissors around the edge and mounted it to navy blue cardstock with foam tape. I used two strips of Hanko's gorgeous washi paper, leaving about a quarter inch opening between the strips, added the knot in the lower right corner of the card, and for a finishing touch used KaiserCraft Pearl strips in the opening between the strips of washi. They really gave that "finished" look to the card. The one thing I wish I had added was a pearl in the center of the knot. Oh well, next time.

Happy creating,
Louise

Summer

Here is another card I did for the Dreamweaver Design Team. It is very simple, yet presented a few challenges. The background patterened paper was wrapped around my stencils when I received them from Lynell. It was so much fun that I couldn't throw it away! Of course, I rarely throw anything to do with paper away. I used the Summer stencil (LM294) and Yellow Matte Embossing Paste. My challenge was the low tack tape stuck to the edges of the paper (it's almost like a mulberry paper), so I just tore the edges, which I really liked. I used my Nestabilities to cut a mat for that layer, then popped them up on a yellow card with another layer of the background paper. Add a ribbon and you have a bright, fun summertime card. I don't like white edges showing on paper so I used a coordinating ink around the edges. The combination of the glowing yellow and cool colors of the paper reminded me of being at the shore in the summer, you're burning up from the sun one minute, but take a quick dip in the ocean and you're cool, cool, cool.

Happy creating,

Louise

Dreamweaver Samples

Well, I sent my first offical batch of sample cards to Lynell at Dreamweaver Stencils today. We got to play with two of the new stencils that will be released at CHA in July, but of course, we can't share those with you just yet. But we are able to share our other samples, so I thought I would start with the new Pussywillow Branch (LL3007). It caught my eye right away because the first job I had right out of college was at a Horticulture Learning Center. We helped inter-city youth learn about plants and animals. We had a whole field of Pussywillows that we harvested and sold each year. I can't tell you how many thousands of husks I have removed in the past (yes they all used to be husked by hand!). Anyway, this stencil brought back lots of good memories for me.
To create this card I used the Dreamweaver Black Matte Embossing Paste on kraft colored cardstock. Remove the stencil and let the paste dry. Place your clean stencil back over the dry black paste and add a layer of Dreamweaver Crackle Paste. Remove stencil and let that layer dry. When the crackle layer is dry, place the clean stencil back on and stencil the branches with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate ink (I used the Picasco (LL332) to keep the ink off the buds). Tear the right side of the kraft paper and ink with more Chocolate ink. Layer and embellish to finish the card. I left the buds with just the white crackle paste showing, but another idea would be to use glue and adhere white flock to the buds.
Happy Creating,
Louise

Dreamweaver Class at The Cottage Stamper

I don't know where the days go. I had best intentions of getting a card gallery posted on Monday, but that obviously did not happen. I am teaching a Dreamweaver class this week at The Cottage Stamper. Here are the cards we are doing in class. The next class will be in late August. Click on the store name to get more information from their website.

We used the beautiful new Phalenopsis Orchid stencil (LL3006) with three different techniques. This is how I run my classes there, one stencil, three techniques, three great cards, you keep the stencil. Sometimes we get caught up with one idea of how to use a stamp or stencil and just keep recreating the same thing over and over. The goal of this approach is to get you to look at your stencil with a fresh eye each time you pull it out, and to remind you to use a variety of techniques when you create. The green card is black matte paste with pigment powders applied after it is dry. The yellow card is a combination of Fun Flock and Glitter. The pink card was stenciled first with VersaColor inks, then after cleaning the stencil the stencil was placed back over the design and Translucent Paste applied. Papers, color and embellishments can make all the differnce in how well you like what you create, so be sure to try lots of combinations.

Happy creating,

Louise

Yet another passion

In addition to papercrafts, I love to cook and bake (two totally different things as you know). Cupcakes are all the rage right now and it amazes me how much money people will spend on a beautiful cupcake (myself included!). But it is SOOO easy to create wonderful cupcakes with a box mix and a few decorations. Here are a couple of designs my daughter and I did for friends. Notice on the ducks how some are "bottoms up", they were a big hit with her friends that she gave them to on graduation day.

The floweres are so easy and create a beautiful splash on a nice big platter. We did some that looked like pies too, but I don't have those pictures loaded yet. Too much to do, too little time!

I've been working on my new samples for Dreamweaver this weekend. I can't share those with you quite yet, but notice that I added a slideshow of a few of my ATCs, and will add a card gallery later today.



We're off to the northern suburbs for my daughter's next golf tournement, hopefully the rain and lightening will hold off until tonight.

Happy creating,
Louise

WOW!

There is no other way to describe the event I went to last night with my friend Nancy but WOW! We went to a seminar on how to throw a great party without all the work. To start, it was held at Dunham Woods Riding Club in Wayne, IL which made for a beautiful background for the party. It was sponsored by Sentimental Gardens (a local store in Geneva, IL plus other locations) and featured Eddie Ross along with Debra Phillips, owner of Sentimental Gardens. I don't know if you have ever heard of Eddie (I hadn't), but check out his website for more information. He used to work for Martha Stewart, has been on HGTV, was recently featured in Southern Living, etc. Needless to say he is very creative and entertaining.

We had a blast. When we walked in we were presented with a beautiful landscape buffet of wonderful appetizers. It was so artfully arranged that you hated to take anything off of it, but we managed to get over that. Everything was fresh, delicious and plentiful.

After we grazed for a while, Eddie and Debra gave a very enlightening presentation of how to create a setting for your party with color, embellishments and textures (sounds like another craft I know). Little tricks to keep entertaining simple but beautiful. My pictures didn't turn out the best, but it gives you a glimpse of our evening. We both came away determined to have a garden party this summer.

Have a wonderful day,
Louise

Getting to know me

While Dreamweaver Stencils are a huge part of my "style", my journey into the papercrafting world began with rubber stamps. I rarely meet a rubber stamp I don't want to own! Some of my favorite lines include Stampers Anonymous (especially the Tim Holtz and Studio 490 lines), Magenta, A Muse, Penny Black, Stampington, Art Impressions...the list goes on and on and on.

As for other tools of the trade, my favorite ink for basic stamping is Mememto Tuxedo Black. It dries fast, is a nice dark black and does not smear with my favorite markers which are the COPIC sketch markers. But bring out those Distress Inks and the creative juices really start flowing. I just love everything about them, they are incredibly versatile and the color range is awesome.

My daughter and I recently splurged on a Sizzix Big Shot and are having a great time learning all the fun things you can do with it. Of course we then HAD to get a new Tim Holtz Alterations die cut to test it out! We started with the Caged Bird which we justified as a reward for her birdie in the golf tournament she was in on Tuesday. We can justify anything.

I will be adding links to the other design team members and my favorite sites as soon as I figure out how to do that. In the meantime, have a great day it is absolutely glorious here today.

Louise

Where to begin

I have ventured into new territory today, the world of blogging. While I am an avid follower of several blogs, it never occured to me to start one of my own. However, now I realize it is time to join the rank and file and share, share, share.


Recently, I was privelged to be asked to join the new Dreamweaver Stencil Design Team. I am very excited to work with Lynell Harlow and her team at Dreamweaver, they have wonderful products. I hope to share with you many creative and inspiring ideas, both in my own work and through links to the other design team blogs. Here are a couple of the cards I did for Dreamweaver.

Thanks for participating in my new adventure.


Louise