Thursday's Dream Scheme

"Wait!" you say, "it's only Wednesday." You're right, of course. This week we are starting our Thursday Dream Scheme challenge on Wednesday because Dreamweaver Stencils is sponsoring this week's Cardabilities weekly sketch challenge. The Dream Team was challenged to combine the sketch challenge from Cardabilities with our challenge of the week which was a colorway challenge using turquoise, dark brown, kraft or neutral.
Here's the sketch challenge from Cardabilities:

Here's my take on our combined challenges:

This is part of the darling new Owl Pair (LL3013) stencil being released this week at CHA. I punched the circle out of Kraft cardstock first, then taped the stencil down so just the smaller owl was on the circle. Applied Matte Black Embossing Paste, removed the stencil and let the paste sit for about 10 minutes. Using a soft paint brush, I pick up small amounts of Dreamweaver's Metallic F/X powders and "colored" on the black paste (I used Cocoa, Gold Dust, Amber Glow, and Kiwi), except the eyes, I left those black. "Hoot" is from the new Bird song (LG734) stencil. Again, Matte Black EP on Kraft cardstock, colored with Cocoa F/X when almost dry. The design across the top of the card was done with the Petals Background stencil (LJ899), a 1/2" stencil brush and Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate ink. Everyone knows I don't like the white edges that show when you cut some papers, so I used a COPIC Sketch marker (E27 Africano) to color the edge of the turquoise background paper, the Kraft strip across the center of the card, the small scalloped circle and the Hoot. Highlight the Petals Background with some turquoise gems, pop the little owl with foam tape and you've got a great card to send for any occasion!

Now it's your turn! Click on over to the Cardabilities blog for all the details, and don't forget to check out all the Dream Team creations by clicking on their names down the left side of my blog. As always, don't forget to check out the DREAM it UP! blog too!

Happy Creating,

Louise

Pretty in Pink

Welcome to another Thursday's Dream Scheme challenge from Dreamweaver Stencils. This week is Designer's Choice, so I chose the beautiful new Tole Heart (LL3010) as my focal point for this pretty card. But wait!! Is that ANOTHER beautiful new stencil in the background??? It certainly is! It is the new Small Damask (LJ907) stencil that will be released at CHA next week. Isn't it fabulous!


This card is done with the strie (sorry I can't seem to get that accent mark over the e!) technique. Start with white cardstock (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") embossed by running the stencil and paper through your favorite personal die cut machine or by hand embossing with a light box and stylus. Trim to the edge of the embossed area all around the design and use a corner rounder on all the corners. Use a 1/2" or 3/4" stencil brush to "sweep" color in from one side, turn the design to the next side and sweep in more color. Keep turning and sweeping until you get all four sides complete. I keep sweeping and turning until I get enough color to my liking.
For the heart, I added some color with the same sweeping motion, then cut it out before adding more color so the edges got colored too. I adhered it to the background with foam mounting tape for added dimension. Rounding the corners of the base card softens the look of the whole design, and, of course, an elegant satin ribbon provides a wonderful finishing touch. Don't forget a pretty pearl gem at the top of the heart.
Thanks for joining us for another Thursday's Dream Scheme. I hope you are getting excited about all the new designs that will be coming your way very soon. I can't wait to start teaching with some of these great designs.
Click on over to the DREAM it UP! blog for more great ideas, Lynell is truly inspirational. Then click on the other designer's names on the left side of my blog for even more great ideas.

Happy creating,
Louise

Another Dreamweaver Class

Hi everyone. Here are the samples from my upcoming class at Stampology Chicago. We'll be using the beautiful new Tole Heart (LL3010) from Dreamweaver Stencils. Class is on Saturday, January 22nd at 1:00 pm, so give Donna a call to register. We learn three great techniques using various Dreamweaver products including embossing paste and Metallic F/X mica powders. Hope to see you there!

Happy Creating,

Louise

Sneek Peek!

The Dream Team is so excited! We can finally start "sneak peeks" of the new Dreamweaver Stencils designs! You are going to LOVE them! Today I want to share the new Owl Pair (LL3013). Aren't they adorable! I stenciled the background with the Ginko Bough stencil (LJ893). The owls were stenciled with color, then Translucent Embossing Paste put over them. You can just hear them hoooting to each other!

More sneak peeks coming soon and don't forget to check back on Thursday for our weekly Thursday's Dream Scheme challenge!

Happy Creating,
Louise

Hello!

Hello there! It's hard to believe another week has passed and it's time for another Thursday's Dream Scheme challenge. This week the Dreamweaver Stencils design team was given a sketch challenge by team member Deborah. Here's what it looks like...

...and here's my take on it.

How would you like this little guy to welcome you home on your screen door! This friendly critter is Dreamweaver Stencils LM2004, and the "hello" sentiment is LS96.

I used the Matte Yellow Embossing Paste as the base layer for both stencils. When the paste is dry, put your clean stencil back over the yellow paste and use small stencil brushes with pigment ink to color the design. My Picasso stencil (LL332) was essential for keeping the colors where they belonged. After applying the ink, remove the stencil and sprinkle the ink with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE). Carefully heat the UTEE to give great dimension to the images. I thought the black and white gingham looked like a screen in the background. This could be a great card for a young boy, or someone you know who lives in the tropics!

Don't forget to check out all the team member blogs for more creative renditions of this sketch challenge. Just click on each team member's name in the list on the left side of my blog. And you won't want to miss the DREAM it UP! blog for a chance to participate in the fun!

Happy Creating,

Louise

Upcoming Class

Hi everyone. Well, it is a beautiful, snowy day here in Illinois on this special 1-11-11 day! We already have a couple of inches and it is supposed to snow the rest of the day. It's lovely if you don't have to go anywhere but I sure hope we don't get 11 inches!
Today I want to tell you about an upcoming class using one of the new Dreamweaver Stencils images called Lovebirds Heart (LL3011). On Tuesday, January 18, 2011, I will be teaching at The Cottage Stamper in St. Charles, IL. Check out their website for times and cost. If you are in the area, we would love to have you join us for a couple of hours, but you do have to call and register.








The class is designed to use one stencil three different ways to demonstrate the versatility of stencils. We use a variety of products to create three beautiful cards. The stencil is yours to take home after the class so you can be inspired to try these designs again, or come up with your own ideas.

Hope to see you in class.

Happy Creating,

Louise

Positive-Negative

Welcome to another Thursday's Dream Schemes challenge! This week the Dreamweaver Stencils Dream Team was given another designer's choice, which led to my title of "Positive-Negative". You know the feeling...sometimes what you're creating is "positive" (you love it), but sometimes it can be a "negative" if you don't like what you made! Lucky for you, I can show you how to make even your negatives positive!

This beautiful Pear (LL563 Lg Pear) stencil is perfect for using the Memories Mist sprays that Dreamweaver sells. The process is a little messy, but the results make it well worthwhile. I created a "spray box" by taking a copy paper box and removing one of the long sides creating a three-sided box. Whenever I use the sprays I like to start with a clean piece of white paper in the bottom of the box (usually I cut an 8 1/2" x 11" in half to get two pieces 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"). Then center the paper you are spraying on the white paper, and center the stencil on that. Hold the bottle as upright as possible when you spray (aim towards the back of the box) so that the mist goes straight out them falls gently onto your design. By controlling your aim, you can somewhat control where you spray, but this is by no means an exact process! When you add a second color, try not to overlap your spray areas too much or it can get a little muddy looking. I started with a light coat of Mango Lemonade (yellow), added some Orange Juice and just a hint of Strawberry Daiquiri near the bottom of the pear, then finish off with Wheatgrass near the top of the pear. Now carefully lift your stencil off and behold a beautiful pear!

But we're not done yet! That was the positive image, but look at all that wonderful spray still sitting on the top of your stencil. I can't bear to waste things, so I take another piece of cardstock and carefully press on the ink that collected on the stencil. Lift it off to see the "negative" of what you just created. Two beautiful images every time you spray!

BUT WAIT!! We're still not finished! That piece of paper that you put in the bottom of the box is too beautiful to throw away. It will become the background paper for the front of our card! If you trim it right it will match up with your design perfectly. Cut a little mat for your image to help hide the white area where your sprayed paper sat. I left the background and the pear with just the spray so you could get a clear idea of how it works, but once the sprays are dry (just a couple of minutes) you could stencil another stencil in the background, or an overlay on the pear. Not sure what that means? Just wait...I'll show you another day!

Here's the negative of the spraying. As you can see, it too could be mounted into another beautiful card.

Just a note, the colors in these photos are darker than they actually are on the card. Hope you've enjoyed today's lesson. The possibilities with your stencils are endless!
As always, don't forget to check out the DREAM it UP! blog as well as the other designers blogs.

Happy New Year and Happy Creating,
Louise