New Year, New Challenges....

Welcome to the first posting of the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team 2012 ! We're changing things up a bit for this year, and YOU can help. The first Thursday of every month will feature our new challenge and will extend through the entire month. This means that YOU have ALL month to play along with the one challenge, as many times as you want. Sometimes it will be a color challenge, sometimes a theme, and sometimes a technique. We are hoping that an entire month will give you plenty of time to be inspired, create, and link to the Dream It Up! blog . Each month we are offering TWO prizes...one for the most creative version of the challenge (does not have to be Dreamweaver Stencils ' product, but we sure are happy when it is!), and the second for the best use of Dreamweaver Stencils ' product in the challenge. This could be stencils (of course), Embossing Pastes , Metallic F/X , the new Color Solutions , etc., anything you find on the Dreamweaver Stencils' web site , or in your local store. Don't know where your local store is? The list can be found on the web site . Not near any of the stores listed? There is also an online site to purchase from, Stencil with Style !
For the month of January, we challenge you to create something for Valentine's Day! You have until January 31st, 11:59 PM EST, to post and link your creation(s) to the Dream It Up! Blog Mr. Linky. The winners will be announced February 2nd, along with the February challenge.
Here is my first creation for this month's challenge:

This simple technique is very versatile and looks great with any stencil.  I started by taping the Swooshy Heart stencil (LL3010) to white cardstock. Put a small amount of Pearlescent Embossing Paste in a container and mix in a little Pixie Blush F/X powder (FX09). Apply the pink paste to the heart stencil, remove and clean the stencil. When the paste is dry, layer it on coordinating cardstock. But don't forget the inside of the card, that needs to look beautiful too!  Here's what I did to create a Valentine's card, but by changing the inside, this could easily be made into a wedding, anniversary or birthday card.

The Large flourish stencil (LJ896) was stenciled in the corner with a 1/4" stencil brush and Brilliance Coral ink. The You & Me stencil (LS1004) was also stenciled with the Coral ink, and a little Brilliance Coffee Bean at the edges. Layer the saying to match the outside layers.

SUPPLIES: LL3010, Pearlescent Embossing Paste, Metallic F/X powder Pixie Blush, , LJ896, LS1004, Brilliance Inks Coral and Coffee Bean, 1/4" stencil brushes, White, pink, dark brown, and patterned cardstock, foam mounting tape.

We'll post new ideas each week based on the monthly challenge, so be sure to check back regularly to see what else we've created, but for now please visit the rest of our fabulous team listed here:

DREAM it UP!

Pam Hornschu
Laura Drahozal 
Wendy Jordan
Terrece Siddoway
Kristi Van Doren
Georgia Sommers
Lee Kellogg
Liz Martin
Cyndi Bundy
Cherylynn Moser
Jessie Hurley

We hope you'll enjoy our new format and will be inspired to play along each month.  Don't forget that Dreamweaver Stencils will be releasing some great new stencils at CHA at the end of January, we can hardly wait to share them with you!

Please notice my new Class Schedule listing on the top right side of my blog. It will list all my upcoming classes with links to the store websites.

Happy Creating,

Louise