Summer Fun!

The new monthly challenge for Dreamweaver Stencils starts today! Our new challenge is to create cards or projects with a "Summer Fun" theme. The timing is perfect because here in northern IL we definitely know it is summer! It has been very hot and we are having one of the driest summers that I can remember in the 20 years we've lived here. Needless to say, it is great to stay indoors and create fun summer themed cards rather than spending too much time outdoors.
Here's what I came up with for our first week of the challenge:

LL379 - Tall palm trees with
Distress Embossing Powders

This was created with the Double Glitter technique that we featured all last month, but instead of using glitter, I used my Distress Embossing Powders. Yes, you have to heat it to set those powders. I made this card for my monthly Lunch Club group. We all do the same technique and exchange cards. It is amazing how one technique can look so different depending on how it is used.
It's only two weeks until CHA and the Dreamweaver Design Team is VERY busy getting beautiful samples ready for the show. Maybe we'll even be able to give a sneak peek soon! Stayed tuned for more news about the new designs.

Today I am at Creative Cuts and Crafts in Elmhurst, IL teaching a fun Zentangle class using the Rolling Hills stencil. It's too late for you to get in that class, but I'll be at Memories and Beyond in Downers Grove, IL on July 12th teaching another Zentangle class using the Dreamweaver Pear stencil. You can still call and reserve your spot in that class!

Check out my post below for another great class that my friend Dirk and I have coming up. It's a beautiful home decor project called Seasonal Tower.  It is a combination of Tim Holtz die cuts and Distress products.

I hope everyone is having a fun, relaxing summer, it is going by too fast! Now be sure to stop at the rest of the team blogs to check out more summer fun!

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

Happy Creating,
Louise

Seasonal Tower Class

My friend Dirk and I have been busy creating a wonderful all day workshop for you!  This Seasonal Tower is perfect to leave out year round and will make a wonderful gift during the holidays. Here's a quick peek at one side.

We used Tim Holtz die cuts and Distress productto create this fun project. Each side of the tower features a different season, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn.

Seasonal Tower Class

Saturday, July 14, 2012

(see alternate dates below)

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Comfort Inn & Suites Meeting Room

1555 East Fabyan Parkway

Geneva IL 60134

Cost $125.00 per student

including a box lunch from Panera and water

We will provide all the materials to complete the project, you just need to provide a craft mat (we do have a couple of extra), scissors, a craft pick (alias pokey tool), and pencil. To reserve your spot email me for payment information at louisehealy@sbcglobal.net .

We'll also be teaching this on

Saturday, August 11th

Creative Cuts and Crafts

486 S Spring Road

Elmhurst IL 60126

630 279-4444

call the store to register

We hope you can join us for a relaxing, fun-filled day of crafting,
Happy Creating,
Louise

Dreamweaver Stencils

Every week I tell myself I'm going to be more organized and stay on top of all my projects and deadlines, and every week I can't believe it's Wednesday already and I need to get my posting done for our current Dreamweaver Stencils Thursday challenge! This week I'm stepping away from the monthly challenge to share the three cards we'll be making next Tuesday, June 5th at Creative Cuts and Crafts in Elmhurst IL.  This will be my first time teaching at their store, so I am very excited to meet everyone and share these wonderful products with them. There are still 2 spots left, so give them a call to save yours!  We'll be using Dreamweaver Stencils beautiful Long stem Iris (LL374) to create three beautiful cards in three fun techniques:

LL374 - Glossy Blue Paste w/ Crackle Paste

LL374 - Glossy White Paste on acetate w/ Color Solutions

LL374 - Dry embossed and stenciled with inks

So even though these are not even close to being Black and White with a POP of color, or Graduation cards, I hope you've been inspired to create something beautiful with your stencils this week!
Next month we'll start a new challenge with the team from Art Glitter.  It should be SPARKLY fun!

Be sure to stop over at the other team member blogs to see what the are sharing this week.

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

Happy Creating,
Louise

Black and White Theme Continues

It's hard to believe that we're already coming up to Memorial Day weekend! Where do the days go??? This month the Dreamweaver Stencils Design Team was given a choice of Graduation themed cards or Black & White with a POP of color. It's been fun to see everyone's ideas and we love that some of you are playing along with us! Don't be shy, just send a picture of your creation to Lynell at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com and she will post it for you on her blog. You might even win a prize!

This week I've created another card incorporating both themes, a black & white card with a POP of color that would (and will) make a great graduation card. We have several graduation parties coming up and this will be the perfect card (our local colors are red and gold). Here's my card:

This is an easy technique that really catches people's attention.

• Tape the Globe stencil (LM289) to black cardstock with removable tape
• Use the paste spreader to apply Glossy White Embossing Paste across the design
• Remove and clean the stencil, let the paste dry
• Tape the Globe stencil to white cardstock with removable tape
• Use the paste spreader to apply Glossy Black Embossing Paste across the design
• Remove and clean the stencil, let the paste dry
• Cut each dry image in half, being careful to cut them as close as possible to the same spot
• Attach half of a black image and half of a white image together on a small piece of cardstock aligning the design
• Trim to even the edges
• Attach a small white mat behind the black side and a small white mat behind the black side
• Add colored mats (to go with your school colors) behind the image
• The black panel on the front of the card was embossed with a Big Shot machine and the Angles stencil (LJ807). It's hard to see in the picture, but it rally adds a lot when you see it up close and personal
• Adhere the black embossed panel on the left side of an A2 size card
• Attach the globe layer so the cut in the image lines up with the split in the background color

This is a "twofer" card because you have enough pieces to make 2 cards each time you do this!

Be sure to stop over at the rest of the team blogs for more inspiration.

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

I'm sure some of you heard that The Cottage Stamper in St. Charles closed its doors at the end of April. It is so sad, and they will be dearly missed. Good luck to Nancy, Barb and Liz!
In addition, it was announced that Elaine Benedict (our fabulous Dreamweaver sales rep for WI and IL) is retiring and moving to NC. Good luck Elaine, keep sending us those beautiful design ideas!
I'm happy to tell you that I have been asked to replace Elaine as the Dreamweaver rep in those two states! I'm a little nervous, but excited too because you know I love promoting Dreamweaver Stencils! On that note, here are my upcoming Dreamweaver classes for June:

June 5th - Creative Cuts and Crafts, Elmhurst IL (LL374)
June 19th - Memories and Beyond, Downers Grove IL  (LG743)
June 28th - Creative Cuts and Crafts, Elmhurst IL (Dreamweaver Mirror project)
June 30th - Stampology Chicago, Chicago  IL (Zentangle with LG707)
Call the stores directly to reserve a spot. Hope to see you soon!

Happy Creating,
Louise