A Fresh Start

January is flying by, how can it be so close to Valentine's Day already! I feel like we just finished mailing Christmas cards and now I need to get working on Valentines, but I love a good excuse for spending time making cards.  Next week I'll show you the results.
For this week's Dreamweaver Stencils challenge, we continue the theme of "A Fresh Start" for the new year. Here is a card I created for CHA using the Stars stencil (LX7017), along with the Electric Guitar (LL3028) and the newly released Guitar Words stencil (LG750). It's perfect for the "rocker" in your life!

Follow these easy steps to create your own card:

• Tape the Star stencil to black cardstock with removable tape
• Use a palette knife and paste spreader to apply Metallic Gold Embossing Paste across the Stars
• Remove the stencil and place in water for cleaning later
• Sprinkle the wet paste with a variety of Metallic F/X Mica Powders (I use a soft paint brush to pick up some powder and tap it off over the wet paste)
• Use a heat gun to heat the paste and powders until the paste is bubbly all over
• Let cool, then wipe gently with a Swiffer cloth
• Tape off the "You Rock!" words on the Guitar Words stencil
• Repeat the steps above to apply paste and powders to the words, heat until bubbly
• Tape the Electric Guitar stencil to black cardstock with removable tape
• Apply Metallic Gold Embossing Paste, remove stencil and let paste dry
• Clean and dry the stencil
• Place the clean dry Guitar stencil back over the dry paste
• Use a foam applicator to tap Palette Stamp and Stick glue over the Gold Paste
• Remove the stencil and clean
• Let the Stamp and Stick sit for several minutes to get tacky
• Lay a sheet of  Red Leafing over the Guitar and use a 3/4" stencil brush to tap the leafing in place
• Use the brush in a rouging motion to remove any extra leafing
• Cut out the Guitar
• Layer the Stars and words on purple mats
• Use foam tape to pop the words and Guitar on top of the Stars

Stop over at the rest of the team blogs for more fresh ideas! Submit your own creations for the chance to win a great prize, just follow the instructions on the Dream It UP! blog.

Dream It Up!

Kristi Van Doren

Lee Kellogg

Georgia Sommers

Terrece Siddoway

Pam Hornschu

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Laura Drahozal

Wendy Jordan

Happy Creating,
Louise

Dreamweaver May Challenge

Our Dreamweaver Stencils May challenge is to create either black and white cards with a POP of color, or graduation themed cards. We always love it when you play along with us, so please join our challenge for the chance to win some great stencils! Post your creation on the DREAM it UP! blog through the Mr. Linky tool or email a picture of it to Lynell at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com.
It's just like the lottery, you have to play to win!
This week I want to share a sneak peek of one our new designs that will be released this month to our stores. Some people may not think this is a graduation card, but it COULD be, for that special, music-loving graduate you know!

Electric Guitar - LL3028

This card features the new Electric Guitar (LL3028) stencil with Crackle Paste. Here's how you do it:

• Tape the stencil to white cardstock with removable tape
• Apply a layer of Matte Yellow Embossing Paste (DMYP) over the stencil using the Paste Spreader (LM2010)
• Remove and clean the stencil, let the paste dry
• Reposition the clean and dry stencil over the dry yellow paste and tape in place with removable tape
• Apply a layer of Crackle Embossing Paste (CEP) over the stencil with the paste spreader
• Remove and clean the stencil, let the paste dry
• Reposition the stencil over the dry paste layers and use small stencil brushes to apply color to the design
• Remove the stencil and use the left over ink in the brushes to add some color to the background
• Mount into a great card by adding some "strings" to one side of the card before attaching the guitar to the other side (notice there are 6 strings because most electric guitars have 6 strings!)
• This one won't get lost in the pile of "regular old graduation cards!"

No graduations coming up? This would also make a great birthday card or even a Father's Day card for that hip dad who still loves his music (or is that a dad that needs a hip....hmmmm!).
There are 12 new designs that will be released this month, so be sure to check with your local stamp store for the other great designs.
I'll be featuring another one of the new designs in my upcoming class at Stampology Chicago on May 19th. We'll be using the beautiful new Stylized Dahlia (LG743) in three different techniques. Here's a peak at one of the cards we'll be doing that day.

Check out the creations from the rest of the team too, just click on their names below.

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