A Purrfect Trifecta

Today for my last day of Dreamweaver sneak peeks (sorry I'm heading to CHA tomorrow and won't have time to post!) I thought I'd share 3 new stencils with you: LL3021 Retro Standing Cat, LX7012 Waves and Dots and LG741 Kitty Words.

I first colored a piece of glossy white cardstock with the new Dreamweaver Color Solutions alcohol inks. Great rich colors, very vibrant and artist grade alcohol ink--LOVE THESE!. After that dried I paste embossed the Waves and Dots with Glossy Black paste.

The Cat was also glossy black pasted onto a piece of teal cardstock as was the sentiment.

Very fun to make and quick and easy because I used my griddle on warm heat to dry the paste in 15 minutes! WOO HOO!

Since the majority of the Dream Team is either at CHA or travelling today, I'm not sure if they are posting anything new but you might go check them out. Even a second glance at their previous projects is a treat!

I'll post when I return and let you know what I saw and MUST have from CHA!

Dreamweaver Sneak Peak #5

REMINDER, YOU NEED TO LINK YOUR ENTRY FOR THE DREAMWEAVER JANUARY CHALLENGE BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 31 OR YOU CAN'T WIN!!!

Okay, now that we have that important business out of the way, we can get back to some sneak peeking!

I hope you've been checking out the other Design Team blogs to see what they've been creating. Its always so fun to see the variety of ways the same stencils have been used.

Today, since its Friday, I thought I'd keep it light and celebratory so I opted to feature LX7011 Big Dots along with LL551 Cupcakes.

I love dots, polka dots, swiss dots....dots so this was a very fun card for me to make.

I first machine-embosed the LX7011 stencil in my Big Shot and then with the stencil in place, I sponged on VersaMagic chalk inks. I then paste embossed the center cupcake in the Cupcakes stencil with original embossing paste. When that was dry I added Versamagic ink as well and a little Stewart Superior Stamp n Stick glue pad to hold the glitter.

Fun and light! Perfect for a Friday, don't you think?

Okay, now go check out the other Dreamweaver Design Team blogs to see what amazing creations they are sharing today. You can find the links to their blogs in the right-hand column.

Even though tomorrow is Saturday, I will be posting. I have some more fun sneak peeks to share so why not?!

A Festive Sneak Peek!

Okay, here we are on Day 4 of the Dreamweaver CHA sneak peaks. I've done Art Nouveau so now I'll change to festive!

I have to tell you this card was hard for me. As you probably can ascertain, I'm pretty classic in my style and taste and I don't do a lot of whimsical. That being said, it was fun to break out of my box and play around in the land of whimsy!

I used the double-glitter technique on Dreamweaver's new LL3022 FESTIVE THANK YOU stencil. And although I thought I owned almost every Dreamweaver stencil, I sadly realized I did not have the LJ894 Confetti stencil so I had to go with what I did have and that was my Fiskars' Party texture plate. The Sizzix swirls are cut from Dreamweaver's Double-sided mounting paper and dipped into glitter.

Pretty simple but fun. At least I like it!

Hey, have you finished your entry for the Dreamweaver Valentine's challenge? You only have until January 31 so you better get busy! Remember, you can't win if you don't enter!!!

Now head on over to the rest of the Dream Team's blogs and see what amazing creations they have come up with for today. All their links can be found in the right-hand column.

Until tomorrow, happy creating!

Sneak Peek #3

Are you having as much fun as I am checking out the daily postings of the Dreamweaver Design Team? I love how everyone was sent the same stencils and we each interpreted them so many different ways!

Today I am sharing one of my favorites from this launch. Its called Tall Poppies.

I must admit though that I struggled with this card quite a bit. I sometimes get frustrated because my cards are always so CAS (clean and simple) yet when I try to complicate them it takes away from the beauty of the stencil. So after struggling on how busy to make this, I opted for the simple route and actually like the final product:

I first sponged a piece of white cardstock with Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson. Then using black matte paste I embossed the Tall poppy stencil and topped it with black glitter for just a hint of shimmer.

The background is the same stencil just sponged with a silver ink onto a grey cardstock. Very subtle and really emphasizes the elegance of the stencil. I only wish my photography was better so you could get a clear look at the finished product.

Now head on over to the other Dream Team blogs (links on the right) and check out what they've cooked up for today!

Sneak Peek Day 2

One of the really cool things about the new release from Dreamweaver is its variety.

Yesterday I showed you two stencils that I think fall under the Art Nouveau category:

And today I think the stencils have much more of a retro feel.
Again I somehow managed to use 2 stencils. This time its LX7013 Pinwheel Checkerboard and LL3025 Mushrooms:

The background stencil Pinwheel Checkerboard was paste embossed with the original (maroon label) Embossing Paste. After that dried, I repositioned the stencil and using a sponge dauber, inked over the embossed area with Ranger's Festive Berries Distress Ink.

The mushrooms were machine embossed in my Big Shot and then also sponged with the Festive Berries ink.

I hope you're enjoying these sneak peeks and taking time to visit the other Dream Team members blogs (links on the right). They truly are an amazing group and I am humbled to be able to be part of the team.

AND DON'T FORGET--YOU HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 31 AT MIDNIGHT TO SUBMIT YOUR CHALLENGE ENTRIES AND A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE STENCIL FROM DREAMWEAVER! And, if you leave me a comment here on my blog AND if you are a chosen prize winner, I'll go ahead and double your winnings by sending you a BONUS PRIZE from little ol' me!

Remember to come on back tomorrow to see what I have up my sleeve for Day #3!

SNEAK PEEK TIME!!!

Welcome to the first day of Dreamweaver's Sneak Peek week! Starting today and continuing on through Friday, the Dream Team will be sharing some of our creations for the 17 new stencil designs to be unveiled at CHA on January 29.

I love this new release. It is so different and has so many possibilities!

Today I used TWO new stencils which I used with the DOUBLE-GLITTER technique. The stencils are LM219 Plum Blossom shape (actually a re-release but new to me!) and LJ919 Art Neouveau Flourish

I told you they were different. Yes, you see that right, a shaped stencil. How cool is that! I had a lot of fun with it.

Using the two new stencils, Dreamweaver Double-sided Mounting Paper and the Coconut soap along with Glitter Ritz glitter in Black, Stardust and Lilack Pink, I came up with this:

It truly is spectacular in person because of the velvety shimmer of the Glitter Ritz glitter.

What do you think of these two new stencils? What would you do with them? Please leave me a comment and then head on over to the rest of the Dream Team to see what amazing creations they came up with! I'll be back tomorrow with yet another sneak peek!

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Jessie Hurley

Are you up for the Challenge?

Want to win a FREE Dreamweaver stencil

and have your name in lights? (Duh, who doesn't?)

Then you had better get busy on working on your monthly Dreamweaver challenge!!!

Each month the Dreamweaver blog will host a challenge based on a particular theme, color, technique... This month the theme is VALENTINE'S DAY. (How easy is that!!!)

All entries need to be submitted by the 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2012 and then on February 2nd, two winners will be announced!

One lucky person will win for the most creative entry (and does not have to use a Dreamweaver product to win this category!) and the other lucky person will win for the best use of Dreamweaver product (not necessarily a stencil, could just be the new Color Solutions alcohol ink, Metallic F/X, embossing pastes....)

Want more info? Check out all the details on the Dreamweaver blog and then head on off to your creative space and get to work! Come on, think of it, nothing to lose and everything to gain!!!

Need some inspiration, check out the Dream Team's blogs shown on the right AND the amazing sample gallery on the Dreamweaver website.

BE SURE TO COME BACK ON MONDAY BECAUSE I'LL BE STARTING TO SNEAK PEAK SOME PROJECTS I MADE FOR THE NEW DREAMWEAVER RELEASE TO BE UNVEILED NEXT WEEK AT CHA!!!

Just the Two of Us--EDITED!

I've edited this post. You'll understand why down below!

First off, let me begin by saying that I'm not 100% sure I like the final card today so don't be surprised if I do a "re-do" of it in the near future! I think the stamped background might be a bit overpowering for the stencil. Maybe it would be better with a watermark background or a lighter ink. What do you think? I like the concept, just not so sure about the execution.

I started with an old, retired Hero Arts set (that had never been used!) and stamped up a background of "2"s with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate (my go to brown ink). I then faux cross-stitched Dreamweaver's Pair of Owls LL3013 stencil onto a light tan cardstock using my Woodgrain Queue. I don't do this technique very often and its fun to do. For some reason I mostly do it in the springtime, go figure!

OKAY, I tossed and turned all nigiht (I know, I know, get a life!) over this card. It just didn't work for me. So the FIRST thing I did this morning was to "re-do" it. As much as I fight it, I like white space, clean lines. This card just didn't do it for me. Too busy. So...this is what I changed it to this morning:

Do you have a preference between the two and why?

I have to tell you that I almost missed out on today's Dreamweaver challenge. I've been so busy working on samples of the new 2012 Dreamweaver stencils that will be introduced at CHA in a couple of weeks that I almost forgot to make a card for this week! Ooops! Oh, did I just tease you about a whole bunch of new stencil designs? Well, guess what, starting on January 22, the Dream Team is going to have sneak peaks on our blogs!

And speaking of exciting, how are you coming on your entries (sure, why not make more than one) for the Dreamweaver Valentine challenge? You have until January 31st to post your Valentine-themed projects to the Dreamweaver blog. 

Okay, enough chatting for me. I'm going back to work on some more samples (I know, what a tease!)

Until tomorrow, create away!

A simple card for a Special Person

Today's card is very simple and easy to do but was made with someone very special in my thoughts.

My Mom!

Today would have been my Mother's Birthday. Unfortunately she passed away when I was an early teen and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her.

Her middle name was Iris and even though she did not particularly care for the flower, they always remind me of her so I thought I would do a simple card in her honor.

So Mom, I know you're looking down on me, Happy Birthday, this one's for you!

With much love, always:

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hello!

Between teaching 2 classes on Saturday at Karen and Friends Creations in Salem, creating samples with the new 2012 Dreamweaver stencils (to be released at CHA and sneak peaked here starting January 22!) and the latest addition to our family, I've been a bit busy. So instead of posting a new card for your eyes to feast on, I thought I'd post this adorable picture of little Lucy Marie!

Can you say precious?

I'll be back tomorrow with a new card and Thursday with my Dreamweaver weekly challenge.

And speaking of Dreamweaver challenge, how are you all coming on your Valentine's Challenge for the Dreamweaver blog?

Tone on Tone Valentine

So in keeping with the Valentine theme, I created this tone-on-tone elegant Valentine using two Dreamweaver stencils: LJ805 Large Dots and LL567 Swirl Heart.

The Large Dots stencil was machine embossed in my Big Shot on Ivory cardstock. The Swirl Heart was paste embossed using Dreamweaver's Pearlescent paste onto white cardstock. After I layered it all together and added the Creative Impressions swirl ribbon, I embellished the heart with self-adhesive pearls.

Very simple, very elegant and would be great as a wedding card as well as a special Valentine.

True romance

Okay, so last week I went a bit Steampunk with my Valentine card:

So this week I'd be a bit more traditional and go for the true romantic.

For this card I used 3 different techniques: simple paste embossing with glitter; double-glitter and metal embossing.

The flower background stencil is Dreamweaver Flower Lace LJ820. I absolutely love using this stencil with the double glitter technique because it is so dramatic. I also used this same stencil to emboss the red aluminum which I then sanded to highlight the embossed flowers and cut into a heart with my Spellbinders heart die.

The Happy Valentine's stencil LM241 is a classic and must-have in my book! I used the white glossy paste for contrast and then covered the wet paste with red microfine glitter.

I love the dramatic romantic feel of this card, don't you? And quite different from the Steampunk look of last week. Hmmm, what will I come up with for next week's challenge? I guess you'll have to come on back to find out.

Speaking of challenges, check out the rest of the AMAZING Dream Team's blogs to see what they came up with this week:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Jessie Hurley

And don't forget to get your entry in for the January Dreamweaver Challenge! For the month of January, Dreamweaver is challenging 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. Two prizes will be given away. 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, Embossing Pastes, Metallic F/X, the new Color Solutions, etc The winners will be announced February 2nd, along with the February challenge. Let me know if you have any questions.

A Splitcoast Color Challenge

I haven't participated in Splitcoast challenges for a couple weeks due to the holidays so I thought this would be a good week to get my feet wet again.

Today I decided to participate in CC357, the Blushing Red Riding Hood in Baja challenge.

The orchid is a Dreamwever stencil that I colored with Brilliance Pearlescent Poppy and various green inks. A very simple CAS card that I think really emphasizes the zen like characteristics of the orchid.

Hope you'll stop by tomorrow to check out the weekly Dream Team challenge.

Hugs and happy creating!

Nostalgic Valentine

Valentine's Day has a very special place in my heart. No, not because of the reasons one would instantly think of but because it is what brought me to my passion of stamping, stenciling, cardmaking and papercrafting in general! What? Yes you read that right. You are reading this because of Valentine's Day.

Let me explain. You see my wonderful husband and I decided early on that we should tell each other we loved one another every day and not just when Hallmark told us to so we opted not to gifts for Valentine's Day. Well, one year, many moons ago, I wanted to break that rule slightly and make him a card. Hence, I walked in to my local Michael's store, bought a rubber stamp, ink, cardstock...and some $60 later had enough supplies to make him a card! And thus began my journey into this wonderful world of papercrafting! (I bet he regrets the whole not gift buying thing because by now he could have bought me lots and lots of diamonds and still be far less in debt than we are thanks to stamping and stenciling!)

So without further delay and in keeping with the Valentine's theme, I bring you today's Valentine card:

How are you all coming on your Dreamweaver Valentine Challenge entries? Remember, just like the lottery, you can't win if you don't enter! As a reminder/refresher, here's the details.

For the month of January, Dreamweaver is challenging 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. Two prizes will be given away. 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, Embossing Pastes, Metallic F/X, the new Color Solutions, etc The winners will be announced February 2nd, along with the February challenge. Let me know if you have any questions.

Faux Letterpress

Welcome back!

Today I thought I'd share another technique card I will be demonstrating in my January Machine Embossing classes. This is the Faux Letterpress technique. I have to admit, this is quickly becoming one of my favorite techniques because it is so quick and easy and fun to do.



Even though the design is really basic, I like this card because it really emphasizes the wonderful design of the stencils. If you were creating this card, what would you do differently?

Hey, don't forget, for the month of January, Dreamweaver is challenging 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. Two prizes will be given away. 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, Embossing Pastes, Metallic F/X, the new Color Solutions, etc The winners will be announced February 2nd, along with the February challenge. Let me know if you have any questions.

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 version of this month's challenge:

Okay, I have to tell you, this one was a challenge for me. Not the theme but my final creation. It is not my typical "style". I am much more classic styling. However for my first official post as a member of the Dreamweaver Design Team,  I thought I'd break out of my comfort zone.

I started by dry embossing the LJ911 Gears stencil on black aluminum. I sanded the image slightly to reveal the aluminum and then daubed Stewart Stamp & Stick over that. Once that was cured (tacky), I brushed on Metallic F/X (love, love, love these powders!).  The background is aluminum that was dry embossed with the Plaid stencil and then colored with the new Color Solutions alcohol inks. I have to tell you, if you haven't tried this new inks, you will LOVE them. The colors are so vibrant.

Like I said before, this is not my typical style so I hope you'll come back again (soon) and see some more traditional Cherylynn work! (If you just can't wait, you can always go check out my previous blog!)
Need more inspiration? Please visit the rest of our fabulous team shown here:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Jessie Hurley

Hugs and Happy Creating!

Bright and Cheery

Welcome to my first card posting for 2012! I thought I would share one of the cards I will be demonstrating at my upcoming Machine Embossing classes later this month.

"Machine Embossing" is a technique class that teaches how to use your stencils with your die-cutting machine (Wizard, Big Shot, Cuttlebug...) without ruining your stencils. We cover 4 different techniques in this class including basic embossing, adding color, letterpress and metal embossing. With each of these techniques the students will have a variety of stencils to choose from so each final creation will be unique to themselves.

The classes will be taught on:

January 14 at Karen and Friends in Springfield, Oregon and
January 21 at Stampin' Cat in Salem, Oregon

I will also be teaching a paste class the same day for both of those stores and will share some of those projects here later this week.

If you'll be in the area, I'd love for you to join us.

Now without further delay, here is a card illustrating machine embossing and then adding color.

The card uses both the Torch Ginger and the Large Dots from Dreamweaver. Its a fun and fairly quick card to make and depending on the stencil used and the colors chosen can be very different in the final outcome.

I hope you'll come back tomorrow because I will be posting my first official challenge as a Dreamweaver Design Team ("Dream Team") member!

Until then, hugs and happiness to you all.

Welcome to 2012

Welcome to my new blog. I hope you'll be a frequent visitor! Although I've been blogging for years (on typepad), I am looking on this blog change as a way to refresh and renew my blogging. My goals for blogging in 2012 are to include more tutorials, tips and more descriptions and details on how each project was created.

My goal will be to blog 3-4 times a week. ALWAYS ON THURSDAYS and then hopefully on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. (I'll take Wednesday as a break and weekends are hopelessly busy with household stuff so....they're out!)

So please come back on Thursday and check out my first official post as a DREAMWEAVER DREAM TEAM member!

Hugs and happy creating,
Cherylynn