Still trying to lose weight

Okay, so I thought last week was the last week I would be posting for the Dreamweaver Losing Weight (aka clean and simple) challenge but then I realized there were FIVE Thursdays this month! Yay, that gives me another chance to share with you a CAS card that I created with two of the stencils Dreamweaver debuted at CHA this month.

For this card I used LX 7025 Crusade Background and LG 756 Open Elephant, both shown here:

Although many people will use the Open Elephant stencil for Stentangling (Dreamweaver's word for Zentangling with Dreamweaver Stencils), I thought it was a perfect for masculine and all-occasion cards.

Here is what I created using the two stencils:

The background was black paste-embossed on kraft cardstock and the elephant was dry embossed in my Big Shot, colored with an Irridescent Grey Painstik and then fussy cut-out.

Want some more "weight-loss" ideas? Check out these other Dreamers who are participating in today's hop:

Dream It Up!
Louise Healy

Cyndi Bundy

Terrece Siddoway
Cherylynn Moser
Lyn Bernatovich
Pam Hornschu
Lea Kimmel

Until next month, have a super crafty life!

Saying goodbye to losing weight!

This month, the Dreamweaver challenge has been challenged to lose some weight by creating Clean and Simple cards. Usually all of my cards and clean and simple. That's just who I am. I like symmetry, clean lines, color definition and contrast.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you this simple Embossed Strie card that uses the new Dreamweaver LJ 927 Floral Dots stencil:

And so today for my last post for this Clean and Simple challenge,  I thought I'd share a card featuring the same stencil, just created using stencil paste and then colored with paintstiks once the crackle paste was dry. This cards is somewhat unfinished intentionally so that a sentiment can be added at the last minute for one of those I need a card NOW moments.

One of the things I love most about Dreamweaver stencils is their versatility. By just changing up the colors and/or technique, the stencil takes on a whole new look and feel.

I can't believe we're approaching the end of January. Where did this month ago? If someone has any tricks on how to slow down the hands of time, please share them with me. I certainly could use some tips!

Want some more Dreamweaver "diet" inspiration? Then check out these incredibly uber-talented Design  Team members:

Dream It Up! 

Lea Kimmel 
Louise Healy 
Stacey Rumsby 
Terrece Siddoway 
Wendy Jordan 
Pam Hornschu 
Cherylynn Moser

CHA Clean and Simple

Welcome to Dreamweaver's CHA Release Week! This week and next the Dream Teams will be posting sneak peeks of our newest designs...STENCILS AND DIES! The teams have had so much fun stretching their creativity to show you the most inspiring ways to use these new products. If you just can't stand to wait until your local stores get these in, you can order online from Stencil with Style!

Today I thought I'd share a FIVE different cards I created using the new stencils. All are done with the Embossed Strie technique and literally take minutes to complete. I had a lot of fun making these cards because since I've started taking art classes I am really having a lot of fun just playing with color. And the Strie technique is perfect for that!

LJ 927 Floral with Dots

LJ 929 Pop Rectangles

LL 3037 Zen Butterfly and LX 7025 Crusade Background

LX 7024 Zen Flower

LJ 928 Swirly Hearts

Do you have a favorite one? Why? I'd love to know.

And after you leave me some love (or suggestions), please head on over to the other Dream Team blogs to see what other inspirations await you!

Participating this week are:

Dream It Up!
Lea Kimmel
Louise Healy
Stacey Rumsby
Terrece Siddoway
Wendy Jordan 
Pam Hornschu
Cherylynn Moser 

Heidi Erickson

Happy Birthday Lynell!!!

Did you know that we're celebrating the Queen's birthday this week? Well...the Queen of Stencils, Lynell Harlow, that is. Actually, her birthday is on Saturday, but we're surprising her by posting birthday cards in her honor today. Nothing like making you feel OLD sooner than necessary, right Lynell? You'll even see a few familiar names in our lineup, as some of the teaching team are whooping it up for her as well.

In addition to our birthday party, we are also beginning a new year and a new monthly challenge. In honor of all those resolutions we hope to achieve, our challenge is "Losing the Weight...AKA Clean and Simple (CAS)". If we all try really hard to simplify our design-work without losing our creativity, we can all say at the end of the month that we've lost some weight! Maybe not off of our waistlines, but at least off of our cards! Gotta start somewhere!

For this week's CAS card, and to honor Lynell, I thought I'd so a simple card using the Strie technique. I don't do this technique very often, I find myself naturally using the "rouging" technique for applying color so this was fun to make.

Stencils used:
LX 7014 Daisy Background and LG 704 Birthday Words

If you haven't already done so, please head on over the to the other Dream Team and Dream Teaching Team blogs, especially the Dream It Up! blog and leave Lynell some birthday wishes. She's a very sweet lady and I am sure she will be touched by all the kinds words.

Dream It Up!
Laura Drahozal
Lyn Bernatovich 

Pam Hornschu
Heidi Erickson
Louise Healy
Cyndi Bundy

Lee Kellogg
Liz Martin
Terrece Siddoway
Lea Kimmel

Kristi Parker Van Doren

I'll be back next week with CAS part 2! Until then, I hope your new year is starting our fabulously!