Second Childhood Creations

Giving it all the Green I've Got!

2012-02-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the last "Green" Challenge for the Dreameaver Design Team so I thought I'd go out with a bang and put as much green as I could onto one little card. Not sure if it all works but at least its green! (I dedicate this card to Kristi, my fellow Dreamer, who does artsy and complex way better than I do!)

The Dreamweaver balloon was first pasted with embossing paste (green, of course) and then colored with Metallic F/X (Ivy Garden and Kiwi, of course). The background paper is Graphic 45.

So...I wasn't really happy with "Take 1" so I did a re-do. As much as I fight it (and for those of you who have known me for a long time, this will come as no surprise), I really am a "clean-and-simple" kinda gal. I dress that way, I cook that way, I basically live that way, except for my hoarding of craft supplies! So...I did a "re-do of this card, much more aligned with my natural CAS style. Is it too simple?

Same paper (Graphic 45) and same stencil (Dreamweaver). Also paste embossed, but this time with original matte paste and then colored with Metallic F/X (Ivy Garden, Kiwi and Gold Dust).
Now before you head off to create your "green creation", go check out the other Dreamweaver Design Team blogs (links on right). Remember, you only have until midnight on the 29th to get your submission in for this month's challenge. And there aren't many entries so you stand a really, really good chance of winning a stencil or two!!!

Needing a rainbow

2012-02-22T08:52:00.005-08:00

I have a friend who is going through a tough time and so I thought I'd send her a little note to help her keep her spirits up.

She has a wonderful positive attitude and a great sense of humor so I hope that, being from Oregon, she'll appreciate the sentiment behind this card.

The paper is a discontinued pattern from My Mind's Eye's Quite Contrary collection. Living in Oregon, this paper sure struck a chord with me since we have two seasons, rain and sun! The umbrella is from Dreamweaver and pasted with silver paste and then colored with their new Color Solutions Alcohol ink. And the sentiment is from Penny Black.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow as we explore the weekly Dreamweaver Design Team challenge!

Until then, may today be filled with sunshine and rainbows, if only in your mind!

Hugs,
Cherylynn

Sculpted Horses

2012-02-20T02:00:00.000-08:00

One of the things I absolutely love about Dreamweaver stencils is their paste and its versatility. I know, I know, many of you are saying but its such a mess to work with. Well...its really not. You just need to "set the table" and prep your area and it really is a lot less messier than some of my stamping projects.

And since I use a griddle to speed up the drying time, it really is fast and easy.

This card is one from my upcoming Paste classes where we are going to be working with dimensional pasting, i.e., more than 1 layer of paste. This particular card uses the sculpting technique and I think it works perfectly with the running horse stencil, don't you agree?

A Sneak Peak: ME 2

2012-02-17T02:00:00.000-08:00

Next month I will be teaching classes at Stampin Cat in Salem and Karen and Friends in Springfield.

The first class at both stores is called ME 2 for Machine Embossing 2. It is a fun class where everyone gets to use their Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Wizard, Vagabond....with Dreamweaver stencils. There are so many different techniques to choose from so each time I teach one of these classes I try and mix it up so that both beginners and repeat students ALL learn something new.

One of the cards we will be making uses Colored Aluminum with Dreamweaver's awesome Color Solutions alcohol ink. I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it.

I'm going to take the weekend off from posting so I hope you'll come back next week and I'll share some more from my upcoming classes.

Have a great weekend and happy creating,
Cherylynn

February Challenge #3

2012-02-16T02:00:00.000-08:00

I AM BACK! After taking a couple days off just to rest and take care of some "business" I feel refreshed and have been having fun creating!

Today, as part of the Dream Team challenge, I present another "green" card. (Okay, I added a little pink and since white is technically void of color, it doesn't count!) This time I went with one my favorites, the double-glitter technique. The stencil is one of the 17 new stencils that were just released at CHA. It is Cherry Blossom Shape LL3024. It is a "shaped" stencil which makes it perfect for this technique.

Not only does this card count towards my challenge BUT it is also one of the cards that we will be creating in my March classes! This particular one is for the ME 2 class. Machine Embossing, get it!!!) I'll be at Stampin' Cat Studio on March 3 and Karen and Friends Creations on March 10. If you're in the area, I'd love for you to join us.

Do you realize you only have 14 days to post your submission for the Dreamweaver February challenge? And all you have to do is create a "green" card. It can either be a St. Patrick's Day card, green in color or use repurposed materials! How easy is that?! And there are 2 winners each month! One for the most creative creation using any prodyct and the second one for the most creative use of Dreamweaver product! This month each winner will receive the following two stencils (which might just come in handy for the March challenge:)

So after you've finished checking out the Dream Team challenges for this week (see the links on the right), head off to your happy place and get working on those challenge submissions. Who couldn't use TWO FREE stencils?!

I hope you'll come back again tomorrow for yet another peak at the projects we'll be doing in our March classes!

Hugs and happy creating,
Cherylynn

Stencils, yours for the creating!!!

2012-02-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

First things first! How would you like to win these two fabulous Dreamweaver stencils?

Well you can! And it's easy! All you need to do is participate in the Dreamweaver monthly challenge for February! (In fact, last month ALL participants were sent the winning stencils so everyone was a WINNER!!! How cool is that!) You don't even need to post your pictures online, you can either mail the actual card or email a photo of it to Lynell and she'll gladly post it for you!

Check out the Dreamweaver blog for all the details and then head off to your creative space and get working (that is, of course, after you finish checking out all the Dream Team blogs today! All the links are in the right hand column.)

Now, on to my challenge post for today. So...our challenge this month is to create something either for St. Patrick's Day or green (either color or recycled). Last week I went with St. Patrick's Day so this week I've gone green (literally).

Here's a re-do which adds the sentiment. Not sure if I like it or not. Although the font screams Irish, I think its too much for the gorgeous flowers. What do you think?

Can you find the 4 stencils I used in this card? Okay, so maybe 2 of them aren't very visible so I'll go ahead and tell you. First, obviously, is the floral stencil (yes, the same one you can win if you participate in the challenge!!!) and the Thanks sentiment. The other two are on the background. The top of the base layer has the Plaid stencil embossed on it and the bottom 1/4, below the printed paper, has the large dots stencil. Stencils make great background patterns.

Okay, I've blathered on long enough. Now its time to go check out the other Dream Team blogs and then get yourself busy working on your February challenge project. REMEMBER, YOU CAN ENTER AS MANY TIMES AS YOU'D LIKE!!!

Sending my love

2012-02-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

I had fun creating today'spost. The main image is from Penny Black and stamped with Memento black ink. I then colored it with colored pencils and blended with Gamsol. I created the ribbon flower from white organza ribbon that I misted with tea dye mist.

Nothing overly complicated to do, just a lot of fun to make!

Until tomorrow, hugs and happy creating!

A Quilted Heart

2012-02-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

I had a great weekend. I actually slept (major accomplishment lately) and spent some serious time creating. Plus I got to spend some time with my brand new Granddaughter and her incredible parents and also with my wonderful husband. Overall, not much to complain about!

Saturday I spent creating and was needing some inspiration so I checked out the message boards to get my mojo going. Lo and behold, I found it! It was hiding over at Two Peas in the Ribbon Flower video! Who knew.

So I combined that technique with a quilted heart I just had to mimick after seeing at CHA and ended up with this:

Fun, springlike and very feminine! I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it!
Supplies:

SEI promise 6x6 paper pad
Dreamweaver Double-sided Mounting Paper
Dreamweaver Damask Stencil LJ907
Dreamweaver Large Damask Stencil LX7001
Hero Arts Script background stamped with Versamagic Pink Grapefruit
Hero Arts Much Love stamped with Versafine Onyx Black
Old Paper Distress Ink
Spellbinders Heart and Scalloped Heart Dies
Self-adhesive pearls sponged on stamped script
Organza ribbon scraps

So fun to make and I have enough squares cut that I can make quite a few of these up rather quickly.

Tomorrow I'll share another flower ribbon card and a Penny Black stamp! See you then.

Three at Once!

2012-02-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

So I really was having a hard time getting inspired this morning. Everything seemed like a lot of work, which is not how I usually feel about creating.

So I headed over to Splitcoaststampers to check out some challenges for this week. That usually does it for me. Instant inspiration.

So today I share with you a card I made that qualifies for 2 challenges. Add that as a blog posting and I've killed 3 birds with just one stone!

So here is my White Island Pool meets Sketch Challenge 370 card. First the outside:

And now the inside:

Not bad for a quick Friday morning card! The white cardstock is edged with Ranger Pool and the Tim Holtz Floral Fantasy stamp in Versamagic Turquoise Gem. The butterfly is Outlines and colored with Prismacolors and blended with Gamsol. (You can't tell from the photo but there is Stickles on the Butterfly to give it some life and it is raised with 3-D tape.)

I have the whole weekend set aside for nothing but creating. Who knows, maybe I'll come up with something really cool to share with all of you next week.

Until then, happy creating and love, live and laugh each day!!!

A St.Patrick's Day Wish

2012-02-02T02:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to February and the first of the Dreamweaver Design Team Challenges for this month. Our challenge this month is to create either St. Patrick's Day or green projects. Be sure to check out the Dream It Up blog to find out about how you can participate in the challenge and be a winner!

I have to admit I struggled with this challenge. You would think being 1/4 Irish I'd have this one on the bag but NO! I was raised in Chicago where St. Patrick's Day equates to drinking green beer and eating corned beef and cabbage. Oh yeah, and dying a river green and a big unionized parade. Not much there to build a card upon!

So I took a little liberty and created this card. Its so-so in my book. I'm going to blame it on CHA exhaustion but really its more a lack of inspiration. I am sure by the end of this month I'll be into the full swing of things inspired by my awesome Dream Team members.

So...for what its worth, here's my first attempt at a St. Patrick's Day card.

Don't get me wrong. I love the new Pointed Celtic Knot stencil, I just need some inspiration on how best to use it. To me, its like crosses, they have meaning and significant symbolic value and I want to be true to that. Any one out there that can help shed some light on the meaning of celtic knots?

Okay, enough rambling, head on over to the other Dream Team blogs and see the amazing creations they have posted for our first challenge. You can find the links to all their blogs in the right hand column.

I'll be back tomorrow with another post, hopefully one that I REALLY like!

Feedback, both good and bad is greatly appreciated!

A Purrfect Trifecta

2012-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2012-01-26T02:00:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-25T02:00:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-24T02:00:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2012-01-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

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!

Are you up for the Challenge?

2012-01-20T10:07:00.000-08:00

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!

2012-01-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-18T08:10:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-17T10:26:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-13T02:00:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

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:

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

2012-01-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T07:49:00.000-08:00

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.

2012-01-05T02:00:00.000-08:00

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:

Hugs and Happy Creating!

Bright and Cheery

2012-01-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-03T15:20:00.000-08:00

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