A Green Kinda Day!

Good Monday Morning!

Spring officially begins at the end of this week so I thought I'd start celebrating a bit early with some spring flower creations!

My first card for the week is one that I created using papers from the Graphic 45 Place in Time collection and the Pansy stamp set from Flourishes A Year in Flowers 1 stamp set.



Flourishes Year in Flowers 1 Pansy
and Graphic 45 Place in Time March Cut-Aparts



Pretty simple but definitely has me thinking about spring and watching everything wake up from its winter's nap.

I hope you'll stop by tomorrow when I have another Spring creation to brighten your day. (Can you tell I actually set some time aside this past weekend to color and play!)

Until then, take some time to enjoy the changing of the season!

Cherylynn

A Sparkling Spring

Welcome to Week Two of Dreamweaver's Bloomin' Spring Challenge!

For today's post, I thought I'd share an alternate way to do the "Double Glitter" Technique. It is perfect for those who love the sparkle of glitter but also the shading and detail coloring you get with markers. It also adds some dimension to your project which is hard to achieve with the traditional Double Glitter technique.

LG688 Dogwood, Glitter, Translucent Paste and Alcohol Markers

• I began by first cutting a piece of Dreamweaver's Double-sided Mounting Paper to size and adhering it to a black piece of cardstock cut 1/8" larger than the DSMP. 
• Next I removed the top liner and adhered Ranger Diamond Dry Stickles Glitter all over the DMSP and burnished it well.
• Using translucent paste and Dreamweaver's LG688 Dogwood stencil shown here:

• I pasted embossed the Dogwood over the glittered mat. Once that was dry (and translucent!!!), I realigned the CLEAN stencil back over the pasted image and colored with alcohol markers.
• Because the paste was translucent, the shimmer of the glitter comes through. I only wish my photography skills were better so you could actually seen how stunning this is in person.

Please take some time to hop on over to the other Dream Team blogs for more spring stenciling inspiration. I am so honored to be part of this team, these girls are truly amazing and their work never ceases to inspire me.

Don't forget to follow us on the Dream It Up! blog, our Facebook page, Pinterest, and Paper Craft Planet's Dreamweaver Thursday Tutorials!

A Bloomin' Spring

Welcome to March! And with the start of each new month comes a new Dreamweaver challenge! And I love this month's challenge because its all about flowers!!!

The actual challenge is "A Bloomin' Spring" and for me that means, flowers, flowers, flowers.

So today I thought I'd share with you two very simple cards that ANYONE can do and in whatever color palette that strikes their fancy!

The two flower stencils I am featuring today are: LL514 Torch Ginger and LL549 Tall Daisies, both shown below:

Remember, if you can't find these stencils at your local stamp store, you can always get them at Stencil with Style!

• Both of the cards were created using the same basic technique:
• Machine emboss stencil onto white cardstock using personal die cutter (I used my Big Shot)
• With stencil still in place, using a stencil brush and pigment inks, apply stencil in a circular motion. I always start on the stencil and work my way on to the opening. This technique will give you a smoother transition and less brush marks.
• Just mat and layer and you're done. So easy and soooo stunning!

 

I hope these two cards will inspire you to join the Dreamweaver challenge this month. Remember, the cards/projects don't need to be masterpieces or even difficult. Just share with us the ways you like to use Dreamweaver product in connection with the theme of the month! Sooo easy! What have you got to lose?

I'm almost finished with a HUGE project I've been working on so hopefully in the very near future, I'll be posting three times a week instead of the once a week of recent past.

Hope you all find time to go play in the wonderful world of colorful creating.

Until we meet again, think spring thoughts!

You're a Rock Star!

Welcome to the end of February! Yes, I said that right, today marks the end of the 2nd month of the "new" year. That means we're 1/6 of the way done. Where does time go?

Today also means that you only have until midnight tonight to get TWO THINGS done:

1. Post your challenge entry for this month's Dreamweaver "Love and Friendship" Challenge. Remember, if you don't have an online forum to post to, just email your entry to louisehealy@sbcglobal.net and she'll post it for you on the Dreamweaver blog.
2. Today is also the last day to submit your application for the 2013 Dreamweaver Design Team. I really hope you have given this some thought. It is a lot of fun and well worth the minimal time it requires.

For my final entry in the LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP challenge, I thought I'd share a card I created for CHA this year that uses two new Dreamweaver stencils in connection with the Double-Glitter technique.

The first stencil, LL3028 Electric Guitar was released in 2012 and is perfect for teens, males and those hard-loving rock fans you know!

The second stencil, LG 750 Guitar Words was introduced at CHA in January of this year. Just imagine how much fun you can have with all these phrases!

When I put these all together, I wanted the drama and excitement that you think of when thinking of rock stars so naturally I ventured into the land of glitter! This is the end result. I hope you like it. I had a lot of fun making it.

I hope you come back next week/month for a brand new Dreamweaver challenge. And hopefully very soon I will be posting more than just once a week. I'm almost past a huge personal hurdle so once thats done, its lots of creating time for me.

Until we meet next week, hugs and happy creating!

Cherylynn

Incorporating Stenciling with Stamping

Welcome to my third installment of "LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP"! This week I thought I'd take a break from the LOVE part and go right on to FRIENDSHIP!

Since I've been doing quite a bit of projects lately, I have opted to go back to featuring a card. And today it is a very simple card that combines stamping and stenciling. Its a great way to get started with stenciling. Start with something you already know (and love) and add to it!

To begin, start with a sentiment stamp, ink it up and emboss it in the EP of your choice. For this card, I used copper ink and copper EP. I then diecut it with a circle Nestie and a coordinated matting Nestie.

Now, here's the fun part! Using Dreamweaver Copper Embossing Paste, I paste embossed the LG 727 Lace Border stencil shown here:

After the paste was dry, I die cut that piece with a square Nestie and again made a coordinated matting piece.

Finally, using an Embossing Folder I embossed the front panel of the card and adhered a crochet ribbon along the edge.

What I love the most about this card is how coordinated it is! The colors all work together, there is a variety of textures, and a balance of soft versus hard.

If you haven't given stencils a try, hopefullly this will inspire you to do so. You do not have to do anything fancy to create cards that are very pleasing to the eye.

And if you are already a stencil lover, remember:

DREAMWEAVER IS HOLDING A DESIGN TEAM CALL! 

Yes, you've read that right, its time for some new friends to join the Dreamweaver Design Team. Sounds interesting? Well head on over to Pam's blog for all the details.

Remember, if your local store doesn't carry Dreamweaver product, ASK THEM TO! And if you don't have a local store, you always purchase Dreamweaver's entire product line at Stencil with Style.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll take some time to visit the other Dream Team blogs. They always inspire me. And remember, give some thought to joining the Dreamweaver Design Team. I promise you, its a great experience you won't regret.

Hugs until next week,
Cherylynn

Happy Hearts and Flowers Day!

Welcome back to Dreamweaver's Love and Friendship February Challenge!

Today I am going to share with you the EASIEST, QUICKEST and GREEN project I could come up with! (And it also serves as a nice hint for your significant other!)

First off, let's gather our supplies. First off we need Dreamweaver's LL585 Romantic Rose stencil:

A clear vase (can be glass, plastic or some hybrid) and some removable tape, White Opaque Stazon and a Finger Dauber! YES, THAT'S IT!!! I told you this would be quick and easy.

Simply secure the stencil to the vase with the removable tape. Then dab White Stazon over the stencil openings with the finger dauber (remember, less is  more: less ink, less pressure). You can always build layers of color for opacity if need be.

And voila! You're done. (AHEM--I TOLD YOU QUICK AND EASY!!!!) Less than 5 minutes start to finish.

What you're left with is a very classic and elegant vase that looks like its been etched. (See below for more on etching!)

And the really cool part about this is that after the beautiful flowers that your SO gave you have withered away, you can use Stazon cleaner to remove the stenciling if you so choose and change it up for another occasion!

The truth of the matter is that I had originally planned to etch this vase with this stencil using Armour Etching cream. But to do that, you vase has to be GLASS. And little did I know that Ikea vases are not glass but some hybrid. So that's how I came up with the Stazon idea which I actually like better because of its versatility!

I hope this has inspired you to start thinking about using stencils for more than just papercrafting. They really are quite versatile.

Remember, if your local store doesn't carry Dreamweaver product, ASK THEM TO! And if you don't have a local store, you always purchase Dreamweaver's entire product line at Stencil with Style.

And before I go and await the flowers that I am sure my husband is sending me, did you know that DREAMWEAVER IS HOLDING A DESIGN TEAM CALL! Yes, you've read that right, its time for some new friends to join the Dreamweaver Design Team. Sounds interesting? Well head on over to Pam's blog for all the details.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll take some time to visit the other Dream Team blogs. They always inspire me. And remember, give some thought to joining the Dreamweaver Design Team. I promise you, its a great experience you won't regret.

Hugs until next week,
Cherylynn

A Shrinking Heart

Welcome to the first week of Dreamweaver's February Challenge! This month, in keeping with tradition, but adding a slight twist to our theme, we're going to be using "LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP" for our theme.

BUT before I get on with my challenge post for this week, I have some EXCITING NEWS to share: DREAMWEAVER IS HOLDING A DESIGN TEAM CALL! Yes, you've read that right, its time for some new friends to join the Dreamweaver Design Team. Sounds interesting? Well head on over to Pam's blog for all the details.

Now on to my challenge post. As any one who has followed this blog for any period of time knows, I like Clean and Simple and I like inexpensive. I also like to customize little pendants for different occasions. Today I'm doing all three!

Remember "Shrinky Dinks"? Well that is the base for this lovely (easy, inexpensive) pendant!

LL425 Heart Bouquet on Shrink Plastic

• Begin with a 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" square of clear Shrinky Dinks and color the backside with Dreamweaver Winter Red Color Solutions using a felt pad. (Note: because these inks are artist-grade, they take a few minutes longer to dry than other alcohol inks on the market.) 
 

• Once dry, flip over and secure the LL425 Heart Bouquet stencil to the plastic. Using a Tsukineko finger dauber and Stazon Opaque White ink, I lightly dabbed the ink over the stencil openings. It looks very light when you apply it but as it shrinks, it really does become quite opaque.
• Next I rounded the corners with a paper punch, punched a 1/8" hole in the center the jump ring and placed the piece inside my toaster oven to shrink.
• After 2 minutes I removed it and set it aside to cool.
• Once cool, I edged the back and sides with a Krylon Leafing pin, attached a jump ring and the chain.

Finished necklace, all ready for Valentine's Day!

Like I said, very easy, very quick, very inexpensive and perfect for the outfit I had planned for today!

I hope you've enjoyed this little inspiration piece. It really is so simple to do and takes so very little time. Wouldn't this be the perfect accent for your Valentine's attire next week? Remember, if your local store doesn't carry Dreamweaver product, ASK THEM TO! And if you don't have a local store, you always purchase Dreamweaver's entire product line at Stencil with Style.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll take some time to visit the other Dream Team blogs. They always inspire me. And remember, give some thought to joining the Dreamweaver Design Team. I promise you, its a great experience you won't regret.

Hugs until next week,
Cherylynn