Dreamweaver Stencils

Dreamweaver Stencil Class Results

I was fortunate enough to attend a Dreamweaver Stencil class at my LSS, Altered Art Addicts, this weekend.  The class was taught by Dreamweaver Stencil's very talented design team member, Laura Drahozal (click here for her wonderful blog).  The cards you see above were the results of my interpretations of the techniques taught by Laura.  One wonderful class.  That's all it took...I was HOOKED!  

I had purchased stencils before....quite a few actually.  But was never really "into" how they were used.  That all changed yesterday.  I learned several new techniques that have converted me.

This first one is done with alcohol inks on thin metal sheets.  The stencil is used to emboss the image in a die cut machine (Cuttlebug, Sizzix, and the like) and then you blend alcohol inks onto the metal, sand, and mount.  Easy-peasy and what a delicious result!

This next card is done by machine embossing the stencil onto multiple colored sheets of the metal, then cutting strips and "reassembling" the design.  Then it was sanded, trimmed and mounted.  This technique took a little longer but the result was beautiful!

The next one was a very fun technique using the stencil with the Dreamweaver Embossing Paste.  The stencil was placed on acetate and the paste applied (reminded me of spackling the walls, lol).  It was then glittered with fine glitter.  Then the alcohol inks were applied to the reverse side of the acetate.  I love how gorgeous this turned out!  The marbling of the alcohol inks on the background really stand out and look amazing!

But this one, by far, was my favorite!!!!  It's like "painting" with glitter!  Who doesn't love glitter!  It's shiny and twinkly and mystical!  You begin by using two sided sticky paper and placing your stencil on it.  Then by using tiny bits of glitter (a little goes a really long way) you sprinkle and blend the different areas with your chosen colors.  Then you remove the stencil and cover the remainder of the design with the white glitter.  The picture doesn't even do it justice.  

So after the class was finished, naturally I had to add some supplies to my already obnoxious craft collection.  Loaded with some metal sheets and two-sided sticky paper, some new colors of glitter, a new stencil, a couple of neat Dreamweaver tools, and a newfound sense of craft divaness (is divaness a word?), I headed home to my "craproom" as my granddaughter calls it, and spread all my new "stuff" all over so I could play...er, create.  A short time later, Voila!

I am in LOVE with the results!  Granted, I am not doing this card for EVERYONE on my mailing list cuz, well, I just don't have that kind of time available (I have to work for a living...my family likes food and a roof over their head and I like to be able to buy my toys...er, tools...).  But there are a few special ones who will receive this labor of love.  Just look at this closeup of the finer details..... ooooh....aaaaah.  

So if you get the notion to check out these amazing stencils, I highly suggest you visit these links: Dreamweaver Stencils and Remembering Life's Moments.  You will find lots of inspiration, ideas and instructions.  I would love to see what you come up with!

Happy Crafting!

Sometimes I Amaze Myself!

No really! 

My project idea actually turned out better than I imagined.  Even with all my procrastination.  You see, I needed to do a wedding gift (well I didn't really NEED to since I handmade all their wedding invitations).  I would much rather make something personalized than spend money on something that someone else might get them.  Ok, I admit it.  I like to be special.  lol  But I digress.....

This gift is for a wedding TOMORROW.  I just started it TODAY.  Yeah, I have a little problem with timelines.  But at my age, I probably ain't gonna change now.

So, with an idea in my head, some vinyl in hand and my computer and Cricut by my side...I ventured into my creative stupor.  And, lo and behold, SUCCESS!!  Here are my ooooh and aaaahh pictures...

Pretty cool, eh?  I had purchased a couple of shadowbox frames at Michael's one day when they were on sale, just knowing I would come up with a project to use them on. Turns out, this was the perfect project.  

After I cut the background letters out using the Gypsy Font cartridge, they were still a little plain even with the fancy swirls.  So I grabbed some glittery Stickles and added a few highlights.  Just what it needed!  I put the frame together and added the couple's first name and wedding date to the front of the glass on the frame.  I love how it gives it such dimension.  And the good part is, it will be easy to clean and the neutral colors will go with most any decor.

So...I would love to hear what you think.  If you do any kind of personalized gifts, I would love to hear about them.  Feel free to share!!

Until next time....keepin' my fingers inky and my Cricut chirpin'!

Hanging Business Card Holder

Bulletin Board Business Card Holder

I know I have been MIA for quite a while.  Life sometimes gets in the way.  But I couldn't resist sharing this little pattern with you.  

I have several different piles of OPBCs (other people's business cards) on my desk and wanted a way to display them without having to put money into someone else's advertising.  So I came up with this simple and effective Business Card Holder to pin on the bulletin board.

As I was planning the layout/dimensions, I got to thinking how handy this would be to do for myself (fancier of course) to put my business cards in various places.  So after I got my measuring, cutting and scoring down to a very simple science, I set out to do a couple of fancy ones for MY business cards.  But first, here are the steps to get the basic one done.

Cut a piece of cardstock to 7.5" x 4.75".

Score vertically at .5" and 4.25".

Rotate and score at 1.5" and 2".  Then score at 3.5" only from the top to the score line and the bottom to the score line.

This is what it should look like after scored.

Now just a little trimming....Snip on the 3.5" score line only 1/2" to the vertical score line.  Do the same thing on the other side.  Then snip on the score lines over to the 1/2" score line on the 2" and 1.5" lines.  

It should look like this when you're done cutting.

Next, add adhesive to the top two tabs on each side.

And fold on the score lines and stick the sides together.

And there you have it!

Now, here is one I have done for MY business cards.  

I love how it turned out and as I look at it, I can see other ways to use it as well.  It could be hung from the bottom of a flier or poster.  Or the top could be scored and folded backwards as a stand so it could sit on your desk.  A hole could be punched at the top and it could be hung on a pin, hook, or magnet.

I hope this comes in handy for some of you.  I would love to see what you've done using this pattern.

Happy crafting!  Until next time, keepin' my fingers inky and my Cricut chirpin'!

Crafty Springtime

I finally had a whole weekend off and got to do a little playing in my craft room.  That is always so refreshing for me.  After doing a little reorganizing (seems I do as much of that as I do actual crafting), I made a couple of business card cases and some crafty business cards.

Last year, I had come across these Meijer gift card tins in the clearance aisle.  They were orignally 99 cents but were marked down to 49 cents.  When I checked out, they rang up as 10 cents!  I knew I would figure out a use for them at some point.

This weekend, my husband asked me if I had any sort of business card holder.  LIGHTBULB!!!!  Why, yes I do!!!  Give me a minute.....

Kept it simple and not to frilly.  I used vinyl to cover the lid, some vinyl letters, and some silver stickers for the corners.  Not too bad.  Except, now I want one!!  If I could go from one to the other so easily....

...surely I could whip one up for myself.  And while I'm at it, I think I'll do some handmade business cards.  (Thanks for the inspiration, paperboutique.blogspot.com).  So, a short time later, my case was vamped and my business cards were created!

I made eight cards using Microsoft Word and printed them on some yellow cardstock.  Then I found a complementary paper and cut the strips for the top, glued on some purple ribbon and added a little bling (what girl doesn't love a little bling!).  I can't wait to make another batch.  I'm thinking.....PINK!  I'll be sure to post what I come up with.  These were so much fun to make!

Until next time, keeping my fingers inky and my Cricut chirpin'!

PUBLISHED AGAIN!!!

So, I went to the mailbox yesterday and there was the Spring issue of Just Cards! magazine.  I'm thinking to myself, "hmmm...I don't remember ordering this one."  Well, to my utter surprise and enjoyment, when I opened it up, there was the letter saying "enjoy your complementary copy...you've been published".  Wow!  Uber-excited is an understatement!  Here's the spread....

 I absolutely LOVE seeing my name in print!  .....I'd like to thank the academy..... lol

 And here's the card.  I had just received it back from the publisher about a week ago.  I was a little disappointed but I understood...they receive tons of submissions all the time.

Well, I'm off to make some more cards!  Got the juices flowing!!!

Until next time, keepin' my fingers inky and my Cricut chirpin'!