the mini's have arrived!

but first...
a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who took my workshops in Madison this past weekend.
60+ stampers and I sure had fun!!!
Your finger should be clean by now...I expect!

We had students from Iowa, Minnesota, Ilinois & Wi, that I know of...
a really nice...TALENTED group...

It was great to see some cruiser friends again...
and to meet some blog friends too.
It's so nice to have a face to go with the name...

and I got to see some familiar faces from past classes...
THANKS so much for coming!

The demos on Saturday & Sunday were oh so fun too...
***
I said I would tell you the minute the new Maya Road minis arrived & THEY HAVE...

First the crystal trinket pins...
they're tear drop shaped & REALLY pretty...

these mini heart trinket pins are sooooooooo cute...

then...my favorite...mini love set...




and what's cookin minis...
I think that piece...second row right...
can be a chef hat or a bread...
too fun!





and while shopping, I spotted these...
mini jenni bowlin valentine bingo cards...
PERFECTLY sized for the mini love set & hearts above...
I have an idea brewing.........

now how about GIVEAWAY to a random blog commenter...

I think I'll send a goodie package to...

lesleyworth said...
OMG! how cute! can't wait to see those locally!
and a second book????? ackkkkkkkkkk! can I wait that long????
and new stamps?????
my poor husband has NO CLUE!
November 19, 2009 10:14 PM

lesleyworth...please send your info & we'll get that in the mail to you!

See?
Comments are good...
who's next?

Go shop...
then...
make art!
wendy

ps...come back tomorrow, I have a guest artist.
You WILL be amazed!

Now it's Thursday...

& I didn't get here yesterday as planned...
And why you ask?

NO...I did NOT forget my blog friends...NEVER!

It's because another stamp set popped into my head...
kind of an add-0n for another set...

I HAD to get it done yesterday.

So...EVERYTHING on my part is done...YIPPEE!!!

Zach has the PDF'S done...

then the mag plates get made...
then Stampers Anonymous makes the actual stamps & ships them to me.

Then I sit on the drive patiently waiting...
NOT...
for Mr. UPS to get them here.


Then I get going on projects for book #2.
the ideas are brewing...

I think you'll be a little surprised...
you'll see...

some fun images...
a little more funky...

some sets have giant backgrounds...
some don't...

some sets have flowers...
some don't...

I did more sets than planned...
and in a different format...

don't worry...everything still fits in the acrylic binders...
those will not change!

I think they're perfect for storage.

Enough said...before I give away too much info...
Here's something you'll LOVE...

Maya Road did a mini release to tide us over while waiting for their COOL NEW CHA stuff...
let me just say...
OMG!

They start shipping today...

Daisy & Joy have them ordered...
@ eclecticPaperie...
so they should be in stock VERY soon...

I asked Daisy to let me know when they arrive & I'll let you know, so you get first dibs before they're gone...

NEW...trinket pins...
remember...these guys can be used as is...They are BEAUTIFUL!

or colored with the refillable alcohol ink pen...

or alcohol inks & the alcohol ink applicator...
I like the pen, because you have excellent control working on small items...
they are great for clear rhinestones...etc...

NEXT...These are PERFECT to add to recipe cards...

My plan is to make a mini book for a friend's daughter...
a shower gift...
with recipes I think she'll enjoy...

I USED to cook..BS (before stamping!)






Obviously... I LOVE these too...more minis...


And how about these guys?
TOO CUTE!

Lots of uses for them...
Valentines...Anniversary cards...
they're adorable accents...

That's it for today...
I'm headed north to the convention @ the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wi.

It will be a BUSY weekend...
tomorrow I have 2 classes, then a 4 hour make & take session...

then I demo all day Saturday & Sunday...
(I LOVE this!)

Sounds like a perfect weekend to me!
If only they'd turn the heat on in their state...
I'd really be happy to be going there...

take care...
have a fun weekend...
I'll be back on Tuesday...FOR SURE...
you just never know what we'll find here that needs a new home...
comments are good...very good...

make art! I will!
wendy

ps...Hmmm...how about this idea?
If you come to the convention...
If you're a blog friend...
If you let me know...
I'll have a little gift ...
just for you!
I'll go pack some (Maya Road)things now...

I blinked...

and Monday was gone!
How did that happen???
Forget buying VOWELS...

I want to buy more hours for each day...
who gets that request?

Anyway... got a few emails to answer...
first one...

"I spent hours and looked thru your whole blog.
OMG...it's cool...I just might explode...
you showed some house photos...
I want to see more of your house & do you repurpose stuff in your home or just in your art? With dollars tight...I'll take any ideas you offer"

Hmmm...
I do use oddball stuff in our house...
here's something I rescued from an antique store.
The price was huge...I think a whole $8.00...

It was filthy & Rick didn't even want it in the house...
so he pressure washed it & then saw what I saw...

The tag said it was a post from a table or bed?
Guess the owner didn't know for sure, so the price was very good...
It's flat on one side & fit perfectly in the entry...



Next question...
"I really like the mini Glossy Accents we used in class.
Can I buy them that size from you?"

Nope...we buy them for class use only...
and we can't sell them...
BUT...you can easily make your own...

When you have an empty Stickles bottle...
pull the top off...wash it out...
fill with Glossy Accents...
and you have the perfect travel size.

And this one came twice yesterday...

"PLEAAAAAZZZZZZZZZEEEEEEEEE...make us a bigger rose stamp. I need large really BADDDDDD. ok???????????"

HA! I try my best to please...stay tuned!

This made me laugh...
"Tim does Christmas tags every year for us, I think you should too."

REALLY? I can't be a copy cat...
I'll have to think of something different...
maybe...
someday...

"What is the adhesive you recommend?"
That depends on what I'm doing...
I use Art Glitter glue for most things...
however...
I also use Glossy Accents and Fabri-Tac from Beacon...
and I also like Claudine's multi medium in the matte finish ...

My best tip for adhesive is don't use too much.

The last for today...
"I have to ask, since you are doing so much with wool these days,... isn't the wool itchy? I steer clear of wool at all cost due to the itchy-ness. Tell the truth!! Itchy or not?!?!? Inquiring minds... "

Yep...I'm really getting into wool...
you'll see that below...

The little pieces I'm working on aren't itchy to make...

But...when I wear a wool sweater, I always have a T on or a turtleneck...just to make sure...
That cute scarf may be a tiny problem...
but I like it so I'll suffer...

OK...on to some art stuff...

I found these AWESOME...(they're BLACK) wool purses
and bought a bunch from the art girlz...
Enough for either a class...or possibly some kits...???

I made the purse 2 ways...
the first is finished...it's all GRUNGE...

I glued the leaves on, so they're there to stay...but I added the flowers with tie tacs, so they can be removed & easily changed to coordinate with whatever you're wearing...
just pop them off...and pop on some new colors...





The second is a work in progress...it's not finished...
it's done with wool...

The 2 smaller flowers are my "rose" stamp...

I used Snowcap white pigment ink...

stamped it...dried it then covered up the image with the wool...

Another way to USE stamps...on fabric...

Here's a better shot...test driving that button...

NOW A DRUMROLL...

I have some film strip ribbon to send to...

SusanK said...
I don't throw anything away immediately. Anything that can possibly be used is kept in another spot. I can't tell you how many tiny scraps I keep but you just never know when they'll be just the perfect thing for your next project. Filmstrip ribbon - ooh la la!
November 13, 2009 2:46 PM

Susan, please send you address & you'll get a fun little something from me...

Wanna win? Gotta leave comments...

that's how it works...

more tomorrow...I HOPE!

Take care...

make art!

wendy

ps...YIPPEE...just got an email from ZACH...

with new images...

EDITED after checking them out...

A HUGE...YIPPEE!

I think you might like these!

I do...

yesterday I enabled...EDITED!

***EDIT @ THE END***

today...I have some $$$ saving ideas...

It's kind of a joke here that I'm always digging something out of the trash. It drives Rick nuts...

I like to think of it as...going green...

I hate clutter, so I toss the junk off my workspace immediately.
Then...
the lightbulb goes on, I have a thought & I'm looking in the trash for what I just tossed out...

It kills me to waste stuff.

So here goes...just a few simple things today...

I used to toss these flower leftovers...
until I realized that this can be a flower...
use the whole thing...
just put paper behind it...or a stamped background and layer smaller parts on top.
How did I NOT see that?

Then...duh...it's a stencil too...

Just blast it with Maya Mists, Ranger's Color Wash or even distress inks...mixed with Perfect Pearls.

Not only do you get a stenciled image...
you also have a flower that's ready to be used on a project.

AND...I have also used these with a stencil brush or the blending tool to apply the distress inks...

And...I see they are on sale here...
I'm just saying...$$$ saving...


One of these went in the trash too...
same thing...

Once the grungeboard pieces are used, you're left with another perfect stencil...

Now what's really cool about the grungeboard is that you can use it over & over again.

The liquid won't destroy the grunge...

This makes a wonderful large background stencil...
perfectly spaced circles...



It works with all grungeboard shapes...

I find it best to use giant post-it notes to mask off other areas, that you don't want inked.

And one more thing that I've found to be very useful...

When working on smaller projects, or when spraying small chipboard pieces...

I've been putting the Color Washes and Maya Mists into mini misters...

It's PERFECT!
You have great control & only ink small areas at one time...

Next, I'm planning a background using Maya Road's mini snowflakes...
I want to arrange them on cardstock, mist to make the stencil effect...use that,
then use the already inked snowflakes on another project...

So there you have my $$$ saving tips for the day!

I got several emails asking how the custom mix of distress stickles came to be...(that was in yesterday's post)
Was it an accident?

Actually, I was looking for a verdigris type color look for a project (that's why the photo is so small!) and I just had the thought to mix them.

It's a cool effect...and another way to use the distress stickles...
Think about it...

lots of possibilities with color combos...
lots of fun.......

Next I want to try .........
wait...
I'll save that for another post!

Have a great weekend...
keep those comments coming...
I have some extra film strip ribbon.........

Make art!
wendy
EDITED!
OK...I may have to edit the title of this post...or not...
depends on how you look @ it...

This news flash just came from eclecticPaperie...
This is all on sale only until SUNDAY...
HEY...I see studio 490 stamps on the list & Tim's too!!!!

HERE'S a portion of the newsletter...
Selected items will be offered at this special price beginning today until Sunday, November 16th or while supplies last.

Tim Holtz stamp collections $19.96 (regularly $21.95)

Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamps $19.96 (regularly $24.95)

Fancy Pants Designs Paper Collections $13.00 (regularly $20.99 to $23.99)
7 Gypsies Revolving Carousel - $19.96 (regularly $34.95)
DVD Tin bundle - 12 for $19.96
We R Memory Decorative Corner Chompers - $19.96 (regularly $24.95)
Heat Craft Tool - $19.96 (regularly $24.95)
TenSeconds Studio Tools - $13.00 (regularly $17.99)
TenSeconds Studio Kabuka Molds - $13.00 (regularly 16.99)
Paper Party Bundle -$13.00
Frame It! - $13.00 RANGER STUFF!!!
Fancy Findings - $19.96 IDEA-OLOGY STUFF
Distress Stickles 6 pack grab bag assortment - $13.00 (regularly 14.94)

clips clamps snaps...oh my!

Try to say that 10 times!

FIRST...
Gotta set the record straight...
The convention in Madison is NEXT weekend...Nov 20-22...
Sorry for the confusion...this weekend I'm HOME working on new stamps & kits for Madison...


Getting back to the title...

Here's a frequent question...
just got it again Tuesday...
so here goes...

For my workshops, usually one of the items on my supply list, is some sort of clamp...

These things are invaluable...they are like having another hand...

The "hemostat"...the silver guy on the left is great for bending metal...

The small alligator clamp under the ruler is PERFECT for making roses...

We used these on the cruise & shockingly...
someone refered to it as a roach clip...
(does your mother know this?)

HORRORS!
But it made everyone in the room bust a gut...

The 2 black & yellow things are also great tools to have in your arsenal...
I find both sizes very useful.




The hemostats are a little hard to find...
quilters call them "needle pullers", so check those stores...


someone also suggested to check in the fishing supplies...
something to do with hooks?
EDIT!
This just in from Barbara...
try...ScissorSales.com


Rick got me the alligator clamps @ Home Depot, in the electronics section...

Now I see that JoAnn's has them in their jewelry section...so does Hobby Lobby...
and they are MUCH better priced there...


The black & yellow guys are also a home type store find...
Trust me... I use these a LOT!

next topic...

DID YOU KNOW?...

That you can combine colors of distress stickles?

It's simple...
squirt a blob of each of your colors on a craft sheet...
stir with a toothpick & apply to your project...

Here's my combo of broken china & vintage photo...

It's applied on a creme colored felt beaded blossom, by Maya Road.

I like the look...sort of verdigris???




NEXT...
Inspiring things...

After my class last Saturday, I popped over to a favorite store called Country Gingham...

It's an AWESOME home/gift type store.

REALLY cool stuff...
it's in Bloomington, Illinois...

My intent was to look for a gift for a friend...
SADLY...NO LUCK!

BUT...I did get this...

I LOVED the colors...
loved the textures...

DID NOT love the price tag...
oh well...
a little splurge...

and I NEEDED the inspiration...
ha!


The REALLY BAD thing is that Debby, the owner had me model a matching coat...

Do you see where this is going?
It's not my fault, Rick...

Like the scarf...NEED a coat?
Not really...but it did look great with the scarf...
SOLD...

She's quite the salesgal...I think that's what is called...
add on sales...

One of the other things I spotted there were some awesome wool purses...

I'm really getting into this wool stuff...

After an internet search...

here's what I found...
the colors are very inspiring... & so is the design...

and they'd look cool with the coat...
GOD STOP ME...
I didn't buy them....
YET!

This is another great combo...
but then I'd NEED another coat...
I think NOT!


Go here to be inspired...

The company is called baabaazuzu...

Just look @ all the different categories of items...

It's free inspiration...or I sure hope it is...

Got more to say...
but I better save it for another post...

It's time to...

make art! ( for a TOP SECRET MISSION)...
I REALLY want to say...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..............
wendy

ps...got my stamp designs back from Zach, the stamp magician...
just a few tweeks...............
I'm really excited...

a different kind of...art

Let's back up a bit to Halloween...

Our friend sent a Halloween greeting along with some adorable costume photos that he thought we would enjoy.

I'm still thinking about how creative these moms were, so I thought I'd share them with you...

Inspiration is everywhere... these may just inspire you!

How about a cute cactus kiddo?



This is just soooooooo sweet...




This totally amazes me...what a job...
I can't even imagine the amount of planning this sucker took...



Sweet enough to eat...

Another WOW! Good job!
I'm amazed...

I think it's the expression on his little face that gets me...
He's tied for my favorite...

with this!

If you read yesterday's post... about noodles...

you'll see why!

Yep...I think that is my favorite...that smile is priceless.

Now...which is yours?

Backing up again, to yesterday's post...

the part about winning the blackjack tournament in Aruba...

Someone on the cruise asked Rick why he calls me blondie...

After the tournament, we were shopping in Aruba (imagine that!) and we saw one of the locals who I played against.

Since he didn't know my name, he said..."nice job blondie".

It stuck, with Rick...

That's the end of that story...

Next...

I've gotten several emails asking about the convention in Madison next weekend.

Here's the whole scoop...

hours...classes...location etc...

My Ranger class is sold out...YIPPEE...

lots of inky fun...

but last I heard there are about 3 seats left for the second one, which is this...

We'll make the grungepaper flower with this stamp...

*

and overstamp with this one...

*

The saying is stamped on the square from Maya Road's foundations tin...

*

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that set...

It has so many uses...

You get the squares, circles, rectangles & ovals plus the matching frame all in a cute storage tin.

They are awesome...

another product that I buy by the DOZENS...

There is also 4 hour Make & Take Friday evening and SHOPPING & demos all day Saturday & Sunday...

Sounds like fun to me...

Hope to see some blog friends there...

***

Last thing...

We had to redraw... since T-dizzle didn't contact me...

We can't have those cute Jenni papers sitting here collecting dust...

so now I'll try to send them to...

Rockin Robin Caldwell said...

said...
OMG....Wendy that pic makes me laugh!!! Kind of looks like me in the AM!!! Gotta love those photo editing programs. Hhmmmm...free stuff??? What free stuff??? Would love to have a spy cam and see what kinds of "lovely" were in Tim's email. You lucky lady you??? Hisses, Rockin Robin Caldwell
November 6, 2009 5:39 PM

*

Robin...please send your mailing info & you'll get some mini jenni papers.

***

I'm off to make kits for Madison...

I hope you...

make art!

wendy

a blog award...from Stephanie...

Normally, I'm lax in responding to blog awards...
I sincerely appreciate them...
but...it seems like I just run out of time...then forget all about it.

HOWEVER...
since Stephanie & Andrea were our "cruise neighbors" on the 8th deck...
they're almost like family and you know...
you can't let family down...

So, thanks to Stephanie for the kind words & the blog award.

I have to tell you five facts about myself that you probably don't know, so get ready ...

1. I LOVE noodles...I'd eat them for 3 meals a day.
Meat? I'll eat it but it's nothing I crave...
You can have it unless it's Mario's ribs...then I'm IN!
Let me just say...
they are so yummy & I'm hoping he makes them for Holiday Hideaway...
He made them while I was there in July...
it's a 2 day...PROCESS...lots of work, but oh so...yummy!
Hey Mario...How's that for a HUGE hint?

2. Rick & I have been together since we were 16. Our highschool basketball team went to the state championship...my friend & I were in line to get tickets...a LONG line...Rick & his friend didn't want to stand in line...they gave us $$ & we got their tickets.
Now we have ABC &D tickets...all together.
I originally dated his friend, but that was a no go...
his dad was an undertaker, which freaked me out...
I didn't want him to lay a hand on me...let alone kiss me...
NO WAY!
Then I went to meet his parents...
their entire basement was full of caskets...
That was THE END...TOO CREEPY!
Sorry if I've offended any funeral people...

so then Rick & I hooked up & have been together for a LONGGGGGGG time....like 42 years? 37 married...5 dating...

3. For "good luck" I ALWAYS touch the outside of an airplane before boarding...
Don't laugh...
Hey...it's worked so far! I'm HERE!

4. I have absolutely NO sense of direction...NONE! I just don't.
Rick says...just pay attention...I do & it doesn't work.
Places change when I'm not looking, I'm sure of that!
Thank God for the GPS...

5. I GET math...I always did love it.
I can figure percentages easily...
which is VERY good for shopping & saving Rick $$$.

Loving numbers also explains why I LOVE to play blackjack.
I even won a blackjack tournament in Aruba...
I beat all the LOCALS, who play every week...

So there you have it...me.

One more thing before I go...
only one of yesterday's winners has contacted me...
that was Earlene...

So...if I don't hear from T-dizzle by tomorrow...
I'll be sending those jenni bowlin papers to a different home.

Thanks for stopping by.

Now get busy &
make art!
wendy