Happy Birthday to MY MASTER, a little art & some REALLY exciting news...

Happy Birthday to my friend & mentor...LISA PACE! She's co ordinator of our DT @ Maya Road and has the really big task of keeping us all in line! I hope this arrives in Texas today...HAPPY BD LISA!! She's 43, if you NEED to know that & a Memory Makers Master for 2008. She teases me about having an accent...I live in Illinois...she lives in TEXAS...now who do you think has the accent?? HELLO...

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This is her BD tag. It started with a Maya Road 5 x 5 square chipboard book. What was really fun, was using the calendar stamps as a background on the MR letters. VERY fun. The tiny crown is from the motifs chipboard set & it was a perfect fit for U4-1149 Paper Scallop stamp from Stampers Anonymous. The background paper is my new favorite from K & Co & it's called Typography. I just bought 12 MORE sheets earlier this week. God forbid I run out...And, my latest addiction is pearls. For some unknown reason, I've been adding them to everything. It's odd how this art stuff works. Never used a pearl before...

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You can see the other tags created for Lisa here, on our DT blog.

Now for BREAKING NEWS...Stores will get their newsletters TODAY...showing ALL the COOL NEW PRODUCTS! We got a preview yesterday & I am sooooooooo excited. This is THE BEST RELEASE. There are TONS of WAY COOL products, with unlimited arting possibilities!! I can't wait to share WITH ALL OF YOU!!! So...come back...after the stores get the OFFICIAL word, we can spill the beans...It will be later TODAY...Link below!!! updated @ 10:45am.

***Here's the link*** you won't believe your eyes!!!!!

http://www.mayaroad.com/2008CHAWinter.htm

Check it out. Over 100 NEW exciting products!!! Don't forget...study hard. The contest is coming!

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Now you'll need to study this catalog...there's a BLOG CONTEST coming. I'll give you a head start. The contest will involve selecting which artwork on the cover & inside the catalog is mine...pay attention...the prize will be REALLY good!!

I'll be back with an update & a link to the catalog later!

Thanks again for visiting and a final HAPPY BIRTHDAY to LISA!! I hope your day is THE BEST EVER!

Wendy

ps...check out Tim's blog, & if you are an animal lover...please donate! I did!

A "scraplifted " photo...

Caroline & Deb are mean...they still won't let us show our CHA projects, so once again, I HAD to steal a photo for my blog friends.

How cool is this??? It is a sheer sheet - a 12" x 12" sheet of sheer die cut in 6 patterns. They come in midnight black. BLACK!!!!!! YIPPEE!! Black co ordinates with everything!! Think of the possibilities!!!!!!!!!! I don't have this yet & it's killing me.

Ok, gotta run...come back on Thursday & I'll have a photo of a little something I made with my favorite colors!! It's a promise!

Thanks for visiting! I appreciate it!
Wendy

I had good intentions..AND...some shopping enabling...

I had very good intentions...I thought I would make these Christmas cards for ALL my arty friends. WRONG!!! Only got 2 done... I WILL be better next year!
And, here's the inside.



Now on to the SHOPPING!! Check out Tim's blog for 3 new U-Tube demos. They are very cool. 3 products you'll NEED. Guaranteed!
Hey...it's Tim's fault...NOT mine...blame him!

Happy Saturday to you!
Wendy

NEWS flashes...Read all about it!

Congrats to Linda Cain on having her book chosen to be displayed in the Maya Road booth @ CHA!!! YIPPEE!! Lucky Linda gets $75 worth of FREE Maya Road goodies as her prize. FREE a GOOD 4 letter word!! And...Linda will get a goodie or 2 from me too!


There were 14 other entries chosen. Any other blog friends get a call from (my master)...Lisa Pace?? Let me know! I'll be happy to send you a goodie too! I call her my master because she is a Memory Makers Master 08! Talent to the max in that gal...amazing. You'll see her work in lots of scrapbook publications.



In another news flash, yesterday the Design Team got a preview of the new Maya Road catalog cover. WAY cool eye candy and lots of inspiration. 4 of the photos on the cover are mine! I'm super happy! I can't wait to share this photo, but mum's still the word. The minute we get the OK...I'll post it. You can count on it...


I got several emails about the cool new metal flowers in the sneak peek...all wondering what I'll make with them. Guess what? I'm still wondering too! I haven't used them yet. I have to find just the right project. Yikes...I better hurry..I leave 2 weeks from today.

This is fun...check it out...blog

And other things you probably don't need to know...

I actually used PINK! And I used it twice yesterday on some CHA stuff. Never ever before have I used pink, but this idea NEEDED pink. Well...ok...I tried before, didn't like the results & trashed it. However, these dabber paints are perfect for chipboard & just the right color of pink. Shell pink & cloudy blue...way different for me, but fun stuff. I'll show you when I can.


And...this is hard to believe...I did one whole BIG project with no vintage photo. HORRORS. Only colors...matter of fact, that's the title...COLORS. That's one of the photos that was chosen for the cover...I even used MARMALADE! Imagine that!!


Ok...enough blabbering for today. Time to open some vintage photo! I was almost in withdrawal...........phew......

I hope your weekend is THE BEST EVER!!

MAKE ART!!
Wendy

SHHHHHHHH...I stole this photo!!

I hijacked ( a nicer word for stole) this from Caroline's blog to show my blog friends a few new Maya Road products. See the metal flower??? When those guys arrived I about fainted. OMG!!! They are PERFECT for all sorts of projects from cards to home decor items & layouts. And...FINALLY...mini alphabets. I've been dieing for them. Again...PERFECT for mini albums & cards. They are naked...so they can easily be painted, inked, papered or stamped. If you look closely, you'll also see a portion of the black die cut sheer sheet. I haven't seen this in person yet...but my little mind already has ideas. Same material as the sheer albums!!

If you are @ CHA, come see these goodies and TONS more in booth 1987. I'd LOVE to meet ALL my blogging friends!!

Enjoy your Tuesday. I think you know what I'll be doing...yep...

MAKING ART!

Wendy

900 visits...27 comments and ONE WINNER!!

Here's the evidence..........Only one comment with the right combo...

DRUMROLL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

But first...Note that Shari Carroll made herself THE #1 specimen! HA! too funny! The story behind her offering is a story for another day...but VERY funny!

Since the very first rubber stamp I ever bought was Hero Arts, I was thrilled to meet her. She is THE rubber stamping queen @ Hero & I'm the president of her fan club. Her stamping is to die for cool!

I figured Tim would be easy for everyone to guess. With all the guesses of Robin, she sure knows now that she's a celebrity.

Well this was fun. Next time the PRIZE will be something that I made & has been posted on the blog. Stay tuned..........you don't want to miss it!

Oh yea...one more thing.....................

RACHEL GREIG!! YOU WIN!! There will a goodie box on the way to you!!

Thanks for ALL the visits, my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay warm.

Wendy

CHA -S 07 journal and a CONTEST!!

You may have seen this before, but it's the best I can do for photos, until we can show some peeks. Anyway, there's a contest involved here..something to get the comments going again. In one week the blog had 1400 hits & not many comments. I like LOTS of comments!! When I'm happy, I give prizes...see how that works??

When I was invited to CHA I knew I wanted a place to keep things organized, because I would be out of control with excitement. This started out as a file folder and was put together with the Bind-It-All. The little envelope on the left held a pen and the small pocket on the top right held cards for autographs of famous folks. HINT!


Inside the middle black envelope were driving directions to the stores we wanted to visit. Keep reading........contest info is coming........

The pocket/page on the right was total fun. I had a CHA floor plan in that.

And, the back cover. I have this journal displayed in my studio & on brain dead days, when arting isn't easy, I turn it to the back cover to give me a push.

And I highlighted the vendors I didn't want to miss. Oh look!! There's MAYA ROAD! imagine that!!

Now...contest details...I got autographs from 2 famous folks. Guess who they are & the winner will receive a FREE MAYA ROAD chipboard album. I'll check the comments on Monday morning. All my blog friends who have the correct combo will be tossed into a drawing & I'll announce the winner on Monday. Linda & Cecile can't play. They were there & were witnesses!

Have a great weekend. I hope to get very inky!

Wendy

ps edited 1/18...DUH. I got an extra day!! We leave 3 weeks from today, not yesterday. Must be the chipboard overload...

What an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 weeks & counting...

I leave 3 weeks from today for CHA!!! YIKES!!...TONS to do before then.

Mr. Fed-Ex, the new man in my life, delivered a HUGE box of Maya Road goodies last night. I am NOT prejudice when I say...OMG!! I thought CHA-S microchips were to die for and they couldn't possible create anything better. WRONG!! Caroline & Deb have REALLY done some things that are even cooler than cool. One ITEM in particular about made me faint!!!!! I think THEY were made just for me!!

Can't have a post without a photo. This bit of inspiration was taken @ Ranger U. I love the display & the message...

I hope you're working on your Maya Road submissions. Not much time left!! I'd love to send a blogging friend a package!! Let me know if you win!

Happy Thursday!!
Wendy

And the business cards continue...

Since I started using the flower business cards, I've had some really GREAT things happen. I think they're my lucky charm! A HUGE THANKS to Maya Road, Ranger and Stampers Anonymous. My idea last night was to create another style card using art parts from those 3 companies. This is the result.

CREDITS:

"With these hands" is by Stampers Anonymous.

The scroll is a clear stamp from the Maya Road SCROLLS stamp tin & I'm sure everyone knows by now that faded jeans is made by Ranger. The base is a chipboard blossom coaster from Maya Road.

And I'll answer some emails here...

Going to CHA??? YOU BET & I'm counting the days!! Come visit us in booth 1987...MAYA ROAD! You won't believe your eyes when you see the new goodies...I'm VERY impressed!

Background paper for the photos?? I ONLY have one sheet & it's by Jenni Bowlin. God forbid...only ONE sheet...I can't cut into that beauty until I get more. I LOVE IT! She also makes adorable packs of 4 x 4's that co-ordinate with the 12 x 12's, but are scaled down patterns. TO DIE FOR CUTE. I hoard them too. NUTS!

The screen background stamp?? Sorry. It's an unmounted I got years ago & I have no clue who made it and that's probably why I left that one out of the last post.

On to other random news...

Don't forget about the consumer challenge sponsored by Maya Road. Details are in the posting from Saturday. Some gals have emailed me their submissions & I'm glad I'm not responsible to choose the winners. That will be a hard job. BUT...if any of my blog friends win...let me know & I'll send some Maya Road goodness from my personal stash and post your entry on the blog!

And this thrills me...

I was asked to participate in a designers challenge for Ranger, with the art to be shown @ CHA next month. I'm one of 24...and THRILLED to be among some REALLY FAMOUS NAMES...More details when I can. Anyway, my piece is done, Fed-Exed & has arrived in New Jersey. Robin's comment was..."Exactly what we were looking for". YIPPEE! Sure made my day!!

THANKS so much for the comments on my cards and actually ALL your comments. I'm off to get more done!

Enjoy the day! Get your Maya Road submission done and emailed. How could you pass up FREE MAYA ROAD??

Wendy

The history of the business card

When I started teaching a few years ago, I decided that I needed business cards. So I made these...



Then...got tired of those guys & made a bunch of these...


Then I got invited to CHA-S 07 & REALLY needed some new cards. I wanted something a little different, that wouldn't be easily tossed in the trash, so I made these with the chipboard blossoms 2 from Maya Road & broken china distress ink.



I bet you're getting the picture here! So, with CHA -W 08 right around the corner, I needed new cards since all my others have been given away. We have another terribly cloudy day, so this isn't the best photo, but you can get the idea.

These are made with Maya Road's motifs chipboard coasters, so they are pretty big. I used faded jeans this time...imagine that!!

The large flower is from Autumn Leaves & the scroll on the back is made by Hero Arts. Do something creative everyday is a stamp from the Paper Source. The ribbon is also from Maya Road.

So that's what I did today. Got 10 done & a few more started.

Hope the rest of your Monday is great!!
Wendy

FREE Maya Road goodies???

Here's a Maya Road news flash...

1. Do you LOVE Maya Road??
2. Do you want YOUR Art displayed in the Maya Road booth @ CHA W 2008 next month?

3. Do you want FREE Maya Road goodies?

4. All the juicy details are here...

5. But wait...there's more (Sound like an old RONCO commercial?) If any of MY BLOG friends are chosen, let me know...send me a scan & I'll post it on my blog &&&&& I'll give you some Maya Road goodness from my stash too!!

Sounds exciting to me!! Happy arting!!
Wendy

How many favorites can a girl have??

Move over Faded Jeans...Here's my new favorite combo...Juniper paired with vintage photo.

I had a few of the paint dabbers before going to Ranger U, but didn't really use them a lot, since I was more INTO the distress inks. Now that I KNOW how to use them...I'm in LOVE! Here's a few tips we learned...

1. Always store them UPSIDE DOWN and shake before using, WITH THE LID ON...don't ask!! tim told some really funny stories...

2. To activate the dabber, press down (kind of hard) onto your craft sheet & squeeze @ the same time. This opens the valve & allows the paint to prime the dabber top. Once the flow starts, you're good to go. This sometimes takes 30 seconds or so. Be patient...some colors take longer than others. If it's a little hard to start, put just one squirt of water from the mini mister on your sheet. The water will help. Do not repeatedly slam it down on the craft sheet. This isn't enough time for the valve to open properly.

3. Dabbers are a no cleanup product. No brushes to wash out. Saves time ...for more arting. But, if needed, shake then remove the cap and it's ready to be used with a brush.

4. I wondered how scrapbookers got the cool looking dry brush paint look on their layouts. DUH...these guys are the perfect solution. Just swipe along the edges.

VITAL info for the photo above. I'm learning...give as many details as possible!

1. Cute chipboard scallop frame is from Maya Road.

2. Juniper paint dabber and vintage photo distress ink are from Ranger.

3. I LOVE this paper from K & Co.

Time to head to the studio.

Have a GREAT day!! Happy dabbing!!

Wendy

Collections

Can't have a post without a photo. That would be boring. Here's the best I can do for today...sorry...no art! Top secret stuff!!

We both love to visit antique malls & flea markets in the summer. One of the things I collect is cool printers blocks. So, I gathered these from my studio & I'm trying out my Christmas camera. I have got to get better @ this picture taking stuff VERY SOON.

Guess I forgot a few things yesterday. Here's everything you need to know...

1. The tiny LOVE YOUR LIFE stamp is from Hero Arts. It's a perfect fit for the medium size McGill tag punch.

2. Yes, the paper is Basic Grey's Periphery. I'm addicted.

3. The Dyson deal...regular price is $459. On SALE this week @ Target for $389. But wait, it gets better. Open a Target charge account & get 10% off your first day purchase. So, the out the door price was $374. I was quite proud of myself.

4. Nope...it was me behind the Dyson today. Ginny might win the contest. (see her comment in the post below, to get the story)

And a little tip...save your $$$ for some new cool Maya Road products. We got some peeks yesterday. One word...WOW!!!!!!!!

Can't wait 'til these goodies arrive on my doorstep.

The end...

Happy Wednesday.

Wendy

Share...

Tim says it's all about sharing...

Then there's Ali Edwards...chose one word for the year...

So...my word is "share". Saturday I shared my Ranger info @ a Distress Ink technique class.

Today, I'm sharing my new toy with Rick.


LOVE the DYSON...love the guy. But what I REALLY love is them working together!!
I wonder how long this will fly.........

Enjoy your Tuesday! I'll be arting!
Wendy
ps...maybe soon I'll be allowed to share some new Maya Road creations...made especially for CHA.
EDITED with breaking news!!...check it out...FIRST MAYA ROAD SNEAK peek here...

Fun...with a capital....F and also a HUGE thank you...

We inked,
we distress crackle painted,
we labeled...(thanks CHERYL!),
we ironed...(but it was FUN),
we mini misted,
we blended,
we stamped,
we lightly inked over embossed paper,
we embossed...2 kinds...WOW!!,
we wrinkled,
we watercolored...kind of,
we said MARMALADE, laughed & thought of Rachel (thanks Linda...cool accent)
we ate chocolate & most of all...


WE HAD FUN!!! What a GREAT group of gals for my first Ranger Distress Ink Technique class on Saturday @ Scrapbook Friend'z in Bloomington, Illinois. You guys are THE BEST!!!

I think the favorite technique of the day was...SPRITZ & FLICK... Imagine this...a room full of art chicks spritzing & flicking..sounded like applause to me, so that's when I took a bow! These gals were smart...they figured me out. Save the best for last!


Now on to the THANK YOU part...

THANK YOU to ALL who attended both classes!!!

This class would not have happened if I had not been accepted into Ranger U. So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank these friends...

Tim... Mr. Inspiration
Robin Beam...art goddess
Ted Cutts...Mr. Stampers Anonymous, who got the ball rolling
And last but certainly not least...the RANGER company for an INK-redible experience. I learned TONS & got to pass it on!


And that was just the first class...



For the second class we made this... Maya Road Birdie Box



Each person chose their own papers, but we all used the bird, branches, scrolls, scallop ric rak and flowers from Maya Road. We crackled up a storm. Every box looked great and each was unique. GREAT JOB gals!!!
This was a very fun class too.



To answer some emails that I got...the Ranger apron was a gift to us @ Ranger U. I LOVE it...signed by Tim & Robin!!

Sorry...I didn't take any photos in class...just too busy. I will try to remember that for the next classes. It would be fun to post the end results of the class.

Yes...the chocolate was DOVE!! I really do think it's low cal...

Ok, back to work. CHA is coming VERY soon & there's a TON of work (PLAY) to be done!!

Thanks for reading this LONGGGGGGGGG post!
Enjoy your day!
Wendy

All packed up & ready to roll!!!!!

Ranger apron...check

Ranger Distress Embossing powders...check

Distress inks...check

Distress crackle paint...check

Mini Misters...check

Dove CHOCOLATE...check...WHAT??? Hey...girls have to have energy to create!!

Have a GREAT Saturday...I plan to & I'll do my best to make sure that the gals in both classes learn lots & have fun.

Wendy

ps...second class is really fun too. It combines Ranger & Maya Road...MY FAVORITES!!

OOPS...no links today...gotta run!!

More tag art...

I spent yesterday preparing for my Saturday classes. As I was planning, I was thinking about how I could thank the gals who took the Ranger tag technique class. So...I decided to make a cover tag for each person, to add to their sample tags. Now each person will leave with their tags, printed instructions and a little "thank you" from me. Ah...Life is good.........

Here's a little helpful shopping info...

The flower stamp is from Stampington...

The alphabet is from Maya Road...

and the little Tag Art stamp is from Limited Edition.

ALL inks are from...of course...Ranger. Bet you knew that!

Time to scrub yesterdays ink from my fingers and get some fresh ink on again. Inky fingers make me happy!

Remember...do something creative EVERY day!

Wendy

ps...if you've made some similiar tags, post a link in the comment section & show us. SHARING is good! Some lucky soul might even get a little gift from me!

The word of the day...

Relax...and other R words...

I tried to think of something witty for the new year, but it just didn't come. So here's my thought of the day, simple as it is.

RELAX...rethink priorities...remember all the good things from 2007...regroup...reorganize...review your the goals for the new year. And the most important of all...

REMEMBER...

...to live

...to laugh

...to LOVE

...to have fun!

May your 2008 be THE BEST EVER!

Thanks for visiting!
Wendy