please welcome guest artist...

LORI HASSLER!

I have a treat for you today...

it's ... ART from Lori...

Lori is the leader/group mom

over @ the EWV Yahoo group...

and she actually lives only 20 miles from me...

she does very fun challenges on the group...

it's a very sharing...VERY TALENTED bunch there...

if you have not visited her blog before, please do...

she has a very fun quirky sense of humor...

and she shows awesome art...

I spotted the piece below & asked Lori if I could share it on the blog...

here's pure eye candy!

I asked Lori to write a blurb about her art...

here's what she wrote...

I started with a page from the Maya Road Rectangle Banner Book, it's approximately 4” x 8”.

I used some Maya Road Charcoal Mist with Brushed Pewter Perfect Pearls in it to spray the chipboard, then stamped the background stamps (Studio 490) with Encore silver pigment ink.

I wanted the bling on the hem of the dress to hang off the bottom, so I needed something on the top....enter the “sassy” sentiment from A Form of Art in white embossing powder on black chipboard, which was edged with Tim's new Pinking On the Edge die.

The scroll at the top is a Sizzix die, covered with Silver Paint Dabber, edged and swiped with Black Paint Dabber, accented with Black Enamel Accents.

I had some silver tinsel-y stuff that I thought would look cool as a “fringe” behind the sentiment.

As for “private eye girl”, lol, her face is stamped on white chipboard using the face stamp from It's Face Art...

I use this stamp a LOT. I love it. It's just the right size for many of the pieces I do.

The dress form is from A Form of Art, also on white chipboard. A little more of that pinking die from black cardstock as a hem, with some miscellaneous bling. The wings are grungeboard cut from Tim's Heart and Wings Die, covered with Silver Paint Dabber, ran thru the Victoria CB embossing folder, then sanded and swiped with Black Paint Dabber.

The hat and little bowtie are some black chipboard shapes I had lying around. I took the Art border stamp from I Am My Art, curved it to fit the hat brim, (the beauty part about cling stamps) and stamped and embossed with silver pigment ink and silver embossing powder.

Same with the bowtie, only I used the polka dot background on that.

The vine on the right is a Sizzix die also, cut from black chipboard, stamped with silver pigment ink using the alpha background stamp from Art-fully Said.

A couple of UTEE and vintage buttons, and some little grungepaper flowers cut using the Tattered Florals die, some dots and dashes using Black Enamel Accents, and ta-da!, this chick is ready to investigate....

in style, of course!

and a closer look...

was I right? I think it's awesome!

THANKS LORI...for sharing your art!

it's very fun for me to see how others

use the things I design...

you KNOW I LOVE comments & Lori does too...

so, here's her blog info again...

ok...a little TEASE for the gals in Kansas...

I spoke with Cameron yesterday...

he own's The Scrapbook Page in Shawnee...

he was telling me about the TONS of new stuff he ordered especially for the gals who will be attending my workshops there...

TONS of my stamps, art parts & clearly for art...

TONS of Ranger...TONS...

Tons of tim's idea-ology...

it sounds like THE SHOPPING MECCA of Kansas!

workshops & SHOPPING...

it sounds like a GREAT weekend to me...

can't wait...

and speaking of workshops...

time to finish packing those supplies...

can't make the Fed-Ex guy wait...

thanks for popping in!

I APPRECIATE EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU!...

now...I MUST say...

make art!

wendy

about that art parts key...

I like when products have more than one use...

I mentioned in the last post that I had an idea for my art parts key...& it worked as planned...

YIPPEE!

now speaking of different uses...

my art parts creative covers were specially designed

to be a perfect fit with tim's ring binders...

they make great sturdy books/journals...

I like the ring binders better than bound books,

because pages can easily be added or removed...

on a side note, I like the large size for journals,

because then you can add lots of FAT pages...

and I like the small size for creating cool cards...

people don't expect to receive a card made like that!

and...creative covers have other uses too...

because they have no holes,

they make the perfect solid base for a project...

the more I thought about the key idea,

I couldn't stand it...

it was one of those things...

I HAD to do RIGHT NOW...

I think the term is OCD?

so I put making class kits on the back burner

& got to work...

OK...playing...

now the key is a stand for a birdhouse...

the perfect project for spring!

here's the key up close...
if you want to play along...

here's a list of the items I used...

the base is a small creative cover...

it's been inked with brushed corduroy distress ink...

and stamped with the plaid background...

the mini butterfly was stamped on

Clearly For Art BLACKOUT

with the gold paint dabber...

the large scallop trim & the key were both painted black with the dabber then sanded with the sanding grip &

the edges were inked with walnut stain...

I added an eyelet to the center hole of the key...

the insert from the art parts rectangle frame

is the smaller base...

it was inked with tim's new weathered wood distress stain...

the edges were distressed with walnut stain &

the background stamp was inked with coffee archival...

the index stamp was inked with jet black archival & stamped along the left side of the rectangle...

the scallop corner makes a good roof for the smallest residence...

the corner & the mini trim were inked with faded jeans distress stain...

the corner was stamped with this stamp...

the stem & leaves were stamped on grungeboard...

the stem/leaves & the house were inked with peeled paint distress stain...

use the tiny attacher to add the leaves to the stem...

the house was distressed along the edges with walnut stain distress ink using the blending tool...

I stamped the house with this stamp...

the mini bird was stamped on grungeboard & inked with fired brick distress stain...

the art parts flower was inked with wild honey distress stain...

the center is the cut out from the spool...

it too was inked with wild honey distress stain...

then stamped with a portion of

the crow medicine box stamp...

I totally LOVE the medicine label stamp...

& used it on the mini scallop trim & on the straight flower stem that the key rests on...

the circle star accent is tim's stamp,

on a cutout from the spool kit...

oops...forgot...

across the top I stamped "and so the story goes"

...in black...

instead of drilling a hole, I used a metal ring (jewelry section) with a black cardstock circle under it...

rock candy distress stickles

were the finishing touch for the flower...

now plan B...

the key will also make a base for this new dressform...

another option...

that REALLY makes me happy...

you'll see that I am in LOVE with the distress stains...

I use them for everything!

they are absolute perfection over art parts...

it's quick & easy to lay down a base coat of color, then add shading with distress inks & the blending tool...

the only problem is...

we don't have all the distress colors...

we only have 12!!!

we seriously NEED the other 24...

yes I've said it before, but I need to make sure

the powers that be are listening...(Justin & Alain)

you'll notice that I didn't say TIM...

I'm certain he will agree with me!

this was fun to make...

art parts make me happy because

there are lots of mix & match possibilities...

Next...

I'll be back on Wednesday with a *special* guest artist...

I spotted her art & I think she will inspire YOU to...

make art

wendy...

ps...see you on Wednesday.

steampunk art...

Happy weekend my friends!

sorry for the long blog absence...

I've NOT been sitting on the couch eating bonbons...

NOPE...

I've been busy!

since the last post, I've been to California for a few days.

we had a BLAST @ the convention...

there's nothing that I LOVE more

than a MILLION rubber stamps all in one place...

inspiration to the max!

I had the opportunity to visit with friends that I only see about once a year...

I like that...LOTS!

keychain took me for an early morning outing to a flea market...

we had FUN!!!

I demoed for 2 days in the Stampers Anonymous booth...

lots of studio 490 art parts & stamps

now reside in California...

we completely SOLD OUT of the clearly for art CLEAR...

BLACKOUT & the WHITEOUT too...

if you haven't played yet...it's very fun stuff!

tim's new distress stains were a HUGE hit...

no surprise there...

I demoed something fun with them...

I'll be doing a blog post soon about that...

I sat down @ the computer on Wednesday

with the thought that I would blog...

BUT...

I had a NEW stamp idea pop into my head

& 6 hours later...

I had some NEW stamps designed...

YIPPEE!!!

CHA is earlier this year...

it's NOT too soon to get going on

NEW stamps & NEW art parts...

so...new designs...

but no blog post...

same thing happened the next day...

I decided to go with it...

when the ideas are there...

it's best to take advantage of them...

not every day is good...

then I took a play day (ok...a few hours) to make some art...

using art parts, stamps, grunge & LOTS of idea-ology...

everything I LOVE...

I had visions of steampunk...

this was a VERY VERY fun piece...

sorry about the glare from the film strip ribbon...

my basic idea was sparked by tim's new light bulbs...

they are too flipping cute...

I painted my art parts key with the gold paint dabber...

added an eyelet in the center hole...

since art parts are thick, they eyelet can't be crimped...

so just add a dab of adhesive to hold the eyelet in place...

other art parts used...

1 medium & 1 large spool base

with a connecting tube...

it's hidden in the back & holds the head in place...

phrenology head with this coordinating stamp...

I used grungeboard &

cut 2 small gears from tim's gadget gears alterations die...

and painted them with the silver paint dabber...

a perfect fit with his metal sprocket gears...

I LOVE the very dimensional top...

the more layers....

the better I like it!

here's a better look @ the mini light bulb...

adorable...agree?

I stamped tim's new steampunk guys

on grungeboard...

and stamped an extra hat (on grunge scraps) for each guy...

more layers = better...

she got one earring for a funky look...

it's made with a long fastener & a chain tassel...

I LOVE tim's brand new large wings...

so cool...

and just the PERFECT size for the head...

here's the lightbulb again...

I can't wait to use another...

film strip ribbon attached with the tiny attacher

makes fun eye glasses...

steampunk art was stamped across the forehead...

lots of sprocket gears were added

to create the theme...

fig A was stamped on the cheek...

I LOVE the Cut N Dry nibs for adding color to the eyes (broken china) and the lips (barn door)...

and a bit of fired brick for some blush...

duh...

forgot to take a good photo of the base...

the smaller spool base was inked with peeled paint distress stain...

and the larger with faded jeans distress stain...

(the new stains are PERFECT on art parts!)...

then the edges were distressed with walnut stain, using the blending tool...

now if we only had the other 24 colors of distress stains...

just saying...

I NEED them...

I *hope* the powers that be are listening...

on the base there is

an alpha part "s" & a "P"

for steampunk...

and a sprocket gear too...

it took a bit to figure out how to layer the top, but it seriously was a fun time...

changing subjects...

next stop on this art adventure is

The Scrapbook Page

in Shawnee Kansas, April 8-10th...

we have a fun weekend planned for you...

on Friday evening

they have scheduled a book signing/meet & greet...

All 36 seats for the 6 hour Ranger class (marathon) are sold out...

but we do have a few openings in the second class on Saturday & a few in the Sunday class too...

if you're in the Kansas City area...

I hope to see you there...

the store sounds AWESOME!

we'll be playing with TONS of Ranger products

in every class & LOTS of stamps & art parts too...

I *heard* they have stocked LOTS of stamps...

LOTS of Ranger...

LOTS of art parts...

LOTS of tim's idea-ology...

so the shopping should be really fab...

I'll get home late on Sunday/early Monday morning...

we do a quick repack of demo/art stuff...

then on Thursday I'm off to demo @ Adventures in Stamping convention on April 16 & 17, in Akron, Ohio...

this is a new convention for me & I'm excited...

I hope to meet some blog friends in person...

now about that art parts key...

POW!!!

the light just came on...

holy cow...

I see another totally different use for it...

stay tuned!

I just need some time to get it done...

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend

and as always...

take time to...

make art!

wendy

Please welcome guest artist...

Ellen Vargo!

I met Ellen last fall when I taught @ The Queen's Ink, in Savage MD. Her enthusiasm was contagious...

She was in every class & left with a huge smile &

VERY inky fingers...

I was thrilled when she sent me some photos

of a project she created, using LOTS of my art parts & stamps...

and I thought it would be fun to feature her art here...

Take a look at this AWESOME art village...

I bet you'll be inspired...

I asked Ellen to tell us about the products she used and here's what she wrote...

HANDMADE ART (PARTS) VILLAGE

I had a *blast* making this ART (PARTS) VILLAGE. Ever since I saw the "Residences" kit of Art Parts I knew exactly what I wanted to do...

The foundation of the village is a piece from a square yard-stick that I found at an antique mart.

From there I started by assembling ALL the residences, and then it took on a life of it's own....

Here is a list of products used:

ART PARTS: Residences (houses), Florals (tall flower), Leaves (scroll/vine), Borders & Bottles (stars), For The Guys (car), Dress Forms & More (hand)

STUDIO 490 STAMPS: polka dot background (All About Art), checked flower/star background (Alphabetically Art), flower and flower background (Art Colors Life), script background (Live and Make Art), dashed stripes background (Let Your Art Have Wings), "handmade" (Artfully Noted), antique car (Destination Art), torn paper label (Art Inspiration - used for the woodgrain of the doors). GREAT IDEA!!!

RANGER INKS: distress inks (bundled sage, crushed olive, weathered wood, vintage photo, frayed burlap, distress stains (fired brick, wild honey, archival (coffee, olive, jet black), snow cap pigment ink

IDEA-OLOGY (Tim Holtz): hitch fastener, snaps, jump ring, fleur-de-lis charm, accoutrement button, small crown, ball chain, grungeboard letters and arrow.

TEXTURE FADES (Tim Holtz)

OTHER EMBELLISHMENTS: Winged clock on house and gear under the button on flower are from 7 Gypsies.

House numbers are combination of Making Memories metal number charms and Industrial Chic "rings" by Susan Lenart Kazmer.

Rooflines were painted with Gold Iron Ferro (Viva) and then white washed with Golden airbrush paint (titanium white).

Other embellishments from various sources... i.e.... unknown...

If you look closely, there are lace "curtains" in each window - used lace trim by Melissa Francis. "aRt" and arrow were painted with gold paint dabber and then lightly swept with Inka Gold.

BIG thanks to Wendy! Art Parts are simply...

GENIUS...

and they have completely transformed

the way I "MAKE ART" !!

THANKS ELLEN for sharing your awesome ART!!! I think it's adorable!

Ellen sent some close up photos...

looks like a delivery of art supplies...

and a side shot...

multiple layers make it so interesting...

LOVE this too...

cool art parts flower!

and the mini hand is another art part I LOVE...

ok...I LOVE them all...

this is a great idea for the door...

Comments are always welcome here...

and I'm sure Ellen would be happy to have you visit her blog & leave her a little love there too...

it's fun for me to see how others use my products...

now I'm inspired to...

make art!

wendy

it started as an ordinary day...

happy Monday to you!

A MILLION thanks to everyone who ordered book #4

and then sent messages after receiving it...

I'm thrilled you like it...

you make my heart HAPPY!

shipping & receiving had a few really busy days here ...

thank you dear hubby...

Rick said every time he walked into the PO the guys would say MORE???

Hey...it's job security guys!!!

I needed to make some more samples

for the Stampers Anonymous booth...

and I wanted to take some NEW projects to share @ the CARSON convention this coming weekend!

So I played with art parts,

distress stains & grunge...

I thought I would share the result with you...

It's about 6 x 6...

the base is my large square art parts frame...

I inked the frame with weathered wood distress stain...

sanded the edges with tim's sanding grip then inked them with vintage photo, using the blending tool....

the frame then got stamped with my script background & coffee archival...

I covered the solid base with a vintage dictionary page & inked it with forest moss & a bit of broken china distress inks...

the bubble background was stamped with coffee archival, so that when I stamped the postmarks & saying in jet black, they wouldn't be lost in the background...

the art parts scroll/leaves was inked with forest moss distress stain, then sanded and inked with vintage photo, using the blending tool...

then stamped with the script background, using jet black archival...

the larger art parts flower was inked with faded jeans distress stain, sanded & distressed with vintage photo...

stamped with the text...

then the edges were highlighted with rock candy distress stickles, for a bit of vintage shimmer...

the mini flower is Clearly for Art, which was covered with a dictionary scrap...

then stamped with jet black archival, cut out & inked with weathered wood distress stain & a bit of vintage photo distress ink...

the center is a tim accoutrements button...

the art parts truck is carrying some mini hearts & a label...

they were stamped on grungeboard scraps...

the long fasteners add a little texture to the art parts truck...

I love the subtle shimmer from the rock candy distress stickles...

my art parts guy has a new look...

this time he's holding a mini grungepaper heart & his hat was covered up with a mini art parts flower...

behind him you'll see a ticket, stamped on grungeboard and a label & a portion of the milk cap, both stamped on grungepaper...

oh...

and I gave him a butterfly wing...made with Clearly for Art BLACKOUT...

I love being able to let pieces hang off the edges...

and not worry about them bending or breaking...

thanks to grunge...

now I'm headed to the accountant to get the taxes done...

I doubt this will be as much fun as playing in the studio...

if you are in California, I hope to see you @ the Carson convention this weekend...

it's Monday...

a great day to...

make art!

wendy

new LOOK...new BOOK!

I like a fun title...

and...

this title...WORKS!

I walked into the studio, intending to play with more of Ranger's Metal Foil Tape sheets & Clearly For Art...

but ended up creating this instead...

the piece below caught my eye...

and started a little idea...

I thought SHE needed a new look...

(first part of the title)...

she was created using lots of fun stuff...

2 roof pieces from the new art parts residences...

they were inked with broken china & peeled paint distress stain & then edged with walnut stain distress ink, using the blending tool...

the new art parts face which is a perfect fit for this cool Stampers Anonymous stamp...

some Clearly For Art BLACKOUT for the large butterfly...

which was stamped with the gold paint dabber...

she got some new eyes, with her re-do...

which was the starting point (idea) for this chick...

her body is a new art parts ATC...

LOVE the saying...

and the mini stamp on her face...

giant grungeboard wings were a good fit...

they too were inked with peeled paint distress stain & then distressed on the edges with walnut using the blending tool...

I like them stamped with 2 different backgrounds...

the polka dots & the houndstooth...

for a little funkiness...

here's a close look @ some of tim's brand new idea-ology goodness...

LOVE the crown...

it's from the new REGAL adornments package...

the corked vial was transformed into a butterfly body...

and my mini label is a perfect fit...

fate! .

actually...it fits them ALL...

LOVE the trimmings flowers on her collar...

(the collar is not a stamp, I just cut it out)

they were tinted with walnut distress stain...

it could NOT be easier,

to make any custom color you need...

I LOVE Cut N Dry nibs for coloring tiny areas...

like her lips, with barn door...

she got one earring made from

tim's new chain tassel, a foliage flower & a long fastener...

not sure where that silver ring is from...

I pulled it out of the stash...

her ATC body was inked with broken china distress stain & again edged with walnut...

I lightly stamped the screen with coffee archival over the ATC, and then stamped the saying in jet black archival...

and everyone needs a little heart...

LOVE the fired brick distress stain...

actually I LOVE all 12 of them & I have my fingers crossed

that the "powers that be @ Ranger"

know we NEED them all...

I keep reaching for the other colors...

are you listening guys?

she was a fun afternoon of play...

I like how older stamps work with newer stamps/art parts...

LOTS of options make me happy...

moving on to the second part of the title...

A NEW BOOK!

I got a UPS notice that a package will be delivered today...

I'm thinking it's a big dose of BOOK #4...

it could be art parts class supplies...

but the books should be arriving any day...

YIPPEE!

book #4 has 12 projects...

with supply lists, instructions & some step out photos...

you can follow along & make the project exactly...

or use it as inspiration & put your twist on it...

the front pages have all been rewritten...

with an all new tips/hints section...

there is now a separate catalog of stamp sets & art parts...

lots have told me they like that for keeping track of their purchases...

and wish list...

and it has holes to fit in my large acrylic storage binder...

the new cover looks like this...

the other day I mentioned that you may want to have

your hitch fasteners ready...

I used 5 of them to make this little treasure box...

it's one of the projects from the book...

and it was a total blast to make...

these thin magnets...

make the perfect closure...

you might want them too...

and for sure you'll want grungepaper...

and some grungeboard...

I will begin taking orders for book #4 today...

to order, please email me @

wbv1213@me.com

each book is $14.95...

and priority shipping in the US is $5.00...

priority international shipping is $14.50...

so let me know where you live & I will send a PayPal request...

with the correct total...

if you want to share shipping with a friend, 3 books fit in one mailer...

if the book is for you & you'd like your name on it...

let me know that too...

if it's a gift for a friend, just give me their name...

that's it...

a new look & a new book!

now it's time to...

make art!

wendy

H. O. W. E. V. E. R...

I have something new to share today...

I want to start with a review of clearly for art...

so I can point out the major difference below...

clearly for art is my clear moldable material that can be stamped & cut out or die cut to make custom embellishments...

the unique property is that every time clearly for art is heated/reheated, it goes completely flat...

so...when it's embossed with an embossing folder & reheated, the embossing disappears...

like I said...

completely flat every time...

here's where the title comes in...

H. O. W. E. V. E. R...

this next idea changes that property...

when Ranger introduced their new Metal Foil Tape Sheets I couldn't wait to play...

I finally had a chance to try my idea a few days ago...

I expected it to work...

and it did...

but I got a totally unexpected twist...

I wanted to put the metal foil tape sheet over

clearly for art(aka CFA)...

to create metal flowers, which would be thin, lightweight,

strong, moldable & unbreakable...

here's what I did...

I cut a piece of CFA large enough to fit these 2 flowers...

and a piece of metal foil tape sheet, the same size...

then I removed the backing from the foil tape sheet & applied it over the CFA...

what you'll see now is that you have 2 options here for the flowers...

the metal foil tape side is shiny...

but turn it over & the CFA side is still metallic,

but it's duller & toned down...

either side will work exactly the same...

so...depending on your project,

you can choose to make either side the top...

I decided to use the foil side as my top

for the flowers below...

I stamped my flowers, using jet black archival on the CFA side, lightly dried the ink & cut them out...

again...

you can stamp on either side...

next, I put both flowers in tim's dot matrix embossing folder & ran it thru the Vagabond...

you can use any embossing system...

but the Vagabond is really cute...

so now I have 2 really well embossed metal flowers...

I laid the flowers on my craft sheet & heated them with Ranger's Heat-It tool...

so that I could shape them...

expecting the embossing to be gone...

now here's the M. A. G. I. C...

once heated...

I could shape the flowers as usual...

but the metal foil tape held the texture in the CFA...

it didn't go completely flat & loose the embossing...

I was jumping for joy...

this opens a whole new area for play...

for the flower below I used denim & sailboat blue alcohol ink with a drop of the gold metallic mixative...

here's the metal foil tape/CFA flower...

and below is the little sample I made using the small sq. art parts frame...

tim's new kraft resist paper,

which I inked with weathered wood distress stain...

(LOVE it)...

both the paper & the stain...

some leaves, stamped on grungeboard...

a 3 1/2 inch art parts scallop & a NEW smaller one...

an idea-ology time piece & ornate plate...

a bit of a journaling ticket...

which is glued to a memo pin...

some brand new alpha parts to spell ART...

here's a better look @ the flower...

I used the gold metallic mixative to to change the color of the sprocket gear...

and used it for the flower center...

so once I got this unexpected result...

I HAD to play a bit more...

I used the same exact process for the flower below...

but this time after I embossed the flowers,

I gave them each a coat of Claudine's gesso & dried them...

then I misted the flowers with tim's butterscotch color wash...

and dried them...

then, I put them back on the craft sheet to heat so that they could be shaped...

after I shaped them, I wanted the edges a bit more distressed looking, so I used some caramel alcohol ink just on the tips of the petals...

then added a favorite accoutrement button...

and got this...

by adding Ranger's metal foil tape to the CFA and running it thru embossing folders you can quickly & easily make as many custom embellishments as you need...

no fancy metal tools are needed...

(ok...that Vagabond is fancy...)

the embossing folders makes it very simple...

now here are some IMPORTANT TIPS

to keep in mind...

HEATED METAL GETS HOT...

so be careful...

it also holds the heat longer, so you have a bit more working time...

I heated my metal/CFA pieces on the craft sheet...

let them cool about 5-7 seconds, then picked them up to shape them...

if it cools before your shaping is complete...

just heat the section that you need to mold...

if you happen to get a wrinkle in the foil tape when you apply it to the CFA...

no big deal...

the magic embossing folder takes care of that...

it's completely gone...

don't like the embossing folder you chose?

pick another & re-emboss the foil tape/CFA...

the original pattern is completely gone & you are left with the second pattern...

it's magic!

other options...

I could have used the sanding grip to lightly remove the alcohol ink, if I wanted the metal to stand out a bit more...

I could have done that with the gesso flower too...

I almost did...

but I didn't think it would look good with the butterscotch...

next time I'll choose a different color & sand off the embossed areas to reveal the metal to create a worn/distress look...

which I think will be cool with the gesso/color wash...

now I'm seeing metal butterflies...

leaves & more...

this is a fun combo...

you can also make stamped metal pieces...

so, instead of using the embossing folder,

just ink the metal/CFA & stamp...

then shape as desired...

you'll have a piece with no texture,

for another different effect...

and lots of background stamps to choose from...

and once again...

HEATED METAL GETS HOT...

so please be careful...

changing subjects...

in my last post I talked about Ranger's new Glue N Seal...

I forgot one little tidbit...

if you apply Glue N Seal over distress ink, you'll pick up some distress color on the brush,

since it's a water based product & distress inks react with water...

not that I've ever done that...

(ok...I did it twice...but I'm a slow learner)

it's NO BIG DEAL if you get color on the brush...

just run it under the faucet...

BEFORE putting it back in the jar...

the water takes the color right off the brush...

and your jar is nice & clean with no added color...

oh...the lightbulb just went off...

ding...

another metal foil tape/CFA idea...

I GOTTA try it NOW!

and...

make art!

wendy