happy Saturday & happy holidays!

here's Lisa's dapper dude project, in full...

just in time to say...

happy holidays...

this was another very fun piece to make...

the base that you can barely see is a large creative cover...

it's peeking out from under the scallops...

I added the square art parts base & frame to the center & a large art parts scallop to each side...

it sort of reminds me of a window with shutters...

it's very dimensional & stands alone quite nicely...

other art parts used are the small truck, the lamp post & the picket fence...

I used grungeboard to die cut tim's large pine tree

& 2 of the new mini mover & shapers trees...

as always...in love with minis...

they were inked with peeled paint distress stain, then shaded with forest moss & a bit of walnut stain...

I like mixing art parts, grunge & CFA...

I think the different thicknesses of materials add interest...

the large square frame was randomly painted with the black paint dabber & then inked with brushed corduroy & walnut stain...

I used jet black archival to stamp over the entire frame with this medicine label stamp...

then added a bit of gold, with the paint dabber to the edges of the frame...

I used Glue N Seal to add some crowded attic paper to my Clearly for Art...

then stamped the dude with jet black and inked him with the new festive berries distress ink...

it's an awesome color & I see it's ON SALE!!!

by stamping the dude on CFA, I could heat him & shape him to make him rounded & very dimensional...

and even though he is paper, now he's very sturdy...

I stamped an extra collar & pocket to add more layers...

small details, but they do add to the finished piece...

the white cuffs and shirt were accented

with Ranger's white Inkssentials pen...

Lisa's bird is also stamped on CFA covered with paper & inked with broken china...

again, this allowed me to shape the wings & tail feathers

and not worry about the pieces being damaged or broken...

the paper background in the square frame is also from the crowded attic paper stash...

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

hmmm...

what else did I forget?

the scallop art parts are inked with brushed corduroy distress stain & stamped with the spatter stamp...

the fence is stamped with the houndstooth, using jet black...

the tiny bit of shimmer on the lamp post is rock candy distress stickles...

the rhinestone trim @ the top is a purchase from my recent teaching weekend @ Queen's Ink...

not sure who makes it, but I thought it was pretty cool...

HUGE CONGRATS to Lisa & Pink Persimmon...

wishing you tons of success...

ok...

gotta run...

if I seem rushed...I am...

my NEW STAMPS arrived yesterday & I'm happy to report that each & every one has met the jet black archival ink pad...

and the stamps with the coordinating art parts have all been test driven & are totally flipping cool...

I am seriously IN LOVE with this new release!

now I'm headed to the studio...

I GOTTA...

make art!

wendy

ps...go BEARS!

Happy Thanksgiving & the dapper dude

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

today & EVERY DAY...

I'm especially thankful for my blog friends,

my BFF's (we texted yesterday, so you all know who you are),

my family and my business associates who have also become great friends...

I LOVE you all...

I always feel bad for turkeys on this day...

so this makes me laugh...

since my brother is soooo kind to us

& invited us to his home

& said I don't have to bring anything hard...

lol...

I seriously LOVE HIM!

I had time to play a bit last night...

I wanted to surprise Lisa with another project, using her new stamps...

this time I chose the dapper dude & her little bird...

I'm LOVING how well our things blend...

Lisa's stamps (on CFA), my art parts & stamps...

plus

tim's distress stickles, crowded attic papers,

grungeboard & Sizzix dies...

and of course it's all tied together with Ranger's ink...

here's a peek...

that yummy red is the

brand new festive berries distress ink...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it LOTS!

ok...gotta run...

Rick & I both wish you a day filled with family, friends & great chow...

especially pie...

I'm happy to know that pie has no calories on holidays!

I read it on the net...

therefore, it MUST be true!

CHEERS...

tomorrow I'll

make art!

wendy

ps with my new stamps & art parts...

the art parts are here & the stamps arrive tomorrow!

yippee!

a surprise for Lisa...

late yesterday afternoon, I got Lisa's new stamps in the mail...

THANKS Pink Persimmon!

I immediately wanted to text her to tell her that I got them & LOVED them, but then thought I'd just make a little something & surprise her...

so this morning, on my coffee break,

I made her this ATC...

sorry...no step out photos...

but here's a quick review of how it's made...

I covered an ART PARTS ATC with a scrap of tim's crowded attic paper...

the paper was originally off white-ish...

I inked the paper with weathered wood distress stain, dried it, then added shading to the edges with brushed corduroy & walnut stain, using the blending tool...

I also used the gold paint dabber lightly around the ATC edge...

a tiny simple detail...that I LOVE...

using jet black archival, I stamped the entire stamp on the ATC...

then I stamped it the second time on another crowded attic scrap, but this time I cut out just the corset & the cherub to use...

I used a Cut N Dry nib with fired brick to add color to the back trim portion of the corset...

and a bit of brushed corduroy to the back corset section & the cherubs face...

and I also used the nib with fired brick to add a bit of blush to the face...

and a nib to add peeled paint to the wings...

& glued it over the corresponding section on the ATC...

then I adhered another scrap of paper to Clearly For Art (CFA), with Glue N Seal...

& stamped the image for the 3rd time, again with jet black...

I cut out just the front part of the corset this time...

I inked the corset with brushed corduroy, used the nib again to add fired brick to the trim...

I heated the CFA to shape it & make it dimensional, then glued it over the corresponding portion of the stamp...

with a grunge scrap under it for a good gluing surface...

the left over paper/CFA scrap was used to make the really tiny bow under the cherubs chin & it's attached with a mini fastener...

I gently RIPPED a tiny bit of greens from a family room decor piece...

no one will ever notice it's gone!

& glued that between the corset layers...

I used the black Sakura Glaze pen to add dots to the trim & on either side of the corset...

I LOVE these pens!

it's so MUCH easier to make tiny raised dots, than to glue a million mini rhinestones!

trust me!

the final detail is 2 snaps glued to the corners...

tim discontinued these without consulting me...can you imagine?

I'm seriously considering a write-in campaign for a re-release...

here's a look @ the dimension from the molded CFA...

it's a nice sturdy ATC now!

Lisa...I LOVE your stamps & had a blast surprising you!

so glad you liked it!

in other breaking news...

28 pounds of brand new ART PARTS arrived today!

OMG...way cuter than I expected...it's like Christmas here!

I'm out of my mind excited & DYING to get the stamps that coordinate with them so that I can...

make art!

wendy

the ANTIQUATED COLLECTION reveal...

FINALLY...

Lisa Pace is revealing her brand new stamp sets today!

HUGE congrats, MY FRIEND!

they were certainly well worth the wait...

let's start with my favorite first...

how about these beauties?

and these?

NO WAIT...the guy is MY FAVORITE!

what a cool dude!

and I LOVE this classy guy too!

the detail is amazing in these...

Lisa's stamps can be ordered from PINK PERSIMMON...

and I'm *thinking* she'll be posting LOTS of fun stuff

on her blog...

normally I cheer for Lisa from Illinois,

but right now I'm cheering from

the stamp convention in Madison Wisconsin,

with very inky fingers...

if you happen to be in the Madison area...

come see us @ the Alliant Energy Center...

I'm inking, stamping, misting & demoing there to...

make art!

wendy

ps GO BEARS!

the Great pumpkin challenge...

ends with...

the master!

and a SURPRISE designer!

pop on over to the Ranger blog & see how tim has transformed the same pumpkin we all got...

and also the super special designer too...

this week has been so fun & inspirational...

it's fun to see what happens when we all start with the same basic ingredient...

I think each designer's style was really evident for this challenge...

and...hmmm...what else?

OH...

come back tomorrow @ 3:01pm...

for the full reveal of Lisa Pace's brand new stamps...

they're called the ANTIQUATED COLLECTION...

you'll be impressed...

I almost forgot this...

THANKS for the friendly advice...

NOT to mention being a BEARS fan in Madison...

(the land of cheese...)

I got it!

my like are sealed...

have a great weekend...

grab some inks & some stamps...

and take time to...

make art!

wendy

ps...GO BEARS!

Day 3 of the GREAT pumpkin challenge

today features my friends

Tammy Tutterow & Richele Christensen...

pop over to the Ranger blog & see how they altered their pumpkins...

and speaking of pumpkins...

this is headed to...

can you hear the drumroll???

it's going to...

artbyvic said...

Your pumpkin turned out amazing! It would look lovely on in the center of my tabls! :)

NOVEMBER 16, 2011 12:09 PM

ARTBYVIC...PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH YOUR SHIPPING INFO @ WBV1213@ME.COM

THANKS to everyone who ordered hoodies & totes...

I'm glad you like them!

thanks for letting me know!

I had people ask if I would have them available here on the blog for holiday gift giving...

sorry...nope...

all orders now go right to the graphic guy...

and get shipped right from him to you...

I would *guestimate* that if you are ordering gifts,

the order should be in by the end of the month,

to make sure it arrives in time...

they are custom made when they are ordered &

he doesn't have them made & in stock...

HOWEVER...I miscalculated (or had a senior moment) &

I do have 2 extra hoodies here...

I have 1 large watermelon pullover &

1 large zip hoodie in the khaki color...

shoot me an email if they fit your needs...

THANKS to everyone who commented on my pumpkin, both here & on the Ranger blog...

you made my heart happy!

I wish I could give you each a pumpkin...

now it's time to start packing for my last weekend away for the year...

no more trips until CHA @ the end of January...

yippee!

I'll be in Madison, Wisconsin all weekend...

at THIS CONVENTION...

stop by, tell me you are a BLOG FRIEND &

I'll have a little gift for you!

I'll also post a SECRET word on Twitter...

so if you're a Twitter friend...you'll have a second chance for a little gift!

Friday is set up & then we have a make & take Friday evening...

we'll be using my art parts & stamps, tim's distress stains, Ranger's silver paint dabber & jet black archival ink...

to make some fun custom embellishments...

ok...time to get packing...

as always...

make art!

wendy

Ranger's GREAT pumpkin challenge...day 2

the challenge continues &

today I share the Ranger blog with the talented Jennifer McGuire...

this challenge was over the moon fun for me...

in total, I used over 30 Ranger products!

seriously!

here's my pumpkin...

my first step was to age a plant stake with alcohol inks...

the photo above shows that it's toned down & looks much more vintage...

that shine was bugging me...

once the stake was ready, I attacked the pumpkin...

I started by swiping coffee archival over the raised areas, to tone down the orange & add some shading...

then with sepia archival, I stamped some random polka dots...

my spider was stamped with jet black archival...

I found it easiest to use him without the acrylic block, & shape him to the curve of the pumpkin...

next, I applied tim's stickers to black presentation board & cut them out...

sanded the edges with the sanding grip...

and distressed the edges with walnut stain...

I cut a banner from Claudine's sticky back canvas, removed the backing paper & placed it on my non stick craft sheet...

I like to remove the backing paper...

it keeps the canvas nice & flat & it makes it simple to color & then stamp on...

I misted the natural canvas with plain old water...

then applied the frayed burlap distress stain & moved it around with a blending tool, to give even coverage...

I wanted to use 2 different stamps & the background I chose would have covered most of the banner...

so I masked off a section on each side with a post-it note...

that allowed me to use the giant background stamp, with jet black archival...

and stamp just the center section...

then I removed the post-its and stamped the polka dots on the blank canvas ends, again with jet black...

I folded the canvas, as you'll see in the photo @ the bottom of the post...

to create a little extra detail...

then added the canvas banner over clearly for art BLACKOUT...

this makes the banner nice & sturdy & finishes off the back...

moving on...

I used 2 art parts leaves & inked them with peeled paint distress stain & stamped with with the text background, using jet black...

and then...I was having so much fun, that I forgot to take more photos!

I seriously...lost my mind in this project...

so, without photos...

I used grungeboard, Claudine's sticky back canvas & clearly for art to create a whole bunch of flowers...

I used Glue N Seal to add vintage text to my clearly for art, then die cut it with tim's tattered leaves die...

the leaves were misted with water...

then I just touched the tip of several of the distress stains to the leaf & watched the colors blend like magic...

heating the clearly for art (CFA), allows you to shape the flowers & leaves to make them very dimensional...

I liked the combination of grungeboard, canvas & CFA...

because it added lots of different textures...

the red heart is die cut from grungeboard, inked with fired brick distress stain & the LOVE is part of this stamp...

so...lots of flower stamps, lots of background stamps some leaves & art parts...

made this...

here's a closer shot of the banner...

the butterfly was stamped on CFA BLACKOUT with the gold paint dabber...

and the heart is suspended with a charm clip...

and here's the finished pumpkin...

I told you I used lots of Ranger goodies...

Archivals:

Jet Black, Sepia, Coffee, Vermillion & Olive

Distress Stains:

Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed, Rusty Hinge, Frayed Burlap, Lipstick, Scattered Straw, Fired Brick, Wild Honey & Forest Moss

Distress Ink Pads:

Walnut Stain, Forest Moss

Gold Paint Dabber

Alcohol Inks:

Pitch Black & Rust

Adhesives:

Glossy Accents, MultiMedium (matte), Glue N Seal

Claudine's Natural Sticky Back Canvas

Tools:

Craft sheet, Heat it, Ink Applicator with felt, Blending tool with foam, Mister

and believe me...

when I was done,

I was happy to have the craft scrubbie...

sorry for the lack of links...

BLOGGER/hughesnet is being a pain today...

in closing...

the pumpkin says...

give thanks...

so to thank you MY BLOG FRIENDS...

I'll ship this pumpkin to a random commenter...

if you'd like this guy to live with you...

just leave a comment &

I'll choose a winner first thing tomorrow morning...

thanks RANGER!!!

it was seriously FUN to

make (pumpkin) art!

wendy

Ranger's GREAT pumpkin challenge...

begins today on the Ranger blog with...

Claudine Hellmuth...

and Jenni Bowlin...

pop over see 2 different versions of the pumpkin...

both are definitely THEIR unique style!

moving on...

a few weeks ago I got an email asking me to answer a few questions...

to make the story short...

the email said that some friends were planning their second annual WWW...

which I was told was short for

WONDERFUL WENDY WEEKEND...

hmm...that grabbed my attention...

she went on to say that the weekend is devoted to eating, shopping & using my stamps & art parts...

and that each person presents a little project

for the group to create...

WOW...that's pretty cool...

the gal told me that she was in charge of the games this time...

& she asked me to answer some questions...

the "winner" gets a home cooked dinner...

it's cooked by the losers...

and the $$$ in the pot, for a shopping spree...

she also said the gals have already answered the questions @ their planning luncheon & they were in sealed envelopes and were being held by their minister...

now that is flippin' hilarious!!!

ok...here we go...

she reminded me that each question should have only one answer to avoid DEBATES!

wow...this is serious business!

here's the answers as of today...

but honestly, some of these ink answers change daily...

1. favorite green ink

peeled paint

2. favorite blue ink

broken china

3. favorite brown ink

brushed corduroy

4. favorite stain

weathered wood

5. favorite crackle paint

rock candy

6. favorite paint dabber

gold

7. favorite color of "clearly for art"

clear

8. favorite art parts package

residences (but the NEW ones are fab! OMG!)

9. favorite background stamp

polka dots

10. favorite stamp/matching art part

scissors

11. mom van or sexy sporty car?

hmmm...SUV...there could be a DEBATE there...

12. color

why BLACK, of course!

13. favorite movie

Wizard of Oz

14. favorite TV show

Anderson Cooper, the daytime program

we DVR it & watch it every evening...

15. favorite flower

red geraniums

16. favorite food

noodles

17. PC or Mac

MAC all the way!

18. number of new stamp sets coming (closest wins)

14

19. state where do you live

Illinois

20. shoe size

6 1/2

21. favorite Tim-Ranger product

distress stains

22. favorite Tim NON Ranger product

scissors

23. favorite Ranger NON Tim product

craft sheet

24. nuts in your cookies?

YES!

25. number of times you have been published (closest wins)

I honestly have no clue on that one...sorry

well gals...I hope you have a fun weekend!

what's for dinner?

I asked SIRI last night if she would help get my make & take stuff ready for the convention this coming weekend in Madison, Wisconsin...

she said...

I take that as a NO...

that's all from me today...

have fun checking out the pumpkins...

then be inspired to...

make art!

wendy

I couldn't wait 'til Monday...

to send HUGE congrats to my friend

Lisa Pace...

look @ her new adventure...

the full reveal is coming SATURDAY...

I've seen them all...

I *think* you'll be impressed...

Lisa...

I'm thrilled that your dream came true and

now you have new stamps to...

make art!

wendy

ps...

another... GO BEARS!

11. 11. 11 blog hop...

Veteran's Day...

a time to celebrate those

both past & present...

who risk their lives to keep us safe...

from the bottom of my heart...

to all who have served...

THANK YOU!

Ranger is participating

in the "Operation Write Home" blog hop...

appropriately scheduled to begin on Veteran's Day...

the starting point is HERE...

grab a beverage...

I think you'll find lots of inspiration...

after I hop...(lol...sounds like a pancake place)

I'll be working on the final details for my new GIFT line of with BLOSSOM BUCKET...

yesterday I got a few more sneak peeks of the prototypes from the new embellishment line...

let me just say...

YIPPEE!

one in particular, made me laugh out loud...

it's a little...funky...

ok...it's actually over the edge funky!

I can not wait to show you...

the new art parts are about finalized too...

I expect to start playing with them in the next week or 2...

another...

YIPPEE!

and after that, I'm headed to the studio

for more tissue wrap play...

I had a few questions about how this is different from "regular" tissue paper...

here's my take...

most importantly...

it's much stronger than "regular" tissue paper...

it takes "abuse" much better...

it has a sort of waxy finish...

it accepts color well...

and it is AWESOME when applied to art parts!

can you say addicting?

seriously...it's very fun stuff...

remember...

next week is the GREAT PUMPKIN CHALLENGE

on the Ranger blog...

it starts on Tuesday with...

OOPS...can't say! it's a surprise!

I'm anxious to see what "THE OTHERS" have created...

"the others" are some of Ranger's FAVORITE designers...

that's it for today...

have a great holiday weekend & I hope you can...

make art!

wendy

ps... GO BEARS!!!

it's a wrap...

but it's so much more...

I ordered tim's new tissue wrap, to use as a wrap...

as tim's says...

hello Captain Obvious!

but I also had an idea brewing for a fun technique...

I started with my art parts small creative cover...

it's a great solid base for art...

I wanted a dry adhesive to attach the tissue wrap to the cover...

I chose Glue Arts High Tac runner...

I LOVE their runners...

this is significant...

as you will see below...

it was simple to use the sanding grip on the edges...

since the tissue wrap is thin...

just a few swipes & the edges looked good...

now here comes THE DISCOVERY...

because the tissue wrap is semi transparent...

the dots from the adhesive were showing thru...

I was soooo excited...

I KNEW what was coming next...

I added broken china & frayed burlap distress stains randomly over the tissue wrap...

then dried it...

and ended up with this amazing background with so much depth & texture, using only 2 simple steps...

1. adhere the wrap

2. stain it...

but, what's REALLY cool is that the background is actually flat...

so it's perfect for stamping...

here you can see that I used jet black archival with my cancellation stamp & the tiny details are crisp & clear...

I hope you can see that the text from the tissue wrap...

and the dots from the adhesive

appear to be deep under the stamping...

I HAD to use this background...

which explains why I didn't cook dinner...

again...

the photo below shows my belt stamp...

with an extra little detail...

I stamped it twice on grungeboard...

and used just the portion with the buckle & the end,

as the second layer...

because it's grunge, I could bend the end for extra dimension...

a small detail with a big impact...

and it gave the guy a place to stand...

here's the finished piece...

my guy is holding an art parts pen nib & dipping it into

the diamond inks bottle...

the bling you see is from rock candy distress stickles...

but like the infomercial says...

wait...there's more...

another idea popped in...

what would happen if I added

Claudine's gesso

over the tissue wrap???

I got this result...

this started the same way...

the tissue wrap was added to the art part base with the Glue Art runner...

then I used Ranger's craft scrapper to apply an uneven thin coat of gesso over the tissue wrap...

dried it...

and again added broken china & frayed burlap distress stains...

and dried them...

then I used the blending tool to add shading to the edges with walnut stain...

the text still shows & the dots do too...

that's as much as I can show...

this background is going to be the starting point for a CHA project...

tissue wrap is FUN stuff!

***news flash***

save the date!

next week Ranger's blog will be all about

THE GREAT pumpkin challenge...

several of us were sent a pumpkin to alter...

here a peek @ mine...

oops wrong photo...

that's the BEFORE...

so sorry...

lol!!!

so save the date & plan to be inspired next week...

I *think* it will be great fun...

and speaking of fun...

I have a few more ideas to try with the wrap...

it's GREAT for covering large art parts...

next, I'll use it on the sweetheart frame...

there are some other *things* I NEED to try...

this stuff has a MILLION possibilities...

I hope you're inspired to play...

it's a rainy UGLY day AGAIN...

but I don't care...

I'm headed to the studio to...

make art!

wendy

clearly for...CHRISTMAS...

I got an email last week from Betty Bennett...

she wanted to show me a Christmas ornament that she made, using my "clearly for art"...

I LOVED it!

I think this will make a great holiday hostess gift...

because...

it's quick & easy...

it's reasonably priced...

the ornaments are already 50% off in most stores...

and CFA is VERY reasonably priced...

thanks to TED!

and most importantly...

and it's fun to make...

I bet you probably already have the supplies needed...

take a look...

cool huh???

so to take Betty's idea a bit further...

think about using "clearly for art BLACKOUT"...

stamped with the gold or silver paint dabber...

this would result in a very classy/elegant effect...

my leaf stamp is perfect...

it makes a fun poinsettia...

it would also be fun to use a clear ornament & fill it with shredded vintage text...

or just shred an old telephone book...

or...

you can really customize it by adding a special photo inside the clear ornament...

how cool would it be to gift someone with a photo of their home in the ornament?

or each child with their own special ornament?

the possibilities really are endless...

and if you use a larger ornament...

my poinsettia stamp would work well on the top...

or...think about my tree...

added to the front of the ornament...

instead of the top...

or for a small size ornament...

the holly, stamped on CFA would be awesome...

and think about the CFA WHITEOUT...

inked with pale alcohol ink colors...

then added to a coordinating ornament...

my favorite is JUNIPER!

you can also add BLING IN A BOTTLE...

aka Perfect Pearls mists...

the BLACKOUT lightly misted with Perfect Pearls mist is REALLY cool!

try the new BRONZE PP mist ...

or my old standby fav...heirloom gold...

or the green patina is perfect for holiday art...

even though CFA is kind of plastic-ish...

the PP Mist adheres very well...

so grab some alcohol ink to color the CFA...

and your paint dabbers to use with BLACKOUT...

a few ornaments...

and for sure some Rock Candy stickles to add the perfect vintage shimmer...

and get an early start on some holiday gifts...

handmade is best!

THANKS BETTY!...I LOVE your idea!

and speaking of ideas...

I'm off to play with tim's new tissue wrap...

I *think* the idea will work...

stay tuned...

one more thing...

I got a funny email with a bunch of questions...

so that will be *coming* soon-ish...

like this week...

now where's that tissue wrap?

it's time to play &

make art!

wendy

ps...I ALMOST forgot...YIKES...

GO BEARS!

playing with jenni bowlin & studio 490...

well...I didn't actually get to play WITH jenni...

she lives in Tennessee & I'm in Illinois...

but I DID combine some of her cool products with mine & I made her this little "thank you" gift...

I started with an art parts rectangle frame base...

art parts make a nice sturdy base...

an art parts scallop trim...

2 art parts leaves...inked with forest moss stain...

and stamped with the old standby screen background...

her initials are ledger alphas, inked with weathered wood...

and dotted with the BLACK Sakura glaze pen...

MUCH easier than adding mini rhinestones...

the dots dry a bit raised & add the perfect little detail...

the photo below shows a cool discovery...

I heated her black doily flowers & was able to shape them & make them dimensional...

they are flat right out of the package...

but easily made dimensional, with a little heat...

I LOVED the look...black flowers...

I'm in heaven!

they also come in a great red (thinking holiday cards!)...

they could easily be a poinsettia center for my poinsettia stamp......

& an off white, which can easily be altered with alcohol inks...

for a million color possibilities...

the weathered wood flower is jenni paper over my clearly for art...

I adhered the paper to the CFA with Ranger's Glue N Seal...

matte finish...

the flower center is a jenni decorative brad...

and here's a portion of the doily flower peeking out & used flat...

I'll be back next week with a guest designer & a very fun HOLIDAY project...

it's something quick & easy that will make a great hostess gift...

that's it for today...

remember...

take some time this weekend to...

make art!

wendy