now about that Eiffel Tower...

it's coming...LOL!!

but first I wanted to show you a peek inside book #6 to see the new format...

Matt did an awesome job

totally restyling the whole shebang...

I'll let you know when I have them in stock here...

if you're attending CHA...

I'll be doing a book signing in the Stampers Anonymous booth @ 3:30 on MONDAY...

hope to see you there...

OK...the FINALE is today...

new stamp set #14...

and guess what?

it has an Eiffel Tower image...

I know...SHOCKING!

the set is called European art...

the guy is 2 piece art part...

his hat is an extra art part to give him an extra layer...

he's kind of vintage & he works well with steampunk...

I adore him...

THE Eiffel Tower...

I'm thrilled with this image & it's an art part too...

very detailed...

very fun...

very European...

the perfume label...

another flea market find...

& it's from Paris!

it makes a good flower center...

or stamp & punch out several for a border...

he lived an altered existence...

fun for altered/steampunk art...

the metro sign...

is a cool mini art part...

perfect to use with the Eiffel Tower...

now about those next 2 bottles...

my dear friend Lisa Pace has very similar images...

hers are from an 1898 ad...

mine are from the same company...

but from 1902...

they are not sized the same...

they are not the same angle...

but they work together perfectly...

this was NOT planned...

Lisa showed me her images & mine were already sent in ...

I about fainted when I saw her bottles...

guess we like the same things...

friends thru & THRU...

at the bottom of the storage sheet is

the vintage car...

this is soooo cute...

it's a 2 parter...I'll show you in a bit...

now for more Blossom Bucket...

I ADORE these postmarks...

these are actual images from some letters we found @ Rick's aunt's home...

I LOVE to preserve the past...

these guys make a statement...

they're 1/4 inch thick...

I like them for flower centers & just for accents too...

and...

the top 2...

fit in Ranger's 1 inch memory frames...

perfect for the jewelry maker...

next are some small scallop circles...

not perfectly round & just a little wonky...

they make good flower centers...

it's fun to put them over a word...

and fill them with Glossy Accents to create custom epoxy embellishments...

I'm using them over eyes too...

to create odd eyeglasses...

FUN!

I liked them so much...

I wanted them in a larger size too...

both sizes come with basic black & brown...

and these are ribbon buttons...

I was always looking for buttons with large holes...

these are perfect for adding ribbon...

they are a basic gray color & can be easily altered...

now for the art parts packages...

I designed 4 large multi layered frames...

first is fancy oval frames...

2 complete frames are in the package & it includes the oval cutout too...

here's the arched frames...

2 compete sets in this package too...

the photo on this package is the #6 book cover photo...

now think about those

Blossom Bucket BLACK METAL CORNERS...

and you'll see that I used one with the

art parts rulers to make a shelf to hold all the art parts...

this was a very fun project...

this just might be my favorite new large frame...

it's the dimensional sign board...

you'll notice on the package that there are 2 boards, but 4 of the top trim & the bottom piece...

this allows us to layer 2 top pieces & 2 @ the bottom...

this makes it very dimensional & the bottom actually creates a little ledge...perfect for holding stuff...

and the last of the new large art parts frames is

the 5 panel frame...

this is great for using up all your small scraps...

use it with or without those inserts...

the inserts can also be used for fun mini projects...

use it horizontally or vertically...

now for the regular size art parts...

you'll see LOTS with coordinating stamps...

with this release, you'll see that we added the coordinating stamp set numbers on each package...

the numbers on each package will tell you what & how many of each art part are included inside...

the first set is...

art school coordinates...

there's the 2 piece pencil sharpener I showed a few days ago...

too cute...

guys...gals & phones...

see the 3 piece phone...

flipping LOVE it MILLIONS!

and FINALLY...

the little art chick is an art part...

I use her frequently...

I'm thrilled that I don't have to cut her out for the 555th time...

I can't wait to show you how I used her for Ranger's designer challenge...

and another FAVORITE...

European coordinates...

there's the 2 part guy & I'll show you how cool the car is..

sometimes I just stamp it...

sometimes I emboss it for a different effect...

VERY fun car!

the bottles have layered crown lids...

which can be used for people crowns too...

no wait...this set is FOR sure my favorite...

art parts gears...

these are 1 inch, 2, 3 & 4 inches...

I have had a BLAST with these guys...

the photo @ the top of the post shows them used to make a stand alone art piece...

I use them for halos...

and the hole allows one of tim's lightbulbs to be inserted & securely glued in place...

lightbulbs...

my newest addiction...

@ last count...I used over 20 in projects...

if you don't have them...

you WILL want them...

oh...that handle is fun too...

paint the art part with a metallic paint dabber...

then stamp it with jet black archival...

flipping FUN...

and this set is supplies for art coordinates...

this has the 2 piece rubber stamp art part I showed previously...

and that cute Flo-master ink tin...

the next package has corners & flourishes...

lots of intricate cutting on those flourishes...

good for all the flowers...

and here are Mr & Mrs Worry...

this is people & pointers...

and the final set is ...

NOT just flowers...

this has the 2 part jar...

the small pointed flower worked well as a sun...

and a few peeks before I go...

this is the postmark from Blossom Bucket...

the blue was too bright for my art, so I used Blending Solution...

removed some of the blue & then added some alcohol ink & a bit of archival over that...

LOVE IT!

and see the lightbulb in the gear?

and the handle...?

this time I painted over it with Rock Candy crackle paint...

and I altered this postmark too...

with a bit of

French Ultramarine Archival ink...

it's a beautiful blue...

and it's got a European name!

and here's what the art parts car looks like...

accented with hitch fasteners...

that one little extra art part piece TOTALLY...

MAKES IT!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your kind words...

I *hope* you weren't too traumatized by the peeks & hints...

and blurry photos...

I thank you for popping in, for the tweets, FB comments, emails & for posting comments...

I want you to know that I sincerely appreciate each & EVERY one of you!

I have been asked to post my demo schedule...

so here's where I'll be...

I travel on Friday...

then set up art samples when I get there...

then help with Tim's classes on Saturday & set up my demo supplies after that...

then...

SUNDAY...the show opens...

YIPPEE!

Ranger booth 10-11 and 1-3 DEMOS

Blossom Bucket 11-12 meet & greet

Stampers Anonymous 3:30-5:30 DEMOS

MONDAY...

Ranger booth 10-11 and 1-3 DEMOS

Blossom Bucket 11-12 meet & greet

Stampers Anonymous 3:30-4:30 BOOK SIGNING

Stampers Anonymous 4:30-5:30 DEMOS

TUESDAY...

Ranger booth 10-11 and 1-3 DEMOS

Blossom Bucket 11-12 meet & greet

Stampers Anonymous 3:30-5:30 DEMOS

WEDNESDAY...

Ranger booth 9-1 SWATCH SAMPLES

add in 2 early morning interviews & 3 meetings...

and dinners with my companies & friends...

yep...BUSY...

so that explains why

I probably won't post from CHA...

I always have good intentions,

but time runs out...

but I'll do my best to TWEET...

so if you follow me on Twitter, you just might see some photos...

that's quicker & easier to do on the go...

and speaking of TWITTER...

the "CFA clicker cutts" arrived yesterday...

OMG...now these guys are FUN...

I'll tweet a photo of one of the pages later this morning...

I embossed it with one of

Tim's Sizzix folders...

for really great texture...

and click the link...

GREAT sale price!

one more thing...

I got an email yesterday asking how long it takes to get ready for CHA...

is it a year round thing & how many projects am I responsible for...

it's pretty much an everyday thing...

but the 2 months before each show are extra intense...

we already have item's IN THE WORKS for summer...

as for the number of projects...

I had no clue...

my initial guess was maybe 40-ish?

but while I was awake @ 3AM this morning...

uggg...not good...

I started counting what I could think of off the top of my head...

I have over 70 projects done...

I think there are 2 ATC's in the crowd...

no tags that I remember...

and the rest are all layered art parts pieces, with a few REALLY fun...

over the top funky...

arts...

70 pieces explains why I don't COOK!

OK...now it's your turn...

tell me which is your FAVORITE stamp set...

or art parts...

or Blossom Bucket goodie...

I'm interested to hear...

still lots more to accomplish today...

thanks so much for your support!

as always...

I hope YOU can take time to...

make art!

wendy

ps...CHA or BUST!

introducing studio 490 clicker cutts...

grab a beverage...

I have LOTS to share today...

I *think* I should have started these posts sooner...

YIKES!

let's start off with a brand new item, that I've not even hinted about...

I just got the final word YESTERDAY that they would be ready for CHA...

I'm excited to introduce you to...

CFA CLICKER CUTTS...

what is it?

it's the "clearly for art material"

that has been die cut & packaged

so it's ready to use...

why the name?

the machine that does the cutting is called a CLICKER...

and Ted's last name is CUTTS...

this popped into my head & it's the perfect name...

clearly for art...

clicker cutts!

I have wanted these flowers forever...

so we have 8 petal flowers, with 3 sizes in each package...

this is the prototype package...

the real deal will have 4 of each flower in the package...

there is a package of CFA clear flowers...

we also did the whiteout and the blackout flowers too...

so each package will contain one color, with 12 flowers...

I have a new technique with the blackout that I'll be demoing @ CHA...

and I'll do a tutorial for you when I get back...

it's really cool...

the other clicker cutts I really wanted is pages...

each package will have 6

"pages" of the clearly for art material, perfectly sized for the small creative covers and the gatefold journal...

gatefold journal?? what??

the pages will come packaged with 6 CFA clear pages...

or 6 whiteout pages

or a package of 6 blackout pages...

6 pages in each package allows us to make 3 cards...

think about the dimensional cards we can create...

heat the edges & curl them???

this will be FUN!

so that's CFA CLICKER CUTTS...

my samples are arriving this morning...

if the plane is on time

YIKES!!

now for some NEW stamps!

if you like vintage or steampunk...

you'll like ...

mechanical art...

this guy is a great size...

he's 5 inches tall...

he's an art part too...

boot/shoe label...

another vintage find...

hold onto your hat,

we're going for a ride...

this is the saying on the cover of book 6...

I flat out love it...

and I like to use it with the handle...

the handle is an art part too...

gears background...

fits right in with the steampunk trend...

sweet dreams & flying machines in pieces on the ground...

think steam punk!

steampunk definition...

you got it...steampunk again...

this also has some words that can be used individually...

whenever possible,

fly under the radar...

I like this used with wings...

fun for funky art...

that's...mechanical art!

next up more Blossom Bucket goodness...

this is a

LARGE looped flower center...

another...use as is or

alter it to any color you need...

I inked it with pitch black alcohol ink & then dusted it with heirloom gold perfect pearls powder...

and used it with my original large art parts flowers...

the photo does not do justice to this next beauty...

it's the bling blossom

& it's a really pretty blue-ish grey color

with a big bling center...

on the photo below, I added just a bit of coffee archival ink to highlight the edges...

you do not see the gear...RIGHT?

and then we have beaded blossoms...

another alterable...

& they're upside down on the card...oopsie...

these are so cool with the alcohol ink metallic fixatives added to them...

or any color of alcohol ink...

and I LOVE the lace leaf...

lots of detail...

how about some new art parts???

this shows the art parts large pages...

which are sized for the large creative covers...

this is a great alterable sturdy surface...

I love that they're cut & ready for action...

books are fun to create

and they're perfect for card makers too...

and new small art parts pages,

sized to fit the small creative covers and the gatefold journal too...

and again...

I've been using them for cards...

don't pay any attention to the guy...

you'll meet him tomorrow...

and here's the new gatefold journal...

if you were on Tim's cruise last fall...

this is the journal you created with him...

each package has enough art parts to create 2 journals...

so...the small art parts pages & the CFA clicker cutts pages both fit...

the gatefold journal...

this is the prototype...

there are 4 spines included...not 2...

it will be fun to mix art parts pages with CFA clicker cutts pages...

moving on to the new desktop organizer...

here's how this developed...

back in 2008, my studio was on the cover of Cloth Paper Scissors, studios magazine...

there's a cover photo on the right sidebar...

when the issue was released, I got lots of comments about Ranger, the cover cat...

because he's so stinkin adorable...

and the other thing that people asked about was the organizer on my worktable/island...

here's what it looks like...

it's a 2 tiered perfect storage solution...

it holds a TON...

and it's so convenient to have your tools within easy reach...

the basic concept is the same as Ranger's craft spinner...

add another level & double your storage, with the same small footplate...

I talked to 2 people who said they would make the organizer, but I wasn't happy with the quality or their price...

so it got put on the back burner...

yes...picky...I DO know that!

but over 3 years later, I still get emails asking where to get it...

when I met Cindy from Blossom Bucket, I asked her about the possibility of creating the organizer & it worked!!!

I'll take some photos @ CHA to post later, but here's the basic scoop...

it's large & holds a ton...

A TON!

the bottom is 14 x 14 inches & the top is 12 x 12...

it's black with yellow stars...

all ready to load up...

all 37 of the distress stains take up less than 20% of the bottom tier...

I estimate that 200 stains would fill it...

that's LOTS!

it's perfect to store paint dabbers, scissors, paint brushes, craft sticks, brayers... adhesives...

any supplies you use...

I LOVE the fact that it can be customized to hold anything you need...

if you have limited space, it's square, so it can be butted right up to the wall to take up less space...

if you have more space,

I put mine on a turntable (kitchen store purchase) and I LOVE it...

give it a spin...

anything you want is right @ your fingertips...

I wish I had it when my studio was the dining room table...

it would have make clean up much easier...

if you travel or attend crops...

it's perfect to pickup & go...

and the retail price is a very reasonable...

$64.00...

THANK YOU BLOSSOM BUCKET!

this is a funny outtake from the cover photo shoot...

this is Ringo & I really wanted him on the cover...

but...after about 200 photos he got mad & left...

he wouldn't cooperate...

and the little bugger nipped me to prove his point...

so that's how Ranger ended up to be the cover cat...

this is another outtake with Ranger...

if you look to the far right...

you can see my hand, holding a piece of chicken...

I'm telling him to be a good boy, sit & smile & he'd get the chicken...

bribery @ it's finest...

phew...bet your eyes are tired...

I'm interested to hear what you think...

come back tomorrow for more...

I hope the Fed-Ex guy is on time so I can

make (CFA clicker cutts) art!

wendy

another day...

another new stamp set...

this one is called

accents for art...

the flowers @ the top are art parts too...

I LOVE the detail...

the centers are fun to stamp & cut out & then use with other flowers...

totally flipping' awesome...

I like this for cards...

good for lots of occasions....

the corners are art parts too...

turned upside down...

they make...

REALLY funky HAIR!

they look cool overstamped with the screen background...

handmade is best...

oh so true...

good for the back of cards...

and sized to fit the art parts hands,

for the front of projects...

the giant collage background...

I've had a blast with this one...

it's like 99 stamps in one...

use it whole for a background for large flowers & residences...

stamp it several times & cut the individual sections & layer them...

use any combo of stripes...

the stripes also make a good border...

and I've been using the individual stripes for small flowers...

and the art parts bird below...

just ink the stamp & press the art part onto the inked area...

now on to some new embellish your art...

BLOSSOM BUCKET FAVORITES...

YIPPEE!!!

one of my most favorite of the current

art parts sets is the residences...

I have a LOVE for houses,

as evidenced on my blog header...

so...I designed some fun pieces to use with the houses...

SHUT the FRONT DOOR...

now, remember the

BLACK METAL CORNERS

I showed yesterday?

they allow the option for the shutters to be dimensional...

NOT glued down flat...

I'll show you...

and for sure we needed a roof...

which also fits the faces as a funky hat!

and some open windows...

good for letting faces show thru...

or for adding window trimmings...

like lace curtains...

and if you don't want any window peekers...

use the black window...

keep your residence top secret...

so here's how the shutters look when used with the

BLACK METAL CORNERS...

one side of the corner gets glued under the base & the other side is under the shutter...

see the shadows?

and here's the result...

this is actually the

APRIL "KIT FOR ART"...

so in addition to all the art parts, step out photos & instructions...

the APRIL kit will include the BLACK METAL CORNER, 2 Blossom Bucket shutters & that cutie clear resin bottle...

the kit can be ordered @ CHA & will be sold thru Stampers Anonymous to stores or you can order right from them...

I won't be selling them...

I had fun designing this...

hmmm...where did that large oval come from?

stay tuned...

as you see...

these Blossom Bucket pieces are all a kraft color...

perfect to use as is...

or you can paint them to customize them...

or add alcohol inks...

or add a bit of archival, like I did on the front door...

that's day 12...

2 more to go...

here's a hint of what's coming...

I LOVE ORGANIZING...

I LOVE it almost as much as stamping...

I think THE Container store is like Disneyland...

so I HAVE designed a cool...

very useful...

organizer...

and it's being manufactured by BLOSSOM BUCKET!

I'm EXTRA thrilled about this,

because I was not expecting this to debut until summer CHA...

BUT it arrived on FRIDAY & is headed to California right now...

there's only one prototype...

ONE!

it's so HOT OFF THE PRESS that I haven't seen it yet...

or even a photo...

Cindy said it's exactly what I designed...

so more on that tomorrow...

I gotta hit it hard...

CRUNCH time is here...

gotta...

make more (CHA) art!

wendy

we all NEED...

supplies for ART!

this set of stamps was inspired by our vintage finds...

and it's perfect for mini books...

art journals & dimensional art...

starting @ the top left...

a vintage pen nib label...

works with the pen & the art part pen nib...

3 star label...

punch out the stars to fit tim's charm clips & memo pins...

or use it as a label...

duh...that's obvious...

diamond inks label...

nice size...

about 3 inches tall...

a perfect fit for the

large art parts bottle we have...

the pen...

it is an art part too & is stinkin'...CUTE!

use the silver dabber on the nib area & ink the rest of the pen...

CUTE!

rubber stamp ink bottle...

yes...I DO have a *thing* for bottles...

this is a cool shape & it's an art part too...

Campana Art Co label...

nice & easy to stamp & cut out...

paint vial...

this is an art part too...

perfect to use alone & it's sized to fit right over the label...

the Flo-master ink can...

I LOVE this thing...

it's an art part too...

I'll show you...

and finally...

the rubber stamp...

this is sooooo fun...

it's a 2 piece art part...

the whole thing is an art part & the second piece fits right over the bottom section...

lookie...

here's what the art parts look like when inked & stamped...

and I've been HOOKED again on embossing...

I bet I've used

clear embossing powder

on 20 CHA art pieces...

embossing is what HOOKED me to start stamping...

and I think it's still magic when the powder melts...

moving on to today's

BLOSSOM BUCKET beauties...

I am totally IN LOVE with this bouquet...

and the dress form...

perfect for those sewing themed projects...

and all caps...

YES...I'm yelling...

introducing BLACK METAL CORNERS...

also from Blossom Bucket...

now these may not be as cute as the embellishments above...

but I am OVER THE MOON thrilled with them...

use them ONCE & I guarantee you will be addicted...

they have so many fun possibilities...

here's the deal...

the corners come in 2 lengths...

3 1/2 inches & 8 inches...

and I designed them to allow us to create stand alone projects...

and to be able to create sturdy shelves for our art...

they are a nice strong metal...

black on both sides...

dull finish...

exactly what I wanted...

they can be attached by gluing them in place...

they can be attached with brads...

or eyelets...

or glued between art parts ...

think rulers...

need a hole in the corner to hang charms?

tim's drill punch works like a charm...

lol!

need to trim the corner to a custom size?

these corners are easy to trim with tim's tonic scissors...

they were also designed for the products I'll show you tomorrow...

so, in the photo below...

you'll see the

small art parts flower pot, with the BOUQUET...

standing on the black metal corner...

which is the shelf...

if you scroll back up to the colorful art parts photo...

you'll see the corner used as a shelf there too...

but...these corners also allow us to create stand alone art...

perfect for sitting on a shelf, table or mantle...

and it creates the option for more dimensional wall art too...

on the piece below, you don't see the corner...

but it's what connects the art parts together to make a nice sturdy stand alone piece...

so...corners on book covers...

to create standing art...

as shelf supports and I'll show you something REALLY cool tomorrow...

until then...

I'll be

mak(ing) art!

wendy

ps...I'll be waiting to hear what you think!