2 sneak peeks...

happy Monday!

this is just a quickie post...

but it has 2 big peeks...

I see 4 NEW on this one...

no...

NOT the chandelier...

it's on this set...

shopping is an art...LCS097

I love combining what we already have 

with brand NEW...

I like this color combo...

leaf green, orange blossom, red geranium & forget-me-not...

then using jet black to make it all pop!

and this has 2...

I had fun with one too...

no...

NOT that lace...

I used a part of this background stamp...

and it's

colored with distress markers...

you'll be seeing lots of card samples soon...

this release was created specifically with cards & tags in mind...

not many days left...

gotta

make (CHA) art!

wendy

ps...

thanks for stopping!

have a good one!

got Christmas cash?

happy day after!

I flipped out this morning when the first VALENTINE email came...

I did expect it...

but...

YIKES!!!

today is all about putting the decor away...

Christmas is over...

I'm done with winter...

I'm counting the days 'til SPRING!

I wanted to pass along some REALLY good sale info...

just incase you got Christmas cash!

simon says has 25% off all Ranger products...

the code is RSALE...

need to stock up on archival inks or reinkers?

or score a good deal on the distress spray stains?

http://shrsl.com/?~7de8

and SALE #2...

a 40% off special sale

from The Funkie Junkie...

this category even has some really new things from the summer release...

like 

the perfect peony SiSi...

and more...

click below & 

you'll be transported to the special sale section here...

it's time for stores to make room for all the new goodies being released at CHA...

and speaking of CHA...

here's some loaded sneak peeks...

6 new on this one...

combined with some current...

I LOVE that!

4 NEWS on this one...

3 are easy...

#4 is hard to spot...

I think she is adorable...

I've had a blast making samples with her...

ok...

hopefully I sat here long enough that Rick has most of the stuff packed away...

now it's time to 

make (CHA) art!

wendy

ps...I hope your Christmas was magical...

and that you can rest & enjoy this weekend!

6 for Monday...

PEEKS, that is!

stamps, stencils &

 a BRAND NEW 

FUN something!

it's time to wrap...

every year I vow to wrap each gift as I buy it...

BUT...

each year I'm always wrapping

 on Christmas Eve...

obviously...I'm a slow learner...

BUT...

it's a 2014 CHRISTMAS MIRACLE...

this year I'm wrapping on the 22nd...

are YOU all ready for the big day?

I'm off to...

make (gift) art!

wendy

ps...what 6 do YOU see?

popping in...

YIKES...long time no blog!

it's full speed ahead here, 

making CHA samples...

oh & a little shopping...

that's my story & I'm stickin to it...

I thought I'd show you our favorite new holiday decor piece...

it's a giant new, but vintage-ish,

 marquee sign...

with vintage looking light bulbs...

it's about 3 feet wide...

& it sits on top of the refrig...

not the easiest to photograph...

but I think you get the idea...

makes me smile...

several people have asked when sneak peeks start...

how about today?

I spy 3 NEW_____...

this release is a fun one...

I *think* I say that every time...

but it's true...

here's some hints & answers to recent inquiries...

#1 is a frequent one...

1. I sure hope you're planning on giving us potting soil as an embossing powder...my favourite of all your colours...

me...sorry...not this time!

2. more flowers please...

me...you bet! I'm having a blast with these new guys...can't wait to show them...

3. I would love to see smaller images that we cardmakers can use. specifically sized for cards and card sentiments too...

me...I *think* this release fits the bill...

I've made quite a few card samples...

4. I find your stamp-it stencil-it sets very easy to use and they seem to help jump start me some days. I hope you'll continue along that line...

me...THANKS so much!

...you will be happy...

I AM!

5. any chance you'll create thin dies that are so popular? I'm especially thinking of dies for your flowers...

me...nope...here's why...

the thin dies don't cut my clearly for art...

when I design the flowers, I like to have the option to layer them & clearly for art is the perfect strong, sturdy layering surface...

if I'm taking the time to make something, I want it to last & not get crushed or easily damaged...

so, we'll just keep using scissors...

I stamp a bunch & cut them out while watching the Bears lose...

haha! 

ok...that's it for today...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...

it's back to the studio for me...

time to

make more (CHA) art!

wendy

a holiday tutorial...

it's over on the Ranger blog & includes the supply list & step out photos to create this fun little home decor piece...

it's a great way to use up old packaging material, cardstock scraps, small pieces of tinsel twine,  Clearly for Art & idea-ology trimmings...

it's also fun to alter some things we've had for a bit & make them fresh & perfectly color coordinated with embossing powders...

 the technique I shared is

 how to create a faux graniteware effect 

with snow cap pigment ink & this spatter background stamp...

you'll find the scoop here...

running back to the studio now...

I'm in full blown

make (CHA) art mode!

wendy

ps...just you wait to see ALL the CHA goodies coming...

I'm having a blast...

altering with archival inks...

episode 2...

I went back to Hobby Lobby to get more of these candleholders...

I showed you how they went from this...

to this...

but they were all sold out...

boohoo...

so...

on to plan B...

this one is close to the same thing,

 but has a metallic finish...

for those who like bling...

you might prefer this style instead...

keep in mind that archival inks are translucent, so the base color affects the end result...

I added leaf green archival to the leaves...

I used carnation red archival on a mini blending tool & tapped on the color & dried it...

then swiped the red geranium pad over the petal edges to accent them...

and dried it again...

remember this background stamp that I chopped up to make 9 little stamps?

I used jet black with this polka dot stamp to stamp over the petals...

and used a tiny text stamp to add text to the 

leaves...it's not essential to do that...

it's barely visible, but I KNOW it's there!

yes...I do realize that I'm NUTS!

here's the quick & easy transformation...

one thing to note...

the finish on these is different than the white version...

the inks felt a little tacky when dry, but this was completely gone by the next morning...

if this is a last minute gift, 

you can paint a thin layer of Glue N Seal over it, let it dry & it would be ready to gift in 10 minutes flat!

but the Glue N Seal is not necessary...

the inks will dry & NOT be tacky...

now...

use your imagination...

it's kind of poinsettia-ish...

to take it a step further...

you could add little bits of Glossy Accents to the petal edges & then sprinkle on some rock candy glitter for even more holiday bling...

I bought 2 so here we go again...

I wanted to change this one to gold, so I put a tiny bit of my gold metallic embossing paste 

on my finger & finger painted it on...

I made sure to keep the layer thin & not to cover up the recessed detail on the petals...

a little leaf green on the leaves & some potting soil archival ink swiped onto the petal edges...

I LOVE IT!

this time I used the plaid mini stamp with jet black to stamp over the petals...

random stamping, but I like the extra detail...

and here they are again...

from this...

to these...

next...

for those of you thinking of joining us on the England tour next July, 

Jim said we have just 6 openings left...

think about it...

grab a friend &

come join the fun...

we'll make art in England...

now a SHOPPING ALERT from Linda at

The Funkie Junkie...

The Funkie Junkie Boutique will slash our already-low prices by 15% accross the board* beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 28th. We already sell at 20% below MSRP and with the extra 15% off you will enjoy a 35% discount on your entire purchase!  The sale will run through midnight on Cyber Monday, December 1st.  

this is a great time to stock up on supplies, or try some new products or let Santa know what you might like & save him some $$$!

a 35% discount is H U G E!

I have linked the products I used to 

The Funkie Junkie, 

so clicking on the links will magically transport you to them...

in closing...

just want you to know that

I'm so THANKFUL for YOU, my art friends...

you guys ROCK!

from Rick & I...

have a very

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I find it comforting to know that pumpkin pie has NO calories on Thanksgiving...

I *think* that's what I read on the net...

and if it's on the net...it MUST be true!

take care...

make (holiday) art!

wendy

altering with archival inks...

Houston...

we have a problem...

this is not the post I planned for today...

while writing the other post,

  I realized that I had used a "NEW" stamp, so I had to delay that post...

yikes...I almost got in trouble...

my reason for mentioning this?

I've been using LOTS of clearly for art with "NEW" stamps to make layered flowers...

(I know...flowers...shocking!)

I have been using Ranger's new adhesive foam tape & I love it...

 I've discovered it is THE PERFECT double sided adhesive for layering clearly for art...

it comes in both black & white...

I LOVE the BLACK, because it disappears between the layers when viewed from the side...

it adds the PERFECT depth & the adhesive is awesome with the clearly for art...

it sticks really REALLY well...

I also use it to add the CFA flower to the surface...

I'm letting you know so you'll be ready for when the NEW (flower) release comes out in January...

things like this also make great stocking stuffers or inexpensive gifts for friends...

glue n seal is my MOST favorite for adding paper to clearly for art...

and the foam tape is awesome for layering CFA...

ok...

remember this guy I showed the other day?

it's a resin candle holder from Hobby Lobby......

time to alter it...

for this one I used dandelion archival ink, with a blending tool...

just tap it on....

couldn't be easier...

so far...

 after giving it a quick dry, I added orange blossom to the center to add shading...

and a little to the edges of the bottom petals...

I dried it again...

and then used watering can archival to randomly stamp the subtle little polka dots...

that little bit of stamping adds so much detail...

ok...

to finish off the bottom...

I added a drop of the potting soil reinker onto the craft sheet, added a little rubbing alcohol & used a cheapo paintbrush to finish it off...

hmmm...wonder why I put the potting soil pad in the photo?

I DID use the reinker...

I considered using fern green...

or continuing with the dandelion...

or the orange blossom...

so I really think any of these would work for the bottom...

next I added a felt circle to the bottom & it's finished...

so...from this...

to this... 

all in 10 minutes...

other things to think about...

the bottom layer of petals could actually be leaves & they could have been inked with fern green or leaf green...

you could also die cut some leaves to add under the flower...

obviously it holds a candle...

BUT...

it can sit on a dresser to hold your rings...

that little recessed area is perfect!

that's how I'm using this one...

and...

since this can be coordinated to any decor, this makes a super quick...

inexpensive custom gift!

keep your eyes open when shopping...

there are lots of really nice, inexpensive resin pieces that can be altered with archival inks...

resin frames & vases make awesome custom gifts...

 remember...

archival inks are awesome when you...

make art!

wendy

ps...this was so much fun, I'm off to buy more...

I can not wait to make another, using cornflower on the flower, then accented with potting soil...

ornate frame hanging ornament...

if you're like me...

sometimes things don't go as planned...

yesterday I felt a NEED to play & make an art journal page...

this had been on my mind for several days...

that was my original plan...

I started by covering a 5 x 6 piece of manila cardstock with a new adhesive sheet...

this magic sheet changes die cuts into stickers...

that's the back...

on the front, I spread on my gold metallic embossing paste...

you can see it's a very uneven layer...

some areas are very thin...

some are much thicker...perfect!

the "unique" thing about the metallic pastes (both the gold & silver) is that if you blast them with the embossing tool while the paste is wet, you can create bubbles & texture in the paste & it dries with really cool texture...

so here's the sheet after I blasted it to dry the paste...

it's a very pretty gold metallic with texture...

next, I used tim's sizzix ornate frame die...

 now I have a frame for today & an extra gold metallic oval all ready for another day...

archival inks are awesome over dry embossing paste...

I had a vintage art journal page in mind, so I added some potting soil archival over the dry paste...

below you'll see the ink only over the right side of the frame...

and here's the whole frame inked 

with potting soil archival..

and to show you how much you can alter the color of the metallic pastes, the uninked oval is back in the inked frame for a comparison...

you'll see a huge difference in color...

so the moral of this story is that with gold & silver embossing paste, you can create any color metallic paste you need...

just add any archival ink over the top...

or...you can mix archival reinkers into the paste...

then store the left over colored paste in the mix & store jar...

here is where this project took a major detour...

when I picked up the finished frame to take a photo, I realized that it could make a great hanging Christmas ornament...

forget the art journal page...

on to plan B...

I cut another frame from manila cardstock, and used the archival/alcohol technique to add the background color to the oval insert...

I swiped the cornflower blue pad onto the craft sheet, added rubbing alcohol, mixed it up with the palette knife & dropped the oval into the ink...

the color immediately soaked thru...

then I dried it...

I added gathered twigs to the edges to create a frame...

then used fern green archival to stencil the larger tree & leaf green to lightly stencil the smaller tree...

keeping the stenciling light for the small tree, makes it appear to be in the background, even though it was actually stenciled over the large tree...

now here's my next thoughts...

how am I going to keep the oval from falling out of the frame?

and...

since I cut the frame from manila cardstock 

(because I thought it was going to be glued flat to a page)

how can I make this sturdy so it won't get bent & can easily be packed away for next year?

so...

I roughly cut an oval from black cardstock, just a bit larger than the oval insert...

and glued it to the BACK of the frame...

it's just a little larger than the oval opening...

making sure that the black is NOT visible from the front...

next I cut a second ornate frame from 

clearly for art BLACKOUT...

 after removing the backing sheet from the manila frame, it's super quick to adhere the CFA frame to the manila frame & now it's almost indestructible...

and it looks good/finished & professional from the back...

so if I decide to give this to someone, there's the perfect spot to add a sentiment...

the next photo shows that I replaced the large tree stencil over the stenciled tree & used jet black to stamp the numbers background thru the stencil,  onto the tree...

I used painters tape to mask off the areas that I wanted to protect...

now the tree looks like this...

I did the same thing with the smaller tree, but used fern green archival to add polka dots...

I didn't use black for the stamping, so I could keep the tree lighter & in the background...

to add "merry", I masked off the "christmas" portion of the stencil & added gold metallic embossing paste...

after the "merry was dry, I wanted to add just a bit of subtle snow...

the background spatter stamp combined with 

snow cap pigment is perfect...

subtle...exactly what I wanted...

my next thought was that I wanted to embellish the bottom of the frame...

here's my holly, stamped onto the paper side of a piece of clear CFA...

the paper gets adhered with my fav glue n seal...

with the holly stencil over the stamped image, I added fern green...

and replaced the stencil to ink the berries

 with red geranium...

then cut out the holly...

heated it to soften the CFA, then shaped it...

I needed something under the holly...

so I used the pinecone die to cut these sprigs from CFA blackout...

I inked over them with fern green archival, then sprinkled on the fern green embossing powder, wiped a bit off some of the edges to allow the black to show thru & heated it to melt the powder...

when they cooled, I heated them a bit so that I could shape them...

to coordinate with the gold embossing paste...

after shaking the tarnished brass distress paint, I put a bit on the craft sheet & used my finger to add random tiny bits to the sprig edges...

the next photo shows how to change the color of a mirrored star...

just tap on some tree branch archival ink...

and change the star from clear to vintage gold-ish...

somewhere along the way I added some barn door stickles to the holly berries...

since the berries are small, I put a bit on the craft sheet & used a toothpick to apply it onto the little berries...

and here's the finished hanging ornament...

when assembling it, I decided that I wanted the oval raised, so I added 2 oval die cuts under it...

and I added my usual pen stitching around the oval...

I love love really LOVE how vintage the frame looks...

it's hard to believe that it starts out as a simple manila cardstock die cut...

because all the pieces are made with CFA, this is incredibly sturdy & very lightweight...

using the CFA allows the sprigs & holly to hang off the edge without fear of being damaged...

so...

I didn't make an art journal page, as planned...

but I did

make (ornament) art!

wendy

ps... I guess when your art decides to take another direction, it's best to just relax & follow along!

have a wonderful weekend...

THANKS for coming to visit...