here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Friday, April 20, 2018

wendy vecchi MAKE ART Blendable Dye inks...

are here!

if you LOVE my archival ink colors...
you'll LOVE these

wendy vecchi 
MAKE ART

Blendable Dye inks

we have 12 colors in this release...
they are 12 colors from my current archival palette, which gives us so
many creative options, 
since they coordinate perfectly...

keep in mind that the archival inks 
are a translucent oil based permanent ink
and the new

wendy vecchi 
MAKE ART
Blendable Dye inks
are a translucent 
water based blendable dye ink...
this makes them PERFECT to pair with 
the 24 archival inks we have...

we can use them together since 
oil & water never mix!

we can stamp or stencil with archival and blend these new Blendables right over the archival ink, with no bleeding, smearing or blending...

or...

we can use them to blend a beautiful background, then stamp or stencil right over the background using our archival inks...
perfect!

now about the pads themselves...

they are the GOLDILOCKS of ink pads...
not too small...
not too large...
just PERFECT!

here's a photo showing the red geranium archival with the new
red geranium MAKE ART Blendable, 
so you can see the size better...


did you see?
the cases are SEXY BLACK!

and get ready for this...
the price per pad is just ...

$3.99...
I'm pleased that they are very affordable...
that means you can add all 12 to
 your collection for $50.00 total!

yes...we have reinkers for the pads...
they are $3.49 each...

these start shipping to stores 
on MONDAY April 23...
I HATE waiting, so this is GREAT!

now...
the only problem?
we NEED the other 12 colors!!!
hello...buy them so we get the others!
I keep reaching for the missing colors...

look at the pads...
the base of the ink pads is nice and thick, making them very easy to grip...
their smaller size makes them really nice to hold & use...



look how cute they are...
 below are the 12 colors in this release...

does that flower look familiar?

SPECIAL THANKS 
to Taylor from Ranger
 for making the labels sooo stinking' cute!














here's the press release, 
if you'd like to see the colors all together...





below are some examples of 
the MAKE ART Blendable colors...
this is red geranium, poppy & sunflower...


next we have...
bluebird, fern green and prickly pear...


for this this next sample I used the blending tool to add inks thru the Stampers Anonymous circle grate stencil,
 using cornflower blue, violet, then acorn...
these are all the MAKE ART Blendables...

keep in mind that they are translucent inks, 
so the more you add, the more color you get...
I kept this sample pretty light, 
compared to the very first sample...

more ink means a darker color...
less ink & it's a lighter color...




I stenciled red geranium, orange blossom, sunflower, prickly pear and garden patina for this one...
quick & easy background, using the intersecting circles stencil!



here's the very first test card I made using them...
way back in JANUARY!

if you think it's been easy to keep quiet about them...
trust me...

many days I thought I would explode!





if you look at that small 5 petal flower on the right...
that blending is made possible by the detail blending tools...

these inks are the reason I wanted NEEDED 
the detail blending tools...

the wendy vecchi 
MAKE ART
Blendables 
are perfect to use with the detail blending tools...
the flower below shows that & it couldn't be easier...
that flower is a flat mat mini,
 but looks really dimensional because of the shading...

they make a huge difference in your art!



in the photo below,
 you can see I used my archival inks and the new wendy vecchi MAKE ART Blendable inks on this card...
here are the colors I used...





here's another example of the awesome blending...
these colors look really pretty on my Ranger Perfect Grey cards...

the heart was embossed with Ranger's new silver tinsel embossing powder...

even those tiny flowers can be shaded, 
using the detail blending tool...
they are a MUST HAVE!








 I'm sure you're wondering if these new inks are the same formulation as Tim's distress inks ...

they are NOT...

this formula was created at Ranger for me!

and if you're wondering if I'm switching to these & 
ignoring my archival inks...

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

the Blendables were formulated to work together with the archival inks perfectly!

now we have OPTIONS...

color coordinated...
OPTIONS!

YIPPEE!!!


for some quickie videos to see these 
wendy vecchi MAKE ART Blendables in action!

I seem to find it easier to post there more often...

I'll be sharing more...
lots more...

I'm in Connecticut now...
teaching store owners all about these cuties...

but I'll be checking in to hear your thoughts...

I'm so HAPPY that I can finally share these inks!
phew...relief!

new inks...
just what we need to 

MAKE ART!
wendy
ps...are you excited?
tell me!



introducing 4 NEW stamp/stencil sets

Hey my friends...

I got the Dyson out & sucked away the cob webs here,
just  to show you my 
4 NEW Stampers Anonymous stamp sets, 
2 NEW backgrounds stamps...
and the 4 coordinating Mat Minis 
for these 4 new stamp sets...

ALL 4 of these stamp sets 
come with a full page stencil!
it's right in the package...

if you liked our Stamp-it Stencil-its...
this is them...but even better...
like ON STEROIDS!

we included the stencils on 2 of our sets from the January release & they were very well received, so we're continuing..

the stencil pages have binder holes in them for easy storage...

I use my stamp binder to keep them organized...
just place the stencil page behind the coordinating stamp set...
it's super convenient, the stencils are protected, 
easy to find and 
always ready to MAKE ART!


 our GREAT TALENTED AWESOME 
graphics genius Matt, 
made them for us & they are perfect!

 the full page stencil is only $2.00, 
which puts the price of the sets
 at a very reasonable $19.95...
if you haven't tried them yet...trust me...
with so many options, they are a
game changer!

USE this link
to see the whole flyer, 
with more samples!

GREAT NEWS...
NO LONG WAIT...

everything starts shipping on 
MONDAY, April 23...
 give your fav store a few days after that to get them in...
if there are any MUST HAVES,
let your fav store know that so they can order them for you...

first set...
SCS160 Special Art...



the sentiments fit inside the circle...

the stencil lets us ink just the circle, 
while the flower/leaf is protected...
then there is a stencil section 
for inking the flower and leaf...
soooo easy!

the stencil also has section for inking over the stamped leaves...

SCS160 has a coordinating set of Mat Minis...
so that the leaves & flower can be used alone...
like this...
or layered over the circle image...

those leaves are great...
they fit many flowers that we have...






set #2 is...
SCS161
Friendship & Art...


and here's the coordinating MAT MINIS...
both flowers from the set are included...

here's one, using the bottom right flower...



the other flower is large & 
really makes a statement on the card!
I paired it with the leaf from SCS160...

we filmed a video at Stampers Anonymous
sharing how to use this lace doily 
(from SCS152 CAFE ART)
 to change it into a square doily...





set #3 is...
Mug ART...

the Mug Art set has Mat Minis too!
you don't see it on the sample, 
but there are these mat mini words 
in with the set...
GULP...I think that's a funny word...
good for many happenings!
and SIP...
the stencil for this set allows polka dots, stripes or 3 colors to be added to the stamped mugs...
these are good year round mat minis...
I'll be sharing more in the next days...

lots of sentiments on the set 
were designed to fit the mug...
plus we have others in our stash...

these are perfect for any occasion and really nice for guy cards!
they're large too, to make the focal point on your cards...
can't wait to use these for Christmas cards...
remember that mat minis can be used with embossing folders for another option...
super cute!




the stencil is designed to allow us to ink only inside of the mug with the blending tool, without inking the outside of the mug...
really makes it look dimensional...
no masking needed!
the "steam" stamp is from SCS152 CAFE ART...
it came out last fall...







and the last set...
OMG...

look at that bucket of flowers!
it's SCS163...
A Bunch Of Art...

the stencil for this set is amazingly detailed & we filmed a video showing how it works...
we'll be posting that soon...
did I tell you that MATT is a genius?
OH YES he is...
he made this one super special for us!

you'll enjoy using
 the detail blending tool with this set...
it's perfect for inking those tiny stencil areas...
we can ink the individual areas 
with NO MASKING...
huge timesaver and so convenient!


and these win the award for 
BEST MAT MINIS...
all 6 of those teeny tiny flowers are mat minis...
and the rose is too...
48 pieces in that set...

adorable!




I've made so many samples with the bucket...
it's my fav from this release!




 we also have 2 individual backgrounds...
the first is...
brand new...
it's
Simply Plaid...
it's a good everyday basic...
ink it with just one color...
use multiple colors or 
it's a good one to use with embossing powders, 
like I did below...

and the second has been brought back, 
by request as a single background...
it's Faded Florals...
originally from an older set...
if you have LCS053, you already have this one...

it looks great stamped in one color...
I really love it stamped with
Watering Can Archival on my Ranger Perfect Grey cards...
or
use the mini archival ink pads
with tim's stamp platform 
to add multiple colors to color the flowers and the leaves...

it takes a few stampings, 
but the platform makes it super easy...



here's the simply plaid, with that bucket again...
for the 3rd time on this post!
I TOLD you that I LOVE IT!

did you notice that lace stamp added to the simply plaid?


I had a blast making a bunch of samples 
using these new goodies...

I'll be waiting to hear your fav...
I already told you mine!


next up at 11am Chicago time is 
my Ranger announcement...
that blog post will go live here at 11AM today...

sit down for this one...
I'm telling you...
it's

G O O D!!!


SOOOOOO


VERYYYYY

G O O O O O D!

I'm in Connecticut for the Collin's event...
but I'll be posting some mini videos on Instagram...
so if you want more...


THANKS a million for your support...
art friends are THE BEST friends!

get ready to...

make art!
wendy





Thursday, January 18, 2018

BRAND NEW FOR 2018

HELLO my friends...
YIKES...there are cobwebs on this blog...

I had planned to try Facebook live for this release, but my brother has had some major health issues & is having surgery today...
 I thought I better get this typed up & ready for you...
EDIT...7am today...
because of his labwork, he got postponed until next THURSDAY...


I will do my best to get videos done at Creativation, 
to give you a better look at these new products...

I'll also put up mini videos on Instagram & Facebook, so be sure to follow me to see them...

I have PLENTY to share today...
I'll be sharing my new Ranger release and below that
my NEW stampers anonymous products...

Lets start with NEW Ranger products...
I've included the press release with all the details below...

for the stampers anonymous release, I'll have a link for you to see the entire catalog, which has a ton of samples...
that will be toward the end of the post...

Ranger is first!

most products are shipping after the show...
the apron & cardstock ship early February...
so yippee...no long wait!

FINALLY...
we have 6 GORGEOUS new archival colors 
to add to my signature palette...

wait 'til you see these guys in person...
they are seriously
MUCH more beautiful 
than the labels show...

these are the perfect compliments 
to the Archival inks we already have...

meet

POPPY
PRICKLY PEAR
PEAT MOSS
BLUEBIRD
THISTLE
and finally another brown...

ACORN!

I am IN SERIOUS LOVE 
with these new colors...

next up...


we heard loud & clear 
that everyone LOVES the mini Archival pads...
so...
I'm HAPPY to share that
we have 2 new sets of current colors!
these guys are super convenient & 
CUTE, aren't they?

tuck a blending foam in the bottom, 
pop them into the storage tin & you're ready to go...


next up...

new wendy vecchi

PERFECT CARDSTOCK...

hold onto your hats!

why PERFECT?
because it IS!

since archival & distress are both translucent inks, 
the base color of the surface you use,
influences the FINAL color you see...

that's why I wanted PERFECT WHITE cardstock...
to show the TRUE beautiful ink colors...

and because I LOVE 
my watering can Archival ink so much...
I think that influenced me to want a
 nice neutral PERFECT GREY cardstock...
the grey can be used for classy or fun, funky cards...
I LOVE IT!
it's QUALITY cardstock, by Neenah...

both the PERFECT WHITE 
and
PERFECT GREY
come as folded cards and are also sold as single panels...

trust me...
it's PERFECT!
the grey is 100 pounds, 
so it's PERFECT for adding multiple layers, 
without creating too much bulk for mailing...
the white is 110...nice & sturdy for techniques & MORE...

stamped images are PERFECT, 
because the cardstock is super smooth...
stenciling is perfect...
inks blend very well on them...
they emboss well...
and...
they are both
GREAT for inky techniques...
just what I LOVE...


now when making art, 
cards, mixed media, scrapbooks and more...
we 
NEED
 THE
PERFECT CARD ADHESIVE...

if you LOVED Glue N Seal...
this quite possibly may be a tiny bit better!
I am over the moon HAPPY to have 

PERFECT CARD ADHESIVE...

it's a nice 2 ounce bottle with a fine tip...
it has a great price...
it's fluid, so the adhesive easily flows to the tip, 
no killing your hand trying to shake it down...

and what you don't see is what is the best...
no wrinkles!

I have used it to glue super fragile vintage papers 
with no bubbling or warping...
things like really old book pages...
it's fabulous!

use it right from the bottle or 
if you're working on a large piece,
(like an art journal cover)
 I spread the PERFECT CARD ADHESIVE with 
the distress collage medium brush...
it works great!

quite frankly...
it IS PERFECT!

oh yes...

I too designed an apron...
 to keep us tidy during our art making sessions...
I HAD to include my usual tag line...
MAKE ART!



I hate to say that I saved 
the BEST  Ranger release 
for the last...

B U T...

I am SO SUPER EXCITED 
about this next product...

this is something that I have lobbied for, 
for about 2 years...
this is a simple tool, but TRUST ME...
use it just once & you'll LOVE it...

I have wanted a way to add shading 
to stamped/stenciled images...
the round blending tool is awesome,
 but sometimes it is just too large...

introducing...

DETAIL BLENDING TOOLS...

you won't believe the difference
 these WILL make in your art...

I'll be showing many examples
 where I have used them & 
showing when I have not...

what you'll see is a 
HUGE AMAZING DIFFERENCE...
we now can add
more depth...
more interest...
I'm seriously thrilled!

they come in a handy 5 pack...
they have blending foam on each end...
and the price is great...

after getting my prototypes,
I soon realized that I was reaching for them 
for stenciling small areas...

so that makes them MORE useful than I even planned!
win...win!

the DETAIL BLENDING TOOLS
really make masking less necessary...
because they are small, 
you can see exactly where you're adding ink...

I spend way less time masking off areas of my stencils...

I waited 2 years...
not patiently! lol!

BUT...
they were worth the wait to get them PERFECT!

they are the perfect compliment
 to the round blending tool...
and it's cool that we now have a 
Ranger ANTI-STATIC Pouch 
to use with embossing powders...
this makes all the difference in the world...
it keeps embossing powders only where you want them...

it's nice to de-stick over sticky tapes & stickers too...

I wish you could see how excited I am 
about these AWESOME NEW Ranger products...
I'm smiling LOTS!

OK...
now stampers anonymous...

shipping starts JANUARY 29th...
the guys have been working hard to get products ready for us!
so...no long wait!

my Stamp-it Stencil-its are hugely popular...
but this year we didn't do any...
WHAT???

instead, we made them even better!

I have an 
EXCITING CHANGE 
for three of the 6 new 
stamp sets...

3 of the new stamp sets now include a 
FULL PAGE STENCIL/MASK
included with the stamp set...


they have holes to be a perfect fit for the stamp binder...
 I put the coordinating stencil right behind the stamp set in the binder, so they're handy to use & organized...

these give us SO MANY creative OPTIONS...
I have joked that I wanted a stencil for  almost 
EVERY stamp...
here's the start!

and the best thing?
the sets WITH the full page stencil are only $2.00 more.
I think we got a really great deal from Ted!


you'll see exactly what they look like...
but here's a quick look...
I snipped the connecting points to release the heart MASK...





lets start with 
the first NEW stamp set...


SCS154 SPOTLIGHT ART... $19.95
this is a set that INCLUDES the stencil/mask for the bottom "spotlight" stamp...

this set is versatile!
use it as a sunrise...
use it as a moon...
use it as a snow globe...
use just a portion, coming down from the top, to create a sun...
I LOVE the little rays stamp
that can be stamped over the solid image or used alone...

from the bottom or from the top...
GOOD LUCK & you're a star
 are 2 small rubber stamp sentiments...

the coordinating stencil also includes
 a row of 5 stars in 2 different shapes...
and 4 stencil sentiments...




next is SCS155 ART FROM THE NEST...$17.95
no stencil page needed for this one...

I adore the LOVEBIRDS!
stamp one sitting in the nest...
so cute!

good card sentiments included...

I snipped the 3 flowers to make them individual...
you can do that or leave them as one stamp...

use them with the branch & they work well with another new set SCS157...




next is SCS156 NO RING ART $17.97
no stencil needed for this one...


I had multiple requests for a RETIREMENT stamp 
that could be used for guys or gals...
look closely at the clock...
the company is called
 The NO RING COMPANY...
hey...if you're retired, no alarm is needed!

lots of useful sentiments & a snarky one or two!

that little bouquet on the bottom is a fun one for markers...

the alarm clock has a coordinating mat mini set 
to create dimensional FUN...
ps...those LEGS are too funny!




next we have
SCS157 HELLO ART...$17.95
no stencil included...

YES! 
the mirror image of the bird from the fall release...
he's soooo cute!

there are so many ways to use this set...
the branch can be used for winter as is, 
or add some snow...
or add some leaves for spring/fall art...

stamp the branch in acorn or potting soil..
then add leaves in any color...
use flowers from the set SCS155...

I LOVE to use the individual leaves 
 with flowers we already have...

this set has good card sentiments too...

that little planter can hang from the branch...
anywhere!






this next set INCLUDES the full page stencil...
it's HEARTFELT ART SCS158...$19.95


this FULL PAGE stencil/mask also includes
 a stitching template for the heart!

so we have the heart stamp, 
the stencil, the mask & the stitching template!
multiple options...

we also included the stencils for the 2 flowers/leaves...
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this set!

see that flower bottom right?
there is a matching mat mini flower that I'll show later...

the flower on the left is awesome to cut out & 
layer multiple times...
LOTS of samples coming...

see that bud sticking up under the ADORE YOU STAMP?
that tiny stencil area is PERFECT for using 
the DETAIL BLENDING TOOL...

I adore the sentiments on this set...

you'll see the stencil page that I showed earlier 
was designed for this set!



and the 6th set...

AGAIN...
I may have saved my most favorite set for last...

this INCLUDES the full stencil page...
it's BIRTHDAY ART SCS159...$19.95

there are also mat minis,
 that are a perfect fit for these 3 flowers...

you'll see so many samples using this set...
I had to hide it from myself!
I was reaching for it constantly...

look how cool!





now we move on to 
NEW individual background stamps...
there are 4 new guys...

the first 2 are NOTEPAD and OLD QUILT...

NOTEPAD makes an awesome card...
stamp it twice, cut it out, score the top of the top piece, 
glue them together at the top
 (PERFECT CARD ADHESIVE, of course!
and you have a really unique card shape, that fits in a standard envelope...

OLD QUILT is something I sketched 
after we saw an OLD QUILT at an antique store...
it was made from many types of clothing scraps...
nothing really coordinated, 
but I spotted the stitching that held it all together...
easy to see that it was made with love...

it was very worn & fragile,
 but the stitches kept it intact...

that was the inspiration for 
the OLD QUILT background...

I use it whole, 
I use it as a one row border & 
I cut the individual squares & piece them back together...
turn them 90 degrees to create diamonds...
super FUN!

OLD QUILT
 is a fun one to use with the mini archival or distress pads...
the minis make it easy to add multiple colors...

meet  NOTEPAD & OLD QUILT...

the next 2 single backgrounds are 
COUNTRY GINGHAM and OPEN DOTS...
Country Gingham is a bring back from an old set,
so you might already have that...
it's from the old large set LCS009...
check before you rebuy it...

 we brought it back as a single background...
GINGHAM never goes out of style...


OPEN DOTS...LOVE IT...
if it's polka dots, I NEED it!
this is a great background...

use it whole, use it as a template for enamel accents,
 use it to stamp over mat mini pieces, 
use it as a stitching template and
 as a template for perfect placement of brads! 

OPEN DOTS looks great inked or embossed too...



next we have 2 really cool & useful
stencil-it MASK-its...

we have a circle frame and an oval frame...
just a quick snip at the connecting points & you release the mask...
the circle & oval both have a large opening (stencil area)
 to fit card fronts...
 they have the removable ring & the solid mask...
so it's a 3 part stencil/mask...
the 3 parts gives us 2 sizes of circles & ovals when you add the ring...
very USEFUL!

the stencil-it mask-it allows us to stamp the main image,
 mask it off, then add the background later, while the image is protected...

here's the circle...



and the oval...








and lastly...
 I LOVE my 

MAT MINIS...
sooo soooo much!

it's been SO MUCH FUN making samples...

first up is mat mini WORDS...

there are 2 sheets in the package...
the words included are

HOME

HEY

LOVE (small size)

LOVE (larger)

YOU...

and HAPPY...
perfect for the mat mini cupcakes & cake we already have...
and the GET MUGGED mat minis!

these WORDS are fun for cards &
 mixed media stuff too...

they mail well...




next we have...
TIMEPIECES...

there are 2 sheets of alarm clocks & pocket watches...
they are perfectly sized to fit the clock from SCS156...

just ink the stamp & press the mat mini onto the inked stamp, 
to add all the detail...

you can see the alarm clock below...
the pocket watch is the same, minus the little legs...
so the stamp works for both!

these are so much fun for mini collages or
 a simple card...




and the last mat mini...
there are 2 sheets in the package...

FRESH FLOWERS & LEAVES...
these coordinate with the flowers
 on SCS159 & the flower on SCS158...

the sample you see on the package below shows 
the OLD QUILT background, 
the mat mini FRESH FLOWERS & LEAVES & 
LOVE is a mat mini WORD...


to see the entire catalog,
the link will take you right there...

I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts on my newest release...
talk to me!
what's your fav?

your fav store owners are in Phoenix shopping for YOU, 
so let them know what your MUST HAVES are...

from the bottom of my heart,
THANKS SO MUCH 
for your friendship and support...
I sincerely appreciate it...
if you can send good healing thoughts to my brother, I'd be eternally grateful...

wendy
ps...Phoenix or bust!

here's a quickie color swatch I made before leaving...

the 6 new colors are marked with a star...