39 & counting...

yikes...

long time no post...

but I can assure you that I have been BUSY...

yes...ALL CAPS kind of BUSY...

we made LOTS of kits & still have more to do for the next stop on the art adventure...

I'm excited to be teaching @ my new home store...

The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington, Illinois.

we'll get inky on the 29th of this month & make the artist collectible shelf project...

it's shown on the link above...

I'm so looking forward to seeing my friends there...

it's been a while...

hmmm...what else have I been doing?

I went to see THE QUEEN!

Queen Patti @ The Queen's Ink...

we had a wonderful weekend with 3 PACKED classes...

GREAT...very talented students...

Hels came all the way from the UK...

so we FINALLY got to meet...

SOOOO flipping cool!!!

the QUEEN & I had an impromptu brain storming session & came up with a really cool idea...

like jumping out of your skin GOOD idea...

I asked her a question...

she answered & the idea bloomed from there!

I can not wait to show you...

what else?

I've been working on new stamps & new art parts for release in January @ CHA...

I'd say I'm about 75% done...

I'm on a mission to get them finished in the next few days...

and I've been working on these art part leaves, with peeled paint stain & my background stamp (in jet black archival, of course) ...

and with these...

fun alcohol inks...

love the black/rust combo...

to make metal look very vintage...

and I've been playing with my new BFF...Siri...

we're totally over the moon in love with the new iPhone...

I love it...Rick does too...

and now I have a little SALE info...

my FAVORITE 4 letter word...

next to SHOP...

Simon Says is giving $5.00 off your order...

just enter...

fright

in the code section...simple!

and eclecticPaperie has 20% off my stamps & 20% off art parts too...

and 35% off tim's stamps & his Sizzix Alteration's dies...

a really good SALE...

about that 39 & counting...

39 years ago today I married the best guy ever...

I couldn't be happier & still so in love...

YIKES...I didn't make him a card...

gotta run...

have a great weekend...

I hope you get inky &...

make art!

wendy

ps...go Bears!!

I hope my UK friends will be there cheering in London!

these things make me happy...

my friends know that I HATE to have my picture taken...

I always have...

even when I was little...

but I am getting used to it...

So why am I posting a photo of me smiling???

I am totally over the top HAPPY...

because of this...

Now what is a senior educator you ask?

It could mean I'm old...

ok, that's obvious...

just look @ the picture above...

It could mean that I teach seniors...nah...

or it could mean that I represent Ranger & travel all over to teach people about Ranger's AWESOME products...

Yep...I think that's it!

If ever there was dream job...this is IT!

Some days I pinch myself to make sure this is real.

I almost hesitate to call it WORK...

because I totally enjoy demoing & teaching & seeing others get excited about these products too.

It inspires me!

So...from the bottom of my heart...

a MILLION THANKS to Justin, Alain & the WHOLE Ranger family...

and especially TIM...

for having faith in me.

It's kind of ironic, but 3 years ago I met Ted & Michelle...

it was Labor Day weekend 2007 to be exact...

the day this art adventure/second career started.

So I also have to send HUGE THANKS to Michelle & Ted...

you guys are the best!

Now I guess the moral of this little story is this...

believe in yourself...

work hard...

and WONDERFUL things WILL happen...

I'm living proof!

Did you see this cool interview with tim?

It's another thing that makes me HAPPY...

Ok...this makes me happy too...

Did you know that you can cover art parts with tim's tissue tape & then color it with alcohol inks??

Did you know that you can cover grunge with the tissue tape, then use tim's alterations Sizzix dies to make custom embellishments?

Alcohol inks are perfect, because they are transparent. So that means that any pattern or design will show thru the color.

With lots of alcohol ink colors to choose from...

it's simple to change the color of the tissue tape...

It's amazing that the stickiness of the tape is NOT affected by the alcohol ink...

Try it...

It's FUN STUFF!

This makes me happy too...

it's only a peek...

but there's a HUGE hint if you pay attention to product packaging...

I'll post the real deal soon...

And then there's SHOPPING...

That makes me happy too...

Rick...not so much...

but after almost 38 years...he's used to it...

Now some may call this being an enabler...

but I prefer to call it...

"informing my friends of a good deal"...

or 2!

it's all a matter of perspective...

want 10% off your whole order??

even brand new stamps from CHA?

enter this code

laborday10

and you'll save some $$$ @ eclecticPaperie.

and speaking of alcohol inks...

here's the bargain of the century on tim's fillable alcohol ink pen...

it's just $2.00 @ simon says stamp...

normal pen price is $6.00.

My favorite use for the fillable pen is to color individual rhinestones...

just buy clear & you can alter them to coordinate with any project.

Works with pearl embellishments too...

and...

You can easily color metal embellishments in seconds...

Don't like the color you chose?

Alcohol blending solution will remove the ink color & leave you with a clean slate to start all over...

and if you're wondering if you can use the metallic mixatives in the pens???

The answer is no...

because the mixatives have a little metal mixing ball inside & you can't add that to a pen...

HOWEVER...I put a drop of the metallic mixative on my craft sheet & use the fillable pen to transfer the color to the metal piece...

PERFECT!

Gold & Silver are my favorites...

Well it was 50 degrees here this morning...

that means winter is coming...

I think I'll SHOP & stock up so I have plenty of goodies to...

make art...

wendy

ps...giving away fresh rubber makes me happy too...

I'll make someone happy on TUESDAY!

but wait!!!...there's MORE!

like the info-mercial says...

but wait...there's MORE...

ART PARTS that is!!!

This final product has been planned for a long time...

but we got down to the wire...

and sadly...

I thought it would be released @ CHA 2011...

in JANUARY...

(boohoo)

BUT...NOT SO...

TED came thru...

YIPPEE!

We spoke last night & it's a go for THIS CHA...

like in a few days!

OMG...I'm EXCITED!!!

Let me tell you about the last category of art parts...

it's called...

"clearly for art"...

(there's that ART word again!)

Clearly for art is loaded with possibilities for making clear custom embellishments with other products we currently own...

think ...studio 490 stamps...

think...Tim's Sizzix dies...

think ... punches...

think... Ranger's archival ink...

think... Tim's alcohol inks...

you don't need to buy lots of supplies...

but you'll NEED Ranger's heat-it craft tool...

FOR SURE...

and you'll want to work on Ranger's non stick craft sheet...

FOR SURE...

clearly for art is an 8 x 10 sheet of clear material...

with some very unique features...

when heated...

it does not shrink...

it is simple to mold into a dimensional embellishment...

don't like what you made?

just reheat it and reshape it again...

still not satisfied???

heat it again...

and again & again until you're 100% satisfied...

and as soon as it's cool...

which is just a few seconds...

it's rock solid...

it holds the shape you designed & it doesn't crack or break...

this stuff is TOTALLY amazing & is another bargain of the century...

thanks to Ted!

clearly for art will have 6 sheets in the package & retail for about $4.00...

so each sheet will cost less than 67 cents...

time to show you a few pieces I made with clearly for art...

this sample is made with my new stamp...

it's stamped with cobalt archival

(I LOVE blue so this is a new fav archival)

I heated it & made it into a flower center...

the base is the small art parts flower...

the stem is from art parts too...

that CUTE NEW button is from tim's new ideology release...

it's not the easiest thing to photo...

but here's another look...

for the next sample I used tim's heart from Sizzix and die cut the clearly for art...

it's stamped with my polka dot background & jet black archival ink...

then I heated it & shaped it...

then added it with the tiny attacher to the grungeboard heart...

I think you can see the dimension better here...

next is tim's tattered floral Sizzix die...

again...

it's stamped with COBALT archival...

it's heated, shaped & cooled...

now it looks like this...

yep...

I'm LOVIN' the cobalt archival...

and clearly for art...

now about my bottle stamp...

I'm just saying...

simple to round & shape...

simple...

ah...the possibilities...

Ok...talk to me...

I'm "CLEARLY" excited to hear your thoughts...

gotta run...

it's my last day to...

make art

wendy

BACK!!!...

with a MAC!

YIPPEE...I think we're in business.

We both have LOTS to learn...so this will be a shorty post to make sure ...IT GOES to you and not cyberspace.

I can see I'll be making the 75 mile one way trek often...

for more one to ones @ the Apple store.

but so far so good...my poor little old brain was on overload yesterday after I left the store...

and in case you wondered...YES!!!

I did miss you guys LOTS!

I'm glad you enjoyed the memo pin tip...

Look @ all your stamps...it's amazing what will fit in that small circle. There really are a million possibilities.

I promised to give you a heads up just as soon as the new Maya Road goodies arrived. Guess what...

they're HERE!

Here's the BLACK bingo chips...

and these awesome trinket star pins...

remember you can use them as is...

and ...

you can change the color with alcohol inks...to coordinate with any project.

I already added tim's rock candy distress stickles to some of them...

VERY COOOOOOOOL effect!

You'll find the super cute chipboard mini laundry set here...

and the mini crowns here.

I had planned to show you the new Enamel Accents from Ranger...

but they're on top secret CHA projects...

TRUST ME...they are a way cool product!

They dry shiny and stay raised...for a great embellishment.

As you can guess...I'm in LOVE with the black.

And speaking of CHA...I'm over the top excited about my new stamps...

I'm working on projects for book #3 and they have been so much fun...

I got some new ideas and tips and hints to share too...

OK...let's see if this publishes...

I was going to cross my fingers, but I NEED them to...

make art

wendy

15 minute ART...aka alcohol ink play

Play is good!!!

I've been working pretty hard...and I NEEDED a little play time...
no assignments...
just some ART FUN...

So, looking around the studio, I thought I'd grab something I'd not played with in a while...

This case of goodness caught my attention...

These are Ranger's new Alcohol Ink Fillable Pens...
hmmmmm...

What could I do with them that's a little different???
I only had a little play time...




But first...if you have one of tim's cases...
(these guys are discontinued...)
the pens are a perfect fit...


If you are lucky enough to find one...
GRAB IT!

Cool storage is another thing I LOVE!



In 15 minutes...here's what I made...


I'm a very slow creator...but this was fast & soooo FUN...
and it made me happy to have a completed project in such a short time...



If you want to play along...

you'll need these Ranger products...

The craft sheet.
I NEVER work without it...ever...

Alcohol inks...a few colors...
or if you're like me...GET THEM ALL!
They last FOREVER, since you only use a few drops...

The NEW fillable alcohol ink pen...
get several...you need one dedicated for each color...
and...
keep one for blending solution...

silver paint dabber

A memory frame & memory glass...
I used the 2 x 2...

Jet black archival ink...it's an essential

Coffee archival ink...I almost always use this for background
stamps...unless I use jet black or olive archival...the 3 basics for me...
oops...sepia too...make that 4 basics!

from studio 490... these stamps...

life is art
polka dot background stamp
scroll and screen background

from tim's idea-ology line...

a washer
the foliage...I used a larger flower & a small one and one of the leaf pieces

a game spinner...they make PERFECT stems for flowers...
and a long fastener...

other stuff...

a frame...I used a square 5 x 5
background paper cut to fit the frame
a scrap of kraft cardstock 2 x 2
black glaze pen by Sakura
a small piece of black presentation board...mine is 3 1/4 square
black rhinestones...
scrap of cardboard

OK let's start...
1. stamp the screen stamp on the kraft cardstock with the coffee ink.

2. stamp the saying with black ink

3. stamp the scroll toward the top left, with black

4. assemble the memory frame...I used the chipboard as a backing, since it can't be seen. I kept the ring to the left, so that I could attach the folliage pieces

5. cut the background paper to fit the frame and stamp with coffee ink & the polka dot stamp

6. Using the fillable pen...ink the leaves with any green alcohol ink & use another pen (filled with a blue alcohol ink) to color the flowers.

7. assemble the flower...insert the brad into the washer, small flower, large flower, leaves, game spinner & thru the ring on the memory frame.

Spread the prongs to hold in place.
Add rhinestones on top of the washer

8. Edge the presentation board with the silver paint dabber...
it's simple...and adds a lot...then
Glue the memory frame onto the black presentation board & glue that to the background & insert into the big frame.

9. For the final details, I added some glaze pen dots around the presentation board and a few on top of the memory glass...
and a row of rhinestones on top of the memory glass.


Here's another look...




and another...




I hope you'll take time to play...
try this simple idea and...


as always...


make art!
wendy

studio 490 sightings and a few random things...

What a thrill it is for me to see studio 490 stamps used by others...

On my lunch break yesterday, I popped over to the Hero Arts blog & found these cards...done by Lin...

This one immediately caught my attention...
I loved the pastels & the layout too...
It's simple & so VERY effective...

and of course...
I LOVED her choice of studio 490 stamps!
This card could be used for any occassion, just by changing the sentiment...



Then I spotted my leaves...on another...
How COOL...





and another color scheme below...
Thanks Lin! GREAT cards!!




Next...more art from Lynne Forsythe...
We attended Ranger U together, the first time I went...
You've seen her art here before...


She used my stamps with Copic markers to make this awesome journal page...




Here's a better look...what WONDERFUL colors...





Thanks for sharing LYNNE!! I LOVE IT!


Like the infomercial says...


But wait... there's more...

This is from my friend Daisy Sparks...she's the mom of cute Samantha...

and owner of eclectic Paperie...

These cards are just amazing...



She has a you-tube video showing how to make great...simple backgrounds with alcohol inks...

check it out....then go shopping @ eP!
I bet you'll need some alcohol inks and maybe a new stamp or 2...
Hey...it's NOT my fault! Blame Daisy!!
I'm just the messenger!

The tree stamp is one of the most popular, from release #2...
I may be a bit prejudice...but I love it...go figure...

Here's a tree tip...
Turn it upside down & use just a portion of it to make a cool border...

I've said it before...
my goal when designing my stamps is to make them VERSATILE...

Hmmmm...What else???

About all the BIRD requests...
YIKES!! I guess you guys like birds too!
My mailbox was LOADED!!

After I'm done teaching the "build a better bird class"...I'll offer any leftovers to my blog friends here...

but first I want anyone who takes this class to have the opportunity to get a spare...
Believe me...they are really a FUN project!
You can't make just one!

And speaking of alcohol inks...
did you know that just a few drops of the blending solution on a paper towel will quickly & easily clean your acrylic stamp blocks?
It's a quick cleaner for your craft sheet too...

And this is NOT sanctioned by Ranger...
but...
I wanted a small container for traveling, for my eyeglass cleaner.

I found that the mini mister is just PERFECT!!

I mentioned this is a class & one gal had been looking for something for her perfume...yep...try the mini mister...

just watch where you spray it...

I put a tiny red dot on it, so that I could see it without my glasses. PERFECT!

And I heard this in a class...
again...not from Ranger, but a student...

She found that Ranger's bubblegun stamp cleaner reactivates the Cricut cutting mats...

I was amazed...but everyone in the class already knew it.
She said she mists the mat...then takes the craft scraper & gently scraps the mat & somehow MAGICALLY the mat seems to last longer. Interesting...

DISCLAIMER...I have not tried this...but others have...

That's it for today...

We're off on a road trip...to visit some antique stores...I can't wait! I LOVE treasure hunts and so does Rick...
I hope he buys lunch!

We need a day out & I NEEEEED more stuff so I can...

make art!
wendy
ps...I hope your weekend is sunny, fun & full of ART!

inspired by tim..........

Surprise...

a Sunday post...

hey...ANYTHING to keep me from the "ugly job" list...
working on taxes & writing instructions.

I LOVE to teach, but hate writing the instructions.
I'm MUCH rather have inky fingers..

Today's art was totally inspired by tim's new video.

He demoed this new technique @ CHA...using alcohol inks & canned air.

I watched the video & HAD to grab that air can...immediately!

tim does the technique on Ranger's glossy paper & it's very cool.

However, I like to take the technique & make it my own...but always give credit for the inspiration...

Here's my version of the technique, using the largest fragment, instead of the glossy paper.




I did the exact same technique...dripped the alcohol ink on the top of the fragement, then blasted it with the air.
I must say...

It was a BLAST...HA!

hey...I HAD to say it. It was a perfect fit...

Here's a shot of the blue, which is a great new color...
Sailboat blue.
There's also lettuce and a bit of denim.



I used a printed white paper, with a script on it...to make the colors pop. It was easy to edge the fragment with an Adirondack silver dabber.

I liked the look...but it just wasn't ME...

So... I grabbed the pesto & latte...dripped it on the fragment & blasted the air.



Now the cool thing about the alcohol ink/fragment combo...is that you can easily create dimension by stamping on the BACK of the fragment.

I used a studio 490 background stamp and Jet Black Archival Ink, by Ranger.

The alcohol ink is transparent, so the stamping shows up perfectly. It adds another layer & definitely makes a difference.

And no project is complete without a flower...no surprise there.

I hope this photo shows you that the stamping is under the alcohol ink.


I edged this fragment with the gold dabber...couldn't be easier...
I used a kraft colored background paper to give it more of a vintage look. Just a few dots, using the glaze pen finished it off.

Ah........this looks like me now!



One other thing to remember when using fragments and alcohol ink...

If you don't like your creation...if your stamping isn't perfect...
alcohol blending solution removes everything and you can start over.


So...hop on over & watch the video...

Like I said...it's a BLAST to...

MAKE ART!
wendy

ps...I'd love to see your "take" on this technique...send photos or a blog link...

another ps...
forget the taxes...I have some Maya Road acrylic albums that are BLANK...

taxes tomorrow...unless I watch another video.

Arizona was...absolutely AWESOME!

There's another of those same letter titles...ha!



So in Arizona I...

* was welcomed with great southwest hospitality! THANKS Sharon & Debbie!


* did 4 fun classes @ Frenzy Stamper and got very inky. Everyone made some great art.


* met lots of new art friends.


*connected with some old friends...Nice to see you Lisa!


* got a surprise visit from Kim & Pearl. They drove down from Prescott & I think I actually screamed when I saw Kim. That was soooooo cool & totally unexpected. THANKS so much for coming!!


*enjoyed the awesome WARM weather. I REALLY enjoyed NOT wearing a coat.


* made art for the bathroom @ Frenzy Stamper. That's a tradition for guest instructors.


*shopped...2 cute pairs of shoes...Sharon made me do it. Photos another day...


*shopped...8 new stamps...Debbie's fault...she has a GREAT selection. Got some other arty goodies there too. I even special ordered some way cool mini word stamps. I LOVE rubber!


*had a little wine in a class...that's a first! Last class...so it was ok...don't worry! I behaved!


* had great ON TIME flights via Southwest, my favorite airlines.


* fell in love with Sharon's 4 legged boys...Vito & Wesley. 2 very cute Westies...

Thanks again to Debbie for the invite & to Sharon for making me feel @ home. I shall return!
I'll see you in just 3 short weeks...


Now I have a little something arty to share...


I'm always looking for ways to combine products & get a different look.


So...I had this idea to try alcohol inks OVER snow cap white pigment ink.


Here's the result........I'm loving it...




I inked my Maya Road chipboard flower with snow cap white pigment ink, dried it, then using the alcohol ink applicator, I applied the alcohol inks over the dried ink.

The top flower is cut from grungeboard. It works on grunge too. COOL!!


Here's a better look @ my favorite. This ink/alcohol ink combo makes a very cool very matte finish. I think I'll stamp on this guy later...with my studio490 screen stamp. (page 12).




And here's another color combo...same technique... he needs to be stamped too...




This is fun, quick...and very easy. There are tons of possible custom color combos.


Try it...let me know how you do...and....


MAKE ART!
wendy

I didn't have an idea for a post today...

until I read Caroline's blog this morning...

When I was teaching in Texas, I mentioned that the Maya Road jewels could be made any color by applying Alcohol inks. Caroline showed that on her blog today. And...she also colored the new jewel topped pins. COOL!

So...taking it in a little bit different direction...by applying the alcohol ink MIXATIVES...you can also make them silver & gold...and OPAQUE for another look.




On the top is the original version...below left is the silver mixative and on the right is the gold.

So...not only can you make them any custom transparent color to coordinate with any project, they can also look like this.

And a reminder...if the color isn't a match, just remove it with the Alcohol Blending solution & try again.

Just what I like...quick & oh so simple! I think I better try the pearl & the copper mixatives next...hmmm.

Now...not only am I looking for things to use with those addicting Cuttlebug embossing folders...I'm looking for things to alcohol ink...

I'm off to the grocery then I'll come home to...

Make ART!
wendy

Maya Road and Ranger...a tiny tutorial...

For anyone who has visited here before...you know how much I LOVE Maya Road's Trinkets Blossoms metal flowers. I could use them on every project I make...

HOWEVER...I don't want everything I make to look the same.
So...since the Bears have a day off...and it's too bloody cold to put even a toe outside... ( I CAN NOT WAIT to get to Frenzy Stamper in WARMMMM ARIZONA!)

I did a little experiment and a photo shoot for you...

Here's the start...



The next photo shows the metal flower naked (on top)
and after I added some rust and slate alcohol inks...

Here's another with denim & pesto...BTW...these can be stamped on after the alcohol ink is dry...hmmm...I think I'll show you that below...........

Then my brain turned on...YIPPEE!

I had a project that really NEEDED a dimensional silver flower. But too bad Ranger doesn't make silver alcohol ink...

*

DUH...the light bulb goes on...

*

How about the SILVER MIXATIVE?? Would that work the same???

***

Take a look..........TOTAL SUCCESS!!!

Perfectly...SILVER. EXACTLY what I NEEDED...

And...here's the little beauty stamped (screen stamp studio490, page 12 of the supplement) with Ranger's black pigment ink...heat dried and then I bent the petals.

Take a closer look...Perfect coverage...and the bending does not affect the silver. It doesn't flake off.

Well...since that worked...I can't stop now...

*

How about some PEARL MIXATIVE???

I applied just a tiny bit, to create a mottled sort of look. I didn't want it completely covered...I like this look.... I think I'll add some new DISTRESS STICKLES...just as soon as my order arrives.

(I HOPE it's soon...I hope someone from RANGER is reading...hint!)

Just a little on the ends of the petals ...I think that will be cool.

*

So here are some tips to get you playing...

*

1. I always work on my Ranger Craft sheet when using Alcohol Inks...actually...who am I kidding?? I can not work without that craft sheet any day. It's always out & ready to be used.

*

2. Using the alcohol ink applicator...with FELT...add a few drops of the chosen alcohol ink colors & pounce on the metal flower. It dries in just a few seconds. This is GREAT for those of use who are not patient...

*

3. I completely covered the flower with just 2 drops of the silver mixative. (SHAKE before using). A little goes a long way. If you mix it with the alcohol inks...use just ONE drop.

Take it from me...ONE DROP!

*

4. Don't like what you did??? Color not a match for your project?? NO PROBLEM...

*

A few drops of Alcohol blending solution on a paper towel will completely remove all the ink. You are left with the original flower...in perfect condition & it's all ready to be inked again.

*

Another use for the blending solution?? It's THE PERFECT cleaner for the craft sheet. A few drops on a paper towel...swipe...nice & clean!

*

Just a warning...

You WILL be seeing plenty of SILVER flowers now...

You can bet on it!

*

Make ART!

wendy

Random public service announcements...

Last Thursday I got to visit with Cheryl & Megan @ Tenseconds.

I got this really cool alphabet mold & the new 40 gauge metal in BLACK!

I'm supposed to be making kits & getting instructions done...so I purposely did not open these packages. It about killed me... I held off as long as I could. Yesterday I gave in & took a 15 minute break. Here's what I did...







I ran the cardstock (Cuttlebug embossing folder) & the metal ( tenseconds mold) thru the Big Shot........and made this on my break. TOTALLY fun & oh sooooooo simple.


After I sanded the metal, I applied Ranger's cranberry alcohol ink...It looks better in person...this is NOT a good photo.


The chipboard scrolly thing was spritzed with Maya Mist, in silver. There's no sun here, so you can't see the slight shimmer...but I assure you, it's really cool.


So, if I didn't LOVE the Cuttlebug/Big Shot before...I REALLY LOVE it now. It's so quick & easy to make metal embellishments. Try it!!!!!!


Cheryl made a GREAT CD with LOADS of info & sayings, words & alphabets. There's a gallery included too.
Can't take a class...get the CD and start playing.



Next...a reminder about Maya Road's "Home for the Holidays" contest. You gotta enter to win. Get going!!

PLUS***

If any blog friends win...I'll send them an extra goodie package as a THANK YOU for being a blog reader.


And...come back Monday for a VERY SPECIAL giveaway.

Your comment will give you a chance to win...

A book...signed by the artist...




Here's a little hint...cool huh?? I sent Cate some questions...we'll hear what she has to say...stay tuned!

And a little teaser.............I got to play...Ranger sent samples of the new METALLIC CRACKLE PAINTS. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are totally awesome.

Plus...I did something a little different...a fun technique, that combines products.
I'll share as soon as I can.........hmmm.....it might even show up on the Ranger site someday...I'll let you know when.....

Be watching for them @ your LSS. Antique bronze...brushed pewter...tarnished brass...Take it from me...You'll NEED all 3 of these guys. REALLY fun play!


Have a great weekend. I'll be with my friends @ Scrapbook Friend'z in Bloomington, Illinois...we'll be creating the Make it Merry holiday hanging. We'll combine chipboard, grungeboard, ink & tons of stamps from...studio490. It's never too early to start on Christmas gifts & home decor.

Hope to see you there!

Make ART!
wendy

Guess what?? MORE flowers!

These are really fun. This is NOT my idea...I got it from Jessica Seppa. Sorry no blog for her, but if you call Maya Road to place an order...you'll talk to Jess. Tell her that I said "HI". She's a SWEETHEART!

***

So...these are wire flowers made by Maya Road.

I've painted them before and alcohol inked them to color and I've used them as is. But Jess said to fill them with Glossy Accents & you get this. Just place them on a scrap of paper & fill with Glossy Accents, then set aside to dry. When they are totally dry, cut off the excess paper. DONE!

***

It's a great tip, because they can be customized to coordinate with any card or layout, using just a scrap of paper. Try it!

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And speaking of flowers...did you see the new Maya Road flowers coming out @ CHA? I'm sure they were made just for me!! The felt & the ones with the stitching had me drooling. Totally cool...check it out on their blog. Don't forget to leave a comment there...you just might win!

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Hmmm...I wonder who makes that cool screen stamp in the photo?? Could it possibly be studio 490??

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Here's the studio 490 stamp info for yesterdays card...

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* The stamp on the kraft colored background is one HUGE stamp. Everything you see on there is on the stamp. I did the stitching to save you time. However, you can easily trace over the stitching to accent it or add dots from a glaze pen...This stamp is another favorite. You can also stamp it & EASILY use just a portion of it to make a number border...

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* The lines on the circle...not perfect lines...vintage looking...LOVE IT! You can also stamp it, then turn it 90 degrees and stamp it again to make a plaid background.

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* The roof is actually a corner stamp. Once again...look @ the potential...don't just look @ the stamp for what it's SUPPOSED to be. It looked like a roof to me & was a perfect fit for the chipboard house from Maya Road.

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* Saying

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* Flower border...it's fun to add rhinestones or pearls to the flower centers...

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* Grungeboard flower...and on the right, you'll see that I needed a tiny accent, so I used just a portion of the flower...

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* and last...the dots on the Maya Road Microchip arrow...those are from another stamp...I used just a portion of it... as a background.

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Happy Thursday to you!

I'm headed to the studio...I still have TON to get done before CHA!

Take care!

wendy

ps...sorry for the look of this post. Mr Blogger would not let me change the spacing...grrrrrrrrrr...

A GREAT MAIL DAY!!!

Got this in the mail from my friend Cecile ( no link...she doesn't have a blog) yesterday. This is not the best photo, but I hope you can see how cool it is. Her hubby made the wooden holder for the 8 x 10 canvas. The Santa is done on Stampbord, with alcohol inks as the base coloring.
She made the 3 square metal pieces with 10 Seconds Studio tools, a technique we learned @ CHA. She used other techniques that she learned thru the year to complete the piece. I LOVE this & it will be displayed in my studio all year.
Also in the goodie box were homemade candies & biscotti. I am assuming these would be low cal, but I'm not sure! I think I forgot to ask!

And an update from Rick...He said to tell you the card is coming. He's got quite a few emails from folks wondering where the card is and how much longer they need to wait! This is Hilarious! The pressure is on & I can tell he looks nervous! But...I have faith...

I've got to start the gift wrapping soon. That is my most dreaded Christmas task. Every year I vow to wrap as I buy. Every year, it's the last minute rush to wrap. I think it's because being a paper addict, I find it hard to waste paper! I must think that there will never be more for sale in the stores! NUTS!! Anyway...that's my excuse today!

Not long 'til the guy in red shows up.

I hope all your wishes come true!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! I hope it's THE BEST EVER!!
Wendy & Rick too!

Pre-ART... and we have a winner!

I followed Ginny's advice the other day & took a little time to PLAY. This is a sample of alcohol ink on Stampbord. Now to find the perfect project for this piece...

And the winner of the Maya Road chipboard train book is...

DRUMROLL................

andi~!~ Congrats to you! Rick thought you sounded NEEDY! HA! Send me your address & I'll get your package in the mail ASAP!

Winter has hit Illinois! Time to find a turtleneck & a nice warm sweater.

Be warm my friends.....

Wendy