goodies for me...goodies for you too!

This has all the makings of a good post...

if I say so myself...ha!

why you ask?

it has lots of FLOWERS...

an awesome surprise for me, that I get to share with YOU...

goodies for 2 of YOU...

and a COOL discovery...

but...

I need to go back to a few weeks ago...

to jog your memory...

Remember that Ranger donated all 12 of the new distress inks for a giveaway here...right?

Remember that Donna won...right?

Remember her winning story/comment...

Here is my story...I don't have a BARN DOOR to open and store my distress inks in. However...I would CRUSH OLIVES and eat FOREST MOSS. I would walk on TUMBLED GLASS while wearing my CHIPPED SAPPHIRE ring, carring BUNDLED SAGE with a STORMY SKY. After doing that I would have to use my PUMICE STONE on a RUSTY HINGE(and my feet). When I am done I will dress in my VICTORIAN VELVET and enjoy some SPUN SUGAR and WILD HONEY all while reading Wendy's blog. That's my story and I am sticking to it!

Now to the "goodies for me" part of the title...

I got a box delivered on Saturday from Donna...

YES...THAT Donna...(that explains the intro)

Here's what was inside...

I love the repurposing of the Ranger tape and making it so arty...GREAT IDEA!!!

I LOVE that she stamped my flower and leaf on...

fabric...

I LOVE the tag inside...

with the berry tree and scallop...

Now just imagine me saying yippee when I found this next BEAUTY in the box...

It's PERFECT for the studio or our family room...

I couldn't decide...

so it goes where I go...and I can look @ it LOTS...

Here's a close up of the cool flower...

it shows that stamps aren't just for paper & grunge...

OMG... even the BACK is CUTE!

Check it out...

And be watching Justin & Alain...

you have a package coming your way...

it's a THANK YOU from Donna, for your awesome donation.

*

THANK YOU so much DONNA...I LOVE IT MILLIONS!

*

Next topic...the jenni bowlin butterflies...

PHEW...that little project generated lots of questions about where to get them & what color choices are available...

*

I used the brown...

I ordered black...

I LOVE the red...ordered them too...

*

Other cool colors...pink, awesome orange & yummy navy...so there's something for any project.

*

Next fun discovery...

*

I am IN LOVE with this new gadget gears Sizzix die...

designed by tim...

It has LOTS of potential for fun...

Here's my take on the gears...

*

this mini brain snap woke me early this weekend..

I HAD to try it...

I made...

*

I bet you KNOW what's coming...

*

GADGET GEARS...

FLOWERS!

*

Here's one version...and I have another style to show later...stay tuned...

I was happy to see that the 'gears' make a cool center for my large flower...

This will be incorporated into a class...VERY soon.

it's just too much fun not to share...

*

And speaking of sharing..

I'm sure you came to see...

who the jenni bowlin winners are?

*

Drumroll...

the WINNER from the comments on jenni's inspiration blog is JULIE!...

julie said...

I'm new to the Jenni Bowlin product line but I really do love what Wendy Vecchi did with the products. Thank you Wendy for introducing me to Jenni Bowlin products! LOveLy, just LOveLy!
March 4, 2010 1:23 PM

*

and the winner from my blog is...

JACKIE!!!

jackie said...

you amaze me, the finished product is unmistakenly "YOU". your mind sees how things can be altered and morphed into a whole other style....LOVE IT
March 4, 2010 7:16 PM

So...jackie & julie...please send your snail mail info (wbv1213@hughes.net) & we'll get a goodie package to you!

*

Meeting with the accountant in a bit...

taxes...BIG YUCK...

*

But before that, I'll have a few minutes to...

make art!

wendy

these photos will explain...

why I NEED a blog-cation...

My little mind just figured out that teaching LOTS of workshops...
see right sidebar...

requires LOTS of supplies....

and this is just for one mini book workshop...

YIKES!
This might explain why my mini books are so FAT!



we needed like a MILLION...

of the SEW CUTE Maya Road minis...

and... a MILLION of the new buttons too...
LOVE them...they'll get embossed, then inked...or maybe stamped?? LOTS of possibilities!

and the mini 2 layer butterflies...

and a million scrolls...




and that's just some of the embellishments for this mini book workshop...


that starts with these adorable layered books...




I LOVE how they look when inked with the new distress ink colors...
how did we LIVE without them?




So...I'll be working on getting the chaos under control here...

ORGANIZING...

making kits...

stamping art parts...

making MORE kits...

writing instructions...

making copies...

cooking some chow for my sil who had surgery again yesterday...
second time in 2 weeks...YIKES!

attending my grandmother's funeral...
may you rest in peace, Mimi...say hi to my mom...

making something for a guest blog posting...
if I'm lucky enough to get that far on the TO-DO list...fingers crossed!

packaging & shipping book #2 when they arrive...
it's snowing again...hope the PO guys get them here soon...

packing up for demoing and teaching on Saturday...

I'll tweet photos of the progress...
or chaos...
whatever the case may be.

I'll be back on Monday...I think.
Until then...

have a good weekend...
stay warm and take time to...

make art.
wendy

after 47 tries...

this is the best I can do...

BECAUSE...

#1...my photos skills suck
#2...there is NO SUN again today in cloudy UGLY dark & DREARY Illinois
#3...I think computer monitors don't show true colors...

So...keep that in mind...
Here's my combo of the NEW tumbled glass distress ink & pumice stone...

It IS much prettier in person...trust me!
It REALLY looks great with vintage silver...


Yes...that tim's new SIZZIX ALTERATIONS flower die...
OMG!!
I'm seriously...in LOVE!

The other dies are serious drool material too...another TRUST ME! I NEEEEEEED ---MUST HAVE them ALL!

Hey...I haven't lead you astray so far...have I?

Continuing with color...

I got emails asking to do a color comparison chart to show the difference in distress colors...

Please refer to #1, 2 & 3 above...

Here's one...that's fairly decent...

the others got trashed...

I'm NOT good at describing colors...
but trust me...
they are even better in person than they look on a screen...

The most frequent question yesterday was about rusty hinge...
NO...It's NOT marmalade...
it's more of a beautiful RUSTY color...
bet that's why tim chose that name...

it's AWESOME...
I used it yesterday...& LOVED IT!

I might use that as the sneak peek for tomorrow...or again...maybe not!

Guess we'll just wait & see what photo is acceptable...

And for those of you who think I'm showing you everything tomorrow ...

WRONG!

A peek means a peek...not the whole shebang...
we still got a month 'til CHA!
SHEESH.....

And speaking of teasing...
my brother called yesterday...
the conversation went like this...
his name is Paul...

Paul...hey Wen...what are you doing @ 4pm on Wednesday?
Me...working in the studio, making samples for CHA.

Paul...well you'll just have to take a break...Brian (his son) & I got you a combined BD & Christmas gift & you get to see it tomorrow @ 4pm...
Me...WHERE?

Paul...just get in the car @ 3:55 & Rick will drive you to the location...
Me...your house?
Paul...NOPE & NO HINTS...
the end...

So I texted him a few hours later asking if he or they made me something...
he's an AWESOME carpenter...
His response...no hints...
I used to like him a lot...

So think of me @ 4pm...
I have no clue what's going on...
rick does & has for 6 weeks...
he's really ROTTEN...
I used to like him too...
I'll deal with him later...

More tomorrow, as promised...

Now...
I'm off to...
make art!
and (starting to)wrap gifts might be a good idea too...
YIKES!
wendy

5 more questions...and the GIVEAWAY starts

So...you like this Q & A thing, I see...
ME TOO!
It makes my blogging easy...THANKS!

OK...first one...
Anyway, I do have a question today. What color of distress ink was used on the flower in your very cool antique film frame?

I used my new fav distress ink..brushed corduroy for the flower in the previous post.
In the past I used vintage photo on everything...
but the last month or 2 brushed corduroy is in first place...

HOWEVER...
I REALLY love vintage photo with the faded jeans distress ink.
Try combining them for a background.
They make an awesome custom (teal-ish)color!

#2...these comments are funny...
I love when you answer questions!! The answers are always a hoot!
and...
Hilarious post... maybe Jay Leno needs you on his new show!

Here's what Rick said...
DON'T give up your day job!!

Thanks for the laughs!

#3...
Can you stack 3 tool holders or only 2?

You sure can stack 3 craft spinners & have all 24 blending tools out & READY for action.

#4...
i got my book today!!!!!!!!!!!!! love it lots!!! can't wait 'til Sunday...my day off. are you really doing another already or was that another teaser? i'm never sure with you.

THANKS SO MUCH!! We are beyond thrilled with how well it's been received.

Book #2 is a FOR SURE...
It will be ready for CHA this winter...
so that's LATE JANUARY-ish.

THANKS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for all the wonderful emails & comments.
Like I said...we're very happy!


#5...
What do you use for stems that will be free standing. I want to make a flower for my friend's vase in her VW Beetle.

Cloth covered wire is perfect. I have it in both green & brown. It's available @ JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby & Michaels
(in the floral section)...but I've only found the brown @ JoAnn's in our area.

It comes in several different gauges...large flowers need the heavier wire and mini flowers can use the lighter weight.

OK...Let the GIVEAWAY BEGIN!

To celebrate the LONG holiday weekend...
AND to let you know...

I'm THANKFUL for all of YOU...

These cool NEW products need a new home...
NEW distress stickles...
Hmmm...is that the new Rock candy Crackle paint?


How about some memory frames & capsules?




And you'll need something to put those stickles ON...
so how about this BRAND NEW scallop oval coaster set, from Maya Road...

You can see MORE BRAND NEW Maya Road here...
just scroll down toward the bottom...



We'll make this simple...

No LABOR involved...

Just leave a comment...that's your ticket to win...

you have until 7am CST on TUESDAY...

@ 7am on Tuesday, Random.org will draw the winner and I'll post the winner after that.

Have a GREAT LONG holiday weekend...
Enjoy your family & friends, and take time to...

make art!
wendy
ps...GOOD LUCK!

this was fun!

This is NOT what I set out to do...

Rick asked if grungepaper tears...

So as I showed him (lucky guy got a private demo!)...
I tore a circle....almost...

Hmmm...looked to me like the beginning of a flower...
then I tore another circle...

and a third smaller...

See where this is going?

FATE!

and here's the result...


Grab these supplies to make this quick flower...

*grungepaper
*inkssentials non stick craft sheet
* distress inks...broken china, brushed corduroy & peeled paint
*inkssentials blending tool, with blending foam
* jet black archival ink for stamping
*adhesive
*idea-ology snaps
*grungeboard scraps
*black glaze pen, Sakura
*vintage button or 2
*pencil

These studio 490 stamps...
*screen background from the "art rules" set
*gingham background from the "natures art" set
*bingo background from the "life & art" set
*leaves from the flower on "all about art" set
*stem from "funky flower art" set

Quickie instructions...
* lightly trace 3 concentric circles on the grungepaper, with a pencil.
trace 3 circles from punches...
or I used a glass, a vase & a spice jar...
VERY technical! not!!

*make a tiny slit & start tearing the grungepaper, following the circle outline...remember...art doesn't have to be perfect!
these circles won't be!

*use the blending tool & ink the front & backs of the smallest & large with broken china

*the middle size with brushed corduroy.

*using jet black archival ink...
stamp the front & back of the smallest with the bingo background stamp

stamp the middle with the gingham

stamp the largest with the screen stamp

*form the flower by rolling the edges...
MAGICALLY..they stay in place!

*assemble the flower, using scraps of grungeboard between the layers to add dimension

* stack 2 buttons for the center & add the snap

* stamp the stem & the leaves on grungepaper scraps using the jet black archival, then ink the front & back with peeled paint, using the blending tool.

* using jet black archival, stamp the leaves with the screen stamp and the back of the stem with the screen stamp also.

* glue the stem to the back of the flower & glue the leaves in place.

* curl the leaves & the stem

*add glaze pen dots on the button & around the flower center

* the snap is the finishing touch!

Like I said...flower fate!

and just another way to...

make art!
wendy

birds and butterflies...

Thanks to everyone for the comments about the birds...from yesterday's post.

Before the "build a better bird" workshop started, I showed the gals these BIRDS... from Anthropology...

This guy is cool...but the price tag is $648.00!
Yes...you read it right...
$648!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy is cute too...and his price is $248.00...


In my opinion...the birds from the workshop are worth much more!

Once again...
GREAT JOB GALS!!!

I'm doing this workshop two more times...

First @ The Stamping Place in Columbia SC...

and next @ Scrapbook Friend'z in Bloomington, Illinois...
the dates are on the right sidebar...

Now on to the butterflies...
It must be spring fever...

I've had 3 requests in the last few days to design a butterfly stamp...

GOOD IDEA!!

OH wait...!

I already did...

Here's several samples...
done by me...



This is a 100% grunge book...
NO paper was used...just distress inks & grunge...



and one more...





This was done by 12 year old Samantha...

And another from Samantha...

Now for the requests for a mini butterfly...sized for cards...

guess what's coming in JULY???

I'm just saying...

mini is fun!!

The set name???

Make mine mini art!!

today & every day...

Make art!

wendy

I left my heart in San Fr ...BUFFALO!

We had a WONDERFUL...BUSY...
FUN weekend @ Buffalo Stamps & Stuff...

THANK YOU to all who attended the make & take & to ALL who took the workshops.
I enjoyed meeting each & every one of you!!
The workshops were all full with GREAT people.

And speaking of GREAT people...

THANK YOU to Sharon, Mark and Jess for being THE BEST hosts...
I felt like family...I shall return!
Hey Mark...I GOTTA see those FALLS!

THANK YOU to all who liked, bought &
special ordered studio 490 stamps.

again...from the bottom of my heart....
THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!

A little about the store...
2000+++ sq. feet LOADED and I mean LOADED with stamps, papers, samples & way cool STUFF.

Lucky for me that I don't live closer...
I'd be BROKE for sure.

Ever hear of a store with valet parking??
WHAT?
SERIOUSLY...

VALET PARKING!!!!!!!

They treat their customers like family too...

Sharon uses lots of wonderful vintage items for her displays...
Lucky for her my suitcases didn't have a spare inch...
we have the same taste in vintage finds...
I REALLY liked her stuff!

The highlight of the weekend for me was the "build a better bird class".

I brought a bunch of "finds" that I had been saving for just the right class...and this was it!

Add some studio 490 stamped grungepaper...Maya Road and tim's idea-ology trinkets...and Ranger's distress inks...
FUN!

I HOPED that everyone would SEE what I SAW...
and imagine the possibilities...
Let me tell you...
THEY DID...

Here's the proof...

I didn't get perfect photos of every bird...some were blurry & not usable.
So...please send me more bird photos...I'd Love to share more here...

Now...grab a cup of coffee & take your time looking @ these creations.

Click on the photo to see the details...
you don't want to miss a thing...

Here we go...

prepare to be AMAZED!

Was I right?? Can you see why I am impressed??

If you liked them...take a moment & leave a comment. I'm sure these gals would appreciate that!

THANKS AGAIN to everyone for an awesome weekend!!

I hope this inspires you to...

make art!

wendy

more studio 490 and it's NOT my fault!

I took a few extra minutes on my (10 minute) lunch break the other day & found more studio 490 lovelies...

This was done by Glenda in the UK...
LOTS of studio 490 stamps...
I LOVE the color combo...

I rarely use purple...but when I see it used in my classes...
I LOVE IT...

Note to self...USE dusty concord distress ink......it's cool.

NEXT...
My friend Linda Cain took the bait & made this awesome metal embellishment...from another studio 490 stamp.
Pretty cool huh?
She's using it inside a journal...
simple & very effective...just the right touch...



And on the shopping scene...

When I was in Columbus, Ohio a few weeks ago...I shopped with Michelle, aka Mrs. Stampers Anonymous...

I rarely buy costume jewelry...but she made me do it!
Here's what she found in the BRIGHTON store...




Hmmm...they only had 2...she got one...I got the other...

Sorry Rick...It's NOT my fault!! Blame Michelle...

I've worn it several times to classes & it's funny...
someone always asks...did you make it?? It looks JUST like you!
Makes me laugh...
I think the design is very inspiring...hmmmmm...

THANKS MICHELLE! GREAT find!

Maya Road news...

I got a few BRAND NEW CHA-Summer things...OMG!!!!!

I about fainted...NO JOKE...to die for cool stuff...

I'd LOVE to show you, but it's in the contract...
KEEP YOUR LIPS SEALED!

So I will...But I'm just saying...

the stuff is REALLY AWESOME! I can't wait to play...

Time to pack up the supplies for tomorrow. It's another grunge flower workshop @ my LSS Scrapbook Friend'z, in Bloomington Illinois.

The last class sold out...so we needed to do another. Looks like I'm not the only grunge flower lover in the area...

So gals...prepare to get inky!

Have a GREAT weekend...
Remember to...
make art!
wendy
oh...one more thing...
I sent some preliminary studio 490 stamp designs to Zach, the computer genius for tweeking...yippee!
Now the wait to get them back...
They will be released@ CHA in July...or maybe Carson??

I had this idea...**updated**

**updated with the finished card @ the end of the post**

@ 2 AM...what?
Yes...a vision so clear I HAD to get up & try it...

Someone in a class told me that art keeps her sane...
that might NOT be the story here...2AM???
I know...
It's TOTALLY nuts!

ANYWAY...

One of the techniques we learned @ Ranger U is tim's wrinkle free distress...it's a FAVORITE of mine.

You swipe the distress ink pads right on to the craft sheet...mist with water from the mini mister, & then press the tag into the inks & dry. FUN...

But since I'm the "official" Perfect Pearls demo chick for Ranger @ CHA...
I've been thinking about what new fun I could have with Perfect Pearls...

You need to gather these ingredients & work on Ranger's craft sheet... if you want to play along...

A border stamp...studio 490, of course
(I'm trying a giant background stamp next)

3 colors of distress inks..I chose peeled paint, broken china & brushed corduroy

a mini mister...add a dab of Perfect Pearls & fill with water up the the last "R" in Ranger...then shake.
I used Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls for the sample.

Pat the inks onto the craft sheet...leaving no space between the colors...then mist the inks with the pearlized mini mister, until you see the ink bead up.

It should look like this...


Stamp the numbers stamp into the ink, then stamp on the tag...
do this 3 times...
no need to clean the stamp in between the stampings...just stamp & go...then dry with the craft tool.

It couldn't be easier...a distress Perfect Pearls background...



So, instead of misting the entire background with shimmer, as I've showed before...
the shimmer is only on the stamped area...
Take a look... I like it!



Remember, once mixed with water, Perfect Pearls are
permanent.
You won't be WEARING glitter and no special fixative is needed.

Now I'm off to find a flower to use on this background and...

Make ART!
wendy
ps...Happy Easter! I hope you eat LOTS of candy!

Here's the update...

Ok...so I didn't use a flower...

It's shocking...

I saw my cute tree stamp sitting there...just what I wanted...

All stamps are studio 490...

It's easy to make the Maya Road bird more dimensional...

Just trace a wing onto the back of grungePAPER, cut it out, ink & stamp...and curl...

An idea-ology snap is the perfect embellishment...

Now I'm off to try this with a background stamp...those class kits will have to wait just a bit...

I'm on a roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

take one of these and 4 of these....

add few more ingredients, pictured below...

you'll also need some scraps of grungeboard & grungePAPER & peeled paint distress ink...


Now you can make this...



here's how...............

Stamp 4 studio 490 leaves onto grungeboard, cut out & ink the fronts & backs with dusty concord.

Using Jet black archival ink, stamp a studio 490 background stamp on all the backs...

Punch one tab from grungePAPER...
ink with dusty concord...& stamp with a background stamp...

Edge each piece, using Ranger's gold paint dabber...

I LOVE that it's so simple...and it dries quickly...
I like that since I have zero patience...

The finishing touch is a few squirts of Perfect Pearls.
I used sunflower sparkle...

It's mixed with water in a mini mister...just mist, then dry it with the heat tool...

Once mixed with water...the sparkly Perfect Pearls are set...no special fixative is needed...

no mess like glitter...I like that a lot...

Sunflower sparkle is my favorite...
but then so are turquoise...perfect gold...and I can't leave our heirloom gold...

HEY...
this is MY BLOG!

I can have as many favorites as I want! ha!

Here's a closer look...



Once again...

a reminder...

Look past the obvious...the leaf...

and see the potential...it's FUN!!

And speaking of fun...

Here's a little teaser for the art chicks attending Scrap St. Louis...

A box FULL of Ranger goodness...it just arrived yesterday...




Want to see what's inside???

Hmmm........too bad..

I guess the photo doesn't show everything.

You'll just have to come to St. Louis to see it all...

I hear that there are some openings...

I hope you can join us...

I'm expecting a GREAT weekend!

There will be...

Lots of workshops...lots of SHOPPING, lots of friends & laughs...

lots of good food...YEA!! NO COOKING!!!

Did I mention LOTS of SHOPPING?????????

And one more thing...

I'm certain we'll all....

Make ART!

wendy