yesterday I enabled...EDITED!

***EDIT @ THE END***

today...I have some $$$ saving ideas...

It's kind of a joke here that I'm always digging something out of the trash. It drives Rick nuts...

I like to think of it as...going green...

I hate clutter, so I toss the junk off my workspace immediately.
Then...
the lightbulb goes on, I have a thought & I'm looking in the trash for what I just tossed out...

It kills me to waste stuff.

So here goes...just a few simple things today...

I used to toss these flower leftovers...
until I realized that this can be a flower...
use the whole thing...
just put paper behind it...or a stamped background and layer smaller parts on top.
How did I NOT see that?

Then...duh...it's a stencil too...

Just blast it with Maya Mists, Ranger's Color Wash or even distress inks...mixed with Perfect Pearls.

Not only do you get a stenciled image...
you also have a flower that's ready to be used on a project.

AND...I have also used these with a stencil brush or the blending tool to apply the distress inks...

And...I see they are on sale here...
I'm just saying...$$$ saving...


One of these went in the trash too...
same thing...

Once the grungeboard pieces are used, you're left with another perfect stencil...

Now what's really cool about the grungeboard is that you can use it over & over again.

The liquid won't destroy the grunge...

This makes a wonderful large background stencil...
perfectly spaced circles...



It works with all grungeboard shapes...

I find it best to use giant post-it notes to mask off other areas, that you don't want inked.

And one more thing that I've found to be very useful...

When working on smaller projects, or when spraying small chipboard pieces...

I've been putting the Color Washes and Maya Mists into mini misters...

It's PERFECT!
You have great control & only ink small areas at one time...

Next, I'm planning a background using Maya Road's mini snowflakes...
I want to arrange them on cardstock, mist to make the stencil effect...use that,
then use the already inked snowflakes on another project...

So there you have my $$$ saving tips for the day!

I got several emails asking how the custom mix of distress stickles came to be...(that was in yesterday's post)
Was it an accident?

Actually, I was looking for a verdigris type color look for a project (that's why the photo is so small!) and I just had the thought to mix them.

It's a cool effect...and another way to use the distress stickles...
Think about it...

lots of possibilities with color combos...
lots of fun.......

Next I want to try .........
wait...
I'll save that for another post!

Have a great weekend...
keep those comments coming...
I have some extra film strip ribbon.........

Make art!
wendy
EDITED!
OK...I may have to edit the title of this post...or not...
depends on how you look @ it...

This news flash just came from eclecticPaperie...
This is all on sale only until SUNDAY...
HEY...I see studio 490 stamps on the list & Tim's too!!!!

HERE'S a portion of the newsletter...
Selected items will be offered at this special price beginning today until Sunday, November 16th or while supplies last.

Tim Holtz stamp collections $19.96 (regularly $21.95)

Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamps $19.96 (regularly $24.95)

Fancy Pants Designs Paper Collections $13.00 (regularly $20.99 to $23.99)
7 Gypsies Revolving Carousel - $19.96 (regularly $34.95)
DVD Tin bundle - 12 for $19.96
We R Memory Decorative Corner Chompers - $19.96 (regularly $24.95)
Heat Craft Tool - $19.96 (regularly $24.95)
TenSeconds Studio Tools - $13.00 (regularly $17.99)
TenSeconds Studio Kabuka Molds - $13.00 (regularly 16.99)
Paper Party Bundle -$13.00
Frame It! - $13.00 RANGER STUFF!!!
Fancy Findings - $19.96 IDEA-OLOGY STUFF
Distress Stickles 6 pack grab bag assortment - $13.00 (regularly 14.94)

more Q & A...comments & GIVEAWAY peek

Ok...more questions...
MORE answers...

Hi Wendy,
If you have no plans for the UK do you have any at all to visit Australia? Would love to see you live!!!Regards

NOPE...as enticing as it is...I can't imagine being trapped in a plane for that many hours. I'd need general anesthesia or I might bail out!
How about this?
YOU come here!! That sounds good to me...REAL good!

NEXT...

Hey...help...PLEASE
I don't have time to look thru your blog again...can you tell me quickly...can I heat dry stickles or not?

YES...you CAN use the heat tool on the DISTRESS STICKLES to speed up the drying time. And a little tip...a little of the Distress Stickles goes a long way. I squirt a little on the spot & tap it with my finger to spread it. Tim also recommends using the tip of the Stickles to spread it around. That works really well for small areas.

NEXT...

Do you have any real hobbies?

You bet... I MAKE ART! and if I'm not doing that...we LOVE to hunt for vintage finds...cool rusty old junk. (see below)

and..

another fun thing for me is organizing my supplies. Finding the perfect fit for a drawer makes me ecstatic. I LOVE containers...

and this made me laugh...

good god woman...think you have enough ink?

Actually as a friend pointed out...I AM a product whore! And just an FYI...

that's only the distress reinkers drawer...there's a whole drawer FULL of pigment reinkers!

and another laugh...

really...tell me what we're making on the cruise. i won't tell a soul...

I think I've answered this several times...NO WAY!!! SUFFER!! it's not that far away!!

Like less than 40 sleeps....

you'll survive...and we'll have a BLAST!

and the last for today...

your work is amazing. I can't seem to get ideas on my own...does the art just flow out of you? you make it look so easy.

NO WAY.........believe me there are days that I refer to as being BRAIN DEAD. I'll look @ the supplies & have absolutely NO clue what they could be used for, or why I bought them. And some days are REALLY good...

REALLY good.

On the BRAIN DEAD days...I just have to walk away. Art can't be forced...that's my opinion anyway...

And speaking of vintage finds...

This frame is an antique film holder...
I about fainted when I saw them...
already BLACK...
already distressed...
skinny little odd sized opening...just over an inch!
PERFECT for art!

This was the REALLY good day I mentioned above...

The minute I saw it, I KNEW the mini alphas would fit perfectly in the opening. I had the piece in my head on the drive home...

Normally, I'm sooooo slow making a piece, but this thing got completed in an hour. That's RARE for me.


One more thing...

I think we should celebrate the labor day holiday with a little giveaway...AGREE?

Here's a peek of what's going to a new home...

NEW DISTRESS STICKLES & more...
metallics..picket fence...rock candy...
be still my heart!



GIVEAWAY details here tomorrow...

Hey...who doesn't NEED FREE stuff to...

make art!
wendy
ps...see you TOMORROW!

stickles, samplers and Maya Road goodness

did you see tim's BIG announcement about his new Ranger products??

I've been waiting for the rest of the Distress Stickles to be ready for us...

Now we'll have them & MORE...

Picket fence AND metallics?? YIPPEE!!
Think of the possibilities!

My MOST favorite is the Rock Candy...OMG!

Here's a holiday hanging for the Maya Road booth @ CHA...
I used the rock candy on the berries, snowflake and buttons...




Here's a close up of the ROCK CANDY DISTRESS STICKLES on my holly berries...

Let me just say...OMG!! I'm in LOVE with the effect...
The holly is stamped on grungepaper...
It looks exactly like...rock candy! Imagine that!


This is the PERFECT accent for holiday projects and more...
I'll be buying this stuff by the case!!

Ok...I showed the cover of the Maya Road sampler yesterday...
here's the inside pages...

The distress ink colors are brushed corduroy and broken china...

Combined, they make a wonderful custom teal color...

These papers are graphic45...YUMMY stuff!

the numbers page...the green is peeled paint...

Here's the back cover...

ignore the yuck in the top right corner....

I forgot to crop it out...duh!

Anyway...the papers are again...jenni bowlin.

This sampler was a lot of fun...

and it was a thrill to use my new studio 490 stamps for the very first time.

***

We're one day closer to FRIDAY...the start of the RANGER GIVEAWAY!

***

Tomorrow...more big Maya Road peeks...

this one is called "notes & quotes".

Stay tuned and...

make art!

wendy

We had a WONDERFUL weekend in Wisconsin

So...here's the report...


We did 2 really fun classes. The Make It Merry hanging class was special...We were interviewed & taped for tv. Unfortunately...I didn't get to see it. I hope I didn't say anything dorky.........YIKES!


But...we did get to see Chris, the show promoter, and her interview on the Sunday morning news. My roomie called me out of the shower to see it...so wrapped in a towel ( NOT a pretty sight!)...we saw her talk about the convention & she showed the Make it Merry hanging. That was very COOL!!


AND...we also had a reporter in that class. We made the newspaper and some sweet customer brought it to the booth for me.




We didn't exactly MAKE stamps, that's Mr & Mrs Stampers Anonymous' job...but... still a fun photo.



We made over 100 grungeboard tulips @ the Make & Take Friday evening...that was hit.


We made LOTS of people very happy...I saw huge smiles as they left the booth LOADED down with stamps, grungeboard, craft sheets, inks and more.


I demoed how to stamp on grungeboard...that was fun. Most folks had not seen that before.


They snow cap white pigment ink was also a huge hit. I think it's fun to combine it with the distress inks and use the products in another unique way.


Lots of customers commented that they couldn't wait to get home & play with their new purchases... so like I said...we had happy customers.


I was worried that with the economy, sales might not be good. NOT SO..... Sales were absolutely great.


HOT HOT HOT products in the Stampers Anonymous booth...


studio490 stamps...of course...I demoed with them.
Imagine that...


AND...


Tim's new Christmas stamps. My very fav is the skinny tree stamp. I made a quick tag & those sets were ALL gone in 10 minutes. Luckily...if we were sold out, customers got their order shipped for free.

I grabbed mine before the show started! SMART move!


The new Distress Stickles were a HUGE hit. We had lots of every color in stock...and sold them all out. We had a few disappointed customers who only bought a few colors on Saturday...then...came back on Sunday for more & guess what...gone.


So...the moral of the story...when you see them...
GET THEM QUICK!


Trust me...They are a TOTALLY awesome product for vintage art.


I got to visit with some friends from past classes. That was fun. Dirk took my wreathe class in Illinois & he brought some to show me. I'm hoping he sends some photos so I can share them here. You'll be impressed.


I also saw a few of my BFF's...hey a girl CAN have more than one BFF....RIGHT??


Oh and.............


Don't forget to check back on THURSDAY...
THANKSGIVING DAY...
I can FINALLY share some totally exciting NEWS!
It's KILLING me to keep my mouth shut...SERIOUSLY!


NOW...
...on to some art...


When I got home, I had some emails with photos of projects made with my stamps. That is SO exciting for me...


Here's a whole different take on stamping.


This was made by my friend Lisa Pace.
She's a Making Memories Master...
...and here's why...





She stamped on felt & used the poinsettia stamp as her pattern for embroidery...AWESOME...Lisa!!


Here's a closeup...........






I'm hoping that for her next project she uses my Christmas tree. Since it's an outline too...it's perfect for the same technique.


If I sewed...I'd stamp 2 trees, cut them out & stuff them...for fun ornaments...


Get the hint Lisa?? I'm waiting.........


What else?


Need some inspiration for holiday ART???


Check out our Maya Road design team challenge. This one about killed me. REALLY!


Our challenge was to use ONLY 5 Maya Road products on a holiday tag. Initially I thought...easy as pie...Oh so...WRONG!

Once I got started...only 5????????

YIKES! If an 1/8th of an inch is naked I need to add more stuff.

I can't figure out how to link the entire newsletter here...so I'll be back with an edit when I can find it... EDITED!! Here's the entire newsletter.

It has lots more GREAT tags & instructions...you'll love it...

Anyway...here's mine...with the ingredients and instructions...







"Be Merry (vintage)" by Wendy Vecchi

1. Paint the letters with Ranger's metallic crackle paint. Set aside to dry. When the paint is completely dry & cracked, rub black PIGMENT ink into cracks, then wipe off the excess. Paint the roofs on the houses with black crackle paint & set aside to dry & crack.
2. Ink the tag base with vintage photo distress ink. Distress the edges with black soot distress ink. Using Coffee archival ink, stamp the tiny dot stamp over the entire tag.
3. Using black archival ink, stamp the ruler stamp close to the bottom. Stamp the screen stamp toward the top.
4. Stamp the Christmas tree on grungeboard with jet black archival ink, cut out then ink on the front & back with peeled paint. Overstamp with the grid stamp. Color the trunk with black soot distress ink. Curl the left side of the tree to create dimension.
5. Ink the houses with faded jeans, then stamp as shown with jet black archival ink.
6. Color the microchip scallop frame with black soot distress ink & glue in place to create the window. Add a scrap of lace behind the window, before assembling the house.
7. Stamp just a portion of the ruler stamp onto a scrap of chipboard, to create the door. Color with vintage photo distress ink.
8. Assemble the tag as shown.
9. Add the finishing touches… lots of dots from the black glaze pen, the gold accents, the bow, the star & some pen stitching with the precision pen.
10. Add 2 swivel clasps & join them together with a jumpring, to create the hanger.


Here's the 5 Maya Road Supplies I used...

C903 2-Ring Scallop Layer book

C792 Heart and Home Chipboard Set

C704 Microchip Neutrals Scallops

C793 Jonathan Chipboard Alphabet

SMP944 Metric Ruler Singleton Stamp

Done!!

Guess what?

I'm off...to...


MAKE ART!!
wendy

stickles and soup??

Really?

I like it when the title has words with the same letter...I'm so easily entertained...

some days...

Keep reading...

BEWARE!!

...enabler alert!!

DISTRESS STICKLES HAVE ENTERED THE BUILDING!

So...I RIPPED that box right of of the hands of my Fed-Ex guy...and opened the first bottle I grabbed.

Here's a test dose of faded jeans on a kraft colored scrap...



I'm so loving the different sizes of pearly looking bits in them. They really are TOTALLY different than regular stickles...These guys are pure vintage. They add texture & dimension in addition to a little shimmer. An extra bonus...

I just had to play a bit more play last night... I LOVE the scattered straw & the antique linen... and the fired brick and the faded jeans...and walnut...and the peeled paint...Good thing I got them all.



Here I used them on grungeboard (the skinny flower) and on chipboard (the heart). They work great on both surfaces.

So... take it from me.........if you LOVE vintage, you'll NEED all these colors. I WILL be using lots of them in my projects and classes...you can count on it.

THANK YOU Tim & RANGER for giving us another cool product.

Now for a laugh...

Yesterday I TOLD you that I'm addicted to flowers...

It's NOT my fault...

They follow me.........everywhere.........

They're even in my soup.




So yesterday @ lunch Rick asked..."what's up with the soup pictures?" Then he saw the FLOWERS and he got it.........He just shook his head... He got it!

Life is flowery & oh so good...

Have GREAT day and........

Make ART!
wendy