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!

Christmas & questions...

Hey...it's September already!
Want to get an early start on holiday gifts?

Scrapbook Friend'z in Bloomington Illinois is doing their traditional Christmas workshop weekends on Oct 31-Nov 1st and Nov 7 & 8th. So ...save the date!

Both weekends are loaded with fun classes and feature holiday decor or gift items you can make and give.

Here's a little peek of my DECOR item...
It features...

the brand new yummy...graphic 45 Christmas papers

studio 490 stamps (imagine that!)

grungepaper

new Maya Road mini snowflakes , mini scroll and mini alphas

rock candy distress stickles
and plenty of distress inks too.

Hope to see you there...


On to the questions...and the answers...

Hi Wendy
I am new to your blog. I have a simple question. i love all the tags that you, Tim and others do but can I ask what do you do with them.... do you send them as cards, use them on gifts... just wondering.

Tags are great for demoes and more.
The surface is PERFECT for inks & trying new techniques.

Cut the top off, layer it on cardstock & it's a quick card front...
or...

Stamp or write your sentiment on the back & it's a unique card. Who says a card has to open?

Need a quick gift tag? Tags are perfect.
It's the card & tag all in one.

If you looked @ the Ranger video I posted yesterday, I show making 2 tags with the same technique & the same colors.

Use one for the tag & the second
can be stamped & cut to make coordinating embellishments.

Plus...it's just plain fun to put them on a ring & flip thru them if you need inspiration.

Next...
Can I ask where you found the jenni bowlin papers you used on that skinny book? I can only find her large papers...

I think this is the Maya Road book you're talking about.

The 4 x 4 Jenni Bowlin papers that I used are here.
They also stock several other colors & styles...all mini and absolutely...ADORABLE!


Will your book be sold @ Barnes & Noble?

NOPE...Here's why...
it's not actually published...
instead it's PRINTED by Stampers Anonymous.

So... it's available here on the blog, eclecticPaperie, your LSS or directly from the Stampers Anonymous site or @ their booth @ conventions.

I saw you do a flower in a reinker bottle. Where do you get the reinkers bottles?from Ranger?



Nope...
I get them from the reinker drawer...see below. ha!

Yep, I have lots...and now I figured out they make adorable vases. so I save the empties.

Ranger does not sell them empty. SORRY.

Next...
I saw a photo of your workroom & it looks like you have a double tier holder form the ink applicators. Do I need special parts to attach 2 together?

Here's a look @ mine.
2 craft spinners can be stacked together to store 16 blending tools in a very small space. I LOVE IT!

No special parts are needed...here's how it fits.
The base is actually green when you buy it...
but black spray paint does wonders!



and...
Did that heat gun ever get made again? I keep asking you. so sorry...

YES & YIPPEE...

Ranger has the heat-it tools back!

It's even quieter & hotter than the original.
I can't live without it!

If you like to emboss, it's great because it doesn't blow the embossing powder off your project.

last one...

Wendy, I just love your art - I am hooked and can't wait till your book arrives (I've pre-ordered it here in the UK from The Stamp Attic wo led me to you!) Do you have any plans to come over here?

I am working on my schedule for next year, but no plans for the UK...SORRY.

Any more question? Ask away...that's what I'm here for...

Here it comes!

make art!

wendy

new Ranger pigments & pearls video!

Last month I posted a 3 part tutorial on a new background technique called pigments & pearls.

Ranger's pigment inks are opaque...and great for stamping or covering chipboard.

This technique uses the pigment inks in a new way and combines them with the shimmery Perfect Pearls.

Here are the original blog posts.

Part 1
Part 2
and Part 3

Here's the YIPPEE part...

I made a video for Ranger @ CHA in July & it's the featured video on the Ranger site for the month of September!
YIPPEE!

You can see the video here on the Ranger site...
or on You-tube here...

Thanks to my RANGER family!!! You guys are GREAT!

Thanks to my CHA roomie...Paper Patti...
she is the video-er? She video-ed me...whatever?
Videographer? yep...that's better.

And since every post needs a photo...

here's the pigments & pearls technique ...
it's the background on this tag.



a closer look...



I'll be back tomorrow with a CHRISTMAS workshop peek...

WHAT?

Hey...it's 45 degrees here...
I'm wearing sweats & I'm IN holiday mode!

Take a few minutes...
Get out your pigment inks and perfect pearls and...

make art!
wendy

a winner...and new Maya Road minis ...

WOW!
Over 170 entries...

THANK YOU ALL for taking the time to comment!!!
I'm thrilled~Thanks for being so very kind!

AND...

A MILLION THANK-YOU's to everyone who ordered my book...
The first dose should arrive today or tomorrow...and we'll get them in the mail ASAP!

I'm calling Ted to order more today...and hopefully those will arrive by Friday...

I'll keep you posted...

So...want to know who the book winner is?

Random.org chose # 83...

CONGRATS to...

Here's her comment...
Dianal said:
Can't wait until I get an opportunity to see the new book. Congratulations. I have been using your stamps sets since I took a class with you in Buffalo .. love your blog and all that you create ... keep making ART!!!!!!
August 28, 2009 11:18 PM

DianaL... please send me your address & I'll get your prize mailed off to you.


On to the art...

Some days I have NO WILLPOWER!
My Maya Road order arrived on Saturday...
with cool NEW product! YIPPEE!

I tried my best to stick to the tasks on the TO-DO list...kits, kits, kits & CRUISE stuff...
but I kept hearing them call me...
so I GAVE IN on Sunday.

I HAD to play with these mini houses.

I have no clue where the inspiration came from...
but this antique hinge seemed to be the perfect fit...
even though it weighs a ton...

The canvas is mini...just 2 x 4 inches...
but I loaded on the goods, as usual.

I covered the canvas with an old book page & adhered it with Claudine's multi medium...I like the matte best.

These mini houses are to die for awesome.
I think the smaller...the better....



Maya Road mini alphabets...perfect fit...
I almost used the mini trees...but the alphas won!

To make the scallop trim, I cut off a section of the rectangle scallop journaling coaster.

I LOVE tim's snaps for the grungepaper flower centers.

And the finishing touch...

a 1 inch square memory frame with memory capsule...made by Ranger.

Tim's mini fasteners fit the lock holes perfectly for a nice little detail.


So...that TO-DO list is still waiting for me...
But I sure enjoyed the playday!

THANKS AGAIN!!!
I appreciate EACH & EVERY one of YOU!

make art!
wendy

THANK YOU ALL...

WOW!!!

From the bottom of my heart...

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the wonderful emails yesterday.
I'm THRILLED!

Thanks too...for all the book orders.
I'll be anxious to hear what you think about it.

ART friends are THE BEST FRIENDS!

We'll be shipping the books, just as soon as they arrive...on Monday or Tuesday of next week....and ordering more later today.

Hello...Ted? Send MORE!

Once again...I sincerely appreciate all the kind words & enthusiasm.
THANK YOU!

On to the art...

I got several emails yesterday asking about the sizes of the new Maya Road chipboard products.

I agree...it's very hard to determine the size from a photo.

This is the rectangle scallop journaling coaster & it's 3 x 5 inches.


The flower is actually my studio 490 poinsettia stamp...
but...
done in broken china, it no longer looks Christmasy...

is that a word?

Holiday...ish?



and...this classic scroll frame is 5 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches...





This square scroll is 4 x 4 inches, from point to point.




Here's the cool thing about designing stamps...
Ted lets me do what I want.



So the large background stamps completely cover these chipboard bases.


Coincidence?
I think...NOT!


One stamp...a little ink & the base is ready to be embellished.
SO EASY!



If you need any of the other Maya Road chipboard measured...
just ask.
***


FINALLY...
about that book GIVEAWAY...
***
Leave a comment under THIS post...

We'll leave this open for comments until 7am (CST)on Monday.

Then on Monday we'll do the random generator thing & announce a winner.


The winner gets a FREE book...
compliments of Stampers Anonymous!!
THANKS to TED & MICHELLE!!


It's SIMPLE...your comment is your chance to win.


I hope you have a great weekend...
take time to play and...

make art!
wendy
ps...if you're in the Hamburg NY area this weekend...
don't forget to stop & watch Ted demo @ the SSAT convention...
and...do me a favor...
tell him I said "hi"!

stamps, shipping & SHOPPING!

***SHIPPING EDIT BELOW***
I have a TREAT for you here...

Robin taught some classes @ Scraptales...(not sure where the store is?) and shared some photos this morning...

I'm always excited to see how others use studio 490 stamps.
Take a look...and be inspired...



This next one is sooooo stinkin' cute...it just makes me smile.

I LOVE how Robin carried her theme thru the project...
and put HER twist on the grunge flowers.

Coke bottle...Coke soda cap flower centers...
They're just AWESOME!



And here are the art chicks...with their class projects.
GREAT JOB gals!
Looks like you had lots of fun...


Thanks so much for sharing, Robin.
I enjoyed seeing your ART!

***NEWS FLASH***

Ted called last night & all the pre-orders for my book have been sent as of yesterday! COOL!!

So all you "patient" friends who ordered @ the Carson convention last month...

they are on the way to you & should arrive soon.

All CHA store orders have been sent too...so be watching!

AND...he "overnighted" mine & they will arrive TODAY.

YIPPEE!!!

If it wasn't raining I'd be sitting out on the drive waiting for Mr Fed-Ex to get here.

I've not seen the FINAL...so I'm excited...VERY excited.

The blog books I ordered will be here Monday or Tuesday...so they will be ready to ship early next week.

PayPal is set & ready to go. The book sells for $14.95 and US priority shipping is $5.00 for one book...so $19.95 total.

For those of you ordering 2, I'll have the exact shipping for 2 books later today. Rick will check with the PO guys, & I'll update the blog, just as soon as I have that info.

UPDATED info...

YIPPEE...2 books ship priority in the US for $5.00!!!

International shipping is $8.00 for one or 2 books, with an expected 7-10 days delivery time.

PRIORITY international shipping is $13.00.

To order, send me an email (wbv1213@hughes.net) & I'll send you a Pay Pal request. If you'd like your book signed or personalized with a specific name (like for a gift for a friend), please put that in the PayPal comment section.

The book is also available thru eclecticPaperie(if you need stamps or supplies), your LSS, thru the Stampers Anonymous web site & at any convention where there is a Stampers Anonymous booth.

Ted will be in Hamburg NY this weekend. Stop by & visit with him. You'll enjoy his demos...for sure!

We'll also have some available on the CRUISE SHIP...in the little store...along with other cool stuff...I'm just saying...cool stuff...

(hey...just a little cruise tease). It's getting CLOSE!

And speaking of shopping...

ladies start your engines...oops...SHOPPING CARTS!

All the BRAND SPANKIN' NEW Maya Road products from CHA have arrived! Scroll down on this page to see them all.

If you're making projects from the book...these are the products that I used. Maya Road combines great quality with great prices...which explains why I used Maya Road before I was on their design team. Not a suck-up...just the facts!

I see they have the new graphic45 there too...it's awesome!

Now about that book giveaway I PROMISED...

STAY TUNED...
details...
TOMORROW!

Until then...
take time...

make art!
wendy

WONDERFUL Waco and the first of the flock

What a WONDERFUL WEEKEND we had in Waco, Tx.!
THANK YOU ALL so much...
I had a blast and enjoyed each & EVERY ONE of you!

To Emmalie...
THANK YOU for inviting me to Crop Paper Scissors...
cute store...just like the owner!

I SHALL return...(after the snow is gone)...springtime sounds good.
Thanks too for the little antiquing stop...
I LOVED IT! Let's do it again!

To the GROUP who came in on Friday evening & announced they were "HERE FOR THE WEEKEND!"...THANK YOU all!
Ya'lllllll are GREAT!

To the gals who started driving @ 5am...and drove for over 3 hours...THANK YOU!

To my new 30+ BFF'S...THANKS for taking the artful weekend adventure with me.
There's nothing better than making art...with friends.

A special THANK YOU to Lisa Monroe...silver artist extraordinaire....
OMG...wait 'til you see the PMC jewelry she makes...
I about fainted!
that's a post for another day...
I need to get her site & more info...
and I PROMISE I will show you the gift she made for me.
A HUGE WOW! I LOVE IT! Made me cry!

Some gals brought their art to show me...
That was so AWESOME!!
THANKS for sharing YOUR ART!
I LIKE that!!

To everyone for the wonderful southern hospitality, laughs, compliments and kindness...
from the bottom of my heart........
I THANK YOU!

Here's the weekend recap...
We started Friday evening with the Ranger technique class.
That was a hit...lots of inks, Perfect Pearls, crackle paint...ironing...LOTS of stamping and MORE...
I heard that you learned LOTS! That's GREAT!!

We spent ALL day Saturday making a Maya Road book that was full of flowers and sayings....
You sure were troopers...lots of grunge cutting...
but no complaints...
LOTS of awesome books left on Saturday with LOTS of smiling faces.

That's what's so COOL and why I do what I do!!
It makes me happy.

We did an unplanned mini quickie...rose making 101...Sylvia thought the roses should be used on EVERYTHING!
She just might be right.

For dessert on Saturday we made a mini Maya Road hanging...a mini fun piece.
It was a piece of cake after the mega mini book...
which was 7 inky hours!!

Sunday was bird-day!
Some joked that this was their semester FINAL or the GRAND FINALE!
...everything they learned the 2 days before was put to use on their bird...

And let me say...

I am NOT prejudice when I tell you that each & every one was AWESOME and so totally different...AGAIN!

I did TRY to take photos...but most of them are too dark & blurry. So, if some BFF's who took photos would send them...I'll share them here.

Here are just 2...for your viewing pleasure.

AMAZING...




and AMAZING!



Now, it's back to work for me.
Unpacking...2 classes for the Madison convention to make & submit, class instructions...kits for 3 stores...design a new workshop...new stamp designs...YES...that's started already... a NEW concept is brewing...we'll see what develops...
book 2...YEP...that's in the works...
and...

CRUISE STUFF!!!...this is going to be FUN with a capital F!

I'll post the contest details just as soon as the books arrive...
You'll be the first to know and we'll have a little blog fun...
GIVEAWAY!! Stay tuned!!

That's it...

Take care & make art!
wendy