a set a day...#4...

hey blog friends...

have you been shocked that there isn't a flower on every set?

here's today's offering...

set #4...

this one DOES have a flower, and it's titled...

ART COLORS LIFE...

this is another one of the large sets being released...

(11 large & 3 small sets)

and this one DOES have a flower!

OH...I already said that!

but I'm excited so I said it again...

here's MY thoughts on this set...

oh, before we start...

I got several emails about adding a section to the blog which contains these ideas...

feel free to just copy these posts & save them in a file on your computer...

or print them out for a mini hints book...

to refer to later...

OK...

the saying @ the top is a favorite...

and it fits perfectly on the large 5 1/2 inch scallop art parts trim...

I thought we needed some longer sayings for larger projects...

this coordinates with all the flower stamps...

I wanted a saying that would be good in an art journal...

or for any project involving the word...

ART...

and...this is fun...

the words SUN, ART & LIFE all fit in the memo pin opening...

so...the saying can be made into some fun custom epoxy embellishments, by using just some of the words...

I think I'll be using those 3 words...

LOTS...

THE FLOWER...

yippee!

is large...almost 4 inches tall...

I LOVE IT...

because it's solid, it can be "kissed" to any unlinked background stamp to add a subtle pattern...

Since it's bold, I like it stamped over a lighter color background stamp...

it's great for watercolor stamping...

just ink, mist and stamp on watercolor paper...

the unlinked flower can be "kissed" to an INKED background stamp for a totally different look...

and each background stamp will completely change the look of the flower...

it's different...every time you use a different background stamp...

trust me...

this is FUN!

the flower can be masked off (post it note) & the stem can be inked & used with several flowers from current sets...

it can be stamped on grunge & cut out to create dimension...

my smallest butterfly can sit on the "scroll " leaves...

I really like the "simplify" font...

it starts out kind of "fancy"...

but then gets simple...

I see it used with little stamped/cut out images (a mini house) over it...

or with leaves around...

or a flower or a butterfly sitting on the line...

I will also use it on the back of my projects, and I'll sign my name right on the line...

the LOVE saying...

is large...about 4 inches long...

I wanted a LOVE saying that was not too specific so it could be used for multiple occasions...

Valentine's day, engagements, weddings...

I see scrapbookers using this one with family photos...

it could be the title of a page with a child kissing a pet...

finally...

the giant background...

I LOVE this one too...

(go figure!)...

when stamped, it looks like vintage wallpaper...

it's nice & subtle, so it's a versatile background for lots of projects...

since it's large...

it's a good card base too...

this is one that I want to clear emboss & then ink over...

and I plan to stamp it with

Ranger's watermark resist pad...

I like this one inked randomly for a really vintage effect...

tada...

that's set #4...

10 more to go...

now it's time for YOUR thoughts...

talk to me...

while I...

make art

wendy

a set a day #3...

ART PARTS HOUSE??

ART PARTS LEAVES???

What are you guys talking about?

What peek?

You promised...

I thought you saw nothing???

Today...

is day 3 of the new CHA stamps and I can show you...

another large set...

this one is called...

ART GONE POSTAL...

starting @ the top...

"read the fine print"...

LOTS of fun & funny uses for that one...

the mesh is great stamped in coffee or olive archival or any distress ink for that matter...

it's a good collage filler stamp...

it's large...

just what I like...

except when I like mini...

it works well both when stamped horizontal & vertical...

and like to apply the ink unevenly...

for a vintage/worn effect...

I've used the the postal border BUNCHES already...

I LOVE it stamped in the background...

I created it from actual old postage marks from some letters we found @ Rick's aunt's home...

she had a box of letters tucked away in a closet and we rescued them after she died...

I've been wanting another "filler type stamp" for a while...

I was thinking something round that could be used in those odd spaces that just NEED something extra...

this is an actual vintage wood handle rubber stamp, that we found @ an antique mall along with some other postal things...

and...since my dad was a postal worker...

postal things remind me of him...

I've used this guy on several projects...

and I like it LOTS...

stamp it once or stamp it several times to make a longer border...

now that bottom mini quilt is FUN...

here's a very simple ATC I made with it...

probably the first ATC that is actually regulation...

everything is ON the ATC...

nothing hanging off...

shocking!

I stamped it twice on grungeboard, inked the bottom one with denim color wash & the second with meadow...

and cut apart the individual squares from the meadow quilt...

I think it looks like a mini game board...

complete with game pieces...

hey...

about those game pieces...here's a tip...

they are made from the little circle cutouts that come in the art parts spool kit...

and the sampler pack...

I lightly inked them with butterscotch pigment ink...

tim's mini star stamp is a PERFECT fit...

I was happy to discover that tidbit...

use just one for an embellishment...

or use several...to makes a cute border...

the ledge that the game pieces are sitting on is a section of the straight art parts flower stem...

and speaking of ATC'S...

get ready to play with some...

new ART PART ATC's...

YIPPEE!

there are 3 styles in the package...

square corners, rounded corners & cute little cut corners...

9 ATC's total in the pack...

so 3 of each...

they are a great solid surface to work on...

I used the square corner ATC for the piece above...

now for a totally different look from that same mini quilt stamp...

take a look @ how it transforms the 8 petal flower into a flower that looks like 4 hearts...

I was surprised when this developed...

here's what it looks like when this flower is stamped over 4 of the squares...

I didn't see it...

until I stamped it...

a fun discovery!

I'll be redoing this one in red for sure...

make that barn door!

So....that's it...set #3...

art gone postal...

I'll be patiently waiting to hear your thoughts...

keep them coming!

THANKS for taking the time to comment...

YOU MAKE MY DAY!

Pop back tomorrow for set #4...

and here comes the usual...

make art!

wendy

ps....

so...one art parts package of ATC's and 13 more NEWpackages coming...

I wonder what they could be?

a set a day...#2...

stop the press!!

who uploaded this???

HOW did this bigger peek show up???

oh well...

pretend you didn't see it...OK?

I'm happy to report that it's day #2!!!

presenting studio 490 brand new set #2...

this is another large set called...

evidence of art...

the tree is giant sized...

it makes a good background, inked & stamped...

just as is...

I'm wanting to clear emboss it, then ink over it...

or maybe blast it with some color wash???

this is also a good stamp to use with Ranger's watermark resist pad, to make a subtle background...

I plan to add some random flowers...

and hang words from the branches...

and don't forget the crow from yesterday's pill box...

cut him out...

add him to the tree...

I like the tree stamped partially hanging off the project too...

I want to stamp it on black, using the gold paint dabber, for a more elegant effect...

I think that would be good for a wedding or maybe a sympathy card...

(I ALWAYS have a hard time with sympathy cards...)

or...

it can be stamped then embossed with gold or silver...

"the purpose of life" saying is fun when used as the main ingredient for your art...(card front?)

I also like it stamped lightly (olive archival or maybe a distress color) with a solid image stamped (jet black archival ) & layered over it...

it then becomes the the base for a collage...

I plan to use it for thank you cards...

with the inside to read...

a handwritten...

YOU DID.

"evidence of art" can be stamped on the back of your art & it's a perfect spot for your signature...

I will be using it as the title for an art journal...

(coming soon!)...

the word "evidence" can be used alone for hidden journaling...

or on a pocket that contains EVIDENCE...

that makes sense...

(coming soon!)

"specimen B"...

I like that one used with the spider or any ODD "things" or critters...

butterflies etc...

and for sure it works with something CAGED...

or something/someone in the bottle...

the B can be used in memo pins...

it's also a perfect fit under tim's new mini book plate die...

I love it when things "work"...

and it's a good size for ATC's...

"wonderful world" just makes me smile & it's sooo true!

I KNOW...I KNOW...

you want to see the new art parts...

I think you did...see first photo...

I'm still thinking about the best way to show them...

gotta figure something out...

I don't want to show the new art part with an

un*revealed stamp...

God forbid!

or used with "someone else's NEW product"...

God forbid!

I'll get on it...

and figure something out...

soon...

but I will say that the new art parts were designed to work with our current art parts and BELIEVE ME...

I have some surprises coming...

they were sized to fit________ and ________...

and to be used with_______...

this is one HARD TO KEEP secret...

probably THE HARDEST!

THANKS so much for taking the time to comment...

I LOVE to hear your thoughts...

I'm thrilled that you like my new baby...

you make my heart happy...

now I'm off to ...

make art,

wendy

see you tomorrow for #3!

a set a day...#1...

It's FINALLY MONDAY...and I can share a new studio 490 stamp set...

I designed these new sets to be mixed with my existing stamp sets...

there are 11 large sets and 3 small...

you'll see ART in each title again...

I LOVE that word...

here's the first large set, called "art is therapeutic"...

the medicine label has turned into a favorite...

I knew I would like it...

but once I got it & inked it, I TOTALLY flipping LOVE this one because it's got so many different elements...

obviously, it's a pretty big background stamp...

I plan to use lots of the individual words...

sections of it are perfect for stamping smaller pieces...

I did these flowers...cute...

the straight lines make it easy to use just a section as a mini label or sign...

"august flower" fits with all the flower stamps...

I love the rounded title...

"proprietor" is mini & fits perfectly on my straight art parts flower stems...

(which can be cut to make trims for???)...I've used that on several CHA projects...

same with "guaranteed by"...

lots of the letters & the number fit tim's memo pins...

think custom epoxy accents...

just fill the memo pin or charm clip with Glossy Accents...

I could go on & on about this one stamp...

moving on...

YIKES will be fun to use with the spider stamp...

I think it has lots of potential for ATC's etc...

and it will be fun for "out of the box" projects...

Love the flower...you probably knew that...

the White's Pills...

small enough for an ATC...

great for a get well card...

"25 cents" fits the memo pins...

it's got straight lines...making it easy to stamp, cut out & make dimensional...

and the 2 sayings flat out make me laugh...

they will be fun to cut apart & use just the individual words too...

I used the bottom saying for a book #4 project...

it's a really a detailed FUN layered piece...

and how true...shopping cures!

I had quite a few emails asking about where to find the plant stake I used in the last post...

look in the garden section of stores (Home Depot, Lowes...those kinds of places), if you are in a warm weather area now...

don't look in Illinois...we still have snow blowers in ours grrr...

they are also easy to find by doing a Google search...

so there you have it...my first baby...

I'll be waiting to hear your thoughts...

you talk...

while I...

make art!

wendy

ps...tomorrow #2! stay tuned...

F O U R T E E N

that's the MAGIC number...

I designed 14 brand new studio 490 stamp sets...

and 14 brand new PACKAGES of art parts...

one "make art studio 490 style" book #4...

and I have a few other surprises coming soon...

VERY SOON...

starting on MONDAY...

JANUARY 10th...

I'll be starting a series of blog posts called...

A SET A DAY...

so...each day I'll show you a new set of stamps and talk just a bit about what I have already done with them...

or what I plan to do with them...

I haven't decided when to post the art parts...

since the packaging isn't ready to reveal...

I'll keep you posted on that...

I will say that I used LOTS of the art parts & stamps I'm totally flipping...

IN LOVE ...

serious...LOVE!

I leave you with this tiny peek...

see you on Monday...

I'm headed back to the studio to...

make (LOTS OF) art!

wendy

normally I type with two fingers...

but this critter will not allow that...

today he insists on me holding him...

if I don't he'll nip...

so I'm down to one...

and yes...I'm serious...

I only know how to use 2 fingers...

never learned real typing...

but I'm FAST!

it took me all day to find a photo I could use for a blog post...

everything I considered had a new something or other...

so that wouldn't work...

I've been working away & accomplished lots on the TO*DO list...but none of it is SHARABLE yet...

so...

if you are a blog reader, you know about a technique I use with Snow Cap white pigment ink...

for a quick review...

I tap the pad right on to whatever I want to cover...

for the sample below I used junk chipboard...

God forbid I WASTE an art part!

dry the ink with the heat-it craft tool, then apply any distress ink color over the snow cap, using a blending tool...

the white changes the distress ink color to a pastel...

so, when I got tim's new color washes, I HAD to see if the same technique would work...

it does...

the chipboard square on the left was misted with just one coat of red pepper color wash & dried...

it was just a sample for the color....

for the circle, I covered it with the snow cap...

dried it & then misted with the same red pepper color wash...

it makes a lovely chalky pinkish color...

so now we have even more options for the color washes by just adding the snow cap first...

meadow over white is awesome...

denim & sailboat blue look great too...

so, what was checked off the TO*DO list?

all 12 book projects are completed...YIPPEE!!!!!!

all instructions & step out photos were sent...

the art is in Cleveland to be photographed by Matt, a professional...

the intro is done & the tips/hints section has been completely redone & updated...

the book projects are...

a really teeny mini book...

a box...

I love these mini thin magnets...I've used them for the box closure & they are PERFECT. you just might want to be prepared...

just sayin'...

and I *think * I forgot the other 10 projects...

but at least you got 2...

my Ranger designer challenge project is done & gone...

I'm working on more booth samples...

yesterday I made THE MOST FUN art parts project ever...

I LOVE it...

it's makes me happy...

a configurations is "in the works"...bit & pieces are done & it's close to being assembled...

I'm working on dividing the ART PARTS into the proper packages...and deciding on the photos for the packaging...

right now it's looking like more than 10 sets! maybe 12?

Believe me...

I am DYING to show them to you...

I've been excited before every CHA for the last 5...

but this one has me over the top...

can barely sleep...

REALLY REALLY REALLY excited...

and it's still 3 more weeks... YIKES!

I LOVE the new stamps, but ART PARTS have totally exceeded my expectations...

Did I tell you that Arnold is the official art parts cutter and that Ron (Michelle's dad) is the official art parts packager? they are my new bff's...

I've been using my new stamps...

LOTS...

LOVE LOVE LOVE them...

all 14 sets...

so there you have it...

that's all the info I can share today...

but there are quite a few HINTS, if you read the fine print...

I'm headed back to the studio...

time to...

make art!

wendy

1/1/11 post

just incase you can't read the above...

we were sitting in the family room last night, waiting for the new year & suddenly I felt like "someone" was looking @ me...

Yep...I was right...

it was this cute face...

Anyway...

we wish you the very best for this brand new year...

now we have 365 more days to ...

make art!

CHEERS!

wendy