it's a wrap...

but it's so much more...

I ordered tim's new tissue wrap, to use as a wrap...

as tim's says...

hello Captain Obvious!

but I also had an idea brewing for a fun technique...

I started with my art parts small creative cover...

it's a great solid base for art...

I wanted a dry adhesive to attach the tissue wrap to the cover...

I chose Glue Arts High Tac runner...

I LOVE their runners...

this is significant...

as you will see below...

it was simple to use the sanding grip on the edges...

since the tissue wrap is thin...

just a few swipes & the edges looked good...

now here comes THE DISCOVERY...

because the tissue wrap is semi transparent...

the dots from the adhesive were showing thru...

I was soooo excited...

I KNEW what was coming next...

I added broken china & frayed burlap distress stains randomly over the tissue wrap...

then dried it...

and ended up with this amazing background with so much depth & texture, using only 2 simple steps...

1. adhere the wrap

2. stain it...

but, what's REALLY cool is that the background is actually flat...

so it's perfect for stamping...

here you can see that I used jet black archival with my cancellation stamp & the tiny details are crisp & clear...

I hope you can see that the text from the tissue wrap...

and the dots from the adhesive

appear to be deep under the stamping...

I HAD to use this background...

which explains why I didn't cook dinner...

again...

the photo below shows my belt stamp...

with an extra little detail...

I stamped it twice on grungeboard...

and used just the portion with the buckle & the end,

as the second layer...

because it's grunge, I could bend the end for extra dimension...

a small detail with a big impact...

and it gave the guy a place to stand...

here's the finished piece...

my guy is holding an art parts pen nib & dipping it into

the diamond inks bottle...

the bling you see is from rock candy distress stickles...

but like the infomercial says...

wait...there's more...

another idea popped in...

what would happen if I added

Claudine's gesso

over the tissue wrap???

I got this result...

this started the same way...

the tissue wrap was added to the art part base with the Glue Art runner...

then I used Ranger's craft scrapper to apply an uneven thin coat of gesso over the tissue wrap...

dried it...

and again added broken china & frayed burlap distress stains...

and dried them...

then I used the blending tool to add shading to the edges with walnut stain...

the text still shows & the dots do too...

that's as much as I can show...

this background is going to be the starting point for a CHA project...

tissue wrap is FUN stuff!

***news flash***

save the date!

next week Ranger's blog will be all about

THE GREAT pumpkin challenge...

several of us were sent a pumpkin to alter...

here a peek @ mine...

oops wrong photo...

that's the BEFORE...

so sorry...

lol!!!

so save the date & plan to be inspired next week...

I *think* it will be great fun...

and speaking of fun...

I have a few more ideas to try with the wrap...

it's GREAT for covering large art parts...

next, I'll use it on the sweetheart frame...

there are some other *things* I NEED to try...

this stuff has a MILLION possibilities...

I hope you're inspired to play...

it's a rainy UGLY day AGAIN...

but I don't care...

I'm headed to the studio to...

make art!

wendy

clearly for...CHRISTMAS...

I got an email last week from Betty Bennett...

she wanted to show me a Christmas ornament that she made, using my "clearly for art"...

I LOVED it!

I think this will make a great holiday hostess gift...

because...

it's quick & easy...

it's reasonably priced...

the ornaments are already 50% off in most stores...

and CFA is VERY reasonably priced...

thanks to TED!

and most importantly...

and it's fun to make...

I bet you probably already have the supplies needed...

take a look...

cool huh???

so to take Betty's idea a bit further...

think about using "clearly for art BLACKOUT"...

stamped with the gold or silver paint dabber...

this would result in a very classy/elegant effect...

my leaf stamp is perfect...

it makes a fun poinsettia...

it would also be fun to use a clear ornament & fill it with shredded vintage text...

or just shred an old telephone book...

or...

you can really customize it by adding a special photo inside the clear ornament...

how cool would it be to gift someone with a photo of their home in the ornament?

or each child with their own special ornament?

the possibilities really are endless...

and if you use a larger ornament...

my poinsettia stamp would work well on the top...

or...think about my tree...

added to the front of the ornament...

instead of the top...

or for a small size ornament...

the holly, stamped on CFA would be awesome...

and think about the CFA WHITEOUT...

inked with pale alcohol ink colors...

then added to a coordinating ornament...

my favorite is JUNIPER!

you can also add BLING IN A BOTTLE...

aka Perfect Pearls mists...

the BLACKOUT lightly misted with Perfect Pearls mist is REALLY cool!

try the new BRONZE PP mist ...

or my old standby fav...heirloom gold...

or the green patina is perfect for holiday art...

even though CFA is kind of plastic-ish...

the PP Mist adheres very well...

so grab some alcohol ink to color the CFA...

and your paint dabbers to use with BLACKOUT...

a few ornaments...

and for sure some Rock Candy stickles to add the perfect vintage shimmer...

and get an early start on some holiday gifts...

handmade is best!

THANKS BETTY!...I LOVE your idea!

and speaking of ideas...

I'm off to play with tim's new tissue wrap...

I *think* the idea will work...

stay tuned...

one more thing...

I got a funny email with a bunch of questions...

so that will be *coming* soon-ish...

like this week...

now where's that tissue wrap?

it's time to play &

make art!

wendy

ps...I ALMOST forgot...YIKES...

GO BEARS!

playing with jenni bowlin & studio 490...

well...I didn't actually get to play WITH jenni...

she lives in Tennessee & I'm in Illinois...

but I DID combine some of her cool products with mine & I made her this little "thank you" gift...

I started with an art parts rectangle frame base...

art parts make a nice sturdy base...

an art parts scallop trim...

2 art parts leaves...inked with forest moss stain...

and stamped with the old standby screen background...

her initials are ledger alphas, inked with weathered wood...

and dotted with the BLACK Sakura glaze pen...

MUCH easier than adding mini rhinestones...

the dots dry a bit raised & add the perfect little detail...

the photo below shows a cool discovery...

I heated her black doily flowers & was able to shape them & make them dimensional...

they are flat right out of the package...

but easily made dimensional, with a little heat...

I LOVED the look...black flowers...

I'm in heaven!

they also come in a great red (thinking holiday cards!)...

they could easily be a poinsettia center for my poinsettia stamp......

& an off white, which can easily be altered with alcohol inks...

for a million color possibilities...

the weathered wood flower is jenni paper over my clearly for art...

I adhered the paper to the CFA with Ranger's Glue N Seal...

matte finish...

the flower center is a jenni decorative brad...

and here's a portion of the doily flower peeking out & used flat...

I'll be back next week with a guest designer & a very fun HOLIDAY project...

it's something quick & easy that will make a great hostess gift...

that's it for today...

remember...

take some time this weekend to...

make art!

wendy

art, fit for a queen...

I'm celebrating good news!!!!!

my CHA W-12 stamp images are finished & sent off to be magically transformed into real rubber stamps...

for release late January...

my CHA W-12 ART PARTS are finished...(almost)...

I just need to decide on what's included in the packages...

I been working on *a little something* & it's moving along well...

so... I *thought* I deserved a play day...

and play I did...

the idea has been brewing since tim introduced the rock candy crackle paint...

I wanted to use it on glass...

but since the crackle paint needs "tooth" to grab onto...

the glass was too slick for the crackle to do it's job...

believe me...I did try...

I sanded the glass...or so I thought...

then painted the crackle on the glass...let it dry...

it looked beautiful...

UNTIL...

I picked it up to inspect it...

then it all fell off...

lol...

so I knew it would be a cool effect...

if I could get it to work...

and I did...

the glass bottle below is right from the store...

(a Marshall's find)

I painted on a thin layer of Ranger's Glue N Seal...

I like the matte finish...

and let it dry...

when it was completely dry...

I attacked it with the crackle paint...

I was bound & DETERMINED to make this work...

I don't give up easily...

I wanted big cracks...

so I painted on a pretty thick layer...

then added some extra strength drips...

then I sat & crossed my fingers...

and stared @ the bottle...

pure MAGIC!!!!!

I am IN LOVE...

I used pumice stone distress stain to accent the cracks...

and a bit of espresso pigment ink,

added with the blending tool...

for a little more color...

here's the finished bottle...

a total transformation...

from brand spankin new...

to very vintage...

with the addition of a little lace,

an idea-ology tassel & some foliage leaves,

a Maya Road vintage trinket button...

and some rhinestone trim...

the crackle effect is flippin cool, if I say so myself...

it's even better than I expected...

it's now...

art...FIT FOR A QUEEN!

I think this new awesome cracked glass technique

has LOTS of possibilities...

I've got an idea-ology corked vial drying now...

it's looking really good!

and speaking of awesome...

how about the new seasonal distress inks for winter?

makes you drool...kind of AWESOME!!!

what beautiful colors...

I hope you can grab a generic bottle, some Glue N Seal...

this is the big bottle...no brush...

but more cost effective to refill the small bottle (that has the brush)...

some rock candy crackle paint...

same thing here...large bottle to refill the small...

this is just too much fun...

I hope you're inspired to play along and

make art!

wendy

ps...it's NOT TOO SOON...

to start making your holiday gifts...

YIKES! it's Nov 1st...

pss...I realized why I'm shaky...

I made a project WITHOUT a rubber stamp...

I thought that was IMPOSSIBLE...

I better remedy that NOW...

phew...

a star is born...

oops...

TYPO...

a STORE is born...

and actually...

there's 2!

the first is my new HOME store...

it just opened a few weeks ago...

it's The Scrapbooking Studio,

in Bloomington, Illinois...

just 70 miles from here...

I LOVE that I can drive there & avoid the airport madness...

Amy also has a store, by the same name, in Moline, Illinois.

I taught there back in May...

and LOVED it...

it is STOCKED to the max...very neat & organized...

I'm expecting the same in Bloomington...

I'll be there this Saturday (OCT 29th) for a workshop called...

the artist collectible shelf...

we use art parts to construct this project from scratch & then make embellishments too...

the art parts ruler, stamped with the coordinating stamp =

the. cutest. shelf. ever.

in this workshop we even make our own custom background, using Claudine's sticky back canvas, her gesso & tim's distress stains & inks...

oh...and then we stamp over it using my giant background stamps...

I recently taught this class in NY & Maryland & what was really exciting @ those 2 stores, was seeing the creation of each attendee...

everyone had access to the same ingredients, but each had a totally different result...

and each was totally wonderful...

it's fun to try new things...

I'll try to do a video about this soon...-ish...

anyway...

here's the project & I hope you can come join the fun...

& spend the day getting inky, visiting with friends, learning something new...

making ART & having lunch brought to us!

perfect!

now for the SECOND new store...

If you check the top right sidebar...

you'll see the studio 490 hoodie/tote store...

this makes me happy...

since the response to the hoodies has been so great...

THANK YOU ALL...

the graphic design folks have set up a mini store, to make ordering EASIER & QUICKER for you...

now instead of sending the hoodies/totes to me

in Illinois, from Arizona...

the order gets shipped directly to you...

I'm thinking that will save a week! YIPPEE...

I hate to wait!

it's simple...

just click the hoodie & you'll be magically transported to see the color choices & the sizes available...

I have also added a really cool tote...

I HAD 2 samples...gave them away...

NOTE TO SELF...

NEED to order another for ME...

they too are the pigment brand...sort of worn looking...

with the same graphic...

they are excellent quality too...

nice straps...durable heavy material...

the teal color is much prettier in person...

MUCH!

oh...I see they added more color choices for the tote too...

cool!

(hint...great gifts for friends!) and since Christmas is 2 months away...

YIKES!

let the shopping begin!

ok..I'm off to put the finishing touches on some ***things***

for CHA...

***they*** are coming along quite nicely...

I'm pleased...so far...

yippee!

as always...

I hope you have time to...

make art!

wendy

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!

Alcohol Ink/ Glassine technique...

I wonder if...

that's how this technique developed...

I wondered how tim's/Ranger's

NEW Adirondack snow cap alcohol ink mixativewould work on

tim's cool glassine products...

I was hoping to create a verdigris/rusty looking background...

with texture...

that I could stamp on...

since alcohol inks are transparent, they don't show up well on dark surfaces...if at all...

here's the HOWEVER...

in it's unedited video state...

with the big DUH...still left in...

a blooper of sorts...

but hey...

it's the REAL me...

yikes!

here's a closer look @ the back of the glassine envelope...

I'm very pleased with the result...

the inks/glassine combo seems to make the envelope really strong/sturdy...

perfect for mailing...

or pages for a mini book?

I hope you enjoyed the video & that you'll take a minute to try it!

I used juniper & cloudy blue ...

but try it with other alcohol ink colors...

stream would be a good choice...

let me know how you do!

I'm off to find some archival ink & a studio 490 stamp...

something appropriate for a cute glassine envelope...

in fact...

I think I'll...

make art!

wendy