from this to THIS...

it's the weekend!

yippee!

and only 3 weeks 'til I leave for CHA...

YIKES!!!!!!!!

phew...

I thought I'd show you some quick ways to alter some of my Blossom Bucket resin pieces 

with some of my most favorite 

tim & Ranger products...

here's the cute little Blossom Bucket bouquet, right from the package...

in the photo below, I used the dried marigold marker & the rusty hinge marker to color in each flower...

and I used the forest moss marker over the raised areas on the stem...

then accented the flower centers with 

the black Sakura glaze pen...

2 minutes = total transformation...

make sure to dry these with the heat-it tool...

leave them on your craft sheet to heat them...

they do get a bit warm...

let them cool before taking them off the chart sheet...

you may need to dry them several times...

now it looks like this...

for this next example 

I used several different colors of markers, 

to create a multi colored bouquet...

HEY...

stop the press...

a whole peek???

remember...

what happens on the blog...

stays on the blog!

I showed you the bird before...

again...he was colored with the distress markers...

the tiny dots are vermillion archival...

this piece is fun to alter too...

but a little different ink was used here...

I used Ranger's butterscotch PIGMENT ink...

& applied it with the craft nib...

the flourishes were inked with lettuce PIGMENT ink...

you'll see it creates a much more chalky effect...

whereas the distress inks are translucent...

the pigments are much more opaque...

I randomly stamped on the raised areas with jet black archival...

and accented the flower center 

with the black Sakura glaze pen...

and now it looks like this...

for the next piece...

 back to the distress markers...

I use stormy sky on the petals, and peeled paint on the flourishes...

you'll see the flourishes are a bit darker...

that's because I added a bit of rock candy distress stickles...

when I did that, the stickles activated the distress marker & made the color darker...and rewet it...

pretty cool in person...

this fun piece is glued to the small art parts pocket watch...

which I inked with pumice stone distress stain...

and there's a hint of a word stamp below...

which was colored in with the bundled sage marker...

other altering possibilities???

I didn't have time to make samples of them...

but you can also alter these with alcohol inks...

and archival inks...

use the refillable pen with the alcohol inks & a craft nib tapped onto the archival pads to add color...

now with the expansion of the archival colors...

we have LOTS of fun choices...

think aquamarine...saffron...french ultramarine...

so the moral of today's post 

is that you have to look at the possibilities...

how can I easily make this coordinate with my project?

altering is FUN...

and speaking of FUN...

I hope you'll take 3 minutes & click on the link 

to see a very cool video...

it was created by Michele Hamilton, one of the owners of 

Scrappin Girlfriends, 

in Twin Falls, Idaho...

I'll be there in August & the video is their invitation to attend the event...

NEVER. EVER. 

have I seen such a cool invite...

EVER...

sure made my day!

with the attention to EVERY detail in this video...

I AM CERTAIN that this will be a very fun weekend...

I had a sneak peek of what's planned & I LIKE IT!

I hope you can join us...

ok...time to head into the studio...

gotta make (LOTS of) art!

wendy

ps...the Blossom Bucket prize package, from the previous post,

 is still here...

if I don't hear from the winner by Monday @ 7am...

I'll ask Cindy to draw another winner...

stay tuned!

more peeks & the Blossom Bucket winner...

it's Wednesday...

and time for more peeks...

you'll see the photos are getting better...

and larger...

and clearer...

it won't be long now...

this one is so stinkin'  CUTE...

even better than I expected & like I have been saying...

they all have AMAZING details...

this next one is exactly what I planned...

but when it arrived & I got to test drive it over some art parts...

it has several different uses,

which delights me to no end, 

since it was totally UNPLANNED...

one is down right hilarious...

this is NOT what you think it is...

these are in the top 3 all time FAVORITES...

I LOVE you so much

 item #51556...

and this is our dining table, which is now CHA central...

it's loaded with all the new art parts & Blossom Bucket goodies...

all brand new things for CHA...

I also put my finished samples here, divided up by which booth they are for...

and book samples sit there too, until they get sent to be photographed...

look hard...I bet you can see a few things...

I've had several ask about my gift item release with Blossom Bucket...

several asked what times I would be in the booth in Atlanta...

would I be signing the art???

boohoo...

I won't be going because the gift show starts on July 11, 

just 2 days before I need to be at CHA...

I thought seriously about going & believe me...

IT IS KILLING ME NOT TO GO...

but at best, I would have been there for only 12 hours...

and the final days before CHA are really crunch time, getting last minute details finalized...

Cindy is there now setting up the displays...

she emailed me this morning & said the display looks great & she'll have pictures for me when she gets back...

see...I torture you with peeks...

and I get paid back by Cindy...

I'm counting the hours...

'til I see them displayed...

keep in mind that I started designing the art 

back in AUGUST OF LAST YEAR...

so this is pure torture for someone with zero patience...

I can post the photos on the 11th, the day the show opens,

and show you what the figurines?? look like...

ok...moving on...

now for the winner that Cindy chose this morning...

HUGE CONGRATS to...

 kate blue said...

when something is your "baby," picky is good! I love all of the ones I have seen (and used myself) so far and can't wait for the next reveal!!!

June 18, 2012 1:57 PM

 

please email me with your shipping info (wbv1213@me.com)...

and the head of shipping & receiving...aka Rick...

will get the box off to you...

THANKS AGAIN CINDY...

for the awesome prize package...

you can bet I'll be sucking up big time @ CHA to get some samples of the new trinkets to share here...

and for sure I'll suck up to Ted to get some stamps to giveaway too...

now it's time to head back to the studio...

I gotta...

make art!

wendy

peeks & a Blossom Bucket GIVEAWAY...

I spent the weekend working on book projects...

I have to say that this is some of my MOST FAVORITE art that I have ever made...

EVER...

seriously...I had so much FUN...

I mean I worked REALLY HARD!

I can't wait to share...

I thought we could start the day with some

  NEW PRODUCT peeks...

lots of art parts, Blossom Bucket & stamps in the photo below...

more stamps & art parts, plus I see a peek of ______?

 oh...this next one is a good one...

2 Blossom Bucket, 3 stamps & a new art parts...

 now here's an EASY one...

did you notice that I've used clear embossing on these projects?

I've embossed on 10 of the last 12...

the reason?

I forgot how cool embossing looks, plus it makes it so easy to color in the images with tim's markers...

while having my coffee this morning,

 I was admiring my 19 

BRAND NEW embellishments 

from Blossom Bucket...

we're hoping for 20...

but #20 is proving to be a manufacturing nightmare...

yikes!

got my fingers crossed that #20 will be ready for CHA...

but here's a peek at the NEW 19...

I.  AM.  IN. LOVE!!!!!!

I expected cool...

but they have made these spectacular...

and I'm not easily impressed...

ok...picky might be the word I was looking for?

the detail is just amazing in these pieces...

they'll fit on cards, scrapbook layouts & altered art too...

plus they were designed with my stamps & art parts in mind...

 Cindy said it's too early for the full reveal...

let's just give them a little peek...

ok ...

here goes...

best I can do...

Cindy offered to do a

  GIVEAWAY to celebrate our new release...

I LIKE how she thinks!

and like the stamp says...

these are a few of my favorite things...

I LOVE these because the clear bottle & jar were designed with a slit in the back, so that the flowers slip right in & everything gets glued down flat...

they're a perfect fit...

the bouquet is perfect for altering with tim's markers...

I'll do a post on that soon...

each flower can be a different color...

or you can make them all the same...

it's simple, quick & FUN...

and alterable to fit any project...

LOVE LOVE really LOVE the lips , 

the vintage phone (I'm so old I remember these!)

& of course...

the red hearts fit lots of occasions...

but wait...

there's MORE...

the lucky winner will also get these...

the antique silver buttons, the bird, the cute roof (can't find that link)

& the set of antique buttons...

I showed how to alter the bird 

with tim's distress markers in THIS POST...

I LOVE to use the buttons for flower centers...

the roof also makes a funky hat for people...

so...one lucky winner will get all 12 packages!

THANKS CINDY!!!

what do you need to do to have this prize package live with you?

just leave a comment...

that's it...

simple...

I'll ask Cindy to draw the random winner on 

Wednesday...

and that person will receive 12 Blossom Bucket trinkets so that they can...

make art!

wendy

ps...yes I did notice that the links are red & blue...

I'm gearing up for the 4th!

off to the studio...got some ideas brewin'

several sneaks on Saturday...

I've spent the week making projects & 

writing the supply lists & 

instructions for the next book...

book #7...

7 ???????

seriously???

I thought I'd do 1 book...

possibly 2...

if it went well...

but I'm happy to say they get rave reviews...

so...

 #7 it is!

it's debuting @ CHA!

if I stay off Pinterest that is...

yikes!

I'm having a BLAST with my new & current stamps, 

NEW Blossom Bucket goodies &

 my new _____s too...

I thought it would be fun to celebrate the weekend 

with some decent sized sneaks from the book projects...

hmmmmmm...

what's this???

LOVE the amazing detail!

or this???

and...

you'll see 

LOTS of really good peeks below...

that bright white on the far right 

is tim's picket fence distress marker 

it's used on ART PARTS...

I LOVE IT!

it really pops!

use the fine tip of the white marker

to add a tiny dot to an eye & you'll see it's amazing!

I've been using the markers 

LOTS with my new stamps...

just sayin'...

you might want to have your supplies ready...

what do you see below???

and a little HEADS UP...

I'll be back on 

Monday 

with 

a REALLY GOOD GIVEAWAY...

now that's a HUGE peek!

have a bright bright sunshiny day!

it's a perfect day to 

make art!

wendy

summer seasonal distress inks...

I wanted to show you a quick way to alter these new 

BEAUTIFUL

summer seasonal distress inks...

below they are used on a manila tag...

they were applied to the tag with the blending tool...

what bright, translucent colors...

it's a great color combo!

now here comes the secret ingredient for altering these distress colors & ANY of the distress inks...

the Snow Cap White PIGMENT Pad...

this pad should cost $50.00...for all it does...

get it before the Ranger guys figure this out!

LOL!!!

note to self...

get a new pad to use for photos...duh! messy...

try this!

tap the snow cap pad directly onto the manila tag

 to completely cover it...

dry it with the heat-it tool...

then use the blending tool to apply mowed lawn & salty ocean to the tag...

the result is an awesome chalky looking effect...

I hope the photo shows how pretty this is...

and here's a side by side comparison...

2 different looks, 

just by adding the snow cap pigment pad to your art supplies...

 by adding the distress inks over the snow cap, 

you double your distress color choices!

like the old commercial said...

double your pleasure...

double your fun...

geez I'm old...

it's true...

look...

now for the winner of the brand spankin new

SUMMER SEASONAL DISTRESS INKS...

congrats to...

Anita Houston said...

I totally think these 3 new colors compliment the already fabulous Distress Ink line...wow...just when you think they can get no better. Congrats to Claudine!!!! Can't wait to see what you make with them Wendy!

JUNE 11, 2012 2:14 PM 

please email me @ wbv1213@me.com & we'll get these off to you!

here's some BREAKING NEWS!!!

Fed-Ex delivered my new Blossom Bucket

Embellish Your Art pieces last night...

I was so excited to see them IN PERSON...

I'm flippin thrilled with how they turned out...

the details are amazing...

lots of dimension on the fronts,

 with totally flat backs for easy gluing...

we have some really fun...

really UNIQUE little embellishments so we can...

make art!

wendy
ps...I added some of the new embellishments to the tag on the right...

it's stinkin CUTE!
I'll show you just as soon as Cindy says it's OK...
right around the beginning of July...

NEW SUMMER SEASONAL DISTRESS INKS!

YIPPEE!!! 

take a look at these beautiful new distress colors...

I am in LOVE!!!!!!

new summer seasonal distress ink pads...

with reinkers too!

we asked...

RANGER listened!

be still my heart!

want to win a set?

details are at the end of this post...

DRUMROLL...

 the lucky winner of the $50.00 gift certificate, from my friends at SIMON SAYS STAMP is...

 Claudine C. said...

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the project idea! Love the CFA and flowers are awesome! I'm so excited for the new stuff, can't wait to see your sneak peeks. Thanks to you and Heidi for the chance to win the gift certificate.

June 8, 2012 8:30 AM

 

please email me at wbv1213@me.com with your email address & I'll pass it on to Heidi. 

she will send you the details of your shopping spree!

THANKS...

 SIMON SAYS STAMP!

that was fun!

and since I'm so excited about these inks...

I thought I'd add a little sneak peek of a CHA project...

new stamps...new art parts too...

what do you see?

OK...if you would like to win a set of these 

brand new

summer seasonal distress inks...

just leave a comment & I'll be back on Wednesday to draw a RANDOM winner...

HUGE THANKS

 TO 

TIM & RANGER 

for the inky giveaway!!

heading back to the studio now...

gotta...

make (lots of CHA) art!

wendy

ps...I'm using art parts & 

THIS CUTIE...

perfectly stamped Clicker Cutts...

you just *might* want to read the whole post...

just sayin'...

I don't want you to miss out on anything important...

today, I'd like to share a fun little project...

it's a very quick way to make custom embellishments...

normally, when I stamp on Clearly for Art (CFA) blackout,

 I use the metallic paint dabbers on my stamp, instead of ink...

but here's a little twist with a unique look...

grab your studio 490 polka dot background stamp...

and your favorite flavor of Perfect Pearls Mist...

I chose turquoise this time...

but I've also done this with my go to favorites...

sunflower sparkle, it has the MOST bling...

 heirloom gold , a beautiful vintage looking gold 

& 

yummy mint...

each color looks really cool on the black...

Perfect Pearls mist is aka...

"bling in a bottle"...

incase you've not used it before...

it's a unique product, because the binder is built right into the solution, so no stinky sprays or fixatives are needed...

once dry, it won't rub off...

you'll also need a few CFA blackout flowers...

3 sizes work well for layering...

sm, medium & a large...

I used the Clicker Cutts...

8 petal flowers...

you'll also need

your craft sheet & a heat it tool...

shake the Perfect Pearls mist to completely mix the pigment into the fluid...

check the bottom of the bottle to be sure it's all mixed...

mist some Perfect Pearls mist onto your craft sheet, 

then press the stamp into the mist...

JUST ONCE...

and stamp the medium sized flower...

by adding a tiny bit of the mist to the stamp, 

you get this effect...

tiny dots of bling...

use the heat it tool to dry the Perfect Pearls mist, 

then repeat on the back side of the flower...

now stamp into the mist again...

picking up more of the mist & you'll get much larger dots...

stamp the small & the large flowers...

dry the mist...

then follow the same steps on the back of the 2 flowers...

and your flowers will look like this...

then use the heat it tool to warm the CFA blackout flowers & while the material is warm, shape them to create dimensional petals...

when cool, the material retains it's shape & will not smash, bend or break!

remember...

CFA can be reheated & reshaped until you are happy with how it looks...

I used hot glue to glue the layers together & added grungeboard scraps between the layers...

to make the flower more dimensional...

make sure to darken the grunge edges, so they don't show when the flower is viewed from the side...

I used the black soot marker...

to finish it off...

add a cute little Blossom Bucket piece 

to create the flower center...

and in 5 minutes, you'll have a cool custom flower...

that looks like this...

this flower is great to add to a card, a scrapbook page, 

mixed media art, a tote bag,

 your sandals or flip flops,

a headband or a gift bag...

add a pin back & you can wear it too...

it looks really cool if you add a lace layer to the bottom...

there are LOTS of possibilities!

this is a fun QUICK project if you want to play,

 but have a limited amount of time...

you can actually MAKE ART in 5 minutes!

moving on...

I have ALL 10 new stamp sets here & all 10 new art parts packages too, 

some new Clicker Cutts plus a new little fun SOMETHING...

I'm having so much fun that I can't believe it's legal!

if you like CFA...

just you wait to see what's coming...

when I showed Rick he said & I quote...

"HOLY %@#*...

now that's fun..."

I'm patiently waiting...

that's a big flat lie...

for my new embellishments from Blossom Bucket to arrive...

I've only seen photos so far & I can't wait to have them here & see them in person...

patience is not MY virtue...

YIKES!

I'm thinking sneak peeks will start in about 2 weeks...

and full reveals will start around the first week of July...

which is NOT very far away...

YIPPEE...

I can't wait to show you...

next...

I'm still hooked on the "back to basics technique"

 I talked about in the last post...

simple clear heat embossing...

this seems to work especially well with the new stamps & art parts...

once embossed, the distress markers are the perfect way to add color...

and the best part?

it's so SIMPLE & QUICK!

how did we live without them?

hmmm...I think I said that about the  distress stains too 

& I still LOVE them, especially on art parts...

next...

the Blossom Bucket desktop organizer is sold out everywhere...

but I expect it to be back in stock in the next few days...

I'll let you know when I hear that it is shipping from Ohio...

next...

every time I mention new stamps I get emails asking...

are you making more backgrounds?

YES...I see a few here...lol...

we need more flowers...

YES...I think you'll be happy...

will you consider nautical stamps?

NOPE...so sorry...

will you design some funky cats & dogs?

NOPE...sorry again...

any chance for a log cabin stamp?

NOPE...sorry...

how abut some sassy/funny sayings?

hmmm...YES...I *think* so...

I have also designed a few stamps/art parts specifically to be used with stamps we already have...

believe me...

I. CAN. NOT. WAIT. TO. SHARE!

ok...now speaking of new products, I had an email from my sweet friend Heidi, from Simon Says Stamp...

she let me know that all the Blossom Bucket pieces are back in stock & that she will be ordering every new stamp, art part, new ITEMS, and all the Blossom Bucket too...

for a one stop shopping experience!

then she said you should be rewarded for letting me tease you with sneak peeks...

so...

Heidi is giving me a 

$50.00 gift certificate 

to give to a random commenter...

just leave a comment & on Monday @ 7am, my time, 

I'll draw a winner who gets $50.00 to spend 

on ANYTHING from Simon Says!

now that's fun...FREE SHOPPING!

THANK YOU 

SO MUCH...

sweet Heidi!!!

I LOVE to give stuff away!!!

I *think* Heidi does too!

have a wonderful inky weekend and as always...

I'll be in the studio...

making (CHA) art!

wendy

ps...did you know???

you can add a bit of Perfect Pearls to your body lotion & wear a bit of bling?

or that you can mist your Christmas tree with bling?

it's flipping awesome!

same for fresh flowers...or silk ones too...

I've even seen SUZE mist her hair!

just thought you should know these random tidbits that just popped into my head...

lol...