Monday, March 31, 2008
689 miles = fun & friends @ FKS
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Me...and other random thoughts
Ok, Michelle...this is for you!
Mrs Stampers Anonymous said I NEEDED to post my photo on my blog, since most bloggers do... YUCK...
Random fact #1...
I HATE to have my picture taken. Absolutely HATE it. I'd rather have the flu...
So the above came to be, when this was an assignment for Maya Road. Each design team member HAD to use the canvas we were sent & use our photo. These were on display on the designer wall in our booth @ CHA. Since I don't scrapbook, this was pure torture for me. But, can't tell the boss no.
The fun part was using my favorite scrolls, flowers and chipboard alphabets from MR. Totally addicting...
I've been tagged quite a few times lately & I know I'm behind on answering. Also....I hate to keep tagging & retagging my friends again. But...here's another random fact you probably don't need to know...
Random fact #2...
I won a blackjack tournament in Aruba a few years ago. I LOVE to play blackjack. I love anything with numbers...
So...it was an elimination type thing, with a $10 entry fee. We started out with about 120 players ( most were locals who play @ the casino weekly) and we were each given $500 fake casino chips. The games were in 15 minute sessions. At the end of 3 hours...I won! Some luck, some skill & some good money management. When the end was close...some of the locals were cheering for me, which was really fun.
For my $10 investment, I ended up with $250.00 cash, free entry into another tournament, free dinners and 3 hours of fun. Plus... every day we seemed to see someone in town or on the beach who commented that I beat THE LOCALS and offered congrats. A fun memory... too bad I don't scrapbook!
Random fact #3...
I do my grocery shopping @ HyVee. Every week I take my $2 to the counter & buy a Lotto ticket with the hope of a BIG win... This makes me sick...
ONE person won the Illinois Lotto...3.25 MILLION dollars! Guess where the ticket was sold...YEP...MY STORE.
Was it me????? NOPE...if it was...I'd be in Aruba, not here posting.
That's the update for today. There are about 40 things on the to-do list to make sure that everything is ready for our classes this weekend. This leads to...
Random fact #4...
I'll be checking & rechecking to make sure that we have everything we need for a fun time! I do this about 10 times & drive myself crazy with worry that I may have forgotten something important.
The end!!
wendy
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
2 in one photo..a project peek & a tip
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
grunge flower, metal trinkets blossom & another tool tip
Monday, March 24, 2008
Jennifer McGuire, Stampers Anonymous & More GRUNGE!
Jennifer McGuire said...
Just found your blog... and it is fabulous!
WOW!! ..It's from THE JENNIFER MCGUIRE! What a talented cutie she is. She is the reason I buy Creating Keepsakes every month...just for her cool tool/technique column. She just started blogging. Check it out here.
Linda Cain & I will be teaching @ For Keeps Sake in St Louis THIS WEEKEND! We are all ready ( kits, door prizes, Maya Road door prizes & chocolate) for 4 fun classes & wanted to add something to make the weekend extra special for all of you.
SO... Stampers Anonymous is doing a rare "trunk show" just for this weekend!! Come check it out & see a bunch of REALLY cool stamps IN PERSON!! It's sooooo much better than just looking @ the catalog. Trust me...you'll LOVE them!
And finally...more grunge. If you have the Bind-It-All, you can use it with grungeboard. FUN stuff, but I think I've said that before.
Happy Monday.
wendy
Friday, March 21, 2008
Must have tools!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I love this thing!
Yesterday Mr. Fed-Ex delivered my inky/grungy class supplies from Ranger & this little present for me. It's their new craft spinner...blending tool holder. I couldn't wait for this guy to arrive. It's PERFECT! I bought 2 and stacked them, so 16 handles are convenient in a very small space on your work area. This is soooooo much better than digging thru the box where they resided before. You can add a third on top & have the perfect place for all 24 colors. The base was a green when it came out of the box, but thanks to Rick & his trusty can of black spray paint...it's now the right color for my studio.
GEEZ...I'll stop before I sound like an infomercial...
Hello...Ranger? I think I DO NEED the 3rd!
It's Thursday!
ENJOY!
wendy
added..Andi had a question about the blending tool and the cut & dry not sticking to the blending tool. Here's what I told her, incase others need the same info...
What you need to use on the blending tool is the replacement foam pads. They are the same as the 2 that are included in the package with the handle. They come in a package of 10 for $5. The pads have the velcro type blue back that attaches & STAYS on the handle. The foam, in my opinion, is softer than the cut & dri & it's much easier to work with! It makes the blending so easy. They come from Ranger & your LSS should have them or can order them. If not, email me & I'll give you some store ordering info.
Happy blending!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
A flower is a flower, unless ...
it's a BOOKMARK!!
This is a fun class, that I designed for Absolutely Everything in Massachusetts. We'll be making these grungy bookmarks in April. If you're in the area, come join the fun! We have 3 other fun classes scheduled for the weekend too.
If you look closely, you'll see 3 of Tim's new tiny texture stamps. These guys are PERFECT for projects on a smaller scale and ATC's as well.
We'll start with grunge, add some distress inks and go from there.
STAMP WINNER UPDATE!!!
I've heard from everyone...EXCEPT the grand prize winner. GRETZ...contact me to claim your 4 new stamps!
I'll be sending goodie packages to ....
Sarah in the UK
Debby in SC
Diane in Il and
Erin in Ca.
That's it for Wednesday.
Enjoy your day!
wendy
Monday, March 17, 2008
What a weekend and a message from michelle!
No...I like suspense...
What a FUN FUN weekend. We worked hard, but had a TOTAL blast!!! What a great group of booth workers!!
It started with 2 classes on Friday. We grunged & we did the mini Ranger U distress inks class. One gal who took both classes was Lorraine, who is from Australia, but lives in CHINA. She came all the way to the US for the convention (and another US stamping convention). She chose this convention because she is addicted to Stampers Anonymous. Talk about a ROAD TRIP and a LOYAL fan. I was thrilled that she won the door prize, since she traveled such a distance.
Saturday I got to demo ( NON STOP...phew...) in the booth. THANK YOU ALL for your kind words!! I was thrilled to show you how to use the distress inks and grungeboard. It was obvious that you like what you saw...we sold out of the grungeboard sheets, some inks and some stamps in the first 2 hours! Don't worry...Stampers Anonymous is shipping all of your orders for free...You'll get your packages soon.
Sunday was fun too. Many of the gals & a few guys...came back again to ask some questions, see more demos & to shop for more stamps and supplies. Some brought their friends too, so it was nice to see how excited they were.
Michelle ( Mrs. Stampers Anonymous) is a sweetheart. We shared a room & talked so much that in the 2 nights we were there, we never even turned the TV on. We talked about all kinds of fun stuff. She has read ALL your comments and is impressed by your your enthusiasm for Stampers Anonymous.
Now for the BREAKING NEWS.............. a message from Michelle and some VERY exciting news for 5...yes 5 blog friends.
Hi Wendy, Just wanted you to know that I loved reading all of the comments about SA!! There were so many I could not decide on only one. So I picked 5. Please send out the stamps I gave you and see if they could make some samples with them and email photos to you. I would love to see what they will make with them!!
Have fun today (in studio 490, cuz i know that's where you'll be)
michelle
HOW COOL and generous is that???
I LOVED her idea...I'll send out the stamps and the winner will make something, using your free stamp...email me a photo & I'll post it on the blog for all to see!!
Here's what she donated...
The 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th place prizes go to...
SARAH...
GLEE SCRAP
DEBBY
and DIANE!!!
CONGRATS!!!
Now the DRUMROLL......................................
Here's what the GRAND PRIZE winner gets...A COMPLETE SET OF Tim's CLING MOUNTED STAMPS...This set was just released @ CHA last month...THANKS MICHELLE!
Here's the fun comment...The winner REALLY SUCKED up and it worked...
Stampers Anonymous
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways….
I love thee depth of rubber so pink
That stamps perfectly when layered with ink
I love thee many diverse designs
There’s one for every project of mine
I love thee purely, as my favorite tool
The art that’s created is way too cool
CONGRATS to GRETZ! These cool new stamps...all 4...are coming to live with you!
******
OK...The winners need to send me your address & I'll get these mailed out. I'll also include a bit of Maya Road goodness...hey...you'll NEED something to stamp on!!!
******
Don't forget......... get them inky...send me a photo of what you made & we'll share your art on the blog!
THANKS ALL for your comments and for taking the time to read all this.
Stay tuned...you never know when we'll give more goodies away...
You guys are THE BEST!!!
wendy
Thursday, March 13, 2008
An omen...??
Tagged by the boss & 6 others...
I've had this on the TO-DO list for 2 weeks, but now that Maya Road Caroline tagged me...I better do it, so I don't get fired! HA!
OK...
7 random facts...followed by 7 tags...
1. I HATE white pop dots. They should be outlawed. Black is better for art, because they are much less noticable. Think about it...Make a nice vintage looking project...those white pop dots are WAYYYY too much contrast & ruin your project. The only reasonable use for them is to attach chipboard to your craft sheet, when something needs to be painted.
2. If buttons are attached to a layout or art project, I think they should have thread in the holes...or brads...whatever. I think they look unfinished with naked holes and you see the adhesive too.
3. According to my brother...I'm not in this century, because I don't do texting. No time for that! If it's important...call or send an email! I need both hands for art!
4. I HATE wire hangers. I only use padded. Who wants those ugly shoulder stretchy marks?? YUCK!
5. All my clothes face the same direction in the closet...yes...I know what you're thinking. She's a total wacko!! Don't care!!
6. I said before that I LOVE to vacuum. I even vacuum inside the refrigerator. Yep...got caught one day & he thought I had totally flipped. But...those onions shed their skins in the veggie bin...sucked them right out & went about my business. Simple.
7. Now referring back to #5...I have the freezer drawer the same way.... all lined up & organized. My brother's girlfriend gets entertained when she visits by opening that drawer. It makes her laugh every time. I actually think she's trying to catch a mess...SORRY! It won't happen!
Looks like quite a few folks think I'm a nut case...Oh well...that's me.
Now for the TAGS...
1. Kim Hughes...rubber stamp ARTIST!
2. Michelle Cutts...Oh wait...she doesn't have a blog...maybe this will give her a gentle hint.
3. Candi Tardio...she shops more than I do!
4.Patti Behan...she takes care of my Ranger orders. Gotta suckup to her...
5. I'll do Ginny again...she always writes cool stuff. Sorry to nab you again Ginny!
6. Suzy Plantamura...she's back on our DT! YIPPEE!
7. Katie Watson...my CHA suitemate!
CONGRATS to ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
We're over the 100 comments! Keep them coming 'til Monday's drawing. I think I'll have Michelle pick a number, so no one is mad @ me!! Stay tuned.
And the back of the fragments journal cover...kind of appropriate right here!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Stamps, ink & another stamp question
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Use your scraps...
When I talked to Kate from Absolutely Everything, she asked for a Fragments class. I had this idea in the works for a bit, but that was the push I needed to finish it.
What's so much fun about this journal, is that you can use up any coordinating leftover supplies. But it's ALWAYS fun to buy new too...
Anyway...the covers are made from Maya Road's square banner book. I also used stamps, rub ons, gel pens, the new INKSSENTIALS white pen from Ranger (OMG it's VERY COOL!!!) & buttons. Since the fragments are small...any tiny tidbit can be used.
Here's a peek of the inside. More stamping & a Hambly transparency page = FUN.
Bring your coordinating leftovers & join this fun class. We'll start with the basics & you can customize this journal with any theme.
And in other breaking news...
I got an email this morning from Michelle (Mrs. Stampers Anonymous) and she has read ALL of your comments. She said they are GREAT!!! Keep them coming & let's see what she decides to send for the drawing. I'm excited!! We'll draw on Monday!
Happy Tuesday!
wendy
Monday, March 10, 2008
Yikes..........I HATE computers!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Grungey Inky Antics........
That's the motto for our class today. Start with these stamps, add some grunge, add some glass, add some distress ink and make this!!
And for the second part of the class...
Start with Maya Road's Keepsake Cube and their new butterfly stamp, add some grunge & we'll make this.
I'll also be doing these projects later this month in St. Louis at For Keeps Sake and in Massachusettes at Absolutely Everything, in April. If you live in the area, come join the fun.
The vase is the project for next Friday's class in Rockford. Let me know if you need any class info.
*********************************************
One last thing...
Keep those comments coming about your favorite Stampers Anonymous stamp. If you missed the post, here's the info.
Cheers!!
Here's to a GRUNGEY Saturday!
wendy
Friday, March 7, 2008
Yesterday...A GREAT mail day!
Look what I got...a surprise in the mail!
Rick brought the package in & said...
"hmmm...looks like you've been shopping".
Me..."nope...I don't think I ordered anything"
...and I didn't.
Kim Hughes, the designer of these stamps sent them!! COOL huh?? The CURLS were just released yesterday!
THANKS for the good mail, Kim...You are one talented art chick!
On the TO-DO list today...
Get all packed up for the grunge class tomorrow in Bloomington @ Scrapbook Friend'z.
Order MORE goodies and supplies for the other classes coming up in St. Louis @ For Keeps Sakes and in Massachusettes @ Absolutely Everything. Looks like we're going to need more Keepsake Cubes, from Maya Road.
Work on more class samples...get the instructions all written...
Cook dinner. WHAT?? No way...got arting to be done.
Just a reminder...Read yesterday's post and keep those comments coming!! Let's suck up to Michelle, so she donates that stamp!!
Have a GREAT weekend, my blog friends!
wendy
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Stampers Anonymous, teamwork, free and meet Ranger
Here's my idea...I'll ask Michelle to donate a stamp to be given away on the blog. Free is fun!!
Here's where the teamwork fits in...I'll ask for the stamp...YOU NEED to post a comment, telling Michelle which is your favorite Stampers Anonymous stamp. It can be one you own or one you'd LOVE to have.
One post per person per day...come back every day with a Stampers Anonymous comment & be entered again. We want BIG comment numbers this time. Let's aim for 100! Hey...Michelle HAS to know that you REALLY love stamps & will promise to give it a good home! Tell her how you use your stamp...We like to share ideas...
Sound like fun?? Tell your friends! We'll give the stamp away on Monday March 17th. I'll even find something (GREEN) from my goodie stash to include in the package.
And for the Ranger part of the title..........
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Inside the cover...
You saw the cover yesterday. I told you it weighed a ton...Here's the proof...It's loaded with dimensional goodies...
......and the back cover. See those tiny rub ons again??
Words of wisdom for today...
Some posts are long...
Some posts are short...
As long as I share some art...short is ok.
Right?
Make your Wednesday WONDERFUL!
wendy
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Maya Road, Stampers Anonymous & Ranger...
Monday, March 3, 2008
What an honor!!!!!!
I've been invited to teach @ Absolutely Everything in Massachusettes. I spoke with Kate today and all 4 of the classes are chosen & arranged and the dates are set. Even got my airfare confirmed, which explains the late blog update.
SO...just a few hints for now...Here's one...
Do you like my banner, with the Maya Road houses??? That's a class. Like dimensional grungeboard? Flowers & MORE (hint...people)?? That's 2 classes. Like chipboard books, transparencies & fragments??? Yep...you're getting the picture.
We'll be using lots of distress inks, fragments, Stampers Anonymous stamps and chipboard (hint...keepsake cube) from Maya Road. If you've seen the plain grungeboard sheets in the store & wondered what to do with them. Come & I'll show you. It's fun stuff, has tons of potential for play & it's very easy to work with.
We're all set for Saturday April 19th and Sunday April 20. Should be a very fun INKY weekend.
If you're in the Boston area, come join the fun...I'd love to meet some blog friends.
wendy
ps...if you need more incentive...I give GOOD doorprizes!