stencil storage , GIVEAWAY & shipping update...

today I'm sharing the back cover of

 an art parts stencil binder...

  I use this binder to store my stencils & 

keep them organized...

below you'll see Megan again,

 combined with some new things & some from past releases...

one reason I was so happy to 

FINALLY get

distress stains in a spray form 

was the option to use them 

on larger art parts...

art parts, like this set 

that holds the smaller stamp sets &

doubles as an art journal...

with the distress spray stains, 

you can color all 4 sides of the binders 

in under 5 minutes...

art parts can certainly be inked with distress ink & the blending tool...

or...

use the sprays to make it

 super quick & E A S Y...

for my covers, I 

misted them with the stains & I was done in 3.5 SECONDS...

seriously...

just dry the stain, then add shading to the edges with the blending tool...

I used weathered wood distress spray stain 

& broken china spray stain as my base colors

 for my stencil binder...

distress spray stains 

are extra awesome on larger art parts...

in addition to being quick, they give beautiful smooth coverage & several colors can be sprayed to blend before drying...

they might look blotchy when sprayed onto art parts, because they are wetting the paper surface, but as they dry...

PERFECTION!

you'll see the new "borders" stencil 

used 2 ways...

at the top of the cover, I inked thru the stencil just once, using sky blue archival ink...

same stencil at the bottom, but with leaf green, red geranium & sky blue...

I started at the bottom & used sky blue, then repositioned the stencil to mask off the blue inked areas & then added red geranium...

then moved the stencil up to cover the red geranium & added the leaf green...

I stopped at 3 rows, but you could easily continue the pattern to make a large multi colored background or fill the whole front of a card...

in any colors you choose!

or...

you can stamp thru the stencil to add text or polka dots on just one row...

or...

you can add embossing paste to just one row for a cool textured border...

these days I'm addicted to 

the gold metallic paste...

and it would also be cool to use 

the translucent paste

to accent just one stenciled row 

& allow the color to show thru...

there's lots of possibilities with 

this simple stencil...

I LOVE the large sentiment from an earlier release...

combined with a new one...

LOVE the chain holding the heart...

the heart was cut from 

my new "magic mat board", 

using tim's Sizzix die...

the black heart is embossed 

with red geranium embossing powder...

after the powder cooled, I added 

the remnant rub word

to the center, with the new remnant rub tool...

you'll also see subtle text (LCS037 botanical art) stamped in the background with watering can archival...

Megan was stamped with jet black archival, onto newsprint that was added to

the clear version of

clearly for art (CFA) 

with glue n seal...

then I cut her out...

I used fern green with the sunburst stencil, to give her a halo effect...

I changed the flower in her hair & used just the flower from this stamp...

 the flower was stamped twice onto CFA that is covered with newsprint...

after heating the CFA, the flower can be shaped for dimension...

I LOVE this adhesive foam for layering & for adding CFA to projects...

it has REALLY good adhesive...

and it's black, 

so it's not noticeable between the layers...

oh...that little butterfly...

 is a stencil from the pansy SiSi...

stenciled onto CFA newsprint & cut out to create a custom embellishment...

it's attached to Megan with the tiny attacher...

the stencil binder comes with a medium ring, 

but as your stencil collection grows, 

just change the ring to a larger size...

the binder will grow & can hold as many stencils

 as fit on any size ring...

shipping update!

stamp sets, SiSi's, background stamps and stencils started shipping a few weeks ago...

Ted said magic mat board, the faux graniteware starter set & the new mat minis (vases/pitcher set & the flower pots set) started shipping

 early this week...

be watching your fav store...

or check out your favorite on line...

my 3 new archival inks, reinkers & embossing powders are also in stock now...

now about that GIVEAWAY...

since I LOVE my blog friends...

I'll give this NEW stamp set to a random commenter...

it has my favorite little hosta stamp & also the flower I used today in Megan's hair...

I chose this set because the LOVE sentiment in the lower right corner is perfect 

for Valentine's Day...

just leave a comment & you're entered...

super SIMPLE!

Rick will draw a random winner before the next blog post...

GOOD LUCK!

no chocolate for me...

I'd rather have supplies to...

make art!

wendy

ps...

I hope your Valentine's Day is PERFECT...

new CHA video and...

a GIVEAWAY!

Christine and Mark from Scraptime

filmed a video in the Ranger booth at CHA, showing how to use my Stamp-it Stencil-it's...

SiSi's are fun, 

because the stamp & coordinating stencil 

are both included in the package...

I used the new hydrangea SiSi 

for the video...

 there are 2 ways to use the SiSi's...

you can keep the image completely flat,

like I did in the video...

this is great if you're mailing a card...

or if you need to create a quick card...

a really quick card!

OR...

plan B...

you can stamp it & layer it like I did on this tag...

(this is also a good example of 

the oval from the new spotlight frames & masks set)...

to create this tag,

just stamp the hydrangea twice, 

cut out one full image & just the flowers from the second...

and layer the pieces...

this flower is stamped on clearly for art that has been covered with newsprint...

glue n seal is the BEST adhesive for this...

I'm LOVING newsprint over CFA...

here's the GIVEAWAY part...

I'll send this hydrangea SiSi to the lucky winner chosen by Christine from comments left on 

the Scraptime blog...

just leave your comment on the post by 10PM EST on Sunday February 1st...

you can find 

the video on you-tube here...

and the GIVEAWAY POST here...

and...

here's another video...

also filmed by Scraptime...

check it out to learn about my new archival ink colors, the coordinating embossing powders and how to use the

magic bottle of frosted crystal 

to DOUBLE 

your embossing powder options...

HUGE THANKS to 

Christine & Mark 

for sharing the awesome videos...

and CONGRATS on your 8th anniversary!

I hope you'll grab some popcorn...

and check out the videos...

then be inspired to...

make art!

wendy

ps...I heard yesterday from several store owners that they had received new stamps...

some got notified 

that their CHA stamp order had shipped...

be watching...

yippee!

popping in...

YIKES...long time no blog!

it's full speed ahead here, 

making CHA samples...

oh & a little shopping...

that's my story & I'm stickin to it...

I thought I'd show you our favorite new holiday decor piece...

it's a giant new, but vintage-ish,

 marquee sign...

with vintage looking light bulbs...

it's about 3 feet wide...

& it sits on top of the refrig...

not the easiest to photograph...

but I think you get the idea...

makes me smile...

several people have asked when sneak peeks start...

how about today?

I spy 3 NEW_____...

this release is a fun one...

I *think* I say that every time...

but it's true...

here's some hints & answers to recent inquiries...

#1 is a frequent one...

1. I sure hope you're planning on giving us potting soil as an embossing powder...my favourite of all your colours...

me...sorry...not this time!

2. more flowers please...

me...you bet! I'm having a blast with these new guys...can't wait to show them...

3. I would love to see smaller images that we cardmakers can use. specifically sized for cards and card sentiments too...

me...I *think* this release fits the bill...

I've made quite a few card samples...

4. I find your stamp-it stencil-it sets very easy to use and they seem to help jump start me some days. I hope you'll continue along that line...

me...THANKS so much!

...you will be happy...

I AM!

5. any chance you'll create thin dies that are so popular? I'm especially thinking of dies for your flowers...

me...nope...here's why...

the thin dies don't cut my clearly for art...

when I design the flowers, I like to have the option to layer them & clearly for art is the perfect strong, sturdy layering surface...

if I'm taking the time to make something, I want it to last & not get crushed or easily damaged...

so, we'll just keep using scissors...

I stamp a bunch & cut them out while watching the Bears lose...

haha! 

ok...that's it for today...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...

it's back to the studio for me...

time to

make more (CHA) art!

wendy

a new art journal is born...

my new embossing powders inspired me to create a new art journal...

today, I'll share the outside front & back covers...

 the front cover started like this...

I used the etched art parts art journal, 

without the etched frame this time...

it's about 5 ¾ inches square...

I like this size because it's square & I've not seen square art journals in stores before...

I also like to create my own journal, so that I can choose the surfaces that I want for creating the pages & I can make them any size...

I also enjoy working on one flat page at a time...

that makes stamping & stenciling easier for me...

I also find it very freeing...

if the page turns out butt ugly, in the trash it goes with no evidence whatsoever...

I like that!

this journal can be a top opening or side opening orientation...

your choice...

this one is a side opener...

I used the blending tool to add some cornflower blue archival ink to the front cover & purposely did not add ink all the way to the edges...

while the ink was wet, I sprinkled on the cornflower blue embossing powder, then heated it to melt the embossing powder...

next, I added potting soil archival ink to the edges & partially over the blue embossing powder to age it...

I used watering can archival with the checkmate stencil to fill in the empty areas around the perimeter...

the white dots were added with snow cap white pigment ink, using my spatter background stamp...

this creates an authentic graniteware effect...

I used watering can archival to stamp the text you see...

it's from LCS066 & it's titled "remnants of art"...

the large art parts heart was inked with red geranium archival ink, sprinkled with red geranium embossing powder & heated to melt the powder...

again, I used potting soil around the edges & a tiny bit of tarnished brass distress paint to add a worn gold edge on the heart...

I used watering can archival with the vintage mesh background to stamp over the heart...

the art parts words ART & FOR were painted with black soot distress paint...

to create the art parts geranium, 

I inked the flower portion of the art part with red geranium ink, sprinkled on the red geranium embossing powder & heated it...

then I covered the leaves area with fern green archival ink, fern green embossing powder & heated it...

next, I inked the geranium stamp with jet black archival & pressed the art part onto the inked stamp & gave it a quick dry...

***REMEMBER***

the embossing powders are opaque when melted, so if I stamped first, the stamped image would have been completely covered up by the powder...

make sense?

so add the embossing powder first, melt it & then stamp on top with archival ink...

the little art parts flower was finger painted with an uneven coat of salty ocean distress paint & a tiny bit of wild honey distress paint was added to the flower center...

I used multi medium to glue the art parts to the front cover...

it looks like this...

with a little pen stitching around the heart...

here's a look at the geranium detail...

I used the black glaze pen to add dots to the flower centers...

 decisions...decisions...

I had planned to make the back cover red & use something blue as the focal point...

just the opposite of the front...

but 

then I spotted the watering can embossing powder & decided to use that as my background...

I followed the same steps as I did on the front cover...

the art parts bird was inked with forget-me-not archival ink & then I sprinkled on the cornflower blue embossing powder, making sure to wipe the powder from the edges to create a worn effect...

after the powder was melted, I added potting soil to his legs & the un-embossed areas...

I used watering can archival to add the polka dots to the bird & the wing...

I test drove the bird placement & before gluing the bird to the cover, I used jet black to stamp the flourish that appears under his wing...

he needed something to stand ON, so I used 

the art part bow with the coordinating stamp...

I inked the art part with brushed corduroy, then used the coordinating stamp (LCS097) with jet black...

if it stands still in our house, 

it just might get heat embossed...

see the star?

it's one of tim's mirrored stars...

easy to alter...& it can take the heat...

I used the blending tool to add some tree branch archival ink & then sprinkled on the tree branch embossing powder while the ink was wet...

a little heat & the powder melts...

I added a tiny bit of potting soil to darken it a bit...

idea-ology adornments are fun to alter too...

I used the perfect mediun embossing pen, inking the leaves first, then sprinkling on the fern green embossing powder & melting it...

the I added the embossing ink to the flowers & gave them a dose of orange blossom powder...

when the powders cooled, I lightly swiped the red geranium archival pad over the raised areas of the flowers to add some shading...

it looks imperfect, vintage & crusty...

just what I wanted...

***be very light handed with the embossing pen***

it takes very little ink to add the embossing powders...

adding too much embossing ink will cause the powders to chip off or peel off metal & glass...

I'm excited to have a new journal to work in...

pages this size can be completed in a short play session...

good timing for the busy holiday season...

did you hear that Santa delivered early?

I'm THRILLED that...

the matte finish 

GLUE N SEAL is back!

this is 

BY 

FAR 

THE 

BEST 

paper adhesive in the 

whole universe!

seriously...

T H E  B E S T...

whenever I want to adhere paper to any surface, 

like chipboard, art parts, grungeboard, wood or card stock

I choose Glue N Seal...

why?

because it doesn't warp paper...

even vintage dictionary pages, which are very fragile & don't do well with any moisture...

my favorite use is to paint a thin layer of Glue N Seal onto a sheet of

 my clearly for art (CFA)...

add the dictionary page, brayer it & give it a quick dry...

NO BUBBLES!

then I'll either stamp on the paper side & 

cut it out with tim's scissors or

 use a Sizzix die to cut the CFA...

to create a strong dimensional embellishment..

that's reason #1 why 

I LOVE Glue N Seal...

reason #2...

if you add a thin layer to a glass bottle, when it's dry you can then add tim's rock candy crackle paint & it STICKS, CRACKS & stays securely attached to the glass like MAGIC...

rock candy crackle paint over glass without 

Glue N Seal doesn't stick...

it flakes right off...

it needs tooth to grab onto...

the most cost effective way to buy Glue N Seal is to buy the small jar...

it's super convenient to have the brush built right in the lid...

no mess...no cleanup...

and then get the large jar to refill the small jar 

or you can use it with a larger brush for larger projects...

you get lots more glue that way & 

it's a much better value than buying 2 small jars...

THANK YOU RANGER

 for listening to our request 

to bring back GLUE N SEAL!

that's it for today!

THANKS so much for stopping by!

I hope you'll get out a journal &

make art!

wendy

embossing powders on multiple surfaces...

I had several questions about using the faux graniteware technique on a "plain old tag"...

YES...it sure does work & I really love it on a black tag, because it shades itself...

tree branch archival ink was added to the black tag with a blending tool...

I intentionally didn't ink the edges...

I sprinkled over the wet ink 

with tree branch embossing powder &

 heated the tag to emboss...

when cool, I went over the powder with

 potting soil archival ink to tone it down...

then comes the spatter stamp with 

snow cap white pigment ink...

a quick dry...

then you'll see I used watering can archival to stamp some tiny text...

it's not finished yet...

but I wanted to make sure you know tags are AWESOME if you want to start with one before you jump into the home decor/dimensional game...

manila tags work great too...

here's another make-over...

this is a small metal decor piece I found at Hobby Lobby...

metal + nice shape = awesome to heat emboss...

I used the same technique to change it to this...

my embossing powders are super fine detail...

which creates an orange peel effect & even more detail...

you'll see on the photo of the frame how cool this is when another color is added over the cooled powder...

I guess you'll have to come back...

this isn't finished either...

keep your eyes open for good shapes...

the graphics don't matter...

the photo below shows tree branch embossing powder used on a black wooden frame...

it's the small square shadowbox frame from Ikea...

to alter the wood frame, 

swipe the archival pad onto one side of the frame...

very easy, since it'a a flat surface...

work on one side at a time...

again...I left some black showing & I LOVE the effect!

sprinkle on the tree branch embossing powder, heat to melt, then I added potting soil archival ink over the cooled powder...

the potting soil defines the orange peel texture of the embossing powder...

no white spatters this time...

I saved them for inside pieces...

this one is finished!

you'll see I used the embossing powders on multiple surfaces...

the wood frame...

the tiny metal spoon...

art parts...the leaves & art parts flower...

tim's addicting letterpress(which are wood)...

and on the tattered floral...it's die cut 

from clearly for art blackout...

and it's covered with 

cornflower blue embossing powder...

this cute baby is a found relative...

this was so much fun that I didn't want it to end!

so, the moral of the story is...

my Ranger embossing powders 

are awesome on LOTS of surfaces...

I hope you're excited to...

make art!

wendy

ps...I had questions about this too....
the order number for the single background spatter stamp is wvbg017...
you can ask your favorite shopping spot to order it for you