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

Linda did it again and other stuff...

We'll start with a UK friend...Linda Elbourne...
the guest artist for today...

She sent me a photo of her project & I have to say...
WOW!
Linda was TOTALLY thinking outside the box for sure...

I asked her to give us a few tips & hints...
here's what she has to say...

When I look at Wendy's stamps I see something different every time ... they are so well designed ... they fit any style and virtually any project ... full of endless possibilities!

When I saw the scalloped edge stamp ... my first thought was edging and binding and books and corsets ... that inspired the corset ties around my bean tins ...

Lin Brown from LB Crafts[UK] gave me a little wooden bird house to alter ... and I love TSS metal and I wanted depth and I wanted the house to look homely ...
well that is when the idea jumped out at me ...
roof tiles ... rounded ones ...
and my Studio 490 stamps are always always always to hand! So out came the grunge paper to make the TSS metal flexible enough to curl ...

I stamped the scalloped stamp 26 times on the grunge ... stuck the grunge to the metal with humungo tape ... cut them out and then all that was left was to put a wheely pattern around the edge of each piece ...

Wendy's stamps did all the real work ...
that lady sure knows how to put the FUN in MAKE ART!

And I think you'll agree...
LINDA makes GREAT art!
take a look...
all of these...


Make this...
How cool...
Not exactly what I had in mind when I designed that stamp...

But...that's what's so fun about stamping...
each person sees something different...
and as you see...
stamps aren't just for paper!

THANKS for sharing LINDA...it's awesome...

POP over to her blog...

she's got lots of fun projects there & she is funny too!

*

Here's something you may not have seen before...

the 2 scroll stamps from this set...

joined together perfectly to make a heart!

*

they are also a flower stem & more...

My tip is not as over the top like Linda's...

but it's another way to use your stamps.

Here are answers to a few questions...

please help me. I have looked high & low for the maya road canvas album you posted a while ago?

Maybe a month or 2? It's exactly what I want.

Here you go...as of yesterday, they were in stock here.

*

Next...

How long before you show us the stamps? My heart can't take the stress...

Plus...i'd like to let hubby know what I want for Christmas.

How many sets does he need to order this time? Same price?

Hmmm....

The stamps will be released @ CHA...late January.

I expect I'll show them a few days before that...

maybe a few peeks starting a few weeks before that...

*

gotta get the stamps...

and get the art...made first.

As for how many sets....

I think I'll save that info for a contest...like in late January!

As for the price...some are the same..

some are LESS!

Think about that tiny tidbit of info.

*

BUT...YIPPEE!!

MY PART IS DONE! The images are done...

the sets are all named...

*

I stuck with the word ART in each set...kind of a security blanket...

plus I LOVE the word art...

*

The wood mounted stamps are all chosen & named...

they each need a specific name for the catalog...

*

I'm DIEING to get them...soon I HOPE!

TED...are you listening? tell your guys to hurry!

*

It's one thing to see them on the monitor and another to have them in my hands & get them (& me) inky...

I'm so excited!

*

Next...

When are you coming to the east coast?? I'd love to be able to take more classes with you.

*

I'll join in with Patti ... come east, please? Well, at least east of IL? ;o)

*

Those minis are so cute!

Sounds like you had lots of fun at your class.

When are you coming to Maine?

*

Are you coming to Texas any time soon? We have heat here & plenty of it.

*

When are you coming to the UK? PLEASE think of your friends across the pond...

*

YIKES...The UK is REALLY FAR EAST! ha!

For sure I will be teaching in NY @ Buffalo Stamps & Stuff...

the date hasn't been decided just yet....but sometime in 2010.

As far as east coast teaching...

I'll also be in South Caroline again @ The Stamping Place...

I think that will be late August...

As far as Texas...maybe!

Maine? Haven't had any requests from any store owners there...

sorry...

Other teaching places & convention stuff are in the works...

My schedule is always posted on the right sidebar...

*

Another...

I want 2 books. One for me & one for a friend for her gift.

Do I have to pay you 2 shipping charges?

*

Good news...

NOPE...

2 books can ship in the same envelope for one shipping fee.

*

Last one...

do maya Road & ranger have new products coming too? can you share? we won't tell.

*

YES and NO!

Yes they both do...

*

can I share?

NO!!!!

They'd both KILL me ...

then who would do my blog?

*********

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Enjoy the day!

*

Eat lots, especially dessert...

it's all LOW CAL on holidays...

trust me...

take a nap...or watch football...

then...

make art!

wendy

ps...back on Friday.

By then hopefully I'll think of something to say.

remember...comments are good!

Now it's Thursday...

& I didn't get here yesterday as planned...
And why you ask?

NO...I did NOT forget my blog friends...NEVER!

It's because another stamp set popped into my head...
kind of an add-0n for another set...

I HAD to get it done yesterday.

So...EVERYTHING on my part is done...YIPPEE!!!

Zach has the PDF'S done...

then the mag plates get made...
then Stampers Anonymous makes the actual stamps & ships them to me.

Then I sit on the drive patiently waiting...
NOT...
for Mr. UPS to get them here.


Then I get going on projects for book #2.
the ideas are brewing...

I think you'll be a little surprised...
you'll see...

some fun images...
a little more funky...

some sets have giant backgrounds...
some don't...

some sets have flowers...
some don't...

I did more sets than planned...
and in a different format...

don't worry...everything still fits in the acrylic binders...
those will not change!

I think they're perfect for storage.

Enough said...before I give away too much info...
Here's something you'll LOVE...

Maya Road did a mini release to tide us over while waiting for their COOL NEW CHA stuff...
let me just say...
OMG!

They start shipping today...

Daisy & Joy have them ordered...
@ eclecticPaperie...
so they should be in stock VERY soon...

I asked Daisy to let me know when they arrive & I'll let you know, so you get first dibs before they're gone...

NEW...trinket pins...
remember...these guys can be used as is...They are BEAUTIFUL!

or colored with the refillable alcohol ink pen...

or alcohol inks & the alcohol ink applicator...
I like the pen, because you have excellent control working on small items...
they are great for clear rhinestones...etc...

NEXT...These are PERFECT to add to recipe cards...

My plan is to make a mini book for a friend's daughter...
a shower gift...
with recipes I think she'll enjoy...

I USED to cook..BS (before stamping!)






Obviously... I LOVE these too...more minis...


And how about these guys?
TOO CUTE!

Lots of uses for them...
Valentines...Anniversary cards...
they're adorable accents...

That's it for today...
I'm headed north to the convention @ the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wi.

It will be a BUSY weekend...
tomorrow I have 2 classes, then a 4 hour make & take session...

then I demo all day Saturday & Sunday...
(I LOVE this!)

Sounds like a perfect weekend to me!
If only they'd turn the heat on in their state...
I'd really be happy to be going there...

take care...
have a fun weekend...
I'll be back on Tuesday...FOR SURE...
you just never know what we'll find here that needs a new home...
comments are good...very good...

make art! I will!
wendy

ps...Hmmm...how about this idea?
If you come to the convention...
If you're a blog friend...
If you let me know...
I'll have a little gift ...
just for you!
I'll go pack some (Maya Road)things now...

by land, by air, by sea...FINALLY!

2 hours to Midway airport...

4 hours to LAX...

Tomorrow...

the big boat.

FINALLY!

We're ready...I think...

and so very excited!

And we're happy to be leaving cold...ugly...rainy Illinois.

maybe it will be sunny & WARM when we return...

but then again...

probably NOT!

Here's the cruise logo that tim designed...

It's grungy & AWESOME...

Just what I LOVE!

Now...Some art...

If you're a frequent blog visitor...you'll remember last month Robin sent me an adorable vintage coke bottle

filled with studio 490 grunge flowers...

Well...now it's fall & she's done it again...

Here's some inspiration from Robin...

even the back is cute!

Here's the front...

Thanks Robin for sharing this cool idea...

hmmm...

I wonder what she's got planned for the winter arrangement?

THANKS SOOOOOOOO MUCH for the emails & well wishes for the cruise...

YOU GUYS are the best!

We'll be back next Monday...

Until then...

take care &

MAKE ART!

wendy

birds & books...

This email made me laugh out loud yesterday...

Joyce sent me a photo of her bird...
she just made this sweet thing this past Saturday @ Prairie Art Stamps in Springfield, Illinois...

She sent a little warning for those of you who have done the Build a Better Bird workshop with me...
and already have your birds...

KEEP your GIRL birds segregated from the BOY birds...
If you don't...look what could happen!


Funny huh?

I forgot (hey...I'm OLD!) to tell you yesterday that my book FINALLY arrived @ eclecticPaperie...

I'm not sure who the culprit was...UPS, USPS or Fed-Ex...but it's been tracked and is finally there.

Rick & I thought we were catching up here...
but we have 2 HUGE shipments scheduled to arrive today...
so...we'll be kitting...kitting and kitting cruise stuff!

I'd LOVE to show you what arrived yesterday...
OMG! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo excited.
I said YIPPEE about 12 times!
It's even cooler than I expected...
But that's a story for AC...

I haven't forgotten about the blog giveaway...
so................stay tuned!

Time to...
make art (kits).
wendy

the Q & A continues...

PHEW...
We got MORE questions...

Hi Wendy...love, love, love your binder covers! On the second one, is the center of the flower on the lower right side a wooden button? It looks very interesting!

I took a closeup to show it better.
It's a vintage game piece...maybe an old checker??
ANYTHING can be a flower part!



NEXT QUESTION...

I LOVED the binder ideas and the helpful tips. I see the number vol 2 & the 3 is hidden in the flower, but I can not find the 1 on the first. IS it hiddeen for a reason?

You guys are too observant. There is no number 1 on the first binder, because if the stamps didn't sell, there wouldn't have been more releases.
I guess I didn't want to jinx myself! ha!


And I found this yesterday, while looking in my photos...
Another cool acrylic binder.

This one is made by Timi Taylor, one of the owners of For Keeps Sake, in St. Louis.

Pretty cool, huh?



And speaking of For Keeps Sake...

just a reminder...
they have a FUN weekend planned for you...Sept. 26 & 27th.

Ted is driving from Cleveland with a TRUCKLOAD of stamps...

For as many stamps as I have...
I still get excited to see so many in one place...

NUTS...I know...but I REALLY do LOVE stamps!

I'll be there on Saturday for a book signing @ noon & then a workshop for 40...
THANK YOU!
The workshop is sold out, but you can come & SHOP for stamps!
I'm excited!

NEXT question...

These are all FABULOUS! I know you stated it somewhere, but how much is your book again? I'll have to save some $$ for it.

it's $14.95 and priority shipping with tracking in the US is $5.00
International shipping is $10-$12...depending on the destination.
Payment is thru PayPal.

NEXT...

have you done roses in any other color besides blue? i'm thinking about red or maybe orange?

Here's 2 I did using Jenni Bowlin's mini papers...
for a different look...

I LOVE the mini papers because the patterns are small & PERFECT for making flowers.
The paper is adhered to grungepaper.

I have done red(fired brick distress ink) and marmalade roses too...

I think I forgot to take photos before sending them out...but I did like how both colors turned out.

Next ...this is from a cruiser...

ok, i know you won't tell us about the classes but tell me what will be for sale in the ship store...pleeeeeeeeeeese...

NOPE! My lips are sealed...We want you to be surprised.

I'll be surprised too...since I still don't have my stuff decided yet!

It's on that giant TO-DO list I mentioned yesterday...YIKES!

While I work on that list...

I hope you go...
and...

make art!
wendy

5 more questions...and the GIVEAWAY starts

So...you like this Q & A thing, I see...
ME TOO!
It makes my blogging easy...THANKS!

OK...first one...
Anyway, I do have a question today. What color of distress ink was used on the flower in your very cool antique film frame?

I used my new fav distress ink..brushed corduroy for the flower in the previous post.
In the past I used vintage photo on everything...
but the last month or 2 brushed corduroy is in first place...

HOWEVER...
I REALLY love vintage photo with the faded jeans distress ink.
Try combining them for a background.
They make an awesome custom (teal-ish)color!

#2...these comments are funny...
I love when you answer questions!! The answers are always a hoot!
and...
Hilarious post... maybe Jay Leno needs you on his new show!

Here's what Rick said...
DON'T give up your day job!!

Thanks for the laughs!

#3...
Can you stack 3 tool holders or only 2?

You sure can stack 3 craft spinners & have all 24 blending tools out & READY for action.

#4...
i got my book today!!!!!!!!!!!!! love it lots!!! can't wait 'til Sunday...my day off. are you really doing another already or was that another teaser? i'm never sure with you.

THANKS SO MUCH!! We are beyond thrilled with how well it's been received.

Book #2 is a FOR SURE...
It will be ready for CHA this winter...
so that's LATE JANUARY-ish.

THANKS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for all the wonderful emails & comments.
Like I said...we're very happy!


#5...
What do you use for stems that will be free standing. I want to make a flower for my friend's vase in her VW Beetle.

Cloth covered wire is perfect. I have it in both green & brown. It's available @ JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby & Michaels
(in the floral section)...but I've only found the brown @ JoAnn's in our area.

It comes in several different gauges...large flowers need the heavier wire and mini flowers can use the lighter weight.

OK...Let the GIVEAWAY BEGIN!

To celebrate the LONG holiday weekend...
AND to let you know...

I'm THANKFUL for all of YOU...

These cool NEW products need a new home...
NEW distress stickles...
Hmmm...is that the new Rock candy Crackle paint?


How about some memory frames & capsules?




And you'll need something to put those stickles ON...
so how about this BRAND NEW scallop oval coaster set, from Maya Road...

You can see MORE BRAND NEW Maya Road here...
just scroll down toward the bottom...



We'll make this simple...

No LABOR involved...

Just leave a comment...that's your ticket to win...

you have until 7am CST on TUESDAY...

@ 7am on Tuesday, Random.org will draw the winner and I'll post the winner after that.

Have a GREAT LONG holiday weekend...
Enjoy your family & friends, and take time to...

make art!
wendy
ps...GOOD LUCK!

book update & this inspired this...

Book update...

I visited with Ted yesterday...make art, studio 490 style is @ the printers & is due to ship out on MONDAY!

So...if the PO guys hurry, I may have them here @ the end of next week.

YIPPEE!

Where will you find them??

They'll be available here on the blog...
if you want them signed/personalized...

or...
at eclecticPaperie

or...
at your LSS, if they ordered them...

or...
Ted will have them for sale @ the conventions...

or...
you can order them right from the Stampers Anonymous site.
Click on books/DVD's...

Rest assured...as soon as I have them in my hot little hands,
you'll be the first to know...

I'm thinking there will be a giveaway to celebrate!
Matter of fact...I KNOW there will be!
SOON!

And yes, book #2 is in the works & will be ready for CHA in January.

We're totally thrilled with the response we got...
Ted said yesterday that stores are reordering & they don't even have the first order in!

AWESOME!!!
THANKS soooooo much for your support!

Now...on to some art...

***WARNING***...coming up...

STREAM AND SPICED MARMALADE???
ME?

You read it right...I'm getting wild in my old age!

This paper is from Pink Paislee & I was in LOVE the minute it arrived.

I LOVE the dots and I LOVE the color combo.
I've been staring @ it and drooling...

& knew I HAD to make something...

So...this...yummy paper


inspired this...

the flower is a new design...
it had been on my mind for some time & I finally took some time to play...I was in such a hurry to see if it would work, that I didn't even use a background stamp over the flower...

NEXT TIME!

I really like the result...
the rock candy stickles are to die for awesome...

I painted the wood frame edges with the stream dabber & it's a perfect match to the paper.

I adhered the paper to the frame with Claudine's multi medium...
LOVE IT!


You've heard it before...

versatile...

but I'll say it again...

that's what I think about when I design my stamps...

So...here's the same flower...
with another look...



and a reminder...
alcohol inks can alter LOTS of things...

These pearls started out as white...
but after some alcohol ink, they're nice & vintage looking.

I used brushed corduroy distress ink over the fabric flower trim...to age that too.



The grid is stamped over the picket fence crackle paint with my fav coffee archival ink...

It's so easy to run the gold paint dabber around the edge, for just a hint of gold. I do that on cards & tags too. SIMPLE!

tim's corner is peeking out @ the top right.

So, the moral of the story?

Inspiration is EVERYWHERE...
just open your eyes..

Have a great Tuesday and...
may you be inspired to...

make art!
wendy