Merry Christmas tag...

my friends at

 The Crafty Scrapper,

 in Waxahachie, Tx. 

invited me to participate in their

 12 tags of Christmas blog posts...

make sure to visit & 

enter their GIVEAWAY!

if you're lucky & live close by, 

Carolyn has everything you need 

at the shop, to create this tag...

and MORE...

L O T S more 

REALLY good stuff in her store...

(and she ships too...)

if you're not nearby, 

my links take you to an on-line source...

here's my tag...

it's metallic & quite hard to get a good 

straight on photo...

you see no shine on this photo...

but...

 tilt it a bit & now you can see the 

gorgeous foiled embossing powder...

here's the steps...

the tag is a new heavystock #8 tag, 

cut to 5 ½ inches tall...

I LOVE this new heavystock...

A   L O T !

the material allows the distress markers  

to blend perfectly!

what a dramatic difference it makes!

 I LOVE trimming my tags to 5 ½ inches...

try it! 

it totally changes the proportions...

I rarely use a full length tag...

make sure to save the cut offs for 

perfectly sized borders for your tags...

 and 

they make great sentiment strips...

I inked the script background with 

watering can archival & then 

added watering can embossing powder...

after melting the powder, I "warmed" it up again with the Ranger heat tool & quickly pressed a gold Ranger foil sheet onto the warmed embossing powder...

***remember***

foil sheets get applied

pretty color side UP...

the foil will stick to the warm powder & it releases when the embossing powder cools...

it's a super quick process...

5 seconds max...

you can reheat & reapply foil wherever you want...

I like it randomly applied & not entirely covering all the embossing powder...

I like the grey watering can, 

with hints of the gold foil 

for a two tone grey/gold effect...

one little tip...

choose a fine lined 

background stamp image to foil...

solid/heavy images look overpowering for backgrounds...

just my opinion...

I've used these fine lined images 

on my CHA samples, with this technique

& they worked really well...

polka dot background...

this looks extra cool with 

multiple foil colors!

old wood floor... subtle & awesome!

spatter... it's super cool too...

I LIKE these foil sheets...

there are several color pack choices...

they are easy to use...

there's no static foil bits

 flying all over the place & 

the foil stays securely stuck

 on the embossing powder...

and another tip...

have your foil out & ready to go...

the embossing powder cools quickly...

but you can always reheat it & add more...

I inked over the tag 

with sky blue & potting soil archival inks...

those little bleached areas in the background are created with the lots of dots stencil...

just moisten the blending tool with rubbing alcohol & wipe thru the stencil to lighten 

the ink color...

I like the round guy for stenciling...

I use it for both adding &

 removing/lightening color...

I stamped Merry Christmas at the bottom with jet black & stenciled a polka dot border 

on the top of the tag...

the tag is edged with the tarnished brass paint dabber...

I hot glued a piece of tim's holiday trimming above the sentiment...

(might be discontinued?)

then added a small amount of multi-medium &  sprinkled on the rock candy glitter...

the chain is stamped, using jet black...

I die cut the stitched oval from heavystock, inked it very lightly with sky blue & just a little potting soil

 & added the stamped dots with watering can...

it's edged with the tarnished brass paint dabber & layered over another oval of the same size, 

to add a little dimension...

the mat mini pine tree is also foiled...

I inked the plaid background with fern green & embossed it with fern green powder...

I rewarmed the embossing powder & placed the turquoise foil over the warmed embossing powder...

(pretty foil side UP)

the tree then got inked with fern green...

it's popped up with 

my FAV black foam adhesive 

onto the stitched oval...

I added a black mat mini heart to the base...

the mat mini star has a thin layer of multi-medium & then it was dipped into the rock candy glitter jar to add a bit of bling...

after it was dry, I wanted it to appear a bit more yellow, so after shaking the buttercup mica spray, I "painted" the star with a drop of the mica spray, using the detailer waterbrush...

a little pen stitching is my finishing touch around the tag...

and another tilted shot to show the shine & the rock candy glitter...

so there you have a fun easy technique...

and another way to use 

some supplies you probably already have...

embossing powder + foil sheets =

foiled embossing powder!

I've had some questions about when

 new product "peeks" will start...

CHA is about 2 weeks later this year

(YIPPEE, so much better for us!)

so I'll be peeking new stuff 

after the first of the year...

we have some 

REALLY  

 F U N 

stuff coming...

wait 'til you see the new mat minis...

I'm over the moon excited about them...

they are simply

A D O R A B L E!

I promise!

new stamps...SO FUN...

new stencils...YES please!

new stamp-it stencil its...for sure!

and my MOST FAV stamp-it stencil-it EVER!

it's killer cool!

let's celebrate

THE CRAFTY SCRAPPER

(and the fact that I blogged)

 with a GIVEAWAY...

just leave a comment & 

I'll have Rick choose a random winner...

what will you win?

I'll send this tag and...

trust me...

I'll send a nice surprise package!

later today, I'll pop a quick video over

on my instagram page, 

where you'll get a better look at how cool the foiled embossing powder looks...

 there will be an 

Instagram GIVEAWAY too...

if you'd like to follow me there...

and have a chance to win

 a SECOND prize package...

I seem to be using Instagram much more...

it's quick & easy to post there...

I like it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and

thanks for the invite

Crafty Scrapper!

it was fun to...

make art!

wendy

NEW stamps, NEW stencils, NEW Mat Minis, NEW SiSi's...

finally...

it's time to show you 

what I've been working on...

or...

playing with 

is probably a more accurate description...

I must confess that I have had

SO MUCH FUN

mixing and matching these new stamps...

I designed these 3 sets 

to work together,

 to create new images...

they also work with stamps we already have

 to freshen them up...

seriously...

we have L O T S of possibilities...

there's one flower that can even be transformed

 into "leaves" for other flowers!

I'll show you!

YIKES...this is a long post...

you might want to grab a comfy seat...

and READ TO THE END...

for a "special SALE code"!

I'll start with the

3 new stamp sets...

the first is 

SCS134 & it's titled

"artful life"...

the flowers are open images...

perfect for coloring with markers...

and

easy to cut out to make them dimensional, 

using Clearly for Art/Newsprint...

the open designs allow them to be over stamped with any background stamp 

to totally change them up...

or...

 you can stencil over them to add a pattern...

the leaves work really well with

 the new custom DIY archival pads 

to create multi colored leaves 

with just one inking...

and...they are easy to cut out...

I totally LOVE these sentiments...

they're good for cards, 

tags and art journal pages...

see that bow on the bottom?

it fits a #8 tag perfectly...

I've used it lots...

here's a sample using the set...

the black/white polka dots are from

 the reverse dots background stamp...

it's inked with jet black...

mixing past with brand new is fun...

the second new set is 

SCS135 and it's called 

"happiness and art"...

I am IN LOVE with the hosta...

it's a much larger version of the hosta from 

the last CHA release 

(SCS130 all occasion art) 

I loved that one so much, 

that I wanted needed a bigger hosta...

it looks wonderful with 

the large mat mini flower pots...

 I find myself using just the leaves,

 in combination with other flowers...

it's the perfect focal point for a card or tag...

you'll see lots of samples made with the full stamp and also with just the leaves...

if a stamp can be used more than one way...

I really like it!

the circles are good background fillers & they are sized to work with common circle punches to save time...

they are sized at ¾ inch, 7/8th inch and 1 inch...

they are fun to stamp on scraps, punch out & to create a scallop border...

I'll show you...

and...

they are really cool when inked & stamped using the DIY archival pads, 

for an easy multi color image...

the sentiments are fun for cards/tags/art journal pages...

they have easy to cut out words, 

to make layering simple...

here's the ADORABLE hosta...

it's sitting in the tea time large cup...

on a #8 tag...

and this last cutie is

SCS136 ..."flowers for art"...

more sentiments with cardmakers in mind...

again,

open design flowers for coloring with markers or to stamp over with background stamps and it's fun to add stenciling over them...

the circle fits a 1 ⅛ inch circle punch...

see that flower lower left?

stamp it on a scrap...

color it green, cut it out & 

use some of the "petals" as leaves...

can you see how it changes?

very fun!

meet...

SCS136 "flowers for art"...

here's an example of 

a favorite mix and match

 using these sets...

take the flower (top left) from SCS134...

add the flower from SCS136 over it and

 now it's a dimensional POPPY!

the dots circle stamp created the scallops...

there are 2 fun new background stamps...

"polka dot"...

polka dots are always in style...

this is on an older set (LCS011)

& we've had multiple requests 

to have it available

 as an individual background...

you asked...

we did it!

LOVE it stamped over flowers and used with embossing powders...

and below that you'll see a great 

new "vintage text" background...

I found this amazing

vintage leather bound new testament,

 (dated 1874)

while shopping in Texas with some friends...

we think it's Norwegian or possible Swedish?

it's a great font...

it's AWESOME as a background and it's great stamped over the flowers!

next up we have 

3 new Stamp-it Stencil-it's...

these make life E A S Y and there are 2 distinct ways to create with them...

I *know* I shouldn't have a favorite...

BUT...

I DO...

this just might be it...

this is called

"floral collage"...

just like the name says...

 stamp it first, 

then position the coordinating stencil over the stamped image and stencil it...

this allows coloring with a blending tool for a quick simple flat multicolored image...

the stencil acts as a stencil

 to fill in the open area with ink 

and at the same time, 

 as a mask to protect the background area...

or...

you can stamp the flower on a scrap...

cut it out & layer it over the stamped image to create dimension...

this flower is awesome to use alone...

and to mix with the other flowers/leaves in this release...

here's my fav...

"floral collage"...

and below is a sample card...

this was so fun to make...

the next new stamp-it stencil-it is

"water lily"...

when my violet archival ink was introduced, 

I really wanted a water lily & this is it!

it's great to use the full stamp or you can cut out the little flowers and layer them or

 use them with other leaves to create a whole new image...

here's what it looks like done in pink peony...

I liked it so much that it made the cover of the flyer, inked in violet...

you can see that I added the little red flower from the "floral collage" SiSi & the flower from SCS136 to change it up...

and the 3rd new SiSi is...

"prairie bloom"...

this stencil has 3 stencil sections

 to easily ink the leaves one color,

 the petals another color and 

the 3rd section is the dots

 at the top of the flower...

these can be a different color 

from the petals...

or...

you can add embossing powder

 to just the dots...

or...

 you can add any of the embossing pastes

 to add texture to the dots...

or...

 use just the dots stencil as a background filler...

this is a really FUN one!

or...

spread embossing paste thru the "petals portion...

oh...

and the BUD is easy to cut out & add to other images...

here's a simple flat sample...

moving on...

since we "collect" stamps & stencils,

when designing, my goal is

 to add to the "collection" 

to make it even better and 

to give new life to

products we already have...

so...

that brings me to

 the 2 new mat minis...

mat minis are computer/laser cut 

from a very light weight, 

but very strong material...

 they are perfect for adding to cards and great for mixed media projects too...

the material accepts both archival & distress inks very well...

they can be inked, painted, stamped, stenciled and heat embossed with embossing powders...

and 

they can be embossed with embossing folders...

love the cute textured effect!

first up...

we have mat mini"pine trees"...

these trees are perfect for the holidays, 

but can be used all year...

there are 2 sizes...

a large & a small tree...

6 of each in the set...

for a total of 12 pieces...

these coordinate with last year's holiday release, 

happy holidays,

which included tree stencils...

in the sample below, 

you'll see how they layer...

the mat mini pine trees come in black, 

which I really like to use with embossing powders or embossing pastes...

and white, to use with inks and stamps...

honestly...these guys are so F U N...

here's the adorable 

"mat mini pine trees"...

here's a better look at the tag sample...

too bad the rock candy glitter "snow" didn't show up well...

it adds just the right amount of bling...

last year's holiday release included this

"holiday icons" stamp-it stencil-it...

see the holly stamp on the left?

the new

"holly and berries" mat minis

are perfectly sized

 to use with the holly/berries stamp...

they're super simple to use, 

since it's a 2 part mat mini...

the berries and leaves are individual pieces...

these come in an all white package, so the stamping & inks will show...

just ink the holly stamp & press the mat mini holly leaves onto the inked stamp...

then ink the stamp again & press the mat mini berries onto the berry section of the inked stamp...

color them with ink & pop them together

 for a fun custom embellishment...

there are 16 pieces in the set, 

so you can create 8 cards or 8 tags 

from just one package...

Ted gave us a good price!

look out Hallmark!

one more thing...

because these products 

are made in Cleveland, Ohio...

if you didn't get the holiday icons

or

 the happy holidays stencil, 

from last year,

 Ted can have the guys make them for you...

made in the USA means

nothing needs to be discontinued!

phew...

I HOPE your eyes are OK...

this was LONG, but I wanted to include a sample for each, to help you get the ideas brewing...

if any of these are on your must have list...

just let your store owners know 

that you want need them...

I'm sure they'll be happy

 to order whatever you'd like...

BREAKING NEWS...

I just got this!

here's a special S A L E code to use on the Stampers Anonymous site...

enter this code at checkout...

Sept15Off

here's another SPECIAL TREAT...

this link will take you to view the whole flyer...

http://goo.gl/TBlcc5

it's what store owners see...

it has all the info, 

including prices and the package contents...

ok...

it's your turn...

I'm waiting to hear which is your fav...

or what ideas YOU have brewing...

thanks so much for popping by &

THANKS for

 putting up with the little peeks!

I sincerely appreciate 

each & every one of 

YOU!

I've had SO much fun with these new guys...

I've been happy...

mak(ing) art!

wendy

STOP THE PRESS!!!

the day gets even better with the launch of our new

ACCESSORY BAGS from Ranger!

each designer created art specifically for these bags & I think they are flippin' awesome...

they really are 

a great representation 

of each designer's art...

this is where style meets function perfectly...

I can think of so many uses

 for these adorable bags...

here's a closer look at mine...

under the tag on the right it says...

"discover your passion 

then do what you love"...

I AM!

phew...

breathe...

it's a super exciting day!

THANKS to Ranger

 for a really fun & useful surprise!