Life and creative thinking...***UPDATE*** see the end of the post...

This is one fun project created for Maya Road's booth @ CHA-W.

It's the scallop coaster & box. I'm posting it just for the word LIFE.

Normally I don't pass on emails & jokes/stories, but this is just too good to miss.

The moral of the story is to think CREATIVELY in all aspects of life.

Here it is......................

According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them, and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses). To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it. Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

................

See...it's all about CREATIVE thinking!

................

Don't forget...FREE FRIDAY is tomorrow!

Be creative!!

wendy

UPDATE!!! I just got an email from the "powers that be" and tomorrow will be extra fun!

There will now be 2 giveaways...one autographed...???

and FREE.......RUBBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COOL!

Small scallops, large scallops & a stamp...

Sometimes I'm a CHEAP date...sometimes...NOT!

Yesterday (drawers)...NOT, but today I am!

***ENABLER ALERT***

Here's what I got for $20.00... (no association with these folks..yada, yada, yada)...just passing on some cool finds.



I LOVE this punch. It makes PERFECT small scallop borders. The guide makes it simple. Well done FISKARS!

And for larger scallops...these cuties from Bazzill. These are great...no more cutting up their 12 x 12 sheets, just for the edge! THANKS BAZZILL!


And I HAD to get this the moment I saw it...




This is from Hampton Art. It makes me laugh.

Don't forget about the giveaway on Friday! One simple comment is all it will take to win...the...oops...can't say!
wendy

Spritz & flick...again

Thanks for comments about my spritz & flick tutorial from last week. Did you try other color combos?? I did...This is spiced marmalade, scattered straw, dusty concord & fired brick. Totally NOT my usual colors...but it's fun to try something different.

Here's a little tip...when using dusty concord, use just a tiny bit. It's a great color & a little goes a long way.

Now for a few random things...to answer some emails/comments...

1. That cute little stamp, LOOK INSIDE on the townhouse ( see yesterdays post) is from CatsLife Press. What's extra cool about Susan's mini stamps is that they are a perfect fit for the file tab punches from McGill.

2. This Friday's giveaway is NOT related to the CHA offer. HA! It's totally different. Can't say any more, just yet...Make sure to visit on Friday. YOU just might be a winner! I already have one & I KNOW you'll LOVE the prize! Any guesses??

3. The BIG news will be revealed...maybe July?? Believe me...it's KILLING ME TOO!




4. I posted some studio photos when I first started this blog and I've had a few requests to see more. Here's another shot of one corner. This is where my small Maya Road chipboard is stored & organized. If I'm not making art, organizing makes me very happy. I like everything in it's place.

tim has seen a few studio photos before & he usually threatens to send a truck to load up my drawers. He doesn't scare me, but believe me.....my doors are locked...JUST IN CASE!

5. I like the PLAIN grungeboard sheets the best for stamping. You can stamp on the embossed styles, but you get a much better image on the plain.

Ok. I think I'm caught up. If I forgot something...just let me know!

Go make art!
wendy

We'll be making this at...

ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING in Topsfield, Massachusettes on Saturday the 19th of April. It's Maya Road's new townhouse & it was just released @ CHA-W in February. It's a fun size...5 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 2/1/2"...

These tags are included in the house...We'll be using distress inks from Ranger, Maya Road chipboard & stamps and also stamps from Stampers Anonymous.


Here's the back of the tags...

So...if you're in the area, come join this fun class. We'll also be making Maya Road's Keepsake cube with a dimensional grungeboard butterfly, a Fragments journal (use your scraps) and a grungeboard glass vase, flower/bird class. If you'd like to see photos of any specific class...just ask. Kate has a list of the basics you need for the classes. I'll supply the rest.

If you'd like to have any of these classes at YOUR STORE, just ask. I'm really enjoying taking my classes on the road and I have a few spots available for this year.

..........

And in other breaking news...

..........

Caroline made an adorable card with the new trinkets metal blossoms. Check it out here. She said nice things about me!! COOL! Thanks Caroline!!

..........

And here's another NICE thing...from my friends @ For Keeps Sake. I copied this from their blog... THANKS Timi, Nancy, Nancy W, Missy, Sue & ALL. I'm sending a big hug your way!!

A HUGE thank you to our special guest artists last week. There are so many superlatives we can give to Linda Cain, Wendy Vecchi and Kara Ward that we just don't know where to begin. Three extremely talented women who have graced our classroom. Thank you so much!

What a nice way to start the day.

Happy Monday!

wendy

oops...almost forgot this...Don't forget about the FREE giveaway on Friday. I was notified (by the powers that be), that there has been a little change. Instead of rubber, it will be paper. But not ordinary paper...AUTOGRAPHED special paper...hmmm. Sound good?? Any ideas???

ask & you shall receive...spritz & flick!

I've had quite a few questions about spritz & flick, so here is the info I promised. This is one of my favorite techniques, (developed by Tim), that I learned @ Ranger U.

You'll need these basics...
1. Ranger's craft sheet
2. 2 colors of distress inks. I used broken china & vintage photo.
3. Ranger's blending tool/foam pad
4. Ranger's mini mister, filled with water
5. Heat tool...you got it...made by Ranger.


Start by covering the entire tag in the lighter color of distress ink. Start on the craft sheet & bring the color onto the tag in a circular motion, using the blending tool. This is the secret to no blotchy spots.


Now add the second color, to create this look.



Next... using the mini mister, squirt some water into your hands & FLICK the water onto the tag. I made the drops larger than normal to make them easier to see. Notice how the water lifts the distress ink?? Let the drops sit for 10 seconds & then dry with the heat tool.

Now add some embellishments...

The stamp is from Stampers Anonymous # U5-1203

Some fun metal flowers from Maya Road. They're from the trinkets collection & they are the blossoms...# TK763.

A little pen stitching around the edge and a few dots from a gel pen & you get this.




Here's a closer look @ the water marks & the metal flowers. You can see that I bent the flower petals up to create dimension.

There you have it...SPRITZ & FLICK!! See why I LOVE this technique....Try some other colors...use 3 colors...use this as a starting point & make it your own.

I'll show some other variations soon.

.................

On to some other things........

If you read this post a few days ago, I'm copying Cecile's comment for all to see. Here it is.........

Hi!

Thanks to everyone who made such nice comments about my gift to Wendy. I had a lot of fun making it. I don’t get much time to do this, so it was all that much more enjoyable. I’m sure it is further enhanced by all the cool art that will surround it in Wendy and Rick’s home! By the way, can you see the influence from Wendy in this piece? It's there!

Thanks again!

Cecile

..............................

And here's your reward for reading this whole post...

Next Friday...that's APRIL 11th... there will be an exciting give-away here. Don't miss out!! REALLY good...and I'm NOT exaggerating!!

Hmmmmmmmmm...I bet it involves...rubber. And, another hint...it's NOT from Stampers Anonymous...

..........

Have a GREAT weekend.

Try spritz & flick & show me what you made.

Sharing is good. VERY good!!

wendy

introducing..the darkroom door

Check out these cool NEW stamps, made by my friend Rachel Greig. She lives in Australia...but just as soon as these babies are available in the USA, I'll let you know the juicy details for ordering.

They are unmounted & come in these GREAT storage tins. Pretty cool huh!

Here's another set she sent... I think she figured out that I LOVE flower stamps.



I'll be the guest designer...yikes...I forgot exactly when. Rachel...HELP...I'm having a senior moment!

Anyway, I can't wait to get these guys inky. An uninked stamp is an UNLOVED stamp! We certainly can't have that!!

And...speaking of stamps...we can't wait to see what you lucky gals (who won the Stampers Anonymous stamps) are creating with them. You got some Maya Road goodies too, so when you use them, we'd love to see your art.

Don't forget...Email your photos to me & I'll get them up on the blog for all to see.

Hmmmmmmmm...what else??

Check out Caroline's blog here, for a look @ the Maya Road villa.
Did you all know that it actually holds a tissue box?? I made this for our booth @ CHA. Talk about FUN & it can easily be customized to fit any room in your home. I'm making some for gifts!

The sun is shining! It's a PERFECT day to make art!
Thanks for stopping by.........
wendy

A belated birthday gift...

My birthday was in December, but look what I got this weekend from my friend Cecile Nichols. AMAZING!! AGREE??
I'd say it was well worth waiting for.

I tried to get better photos of each section to show you the details...
Section 1...


Section 2...



Section 3...this has a transparency & my photo skills suck...it's much better in person.

Now...the question is...where should this hang?? Studio?? Family room?? Kitchen?? Nope...Don't cook. Too busy making art!! So...studio or family room it will be.

Notice the Stampers Anonymous stamps she used???

THANKS Cecile!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

............................................

And more thanks...

Thanks for all the sweet emails from the St. Louis, For Keeps Sake class chicks. You guys sure made me happy...VERY happy!

We can't wait to head your way again! September sound good???

.............................................

I had several questions/emails about the class favorite distress ink technique..."spritz & flick". Watch the blog...I'll get a sample & the instructions posted soon.

............................................

Next stop on the "art tour"...ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING in Topsfield Ma. More fun classes are scheduled...cool door prizes...and chocolate. Don't miss it!! The class dates are April 19th & 20th. Hope to meet some blog friends there.

...........................................

Happy Wednesday.

We're off to the tax gal...

Wish me luck!

wendy