so...you liked the (edited @ 8:30 am)

bottle!
YIPPEE I DO TOO!

Here's a photo from the new book...
which shows the FULL bottle stamp ...

I made the label a seperate stamp...
so that the bottle can be used for other things...
I have IDEAS...

and you can use the label other places too...

It's stamped on a Hambly transparency...

and colored with Ranger's alcohol ink fillable pen...
so simple & FUN!



and here's my THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU...

for leaving such nice comments.

You make me sooooooooooooo very happy!



"The visionary" is @ the top of my "love it" list...

Tomorrow...
the Maya Road peeks start...
which are LARGE peeks...
not skimpy little peeks...

I'll post just as soon as Caroline does...
she's the boss...she goes first!

You just might spot some new studio 490 too...
who knows...
we'll see which products she decides to REVEAL...
TOMORROW!

EDIT!...she snuck one in yesterday & I just found it...HERE!

BROWN flowers! I'm in LOVE!

That's it...gotta hit it HARD...

Keep those cards and letters (COMMENTS) coming!

Be inspired...
make art!
wendy

more on Monday...

I hope your weekend was GREAT...

LOTS got done here...
a MAJOR project for Maya Road...
checked off the To-Do list...

YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!

It took me ALLLLLLL weekend...
It's not good to be OLD & SLOW...

I'm HAPPY with the results & can't wait to show you...!

Let's get right to the Q & A...

#1...I'm confident we're finally getting our houndstooth...what about a crossword puzzle?

The hounds tooth was requested frequently...
& I wanted one REALLY BAD...

I actually had it done for last summer, but I cut it for another background...

BUT...
it's IN for this release.
It's @ the top of my " love it " list...
Crossword puzzle..nope sorry...

#2...Well, given the shopping phrase from the other day, and this dress, I'm guessin' there is a whole Shopping Art set, or the Art of Shopping, lol. And given your fettish for shoes with flowers, I'm thinkin' there's a shoe stamp coming. Am I getting warm?

No Lori...I KNOW where you live & it was MINUS 15 yesterday...so you're NOT getting warm in Illinois...ha!

but...CUTE set names...no shoe stamp either.

#3...I saw that you sent a bird in a gift package... can we buy them? Where? I so want to design my own bird!! :-)

GUESS WHAT...Becky T. said...
For being a blog friend & for taking the time to leave a COMMENT...

I'll SEND YOU ONE! Just send me your mailing info...
see...comments are oh sooooooooo good...
I'm just sayin...you never know when someone will WIN something...
randomly..............

#4... I can see why you like the tumbled glass/bundled sage combo. The stamps you used look great too.Will I be able to purchse my book from you again?

YOU BET! I'll post when I have them here...

#5... I'm spacing out what i can get immediately...out of the 12 new ink colors...i want to start with 6, so I can buy your stamps, so which 6 do you like?

YIKES...that's a HARD one!
All 12 are really awesome...

When working on CHA samples & book projects, I kept reaching for...
tumbled glass, bundled sage, barn door, rusty hinge,
forest moss, pumice stone and wild honey...
I know...it's 7...but the best I can do!
oh wait........stormy sky is cooool too...
and then there's...stop me!

#6...can you share what exactly your job is @ CHA? I've never been, so I have no idea. Is it really fun or just work?

Sure...I demo in the Ranger booth...so I show products & lots of ink techniques...ways to combine products...

Ranger also videos a demo of a technique for their website...(lots of free info & videos)

I also help with booth set up & take down...and

I'm a helper in Tim's workshops...LOVE IT! That's where store owners get LOTS of free NEW stuff from Ranger...the excitement in the room is sooooooo fun!

You can imagine booth set-up & take down is major work...it's like moving your whole house FULL of stuff...
BUT...we laugh & have fun...they are GREAT people...
so it's fun work.

#7...Like the polka dot dress...but why not make a smaller acrylic cover for the new stamps? Seems like a waste not being able to use 1/3 of the space....ok, in a previous life I was a scientist which can be a 1st cousin to an engineer...I love it when things fit together...or is there going to be even smaller stamps sets with only one hole in the plastic card? The mind boggles...

Hmmm...I'm thinking it will look like an altered book...random sized pages...I think I'll like it...

BUT...
You just never know what MIGHT show up @ CHA...summer...

#8...12 sets? I'll have to rob a bank...pleeeeeeeeeezeeee..where should I start? Do you have definite favs?

I sure do...ALL 12!!!!!!!!!

#9...
Love the dress and all the background patterns! Cute belt! Hmm, looks like twill, but not exactly ... something new? I hope we earn lots more peeks!

No...the belt is a gingham ribbon from Maya Road...it's just folded in half to fit...

OK...for today's peek...
it's in the top 3 favorites!



and since you commented LOTS...
here's another...




News flash...note to tim...
MY RANGER got "your mouse"...



He carries him around like a baby & sleeps with him...
we laughed all weekend @ where we found the critter...

Gotta run...
I hope you'll stop back tomorrow...

It's time to...
make (CHA) art...
wendy
ps...don't forget...
comments earn peeks...
LOTS of comments earn LARGER peeks...
like a whole stamp or even a whole SAMPLE!

YIKES...sorry for the screwed up font sizes..blogger isn't cooperative today & won't let me change it...

2 peeks on Friday!

Happy Friday!
The sun is out & it quit snowing!

Let's start with a few Q & A's...

#1...Love these new stamps! Will they be available right after CHA or will we have to wait?! You know that once you show us, we want them immediately!

Ted called on Wednesday...
the stamps are MADE...
he's just waiting for the white scallop storage sheets.

So...he's way ahead of schedule and they'll be shipping right after CHA...

YIP YIP YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!

#2...9? oh man, I better brush up on my Wendy stamps .... can I ask a favor, for those of us who do not have unlimited funds, can you make a sheet of stamps that you do one project with?

Hmmm... you can make projects with each individual set now...

This group did a challenge...

the results are in their photos section...
they have examples showing what they did with just one set...

But with the new sets...that may be an idea for a post...AFTER CHA!

#3...Is the rose done in Fired Brick with a little Rock Candy?

Actually, it's the new barn door, with rock candy distress stickles...LOVE it!

#4...where o where is the teaching schedule you promised? i'll be there even if i have to drive 5 hours!

It's coming...but not 'til after CHA for sure. I need to get some dates from Ted & Michelle, before I commit...

and during February, I'll be designing all new workshops...

#5...will Ranger make us wait forever & a day to get the new inks? They are really nice looking.

I think...NOT!
My understanding is that they'll ship right after CHA...

Reinkers are being produced TODAY!...
make sure you get them when you get the new pads...
It's a TRUST ME!

You'll be using them...LOTS!

#6...how about just a little hint..what's in THE BOOK? SPILL!

YIKES...all CAPS...she's serious!
Ok...

12 DETAILED projects...
LOTS more details in the projects...
complete instructions for each...
complete supply list for each...
stamping on new surfaces...
a COOL new product or 2...
new distress ink colors...
MORE tips & hints...
color photos showing steps and details...

I said in the beginning of this book that we're "kicking it up a notch...and taking stamping from 101 to 102".

enough info?

The art is @ Stampers Anonymous...being photographed & Matt is getting the pages all set up, so everything will fit.

I'm waiting patiently to see the cover...NOT

You'll see it here...
just as soon as I get a photo...
HOPEFULLY, sometime next week...

#7... I am LOVING the bigger rose BTW!

Then you'll be happy x 2...
I think you guys missed that HINT in a previous post...ha!

#8...And about those peeks...any chance that we're getting something like a "Wendy styled" Game card/bingo card? And Wendy markers too (i.e. l'il flowers)? I'd love to see a set with scissors in it too some day...just sayin' :)

NOPE...sorry! No scissors...
no bingo either...I did consider it...but...

#9...will you share you Maya Road samples with us?

YOU BET! I think Caroline will let the peeks begin on WEDNESDAY!
Stay TUNED!

You will LOVE the release they are doing...I DO!

And like I said...
one set is a PERFECT FIT...
with some new stamps..FATE!

Last one for today...
#10...I've saved my Xmas $$$...how much will I NEED to get all the stamps? I guess my question is did you make 7 again?

NOPE...
this time I have 12 sets total...

7 large...
the same size as the current sets...

and 5 smaller sets...
those will be regular sized stamps, on a smaller storage sheet...

still scalloped, like the large sheet...

and YES...
the smaller sets will still fit in the acrylic storage binder!

They'll have 2 holes...

Ok...first FRIDAY peek...

using...
tumbled glass & rusty hinge...



and since you are leaving such nice comments...

you earned another...

this shows tumbled glass and bundled sage...
I LOVEEEEEEEE that combo!



Back on Monday with more peeks...
comments earn peeks...

Have a GREAT weekend!!
Stay warm...
HAVE FUN...

make art!
wendy

3 on thursday...

MAJOR snow here AGAIN...
At least 4'' so far & still going strong...YUCK!

Rick just got the ladder & cleaned off the satellite dish so I could pop in...

and give you some advice...

That's my story & I'm stickin' to it!

have a good one...

may YOU...

make art!

wendy

ps...hopefully... a longer post tomorrow...I'll try!

how about a big peek?

oopsie...

I CAN do better...just for you!!!



I see 9...how about you?
TALK TO ME!

and...have a good one!
make art!
wendy
ps..hey...a short post is better than NO POST!

angels and answers...

She's back...
a previous guest artist...
SUSAN KESSELMAN...

She sent me this AWESOME ANGEL...
using TONS of studio 490 stamps...

I LOVE the heart used as wings...

Love the 2 scrolls used as her legs...
Matter of fact...I LOVE ALL OF HER!

What a great idea to give the "art chick" a fancy dress!

I'm IMPRESSED!

Bet you will be too...



Thanks Susan for sharing your ART...again!

On to answers...from yesterday's emails & comments...

#1...Wendy - Is that background one of the new Distress colors?? It looks beautiful.

YES!!! It's bundled sage...I'm ADDICTED...I LOVE it used with tumbled glass, broken china, faded jeans, barn door or rusty hinge...

I've used it in some CHA projects...I stamped my background in olive archival & then inked the entire background with the sage...

YUM! you'll be seeing LOTS of it!

#2...Could you do a count down to CHA (helps those of us impatient people who need a visual.

Hmmm....I leave on Friday the 22nd, so I would expect to see LOTS of REVEALS the few days before then...Does that help?

#3...you did a contest for us last time...we had to guess the number of stamps. i didn't win. are you doing that for us again? when? i don't want to miss it.

YOU BET!! That was fun. That too will be close to the 22nd...stay tuned! I'll see what I can get us for prizes...

I'm HOPING inks and rubber! Just what we NEED!

#4...I need to find that magazine. Any clues?

I have a subscription now, but I originally got a copy @ Barnes & Noble. I'd say...check there!

#5...The sneak peeks are killin' me. Four you say? Hmm, new flower in the corner, background, another ART stamp, the scroll stamp is a staple of mine.

and from another...

Hhhmmm...could it be wings, or the edges to a flower petal??

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are NO flowers in the peek...

nope...not wings either...

the text is NOT a background stamp...

art...OK...that one is right

look again...
I'd suggest the lower left ...hint!



#6...just a comment, but we both had to laugh...
And, thanks to Rick. Keep that sweet lady of yours in line!

now there's a FULL TIME JOB! ha! TOTALLY Hopeless!

#7... I am loving what I can see in your sneak peek. I sure am hoping to see a houndstooth print

Here's a HUGE hint...you'll be HAPPY, Penci! It's in a set called...well worn art

#8...I hope you remember me, I'm the one who asked for a larger rose. Did you make us one?

And a HUGE hint for you...you'll be double-x2 HAPPY, Ms Dee! And larger is easier to make! TRUST ME!

#9...when will you show us your Maya Road samples?

I'll do that just as soon as I get the word from Caroline...she's the BOSS! I'm hoping next week?

and the last for today...

#10...I'm wondering if you could share more about your creative process for new stamps. How long does it take you to come up with fresh ideas? Where do you get your inspiration? Do you sketch the designs and have someone "make up" the artwork? The time span between CHA Summer and Winter seems so short....I just wonder how you do it all!!!

First of all...remember that Rick gets groceries, gets us carry out dinners and vacuums!

Seriously...the ideas basically come from NEEDS...when I'm working on a project, I think...

Geez...I wish I had a long skinny filler stamp for this area...hmmm now we will

or...

I wish I had a background that would coordinate with this...and we will!

One of my flower ideas was inspired by a home decor item. Home decor magazines are very inspiring for color combos too...not that I actually use them... you know me...I stick to my basic colors...

The solid flower image on Artfully Said, came about because of a need in my Ranger technique workshop.

There are techniques in that workshop that really need a stamp of that type. Now we have it!

I try to make them versatile...so that they can be used multiple ways.

Before studio 490, I'd think...geez, I wish the leaves stamp faced the other way. That's why I do the same image as the mirror image lots of times. I like the option of both ways & I think that's good for collage type art.

If you remember the snow cap white pigment ink/distress technique I came up with...

I needed a more bold image background that really showcased that technique...with this new release ...WE have it! YIPPEE!

I like vintage stuff too...so those things sparked some stamp ideas ...again...THIS RELEASE!

This release is NOT all about flowers...but the designs were made to work with the sets we already have.

So once my sketches/ideas are emailed to Zach @ Stampers Anonymous, he's the genius who transforms them into PDF files which are then made into, mag plates...which if I understand it right, are the reverse stamp images. Then a sheet of rubber is layed over the mag plate & pressed or vulcanized into the mag plate @ a high temp and that's what makes the actual rubber stamp.

There may be more steps...but my little brain pictures this as the process.

Then the new stamp sheets get stuck on the cling material (which sticks to the acrylic blocks) and they are individually cut with some sort of scroll saw @ the factory.

I have met Joyce who cuts stamps and she said after she does a few of the new designs & gets her rhythm, she can zip right along.

But think of the MILLIONS of stamps that must be cut every year. Can you imagine??? What a JOB!

One thing we REALLY want to do this year is to visit the factory in Cleveland...meet the folks I deal with, but have not met yet.

We really want to see how the whole process is done...and to see stamps..HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Geez...how exciting!

We both think that would be a fun trip & a good info for a blog post! I'd even take my camera!

OK...the Tuesday peek...is the upper part of Monday's peek. Look closely...

I'm not supposed to have a favorite...but just between us...this is in the top 10...actually...top 3!

The sample uses some new distress colors...

That's the new rusty hinge @ the top, along with tumbled glass & bundled sage. I LOVE those 3 together!
And...there are 2 new stamps in the photo, FYI!

That's it for today...I've told you LOTS!

I can't...

make art...gotta work on the to-do list!

wendy

HUGE CONGRATS to 2 FRIENDS!

2010 is off to a GREAT ART START!!!

First, I want to send congrats to my friend Lori Hassler...
for being chosen as an ARTIST CHOICE winner on Tim's blog...

WHAT AN HONOR!

I first met Lori in one of my classes...then another class & then she was on the Mexico cruise.

Not only is she VERY talented, she's oh so funny too... and her art is quirky cool!

You may remember an earlier post showing a cruise T-Shirt she designed...

Tim & I were both very impressed.

So...I swiped...lifted...borrowed (STOLE) this photo from Tim's blog to show her winning ART!
Congrats again Lori!!!


And now more CONGRATS!!!

This time to my friend from the UK...
Hels Sheridan.

She sent me this exciting news last week, but I wanted to wait 'til I got my copy so that I could share a larger photo...

Not only is her ART published in the Craft Stamper Magazine...

HEL'S MADE THE COVER!!!
AWESOME!


and thanks to Hels...
so did studio 490!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!

Here's a close look...



And on the inside there's...
MORE ART!

More studio 490...tim's idea-ology swivel clasps & muse token & the banner page, scallop frame & bird are from Maya Road!




How cute that she used the small flower for wings on the Maya Road bird!

I LOVE the background stamp on the Maya Road frame...




Checked off the TO-DO list...
Ranger's designer challenge!...SENT!
New Ranger samples...SENT...
Can't wait to show you!!!

A goodie package to Cher, the random commenter...SENT!

Still ON the TO-DO list...
more book project instructions to type...
Maya Road samples to make...
Tim's idea-ology samples to make...

A NEW acrylic cover for the 4th release stamps needs to be done!

YIKES...I best get moving...

But before I go, here's a studio 490 peek....

Rick is like the "comment cop" around here...
he asks about the number of comments daily...

When I told him there were 71...he said...
hey...they deserve a peek...didn't you say you would?

OK dear...whatever...mr comment cop...

The magic number here is 4...
3 obvious...one...NOT
The scroll is a current stamp, so don't count that one...



Not a large share...I HAVE to save stuff for later!

See you tomorrow...

Susan makes another guest artist appearance...

she's an angel & you'll see why...

tomorrow!

until then...

stay warm...

make art!

wendy

ps...for Sherry from Ca who wanted me to feel bad for her because it rained ...(while we're bloody freezing here)...NOT! So sorry! You are warm...we are NOT!