here's how I got started...

here's how I got started...
a 20 minute podcast by Crazy BeYOUtiful

Friday, September 4, 2015

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, 

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
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
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 
I loved that one so much, 
that I wanted needed a bigger hosta...
it looks wonderful with 

 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, 
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



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
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...


here's another SPECIAL TREAT...
this link will take you to view the whole flyer...


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!





Friday, August 28, 2015

the countdown begins!

happy weekend my friends!

just a quick post to let you know that my new stamps, SiSis and _______
will be announced 
next Friday, September 4th!

I've been having so much fun making samples with these new goodies...

I'm currently working on kits 
for my class at the Collins event...
I've got 40 to get done...
and
50 make & take kits to make too...

I've been sharing tiny peeks of samples over at Instagram, if you'd like to follow me there...

just search my name...

I'm liking Instagram a lot...
it's quick & easy to post,
with no limit on the number of words allowed...

try it out!

search Instagram on Google...
or download the app from the App store...

here's the direct link to me...

https://instagram.com/wendyvecchi/


blogger is giving me fits about posting photos...
A G A I N...

so I'll post my peek over there...

have a GREAT weekend & take time to...

make art!
wendy



Thursday, August 20, 2015

looks like I ran out of time...

so no tutorial is ready...

I'm headed to California for the weekend & I spent several frantic days making samples for the new flyer & package insert using my new stamps, SiSi's and new mat minis...

I'm expecting these guys to be ready to ship in September, but I don't have an exact date...
stay tuned...
just as soon as Ted gives me the date, I'll post it here & show you everything...

there are 3 new stamp sets, 
3 new Stamp-it Stencil-its,
2 background stamps
and 2 mat minis...

what makes me super excited is that they all mix & match to make LOTS of cool combinations...

until then...
here's a few tiny peeks...





yes...I DO love flowers and I also LOVE to...

make art!
wendy

Monday, August 17, 2015

postponed...

UGGGGGGG...

my project is done...
photos are edited...

BUT...

Blogger is not allowing me to add photos to my blog post AGAIN...

I've rebooted several times over the last hour...and deleted the history, which has worked with this issue in the past...

SORRY for the delay...
it's A N N O Y I N G!

I'll be back when Blogger cooperates...

on a good note...

"OUT FOR DELIVERY" means that NEW stamps are arriving T O D A Y!!! 

it's a GREAT way to start the week!

I LOVE NEW stamps to...

make art!
wendy
ps...you'll find me sitting on the drive waiting for my fav UPS guy to arrive with the box of FRESH rubber!

Friday, August 14, 2015

in LOVE with...DIY archival pads...

I like products with multiple uses...

if you have archival reinkers...
you know they are for reinking your pads...
that's pretty obvious...

use #2...
use them with rubbing alcohol for awesome arty backgrounds...
I've done many posts about this technique...
it's a fun one with really great results...

if you need a technique refresher, 
compliments of Scrap-Time...

use #3...

reinkers are really good for 
tinting embossing paste, 
to create custom colors...
reinkers add very little fluid volume, 
so they don't change the consistency of the pastes...

now we have use #4...

custom archival ink pads...
oh yes! 
seriously...

IN LOVE...

here's the first custom pad I made...

you'll see a small stripe of 
toward the far left...
then some tree branch reinker...
the next is the fern green reinker... 
and on the far right 
is the lighter/brighter


I had this tree stamp in mind to use 
& it's so easy & adorable...

here's my scrap piece, that I used for the test...
I LOVE the progressive variation in the colors...
blending from one to the next...


I'm sure I'll be using this pad a lot, 
since I use lots of leaves in my projects...

using this pad will be an easy way to add shading/variation to leaves & stamped images...






here's the second pad I made...
I used only 2 colors of reinkers on this one...
to the left is watering can...
and the other half is tree branch...
it's a gorgeous combo!


I also used a third pad & 
added plain old rubbing alcohol...
it may evaporate rather quickly, 
but it's a cheap & easy fix 
to add more alcohol, 
to reactivate it...
I'm anxious to see how long it lasts...

do you want to see how I used that alcohol pad?
I guess you'll have to come back on Monday...

I'll have a tutorial then, 
showing a fun background technique...
have some 
ready to go...
it works very well......

hmmm...
what other color combos should I try?


some blues?
with violet?




so many color possibilities!...
thinking...
thinking...
thinking...

I'll see you on Monday 
with a new technique to use 
when YOU...

make art!
wendy

WAIT...

here's a sale code to use at Funkie Junkie...

when you checkout, just enter 

gettoknowus

for an extra 10% off the prices!
it's good 'til August 31...

congrats to Linda on acquiring eclecticPaperie!
Kim...enjoy your free time!