come visit the Ranger blog!

I hope you can take a few minutes to

pop over to 

the Ranger blog 

for a tutorial for

 a THANK YOU card...

here's a little peek...

it uses the 

new rectangle collage background stamp

and the new 

select-a-sentiment stamp-it stencil-it...

I found it here...

and...here...

and here...

if you have the 

original select-a stencil upper case and 

lower case, they work perfectly in the label area...

you can say anything...

any word...

any name...

any date...

and just a little scoop...

this is one hugely popular (just restocked)

 stamp-it stencil-it, 

so expect to see an add on, that's a perfect fit...

shhh...

that a secret...

for blog friends only!

in the tutorial you'll learn 2 ways to use my new

gorgeous enamel accents...

if you haven't tried them...

I hope this will give you some ideas...

I love to add Dina's (paint tip)

fine tip applicator

 to the enamel accents...

just pop off the nozzle and 

screw the applicator on...

 you can make dots extra easily...

and the stylet keeps 

the enamel accents flowing...

I'm loving multicolored background stamping, and it's so easy with tim's stamp platform...

this is a GREAT must have tool...

every detail was 

very well planned and perfectly executed...

I'm using it daily!

this combo of potting soil and watering can is a favorite, with the new 

rectangle collage background stamp...

brown & grey doesn't sound too cool,

 but trust me...

IT IS!

here's the new mini archival pads...

they'll be shipping soon...

after you have them, 

I'll be posting some fun ways to use them...

they are super convenient for adding multiple colors to a stamp...

it's TRUE...

size DOES matter!

ps...they are super cute too!

OK...

ready...

set...

GO 

over to Ranger and check it out!

after that...

I think you should 

enjoy yourself and

make art!

wendy

enamel accents technique...

sometimes an idea works &

 you can share a fun NEW technique...

this one DID work...

here's another way to use enamel accents...

I posted a 1 minute video yesterday,

 explaining this technique 

using my new enamel accents...

you can see it here on Instagram...

and here on Facebook...

for some reason Blogger won't publish it here...

probably tech error on my part...

anyway...

here's the tag I made using the technique...

it's the same tag you see in the video...

I started with  a #8 heavystock tag...

it's a very nice surface to work on...

it's swiped with potting soil and

watering can enamel accents...

they're thin & when applied this way, 

they dry in about 2 minutes & add

 both texture & shine...
they also act as a resist for inks...

I used my "never enough hearts" stencil & traced the heart on the back of the tag, then cut it out...

tracing on the back is best, 
that way no tracing lines show, if your cutting isn't perfect...

here's the heart...

I inked the white edges with potting soil...

to create the background for the heart,  

I used a #8 heavy stock tag...

it's cut down to 5 ½ inches tall...

I inked the tag with orange blossom & 

cornflower blue archival, 

then added potting soil to the edges...

I stenciled the square grate on the left side of the tag with cornflower blue...

then stenciled some polka dots with potting soil over the square grate stencil...

moving on to the right side, 

I knew the ink was not completely dry & that embossing powder would stick where there was wetness...

perfect...

I wanted melted embossing powder

in the background as extra texture, 

but with no foiling...

I was careful to only added bits of foil on the stamped lines,

so I wouldn't end up with a big blob of foil...

I inked the old wood floor background with cornflower & sprinkled on the  

cornflower blue embossing powder & melted it...

I reheated it & pressed the 

turquoise foil sheet

over the warm embossing powder...

it will release easily when it has transferred...

it takes just a few seconds...

here's a video that explains 

how EASY this is......

***I am addicted to foiling 

the embossing powder***

be warned!

if you try it...

I'm NOT responsible

for YOUR addiction...

haha!

I added 3 pieces of tim's new design tape

all 3 are from the new aristocrat set...

I used watering can to stamp the flourishes that you see below...

look closely & you'll see the screen background stamped in several places, 

using the 3rd generation tiger lily...

(I stamped off 2 times)

I wanted it barely visible...

here's the tag base...

next are the components...

the little "make art" is from 

the "just say it" background stamp...

stamped with jet black onto a scrap, then inked with potting soil & orange blossom...

the new mat mini flower was stamped with cornflower blue, using the plaid background, embossed with cornflower blue embossing powder, then foiled with the same turquoise foil sheet...

the center is a hex head fastener, inserted thru a fluted fastener collar, then thru a mini gear...

I held the pieces together with a hemostat, 

heated them as one, 

then dipped them into the cornflower blue embossing powder...

the hot metal holds the embossing powder in place...

once cooled, I used the sanding grip to sand part of the hex head back to the original color...

those leaves are tim's gold 

metallic kraftcore cardstock 

glued to clear, clearly for art...

they're die cut, 

then inked with fern green...

I sprinkled on the 

frosted crystal embossing powder 

to give it a bumpy look...

crummy photo...

but trust me...it's pretty cool!

***since archival inks are translucent, you can easily change the color of these metallic card stocks & tint them to any color of metallic***

then I stamped over them with 

the "les roses" background with watering can...

I cut off the last 2 leaves, because

I thought it was a bit too long...

but then...

I dug them out of the trash...

this is normal for me...

and turned them the opposite way when I added them to the heart...

why?

NO CLUE...

but I liked it!

here's the tag all assembled...

I used Ranger's black foam adhesive tape 

under the heart to add dimension...

it's great stuff for it's adhesive properties & the perfect dimension!

I added an extra strip of the same 

aristocrat design tape 

to the bottom, edged the tag with the tarnished brass paint dabber & used 

my CUTE

forget-me-not enamel accents...

to add some dots...

it's got a vintage feel & when the light hits it, 

the bling is really cool!

I hope you'll

give this enamel accents technique a try & 

you'll see how fun it is...

have a GREAT weekend...

I hope YOU can

take some time to...

make art!

wendy

one stamp 2 ways...

rubber stamps offer 

endless creative opportunities...

they never need to be used the same way... 

here's the new rose, 

done as a single layer, on a simple card...

it's stamped on heavystock & colored with distress markers...

I know I used abandoned coral, 

festive berries & I forgot the other colors...

for the leaves peeled paint, mowed lawn & I think scattered straw?

I painted over the flower with 

my buttercup mica spray...

I didn't get a good photo of the bling, 

but it looks really nice...

I made several CHA samples using 

tim's sizzix stitched oval dies...

here, I used the leftovers 

to make a simple layered frame for the card...

the dots?

YES...

watering can enamel accents...

in the background & 

leaf green enamel accents dots accent the leaves...

they're a perfect fit for my Ranger product line...

don't toss any small lids in the trash...

they make great stamps for enamel accents!

I'll be talking lots more about them & showing more ways to use them...

enamel accents are awesome!

I kept this card simple & added a mat mini heart & tiny butterfly...

so, here is the clean & simple 

one layer version of the rose...

the next sample shows the same rose, but with multiple layers...

it's stamped on clearly for art, that was covered with my newsprint paper...

it's lightly inked with sunflower & orange blossom, then stamped over with 

the new screen background, 

using orange blossom for a tone on tone effect...

I LOVE the sentiment & it's true...

agree?

you'll spot the new rectangle grate stencil in the background...

instead of adding color thru the stencil, I lightened/removed color...

I used rubbing alcohol, since my background was 

created with sky blue & orange blossom archival inks...

now about that frame...

this "THING"

took on a mind of it's own & I doubt I'll ever recreate another exactly like this...

it's a cheapo $1.00 bare wood frame...

I inked it with cornflower blue, then I added cornflower blue embossing powder...

I was going to use the faux graniteware technique, but that didn't seem to fit the style of my rose...

ok...

PLAN B...

I warmed the embossing powder & added foil...

then I got carried away & had way TOO much foil...

Ranger's foil sheets 

stick to warm embossing powder...

FUN FUN FUN...

but I used 10 times too much...

YIKES!

ok...

PLAN C...

I inked over the foil with cornflower blue & added more cornflower embossing powder...

when I melted the embossing powder, I think the oil based archival ink (sitting over the foil) 

created bubbles...

holy cow!

flipping cool...

love the texture!

the areas that had more ink, bubbled more...

the embossing powder even make cracks in a few spots...

to continue on with the cracks, I used the 

all cracked up background stamp 

with watering can archival ink...

and it turned out looking like this...

the frame is about 5 x 5 inches...

here's a closer look at both 

the layered rose & the frame...

one stamp...

2 different ways...

this is why I LOVE rubber stamps so much...

and 

a lesson learned...

keep going even if it's UGLY...

and believe me it was!

you just may end up with something cool...

NEW Stampers Anonymous products 

start shipping TODAY...

YIPPEE!

be watching for them to start arriving next week!

I scored some GOOD stuff at CHA...

I demoed & came home with 

tim's stamp platform...

 it's perfect...

I like the size...

we can easily stamp on the center of a 12x12...

I like the rulers on the side & at the top...

I like the sturdy cover/lid because it doesn't cave in when you stamp...

seriously strong!

I like the convenient tab for opening the lid...

that is super convenient...

I like the full magnetic base with no extra pieces to keep track of...

I like that the lid/cover can be flipped, so that it accommodates both red rubber cling stamps & clear stamps...

I like that it's VERY easy to clean...

and I think the price is GREAT!

if you're wondering if you NEED one...

I'll just say that

I REALLY do love it!

you can hint to your Valentine,

get the stamp platform &

 skip the candy calories!

I'm LOVING it for adding multiple colors to stamps...

add a little ink, stamp...

add more color in another section & stamp...

keep going for perfect placement every time!

I think this is a great tool for large background stamps too...

those aren't always the easiest to get a perfect image every time...

here's the cutie...

here's a little video 

showing my 3 designer bags...

these are really nice & so is the price...

they come as a set of 3...

speaking of the bags...

I like my stampers anonymous stencil binder for all my stencils, 

but the new select a stencils 

are too large for the art parts stencil binder...

the rotating window makes them larger too...

BUT they fit into the medium bag...

perfectly!

now they're nice & safe & easily stored & protected for transport...

that's it from me for now...

I hope your weekend will include some time to...

make art!

wendy

ps...

if you're in the Texas area, 

stop & visit Ted

in Plano...

the scoop is here...

stampers anonymous new product reveal...

FINALLY...

studio 490 presents...

NEW cool stuff!

this release was designed 

to be an extension of the last release...

you'll see how current "things"
 fit together very well with the NEW...

card makers will be happy (I think)...

we've been listening to you...
we got requests for more card sentiments & mat minis with cards in mind...

you might see a bit of a transformation...
I'm using less brown...
SHOCKING...

I STILL REALLY LOVE BROWN...
but with my gorgeous
Ranger archival inks, 
I want to use them!
so I guess now it's vintage with color???
at least for now!

let's start with the 5 new stamp sets...

the first set is

PARTY ART...

the friendly gangster guy is a fav...

you can mask off portions of the sentiments to change them...

stamp his hat on a scrap, 
cut it out & layer it...

lots of ideas...

love the sentiment lower right...
my brother will be getting that!

set #2 is...

flourishing art...

I love the scruffy mirror image leaves...

the flower is fun to cut & layer multiple times & it fits with these & lots of other leaves & stems we already have...

create a complete collage with this set!

set #3...

art in a jar...

interchangeable flowers...

easy to cut out...

put them (or lots of others) in the jar...

it's a shrunken version of a previous jar...

so now we have 2 sizes to put together...

LOVE the sentiments...

set #4...

mix & match art...

gorgeous...

fun to color...

easy to cut out...

flowers!

the current & NEW mat mini flowers 
fit that image 

on the top left...

and so do LOTS of other flowers we have...

and set #5...

country garden art...

the mat mini bird house 

 (from the last release)

is a perfect fit for this birdhouse on the post...

the post also makes a great sign & a place for a sentiment...

just mask off the birdhouse before stamping, 
glue a sentiment over it to change it to a sign...

next up

 4 new single background stamps...

I think backgrounds are a great investment...

they never go out of style...

these first 2 are from previous sets...

brought back as individual backgrounds,

 per your request...

this is REALLY a blast from the past...

from my very first release back in 2008...

if you have LCS002...

you have this one!

if not...you'll want it...

trust me...

the screen...

still LOVE it LOTS!

you'll see it used on so many samples...

the simple image doesn't compete & can be used with any design or style...

it's great stamped over flowers & leaves...

it's a full background or stamp portions for a random effect...

and the herringbone...

another good basic to have...

I like to stamp it on 
mat mini leaves to add detail...

here are the 2 brand new 

backgrounds...

these are

a new collage style...

rectangle collage...

use vertically or horizontally...

it's a great starting point to build on...

there's enough detail to be interesting, 

but still plenty of area to stamp, stencil, layer...

GREAT with embossing powder!

I use it sometimes with 

the MISTI to add multiple ink colors...

potting soil & watering can 
is a really nice combo...

as is garden patina with leaf green...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this one too!

sizzix has a 4 inch BIGZ circle die 

that's a great fit...

I've been using it with
my magic mat board...

soooo fun...

it's circle collage...
it works turned in any direction...

next up...

stencils...

we added a brand new "category"

 to the stencil line...

introducing...

stitching templates...

here's the scoop on how they work...

I protect my work surface with

 a piece of thick (6mm) craft foam

and use tim's sizzix die pick 
to poke thru the stencil...

you could use the craft pick too...

we are starting with 2 designs...

based on your response to the sneak peeks...

holy cow! 

you liked them!

THANKS so much!!! 

I LOVE them too!

shhh...

I'm already thinking of more...

I've used them with regular thin sewing thread & they're awesome with
tim's new craft thread...

it's much thicker & really adds 

nice detail to your art...

already have embroidery thread?

that works fine too!

we can also use the stitching templates

 as a regular stencil...

to add inks &

 embossing paste...

and...

as a template for adding

 perfectly placed brads or eyelets...
just use a pencil to dot the spots you want...

here's the first stitching template...

rectangle frames...

use one frame or multiple...

 I'll share some other ideas too,

 on how to create other stitches, using this template...

you'll see a peek of that 

on my instagram page...

here's rectangle frames...

the second stitching template is...

circle frames...
use one frame or several...

use just half to create a rainbow!

I'm hooked on circles!

next up, 

the 4 new stencils...

 look at this cutie...

MINI BRICKS!!!

simply adorable for smaller arts...

shrunken down to about 75%...

perfect!

the last release had

 the "all cracked up" background...

team it up & stamp it over the bricks to add 

cracks to the stenciled bricks...

the next 3 stencils

 were all inspired

 by vintage grates

 that we've come across

 on our treasure hunts...

I love vintage metal

 (almost as much as I love sandals)...

this first guy is so cool when you use only half...

can't wait to show you!

circle grate...

next...

rectangle grate...

love the whole thing...

or

use just a row or 2 to create a border...
works vertical or horizontal...

and the 3rd new stencil...

square grate...

as my final step for one project,

 I applied my translucent embossing paste 

thru this stencil, over the inked background...

it reminds me of 

my grandmother's newly waxed

linoleum tile kitchen floor!

LOVE this guy!

moving on...

stamp-it stencil-its 

are a favorite to design & use...

the stencil acts as a stencil & a mask...

there are several stencil "areas" on each

 stencil, which makes it quick to add multiple colors with the blending tool...

first you stamp the image, 

then place the coordinating stencil OVER the stamped image...

that allows us to easily ink areas,

 using a blending tool, while the background is protected by the stencil...

super fun & quick...

I like the mini round blending tool best for stenciling...

we have 5 new stamp-it stencil-it sets...

the first...

leaves & berries...

stamp first...

then

ink the leaves...

then reposition the other part of the stencil

 to ink only the berries...

add a flower or 2 over the top...

magic!

you'll notice them on the flyer cover 

photo at the top of the post......

next we have...

orange blossom collage...

it makes a quick nice card front...

it's a nice large flower to stamp on a scrap & cut out to combine with something else or layer over to create a dimensional image...

fits lots of occasions...

these are kind of hard to see in the package, so I stamped it to show you the details...

the wild rose collage is so pretty...

again...hard to see, so here it is stamped...

 this guy has a large flower to cut out & layer, 

if desired...

or pair it with other leaves...

the next one is soooo cute &

 it's fun to customize her hat...

you can see this stencil has multiple "areas" to add ink...

meet

paper doll!

here's #5...

this makes a great 1 layer card 

or it can be cut out & layered...

use the leaves & stem only with a different flower...

I LOVE...

gardenia...

to change it up & make is shorter, 

I chopped off the top leaves & the flourish...

I just used the flower & bottom 2 leaves...

actually we have 6 in the stamp-it stencil it category...

this last one is a little different & 

for sure

 the most versatile 

E V E R...

it's kind of the deluxe version...

the select a stencils from the last release

 are very popular & they gave me the idea

 to design this one...

the rotating window protects the background & allows us to stencil

 with the mini round blending tool...

this is called select a sentiment...

just like the other stamp-it stencil-its, 

you stamp the flourish first,

then each of the sentiments will perfectly fit in the label area...

just move the rotating window in place...

the flourish stamp can also be used with stamp sentiments from other sets and the stenciled sentiments can be used without the stamp on cards...

I TRUELY adore

select a sentiment...

you can mix the words to create other sentiments too...

the stamp can have the flourishes on the left or right...

this makes cardmaking a breeze & we get so many options from

select a sentiment...

I saved the 4 new mat minis for last...

quite frankly...

these are so cute, I can hardly stand it...

and the pricing for these sets is just 4.95!

mat minis area great for cards, 

since they're light weight, but strong...

wait 'til you see them used as planner clips...

oh yes! you'll have fun making them...

first up...

the homestead...

the cutest little saltbox houses...

2 sizes of houses...tall & short...

2 different roof styles...

and 2 sizes of pine trees...

and the tiny dormer/awning accent...

each piece is separate so they can be inked or stamped...

32 white pieces total...

I'm IN LOVE with 

the homestead...

 the last release had lots of 

birthday sentiments on this set...

now we have coordinating

mat mini celebrations...

to create adorable cards...

there are balloons, in 3 sizes...

cakes...each piece is individual for easy inking/stamping ...

even the little scallop "frosting" is a tiny piece...

there's a plate for the cake...

and we have 

the sweetest mini candles 

to add to the cake or cupcake...

we can ink the cake...

stamp the pieces or

 run them thru an embossing folder 

to add texture...

we can add glitter icing...

and we can

add embossing pastes...

 we have a 2 piece MINI cupcake...

it's about the size of a nickel...

seriously...

cute!

our guy Matt at Stampers Anonymous

made these minis possible!

THANKS MATT!

LOOK at the cupcake!

there are 44 white pieces in this set...

hello...

celebrations...

I'll never have enough 

flowers & leaves...

 E V E R!

 they were designed to work well with the flowers & leaves from the last release...

you can

ink, stamp, stencil, paint, glitter, 

cover with paper & emboss with embossing folders...

that's why I adore mat minis...

so easily customizable...

there are 2 styles of flowers...

each has 3 sizes to use alone or layer...

and I LOVE the leaves...

30 white pieces of fun...

flowers & leaves...

I about fainted when

 I got this mat mini sample...

MINI BRICKS!

there are no words...

I smile every time I see them!

use just a few of them 

with the regular sized brick stencil...

creating a random worn wall like the package insert...

after gluing some bricks in place,

 to create the partial brick wall,

I covered them with my brick embossing powder recipe...

they look authentic...

there's 104 mini bricks...

these make a great guy card base...

great starting point for mixed media art...

over the top cool!

so many uses

for them...

I used 5 rows of them 

for a short wall with a ledge to set "stuff" on......

AND...

you can use the left over frame too...

you can add them to vignette boxes...

and so much more...

I adore

mini bricks!

here are some bundle deals...

all 5 stamp sets...

all 4 background stamps...

the stamp-it stencil-it bundle...

stencil bundle...

mat mini bundle...

so these are my newest babies...

I'm super excited to show you more samples...

and

I'm anxious to hear your favorites...

I'll be posting full samples, ideas & photos after CHA starts...

I'll do my best to put some photos

on instagram while I'm there, if you'd like to follow me...

I'm liking the 1 minutes videos there...

NOW

SHIPPING INFO...

NO LONG WAIT...

thank you TED!

shipping starts on January 27th...

give them a few days to travel from Cleveland to your fav shopping spot...

store owners are headed to their big 

buying event this week called

CHA Creativation...

let them know 

what you'd like them to get for you!

BUT WAIT...

THERE'S MORE...

I'll be back

 on THURSDAY morning

at 11AM...

with 

my Ranger news...

yippee!

I hope you're inspired to...

make art!

wendy

ps...a million thanks for your support & thanks for taking the time to visit!

I know this post was L O N G!