Autograph Sessions...Making Art with Wendy Vecchi

I am very excited to share this next artist/author with you.

Wendy Vecchi  has become one of the most sought-after

mixed media stamp artists in the U.S.  Her style is so relevant

to the new products on the market today.

On a personal note, I had a slight brush with this

wonderful artist as she became a customer of my

stamp store, which at this moment, seems a lifetime ago.

She has since become a stamp designer and author,

a design team member for Tim Holtz Ideaology, Maya Road

and is a Certified Ranger Instructor.

Her newest book, 'Make Art 490 Style Book 2'

is selling like crazy and I am really glad she had time

to visit with us here at The Open Window.

  Wendy ... I know you don't live too far down the road from

The Open Window.  Tell us where and what do you love about it?

We live on 5 acres in the country, outside of Oglesby, Illinois. 

We call it 'Green Acres'.

Think about this, just like the TV show:

bleach blonde...likes diamonds...

goofy, very sweet husband...plenty of animals.

I love my home because I have my studio here.  Walking

through the door makes me oh so happy!

A benefit to living in the country...no window treatments

are needed, so I have minimal valances, some of which are made

from cloth napkins.  That let's in LOTS of lights which I LOVE

and need to survive the dreadful Illinois winters.

I would love if you would share some of your professional 

creative credits with us...

Oh boy, mom said it's not nice to brag, but since you asked...

I'm living a fairytale.  I'm honored to be on the design teams for

Maya Road and Tim Holtz Ideaology, two very cool,

top-notch companies.  I'm also very happy to be Ranger's

exclusive demo artist, which means I demo for them at CHA

using their products.  Part of that requires making plenty of

art for their CHA booth.  I have also done some technique

videos and free tutorials.  Just check out Ranger.com.

I am also thrilled to have my own line of signature stamps called

Studio 490  They are manufactured by my friends

Ted & Michelle Cutts, owners of Stamper's Anonymous.

I was recently a guest instructor for Tim for the

Artful Voyage in Mexico.  It was an amazing experience

and I was totally honored to be a part of it.

I've been published in quite a few magazines both in

the U.S. and in the UK.

Which came first for you, rubber stamping or mixed media?

I've always done something creative...needlepoint, cross stitch,

tole painting.  When I found rubber stamps, I KNEW that was

exactly what I was looking for.  It all clicked and just made

sense to me.  I will be playing with rubber for a very long time.

 

It's obvious you have a passion for paper.

What else are you passionate about?

I LOVE the hunt...antiques to fit our home.

I LOVE organizing, especially art supplies.  Finding just the

right storage container makes me giddy!

Shopping is a passion.  My hubby says that if it were an 

Olympic event, I'd be on the center podium, but I'm not sure

if that's really a compliment...

I LOVE fresh flowers, too.  I could have a bouquet in every

room of the house, every day of the year.

You now have 2 books.  Writing is a creative process in

itself.  How does it compare to 'making art'?

It was much harder than I thought it would be.  I wanted to

write the instructions so that whoever bought the book could

follow them and make art.  I was lucky to be able to write it

exactly as I talk and add a bit of humor here and there.

I agonized over 'will they understand what I mean by this',

but the reviews have made me very happy.

What art tools can you NOT live without?

For sure my stamps and Ranger inks.  One tool that I LOVE

is my Genesis paper trimmer.  It's pricey, but worth every penny.

OK...I'll admit I am totally addicted to grungepaper and

chipboard mini-books.  Hey, you have to have something

to use those inks on!

 

In the creative world, what have you NOT done yet, that you

would really like to do?

Hmmm...I'd like to design some signature product, something

new, exciting and different.  No ideas yet, but I'm always thinking.

Who inspires you, living or otherwise?

I get the most inspiration from my friend, Tim Holtz.

His products are always fresh and I adore his style.

I also love to look at art made by

Jenni Bowlin and Rebecca Sower.

They each have a very distinct and unique style that I

find very inspiring.

Now for a little fun...

If you could be any fictional character,

who or what would it be?

I think Samantha from the TV show 'Bewitched'.  I could just

pop myself anywhere and avoid the drive to the airport.  I could

get to stores quicker and have more time to make art!

 

Any favorite snacks that you keep within reach in your studio?

Nope...my fingers are ALWAYS full of ink, so no eating

in the studio for me!

Coffee, tea...or something more potent?

Both and both, hot or cold...and I LOVE 

a good mojito, especially if it's made by my friend, Mario.

His are the best!  I love a good Cosmo, too.

What's one more thing that I haven't asked that

you would like to share?

I guess I want people to know that I was a surgical nurse for

30 years.  I have no art degree and you'll see no graphic design

on my resume either.  I believe with all my heart that if you

REALLY want to make art, YOU CAN!

I AM LIVING PROOF!

I've really enjoyed getting to know Wendy, haven't you?!

I hope you will visit Studio490art, Wendy's blog and I

would really appreciate it if you told her you read her

Autograph Session here at The Open Window.

 

Watch the March issue of Stamper's Sampler

as the guest artist is, Wendy Vecchi!

You can find Wendy's books and stamps

at Stamper's Anonymous and our friends in 

the UK can get yours from our other friend

Wendy, at The Stamp Attic.

IF YOU HAVE COME FOR A VISIT 

DIRECTLY FROM WENDY'S BLOG...

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT
TO SAY YOU WERE HERE.....

To read other autograph sessions,
just click for Diana Trout and Sue Roddis

Please leave a comment and let me know what you

think of Autograph Sessions.
I truly appreciate hearing from you!

Begging for Spring!

As I made a visit to my friend Julie Campbell's blog

I found one of the seven deadly sins setting in.

You guessed it...

ENVY!

 

I had already started working on this card last

night, but after seeing the lovely photos of

an early spring in California, I decided to get this

finished so I could get a decent photo

because the sunshine just isn't cooperating right now.

This is from the new 'Songbird' Collection from DCWV.

I did a little sewing and added buttons and

Diamond Stickles and the verse is a rub-on

(which is my BOO for the day...

I've had those FoReVeR!)

My favorite embellishment though, is the ribbon

detail that I tried my hand at thanks to the 

tutorial over at the Gingersnaps Creations blog.

Erika shows step-by-step this ultra-easy way to

make the gathered trim WITHOUT sewing.

I used fabulous textured satin ribbon from

Martha Stewart.

 

So did you visit yesterday?

I had a great time putting together the

'Autograph Sessions' interview with 

Diana Trout, author of 'Journal Spilling'.

If you missed it, just click here.

I also want to congratulate Jennie and Hels

over at The Artistic Stamper on their 400th follower.

Jennie is giving away another batch of blog candy 

to celebrate, so I hope you will stop by & say hello!

That's it for today....but before I go,

here is what I want to know.....

What technique or product for paper crafting

have you NOT tried yet, but really want to?

I've been thinking about some tutorials for you

and would love to know what trips YOUR trigger!

Leave a comment and let's see what we come up with!

Autograph Sessions...Journal Spilling with Diana Trout

 

You may remember back in November, I kicked off this

new feature with internationally-known UK paper artist

Sue Roddis.

The feedback from that session was fabulous and now

I am pleased to tell you that I have a line-up of

tremendous authors and artists to share with you.

Just a quick recap on how this idea came about...

My dear friend Sarah Anderson

(The Art of Moodling) sent me an autographed copy

of Sue's book 'Handmade Decorative Books'

(click here for that Autograph Session)

and I thought it would be a great thing if we could do

something similar online, so that we could have a chance

to meet authors and other creative contributors to publications.

Coincidentally enough, Sarah has been featuring the author

of the next session on her blog over the past few weeks, so

I thought now is a terrific time to share her with you, too!

So here is my time with Diana Trout author of...

Diana...where in the US do you live & what do you love about it?

I live in Glenside, PA just outside of Philadelphia.  Glenside is great!

We call it 'Mayberry'.  I could never live far from a big city, though,

and I take full advantage of the arts and communities.

I love the hills and forests of Pennsylvania which have been a

major influence in my art-making.

I would love if you would 'toot your own horn' and share

a few of your professional credits with us...

I've been making art professionally for more than 30 years (yikes!).

I attended University of the Arts and Pennsylvania Academy of

Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

I've been published in several zines such as 'DogEared Magazine',

Teesha Moore's 'Play, Art & Life' and 'The Studio'.

I've had articles in 'Cloth, Paper Scissors' and 'Bound & Lettered'

and have published two zines, 'Something I Forgo't and 'Springfed'.

I've shown my work in numerous art shows in PA, NY & NJ

and at regional craft shows.

I am currently showing with a diverse and dynamic group of 

Philadelphia-based women artists called Mamacita.

I teach from my studio, in art centers and libraries.

I recently began teaching nationally at Art & Soul.

You have recently published 'Journal Spilling'. 

As one who journals, how is this type of writing different?

I love writing 'how-to's' and my years of teaching was great

practice for writing 'Journal Spilling'.  It's quite fun for me to write

this way because I start with the left-brain 'how-to' and then

my right-brain takes over for some magic.

Some areas of the book were written in a

'stream-of-consciousness' or 'spill-writing',

as I do in my own journal.

I enjoyed working with the North Light team.

I'm pretty disciplined and I love deadlines, so I break

projects down into do-able bits.

Most of all, 'Journal Spilling' was a realized dream I have

had for many years; bringing an accessible art-making

process to a whole bunch of people.

 

It's obvious you have a passion for art.

What else are you passionate about?

The top of my list is family, friends, students and my cat.

Paper and fabric in any form, reading, music, nature, color,

pattern, sewing and soup making.  Creative problem-solving

makes me very happy and I love to work with students

and help them find solutions.

What age group do you find most 'teachable' when it

comes to journaling?

Oh wow, I've taught all ages...teens through seniors and

everyone is super receptive.  When teaching a new group,

I spend a few moments getting a sense of my audience's

interests and experience, that way I can tailor my teaching.

Keeping an open dialogue and circling the room like an 

eagle on the lookout, I try to engage everyone on their

own level.  Very exciting!

What are tools can you NOT live without?

I love my watercolors, Caran d'Arche water-soluble crayons

and Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils.  When I travel light,

I take just the crayons, a water brush, spray bottle and

a black pen.

In the creative world, what have you NOT done yet

that you would really like to do?

Encaustics.  I took a workshop once and am really drawn

to the look of encaustics.  The veils of colors and patterns

and the ability to use collage within layers of wax is

very appealing.

 

 Who inspires you, living or otherwise?

Carol McDonald.  She is a Vermont artist who I

found on a recent trip there.  I am entranced by her

textile prints.  Of late, I'm in love with

Cy Twombly (again).

Now it's time for a little fun...

If you could be any fictional character,

who or what would it be?

Dr. Ellie Arroway in the movie Contact pops to mind.

Jodie Foster plays this scientist and dreamer.  In my mind,

that's a killer combination.  I have a huge respect for

scientists and mathematicians and sometimes I pretend

I am a scientist.  I guess on reflection, she speaks to me because

she has a solid faith in something and then takes a leap of faith

to prove it.  It's sort of like knowing the answer to an

equation and then working backwards.  I really admire

folks who can think that way.

Coffee, tea...or something more potent?

Irish Breakfast tea in vast quantities in the morning.

Herbal teas the rest of the day.  I love my Yogi Tea.

Something more potent?

Sure!  I'll have a Belgian white beer, do you have draft?

In your creative space, TV or music?

What show or artist?

Music.  I love my iPod.  Some of my favs are:

Josh Joplin, Simon Shaheen, Joni Mitchell,

Nellie McKay, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald.

I love just about anything but rock.

 

I've really enjoyed getting to know Diana, haven't you?!

I hope you will visit 'Hub Bub', Diana's blog and I

would really appreciate it if you told her you read her

Autograph Session here at The Open Window.

I know her book is available at Barnes & Noble stores

and at bn.com

Please leave a comment and let me know what you

think of Autograph Sessions....you will definitely want

to stay tuned for who's coming up next!

Lots of Fun to Share

It's been a really nice day here in Northern Illinois...55 degrees as I post this message.  But alas, it is not to last.  The temps are due to dip down into the 20's by tomorrow with yes, a bit of snow.

So I made this little card because of it's cheery colors.

I used a variety of fun things to get this one done.  I embossed the Basic Grey background using my new Cuttlebug Paisley EF which I got my friend Mona.  I made a matching paper flower with the Scalloped Nestibilities and finally, finished off the border with my Martha Stewart Loop punch.

Yes...it's a lot of matchy-matchy...but I think it works!

At the end of this post I have some great news

for those who LOVE this border,

so make sure you keep reading.

So I was very excited to receive an email from my friend Heidi who runs the blog for GCD Studios.  If you have been reading my blog for very long, you KNOW I LOVE GCD STUDIOS!  Heidi wanted to let me know that one of my cards was featured on their blog as they were honoring past blog candy winners and fans, of which I am BOTH.  If you click HERE, you can read the post and

you will find my card.

Then today, the FedEx truck stopped by to deliver these 3 fabulous sets from GCD Studios!

Included in the box were some fabulous embellishment packages to go with the latest release of the 'Artsy Urban' Collection by Melody Ross.  So I am looking forward to working with these
FABU collections!

In case you though I had forgotten about the 'Autograph Sessions' with our artists and authors, I truly have not.  On the contrary....in fact, I have been working to edit all the fabulous information that has been shared by these wonderful folks and am hoping to get a new Session up in just a few days.  To whet your appetite though, I can tell you that we have a couple of wonderful 'famous' stamp designers along with mixed media artists and workshop instructors and of course, our authors, whose books really tell the story.  Speaking of story, if you love art journaling, you are going to love our next guest, so make sure you stay tuned!

DESIGN TEAM CALL
If you hadn't heard, The Open Window has announced a design team call for those who specialize in vintage/retro paper arts.  There are so many wonderful places to draw inspiration from for lovers of vintage and we have a new challenge blog that we want to include in that list.
To get more details, click HERE!
Some of my favorite vintage-style blogs are:
A Vintage Chic, Iralamija, Lilybean's Paperie
Some of my favorite retro-style blogs are:
Gauche Alchemy, Just Add Glitter & Stir, A Vintage Spirit and Chronically Vintage

Visiting these blogs may help you to know if you have THE STYLE!

Last but not least, I have heard from a number of you who are just not able to get your hands on one of my favorite punches, the Martha Stewart Loop punch.  So I thought I would go ahead and offer some of my favorite borders to you in my Etsy Store.

These are the borders I used in the card above and they are ready for you to add to your cards and scrapbook pages.  They are large enough to cut in half so you double what you already get AND many of these are double-sided papers, so you have more choices.

So click here or on my link at the top of my sidebar to see what choices are there.

I will do my best to add to the selection as quickly as I can.

Long post....long overdue!  Thanks for hanging in with me.
that greeting card at the top...

That's for YOU!

A Graphic45 Weekend...What Are You Doing?

Just in case my absence from posting has caused you to believe I have fallen off the face of the earth...not so!  I have been catching up on a lot of things over the past couple of days.  You know how it is....you go away and when you return, you have no idea how the worked piled up so high!

But before I tell you about some of the things I am working on, let me tell you about this project.

  As I mentioned earlier in the week, I found a wonderful selection of Graphic45 papers at a scrapbooking store in Cedarburg, Wisconsin and boy, was I excited!  So today was a good quiet day for me to get to work on using those papers.  I made these pumpkins last week using a die cut from QuicKutz and a little Diamond Stickles.

The paper is from the 'Domestic Goddess' and 'Christmas Past' Collections.  I love the sheets of coordinating tags and found a use for two of them here.  The stamped sentiment is from Wordsworth and the Impression Obsession swirls were stamped using VersaMark.  The garnet rhinestones are Martha Stewart.  I finished it off with a little vintage lace, metal embellishments and some jute cord for the large tag, which really adds to the texture.

There are no fewer than 8 layers on this card...
and I really enjoyed making it!

I mentioned that I have been busy working on a lot of things lately and here is what I CAN tell you is happening as early as the coming week here at The Open Window:

The next installment of my new feature 'Autograph Sessions'...in fact, I have interviews with some very well-known, accomplished paper artists and authors to run through the rest of the year.

A BIG announcement regarding The Play Date Cafe Challenge...complete with sneak peeks and more prizes to play...but that's all I can say!

A HUGE sale is coming up in my ETSY store, as I am totally redoing it for the holidays, so I hope you will take advantage of some pretty big savings...I will announce the date for that soon.

Some fabulous BLOG CANDY giveaways are also coming...so you don't want to miss a visit!

Here is what I want to know from you...what is YOUR IDEA of the most relaxing Sunday afternoon or whatever afternoon is your favorite...leave me a comment and tomorrow, I will share my answer to that question with you.  For me, the answer is so easy, but in my mind, the details are lovely...