Greetings from CHA!

Greetings from CHA Winter 2012!  We have a few pictures from the Ranger booth that we wanted to share with you today:

Our fabulous "What's New" wall, featuring Dylusions, Distress Markers, Liquid Pearls, Inkssentials Clear Fabric Medium, Inkssentials Collage Glue Stick, Ice Stickles, Inkssentials Surfaces Specialty Stamping Paper, Melt Art Texture Treads, Vintaj Patinas and more!

Our Designer Challenge for this show was to decorate a paper mache dress form with Liquid Pearls and Stickles.  (Those of you who watched Alain's Extreme Stickling episode will no doubt recognize the dress form on the far right!)

The other side of our Designer Challenge display.

Wendy Vecchi demos in the Ranger booth.

Debbie Tlach demonstrates Melt Art.

Tim Holtz's demo was mobbed!!

If you're at CHA, please stop by Booth #1338 and say hello!  We always love to hear from our fans.

NEW!! Tim Holtz Distress Markers, and Melt Art Texture Treads!!

Here we go!!  This week we will be announcing all the fabulous products that Ranger will be offering at CHA Winter 2012!  Are you so excited?!  We are too!

And what a way to kick things off:

Yes!!  Everything you love about Distress is now at your fingertips, thanks to the new Tim Holtz Distress Markers!  These fabulous markers are dual-tipped with a fine detail tip as well as a brush tip, and they come in all 36 Distress colors PLUS White Picket Fence!  They are the perfect choice for doodling, journaling, coloring, stamping, shading and more.  You will be able to purchase these open-stock to grow your collection over time, or as a canister set containing all 37 colors.  Amazing or what?!  Be sure to check out the official press release to learn more about the new Distress Markers.

And if THAT wasn't exciting enough:

We are proud to announce a new addition to the Melt Art line: Texture Treads!  The Texture Treads were specially designed to be used with UTEE and feature a unique mirror-image design so you can achieve a variety of looks and textures just from one Tread.  Pour UTEE directly onto the Texture Tread, or stamp the Texture Tread into UTEE poured onto a Non-Stick Craft Sheet.  You can use Texture Treads with polymer clay, too.  Heck, you could even ink them up and use them just like rubber stamps!  The designs are really beautiful and versatile, and we are sure you'll love them.  The official press release has more information about all six designs.

Check back tomorrow for more exciting product announcements!

New Year's Organization

 
Happy New Year, everyone!!  So let's see a show of hands: how many of you have made New Year's Resolutions to finally organize your craft space?

Wow, that's a lot of you!

Never fear, Ranger is here to help.  We have a plethora of organizational products and tools that will help you to sort your crafting stash.

For example, we have the Inkssentials Craft Spinner (which can be stacked up to three tiers high) for keeping your Ink Blending Tools, Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers, Jenni Bowlin for Ranger Paint Dabbers, Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Stickles, re-inkers and more within easy reach:

We also have free, printable labels available for download from our website, so you can label the sides of your ink pads for easy retrieval:

We even have blank color charts that you can fill in with the colors of inks, paints, Stickles and more that are currently in your collection:

Our fans are pretty clever and innovative when it comes to organizing and storing their favorite Ranger products, too!  Check out some of these great ideas that we found online:

Christie Hund affixed a metal strip under her crafting cabinets and attached all of her Stickles bottles using magnets. Gravity keeps the Stickles ready to use at any time!

Ron Wilhelm has a different solution for upside-down Stickles storage: PVC couplings glued together in a honeycomb-like arrangement!

Ron uses PVC pipes to hold Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers, too!

So let us know, Ranger fans: in what clever ways do you store and organize your favorite Ranger goodies?  Let us know and on January 6th we will select a winner, who will receive:

...a Tim Holtz idea-ology Trinket Case AND...

...a Tim Holtz idea-ology Cargo Case!

Post pictures of your crafty solutions on our Facebook wall, too!  We'd love to see them, and you just might inspire a fellow Ranger fan to get organized in 2012.

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 9

 
On the 9th day of Christmas, Ranger gave to me..... more great ornament ideas for all my tree-trimming needs!

Susan Baldwin's filmstrip-inspired ornament was created with:

• Perfect Pearls Mists in Interference Red
• Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Black Soot
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixative in Silver
• Archival Ink Pad in Jet Black
• Embossing Tinsel in Silver
• Inkssentials Wonder Tape
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Tim Holtz by Tonic Studios Kushgrip Snips and Retractable Craft Pick
• Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix: Filmstrip Frames Decorative Strip Die and Vagabond Machine

Debbie Tlach's Poinsettia Pocket ornament was made using:

• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas in Natural
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint in Modern Red, Landscape Green and Classic Teal 
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Black Gesso

Terry Horvath's reindeer snow globe ornament was created with:

• Inkssentials Surfaces Shrink Plastic
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Inkssentials Heat It Craft Tool
• Melt Art Melting Pot
• UTEE Clear
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Artist Brushes
• Tim Holtz Rock Candy Distress Stickles
• Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix Bigz: Winter Wonderland, Reindeer Flight, Holly Branch and Pine Tree
• Embossing Tinsel in Bridal & Snowflake
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixatives in Silver and Snow Cap 
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Citrus, Bottle, Caramel and Ginger
• Inkssentials Glossy Accents

What great ornaments today!  You know what else is great?  Winning prizes just for leaving comments on our blog posts!  The lucky winner from yesterday's post is Karen Linkogle:

"When I decorate my tree my favorite part is remembering the history of the ornaments. I love hanging the ones that my children made and seeing them now as adults and remembering how they were when they created the ornament. Haley will certainly be celebrated for years to come on her Christmas tree! Thanks for the warm fuzzies and for reminding us how special it is to craft with our children! PS I love the ornaments!"

Thanks, Karen!  We couldn't agree more, and we hope you have fun creating memories with the Ranger goodies that we will be sending you.

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 8

 
It's the eighth day in Ranger's 12 Days of Ornaments series! The holidays are a wonderful time to spend creating memories with family, and so today we have some glittery treats courtesy of a mother-daughter craft team!

Aimee Billington created a double-ended photo ornament using:

• Inkssentials Memory Glass, 2x2 clear
• Inkssentials Memory Frames, 2x2 Black Patina
• Stickles in Silver and Christmas Red
• Liquid Pearls in Silver Pearl
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Winter Seasonal Series

This colorful, sparkling ornament was created by Aimee's daughter Haley, who is only four years old!  Wow!  A crafting prodigy, for sure.

Haley created her ornament by squirting Stickles (in Christmas Red, Silver, Crystal, Green and Golden Rod) into a glass ball and letting them drip down the inside.  Awesome!

If you would like to create some Stickled crafts with your own family members this holiday season, we have some more inspiration on our website in the form of a video.

Congratulations to Okienurse, who is the winner from yesterday's post! Her winning comment:

"Awesome ornaments again today. Love the retro/vintage look they have today! Thanks for sharing."

Keep those great comments coming, we love reading them!  (Oh and they just might win you a Ranger prize pack, too!)

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 7

 
We're in the homestretch, everyone: only 6 days til Christmas! Did you all have a busy weekend of crafting, shopping and gift-wrapping?  Well don't count your to-do list as finished just yet, because Ranger's still cranking out the ornament inspiration all the way til Christmas!

Debbie DiStefano's cheerful angel ornament was made with:

• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas
• Perfect Pearls Mists in Perfect Pearl
• Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder in Perfect Pearl
• Stickles in Golden Rod
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Regal Adornments

Patti Behan made a shabby chic ornament with:

• Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Worn Lipstick
• Stickles in Platinum
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Perfect Pearls Mists in Pink Gumball and Sunflower Sparkle
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Baubles and Trimmings

We've got three days of comment winners to announce, too.  Congratulations to:

Day 4: Barbara Washington: "More fabulous inspiration. Love the stained glass technique ornament. The ornament wreath is one of those 'Why didn't I think of that?' projects...so cool."

Day 5: Ellie knol: "Amazing how each day it is so different and yet so beautiful, LOVE them all!!"

Day 6: Karenajo: "What a clever idea to personalize an ornament by using an initial - very pretty! Cindy's 3D ornament is very striking, elegant ! Thanks for sharing such great ideas with all of us!"

Don't forget to comment on today's post for a chance to win a Ranger prize pack of your very own!

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 6

 
Sunday Funday!  Hello Ranger fans!  We are happy to present Day 6 of our 12 Days of Ornaments! (Wow, halfway through already?!)

Kelly Schwartz created a lovely monogram ornament with:

• Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers in Snow Cap and Pearl
• Liquid Pearls in Platinum Pearl
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Cindy Rescorl made this 3D ornament by diecutting multiple ornaments, folding them in half and gluing them together with Wonder Tape. She used:

• Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy, used to create homemade snow
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Artist Brushes
• Tim Holtz Winter Seasonal Distress Ink in Iced Spruce
• Clear Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)
• Tim Holtz Distress Stain in Broken China
• Tim Holtz Distress Stickles in Picket Fence
• Stickles Glitter Glue in Silver
• Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foam
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Inkssentials Wonder Tape
• Inkssentials Heat it Craft Tool
• Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix Carved Ornament #2 Die, Snow Flurries Texture Fade and Vagabond Machine

We'll be selecting our winners from the weekend's ornament posts tomorrow morning, so be sure to post a comment if you haven't already done so!  You could win a prize pack from Ranger just for leaving a comment on our blog!

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 3

 
Welcome back!  We're rolling right along with Ranger's 12 Days of Ornaments, with some beautiful treats for you on Day #3:

Cindy Rescorl's clever ornament has three Shrink Plastic ornaments hanging inside of the glass bulb, with homemade "snow" on the bottom!  She created it with:

• Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint in Clear Rock Candy, used to create homemade snow
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Artist Brushes
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink in Shell Pink, Purple Twilight and Willow
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixative in Silver
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator and Felt
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Inkssentials Surfaces Shrink Plastic
• Inkssentials Metal Foil Tape Sheets
• Inkssentials Wonder Tape
• Inkssentials Heat It Craft Tool
• Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix Vintage Lace Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die and Vagabond Machine

Terry Horvath created a pair of matching ornaments with a musical theme.  On the larger one, she used Cindy's technique to create snow from Distress Crackle Paint, along with:

• Inkssentials Glue N Seal
• Inkssentials Glossy Accents
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Foliage, Baubles, Christmas Adornments and Symphony Tissue Tape
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Old Paper and Vintage Photo
• Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foam
• Inkssentials Glue N Seal
• Inkssentials Glossy Accents
• Stickles in Diamond
• Adirondack Metallic Paint Dabber in Silver
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Foliage, Baubles, Christmas Adornments and Symphony Tissue Tape

Congratulations to our winner from yesterday's Ornament post, Retta!

"Very Pretty! Keep them coming, Ladies :) I haven't had time to make ornaments. I need to wrap presents first. In the meantime, I'll admire yours, if that's okay :)"

Leave a comment for a chance to win a Ranger prize pack of your very own!

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 2

 
Welcome to Day 2 of Ranger's 12 Days of Ornaments!  Today we have some decorated paper mache pieces to share with you.

Susan Baldwin's Oval Box Ornament sings praises of Joy with:

• Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixative in Gold
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Tool and Felt
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Tim Holtz idea-ology Symphony Tissue Tape, Christmas Adornments, Christmas Memories Paper Stash
• Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix Movers and Shapers Joy Die and Vagabond Machine
• Core'dinations Distress Cardstock

Bonnie Egenton's dazzling star ornament was made with:

• Liquid Pearls in Rouge
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Artist Brushes
• Archival Ink in Jet Black
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Inks in Bottle and Cranberry
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Metallic Mixative in Gold
• Tim Holtz Adirondack Alcohol Ink Tool and Felt
• Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet
• Inkssentials Glossy Accents
• Stickles in Holly and Star Dust
• Inkssentials Surfaces Gloss Paper

Congratulations to our first 12 Days of Ornaments prize pack winner: Elizabeth C.!

"Oh my goodness, what a lovely gift pack! I think this is a great carry-on from the 12 Tags. From the time it came out I have had such a jones for the Memory Glass items--I think I have every size, and lots too!"

Thanks, Elizabeth, and thanks to everyone who left a comment on yesterday's post.  Remember to post every day during the 12 Days of Ornaments to maximize your chances of winning a Ranger prize pack of your own!

 

Are you busy crafting your holiday ornaments these days?  Please feel free to post photos of your handiwork on our Facebook page!  We'd love to see your work and share it with all of our fans!

12 Days of Ornaments! Day 1

 
Like so many of you, we at Ranger are sad that Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas 2011 has come to an end.  But we're on a creative roll, so let's keep the holiday momentum going all the way til Christmas!  Thus, we are proud to present Ranger's "12 Days of Ornaments"!  Every day we will present some fun handcrafted ornaments for your viewing pleasure, along with some opportunities to win more great prizes (but more on that in a bit...)

Ready??  Let's get started!

Teresa Natividad created a cheerful ornament using:

• Inkssentials 2" x 2" Memory Frame in Black Patina
• Inkssentials 2" x 2" Memory Glass
• Stickles in Frosted Lace and Diamond
• Liquid Pearls in Buttercup and Lavender Lace

Debbie Tlach's deer ornament was crafted with:

• Inkssentials 2" x 2" Memory Frame in Black Patina
• Inkssentials 2" x 2" Memory Glass
• Inkssentials Enamel Accents in Black
• Stickles in Christmas Red and Star Dust
• Liquid Pearls in Bisque
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint - Smidge of Blue, Sable Brown
• Claudine Hellmuth Studio Artist Brushes
• Adirondack Pigment Pad™ - Pitch Black
• Inkssentials™ Cut n' Dry™ Nibs
• Inkssentials™ Non-Stick Craft Sheet

You can check out the full project instructions for Debbie's ornament on our website, too; it's being featured this month on the homepage!  Also featured on the homepage throughout December is a video from Ranger's most recent Craft Night, where the Ranger Team had a blast creating ornaments with Memory Frames.

Time to choose our final three winners from our "Ranger's Inspired by Tim's 12 Tags" series!  Congratulations to:

NanaBeth W: "It has been a fantastic 12 days. I have really enjoyed seeing all the variations of Tim's tags. I've been motivated to step out of my comfort zone and try something new."

Nitasha Griffin: "Sad that the 12 Tags has come to end, but so happy to hear that the Ranger blog is going to keep the inspiration flowing! I have enjoyed each Tag inspired project and can't wait to see what else you all have in store for us!"

LorraineN: "OMG, I was starting to say "Ooh love the bookmark...then said ooh, love the wineglass charms...then ooh..." So I'll stop and just say I love all of the creations, lol! So inspiring!"

Thanks, everyone!

If you'd like to win a prize from Ranger, too, all you have to do is comment on the posts during the 12 Days of Ornaments!  We have a brand-new prize pack during this event:

If your comment is chosen (at random), you will receive:

• Archival Ink Pad in Jet Black
• Ice Stickles in Crystal Ice
• Inkssentials Memory Glass 2" square, Clear
• Inkssentials Memory Foil Tape in 1/4" Brass
• Inkssentials Memory Frames 2" square, Polished Chrome
• Inkssentials Cut N Dry Felt
• Inkssentials Surfaces Manila ATCs
• Tim Holtz Distress Reinkers in Barn Door, Forest Moss and Stormy Sky
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection Holiday ATC Cling Mount Stamps (COM025, COM206 and COM028)

Wow!  So keep those comments coming, and we'll keep the inspiration (and the prizes) coming too!  Deal??