2019 Holiday Card Series- Day 2

Hi Crafty Friends, welcome to Day 2 of my 2019 Holiday Card Series. Today’s card is a stacked design featuring layers of bold black cardstock and some of my favorite images and papers from Echo Park’s My Favorite Christmas collection.

I absolutely love the sticker images in this line, and chose some of my favorites for my holiday card series this year, starting with this adorable deer here. The deer and snowflakes were added to the card with foam tape for a bit of dimension, layered against panels of patterned paper and a sentiment block cut from a sheet of journaling cards. The black frame was made by trimming around the negative die cut opening from a stacked postage die that I’ll be using on an upcoming design. I do try to use everything when I’m in my “scrappy holiday” state of mind.

I do think this card combines some of my favorite Christmas things, just as the paper name implies…. natural elements and prints, holiday plaid, kraft paper, and a cute critter, too.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful day.

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The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Sizzix: Stacked Postage Die Set

It’s Going to be a Cool Yule with Tim Holtz & Sizzix

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Holiday time! Time for festivities and families, decorations and packages, food and fun…. and of course, holiday crafting.

I was very fortunate to have gotten my hands on some of the new products from the Sizzix Tim Holtz 2018 holiday collection ahead of time to create samples for the release, and I’m so excited to start sharing my projects with all of you. Throughout the month, I’ll be sharing my Tim Holtz holiday projects here on the blog, starting today with one of my favorite new sets, Cool Yule.

Isn’t this snowman adorable? He is just one of four quirky characters from the set that also includes Santa, a reindeer, and a penguin, all with fun and funky accessories to mix and match and style your guys for the winter season.

I absolutely love the monocle and jaunty top hat, and of course my snowman needed a bit of Deco Paper sparkle for the holidays. Each accessory is it’s own separate die, making it super easy to piece your characters in any way you could imagine. And you can really get creative with these guys, too. That snowman smile? It’s actually the eyebrow from Santa.

I added Glossy Accents to the monocle, and mixed in Idea-ology Mirrored Stars for more holiday shine. There’s holiday design tape and seasonal chit chat stickers. Stitched circle dies and a corner rounder. Stamper’s Anonymous Tim Holtz holiday stamps for the backgrounds. And of course some Distress ink and oxide in there, too.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy Friday to you!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

Idea-ology ChitChat Seasonal Stickers

These Sinister Haunted Bones

Happy Fri-YAY, friends! I’m back today with a spooky card share featuring new seasonal products from the 2018 Tim Holtz and Sizzix Halloween release. This is the awesome new Sinister die…. a wicked creepy skull die with cutout detail that is truly a bit of a masterpiece.

Sinister is a Bigz steel-edged die, which means that you can die cut this skull not only from paper, but from all sorts of different surfaces, too. I wanted lots of dimension on my guy here, so I die cut my shapes several times from heavyweight watercolor cardstock, and stacked them together to build up the height while leaving some nice depressions for eye sockets and nose.

The top layers were inked and then covered in Ranger Opaque Crackle paste for texture. I used a combo of Hickory Smoke and Pumice Stone Distress inks on the skull and jawbone using the ink smooshing technique. Added in Black Soot for the cavities to deepen and darken the depressions, and Brushed Corduroy on the teeth to bring out the yellow of age… brrrrrrr. While I still had the wet inks on my craft mat, I used the watery mixture to help spread the crackle paste onto the die cuts with my finger, which gave me some really interesting effects on the finish. Smooth in some spots, and nicely crackled in other, with a hint of color throughout to tone down the bright white of the paste. And then a coat of Glossy Accents brings out the shine on the socket cavities and teeth.

I used patterned paper from the Halloween Paper Stash for my background, all inked and splattered. I stamped cobwebs onto one of the layers and bordered the paper with Idea-ology designer tape. Chit Chat stickers for the sentiment, and of course one of those creepy spider adornments creeping down from above.

Have you all gotten into Halloween crafting for the season? If you haven’t had a chance yet, be sure to check out Tim’s video below showcasing lots of great project ideas for getting your spook on.

P.S.- There’s a monster sale going on now through Sunday, October 14th at Sizzix. Click on the photo banner below to check out the savings.
And as always, thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great weekend, everyone!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below: (Affiliate links at no extra cost to you)

Idea-ology: Seasonal Chit Chat, Dapper Design Tape

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And Hello to You with Tim Holtz & Sizzix

Hi friends, happy Friday! I hope you are all doing wonderfully well! I’m sorry things have been so quiet here on my blog lately. I’m afraid my new work schedule is leaving little time for crafting and play. But I’m very happy to be here today to share the last of the cards I made for the Tim Holtz Alterations booth at the Creativation 2018 show. Just in time for a flash sale on Tim Holtz products going on over at Sizzix this weekend! Read on for more information on that.

This card features three of the new die(s) that Tim released at the show this year. The frame is made using a negative shape die cut from the Stacked Postage dies. I love that scalloped detail that created on the inside of the frame. And the floral accents are from the Funky Floral #1 dies, stacked at different levels on the side of the frame to help call attention to the simple sentiment. But the star here is truly that cool alphabet background. That is the new Cutout Lower Alphabet die, a Bigz XL die released in the April collection. I managed to squeeze the entire alphabet into my background, with a little hidden message, too. A great way to get some extra use out of those alpha dies.

Did you all see the news? Sizzix announced their new design team this week. I decided not to re-apply when the call went out. With my new work schedule, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. But I wish the new team all the best, and don’t worry… I will still be playing with my Sizzix products as much as I can!

And speaking of Sizzix products… be sure to check out the Tim Holtz Sizzix FLASH SALE going on this weekend- today through the 20th, only!
(Click on the banner below to shop)

Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

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Wander, Seek, Explore, Fly with Tim Holtz and Sizzix

Hi friends, happy Wednesday to you! Thanks so much for stopping by! I am playing catch up here on the blog today after sneaking away for a long four-day weekend with my scrappy gang at our favorite retreat center at the beach. The weather prediction called for cold, but the sun shined the entire time, and it really was lovely. Enough so that I managed a few walks on the beach, and came home with my usual bag of sea shells. Can’t go to the beach without collecting a few of those. And once again, I got next to nothing done…. but what fun.

Being still in a beach frame of mind makes me think of the new Tim Holtz dies that have just been released for April. Especially the beautiful Bigz Seashell dies I had the pleasure to work with. Perfect time to share today’s project…a travel-inspired beachy wall hanging that I made for the Tim Holtz Creativation 2018 booth. And if you haven’t seen yet, here’s a video re-cap of Tim’s latest collection for Sizzix, along with a little peek at some of my projects, too.

As Tim mentioned in the video, this wall hanging took a mixed media approach with a mix of paper, fabric, recycled cardboard, crackle paste, and some of my favorite tropical colors of Distress. I added in the new Planks dies, embossed with the planks texture fade, and the Funky Floral #1 dies, and of course the Bigz Seashells, to create a shabby, vintage-inspired, travel themed decor piece, perfect for summer.

The sentiment words come from the new Shadow Script die collection. I used the “shadow” die to cut negative shapes into the background, and then layered the opening with the “positive” die cuts. Backed the panel onto linen fabric to add a soft texture to the hard lines of the crackle splattered cardboard base.

The Funky Floral dies are so much fun to play with. There are so many different stacking possibilities. This time, I used some of the center pieces all on their own, tucked here and there into the clusters. Makes me think of coral or sea anemones. And branches from the Fall Foliage set fit in nicely for a reef look, too.

Hope your week is off to a great start! See you all soon!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked and/or listed below:

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See the World with Tim Holtz and Sizzix

Happy Tuesday, friends! Thanks so much for stopping by! Today I have another card to share that I made for the Creativations show in January. This time, a beach-inspired card for the Tim Holtz Alterations booth featuring his fun Seashells, Planks, and Stacked Postage dies from the new April Sizzix release.

Aren’t the Seashell dies amazing? Love that they come with matching embossing folders for adding that bit of lifelike dimension. I did some Distress ink smooshing to add color to the shells, and then blended more ink over the embossing with an ink blending tool. Clear embossing powder was added to the raised areas for a bit of shine. And finally, a touch of crackle paste on the shells and card corners adds that shabby aged appearance that I adore.

The Planks were embossed with the wood plank embossing folder. The coral are actually from the holiday greens die set from a previous release. I added cheesecloth for extra texture, and layered all the pieces onto one of the Stacked Postage dies. A chipboard sentiment completes the scene.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! And thanks so much for all the well wishes for my birthday girl. I read her each and every one, and had her grinning ear to ear! I’m still trying to process the fact that she’s now two decades old, though! 😀

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The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

Seek Happiness with Ranger Ink

Happy Wednesday, crafty friends!

I’m back today with another card that I made for the Creativations (CHA) show in January. This time, a fun Distress project for the Ranger Ink booth featuring the new Funky Floral #1 dies by Tim Holtz.

The Funky Floral dies are one of my favorite new sets from Tim’s CHA release. I love that this set has lots of dies for building lots of different flowers. The stacking possibilities are really endless, and the flowers look great in all sorts of different color ways. Last time I shared this set in bright and happy colors of spring. And today, I’m going with a more elegant red and gold floral pattern set against crisp black cardstock, reminiscent of the style design of Rifle Paper Company’s amazing stationery line.

I die cut the flowers and leaves from a mixture of gold, black, and watercolor cardstock, and inked the flowers in two shades of red Distress inks. The pieces were stacked and arranged into a outline frame design, and layered with papers to pull all the colors together. Distress Crayon was added to the edges of the papers and the black stems, too. The sentiment is a combo of a Clippings Idea-ology sticker with one of the word dies from the Shadow Script #3 dies, part of the upcoming April Alterations release.

Hope your week is going great so far! Thanks so much for stopping by!

P.S.-
If you’re interested in any of the products I’ve used, be sure to check out the awesome sales right now at Scrapbook.com on all Ranger, Sizzix,  and Tim Holtz products!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

A Winter’s Wonder Tag & BIG Sale News!

Hi Friends! Thanks so much for stopping by, and happy weekend to you all! We’re already a couple of weeks into January, and I am still no closer to reaching my New Year’s goal of a regular blogging schedule again. Creativation (CHA) projects have been keeping me busy in the background, and I have been soaking up as much family time as I’ve been able this past month with both my kiddos and parents here visiting. So once again I’ve not much new to share at the moment… but I do have a few projects from Creativation 2017 still waiting in the archives to share, like this winter wonders tag I made for the Ranger Ink booth.

The focus here was on Distress Markers, which I used to create the free-hand funky plaid in the background of this Ranger Ink #8 manila tag. I selected brown and green markers for a natural woodland look, and used both the thick and thin tips of the pens to create a variety of lines in different widths… using a ruler for part of the design, and just winging the rest. To tone down the colors, the tag was heavily doused with water and blotted dry. Softens the design so it can fade into the background. Added die cut winter greens and some real mini pine cones I managed to find on a trip to the mountains last year.  Added a Sizzix sentiment and Clippings sticker, too.

Creativation is now less than a week away, so that means new products and new projects are coming soon! But until then, I’ve got some great deals and fun news to share with you!

Starting today, and running only through the 17th, Sizzix is offering a new Limited Edition Big Shot that features a gorgeous new mint color and a silver geometric pattern. This exciting new machine is a limited release and can only be purchased exclusively on sizzix.com. (Click on the photo above for a direct link with more information and availability).

And if you’re looking to stock up on accessories for your new Big Shot machine, or pick up the supplies I’ve used today, then I’ve got some news for you! All Sizzix and Ranger Ink items are on sale right NOW for a limited time at Scrapbook.com (excludes the exclusive Limited Edition Big Shot machine available only through sizzix.com). This great discount expires soon, so shop NOW for big savings on Sizzix Products!

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

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Shine Brightly Lantern Box with Tim Holtz & Sizzix

Hi friends, happy Friday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Here we are, only a few days into the New Year, and already I’m falling behind on my attempts to get back to my regular blogging schedule. Seems that even though the holidays are now officially over, things are as busy as ever here at my house. The big CHA-Creativation show is in two short weeks, and I am holed up in my craft room working away. Lots of secret things in the works. So not much new to share right now.

Thinking of CHA, though, has reminded me of last year’s show projects, including a few that I never got the chance to share…. like this lantern box I made for the Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations booth. A cute little winter inspired project, fitting for this time of year.

The lantern is such a fun and easy box to assemble, and I love the 3D nature of the design. Perfect for home decor, or even a tiny little gift box. And it’s the perfect size for a battery votive candle, too. I decorated the top of my lantern with winter greens and a pair of tattered pinecones. A shabby bow and a slim hang tag. Coated the bouquet with Distress glitter for a bit of snowy shine.

I lined the lantern windows with clear acetate sheet. The base for the lantern is one of Tim’s Vignette Boxes, turned upside down and lightly painted and sparkled. A fun accent for some winter home decor.
Hope your 2018 is off to a great start! Happy weekend!

FYI: *Edited to add: All Sizzix and Tim Holtz products are currently on SALE at Scrapbook.com. Great time to take advantage and stock up on some deals!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

 

 

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A Holiday Snow Globe with Sizzix

Happy Monday, sweet friends! And happy December, too! With Christmas now only three weeks away, holiday preparations are in full swing these days. I am still very much in that chaotic in-progress stage at my house…. decorating is underway, shopping is underway, and holiday gift wrapping is underway, too. I’m really looking forward to crossing at least one item off of my to-do list, but it seems I’ve still got a long ways to go. How about all of you?

I am making some slow headway on my gift packaging, though. This weekend I went and picked out my holiday wrapping paper for the year. I like to go with a different theme each holiday, and actually look forward to picking out my rolls of brightly colored wrapping papers. I guess my love of pretty scrapbooking papers carries on into a love of pretty much any paper. I’m sure you all know what I mean. 😀

Part of my packaging for the year includes a few handmade tags, of course. And last week, I shared this sweet snow globe shaped Tim Holtz tag on the Sizzix blog, and wanted to share it here with you, too. This tag is once again a mix of some of my favorites from Tim’s new holiday collection. The globe and the church building, the moon, snowbank, and the stars, are from the Snowglobe2 die set. And to complete the scene, I added in some pieces from both the Snowman Scene and Winter Wonderland sets, as well. I’ve got the complete step-by-step tutorial up on the Sizzix blog, if you’d like to learn more.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Wishing you all a wonderful day!

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The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

May Arts gingham ribbon