CHRISTMAS BANNER - SIMON SAYS STAMP STAMPtember 2023

Hello friends! Today is the much anticipated exclusive Tim Holtz STAMPtember YouTube live day!  I've created this Christmas Banner for the Simon Says Stamptember exclusive Tim Holtz set.

There is a limited supply of this set, which usually sells out fast!  

As an extra surprise, Simon Says Stamp also created this very limited amount of Die sets that coordinate with the stamp set.  These are sold separately!

When I decided to make a banner, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to create, so I started by stamping my main images on Ranger Ink Watercolour Cardstock (flat side) that had been lightly tinted with Distress  Oxides Lost Shadow and Antique Linen.  For a few extra dots, Lost Shadow ink sprayed with water on my mat, and the paper dipped on to my ink splotches.  I left enough room  to die-cut circles around each image.  I've used Sizzix Stitched Circles 662229.  I decided later to tear/snip off the smooth edge, as I wanted the piece underneath to show more.  Ink the edges.

Next, I stamped the same images again, this time on patterned paper (Tim Holtz Backdrops).  I usually save those little leftover pieces, they come in handy! I've also used smaller ephemera or the journal cards as the pattern's are smaller.  I cut out some of the larger stamped parts and glued these in the same places on the watercolour paper images.  You don't have to cut out stamped lines that stick out, they will show up on your main stamped image.

Before glueing on these pieces, do any inking or this Santa one, I applied the Sparkle Texture Paste to my Santa Bag (with a brush).  I also took a brown or black felt pen and went along the edges carefully to removed the white edges.  On the parts of your stamped image that aren't covered with paper, colour with ink, crayons, watercolours, or glitter, whatever you want!

For my main banner pieces, I die-cut these shapes from  a discontinued Sizzix Framelets Plus Die set (660836).  It's a huge set made for larger machines, but I use the smaller dies.  If you don't have a banner die set, this shape is easy to cut out with a trimmer or craft knife. I've cut out a black cardstock mat slightly larger than my patterned paper and machine stitched the two together.  I love banners that have lots of layers, they just seem to look better to me.  So I just kept adding more layers, lol!

Forgot to take a photo earlier, but this embossed layer is a slightly larger size and is Kraft Heavystock embossed with the 3D Woodgrain Texture Fade Embossing Folder (555297).  I inked the folder with Ground Espresso Archival ink before I inserted my paper.  Ink the edges after embossing.  Then adhere your matted patterned paper layer on top of this.

And because I still love this discontinued Bigz Tree Ring Die and Embossing Set (662429), I added this next.  I die-cut black chipboard, then Tim Holtz Black cardstock, which was embossed then lightly sanded.  Glue the two together.  Your stamped images on the circles are adhered on top of this.  I've added some dots and dashes of Glossy Accents and Rock Candy Glitter on my stamped images and circles for extra Christmasy goodness.  If you don't have any of these dies, check your stash for any larger shape dies you have, I'm sure you will find something you can use!

Now I had to come up with how am I going to connect these altogether, there are a lot o different ideas out there.  I decided to add a piece of dark green cardstock (another layer!)  but cut this piece longer so the top folds over about 1/2 inch and a fabric strip (I've used a piece of Tim Holtz Flannel Etcetera fabric torn in a 1/2" strip) goes under it and across each banner.  I left enough to tie a knot in-between each banner piece, connecting them.

This trim piece is die-cut from Tim Holtz Sizzix Decorative Trims Thinlits set 665435 and Backdrops Patterned paper.  I applied stars with the included stencil and the Distress Glow Paste.  I also added Glow Paste with a palette knife along the edge.  Distress Rock Candy Glitter was applied immediately while the paste was wet, and I let it air dry.  Some glittery glow at night!  Once these pieces were dry, ink the edges.

These trim pieces are adhered on top of the folded over piece to hide any fabric poking out and I used dimensional pop dots so it stands out.  I've tied some extra ribbon and string loosely to hanging from each banner.

I've also added in small embellishments, some are stamped with the small included stamps (sentiments, mittens, holly, etc.)  Some of these are die-cut out with various small dies - Sizzix Collector Set 665926, Specimen set 665930, Postale set 665927 and Vintage Labels set 665929 are full of lots of little tags, labels, etc. Idea-ology metal embellishments are also added.  A close up of each banner is below.

 

Thanks so much for visiting me here!  I unfortunately received my package too late to send my make to Tim for the live, and  I was really pressed for time to get this done!  If I've missed anything that I didn't include here, let me know!    Hope those of you who wanted this set, managed to order it!  Happy stamping!

I am trying to get my Halloween tutorials done while it's still the making season, sorry to those of you waiting.  I've been dealing with sciatica since the summer, it's getting a lot better but sitting at the computer seems to aggravate it and  has to be done a little at a time. 

Until next time,

Jan

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DASH AWAY ALL CARD - TIM HOLTZ & SIMON SAYS STAMP DIECEMBER DIE SET

Hello friends!  I'm sharing a card today featuring a special limited edition Tim Holtz Sizzix die set from Simon Says Stamp , in celebration of their DieCember event. This set is free with a $25.00 minimum purchase of any Tim Holtz product.  Check out the Simon Says Stamp YouTube video where Heidi and Tim reveal the die set and his amazing Village Dwelling projects here:  https://youtu.be/5jfls2PBq0s

It's hard to tell in my photo, but this is a shaker card!  

I created a background with Distress Mixed Media Heavystock, Distress Sprays and Oxide Sprays (Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Speckled Egg, Antique Linen, Scattered Straw and a little bit of Distress Flickering Candle Mica Stain on the moon). The small amount of yellow tones were applied first and where I wanted my moon. The stars were die-cut about center, my background cut to size, then machine stitched around the edge.  Gold Kraftstock was cut slightly larger and adhered behind.

My Santa in the sleigh silhouette was die-cut with black smooth Kraftstock, the moon with a scrap piece of Distress white Heavystock that had yellow tones with a bit of Flickering Candle Mica Stain on it.  I used the large  3 1/2"size of the Sizzix Domes(664190).  I'm not sure if these have been discontinued, I hope not!  

I added in a couple of clouds and my sentiment, stamped with Simon Says Stamp limited edition Tim Holtz Stamptember set.

After my moon and clouds were glued down, I added a small amount of Tim Holtz Mica Flakes (TDR69140) in the centre and then adhered the dome over my scene.

Next I die-cut foliage from the Sizzix Festive Bouquet 665565 in Distress white Heavystock.  I added in a very small touch of colour with a wash of Stormy Sky Distress Ink applied with a watercolour brush.  After my pieces dried, I applied Distress Clear Rock Candy Glitter with Distress Collage Medium.  These pieces were adhered around the outer edge of the dome to form a wreath.

For the finishing touches of my card, I stamped my sentiment on a scrap piece of coloured Heavystock, die-cut the stars again on each end, and backed this on gold cardstock.  The silhouette and sentiment were adhered to my card front.  This card front was adhered with foam adhesive squares to patterned paper (Christmas 2020 Worn Wallpaper) and then my cardstock base.

If you are interested in this free gift, I wouldn't wait too long, as there are limited quantities!

Hope this inspires you in your card making!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Until next time,

Jan

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FEATHERED CARDINAL CARD - TIM HOLTZ SIMON SAYS STAMP DIECEMBER

 

Hello friends!  I am sharing a Christmas Card today created for the Simon Says Stamp DieCember blog hop with their exclusive releases.  To celebrate, they have set aside a free gift with purchase.  I am excited to show you the Tim Holtz Sizzix Thinlits Die created for today!

I've created this Shaker card using the DieCember Feathered Cardinal Thinlits die.

I coloured a sheet of Tim Holtz Mixed Media Heavystock is the brightest Red Distress Sprays.  

I wanted to have a pattern on my cardinal, so I used this wreath from an older Stamper's Anonymous Stamp, Styled Woodlands (CMS210) and stamped the middle body die-cut with Black Soot Archival Ink.

I wanted a vintage antique look, almost beeswax looking, so I used Distress Antique Linen Embossing Glaze TDE70948 with clear embossing ink and embossed several layers to give all the die-cut pieces a thicker glassy coat.  Once it had cooled, you can bend it to crack the glaze to create cracks.  In these cracks, I applied a Distress Walnut Stain Crayon, rubbed it in.  I wiped the surface with my paper towel(a few sprinkles of water to take the paper's dryness away) to remove the excess crayon.  It will leave your embossed bird slightly duller, which I wanted; but if you like it shiny wipe more off of the crayon off, or do not use it.  Adhere all the layers together.

I also die-cut foliage with Sizzix Holiday Brushstroke Thinlits set and Mixed Media Heavystock coloured with Distress Sprays and Distress Oxide Sprays.

I've used Sizzix's 3 1/2" Shaker Domes, filled with Sizzix's Sequins & Beads Festive and  Green Tea sets.  I also used the Sizzix Framelits Circle set that coordinates with their domes to die-cut the circle in my Tim Holtz Christmas Mini Stash patterned paper.  I used the negative die-cut paper and machine stitched around the outer edge.  I also die-cut a circle from Black Soot Kraftstock and using the negative piece, handcut about 1/8" around the outside of the circle, ending up with a ring, that is placed around the dome(on top of the patterned paper).  Fill your dome with the sequins and beads, adhere the green Cardstock behind (with a Christmas Remanent Rub-Merry Christmas), another mat in red, then onto your green card base.

Adhere your Holiday Brushstroke foliage in the corner of your card, then your Feathered Cardinal.

Your card is finished!

This free die is available today with a Tim Holtz Brand purchase, but I'm sure all of you Tim Holtz addicts know, that it won't last long, there are limited quantities! 

This is only available at Simon Says Stamp:

"To celebrate dies as one of my most favorite crafty products (after stamps, of course ;)), we are hosting a month-long DieCember® celebration. Throughout the month you will see special features, sales, education, and inspiration that focus on die cutting. For more inspiration be sure to visit the DieCember Gallery"  Also, there is a Simon Says Stamp blog hop with all their talented designers.  If you leave a comment on each blog, you'll earn a chance to win a $25.00 Simon Says Stamp Store shopping spree! Have fun!

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time,

Jan

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CHRISTMAS CARDS

Hi everyone! Well, December has arrived and so did 12 inches of snow this weekend.  It looks like a winter wonderland here, so it definitely puts me in the mood for Christmas!  My house is all decorated and I even have a few cards to share!

I was able to purchase the Tim Holtz Stamptember set from Simon Says Stamp before it sold out.  Love these images in this set.

I used the bird, sentiment and music notes stamps for this card.  My sentiment was stamped on the smooth side of Distress Watercolor cardstock and die-cut with Tim's Tattered Banners.  My stamped bird with the music notes was coloured with Distress Markers and a water brush.  I also used Distress Oxides on the background.  The frame was created with Stacked Baroque Tim Holtz die, and the foliage from the Funky Festive set.  My pinecone paper is Tim Holtz Christmas Worn Wallpaper TH93777.

The stamped images(coloured with Distress Markers/watercolour brush) on this card is from Tim's Stampers Anonymous set, Yuletide CMS356. The card base is stamped in Oxide ink with the music note stamp from the Stamptember set. I also used Oxide ink on my stamped background.  My foliage is Tim Holtz Sizzix 662425, the little trim on either side of the sentiment is from an older set, Holiday Knit 660981. The plaid paper is Tim Holtz Christmas Paperie TH93739, the distressed Silver cardstock is Mushroom from TH93784.

I also am sharing the rest of my cards created for Tim's Holiday Sizzix Release Video.

These two cards feature the 3-D Kaleidoscope  Texture Fade folder.  They both were embossed on gold metallic kraft cardstock, but I used Distress paint to alter them. This one was used like a frame, with Tim's Stacked Label die cut out in the middle. A piece of Christmas Ephemera was adhered behind.  My foliage was Distress Oxide coloured Mixed Media cardstock and gold metallic kraft cardstock all cut out with  Funky Festive Thinlits set.  Paper was also from Tim Holtz Christmas Paperie.  My sentiment was from TH Christmas Quote Chips.

Lighter shades of Distress paint was used on my embossed gold metallic kraft cardstock here.  The snowflake is Flurry #4,  and Joy is Shadow Script Christmas.  The star in the middle of the snowflake is one of Tim's Mirrored stars.

I had created the background before I decided to use it for this card from Distress Oxide inks and Mixed media cardstock.  It's fun just to create different looks from these inks, and save them for future use. I had intended to go with just the brown tones, but somehow that Blue Jeans Distress crayon snuck in there once I had adhered my die-cut Flurry #2, #3 and #4 snowflake dies to the background cardstock.  I also added in some Crackle Texture Paste around the snowflakes before colouring.  Once I had this background finished I added in chipboard die-cut snowflake Ice Flake which I also die-cut it in Gold Metallic Kraft cardstock to adhere on top of the chipboard.  I added some clear Rock Candy Crackle paste and Oxide Distress ink to this too.  A White Christmas rub-on was adhered to a piece of gold metallic cardstock.

And my last card created for this holiday release, was a fun card using the Crazy Bird die and stamp set.  I added the beard, moustache and hat from the Cool Yule Thinlits set.  My foliage is the Funky Festive set cut out from white cardstock.  A Quote Chip, Woodgrain cardstock and Christmas Deco Sheets finish off my card.

Hope my cards have inspired you in your card making or Christmas crafts!  Thanks so much for visiting me here and your wonderful comments are much appreciated!

Until next time,

Jan

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LOVE THIS LIFE TAG

Hi everyone!  I've been in a bit of a creative slump lately, I think this horrible weather that has plagued us since January is getting the best of me.  That and catching a terrible head cold twice, have got those creative juices flowing to a slow trickle.  I decided to participate in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge "A Trio of Something" hoping it would give me that push.  This is what I've created.

I've used a Tim Holtz Etcetera Mini Chipboard Tag (ETC004) for my project which measures about 4 1/2 x 8".

I started out by painting the tag with black gesso.  Once that dried, I used black texture paste and Tim Holtz Stencil Code (THS102) down the center of my tag. Next, I painted with a dry brush method, "Three" Distress Paint colours; Broken China, Mowed Lawn, and Evergreen Bough. To antique my colours, I used an acrylic glaze tinted with Ground Espresso paint.  This was painted over the entire surface, then lightly wiped off with a baby wipe after a few minutes.  The glaze mostly stays in the recessed areas.

I've gone back with my light green paint and lightly touched the raised areas.  I've added "Three" charms; a Story Stick(TH93680), Milagros Adornments(TH93676) and a Charmed Findings(TH93266) with a round Gumdrop inside.  I've also dyed seam binding with Dylusions Fresh Lime Spray, Distress Spray Stain in Evergreen Bough, and Dylusions Vibrant Turquoise Mica Spray and diluted with water.

Now to decorate my tag!  I used a piece of Tim Holtz Wallflower printed Vellum over top of the smallest size of Vignette Panels (TH93295).  This was lightly painted with a wash combination of Dylusions Fresh Lime Spray and Picket Fence Distress paint.  The small Vignette Frame (TH93694) was also  painted with Picket Fence Distress paint tinted with the Fresh Lime.  I also used an acrylic glaze tinted with Ground Espresso paint, leaving it in the recessed areas of the frame.

My other embellishment were tinted flowers (Tim Holt Bouquet Findings TH93569) and leaves die-cut from tinted Ranger Ink Watercolour paper.  I used Sizzix's Funky Floral 3 (662702) and Flower Jar (662270) Thinlits foliage dies.  These florals and foliage were inserted behind a Tim Holtz Mini Hardware Pull (TH93685- the half circle one).  A Tim Holtz Quote Chip was distressed and lightly inked (TH93563).

One of my favourite Idea-ology embellishments are these Faucet Knobs (TH93677).  I've used "Three" of them (painted) screwed onto a Tim Holtz wood ruler (TH93565) that was cut down to size and tinted with Picket Fence distress paint.

Once I had all my pieces finished I adhered them to my tag.  Here's another look at my finished project.  This is the first time I've joined in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, it could be a new weekly challenge for me! You can see the other entries here for inspiration!

Thanks for visiting me here,

Jan

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