Beautiful Day

 To new beginnings…. I’m not a fan of adventures . The unknown, being out of my comfort zone in everyday life. It’s a different ball game when it comes to creativity. Stepping out of my inner circle and exploring new techniques and applying them to older ones. The difference is being creative in the craft room is it’s the  safe zone. You know what they say ‘what happens in the craft room ~ stays in the craft room’ lol I made a card about being in the moment and seeing where it takes you.

Distress watercolour card stock is my go to for inky backgrounds. Especially with distress oxides. Magic happens when spritzing with water then heat setting it. 

I love how versatile Tim’s + Stampers Anonymous stamps are. I used cms358 music and advert. Applying distress archival in vintage photo to random parts of music background stamp then to smooshed oxide background.

I’ve always wanted to use the cms329 Theories stamp set and glad I bought it. Seeing the gentleman with the balloon and how others have used him. I was inspired to make. The properties of distress archival inks are perfect if you want a crisp look as they are permanent. I like to use the mini distress archival inks as they are easier to ink the detailed parts of stamps.

Sorting through ephemera is always a fun task. Cropping it to fit or using for layers. This particular ephemera piece is from an older package of Tim’s. I don’t remember what type of ephemera it came from. Mental note: always keep packaging lol. If anyone knows the name it would be greatly appreciated. machine stitched corners with brown thread. I wanted a messy look so I ran it through the sewing machine like a race car but not getting to carried away. Next I grabbed the cello tape which was gifted to me by a great friend. You know who you are. Place it in random places on the card. 

Tim’s chitchat stickers are perfect for everyday words. Distress spritz in Antique linen for an added touch 

I hope you take the time to make stuff ~ it’s good for the soul.

Christina 

Winter Fun

 Winter is here, as I see big fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky. It's a perfect time to make a winter theme tag.

I love the endless possibilities of Tim's + Sizzix dies. They are so versatile. Perfect for the holiday season.

Apply Dina Wakley gesso in white (an even coat) to the small thickboard Ecetera tag. Let air dry or to speed up the process heat set. Once dry add a light wash on top by mixing distress paint in speckled egg + water. Ratio 2 parts water to one part paint. Heat set.

Begin by adding more texture using TH/SA layering stencil dots + texture paste icicle with a palette knife in random places of tag. Let air dry. This gives the illusion of ice crystals with the crackle of the texture paste.

Assembling Gladys:

Tim + Sizzix have a video on YouTube how to assemble Gladys. This makes is easier especially when you have to reverse her. You can find the video here. Next colour the dies with distress heavy stock white and  distress oxides, using a blending brush. Gladys needs ice skates. Tim's die thin ice to the rescue! 

Finding ideas for a freezer, using Sizzix retro oven. It's easy to assemble, with metallic kraft stock in jewel + texture paste in icicle. Let air dry.

Making ice cubes + backing for the freezer. Backing: mixed media heavy stock white with retro oven die, alcohol yupo translucent fit to backing. Rock candy glitter + chunky glitter with glossy accents on idea ology baubles. Tim has an awesome demo how to make these. You can find it here. It's at the 1:30:13 mark. Adding a dimensional dome to the freezer opening, fill with baubles then adhere backing.

Adding a few presents from thinlits die santas helper + distress oxides for colour.

The words and hanger are a combination of thinlits dies vault seasonal sketch (drop shadow of letters with kraft stock cool + overlay with metallic kraft stock) + vault bunny hop (hanger - metallic kraft stock)

Diedember 2022 chilly + freezy dies make great accessories for Gladys. Scarves, toques, ear muffs.... the possibilities are endless.

The wood planks are from my stash using the 3D embossing folder lumber, distress inks, crayon.

Feeling inspired... go through your stash, it's amazing what you can make with it!

Christina

Cold Winters Night

 There’s something magical about falling snow. It’s so quiet and peaceful. I made a Christmas card depicting many scenes of the holiday spirit and the season of giving.

Smooshing distress oxides + ink onto watercolour card stock making sure to heat set between layers. Creating a soft blend of distress ink around border. One of my many favourite backgrounds is cms358 music + advert. Using advert stamp and distress archival ink in random places on stamp.

The scale of the Christmas vault series Christmas 2021 is perfect for this make. The gentleman carrying the wreath whilst his scarf catching a bit of the wind. Using a drop shadow for the word ‘Christmas’ adds depth.

After taking Tim + Heidi’s Christmas in July class, I knew then I’d need more ephemera. The large collage strips caught my attention. So many to choose from. Picked one cut it to size, machine stitched it to card base then added cello tape in opposite corners.

Adding a subtle bling with texture paste sparkle and THMS093 starry.

I was SO excited when the distress rock candy clear glitter arrived. Couldn’t wait to play with it. The wreath took it well. Has a nice wintery vibe.

Machine stitched border with loose ends for a nice finish.

Trust those crazy ideas. Especially when it’s 3am lol 

Hope this leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina 

Sweater Weather

 It's beginning to look a lot like sweater weather. Staying inside with a warm cup of cocoa is pure bliss.

The sweater from Tim's STAMPtember 2023 stamp set gave me inspiration for this Christmas card.

Choosing the background came to me easily, as one of my favourite stamp sets was close by. TH/SA cms475 ticking and grain. With distress oxides in rustic wilderness + bundled sage to create a nice subtle background. Adding texture using Sizzic 3D embossing folder in woven and my go to distress ink for blending edges, walnut stain.

Giving the cozy sweater more definition with two toned wood grain grey and 3D texture fades in sparkle. Then swiping over sweater with distress archival ink ground espresso. These stamps come with coordinating dies. No need to worry about fussy cutting. It's easy and fun.

Bringing the trees to life using cms465 bottlebrush trees with coordinating dies, distress oxides, embossing ink, Ranger embossing powder (sticky) + dry glitter (clear rock candy). Tim has an awesome demo applying this technique. You can find it here. It's at the 52:10 mark. 

The sayings from Tim's STAMPtember 2023 are fun + snarky lol. I chose the snarky one. Inked with distress archival in black soot.

For a more cozy look, I carefully machine stitched the outline of the sweater, making sure to leave some loose, messy threads at the top. Added a metal hanger from my stash, for the sweater to hang onto. Wooden planks made with 3D embossing folder tree rings and distress inks. Cut into strips makes a great backdrop for the sweater. 

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina

Sugar and Spice

 When Simon Says Stamp released their Sugar & Soice line, I knew then I had to have the bird dies. Beautiful Cardinal + Perched Bird paired with Charming Berry Branch + modern loop embossing folder is a match made in heaven. I made two Christmas cards. One with traditional colours and the other has a wintery vibe.

Starting with mixed media heavy stock white for the card base, SF541 modern loop embossing folder to add texture.

Swipe distress oxide in antique linen on embossing folder, place card stock in folder and run through machine. I used my Sizzix foldaway. It has great pressure for embossed backgrounds. Tho any machine will do. I repeated the process with distress oxide pumice stone for the wintery card. Adding more dimension with TH/SA cms324 sparkles and Christmas stamp set. Using the Christmas background stamp and distress ink, to randomly stamp on background.

Playing with leaves is always fun! Especially with the Charming berry branch die. Inked with traditional and wintery colours.

I love birds. They are natures wonder. Bringing the beautiful cardinal and perched bird dies to life using a blend of distress inks.

Captions are everything. They give a nice final touch to your makes and sometimes tell the beginning of a story. The sayings from cms429 sketch greenery have the perfect font to go with the beautiful cardinal. White on black makes a nice focal point. Tim Holtz sticker book Christmas 2024 is great for sayings. So much to choose from. Different fonts, sizes and colours to fit any make. I chose a Christmas Dream for the wintery perched bird. 

A machine stitched border adds the perfect touch to any make. I especially love it on Christmas cards. Leaving loose threads adds character. 

Which one is your favourite? I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina 

Mini Grinch Tree

 ~ maybe Christmas he thought, doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps…. means a little bit more ~ Dr. Suess 

I love Christmas movies especially The Grinch who Stole Christmas (cartoon version) reminds me of my childhood. Definitely a favourite. I made these mini grinch Christmas trees with Tim’s ideaology. They are simple to make.

Tim’s thimbles make great planters for these grinch trees. Paint them with your favourite colours. I painted the inside as well. Heat set to speed up the process of drying. Distress paint is permanent when dry, which is perfect for adding distress crayon for definition.

Tim’s woodland garland is very pliable. Cut the garland in half, using a splat box or covering, spray colours to cover garland. Once it’s coated heat set it. Using Ranger handle IT tool helps with the drying process. 

The lonely red ornament hanging at the edge of the tree has a metal bell on it. Dyed with alcohol ink, I believe I used poppy. Heat set. 

The grinch trees needs more character. Tack nails to the rescue. Paint with your favourite distress paints then heat set them.

Assembling the grinch tree with my trusty glue gun. It used to be my mom’s and to this day it’s still going strong.

It’s easy and fun to make. Get all your supplies out and have fun.

Christina

Where to Wonder

 I'm a firm believer that most ideas from the creative mind happen when you least expect it. In my case the middle of the night. Instead of making notes, I jumped at the chance and grabbed the supplies I needed to make this fun loving Christmas card. 

Tim's ideaology paper stash Christmas/Noel makes the perfect background. Double sided for the win! The possibilities are endless. For this make I went with non traditional Christmas colours. One side for the card base and the other side die cut with Sizzix thinlits layered stripes. This die is perfect for adding dimension to the background.

The candy cane stamp from cms169 Christmas blueprint 3 + Rudolph from STAMPtember 2024 are the perfect size for the focal point.

Enjoying the process of bringing the candy cane to life, using distress watercolour pencils. They blend like butter. No water is needed for this technique. The best part is creating a palette, deciding which colours play well with others. lol After a few attempts, I was finally satisfied with the outcome.

Tim's recoiling scissors are perfect for fussy cutting. The comfort grip makes it easier and gives you more control where you need to cut. I fussy cut the candy cane twice + an extra bow with pop ups for dimension. Making the bow more authentic by using Tim's + Sizzix shaping kit to the rescue. The stylus is perfect for bow shaping.

Pop ups add great dimension to cards. I added a few to the candy cane and Rudolph. 

I love the font from Tim + Heidi's SSS STAMPtember festive stamps and coordinating dies. Embossed with Ranger embossing powder white and my go to for embossing, the Ranger Handle IT tool while heat setting. Tip: for die cutting, to keep die from shifting, use a low tack tape that's easy to remove. I used washi tape. 

SSS (Simon Says Stamp) 3D foam strips (left over from Tim + Heidi's Christmas in July class, fit perfectly behind the word wonderland. cut down to size and place on card front. If you're feeling adventurous like myself, and would like to stalk up on these beauties, you can find them here.

Finishing touches: adhere card base to white card stock add pop ups to red card stock.

I hope you enjoyed my detailed tutorial and it leaves you feeling inspired.

Christina