12 Days of Christmas Swap

This is the second year I've participated in a 12 Days of Christmas Swap on the Byhand Artists Yahoo Group.  This swap has become so popular that this year there were 3 groups of 13 participants.  You sign up for a day (I was day 11 this year), make 12 items (13 if you want one for yourself) and mail one to each of the other 12 people in your group. There is a day 13 person and when everyone else is opening your gift, you open the day 13 gift.  

This year I made a hanging using Studio 490 art parts (Stampers Anonymous), grungepaper (Tim Holtz Ideology) for the flowers (Tim's Sizzix tattered florals die) and flourishy leaves (Sizzix Bigz), ribbon, Maya Road stick pins, pearl sticky back gems, Distress inks, Archival inks, Studio 490 background stamps, chain and wire to attach the chain.  "Art is letting your fingers capture" rubber stamp is from Quietfire Design.   

Birthday Cards

This first card uses a piece of Prima die cut adhesive backed felt.  I added little gold sticky back pearls all over for a very cool look.  Happy Birthday is stamped and then cut with a Spellbinders nestability.  The Spellbinder layers, flowers, and punched butterfly are all edged using gold Paint Dabber.  More gold pearls used for the center of each flower and the butterfly body.

This card again uses Spellbinder dies to cut the layers.  Happy Birthday is stamped on a piece of textured wall paper.  The leaf image is stamped around the edges of the folded card.  Die cut bird from grunge and inked first with Snow Cap pigment, dried, and then inked with Distress ink.  Black Glaze pen to make the eye.

Christmas Gift Tags

I hosted a gift tag swap for the EverythingWendyVecchi Yahoo Group earlier this month and this is the tag I made.  The inspiration comes from a post on Wendy Vecchi's blog here where she showed us how to use her scalloped corner image to make a Christmas tree.  I loved the idea and wanted to try it so what better way than for the swap.  All the stamps I used are Wendy's Studio 490 images.  I've also used Distress inks, Archival inks, rock candy Distress Stickles, and snow cap Paint Dabber.  A gold star and some beaded stuff (comes on a roll like ribbon and I think I got it a couple years ago at Michaels) finish things off.

Merry Christmas

To all my blog friends!!!  I hope you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas filled with the joy of family and friends!!!

Both of these cards were done as projects for Quietfire Design and can be found in the project gallery on the QF website.  The deer card is here and the bird card is here.

Metallized Ornaments

Last month I participated in an ornament swap on the TenSecondsStudio Yahoo Group.  These are the ornaments I made.  They are all 2 sided... on one side I used plum metal and the other I used barn red metal. I started by attaching humungo tape to both sides of a piece of grungeboard leaving the liner on the top of both sides.  I cut the ornaments from this taped grunge and also from the colored metals (Tim Holtz ornament die).  Did my word and design on the metal using tools from Ten Seconds Studio which is also where the metal is from.  Filled the back of the words (back side of the metal) with light molding paste... let it dry well... took the liner off the grunge ornament and stuck on the metal... flipped it over and repeated for the other side.  Be very careful when cutting things out and when sticking the metal on as the ornaments are not symmetrical... you need to be sure you are matching things up correctly.  The hole was made in the top using a Crop-a-dile.  Around the edges of the ornament I used glass glitter adhered with white glue which really spiffed them up and covered the grunge layer well.

Created Byhand Challenge - Meditations/Shades of Blue

I really like this ornament I made for this weeks Created Byhand Challenge (blog or forum)!!  I went with the color blue but watching a softly falling snow can be a great time for thinking about things.  All stamps and supplies are available from Quietfire Design.  I started by cutting 2 pieces of white glossy using the Spellbinders ornament die.  Stamped them both with the snowflake using Versamark ink, let that dry, and added Distress inks broken china and faded jeans using an ink blending tool and foam.  I then flicked on some water, blotted it up and dried them with the heat tool.  Edged both pieces with silver Krylon.  After deciding which one would be the front of my ornament, I stamped Silent Night with Versafine black ink and embossed it with clear powder.  Next I took the piece for the back of the ornament and working on the backside of it applied Tim Holtz snowflake tissue tape around the edge ruffling it as I went leaving just enough room at the top for the Tim Holtz metal corner to fit.  Taking Perfect Pearls pearl color mixed in a mini mister bottle with water, I sprayed the front of the tissue tape well and let it dry.  I then turned the piece over.... this side of the tissue tape is still sticky and to remedy that I applied Perfect Pearls pearl color powder onto the tape using a brush.  Next I applied adhesive to the back of the front ornament (the one stamped with Silent Night) and placed it over the tissue taped ornament, set an acrylic block on top for some weight and let it dry.  Added the Tim Holtz corner to the top... punched a hole in it using the Crop-a-dile... and added 7mm white silk ribbon colored with distress inks for a hanger and also a bow.

This picture shows the ornament before I added the bow so you could better see the placement of the corner.

This picture shows the back of the ornament and the fabulous shimmer from the Perfect Pearls powder on the back of the tissue tape.

Another picture of the front of the completed ornament.  

ATCs

These are some atcs I made back in October to take to an in-person swap up in Des Moines but I forgot to put them on my blog... so here they are now.  I'm not going to explain them all but if there is something you want to know, just ask!!  

12 Tags of Christmas - #3

Another fun tag!!  Tim's Day 3 tag is here.  My tag is almost the same as Tim's but I didn't have the tree so used the pine bunch, stamping it twice... I think it worked well.   I cut up some very fibery fibers to place by the birds legs.  I also figured out that you shouldn't really use your heat tool to dry this trimming... it does shrink if it gets too hot.  I had made a tissue tape flower before and really do like them... but then I like almost all flowers.

12 Tags of Christmas - #2

Tim's Day 2 tag can be seen here.  It's been years since I made a custom ink pad and had a great time making one for the Christmas Carols stamp.  Stamping around it with the music image, flourish, and splatter.  I cut leaves and berries from craft store holly picks for embellishing.  Also some of Tim's baubles (1st time I've actually used these) and colored Tim ribbon.  This is nice ribbon... I could use it by the rolls!!!!

12 Tags of Christmas - #1

Once again Tim Holtz is doing his 12 Tags of Christmas and I'm attempting to play along this year.  The first tag was posted on Dec. 1st and it will continue every day until 12 are done.  You can see Tim's Day 1 tag here.

My tag is very similar but not the same as I didn't have all the supplies... which is fine... his tags are for inspiration and to try new techniques... doing them exactly is not required.  First off, I do not have that old rickety house die - yet - but after seeing the fabulous Christmas time house it made I've decided I should own it.  In the meantime I opted to make a more... different house.  I did the technique he share... which is WAY cool... but then I cut out one of the styled labels and then cut a key hole in it for the window (ya, I should have cut them at the same time but I wasn't thinking that far ahead, lol).  I cut a chimney afterwards from what was left after cutting out the label... cutting it exactly where I was going to place it on the label so the edges fit together... not that you can see them after adding the "snow".  My tree is a Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamp... stamped it with Archival jet black onto grungeboard, cut it out, inked it completely with peeled paint and then a bit with pine needles.  I then took Tim's small pine branch image and stamped it on the tree using pine needles to give the tree the look of pine tree texture.  For my wreath I punched a Martha Stewart pine branch several times from green cardstock, inked them just a bit with pine needles and stuck them together in a wreath shape.  The ticket looked way too big down by the house so I put it at the top of the tag.  I just had to add a little bird and it is also a Martha Stewart punch.

CCC #23

I'm so glad we are going every 2 weeks with this challenge until after Christmas!!  So I'm not actually late with this tag :-)   As always, hop on over to Linda's wonderful blog to read all about the challenge.  This is challenge #23 and the technique is called Double Distress.  Colors I've used on my grungeboard piece are rusty hinge, brushed corduroy and black soot.  On the saying (Tim stamp)  I used mustard seed and pine needles.  Ideology pieces for the clock and the ribbon.. ribbon is colored with Distress Inks.

Gentleness ATC

I recently bought a digital collage kit from Zorana (blog / etsy) after seeing this post on Stamping Mathilda's blog.  I used some pieces from that kit on this atc.  I also used a leaf/vine punch from Martha Stewart (I punched old music paper and colored it with distress inks), some German scrap (it was white.. colored with distress inks and just a tiny bit of highlight with gold paint dabber), sticky back gems, and black paint dabber around the edges of the atc.

Snow Day ATC

I guess I must be feeling a bit blingy!!  The background is one I had in my stash and I'm not sure what was used on it but it does have some shimmer.  I put white distress crackle paint around the edges and it seeped up some of the color from the background instead of staying white... after it was crackled and dry I added picket fence distress stickles over it and let it dry.  I embossed a piece of white cardstock with a snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug)... rubbed a little distress ink tumbled glass on it, spritzed it with pearl glimmer mist, dried it and tore a piece to add to the atc.  The girl image is from Paper Imagery Designs... punched it out with an oval punch.. added white paint dabber to the edges.. layered it to a piece of blue cardstock, cut around it with deckle scissors and added rock candy distress stickles to the edge... added it to the atc.  Finished things off with some sticky back gem flourishes (I just cut part of them to use).. snowflakes punched from white cardstock and a gem added to the centers... words hand written.

Created Byhand Challenge

This weeks challenge is Giving Thanks/Shades of Brown and I've included both in my card... blog or forum.  Almost everything I used on this card is available from Quietfire Design.

The background is from the Tim Holtz Seasonal Paper Stack... a fun piece that has all kinds of recipes on it related to things we often have on Thanksgiving... I used brushed corduroy on the edges and then also Gold Krylon.  The leaves (Tim Holtz tattered leaves die) were cut from a piece of paper I had left after teaching the Embossing Folders - Unexpected Impressions class for Quietfire Design in September and then some brushed corduroy sponged on the edges.  The ribbon is 13mm white silk ribbon dyed with brushed corduroy distress ink (put the ribbon in a plastic bag, spray it with water, drip on a drop or two of reinker, squish it around until all the ribbon is colored, take out the ribbon and dry it with the heat tool) and stamped (music) using Archival Ink jet black.  The center piece... both layers are cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four dies... the brown cardstock layer has some brushed corduroy sponged around the edges and then a line of Gold Krylon.  The main piece started as manilla card and I did the wrinkle-free distress technique on it (rub distress inks - brushed corduroy, tea dye - onto a craft sheet, spritz with water... but I used a water & perfect pearls gold mix... press your card into the puddle, dry, repeat, dry, and continue repeating and drying until you want to stop).  Thanks was stamped with Archival Ink jet black.  Give was computer generated, punched out with a 1/2" circle punch, edges sponged with brushed corduroy, glued into the disk with loops and attached with brown brads.

CCC #22 - Alcohol Ink Splatter

This is a very fun technique that I have played with before.  I decided to really change things up for me by using all colors for the lights group of alcohol inks.  It was fun!!  I did manage to smear the stamping a little but it still looked ok for the tag so I didn't allow myself to start over (even though I thought about it).

To learn more about this challenge head on over to Linda's fabulous blog here.

Stamps and embellishments are Tim Holtz!!

A Great Class

Many thanks to everyone that could be at class tonight!!!  I had a great time!!!  

If you missed the class (or forgot something you need to look at again), there is a project page on the Quietfire website

Here!

Pop on over and see all the projects along with supply lists and directions.

Class Reminder

Tomorrow night - Tuesday, November 16th - at 8:00pm Central Time, I will be teaching a Free online class for Quietfire Design called "A Christmas that's hard to Resist".  The chat room where the class takes place in on the Quietfire Creations Forum - you need to be a member of the forum - It's free, just sign up.  I hope to 'see' you there!!!!

CCC #21 - Perfect Distress

This weeks technique for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge is perfect distress found on page 38 of Tim's book.  I did this technique several times after Tim first shared it on his blog but hadn't done it since and it was fun playing with it again.  I should have used a different color of ink on here as the technique didn't show up really well but I learned something from that and learning is good.  For all the details of the challenge see Linda's blog.  All stamps used on my tag are Tim Holtz.  Distress ink colors are weathered wood, bundled sage, and forest moss.  Archival ink for the black stamping.  Ideology pieces and some trim to finish it off. 

Free Online Class - Tues, Nov. 16

A Christmas That's Hard to Resist

This is a heads up to let you know that I will be teaching another online class for Quietfire Design this upcoming Tuesday, November 16th.  The class is Free.  You have to be a member of Quietfire Creations Forum (that's also free) to be able to access the chat room to attend class.  I hope you can be there!!!

Love Ornament

Before they were even available to buy I knew I wanted to get the Tim Holtz Alterations Ornament die and word inserts.  I just 'loved' the thought of being able to cut an ornament with a word cut out in the center.  This is cut from grungeboard... inked with Distress Ink crushed olive, dried.. the white Inkssential pen used to add some details... a piece of old sheet music attached behind... I cut another ornament from matching cardstock and glued it to the back (so it looked pretty :-)...  added rock candy Distress Stickles on just the 'frame' part... added a hanger and the holly brad (Spare Parts)... I didn't want the prongs showing on the back so I cut them off and just glued it on.

Joy Blocks

There has been talk on the All Things Tim Yahoo Group (that Tim is Tim Holtz) about the made to look like printers block letters used in some workshops and I just had to give it a try.  This is 3 layers of grungeboard... the letter on top and 2 layers for the block.  I immediately went to my packages of Alpha grungeboard... found I didn't have any plain... totally forgot at that moment that there are letters in the mini pack and seasonal pack and nature pack... so I decided to go ahead and try it with the swirls.  I think it came out very cool.  All the layers are glued together, painted black, sanded, and then inked with Distress Ink... I used victorian velvet here.  Now to decide on a project to include them in.....

Noel

Noel is another new stamp from Quietfire Design.  The letters are open allowing you to add color.  For this card I've stamped with black and then used a gold gel pen to color in the letters.  I think next I'll try doing some variegated coloring... that would be very pretty.  The edges of the noel panel are colored with Distress Inks aged mahogany and tea dye.  The black line was done with a fine point pen.  The background and the rosette are both cut from Tim Holtz's seasonal pack.  The blue is the flip side of a printed area.  The little snowflake (also a new QF image), was stamped over the background with Versamark ink and embossed with gold powder.  One more snowflake was done a scrap left after cutting the background piece.  After the rosette was made I added Distress Stickles rock candy in the valleys and glass glitter around the edges, Glossy Accents to attach it.  The edges of the background and the noel panel are both embossed with gold powder... press the edge straight down on the versamark pad (the paper would be at a 90 degree angle from the pad), dip in powder, heat.  Some scraps of old music paper along the top and bottom of the noel panel slightly colored along the torn edge with DI brushed corduroy.  This charm and the star from Tim Holtz's Adornment pack were used for the embellishment piece.  Cut one hole off the disk (use a file to sand smooth if needed), punch extra snowflake from paper using a 1/2" paper punch, glue into disk with Glossy Accents (or other clear glue) and top with a thick coat of clear glue...  it will be cloudy at first but will dry completely clear.  I added gold embossing powder to the silver star... heat the star, dip in embossing powder, heat powder until melted (you can add another coat if one isn't enough - I did).  A jump ring was used to attach the star to the disk.. foam tape behind the disk to attach to rosette.

Let it Snow

I really don't want it to snow yet but I do like the new Let it snow stamp from Quietfire Design.... and the new Tim Holtz winter wonder die, snow flurries on-the-edge die, and snow flurries texture fade folder are all fabulous!!!!  For the background I used the texture fade to emboss.. keeping the embossing more to the left so I had a small unembossed area along the right to stamp in.  A blending tool and foam with tumbled glass ink (I just used the left over ink already on the pad as I didn't want it too dark) was rubbed over the embossed snowflakes.  "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" was stamped along the right with black ink... I stamped first in the middle and then again before and after letting it run off the page.  The dies were cut from white cardstock... 1 snowman, 3 snowflakes, and 1 border.  The individual snowflakes and border have Distress Stickles on them... rock candy on the individual snowflakes and then because I am AGAIN running low on rock candy I used picket fence on the border which actually works very well for snow.  For the snowman I masked off the arms and nose, then used tumbled glass around the snowman and black soot on the hat... the arms are brushed corduroy and the nose is rusty hinge.  The folded base is pink.. I sponged a little tumbled glass along the very edge which made purple.  It's all finished off with ribbon, buttons, and sticky back gems. 

Blessed is the Season

The sentiment is another new stamp from Quietfire Design.  The background paper is from the Tim Holtz Seasonal paper pad.  The die is Tim's die, reindeer flight... cut from grungepaper and inked with Distress Ink vintage photo.  4mm silk ribbon colored with DI barn door.  Small bell attached with a jump ring.  The folded base card is stamped with the small Merry Christmas snowflake using vintage photo ink and more vintage photo just sponged on the edges.  The sentiment is stamped on cream cardstock and the edges inked with DI peeled paint and just a little vintage photo.  The mat under the sentiment is red cardstock, edges distressed with the Tim Holtz paper distresser and then inked with vintage photo.  The gold layer between the background and base is white cardstock with the edges painted using Lumiere brass for a nice bright gold look with a bit of shimmer.

Joys of the Season Card

Check out those mittens!!!  They are just one (actually 2) of several new stamps just released by Quietfire Design.  Take Time to delight is not a new stamp but still a favorite of mine.  Printed paper is from Basicgrey's Jovial paper pad.  Distress Inks - barn door, antique linen, bundled sage, vintage photo.  Paper Distresser used on the sentiment panel.