Sizzix Christmas Magic

Today I'm sharing some of my very favorite holiday posts using Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations dies! The first two (in my opinion) are some of the very best ideas ever to be posted on this blog. Both posts were created by my friend Debbie Crouse.  You will be able to tell what a talent she has for the details! Be sure to click on the name of each post to go to the original tutorial for each project. Current links to the dies used can be found at the bottom of this post.

These chalkboard labels + brown mailing paper makes for the most wonderful Christmas packages.  Who would know they started with a just simple Sizzix die cut?

Let the Wrapping Begin

notice the gold eyelet detail?

Dies used to make labels for both "Let the Wrapping Begin" and Wrapping it up" posts

Another of my favorite posts... every time I see this photo I think, I want a gift wrapped like that!
Wrapping It up

Christmas Tags

I posted some easy gift tags that friends and I created this weekend on Facebook and I had some ladies ask what stamps and colors I used.  I promised to answer it here on the blog today.  So here it goes...

Halftone Christmas Snowman

Halftone Christmas - snowman and starbursts
Deco Christmas - Merry Christmas sentiment

Let me show you how to sue a Halftone stamp if they are new to you.
Stamp the base color - I used Archival olive, onto a #5 tag.

Change out the stamp to the outline and stamp over the base image.  You don't have to be perfect, in fact it's better if it's a little off, to show some white in the background.  If you have never used stamps like these, just create a few extra tags so you can practice.  The friends that made these tags with me were novice stampers and had no problem once they practiced a few times.

 Next up, a sentiment.  I found a one that fit on the #5 tag quite nicely from the Deco Christmas set.

 I used the starburst from the Halftone Christmas set to add a faux snowflakes.

Then finished up by using Gathered Twigs on the edges and Stickles in Platinum (my favorite Stickles).

 I used the Stickles in a couple different areas.  The tag on the left has it only on the starburst shapes. And the tag on the right has it on the buttons and the center of the starbursts. Even though it's hard to see here, I did think having it concentrated on the starbursts gave more of an overall impact.

Halftone Trees

Next up is a modern take on a Christmas tag.  This one is larger - #8 tag.

I used the same Halftone Christmas set as well as the Handwritten Holidays 2 set.
I changed up the colors to Olive, Plum and Rose Madder, not your typical Holiday colors!  I love the result though.
I think using a Walnut Stain Distress Marker and the Distress Marker Spritzer to create the speckles is key.  Really gave it a nighttime sky look (and to be honest, that DM Spritzer is always the funnest part of any project or card).

This one is super simple but it is a favorite.
I like that even though it is a smaller #5 tag (great for small gift or gift bags) and the wreath stamp is large, it can still be used.  The little sentiments that come with the Styled Woodlands Set are different from any other set and super cute.  Loved the filled in O.
I did add a bit more Stickles glitter on the berries.

Christmas Nostalgia - background
Styled Woodlands - Wreath and greeting

Another simple one - The Holiday Knits set is a standout this season!

 

Holiday Knits - background
Handwritten Holidays - sentiment

Since I was on a roll with the stamping - my niece needed an invitation for a party she is giving.  I created the invitation and printed them out on cardstock.   I used an old favorite, Christmas Time set, for the poinsettias and the stars.  The bow is from Styled Woodlands.  We inked them and used the Spritzer again.  Super easy way to make standard cardstock look great!
And of course we had to decorate the envelopes too!

One more thing, if you cannot make it to Whim So Doodle this next weekend for the last set of classes for the year, I have posted a few of the 2014 Christmas kits in my Etsy shop.  Just click on link here or use the ETSY logo in the sidebar - both will take you there.  It's quite cute and very nicely packaged - like a gift in a box!

now carry on,

paula

InLinkz.com

Tim Holtz Media Team: Modern Holiday

Hello everyone!
I have a fun project to share today for the Tim Holtz Media Team using Distress Stains.  I have to say, when the Distress Spray Stains were first released a few months ago I thought, why do I need spray stain when I have Distress Stain in a bottle?  Well, I have come to understand that each have their own purpose because of the way the bottle dispenses the liquid.  And YES, I do need both! Follow along and I will show you what I created.

I cut a couple sheets of Ranger Watercolor Cardstock about 3 /1/2 x 8 1/2".  You will get three strips per page.

Once you have your strips cut, gather a few more supplies.
1.  Distress Stain - any color (I'm going for a Christmas theme so I included Peeled Paint and Festive Berries.  I also included some colors that might not scream Christmas like, Salty Ocean, Pumice Stone and Iced Spruce.
2.  Distress Stain Spray - Brushed Pewter and Tarnished Brass
3.  Paint brushes in varying widths
4. Two craft sheets (optional)

It does not matter what color you use - just pick one!  I pounced out a good amount of stain into a small puddle onto my craft mat.  *Do not add water. 

 Using a paintbrush, drag the stain across the watercolor paper -

 Until you reach the bottom of the paper.  You can air dry or use a Heat It Tool.

Now lets change it up and use Distress Spray Stain to spritz over the surface.  Dry again.
Remember to shake before use - and clean the nozzle after use to prevent clogging.  No one likes clogging.
NOTE: This is where the second Craft Mat comes in handy.  I painted the stripes on one Craft Mat and sprayed on the other (because we all know, sprays go everywhere - even on your camera that you might be taking photos with, to document the process).

In the end, I tested all 6 colors I chose up front.  Some I sprayed with the metallic Distress Spray Stain and some I left with just the stripes. I love that each has a totally different feel.  Of course now you're wondering what the heck is she doing with a bunch of striped paper?

The answer is this...
I die cut the strips to create shapes for tags and cards.
I used Sized Ovals, Sized Circles, Stacked Stars, Ornamental, Mini Baroque and even Tarnished Trophies and the Festive Gent.  Really, any die is fair game.

 I inked all the edges with Frayed Burlap.

 Then stamped a Christmas sentiment.  Seriously, how good does that look? 

I used Handwritten Holidays 1and 2 for the stamping, with Archival ink in Jet Black and Vermillion.  I did use one small stamp from the new Mini Handwritten Holidays to stamp "Peace on Earth" onto the trophy cup.  You can see that the image is much smaller than the blue card right behind it.

 I made some of them into gift tags.  I think that trophy cup is super cute and that stamp fits perfectly!

I also made simple card using the large sized oval.  Perfect!
I added a Vial Label at the bottom.  The 25 comes from the Botanical Remnant Rubs.  If I was going to make these in bulk, I would replace the 25 with a small stamp. 
I also colored a mini Arrow with gold Alcohol Ink and added it to the card with Multi Medium.

Well I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial enough to try this simple technique at home.  These are easy enough for the whole family to get involved, from the painting to the die cutting (just watch the spraying part...that could go awry with small kids...okay some adults too.  Just saying...).

And if you hadn't heard, 24 new colors of Distress Spray Stain were just released by Ranger last week!  I'm gonna need a bigger Craft Mat.

now carry on,
paula

InLinkz.com