Hello, Santa Claus...

 Hello everyone...

Well, there's not long to go until the big day and as we begin the new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, I thought our challenge theme was the perfect chance to share some Tim Holtz Idea-ology inspiration. As you know, I love all of Tim's products from mediums, and Sizzix Dies to Stampers Anonymous stamps, but my one true love is idea-ology and with the theme in mind, I chose to create a vintage style panel all about the night before Christmas, that will be perfect to display throughout the holidays...

So, let's get started because it's time to share all the details of how I created some Christmas magic...

To begin with I have a recent post that will help with how I created some of the sparkly magic for the Woodland Garland and you can find that post if you click HERE.

PANEL & FACADE

For this make, I used the larger sized Rectangular Etcetera Panel and began by covering the edges with Design Tape. I still have some of the Christmas Design Tape that is now sadly retired but any design will do, it's really only there to give a nice finish and cover those raw edges.

With my tape in place, I started selecting some of the Collage Strips that I would be using on both the panel and the facade. The strips need to be cut into sections so that they will fit both surfaces perfectly, so you might have to play around with these to get the perfect fit but once you have chosen the pieces, I adhered them to each surface using Matte collage Medium. I also added a coat of the medium over the top of each piece to seal them.

To cover all those joins and to give this piece that vintage touch, I used the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edge of the panel and facade and also applying it between each of the joins of the Collage Strips. Blend out any harsh line of crayon with your fingertip.

The panel is now complete and can be set to one side whilst we add the finishing touches to the facade.

Behind the aperture of the facade, I cut and adhered a piece of Christmas Backdrops paper. At this stage, I also adored a panel of Heavystock Mixed Media card to the back of the facade, as this will help to give a bit more stability to the paper. Once again I used the Walnut Stain Crayon around the edges, blending out any harsh lines of colour.

I attached some Screw Heads around the top edge of the facade and then added an idea-ology Mini Flair Pin that I had in my stash. To complete the facade, I applied some Snowfall Grit Paste around the top and down the sides, and then sprinkled Chunky Rock Candy Glitter over the top. Set aside to dry.

Attach the risers from the Etcetera Facade pack to the back of the facade itself and then attach this to the Etcetera Panel using Matte Collage Medium and allowing the facade to slightly overlap the top edge of the panel. I always add a weight over the top to ensure every section of the facade, adheres to the panel.

Underneath the facade, I added two Scalloped Etcetera Trims to form a ledge. 

I used the Decorative Trims die to cut some Christmas Backdrops Paper to cover each trim and then placed the trims to form a 'L' shape, before adhering them to the panel and then applying Crackle Paste onto the top of the ledge. I allowed for this to dry before adding a good amount of Snowfall Grit Paste. Again, you need to allow this to dry....

To complete the facade, I adhered two stamps from the Ephemera Pack onto the right hand side and added a Remnant Rub, before attaching some Cello Sticker Tape as a finishing touch.

Along the ledge, I added a good amount of Snowfall Grit Paste and then set this to one side to dry whilst I move on to the embellishments.

WOODLAND GARLAND

To colour and add some sparkle to the Woodland Garland, you can pop on over to my post and see exactly how I created this. Once you've got the perfect colour and a good amount of sparkle, then all I did was to shape the garland by manipulating the wire and then attach it with hot glue. I placed this underneath the ledge.

BUILDING THE SCENE

We're now ready to bring this story to life and for this, I began by attaching the Santa from the Layers and Paper Dolls pack, using foam pads to add some height and dimension to the piece.

Using two of the candy canes from the idea-ology Confections pack, I attached these to either side of the facade. Each candy cane has been smeared with Glossy Accents and had a dusting of Crystal Rock Candy added.

Around the base of each candy cane, I added some idea-ology 'bubbles', again smeared with Glossy Accents before having their sprinkle of Rock Candy added over the top.

I attached the sparkly bubbles using Glossy Accents and then, attached two of the poinsettias from the Layers and Paper Dolls pack to either end of the ledge, placing them over the top of where the garland is attached.

Finally I drizzled Glossy Accents over the top of the dried out Snowfall Grit Paste, and sprinkled some Mica Flakes over the top. I also added some flakes and rock candy to the poinsettias.

I also added some flakes around the top edge of the Christmas Tree that Santa is holding...

We're nearly there and all that's left is the Christmas Greetings sentiment, which is from the Chrismtas Ephemera pack. I adhered this to a piece of mount board, and then attached it to my panel, placing it underneath the garland.

After a gentle splatter of white acrylic paint, my panel is complete and I hope you've enjoyed the process and all the little tips and techniques that I've shared to bring this piece to life.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Etcetera Panel, Scalloped Trims, Etcetera Facade

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, Decorative Trims

Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stains: Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Christmas Backdrops, Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls, Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Woodland Garlands, Christmas Ephemera, Confections Adornments, Christmas Collage Strips, Bubbles, Mini Flair Pin from my stash

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Snowfall Grit Paste, Foam Pads, Glossy Accents, Mica Flakes,  Rock Candy Glitter Bundle,

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Underneath The Tree...

Happy Monday everyone...

Can you believe that we're so near to Christmas and the holidays? Where has this year gone?

Well, as we approach the final countdown to the big day, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called WRAP IT UP! However you interpret this challenge theme, we would love for you to join us and play along and we can't wait to see what you will create.

For my make, I chose to make a gift wrap set, including the wrapping paper, tags and a present topper and I'm excited to share the details of how I made these pieces...

So, let's get started...it's time to wrap it up!

To begin with I chose to use the Stampers Anonymous Holiday Sketch stamp set by Tim Holtz with the coordinating die set from Simon Says Stamp for my tags and the beautiful Snowflake Rosette from Tim that is currently free from SSS, with every purchase of $30 or more of branded products from Tim. These are the main focal points to accompany the gift wrap...

GIFT WRAP

For the gift wrapping paper, I bought a roll of plain kraft paper from a local store and using a section of the gift wrap, I began by stamping my snowflake design using SSS white ink.

I used two Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz stamps, the snowflakes are from the Mr Frostie stamp set and the postmark, stamped with Barn Door Archival Ink is from the Holiday Postmarks stamp set. 

I stamped the pattern to cover the entire piece of kraft paper, adding the postmarks in between the snowflakes, before adding some white paint splatters

To complete the wrap, I added some snow, using the stamp from The Poinsettia, which I once again inked with white ink before adding it to my kraft wrap.

Once I'd wrapped the present using the gift wrap, I cut a strip of seam binding ribbon, which I coloured with Speckled Egg and Rustic Wilderness Distress Spray Stain. I applied the stain directly to the ribbon, added a spritz of water to blend the colours and then heat dried the ribbon until thoroughly dry.

After tying the ribbon around my present and finishing with a double bow, I added two Holiday Bells to the centre.

We now have the present wrapped, ready for the tags...

TAGS

Using the Tim Holtz Framed Tag die that I have in my stash, I cut three of the middle sized tags from heavyweight kraft card and then inked the "snow" stamp from The Poinsettia stamp set, and stamped this in white, at the top of the tag. I completed the tag by adding a machine stitched border around the outside.

Using the Holiday Sketchbook stamps, I stamped the individual images onto watercolour cardstock, and then watercolored them with Distress Watercolour Pencils before die cutting all three images with the coordinating dies.

After cutting three separate panels of kraft card, which I will be layering onto the tags, I stamped the same images again onto these pieces and repeated the snow across the top of the panel and add a strip of Christmas Design Tape across the bottom.

After I'd machine stitched a border around the outside, I mounted the coloured die cut images onto the tags with foam pads.

On each of the tags, I stamped a sentiment in clear embossing ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. The sentiments are stamped using the Stampers Anonymous Cartoons stamp set by Tim Holtz.

Matt the layer onto a piece of red Kraft cardstock and then mount the completed panel onto the tag, using foam pads. Repeat with the other two images to create the remaining tags...

For a little extra sparkle and texture, I drizzled the top of the mounted panel with some Glossy Accents before sprinkling Snowflakes over the medium. Tap away the excess and leave to dry.

Add some Stickles Glitter to each of the stamped snowdrops around the image to complete the panel.

SNOWFLAKE ROSETTES

Finally, I made a present topper using the Snowflake Rosette die that is currently a FREE GIFT when you spend $30 or more on Tim Holtz branded products.

This die has always been one of my favourites for the holidays and I thought it would make a perfect present topper.

I cut three strips of the snowflake and then attached them to one another to form one long strip, which I then folded along the scorelines before assembling my snowflake rosette.

I added an idea-ology Vintage Flair Christmas adornment to the centre, which I have in my stash but you can use anything you choose as the centre embellishment.

I then cut a second rosette from some more of the Christmas Backdrop paper, using the Vault Rosette die and once this was assembled, I layered the two rosettes on top of one another before adding some Chunky Rock Candy Glitter to the snowflake.

I completed the present topper, which can then be used as an ornament for your tree, with a loop of ribbon.

So, that completes my makes and I think we can say ~ IT'S A WRAP on this week's challenge theme and I hope you love what I've created.

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Mr Frostie, The Poinsettia, Cartoons, Holiday Sketchbook stamp and die bundle, Holiday Postmarks

Sizzix: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Framed Tags from my stash, Vault Rosette, Snowflake Rosette Free Gift

Distress Spray Stains: Rustic Wilderness, Speckled Egg

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Holiday Bells, Christmas Design Tape from my stash, Christmas Backdrops

Mediums: Foam Pads, Clear Embossing Ink, Mica Flakes, White Embossing Powder, White Ink Pad, Chunky Rock Candy, Barn Door Archival Ink

Seam Binding Ribbon

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Metallic Kraft Stash, Black Card

Glass Media Mat

Splatter Brush

Heat Gun

Twine

****These are not affiliate links****

Simon Says Stamp DieCember® Blog Hop Day 2

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 2 of the DieCember® Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here from Melissa Phillips' blog, but if not, and you want to catch up with everyone who is participating in this hop, then don't worry because you can head back to the beginning, by clicking HERE and if you would like to see the entire product release , then pop on over to HERE.

With so many wonderful new releases for DieCember®, you will be spoilt for choice but hopefully this hop and all the amazing designers are going to inspire you and we can't wait to see your makes. 

For my project, I wanted to create something that wasn't using the traditional colours of Christmas and the holidays and I chose to create a card and matching gift tag using the Blooming Poinsettia Embossing Folder and matching die set, together with another SSS Exclusive, the co-ordinating die and Tim Holtz stamp set, the Scribbly Trees Bundle. Hope you'll enjoy reading all the details of how I created this card.

So, let's get started...it's time to hop along!

To begin with I created the card blank and used white cardstock to make a tent fold card measuring, 14.5 x 18.5cm.

I cut a panel of slate grey cardstock, 14 x 18cm and stitched a border around the outside edge, before matting this onto the card blank.

EMBOSSING FOLDER BACKGROUND

Taking the Blooming Poinsettia Embossing Folder and Matching Die, I place a piece of black card inside the folder and ran it through my die cutting machine.

To accentuate the embossing, I gently brushed a white ink pad over the raised areas. Set aside to dry, or use a heat tool.

Once the ink is thoroughly dry, I started to apply and layer the waxes to the cardstock. For this I used a combination of Lisa Horton and Finnabair metallic waxes.

Using my fingertip, you can use a dauber or blending tool, I started by applying the teal, followed by the rich gold, before adding light touches of the Firebird and White Gold waxes. You don't need a lot of wax, less is more and you can build up the intensity by adding more if needed.

Once I was happy with how the waxes had added the metallic shimmer to the design, I moved onto stamping the border at the top and bottom.

For this I used the Stampers Anonymous Ornate Trims stamp set by Tim Holtz and used clear embossing ink to stamp the border along the top of the card panel. Sprinkle with Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder before tapping away the excess and heat embossing the powder until molten.

Repeat with a border along the bottom of the card panel.

After adding some machine stitching down the left and right hand sides, I matted the card panel onto gold metallic Kraft card. I then used foam pads to matt the layered panel onto black cardstock.

To complete the background, lightly splatter white paint over the embossed panel and allow to dry.

RIBBON

Cut a strip of ribbon, and using either a splatter box, or a craft sheet, spritz the ribbon with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Spray Stain. Scrunch the ribbon inside a piece of paper towel to remove any excess stain and then heat dry.

Wrap the ribbon around the bottom section of the layered card panels and tie with a bow on the left hand side.

Attach two Holiday Bells to the centre of the bow, using hot glue.

Mount the panel onto the card front.

DIE CUT POINSETTIA

Taking the die from this embossing folder set, cut two poinsettias from black card before embossing both of them using the matching folder.

Using the same technique as I used on the background, apply the waxes to accentuate the embossing ~ start with the white ink pad, and then apply the waxes over the top.

To add dimension to the flower, I began by attaching the first poinsettia to my background panel, using foam pads and slightly offsetting the die cut.

I then took the second poinsettia and cut away some of the petals. I cut away two sections from opposite sides of the die cut before attaching this with foam pads. Place it directly over the top of the previous die cut, before adding a gold metallic droplet in the centre.

Cut 4 individual pine sprigs from more of the black card, using the Pointy Pine Sprig die from this release and once again, I used waxes over the die cuts.

To add some sparkle to the sprigs, smear each of the die cuts with a light touch of Matte Collage Medium and then sprinkle them with Rock Candy Crystal Glitter. Once they are touch dry, arrange and attach them around the poinsettia.

At this stage, I also added some Rock Candy Glitter to the petals of the poinsettia ~ who doesn't love some sparkle?!?

We're nearly there and all that's left is some finishing details....

SENTIMENT

The sentiment, 'Season's Greetings' is from the Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz, Scribbly Trees stamp set and after stamping and embossing it with gold embossing powder, I used the coordinating die set to die cut the wording before mounting it onto my card with foam pads, placing it in the bottom left hand corner.

To complete the card, add three gold metallic droplets to the background panel.

TAG

To create the gift tag, I used exactly the same techniques as to make the card but this time, I cut the shape from the embossed background using one of the Nested Stitched Ovals, which then mounted onto a gold metallic stitched oval die cut, approx 7cm in width.

I punched a hole in the top of the tag, and threaded more of the ribbon through before stamping and attaching the Merry Christmas sentiment from the Scribbly Trees stamp and coordinating die set.

To complete the tag, and add some more sparkle ~ I applied Glossy Accents around the gold layer, and then sprinkled Mica Flakes over the top. Tap away the excess and allow to dry.

So, that's my card and gift tag complete and I hope you love what I've created.

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the blog hop from the blog comment section! So, this means you can leave a comment here and on every stop along the way to increase your chances. Winners will be notified and they will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday, 10th December and all winners will need to contact/email Simon Says Stamp to claim their prize. 

Also, don't forget that you have until the 7th December at 11:59 EDT or whilst stocks last, to grab yourselves the exclusive Bundled Snowman die set which will be automatically added to your cart.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and see you soon, love Emma x

HOP ORDER

Simon Says Stamp Blog 
Nina-Marie Trapani
Laura Bassen
Suzy Plantamura
Nichol Spohr
Mindy Eggen
Sandi MacIver
Keisha Charles
Melissa Phillips
Emma Williams
Lorraine Aquilina
Rachel Alvarado
Barb Engler
Dana Joy
Carol Hintermeier
Trina Pham

Click HERE to shop for products

Simon Says Stamp: Blooming Poinsettia Embossing Folder and Die, Pointy Pine Sprigs, Nested Stitched Ovals, White Ink Pad

Stampers Anonymous Stamp Sets: Scribbly Trees Bundle, Ornate Trims

Distress Spray Stain: Lumberjack Plaid

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Glossy Accents, Snowflakes, Firebird Wax, Rock Candy Glitter, Matte Collage Medium, Gold embossing Powder, Versamark Clear Ink

Surfaces: Metallic Kraft Stash, Black Card, Slate Grey Card

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Metallic Droplets, Holiday Bells

Lisa Horton Metallic Wax: Teal, White Gold, Rich Gold

Tools: Blending Brushes, Blending Tool

Ribbon

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat

Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Machine