That's Life: Tis' The Season....

Hello friends...

As we start the final countdown and all important rush to get ready for Christmas and the holidays, here at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, we have one more challenge to complete the year and this is all about Sparkle and Shine. This challenge will run for 2 WEEKS and we hope you'll find some time to join us and play along.

For my make, I used my beloved Tim Holtz idea-ology products, combined with a Sizzix Texture Fade to create one final Christmas make and I hope you love the vintage style piece I've made that is full of shimmering sparkle and shine!

So, let's get started ~ it's time to share my last post of 2025!

For this piece, I used the smaller sized Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Rectangular Etcetera Panel and covered the raw edges with one of Tim's idea-ology design tape trims.

ETCETERA PANEL

To begin with I created the background and for this I used the Sizzix Engraved Large Texture Fade Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz. I ran a piece of Mixed Media Heavystock card through my die cutting machine ~ I usually run it through a couple of times to ensure the embossing has the right level of detail.

To add colour to the cardstock, I lightly spritzed the card with water and then used a combination of Uncharted Mariner, Antique Linen, Speckled Egg, Crackling Campfire. Once happy, I used my heat tool to dry the card and then cut it down to size, slightly smaller than the Etcetera Panel itself.

I wanted to accentuate the embossed detail and give the first hint of shine to this piece, so I used gilding flakes. I applied the Gilding glue to random areas of the embossed detail, then once the glue has dried and become tacky, I applied the gilding flakes. I used a firm brush to ensure the flakes get into all those tiny details and then brush any residue of flakes away.

After inking the edges and adding a machine stitched border, I matted the embossed card onto a piece of blue Kraft card from the Cool Kraft Stash selection and then matted these layers onto a piece of felt, that I cut with pinking shears.

I adhered these layers onto the Etcetera Panel using matte collage medium, then added a Hardware/Screw Head in each corner, adding a rusty finish to the metal using Distress Paints.

VINTAGE EPHEMERA IMAGE

With my background complete, it's time to begin telling this story and as my main focal point, I used a gorgeous image from Tim's Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls pack. I absolutely LOVE this piece, from the colouring to the image itself, it's the epitome of vintage Christmas.

I added some rips and tears around the outside edge of the ephemera piece, then mounted it onto a piece of kraft card.

After inking the edges of the image, I attached it to my background using foam pads. You can see from the photo below, how much dimension is in this piece....

To add more detail to this gorgeous image, I added some small pieces of Cello Sticker Tape...

...and the stamp from the Ephemera pack, which I placed in the top right hand corner.

Beneath the image, I placed a greeting from the Christmas Baseboards pack. I inked the edges of this piece, then attached it to my panel with foam pads.

GREENERY FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Now it's time to add the foliage arrangement. For this I used some of the pieces from the Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls pack, together with some extra greenery which I die cut from inked cardstock using the Holiday Brushstroke 3 Sizzix die by Tim Holtz.

I gave each of the die cut pieces a dusting of 'snow' by applying Versamark Ink directly to the greenery, then sprinkling white embossing powder over the inked areas. Don't be too heavyhanded with the ink, or powder ~ it's just meant to be a dusting, not a storm!!!

Once all my pieces were ready, I then smeared Collage Medium over the top and dipped them into the Rock Candy Glitter pot before setting them to one side to dry.

I arranged the holly branches and the poinsettia around the top left and bottom right hand corners and then tucked some of the sparkly die cut foliage in between the pieces.

Finally, I added a splatter of white paint across the panel, masking off any areas that I didn't want the paint to hit.

SPARKLE and SHINE

Now for the finishing touches and that glorious sparkle.

After drizzling some Glossy Accents over the areas I want to sparkle, I sprinkled a combination of Mica Flakes and Chunky Rock Candy over the medium.

You can see I added it to the floral display, the top of the image and along the top of the greeting.

Finally, I attached a large Hinge Clip, painted with Distress Paint to alter the colour of the metal and then clipped to the top of my panel to complete the piece.

I hope you love this piece and all the details and techniques that I've used!

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....