Tim Holtz and Simon Says Stamp Dies and Stamps Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the Inspirations Blog Hop featuring the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive co-ordinating dies that match Tim Holtz stamps.

I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here via my very talented friend, Stacy Hutchinson's 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. Also, if you would like to see the entire product release , then pop on over to HERE.

So, let's get started and I'll can't wait to share all the details of how I used one of the amazing co-ordinating die and stamps sets to create my mini gift envelopes and gift tag.

To begin with I created my bases and for these I used the Collector (for the gift envelopes) and Specimen (for the tag) die sets and cut my pieces from Mixed Media Heavystock card.

GIFT CARD HOLDERS

Once I'd die cut my card to create two gift card envelopes, I scored along the lines and then added some Distress Spray Stain to create more of a vintage feel to the cardstock. I used a combination of Antique Linen and Pumice Stone sprays, and after misting the surface with water, I applied the sprays and then used a heat tool to dry the card.

I then inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress ink before I assembled each of the envelopes.

Along the flap of each envelope, I inked one of the Ornate Trims stamps with Frayed Burlap Archival Ink, and then stamped the decorative trim. I repeated this on the second envelope using a different design of trim.

With the envelopes ready, I moved onto the layers.

For these background layers, I applied Distress Crackle Paste, through the Stampers Anonymous Splash Layering Stencil (THS080) onto a piece of Distress Watercolour Card. I set the card to one side to dry and for the crackles to appear and once this happens, I added the colour.

For this I used Distress Spray Stain in Speckled Egg, Antique Linen, Bundled Sage and Uncharted Mariner, together with Speckled Egg and Bundled Sage Oxide Spray.

I spritzed some water over the surface of the crackle pasted card, and then applied each of the colours, one by one. I then gave the card another light misting, you don't want to oversaturated the cardstock, just move the colours around to blend and then I gently heat dried the inks.

Once completely dry, I cut the card into two separate panels to fit the fronts of the envelopes and inked the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.

I then attached the panels to layers of Silver metallic Kraft stash and mounted these completed panels onto the fronts of my envelopes.

To complete the envelopes, I used the Crop-A-Dile to punch holes into the flaps and set a couple of eyelets into each before threading some seam binding ribbon through each eyelet, which I coloured with Tumbled Glass and Antique Linen Distress Spray Stains.

As the finishing touch, I added some Cello Tape Stickers to the envelopes.

We can now move onto the butterflies....

BUTTERFLIES

This is now where the fun begins and where we get to use the glorious new co-ordinating die sets from SSS, together with the stamps sets from Tim Holtz. For this make, I chose the Flutter stamp set, and I began by inking each butterfly with Black Soot Archival Ink, (I used three, 1 for each make) and stamping them onto watercolour card stock. I always use the smooth side of the cardstock when I stamp.

I then coloured my butterflies with Distress Watercolour Pencils and once I was happy and the watercoloring was completely dry, I used the co-ordinating Flutter die set to die cut the butterflies.

I then inked the edges of each one with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, and shaped the wings.

BUILDING UP THE LAYERS

We can now start to build the layers and complete the envelopes.

I began by using mica sheets that I have in my stash and I used two pieces and layered these over the top of one another, fixing them to the envelope with foam pads to add dimension.

I then cut two circles from the remaining crackled cardstock that I used for the background, and used these as my base for the butterfly.

I mounted my butterflies over some loose threads from my haberdashery box which I glued directly onto the circle, and then attached the butterfly over the top, leaving the wings free from adhesive, as I want these to rise up, as if the butterflies are in flight.

We're nearly there and all that's left is the sentiments that sit underneath the butterflies...

SENTIMENTS

For each envelope, I used a frame and sentiment. The frame is die cut from silver Metallic Kraft card using the dies in the Specimen die set. I cut three layers to build up the frame and and then added the sentiment to a piece of mixed media cardstock, that I placed inside the frame.

I completed each frame with Hardware Heads on either side.

The "see the world" sentiment is from the Tiny Text Remnant Rub set by Tim Holtz...

...and the "use your wings is from the Tiny Text Stampers Anonymous stamp set.

I completed the envelope with an Ornate Trim, die cut with the co-ordinating die set, and attached this along the bottom of each of the envelopes.

To create more of a rusty finish to the silver metal, I used a paintbrush to apply Crackling Campfire, Black Soot and Antiqued Bronze Distress Paints to the metallic surface. I wiped away any excess paint, so that it pools and sits in the recesses, especially where I've added the hardware heads.

FILM SLIDE TAG

As a little extra make, I thought it would be fun to make a gift tag and as I mentioned at the beginning, I used the Film Slide die in the Sizzix Specimen Thinlits Die Set by Tim.

Once my film slide was folded and inked, I used all the same elements as I used on the envelopes and layered the mica sheets, threads and butterfly as my focal point. I then added the ornate trim across the bottom section. To complete the make, I added a "no.48' remnant rub, some tiny nailheads and an eyelet in the top, complete with twine from my stash.

So, that's my makes complete and I hope you've enjoyed this process and it's inspired you with ideas of how to use some of the amazing dies and stamps from this release.....

Thank you so much for stopping by today and before I go, don't forget to join Tim and his star student, Heidi for Create Together, live on the Simon Says Stamp YouTube channel, tomorrow at 12 noon ET.

See you soon, love Emma x

Hop Order

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Nina-Marie Trapani
Caly Person
Stacy Hutchinson
Emma Williams 
Cheiron Brandon
Cathie Cowles
Barb Engler

CLICK HERE to shop all products used to make this card

Simon Says Stamp Co-ordinating Dies and Stamps: Flutter, Ornate Trims

Stampers Anonymous: Splash Layering Stencil, Tiny Text

Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain

Sizzix: Specimen, Collector

Distress Paint: Antqiued Bronze, Black Soot, Crackling Campfire

Tim Holtz Oxide Sprays: Speckled Egg, Bundled Sage

Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stains: Speckled Egg, Antique Linen, Bundled Sage and Uncharted Mariner

Distress Watercolour Pencils

Tim Holtz idea_ology: Tiny Text Remnant Rubs, Hardware Heads

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Precision Glue, SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Black Soot Archival, Distress Crackle Paste

Surfaces: Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Classic Metallic Kraft Stash

Tools: Blending Brushes, Blending Tool

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat

Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Machine

Twine from my own stash

Simon Says Stamp You Are My Favorite Blog Hop Day 1

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 1 of the You Are My Favorite Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here from Emily Midgett’s 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.

For my card and gift tag make, I was inspired by the colours of Spring and made my projects using the products that I was sent from the release, which included the Receding Squares Stencil for the background, Inside Greetings 1 stamp set and the Squovals die set. I combined these with an older die set, Swing Blossoms as I wanted a focal point for this card set.

So let's get started and here's how I created my projects for this fun blog hop...

To begin with I made the card bases from Tim Holtz Heavystock Kraft Card using the Squovals die set. For the card is used the largest die in the set and for the tag, I used the die to cut a card base measuring, 9.5 x 6.5cm. Each card needs two separate die cuts to form 1 card blank.

Taking the two larger die cuts, I scored a horizontal line, 2cm from the top edge and folded along the scoreline. After placing red line tape onto the 2cm fold, I then attached the second die cut shape to form my card. Repeat this to make the smaller tag.

We're now ready to make the individual pieces.

CARD

When complete this card fits into the A2 Paper Bag envelopes.

LAYERS AND BACKGROUND

Using the dies in descending order, I took the next size down in the die set and cut a panel of Mixed Media Heavystock card and after inking the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, I machine stitched a border around the outside of the panel.

I then took the next size down to cut a panel of green Kraft stash card. I sanded the edges of the Kraft card, to reveal the core and then adhered this to my larger stitched panel. Finally, I used the next size of down of the dies, to cut a second panel of the Mixed Media Heavystock card. 

To create the background, I chose to use the Receding Squares Stencil. This stencil is designed to create the look of *clue in the title*, Receding Squares but for my project, I used the stencil to create a slightly different design to my panel, I wanted more white space on my background ~ so, I created straight lines, instead of the Receding Squares.

I inked the design through the stencil using Blending Brushes to apply, Salvaged Patina and Twisted Citron oxide inks. Once I was happy, I removed the stencil and then flipped it over, lined it up with the previous line of stencilling and then proceeded to ink through the design to create a continuous, horizontal pattern. After removing the stencil, I inked around the edges of panel with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, added a few splatters of ink and then machine stitched a border.

I then laid the stencil back over the inked design and using a black fine line pen, I outlined each of the tiny squares through the stencil. Flip the stencil over again and then repeat.

I matted this inked panel onto the green Kraft card and then layered this over the larger panels of card. Mount the layers onto the front of the die cut Squoval card blank using foam pads.

The base is now ready for the sentiment and decoration.

DIE CUT SENTIMENT

For the sentiment, I used the 6.8 x 3.8cm die to cut a piece of the green Kraft stash card, followed by another piece of the Mixed Media Heavystock.

I used exactly the same technique of inking through the stencil to create the background on the smaller die cut piece that I will use for the sentiment but this time I didn't add the black lines around the inking.

Instead, I inked one of the sentiments in the Inside Greetings 1 stamp set, "You Are The Best" using Black Soot Archival Ink, and stamped the sentiment onto the inked panel before matting this onto the green card. I mounted the sentiment onto the card front using foam pads to add dimension.

We're nearly there and all that's left is to make the flowers inspired by cherry blossom and attach these to the card front, together with some tiny details.

FLOWERS

I used the Blossom Swing die set to make these beautiful tiny die cut flowers.

I cut multiple pieces of Mixed Media Heavystock card using the die and then inked the stems using Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters and Bundled Sage Oxide Inks, applied with Blending Brushes.

I then inked the flower heads using Spun Sugar, and added darker centreswith Picked Raspberry and a touch of Spiced Marmalade.

I shaped and attached each of the flower heads onto the main stems using Simon's Precision Glue and then attached them to my card front. To create the arrangement, I snipped into the die cut to create tiny pieces that can fill in.

DETAILS

For the finishing touches, I added a No 4725 rub on from a Tim Holtz Remnant Rub pack that I have in my stash, but you can also use numbers from the Specimen Remnant Rub set...

...and to complete the card, I added tiny pearls to the centres of each of the flowers and then attached a Mini Clip to the top left hand corner.

GIFT TAG

The gift tag is created in exactly the same way as the card, I just used smaller dies from the Squoval set and a different sentiment from the Inside Greetings 1 stamp set.

I then attached the flowers to the top left hand corner to complete the tag...

...before using Black Soot Archival Ink to stamp another sentiment, "thanks for everything' inside.

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, 30th April and all winners will need to contact/email Simon Says Stamp to claim their prize. 

Also, don't forget that you have until the 27th April at 11:59 EDT or whilst stocks last, to grab yourselves the exclusive Sunny Fern Emboss and Cut Folder which will be automatically added to your card it if contains $30 or more of You Are My Favorite release products.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and don't forget to go and check out Day 2 of the hop tomorrow!!!

See you soon, love Emma x

HOP ORDER

Simon Says Stamp Blog

Caly Person

Barbara Tarayao

Heather Hoffman

Keisha Charles

Lisa Addesa

Emily Midgett

Emma Williams

Mindy Eggen

Bobbi Lemanski

Lorraine Aquilina

Rachel Alvarado

Barb Engler

Nicki Baxley

Dana Joy

Mary Reiner

CLICK HERE to shop all products used to make this card

Simon Says Stamp: Receding Squares Stencil, Inside Greetings 1, Squovals Die Set, Swing Blossom

Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Frayed Burlap

Tim Holtz Oxide Inks: Salvaged Patina, Twisted Citron, Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Bundled Sage

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Precision Glue, SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Black Soot Archival, Black Pen

Surfaces: Kraft Card, Mixed Media Heavystock Card

Altenew Pearl Dots

Tim Holtz idea-ology Mini Clips, 

Tools: Blending Brushes, Blending Tool

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat

Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Machine

Twine from my own stash

Now, it's time to hop to the next stop...Mindy Eggen

Simon Says Stamp Favourite Things Blog Hop Day 1

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 1 of the Favorite Things Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be joining this hop and you might have arrived here from Caryn Davies' 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, HERE.

For my card, I chose to use the Basic Shapes Circles Die Set and the Eggstra Special Stamp Set from this release, to create a card celebrating Easter. You can check out all the fabulous new products in the Favorite Things release, HERE.

So let's begin and here's how I created my Easter card...

To begin with I made a white card blank measuring 18cm square and with the fold along the top.

BACKGROUND

To create the stamped background, I cut a panel of kraft card, 15cm square and used the small Easter Egg stamp from the Eggstra Special stamp set, inked with Black Soot Archival Ink, to stamp a repeat pattern over the entire panel.

Once my stamping was complete, I then coloured each of the eggs using Polychromos Pencils. 

TOP TIP: There is no need to take up precious crafting time colouring any area that will be eventually covered and if you find you missed anything once you do add the artwork, just go back in and colour the areas that need it.

When all my colouring and shading was finished, I took the Tim Holtz Splatter Brush, which I dipped into some Picket Fence Distress Paint, and lightly splattered the surface of the card. I allowed for this to dry, before I added machine stitched border around the outside edge and matted the background panel onto ivory card, followed by another layer of kraft card. I then mounted my layers onto the front of the card blank.

STAMPED IMAGE

We're now ready to create the artwork and for this I began by stamping the Easter Egg image from the Eggstra Special stamp set, inking this with Black Soot Archival Ink and stamping it onto a piece of kraft card. Once again I coloured this image with Polychromos Pencils.

I then fussy cut around the edge of the eggs and the grassy verge, cutting away the three flowers at the top of the image.

Set this to one side to move onto the next layer.

For this layer, I used one of the circular Basic Shapes Dies, to cut a circle of Mixed Media Heavystock Card, (approx 11.5cm in diameter), and inking up the same Easter Egg stamp as before, I stamped this image along the bottom section of the circle

To create the blue sky, I inked the background using a blending tool and Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky Distress Inks being very careful to avoid the three flowers at the top of the image. Once my colour was in place, I then spritzed with water, allowed the inks to blend and then heat dried the surface. If you need more colour, then just repeat this process until you're happy with the blend.

I inked the edges of the circular die cut with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink before taking the fussy cut image of the Easter Eggs, placing foam pads on the back of them and attaching them over the top of the stamped image on the circle. I then added colour with Polychromos Pencils to the remaining three flowers and some white pen detail to the stamped image.

MESSAGE BANNER

Cut a strip of kraft card, 14.5 x 3cm and ink up the Happy Easter message from the stamp set in clear ink. Stamp the message on the centre of the strip, and sprinkle white embossing powder over the surface before heat embossing until molten and glossy.

I mounted the strip onto a further piece of ivory cardstock leaving a border top and bottom, splattered Picket Fence Distress Paint over the top of the strip for a speckled effect and then machine stitched down the two sides of the strip.

On either side I used the Crop A Dile to punch a small hole, and then set an eyelet into each, again using this tool. I then threaded some twine through the eyelets, tying them in a knot to secure them. As the finishing touch to the banner, I placed 3 gold metallic droplets on either side.

Attach the banner across the bottom section of the card, placing it onto foam pads for added dimension.

CIRCLES

Now to build up those circles and for this I began by taking the smaller circle die (approx 11cm) that I used for the artwork, together with the next size down. I then placed the two dies, one inside the other, onto a piece of gold metallic kraft stock card and created a frame by running these two dies through my machine.

I repeated this two more times to create three separate die cuts which I layered together to form a thicker circle that I attached around the edge of my artwork to create the gold frame.

After die cutting a circle of white card, I attached my artwork to the centre of the is piece.

I then continued die cutting the third and fourth circles, from kraft card, and the final layer from gold metallic card using the ascending order of dies in the set, so that each die will create a border for the next one.

With all my circular die cuts complete, I started layering them over one another, and adhered the kraft circle tover the top of the large gold circle and then, using foam pads, I attached the artwork panel to the centre of the layered circles.

Attach the completed layers to the front of the card, so that the circles slightly overlap the top fold. To complete the frame around the edge, I added some small gold metallic droplets.

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

DETAILS

As you can see, I added some clouds to my scene and for this I used a die that I have in my stash, called Sizzix Christmas Cutouts Die Set by Tim Holtz. If you haven't got this die set, then don't worry ~ there are plenty of cloud dies to be found and you might already have some in your stash, including some from this collection from our very own Simon Says Stamp.

I cut four clouds from watercolour card, inked the edges with a little Lost Shadow ink and then placed them onto my circles, using foam pads. I added some black pen highlights to each cloud.

So, that's my card finished and I really hope you love this fun make and all the techniques I've used.

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, 5th March and all winners will need to contact/email Simon Says Stamp to claim their prize. 

Also, don't forget that you have until the 2 March at 11:59 EDT to grab yourselves the exclusive Happy Bee Day stamp set which will be automatically added to your card it if contains $50 or more of Favorite Things release products. This gift with purchase will expire on 2nd March at 11:59EST or while supplies last.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and don't forget to go and check out Day 2 of the hop tomorrow!!!

See you soon, love Emma x

HOP ORDER:

Simon Says Stamp Blog

Nina-Marie Trapani

Nichol Spohr

Cathy Zielske

Barbara Tarayao

Keisha Charles

Heather Ruwe

Alberto Gava

Kulbir Kirkland

Caryn Davies

Emma Williams <<YOU ARE HERE

Allison Frazier

Bobbi Lemanski

Jessica Vasher

Mary Reiner

Melissa Phillips

RECIPE FOR CARD:

Simon Says Stamp: Basic Shapes Circle Die Set, Eggstra Special Stamp Set, Ivory Card, White Fine Detail Embossing Powder

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Dies: Christmas Cutouts from my stash

Tim Holtz Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Frayed Burlap

Tim Holtz Distress Paint: Picket Fence

Mediums and Adhesive: SSS Foam Squares, SSS Tape Runner, Black Soot Archival, White Pen, Black Pen

Polychromos Pencils

Tim Holtz idea-ology: Metallic Droplets

Surfaces: Kraft Card, Watercolor Card, Mixed Media Heavystock Card, Gold Metallic Kraft Stash

Tools: Blending Tool, Crop A Dile

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat

Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Machine

Twine from my own stash

Now, it's time to hop to the next stop...Allison Frazier