Hello everyone and welcome to the Inspirations Blog Hop featuring the Simon Says Stamp Exclusive co-ordinating dies that coordinate beautifully with some of the Tim Holtz Christmas stamps.
I'm so excited to be joining this hop, and you might have arrived here via Nicol Spohr'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 Christmas card, packed full of vintage goodness and layers.
To begin with I created a card base from kraft card, to measure, 19 x 14.5cm.
BACKGROUND
For my first layer, I cut a panel of Mixed media Heavystock card measuring, 17 x 12.5cm. Using Fired Brick Archival Ink, I chose to use one of the Stampers Anonymous Ticking and Grain background stamps by Tim Holtz and stamped the stripes, horizontally across the card panel. You will need to re-ink and line the stamp up with the previous stripes to create the repeat pattern.
I then spritzed the card panel with Antique Linen Distress Spray, before inking the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I added some splatters of Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, before completing the panel with a machine stitched border around the outside edge.
I matted this panel onto a piece of silver metallic Kraft stock, followed by ivory cardstock, and finally a layer of Christmas Sparkle Plaid Kraft card that was part of the 2024 Tim Holtz idea-ology release and like me, you might be lucky enough to have some in your stash. If not, don't worry because a piece of patterned paper will work just as well.
Mount these layers onto the card base and set this to one side to move onto the focal point.
CoORDINATING DIES AND STAMPS
For the focal point of this make, I used the Festive Collage stamp and the new release from this collection of coordinating die sets.
I began by cutting my postage stamp layer using the AALL & Create Quirky Postage Stamp die set. This is the postage stamp die set that I own but you can also use the SSS die set that is available
HERE.
You need the largest die in this set, together with the die that will create the jagged edged matt that will sit over the top. I cut the postage stamp frame from Distress Watercolour Card, and added the neutral colour tones using Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain before inking the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. To accentuate the decorative postage stamp edge to the die, I used gilding flakes.
With a sponge, I applied a light coverage of glue, just adding it to random areas around the edge of the die cut. Once the glue is tacky, I then added the gilding flakes. I use a stiff brush to remove the excess flakes from the cardstock to reveal that gorgeous vintage shimmer and shine.
I used foam pads to attach the postage die cut onto some red kraft card from the Warm Kraft Stash by Tim, leaving a narrow border of red showing around the edge of the die cut.
With the second jagged edged die from this AALL & Create die set, I cut a further piece of Watercolour card.
On this piece of card, I used Black Soot Archival ink to stamp one of the Festive Collage images, the Holly Branch, in the centre of the matt. I then stamped a second image onto another piece of watercolour card.
I inked the background of the jagged edge matt with a combination of the sprays and inks that have been used throughout, Antique Linen Distress Spray, Walnut Stain and Frayed Burlap Distress Ink before I misted some Antique Linen Distress Spritz over the entire surface to add a subtle shimmer to the cardstock.
After machine stitching around the outside of the card layer, I matted it onto gold metallic kraft card before using foam pads to attach these layers to my card front.
For my final layer, I took the second stamped holly branch image, and watercolored this with Distress Watercolour Pencils. I then used the coordinating die from the Festive Collage Die Set to cut the image. I inked the edges with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, and then mounted the die cut over the top of the previous stamped image using foam pads,
Finally, I added a sentiment, "Season's Greetings", stamped in Fired Brick Archival Ink, and then die cut using the Scribbly Christmas sets. I placed this across the stem of the branch, using foam pads.
FINISHING DETAILS
In the top right hand corner, I used a Labeled Remnant Rub, "Letter Parcel" and I also added some Cello Sticker Tape around the edges of the matts and layers.
I completed the card by attaching some Hardware Heads, painted with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Paint, and attached two to the background on either side of the card....
...and the finishing touch was to place a Mini Pin, pinned to the edge of the card.
So, that's my card finished and I hope you love what I've made.
