Sunday, December 4, 2011

A Tim Holtz Inspired Christmas Card Class




It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Not because there's piles of snow on the ground, because sadly, here in Albuquerque, after a recent less than stellar effort to squeeze out a few flakes, Mother Nature has ultimately left us high and dry.  Instead, we rely on other ways to identify the onslaught of the Yuletide.  Every year, December 1st marks the first day in an age old tradition that many of us hold dear in our hearts.  Okay, so maybe "age old" is a bit of an exaggeration.  I think it's been around 4 years now but that just doesn't have the same ring.  If you follow my blog, you already know I not only use a lot of embellishments on my cards, but in my stories, as well...ha!  Anyway...we wait for this event with extreme anticipation and salivate at the thought of the eye-candy to come. 'Tis the season when a good lot of us crazy crafters trample each other in a virtual stampede each morning to see what gift our craft guru, The Sultan of Grunge, Tim Holtz, has whipped up to share with us.  Yes, I'm talking about the 12-Tags of Christmas

Some folks play along, day by day, using the inspiration laid out before them to create utterly breathtaking works of art.  I never seem to carve out the time.  Last year, I made one tag. Tsk, tsk.  This year is not looking much better, even though the 4 tags that have been revealed thus far are exceptional.  However, I've been so insanely inspired that I've created a card that's an amalgamation of several of the techniques Timbo (that's what I call him) has shared to date.

I started by glittering a die cut deer using the technique Tim describes on his blog.  Then I moved to the background and painted a piece of Kraft Resist paper with Black Soot Distress Stain, boy do I LOVE that stuff.  I set it aside to thoroughly dry and then embossed it with a Swirly Cuttle Bug folder.  I then sanded off some of the black to let those fab swirls show through.  I painted the Snowflake border with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint and let it do it's thang.  Next, I swiped Evergreen Bough Distress Ink onto a long piece of seam binding, misted it with water, crumpled it up by hand and sat it aside to dry.  I picked up the crazy cute pine cones at Michael's and they were already painted with no additional preparation needed.  A couple of stamped images on a small tag and my card was ready to assemble.  

I rather like this card.  It was fun and by the end of it, I was completely inky, which is the true measure of a successful day in the old craft room.   This is one of two Tim Holtz themed cards I'll be teaching this Friday, December 9th, from 1:00pm - 5:00pm at Harwood United Methodist Church located at 420 San Lorenzo.  If you're in the Albuquerque area and want to join me Friday, just send me a note via email at cvaladez@comcast.net.  I'm working on a second card and it will include lots of TH inspired techniques, as well.

That's it for today, folks.  Look for that second card in a day or two.  Until then, stay crafty!        

12 comments:

  1. Cheryl... Your card is gorgeous and I love all the different technique's that you have put into it!!! You are amazing and must say a huge inspiration to me!! Hugs and I hope you have a wonderful week!!!

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  2. beautiful christmas card cheryl.

    greetings karin

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  3. OH WOW Cheryl this is truly stunning! I love it. Joey x

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  4. It's gorgeous!!!

    So glad to see you playing along with Tim.

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  5. Hey Cheryl, You so captured the essence of the first 4 tags. Love your card!! I've been following along with Tim, but not sure if I'll be able to keep up this week. If only work wouldn't get in the way... Hugs, Tina

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  6. Tim would be so proud of you, seeing as you have incorporated so many of the techniques he has shown us! Your gorgeous card is Christmas magic! Are we going to get to see the other card tomorrow...yes...yes?
    Hugs, Mom

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  7. oh la la lovin the Tim Holtz card! Especially that yummy green ribbon! xoxo

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  8. Beautiful. I always wait for the 12 tags. I never have time to play. I also never thought of turning it into a card. Can we just say tunnel vision

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  9. Wow, what a GORGEOUS card!!! I love everything about it!!!

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  10. Cheryl Im so sorry Im commenting all on one day. I have no idea what is going on with blogger, but on some blogs Im not getting updates of projects! And then I get word of one project and realise Ive missed loads!! Anyway, sorry about that. This card is smashing, the colours are brilliant and I love the cones. Lee xx

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  11. Wow. This is totally fabulous and has convinced me that I now need the Black Soot Distress Stain. Bad, bad enabler.

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Thank you for your lovely comments! They are greatly appreciated :D