Tim Holtz's 2013 Tags

January is almost over and I just managed to get Tim's January tag done.  I am going to try really hard this year to keep up and not get behind.  Once again, I have decided to make cards instead of tags.  I need to build up my stash of cards again.

Tim's theme for his tag was "time" which is fitting for January.  As I went through all of my supplies and realized that I had very little that fit the time theme, I decided I would do a different them but something that would fit the techniques used.  Travel, suitcases and maps popped into my mind and this card is the end result.

I am looking forward to seeing what February's theme and techniques will be.

Happy Tuesday.

CHA and Lots of Temptation

It is that time of year again – time for the Winter Craft and Hobby Association’s vendor show -- basically, every crafter’s Christmas time.   It is the time when we create wish lists.  We ooh and ahh over all the new goodies that are being touted as the latest and greatest.  We start entering contests hoping to be one of the first to get our hands on these new offerings.  We drive our spouses nuts talking about paper, pens, tools and pretty doodads.

I find that as my stash has grown over the years my desire for the latest and greatest has diminished somewhat.  As I become more experienced, I can do more with much less and still get fabulous results; but having said that, it hasn’t stopped me from making a wish list this year.

Graphic45 has always been one of my favourite companies.  I love the vintage style papers, the colour combinations and their use of pattern.  This year’s release is no exception.  I have already added “Secret Garden” and “French Country” to my wish list and I am certain when I see the other lines they will end up on the list as well.

Tim Holtz is a staple in my stash.  I was surprised when I looked back at last year’s layouts.  Whether it was an embellishment, a tool or a medium, there was something of Tim on every one of them.  So it will not be surprising to find out that my wish list for his stuff is pretty long.  The “Simple Sayings” stamps were added the moment I saw them.  I have been looking for this type of stamp set for years.  A number of his blueprint stamps also made the list.  The die junkie that I am demanded that I put the “Pediments”, “Mini Filmstrip & Tickets”, “Torn Notebook” and “Cameo Frame” on the list.  As for his new embellishments, it would be easier to say what didn’t make the list -- although, I must mention the “Compass Coins” and the “Industrious Stickers”.  Love, love those.

Prima is another company that I just love practically everything that they come out with.  I would love to move right into their warehouse.  This year’s release is no exception.  From the new metal embellishments to the masks to the mixed media release…Wow!

I am looking forward to all the sneak peaks and photos that will be coming out of CHA this weekend.  I know I will be glued to Christine’s flickr account this weekend as she shares her photos of the various booths and that wish list will get longer and longer…..

Happy Wednesday and have fun adding to your wish list.

Tim Holtz December 2012 Tag

Wow, I can't believe I actually did all 12 tags (even if I was late on a few).  This last one was a bit of a struggle.  My Cuttlebug had a difficult time cutting through the adhesive backed mirror.  This could have been a combination of factors.  The Cuttlebug not being sufficient to cut the mirror.  The dies I was using not being "sharp" enough or the need for more shims.  After running the dies through, I ended up cutting the letters out by hand.  It might be time to consider upgrading my Cuttlebug.

Materials used:  Bazzill cardstock, Bead Landing gears, Tim Holtz tissue tape and mirror, Distress ink and stains, Archival ink, Pier One gift tag.

I went with the snowman theme for this card -- mostly due to all the snow that we have been getting.  It seemed appropriate.  We have had a number of snow storms during the month of December.  Nothing like Montreal had but still enough that I am ready for a break from shovelling.

 

December turned out to be a month where there was not much in the line of crafting being done.  I even ended up buying my Christmas cards this year.  My New Year's resolution for 2013 is to carve out more time to play with my pretty paper.  Mojo was hard to come by in 2012 and I need time to rejuvenate and play.  I have decided that I am going to take a break from LCOM Design Team for the next little while.  Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time there, I am a bit burned out.  I have volunteered to provide sketches if they find that they need them; but otherwise, I am going to craft for myself to see if I can jump start that Mojo again.

Have a crafty Sunday.

A Thank-you and a New Card Sketch

Firstly, I must extend my gratitude to Tim Holtz and Mario for selecting my tag for November.  That is just so cool especially since I had taken a 3 month break on the tags.  My husband must think I was a little nuts doing a happy dance in the dining room yesterday.  The prize is a $25 voucher to Simon Says Stamps so I want to expend my gratitude to Heidi as well.  I must admit that I haven't ordered from her store before but I am looking forward to checking it out.  Just looking at the shipping rates for Canada has me asking myself why I haven't ordered from them before.

Secondly, I want to mention that there is a new sketch up over at the LCOM Sketch blog.  It is the last of our November sketches with a Twist. 

The twist for this week is to use polka dots.  When I saw the sketch, pendants were the first thing that popped into my mind.  The second thing was that I wanted to do some kind of take on Santa's suit.  I liked the idea of using the red for the pendants with the black across to give a feeling of his belt.  Instead of doing a gold belt buckle, I decided that I wanted to use holly leaves.  The new Dee's Distinctively Wreath Builder dies have two different sizes of holly leaves that were perfect for what I wanted to do.

Materials used:  Bazzill cardstock, BoBunny pattern paper, Dee's Distinctively dies, and Kaiser Craft bling.

This card only took 10 minutes from start to finish and it still has pop.  With Christmas so close, quick and easy Christmas cards have a certain appeal.

Have a happy Sunday.  I am off to help my son with his school project which is due tomorrow.  He almost has it completed.  He just needs to dig into my craft supplies to finish off his poster and to get his rough draft on to cue cards.  If I don't tear him away from Mindcraft, nothing will get done.

A Long Week

Last week was a long week.  A nasty stomach bug roared through our house and managed to bring everyone down.  I had forgotten what it was like to deal with a stomach bug since we have been very lucky the last few years.  I don't think I want to go through that again for a long, long while.  Thankfully, the bug was pretty much over and done with in 24 to 48 hours.  Everyone is once again healthy...fingers crossed.

I am afraid to say that due to this bug, I am late posting last weeks card for the LCOM Sketch blog and it was even one of mine.  Shame on me.  Even though it is late, I hope that you will head on over and check it out.  The Design Team made some lovely cards with the sketch and you still have time to play along.

The twist for last week's sketch was to use something with "wings".  My little wooden butterfly is my wings.  I made a nice simple every day card.

Have a happy Tuesday.