Tim Holtz

march technique challenge...

"march technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies needed: craft sheet, distress reinker: walnut stain, spiced marmalade, fired brick, perfect pearls: heirloom gold, perfect copper, forever red, adirondack paint dabber: white, archival ink: jet black, mini misters, heat tool (ranger); the block (soc's blocks); stamps (stampers anonymous); #8 tag (american tag); embellishments

step 1: we are going to make our "pearlized-distress" mist solution first.  here's how: add 1 DROPPER full (not drop) of distress re-inker into an empty mini mister. (*tip: i use distress re-inkers for this because they are a concentrated dye, color stable, so you don't have to use much ink to get vibrant colors.)

step 2: add a small scoop of perfect pearls to the ink in the mister. (*tip: i like to use the end of a craft stick for this - it fits the mouth of the mister perfectly!)

step 3: fill the mini mister about 3/4 of the way with water, replace the sprayer, and shake the solution up to mix it very well.  it's important the the ink and perfect pearls emulsify. (*tip: you need to leave room in the mini mister to help everything mix together.  by emulsifying everything/like salad dressing, it keeps the perfect pearls from separating and NO, it won't clog these misters - amazing huh?)

step 4: mix all of your colors: i used walnut stain/heirloom gold, spiced marmalade/perfect copper, fired brick/forever red. (*tip: you can mix up so many of these - the color possibilities are endless)

step 5: okay so before we start spraying i just had to show you this COOL holder my friend kim made for the mini misters.  it holds 30 misters (that's all 24 distress colors plus a few extra spaces for water or pearlized mixtures!).  it's also designed so they are on levels like stadium seating so they are easy to get in and out.  i've labeled mine by stamping the matching color of distress ink and punching it out and gluing it to the top of the mister.  so if you plan on making more than one of the these mixtures (and i have a funny feeling you will), get yourself one of these so you can start building your collection.  here's the information to buy one for yourself - it's called "the block".

step 6: apply white paint dabber to accent stamp by dabbing paint to to stamp covering it completely (*tip: be sure to dab enough paint on the the stamp)

step 7: lightly swipe dabber across stamp to knock down the "peaks" of paint creating from dabbing it on (*tip: always remember to lightly blend the paint on a stamp before you stamp it to avoid blurry stamped images)

step 8: press stamp onto tag and lift off.  let dry or dry with heat tool and clean paint off of stamp (*tip: by stamping with paint, the images will appear matte and opaque which provide a great contrast to the background and the paint also works as a subtle resist against distress inks)

step 9: begin by spraying the pearlized distress mixtures on to the tag.  i work with all 3 colors at once to allow them to blend. (*tip: be sure to shake the mini mister each time before you use it to mix everything up)

step 10: dry the tag using a heat tool - this will allow you to move the ink around to create very cool drips and effects, or just let it air dry - see your stamped images reappear???

step 11: stamp accent image using jet black archival ink for contrast.  let dry. (*tip: by stamping with ink, the image will take on a pearlized finish from the background)

step 12: embellish the tag.

i hope you enjoy this month's challenge.  the photos on this one really doesn't do it justice.  you'll see for yourself when you try it out (hint-hint).  enjoy your weekend...t!m

finally home...

what a trip!  it seems like i've been gone for months even though it was really weeks.  so much to catch up on, so much to do before my next trip, so much to share.  i had a great time on my final leg of the journey in holland.  this was my first visit there ever and what fun it was.  loved the canals, buildings, antiques, tons of bicycles, found some great food, and the people couldn't have been nicer.  i want to thank everyone for showing up at the demos, workshops, and trade events in the uk and in holland.  i also want to say thank you for the many people who shared their artwork, kind words, and creativity with me throughout the trip - you definitely made it all worth while.  i'm happy to be home though, it's always good to come home i think.  time to recharge, surround myself with all of the comforts home brings.  i thought i'd share a few pictures of holland - enjoy.  i'm busy unpacking today, trying to figure out which time zone i'm in, and working on the march technique challenge (it's just days away!).  lots to do...t!m

new stamp images!!!

hey everyone!  still traveling around england and just finished a trade show in birmingham, UK called "stitches" - basically their version of CHA.  it was lots of fun getting everyone excited about Ranger products and grungeboard!  things have been very busy and today we drove up to see my friend dyan's studio "art from the heart"  - it's just eclectic, amazing, and fun!  she teaches workshops almost daily there - it's a working studio, so cool!  tomorrow morning we are headed over to osletwistle to visit another friend's shoppe dawn bibby "topaz crafts".  i'll be teaching her staff and demonstrating for the afternoon - i'm looking forward to it!

since CHA i know most companies have been so busy trying to catch up from the show - that includes stampers anonymous too.  SO.... i thought i would post the images i released at the show with them.  i am so excited about  this release because it includes smaller images than i've normally designed.  basically for ATC's, mini collages, memory glass, and any other projects where a little collage element is what's needed.  they are available either wood mounted individually (numbers listed under the images), or still on the cling mount sets (numbers listed on the side of the photo).  i am showing the images as the sets they are sold in.
THIS IS NEW AT CHA.... we have decided to release the 16 ATC background images in this collection as cling mounted INDIVIDUAL IMAGES too called "components".  so now you have a choice... if you don't want the entire set, you can choose what you like and just buy that design - PLUS as an added feature, the "components" are all indexed on the foam mount (meaning the image is printed on the foam so when using it on an acrylic block, you can see the image you are stamping!  pretty cool huh?
one more thing....i am posting these images so you can get your lists ready, ask you favorite store to order in the images, or wait for stampersanonymous.com to have them uploaded - which should be soon, sorry i don't sell the stamps myself.  have fun - be inspired - and enjoy...t!m

what a show!

hey everyone!  blogging here from the UK - sorry for not posting sooner, but the last week has been crazy!  CHA was a great show - enjoyed seeing all of my friends, meeting new ones, and launching my new idea-ology products.  the new stuff including new metal embellishments, new grungeboard shapes and minis, and the new stamp storage binder and sanding grip - are all due to start shipping by the end of march.  i can't wait!  this stuff is so fun to work with.  i have attached a few pictures of the booth too!
  i want to thank my friends Kim, Pearl, Sharon, and Keychain for all of their hard work in the booth doing make & takes and sales - you guys are truly the best and i couldn't have done it without you.  took off straight from CHA to London and have been teaching since i got here on thursday.  the weather here is pretty cold, but i've been spending most of my time indoors.  the trade show here starts tomorrow so i'll be demonstrating for our distributors there.  still trying to figure out how to post a blog video, but as soon as i do, i'll be sharing more of the journey with all of you..t!m

organized chaos...

things are pretty crazy around here trying to finish samples and get every last detail taken care of before i hit the road.  i just wanted to share with you a photo i snapped yesterday with my studio in total chaos.  although i am very organized, when it comes to the time i'm actually "creating" i believe to just let it go and creativity will flow...  that's right, i have stuff everywhere, leave it everywhere, and don't worry about cleaning it up until i'm finished for the day.  that's right...the DAY!  i honestly think that taking the extra 30 minutes(depending on the mess), to put everything in it's place, clean your table off makes it so much easier to get right back into it the next day.  i'm serious - even if you're in the throws of your work, when it's time to stop, cleaning up will give you a fresh start the next time you tackle the project.  it works for me anyways...

okay, so here are some things i've been up to these past few weeks since my return from Ranger.  as you know from reading the blog, i'm heading out for CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) trade show tomorrow.  it's one of two big trade shows for our industry.  i have some great NEW products releasing at the show.   i have an entire NEW collection of embellishments and findings, tools, and new grungeboard in my idea-ology line with advantus, 43 NEW images with stampers anonymous (love them!), and 3 NEW Cd's featuring my entire distressables line from design originals (since they retired my entire line last year) now you can print your own papers, doo-dads, the works, and of course distress crackle paint is still very NEW for Ranger!  i am also teaching 2 workshops for Ranger at the show (100 students total) so we've been kitting everything up, instructions, packed and shipped it all out last week.
after CHA (we're talking the last day), i am flying directly to the UK for their trade show stitches with my boss alain.  before their trade show starts i will be teaching retailers for some of our distributors (100 students total there too).  we've been busy prepping kits for that as well!  then a few days of demonstrating at the show, and then i'm off to visit my friend Dawn Bibby at her shop topaz crafts for an afternoon of demos. (*Dawn is the Queen of Crafts in the UK and has her own show on QVC-UK!).
then we catch a flight to Amsterdam (my first time there) for their trade show!  the day before the show i am also teaching some retailers there (about 50 students) for one of our distributors over there.  then the following day i'll be visiting 2 stores for a couple hours of demos at each.  i can't wait! the next two days i'll be demonstrating for our other distributor at the trade show.  then, it's on a plane again back to London, and then connect to fly back to Newark.  i'm staying the night there and catching the early a.m. flight home to arizona on the 27th - WHEW!
so, i just wanted to let you in on the goings on around here.  always lots to do, but i truly love every minute of it.  i'm looking forward to my travels and will do my best to blog when i can.  i'm planning some video blogs from CHA so we'll see if i can figure out how to do that.  not sure if i'll have much internet access abroad, but i'm taking my laptop with me just in case so i can keep you posted and hopefully share a photo or two.
so here's to a creative journey ahead...i'll be posting when i can... -t!m

and we have a winner...

congrats to KATHY PUSKAR as the winning donation for "a place to bark" and bernie berlin.  please e-mail me your information so i can send you out the 9 canvas pieces (a favorite of mine!).
once again thank you to every single one of you for stepping up for this great cause.  even though bernie wasn't in the top 4, there is no doubt she is still a winner and is planning some great things for the animals.  remember you can continue to check in with bernie by visiting her blog listed to the right...-t!m

february technique challenge...

"february technique challenge" - tim holtz(c) 2008
supplies needed: craft sheet, distress crackle paint: fired brick, old paper, distress ink: fired brick, worn lipstick, aged mahogany, brushed corduroy, ink blending tool, metallic paint dabber: gold (ranger); grungeboard: elements (idea-ology); craft pick, scissors (tonic studios); stamps (stampers anonymous); 24ga. wire (artistic wire); glue dots (glue dots); #8 tags (american tag); glue stick; scrap paper; embellishments

step 1: remove selected pieces of grungeboard from elements set *i used heart/dots, wings/plain, crown/swirls, flourish/plain

step 2: attach all grungeboard pieces to the craft sheet using mini glue dots *tip: this will keep the grungeboard or chipboard in place so it can be painted.  i also use this if i'm inking small pieces.  it's easily removable - i love glue dots too!

step 3: paint grungeboard heart and wings with distress crackle paint and let dry to crackle *tip: i like to use a medium to heavy coat of paint to provide the best crackle finish - the paint will self level so slap it on!

step 4: paint grungeboard crown with metallic paint dabber - let dry

step 5: while painted pieces are drying, ink up the ink blending tool by tapping it on to distress ink pad

step 6: place tool on to craft sheet and begin inking tag in a circular motion with the tool moving the ink from the craft sheet on to the tag *tip: this will blend the colors to create a background on the tag

step 7: once background is inked, stamp images on to tag using various colors of distress ink *tip: work with darker colors than your background for the most contrast

step 8: ink flourish grungeboard piece with distress ink using ink blending tool

step 9: once painted grungeboard pieces have crackled, ink over with distress ink using ink blending tool *tip: i like to use the matching ink color to highlight the cracks
* if crackle paint is not completely crackled, you can finish by heating with your heat tool

step 10: tear a strip of scrapbook paper and ink edges using ink blending tool

step 11: adhere to tag with glue stick

step 12: adhere grungeboard pieces with a glue stick placing wings slightly under the heart, and the crown slightly over the heart *tip: cut the wings apart to place on both sides of the heart - remember the wings can hang off the tag because grungeboard is flexible!

step 13: place tag over a piece of craft foam or cork and pierce holes through heart,wings, and crown with a needle tool *tip: you need to pierce 2 holes through each piece along each overlapping edge totaling 4 holes for each "x" you want to stitch (this is where a picture really comes in handy)

step 14: stitch pieces together through pierced holes in grungeboard and tag with 24ga. wire creating "x"'s with wire *tip: you can get as creative as you want with the stitching - use a separate piece of wire for each piece, it's like a needle and thread in one

step 15: trim all pieces of wire in back of tag *tip: just bend the wire to secure

step 16: embellish tag