Tim Holtz

going, going, gone...

that's right - piles & piles of boxes are all packed up and ready to ship out tomorrow headed for seattle to be loaded on the cruise ship!  i can't believe the alaska cruise is only 10 days away - i seriously can't wait.  so now that all this stuff is hitting the road, it's time to pack up my teaching supplies and a few last minute things and we're ready to set sail.  just wanted to share the final installment of "cruise prep 101"- whew!...t!m

*now it's working on the "may technique challenge" and have it posted over the weekend!!!!

attention alaska cruisers!

for those of you joining me on our "artistic journey to alaska" i wanted to let you know we have a yahoo group "cruisingwithtim".  if you would like to join, just go to yahoo and join the fun - lots of ideas, travel tips, and more...
so come aboard...we're expecting you...(couldn't resist that one!)...t!m

some things in life really are FREE...

they say..."if you don't think anything is FREE in life, you don't know where to shop!".
why??? because i'll be doing FREE demonstrations all day this Saturday at Stamper's Corner in Elk Grove, CA.  that's right - a whole day of demonstrations using the latest ranger products, grungeboard, stampers anonymous stamps, and more...FREE!  not only that, but i'll be bringing some exclusive grungeboard bracelets you can make & take for FREE at Stamper's Corner - this Saturday only - from 10:00am-5:00pm.
here's how it works, just show up at Stamper's Corner Saturday morning to get your tickets for the FREE demo sessions (doors will open at 9:30am).
i will be teaching 2 different demo sessions 3 times each: the first 3 are all about grungeboard and how a variety of ranger products work on grungeboard.  the next 3 are all about collage stamping and creating ATC's using the new "components" from stampers anonymous.  the tickets are given out on a first come basis so be sure to get there early and get your FREE tickets - plus there will be door prizes!
so, join the creative fun this Saturday at Stamper's Corner and participate in our FREE grungeboard bracelet make & take and see a demo or two...absolutely FREE!
see you then...t!m

got flowers???

these people sure will...thanks once again for all of your comments!  if you didn't have a chance to read them, you really should go back and do it - lots of great ideas for using flowers - thanks so much for sharing them.
congrats to the following winners: (julie howard, clare, immi) - please email me your information and i'll get your flowers out right away...t!m

These flowers ROCK! I just LOVE them! Talk about vintage and grunge.. they are perfect for so many of my projects!

I use flowers A LOT. My favorite use for them is to hide adhesive on acrylic albums (they go on the "back" page to hide the adhesive from things on the front!)

I also use them to embellish stamps, around photos, singly or in clusters, in borders, to hide yucky stuff in photo backgrounds, parts of or as letters, with stickers, stickles, buttons or brads.

Posted by: Julie Howard | April 21, 2008 at 07:58 PM

I can never use a lot of flowers as I mostly make 'boy' stuff whether its cards, scrapping, home decor etc - THESE fantastic flowers are PERFECT for boy pages/cards/whatever - so grungy and cool, not a bit 'girlified' - I have all sorts of ideas for them running round my head already, but the first thing I must do is incorporate some into some jewellery and show them off!

Posted by: Clare | April 22, 2008 at 09:00 AM

Flowers add such a nice extra layer of dimension and texture! They're awesome for scrapbooks & cards. I've used them quite a bit also on the mixed media collages I do, and it always draws a positive comment! The flowers you showed are unlike anything I've seen before, and I'd LOOOVE to have some! Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Immi

Posted by: Immi | April 22, 2008 at 02:24 PM

mission accomplished...

hey bloggers!  what a weekend.  we managed to get 99% of the kits finished and packed up for my alaska cruise next month - just a few odds and ends to finish up.   i'll be teaching 5 different workshops on the cruise to our 200 students - i can't wait!
so, there were so many comments on my blog about these flowers asking who they were from and where can you get your hands on them???  well, they are the NEWEST "Artful Collage Flowers" from my friends at Prima!  are they the coolest thing you've seen or what?  the colors, the collagy ephemera they are made from - i love them and had to use them so i got loads of them (about 2500 flowers to be exact!).  they are already hitting stores so be sure to check with your local scrapbook store.  if you don't have one, here's an online source to get them right away.

now if you've been a faithful reader of my blog, you know i can't tell you about a favorite thing of mine without sharing the love - right???  so here you go, a mid-week giveaway - woo hoo!  post a comment on my blog telling me your favorite use for flowers on your projects.  wait a minute, not a flower person?  trust me, after you have these beauties in your hands, that will change...
i will draw 3 lucky winners (yep 3 of you!) and send the winners each a bag full of flowers - over 50 flowers in each bag!  winners will be drawn on wednesday so you'll have a chance to post a comment and get in on this cool giveaway!
so...let the sharing of ideas begin...t!m

progress...

things around the studio have been like a small factory with everyone doing their part of the prepping and kitting process.  from punching holes and scoring paper to cutting ribbons and counting flowers, we are definitely making progress around here.  of course we are trying to make the most of the weekend so my friends mario, michele, sharon, and kim have been here since early this morning worked all day and night, and agreed to return tomorrow to do it all again!  i couldn't imagine what i would do without them. (thanks guys!).  so i figured i would take a few more photos of the progress we have made - trying not to give away the details of the cruise classes of course!  hope you're enjoying your weekend too...t!m

crazy busy...

i have to say i have been trying to blog all week.  in all honesty though, i gave fair warning - right?  things have been going crazy here this week getting all of the supplies delivered and organized for my upcoming cruise to alaska!  i can't wait...still lots to do though and i am balancing this with all of my other responsibilities of course and keeping everything going as smoothly as possible.  so what does 10,000+ cut pieces of papers & transparencies look like? you're lookin' at it - a paper crafters dream - and it really makes me want to go and create something with them!

i want to give a shout out to my friend donna downey - congrats on the HUGE success of your "inspired" event.  i have been hearing incredible buzz about it - way to go!  i so wish i could have experienced it....maybe next year!  i am so happy to hear the excitement in your voice and see the proud sense of accomplishment in your eyes - what they say is true; you get what you give in life...check out donna's blog to see for yourself - you can't help but smile.  also check out my buddy ali's creative project from "inspired"...
so today, be inspired ...t!m

what a creative day...

thanks to all my students at mystic paper yesterday - what a day!  we had just a blast and the creativity was just oozing from everyone.  i was beyond impressed with all of the creative energy everyone was sharing.  the projects were such fun and it was inspiring to see each of your artistic muse play out.  a huge thanks to my team of friends mario, michele, and sharon for their tireless help with the classes - i couldn't have done it without all of you...and to the birthday "crew" (you know who you are) - thanks for the many laughs!  now it's a few weeks in the studio for me to get deadlines finished for CHA, workshop samples made, and most importantly...getting all of the kits, projects, and surprises packed up for my cruise to alaska next month - can't wait!...t!m

first store workshops of 2008...

that's right - my first store workshops are finally here!  this weekend - saturday, april 12th i will be teaching at mystic paper in mesa, az.  i have to say this store has been so patient waiting for me to come and teach there - over 2 years i think, and they're right here in arizona - yikes!  it just goes to show that my travel schedule is getting busier and it's tougher to find "free time" to go and teach, but i do what i can when i can...
i am so looking forward to this vist and i have some great workshops planned too.  there are still a few spots left if you happen to be in the area - all of the workshop info is on the mystic paper blog.  for those of you who have signed up already strictly on faith (because i didn't have time to send samples), thank you so much.  here are the projects we're going to be creating this saturday!  see you soon...t!m

INDUSTRIAL GRUNGE: inspired by my incredibly talented good friends jen crossley & julie van oosten (published in the march/april 2008 somerset studio magazine) - Simply put, industrial means relating to or resulting from development.  In this workshop you’ll develop your own mechanical and technical inspired art pieces using very common yet clever supplies.  Learn uses for Metallic Paint Dabbers, Distress Inks, wire, eyelets, and other metal elements on grungeboard.  You will create several industrialized assemblage pieces to wear as jewelry or use on your projects.  You’ve just entered the grunge district…

VINTAGE TRINKETS: Step into a world of vintage ephemera, findings, buttons, and baubles as you let your creativity take flight in this exclusive workshop designed just for Mystic Paper. Discover techniques on creating your own unique acrylic elements, simple wire working tricks, and clever ways to incorporate fun found objects into this wearable trinket ensemble. In this workshop we will create a vintage imagery button bracelet and a timeless flourished bird pendant. Are you ready to let your creativity soar…

ELEMENTS OF THE CREATIVE MIND: Capture your thoughts and artistic visions in this dimensional mixed media illuminated shadow box.  Explore the techniques and possibilities of working with colorful Adirondack Dimensional Pearls, Distress Crackle Paint, and stamped images.  Discover innovative uses for found objects, vintage ephemera, and various hardware in this illuminated encased work of art showcasing your artistic expressions.  Unleash your inner voice and unlock the secrets to the elements of your creative mind…

congrats to the cosmo winner...

hey bloggers! hope you had a great weekend filled with a little creative fun and had a chance to check out the "miss paper jane" site for your cosmo fix...thanks to all of you who left a comment on the blog - lots to read.
the winner of the "share the cosmo love" prize package is....rachel carlson!  congrats rachel - please email me your contact info so i can get your prize out.
WoWzers! look at all the different things you showed us here - this is fabulous! and cosmo cricket compliments your techniques perfectly, thanks for sharing. hugs, rachel
Posted by: rachel carlson | April 05, 2008 at 07:20 AM
enjoy your day today...t!m