Tim Holtz

catching up...

one of the great things about being on the east coast here at ranger is catching up with friends, enjoying good food, and laughing like crazy!  last night mario and i met up with our friend nadine who drove in from the city for a night on the jersey shore.  we had amazing sushi at our favorite place sawa and then headed for some italian ice at the lighthouse.  nadine is such a genuine and thoughtful friend and boy can we have fun!  between dinner, ice cream, and a stop at the hallmark store (because seriously...hoops & yoyo are my favorite!) it was non-stop laughter - those are the best kind of moments.  well, back to work - enjoy today...t!m

lots to get done...

hey bloggers! a busy monday here at ranger - the start of an upcoming busy weekend for ranger u.  we have so much to get done to prepare for our 24 students attending our first 2009 session of ranger university.  i always enjoy this event - so many ideas discovered, so much education to teach, and much inspiration shared by everyone!  there is so many behind the scenes things that goes into pulling one of these events off, but to be honest, it's worth every minute of it.  of course this week is also the time i'm testing new products, tweaking colors, and getting a chance to meet and catch up with everyone here at ranger face to face.  it's good to be home (creatively speaking or course)...t!m

jersey time...

hey bloggers!  just checking in to say hello.  i'm in new jersey for the next week getting things ready for ranger u next weekend.  it's always great to be here to see everyone and get caught up on everything - busy as always.  we're heading up to Massachusetts tomorrow for this weekend for the gilman rep show.  it's all about education and this weekend is no different!  claudine and i will be teaching workshops and make & takes for the attending store owners.  should be lots of fun.  i have some fun things planned to share with all of you next weekend...t!m

featured product of the week...

woo-hoo!  scrapbook.com has featured the tiny attacher for their "product of the week" this week.  they have them in stock now as well as the refills - cool.  also, check out the neat video they have showing you some of the features of this new little gadget - no doubt i will be sharing a few uses for this tiny attacher as well in the future.  just some news i thought i would share.  i'm getting ready to head out again tomorrow morning to the east coast to spend the week at ranger.  i'll be checking in during my travels with some fun things to share!  off to pack now...t!m

check this out...

hey bloggers!  hope you had a great monday!  just got this in the mail....the new studios issue of cloth, paper, scissors.  and guess who's in it???  yep - me!  in this issue i've taken you on a virtual tour so to speak of my personal studio - my creative haven.  i share my organizing ideas, photos of cool finds and favorite treasures, and some behind the scenes of my workshop supply stash.  i was so thrilled to be asked to be a part of this issue.  i have to say it's pretty cool to check out everyone else's creative space in this magazine too.  this issue is packed with photos and write ups from several of my artistic friends (claudine hellmuth, kelly rae roberts, and more) - so much fun.  as many of you know my good friend wendy vecchi made the cover on the last issue so if you haven't checked out this magazine, now is the time to get them both!  enjoy the read and inspiration...t!m

journey in paris...

bonjour bloggers!  well clearly i haven't gotten my sleeping habits back yet considering it's after 1am here - so what better time to blog.  our travels to paris were so incredible and i have to say, this was the best trip there yet!  it was filled with sights, food, shopping, and education - what a combination of my favorite things.  after your great response to my european adventure video journal and the requests to do a paris one, here it is...the paris journey.  it's definitely fun to share the highlights with all of you including the grueling travel schedule (almost 24 total travel time each way), of course the amazing city of paris, the fun adventures at the french flea markets, a glimpse into teaching with a translator (thanks again ludi-pops!), one of the many fantastic meals, and a few snapshots of my favorite memoirs...

i also want to thank the many of you who followed the journey on my blog and posted comments while i was away.  as promised, i did my best to post a couple of times and it was cool to read about your excitement to be part of my travels.  i thought, what better way to show my appreciation then to do some giveaways to random winners who posted a comment on the posts i made while i was in paris!  so you lucky winners will receive one of my new rubber stamp sets from stampers anonymous!  i think this could be the start of the whole random prize day, i like it...who knows when the next one will be???  well, enjoy the video journal - i know i say "amazing" over and over, but honestly it's even better...t!m

congrats to the following winners - please e-mail me your contact info:

Hi Tim - Glad you all made it safe and sound. Sounds like you had a super day today?! If I'd been at the french market, would be broke by now - LOL! And I love a man who gets his priorities straight, ahh - Starbucks, love them! Have a great trip, be safe and have fun. Wishing I was with you - sigh
Elaine Allen
Posted by: Elaine Allen | March 13, 2009 at 04:44 PM

What fun and what treasures you found! Paris is one place I've never been but hope to go to someday. Nice to be able to see it through your eyes for now. Hope your workshops go well and we look forward to having you back home soon.
Posted by: Laurel | March 13, 2009 at 07:19 PM

So glad you made it to the flea market + got those wonderful finds! Really appreciate you taking the time to blog for us (especially with the jet lag!) while you're away...
Posted by: Lisa | March 14, 2009 at 04:53 AM

Sounds like a wonderful trip so far!
Posted by: Tona | March 14, 2009 at 10:14 AM

Bonjour Paris!
I'm sure you are having a blast! Ok, just a few highlights you must do: Fauchon to window shop at pick up a few goodies. Coffee at Cafe De LaPaix you will never miss Starbucks again. And, step into the food court at Galleries Lafayette. They have some incredible goodies.If you have more time check out the food stalls around St Micheal metro stop. Ah, I miss Paris. :)
Posted by: Nancy S | March 14, 2009 at 04:49 PM

I'm in the top 10...holy crap! Hurray for the great finds! Can't wait to see the video! :)
Posted by: Tracey | March 16, 2009 at 04:30 PM

Safe trip home! Really looking forward to the video to share in the journey!
Posted by: Denise Ramo | March 16, 2009 at 06:17 PM

Hi Tim , I hope you loved the chocolate thanks for sharing all your techniques , your smile , your happiness , you were so patient with us in Paris
Thanks for all
Posted by: poupetteval | March 17, 2009 at 02:50 AM

Ah Paris,
I've enjoyed your every step & adventure.
When I think of all the time I spent in Paris & how few times I hit Les Puces....
Au Revoir,
Posted by: Julie from Montana | March 17, 2009 at 02:03 PM

Great 'stuff'! I can hardly wait for the video. Your footage always makes me feel like I am right there with you!
Posted by: Kathy in Nebraska | March 17, 2009 at 04:45 PM

find what you're looking for here....

hey bloggers!  okay so i'm still busy trying to get caught up and unpacked but i just got GREAT news from my friends at eclectic paperie... they now have IN STOCK my new cling-mounted rubber stamp sets from stampers anonymous!  how cool is that?  so i just wanted to do a quick shout out to let you know that if you don't have a local store in your area who has them, now's your chance to pick them up... i'll be sharing some ideas using them soon on the blog...now that you're able to get them - woo hoo!...t!m

i'm home...

just a quick post to say i'm home and getting some much needed shut eye.  i'll be working on the video journal of paris tomorrow and post it on friday. until then...t!m

another find...

hey bloggers!  well my week in paris is coming to an end...but not before i was able to hit another flea market!  that's right, can you believe it?  on saturday while i was in between workshops, ludmilla and i managed to scour this marketplace for some treasures.  with my grungy eye, and ludi's wicked bartering skills, we were a force!  i picked up this old french clock, a couple french tins, an old lock and some rusty skeleton keys - how cool!!!  so, the workshops, demos, and all around education here in paris was a success.  thanks to my wonderful and patient students, everyone who stopped by smac to say hello, and definitely thanks to ludmilla for putting up with explaining my every word over the past few days.  mario of course, was irreplacable as always and stayed busy keeping everything organized and set for me.  we're heading home tomorrow morning, just a few hours away and we have another long day of flying ahead, but we'll make it home the same day this time so that's a good thing!  i have some great footage from my travels in paris that i'll put together into a little video journal.  stay tuned....t!m

an amazing day in paris...

hey bloggers!  well we've made it to paris safe and sound and hit the ground running when we landed yesterday around 9:30am.  we managed to tough out the day even though we've been up since 4:00am the previous day (with a few hours of shut eye during the flights) and an 8 hour time difference.  paris is such an amazing city though - people everywhere!  after our first day of walking around a little, finding the nearest starbucks (priorities you know) checking out some of the local sights near the hotel, and grabbing some dinner we were in for an early night.  today however was a different story...

we planned on leaving the hotel at about 8:30am in search on a french flea market we heard about in friday (since most are on saturday and sunday, but i'll be teaching then...) so we all set out, took the metro, walked a few blocks, and there it was....the mecca!  french antiques and treasures for blocks and blocks!  seriously, it was everything i was hoping it could be.  we started walking around a little checking out the incredible furniture, statues, and eclectic french findings it was over the top.  then we met up with ludi-pops (my friend from canada who is quite the deal maker) who walked with us and helped me "negotiate" prices for my discoveries.  some were successful, and others were only wishful thinking.  by the end of the morning we had managed to score this INCREDIBLE french ledger packed with postage, letters, receipts, and a variety of french handwriting and vintage logos.  i was one happy guy!  so we walked around a bit more until things started closing up by noon so it was time to head back into central paris for lunch.  we had a great lunch with everyone, headed out to see some sights of paris - eiffel tower and all, got set up for the workshops tomorrow, and had a wonderful dinner with alain's aunt (she is the most charming person!).  so another great day in paris - an amazing day actually.  it's after midnight here now, so it's off to bed...t!m

off to paris...

hey bloggers!  sitting here at the airport in philly waiting for our connection to paris.  left the house at 5am this morning in arizona, flying for most of the day, and arriving in paris tomorrow morning at 9:30am and off to see the sights.  who said international travel was all that?  looking forward to good wine, amazing pastries, timeless architecture, hitting a few french flea markets, teaching workshops, demoing at SMAC trade show, and then heading back home a week from today.  i'll be checking in when i can...au revoir...t!m

packing up...again...

well bloggers, it's time to hit the road again!  busy around here getting everything packed up for paris and trying to fit it all in.  we have 100+ class kits, 50 stamp sets, inks galore, grungeboard, tools, and other demo stuff to get packed - hope there is room for clothes!  it's always an adventure teaching abroad because you need to make sure you have all you need.  looking forward to being back in paris to teach.  my good friend ludmilla will be there to translate my workshops (also a challenge).  i met ludi-pops a few years ago on my first trip to paris and we hit it off right away - she owns a scrapbook store in canada scrapbook quebec and is always there to help me out!

i also wanted to share this email i got today from the very talented mascha who is a creative designer for one of netherlands biggest craft magazines hobbyhandig.  check out what she did with grungeboard!  her challenge was to design bags using grungeboard so she designed these bags to hold a cellphone, glasses, and handkerchief!  wish i could read the article, but the artwork is amazing and so colorful - i love being inspired by others...

so...as you know internet access might be a little shaky, but rest assured i will do my best to blog during my travels to share a few photos of the journey.   and as many of you have asked for, i am also planning on filming my paris "video journal" which i will post when i get back next week.  now back to battle with the suitcases...t!m

a new opportunity...

hey bloggers!  hope you had a great weekend.  i wanted to share some exciting news i've been holding back for a while now - just waiting for it to get close enough...  well it's happening now!  what?  i have the great opportunity to launch a selection of "tim holtz" licensed products in select michaels stores!  this is truly a very exciting thing for me and i hope many of you too.  one of the most difficult things i've discovered through my blog is the limited availability of some of the products i share techniques on.  i get emails daily asking where to buy my stuff - some of you don't have a local independent store to shop in, others say their independent store doesn't even carry my products.  trust me, i know how frustrating it can be to not find the stuff you want to be creative with.  well select michaels stores will be carrying a variety of products including distress inks, crackle paint, and stickles - plus paint dabbers, accents, and tools from ranger.  my scissors from tonic. a selection of grungeboard, fragments, masks, tools, and embellishments from idea-ology.  and a line called "visual artistry" from stampers anonymous which are smaller versions of my popular rubber stamp images in clear polymer - yep, clear!  right now these stamps are only available in michaels.  many of you have asked for my designs in clear stamps, and although not all of them are available this way - a great collection of them are.  so next time you're out for your creative shopping adventure, check out your local michaels too - great things are happening there...

also congrats once again to the winners from last week's giveaways - all of the prizes have finally been sent out!  it's been fun reading your comments and seeing some of your creations inspired by the video demos.  i'm already working on next month's demo.  i was also asked if i was going to continue sharing other projects on my blog with hand shot photos like before and the answer is yes, but just when the inspiration strikes!  i've been busy packing up already to leave for paris on wednesday - the next adventure awaits.  thanks for the support and sharing in the excitement of this new opportunity.
...t!m

sharing the magic...

hey bloggers!  well we're wrapping up our week of giveaways with a fun post today.  sometimes, no matter how busy we are or how crazy life can get, you have to remember to take time for yourself - even if you don't think there is time, you need to make time - just for you.  so this week i ran away with my friends for a couple of days.  yep, we hopped on a plane and headed to my favorite place in the world - the happiest place on earth!  i love disneyland so much, can't explain it, but just being there recharges my creative soul in a way nothing else can.  the vision that walt disney had inspires me to follow my own dreams, that no ideas are too big or too crazy, and that imagination is the key to doing what most think is the impossible.  i try to escape to disneyland whenever i can and i know many of you have asked me to share a glimpse of what our disneyland experience is like.  so here you go, a quick video journal of our disneyland getaway!  walt disney was a true genius, sharing his vision and magic with the world...
how lucky are we??? enjoy...t!m

...and congrats to our final 5 winners for the week!
please email me your contact info so we can get out your stuff:
I can't wait to see what You've got planned for tomorrow! Is 6 A Lucky number? I hope so, I'd love to win for once :) Hope you have fun playing with your new stuff, getting those creative juices flowing ^_^
♥Holly
Posted by: Holly Mann | March 06, 2009 at 01:05 PM

 WOW I am number 39 that is so good for me as living in the great Land Down Under I usually get up in the morning and there are like nearly 200 entries so to be number 39 is like being first. Perhaps today will be my lucky day. I agree with Sue if and when I win the Lotto I will be on the first plane over to come and watch each and every one of your demos live whereever you are presenting and to buy all the goodness before it hits the Aussie shores!! I have had a life long dream to visit Egypt but recently that has changed thanks to you Mr Holtz because now all I want to do is visit America and see you in person do your thing. You never cease to amaze me with your creativity and I find myself saying now when I show friends and family how to use your products "How cool is that?" Indeed that is way cool.
Take care
Regards
Michelle M
Bohemian Gypsy
NSW Australia
Posted by: Michelle Menser | March 06, 2009 at 01:39 PM

WOw! I go out for a couple hours and come back to find you posted without me! Now I'm number 657,433 !??!? What's a girl to do now? Surely you are not going to read all nine ga-zillion of these messages, but if you happen to scroll down about 60 pages or so and find me; I'd love to play with some of the new stash!
Well, guess I'm gonna go hit something with this distress hammer and make something new into something "old" that always cheers me up __ until tomorrow ___ Sweet Dreams
T!m ...maybe tomorrow will be my lucky day!!
Angel^j^ in GA
Posted by: angel^j^ | March 06, 2009 at 06:25 PM

Ok, I think 434 may be my lucky number...I will keep my fingers crossed. I LOVE getting presents in the mail, it is so fun isn't it? Get to open and see all the new goodies. I have a few new goodies on the way myself that I ordered. Thank you for a great week Tim. I love reading your blog and seeing all the comments, watching the videos, making my shopping lists. Your such a good guy and so darn talented! Thanks for sharing your talent with us and letting us learn.
Shirley
Posted by: Shirley | March 06, 2009 at 10:05 PM

Tim,
I had to come check out the site. I work for one of the big craft stores... and was so excited to finally be carrying your ideologie line... and even more excited to find that we'll be featuring your products coming this spring... I am an altered art artist and have been a big fan of your creations for quite some time... I like that your materials are "edgier" than most readily available supply. Funny... my boss is not a papercrafter but after seeing the ideologie stuff she said to me "Hmm... guess I'm going to have to learn a new hobby." Thanks for the inspiration...
GirlintheBox
Posted by: Kaere Schmidt | March 06, 2009 at 11:02 PM

exciting day today...

hey bloggers!  this is a great thing to see....boxes, boxes everywhere!  i just got my shipment of all of the new idea-ology releases from cha - and that means....that it's shipping to stores now too!  how exciting is that?  i am going to be incorporating this new stuff into my upcoming workshops and demos so stay tuned for that.  it's always like christmas when the new products arrive and are finally available to me to use....so trust me when i say the anticipation is the same for me as it is for you!  hope you've been enjoying this week of giveaways and having some time to check out the demo videos and the products section.  i appreciate all of the kind comments.  working on a really fun post for tomorrow - the final day of giveaways for the week so don't miss it.
happy friday everyone...t!m

...and congrats to our 5 winners for today!
please email me your contact info so we can get out your stuff:

HI Tim, I love all the demos. But I must say that I learned something new today. I did not know to use water if my paint dabbers were kind of thick. That is awesome!!
Posted by: Chris Dukes | March 05, 2009 at 10:13 AM

I like the demo on the alcohol inks the best-sparked a new obsession!
Posted by: Kathryn Johnson | March 05, 2009 at 11:57 AM

I LOVE the Fillable pens demo! I go through clear blender pens like crazy doing zerox transfers. Being able to re-fill is awesome! I will be able to save money for the new alcohol inks!
Way to go Tim! ~Eric
Posted by: Eric Cannon | March 05, 2009 at 01:22 PM

DISTRESS CRACKLE PAINT RESIST - I love it how you put the paint on first, then cover it with all sorts of messy stuff, give it a quick wipe et voila it is back on the top again! Brilliant. And to top it all you accent it with one of your fabulous grungeboard pieces. The birds from the nature pack are just my absolute favourites so to see them in one of your demos hit all the right boxes!!
Now to try to copy it... Love, love, love it. Thanks T!m for the inspiration.
Posted by: Helen | March 05, 2009 at 06:19 PM

At the end of a stressful day I am in fragments, feeling grungy and board. I am ready for an Alaskan Cruise or an European Adventure. But I must a bind up those ideas, stamp them out of my head and put them in storage for now. I decide to retreat to my craft room where I can design and rule-hammering out ideas. I decide I must distress before I crackle, dabbling in inks and powders-who can resist? I mask my worries resorting to my alcohol inks. Of course I must refill –splattering here and there coloring my world beautiful. I have created the perfect pearl(s) and my eyes fill with mist. Life is GOOD! Yes, I LOVE ALL OF THE VIDEOS, but my favorite is, “Perfect Pearl Mist!”
Posted by: Debbie Emmons | March 05, 2009 at 09:59 PM

very lucky winners today...

wow bloggers - you seem to be as inspired by keychain's work as i was from yesterday's post.  thank you all for the kind comments to her.  in fact - she didn't even know i was posting this until she read it yesterday!  she was so gracious about her creativity.  so get this... today's winners (from yesterday's post) in addition to a prize package will ALSO receive an original "keychain creation" jewelry piece.  that's right!  keychain emailed me last night and said she would like to include a jewelry piece to the 5 winners.  how cool is that?  creative, and willing to share it - thanks keychain.  so there is still a couple more days of giveaways to 5 lucky winners a day!  all you have to do is post a comment - i would love to hear what your favorite demo video is?...t!m

...and congrats to our 5 winners for today!
please email me your contact info so we can get out your stuff:

ok, now there's another GOOD reason for idea-ology! jewelry. wow! really fun stuff. i am sooo excited about this stuff. such a FUN WOW break from all the 'cutesy' that is out there. thanks, tim... for your creativity!
Posted by: Danella | March 04, 2009 at 10:06 AM

KEYCHAIN!!!!!!!! I love your guest appearances lol! I am loving the bracelet! Does you creativeness come natural or did Tim rub your head when you met him? lol I so need to meet him so he can rub my head lol
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Kurth | March 04, 2009 at 11:27 AM

Hi Tim!!!
Please, please pass this along to keychain.
Oh my goodness!!! That girl has a gift. There's no way I could think of something like she did. Those samples are wonderful!! Not too much, not too little. Wow! She's great!!!! Be sure to thank her for her inspiration.
Posted by: Lisa - Frankfort, KY | March 04, 2009 at 01:10 PM

I can't wait to get the big ball chain so I can make a bracelet like "Keychain's"! I already have all of the idea-ology charms.
P.S. After reading all of the gloomy information about the economy on the news websites, it is a joy to come to your website and be inspired by the wonderful artwork! Thanks.
Posted by: Elaine | March 04, 2009 at 02:36 PM

Mmmmmm, those jewelry pieces are yummy.
Love the name "keychain!!"
Posted by: ~KellyAnn~ | March 04, 2009 at 09:34 PM

ideas with idea-ology...

ideas are an inspiring thing...  they make us think, they help us create, and they excite our inner artist!  my friend "keychain" aka karen - has great ideas (although she doesn't always agree), but her talents are amazing.  when idea-ology was first launched and i sent out samples to her in the hopes of her making a card or two with them.  to my surprise i received a bunch of amazing and very clever jewelry pieces!  this was the start of it all...  her ideas have started my creativity in a whole new direction and i love using idea-ology pieces to create wearable art.  so earlier this week i received another package from keychain with her take with some of the newest additions to the idea-ology line.  check them out and be inspired by her work and.....ideas...t!m

...and congrats to our 5 winners for today!
please email me your contact info so we can get out your stuff:

Your new videos are absolutely terrific! Makes me want to buy at least one of everything! Thanks for making them.
Posted by: Carol | March 03, 2009 at 01:28 PM

OK, saw the splatter with alcohol inks video. OMG! I had a huge smile on my face since I just happened to have a still unused dust remover can sitting right next to my computer. Why do I have a feeling that my keyboard will stay dusty but yet I will have lots of splatter cards in my future???
Posted by: Diane B. | March 03, 2009 at 04:16 PM

What a superstar you are.....video superstar!
Posted by: Barb | March 03, 2009 at 08:27 PM

cool sound effects in some of the videos!
Thanks for the tutorials/demos!
Holly
Posted by: Holly | March 03, 2009 at 09:35 PM

I love how you add the perfect pict for your blog entries. Do you take all the pictures yourself?
I'm loving the videos...now I need the time to go try some new stuff! Thanks for so many chances to win goodies!
Posted by: Linda Gordon | March 04, 2009 at 06:38 AM

save the date...

hey bloggers!   i've been busy confirming some teaching dates for 2009.  you can check out my calendar for more information and links for details, but here are the stores confirmed now through july 2009.  if you're interested in taking a workshop from me - i hope you can make it to one of these locations...

APRIL 18th - Scrapbook Territory (Berkley, CA.)
MAY 23rd - Scrapbooks Etc. (Mesa, AZ.)
JUNE 13th-14th - Stampers Corner (Elk Grove, CA.)
JUNE 26th-27th - Stamp Asylum (Plano, TX.)
JUNE 28th - Ten Seconds Studio (North Richland Hills, TX.)
JULY 25th - Ruban Rouge (Plam Harbor, FL.)

...and congrats to our 5 winners for today!
please email me your contact info so we can get out your stuff:

Congrats to the first 5 winners!! This is the way to start off the week with some of Tim's fabulous products. I'm not that lucky...but don't think I'm not going to try for some fun goodies from Tim. LOL Thanks for a chance at some of your wonderful and fun goodies. Even if I don't win...I still love ya and your products.
Posted by: StampinCathy | March 02, 2009 at 11:15 AM

Tim if you keep doing these cool demo videos, I may never get any more work done!
Posted by: Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor | March 02, 2009 at 11:48 AM

congrats to the first lucky five today,
my fingers are crossed, i wish, i may...
be in the second lucky five on day two,
please don't make me boo-hoo-hoo!!!!
thanks t!m for another chance for your great giveaways!!!
Posted by: lori p | March 02, 2009 at 02:08 PM

Congratulations to the winners! LOVE those videos Tim! Thank you soooo much!
Posted by: Connie | March 02, 2009 at 05:04 PM

Congratulations to all the winners today! (those were some great responses)
Sheryl is to be commended for her work - the navigation is great!!
Off to see what else I missed (there's so much there). I feel like a kid cut lose in a candy store!!
Keep up the great work Tim.
Cindy - FL
Posted by: cindy | March 02, 2009 at 05:09 PM

our first 5 winners...

congrats to the first 5 winners from yesterday's post!  your comments have been overwhelming to read - thank you so much for all of the kind words and i'm glad you're as excited about all of the new additions to the website.  it's funny how many people thought i was done and moving to disneyland - someday!  all of the demo videos are now uploaded and ready to watch, just click the demo section in the website to watch them all.  be sure to post a comment on today's post for your chance to win some great ranger, idea-ology, or stampers anonymous stuff - remember 5 winners are selected each day so you can post each day to try to win....good luck - t!m

*winners: please email me your contact info to get your prizes set out - congrats!

How exciting Tim!!! You must be over the moon! Love the new product section, it's so easy to navigate through everything. I love being able to see the stamps up close, all the fine little details. Stunning. As soon as I saw your feed, I called my 60 year old mother (yes, she is a huge fan. You should see her go to work on some brads or grungeboard with your texture hammer, lucky she doesn't carry it around in her bag!!!! LOL) to tell her you had posted some new vid's, she's very excited to watch them in the morning as it's a bit late for her now. Any how congrats on the new look website (looks awesome sherryl!)off to watch some vid's ;c)
Posted by: Didee | March 01, 2009 at 01:53 AM

ok so don't laugh, but even beyond the creative inspiration, I find parental inspiration. I've forward this blog entry to my daughters in college. Reading about someone pursuing what they love in spite of obstacles and occasional self doubt, acheiving success yet valuing humility and recognizing and thanking others for their impact and support while still recognizing your own unique contributions; these are practical demonstrations of the life lessons we hopefully all learn. So bravo to you Tim and thanks for your words as well as your creative generosity.
Posted by: C. L. | March 01, 2009 at 07:45 AM

 Gosh, am I first??? I can't wait to see the video techniques. I hope that I can finally qualify for a giveaway..!! I have sure been trying!
Thanks, T!M!! Lindy from CA
Posted by: Lindy Tuttle | March 01, 2009 at 01:35 AM

 oh my gosh, tim......this was worth the wait, and better than anything I could have thought of.  you are amazing, and most generous in sharing your techniques and products.
love you....love your creativity....love your spirit
Posted by: hitomi| March 01, 2009 at 3:11 AM

 Ok Tim, here's a little honesty from me: I've always walked past a lot of your products because I've never really known how to use them/what to do with them. The posts you did at Christmas were fantastic and I must admit that I'm no longer scared to check them out and experiment. There is no doubt that your videos will get the same kind of response. I'm looking forward to learning some more!
Posted by: Brooke | March 01, 2009 at 02:13 PM

today's the day...

well march 1st is finally here bloggers!  you know i am definitely one who works by deadlines, who's priorities are influenced by deadlines, and someone who works up to the final minute of a deadline - so it's a good thing i announced earlier last month that something big was happening on my blog march 1st...i actually got it done.  i have so much to share with you i don't know where to start so just hang on and let's go...

i can't tell you how humbled and grateful i am to be living the life i've imagined.  i truly believe in chasing your dreams and to be in charge of your own destiny.  where i am today is because i was willing to keep up with the chase and not be deterred by life's obstacles whether it was people's opinions of what i do, or even at times my own disbelief in what it is i wanted to do with my life.  why am i sharing these feelings??? because no matter how much determination i may have had, my dream is reality because of YOU - that's right, all of you.  your acceptance, support, and excitement for what i do in this industry is why i am where i am and who i am today.  without the creative interaction, people i have met throughout this journey, and the opportunities i have been blessed to embrace, i truly would not have been traveling down this path...but today i am.  seems kind of mushy, but i figured since i had your attention, today was a great day to thank you - each of you - thank you...

so on to the big things that i've been working on.  i have been overwhelmed by the response this blog has received and the fun i have had with it (not to mention the numerous hours of my days spent working on things for it).  honestly, there is no better outlet for me to be in more places at the same time.  i enjoy reading your comments daily, and yes i do read them.  of course i don't answer questions through the blog since it's really difficult to reply to individual posts on a daily basis which is why i always suggest e-mailing me if you ever have questions because i do personally reply to every email...the point i'm getting to here is that i do in fact take your thoughts, comments, and opinions to heart and listen.  so today there are lots of great new things many of you have been asking for so i hope you're as excited for these new changes as i am...

  
NEW DEMO VIDEOS: this is big!  they say a picture is worth a thousand words, and as a blog follower you know i've had my share of photos to post for techniques.  well many of you have been asking for a third DVD.  let me be honest in saying i have no intention on another DVD right now.  (although i must say my first 2 DVD'sare loaded with great techniques and projects whether you're a beginning paper crafter or beyond , hint-hint!)  i know there are those skeptics out there that have the opinion that online "amature videos" on youtube are worthless, but i have to say it's a much better way to share a new technique or showcase a new product and much faster.  posting my own web videos gets the information out there to all of you, of course i don't expect to win any awards for them, but they do the job and share the information.  so that's why i've updated the demo section on my website with a bunch of new technique and product videos!  grab a bowl of popcorn and sit down for a while to watch some new techniques - have fun checking them out, get inspired, and get creative.  now many of you have been asking if i am doing the "monthly technique challenge" this year, and the answer is yes, but in this all new video format!  that's right, in addition to the 10 NEW demo videos i've added to the website i will be adding a new technique video every month!  woo-hoo!  more creative sharing to all of you.  of course this doesn't mean that i won't share other information and techniques with step out photos on my blog like before, this is just another way to share the education.  i hope you like the new videos - i've been having fun with imovie...
UPDATE: all demo videos are uploaded on the website - have a good time!

  
NEW PRODUCTS SECTION:  this has to be my favorite announcement to share today.  a huge thank you and goes to my very patient, very talented, and very creative web-master sherryl.  she has worked tirelessly to bring you this new interactive product sectionfilled with pages and pages of product information.  of course this goes back to the numerous comments i receive about my products, where to find them, what tools do i use and so on.  now don't get me wrong, i still believe it's vital to support your local craft store whether it's a small mom & pop shop, or a chain like michael's - every store is important as it is our life line to bring you the latest products and techniques.  let's face it though, not everyone has a local craft store anymore...sad but true.  so this new product sectionallows you to browse through my signature products as well as my favorite "tools of the trade" from other companies.  the sections are categorized by brands and types of products along with links to related demo videos.  of course when you click on any product image it takes you directly to on online source to buy it.  you can find this in the products section of my website or click the button on the side of my blog "tim holtz favorite products" to be linked directly to my website.  now all of the products (with the exception of my stamps) can be found at scrapbook.com  they have been so great in bringing in every single one of my products so it's easier for you to find it all in one convenient place.  my stamps are also linked up now to buy from stampers anonymous.  if you've been frustrated in the past trying to find my stamps on their site, don't worry, they are all organized by page now and you can simply click the stamp shown on my site and you're linked directly to the page on the stampers anonymous site.  *now please understand that i do not personally sell any of my products with the exception of personalized books and dvds so if you're placing an order with one of these vendors, please direct all related questions directly to them.  i know the economy is on our minds, it should be, but it doesn't have limit your creative spirit.  so whether you're in the shopping mode or not, just have fun clicking around, making your checklists, and seeing all of the new products!  (yep, all of the NEW idea-ology and ranger products are listed for preorder and they should be shipping next week...). 

AND A FULL WEEK OF GIVEAWAYS!  of course big announcements like these wouldn't be the same without some big prizes.  so all week long i'll be doing giveaways to you random lucky winners.  all you have to do is post a comment on each day's post for your chance to win.  simply click the word "comment" at the end of the post to leave your comment.  winners will be chosen the following day.  each day i'll be choosing 5 winners!  you got it....5 winners.  you could win some of the NEW idea-ology products, NEW stampers anonymous stamps, NEW ranger alcohol inks,  or a $25 gift certificate to scrapbook.com.  it just doesn't get any better - does it?  so i hope you're as excited as i am about the new website with a new interactive product section, and the new monthly technique challenge video demos....of course a week's worth of giveaways isn't bad either!...have fun and good luck posting your comment each day....thanks for sharing this incredible journey with me...t!m