Tim Holtz

it all starts tomorrow....

that's right bloggers....the "12 tags of Christmas" start tomorrow (or tonight at 12:01am for you night owls).  see you then...t!m

"not so much"...

okay bloggers - that was one of the FUNNIEST things to happen around here in a long time!  seriously mario taking over my blog?  even figuring out how to post for that matter?  and all to give away more prizes - like he thinks i need help doing that?   i woke up to find 200+ blog comments and hundreds of twitter emails and i said....well forget about exactly what i said, but i couldn't figure out what all the sudden hub-bub was about...until i clicked my blog!  okay, bravo to mario for stepping up in making sure not a single prize around here goes un-given and asking you all to follow him on twitter...  so i'm following mario on twitter myself now too, i need to keep an eye out on what "behind the scenes" stuff he's planning on sharing.  he's out of control with this tech stuff!  hope you'll join the fun and really, the comment about my creativity rubbing off on him?..."not so much", now that i agree with but i like it that way - don't need anymore creative opinions around here, the ones shouting in my head are enough...t!m

I've Got Free Stuff~

Hey Tim's Bloggers, It's Mario here. For those of you who don't know me I'm Tim's business manager. I have been working with Tim for about 15 years long before he got into this business. I am not a crafter, nor a scrap-booker not even a stamper but I am the go to guy for the non-creative side of Tim's business. I think the question that I get asked the most is "why don't you craft" it must rub off on you, and my answer...Not so much! 

I enjoy the challenge of the logistics of the company. Getting everything he needs to teach classes kitted and shipped to the location.  If you have taken a class from him you know that he does not travel lightly. Let's just say that over the years I have made friends at the local FedEx dock. These days I  travel full time and do the set up at the events and help with his classes anyway I possibly can. I have met so many nice people over the years and I truly appreciate all the friendship's I have made.

 While Tim's consumed with getting his "12 Tags of Christmas" ready I decided to take over Tim's blog for today. I must say I have been pretty busy myself shipping out thousands of tags that Tim so kindly "volunteered" me to do.  I really don't know what to say since I am not much of a blogger but one thing I do know about those of you who like to follow this blog is that you all love free stuff...Heck who doesn't, I sure do!! Now I know the "12 Tags" are kicking off in a few days and Tim has lots of prizes planned to give away but let's face it between you and me he's got way more than he can possibly give away in 12 days.

That's why I've decided to help get rid of some of the stuff... Here's what I've got planned. Since I'm sure I only have this one chance on the blog be sure to help me get the message out because I'm planning on giving away free stuff too.

 I won't be giving stuff away on the blog because that's Tim's deal but I will be giving it away to my Twitter followers. That's right I have a Twitter account and a few followers but I am hoping this will change. Not only will I be doing the giveaway's I will be sharing behind the scenes details of the "12 Tags" from my point of view.

If you think you want to be part of the fun come and follow me on Twitter. It's easy to do and you just might win some free stuff...Each day I will choose a random winner from my followers and announce the winner on my Twitter.

My Twitter name is-- mariojrossi

So I just want to take a minute to say Thank You for all of the really nice Thanksgiving comments. I appreciate being part of many of them from you. Alright gotta go I hear ink pads shuffling around and maybe he'll wonder what I am up to - guess he'll find out soon enough!!

See you on Twitter.

Mario

so thankful...

 
i'm so thankful to be surrounded by friends and the people i care about the most.  thankful to be living my dream each and every day.  thankful to be able to share what i love with the people who love it with me.  happy thanksgiving  - there's much to be thankful for...t!m

12 tags Q&A...

hey bloggers! as the excitement builds for the launch of the "12 Tags of Christmas", there have been many questions on the blog so hopefully this will answer the top 3.  looking forward to December 1st...t!m

1. "what type/size tags are you using and where can i get them?"...
this was the most asked question from the previous years too.  i work on #8, 13pt. manila tags (approx 3 1/8"x6 1/4").  i've been told this size is very difficult to locate at office supply stores. so mario has agreed to mail out tags if you wish to buy some.  they are 20 tags for $5.00 and this includes shipping (US only)!  if you want, just email mario@timholtz.com and he can send you an invoice through paypal to get them out right away - supplies are limited!
SORRY SOLD OUT! 
*UPDATE: you can buy a "stampers dozen" of #8 tags here at eclectic paperie.com

2. "will you have a full supply list posted for all 12 tags?"...
no.  sorry, but i create a tag each day to share with you so i don't know what i'll be doing from day to day most likely.  most of the supplies are basic, some are a little more unique, but remember you can always substitute whatever else might work.  this is about having fun, learning, but most of all playing.  i will also have links for each product if you wish to purchase it online, or you can check with your local store.  they should carry all of the products and stamps (i'll be using all of the holiday ones for sure) anyways and many stores follow along and usually have the products for the daily tag featured in an area.  ask your local store about it - they may want to get involved too!

3. "do i need to comment everyday to win a prize?"...
well, only if you want to win a prize.  the drawings are done each night right before the following day's tag is posted.  you basically have 24 hours to claim your prize before the names are removed from the post.  so be sure to check the blog each day during the "12 Tags" and post a comment each day for your chance to win.  we have had multiple winners in the past and that's always exciting!  Prizes are open to everyone world-wide and we will send your winnings to you anywhere in the world in fact almost 50% of last years prizes went to our international bloggers!

just 7 more days...

moving on...

hello there bloggers!  long time no blog huh?  thank you to everyone for their thoughts, well wishes, and funny threats  on the blog.  i appreciate those of you who took the time to comment, it meant a great deal.  i have to say the happenings of last weekends ordeal left me in such a tough spot in my life.  as i mentioned, i was heading from the carson stamp show on to florida to wrap up the details of my new book.  in addition to that i also had my cha new release artwork, book text, and several other things that i had been working on and i was forced to simply do without.  well i'm home now and back in the studio and with my new mac up and running, my spirits are in a much better place.  it's such a weird violated feeling i was dealing with this week - yuck!  i'm busy getting things back on track with a bit of an added rush to them!  the book is still on schedule and i will be finishing it this week.  i am blessed by my friends and many people that care about me and have gone above and beyond to lift my spirits i honestly thank all of you...

so i've been asked for the past few months about the "12 Tags of Christmas" and if i was planning on doing them this year.  of course with my schedule it was impossible for me to commit to anything so early but it was my intention to do them.  in fact i was planning several techniques while i was in carson, making reminders, and working on technique step outs while i was at the hotel each night while the tags were fresh in my head. this was the year i would be ahead of the game, the year i could create kits for the tags, the year i could notify all of the stores what techniques i was sharing so they could order up on supplies....but all that work and information gone in the blink of an eye!  gone since i backed up before i left on the trip - gone, gone, gone.  so that was it, i was done, out of time and quite honestly out of inspiration to do anything for a while - i am sorry...

what happened to my spirit?

where did my creativity go?

why was this bothering me so much - it was just stuff after all?

how can i be so bothered inside?

when will i ever get over this?

can't i just move on?

i saw this  quote online today.  i don't no where or how, but i was googling something and it just came up: "life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming something more...".  how true is that?  after all, it's what this blog is all about.  a way to stay connected with all of you, a way to give back to you for all you give to me....

so with that i am announcing:

that's right, i am moving on and giving back and doing the "12 Tags of Christmas" for 2009 - crazy i know, but i love sharing with all of you to let you know how much i appreciate you.  the "12 Tags of Christmas" will start on December 1st and go through December 12th.  if you're new to the "12 Tags of Christmas", well it's a festivity of creative goodness, a time to deck the halls, and let your artistic whimsy get you in the holiday spirit.  each day i will post a holiday tag with complete step by step instructions for you to follow along.  the tags stay up all month and then are archived on the bottom left column of the blog - the past 2 years of the "12 Tags" for 2007 & 2008 are already there so check them out!  now let's not forget about all of the prizes, one of my favorite things about the "12 Tags" is the "12 Days of Giveaways" that go along with them!  each day i will pick random winners from the daily comments you post on the blog!  this year i am kicking it up a notch though so be ready:  if you're a daily winner and your name is posted on the blog, you must claim your prize by the end of the day you're name is selected because if you don't, the prizes will roll over to the next days winners!  (this means that when the daily tag and winners are posted each morning at 12:01amPST, you have until 11:59pmPST that night to claim your prize - so you have 24 hours to claim your prize) also, in true "12 Tags" style, the more comments on the blog each day, the more prizes i'll be giving away.  so be sure to take EACH DAY and post a comment on the blog and join the festive fun!  hey you just might win more than once - it's happened before...

now i know that many of you create a tag each day along with me and let me tell you - i love that!  in fact at the end of this year's 12 days i'll be holding a contest for those that have completed all "12 Tags of Christmas" for 2009, and i have some AMAZING prizes to give away for that!  so of course as you can imagine i have TONS of things to do to still finish up the book and get everything ready if i'm going to pull this thing off.  i'll be launching the first tag at 12:01am on December 1st so i am leaving this post up until then - fair enough?  so you'll have time to gather your favorite holiday stamps, inks, and anything else you want to play with.  tell your friends, post it on your blogs, facebook, and twitter because the more people who get involved in the holiday cheer and post comments during the "12 Tags of Christmas" the more gifts and goodies i'll be sharing with all of you!  okay, so i hope you're as excited as i am about the 2009 "12 Tags of Christmas" then please post a comment - i would love for you to share your excitement with me, not to mention, it will give you practice for the coming weeks.  see all of you on December 1st, 2009 let the holidays begin - i can't wait...t!m

left without...

Hey bloggers... So here I sit at the airport in Texas waiting for our flight to Florida for my visit to Advantus to finish my book up. Only now I'm traveling quite a bit lighter. I'm blogging from my iPhone and clicking away at the touch screen so please forgive the typos. Unfortunately I'm now left without many of my personal belongings. Left without because someone stole them from the trunk of the car the last night we were in Carson while having dinner. My entire messenger bag with my MacBook Pro, iPod touch, Bose headphones, flip video, sunglasses, reading glasses, my handmade watches and jewelry, and medication - gone... Everything taken! So I've been faced with a bit of a set back considering all of my new book photos and text along with all of my new CHA designs, new stamp ideas, product artwork and packaging simply all gone in an instant. Luckily I did back up my computer before I left so once we're in Florida I'm off to buy a new mac and hopefully get everything back on track. I don't know why people do what they do, but I am aware that not all people are bad. I believe you get what you give in life. Not sure at this point who I have wronged in such a way to deserve this myself but you have to take the good with the bad I guess. So I just wanted to let everyone know we're all okay - just need to get back up, brush the dust off, and move forward. That's just what I'm doing. I'll blog again as soon as I can. Wish me luck and my sincere thanks for all of the well wishes and prayers. They are truly appreciated...t!m

let's stamp...

hello bloggers!  so we've just landed in sunny california for the weekend to demo at the original rubber stamp show in carson, california.  i'll be in the stampers anonymous booth doing free demos on saturday and sunday so if you're in the area stop by and say hello!  this is a fun stamp show and i look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and friends.  i'll be "tweeting" throughout the weekend with updates and pics from the show and a showing a sample or two, so be sure to follow me on twitter - you can click the link to the left of my blog to follow along - there maybe a surprise or two in store!  enjoy your weekend...t!m

something random...

hello bloggers!  the comments i'm reading about that doll are cracking me up - seriously...  so today's post is just one of those random things i found on my iphone.  i took these pictures back in october when we went to disneyland and i saw this window in new orleans square.  can you believe this is in disneyland?  how cool is this window - and so "me"?  it's like a giant altered shadow box made in this window.  it's filled with just random things and nothing disney related - so different, so clever.  bravo disney!  i love all of the interesting details, the crown in the glass box inside the book.  the random wooden arm coming out holding a bird cage, the torso bust with stacking crowns, and what about that caged raven with the doll head - yes, a feathered body, doll head, and a beak on a string?  incredible!  i just thought seeing this altered art in disneyland was something worth sharing with all of you since it definitely inspired me.  remember, you never know where you'll find inspiration so don't forget to "learn to pause... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you..." - now that IS a stamp...t!m

who knew?...

well bloggers, it seems we have more than creativity in common?  we also seem to have our love for supplies and our challenges to keep them all organized.  that's okay, whatever works for you is all that's important.  the funniest thing i found about reading your comments was the overwhelming notice of this crazy little doll that was hanging on the door.  so i thought i would share a little bit about this guy too since maybe many of you might feel the need to get one of your own (or something like it anyways)...  so i picked this up in my travels to california this year at this incredible shop in old sacramento called evangeline's.  it's filled with very uncommon and eclectic things, but i'm telling you everywhere you turn, there is something to make you laugh out loud.  it's a must stop to shop destination whenever i'm there.

so when i saw this i thought it was the perfect solution for those moments of creative frustration and it just so happens there was the perfect button to go with it "never apologize for your art".  i'm seeing a stamp with that saying in my future and from many of your other comments, you're agreeing with "it just so happens i buy it faster than i can use it" as a fitting statement too.  so whenever my creative block is getting the best of me (yes we all have them), i can fling this little sucker across the room, jab it with a craft pick, or shoot it with the rubber band that's tied to his head, whatever it takes to get the creative ideas flowing again.  the statement is so true, never apologize for your art, what you create, how messy you might be, how long it might take you to make it, or how much all those trinkety things may have cost you - art is just that...art!  so you see something this little tattered dude can come in handy for those frustrating creative moments - i'm sure you'll agree...t!m

the dig...

so bloggers, have you had those moments when you're making stuff that you just start looking through other stuff for more inspiration?  i call it "the dig"... when you're just digging and scouring around looking for just the right thing that you've tucked away for just the right project in just the right color to give you just the right look!  oh please, you know exactly what i'm talking about.  i admit, i'm guilty of stock piling lots of cool treasures too, but in my defense i  actually use my stuff - it just so happens that i buy it faster than i can use it.  i can't help myself!  so i thought i would show you a pic of (one of many) digging grounds in my studio.  this is a clear shoe rack hanging on the back of the door with lots of pockets to tuck things away in.  i have them stuffed with all sorts of cool and eclectic finds from the newest of things, to stuff from companies of days gone by.  it's a great way to look at everything at once and see it all - even the doo-dads shoved into the bottom of the pockets.  so here is where i've been finding myself lately just digging and searching for the right accent to finish my projects - i find this very inspiring at times...

another thing i find inspiring is reading all of your comments.  wow, how cool is that to actually have comments to read just because!  i like the fact that many of you commented on on the post because you liked the idea, felt inspired yourself, and just plain enjoyed the blog.  thank you!  and like i said, you never know when i may give some stuff away, so congrats to the today's winners from yesterday's comments.  i'll be sending you some distress stickles, a heap of prima collage flowers, and a set of my visual artistry stamps just because you took the time to post a comment.  remember i do this blog for you, so i honestly enjoy hearing from you. i believe in one very important thing in life - you get what you give...t!m

congrats to the following winners!  please email me your contact info so i can send out your prize:
Ohh so pretty! I have to admit, I am a junkie for the Distress Stickles. They are so pretty and it just brings all projects to a new level.
Posted by: Jill | November 09, 2009 at 11:08 AM

The flowers look awesome.
Looking forward to seeing you in Carson this weekend!
Posted by: Renee | November 09, 2009 at 02:27 PM

sparkle, glitter, glitz - love these flowers! Will do up a few myself! Can't wait to see what you will be doing with them!
Posted by: Joy Meadows | November 09, 2009 at 04:40 PM

ooooh la la. Love your flowers. I always appreciate how your products have such versatility. As a consumer, it is a refreshing change to build on what we already own. Adding Distress Stickles or Rock Candy to what we already own, changes the affect so much. Thanks Tim. And BTW, you are a tease!!!
Posted by: Ida | November 09, 2009 at 05:05 PM

Very pretty and sparkly!!!!!!!!!!
The store where I teach has sold out of Rock Candy several times, every time I demo it or use it in a class. Everyone thinks it is pretty awesome. It really is pretty and awesome!!!!!!!!! Thanks for another tease.
Posted by: Freda | November 10, 2009 at 07:28 AM

LOVE the Distress Stickles even more than the regular ones! Is that possible??? These look like they've been kissed by the evening stars - just a hint of glimmer & glitz. They'd look great on ANY project!
Posted by: Susan Kesselman | November 10, 2009 at 08:41 AM

very sparkly...

hey bloggers!  hope you had a great weekend.  i had a very busy one and this morning i'm up to my elbows in sparkling distress stickles.  things around the studio are in full swing getting samples made - talk about crafting in bulk.  so i thought i'd share some pics of a few distress stickled prima flowers i've been making.  distress stickles are pretty cool since it's not really a metallic glitter, distress provides more of a nostalgic shimmer (like sugar or crushed glass).  they come in 29 colors too (all 24 distress ink colors, 3 metallics, white, and rocky candy) so the possibilities are endless with these.  oh how i wish i could show you what i'm using them on, but that will have to wait.  for now, i'm sharing what i can so at least you can add a little sparkle to your day...t!m

free stuff...

that's right bloggers - free stuff for some of you who simply posted a comment on yesterday's blog post!!!  you never know when i  feel the need to give some stuff away so the following people will win products from yesterday's post - salvage stickers, a heap of grungeboard shapes, a sanding grip, and of course some distress ink so you can start creating!  congrats if you see your name listed, just email me your contact info and i'll get your prize right out to you.   you see bloggers, i like getting comments on the blog from you, let's me know you're out there reading this stuff... who knows when the next giveaway might be???

OMG! Do you even sleep, or ever stop thinking? Thank you so much for all of your clever ideas and how to's. Cannot wait to see what else you may conjer up! 
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Rozek | November 05, 2009 at 11:54 AM

Those are really cool! Thanks for that great idea for using letter stickers. And the Salvage stickers are so grungy!! Love them.  Julie
Posted by: Julie H. | November 05, 2009 at 12:14 PM

love this idea/project! you always format your projects so they are inspiring and easy to understand! Can't wait for your new book. (btw 71 degrees in banana belt MT today) gayle
Posted by: gayle | November 05, 2009 at 01:07 PM

You just continue to amaze me at how much that you accomplish. My creativity has pretty much been off for almost 2 years. But the last few months I've finally started to get over it. I've done a few birthday cards and started some christmas cards.
Posted by: Elaine Creighton | November 05, 2009 at 03:11 PM

Wait a second... Did you say new book? YAY!
Posted by: Eric | November 05, 2009 at 09:27 PM

love this simple but amaz!ng project!! thanks t!m!!!
Posted by: lori p | November 06, 2009 at 06:24 AM

so i thought today i would just share a laugh with all of you.  i'm sure many of you have had those days where life gets a bit too tough and we need to remember to step back and not take ourselves too seriously.  so i found this photobooth program on my mac and honestly had no clue what it was - well a few minutes later i was laughing myself silly!  you know, those times where you laugh out loud when nobody else is even in the room?  where tears start to well up in your eyes?  where you find yourself trying to catch your breath from your own hysterics?  this was one of those moments - (recognize the guy in the top photo?)! then of course, anyone that walked in the room, or just happened to stop by for a visit got sucked into this too - so i am sharing some of our fun (their names were left out to protect the innocent).  hope this brings a smile to your face and remember, it's okay to simply laugh out loud once in a while - enjoy today...t!m

creative overload...

hey bloggers!  well i must say that my creativity is in full overload right now working on the projects for my new book and cha samples.  of course the down side to creating all of this stuff is that it has to stay under wraps until the cha show in january.  not to worry though, as i can at least show you a quick how-to on what i'm working on right now.  i'm sure i'll have a few more sneaks as we get closer to the show, but for now, i'll share what i can.  this is a simple way to create some cool dimensional print block letters using my salvage stickers.  you can use them on just about any project or even frame them for a cool home decor idea.  are you seeing gift ideas here??? family names???...t!m

*supplies needed: non stick craft sheet, distress ink, ink blending tool (ranger); salvage stickers, grungeboard shapes, sanding grip (idea-ology); scissors (tonic)

step 1: determine the amount of space you have for your project (whether it's a scrapbook page, a frame, whatever) and place a piece of masking tape on your craft sheet for that length.  then choose your letters from the salvage stickers and place them on the craft sheet too.  because this surface is non-stick, you can move the letters around as much as you need to.  keep in mind you have a variety of sizes per letter in the salvage sticker book and you can stack up the smaller ones.


step 2: cut pieces of grungeboard the size of each salvage sticker.  if you have the grungeboard shapes pack, these are already precut shapes that are designed to fit all of the salvage stickers - squares, rectangles, and circles (did you know that?) and it doesn't matter what texture of grungeboard you use for these.


step 3: press the salvage sticker on to each piece of grungeboard - if there is any excess grunge sticking out, just trim with your scissors.


step 4: repeat for all of the letters you've selected.


step 5: scuff and sand all of the edges with the sanding grip to reveal the white core of the stickers.


step 6: ink the edges using walnut stain distress ink with an ink blending tool to create a distressed shadow around the pieces.


step 7: there you have it, dimensional print blocks from salvage stickers!  now just add them to your projects using foam tape to create various layers and depth.

it's about time...

yes bloggers, i know many of you have been asking me for quite a while to get involved with facebook and twitter.  to be honest i just don't think i have that much to say that anyone would care to read, but then when i got sucked into the vortex of it all, i admit that i am hooked now too!  i must say it's pretty cool to see what your friends and the people you follow are up to in life's day to day adventures.  so if this sounds like fun to you? then join in and be my friend on facebook and follow me on twitter - i have my live twitter feeds posting on the blog now too (over the the left).  so here i am, ready to take on this challenge of blogging (of course), posting tweets, and network a bit on facebook.  see you all in cyberspace...t!m

a place to bark...

well bloggers - for those of you that remember my friend bernie berlin and her efforts for her shelter "a place to bark" from last year, will also remember all of the great results your support did.  you see bernie runs a no-kill shelter and i for one am a supporter of her good deeds and i know many of you are as well.  "a place to bark" remains as the number one link spot on my blog in the hopes that throughout the year, you'll stop by to visit their blog and help when you can.  so bloggers, it's time to help again - bernie is involved in facebook challenge to raise money for the animals.  you can find the information on their blog and how you can help for just $10.  so take some time to see what you can do to make a difference in the lives of some very loving animals.  together we can do great things - go bernie!...t!m