Tim Holtz

The machine...

Well bloggers the day has arrived !!! Last night I got to physically work with the new machine I am releasing with my new alterations line with sizzix. All I can say is I am blown away by how perfect this is. We had a mini celebration in the booth to see this in action for the first time. I was so excited! The machine will not be shipping until July, but all of my other alterations dies and textures ship next month, but it was important that I debut the new machine with this launch. It is a compact motorized machine designed to cut anything you can imagine from grungeboard to fabric, wood, and acrylic. It will texture so deep with the texture fades it will emboss grungeboard no problem, and it's all compact in this suitcase. Yep the suitcase IS the machine. The cord stows away in a side compartment and the hardware on the top of the suitcase operates the machine. And with the push of a button the 2 side panels open up from the suitcase creating the platform for the machine and the other switch operates the motors of it. Again this is just a prototype I get to play with during the show but this is definitely the machine of my dreams. Tiny, portable, and so cute to look at I can't wait to have it sitting on my studio table. July will be here soon enough and I'll have to be as patient as all of you because after the show I have to give it back to sizzix after the show so they can complete production. Bravo sizzix! I'll post a video of the machine in action after the show! Thanks for sharing in this anticipation with me ...t!m

a little more idea-ology...

hey bloggers!  here we are, the last of the sneak peeks for cha.  we are at the airport right now waiting for our flight to orange county.  i have to say i'm in total show mode now.  everything i needed to get done (i hope) is done, everything packed, shipped, and tracked that it has arrived.  so now, all we have to do is get there.  the weather here in arizona has been insane over the past 48 hours, but so far our flight is on time - finger's crossed...

okay, so let's get to it.  my new releases for idea-ology!  thank you all for your excitement about the new paper stack collections and my book "a compendium of curiosities" i sincerely appreciated them...  so for idea-ology, i wanted more findings - after all, i love trinkets.  so check out these catalog pages from some new products which include mini locket keys and keyholes, curio knobs, tissue tape (this is adhesive backed translucent tissue paper in a roll, so cool), a new size of grungepaper, a smaller sized grungeboard alphabet set, and just wait until you see the new adornments!  i think many of you will be saying "finally"... 

 

thanks again for sharing in the pre-show excitement.  2009 has been the busiest year yet for me designing and this show is where it all comes together.  i'm looking forward to a very creative 2010 of course i'll be sharing  new techniques, product uses, and more on my blog once this product start hitting the stores next month so get ready for more creative adventures...

i'm not sure how much blogging i'll get to daily over the next week, but i'll be sure to do a post or two throughout the show.  if you want to know what's going on sooner, mario and i be tweeting from the show floor with more pics of the booth, the displays, and of course my new machine with sizzix!  if you're not following either of us on twitter - don't miss out (even if you don't tweet, it's still fun to follow and easy to sign up free).  i'm sure we'll manage to grab some samples of my new products to give away on twitter as well as on the blog, so be sure to comment and follow, you never know when or how many winners there may be.  talk about "living the life you've imagined" - i am definitely living it and i have all of you to thank for it...t!m

idea-ology anyone?...

well bloggers... as the last 24 hours begin to tick away before we head down to the airport to fly off to cha, the chaos continues (organized chaos of course).  the studio has been buzzing until the late night hours to get all of the samples finished, the supplies packed, the demo product prepped - it's just typical trade show fun!  i must say that 2009 was one of the busiest design years i've ever had, and this cha show will have more new release product for me than i ever thought possible.  it's amazing and inspiring when all of the ideas i've had come together at once - i simply can't wait for this show!  so of course i haven't said a word about idea-ology yet and with just two more days before i'll be setting up booths and teaching workshops, i of course wanted to share it with all of you...

i'll be sharing this over the next two days since there is so much to talk about...  the first and most exciting for me would be my new book "a compendium of curiosities"!  this 77 page "how to create" book is filled with ideas on every idea-ology product i've designed and how to use them, plus just about every technique i could think to put in it.  the book is hard cover and spiral bound so it sits open flat on your table while you're creating.  i share my favorite supplies, tips, techniques, and a gallery showing ideas of putting it all together.  here's the best news... the book is finished, in-stock, and shipping immediately following the cha show!  (and if you're at the show, the first 100 orders in idea-ology will receive a free copy at the show!)...

next is another new idea-ology venture for me... a paper line.  of course if you know me, you know this is not going to be your typical paper line.  introducing the paper stash.  there are 3 collections and each collection is sold in one stash.  i am not selling individual papers in these lines, just as a stash - simple.  here's what makes these so different.  each stash contains 36 double sided 12x12 papers on 80lb. cardstock.  so they can be sanded, embossed, and distressed without falling apart.  but wait!!!  each stash has 12x12 designs, 6x6 mini versions of the designs (4 on a sheet) perfect for cards and mini books, 2x2 snippets (the entire 12x12 is shrunk to 2x2 so you get all of the cool designs to match your project)  these are great for fragment charms, punches, etc., and sheets of atc (yes the designs are actually 2 1/2x3 1/2) and border strips (so you don't have to cut up a full sheet just to add a border to your project)... this is all in the same stash!  i wanted to design 3 very different collections since i believe everyone has their own unique style to embrace.  one is "retro grunge" the nostalgic palette of earthtones with design elements reminiscent of vintage film and a carnival midway.  the next is "vintage shabby" inspired by french flea markets and timeless ephemera, birds, flourishes, and a palette of whitewashed pastels.  the last is "lost and found" my favorite assortment of random findings, travel labels, old photographs and many other antique treasures from days gone by.  so take a look and i hope that one of these collections inspire your creative desires...more to share tomorrow - have to get back to work...tick-tock...t!m
 
 

 

calling all stampers...

today is your day stampers!  yes, i know i've made you wait long enough to see the 12 new sets of stamps with stampers anonymous so hopefully this is worth it.  i've been busy making samples for the show (which i'll share after cha) and yes, these will be shipping right after cha so you don't have to wait for them - thank you stampers anonymous!  okay a few things i'll share about this collection:

1. yes, i've listened to you and there are more minis.  5 sets actually since many of you see the incredible value in these sets with all of the images and the versatility of using them on smaller projects like atc's and tags.
2. i did a couple of seasonal sets - a really cool vintage valentine (with some year round stamps to use - see the tip below on the use for this love ticket stamp!), a nostalgic easter set (but i would call it more springtime with a twist on alice in wonderland - i'm seeing huge possibilities for this one).
3. a mini cirque alphabet.  i already shared a sneak at this one, but it's worth mentioning again.  i have been waiting for this mini set for a long time.
4. a movie set - a few things to point out... the film countdown actually fits behind the film strip ribbon i have with idea-ology (so cool!), the ticket fits the ticket die in my alterations line and so does the "love" one from valentines! (very fun)
5. of course the rest of the sets are just random creative muse, but that "david" face just rocks don't you think?

so here you are my new stamp releases for cha.  what a week this has been...and just wait until you see tomorrow...t!m

 

alterations "on the edge"...

hey bloggers!  so this is the last sneak peek of my alterations line with sizzix (sorry, the machine will debut at the cha show so no peeks of that...)...but i've saved the best for last in my opinion.  these 6 dies are steel dies like the first collection i shared with you so they will cut paper, fabric, grungeboard and chipboard, but an entirely new style for sizzix!  in fact, the entire concept i presented for these dies is completely new for sizzix - we are so excited to create something very new and very innovative to the die cutting world.  as a crafter, it's important to me to have versatility in my products...

so i'm thrilled to share with you my new "on the edge" alterations dies!  yes these dies are just for cutting edges!  each die features 2 unique designs on the same die (except the flourish) with blades on opposite edges that simply cuts the edge.  it doesn't cut anything out, it just cuts an edge - make sense?  trust me when i say once you see these in action (and you will soon enough) your mind will spin at the possibilities!  all you do is place the edge of what you want to cut on either edge of the die and cut!  for example, if you want the bottom of a card or photo cut with an edge, place it along the edge of the die and go for it.  so maybe you're thinking "oh so it's like those decorative scissors"?...  yes, and no.  yes, they cut a decorative edge, but you can't cut fabric, canvas, thick transparencies, chipboard, or grungeboard with those scissors now can you?  imagine giving the pages of your next mini books a funky edge and you can see by the designs that you can cut a bold design on one edge, or a detailed design if you use the other.  okay, i need to stop typing and take a breath...  i've been keeping these a secret long enough - check them out!...t!m
(oh, and if you're going to cha and you stop by the sizzix booth during the first hour of the show only sunday-tuesday, i'll be there giving away a free on the edge die while supplies last!)

very thankful...

wow!  so many comments yesterday... i truly appreciate you taking the time to share in the fun!  yes, it is an exciting new chapter for me and i'm loving all of the new dies, texture fades, and all of the new techniques to share.  of course i wasn't even thinking i would get over 1500 comments in less than 24 hours just "because" and as you know it's difficult for me to have that go unnoticed....so i wanted to show my appreciation to all of you who have something nice to say, and take the time to say it.  after all, that's why i blog - just to interact with all of you, so thank you again for joining in the anticipation and fun leading up to cha....

alterations texture fades...

i'm so excited to be able to share these with you bloggers!  it's now a week before the cha show and everyone is busy, busy, busy with last minute prep work, sample making, and even better - a week of sneak peeks.  here's my collection of new alterations texture fades from sizzix.  finally i get to do my own version of embossing folders (slightly larger than the "others" so they fit an entire card).  what makes these so cool in my opinion, is my "altered" spin on them, very artful, very grungy, plus areas of some textures actually fade in and out to create even more random goodness!  i love these!  they emboss not only papers, but grungepaper and grungeboard too!  yowza!  they are sold in 8 sets of 2 as shown here (16 designs total).  i just can't wait until these hit the streets so i can share the videos i've done with some cool techniques using them!  soon enough i keep telling myself, soon enough - enjoy...t!m

 

something to share...

just a quick post to share this with all of you.  i received an email today from the very talented "linda" who has put her own unique spin on the "12 Tags" with....get this..."12 Tags of Valentines Day".  check them out on her blog here and let her know what you think!  so cool...thanks again for sharing this linda!...t!m

winners and more alterations - oh my...

well what do you know bloggers... another day of random winners!  thanks for the comments on the new stamps, even with the blurry photo you guys were good sports about it - all in fun.  so like i said, we've chosen 5 random winners today just for posting a comment yesterday, and guess what?  you're winning one of the new stamps (this one i'll share a better photo of), it's the one set i talked about last year over and over that i wanted so bad!  it's a mini version of my cirque alphabet, and all cut out, 29 individual images on one set!  the letter size is about 1 1/2" tall - and since stampers anonymous hand cuts each stamp, this set is what i would call a labor of love!  thank you stampers anonymous!!!

so congrats to the following winners - please email me your info so we can get your new stamp set off to you...

I just want to BURY myself alive in all those stamps!!! That is pure heaven! LOL
Posted by: Lisa W | January 14, 2010 at 12:17 PM

Sending you some coffee focus man focus. . . I tried but can not figure them out. . .
Posted by: Michelle S. | January 14, 2010 at 10:54 AM

Holy Happy Rubber Stamp Goodness!!!! Can I come over and play?
Posted by: Jingle | January 14, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Blurry is my life-but I want things to be clear!! I want to see!!!!!!
Posted by: Chris P | January 14, 2010 at 07:18 PM

OH MAN
I love the smell of rubber stamps i can smell them from here
way to go and hope you had a happy birthday Tim.
thanks for all you do.  Lisa Hall
Posted by: Lisa Hall | January 15, 2010 at 09:24 AM

and now on to more of my new alterations line with sizzix!  these 3 dies are called sizzlets decorative strips (which are thinner dies just for paper) but you can put more designs on a die and they are about 12" long.  the alpha letters on this die are mini 3/4" tall but just the right size for tags, ATC's, and cards.  the film strip is about the size of a real film negative complete with tattered edges.  the ticket strip - wowza! i love this one - the 5 tickets are perforated in between just like raffle tickets.  and i believe somebody may have some new stamps that you can stamp directly on the tickets to match... hmmm i wonder?  these dies are fun, but remember these are for thinner things like paper.  they are not the steel dies like the others i've shown so far.  hey, variety is a good thing right?... enjoy the weekend and be ready on monday for a week of sneak peeks i've been dying to share.  don't forget to follow me on twitter for some pics of behind the scenes cha prep this weekend...t!m

it's like christmas all over again...

wow bloggers!  things are really happening around here - we are in full cha mode.  just a week away before we fly back to anaheim, but this time for cha!  mario and i have been sharing some behind the scenes photos of the crazy cha prep on twitter.  just random pics of all that's been going on getting ready for make & takes (650 kits) and my workshops (another 125 kits) and making samples boards (over 300 swatches and 50 boards) - just crazy!  if you're not following us, you may want to - we have some fun things planned during cha, i'm just saying!

plus of course the new samples of things just keep rolling in...  it's like christmas everyday for me!  so look at what showed up here yesterday... ah yes, all 12 sets of my new stamp sets from stampers anonymous.  the photo seems a bit blurry huh???  sorry about that, guess i need more coffee, but i'll share a more detailed photo soon enough!  oh the suspense....

i just wanted to say how grateful i am for all of you who have been enjoying the sneak peeks on the blog and getting involved in all the pre-cha fun and anticipation with your comments.  some find this annoying but i say to them, just relax - it's all in good fun and happens every time around showtime!  well today is going to be another crazy day, we are shipping all of the kits out by 4:00pm.... tick-tock, tick-tock....  more tomorrow... t!m

more alterations...

hey bloggers!  ready for more dies from my alterations line with sizzix?  these ones are so cool and very unique from the others.  this collection is called "movers and shapers"...  now some of you may already own other mover/shaper dies from sizzix, but these have a twist.  let me explain what they are and how they work...

these first three are what are considered the base "shapers" dies.  two of them are rather large decorative plate dies which are perfect for book covers, cards, etc.  the other is a set of labels - think for a bottle, the front of a book or on a tag.  okay, so what makes these different from the other dies i've shared so far is the inside of the design has a flat metal base (no foam inside).  if you've used sizzix dies before you know they are all covered in black foam around the die.  since these have a metal base you can do some pretty cool things with them.  you can of course just die cut with them like normal - or what about these guys....




you can use them along with the smaller "movers" dies.  i have two styles, one is a set of keyholes, and one is a set of hole "punches".  basically these dies are smaller magnetic dies.  this allows you to put them inside the "shapers" dies and "move" them around over the metal base wherever you want to cut out that shape.  so you can have a keyhole anywhere inside one of the shapers.  and get this... the hole "punch" dies come 3 to a set so you can move those around and have holes already "punched" (well cut really) inside the shape when you die cut it.  everything happens in one step - how's that for a twist, a hole punch die.  mini book lovers unite!

just think of the possibilities.  if you're making a mini book, you can cut the cover, pages, etc. with the holes already where you want them, on whatever end, however far apart - it's purely custom to you creative wishes!  i am so excited to share more of what's in store, but for now these should have your mind spinning - mine sure is.  more to come in the days ahead...t!m

well, well, well...

hey bloggers!  i'm so happy with how many of you left comments yesterday!  just shows how excited you are for the new colors too...  of course after seeing over 1000 comments "just because", i couldn't bring myself to opening these new pads just for me.  so i guess i'll just have to give them away to some of you!   just think, you'll soon have 3 new distress ink colors to play with before they are even released!    today's a good surprise day isn't it???

some of you asked for the new distress color names, well here they are: spun sugar(pink), barn door(redish), rusty hinge(orangish), wild honey(yellowish), bundled sage(light green), crushed olive(olive green), forest moss(dark green), tumbled glass(light turquoise), stormy sky(bluish), chipped sapphire(dark blue), victorian velvet(mauve), pumice stone(greyish).

check back later today for a new sizzix "alterations" sneak peek...t!m

...and now the winners!

The new colors barn red, forest moss & rusty hinge sound like great colors. will be so much fun to have them to play with. stamping sue
Posted by: sue wisniewski | January 11, 2010 at 06:28 AM

I'm soooo excited to get more colors... :)
Thanks for sharing the pic...
Posted by: Frank | January 11, 2010 at 02:13 PM

I can't wait to get MY hands on those distress inks!!!! Thanks Tim for giving us MORE!!!!!
Posted by: Wendy Jordan | January 11, 2010 at 08:19 PM

got ink?...

what a cool surprise to come home to, a production set of the 12 new distress ink pads.  this is good news!  rumor has it the new distress inks along with the re-inkers will be shipping following the cha-winter show which is in just a couple of weeks.  ranger has been in production to make enough stock to have ready to ship out when they get back from the show - wahoo!  so i guess i better tear into these beauties and finish up more samples for the show.  my stamps are finished too and i should have them in my hot little hands in the next day or two, can't wait for those either.  stay tuned for more sneak peeks in the weeks ahead - it's just about show time...t!m

a magical day...

hey bloggers! would you believe I'm blogging from the happiest place on earth? I just wanted to thank all of you for the birthday wishes yesterday. I had magical day here which I do every year on my birthday. there's just no better place to be in my opinion - spending time with friends. here are just a few pics I took yesterday with my iPhone, i can't believe I'm even doing this post from it - gotta love technology. thanks again for the wishes...t!m

something simply wonderful...

hey bloggers!  well today is the day - finally the announcement has been made.  something that i've been dying to share with all of you, something i'm so excited about, something that i can't wait to see myself in person, something simply wonderful!  what is it???  well i am happy to welcome my very creative, genuine, and oh so quirky dear friend margie who is joining the advantus family and launching her first signature line "the girl's paperie" by margie at the cha-2010 winter show.  her style, personality, and mix of shabby vintage colors and designs are the perfect compliment to share this creative journey with.  i'm so happy for her and all she's accomplished with this new launch and just wait until you see what she's come up with.  want to know more???  well check it out for yourself on margie's blog - trust me, you'll be seeing great things from "the girl's paperie" by margie.  so stop by margie's blog, take the time to post a comment on her blog and congratulate her, you'll be glad you did (trust me) and of course, if you're going to cha-2010, be sure to stop by the advantus booth to experience it all in person - booth #2234...t!m

somebody's lucky day...

and that would be... Marjie Kemper!

congrats to you marjie...just for posting a comment on yesterday's blog post, your comment was randomly chosen and you're the lucky winner of a NEW RELEASE stamp set i'll debuting at CHA! (but i already have one in my hot little hands so email me and you'll soon have it in yours)...t!m

Is that "picture start" slide the top of the countdown like you use on "old" movies? Can't wait to see more! When will these puppies be out for sale?
Posted by: Marjie Kemper | January 05, 2010 at 02:53 PM

just working away...

hey bloggers!  i hope your 2010 is off to a great start.  mine is spent in the studio for the past few days working away on my new stamps.  yes, this is the last thing i design for each show once i confirm what all of my other releases are going to be.  i like doing it this way so i can design some of the images to work with my other products - it's more creative that way.  i know ted from stampers anonymous would wish otherwise as i always seem to be down to the wire with the stamps, but it all works out in the end.  so...what do you see?  just a very small sneak peek at some of the new sets (there will be 12 total) and i'm loving how they are turning out.  i never know what direction my mind takes when i design stamps, i think that's what i enjoy the most about it! well i better get back to it, i have a few more to finish by tomorrow...t!m

happy new year - welcome 2010...

hey bloggers!  here's to a year filled with sharing ideas, and taking the time to be creative.  i hope you all had a safe and happy new year.  i spent mine going through some amazing tags and quite honestly i was inspired beyond words.  last year marked the third year of the "12 Tags of Christmas" and with all that was going on around that time, the tags were something i almost didn't do.  well bloggers, your support, excitement, and numerous kind emails gave me the reassurance that i made the right choice in doing them.  i've never done a contest after the 12 tags simply because it was never about competition, or whether you did them all or not, but after reading the comments from many of you that needed to change.  i've read numerous remarks from those who have spent the last few years just enjoying the tags (which is completely fine), but always saying that hopefully you'll do them "next year".  so i thought, make it "this year" by making them now, and let's face it, a little giveaway entices many of us...

i'm happy to say that we received over 300 entries into the random drawing for the "12 Tags of Christmas" giveaway.  That's over 3,600 festive tags!  the entries completed all 12 inspired tags from the 2009 "12 Tags" and let me tell you, they were so amazing!  after reading through the many emails from those of you who were inspired for the first time to push yourself to get the tags finished, or from those of you who found joy during the holidays by creating the tags, made me so happy.  thank you so much for taking time for yourself to explore your creative souls - it's what this addiction hobby is all about!  i also received several emails asking me if i would post all of the tags, sorry, but my blog could not handle posting that many photos.  perhaps those of you who wish to share your works could post them on my facebook page for all to see...

now let's get on to our winner...or should i say winners!  i know i said there would only be one grand prize winner, and there is, however there were several of you who put your own quirky and creative spin on some of your tags which we found very clever - so we decided to pick 15 "artist choice" winners too!  now let me just say (and this may sound cliche, but it's sincere) you're all winners for just making time for yourself to explore your creativity, way to go!  okay, so we printed out everyone's name/email from their submission and randomly selected the GRAND PRIZE WINNER who is ......................................................................................

KAREN MYERS!  congrats on being the "12 Tags of Christmas" finale winner.  Please email me your contact information to claim your MEGA prize valued at over $750 which includes the following:
- Sizzix Big Shot Express (yes the motorized machine!)
- itop brad maker with punch set and starter kit
- heidi swapp prize bag
- tim holtz idea-ology prize pack
- tim holtz tonic tool set
- glue arts prize bag
- assorted holiday craft supplies

here's karen's email:
Dear Tim,
Attached are the pictures of my 12 tags 'o christmas '09.  I have to say that the process of learning, playing and creating was the most awesome time I personally have had "scrapbooking".  I have a group of 3 friends that scrapbook and we decided to get together to make Tim's tags!  We started in the afternoon, and by the time the first tags were being finished up, it was 1:30 am....we had a great time talking, laughing and planning, while we created!  Long story short, one of those friends came home with me, and we created all 12 tags in 5 days.  We were never aware of what day it was nor the time...I think we missed a few nights of sleep, but the time spent making was indescribable.  We had a few time outs of LSS shopping and eating.  We had the BEST time!  Thanks for sharing your talent with us.
Happy New Year
Karen Myers

here are karen's inspired tags:

now for our "artist choice" winners, check out some of these creative ways these crafters were inspired by the "12 Tags of Christmas".  if you see your name listed, each of you will be winning a festive prize box packed with holiday products from some of my favorite craft companies, plus a few of my own products too.  please email me your contact information and we'll get your prize sent right out (and of course by "we" i mean mario... - congrats to you all!

lori hassler - c'mon, the "cool yule dude" motorcycle with the tree, and of course, the bird tag below it, so fun!

julie fei-fan balzer - your spin on the 12 tags was so fresh and truly unique to your style, that's what this is all about.  not a traditional color combo to be found - bravo to you!

linda van vliet - creating holiday cards instead of tags is a great way to make your creations useful to your needs.  i'm sure you had many happy recipients of your creations over the holidays!

marlene moore - okay, you had me at umbrella man.  seriously, this guy with the red scarf was priceless!

melissa brown - another clever use for the techniques.  create pages for a mini holiday book - great work!

donna wilson - let me just say the howling dog by the car reminded me of our dog cooper.  he used to "sing" as loud as he could once we got him started.  thanks for the memory!

sylvie hoobanoff - genius!  the new printers trays from 7gypsies was the perfect way to display your holiday ATC's.  great idea!

deb - a true scrapbooker at heart.  such a challenging way to take what you learned and applied it to your needs - scrapbook pages.  now that was a lot of work!

gail milburn - well i was serious when i said to create with your own style.  as much as i loved the flourish this year, you clearly loved this masked beauty.  your tags made me smile seeing your creative whimsy!

susan fraser - i was always told that presentation was everything.  so how could i not award you after creating this 12 Tags shrine - this was so cool!

carol ponsford - knock-knock!  how clever is that little door you created?  great idea for the hitch fastener!

els tange - i thought your spin (pardon the pun) of using cd's with these techniques was incredible.  loved the round surface, i bet these ornaments look even better in person!

johanna k - i'll be honest, i haven't a clue how to even say "Dodecahedron", but that's what you say this is, so that's what it is.  now honestly, i was blown away by this - talk about an incredible amount of work, measuring, cutting, the works - it's truly brilliant!

terry bukowski - put a santa hat on my head like that you you're a winner in my book!  of course the tags on the pages of your mini book was a great idea too!

betty - well i tip my hat to you betty as the inspiration to all of us for creating all 3 year of the "12 Tags of Christmas: this year.  the best part is you're all caught up now!

my sincere thanks once again to all of you for being a part of this holiday magic and all the best in the coming year of 2010...t!m