Tim Holtz

a new home...

well bloggers, it's finally ready to move in...a new home!  not a new house of course, but a new website and new home for the blog.  we've moved everything from this original blog to the new site including 12 tags, all of the archives, so everything you've come to check out on this blog is already on the new one.  plus the website has been updated with a new look that's totally "me" including a cool video page, products page, and a calendar page.  we've been working all week on the finishing touches to go live and today is the day.  i will keep this typepad open for a while longer, but i won't be posting anything else here.  so be sure to update your readers by scrolling down to the bottom of the new blog and select "subscrbe to my blog".  see you there - as we continue the creative journey together...t!m

great monday...

hey bloggers!  hope you enjoyed your weekend.  i woke up to this amazing day of blue skies and sunshine.  even though there is still much to do in the studio before we head out next week, it's important to remember the life lesson of ferris bueller:

"life moves pretty fast.  if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it..."

so remember to take time today and stop, if only for a moment..t!m

easter wishes...

wishing everyone a happy easter...t!m

steampunk egg...

hey bloggers!  i wanted to share the egg i created for the egg challenge over at the ranger blog. check it out, there is lots of fun and clever inspiration. wishing you a happy easter...t!m

prepping madness...

hi bloggers!  hope you're enjoying your week.  it's been prepping madness around the studio for a while now as the cutting, scoring, painting, organizing, etc., etc. continue.  we are getting ready for our first store teaching visit this year in texas at the stamp asylum later this month, and i can't wait.  there is always so much work to get done for these events, but i love to teach so it makes it all worthwhile.  with the constant sound of the vagabond machine running, the sea of zip-loc bags, and every surface covered with something drying, etc. it sure make for creative surroundings, but at least i have a little pile of easter candy on my work table to keep me focused...t!m

12 tags of 2012 - april...

hi bloggers!  are you ready for spring?  i definitely am...  it's been great reading the comments and seeing the posts from those of you participating in the monthly 12 tags.  speaking of the monthly tags, i know i planned on catching up with the january tag last month, but my march was pretty busy between planning for cha, ranger u, designing new products, and of course teaching my creative chemistry 101 class.  so let's just say "i owe you one" and i'll be sure to have it done sometime this year - fair enough?  if you're catching up yourself, the easiest way to see the previous tags is to simply click the "12 tags of 2012" link on the bottom left column of my blog.  this month's tag was inspired by my new bird branch die, i couldn't wait to use it.  the techniques are basic, yet completely adaptable with a variety of other products you may have. time to get started...

creative chemistry 101...

well bloggers, my last lesson for creative chemistry 101 is today, and what a journey!  in the 10 years i've been teaching, nothing has compared to this level of education i was able to share.  no time limits, no projects to complete, just 100% sharing of techniques and ideas.  it was truly one of the most rewarding teaching experiences i have ever done.  the best part for me, is that creative chemistry 101 will always be available, both to the people who have already taken it, and those that wish to take it today, tomorrow, or years from now.  i'm so thankful to onlinecardclasses.com for this platform to share what i sincerely love to do.  of course on monday i will share the final post of "bloopers" from the past 2 weeks of videos, and over 25 finished card samples using the techniques we've learned.  be sure to watch this video below if you still want to take part in creative chemistry 101 - it's never too late...t!m
 

congrats to the winners...

congrats to the following winners of the bunny & bow dies set, springtime texture fades, and a bunny pin tag of their very own!  please contact mario@timholtz.com with your information and we'll send your prize out right away.  thanks for all the kind comments everyone...t!m

As busy as you are I can't believe you took time to make an Easter tag for us. It's darling. Thank you Tim for all your hard work and to Mario, too, for his BTS. You guys are awesome!
Posted by: Terri Harmon | March 23, 2012 at 10:50 PM

...and a happy Easter to you, too!
PS - CC101 is worth so much more than $35!! Thank you for taking time to enlighten us.
Posted by: Gloria Hill | March 25, 2012 at 02:39 PM

Can not wait until Monday....whohoooo!! Going to learn some new techniques!! Love the classes so far and have learned so many new techniques. Now just to sit down and do them!! Thanks so much Mario for BTS and to Tim for making this possible!!
Posted by: Ramona | March 24, 2012 at 01:35 PM

fuzzy easter project...

hey bloggers!  well i thought the title of the post might get your attention as things on my blog aren't usually described as fuzzy.  well today's project is, but i honestly love it and think it would make a great project to give friends, families, teachers, etc. a little easter surprise.  since it's "officially" the weekend and i don't have any creative chemistry class to film until tomorrow, i thought i would take time to create and share this project.  there is still plenty of time for you to hit your craft room and make them before easter next month.  they are fun, simple, and dare i say it - "cute"?...

buried...

well bloggers it's been quite the weekend!  not only have i been buried with all of the work putting together my online class creative chemistry, we've also been buried in snow...well not literally.  we were hit with a freakish snow storm this weekend.  i mean seriously, 10 inches of snow in march? in arizona?  i wasn't too bothered by it since i've not left the studio for days anyways.  it's really been great to share all of this technical knowledge with my students in creative chemistry , and the interactive class forum is an added bonus.  it's a place where they are not only asking me questions that i am answering, but many of them are commenting how much they are starting to figure it all out.  which means what i'm saying is actually making sense, i love it!  it's been lots and lots of work since i have to film and edit daily videos (yes 2 per day) that include 3 technique tags per day.  i have my work cut out for me for the next 2 weeks that's for sure.  after all, i still have my day job to do for ranger, designing new cha products, and somewhere in there i have some projects to finish to post here on the blog.  anyone know where i can get a few more hours in my days?  nevertheless i'm having a great time balancing it all.  if you're still interested it's not too late since you have lifetime access to class...t!m

creative progress...

hey there bloggers!  just wanted to stop in since i've been busy working away on my first ever upcoming online class "creative chemistry 101".  honestly i've not been this anxious about teaching in quite a while since i'm doing things a little different. even though this is a technique packed workshop, i will be sharing this information through a series of videos with a more personal approach.  i’ll also provide some insight of my creative ways of thinking, the process behind techniques, and a tour of my own creative space with storage ideas, and more.  we've been having fun filming, laughing at the outtakes so far, and enjoying this new format af videos.  our goal here is not to just make pretty things, our goal is to understand the “how’s & why’s” of the products – you know, the “creative chemistry” of it all?  in addition to daily videos, there will be pdf downloads with step by step technique instructions to print out for quick reference.  of course we'll be wrapping up the workshop with a gallery of finished cards to inspire creativity and share how it all comes together (and who knows, that blooper reel may surface by then?).  i'm so excited for "creative chemistry 101" to get underway on monday.  it's not too late to join the fun, remember you'll have lifetime access to all of the content - can't wait...t!m

where in the world is your vagabond?

hey bloggers!  check out the new promotion sizzix is doing over on their blog with the  "where in the world is your vagabond" giveaway.  you may remember from cha i mentioned the limited 2nd series of vagabond stickers and the new gauge keys for the vagabond...well now is your chance to get them free!  supplies are limited so head over to the sizzix blog and check out the details...t!m

back from carson & winners...

hey bloggers!  well we're back from a fun weekend at the carson rubber stamp show in california where i demoed in the stampers anonymous booth.  we arrived on friday and spent hours getting everything set up.  it's tons of work, and mr. stampers anonymous and his team drove across country with his rig filled with everything you see here.  saturday morning the show opened and we were ready to go.  it was a great show and i always love being part of the creative buzz everyone seems to be sharing.  i met lots of wonderful people, demoed hours and hours, and saw lots of frenzied shoppers getting their hands on the new distress markers, sizzix dies, and or course the new stamps...

creative chemistry 101...

hey bloggers!  i'm so excited to share this video i created for my upcoming, first ever, online workshop "creative chemistry 101".  i've been asked for years to teach an online class and i finally found the right approach to a technique based workshop rather than a project base one, and as you know, i'm all about technique.  this 2 week workshop will be your front row seat to 100% technique know-how.  something different i'll be teaching in this online workshop is the "science" behind how some of my favorite ranger products work.  i'll also be sharing what makes them different, explaining various product properties, suggested surfaces, and of course there will be some inspiration along the way with finished card samples.  it's going to be a jam packed workshop and the best part is, i will be interacting with the students throughout the workshop in the online forum included as part of this class.  i'm excited to get started and it's only about a week away.  if you haven't already signed up, it's not too late to join the fun - check it out here...

here i am...

hey there bloggers!  just wanted to share a quick post with you of how i spent my leap year...at the happiest place on earth.  i know many of you might remember i tweeted on new years that we planned on going to disneyland to celebrate "one more disney day" for leap year.  this was the first time that disneyland park would be open a full 24 hours and we definitely had to be there.  problem was, we weren't sure if we would be back from our uk trip in time, but nevertheless we booked it anyways.  well i'm happy to say everything worked out perfect with our travel schedule and after 2 days home from the uk, we were on a plane to california to meet up with friends to celebrate...

12 tags of 2012 - march...

well bloggers it's time for this month's tag in the 12 tags of 2012 series!  thanks again for all of the kind words, excitement, and support of the new direction for the 12 tags.  i really hope this will inspire many of you to take time each month to create something, anything, just give yourself that.  it's been great seeing how many of you are participating in the monthly challenge to upload your project based on the posted tag, and as promised winners will be selected based on those who posted and will be listed at the end of this post.  right now, we have a tag to get to!  i've been inspired by spring, and i think this mini paper mosaic technique will be useful throughout the year on everything from cards & tags to journal covers and more - so let's get started...

crazy busy...

hi bloggers - well we're back home and in the studio crazy busy and i love it!  i was so excited to return to see lots of book orders for a signed copy of "a compendium of curiosities" volume 2.  thanks for those of you who ordered your copy, i am busy signing books to start shipping them out right away.  if you want more info on the books, you can click here...

i'm also busy finalizing the details for my first ever online workshop "creative chemistry 101" with onlinecardclasses.com.  the class begins march 19 so check out the details on their website here and sign up to join the fun! (more info coming soon)

then of course i have to say i'm thrilled at the participation with this month's "12 tags of 2012".  you still have a couple more days to post your project to the gallery and winners will be posted on march 1st along with the march tag.  (*remember, winners will only be selected from the uploaded project gallery) 

well, just wanted to check in - time to get back to work...t!m

visit to norway - then back to the uk...

hello bloggers!  well we've sure been busy on this journey and i have lots to catch you up on.  our crew (alain, dyan, mario, and myself) took an early morning flight on thursday to very snowy and cold olso, norway.  this was my first visit ever to norway for a visit to a wonderful shop called bikuben.  this shop has been on my waiting list for years, and this year everything finally worked out.  when we arrived, we were greeted by ellen the owner of the shop, and one of her staff hege (aka "jenny") and took a ride into downtown oslo for a quick afternoon of sightseeing, shopping, and food.  we stopped at a local bakery for some cappuccino, pastries, preserves, and try a taste of the local "brown cheese" before heading to our amazing countryside bed & breakfast to check in for our stay...

qvc-uk what a day...

hello again bloggers!  well, the past 24 hours have been busy to say the least.  we headed straight to the qvc-uk studios from the stitches trade show monday to get set up for the midnight launch.  we had an amazing show, lots of energy and excitement.  dy was on air with me providing "creative backup" as we chatted with her throughout the hours (while she seemed to be busy altering her own copy of my new book).  then we were back to the hotel for a few hours sleep before heading back to the studios for 3 more full hours of shows yesterday.  we had some amazing kits on air and they seemed to be selling out faster than i could demo them!  thanks to the great team at qvc-uk, to jayne, mario, alain, and dy for their help throughout the tireless schedule.  as you can see from some of the pics we definitely remembered to have fun through it all.  my sincere thanks to all of you who watched, tweeted, and supported the show - i appreciated it all.  we're off for a day of shopping in london today before flying out to norway tomorrow...t!m

stitches trade show...

well bloggers today was a great day at the stitches trade show.  it was a busy crowd with lots of excitement, and they definitely wanted to see the new distress markers in action.  it's always awesome to be part of the creative buzz.  so after a long day of demoing, we headed to our annual tradition for dinner at the wing-wah chinese buffet.  always such fun, lots of laughs, and great meeting new friends.  tomorrow is a bit longer day with a 10am demo time at stitches following a 3 hour drive down to london for a midnight launch on qvc-uk. so much to do...t!m

greetings from the uk...

hi bloggers from (not so sunny) uk!  we arrived after a 15+ hour travel day from arizona to london - you can tell i don't pack light for such a long travel day.  we met up with my boss alain from ranger at the airport in heathrow and hit the road for another 4+ hour drive up to birmingham.   we arrived at the convention center and met our hosts jayne and kathy from personal impressions (one of our uk distributors) and started setting up for our workshops.  of course we also met up with dyan reaveley and worked a few hours getting everything ready to go for our workshops together.  so today we taught 2 back to back workshops packed with 130 eager retailers ready to learn and get inky.  it was a great day filled with education and creativity - what can be better?   well i also got to finally meet the wonderful kaz from the uk.  she is such a kind and talented person and it was great to spend the day together as she helped in our workshops.  then after the workshops we spent a few hours setting up the booth for the trade show starting tomorrow.  tonight we all headed into birmingham for some amazing indian food at shimla pinks where we all toasted a few beers to a job well done.  now it's off to sleep to get rested up for a full day of demoing tomorrow- this adventure has just begun...t!m

journey across the pond...

well bloggers we are sleeping in the clouds tonight on our journey across the pond to the uk!  this annual trip is always filled with great adventures.  i look forward to demoing at the stitches trade show this weekend, teaching some workshops to retailers, and then heading back into london to be a guest on qvc-uk on tuesday.  then we're off to norway for the first time ever to demo at a store bikuben there.  i'll be posting photos of our journey right here on the blog so stay tuned.  thanks for all of the positive comments about the new 12 tags, makes me happy to know i did the right thing...t!m

12 tags of 2012 - february...

hey there bloggers!  well this is going to be a rather long post, so grab a coffee, sit back, and read on... 

one thing about my creative journey in this industry is that i'm always looking for ways to think differently, to change my perspective, and to be open to change.  after returning from cha, my mind has been spinning with ideas from the many conversations i've had with store owners, and other crafters about the impact of the 12 tags of christmas.  there is no doubt there is a creative surge during that time of year, but there are challenges for everyone including having the time to create during such an already busy time of year.  not only that, but i also feel that there are so many other great products, stamps, dies, ink colors, papers, embellishments, etc. that i don't seem to have the time to create with throughout the year.  so what to do???

busy weekend...

hi bloggers...  wow, thanks again for the overwhelming response to the etsy kits - sold out in just 3 minutes!  i sure hope those of you who were able to get your hands on them enjoy making them, it's a great project.  we will continue to try to create various project kits throughout the year and i will always post on the blog the day before they go like just like i did for this kit...

new etsy kits...

hey bloggers!  we've been busy in the studio working on new kits to post in my etsy shop tomorrow at 12noonPST.  here are the details - thanks...t!m
UPDATE: the kits have sold out - thank you so much!

embark on a creative journey with this unique "journey journal" kit.  there's no need to pack your bags since we've already filled this cool little suitcase (i found years ago) with everything you need to make this clever mini book.  sized at just 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" it's a perfect project to capture your moments from the journey.  the kit includes clear pockets for photos and pocket pages for gathering the little things that matter most.  best of all, the cutting, folding, and punching for this book kit has already been done for you.  when they said good things come in small packages, they must have been talking about this little journey journal...

wow...thank you...

i'm speechless bloggers!  i mean seriously, over 2600 comments and it seems you all share the same excitement i do for the new release products from cha.  thank you so much - i think it's going to be an amazingly creative year.  to kick things off, i'll be adding some kits to my etsy store on friday, can't wait...t!m

sharing the fun...

hey bloggers!  well we're all unpacked here and had the weekend to catch up.  i appreciate all of the kind comments about the cha recap video, always amazing to see it all from that perspective after the show is over...very humbling.  so today i wanted to share a few of my favorite pics from the show that mario took - be sure to check out his cha facebook album to see many more (i have to say it's awesome that he is there to capture the moments).  we also managed to get our hands on some products from the show and want to share it with you guys, see anything there you want!?  just leave a comment on today's blog and we'll pick some random winners and post them here on the blog wednesday.  just our way of saying thanks again for sharing in the journey...

since i always try to share something creative with you too, this is something i'm sure you'll enjoy.  my friend may flaum is teaching her first online class for 2012 in just a few days (starting feb.9) there is  no doubt lots of great ideas and techniques will be shared.  check out may flaum's "the curious scrapbooker's field guide" here to sign up, and she's agreed to let me give a couple of spots away too on the blog so i'll be selected 2 winners for that too from the comments.  so much fun to share, love it...t!m

cha-winter 2012 - the video blog...

well i'm back bloggers!  wow, it seems like it's only been a few days since i went to cha but in fact it's been over a week.  i'm telling you time flies for me at these shows - so much to prep, so many people to see, and so much to do, and it's all over in the blink of an eye - but i wouldn't change a thing.  i love the vibe of the show and seeing all of the new products this creative industry has to offer.  i think these shows are a great opportunity to share lots of education and ideas with so many people from all over the world.  even though it is a trade show, there are some amazing people that work hard to share the latest and greatest right from the show floor and my first appointment every year is with paperclipping.com (check out their website for a cool video on the new distress markers and much more from other great products at cha).  here's my glimpse at cha - i'm off to unpack so i can start playing in the studio before heading out again.  see you monday...t!m
 

and so it begins...cha 2012

hey there bloggers! well we have been in anaheim for the last 4 days teaching and setting up for cha which starts today.  thanks to all 300 incredible students i've taught over the past couple of days and to dyan, claudine, and jess for teaching along with me - what fun. i am so excited to share all of the products and ideas we've been working on.  here's a glimpse at all of the booth set up i've also been working on in between my pretty crazy teaching schedule.  so, with starbucks in hand, we're off to cha this morning (be sure to follow mario on twitter or facebook for all of the behind the scenes details from the show floor) ...t!m

california here we come...

well bloggers, we are off to anaheim for CHA!  we've been working non-stop around the studio to get things ready for the workshops & education, class kits, booth display boards, and samples, samples, samples.  i actually am looking forward to the next few hours of travel for a little down time...  of course i'll be blogging from the show sharing all i can right here on the blog with you throughout the next week...

cha-winter 2012...ranger

hey bloggers!  well it's the final product preview - can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks of sharing new products for this show...whew!  there is no doubt i've been busy designing during my crazy travel schedule, but when inspiration strikes i embrace it.  so today i am thrilled beyond words to see this product come to market.  this is something  i've been wanting in my distress line with ranger for literally years, and quite honestly i've been asked by many for the same.  so get ready to distress your creativity in a whole new way...t!m

cha-winter 2012...sizzix stamp2cut

hello bloggers!  i have something very exciting to share with you today - my latest release with sizzix alterations debuting at cha.  this amazing, innovative product combines the incredible technology of the sizzix eclips machine with the eclectic designs of my stampers anonymous stamps.  i could simply not showcase the ability of this new release with just typed words, so pull up a chair.  this is something that has been in the works for over a year, and it's finally ready and shipping in march...
introducing stamp2cut...t!m
 

cha-winter 2012...idea-ology (part 3)

can't believe it's friday already bloggers and today is the final preview of my new idea-ology releases.  there is just so much inspiration around here as we continue to get ready for the upcoming cha.  i really love the frenzy show time creates for this industry!

...speaking of frenzy, i've been waiting for the packaging sample of this NEW-NEW product line i'm releasing at cha (i mean i'm over the top EXCITED about it).  it just arrived so i will be filming a video today to post and share the details with you tomorrow right here on the blog...

today, let's get right to the new idea-ology shipping in march...t!m

cha-winter 2012...idea-ology (part 2)

the journey continues with more cha previews of idea-ology...but first, i have a surprise giveaway to a lucky blogger for posting a comment yesterday.  i just so happen to have an extra new "destinations" paper stash to send to the following winner...
congrats to Jeannine: (email me your address)
loving this new paper stash. thanks for spreading out the releases -- it will make it a little easier on the pocketbook since I want everything I've seen so far -- simply amazing releases. Posted by: Jeannine | January 18, 2012 at 05:47 PM

i really appreciate you sharing the excitement of the new releases by leaving your comments.  there's no doubt i'm excited for today's preview of the first half of the new idea-ology embellishments shipping in march too.  this collection of eclectic treasures is only the beginning...t!m

cha-winter 2012...idea-ology (part 1)

well bloggers it sounds to me from reading your comments that you're also loving the new stamps - thanks so much... so i think it's time for some idea-ology today!  i have to tell you that the samples i've been seeing from the designers i've asked to make some things are simply over the top.  i can't wait to share the inspiration with all of you once they're all set up in the booth at cha.  one of things i like most about idea-ology is the fact that each release i do is designed to tie in with all of my previous releases in the line, the papers, findings, and fasteners really compliment each other - this year is no exception.  this release is all shipping in march - time to get those creative ideas going...t!m

cha-winter 2012...stampers anonymous (part 2)

day 2 of new stamps bloggers!  i'm so happy to share the rest of my new stampers anonymous stamps that are shipping right after cha in january.  this release has definitely been inspired by my travels over the past few years.  our life is filled with adventures both the ones we've taken, and the ones we've yet to explore.  these images certainly reflect the one thing i've said all along - enjoy the journey...t!m

cha-winter 2012...stampers anonymous (part 1)

hello again bloggers!  hope you had a relaxing and creative weekend.  can't say our was relaxing around the studio, but it was definitely creative.  we are working non-stop to get all of the kitting, prepping, and last minute displays put together for cha which is just a couple of weeks away - yikes!  nevertheless it's always totally worth all of the effort when it finally comes together on trade show day.  i can't tell you how much i appreciate all of your comments of excitement and inspiration about my new alterations releases.  hopefully the excitement continues this week as i share more product previews starting off with part 1 of my stamps from stampers anonymous...t!m

cha-winter 2012...sizzix alterations (part 3)

happy friday bloggers!  thanks for all of the comments you've been leaving about the new releases, i agree the anticipation of it all is crazy.  today is the final preview of my new releases with sizzix alterations for this show and this batch will be shipping in april.  i absolutely love this collection of vintage inspired elements and just wait until you see the samples i've created using these for cha.  i'll be back on monday to kick off the week with my new stamps, can't wait...t!m

cha-winter 2012...sizzix alterations (part 2)

this is all so exciting isn't it bloggers?  to see all of these new things just makes my head continue to spin with ideas.  it's definitely a sample making frenzy around the studio and my vagabond is working almost non-stop!  this next batch of releases from my sizzix alterations line will be shipping in march and includes some fun dimensional dies along with one that i've been wanting since i first launched alterations...t!m

cha-winter 2012...sizzix alterations (part 1)

hi bloggers!  it's that time of year again when the creative wheels are in full motion and the buzz and excitement of cha (the craft and hobby trade show) is just weeks away.  this is the time in our industry when new products, ideas, and techniques emerge and i'm excited to share it all with you.  over the next two weeks leading up to the show i will be posting product previews of the latest releases i have coming out in the first half of 2012.  remember, this is all about sharing in the excitement of what's coming your way, and getting your mind thinking of ideas to create.  to start things off, here's a look at some of the new stuff i've created for sizzix alterations.  this is the first batch of products shipping in february that includes some fun and "different" things - enjoy...t!m

extreme stickling...

well bloggers, talk about taking your love of crafting to the extreme!  check out the first video installment of ranger's new "extreme stickling" series on ranger's blog.  this monthly series will have you asking yourself, what's next!?  creative conviction at it's best...t!m

thanks for the wishes...

hey bloggers!  well i'm back from my annual birthday trip to the happiest place on earth and what a trip it was.  i want to start off by saying a huge thank you for all of the tweets, facebook, email, and text wishes on my birthday - wow!  i also want to say thank you to those who sent such incredible birthday cards to me.  i came back to the studio to a huge pile of mail and was simply blown away by the thoughtful creativity shared by all of you.  thank you just doesn't seem like enough, but know that it is genuine and sincere...

idea-ology storage...

alright bloggers!  with the new year just beginning i know many of you (like me) are trying to find ways to get your creative stash organized and keep it that way.  so pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and check out this in depth video as i share with you tips and ideas using my new idea-ology storage line.  these cases have changed the way i organize my tools, inks, papers, and embellishments whether at home or on the road.  hopefully you'll find some inspiration and discover it is possible that supply meets solution...t!m

 

InLinkz.com

happy 2012...

happy new year bloggers!  wishing everyone an amazing year, and i hope many of you have set a resolution to take time for yourself to simply create every now and then.  i know that the holidays are a difficult time to find extra hours in the day to play, and i really applaud those that participated in uploading all of the tags throughout the 12 tags.  while my intention was not to do any type of "contest" initially, i did decide it would be fun to see how many actually completed and posted their tags within the month.  so with that, i'm happy to start off the new year and give away some pretty amazing prizes!  thanks again everyone and happy 2012...t!m

farewell 2011...

hey bloggers!  with just hours left in 2011 i wanted to share one final post and thank each and every one of you for your support, inspiration, and creative love you've shared with us this past year.  there is no doubt an industry like this is full of talented people and this year's 12 tags became a platform for many of you to be able to share your works with the world and inspire others...

12 tags inspiration...

hey bloggers!  well with the 2011 year wrapping up and the holidays behind us, i wanted to say thank you again for the fun of this year's 12 tags of christmas.  it's been absolutely amazing thanks to our friends at inlinkz that thousands of tags were uploaded to the blog and shared with others.  what i love the most about the 12 tags, is seeing the inspiration it provides, the starting point for many of you to try new techniques, the creative kick start many of you said you needed around the holidays, and the willingness to take part in it all.  there's no doubt i have lots of tags to still check out, but along the way, i did come across a couple of artists who did some very creative and innovative interpretations of the tags and i simply have to share them today...

are you ready?...

hey there bloggers!  hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.  i had a great time being around family and friends, and of course doing what i love...creating and staying busy!   as you know things have been a little crazy around the studio all year long, and right into december with the 12 tags of christmas.  of course right after the tags i did take time for a little disney getaway.  since then, i jumped right back into things working away in the studio.  with cha right around the corner, there are samples to be made, booths to be designed, workshops to be created, and of course a serious deadline that had to be met...

merry christmas...

wishing everyone a very merry christmas.  hoping the magic of the season is everything you believe it to be...t!m

holiday rosette tree...

happy holidays bloggers!  i had a wonderful break after the 12 tags of christmas.  if you notice, i've been working on the blog a bit, and now have a new post format with condensed posts.  in other words, the blog will load faster allowing you to continue reading the posts that interest you by simply clicking to do so.  i've also added the "12 tags of christmas 2011" category with the previous years on the bottom left column of the blog so if you're just looking for the techniques, they are more convenient to find.  as i continue to enjoy this wonderful time of year - i know with just a week left before christmas i still had time for one more idea to share...

12 tags of christmas...2011

so here they are bloggers...here they are, all 12 tags!  looking back there sure were lots of techniques packed on these tags, what a fun time.  i know many of you have left comments saying you're sad the 12 tags are over - well in the words of dr. seuss: "don't cry because it's over. smile because it happened.".  i'll be taking a few days off from the blog to relax.  i'll be back next week...t!m