tim holtz - 12 Tags of Christmas 2011

Here's the trailer for Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas !! Why not craft along with him ?

And it is December !!

Well here we are ... December is a day away . Where has the time gone ? Guess it doesn't matter - it's gone ! Time to get down to serious Christmas crafting & shopping !
So ... what's new this week ? Let's see !

KITS :

* card kit ... this week's kit uses "Twinkle" by Making Memories for 2 of the cards and the last is vintage style paper from Kaiser and Echo park. The third card will vary in the kits but they are all nice. Each one includes hand dyed ribbon and an embossed snowflake. All the supplies for all three cards, ready to assemble ... $5.

* ornaments ... set of 2. Kit $3.

* wall hanging ... $6.99 kit
The kit includes all the supplies you need including a glittered banner tag AND pre-applied eyelets ! That's right - you don't need to have eyelet tools, I'll apply them for you !
* I still have some Christmas Countdown Kits, December Daily Kits, Ornament Kits and a few card kits from last week ... ( I made lots !!). Let me know if you want any set aside !!

PAPER :
* Pink Paislee "Snow Day" ... super cute winter/snowman paper. Pinks & blues. Fun!
And Pink Paislee's blog will be featuring this paper from Dec 01-12 with a project every day and free printables. BONUS !!
* lots of 12x12 and 8.5x11 paper ... boxes will be refilled. Lots of Christmas colours.

* Tim Holtz Cargo and Trinket Cases are on their way . I would guess that they will be here by Friday. THEY ARE HERE !!! Let me know if you want any saved ... they will go quickly and will probably be hard to get more before Christmas. The Cargo case will be $52.99 and the Trinket Case will be $35.99.
Oooooh ... they are so much nicer in person !! Wow !

* Tim Holtz Seasonal Distress Ink is here !! 18.99 for a 3 pack.It is a limited production so when it's gone ... it's gone !! Three beautiful colours of ink for your holiday projects.
And you can join in on Tim's blog to make his 12 Tags of Christmas. Starting December 1st. I am sure he will be using the inks !! watch the trailer below !!
* The Christmas paper is really getting down ... if you are going to be scrapbooking your Christmas pictures, I would suggest you get the paper before the holidays ... there may not be any left after !!
AND in the spirit of the season ... for the month of December ...ALL patterned Christmas paper is $1 !!! All of it (unless it was less...).
* Stamps ... last week I showed you samples of the Inkadinkado stamps for this year ... here are a few more stamped images ( I didn't have time to get them made into anything yet ... LOL)...
This set is $4.99 and includes 2 stamps ... perfect for cards or tags.

This set is $6.99 for 4 stamps. I love the cardinal !! I added a little Stickles to the snowman ...
* Melissa Frances stickers ...

they range from 50 cents to 75 cents each ... all vintage style ads. They are great on cards or gift bags but also will work on jars ... maybe a nice jar of candy ?

Here is a card I made using one of the stickers ...
BEADS :
Still unpacking those never ending boxes !!
* gorgeous Cosmic Rings and Ovals from Swarovski. Just pop them on a chain or earring for instant *WOW* !!!
* more long bracelet boxes for your gift giving. Also square boxes, small earring boxes, earring cards ... etc .
* Snowman Parts !! Yes, the snowman earring body parts (crystal or pearl) as well as the sparkly red scarves and black crystal hat pieces. Make your own earrings or pendants. Also really cute on a bookmark !!
* CRYSTALS ... at *GREAT* prices !!! I have strands of Preciosa bicones for only $2.99 strand

... lots of lovely Christmas colours too !!

Also, new ... 4mm rondelles. these are so cute ! Just tiny & sparkly !! I have them in Chakra colours individually for 10 cents each but also in many colours in strands of 65 beads for $3.99. They would be amazing in bracelets or earrings !!
* I also have some cool link bracelets ... just add charms. I will try to get them unpacked this AFTERNOON !!
And there is more to be unpacked ... so I am off !!
Drop in !!!

Snowy Day ...

EDIT !!!!! Added the December Daily photos !!!
And another edit !!! I have a bunch of the December Daily kits made up & ready to go !!!
KIT(S) of the WEEK !!
I have several kits this week ...
1. Card Kit of the Week ... it's all about diecuts this week. Get all the supplies to make 3 cards for $5.

2. More Card of the Week kits ... from 2 weeks ago !! As you may remember, I ran out of the glitter ribbon and couldn't finish all my kits. Well, I have more now so I have another dozen kits available. $5

3. Ornament Kit ! This is something a little bit different. You will get the supplies to make 3 ornaments plus a stamp of your choosing to make them with. These are just a few of the stamps available ... 15 different ones. I simply stamped my image and then coloured in small areas with markers. I added a bit of Stickles for sparkle and then assembled my ornaments. They would make nice little casual gifts or tie-ons for parcels. There are also other stamps available for $1.99 if you want more designs. Or buy several kits and get several stamps !! Fun for kids to make too !!

4. This one I LOVE !!! Christmas Countdown Kit. This kit comes with the frame, paper supplies, chalkboard, and chalk. Simply mark each day how many days there are left until the big day !! The frames were made here and vary from kit to kit but all are lovely and "holidayish" !! I only have a dozen of these kits so let me know if you want one !! $15 per kit.


5. December Daily Kits . Do you all know about "December Daily Albums" ? Let me tell you, if you don't ... this has been a big sensation on line. I think the idea comes from Ali Edwards originally. Christmas is more than one day really ... it's a whole season. We all have things that we do throughout the month that add up to "the holidays". The idea is to chronicle those very things and keep a little album of your month. Be it making cookies, shopping, wrapping gifts, hot chocolate with family, etc... Each day you are supposed to snap a photo and write a little bit about the day. Each year you will complete a little album of traditions and holiday happenings. BUT ! The problem is that many people just don't have time to get their December Daily albums ready ... there is just TOO MUCH going on !! So I have made the albums for you !! They are ready to start on December 1st ! The books are bound together with finished covers. You will get a stack of number tags to put on the days as well as journaling cards & tags. Just snap your photo, turn to the first page, add your number tag, choose your journaling tag and write. There will be some ribbon & bits that you can add at the end or when you have time. December Daily Kit : $20 Starting your DD on Dec 1st with no pressure ? PRICELESS !!!
Here is the first kit ... Simple Stories. A vintage style kit.

You get everything you see here including the assembled album for $20. Pieces in each kit will vary but they are all great !! Includes handmade grommeted tags, stamped tags, ribbon, stickers, journalling cards, decorative papers, embellishments.
Here's a look inside ...

And here's the ribbon ... misssed it in the first photo !

And here's the other version .... Teresa Collins. More of a contemporary style. Bright & modern.

And inside ...

I just have a sample of each made right now ... if you want one, let me know by 5pm and I will make it up for the next morning. I am going to try to get a few extra done up tonight (Thursday)... so many things to do , so few hours ...LOL !!6. More Wooden Stocking kits ... a few more in various patterns ...


PAPER :
* Simple Stories "Year-o-graphy" has arrived ! This is an amazing concept that allows you to easily scrapbook and have gorgeous pages. It also works well for paper crafting projects & cards. The paper contains images & icons for the whole year, season after season.
Yearography
And here is a link to see how you can use their wonderful collections !! Check it out !!
* Inkadinkado Cling Stamps ... I love the stamps they put out this year so I decided to make a few samples so you could see just how nice they are ...
This is their "Holiday Expressions" set .. you get 5 stamps for $3.49 and they are really cute !! Great for on cards or IN cards ... on tags, on scrapbook pages ...

And as a bonus, the new Swarovski flatback crystal snowflakes fit perfectly in the Winter Wonderland stamp !! They are only 40 cents and add real *bling* !!


And this is the "Snow globe" stamp. I like really simple cards so my samples are just that - simple. The first one I stamped in a sepia ink and just added tulle. The next I stamped & embossed CROOKEDLY on a card so I cut it out and mounted it on a card with a simple ribbon. So many possibilities !!

The next is "Folk Wreath" ... I love this on just plain kraft in sepia ink ... but then I got thinking about Stickles , especially my new favourite colour "holly". I just roughly applied it to the branches and then added dots on the berries. Add plaid and it's done !! Both the snow globe and the wreath stamp are only $4.99. There are many others in this series ... great additions to your seasonal stamp collection.
BEADS :

* How about a Christmas necklace ? Here is a sparkly (in real life !! I find the photos so hard to do !) Christmas necklace made with Swarovski crystals. This would make a nice gift !! I have emerald and siam (red) cubes available. They are 8mm and I have 10mm crystal AB cubes too ... for more *bling* !!

* Bookmarks ... here is a crystal bookmark. Lovely cascades of *bling*. I have several colours too ! Or why not make a winter bookmark using snowflake charms ?

Soooo ... that's it for now ! I am trying to get more unpacked and will do my best to have lots for you to see this week !!

And Christmas Approaches even though it is 16 degrees !!

Hi !

Hard to believe that there are only 4 full crafting weeks before Christmas ... especially when it seems like spring outside ! But it's true ! I have been burning the midnight oil trying to get out all my Christmas creativity in time ... always seem to still have lots of ideas in January ... a little too late !

So this week I have several paper kits, have a bunch of beading ideas, and more Christmas product. Come on, let's see !

KIT(S) OF THE WEEK :

The first kit is a card kit for bright & cheery holiday greetings. I took advantage of the cute little journaling cards that come with the line from Little Yellow Bicycle and used them for the stamped sentiments. I really feel that all these products make crafting so much easier. And they can be used for more than just their original intent. So your kit will contain all the supplies to make 3 cards similar to those pictured. Each kit is different because of the variety of tags but the concept is the same. The kit makes the 3 cards for $5.

The second kit is vintage in style. I love this paper from Fancy Pants and Kaiser Craft. And the diecuts from Fancy pants are amazing ... such wonderful vintage images. And ..., check out that embossed paper !! That is the new Kraft Core form coredinations and Tim Holtz. I ♥ it !! I ran the paper through the Tim Holtz Vagabond with a Sizzix embossing folder and loved the effect. then I gently sanded the tops of the embossing ... oh my. The kraft colour shows through - it is magnificent !! I have so many plans for this in the future !! You will get supplies for 3 cards for $5. Again, they will differ in colour or die cuts but they are all the same style and beautiful !!

The third kit is for the Wooden Stocking. You will get the stocking pieces, the papers, ribbon, tag, and trims as well as instructions/hints for $5.95. You will need adhesive and a sanding block or emery board. It makes a great decoration to hang. I have packages of the stockings ... why not make one for each family member ? This is also a great way to try the Kaiser wooden products ... it is very simple and you will see just how easy the others could be !! They also make sleighs, reindeer, Advent calendars, family trees, etc ... Wonderful decor items.

PAPER : Okay ... lots new this week !!
* Fancy Pants "St Nick" ... this is a beautiful line of paper & accessories (not that you can tell from my photo ...sorry !)


(Check out that page that looks like a leather album cover ... imagine your kids' Santa picture on that . Or maybe they would be better on the Naughty or Nice list ...????)
The colours are beautiful vintage olive greens, cranberry, caramel, grey blues. Beautiful !! I used their journaling cards and die cuts in the vintage card kit. They also produce chalk board label die cuts to match.

Super cute !! I would really suggest you look at the die cuts - there are 2 different packages - one is more stylized designs while the other is very much like vintage ephemera. You could 16 and 22 pieces in the packages for $4.99. They make wonderful cards ... you get a lot of bang for your buck !!
* UTEE platinum
* Martha Stewart punches including deep edge punches
* more Distress stains
* nice Fiskars 5" microtip scissors ... no packaging so they are AN AMAZING $2.99 !!!
* snowflake inchies set from last year ... they have been discontinued so these are the last sets I can get !
* We R Memory Keepers glitter brads ... DROOL !!
* more Copics, especially in colours for Christmas .
* Tim Holtz is restocked.

*speaking of advent calendars ... working on one for next week ... just in time for the December Countdown ...* Stay tuned !!

BEADS : I unpacked tons of beads & charms this week. The charms are from Tierra Cast and are beautiful. I think they would make great earrings on their own or with a little crystal addition. Most of them sell for $1 each so they would make an inexpensive pair of festive earrings. I also put them together on a necklace. ... hmmm ... imagine a charm bracelet ... or added to a bookmark or cellphone charm .... ENDLESS !!

I also ordered in some materials for a bracelet that I saw. I eagerly assembled the bracelet only to hate it !! It was too clunky and .. yuck. So I grouped the crystals in a much smaller design and thought ... "Awesome necklace !!". There is always another possibility !!

There are a few more angel earrings this year too . These crystal cuties have tiny little metal wings instead of the crystal wings. I think it makes them much more delicate ... they would even be small enough for children. Inexpensive too ! only $3.50 or $4 , depending on which wing style you choose !!

I am restocked on lots of supplies ... wire, earwires, headpins, findings, and more. Lots of Preciosa Crystal strands in Christmas colours for only $2.99 strand. Feathers. Charm rings & charms. Crystals in the new Swarovski colours for winter ... antique pink and denim blue. Wire guardians in all colours. Cellphone charms. Leverbacks. Lobster claws in all sizes. Sterling silver earwires and GOLD FILLED earwires. Split rings. FOLD OVER ENDS for leather !! Yes, I finally found some other styles to replace those that have been out of stock FOREVER !!

Another great week !!

Hi everyone !


Can you believe this amazing weather ?? Wow ! It's hard to wrap your mind around Christmas when it is so warm ... but it's coming and I have projects for you !
This is a tiny week because of Remembrance Day ... I am closed that day of course. But let's pack in what we can anyway !

KIT OF THE WEEK :

This week's kit is all about elegant simplicity. The cards depend mostly on beautiful embellishments. Bling motifs, glittered lace, and a bit of a cheat for the last card ...*wink*. As you can see, the cards are very simple , easy, but really elegant. The kit contains all the precut, pre-stamped supplies you need for all 3 cards for just $5. I didn't have as much of the material as I thought so I don't have as many kits done as I would like but I have more product ordered so I will have more in a few weeks. Leave a comment if you want any saved. Please note that the centre card's Bling motif will vary from kit to kit ... snowman, reindeer, presents, various snowflakes. All pretty though !!

PAPER :


Here are a few fun projects from Kaiser Craft. They make a wide range of wooden products made to be covered. I have reindeer, sleighs, advent calendars, stockings, and more ! Here are a few samples I made this week ...
They are very easy to make ... simply apply a glue ( I used Ranger's Glue & Seal) with a brush, smooth on the paper, let dry. Then trim with an exacto and sand the edges. I used a sponge sanding block and an emery board for the smaller areas. Then decorate !! I added a layer of the glue over the paper so it would seal it and be more durable. Next week I will have kits for the stockings.
... okay ... here's a tip ... you might want to PAINT the reindeer's antlers ... they were a bit of work to sand up ... but actually, even now I think I would still cover them. I love the print !...

And also new this week ...
* We R Memory Keepers "Peppermint Twist" ...$1 sheet ... lots of great additions too ! Tags, stickers, small pads of paper, 12x12 cardstock, advent calendar kit !

* My Mind's Eye "12 Days of Christmas"...$1 sheet

* Making Memories "Twinkle" .... always beautiful. Glittered & embossed paper.... $1.20 sheet. Also available in an 8x8 package.

* Canvas Corp ... fun Christmas paper, very heavy, and also recipe cards & cooking paper !! AND ... only 65 cents per sheet !!! Can you believe it ?!!

* lily bee designs "Jingle" and "Memorandum". Jingle is in such pretty colours ... soft bluish green, olive, and deep burgundy. Beautiful vintage tones. Memorandum isn't Christmas paper but it sure would work ... reds, greens, and creams !!


BEADS :

They're back !! The Christmas earrings and pendants. I have some of them out but will still need a week or so to get them all ready ... still waiting for a few pieces. And I have a few new ideas that I hope to work on this weekend. Great gifts !!
I also received Christmas Charms with more to come. They are from Tierra Cast which means quality ... and lovely too !! Watch for some fun projects with those too !

And my order has arrived with earwires, headpins, wire, ... all the items I have been waiting for. YAY !! I will get them priced and out today.
I am working on a new type of jewelry line ... metal punching. This is really exciting and has so many possibilities. The metal discs have arrived but I am waiting for the tools and various accessories. You will be able to make your own pendants and charms as well as having a great cross over with the stamping products because you can use your stamps to ETCH the metal pieces !!!! Like I said the possibilities are endless ... hope to have more news next week !!

Well I am off to unpack beading supplies and put out all the new products and kits. Hope to see you this week !!