That's Life

Monday, 22 December 2025

Tis' The Season....

Hello friends...

As we start the final countdown and all important rush to get ready for Christmas and the holidays, here at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, we have one more challenge to complete the year and this is all about Sparkle and Shine. This challenge will run for 2 WEEKS and we hope you'll find some time to join us and play along.

For my make, I used my beloved Tim Holtz idea-ology products, combined with a Sizzix Texture Fade to create one final Christmas make and I hope you love the vintage style piece I've made that is full of shimmering sparkle and shine!

So, let's get started ~ it's time to share my last post of 2025!

For this piece, I used the smaller sized Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Rectangular Etcetera Panel and covered the raw edges with one of Tim's idea-ology design tape trims.

ETCETERA PANEL

To begin with I created the background and for this I used the Sizzix Engraved Large Texture Fade Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz. I ran a piece of Mixed Media Heavystock card through my die cutting machine ~ I usually run it through a couple of times to ensure the embossing has the right level of detail.

To add colour to the cardstock, I lightly spritzed the card with water and then used a combination of Uncharted Mariner, Antique Linen, Speckled Egg, Crackling Campfire. Once happy, I used my heat tool to dry the card and then cut it down to size, slightly smaller than the Etcetera Panel itself.

I wanted to accentuate the embossed detail and give the first hint of shine to this piece, so I used gilding flakes. I applied the Gilding glue to random areas of the embossed detail, then once the glue has dried and become tacky, I applied the gilding flakes. I used a firm brush to ensure the flakes get into all those tiny details and then brush any residue of flakes away.

After inking the edges and adding a machine stitched border, I matted the embossed card onto a piece of blue Kraft card from the Cool Kraft Stash selection and then matted these layers onto a piece of felt, that I cut with pinking shears.

I adhered these layers onto the Etcetera Panel using matte collage medium, then added a Hardware/Screw Head in each corner, adding a rusty finish to the metal using Distress Paints.

VINTAGE EPHEMERA IMAGE

With my background complete, it's time to begin telling this story and as my main focal point, I used a gorgeous image from Tim's Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls pack. I absolutely LOVE this piece, from the colouring to the image itself, it's the epitome of vintage Christmas.

I added some rips and tears around the outside edge of the ephemera piece, then mounted it onto a piece of kraft card.

After inking the edges of the image, I attached it to my background using foam pads. You can see from the photo below, how much dimension is in this piece....

To add more detail to this gorgeous image, I added some small pieces of Cello Sticker Tape...

...and the stamp from the Ephemera pack, which I placed in the top right hand corner.

Beneath the image, I placed a greeting from the Christmas Baseboards pack. I inked the edges of this piece, then attached it to my panel with foam pads.

GREENERY FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Now it's time to add the foliage arrangement. For this I used some of the pieces from the Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls pack, together with some extra greenery which I die cut from inked cardstock using the Holiday Brushstroke 3 Sizzix die by Tim Holtz.

I gave each of the die cut pieces a dusting of 'snow' by applying Versamark Ink directly to the greenery, then sprinkling white embossing powder over the inked areas. Don't be too heavyhanded with the ink, or powder ~ it's just meant to be a dusting, not a storm!!!

Once all my pieces were ready, I then smeared Collage Medium over the top and dipped them into the Rock Candy Glitter pot before setting them to one side to dry.

I arranged the holly branches and the poinsettia around the top left and bottom right hand corners and then tucked some of the sparkly die cut foliage in between the pieces.

Finally, I added a splatter of white paint across the panel, masking off any areas that I didn't want the paint to hit.

SPARKLE and SHINE

Now for the finishing touches and that glorious sparkle.

After drizzling some Glossy Accents over the areas I want to sparkle, I sprinkled a combination of Mica Flakes and Chunky Rock Candy over the medium.

You can see I added it to the floral display, the top of the image and along the top of the greeting.

Finally, I attached a large Hinge Clip, painted with Distress Paint to alter the colour of the metal and then clipped to the top of my panel to complete the piece.

I hope you love this piece and all the details and techniques that I've used!

As always, if you make anything, or if you've been inspired by anything that you've seen here on my blog ~ then please, let me know by tagging me on social media or leaving a comment here and I will be right over to take a look!

Don't forget that every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $25 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp and you can join in up to 5 times, which means you could have 5 chances to win. You have until next Monday at 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today and all that's left for me to say is...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope 2026 brings you health, joy and happiness!

See you in 2 weeks...

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Etcetera Panel

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, Engraved Large Embossing Folder, Holiday Brushstroke 3

Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stains: Uncharted Mariner, Antique Linen, Speckled Egg, Crackling Campfire

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls, Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Christmas Ephemera, Christmas Baseboards, Design Tape Trims

Surfaces: Cool Kraft Stock, Mixed Media Heavystock card

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Snowfall Grit Paste, Foam Pads, Glossy Accents, Mica Flakes, Rock Candy Glitter Bundle, White Embossing Powder, Versamark Ink

Gilding Flakes and Gilding Glue

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Felt from my own stash

Monday, 15 December 2025

Hello, Santa Claus...

Hello everyone...

Well, there's not long to go until the big day and as we begin the new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, I thought our challenge theme was the perfect chance to share some Tim Holtz Idea-ology inspiration. As you know, I love all of Tim's products from mediums, and Sizzix Dies to Stampers Anonymous stamps, but my one true love is idea-ology and with the theme in mind, I chose to create a vintage style panel all about the night before Christmas, that will be perfect to display throughout the holidays...

So, let's get started because it's time to share all the details of how I created some Christmas magic...

To begin with I have a recent post that will help with how I created some of the sparkly magic for the Woodland Garland and you can find that post if you click HERE.

PANEL & FACADE

For this make, I used the larger sized Rectangular Etcetera Panel and began by covering the edges with Design Tape. I still have some of the Christmas Design Tape that is now sadly retired but any design will do, it's really only there to give a nice finish and cover those raw edges.

With my tape in place, I started selecting some of the Collage Strips that I would be using on both the panel and the facade. The strips need to be cut into sections so that they will fit both surfaces perfectly, so you might have to play around with these to get the perfect fit but once you have chosen the pieces, I adhered them to each surface using Matte collage Medium. I also added a coat of the medium over the top of each piece to seal them.

To cover all those joins and to give this piece that vintage touch, I used the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon around the edge of the panel and facade and also applying it between each of the joins of the Collage Strips. Blend out any harsh line of crayon with your fingertip.

The panel is now complete and can be set to one side whilst we add the finishing touches to the facade.

Behind the aperture of the facade, I cut and adhered a piece of Christmas Backdrops paper. At this stage, I also adored a panel of Heavystock Mixed Media card to the back of the facade, as this will help to give a bit more stability to the paper. Once again I used the Walnut Stain Crayon around the edges, blending out any harsh lines of colour.

I attached some Screw Heads around the top edge of the facade and then added an idea-ology Mini Flair Pin that I had in my stash. To complete the facade, I applied some Snowfall Grit Paste around the top and down the sides, and then sprinkled Chunky Rock Candy Glitter over the top. Set aside to dry.

Attach the risers from the Etcetera Facade pack to the back of the facade itself and then attach this to the Etcetera Panel using Matte Collage Medium and allowing the facade to slightly overlap the top edge of the panel. I always add a weight over the top to ensure every section of the facade, adheres to the panel.

Underneath the facade, I added two Scalloped Etcetera Trims to form a ledge.

I used the Decorative Trims die to cut some Christmas Backdrops Paper to cover each trim and then placed the trims to form a 'L' shape, before adhering them to the panel and then applying Crackle Paste onto the top of the ledge. I allowed for this to dry before adding a good amount of Snowfall Grit Paste. Again, you need to allow this to dry....

To complete the facade, I adhered two stamps from the Ephemera Pack onto the right hand side and added a Remnant Rub, before attaching some Cello Sticker Tape as a finishing touch.

Along the ledge, I added a good amount of Snowfall Grit Paste and then set this to one side to dry whilst I move on to the embellishments.

WOODLAND GARLAND

To colour and add some sparkle to the Woodland Garland, you can pop on over to my post and see exactly how I created this. Once you've got the perfect colour and a good amount of sparkle, then all I did was to shape the garland by manipulating the wire and then attach it with hot glue. I placed this underneath the ledge.

BUILDING THE SCENE

We're now ready to bring this story to life and for this, I began by attaching the Santa from the Layers and Paper Dolls pack, using foam pads to add some height and dimension to the piece.

Using two of the candy canes from the idea-ology Confections pack, I attached these to either side of the facade. Each candy cane has been smeared with Glossy Accents and had a dusting of Crystal Rock Candy added.

Around the base of each candy cane, I added some idea-ology 'bubbles', again smeared with Glossy Accents before having their sprinkle of Rock Candy added over the top.

I attached the sparkly bubbles using Glossy Accents and then, attached two of the poinsettias from the Layers and Paper Dolls pack to either end of the ledge, placing them over the top of where the garland is attached.

Finally I drizzled Glossy Accents over the top of the dried out Snowfall Grit Paste, and sprinkled some Mica Flakes over the top. I also added some flakes and rock candy to the poinsettias.

I also added some flakes around the top edge of the Christmas Tree that Santa is holding...

We're nearly there and all that's left is the Christmas Greetings sentiment, which is from the Chrismtas Ephemera pack. I adhered this to a piece of mount board, and then attached it to my panel, placing it underneath the garland.

After a gentle splatter of white acrylic paint, my panel is complete and I hope you've enjoyed the process and all the little tips and techniques that I've shared to bring this piece to life.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by today...

Love Emma xxx

Recipe for project:

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous: Etcetera Panel, Scalloped Trims, Etcetera Facade

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Big Shot Foldaway, Decorative Trims

Distress Crayons: Walnut Stain

Distress Spray Stains: Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Christmas Backdrops , Christmas Layers and Paper Dolls, Cello Sticker Tape, Screw Heads, Woodland Garlands, Christmas Ephemera, Confections Adornments, Christmas Collage Strips, Bubbles, Mini Flair Pin from my stash

Mediums: Matte Collage Medium, Snowfall Grit Paste, Foam Pads, Glossy Accents, Mica Flakes, Rock Candy Glitter Bundle,

Glass Media Mat

Heat Gun

Monday, 8 December 2025

Underneath The Tree...

Happy Monday everyone...

Can you believe that we're so near to Christmas and the holidays? Where has this year gone?

Well, as we approach the final countdown to the big day, we have a brand new Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and this week our theme is called WRAP IT UP! However you interpret this challenge theme, we would love for you to join us and play along and we can't wait to see what you will create.

For my make, I chose to make a gift wrap set, including the wrapping paper, tags and a present topper and I'm excited to share the details of how I made these pieces...

So, let's get started...it's time to wrap it up!

To begin with I chose to use the Stampers Anonymous Holiday Sketch stamp set by Tim Holtz with the coordinating die set from Simon Says Stamp for my tags and the beautiful Snowflake Rosette from Tim that is currently free from SSS, with every purchase of $30 or more of branded products from Tim. These are the main focal points to accompany the gift wrap...

GIFT WRAP

For the gift wrapping paper, I bought a roll of plain kraft paper from a local store and using a section of the gift wrap, I began by stamping my snowflake design using SSS white ink.

I used two Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz stamps, the snowflakes are from the Mr Frostie stamp set and the postmark, stamped with Barn Door Archival Ink is from the Holiday Postmarks stamp set.

I stamped the pattern to cover the entire piece of kraft paper, adding the postmarks in between the snowflakes, before adding some white paint splatters

To complete the wrap, I added some snow, using the stamp from The Poinsettia, which I once again inked with white ink before adding it to my kraft wrap.

Once I'd wrapped the present using the gift wrap, I cut a strip of seam binding ribbon, which I coloured with Speckled Egg and Rustic Wilderness Distress Spray Stain. I applied the stain directly to the ribbon, added a spritz of water to blend the colours and then heat dried the ribbon until thoroughly dry.

After tying the ribbon around my present and finishing with a double bow, I added two Holiday Bells to the centre.

We now have the present wrapped, ready for the tags...

TAGS

Using the Tim Holtz Framed Tag die that I have in my stash, I cut three of the middle sized tags from heavyweight kraft card and then inked the "snow" stamp from The Poinsettia stamp set, and stamped this in white, at the top of the tag. I completed the tag by adding a machine stitched border around the outside.

Using the Holiday Sketchbook stamps, I stamped the individual images onto watercolour cardstock, and then watercolored them with Distress Watercolour Pencils before die cutting all three images with the coordinating dies.

After cutting three separate panels of kraft card, which I will be layering onto the tags, I stamped the same images again onto these pieces and repeated the snow across the top of the panel and add a strip of Christmas Design Tape across the bottom.

After I'd machine stitched a border around the outside, I mounted the coloured die cut images onto the tags with foam pads.

On each of the tags, I stamped a sentiment in clear embossing ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. The sentiments are stamped using the Stampers Anonymous Cartoons stamp set by Tim Holtz.

Matt the layer onto a piece of red Kraft cardstock and then mount the completed panel onto the tag, using foam pads. Repeat with the other two images to create the remaining tags...

For a little extra sparkle and texture, I drizzled the top of the mounted panel with some Glossy Accents before sprinkling Snowflakes over the medium. Tap away the excess and leave to dry.

Add some Stickles Glitter to each of the stamped snowdrops around the image to complete the panel.

SNOWFLAKE ROSETTES

Finally, I made a present topper using the Snowflake Rosette die that is currently a FREE GIFT when you spend $30 or more on Tim Holtz branded products.

This die has always been one of my favourites for the holidays and I thought it would make a perfect present topper.

I cut three strips of the snowflake and then attached them to one another to form one long strip, which I then folded along the scorelines before assembling my snowflake rosette.

I added an idea-ology Vintage Flair Christmas adornment to the centre, which I have in my stash but you can use anything you choose as the centre embellishment.

I then cut a second rosette from some more of the Christmas Backdrop paper, using the Vault Rosette die and once this was assembled, I layered the two rosettes on top of one another before adding some Chunky Rock Candy Glitter to the snowflake.

I completed the present topper, which can then be used as an ornament for your tree, with a loop of ribbon.