Merry Christmas

Hi Bloggers.

Many of you will have watched Hels Sheridan launch a load of new Tim Holtz products on Ideal World last night. I've had some of the stamps a while now and just haven't had a chance to play with them but the other night I got them out, I faffed around a lot and after about 4 hours I came up with this card. The image and the background were quick and easy but the other bits were where I faffed - adding bits, swapping bits, you know what I mean!

For the background, I randomly stamped the stars from the Stampers Anonymous Christmas Time Stamp Set (CMS141) using Iced Spruce Distress Ink. I made sure the ink was dry and then popped it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Intrinsic Embossing Folder. I ran it though a second time to extend the pattern - it is not a repeating pattern but is so busy that you can't see the join especially if using large toppers (by the way, there has been a re-run of this folder so I'll be getting some more in my Amazon Store soon hopefully). I inked all around the edges with Iced Spruce using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the snowman from the Stampers Anonymous Christmas Blueprint Stamp Set (CMS135) using Iced Spruce Distress Ink. I made sure the ink was dry and then coloured in using Tea Green and Grey Green Promarkers. I cut it out using Spellbinders Matting Basics B and inked through the die with Iced Spruce.

I stamped the sentiment from the Stampers Anonymous Mini Holidays 4 Stamp Set (CMS142) again using the Iced Spruce Distress Ink. I cut it out using Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags One, inked through the die with Iced Spruce and added a couple of brads.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders Fancy Postage Edge dies out of Kraftcore Card (Nostalgic Collection No. 14). At the emboss stage I added the Polka Dots Mask. I tied a bow out of 3 lengths of American Seam Binding (I think it's turquoise but not sure). I tied some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set through a Polka Dot Button that I got from Sam Pool here and added it to my bow.

I assembled the card as shown adding a Pearl Swirl- no PVA dots on this one as I had run out of Kraftcore card and hadn't anything else that toned in properly.

I do hope you try some of these stamps - they really are a joy to work with, top quality red rubber and already mounted and cut out ready to use.

Don't miss Hels' other shows today on Create & Craft and Ideal World (details on her blog).

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.