BIG Tim Holtz announcement this morning....

CLICK HERE to visit his blog.

I love everything Tim! This announcement is pretty awesome, I LOVE the colors! I think the only outlet you can get this limited edition set is through Ranger Products but when I find out for sure, I will let you know!

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Tim Holtz® Seasonal
Distress Ink
Fall 2011

Exciting news from Ranger and Tim Holtz just in time for Fall creativity! A limited edition
collection of Distress Inks in harvest hues is now available. Like the changing of the seasons, this Autumn set is only available for a limited time, so collect them now before they’re gone.

Made from the unique Distress Ink dye formula, these fade-resistant, non-toxic and acid free ink pads will add a timeless nostalgic flair to your Halloween and Thanksgiving craft projects.

The Autumn Set is available in 3 rich harvest
colors* for the season that’s pure Distress.

Seasonal Distress ink pads are conveniently
packaged in a stacked set with a top label
identifying all 3 rich colors. Each ink pad
includes a QR code for smart phone users.
This links to a video of Tim Holtz personally
showcasing and demonstrating these special inks. Check in on the blog frequently for Distress Ink contest opportunities.
Remember, the Seasonal Distress Inks will only be produced in a limited quantity, so order yours now before they are gone!

MSRP $17.99
ORDER LIM IT: 12 sets of Seasonal
Distress Inks per retail store

*DUE TO THE LIMITED NATURE OF THIS
PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT, THERE WILL
BE NO RE-INKERS AVAILABLE.
Shipping September 2011.

My Family Tree

I made this family tree as part of the Compendium of Couriositis Challenge at Studio L3 but it took me too long to make to enter the challenge. I love how this turned out! I have plans to frame it and maybe add a title or phrase. I purchased most items at Michaels:

* Tim Holtz Fragments

* Tim Holtz Alcohol ink

(added to the green paint for more texture effects)

* Glossy Accents

* 16x20 canvas

* Chaulk Ink

* Acrylic Paint

* Wire

* Leaves (these were given to me, Michaels sold them a long time ago.)

* Stretch beading string, clear

* E6000 (to glue the leaves)

I painted the canvas edges green and the middle a champaigne metallic beige. I just kept playing with it until I liked the center shape, where the tree will go. When the green color was dry, I used Alcohol ink around the edges to give it a bit dirty look and to add a bit of darker green to it. I can't tell I used the Alcohol ink very much, but I did and it is the look I liked.

I printed the photos as wallet size through Snapfish.com . I put the Glossy Accents on the fragments and the placed on the photo. I let them dry overnight and then trimmed to fit.

I then cut about 10 pieces of wire a little bit shorter than the canvas. I twisted the wire in the middle to form the trunk and then formed the branches and the roots.

I sewed the tree onto the canvas with the clear, stretch beading thread to secure it. Then, I sewed the fragments onto the branches. I put my family on on side of the tree and my husbands on the other side. I glued the leaves onto the fragment to hide the thread and I glued leaves all around to fill the empty spaces. While gluing, I moved the branches into better positions so none of the faces was blocked.

I really like how this turned out! I am going to date it and add some more, I will update this post when I do but I wanted to share with you my little masterpiece. This was a lot of fun because I didn't use a pattern or template, I just thought about what I would like and took it from there. I am usually looking for inspiration around the web but this time I looked to my family and was inspired!

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #33

I made this for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #33 at Studio L3. I can't say how I used the inks, you will have to purchase Tim Holtz book.

I did not have anything metal so I used aluminium foil and ran it through my Cuttle Bug. I also used the ink to color the ribbon and the rhinestones. I am so excited I can color them now! Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE THE BLING!! I have a 3lb bag of rhinestones in my drawer just waiting to be used, lol!

I also received my Cricut Swap back today, so I used 2 pieces from the "Things that fly" group. I am sorry, but I don't know who made them because the names where not on the back.

I wrapped the ribbon onto the inside of the card so I would not have to cut the ribbon, so I hide the seam with a cut out stamp and another cut from my Cricut Swap group.

Thanks for the challenge Studio L3! I learned alot!

My Happy List

My husbands Cousin runs a blog call Dandelion Wishes and she posts her Happy List often and offers others to post their Happy List, so this is mine =o)

I like to think that I am a happy person, I just do too much stuff that wears me down, lol! I do believe in the power of Pay-it-Foward and I see everyday how a simple act of kindness can change a persons attitude or day. I work retail and, on a slow day, my store sees approx 700 people come through our doors. We see people of all sorts, the good, the bad and the ugly! The simple act of saying "HI" is free and can be uplifting to a total stranger. I recently finished a book called "365 Thank Yous" by John Kralik, which I already blogged about. This ties into the Pay-it-Forward effect and creates happiness. There are so many ways to create happiness and they are often small and take no time at all. What are some ways you create happiness in your life or others?

I love my Cricut! I love to Craft! I meet so many people because of my crafting. I love the Cricut because I can create anything I want. I love the online community, it offers so much inspiration. It is so much fun!

Meeting Tim Holtz made me REALLY HAPPY! I had so much fun with my manager and being part of the event was awesome! I did feel like a teenager and promised my District Manager I wouldn't squeal like one and I promised not to scare Tim away, lol! I definitely was on my best behavior!

My two cats make me happy! The are so calming and so pleasant. They are full of character and personality, so much fun to be around!

My kids make me happy! Often parents say that their kids get more distant everyday or that they give them headaches or they miss the younger days when they were better. Not me! I do have the best kids in the entire world who still want to be with me and hang out. I am so blessed and grateful! I enjoy every second and I love how my son texts me so much!

My husband makes me happy! We are lucky to celebrate 14 years in a few months and I couldn't imagine them without him!

I have so much more to share that makes me happy but I will save that for another post ;o)

What's on Your Happy List?

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #32

I participated in a challene at Studio L3 using my Tim Holtz book Compendium of Curiosities, page 59. I am so glad I did, I love what I made!

Since the technique I used came from the book, I can not go into detail. But, I can tell you that used my mask flower as part of the finished result, this was an awesome technique and I wanted to use every part of it.

I did use Glimmer Mists, chaulk ink, walnut ink, Glimmer Glam, a rhinestone, strings from my fiber stash and beads from my bead box. Below is the tag on my wood table. I wanted to show you this because of how different it looks on another background and at a different angle, cool!

Feel free to visit Studio L3 and participate in the challenge. You will need to have Tim Holtz's book, Compendium of Curiosities available!

Remember Scrapbook Page

I made this page with a picture of my niece and me taken a year ago. She is so big now and I am very proud of her accomplishments!

Metal tag I engraved with our names.

I used Tim Holtz retractable scratcher to make the scratched edges of the photo and then I used his page distresser to tear up the edges a little bit. It was fun and I will use these tools lots more!

I made this flowers from a video tutorial using Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists. Click Here to see the video.

The poem is titled "Remember" and it reads:
Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot... goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life's treasures are people... together.
Realize that it's never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.
And don't ever forget... for even a day...
How very special you are.

Meeting Jo Pearson & Tim Holtz

Last night, I was able to attend a Gold Card event for Michaels Stores. Jo Pearson and Tim Holtz where there and it was so much fun! I was able to get my picture with both of them and Tim Holtz signed my book I purchased. They are both very nice and loved being around fans. I hope I get to meet them again soon!