Jean Manis - Right as Rain

Holiday Trees Mixed-Media Stenciling

Hello! Today, I’m sharing two mixed-media holiday cards featuring the Tim Holtz Tree Lot stencil that start with the same design but are finished in different ways. On both, the background begins with a monoprint. From there, I explored two approaches. One version combines inking with Sparkle paste, while the other layers paste with Distress Glazes for dimensional shine. It’s a fun reminder of how many directions a single stencil can take you.

Both cards start with a monoprint of the Tree Lot stencil on watercolor paper with Frosty Mint Mica Stain. To note, Ranger’s Mica Stains are not part of the Distress Ink color line from Tim Holtz, so you won’t find them in the standard Distress collection colors.

For the first card, once the monoprint is dry, stencil the trees with Twisted Citron, Lucky Clover, and Mowed Lawn inks. Clean the stencil. Add Sparkle paste through the stencil and set the panel aside to dry. Once dry, trim to 4″ x 7 1/2″, and add to a card base.

Heat-emboss the Bold Tidings Mini sentiment in Princess Gold on white cardstock and cut with a square die. Add a slightly larger vellum square. Add the assembly to the card base with foam adhesive.

For the second card, once the monoprint is dry, add Sparkle paste through the Tree Lot stencil. Sprinkle on Distress Glazes in Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio, and Rustic Wilderness. (I started with the Rustic Wilderness; next time, I plan to start with the lightest glaze first.) Set panel aside to dry; when dry, heat-emboss the glazes. Once dry, trim to 4″ x 7 1/2″, and add to a card base. For more inspiration, you can see two cards using this technique and the same stencil HERE.

Heat-emboss the Bold Tidings Mini sentiment in Silver on white cardstock and cut with a square die. Add a slightly larger vellum square. Add the assembly to the card base with foam adhesive.

Mixed Media Christmas Card

Hello! Today I’m sharing a Christmas card created with Tim Holtz products. The sentiment and focal items are kept understated to spotlight the background, where the texture and dimension really come through. This mixed media approach is a bit different from my usual clean style, but it’s been fun to experiment.

- Create a monoprint with the Tiny Poinsettia stencil using Decayed Mica Stain. I shared another stencil monoprint card HERE.
- Once dry, ink the poinsettias with the stencil in place.
- Apply Twinkle paste through the stencil and set aside to dry. I noticed that the colors change considerably with the application of the paste.
- Trim and mat the panel with gold cardstock. Add the assembly to a card base covered with seasonal patterned paper (I used Carta Bella from several years ago). The overall size is 4 3/4″ x 6 7/8″.
- Stamp the Festive Overlay sentiment in Library Green ink on off-white cardstock. Cut with a circle die. Mat with a slightly larger vellum circle. Add to the base.
- Cut the bells with dies in the Festive Things set. Assemble and add to the prepared base.

Spellbinders | Shark Slippers

Hello! After recently creating a cow slipper card, I couldn’t resist returning to the Cozy Toes Friends die set at Spellbinders. For this design, I used the shark face dies and paired them with a sentiment from the Cozy Toes Friends stamp set: “Good friends are like well-loved slippers.” The heart envelope pajamas bring a cheerful pop that complements the shark slippers.

- Cover an A2-size card base with patterned paper.
- Cut the shark faces with the Cozy Toes Friends set from a variety of cardstock colors. Assemble.
- Cut the pajamas and slippers with the Cozy Toes Slippers set from cardstock and patterned paper.
- Stamp the Cozy Toes Friends sentiment and cut with a banner die.
- Add assembly to prepared card base.

Spellbinders | When Pigs Fly Charm

Hello! I’m back with another friendship card featuring the Spellbinders November Large Die of the Month. This time, I paired the purse design with the adorable flying pig charm from the Caboodle Offering. The mix adds a whimsical touch to the trendy bag charm theme. For this version, I used different patterned papers for the purse, background, and scarf. You can see my first card with the November Large Die set HERE.

- Create a 5″ x 7″ card base and cover with patterned paper.
- Use the purse die in the Large Die of the Month to cut the purse from patterned paper. Add to the prepared card base.
- With the Large Die of the Month set, cut the charms, purse hardware, and bow from a variety of cardstock colors and patterned paper. Use the Caboodle die set to cut the pig. Assemble items.
- Adhere items to the card base.
- With the Clear Stamp & Die set, stamp the sentiment and cut with the coordinating die. Add to card with adhesive foam squares.

Tim Holtz | Vintage Holiday Card

Hello! Today’s card leans into the vintage style of Tim Holtz, which is a departure from my usual look. I used the Tim Holtz sled die as the focal point, cutting it from cardstock that I inked and distressed for a worn, mixed media feel. The snowflake-embossed background adds texture, and the “Merry and Bright” sentiment brings in holiday cheer. I loved playing with layers, texture, and inky color to create that signature Tim Holtz weathered charm.

- Dry-emboss and A2-size panel of textured cardstock with a snowflake embossing folder. I used the now-retired Sizzix Tim Holtz Simple Snowflakes 662432 folder. Add to card base.
- Cut the Vintage Sled from a variety of cardstock colors and textures. Assemble.
- Stamp the Tiny Text Christmas sentiment in Potting Soil ink on off-white cardstock that has been colored with Antique Linen ink. Cut with a banner die.
- Add assembled sled to the card base with foam adhesive. Add sentiment to sled with foam adhesive.