Christmas - Right as Rain

Tim Holtz | Mixed-Media Christmas Tags

Hello! Today I’m sharing three mixed-media Christmas tags that spotlight Tim Holtz stamps, stencils, and die sets. What started as a simple plan to make a few monoprint backgrounds quickly turned into an hours-long creative rabbit hole. I could have kept going indefinitely! Each tag ended up with a background created in a different way, and I’ll walk through those variations in the post.

All three tags feature Christmas Minis die-cuts, each set against a stenciled monoprint background. The base tags and sentiment tags were cut with a Sizzix tag die set, no longer available.

For the Santa tag, I created the monoprint with the Tiny Holly stencil and Antique Linen Distress Spray. Once dry, I inked the leaves and berries and added Sparkle paste.

For the Gingerbread Boy tag, I created the monoprint with the Hollyberry stencil in the Mini Stencils Set 54. Once dry, I inked the leaves and berries.

For the Snowman tag, I created the monoprint with Fresh Balsam Mica Spray and the Pines stencil in the Mini Stencil Set 32. Once dry, I added white Texture Paste Opaque.

For the sentiment tags, I clear heat-embossed Tiny Text Christmas images stamped with Lumberjack Plaid ink and added them (once cut with the aforementioned Sizzix tag die) with Peppermint Twine.

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.

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.

Spellbinders | Santa by the Mantel

Hello! There’s something especially heartwarming about Christmas scenes set inside the home. My latest card, created with several Spellbinders Simon Hurley die sets, captures Santa by the mantel, surrounded by stockings and holiday cheer. I loved bringing this cozy moment to life with die cuts that build a story—one that feels like it could come straight from a Christmas Eve illustration. I talk about the appeal of Santa in cardmaking HERE.

- Cover a 5″ x 7″ card base front with Hard Candy Christmas patterned paper. Add a strip along the bottom of Honey Bee Pinstripes and Polka Dots paper.
- Cut Santa with the The Clauses set and assemble.
- Create the mantel with the Mantel Village and Mantel Decorations die sets. Use a die in the North Pole Sentiments set to cut the sentiment into the mantel. Back with white cardstock.
- Add assembled elements to prepared card base.

I especially love that this card comes together entirely with die cuts—no stamping needed, and having the sentiment cut right into the mantel keeps the design clean and uncluttered.