Mixed Media - Right as Rain

Christmas Cards with Stenciled Monoprints

Hello! Today, I’m sharing two Christmas cards created with Tim Holtz products, and yes, I’m back with the same stencil I used on a recent project! I’ve been on a real stencil monoprint kick lately, and these cards are an example of how much variation you can get from a single tool. Both backgrounds began as monoprints, followed by inks added through the stencil. On one card, I added Sparkle Paste for shimmer and texture, while on the other I kept it simple with ink. With so much happening in the backgrounds, I finished each design with a clean sentiment to let the stenciled layers shine.

For the first card, I embraced a more dramatic, sparkly finish that instantly makes the background feel rich and joyful.

- Create a monoprint with the Tiny Poinsettia stencil using Fresh Balsam Mica Stain. Set aside to dry. Once dry, ink and then add Sparkle Paste through the stencil. Again, set aside to dry.
- Adhere a cardstock panel to a card base measuring 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″.
- Trim stenciled panel to 3 3/8″ x 6 3/4″. Add to a Speckled Eggshell cardstock panel measuring 3 5/8″ x 6 3/4″. Add assembly to the prepared card base.
- Stamp the Mini Holidays 5 sentiment in Library Green ink on Speckled Eggshell cardstock. Cut the sentiment with a tag die. (I used a now-retired die from the Tag Collection set 658784). Add ribbon to the tag. (I used ribbon in my stash which I colored several years ago with a metallic Distress Spray.) Add the tag to the card front.

For the second card, I went in a different direction letting the clean, inked stencil and woodgrain base create a warm, rustic look.

- Create a monoprint with the Tiny Poinsettia stencil using Antique Linen Distress Spritz. Set aside to dry. Once dry, ink.
- Adhere a Light Brown Woodgrain cardstock panel to a card base measuring 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″.
- Trim stenciled panel to 3 3/8″ x 6 3/4″. Add to a warm red cardstock panel measuring 3 5/8″ x 6 3/4″. Add assembly to the prepared card base.
- Stamp sentiment, included in the Stamptember 2018 set (this set contains several of the Stampers Anonymous Festive Overlay set in a slightly larger size), in Library Green ink on Speckled Eggshell cardstock. Cut with a circle die, back with a slightly larger vellum circle, and add the assembly to the card front.

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.

A Tim Holtz-Inspired Holiday Card

Hello! Mixed media isn’t my usual cardmaking style, but it’s always fun to step outside my comfort zone and experiment. For this Christmas card, I used a variety of Tim Holtz products including stenciling and alcohol inking. The variety of mediums adds character and depth to the design—each layer contributing its own texture and visual interest. It’s a festive project full of wintery sparkle and creative play.

- To begin, create a card base 3 3/4″ x 6 7/8″ from woodgrain cardstock. Ink the sides of the cardstock with Gathered Twigs.
- Next, create a monoprint on watercolor paper with the Pinecones stencil using Antique Linen Distress Spray and water. There are several of the Tim Holtz makers who regularly use this technique. Once dry, stencil in the pinecones and greenery. Apply the Sparkle paste through the panel and set aside to dry. Tim Holtz recently created a video discussing the many pastes available.; it proved to be an invaluable resource.
- Once dry, you can add Antique Linen ink to the cardstock since the areas covered by the paste resist the ink. This can help fill in bare spots from the monoprint method.
- Cut the bird from alcohol-inked black cardstock. I used the same formula as on this card.
- Cut the greenery, from cardstock to which Distress ink has been applied, with dies in the Holiday Greens set. Add a snow effect by applying Snowfall Grit paste and Rock Candy glitter.
- Stamp the Festive Overlay sentiment on to cardstock and cut with a circle die. Cut a vellum circle slightly larger. Adhere the two.
- Trim the stenciled panel and add to the card base. Add sentiment circle, greenery, and bird.

It’s a bit more involved than my usual clean and simple cards, but worth every step for the texture and sparkle it brings to the finished design.

Watercolored Birdhouses with Newton’s Nook

Hello! Birdhouses make for a cheerful and inviting focal point in card designs. For this card, I used a Newton’s Nook stamp set and brought the stamped images to life with watercoloring. A scalloped die-cut background adds a playful touch, and I stamped the sentiment on a cloud for easy placement. Let’s take a closer look at how this colorful card came together!

- Create an A2-size card base from white cardstock.
- Cut a scallop background from patterned paper. (I used a die in the Mama Elephant Basic Set.) Adhere to base.
- Stamp Birdhouse Greetings birdhouses with VersaFine ink on Arches Cold Press watercolor paper; heat set.
- Watercolor the images—I used Tombow markers and Derwent Inktense pencils. You can read more about watercoloring stamped images here. Once dry, I added depth and detail with colored pencils. I don’t often get the chance to experiment with different coloring mediums, but when I do, it’s always an enjoyable creative process!
- Cut the images with the coordinating dies.
- Stamp Birdhouse Greetings sentiment on to white cardstock and cut with a die in the On Cloud Nine set. Cut an additional cloud with a die in the same set.
- Add birdhouses to card background with foam adhesive and the clouds with dot adhesive.