Tim Holtz - 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.

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.

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.

Santa Claus Cards: A Crafting Round-Up

Ho ho ho! Santa Claus is the heart of Christmas magic, symbolizing joy, generosity, and the wonder of the season. In this round-up of handmade cards, Santa Claus takes center stage. While this post is coming a bit late for this year, it’s perfect for planning ahead—many of the featured supplies may be discounted now, making it the ideal time to stock up for next season’s crafting! Click on the card image to be taken to the original post for additional details.

A welcoming Santa takes center stage on this card, set in a Polaroid-style frame.

This card showcases Santa with a bag of toys and a bell, standing on a snowbank. The dry-embossed snowy background and felt accents on Santa add rich texture.

This card features an old-fashioned stamped Santa and vintage-style sentiment, paired with plaid patterned paper for a nostalgic holiday feel.

This slimline card shows a pink-to-red ombré inked silhouette with Santa, children, and a sleigh, set against a teal background. Sequins create sparkling snowflakes, and a white-embossed sentiment completes the festive design.

This slimline card pairs a light teal, dry-embossed peppermint stripe background with Santa’s face appearing as one of three whimsical ornaments.

This tag shows a small Santa inside a snow globe. The stenciled white trees on kraft cardstock create a rustic, yet festive, background.

This card depicts Santa’s workshop, crafted with dies from a shed set. The shed features doors adorned with a Santa sign and stockings. Santa’s sleigh, loaded with a few packages, sits outside—offering evidence of his hard work.

These cards capture a variety of Santa-inspired designs, ranging from playful to nostalgic, to spark your holiday cardmaking creativity. Which Santa stamps or dies in your collection are your favorites? Do you have any Santa-themed products on your wish list?