Small Beginnings, Tim Holtz

Hey friends! Simon Says Stamp has come out with some more coordinating dies to work with Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamp sets, this time with a holiday theme! I used some of the fabulous coordinating dies to create these cards.⁠

These dies are exclusively available at Simon Says Stamp! 🙌⁠

Not only do they save you from all that fussy cutting, but they also unlock a whole new world of creative possibilities, especially when it comes to layering and collage. Let’s dive in!

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Small Beginnings, Tim Holtz

I absolutely love having coordinating dies for some of my favorite Tim Holtz stamp sets, and Field Notes is one I reach for again and again. The images are so unique and they make it perfect for creating textured, collage-style cards like this one.

I started by creating the background using many of the images from the Field Notes stamp set. I stamped them repeatedly with Speckled Egg Distress Watercolor Pencil, filling the entire panel. To add a bit more interest and depth, I splattered some Walnut Stain Distress Watercolor Pencil across the background. Once dry, I trimmed the panel down to 4” x 5.25” and used a paper distresser to rough up the edges for a worn, vintage feel.

Next, I selected a few images from the set that have coordinating dies and stamped them with Walnut Stain Distress Oxide Ink. I chose Distress Oxide specifically because it stamps beautifully while still reacting with water. I gently watercolored the images, allowing the ink to soften and move just enough to create an aged, worn look, without losing all the detail in the artwork.

After die-cutting the images, I arranged the die-cut pieces into a loose cluster on the card, tying them together with a bit of twine to add texture and movement. To finish things off, I added a couple of Tim Holtz Small Talk stickers for the sentiment. I won’t admit to how many packs of these I’ve hoarded over the years 😉, but they are truly perfect for adding simple, encouraging words that feel timeless.

I added Distress Collage Medium along the edges and sprinkled on Distress Rock Candy Glitter. The subtle sparkle from this glitter adds just the right amount of texture and shine, making it perfect for a mixed media card like this without overpowering the vintage feel.

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Cardmaking Supplies Used

Supplies I used are linked throughout the post. Click on the picture and you will be taken to the product. I use affiliate links when available which means if you make a purchase I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!