Author Archive

  1. Theories

    20th February, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    Hello, I’m back with some more cards that I made for the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Creativation booth, this time showcasing the new Theories stamps.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    These cards were incredibly simple to make. I created a distress ink wash background, added distress oxide over the top and stamped with distress archival ink using the Tim Holtz stamp platform. I stitched with a sewing machine, mounted onto sanded metallic kraftstock and a background made using the composition stamp from the new Composition and Lined set (CMS332).

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    Theories (CMS329)

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    I couldn’t help but colour in the hearts. Can you spot the teeny weeny one to the left of the balloon!? LOVE the almost hidden details to these stamps!

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    The sentiments in the set are amongst my favourites of Tim’s sentiment stamps. They are so versatile and I plan to use some in my planner.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    I know I’m not alone in loving this stamp best from the set, (sorry other stamps)! You can bend the stamp to adjust the angle of the tightrope.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    The perfect sentiment to accompany this image! Great for a good luck card.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Theories
    This stamp made me laugh. Something about three clowns on a bike… (I decided they were definitely part of the circus)! 😉


    Another cool sentiment and really versatile. Perfect for travel themed cards and journals.

    I hope you’ve enjoyed these cards and thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe x

     



  2. Mr Butterfly Head

    19th February, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    Thank you for the lovely comments you left during the creativation 2018 Tim Holtz blog hop. I hope you enjoyed hopping around the blogs. I was over the moon to make some card samples for the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous booth at this years Creativation show. This week I will be sharing the rest of those cards.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Mr Butterfly HeadOne of things I love about getting new stamps, is mixing them with older (well loved) sets. Which is exactly what I did when making this card.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Mr Butterfly Head
    I used the Dapper stamp set (CMS267), one of my all time favourites.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I added a butterfly from the new Entomology stamp set (CMS328) and used the background stamp, which I am obsessed with, to create the background (below).

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Mr Butterfly Head
    I blended brushed corduroy distress ink into a mixed media heavystock tag. Spritzed with water and dried with a heat tool. Then stamped the background stamp from the Entomology set with distress archival ink using the stamp platform. I added the lined stamp from the Composition and Lined stamp set (CMS332) using fired brick distress ink.  I used the composition stamp from this same set to create the background under the tag.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Mr Butterfly Head
    The hat, coat and butterfly were stamped, coloured with distress markers and fussy cut. Adhered with distress collage medium, the butterfly just adhered by the center and the wings folded upwards slightly to give some dimension. The numbers are from the Mail Art stamp set (CMS339), stamped and then painted with picket fence distress paint and overstamped again to define the outline. This is the beauty of using the stamp platform.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Mr Butterfly Head
    I added a ruler from the idea-ology ruler pieces with an adornment index clip clipped over the end and adornment stars underneath.

    I hope you’ve enjoyed my card and that it inspires you to create something.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe x

     



  3. All You Need Is LOVE!

    7th February, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    It’s Wednesday and time for the funkie side of the design team to share our projects for the current challenge over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog!

    I am hosting the current challenge and have chosen the theme ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, “With Valentines just a couple of weeks away, it’s time to let cupid draw his paintbrush and create a vintage or shabby chic project with the word “LOVE” somewhere on the project. It can be the focus or just a tiny detail.”

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is LoveI wanted to make a Valentines card for Mister H, (as in Hillman, not Holtz)… just to be clear! 😉

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    To create the background I sprayed old paper distress spray stain onto a non stick craft sheet, misted distress heavystock with water, dragged it through the ink and dried with a heat tool. Then blended frayed burlap through the new stitched stencil (it looks like kisses) and stamped with images from the purveyor stamp set (CMS187) using the stamp platform.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    I love this style of grungy industrial background, which is so very simple to create…

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    – Cover a piece of metallic kraft stock with picket fence distress paint. Set aside to dry.
    – Tap potting soil archival ink directly onto the background using a very light tap. Set aside to dry.
    – Run through your die cutter with an embossing folder.
    – Put a drop of ground espresso distress paint onto a non stick craft sheet, pick up a little with your finger and rub over the raised portions of the background.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    I affectionately call my husband “Mister,” when we’re being silly (there’s a lot of silliness in our house)! I created this using the alphanumeric marquee thinlits die set cut from substrate, mounted over with the alphanumeric thinlits dies cut from metallic kraft stock. I rubbed silver gilding wax over the top of the substrate to make it pop over the grungy background.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    The alphanumeric dies are mounted over a strip of hearts from the shape strips thinlits die set. I grunged up the background and added a drop of alcohol ink to some of the hearts. This is sitting over the top of a strip of the industrial background I mentioned earlier.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    Finally, I added some idea-ology chitchat stickers which I sanded and inked with walnut strain distress ink to create the perfect sentiment for my card.

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz All You Need is Love
    I hope you will find time to join in the challenge and pop over to Frilly and Funkie challenge blog to see the rest of the DT’s projects. All the products I used are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe

     



  4. Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

    4th February, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    Hello friends. DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SCREENS… I USED PINK! I hope you’re having a nice weekend and finding some time to be creative. I’ve got a SATURDAY SHOWCASE (on a Sunday) over at Frilly and Funky, showcasing the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform. If you’re a stamper, this tool is a total game changer!

    iGirlZoe: Saturday Showcase Tim Holtz Stamp Platform
    If you would like to see the step by step in full, pop over to Frilly & Funkie.

    Have a great Sunday.
    Zoe

     



  5. Creativations 2018 – Tim Holtz Blog Hop

    2nd February, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    Welcome to the Creativations 2018 – Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away! …and welcome to my blog! I’m delighted to have been invited to join such a talented group of designers on this exciting blog hop hosted by Richele Christensen. If you’ve just come across from the lovely and talented Chelle Fowler’s blog, you’re right on track.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I was lucky enough to make a few samples for the Stampers Anonymous booth at this years Creativation with Tim Holtz wonderful new stamps and stencils. Today I want to share a close-up look at the shaker card that I made.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I used the new entomology stamp set (CMS328), one of my favourites from the new release, not least of all because of that background stamp! Can you believe how many stamps Stampers Anonymous crammed onto one stamp sheet?!

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I also used the new hive stencil (THS105)! I love the total lack of symmetry and organic look to it.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I stamped the bee a bunch of times onto distress watercolor cardstock with black soot distress archival ink. Watercoloured fossilized amber over the body and a light wash of tumbled glass over the wings, using distress markers scribbled onto a non stick craft sheet and picked up with a water brush.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    Yes I fussy cut all these bees! I find fussy cutting so relaxing, it’s my jam (or honey in this case)!

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I created the background by stamping that gorgeous background stamp from the entomology set onto distress heavystock with hickory smoke distress archival ink and covering with a frayed burlap distress wash. Spread texture paste through the hive stencil, and once dry, blended in fossilized amber and brushed corduroy distress inks.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    I die cut a postage frame from idea-ology substrate sheet, adhered acetate to the underside with distress collage medium and mounted over strips of black adhesive foam. Using the new ornate trims stamps set (CMS326) to create a cute vintage border.

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    Finally I mounted the shaker card over metallic and classic kraft stock (sanded of course). You can see the shaker card “shake it” over on my instagram.

    Next on this blog hop is the very lovely and talented Joy Kennedy.

    Hope you’ve enjoyed my shaker card and that this blog hop inspires you to create.
    Zoe x

     

    PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES!

    iGirlZoe: Creativations 2018 - Tim Holtz Blog Hop and Give Away
    There are a few prizes to give away. Just leave a comment on all the different blog hop posts for a chance to win! The more blogs you leave comments on, the better your chances of winning.

    Comments must be posted by midnight PST on Tuesday, February 6th.

    Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 7th on Richele’s blog

    BLOG HOP PARTICIPANTS…

    IDEA-OLOGY
    Paula Cheney
    Vicki Evans
    Emma Williams
    Cathie Parreco
    Kaz Hall
    Jan Hobbins
    Jenny Marples

    SIZZIX
    Tami Bastians
    Audrey Pettit
    Mou Saha
    Richele Christensen

    STAMPERS ANONYMOUS
    Kath Stewart
    Cheiron Brandon
    Stacy Hutchinson
    Chelle Fowler
    Zoe Hillman (you are here)
    Joy Kennedy
    Bobbie Smith

     



  6. Frilly & Funkie: 2018 – The Year of…

    24th January, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    It’s Wednesday and time for the funkie side of the design team to share our projects for the current challenge over at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog!

    The current challenge is hosted by fellow funkie team member Suzz (Suzz’ Stamping Spot), who has chosen the theme 2018 – THE YEAR OF… …SUZZ says, “Welcome to a brand new year! I am not very good at New Year Resolutions but I do like to think about what I want to focus on in the New Year. To help me do this, I pick a word that is my word for the year and try to use that word to keep me focused on what is important. The challenge to you is to pick a word that will be your inspiration for 2018. Create a vintage or shabby chic project that includes your word of 2018. The word can be part of a sentiment, phrase or stand alone on your project as long as it is featured somewhere in your art.”

    iGirlZoe: 2018 The Year ofMuch like our lovely host Suzz, I’m not very good at new years resolutions, so it took me a while to find a suitable word. I wanted to combine travel and time, as this year I plan to do more of one and get better at keeping the other. Then I stumbled upon the “expedition” word band and it was a match! Expedition can be a journey undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose (travel) and it can also mean promptness or speed in doing something – promptitude (time). OMG I love that word! “Promptitude!” I digress, which only adds to my time keeping issues!
    …I’m a work in progress…

    iGirlZoe: 2018 The Year of
    I have been desperate to use the new Tim Holtz inventor stamps and it was perfect for the challenge. I had to use my favourite stamp from the Tim Holtz Dapper set as well (of course)!

    iGirlZoe: 2018 The Year of
    I used faded jeans and brushed corduroy distress inks and a waterbrush to watercolour the hat and suit. I added the expedition word band and globe from the adornment souvenir set.

    iGirlZoe: 2018 The Year of
    I confess I am a little addicted to these adornment index clips. I altered it by adding picket fence distress paint and, once dry, adding archival distress ink. Wendy Vecchi has this brilliant technique on her blog.

    iGirlZoe: 2018 The Year of
    I hope you will find time to join in the challenge and pop over to Frilly and Funkie challenge blog to see the rest of the DT’s projects. All the products I used are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

    I will be back to share the samples that I made for this years Creativation (CHA). Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe

     



  7. Frilly & Funkie: Three Is Not A Crowd

    10th January, 2018 by iGirlZoe

    Happy New Year! I am delighted to be back with the Frilly and Funkie Design Team.

    This first challenge of the year is hosted by the very lovely Cec (CW Card Creations), who has chosen the theme THREE IS NOT A CROWD …CEC says, “Create a vintage or shabby chic project that includes three of something. Examples of three of something could be three different patterned papers, three colours, three layers, three flowers, three bows – the list goes on. This would be a perfect time to use some of the new supplies you received for Christmas or to make space in your stash by using up old supplies. Just remember to think in multiples of three..”

    iGirlZoe: Three Is Not A Crowd
    For many of us, this time of year can be as busy as the holidays. Making samples for creativation (formerly CHA), getting kids back to school, returning to work, taking the decorations down and getting organised for the year ahead. A lot of my friends and family have birthdays in January, so I have plenty of cards to make. I decided to use this challenge to make a masculine birthday card…

    iGirlZoe: Three Is Not A Crowd
    I adhered a page from an old dictionary over mixed media heavystock with distress collage medium. Using the Tim Holtz stamp platform I stamped the large hot air balloon stamp from Remnants CMS130 stamp set. I stamped the tiny hot air from the tiny things set 3 times. I used distress crayons to colour the balloons and background and added remnant rubs.

    iGirlZoe: Three Is Not A Crowd
    The background is stamped in fired brick distress ink with walnut stain distress ink blended in and stamped twice using the stamp platform. 3 idea-ology adornment stars were added with distress collage glue.

    iGirlZoe: Three Is Not A Crowd
    Finally, I stitched with a sewing machine and mounted onto classic kraft stock.

    I hope you will find time to join in the challenge and pop over to Frilly and Funkie challenge blog to see the rest of the DT’s projects. All the products I used are available from The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Zoe

     



  8. Holiday 2017

    11th December, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    Happy Holidays friends! Whether you celebrate Christmas or just enjoy the magic of the festive season, I hope that you have found some inspiration from Tim Holtz’s holiday inspiration series. Check out all SIX incredible weeks of festive follies over from week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5 and week 6.

    iGirlZoe: Holiday 2017
    Here’s the recap of my holiday makes…

    iGirlZoe: Fa La La La
    Fa La La La

    iGirlZoe: Joy to the World
    Joy to the World

    iGirlZoe: Tim Holtz Inspired December Daily
    Tim Holtz Inspired December Daily

    iGirlZoe: Tis the Season
    Tis the Season

    iGirlZoe: Oh Starry Night
    Oh Starry Night

    iGirlZoe: O Christmas Tree
    O Christmas Tree

    iGirlZoe: Holiday Gift Card Holder
    Holiday Gift Card Holder

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Tidings of Comfort and Joy

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    It’s a Wrap

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    Another big thank you to Tim Holtz, Mario Rossi and Paula Cheney. And a big thank you for the lovely comments you have left over the past few weeks, here and on social media. Merry Christmas!

    Zoe


  9. It’s a Wrap!

    8th December, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    I’m bringing you my final piece for the Tim Holtz holiday inspiration series. I hope you’ve been following along with Tim on instagram and facebook throughout November and December. If you’ve missed anything, you can catch up with all the inspiration on Tim’s blog from week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5 and week 6!

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    As there are only 17 sleeps until Christmas, (yes, I’m counting), this is a nice quick and simple way to give your gifts a little personal touch with a gift adornment!

    Using the Sizzix gift tag thinlits die and sidekick, as well as the Stampers Anonymous holiday and stripes stamp set to create the background. I added foil and vintage photo distress ink to the edges and vintage twine to the top. Then decorated…

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    ..die cut from the festive berries thinlits set, christmas paper doll, metallic holiday sticker and mercury glass stickles.

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    ..die cut from the christmastime village thinlits set and metallic holiday sticker.

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    ..die cut numbers that came with the Sizzix sidekick (LOVE THESE), christmas remnant rubs and stickles mercury glass.

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    ..die cut from mini festive greens thinlits set edged with mercury glass stickles, idea-ology bells covered with red pepper alcohol ink and metallic holiday sticker.

    iGirlZoe: It's A Wrap
    …Okay, I literally couldn’t stop myself from making another gift card holder, decorated in a similar way as the gift adornments and adding holly form the mini festive greens thinlits set and christmas ephemera.

    Thanks so much to Tim Holtz, Mario Rossi and Paula Cheney for inviting me to be a part of this years seasonal team and for all of their hard work, guidance and support. Thanks to all of you for your kind words of encouragement. I will be back on Monday with a recap of all my holiday inspiration series makes. Hope you have a great weekend.

    Cheers
    Zoe

     



  10. Tidings of Comfort and Joy

    4th December, 2017 by iGirlZoe

    Hello friends. I’m back today with another gift card holder I made for the Tim Holtz holiday inspiration series. If you’ve been following Tim on instagram and facebook throughout November and December, you will have seen his holiday inspiration series. If you’ve missed anything, you can catch up with all the inspiration on Tim’s blog from week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4 and week 5.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Part of what I love about the festive season is there’s so many reasons to get creative. I love to use the seasonal products in my stash to make matching stationery. As my current obsession is with the gift card package die, I thought I would make another gift card holder to match a card I made for the holiday inspiration series and uses only 2 additional products, (idea-ology wood slices and the gift card package thinlits die).

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 1: Die cut 2 pieces of kraft cardstock and the rest distress mixed media heavystock using the Tim Holtz Sizzix gift card package thinlits die. The bow and ribbon die cuts were sprayed with frayed burlap distress spray stain and the mini tag I didn’t end up using but put into my december daily stash.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 2: Fold the pocket and secure to a non stick craft mat with tape.
    Step 3: Secure the mini plaid stencil over the top and blend candied apple distress ink through the stencil.
    Step 4: Blend in vintage photo and walnut stain distress ink into the edges and stitch with a sewing machine.
    Step 5: Apply distress collage medium to the side tables, fold and glue into place.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 6: Follow steps 3 and 4 on the package topper, (the long kraft cardstock piece from step 1).
    Step 7: Adhere the package topper to the gift card insert with distress collage medium.
    Step 8: Place the gift card insert onto the Tim Holtz Tonic stamp platform and secure in place with magnets. Stamp the tree stamp from the Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous great outdoors stamp set with peeled paint distress ink. Slide the insert to the right, keeping it butted up against the top and keep stamping.
    Step 9: Place the bow and ribbon die cuts onto the Tim Holtz Tonic stamp platform and adhere with a pin prick of distress collage medium. It will easily pull away afterwards and the magnets won’t get in the way. Stamp with the background stamp from Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous sparkles and christmas stamp set.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 10: Stamp a sentiment over the trees. This will be hiding under the gift card for the recipient. You could add “congratulations” – “thank you” – “happy birthday” – “happy anniversary” for a non holiday gift card holder.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 11: Line up the ribbon with the bow and glue the ribbon onto the pocket with distress collage medium.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 12: To decorate the pocket, I stamped the wood slice from the great outdoors stamp set and used a 3/4 inch paper punch to punch the center and adhered to a wood slice with distress collage glue. Die cut greens from classic kraft stock with the Tim Holtz Sizzix festive greens thinlits set. Add idea-ology baubles dyed with red pepper alcohol ink.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 13: Bend up the tabs on the gift card insert very slightly.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 14: Slide your gift card in from the bottom.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Step 15: Push the insert into the pocket and you’re done.

    iGirlZoe: Tidings of Comfort and Joy
    Thanks for stopping by. I will be back with my final project for the holiday inspiration series on Friday. Hope you have a great week.

    Cheers
    Zoe x