Upcycling with Tim Holtz

Guest blogger Tim Holtz shares his project for an upcycled card below. Don't forget to check out our Q&A on creativity with Tim here.

hey everyone, i am so excited to be asked to be part of cre8time and Creativity Made Simple, and since earth day is also this month i wanted to share some ideas for upcycling. this card uses some supplies you most likely have around the house so why not craft with them? with just a a few other crafty elements and some distress ink, you’ll be on your way to cre8time for yourself and make this one of a kind card. here’s what you’ll need to get started...

supplies: cardboard, clear packaging, distress ink, ink blending tool, glossy accents, archival ink, #5 manila tag, mister, kraft resist cardstock, crinkle ribbon, trinket pin, muse token, game spinners, tissue tape, “possibilities” stamp, kraft core cardstock, twigs edge die, mini butterflies die, fancy frames texture fade, vagabond machine

steps:
1. first, gather up some stuff to upcycle like a piece of cardboard from a box, and some clear packaging (we all end up with plenty of this stuff right? well start saving it).

2. tear off some of the top layer of paper from cardboard and die cut the twigs edge.

3. next die cut 2 mini butterflies from cardboard. i love the texture of these.

4. cut a sheet of plastic packaging to fit your card and emboss it using a texture fade with a vagabond machine. i love embossing plastic packaging since it “stresses” the plastic and actually frosts the design while embossing it, so cool.

5. stamp text on to tag using archival ink and distress all paper elements (twigs, butterflies, tag, background kraft resist, and kraft core card) using assorted colors of distress ink with an ink blending tool.

6. colorize a piece of crinkle ribbon to match your card by misting the ribbon with water and swiping distress ink directly over the ribbon. crinkle the ribbon into a ball and let dry or dry with a heat tool.

7. place the tag on to the kraft resist background and adhere it using strips of tissue tape for contrast.

8. secure the plastic packaging over the tag and background. i used a sewing machine to do this step, but you could also use brads or a stapler (i personally don’t like to use any types of adhesive for this step).

9. adhere the layered background and die cut elements to cardstock using glossy accents. add various embellishments to finish the project. i thought using game spinners on the butterflies was a fun idea. *image9

well i hope you enjoyed that idea for upcycling! if you’re like me, you’ll most likely use that idea for other projects. all it takes is a few supplies, and some cre8time which i hope you remember to take a little for yourself every chance you get...

tim holtz

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Tim Holtz is the Creative Director for Ranger Industries, one of the leading manufacturers of innovative inks, paints, and embossing products. Tim plays an integral part in the development and design of cutting edge paper crafting products. Tim has teamed up with various key companies like Ranger, Advantus,Stampers Anonymous, Sizzix, Tonic Studios, and Core’dinations to bring unique products that work hand in hand with Ranger’s extensive lines.

As a well known designer, Tim travels across the country and internationally to educate and introduce people to his world of ink techniques, project ideas, and so much more. His books “A Compendium of Curiosities” Vol.1 and Vol.2 are filled with creative and inspiring ideas for paper crafters and beyond.