23rd August, 2020

Specimen

Hello everyone. Did you catch the Tim Holtz facebook LIVE showcasing the new Stampers Anonymous Halloween stamps? If you know me, you know that stamps are my jam and Halloween is my favourite flavour, so this is always my favourite release of the year.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
I love tapping into my dark side during Halloween and those dark days are coming… but I wanted to share this card first and show that these stamps are not just for Halloween…

The specimen CMS410 stamps blew me away. They are big bugs, but certainly not too big for cards. The detail is incredible and they totally have a silence of the lambs vibe… (trust me, it’s going to get really freaky in the coming weeks)!

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
Background stamps are so useful and this set Tapestry CMS414, can certainly be used all year, like the Specimen set.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
I covered the stamp with distress embossing goo, I hate the stuff, it’s sticky and gross but it’s awesome for embossing and a baby wipe takes it off your stamp and lets face it, who isn’t washing their hands 60 times an hour?! Be gentle with it, it’s thick and if you squeeze it you’ll blow the top off and you’ll have sticky gross goo everywhere! I store mine upside down and pump the dabber top on my glass media mat to prime the dabber and then you’re ready to go. I used speckled egg distress glaze and walnut stain distress crayon, using a baby wipe to remove some of the crayon from the glaze, which acts as a resist.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
It wouldn’t be Halloween without Blackout kraft-stock from the idea-ology range. There’a truly nothing else like this and I’m beyond happy that it comes in paper pads of 24 sheets of just black. I sanded the edges and blended in walnut stain distress ink. I cut the banner frame using the retired sizzix banner die set. I can’t wait to share this years Halloween banner with you…

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
I used sizzix square frames die set to create a faux slide. I stamped “Identification Check” from the new Examination CMS412 stamp set and flicked ground espresso distress paint at the slide to give it an aged look.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
These are my background pieces ready to be assembled. I use dimensional adhesive foam on some layers to give some height. I also use scor-tape and distress collage medium as my go to adhesives.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
I love this die from the Tim Holtz mixed media thinlits die set. It reminds me of bubble wrap and adds a little texture.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
I added the small “refer to” stamp from the Examination CMS412 stamp set and the “collection of specimens” stamp from the Specimen CMS410 stamp set and of course that beautiful moth. I stamped with distress archival ink onto distress watercolor cardstock and fussy cut,  bending the wings up to give some dimension.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
I stitched the base layers using my Singer Heavy duty sewing machine. My stitching is getting better and I’m going to try stitching fabric next month with some fabric that’s “winging” it’s way t0 me… I’m nervous-excited.

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
Seriously, how awesome are these stamps?!

igirlzoe: tim holtz halloween stampers anonymous specimen examination tapestry stamps
Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your weekend and I’ll be back next week with some more Halloween makes.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Zoe



22 Comments »

  1. Mario says:

    You rocked it MFS 🤎🦋

  2. paula says:

    Thank you for participating Zoe! I love what you have made…that background could not be more beautiful with the blue and brown.

    • Jan says:

      Dear Zoe, Please keep doing what you do so well. I enjoy your tutorials and appreciate the work you put into making them. You can’t please all the people all the time so you have to please yourself.

  3. butterfly says:

    Brilliant and beautiful – your makes on the launch video were fabulous… and this blue & brown beauty is probably my favourite of all. Gorgeous. Already got some of the sets on order – and yes, not just for Halloween!
    Alison x

  4. Sam Angel says:

    Where do you all get off coming here and being so nasty? Zoe shares her gorgeous creations and tutorials for free from her heart and she is very talented. She dedicates her time and love to the addicts group and to helping other crafters. You should take a leaf out of her kind and generous book and maybe you would amount to more than life sucking online bullies!

    • kath stewart says:

      beautiful make my friend, you are now the queen of the moths, hugs kath xxx

    • Nancy says:

      Wow, Zoe! I absolutely love this make! I have so many Halloween stamps that I was really hoping for multi purpose stamps, and boy oh boy, did Mr. Holtz deliver this time. I love the new release! I also loved the new format on your blog. It was so helpful to see all the background pieces laid out in order. In fact, so easy, those tiny minded little trolls could follow the directions! May I say, whiskey tango foxtrot to the little trolls who have nothing better to do with their time? All the ❤️❤️❤️❤️ to you!

      I so missed your makes at the release because the are always the absolute best!

  5. Tina says:

    Amazing card. Always look forward to see what you create. Could you share the die number you used to make the slide?

  6. Anne R says:

    I do love that the new release has stamps that can be used all year round and that moth is fabulous and you have showcased it beautifully. The Speckled Egg looks amazing set against the grunge too. Love this! xx

  7. Sherry/scrappergirl56 says:

    I think you should block the bullies/trolls so that they are not able to post. Love the moth, and how versatile it and the background stamps are going to be…keep on making…always love everything you make…

  8. What a sad world when you spend time share your work and get vindictive nonsense to deal with. Blogging and commenting is all about generosity and sharing inspiration. I have always found inspiration here and this card is another great make love the colours, the stamps are great and I appriciate all the details and pics of your process. Thanks for keepin on sharing and inspiring xox

  9. wendy baysa says:

    What a perfect pairing, Zoe and Specimen. I absolutely love this Zoe! The layering, color palette and placement are spot on!!! This is perfection, xx

  10. Kat Hazelton says:

    Beautiful make, thank you for sharing how you made it. Really inspired😊

  11. Freddie says:

    You always knock Halloween out of the park my friend!

  12. Mackenzie says:

    What the hell, people?! Zoe, I think this is gorgeous. I absolutely love the colors, I love the ink techniques. I always get so excited when I get an email alert informing me that you have updated your blog, I always learn so much from you! Thank you so much for all you do and thank you for your wonderful contribution to the craft world. I am so sorry that you have to deal with these faceless @sshats.

  13. The tapestry in the embossed blue is FABULOUS!!! Love every detail! Pinned.

  14. Sherry/scrappergirl56 says:

    Didn’t your Mother ever tell you if you can’t say something nice STFU…just saying…

  15. Juli says:

    I always look forward to the Halloween Banners that you create! This year’s banner is starting off with a bang! Love the Speckled Egg glaze with the new tapestry stamp set! Perfect for the big beautiful Moth!! Another Spooktacular Project my friend!! Boo to you!

  16. Mandy says:

    Dear Zoe, what a wonderful creation!!! You are so talented. Amazing. Thank you for sharing. I have two questions and don‘t know if I can ask here or over another channel. Your frames look like you were sewing them around the edges. Do you use a sewing machine therefore? Is there anything you could give as advise when sewing paper? Second question is for the exact number or name of the retired sitzix frame die set, sometimes retailers still have them in stock. I‘d like to try to search for. Thanks a lot in advance.
    A big fan…

  17. Amy says:

    Awesome tutorial and as always incredible works. Love it.

  18. Absolutely stunning! Every detail, yummy.

  19. Mindy says:

    Absolutely LOVE this, Zoe — beautiful work!

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