Merry Christmas! December 25 2015, 4 Comments

Milk and Cookies for Santa Sign December 24 2015, 0 Comments

Baking cookies for Santa is an iconic part of the Christmas eve celebration. But, for us crafters, finding ways to display our delicious treats can be just as much fun.

For this project I broke out my Silhouette and grabbed a template from my stash that I've been waiting for an excuse to use (A2 Thank You Chalkboard Easel Card by Lori Whitlock). My kit choice was a no-brainer; I really love the classic design ad amazing variety of patterns and textures of the TB&CO's Art Journal Caravan™ 2013 December Collection.

I just popped a couple of the papers, hexagon patterns, and elements into the template, printed everything out, and let my Portrait do the dirty work. Lastly, I put everything together with a little glue and some string: easy as pie. How cute is that owl?

There you have it, a new spin on an old ritual that will surely help your cookies stand out among the rest!

[posted by Karli-Marie]

Festive Holiday Cutlery Envelopes December 23 2015, 0 Comments

Happy December Everyone! Tangie Baxter & CO Crew Member Glenda here to share my quick and simple Festive Holiday Cutlery Envelopes. It’s as easy as print, cut and tape!

You will need a few supplies to get started - and you probably already have most of these!

8.5 x 11 craft paper, cardstock or photo paper in a neutral color

Printer or ability to access one

Digital decorations, I used TB&CO’s December Grab Bag No.16 Evergreen now sold as a separate kit and also semi-solid, textured papers from TB&CO's Art Journal Caravan™ 2013 December Collection

Scissors or paper cutter

Tape or tape wheel

Some ribbon or cord for extra embellishment

Festive napkins

Permanent marker

Ok, let’s go! First you need to choose a design for your envelopes. I have provided a basic template that can be decorated and personalized. I’ve also included a few ready to go envelopes, including at least one with space for a guest’s name.

PSD Blank Envelope Template

Ready to Go 1

Ready to Go 2

Ready to Go 3

Ready to Go 4

Ready to Go 5

Now print your choice or choices - I’m thinking of mixing them up this year for a fun, casual look.

Use scissors or paper cutter to cut out your envelopes.

With the printed side facing down, simply fold up the bottom flap and then fold in each side flap until you have formed your envelope. Use roller tape on the underside edge of your top flap to securely fasten it to the bottom flap. Regular tape on the outside will also work.

If you’re using an envelope with space for a guest’s name, now is a good time to write it in with a permanent marker.

Cut a length of ribbon or cord at least 16 inches long. I used triple strands on a couple of my envelopes because the cording was thin. With your printed side facing up, tie a simple bow around your envelope.

And - viola! - the “hard” part is complete!

Place your napkin in a diamond shape in front of you and arrange your cutlery in the center with your tallest piece at the top point.

Fold each side of the diamond, one at a time, over your cutlery.

Carefully open the envelope and insert the napkin-wrapped cutlery.

That’s all there is to it! You can put these quick and easy Festive Cutlery Envelopes in the center of or alongside your plates, or arrange them in a basket for a buffet table.

Thank you all for looking! I hope this month brings you peace and joy wherever you may be!

Grab Bags are only available for a limited time once a month and are priced on a sliding scale, so act fast for the best deal!  For more information visit TB&CO Grab Bags.

For more information on the Art Journal Emporium visit Art Journal Emporium - Tangie Baxter & CO.

[Posted by: Glenda Mulac]

Last Minute Gift Idea - Gift that Craft Stash December 22 2015, 0 Comments

First let me wish the crew Merry Christmas and have a happy and safe Holiday Season.

Since this is the month of December and at some point a gift may pass our hands. I got to thinking we as crafters, artists, hobbyists and any other creative labels have the perfect inventory for gift giving to our creative buddies.  I know that anyone who partakes in workshops or art classes probably has an art stash that could help rebuild a major retail craft business in the event of low inventory. (Smile). So why not create some awesome emergency mixed media art or collage art kits, that your recipient would surely love to receive. I know I've been to workshops that a kit like this would have been very useful. So much easier than trying to buy all those bits and baubles.

First thing to do is to organize the stash you no longer have a need for. Paper, broken jewelry, ribbons, stamps (tip: stamp some of your favorite stamps on tissue paper, great for decoupage), beads, paint, glue etc.

Evaluate them and sort. New, barely used, not useful to you (one man's trash), and items that may have lost their appeal to you.

Tip: Partially used scrap paper cut up into squares bundle with ribbon. Place strips of scrap paper in a small bag.

Once you've done this use one of those photo boxes you bought and never used (smile). An old or new canning jar or spaghetti sauce jar works good too. Decorate the container so the recipient can reuse it for storing future items. Think of what your recipient likes to create. Gather items from your stash and fill the box or jar. Create a tag that has the message "Emergency Mixed Media Kit".  The next time your buddy needs bits and baubles for a project or workshop they will know exactly what to grab.

Tip: Great gift for elementary school teachers, senior centers, community after school programs etc.

A saying I use all the time is "if life gives you scraps, create something with them"!

For more information on Art Journal Pockets visit Art Journal Pockets- Tangie Baxter & Co..

[posted by Kimberly]

Quickity Split Collage Christmas Ornaments December 21 2015, 2 Comments

Happy Holidays!  Today I am sharing a little project to make an ornament using the papers from Tangie’s Quickity Split Sweet December Collection.  As a base I used 2 1/2" Wood Round Ornament Cutouts from Craftparts.com.  They have inexpensive wood products that are fun to collage and paint.  I prepared them by sanding slightly.

Then I cut my papers from the Quickity Split Sweet December Collection into randomly sized strips.

Next, I glued the strips in random combinations to each side of the ornaments using Matte Medium. After the medium dried, I gently sanded the edges.

On one side of each ornament, I used the Tim Holtz® Poinsettia Stencil and Dylusions red paint.  I also painted the sides with the same paint.  When dry, I outlined the poinsettia leaves with black pen.  I decided I wanted a little sparkle so I added red Stickles™Glitter Glue on the leaves.  On the back, I left the strips of paper plain and simply added rub on words from Tim Holtz® Remnant Rubs. Finally, I added red jute for hanging.

Below is a close up of one ornament.  The glitter doesn’t show as well on camera, but it adds some holiday sparkle.

Have an artsy holiday season,

[posted by Anne]

**PRE-SALE** Tangible Plans™ 2016 "How To" Workshop & Exclusive 2016 Packages December 19 2015, 3 Comments

From Tangie Baxter & CO's Newsletter:

2016 is almost here! What better way to celebrate and bring in the new year than to create a one of a kind planner/calendar for you? We're throwing a planning party and we've got lots "planned" (see what I did there?)! We're even going to show you how you can use Tangible Plans in your current planner if you prefer to start with a base. There are new tip in templates, new ideas and so much more waiting for you!

Introductory price is only $10! PLUS! If you purchase the class before it begins on December 28th you will get a $5.00 coupon to grab anything in our planner section on the first day of class!

You'll need to have the starter kit for the workshop which is on sale right now!

Stay informed on the happenings at TB&CO.  Sign-up for the newletter here.

[posted by Joy]

The Art Journal Caravan is Back! December 18 2015, 0 Comments

Over the years I've seen so much growth and an explosion of online resources for Art Journaling, it's awesome-- in the true sense of that word. I can't help but sit here with a huge smile on my face, grateful for the journey. To think it was six years ago that I started a little adventure called "The Art Journal Caravan", the first online workshop of it's kind. I've grown so much since then, as has the creative world we live in. It is with deep affection and a little skip in my step that I openly tell the world that my heart has been called back to that original journey. The Caravan is back, come join the adventure!

I'm also announcing our *NEW* prepaid packages for those of you who don't want a monthly subscription. 

The Tangerine Telescope and the Printed collage sheets will now coordinate with the monthly Art Journal Caravan themes. You will want to sign up now if you want the January Shipment!

[posted by Joy]

Get Ready to Bag Them Up - Holiday Gift Bag & Card Tutorial December 17 2015, 1 Comment

After years of coming up short on hostess gifts and small favors for an unexpected dinner guest I came up with these bags.  I make up a dozen or so and just keep them on hand to fill with home baked goods or small purchases I have stockpiled and they are also wonderful to use as doggie bags after that huge Christmas Dinner.  This bag is your greeting card and wrapping all in one.  If you are using it for a Doggie Bag and have served an item you hold a treasured recipe for, the card is a great place to document the recipe, or just include the menu for dinner.  Sometimes the simplest of things relieve the stress best.

These are the basic supplies needed, I have used a standard lunch bag for my example but you can modify for any size you may need to use.

• Begin with the bag, punching a half circle with a 1.5” circle punch at the top/center.
• Take the doily from Tangie Baxter & CO's Art Journal Caravan™ 2013 December Collection and cut it in half on the horizon tal.  
• Adhere it to the bag and then cut the center out of the Doily and punch a hole on each side for the baker’s twine.  
• Take a strip of patterned paper approximately ½” tall by the exact width of the bag and adhere to the bag.  
• Using a thick piece of cardboard or plastic a little less than the width yet taller than the bag, insert into the bag so that you have only the top layer available to cut.  
• With a cutting tool cut a slit approximately ⅛” in from each side and in the center of your patterned strip.  This slit creates the opening you will slide your greeting/holiday card into. Put the bag aside.
• It is time to move onto the card.  
• Card size used for the sandwich bag is 5.5” wide by 4” tall.  I used TB&CO's Art Journal Caravan™ 2013 December Collection

  , the

   stars are from Tangie's "Bestiary of Beasties" not currently available in the store and the “Merry Christmas” is a rub-on from Pebbles, Inc. 
• At this point slip the card in and add embellishments to the bag. Card finished, just slip it into the slot, add your tissue paper and contents.

Here's the bag with card outside the bag:

[posted by Sandi Kelly]

Santa Banner - A Mixed Media Tutorial December 16 2015, 0 Comments

Happy Holidays!  Do you believe in Santa Claus?  I must, because I have a collection of Santas that I lovingly bring out each Christmas season.  I thought a banner of Santas might complement my decor. This project uses a combination of digital and mixed media.

Start by creating digital banners:

1. Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, open 3 banner template in Edit, add elements (I used TB&CO For the Hex of It No 3).  
2. Make 5 different pages of the 3 banner page.
3. Save and print (for “antique look” I printed on cream cardstock). 

NOTE:  Instead of the digital process, print out 5 copies of 3 banner template and enhance with elements.

   Now the mixed media part:

1. Add paint, doodles and glitter - whatever pleases you.
2. Fold on the fold line to form ribbon casing, staple and add Washi tape on front to cover the staples.
3. Cut out bottom and sides of each page and between banners.

Cut ribbon the length of all the banner pages plus 12-18 inches and insert into casing.

 Hang on your wall! Ho-Ho-Ho, have a Merry Christmas!

Tangie Baxter Christmas Kits, Rebecca McMeen Christmas Kits all available at Tangie Baxter & Co.

[Posted by Jan Nicholas]

Art Journal Pockets - December Abstract December 15 2015, 1 Comment

Hello Everyone,

Today I would like to share a brief look into my creative process for making my most recent AJP for December - Abstract. I really loved this freebie sheet, available as part of the Art Journal Pockets Workshop, the colours and shapes are just gorgeous.

I printed the sheet on plain white 200gsm card stock from the local office shop.  Then I cut it up, collected some things from my stash and sat down to begin playing with combinations. When I had a fair idea, I began adding the background detail with markers (Montana, Posca and Sharpies) and added a little bit of washi to one of the sections.

Once happy with the background, I added further details, such as pinwheels, butterflies, flowers and triangles, perhaps not so abstract, but the background is, and it is what I felt like doing at the time.

I love playing with colour and these little pockets are the perfect playground to do so.

Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to seeing all your creations in the December gallery for Challenge number 7 if you are using this freebie sheet from Tangie.

For more information on Art Journal Pockets visit Art Journal Pockets- Tangie Baxter & Co..

[posted by Zeneva Kovic]