Hello … bonjour! My excitement at being here today, Guest Designing again with the talented Simon Says Stamp Wednesday team, is tinged with just a hint of sadness that this is my final week. It’s been an absolute delight to work with the lovely Lols and Jo (as well as the rest of the DT) this month … thank you so much, ladies, for the opportunity and for the warm welcome … it’s been an honour and a privilege! Thanks also to all of you … friends, commenters, visitors and readers … your support and encouragement has been fabulous … I’m grateful for every single one of you!
So, onto our new challenge, which this week is ‘Anything Goes‘ … and we’re showcasing products from Tim Holtz. You don’t need to use Tim Holtz goodies to join in … but we’d love to see them if you have some! As always, if you play along, you’ll be in with a chance of winning a $50 GV to spend at the wonderful Simon Says Stamp store … and it’s nearly Die-cember … how’s that for an incentive to join us!
Up until a while ago, the only Tim Holtz products I had in my stash were Distress Inks (were there some incredulous sharp intakes of breath there??), which I love. Then I was given some mini stencils (thanks, Darnell!) … and though they’ve been played with, this is the first time they’ve made an appearance on any cards. The first is an almost one layer floral number …
I masked a linen card base and sponged Distress Inks in Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin and Seedless Preserves through the Tim Holtz Scribble Mini Stencil … and then spritzed it all lightly with water. The stencil was removed and when the ink was dry, I added a touch of Delicata Gold to the rose centres (at least that’s what they look like to me!) and did some splattering (Delicata Gold and Seedless Preserves). The die cut happy is from Winnie & Walter (covered with Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle) and the secondary stamped and heat embossed sentiment is from Simon’s Happy & Smile set. I finished with a scattering of black Enamel Accents. Here’s a look at the shimmer … 
I went all rustic and neutral with my second card … and added a pop of bright colour …
This time I used a panel of mixed media paper and sponged Ground Espresso Distress Ink through the Tim Holtz Woodgrain Mini Stencil. When the panel was dry, I sponged over it with Antique Linen Distress Ink, which softened the woodgrain pattern. The pine branches (Gina K Designs Festive Foliage) were stamped and heat embossed in white and the fir cones were treated to a touch of the Ground Espresso Distress Ink. The die cut sentiment is from Concord & 9th’s Holy Night (except the tréma, which is from Simon’s Joyeux Noël) … it was sponged with Candied Apple Distress Ink and clear heat embossed before being adhered flat to the panel. The panel was added to a card base of mixed media paper … and I was done. The shine isn’t too obvious here … here’s close up so you can see it better …
If you haven’t been there already, do pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday blog to check out all the fantastic Tim Holtz creations from the Design Team … you’ll love them! Hope you’ll be inspired to play along with us this week … maybe a Christmas card or two to add to your collection?
So, this last card brings me to the end of my month in the Designer Spotlight … and I’ve loved it! Again, thanks so much to Lols, Jo and the DT … and to all of you for cheering me on here for the last five weeks. I think you already know it, but I love to tell you … your visits and comments are always a joy! Anita 🙂
My Papercraft World 
Absolutely gorgeous cards Anita! both of them are stunning! I love the colours and simple design of them both, very very lovely 🙂
It really has been such a great pleasure to have you with us this month and we are all sad to see you go, but we will continue to stalk your blog to see your gorgeous creations! 🙂
Thanks again for agreeing to be in the spotlight! 🙂
luv
Lols x x x
Anita they are both gorgeous, you should get more Tim products because you do wonders with them.
Its been fab having you guest with us, I have loved seeing all your gorgeous creations xx
A gorgeous showcase of Mr. Holtz’s products, Anita! The stencils make a gorgeous backdrop for your cards. It’s been a real treat having you with us this month!
Two absolutely stunning cards Miss Anita…love your gorgeous backgrounds, so beautiful.
Not one incredulous sharp intakes of breath here, Anita… you even have Distress Inks I hadn’t even heard of before [Carved Pumpkin?? where has that been hiding?]. Darnell is a fabulous friend to share these wonderful stencils – also new to me!
I’m in love with your beautiful cards, my friend … you are such a fabulous guest designer for Simon!
=]
That woodgrain took my breath away, Anita. I thought it was paper and to hear it was a stencil just made me want to get it. I do have Tim’s woodgrain embossing folder but it’s not the same. I love the white embossed pine and cones with it. The way you’ve applied the colors to the flower stencil gives such dimension and created a lovely panel. You’ve done SSS proud with all your wonderful cards this month.
Bravo, Anita!! Today’s cards are so beautifully crafted! So awesome to have you guest designing with us over SSS Wednesday Challenge!!
You are ending your stint with a bang Anita! I love both of these cards, I haven’t dabbled much with stencils but I do love the look of them. I love your flower card but it is your second card that has me drooling all over my computer! lol I love that one!! Hugs, Brenda
what an amazing way to end your incredible month as a guest designer, anita!! both cards are stunning!!
These are exquisite! I am totally loving the soft colours of the ‘rustic neutral’ pine on the wood panel background!
Two really gorgeous cards, Anita! I love your stenciling and beautiful sparkly sentiment on the first one and your Christmas card is so festive! You have really done an amazing job as Guest Designer for November…I’ve enjoyed every one of your posts…Congrats again!
It’s they who should be thanking you, Anita! You’ve done a masterful job Guest Designing these last five weeks and you have provided us with goblets of wonderful inspiration! These two are again lovely and festive works of art! You show your wide range between the feminine rosy number and the bold and manly rustic make which I love equally!! AILYAMYTMA!! Hugs, Darnell
Great job being the featured designer at SSS this month, Anita. Your style is always fresh and uniquely creative. You are an inspiration to us all. Today’s two stenciled cards are examples of your wonderful talent. xx
Loved your inspiration this month Anita and what an amazing job as their featured artist and designer spotlight. Gorgeous blending and sponging on your first card with the prettiest of colours. Those white pine cones just pop off the card and look fabulous on your second card x Thank you for the creative and fabulous inspiration x
Anita these cards are just lovely. They have the “Anita look” but also a new style. Goodness how you continue to flourish in your artistic creativeness. 🙂 Barb
You’re doing an amazing job as their guest Anita!! They should snatch you up on a permanent basis! Your cards are beautiful. The colors of the roses on the first are wonderful. I love the woodgrain background with those stunning white pinecones on your second card. Fabulous work!!
Great designing on all your cards in this stint as guest designer. I particularly love the Noel card this time! Sending smiles and hugs to you.
You’ve just tempted me with another new-to-me product! I wasn’t aware of these stencils and love the effect. The scribble blooms are gorgeous in those lovely colors. And the woodgrain is amazing! The pine foliage is something that I actually have, an older Waltzingmouse set. Yay!!
Anita,
So good to see you guest designing for Simons, I too am sad its the last week. YOu showed off that TH stuff so festively.
Amazing Anita – what a fabulous way you’ve used those stencils. I never feel as though I do my stencils justice…maybe I need to CASE one of these!
Beautiful cards! The flower stencil and Distress Ink colours looks amazing with the sparkly die cut happy birthday 😁. Wishing you a happy weekend! J 😊
Your first card is absolutely stunning! Love the graduation of colors, it adds so much depth! Also love the splatters and the sparkly sentiment! The second card is pretty, too! Heat embossing on wood grain paper works like a charm!
You totally rocked this GD spot with your creative and wonderful creations! The layout and the warm colors of the first card make me swoon! And I love the rustic and cozy feel of the second card! Adore them both! I think I say that about everyone of your cards but it is true!
Your incredible talents and infinite capacity to work with stamps/dies (and a plethora of various techniques in using them) also appears to encompass stencils as well! You’ve created magic with these TH stencils! The roses are beautiful and the woodgrain? Oh my stars! I was certain it was designer paper! Cheering and applauding your GD roles at Simon Says; you’ve been an outstanding ambassador in showcasing a wide range of their products!
Hugs~c