Thursday 2 September 2010

Self expression - make mine aaarrgh!


Where on earth did I get the idea from? And if it wasn't my idea, (I fear it was), why did I speak it - let alone commit to it? Hand me a gun someone, I need to shoot my foot. Learn me a lesson. Perhaps a big gaping hole in my foot will make it more obvious to me when I'm about to shove my foot into my mouth. For goodness sake - you don't have to page far through this blog to see that I'm hopeless at grunge, altered and anything vaguely in the Tim Holtz school. I can't even call him Sir Tim. It's silly. Don't misunderstand - I like the products and love love love the look of the style, but I cannot reproduce it unless I copy copy copy. Not so good!
The point of this whinge-fest is becoming an urgent difficulty. I've got a workshop to do - we've (OK, I've) facetiously called it Jul!a Holtz - four cards in THAT style. Do you get it? Wish I did - how did I manage to delude myself so!! I own 5 DI pads, 2 TH dies and 2 Stamper's Anonymous stamps. And no desire to do anything vaguely grungy, and don't start on Steampunk, I surely don't know what it is, and I don't want my attempts showing up somewhere like the fabulous Regretsy site!
So, this is short because interweb, I have some time to invest......I promise I'll show you, they may come out reasonably well, who knows - but just bear in mind the foolish pain I will be going through. And remind me about this post, next time you see me hovering at the Ranger product stand. Indeed, you can shoot my other foot if you like!

27 comments:

Cardarian said...

I think you will do just fine! I am the same as you! I love the products and the look but I just can't get my mind around it! I just copy what I see elsewhere! Maybe you will invent some new way! Yes right! A Julia Holtz way! Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Karen said...

Whoo!!! Cardarian , thats a brill idea....a Julia Holtz version of grunge!!! I have trouble with it too and if I am honest it all looks so samey. Now there will be a list of people wanting to shoot my feet hahahaha!!! Good luck Julia XXX

jodpea said...

U already have a gun to hand! And I think sticky tape might hurt less than any other ammunition! I have had this gripe and I was told rather matter of factly that Mr Holtz's products don't have to be used for an output of grunge, Hels latest offering on the Artistic Stamper blog use Rangers alcohol inks to amazing effect and Kath always manages to create sweet cards with TH products! Embrace this as a challenge dear Mrs D, show the world it doesnt all have to be dark & gothic!

Cath Wilson said...

ROFL, Julia - you are SO funny! That's the best way to learn but I recognise those feelings cos when I did weekly classes I used to do this all the time with styles and techniques I'd never tried - STEEP learning curve and lots of blue air, he, he. NOT funny, though when you're going through it. I once did it with Beeswax collage - can you imagine? I HATED it. As for grungy - just add lots of inks, tatter the edges, use metal embellishments, a flourish or two and you're there. Not THAT difficult, honestly - just a mind set. Best of luck.

Carmen said...

I love it! I think you should do the Jul!a twist on T!m, lots of bright colours. Show how versatile the stamps are for people who don't like grunge.

Failing that... bribe Mrs Holtz to dress up like you and take the class?

Sue said...

PMSL at this post Julia, i luv the stuff to have got few ink pads but i cannot alter or make anything look like some of the lovely stuff i see on blogs, luv the Julia Holtz, suit me better than Tim!!! Have fun, look forward to seeing your creations!!!! Have good day, sue,xx

Helen said...

Have a ball - I dare you! Your Jul!a style will be fab. We need variety (and this comes from a TH addict, as you know!)

Jan Hennings said...

I'll bet you'll do fine and I can't wait to see!

Claire said...

Julia, I'm sure you'll do a grand job of re-creating a la Tim. can't wait to see what you come up with

Annie said...

We all have faith in your ability of doing a perfectly good job with this task :-) Looking forward to seeing the results.
A x

Kirsty.A said...

I can't do grunge either. Distressing distresses me and I just can't deal with the messy process, although I love seeing other people's results. Best of luck with your workshop

Bettythebaglady said...

Can't beat jumping in at the deep end. Anyway the pupils may amaze you-isn't that what makes it worth while. Don't suppose you are going to SCCS show at GMEX (or whatever they call it these days-think it's Manchester Central-if you are so am I and I would love to meet you.)Hugs BettyXXX

Bettythebaglady said...

Julia by the way I don't do grunge really but it is fantastic what you can get from one DI pad used in different ways.If you want a few thoughts e-mail me. Hugs BettyXXX

Carmen said...

I do have a diary - how organised or what eh? I had to buy one as I couldn't keep track of all the crafty commitments with GA and I'm also compiling their newsletter so was getting myself in a bit of a tizz. Diary was needed.

The handprints is my mousemat - a freebie from a baby company.

The special September thing is Ruby turning 3 on the 28th (and then starting nursery on the 29th) so I finally, FINALLY get to give her her Mr Tumble doll. And you didn't miss it as it was you that pointed me in the direction of Wipso to make him :D Thankooo!

donnalouiserodgers said...

Get A Grip - it is called learning - and you will NOT always have to copy - Grunge Is Good Steam Punk is fab - (the descriptive terms are C£&P - )...
hahahahhhhhaaa

I am so cruel - no pain no gain...

Ju!ia Holtz...

Dx

SDCrafts said...

I suppose you have to let yourself go - use what you KNOW and adapt it subtly. The grunge thing fazes me too but I did manage something the other day but may not blog it! Unless everyone begs me too...

All the very best with the class Julia.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I call myself an altered artist and I am NOT a fan of Tim Holtz. Yep, he's got a lot of products, but they are massed produced and saturate the market far and wide, so it's not hard to spot them. You don't have to be like TH (and I don't call him Sir or worship at his feet, either), but can create a lot of art that doesn't look like his, but uses his products. Possibly the best way to approach the workshop is to use what you have and look at those dies and stamps in a new light. The "with one stamp" articles in each Somerset Studios Magazine show you can use a stamp in many different ways. And take those dies and turn them into masks or stencils, using (in a pinch) file folders or overhead transparencies. Or cut two identical pieces of foam from the dies, glue them together, and turn them into stamps. Like Betty, I have a few ideas, too. If you would like, please shoot me an e-mail rather than shooting your foot and I will help the best I can.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Hey dear, that should have read "mass produced." I really DO know how to talk, just not type as fast as I think (grin).

Pam said...

Must admit i don't own a single TH product so I am no use to you whatsoever,all i can say is goodluck:-)

xx

Poppit said...

Hilarious Julia! Loving in the irreverent tone!

Paige said...

I don't get grunge either. Love the look of it but just seem to make a big ol' mess when I try and 'tim' anything. Good luck with the class and if you do manage to come up with the 'Julia' method you'll have to show me in October ;)

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Jul!a Holtz! you make great art, and using Ranger's products do not have to be grungy! In fact I have just made an ATC which is not grungy at all.. except for the fact I have used grungepaper.. a medium I quite like for some of its properties. I love what you have done... and remember it is all the mind...do what you do best.. a Mrs Dunnit style, and add bits along the way, if they fit.... a challenge , if I send you bits would you make a Mrs Dunnit style piece?
Hugs x

nerllybird said...

Lol, Julia, just layer! I think you'll find that the Sir label is largely ironic; personally I like to refer to him as St Tim...:D

misteejay said...

I'm sure you will manage this perfectly well...as has already been commented - the TH style doesn't have to be totally grunge.

Have fun.

Toni :o)

Traceyr said...

I love your September pages I think they are great. :)

Unknown said...

I think that the grungy look can be reproduced quite easily.. I think its a very 'dirty' look so i think it would be quite hard to get it terribly wrong. Love the suggestions Elizabeth used - and probably can be adapted to lots of styles... she's a very talented lady so we could all learn something from her... I;m sure that you'll be able to wing it with the few products you own... get a bit of water, make a mister and you're well away!!! Good luck - can't wait for the story in the aftermath LOL...

Just put your protective footwear on and wing it!

Paula x x x

Nan said...

I am looking forward to seeing your cards Julia. I am struggling this week to make my grunge flowers...I think I like pretty pretty too much and sometimes the creative side of me refuses to cooperate when it's Tim Time. It's all good though...we need to stretch creatively I guess!