Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Happy Halloween - A Mixed Media MemoryDex Page

It's Tuesday so it's time to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week the team is focusing on Mixed Media. Since I'm still (always) in Halloween mode, I've made another page for my MemoryDex album using the Spring Sprouts Die Set 49 by AALL and Create, Dee of Darkness Clear Stamp Set 1198 by Janet KleinFresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints by PaperArtsy, and the Hot Picks Mini Stencil PM016 by PaperArtsy.

Here's the page!


Here's a close-up!


Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
Copic Markers:
Miss Dee's Skin: BV000, BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E00, E00, R20 (cheeks)
Miss Dee's Hair: N7, N6, N5, N4
Miss Dee's Eyes: BG23, BG11
Miss Dee's Dress: BV17, FV2
Miss Dee's Mummy Wraps: T2, T1, T0, W3, W2, W1, W0, YR30, YR20
Miss Dee's Shoes: R39, R24
Miss Dee's Earrings: W00, E40, BG70
Black Multiliner Pen by Copic
Low-Tack Tape
Inkssentials Cut 'N' Dry Foam Stamp Pad by Ranger Ink
Media Modeling Paste by DecoArt
Palette Knife
6x6 Distress Brick Stencil by Paper Rose
Black Chalk Pencil by General's
Anti-Static Pouch
Clear Detail Embossing Powder by Stampendous
Red Zig Clear Color Real Brush Pens by Kuretake
Clear Gelly Roll Glaze Dimensional Gloss Gel Pen by Sakura of America
Red Zig Clear Color Real Brush Pen by Kuretake
Halloween Remnant Rubs by Tim Holtz for Idea-ology/Advantus
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp Mummy Dee from the Dee of Darkness Clear Stamp Set 1198 onto white cardstock. 
  2. Fussy-cut the image, color with Copic markers, and edge with a black multiliner pen. 
  3. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to Mummy Dee of Darkness' eyes.
  4. Use the Clear Gelly Roll Glaze pen to add a layer to Mummy Dee of Darkness's earrings. Let dry then add more layers of Glaze pen to build dimension and shine. Set Mummy Dee of Darkness aside.
  5. Use the main MemoryDex die from the Spring Sprouts Die Set 49 to cut Mixed Media cardstock. 
  6. Add drops of Vintage LaceHaze, and Stone Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints to a small piece of Inkssentials foam, pounce the foam on a craft mat to mix the paint, then pounce the paint-laden foam onto the MemoryDex card. Let dry or heat set.
  7. Place a brick stencil over the dried paint on the MemoryDex page and pounce the foam over the stencil to add a subtle tone on tone brick pattern to the MemoryDex page.
  8. Position the Hot Picks Mini Stencil PM016 onto the center of the MemoryDex card. 
  9. Use low-tack tape to cover the stone apertures and the bricks on either side of the the arch. 
  10. Add a few drops of Little Black Dress Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to a small piece of foam, pounce it onto the craft mat, then paint the center of the arch stencil. Let dry. 
  11. Remove the tape from the stones of the arch, but leave the tape on the outside of the arch covering the bricks. 
  12. Use low-tack tape to cover the center piece of the arch, then place it in the center of the arch to mask the painted area.
  13. Place a dollop of modeling paste onto a craft mat. 
  14. Add a few drops of Haze and Stone Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints onto the modeling paste, mix well, and scrape the paste over the stencil. 
  15. Remove the stencil, the tape covering it, and toss both parts of the stencil into a tub of water to facilitate cleaning.
  16. Use a palette knife to add a tiny bit of texture to the stones on the arch. Let the modeling paste air dry, then heat set. 
  17. Rub a black chalk pencil onto a piece of paper. Use a cotton swab to brush the arch stones with black chalk to age them.
  18. Place the MemoryDex page onto the stamping platform and secure with magnet.
  19. Position the web from the Dee of Darkness Clear Stamp Set facedown on the upper left of the MemoryDex page.
  20. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  21. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to ink the stamp, then stamp the web onto the MemoryDex page.
  22. Remove the stamp from the platform's lid. Clean and dry it.
  23. Position the web on the upper right of the MemoryDex page.
  24. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  25. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to ink the stamp, then stamp the web onto the MemoryDex page.
  26. Remove the Memory Dex page from the platform and heat set.
  27. Dust the MemoryDex page with an anti-static powder pouch.
  28. Place the Memory Dex page back onto the platform and secure with magnets.
  29. Position the small and large spiders from the Dee of Darkness Clear Stamp Set facedown on the webs as shown.
  30. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stampa and lift.
  31. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to ink the stamp, then stamp the spiders onto the MemoryDex page.
  32. Remove the stamps from the platform's lid. Clean and dry them.
  33. Repeat Steps #28 through 31.
  34. Remove the MemoryDex page from the platform.
  35. Add clear detail embossing powder to the spiders and heat set. 
  36. Use a red marker to add color to the spiders' eyes.
  37. Edge the MemoryDex card withh StrawberryFantasia, and Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. Heat set.
  38. Adhere the fussy-cut Mummy Dee of Darkness to the MemoryDex page. 
  39. Add a "Happy Halloween" rub-on sentiment to finish the piece.
Thanks for visiting today!



Friday, October 11, 2024

31 Days of Halloween Challenge: Day 11

Today I'm sharing another card created for the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's 31 Days of Halloween Challenge.  This card was made with the White Cat Rubber Stamp by Carmen's Veranda and the Large Perspective Grid Background Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs.



Products used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
White Flecked Kraft Cardstock: Source Unknown
Cherry Cardstock by My Colors
Copic Markers: 
Cat: BV25, BV23, BV20, N7, N6, N5, N4, R39, R27, R25, Y38, Y35
Trident: R39, R27, R25, Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21
Floor: B52, N6, N5
Trident Die by QuicKutz
Halloween Letters Dies: Source Unknown
Halloween Remnant Rubs by Tim Holtz for Idea-ology/Advantus
Thought Bubble Die: Source Unknown
Beige-ish Cloudy Vellum
Low-tack Tape
2" Sookwang Tape
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Create an A6 card from white flecked Kraft cardstock. Set aside.
  2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the White Cat onto white cardstock. 
  3. Fussy-cut the White Cat and color him with Copic markers to transform him from a disheveled sad-faced cat into a devilish black cat. 
  4. Edge the fussy-cut White Cat with a black marker. 
  5. Cut slits above and below his tail.
  6. Use the pitchfork die to cut white cardstock three times. 
  7. Use Copic markers to color the pitchforks.
  8. Cut and layer the pitchfork die-cuts to extend it's length.
  9. Slip the extended pitchform under the cat's tail and over his paws. 
  10. Set the cat and his pitchform aside while you create a background for him.
  11. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the Large Perspective Grid Background Rubber Stamp onto a white cardstock. 
  12. Color the Large Perspective Grid with Copic markers to transform the grid into a floor. 
  13. Trim the colored Large Perspective Grid panel and edge it with a black marker
  14. Cut a panel of white cardstock to 4.25" x 6".
  15. Ink the white cardstock with Sand Dune VersaFine Clair Ink and heat set. 
  16. Use low-tack tape to adhere the inked cardstock to the back of the Ornate stencil, then use magnets to secure the cardstock/stencil combo to the STAY-tion.
  17. Brush or sponge Sand Dune VersaFine Clair over over the Ornate stencil to create a subtle tone-on-tone wallpaper background.
  18. Remove the stencil and heat set the background panel.
  19. Adhere the trimmed Large Perspective Grid to the bottom of the stenciled background then edge it with with a red marker. 
  20. Adhere the devilish White Cat as shown. 
  21. Apply double-sided tape to a piece of vellum, remove the backing from the tape, then fold the vellum so that it's two layers thick.
  22. Use a thought bubble die to cut the vellum.
  23. Cut the sentiment "Something Wicked" from a sheet of Halloween Remnant Rubs.
  24. Apply the sentiment to the vellum thought bubble then adhered the sentiment bubble to the background panel.
  25. Use the Halloween letter dies to cut red cardstock.
  26. Adhere the die-cut sentiment to the background panel as shown. 
  27. Adhere the background panel to the reserved card.
I've been having such fun making Halloween cards for the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's 31 Days of Halloween Challenge and hope to see you play along with us!


Thursday, October 10, 2024

Happy Halloween Card

I might be an introvert, but I do love to make scenes — in card form. Here’s a Halloween card created with VersaMagic and VersaFine Clair inks, stamping, and some die-cuts.


Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Night Sky, Jumbo Java, Hint of Pesto, Spanish Olive VersaMagic Dew Drop Inks

Moonlight White Brilliance Ink Re-inker

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink

Sponge Daubers

Fantastix

Tear It! Tape

Craft Mat


Other Supplies:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Carrot Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Raven Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Boneyard Edgers Dies by Frantic Stamper

Happy Halloween Dies by Top Dog Dies (defunct)

Zombie Party Clear Stamp Set by Whimsy Stamps

Bat Colony Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Low-Tack Tape

Misti  Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia


Instructions:


Step 1:

Cut a piece of Bristol paper to 4.75” x 6.75”. Use the Boneyard Edgers die to cut removable sticker paper and place along the bottom of the image panel. Place low tack tape below it.


Use the 1” circle punch to punch the sticker paper and adhere it to the upper left hand side..



Step 2:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Night Sky VersaMagic Ink over the masked images onto the background. Heat set.







Step 3:

Spray a little water into a small container. Squeeze a few drops of Moonlight White VersaMagic Re-inker into the pot. Use a paint brush to mix the water and the ink. Tap the inky paintbrush over the night sky background to add splatter to look like stars.



Step 4:

Remove the sticker masks from the moon and from the cemetery. Smoosh the Jumbo Java VersaMagic Dewdrop Inkpad onto a piece of acetate. Lightly mist with water. Use a paintbrush to paint the tree in the graveyard. Heat set. Clean and dry the acetate.


Steps 5A and 5B:

Smoosh the Hint of Pesto VersaMagic Dewdrop Inkpad onto the cleaned piece of acetate. Lightly mist with water. Use a clean paintbrush to apply green ink at the top of the hill below the tombstones, crosses, gate, and tree (5A). Use a Fantastix to apply Spanish Olive VersaMagic Ink to blend this lighter ink below the ink applied in Step 5A. Continue apply the Spanish Olive Versa Magic Ink horizontally to fill in the base of the card and create the cemetery lawn. Heat set the image panel.



Step 6:

Place the image panel onto the base of a stamping platform secured with magnets and low-tack tape. 


Position the clear Zombie stamps from the Zombie Party Clear Stamp Set facedown as desired on the cemetery lawn. Position the Bat Colony Clear Stamp facedown over the moon and sky.


Press the platform’s base onto the back of the stamps. Lift. Ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp if necessary to attain solid black images. Heat set the panel.



Step 7:

Trim the image panel to 4.625” x 6.625”. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to edge the image panel. Cut a piece of orange cardstock to 4.75” x 6.75”. Sorry that there’s no photo.



Step 8:

Apply Tear It! Tape to cover the reverse of a piece of orange cardstock. Use the “Happy Halloween” sentiment dies to cut orange cardstock. Remove the tape’s backing and adhere the sentiment.


Step 9:

Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the layers of the card.










Thanks for visiting today!

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Upcycled Cigar Box with PaperArtsy Products

Greetings! It's Tuesday so it's time to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week the team is focusing on paints! I decided to use Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints and Printed Tissue Paper by Tracy Scott to upcycle a treasured/hoarded wooden cigar box.

The Top of the Box


The Front of the Box


The Side of the Box


The Inside of the Top of the Box


The Inside of the Bottom of the Box



Topflight Stamps Products Used:
Nocturne, Bali Blue, and Monarch VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other
Cigar Box
Sand Paper
Inkssentials Cut 'N' Dry Foam Stamp Pad by Ranger Ink*
Rough Stippling Tool formerly known as the Pouncy Tool
Paint Brushes
Blush, French Roast, Chocolate Pudding, Caribbean Sea, and Purple Rain Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints
140 lb. Mixed Media Paper
Gold Metallic Cardstock by Recollections
Raven Texured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Media Matte Medium by DecoArt
Yellow, Bright Yellow, Butterscotch, Pumpkin. Orange, Persimmon, and Black Le Plume II Markers by Marvy Uchida
White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura of America
Flat Back Pearls from Ye Olde Stash
Precision Craft Glue by Bearly Art
Tiny Text Remnant Rubs by Tim Holtz for Idea-ology/Advantus
Specimen Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
Low-tack Tape
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Sand the cigar box until it's relatively smooth.
  2. Add two drops each of China and Caribbean Sea Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints to the foam side of a piece of Inkssentials Cut 'N' Dry Foam. 
  3. Smoosh the inked side of the foam onto a craft mat to spread the paint drops.
  4. Pounce the painty foam onto the top of the cigar box, turning the foam between pounces to vary the pattern.
  5. Repeat Steps #2 through 4 until the top of the cigar box is painted. 
  6. Repeat Steps #2 through 4 along the sides and back of the cigar box. 
  7. Add a few drops of Purple Rain Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to the craft mat.
  8. Pounce the Rough Stippling Tool into the paint, then pounce the tool onto the top and sides of the cigar box.
  9. Use China Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to paint the sides of inside bottom and top of the box. 
  10. Sand the paint off of the box's brass latch and hinges. 
  11. Roughly cut out the areas of the Printed Tissue Paper 4 by Tracy Scott that you'd like to use. I cut the Calavera Catrina, a flower, a bee, and sugar skulls.
  12. Place the cut Printed Tissue Paper onto a hard surface, dip a paint brush into water, then brush the water around part of the outside outline of the image.Use a stylus or other sharp utensil and pull the wet tissue paper away from the outline.
  13. Continue Steps #10 and 11 until the desired Printed Tissue Paper images are done.
  14. Flip the Sugar Skull Printed Tissue Paper image over to reveal the reverse. Note that you will still be able to see the outlines of printed image, but they're paler.
  15. Add a few drops of Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to your craft mat.
  16. Use paint brushes to paint small areas of the sugar skull on the back of the tissue paper, keeping only the face area and the whites of the eyes clear of paint! 
  17. Use Snowflake Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to paint over the face of the Sugar Skull.
  18. Flip the tissue paper Calavera Catrina, the bee, the flower, and the sugar skulls over and paint the reverse of the images.
  19. Set all the tissue papers aside to dry.
  20. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Inks to stamp the two smallest triangles from the TS054 Rubber Cling Mounted Stamp Set by Tracy Scott three times each onto mixed media cardstock so you have a total of six small triangles. Heat set.
  21. Use Le Plume markers to color the triangles, fussy-cut them, then edge them with the black marker.
  22. Cut Mixed Media paper to two 6.25" x 6" panels to fit the interior of the box.
  23. Use Bali Blue VersaFine Clair Ink  to ink both pieces. Heat Set.
  24. Use low-tack tape to secure one of the inked panels to the back of the Stencil PS322 by Tracy Scott.
  25. Place the stencil and panel onto the STAY-tion and secure with magnets.
  26. Sponge or Brush Monarch VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil onto the panel.
  27. Remove the stencil. 
  28. Edge the panel with Monarch VersaFine Clair Ink and heat set the entire panel. Set aside.
  29. Brush a layer of Matte Medium* onto the other Bali Blue inked panel. While the medium is wet, place the painted tissue paper flower on the top left as shown. Try to smooth out the flower as much as possible. I actually missed a corner. Oops.
  30. Brush another layer of Matte Medium over the flower and the rest of the Bali Blue panel. Place the bee so that its front legs/antenna are overlapping the flower.
  31. Smooth it out as much as possible.
  32. Brush another layer of Matte Medium over the tissue paper images and the entire panel. Set aside to air dry.
  33. When dry, use Monarch VersaFine Clair Ink to edge the panel.
  34. Use glue to adhere the stenciled panel into the bottom of the box and the flower/bee panel to the inside of box top being sure to smooth out both panels as much as possible.
  35. Close the box.
  36. Brush a layer of Matte Medium to the top of the box. Smooth the painted tissue Calavera Catrina onto the wet Matte Medium to adhere it to the top of the box. Let air dry.
  37. Brush a layer of Matte Medium over the painted tissue Calavera Catrina to seal it. * 
  38. Let it air dry for a bit, then use a heat gun from a distance to hasten the drying process.
  39. Brush Matte Medium over the bottom part of the front of the box. Smooth the five painted tiny sugar skulls onto the wet Matte Medium. Let air dry thoroughly before brushing the sealing layer of Matte Medium over the skulls.
  40. Use Matte Medium to adhere three painted triangles per side as shown. Let dry.
  41. Use the White Tiny Text Remnant Rubs to add sentiments to the front of the box as shown.
  42. Use the nameplate dies from the Specimen Thinlits Die Set to cut black and gold cardstock.
  43. Use the White Tiny Text Remnant Rubs to add "Memories" to the black die-cut.
  44. Adhere the two parts of the nameplate together.
  45. Use glue to adhere two black half pearls to cover the holes in the nameplate.
  46. Use glue to adhere two different sizes of white, black, gold, and silver flat back pearls to the top of the box.
Notes:
  • Whilst painting on the reverse of printed tissue paper, don't worry about staying in the lines! In fact, it's beneficial to go over the lines to avoid any white area peeking through to the other side!
  • Feel free to use a paint brush to mix small drops of Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to create alternate colors. 
  • Blush, French Roast, Chocolate Pudding, Caribbean Sea, and Purple Rain Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints are not available at Topflight Stamps. However, BoraBora or Beach Hut are a decent substitute for Caribbean Sea.  Eggplant is a good substitute for Purple Rain and Vintage Lace will work in place of Blush.
  • Matte Medium: I got lucky that I had an unopened jar of this discontinued medium as I wanted a clear and matte medium to adhere the painted tissue paper images to all surfaces. Otherwise I would have been happy to use PaperArtsy's Mattints.
  • I probably should have waited a bit after adhering the tissue paper images to the surfaces with Matte Medium to let them air dry fully before adding the sealing coats.
  • My dad smoked cigars for years, preferring a brand called Te Amo that was packaged in wooden cigar boxes. When he was done smoking the cigars, he kept the boxes and put miscellaneous stuff in them. When he passed, I inherited his collection of cigar boxes.