Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Skulls and Roses Frida Style!



Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Caribbean Sea Textured Cardstock by My Colors
Garden Gears Patterned Paper from the Steampunk Debutante Collection by Graphic 45
Victorian Transformers Patterned Paper from the Steampunk Debutante Collection by Graphic 45
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko
Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko
Antique Linen Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink
Copic Markers:
Skull: E84, E81, W9, W4, W2, W1, W0, W00, BV20
Ribbon: BG72, BG70, BG34, BG32
Roses: YR65, YR61, YR00; YR27, YR18, YR14
Leaves: YG63, YG61, YG45, YG03, YG01, YG000
Teeth: YG00, Y00, BG90, V000
Eyebrows: N6, N5
Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities Die Set by Spellbinders
Ribbon Slide Die by Spellbinders
Low--tack Tape
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Glassboard by Glassboard Studios
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the Frida Skull stamp in the center of a piece of white cardstock. 
  2. Position a Deckled Oval Nestabilies Die blade-side down and secure the die to the cardstock with low-tack tape. 
  3. Run the image panel and cutting die through a machine. 
  4. Remove the two cutting plates from the machine with the stamped panel and cutting die still inside, flip the sandwich over, and remove the top cutting plate to show the back of the panel. 
  5. Using low-tack tape, secure the die-cut to the panel.
  6. Flip the image panel and die-cut so that the image is facing up and is still inside the cutting die. 
  7. Use a small blending brush to apply Antique Linen Distress Ink over the cutting die onto the die-cut to add a background. Don't worry about getting some Distress Ink onto the image, you can remove it with a wet paintbrush. Plus, Distress Ink plays well alcohol markers.
  8. Carefully remove the low-tack tape from the front and back of the image panel.
  9. Remove the cutting die, revealing a white edge around the stamped image.
  10. Clean and dry the cutting die.
  11. Use Copic markers to color the image panel. You'll note that the colors I chose match well with the patterned paper that I selected. When done coloring, set the image panel die-cut aside.
  12. Select patterned paper that works well with your stamped image. 
  13. Select cardstock to match the patterned paper and create an A2 card with the cardstock. Set it aside.
  14. Position a Ribbon-slide cutting die blade-side down on a strip of cardstock left from created the card. 
  15. Secure the cutting die to the cardstock with low-tack tape, and run it through your machine. 
  16. Tape the back of the die-cut to the cardstock strip, but remove the die this time.
  17. Secure the die-cut/strip combo onto a stamping platform with magnets and/or low-tack tape. 
  18. Place a clear sheet of acetate over the die-cut. Position the chosen sentiment stamp facedown on the acetate, press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  19. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair, and stamp onto the acetate to see whether the sentiment is straight. Adjust if necessary and test again.
  20. Remove the acetate, ink the sentiment stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp onto the cardstock Ribbon Label die-cut. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
  21. Cut a thin strip of coordinating patterned paper. 
  22. Edge the strip with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink and trim it to 4.5".
  23. Thread the strip through the Ribbon-slide sentiment die-cut.
  24. Trim the patterned paper to 4.5" x 5.25" to create the background panel. 
  25. Apply adhesive to the two sides of the ribbon strip and adhere the sides of the strip towards the bottom of the background panel.
  26. Trim the patterned paper to 4" wide then edge the background panel with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. 
  27. Adhere the image panel die-cut as shown. 
  28. Adhere the card front to the reserved A2 card.
~ ~ ~

There's still a week in June so why not participate in the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Fruit, Flowers, and Foliage Challenge 210 for a chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h?



Thanks for visiting today!

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Deliver Joy

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This week's spotlight is on AALL and Create's wonderful products. I used the new-to-me Deliver Joy Clear Stamp Set 1376 by Janet Klein with the Building Silhouettes Die 58 — both by AALL and Create to create this 6" square card.


Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Watercolor Paper by Strathmore
Textured Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Alcohol Markers:
Copic Markers: 
 Skin: BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E000, R20
 Hair: E77, E74
 Eyes: B66, B63, B60
 Emblem on Mailbox: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11, T3, T1
 Boots: N7, N6, N4
Olo Markers:
 Beret and Coat: BG2.7, BG2.6, BG2.3
 Gift: BV2.6, BV2.4, BV2.3
 Flowers/Lips: R5.7, R5.5, R5.3
 Mailbox: OR1.0, R1.7, R0.6, R0.5, R0.4
White Prismacolor Pencil by Sanford/Newell
Post-It Notes by 3M
Low-tack Tape
Fired Brick, Lost Shadow, Antique Linen, Black Soot Distress Inks by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink
Black, Grey, and Lavender Chalk Pencils by General's
Haze Blue and Aquamarine Zig Clean Colors Real Brush Markers by Kuretake
Washi Tape: Source Unknown
Sookwang Double Sided Tape
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Glassboard by Glassboard Studios
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Create a 6" x 6" card from black textured cardstock. Set aside.
  2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the girl and the postbox from the Deliver Joy Clear Stamp Set 1376  onto white cardstock. 
  3. Fussy-cut the images and color them with alcohol markers 
  4. Use a black pen to edge them. Set both images aside.
  5. Use the Building Silhouettes Die 58  to cut watercolor paper, which I used because I wanted the buildings to have texture from the start! Be sure to retain all of the windows and doors that popped out after die-cutting.
  6. Place low-tack tape or Post-It Notes under the roofs of the Building Silhouettes die-cut. 
  7. Brush or sponge Fired Brick Distress Ink over the tape onto the roofs. You'll notice that I also used tape to cover the chimneys and chimney pots. Remove and discard the tape.
  8. Place low-tack tape or Post-It Notes to cover the newly inked roofs. 
  9. Brush or sponge Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the tape onto the buildings.
  10. Brush or sponge Antique Linen Distress Ink onto over the tape onto the building. 
  11. Brush or sponge Black Soot Distress Ink over the tape, along the edges, and below the windows. Also used it to add black ink smudges to age the Building Silhouettes die-cut. 
  12. Remove the tape from the Building Silhouettes die-cut. 
  13. Use a black chalk pencil to create tiles on the roofs. 
  14. Use grey and lavender chalk pencils to add shading and shadows to the roof.
  15. Apply double-sided tape to the window openings on the reverse of the Building Silhouettes die-cut. 
  16. Place the reserved cut-outs into their openings, then use watercolors to color them.
  17. Select a piece of patterned paper from the Ombre 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad . This will become the background layer.
  18. Adhere the Building Silhouettes die-cut to the patterned paper background. 
  19. Adhere narrow Washi Tape to the base of the card front. 
  20. Adhere the fussy-cut, colored girl and the postbox as shown.
  21. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure the card front to the base of a stamping platform.
  22. Position the "Warm Wishes..." sentiment stamp from the Deliver Joy Clear Stamp Set 1376 facedown onto the Building Silhouettes die-cut as shown. 
  23. Press the platform's lid onto the stamp and lift.
  24. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
  25. Position the "Par Avion" sentiment stamp from the Deliver Joy Clear Stamp Set 1376 facedown on the upper right side between the buildings. 
  26. Press the platform's lid onto the stamp and lift.
  27. Ink the "Par Avion" stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
  28. Position the "Deliver Joy" sentiment from the Deliver Joy set and position it facedown on the top left. 
  29. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  30. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
  31. Realize that it's a little crooked and hit yourself in the head. Hard. Repeat as needed.
  32. Trim the panel to 5.75" square and edge with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
  33. Adhere the card front to the reserved black 6" x 6" square card.
Thanks for visiting today!

Saturday, June 20, 2026

A Floral Best Wishes Card



Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Copic Markers:
Skin: BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E11, E00, E000, R20, R11, R02, R00
Hair: E77, E74
Headpiece/Clothing: B69, B66, B63, RV93, RV91, RV63, RV55, RV52
Flowers: RV93, RV91, RV63, RV55, RV52, RV10
Foliage: YG67, YG45
Background: B21, <B21, N6, N5
Floral-Graph-Rainbow Petite Prints by Doodlebug Designs
Best Wishes Sentiment Die by Elizabeth Craft Designs
Glittery Epoxy Stickers by Gina Marie Designs
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Create an A2 card from Black Textured cardstock. Set aside.
  2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp Lily  by Lost Coast Designs onto a panel of white cardstock.
  3. Color the image panel with Copic Markers, trim it, then it edge with a black marker.
  4. Adhere the image panel to a patterned paper panel that measures 4" x 5.25".
  5. Edge the patterned paper panel with a black marker.
  6.  Adhere the card front to the reserved black A2 card.
  7. Use a sentiment die to cut black cardstock.
  8. Adhere the sentiment under the image panel as shown.
  9. Add matching glittery epoxy stickers to finish the card.
~ ~ ~

There's still a lot of June to go so why not participate in the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Fruit, Flowers, and Foliage Challenge 210  for a chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h?


Thanks for visiting today!


Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Waiting for Karma

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday and an "Anything Goes" week.  I've been in an odd mood so I created an odd card with two of the critters from the Sea Creatures Unmounted Red Rubber Stamp Set KTZ226 by Katzelkraft, a sentiment from the No Regrets Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Visible Image, patterned paper from the Ombre 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Craft Consortium Ltd.

Here it is!


Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Please Note: 

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Copic Markers:
Pelican: B63, B60, B14, B12, B01, B00, B000, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11
Other Creature: BV34, BV31, BV29, BV25, BV23, RV55, RV52, BG34, BG32, BG23, BG000, N6
91% Isopropyl Alcohol
White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura
Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
Low-tack Tape
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Glassboard by Glassboard Studios
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the worried-looking creature and the pelican from the Sea Creatures Unmounted Red Rubber Stamp Set KTZ226  twice — once onto white cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper.
  2. Fussy-cut the sticker versions of the creatures and set them aside to be used as masks.
  3. Use Copic markers to color the creatures.
  4. Place the image panel onto a magnetic craft mat. 
  5. Use magnets to secure a piece of clear acetate horizontally across the image panel right above the bottom of the critters, being sure that the acetate is covering the top of the image panel.
  6. Brush or sponge Bermuda Elements Premium Dye Ink over the acetate onto the bottom part of the image panel so that it's covering the bottom portion of the creatures. 
  7. Brush or sponge Blue Atoll Elements Premium Dye Ink over the acetate to complete their watery background.
  8. Remove the acetate. Clean and dry it. 
  9. Place the sticker paper versions of the critters over their counterparts on the image panel. 
  10. Place the acetate panel so that it's sitting on the horizontal inked line covering the bottom portion of the image panel.
  11. Brush or sponge Della Blue Elements Premium Dye Ink onto the image panel, working horizontally from the top of the panel down to the acetate to create a sky background. 
  12. Brush or sponge Confetti Elements Premium Dye Ink over the image panel to add some pink hues to the sky.
  13. Use an alcohol filled Fine Spray Misters  to mist the background. This will blend and mottle the ink.
  14. Remove the masks and the acetate from the image panel. 
  15. Use a N6 marker to increase the size of the worried-looking critter's pupil. 
  16. Use a white Gelly Roll Gel Pen to add a white highlight to its pupil.
  17. Use magnets to secure the image panel to the base of a stamping platform.
  18. Position the "Karma" sentiment from the No Regrets Clear Polymer Stamp Set so that the it's above the pelican and in the sight line of the critter.
  19. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  20. Ink the "Karma" sentiment with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
  21. Trim the image panel and edge with Bermuda and Della Blue Elements Premium Dye Inks.
  22. Select a piece of patterned paper from the Ombre 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad to match the image panel. This will become the background panel.
  23. Adhere the image panel so that it's centered on the patterned paper, then trim the background panel so that there are even borders around it. 
  24. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to edge the patterned paper, then adhere the card front to a black card.
Notes in hindsight:
  • I should have positioned the worried-looking creature and the pelican closer to each other.
  • I also should have positioned the sentiment slightly lower so that the image panel would not have been an odd size. Alas. Alack. Whatever.
  • I showed this card to my daughter who remarked that it is indeed very odd, but that it is "on brand" for me. Whatever again.
Thanks for visiting today!

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Voyage of Discovery

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday. This week's theme is Beach and/or Ocean. 



Here's a photo that shows a bit more of the shimmer created with the Glitz Spritz Spray.




Topflight Stamps Products Used:

PSA: Crafty Individuals is out of business, but Topflight Stamps still has a nice selection of their stamps.

Other Products Used:
Bristol Paper by Strathmore
Kraft Cardstock by Recollections
Counting Down Unmounted Rubber Stamp by Crafty Individuals
Copic Markers:
Sky: B21, <B21
Sun: Y19, Y17, Y15, Y13, Y11
Ship: E77, E74, E04
Flags: R27, R14
Sails: E43, E42, E31, E30, W00
Sea: B26, B16, B05
Flourish: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11
Border: T3, T1, Y15, Y11
Black Glaze Dimensional Gloss Gel Pen by Sakura of America
White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura
Stamping Platform

Please note: the Counting Down Unmounted Stamp is no longer available at TFS.

Instructions:
  1. Create a 5.5" square card from Kraft cardstock. Set aside.
  2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp Voyage of Discovery Unmounted Rubber Stamp onto Bristol Paper. Heat set.
  3. Use Copic markers to color the image. 
  4. Add white caps to the ocean with a white Gelly Roll Gel Pen. 
  5. Use a Black Gelly Roll Glaze Pen to fill in the open letters of "Discovery". 
  6. Trim the image panel and edge with a black marker. Set it aside.
  7. Select a piece of patterned paper from the Retro Summer 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad to use as a background panel. 
  8. Trim the patterned paper to 5.25".
  9. Secure the patterned paper background panel to a stamping platform.
  10. Position the Counting Down Unmounted Rubber Stamp facedown on the image panel along the right side.
  11. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  12. Ink the stamp with Sand Dune VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp onto the patterned paper panel. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
  13. Remove the stamp, but keep the background panel on the stamping platform.
  14. Position the compass and the anchor stamps from the ScrapCosy ESC11 Cling Rubber Stamp Set facedown along the left side of the patterned paper as shown. 
  15. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  16. Ink the both stamps with  Sand Dune VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain good impressions. 
  17. Remove the background panel from the stamping platform and thoroughly heat set the ink. 
  18. Spray Cactus Gold Glitz Spray from the Glitz Spritz Spray Set (Cactus Gold) by Lindy's Stamp Gang over the stamped background panel. Heat set.
  19. Adhere the image panel to the background panel as shown, then adhere the background panel to the reserved 5.5" square kraft card.
Thank you for visiting today!

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Happy Father's Day

Greetings! It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This week's focus is on Indigo Blu and their wonderful products! 

Here's a Father's Day card created with the "Weird Is My Normal" Cling Mounted A6 Stamp Set by Indigo Blu.


Topflight Stamps Products Used:
(This incredibly versatile sentiment set is on sale right now!

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
White Speckled Navy Cardstock  and Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Gold Metallic Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Copic Markers:
Skin: BV0000, RV91, E50, E21, E11, e000, R00, R000
Beard/Hair: E29, E18, E17, E15
Eyes: C0, N6, R01, B53
Goggles: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11, E77, E74
Goggle Lenses: BG78, BG75
Hat/Tacket: B99, B97, B95
Shirt: T3, T1
Tie: B52
Outlines: T3, T1
Lost Shadow Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink
91% Isopropyl Alcohol
Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
Low-tack Tape
Steampunk Corner Die by Cheery Lynn Designs
Sentiment and Fancy Sentiment Label Dies by Spellbinders
White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura
STAYtion by Wendy Vecchi
Glassboard by Glassboard Studios
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1. Create an A6 card from white speckled navy cardstock. Set aside.
  2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the Steampunk gentleman from the "Weird Is My Normal" Cling Mounted A6 Stamp Set twice — once onto white Copic-friendly cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper.
  3. Use Copic markers to color the focal image. 
  4. Place a strip of Bolted Layers Washi Tape 106 under the colored image. 
  5. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version of the Steampunk gentleman and place it over its counterpart on the image panel as a mask.
  6. Place the small rectangle from the Snap Thoughts DI-90 Die Set blades down on the image panel and secure with low-tack tape. 
  7. Run the combination through your die-cut machine. 
  8. Remove the image panel die-cut from the cutting die.
  9.  Brush light grey dye ink over the masked image and onto a scrap of white cardstock. 
  10. Use an Isopropyl Alcohol-filled Fine Spray Mister to spray the image panel die-cut. This will add white speckles to the image panel die-cut and will blend the ink but won't pill the paper.
  11. Remove the mask from the Steampunk gentleman. 
  12. Use a N6 Copic marker to darken his pupils, then use a White Gelly Roll Gel Pen to add catchlights to them. 
  13. Use a fineliner and/or other Copic markers to touch up the image. 
  14. Cut a piece of black cardstock so that it's slightly larger than the image panel die-cut and use this to mat the image panel. Set aside.
  15. Select a piece of patterned paper from the Ink Drops - Midnight 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad to use as a background panel. 
  16. Trim the patterned paper to 4.25" wide. Use a B39 Copic to edge the panel. 
  17. Place the grey-inked cardstock scrap onto the base of a stamping platform and secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape. 
  18. Place the "Happy Father's Day" sentiment stamp from the Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set facedown on the scrap. 
  19. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  20. Ink the sentiment stamp with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
  21. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
  22. Use a sentiment strip cutting die to cut the sentiment. 
  23. Use a Fancy Label Cutting Die and a Steampunk Corner Die to cut gold metallic cardstock.
  24. Adhere the gold metallic Steampunk Corner die-cutss to the upper corners of the background panel.
  25. Adhere the matted image panel as shown.
  26. Adhere the stamped sentiment onto the gold Fancy Label Sentiment die-cut, then adhere the combination to the background panel as shown.
  27. Adhere the completed background panel to the reserved white-speckled navy A6 card.
Thank you for visiting today!


Thursday, May 28, 2026

"No Body Here" Challenge - CAS Cat Card



Products Used:
Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
Grunge - Mid Tones 6x6 Patterned Paper by Craft Consortium
Cat Back 6x6 Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs
Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink
Decorative Rectangle Die Set by Spellbinders
Low-tack tape
STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Glassboard by Glassboard Studios
Stamping Platfor

If the "House of Cat Hair" sentiment is true, my house must be overflowing with ecstasy! 

This card was quick and easy, which sometimes is great fun!

Instructions:
  1. Use low-tack tape and/or magnets to secure a piece of patterned paper onto a magnetic craft mat.
  2. Secure the Cat Back 6x6 Stencil onto the patterned paper with more low-tack tape and/or magnets.
  3. Sponge Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil onto the patterned paper. Heat set.
  4. Place a second piece of the same patterned paper onto the base of a stamping platform and secure with low-tack tape and/or magnets.
  5. Place the decorative rectangle cutting die onto the patterned paper.
  6. Position the "House of Cat Hair" sentiment stamp facedown into the opening of the cutting die.
  7. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
  8. Remove the cutting die from the stamping platform.
  9. Ink the sentiment stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Ink and stamp. 
  10. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
  11. Remove the patterned paper from the stamping platform and heat set the ink.
  12. Use the decorative rectangle cutting die to cut the sentiment.
  13. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to edge the die-cut.
  14. Use the next largest cuttting die from the set to cut black cardstock, then use the die-cut to mat the sentiment die-cut.
  15. Adhere the matted sentiment die-cut to the background patterned paper panel.
  16. Trim the patterned paper panel and edge with VersaFine Clair Ink.
  17. Adhere the patterned paper panel to a black card.
~ ~ ~

You should participate in Lost Coast Designs Portal to Creativity May "No Body Here Challenge 209" for the chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!


Thanks for visiting today!