Gear Up - A Steampunk Card

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday and an "Anything Goes" week, so I created a Steampunk card with the Faceless Time Clear Stamp Set 1456, the Papillons Clear Stamp Set 1462, the Frise Pendentifs Clear Stamp Set 1461, and the Time Tinker Clear Stamp Set 1374 as well as the Cog Engine Die Set 125 and the Frayed Frames Die Set 26 — all by AALL and Create. The background panel and die-cuts were created with Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powders by Lindy's Stamp Gang, applied with baby wipes to Bristol paper.

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Faceless Time Clear Stamp Set 1456 by Autour de Mwa for AALL and Create

Papillons Clear Stamp Set 1462 by Azoline for AALL and Create

Frise Pendentifs Clear Stamp Set 1461 by Azoline for AALL and Create

Time Tinker Clear Stamp Set 1374 by Janet Klein for AALL and Create

Cog Engine Die Set 125 by AALL and Create

Frayed Frames Die Set 26 by AALL and Create

Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powders by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Morning Mist and Nocturne VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko
Clear Gloss Embossing Powder by WOW

Other Products Used:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers:

Skin: BV000, BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E00, E000

Jacket/Hat: BV23, BV20, N3, N2, N1, N0

Vest: B43* (custom blend), B41

Shirt: B21, <B21* (custom blend)

Tie, Hatband, Pocket Square: R56, R37, R24, R22

Hourglass: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y11, BG90, BG72, BG70

Sand in Hourglass: E44, E43, E42, E41

Gears: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11; E99, E97, E95; E18, E08, E07; YR26, YR24, YR23, YR21, YR20: BG75, BG72

Cloud: B60, C0, C00, Y000, BV000, RV000

Rainbow: R000, YR00, Y000, G00, G000, B21, <B21, B53, B60, V000, V0000

Outlines: <B21

Dots: <B21, B41, BG75, BG72, N1, N0

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Baby Wipes

Craft Mat

Canna Lily Burnt Orange and Tophat Teal Magicals Pigment Powders by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Anti-static Tool or Pouch

Noteworthy Thinlits Alterations Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix

Low-tack Tape

Tiny Gears Die by Memory Box

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from black textured cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the focal image from the Faceless Time Clear Stamps 1456 onto a panel of Bristol paper. 
3. Heat set the ink, then color the image with Copic markers. 
4. Use a White Gelly Roll Gel pen to add highlights to the hourglass.
5. Use the largest die from the Frayed Frames Die Set 26 to cut the image panel, mat the panel with black cardstock, and set it aside.
6. Cut a piece of 9" x 12" Bristol paper into a 4.75" x 6.75" panel (for the background panel) and a 2" x 12" strip (for border and sentiment die-cuts).
7. Place the strip onto a craft mat. 
8. Use a small spatula to place a pile of Yesteryear Yellow Magical Powder from the Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set onto the craft mat. 
9. Fold a baby wipe and press the top part of it into the pigment powder. 
10. Drag the baby wipe vertically on the strip of Bristol paper to start to apply the Magical Pigment Powder, working from the outside edges towards the center. Dip the wipe into the powder and apply it again. Continue until the powder pile is gone and your Bristol strip is colored. Clean your craft mat.
11. Use a spatula to place a smaller pile of Canna Lily Burnt Orange Magical Pigment Powder onto the craft mat. 
12. Using a new baby wipe, press the top of the wipe into the pigment powder, then drag the baby wipe down the strip of Mixed Media paper to fill in the gaps.
13. Continue to dip the wipe and drag it down the strip until the powder is gone.
14. Clean your craft mat.
15. Repeat the above process using an even smaller amount of Tophat Teal from the the Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set to add some verdigris colors to the Bristol Strip. When the colors and blend please you, thoroughly heat set the panel and trim it in half (2" x 6".
16. Use the both dies from the Cog Engine Die Set 125 to cut the colored Bristol paper strip. 
17. Flip the die-cuts over and color the back with a black Copic marker or sponge them with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.  This step will edge the die-cuts from the back.
18. Place the 4.75" x 6.75" panel and a small scrap of Bristol paper onto a clean craft mat. 
19. Use a spatula to add a pile of Pocket Watch Pewter Magical Powder onto the clean craft mat. 
20. Press the top of a clean baby wipe onto the pigment powder, then drag the baby wipe onto the Bristol paper panel and scrap, working from the outer edges towards the center. 
21. Dip the wipe into the powder and continue to apply color to the panels. When done, heat set the panels thoroughly.
22. Pounce an anti-static tool/pouch onto the background panel then secure the panel onto the base of a stamping platform with magnets and/or low-tack tape.
23. Position the corner gears stamp from the Papillons Clear Stamp Set 1462  facedown along the top left of the panel. 
24. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the corner gears stamp and lift.
25. Ink the stamp with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
26. Remove the panel from the stamping platform, add Clear Gloss Embossing Powder to the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the container, and heat set. 
27. Clean and dry the corner gears stamp. 
28. Place the background panel back onto the stamping platform and position the the corner gears stamp from the Papillons Clear Stamp Set 1462 facedown along the lower right hand edge. 
29. Position the border gears stamp from the Frise Pendentifs Clear Stamp Set 1461 facedown vertically along the bottom left hand edge. 
30. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamps and lift.
31. Ink the stamps with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
32. Remove the panel from the stamping platform, add Clear Gloss Embossing Powder to the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the container, and heat set. 
33. Edge the background panel with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
34. Use a nameplate cutting die and a small gears die to cut the grey-colored scrap of Bristol paper.
35. Place a piece of low-tack tape on the back of the Bristol paper scrap die-cut. and then secure the die-cut scrap onto the base of a stamping platform. 
36. Position the "Gear Up" stamp from the Time Tinker Clear Stamp Set 1374 facedown onto the die-cut. 
37. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
38. Remove the die-cut from the stamping platform.
39. Pour Clear Gloss Embossing Powder onto the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the container, and heat set.
40. Use the nameplate frame die and a small gears die to cut a leftover scrap from the rusty yellow tinted border strip. 
41. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to edge both parts of the nameplate die-cuts, then adhere the sentiment die-cut onto the frame die-cut. 
42. Adhere the gears die-cuts to cover the holes of the nameplate.
43. Adhere the border die-cut to the right side of the background panel. 
44. Adhere the matted image panel onto the background panel as shown. 
45. Adhere the sentiment nameplate die-cut to the upper left of the background panel. 
46. Adhere the completed card front to the reserved 5" x 7" black card.

Thank you for visiting today!

Soar!

Greetings! It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This week's focus is on Mixed Media with an emphasis on pigment powders. I created an encouragement card with the Tracy Scott 59 (TS059) Rubber Cling Stamp Set, the Tracy Scott 53 (TS053) Rubber Cling Stamp Set, the Scrapcosy 36 (ESC36)  Rubber Cling Stamp Set, and Sleight Blue, Sunset Beach, and Violet Storms Infusions — all by PaperArtsy.

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Tracy Scott 59 (TS059) Rubber Cling Stamp Set by Tracy Scott for PaperArtsy

Tracy Scott 53 (TS053) Rubber Cling Stamp Set by Tracy Scott for PaperArtsy

Scrapcosy 36 (ESC36)  Rubber Cling Stamp Set by Scrapcosy for PaperArtsy

Sleight Blue, Sunset Beach, and Violet Storms Infusions by PaperArtsy

Dahlia Purple VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Clear Gloss Embossing Powder by WOW

Fine Spray Misters by Spectrum Noir

Premier Ink Blending Tool by Hunkydory Crafts

Other Products Used:

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

White Heavy Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Distress Micro Glaze by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Low-tack Tape

Craft Mat

Paint Brush

Paper Towel

Scissors

Anti-static Pouch

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from heavy white cardstock. Set aside.
2. Cut a piece of 9" x 12" Mixed Media paper in half. 
3. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure one half of the Mixed Media paper to the base of a stamping platform. 
4. Position the hexagons and the bee from the Tracy Scott 59 (TS059) Rubber Cling Stamp Set  facedown on the Mixed Media paper. 
5. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamps and lift.
6. Gently dip a blending foam on a Premier Ink Blending Tool into a jar of Distress Micro Glaze to pick up some of the glaze. 
7. Use the Premier Ink Blending Too to apply the glaze to the stamps. If you wish, you can spread the Distress Micro Glaze with a blending brush. 
8. Close the platform's lid to transfer the glaze to the Mixed Media panel. 
9. Repeat Steps 6 - 8 to ensure good impressions for all the stamps.
10. Remove the image panel from the stamping platform and place it onto a craft mat.
11. Lightly sprinkle Sleight Blue Infusions onto the bottom part of the image panel.
12. Lightly sprinkle Sunset Beach Infusions over and around the bee. 
13. Lightly sprinkle Violet Storms Infusions over the top part of the panel and wherever the powder seems light. 
14. Mist the image panel with a water-filled Fine Spray Mister to activate the Infusions' pigments. You will note that the Distress Micro Glaze acted as a resist and the images' outlines remained white. 
15. Tilt the background panel to encourage the Infusions pigments to blend. 
16. Use a paintbrush to spread them further if so desired. 
17. Gently dip a paper towel into any puddles to remove excess water. 
18. When you're happy with the background, thoroughly heat set the image,.
19. Trim the panel to slightly less than 5" x 7". 
20. Use the edge of a pair of scissors to distress the edges of the image panel.
21. Pat an anti-static tool over the image panel then place the image panel back onto the base of a stamping platform, secured with low-tack tape and/or magnets.
22. Position the "Soar" sentiment stamp from the Tracy Scott 53 (TS053) Rubber Cling Stamp Set facedown on the image panel towards the top left. 
23. Position the "Free to Fly..." sentiment stamp from the Scrapcosy 36 (ESC36)  Rubber Cling Stamp Set facedown and centered under the bee (but straight -- oops!). 
24. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the sentiment stamps and lift.
25. Ink both sentiments with Dahlia Purple VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
26. Re-ink and stamp and again if needed to attain a good impression.
27. Remove the image panel from the stamping platform.
28. Add Clear Gloss Embossing Powder to the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the container, and heat set the embossing powder.
29. Adhere the image panel to the reserved white 5" x 7" card.

Notes:

• The credit for this resist technique goes Vero KT.
• Here's a description of Infusions. "A water reactive dry dye stain suitable for fabric and paper. Our two-part formulation has 2 different crystals which react with the water at 2 different rates; the colour particles act fast, and the brown walnut crystals are slower to dissolve. This allows control over how much brown-to-colour you create depending on the amount of water you apply and when you dry."
I personally love that the colors are variegated.
• I have stuck a tack through the metal lid of each of my jars of Infusions. This allows you to sprinkle the pigment powders with much more control. You can always remove the lid to spoon small amounts from the jar as well.
• I should also mention that using the Infusions this way leads to unpredictable results, which runs contrary to my usual control-freak tendencies.

Thanks for visiting today!

Rudolf Gnomes Christmas Card

Greetings! Here's a card created for  Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Christmas in July Challenge #211 with the Mini Gnomes 2 Rubber Stamp Sheet.

Products Used:
Mini Gnomes 2 Rubber Stamp Sheet by Lost Coast Stamps

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Speckled Egg Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Ruby Red Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers:

Noses: BV0000, BV000, E000, R01, R000

Rudolf Gnome's Gnose: R22, R20

Gnome Beards: N1, N0, C0, C00

Gnome Hats: BG53, BG45

Gnome Santa Hats: R46, R35, R24

Antlers: E35, E33

Gnome Shoes: YG95, YG93

Ground: C0, C00

Sky BG000, BG0000

Be Merry 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by My Mind's Eye

Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura

Clear Stardust Glitter Gel Pen by Sakura

Cotton Ball Fun Flock by Stampendous

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 6" square card from red cardstock. Set aside.
2. Place a 6" x 3" wide piece of white cardstock onto a stamping platform.
3. Position the Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnome from the Mini Gnomes 2 Rubber Stamp Sheet facedown on the far left of the stamping platform. 
4. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
5. Ink the stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and stamp.
6. Slide the cardstock along the base of the stamping platform 1 3/16" to the left.
7. Ink the stamp again with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and stamp.
8. Slide the cardstock along the base of the platform again to the 1 3/16" to the left, ink the stamp, and stamp again. Repeat this process until you have a five and a quarter Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnomes.
9. Use Copic markers to color all the Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnomes. 
10. Draw a line with a C0 Copic marker to ground the Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnomes. 
11. Fill in the rest of the ground area with a C00 Copic marker.
12. Outline the Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnome with a BG000 Copic marker. 
13. Use a BG0000 Copic marker to color the sky. 
14. Use a BG000 Copic marker to add random large dots in the sky area.
15. Use a glue pen to add glue to the Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnome's pom-poms. 
16. Add Cotton Ball White Fun Flock to the wet glue, press the flock into the glue, then allow to drive for a few minutes. 
17. When dry, dump off the excess Fun Flock. 
18. Use a paint brush to clear away any stray Fun Flock.
19. Use a clear Glitter Gel pen to add a line of glitter to the top of the ground area. You can add some glitter over the Reindeer/Santa Mini Gnome's shoes to simulate snow.
20. Adhere the image panel to a 6" x 3.5" piece of polka dot patterned paper.
21. Adhere that combination to a 6" square piece of "Night before Christmas" verbiage patterned paper. 
22. Trim the image panel/patterned paper combination to 5.75" square.
23. Edge with Speckled Egg Distress Ink, and adhere to the red 6x6 card.

~ ~ ~

You still have a little time to enter the Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Christmas in July Challenge #211 for a chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!

Thank you for visiting today!

All Geared Up to Celebrate

Greetings! It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This is an "Anything Goes" week, so I decided to try a new technique and to use some of my new stamps! 

Here's my card created with the Precision Paws Clear Stamp Set 1373. the Time Tinkerer Clear Stamp Set 1374, and the Steamheart Gears Stencil PC-270 — all by AALL and Create. 

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Precision Paws Clear Stamp Set 1373 by Janet Klein for AALL and Create

Time Tinkerer Clear Stamp Set 1374 by Janet Klein for AALL and Create

Steamheart Gears Stencil PC-270 by AALL and Create

Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powders by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Graphite Elements Premium Dye Ink by Lavinia Stamps

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Paper

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Metallic Copper Cardstock by Recollections

Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers: 

Dog's Fur: W8, W6, W5, W4, W3, W2

Dog's Nose: N7, N5

Dog's Mouth: E04, R56, R43, R30

Dog's Ears: RV91, R30

Dog's Hat: BG96, BG93, BG90, BG57, BG53, BG49, BG45, YG17, YG07, YG03

Goggles and Gears: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11, C2

Goggle Lenses: YG91, YG67, YG63, YG61

Cat's Fur: C5, C3, C2, C1, C0, C00

Cat's Eyes: Y23 Y21, Y11

Cat's Hat:N8, N6,N5, N4

Cat's Goggles: BG49, BG45, Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11

Goggle Lenses: YG91, YG67, YG63, YG61

Pocket Watch: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11, BG15, BG13, BG11

Man's Skin: BV000, BV000, E50, E21, E11, E00, E000, R11 (cheeks)

Man's Mustache: C2, C1, C0, C00

Man's Eyes: YG05, YG03, YG00, BG13, BG11

Man's Coat and Hat: N6, N5, N4, N3, BG49, BG45

Man's Pants and Shirt: BG95, BG93, BG49, BG45,

Man's Vest: YG17, YG13

Man's Shoes: BG96, BG93, BG57, BG49, BG45

Man's Glasses: BG49, BG45

Man's Goggles: Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, Y11

Gears on Goggles: T4, T2, T0

Goggle Lenses: YG91, YG67, YG63, YG61

Black Pigma Pen by Sakura

White Prismacolor Pencil

White Watercolor Pencil

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Clear Detail Embossing Powder by Stampendous

Pocket Watch Pewter Magicals by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Baby Wipes

Mango Madness, Pumpkin Spice, Turquoise Gem, Night Sky VersaMagic Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Stipple Brushes

Like Clockwork Frame Moonstone Die Set by Hunkydory Crafts

Craft Mat

Low-tack Tape

2" Double-sided Tape by Sookwang

Strip Dies: Source Unknown

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 6" square card from black textured cardstock. Set aside.
2. Cut a piece of 9" x 12" Mixed Media paper in half and place it onto a craft mat.
3. Use a small spatula to place a  pile of Yesteryear Yellow Magical Powder from the Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set onto the craft mat. 
4. Fold a baby wipe and press the top part of it into the pigment powder. 
5. Drag the baby wipe vertically on the Mixed Media paper, working from the outside edges towards the center.*
6. Dip the wipe into the powder and apply it again. Continue until the powder pile is gone. 
7. Clean your craft mat.
8. Place a small pile of Apothecary Azure Magical Powder from the Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set onto the craft mat. 
9. Use a clean baby wipe to repeat the process described above. The pigment powder colors will begin to blend. 
10. When the powder is gone, clean your mat.
11. Place a small pile of Pocket Watch Pewter Magical Powder onto the craft mat.
12. Use a clean baby wipe to add additional color to your background. 
13. When done with the powder, clean your craft mat, then heat set the background panel. *
14. Place the background panel onto a magnetic craft mat.
15. Place the Steamheart Gears Stencil PC-270 over the background panel and secure with low-tack tape and/or magnets.
16. Brush or sponge Graphite Elements Premium Dye Ink over the stencil onto the background panel to enhance the background panel.
17. When done, trim the background panel to 5 5/8" square and edge it with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink,
18. Use stipple brushes to apply specks of Mango Madness, Pumpkin Spice, Turquoise Gem, Night Sky VersaMagic Ink to the background. *
19. Heat set the panel and set it aside. 
20. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the cat and the dog from the Precision Paws Clear Stamp Set 1373 onto white Copic-friendly cardstock. 
21. Use the same ink to stamp the Time Tinkerer from the Time Tinkerer Clear Stamp Set 1374 onto white cardstock. 
22. Fussy-cut all three images.
23. Use Copic markers to color all three images, then edge them with a black marker. 
24. Use a White Gelly Roll Gel Pen to add highlights to the Time Tinkerer's eyes.
25. Use a white colored pencil or a white watercolor pencil to add highlights to the cat's eyes (I wanted them to be fainter as his eyes are covered by glasses) and to the watchface. Set the characters aside.
26. Use low-tack tape and/or magnets to secure the piece of mixed media paper left over from Step 17 onto the base of a stamping platform.
27. Place all three sentiment stamps from the Precision Paws Clear Stamp Set 1373  facedown onto the piece of mixed media paper.
28. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
29. Ink the sentiments with  Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression. 
30. Remove the stamped paper from the stamping platform. 
31. Add clear detail embossing powder to the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into its container, and heat set the powder. 
32. Use sentiment strip dies to cut the three sentiments, trim them, and edge them with the Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
33. Adhere the three sentiments to the reserved 5 5/8" square background panel.
34. Adhere the dog, cat, and the Time Tinkerer atop the sentiments as shown to create the card front.
35. Cut a piece of copper metallic cardstock to 5.75" square and use it to mat the card front. 
36. Back a small piece of the copper metallic cardstock with double-sided tape.
37. Use a sentiment die from the Like Clockwork Frame Moonstone Die Set to cut copper metallic cardstock. 
38. Adhere the sentiment as shown. 
39. Adhere the card front to the reserved 6" square black card.

Notes:

• I discovered the baby wipe/pigment powder technique on Instagram. Here's a link to the reel by @artful.layers .
• True confessions. My baby wipes were almost completely dry, so I misted them with water, then used the damp wipes to drag the powders. I was quite pleased with the results.
• I plan on experimenting further with this technique to see if it works better with moist baby wipes and with other pigment powders. 
• VersaMagic Inks are chalk-finish pigment inks. Stippling them adds opaque matte speckles, which work well with metallics.

Naughty or Nice (or Psycho)?

 Greetings! Here's a slightly demented Christmas card created for Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Christmas in July Challenge #211 with the Alfred Hitchcock Standing Rubber Stamp by Carmen's Veranda and Mini Gnome Santa with Toys from the Mini Gnomes 2 Rubber Stamp Sheet by Lost Coast Stamps.

Here it is!

Products Used:

Alfred Hitchcock Standing Rubber Stamp by Carmen's Veranda

Mini Gnome Santa with Toys from the Mini Gnomes 2 Rubber Stamp Sheet by Lost Coast Stamps

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Ruby Slipper and London Fog Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Memories of a Snowy Day 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Ciao Bella

Copic Markers:

Face and Hands: BV000, BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E00, E000

Cheeks: R20

Suit:  G99, G94, G95

Shirt: R56, R46, R35, R32

Shoes: N8, N6

Santa Hat: R56, R46, R35, R24

Cotton Ball White Fun Flock by Stampendous

Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura

Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

"Naughty or Nice" Die by Cottage Cutz (I think)

Arrows by Sizzix

Occasions Small Talk idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Advantus

Low-tack Tape

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from London Fog Textured cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp both the Alfred Hitchcock Standing image and Mini Gnome Santa with Toys from the Mini Gnomes 2 image onto a piece of white Neenah cardstock.
3. Fussy-cut both images, but cut the Santa hat off of the gnome's head. 
4. Use Copic markers to color both images, then outline them with a black marker.
5. Add wet glue to the brim and pom-pom on the Santa hat, add Cotton Ball White Fun Flock, gently press the Fun Flock, and allow it to dry.
6. Once dry, brush off the excess flock.
7. Adhere the Santa hat to Alfred's head and set Santa Alfred aside for a few mintues while you create a background for him.
8. Trim a piece of winter-themed patterned paper to 5.25" x 6". 
9. Use Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Inks to edge it. 
10. Cut a piece of white cardstock to 5.25" x 6.75" 
11. Add Film Strip Washi Tape to the base of the white cardstock. 
12. Adhere the winter-themed patterned paper just above the Washi Tape to create the background panel. 
13. Trim the patterned paper/Washi combo to 4 5/8" x 6 5/8" and edge it again with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Inks. 
14. Cut a piece of red textured cardstock to 4.75" x 6.75" and use to mat the background panel.
15. Use "Naughty or Nice" die to cut red textured cardstock. 
16. Use an arrow die to cut red textured  cardstock twice.
17. Adhere Santa Alfred to the background panel as shown. 
18. Adhere the "Naughty or Nice" sentiment die-cut to the upper left. 
19. Measure the arrow die-cuts. 
20. Adhere the "be good for goodness sake" sticker an arrow's width from the left side. 
21. Adhere both arrow die-cuts as shown, so that the arrows' points are overlapping the sentiment sticker.
22. Adhere the background panel to a a taupe-y brown 5" x 7" card.

~ ~ ~

You have a little less than two weeks to enter this month's Lost Coast Portal to Creativity's Christmas in July Challenge #211 for the chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!

Thanks for visiting today!

Attitude...

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This week's team focus is on PaperArtsy's wonderful products! Here's my encouragement card created with their LPC066 Cling Rubber Stamp Set by Lynn Perrella, the Small Backgrounds Large Stencil PS133 by Scrapcosy, the Large Stencil PS317 by Scrapcosy, and the Tracy Scott Mini TSM23 Cling Rubber Stamp by Tracy Scott.

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

LPC066 Cling Rubber Stamp Set by Lynn Perrella for PaperArtsy

Small Backgrounds Large Stencil PS133 by Scrapcosy for PaperArtsy

Large Stencil PS317 by Scrapcosy for PaperArtsy

Tracy Scott Mini TSM23 Cling Rubber Stamp by Tracy Scott for PaperArtsy

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Moon Shadow Mists Spray Set by Lindy's Gang

Gossamer Gold Moon Shadow Mist by Lindy's Gang is also available individually

Crea Nest-Lies XXL Double Stitched Rectangle Die Set by Crealies

Adriatic Sea and Bali Blue VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Classic Blue Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Caribbean Sea and Commodore Blue Textured Cardstock by My Colors

Copic Markers:

Skin: BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E000

Cheeks: R11

Lips and Fingernails: R56, R35, R32

Ring and Brooch: R59, R56, R37, R35, R32

Eyes: B21

Headpiece/Clothing: B69, B66, B63, B60, B21, B16, B14, B12, B02, B00, BG49, BG45, BG34, BG32, BG11

Lost Shadow and Tubled Glass Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Golden Glitz Delicata Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery 

Low-Tack Tape

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from Classic Blue Textured Cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure a panel of Bristol Paper to the base of a stamping platform.
3. Position the one of the images from the LPC066 Cling Rubber Stamp Set facedown on the center of the image panel.
4. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
5. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to ink the stamp and stamp. 
6. Re-ink and stamp again to attain a good dark impression.
7. Place a piece of repositionable sticker paper atop the image on the image panel and secure with magnets. 
8. Ink the stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and stamp the image onto the respositionable sticker paper. 
9. Remove the image panel from the stamping platform and place it onto a magnetic craft surface.
10. Heat set the Bristol Paper version to set the ink to avoid ink transfer to alcohol markers. 
11. Use Copic markers to color the image on the Bristol Paper panel.
12. Fussy-cut the image stamped onto repositionable sticker paper and place it atop its counterpart on the image panel as a mask. 
13. Brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the masked image panel to color the background. 
14. Place the circles portion on the Large Stencil PS317towards the top of the image pane and secure with magnets. Note that this stencil has a repeating pattern which makes it easy to cover larger areas with the stenciled pattern. 
15. Brush the Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the stencil's circles onto the image panel to create a tone-on-tone pattern.
16. Move the stencil to cover more of the image panel, taking care to line up the circles and diamonds. 
17. Continue to brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the stencil's circles onto the image panel. 
18. Remove and clean the stencil.
19. Place the border from the Large Stencil PS317 so that the base of the border (at the top of the stencil) is even with the bottom part of the stamped and colored image. 
20. Brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the stencil onto the image panel. 
21. Brush Tumbled Glass Distress Ink over the stencil to differentiate the border design from the stenciled circles. 
22. Keeping the stencil in place, brush Golden Glitz Delicata Ink over the stencil onto the image panel to add a sparkly touch.
23. Place low-tack tape or scrap paper horizontally onto the image panel, covering the top part. Brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink, then Tumbled Glass Distress Ink over the the stencil to further color the bottom part of the image panel.
24. Remove the stencil and heat set the panel. 
25. Spray the image panel with Gossamer Gold from the Moon Shadow Mists Spray Set to add some shimmer. 
26. Heat set the image panel. 
27. Remove the masks. 
28. Use the fourth largest die from the Crea Nest-Lies XXL Double Stitched Rectangle Die Se to cut the image panel. 
29. Use the Golden Glitz Delicata Ink to edge the image panel die-cut. 
30. Heat set the wet ink. C
31. Cut  Commodore Blue Cardstock 1/8" larger than the image panel die-cut and use it as a  mat. 
32. Cut Caribbean Sea Cardstock 1/4" larger than the image panel and use it to mat the matted image panel. Set the double-matted image panel aside.
33. Sponge or brush the light grey dye ink used earlier onto a strip of Bristol Paper.
34.  Heat set the ink. 
35. Place the inked strip onto the base of the stamping platform and secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape.
36. Place the Tracy Scott Mini TSM23 Cling Rubber Stamp quote stamp facedown in the center of the inked strip of Bristol Paper.
37. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the quote stamp and lift.
38. Ink the quote stamp with Adriatic Sea VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
39. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
40. Remove the strip from the stamping platform and heat set the ink. 
41. Cut the quote stamp apart, edge the phrase pieces with Bali Blue VersaFine Clair Ink, and heat set them.
42. Adhere the double matted image panel to the reserved textured blue 5" x 7" card. 
43. Adhere the sentiment quote strips to finish the card.

Thank you for visiting today!

Sending Heartfelt Wishes...

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! It's an "Anything Goes" week so I decided to create a summery birthday card with the Good Things Take Time Clear Stamp Set TE60 and the Flower Power Clear Stamp Set TE37 — both by Tracy Evans Boutique, Leaf Green and Ultramarine Brusho Crystal Colors by Colourcraft, and the Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Double Stitched Rectangle Die Set by CREAlies.

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Good Things Take Time Clear Stamp Set TE60 by Tracy Evans Boutique

Flower Power Clear Stamp Set TE37 by Tracy Evans Boutique

Leaf Green and Ultramarine Brusho Crystal Colors by Colourcraft

Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Double Stitched Rectangle Die Set by CREAlies

Melon Soda VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Metallic Black Cardstock by Recollections

Avalanche White Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Dandelion Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts

Copic Markers: YG45, YG25, YG17, YG1, YG03, YG01, R59, R56, YR18, YR16, YR12, Y35, Y19, Y13

Dark Peony, Deep Red, and Green Zig Clearn Color Real Brush Markers by Kuretake

Black Spica Glitter Pen by Copic Marker

Mixing Palette

Pipette

Paint brushes

91% Isopropyl Alcohol

Cotton

Q-Tips

Low-tack Tape

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Notes:

• I wanted the flower stems to be green so I decided to use the 'no lines' coloring technique. 
• I was inspired by my neighbors red/orange lilies. 
• My colors got a bit over-saturated, but I was mostly pleased with the result.
• A spray of water didn't change the streakiness/saturation of the Brusho background, so I decided to try 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Spraying didn't work, but I happened to have a wad of cotton (from a gift) on my craft table, so I saturated the cotton and tried that. It worked wonderfully well to blend and mottle the background and also brought out some of the colors of the Brusho powders.  

Instructions:

1. Create an A6 card from white textured cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure a 4.5" x 6" panel of Bristol Paper onto the base of a stamping platform.
3. Place the lilies stamp from the Good Things Take Time Clear Stamp Set TE60 facedown in the center of the panel. 
4. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
5. Ink the lilies stamp with Dandelion Memento Ink and stamp. 
6. Use Copic markers to color the flowers and the stems. 
7. Re-ink and stamp again to attain a good impression.
8. Remove the image panel from the platform and heat set.
9. Sprinkle a small amount of Leaf Green and Ultramarine Brusho Crystal Colors into wells of a mixing palette. 
10. Use a pipette to add water to the Crystal Colors to dilute them. 
11. A wet paint brush was used to dampen the paper around the stems, then the liquid Leaf Green Crystal Color was brushed onto the botton of the image panel on a slant. 
12. The wet paint brush was used to dampen the paper around the flowers and stems on the top part of the image panel. 
13. Ultramarine Brusho Crystal Color was painted onto the image panel. 
14. The colors were looking a bit streaky, so a wad of cotton was wet with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, then pounced onto the background avoiding the Copic colored images. 
15. A cotton swab was dipped into the alcohol and pounced onto the areas closest to the images. The alcohol mottled the background and brought out some of the other colors in the crystals. Fun! 
16. Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers were used to add detail to the lawn and to the flowers. 
17. I decided to pounce the alcohol-saturated cotton onto the image panel again which softened some of watercolors.
18. The image panel was throroughly heat set, then cut with the third largest die from the Crea-Nest-Lies XXL Double Stitched Rectangle Die Set.
19. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure the image panel die-cut to the base of a stamping platform.
20. Position the "Sending Heartfelt Wishes..."sentiment stamp from the Flower Power Clear Stamp Set TE37 facedown on the top left of the image panel die-cut. 
21. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
22. Ink the sentiment stamp with Melon Soda VersaFine Clair Ink was used to ink the sentiment and stamp.
23. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
24. Remove the image panel die-cut from the stamping platform and heat set.
25. Use a Black Spica glitter pen to outline the stamens of the flowers and add a slight dimensional touch.
26. Mat the image panel die-cut with black metallic cardstock that was trimmed to be 1/8" larger than the die-cut.
27. Adhere the matted image panel to the reserved white textured A6 card.

Thanks for visiting today!