Tuesday, December 28, 2021

2022 Calendar

It's Tuesday so it's my day to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week my teammates and I are celebrating the new year and/or new beginnings. I decided to make a calendar card. It was created with the appropriately named New Beginnings Unmounted Rubber Stamp #578 by Crafty Individuals, which features a wonderful hatching baby dragon. I also used the Mystic Swirl Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps to make the background paper with Confetti and Della Blue Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps.

Here's the card which will stand on its own and fit into an A7 envelope.


Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Other Products Used:
140 lb. Mixed Media Cardstock by Strathmore®
Cryogen White Curious Metallics Cardstock by Arjowiggins
Commodore Blue Cardstock by My Colors
Crocodile Textured Specialty Paper by FiberMark*
Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®
Copic® Markers:
   Dragon's Body: B60, B63, B66, RV52, RV63, RV91, RV93, V000, V01, V22, V91, V93
   Dragon's Wings: V000, V01, V91, V93, BV20
   Dragon's Talons, Spikes, and Horns: RV63, RV91, V91, Y11, Y13, Y15, Y19
   Dragon's Eyes: BG45, BG49, Y13
   Dragon's Shell: BVe1, BV34, N1, N3, N5, Y000
   Inside of Shell: BV23, BV34, N1, N3, N5, Y000
   Rocks: BG000, BG90, BG93, E41, E42
   Sky: BG0000, B0000, <B21, <B41, BV0000, RV0000, V0000, Y0000, C0, C00
Stamping Platform
Sookwang Tape
Gold Staples
2022 Tear Off Calendar: Taylored Expressions or Vippies.com
Stamping Platform
Big Shot or other Die Cutting Machine

Instructions:
  1. Cut a piece of 12x12 blue cardstock to create two 7" x 5.5" pieces.
  2. Score both pieces lengthwise at .5" and 5".
  3. Pinch the middle of one piece then mountain fold to form the front panel.
  4. Pinch the middle of the other piece then valley fold to form the back panel.
  5. Set aside.
  6. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the New Beginnings Dragon image onto a piece of Cryogen White cardstock. This cardstock is sparkly and when you use Copic markers to color and image, the image gets sparkly. It also makes plain ordinary dye ink sparkle. See the close-up photo below which shows a bit of the sparkle.
  7. Cut a piece of blue cardstock slightly larger than the image panel and use it to mat the image panel.
  8. Cut a piece of blue cardstock slightly larger than the calendar.
  9. Adhere the calendar to the cardstock and then use gold staples to secure it.
  10. Set the matted image panel and the calendar aside to work on a background panel.
  11. Smoosh Confetti and Della Blue Elements Inks onto a craft mat, spritz the inks with water, then dip a 4.25" x 6.75" piece of mixed media cardstock into the puddles until happy with the coverage and blending.
  12. While the cardstock is still wet, use a 2" Speedball Brayer to apply Della Blue Elements Ink to a the shiny side of a piece of crocodile textured specialty paper.
  13. Immediately place the wet inked cardstock ink-side down onto the inked textured paper.
  14.  Place those two pieces of inked mixed media cardstock and inked specialty cardstock atop the platform of a Big Shot.
  15. Add both cutting plates over the inked paper combo, then crank the sandwich through the machine a few times to transfer the crocodile pattern to the inked paper. 
  16. Remove the papers from the Big Shot and dry the platform with a paper towel.
  17. Heat set the newly patterned and inked mixed media cardstock.
  18. Wipe the ink off the specialty paper and set aside to dry.
  19. Place the dried patterned and inked mixed media cardstock onto the platform of the Big Shot, top with the two cutting plates, and some scrap cardstock, and crank the sandwich through the Big Shot a few times to flatten the background panel.
  20. Use magnets to secure the flattened background panel to the base of a stamping platform.
  21. Place the Mystic Swirl Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the upper left of the background panel.
  22. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp, lift, and ink the stamp with Della Blue Elements ink. 
  23. Re-ink the stamp and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression.
  24. Keeping the stamp in place, flip the background panel 180°, and secure with magnets.
  25. Re-ink the stamp with Della Blue Elements ink and stamp. Again, re-ink and stamp if necessary.
  26. Use Della Blue Elements ink to edge the background panel.
  27. Adhere the image panel and the calendar as shown.
  28. Adhere the card front to the mountain folded front card base.
  29. The two folded sides of the card front will cover the two folded sides of the card back.
  30. Add tape to the inside of the left side of the card front and the outside of the left side of the card back.
  31. Remove the tape liners, align the sides, and press.
  32. Repeat Steps #30 and #31 for the right side of the card.
Notes:
• My card is a bit wobbly, so I think that next time, I'll make the sides wider by not trimming the 7" x 6" panels. Stay tuned! 

Here's the close-up of the colored image. I had to really tilt it so the camera would catch the shimmer. 


















Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year!


Saturday, December 25, 2021

Merry Christmas!

Poor Amanda Mouse! She's snug asleep in her bed and her friends decide that it's time for her to wake up. I guess they're impatient to open those gifts!

Here's my card with Stampendous!® House-Mouse Designs® Christmas Morning Rubber Stamp.


Stampendous!® Products Used:

Other Products Used:
Classic Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Holly and Mistletoe Patterned Paper from the Christmas Time Collection by Graphic 45 Papers®
I Heart the Bells Patterned Paper from the Joy to the World Collection by Graphic 45 Papers®
Copic® Markers:
   Mouse Faces, Hands, and Tails: BV0000, BV000, E51, E50, R00, R01, R20 (Cheeks), R22 (Noses)
   Fur (from left to right): E33, E34, E35, D37, E44;  E35, E43, E44, E53, E55, E57;  E23, E25, E37;  E23, E33, E34, E43
   Hats: R24, R37, B000, B60, C00, C0, C1
   Horns: Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28
   Bowl/Bed: B00, B12, B91
   Pillow: B60, B000, C1
   Blanket, Ribbon, and Bows: G03, G05, G17
   Gifts: R24, R39, R59

Instructions:
  1. Cut a piece of green cardstock to 7" x 10". Score at 5" and fold to form a 7" x 5" card.
  2. Cut a piece of Holly and Mistletoe patterned paper to 6.75" x 4.75". 
  3. Cut a piece of I Heart the Bells patterned paper to 2.25" x 4.75".
  4. Fold a piece of scrap paper in half and dump some Gold Tinsel embossing powder into the fold.
  5. Drag the right edge of the strip of patterned paper from Step #3 along the VersaMark pad, then through the Gold Tinsel embossing powder. Heat set.
  6. Adhere the strip of patterned paper to the left side of the Holly and Mistletoe patterned paper to create the card front.
  7. Drag the edges of the card front along a VersaMark pad, then through the Gold Tinsel embossing powder. Heat set.
  8. Adhere the card front to the card.
  9. Use Memento ink to stamp the image onto white paper.
  10. Color the image with Copic markers.
  11. Trim the image panel to 4.875" x 3.6225".
  12. Cut a piece of green cardstock to 5.125" x 3.875".
  13. Drag the edges of the green cardstock cut in Step #12 along a VersaMark pad, then through the Gold Tinsel embossing powder. Heat set.
  14. Mat the image panel with the gold-edged green cardstock.
  15. Adhere the matted image panel to the card.
Thanks for visiting today!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Here's my last Christmas card created for Topflight Stamps this year! This one was created with the llama and the tall cactus from the Zinski Art 59 Rubber Cling Mounted Stamp Set by PaperArtsy. The llama is wearing a Santa hat from the Baa Humbug Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Hobby Art Ltd and carrying presents from the Funny Accessories Unmounted Stamp Set by Katzelkraft. The desert scene was created with the mountains stamp from Marlene's World Happy Holiday Clear Stamp Set by Studio Light and a sentiment from the ever useful Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle.



Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Classic Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Tuxedo Black, Desert Sand, Toffee Crunch, Peanut Brittle, and Lulu Lavender Memento™ Ink by Tsunkineko®
Jet Black StazOn® Ink by Tsukineko®
VersaMark® Ink by Tsukineko®
Copic® Markers:
   Hat: R27, R39, B60, <B91, BV0000, RV0000, Y0000, C00, C0, C1, C2
   Llama: BV000, E40, E41, E42, E70
   Glasses: G05, BG17
   Blanket and Gifts: G05, G17, R27, R39, B18, Y23, Y26
   Cactus: G05, G17, G29
   Mountains: E41, E42, E43
   Desert Plants: YG61, YG63
Red and Green Stardust® Glitter Pens by Sakura® of America
Clear 3D Glaze® Glossy Gel Pen by Sakura® of America
Gold Tinsel and Jeweled Gold Embossing Powder by Stampendous!®
Assorted Gemstones from Ye Olde Stash :D
Gold Star Brad from Ye Old Stash
Vellum by Strathmore®
Speech Bubble Die by Spellbinders®
Sookwang Tape
Removable Label Paper by Avery®
STAY-tion™ by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Stamping Platform

Instructions:
  1.  Trim Green cardstock to 10" x 7" wide.
  2. Score at 5" and fold to form a 5" x 7" card. Set aside.
  3. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to stamp the llama cactus, the pile of presents, and the Santa hat onto white cardstock.
  4. Fussy-cut all images, color with Copic markers, and edge with a dark marker to get rid of those annoying white edges.
  5. Add several layers of Clear Glaze pen to the frame and lenses of the sunglasses allowing the gel ink to dry between the layers. This process adds dimension and shine. 
  6. Use Red and green glitter pens to add sparkle to the llama and the blanket tassels. Then smear the ink and swear loudly. Upside to this is that you'll scare the cat away before he eats more ribbon.
  7. Stamp the mountains onto label paper, fold the label paper, and fussy-cut through both layers to create masks which will be used to create both the mountain range and the desert sky.
  8. Use magnets to secure a piece of 5" x 7" cardstock to the STAY-tion.
  9. Tear a piece of scrap paper and place horizontally towards the top of the image panel, secured with more magnets.
  10. Adhere the label paper mountains on top of the horizontal torn paper.
  11. Brush or sponge Periwinkle Prism ink to create a lovely blue desert sky.
  12. Remove the label paper mountains mask and reserve for another day.
  13. Heat set the image panel.
  14. Adhere the negative part of the fussy-cut label paper over the sky, which should reveal the mountains.
  15. Brush Lulu Lavender Memento ink on the base of the mountains and along the edges. 
  16. Brush Desert Sand, Toffee Crunch, and Peanut Brittle Memento ink onto the mountains.
  17. Remove the mask covering the sky and reserve. 
  18. Touch up the mountains using Copic markers.*
  19. Create the desert with the torn strip of paper by brushing or sponging upwards from the torn edge from left to right with Desert Sand ink.
  20. Move the torn paper strip downwards and continue to brush the ink over the top of the torn edge. 
  21. Repeat Step #18 until the the background panel is covered.
  22. Use Copic markers to touch up the desert background and to add desert plants.
  23. Trim the background panel to 4.75" x 6.75".
  24. Adhere the background panel to the reserved green card.
  25. Use Peanut Brittle Memento ink to edge the panel.
  26. Adhere the Santa hat to the llama, then adhere the llama to the image panel as shown.
  27. Add a large red gemstone to cover the heart.*
  28. Adhere the cactus to the image panel as shown.
  29. Add self adhesive gemstones to decorate the cactus.
  30. Squish the star brad onto the VersaMark pad.
  31. Use either a hemostat clip thingy or reverse tweezers to hold the brad.
  32. Dip the brad into Jeweled Gold Embossing Powder. Shake excess into the jar.
  33. Heat set. Let cool.*
  34. Press the star onto the VersaMark pad.
  35. Dip the brad into the Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder. Shake excess into the jar.
  36. Heat set. Let cool.
  37. Cut the brads' wings off and flatten any spurs.
  38. Adhere to the top of the Christmas cactus.
  39. Cut a strip of vellum and back with a strip of Sookwang tape.
  40. Use Jet Black StazOn ink to stamp the sentiment onto vellum.
  41. Clean the stamp immediately.*
  42. Use the speech bubble die to cut the sentiment.
  43. Adhere the speech bubble sentiment to finish the card as shown.
Notes:
  • Memento ink was used for the mountains and the desert because it's Copic friendly and I knew I'd want to use Copic markers to add detail.
  • I had found super-cute little epoxy stickers and had one that said Santa on it. It was perfectly sized to fit inside a sequin and to cover the heart. I put it together, put it aside, and promptly lost it. 
  • If you don't let the brad cool, you will melt your VersaMark pad. Again. 
  • StazOn ink is a solvent ink. Solvent inks may/may not hurt your clear stamps. So if you must use it (for instance to stamp on vellum), clean the stamp immediately.
Thanks for visiting today!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Wine For You!

It's Tuesday, which means that it's time to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week my teammates and I are showcasing Visible Image's wonderful stamps and stencils. My husband and I are big Winos Wine Afficionados. We love wine, have been part of a wine tasting group, and have vacationed several times in the wine country in California. So when I saw Visible Image's new 99% Chance of Wine Clear Polymer Stamp Set, I had to get it!

Since it's holiday time,  I'm hopeful that we will be able to attend several holiday parties, which means that we'll be bringing wine as a gift and more wine to share! I decided that I should try to make a wine gift thingy using my new 99% Chance of Wine Clear Polymer Stamp Set.

Here's the front of it.


Here's a close-up of the front.


Here's the back of it.


Here's a close-up of the back.


Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Other Products Used:
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Dark Red Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Tuxedo Black Memento® Ink by Tsukineko®
Obsidian Amalgam Ink by Gina K® Designs
Chianti Versa Fine Clair™ Ink by Tsukineko®
Copic® Markers: G16, G29, E41, E42, BG0001, Y11, Y23, G05, G07, N4, N5, N6: R56, R59, BG000, G00
White Uni POSCA Acrylic Paint Pen by Mitsubishi Pencil Company
Dark Grey Chalk Pencil by General's
Nestabilities® Circles Die Set by Spellbinders
Labels and Tags Crea-Nest-Lies XXL #6 Die Set by CREA-lies
1/8" Circle PaperShaper® Punch by EK Success®
STAY-tion™ by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Stamping Platform
Repositionable Label Paper by Avery®
Ribbon

Instructions and Notes:
  1. Use magnets to secure white cardstock to the base of the stamping platform.
  2. Position the wine bottle face-down onto the image panel.
  3. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  4. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to ink the stamp and stamp the wine bottle onto the image panel and onto repositionable label paper.
  5. Fussy-cut the label paper version and place over its counterpart on the image panel.
  6. Position the wine glass stamp face-down to the right of the wine bottle.
  7. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  8. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to ink the stamp and stamp the wine bottle onto the image panel and onto repositionable label paper.
  9. Remove the image panel from the stamping platform. 
  10. Use magnets to secure the image panel onto the STAY-tion.
  11. Place the STAY-tion's ruler horizontally over the base of the wine bottle and the wine glass.
  12. Brush Spring Meadow Prism Ink over the image panel to add a light green background.
  13. Use magnets to secure the Ripples Stencil over the masked images on the image panel.
  14. Brush Spring Meadow Prism Ink over the stencil onto the image panel.
  15. Remove the stencil. 
  16. Reposition the ruler so that it's covering the top part of the image panel.
  17. Brush Spring Meadow Prism Ink over the base of the stamped, masked images and the panel.
  18. Use a die from the Labels and Tags Crea-Nest-Lies XXL #6 Die Set to cut the image panel.
  19. Set the image panel aside.
  20. Cut red cardstock to create two 3" x 10" panels.
  21. Score both pieces at 7/8", 2 5/8", and 3 5/8". See template below.
  22. Pinch the cardstock at the score lines and fold.
  23. Use a 1.5" circle die to cut the cardstock as shown below. 
  24. Use magnets to secure one of the red cardstock panels to the base of the stamping platform. 
  25. Position "Just for you" from the Roundabout Sentiments face-down on the top of the panel. 
  26. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  27. Ink the stamp with Obsidian Amalgam ink and stamp. Repeat if necessary to obtain a good impression since you are stamping on textured cardstock.
  28. Remove and clean the stamp.
  29. Position "Wine" from the featured stamp set face-down on the bottom of the panel. 
  30. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  31. Ink the stamp with Obsidian Amalgam ink and stamp. Repeat if necessary to obtain a good impression.
  32. Remove the front panel from the stamping platform and adhere the image panel die-cut.
  33. Use magnets to secure the other red cardstock panel to the base of the stamping platform. 
  34. Position the wine glass face-down towards the right bottom of the panel.
  35. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  36. Ink the stamp with Obsidian Amalgam ink and stamp. Repeat if necessary to obtain a good impression.
  37. Thoroughly clean the wine glass stamp and position it facedown towards the top left of the panel as shown. 
  38. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  39. Ink the stamp with Obsidian Amalgam ink and stamp. Repeat if necessary to obtain a good impression.
  40. Remove and clean the stamp.
  41. Position the wine splash stamps face-down as desired on the wine glasses.
  42. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamps and lift.
  43. Ink the stamps with Chianti VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Repeat if necessary to obtain a good impression.
  44. Remove the stamps and clean.
  45. Position the word "Wine" and one of the sentiments face-down as shown.
  46. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp and lift.
  47. Ink the stamp with Obsidian Amalgam ink and stamp. Repeat if necessary to obtain a good impression.
  48. Repeat Steps #45 - 47 using a different sentiment.
  49. Clean the stamps.
  50. Remove the panel from the platform.
  51. Use Chianti VersaFine Clair to stamp the splats as desired.
  52. Use strong tape or liquid adhesive to adhere the two panels so that the circle apertures overlap each other.
  53. Slide the wine gift jacket thingy over the neck of a wine bottle.
  54. Discover that it's a bit floppy, so slide it back off, and punch holes on each side of both panels.
  55. Thread ribbon through the holes.
  56. Slide the wine gift jacket thingy back over the neck of the wine bottle.
  57. Tie the ribbons to finish.
Notes:
  • I kept this one pretty straight forward as I really suck at math and it took forever and a day to figure out the template since it involved all this mathy stuff, though I complicated things initially because I thought I needed circumferenes and radii and all that crap I learned in high school. (Cue Paul Simon's Kodachrome).
  • I figure I'll be making more of these and gussying 'em up some as I get better at it. 
  • I thought you all might want the template, so it follows.


Thanks for visiting today!

Monday, December 20, 2021

Cold Days, Warm Hearts

Mmmmm. Cocoa! Those mice have the right idea, especially as winter has arrived!

Here's a card created with Stampendous!' House-Mouse Designs® Marshmallow Mice Rubber Stamp.



Stampendous!® Products Used:

Other Products Used:
Blue and Brown Cardstock 
Holly Jolly Patterned Paper by Fancy Pants Designs
Copic® Markers:
   Mouse Skin: BV0000, BV000, E51, E50, R00, R0, R20 (cheeks), R22 (Noses)
   Fur (from left to right): E21, E23, E25, E44;  E33, E35, E37 E44;  T1, T3, T5;  E47, E53, E55, E57;  W3, W5, W7
   Bag: <B21, B21, B91, Y21
   Label on Bag: Y21, E25
   Marshmallows: B60, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3
   Mug: R81, RV32, RV91, RV93
   Cocoa Can: B32, B34, B45, Y21
   Cocoa Can Label: E25, Y21, <B21, G40, G43
   Spoons: B90, T0, T1, T3
   Leaves; B32, G40, G43
   Straw: BV0000, Y11, Y21
   Floor: E42, T2
   Coffee Stain on floor from coffee. Oops
Pearlescent Shimmers Chalk by Pebbles

Instructions:
  1. Cut a piece of 12x12 brown cardstock in half. Reserve half. 
  2. Score the other piece at 6" and fold to form a 6" square card.
  3. Cut a piece of patterned paper to 5.75" square and adhere to the card.
  4. Use Memento ink to stamp the image onto white paper.
  5. Use Copic markers to color the image.
  6. Use shimmery chalk to carefully add the background around the mice.
  7. Trim the image panel to 5" x 3.75".
  8. Trim a piece of blue cardstock .25" larger and use to mat the image.
  9. Use black ink to stamp the sentiment onto white paper.
  10. Closely trim the sentiment and use the same chalk to add color to the sentiment panel.
  11. Trim a piece of blue cardstock slightly larger than the sentiment panel and use to mat the sentiment.
  12. Adhere the image panel and sentiment to the card.
Thanks for visiting today!
   

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Christmas Love

Here's another holiday card! This one features Stampendous!®'s Snow Couple Hug Rubber Stamp.



Stampendous!® Products Used:

Other Supplies Used:
Copic® Markers:
   Snow Couple: B60, RV0000, C00, C0, C1, YR12, YR14, R30
   Coats: B91, B93, B95
   Her Scarf, Hat, and Mittens: R00, R11, R30, R32
   His Hat: B91, B93, B95, R30, R31
   His Scarf and Mittens: <b21, B21, C0, C1
Circles and Scalloped Circles Nestabilities® Dies by Spellbinders®
Frost Shimmer™ Stix by Imagine®
Distress® Ink by Tim Holtz® for Ranger Ink (Sorry I didn't write down the color. Oops!)
Clear Starlight® Gelly Roll Glitter Pen by Sakura® of America
Brr...It's Cold Outside 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Craft O'Clock
Blue Cardstock

Instructions:
  1. Score and fold in half an 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" blue panel to form an A2 card base.
  2. Trim patterned paper to 4" x 5-1/4" patterned paper and edge with Frost Shimmer Stix.
  3. Use Memento ink to stamp Snow Couple onto white cardstock.
  4. Color with Copic markers.
  5. Use glitter pen to add sparkle to the snow on the ground and in the background.
  6. Trim the image panel and edge with Frost Shimmer Stix.
  7. Trim a piece of coordinating patterned paper 1/4" larger than the image panel.
  8. Lightly edge with Distress ink and heat set.
  9. Mat the image panel onto the patterned paper panel.
  10. Adhere to card front.
  11. Stamp sentiment in black ink on white cardstock.
  12. Use circle die to cut the sentiment.
  13. Use scalloped circle die to cut patterned paper.
  14. Use Copics to add some color to the sentiment circle
  15. Mat the sentiment circle with the scalloped circle die-cut.
  16. Adhere the sentiment to the card front as shown.
  17. Thanks for visiting today!

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Have a Cracking Good Christmas!

It's Tuesday which means it's time to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. If you've been here before you know that my tastes are somewhat eclectic and that I really like quirky imagery, which is why I absolutely, positively had to have the new  Nicci Battilana Eclectica ENB06 Rubber Cling Mounted Stamp Set by PaperArtsy, which I used to create a slimline holiday card.

Here it is!


Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Other Products Used:
140 Lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore®
Solar White Classic Crest® Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Classic Green, Avocado, and Classic Red Cardstock by Bazzill Basics Paper®
Tuxedo Black and London Fog Memento™ Inks by Tsukineko®
Copic® Markers:
   Face and Lips: BV00, E21, E23, E35, R21, R22, R24
   Hair/Beard: C2, C3, C4, X6
   Eyes: BV11, BV13, BV17, B60
   Outfit: R24, R27, Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28, B04, B16, G03, G05, G17, FV02
   Ornaments: Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28, B04, B16, B60, R24, G05, G17, E40, E41, E42, C00, C0
Pumice Stone Distress® Oxide Spray by Tim Holtz® for Ranger Ink
Pumice Stone Distress® Oxide by Tim Holtz® for Ranger Ink
Black Soot Distress® Ink by Tim Holtz® for Ranger Ink
Fir Branch Die: Source Unknown
Bow from the Fireside Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz® for Sizzix®
Wood Patterned Washi Tape: Source Unknown
Uppercase "J" from the Alphabet Uppercase Die Set by Impression Obsession
STAY-tion™ by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink
Star Sequins from Kat Scrappiness
Stamping Platform
Big Shot by Sizzix®
Paper Towel
Removable Tape
Waterbrush

Instructions and Notes:
  1. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to stamp the Nutcracker and two baubles from the ENB06 Rubber Cling Mounted Set.
  2. Fussy-cut all three.
  3. Use Copic markers to color the fussy-cut images, edge with a dark marker, and set aside.
  4. Cut a piece of heavy mixed media cardstock to 4" x 9".
  5. Spray cardstock with Pumice Stone Distress Oxide Spray. Heat set.
  6. Mop up leftover Oxide Spray with the sprayed panel. Heat set.
  7. Use removable tape to hinge the Stones Stencil to the top of the panel.
  8. Brayer London Fog over the side of the the Stones Stencil that is attached to the inked side of the panel.
  9. Lightly mist the inked panel with water.
  10. Flip the hinged Stencil onto the patterned paper so that the inked sides are against each other.
  11. Place this sandwich onto the Big Shot's platform and place both cutting pads overtop.
  12. Run through the Big Shot several times.
  13. Remove the panel, keeping the stencil in place, and use magnets to secure it to the STAY-tion.
  14. Brush or sponge Pumice Stone Distress Oxide over the stencil.
  15. Carefully remove the tape from the stencil and the panel.
  16. Heat set the panel.
  17. Add detail to the stones with a waterbrush or a paintbrush dipped in water.
  18. Heat set the panel.
  19. Trim the panel to 3.25" x 8.25", add Washi tape to the base of the panel, and edge with Black Soot Distress ink.
  20. Adhere the panel to a piece of gold cardstock cut to 3.5" x 8.5".
  21. Use the Fir Branch die to cut green cardstock multiple times.
  22. Layer and adhere the Fir Branch die-cuts across the top to create a garland.
  23. Cut gold cardstock with the Alphabet Die so that you end up with two of the letter "J".
  24. Use glue to adhere the "J"s to the garland.
  25. Hook the two ornament loops to loop of the "J" and adhere to the panel as shown
  26. Use glue pen to adhere the star sequins in and on the garland
  27. Use the bow die to cut red cardstock twice.
  28. Adhere the bows to either side of the garland
  29. Adhere the Nutcracker to image panel as shown.
  30. Adhere the card front to the reserved card.
Thanks for visiting today!

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Enjoy the Magic This Holiday Season

Greetings! I love the challenge of making holiday projects with non-holiday themed products. Earlier this week I shared a Christmas card created with Crafty IndividualsTrilby Cats Unmounted Rubber Stamp which is a fabulous cat stamp, albeit not Christmas themed. 

Since I still had my Crafty Individuals binder out, I decided to make another holiday card for Topflight Stamps using another non-holiday themed stamp. This time I used the Gentle Dragon Unmounted Rubber Stamp. After all, it IS one of the two magical seasons each year!

Here's the card!



Topflight Stamps Products Used:
Gentle Dragon Unmounted Rubber Stamp by Crafty Individuals
Holiday Sentiment Duos Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle
Bronze Metallic Cardstock by Recollections®
Tuxedo Black Memento™ Ink by Tsukineko®
Lightning Black Brilliance™ Ink by Tsukineko®
Copic® Markers: 
   Dragon: G20, G40, G43, G46, G85, <B91, Y21, Y23, Y23, Y26, Y28, R05, R17
   Background: B60, C0, C1, C2, YR30
Gossamer Gold Vintage Moon Shadow Mist by Lindy's® Stamp Gang
Nestabilities® Dies by Spellbinders®
Banner Die: Source Unknown
Stamping Platform
Fan Brush
3D Foam Squares by Scrapbook Adhesives® by 3L

Instructions and Notes:

True confession time. I usually put away all my stamps, inks, and such, then clean my surfaces and my floor after each project. However, it was a crazy week, so my Crafty Individuals Stamp Binder, my Pine and Lime Punch Elements Ink, and the Emerald Green Brusho Crystal Colours hadn't been put away since my last card. Instead they were in a pile on another surface. I decided that was a hint to just use them again.
  1. Trim Bronze Metallic cardstock to 10" x 7". Score at 5", and fold to form a 5" x 7" card. Set aside.
  2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento ink to stamp the dragon onto Neenah cardstock.
  3. Color the image and background with Copic markers. Set aside.
  4. Squish Lime Punch Elements Ink onto a craft mat. Spritz with water.
  5. Dip a piece of watercolor or mixed media paper into the inky puddle until the ink is gone. Clean the craft mat.
  6. Repeat Steps #7 and #8 using Pine Elements Ink.
  7. Heat set the panel.
  8. Sprinkle Emerald Green Brusho Crystal Colours onto the craft mat, spritz with water.
  9. Dip your fan brush into the Brusho Puddle and splatter the panel. Repeat until you're happy with the splattered panel.
  10. Sponge Evergreen Prism Ink here and there to change the green to match the dragon better.
  11. Spritz the inks with water to move them around.
  12. Decide to add some gold tones to the background to make the panel more festive and magical then spray way too much Gossamer Gold Vintage Moon Shadow Mist overtop.
  13. Try to fix the blotchy mess by spraying water onto the paper to dilute the blotchiness. 
  14. Press the wet inky paper with a paper towel to remove ink and discover a pattern that reminds you of dragon scales.
  15. Deepen this look by placing the inky wet cardstock between paper towels, placing onto the platform of a die-cutter, place the cutting pads onto the paper towel, and run this sandwich through the die-cut machine several times. 
  16. Chortle in delight over your "happy accident"!
  17. Heat set this panel.
  18. Use a Nestabilities die to cut an aperture in the inked panel.
  19. Reserve the die-cut.
  20. Use Lightning Black Brilliance ink to randomly stamp the Mystic Swirl around the aperture in the inked sprayed die-cut panel. Heat set.
  21. Use the same ink to edge the panel and the aperture. Heat set.
  22. Use magnets to secure the die-cut from Step #18 to the base of a stamping platform.
  23. Place the sentiment face-down on the die-cut. 
  24. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Onyx Black VersaFine ink, and stamp. Repeat inking if necessary to attain a clean impression. 
  25. Remove the stamped die-cut from the platform and heat set the ink.
  26. Use a banner die to cut the sentiment, then edge with Brilliance ink. Heat set.
  27. Adhere the colored dragon image panel behind the aperture of the inked stamped background paper to create the card front.
  28. Adhere the card front to the reserved card from Step #1.
  29. Add dimensional foam adhesive to the center of the sentiment die-cut and adhesive to both ends.
  30. Adhere the sentiment to the card front as shown.
Thanks for visiting today!