Topflight Stamps Sixth Birthday Blog Hop!

It's Topflight Stamps 6th birthday and to celebrate I’ve teamed up with some great designers to showcase celebratory projects using the unique products available at Topflight Stamps. Please hop along with us and see all the beautiful talent from this group of amazing designers! There is a master list of Hop stops on the Topflight Stamps blog! We are also Hopping on Instagram! You can start at the Topflight Stamps account @topflightstamps .

Did we mention there will be prizes?

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without prizes! Topflight Stamps is giving four lucky winners $50 Gift Certificates to the store. Two winners will be chosen from commenters on the blog hop and two will be chosen from commenters on the IG hop. For a chance to win, make sure to visit the stops on the hop and leave a comment by April 1st. Winners will be announced on the Topflight Stamps blog on Monday, April 3rd. U.S.A winners only due to shipping issues. Good Luck!

Let's Get Started!

You should have arrived here, at Kat's Tales of Stamping, from the Topflight Stamps Blog. Yep! I'm the first stop. Oh the pressure.

Here's my "Celebrate" card that was created with the Anyone for Bubbles Clear Stamp Set by Visible Image. 

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Anyone for Bubbles Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Visible Image

Ripples Stencil by Visible Image

Sundance, Russet Orange, Confetti, and Blue Atoll  Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps

Sunburst Lemon, Crimson, and Turquoise Brusho Crystal Colors by Colourcraft

Nocturne and Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts

Card Passe Partout Rectangle Essentials Die Set by Studio Light

Other Products Used:

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Silver and Gold Metallic Cardstock by Recollections

Dark Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics 

Silver Shimmer Delicata Ink by Imagine Crafts

Grey, Lt. Blue, Peacock Green, Pine, Emerald, Crimson Lake Le Plume II Watercolor Markers by Marvy Uchida

Yellow Gold, Light Gold, Champagne Gold, and White Gold Watercolors from the Starry Colors Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set by Kuretake

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura of America

Celebrate Die: Source Unknown

Water Sprayer

Paint Brushes

Repositionable Scotch Tape

1" Sookwang Double Sided Tape

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Note:

Before I get into my usual verbose and excruciatingly detailed instructions, your next hop stop is at Dina Kowal's Blog, where you're sure to find inspiration galore.

PSA: 

Topflight Stamps is also celebrating with a 20% off sale!!! 

Instructions:

1. Smoosh Sundance Elements Ink onto a craft mat and spritz with water. Dip a piece of Mixed Media paper into the ink. 
2. Sprinkle some Sunburst Lemon Brusho Crystal Color onto the wet paper and let it sit for a few seconds.
3. Mist with water. 
4. Heat set the paper.
5. Clean the craft mat.
6. Repeat Step 1 with Russet Orange Elements Ink. 
7. Mist the paper with water, let the ink flow a bit, then heat set.
8. Clean the craft mat.
9. Repeat Step 1 (and/or 6) with Confetti Elements Ink.
10. Sprinkle some Crimson Brusho Crystal Colors over the wet pinkish/reddish ink.
11. Mist with water.
12. Heat set the paper.
13. Clean the craft mat.
14. Repeat Step 1 (6, 9) with Blue Atoll  Elements Ink.
15. Sprinkle some Turquoise Brusho Crystal Colors onto the wet blue ink.
16. Mist with water.
17. Heat set the paper.
18. Clean the craft mat.
19. Thoroughly heat set the paper panel until it's bone dry. Heat set it again.
20. Use removable Scotch Tape to secure the inked panel to the back of the Ripples Stencil .
21. Use magnets to secure the stencil to the STAY-tion.
22. Sponge Sundance Elements Ink over the stencil onto the image panel.
23. Lift the stencil and heat set the panel.
24. Add drops of water to the image panel and immediately lift with a piece of paper towel to add dots and such to the paper.
25. Use the largest scalloped die from the Card Passe Partout Rectangle Essentials Die Set to cut the inked panel.
26. Heat set it again just because.
27. Use magnets to secure the inked die-cut to the base of the stamping platform.
28. Position the champagne glass and the champangne bottle facedown on the inked panel.
29. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamps, lift, and ink with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
30. Stamp the images onto the panel. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to get a good crisp image. 
31. Remove and clean both stamps.
32. Heat set the image panel while it's still on the platform if possible.*
33. Position the champagne glass facedown on the image panel on the other side of the champagne bottle.
34. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp, lift, and ink with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
35. Stamp the images onto the panel. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to get a good crisp image. 
36. Remove and clean the stamp.
37. Heat set the image panel.
38. Position the bubbles stamp facedown on the image panel above one of the champagne flutes.
39. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp, lift, and ink with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink. 
40. Stamp.
41. Remove the stamp from the platform, clean, and dry it. 
42. Position the bubbles stamp facedown on the image panel above the other champagne flute.
43. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp, lift, and ink with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink. 
44. Stamp.
45. Remove the stamp from the platform and clean.
46. Heat set the panel.
47. Position the large bubbles cluster facedown above the champagne bottle. 
48. Press the platform's lid into the back of the stamp, lift, and ink with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink.
49. Stamp.
50. Re-ink the stamp with Silvery Dazzle Delicata ink. Stamp.
51. Remove the stamp from the platform and clean.
52. Heat set the panel.
53. Color the gold foil on the champagne bottle with Yellow Gold Gansai Tambi Watercolor paint.
54. Use watercolor markers to color the glass and labels of the champagne bottle.
55. Use watercolor markers to ground the champagne bottle and the flutes.
56. Use Light Gold and Champagne Gold Gasai Tambi Watercolor paint to color the contents of the champagne flutes.
57. Use White Gold Gansai Tambi Watercolor paint to add details to the bubbles.
58. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to the champagne bottle and flutes.
59. Position the "celebrate" die facedown on the image panel. Secure it with Repositionable Scotch Tape.
60. Run the panel through the die-cut machine.
61. Remove the paper from the "Celebrate" die, then use the die again to cut gold metallic cardstock.
62. Place a piece of Sookwang tape behind the aperture cut in the shape of the word "Celebrate"
63. Adhere the gold die-cut sentiment into the aperture. Adhere the negatives from the inked panel where needed (the holes in "a", "b", "e")
64. Use the largest rectangle die from the Card Passe Partout Rectangle Essentials Die Set to  cut silver metallic cardstock and use to mat the image panel.
65. Cut a piece of green cardstock to 8.5" x 6.25", score at 4.25", and fold to form a card.
66. Adhere the matted image panel to the green card.

Notes:

• Writing the smooshing instructions probably took longer than doing it. Just remember to spritz generously, let the colors run together. Keep going until you're happy with the way it looks.
• You can heat set on the Tonic Stamping Platform. You can NOT heat set on the Misti or you'll warp the mat. Don't ask how I know.
• Don't use two colors of gold watercolor paints to color the champagne. I wish I hadn't.

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to visit Dina Kowal's Blog and to comment along every stop in the hop for a chance to win!

Birdy Birthday Card

It's Tuesday which is my day to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week my teammates and I are showcasing the Gel Press, paints, inks, and sprays. I've created a birthday card with the circle Gel Press from the Gel Press Petites. The set includes small circle, square, and triangle gel presses. I also used the Heavenly Circles Stencil by Polkadoodles, Melina's Sketched Birds and Branches Clear Stamp Set and Melina's ATC Backgrounds Clear Stamp Set by That's Crafty with sentiments from the More Classic and Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Sets by Heffy Doodle. Della Blue, Confetti, Mulberry, Henna, Dark Denim, and Pine Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps were used to add color.

Here it is!

 

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Gel Press Petites (Circle, Triangle, Square)

5" x 7" Gel Press

Heavenly Circles Stencil by Polkadoodles
Melina's Sketched Birds and Branches Clear Stamp Set by That's Crafty

Melina's ATC Backgrounds Clear Stamp Set by That's Crafty

More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle
Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle

Della Blue, Confetti, Mulberry, Henna, Dark Denim, and Pine Elements Ink by Lavinia Stamps
Blenders by Lavinia Stamps
Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts

Other Products Used:

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Dot Fade Alterations Stencil by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous

Green, May Green, and Dark Brown Zig Clean Color Watercolor Markers

Swallowtail Tags Die Set by Spellbinders

Acrylic Block

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Repositionable Label Paper by Avery

Stamping Platform

A Note:

I wanted to use the Gel Press Petites to create a background. I decided to go with the circle Gel Press Petite for my first try at this technique. Elements Ink  inks were used because they are vibrant dye inks which are translucent. I chose to use a stencil to add a pattern to each of the circles to add more visual interest.

Instructions:

1. Place the Petite Circle Gel Press onto an acrylic block. 
2. Use the 2" Speedball Brayer to apply Mulberry Elements Ink to the Petite Circle Gel Press.
3. Place the Heavenly Circles Stencil onto the Gel Press and brayer another layer of Mulberry Elements Ink over the stencil. 
4. Remove the stencil.
5. Stamp the Gel Press into the center of a 6.75" x 4.75" panel of Mixed Media paper. 
6. Add second and third generation stampings on opposite corners so that there will be three Mulberry circles on a diagonal.
7. Clean the Gel Press and the Heavenly Circles Stencil .
8. Repeat Steps 2 through  6 with Confetti Elements Ink.
9. Clean  Gel Press and the Heavenly Circles Stencil .
10. Repeat Steps 2 through 6 with Della Blue Elements Ink overlapping circles where necessary. 
11. Set the panel aside.
12. Use magnets to secure another panel of Mixed Media paper to a stamping platform.
13. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts to stamp one of the birds from Melina's Sketched Birds and Branches Clear Stamp Set and onto Repositionable Label Paper. 
14. Fussy-cut the label paper version and place it atop its counterpart.
15. Position one of the branches from Melina's Sketched Birds Clear Stamp Set facedown so that the bird would appear to be perching on it.
16. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
17. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp onto the image panel and onto Repositionable Label Paper. 
18. Fussy-cut the label paper version and place it over its counterpart.
19. Sponge Della Blue Elements Ink over the masked images onto the panel. 
20. Position the circles background from Melina's ATC Backgrounds Clear Stamp Set facedown over the bird and branch.
21. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
22. Ink the stamp with  Della Blue Elements Ink and stamp over the masked images. Repeat inking and stamping if necessary.
23. Lift the masks and remove the image panel from the stamping platform.
24. Heat set the image panel
25. Squish the lids of the  Della Blue, Confetti, Mulberry, Henna, Dark Denim, and Pine Elements Ink pads to get some ink on the inside of each lid.
26. Mist water onto the ink puddles resulting from Step 25 and use a brush to watercolor the bird, branch, and leaves.*
27. Use Zig Clean Color Watercolor markers to add shading to the branch and leaves.
28. Heat set the image panel.
29. Use the 2" Speedball Brayer to apply Della Blue Elements Ink to the 5" x 7" Gel Press.
30. Pull the print  using another piece of Mixed Media paper and heat set.
31. Cut this piece in half.
32. Sponge Della Blue Elements Ink over the Dot Fade stencil, then trim it to mat the image panel.
33. Use magnets to secure the other half of the print pulled in Step 30 to the base of a stamping platform.
34. Position the the "happy birthday" and "celebrate" sentiment stamps from the  Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set and "it's your big day" sentiment stamp from the More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set facedown onto the blue panel.
35. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamps and lift.
36. Ink the stamp swith  Della Blue Elements Ink and stamp. Repeat inking and stamping if necessary.
37. Use the Swallowtail Tags dies to cut the sentiments.
38. Cut a piece of white cardstock was cut to 7" x 10", score  at 5", and fold to form an A7 card. 
39. Place a piece of scrap paper into the folded card.
40. Sponge Della Blue Elements Ink around the periphery of the card.*
41. Adhere the circles background panel to the card.
42. Adhere the sentiment die-cuts.
43. Adhere the image panel to finish the card.

Tips:

• When watercoloring with dye ink, use a relatively dry brush with diluted ink. I usually dip my brush into the diluted ink puddle, lightly press it into a paper towel, then paint. You can always deepen the color by adding a bit more ink.
• Remember to wipe the inside of the lid to avoid getting excess water onto the ink pad.
• Sponging ink around the periphery of a white card or panel saves your expensive colored cardstock AND ensures that the card or panel matches perfectly!

Thanks card

I've been seeing a lot of spring colors lately and was inspired to create a shimmery thank you card for Imagine Crafts using several colors of Brilliance Inks and two colors of Memento Inks.

Here's the card!

Imagine Crafts Products Used:

Pearlescent Sky Blue, Pearlescent Orchid, Moonlight White, Pearlescent Purple,

Pearlescent Ice Blue, Pearlescent Thyme Brilliance Inks

Grape Jelly and Cottage Ivy Memento Inks

Sponge Dauber

Ink Sweeper

Tear It! Tape

Other Products Used:

Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah

Mosaic #54 Stencil by AALL and Create

Wildflowers 1 Thinlits Flower Dies by Tim Holtz for Sizzix

Belly Band Die by Frantic Stamper

"Thanks” die: Source Unknown

Removable Scotch Tape by 3M

91% Isopropyl Alchohol

Heat Tool

Big Shot by Sizzix

Instructions: 

Step 1: 

Cut a piece of Mixed Media paper to 4” x 5.25”. Use an Sponge Dauber to apply Sky Blue Pearlescent Brilliance Ink to half of the panel. Use another Sponge Dauber to apply Orchid Pearlescent Brilliance ink to the other side. Blend the two colors of ink in the center. 

Repeat this step with a second piece of paper. Set this piece aside to be used later.

Step 2:

Spray Isopropyl Alcohol onto ink blended paper panel and let sit for a minute. The alcohol will lighten, blend, and add white speckles to the paper. Heat set. 

 

Step 3:

Use Removable Scotch Tape to tape the background panel to the back of the Mosaic Stencil then use an Ink Sweeper to apply Moonlight White Brilliance ink over the stencil onto the panel.

Step 4:

Remove the tape and the stencil from the back of the panel. Heat set the panel.

 

Step 5: 

Use three flower dies from the Wildflowers 1 Thinlits Die Set to cut Mixed Media Paper.

 

Step 6: 

Use Sponge Daubers to apply Pearlescent Purple, Pearlescent Ice Blue, and Pearlescent Lavender to the flowers. Use Fantastix Brush applicators to detail the flowers with Mediterranean Blue Brilliance, Pearlescent Sky Blue Brilliance, Grape Jelly Memento inks. Color the flower stems and leaves with Pearlescent Thyme Brilliance and Cottage Ivy Memento inks.

 

Step 7:

Use the Belly Band and “thanks” dies to cut the extra panel of paper created in Step 1.

Step 8:

Adhere the flower die-cuts to the stenciled panel. Adhere the Belly Band die-cut over the flower stems. Adhere the “thanks” die-cut to the center ornament of the Belly Band.

Step 9:

Cut a piece of white cardstock in half. Score and fold to form an A2 card. Put a piece of scrap paper inside the card, then use a Sponge Dauber to apply Purple Brilliance ink around the edges of the front of the card. Heat set.

Step 10:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the card.

 

Thanks for visiting today!