Time - A Mixed Media Experiment

Greetings! It's Tuesday which is my day to share a project created for Topflight Stamps. This week the TFS team is focussing on paints, inks, sprays, etc. I do love the excuse to get my mixed media mojo started and to experiment and see what happens. I decided it was time to play with my PaperArtsy stash, specifically Hot Picks Printed Tissue 1, Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints, Infusions, and two Ink and the Dog Mini Cling Mounted Stamps.

Here it is:

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Hot Picks Printed Tissue 1 by PaperArtsy

Smoked Paprika, Tango, Zesty Zing, and Glass Blue Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints by PaperArtsy

Shark Mattints by PaperArtsy

Royal Blood Infusions by PaperArtsy

Ink and the Dog Mini MN115 Cling Mounted Stamp by PaperArtsy

Ink and the Dog Mini MN124 Cling Mounted Stamp by PaperArtsy

Paradise, Morning Mist, and Nocturne VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Gold Nugget Essential Metallic Marker by Spectrum Noir

Other Products Used:

140 Lb. White Mixed Media Cardstock by Strathmore

140 Lb. Black Mixed Media Cardstock by Strathmore

Hot Picks HPS DO2 Stamp and Die Set by PaperArtsy

Classic Treasure Gold by by PaperArtsy

Alphanumeric Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix

Gold Metallic Marker by Pentel

Waterbrush

Paintbrushes

Inkssentials Cut 'N' Dry Stamping Foam by Ranger Ink

Scissors

Paper Distresser by Tim Holtz for Tonic Studios

Preface: This project is a bit complicated and I see loads of problems with it now caused by user error. It was my first time using printed tissue on a project, which shows. 

Instructions:

1. I decided to use the clock, the crown, the large butterfly, and the three butterflies from theHot Picks Printed Tissue 1.
2. Use a waterbrush to outline each image which will make it easy to tear around each image.
3. Paint the reverse of the tissue paper images with Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints , except for the crown which was colored with Gold Nugget Essential Metallic Marker and a Pentel gold metallic marker. 
4. Set aside the painted tissue paper  elements to dry. *
5. Use a piece of Cut 'n' Dry Foam to pick up the excess Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints, leftover from painting the tissue paper, and randomly smoosh them onto a panel of mixed media paper until the panel is mostly colored.
6. Brush Shark Mattints over the entire panel and heat set.
7. Brush another heavier coat of Shark Mattints to intensify the color. 
8. While the panel is wet, ssprinkle some Royal Blood Infusions onto the wet areas and allow it to spread.
9. Heat set the panel.
10. Squeeze some Shark Mattints onto a craft mat and use a paint brush and a tooth brush to splatter it onto the panel, which will cause the Infusions to spread a bit more. *
11. Paint torn pages from an old Butterfly Guide with a few layers of Shark Mattints to tint them. 
12. Use Paradise VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the butterfly from the Ink and the Dog Mini MN115 Cling Mounted Stamp in the center-ish of the panel. 
13. Use Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the script type from the Ink and the Dog Mini MN124 Cling Mounted Stamp three places on the image panel.
14. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the checkerboard from Hot Picks HPS DO2 Stamp and Die Set randomly around the image panel. 
15. Heat set the panel.
16. Working in areas, brush Shark Mattints onto the panel and place the butterfly guide torn text paper, the clock, butterfly wings, and crown painted tissue paperto adhere them to the panel.
17. Brush Shark Mattints over the text and the tissue paper images.*
18. Heat set the panel.
19. Use a Paper Distresser and a scissor blade to rough up the edges of the panel.
20.  Use your finger to lightly apply Classic Treasure Gold Wax to the high points (wrinkles) of the tissue paper and the distressed edges of the piece.
21. Use the alphabet cutting dies to cut the word "Time" three times from black mixed media cardstock. 
22. Stack and glue each letter, then adhere the word as shown.
23. Trim a piece of black mixed media cardstock to 8.25" x 6.25" and use to mat the panel.

Notes: 

• When setting aside the painted tissue to dry, be sure to note which side has been painted (the reverse). I'm positive that the clock was adhered to the panel with the wrong side up. I'm also fairly certain that one wing is right way up and the other is not. Alas. Perfection is overrated.
• To further show my imperfection, the word "Time" is not straight. Sheesh.
• If the Infusions have not spread to your liking, you can always spritz it with water to make them spread more.
• Treasure Gold tends to spread where you don't want it. Suck it up and embrace that imperfection. 
• Whereas a drop of Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints goes a long way, Mattints will need replacement sooner.

Thanks for visiting today!

Birthday Shaker Card

I'm sorry to say that my reign as A Colorful Life Designs' April Guest Designer is coming to an end. However, I had a blast and I'm going out with a super-fun and easy birthday shaker card created with their Banded Split Stencil Set and their wonderful Card Bling!

Do you have oodles of patterned paper that you rarely use because it is outdated? I know I do! The Banded Split Stencil Set makes it super easy to update that paper with a graphic punch!

Here's my shaker card!

Products Used:

Banded Split Stencil Set by A Colorful Life Designs

Opaque Iridescent Light Turquoise Card Bling by A Colorful Life Designs

Opalescent Hydrangea Card Bling by A Colorful Life Designs

Black Iridescent Card Bling by A Colorful Life Designs

Kioshi 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Basic Grey

Purple and Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *

Oval Nestabilities Die Set by Spellbinders

Nameplate by Spellbinders

Happy Birthday Sentiment Die by All Occasion Dies

Acetate from packaging

Black Foam Tape

Non-static Gizmo

Low-Tack Tape

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Instructions:

1. Create a 5.5" square card from purple cardstock. Set aside.
2. Place the patterned paper onto the STAY-tion.
3. Use magnets and/or low-tack tape to secure the Banded Split Stencil (without the band mask) on top of the patterned paper and onto the STAY-tion.
4. Sponge Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil onto the patterned paper. Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink is a pigment ink, so it will most likely cover the pattern in one pass. 
5. Remove the stencil and heat set the patterned paper.
6. Position and secure an oval die from the Nestabilities Oval Die Set cutting side down on the center band stenciled onto the patterned paper.
7. Run the patterned paper/die combo through your Die Cutting machine.
8. Trim the patterned paper to 5.25" square.
9. Edge the patterned paper and edges of the oval aperture with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
10. Place the patterned paper over the reserved card and lightly trace the oval aperture onto the card.
11. Remove the patterned paper panel and flip it over.
12. Adhere the acetate over the the aperture on the back of the patterned paper panel.
13. Add foam tape around the tracing of the oval on the front of the purple card to form a well, taking care to seal the oval. 
14. Erase the tracing.
15. Add foam tape to the front of the purple card, leaving 1/8" border on the card's edges.
16. Pounce the Non-static Gizmo around the acetate and the edges of the foam tape. Blow out the excess.
17. Fill the well on the front of the card with the Card Bling.
18. Peel the foam tape and adhere the patterned paper to the card.
19. Use the sentiment dies to cut purple cardstock.
20. Use the nameplate die to cut black cardstock.
21. Adhere the sentiment die-cuts onto the nameplate die.
22. Adhere the sentiment die-cut onto the card as shown.
23. Use Card Bling to embellish the nameplate and finish the card.

Thanks for visting today!

No Regrets

Here's an encouragement card created for A Colorful Life Designs with their Woman's Back 3" x 6" Stencil and their  Cloud Edger 6" x 6" Stencils. When I saw the Woman's Back" Stencil, I immediately thought that it would be wonderful to use to create encouragement/empowerment cards or journal pages. I also thought that adding stamped images to her back would enhance the theme of the card/page.

Here's my first card using the Woman's Back 3" x 6" Stencil,  the Cloud Edger 6" x 6" Stencils, and both a key and a heart from the Wild Hearts Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set by Katkin Krafts.

Photo of the card with the stencils.

Photo of the card alone:

Products Used:

Woman's Back 3" x 6" Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs

Cloud Edger 6" x 6" Stencils by A Colorful Life Designs

Wild Hearts Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set by Katkin Krafts *

No Regrets Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Visible Image *

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers:

 Skin: BV000, BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E00, R20

 Lips: E04, R32

 Hair: BV20, BV23, N5, 6

 Key: Y28, Y26, Y23,Y21, Y11, R35

Lost Shadow and Black Soot Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *

Pencil

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Low-tack Tape

STAY-ton by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Please note that the products marked with an asterisk (*) are available at Topflight Stamps. 

Instructions:

1. Create an A6 card from black cardstock. 
2. Tape the Woman's Back 3" x 6" Stencil stencil to a piece of 6.5" x 4.5" white cardstock.
3. Use the BV000 Copic marker to trace the stencil onto the white cardstock.
4. Remove the stencil from the cardstock.
5. Color the Woman's Back image with Copic markers. Sadly her back got a little bit streaky because I was coloring on glass and the cardstock got super saturated.
6. Use a sharp pencil to trace the  Woman's Back 3" x 6" Stencil onto a piece of Repositionable Sticker Paper.
7. Fussy-cut the  Woman's Back 3" x 6" Stencil and place the sticker paper version atop its counterpart on the image panel.
8. Place the image panel onto the STAY-tion and secure with magnets or low-tack tape.
9. Brush Lost Shadow Distress ink over the masked Woman's Back image onto the image panel.
10. Place the Cloud Edger 6" x 6" Stencil towards the top of the image panel. 
11. Hold it in place and brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the stencil and the masked image onto the image panel.
12. Move the Cloud Edger 6" x 6" Stencil downwards and rotate it. 
13. Hold it in place and brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the stencil and the masked image onto the image panel.
14. Repeat Steps #12 and #13 until the sky is filled with grey clouds.
15. Remove the stencil.
16. Remove the mask from the Woman's Back.
17. Place the image panel onto the base of a stamping platform, secured with magnets.
18. Position the key stamp from the Wild Hearts Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set facedown on the spine area of the Woman's Back.
19. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
20. Position the matching heart stamp from the Wild Hearts Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set facedown on woman's shoulder. 
21. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the heart stamp and lift.
22. Ink both the key and the heart from the Wild Hearts Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and stamp.
23. Remove the stamps from the stamping platform.
24. Remove the image panel from the stamping platform.
25. Use Copic markers to color the key and the heart.
26. Place the image panel back onto the base of the stamping platform.
27. Position the "No Regrets" stamp from the No Regrets Clear Polymer Stamp Set facedown on the image panel.
28. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
29. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
30. Trim the image panel to 4.25" x 6".
31. Edge thge image panel with Black Soot Distress Ink.
32. Adhere the image panel to the reserved A6 card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Relax! A Katkin Krafts Kat Kard

Greetings! I was swamped with social-family-peopley stuff for almost an entire week, so I'm late with my weekly post for Topflight Stamps. Luckily, the lovely Cornelia switched days with me which relieved the pressure. Whew!

This week the Topflight Stamps is showcasing Katkin Krafts' wonderful stamps.  Being me, I had to get the Just Chillin' Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set because it features a zen boho cat, some gorgeous flowers, and a really great sentiment (which I didn't use).

Here's a card created with the Just Chillin' Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set by Katkin Krafts.

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Just Chillin' Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set by Katkin Krafts

Relax Sentiments Unmounted Red Rubber Stamp Set KTZ222 by Katzelkraft

Kitty Capers Clear Stamp Set by Time for Tea Design

Profusion Stencil 84 by AALL and Create

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Sundance and Pine Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Seafoam Cardstock by My Colors

Copic Markers: B60, C00, C0, C2, BG32, BG34, BG49, R30, R32,RV91, RV0000, Y11, YG41, YG5

Grass Green Chalk Pencil by General's

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Post-It Notes

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from Seafoam cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the focal cat image from the Just Chillin' Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set twice — once onto white cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper.
3. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version to create a mask.
4. Use Copic markers to color the wonderful cat and his pillow.
5. Adhere the fussy-cut sticker mask over the colored image.
6. Secure the image panel to the STAY-tion with magnets.
7. Position a ruler horizontally about 2" up from the bottom of the image panel and secure it with magnets.
8. Brush Sundance Elements Ink over the ruler and the masked image onto the image panel to color the background. 
9. Remove the ruler temporarily and the place the Profusion Stencil 84 over the image panel.
10. Use magnets to secure the stencil and the image panel to the STAY-tion. 
11. Place the ruler back in place, covering the stencil and the bottom part of the image panel. Secure it with additional magnets.
12. Brush Sundance Elements Ink over the stencil and the ruler to add subtle tone-on-tone pattern to the background.
13. Remove and clean the stencil.
14. Reposition the ruler to cover the top part of the image panel and secure with magnets.
15. Brush Pine Elements Ink over the ruler onto the lower part of the image panel to add color to the bottom of the image panel.
16. Use the grass green chalk pencil to add a slight shadow under the reclining cat and his pillow.
17. Place the image panel onto the base of a stamping platform and secure with magnets.
18. Position the "Relax" sentiment from the Relax Sentiments Unmounted Red Rubber Stamp Set KTZ222 facedown on the image panel.
19. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamp and lift.
20. Use a Post-It Noteto cover the two sentences below the word "Relax" and ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
21. Remove the Post-It  Note and stamp the sentiment onto the image panel.
22. Remove the stamp from the stamping platform.
23. Position the "Hit the Pawse Button" stamp from the Kitty Capers Clear Stamp Set facedown below the stamped "Relax".
24. Position the "It's your Purrday" stamp from the Kitty Capers Clear Stamp Set facedown on the bottom right of the image panel.
25. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps and lift.
26. Ink both stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
27. Remove the image panel from the stamping platform and heat set. 
28. Trim the image panel to 4.75" x 6.75" and edge with Sundance and Pine Elements Inks.
29. Adhere the image panel to the reserved 5" x 7" card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Strut Your Stuff

Presenting my somewhat late third project for my April guest designer gig for A Colorful Life Designs, which is a slimline card created with A Colorful Life Designs' Floor Perspective Stencil and the Teeny Harlequin Stencil. I used the Lady Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp by Indigo Blu,

Here it is!

The card by itself!

If you're not familiar with with A Colorful Life and love stencils, I urge you to check them out. Their April release is fantastic and contains some awesome snarkitude.

Products Used:

Floor Perspective 3" x 6" Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs

Teeny Harlequin 3" x 6" Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs

Lady Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp by Indigo Blu *

Strut Your Stuff Stamp by justjohanna/Odd Bird Planet

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *
Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *

Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Celestial Copper Delicata Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Pebble and Skylight Inks by Catherine Pooler Designs

Copic Markers:

 Skin: BV000, e50, Ed21, E11, E00, E000, R20

 Lips: E04, R32, R35

 Hair: E07, E18, YR14,

 Hat and Jacket: B72, B75, B78

 Blouse: E70, E71, B45

 Boots and Gloves: N4, N5, N6

Lady Vagabond Maxi Backgrounds 12x12 Patterned Paper Pad by Stamperia

Metallic Copper Cardstock by Recollections

Rust Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Waffle Flower Slimline Die Set

Small Rounded Rectangle Die: Source Unknown

Flag Die: Source Unknown

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Low Tack Tape

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Please note: Products marked with an asterisk (*) can be purchased at Topflight Stamps.

Instructions:

1. Create a 3.5" x 8.5" card from rust cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the Lady Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp twice — onto white cardstock (image panel) and onto repositionable sticker paper (for a mask)
3. Use Copic markers to color Lady Fortesque on the image panel.
4. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version stamped in Step 2 and place it over its counterpart on the image panel.
5. Place the image panel onto the STAY-tion.
6. Place a ruler and/or a piece of low-tack tape horizontally over the base of the image panel.
7. Sponge Pebble Ink over the ruler and mask to color the top part of the image panel.
8. Place the Teeny Harlequin 3" x 6" Stencil onto the image panel and sponge Pebble Ink over the stencil onto the image panel.
9. Move the Teeny Harlequin 3" x 6" Stencil and continue to sponge Pebble Ink over the stencil.
10. Repeat Step #10 until you're happy with the background. 
11. Move the ruler/tape to cover the top part of the image panel. 
12. Sponge Skylight Ink over the the ruler and the masked image to cover the base of the image panel.
13. Use magnets or low-tack tape to secure the Floor Perspective 3" x 6" Stencil over the image panel.
14. Sponge Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil to add the checkerboard pattern to the floor.
15. Use one of the dies from the Slimline Die Set to cut the image panel.
16. Use both Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink and Celestial Copper Delicata Ink to edge the image panel die-cut.
17. Cut a piece of metallic copper cardstock .25" larger than the image panel die-cut and use to mat the die-cut. Set aside.
18. Choose a piece of patterned paper from the Lady Vagabond Maxi Backgrounds 12x12 Patterned Paper Pad and trim to 3.5" x 8.5".
19. Edge the patterned paper with Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink and Celestial Copper Delicata Ink and adhere to the reserved slimline card.
20. Edge the card with Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink and Celestial Copper Delicata Ink.
21. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the sentiment "Strut Your Stuff" onto the leftover patterned paper from Step #18.
22. Use a rounded rectangle die to cut the sentiment.
23. Edge the sentiment die-cut with 
24. Edge the card with Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink and Celestial Copper Delicata Inks.
25. Use a flag cutting die to cut copper metallic cardstock. 
26. Adhere the sentiment die-cut to the metallic die-cut.
27. Adhere the image panel to the card as shown.
28. Adhere the matted sentiment die-cut to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Kitten Me!

Greetings! It's Tuesday, my day to share a project for Topflight Stamps. This week's theme is "Anything Goes" for the Topflight Stamps team! Since I missed International Pet Day last week and since I'm a crazy cat lady, I decided to make a card with the super-cute Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Craft Emotions, which features four adorable cats, some feline accessories, and several sentiments. I really like this set because the cat stamps don't have tabby stripes or spots, so I can make the cats look mine.* 

Here's the card!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Craft Emotions

Frayed Frames Die Set 26 by AALL and Create

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko
Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko
Premier Blending Tool by Hunkydory Crafts
Premier Blending Sponges by Hunkydory Crafts

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers: BV0000, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C4, C6, C7, RV91, R00, R30, Y23, Y32

Pebble Mini Dye Ink by Catherine Pooler

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Using a stamping platform and Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, stamp two cats from the  Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set  twice — once onto the image panel and once onto repositionable sticker paper. 
2. Use Copic markers to color both cats as desired. I colored them to resemble my kitties.
3. Fussy-cut the sticker paper versions and place the fussy-cut images over their counterparts as masks.
4. Use Pebble ink with Premier Blending Tool and Premier Blending Sponges to add a grey background over the masked images. 
5. Use Pebble ink to stamp the pawprints from the Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set behind the cat. 
6. Return the image panel to the stamping platform.
7. Position the "You have got to be" sentiment stamp from the Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set  facedown on the image panel.
8. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
9. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
10. Re-ink and stamp if necessary to attain a good impression.
11. Remove the stamp from the platform.
12. Position the "Kitten Me" stamp from the Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set facedown below the other sentiment.
13. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
14. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
15. Use the the smaller die from the Frayed Frames Die Set 26 to cut the image panel. 
16. Use the larger die from that set to cut black cardstock.
17. Mat the image panel die-cut with the black die-cut. 
18. Adhere the matted image panel was adhered to a pale grey card to finish the project.

Notes: 

• Harley Quinn has a black spot on her nose, black eyebrows, and grey spots on her forehead, head, nape, and tail. Domino Nimbus is mostly white. He used to have black spots on his forehead and top of his head, but they've faded to a very pale grey. That's probably more than you ever wanted to know about my cats!
• I selected the sneaky cat stamp (to represent Domino Nimbus) and the sleeping cat stamp (to represent Harley Quinn) from the Cats 1 Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Craft Emotions because he loves to ambush her when she's asleep. 

Thanks for visiting today!

Bon Voyage!

I'm back with my second post my April guest designer gig for A Colorful Life Designs! If you're not familiar with with this company and love stencils, I urge you to check them out. They also carry clear stamps and Bling!!! 

Here it is!

This time I've created a 5" x 7" Bon Voyage card with the wonderful Layered Arches Stencil Set, which is a five piece stencil set comprised of the blank arch, the stone/bricks, and three masks that cover the interior arches. 

I also the used the Cloud Edger Stencils, a two part set, to create the clouds at the upper part of my card. 

I won AALL and Create's Milk Train Heist Clear Stamp Set in an Instagram Contest. I was supposed to win just one set, but they sent all three of the special prize sets! This is the first time using one of my prizes, but it certainly won't be the last!

Products Used:
Layered Arches Stencil Set by A Colorful Life Designs

Cloud Edger Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs

Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Rustic Wilderness, Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, Tumbled Glass, and Pumice Stone Distress Inks by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Desert Sand Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Pouncy Tool (looks like steel wool on a wood stamp mount)

Milk Shake Train Heist Clear Stamp Set by AALL and Create *

Deep Scarlet Red, Cobalt, Ultramarine, Sky Blue, Light Pthalo Green, Dark Pthalo Green Pitt Artist Pens by Faber Castell

Amethyst, Butterscotch, Pumpkin red, Pink, Tan, Yellow Marvy Le Plume II Pens by Marvy/Uchida

Lt. Grey, Dark Grey, Burnt Sienna Chalk Pencils by General's

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura of America

Silver Startdust Glitter Gel Pen by Sakura of America

Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle *
Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko *

Fancy Nameplate by Spellbinders

91% Isopropyl Alcohol in a Mister

Low-tack Tape

Post-It Notes by 3M

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Please note:

The products with asterisks, except the Milk Train Heist stamp set, can be purchased at Topflight Stamps. The train car that is part of AALL and Create's Sugar Delights Clear Stamp Set 1045 would have worked for this layout.

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from Raven cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use magnets to secure the plain arch stencil from the Layered Arches Stencil Set over a piece of 6" x 8" of Mixed Media Cardstock on the STAY-tion so that the bottom of the stencil is flush with the bottom of the paper.
3. Tear a piece of scrap paper in half and place the top half horizontally below the arches.
4. Brush Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink across the top of the torn paper and the arch stencil.
5. Move the torn paper downwards and brush Rustic Wilderness Distress Ink across the top of the torn paper and the arch stencil. 
6. Repeat Step #5, then remove the torn paper mask.
7. Brush Mown Grass Distress Ink to fill in the bottom of the background.
8. Brush Twisted Citron Ink to lighten the grass. 
9. Keeping the arch stencil in place, place the bottom side of the torn scrap paper over the grassy area as a mask..
10. Brush Tumbled Grass Distress Ink over the top of the torn paper and the stencil to create a blue sky in the top of the arches.
11. Remove the torn paper mask and set aside.
12. Use magnets to secure the two half arches and the arch masks from the Layered Arches Stencil Set to the image panel.
13. Place a ruler, secured with magnets, horizontally across the top the image panel flush with the top the plain arch stencil. 
14. Brush Desert Sand Memento Ink over the bottom of the ruler and across all of the arch maskss to create the base of of the arches.
15. Keeping the arch masks in place, remove the plain arch stencil and set aside.
16. Use magnets and/or low tack tape to secure the brick/stone stencil over the arch stenciled in Step 14.
17. Brush Desert Sand Memento Ink over the brick/stone arch stencil.
18. Use a smaller brush to darken the Desert Sand Memento ink along the outside edges of the arches.
19. Remove the brick/ stone arch stencil, keeping both the ruler and the arch masks in place on the image panel.
20. Use a pouncy tool to add Pumice Stone Distress Inks flecks to the arched bridge.
21. Remove the ruler from the image panel and replace with low-tack tape so that the top of the arched bridge area is covered and protected.
22. Place the Cloud Edger Stencil at the top of the image panel.
23. Brush Tumbled Glass Distress Ink over the top of the Cloud Edger Stencil.
24. Move the Cloud Edger Stencil downwards and rotate it.
25. Brush Tumbled Glass Distress Ink over the top of the Cloud Edger Stencil.
26. Repeat Steps #24 and #25 until the area between the top of the arches and the top of the image panel looks like a cloudy sky.
27. Remove the stencil.
28. Use magnets to secure the image panel to the base of a stamping platform.
29. Position the engine and train car from the Milk Shake Train Heist Clear Stamp Set facedown on the image panel so that the wheels of the train are flush with the top the tape.
30. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamps and lift.
31. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
32. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression.
33. Remove the stamp from the stamping platform. 
34. If necessary, remove the image panel from the stamping platform*.
35. Heat set the image panel.
36. Place the image panel back onto the base of the stamping platform and secure with magnets.
37. Place the other train car from the Milk Shake Train Heist Clear Stamp Set facedown onto the image panel so that its wheels are flush with the top of the tape and the bumper is against the bumper of the train car to the right.
38. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamps and lift.
39. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
40. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression.
41. Remove the stamp from the stamping platform. 
42. If necessary, remove the image panel from the stamping platform, prior to heat setting.
43. Use Pitt Artist and Le Plume pens to color the train cars.
44. Use the white gel pen to add white highlights to the train.
45. Use silver glitter pen to add glitter to the train wheels and hubs.
46. Use a grey chalk pencil to add steam above the locomotive.
47. Remove the tape from the image panel.
48. Use chalk pencils to add details and shading to the bricks on the arches.
49. Using a stamping platform, use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to ink the "Bon Voyage" sentiment from the Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set onto white cardstock. 
50. Ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression.
51. Heat set the cardstock.
52. Use a narrow rectangle die to cut the sentiment.
53. Use a fancy nameplate die to cut raven cardstock and use the die-cut to mat the white sentiment.
54. Trim the image panel to 4.75" x 6.75".*
55. Adhere the image panel to the reserved black card.
56. Adhere the sentiment to finish the card.

Notes: 

• The Layered Arches Stencil Set is so versatile because the masks were included. Gotta love that.
• The Layered Arches can be trimmed to various heights which makes it even more versatile.
• If you have any questions about my instructions, please contact me and I'll try to explain further.

Thank you for visiting today!