Nature is Magical (Blizzards Aren't)

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This week's focus is on Woodware's fabulous products. We had a blizzard over the weekend that brought 17" of snow to my area. Needless to say, I'm SO over winter. Therefore, I decided to use the adorable Green Fingers Gnome Clear Stamp Set  to create a spring-themed card.

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Green Fingers Gnome Clear Stamp Set by Woodware

Jolly Christmas 8x8 Patterned Paper Pad by Woodware

Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 by AALL and Create

Della Blue, Blue Lagoon, Lime Punch, Green Parrot, and Pine Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps by Lavinia Stamps

Acetate Hills Mask-Stencil

Fine Spray Misters by Spectrum Noir

Glitz Spritz Spray Set (Scintillating Silver Glitz Spray) by Lindy's Gang

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 Papers

White Heavy Smooth Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Tan Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers:

Skin: BV000, E50, R01, R00, R000

Hair: YR31, Y23, Y21, W2, W1

Hat/Dress: BG75, BG72, E57, E55, R22

Shoes: N7, N6, N5, N4

Flowers: B37, B23, Y13, YR09, YR07

Leaves/Hair Ties: YG17, YG06, YG05

Wheelbarrow: T4, T2, T1, T0, R25

Tire: C8, C6, B37, B24

Butterflies: B39, B23

Black Multiliner Pen by Copic

Distressed Labels Clear Stamp Set by Woodware

Anti-Static Pouch

VersaMark Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Black Detail Embossing Powder by Stampendous

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Black Sparkle Stardust Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Grass Green Chalk Pencil by General's

Rectangle Frame Set: Source Unknown

Stitched Border Die-namics Die by My Favorite Things

Other Border Die Set by Cheery Lynn Designs

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Low-tack Tape

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from tan cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink  to stamp the gnome image and two butterflies from the Green Fingers Gnome Clear Stamp Set onto white cardstock.
3. Fussy-cut them, color them with Copic markers, edge them with a black marker, and set them aside.
4. Use the largest die from the Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89  to cut a piece of Mixed Media paper. This will become the background panel.
5. Place a piece of low-tack tape on the reverse of the Mixed Media die-cut on a magnetic craft surface.
6. Place the flattest hills mask from the Acetate Hills Masks/Stencils by Lavinia Stamps horizontally across the bottom part image panel die-cut about .75" from the base of the background panel die-cut. Add magnets to assure that the Acetate Hills Mask is secure.
7. Brush Della Blue and Blue Lagoon Elements Inks over the top of the Acetate Hills Mask onto the background panel die-cut. 
8. Use a water-filled Fine Spray Mister to gently mist the background panel die-cut. 
9. Remove the Acetate Hills Mask and heat set the background panel die-cut.
10. Place the previously created homemade stencil on the base of the blue-sponged area. (See February 10th's blog post).
11. Use a small brush to apply Pine Elements Inks over the homemade mask to start to create the grassy area of the background.
12. Brush Lime Punch and Green Parrot Elements Ink to fill in the bottom portion of the background panel die-cut.
13. Move the inked background panel die-cut to a box and lightly spray Scintillating Silver Glitz Spray from the Glitz Spritz Spray Set over. itto add some shimmer. Heat set the panel.
14. Cut a piece of white cardstock slightly larger than the background panel die-cut, then adhere it behind the background panel.
15. Adhere the colored fussy-cut gnomes and both butterflies to the backgound panel as shown. 
16. Use a Black Sparkle Stardust Gelly Roll Gel Pen to add the butterflies' bodies to the butterflies. 
17. Use a black fineliner to add antennae to the butterflies. 
18. Use a green chalk pencil to add a shadow under the gnome and her wheelbarrow and to add some shading to the grass. Set the panel aside.
19. Pounce an anti-static pouch onto a small piece of tan cardstock. 
20. Place the tan cardstock onto the base of a stamping platform and secure it with magnets and/or low-tack tape.
21. Place one of the sentiments from the Distressed Labels Clear Stamp Set facedown on the tan cardstock.
22. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamp and lift.
23. Ink the sentiment stamp with VersaMark Ink and stamp it onto tan cardstock. 
24. Ink the sentiment again with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp onto the tan cardstock. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression.
25. Remove the tan cardstock from the stamping platform, sprinkle black detail embossing powder onto the wet ink, pour the excess powder back into its container, and heat set the powder. 
26. Use the smallest frame die from the rectangle frame die set to cut white cardstock, then adhere the frame over the sentiment as shown. 
27. Trim the frame die slightly. 
28. Use border dies to cut white and tan cardstock. 
29. Layer the white border onto the stitched tan border.
30. Cut a piece of tan/white gingham patterned paper from the Jolly Christmas 8x8 Patterned Paper Pad to 4.75" x 6.75". 
31. Adhere the layered border across the top of the patterned paper panel. 
32. Adhere the sentiment panel to the center of the layered borders as shown.
33. Adhere the image panel to patterned paper panel as shown to finish the card front. 
34. Adhere the card front to the reserved 5" x 7" tan card.

Thanks for visiting today!

A Valentine's Day Card

 It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! This week's team focus is Valentine's Day. 

Here's my card created with Lavinia Stamps' Background Script with Hearts Clear Polymer Stamp, their Heart Small Clear Polymer Stamp, their Texture 2 Clear Polymer Stamp, their Heartfelt Verses Clear Polymer Stamp Set, Spun Candy, Pink Elephant, Confetti, and Emperor Red Elements Inks. I also used the Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle, Nocturne and Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko, and the Glitz Spritz Spray Set by Lindy's Gang.

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Background Script with Hearts Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Heart Small Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Texture 2 Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Heartfelt Verses Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Lavinia Stamps

Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Heffy Doodle

Spun Candy, Pink Elephant, Confetti, and Emperor Red Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps

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

Glitz Spritz Spray Set by Lindy's Gang

Fine Spray Misters by Spectrum Noir

Other Products Used:

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore

Ruby Slippers Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Black Metallic Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Red Berry Glitter Brush Pen by Spectrum Noir

A6 Layers Die Sets by Waffle Flower Crafts

Flag Die-namics Die Set by My Favorite Things

Small Flag Die: Source Unknown

Tiny Gear Die by Memory Box

VersaMark Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Clear Detail Embossing Powder by Stampendous

Black Pigma Pen by Sakura

Fine Tip Niji Waterbrush by Yasutomo

Red Gemstones by Recollections

Low-tack Tape

Post-It Notes

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create an A6 card from Ruby Slippers Textured Cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use a blending brush to apply Spun Candy Elements Ink to a 9" x 6" panel of Mixed Media paper. When there's no more ink on the brush, lightly brush Pink Elephant Elements Ink around the edges towards the center of the panel, blending as you go. Finish the ink application by brushing Confetti Elements Ink overtop. 
3. Use a Fine Spray Mister to mist with water which will add mottling and spotting to the panel, then heat set. 
4. Cut the panel in half to yield two 4.5" x 6" panels.
5. Place one of the inked panels onto the base of a stamping platform and secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape. 
6. Place the Background Script with Hearts Clear Polymer Stamp facedown in the center of the panel. 
7. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a good impression. 
8. Remove the stamped background panel from the platform and heat set.
9. Cut the remaining 4.5" x 6" panel to yield a 2.5" x 6" panel and a 2" x 6" panel.
10. Secure the 2.5" wide panel to the base of the stamping platform. 
11. Place the Heart Small Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the top of the panel.
12. Ink the Heart Small Clear Polymer Stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
13. Flip the panel 180°, ink the Heart Stamp again, and stamp. 
14. Remove the panel from the platform and heat set.
15. Secure the 2" wide panel to the base of the stamping platform. 
16. Place the Texture 2 Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the panel.
17. Ink it with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
18. Flip the panel 180°, ink the Texture 2 Stamp again, and stamp. 
19. Remove the panel and heat set. 
20. Place all four panels into a box. 
21. Lightly spray Brushed Nickel Glitz Spritz from the Glitz Spritz Spray Set onto all four panels. Heat set.
22. Smoosh the Emperor Red Elements Ink pad onto a craft mat. 
23. Use a waterbrush or small paintbrush to color the hearts on the stamped Background Script with Hearts panel. 
24. Use an A6 Rectangle Die to cut the panel, then edge it with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. 
25. Secure the Background Script with Hearts panel die-cut to the base of a stamping platform. 
26. Place the "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment stamp from the Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set facedown on the bottom of the panel as shown. 
27. Ink the stamp with VersaMark Ink and stamp. 
28. Ink the stamp with Emperor Red Elements Ink and stamp. 
29. Remove the die-cut from the stamping platform. 
30. Add clear detail embossing powder to the wet ink, dump the excess back into its container, and heat set.
31. Use a Flag Die to cut the 2" x 6" panel that was stamped with the Texture 2 Clear Polymer Stamp.
32. Edge the flag die-cut with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and adhere the stamped flag to the Background Script with Hearts panel die-cut.
33. Fussy-cut both hearts and edge them with a black pen. 
34. Use a Red Berry Glitter Pen to add red to the hearts. 
35. Adhere the fussy-cut hearts to the flag die-cut as shown. 
36. Secure the leftover piece of inked Mixed Media paper onto the base of a stamping platform. 
37. Place the "With Love and Sympathy" sentiment stamp facedown onto the paper.
38. Lift the platform's lid. 
39. Cover the words "with" and "and Sympathy" with Post-It Notes. 
40. Ink the stamps with VersaMark ink, remove the Post-It Notes, and stamp the word "Love". 
41. Place the Post-It Notes back over the same words again. 
42. Ink the "Love" stamp with Emperor Red Elements Ink, and stamp. 
43. Remove the stamped piece from the stamping platform, add clear detail embossing powder to the wet ink, dump the excess back into its container, and heat set. 
44. Use a flag die to cut the sentiment, edge it with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and adhere it between the hearts on the cardfront as shown.
45. Use the small gear die to cut black metallic cardstock. 
46. Adhere the gears to the top of the flag then add small red rhinestones to their centers.
47. Cut a piece of black metallic cardstock with the next largest die from the A6 Rectangle Die set and use to mat the cardfront/image panel die-cut. 
48. Adhere the matted card front to the reserved red A6 card.

Thanks for visiting today!

Meerry Christmas

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! Before I get to today's post, I'd like to remind you that there's a CYBER MONDAY SALE at Topflight Stamps that ends tonight at 11:59 EST.

This week's theme is Anything Goes. Apparently I've been feeling the holiday spirit so I've created yet another holiday card this time using stamps from companies that are no longer in business. Thankfully, products from Hobby Art, Craft Emotions,  Katzelkraft, and others are still in stock at Topflight Stamps and it's the perfect time to get them for yourself or as a gift. 

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:
Meerkat Madness Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Hobby Art

Hedgy 4 Clear Stamp Set* by Craft Emotions

Funny Accessories Unmounted Red Rubber Stamp Set* by Katzelkraft

A Christmas Gingham 8x8 Patterned Paper Pad by Creative Expressions

Sun and Cloud Stencil by Carla Creates

Della Blue and Emperor Red Elements Ink by Lavinia Stamps

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Lava Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers: E89, E77, E74, E71, E70, E49, E39, E37, E33, E31, E30, Y11, R27, R17,  B60, B000, RV000, C1, C0, C00

Outlines: B41, T2, T1

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Fishtail Flag Stax Die-Namics Die Set by My Favorite Things

Merry Christmas Sentiment Die by All Occasion Dies
Layered Poinsettia Shapeabilities Die Set by Spellbinders

Toffee Crunch and Desert Sand Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Golden Glitz Delicata Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsuineko

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Low-tack Tape

Removable Scotch Tape by 3M

Gold Enamel Dots by Gina Marie Designs

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Note: I used the Hedgy 4 Clear Stamp Set* by Craft Emotions, but it's no longer in stock. The  Funny Accessories Unmounted Red Rubber Stamp Set* by Katzelkraft has a Santa Hat that would work, plus it's got a lot of wonderful and fun stamps (other hats, a stack of gifts, a scooter, etc.) so you should get it while it's on sale and still available!

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from Lava cardstock and set it aside.
2. Place a piece of white cardstock onto the base of a stamping platform, secured with magnets and/or low-tack tape.
3. Position a Santa Hat so that it's facedown and centered towards the top of a panel of white cardstock. 
4. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the Santa hat stamp and lift.
5. Ink the Santa Hat with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and stamp the Santa Hat twice — once onto white cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper. 
6. Fussy-cut the sticker paper and position it atop its counterpart as a mask.
7. Position one of the meerkat stamps from the Meerkat Madness Clear Polymer Stamp Set facedown on the image panel so that top of his head is on the mask.
8. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the Santa hat stamp and lift.
9. Ink the Meerkat stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento Inkt and stamp twice — once onto white cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper.
10. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version and set it aside. 
11. Carefully remove the Santa Hat mask and set it aside.
12. Use Copic markers to color the Meerkat and his Santa Hat. 
13. Use a B41, T2, and T1 Copic markers to outline both images. 
14. Place both masks over their counterparts on the image panel. 
15. Use a long fishtail flag die to cut the image panel and a larger one to cut Lava cardstock.
16. Place the image panel die-cut onto a magnetic surface and secure with magnets.
17. Place a piece of removable Scotch Tape horizontally across the the Meerkat's feet and tail. 
18. Position the Sun and Cloud Stencil towards the top of the image panel die-cut. 
19. Brush or sponge Della Blue Elements Ink over the top of the stencil onto the image panel die-cut. 
20. Rotate the stencil and move it downwards. 
21. Brush or sponge Della Blue Elements Ink over the top of the stencil onto the image panel die-cut. 
22. Repeat Steps 20 and 21 until you're happy with the cloudy background.
23. Move the Scotch Tape so that the bottom of the tape is sitting on the horizon line. 
24. Brush Toffee Crunch Memento Ink over the tape and the masked Meerkat's feet and tail. 
25. Brush a Desert Sand Memento Ink to fill in the rest of the bottom of the image panel die-cut. 
26. Trim the flags off of the bottom of the image panel die-cut and the red (Lava) cardstock die-cut. 
27. Use the red cardstock die-cut to mat the image panel. 
28. Edge it with Golden Glitz Delicata ink.
29. Trim one of the plaid papers from the A Christmas Gingham 8x8 Patterned Paper Pad to 4.75" x 6.75" to create the background panel. 
30. Use Emperor Red Elements Ink to edge the patterned paper, then edge it again with Golden Glitz Delicata Ink.
31. Use the "Merry "Christmas" cutting die to cut Lava cardstock twice. 
32. Adhere "Christmas" to the top of the background panel. 
33. Cut "Me" from one of the two "Merry" die-cuts and adhere it to the top of the background panel. 
34. Cut "erry" from the other "Merry" die-cut and adhere it to the background panel to finish the word "Meerry". 
35. Adhere the background panel to a 5" x 7" red card.
36. Adhere the matted image panel to the right side of the background panel as shown.
37. Use a poinsettia die-cut set to cut Lava cardstock. 
38. Edge all the die-cuts with gold shimmery ink, then assemble the three three-layered poinsettias.
39. Add gold enamel dots to the center of each poinsettia.
40. Adhere the three poinsettias to the left side of the background panel to finish the card.

Thanks for visiting today!

I *Heart* Mew!

Here’s a punny Valentine’s Day card, created for Imagine Crafts, that showcases the blending of the new Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink with the Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink.  I also used Purell to create a fun ghosting technique!

Imagine Crafts Products Used:

Baby Pink, Charming Pink, and Nocturne VersaFine Clair Inks *

Sponge Dauber

Tear It! Tape

Craft Mat

Other Supplies:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Raven Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

What’s Meow Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs

Staggered Hearts Stencil by My Favorite Things

Speech Bubble Die-namics Die Set by My Favorite Things

Upper and Lower Case Thinlits Die Sets by Tim Holtz for Sizzix

Occasions Small Talk  Tim Holtz Idea-ology Stickers by Advantus

Flag Dies: Source Unknown

Make-up Brushes

Dried Out Baby Wipes

Purell

Spanish Orange and Yellow Orange Prismacolor Markers

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Repositionable Scotch Tape by 3M

Low-Tack Tape

Magnetic Glass Craft Mat by Glassboard Studio

Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Big Shot by Sizzix

Instructions:

Steps 1A and B:

Use a make-up brush to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to a piece of white cardstock. Start at the top of the panel and work downwards.  The make-up brush creates soft textured look on the cardstock. Continue to brush downwards until the brush doesn’t put ink onto the cardstock (1A)

Use the same make-up brush to apply Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink from the base of the cardstock panel, blending as you go. (1B) 

Steps 2A and B:

Place the Staggered Hearts stencil over the inked panel. (2A)

Add Purell to a dry baby wipe until it’s saturated then use the wipe to apply the Purell over the stencil onto the cardstock. The Purell will lift the VersaFine Clair Ink, creating ghosted hearts on the background. Heat setting will accentuate the ghosted effect while setting the ink. (2B)

Step 3:

Place the inked cardstock panel onto a stamping platform. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the cat. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary for a crisp image.  Remove the image panel and use a paint brush dipped and the ink pad to do any necessary touch ups to the image. Heat set.

Step 4:

Use Prismacolor markers to color the cat’s eyes, taking care to avoid the black ink and contaminate your markers. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to the cat’s eyes.  No photos. Sorry.

Step 5: 

Use alphabet dies and a speech bubble die to cut black cardstock. Use a flag and a heart die to to cut to cut extra inked cardstock from Step 1. Smoosh the heart die-cut onto the Charming Pink VersaFine Clair inkpad. Trim the ends off of the flag die-cut and edge with Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink. Adhere the letter die-cuts and the heart to the pink strip, then adhere to the black speech bubble die-cut.

Step 6:

Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the cat onto the scrap of repositionable sticker paper. Fussy-cut the sticker paper along the bottom and place it over its counterpart as a mask. Place a strip of repositionable Scotch Tape across the image panel. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink over the tape and the masked cat paws to the bottom of the image panel. 

Remove the tape and the mask over the cat. Use Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the image panel with Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink.

Step 7:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to the outside .5” perimeter of  an A2 card. Heat set.

Step 8:

Cut a panel of black cardstock to 4” x 5.25”. Use Tear It! Tape to mat the image panel with the black cardstock, adhere the matted image panel to the card, and adhere the speech bubble die-cut as shown. Use the sentiment sticker to finish the card.

Finished Card