31 Days of Halloween - Day 20

Greetings! I'm back with a Halloween card for Day 20 of Lost Coast Portal To Creativity's Challenge 202 - the 31 Days of Halloween. This time my card is rather creepy and crawly since it was created with the Bugs Background Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs.

Products Used:

Bugs Background Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Offwhite Cardstock from my stash

Twisted Citron, Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Carved Pumpkin, Wilted Violet, and Poisonous Potion Distress Inks by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Skull Bigz Die by Tim Holtz for Sizzix

Copic Markers:

Skull: E44, E43, E42, E41, E40

Teeth: YR31, YR30, BG93, BG90

Eye and Nose Sockets: YR18, YR16, Y19, Y06, Y04

Jaw Sockets: E49

Entomology Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix

Spiders and Webs Die Set by Whimsy Stamps

Embossing Styluses

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

Acrylic Block

Acetate Sheet

VersaMarker by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Black Detail Embossing Powder by Stampendous

Low-tack Tape

Black Fine Line Pen

Paintbrush dedicated to Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 7" x 5" card from Black Textured Cardstock.
2. Smoosh Twisted Citron Distress Ink onto a acrylic block, mist the inky block with water, then pounce it onto a 7" x 5.5" piece of Bristol paper or other heavyweight water-friendly paper. Clean the block.
3. Repeat the above smooshing process with Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Carved Pumpkin, Wilted Violet, and Poisonous Potion Distress Inks until you're happy with your variegated background. Be sure to take care to clean the acrylic block between colors to avoid contaminating your ink pad. 
4. Heat set the inked panel thoroughly.
5. f your paper is still curved, place the inked panel into a folded piece of copy paper, put it onto the platform of your die-cut machine, place both cutting plates over the the combination, then run it th rough the die-cut machine several times until it's nice and flat.
6. Place the flattened and dried inked panel onto the base of a stamping platform secured with magnets and/or low-tack tape. 
7. Place the Bugs Background Rubber Stamp  facedown onto the inked panel. 
8. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression. If there are any gaps in the impression, use a paintbrush to apply Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, to fix the images. 
9. Draw a 1/8" border around the stamped image, place a piece of acetate along the stamped border, and apply Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink around all four edges. 
10. Trim the panel to 5.75" x 4.5" and edge it with the same ink. 
11. Heat set the image panel and set it aside.
12. Use a Skull Die to cut off-white cardstock,.
13. Use Copic markers to add details. 
14. Trace the aperture areas of the skull and color them with Copic markers.
15. Trim the colored aperture panel and adhere it to the back of the skull so that the colored areas appear behind the eyes, nose, and jaw sockets.
16. Use the Entomology Thinlits Die and a huge spider die to cut black cardstock. 
17. Flip the die-cuts over and use a stylus to add dimension to the bugs' and spider's bodies. 
18. Use an embossing pen to color the raised front side of the bugs' and spider's bodies. 
19. Add black detail embossing powder to the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the powder's jar, and heat set the powder. 
20. Repeat Steps 18 and 19 to add another layer of embossing powder to the bugs' and spider's bodies.
21. Adhere the Bugs Background panel to a 7" x 5" black card as shown.
22. Adhere one of the bugs so that it appears to be coming out of the right eye socket. 
23. Adhere the skull to the card as shown. 
24. Adhere the spider to the top of the skull and another bug to the lower right hand corner of the card as shown.
25. Use Copic markers to color an idea-ology Occasions Small Talk Sticker.
26. Adhere the sentiment sticker as shown to finish the card.

You still have lots of time to join in the 31 Days of Halloween Challenge for the chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!

31 Days of Halloween - Day 18

Greetings! I'm back with a Halloween card for Day 18 of Lost Coast Portal To Creativity's Challenge 202 - the 31 Days of Halloween..

Today's card is a bewitching scenic card created with the Witch 2 Rubber Stamp and the Small Cityscape Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs.

Here it is!

Products Used:
Witch 2 Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs

Small Cityscape Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Grey Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Tuxedo Black, Blue Danube, and Paris Dusk Memento Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Lost Shadow Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Copic Markers:

Cityscape: C5, C3, C2, C1, T5, T4, T3, T1, T0, N5, N4, N3, N2, N1, W6, W5, W4, W3, W2, W1, E57, E23, YR31, B26

Broomstick Handle: E47, E37, E25, E23, E21, W2

Broomstick Straw: E87, E84, E81, Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21

Witch's Skin: BV000, BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E00, E000, R20

Witch's Hair: YG45, YG23, YG21

Witch's Hat, Dress, and Shoes: BV25, BV23, BV17, BV13, BV11, BV08, N5, N3

Black Pigma Pen by Sakura

Acetate Circle Mask Set by Lavinia Stamps

Moon Layering Mask by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous

Bleed Proof White Watercolor Paint by Dr. PH Martin

Pearlescent White Palette Chalk by Pebbles

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

Repositionable Sticker Paper

Clean toothbrush

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Make a 5" x 7" card from grey cardstock and set it aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Ink to stamp the Small Cityscape  twice — once onto the bottom of a 5.5" x 7.5" piece of white cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper.
3. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp Witch 2 above the cityscape. 
4. Place the image panel onto a magnetic glass mat. 
5. Color both images with Copic markers.
6. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version of the Small Cityscape and place it over its counterpart on the image panel as a mask. 
7. Place an acetate circle over the colored Witch 2 image and secure it with magnets. 
8. Brush Blue Danube Memento Ink over the masked Small Cityscape and the acetate circle to create a night sky.
9. Brush Paris Dusk Memento Ink around the edges of the image panel towards the center of the image panel to deepen the night sky.
10. Thin the Bleedproof White Watercolor paint with water. 
11. Dip a clean toothbrush into the white paint.
12. Run your thumb over the bristles to splatter the white paint over the masked panel (and everything else in sight-including my new glasses. Oops!).
13. Remove the sticker mask over the Small Cityscape and the acetate circle mask over the Witch.
14. Clean the acetate circle mask, the glass mat, and the table with isopropyl alcohol on a clean washcloth. Clean your glasses with the appropriate glasses cleaner. 
15. Place the moon mask over the Witch and secure with magnets. 
16. Brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink over the stencil onto the circle area of the image panel to add some detail to the moon. 
17. Remove the moon mask and brush more Lost Shadow Distress Ink  around the Witch to create her shadow on the moon.
18. Brush white pearlescent palette chalk around the moon to add a magical lunar glow to the scene.
19. Trim the image panel to 4.75" x 6.75", edge it with a black pen, and adhere it to the reserved 5" x 7" grey card. 
20. Adhere the sentiment sticker as shown to finish the card.

You still have plenty of time to join us at the Lost Coast Portal To Creativity's Challenge 202 - the 31 Days of Halloween for a chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!

Thanks for visiting today!

Believe in Magic

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday. This week the team is focusing on Mixed Media. I've used rubber stamps, dye ink, pigment ink, Starburst Sprays, Copic Markers, heat embossing, acrylic paint markers, re-inkers, and cutting dies to make a Halloween card. 

Here's my card created with the KC13 Cling Rubber Stamp Sett by Kate Crane for PaperArtsy, Screamin' Banchee Black and Witch's Potion Purple from the Haunted Halloween Starburst Spray Set by Lindy's Stamp Gang.

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

KC13 Cling Rubber Stamp Sett by Kate Crane for PaperArtsy

Haunted Halloween Starburst Spray Set by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Other Products Used:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Raven Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Copic Markers:

Skin: BV000, BV0000, E50, E21, E11, E00, E000, R20

Hair: E29, E27, E18, E17, E07

Dress's Sleeves, Bows, and Collar: RV93, RV91, RV63

Olo Markers:

Dress and Hairband: V2.8, V2.7, V2.6, V2.4

Purple, Pink, and Green Stardust Glitter Gel Pens by Sakura

Black Pigma Pen by Sakura

Anti-static Pouch

VersaMagic Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Fine Gold Embossing Powder by Stampendous

Gold and White Uni-Posca Acrylic Paint Marker by Mitsubishi Pencil

Moonlight White Brilliance Re-inker by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Grass Border Die: Source Unknown

Pearlescent White PanPastel 

Cat Die: Source Unknown

A6 Layer Dies by Waffle Flower Crafts

White Chalk Pencil by General's Pencils

Low-tack tape

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of black cardstock to create a 5" x 7" card. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ino stamp the standing Magic Woman from the KC13 Cling Rubber Stamp Set by Kate Crane onto white cardstock. 
3. Fussy-cut the image and color it with Copic markers.
4. Use a Pink Stardust Glitter Gel Pen to a touch of sparkle to her hair and her dress. 
5. Use a Gold Uni-Posca Paint Marker to color the star on her dress and the one on her head band. 
6. Edge the fussy-cut colored image with a black pen and set her aside.
7. Spray a 5" x 8" piece of Bristol Paper or other heavy-weight, water-friendly paper with the Witch's Potion Purple from the Haunted Halloween Starburst Spray Se and heat set. This color is a shimmery purple/teal blue and is absolutely lovely. However, my Magic Woman got lost on the background panel. 
8. Spray with the background panel Screamin' Banchee Black from the Haunted Halloween Starburst Spray Set and heat set the panel. This darkened the panel and added navy blue to the mix, which worked much better for my purposes.
9. Smush Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Ink onto a strip of Bristol Paper and heat set,.
10. Use a grassy border die to cut the inked cardstock.
11. Glue the green-inked grassy border to the bottom of the background panel.
12. Trim the background panel to 4.75" x 6.75" and and edge it with a black pen.
13. Adhere the background panel was to the reserved 5" x 7" black card.
14. Pounce the background panel and the leftover strip of background paper with an anti-static pouch.
15. Place the background panel onto a stamping platform and secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape 
16. Place the moon with the hanging star from the KC13 Cling Rubber Stamp Set by Kate Crane face-down onto the top left of the image panel.
17. Press the lid of the platform onto the moon stamp, lift the lid, and ink the moon stamp with VersaMagic ink.
18. Pour gold detail embossing powder onto the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the container, and heat set the moon/star.
19. Place the leftover strip of sprayed background paper onto the the stamping platform. 
20. Place the "believe in magic" sentiment facedown on the strip. 
21. Press the lid of the platform onto the sentiment stamp, lift the lid, and ink the sentiment with VersaMagic ink.
22. Pour gold detail embossing powder onto the wet ink, dump the excess powder back into the container, and heat set the sentiment.
23. Die-cut with a small rectangle die from the A6 Layers Die Set then edge it with a black pen. 
24. Use a slightly larger rectangle die from the same die set to cut black cardstock then use the black die-cut to mat the sentiment.
25. Use a White Uni-Posca Paint Pen to color the moon. Unfortunately, the background bled through.
26. I tried to add White Pearlescent PanPastel to the moon to fix it. That didn't work either. 
27. As a last ditch attempt, I painted the moon with Moonlight White Brilliance ink, which also didn't work. Oh well. 
28. Use Pink and Green Stardust Glitter Gel Pens to add sparkle to the star and the leaves. 
29. Cut the smooth side of black cardstock with a cat die.
30. Use a white chalk pencil to detail the cat. 
31. Use a Green Stardust Glitter Pen to add an glittery eye to the cat.
32. Adhere the Witch Woman and the cat under the blades of grass as shown. 
33. Adhere he sentiment die-cut to finish the card.

Thank you for visiting today!

 

31 Days of Halloween - Day 10

Greetings! I'm back with another Halloween card for Day 10 of Lost Coast Portal To Creativity's Challenge 202 - the 31 Days of Halloween created with the Pokey Pidgeon Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs. Pokey Pidgeon is wearing his Raven Halloween costume for my card and is quoting some Edgar Allen Poe. 

Products Used:

Pokey Pidgeon Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Textured Black Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tskukineko

Copic Markers: BG93, BG90, BG49,, B95, B93, B91, B60, BV25, BV23, BV20, BV13, N6, 5, N4, Blue Grey

Shinhan Touch Markers: BG5, BG3, BG1

Villainous Potion, Lost Shadow, and Pumice Stone Distress Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Slimline Clouds Stencil by My Favorite Things

Nevermore Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs

Black Multi-liner Pen by Copic

Mister filled with water

Black Pigma Pen by Sakura

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura
White Colored Pencil

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Low-tack Tape

Repositionable Scotch Tape by 3M

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 7" x 5" card from black cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp Pokey Pidgeon on the left side of a 7" x 5" piece of Bristol Paper, then stamp again onto a piece of repositionable sticker paper.
3. Color Pokey Pidgeon with Copic markers so that he looks more like a Raven than a pigeon. 
4. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version of Pokey Pidgeon and place it over its counterpart on the image panel.
5. Place the image panel onto the STAY-tion atop the Glassboard.
6. Place a piece of repositionable Scotch Tape horizontally across the image panel right above Pokey Pidgeon's feet.
7. Place a slimline cloud stencil towards the top of the image panel and secure with magnets.
8. Brush or sponge Stormy Sky Distress Ink over the top of the stencil onto the image panel. 
9. Brush or sponge Villainous Potion Distress Ink over the stencil over the stencil onto the image panel.
10. Flip the stencil 180°, move it downwards, and secure with magnets. 
11. Brush or sponge Stormy Sky Distress Ink over the top of the stencil and the masked Pokey Pidgeon onto the image panel. 
12. Brush or sponge Villainous Potion Distress Ink over the stencil over the stencil and the masked Pokey Pidgeon onto the image panel.
13. Repeat Steps 10 - 12 three more times until the stormy and cloudy sky background fills the image panel. 
14. Brush Lost Shadow Distress Ink onto the white areas of the clouds to darken them a bit.
15. Mist the image panel with water and use a paper towel to blot up the bigger droplets. Heat set the panel.
16. Move the repositionable Scotch Tape so that it's sitting on the separation between the sky and the bottom area and covering  Pokey Pidgeon's feet and legs.
17. Sponge or brush Pumice Stone Distress Ink over the tape and the masked image onto the bottom area of the image panel.
18. Place the "Nevermore" stencil to the right of and the masked Pokey Pidgeon and secure with low-tack tape and/or magnets. S
19. Sponge Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil onto the image panel.
20. Use low-tack tape to cover the word "Nevermore".
21. Move the stencil slightly so that the splats and splotches are in an open area.
22. Sponge Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink over the stencil onto the image panel.
23. Repeat Steps 21 and 22 until you are happy with the amount of splotches and splats.
24. Remove the tape and the stencil from the image panel. 
25. Remove the mask and use Copic markers and/or a black fineliner pen to touch up Pokey Pidgeon if necessary.
26. Increase the size of and the masked Pokey Pidgeon's pupils with a N7 Copic marker. 
27. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to his pupils. 
28. Use a white colored pencil to add a highlight to Pokey Pidgeon's beak.
29. Use a black marker to deepen the black of the word "Nevermore".
30.  Trim the image panel to 6.75" x 4.75" and edge with Nocturne VersaFine Clair.
31. Adhere the image panel to a 7" x 5" card.

~ ~ ~

I hope that you've been enjoying the 31 Days of Halloween showcase and are inspired to join our challenge and get the chance to win some Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!

Thanks for visiting today!

Cast a Spell with Lavinia Stamps and Inks

It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday. This week the team is showcasing Inks, which is such a great theme as I love and adore all inks. Since it's Halloween season, I decided to create a spellbinding scene with Lavinia Stamps Elements Premium Dye Inks and their Faba Clear Polymer Stamp, the Hocus and Pocus Clear Polymer Stamp Set, the Bat Colony Clear Polymer Stamp, and the Spanish Moss Foliage Clear Polymer Stamp Set.

Here's the card!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Faba Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Hocus and Pocus Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Lavinia Stamps

Bat Colony Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Spanish Moss Foliage Clear Polymer Stamp Set  by Lavinia Stamps

Acetate Circles Masks by Lavinia Stamps

Pine, Sundance, Russet Orange, Confetti, Violet Chalk, Dark Denim, and Olive Green Elements Inks by Lavinia Stamps

Nocturne, Spruce, and Shady Lane VersaFine Clair Inks by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Gelly Roll Bold Line Clear Glittering Ink Pen by Sakura

Fine Spray Misters by Spectrum Noir

Other Products Used:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Black Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Prismacolor Colored Pencils by Sanford

Zig Clear Color Real Brush Markers by Kuretake

White and Olive Green Chalk Pencils by General's Pencil Company

Uni-Posca Acrylic Paint Markers by Mitsubishi Pencil

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

White Gelly Roll Gel Pen by Sakura

Low-tack Tape

Paint Brushes*

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Glassboard by Glassboard Studio

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Make a 5" x 7" card from black cardstock. Set aside.
2. Place a 5" x 7" piece of Bristol Paper on the STAY-tion and secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape.
3. Use a magnet or low-tack tape to secure the smallest circle mask from the Acetate Circles Mask Set towards the top left of the Bristol Paper panel. 
4. Use brushes or sponges to apply Pine, Sundance, Russet Orange, Confetti, Violet Chalk, Dark Denim, and Elements Inks horizontally across the cardstock, taking care to blend the inks where they meet. 
5. When you're happy with the coverage, mist the inked panel with a water-filled Fine Spray Mister. 
6. Dab the big splotches with a paper towel, remove the circle mask, then heat set the panel thoroughly. 
7. If the cardstock curls, place the panel on the platform of a die-cut machine sandwiched inside a folded piece of copier paper. Place both cutting plates over the copier paper and run the sandwich through the die-cut machine several times to flatten it.
8. Place the flattened panel onto a stamping platform and secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape. 
9. Position the Faba Clear Polymer Stampfacedown on the green-inked area towards the right edge of the inked panel.
10. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp, lift, and ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. and stamp. Re-ink and stamp  Faba again if needed to attain a clean image.
11. Remove the Faba Clear Polymer Stamp. 
12. Position the Hocus and Pocus Clear Polymer Stamps facedown on the green-inked area of the the image panel so that they are flanking Faba. 
13. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp, lift, and ink the Hocus and Pocus Clear stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain  clean images. Remove the stamps.
14. Place the Bat Colony Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the image panel so that it's overlapping the moon. 
15. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp, lift, and ink the Bat Colony stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if needed to attain a clean image. Remove the stamps.
16. If there are white spots on the black images, smoosh the Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink Pad onto a piece of acetate (or a glass surface). Use a paint brush to pick up the ink from the acetate and apply the ink to correct the image. *
17. Position the larger stamp from the Spanish Moss Foliage Clear Polymer Stamp Set  along the left side of the image panel with the top of the stamp off of the image panel. 
18. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the Spanish Moss Foliage stamp, lift, ink the stamp with Spruce VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. 
19. Clean and dry the stamp, reposition it facedown further down the left side of the image panel. Ink again with Spruce VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. 
20. Clean and dry the stamp, ink it with Shady Lane VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.
21. Repeat this process using the second stamp from the Spanish Moss Foliage Clear Polymer Stamp Set until you're happy with the foliage along the left hand side.
22. Throughly heat set the image panel. 
23. Use Gelly Roll Bold Line Clear Stardust Glittering Ink Pen to outline the moon. 
24. Use a small blending brush to apply Olive Green Elements Inks onto small areas under Faba, Hocus, and Pocus to ground them.
25. Add detail to Faba's hair, dress, hat, and lantern with colored pencils and/or watercolor markers. 
26. Use a white chalk pencil to add shading to Faba, Hocus, and Pocus. 
27. Use an olive green chalk pencil to add additional shading under Faba, Hocus, and Pocus. 
28. Use a red glitter pen to add red eyes to Hocus and Pocus.
29. Using a clean wet paint brush, dab the interior of the lantern, then press a piece of paper towel onto the wet spot to lift the ink. 
30. Use watercolor markers or a colored pencil to add an orangish-yellowish glow to the lantern.
31. Use a white gel pen to add a highlight to the lantern.
32. Add colorful dots to the Spanish Moss Foliage with Posca Acrylic paint markers. 
33. Trim the image panel to 4.75" x 6.75" and edge the panel with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. 
34. Adhere the image panel to the reserved  5" x 7" black card then finish the card by adding a sentiment sticker.

Notes:

• Dedicate a small round paint brush and a small flat paint brush to be used with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
• If inked or painted cardstock curls, heat set it, then place the panel on the platform of a die-cut machine sandwiched inside a folded piece of copier paper. Place both cutting plates over the copier paper and run the sandwich through the die-cut machine several times to flatten it. Sometimes you have to add an additional piece of cardstock to the sandwich (add between the cutting plates) to increase the pressure on the curled cardstock. This is also a great way to be sure that die-cuts are firmly adhered. 

31 Days of Halloween - Day 4: A Much Misunderstood Gentleman

Greetings! I returned from vacation and promptly came down with the flu and a dreadful ear infection. Then I threw myself in to cleaning the house and preparing for a 140th birthday party. You read that right. A friend from college, who I met Freshman year, shares my birthday. We turned 18 together and celebrated our 30th birthdays together. So we decided to celebrate the fourtieth anniversary of our 30th Birthday this year! The party was great fun. Sadly, my birthday twin was feeling under the weather, though he rallied for the party. Two days later, he tested positive for Covid. My husband and I hadn't been feeling great, but atttributed it to talking so much and exhaustion from running around like lunatics prior to the party. Alas, we were wrong and had Covid. We only passed it to our daughter, our nephew, and our niece-in-law. Fortunately, they're young-uns, so they got over it quickly. Not like certain newly old people. This version of Covid was like a bad head cold with a nasty cough and exhaustion. I didn't make it into my craft room for almost a month. 

Therefore, this card shows how rusty I got in my card-making skills. The card was created for the Lost Coast Portal To Creativity's Challenge 202 - the 31 Days of Halloween with the Clown with Balloon Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs, the Cobwebs Stencil by AALL and Create, the Drippy Arch 6x6 Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs, Distress Inks, a debossing die by Little B Designs, a Spiders Die by Memory Box, and a sentiment from the Halloween Clippings Stickers by idea-ology.

Products Used:

Clown with Balloon Rubber Stamp by Lost Coast Designs

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers

Raven and Off-white Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Copic Markers:

T5, T3, T2, T1, T0, BV23, BV20, BV13, BG93, BG90, YR31, YR18, YR16, YR12, E41, E40, R39, R27, R24, R22, Y11, Y04, Y02, Y00, N6

White Prismacolor Pencil 

Black Pigma Pen by Sakura

Cobwebs Stencil by AALL and Create

Drippy Arch 6x6 Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs

Black Soot, Hickory Smoke, Pumice Stone, Aged Mahogony, Barn Door, Rusty Hinge, and Fossilized Amber Distress Inks by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Lost Shadow Distress Oxide Ink by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink

Stipple Brushes 

Debossing Die by Little B Designs

Spiders Die by Memory Box

Halloween Clippings Stickers by Tim Holtz idea-ology for Advantus

Corner Rounder Punch by EK Success

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery

Low-tack Tape

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

STAY-tion by Wendy Vecchi for Ranger Ink

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink was used to stamp the Clown with Balloon twice — once onto the bottom of a 6" square image panel and once onto repositionable sticker paper. 
2. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version and place it atop its counterpart as a mask.
3. Place the Cob Web stencil was over the image panel and secure with low-tack tape to the Glassboard.
4. Place the outside part of the Drippy Arch Stencil over the Cobweb Stencil on the image panel and secure with magnets.
5. Sponge Fossilized Amber, Barn Door, and Black Soot Distress ink over the over the combined stencils and the mask to create a spider web in a cave scenic background. 
6. Remove the stencils and place the interior part of the Drippy Arch stencil over the center part of the image panel to cover the webby cave interior. Secure the stencil with magnets.
7. Sponge or Brush Hickory Smoke and Pumice Stone Distress Inks over the stencil. 
8. Use a stipple brush  to pounce Aged Mahogany, Barn Door, Rusty Hinge, and Fossilized Amber Distress Ink over the newly inked background and the stencil. 
9. Use another stipple brush to pounce Light Grey Distress Oxide Ink over the the background and the stencil to create a mottled look.
10. Remove the stencil and the mask over the Clown.
11. Use Copic markers to color the Clown with Balloon image.
12. Use a white pencil  to add highlights to the balloon. 
13. The white spiderweb was too stark and the Clown with Balloon did not stand out sufficiently, so I used yellow Copic markers to color them. Much better.
14. I also wasn't thrilled with athe way the drippy arch looked so I used a black marker to outline the drippy bits which helped.
15. Trim the image panel to 5 5/8" square and use the corner-rounder punch on the top corners.
16. Edge the image panel with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink.
17. Cut Off-white cardstock, that matches the Clown with Balloon's face,  to 5 3/4" square and use it to mat the image panel.
18. Cut Off-white cardstock with a Spiders Die (cuts 5 spiders at once).
19. Detail the spiders with E40 and E41 Copic markers. 
20. Fold the spiders' legs under the spiders' bodies. (I never thought I'd write that sentence).
21. Adhere the spiders to the spider web with dimensional foam adhesive under their bellies and glue on the end of their legs.
22. Adhere the image panel to a 6" square black card.
23. Adhere an appropriate sticker  under the Clown with Balloon's fee.
24. Use low-tack tape to secure the "Happy Halloween" debossing dies facedown  on the top of the card as shown.
25. Run the card through the die-cut machine to deboss the sentiment, which will finish the card.

I sure hope you participate in this month's challenge for the chance to win Lo$t Coa$t Ca$h!

Love and Light Hummingbird Card

Greetings! It's Topflight Stamps Tuesday! Before I get to my project, I'd like to remind you that Topflight Stamps Labor Day Sale ends Tuesday, September 2nd at 11:59 EDT . Pop over to the store to check out all the wonderful products. Treat yourself, treat a friend, or stock up on crafting goodies. 

While I was on vacation, I saw a few hummingbirds, a Belted Kingfisher, and a juvenile Cedar Waxwing! These sightings thrilled my inner birdbrain and inspired this week's card, which was created with the Hummingbird Small, the Shadow Bloom, and the River Root Corner Clear Polymer Stamps — all by Lavinia Stamps. I also used the Holey Fun Die Set DI-88 by AALL and Create, Medieval Blue Versafine Clair Ink, and Sparkle Clear Glitter Brush Pens by Spectrum Noir. 

Here it is!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Hummingbird Small Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Shadow Bloom Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

River Root Corner Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps

Holey Fun Die Set DI-88 by AALL and Create

Medieval Blue Versafine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Sparkle Clear Glitter Brush Pens by Spectrum Noir

Uplifting Stickers Set 6 by Lavinia Stamps

Other Products Used:

Bristol Paper by Strathmore

Classic Green Cardstock by Bazzill Basics

Comodore Blue Cardstock by My Colors

London Fog Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Copic Markers:

 Flowers: V25, V22, Rv52, RV25, RV28

 Bird: B78, B59, B66, B18, B16, BG45, YG45, YG07, YG05, G07, Y08, T7, T5

 Background: <B41

Light Green and Dark Green TriPlus Fineliner by Staedtler

Glassboard by Glassboard Studios

Stamping Platform

Instructions:

1. Create a 5" x 7" card from Comodore Blue Cardstock. Set aside.
2. Use London Fog Memento Ink to stamp the Shadow Bloom Clear Polymer Stampon the right side of a Bristol Paper panel. 
3. Use the same ink to stamp the Hummingbird Small Clear Polymer Stamp so that his beak slightly overlaps one of the flowers.
4. Color the Shadow Bloom flowers and the Hummingbird with Copic markers.
5. Use green Staedtler TriPlus Fineliner pens pens to color the stems of the Shadow Bloom. 
6. Use a <B41 Copic marker to add a pointillist dotty background to the background. 
7. Use a Sparkle Clear Glitter Brush Pen to add a glittery layer to the Hummingbird. Let the glitter ink dry.
8. Cut the image panel with one of the dies from the Holey Fun Die Set DI-88.
9. Use Copic markers to edge the die-cut. 
10. Cut green cardstock with the larger die from the Holey Fun Die Set DI-88 and use the green die-cut to mat the image panel.
11. Place the 5" x 7" card onto the base of a stamping platform, secured with low-tack tape and/or magnets.
12. Position the River Root Corner Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the left bottom corner. 
13. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
14. Ink the River Root Corner Stamp with Medieval Blue Versafine Clair Ink and stamp.
15. Clean and dry the stamp.
16. Position the River Root Corner Clear Polymer Stamp facedown on the right bottom corner. 
17. Press the platform's lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.
18. Ink the River Root Corner Stamp with Medieval Blue Versafine Clair Ink and stamp.
19. Clean and dry the stamp.
20. Rotate the card 180° and resecure it to the base of the stamping platform.
21. Repeat Steps 12 through 18.
22. Edge the card with Medieval Blue Versafine Clair Ink, then heat set the entire card.
23. Adhere the matted image panel to the blue stamped card.
24. Choose a sticker from Uplifting Stickers Set 6 and adhere where desired.

Thanks for visiting today!