Chou & Flowers Stenciled Cards with Topflight Stamps

This week at Topflight Stamps our brand focus is on Chou & Flowers. (Plus there is a sale for the Christmas/Winter category that is still running through the end of the month!) I created a card set using the Flowers stencil from them. I used both regular and crackle texture paste through the stencil, then sprinkled the wet paste with WOW! embossing powder from the Sara Naumann Twinkly Fizz set. When the paste was dry, I heat embossed it. I love the sparkle!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted daily!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

Chou & Flowers Stencil - Flowers

Visible Image Stamp Set - Go To Words

WOW! Embossing Powder Trio - Sara Naumann Twinkly Fizz

Clair Ink Pad - Monarch

Masterpiece Design Die Set - Tag It

texture paste

Getting Crazy with Katzelkraft & Topflight Stamps

Hello, this week at Topflight Stamps our brand focus is on Katzelkraft. I love the variety of design styles they have and this quirky Owls is a new favorite! I used it in creating a funny mixed media card:

The background is a gel print from my print stash. I used the AALL & Create Olives & Ivy Stencil and texture paste to make a pattern over that. I added some Sea Salt Embossing Powder to the paste while it was wet. When dry, I heat embossed the powder. I also used some of the ready to go AALL & Create Ephemera Funny Bone Funnies #49. They are so handy and a fun way to add some snark to your project.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted daily!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

Katzelkraft Stamp Set - Owls

AALL & Create Stencil - Olives & Ivy #172

AALL & Create Washi Tape - Burlap Black #16
AALL & Create Ephemera - Funny Bone Funnies #49
WOW! Embossing Powder - Sara Naumann Sea Salt

Versafine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black

watercolors

Gel Press Plate

texture paste

Gel Press Print Fun with Topflight Stamps

This week our Topflight Stamps theme is Anything Goes! These are always fun because I can search through my Topflight stash and use whatever strikes my fancy.

First I rifled through my pile of Gel Press prints to make the card backgrounds. (Trust me, if you try gel printing, you will end up with a pile of prints. It's addicting!) Then I used the Crafty Individuals Tall Wild Flowers Stamp to create the focal images. You could make a whole set of these cards to use as a gift.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted daily!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

Crafty Individuals stamp - CI-185 Tall Wild Flowers
Crafty Individuals stamp - CI-116 Crackle Background 

Versafine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black

Gel Press Plate

PaperArtsy Fresco Paint, Lavinia Chalk Paint - various
watercolors

It's Fall! – A Card with Topflight Stamps

It's finally September! I'm ready for fall weather and colors so I was inspired to create an autumn themed card using the AALL & Create Garden Times stamp as a focal image.

I raided my stash of monoprints made with a Gel Press Plate for the layer under the main image. (It pays to have a stash!)

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of different and hard to find stamps, stencils and other paper crafting supplies from all around the world! Also keep an eye on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted daily!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

AALL & Create stamp - #979 Garden Times

PaperArtsy stamp set - ESA08
Visible Image stamp set - Birthday Wishes
Gel Press Plate

Lavinia Mystical Mist Spray - Golden Temple

Versafine Pigment Ink Pad - Onyx Black

Funkie Junkie Focus – "The Flowers Are Coming"

Happy Spring! Our current Funkie Junkie Focus theme is "The Flowers Are Coming" and they are popping out all over, both in the garden and the craft room. I always think it's nice to have some cards on hand for any occasions that come up so I made a set of spring themed flower cards.

Think pink!

The beautiful Floral Trims stamp set from Tim Holtz is perfect for creating a focal image on a card! The Simple Sayings stamp set is also a favorite sentiment set that I use often for my cards.

I started off by creating several pages of pink inky backgrounds using Distress Spray Stains and Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock. I cut them down into card fronts and stamped with Black Soot Archival ink. I then loosely watercolored over the top to fill in the flowers. Easy!

Thanks for stopping by. Keep an eye on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog, Inspiration Ave. because you are now getting regular doses of expanded (and inspiring) content each week. Don't miss it…

Supplies used:

Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Floral Trims
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Simple Sayings
Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock
Ranger Distress Spray Stains - Kitsch Flamingo, Saltwater Taffy, Picked Raspberries

Ranger Distress Oxide Spray Stains - Tattered Rose

Ranger Archival Inks - Black Soot, Picked Raspberries

watercolor paint

Funkie Junkie Focus – Bird Notes Card Caddy

Hello there Funkie Junkie fans! Our new focus theme is "use your favorite Tim Holtz product". (Like I could choose just one thing – impossible!) Therefore I have used various Distress medias, stamps, dies and stencils to create a Card Caddy full of notecards.

Mixed media is the best! All the goodies play so nicely together…

I made a set of ten cards to fit into the Card Caddy holder.

Let's take a look at how I made them:

Step 1 – I created backgrounds to cut up into card fronts. First I used Distress Sprays to lay down some color onto cardstock.

I added a secondary layer of visual texture with stencils.

Step 2 – I chopped the pages up into card fronts before adding more stamping and texture. Meanwhile, I had also cut the card bases and mats (from Kraft Stock Sparkle Classic – it added some nice bling to the cards).

Step 3 – I set the card bases off to the side and continued on with adding more to the fronts. Stamped texture went on first. Using the set of Everyday Art Element Stencils and Distress Embossing Dabber, I then added Distress Glazed accents. 

I adhered the die cut Silhouette Birds and Small Talk sentiments, then did some additional stamped texture over everything.

Step 4 – The Card Caddy Die (currently 50% off!) is a cinch to put together. I cut the pieces out of Sizzix mat board and then inked them. The tabs fold on the score lines and I glued it all together with a strong, quick grab liquid glue. (Clothespins are great for holding the tabs in place while the glue is drying.)

Thanks for stopping by. Keep an eye on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog, Inspiration Ave. because you are now getting regular doses of expanded (and inspiring) content each week. Don't miss it…

Supplies used:

Eileen Hull Scoreboards Die - Card Caddy (currently 50% off!)
Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set - Silhouette Birds
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Grunged
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Tiny Toadstools
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Stitches
Tim Holtz Layering Stencils - Markings, Brush, Ringer, Brush Hex
Tim Holtz Element Stencils - Everyday Art

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: 
Small Talk
Kraft Stock - Sparkle Classic

Sizzix Mat Board

Distress Collage Medium Matte

Distress Archival Ink - Dandelion, Pink Peony, Plum
Distress Spray Stains - Saltwater Taffy, Kitsch Flamingo, Antique Linen
Distress Oxide Spray Stain - Squeezed Lemonade, Antique Linen
Distress Oxide Ink - Seedless Preserves, Squeezed Lemonade, Dried Marigold
Distress Glaze - Picked Raspberries, Wild Honey
Distress Embossing Dabber

Funkie Junkie Focus – New Stampers Anonymous from Tim Holtz

Hello there, our Funkie Junkie Focus this time around is on the newest Tim Holtz release from Stamper Anonymous. Fun stuff! I created an all occasion card using the Tiny Prints and Bold Botanicals stamp sets.

I used Distress Glaze to create the Tiny Prints background. I stamped with embossing ink onto a piece of Backdrops paper, then embossed it with Peeled Paint Distress Glaze.

Completed card base:

For the flower focal piece (Bold Botanicals), I stamped it and then embossed with Walnut Stain Distress Glaze before blending on the color using Distress Oxide Inks. There you go, using the powers of stamping to create an easy card!

Thanks for stopping by. Keep an eye on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog, Inspiration Ave. because you are now getting regular doses of expanded (and inspiring) content each week. Don't miss it…

Supplies used:

Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set - Crochet
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Bold Botanicals
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - Tiny Prints

Tim Holtz Idea-ology: 
Label Stickers
Kraft Stock - Cool
Backdrops Vol. 4

Distress Collage Medium Matte

Distress Archival Ink - Ground Espresso
Distress Watercolor Cardstock
Distress Spray Stains - Tea Dye,
Distress Oxide Ink - Saltwater Taffy, Picked Raspberry
Distress Glaze - Peeled Paint, Walnut Stain
Distress Embossing Ink

Tonic Deckle Edge Trimmer

Wordsoup, Tags & Pockets with Eileen Hull

Hello! All month our theme for Eileen Hull's team has been Wordsoup, Tags & Pockets. It's been fun seeing all the creative ways the designers have been interpreting it. I decided to make a funny card for my take.

I incorporated words and letters in the background with stamps and diecuts. My sentiment is from the Idea-ology Snarky Small Talk sticker book. (So many funny ones included in that!)

I also used several of Eileen's 3-D Embossing Folders on the tags. (Silverware, Sweater, & Crochet Mandala) The detail and texture you can achieve with these folders is absolutely amazing! A card like this is a great way to use up scraps. I rummaged through my stash of gel prints, inky backgrounds and paper scraps to choose which to make into tags.

Here's a peek at the background:

I also included an Idea-ology Paper Doll figure perched on a tag. You can easily color these fun little dolls. I used Distress Watercolor Pencils this time. You can color directly on the paper and then blend with a waterbrush. You can also briefly dip the tip of the pencil into water to soften it and then swipe color off of it with a paintbrush to load it with "paint".

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to keep an eye on Eileen's blog for more inspiration from the Educator and Inspiration Teams.

Supplies used:

Eileen Hull Die - Tile Alphanumeric  ( Sizzix, SB, FJ  )
Eileen Hull 3-D Embossing Folder - Silverware ( Sizzix, SB, FJ  )

Eileen Hull 3-D Embossing Folder - Sweater 

Eileen Hull 3-D Embossing Folder - Crochet Mandala ( Sizzix, SB )
Tim Holtz Die Set - Tag Collection ( Sizzix, SB , FJ  )

Eileen Hull Stamp Sets: Snail Mail - Postage, Making Plans

Gel Press plate
Idea-ology Paper Dolls
Idea-ology Design Tape - Trims
Idea-ology Snarky Small Talk

Sizzix Surfacez Cardstock

Sizzix Luster Wax - Silver

Distress Watercolor Pencils

Distress Collage Medium - Matte
Distress Archival Ink 4-Pack - Basics

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)

Sizzix Chapter 1 Card Tutorial with Eileen Hull Dies

Hello there! All this month Eileen Hull's designers have been sharing the tutorials from their fabulous projects shared in the Chapter 1 Release Party January 3rd. This week it's my turn! First up is this mixed media card I created.

The new Chapter 1 release:

Here is a bit of the how-to for my project…

1) First I embossed a piece of white card stock using the 3-D Tablecloth Embossing Folder. This new folder is right up there with Eileen's other 3-D Embossing Folders. The detail is AMAZING! I love it. I inked the embossing folder with Archival ink first, then embossed the paper. The ink transfers into the recessed areas of the embossing. It really makes the details pop.

2) The background is a full sheet of Tile Alphanumeric cut out of a gel print. You can also tear it apart at the perforations to make little letter squares or use the letters themselves. Very versa-tile! (ha ha)

3) The Library Pocket, ATC Card and Tab Die Set makes a great little pocket to hold a card that can be removed to write a little message on.

4) I also used some of Eileen's stamp sets (Buttons, Cards & More and Making Plans) to add stamping for visual texture to the card.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to keep an eye on Eileen's blog for more inspiration from the Educator and Inspiration Teams!

Supplies used:

Eileen Hull Die Set - Library Pocket, ATC Card & Tabs  ( Sizzix, SB )
Eileen Hull Die - Tile Alphanumeric  ( Sizzix, SB )
Eileen Hull 3-D Embossing Folder - Tablecloth ( Sizzix, SB )
Eileen Hull Stamp Set - Buttons, Cards & More
Eileen Hull Stamp Set - Making Plans
Gel Press Printing Plate

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)

New Funkie Junkie Challenge – Music of Life

Hello Funkie Junkie fans! It's time for a new challenge. Our hostess is Laura Gilhuly and the theme is "The Music of Life". This definitely gives you lots of directions to go in so create a music themed project and share it with us for a chance to win. 

I have been enjoying having my windows open to the fresh spring air and hearing all the birdsong as well. I decided to create a card celebrating our vocal feathered friends.

For the background, I started off with an old sheet of music and lightly brayered on acrylic paint. I used Collage Medium to adhere it to a sheet of heavy cardstock and then die cut the sentiment in the corner using the Bold Text #1 Die Set.

The birds are all cut out of a gel print from my stash. (It is so helpful to have a "backgrounds" stash!) After I glued them onto the background, I used the Stabilo Aquarellable pencils to shade around them a bit. Then added some stamped texture over everything with stamps from the Tiny Toadstools stamp set and it was done! Now I just have to decide who to send it to. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you check out the fun challenges we have on the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog. They are always good for sparking your creativity! You have two weeks to join the current challenge so I hope you give it a go.

Supplies used:

Tim Holtz die set - Silhouette Birds

Tim Holtz die set - Bold Text #1

Tim Holtz stamp sets - Tiny Toadstools

Distress Ink - Vintage Photo,

Ranger Archival Inks - Watering Can, Garden Patina

acrylic paint

Distress Collage Medium Matte

Gel Press prints

old sheet music

brayer

Stabilo Aquarellable pencils - blue, brown

Focus on PaperArtsy for Topflight Stamps

Hello everyone! I'm filling in over on the Topflight Stamps blog this week and the focus is on the PaperArtsy brand. (Which I love!) Their stamps, paints and mediums are fabulous to create with. One of my favorite designers of theirs is Lynne Perrella and I had a new stamp set that needed to see some ink!

I began with creating a background with Distress Spray Stains and a little pinch of PaperArtsy Infusions Dye powder (Golden Sands). Infusions are intensely strong grains of dye pigment and a little goes a long way! After that I stamped the images and then colored them with watercolor paint. I also stamped in the background to add more visual texture.

Thanks for stopping by! Keep an eye on the Topflight Stamps blog as the talented Design Team has something new for you to see nearly every day! Visit the Topflight Stamps store for a wide selection of art stamps and supplies from all around the world. PLUS, now through Sunday there is a 20% off sale in the Fall/Halloween collections.

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

PaperArtsy Lynne Perrella stamp set 38

PaperArtsy Eclectica Seth Apter stamp set 08

PaperArtsy Eclectica Sara Naumann stamp set 27

PaperArtsy Infusions Dye Golden Sands

Versafine Ink - Black Onyx

foam adhesive squares

Other:

Tim Holtz

Switchlits Seal  ( Sizzix / SB )

Distress Spray Stain - Antique Linen, Old Paper, Oxide Antique Linen

Ranger Heavystock mixed media paper

Idea-ology mini paper clips

various washi tapes

cardstock

Some links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)

Mixed Media Card with Eileen Hull

Hello! I've been playing more with Eileen's new Molten Dimensions Embossing Powder and Clearsnap Blends Ink.

The powders are chunky and you get really good coverage and dimension. I discovered that I can use my Melting Pot to easily make all the embossed die cut elements. (The Ranger Melting Pot was designed by Suze Weinberg and they were sadly discontinued a few years ago. You might have one in your craft stash already or be able to find one used on eBay etc.)

I die cut the flower parts, inked them with Eileen's clear (super sticky!) Blends Ink, applied the powder and set it into the pre-heated pot to melt. (It doesn't take long!) I had these non-stick inserts with side flaps that were made to fit into the tray which made it really easy to remove the melted die cut. I just lifted the liner out and let it cool off to the side before handling it. You could do the same thing with a folded piece of foil or paper.

On the large gold flower, I stamped it to give it an embossed texture. The round stamp from the Tim Holtz set The Professor fit perfectly onto the flower tips. While the powder was still molten, I carefully pressed the stamp in place and then left it there until the powder had cooled and solidified. Then the stamp just pops off.

The frame is the front from the Trinket Box die. (See, 3-D dies can be used for 2-D projects too!) I covered the frame with the clear embossing powder, sprinkled on White Wonder powder and then gently knocked some of the powder off by tapping on the back. I wanted some 'gaps' that would give an eggshell, vintage texture after melting. After I embossed it and it was cool, I rubbed Nutmeg Blends Ink all over the frame, working it into the gaps left by the powder I knocked off. I buffed the extra ink off with a soft cloth before it dried. I also added a bit of ink to the flower parts to give them a vintage distressed look too. I had to use a strong liquid adhesive to glue the flowers together because of the slick embossed surfaces. Crafter's Pick The Ultimate! glue is one of my favorites for such jobs.

Thanks for stopping by! Check out Eileen's blog and if you are not already a member, join the Facebook Eileen Hull Fan Club group. It is a warm, supportive group with lots of inspiration and sharing going on. You'll just have to answer a few simple questions when asking to join (to keep out spammers) and then you'll be added. ;-)

Dies:
Eileen Hull Sizzix
Journaling Cards - Flowers & Leaves ( Sizzix / SB )
Book & Pages, Trinket Box & Frame ( Sizzix / SB )
Flower, Heart & Soul - retired

Other:

Eileen Hull Embossing Powder by Emerald Creek - Golden Rod
Eileen Hull Embossing Powder by Emerald Creek - Aqua Splash
Eileen Hull Embossing Powder by Emerald Creek - White Wonder
Eileen Hull Clearsnap Blends Ink - Clear, Nutmeg, Ebony
cardstock
Tim Holtz Stamp Set - The Professor
Distress Oxides Spray - Cracked Pistachio, Vintage Photo, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade
Distress Paint - Antique Linen
Tim Holtz Big Chat Stickers
Ranger Melting Pot - retired
Butterfly metal embellishment 
stencil - TCW169, Kasbah

Sizzix and Scrapbook.com links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)

Super Card Team-Up with Eileen Hull

What happens when you combine Eileen Hull's new Book Club Ch. 2 collection, ColorBox Blends ink and DCWV paper? You get a super cool team-up that packs a punch! Check out this card I made:

Papers are from the DCWV Palms & Ferns stack.

I based my card off off the July DCWV challenge on their Facebook page using the challenge sketch:

Here are a few tips and tricks I used making the card and utilizing Eileen's ColorBox Blends inks. The Blends pigment inks contain about 10x more ink than a standard ink pad and come with a built in applicator.

Technique 1 – I first used the Hearts Journaling Card die to cut a stencil out of transparency film.

I stenciled a pattern of hearts through a circle mask I cut and onto the card base. The Blends applicator makes it super easy to stencil!

(The new Credit Card Sleeve Die has a separate slot piece so you can cut them wherever you want in the sleeve.)

Technique 2 - You can also use the Blends to create interesting backgrounds. Squish a quantity of ink onto your craft mat and then spritz with water. Drag and blot your paper through the ink to build up layers of splotchy goodness. I dried it in between layers.

I used these backgrounds to cut my flower pieces from. Keep an eye on Eileen's blog this month as the Inspiration Team shares more projects and tips for using her new die Collection and Blends inks! You don't want to miss all the creative fun! You can also ask to join the Eileen Hull Fan Club on Facebook and soak up the creative tips, inspiration and sharing in our supportive, friendly group.

I am also sharing this card with the Frilly & Funkie Blog "B" Happy challenge. There is always fun stuff to see there so check them out too.

Dies:
Eileen Hull Sizzix -

Scallop Border ( Sizzix/ SSS )

Credit Card Sleeve & Tags ( Sizzix )
Journaling Cards - Hearts ( Sizzix/ SSS )
Journaling Cards - Flowers & Leaves ( Sizzix/ SSS )
Journaling Words ( Sizzix/ SSS )
Bird & Butterflies

Other:

Paper - DCWV Palms & Ferns stack
Eileen Hull's ColorBox Blends Ink - Melon, Wildberry, Tutu, Bay, Beach, Flagstone, Frog, Leaf, Sunshine, Ebony

Archival Ink - Jet Black

Distress Resist Spray
Gold embossing powder
Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
Tim Holtz Big Chat stickers
ribbon scraps

Sizzix & Simon Says Stamp links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! (My husband also thanks you!)