Layered & Luminous: Gel Press + PaperArtsy Mixed Media Magic

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here and today’s project is all about bold layers, rich texture, and that perfectly imperfect vintage vibe. If you love building depth one layer at a time, this one’s for you.

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Step One: Gel Press Play

Everything started with my gel plate and a little creative curiosity.

I pulled out my collection of PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paints and Mattints and started experimenting. I layered both mediums directly onto the gel plate to see how they would interact in a single pull.

The standout combo -

• Weathered Copper
• Nutty Mattint
• Coastal

The Mattints gave that soft, aged translucency while the Frescos added body and texture. The result felt weathered, layered, and full of depth right from the first print.

 

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Step Two: Building the Layers

Once my background was dry, I reached for the Seth Apter 49 and Mini 70 stamp set.

Using Pea Coat Fresco paint, I stamped the first layer of imagery directly onto the print. That bold navy tone grounded everything beautifully.

Then came the shimmer.

 

I added another layer using WOW! Embossing Powder in Tarnished Teal and Dirty Verdi. Those oxidized tones enhanced the aged metal feel already happening in the background.

For even more depth, I stamped a third layer using Versafine Clair Twilight. That darker ink pulled the eye inward and added contrast without overpowering the page.

Layer by layer, the texture just kept building.

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Turning a Page into Panels

When I stepped back, I loved the finished page so much I didn’t want to hide it in a journal. So I cut it down into panels to create card fronts.

 

Once I selected a favorite panel, I added:

• Extra stamping for dimension

• More subtle texture

• A hand-drawn frame for that artsy finish

• A sentiment from the Lavinia Uplifting Collection

  
   

The Mattints give such a soft, vintage patina effect. It feels layered but cohesive. Moody but warm.

And the best part? I still have extra panels ready for future cards.

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Layered backgrounds like this are one of my favorite ways to stretch supplies and create multiple projects in one sitting.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope this inspires you to pull out your gel plate and just play. Have a wonderful week creating. 

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

 

PaperArtsy - Seth Apter 49 Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Seth Apter Mini 70 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Dirti Verdi Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Seth Apter Tarnished Teal Shop at: TP
Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Tracy Scott Coastal Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Weathered Copper Shop at: TP
PaperArtsy - Mattint Nutty Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP

Flower Press Art Collection

Hello!  This is an Anything Goes week at Topflight Stamps, and I am sharing a neutral colored card featuring Flower Press by AALL & Create again!  On January 22nd, I used this same pretty stamp in a paper-pieced fashion.  For today's card, I went with a sort of clean and simple look.  On a piece of packaging I was hanging on to, I stamped the image with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  I inked the edges of the panel with Lavinia Truffle Dye Ink, a rich brown.  The panel was glued onto a kraft background card base.  My little ephemera piece is a nest image from PaperArtsy Apple Blossom Edition by Alison Bomber, stamped in the Versafine Onyx Black, trimmed, and touched up around the edges with the Lavinia Truffle Ink.  I used dimensional tape to adhere it onto the card, and underlined it with some floral embroidery trim from my stash.  Hope you have a beautiful day! ~ Colleen

Supplies from Topflight Stamps:

AALL & Create - Flower Press by Tracy Evans

Lavinia Dye Ink - Truffle

PaperArtsy - Apple Blossom Edition by Alison Bomber

Versafine Ink - Onyx Black

Birthday Card for a Guy!

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps our theme is "Anything Goes"! I made my Dad a mixed media birthday card using a variety of products from Topflight Stamps.

The base is a gel print background with stamping on it. Next I layered on some pieces of AALL & Create washi tape. Over that I applied some texture paste through the Stars & Rays stencil and then sprinkled on Weathered Gold WOW! embossing powder while it was still wet. Once the paste was dry, I heat embossed the powder. 

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 here on the Topflight Stamps blog. There is new inspiration posted often!

Topflight Stamps Supplies Used:

AALL & Create stencil - Stars & Rays #164

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp - Artsy Alphas/Numbers

AALL & Create washi tape - Burlap Black #16

WOW! Seth Apter embossing powder - Weathered Gold

Paper Artsy mini stamp - KCM003

Paper Artsy mini stamps - EM125

Paper Artsy mini stamps - EM77

texture paste

Gel Press print

Lavinia Elements Ink Pads - Lime Punch, Russet Orange, Soft Cygnet, Sahara

Creative Expressions Wordies Sentiment Sheet - Birthday

An Ordinary Life Card

It's Tuesday which means you've got Kathi here to share a project with you! This week is an "Anything Goes" week. I've made a Steampunk-themed card with the Sir Henry Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp Set by Indigo Blu. The background frame and nameplates were created with Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set, the Moon Shadow Mists Spray Set, and Glitz Spritz Spray Set by Lindy's Stamp Gang.

Here it is!

Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko to stamp Sir Henry from the Sir Henry Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp Set twice — once onto a panel of Bristol Paper and once onto repositionable sticker paper.

Heat set the Bristol Paper version, then use Copic markers to color the image.

Fussy-cut the sticker paper version of Sir Henry then place it atop its counterpart on the image panel as a mask. Sponge or brush blue and grey dye inks over the image panel. Set aside. 

Remove the mask from the image panel. Use a gloss Glaze gel pen to add dimension to the buttons on his vest. Use a white gel pen to add catchlights to his eyes. Use a red glitter marker to add glittery elements to the brooch on his cravat. Set the image panel aside. 

Add water to a small container. Add a small amount of Apothecary Azure Magical Pigment Powder from the Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set by Lindy's Stamp Gang and mix well. Use a paint brush to apply the diluted Apothecary Azure Magical Pigment Powder to a piece of Mixed Media Paper. Heat set then apply another coat of diluted Apothecary Azure Magical Pigment Powder to deepen the color.  Heat set thoroughly, then cut with a frame die. Be sure to retain the excess painted cardstock. Use the paint brush to edge the window and exterior edges of the frame die-cut. 

Remove the spray applicator from the Gossamer Gold Moon Shadow Mist from the Moon Shadow Mists Spray Set by Lindy's Stamp Gang and tap it to add drips and drops randomly over the frame, being sure to get some onto the edges and in the mitered corners of the frame die. Heat set thoroughly.

Place the excess painted Mixed Media Paper onto the base of a stamping platform. Ink the "An Ordinary Life" sentiment stamp from the Sir Henry Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp Set with embossing ink and stamp. Ink the sentiment stamp again with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko. Add black fine detail embossing powder to the wet ink. Dump the excess powder back into the container and heat set the sentiment. Use a small rectangle die to cut the sentiment, then edge the sentiment die-cut with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko.

Spray Gossamer Gold Moon Shadow Mist from the Moon Shadow Mists Spray Set onto a small piece of Mixed Media Paper. Heat set. Spray Cactus Gold Spritz Spray from the Glitz Spritz Spray Set  by Lindy's Stamp Gang over the same small piece of Mixed Media Paper to add additional gold accents to it. Heat set thoroughly, then use a nameplate cutting die to cut the sprayed golden Mixed Media Paper. Adhere the sentiment die-cut to the nameplate die-cut. Add the small metallic cogs to the nameplate, then secure with red mini-brads.

Adhere the frame die-cut over the image panel. Adhere the combination to a gold metallic A2 card. Adhere the nameplate sentiment to finish the card.

Please pop over to my blog, Kat's Tales of Stamping, for step-by-step instructions and complete supply lists.

Topflight Stamps Products Used:

Sir Henry Fortesque Cling Rubber Stamp Set by Indigo Blu

Steampunk Soiree Magical Pigment Powder Set (Apothecary Azure) by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Moon Shadow Mists Spray Set (Gossamer Gold) by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Glitz Spritz Spray Set (Cactus Gold) by Lindy's Stamp Gang

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko 

Thank you for visiting today!

Magical Glow: Lavinia Pixie Lanterns Card with Lindy’s Gang Magicals

 

Hello crafter! Ericka from Strangely Creative here and today I’m diving into dreamy color and magical details using Lavinia stamps and Lindy’s Gang Magicals. If you love shimmer, soft watercolor blends, and a little fairytale glow, this one is for you.

This mixed media card came together with layered pigment powders, delicate stamping, and just the right touch of gold embossing to make everything sparkle.

I started with Bristol Smooth paper, which is perfect for pigment powders and controlled water movement. Using Lindy's Gang Magicals in the Boho Dreams set, specifically Wanderlust Wisteria, I sprinkled the powder directly onto the paper and spritzed it with water to activate those rich, shimmery pigments.

The magic happens instantly. The powder bursts into layered purples and soft earthy undertones. I repeated the process a few times, building depth until I had a background that felt balanced but still organic.

Pro tip: Let each layer dry slightly before adding more if you want more defined color pockets.

 

Once the background was dry, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps Pixie Lanterns several times using Versafine Twilight ink for a crisp, deep impression.

To give the lanterns that magical sparkle, I added WOW! Embossing Powder in Gold Vintage Lace and heat embossed them. The gold against the purple tones creates that warm, glowing contrast that makes the whole card feel alive.

 

Next, I stamped Dana from Lavinia and added soft watercolor details.

• I painted in a subtle grassy hill beneath her.

• I deepened the color near the lanterns to create a glow effect.

• I used leftover watercolor on my palette to add shading around the lanterns.

• And of course, a few splatters for movement and texture.

Those finishing touches pull everything together and give the card that enchanted evening vibe. Thank you so much for stopping by! Don’t forget to shop the sale while your favorite supplies are still in stock.

Would you try this technique with a different Magical color? I’m already thinking about what shade to experiment with next.

 

 

 Topflight Stamp Supplies

Lavinia - Dana Shop at: TP	Lavinia - Pixie Lanterns Set Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Tracy Scott Gold Vintage Lace Shop at: TP	Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP
Lindy's Gang - Magical Shakers - Boho Dreams Shop at:  TP

Lavinia's Snowy Forest Christmas Card

Hello!  We're focusing on the beautiful products from Lavinia today at Topflight Stamps.  I gathered a couple of versatile stamps to create a snowy winter forest Christmas card.  I began with watercolor paper and Lindy's Stamp Gang Buccaneer Bay Blue Mist to create a moody background.  This spray has both a walnut brown and a pretty blue shift to it.  Once it dried, I used Versafine Onyx Black ink to stamp first the Lavinia Moon.  Once that was positioned on the panel, I stamped the Lavinia Christmas Tree Group three times (well, really 2 and 1/8) across the bottom of the panel. And using the same ink, I stamped a sentiment from PaperArtsy Alison Bomber EAB05 stamp set to round it out.  The final touch was some iridescent glitter glue, dabbed across the trees.  Thanks so much for joining me, hope you have a great day! ~ Colleen

Supplies From Topflight Stamps:

Lavinia Christmas Tree Group

Lavinia Moon

Lindy's Stamp Gang Buccaneer Bay Blue Spray

PaperArtsy Alison Bomber EAB05 stamp set