Create a Garden: Turning Gel Prints into a Journal Page & Bookmark

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing not one, but two projects created with the beautiful Tracy Evans Boutique Designs Create a Garden stamp set: a mixed media journal page and a coordinating bookmark.

I love the versatility of this collection. With flowers and birds in a variety of sizes, there are so many possibilities for cards, tags, journal pages, bookmarks, and more.

And, of course, I couldn’t resist pairing these stamps with some colorful gel prints from my stash!

Creating a Garden from a Gel Print

I started by digging through my collection of gel prints and choosing one that I thought would make an interesting background. One of my favorite things about keeping gel prints on hand is that I can pull one out whenever I want to create without having to start completely from scratch. The layers of color and texture are already there—you just have to decide what story you want to tell on top of them. For this page, I decided to create a bold silhouette-style garden scene using the flowers from the Create a Garden set.

 

Creating the Silhouettes with Embossing Powder

Instead of stamping the flowers in traditional black ink, I reached for WOW! Embossing Powder in Pea Coat. The deep blue creates a beautiful silhouette effect against the colorful gel print while still allowing the background to remain part of the design.

I love how the detailed flowers stand out against all those loose, unpredictable layers underneath. It’s that contrast between structured stamped images and free-flowing gel prints that makes mixed media so much fun.

Adding the Birds & Sentiments

Next, I added the birds and sentiments from the set using clear embossing powder. The clear embossing creates a more subtle layer that catches the light without competing with the bold floral silhouettes.

 

Those little differences in finish help create depth and encourage you to look a little closer at the page to discover all the details.

Don't Forget the Scraps!

After finishing my journal page, I still wasn’t ready to put these stamps away. I had a leftover piece from one of my recent gel prints sitting on my desk, so rather than adding it back to my scrap container, I decided to turn it into a bookmark.

 

I stamped the leftover piece with images from the Create a Garden set and heat embossed them with WOW! Vintage Gold Embossing Powder. That beautiful metallic gold completely changed the look of the same stamps and gave the scrap a second life as something useful.

One stamp set, two gel prints, and two completely different looks!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I had so much fun creating with the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs Create a Garden set, and I already have ideas for how I want to use these beautiful flowers and birds in future projects. I hope this inspires you to dig into your gel print stash, play with your embossing powders, and see how many different ways you can use your favorite stamps.

Have a wonderful day and happy creating! 

And don’t forget to check out the sale going on now while you’re shopping!

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs - Create a Garden Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Tracy Scott Gold Vintage Lace Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Tracy Scott Pea Coat Shop at: TP
Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP	Lavinia - Elements Dye Ink - Henna Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at: TP
	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP	Lavinia 5/8 Stencil Brush Shop at: TP

Mixed Media Collage Card with PaperArtsy

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. Welcome to September! This week at Topflight Stamps our theme is Anything Goes. I decided to dig through my box of scraps (you guys keep little scraps of paper "just in case" too right? right?) to make a collage. Can't let those good bits go to waste! ;-) I added stamped elements from PaperArtsy stamp sets to the collage and used a Gel Press print for the background.

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:

PaperArtsy Lynne Perrella stamp set - LPC048

PaperArtsy Lynne Perrella stamp set - LPC043

PaperArtsy Seth Apter stamp set - ESA08

Studio Light mask - X Background

Gel Press print

Versafine Clair ink - Nocturne

AALL & Create stamp set - Everyday Sentiments

watercolors

black texture paste

 

Sunflower Best Wishes Card

It's Tuesday which means you've got Kathi here to share a project with you. It's another "Anything Goes" week and the beginning of September so sunflowers are in bloom! 

I've created a Best Wishes card with the Sunflowers Clear Stamp Set TE33 and a sentiment from the Flower Power Clear Stamp Set TE37, both by Tracy Evans Boutique. I also used the Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 by AALL and Create, the Russet Orange Elements Premium Dye Ink by Lavinia Stamps, Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko, and the Sparkle Clear Overlay Brush Pen by Spectrum Noir.

Here it is!

I wanted to use the "no-lines" coloring technique to color the beautiful large sunflower from the Sunflowers Clear Stamp Set TE33 by Tracy Evans Boutique. Use yellow and orange/yellow Memento Ink to stamp the sunflower onto white Copic-friendly cardstock then color it with Copic markers. 

Use the largest die from the Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 by AALL and Create to cut the image panel, then fill in the area around the sunflower with overlapping blue dots to create a pointillistic background. 

Position the beetle and the bee stamps from the Sunflowers Clear Stamp Set TE33 facedown on the image panel die-cut. Ink both stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko and stamp. Remove the beetle stamp, then clean and dry the bee stamp thoroughly. Reposition the bee stamp facedown in another place on the image panel die-cut. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Heat set the image panel die-cut.

Use a Fine-tip marker to add red dots and lines to the beetle. Use a white gel pen to add white to his eyes. When dry, add green pupils. Use a clear glaze pen to add dimension and shine to the beetle's body. Let the glaze gel ink dry, then add another layer to build up the dimension to its body.

Use a yellow marker to add yellow to the bees' bodies. Use a Sparkle Clear Overlay Brush Pen by Spectrum Noir to add glitter to the bees' wings. Set the image panel die-cut aside.

Cut a piece of patterned paper to 4" x 6" to create the background panel.. I used patterned paper that is no longer available, but thought that the primarily orange paper from the Ink Drops - Sunset 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Craft Consortium would be a good substitute for what I used.

Use Russet Orange Elements Premium Dye Ink by Lavinia Stamps to stamp the small sunflower onto the background panel. Position the "Best Wishes" sentiment stamp from the Flower Power Clear Stamp Set TE37 by Tracy Evans Boutique facedown towards the bottom of the background panel. Ink the sentiment stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp.

Edge the background panel with  Russet Orange Elements Premium Dye Ink and Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. Heat set the background panel. 

Adhere the image panel die-cut to the background panel, then adhere the background panel to a 4" x 6" black 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:

Sunflowers Clear Stamp Set TE33 by Tracy Evans Boutique

Flower Power Clear Stamp Set TE37 by Tracy Evans Boutique

Polaroid Pop Die Set DI-89 by AALL and Create

Ink Drops - Sunset 6x6 Patterned Paper Pad by Craft Consortium 

Russet Orange Elements Premium Dye Ink by Lavinia Stamps

Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink by Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko

Sparkle Clear Overlay Brush Pen by Spectrum Noir

Thank you for visiting today!

Golden Layers: Adding Foil to Gel Prints

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I’m sharing a colorful mixed media journal page featuring a beautiful PaperArtsy Tracy Scott bloom and a gel print with a little unexpected sparkle.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know how much I love experimenting with my gel plate. Sometimes I start with a plan, and other times I simply wonder, “What would happen if I tried this?”

For this background, I decided to experiment with adding pieces of gold foil directly to my gel plate, and I love the random bits of shine it created!

Adding Gold to the Gel Plate

I started by placing small pieces of gold foil randomly across my gel plate.

Rather than trying to create a specific pattern, I let the pieces fall where they wanted. I then added acrylic paint and pulled my print as usual.

The result was a colorful background with unexpected flecks and patches of gold scattered throughout.

I love techniques like this because you never know exactly what you’re going to get. Those imperfect little bits of gold catch the light and add so much interest without taking over the entire background.

 

Creating the Watercolor Bloom

With my background finished, I reached for the gorgeous PaperArtsy Tracy Scott 97 stamp.

I stamped and heat embossed the flower in white, which created a beautiful resist for my watercoloring.

For color, I used the Lindy’s Gang Under the Sea #2 set, letting the colors flow and blend within the embossed lines. The white embossing keeps the bloom feeling light and airy while allowing those vibrant Lindy’s colors to really shine.

Once everything was dry, I fussy cut the flower so I could layer it over my gel-printed background.

Bringing the Layers Together

After positioning the bloom, I added a few simple white marks along the side of the page.

I didn’t want to add too much and compete with the flower or those beautiful flashes of gold. Sometimes a few simple marks are all you need to bring a mixed media piece together.

The contrast between the loose gel print, metallic foil, crisp white embossing, and watercolor creates plenty of texture and movement without needing lots of additional embellishments.

 

Adding One More Layer of Texture

For my final step, I ran the entire piece through my die-cutting machine using the AALL & Create #26 Frayed Frames die.

I love the slightly imperfect, distressed edge it gives the page. It works beautifully with the unpredictable nature of the gel print and gives the finished piece another layer of texture before adding it to my journal.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this journal page inspires you to pull out your gel plate, experiment with your supplies, and see what happens when you add a little unexpected sparkle to your next print.

Have a wonderful week and happy creating!

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

PaperArtsy - Tracy Scott 97 Shop at: TP	AALL & Create - 26 Frayed Frames Shop at: TP	Embossing - Bright White Ultra Fine Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	Lavinia - Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection Shop at: TP
Lindy's Gang - Magical Shakers - Under the Sea #2 Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

Forest Friends Lavinia Card

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps our theme is Anything Goes. I had a hankering to build a scene with Lavinia stamps (so satisfying). The background is created with the Lindy's Magicals Pigment Powders set Enchanted Forest. Those powders pack a punch and are fun to use!

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:

Lavinia stamps - Ashryn

Lavinia stamps - Forest Arch

Lavinia stamps - Fairy Foragers

Lavinia stamps - Fern Heads

Lavinia stamps - Flora Set

Lavinia stamps - Woodland Fern

Lavinia stamps - Oak Leaf Flourish

Lindy's Magicals Pigment Powders - Enchanted Forest

Lavinia Elements Ink - Soft Cygnet, Pixie Green, Pine

Versafine Clair ink - Nocturne

AALL & Create stamp set - Everyday Sentiments

watercolors