Monday, December 30, 2019

Celebrating Birthdays!

Hello! The new year is almost upon us; can you believe it? We are in a celebratory mood around here with the start of 2020 a few days away and also my husband's 50th birthday on the 4th! I made him a fun card:


I always love using Katzelkraft stamps because of their whimsical designs. I stamped and fussy cut this little robot and mounted it onto a Wobbler for some fun movement. The background is stamped with ombre ink and I embossed the sentiment so it would really pop. Hopefully he will like it! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! Happy New Year!!


Topflight Stamps Products:


Katzelkraft - Robots 2

Creative Expressions - Enigma

For the Love of Stamps - Today is the Perfect Day

Prism Ink - Peacock Green

Hero Arts Ombre Ink - Sky to Indigo



Seth Apter embossing powder - Eclipse

Versafine Ink - Onyx Black

Friday, December 27, 2019

Stencil Valentine

Happy Friday, Ericka here and I hope you all made it through Christmas without too much stress and some good memories. I'm still working on packing all the decorations away but thought I'd take a break to make a Valentines Day card.


For my card today I used the PaperArtsy Stencil JOFY PS086 with some Distress Ink blending to make a unique background.

https://topflightstamps.com/products/paperartsy-stencil-jofy-ps086-stencil-mask?_pos=1&_sid=033ca2735&_ss=r&ref=xuzipf8pid

I love the look of ink blending and this stencil was fun to work with since it has two parts. I also used some Hunkydory Gems to add a little shine.


For more information on how I created my card, stop by my blog Strangely Creative. Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy New Year!


Thursday, December 26, 2019

Sonnet XVIII Valentine Banner


SONNET XVIII VALENTINE BANNER




It’s not too early to start thinking about creating come lovelies for Valentines.  My favorite decorating seasons next to Christmas, is Valentines flowing into Easter: the seasons of Spring, renewal and pastels.  This is also the time we can take long cleansing breaths before the heat moves in and you feel thick just by walking out the door.  

This fast and easy project is perfect for a little banner hung on a vintage wooden hanger.  It’s simple lines and soft palette are sure to fit in just about any setting. But, it could also be used for a card to a special loved one.  You can extend the message under the heart clap to any sentiment you want.

As you may have surmised, I love stencils.  Just about any kind of stencil because there are so many opportunities to make the designs uniquely yours. So for this project, I chose one that I have coveted on the Topflight Stamp site for a very long time.  Make sure you pick me that you have really loved or purchase one you’ve wanted forever so as to make this project all about LOVE.  

SUPPLIES:
-  NOTE:  You can always change out anything on the Supplies list to. That which would make you the happiest :). 
-  9 s 7” Hot pressed watercolor paper
-  6 1/2 x 4 1/2” lightweight (soft) cold pressed watercolor paper
-  3 - 5 Prism inkpads in happy colors
-  Makeup sponges or ink blenders
-  Heat tool or hair dryer
-  GeeSo Good Gesso white
-  Brayer
-  Black and White Posca Paint Pens
-  Chipboard letters: L O V E or small sentiment of choice
-  Versafine black ink pad
-  Any type of coloring markers in bright, coordinating colors
-  Double sided tape
-  Optional:  
   -  Embellishment text snippet
     -  I used a sonnet heading from a poetry book
   -  Small piece if washi tape or similar
   -  Eyelets
   -  Coordinating silk ribbon

STENCILS AND STAMPS:
-  JOFY Stencil PSO85


-  Sentiment stamps of choice

PROCESS:
-  Apply inks to the entire 9 x 7” watercolor panel blending and creating new colors as you go


-  Note:  If using water reactive ink, dry thoroughly. 
-  Drop gesso in various areas and Brayer over inks.  Continue adding gesso and brayering until you’re happy with the coverage. 
   -  Tip:  Leave a few more raw areas to create interest


-  After panel has dries,  set your stencil in the upper left corner (or your preference) and choose a light colored ink to sponge through the openings. 
-  Using the same color ink as your stencil, stamp your chosen image at the bottom of the panel.  
-  Fold the top of the cold pressed watercolor panel a little less than a 1/3 backward making a good crease, then, reopen. 
-  Stamp the heart image on the bottom 2/3 of the panel with black waterproof ink. 
-  Color with markers as desired. To give the highlighted area on the banner and anywhere else you feel appropriate, use a damp brush to pick up some of the color. 
   -  Tip:  I strengthened some of the black stamp line with a fine tip black paint pen. I, also, added white dots with a paint pen to pull the background and  image together. 

-  Stamp a sentiment in the banner area with black ink.


-  On the inside fold stamp another sentiment on the right side with black ink, then, add some small embellishment such as washi tape to the left side for balance.
-  Affix double sided tape to the backside of the folded back panel. Adhere approximately 2 1/4” down and slightly to the right as shown or as desired. 
-  Use a bright, coordinated marker to outline the sides of the chipboard letters, then, affix in a pleasing display under the stamped heart. 
-  Optional:
   -  Attach a title in over and in line with the left side of the stamped panel. 
   -  Insert eyelets on either side of large panel, then, thread with coordinating silk or ribbon of your choice. 

This is my last post as guest designer for Topflight Stamps and I would like to take this time to thank Donna and Lisa for this amazing opportunity to share some of my project ideas with all of you. And, of course, to all of you stamp lovers out there who have visited this creative blog a very special Thank You for looking in and sharing in these projects. Here’s to hope that we can connect again. Until then...Cher

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Steampunk Valentine


Hello, Topflight Fans!  I hope this finds you enjoying some time to yourself, especially if you've been experiencing holiday madness.

With the year coming to a close, I start to think of upcoming holidays.  Next up for me is Valentine's Day. February can be so dreary, it's nice to be working on something to brighten someone's day.


So today's card is all about love:  self-love. It's (always) a great time to be good to yourself. That PaperArtsy Eclectica Emmy Godfrey EEG13 sentiment is so spot on!


I started the card by sponging Prism Ink Red Brick, Camellia Pink, Red Chili, Midnight Black, and Black Currant Jam onto the card front after masking it in angular segments. Once I removed the mask, I went over it again to create a tonal effect.

I used a red embossing paste with the Aall and Create Steam Cogs Stencil for some luscious texture.


I wish you could feel this card. The effect is amazing.


I also used the Visible Image Alice in Wonderland Dark Hearts Stencil.


The skulls are subtle but there--perhaps a reminder of time's passage.


I added some additional layers of color using one of the That's Crafty ATC Coins Set 6 as well as images from the PaperArtsy Eclectica Emmy Godfrey EEG13 set.


Are you inspired to start on your Valentine cards or needing a little bit more down time?  Why not  check out the latest from Topflight Stamps while you're thinking about it? :)


If you'd like to check out my other creations, you can visit my blog, Frankie Helps Craft, my Instagram, or my Pinterest Board.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

XOXO


Hello everyone!  Betsy on the blog today sharing this sweet L-O-V-E card!
I used:




I started my project by choosing my panel from the Dots to Diamonds Papercraft Pad 3 
and trimming it down to size.


Next I covered a white top folding A2 size card base in magenta colored glitter
paper.  I took my trimmed out panel and stamped the XOXO, the little hearts and the
sentiment from the I Love My Phone stamp set.  I colored in the hearts with a magenta glitter
gel pen. Then I adhered the pink gemstones to the medium and large dots only.
For the smallest dots, I applied Magenta Stickles.


After everything was stamped, adhered and dried, I glued my panel onto the base.


I definitely felt I could have kept going with the glitter and bling!  This is a
very cute way to let someone know how you feel about them!

Topflight Stamps Products Used:


Other Products Used:

Lawn Fawn Glitter Paper - Autumn
A2 size top folding white card base
Magenta Glitter Pen
Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink
Stamping Block
Glue
Stickles - Magenta

For a more detailed tutorial for this project please visit my blog:





Monday, December 23, 2019

Mixed Media Monday Valentine

Hello, Lisa Hoel here and happy Mixed Media Monday! I know Christmas is just a few days away, but on the Topflight Stamps blog we're pretty forward thinking and are taking a look at Valentine's Day projects this week! ;-) 


I started with a sheet of paper I had marbled with hearts and die cut an oval out of the middle of it. Underneath I layered a piece of Neenah metallic paper that I had stenciled and stamped with the JOFY 86 "love" stamp. After putting it all together I doodled and stenciled on the top. A little washi added just the right final touch.

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!!



Topflight Stamps Products:


Paper Artsy - JOFY 86

Pronty stencil - Borders

Prism Ink - Camellia Pink





Seth Apter embossing powder - Eclipse


Alexandra Renke washi - Pink Hearts


Saturday, December 21, 2019

Today is Your Day

Hope you are having a fantastic day. Ericka here with a fun and quick card using For The Love of Stamps Today is Your Day. I love using big sentiments and for this one I did some Distress Oxide blending.



Isn't this stamp fun! I heat embossed it with Emerald Creek Midnight Magic and then added some Nuvo drops for embellishments.


I also made one more quick Christmas card using a background I had sitting in my stash.


This large Merry Christmas stamp from For The Love of Stamps has fun little circles in the font that I also used some Nuvo drops for a festive look. For more information on how I created my card, stop by my blog Strangely Creative.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. If you get a chance, don't forget to check out the sale!
https://topflightstamps.com/?ref=xuzipf8pid

Thursday, December 19, 2019

A STENCIL WORK JOURNAL COVER



Hello, Cher Lashley here! Today I thought that we would do a bit larger project.  Though I am presenting this as a journal cover you could also just follow this process to create a canvas or design it on watercolor paper just adapt as necessary.  However, for me, this is a journal cover and being such, you will want to choose the elements for your design that really have meaning for you: ie, the collage papers that I chose to paint over included an antique ledger page with 'Balance' written in red at the bottom, a Chopin Prelude classical music score in honor of my piano playing friends and my love for classical music and a book page from a bird anthology (love of books and nature).  If you choose other stencils, they should also reflect aspects of your personality, as well as the colors you choose.

Even though this is a relatively easy design to execute this is not a fast project, it will take you some time due to the drying times in between steps.  However, I thought it was well worth it as the end result will be a journal made with your own hands reflecting you all the way through.  I hope that you do, too.

SUPPLIES:
-  Recycled primed and stretched 18 x 24 canvas or watercolor paper
-  Utility or box cutter
-  Metal ruler
-  Liquid watercolor or inks: the following were my choices, but choose what's best for you
   -  Magenta
   -  Taxi (a cadmium medium yellow)
   -  Aqua
-  Coordinating fluid acrylics or a semi-transparent acrylic paint of your choice
   -  Primary Magenta
   -  Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue
   -  Cobalt Teal
-  White and black heavy body acrylic paint
-  Large brush
-  Makeup sponges or daubers
-  Brayer
-  Black and white Posca Paint Pens
-  Collage papers
-  Matte medium or adhesive of choice
-  Paper Towels
-  Heat tool or hair dryer
-  Spray sealer
-  Gloss soft gel medium
-  Optional:
   -  Tissue or collage paper for bottom edge
   -  Coordinating ribbon for closure
   -  Label or recycled junk mailer words


STAMPS:
Note:  you will only be using a portion of the stamps you choose to fill in stencil openings.  I used the following:
-  Art by Marlene:  Tail from seahorse
-  JOFY 53:  Cluster design inside egg flower

STENCILS:

PROCESS:
-  Note:  if using watercolor paper, skip to the next step.  
I used a canvas that one side had gotten dirty on a move, but if you don't have one, you could look through thrift stores to pick up one cheap or just buy a small bit of rolled canvas.  My journal pages were going to be 9 x 12 to which I added a 1/4" top and bottom plus one inch for cutting error.  Mark your measurements from the right side across in three places.  Using a metal ruler and a box cutter or sharp utility knife, cut down rulers edge, then, remove from frame. 
-  Remove stencils from their masks and align evenly along what will be the top of your journal at the right, middle and left, then, lightly mark where the two spaces will be.  Remove stencils.  
-  Slightly tilt canvas up.  Generously fill your brush with the yellow liquid watercolor or ink and apply, each in turn, to the marked off areas dabbing with a paper towel as the color travels downward allowing color to lighten in it's progression.  See sample.


-  Dry thoroughly with heat tool or hair dryer
-  Situate leaves stencil over the yellow colored area, then using a makeup sponge or dauber, apply the aqua through the openings being generous enough with the color that it will slightly bleed out giving it an almost abstract quality.  Lightly dab leftover color on sponge along bottom of canvas as shown.
-  Dry
-  Using a fine tip black Posca Pen doodle leaf outlines in quick strokes around each shape.


-  Lay PS088 or your choice of stencil over the right side area, then, sponge openings using magenta.  Again, lightly dab leftover color on sponge along bottom of canvas.
-  Repeat the above process with the PS126 using taxi in the middle and PS087 using aqua on the left. Repeat dabbing the leftover colors lightly along the bottom.
-  Dry
   -  Tip:  At this point you may want to spray your canvas with a spray sealer so as not to reactivate when working in other areas.
-  Using your box cutter or utility knife, remove painted area of canvas from frame.
-  Tear your chosen collage papers to a size that will fit under each of your stencils. Adhere these pieces under the watercolored stenciled areas with matte medium or adhesive of choice.
-  Using the masks from the stencils (the plastic area that surrounded your stencils before removal) apply your coordinating acrylic paint with a makeup sponge or dauber.


-  Dry
-  Align each stencil within it’s painted, masked area, then, outline with a fine tip black Posca pen.
-  Using the stencils from the left and right sections of your canvas place on stenciled leaves area about midway up from the painted images as shown on sample. Fill in the outside areas with a makeup sponge loaded with heavy body white acrylic paint. Fill in the interior shapes with your three fluid acrylic colors. Don’t be perfect. Allow the paint to somewhat run out from the design as this will allow you to doodle the shapes into the design making it more your own.
-  Dry
-  Lay your stencils back over the painted collage stenciled areas and fill in some of the areas with black paint or use a black Posca pen being careful not to fill in areas that your just finished multi colored stencils overlap.  This technique allows these painted collaged areas to recede to the background somewhat.
-  Again, lay the two stencils over your multi colored design areas and outline with a black Posca pen, then, mask the around the areas that you do not wish the stamped designs to overrun.
-  Choose two interesting design areas from your stamp collection. Brayer these areas with black paint and apply to open areas of your choice and allow to dry thoroughly.
-  Strengthen the stamped images by outlining with a fine tip black Posca pen, then, fill in some areas with a white Posca pen to add interest.  I, also, strengthened some of my white painted areas with the paint pen so there would be a bit of contrast between the whites to add depth.
-  Doodle around the interior painted shapes in different ways to make the design different from the other stenciled areas and more your own.
-  Optional:  Adhere a label to the front wherever you feel it fits into your design.
   -  Note:  I originally had a label, but the day I was to adhere it I received a junk pamphlet in the mail in my colors (wow) with words that were meaningful enough to use as my label. It was a great way to add another element of my commitment for next year to use more recycling in my work.
-  Optional:  Adhere tissue or collage paper to the bottom of the canvas with matte medium or adhesive of choice.
-  Spray entire canvas with spray sealer
   -  Tip:  It’s a good idea to allow your canvas to dry overnight at this stage.  Though it may feel dry to the touch, it is still ‘green’ and needs time to cure before adding the final sealing coats.
-  Sew in your signatures at this point if you are making a journal.
-  Turn the first page of your signature to lie flat on the front journal cover, then, fold flap inward approximately 3/4 to 1” and glue down onto that first journal page with a good, strong glue. Repeat the fold on the back journal page, meeting canvas to canvas and glue. Set clamps or heavy books along the edges and allow to dry thoroughly.
-  Mix soft gloss gel medium with water to a consistency of paint. Apply two to three coats drying thoroughly in between to add a sturdy protective layer.
-  Optional:  I chose to use a ribbon to keep my journal closed. I used a length of this same ribbon to adhere to the back folded over area to give it a nice finished look.



I hope you enjoyed this process for making a journal cover.  An art journaling teacher made the statement that once you’ve made your own journal, you never go back. I have a tendency to agree with her.  There are more than a few tutorials out there on how to sew pamphlets together to make signature, then, sew them into a journal cover.  This, too, is a bit time consuming, but the pride in having made your own and the strength of your project will more than make up for it.

Next week, I promise to have an easier, but just as fun project for you.  So til next time...Cher












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