Beautiful Bits: Turning Gel Print Scraps into Art

 

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and today I'm sharing one of my favorite ways to stretch my supplies and make the most of every creative session.

If you've been following me for a while, you already know I have a hard time throwing away anything colorful that comes off my gel plate. Every little strip, corner, or leftover piece finds its way into a small container on my craft desk. Today, that little container became the inspiration for three completely unique cards.

Sometimes the smallest scraps hold the biggest creative possibilities.

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🎨 Building Backgrounds from Leftovers

Instead of starting with a fresh sheet of paper, I reached into my stash of gel print scraps and began creating small collage panels.

Using a square piece of cardstock as my base, I simply glued down the colorful scraps until the entire panel was covered.

There was no plan.

No pattern.

Just color, texture, and intuition.

One of the things I love most about this process is that every panel tells a different story. Even though they're made from leftovers, each one becomes a one-of-a-kind background.

Once the adhesive dried, I added a few random paint marks across the panels to bring in another layer of texture and movement. Sometimes those final little marks are what make everything come together.

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🍃 Creating Three Different Focal Points

While the paint was drying, I reached for the beautiful PaperArtsy JOFY mini 103 leaf stamp and challenged myself to stamp it three different ways.

I created:

• A classic version stamped on white cardstock using Versafine Clair Twilight ink. 

 

• A soft, translucent version stamped on blue vellum and heat embossed in white. 

 

• A second vellum version heat embossed in gold for a little extra elegance.

 

It's amazing how changing just the paper and embossing color can completely transform the same image.

 

Once each leaf was finished, I paired it with the collage panel that complemented it best.

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✨ Finishing Touches

To complete each card, I added:

• A simple hand-drawn frame
• A short sentiment
• Minimal embellishments to let the colorful backgrounds remain the star of the show

The result is three completely different cards, all created from pieces that could have easily ended up in the trash.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this project inspires you to dig into your scrap bin, embrace a little creative play, and discover the beauty hiding in those leftover pieces.

Happy creating! 💛🌿

 

Topflight Stamp Supplies 

 

PaperArtsy - JOFY Mini 103 Shop at: TP	Embossing - Bright White Ultra Fine Shop at:  TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Shop at:  TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at:  TP	WOW! Embossing - Metallic Gold Rich Pale Shop at:  TP
Tsukineko - Versafine Clair - Twilight Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP	Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

Under the Sea with PaperArtsy & Lavinia

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps our theme is "Beach/Ocean". This is always a fun theme that puts me in a summer mood! I used a variety of stamps and stencils to bring my "under the sea" card to life.

The base is a round Gel Press print I made using Lavinia Elements inks and the Coral stencil. Over that I layered 7 Seas washi tape and used the Under the Sea stencil to add some fish. Lastly, I stamped and watercolored the super fun fish from Kate Crane's Mini 007 stamp, then fussy cut them out. So cute!

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 Kate Crane stamp - Mini 007 Fish

Lavinia stamp set - Friendship

Lavinia stencil - Coral

AALL & Create stencil - Under the Sea

AALL & Create washi tape - 7 Seas

PaperArtsy Fresco paint - Dusty Teal

VersaFine Clair ink pad - Nocturne

Gel Press print

watercolors

 

From Gel Prints to Gorgeous: A Bold Birthday Card for the Topflight Celebration

 

Hello! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and we’re keeping the party going with the Topflight Stamps Birthday Celebration 🎉

Today’s card is all about using what you already have—digging into your stash, layering prints, and turning them into something fresh and eye-catching.

 

I went back to one of my favorites: the Tracy Scott 105 from PaperArtsy.

What I love about this set is the flexibility:

• You can build your own bold, layered flowers
• Or use the smaller pre-designed elements for quicker projects

For this card, I kept it simple and let the color and texture do the work.

Start with Your Stash (Seriously)

Instead of starting from scratch, I pulled out gel prints I already had.

For the background, I used a print created with a texture plate (and quick tip—stencils give a very similar effect, so use what you have).

Then I found another print layered over printed paper and stamped my flower images right on top. This is one of my favorite ways to add instant complexity without extra steps.

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✨ The Detail That Makes It Pop

Once everything was stamped, I grabbed my white gel pen and added:

• Highlights to the petals
• Small accents to break up the color
• A little extra contrast to bring the flowers forward

It’s a small step, but it completely changes the look. Don’t skip it.

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🎂 Finishing It Off

To pull everything together, I added:

• A simple hand-drawn frame
• A birthday sentiment to match the celebration

Done. Layered, colorful, and full of personality—without over complicating the process.

 

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🎉 Don’t Miss the Celebration

We’re still celebrating over at Topflight Stamps, so make sure you:

• Check out the full hop
• Get inspired by the other designers
• Grab your favorites while the birthday sale is happening 

 

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Thanks so much for stopping by and celebrating with us. Now go make something with what you already have. 💛

Topflight Stamp Supplies

 

PaperArtsy - Tracy Scott 105 Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Clear 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

Winter Wonder with Woodware – Snowman Family

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps our brand focus is on Woodware stamps. They have so many cute and whimsical designs!

I pulled a Gel Press print out of my stash to use as the background. Using a stamping platform, I stamped the Snowman Family onto the print and without moving it at all, painted in the figures using acrylic paint. When I was done with that and the paint was dry, I stamped again over the top to bring back any stamped details that got painted over.

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:

Woodware stamp - Snowman Family

Lavinia stamp set - Snowflakes

AALL & Create stamp set - Everyday Sentiments

VersaFine Clair ink pads - Nocturne

Gel Press print

acrylic paint