Stars, Stripes & Stamps: A Mixed Media Fourth of July Journal Page

Hello friends! Ericka from Strangely Creative here, and with the Fourth of July just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to create something a little different.

Instead of reaching for traditional patriotic papers, I challenged myself to build an American flag using stamps, stencils, embossing powders, and mixed media techniques. One of my favorite parts of creating is looking at everyday supplies in a completely new way, and this project was the perfect opportunity to do just that.

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🎨 Building the Flag

I started by creating the basic shapes of my flag using the PaperArtsy JOFY PS423 stencil along with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Acrylic Paints in Twilight and Toffee Apple.

 

Using a sponge to apply the paint gave the page soft texture while still creating crisp blocks of color. Once everything was dry, it was time to start adding the details that would transform those simple shapes into something recognizable.

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⭐ Adding the Stars & Stripes

Rather than drawing traditional stripes, I wanted to create a little more texture.

I reached for the PaperArtsy Kate Crane KC005 stamp set and heat embossed portions of the design in white across the red sections of the flag. The embossing adds subtle shine while keeping the stripes interesting and full of movement.

 

For the blue section, I stamped stars from the Visible Image Midnight Sky set and heat embossed them in white. Those bright stars really pop against the darker background and instantly complete the patriotic look. I then added some PaperArtsy Fresco Peal Glaze on top of my panels for s fun pearl sheen.

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❤️ Layering in Meaning

One of my favorite things about art journaling is adding layers that invite you to take a second look.

For this page, I incorporated sentiments from the Visible Image Bold Enough stamp set, embossing them with red and blue WOW! Embossing Powders to coordinate with the rest of the design.

 

To add a little more depth, I stamped the heart from the same collection and heat embossed it with WOW! Vintage Gold Lace. I also scattered a few gold stars across the page to tie everything together and add just a touch of sparkle.

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✨ Finishing Touches

To complete the page, I added:

• Soft shading with a Stabilo pencil
• A hand-drawn frame to define the composition
• Final details to balance the page and bring all the elements together 

I love how this project shows that you don't need themed products to create a holiday-inspired design. Sometimes the most creative projects come from using your everyday supplies in unexpected ways.

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Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this project inspires you to experiment with your stash and celebrate the season in your own creative way.

Have a safe, happy, and creative Fourth of July! 🇺🇸✨ And if you're looking to add a few new favorites to your collection, don't forget to check out the current sale before it's gone!

  

Topflight Stamp Supplies

 

PaperArtsy - Kate Crane KC005 Shop at: TP	Visible Image - Bold Enough Shop at: TP	Visible Image - Midnight Sky Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - JOFY PS423 Shop at: TP	Embossing - Bright White Ultra Fine Shop at: TP
WOW! Embossing - Clear Embossing Pad Shop at: TP	WOW! Embossing - Tracy Scott Gold Vintage Lace Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Pearl Glaze Shop at: TP	PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Toffee Apple Shop at: TP
PaperArtsy - Fresco Chalk Paint - Twilight Shop at: TP

Stars & Hydrangea

Hello all!  You've got Colleen here today, sharing a card that features STARS.  That's our theme this week at Topflight Stamps!  The base layer of the card has a piece of patterned paper from Craft Consortium Ink Drops - Ocean.  Then I made a background of stars with the Darkroom Door Starry Night Small Stencil, and a piece of patterned paper from Craft Consortium's Test of Time paper pad.  Though I used a gold stencil paste from Studio Light, the Topflight store has silver in stock for you!  For my focal point is a hydrangea flower and leaves from Hobby Art Stamps - Hydrangea, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and fussy-cut and colored with alcohol markers.  I also stamped a postage stamp from PaperArtsy Ink and The Dog Mini 134 in the same ink and colored it as well.  This was tucked beneath a corner of the hydrangea.  The final touch is a sentiment from Lavinia's Sticker Collection - Uplifting Sentiments, mounted on foam tape.

Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Colleen

Supplies used from Topflight Stamps:

Craft Consortium - Test of Time

Darkroom Door - Small Stencil - Starry Night

Hobby Art Stamps - Hydrangea

PaperArtsy - Ink and the Dog - Mini 134

Studio Light - Stencil Paste - Gold

(Silver available here)

Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Lavinia Sentiment Stickers - Uplifting Collection

Craft Consortium - Ink Drops - Ocean

Studio Light Foam Tape 6mm

Happy Independence Day!

Hello, Lisa Hoel here. This week at Topflight Stamps our theme is "Stars". It's certainly the perfect opportunity to create a festive themed card for the 4th of July!

The background was created with Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays and Magical Shakers plus some Lavinia Dinkles powder. They all combined with inky goodness! Over that I applies texture paste through the Stars & Rays stencil and then sprinkled on WOW! Caramel Vanilla embossing powder. When 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

Visible Image stamp set - Birthday Wishes

Visible Image stamp set - Rock Out

Visible Image stamp set - Birthday Balloons

WOW! embossing powder - Caramel Vanilla

Lindy's Starburst Sprays - Autumn Leaves (Autumn Maple Crimson)

Lindy's Magical Shaker Set - Under the Sea #2 (Yellow Tang Yellow)

Lavinia Dinkles - Chilli Jam

Shimmer & Shine: A Starry Mixed Media Birthday Card

 

Hello, crafty friends!
Ericka here from Strangely Creative, and today I’m excited to share a quick and sparkly project featuring the fabulous Super Star stencil from Visible Image and a touch of golden glam with Spectrum Noir Glitter Paste in Candlelight Gold. 

I started with a moody background made from some gel press playtime—a mix of darker hues with hints of yellow that instantly reminded me of a dramatic starry night sky. The unexpected contrast set the perfect stage for a celestial-themed card.

 

To build on that theme, I layered the Super Star stencil over the background and carefully applied the Candlelight Gold glitter paste. Once dry, the stars truly shimmered, adding rich texture and a magical glow.

 

For the sentiment, I used the Happy Birthday strip from Darkroom Door, which I stamped and then attached with a bold pink staple for a fun pop of color and whimsy.

✨ And just like that—this card came together quickly but packs a punch of sparkle and personality!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope this quick project inspires you to get a little messy and magical in your own creative space.
Wishing you a weekend full of crafty joy and golden moments!

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Topflight Stamp Supplies

Darkroom Door - Sentiment Strip Happy Birthday Shop at: TP	Visible Image - Super Star Shop at: TP	Tsukineko - VersaFine Clair - Nocturn Shop at:  TP	Spectrum Noir - Glitter Paste - Candlelight Gold Shop at: TP	Gel Press - Reusable Gel Printing Plate Shop at: TP
Speedball - 2" Brayer Shop at: TP

Tracy Evans Blackbird Slimline Star Cards

 

Hi friends!  It's Autumn Clark from SewPaperPaint with you today to share a couple of slimline neon cards.  I've been addicted to neon paint this year and decided to throw in a couple more cards before the seasons change and my colors preferences follow suit.  I made a couple of prints with my 8x10" Gel Press using neon paints to use as the base for these two cards.  

For the pink card, I pressed my Versamark pad through the Smitten with Stars stencil and embossed in neon pink.  Then I embossed Tracy Evans' Flowers and Numbers in black on opposite corners, layering with some dotty washi.  

For both cards I added Tracy's Blackbird stamps, focusing on the stars and layering them for dimension.  On the blue card, I also stamped the blackbird and added in the Intersecting Circles stamped in Versafine Claire in Warm Breeze.  I finished both with a sticker sentiment to make them into birthday cards.  I hope you're inspired today!  xx, Autumn

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