My childhood vacations involved sharing the backseat of the family car (semi-harmoniously) with my brother, sister and myself; spotting license plates from as many states as possible and looking forward to our destination. Simon Hurley's "Road Trip" stamp set captures that excitement and nostalgia; Ranger Texture Pastes and Archival Inks let me convey it in full color!

Step 1: Place stencil one from the Simon Hurley create Sunrays Stencil Set on top of a 4.25" square panel of Stark White Cardstock, so that the center point of the beams is as far to the top left of the panel as possible. Apply a very light coat of Sun Dazed Archival Ink through the stencil.

Step 2: Stamp the Simon Hurley create Typewriter Background Stamp in Jet Black Archival over the yellow rays stenciled in Step 1.

Step 3: Align stencil two from the Sunrays Set over the previously stenciled image. Use the Stay-tion's magnets to hold it securely. Add 4 to 6 drops of Chrome Yellow Archival Re-Inker into about a tablespoon of Ranger's Transparent Gloss Texture Paste and use a palette knife or an old gift card to mix the color well. Spread the tinted texture paste through the stencil, then carefully pull the stencil off and set the panel aside on a flat surface to dry completely. Promptly clean the stencil and palette knife with dish soap and warm water. (Note that when applying texture paste all the way out to the edges of a panel, it's a good idea to start with a piece of cardstock slightly larger than you'd like the finished piece to be, just in case an edge gets smudged or smeared!)

Step 4: Place stencil two from Simon's Geo Circles set over a 5" square of Stark White Cardstock and apply a nice dark coat of Seafarer Archival Ink.

Step 5: Align stencil one from the Geo Circles set over the stenciling from Step 4 and secure it well. Mix one to two drops of Beach Cruiser Archival thoroughly into about a tablespoon of Opaque Matte Texture Paste. Spread the tinted paste through the stencil. Promptly wash stencil and paste tools with warm water and mild soap.

Step 6: Cut a 1" tall scrap of Black Heavystock into a curved shape on top, keeping it square at the edges and sides (this is going to be the road on which our Critters' car is driving). Apply Transparent Gloss Texture Paste through Simon's Small Diamonds Stencil. Note that the paste is white when applied, but dries clear. Set aside and allow to dry completely. Wash stencil and tool promptly. When this panel and the sunshine panel are both thoroughly dry, affix the road to the bottom of the sunshine panel with your favorite adhesive and set aside.

Step 7: Stamp the car from Simon Hurley's Road Trip Clear Stamp Set in Ranger Black Tie Pigment Ink and allow to dry. Color the image by "smooshing" Archival Ink Pads onto your craft sheet and picking up color with a waterbrush full of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Colors used in the sample are: Beach Cruiser for the car; Sun Dazed and Coffee for the giraffe; Sepia for the bear; Pebble Beach for the dog; Graphite for the tires; Cayenne for the tail lights; Sun Dazed for the headlights; and and a silver metallic pencil for the chrome areas on the car. Use the coordinating dies or scissors to cut out the image.

Step 8: Stamp the solid sunshine from the Road Trip set in Sun Dazed; then overstamp the sentiment in Jet Black. Optional: Use a Letter It Fineliner to outline the points of the sun. Cut out neatly using scissors or the coordinating die.

Step 9: Stamp the solid palm fronds in Sea Grass, then stamp the trunk in Sepia. Cut out the palm tree with scissors or the coordinating dies. Optional: Add a little detail to the fronds with a black Fineliner.

Step 10: Trim a piece of Stark White Cardstock to 4.5" square and ink the edges with Olive archival. Trim another piece to 5.25" square and ink the edges with Seafarer.

Step 11: Assembly: Affix the Geocircles panel to the Seafarer mat using Dina Wakely MEdia Glue or your favorite adhesive. Add the sunshine panel to the olive mat. Adhere the smaller matted panel to the larger, using small pieces of foam tape. Arrange the car, tree and sun sentiment as pictured. Attach the completed design panel to a white folded 5.5" square card.

Step 12: Write a message inside the card, sign it, and mail to a friend with whom you’d like to have a road trip adventure this Summer!