Rhythm of Circles with EPA {by Nikki Acton}

Hi everyone, Nikki here with you today sharing a journal page (or maybe wall art) using the new mini stamps from the Eclectica³ PaperArtsy stamp collection (EPA). These mini stamps are designed to be ideal under-layers complimenting other designer lines, but I decided to make them the focal point too.

 

There are eight new mini stamps - Eclectica PaperArtsy EM153 - EM160. (Available from PaperArtsy Stockists). I used seven of them today.

I needed two contrasting colourways for my project so selected Fresco Chalk Acrylics in Cerise (FF136), Sunshine (FF223), Persimmon (FF209) and Electric Violet (FF201) for my warmer colours and Aquamarine (FF153) and Sargasso (FF135) for the cooler ones. It's rare I don't include some black and white in my projects, my go to colours being Little Black Dress (FF19) and Chalk (FF83).

To build up my background I also used one stencil - PaperArtsy stencil PS329 - by JOFY.

To begin I took three of the red / warm colours and loosely added to my page. No need for precision or blending here - lots more layers to go!

Next I used the stencil to add some Chalk acrylic randomly over my page followed by some stamping of the bubble wrap stamp (EM156) with Electric Violet paint.

More stamping - this time with Ranger Archival inks. I used Plum, Watering Can, Orange Blossom and Jet Black. When adding to a background like this I do not use a block but just hold the stamp into the ink and transfer to the page. I am happy if I only get half the image!

I created two of these backgrounds - and as with any process like this they are slightly different. I used black ink on one for the branches but the more subtle Orange Blossom ink on the other. On one I added some additional stencilling using Sunshine.

For my blue/green background I used my gel plate. This technique gives you the mirror image of the stamp you are using. First I add some paint to my gel plate.

Next I begin stamping off the gel plate - i.e. using the paint on the gel plate to stamp onto another piece of paper. You need to work relatively quickly (to prevent paint drying on the plate).

Once complete I use what is left on the gel plate to create the print. You can see below the gel print alongside where I have 'stamped off' the gel plate onto card.

I also used this technique for some of my focal imagery. While the gel print version doesn't give the perfect image that you get stamping with ink and PaperArtsy stamps, it does give you a wonderful, grungy version!

The blue flecks of paints on the black print were leftovers from the previous print - cool effect!

To build my focus I stamped and punched or fussy cut different images. I mainly used the half circle from EM153 and the full circle from EM157. I stamped on both the warm (reds) and cooler (blue/greens) backgrounds and also used the gel print black circles.

I cut other parts of the background to form the layers. As I was using square backgrounds but circles as the focus I made sure I softened the edges with a corner punch. 

 

Each layer was mounted onto black card (or card painted black). 

I created a little cluster of stamped elements and added one of the word stamps.

I love how the stamped semi circles look over the busy multicoloured background.

I hope you like my journal page. I look forward to seeing what you do with this fabulous collection of Mini's.

Happy crafting, Nikki.

Instagram: @a2a.craft

Pinterest: nikacton

YouTube: @nikkiacton797

NEW PaperArtsy Products: Hot Picks {March 2026}

A note from Leandra:

OK so I'm just going to say it I am chuffed to bits with these stamps, and judging by how shops have already been ordering plenty -they love them too! We wnet for a Paris inspired theme, so we have our beautiful woman, and the Eiffel Tower, plus a map dating back to 1615 of central Paris. The detail on this is incredible, it almost looks 3D.

Anyway, lets get into it shall we!

Leandra will be LIVE over in our Facebook Group, 'PaperArtsy People' shortly after this post publishes, and remember, all our new releases are ONLY available EXCLUSIVELY from our approved stockists. Please check the list at the foot of this post to find a retailer online or geographically near you, it makes sense to order within your country where possible.

Our retailers endeavour to join the designer's live to share their direct shopping links in the live chat - this makes it easy for you to find a store with product in stock immediately.

Hello everyone. Leandra here with you today

3 new Hot Picks for 2026 heaps of ephemera, stamps, tickets, writing and the 3rd set has some fabulous elements that are so handy for vintage backgrounds.

Let's get into it ...

PaperArtsy 'Hot Picks' Red Rubber Stamps (A5 set)

Price: RRP €23.00 +VAT    

Size:5" x 6" (13 x16.5cm)

All stamps are individually trimmed onto cling foam, with a laminated storage/index sheet.

Hot Pick 2601 by PaperArtsy (HP2601)

Damask Eiffel

If you watch my live, I will show you a background I made recently, and I decided to replicate it to some extent for this sample. I loved how the damask stamp by Seth looks like olld wallpaper, and when we were house hunting here in France, we saw some older houses with wallpaper peeling much like this design!

I have a thing for Seths Kiwi Gold and Rusty paints, when contrasted with blue - for me they are just awesome, so that set the tone for most of the artwork in this release.  

 

I really enjoy making backgrounds, and it seems to be a shame to put stuff on top sometimes!

Embedded behind the focal you will see some peeks of the Paris map. I did knock it back quite a bit with some Sand paint. And some Glow Mattint.

Top left was a watery Rusty addition, and look closely below and you will see the  large receipt from HP2603, also stamped in Rusty top left. As we go through these samples, many of the elements from stamp set 2603 will crop up as it ended up feeling like an indispensable ephemera support stamp set for the other 2.

You will notice the postmarks above, and the 'G Black' letterhead below were all stamped onto plain tissue, I then coloured it with Glow Mattint, and added it onto the background. Funny thing is you can't see the wrinkles in real life, but you can here!!

 Vintage Eiffel

This sample was all created on one layer of card. Even though it looks a bit more dimensional, paints are adding the impression of more layers.

The edges were brayered with Blues and browns, Toffee, French Roast, Chocolate Pudding, Space Cadet are all quite dark colours to begin with. Then I build a lighter centre with Sand, Nougat, Chantilly and Lake Wanaka is a nice dusky blue.

The image is stamped in the centre, shaded inside and out with more paint. I decided to add the long text stamp in black ink from HP2602 to frame the design, that was fun how that turned out as an inbetween layer.

 

 On the Map

This map was made almost 300 years before the Eiffel Tower came to be! So I decided to use it as a vision of the future on a journal spread. 

And of course a balancing cluster was then required on the opposite page! More of the Paris map later ...

In Colour

The next couple of samples are with Oxide inks, a bit of a different style, and a different result

Here's a variation of the same idea. I like to play about making multiples whern I am on a roll

Hot Pick 2602 by PaperArtsy (HP2602)

Thoughtful

It's probably easier to see the entrie journal spread before we zoom in on some of the details. Scraps of loose receipts were stuck down to break the blank pages, and then colour gradually added. THis was actually the first sample I did with all these stamps.

 

The postage stamps are ideal for background details, there are some postage cancellations too, lots of vintage paint splatter and sepia tones. 

She is a ray of sunshine with her colourful attire. I loved adding vintage lace to make a dress, and the vines in the background have some infusions dribbled around them too. 

You can see the receipts stamped at the edges are way more visible up close.

Beauty

This sample is a bit more subdued, she almost looks ghostly. Far less colour on her face gives her that ghostly feel, perhaps the twigs don't help ...could this be halloween even!

Another wallpaper-esque background, more vintage papers are used rather than coveted, and again the lace is a nod to a bygone era.

 

Here is a ticket, but it is actually an advertisement for the Edson brand of lace paper, or what we woud called doilies. and they make all kinds of pockets with varous closures, I wonder if they were glassine envelopes ? To rekindle that vibe, I coloured the tissue with glow mattint to give a sense of waxed paper.

Secret

 

Just to prove that these designs do not need to always be vintage in color or style, add some bright pink, and how cheerful she is! 

 

It really does make a difference when you spend some time building up colour around her eyes.

Hot Pick 2603 by PaperArtsy (HP2603)

Ephemera

As I said at the outset,this fabulous stamp set is packed with useful designs and ephemeral elements. On the journal spread below I stamped the flower shop advert pretty much in the middle of the page ...

A bit easier to spot in this photo below. These stamps are great for adding texture to a page with their interesting fonts. 

And of course this is the doily advert we just looked at. I also extensively used the large receipt from the silk fabric shop in almost all my background layers.