Author Archives: Imagine

Thanksgiving Die-Cut Wreath Card with VersaFine Clair Inks

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By Kathi Rerek

VersaFine Clair Ink is wonderful for coloring die-cuts easily. The VersaFine Clair Inks blend beautifully so you can create new colors to extend their versatility.

The method I used for all of the die-cuts was to place the die-cut(s) onto a Gel Press which will hold them in place while ink is being dabbed onto the die-cut(s) with Sponge Daubers.

I used a separate Sponge Dauber for each color to avoid contaminating the ink pads. I applied the lighter ink color onto the die-cut first and used a tissue to wipe excess ink off of the Gel Press. Darker ink was applied to the die-cut next and the same tissue was used to wipe up excess ink.  If more ink was required to color the die-cut or to improve blending, this process was repeated. Photos below will illustrate my method.

Clean the Gel Press with hand sanitizer between colors and die-cuts.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Instructions:

Steps 1:

Use all the dies in the Vault Wreath set to cut all the dies from smooth white cardstock at least three times.

Place the wreath die-cut onto the Gel Press, which will keep it in place. Use a Sponge Dauber to dab Acorn VersaFine Clair Ink onto the wreath (1A). Use another Sponge Dauber to dab PineCone VersaFine Clair Ink onto the wreath blending as you go (1B). Remove the first wreath, set it aside, and wipe the Gel Press clean. You can use hand sanitizer if you like.

Place the second wreath die-cut onto the Gel Press. Use Sponge Daubers to dab Sand Dune (1C) then Portobello (1D) VersaFine Clair Inks onto the die-cut. Remove the second wreath, set it aside, and wipe the Gel Press clean.

Place the third wreath die-cut onto the Gel Press. Use Sponge Daubers to dab Golden Meadow (1E) and Acorn (1F) VersaFine Clair Inks onto the die-cut. Remove the second wreath, set it aside, and wipe the Gel Press clean.

Steps 2:

Place the cone flower (bottom left of the Gel Press), cone part (top right of the Gel Press), the small round center of the sunflower (top left of the Gel Press), and the sunflower (bottom right of the Gel Press) die-cuts onto the Gel Press.

Use Sponge Daubers to dab Golden Meadow (2A) and Cheerful (2B) to the Cone Flower die-cuts. Use Sponge Daubers to to apply Summertime (2C) and Chianti (2D) VersaFine Clair Inks to the bottom edges of the cone flowers.  Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Summertime (2F) VersaFine Clair Ink to the spiky flower.

Remove the flower die-cuts and leave the centers on the top of the Gel Press. Wipe the Gel Press clean.

Here are the color combinations for the rest of the die-cuts. Remember to firmly place the die-cuts onto the Gel Press, use Sponge Daubers to dab the ink onto the die-cuts, and to clean the Gel Press between sets of die-cuts.

  • Top of the Cone Flowers:  Use Acorn VersaFine Clair Ink.
  • Sunflower centers: Use Summer Meadow and Acorn VersaFine Clair Inks.
  • Spiky Flowers:  Hawthorn Rose and Tulip Red VersaFine Clair Inks.
  • Five petal leaves: Verdant VersaFine Clair Ink
  • Ferns: Avocado and Arctic Blue VersaFine Clair Inks
  • Pointed Oval Leaves:  Avocado VersaFine Clair Ink onto the die-cuts.
  • Branches: Shady Lane VersaFine Clair Ink
  • Oak Leaves: Golden Meadow, Cheerful, Summertime, and Chianti VersaFine Clair Inks
  • Bottom of Acorn: Acorn and Pinecone VersaFine Clair Inks
  • Top of Acorn: Portobello and Pinecone VersaFine Clair Ink
  • Bow: Summertime, Cheerful, Tulip Red, and Chianti VersaFine Clair Inks

Step 3:

Use On-Point Glue to adhere the wreaths atop one another.

Step 4:

Roll a 4” brayer over the Cheerful VersaFine Clair Ink. Roll the brayer onto scrap paper to reduce the amount of ink on it. Roll the brayer to the Gel Press. Place a piece of 5” x 7” white cardstock onto the Gel Press and pull the print that will become the background panel.

Steps 5:

Use a make-up brush and tap lightly onto the Strawberry VersaFine Clair Inkpad. Brush off the excess onto the scrap paper. Brush the ink along the top of the Gel Press (5A). Place background panel on Gel Press and pull print. Take a second make-up brush and tap it lightly onto the Grass Green VersaFine Clair Inkpad. Brush off the excess onto the scrap paper. Brush the ink along the bottom of the background panel (5B)

Step 6:

Spray with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol to slightly blend and mottle inked background.

Step 7:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Acorn VersaFine Clair ink around the outer perimeter of a white 5” x 7” card. Heat set.

Step 8:

Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the layers of the card.

Steps 9:

Use Sponge Daubers to color an Idea-ology Sticker (9A). Use a second Sponge Dauber to edge the sticker (9B).

Finished Card

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • White Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Vault Foliage Wreath Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Small Talk: Occasions Idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Adventus
  • 5” x 7” Gel Press
  • 2” and 4” Brayers by Speedball
  • Make-up Brushes

Merry Christmas Stenciled Card

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By Ceil Pritchett

Hello crafty friends!
Today I am sharing how to create this stenciled Christmas card that would be a quick and easy card to make multiples of.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Directions:

Gather your supplies. You will need several colors of ink; I used a nontraditional color along with the red and green. You will also need Layering stencils, some VersaMark ink, embossing powder and a die cut machine.

Step 1:
Using a grip mat or other sticky mat to hold your panel of white cardstock. Lay you stencil over the panel and ink blend the background color.

Step 2:
Remove the first stencil and place the next stencil over the panel and apply the next color. Since the second stencil is leaves, I used two different colors of green.

Step 3:
Remove the second stencil and lay the next stencil over your panel and apply the next color. With it being berries I used our new color strawberry with is perfect for berries.

Step 4:
Stamp the greeting in VersaMark ink and emboss with white powder. Die cut it out with coordinating die and assemble the card.

 Supplies:

Imagine Products:
VersaFine Clair – Bali Blue, Grass Green and Strawberry
VersaMark

Other Products:
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 120lb – CutCardStock
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb – CutcardStock
Poppy Cardstock – PaperTrey Ink
White Embossing Powder – Hero Arts
Merry Christmas Stamp – Kristina Werner C9
Merry Christmas Die – Kristina Werner C9
Misti Stamping Tool – My Sweet Petunia
Grip Mat – Waffle Flower crafts

Stenciled Ornament Card with Memento Inks

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By Alison Heikkila

Hello! Alison Heikkila here. For my latest video for Imagine, we’re making a holiday card with snowflake ornaments. This is a great card for beginners, or for someone who likes to batch many cards. You can feel free to change up the colors as you like, but I love making cards with a limited palette from time to time.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time to Complete: 15-20 Minutes

*Some affiliate links are used in this post. That means that if you shop through these links, I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you.

Here is the YouTube video. If it doesn’t play properly, please click HERE.

Supplies:
Imagine:
Memento Inks in Summer Sky, Paris Dusk, Teal Zeal, and Nautical Blue
Delicata Ink in Silvery Shimmer
VersaFine Clair Ink in Twilight

Other:
Spellbinders: Snowflake Ornaments Stencils
Spellbinders: Tiny Dots 3D Embossing Folder
Spellbinders: All Seasons Sentiments
Lawn Fawn: Spiffy Speckles Paper Pad
Copic: B39 (to fix my error)
Silver Gel Pen
Gel Press Plate (optional)

I love the dimension we created by ink blending our colors a certain way. This is a really fun stencil set, and you can really play with different colors as much as you like. I’ll have another video for Imagine soon. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Make a Beautiful Winter Wedding Card

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By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends!

Today, I want to share with you this Winter theme wedding card that you can make to have it ready in your handmade card stash.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 15-20 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
Cut out a piece of light gray cardstock into 4.25 inch x 5.5 inch.
Run it through your embossing machine with the snowflake embossing folder.
Lightly rub the StazOn Pigment ink up on top of the embossed cardstock to add the white color on the snowflake.
Since it is pigment ink, the ink will take a longer time to dry so you can use a craft heat gun to dry the ink.
Cut it with one of the Double Stitched Rectangle Dies.

Step 2
Stamp the wedding cake image on a piece of watercolor cardstock with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink using a stamping tool. I stamped the image twice to get a bolder print on it.
Memento Dew Drop and Sheer Shimmer Sparkle to create sparkle watercolor paint. Dab the ink on the craft mat and add some of the sheer shimmer, mix together.
First paint the cake with the Peanut Brittle ink. Dry the watercolor paint with a craft heat gun after painting.
Next, color the flowers with the Love Letter ink. Dry the watercolor paint with a craft heat gun after painting.
Then, color the leaves with the Pistachio ink. Dry the watercolor paint with a craft heat gun after painting.

Step 3
Then color the berries and other branches with the Teal Zeal ink. Dry the watercolor paint with a craft heat gun after painting.
Last, color the base stand with the Gray Flannel ink.  Dry the watercolor paint with a craft heat gun after painting.
Fussy cut the wedding cake with micro-tip scissors.

Step 4
Cut out a piece of vellum paper with one of the double stitched oval dies and one of the double stitched pennant flag dies.
Stamp the sentiment on a piece of gray cardstock with StazOn Pigment Snowflake ink pad using the stamping tool.
Cut the sentiment with the smaller size of the double stitched pennant flat dies that match with the vellum.

Step 5
Add the embossed background to the card base with Tear It! Tape.
Add the wedding cake on the oval vellum with some of the On Point Glue, then add them to the card with some of the Tear It! Tape.
Stack the vellum pennant and sentiment pennant together using some of the Tear It! Tape and add them at the bottom of the cake with the same tape.
Embellish the card with some of the white gems using the On Point Glue.

I wish I could capture the sparkle glitter watercolor paint on the cake with my camera. But I love how this Winter theme wedding card turned out, and hopefully you will like it too!

Thank you for stopping by our blog today. Have a fabulous day!

Craft Supplies

Imagine Crafts:

Others:

  • Long Lasting Love Stamp Set (Divinity Designs)
  • Double Stitched Rectangle Dies (Divinity Designs)
  • Double Stitched Oval Dies (Divinity Designs)
  • Double Stitched Pennant Flags Dies (Divinity Designs)
  • Snowflake Embossing Folder (Darice)
  • Neenah Solar White Cardstock
  • Neenah Grey Cardstock
  • Watercolor Cardstock
  • Bazzill Vellum Paper
  • White Gems
  • Small round water coloring brush
  • MISTI stamping tool
  • Micro-tip scissors
  • Paper trimmer
  • Die cutting Machine and plates
  • Craft heat gun

Quick and Easy Stenciled Pumpkin Thanksgiving Card

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By Kathi Rerek

Here’s a quick and easy Thanksgiving card using a beautiful pumpkin stencil, Memento Dew Drop Inks, and a sticker!

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes

Instructions:

Step 1:
Use low-tack tape to adhere the Pumpkin Flourish stencil to the top of a piece of text cardstock and the craft mat. Run a stylus tool along the tape seam between the stencil and the cardstock to create a hinge so that you can pick up the stencil to check out ink coverage.

Step 2:
Use Post-It Notes to cover the leaves and the pumpkin on the Pumpkin Flourish stencil. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Rich Cocoa Memento Ink along the edges of the pumpkin’s stem onto the text paper. Use another Sponge Dauber to apply Toffee Crunch Memento Ink over the Rich Cocoa Ink and onto the rest of the stem.

Step 3:
Use Post-It Notes to cover the stem and the pumpkin on the Pumpkin Flourish stencil. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink around the outside of the leaf flourishes on the stencil onto the text paper. Use another Sponge Dauber to apply New Sprout Memento Ink fill in the open areas of the leaf flourishes on the stencil.

Step 4:
Use Post-It Notes to cover the stem and the stem on the Pumpkin Flourish stencil. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Dandelion  Memento Ink over the pumpkin area of the stencil onto the text paper.

Step 5:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Morocco Memento Ink over the outside edges of the pumpkin stencil onto the text paper. Working from the outside of the pumpkin stencil towards the center of the pumpkin stencil, use separate Sponge Daubers to apply Tangelo Memento Ink, then Canteloupe Memento Ink over the stencil onto the text paper.

Step 6:
Use a Fantastix to apply Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink over the flower on the stencil onto the text paper. Apply the ink more heavily on the outer and inner edges of the flower stencil.  Apply the Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink very heavily on the center of the flower. Use a second Fantastix to apply Elderberry Memento Ink to the outer dot circle in the center of the flower stencil.

Step 7:
Remove the low-tack tape and the stencil from the panel. Position a piece of low-tack tape horizontally across the bottom of the image panel right below the stenciled pumpkin. Use Sponge Daubers to apply Rich Cocoa and Toffee Crunch Memento Inks  over the tape and onto the text paper.

Use the Rich Cocoa Memento Ink and its Sponge Dauber to tint a “Happy Thanksgiving” Idea-ology Small Talk-Occasion sticker. Trim the image panel to 4.75” square, edge with the Rich Cocoa Memento Ink, and adhere the sentiment sticker to the upper right of the image panel.

Step 8:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the layers of the card.

Finished Card

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Brown Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Pumpkin Flourish Stencil by Miss Ink Stamps
  • DIY Shop Patterned Paper Pad by American Crafts
  • Small Talk: Occasions Idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Advents
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Post-It Notes

Watercolor with VersaMagic, Brilliance and Delicata Ink Pads

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By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes

Hi everyone! It’s Jessica here and welcome back to another card tutorial. Thanksgiving is coming up and I love to make cards to express my gratitude! Today I’m also watercoloring with various ink pads from the VersaMagic, Brilliance and Delicata ink lines. Let’s begin!

Step 1: Stamp the critter images from The Greeting Farm Wood Friends stamp set with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink. This is my favorite black ink for stamping and it’s perfect for watercoloring.

Step 2: Color the images with VersaMagic inks. I used Gingerbread, Pumpkin Spice and Wheat for the deer, and to add some shimmer and shine, I watercolored a layer of Celestial Copper from the Delicata ink line. For the squirrel, I used Sahara Sand and Jumbo Java as the base color and added Cosmic Copper Brilliance ink as an accent. VersaMagic, Delicata, and Brilliance ink pads are all pigment inks and I love that you can mix and match the colors for maximum creativity. For the final touch, I added small amounts of Pink Grapefruit to create their rosy cheeks.

Step 3: I decided to use Stampin’ Up!’s Mossy Meadow cardstock as the cardbase since it’s a nice foresty color. I also stamped some geometric striped pattern with my VersaMark ink pad. Did you know that you could stamp with VersaMark as well? It’s known for being the best ink for heat embossing, but I also stamp with it quite often to create additional interest to the background.

Step 4: Then I spritzed on a layer of Sheer Shimmer Spray in Sparkle. I wish you could see the shimmer in real life! The photo does not do its justice. The shimmer is just so beautiful and it truly transformed this simple card base.

Step 5: Next, I die cut an oval panel as a frame for the little critters, and I die cut the Grateful sentiment from gold glitter cardstock as well.

Step 6: To make the sentiment stand out a little bit more, I die cut again using white cardstock and layered it underneath the gold one. This creates a subtle shadow effect. The On Point Glue has a fine tip nozzle that makes applying small amounts of glue so easy. If you work with intricate dies all the time, I recommend having this glue in your stash!

Step 7: Finally, I stamped the “For You” stamp in gold as well to complete the sentiment. Initially I picked the Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink pad as it is my go-to gold ink, but I realized that the tone is slightly too warm compared to the gold glitter cardstock I used. So I

re-stamped with Gold Encore ink instead. I have a close-up comparison below as well.

The picture on the top used Brilliance Galaxy Gold and the one below used Encore Gold. Brilliance Galaxy Gold is a really yellow, sunny kind of gold while Encore Gold shows a cooler tone. The finish is different between the two as well! Brilliance ink pads are shimmery and the Encore line is metallic.

Craft Supplies

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • The Greeting Farm – Stamps – Wood Friends
  • Lawn Fawn – Dies – Stitched Oval
  • Stamplorations – Dies – Grateful
  • Stampin’ Up! – Cardstock – Mossy Meadow
  • We R – Tool – Precision Press
  • DCVW – Cardstock – Gold Glitter
  • White and Watercolor cardstock