Category Archives: Steph Ackerman

Enjoy Every Moment with this 3-D Flower Cardmaking Tutorial

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by Steph Ackerman

Enjoy Every Moment with this Cardmaking Tutorial

Sometimes the daily grind in life can cause us to forget a simple truth–Enjoy Life! Today’s cardmaking project spreads the message of “Enjoy Every Moment” and would make a great encouragement card for a friend or family member. Kaleidacolor Ink pads are multicolor dye inkpads that allow you to create vibrant projects using one inkpad. Instead of searching for several colors of coordinating inks, select a Kaleidacolor is designed to make it easy. Using 3 colors from the Royal Satin Kaleidacolor ink pad plus VersaFine Onyx Black, I created a 3-dimensional card. See how I did it!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Stamp a floral image with VersaFine Onyx Black ink on a white panel which measures  4″ x 5 1/4″. Stamp 2 additional images on a scrap of white cardstock.


Step 2

Starting with the main image, add color to the flowers using a sponge dauber and Kaleidacolor ink using the Garnet color. Add color to the leaves with a Fantastix using Autumn Leaf and Bottle Green inks.  You have more control adding color with a Fantastix because it allows you to get into smaller areas. Color the flowers from the other 2 stamped images with Garnet ink, then fussy cut them.


Step 3

To shape the flowers for a more 3-D look, use a stylus and a foam pad to form the flowers. Once you achieve the shape you like then layer the additional flowers and use On Point Glue to adhere the flower centers to the card.


Step 4

Stamp the words “Enjoy Every Moment” with VersaFine Onyx Black ink on white cardstock and cut them out separately. Use a sponge dauber to ink the edges of both the floral panel and the words with Garnet ink. Mat each with black cardstock.


Step 5

Use a black card base and add a layer of white cardstock, another black panel, then add the floral panel. Stamp several leaf sprays around the flowers using Bottle Green ink. Add dots of Shimmer irRESISTible around the sprays. This adds some additional dimension to your card. Place the words around the panel with foam adhesives. Add a rhinestone to the flower center or any additional embellishments.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • 49th and Market stamp
  • Bazzill cardstock
  • Heartfelt Creations Flower Making Kit
  • Cardbase – black
  • Scissors
  • Acrylic block
  • Embellishments

Use Different Stamps to Create a Cute Scarecrow Scene

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by Steph Ackerman

I love mixing and matching stamps to build scenes on cards and for this time of year I decided to create a Harvest Blessings theme. Using a few (or several) colors of inks and different cardstock, you can create a wide variety of cardmaking or scrapbook projects. As we head into fall, I decided to combine a scarecrow stamp with pumpkin stamps and a faux brick background to create a fall scene.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Directions


Step 1

Stamp the scarecrow with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne on a white panel. As I needed a mask for the next step, I stamped a second scarecrow and fussy cut it.


Step 2

Place the scarecrow mask on the main image. Stamp two different sized pumpkins by the scarecrow’s stake. Stamp the pumpkins again and fussy cut them to be used as masks in the next step.


Step 3

Place the masks on the main images. Stamp the brick wall with VersaFine Clair in Pinecone over the masked images.


Step 4

Cut the stamped panel to 4″ x 5 1/4″. Using a water brush, add color to the images with assorted colors of Memento. Quickly wash Delicata in Celestial Copper on the brick background.


Step 5

Use Memento Markers to add additional color to the grass and straw stamped images. Mat the panel with brown cardstock. Create a card from brown cardstock and add a checked background. Adhere the stamped panel to the card with foam adhesives, slightly off-center. Stamp the sentiment with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne. Die cut and ink edges with VersaFine Clair in Pinecone. Mat with a larger die and add to the card.


Step 6

To finish, add Shimmer irRESISTible to the pocket and along the pumpkin veins for dimension and shimmer.

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Joy Clair Stamps – Broken Brick Background Stamp
  • Authentique pattern paper
  • Bazzill Cardstock
  • Spellbinders – Oval dies
  • Die-cut Machine
  • Waterbrush
  • Acrylic Block

Check Out This Fun Mixed Media Door Hanger Project

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by Steph Ackerman

Mixed media projects consist of a variety of projects in all shapes and sizes. Mixed media means you can mix an assortment of products to create a one of a kind piece of artwork. So decide on your base, grab some items from your stash, several colors of ink, a stencil and let your imagination flow. Create with no expectations and see what happens. In today’s tutorial, I put together a beautiful door hanger in a lavender and dandelion color scheme.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour + drying time

Directions


Step 1

Paint door hanger with black gesso; alternatively use a black door hanger. Place stencil on top. Use Creative Medium with a palette knife randomly about the door hanger. Allow to dry thoroughly.


Step 2

Ink assorted chipboard elements with VersaMagic in Purple Hydrangea and Brilliance in Sunflower Yellow, or choose the ink colors that speak to you.


Step 3

Add shimmer by spritzing several chipboard elements with Fireworks Shimmery Craft Spray in Dandelion.


Step 4

Stamp a phrase using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne on a wood sign. Ink a portion of the image stamp with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne and stamp around the oval chipboard element.


Step 5

Using the doily as the base, determine the position of each element. Use On Point Glue to adhere the elements. Glue doily to door hanger. Wrap twine around the heart and adhere. Add twine to the stamped tag and adhere.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Door Hanger
  • The Crafter’s Workshop – Stencil
  • Unity Stamp Co. – Stamp
  • Paper Doily
  • Metal, chipboard elements
  • Black Gesso
  • Twine

Create an Bright Floral Set of Thank You Cards

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by Steph Ackerman

Create an Bright Floral Set of Thank You Cards with Fireworks Shimmery Craft Sprays

I love large floral stamps, but because of their size, they don’t always lend themselves to be the center point of a card design. Instead of thinking of stamped images always being in the center today I am doing a split off-set design. Not only do you create an interesting look it is a quick and easy way to create two cards in one crafting session.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour + dry time

Directions


Step 1

Cut 2 panels of white cardstock, each 4″ x 5″. Place them side by side on the craft mat. Ink stamp with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne and stamp on both panel simultaneously.


Step 2

Place a stencil in the open/white space to the right of the image. Use molding paste through the stencil to add dimension. Let dry.


Step 3

Using a paintbrush, paint Fireworks Shimmery Craft Spray in Dandelion on the smaller flower. Paint a light layer of Fireworks in Tangelo on the larger flower then use Fireworks in Dandelion to blend the colors. Paint Fireworks in Rich Cocoa in the center of the flowers. Ink the edges of each panel with Brilliance in Sunflower Yellow. Stamp “Thank you” with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne on white cardstock. Use an art dauber to add yellow ink to the sentiments.


Step 4

Mat the panels with yellow cardstock. Create cards from orange cardstock and add the stamped panels to each.


Step 5

Mat the sentiments with yellow cardstock. Add the sentiments to the cards with foam adhesives.

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Molding Paste
  • The Crafter’s Workshop – stencil
  • Cardstock – white, yellow, orange
  • Foam Adhesives
  • Paint Brush

A Little Goes a Long Way

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by Steph Ackerman

A Little Goes a Long Way by Steph Ackerman. Learn how to prepare several cards in one crafting session.

During the summer months, crafting often takes a back seat to outdoor activities and it can often be hard to find some creative time. Rather than stress about it, doing a little advance prep work with making multiple cards will give you more freedom to create. In this tutorial, I set up several designs in one session by using Fireworks Craft Spray to prepare background images.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Spritz assorted colors of Fireworks Shimmery Craft Spray on a Craft Mat. Use white cardstock on the mat to pick up the colors.


Step 2

Continue spritzing assorted colors of Fireworks on Craft Mat, pulling up a variety of prints. Put each print aside to dry or use a heat gun to speed up the drying process.


Step 3

Cut the spritzed cardstock into 4″ x 5″ panels for card fronts. When you do this work ahead of time you can save the card panels for later use. Fireworks holds color for a long time so consider cutting the spritzed cardstock into tag shapes. Use this prepared shimmery paper when out when you have a few minutes to get creative.


Step 4

Now you can take each panel and prepare them with different techniques. With this card, I use molding paste through a stencil on one panel and allow to dry.


Step 5

With this panel, I ran it through the die machine with an embossing plate.


Step 6

Complete the stenciled card by inking the edges with VersaMagic in Purple Hydrangea. Mat with purple cardstock and wrap with ribbon. Add to a green card. Add a spray of flowers to the card and add a simple sentiment. Here I added the sentiment “Hello.”


Step 7

Use an ink dauber to add color to the center of the flowers on the embossed panel. Ink the panel with green ink and mat with kraft cardstock and add to a green card. Add the sentiment “Enjoy your Day” to the front and you have finished two cards and have several other panels prepared!

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Joy Clair Stamps
  • Craft Too – Embossing Folder
  • May Arts – Ribbon
  • Cardstock – White, Green, Kraft, Purple
  • Expressions Craft – stencil
  • Flowers
  • Molding Paste

See How to Emboss on Vellum

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by Steph Ackerman

See How to Emboss on Vellum with Brilliance and color the flower stamps with Memento dye ink markers

Vellum is a great way to add a little class to a project. It is a translucent product resembling parchment and it can add dimension and visual interest to paper crafts. Since it is less porous than paper, it will take ink longer to dry so heat embossing vellum is definitely an option. See how I created this beautiful card.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Ink floral stamps with Brilliance Moonlight White Ink. Stamp onto the yellow vellum. Pour Imagine Embossing Powder in White on images and heat set.


Step 2

Ink leaves with Brilliance in Moonlight White Ink. Stamp on green Vellum. Pour Embossing Powder in White on images and heat set. While vellum embosses beautifully, be careful not to overheat because it can buckle or wrinkle under the heat. Try heat setting vellum from underneath for perfect results every time.


Step 3

Die cut flower images. Using Memento Markers in Cottage Ivy, Pear Tart, and Dandelion to add color to the stamped images. To avoid coloring over the embossing powder color the reverse side of the images.


Step 4

Stamp the “My Wish for You” or similar sentiment in the upper corner of card with VersaMagic in Midnight Black. Emboss the sentiment with Imagine Embossing Powder in Clear and heat set.


Step 5

Assemble card by placing the daisy layers together with a brad. Glue the leaves to the card and place the daisy on top.

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Heartfelt Creations –  Large Sweet Peony Stamp and Die
  • Sentiment stamp
  • Vellum
  • Heat tool
  • Brad
  • Cardbase