Make a Fourth of July Card with Colorful Heat Embossing

Posted on June 24, 2024 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

Hi everyone! Are you ready to celebrate the Fourth of July? I made a sparkly, light-up card to celebrate the occasion. It’s been a while since I heat embossed with colorful embossing powders and I truly miss this simple and fun technique. Be sure to check out the supply list at the end to see the colors I used!

Skill Level: Advanced
Time: 1 hour

Step 1:
Stamp one image from MFT’s Festive Fireworks set with VersaMark ink pad. Then pour on embossing powder with the color of your choice. Repeat the steps if you would like to use different colors of embossing powders, making sure to heat set the powder before moving on to the next color. The colors I used today are Mboss – Valentine, Lucky Stars, Princess Party, and Shimmering Night Sky (not pictured here).

Step 2:
Use Brilliance – Galaxy Gold ink pad to stamp the layering images. I used a stamp positioning tool so that I could restamp a couple of times and get good ink coverage. The gold stamped images look so well against the black background, don’t you think?

Step 3:
I decided to add interactive elements to make this card even more festive! I used Chibitronics LED light stickers to create the light up circuit. If you are interested in making a light up card, feel free to check out the step-by-step video tutorial on my YouTube channel “Craft with Jessica V. Lin” and search for “How to Make a Fireworks Light Up Card with BLACK Cardstock”.

Step 4:
For some finishing touches, I splattered some Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray to the background. I used the brush-over-acrylic-block flicking method, but you could use the spray nozzle to add a fine mist of shimmer as well. Then I adhered some sequins with On-Point Glue, and that completes the card!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

MFT – Stamps – Festive Fireworks
We R – Tool – Precision Press
Antistatic Powder Tool
Heat Tool
Hero Arts – Dies – Infinity Circle (to die cut the small center circles for light to shine through the fireworks images)
Chibitronics – Tool – LED sticker and Circuit Tape
Foam Tape
Black cardstock

“Cheers To The Best Dad” Father’s Day Card

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

Hi everyone! I think I found my go-to die set for making cards for guys! It’s always been hard for me to come up with masculine card designs. This Brewed die set featuring beers, ale, and wine is gender-neutral and just perfect for a Father’s Day card.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes

Step 1:
Ink blend a gingham pattern using the Artistic Mix masks with Memento Paris Dusk ink. I like to emphasize certain areas and use a light hand for others to create variations of shades.

Step 2:
Die cut the beer and hops elements using different color cardstock.

Step 3:
To add some foamy details to the beer foam, apply a layer of Radiant Neon Amplify! Then heat set with your heat gun until a bubbly texture starts to puff up. I haven’t used these in a long time and was surprised with how well the result looked! There’s no waiting time for drying, either. Just heat set as soon as you apply the liquid layer.

Step 4:
Assemble the die cut elements with Tear-It Tape and foam tape. I used On Point Glue to adhere the two “Cheers” die cuts. The fine tip nozzle is really handy for applying small amounts of glue to intricate die cuts. For the final step, I heat embossed the sentiment with white Mboss powder and that completes the card!

Supplies Used

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

Stampin’ Up! – Dies – Brewed
Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Artistic Mix masks
Lawn Fawn – Dies – Scripty Cheers
Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – World’s Best Trophy
Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Heat Tool
Blending brush
Color cardstock
Vellum

Make a Graduation Gift Card Holder

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

Hi everyone! It’s graduation season. Do you have a gift card, a ticket, or even a polaroid photo you would like to send to someone who is graduating? Today I’m sharing my favorite way to send a gift card. It’s super easy and versatile; if you are interested, keep reading!

Skill: Advanced
Time: 1 hour

Directions:

Step 1:
Stamp the images with any waterproof ink. Many Tsukineko ink pads are waterproof when the ink dries; I am using VersaFine Nocturne today. Also, can we talk about how adorable these images are?! They are from It’s a Science stamp set and they’re totally perfect for any science majors. I thought they would look so cute for a graduation card.

Step 2:
Watercolor with dew drop ink pads. I love to watercolor with my dew drop ink pads. You can choose from the VersaMagic (pigment ink), Brilliance (pigment ink) or Memento (dye ink) lines and they all work great! I smooshed some ink onto my craft mat and colored away!

Step 3:
Fussy cut the images with scissors. If the stamp set has a coordinating die set, you could use that too!

Step 4:
Stamp images with VersaMark ink pad to create details for the background panel.

Step 5:
I actually decided to create a light up card by adding a LED light to the microscope image. If you are interested in seeing a video tutorial, you could follow my YouTube channel: Craft with Jessica V. Lin or search for “Interactive Gift Card Holder that Lights Up”. I’ll edit the video and post it soon.

Step 6:
This is what the LED light looks like when the circuit is finished. It’s really not that complicated, and the result is so worth it!

Step 7:
Finally, for the gift card holder, simply score an A2 card base at 4.5’’, 5.5’’ and 6.5’’. Adhere the bottom edge with Tear-It! Tape (make sure you don’t adhere the entire flap closed). Then, create a gift card opening by die-cutting along the edge of the middle flap. If you don’t have a die that works, you could also cut the opening with scissors.

And the gift card holder card is completed! I love this design since it’s super easy and you could easily swap the gift card with tickets (like the Disneyland ticket shown in step 7) or even a polaroid photo if you decided to keep it as a card instead. I hope you give it a try, thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – It’s a Science
Spellbinders – Dies – Labels 17
We R – Tool – Precision Press
Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Paper Snips
Water brush
Chibitronics – Tool – LED sticker

StazOn Stamping on Fun Foam

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

StazOn is a great, fast-drying ink for stamping on special mediums. They work great for stamping on non-porous surfaces like plastic sheets, but I was surprised with how well they stamp on craft foam. The details are crisp and the ink dries almost instantly. Let’s dive into the process of making a unique tag with craft foam!

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Directions:

Step 1:
Stamp the image with StazOn Timber Brown ink on craft foam. I used a stamp platform with the Doggone Friendly background stamp but did not have to re-stamp twice.

Step 2:
Die cut the craft foam with Gift Tags 2 dies. I like the stitched details around these tag dies.

Step 3:
Add a sentiment. I created a custom “Pawsome Bday” sentiment with the Labeler Alphabet stamp set with VersaMagic Ocean Depth ink pad.

Step 4:
Add additional embellishments like enamel shapes and ribbons. I also adhered a piece of white cardstock to the back of the foam tag for writing messages. Then the tag is done for decorating any gift boxes!

Craft Supplies:

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

Craft foam – Sand color
Stampin’ Up! – Doggone Friendly
Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Mini Cut and Emboss Machine

https://www.stampinup.com/products/mini-stampin-cut-emboss-machine?demoid=2164794

We R – Tool – Precision Press
Paper Smooches – Dies – Gift Tags 2

Inking Stamps with Memento Markers for Watercolor Effect

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

Have you ever tried inking stamps with markers instead of ink pads? It has been a long time since I used this technique, so I decided to revisit it again today. To blend the colors and achieve a watercolor look, you can spritz on the stamp before stamping. I love the result and I hope you do, too!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 45 minutes

Step 1:
Color the stamps with Memento markers (tip: use the broader tip of the marker to easily cover a large area). I used three sets of colors today: Green House, Juicy Purples, and the light pink marker from Girl’s Night Out. The floral stamp is from Stampin’ Up!’s Good Morning Magnolia set. It’s a red rubber stamp and the colors may not be fully visible after you color, so I would recommend starting with the lighter shades and adding the bolder colors afterwards.

Step 2:
Spritze Sheer Shimmer Sparkle spray onto the stamp before stamping onto your card. This would blend the colors together to create a watercolor look.

Step 3:
Stamp onto the card. For the flower image, I may have used too much purple so it’s harder to see the transition from purple to pink. The leaves turned out perfectly; I really like the faux watercolor effect.

Step 4:
Use a pair of paper snips to cut along the edge of the magnolia flower. I then added a piece of Fresh Freesia cardstock to the inside of the card. The Fresh Freesia cardstock peeks through the bottom cutout edge and complements purple flower nicely.

Step 5:
Stamp a “Happy Mother’s Day” sentiment with Brilliance Purple pigment ink. I also die cut a vellum decorative strip to embellish the simple sentiment but it’s totally optional. And that completes the card! I hope you enjoy this simple technique and would give these Memento markers a try!

Products Used:

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

Stampin’ Up! – Stamps and Dies – Good Morning Magnolia bundle
https://jessiehandmade657.blogspot.com/2024/02/my-crafty-shop.html
We R – Tool – Precision Press
Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Paper Snips
Stampin’ Up! – Paper – Fresh Freesia

Best Black Ink for Alcohol Marker Coloring

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

When it comes to coloring with alcohol markers, the ink you use to stamp your images becomes very important. Choosing the right ink will ensure that the image lines stay sharp without bleeding into each other. My personal choice is the Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad. A light beige color like Desert Sand could be a great choice as well for no-line coloring.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Step 1:
Stamp some floral and leaves images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I love the Happiness Abounds set from Stampin’ Up; the roses are so elegant and the perfect sizes to create a floral wreath. Then color the images with your choice of alcohol markers. I used Stampin Blends in Pale Papaya, Soft Seafoam, and Old Olive.

Step 2:
Die cut the colored images with Blossoming Happiness dies and arrange them in a circle. Then adhere them to the card base. I used Tear-It Tape to adhere the leaves in the background, and used Stampin’ Dimensionals to create layers and depth for the flowers.

Step 3:
For the sentiment, I chose a simple circle to tie in this elegant design. The fonts for these stamps are just so pretty! I always grab VersaFine Clair Nocturne to stamp my sentiments; the lines are so crisp and dark, and they’ll never look splotchy! Don’t use them with alcohol markers though, the pigment ink will react with alcohol inks.