Create a Dog Pun Valentine’s Card

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Imagine

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica here. Today I have a special Valentine’s card to share with you. If you are a dog person, the background stamp we are using today is for you. It’s really unique and you could highlight any of the dogs to create personalized cards for the recipient.

Step 1:
Ink up Stampin’ Up!’s Doggone Friendly background stamp with Sand Dune VersaFine Clair ink, then stamp on a piece of watercolor cardstock. I recently got a photopolymer sticky mat from Altenew and have enjoyed using it so far. It ensures the cardstock stays in place when you are stamping, which is a handy feature when you are stamping large images like background stamps.

Step 2:
I wanted to highlight the Shiba Inu in the middle by creating a spotlight effect around him. I laid down the Spotlight Heart stencil in the center and ink blended the edges lightly with Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink. Memento inks are perfect for ink blending and since they are dye inks, the blended areas will not cover up the background stamp details.

Step 3:
This step is completely optional, but I decided to add some simple watercoloring. I chose Potter’s Clay for his face and used Rhubarb Stalk to color his tongue. For his scarf, I used Bamboo Leaves (not pictured here).

Step 4:
Lastly, I stamped a “punny” sentiment using Bamboo Leaves Memento ink. I have used the Labeler Alphabet stamp set many times before to create custom sentiments. I thought this phrase compliments the blended heart shape nicely. Finally, I added some green enamel dots to decorate and the card is completed!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

Stampin’ Up! – Stamp – Doggone Friendly
Waffle Flower – Stencil – Spotlight Heart
Stampin’ Up! – Stamp – Labeler Alphabet
Waterbrush

Blending brushes
Neenah – Cardstock – Desert Storm
Watercolor cardstock

Tone on Tone Stamping You Are Loved Card

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Imagine

By Alison Heikkila

Hello! Alison Heikkila here. Grab a sentiment that’s worth repeating and let’s do some tone on tone stamping. You can do any color combo you want, just try not to overlap colors that are opposite on the color wheel. The techniques we’re doing today are great ways to mix various inks you may have in your stash.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 20-30 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. For more information, please see my Affiliates page, where I also have some coupon codes.

Supplies:
Imagine:
Memento Ink: Angel Pink
Memento Ink: Sweet Plum
Memento Ink: New Sprout
VersaFine Clair: Baby Pink
VersaFine Clair: Hawthorn Rose
VersaFine Clair: Avocado
Fireworks! Spray: Angel Pink, Sweet Plum, Pear Tart
On Point Glue

Other:
Concord & 9th: Checking In Stamps
Spellbinders: Eyelet Scallop Border
A Colorful Life Designs: Luminous Whisper Pink, Luminous Petticoat Pink, Metallic Lime Card Bling (use code AlFan10 to save 10%)
Scrapbook.com: Blending Brushes
Scrapbook.com: Artis Craft Glue
Accent Opaque: 100lb. White Cardstock
Glossy Magenta Cardstock (substitute with any color you have)

This was so much fun to create. I’d love to make it again with different colors. What colors would you use? I might try teal, terra cotta, and cocoa next. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Let’s Make a Valentine’s Day Card

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Imagine

By Anna Escalada York

I wanted to use some dies in my stash plus some warm colored inks to make a Valentine’s Day card for my husband.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:

Rub a piece of watercolor paper with a Love Letter Memento ink pad. Don’t worry too much about the consistent color across the watercolor paper.

Step 2:

Spray the same watercolor paper with Rose Gold Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray and allow to dry.

Step 3:

Die cut the colored and sprayed watercolor paper.

Step 4:

Use a background or texture stamp to to stamp the center of the die cut with ore Love Letter Memento ink. If desired, rub the small hearts around the edge with more Love Letter Memento ink as well.

Step 5:

Rub a piece of watercolor paper with Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink pad. Again, don’t worry too much about the consistent color across the watercolor paper.

Steps 6 and 7:

Die cut the Rhubarb Stalk colored watercolor paper and use a paintbrush to paint GooseBumps Shimmer Texture Spray on the die cut. Allow the GooseBumps Shimmer Texture Spray to dry (or if you are impatient like me use your heat tool to dry it quickly).

(Not pictured: Die cut two more layers of the sentiment die with scraps of cardstock and glue the three layers together for dimension. Then die cut the shadow of the sentiment with vellum and glue the sentiment onto the shadow.)

Step 8:

Spray enough Angel Pink Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray onto a piece of watercolor paper to totally color the paper and allow to dry.

Step 9:

Die cut the sprayed watercolor paper. Glue the two layers of die cut hearts together.

Step 10:

Tape an outer and inner frames together with tape and use them both together to die cut more watercolor paper.

Step 11:

Ink blend the die cut frame with Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink using a sponge dauber.

Step 12:

Spray the internal part of the die cut with Rose Gold Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray and allow to dry.

Step 13:

Use Love Letter and Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink to ink blend through a stencil. Then ink blend around the edges of the die cut with more Rhubarb Stalk Memento Ink.

Step 14 and 15:

Use the same texture stamp used to stamp the red heart, stamp the background (internal part) of the card base with more of the Love Letter Memento Ink multiple times to add some more interest to the background.

Step 16:

Arrange the card and glue it onto a 6” x 6” card base. Start out by gluing the sentiment onto the internal part of the cardpanel (over the die cut heart). Then glue the frame onto the card base and nestle the internal part of the card onto the card. Add sequins on the lower left and upper right parts of the card.

Art Supplies

Imagine

• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Angel Pink
• GooseBumps Texture Spray – Shimmer
• Memento Dual Marker – Rhubarb Stalk
• Memento Dye Ink – Love Letter, Rhubarb Stalk
• Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray – Rose Gold
• Sponge daubers

Other

• AALL & Create – die set – Nature’s Doily
• Brutus Monroe – die set – Heart Petals
• Scrappy Tails – rhinestones – white rhinestones
• Stampers Anonymous – woodblock stamp – U3-2603 (typewriter stamp)
• Stencil in my stash
• Watercolor paper
• Scrap cardstock
• Vellum
• Die cutting machine
• Paint brush
• Scissors

Glue

I Love Mew – A Valentine’s Day Card

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Imagine

By Kathi Rerek

Here’s a punny Valentine’s Day card that showcases the blending of the new Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink with the Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink. I also used Purell to create a fun ghosting technique!

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes

Instructions:

Steps 1A and B:

Use a make-up brush to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to a piece of white cardstock. Start at the top of the panel and work downwards. The make-up brush creates soft textured look on the cardstock. Continue to brush downwards until the brush doesn’t put ink onto the cardstock (1A)

Use the same make-up brush to apply Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink from the base of the cardstock panel, blending as you go. (1B)

Steps 2A and B:

Place the Staggered Hearts stencil over the inked panel. (2A)

Add Purell to a dry baby wipe until it’s saturated then use the wipe to apply the Purell over the stencil onto the cardstock. The Purell will lift the VersaFine Clair Ink, creating ghosted hearts on the background. Heat setting will accentuate the ghosted effect while setting the ink. (2B)

Step 3:

Place the inked cardstock panel onto a stamping platform. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the cat. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary for a crisp image. Remove the image panel and use a paint brush dipped and the ink pad to do any necessary touch ups to the image. Heat set.

Step 4:

Use Prismacolor markers to color the cat’s eyes, taking care to avoid the black ink and contaminate your markers. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to the cat’s eyes. No photos. Sorry.

Step 5:

Use alphabet dies and a speech bubble die to cut black cardstock. Use a flag and a heart die to to cut to cut extra inked cardstock from Step 1. Smoosh the heart die-cut onto the Charming Pink VersaFine Clair inkpad. Trim the ends off of the flag die-cut and edge with Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink. Adhere the letter die-cuts and the heart to the pink strip, then adhere to the black speech bubble die-cut.

Step 6:

Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the cat onto the scrap of repositionable sticker paper. Fussy-cut the sticker paper along the bottom and place it over its counterpart as a mask. Place a strip of repositionable Scotch Tape across the image panel. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink over the tape and the masked cat paws to the bottom of the image panel.

Remove the tape and the mask over the cat. Use Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the image panel with Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink.

Step 7:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to the outside .5” perimeter of an A2 card. Heat set.

Step 8:

Cut a panel of black cardstock to 4” x 5.25”. Use Tear It! Tape to mat the image panel with the black cardstock, adhere the matted image panel to the card, and adhere the speech bubble die-cut as shown. Use the sentiment sticker to finish the card.

Finished Card

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
Raven Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
What’s Meow Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
Staggered Hearts Stencil by My Favorite Things
Speech Bubble Die-namics Die Set by My Favorite Things
Upper and Lower Case Thinlits Die Sets by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
Occasions Small Talk Idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Advantus
Flag Dies: Source Unknown
Make-up Brushes
Dried Out Baby Wipes
Purell
Spanish Orange and Yellow Orange Prismacolor Markers
Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
Repositionable Scotch Tape by 3M
Low-Tack Tape
Magnetic Glass Craft Mat by Glassboard Studio
Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia
Big Shot by Sizzix

Cute Valentines Day Card

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Imagine

By Ceal Pritchett

Hello crafty friends!
It’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing a Clean & Simple Valentines card.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 30 to 45 Minutes

Directions:
Gather you supplies. You will need a stencil, valentines stamp, pink or any color ink, markers and black ink.

Step 1:
Stamp your image with black ink ,I used Memento Tuxedo Black.

Step 2:
Color the image with markers and then cut out with coordinating die.

Step 3:
Place a white panel cut to 4.25 x 5.5 down on a grip mat or other sticky surface. Lay stencil over it and add color with a sponge or blending brush starting in the center and gradually getting lighter toward the edge.

Step 4:
Add the panel to a card base and stamp the sentiment using VersaFine Clair Nocturne. Add foam tape to op up the image.

Supplies:

Imagine Products:
• Memento -Tuxedo Black
• VersaFine Clair -Nocturne and Charming Pink
• Memento Markers -Toffee Crunch, Desert Sand, Gray Flannel, Dandelion, Lulu Lavender, Rose Bud and Summer sky
• Sponge Dauber
• On Point Glue

Other products:

• 120 and 80lb Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock
• MISTI 2.0 -My Sweet Petunia
• Cupid Clarence Stamp Set -The Rabbit Hole Designs
• Cupid Clarence die -The Rabbit Hole Designs
• Heart Stencil -The Rabbit Hole Designs (retired)

CAS Valentine’s Day Card

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Imagine

By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and today, I have a love themed CAS card idea to share with you all. It is a fun and quick card to make to spread love with others through handmade cards.

Let’s get crafting!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 15-20 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
Cut out a piece of Canson watercolor paper into 4.5 inch x 6 inch that you want to use as your background panel. I use 9×12 Canson watercolor paper and trim it into 2 panels.

Dab randomly the Memento inks (Love Letter & Rose Bud) on the background stamp.

Spray lightly with the Ink Potion No. 9.

Step 2
Add the watercolor panel to the inked stamp and firmly press it down to the stamp. Try to center it to the stamp.

Carefully move around your finger all over the watercolor panel to get the ink transferred well.

Lift up the paper off the stamp and you will get the first watercolor print background. There are still some inks left on the stamp, pray again with the Ink Potion No.9 to get the second print out of it.

Step 3
Repeat step 2 but instead of moving your hand all over the paper, you can try to just partially press the paper to get partially watercolor background print just like on the right panel in the picture.

Step 4
This layered stamping technique is easier done with a position stamping tool if you have it. If you do not have it, clear acrylic stamping blocks work, too. Cut out a white cardstock into 4.25 inch x 5.5 inch.

Stamp the outline flower images with a Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad.

Stamp the solid background flower images with a Rose Bud ink pad, then stamp the shadow flower images with a Rhubarb Stalk ink pad.

Stamp the leaves images with a Bamboo Leaves ink pad.

Step 5
Stamp the sentiment with a Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad at the extra space of the cardstock panel.

Step 6
Cut out all the flower pieces with the matching dies. Optional, if you don’t have the matching dies to your stamp set, you can fussy cut it with scissors.

Cut out the sentiment with one of the Label framelits dies.

Step 7
Rip the top and bottom of the watercolor background panel to give some texture to the background panel.

Optional: You can use the whole watercolor background panel as your background.

Wrap around some of the Burlap twine around the background panel and tie up a bow.

Add it to the card base with some of the Tear It! Tape.

Step 8
Add some of the Tear It Tape! to both sides of the white fun foam and cut it into a 3D foam tape strip. Add some of them to the flowers and sentiment label.

Add each of the flowers and sentiment to the card.