Category Archives: 2024 AIRS TEAM

Batik Cards Using is Heat-Embossing Resist Technique

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By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends! One of my favorite cardmaking techniques is heat-embossing resist. Today, I want to share with you how to make these Batik cards using this technique. It is a technique you can use to create fun and colorful backgrounds with heat embossing and ink blending.

Let’s get crafting!

Skill: Beginner
Time: 20 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
Cut out a piece of 8.5 inch x 11 inch white cardstock into 4 panels of 4.25 inch x 5.5 inch.

Using a blending brush, add some of the VersaFine Clair Avocado ink to one of the white cardstock panels.

Dry the ink on the cardstock with a craft heat gun.

Step 2
Add some of the anti-static powder all over the inked panel.

Stamp the images with VersaMark ink and add some of the clear embossing powder. Heat the embossing powder with a craft heat gun.

Using a blending brush, add some of the VersaFine Clair Grass Green ink on the panel.

Carefully dry the ink on it, not to make the embossed images melt too much. Let it cool down before touching it. Gently wipe off the extra ink with paper towel.

Step 3
Add again the anti-static powder on the panel.

Stamp the next images with VersaMark ink and add some of the clear embossing powder. Heat the embossing powder with a craft heat gun.

Step 4
After heating up the embossing powder, crumble the cardstock. Depending on the cardstock you use, you can spray the back of the cardstock lightly with water and then crumble it.

Flat it back on the craft mat and use the bone folder to smooth it down. You won’t get perfectly smooth cardstock back but the crumble lines are the one that will give the texture that we need for the batik look.

Step 5
The next step is adding more color to the panel!

Use the blending brush, add some of the VersaFine Clair Spruce ink on the panel.

You will start to see the pattern. Add more ink if needed to get more contrast between 3 colors.

Use a paper towel to wipe off the extra ink off the embossed images.

Step 6
On a piece of white cardstock, stamp the sentiment with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink.

Dry the inked sentiment with a craft heat gun.

Step 7
Use a paper trimmer to trim the sentiment into a label size and punch a hole on one of the side.

Use a paper distress tool or a knife to distress all the edges of the background panel.

Step 8
Add the background panel on the card base using On Point Glue.

Wrap around some of the burlap twine on the card, before tie it up, add the sentiment label on the card. Put the tail of the burlap twine through the label hole. Glue the sentiment on the card with some white foam and Tear It! Tape.

Tie up the burlap twine into a bow.

This Batik cardmaking technique works well with solid images because of the heat embossing resist effect. You can pick any 2-3 colors of inks you can use that compliment each other.

Here’s the different look of the Batik card I made using the same heat embossing technique but simpler. So, instead of multiple times heat-embossing the images and blending the inks, this one is only once. Here’s the simpler steps:

First, heat emboss the image directly to the white cardstock panel.

Second, crumble the cardstock, flat it out back using a bone folder.

Third, using blending brush add the ink on the cardstock starting with the light color, medium color, then dark color.

I hope you will give this Batik technique a try and play around with different colors. Thanks so much for stopping by our blog today.

Craft Supplies

Imagine Crafts:

Others:

  • Nature Silhouettes 3 Clear Stamp Set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Simple Sentiments Clear Stamp Set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Burlap Twines
  • Neenah Solar White Cardstock 80 lb
  • White fun foam
  • Blending brushes
  • Stamping tool
  • Acrylic stamping blocks
  • Micro-tip scissors
  • Paper trimmer
  • Hole Punch
  • Distresser Tool
  • Bone Folder
  • Bottle Sprayer / Mister Bottle
  • Paper Towel

Easy Stamped Backgrounds with Small Valentine’s Stamps

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By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica here. Have you tried using small stamps to create a card background? Today I am sharing this technique I discovered using the We R Precision Press stamping tool. It takes stamping these small images to the next level, and you can get really creative results!

Step 1:
I decided to create a stamped background for this year’s Valentine’s card. These adorable love bird images are from Mama Elephant’s Oh Happy Birds set. I placed 4 little birds onto the We R Stamping Pattern Block plate and made sure the images are within the 1’’ grid lines. This made pattern stamping the background so easy; simply use the pegs on the We R Precision Press to stamp on the 1’’, 3’’, 5’’ marks. Then rotate your 5’’ cardstock and stamped on the 2’’ and 4’’ marks using the opposite orientation of the stamps. The VersaFine Clair inks are my go-to for stamping fine line images like these. The lines are so clear and crisp, I’m totally in love with the result!

Step 2:
Die cut a piece of red cardstock with Cross Stitched Hearts dies. Then stamp the sentiment with VersaMark ink pad and emboss with white embossing powder. The cross stitched details on the die really adds a fine touch to this simple project.

Step 3:
Finally, adhere rhinestones with On Point Glue and this quick and simple Valentine’s card is complete!

I hope you enjoyed today’s quick tutorial. I have a lot of small critter stamp sets and I can’t wait to create more stamped backgrounds like this. It’s super easy and fun; I hope you’ll give it a try, too!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Mama Elephant – Stamps – Oh Happy Birds
  • We R – Tool – Precision Press and Stamping Pattern Block
  • White and red cardstock

 Create a Dog Pun Valentine’s Card 

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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

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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

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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

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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