Making Your Own Ephemera

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Imagine

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! Today I’ve got a fun tutorial that’s all about making your own ephemera. Ephemera can be ticket stubs, advertisements, postage stamps, handwritten letters, etc. It’s fun to use “found” ephemera, but it’s also a blast to make your own. You can feel free to follow each of the “steps” below, or just choose the ones you like. There’s no real order or correct way to make these elements, and you can use them on any of your paper-crafting projects. I just decided to go with a tag today. This particular project is great if you need to loosen up, break out of a creative block, or you just feel like adding to your stash. Just have fun with it!

*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.

Directions:

Ephemera Tag 2

Step 1:

Grab some cardstock and a stencil, and start spraying them with Fireworks! Spray.

Ephemera Tag 3

Step 2:

There’s a lot of spray left on that stencil, so don’t waste it! Grab another scrap of paper and flip the stencil (wet side down) on to it to get the reverse design. You can use a brayer or your hands to push the stencil into the paper to transfer the color better.

Ephemera Tag 4

Step 3:

Still more on the stencil? Spray it with a little water to get the color moving and press it into a third piece of paper.

Ephemera Tag 5

Step 4:

Grab some rubber stamps that have fun designs (especially solid images like this one), spray your craft mat with another color of Fireworks! Spray, and ink up the stamp in the puddle. Stamp some scrap paper with the wet stamp.

Ephemera Tag 6

Step 5:

Apply Kaleidacolor inks to cardstock using your favorite method. I used the Fruitcake palette on my Gel Press with a brayer. Then, take a stencil and apply VersaFine Clair ink on top using a sponge dauber or cosmetic sponge.

Ephemera Tag 7

Step 6:

Run a piece of cardstock through an embossing folder. Then ink the raised areas with Delicata Ink for shine.

Ephemera Tag 8

Step 7:

Stamp out a sentiment with VersaMark Ink and use your favorite Mboss embossing powder on it. For texture, tear the edges and ink them with Rich Cocoa Memento Ink.

Step 8:

Take some old book paper and flick Fireworks! Spray on it to get different sized droplets.

Step 9:

Stamp some small geometric shapes and die cut/fussy cut them.

Look at all the ephemera we’ve created by just using scraps!

Ephemera Tag 9

Step 10:

Die cut a large tag out of cardstock. Start laying your ephemera on to the tag to see where you want your pieces to be.

Ephemera Tag 10

Step 11:

Let pieces hang off the edges of your piece. You can cut them off later, if you wish. Don’t be afraid to move your elements around, cut them, tear them, etc.

Ephemera Tag 11

Step 12:

Use different types of adhesive. I like using Tear It! Tape for the embossed layers, wet glue for flat layers, and foam tape or squares for elements that I want raised. I also love to use On Point Glue for sequins and rhinestones, which I added after I had all of my paper elements adhered.

Ephemera Tag 12 600

Here’s the finished tag. Again, make this however you like. It doesn’t need to be for the holidays, it doesn’t need to be a tag. Just grab a bunch of supplies and play. Whatever ephemera you have leftover can be used at another time.

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray in Cottage Ivy, Lady Bug, and New Sprout

• Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa

• Kalediacolor Inks in Fruitcake

• VersaMark Ink

• Mboss Embossing Powder in Rose Gold

• VersaFine Clair Ink in Rain Forest

• Delicata Ink in Golden Gliz

• Tear It! Tape

• On Point Glue

Other:

• Stampers Anonymous: Bold Tidings Mini and Mod Cactus

• Sizzix: Tag Collection #658784, Kaleidoscope 3D Embossing Folder

• A Colorful Life Designs: Sweater Knit stencil, Make Some Plaid stencil

• Doodles Paper Playground: Bold Rhinestones (I only used the red)

• Simon Says Stamp/CZ Design: Hex Yeah (discontinued)

• Scraps of cardstock, old book paper, etc.

Learn to Make a Welcome Home Wood Sign

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Imagine

By Neva Cole –

In today’s tutorial you will learn to create a super easy wood sign using the ever versatile VersaFine Clair inks. The VersaFine Clair worked beautifully for this project that took just under and hour from design concept to completion! The ink pads are nice and juicy, so the first stamp image was perfect every time, which is helpful when free hand stamping with out a stamp platform.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 1 Hour

Directions:

Step 1:

Remove twine from the sign so it will lay flat on your work surface. With lines on the sign already in place it was easy to line up the sentiment and acrylic stamp block. Once the stamps are aligned, place a large acrylic block over the stamps lining up the edges to allow perfect positioning.

Step 2:

Stamp the sentiment in VersaFine Clair Pinecone and heat emboss with clear Embossing Powder. Gives the sentiment a bit of shine and keeps it from smearing!

Step 3:

Using and ink blusher ink the edges of the sign with VersaFine Clair Cheerful. Start from the outside edge and blend toward the center to create a slight ombre look.

Step 4:

Using and ink blusher ink the edges of the sign with VersaFine Clair Summertime. Start from the outside edge and blend toward the center but not as far as the Cheerful layer.

Step 5:

The leaf images are stamped using a very old stamp that features Fall leaves. The Oak leaf is stamped in VersaFine Clair Acorn, the Aspen leaf in Summertime, and the Maple leaf in Tulip Red. The sign can be heated with a heat gun, or set aside until the ink dries.

Step 6:

Replace twine through holes in the sign and display!

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Versa Fine Clair–Pinecone, Acorn, Cheerful, Summertime, Tulip Red

Embossing Powder–Clear

Ink Blusher

Other Products:

Square 7” x 7” Wood Sign

Recollections Clear stamps sentiments from 2020

Judi-kins Fall Leaves Cube

Neva Cole

http://snippetscrafter.blogspot.com/

n.cole@windward-performance.com

Create Texture with Memento Inks

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Imagine

By Martha Lucia Gomez –

Hello there! Today’s tutorial is to show you how easy is create texture with Memento Inks. This is a very simple process that you can create with a score lines and or embossing folders. On this card, I used Memento Ink Desert Sand, Peanut Brittle and Teal Zeal.

Skill: Medium

Time: 45 minutes

Directions:

Step 1:

Create score lines over a piece of White Smooth Cardstock. This will be your top layer and you can decide the wide or directions of the lines accordingly with your design.

Step 2:

The lines of my sample card are 0.5” wide and I am using a regular size of cardstock for an A2 card, 5-1/2”x4-1/4”.

Step 3:

Pass the ink pad of Memento Ink Desert Sand directly over the scored panel following the vertical scored lines. Just keep in mind that you need to go border to border to obtain a uniform coverage.

Step 4:

Before to introduce the inked layer inside of an embossing folder the type of image that you want to obtain. You can use the embossed raise or the debossing. In my sample, I used the emboss raise side. Pass your embossing sandwich through your die cut machine.

Step 5:

Using a different color of ink to cover the raised pattern of your embossing folder. On this card, I am using Memento Peanut Brittle

Step 6:

Let the ink dry naturally or speed the process with a heat tool. Now you can assemble the card and decorate it.

Step 7:

To make the message of the card, I used a clear stamp sentiment and an hexagon die cut. I stamped the sentiment with Memento Ink Teal Zeal.

Step 8:

I used the same die cut as frame to add some color to the message. I just applied the Memento Ink Desert Sand with a sponge after securing the die cut over it with washi tape.

Step 9:

To coordinate the colors of your card, you can pass an additional coat of ink to the top layer in a coordinating color with your card. In my sample, I used the Memento Ink Teal Zeal.

Just assemble your card and decorate with some embellishments. To paste the layers I used Tear It! Tape

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Memento – Desert Sand, Peanut Brittle and Teal Zeal.

• Tear it! Tape

• Craft Mat

Other:

• Give Thanks Clear Stamp Set by Joy Clair Designs

• Scoring tool

• Falling Leaves Embossing Folder by Spellbinders

• Hexagon Nesting Dies by Diamond Press

• Die Cut Machine

• Positional Stamp Tool.

Learn to Make a “Thinking of You” Sunflower Card

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Imagine

By Neva Cole –

Versa Clair Fine is now my favorite pigment ink! So versatile and allowed me to create a beautifully colored card in just a few steps. This is one of the few cards that my husband has asked me to specifically make for a friend, it was easy to do with just a few inks, stamps, and dies!

Skill: Intermediate

Time: 2 hours

Directions:

Step 1:

Stamp sunflower images on yellow cardstock with Versa Fine Clair Cheerful and heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Stamp leaf images on light green paper in Versa Fine Clair Green Oasis and heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Die cut with matching dies.

Step 2:

Place flowers and leaves face down in matching shaping mold and mist lightly with water. As the images are heat embossed, they will stay sharp and crisp. Close mold and pressure emboss.

Step 3:

Remove flowers and leaves from mold and set aside to dry. Once dry assemble flowers with On Point Glue, adding black glitter to centers. (Not shown) Set aside to dry.

Step 4:

Ink the edges of an A7 size card with and ink dauber and Versa Fine Clair Green Oasis. Set aside to dry, as the ink is very juicy.

Step 5:

Sunflowers are a rustic flower, so corrugated cardstock seemed to be a good choice for a background. Versa Fine Clair in Cheerful and Summertime are inked randomly on the corrugated cardstock with ink daubers.

Step 6:

Ink the sentiment with Versa Fine Clair in Green Oasis and heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Die cut with die from the Eyelet Frame Gateway set. I trimmed off a portion of the sentiment, then edged the sentiment with Versa Fine Clair in Summertime.

Step 7:

Die cut a Border from the Regal Boarder set using light orange paper. Gently shade the edges with Versa Fine Clair Summertime and an ink dauber.

Step 8:

Adhere corrugated cardstock to base card with Tear It Tape! Adhere border with On Point Glue Adhere flowers with Tear It Tape!

Art Supplies

Imagine:

• Versa Fine Clair–Cheerful, Green Oasis, Summertime

• Embossing Powder–Clear

• On Point Glue

• Tear It! Tape

• Ink Dauber

Other Supplies Used:

• Light yellow, light orange and light green cardstock

• Corrugated kraft cardstock

• Heartfelt Creations–Rustic Sunflower Stamp/Die/Shaping Mold, Regal Borders and Pockets Die, Eyelet Frame Gateway Die, Heartfelt Expressions stamp

• Black Glitter

• Die Cut machine

• Stamp Platform

Neva Cole

http://snippetscrafter.blogspot.com/

n.cole@windward-performance.com

Make a Beautiful Pumpkin Thank You Card

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Imagine

By Alison Heikkila –

Greetings! Alison here and today my latest tutorial for Imagine is a textured, fall-themed thank you card. I can see making a bunch of these to put as place setting on your Thanksgiving table, as a thank you to your guests for celebrating the holidays with you. I used several simple techniques on this card that when combined, look really fancy and festive.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 45 minutes- 1 Hour

Directions:

Step 1:

Using a piece of metallic cardstock, run it through your die cutting machine with an embossing folder.

Step 2:

Using a sanding block, a piece of sandpaper, or even a nail file, sand the raised areas of the embossed cardstock. This will give it an aged or distressed look.

Step 3:

Gently rub Spiced Chai StazOn ink across the surface to add more interest to the piece of cardstock.

Thankful 5

Step 4:

On a Gel Press Plate, gently tap the Cappuccino Delight Kaleidacolor Inks across the surface. You can use a brayer to blend the colors, as well as a few spritzes of water or Ink Potion No. 9.

Thankful 6

Step 5:

Lay white cardstock on to the Gel Press Plate and rub to get the ink to transfer. Pull the print and let it dry. I pulled a couple of prints and then chose my favorite to use for this card.

Thankful 7

Step 6:

Die cut a pumpkin out of the monoprint.

Thankful 8

Step 7:

Die cut a bigger pumpkin out of brown cardstock and ink the edges with Golden Glitz Delicata Ink.

Thankful 9

Step 8:

Die cut the sentiment out of cream colored cardstock and ink the edges with Desert Sand Memento Ink.

Thankful 10

Step 9:

Add Tear It Tape to the back of the embossed panel. I like to use this adhesive when I am working with a piece that has a lot of texture. It holds everything in place really well, and you don’t need to worry about liquid adhesive getting “stuck” in the wells.

Step 10:

Assemble the rest of the card. I used On Point Glue to attach the rhinestones.

Thankful 11 600

Isn’t it pretty?

I love all of the shine from the embossed panel. I also really like seeing all the colors on the pumpkin through the die cut. I hope you’ll give some of these techniques a try!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• StazOn Ink: Spiced Chai

• Delicata Ink: Golden Glitz

• Kaleidacolor Ink: Cappuccino Delight

• Memento Ink: Desert Sand

• Tear It! Tape

• On Point Glue

Other:

• Darice: Embossing Folder

• Gel Press: 3×5 Plate

• Recollections: Pumpkin Die Cuts

• Simon Says Stamp: Thankful Die

• Doodles Paper Playground: Gold Starburst Rhinestones

• Brown, Cream, and White cardstock

A Few Ways to Get Creative with Memento Markers

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Imagine

By Alison Heikkila –

Greetings! My latest project for Imagine started off as a Halloween card, but truthfully, it became a card that I could mail out at any time of year, depending on the recipient. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if you think it’s just for Halloween or not. In this tutorial, I’m going to show you a few ways to use your Memento Markers, along with a couple of other great products from Imagine. My supplies are listed at the bottom of the post.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time to Complete: 1 Hour

Directions:

Step 1:

Stamp the skeleton hand on to Smooth Bristol Cardstock with VersaFine Clair Ink in Nocturne.

Rose 3

Step 2:

Color the image with London Fog, Rhubarb Stalk, Love Letter, Northern Pine, and Olive Grove. Be sure to leave some white space to mimic a shine.

Step 3:

Cut the image out. I used an X-Acto knife for the interior areas, and then my precision scissors for the rest. I left a thin border around the piece so that I didn’t have to be perfect.

Rose 4

Step 4:

Die cut the 4th largest Hexagon die in the Waffle Flower set out of white cardstock, and the 5th largest out of black.

Step 5:

Use the Rhubarb Stalk Memento Marker to color the outer edge of the white hexagon, so that it will perfectly match the rose.

Rose 5

Step 6:

Using Fireworks! Spray in Tuxedo Black, flick the ink on to your card base.

Step 7:

Scribble some Rhubarb Stalk Memento Marker on to an acrylic block. Add some water to a brush, and then flick the color off the side of the block to get splatter.

Rose 6

Step 8:

Glue the hexagons together and the skeleton hand on top using On Point Glue. I usually glue everything at the end, but i knew I would be moving this piece around a bit, so gluing it early is helpful.

Step 9:

Die cut a bunch of foliage from black cardstock and arrange them around the edge of the card. Have them going off the edge and in different directions to keep things interesting. Adhere with On Point Glue.

Rose 7

Step 10:

After the foliage is glued, cut off the pieces that overhang.

Step 11:

On the black cardstock, stamp a sentiment with VersaMark Ink. If you have one, use an anti-static powder bag first. Then, sprinkle on white embossing powder, shake off the excess, and heat set it.

Rose 8