Category Archives: INSPIRATION

Let’s Make A Happy Mother’s Day Card

Posted on by

By Anna Escalada York

In today’s tutorial, I am sharing the card I made for my mom for Mother’s Day, using sprays and ink
mixed with Sheer Shimmer spray to watercolor the images.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Use a die cut to create a watercolor paper panel and then stamp a large flower stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink. Heat emboss with clear embossing powder

Step 2:
Spray Cantaloupe Fireworks! Spray onto a piece of scrap acetate packaging, and press the
sprayed acetate onto the stamped panel, making sure to get spray on multiple parts of the
stamped panel. Let dry.

Step 3:
Press the Mango Madness VersaMagic Chalk Ink pad onto the acetate packaging. Then spray
Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft spray onto the ink to give it a watery consistency. Then press this
color of yellow ink onto the stamped panel to add interest and a variety of colors. Let dry.

Step 4:
Repeat the process with pink inks. Spray Angel Pink Fireworks! Spray onto the acetate
packaging and press the packaging onto the stamped panel. After the spray dried, press Pink
Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk Ink onto the acetate and spray it with more of the Sparkle Sheer
Shimmer Craft spray and press that onto the stamped panel as well. Again, let dry.

Step 5:
Press the Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Chalk Ink pad onto the acetate packaging and spray the ink with more of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray to create a watercolor consistency. Then use a thin paintbrush to paint the leaves and stems of the flowers turquoise. Let dry.

Step 6:
Spray more of the Cantaloupe Fireworks! Spray onto the acetate packaging and use the spray to watercolor about half of the flowers yellow. Let dry.

Step 7:
Spray more of the Angel Pink Fireworks! Spray onto the acetate packaging and then paint the rest of the flowers pink. Again let the spray dry.

Step 8:
Spray Tangelo Fireworks! Spray onto the acetate packaging, and use it to paint the anthers and filaments (center parts) of the flowers. Let dry.

Step 9:
Use an ink dauber to ink blend the edges of the panel with Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk Ink.
(I ended up touching up the leaf on the bottom edge by painting a second layer of the Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Chalk Ink mixed with water to make sure the turquoise color wasn’t lost.)

Step 10:
Press the Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Chalk Ink pad onto the acetate packaging and spray the ink with more of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray to create a watercolor consistency a second time. (In my case, I had leftover from step 5, so I used that.)

Hold a paintbrush saturated with the turquoise watercolor parallel to the panel and tap it against your finger. Repeat if needed and let dry.

Step 11:
Stamp a sentiment onto a piece of watercolor paper with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink. Heat emboss with clear embossing powder and trim with scissors or a paper trimmer.

Ink blend around the edges of the stamped layer with more of the Canary VersaColor ink with an ink dauber.

Step 12:
Use an ink dauber to ink blend the edges of the sentiment strip with Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk ink.

Step 13:
Spray one part of the acetate packaging with Cantaloupe Fireworks! Spray and press Turquoise Gem VersaMagic onto another part of the acetate before spraying it with more Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft spray. Alternate pressing the sentiment strip into both colors of spray before splattering the strip with more of the turquoise ink. Let dry.

Step 14:
Glue the panel onto an A2-sized white card base and attach the sentiment onto the card with some foam tape for dimension to finish the card.

Craft Supplies

Imagine
• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Angel Pink
• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Cantaloupe
• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Tangelo
• Sheer Shimmer Spray – Sparkle
• VersaFine Clair Ink – Nocturne
• VersaMagic Chalk Ink – Mango Madness
• VersaMagic Chalk Ink – Pink Grapefruit
• VersaMagic Chalk Ink – Turquoise Gem
• Sponge Dauber

Other
• Altenew – Stamp – Extra Special stamp set
• Altenew – Tape – Instant Dimension Foam Tape
• Gina Marie Designs – Die – Pleated Lace Rectangles die set
• The Ton Stamps – Stamp – Lily Fields
• Clear embossing powder Scissors
• Glue

Let’s Make a Cute “Hoppy” Easter Card

Posted on by

By Ceal Pritchett

Hello crafty friends,

It’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing an Easter card with you. With Valentines Day behind us, the next holiday I send out cards for is Easter.

Here are supplies I used.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions:

Step 1:
Using the layering stencil and Brilliance inks, ink blend the panel to create a background.
Look how shiny it is!

Step 2
Stamp and color the image (bunny) using VersaFine Clair Nocturne and fussy cut it out with the coordinating die.

Step 3
Stamp the sentiment “Easter” with VersaColor in Rose then fussy cut it out or use coordinating die.

Step 4
Stamp the sentiment “Hoppy” with VersaFine Clair Nocturne and fussy cut it out into a small rectangle.

Step 5
Attach the image to the card front using foam for dimension.

Step 6
Attach the sentiment to the card front using On Point Glue.

Craft Supplies
Imagine:
VersaFine Clair – Nocturne
VersaColor – Pink
Brilliance – Pearlescent Orchid
Brilliance – Pearlescent Purple – No Longer Available
Brilliance – Pearlescent Lavender
Brilliance – Pearlescent Sky Blue
Sponge Daubers
On Point Glue

Other:
Misti 2.0
Neenah 110lb Solar White card base
Neenah 80lb Solar White
Hero Arts Pitch Black cardstock
OLO Markers

Let’s Make a Happy Easter Card

Posted on by

By Anna Escalada York

– In today’s tutorial, I will show you how to use Brilliance Pigment Ink and VersaMagic Chalk Ink
to watercolor an image. This is a wonderful way to stretch your supplies and possibly try a new
technique. In addition, I will share some mistakes I made along the way while making this card.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Using a stamping platform, stamp the floral image with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink.
Optional step: Heat emboss with a clear or holographic embossing powder. I did this because I
didn’t want to wait for the VersaFine Clair ink to dry.

Step 2:
Die cut the floral image with the corresponding die. I was “off” in the die cutting and so some of
the stamped image was cut off. You can mostly see this on the singular bud on the left side of
the image.
Not shown: Using the same die to die cut a piece of pink glitter cardstock.

Step 3:
Press the Pearlescent Orchid Brilliance Dew Drop pad onto a piece of acetate packaging and spray with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray. On another part of the same acetate packaging (or possibly a palette or other non-porous surface, press the Pearlescent Purple Brilliance Dew Drop pad onto the surface and spray with more of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray. You should have two areas of color that you can mix with the spray to use as a watercolor.

Paint each flower or bud with a single layer of Pearlescent Orchid Brilliance Ink mixed with the
Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray. Let the watercolor dry. Add some Pearlescent Purple Brilliance
Ink mixed with the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray to the edges of the petals to add some
dimension and interest.

Repeated the process for the stems. Press the Tea Leaves VersaMagic Chalk Ink pad onto a
piece of acetate and Spray the ink with more of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray. Use a
paintbrush to paint the stem green. Let dry. If desired, repeat the process to amplify the intensity
of the green watercolor. Let dry.

Not pictured: Gluing the pink glitter cardstock die cut behind the flower so that it can be seen on
the left side of the floral image.

Step 4:
Place a piece of wide washi tape over a piece of cardstock for the background panel
before die cutting that cardstock. (I used a leftover piece of cardstock that had some leftover
pink gel press printing on it so that you can see a little of the pink through the washi tape).
Don’t have washi tape? Use a piece of patterned paper.

Step 5:
The die cut set that was used to make the panel allows for two layers if desired. To make the
matte layer, use a slightly larger die to die cut a piece of pink glitter cardstock and then glue the
two panels together. Set them aside to dry.

Step 6:
Press more of the Pearlescent Orchid Brilliance Ink Dew Drop onto the acetate packaging and
spray more of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray onto the ink to create more watercolor and
splatter both the floral image and the background with the orchid colored watercolor. To splatter,
extend your finger parallel to the paper and tap a brush that has the Orchid watercolor on it
multiple times. To create a more uniform splatter, move the paint brush or the paper around so
that the splatter is added to a variety of places.

Spray more of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray (or water) into the gold watercolor pan and
then tap the paintbrush across the floral image and panel a second time. Let dry.

As you can see in the picture, between step 3 and now, the singular bud on the left was trimmed
from both the stamped layer and the pink glitter cardstock so the die cutting mistake was
eliminated.

Step 7:
Stamp the sentiment with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink.
Optional step: Heat emboss the ink with holographic embossing powder to eliminate drying
time. (I originally was going to use this die cut sentiment, but later realized that it wouldn’t fit. I also
forgot to take pictures of the sentiment I trimmed with my paper cutter and ended up adding to
the card. So please use your imagination.)

Step 8:
On the sentiment that you see on the finished card, I trimmed the sentiment with my paper
trimmer. The one picture above was die cut with a hexagon die. Regardless of how you end up
shaping your sentiment (using a trimmer or a die), press the edges of the sentiment into the
Pearlescent Orchid Brilliance Dew Drop pad to add color to the edges. Set aside to dry.

Steps 9 and 10:
Time to glue! Glue the flower on the left third of the background panel. Then glue the panel onto
an A2-sized white card base.

For step 10, attach foam tape behind the sentiment except on the upper left corner (since that
will be overlapping with the floral image. Attach the sentiment to the lower right corner of the
panel.

Step 11:
Add pink and green sequins onto the card–on the lower left corner, close to the sentiment, and
on the upper right corner of the card panel.

Art Supplies
Imagine
• Brilliance Ink – Pearlescent Orchid, Pearlescent Purple
• Sheer Shimmer Spray – Sparkle
• VersaMagic Ink – Tea Leaves
• VersaFine Clair Ink – Nocturne

Other
• Altenew – washi tape – Dotted Wide Washi Tape
• Altenew-Foam Tape-Instant Dimension Foam Tape
• Catherine Pooler- sequins -Mission sequin mix
• Gina K Designs – dies- Master Layout 2 die set
• Kuretake – watercolor – Starry Colors Gansai Tambi Watercolors
• Local King Rubber Stamp – stamp and die set- Cherry Blossom
• Pink & Main – stamp set- Spring Sayings
• Embossing powder in my stash
• Watercolor paper
• Pink glitter cardstock
• Scissors
• Holographic embossing powder
• Small paint brush
• Stamp positioner
• Paper trimmer
• Glue

Delicata Pigment Inks Make Elegant New Year Cards

Posted on by

By Nancy May

Delicata Inks are simply stunning.  I’ve used several of them on my New Year cards today.
Let’s jump into the process and see how they turn out

~Nancy

Skill: Intermediate
Time: undetermined

Art Supplies

Imagine

  • Craft Mat
  • Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
  • Delicata Pigment Ink
  • Golden Glitz
  • Pink Shimmer
  • Ruby Red
  • On Point glue
  • Tear It! Tape

Other

  • Whimsy Stamps
    • Happy New Year Stamp set
    • Mini Slimline Notched Dies
    • Mini Slimline Notched Stitched Dies
    • Frame Labels Dies
  • Technique Junkies: New year New Hope Red Rubber Stamp

Create a Quick and Easy Holiday Card

Posted on by

By Kathi Rerek

Here’s a dramatic, yet quick and easy Season’s Greeting’s Card

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Step 1.
Use the Mini Globe Thinlits cutting die to cut white metallic cardstock.

Step 2:
Use a Fantastix to apply Cottage Ivy Memento ink to the land areas of the globe.

Step 3:
Use a circle die to cut white cardstock.

Step 4:
Use a sponge dauber to apply Paris Dusk Memento Ink around the outside of the white circle die-cut. Use another sponge dauber to apply Danube Blue Memento Ink from the outside of the circle die-cut blending inwards. Use a third sponge dauber to apply Teal Zeal to the center of the die-cut, taking care to blend the inks together.

Step 5:
Apply On Point Glue to the reverse of the glove, spread the glue with your finger, then adhere the globe to the inked circle. Set aside.

Step 6:
Use a sponge dauber to apply Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair ink around the edges of a piece of 4” x 5.25” cardstock to create the image panel. Use a sponge dauber to apply Blue Belle VersaFine Clair ink from the center of the inked cardstock to the outside, taking care to blend the inks together. Heat set.

Step 7:
Use the doves die to cut white cardstock. Use Copic markers to add details to the doves.

Step 8:
Use the peace die to cut silver metallic cardstock and adhere to the base of the image panel.

Step 9:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the globe/circle combination to the card as shown.

Step 10:
Edge the image panel with Starlite Silver Brilliance ink and a sponge dauber. Heat set.

Step 11:
Use On Point Glue to adhere the doves to the image panel.

Step 12:
Use a sponge dauber to apply Medieval blue to the perimeter of a 4.25” x 5.5” white card. Heat set.

Step 13:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the inked white card.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • White Metallic Premium Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Silver Metallic Premium Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Mini Globe Thinlits Die by Tim Holtz for Ranger Ink
  • Doves Die: Source Unknown
  • Circles Die Set by QuicKutz
  • Peace Die: Source Unknown
  • Heat Gun by EK Success
  • Mini Guillotine Trimmer by Tim Holtz for Tonic
  • Big Shot

We Love Holiday Stamping On Kraft Cardstock

Posted on by

By Kathi Rerek

I recently saw a video on Unity Stamps’ Instagram that showed how to use colored inks to stamp snowflakes onto Kraft cardstock. I thought that it would be interesting to try VersaMagic Chalk Inks to see how it would work.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Step 1:
Use magnets to secure a 4” x 5.25” piece of Kraft cardstock onto the base of a stamping platform.

Use Hint of Pesto to stamp the leafy snowflake from the Snowflakes Large Clear Polymer Stamp Set on the top left. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to create good impression.

Position the spiky snowflake from the set facedown on the image panel below green-stamped snowflake. Use Red Magic VersaMagic ink to stamp the snowflake. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to create good images. Clean and dry both stamps.

Step 2:
Position the third snowflake stamp from the stamp set facedown on the bottom left of the image panel. Ink the stamp with Night Sky VersaMagic Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to create a good impression. Clean and dry the stamp.

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 along the right edge of the image panel as shown in the card photo above.

Step 3:
Position one of the snowflake stamps from the Snowflakes Small Clear Polymer Stamp Set facedown in the center top of the image panel. ink the stamp with Red Magic VersaMatic Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to create a good impression. Clean and dry the stamp.

Continue the process of stamping snowflakes from the Snowflakes Small Stamp set with all three colors of VersaMagic Inks  taking care to clean and dry the stamps between colors. Remove the image panel from the stamping panel and heat set.

Step 4:
Secure a piece of Kraft cardstock to the base of the image panel. Position the Holiday Spruce Rubber Stamp face-down on the image panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp and lift.

Use Post-It Notes to cover all elements of the stamp except for the Christmas Tree. With the Post-It Notes in place, ink the stamp with Hint of Pesto VersaMagic Ink. Remove the Post-It Notes and stamp twice — once onto the image panel and once onto repositionable sticker paper. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version and place over the stamped tree on the image panel.

Use Post-It Notes to cover each element of the Holiday Spruce Rubber Stamp, ink with one of the the VersaMagic Inks, remove the Post-It Notes, and stamp.

Heat set when the image is completely stamped.

Step 5:
Use low-tack tape to secure a scalloped rectangle die to the sentiment panel. Run the sentiment panel through a die-cutting machine.

Step 6:
Use a sponge dauber and Night Sky VersaMagic Ink to edge both the image panel and the sentiment die-cut. Use a Fantastix to reach between the scallops! Heat set both panels.

Step 7:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the image panel to a Kraft A2 Card. Use Tear-It Tape to adhere the sentiment die-cut to finish the card.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Kraft Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Snowflakes Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Lavinia Stamps
  • Snowflakes Large Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Lavinia Stamps
  • Snowflakes Small Clear Polymer Stamp Set by Lavinia Stamps
  • Holiday Spruce Make a Tag Cling Rubber Stamp by Unity Stamps
  • Scalloped Rectangles Nestabilities by Spellbinders
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Post-It Notes
  • Heat Gun by EK Success
  • Big Shot