Category Archives: INSPIRATION

Let’s Make an Embossed Father’s Day Card

Posted on by

By Anna Escalada York

I wanted to make my Father-In-Law’s Father’s Day Card with a variety of browns and a pop of another color. So I picked Neptune VersaColor ink for a pop of color on the monochromatic background.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Die cut a piece of watercolor paper with the second-largest die in an A2-sized die set. Press a Sand Dune VersaFine Clair Ink onto the watercolor panel.

Step 2:
Spray Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray onto an embossing folder and then emboss the Sand Dune colored panel by running it through a die cutting machine between the two sides of the embossing folder. Allow the panel to dry.

Step 3:
Glide a Neptune VersaColor ink across the panel. The raised (embossed) parts of the panel will be colored with the Neptune ink, and the debossed parts of the panel will stay the Sand Dune color. Then run the Neptune VersaColor pad across the edges of the panel to color the border of the panel as well.

Step 4:
Stamp the card’s sentiments (both the larger “happy” and the “Father’s Day” subsentiment) on another piece of watercolor paper with Dark Brown Shimmer Delicata ink and then heat emboss both of them with clear embossing powder. Set this aside as well.

Step 5:
Press the Dark Brown Shimmer Delicata Ink Pad onto the edges of a watercolor panel until achieving a thick, dark brown border. This panel will become the matte layer of the card.

Step 6:
Using the largest die from the A2-sized die set, die cut the dark brown panel . Glue the two panels together and set aside.

Step 7:
Trim the sub-sentiment with a paper trimmer. Press the edges of the sentiment strip into the Sand Dune VersaFine Clair ink pad and set the sentiment strip aside to dry.

Steps 8 and 9:
Press the Dark Brown Shimmer Delicata ink pad onto another small piece of watercolor paper.

Not pictured: Die cut the larger “Happy” sentiment from step 4 with the corresponding die. Then die cut a piece of the Dark Brown Shimmer colored watercolor paper with the same die to create two layers of the die cut.

Step 10:
Glue the two die cut sentiment layers together, with the dark brown layer peeking out on the left side of the stamped (top) layer. Using some of the remaining dark brown watercolor paper from the last step, cut a thin strip to glue on the bottom of the sub sentiment. Glue the thin brown strip behind the sub sentiment as well as some scrap cardstock to make the sub sentiment three layers deep for strength and dimension. Set them both aside.

Step 11:
Press the Dark Brown Shimmer Delicata ink pad onto a piece of acetate packaging and mix with water. Splatter the panels and the sub sentiment with the dark brown splatter. Paint the large “happy” sentiment letters with some of the remaining brown-tinted water. Set it all aside to dry.

Step 12:
Press a Neptune VersaColor ink pad onto another small piece of watercolor paper. Set it asde for the ink to dry.

Step 13:
Die cut the Neptune-colored watercolor paper with a leaf die.

Step 14:
Assemble the card. If desired, add some twine and attach to the back of the card panels with washi tape and then add foam tape on the back so the card base will lay flat when attached to the kraft A2-sized card base. Then glue some brass-colored sequins near the sentiment to finish the card.

Art Supplies

Imagine
• Delicata Pigment Ink – Dark Brown Shimmer
• Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray – Sparkle VersaColor Ink – Neptune
• VersaFine Clair Ink – Sand Dune

Other
• Altenew – foam tape
• Altenew – embossing folder – Illusion Triangles Altenew – die set – Just Leaves
• Catherine Pooler – sequin mix – Bogotá Lawn Fawn – die set – Happy Happy Happy
• Lawn Fawn – stamp set – Happy Happy Happy Pink & Main – die set – Notched Corner
• A2-sized kraft card base Clear Embossing Powder Washi tape
• Watercolor paper Die cutting machine Twine
• Scissors Glue

Comparing VersaFine Clair Inks – Brown & Earthy Shades 

Posted on by

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone! It’s Jessica here. Today’s project is inspired by the Pantone color of this year – Mocha Mousse. It is such a warm, rich shade that is perfect for a coffee card! I decided to compare the different brown and earthy tones in the VersaFine Clair ink line as well. There are many options to choose from, and each is special on its own.

Step 1:
Today I will be using an acrylic stamp set from iCrafter. It is called Latte Coffee and has several sets of coffee cup images. Since the image outlines are superfine, I chose VersaFine Clair inks to stamp with to ensure crisp, clean images. I typically stamp the outline images with Nocturne (the black color of this ink line). However, when I was experimenting with the colors, I found that Fallen Leaves is a great alternative. The dark brown color adds more warmth than black and complements the other earthy tones well. I love VersaFine Clair inks and use them very regularly, but Fallen Leaves was probably the one I reach for the least. I think I will start using it to stamp outline images from now on!

Step 2:
I used Sand Dune to stamp the first latte art image. This is one of the newer VersaFine Clair colors. I am really happy that they added a lighter earth shade to this collection.

Step 3:
For the second latte art stamp, I used Pinecone. This is also a rich, dark brown color. It is just a bit lighter than Fallen Leaves.

Step 4:
I used Acorn for the bottom coffee image with the swirl. It is a great middle-tone that completes the brown color gradient.

Step 5:
Today’s card is simple and beginner-friendly with easy layered stamping. However, you could also add a little flair by embossing the front panel of the card base. Embossing folders are easy to use and add such a great wow factor to your project. The one I am using today is called Brick & Mortar. I think it reminds me of the walls of a cute coffee shop!

Step 6:
Finally, I stamped this super cute sentiment with Sand Dune, and that completes today’s coffee card!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • iCrafter – Stamps – Latte Coffee
  • Stampin’ Up! – Embossing Folder – Brick & Mortar
  • Foam Tape

How to Create This Stunning Galactic Background

Posted on by

By Tracy Fear

Hello Friends! Tracy here and today I am excited to share this really easy galactic, out of this world background technique!

In today’s video tutorial I am sharing how I use some Memento, VersaMagic, Brilliance, and VersaFine Clair inks to create this stunning card along with a paint pen, a stencil from my stash and some holographic embossing powder!

Tracy

Skill: Intermediate, Advanced
Time: 1 hour

Art Supplies

Imagine Products

Other Products Used

  • Stencil from my ancient stash, you could use any stars and swirls type of stencil
  • Canson XL Bristol Smooth-for ink blending
  • Black Card Stock
  • Purple Card Stock- Card Base
  • Dina Wakely MEdia-Vintage Moon Faces
  • Trinity Stamps Blending Buddies
  • Picket Fence Studios Pouncers
  • Mini Misti
  • Heat Tool
  • POSCA Acrylic Paint Pen
  • Brutus Monroe – Fairy Dust Embossing Powder

ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS THAT CAN BE USED TO RECREATE SOMETHING SIMILAR

  • Any Pigment Inks
  • Any Shimmery Inks
  • Any Dye-based Inks

To learn how to make this stunning background click here!

INSERT VIDEO LINK

Create an Easter Card using VersaFine Clair Ink Pads

Posted on by

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Medium
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone! It’s Jessica here. Today I want to share an Easter card with a soft and romantic color palette. This color scheme turned out so well, and I think it would be perfect for a birthday or Valentine’s card! If you are interested in the colors I used, just keep reading!

Step 1:
Die cut the largest two shapes from Spellbinder’s Nestabilities Floral Oval die set. For the largest oval, I used Stampin’ Up!’s Bubble Bath cardstock. For the second largest oval, I used vellum.

Step 2:
For some added dimension, ink blend VersaFine Clair Baby Pink ink around the edges of the largest die cut. I recently bought the photopolymer sticky mat from Altenew and it’s a great tool for ink blending. It grips the die cut (or stencil) firmly so you don’t have to worry about anything shifting during ink blending.

Step 3:
Stamp the focal image with VersaFine Clair Baby Pink ink. This is an old wooden stamp from K-Kingdom that I got back in the days before I discovered photopolymer stamps. The dainty floral frame with the lacey details is what inspired the theme for this card. The VersaFine Clair ink is also great for showcasing the fine, wood-grain details on the rabbit.

The stamped image looks a bit dark when freshly stamped. It will turn into a softer, pastel pink that you see in the cover photo.

Step 4:
I decided to add some shadows behind the vellum die cut layer with VersaFine Clair Hawthorn Rose. Baby Pink and Hawthorn Rose compliment each other so well. I think they might be my favorite new color combo!

Step 5:
Apply a generous coat of Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray onto the ink blended die cut. I wish the camera could capture the shimmery effects of this spray; it is mesmerizing and the sparkle never dulls!

Step 6:
For the card base, I chose Stampin’ Up!’s Fresh Freesia cardstock and embossed it with Distressed Tile embossing folder. It adds the perfect touch to this shabby-chic look.

Step 7:
Finally, stamp the sentiment with VersaFine Clair Hawthorn Rose ink and fussy cut the sentiment. I fussy cut the rabbit image as well since there were no coordinating dies for wooden stamps.

Step 8:
After some quick assembling with Tear-It Tape and foam tape, the card is completed! I love how this card turned out, and I hope you enjoyed it, too. Thanks for stopping by!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Spellbinders – Dies – Nestabilities Floral Oval
  • Stampin’ Up! – Cardstock – Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Whisper White
  • Stampin’ Up! – Embossing Folder – Distressed Tile
  • K-Kingdom – Wooden Stamp – Woodgrain Rabbit
  • Stampin’ Up! – Sentiment Stamp – Fable Friends
  • Foam Tape

Batik Cards Using is Heat-Embossing Resist Technique

Posted on by

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

Create a Charming Valentines Card

Posted on by

By Ceil Pritchett

Hello Everyone, it’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing how to create a background using our Fireworks spray using a Gel Press plate.

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Time: 45 minutes to an hour

Directions:
Gather your supplies. You will need some Fireworks! sprays, some shimmer spray (I used gold), a stencil, a Gel Press plate, a rubber brayer, some copy paper or cardstock (I used copy paper) A word die or any other die ad some VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink.

Step 1:
Spray Fireworks! spray directly on the Gel Press plate.

Step 2:
Lay stencil over the Gel Press plate and roll the brayer over it to distribute and then spray again with Fireworks! spray.

Step 3:
Lay the copy paper (I used Hammermil 60lb) on top and rub your hand over the entire piece several times until you see the medium come through the paper.

Step 4:
Die cut several pieces of the word die. I cut three out of whit and one out of gold to tie in with the gold shimmer on the background. I glued the altogether offsetting the gold one on the bottom.

Step 5:
Glue the background on a card base and add the word die to the front. Stamp the coordinating message directly on the background.

Supplies:

Imagine Products:

• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Rose Bud and Dandelion
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz – Gold
• VersaFine Clair Nocturne

Other Supplies:

• Classic Crest Solar White card base -Neenah
• Gold Foil cardstock – Simon Says Stamp
• Gel plate – Gel Press
• Heart Stencil – A Colorful Life Designs
• Love die – Hero Arts
• Stamped sentiment – hero Arts