Category Archives: Techniques

Add This “Gnome Is Where The Heart Is” to Your Journal

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by Elina Stromberg

Add This Gnome Is Where The Heart Is to Your Art Journal

When I first saw the cute gnome stamp set by Joy Clair, I immediately knew what I wanted to create with it–a collage with bright colors! The ‘Gnome Is Where the Heart Is’ stamp set was just perfect to be used in my new Moleskine journal. 
The art journal spread was fun to make, and now I’m creating a set of gnome cards and ATC’s with a similar layout and look. I’m pretty sure they will turn out nicely, too! Enjoy!

Skill: Beginner/Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions

Memento in Bamboo Leaves with an InkBlusher.
Step 1

Take a piece of green cardstock and apply Memento in Bamboo Leaves with an InkBlusher.


Step 2

Ink the top of the page background with Memento ink in Danube Blue. Whitewash gently with white acrylic paint. Let dry. 
Stamp the sentiment text on the upper left corner of the page with StazOn inks, they work well on acrylic paints. Create a background hill scenery from leftover cardstock pieces using both solid colors and patterned papers. Glue the free-cut paper slips on the page. 
Cut oval shaped trees from inked green cardstock. Ink edges, and glue on the page.


Step 3

Stamp images using Memento in Tuxedo Black and color with alcohol markers. Fuzzy cut, and glue on the page.


Step 4

Continue to add details as you see fit! Since this is your art journal and you make up the rules, then continue decorating as you desire.

Supplies

Imagine
Other

Creating Beautiful Skies with VersaMagic Chalk Ink

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by Melissa Andrew

In this cardmaking project, I use VersaMagic Chalk Ink and ink daubers to create a beautiful blended sky. This technique can be used for various background blending techniques as the VersaMagic Chalk Ink blends. The kitty cat images and “Thanks for being there!” sentiment is from the Best Buds stamp set from Joy Clair Stamps which as several additional cute animals such as bunnies and turtles.

Directions

 

Supplies

Imagine
Other

 

See How to Create a Family Tree Wall Hanging

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by Iris Rodriguez

See How to Create a Family Tree Wall Hanging using Tsukineko All-Purpose Ink and VersaFine Clair

This month we have the pleasure of working with Joy Clair stamps. Today, I am using the Love Tree stamp set which made me think of the strong bond that exists amongst family. I created a wall hanging as an ode to family and the love that binds us and keeps us together. For this project, I stamped the sentiment “Love Blossoms Here” onto watercolor paper, personalized it with alphabet stamps, added wire hanging and added a book paper backing to represent the family stories that get created along the way and then passed on. Keep reading to see how I created this lovely home decor piece.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions


Step 1

Spray the watercolor paper with water. Then brush on the Tropical Lagoon All-Purpose ink. Dry the paper. This will become the background.


Step 2

Stamp the tree and sentiment with Acorn Versafine Clair ink. Add Imagine’s Embossing Powder in Clear and heat set. Then continue to stamp the rest of elements.


Step 3

Color in the tree with the Chocolate All-Purpose ink and water. Dry the paper.


Step 4

Measure a piece of discarded cardboard to fit behind your main tree image.


Step 5

Adhere the book paper onto the cardboard with Matte Medium. Add the Matte Medium on the cardboard, on the book paper. Burnish with your fingers or brayer to ensure bubbles do not develop under the book paper. Brush on Matte Medium over the paper. Then adhere to the back of the wall hanging. This also helps give weight to the watercolor paper, which keeps the paper straight.


Step 6

Paint the dowels with Terra Cotta Walnut ink with a brush and water. Dry the dowels with the heating tool.


Step 7

Punch holes on the top and the bottom of wall hanging using the hole punch.


Step 8

Add the eyelets with the eyelet setter. Wrap wire in the hole and around the dowel several times. Ensure to leave a loop in the center to hang on the wall.

And, this is it! A new art piece for your home or a great gift for a family member or friend. I hope you give it a try.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Joy Clair Stamps – The Love Tree set
  • Eyelets
  • Eyelet Setter
  • 20 gauge Steel Wire
  • Wooden Dowel
  • Watercolor paper
  • Cardboard
  • Book Paper
  • Matte Medium or Mod Podge
  • 1/16 hole punch

How to Blend Different Stamps in the Same Mermaid Card Project

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by Jennifer Vanderbeek

How to Blend Different Stamps in the Same Mermaid Card Project with VersaFine Clair

This Fintastic Mermaid card is one of those examples of how a color and a single image can inspire a whole project. This month’s color challenge is Sea Breeze, so I immediately reached for VersaFine Clair in Warm Breeze—a favorite from the first time I stamped it. That plus the Lovely Swirl background (which, when turned on its side, reminds me of waves) gave me a clear direction for this delightful little mermaid card.

One of my favorite parts of the process was mixing various stamps from different manufacturers but tying them together seamlessly by keeping the same non-traditional outline color throughout. Try it next time and see how it works for you!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Cardstock – White, Blue
  • Joy Clair Stamps – Lovely Swirl Background Stamp
  • Santoro – No 31 Awashed Stamp
  • Waffle Flower – Little Mermaids Stamp Set
  • Darice – Heat Tool
  • Water Brush
  • Acrylic Blocks
  • Tweezers
  • American Crafts – Paper Trimmer
  • Fiskars – Scissors
  • Craft Knife
  • Helmar – Liquid Scrap Dots, Zap Dots

See How to Make a Glass Pebble Votive with StazOn Studio Glaze

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by Roni Johnson

See How to Make a Glass Pebble Votive with StazOn Studio Glaze

When I saw the Color of the Month for June was Seabreeze, my first thought was beach glass being tossed around deposited on land by the endless waves. Sadly I live in a landlocked state so I don’t have the opportunity to find or collect on the beach myself so I decided to improvise. Flattened glass marbles are easily found at many retailers so they were an easy choice to create this faux beach glass votive holder.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes + dry time

Directions


Step 1

Gather about 50 or so flattened glass marbles, and StazOn Studio Glaze in Blue Hawaii and Emerald City.


Step 2

Dispense a dot of Studio Glaze onto one of the marbles and spread the medium over the top and sides of the marble with a paintbrush or your fingertip. Vary the application of the medium so there are areas with thinner and thicker coats which will produce a number of color variations.


Step 3

Repeat until you have roughly one-third of the marbles covered with Blue Hawaii. Let these marbles dry naturally.


Step 4

Apply Emerald City Studio Glaze to approximately one-third of the marbles as in steps 2 and 3. Leave the remaining third of the flattened marbles uncolored.


Step 5

While the flattened marbles are drying, cover a mason jar lid with Rinea Silver Starstruck foiled paper.


Step 6

Adhere a piece of cork to the bottom of the lid. This will become the base for the candle holder.


Step 7

Place a votive candle in the center of the lid base to use as a guide for placement of the flattened marbles.


Step 8

Use a hot glue gun to adhere the marbles to the base.


Step 9

Continue to build layers of flattened marbles until the walls reach their desired height. There are 6 layers of 8 marbles used in this example. Adhere decorative jute ribbon around the edge of the base of the votive holder. Enjoy!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Flattened Marbles
  • Mason Jar Lid
  • Rinea – Silver/Silver Starstruck Foiled Paper
  • Cork
  • May Arts – Jute Ribbon
  • Battery Operated Votive Candle
  • Hot Glue Gun

You Got This! Love, Coffee

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by Kyriakos Pachadiroglou

You Got This! Love, Coffee Cards

Having the Joy Clair’s Coffee Love stamp set, I couldn’t resist from making something for the love for coffee. I decided to create handmade pockets that hold the gift cards with a natural kraft paper look that you often see as the color of coffee bags or elements in coffee shops. This is a perfect card design for the coffee lover in your life.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions


Step 1

Stamp the coffee cup image with VersaFine Clair in Rain Forest, cover with Imagine’s Embossing Powder in Clear and heat set.


Step 2

Lightly color the stamped image with VersaColor in Pinecone and Black ink pads using a BrushStix and stamp a coffee bean with the VersaFine Clair Pinecone ink pad.


Step 3

Cut along the stamped coffee cup.


Step 4

Stamp coffee mug using the VersaFine Clair Tulip red instead, shade with VersaColor and fussy cut the shape.


Step 5

On a piece of kraft cardstock 3 ½ x 8 inch, scored in half long side, stamp the circle design with VersaMark, cover with Imagine’s Embossing Powder in White and heat set.


Step 6

Mark ½ in from both short sides, cut straight from one to about 1-inch from the scored point and follow the stamped design removing the kraft paper.


Step 7

Turn the kraft card around and place Tear It! Tape on the sides. Fold and glue. The pocket is ready. Repeat with the second one.


Step 8

Distress edges of the kraft paper pockets with VersaColor White.


Step 9

Stamp sentiments from Joy Clair Coffee Love stamp set on white and kraft card stocks with VersaFine Clair in Nocturne.


Step 10

Cut curvy shapes along the white paper. Cut straight the kraft paper and distress with VersaColor White.


Step 11

Glue the coffee mug and cup. Then glue the kraft stamped “Enjoy”sentiment and end with the white cardstock “You Got This” sentiment.


Step 12

Add coffee beans by stamping with the VersaFine Clair in Pinecone.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Joy Clair – Coffee Love stamp set, Hugs and Smiles stamp set
  • Cardstock – white, kraft
  • Heat tool
  • Scissors
  • Craft knife