Upcycle Chocolate Bar Packaging into a Money Holder

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica here. Christmas is right around the corner. Did you start preparing presents and gifts for the holidays? I recently received several Iceland chocolates and their packaging is so adorable! I decided to upcycle them into money holders which is perfect for the upcoming gift-giving season. If you like this idea, just keep reading!

Step 1:
Trim the chocolate bar packaging to size. For U.S. dollar bills, I trimmed down to 6 3/8‘’ x 2 3/4‘’. This was the largest size I could get from this packaging. If your packaging is larger, 6 1/2‘’ x 2 7/8‘’ would be a great size too.

Step 2:
Cut and score a piece of white cardstock to create the envelope base. I started with a 7’’ x 7 1/2’’ piece of cardstock and scored at 3 5/16‘’ to create a 7’’ x 3 5/16‘’ envelope. This envelope also has a small flap closure but it sticks out a little bit. If you would like a larger flap that lays flatter, you could use a 7’’ x 8’’ piece of cardstock instead.

Step 3:
Apply Tear It Tape to both ends of the envelope and adhere together to form the envelope pocket.

Step 4:
I decided to decorate the backside of the envelope as well. I ink blended a 6 3/4‘’ x 3’’ piece of cardstock with Strawberry, Summertime, Cheerful, Grass Green, Bali Blue, and Lilac Bloom VersaFine Clair inks. I love the newly released ink colors. They create such a vibrant rainbow gradient!

Step 5:
For additional shimmer and shine, generously spritz a layer of Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray (Sparkle) and let dry.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and would try upcycling pretty packaging in the future. Thank you so much for stopping by, and I’ll see you next time!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Paper Trimmer
  • Color packaging or patterned paper
  • White cardstock

Quick & Easy Christmas Cards using Ornament Punches

By Jessica Lin

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica here. Quick & easy cards are so fun to make, and they are perfect for holiday mass production too! I made several versions today using some punches, and I hope you’ll enjoy this quick tutorial.

Step 1:
Use Stampin’ Up!’s Gleaming Ornaments punches with patterned paper to create the christmas ornaments. Each ornament needs two pieces; one unscored and one scored in the middle.

Step 2:
Apply On Point Glue onto the folded crease (backside of the patterned paper) and adhere to the unscored punch piece. Hold in place for 20-30 seconds while the glue dries.

Step 3:
Prepare 3 pieces of cardstock and adhere them together with Tear It Tape. The largest size measures 2 3/4‘’ x 4 1/4‘’, the medium size measures 2 5/8‘’ x 4 1/8‘’, and the small size 2 1/2‘’ x 4’’.

Step 4:
Attach a piece of gold thread to the back of the ornament with Tear It Tape, and adhere to the layered background. Attach the other end of the gold thread to the back of the green cardstock layer.

Step 5:
Adhere tiny bows to the top of the ornaments with glue dots.

Step 6:
Stamp the sentiment on black cardstock using StazOn Pigment ink. Adhere both the sentiment strip and the layered panel to the card base with Tear It Tape.

Step 7:
For the second version of the christmas card, I used the negative pieces from the punches and layered red, embossed cardstock underneath. Generously apply the Sheer Shimmer Stix in sparkle to add additional shimmer.

Step 8:
Adhered the patterned paper pieces onto the card base and stamp the sentiment using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink. For a finishing touch, splatter on gold acrylic paint with a paint brush.

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Stampin’ Up! – Punch – Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack
  • Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – A Wish for Everything
  • We R – Tool – Precision Press
  • Gold thread
  • Thin red ribbon
  • Glue Dot
  • White, green, red, black cardstock

Let’s Make a Steampunk Father’s Day Card with Metallic Brilliance Inks

By Kathi Rerek

I’m continuing my experimentation with Metallic Brilliance Inks with this Father’s Day card using two of my favorite themes – cats and Steampunk!

Skill Level: Advanced
Time: 2.5 Hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Use a brayer to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a 5” x 7” Gel Press. Place a piece of black mixed media paper onto the Gel Press. Smooth the back of the paper to transfer the in and pull a print.

Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 to enhance the coverage.

Step 3:
Clean the brayer, then use it to apply Starlite Black Brilliance ink to the Gel Press. Place the print back onto the Gel Press inked side down. Smooth the back of the paper, then pull the print. Heat set the inked paper, then clean the brayer and the Gel Press.

Step 4:
Place the inked black mixed media paper into the Foundry 3D Alterations Embossing Folder. Spritz the back of the paper with water. Close the folder and run it through a die-cut machine.

Step 5:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink to the high points of the embossed paper. Heat set.

Steps 6A and 6B:
Use Fantastix to apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (6A). VersaMagic Ink has a matte chalk finish which comes out when it’s heat embossed.

Use another Fantastix to Apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (6B). Heat set the panel and set aside.

Step 7:
Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the cat from the Steampunk Pets Clear Stamp Set onto white cardstock.

Step 8:
Fussy-cut the image and use Copic markers to color it. Use a dark marker to edge the cut image. Set aside.

Step 9:
Use the largest die from the Sprightly Sprockets Shapeabilities Die Set to cut black mixed media cardstock two times. You will end up with two cogs and two circles.

Step 10:
Sponge Lightning Black Brilliance Ink over one of the cog die-cuts and one of the circles. Heat set both.

Step 11:
Use On-Point Glue to adhere the inked cog atop the other one.

Step 12:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance ink to one of the circles from Step 9. Heat set.

Step 13:
Place the silver-inked circle into the Gears Alterations Folder and run it through a die-cut machine.

Step 14:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink to the high points of the embossed circle. Heat set.

Steps 15A and 15B:
Use Fantastix to apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (15A).

Use another Fantastix to Apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (15B).

Step 16:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere a slightly larger circle to the back of the stacked cog die-cuts.

Step 17:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a strip black mixed media paper. Sorry that there’s no photo. Use cog dies to cut the silver-inked black paper.

Step 18:
Use a C2 Copic marker to color a piece of white cardstock. Use magnets to secure the colored cardstock onto a stamping platform. Place the “Happy Father’s Day” sentiment stamp facedown on the colored cardstock. Ink the stamp with Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink and stamp. Repeat inking and stamping if necessary to attain a good impression. Remove the stamped cardstock from the stamping platform and heat set the ink.

Step 19:
Use a rectangle die to cut the sentiment. Use the matching nameplate die to cut the Lightning Black circle. Adhere the sentiment die-cut atop the nameplate die. Sorry that there’s no photo.

Step 20:
Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the embossed circle and the Steampunk Cat onto the cog die-cut. Use the tape to adhere the sentiment as shown.

Step 21:
Use On Point Glue to adhere the gears, cogs, and screws to the sentiment die-cut.

Step 22:
Cut black cardstock to 10” x 7”. Score at 5” and fold to form a 5” x 7” card. Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the front of the card.

Finished Card

Crafts Supplies:

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

  • 140 lb. Black Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Designs
  • 5” x 7” Gel Press
  • 4” Brayer by Speedball
  • Foundry 3D Alterations Foundry Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Gears Alterations Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Sprightly Sprockets Shapeabilities Die Set
  • Nuts and Bolts Craftables Punch Die by Marianne Designs
  • Mini Gears Die Set by Memory Box
  • Premier Ink Blending Tools by Hunkydory Crafts
  • Premier Ink Blending Sponges by Hunkydory Crafts
  • Steampunk Pets Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle
  • Copic Markers
  • Spray Mister
  • Curved Craft Scissors by Fiskar’s
  • Heat Gun

Misti Stamping Platform by My Swe

How to Make a Wedding Card with Embossing Powder

By Alison Heikkila

Hello! My latest video for Imagine is a wedding-themed card, though it can certainly be used for other occasions too. We’re going to use embossing powder in a few ways on this card, and they’re all fairly simple to do.

*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.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 30 minutes

Supplies:
Imagine:
VersaMark Ink
VersaFine Clair Ink in Nocturne
Copper MBoss Embossing Powder
Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Sparkle
Tear It! Tape
On Point Glue

Other:
Spellbinders: Timeless 5×7 Cardfront
Spellbinders: Tiny Dots Embossing Folder
Hero Arts: Floral Imprints
Accent Opaque White 100lb. Cardstock
White Sequins
Foam Dots

Clean and Simple Mother’s Day Card

By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends! Mother’s Day is coming up soon. Sending out a handmade card is a way to show your love to a lovely mother figure in your life. Today, I would like to share with you how to make this Mother’s Day CAS card using Imagine Crafts products and stamps.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 15-20 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
Cut a piece of watercolor paper into 6 inch x 5 inch size. This size fits on my stamping tool. Then, stamp the image on the watercolor paper with Versafine Onyx Black ink pad.

Step 2
Dab some of the Memento DewDrop Inks (Rose Bud, Bamboo Leaves, New Sprout, and Summer Sky) on the craft mat.

Add a couple drops of water from the waterbrush on the ink to turn it into watercolor paint. Pick up the ink with the waterbrush and paint the flower and vase.

Dry the painted image with a craft heat gun.

Step 3
On a piece of white cardstock, add some of the Lulu Lavender ink using the blending brush.
Build up the color from darker to lighter to create the gradient look on the background.

Step 4
Once done with adding color on the cardstock, lightly spray some of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray. And then use a small flat brush, add some extra splatter on it for more texture.

Using a craft heat gun, dry the background panel.

Step 5
Fussy cut the flower with micro-tip scissors.
Optional: you can use a die if you use a stamp set that has a matching die set.

Step 6
Stamp the sentiment on a white cardstock using the VersaFine Clair Nocturne, dry the ink with a craft heat gun, and then cut it into a sentiment banner with scissors or paper cutter.

Step 7
Add the background panel on an A2 card base using the Tear It! Tape.
Add the flower and sentiment to the card using the On Point Glue.

That’s my project for today. Hopefully, you’ll like this project and give it a try. Thanks so much for stopping by our blog today. Have a wonderful day!

Craft Supplies

Imagine Crafts:

Others:

  • Altenew – Breeze Bouquet Stamp Set
  • Canson Watercolor Paper 140lb
  • Micro-tip Scissors
  • Fiskar paper trimmer
  • Acrylic stamping blocks
  • Small Round Waterbrush
  • Flat paint brush or fan brush
  • Oval Blending Brush
  • Craft Heat Gun
  • MISTI stamping tool

Let’s Make A Happy Mother’s Day Card

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