Category Archives: PROJECTS

Easy Stamped Backgrounds with Small Valentine’s Stamps

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By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica here. Have you tried using small stamps to create a card background? Today I am sharing this technique I discovered using the We R Precision Press stamping tool. It takes stamping these small images to the next level, and you can get really creative results!

Step 1:
I decided to create a stamped background for this year’s Valentine’s card. These adorable love bird images are from Mama Elephant’s Oh Happy Birds set. I placed 4 little birds onto the We R Stamping Pattern Block plate and made sure the images are within the 1’’ grid lines. This made pattern stamping the background so easy; simply use the pegs on the We R Precision Press to stamp on the 1’’, 3’’, 5’’ marks. Then rotate your 5’’ cardstock and stamped on the 2’’ and 4’’ marks using the opposite orientation of the stamps. The VersaFine Clair inks are my go-to for stamping fine line images like these. The lines are so clear and crisp, I’m totally in love with the result!

Step 2:
Die cut a piece of red cardstock with Cross Stitched Hearts dies. Then stamp the sentiment with VersaMark ink pad and emboss with white embossing powder. The cross stitched details on the die really adds a fine touch to this simple project.

Step 3:
Finally, adhere rhinestones with On Point Glue and this quick and simple Valentine’s card is complete!

I hope you enjoyed today’s quick tutorial. I have a lot of small critter stamp sets and I can’t wait to create more stamped backgrounds like this. It’s super easy and fun; I hope you’ll give it a try, too!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Mama Elephant – Stamps – Oh Happy Birds
  • We R – Tool – Precision Press and Stamping Pattern Block
  • White and red cardstock

To Meow With Love – A Valentine’s Day Card

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By Kathi Rerek

As a certified crazy cat lady, I had to make another another cat-themed Valentine’s Day Card! This one uses Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink with a shimmery Delicata die-cuts and a stenciled heart. It was quick, easy, and fun to create.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes

Instructions:

Step 1:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to a 4” x 5.25” piece of white cardstock. Heat set.

Step 2:
Use low-tack tape to secure the inked image panel to the back of the Pawsome Heart Stencil. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Ruby Red Delicata Ink over the stencil onto the image panel. When done, remove the stencil and heat set the stenciled heart.

Use a Sponge Dauber and Black Shimmer Delicata Ink to edge the image panel. Sorry that there’s no photo.

Step 3:
Use two of the cat dies from the Mischievous Thinlits Die Set to cut white cardstock. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Black Shimmer Delicata Ink to both sides of each cat die-cut. Heat set.

Step 4:
Use the Little Mice Die to cut white cardstock. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink to the mouse. Heat set. Use a black pen to add an eye to the mouse and a Pink Uni-Posca Paint Pen to color its nose.

Step 5:
Use On Point Glue to add tiny gemstone eyes to the cats.

Step 6:
Use On-Point Glue to adhere the mouse to the outstretched paw of one of the cats. Use On Point Glue to adhere both cats to the image panel as shown.

Step 7:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Ruby Red Delicata Ink to the outside .5” of a white A2 card. Heat set. Repeat application of the Ruby Red Delicata Ink to deepen the color and shimmer. Heat set.

Step 8:
Use Tear It! Tape to mat the image panel with the Ruby Red Delicata inked card.

Step 9:
Use the “Meow” die to cut white cardstock. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Black Shimmer Delicata Ink to both sides of the die-cut. Heat set.

Use On-Point Glue to adhere the “Meow” die-cut to the card.

Adhere the “to”, “with”, and “love” Chit Chat Verbiage Stickers to finish the card.

Finished Card

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Pawsome Heart Stencil by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Mischievous Thinlits by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Little Mice Die by Gina Marie Designs
  • “Meow” Die: Source Unknown
  • Chit Chat Tim Holtz Idea-ology Stickers by Advantus
  • Repositionable Scotch Tape by 3M
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Magnetic Glass Craft Mat by Glassboard Studio
  • Big Shot by Sizzix

 Create a Dog Pun Valentine’s Card 

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By Jessica Lin

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone, it’s Jessica here. Today I have a special Valentine’s card to share with you. If you are a dog person, the background stamp we are using today is for you. It’s really unique and you could highlight any of the dogs to create personalized cards for the recipient.

Step 1:
Ink up Stampin’ Up!’s Doggone Friendly background stamp with Sand Dune VersaFine Clair ink, then stamp on a piece of watercolor cardstock. I recently got a photopolymer sticky mat from Altenew and have enjoyed using it so far. It ensures the cardstock stays in place when you are stamping, which is a handy feature when you are stamping large images like background stamps.

Step 2:
I wanted to highlight the Shiba Inu in the middle by creating a spotlight effect around him. I laid down the Spotlight Heart stencil in the center and ink blended the edges lightly with Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink. Memento inks are perfect for ink blending and since they are dye inks, the blended areas will not cover up the background stamp details.

Step 3:
This step is completely optional, but I decided to add some simple watercoloring. I chose Potter’s Clay for his face and used Rhubarb Stalk to color his tongue. For his scarf, I used Bamboo Leaves (not pictured here).

Step 4:
Lastly, I stamped a “punny” sentiment using Bamboo Leaves Memento ink. I have used the Labeler Alphabet stamp set many times before to create custom sentiments. I thought this phrase compliments the blended heart shape nicely. Finally, I added some green enamel dots to decorate and the card is completed!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Stampin’ Up! – Stamp – Doggone Friendly
  • Waffle Flower – Stencil – Spotlight Heart
  • Stampin’ Up! – Stamp – Labeler Alphabet
  • Waterbrush
  • Blending brushes
  • Neenah – Cardstock – Desert Storm
  • Watercolor cardstock

Love-Themed Art Journaling Page

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By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends! Can you feel the love fill the air? With love in our hearts and minds today, we are going to have fun creating this Love Wins art journaling page together.
Let’s get crafting!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 45-60 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
Cut out the Canson watercolor leftover or strips into squares and rectangles.
Add the pieces to the journal page with On Point Glue. Let them dry well for a few minutes.
This will create the tile background to give extra texture to the journal page.
(Optional: you can skip this if you want to have smoother background to your page)

Step 2
Add some of the texture paste around the corners and edges of the journal page using a stencil and palette knife.
Remove the stencil and wash it right away with warm water.
Let the texture paste to dry. You can use a craft heater to speed up the drying time, but be very careful to not heat it up too much, move around your craft heat all over the page. Let the page cool down.

Step 3
This is a fun step!
Start spraying your page with the Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray, one color at the time. You do not need to wait for each color to dry to spray the next one. It is fun to watch how each color blends together.
Use a craft heater to dry the background.
Optional: you can repeat spraying until you get the color blending you like to have.

Step 4
Add some of the Wedding Dress Memento Luxe ink to the page using your finger on the texture paste heart on the background. This will bring out the hearts and muted the bright colors a little bit.
Dry the background with a craft heat gun.

Step 5
Building up the background texture on the journal page by randomly stamping each texture stamp one by one using the Memento Luxe ink pads (Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Espresso Truffle) and VersaFine Clair Charming Pink ink pad.
Dry the ink after stamping each image on the journal page.

Step 6
Using sponge dauber, add some of the Memento Luxe Rick Cocoa ink around the corner of the page to create the shadow border.
Dry the ink with a craft heat gun.

Step 7
On a piece of white cardstock, stamp the letters for the title or sentiment using VersaFine Clair Charming Pink inkpad. Dry the stamped letters with a craft heat gun.
Cut out each letter with scissors.
Add some of the VersaFine Clair Charming Pink ink around the edges of the letters using a sponge dauber to give some shadows effect to the letters.

Step 8
Add each letter to the journal page with On Point Glue.

Step 9
This is an optional step.
I decided to muted down the Rick Cocoa border by adding some of the Memento Luxe Wedding Dress ink with a blending brush.

Step 10
Add some shimmer sparkle to the page by spraying some of the Sheer Shimmer Sparkle Spritzer.
Dry the whole page once more time with a craft heat gun.
It’s done.

Let unconditional love fill each of your hearts every day so we can show love to others. At the end… Love wins!
Thank you for stopping by our blog today. Have a wonderful day.

Craft Supplies

Imagine Crafts:

Others:

  • Texture Tiles 1 stamp set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Grunge Elements 3 stamp set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Mini Marks 1 stamp set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Shake It Off Caps Alpha stamp set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Hearts Galore stencil (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Canson Watercolor Cardstock (leftover or paper strips)
  • White cardstock
  • White Gesso
  • Texture Paste
  • Flat brush
  • Tweezers
  • Blending brush
  • Stamping Blocks
  • Micro-tip scissors
  • Craft heat gun
  • Paper trimmer
  • Die cutting Machine

Let’s Make a Happy New Year’s Card

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By Ceil Pritchett

Hello crafty friends!
It’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing a New Year’s card with yo.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 45 mins

Directions: Gather your supplies. You will need an embossing folder, two different colors of dark ink, metallic ink, shimmer spray, number dies, and glitter paper.

Step 1:
Blend the two dark inks together on a panel cut to 4x 5.25 to give the appearance of a night sky.

Step 2:
Run the blended panel through the die cutting machine with a 3D embossing folder.

Step 3:
Rub a metallic ink pad over the raised areas of the panel.

Step 4:
Spray a shimmer spray over the panel to give it more sparkle.

Step 5:
Cut the number 2 and 5 out of glitter paper.

Step 6:
Add number to the panel and adhere the panel to the card base. Stamp the sentiment on panel.

Supplies:

Imagine products:

VersaFine Clair – Medieval Blue, Twilight
Delicata – Silvery Shimmer
Sheer Shimmer Spritz – Silver
On Point Glue

Other products:

Fireworks embossing folder – Altenew
Fancy Die Number 2 – Hero Arts
Fancy Die Number 5 – Hero Arts
Happy New Year Stamp – Taylored Expressions
Glitter paper – Altenew

Upcycle Chocolate Bar Packaging into a Money Holder

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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