Category Archives: UNCATEGORIZED

Best Black Ink for Alcohol Marker Coloring

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By Jessica Lin

When it comes to coloring with alcohol markers, the ink you use to stamp your images becomes very important. Choosing the right ink will ensure that the image lines stay sharp without bleeding into each other. My personal choice is the Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad. A light beige color like Desert Sand could be a great choice as well for no-line coloring.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Step 1:
Stamp some floral and leaves images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I love the Happiness Abounds set from Stampin’ Up; the roses are so elegant and the perfect sizes to create a floral wreath. Then color the images with your choice of alcohol markers. I used Stampin Blends in Pale Papaya, Soft Seafoam, and Old Olive.

Step 2:
Die cut the colored images with Blossoming Happiness dies and arrange them in a circle. Then adhere them to the card base. I used Tear-It Tape to adhere the leaves in the background, and used Stampin’ Dimensionals to create layers and depth for the flowers. 

Step 3:
For the sentiment, I chose a simple circle to tie in this elegant design. The fonts for these stamps are just so pretty! I always grab VersaFine Clair Nocturne to stamp my sentiments; the lines are so crisp and dark, and they’ll never look splotchy! Don’t use them with alcohol markers though, the pigment ink will react with alcohol inks.

Coloring takes time, but it’s such a relaxing experience… I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I do.

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

https://www.stampinup.com/products/mini-stampin-cut-emboss-machine?demoid=2164794

https://www.stampinup.com/products/soft-sea-foam-stampin-blends-combo-pack?demoid=2164794

https://www.stampinup.com/products/iridescent-pearl-basic-jewels?demoid=2164794

  • Foam Tape

Grunge Flowers Spring Card

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By Kathi Rerek

Let’s experiment with Imagine’s fabulous Walnut Ink Sprays!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Step 1:
Using a stamping platform, ink the Grunge Flower stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good. Impression. Stamp a second time onto repositionable sticker paper. Fussy-cut the sticker paper version to be used as a mask later.

Steps 2A and 2B :
Spray Cherry Blossom Walnut Ink into a small container (2A). Add water into a second container. Use a paint brush to watercolor the flowers’ petals, varying the intensity of the color by diluting the ink with water (2B). When done, wash and dry the containers.

Steps 3A and 3B:
Spray Lilac Walnut Ink and water into small containers (3A). Use a paint brush to watercolor the flowers centers, varying the intensity of the color by diluting the ink with water (3B). When done, wash and dry the containers

Steps 4A and 4B:
Spray Cherry Blossom and Lilac Walnut Inks into separate containers. Spray a small amount of Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray into both containers and into a third container (4A).  Use paint brushes to paint the circular elements of the stamped image with sparkly Walnut inks (4B).

Steps 5A and 5B:
Adhere the repositionable sticker masks from Step 1 atop the stamped and painted images. Smoosh Gold Sheer Shimmer Stix onto the craft mat (5A). Use a brush to apply over the masked images. Also use the applicator top to apply the shimmery gold ink directly to the image panel. Wipe the excess away with a paper towel (5B).

Steps 6A and 6B:
Repeat Steps 4A and 4B to add more shimmery walnut ink to the containers (6A). Load a paint brush with the ink then tap the paint brush to splatter the image panel (6B). Repeat with the second color. I wanted more splatter, so I loaded a clean toothbrush with ink and splattered the panel even more. (No photo). Remove the masks and heat set the panel.

Step 7:
Use the smaller die from the Frayed Frames Die Set 26 to cut the image panel. Use the larger die from the same set to cut black cardstock. Use Tear-It! Tape to mat the image panel die-cut with the black die-cut. (Sorry! No photo).

Step 8:
Place the matted image panel into a stamping platform. Position the “Flower” Sentiment from the Grunge Flowers Stamp Set 2 facedown on the bottom right of the image panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp and lift. Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression.

Step 9:
Remove the impute panel from the platform and place onto paper. Sprinkle Clear MBoss powder onto the stamped sentiment. Dump the excess back into the container. Heat set the sentiment.

Step 10:
Create an A2 card from purple cardstock. Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the card.

Craft Supplies

Imagine:

Other:

  • Watercolor Paper by Canson
  • Raven and Purple Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Crafty Grunge Flowers Stamp Set 2 by Melina Dahl for That’s Crafty
  • Frayed Frames Die Set 26 by AALL and Create
  • Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
  • Curved Craft Scissors by Fiskar’s
  • Heat Gun
  • Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia
  • Big Shot by Sizzix

Creative Ways To Use Inks With Dies

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By Alison Heikkila

Hello! This is Alison Heikkila. My second video for Imagine this month once again focus on dies and how to use them creatively with inks. We’re making a pretty floral encouragement card, and I hope it gives you some ideas on how to use your dies and inks together.

*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.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 20-30 minutes

Craft Supplies:


Imagine:
VersaFine Clair: Shady Lane
VersaFine Clair: Morning Mist
VersaMark Ink
Mboss: Violet
Memento Ink: Grape Jelly
Fireworks! Spray: Bamboo Leaves
Tear It! Tape
On Point Glue

Other:
Spellbinders & Simon Hurley: Everyday Foliage
Spellbinders & Simon Hurley: Handwritten Sentiments
Vellum
White Cardstock

I hope this inspires you to make stamps out of your dies. And don’t forget to try double-dipping into embossing powder! The effect is so pretty. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Make a Happy Spring Card

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By Ceil Pritchett

Hello crafty friends, today I am sharing a spring card using a couple of blending techniques, one with Fabrico markers and one with the VersaMagic Dew Drops.
I was so happy for spring to finally arrive. I live in the mountains and even though it is officially spring, sometimes we still get snow in April.

Skill: Intermediate to Advanced
Time: 45 minutes to an hour

Directions:

Step 1
Place a piece of white cardstock in the corner of a stamping platform and use Nocturne VersaFine Clair to add ink to the stamp.

Step 2
Stamp the image on a post-it note or masking paper using Nocturne VersaFine Claire ink, then fussy cut out the image.

Step 3
Color the image using Fabrico markers. You can blend the colors using a piece of acetate as shown in the picture. The green marker I used is Emerald. I created a lighter green by scribbling some green on the piece of acetate and then picked it up with the yellow marker, creating a yellow green color. I also created a lighter orange by scribbling orange on the piece of acetate and then picking it up with the yellow marker. This doesn’t in any way contaminate your markers, all you do after you finish blending is scribble on a regular piece of paper until you get the true color back.

Step 4
Using the mask you created earlier, cover the daffodil image that you colored and then add the stencil over it. You will also need to mask off the top portion of your panel as well to keep it clean while you ink blend over the stencil.  I used three different colors of VersaMagic Dew drops to give the bricks a more realistic look. They are listed below. I love how well the VersaMagic chalk inks blend together.

Step 5
Remove the stencil and mask from the panel and cut it down to 3.78 xX 4.78

Step 6
Insert a piece of black cardstock into the corner of a stamping platform and use an anti-static tool to prep surface. Stamp the sentiment using VersaMark ink and heat emboss it with MBoss White Embossing Powder, then cut it out with the coordinating die.

Stamp the sentiment “happy” directly on the card front and add the embossed sentiment below it.

Step 7
Assemble your card by adhering the front panel to a black panel cut to 3.75 X 5 using On Point Glue and then adhering it to a card base cut to 4.25 X 11, scored at 5.5

I hop you will give these techniques a try. Thank you for stopping by our blog today. Until the next time, stay crafty!

Supply List

Imagine Crafts:
VersaFine Clair – Nocturne
Fabrico Dual Marker -#112 Tangerine
Fabrico Dual Marker – #111 Lemon Yellow
Fabrico Dual Marker – #121 Emerald
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Red Magic
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Perfect Plumeria
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Jumbo Java
VersaMark Watermark Ink
MBoss White Embossing Powder
Sponge Daubers
On Point Glue

Other Products:
Daffodil Stamp Set + Dies – The Rabbit Hole Designs
Back Ally Stencil – The Rabbit Hole Designs
Teal Mini MISTI
Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock
Neenah Classic Solar White 120lb Cardstock – card base
Neenah Classic Solar White 80lb – Cardstock panel

Make A Fun Happy Bird-Day Card

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By Kathi Rerek

Let’s make a cheerfully bright and fun birthday card with a stamp, two stencils, and lots of ink!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hour

Step 1:
Use magnets to secure a  piece of white Bristol paper to the base of a stamping platform.

Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink to stamp the bird stamp from the “I’m Fine”  image twice — once onto the image panel and once onto repositionable sticker paper. Heat set the stamped image panel.

Step 2:
Fussy-cut the sticker paper version and place it onto the image panel as a mask.

Step 3:
Use low-tack tape to secure the Sunshine Small Stencil onto the stencil so that the “sun” is over the bird’s face. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Love Letters Memento ink over the mask and masked image onto the image panel (3A).

Use a separate Sponge Dauber for each color to apply Tangelo, Dandelion, Bamboo Leaves, Bahama Blue, Danube Blue, Lilac Posies, and Grape Jelly Memento inks in rainbow order (ROYGBIV) counter-clockwise over the stencil onto the image panel (3B). Not all stenciling is shown. Remove stencil.

Step 4:
Use low-tack tape to secure the Confetti Stencil over the image panel. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Silvery Shimmer Delicata ink over the stencil and masked image onto the top left and bottom right of the image panel (3A).

Use a separate Sponge Dauber to apply Golden Glitz Delicata ink over the stencil and masked image onto the top right and bottom left of the image panel (3B).

Remove the stencil and heat set the image panel. Set aside.

Step 5:
Secure a piece of black cardstock to the base of a stamping platform. Place the “You’re the best” sentiment from the Whatcha Saying? Clear Stamp Set, the “Happy Birthday”, “Celebrate”, and “Happy Birthday” sentiments from the Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Sets facedown on the black cardstock.

Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamps, lift the platform, ink the stamps with the VersaMark Dazzle ink, and stamp. Remove the black panel from the stamping platform.

Step 6:
Sprinkle White MBoss Powder onto the stamped sentiments, slide the the excess powder back into the bag, and heat set the sentiment.

Step 7:
Use cutting dies to die-cut the sentiments. Trim the left side of the “celebrate” flag and the right side of the “happy birthday” flag. Use Silvery Shimmer Delicata ink to edge the trimmed sides. Heat set the ink. Put the sentiment die-cuts aside.

Step 8:
Use watercolor markers to color the bird’s eyes and beak. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to the eyes and beak. (No photo, sorry!)

Step 9:
Trim the image panel to 3.75” x 5”. Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the top left and bottom right with Silvery Shimmer Delicata ink (9A).

Use a separate Sponge Dauber to edge the top right and bottom left with Golden Glitz Delicata ink (9B).

Step 10:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the image panel to a black panel cut to 4” x 5.25” and to adhere the matted image panel to a white A2 card.

Use Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the sentiments to finish the card.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Bristol Paper by Strathmore
  • Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Avalanche Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • I’m Fine Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle
  • Whatcha Saying? Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle
  • Sunshine Small Stencil by Darkroom Door
  • Confetti Stencil by Newton’s Nook Designs
  • Sentiment Banner Die Set – Honey Bee Designs
  • Whatcha Saying? Die Set by Heffy Doodle
  • Emerald, Leaf Green, Light Green, Yellow, Brilliant Yellow, and Butterscotch Le Plume II Markers by Marvy/Uchida
  • Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
  • Curved Craft Scissors by Fiskar’s
  • Low-tack Tape
  • Stamping Platform by Tonic Studios
  • Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Create Elegant Winter Snowflakes Cards

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By Ceal Pritchett

Hello crafty friends!

It’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing my first post as an Imagine Artist In Residence.  I am so excited to be a part of the Imagine team. I love all things snow related and with the groundhog not seeing his shadow and predicting an early spring, I had to make a couple more winter cards.

Here are the supplies I used:

Skill: Intermediate to Advanced.
Time: 45 mins

Directions:

Step 1
Stamp the snowflake with VersaMark ink onto a piece of white cardstock cut to 4.25″ x 5.5″ .
Emboss the snowflake with MBoss Sparkle embossing powder.

Step 2
Using a Sponge Dauber, Ink blend over it with Brilliance Pearlescent Purple Ink

Step 3
With a die cutting machine, run the snowflake cover plate through.

Step 4
Cut a piece of amethyst cardstock to 4.25” x 5.5” to back the snowflake cover plate.

Step 5
To make the snowflake more dimensional place foam adhesive dots in between the two snowflakes
Tip: Apply a little On Point glue to each foam dot to allow you to move it as needed.

Step 6
Stamp and die cut the sentiment and add it to the card front.

Step 7
Using On Point Glue, layer and glue all the pieces together.

I made a second card using Mboss Hologram and silver foil paper with the same design.

Crafting Supplies

Imagine :
VersaMark Ink Embossing
VersaFine Clair  – Nocturne
Mboss –  Sparkle, Hologram
Brilliance  – Pearlescent Purple ink
On Point Glue
Sponge Daubers
Craft Mat

Other Supplies:
Misti 2.0
Neenah 110lb Solar White cardbase
Neenah 80lb Solar White
Lessebo Amethyst Cardstock
Silver Foil Cardstock
Pinkfresh Studio: Folk Snowflake
Pinkfresh Studio: Folk Snowflake Coordinating Cuts
Pinkfresh Studio: Snowflakes Coverplate die