Let’s Make A Happy Mother’s Day Card

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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

Creative Ways to Use Reinkers With Imagine

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By Alison Heikkila

Hello! I’m Alison Heikkila. Today, I’m going to show you some fun ways to use Imagine/Tsukineko’s dye-based reinkers. They can be used for so much more than just reinking your dry pads. My card is pretty graphic and bold, but by changing the colors and the stencil used, you can get a completely different look.

*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: 20-30 minutes, plus drying time

Supplies:
Imagine:
Dye Ink Refills in Pansy, Celeste Blue, Lavender, and Ultramarine
Fireworks! Spray in London Fog
VersaFine Clair in Monarch
On Point Glue

Other:
A Colorful Life Designs: Rotating Rings
Gel Press: 6×6 Plate (5×7 or 8×10 will also work)
Golden: Molding Paste
Honey Bee Stamps: Big Time Kindness Stamps
Honey Bee Stamps: Big Time Kindness Dies
A Colorful Life Designs: Card Bling in Crystal Metallic Splash
Palette Knife
Accent Opaque: 100lb. Cardstock
Bearly Arts Glue

I hope that you’ll try some of these techniques on one of your future projects. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Let’s Stretch Our Crafty Supplies!

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By Anna Escalada York

– In today’s post, I will share a way to stretch your crafty supplies like using a die to stamp and to
use ink to change the color of some patterned paper.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Use a die as a stamp by pressing a Turquoise VersaColor ink pad into the raised edges of a
background butterfly die. Then press a piece of previously die cut piece of watercolor paper into
the die and lift the panel. You will have the outlines of the butterflies stamped on your panel.

Step 2:
Run the Turquoise VersaColor ink pad across some blue paper to enhance the blue color of the
paper.

Step 3:
Rub the Canary VersaColor ink pad across some yellow patterned paper to enhance the color of
the patterned paper.

Steps 4 and 5:
Die cut the yellow and blue patterned paper with the butterfly die.
Glue some of the die cut butterfly pieces onto the stamped watercolor panel, making sure that
the butterflies don’t line up totally with the stamped butterflies.

Step 6 and 7:
Die cut another piece of blue patterned paper using another background die.
Run the Turquoise VersaColor ink pad and the Golden Glitz Delicata ink pad over the blue
patterned paper to add some more colorful interest onto the panel.

Step 8:
Using a congrats die cut to die cut three layers– a scrap piece of cardstock as well as the yellow
and blue patterned paper.

Step 9:
Spray the blue patterned paper with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray and let dry.

Step 10:
Glue all three layers of the die cut sentiment together, with the blue layer on the top, and the
yellow layer in the middle. Don’t line up the blue layer exactly on top of the yellow layer so that
you can see both. Set aside.

Step 11:
Ink blend around the edges of the stamped layer with more of the Canary VersaColor ink with
an ink dauber.
Not pictured: Spray the panel with more of the Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray. Mix some more of
the Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray with more Turquoise VersaColor ink and spatter it across the panel.

Step 12:
Press some of the remaining yellow and blue patterned paper die cut butterflies into the Golden
Glitz Delicata ink pad. Glue those butterflies into the stamped panel.

Step 13:
Glue the stamped panel onto the die cut background panel at an angle. Then Glue the
sentiment parallel to the base of the die cut background panel.

Step 14:
Glue blue, white and gold sequins onto the card panel. Glue the whole panel onto an A2-sized
white card base.

Art Supplies
Imagine
• Delicata Ink – Golden Glitz
• Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray – Sparkle
• VersaColor Ink – Canary
• VersaColor Ink – Turquoise
• Sponge Daubers

Other
• DCWV – Patterned Paper – Electric Jungle patterned paper
• Hero Arts-Die-Butterfly Confetti fancy die
• Honey Bee Stamps – Die – Congrats Honey Cuts die set
• Honey Bee Stamps – Sequins – Aztec Empire mix (retired)
• Kat Scrappiness – Die – Peacock Backdrop die
• Yellow and blue cardstock in my stash
• Scissors
• Glue

Make A Vintage Inspired Birthday Card Using Walnut Inks

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By Kathi Rerek

Let’s make a vintage inspired flower card with Walnut Ink Sprays!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hour

Step 1:
Spray Java Walnut Ink Spray onto a craft mat. Mist with water.

Step 2:
Press a 4.25” x 5” panel of watercolor paper into the Java Walnut Ink puddle. Lift and press the paper again until the panel is colored. Heat set.

Step 3:
Press lace into the remaining Java Walnut Ink puddle and let it soak it up to color the lace. Heat set.

Step 4:
Lightly mist the watercolor panel, then use a paper towel to dab spots to create a variegated background.

Step 5:
Place the panel between pieces of cardstock onto the base of a die-cut machine. Place cutting plates overtop, then crank the sandwich into the machine to help flatten the cardstock.

Step 6:
Remove the cardstock, trim to 4” x 5.25” and edge it with Pinecone VersaClair Ink. Set aside.

Steps 7A through 7D:
Spray watercolor paper with Eucalyptus Walnut Ink Spray. Mist with water. Heat Set (7A). Repeat with Cherry Blossom Spray  (7B), Lilac Walnut Ink Spray (7C), and TerraCotta Walnut Ink Spray (7D). Please note that I created lighter panels by misting with more water.

Step 8 A and B:
Use the flower cutting dies from the Into the Blooms: Clover Die set to cut the Cherry Blossom and Lilac Walnut inked panels.

Step 9:
Use the Paper Blossoms Tool Kit to shape the flower die-cuts.

Step 10:
Use On Point Glue to layer and adhere the shaped flowers. BTW, my nails are dirty because the Walnut Ink Spray stains!

Steps 11A and 11B:
Use a sponge dauber to apply Verdant VersaFine Clair Ink to a piece of watercolor card. (11A). Use a second sponge dauber to apply Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Ink overtop. Go back over the panel with Verdant VersaFine Clair Ink to blend. Heat set.

Steps 12A and 12B:
Use the stem and leaves cutting dies from the Into the Blooms: Clover Die set to cut the Eucalyptus Walnut Inked panel and the VersaFine inked panels.

Step 13:
Using a sponge dauber, apply Cheerful VersaFine Clair Ink to a watercolor panel. Heat set.

Then, use the flower center die from the Into the Blooms: Clover Die set to cut enough centers for all the flowers created in step 10. Use On Point Glue to adhere the yellow flower centers to the flowers. Sorry that I forgot to take photos.

Steps 14A and 14B:
Use Pinecone VersaFine Clair Ink to apply the TerraCotta Pot Eclectic Red Rubber Cling Stamp onto the TerraCotta Walnut Inked panel, then heat set. Afterward, fussy-cut the panel and edge it with Pinecone VersaFine Clair Ink.

Steps 15A and 15B:
Ink the “Birthday Wishes” stamp from the Mixed Messages Clear Stamp Set with Pinecone VersaFine Ink and stamp it onto the Lilac Walnut Inked panel. Next, use a tiny tag cutting die from the Thinlits Tag Collection to cut out the sentiment.

Step 16:
Use a sponge dauber to apply Pinecone VersaFine Clair Ink to the outside perimeter of a white A2 card. Heat set.

Step 17:
Staple the lace to the base of the Java Walnut Ink panel. Use On Point Glue and Tear-It! Tape to adhere the flowers, leaves, and flower pot to the front of the card as shown. No photos. Sorry!
Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the card front to the Pinecone VersaFine Clair-inked white card.

Craft Supplies:

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Watercolor Paper by Canson
  • Avalanche Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • In the Blooms: Clover Die Set by Papertrey Ink
  • -Thinlits Tag Collection Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • TerraCotta Pot Eclectic Red Rubber Cling Stamp by Darkroom Door
  • Sentiment from the Mixed Messages Clear Sentiments by PaperTrey Ink
  • Tiny Attacher Idea-ology Stapler by Tim Holtz for Advantus
  • Curved Craft Scissors by Fiskar’s
  • Stamping Platform by Tonic Studios
  • Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Make an Encouragement Card Using VersaFine Clair and BetterPress

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By Ceil Pritchett

Hello friends,
It’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing a project using our inks along with the BetterPress machine. I love how well VersaFine Clair inks work with this machine. They are so crisp! I do have the inks that are made for the BetterPress, but in my opinion, the VersaFine Clair inks work so much better.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Place a panel of letterpress cardstock on the platen (clear top plate) using the registration marks for an A2 card and tape down the corners.

Letterpress cardstock is 100% cotton cardstock with a thickness to it.

Step 2:
Place the BetterPress plate on the magnetic platform where you would like using the registration marks for an A2 card and ink up with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink.

Step 3:
Place the platen (clear top plate) on the chase (magnetic platform) using the magnets to line it up. Run it through the die cutting machine

Step 4:
Using ink refills and a brush, paint or color the image. I used Pink and yellow, and blended the two together to achieve an orange.  I didn’t have a green ink refill so I smushed the VersaFine Clair Verdant ink pad on my palette and picked it up with my brush.

Step 5:
Cut down the front panel to 4 X 5.25 and adhere to a 4.25 X 11 card base with Tear-It! Tape.

The sentiment I added is also a BetterPress plate and you would use the same steps as the floral bouquet.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a beautiful day!

Craft Supplies:

Imagine Products:
VersaFine Clair – Nocturne
VersaFine Clair – Verdant
VersaColor Pink Ultimate Pigment Ink Refill
VersaColor Canary Ultimate Pigment Ink Refill
Tear-It! Tape

Other Products:
BetterPress System – Spellbinders
Pressed Bouquet Press Plate – Spellbinders
A Little Message Sentiments Press Plate – Spellbinders
A2 Cotton Card Panels – Spellbinders

Let’s Make a Funky Background Card

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By Helen Gullett

Hello hello hello crafty friends! Today, I have this Funky Card to share with you. Creating that funky background is super fun and easy. I totally had fun with some of the VersaColor ink pads!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
We will work on a whole piece of 8.5 inch x 11 inch heavyweight white cardstock. Pick 3 or 4 colors you want to use. Make sure the choice of colors won’t muddle when you mix them together.

Roll the mini brayer directly on the VersaColor ink pad several times.

Step 2
Roll the inked mini brayer on the white cardstock in any direction you want vertically and horizontally.

Do the step 1 and step 2 several times for each color you want to use for your background.

Step 3
After several times adding inks on the cardstock with a mini brayer, you can add more layer on top of the first one you did, or you can fill in the space as you want.

Use the Staz-On All-Purpose Stamp Cleaner and paper towel to clean the brayer.

Step 4
Next, pick a funky pattern background stamp to add texture on the inked cardstock.
Stamp the background stamp on it with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink Pad for contrast colors.

Step 5
Stamp it several times until you fill the whole cardstock. This will look very funky and messy but don’t worry you’ll find it will be fun to use it on project later.

Step 6
After adding ink colors with mini brayer and stamping, the craft mat will look like in the picture above. Don’t panic! The inks will clean right off the mat with that amazing Staz-On All-Purpose Stamp Cleaner. Simply dab some of the cleaner on the mat and use paper towel to clean all the inks off. Repeat as needed.

Use the stamp cleaner also to clean ink off the background stamp, too.

Step 7
Next step, use the paper trimmer to trim cardstock into 4 – 4 ¼ inch x 5 ½ inch background panels.

Step 8
Cut one of the background panels using 2 sizes of rectangle dies.

Step 9
Add some of the Tear It! Tape on the back of the largest frame. Peel off the backing and add the frame to an A4 card base (4 ¼ inch x 5 ½ inch card).

Step 10
Add some of the Tear It! Tape on thin fun foam to create some thin strips of 3D foam tape.

Add the foam tape on the second frame (the middle cut out), and add it to the card. Make sure the pattern matching with the first one on the card.

Final step for the background, add the last piece of the cut out in the middle of the card just with the Tear It! Tape.

Step 11
Stamp the flower on a piece of white cardstock with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink Pad using stamping tool or acrylic block.

Step 12
Add some of the Sparkle Mboss Embossing Powder directly on the stamped image and heat it up with a craft heat gun. After embossing it, fussy cut the flower with micro-tip scissors (or use the matching die set if available for your stamp).

Repeat step 11 and step 12 for the sentiment. And then cut the sentiment with a label die (or you can just trim it with paper trimmer).

Step 13
Put together the flower and sentiment label with On Point Glue. Put a couple acrylic blocks on them and let the glue to dry.

After that, add them to the card with some of the fun foam in the middle and secure the edge on the raised frame with On Point Glue.

Here’s the finish card with some funky patterns and dimensions. Isn’t it fun? I hope you will give it a try and have fun creating your own funky background card.

Thank you so much for stopping by our blog today. Have a wonderful day!

Craft Supplies

Imagine Crafts:

Others:

  • Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamp – Dearest Friend Stamp Set
  • Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamp – Courage Dear Heart Stamp Set
  • Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamp – Messy Marks Background Stamp
  • Sweet ‘ Sassy Stamp – Stitched Rectangle Dies
  • Neenah Classic Crest White Cardstock 110lb
  • Fiskar paper trimmer
  • Gemini Junior die cutting machine
  • MISTI stamping tool
  • Micro-tip scissors
  • White thin fun foam
  • Mini Brayer
  • Craft Heat Gun