Let’s Get Inky! Mother’s Day Card Featuring Different Inking Techniques

By LV Handcrafted

Skill: Advance

Time: 25 minutes

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). Do you feel like doing something a little abstract?  Try these techniques out for creating some fun backgrounds you can use as panels or die cut out of like I’ve done here.  In my video, I’ll show you 3 techniques for using Imagine inks to turn plain ol’ white cardstock into beautiful, abstract papers. All the techniques are super easy but I’ll list them below in order of what I think is simplest to the most elaborate.

Technique #1 – Swipe your Memento Dew Drop ink pad directly onto your white cardstock. you can create a solid block of color or use a lighter touch to create a more stripy, imperfect effect. Instantly, you’ll have a panel of color cardstock! The benefit to making your own cardstock this way is if you use that ink pad to stamp with, you now have paper that perfectly coordinates with it. 

[Note: I used this technique for the flowers — stems and flower blooms]

Technique #2 – Smear some ink onto a piece of acetate or clear plastic packaging. Spritz with water — more water will dilute the color more, less water will keep the colors strong and vibrant. Smoosh the watered down ink onto a white cardstock panel. Repeat with a single or multiple colors until you have the desired effect.  Tip – if you are using plain cardstock and not watercolor paper, the more water you use, the more your paper will warp.  Try less water or put your panel under a stack of books to flatten it out. 

[Note: I used this technique for the inner heart die cut behind the bouquet of flowers.]

Technique #3 – Start with Technique #1 to lay down a solid block of color. Then, using a Brilliance Dew Drop in Pearlescent finish, make random swipes, swirls, streaks, etc. across your panel.  Brilliance ink is a pigment ink, so it will take a little bit of time to dry, but you can also take a heat gun to the panel or cover with clear Mboss powder and melt it for a lovely shine.  The result is a panel that has some lovely streaks of pearlescent shine.

[Note: I used this technique on the flower blooms to give them an abstract look. I also die cut the word “Mom” and the heart from this panel too.]

Supplies Used

Imagine

Other Products :

Make a FABULOOOS Halloween Card

2022---September---Martha-Lucia-Gomez---Halloween-Card-1_700x700

By Martha Lucia Gomez –

Hello there! Todays tutorial is a quick project that you can make using your Halloween stamps and the heat embossing techniques. On this, I am combined VersaFine Clair, VersaMark and Memento Inks with our traditional Embossing Powders.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time to Complete: 30  Minutes

 

Directions:

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 1

 
Step 1

Stamp a Halloween background onto your colored card stock using VersaFine Clair Nocturne. 

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 2
Step 2:

Cover the inked area with Embossing Powder and melt it with a heat tool. On this step, you can use clear embossing powder or black embossing powder.   

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 3
Step 3:

With an Ink Blusher or sponge apply Memento Ink Grape Jelly around the stamped background.  

TIP: You can stamp your background onto white smooth cardstock and then ink all the area with your selection of Memento Ink. 

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 4
Step 5:

With VersaMark Ink stamp the sentiment on the center of the card and covered it with White  Embossing Powder. Melt the powder with the heat tool.

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 6
Step 6:

Ink the center or your card using Memento Tangelo Ink.

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 7
Step 7:

According with the stamps and colors of card stock that you used you can enhance some details using additional colors of Memento Ink. In my sample, I used purple card stock and three different colors of Memento Ink: Grape Jelly around the card, Tangelo for the Center and Paris Dusk for the corners.

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card Step 8
Step 8:

To embellish the card, you can use a coordinated die cut. I am using a witch die that I cut onto Silver Metallic cardstock three times. I layered pasted all the die cut images with On Point Glue to add more dimension. And as final touch, I gave an additional color to the face on the pumpkin using Memento Dual Tip Markers.

2022 - September - Martha Lucia Gomez - Halloween Card_700x700
Step 9:

Assemble your card pasting all the layers with Tear It! Tape or Crafty Foam Tape.

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• VersaFine Clair – Nocturne

• VersaMark – Clear

• Memento – Grape Jelly, Tangelo and Paris Dusk

• Memento Dual Tip Markers

• Ink Blushers

• Tear it! Tape

• Craft Mat

Other:

  Joy Clair Designs – Spiderweb Background Clear Stamp 

  Crackerbox Stamps – Faboolous Rubber Stamp

  Die Cut Machine

  Positional Stamp Tool.

  Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam.

• Heat Tool

• Brayer

Let’s Make a Dazzling Friendship Card

Kathy_Aug_Main-600

By Kathy Pisupati –

Good morning!  Kathy here, creating art for Imagine Crafts!  Today I have a new tutorial for you.   I must admit I am in LOVE with the Delicata Golden Glitz pigment ink. There are several reasons:

• The color is AMAZING!

• When I don’t feel like using gold embossing powder this works fabulous (and is less messy!).

• It works fabulous with sentiments.

• It is easy to clean up.

So today I have a project for you that uses the Delicata Golden Glitz and some beautiful Tsukineko Brilliance Dew Drops. The card didn’t start out as I planned but I am happy with the finished result. Please let me know what you think in the comments! Let’s make a card. 

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: Two hours

Directions:

image_Step1
Step 1:

You will need a top-folding card base measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2“. The rest of the panels we will create as we go. So, the first thing I wanted to play with was the Brilliance Dew Drops. I ink blended them all over a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb card stock. I then found an embossing folder. I chose an older folder from Spellbinders. I am not sure if it is still available, but it was called the Large Medallion. I dug out my brayer, inked it up with some Delicata Golden Glitz, and rolled it over the RAISED area of the embossing folder. I put in my ink blended panel and ran it through my die-cutting machine. Here is where the plan changed. I pulled out my Gina K Designs Master Layout 2 to get the “perfect” rectangle. I taped the die to the panel. Now here is a tip when you have a panel that is loaded up with ink like mine, BEFORE you pull off the tape, heat it with your heat tool on LOW. Yeah….I didn’t do that and ripped a chunk out of the frame I was going to use. Oh well, moving right along……I used a rectangle die from GKD Master Layout 7 to cut the middle out. I WILL save this card! 

 

image_Step2

Step 2:

I had a lot of gold ink on my brayer, so I inked up a Swiss Dot embossing folder and ran another piece of white card stock through my machine.

 

image_Step_3

Step 3:

I then rolled the excess ink on a piece of white card stock measuring 4.25” x 5.5”. Isn’t it pretty? I HAD to incorporate it!

 

image_Step-4

Step 4:

Cut a piece of white card stock an 1/8” larger than the focal point and with your Sponge Dauber, ink the edges of the rectangle with the Golden Glitz.

 

Image_Step-5

Step 5:

Die-cut your sentiment and using the Golden Glitz ink, use Imagine Crafts sponge daubers to apply your ink to the sentiment. Cut a shadow from the vellum. Glue these together.  Using the Delicata Golden Glitz stamp the smaller, MY FRIEND, sentiment. Cut this sentiment to size. I also inked the edges of this sentiment.

 

 

Image_Step-6

Step 6:

Now we can assemble the card. The focal point is glued to the gold border and then adhered to the Swiss dot panel with Imagine On Point Glue. The sentiment is also adhered to the panel with glue. The MY FRIEND strip sentiment was popped up with foam tape. Then I added foam tape to the Swiss dot panel and attached it to the background panel.

Finally, I used Imagine Tear It! Tape and attached it to the card base. I added a few gems, and the card is done!

 

 

Supplies Used:

Imagine Crafts

Delicata Golden Glitz

Brilliance Dew Drops: Pearlescent Lavender, Pearlescent Sky Blue, Orchid and Pearlescent Purple

Imagine Craft Mat

Sponge Daubers

On Point Glue

Tear-It! Tape

 

Other

Gina K Designs Master Layout 2

Gina K Designs Master Layout 7

SCT Let’s Stamp Together Kit July 2022-Sentiment

Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Embossing Folder

Crafty Meraki Gems

Brayer

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb

Paper Trimmer

Die-Cutting Machine

Foam Tape

Be a Star with New Embossing Techniques

2022-June-Martha-Lucia-600x600_1

By Martha Lucia Gomez –

Hello there! In today’s crafting tutorial, I will be sharing two easy ways to upgrade the basic embossing techniques using a Brilliant Ink and embossing power or MBoss.  This is a great idea for any occasion, however like summer is around the corner, I created a Patriotic Card honoring 4th of July.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 1 hour

Directions:

 

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 1
Step 1:

Select a piece of card stock and embossing folder. Use a piece of cardstock larger than the folder. Dry emboss it in the normal way using your die cut machine. 

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 2

Step 2:

Pick a brayer or any type of roller to add ink to the emboss design. Noticed that you can use any face of the embossed piece to develop this technique. I am using Brilliance Pearlescent Sly Blue and Shimmer White Cardstock.

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 3

Step 3:

Ink your brayer completely and apply the Brilliance Ink over the surface with a soft movement. You don’t want to transfer the ink to the debossed part.

 

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 4

Step 4:

Repeat the step 3, until you are satisfied with the color of the layer. In my sample, I made this step three times to have a great covering.

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 5

Step 5:

Create the card base and layers that you wanted to use. In this model I am using white card base, and blue die cut layer to create a contrast. Resize your inked embossed piece to use it as top layer over the die cut piece. Select a shadow die set with a sentiment or any other type of image to create a window over your inked layer. Don’t paste your layers yet.

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 6

Step 6:

With the shadow or die base of your die cut, create a window over the inked layer. If you want you can save the die cut layer to use in another project.

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 7

Step 7:

Paste the inked embossed layer over the die cut layer using your favorite adhesive. If you want to have more dimension, you can use foam tape. Paste the decorative piece over the card base. 

Cut the word or image according with the die cut that you selected.

 

2022-June-Martha Lucia - Patriotic Card - Step 8

Step 8:

With masking tape, cover the half of the die cut word and made a partial hot embossing using VersaMark Ink and your favorite color of embossing powder or MBoss. In my model, I am using the Metallic Berry. 

Don’t remove the masking tape if you want to repeat the above step and obtain shinier and dimension with the hot embossing. I repeated this step twice.

 

2022-June-Martha-Lucia-600x600

Step 9:

Paste the embossed word and decorate with a complement sentiment and/or embellishments. I used a tiny sentiment stamped with Memento Paris Dusk and a few die cut stars in white cardstock.

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Brilliance – Pearlescent Sky Blue

• VersaMark – Clear

• MBoss – Metallic Berry

 

Other:

• Whimsy Stamps – Slimline Embossing Folder Wave Length

• Joy Clair Designs – White Smooth Cardstock and Loopy Rectangle Slimline Dies.

• Birch Press Design – Big Sending Sugar Scrip

• Scrapbook Adhesives – Crafty Foam Tape

• Die Cut Machine

• Heat Tool

• Brayer

 

• Heat Tool

• Brayer

 

How to Make a Quick Stenciled Christmas Card

Merry-Christmas-Poinsettia-Card-IG

By Annie Collins

– Hello Crafty Friends – Annie here with a quick and easy stenciled Christmas Card featuring a variety of Imagine Crafts Products.

Directions:

Art Supplies:

Imagine

• Brilliance Inks: Pearlescent Poppy and Gamma Green
• VersaMagic Ink: Hint of Pesto
• irResistable Texture Spray: Gold
• On Point Glue
• Tear It! Tape
• Craft Mat
• Ink Blushers
• StazOn All Purpose Stamp Cleaner

Other:

• Stampendous Stamp: Shapely Vase
• Maker’s Movement Thanks Die
• Gel Press 6×6
• Accent 80# Ultra Smooth Cardstock: Opaque White
• Recollections Brand Cardstock: 110# White, 65# Cream and 80# Dark Green
• Recollections Brand Rhinestones: Gold and Violet

See How to Make a Beautiful Beaded Bowl

by Iris Rodriguez

See How to Make a Beautiful Beaded Bowl

They say it’s the little things that matter. So one day, I was at my local craft store and noticed the beads were on clearance. How can I pass up this aisle, right? I saw these two large turquoise beads. I got inspired to wire wrap them into a small bowl. I made the bowl using Activa Self Hardening clay, a nice porous clay that takes pigment inks nicely. I decided to use inks that would complement the beads. I used Turquoise Gem, VersaMagic, a stunning turquoise that contrasts nicely with the Crimson Copper and Rocket Red Gold Brilliance inks.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 Hour to make the bowl, 2 days total for bowls to air dry

Directions


Step 1

For this project, I used Activa Plus clay. In case you’re not familiar with this clay, I will describe its properties. It is an air-dry clay. It is fine, moist, malleable, firm, but not hard. Keep the clay moist by spraying a little water, which also makes it softer. When the clay is wet, it is a beige like color, and when dry it turns off white color. The rate that it dries will depend on the thickness of the project and room temperature. The drier the room, the faster it dries. It is highly porous, which is nice, because it takes just about any kind of medium for coloring onto the clay, such as Imagine’s dye/pigment inks and craft sprays. For this project, I used pigment inks. Use a wooden board or another non-porous surface to work with this clay.


Step 2

Condition the clay by wedging the clay or just rolling it around. Roll out a sheet of clay. You can use a pin roller used or use a clay roller. The clay is usually very smooth when it’s rolled out. If it is not, then smooth out the clay with your fingers, rib tool or another smooth-edged tool.


Step 3

Create a template for the bowl. Make the template out of scratch paper. The template will guide you when cutting out the clay.


Step 4

Place the stencil over the clay and in a pouncing motion ink the clay with Turquoise Gem VersaMagic ink. Then ink on the Crimson Copper Brilliance ink. Add the Rocket Red Gold Brilliance ink over the Crimson Copper. If you do not have a stencil, you can cut shapes out of paper and place over the clay. The moisture of the clay keeps the paper in place.


Step 5

Place the template over the clay and cut out the shape. Ensure that you work on the wooden board when cutting out the clay. DO NOT use the craft mat to cut.


Step 6

Place the bead on the end. Place the circle stencil over the bead and find a circle that fits the bead.


Step 7

Using the stencil as a guide, cut out the shapes. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the other side. Ensure that you work on the wooden board when cutting out the clay. DO NOT use the craft mat to cut.


Step 8

Place the clay bowl into a real bowl or other object and allow it dry for one day. It will take on the shape of the object.


Step 9

At the start of day 2. The clay will be slightly moist. Perfect time for drilling the holes. If the clay is completely dry, and you try drilling, you risk the clay breaking. Use a small drill bit and manually drill the holes. Ensure that the wire will fit through the holes. Do not use a power drill; it’s overkill and the clay is too delicate. Wipe off the clay burrs with a brush. Let the clay dry for another day. No need to put it back in the real bowl. At this point, the shape will stay in place. To determine if it’s dry, take a look at the natural clay color; it will turn an off-white when dry. Also, if the clay feels cold then it’s still wet. It is very important to seal the bowls. The clay is porous, therefore liquids can weaken or activate the clay. The sealer makes it look purposely finished. You can use a spray sealers like 3M/Krylon or brush on a water-based varnish or polyurethane.


Step 10

Now that the bowl is completely dry. Time to embellish it. You will need beads, plyers and 20 gauge copper wire.


Step 11

Cut out about 15 inches worth of wire. Add the bead to the wire, take it to the center of the wire.


Step 12

Wrap the wire over and under the edge of the bowl.


Step 13

Wrap the wire three times to secure the ends. Cut the wire.


Step 14

Now you have you finished your decorative bowl.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Activa Plus Self Hardening Clay – White
  • Modeling clay tools – rib tool, knife or needle tool
  • Rolling pin
  • Wooden board
  • Large Beads
  • 20 Gauge copper wire
  • Stencils
  • Sealer (spray, polyurethane)