Tag Archives: Cards

Make Plans for the Perfect Christmas Card

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by Elina Stromberg

Snowflakes are always a safe choice for Christmas cards Shapphire Blue.

Busy Christmas card season is soon here! I envy those efficient crafters who start making their Christmas cards early enough, so that they can create beautiful, diverse card designs for each receiver. I usually start too late, and in order to complete the task on time I must choose only one or two designs that are easy and quick to do even in larger quantities. However, simple does not mean that the cards need be boring, quite the contrary! A wow-factor must be included, and even if time may be running short, I still take time to carefully plan the card design.

Each year I make a few extra cards that I keep to myself. I want to keep record of the card designs I have used, as my cards must never be replicates of the previous years’ designs. Making a couple of test rounds before starting the actual card making project has proven to be a wise choice, too. Whenever I want to come up with a new and fresh design idea, I like to start with making several samples. For me that’s the only way to see what works and what doesn’t. This is especially true when including new media, new color combinations, new supplies or new techniques. A few pieces of scrap paper keep this endeavor an inexpensive choice for testing! I’ll switch to higher quality card bases when I’m ready to go into production.

This year my Christmas cards will most probably have a snowflake background; snowflakes are always a safe choice for Christmas cards. For my sample pieces, I sprayed two sheets of white mixed media cardstock with blue Fireworks Shimmery Craft Spray. Those shimmering cold blue colors gave just the icy look and feel I needed! I mixed the colors with water, dried with my heat gun, and cut the sheets into smaller sample pieces. I even punched one sheet with a tag punch and a set of gift tags was made on the same go.

For sample #1, I applied Metallic Silver Creative Medium through a snowflake stencil. On sample #2, I stamped different small snowflakes with Sapphire Blue Delicata ink and for sample #3, I used the same snowflake stencil with the Sapphire Delicata ink and a Stipple Brush.

I continued testing on punched gift tags: #4 is heat embossed with white embossing powder, and #5 with silver.

For tags #6 and #7,  I used the previous techniques once again, as I wanted to see how they work on small backgrounds.

For tags #8 and #9,  I die-cut snowflakes from glitter paper and glued them down with On Point Glue. #8 is misted with Original GooseBumps Texture Spray, and #9 outlined with ‘Wedding Dress’ white irRESISTible texture spray.

Now the only tricky part is to choose which pattern or texture to use for my Christmas cards. As much I liked the stamped and die-cut images, I think I will go for the stenciled Metallic Silver Creative Medium. The shimmering silver just looks so cool on the shimmering, icy blue background!

From here building a card design that could be both time-friendly and very personalized will be easy and fun! Enjoy!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Mixed media paper
  • Water mister
  • 13Arts Studio – Snowflake stencil
  • Snowflake stamps
  • Scissors
  • Tag punch

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What a Beautiful World with Delicata

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What a Beautiful World with Delicata

You Make the World Beautiful Handmade Card by Alison Heikkila

Hello! In August, Imagine introduced 6 new Delicata colors, and today I am using some of them. I absolutely LOVE these inks. They have the most beautiful glimmer to them. My card uses stamps from the Hero Arts “You Are Loved” stamp set. I love this set because of all of the beautiful messages it has, but also because a portion of the proceeds goes to an anti-bullying campaign.

This card is easy to make. I started with the globe by stamping Smooth Bristol Paper with VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black and embossing. Color the globe with 2 different Brush-Tip Fantastix and apply the Emerald Green Delicata Ink for the land and Sapphire Blue Delicata Ink for the ocean. Heat set with heat tool.

On a piece of vellum, I stamped the sentiment with Ruby Red Delicata, heat set and diecut with a large frame. Then I swiped Champagne Delicata Ink across black cardstock in a horizontal arc. From here it is all about putting all the pieces together. I added sparkly washi tape, stars from the same stamp set with Celestial Copper Delicata Ink, the globe and irRESISTibles Pico Embellisher in Shimmer.

Just look at all of that fantastic shine!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Hero Arts – You Are Loved Stamp Set
  • Stampendous – Fitted Frames Set B
  • Queen & Co. – Washi Tape
  • Glue Dots
  • Black foam square adhesives
  • Strathmore – Smooth Bristol Paper
  • Cardstock – black
  • Vellum

Change the World using Rose Gold by Neva Cole

Change the World using Rose Gold by Neva Cole

Personally I really like Rose Gold, my iPhone just happens to be this color! It was fun to create a card that features this fabulous color. To highlight the Rose Gold color, the card is a clean and simple design. The images are stamped in Delicata Rose Gold and Black Shimmer first to help determine the placement of the line of pressure embossed dots. The dots were inked using a Fantastix Brush point and the Delicata Rose Gold ink. The base card is inked with crumpled aluminum foil and Delicata Rose Gold. The top panel is adhered and the simple but sophisticated card is ready to be sent to a friend!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Cream cardstock
  • Unity – Love Brings You Home stamp set
  • Cuttlebug – Daisy Borders embossing folder
  • Aluminum foil
  • Corner rounder

Dreams are Made of Magical Things

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by Martha Lucia Gomez

Sometimes it is very difficult to think of creating something using a single color hue, but monochromatic is fun and easy to make magic! If you have the cardmaking inspiration and a few elements you have been itching to use then try out a monochromatic style. I made this card using the magic of Teal Zeal Memento Ink.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

 

Directions


Step 1

With a pencil, mark the area you will use to stamp the fairy image. For this, you can use a circle diecut frame. Cut the same circle die on paper to use as a mask. Stamp the image with Teal Zeal Memento Ink, leaving part of the image out of the masking area to give the sensation of movement.


Step 2

Stamp the “Dreams are made of Magical Things” sentiment. If you want you can use the same tone of Memento Ink or you can create little shine with Versamark and Silver Embossing Powder.


Step 3

Erase the marks created with the pencils and paste the mask in place to prepare for inking the card panel. Take a jumbo sponge dauber and with circular movements apply the Teal Zeal Memento Ink from the bottom part to up. Continue the ink layering process with a brush to make the color have a soft appearance.  Since the Memento is a dye ink, the more you use it the more intense the color. It is simply dying the paper fibers more and more. In this project, the stamped fairy and leaves create a shadow effect.


Step 4

Stamp additional images over the sponged area using the Teal Zeal Memento Ink. Spray the card with shimmer mist and remove the masking paper. Resize the layer and paste over the matching teal card base.


What do you think of this teal monochromatic fairy card? Please let me know in the comments below. Thank you for stopping by the Imagine blog!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Peak a Boo Designs – Magical Fairies Stamp Set
  • Stampin Up – Best Friends Forever Stamp Set
  • Card Stock – teal, white
  • Masking paper
  • Circle dies
  • Heat tool

Use The Magic of Color with a Whimsical Theme

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by Jowilna Nolte

Use The Magic of pink and teal Colors with a Whimsical Theme

Mystical and Whimsical…the magic of color! This month we are delving into some fun themes and one of them is Mystical or Whimsical in my case. When you realize you own no Mystical stamps you opt for something just as interesting and fun. For me a fun combination of Radiant Neon ink colors did the trick for this fun and magical theme.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour + dry time

Directions


Step 1

On a sheet of white watercolour paper add some simple folds. Fold the paper in horizontal and vertical strips to form a grid effect.


Step 2

Use Radiant Neon Green ink pad and apply color to the surface by using light circular movements. This will ink the fold lines and create a texture.


Step 3

Use your Brilliance Pearlescent Jade ink pad and in circular movements add color over the Radiant Neon Green.


Step 4

Add white texture paste through a stencil in selected areas only. Leave the paste to dry completely before adding more color.


Step 5

Use Radiant Neon inkers in Pink and Orange to add more color to your texture paste areas. Continue working this folded paper until the design is where you want it. I choose to ink the corners with pink, stamp other areas with script lettering, old postage style imagery and added a contrasting ink splatter in dark brown to tie it all together. Oh,  and of course, I added sequins.


Step 6

Stamp a large central figure. Here I choose a girl in rainboots with an umbrella for a head. Use Memento markers to add color to the large image.


Step 7

Add GlazOn details to certain areas of your image and leave to dry. Cut out the image and adhere to your colored background.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Jowilna Nolte – Stencil
  • Cardstock
  • Anna Griffin – Texture Paste
  • Sewing machine
  • Bonefolder
  • Index Card
  • Stamps

Create a Sweet Charm Butterfly Motion Card

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by Neva Cole

Create a Sweet Charm Butterfly Motion Card

The challenge for August was to create motion and what better way to have motion in a card than to create a mechanical pull-tab card with a Vertigo butterfly charm? Making mechanical pop-up and cards with motion is one of my favorite things to do. The directions are organized to allow for the various dry times and maximize your crafting time to work on other steps during the process, but do check the pieces before proceeding to avoid smearing your project. These cards are so fun to create and bring so much joy to the recipient.

Skill: Advanced
Time: 90 minutes + dry time

Directions

Creative Medium in a thin layer with a palette knifeApply various weights of glitter to Creative Medium
Step 1

Trim a heavy weight cardstock to 5” x 6 ½”, this will fit a standard 6 Bar envelope. Strathmore Bristol Board 100-pound weight is used throughout this project. Position stencil and apply Creative Medium in a thin layer with a palette knife. Apply various weights of glitter to Creative Medium and set aside to dry. The Creative Medium will hold all kinds of fun embellishments in place.

Fabrico Markers in Pea Pod, Bubble Gum, and WisteriaMemento Luxe Lilac Posies and an Ink Blusher
Step 2

Die cut mechanical parts of the Hanging Charm Pull Tab card: one base, two pull tabs, and two frames. Before cutting one frame apply Xyron permanent adhesive to the cardstock for later assembly. Die cut one butterfly charm from Taffeta Vertigo. Color butterfly charm with Fabrico Markers in Pea Pod, Bubble Gum, and Wisteria. Ink base mechanism with Memento Luxe Lilac Posies and an Ink Blusher. Ink one pull tab with butterfly stencil and Memento Luxe Lilac Posies. Ink both frames fronts with Memento Luxe Pear Tart and an Ink Blusher. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for opposite edge of the base and set aside to dry.


Step 3

Trim corners of butterfly pull tab, cutting off the tabs. This will now fit over the second pull tag perfectly when assembled.


Step 4

Trim a section of Taffeta Vertigo to 3 ¼” x 4 ½”. This will be the base for the mechanism. Gently place Tear It Tape on recycled plastic bag packaging and trim in half lengthwise. Tear It Tape is placed on the mechanism where shown, both long edges closest to the outside to allow the tabs to move along the track and behind the notched opening for the pull tab. Center and apply to the Vertigo base.


Step 5

Apply Tear It Tape to open end of the mechanism. There is a slight indentation to train the fold. Place tag with tabs through the notch and tuck tabs under mechanism. Center in the slot and adhere mechanism to the tag. This tag was spritzed with Fireworks in Pear Tart.


Step 6

Spritz card base with Fireworks! in Pear Tart and set aside to dry. Use metallic craft thread to fashion a hanger for the butterfly charm.


Step 7

Tie a knot in the metallic thread just above the edge of the frame. Lift the Xyron permanent adhesive liner and center thread. Center second frame over the adhesive and slowly remove liner to adhere the two sides of the frame together.


Step 8

Trim Tear It Tape lengthwise to fit the small sections on the front of the mechanism. Place it between the two folds. Adhere frame with butterfly charm. Pull mechanism into full upright position with tag fully extended out the back of the mechanism. Apply Tear It Tape around the edges. Adhere butterfly tag over the base pull tag. A small section should extend past the bottom tag. Apply Tear It tape around the three edges of the Vertigo base opposite the mechanism. Don’t put tape on the fourth edge as it will show when the tag is in upright position.

Open mechanism and stamp sentiment in StazOn ink. Royal Purple

Open mechanism and stamp sentiment in StazOn ink. Royal Purple is used here with a sentiment from Joy Clair’s Butterfly Kisses stamp set. Adhere Vertigo and mechanism to card base. Punch a hole in the top of the pull tag and thread decorative fibers through the hole and loop to hold in place.

And whew! You have finished a motion card! It is a lot of work but well worth it and once you make a couple of projects like this then it becomes easier! Enjoy!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Strathmore – Bristol Board 100 pound
  • Recollections – Glass Glitter
  • Glitter – Pastel
  • Elizabeth Craft Designs—1104 Hanging Charm Pull Tab die, S022 Butterflies & Stars stencil
  • Joy Clair – Butterfly Kisses
  • Fiber scraps

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Learn How to Use Inkers to Create Texture in a DIY Card

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by Jowilna Nolte

Learn How to Use Tsukineko teal Inkers to Create Texture in a DIY Card

This month Imagine is celebrating terrific shades of teal and there are quite a few beautiful inks to bring to this party. I love teal and some of my favorite inks include a bit of shimmery goodness in them too. Let’s take a look at how to use these amazing colors with some unique techniques that include plastic wrap, texture paste and sewing to create a fun floral themed card.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions

Tsukineko Teal ink to be used on your project. I choose Encore, Brilliance and Memento Inks.
Step 1

Select three colors of Tsukineko Teal ink to be used on your project. I choose Encore, Brilliance and Kaleidacolor Inks. (You could also  use StazOn, VersaMagic, Memento or Memento Luxe.) Note that my choices meant we will be blending dye and pigment inks together.

Teal Memento dye ink inker
Step 2

On a plastic sheet add a few drops of Teal dye ink. Mist the ink with water and then pick up some ink with wadded up cling wrap plastic.


Step 3

Use the inked cling wrap and stamp onto your background. The plastic gives a beautifully textured effect while transferring the ink onto the paper.


Step 4

Add metallic Teal ink directly onto the paper. Mist the ink with water and use your fingers to spread the ink over the paper.


Step 5

Add Brilliance Pearlescent Jade onto the paper, mist with water and spread the ink around.


Step 6

Keep on spreading out the ink and applying color to your paper until you are happy with the look.


Step 7

Mix Brilliance inker into some texture paste and then apply through a flower stencil. Leave to dry and then add machine sewing, stamping, and embellishments. I stamped the sentiment “#wonderful” as a fun message that can be for a social media maven.

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Don’t forget to share if you found it helpful and have an inspiring day!

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Jowilna Nolte – stencil
  • Cardstock – white
  • Anna Griffin – texture paste
  • Sewing machine
  • Sentiment stamp
  • Cling wrap plastic

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