To Meow With Love – A Valentine’s Day Card

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

I Love Mew – A Valentine’s Day Card

By Kathi Rerek

Here’s a punny Valentine’s Day card that showcases the blending of the new Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink with the Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink.  I also used Purell to create a fun ghosting technique!

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes

Instructions:

Steps 1A and B:

Use a make-up brush to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to a piece of white cardstock. Start at the top of the panel and work downwards.  The make-up brush creates soft textured look on the cardstock. Continue to brush downwards until the brush doesn’t put ink onto the cardstock (1A)

Use the same make-up brush to apply Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink from the base of the cardstock panel, blending as you go. (1B)

Steps 2A and B:

Place the Staggered Hearts stencil over the inked panel. (2A)

Add Purell to a dry baby wipe until it’s saturated then use the wipe to apply the Purell over the stencil onto the cardstock. The Purell will lift the VersaFine Clair Ink, creating ghosted hearts on the background. Heat setting will accentuate the ghosted effect while setting the ink. (2B)

Step 3:

Place the inked cardstock panel onto a stamping platform. Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the cat. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary for a crisp image.  Remove the image panel and use a paint brush dipped and the ink pad to do any necessary touch ups to the image. Heat set.

Step 4:

Use Prismacolor markers to color the cat’s eyes, taking care to avoid the black ink and contaminate your markers. Use a white gel pen to add highlights to the cat’s eyes.  No photos. Sorry.

Step 5:

Use alphabet dies and a speech bubble die to cut black cardstock. Use a flag and a heart die to to cut to cut extra inked cardstock from Step 1. Smoosh the heart die-cut onto the Charming Pink VersaFine Clair inkpad. Trim the ends off of the flag die-cut and edge with Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink. Adhere the letter die-cuts and the heart to the pink strip, then adhere to the black speech bubble die-cut.

Step 6:

Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the cat onto the scrap of repositionable sticker paper. Fussy-cut the sticker paper along the bottom and place it over its counterpart as a mask. Place a strip of repositionable Scotch Tape across the image panel. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink over the tape and the masked cat paws to the bottom of the image panel.

Remove the tape and the mask over the cat. Use Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the image panel with Charming Pink VersaFine Clair Ink.

Step 7:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Baby Pink VersaFine Clair Ink to the outside .5” perimeter of  an A2 card. Heat set.

Step 8:

Cut a panel of black cardstock to 4” x 5.25”. Use Tear It! Tape to mat the image panel with the black cardstock, adhere the matted image panel to the card, and adhere the speech bubble die-cut as shown. Use the sentiment sticker to finish the card.

Finished Card

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Raven Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • What’s Meow Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Staggered Hearts Stencil by My Favorite Things
  • Speech Bubble Die-namics Die Set by My Favorite Things
  • Upper and Lower Case Thinlits Die Sets by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Occasions Small Talk Idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Advantus
  • Flag Dies: Source Unknown
  • Make-up Brushes
  • Dried Out Baby Wipes
  • Purell
  • Spanish Orange and Yellow Orange Prismacolor Markers
  • Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
  • Repositionable Scotch Tape by 3M
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Magnetic Glass Craft Mat by Glassboard Studio
  • Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia
  • Big Shot by Sizzix

Watercoloring with Memento Inks

By Ceil Pritchett

Hello crafty friends!
It’s Ceal, here. Today I’m sharing a fun card using this humorous stamp and water coloring it with Memento Inks.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Directions:
Gather your supplies. You will need a outline stamp, I used one by Unity Stamp Co. You will need several colors of dye inks. The inks must be a dye ink like Memento to react with water. You will also need a pigment ink VersaFine Clair to stamp the image so it will not react with the water. The last thig you will need is a water brush or paintbrush.

Step 1:
Stamp the image using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink

Step 2:
Using a Water brush, color in your image. I used Peanut Brittle and Cantaloupe Memento ink for the kitty

Step 3:
Using a water brush finish coloring your image. I used Teal Zeal to color the coffee cup.

Step 4:
Using a stitched die, cut out the panel and stamp the sentiment under the image. To finish the card, I used a piece of patterned paper as a mat and adhered the panel to it and then t the base.

Supplies:

Imagine:
Memento Inks: Teal Zeal, Peanut Brittle, Cantaloupe and Rich Cocoa

Other Supplies:
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 120Lb
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb
Patterned Paper from Lawn Fawn
MISTI Stamp Platform – My Sweet Petunia
Pissy Kitty Stamp Set – Unity Stamp Co
Stitched Rectangle Die – My Favorite Things

Grumpy Cat Coffee Card with Memento Inks on Patterned Paper

By Kathi Rerek

I’m a heavily caffeinated cat lady who has an enormous collection of cat and/or coffee themed crafting products. Stenciling or stamping on patterned paper is a great way to extend the papers versatility.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Instructions:

Step 1:
Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the Coffee Cat Clear Set twice — once onto a 3” x 5” panel of Classic Crest cardstock and once onto repositionable sticker paper. Use Copic markers to color the cat. Fussy-cut the repositionable sticker paper version of the cat and place it over its counterpart on the image panel.

Step 2:
Place a magnet sheet between folded paper. Use magnets to secure the image panel to the paper-covered magnet. Place low-tack tape horizontally .75” from the base of the image panel.

Use a Sponge Dauber to brush Lulu Lavender Memento ink over the tape onto the image panel to ground the cat image.

Step 3:
Use low-tack tape to secure the Floor Perspective Stencil over the magnet onto the paper-covered magnet. Use a Sponge Dauber to brush Tuxedo Black Memento ink over the stencil onto the image panel. Remove the tape and the stencil.

Step 4:
Use low-tack tape to secure the Bubbles Stencil to the image panel. Use Sponge Daubers to apply Angel Pink and Summer Sky Memento Inks over the stencil onto the image panel. Remove the tape and stencil. Set the image panel aside.

Step 5:
Place low-tack tape vertically 3.5” from the left edge of a 7” x 5” piece of paw-print patterned paper. Use magnets and tape to secure the Tea Party Stencil over the left side of the image panel.

Use Sponge Daubers to apply Angel Pink, Summer Sky, and Lulu Lavender Memento ink over the stencil’s teacups onto the patterned paper. Wipe the stencil.

Step 6:
Use a Sponge Dauber to New Sprout and Dandelion Memento Ink over the stencil’s dots onto the patterned paper.

Clean and dry the stencil, then repeat Steps #5 and 6 to stencil the right side of the patterned paper.

Step 7:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the layers of the card.

Here’s the finished card!

Step 8:
Place the finished card onto the base of the stamping platform. Position the sentiment from the Coffee Cat Stamp Set towards the top of the image panel. Use VersaFine Nocturne Ink stamp the sentiment.

Finished Card:

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • GreyWhite Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Coffee Cat Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Stencil by Visible Image Stamps
  • Floor Perspective Stencil by A Colorful Life Designs
  • Bubble Layering Stencils by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous
  • Paw Print Patterned Paper from the Kitten Smitten 12×12 Collection by Doodlebug Designs
  • Copic Markers — C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, YG01, YG03, YG05, RV93, R81, B21, B23, E74, E77
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Post-It Notes by 3M
  • Misti  Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Let’s Make a Steampunk Father’s Day Card with Metallic Brilliance Inks

By Kathi Rerek

I’m continuing my experimentation with Metallic Brilliance Inks with this Father’s Day card using two of my favorite themes – cats and Steampunk!

Skill Level: Advanced
Time: 2.5 Hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Use a brayer to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a 5” x 7” Gel Press. Place a piece of black mixed media paper onto the Gel Press. Smooth the back of the paper to transfer the in and pull a print.

Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 to enhance the coverage.

Step 3:
Clean the brayer, then use it to apply Starlite Black Brilliance ink to the Gel Press. Place the print back onto the Gel Press inked side down. Smooth the back of the paper, then pull the print. Heat set the inked paper, then clean the brayer and the Gel Press.

Step 4:
Place the inked black mixed media paper into the Foundry 3D Alterations Embossing Folder. Spritz the back of the paper with water. Close the folder and run it through a die-cut machine.

Step 5:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink to the high points of the embossed paper. Heat set.

Steps 6A and 6B:
Use Fantastix to apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (6A). VersaMagic Ink has a matte chalk finish which comes out when it’s heat embossed.

Use another Fantastix to Apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (6B). Heat set the panel and set aside.

Step 7:
Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the cat from the Steampunk Pets Clear Stamp Set onto white cardstock.

Step 8:
Fussy-cut the image and use Copic markers to color it. Use a dark marker to edge the cut image. Set aside.

Step 9:
Use the largest die from the Sprightly Sprockets Shapeabilities Die Set to cut black mixed media cardstock two times. You will end up with two cogs and two circles.

Step 10:
Sponge Lightning Black Brilliance Ink over one of the cog die-cuts and one of the circles. Heat set both.

Step 11:
Use On-Point Glue to adhere the inked cog atop the other one.

Step 12:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance ink to one of the circles from Step 9. Heat set.

Step 13:
Place the silver-inked circle into the Gears Alterations Folder and run it through a die-cut machine.

Step 14:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink to the high points of the embossed circle. Heat set.

Steps 15A and 15B:
Use Fantastix to apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (15A).

Use another Fantastix to Apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (15B).

Step 16:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere a slightly larger circle to the back of the stacked cog die-cuts.

Step 17:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a strip black mixed media paper. Sorry that there’s no photo. Use cog dies to cut the silver-inked black paper.

Step 18:
Use a C2 Copic marker to color a piece of white cardstock. Use magnets to secure the colored cardstock onto a stamping platform. Place the “Happy Father’s Day” sentiment stamp facedown on the colored cardstock. Ink the stamp with Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink and stamp. Repeat inking and stamping if necessary to attain a good impression. Remove the stamped cardstock from the stamping platform and heat set the ink.

Step 19:
Use a rectangle die to cut the sentiment. Use the matching nameplate die to cut the Lightning Black circle. Adhere the sentiment die-cut atop the nameplate die. Sorry that there’s no photo.

Step 20:
Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the embossed circle and the Steampunk Cat onto the cog die-cut. Use the tape to adhere the sentiment as shown.

Step 21:
Use On Point Glue to adhere the gears, cogs, and screws to the sentiment die-cut.

Step 22:
Cut black cardstock to 10” x 7”. Score at 5” and fold to form a 5” x 7” card. Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the front of the card.

Finished Card

Crafts Supplies:

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

  • 140 lb. Black Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Designs
  • 5” x 7” Gel Press
  • 4” Brayer by Speedball
  • Foundry 3D Alterations Foundry Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Gears Alterations Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Sprightly Sprockets Shapeabilities Die Set
  • Nuts and Bolts Craftables Punch Die by Marianne Designs
  • Mini Gears Die Set by Memory Box
  • Premier Ink Blending Tools by Hunkydory Crafts
  • Premier Ink Blending Sponges by Hunkydory Crafts
  • Steampunk Pets Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle
  • Copic Markers
  • Spray Mister
  • Curved Craft Scissors by Fiskar’s
  • Heat Gun

Misti Stamping Platform by My Swe

Let’s Make A Crazy Cat Lady Card

By Kathi Rerek

I’m delighted to be returning to the Imagine Crafts AIR program again this year. Our first assignment was to create a project that reflected ourselves. I love creating scenic cards, magical creatures, and cats!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hour

Step 1:
Use magnets to secure a 4” x 5.25” piece of white cardstock onto the base of a stamping platform.
Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink to stamp the Puss in Boots image twice — once onto the image panel and once onto repositionable sticker paper.

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 rolling hills mask from the Acetate Hills Mask set to the image panel as shown.

Use a sponge dauber to apply Dandelion Memento ink over the mask and masked image onto the image panel. (3A). Use another dauber to apply Angel Pink Memento ink onto the image panel so the pink ink is slightly overlapping and blending with the yellow ink (3B). Repeat this step with Summer Sky Memento ink (3C), then Danube Blue Memento ink (3D).

Step 4:
Spray the image panel with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol to slightly blend the colors and to add some white speckles and splatter.

Step 5:
Trace the rolling hills mask from the Acetate Hills Mask set onto white cardstock, fussy-cut along the trace lines. Label the top and bottom of the mask so you know which is which.
Place the top homemade mask over the sky area of the image panel and secure with low-tack tape.
Use a Fantastix to apply Cottage Ivy Memento ink over the mask onto the image panel (5A).
Place the acetate rolling hills mask below the hilly horizon. Use a Fantastix to apply Cottage Ivy Memento ink over the mask onto the image panel (5B). Continue this process to add additional grassy hills.

Step 6:
Use a sponge dauber and Bamboo Leaves Memento ink to fill in the grassy hills.
Colors the white area of the tail and the wings with Copic markers. Set the image panel aside.

Step 7:
Place a piece of 4.75” x 6.75” Mixed Media cardstock into a box. Spray the panel with Danube Blue Firewords Spray to create a shimmery blue background panel. Heat set.

Step 8:
Use magnets to secure the background panel to the base of a stamping platform so that panel is sideways. Position the long leafy border stamp from Puss in Boots Clear Stamp Set facedown along the edge of the background panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair, and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression. Heat set.

Keeping the stamp on the platform’s lid, flip the background panel, secure it with magnets, and stamp the border on the other side of the background panel. Heat set.

Step 9:
Reposition the background panel as shown and secure with magnets. Place the small flourish stamp facedown horizontally on the top left of the background panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair, and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression. Heat set.

Clean and dry the stamp. Reposition it so that it’s facedown on the top left of the panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair, and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression. Heat set.

Remove the flourish stamp. Place the paw print stamp so that it’s centered and facedown on top of the background panel.  Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair, and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression. Heat set.

Step 10:
Place the “Crazy Cat Lady” stamp facedown so that it’s centered at the bottom of the image panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift the lid, ink the stamp with Frost VersaMark ink, and stamp. Repeat.

Step 11:
Sprinkle on Black MBoss Powder, slide the the excess powder back into the bag, and heat set the sentiment.

Step 12:
Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the background panel with Black Shimmer Delicata ink (12A). Heat set.
Trim the image panel to 4.25” x 5.25” and edge with Black Shimmer Delicata ink (12B). Heat set.

Step 13:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the background panel and the background panel to a 5” x 7” black card.

Crafts Supplies

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • 140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Puss in Boots Clear Photopolymer Stamp Set by Pink Ink Designs
  • Acetate Hills Mask by Lavinia Stamps
  • Copic Markers: Y000, Y02, Y21, YR00, R000, R00, RV10, V20, V22, C00, C0, C1, C3, FV2. R93.UR19 B20. YG45
  • Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
  • Fiskars Curved Craft Scissors
  • Low-tack Tape
  • Stamping Platform