Grunge Flowers Spring Card

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

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

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

DIY Spring Bookmarks

By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends! Today, I want to share with you how to make these Spring themed bookmarks, using Imagine Crafts products and simple crafting tools. These bookmarks are a great gift for book lovers, or donating to your local library, or even just for you to use personally. You can make a batch of them in a short time!

Skill: Beginner
Time: 15-30 minutes

Directions:

Step 1
I find that Canson Watercolor Paper 140lb is the best to make bookmarks. They are not only thick and sturdy, but also you can use any craft  techniques with this paper – either simply stamping, or watercoloring, or even mixed media.

Cut a piece of watercolor paper into 6 inch x 1 ¾ inch size. One piece of this 9 x 12 watercolor paper, you can get 10 bookmarks.

You can leave it as a rectangle or you can round the corner with the corner rounder punch. Next, use a ¼ inch hole punch to punch a hole at the center top of the bookmark for ribbon or teasel.

Step 2
Next step is to create the watercolor wash background using Memento DewDrop ink and Ink Potion No. 9 Spray on each of the bookmarks.

Dab the Memento ink on the craft mat and then spray with some of the Ink Potion No. 9.

Step 3
Smoosh a bookmark into the ink. Gently press to get the ink transferred to the bookmark.

Step 4
You can repeat this step as many times as you want to get the first color wash you like to get. You can spray the ink more to get lighter color, or spray the ink less to get more darker color.

And then repeat the step 2 and step 3 with different colors that you want to use on your bookmark background. For mine, I used the Memento Dew Drop Inks Angel Pink, Rose Bud, New Sprout, and Bamboo Leaves colors.

Step 5
When done with adding watercolor washes on the bookmarks, use the craft heat gun to dry them.

Option step, you can repeat step 2, step 3, and step 4, if you want to add more color to them.

Step 6
Dab some of the Delicata ink on the craft mat, spray it with the Ink Potion No. 9, and then smoosh the bookmark into the ink. Gently press it to get the ink transferred well.

You will get a shimmer look on the bookmark with this step.

Dry all the ink on the bookmark with a craft heat gun.

Step 7
When the bookmark background is completely dry, stamp the image and sentiment on them with VersaFine Clair ink using acrylic blocks (or stamping tool of your choice).

Use a craft heat gun to dry the stamped images and sentiments.

Step 8
This is optional. You can leave the bookmarks as they are, or you can add some more ink splatters to them.

To add more splatters to the bookmark, dab some of the Delicata Ruby Red ink on the craft mat, spray it with Ink Potion No. 9, and use a flat brush (or fan brush) to add the splatters.

Use a craft heat gun to dry the bookmarks.

Add some ribbon or teasel to the bookmarks.

Hope that you like this project and give it a try. Thanks 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
  • Canson Watercolor Paper 140lb
  • Corner Rounder Punch
  • Hole Punch (¼ inch)
  • Fiskar paper trimmer
  • Acrylic stamping blocks
  • Flat paint brush or fan brush
  • Craft Heat Gun
  • Ribbon or twice or tassel

Let’s Make a Pantone Peach Fuzz Colored Card

By Anna Escalada York

In today’s blog post, I will show you how to incorporate sprays and markers to change or
enhance the color of colored cardstock to help you stretch your supplies.

Skill: Advanced
Time: 2 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Color a piece of teal or green patterned paper with green markers–College Ivy Memento marker
and Emerald Fabrico marker.

Step 2:
Die cut the colored patterned paper to form the leaves of the flower die cut.
Optional step: Spray the colored patterned paper with Sparkle Shimmer Spray.

Step 3:
Spray a die cut panel of watercolor paper with Angel Pink and Cantaloupe Fireworks! Sprays.
After it dried, I sprayed both sprays again. This combination of the two colors almost achieved
the peach fuzz color.

Step 4:
Using a piece of peach cardstock, die cut the small flowers for the floral die cut three times.

Step 5:
Stamp Pink Shimmer Delicata ink onto the flowers using a stamp. (On the card, you can see a
little shine on the flowers, but it ins’t visible in pictures.)

Step 6:
Add Pink Shimmer and Gold Glitz Delicata Ink onto parts of a large background stamp. Make
sure to leave parts of the stamp uninked (such as the lower left corner of the stamp).
Optional step: Add holographic embossing powder onto the stamped image.

Step 7:
Use Tangelo and Morocco Memento markers to color a smaller stamp and repeatedly stamp
card base to add texture.

Step 8:
Die cut the main sentiment out of more of the peach colored cardstock and the shadow die out
of some peach patterned paper. Spray the sentiment with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer spray and
the shadow paper with Cantaloupe and Angel Pink Fireworks! sprays. After the sprays dry, glue
the two layers together.

Step 9:
Glue the floral die cut pieces together.

Step 10:
Create the matte layer of the card by die cutting a piece of orange patterned paper and then
spraying it with more of the Cantaloupe and Angel Pink Fireworks! Sprays and Sparkle Sheer
Shimmer spray to mute the bold orange color.

Step 11:
Glue the floral die cut and the sentiment onto the upper card base. Trim off the right edge of the
sentiment so that it doesn’t overhang the upper card panel. Then glue the matte (orange) panel
behind the upper panel.

Step 12:
Stamp the sub sentiments with by coloring them again with more Morocco Memento marker.
(The sub sentiments came in 3 parts “I am,” “you are” and “going through this.” Since the last
sentiment wouldn’t fit on the card without a little help, I performed “stamp surgery” where the
stamp was cut before stamping to create two smaller stamps. If you are uncomfortable with this,
you can mask part of the stamp and stamp the sentiment a couple of times if you are trying to
create something similar.)

Step 13:
Glue the card panel onto an A2-sized white card base and then glue a few rhinestones around
the flowers and the sentiment.

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Other:

  • Simon Says Stamp – die cuts – Fine Foxglove
  • Simon Says Stamp -stamp- Document It
  • Honey Bee Stamps – stamp – With Sympathy
  • Honey Bee Stamps – die cuts – With Sympathy
  • HAI Supply – gem embellishments – Crystalline Grapefruit
  • My Colors Cardstock – paper – Peach
  • Echo Park – paper – Easter Tweetings
  • Embossing powder in my stash
  • Patterned paper (orange and teal) in my stash
  • Watercolor paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Stamp Layering with VersaMagic Ink Pads

By Jessica Lin

VersaMagic is one of my all time favorite ink pads. The pastel, muted tones create a nice range of colors, and some look great together for stamp layering. Today I’ll be sharing some ink combos I used for stamping the layered floral images from the All Things Fabulous set.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 45 minutes

Step 1
Stamp the flower images with VersaMagic Pink Petunia, Perfect Plumeria, and Eggplant ink pads. I start with stamping the base layer with the lightest shade (Pink Petunia in this case), and work towards the darker tones. When layering the stamps, I find that aligning the center white spots is the easiest. After stamping, die cut the images with Fabulous Florals dies.

Step 2
Stamp leafy images onto the white card panel. I created 2 versions with different colored leaves. The version shown here is stamped with Aloe Vera (an all time favorite color of mine) but I decided to break out of my comfort zone and opted for the version using Aquatic Splash instead.

Step 3
Stamp the sentiment using Brilliance Starlite Silver ink pad. The shimmery effect is stunning against the dark cardstock! If you are looking for a silver ink pad, I highly recommend Starlite Silver.

Step 4
It’s time to embellish the card. This delicate lace die is to die for! It adds a feminine touch to the card and can be very versatile in my opinion. This die fits in the Mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine as well! I’ve been enjoying the mini machine for die cutting flowers and smaller elements. Then I cut the lace die cut in half and adhere them on the top and bottom behind the white card panel.

I hope you like this floral card! The muted colors from the VersaMagic ink pads are just so pretty together. I hope you’ll try them out with layering stamps.

Craft Supplies

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies: