Tag Archives: Crafting

Learn Thumping Technique using Ink Pads

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2022-July-Martha-Lucia-Dandelion-Card-700

By Martha Lucia Gomez –

Hello there! In today’s crafting tutorial I want to show you how to make the traditional thumping technique but this time using ink pads and not markers! To make my card, I used the large size of Memento Inks but it can be made with the Memento Drops too or with any other type of ink. This is an easy and fun summer card for any occasion.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time to Complete: 30 Minutes

Directions:

 

2022-July-Martha Lucia - Dandelion Card - Step 1
Step 1:

Select the stamp set that you prefer. To make most evident this technique you can use solid stamps. Additionally, pick the colors of ink that you wanted to use. I am using two, Memento Ink Bamboo Leaves and Tangelo. 

2022-July-Martha Lucia - Dandelion Card - Step 2

Step 2:

Ink your stamp with the first color. In my case Memento Bamboo Leaves. 

2022-July-Martha Lucia - Dandelion Card - Step 3

Step 3:

Without stamp the image over the cardstock, ink the stamp partially with the second colors. Keep in mind the parts that you want to look with different shadows.

2022-July-Martha Lucia - Dandelion Card - Step 4

Step 4:

Stamp the image over a piece of cardstock.

TIP: Clean the second ink pad with a dry towel to avoid contamination of the colors.

2022-July-Martha Lucia - Dandelion Card - Step 5

Step 5:

You can repeat the above step if you want to obtain darker colors. Stamp a sentiment using a contrast color to complete your card.

2022-July-Martha-Lucia---Dandelion-Card---Step-6

Step 6:

Resize the layer with, paste the sentiment and add the decorative layer over a card base. If you want, you can use your favorite crafty foam to add more dimension to your card.

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Memento – Bamboo Leaves and Tangelo

• VersaFine – Onix Black

Other:

• 88 and Clear – Clear Stamp Set Kissable Dandelion

• Scrapbook.com – Clear Stamp Set Handmade Essentials

• Joy Clair Designs – White Smooth Cardstock 

• Positional Stamp Tool.

• The Greetery LLC – Crimped Frame Die

• Die Cut Machine

• Scrapbook Adhesives Crafty Foam.

Create a Shimmery Background with Fireworks!

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Lion 1 600

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! Fireworks! Spray from Imagine is a collection that coordinates with the Memento line of colors, but in a shimmery spray format. I love using the in ways that go well beyond just spritzing them, and today’s technique uses a brayer. The finished look has a glistening background that looks amazing when it catches the light. 

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 1 Hour

Directions:

Lion-2-600

 

 

***Let me start my saying this background took a turn in the way I was planning on making it. I adore using my Gel Press Plates, but I was getting a better result with just using a brayer, so the photo above shows how I began the process, but I wound up changing my method as I went on.

Step 1:

I spritzed my 3×5 Gel Press Plate with Lady Bug, Tangelo, and Dandelion Fireworks Spray, keeping the colors separated so I would have distinct rows. I rolled the color out with my brayer. 

Lion 3 

Step 2:

I laid my cardstock on top of the Plate and pulled my print. It was pretty splotchy, which normally I like, but I wanted it to be more solid for this card. 

Lion 4

Step 3:

I decided at this point to just spray the color directly on my Imagine Craft Mat, roll the color on to my brayer, and then take it to my cardstock. After a few layers of color, I achieved the look I was going for. Solid, shimmery color with a gradation. 

Lion 5

Here is what the panel looked like after I trimmed it down. I really love the shine. 

Lion 6

Step 4:

I laid my stencil on top of the dry panel and began to apply Morocco Memento ink on top. I spread the color with my sponge dauber. 

Lion 7

I found it to be easier to spread the color on to the stencil itself, and then use the dauber to apply it to the cardstock. 

Lion 8

Here is the completed stenciled panel. 

Lion 9

Step 5:

Time to color the lion using Memento Markers. The list of colors I used is in the supply list below. Then the colored image was die cut. 

Step 6:

I inked the edges of the white card base with Sunflower Yellow Brilliance Ink. 

Step 7:

I assembled the card and stamped my sentiment with Fallen Leaves VersaFine Clair Ink. 

 

Lion 10Lion 11

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray in Lady Bug, Tangelo, and Dandelion

Memento Ink in Morocco

Memento Markers in Rich Cocoa, Toffee Crunch, Desert Sand, Love Letter, Rhubarb Stalk, Lady Bug, Morocco, Tangelo, Potter’s Clay, Peanut Brittle, Cantaloupe, Dandelion

VersaFine Clair in Fallen Leaves

Brilliance Ink in Sunflower Yellow

Sponge Dauber

Craft Mat

On Point Glue

 

Other:

Gel Press: 3×5 Plate

Brayer

A Colorful Life Designs: Bitty Rays Stencil

Erin Lee Creative: Brave Fierce Kind Stamps

Doodles Paper Playground: Gold (and Silver) Starburst Rhinestones

Orange Ribbon

White Cardstock

 

Be a Star with New Embossing Techniques

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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

 

Make a Congrats Card with Fireworks!

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Fireworks-1-Full

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! Alison Heikkila here. It’s getting close to fireworks season, and I am pretty stoked about it. My kids and I love watching fireworks, and I get so happy to see their faces light up, literally and figuratively. I decided to make a fireworks card for Imagine this month…not necessarily for a specific holiday, but as a congratulatory card instead. 

Skill Level: Beginner
Time to Complete: 30 minutes

Directions:

 

Fireworks 2
Step 1:

Shake up your Fireworks Spray (I chose 3 colors). Choose your lightest color (Bahama Blue for me) and open the spray bottle. Dip a brush into the bottle and apply the color to watercolor paper. Cover around 1/3rd of the paper. 

*My paper was cut to 4” x 5 1/4.” 

Fireworks 3

Step 2:

Repeat this with the other two colors. I used Danube Blue, then Paris Dusk. Try to blend the colors together where they meet. Let dry.

Fireworks 4

Step 3:

With a Sponge Dauber, apply VersaMark Ink through the stencil. I opted to use the Dazzle version, but you can use the regular one. 

Fireworks 5

Step 4:

After you apply each firework, sprinkle on some Mboss embossing powder and heat set. Fill the panel with embossed fireworks. 

Fireworks 6

Step 5:

Shake up the Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Gold, open the cap, and tap on to the card panel. Let dry. 

Fireworks 7

Here you can see how shimmery the panel is. It’s even prettier in person. 

Fireworks 8

Step 6:

Apply VersaMark to a scrap of cardstock. Sprinkle on some Mboss embossing powder, shake off excess, and heat set.

Fireworks 9

Step 7:

Die cut your sentiment from the embossed cardstock. I used vellum for my shadow layer. Glue together with On Point Glue. 

 

Step 8:

Adhere your sentiment and panel to a white card base. 

Step 9:

Optional: Add some sequins to the card front with On Point Glue. 

Fireworks 10

Finished!

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Fireworks! Spray in Bahama Blue, Danube Blue, and Paris Dusk

Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Gold

Mboss in Rose Gold, Silver, and Shimmering Night Sky

VersaMark Ink: Regular or Dazzle

On Point Glue

Sponge Dauber

 

Other:

Brutus Monroe: Fireworks Stencil

Doodles Paper Playground: Flags and Fireworks Sparkle Blend

White Cardstock

Watercolor Paper

Paintbrush

Vellum

 

Make a Thank You Card for your Teacher

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Apples 1 600

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! It’s getting close to the end of the school, so I thought it was time to make cards for teachers that have worked so hard this year (and every year!). If you have a stamp set with coordinating dies, I’ve got some fun techniques that you can recreate. We’ll be using 2 types of masks and several colors of Memento inks. 

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Time to Complete: Approx. 20-30 minutes

Directions:

 

Apples 2
Step 1:

 

Let’s grab all of our supplies. Be sure to have focal images, a sentiment, the dies, and plenty of ink. We’ll be using Memento Inks because they blend so nicely.

 

Step 2: On a piece of white cardstock, cut to 4” x 5 1/4,” stamp the apple with Nocturne Ink. This is the apple that will be in the front.

Step 3: Stamp an additional apple on some scrap paper and fussy cut it out. You could use the die for this, but I wanted to get right up to the edge of my apple. This will be our first type of mask.

Apples 3

Step 4:

Place the fussy cut apple on to the one you stamped on your card front (you can use some low tack glue to hold it in place if you like). Then stamp your second apple, as shown above. When you remove the mask from the first apple, it will look like the second apple is behind the original. 

Apples 4

Here’s what the apples look like after they’re stamped. 

Apples 5

Step 5: Die cut an apple out of scrap paper. Make sure you have plenty of negative space around the die cut. This will be our second type of mask and will be used to protect the card front except for the apple you’re ink blending. 

Apples 6

Step 6: Let’s start ink blending! I love coloring apples because there is often so much variation in colors on them. I started with Lady Bug ink, then moved into Cantaloupe, and finished with Pear Tart. The mask we made with the die cut allows us to get a perfect edge around the apple. 

Apples 7 

Again, these dies cut slightly larger than the stamped image, but I don’t mind that clean, extra rim of color around the apple. 

Apples 8

Step 7: Place the fussy cut apple on to the inked apple, then line up your other mask around the uninked apple. Repeat the ink blending on this apple, but try to make it look a little different from the first one. 

Apples 9

Step 8: Grab one of your brown Memento markers (I used Espresso Truffle) and color in the stems. 

Apples 10

Step 9: Stamp a leaf on a separate piece of cardstock with Nocturne Ink. Ink blend Pear Tart ink on top and die cut it. 

Apples 11

Step 10:

Use the same 3 colors you used on the apples to ink blend the edges of your card base. 

Step 11:

Stamp the sentiment with Shady Lane ink. 

Step 12:

Adhere the card front with your favorite adhesive. Attach the leaf using foam tape. 

Apples 12 600

 

 

 

 
 

 

Finished!

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Memento Inks in Lady Bug, Cantaloupe, and Pear Tart

VersaFine Clair Inks in Nocturne and Shady Lane

Memento Marker in Espresso Truffle

Other:

Mama Elephant: Fresh Fruits Stamps and Dies (discontinued…but there are many other fruit sets out there)

Stamping Bella: Planty Dandy

Blending Brushes

White Cardstock

Adhesive

Foam Tape

 

 

Create a Beautiful Wedding Scrapbook Page

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With-This-Ring-1

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! It’s time for my latest tutorial for Imagine, and I decided to make another scrapbook page. This time, I went way back and pulled out some wedding photos. I never did finish our wedding album, so this was a great opportunity to get one more page completed.

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Time to Complete: 1-2 Hours (I’m a slow scrapbooker)

Directions:

With This Ring 2

Step 1:

Gather your supplies. This may seem obvious, but it helps quite a bit to grab a bunch of things that you may wind up using on your page. Inks, ephemera, dies, stencils, etc. are all things that you could use. I grabbed a bunch of items for the photo above, but I didn’t use all of them, and some things i used aren’t shown here. I don’t often have a plan when I am scrapbooking, but I like to grab things to help get me started.

With This Ring 3

Step 2:

Based on the colors in the photo, I wanted to use the Vineyard Kaleidacolor Ink Pad. I took a piece of Mixed Media Paper and rolled the ink on to it using my brayer and Ink Potion No. 9. The Ink Potion No. 9 helps the color to move and transfer better. It took a number of passes to get the paper covered, but I love how it looks painted and uneven. This piece will go behind the photos to “ground” them. Let dry.

With This Ring 4
Step 3:

Paint or enhance your ephemera. I found some feathers that have foil on them in my stash, and the negative space was white. So I applied some of the Kaleidacolor Ink to my Craft Mat and painted it on with a brush and water. The look is subtle, but it helped it to coordinate with the rest of my page better. I also added some color to the stopwatch.

With This Ring 5
Step 4:

Add die cuts. I die cut a few lavender stems from white cardstock. I used Elderberry Memento ink and the greens from the Vineyard Ink to paint them. These pieces are delicate, so don’t oversaturate them. I also die cut some foliage from white cardstock and lightly spritzed them with Desert Sand Fireworks! Spray. Using white die cuts allows you to completely customize them.

Step 5:

Add die cuts with colored cardstock. I die cut the wreath out of green cardstock. It needed to be enhanced a bit, so I lightly applied Pistachio and Olive Grove. It’s subtle, but adds a lot of interest.

With This Ring 6

Step 6:

Enhance textured die cuts. I used an Impresslits border under both of my photos. I cut it out of white cardstock, and used Pretty Petunia VersaMagic Ink to enhance the design. I just rubbed the ink pad across the piece. I also sprayed it unevenly with Desert Sand fireworks! Spray for shine and to dull down the white a bit.

With This Ring 7

Step 7:

Begin to place your elements. Play with torn edges, overlapping items, and creating a sense of movement. Move things around to make sure you have good, even placement, and feel free to add or remove pieces as necessary.

With This Ring 8
Step 8:

Add some splatter. I used some more Elderberry ink that I squished on to my Craft Mat to apply splatter to the entire white background. It’s just a bit more color, but it adds a lot to the finished page.

Step 9:

Add your title. I found some ridiculously old rub-ons and letters to help me create the perfect title.

With This Ring 9

Step 10:

Start gluing down your elements. It helps to take a photo of your layout before you start gluing, so that you can place your pieces back exactly where you had them. On Point Glue is perfect for the teeny die cuts I used.

With This Ring 10
Step 11

Finishing touches. Do you need an additional sprig of foliage? Do you need a touch more ink somewhere? This is the point where the page is just about finished, and you just need to add a tiny detail here and there.

With-This-Ring-1

Finished!

We’ve got a very pretty wedding page that works beautifully with the photos and feel of our wedding. Don’t forget…even if your embellishments and/or color scheme are completely different from mine, you can still use these techniques when creating your own layout. Playing with your inks to help enhance items you have in your stash can really tie everything together. Play with your papers and dies to see how you can alter them with inks and sprays to get exactly the look you want. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Kaleidacolor Inks in Vineyard
Memento Inks in Olive Grove, Pistachio, and Elderberry
Ink Potion No. 9
On Point Glue
Desert Sand Fireworks! Spray
VersaMagic Ink in Pretty Petunia

Other:

Canson Mixed Media XL Paper
Brayer
Princeton Snap Brush: Size 4
Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Wildflowers Dies
Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Impresslits Embossing folder- Mini Provincial
Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Funky Wreath
Rub-Ons
Ephemera
Die Cut Letters
Additional Adhesive (for bigger items)