Tag Archives: DIY

Catnapping by UFO Fun Creation

Posted on by

By Kathi Rerek

– Here’s a rare project from me that with no stamping at all. I’ve used inks, stencils, and cutting dies to create what will either be a wall hanging or a journal page.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Time: 1.5 hours

Step 1.

Secure the UFO stencil to a piece of cardstock with removable tape on both sides of the paper, creating a hinge. Apply Platinum Planet Brilliance over the stencil onto the cardstock. Open the hinged stencil and heat set the image panel.

Step 2:

Put the UFO stencil back in place. Use a sponge dauber to apply Silver Shimmer Delicata over the stencil onto the image panel. Open the hinged stencil and heat set the image panel.

Step 3:

Use a brush-tipped Fantastix to apply Dandelion Memento ink through the UFO’s windows onto the image panel. Remove and clean the stencil.

Step 4:

Touch up the windows with the Fantastix. Use a grey watercolor marker to color the window frames and the bottom aperture of the UFO.

Step 5:

Fussy-cut the UFO, edge with a dark marker, and set aside.

Step 6:

Use a sponge dauber to apply Danube Blue onto a 4.75” x 6.75” piece of Bristol Paper. Use a sponge dauber to blend Paris Dusk onto the Bristol Paper to create a mottled background.

Step 7:

Tape the Time Tunnel Stencil over the inked background panel. Use a sponge dauber to apply Paris Dusk Memento ink over the stencil onto the paper.

Step 8:

Squeeze a few drops of Moonlight White Brilliance re-inker onto a craft mat. Spray with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol. Use a paintbrush to mix the ink. Load the paintbrush with the diluted Moonlight Brilliance ink and splatter the background panel. Let air dry or heat set.

Step 9:

Use the Mini Cats die to cut Raven cardstock. Set the cat dies aside.

Step 10:

Use a sponge dauber to apply Bamboo Leaves Memento ink onto a white cardstock panel. Repeat Cottage Ivy Memento ink until the panel is covered.

Step 11:

Use the Grassy Hills Die set to cut the inked panels. Use a green Copic marker to edge the grass and to add details. Using Memento Ink to create backgrounds allows you to use Copic markers overtop!

Step 12:

Cut a piece of vellum to 6” square. Score on the diagonal from one point to the opposite point. Fold.

Repeat with both sides until it looks like the above photo.

Step 13:

Place one edge of the scored, folded square along the cutting edge of a guillotine trimmer. Cut.

Step 14:

Use On Point Glue to adhere the die-cut cats to the interior of the folded vellum triangle. Sorry that I forgot to take a photo.

Step 15:

Back a piece of vellum with two-sided tape. Use the Oval Shadows Die-namics to cut the vellum.

Step 16:

Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the three layers of grass to the background panel as shown. Edge the panel with VersaFine Clair Nocturne .

Adhere the vellum cone and the vellum oval as shown. Use On Point Glue to adhere escaping and/or partially beamed-up cats atop the vellum oval and cone.

Use dimensional foam adhesive to adhere the UFO as shown.

Step 17:

Adhere the image panel to a 5” x 7” piece of Black Mixed Media paper. Add the sentiment sticker to finish the piece.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Bristol Paper by Strathmore
  • Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • 140 lb. Black Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Vellum: Source Unknown
  • UFO Stencil by Funky Fossil
  • Time Tunnel Stencil by Visible Image
  • Grey Stone Zig Photo Twin Marker by Kuretake
  • YG 45 Copic Marker
  • Grassy Hills Die-namics Set by My Favorite Things
  • Ovals Shadows Die-namics Die Set by My Favorite Things
  • Mini Cats Die Cut Set by Impression Obsession
  • Small Talk Idea-ology Stickers by Tim Holtz for Adventus
  • 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Heat Gun by EK Success
  • Mini Guillotine Trimmer by Tim Holtz for Tonic
  • Big Shot

Pandamonium With Kaleidacolor Inks

Posted on by

By Kathi Rerek

– I’ve been experimenting with 91° Isopropyl Alcohol to blend inks and decided to see what would happen with Kaleidacolor Ink. I’m totally thrilled with the results!

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Time: 1.5 hours

Step 1.

Keeping the Kaleidacolor’s ink pads separate, apply ink to the brayer.

Step 2:

Use the brayer to roll the ink onto one side of a 4.25” x 5” panel of white cardstock. Re-ink the brayer if necessary. Notice that the lightest green is in the center of the paper.

Flip the paper 180° and repeat. It’s always a good idea to create more than one panel of inked cardstock!

Step 3:

Spray the inked cardstock with Isopropyl Alcohol until the paper is completely saturated. Tilt the paper so that the alcohol moves the ink around. Note that whereas the paper is wet, it is not pilling!

Safety Warning: Be sure to have good ventilation when using any kind of solvent!

Pro Tip:

Place a piece of white seam binding or ribbon into the puddle of ink to create perfectly matching trim!

Step 4:

Mist the cardstock with water to add white speckles and blotches. Heat set.

Step 5:

Tape the inked cardstock to t he back of the bamboo stencil.

Sponge Rainforest and Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Inks over the stencil onto the inked cardstock. Heat set.

Step 6:

Use Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp two of the pandas from the Pandamonium Clear Stamp Set. Heat set.

Step 7:

Fussy-cut both pandas.

Step 8:

Smoosh Rose Bud, Angel Pink, Summer Sky, and Dandelion Dew Drop Inkpads onto a craft mat. Mist with water. Use a fine paintbrush to color the pandas.

Step 9:

Use a plain rectangle and a postage edged rectangle dies to cut inked panels.

Step 10:

Place a piece of paper tape across the bottom of the stenciled cardstock.

Heavily sponge Rain Forest VersaFine Clair Ink below the tape to cover the stenciling. Use the ink to edge the piece as well.

Step 11:

Use Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp the sentiment.

Step 12:

Use a Postage Edged die to cut the sentiment.

Step 13:

Create an A2 card from Avalanche cardstock. Apply Verdant VersaFine Clair Ink around the edges of the white cardstock. VersaFine Clair Ink works really well with textured cardstock!

Step 14:

Use Tear It! Tape to attach the postage edged die-cut to the card.

Adhere the pandas and the sentiment die-cut to the stenciled panel, then adhere the stenciled panel to finish the card.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Avalanche Textured Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Pandamonium Clear Stamp Set by Time for Tea Designs
  • Bamboo Stencil by The Crafters Workshop
  • Nesting Postage Stamps Infinity Die Set by Hero Arts
  • Nesting Rectangles Infinity Die Set by Hero Arts
  • 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Stamping Platform
  • Heat Gun by EK Success

Pawsome Card with VersaColor and Memento Inks

Posted on by

By Kathi Rerek

Cats rule the internet and my heart. Here’s a quick card created with inks, stencils, and white paper.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1.

Roll a 4” Brayer onto a Pink VersaColor inkpad, then apply the ink onto a 5” x 7” Gel Press. Place a 5” x 7” panel of Bristol Paper onto the Gel Press, press the back of the paper to pull the print. Heat set the ink.

Step 2:

Position the quote on the Life with Cats stencil along the bottom of the inked paper panel. Use tape to secure the stencil to the back of the panel.

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply London Fog Memento Ink over the stencil onto the inked panel. Remove the stencil.

Step 3:

Position the Pawsome Hearts stencil to the center of the inked panel. Use tape to secure the stencil to the back of the panel.

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Pink VersaColor Ink over the stencil onto the inked panel.

Remove the stencil and heat set the inked panel.

Step 4:

Use the Sponge Dauber to edge the stenciled panel with Pink VersaColor Ink. Heat set.

Step 5:

Use a stamping platform and Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to stamp two cats from the Cat Capers Clear Stamp Set onto a panel of Bristol Paper. Heat set.

Step 6:

Fussy-cut both cats.

Step 7:

Smoosh London Fog Memento Ink onto a craft mat. Mist with water. Use a fine paintbrush to color the cats’ fur. Clean the ink off of the craft mat and the paint brush.

Repeat the above steps with Rose Bud Memento Ink to color the cheeks, nose, and ears. Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink for their eyes and the fish body, and Bahama Blue Memento Ink for the bird and the fish head and tail.

Step 8:

Position the corner flourish of the stencil on the upper right corner of the background panel. Secure with tape on the reverse.

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply London Fog Memento Ink over the stencil onto the panel.

Remove the stencil. Clean and dry it thoroughly.

Flip the stencil, position the corner flourish of the stencil on the upper left of the background panel. Secure with tape on the reverse.

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply London Fog Memento Ink over the stencil onto the panel.

Remove the stencil. Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the panel with London Fog Memento ink.

Step 9:

Use On Point Glue to secure the cats to the background panel as shown.

Step 10:

Create a 7” x 5” card from white cardstock. Apply London Fog Memento Ink around the edges of the white cardstock.

Step 11:

Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the panel to the inked card.

Craft Supplies:

Imagine Crafts :

Other Supplies:

  • Bristol Paper by Strathmore
  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Cat Capers Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Pawsome Hearts Stencil by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Life Is Better With Cats Stencil by Stamperia
  • PS190 Stencil by ScrapCozy for PaperArtsy
  • Stamping Platform
  • Heat Gun by EK Success

Let’s Make a Flowers and Butterflies 3D Embossed Happy Birthday Card

Posted on by

By Martha Lucia Gomez –

Hello crafty friends! Today, I have a different way to use your VersaMagic Ink Pads. You only need a embossing folder and different colors of ink to create a colored background.  

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 60 minutes

Directions:

Select an embossing folder of your preference. If you use a 3D Embossing Folder, you will note a bigger difference in the background.

Step 1:

Select the colors of VersaMagic Ink that you want to use. In today’s card, I am using Purple Hydrangea, Red Magic, Mango, Ocean Depth and Turquoise Green.  Also select the embossing folder that you wanted to use.

Step 2:

Place the piece of cardstock behind your embossing folder before applying the ink to the embossing folder. With this you will see clearer how the colors will look on your background. Apply the ink directly with the ink pad over one of the sides of your folder. Remember that it has an embossing side and a debossing side. In my sample, I used the debossing side.

Insert the piece of cardstock inside of your embossing folder and pass it through the die cut machine before the ink dries.

Step 3:

To enhance the details that were not covered by the ink, you can use the Sheer Shimmer Stix Dauber. Just softly press the dauber directly over the details where you want to add the shimmer look. I used the Frost color to keep it neutral.

Step 4:

Now is the time to add the sentiment. I didn’t want to cover the colorful background, so I went for a large die cut sentiment. First, I inked a piece of white smooth cardstock with one of the colors used in the background. In my model it is the Turquoise Green. I applied it directly with the ink pad and let the paper dry naturally before the die cut the sentiment.

To add more contrast, I also die cut a tiny complement of the sentiment in a coordinated card stock. I pasted it directly over the large die cut sentiment using the OnPoint Glue.

Step 5:

Resize your layer and paste it directly over the card base using Tear it Tape. Paste the large sentiment over the colored background using crafty foam tape to add more dimension to the card.

Thanks for stopping by and remember, you don’t need to create complicated projects. Just use the best inks and let your creativity shine!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Other:

  • 3D Embossing Folder
  • Die Cut Machine
  • White and colored cardstick  
  • Crafty Foam Tape

Learn How to Create a Faux Wood Burning Stamping Technique

Posted on by

By Nancy May –

Pyrography is the art of wood burning and it has a very distinctive look. This stamping technique has a very similar look. Be sure to use watercolor card or this technique will likely not work. You will also need a stamping platform, water mister and a water reactive dye ink like VersaMagic, and a non-water reactive pigment ink, like VersaFine Clair.  Let’s get into it. 

~Nancy

Skill: Beginner, Intermediate

Time: undetermined

Art Supplies

Imagine:

● VersaMagic Dew Drop – Jumbo Java

● VersaMagic Dew Drop – Tea Leaves

● VersaFine Clair – Nocturne

Other:

● Stampendous – Snowy Birds Red Rubber Stamp

● Whimsy Stamps – You Are Loved Die set

● Dress My Craft – Rich Red 12×12 Cardstock

● PinkFresh – Slimline Lacy Edgers Dies

Let’s Make a Gel Print Cat Card

Posted on by

By Kathi F. Rerek 

Using a Gel Press with VersaFine Clair inks is a great way to create a quick background.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Time: 1 hour

Directions:

Step 1.

Use a 2” brayer to apply Paradise VersaFine Clair ink to the top part of a 4” round gel press. Clean the brayer, then use to apply Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Ink to the bottom  of the gel press.

Press a 6” x 4.25” piece of mixed media paper onto the gel press and pull the print. I actually used a leftover panel from a previous gel print session that was not successful.

Step 2:

Mist the print with with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol.

Use Fantastix to apply Verdant VersaFine Clair Ink to even out the green area of the print and then apply Rain Forest VersaFine Clair Ink to add dimension.

Step 3:

Use paper towel to gently dab the sky and grassy areas of the print with Purell to further blend the ink.

Heat set.

Step 4:

Use magnets to secure the image panel to the base of a stamping platform.

Position the stretching cat stamp from the The Furieux/Caffeinated Cats Unmounted Stamp Set facedown so that its paws are on the grass.

Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if needed. Remove the stamp and heat set the panel.

Step 5:

The left paws were stamped slightly above the grass, so I used Fantastix and Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Ink to add a tuft of grass under his floating paws and to add detail to the lawn.

Step 6:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Pearlescent Sky Blue Brilliance Ink around the image circle, leaving a bit of a halo effect around the circle.

Step 7:

Tape the image panel to the back of the Pawprint Stencil so that the smallest paw prints run horizontally across the top of the image panel.

Use Sponge Daubers to apply Pearlescent Sky Blue and Mediterranean Blue Brilliance Inks over the stencil onto the image panel.

Remove and clean the stencil, then repeat the steps above to stencil the small paw prints across the bottom of the image panel.

Lift the stencil and use the Sponge Dauber to edge the panel with Mediterranean Blue Brilliance Ink. Heat set the panel.

Step 8:

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Pearlescent Sky Blue Brilliance Ink to a strip of white cardstock. Heat set.

Secure the cardstock strip to the base of a stamping platform. Position the “You talking’ to me?” sentiment from the Whatchamacallit Unmounted Stamp Set facedown on the strip.

Ink the stamp with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink and stamp. Heat set.

Use scissors or a die-cut to cut the sentiment and edge it with Mediterranean Blue Brilliance Ink. Heat set.

Step 9:

Cut a piece of white cardstock to 9” x 6.25”, score at 4.5”, and fold to form a 4.5” x 6.25” card.

Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Mediterranean Blue Brilliance Ink around the the edges of the card. Heat Set.

Step 10:

Use Tear It! Tape to secure the image panel to the card front.

Step 11:

After looking at the finished card,I decided that the card needed a larger sentiment up at the top left.

Secure the entire card with magnets to the base of a stamping platform. Position the “Hello” stamp from the Holiday Quotes. Unmounted Stamp Set facedown on the upper left. Use Nocturne VersaMark Ink to stamp the sentiment. Heat set.

Supplies used:

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

  • 140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • The Furieux/Caffeinated Cats Unmounted Stamp Set 127 by Katzelkraft
  • Whatchamacallit Unmounted Stamp Set 276 by Katzelkraft
  • Holiday Quotes Unmounted Stamp Set 207 by Katzelkraft
  • 4” Circle Gel Press
  • Paw Prints 6×6 Stencil by KaiserCraft
  • Lemon Yellow Zig Clear Color Real Brush Marker by Kuretake
  • 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Purell
  • Stamping Platform
  • Heat Gun by EK Success