Create Your Own Holographic Vertigo Film for Cardmaking Crafts

by Roni Johnson

Create Your Own Holographic Vertigo Film for Cardmaking Crafts

Holographic … as a color? Yep, that’s what May’s color of the month is at Imagine. I must admit at first I was thrilled. I LOVE the wide spectrum of color, the swirly design, and the amazing depth it gives a project. After the jubilation wore off I was stumped! Short of going out and buying some holographic paper, how do I create this look on my own? Well, I took this as a challenge and I set to experimenting.

Let me tell you experimentation is not a pretty process…lots and LOTS of trial and error but it is very fun! As luck would have it I found the perfect recipe for making my very own holographic colored technique and I’d like to share it with you.

Skill: Advanced
Time: 1 hour + dry time

Directions


Step 1

Cut a piece of Vertigo film to the desired size. I am using a 4.25 x 5.5” for my examples.


Step 2

Begin applying ribbons of color using a variety of StazOn inks and a sponge dauber. I must warn you that the Vertigo film has a texture to it that may or may not tear up your sponge daubers. If you are a bit heavy handed as I am the film does tend to chew on the dauber. It’s o.k. though, I keep a set of the daubers set aside just for this purpose.


Step 3

Continue to add color until the entire piece of Vertigo film has been covered. You will be left with a very colorful sheet of Vertigo film.


Step 4

Freshen up or apply a brand new coat of the ink/glue your Essential Glue Pad.


Step 5

Pounce the Glue Pad over a background stamp.


Step 6

Position the inked piece of Vertigo film over the inked stamp. Lightly rub the back of the Vertigo to ensure complete coverage.


Step 7

Carefully place silver leafing flakes over the inked film. I find that a soft bristle brush helps to push the leafing flakes around where needed. Let the glue dry completely. I usually leave it undisturbed for 2-4 hours.


Step 8

After the glue has dried use a soft bristle brush to remove the excess leafing flakes. Save the excess leafing flakes for future use. And here’s how this example looks after removing the excess leafing flakes.


Step 9

Time to apply a layer of StazOn Pigment ink over the panel. Choose a color that will compliment the overall design and apply it over both the exposed Vertigo film and the leafing flakes.


Step 10

You will be left with an amazing design that has all of the wonderful aspects of holographic colors.


Step 11

The same panel from another angle reveals the beauty of the StazOn ink colors hidden beneath the leafing flakes. It will shine and shimmer from every angle.


Step 12

What can you do with the holographic design? Virtually anything! You are only limited by your imagination. The card above is assembled with a unicorn stamp and the “you are magical” sentiment.

This is another example made using the same technique with a different selection of colors. The card above is assembled with a mermaid stamp and the “The hardest part of moving forward is not looking back” sentiment.

Supplies

Unicorn Example

Imagine
Other
  • Hero Arts – Unicorn Stamp and Cut
  • Black Widow Colored Pencils
  • White Cardstock

Mermaid Example

Imagine
Other
  • Unity Stamp Co – She Mermaid (mermaid), Mystical Mermaid (sentiment)
  • Black Widow Colored Pencils
  • White Cardstock

Learn How to Use Iridescent Blue Creative Medium to get 3 Different Looks

by Lindsay Adreon

Learn How to Use Iridescent Blue Creative Medium 3 Different Looks

When I first took a peek at the Iridescent Creative Medium I couldn’t quite figure it out. In the jar, it didn’t really have any shine and I couldn’t detect a color shift like other iridescent products. Then, I swatched it and let it dry. I could not stop staring at how beautiful it was! Moving the swatch in the light—I was mesmerized by the medium and how it would shift colors as I moved it around! It also looks different on different colors of cardstock, plus you can add color to it! I’m sharing three different ways to use the Iridescent Creative Medium. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy playing around and experimenting with this fun medium!

Skill: Beginner
Time: 15 minutes + dry time

Directions

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • The Crafter’s Workshop Stencils – Wallflowers, Distressed Lace
  • Joy Clair Stamps – Spring Stroll Stamp Set
  • Hero Arts Prayers Stamp & Die Set
  • Cardstock – black, white
  • Cardbase

See How to Create a Layered Wedding Invitation

by Jowilna Nolte

See How to Create a Layered Wedding Invitation

The versatility of stamps and ink is the best part of my everyday. When it comes to making beautiful cards or wedding invitations the sky is the limit. I wanted to see how the new StazOn pigment would work on various handmade papers that I often use for invitations and there’s no surprise that this ink is made for so much more than the ordinary. Take a look at what I stamped on this invitation all using this amazing ink.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Directions


Step 1

Print the details of the invitation on smooth foiled handmade paper and trim to the desired size. Mine measures 5 x 7”.


Step 2

Next, I stamped a small little flower randomly all over the printed invitation using StazOn in Snowflake. It’s there and looks amazing but hard to see on a photo.


Step 3

Trim a piece of acetate the same size as the invitation details and stamp a lace border at the bottom and the same small flower as previously on the top half of the acetate piece.


Step 4

Use the same small flower and stamp it onto your silk ribbon using the StazOn Pigment. This was my best discovery that it stamped perfectly, was dry instantly and looks amazing.


Step 5

Layer a handmade piece of textured paper at the bottom, then the invitation details portion, handmade silk paper with the stamped acetate on top of it all. Adhere the paper pieces together with On Point Glue using a small drop only.


Step 6

Punch 2 holes at the top of the layered stack and tie with the stamped ribbon into a bow.


Step 7

All the stamped layers look so amazing on top of each other and this ink worked on all the surfaces I tried and tested – and the end result is simply exquisite.

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Kaisercraft – stamps
  • Handmade Paper
  • Japanese Paper Company
  • Ribbon
  • Midori Silk
  • Acetate

DIY Wedding Favor Gift Boxes

by Nadine Carlier

DIY Wedding Favor Gift Boxes with silver embossing

Sometimes you want to leave your guests a little something as a thank you for attending your wedding. These DIY wedding favor gift boxes are super easy to make. They can be made in many different sizes and colors to fit your style and needs. They would also be great for party favors for a baby shower too.
Watch my video below for details on how to make these cute little boxes.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 10 minutes

Supplies

Imagine
Other

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See How To Make A Birthday Card With A Dynamic Look

by Elina Stromberg

See How To Make A Birthday Card With A Dynamic Look

This card project is a playful combination of two very different design elements; a simple white graphical front and a rich bright colorful background. This design idea can be used for various card projects of different sizes and shapes; this background looks as great on a large square card as on a small ATC. For the background use your favorite colors and color combinations and add additional layers with stamps and stencils. The graphical white card front will calm down even the busiest color burst background making the result look elegant and beautiful.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 2 hours + drying time

Direction


Step 1

Trim a panel from white cardstock. The size should be slightly smaller than your card base (approx. 0.25 inch smaller on all edges). Place the panel on your craft mat, backside up. Using a pencil and a ruler trace a border around the edges. Trace a few straight lines across the panel, letting the lines cross. Decide on the placement of the solid front label that will be the base for the stamped sentiment. Mark the label area clearly so that it will be left uncut.

Step 2

Place the front panel on a cutting mat. Using a craft knife and a ruler cut out the areas inside the crossing lines. Leave a thin border on both sides of the lines. Do not cut into the solid label area.


Step 3

Mist a piece of white heavy watercolor paper with water. Use your craft mat as a palette: Remove the nozzle from the Fireworks mist, pour a drop of color on the craft mat and apply color on the paper using a brush. Add drops of another matching color either with a brush or with the nozzle. Mix colors using both water and a brush, let dry before adding more layers of color.

Step 4

When finished with painting splash the paper with clear water. Let water react with the colors for a few seconds and lift off excess by pressing the paper with a paper towel. Let dry completely and trim to size of your white card front.

Step  5

Using one or two ink colors stamp the sentiment text on the card front.

Step 6

Assemble the card by first gluing the white card front on the colorful background and then attaching the entire front panel on the card base.


Extra Tip:

When coloring a card background I often use a paper slightly larger than my finished project. After trimming the panel to the final size I keep the colorful leftover pieces and use them for decorating the inside of the card. This way I’m continuing the same color and/or pattern theme on the inside of the card!

Supplies

Imagine

Other

  • White cardstock
  • White heavy watercolor paper
  • Solid color card base
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Watercolor brush
  • Craft knife
  • Cutting mat
  • Paper trimmer
  • Glue
  • Double-sided tape
  • Ali Edwards – ‘Hello Birthday’ Stamp

Learn to Create a Card with All-Purpose Ink Blowing

by Lindsay Adreon

Learn to Create a Card with All-Purpose Ink Blowing

I love to create fun backgrounds with new techniques to be the main focal point on my cards. In this video, I’m sharing a really fun and creative way to use the All-Purpose Inks from Imagine to create one of a kind backgrounds! And all you need is a straw!!

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour for 2 cards

Directions

Supplies

Imagine
Other
  • Watercolor paper
  • Painter’s Tape
  • Straw
  • Water Mister
  • Deco Foil – Gold, Bronze
  • Concord & 9th Hello Lovely
  • Inspired by Stamping Smile Die
  • Die Cutting Machine