Zombies Invade Brooklyn Card

By Kathi Rerek

Halloween card made easy with VersaMagic, Brilliance, Delicata, VersaFine Clair, and Memento Inks!

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Time: 1 hour

Step 1.

Use low-tack tape to secure the Cityscape Stencil to a 5.5” x 8.5” piece of light grey cardstock. Trim and place low-tack tape to cover the buildings’ windows. Use a circle punch to cut a circle from mask paper and adhere the circle mask above the bridge. Keep the mask paper with the circular hole for another step..

Use a sponge dauber to apply Night Sky VersaMagic Ink over the stencil and the moon mask onto the the grey cardstock to create a night sky.

Step 2:

Keeping the stencil in place, remove the tape covering the windows. Use a Fantastix to apply Dandelion Memento Ink over the window apertures of the stencil.

Step 3:

Trace the spire onto masking paper, fussy-cut along the lines, leaving the outline of the spire intact. Place the mask around the spire on the image panel. Use low-tack tape to cover the base of the spire.

Use a sponge dauber to apply Platinum Planet Brilliance Ink to the spire, then apply Silvery Shimmer Delicata Ink overtop to amp up the silver.

Step 4:

Use low-tack tape to cover the area around the rooftop water tower, leaving the tower unmasked. Use a Fantastix to apply Platinum Planet Brilliance Ink to color the water tower. Use another Fantastix to apply Starlight Black Brilliance Ink to add shading to the water tower.

Step 5:

Remove the circle mask from the sky. Adhere the mask paper with the circle hole to the sky area, leaving the center open. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Moonlight White Brilliance ink to color the moon white. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply White Shimmer Delicata Ink overtop to add shimmer to the moon.

Step 6:

Use a scrap of cardstock and low-tack tape to cover the buildings. Place another piece of low-tack tape horizontally across the bottom 1.25” of the image panel.Use Sponge Daubers to apply Cottage Ivy and Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink between the masked areas to create a grassy lawn.

Step 7:

Use low-tack tape to cover the grassy areas. Use the pouncy tool to apply London Fog, Grey Flannel, and Desert Sand Memento Inks to create a cement sidewalk.

Step 8:

Use magnets to secure the image panel to the stamping platform. Position the Zombie stamps facedown where desired. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps, lift, ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and repeat stamping if needed to attain a good solid impression.

Remove the Zombie stamps from the platform., then remove the image panel from the platform,. Heat set the stamped images.

Step 9:

Place the image panel back onto the base of the stamping platform, secured with magnets.. Place the other two small Zombie stamps facedown between the other stamped images. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps, lift, ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and repeat stamping if needed to attain a good solid impression.

Remove the stamps from the platform Remove the image panel from the platform. Heat set.

Step 10:

Place the image panel back onto the stamping platform, secured with magnets. Place the Bat Colony Stamp facedown in the sky area as shown. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps, lift, ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and repeat stamping if needed to attain a good solid impression.

Remove the stamps from the platform Remove the image panel from the platform. Heat set.

Step 11:

Trim the image panel to 4 5/8” x 6 5/8” . Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the image panel with Midnight Black VersaMagic Ink.

Step 12:

Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4.75” x 6.75”. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Platinum Planet Brilliance Ink to the outside .5” of the image panel. Then use a Sponge Dauber to apply Silvery Shimmer Delicata Ink overtop to add to the metallic shine.

Step 13:

Use Tear It! Tape to mat the image panel to the silver-inked cardstock, then use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the matted image panel to a black 5” x 7” card.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Light Grey Cardstock
  • Cityscape Stencil TCW376 by The Crafters Workshop
  • Bat Colony Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps
  • Zombie Party by Whimsy Stamps
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Mask Paper by Gina K Designs
  • Pouncy Tool
  • Heat Gun by EK Success
  • Mini Guillotine Trimmer by Tim Holtz for Tonic Studios
  • Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Trapped Rainbow Stamping

By Alison Heikkila

Hello! I have a new tutorial for Imagine today and it uses some of my favorite types of inks: Kaleidacolor and VersaFine Clair. I’m going to show you how to use bold silhouette stamps, along with a detail stamp to get a unique “trapped rainbow” effect.

*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. For more information, please see my Affiliates page, where I also have some coupon codes.


Difficulty: Intermediate
Time to Complete: Approx. 45-60 Minutes

Step 1:

Apply Tahiti Kaleidacolor Ink to a 6×6 Gel Press Plate. Gently tap the color. You don’t need much.

Pro Tip: The Kaleidacolor Inks do not need to be clicked together. The pad does not reach across the entire surface, and the little area for your finger to click the colors together can get in the way of inking the Plate. I have mine hang over the edge, as seen above, then I flip the pad around to the other side of the Plate to finish inking it.

Your Gel Press Plate will look like this when you are done inking.

Step 2:

Spray the Plate lightly with water.

Step 3:

Lay a piece of cardstock on to the Plate. Gently rub your hand across the back of the cardstock. If you are worried about getting ink on your hands, cover the whole plate with a piece of copy paper and rub.

This is what the monoprint, or “pull” will look like. I love the bits of white showing…it makes it look grungy.

Step 4:

Let’s add some more interest by stamping a large text stamp on to our background. I inked this stamp up with Warm Breeze. Don’t worry about what the stamp says, you won’t be able to read much of it when we’re finished.

Step 5:

Dry the panel completely with a heat tool or embossing gun. VersaFine Clair ink stays wet for a long time, and we don’t want embossing powder to stick anywhere just yet.

Step 6:

Apply your silhouette stamp to an acrylic block. Stamp it all over the panel, without overlapping the images. It will be hard to see, so if you are having trouble, go back and forth between this step and the next.

Step 7:

Sprinkle Clear Embossing Powder on to the stamped images and heat set.

You can see some of the shine from the embossed florals above. Don’t worry, with the next step, they will be much easier to see.

Step 8:

Using a cosmetic sponge (which gives a nice heavy application), apply Twilight Ink across the entire panel. You will see that the areas that have been embossed will resist the ink.

Step 9:

When you are done inking the panel, buff off the excess with a dry cloth or paper towel. Trim the panel down to 4″ x 5 1/4.”

Step 10:

Apply New Sprout ink to your white card base, just around the perimeter.

Step 11:

Die cut your sentiment. To grunge it up a bit, lightly apply Cantaloupe Ink to the top layer, which will bring out the texture in the cardstock.

Step 12: Adhere all elements to the card base.


Supplies:
Imagine:
Kaleidacolor: Tahiti
Clear Embossing Powder
VersaFine Clair Ink in Warm Breeze
VersaFine Clair Ink in Twilight
VersaMark Ink
Memento Ink in New Sprout
Memento Ink in Cantaloupe


Other:
Gel Press: 6×6 Plate
Speedball: 6″ Brayer
Hero Arts: Floral Imprints
Trinity Stamps: Encouragement Text
Birch Press: Big Hugs Sugar Script Die
Other: White card base, light teal cardstock, pale orange cardstock, spray bottle of water, embossing gun, cosmetic sponge

You can of course change up the colors however you like! Kaleidacolor Inks come in a wide range of palettes. I hope you will try this technique for yourself. Thanks so much f stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

How to Make a Simple Fall Tag

Leaf-Tag-Cover-600

By Alison Heikkila –

As we approach Autumn, I thought it would be fun to share a way to make a simple tag that can be used for gifts, as a place card, or even attached to a card base. By using a few simple techniques, you can make a bunch of these tags quickly, and save them for when you need them.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 15-20 Minutes

Directions:

Leaf-Tag-1

Step 1:

Die cut a tag out of Kraft cardstock. Cut a piece of Bristol Smooth Cardstock that is a little larger than your leaf stamp.

Step 2:

Stamp your leaf with VersaFine Clair Ink in Pinecone.

Step 3:

Apply Clear Mboss Embossing Powder to the leaf, shake off the excess, and heat set.

Leaf-Tag-2

Step 4:

Using Memento Inks in Pear Tart, Dandelion, Tangelo, and Morocco, apply using a blending brush. The colors should fade into each other and cover the entire leaf. The photo above shows the leaf not completely inked.

Step 5:

Die cut the leaf using the coordinating die, or fussy cut it.

Leaf-Tag-3

Step 6:

Place the leaf on the tag to help determine where you will add Tear It! Tape. The Tear It! Tape will be used to add stripes of embossing powder. I applied 2 strips.

Leaf-Tag-4

Step 7:

Sprinkle on Shimmering Night Sky Mboss powder on to the Tear It! Tape, shake off the excess, and heat set.

Leaf-Tag-5

Step 8:

Ink the edges of the tag with Rich Cocoa Memento ink and a blending brush. You could also do this step before you add the Tear It! Tape.

Leaf-Tag-6

Step 9:

Splatter on Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Gold all over the tag. Let dry

Leaf-Tag-7

Step 10:

Ink a small sentiment with VersaFine Clair Pinecone ink and stamp it on the tag.

Step 11:

Apply foam squares to the back of your leaf to raise it off of the surface of the tag and adhere it.

Step 12:

Add some ribbon or twine to the hole in the tag.

Leaf-Tag-8-600

I think this tag is so pretty and festive. You can easily use different colors of Memento inks or different embossing powder colors to completely change up the look.

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• VersaFine Clair: Pinecone Ink
• Memento Ink: Pear Tart, Dandelion, Tangelo, Morocco, Rich Cocoa
• Tear It! Tape
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz in Gold
• Mboss Powder in Clear and Shimmering Night Sky

Other:

• Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Framelets Tag Die Set
• Kraft Cardstock
• Strathmore: Smooth Bristol Cardstock
• Stampendous: Jumbo Leaves
• Simon Says Stamp: Tiny Words
• May Arts: Organza Ribbon
• Blending Brushes
• Foam Squares

Make a Sparkling Summer Birthday Card

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_main

By Jowilna Nolte 

Summer means outdoor celebrations and color – and that means loads of fun right?
Make every celebration special by adding loads of fun and bright colors to birthday cards.
Take a look at this easy and fun way I use color and shimmer on this card.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 30 minutes

Directions:

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_step1

Step 1

On smooth white cardstock add some stenciled details. I used Creative Medium and mixed some Red Brilliance Inker into the medium before applying it through a stencil using my palette knife.
Leave the stenciling to dry.

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_step2

Step 2

Once the stenciled detail is dry, add some color using Memento and VersaMagic Dew Drop ink pads.
Apply the ink, once color at a time to a plastic packet and mist with water. Then stamp the color onto your background by flipping the packet over and pressing lightly.
Add more colors and then leave to dry.

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_step3

Step 3

Stamp your image using VersaFine Clair Nocturne onto smooth white cardstock.

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_step4

Step 4

Use your Memento Markers to add color to your stamped image. I used colors to match my background.

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_step5

Step 5

After coloring the image, add a layer of embossing in Sparkle Mboss powder. Ink the image with VersaMark and sprinkle with powder.
Shake off the excess and then use a heat gun to melt the powder. This gives the image a bright and fun shimmering finish.

2021_June_JN_SummerBirthday_step6

Step 6

Use your Tear-It! tape to adhere the background strip to your folded card. Stamp a birthday sentiment below the strip using VersaFine Clair Nocturne.
Adhere the embossed image using foam tape for some dimension and  finish off by adhering diamante using On Point Glue.

Art Supplies

Imagine

Craft Mat
Tear It! Tape
On Point Glue
Palette Knife 
VersaFine Clair Nocturne
VersaMark Ink Pad
Mboss Embossing Powder – Sparkle
VersaMagic Turquoise Gem Dew Drop
Memento Rose Bud Dew Drop
Memento Tangelo Dew Drop
Memento Markers Assorted Colors

Other

Smooth White Cardstock: Technic
Stamps: Art by Marlene, Joy Clair
Diamante
Stencil: Jowilna Nolte
Foam Tape

Create a Fun Summer BBQ Invitation

Ladybug-Greens-1-600

By Alison Heikkila

Summer is fast approaching and that means it’s almost barbecue season! After many of us spent last year at home, isolated, I know a lot of folks are looking forward to spending summer with friends and family again. Today, I have a simple tutorial to help you make sweet invitations (or just regular greeting cards) using some of my favorite products from Imagine, like Kaleidacolor inks and Fireworks! Spray.

Skill Level: Beginner

Time: Approx. 20 Minutes, plus drying time

Directions:

Ladybug-Greens-5

Step 1

Stamp the ladybug from the Entomology stamp set 5 times on to Smooth Bristol cardstock with VersaMark Ink.

Ladybug-Greens-6

Step 2

Sprinkle Black Embossing Powder on to the ladybugs, shake off the excess, and heat set.

Ladybug-Greens-7

Step 3:

Using Lady Bug Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray and a brush, paint the ladybugs. Once the color is dry on the paper, you should wipe the embossed areas with a cloth, to remove any excess.

Ladybug-Greens-8

Step 4

Die cut the ladybugs with the coordinating die.

Ladybug-Greens-9

Step 5

Cut a piece of watercolor paper to 4″ x 5 1/4.”

Step 6

Swipe the Fresh Greens Kaleidacolor Inks across an acrylic block, and then spray with Ink Potion No. 9 a few times to get the colors to blend and move.

Step 7

Place the inked acrylic block in the center of the watercolor panel, put something heavy on top (I used a tape dispenser), and leave for a few minutes. The texture of the watercolor paper allows for imperfect color transfer, which I happen to love. If you prefer a smoother look, use paper with less tooth, or texture.

Ladybug-Greens-10

Step 8

Once you removed the acrylic block, stamp a subtle pattern around the edges with New Sprout ink. I used a crackle stamp from Stampendous.

Ladybug-Greens-11

Step 9

To add color to my white card base, I pressed my Fresh Greens Kaleidacolor inks into my Craft Mat, wet my brush, and applied the 3 center colors to the edges. I kept the colors soft and slightly blended. Using the same inks for the border as we did in the center of the card allows us to have perfectly matched elements, but since they’re applied differently, you create interest on your card.

Ladybug-Greens-2jpg

Step 10

Stamp a sentiment on the card with VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black. I combined a stamp from Erin Lee Creative with a stamp from Recollections to get the sentiment I wanted.

Step 11

Adhere your ladybugs to the card front, and your card front to the base when it’s dry.

Art Supplies

Imagine

VersaMark Ink
Black Embossing Powder
VersaFine Ink in Onyx Black
Fireworks! Spray in Lady Bug
Kaleidacolor Inks in Fresh Greens
Memento Ink in New Sprout
Ink Potion No. 9

Other

Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz: Entomology Stamp Set and Entomology Die Set
Erin Lee Creative: Winter Magic Stamp Set
Recollections: Sentiment set
Acrylic Blocks
Small paint brushes
Strathmore Smooth Bristol Cardstock
Canson Watercolor Paper
White A2 card base

Ink Blending with Memento Inks to Create a Rose Wedding Card

2021_Apr_JL Wedding_blog

By Jessica Lin

Hi everyone! It’s Jessica here and I have a fun stenciled card to share with you. I first stenciled the roses with Memento Dye inks, then I stepped it up and stenciled a second layer with shimmery embossing powder. The concept is really simple, and you don’t need a lot of supplies either, but the final effect is just so pretty! I hope you’ll enjoy this tutorial! 

Skill: Beginner

Directions:

Art Supplies

Imagine:

VersaFine Clair – Nocturne, Glamorous

Memento Dew Drop Inks – Angel Pink, Rose Bud

Other products:

Blending Brushes STAMPlorations Stencils –

Faces: Pensive, Old Rose

Neenah Solar White Cardstock

Gold Glitter Cardstock