DIY Wall Decor with a Sassy Twist

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Imagine

By Anna Escalada-York

As a mom of a teen and tween, I wanted to make a snarky piece of home decor that would make them smile. So I decided to make a pretty piece of art that I was going to put up in our dining room.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 3 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Paint a thin layer of white gesso onto a 5” by 7” medium density fiberboard (MDF) panel.

Step 2:
Glue a ripped piece of text-based patterned paper onto the left side of the panel, making sure that the paper doesn’t go off the side of the fiberboard panel. Then paint over the whole panel again with more white gesso.

Step 3:
Stamp a long, floral image onto white watercolor paper with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink and then heat emboss it with clear embossing powder. Then color the main branch and ribs of the leaves with Northern Pine Memento Dual Marker and the flowers with Lady Bug Memento Dual Marker.

Step 4:
Die cut the long, floral image. Spray Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray onto a piece of scrap acetate packaging and watercolor paint the leaves and edges of the floral image green, making sure to blend the darker marker color with the lighter spray. Set aside to dry.

Step 5:
Add texture to the fireboard panel. Use some of the remaining Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray mixed with more white gesso to create a light green paint. Paint the center part of the fireboard panel with the light green paint. Then watercolor smoosh more of the Cottage Ivy Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray (without any gesso) onto the panel to add texture. After the spray and paint have dried, press Celestial Copper Delicata Ink through a circular stencil overlapping the patterned paper. Then press the Celestial Copper Delicata Ink pad around the edges of the panel.

Step 6:
Stamp a large butterfly on another piece of watercolor paper using Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink and heat emboss with more clear embossing powder. Then spray Lilac Posies Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray onto more scrap acetate packaging and watercolor spray the butterfly. Spray the whole thing with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray, which forces the Lilac Posies spray to diffuse outside of the butterfly’s outline. After the spray dried, die cut the butterfly with the corresponding die. Finally, paint the butterfly a second time with more of the Lilac Posies Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray to deepen the color. Set aside to dry.

Step 7:
Return to the background panel. Attach two types of washi tape to the left side of the panel–small pieces of black and white dotted washi tape and a white piece of washi tape that comes die cut in a lacy geometric pattern.

Then stamp a sentiment on the lower right part of the panel with more Nocturne VersaFine Clair in and heat emboss with more clear embossing powder.

Step 8:
Using a small musical note stamp, partially stamp the panel multiple times with Spuce VersaFine Clair ink.

Step 9:
Stamp the smaller butterfly twice with more Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink and heat emboss them with clear embossing powder. Then color them in with Lulu Lavender and Tangelo Memento Dual Markers (orange butterfly) and with Tangelo and Grape Jelly Memento Dual Markers (purple butterfly). Then spray both butterflies with Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray. Once the spray had dried, die cut the butterflies with their corresponding die.

(In the final piece, only the orange butterfly colored with Tangelo and Lulu Lavender Memento Dual Markers was used.)

Step 10:
Stamp part of the mountain outline stamp on the lower right part of the panel with more Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Then stamp part of the sun stamp with Summertime VersaFine Clair Ink.

Step 11:
Spray around the sun with Cantaloupe Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray. Use a paintbrush or your finger to move dots of the Cantaloupe spray to make the spray less uniform and more organic.

Step 12:
Glue the flowers and small butterfly onto the panel. Attach the larger butterfly to the panel with foam tape. If desired, the outer tips of the top wings can be given additional dimension with two layers of foam tape, forcing them to curve.

Art Supplies

Imagine
Delicata Ink – Celestial Copper
Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Cantaloupe
Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Cottage Ivy
Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Lilac Posies
Memento Dual Marker – Lady Bug
Memento Dual Marker – Northern Pine
Sheer Shimmer Shimmer Craft Spray – Sparkle
VersaFine Clair ink – Nocturne
VersaFine Clair ink – Summertime
VersaFine Clair ink – Spruce

Other
Altenew – die set – All Things Orange
Altenew – stamp set – All Things Orange
Altenew – foam tape – Instant Dimension Foam Tape
Altenew – washi tape – Many Dots
Art Alternatives – MDF Panel (5” x 7”)
Golden – Gesso Semi-Opaque Acrylic Primer
Ink Road Stamps – stamp set – Roadies 8 (sentiment stamp)
Visible Image – die set – Antisocial Butterfly
Visible Image – stamp set – Antisocial Butterfly
Circular stencil
Die cut washi tape
Watercolor paper
Vellum
Pencil
Paintbrush
Die cutting machine
Paint brush
Scissors
Glue
Text-based patterned paper
Clear embossing powder

Let’s Make a Spring Card

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Imagine

By Anna Escalada York

In today’s blog post, I will show you how to add some patterned paper to a card to spotlight a
part of the image.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Using a stamping platform, stamp the floral image with Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink onto a
piece of watercolor paper. (I used a pre-die cut panel.)
Optional step: Heat emboss with a clear embossing powder. I did this because I didn’t want to
wait for the VersaFine Clair ink to dry, as well as add some subtle shine.

Step 2:
Mix some Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk Ink with a Morocco Memento marker by pressing
the ink pad and coloring a piece of scrap acetate and spraying both with water before mixing the
colors to create a coral watercolor.
Watercolor the petals of the floral image. Using the remainder of the watercolor to splatter the
watercolor panel and smoosh the panel as well to add color around the panel. It was set aside
to dry.

Step 3:
Stamp the bottom part of the stamp onto a piece of dusty pink patterned paper with more
Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink.
Optional step: Heat emboss the image with more clear embossing powder.

Step 4:
Cut the patterned paper image along the circular edge.

Step 5:
Create green watercolor by pressing Tea Leaves VersaMagic Chalk Ink onto a piece of acetate
Create green watercolor by pressing Tea Leaves VersaMagic Chalk Ink onto a piece of acetate
as well as scribbling the acetate with both Cottage Ivy and Bamboo Leaves Memento marker
and spraying all of the areas of color with water before mixing them together. Watercolor the
edges of the leaves with the watercolor. (You won’t need to color the central parts of the leaves
as they will be covered soon.) Again, splatter the card and watercolor smoosh the panel with the
acetate to add green blobs around the watercolor panel. Again, set aside to dry.

Step 6:
Watercolor the leaves on the patterned paper with the same mix of greens created using the
Tea Leaves VersaMagic Chalk ink as well as Collage Ivy and Bamboo Leaves Memento marker
mixed with water. Set this aside to dry.

Step 7:
I decided to add a little more intensity to the coral colors on the petals and on the
watercolor panel by adding more Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk ink and Morocco Memento
marker added to the scrap of acetate and again mixed with water before painting the petals. The
remaining coral-colored watercolor was again smooshed onto the watercolor panel.
Set the panel aside to dry again.

Step 8:
Distress the edges of the patterned paper circle by rubbing the sharp part of a pair of scissors’
blade around the circle. Then rub the distressed edge of the circle with Golden Glitz Delicata.

Step 9:
Using a sponge dauber, ink blend Pink Shimmer Delicata ink through a heart stencil in my stash
on random parts of the watercolor paper.
Not pictured: Ink blend the edges of the panel with more of the Pink Shimmer Delicata ink.

Step 10:
Glue the patterned paper circle onto the stamped image, making sure that the patterned paper
circle lines up with the rest of the stamped image.

Step 11:
Stamp the sentiment on the lower right corner of the watercolor panel with more Nocturne
VersaFine Clair ink.
Optional step: Heat emboss the image with more clear embossing powder.

Step 12:
Using a slightly larger die than the watercolor panel, die cut a piece of rose gold cardstock. Glue
the two panels together, and glue both onto an A2-sized white card base.

Step 13:
Add green gem stickers around the circle of patterned paper to finish the card.

Art Supplies
Imagine
Delicata Ink – Golden Glitz, Pink Shimmer
Memento Dual Tip Marker – Bamboo Leaves, Cottage Ivy, Morocco
VersaMark Ink – Pink Grapefruit, Tea Leaves
VersaFine Clair Ink – Nocturne
Sponge Dauber

Other
AALL & Create – stamp set – Flower Journey
Gina K Designs – dies- Master Layout 2 die set
Honey Bee Stamps – gem stickers
Memory Box – stamp set – Big and Little Words
Sizzix- cardstock – Rose Gold Opulent cardstock
Heart stencil in my stash
Clear embossing powder in my stash
Watercolor paper
Scissors
Small paint brush
Stamp positioner
Glue

Let’s Make a Floral Happy Birthday Card

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Imagine

By Martha Lucia Gomez

Hello there! Today’s tutorial is about a Birthday Card using a background stamp but adding texture and color. To make this, I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne, Clear Embossing Powder and Memento Markers.

Skill: Beginning

Time: 45 minutes

Directions:

Step 1:

Take a piece of white smooth cardstock, ink well your background stamp with VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink and stamp your image pressing hard to obtain a crispy image. You can use any stamping tool.

Step 2:

Cover the stamped image with Clear Embossing Power or MBoss. Melt the powder with the heat tool.

Step 3:

To enhance the details of the stamp, color it partially with Memento Markers. The VersaFine Clair in is a safe ink to work with these Markers or with any type of Alcohol Markers.

Step 4:

Combine the tones of your markers to have different shadows. In my sample I used Memento Markers in colors Angel Pink, New Sprout, Pistachio, Bamboo Leaves, Rose Bud, Desert Sand, Cantaloupe, Tangelo and Summer Sky.

Step 5:

If you want you can resize the stamped layer and paste it over a card base. You can use Tear It! Tape to paste it.

Step 6:

In a separate piece of white cardstock stamp the birthday sentiment using the same products used to create the background. I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne and Clear Embossing Powder.

Finalize your card pasting the sentiment with crafty foam tape.

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• VersaFine Clair Nocturne

• Memento Markers Angel Pink, New Sprout, Pistachio, Bamboo Leaves, Rose Bud, Desert Sand, Cantaloupe, Tangelo and Summer Sky

• Clear Embossing Powder

• Craft Mat

Other:

• Background Stamps by Richard Garay Designs.

• Stamping Tool

• Heat Tool.

Make a Friendship Card Using Memento Inks

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Imagine

By Martha Lucia Gomez

Hello there! Today’s tutorial is using only one type of ink, the Memento. It is one of the most versatile and secure ink that you can use. Memento Ink is ideal to use with alcohol markers or simply to stamp, with solid or lineal stamps. It is also available in markers and liquid, like Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Sprays.

Skill Level: Beginning

Time to Complete: 45 minutes

Directions:

Step 1:

Take a piece of white smooth cardstock and ink well your solid stamp with Memento Ink. In my sample, I am using the Dandelion color. If you want you can use a stamping tool to have a better result or obtain a crispy image.

Step 2:

Select a lineal stamp and place it covering partially the image previously stamped. You can use a different color of Memento Ink to create a contrast. I am using the Rose Bud Memento Ink.

Step 3:

Stamp your sentiment with Memento Tuxedo Black.

Step 4:

To enhance special details of your stamped image you can use Memento Markers. I used the same Dandelion color just in a small spaces on the floral image to enhance the details.

Step 5:

As final step, you can embellish your card using Diamonds on different colors. To paste it, I used On Point Glue.

Step 6:

Resize the decorative layer and paste it over a card base using Tear It! Tape.

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Memento Ink Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud and Dandelion

• Memento Marker Dandelion

• Tear it! Tape

• Craft Mat

• On Point Glue

Other:

• Clear Stamps by Richard Garay Designs

• Stamping Tool

• Diamonds Orange

Make a Thank You Card for your Teacher

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Imagine

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:

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

Learn How to Make An Autumn Shadow Box

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Imagine

2021-sep-kyriakos-autumn-shadow-box-horizontal_main

By Kyriakos Pachadiroglou

– Combine natural wood pieces, paper and a house shape cut from SHEET metal to capture the colors of the shadow and create a shadow box to decorate your home. Color a piece of fabric with MEMENTO inks and Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Sprays to create a background in earth color shades and place natural wood and paper leaves colored with MEMENTO Markers.

Skill: Advanced

Time: 1 Hour

Directions:

2021-sep-kyriakos-autumn-shadow-box-step1

Step 1

Place Tear It! Tape on the back base of the shadow box and cover it with the cotton fabric.

2021-sep-kyriakos-autumn-shadow-box-step2

Step 2

Spray with the Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray and let them dry.

2021-sep-kyriakos-autumn-shadow-box-step3

Step 3

Distress the fabric with MEMENTO Tangelo, Lady Bug and Desert Sand ink pads using Sponge Daubers. Sprinkle some drops of irRESISTible Bamboo Leaves color.

2021-sep-kyriakos-autumn-shadow-box-step4