How to Make a Shimmery Tag for a Celebration

By Alison Heikkila

Hello! It’s Alison Heikkila and today we are going to be making a tag that can be used for any type of celebration. You can use this tag on a hostess gift, as an invitation, attached to a card or scrapbook page, etc. The tag is super shimmery and is really festive! You can change up the colors to suit your needs.

*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.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time to Complete: 20 minutes

Supplies:
Imagine:
Danube Blue Memento Ink
Paris Dusk Memento Ink
Nautical Blue Memento Ink
Golden Glitz Delicata Ink
Golden Glitz Delicata Reinker
Sheer Shimmer Stix in Sparkle
Sponge Dauber
On Point Glue

Other:
Avery: Shipping Tag #11005- 4 3/4″ x 2 3/8″
A Colorful Life Designs: Night Sky Stencil
A Colorful Life Designs: Crystal Metallic Safari Card Bling
The Greetery: Pinwheel Party Die Set
Gel Press: 6×6 Plate
The Rabbit Hole Designs: Cotton Tail Blending Brush
Twiddler’s Nook: Skull Tray
Navy Blue Cardstock
Baker’s Twine or Ribbon

Let’s Make A Summer Wedding Card

By Kathi Rerek

Let’s make a summer wedding card with Memento and Golden Glitz Delicata Inks!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Instructions:

Step 1:
Use a stamping platform and VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink to stamp the Arty Hearts Collage Cling Stamp onto white cardstock.

Step 2:
Use a stamping platform and VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink to stamp the wedding rings from the Accessorize Clear Stamp Set twice — once onto 140 lb. Mixed Media Cardstock and once onto repositionable label paper.

Step 3:
Apply Clear MBoss Powder to the stamped image, dump the excess back into the packet, and heat set the image.

Step 4:
Add a few drops of Golden Glitz Delicata Ink to a small container. Dilute with a few drops of water.

Step 5:
Use a brush to paint the wedding rings with diluted Golden Glitz Delicata ink. Set aside.

Step 6:
Place the Arty Hearts Stencil over the image stamped in Step 1. Use Sponge Daubers to apply Angel Pink, Rose Bud, Summer Sky, Danube Blue, Lulu Lavender, Lilac Posies, Dandelion, and Tangelo Memento through the stencil onto the stamped hearts on the image panel. Set aside.

Steps 7A and 7B:
Smoosh Summer Sky Memento Ink onto a piece of acetate packaging. Mist the acetate with 91% Isopropyl Alcohol, then smoosh onto the right side of a piece of white cardstock.

Clean the acetate, then repeat this process using Angel Pink, Rose Bud, Danube Blue, and Dandelion Memento Inks until you’re happy with the ink coverage on the panel.

Safety Note: Please be sure to have good ventilation via an open window to minimize your exposure to alcohol fumes.

Step 8:
Fussy-cut the sticker paper version of the Wedding Rings from Step 2. Place atop the image. Use low-tack tape to secure the small rectangle die from the Specimen Thinlits Die Set onto the image panel. Run the die through your cutting machine.

Step 9:
Keeping the image panel in the die, use a Sponge Dauber to apply Angel Pink Memento Ink over the die onto the die-cut, which will leave a thin white border around the pink

Step 10:
Place the die-cut onto the base of a stamping platform. Ink the “Congratulations” stamp from the More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set with Nocturne VersaFine Clair and stamp. Re-ink and stamp again if necessary to attain a good impression.

Step 11:
Adhere the heart-stamped and stenciled panel (Steps 1 and 6) onto the left side of the smooshed ink panel (Step 7). Add a foil border sticker to cover the seam.

Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the heart image panel and the rings/sentiment die-cut with Golden Glitz Delicata Ink.

Step 12:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the card front to a white A2 card.

Imagine Supplies:

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • 140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Artsy Hearts Collage Cling Stamp by Darkroom Door
  • Accessorize Clear Stamp Set by Visible Image
  • Artsy Hearts Stencil by Darkroom Door
  • More Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle
  • Specimen Thinlits Die Set by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Repositionable Sticker Paper by Avery
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Acetate from packaging
  • 91% Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Mister
  • Misty Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia
  • Stamping Platform by Tonic Studios

“Cheers To The Best Dad” Father’s Day Card

By Jessica Lin

Hi everyone! I think I found my go-to die set for making cards for guys! It’s always been hard for me to come up with masculine card designs. This Brewed die set featuring beers, ale, and wine is gender-neutral and just perfect for a Father’s Day card.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes

Step 1:
Ink blend a gingham pattern using the Artistic Mix masks with Memento Paris Dusk ink. I like to emphasize certain areas and use a light hand for others to create variations of shades.

Step 2:
Die cut the beer and hops elements using different color cardstock.

Step 3:
To add some foamy details to the beer foam, apply a layer of Radiant Neon Amplify! Then heat set with your heat gun until a bubbly texture starts to puff up. I haven’t used these in a long time and was surprised with how well the result looked! There’s no waiting time for drying, either. Just heat set as soon as you apply the liquid layer. 

Step 4:
Assemble the die cut elements with Tear-It Tape and foam tape. I used On Point Glue to adhere the two “Cheers” die cuts. The fine tip nozzle is really handy for applying small amounts of glue to intricate die cuts. For the final step, I heat embossed the sentiment with white Mboss powder and that completes the card!

Supplies Used

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Stampin’ Up! – Dies – Brewed
  • Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Artistic Mix masks
  • Lawn Fawn – Dies – Scripty Cheers
  • Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – World’s Best Trophy
  • Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Heat Tool
  • Blending brush
  • Color cardstock
  • Vellum

Let’s Make a Steampunk Father’s Day Card with Metallic Brilliance Inks

By Kathi Rerek

I’m continuing my experimentation with Metallic Brilliance Inks with this Father’s Day card using two of my favorite themes – cats and Steampunk!

Skill Level: Advanced
Time: 2.5 Hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Use a brayer to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a 5” x 7” Gel Press. Place a piece of black mixed media paper onto the Gel Press. Smooth the back of the paper to transfer the in and pull a print.

Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 to enhance the coverage.

Step 3:
Clean the brayer, then use it to apply Starlite Black Brilliance ink to the Gel Press. Place the print back onto the Gel Press inked side down. Smooth the back of the paper, then pull the print. Heat set the inked paper, then clean the brayer and the Gel Press.

Step 4:
Place the inked black mixed media paper into the Foundry 3D Alterations Embossing Folder. Spritz the back of the paper with water. Close the folder and run it through a die-cut machine.

Step 5:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink to the high points of the embossed paper. Heat set.

Steps 6A and 6B:
Use Fantastix to apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (6A). VersaMagic Ink has a matte chalk finish which comes out when it’s heat embossed.

Use another Fantastix to Apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (6B). Heat set the panel and set aside.

Step 7:
Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the cat from the Steampunk Pets Clear Stamp Set onto white cardstock.

Step 8:
Fussy-cut the image and use Copic markers to color it. Use a dark marker to edge the cut image. Set aside.

Step 9:
Use the largest die from the Sprightly Sprockets Shapeabilities Die Set to cut black mixed media cardstock two times. You will end up with two cogs and two circles.

Step 10:
Sponge Lightning Black Brilliance Ink over one of the cog die-cuts and one of the circles. Heat set both.

Step 11:
Use On-Point Glue to adhere the inked cog atop the other one.

Step 12:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance ink to one of the circles from Step 9. Heat set.

Step 13:
Place the silver-inked circle into the Gears Alterations Folder and run it through a die-cut machine.

Step 14:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink to the high points of the embossed circle. Heat set.

Steps 15A and 15B:
Use Fantastix to apply Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (15A).

Use another Fantastix to Apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink randomly to the high points of the embossed paper (15B).

Step 16:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere a slightly larger circle to the back of the stacked cog die-cuts.

Step 17:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a strip black mixed media paper. Sorry that there’s no photo. Use cog dies to cut the silver-inked black paper.

Step 18:
Use a C2 Copic marker to color a piece of white cardstock. Use magnets to secure the colored cardstock onto a stamping platform. Place the “Happy Father’s Day” sentiment stamp facedown on the colored cardstock. Ink the stamp with Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Ink and stamp. Repeat inking and stamping if necessary to attain a good impression. Remove the stamped cardstock from the stamping platform and heat set the ink.

Step 19:
Use a rectangle die to cut the sentiment. Use the matching nameplate die to cut the Lightning Black circle. Adhere the sentiment die-cut atop the nameplate die. Sorry that there’s no photo.

Step 20:
Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the embossed circle and the Steampunk Cat onto the cog die-cut. Use the tape to adhere the sentiment as shown.

Step 21:
Use On Point Glue to adhere the gears, cogs, and screws to the sentiment die-cut.

Step 22:
Cut black cardstock to 10” x 7”. Score at 5” and fold to form a 5” x 7” card. Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the image panel to the front of the card.

Finished Card

Crafts Supplies:

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

  • 140 lb. Black Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Raven Cardstock by Bazzill Basics
  • Solar White Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Designs
  • 5” x 7” Gel Press
  • 4” Brayer by Speedball
  • Foundry 3D Alterations Foundry Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Gears Alterations Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz for Sizzix
  • Sprightly Sprockets Shapeabilities Die Set
  • Nuts and Bolts Craftables Punch Die by Marianne Designs
  • Mini Gears Die Set by Memory Box
  • Premier Ink Blending Tools by Hunkydory Crafts
  • Premier Ink Blending Sponges by Hunkydory Crafts
  • Steampunk Pets Clear Stamp Set by Funky Fossil Designs
  • Classic Sentiments Clear Stamp Set by Hefty Doodle
  • Copic Markers
  • Spray Mister
  • Curved Craft Scissors by Fiskar’s
  • Heat Gun

Misti Stamping Platform by My Swe

Make a Graduation Gift Card Holder

By Jessica Lin

Hi everyone! It’s graduation season. Do you have a gift card, a ticket, or even a polaroid photo you would like to send to someone who is graduating? Today I’m sharing my favorite way to send a gift card. It’s super easy and versatile; if you are interested, keep reading!

Skill: Advanced
Time: 1 hour

Directions:

Step 1:
Stamp the images with any waterproof ink. Many Tsukineko ink pads are waterproof when the ink dries; I am using VersaFine Nocturne today. Also, can we talk about how adorable these images are?! They are from It’s a Science stamp set and they’re totally perfect for any science majors. I thought they would look so cute for a graduation card.

Step 2:
Watercolor with dew drop ink pads. I love to watercolor with my dew drop ink pads. You can choose from the VersaMagic (pigment ink), Brilliance (pigment ink) or Memento (dye ink) lines and they all work great! I smooshed some ink onto my craft mat and colored away!

Step 3:
Fussy cut the images with scissors. If the stamp set has a coordinating die set, you could use that too!

Step 4:
Stamp images with VersaMark ink pad to create details for the background panel.

Step 5:
I actually decided to create a light up card by adding a LED light to the microscope image. If you are interested in seeing a video tutorial, you could follow my YouTube channel: Craft with Jessica V. Lin or search for “Interactive Gift Card Holder that Lights Up”. I’ll edit the video and post it soon.

Step 6:
This is what the LED light looks like when the circuit is finished. It’s really not that complicated, and the result is so worth it!

Step 7:
Finally, for the gift card holder, simply score an A2 card base at 4.5’’, 5.5’’ and 6.5’’. Adhere the bottom edge with Tear-It! Tape (make sure you don’t adhere the entire flap closed). Then, create a gift card opening by die-cutting along the edge of the middle flap. If you don’t have a die that works, you could also cut the opening with scissors.

And the gift card holder card is completed! I love this design since it’s super easy and you could easily swap the gift card with tickets (like the Disneyland ticket shown in step 7) or even a polaroid photo if you decided to keep it as a card instead. I hope you give it a try, thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – It’s a Science
  • Spellbinders – Dies – Labels 17
  • We R – Tool – Precision Press
  • Stampin’ Up! – Tool – Paper Snips
  • Water brush
  • Chibitronics – Tool – LED sticker

Password Memo Book

By Kathi Rerek

Intro: Do you have passwords that continually need to be updated AND have problems remembering them? Do you write those letter-number-symbols somewhere, then end up with an overwritten mess?

Get an inexpensive memo book and use your inks, stamps, stencils, and dies to decorate it!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Instructions:

Step 1:
Use a paintbrush and Snowflake Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to paint the front and back covers of the memo pad. You don’t have to be neat as brush strokes will only add texture to the project. You might need a second coat to cover the print on the back cover. Let dry, though this paint dries really quickly!

Step 2:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply a Starlite Silver Brilliance ink to both the covers. Heat set.

Step 3:
Use a Fantastix to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance ink around the binding rings of the pad.

Step 4:
Use copper or steel wool pads to pounce Cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink spots and marks to both covers the pad. Heat set.

Step 5:
Place a magnet sheet under a piece of paper and set the pad’s front cover onto the paper. Place the Keyhole stencil over the notebook. Secure with magnets and/or low-tack tape. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Black Brilliance Ink over the stencil onto the pad’s cover. Let sit for a few minutes and repeat the Ink stenciling. Remove the stencil and heat set the pad’s cover.

Step 6:
Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to a small piece of black cardstock. Heat Set. Use the Keyhole Cutting Die to cut the inked cardstock. Sorry that there’s no photo.

Steps 7A and 7B:
Use Starlite Black Brilliance Ink (7A) to add depth to the silver keyhole. Repeat with Lightning Black Brilliance Ink (7B).

Step 8:
Use Tuxedo Black Memento Ink to stamp the Big Head/Big Eye image from the Humanoids Stamp Unmounted Rubber Stamp Set onto white cardstock.

Step 9:
Color the image panel with Copic markers. Sorry that there’s no photo!

Step 10:
Use Tear It! Tape to adhere the colored image panel behind the opening in the keyhole. Add tiny screw-top brads to the each corner, then mat the keyhole rectangular image panel with black cardstock, cut slightly larger than the keyhole panel.

Step 11:
Use Snowflake Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint to paint the Skull Skeleton masonite key. Let dry, then use a Sponge Dauber to apply Starlite Silver Brilliance Ink to the key. Heat set.

Step 12:
Use On Point Glue to adhere the key to the front of the keyhole image panel.

Step 13:
Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the keyhole image panel to the front of the Password memo pad.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • 140 lb. Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • 140 lb. Black Mixed Media Paper by Strathmore
  • Snowflake Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paint by PaperArtsy
  • Keyhole Stencil – Source Unknown
  • Lock and Key Die Die-namics Set by My Favorite Things
  • Humanoids KTZ223 Red Rubber Unmounted Stamp Set by Katzelkraft
  • Copic Markers
  • Metallic Markers by Spectrum Noir
  • Skull Skeleton Key Masonite Cut Outs by Coffee Break Designs/Retro Cafe Art
  • Red Gemstone: Source Unknown
  • Heat Gun
  • Stamping Platform by Tonic Studios