Create Your Own Perfectly Matching Background Paper

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Imagine

By Neva Cole –

In today’s tutorial I will show you how to create a background paper that will allow your photo(s) to shine on a scrapbook layout. Using Memento Inks that match the photo allows the photo to be the center star of the layout. All the embellishments will also match by coloring with the same inks. The background itself is super quick and simple, and can be used for cards as well as layouts.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 30 Minutes

Directions:

Step 1

Select ink colors that are in the photo you wish to highlight. In my case it is one of my favorite photos from our travels to Oahu when we climbed to the top of Koko Head. The stunning blue, brown, and green directed my choice of ink colors. In this step Memento in Peanut Brittle is brayered randomly over a sheet of canvas textured white cardstock. Cover about a third of the cardstock in varying levels of ink layers. The key to this technique is to not look for perfection, just go for a fun look!

Step 2:

Memento Bahama Blue is used to ink the next layer in the background. A good quality rubber balloon is filled with popcorn and tied off. This is used to ink with random size dots in varying ink intensities on the background covering about one more third of the paper.

Step 3:

A second balloon filled with rice gives a slightly different ink look for the last layer using Memento Olive Grove. Fill in the remaining open areas on the cardstock to finish the background.

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Step 4:

The embellishments are shown here as one step, as the main focus of this tutorial is the background technique. Smooth texture cardstock is used for all the embellishments as it die cuts more cleanly. A frame of white cardstock is trimmed to 7 1/2 “ x 5 1/2 “ and inked with Memento Luxe in Peanut Brittle. The Luxe ink blends a little more easily over larger areas. The title is die cut in triplicate, then adhered together with small dots of On Point Glue around the die cuts to add dimension, and finally inked with Memento in Danube Blue. A die cut of the island of Oahu is inked in Memento Olive Grove.

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Step 5:

When the photo was layered over the frame the match between the soil and the Peanut Brittle was so close, they blended together! The edges of the photo are inked with StazOn in Jet Black to add definition to all edges of the photo, and allow the photo to stand out from the frame.

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Step 6:

A journal block is written on the computer and printed out using photo settings and trimmed to size. A frame is trimmed 1/4” larger than the journal block and inked in Memento Danube Blue. The two are adhered together with Tear It! Tape.

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Step 7:

The elements of the layout are placed on the background and adhered with Tear It! Tape or On Point Glue. Memento Dual Tip Marker in Tuxedo Black is used to mark a small “X” as to the location of Koko Head on the Island of Oahu.

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Memento–Peanut Brittle, Danube Blue, Olive Grove

Memento Luxe– Peanut Brittle

StazOn–Jet Black

Memento Dual Tip Maker–Tuxedo Black

Ink Daubers

Tear It! Tape

On Point Glue

Other:

White canvas textured cardstock

White smooth textured cardstock

2” Rubber brayer

Rubber balloons with popcorn and rice

Momenta Casual Script Alphabet Dies

Die cut machine

Brother scan and cut

Silhouette Design Store–Hawaii State die cut modified, Candy Apple Bold Script

Fourth of July Layout Made Easy with Memento inks and Fireworks!

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Imagine

By Neva Cole –

Today I will share how easy it is to create a very cohesive layout using just two ink colors and the matching Fireworks! colors for an amazing Fourth of July scrapbook layout. With just white cardstock, an embossing folder, a large die cut, and stamps this layout is perfect for Independence Day

Skill: Beginner

Time: 30 Minutes

Directions:

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Step 1

Trim white cardstock to 1” on each edge larger than the photos. Pressure emboss with Star Blanket. Ink raised portion of embossed areas and edges with Memento Danube Blue or Lady Bug. For my layout I trimmed two sections 5” x 7”, three sections 4” x 5”, and one section by 4” x 4” to back my photos.

Step 2

Die cut two sets from Spellbinders Cascading Stars die and remove the stars. Trim one outline die cut into a section of five stars, with the other being four stars. Use Jumbo Dauber to tap Memento Danube Blue over one die cut and the smaller portion of the trimmed die cut. Tapping the ink onto the paper keeps from damaging the die cut, which can occur if a rubbing motion is used. The larger portion of the trimmed die cut is inked in Memento Lady Bug. Continue to add ink until it is the desired hue.

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Step 3

The splatter method is used with Fireworks! to add some interest to the white background. Shake the bottle to distribute glimmer and then remove spritzer nozzle and gently tap the top to splatter ink from the outside of the spray tube. Continue to tap until the desired amount of ink is on the paper. I choose sections where the die cuts would be eventually placed. I alternated the color choices from the die cut color. This is the lower right corner of the right page.

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Step 4

The left side of the layout shown completed with splattered Fireworks! in Memento Lady Bug and Danube Blue.

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Step 5

Determine placement placement of elements to add stamped sentiments. Place on layout and remove other elements. Use a stamp platform to stamp sentiments in proper position.

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Step 6

On the right page the stamped elements are determined, then half are removed before stamping to allow for clean stamping of correct colors. The remaining elements are added and stamped. It was easier to stamp all the images Memento Lady Bug at one time, then follow with images in Memento Danube Blue.

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Step 7

Spritz Fireworks! into a plastic tray or surface. Place die cut stars from step 2 face down on the Fireworks! ink to add color. Use tweezers to move around in the ink and add more ink to tray as needed. About a third of the stars were inked with Fireworks! in Lady Bug the remaining in Fireworks! Danube Blue.

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Step 8:

Determine correct placement of Fireworks! stars in the die cut. I rotated the star until it fit properly into the die cut area. Not all the stars are identical, so taking the time to find the right one was worth the effort for a seamless look.

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Step 9:

Adhere elements to layout. Tear It! tape was used to adhere the photos to the textured mats. The die cuts are adhered with On Point Glue. The small dots around the star frames keep the layout clean and smudge free.

Art Supplies

Imagine

Memento–Lady Bug and Danube Blue

Fireworks!–Lady Bug and Danube Blue

Jumbo Dauber

Tear It! Tape

On Point Glue

Other

White Cardstock

Cuttlebug Star Blanket embossing folder

Spellbinders Cascading Stars

Technique Tuesday Spectacular Memories

Hero Arts CL493 Holiday Sentiments

Tweezers

Die Cut machine

Stamp Platform

Create a Beautiful Wedding Scrapbook Page

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Imagine

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! It’s time for my latest tutorial for Imagine, and I decided to make another scrapbook page. This time, I went way back and pulled out some wedding photos. I never did finish our wedding album, so this was a great opportunity to get one more page completed.

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Time to Complete: 1-2 Hours (I’m a slow scrapbooker)

Directions:

With This Ring 2

Step 1:

Gather your supplies. This may seem obvious, but it helps quite a bit to grab a bunch of things that you may wind up using on your page. Inks, ephemera, dies, stencils, etc. are all things that you could use. I grabbed a bunch of items for the photo above, but I didn’t use all of them, and some things i used aren’t shown here. I don’t often have a plan when I am scrapbooking, but I like to grab things to help get me started.

With This Ring 3

Step 2:

Based on the colors in the photo, I wanted to use the Vineyard Kaleidacolor Ink Pad. I took a piece of Mixed Media Paper and rolled the ink on to it using my brayer and Ink Potion No. 9. The Ink Potion No. 9 helps the color to move and transfer better. It took a number of passes to get the paper covered, but I love how it looks painted and uneven. This piece will go behind the photos to “ground” them. Let dry.

Step 3:

Paint or enhance your ephemera. I found some feathers that have foil on them in my stash, and the negative space was white. So I applied some of the Kaleidacolor Ink to my Craft Mat and painted it on with a brush and water. The look is subtle, but it helped it to coordinate with the rest of my page better. I also added some color to the stopwatch.

Step 4:

Add die cuts. I die cut a few lavender stems from white cardstock. I used Elderberry Memento ink and the greens from the Vineyard Ink to paint them. These pieces are delicate, so don’t oversaturate them. I also die cut some foliage from white cardstock and lightly spritzed them with Desert Sand Fireworks! Spray. Using white die cuts allows you to completely customize them.

Step 5:

Add die cuts with colored cardstock. I die cut the wreath out of green cardstock. It needed to be enhanced a bit, so I lightly applied Pistachio and Olive Grove. It’s subtle, but adds a lot of interest.

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Step 6:

Enhance textured die cuts. I used an Impresslits border under both of my photos. I cut it out of white cardstock, and used Pretty Petunia VersaMagic Ink to enhance the design. I just rubbed the ink pad across the piece. I also sprayed it unevenly with Desert Sand fireworks! Spray for shine and to dull down the white a bit.

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Step 7:

Begin to place your elements. Play with torn edges, overlapping items, and creating a sense of movement. Move things around to make sure you have good, even placement, and feel free to add or remove pieces as necessary.

Step 8:

Add some splatter. I used some more Elderberry ink that I squished on to my Craft Mat to apply splatter to the entire white background. It’s just a bit more color, but it adds a lot to the finished page.

Step 9:

Add your title. I found some ridiculously old rub-ons and letters to help me create the perfect title.

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Step 10:

Start gluing down your elements. It helps to take a photo of your layout before you start gluing, so that you can place your pieces back exactly where you had them. On Point Glue is perfect for the teeny die cuts I used.

Step 11

Finishing touches. Do you need an additional sprig of foliage? Do you need a touch more ink somewhere? This is the point where the page is just about finished, and you just need to add a tiny detail here and there.

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Finished!

We’ve got a very pretty wedding page that works beautifully with the photos and feel of our wedding. Don’t forget…even if your embellishments and/or color scheme are completely different from mine, you can still use these techniques when creating your own layout. Playing with your inks to help enhance items you have in your stash can really tie everything together. Play with your papers and dies to see how you can alter them with inks and sprays to get exactly the look you want. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Kaleidacolor Inks in Vineyard
Memento Inks in Olive Grove, Pistachio, and Elderberry
Ink Potion No. 9
On Point Glue
Desert Sand Fireworks! Spray
VersaMagic Ink in Pretty Petunia

Other:

Canson Mixed Media XL Paper
Brayer
Princeton Snap Brush: Size 4
Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Wildflowers Dies
Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Impresslits Embossing folder- Mini Provincial
Sizzix/Tim Holtz: Funky Wreath
Rub-Ons
Ephemera
Die Cut Letters
Additional Adhesive (for bigger items)

Soft Inking Scrapbook Page with VersaMagic

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Imagine

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! I love scrapbooking, but truthfully it’s been ages since I’ve made any layouts. I came across this fantastic picture of my husband when we were in Woodstock, NY a couple of years ago, and the inspiration hit. Let me show you how beautifully VersaMagic Ink blends with stencils and die cuts to make a fun page.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 45 minutes- 1 hour

Directions:

Peace 1

Step 1:

On white 12×12 cardstock, tape down the first layering stencil. I masked off some areas with washi tape, because I didn’t want the foliage to come to a harsh end where the stencil is cut. I only used leaves that were complete or went off the edge of my page.

Step 2:

Ink the leaves with a blending brush and Aquatic Splash VersaMagic Ink.

Step 3:

Add the top layering stencil and mask off any leaves that you don’t need.

Step 4:

Ink Teal Zeal Memento Ink with a blending brush.

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Step 5:

Repeat the steps above to create a wide column of the foliage going down the left side of the page. Hint: I used that circle die to give the one leaf a rounded edge, instead of looking like it’s cut off by the edge of the stencil

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Step 6:

Die cut the flamingo out of white cardstock. Ink blend the body with Pink Grapefruit and a touch of Pixie Dust VersaMagic Inks. Keep the inking soft….don’t overdo the color.

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Step 7:

Die cut the legs out of white cardstock. Ink blend with Pink Grapefruit and Pumpkin Spice VersaMagic Inks. The Pumpkin Spice dulls the Pink Grapefruit just enough to make the legs look like the color of actual flamingo legs.

Step 8:

Die cut the front area of the beak with black cardstock.

Step 9:

Glue the flamingo pieces together with On Point Glue.

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Step 10:

On your craft mat, swipe the Bouquet Kaleidacolor ink. You’ll be using the peachy tone in the middle.

Step 11

Wet a brush with water and pick up the peach color from your craft mat. Splatter the color all over the background of your scrapbook page.

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Step 12:

Swipe Aquatic Splash on a piece of white cardstock. Die cut your title from that piece.

Step 13:

Using a small blending brush, apply Teal Zeal to the centers of the letters. Again, don’t go too heavy with the color.

Step 14:

Cut out a piece of coordinating patterned paper for a mat around your photo.

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Step 15:

Adhere all layers with On Point Glue.

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A close-up of the inking.

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

VersaMagic in Pixie Dust
VersaMagic in Aquatic Splash
VersaMagic in Pink Grapefruit
VersaMagic in Pumpkin Spice
Memento in Teal Zeal
Kaleidacolor in Bouquet
On Point Glue
Craft Mat

Other:

Erin Lee Creative: Monstera Layering Set
Erin Lee Creative: Flamingo Builder Die Set
Princeton Snap! Brush Size 10
Alphabet Die Set (the one I used is discontinued)
Blending Brushes
Patterned Paper
12×12 White Cardstock

Learn How to Water Color a Halloween Card with Fireworks Shimmery Craft Spray

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Imagine

by Jowilna Nolte

Hi everyone, today I am sharing a gorgeous embossed Spider Web theme background using Fireworks sprays. One of my favorite techniques with Fireworks is to remove the lid and use the ink as a watercolor. First I stamp a grungy bird with VersaFine Clair. Since VersaFine is an oil-based ink, the stamped area will not lift when water-based inks are applied. This is an important feature to understand about VersaFine.

Hope you enjoyed this quick lesson. Create your own variation to make cards, Halloween decor, Fall, and other festive holiday crafts. Combining orange, purple, and black ink with a touch of gold creates a stunning end result.

Skill: Beginner-Intermediate
Time: 20 minutes

Directions

Art Supplies

Imagine

Other

Sewing machine
Tombow Glue
Vellum
Smooth white cardstock
Embossing folder – Cricut
Cuttlebug – Cricut
Stamp – Stampers Anonymous
Paintbrush

How to Make Easy Abstract Backgrounds For Cards

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Imagine

by Jowilna Nolte

Hi everyone, today I am showing you a quick and easy way of creating some fun abstract backgrounds for cards using memento Luxe inkers. I love using my inkers to create backgrounds and these colors together are just so amazing. All you need is a few supplies and you can create a whole new fun look for your cards and other projects.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 10 minutes

Directions

Supplies

Imagine

Memento Luxe inker – Elderberry, Morocco, Rose Bud, Love Letter
Craft Mat
Mboss Embossing Powder – Metallic Berry
On Point Glue
Tear It! Tape
Shimmer Spritz – Frost
VersaMark Dazzle

Other

White Cardstock
Black Cards
Stamps – Precious Remembrance
Die-cuts
DIY Cuts machine
Diamante, Star
Gesso

Directions:

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Finished!

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