Let’s Make a “Celebrate 4th of July Card” with Fireworks!

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Imagine

By Anna Escalada York

Today’s card was inspired by 4th of July celebrations, but is meant for a beloved coworker who is retiring after working at my school for over 25 years. She is one of the key people who everyone knew that they could turn to when they needed help and we will sorely miss her, but are so excited for her next adventure.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Die cut a piece of watercolor paper with the second-largest die in an A2-sized die set. Spray Lilac Posies, Angel Pink and Rhubarb Stalk Fireworks! Craft Spray directly onto a fireworks embossing folder, trying to have the colors mix on the folder. Then add the watercolor paper panel onto the embossing folder and run the whole thing through a die cutting machine. The spray will move inside of the embossing folder when it is pressed through the machine, giving some interesting effects on your embossed panel. Allow the sprays to dry.

Step 2:
Ink blend the edges of the embossed panel with Neptune VersaColor ink. Press the Neptune VersaColor ink pad onto a piece of scrap acetate and spray with water and then splatter the mix onto the panel with a thin paintbrush. Then spray the panel with Copper Shimmer Spritz. Spray more of the Copper Shimmer onto a clean piece of acetate and use the spritz to paint the raised parts of the panel (the tendrils or arms of the fireworks). Allow to dry.

Step 3:
Die cut another piece of watercolor paper with the largest die in the A2-sized die set. Using a sponge dauber, ink blend the edges with more of the Neptune VersaColor ink and then the extreme edges with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair ink.

Step 4:
Splatter Paris Dusk Fireworks! Craft Spray onto the panel and allow to dry.

Step 5:
Stamp a sentiment on a scrap of watercolor paper with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair ink and heat emboss with clear embossing powder. Die cut the sentiment with the corresponding die.

Step 6:
Glue the two panels together. Attach the sentiment with foam tape. Then glue sequins on the lower left corner and just above the sentiment. Finally, glue the whole thing onto an A2-sized white cardbase to finish the card.

Art Supplies

Imagine

• Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray- Angel Pink, Lilac Posies, Paris Dusk and Rhubarb Stalk
• Sheer Shimmer Spritzer – Copper
• VersaColor ink – Neptune and Medieval Blue
• Sponge dauber

Other

• Altenew – embossing folder –
• Firework Trio 3D
• Altenew – Foam Tape
• Altenew – Die set – Blossoms of Encouragement
• Altenew – Stamp set – Blossoms of Encouragement
• Catherine Pooler – Sequin mix – Kyoto
• Pink and Main – Die set
• Notched Corners
• A2-sized kraft card base
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Watercolor paper
• Thin paint brush
• Die cutting machine
• Scissors
• Glue

Easy Christmas Card Set Using VersaColor and Delicata inks

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Imagine

By LeeAnn McKinney

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 45 minutes

Directions:

Step 1
Cut Cardstock to 8” x 10.5”

Step 2
Line Stencil 1 with the paper using the guides on the stencil.

Step 3.
Using a blender tool of your choice (sponge daubers was my choice) blend VersaColor Fresh Green onto the cardstock.

Step 4.
Line Stencil 2 with the paper using the guides and blend with Delicata Emerald Green

Step 5.
Line Stencil 3 with the paper using the guids and blend with VersaColor Scarlet

Step 6,
Line Stencil 4 with the stencil and this one we are going to use twice, First blend with Delicata Ruby Red

Step 7.
Once completely dry, (just takes a couple minutes) line back up and go over stencil 4 again this time with Shimmer Stix Dauber in Sparkle. This will add just a little sparkle to accent the berries on this wonderful Mistletoe.

Step 8.
Set aside to dry and cut your card bases, I have 4 card bases measuring 4.25” x 5.5”, standard A2, I also cut green and red cardstock to use as a layering panel, they are each 4 ⅛ x 5 ⅜.

Step 9.
Now that my stenciled panel as completely dry, I cut it in half each way, this gave me 4 card panels to make my cards. I stamped the sentiments from various stamp sets on the panels, adhered them all together using Tear It! Tape and my cards were complete.

Sentiment from Scrappy Tails Crafts Christmas Postcards

Sentiment from Scrappy Tails Crafts Christmas Postcards

Sentiment from Scrappy Tails Crafts Christmas Market Stamp Set

Sentiment from Sunny Studios Holiday Greetings Stamp/Die set

Imagine Supplies Used:

Other Supplies:

Quick and Easy Ink Blending to Create a Cool Galaxy Card

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Imagine

By LV Handcrafted

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). In today’s video I’m showing how to create a fun galaxy with a combination of different inks! It’s so fast and easy to do!

Skill: Beginner

Time: 15 minutes

Supplies Used

Imagine

Other Products Used

Mama Elephant – Slim Film City
Scrappy Boy Stamps – Future Family

Emboss Resist Inky Background for an Adorable Winter Card

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Imagine

By Linh @LVHandcrafted

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). Even though I’m eager for summer, I’m starting to think ahead to the holidays. While this isn’t a holiday card, I thought it might be a fun “just because” winter themed card. In my video today, I’ll show how I made this emboss resist panel for my background.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 15 minutes

Video Tutorial:

Supplies Used

VersaColor Ink – I used Turquoise, Cyan and Neptune
VeraMark Ink
Mboss Powder – Clear

Other Products Used

Inking Techniques to Make Multiple Artist Trading Cards

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Imagine

By LV Handcrafted

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). In today’s video I’m showing two techniques for creating background panels that you can either cut down or die cut from! One technique features the ever-so-popular ink “smooshing” and the other features creating monoprinting with a gel plate! These techniques are fast and easy to make multiples of if you ever need to make the same card en mass. I made a set of 6 Artist Trading Cards (ATC) using one panel for the background and the monoprint for die-cutting.

Skill: Advance

Time: 45 minutes

Supplies Used

VersaColor Ink – I used Violet and Turquoise
Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – I used Lilac Posies
Brilliance Dew Drop Jewel Tones 4pk

Other Products Used

How to Make a Gorgeous Gift Box Using VersaColor

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Imagine

By Kathi Rerek

Keep the gift boxes you receive and decorate them to hold special gifts.

The recipient will treasure the gift and the stunning box. Great for Valentines or any occasion!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 1 hour plus drying time

Directions:

Step 1:

Using an Ink Sweeper, stamp the lid using Pink VersaColor covering the top and all sides.
You don’t need to ink the entire top of the box because you will be covering it. Heat set thoroughly. Set aside.

TIP: I use a heat tool to speed up the drying process.

Step 2:

Trim a sheet of Mixed Media Strathmore piece of cardstock to about 3″x3″

Ink with Pink VersaColor. Heat Set.

Step 3:

Secure the inked cardstock to the base of a stamping platform. Position your Elegant Script Background stamp and cover surface with VersaMark. It is important to use a stamp platform for this technique to ensure that the image lines up properly.

Step 4:

Ink the Elegant Script stamp with Rich Cocoa Memento ink.

Heat emboss with MBoss powder. (Photo not shown)

Step 5.

Die-cut heart using the Nestabilities Plain Heart Die Set by Spellbinders.

Pro Tip: You can use Rich Cocoa Memento Ink to edge the heart.

Step 6:

Trim a small piece of Mixed Media cardstock (about 3″x3″) and using the Scalloped Heart Die Set from Spellbinders, die-cut another heart. Ink using Rich Cocoa Memento. Heat set. Using a Sponge Dauber, apply Rose Gold Delicata ink to add a touch of rosy shimmer.

Step 7:

Use a square die (that’s a bit smaller than your box) to cut Mixed Media cardstock. Stamp with Pink VersaColor.

Tape the inked square to the back of the Slimline Baroque Stencil and ink with Cardinal VersaColor.

Step 8:

Tape each element using Tear-It! Tape. Set Aside.

Step 9:

To create the rose embellishment, take a small piece of cardstock and die cut the flower pieces. The Quickutz Doublekutz Rose bud die set was used here.
Using embossing styluses can add dimension to the petals. Press the flower petals into the Cardinal VersaColor ink pad. Let them dry. Sponge with Rose Gold Delicata ink to give them some shimmer. Heat set.

Ink the stem and rose-hip with VersaMagic Hint of Pesto. Heat step. Then add a little Delicata Golden Glitz.

Step 10

Tape rose to the top of the lid using Tear It! Tape. Now your lid is complete.

Directions – Box Bottom

Step 11:

Ink box bottom with VersaColor Cardinal. Heat set.

Step 12:

Cut a piece of Mixed Media Strathmore piece of cardstock no smaller than 4″x4″.

(This piece will be used to decorate the inside of the box)

Ink with Cardinal VersaColor. Heat set.

Step 13:

Secure the inked cardstock to the base of a stamping platform. Position your Elegant Script Background stamp and ink with VersaFine Clair – Acorn.

Step 14:

Trim the stamped red panel slightly smaller than the box. Edge with Acorn VersaFine ink and heat set. Adhere to the interior of the box with Tear It! Tape. Now your bottom box is done.