Christmas in July Gift Card Holder 

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Intermediate 
Time: 45 minutes 

Hi everyone! It’s Jessica here. I want to share one of my favorite ways to create a gift card holder today. It’s super simple and quick to put together. I picked a Christmas theme but you could easily change it to a birthday or wedding gift card holder. 

Step 1:
Let’s start by creating the base of the gift card holder. Using Environment Desert Storm cardstock, cut it in half to create a standard A2 card base (4 ¼’’ x 5 ½’’), and score at 4 ½’’, 5 ½’’ and 6 ½’’. Fold along the crease to create a peak just like the one in the photo. 

Step 2:
Next, flip the card base around and apply Tear-It! Tape to the top edge of the scored line. Notice how the “peak” from earlier has turned into a “valley”. You want to avoid adding adhesive to the center of the “valley” since that will become the opening for the gift card holder. 

Step 3:
Once the middle portion of the card base is adhered together, you will have a new card base that is 4 ¼’’ x 5’’ with an inner flap. Now, we are ready to create the opening for the gift card. Place the largest frame die from Spellbinders Labels Seventeen set to die cut the gift card opening. The trick is to die cut as little cardstock as possible so that there is a large flap area to hold your gift card. 

Step 4:
Let’s decorate the front of the gift card holder next. I stamped this Christmas tree image on Classic Crest Solar White cardstock with VersaColor Evergreen ink pad and die cut the image with the coordinating die. 

Step 5:
Then, I stamped another Christmas tree design with VersaMagic Tea Leaves ink pad. Both of these stamps are from Stampin Up’s Peaceful Pines set. 

Step 6:
I decided to add an embossed panel to add some interest to the background. I trimmed a piece of Environment Desert Storm cardstock to 3 ¾’’ x 4 ½’’ and embossed it with Stampin’ Up’s Tin Tile embossing folder. The details really pop on this kraft colored cardstock, don’t you think? 

Step 7:
For the sentiment, I picked this scripty “Christmas” die from Ellen Hutson’s Merry & Bright set and die cut it with DCS Gold Glitter Heavyweight 12 x 12. This gold glitter cardstock is becoming a staple in my craft room – it’s easy to die cut with and does not shed any glitter (no glitter mess!). 

Step 8:
Finally, I stamped “Merry” with Encore! Gold ink pad to complete the sentiment. I picked this color since it matches the DCS Gold Glitter Heavyweight cardstock really well. 

Step 9:
This is what the gift card holder looks like with a gift card inserted. I really like this gift card holder since it’s super easy to assemble and there’s space to write a personal message as well. I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial, and thanks for stopping by! 

Products Used

Imagine Supplies: 

● VersaMagic – Tea Leaves 
● VersaColor – Evergreen 
● Encore! – Gold 
● StazOn Cleaner 
● Tear-It! Tape 
● Craft Mat 

Other Supplies: 

● Spellbinders – Dies – Labels Seventeen 
● Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – Peaceful Pines 
● Stampin’ Up! – Dies – Perfect Pines 
● Ellen Hutson’s – Dies – Merry & Bright 
● Winnie & Walter – Stamps – In a Word: Grand Merry 
● Stampin’ Up – Embossing Folder – Tin Tile 
● Neenah – Cardstock – Environment Desert Storm, Classic Crest Solar White 
● DCS – Cardstock – Gold Glitter Heavyweight 

Create A Mother’s Day Home Decor Gift

By Von Marie

Hello everyone. Von Marie here with my latest project. I chose to make a Mother’s Day Home Decor project today. I used wood veneers and frame and some Beautiful VersaColor inks, and Delicata Golden Glitz to help me make this project fun and colorful. This project is great for a gift or for yourself as a decoration for your craft room. You can even switch it up and make it a Christmas project or anytime project. The video will have all the details. Thank you for watching.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 60 Mins.

Art Supplies:

Imagine Products:

Craft Mat
Sponge Daubers With Lid
Jumbo Sponge Dauber
• VersaColor Pigment ink colors:
 – Turquoise Full Ink Pad
 – Canary Full Ink Pad 
VersaFine CLAIR Pigment Ink Baby Pink
Delicata Pigment ink Golden Glitz
Memento Dew Drop Pear Tart

Other Products Used:

• Wood Frames (Local dollar store)
• American Crafts Wood Veneers Jen Hadfield
• Mom Word Die retired Lil Inker Designs
• Hot Glue Gun (Be careful)
• Pattern Paper
• Seam Binding ribbon
• Fabric Rolled Flower
• Bird Ephemera

This project can be created using products from your stash such as buttons, ribbons, or acrylic pieces. Video link https://youtu.be/SYF37K3xt-s

Create a Floral All-Occasions Card with VersaColor

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 30 minutes

Hi everyone! It’s Jessica here. I am so happy to be on Imagine Crafts’ design team again for 2026. If you have seen some of my creations before, you would notice that I love bold, bright colors. Today, I am sharing a floral card that features this vibrant orange from the VersaColor ink line.

Step 1:
I started out by preparing an A2 card base with Calypso Coral cardstock. Then I trimmed a piece of Dry Brushed Metallic paper to 3’’ x 4.5’’ as a background accent.

Step 2:
The stamp set I am using today is Flourishing Phrases from Stampin’ Up. I stamped the flower image with VersaColor Orange ink pad on a piece of 3.5’’ x 4’’ cardstock. For the leaves, I used VersaColor Bamboo ink pad.

Step 3:
I stamped another flower image on a scrap piece of cardstock and fussy cut it along the edge.

Step 4:
Then I die cut a circle with cross-stitch details and stamped the sentiment with VersaColor Bamboo ink.

Step 5:
The coordinating die set includes various floral designs that work well both by themselves and with the stamp images. I decided to die cut the largest design and cut it into 3 pieces to decorate around the sentiment. Finally, I adhered all of the elements onto the cardbase, added some rhinestones, and the card is complete!

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Stampin’ Up! – Stamps – Flourishing Phrases
  • Stampin’ Up! – Dies – Flourish Thinlits
  • Stampin’ Up! – Patterned Paper – Dry Brushed Metallic
  • Stampin’ Up! – Cardstock – Calypso Coral

Let’s Make a Repurposed Tea Tin Box

By Anna Escalada York

I’ve had a small metal tea box that I’ve wanted to repurpose into a mixed media piece for a while, so I took some time on a rainy day to make it happen.

Skill: Advanced
Time: 1 hour active time, 6+ hours (drying between layers)

Directions:

Step 1:

After applying two coats of gesso around all four sides of a tea tin, spray the top of the tin with Cherry Blossom Walnut Ink Antiquing Solution and allow it to drip down the sides of the tin. Set aside to dry.

Step 2:

Spray all four sides of the tin with Lulu Lavender Fireworks! Craft Spray and allow to dry.

Step 3:

While the tin was drying, die cut four leaf clusters out of watercolor paper. Then randomly add Paris Dusk Fireworks! Craft Spray to the centers of each leaf with the stick of the spray nozzle and color the outsides of the leaves with Elderberry Memento Dual Marker.

Step 4:

Spray each of the 4 leaf clusters with Lulu Lavender Fireworks! Craft Spray and allow to dry.

Step 5:

Partially stamp each of the four sides of the tin with Night Sky VersaMagic ink on a background stamp. (I used an old woodblock typewriter stamp.) Then press the ink pad along the top edge of the tin and the raised rib as well. Heat emboss the top rim of ink with clear embossing powder.

Step 6:

Ink blend Lilac VersaColor ink through a stencil on all four sides of the tin using a sponge dauber. (Not pictured was splattering more of the Paris Dusk Fireworks! Craft Spray onto each of the four sides as well.) Then allow everything to dry.

Step 7:

Glue two of the leaf cluster dies (one on top of the other) along the right edge of two of the sides of the tin.

Not pictured was the step after this where I decided to use my sponge daubers to ink blend some more of the Night Sky VersaMagic ink along some of the edges of the leaves while they were glued down, nor using my Gold Sheer Shimmer Stix Dauber Top to add some gold to the leaves as well.

Splatter the tin with more Paris Dusk Fireworks! Craft Spray. Allow it to dry. Then glue dark blue gems around the leaf clusters to finish the box on the two slides with leaves.

Art Supplies

Imagine

Fireworks! – Lulu Lavender and Paris Dusk
Memento Dual Marker – Elderberry
Sheer Shimmer Stix Dauber Top – Gold
VersaColor ink – Lilac
VersaMagic ink – Night Sky
Walnut Ink Antiquing Solution – Cherry Blossom
Sponge Daubers

Other

AALL & Create – stencil – Lotza Starz 6″x6″ stencil
Golden – Gesso Semi-Opaque Acrylic Primer
Scrappy Tails Crafts – embellishment mix
Simon Says Stamp – die cut – Autumn Leaf Branch
Old typewriter woodblock stamp in my stash
Clear Embossing Powder
Watercolor paper
Foam paint brush (for the gesso)
Die cutting machine
Glue

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

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

Watercolor Card for Mom Using VersaColor

By Helen Gullett

Hello crafty friends! Today, I wanna share with you a fun technique to make a card for a mom. We are going to do some watercoloring with VersaColor ink pads and also heat-embossing technique. So… Let’s get some ink pads and watercoloring together!

Skill: Beginner
Time: 15-20 minutes

Direction:

Step 1
Cut out a piece of watercolor cardstock (or mixed media paper would work, too) into a 4.25 inch x 5.5 inch card panel. Prep the background watercolor cardstock panel with some anti-static embossing powder. Then, stamp the music sheet background stamp with VersaMark ink pad randomly on it, and add some of the white opaque embossing powder. Heat the embossing powder with a craft heat gun.

Step 2
Dab some inks of the VersaColor Turquoise ink pad on the craft mat and then spray with some water. Smoosh the watercolor panel into the ink on the craft mat, dry the ink, and repeat the smooshing and drying the ink as needed.

Step 3
Add some ink splatter on the background panel with a fan paint brush, and dry it with a craft heat gun.

Step 4
Distress the edges of the background panel with a distress tool or you can use scissors for this distress technique.

Add the background panel to the card base with On Point Glue.

Step 5
Stamp the magnolia and leaf  images on another piece of watercolor cardstock with the VersaFine Clair Nocturne using the stamping tool. Repeat the stamping if needed.

Add some of the clear embossing powder on the stamped images while the ink is still wet and then heat it with a craft heat gun.

Step 6
On the craft mat, dab some inks of the VersaColor Canary ink pad and VersaColor Turquoise ink pad, and then spray them with some water. And then, color the leaves and branches with the watercolor inks. Set aside to dry or dry it with a craft heat gun.

Step 7
Dab some of the ink of the VersaColor Pink ink pad on the craft mat and spray it with some water. Then, color the magnolia flowers and set aside to dry or dry it with a craft heat gun.

Step 8
When all the watercolor images dried well, fussy cut them with micro-tip scissors. Add them to the card with On Point Glue.

Step 9
Stamp the letters m-o-m on a piece of white cardstock with VersaFine Clair Nocturne. Dry the stamped word MOM with a craft heat gun and then fussy cut it with micro-tip scissors.

Step 10
On the white cardstock, stamp also the second sentiment with VersaFine Clair Nocturne, dry the ink with a craft heat gun, and then trim it into a sentiment label.

Step 11
Add the word MOM on the card with On Point Glue.

Cut out 3-4 strips of white cardstock smaller than the second sentiment label, add them on the back of the sentiment label with On Point Glue, this will add an extra dimension to the sentiment that is not as thick as foam tape. Add the sentiment to the card with On Point Glue.

Step 12
Final step, to add extra texture to the background by adding some white paint splatters. Mix a little bit of white acrylic paint with water on the craft mat, pick it up with a fan paint brush, and then splat some of the paint to the card.

Dry the splatter paint with a craft heat gun.

This simple mixed media card is done. I love how it turns out and hopefully you do, too. I like how VersaColor ink pads are not just for stamping but also work as a watercoloring medium.

Craft Supplies

Imagine Crafts:

Others:

  • Mindful Magnolias Clear Stamp Set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Dearest Friend Clear Stamp Set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Vintage Sheet Music Tile Clear Stamp Set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • Chunky Lowercase Alpha Clear Stamp Set (Creative Worship Stamps)
  • White Opaque Embossing Powder
  • Clear Embossing Powder
  • Neenah Solar White Cardstock 80 lb
  • Fan paint brush
  • Stamping tool
  • Micro-tip scissors
  • Paper trimmer
  • Distresser Tool
  • Bone Folder
  • Bottle Sprayer / Mister Bottle
  • Paper Towel