Techniques to Create Delicate Textures in a Valentine’s Card

By Martha Lucia Gomez

Hello there! Today’s tutorial is about texture without dimensions. Do you know that you can create a flat card with these two ingredients and just one type of ink? Well, the Delicata is the ink that can bring you these possibilities and more. I decided to make this card using two colors of Delicata, Ruby Red and Rose Gold.  

Skill: Beginning

Time: 45 minutes

Directions:

Step 1:

Take a piece of white smooth cardstock and solid stamps to create your design. In my sample, I am using hearts in different sizes and the Love Sentiment. First, ink the sentiment using the Ruby Red Delicata Ink. The Delicata is a pigment ink that dries within minutes on porous papers and never loses the luster. You can also obtain a Metallic touch with it if you don’t emboss the stamped images. 

Step 2:

If you want to obtain more texture and coverage, you can stamp the same image several times. In my sample, I stamped it three times.

Step 3:

To complete the sentiment, you can stamp a complement using the same ink or other ink. On this sample, I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne. On it, you can notice the different textures of both inks and the soft color of the Delicata. 

Step 4:

Now is the time to create more texture. This time, I used Rose Gold Delicata Ink to create it and hearts in different sizes. I stamped them randomly on the upper part of the card.  Using a stamping tool, you can create different tones with the same ink and color, depending of the times that you stamp your image.

 Step 5:

After finalizing the stamping process, I decided to embellish the card with a few loops of red twine. I used a dot of On Point Glue to secure just the knot.  

Step 6:

Due to the dimension created with the twine, I pasted the decorated layer over a red card base using crafty foam tape. And voila, my soft and textured Valentine’s Card is ready!

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget that you can explore more textures with other colors of Delicata Ink. 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• VersaFine Clair Nocturne

• Delicata Ink Ruby Red and Rose Gold

• On Point Glue

• Craft Mat

Other:

• I Love You Stamps by Diamond Press. 

• Stamping Tool

• Crafty Foam Tape.

Learn to Make a Valentine’s Day Treat Bag/Gift Card Holder

By Kathy Pisupati –

Hello!  Kathy here, creating art for Imagine Crafts!  Today’s project is a treat/gift card holder for Valentine’s Day but it is also about ADHESIVES!  Adhesives aren’t the focus on most tutorials so let’s change that today.

.Skill Level: Easy

Time to complete: 1 Hour

Directions:

Step 1

Cut 3 pieces of a layering weight, white card stock to 4” x 11”.  This will be enough for three holders. You don’t need a heavy weight card stock as we will be scoring, folding and adding a layer of patterned paper.

Step 2

Cut 3 panels of patterned paper to 3.5” x 10.5”.  I had this fabulous patterned  paper from Kat Scrappiness in my stash which is perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Step 3

Here is where the adhesive comes in!  You will attach the patterned paper panels to the white card stock.  The Tear It! Tape from Imagine Crafts is SO easy to use.  It is a strong double-sided adhesive AND you don’t need to reach for your scissors every time you want a piece.  Just tear it!  It tears so easy!  We will also be using the On Point Glue and I will give you a tip in a second.  The On Point Glue comes in a small bottle with a micro tip.  The cap of the bottle has a built in pin that fits in the micro tip when you close the cap so it never gets clogged!  No more losing those pins!

Step 4

Add your Tear It! Tape to the back of all four panels on all sides.  Here’s a tip, pull up only a bit of each back and a bit of On Point Glue to the exposed area.  Then flip the panel over and align to your white card panel.  This allows some wiggle room for you to align the panels perfectly!  Once the patterned panel is aligned press down the areas of exposed adhesive and then gently pull the backing paper off from each side.

Step 5

Now it’s time to score and fold.  You will score as indicated above and fold in the manner shown.

Step 6

Now it’s time to add a little decoration!  I used a heart die and coordinating stamps.  I stamped using VersaColor Cardinal ink.  For the sentiment I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink.  Foam tape was added to the lower half of the heart.  The reason for this is so the flap of the holder can tuck under the heart.  I also added foam tape to the sentiment, adding a bit more dimension to the design.  These were SO easy to create and you could change up the design for ANY occasion.  I haven’t put anything inside yet.  A gift card fit perfectly inside, just add some temporary adhesive to the back of the gift card.  You can also adhere a small cellophane bag filled with small treats and adhere it or add a bit of temporary adhesive to the back of a fun-size candy bar!  Perfect for Valentine’s Day and Halloween!

I hope you enjoy this card and the tutorial. Thanks for stopping by I appreciate all of you! Please head over to the Imagine Crafts website to see all the beautiful products. Here is the link IMAGINE CRAFTS.

SUPPLIES

Imagine Crafts

• VersaColor Cardinal

• On Point Glue

• Tear It! Tape

• VersaFine Clair Nocturne

Other

• Kat Scrappiness Patterned Paper

• Heart Die

• Coordinating Heart Stamp/Stencil

• Scor-Pal scoring tool

• Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die-Cutting machine

• Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb

• Paper Trimmer

• Teflon bone folder

• Foam Tape

Learn to Make a Welcome Home Wood Sign

By Neva Cole –

In today’s tutorial you will learn to create a super easy wood sign using the ever versatile VersaFine Clair inks.  The VersaFine Clair worked beautifully for this project that took just under and hour from design concept to completion!  The ink pads are nice and juicy, so the first stamp image was perfect every time, which is helpful when free hand stamping with out a stamp platform.

Skill:  Beginner

Time:  1 Hour

Directions:

Step 1:

Remove twine from the sign so it will lay flat on your work surface.  With lines on the sign already in place it was easy to line up the sentiment and acrylic stamp block.  Once the stamps are aligned, place a large acrylic block over the stamps lining up the edges to allow perfect positioning.

Step 2:

Stamp the sentiment in VersaFine Clair Pinecone and heat emboss with clear Embossing Powder.  Gives the sentiment a bit of shine and keeps it from smearing!

Step 3:

Using and ink blusher ink the edges of the sign with VersaFine Clair Cheerful.  Start from the outside edge and blend toward the center to create a slight ombre look.

Step 4:

Using and ink blusher ink the edges of the sign with VersaFine Clair Summertime.  Start from the outside edge and blend toward the center but not as far as the Cheerful layer.

Step 5:

The leaf images are stamped using a very old stamp that features Fall leaves. The Oak leaf is stamped in VersaFine Clair Acorn, the Aspen leaf in Summertime, and the Maple leaf in Tulip Red.  The sign can be heated with a heat gun, or set aside until the ink dries.

Step 6:

Replace twine through holes in the sign and display! 

Art Supplies

Imagine:

Versa Fine Clair–Pinecone, Acorn, Cheerful, Summertime, Tulip Red

Embossing Powder–Clear

Ink Blusher

Other Products:

Square 7” x 7” Wood Sign

Recollections Clear stamps sentiments from 2020

Judi-kins Fall Leaves Cube 

Neva Cole

http://snippetscrafter.blogspot.com/

n.cole@windward-performance.com

How To Create The Perfect Plaid Background Using Kaleidacolor Inks 

2022-May-Katy-Ingram-Fathersday-Plaid_650x6502022-May-Katy-Ingram-Fatherday-Plaid-650x650

By Katy Ingram –

Hello Friends! Katy here and I am excited to share my project with you today. I am using the Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Caribbean Sea to create my two plaid panels. Have you ever wondered or struggled with what colors to use to create a plaid background? Well my friends wonder and struggle no more because the Kaleidacolor Ink Pads solve it all. These ink pads coordinate so well that it takes the guesswork out. In the video I show just how easy it is, with a stencil of course, but the best part is, you don’t have to use all the colors or all the layers of the stencil I am using to get some really cool backgrounds. I will definitely be bringing the pads out more often to take the guesswork out of what colors go well with each other. Thanks so much for stopping by. 

I will catch you next time!   

Katy

Skill: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Time: 20 minutes

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine

• Kaleidacolor Ink Pad – Caribbean Sea 

• Ink Refills

– 40 Chartreuse

– 38 Pale Aqua

– 37 Celeste Blue

– 10 Teal

– 39 Nile Green

• VersaFine Clair – Twilight

• Tear it! Tape 

 

Other Products Used:

• Stardream Metallic Lapiz Lazuli

• Accent Opaque 120 lb Cardstock

• Kat Scrappiness Postage Stamp Die

• Kat Scrappiness Happy Fathers Day Die

• Hero Arts Dapper Dad Stamp Set

• Pinkfresh Studio Lowercase Heather and Lea’s Ornate Lowercase dies

• Blender Brushes

• The Greetery Tartan Builder Diagonal Stencil

Follow Katy Here:

Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/eastwickspaperandink 

facebook: fb.me/eastwickspaper 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastwickspaperandink/ 

Blog: https://www.eastwickspaperandink.com/

Make a Fun Puffed Hearts Card with Radiant Neon Amplify

Puffed-Hearts-1-800

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! My latest tutorial for Imagine uses one of the most unique products they make…Radiant Neon Amplify. This stuff is so fun! It’s kind of a runny paint, that when you apply heat to it, it puffs up. I love using Amplify with stencils. Let me show you how.

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: Approx. 20 Minutes, plus drying time

Directions:

Puffed Hearts 2

 

Step 1:

Tape a piece of cardstock to your work surface. Lay your stencil on top and tape it down. You may want to use something like Pixie Spray to hold the stencil even more, depending on how detailed it is.



Step 2:

Squirt the Radiant Neon Amplify all over the stencil. I went pretty sparingly at first because I didn’t want to waste the product, but I did need to add more than what’s pictured above.

 

Puffed Hearts 3

Step 3:

Using a paste spreader or palette knife, spread the Amplify across the surface of the stencil. Don’t press too hard, because you may lift up the Amplify. The thicker you apply the Amplify, the bigger the puffs will be, so keep that in mind.

 

Puffed Hearts 4

Step 4:

Fill in any gaps you may have with more Amplify. Don’t over mix the colors…you want a marbleized look. It should look sort of like mine above.


Step 5:

Carefully remove your stencil from the cardstock and immediately wash it and any other tools you may have used. You don’t want the Amplify to dry on anything except your cardstock.

 

Puffed Hearts 5

Step 6:

Heat the wet Amplify with a Heat Tool. You will see the shine disappear and it will start to puff up. Again, the thicker areas will have bigger puffs.

 

Puffed Hearts 6

Step 7:

Trim the panel down to 3 1/4″ x 4 3/4.”

 

Puffed Hearts 7

Step 8:

Cut a piece of Smooth Bristol Cardstock to 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2.” Tape down to work surface.

Step 9:

Tape down your second stencil. I also used Pixie Spray for this one, because the rays can move easily.

Step 10:

Apply Memento Ink in Rose Bud using a blending brush. Remove the stencil.

 

Puffed Hearts 8
Step 11:

Apply Memento Ink in Grape Jelly to your work surface and spritz a little water on to the ink. Using a brush, flick the color on to your stenciled panel.

 

Puffed Hearts 10

Step 12:

Add a sentiment to the puffed panel with VersaFine Clair Ink in Monarch.


Step 13:

Adhere all layers to your card base.

 

Puffed Hearts 11 Full

I love the texture you get from the Radiant Neon Amplify. It’s so unique and fun! I hope you’ll give them a try. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• Radiant Neon Amplify: Electric Purple & Electric Pink
• Memento Ink: Rose Bud & Grape Jelly 
• VersaFine Clair Ink: Monarch 

Other:

• A Colorful Life Designs: Love Strands Stencil & Bitty Rays Stencil
• Mama Elephant: Creativity is Contagious Stamps
• Palette Knife and/or Paste Spreader
• Smooth Bristol Cardstock
• Blending Brushes
• White Card Base
• Heat Tool
• Paint Brush

Learn How to Make an Astrological Card

Astrological-Chart-Card-1200

By Alison Heikkila –

Hello! It’s time for my newest post for Imagine, as an official part of the 2022 Design Team. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many of us are wiped out, or even burnt out from making cards and gifts all season. Because of that, I decided to come up with a fast card that doesn’t take a ton of effort, but looks like it did because of the layering.

Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 15 to 20 Minutes

Directions:

Astrological Chart Card 2

Step 1:

Adhere your 3″ x 5″ Gel Press to an acrylic block. While you can adhere it to your work surface, but if it’s attached to a block, you can control where it goes on your printing plate.

 

Astrological Chart Card 3

Step 2:

Apply Versa Fine Clair Ink in Twilight to the Gel Press Plate. I applied it in rows, but you can do it however you like.

Step 3:

Squeeze on a bit of Silvery Shimmer Delicata reinker. You don’t need too much.

 

Astrological Chart Card 4

Step 4:

Using a brayer, roll the colors together. Try not to overmix them.

 

Astrological Chart Card 5

Step 5:

While the inks are still wet, flip the Gel Press Plate on to the printing plate. Since it’s on an acrylic block, you can place the Gel Plate wherever you want easily. Press the Gel Press into the printing plate firmly.

Step 6:

Flip the Gel Press back over, and lay a piece of copy paper on top. This will create your print. Press the paper firmly and evenly all over the plate to get a good transfer.

 

Astrological Chart Card 6

Step 7:

Carefully peel back the paper to reveal your print. You can place the paper back down before you peel up the entire thing if you feel that you need to transfer the ink more.

 

Astrological Chart Card 7

Step 8:

After I made 3 more prints, I chose the one I wanted to use on my card. I went with my first print, which is the upper right. I tore the edges around the print instead of trimming it smoothly.

 

Astrological Chart Card 8

Step 9:

Using an edger die, trim a piece of navy colored cardstock to create a mat around your print.

Step 10:

Using Silvery Shimmer Delicata Ink, ink up the edges of the die cut mat.

 

Astrological Chart Card 9

Step 11:

On a gray card base, ink the right side with VersaMark ink. Try to not make it even, so that it has a more organic feel.

Step 12:

Sprinkle Mboss in Shimmering Night Sky on to the wet ink. Shake off excess, and heat set with a heat tool.

 

Astrological Chart Card 10

Step 13:

Adhere your layers. I added a stamped and die cut sentiment, as well as some jewels. For the jewels, I used On Point Glue.

 

Astrological Chart Card 11 600

The finished card has lots of shine and cool texture. Using your inks and reinkers on a Gel Press Plate gives you the ability to mix colors from different lines and get beautiful, soft effects.

 

Astrological Chart Card 13 600

Again, using all of these layers may make it seem that this card took a lot of time, but it really didn’t because making the print is such a fast process. And you can choose to use a larger Gel Press Plate to cut down on some of the layers.

 

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

• VersaFine Clair Ink in Twilight
• Delicata Ink Pad & Reinker in Silvery Shimmer
• VersaMark Ink Pad
• MBoss in Shimmering Night Sky
• On Point Glue
• Craft Mat

Other:

• Gel Press: 3″ x 5″ Plate
• Carabelle Studio: Zodiac Printing Plate
• Speedball: Brayer
• Stampendous: Deckle Die Set, Slim Acrylic Handle
• Pinkfresh Studios: Perfect Sentiments stamp & die set
• Doodles Paper Playground: Silver Starburst Rhinestones
• Gray card base, white copy paper, navy cardstock
• Heat Tool