Watercolor with VersaMagic Inks for a Teacher’s Card

By Jessica Lin

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 45 hour

Hello hello! Back to school season is right around the corner, can you believe that summer flew by so quickly? Today I have a Teacher’s card to share with you and we are coloring with some of my favorite ink pads as well!

Step 1:
Stamp the mermaid image using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink pad and heat emboss with clear Mboss powder. I also stamped 2 sentiments partially to create a new phrase.

Step 2:
Dab some ink on the Craft Mat and watercolor the image using a waterbrush.

Step 3:
Mask the image with masking tape and blend Starlite Silver ink across the moroccan stencil. I also blended Memento Tuxedo Black ink around the mermaid image to create a shadow-glow effect.

Step 4:
Adhere the front panel to a square cardbase with foam tape, and the card is complete!

Products Used

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies:

  • Penguin Palace – Stamps – Take a Break
  • Stampin’ Up! – Stencil – Artistic Mix Decorative Masks
  • We R – Tool – Precision Press
  • Foam Tape
  • Heat Tool
  • Stampin’ Up! – Cardstock – Coastal Cabana

Faux Watercolor Technique for Fall Birthday Card

By Ceil Pritchett

Hey everybody!
It’s Ceal, here. Today I am sharing a card using a technique that I am calling “faux watercolor” because the end result look like it was water colored to me.

Skill: Beginner
Time: 30 minutes

Directions:

Start by gathering your supplies. You will need a A2 card base, a white panel, a panel of tidepool cardstock, several colors of VersaMagic ink, VersaFine Clair Pinecone ink, Memento Tangelo ink, sponge daubers and an embossing folder.

Step 1:
Make a dry run of the embossing folder through the die cutting machine.

Step 2:
This looks like a hot mess, but I promise it gets better. Using a sponge dauber, color the leaves as desired using VersaMagic inks.

Step 3:
Lock the embossed panel back into the folder and generously ink up the debossed side with a dark brown ink. Close the folder and run it through the die cutting machine.

Step 4:
Glue the panel down on the card base and add a sentiment. I used a happy birthday die cut.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Imagine Crafts:
• VersaMagic Ink:
– Mango Madness
– Perfect Plumeria
– Jumbo Java
– Tea Leaves
– Turquoise Gem
• VersaFine Clair – Pinecone
• Memento- Tangelo
• Sponge Daubers
• On Point glue

Other Supplies:
• White cardstock – Concord & 9th
• Tidepool cardstock – Concord & 9th
• Fall Leaves embossing folder – Honey Bee Stamps
• Happy Birthday die – Hone Bee Stamps

Let’s Make a Rose Postage Card

By Kathi Rerek

It’s summer and the roses are in full bloom. Let’s make a Rose Postage Card with VersaMagic and Delicata Inks!

Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 1.5 hours

Directions:

Step 1:
Use the Postage Collage die to cut Desert Storm cardstock.

Steps 2A and 2B:
Place a magnetic panel onto the cardstock panel. Use temporary adhesive to secure the Rose Postage Collage die-cut to a piece of scrap paper. Use magnets and low-tack tape to secure the first Rose Postage Collage Stencil to the die-cut. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Ink over the stencil onto the die-cut (2A). Use another Sponge Dauber to apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink over the stencil onto the die-cut, blending the ink as you go (2B).

Keep the Postage-Collage Die-cut panel in place. Remove the stencil and clean. Heat set the collage panel.

Steps 3A and 3B:
Use magnets and low-tack tape to secure the second Rose Postage Collage Stencil to the Postage Collage die-cut. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Tea Leaves VersaMagic Ink over the stencil onto the die-cut (3A). Use another Sponge Dauber to apply Aloe Vera VersaMagic Ink over the stencil onto the die-cut, blending the ink as you go (3B). Keep the Postage-Collage Die-cut panel in place. Remove the stencil and clean. Heat set the collage panel.

Steps 4A & 4B:
Move the Postage Collage Die-cut panel to the base of a stamping platform. Secure with magnets. Position the postmark, cancellation, cost, and “forever” stamps from the Postage Collage Stamp Set facedown on the panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift, ink the stamps with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp (4A). I re-inked and stamped some of the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink to add visual weight.

I decided that I wanted to add the words “With Love” from the second Postage Collage Stencil and that I wanted to add more stamped postage items to the collage.

Step 5:
Move the Rose Postage Collage Die-cut back onto the magnet panel and secure the second Postage Collage Stencil with magnets and low-tack tape overtop. Re-use the Sponge Dauber from Step 2A to apply Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Ink over the “With Love” words on the stencil onto the Postage Collage Die-cut panel. When done, lift the stencil, clean it, then heat set the Postage Collage Die-cut panel.

Step 6:
Place the Postage Collage Die-cut Panel again onto the base of a stamping platform and secure it with magnets. Place additional postage stamps from Postage Collage Stamp set facedown on the image panel. Press the platform’s lid onto the back of the stamp, lift, ink the stamps with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. When done, remove the Postage Collage Die-cut Panel and heat set.

Step 7:
Move the Rose Postage Collage Die-cut panel back to the large magnet panel. Use magnets and low-tack tape to secure the third Postage Collage Stencil to the Postage Collage Die-cut panel. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Golden Glitz Delicata Ink over the stencil onto the Postage Collage Die-cut panel.

Step 8:
Use the pouncy tool to apply Golden Glitz Delicata Ink randomly over the Postage Collage Die-cut panel. Heat set the panel and set it aside.

Steps 9A and 9B:
Cut a piece of Desert Storm cardstock to 5.5” x 4.25”. Use temporary adhesive to secure this panel to a piece of scrap paper. Use magnets and low-tack tape to secure the first Postage Collage Stencil to the die-cut. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Ink over the stencil onto the die-cut (9A). Remove the first stencil and heat set the panel.

Use magnets and low-tack tape to secure the second Postage Collage Stencil to the panel. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Ink over the stencil onto the die-cut (9B). Remove the stencil and heat set the panel.

Step 10:
Use the pouncy tool to apply Golden Glitz Delicata Ink all over the panel. Heat set.

Step 11:
Use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the Postage Collage Die-cut panel to the 5.5” x 4.25” panel, then use to adhere the panel to an A2 card cut from the same cardstock.

Finished Card

Supplies Used:

Imagine:

Other Supplies:

  • Desert Storm Classic Crest Cardstock by Neenah Papers
  • Postage Collage Clear Stamp Set by Waffle Flower
  • Postage Collage Cutting Die Set by Waffle Flower
  • Postage Collage Stencil Set by Waffle Flower
  • Rose Postage Collage Stencil Set by Waffle Flower
  • Pouncy Tool – Source unknown
  • Low-Tack Tape
  • Magnet Packaging from the Postage Collage Die Cut Set by Waffle Flowers
  • Misti  Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Let’s Make Waves! Summer Card

By Anna Escalada York

In today’s post, I am sharing a card that features a summer scene.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions:

Step 1:
Use Memento Markers–Dandelion, Cantaloupe, Morocco and Lady Bug to color the sun and
sun rays through a stencil onto watercolor paper. Blend some of the colors together by coloring
a lighter color over a darker one to create even more color variety. Use some ink blenders to ink
blend the sky with Pearlescent Sky Blue Brilliance (closer to the sun) and Ocean Depth
VersaMagic Chalk Ink (farther away from the sun.
Use a sparkly clear gel pen to add sparkle to the clouds. (This ended up being mostly die cut
out.)

Step 2:
Slowly and gently press on the cap of the Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray bottle, making
sure to only press about half way so that a small amount of splatters go onto the watercolor
panel. Allow to dry.

Step 3:
Die cut the panel with a mid-sized arch die.

Step 4:
Using daubers, ink blend Red Magic VersaMagic Chalk Ink along the bottom and right side of
the die cut (where the orange and red rays touch the edges) and more of the Ocean Depth
VersaMagic Chalk Ink along the left edge through the upper third part of the right edge (where
the blue sky touch the edges). Don’t ink blend the bottom right corner of the panel (with the sun
and cloud).

Step 5:
Using die two die cuts, die cut some blue and green patterned paper and blue mirror cardstock
to look like waves. (I used leftover die cuts from a previous project.) Glue the blue and green
cardstock wave first, and then glue the blue mirror cardstock on top of it. Make sure the left side
and bottom of both die cuts align with the edges of the arch. Trim the right side of the die cut
waves so that they stop along the edge of the arch.

Step 6:
Use the largest arch die in the set to die cut a piece of sparkly black cardstock for the matte
layer.

Step 7:
Press the Nocturne VersaFine Clair ink onto a small scrap of watercolor paper to create black
cardstock. Die cut two small bird silhouettes out of the black paper.

Step 8:
Use two die cuts to create two layers of a cloud, both out of watercolor paper. Use an ink dauber
to very lightly ink blend Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk Ink onto the base (larger) layer. Ink
blend the upper player with the same Pink Grapefruit VersaMagic Chalk Ink with a heavier hand
so the layer is a darker pink. Then spray both layers of the cloud with more Sparkle Sheer
Shimmer Craft Spray. After both layers of the cloud are dry, glue them together.
Then glue the cloud onto the right side of the card panel. I positioned my cloud to cover a small
imperfection from the stenciling.

Step 9:
Glue the birds onto the card base. (Optional step: Add glitter to the birds by coloring on them
with a sparkly clear gel pen.
Then glue the main scene onto the black matte layer.

Step 10:
Die cut the sentiment out of the same black sparkly cardstock and attach to the bottom corner of
the upper (stenciled) layer. If desired, die cut a second piece of scrap cardstock with the same
die to add dimension underneath the stencil or to help make the tittle (the dot on the i) pop up as
it doesn’t have layers of die cuts behind it like the rest of the sentiment does.

Step 11:
Glue sequins onto the bottom left corner and upper right part of the card.

Step 12:
Glue the whole card onto an A2-sized white card base.

Art Supplies

Imagine
• Brilliance Pigment Ink – Pearlescent Sky Blue
• Memento Marker – Cantaloupe, Dandelion, Lady Bug, Morocco
• Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray – Sparkle
• VersaFine Clair ink – Nocturne
• VersaMagic Chalk Ink – Ocean Depth, Pink Grapefruit, Red Magic
• Sponge Daubers

Other
• Altenew – Dies – Bold Greetings die set
• Crafty Meraki – Meraki Sparkle Gold (embellishment mix)
• Erin Lee Creative – Cardstock – Viva Las Vegas Cardstock
• Picket Fence Studios – Stencil – Glass Window Sunshine
• Pink and Main – Dies – Stitched Arches Dies
• Sakura – Gel Pen – Stardust Clear Gelly Roll pen
• Stampin’ Up – Dies – Waves (retired)
• Watercolor paper
• Clear embossing powder
• Scissors
• Glue

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

Stamp Layering with VersaMagic Ink Pads

By Jessica Lin

VersaMagic is one of my all time favorite ink pads. The pastel, muted tones create a nice range of colors, and some look great together for stamp layering. Today I’ll be sharing some ink combos I used for stamping the layered floral images from the All Things Fabulous set.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 45 minutes

Step 1
Stamp the flower images with VersaMagic Pink Petunia, Perfect Plumeria, and Eggplant ink pads. I start with stamping the base layer with the lightest shade (Pink Petunia in this case), and work towards the darker tones. When layering the stamps, I find that aligning the center white spots is the easiest. After stamping, die cut the images with Fabulous Florals dies.

Step 2
Stamp leafy images onto the white card panel. I created 2 versions with different colored leaves. The version shown here is stamped with Aloe Vera (an all time favorite color of mine) but I decided to break out of my comfort zone and opted for the version using Aquatic Splash instead.

Step 3
Stamp the sentiment using Brilliance Starlite Silver ink pad. The shimmery effect is stunning against the dark cardstock! If you are looking for a silver ink pad, I highly recommend Starlite Silver.

Step 4
It’s time to embellish the card. This delicate lace die is to die for! It adds a feminine touch to the card and can be very versatile in my opinion. This die fits in the Mini Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine as well! I’ve been enjoying the mini machine for die cutting flowers and smaller elements. Then I cut the lace die cut in half and adhere them on the top and bottom behind the white card panel.

I hope you like this floral card! The muted colors from the VersaMagic ink pads are just so pretty together. I hope you’ll try them out with layering stamps.

Craft Supplies

Imagine Supplies:

Other Supplies: