Let’s Make a Stenciled Card

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Imagine

By Anna Escalada York

– In today’s blog post, I will show you a couple of ways to incorporate stencils into your cards
using VersaMagic Chalk Inks, Brilliance Pigment Ink, and Delicata Inks. This is a wonderful way
to use those stencils you have in your stash for an encouragement card or any holiday.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour

Directions:

Step 1:
Use washi tape to secure a large floral stencil to a piece of cardstock or watercolor paper,
making sure that the cardstock is slightly larger than the stencil image you are going to use. Use
a sponge dauber to apply Mango Madness VersaMagic Chalk Ink onto the center of the flower.
Optional: Move the stencil away from the image and heat emboss the center of the flower with
clear embossing powder before replacing the stencil and moving onto the next step.

Step 2:
Using a second sponge dauber, apply Pearlescent Purple Brilliance Ink to color in all of the
flower’s petals.

Step 3:
Using the same dauber, apply Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic Chalk Ink to the outer edges of
the flower’s petals.
Optional step: Remove the stencil and add embossing powder to your flower petals to help with
smudging. Then return the stencil onto your paper in the exact same place on your paper.

Step 4:
Using a black artist pen, trace the edges of the stencil’s holes (to add a border around
each ink blended area of the stencil). Then remove the stencil and set it aside.
(I decided not to add the black outlines to the innermost circle of the flower’s center as I was
planning something different there. Later, I realized that I had not outlined one tiny triangle that I
should have in the center of the flower.)

Step 5:
Fussy cut the edges of the flower with a pair of scissors. Then use the sponge dauber to ink
blend the edges of the flower with more of the Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic Chalk Ink.

Step 6:
Attach the leafy part of the stencil to another piece of watercolor paper or cardstock with more
washi tape. Using another sponge dauber, blend the inner part of the leaf with Tea Leaves
VersaMark Chalk Ink and the outer edges with Hint of Pesto VersaMark Ink.
Mix a little Turquoise Gem VersaMagic Chalk Ink with water and watercolor the center parts of
the leaves.
Optional: Remove the stencil and heat emboss the ink with more clear embossing powder.
Replace the stencil over the leaf.

Step 7:
Using the black artist pen, trace the edges of the leafy part of the stencil’s openings (to
add a border around each ink blended area of the stencil). Then remove the stencil and set it
aside.

Step 8:
Fussy cut the stenciled leaf using a pair of scissors. Using the same sponge dauber you used to
blend the rest of the leaf, blend the Hint of Pesto VersaMagic Chalk Ink around the edges of the
leaf. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the leaf with the ink blended edges.)

Step 9:
Return the stencil to another piece of watercolor paper. Spray the paper through the stencil with
Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spray as well as Bahama Blue and Grape Jelly Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray. Allow the spray to dry or use your heat tool to dry the spray. After the spray dried, use a circular die to cut a piece of the watercolor paper that is slightly larger than the stenciled flower.

Step 10:
Ink blend the whole edge of the circular die cut with more of the Brilliance Pearlescent Purple
ink with a sponge dauber.
Return the stencil to the circular die cut and use a variety of the same colors of ink to stencil the
edges of the die cut using more sponge daubers. In blend the small flower with Mango Madness
and Turquoise VersaMagic Chalk Inks, the dots with more of the Turquoise VersaMagic Chalk
Inks, and the curved lines with Purple Hydrangea VersaMagic Chalk Ink.
Optional: Heat embossed the ink with more clear embossing powder.

Step 11:
Create the background panel by die cutting a piece of white cardstock or watercolor paper with
an A2-sized die cut. Place a stencil with larger open leafy areas over the watercolor paper and
then gently run Golden Glitz Delicata ink across the panel to add some soft gold accents. Ink
blend several of the leaves with Tea Leaves VersaMagic Chalk Ink, making sure that there are
some gold leaves and green leaves. Gently press the Golden Glitz Delicata Ink cube to the
edges of the panel to leave a gold border around the edge of the panel.
Splatter some gold watercolor across the panel and allow it to dry.

Step 12:
Stamp a sentiment of your choice on the lower right part of the panel with Nocturne VersaFine
Clair ink.
Optional: Heat emboss the sentiment with clear embossing powder.
Glue the circular die cut onto the center-right of the panel and trim the very edge of the circular
die cut to match the background panel. Attach the leaf and flower to the card with foam tape.
Glue small yellow sequins to the center of the flower and add purple and yellow sequins onto
the card. Glue the whole panel onto an A2-sized white card base. Splatter a little more gold
watercolor across the card.

Art Supplies
Imagine
Brilliance Ink – Pearlescent Purple
Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Bahama Blue
Fireworks! Shimmery Craft Spray – Grape Jelly
Sheer Shimmer Spray – Sparkle
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Hint of Pesto
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Mango Madness
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Purple Hydrangea
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Tea Leaves
VersaMagic Dew Drop – Turquoise Gem
VersaFine Clair Ink – Nocturne
Sponge Daubers
Delicata – Golden Glitz

Other
TCW (The Crafter’s Workshop)-Stencil-Dahlia Blooms (6”x6”)
Simon Says Stamp-Stencil-Mod Layering Leaves (1 of 2 stencils in the set)
Simon Says Stamp-Stamp-Amazing
Catherine Pooler-Sequins-Paisley Park and Saint Lucia sequin mixes
Embossing powder in my stash
Hero Arts-Die-Nesting Circle Infinity die set
Honey Bee Stamps-Die-Deckle Edge A2 die set
Altenew-Foam Tape-Instant Dimension Foam Tape
Scissors
Black artist pen
Clear embossing powder
Glue

Learn How To Tie-Dye Paper

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Imagine

By LV Handcrafted

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). I’m a little bit hooked on creating tie-dyed backgrounds. With this technique, I was able to create a smaller scale tie-dyed pattern, which fit perfectly for the t-shirt die I wanted to use. With this technique, you can use any dies you already have in your stash! I chose VersaMagic dewdrops because they are so juicy and you can really get very wispy swipes of ink to create that classic tie-dye effect. I used the same dew drop inks to color in my cute dragon as well.

Skill: Beginner

Time: 10 minutes

Supplies Used

Imagine:

• VersaMagic Dew Drops – Purple Hydrangea

• VersaMagic Dew Drops – Turquoise Gem

• VersaMagic Dew Drops – Tea Leaves

• VersaMagic Dew Drops – Mango Madness (to color the dragon)

Other Products Used

• Pink & Main – “Hey Hot Stuff” stamp set

• Spellbinders – “Sun Rays” (the closest one to the actual one used, which is out of stock)

Zombies Invade Brooklyn Card

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Imagine

By Kathi Rerek

Halloween card made easy with VersaMagic, Brilliance, Delicata, VersaFine Clair, and Memento Inks!

Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Time: 1 hour

Step 1.

Use low-tack tape to secure the Cityscape Stencil to a 5.5” x 8.5” piece of light grey cardstock. Trim and place low-tack tape to cover the buildings’ windows. Use a circle punch to cut a circle from mask paper and adhere the circle mask above the bridge. Keep the mask paper with the circular hole for another step..

Use a sponge dauber to apply Night Sky VersaMagic Ink over the stencil and the moon mask onto the the grey cardstock to create a night sky.

Step 2:

Keeping the stencil in place, remove the tape covering the windows. Use a Fantastix to apply Dandelion Memento Ink over the window apertures of the stencil.

Step 3:

Trace the spire onto masking paper, fussy-cut along the lines, leaving the outline of the spire intact. Place the mask around the spire on the image panel. Use low-tack tape to cover the base of the spire.

Use a sponge dauber to apply Platinum Planet Brilliance Ink to the spire, then apply Silvery Shimmer Delicata Ink overtop to amp up the silver.

Step 4:

Use low-tack tape to cover the area around the rooftop water tower, leaving the tower unmasked. Use a Fantastix to apply Platinum Planet Brilliance Ink to color the water tower. Use another Fantastix to apply Starlight Black Brilliance Ink to add shading to the water tower.

Step 5:

Remove the circle mask from the sky. Adhere the mask paper with the circle hole to the sky area, leaving the center open. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Moonlight White Brilliance ink to color the moon white. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply White Shimmer Delicata Ink overtop to add shimmer to the moon.

Step 6:

Use a scrap of cardstock and low-tack tape to cover the buildings. Place another piece of low-tack tape horizontally across the bottom 1.25” of the image panel.Use Sponge Daubers to apply Cottage Ivy and Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink between the masked areas to create a grassy lawn.

Step 7:

Use low-tack tape to cover the grassy areas. Use the pouncy tool to apply London Fog, Grey Flannel, and Desert Sand Memento Inks to create a cement sidewalk.

Step 8:

Use magnets to secure the image panel to the stamping platform. Position the Zombie stamps facedown where desired. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps, lift, ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and repeat stamping if needed to attain a good solid impression.

Remove the Zombie stamps from the platform., then remove the image panel from the platform,. Heat set the stamped images.

Step 9:

Place the image panel back onto the base of the stamping platform, secured with magnets.. Place the other two small Zombie stamps facedown between the other stamped images. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps, lift, ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and repeat stamping if needed to attain a good solid impression.

Remove the stamps from the platform Remove the image panel from the platform. Heat set.

Step 10:

Place the image panel back onto the stamping platform, secured with magnets. Place the Bat Colony Stamp facedown in the sky area as shown. Press the lid of the platform onto the back of the stamps, lift, ink the stamps with Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink, and stamp. Re-ink and repeat stamping if needed to attain a good solid impression.

Remove the stamps from the platform Remove the image panel from the platform. Heat set.

Step 11:

Trim the image panel to 4 5/8” x 6 5/8” . Use a Sponge Dauber to edge the image panel with Midnight Black VersaMagic Ink.

Step 12:

Trim a piece of white cardstock to 4.75” x 6.75”. Use a Sponge Dauber to apply Platinum Planet Brilliance Ink to the outside .5” of the image panel. Then use a Sponge Dauber to apply Silvery Shimmer Delicata Ink overtop to add to the metallic shine.

Step 13:

Use Tear It! Tape to mat the image panel to the silver-inked cardstock, then use Tear-It! Tape to adhere the matted image panel to a black 5” x 7” card.

Imagine Crafts Supplies:

Other Supplies:

Light Grey Cardstock
Cityscape Stencil TCW376 by The Crafters Workshop
Bat Colony Clear Polymer Stamp by Lavinia Stamps
Zombie Party by Whimsy Stamps
Low-Tack Tape
Mask Paper by Gina K Designs
Pouncy Tool
Heat Gun by EK Success
Mini Guillotine Trimmer by Tim Holtz for Tonic Studios
Misti Stamping Platform by My Sweet Petunia

Easy Ombre Techniques with Kaleidacolor and VersaMagic

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Imagine

By LV Handcrafted

Hello friends! This is Linh (or LV Handcrafted on all the socials). Today I have a new video up on the Imagine Crafts YouTube channel showing how to create easy ombre papers to die cut from. The easiest way is Kaleidacolor ink pads! Just swipe and you’re done! Just as simple though is to swipe VersaMagic ink across your cardstock. I like using a small blending brush to create a smooth transition from one color to the next. Whichever method you prefer, the results are stunning!

Skill: Beginner

Time: 10 minutes

Video Tutorial:

Supplies Used

Imagine:

• Kaleidacolor – Caribbean Sea

• VersaMagic Dew Drops

Other Products Used

Spellbinders Tag Die
Spellbinders Autumn Wonders Die set

Let’s Make a Flowers and Butterflies 3D Embossed Happy Birthday Card

Posted on August 15, 2023 by Imagine

By Martha Lucia Gomez –

Hello crafty friends! Today, I have a different way to use your VersaMagic Ink Pads. You only need a embossing folder and different colors of ink to create a colored background.

Skill: Intermediate
Time: 60 minutes

Directions:

Select an embossing folder of your preference. If you use a 3D Embossing Folder, you will note a bigger difference in the background.

Step 1:

Select the colors of VersaMagic Ink that you want to use. In today’s card, I am using Purple Hydrangea, Red Magic, Mango, Ocean Depth and Turquoise Green. Also select the embossing folder that you wanted to use.

Step 2:

Place the piece of cardstock behind your embossing folder before applying the ink to the embossing folder. With this you will see clearer how the colors will look on your background. Apply the ink directly with the ink pad over one of the sides of your folder. Remember that it has an embossing side and a debossing side. In my sample, I used the debossing side.

Insert the piece of cardstock inside of your embossing folder and pass it through the die cut machine before the ink dries.

Step 3:

To enhance the details that were not covered by the ink, you can use the Sheer Shimmer Stix Dauber. Just softly press the dauber directly over the details where you want to add the shimmer look. I used the Frost color to keep it neutral.

Step 4:

Now is the time to add the sentiment. I didn’t want to cover the colorful background, so I went for a large die cut sentiment. First, I inked a piece of white smooth cardstock with one of the colors used in the background. In my model it is the Turquoise Green. I applied it directly with the ink pad and let the paper dry naturally before the die cut the sentiment.

To add more contrast, I also die cut a tiny complement of the sentiment in a coordinated card stock. I pasted it directly over the large die cut sentiment using the OnPoint Glue.

Step 5:

Resize your layer and paste it directly over the card base using Tear it Tape. Paste the large sentiment over the colored background using crafty foam tape to add more dimension to the card.

Thanks for stopping by and remember, you don’t need to create complicated projects. Just use the best inks and let your creativity shine!

Art Supplies:

Imagine:

Other:

3D Embossing Folder
Die Cut Machine
White and colored cardstick
Crafty Foam Tape

Let’s Turn An Inky Background into a Beautiful Card Plus 3 Bonus Shaker Cards

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Imagine

By Nancy May

Last time we met we created a bunch of backgrounds together, using a few different inky mediums and a gel plate, along with some other supplies. This time we are going to turn one of those inky backgrounds into a lovely card. For the sake of time, we are only making one on screen, but I have 3 BONUS shaker cards to show you as well, so stick to the end!

~Nancy

Skill: Beginner, Intermediate

Time: Undetermined