Variety of Techniques

Step 1 Cut several strips of patterned paper, ½” or ¾” thick, at least two from each pattern in a darker contrasting color for a cool look. Glue the strips on thin paper side by side. Make sure they are touching, and the edges are even.

Step 2 Once again cut the paper into strips, you will have strips of paper with little squares of a different design. Now play with the strips to create a design. They can be arranged in a zigzag pattern, a wave, steps or create a pyramid design.

Step 3 Adhere the strips in the pattern of your choice directly onto the card base or another sheet of thin paper to make a layer.

Optional – The Bargello background can also be cut with a dye for a shaped background layer like this example.

Black Magic Technique

Step 1 Stamp solid image in white craft ink onto black card stock.

Step 2 Heat set image with heat tool.

Step 3 Color image with colored pencils keep the lighter colors toward the edges of the image for a more dramatic effect. Start with the darker colors at the base or center of the image and work your way to the outside edge and lighter colors.

Step 4 Using a white gel pin accent image with dots and lines.

Step 5 Add image to card and embellish as desired.

Step 1 Take the roller off of the brayer and wrap several rubber bands around it tight.

Step 2 Replace the roller back onto the brayer handle and lightly roll across the ink pad, making sure to get a good even coverage. Be careful not to push too hard, so you do not get ink directly on the roller.

Step 3 Apply ink in a smooth motion onto the card stock. Be sure to clean the brayer once you’re finished.

Step 4 Assemble and decorate your card as desired.

Brayered Embossing Folder

Step 1 Ink up a brayer by rolling it over a classic ink pad.

Step 2 Roll brayer over embossing folder. Reink the brayer and continue rolling until the color is to your liking. You can use either side of the embossing folder, but I prefer the “flat” side.

Step 3 Place card stock onto the inked embossing folder and run through your Big Shot or Cut & Emboss Machine. 

Step 4 Remove card stock and use in project. This technique always gets a “WOW” when I’ve used it in classes.

Step 5 It is easy to clean the brayer and a bossing folder. Simply run them under tap water and let air dry.

Step 1 Stamp image with Stayz-on ink on light-colored card stock.

Step 2 Using a circular motion sponge multiple colors in spots all over your image.

Step 3 Sponge darker color around edges to complete the “weathered” look.

Color Block Stamping

Step 1 Press color block onto ink pad so the whole block is inked.

Step 2 Press inked block on the cardstock or paper.

Step 3 Mat and embellish as desired.

Step 1 Cut card stock to 5″ by 3 3/4″.

Step 2 Use your scoring board, score the 5″ side, 1  5/8″ inches in from each side (this will leave 1 3/4″ for the center column. Turn 90° and score the 3 3/4″ side 1 1/4″ in from each side.

Step 3 Turn your scored card stock so that the backside, or side with indented score lines, is face up.

Step 4 Stamp your image. Large background stamps work best. Smaller images will also work, but care must be taken not to press too hard into the scored indentations.

Step 5 Cut an inside corner out of the scrap paper. Place the mask over the scored lines. Ink the sponge with the same or slightly lighter ink. Lightly sponge just inside the scored line covered by the mask. Move the mask as you go, sponging all sides of the “tiles”. The outside edges may be sponged, if desired.

Optional – To further enhance the tiles, use the Smoky Slate marker to outline the scored indentations or faux grout lines.

Diamond Dust

Step 1 Stamp image on card stock.

Step 2 Cover entire piece of cardstock with Versamark ink.

Step 3 Place card stock on piece of larger scrap paper.

Step 4 Pour iridescent ice embossing powder, Diamond Dust, or Fine Glitter over entire piece of cardstock.

Step 5 Tap off excess of embossing powder and heat set with Heat Tool until shiny.

Step 1 Rub an embossing buddy over card stock to remove any static.

Step 2 Ink up your stamp with Versamark ink, then stamp onto cardstock.

Step 3 Sprinkle clear embossing powder over image, and tap off excess.

Step 4 Use  Heat Tool to set image.

Step 5 Choose two or more colors of Classic Stampin’ ink. 

Step 6 Ink up a Sponge dauber with the lightest color first.

Step 7 Use a light hand and a swirling motion to ink only the part of the embossed image

Step 8 Continue adding more colors until embossed area is filled with color.

Step 9 Swirl color all the way to the edges of the paper.

Step 10 Using a paper towel, rub the embossed area’s until all the color that resisted the ink is gone. 

Hint – For lighter affects, pick up color from ink pad with your sponge, dab off color once or twice onto a scrap piece of paper, so the color is not too intense.

Faux Herringbone

Step 1 Adhere your base card stock to a piece of adhesive sheet cut a smidge larger.

Step 2 Using half inch strips of Designer Series Paper (DSP), adhere it, the boldest design on the diagonal across the base. Trim it and add a piece perpendicular to the diagonal on either side.

Step 3 Ccontinue to fill in each rectangular section with your strips of DSP. Trimming as you desire and using all the strips.

Faux Seersucker

Step 1 Cut your card stock a little larger than you need it to be.

Step 2 Stamp your image on the paper or use designer paper.

Step 3 Starting on the long end put your paper into the paper crimper tool. The tighter you press, the more defined your seersucker will be, then turn your paper to the short side and put the paper through the paper crimper tool again.

Faux Silk

Supplies: Tissue paper, glue stick, Xyron, spray adhesive, Mod podge or other adhesive, Neutral cardstock, Stamps, Ink

Step 1 Stamp images on tissue paper.

Step 2 Color images if necessary. Hint: color carefully. The ink will bleed through the tissue paper.

Step 3 Crinkle tissue paper. Smooth out and set aside.

Step 4 Apply adhesive of your choice over the entire piece of neutral cardstock.

Step 5 Spread tissue paper over adhesive. Smooth out most wrinkles.

Step 6 Trim excess tissue paper.

Step 7 Finish your card.

Ghosting with Versa Mark

Supplies: Glossy white cardstock, Versamark ink, stamps, Water-based ink, sponge, or brayer.

Step 1 Stamp images in Versamark on your glossy cardstock. Everything stamped in Versamark will resist the ink applied in the next step. Hint: The more you let the Versamark dry, the more defined your resist images will look. 

Step 2 Sponge ink over the cardstock. Continue to apply ink until the entire piece of cardstock is covered.

Step 3 Buff cardstock with a piece of cloth or paper towel. The ink over your Versamark images will rub off. Your ghosted image is done. Use as main image.

Optional – You may stamp over your ghosted background.

Step 5 Finish your card.

Step 1 Decide if you want to use a punch to punch designs in a layer of your card or if you want to punch a design out of a larger punched or die cut shape.

Step 2 Place a strip of packing Ttpe behind the punched out designs making sure the sticky shows through the front.

Step 3 Press the cardstock with the sticky side of the tape into a small dish with glitter. Tap off any excess.

Step 4 Continue with your card design as the glitter is now attached to your project.

Kissing Technique

Supplies: Solid image stamp, 2 coordinating colors of dye ink, cardstock, and small image or background stamp.

Step 1 Ink a solid image stamp with the lightest color ink.

Step 2 Ink a background stamp with the darkest color  ink.

Step 3 Press the solid stamp onto the background stamp.

Step 4 Stamp image on card stock. 

Optional Step 5 If you have a 2 step image, stamp your outline image over your solid image.

Step 6 Finish your card.

Step 1 Take a piece of low tac painter’s masking tape long enough to cover from edge to the other edge of the paper you want to use.

Step 2 With the sticky side down lay the tape across the ink pad pressing into the ink.

Step 3 Now lay the tape across your paper and press down.

Step 4 Hold the paper and quickly pull the masking tape off. Be sure to hold the paper with one hand and the tape with the other.

Step 5 Your ink will make a lovely textured design on glossy paper or cardstock.

Step 6 Continue with different colors using a different piece of tape for each color until you achieve the look you want.

Polished Stone

Place a few drops of color from your reinkers onto a cotton ball and saturate with rubbing alcohol. Dab and swirl the cotton ball over the entire portion of glossy white cardstock. As the alcohol evaporates you will see stone or gem like striations appear on the cardstock.

Supplies: Cardstock either Basic White or Very Vanilla,  2 or 3 coordinating reinkers, temporary adhesive, wood mount stamp box, marbles.

Step 1 Attach cardstock to inside the lid of stamp box using temporary adhesive.

Step 2 Put 3 drops of one color ink in the bottom of the box.

Step 3 Drop 2 marbles into the box, close the lid and tilt the box back-and-forth, so the marbles roll through the ink.

Step 4 Flip the box upside down and roll the marbles across the cardstock until you like the pattern.

Repeat Steps 1 to 4 using additional colors as desired. 

Tip: Use a separate box and marble for each color or clean between colors.

Scratch and Sniff

Step 1 Using sugar-free, Kool aid (or other such sugar-free drink mix) select your desired scent. 

Step 2 Mix the drink mix powder with clear embossing powder at a ratio of 2 1/2 – 3 parts powder to 1 part sugar free drink mix.

Step 3 Ink up your stamp withVersamark.

Step 4 Stamp your image onto cardstock.

Step 5 Pour your scented powder over the image.

Step 6 Heat set the image from the back, giving it one quick blast of hot air from the front at the very end (to ensure it is set.)

Step 7 Attach image to your card.

Supplies: 2 or 3 different color reinkers, Basic White cardstock or Glossy White card stock, shaving cream (not the gel kind), paper plate, lots of paper towels, a stick or utensil or tool that you do not mind getting ink on.

Step 1 Fill a paper plate with shaving cream. Even it out a little bit with a stick utensil or tool. Make sure the shaving cream is spread out enough to fit the size of your card stock.

Step 2 Add approximately 4 to 7 drops of 2 or 3 different reinkers. Gently swirl  with stick to make whatever pattern you want in the ink. Be careful not to swirl too much. Or your colors will become messy. 

Step 3 Take your card stock and place it face down in the shaving cream. Press it down lightly to make sure the entire card stock is touching the shaving cream mixture. Let it set for a couple of seconds. Remove the card stock from the shaving cream.

Step 4 With a paper towel wipe away the excess shaving cream. Set aside to dry. Once dry, you’re ready to use it in your card.

Step 1 Tape one end of the Baker’s twine to the back side of the scallop circle. Hint: do not cut the thread until the sparelli is complete.

Step 2 Run thread from a scallop valley to another scallop valley. Skip at least 3 scallops for the wrap. Make sure the twine is taut. 

Step 3 Continue wrapping in one direction only, always skipping the same amount of scallops.

Step 4 Continue wrapping always moving in the same direction. You will be doubling up on each scallop valley with the twine until all valleys have 2 threads each.

Step 5 Tape the thread on the back. When the wrapping is finished, cut the thread.

Splatter

Step 1 Fill water painter with water and add ten drops of reinker.

Step 2 Gently squeeze the water painter until you see a drop of water. Move into the tip of the water painter brush.

Step 3 For a smaller spot of color tap or flick the side of the water painter.

Step 4 For larger spots of color gently squeeze the sides of the water painter until you get a drop of ink on your paper

Step 5 Between colors let the ink dry.

Twisted Kissing

Step 1 Ink up a large bold stamp in a lighter color ink.

Step 2 Ink up a smaller stamp in a darker color.

Step 3 Stamp the inked smaller stamp onto the larger inked stamp (kissing technique) BUT before lifting the smaller stamp off –  twist it!

Step 4 Clean off stamps and reink to stamp again.

Versa Shadow

Step 1 Stamp line image or solid image with White Craft Stampin’ ink on dark card stock. Set aside and let dry.

Step 2 After image is dry, use the fine tip end of a Versa Marker to outline around stamped image. Repeat until desired effect is achieved.

Note: Always test technique on card stock first to see if you get desired effect, it works well on Basic Gray or Crumb Cake, and it does not work well on some reds and Basic Black.